The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-10-13
PENNSYLVANIA
MEN WIN PRAISE
Graphic Story Of Their Bril-
liant Work in Clearing
ArgOnne Forest.
NEW WORKERS IN 1T TOO
Major Vail, With Men in Shell
Hole, Mows Down Enemy
Like Wheat.
BY RAYMOND G. CARROLL.
Special Gable Despatch to Tue Sun and the
Public Ledger.

Special Cdble Despdfch to Tue SUN and the
Public Ledger.
Copyright. 1918; all rights resolved.
WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY Nm
FRANCE Oct. 12.-Ma jor-Gen Hunter
Liggett commanding the First Corps of
the American First Army. has officially
commended the tdeleted) division for it's
work in emptying the Argonne forest OF
Germans. This forest. which actually
was leafy fortress. heretofore was con-
sidered impregnable.
New York troops were at the left of
the Pennsylvanians. but It was the latter
who drove northward in two columns
through tbs beautiful Aire Valley, rich
In Its autupnal splendor suddenly veer-
ing westward to capture the high points
commanding the entire northern tip of
the forest.
One column OF PENNSYLVANIA troops
followed the winding course OF the river
while the other battered its way through
the forest. double liason being main
tained constantly, first by intervening
patrols and second by telephone COM
munication, the latter presided over by
the chief of the divisional staff. Col
Walter c. Sweeney. The V shaped cir
cult Of communication was not once
broken, owing to the alertness and abil-
ity Of the divisional signal officer. Lieut.
W. oitiiOy ~ thabSAhhb VI
signal Men Are Modest.
Each brigade General always knew
how far the other had advanced which
greatly facilitated their work and con-
tributed to the success of the whole en-
terprise. Both signal officers modestly
disclaim credit, saying the success of the
undertaking was due to the unfiinching
bravery of the troops and the excellent
a,
nihcent team work between officers and
men.
Realizing the materiality of this drive
I made repeated trips up the valley of
the Aire during the operation, wit
Messing the physical results piling up
behind our progressing troops. These
include nine German IT'S. one of which
was put into action against the enemy
the day It was captured. the others
later; three 1908 also disable; three
German naval guns, an entire narrow
gauge railway in perfect condition, with
seven locomotives and 26S railway cars;
twelve minenwerfers, one 3.5 Belgian
gun and a complete sawmill. which we
are already using to cut lumber for our
bridges.
In addition we captured a complete
hospital. with all tools and instruments
and many beds. the hospital being i'm
mediately occupied by American sur
geons and put into use by them; i'm
mense quantities of engineers and quar-
termasterS stores, including clothing and
blankets which were at once humanely
distributed among some 500 shivering
German prisonerss a carboning plant
and a complete quarry. with tools for
crushing and handling stone.
u Is impossible to give tee number of
machine guns and rifles captured One
company got enough machine guns TO
equip every one of its men and already
has fred Off $1,000 rounds of captured
ammunition. Only a small part of the
German property taken has as yet been
salvaged.
The fighting has been extremely in
tense, there being in many instances
hand to hand encounters. The German
resistance was savage. picked men hav-
ing been assigned to hold back the
Americans, a task which those who are
still living say is impossible.
In ten days of battering the German
positions three Pennsylvanians have
again covered themselves with glory.
Major Robert NJ. Vail OF Scranton, COM
handing a battalion Of machine guns.
told Of the fight near Apremont. He
said he had planned to attack north OF
the village at O'Clock in the morning.
Moved DOWN Like w ucats
Instead of building a trench system
around the village he decided upon Sc
ries Of strong points within shell holes.
Major Vail with four guns. was in such
a position about 500 yards from the
village. All was set for the attack,
both there and at other strong points,
where 500 of our men awaited an artil-
lery barrage and word to dash for the
enemy.
TT SO happened" said Major Vail.
that the Germans had been planning to
attack us In exactly the same way we
had II in mind to attack them. Just as
we were getting ready TO attack we
were astounded to see the Germans
rise out of the ground in front and come
dashihg toward US. Imagine Al Our
machine guns. all placed, all loaded, all
ready for instant action, with an eager
American back of every one. his finger
ready TO press the lever. 1t was pitt
able.
When the Germans got close enough
I gave the signal and our boys let them
have It, Streams OF lead poured into
them, moving them down like wheat.
go numerous were the Germans that
some OF them got up 10 and beyond our
positions, especially on the TANKS, but
these we're Immediately met by our in
fantry behind and not a German es-
capped"
Among those who distinguished them
selves in this particular engagement were
Major Joseph s. Thompson. Pittsburg
Capt Ralph c. Grove. Harrisburg. and
Capt George Potter Of Buffalo. AS for
the General in command Of the brigade,
instead Of being back somewhere In
dugout, he was erect all through the
fighting. going from strong point TO
strong point and back. always directing
the FIRE. His courage Is the talk OF the
entire division and his ability has al
ready lifted him to the level OF military
genius
The Aire Valley, below the historic
city OF varennes, where Louis XIV.
was taken when he attempted to escape
from France, is a bowl shaped valley
gorgeous in color and rich In history.
When the Pennsylvanians pushed their
way to the lower crest OF the ridge look
ing down into the valley German ma
chine gunners still occupied the edge OF
the Argonne Forest to the westward.
Our officers, including Generals. were
sniped at when they came out with
their glasses to plan the next phase OF
the attack.