The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-12-05
GEN. PRESSING DESCRIBES
 AMERICAS PART IN WAR

chosen French divisions.
 Counter Offensive Launched.
 "Without the usual brief warning of a preliminary bombardment the massed French and American artil- lery, firing by the maps, laid down it's rolling barrage at dawn, while the infantry began its charge. The tac- tical handling of our troops under these trying conditions was excellent throughout the action. The enemy brought up large numbers of reserves and made a stubborn defence, both with machine guns and artillery but through five days fighting the First Division continued to advance until it had gained the heights above Sois- sons and captured the village of Berzy-le-Sec. The Second Division took Beau Repaire farm and VierZy in a very rapid advance, and reached a position in front of Tigny at the end of its second day. These two di~ visions captured 1000 prisoners and over 100 pieces of artillery"
 With the situation on the Marne front thus relieved, General Pershing writes, he could turn to the organiza- tion of the First American Army and the reduction of the St. Mihiel salient.
 The combined French, British and American air forces mobilized for the battle, the report says, was the largest aviation assembly ever engaged on the Western front up to that time in single operation.
 St. Mihiel Advance Irresistible. Of the reduction of the St. Mihiel salient, General Pershing says: After four hours artillery pre- paration the seven American divisions in the front line advanced at 5 a. m. on September 12, assisted by 8 limited number of tanks, manned partly by Americans and partly by the French We closed the salient, forming a new line west of Thiaucourt to Vigneulles, and beyond Fresnes- Woevre.
 "At the cost of only 1000 casual ties, mostly light, we had taken 16,OOO prisoners and 443 guns, a great quan- tity of material, released the inhabi- tants of many villages from enemy domination, and established our lines in position to threaten Metz.
 :'This signal success of the Ameri- can First Army in it's first offensive
 
 found they had a formidable army to aid them,and the enemy learned final | ly that he had one to reckon with.'' The report shows for the first time officially that with this brilliantly ex- ecuted coup, General Pershing's men had cleared the way for the great | effort of the Allied and American forces to win a conclusive victory. The American army moved at once toward it's crowning achievement, the battle of the Mouse
 The general tells a dramatic story of this mighty battle in three distinct phases, beginning on the night of | September 27, when Americans quick ly took the places of the French on the thinly held line of this long, quiet sector. The attack opened on Septem- Der 26. and the Americans drove througA entanglements, across No Mans L-1d to take all the enemy's first line positions. Closing the chap ter, General Pershing says: "Cn November a division of the First Corps reached a point on the Mouse opposite Sedan, 25 miles from bur line of departure. The strategical goal, which was our highest hope, was gained. We had cut the enemy's
 main line of communications, and nothing but surrender or an armistfce could save his army from complete disaster.
 Tn all 40 enemy divisions had been used against us in the Meuse-Argonne battle. Between September 26 and November 6 we took 26.O59 prisoners
  visions engaged were the 1st, 2d. 3d, 4th, 5th 26th. 18th, 18th, 32d, 33d, 35th, 37th, 42d, 77th, 18th, 18th, SOth. sgd, S9th, 90th and 91st"
 The commander in chief tells of the work of the 2d Corps, comprising the 27th and S0th Divisions, in the British assault on the Hindenburg line. Army Strength 2,053,347. Of the total strength of the expedi- tionary force General Pershing re- ports:
 There are in Europe altogether, including regiment and some sani- tary units with the Italian army and the organizations at Murmansk, also including those en route from the States, approximately 2,O53,347 men, less our losses. Of this total there are in France 1,33S, ,169 con1batant l troops. Forty divisions have arrived. of which the infantry personnel of 10 have been used as replacements, leav- | ing 10 divisions now in France organ ! ized into three armies of three corns each"
 1 Of their equipment he says: | "Our entry into the war found us
 with few of the auxiIiaries necessary | for it's conduct in the modern sense.
 Among our most important defcien- cies in material were artillery, avia- | tion and tanks. In order to meet | our requirements as rapidly as possi- ble we accepted the offer of the French government to provide us with the necessary artillery equip-
 ment of 75s, enc 65-millimetre how
 itzers and one 55~G. P. F. guns from their own factories for thirty divis- ions. The only guns of these types produced at home thus far received in France are 1O9 75-millimetre guns.
 "In aviation we were in the same | situation, and here again the French government came to our aid. They havep rovided us with a total of D. 676 pursuit, observation and bomb | ing planes. The first airplanes re-
 ceived from home arrived in May. and altogether we have received l. | 379. The first American squa dron completely equipped by American | production, including airplanes, | crossed the German line on August ', 1918. As to tanks, we also were i compelled to rely upon the French.
 Tt should be fully realized that the
 French government has always taken
 a most liberal attitude and has been