The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1918-12-05
YAI.AS FORCED
HUNS III QUIT
When n3rieanS Cut Lines OF
Retreat Germans Quit,
PERSHING'S STORY OF WAR
The Commanding General Tells HOW
His Nan Won Hard-F ou9Ht VIC
tories - France.

tories =; France.
Wasaiu4lon, Dec. 5.-tieneral Per-
shiur'S account of his work as colh-
mandpr of the American eNpeditlonafy
forces WAS given To the public.
II i Ia HE form Of Il preliminary
report il Secretary Of war haNer'
CO, ering operations up 10 November
20 after the German collapse. 1t
closes with these words from the
leader of the great army Ill France
EXPRESSING his feeling for those who
served under him:
II pay the supreme tribute TO our
officers and soldiers of the line. Nhen
think of their heroism. their pa
thence under hard>hipS. their unftlnch-
ing spirit of offensive action, am
filled with emotion which | am un-
able to express Their deeds are I'M
mortal, and they have earned the eter-
rfal gratitude of our country.
The report begins with General
Pershiny'< 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 nine
teen months later.
General Pershing views the en-
counters before March p, of this year,
In which American troops participant
ed as a part of their training and as
misses them briefly. On that date,
however. the great German 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.
Closing the chapter. General Per-
shing says:
son november a division of the
first corps reached point on the
Meuse opposite Sedan, twenty-five
miles from our line of departure. The
strategical goal, which was our high
est hope, was gained We had cut
the enemy's main line of communica-
lions and nothing but surrender or an
complete disaster
Of the counter offensive to smash
the foes Marine salient General Per-
shing says:
THE great force of the German
Chateau-Thierry offensive established
the deep Marine salient, but the enemy
was taking chances, and the vulner-
ability Of this pocket to attack might
be turned to his disadvantage. Seiz-
Ing this opportunity to support my
conviction, every didvision with any
sort of training was made available
for use in a counter offensive. The
place Of honor in the thrust toward
Scissors on July IS was given to our
first and second divisions in company
with chosen French divisions.
without the usral brief warning Of
a preliminary bombardment, tn -.4siste
ed French and American artillery laid
down its rolling barrage at dawn,
while the infantry began its charge.
The tactical handling of our troops
under these trying conditions was ex-
cellent throughout the action.
THE enemy brought up large num-
bers Of reserves and made stubborn
defense, both with machine guns and
artillery, but through five days fight
Ing the first division continued To ad-
vance until it had gained the heights
above Scissors and captured the VIII
lage of Berzy-lesec The second di-
vision took Beau ReDaire farm and
vierzy in a very rapid advance and
reached a position in front of Tigny
at the end Of It's second day. These
two divisions captured 1000 prisoners
and over 100 pieces of artillery"
OF the reduction of the ST. Mihiel
salient, General Pershing says:
After four hours artillery prepa-
ration the seven American divisions
In the front line advanced at five \. NJ
OIL September -, assisted by a limit
ed number Of tanks, manned partly by
Americans and partly by the French
These divisions, accompanied by
groups of wire cutters and others
armed with bangalore torpedoes. went
through the successive bands of barb
ed wire that protected the enemys
front line and support trenches in
irresistible waves on schedule time,
breaking down all defense of an enc
my demoralized by the great volume
of our artillery fire and our sudden
approach out of the fog.
Our first corps advanced to Thiau