Omaha daily bee., 1918-08-14
US. ARMY !
SET FOR A
BIG DRIVE
American Troops Take Over
Portion Of Front en- Which
Thrust for Berlin
Will Begin.
By Associated Press.

Washington, Aug. 13.-Sec-
retary Baker was formally ad-
vised today by General PERISH
ing that the first American
field army had been created,
General Pershing retaining
command of the army as we'll
as Of the entire American ex-
peditionary forces for the pres
ent. The dispatch added moth
ing to details of the army or
ganization already made
known from Paris, however,
Mr.. Baker said.
Formation of the army is taken
here to mean that the Americanlza-
tion of definite portion of the front
has been completed. The only state
ment of location of this American
front given is that it is South of the
Marne." Presumably this means
part, at least, of the long line from
St. Mihiel to the Swiss border where
American troops have been put in
at intervals, during the last few
months.
The extent of the front has not
been disclosed, nor has the definite
strength of the army been given. The
advices indicate that it comprises,
however, five full corps, which means
approximately 1,250,000 men. e.
Long Front Apportioned.
The effect of the taking over of the
line is to make a definite beginning
at apportioning the long front. The
British, aided by the Belgians, hold
the left flank from the North sea to
the juncture of tie British fourth
army and the French first army in
( /Picardy, where an offensive is being
conducted at present.
In that position the British stand
between the enemy and the channel
ports which would be his only road
to England while the British fleet ex-
lists.
The French armies presumably are
being concentrated wholly between
the Picardy juncture with the British
and the American left beyond Ver-
dun. They block the roads to Paris.
To the A.Aericans will fall the re-
maindcr of the front to the Swiss
border, when the other American
armies shall have been formed.
The FIRST army undoubtedly now
holds the bulk of that line wi tn such
French help as is necessary. The
whole line probably is under General
Pershing's direct command, even the
French corps or divisions necessary
until more Americans. arrive.
Liggett Probable Commander.
From the FIVE temporary corps COM
manders, General Pershing probably
will select the commander of the first
army. Opinion here is his choice will
be Maj. Gen. Hunter Liggett, now
commanding the first corps on the
Vesle front. 1t is expected General
Pershing will soon name his perma-
nent corps commanders, the appoint
nent carrying with it the rank of
lieutenant general.
General Liggett's corps probably is
regarded as the mobile reserve of the
first army and as such is being en-
ployed on the French front. Should
aggressive operations be undertaken
on the American front this corps
probably would be used there.
The American sector includes what
already has been considered the log
ical road to Berlin. 1t was across ,
lines now held by Americans that the
French struck in .9l4 before the
plunge of the German army through
Belgium localized the war in northern
France. 81
While the enemy is still in northern
France, it may be that no major at
tack can be attempted through these
gateways. The campaigns in Picardy
and at the Marne, however, are aimed
at forcing him back until the oppor-
tunity comes to drive back at him
and it is regarded by officers here
that it will be over the American
lines that the real thrust at Germany
will be driven home.