Bisbee daily review., 1918-07-13

battle of the twenty-sixth American division intelligence officer seven, No. S22s. June s. 191S). That division has only one machine gun company to a battalion in each regiment. In case the vague statements of the prisoners are correct the discrepancy can per haps be explained by the fact that the marine corps was part of the United States peace army and was therefore equipped according to principles other than in the case of the twenty-siXth American division which has been formed from national guard troops since the war began.
 History of the division:
 "Elements of the second American division were put into the Moulanville (Verdun) sector from the middle or March to the middle of May for train ing and were relieved by unknown French troops.
 "The division was then moved by rail to the vicinity of Vitry-Le-Fran- cois, where it remained about five days. From there the division was transferred by rail via Coulommiersit, Denis-POntoise, into the regions west of Beauvais. The fifth regiment of marines was in the vicinity of Gisors, thirty kilometers southwest of BeauV- ais. The sixth regiment of marines was at Chars, seven kilometers north west of the marines along the Pontoise to Beauvais railway.
 "The ninth and twenty-third regi- ments were quartered with and near the marines.
 "The division rested eight days in this region. Maneuvers on a large scale or with. large units were not held; only exercises in minor tactics, hand grenade throwing and target practice marches (hikes) were made.
 "On May 31 the third marine bri- gade was ordered to move and put into French motor trucks (twenty men or ten officers in each truck. The fifth regiment of the marines was the first to leave and travelled via Beaumont Luchares, ErmenOnville (west of Nan teuiD. Les Flessis-Belleville and Meaux to Lizy-Sur-Ourcq, where they were unloaded after journey of eigh- teen hours. The next regiment to leave was the sixth regiment of ma rines, which fololwed the same route, while the ninth and twenty-third regi- ments apparently moved Nia Beau mont, Ecoven, Genesse, Aulnay ten virons of Paris) Meauman and were unloaded in the neighborhood of La Ferte- -Sous-Jouarre. The fifth regiment of marines was put into line during the night of June-2-3 as the first regi' ment of the division, the other ele- ments taking up their position in the sector in Echelon.
 Fighting value:
 The second American division may be classified as a very good division, perhaps even as assault troops. The various attacks of both regiments on Belleau woods were carried out with wash and recklessness. The moral ef- feet of our fire arms did not materially check the advance of the infantry. The nerves of the Americans ar still un- shakn.
 ''Value of the individual:
 The individual soldiers are very good. They are healthy, vigorous and physically well developel men of ages ranging from IS to 2S, who at present lack only necessary training to make them redoubtable opponents. The troops are fresh and full of straight forward confidence. A remark of one of the prisoners is indicative of their spirit:
 I've will or get killed
 ''The method of attack:
 Tn both attacks on Belleau wood, which were carried out by one or two battalions, the following method of at tack was adopted:
 Three or four lines of skirmishers at about thirty to fifty paces distance; rather close behind these, isolated as sault parties in platoon column. Abundant equipment of automatic rifles and hand grenades. The assault parties carried forward machine guns and were ordered to penetrate the Ger man position at weak point, to swing