Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1918-12-11
STORY Of WAR IS
TOLD BY PERSHING
Detailed Report of How U. S. Men
Won Battles.
CRISIS CAME ON MARC. Il
Says American Operations Previous to
That Date Were Only a Part Of
Their Training-Pays Su-
preme Tribute to Army.

/ preme Tribute to Army.
Washington, Dec. S.-Gen. John J.
Pershing's account of his stewardship
as commander of the American expe-
dictionary forces was given to the pub
lie Wednesday by Secretary Baker.
II is in the form of preliminary re-
port to the secretary, covering opera
tons 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:
II pay the supreme tribute TO our
officers and soldiers of the line. When
think of their herOism. their patience
under hardSips, their unfinching spirit
of offensive action. | am filled with
emotion which am unable to express.
Their deeds are immortal and they
have earned the eternal gratitude of
our country"
The report begins with General
Pershing's departure for France to
pave the way for the army that was TO
smash German resistance on the
Mouse and give vital aid to the allies
in forcing Germany TO it's knees 10
months later
Crisis on March %.
General Pershiug views the encoun-
tiers before March u of this year In
which American troops participated as
n part of their training, and dismisses
them briefly. On that date however.
the great German offensive was
launched and crucial situation quick
~ developed in the allied lines which
called for prompt use of the four
American divisions that were Mt the
time equal TO any demands of battle
actiun."
He leads up TO the time the stage was
SET fjr the counter offensive which. he
ginning with the smashing of the enc
my'S Marine salient. brought over
whelming victory 10 the allies and the
United States in the eventful months
that have followed. The intimation is
strong that General pershing's advice
helped Marshal Foch 10 reach his de-
cisiOn to strife.
Counter-OftensiVe Opens.
General Pershing continues:
"The great force of the German
Chateau Thierry offensive established
the deep Marine salient, but the enemy
was taking chances, and the vulnera-
bility of this pocket to attack might
he turned TO his disadvantage.
"Sezing this opportunity to support
my conviction, every division with any
sort of training was made available
for use in "a counter-ofrenslve. The
place of honor in the thrust toward
scissors on July IS was given to our
First and Second divisions in com
pany with chosen French divisions.
Without the usual brief warning of
a preliminary bombardment, the
massed French and American artillery,
firing by the map. laid down it's rolling
barrage at dawn while the infantry be-
gan its charge. The tactical handling
of our troops under these trying condl.
tions was excellent throughout the ac-
ton.
THE enemy brought up large num-
bers of reserves and made stubborn
defense both with machine guns and
artillery, but through five days fight
ing the First division continued to adj
vance until II had gained the heights
above Scissors and captured the VII
lage Of Berzy-le-Sec
THE Second division took Beau Re
paire farm and Very in very rapid
advance and reached Il position in
front Of Tigny ut the end Of it's second
day. These two divisions captured T.
600 prisoners and over 100 pieces of
artillery"
Battle Of ST. Mihiel.
Of the reduction Of the st. Mihiel
salient General Pershing says:
After four hours artillery prepa-
ration the seven American divisions
in the front line advanced at 5 n. m.
on September II. assisted by limit
ed number Of tanks manned partly by
Americans and partly by the French.
These divisions. accompanied bv
groups Of wlre-cutters and others
armed with bangalOre torpedoes. went
through the successive bands OF
barbed wire that protected the enc
my's front line and support trenches
in Irresistible waves on schedule time.
breaking down all defense of an on.
envy demOralized by the great volume
OF our artillery fire and our sudden
approach out Of the fog.
sour First corps advanced to Thlau-
court, while our Fourth corps curved
back to the southwest through Non
sard. The Second Colonial French
corps made the slight adrsHce re-
qulred of IT on very difficult ground.
and the Fifth corps took it's three
ridges and repulsed counter-attacx.
"a rapid march brought reserve reg
iments Of division Of the Fifth corps
into Vigneulles in the early morning.
where II linked up with patrols Of our
Fourth corps. closing the salient and
forming new line west Of Thiaueourt
10 Vlgneulies and beyond Fresnes-en-
WOeyre.
10000 Prisoners Taken.
AT cost of only 1905 casualties.
mostly light. we had taken 1000 pris-
oners and 443 guns, q great quantity
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