The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-05-07
RAINBOW DIVISION
TOOK 1908 MEN
AID Division Also Captured
rs Heavy Guns and 495
Machine Guns.
BY VICTOR

PARIS, May T.. Especial correspond
ence,)-lt is a difficult task to under
take to answer the question: Which
were the. best American combat dlvi-
sions"a' The fairest and wisest way is
to say that All American soldiers were
equal to the best; that the glory Of
achievement depended only upon op-
portunity.
BY this | mean that the divisions
that entered the fighting first, and con-
tinued in II longest, naturally came out
with the most shining records. AT the
same time. when national guardsmcn
followed regulars, they proved that
they, too, were capable of unfolding our
standards Of valor and self-sacrifice.
According to official records, the
Second division gained more ground
and captured more prisoners and guns
than any other. When history Is writ
ten, the Second will be given its per-
manent place In the memories Of our
people because of its gallant conduct
IN stopping the Germans at Chateau
Thierry and turning them back from
Paris at Bouresches, Vaux and Belleau
wood. The Second comprised the Ninth
and Twenty third regular infantry regl-
ments, the Fifth and Sixth regiments
Of marines, besides the usual batteries
OF artillery, machine u battalions.
engineers and others, making a total
Of about $4,000 men.
Here is the war record OF the Sec
ond: Prisoners captured, 22S officers,
| 1l,73S men; gum captured, 343 pieces
Of artillery, 1850 machine guns; total
advance on front line, about IS miles,
In Big Campaigns.
The Second division had the privilege
OF taking part In practically all of the
great American campaigns, after win
ming immortal glory by stopping the
Germans at the Marine, 1t took part
In the Marine counter-offensive, the OPP
GRAFTON which resulted in the pinching
out of the st. Mihiel salient. and in
the Argonne-Meuse offensive, which
threw the Germans back on their lines
OF communication at Sedan. Thu men
Of the Second wear on their left coat
sleeves their division insignia, an In
dian head In a star, placed On a shield.
The men OF the Second perhaps new
err would tell you OF their great record,
| spent two days In the company of
a fine, outstanding type OF young Amer
lean officer from the Twenty-third in-
fantry, Capt. W. A. 'Burress, Of Rich
mond, Va, and he never once men,
TONED the subject The bravery Of
Partisans Of other divisions must not
be envious Of the Second. The fortunes
OF wal threw 1t In the way OF great
1 opportunities, and the Second lived up
to them. Let us consider some Of the
other divisions that did well and earned
the respect of their enemies.
The Forty second. or Rainbow divi-
sion, made up of national guardsmen
picked from &c states and the District
Of Columbia. arrived In France late In
1917, It fought in various sectors with
the French army early In 1918 and par
ticlpated in the st, Mihiel aid Argonne-
Meuse campaigns. Prisoners captured.
Il officers. 1903 men; guns captured,
% pieces Of artillery, 495 machine guns;
ground gained, about IS miles.
Troops Hearten France.
The First division. made up OF reg
ular army troops, was the first Ameri-
can force to arrive in France, 1t came
in July, 1917, and its coming heartened
the allies tremendously. II was the first
to fire a shot at the Germans, first to
conduct n raid, first to capture prison.
! ers and inflict casualties. II won the
small hut important battle at Cantigny,
May rs to 80, 1918, took part In the
I Marne counter-offense, July Is to "a:
in the 81. Mihiel operation, Sept. IL
and IL: in the Argonne-Meuse cam
patgn. Oct. I TO II, and Mt the end OF
the war was fighting south OF Sedan,
5 Then II went on to Cohlenz with the
army OF occupation. Prisoners captured
1875 officers, s,S04 men total advance
against resistance, 80 miles.
. The Third division, regular army, ar
! rived IN France In April, 1918; helped
: stop and turn back the Germans along
| the Marine from Chateau Thierry north
east to 1aulgonne; fought at. st. Mihiel
+ and In the Argonne and then marched
. into Germany, Prisoners, 81 officers
! 2,209 men. gum captured, 81 cannon,
I 1901 machine guns; total advance, %
= miles.
Twenty seventh division, national
guard Of New York, arrived In France