Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-09-07
TR AIMING OF FIRST DIVISION
IN FRANCE A PIONEER TASK
Later Commands Which Entered War Area
Had Benefit of Experience in Pre-
pairing These Veterans

More than usual interest attaches
to the early days of the LIST Division
in France, for the training of later
divisions was modelled largely after
the program originated by the first
The first American troops reached
France in June, 1917, and as the
various units arrived the artillery WIS
sent to the training camp at Naldahon,
near the Swiss border, and the in
fantry regiments Were trained vita
the 18th French Division.
At the completion of training the
division entered the line in the SOM
merville sector during october, where
the infantry was raided November ),
the first night it was in the trenches
In the brief time in this sector the
division casualties were three killed,
forty-two wounded and eleven taken
prisoner.
Relieved Moroccan Division.
For two months of the winter the
division underwent another period Oh
training. In the middle of January.
1918, it relieved the LIST Moroccan Di-
vision just north of Toui. ana the
command of the sector was surrend-
French on February ).
The Germans attempted heavy
raid the night of March 1. but the
18th Infantry foiled it completely
without losing prisoner. Tor which
a number of the officers and men re-
ceived decora lions. Later the Ameri-
cans conducted two successful raids
against the Germans, and early in
April were relieved by the 26th
American (Yankee) Division.
The Germans about this time We're
pushing vigorously toward Amiens
and the 1st Division entered the
Gisors area between April and 10 to
were marched to the position in front
of Montdidier, where they took over
a front of about two and a half miles.
reaching from Mesnil ST. Georges to
point beyond Cantigny. Here the
Germans pounded the American posi-
lions with heavy shell almost inces
sanity, and used a greal deal of olson
gas. The enemy's position of Cantigny
gave him a great advantage, and it
was decided to capture that town, an
operation more difficult than any the
Americans had yet attempted.
Assault Led by 28th.
The 2Sth Infantry led the assault.
which occurred on the morning of
May %. The infantry followed roll
ing Larrage laid down by the divi-
sonal artillery, assisted by French
guns. The capture of the town was
accomplished exactly as scheduled. and
though the initial losses were COM
paratively light the Germans in sew
eral counter attacks inflicted many
casualties, but failed to dislodge the
Americans.
Operations in other sectors now
caused the withdrawal of some of the,
French troops from near Cantigny,
and the 1st Division front soon ex-
tended a distance of nearly five miles.
They were heavily attacked by the
Germans on June 9, but held their
line.
By July 4. 1918. the division was
recognized by Germans and allies
alike as veterans in the truest sense
of the word. The division celebrated
that date by firing salute of forty
eight guns, but it was no idle noise,
for each black muZZle hurled a high
tons. During that night the Ameri-
cans fired mustard gas for the first
time, sending 5000 rounds into the
Hun stronghelds
In the meantime the Germans and
the French and American Army. par
ticularly the I'd and Sd divisions, had
been making history along the Marine,
and early in July the LIST Division
was taken out of the line, ostensibly
for rest and further training. But
the allied command saw opportunity
ing blow near scissors, fanking the
salient that extended toward Chateau
Thierry-