The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1931-10-15

OF the exact intent OF my orders re-
suited in the First division erroneous
ly going beyond the left boundary Of
the Fifth corps and marching directly
across the sector Of the First corps
during the late afternoon Of the 9th
and throughout the night. The troops
of the First division carried out this
unnecessary forced march in fine
spirit, despite their tired condition.
Considerable confusion resulted in
the Forty-second and Seventy-seventh
divisions, and their advance was de.
layed as roads became blocked by the
columns Of the First division. The
Forty-second and the First then began
a race for the honor Of capturing Sc.
dan. Part of these divisions had en-
tered the zone of the French Fourth
army and were waging fight with the
enemy for the possession of the
heights south and west of Sedan.
The morning of November found
men of the Forty-second and the First
divisions on the heights overlooking
the city. Under normal conditions the
action of the officer or officers respon-
sible for this movement Of the First
division directly across the sectors of
two other divisions would not have
been overlooked, but the splendid
record Of that unit and the approach
Of the end of hostilities suggested
leniency.
The enemy's main line Of communi-
cations was now within range Of the
machine guns Of the First army, which
had driven him "a miles since Novem-
Der 1. His position on the western
front was no longer tenable and he
urged immediate consideration Of an
armistice.
Late on November 9 Marshal Foch,
then in conference with German repre-
sentatives regarding the terms Of the
armistice, sent telegraphic instruc-
tons to all allied commanders in
chief from which it might be inferred
that he was uncertain regarding the
outcome Of negotiations and wished to
let the enemy know that there would
be no further delay. The following
was the message received:
"The enemy, disorganized by our
repeated attacks, retreats along
the entire front.
ut is important to- coordinate
| and expedite our movements.
| II appeal to the energy and the
initiative Of the commanders in
chief of their armies to make de-
cisive the results obtained"
No Respite for Enemy.
Orders in response to this appeal
were Immediately issued and their
execution by the First army was un-
| der way November 10 and II. Yet
here again no sort Of urging was nee
essary. Our troops were determined
not to give the enemy any respite. Al
ready the crossing Of the Mouse had
been planned for the whole army, and
the Fifth corpse got over during the
night Of the 10th-11th. Part of the
Eighty-ninth division crossed on RATS
just west Of Pouilly, and others in the
rear Of the Ninetieth division (Allen).
The Second division was unable to
force a crossing at Mouzon, as
planned, but about a mile south of
Villemontry the engineers Of the d.
vision, with exceptional rapidly and
skill, threw two bridges across, over
which one regiment passed. The
1, Seventy seventh division, now on the
left of the Fifth corps, only sent over
patrols on the 10th and 18th, the low
ground north Of the river opposite its
front being flooded by heavy rains and
damming operations by the Germans.
The First corps from November 6
to 10 was withdrawing its divisions to
points on the Mouse between Dun-sur-
Mouse and Verdun, preparatory to a
general attack which would have as Its
object the turning Of the enemy's
strong position in front Of the Fifth
corps.
East of the Mouse the First army
advanced in conjunction with the Sec
ond army, which had been earnestly
preparing for this moment ever since
Its organization.
Under the instructions issued by me
November 5 for the advance Of the
First and Second armies, which re
ceived approval of Marshal Foch in a
personal note of November s, the Sec
ond army made advances along its en-
tire front in the direction of the Briey
iron basin during the last three days
of hostilities.
Attacking on the 10th, the Thirty
third division reached the Bots d'Har
vile and captured Marcheville, but
was forced to retire. The Twenty
eighth division occupied part Of the