Republican farmer., 1918-12-06

Chateau-Thierry against powerful ar tilIery and infantry attack.
 "A single regiment of the Third wrote one of the most brilliant pages in our military annals on this occa- sion" General Pershing says. Tt pre- vented the crossing at certain points on it's front while, on either flank, the Germans who had gained a foot ing, pressed forward. Our men, fir ing in three directions, met the Ger man attacks with counterattacks at critical points and succeeded in throwing two German divisions into complete confusion, capturing 600 prisoners"
 Thus was the stage set for the counter offensive which, beginning with the smashing of the enemy s Marne salient, brought overwhelming victory to the Allies and the United States. The intimation is strong that General Pershing's advice helped Marshal Foch to reach his decision to strike. General Pershing continues:
 "The great force of the German Chateau Thierry offensive established the deep Marne salient, but the enemy was taking chances, and the Vulnera' bility of this pocket to attack might be turned to his disadvantage. Seizing this opportunity to support my con viction, every division with any sort of training was made available for use in offensive. The place of honor in the trust toward Soissons on July IS was given to our First and Second Divisions, in company with cnosen French divisions.
 "Without the usual brief warning of preliminary bombardment the massed French and American artil- Iery, firing by the maps, laid down it's rolling barrage at dawn, while the infantry began it's charge. The tac- tical handling of our troops under these trying conditions was excellent throughout the action. The enemy brought up large numbers of reserves and made a stubborn defence, both with machine guns and artillery, but through five days fighting the First , Division continued to advance until it had gained the heights above Sois- sons and captured the village of Berzy-ie-Sec. The Second Division took Beau Repaire farm and Vierzy in very rapid advance, and reached position in front of Tigny at the end of it's second day. These two di- visions captured 1000 prisoners and over 100 pieces of artillery"
 With the situation on the Marne front thus relieved, General Pershina writes, he could turn to the organiza- ton of the First American Army and the reduction of the St. Mihiel salient The combined French, British and American air forces mobilized for the ,, battle, the report says, was the largest aviation assembly ever engaged on the Western front up to that time in single operation.
 Of the reduction of the St. Mihiel salient, General Pershing says:
 After four hours artillery pre- paration the seven American divisions in the front line advanced at a. m. on September 12, assisted by a limited number of tanks, manned partly by Americans and partly by the French. We closed the salient, forming a new line west of Thiaucourt to Vigneulles, and beyond Fresnes- en- Woevre.
 "At the cost of only 1000 casual ties, mostly light, we had taken 16,OO0 prisoners and 443 guns, a great quan- tity of material, released the inhabi- tants of many villages from enemy domination, and established our lines in 8 position to threaten Metz.
 This signal success of the Ameri- 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