The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1918-12-12
STORY OF WAR IS
TOLD BY PERSH|NG
Detailed Report of How U. S. Men
Won Battles.
CRISIS CAME ON MARCH n
Says American Operations Previous to
That Date Were Only a Part OF
Their Training - Pays Su-
preme Tribute to Army.

Washington. Dec. 5.-Gen. John j.
pershing's account of his stewardship
as commander of the American expe-
dictionary forces was given to the pup
iic Wednesday by Secretary Baker.
1t is in the form of a preliminary re-
port to the secretary, covering opera
tons up to November 20, after the
German collapse. 1t closes with these
words from the leader of the great
army In France, expressing his feeling
for those who served under him:
81 pay the supreme tribute to our
officers and soldiers of the line. When
1 think of their heroism, their patience
under hardShips, their unflinching splr-
5t of offensive action, l am filled with
emotion which | am unable to express.
Their deeds are immortal and they
have earned the eternal gratitude OF
our country"
The report begins with General
PershiGg's departure for France to
pave the way for the army that was 70
smash German resistance on the
Mouse and give vital aid to the allies
"a forcing Germany to its knees 10
months later.
Crisis on March 81.
General PerShing views the encoun-
tiers before March 81 of this year, in
which American troops participated as
a part of their training, and dismisses
them briefly. On that date, however,
the great German offensive was
Launched and Il crucial situation quick
]y developed in the allied lines which
called for prompt use of the our
American divisions that were at the
time equal to any demands of battle
action"
THE crisis which this offensive de
veloped was such," General Pershing
say that Oh March 2S | placed at
the disposal of Marshal Foch, who had
been agreed upon as commander in
chief of the allied armies, all of our
forces. At his request the First divi-
sion was transferred from the Toul
sector to a position In reserve at Chau-
mont en- Vexin.
LAS GERMAN superiority In numbers
required prompt action, an agreement
was reached at the Abbeville confer
ence of the allied premiers and COM
manders and myself on May 2 by
which British shipping was to trans
port ten American divisions to the
British army area, where they were TO
be trained and equipped, and addition
al British shipping vas to be provided
for as many divisions as possible for
us elsewhere.
Men Eager for Test.
"On April 26 the First division had
gone into the line in the Montdidier
salient, on the Picardy battle front,
Tactics had been suddenly revolution
lied to those of open warfare, and our
men, confident Of the results Of their
training, were eager for the test. On
the morning of May % this division
attacked the commanding German 20
Sition i'm its front. taking with splendid
dash the town of Cantigny and al
other detectives, which were organized
and held steadfastly against vicious
rounter-attacks and CALLING artillery
fire.
although local, this brilliant actor
had an electrical effect. as 1t demon
strated our fighting qualities under
extreme battle conditions and also tina
the enemy's troops were not %altogetheI
invincible."
Hold Foe at Chateau Thierry.
rk... eu,,.a} p,p,adiataIy rho Car
man tArust across the Aisne river to
ward Paris. He continues:
THE Third division. which had jus
come from its preliminary training l
the trenches, was hurried TO tn
Marine. Its motorized machine-gu
battalion preceded the other units an
successfully held the bridgehead a
the Marine, opposite Chateau Their!
'The Second division, In reserv
near Montdidier, was sent by motor
trucks AMI other available transpol
10 check the progress of the enem
toward Paris. The division attacke
and retook the town and railroad st;
tion at Bouresches and sturdily he
its ground against the enemy's bes
guard divisions.
"In the battle of Belleau wood, while
followed, our men proved their 81
,periority and gained a strong tactics
position. with far greater loss to tn
enemy than to ourselves. On July
before the Second was relieved, Ii cal
ifured the village Of Vaux with spleI
did precision.
Stand Between Paris and Foe.
Meanwhile our Second corps, undo
Maj. Gen. George w. Read, had bee
organized for the command of o,
divisions with the British, which wei
held back in training areas Or a
signed to second-line desenses. Five
the ten divisions were withdrawn fro
the British ares In June, three to r
tlieve divisions In Lorraine and II
Vosges and two were sent to the Par
area to join the group Of Americs
divisions which stood between the eli
and any further advance Of the enen
An that direction"