Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1920-02-05

three army corps were in line between
the Meuse river and the Bots de Bour-
gogne. Preceded by two hours of vio-
lent artillery preparation the infantry
advanced, closely followed by accom-
panying guns"
By nightfall the Fifth corps, in the
center, had realized an advance of al
most nine kilometers, to the Bots de
la Folie, and had completed the cap
ture of the heights of Barricourt,
while the Third corps, on the right,
had captured Aincreville and Ande
vanne Our troops had broken through
the enemy's last defense, captured his
artillery positions and had precipi-
tated a retreat of the German forces
about to be isolated in the forest
north of Grandpre.
The following day the advance con-
tinued toward Sedan with increasing
swiftness.
Munitions.
Our entry into the war found us
with few of the auxiliaries necessary
for it's conduct in the modern sense
The task of the ordnance department
in supplying artillery was especially
difficult. In order to meet our require
ments as rapidly as possible we ac-
cepted the offer of the French govern
ment to supply us with the artillery
equipment of 75's, 155 nm. howitzers
and 155 G. r. F. guns from their own
factories for 80 divisions. The wis
dom of this course was fully demon
strated by the fact that although we
soon began the manufacture of these
classes of guns at home there were
no guns of American manufacture of
the calibers mentioned on our front at
the date of the armistice.
The only guns of these types pro-
duced at home which reached France
before the cessation of hostilities were
100 Is nm. guns.
In addition "a S-inch howitZers from
the United States reached our front
and were in use when the armistice
was signed. Eight 14-inch naval guns
of American manufacture were set up
on railroad mounts, and most of these
were successfully employed on the
Meuse-Argonne front under the eff
cient direction of Admiral Plunkett of
the navy.
Aviation.
In aviation we were entirely de-
pendent upon our allies, and here
again the French government came to
our aid until our own program could
be set under way. Without going into
a complete discussion of aviation ma
terial it will be sufficient to state that
it was with great difficulty that we OBJ
tanned equipment even for training.
AS for up-to-date combat planes, the
development at home was slow and
we had to rely upon the French, who
provided us with total of 2,676 pur-
suit, observation and bombing ma
chimes.
The first airplane received from
home arrived in May, and altogether
we received 1879 planes of the De
Haviland type. The first American
squadron completely equipped by
American production, including air.
planes, crossed the German lines on
August Z, 1918. AS to our aviators,
many of whom trained with our allies,
it can be said that they had no supe-
riors in daring and in fighting ability.
During the battles of st. Mihel and
Meuse-Argonne our aviators excelled
all others. They have left record
of courageous deeds that will ever re.
main a brilliant page in the annals of
our army.
Tanks Made Fine Record.
In the matter of tanks we were
compelled to rely upon both the
French and the English. Here, how
ever, we were less fortunate for the
reason that our allies barely had srf
ficient tanks to meet their require
ments. While our tank corps had linn
tied opportunity, it's fine personnel re-
sponded CALAMITY on every occasion,
and showed courage of the highest or
der.
The chemical warfare service repre-
scented another entirely new departure
in this war. Whether or not gas will
be employed in future wars is mat
ter of conjecture, but the effect is so
deadly to the unprepared that we can
never afford to neglect the question.
The general health Of our armies
under conditions strange and adverse
in many ways to our American expert
ence and mode of life was marvellous
ly good. OF all deaths in the Ameri-
can expeditionary forces Ito Septem-
Der 1, 1919, totaling 81, 141. there were
killed in action 1856; died of wounds
received in battle, 1870; other
wounds and injuries, 1868; and died
of diseases, 24,786.
Don't Be an Easy Mark.
A Philadelphia savant says: IF the
chalaza of an egg is well defined it is
fresh" Insist on the grocer showing
you the chalazas, or chalazii, of the
eggs you purchase. You'll have to car
ry your eggs home IN a pail, but what
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