Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-11
Germans Indicate Spring
Offensive Ready to
Begin, With U. S. Army
Still Unprepared.
ONE DIVISION READY
AFTER TEN MONTHS
Secretary Baker Reaches
Brest and Begins Tour
of Inspection of All
American Activities.
CHAPTER XXI.

l. newed activity all along the
front by March /, 1918, indi-
i Gated the great German offensive
might start at any time. The
French general staff thought the Allies
would be able to hold without serious
difnculty until we could help, but It
was doubtful enough to cause grave
apprehension.
It was depressing to think that 10
months had elapsed since our entry
into the war and that we were just
barely ready with one division OF $4,000
men.
with all our wealth, our man power
and ability, that was the net result OF
our efforts up to the moment, all be-
cause our people had been deceived by
q false and fatuouS theory that it was
unnecessary in time of peace to make
even preliminary preparations for war.
Here we we're likely to be confronted
by the mightiest military offensive that
the world had ever known, and 1t looked
as though we should be compelled to
stand by almost helpless and see the
Allies again suffer losses of hundreds
of thousands of men in their struggle
against possible defeat.
RepuIse German Raids.
In spite of these reflections, there
effort we should yet be able to develop
our latent power in time TO save our
friends. At least, now that we were
face to face with the crisis, it was vital
that America should exert herself to
the utmost to complete what she had
so leisurely begun.
MY diary shows the following nota-
tons:
1918. Heavy German raid repulSed by
LIST Division Friday morning. The
enemy also raided the 26th Division
lines and were driven of.
Had meeting Saturday with Co.'s
Hagood and Andrews on s. o. s. organ
ization. Lord Brooke and Frazier house
guests. Some American woman jour-
nalists visited me that afternoon.
Went to Ligny-en-B Sunday
to meet NJ Clemenceau, who came to
congratulate the 1st Division on success
repulsing raid. Met Gen. Debeney, who
was enthusiastic over conduct Of our
men. Spent the night at LIST Division
headquarters.
"Motored to Langres with Harbord
Monday to speak at opening OF second
session Of General Staf College. Ger
mans made raid on 42d Division that
morning"
Upon conclusion Of this inspection Of
the LIST Division considered it ready
to take the offensive at any time. It
had been eight months in France, with
varied experiences in training, had oc-
cupied an independent position in the
st. Mi1iel sector, and had made several
successful trench raids. Gems. Duncan
and Buck had their infantry brigades
In efficient shape, and Summerall had
carried the training Of the artillery
brigade to q high degree.
AS to the 42d, 18th and I'd Divisions
the two first being then with the French
in quiet sectors, and the I'd about to
enter, each had yet to serve in line as
an independent division to complete
its training. In view Of the certainty
Of determined German action at an
early date, the quality and condition
of our units were studied with solicit
tlide by the French no less than by
ourselves.
Praises CIemenceau's Spirit.
It was M. Clemenceau's custom while
prime minister to kpend Sundays visit
ing different portions of the front. AS
mentioned in my diary, he came espe-
cially to congratulate the LIST Division
on its success in repulsing the raid, and
was enthusiastic over the conduct OF
the troops on that occasion. The vigor
Notwithstanding his age, were conta-
gious On these visits he wanted to talk
with the men right up at the front,
and while it was not always convenient
to humor him, one had to admire his
attitude.
I wished especially to be present at
the opening of the General Staff School,
in order to emphasize the Importance
Of this training. My speaking during
. 30 mas ~
but it seemed more effective than If
read from manuscript. In this talk
stressed the necessity of preparation for
duties that were expected of stad OIL
GERS, and dwelt on their obligations and
their relations TO the line. The new
class for the second three Anonths' ses-
sion consisted as usual, of officers Sc
lected from the various units of stan
! and line.
The course of instruction had been
carefully laid out by Brig. Gen. Mean
drew and his assistants, all graduates
of our Fort Leavenworth school. 1t was
based particularly on our own staff Or
ganization, and consisted Of an inten-
sive study of lectures, specially pre-
pared texts and practical problems.
On the visit to the AID Division we
spent the night at Baccarat as guests
OF NJ. and Nine. Miehaut At dinner
with all the children and grandchildren
present, the family formed a most
charming group. The town had been
partially destroyed early in the war
and now that the Germans were again
active because of the presence Of Amer
leans it looked as though. they might
make the destruction complete.
1 / recall that when the possibility Of
putting an end to war was mentioned
during the conversation at dinner the
grandmother of the household said: