Norwich bulletin., 1918-08-14
Pers|lingtoConlIllan American Field Army

Washington, Aug. 13-Secretary Baker was formally advised today by General Pershing that the First American Field Army had been ere ated, General Pershing retaining com mand of the army as well as of the en- tire American expeditionary force for the present The despatch added noth- ing to details of the army organiza- tion already made known from Paris, however, MT. Baker said.
 The announcement is regarded as having deep significance at the war department, mainly because it places the American army in France on the same footing as the French or British forces there.
 Formation of the army is taken here to mean that the Americaniza- tion of definite portion of the front has been completed. Supply linesy railway bases, storage facilities. de- barkation ports and the like, created and operated by Americans. stand be- hind the First Army. The only state ment of the location of this American front given is that it is south of the Marne." Presumably this means a part at least of the long line from St. Mihiel to the Swiss border where American troops have been put in at intervals during the last few months. The extent of that front has not been disclosed, nor has the definite strength of the army been given The l advices indicate that it comprises, approximately 1,250, 900 men.
 The effect of the taking over of the | line is to make definite beginning at apportioning the long front The British hold, the left flank, aided by l the Belgians. from Ehe sea to the | juncture of the British Fourth Army and the French First army in Pi- cardy, where an offensive is being carried out at present
 1 In that position the British are not only holding their share of the line
 but stand between the enemy and the Channel, which would be his only road to England while the British fleet ex- ists.
 The French armies presumably are being concentrated wholly between
 the Picardy juncture with the British
 and the American left beyond Yer dun. They block the roads to Paris
 To the Americans has fallen the re-
 mainder of the front to the Swiss border when the other American armies shall have been formed. Int First Army undoubtedly now holds tht
 bulk of that line, with such French
 help as is necessary. The whole lint is probably under General Pershing' command, even the French corps o, 1 divisions that are necessary until thu arrival of additional American troops
 The American commander will here
 after direct all operations on his front
 He has as much freedom, of actiol
 on his lines as has Sir Douglas Hail
 on the British front or General Petail l n17 hn l1n e-fa dc fta-
 equality with them. All three ar
 under Marshal Foch for tie majo
 campaigns. rs |
 It is expected that General Per
 shing will soSn name his permanen corps commanders the appointmen
 carrying with it the rankk of lieuten ant general. General Hunter Lggett'
 corp probably is regarded as the mo bile reserve of the First Army and a such is being employed on the Frenc , front. Should aggressive operation be undertaken on the American fror |, however, this corps probably would b used there, supplemented by Frenc , and possibly British mobile reserve sent by General Foch. In that cas-
 while General Foch would map or
 the objects of the. action in a broa : way. General Pershing would con l nand the joint forces.
 s This recalls the fact that the Amer l ican sector includes what always hs X been considered the logical road 1 Berlin for French advances It VIZ
 across lines now held by American
 that the French. struck in 1914 befol \ the plunge of the German Arm
 through Belgium localized the war n northern France.
 n While the enemy is still in mortimer : France, it. may be that no major a
 tack can be attempted through the: V gateways. The campaigns in P = cardy and at the Marne, however, al d aimed at forcing him back, and it = regarded by officers here that it will l
 over the American lines that the re - thrust at Germany will be drive