South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-05-24
GOVERNOR ASKS
INVESTIGATION
OF 'BLUNDERS"
Letter to Senator Charges
InefficienCy on Part of
u. S. Officers.

WASHINGTON. MAY 24.-Investi-
cation OF alleged plumbers and ineffi-
cheney OF army officers which were
said TO have caused terrific casualties
OF the 35th division during the Ar
gonne-Meuse battle IS asked by Gov.
Henry Allen, Kansas, In a letter 20
Sen. Chamberlain. retiring chairman
Of the senate military affairs com
mittee.
Gov. Allen submitted with his let
ter a caustic report said 10 have
been made by the chief OF staff Of
me first army. severely criticising Of
fscers OF the division for their con-
duct during the battle.
The report called certain alleged
btundeTs 1nexcusable" and men
2oaed BY name some officers
anrSsd w1th --fnef1ciency."
Tn6 report summarized conclu-
s70ps based on inspection OF the di-
~4ssO1.1os4owing it's acton in the Ar
g0nne Unrest. and said in part:
When the division went into &C
num.tt~sasnot we'll disciplined unit
and many officers were not well
trained.
TIE d4vssSon1staff was not well or
ganized-
Chsngss<An star. brigade and regi-
mental commanders greatly handi-
cappedfthe division commander"
The lfason system broke down
after The. ATTACK started.
L.
ers failed to-keep in touch with their
higher officers during the action.
Failure of an commanders to keep
n headquarters established where
communications could be received
~was inezcusable."
Offacers Too Far so Front.
action OF brigade and regimental
commanders IN being far 10 the
front end out OF all communication
RESUMED In their having no more
effect on the action than so many
company or platoon commanders
and prevented the headquarters in
che rear from sending orders to the
front"
IF comnandersahad remained in
their headquarters or made provi-
ssons for messages reaching them
Immediately, they would have been
able 70 have had a fair knowledge
OF conditions. and perhaps have
Strengthened out the many difficult
ties thao arose.
The intermingIfng confusion and
Struggling showed poor discipline.
lack OF leadership and probably poor
preparation.
TT was q serious offense for both
division commander and chief Of
staff to leave their headquarters at
the same time.
Made Five Attacks.
The five attacks which the divi-
sion made following each other so
closely. there was no opportunity
after the. evening OF Sept. % to re-
orgsnisss and set tho various units
in hand.
'Afbsr Sept 81 the division was
really one M name only as maneu-
vering power with 1ntact units, ex-
capt the engineens, ceased to exist "
CRsgzfcnss emoDg the officers is
given eAqae k]eason for much OF the
eonhasA6y d,H&ng the battle.
Tha repDxf exonerates the men
from s<ES essnicion OF cowardice and
sUnmsnte pp their bravery as well
- tkaA dGJassir officers.
Soy Men Got Lost.
sHeEe 0s the struggling and con-
fsss1h S<@ raused by men getting
essAats4 rcA Aaving.aeaders. and not
geEnru SnSEs6e1Ebera1e, design to go TO
o. usnsssRn oSsle1 % avoid further
pexbouA me bgnting spirit and
erWzssyS1f tufncaEs end men was ex-
nzs1sn&esy fhaS repurtr Said.
8rA Gen. d B. Berry. artillery
s0nn.e8sdzar WAS criticised because
As fsihsa - is, alleged to cooperate
VsxA snh, srsase fSlI use of the air
eas2CS en&H iordeEed 20 do so.
ASnesRd DANGLING OF the telephone
aud v41SsSs communication TO for
WS<d kaSt1nnhs and failure to use
On tsoper code in calling corps
heztA1<ssrtsrs VAS due to the in
s(nci%nVy" or d7sEt Col George Wis
edrt<. division signal officer. the re-
post Satc,
San. .cAaurOsrlain made public the
kaen 4Stsersmaking charges today.