The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1918-07-30
18TH DIVISION
MAGNIFICENT
New Englanders in Present
Offensive Receive
High Praise
FROM FRENCH
COMMANDER
--
Troops with +" Magnificent
Audacity" Rushed Germans
-Vermonters in Division

Washington, July 30.--High tribute to
the military skill and magnificent au-
dacity" of an American division, prob
ably the 26th New Englandl, as it is de-
scribed as being composed largely Of
Massachusetts troops, is paid in an Off
cial report from the commander of the
French army to which the Americans are
attached. An abstract of the report re-
ceiyed here shows that from July Is TO
25 in the region north of Chateau
Thierry, this division had advanced IL
kilometres, fighting day and night with
zeal that had to be restrained at times.
"on July 90" the report said, sin or
der to free Monthieres and the Petret
wood, still strongly occupied by the Ger
mans, severe attacks were delivered by
the French troops ON the left. In order
to relieve them the Americans on the
evening of the Goth delivered fanking
movement which fully succeeded. With
magnificent audaeity they rushed for.
ward with single bound up the level
Of Etrepilly, the Gonettrie farm and La
val Mardier.
1T was most sudden attack, which
| disclosed all the American fearlessness.
In spite Of the severe barrage and ma
chine gun emplacements in which the
enemy were sheltering two kilometres in
depth were gained They also captured
three cannon, large type mine werfer
and machine guns. Besides, 200 prison
ers fell into the hands OF the Americans.
81 could not have done better under
-
declared General de Gouette on hearing
of the fine success of our allies.
"The Germans then found themselves
in such a precarious position at Mon
there's that they had to begin to re-
treat.
"The enemy prisoners could not get
over it. We scarcely see those who are
commanding they declared to the Amer
leans. You are lucky. You are like the
French, who have always got their Off
GERS in front Of them to lead them in
battle"
The report says the same good har-
mony is shown between the French and
American high command and that the
American division commander during the
operations described never spared him
and practical mind, treated the prob
lens that presented themselves with
mastery Of the situation that cost the
enemy dear.
"The days Of July Is to the 25th," the
report concludes, "offer fresh striking
proof of what the entente of the United
States and France can do on military
grounds"
Telling OF the work Of the American
division on July %, when it took the
woods north of Epieds, the report says:
"The Germans furiously opposed this
attempt, and counter. attacked with
great energy, but they learned to their
cost the meaning of American tenacity.
Impeded the first time in their maneuver,
the Americans took the outskirts of the
wood on the oath, went straight into it
and seized a whole company of German
prisoners, and continued their advance
with such fury that towards 3 p. m. they
had reached the outskirts of the forest
of Fere, and the same evening they had
gained the Fere.en Tardenois to Jaul-
gonne road
"Thus the American division had in
six days realized at certain points a gain
Of territory of ~ kilometres in depth,
fighting day and night without respite,
and giving proof Of the finest military
virtues. All their communications were
carried out with perfect regularity on
the right and left, as well as in the int.
rior Of the division itself. Discipline
which filled the Germans with surprise
and admiration animated the attacking
sections. They marched with officers at
the, side and with closed ranks, exactly
like French units