The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1919-12-12
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE
THIRTIETH DIVISION


ment instructions the 3oth Division Z
was organized at Camp Sewer, 5. C';
in October, 1917. This division was
formerly the old 9th National Guard
Division (1st, End, 3rd. Tenn, lnf;
1st Tenn. F. A., TIP, D, Tenn, Cav; lst
Tenn. Field Hospital, 1st, End and Srd
N. C. Inf. 1st N. C. F. A.; 1st So N.
C. Cav; 1st N. c. Engrs.; Co. A, N.
c., Signal Corps; N. C. Supply Train;
1st N. C. Field Hospital; 1st S. c.
Field Hospital; 1st N. c. Ambulance
Co; 1st &2nd s. c. Inf; Co. A, Signal
Corps, S. c.; Troop A, s. c. cav.) In
addition to the above the division
was augmented by draft men from
North and South Carolina, Tennessee,
Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and
North Dakota.
The division remained in training
at Camp Sewer until May, 1918. The
first units sailed for overseas on Nay
Z, 1918 and the last units landed at
Calais France on June "a, 1918. The
division was ordered to the Eperlec-
ques training area (Pas-de- -Calais)
remained there until July 4th, when
it was in support Of the 33rd and
4eth British Divisions. Division Head
quarters was located at Watou and
it was there TINT this division re-
: ceived its first training in the line.
On August 18th the division took
over the canal sector extending from
the southern outskirts Of Ypres to
Voormezeeie and from August 31st
to Sept. LIST engaged in the battle be-
fore Mt. KENNEL. The division was
then withdrawn and placed in re-
serve until Sept. 18th when it was
again sent into the line with division
headquarters at Herissart. Sept: 22nd
the division was placed under COM
mand of the 9TH British Army and
took over the Beaurevoir Sector the
following day. The division participa-
ted in the battle at Bellincourt Sept.
1880 which resulted in the breaking :
Of the Hindenburg Line. On Oct, 4th
the division took over the line near
Mentbrehain where it attacked on
four successive days making an ad-
vance of 1900 yards. On Oct. 18th
the division participated in the
battle of La Selle River, and remain
ed in the attack until Oct. Goth. The
division was withdrawn to the
,Heilly training area Immediately
after the battle where it was located
at the signing of the armistice. On
Nov. 24th the division was ordered to
the LeMans area preparatory to re-
turning to the United States.
The Divisional Artillary was not
present for operations with the divi-
sion, but was in active operation in
the Toul Sector, st. Mihiel offensive,
Meuse-Argonhe offensive and the
Woevre Sector.
The Commanding Generals Of the /
Division were Maj. Gen. John F.
Morrison, from organization to Nov.
goth, 1917; Maj. Gen. C. E. Townsley
Nov. 20, 1sl7-Dec. II, 1917; Maj.
Gen. Geo. Read Apr. 27,191S-Aug.
10,191s; Maj. Gen. Ed. NJ. Lewis
Aug. 10, 1913 Nov. II, 1918.
The division insignia is a mono
gram in blue letters 20" & n"
standing for "old Hickory" the
nickname Of Andrew Jackson The
crossbar Of the III" contains the
triple Xxx, the Roman numerals
for thirty. The whole is on a maroon
background.
During active operations the di-
vision suffered the following losses
as reported to the War Dept. to In
clude to Nay 1919; Killed in action
1862; wounded 9429; number taken
prisoners, 8 officers, II men.
This division captured from the