The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-12-05
PRAISES THE men
General Pershing Pays Tribute
to Soldiers Under Him.
In Report to Secretary Baker
up to November 90.

Washington, Dec. ST pay the
supreme tribute to officers and col
diers,'- wrote Gen John J. Pershing
in his report to Secretary of War
Baker. covering war operations to
November 20. "'when 1 think of their
heroisn, patience under hardships,
unflinching spirit of offensive action,
1 am filled with emotion which I am
unable tot express. Their deeds are
immortal, and they have earned the
eternal gratitude OF the country.
He tells of placing, on March %, all
of our forces for Marshal Foch to
use, OF their transportation to the
training area and how, on April 26
the First division went into the
Picardy line, with open warfare. The
division attacked the German line May
2S, taking Santigny. Then came the
thrust across the Aisne to Paris. and
the Third division went into the Marine
front, with the Second division going
to protect Paris, both doing great
work.
Forty-second in Line.
The 42nd held the Rheims line July
5 and stopped the Germans, with the
2Sth to the right, and the Third divi-
sion on the Marine. Then came the
counter offensive. as the troop ship
ments were going in full swing. The
First and Second divisions had the
honor place in the scissors thrust
July IS. Their work is well known.
He mentions the 26th, 3rd, 4th, 42nd,
Send and 23th divisions.
He tells of the Mouse battle and the
advance to Sedan, especially of the
work Of the list, 5th, goth. 42nd, 77th
S0th, S9th (Kansas) and Goth. as well
as the 27th, End, seth, 37th, 91st.
2,O53,347 Men Over.
There were in Europe altogether
2,O53,347 troops, of which there were
1.3SS.169 combatant soldiers. His re-
port states that the United States went
into the war short of material. but
that allied aid>took care of this, es-
pecielly France. He also praises our
own manufacturers
st. MihieI Campaign.
OF the reduction of the st. Mihlel sa-
lient. General Pershing says:
After four hours artillery preparations
the seven American divisions in the front
line advanced at > a. M, on September l.
assisted ASS by limited number OF tanks man an
French. These divisions. accompanied ty
groups of wire cutters and others armed
successive bands o, barbed wire that pro-
tected the enemy's front line and support
trenches. in irresistible waves on schedule
time, breaking down all defense of an tn
envy demoralized by the great volume of
our artillery fire and our sudden approach
Our first corps advanced. to Thiaucourt,
while our fourth corps curved back to The
southwest. thru Nonsard. The Second
coSea rea T1nh e e made the 'Gft
ground, and the fifth corps took its three
ridges and repulsed n counter attack. A
division Of the fifth corps into vfgneulics
in the early morning, where it linked up
with patrols of our fourth corps. closing
of Thiaucourt TO Vigneulles, and beyou1
Fresnes -en- Woevre
Cost Only 1000.
eat the cost Of only seven Thousand
teen thousand prisoners and 443 guns, q
grent quantity of material. released the m
habitants of many Villages from enemy
domination, and established our lines In q
position to threaten Metz.
This signal success Of the American
re IN It's first ra ss onnS
had n formidable army to aid them end
the enemy learned finally that he had one
Cleared Way for Victory.
The report shows for the first time Off
cially, that with this brilliantly executed
coup, General Pershings men had cleared
and American forces to win a conclusive
victory. The American army moved at once
toward its GROWING achievement. the Bat
tie of the Mouse.
French Aid.
Pershing continued:
ut should be fully realized that The
French government has always taken n
most liberal attitude and has been most
anxious to give us every possible assist
ance in meeting our deficiencies in these
as well as in other respects. Our depend
ence upon France for artillery. aviation
and tanks was, OF course. due to the fact
that our industries had not been exclusive.
ly devoted to military production. Ail
credit is due our own manufacturers for
their efforts to meet our requirements, as
| at the time the armistice was signed we
were able to look forward to the early sup
ply of practically all our necessities from
our own factories"