Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-12-05
Reporting on War american Commaader-in-chiet
Tells HogU His Men Became Veterans OUer
Night and Entered Conflict as Though
Thoroughly Seasoned

Washington. Dec. 5. - General
John ]. Pershing's account of his
work as commander of the Amer
lean Expeditionary Forces was given
to the public yesterday. 1t is in
the form of a preliminary report to
Secretary of War Baker, covering
operations up to November 20 al
ter the German collapse. 1t closes
with these words from the leader
of the great army In France, eS-
pressing his feeling for those who
served under him:
"I pay the supreme tribute to our
officers and soldiers of the line.
When | think of their heroism, their
patience under hardships. their un-
fiinching spirit of offensive action, l
am filled with emotion which l am
unable to express. Their deeds are
immortal, and they have earned the
eternal gratitude of our country"
The report begins with General
Pershin~'s departure for France to
pave the way for the army that
was to smash German resistance on
the Meuse and give vital aid to the
Allies in forcing Germany to its
knees nineteen months later, Its
striking feature is the section devot-
ed to combat operations" where is
told the story of lighting by the man
who directed it.
General Pershing views the en-
counters before March 21, of this
year. in which American troops
participated as part of their train
ing and diSmisSes them briefly. On
that date. however, the great Ger
man offensive was launched, and
crucial situation quickly developed
in the Allied lines which called for
prompt use of the four American
divisions that were at that time
equal to any demands of battle
action"
The first crisis OF the German
drive had been reached in Picardy.
The crisis which this offensive
developed was SUCH" General Per-
shinS SAYS. that our occupation OF
an American sector must be post
ponsd. on March 2S l placed at
the disposal OF Marshal Foch. who
had been agreed upon as comman-
der-in-chief OF the Allied armies,
all OF our forces to be used as he
might decide. At his request the
First division was transferred from
the Toul sector to a position in re-
serve at Chaumont en- NeXin.
"As German superiority in num-
bers required prompt action, an
agreement was reached at the Able
Vile conference of the Allied pre-
miers and commanders and myself
on May 2 by which British shipping
was to transport ten American dlVl-
sions to the British army area,
where they were to be trained and
equipped, and additional British
shipping was to be provided for as
many divisions as possible for use
elsewhere.
Where Foe Was Measured
ION April &c the First division
had gone into the line in the Mont
dtdier salient on the Piardy batue
front. Tactics had been suddenly
revolutionized to those of open war
fare, and our men, confident Oh the
results of their training, were eager
for the test. 90 .,...
con the morning of May 2S this
division attacked the commandlns
German position in its 'front.' TAX
ing with splendid dash the town OF
Cantigny and all other ob1ectlVes,
which were organized ana hela
steadfastly against vicious counter
attacks ana gazing al ttAiStS
Although local, this brilliant action
had an electrical effect, as it demon
strated our fighting qualities under
extreme battle conditions, and also
that the enemy's troops were no'
altogether invincible."
! There followed Immediately the
German thrust across the Alsne TO-
ward Paris.
THE Allies" General Pershine
saws. faced a crisis equally as grave
as that of the Picardy offensive IN
March. Again every available mar
was placed at Marshal Foch's dis
posal, and the Third division, whicf
had Just come from its preliminary
! training in the trenches, was hur.
ried to the Marne. Its MOTORIZED
machine-gun battalion preceded the
other units and successfully helo
the bridgehead at the Marne' oppo'
site Chateau Thierry.
THE Second division, in reserve
near Montdidier, was sent by motor
trucks and other available transpor
to check the progress of the enemy
toward Paris. The division attack
ed and retook the town and rail
road station at Bouresches anC
sturdily held it's ground against th'
enemy's best guard divisions.
I'm the battle of Belleau wood