Arizona republican., 1918-07-13

HldQle or May TOT training ana were relieved by unknown French troops.
 Troops Moved by Rail
 The division was then moved by rail to the vicinity of Vitry-le- Fran cois, where it remained about five days. From there the division was trans ferred by rail via Coulommiersit, Den- is-Pentoise, into the regions west of Beauvais. The fifth regiment of ma rines was in the vicinity of Gisora, 30 kilometers southwest of Beauvais. The Sixth regiment of marines was at Chars, seven kilometers northwest of the marines along the Pontoise to Beauvais railway.
 The Ninth and Twenty third regi- ments were quartered with and near the marines.
 "The division rested eight days in this region. Maneuvers on large scale or with large units. wtre not held; only exercises in minor tactics hand grenade throwing aHA target practice were carried out. A few long prac- tice marches (hikes) were made.
 Moved in French Trenches
 "On May 31 the Third Marine bri- gade was ordered to move and put into French motor trucks (twenty men or ten officers in each truck). The Fifth I to leave and travelled by way of Beau- mont, Lucharches, Ermenonville (west of NanteuiD, Les Flessis- Belleville and Meaux to Lizy- sur Ourcq, where they were unloaded after a journey of IS hours. The next regiment to leave was the Sixth regiment of marines, which followed the same route, while the Ninth and Twenty third regiments apparently moved via Beaumont. Eco ven, GenesSek, Aulnay (enyirons of Paris, Cleave, Meaum, and were un- loaded in the neighborhoOd of La Ferte Sous Jouarre. The Fifth regiment of marines was put into line during the night of June 2-3 as the first regiment of the division, the other elements talk ing up their position in the sector in echelon.
 Fighting value:
 Second Division Good
 'The second American division may be classified as very good division, perhaps even as assault troops. The various attacks of both regiments on Belleau woods were carried out with dash and recklessness. The moral eff feet Of our firearms did not materially check the advance of the infantry. The nerves of the Americans are still un- broken.
 Value of the individual:
 "The individual soldiers are very good. They are healthy, vigorous and physically we'll developed men of ages ranging from Is to 2S, who at present lack only necessary training to make them redoubtable opponents. The troops are fresh and full of straight forward confidence. A remark of one of the prisoners is indicative of their spirit: We kill or get killed.
 The method of attack:
 Methods in Attack
 Tn both attacks on Belleau wood which were carried out by one or two battalions, the following method oi attack was adopted:
 Three or four lines of skirmishers at about 30 to 50 paces distance; ratn. CT close to these, isolated assault par. ties in platoon column. Abundan equipment of automatic rifles and hanf grenades. The assault parties carried forward machine guns and were or. dered to penetrate the German position at weak point, to swing laterally ant to attack the strong points from tn. rear.
 Particulars on the American posi- tion: : No details are available. The pris oners are hardly able to state wher they were in position. According t, their statements it may be assume, that the front line consists only O rifle pits one meter deep, up to tn present not provided with wire entan giements. The organization of the DO sltions in rear is unknown.
 No Interest in Military
 1.. general make an alert and pleasin, impression; regarding military mat ters. however they do not show tn slightest interest. Their superior keep them purposely without knowl edge of military subjects; for exam pie, most of them have never seen map. They are no longer able to de scribe the villages and roads throug which they marched. Their ideas O the organization of their unit are en tirely confused. For example, one c them claimed that his brigade had si regiments, his division A. They sti regard the war from the point of vie, of the big brother who comes to hel his hard-pressed brethren and is there fore welcomed everywhere. A certai moral background is not lacking; tn majority of the prisoners simply too as matter of course that they hay come 10 Europe in order to defend thei country.
 Only few of the troops are of pur American origin; the ma ajority is ( German. Dutch and Italian origin, bu these semi-Americans, almost all whom were born in America and hay never been in Europe. fully feel them selves to be true born sons of the country.
 (Signed) WON BERG.
 Lieutenant and Intelligence Officer"