New-York tribune., 1919-01-28

some Of our boodest battles. But
almost to the day Of the arnistice
November II, 1913, it remained Amer
lean troops single divisional unit
of nearly two million American soldiers
who had landed in France since that
historic day in June, 1917, at St
Nazaire
The Divisions War History
High points III the First Divisions
European war history might be put
down thus:
Sailed from Hobokcn June IA. 1917.
Disembarked in France June 27.
IMajor Bamford, San Francisco, first
member division ashore in France. He
is now Major General Bamford.)
Battalion paraded Paris July 4.
Division began training with 47th
French Alpine Chasseurs in Eastern
France July ii.
First Brigade. comprising 10th and
18th Infantry regiments, first Amer-
can troops to enter European trenches
October 81. at which time Battery c,
9Th Field Artillery, fired first hostile
shell against the enemy.
First Americans killed November 8,
first American prisoner lost to enemy
and first hostile enemy action against
Americans, a raid, repulsed.
Became a reserve division of Fourth
Army Corps in Nansad Wood and
'ater into a training area vicinity Of
Benoit-NauN.
Left training area September 81,
marching to vicinity Of village Sheppy
for participation in the Argonne-
Meuse battle.
Relieved 35th American Division on
night of September 3O-October /, and
went over the top again at 525 q. M,
October a, one Nlometre west village
Narennes. Took part in almost continue
Gus fighting against elements Of eight
German divisions, including LIST and
9th Guard divisions, until night Of Oc
tober Hip, when relieved by Ameri-
can Rainbow Division. During this bat
tie the division advanced seven lllo-
metres over difficult country against
serious opposition, capturing 2s officers
and 1879 men, 3 cannon, l8 trench
mOrtars and 43 machine guns. Division
forced to halt advance because of lack
of laison with divisions on its right and
left a condition which left its fanks
exposed to heavy enemy fire. Here
again losses were heavy.
Reached region Condy- Barrois for
training October 10.
Completed Final Drive
Left again for front October %. pass
ing through elements Of the American
S0th Division at $3.50 a. m. November
s, in an attack toward town of Mouzon
on River aleuse, which was reached at
noon. a distance OF eight Kilometres.
One officer and ten men were captured.
At 2 p. m. orders were rccei wed to
march on Sedan. Division assembled
on afternoon November s, and began
It's advance in five columns on Sc
dan. The Germans were in retreat
IT marched ali the night of November
6-I. and on the morning of the 7th met
considerable German rearguard re-
sistance. This was broken and ad
vance continuing on afternoon of 7th,
when orders were received to discon-
tlnuc advance.
History will probably attribute the
reason for the sudden halt of this ad-
vance to the fact that, on account of
Sedan's historical Importance. the
French, advancing on the left, desired
to make first entry into the town.
The American lst Division, however,
from November ) to Z. marching night
and day, had advanced to the heights
overlooking Sedan, a distance, accord
ing to placement of various units, of
from tiftytwo to seventy-onc kilo-
metres
Relieved from its envious position
about Sedan. the division marched back
to lie GrosfauX farm area, remaining
cl lNpOSe uHlll November II, Wnen
with the armistce signed. it began, with
other divisions. the momentous march
toward the Rhine, a distance from the
beginning to December Is of about $50
Kilometres
Such is the war record Of Americas
first division
In addition to its fighting record, the
"Prccmyair' acted constantly as a
"training school" for officers who left
It's ranks from time to time to take
higher positions with other divisions.
Some of It's Graduates
General Bullard, who commanded the
"Precmyair" at Cantigny, to-day COM
mands the second American army. Gen
eral Hines, first colonel and later d
brigadier general in the division, now
commands an army corps as maj
general. Brigadier General John Som
mer&n. commander Of the 9TH Army
Corps, is another graduate Of the first
DIVISION. Many others in our three
armies were graduated from the first
Americans to arrive in France