The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-09-07


ct The artillery that IL lad developed
sufficient skill to support the infantry
effectua.iy. Mutual confidence was
greatly increased and cordial feel
ing was cemented between the in
fantry and the artillery which lasted
1 throughout the subsequent operations
Of the division.
During its tour IN the Ansauville
sector. the division captured 10 priso-
ners. II lost officers and s. enlisted
men killed, &c officers and 25i enlisted
men wounded and gasscd and 10 en-
listed men missing or prisoners.
When the German offensive towards
Amiens began, on March ~. General
Pershing offered the service Of the
FiySt division 10 the French high
command. Betwcon April s and April
5, the division was relieved by the
2sth American division. 1t march ed
TO the vicinity of TONI where 1t en-
trained and proceeded to the Gisors
area, arriving uhSre between the Sth
and 10Th or April Here The First
Fled Artillery brigade was Joined by
Lieutenant Colonel j. A 2. he Cham
hrun. of the French Field artillery.
who remained with it until the end
Of May, no his superior professional
attachments, his dominant leadership
and his jealous devotion TO the Ameri-
can army, is due large measure Of
the success that attended the missions
OF the artillery In the subsequent
campaigns. His technique and his
methods greatly increased me effici-
ency Of the hrierade and he laborod
increasingly over the details of or
ganizatiDn and plains for the employ
'nent of the batteyies, His fine poise
ana his extensive experience in the
war inspired confidence, and his
boundless sympathy and cheerful
fortitude won the affection of the
entire command. HIS influence shap-
ed the destinies or the First Field Ar
tilleay brigade. and through tho off,
GERS and soldiers OF the command, it
has been helpful TO the entire ATnert-
can Field artillery
Not less ting7lishcd and helpful
were the services Of the other French
officers who Were generously detaile
by the French high command to ell
units of the First division. To Cap
tain Crochet. the head of the French
mission with the division, the entire
command was, placed under lasting
obligations. His attanments az gem
eral staff officer. his extr aordinary
tactical skill and his quick and well
balanced judgment made Him iFfais-
pensalsle in the operation section of
the G.vision staff. 1t Is but fair to
say that much or the success Of the
division was due to the skillsul and
simple plans for tho employment of
the troops, formulated by Captain
Crochet
After few days' training In open
warfare In the Gisors area. the divl-
sion proceeded by marching towards
the battle line in 'front.' of Montoidier
Upon arrival, It relieved me 45th
African division on April 2G and took
over the command on April a. The
sector ran from north of Menit ST
Georges to north Of Cantigny. cover
ing a front of 3 12 kilou crs. Here,
again. the division found itself under
the First French army. but in the
sixth French Army corps. The artil-
berry WINS reinforced by French artil-
lery, Who. as always, worked With ex-
Trser ely cordial reHttions with the
Americana On May s. the 10th
french corps replaced the sth corps.
During the latter part of April and
iss May. the enerny's artillery fire was
very heavy The trenches. battery
positions, command posts and trails
were subjected to continuous harassins
Ere. Battery positions were frequent
" destroyed ny sreli fire or rendered
untenahle by eass Al the same time,
The artillery OF the division delivered
carefully prepared firing schedules
within the limits ~ inc ammunition
supply. The infantry patrols were
active along the front, constantly tax
lag prisoners and harassing the
enemy. Front line and communicat.
ing trenches were cor structed, often
under constant hrr and the sector
Was com ptetsty nrgf. rized--- tAnti-tank
guns were omplaced and a liberal use
was made Of MACHINE guns. Much
work was also done on the second and
third i'ne trenches.
ADVANTA CiIG IT CANTIGNY.
The possession OF Cantigny by TIE
enemy gave him corr mand and obser-
walton that Afforded him many advan-
tAEes ~ was also desirable to de-
yeloi. the 70 oral and the fighting pow
er of the division by some offensive
operation. The success OF which would
not he in doubt Accordingly. It was
decided 10 capture Carttgny. and the
>stn infantry. trder the command
~ Colonel n +. Ely, was selected
FOR the operation. towards tho end
Of May, the ARTILLERY was re-enforced
ny French batteries. until there were
In position for the operation against
the Cantieny I32-75 m m guns
5s~fh5 MN howitzers and 1920
n IN snd Ego Nom howitzers In
addition, there were 24-5s MN
$3.50 M IN and A-240 m m trench
nortars At daylight on May 2s
after an intense artillery preparation
~ one hour and preceded by rolling
barrage, the infantry advanced on a
front of 1900 meters and penetrated
- an extreme depth OF 1900 meters
The attack wasr accompanied by
French tanks aud was assisted by a
detachment OF French fame throwers
AT the same time. the heavy guns dc.
liVered concentrations and the artil-
lery OF the neighboring divisions as
sisted with all of their guns. The AT.
tack WAS completely successful and
The entire garrison NJ Cantigny was
Killed or captured. Tho division toos
2z5 trisonefs>i including officers, and
! 275 dead were counted in Cantiery
alone. The losses of the division
were unimportant during the advance
but they became serious from the
: enemy's artillery and machine gun
/ fire while consolidating the position
! during the day. IA result the
| casualties amounted ta IL officers and
1 1876 men killed. RI officers and Gel
men wounded, zoo men gassed and !
officer and 10 men missny The
enemy made successive counter at
1 taoks. but they were promptly re-
! pulsed. The division gained much In
! morale and in knowledge OF the often
| sfve from this operation
The German offensive of May II
he Al re