Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-12-05
AMERICAN SOLDIERS BRAVE.
PATIENT, HEROIC, GENERAL
PERSHINC SAYS IN REPORT
Great Captain Of Our Expedionay Force Says Deeds Of
u S. Troops Are immortal Tells of Their Victories in
the World War;

Washington. Dec 5-GeneTal John ]
Pershng'S account of his stewardship a.
commander Of the American Expedition,
AIRY Forces was given 10 the public today
by Secretary Baker II is in the form of 5
preliminary report To the secretary, cover
ing operations up to November 20, after
the German collapse. II closes with thest
words from the leader of the great army III
France. expressing his feeling for those
who served under him:
4 pay the supreme tribute to our
officers and soldiers of the line. When
think Of their hcroism, their patience
under hardships. their ,mfiinching spirit
of offensive action, am filled with emo
ilon which am unable To express Their
deeds are immortal. and they have earned
the eternal gratitude of our country"
The report begins with General Per
shlngs departure for France 10 pave the
way for the army that was to smash
German resistance on the heuse and give
vital aid To the Allies in forcing Ger
many TO its knees 10 months later. It's
striking feature = the section devoted TO
combat operations" where 1T told the
story of fighting by the man who directed
IT.
TTRST AMERICAN IN BATTLE MARCH II.
General Pcrshing views the encounters
before March II Of this wear in which
American troops participated, rs q part
OF their training and dlsmlsses 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
tour American divisions that were at that
time equal TO anv demands Of hattie
action.
The first crisis OF the German drive had
been reached in Picardv
The crisis which this offensive de
veloped was such, General Pershing saws.
that our occupation Of an American
sector must be postponed. On March 2S,
placed at the disposal of Marshal Foch,
who had been agreed upon as Commander
in Chief Of the Allied armies all Of our
forces, to be used rs he might decide
At his request the first division was trans
ferrcd from the Toul sector 70 position
IN reserve ST Cha,mont en- Nexin. As
German superiority III numbers required
prompt action. an agreement was reached
st the Ahbevlle conference OF the Allied
premiers and commanders and mvself on
May ?, by which British shipping was to
transport 10 American divisions to the
pfIifSu AtIfs AREA. WDfTt tsr@N Af4t 10
be trained and equipped, and additional
British shipping was 10 be provided for as
many divisions "a possible for use else
where.
AMERICANS CONFIDENT ASD EAGER.
On April %. the First Division had
gone into the line In the Monfdidier
salient on the Plcsrdv battle trout
Tactics had been suddenly revoiutlonized
70 those Of open warfare. and our men,
confident Of thc results Of their training,
were eager for the test On the morning
Of May 2S, this division attacked the
commanding German position IN its
front, taking with splendid dash, the town
Of Cantigny and HI other objectives,
which were organized and held stead
lastly against vicious counterattacks and
CALLING artillery fire Although local. this
brilliant action had IN electrical effect, as
i demonstrated our fighting qualities
under extreme battle conditions. and also |
hat the enemys troops were not alto |
rethrr invncIble
There followed immediately the Ger /;
man thrust across the AiSne toward |!
Parls.
oUR aES At CHATIAu-TRIERRY
Tho Allies General PerShIng SAYS.
faced a crlsis equally rs grave as that OF /
the PIcaTdv offensive IN March Again
very ayaIIabie man was placed A.
Marshal och : disposal, and the Thrl
Division, which had Just como from It's
preliminary training IN the trenches. was
hurried TO the Marne Its motorized
1a chine-gu battalion preceded the other
1nlts and successfully held the bridge
cad IT the Marne opposite Chateau
hlerrv. The Second Division. IN reserve
leaT MontdldIer. was sent by motor
rucks and other available transport "a
heck the progress OF the enemy toward
'arls The division attacked and retook
he town and railroad station At Bour-
sches and sturdiv held It's ground against
he enemy's best guard divisions
In the battle Of Belleau Wood, which
ollowed, our men proved their superiority
nd gained strong tactical position, with
4r greater loss TO the enemy than 10 our
elves. On July !. before the Second was
slieved, 1t captured the village of Vaux 8
-ith most splendid precision
Meanwhile our second corps, under ,
1aior General George " Read, had been .
rganized for the command Of our dIvi- !
OPS with the British, which were held
ack In training areas or assigned TO
scond-hne defenses. Five Of the ten
'FLsioDS NcEe NiLuuTdRD tTOID the bfItiSl
rca In June, three to relieve divisions in
orralne and the Fosges, and two To the
sris area tn JOIN the group os American
VISIONS which stood between the city
nd any farther advance Of the enemy IN
nat direction.
42sD HELD WITHOUT FLINCHIEG.
BY that time the great tide Of American
oops movements TO France was In full {
wing and the older divisions could b. I
,ed freely. The 42nd, IN line east of ,
hiems, faced the German assault of
lly Is aud held their ground unhinch- {
gly'' on the right flank four companies /
the 2Sth division faced advancing i
aves of German infantry and the Third D
VISION held the Marne line opposite Ii
lateau Thierry against powerful ar 0
iery and infantry attack "A single A
glment Of the Third wrote one Of the a
osi brilliant pages IN our military annals e.
this occasion, General Pcrahing says. q
I prevented the crossing at certain
Ints on Is front while, On either flank.
{ Germans who had gained a footing, | i
assed forward Our men. firing In o.
rec directions. met thc German attacks ii
"