Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-12-05
GEN. PERSHlNG
GIVES OFFICIAL.
ACCOUNT OF u.
W
S.PARTIN WAR
Gallant Work OF Yankee
Troops Described In Re-
port 10 Baker; Tells How
American Divisions Broke
Hun Resistance On The
Mouse.

washington, Dec. General John
): Pershing's account of his steward
snip as commander of the American
'Expedltlonary Forces was given to the
public today by Secretary Baker. 1t
IS IN the form Of a preliminary report
10 the Secretary, covering operations
up to November 20 after the German
a 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 I think of their heroism, their
patience under hardships, their I'M
hlnching spirit of offensive action, I
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
Pershing's departure for France to
pave the way for the army that was
to smash German resistance on the
Meuse and give vital aid t. the Allies
in forcing Germany to its knees nine
teen months later. It's striking fea-
ture is the section devoted to Combat
operations" where it told. the story of
fighting by the man who directed it.
General Pershfng views the encoun-
tiers before March FL 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"
The first crisis of the German drive
had been reached in Picardy.
Z Places Army Under Foch.
"The crisis which This offensive de-
veloped was SUCH" General Pershing
! says. that our occupation of an
American sector must be postponed.
On March %, I placed at the disposal
of Marshal Foch, who had beer
agreed upon as commander-in-chief
of the Allied armies, all Of our forces
to be5used as he might decide. At his
request the first division was trans
ferred from the Toul sector to a po-
sitioa 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 premiers
and. commanders and myself on May
2 by which British shipping was to
transport IL american divisions to the
British army area, where they were to
be trained and equipped, and addi-
ticnal British shipping was to be pro-
vidsd for as many divisions as possible
for use elsewhere.
ION April 26 the First division had
gone into the line in4the Montdidier
salient on the Picardy battle front.
Tactics had been suddenly revolution
lied to those Of open warfare, 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 commanding German po-
sition in its front, taking with splen-
did dash the town of Cantigny and all
other objectives. which were organ
lied and held steadfastly against
vicious counter attacks and CALLING
artillery fire. Although local, this
brilliant action had an electrical
effect, as it demonstrated our fighting
qualities under extreme battle condi-
tions, and also that the enemy's troops
were not altogether ~invincible."
There followed Immediately the
German thrust across the Aisne to-
ward Paris.
}saH Another Crisis Met.
The Allies General Pershing
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