Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-23
CANTIGNY is TAKEN
BY 1ST DIVISION
Andre Tardieu's Criticism
of U. S. Troops Draws
Sharp Answer From
Commander in Chief.

- -
The position of the LIST Diyi-
sion was near Cantigny. Inc ISL "
vision had been in line nearly montn
onnosite the town of Cantigny. near
the point OF farthest advance OF the
enemy in the Amiens salient,
Although some weeks hao pasaeu
since nv offer of troops. in the emer.
1ercv I'M to now none had been called
IInon to take part in active operations
The reason appeared to be that the
allies were skeptical of the ABILITY OF
any of our units to conduct an often-
siye. The opportunity now came,
however, to remove misglVlngs OH 'ria'
score. ,... .ha let
mos SERVING had prepared a counter
attack to be launched in the Amlens
sector about the middle of May IN case
Of another offensive by the enemy N
FLANDERS, which it was believed Wou QUO
occur between May is and 20. Inc
counter-attack was TO De oirecIe1. S ~
east toward the heights OF Montoioier'
S,ith the advance Of the LIST Division
s,Innorted by a French division on eacn
Nay,k as a preliminary move. THIS was
~ he followed in AZ hours by genera
sdvsnce northward Of the entire Third
French Army, which covered the 1fonV
from Montdidier to Noyon.
Enemy Doesn't Appear.
Ammunition dumps had been filled,
.,eciaI trenches dug. new battery en-
placements prepared for the re-en1orce-
ING artillery, and necessary oroers
issi,ed for the counter-attack, but tne
enemy did not put in his appearances
according to the forecast. ..
n vas then decided that the ISL
division should undertake TO improye
its position. The Germans on US itoi ~
Aal the ADVANTAGE Oh
hieher ground, from which they were
able to infiict constant losses on our
troops while suffering little damage
Another reason was that at this
moment the morale OF the ailies re-
ouired that American troops make tne iI
annearance in battle. It was aovlsapie
asIc froy,1 the point of view that. II
successful. it would demonstrate that
we could best help the allies by using
our troops in larger units instead o.
adoptine their plan Of building up
allied units. The high pitch OF en-
thusiasm with which the division en-
tered into the preparations tor t 1ls
attack gave US a cennc ctnTx ''"'
The Cantigny sector at TINS time
Uas very active, with artillery nre un-
usually heavy and the preparatlons
for the attack by the lst DIVISION,
which had TO be hastily maze weIe
carried out under great dimcuity MANY
casualties occurred during tne consiau
ton of jumping-oh trenches, emplace'
nnents and advance command posts.
Cantigny Quickly Taken.
The 2sth Infantry, under Col. Han
aon r. civ. DESIGNATED for the assault,
was REINFORCED by machine guns, en-
gineers and other special units. AZ
ditional French artillery was sent 70
assist the artillery brigade OF the dvi-
sion, and particularly to suppress the
hostile batteries attempting TO inter-
fere with the consolidation OF the new
position after it should be captured.
on the morning of May %, after
brief artillery preparation, the Infantry
advanced on q front OF q mile ano
a quarter. The village Of Cantigny ano
the adjacent heights were quickly taken,
relatively heavy casualties inflicted on
the enemy and about 300 prisoners cap
tiired. Our troops behaved spienoidly
and suffered but slight loss in the ac-
tual attack.
Events then developing farther east,
however, were seriously TO complicate
the success. The German assault IN
force against the French along the
Chemin des Danes, between Scissors
and Rheims, began on the morning OF
the 27th and was making dangerous
headway. BY the morning OF the 28th
the gains of the enemy were such that
the French high command was COM
nelled to relieve much of the re-en-
forcing Artillery behind the LIST Divi-
sion and transfer it to that front.
The enemy's artillery within range OF
Cantigny thus became superior TO ours
and was able to concentrate terrihc
FIRE on the unsheltered troops in the
captured position. His reaction against
our troops was extremely violent and
apparently he was determined at all
cost to counteract the excellent enect
the American success had produced
upon the allies.
Under cover of heavy bombardment
series Of counter attacks were made by
the enemy, but our young infantrymen
stood their ground and broke up every
attempt TO dislodge them. The regi-
nnent sustained severe casualties from
the large caliber shells poured down
upon it and had to be REINFORCED by
q battalion each from the 18th ana Zbth
Regiments.
Officers Later Advanced.
II was a matter Of pride to the whole
A. e. F. that the troops Of this division.
in their first battle and in the unusually
trying situation that followed, displayed
the fortitude and courage OF veterans:
held their gains, and denied 70 the
enemy the slightest advantage.
II is interesting 10 record that Of the
ofdcers in the 1st to participate in THIS
battle Mai Gen. Billiard was later TO
command an Army. with rank OF lieu
tenant general; Brig. Gems. Summerali
and Hines were promoted TO the grade
of major general and later commanded
Army corps: Brig. Gen. Buck became a
major general and commanded a div.
sion; Col. Ely became major general
and division commander. Col. Parker,
q bFigadier general and division com
nnander, and Bamford a major general
and division commander.
Two members Of the division staff
Coils. King and Marshall, were to be-
come chiefs of staff of Army corps
Other officers then with the division
would have undoubtedly reached high
positions of command had they not
sacrifice their lives at Scissors and or
other battle grounds later on.
The attack May 81 was made by &c
German divisions, and it came as such
q surprise that the French did not have
time even TO destroy important bridges
across the Aisne and the Vesle. ovei
which their pursuers followed. BY MAJ
~ knoG cOteeAsaa ~