New-York tribune., 1918-12-05
General Says, in Report,
He Saw Foe in Trap and
Massed U. S. Forces
Chateau Thierry
Drive Turned Tide
Paris Saved by Single
American Regiment;
Praises NaIor of Men

WASHINGTON, Dec. 4-General John
J. Pershing's account of his steward
ship as commander Of the American en-
peditionary forces was given to the pub
lie to-day by Secretary Baker. 1t is in
the form of preliminary report to the
Secretary, covering operations up to
November 90 after the German COL
lapse. 1t closes with these words from
the leader of the great army in France,
expressing his feeling for those who
served under him:
Il pay the supreme tribute to our
officers and soldiers of the line. When
think of their heroism, their patience
under hardships, 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 Per-
shings departure for France. Its strik-
ing feature is the section devoted to
combat operations"
General Pershing views the encoun-
ters before March u of this year in
which American troops participated as
part of their training, and dismisses
them briefly. On that date however,
the great German offensive was launched
and crucial situation quickly devel-
opened 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 Crisis in Picardy
The first crisis of the German drive
had been reached in Picardy.
The crisis which this offensive de-
veloped was SUCH" General Pershng
says, that our occupation of an Ameri-
can sector must be postponed. 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 re-
quest, the first division was transferred
from the Toul sector TO n position in re-
serve at Chaumont-en- Vixen. AS Ger
man superiority in numbers required
prompt action, an agreement was
recahed at the Abevillc conference of
the Allied Premiers and commanders
and myself, on May ,, by which British
shipping was to transport ten Ameri-
can divisions to the British army area,
where they were to be trained and
equipped, ard additional British ship
ping was to be provided for as many di-
md II, l.,
"On April Zb, the tlrst DIVISION had
gone into the line in the Montdidier
salient on the Picardy battle front.
lactcs had been suddenly revolutions
Ted to those of open warfare. and orr
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 nos
ttlon in its front, taking with SPLENDID
dash the town of Cantigny and all
other objectives, which were organized
and held steadfastiy against vicious
counterattacks and CALLING artillery
IRE. Although local, this brilliant
action had an electrical effect. "a II
demonstrated our fighting qualities
under extreme battle conritions. and
also that the enemy's troops were not
altogether invincible."
There followed immediately the
German thrust across the Asne to-
ward Paris.
Allies Position Grave
"The Al 'es," General Pershing says
faced crisis equally as grave as that
OF the Picardy offensive in March
again every available man was placed
at Marshal Fochs disposal and the
Third Division, which had just come
irom It's preliminary training in the
trenches, was hurried to the Marine.
ts motorized machinegun battalion
preceded the other units and success
luliy held the bridgehead at the Marne,
Uposlte Chateau Thierry. The second |
pWlslon, IN reserve near Montdidier,
was sent by motor trucks and other
available transport to check the pro-
gress E Of the enemy toward Paris The
DIVISION attacked and retook the town
M! ma railroad station at Bouresches and
ssurdily held its ground against the
eheemy's best divisions.
an the battle Of Belleau Wood
mnlch followed our men proved their
Ssupeflorlty and gained strong tact
,s ai po itlon, with far greater loss to
enehy than to ourselves. On July
!, before the Second was relieved i
.apeored the village of Vaux with most
splendid precision.
NJ; meanwhile our Second Corps, under
ora.u ~y. zen. George w. Read, had been
dix;a;lzed dis;anlzed for the command of our
hs,.as with the British, which were
is'a to pack in training areas or ass,ened
tsnSssco SSescond-ilne defenses. Five of the
Brt;,shl were withdrawn from the
djy,ssSnn area in June. three to relieve ,
and 'tons to IN Lorraine and the Vosees +
- wv 70 the Paris area to Join the i
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