The Corpus Christi caller. [volume] (Corpus Christi, Tex.) 1918-1987, 1918-12-05
PERSHING SAYS
u. 5. MEN WON
WAR At Marine

fConilnncd from pahu Onel
tho cuNnN iroops Wtrc not altos
Nttheg insinalhic.
There followed immediately the Ger
man ,hrpsi acress ihc Aisne toward
rurls
"The AIlics,' General Pershinp says,
faced crisis equally as grave as that
% the picardy offensive IN Marsh.
Again every available man was placed
At Marshal Foch's disposal and the
fhire Division. which had Just come
from RS preliminary training IN the
trenches, was hurried 70 the Marine.
"a. mosorixed machine gun battalion
preceded the ether units and success
fully held the bri5oehead at the Marine
opposite Chateau Thierry. The Second
Division IN reserve near Montdidier
was sent b. motor trucks and other
available transport 10 check the prog
rcss Of the enemy toward Paris. The
uivisior attacked and retook the town
and railroad station at Bourcsehes and
sturdily held rs ground against the
cncny's best guard divisions.
In the battle OF 5elleau Wood. which
followed. our men proved their su.
neriority and sainee strong tactical
session, with fa- greater less 20 the
enemy than TO ourselves. On July I,
before the Second was relieved, Il cap
tured tho village OF VauS with most
spirited precision.
''Mesnwhile our Second Corps, under
Mai, Cen. George W. Read, had been or
oanixcd for the command Of our d.
visions with the British, which were
held back in training areas or assign
ed 20 second-line defenses. Five OF
the ten divisions were withdrawn from
the British area in June, three TO re
iieve divisions in lorraine and the
vosoes and two to the Paris area TO
join the group OF American divisions
which stood between the city and any
farther advance Of the enemy in that
direction"
fiy thar time the great tide Of Amer
iean troop movements 10 France was
ir fun swing and the older divisions
could he used freely The 42nd. IN
line east Of Rheims. faced the German
assault Of july IS and held their
ground unfiinchingiy. on the right
flank -four companies OF the 2sth di.
vision faced advancing waves % Ger
man infantry and the ard Division
held the Marine line opposite Chateau
infantry attack "A single regiment
81 the Third wrote one OF the most
brilliant pages Ia our military annals
on this occasion General Pnrshlnp
says IT prevented the crossing al
certain points on its front while, on
ciihcr flank, the Germans who had
saincd 4 footlnE, pressed forward ON
men, firing in three directions, mel
the German attacks with counter-at-
tacks al critical points and succeeded
in throwing two German divisions int,
complete confusion. capturing COZ
prisoners"
Thus was tn, s,agssoi for the coun.
ier offensive which beginning with Ia,
smashing of tho cnemy's Marnc sa.
font brought overwhelming victory
% the allies and the i'uited States il
tho eventful months that have follow
fed. The mtimation is strong that Gen.
.crai pcrshings advice helped Marsha
foch 70 reach his decision 10 strike
General rershlng continues
The great force of the German
chntcau Thierry offensive establishes
the deep Marine salient but the oncm,
was taking chances. and the Vulncr
ability of this pocket 20 attack nigh
boz turned 70 his disadvantage. Sclz
inc this opporiuniiy to support IN,
conviction every division with an,
sort OF training was made available foi
use la a counter offensive. The plae,
pf honor in the thrust toward SuiAson,
on julS was given 60 our First an,
second Divisions in company win
ohpscn ffrenrh divisions
without The nsuai brief warninl
of preliminary bonbardment %,
naased French and American artillery
fnine by tlic map, laid down its roilinl
hpfAer az dawn while the infantry be,
san iis cnarGe The tncticul handiint
~ our troops under these trying con.
ditlone was excellent throughout III,
action The enemy brought up larg,
numhfr ~ reserves aud made a stub.
nptn drtenac both with machine gun,
ani artillery but through 1.-Two DAYS
fiehims The First Division continue,
tn advance until il had gaiued IA,
heisnis above sspiSsuns aud capture,
the village of Berry, le-SDc The Sec.
nnd piNlSiun tool, Beau Reuaife farm
ANA Nierst ln very rapid advance
tnd reached position la front ol
flent ~ the end OF It's second day
THESE two divisions captured 7.oul