The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1918-12-12
PAYS HIGHEST TRIBUTE.
PRAISE FOR OFFICERS AND
SOLDIERS.
Commander in Field Tells Secretary
of War and Country of
Stewardship.

1
ship as commander of the American
expeditionary forces was given to
the public today by Secretary Baker.
It is in the form of a preliminary re-
port to the secretary, covering opera
tions up to November 20, after the
German collapse. 1t closes with
these words from the leader of the
great army in France, expressing his
feeling for those who served under
him:
81 pay the supreme tribute to our
officers and soldiers of the line. When
think of their heroism, their pa
thence under hardships, their un-
1inching spirit of offensive action,
am filled with emotion which I am
unable to express Their deeds are
immortal, and they have earned the
eternal gratitude of our country"
The report begins with General
Pershings 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 it's knees 19
months later. It's striking feature
is the section devoted to combat
operations" where it told the ttor,
of fighting by the man Who directed
it. ~
Gen. Pershing views the encoun-
ters before March 21 of this year in
which American troops participated
as a part of their training and dis
misses them briefly. On that date,
however, the great German offensive
was launched and a 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
Crisis in Picardy.
The first crisis in the German
drive had been reached in Picardy.
''The crisis which this offensive
developed was such,'' General Per-
shing says, that our occupation of
an American sector must be post
poned. On March % 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 as he might decide.
At his request the First Division was
transferred from the Toul sector to
a position in reserve at Chaumont en-
Vexin. AS German superiority in
numbers required prompt action, an
agreement was reached at the Able
vile conference of the allied pre-
miers and commanders and myself
on May 2, by which British shipping
was to transport 10 American divis-
ions to the British army area, where
they were to be trained and equip
ped. and additional British shipping,
was to be provided for as many d1-
visions as possible for use else
where.
"On April 26 the First Division
had gone into the line in the Mont
didier salient on the Picardy battle
front. Tactics had been suddenly
reyolutionized to those of open war
fare, and our men, confident Of the
results of their training, were eager
for the test. On the morning OF May
2S this division attacked the COM
manding German position in It's
front. taking with splendid dash the
town of Cantigny and all other OBJ
iectives, which were organized and
held steadfastly against vicious
counterattacks and CALLING artillery
fire. Although local, this brilliant
action had an electrical effect, as it
demonstrated our fighting qualities
under extreme battle conditions, and
also that the enemey's troops were
not altogether invincible.'
There followed Immediately the
German thrust across the Aisne to-
ward Paris.
"The allies" General Persh1ng
says, "faced a crisis equally as grave
as that of the Picardy offensive In
March. Again every available man
was placed at Marshal Foch's dis
posal, and the Third Division, which
: had just come from its preliminary
training in the trenches, was hurried
to the Marne. It's motorized machine
gun battalion preceded the other
units and successfully held the
bridgehead at the Marne, opposite
,, Chateau-Thierry. The Second D1-
vision, in reserve near Montdidier,
was sent by motor trucks and other
available transport to check the
, nrooress IF the enemy toward Paris.