New-York tribune., 1919-01-19
CroiN de (,uerre
Is Awarded 10
Truck Conyovs
Distinguished Service by
Motor Transport Com
panics Is Rewarded by
Fl 9 n French nor

Copies Of citations for distin-
guishcd service by French motor trans
port units using American motor
trucks have been received IN this coun-
try. Accompanying the citations was
an award of the CroiX dc Gucrre TO
Inc lst and I'd Groupcmcnts, each opcr-
ating 500 or more White trucks N the
service of the Great Headquarters Re
serve No. J. Later this entire reserve,
operating 1000 Whites. was recognized
Ar similar citation.
The orders Of the day read "ior dc
finest military spirit ard "the best
qualities Of cndurance,' in moving 200
oo0 troops to the front in a few days,
many of them distance Of more than
700 miles.
The task was tremendous, the crisis
vcrY grave. A supreme effort was nee
cgsarv to stop the German advance last
March on the British front. With
out this unprecedented movement =
French reserves right into the teeth
of the lighting the issue might have
been serious indeed for the Allies.
1t was not uncommon for drivers TO
remain at their wheels twcnty-four
hours at a time One groupcmcnt
operated 200 hours out Of 2t0. Another
was on constant duty for sixty hour.
Most Of the White trucks participat-
ing were war veterans, some Of them
having been in continuous field service
since 1919. After four years OF war
these units performed feats which Gu
abcd their organizations TO win the
CroiX dc Gucrrc.
This is the first and only instance
in French military history Of truck
formation receiving this high homo.
IN forwarding copies Of the citations
tho commanding officer made the fol-
lowing comment: "It vas natural that
the little White was ahead to merit
a reward Of this Importance.
Armies of the North and Northeast.
General Headquarters, Command Of
the Rear Automobile Service.
ORDER No. 232 Groupcmont 40. j
Picked unit having participated in
all important transports Of the auto
mobile service. in the course Of which
it has distinguished itself BY its fine
performance.
During tho present operations.
under the energetic and able command
of Captain Guionin. the entire French
and lndo-Chincsc personnel showed
proof of the finest military spirit and
the greatest endurance, providing
without interruption the transporta-
ton of troops to the line of battle.
ORDER no. $40 (Groupement No. i
The regulation unit of the Reserve
No. ]. under command Of Captain Ar
rstn. has rendered conspicuous scr-
vices in participating successfully in
the organization and the work of the
regulating automobile comm ssiors Of
Mcaux, Of Montdidier and of Clcr
mont. Under the most trying circum-
stances the entire personnel of the
unit distinguished itself b. It's activ-
ity and sclf-sacriicc. fulfilling it, mis-
sion to the extreme limi' Of its
strength and remaining til tho end
on the field of battle.
ORDER 80. 37t (Groupomcnt 80. -
Match lcrs unit unaquallcd in disci-
plinc. endurance and enthusiasm, c1
ccuted brilliantly the transportation
of several divisions, pushing as far as
the battle line.
Particularly it distinguished Itself
on March 90, 1918, in bringing at top
speed on the very battle ground a
division picked Up at the railroad ter
minal; (2) on April . in bringing ON
another point OF tho battle line two
fractions of divisions, although tho
unit had already been working thirty
six hours without interruption; C3)
paradcd on April in perfect forma
ton after having bccn at the wheel
sixty hours without relief.
CITATION Automobile Reserve No. y
Picked unit which. since the begin
ming of 1918, participated in all the
important transports Of troops in Ar
tots, in Champagne, at Nordun on the
Aisne and in ricardy. From March
to June, 1918. under the direction Of
Commandant Stcnbock, has given an
example of endurance and coolnoS5 in
prov iding on the very line Of fire, with
perfect order, the landing of the in
fantry of moro than twenty divisions.
The part played by American truck
overseas is second only to that played
by our gallant troops. Both have the
Stuff in them