Sharp County record., 1918-12-13

my's front line and support trenches
in irresistible waves on schedule time,
breaking down all defense of an en-
emy demoralized by the great volume
Of our artillery fire and our sudden
approach out of the fog.
sour First corps advanced to Thiau-
court, while our Fourth corps curved
back to the southwest through Non
Sard. The Second Colonial French
corps made the slight advance re-
Qulred of it on very difficult ground,
and the Fifth corps took Its three
ridges and repulsed counter-attack.
"a rapid march brought reserve reg
iments of division of the Fifth corps
into Vigneulles In the early morning,
where it linked up with patrols OF our
Fourth corps, closing the salient and
forming a new line west of Thaucourt
to Vlgneulles and beyond Fresnes-en-
Woevre.
10000 Prisoners Taken.
"At a cost Of only 1000 casualties,
mostly light, we had taken 10000 pris-
oners and 443 guns, a great quantity
Of material, released the inhabitants
Of many villages from enemy domina-
ton and established our lines In po-
sition to threaten Metz.
"This signal success of the Amerl-
can First army In It's first offensive
was Of prime Importance. The allies
found they had 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 exc
cuted coup, General Pershins's men
had cleared the way for the great ef-
fort Of the allies and American forces
to win conclusive victory. The
American army moved at once toward
Its crowning achievement, the battle
Of the Meuse.
The general tells 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 Septorn-
ber 20, and the Americans drove
through entanglements, across No
Mans Land, to take all the enemy's
first-llne positions.
Battle Of the Meuse.
Closing the chapter, General Pee;
shing says =
"On November n division Of the
First corps reached point on the
Meuse opposite Sedan, 25 miles from
our lines of departure. The stratcgi-
cal goal which was our highest hope
was gained. We had cut the enemys
main line of communications, and
nothing could save his army from
complete disaster,
"In all forty enemy divisions had
been used against us in the Meuse-
Argonne battle, Between September
20 and November Q we took 20,050
prisoners and 46S guns on this front
"Our divisions engaged were the
First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth,
Twenty-sixth, Twenty-elghth, Twenty
ninth, Thlrty-second, Thirty-third,
Thlrty.Afth, Thirty-seventh, Seventy
eighth, Seventy.nlnth, Elghtleth,
Eighty.second, Eighty-ninth, Ninetleth
and Nlncty-frst,
"Many Of our divisions remained In
line for length Of time that re-
Qulred nerves Of steel, while others
were sent in again after only few
days Of rest. The First, Fifth, Twen'
ty-slxth Forty.second, Seventy-sev.
eDth, Elghtieth, Eighty-ninth and
Nlnetleth were In the line twice.
Although some Of the divisions
were fighting their first battle, they
soon became equal to the best,
The commander In chief does not
lose sight Of the divisions operating
with French or British armies during
this time.
He tells Of the work of the Second
corps, comprising the Twenty'seventh
and Thirtleth divisions, In the British
assault on the IIlndenburg line where
the st. Quentin canal passes through
tunnel.
or the total strength Of tho cxpedl'
tlonary force, General Pershlng re-
ports
"There are IN Europe altogether, In
Guiding regiment and some sanitary
units with the Italian army and the
organizations ut Murm0nsk, also In
cludlng these en- route from the states,
approximately 2,053,347 men, less our
losses"
First U. 8. PIaneo In May.
"rhe Arst OrplNnes received from
home arrived In May, and together
we have received 1870, The first
American squadron completely
equipped by American production, In
cludlng airplnnes crossed the German
lines on August 7, 1918,
"As 20 tanks, we were compelled
10 rely upon the French. Here,
however, we were less fortunate for
t.a eaaann ihnt iha tFpenrh upotiies