The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1919-02-10
PRIVATE MARINE, U. S.
MARINES WRITES AGAIN

TONED AT ROuenDacn, Germany,
Tells of Letter of Commentator
His Division Received After Ar
mistice Was Signed.
The Editor of this paper has re-
ceived the following interesting let
18th Company, 5th Marines, consti-
tuting a part of the American Expe-
dictionary Forces overseas:
Rodenbach, Germany,
January 10, 1919.
Dear Editor:
I am sending you an order, or let
ter of commentator, that our Divi-
sional Commander sent to US on No
vember IL, 1918:
An armistice between the Allied
Nations and Germany has been sign
ed. and hostilities ceased, Temperate
ly at IL a. m. today.
1t is fitting that the great part
played by the End Division in bring
ing about this momentous victory ov-
er redoubtable foe. should be re-
counted at this time.
At the end of May the enemy
broke through the Allied lines on a
wide front west of Rheims, and rea-
ched the Marine. near Chateau Thier-
ry The safety of Paris and of the
Allied Army itself, was at stake. The
End Division stopped his advance; it
drove him back, and it demonstrated
for all time that the American is sec
ond to none in valor, in endurance,
and unyielding determination to con-
quer.
Again, on July 18th, during the
last great enemy offensive, the End
Division, after 4 night march of I'M
favorable difficulty, struck near Sois-
sons, the flank of the enemy's- salient,
penetrated his lines, and brought his
offensive to a standstill. This was
the beginning of the Allied offensive
which has continued increasingly, and
untiringly, until today.
On Sept 18th, to 18th, the Ameri-
can Army fought its first battle IN
France. under American leadership.
To the End Division was given the
most difficult and the most important
task-the capture of Thiau Court,
and the Jauiny-Xammes ridge. 1t
reached it's second days objective on
the first day, drove off the enemy's
counter attacks. and clinched the
victory.
In the Champagne District, Oct.
End to 10th. it fought beside the
4th French Army. On Oct. 3rd it
seized Blanc mont Ridge, the key
stone of the arch of the main Ger
man position, advanced beyond the
Ridgeway, although both tanks were
unsupported, and held all its gains
with the utmost tenacity, inflicting
| tremendous losses on the enemy.
| This victory freed Rheims and fore
ed the entire German Army between
that city and the Argonne Forest to
retreat to the Aisne, a distance of
| 80 kilometers.
During the latter part of October
the Division was ordered to join the
1st American Army for the great at
tack of Nov. LIST. 1t was given the
post of honor and led the advance.
1t drove through the enemy's forti-
| fed lines to a depth of over nine fill
ometers, seized the heights of Bayou
vile, and destroyed the enemy divi-
sions on its front. On Nov. 3rd, it
advanced to Fosse, and attacked and
captured the heights of Vaux. At
night it pressed forward through the
Forest of Belval, by single road,
and occupied the ridge near Beau
mont. On the night of the 4th it
again attacked and advanced it's line
to the Meuse. Finally, on the night
of the 1th, it forced it's way across
the Meuse and seized a commanding
position on the eastern bank
This superb Division of fighting
men is unsurpassed in valoc, in skill,
in endurance, in determination to
conquer. and in service to the course
of the Allies.
In this great struggle, many of
our comrades have made the SUI
preme sacrifice for our country, but
their heroic spirit dwells in the
hearts of the officers and men of
the End Division.
JOHN A. LeJUNE,
Major General, U. S. M. c., Com
handing.
This shows few things that we
have done. 1t also shows the sin
cere satisfaction of our commanding
officer, and the absolute faith he has
in us to accomplish great deeds as
at Chateau Thierry.
Well, l believe they intend to keep |
us over here until about next sum-
mer and probably We'll get back |
then. The Rhineland is great coun
try but not like the States
Yours very truly.
Private George A. Marine,
18th Co., 5th Marines, A. f. F.