The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1919-03-13

The division IS first line experience
was in a quiet sector, Alsace, where
for weeks the men hungered for ac-
ton but had to be content with listen
ing occasionally to salvos of artillery
fire and to the screech of German
laundering overhead to points far in
the rear. A few night raids were
staged but there were no casualties
on this front for the Sind. 1t was
merely front line schooling" during
which the fine preliminary training
was finished. The division occupied
part of the Alsace front line May Is
to July 81, 1913.
Then came Fismes, and the 32nd are
credited with having been the first
American troops to enter German terri
tory, proper, at this point of the west
ern front. Here they advanced steadi-
ly and with appalling losses at times,
gaining IL kilometers. This was at
all times an active front and "Les
Terribles were in the front line July
80 to August z and in reserve Aug.
Z to August %.
scissors came next, the 32nd MAX
ing a name for itself as a fighting di-
vision at Juvigny, where they advanced
five and one-half kilometers August
% to Sept. 2, during which time they
were in the front line being in reserve
September 2 to September 9.
The great battle of the Argonne-
Mouse saw the division adding fresh
glories, day by day, to its already
long list. Fighting at Kriemhilde-
Stellung, the division advanced eight
and one-half kilometers during its
front line work, Sept. 80 to Oct. 20, be-
ing in reserve Sept. % to 30 and Oct.
20 to Nov. 5. This was also an active
front at all times.
East of Meuse the division saw the
end of fighting and the signing of the
armistice on Nov. IL, moving into the
front Nov. s. In the three days here
the division fought forward, against
artillery, machine guns, grades, bombs
and mines depth of five kilometers,
for the 32nd was in the very front of
the battle. This was at Dun-sur- Mouse
battle which has gone into history
as one Of the bloodiest fights of the
ending days of the war.
The men of the division did not
welcome the signing Of the armistice,
particularly, according to letters re-
ceiyed from them, for they had the
fighting spirit, had seen what the enc
my had wrought with pillage, fire and
balevolent destruction, and were keen
to get revenge for their brave allies,
the French.
Made part of the Third army, the
American army of occupation the di-
vision advanced from Meuse to the
Rhine, 200 kilometers, Nov. IL to Dec.
II, and occupied the Coblenz BRYCE
head Dec. Is, advancing another 80
kilometers in occupied territory the
men of Michigan and Wisconsin lost
their blood thirst and became known
for their forbearance, their gentleness
with the conquered, forgetting scenes
Of devastation and of terrorism passed.
This is the division Michigan patri-
OTIS are planning to honor, the division
whose acts mere words can depict but
lightly, according to men who have
witnessed their courage in battle,
their service to the flag and to human
ity, their laughing unconcern under
the greatest strain and in face of
danger. Their story and their his
tory are being written, even now, by a
special commission named by the Mich
igan war board, the facts being indited
as they can be gathered; for preserva-
ton in the archives of the state and
for distribution to those who love aand
honor the soldiers of the Bind division
United States army.