The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1920-01-17

Americas effort could be brought to
4hr. Germany's best troops, her most
Mrcessful generals and all the expert
cnce gained In three years OF war were
mobillzed FOR the supreme effort.
The first blow fell on the right or
the British armies. including the juno
ton OF the British and French forces.
Only the prompt cooperation OF the
French and British general headquar-
ters stemmed the tide. The reason for
this objective was obvious, and strik-
tngiy Illustrated the necessity for hav-
Eng some one with sufficient authority
over all the allied armies TO meet such
an emergency.
Reserves Were Lacking.
The lack of complete cooperation
among the allies on the western front
had been appreciated and the question
or preparation TO meet a crisis had
already received attention by the SUI
preme war council. plan had been
adopted by which each Of the allies
would furnish a certain number of d.
visions Tor general reserve to be I'M
der the direction OF the military repre-
sentstiyes OF the supreme war council.
or which Gen. Foch was then the
senior member. But when the time
came to meet the German offensive In
March these reserves were not found
available and the plan failed.
The situation resulted In con-
ference for the immediate considera-
ton OF the question Of having an al
lied commander In chief. After much
discussion. during which my view ia
voring such action was clearly stated.
an agreement was reached and Gen
ersi Foch was selected. His appoint
rent as such was made April and
MS approved for the United States
by the president on April 16.
The grave crisis precipItated by the
first German offensive caused me to
make hurried visit to General Foch's
headquarters at Bombon. during which
all our combatant forces were placed
at his disposal. The acceptance OF
this Offer meant the dispersion OF our
troops along the allied front and a
consequent delay in building up a dis
tlnctlve American force in Lorraine,
but the serious situation OF the allies
demanded this divergence from our
plans.
On March p approximately 100000
American troops had reached France.
-Four combat divisions. equivalent In
strength 10 eight French or British
divisions. were available.
Took cantIsny Heights
On April % the First division re-
Ileved 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
IA order 10 meet the enemy's new Of
fensIve launched May 81 20 Chateau
Therry. The enemy reaction against
our troops az Cantigny was extremely
violent. and apparently he was deter
mined az all costs TO counteract the
most excellent effect the American
stkcess had produced. For three days
NJ guns OF all calIbers were concen-
f4ted on our position and counter
attack succeeded counter-attack. The
desperate efforts OF the Germnns gave
the fighting at Cantlgny seeming
tactical importance entirely out OF
proportion 10 the numbers involved.
The third German offensive. on May
q. against the French on the Alsne
soon developed desperate situation
for the allies The Second division
was hastily diverted 60 the vicinity OF
Meaux on May 81, and early on the
morning OF June was deployed
across the Chateau-Thierry-Paris road
near NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. In gap In
the French line. where lt stopped the
German advance on Paris. AT the
same time the partially trained Third
division was placed at French dls-
posal to hold the crossings OF the
Marine. and its motorized machine-gun
battalion succeeded In reaching Cha
teau Thierry In time 20 assist In sue
cessfully defending that river cross
ing.
The enemy having been halted the
Second division commenced n series
OF vigorous attacks on June 4 which
resulted In the capture OF Belleau
woods after very severe lighting. The
village OF Bouresches was taken soon
after and on, July vaux was cap
tur1l. In these operations the Sec
lend 1Ivision met with most desperate
tesI;tance By Germany's best troops.