Omaha daily bee., 1919-12-14

of these types produced at home
which reached France before the
cessation of hostilities were 109 rs
MN. guns. In addition, 25 S-inch
howitzers from the United States
reached our front and were i'll use
when the armistice was signed.
Eight l4-inch naval guns Of Amer
lean manufacture were set up on
railroad mounts, and most of these
were successfully employed on the
e-Argonne front under the eff
cient direction Of Admiral Plunkett
of the navy.
Weak in Aviation.
"1n aviation we were entirely de-
pendent upon our allies, and here
again the French government came
to our aid until our own program
could be set under way. From time
to time we obtained from the French
such planes for training personnel
as they could provide. Without go
ing into a complete discussion OF
aviation material it will be sufficient
to state that it was with great diff
Guilty that we obtained equipment
even for training. As for up-to-date
combat planes, the development at
home was slow, and we had to rely
upon the French who provided us
with total of 2,676 pursuit, obser-
vation and bombing machines. The
! first aeroplanes received from home
arrived in May, and altogether we
received 1879 planes of the De
Haviland type. The first American
squadron completely equipped by
A meri an production, including
aeroplanes, crossed the German lines
on August 7, 1918. AS to our avi-
ators, many of wlpm trained with
cur allies, it can BE said that they
had no superiors in daring and in
fighting ability. During the battles
of St. Mihiet and Meuse Argonne
our aviators excelled all others.
They have left record of courage
Gus deeds that will ever remain
brilliant page in the annals OF our
army.
In the matter of tanks, we were
compelled to rely upon both the
French and the English. Here, how
ever, we were less fortunate for the
reason that our allies barely had SUI
| hcient tanks to meet their own re-
uuirements. While our tank corps
had limited opportunity, its~hue per-
scnnel responded gallantly on every
possible occasion and showed cour-
age of the highest order. We had
one battalion of heavy tanks en-
gagged on the English front. On our
own front we had only the light
tanks, and the number available to
participate in the last great assault
of November | was reduced to l6
as result of the previous hard hight
Ting in the Meuse-Argonne.
Most Striking Quality.
General Pershing closes his report
with the following Appreciation:
an this brief summary OF the
achievements of the American expe-
ditionary forces it would be impos-
sible to cite in detail the splendid
ability, loyalty and efficiency that
characterized the service of beth
combatant and noncombatant indi-
viduals and organizations The most
striking quality of both officers and
men was the resourceful energy and
common sense employed, under all
circumstances, in handling their
problems.
THE highest praise is due the
commanders of armies, corps and di-
visions, and their subordinate lead
ers, who labored loyalty and ably
toward the accomplishments of our
task, suppressing personapopinions
and ambitions in the pursuit of the
common aim; and to their stats,
who developed, with battle expert
ence, into splendid teams without
superiors in any army.
Praises Chiefs of Staff.
"To my chiefs of staff, Maj. Gen.
James G. Harbord,, who was later
placed in command Of the service of
supply, and Maj. Gen. James w. Nc
Andrew, | am deeply indebted tor
highly efficient service in a post OF
great responsibility.
"The important work of the staff
at general headquarters in organ;za-
ton and administration was cfrarac-
terized by exceptional ability and
fine spirit of cooperation. No chief
ever had more loyal and efficient
body Of assistants.
"The officers and men of the serv-
ice OF supply fully realized the I'M
portance of their duties, and the op-
erations of that vast business sys-
tenn were conducted in a manner
which won for them the praise of all.
They deserve their full share in the
victory.
Honors the Women.
"The American civilians in Eu-
rope, both in official and private life,
were decidedly patriotic and loyal,
and invariably lent encouragement
and helpfulness to the armies abroad.
"The various societies, especially
their women, including those Of the
theatrical profession, and our army
nurses, played most important part
in Frightening the lives of our troops
ana III giving dlQ anu COHlIoIt 10 our
sick and wounded.
"Thc navy in European waters,
under command of Admiral Sims, at
all times cordially aided the army.
To our sister service we owe the
safe arrival of our armies and their
supplies. 1t is most gratifying to
record that there has never been
such perfect understanding between
these two branches of the service.