New-York tribune., 1919-05-11

General Higginson and other COM
manding officers of the British
army. This was the divisions last
engagement in the British sec
tor. About this time the Assistant
Secretary of the Navy, Franklin D..
Roosevelt, arrived at the front and
addressed one of our regiments near
the Molliens Wood.
We left the British with regret
and with deep sense of gratitude
to them for all that they had taught
us and for the prompt and generous
manner in which their High Com
mand always commended good work.
We received all our horses and
horse equipment from them and the
animals they gave us were later
admired wherever the division went.
Our men learned from them tre-
mendous lessons in the care Of
horses and the upkeep of equip
ment.
Practically every week one of the
British theatrical troupes, called
concert parties," used to come
through our division and give shows.
Toward the end our men felt a sim
cere affection and admiration for
the Australians and English with
whom they served during those
critical and serious days of May,
June, July and August, 1918. The
division received many letters of
regret and thanks from the British
generals when it pulled out and
started for the south. General
Rawlinson wrote:
FOURTH ARMY NO 9. s. 2-1s
s3D ILLINOIS DIVISION.
On tho departure of the $50 Division
from the Fourth Army. desire official
ly to record my admiration of the energy,
keeness and soldlery qualities exhibit
ed by all ranks during their period of
training under my orders The marked
advance which has been made and the
satisfactory standard OF fighting effi-
cheney that has been reached, reflect
high credit on all concerned and guar
antee that the division will render
brilliant service to the Allied cause
wherever 1t may be employed as a fight
Ing division in face of the enemy.
My regret Is that it will not have
further opportunity for offensive action
whilst in the Fourth British Army. but
Jrto
acquitted themselves most gallantly, and
desire to tender my warm thanks to
those units engaged for their brilliant
successes in the Hame offensive and at
Gressare Wood.
] greatly regret the departure OF the
division and offer to General Bell and
of good fortune In tho strenuous times
which lie before them.
II. RAWLINSON,
Headquarters Fourth Army.
August 81, 1918.
General Cooley wrote:
III CORPS G.. o. 1865
August 20. 1918.
! Major General George Bell, jr..
Commanding SD American Division.
On tho departure OF your division
from this corps. ! write to ask you to
convey to all ranks under your command
our thanks and appreciation of the ex-
cellent work that the division has done
during its period OF attachment to tho
Sd Corps.
The 131st Regiment OF the 66th Bril-
gade, carried out the attack on the 9th
of August in a manner which reflected
great credit. not only on Its gallantry,
but it's previous training, and the
work done by the whole of your division
during Its periods of attachment and of
holding the line has been of high
order.
All ranks of tho Sd British Corps wish
the 33d American Division the best OF
luck in the future. and in watching It's
future victorious career will always re-
member with great pleasure the time
which they have spent together with
their American comrades IN arms.
ALIEN. COOLEY,
Lieutenant General,
Commanding Sd Corps
The beginning of September