Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1920-01-29

Took Cantigny Heights.
On April % the First division re-
lieved two French divisions on the
front near Montdidier and on May %
captured the important observation
stations on the heights of Cantigny
with splendid dash. French artillery,
aviation, tanks and flame throwers
aided in the attack, but most Of this
French assistance was withdrawn be-
fore the completion of the operation
in, order to meet the enemy's new Of
fensive launched May u to Chateau
Thierry. The enemy reaction against
our troops at Cantigny was extremely
violent, and apparently he was deter
mined at all costs to counteract the
most excellent effect the American
success had produced. For three days
his guns of all calibers were concen-
trated on our position and counter
attack succeeded counter-attack. The
desperate efforts of the Germans gave
the fighting at Cantigny seeming
tactical Importance entirely out of
proportion to the numbers involved.
The third German offensive, on May
q, against the French on the Aisne
soon developed desperate situation
for the allies. The Second division
was hastily diverted to the vicinity of
Meaux on May 81, and early on the
morning of June 1 was deplOyed
across the acknowledgements road
near Montreuil-aux-Lions in gap in
the French line, where it stopped the
German advance on Paris. At the
same time the partially trained Third
division was placed at French dis
posal to hold the crossings of the
Marine, and it's motorized machine-gun
battalion succeeded in reaching Cha
teau Thierry in time to assist in sue
cessfully defending that river cross
ing.
The enemy having been halted, the
Second division commenced a series
of vigorous attacks on June which
resulted in the capture of Belleau
woods after very severe fighting. The
village of Bouresches was taken soon
after, and on July l Vaux was cap
tured. In these operations the Sec
ond division met with most desperate
resistance by Germany's best troops.
Our Second corps, under Maj. Gen.
George w. Read, had been organized
for the command of the ten divisions
with the British, which were held
back in training areas or assigned to
second-line defenses After consulta-
ton with Field Marshal Haig on June
8 five American divisions were re-
lieved from the British area to sup
port the French.
The Marine salient was inherently
weak and offered an opportunity for
a offensive that was obvious.
If successful such an operation would
afford immediate relief to the allied
defense, would remove the threat
against Paris and free the Paris
Nancy railroad. But, more important
than all else, it would restore the mo-
rale of the allies and remove the pro-
found depression and fear then exist
ing.
Up to this time our units had been
put in here and there at critical points
as emergency troops to stop the ter
rifle German advance. In every trial,
whether on the defensive or offensive,
they had proved themselves equal to
any troops in Europe. AS early as
June %, and again on July 10 at Bonn
bon I had very strongly urged that
n r1S~ ho 1%o1
under American command, if possible,
for use as a striking force against
the Marine salient. Although the pre-
vailing view among the allies was
that American units were suitable
only for the defensive, and that at all
events they could be used to better
advantage under allied command, the
suggestion was accepted IN principle,
and my estimate of their offensive
fighting qualities was soon put to the
test.
The enemy had encouraged his SOL
diers to believe that the July Is at
tack would conclude the war with a
German peace. Although he made elab-
crate plans for the operation, he failed
to conceal fully his Intentions, and the
front of attack was suspected at least
one week ahead. On the Champagne
front the actual hour for the assault
was known and the enemy was checked
with heavy losses. The Forty-second
division entered the line near Somme
Ply Immediately, and five of it's infan-
try battalions and all Of it's artillery
became engaged. Southwest Of Rheims
and along the Marine to the east OF
Chateau-Thierry the Germans were
at first somewhat successful, pene-
tration Of eight kilometers beyond the
river being effected against the French
Immediately to the right of our Third
division. The following quotation
from the report of the commanding
general gives the result of the fighting
on his front:
None Crossed but Prisoners.
although the rush Of the German
troops overwhelmed some Of the front
line positions, causing the infantry and
90 in