The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1931-07-24

CHAPTER xxxV Continued
1t was source of real regret to me
not to command the First division in
person. and this. coupled with the
fact that its entry into the battle
was of considerable moment, led me
to speak word of confidence and
encouragement. When the officers,
about 900 in all, were assembled in
the grounds of the chateau occupied
as division headquarters they formed
a rare group.
These splendid-looking men. hard
enea by the strenuous work of the
fall and by two months In winter
trenches, fairly radiated the spirit of
courage and gave promise that Amer
ica's effort would prove her sons the
equals of their forefathers.
The First division saw its first
major offensive some six weeks later,
brilliant cOunterattack at Cantigny,
In the Amiens sector.
Wanted the A. e. E. United.
That afternoon | motored to SarcuS
to see General Foch and sound him
out regarding the prospects of unit
ing our divisions in a sector of our
own. | told him that the secretary of
war when in France had expressed an
earnest desire to hasten the formation
of an American army and that this
was also the wish of the President.
1t was my opinion, said, that early
action would be of great Importance
in stimulating the morale of our
troops and of our people. Now that
the First division was to go into line
the people at home would expect
soon to hear that an American army
was engaged on it's own front. / sug-
gested the possibility that the corps
might be assembled near the First di-
vision as beginning.
General Foch agreed in principle to
the suggestion, but was uncertain
when the other divisions could be
spared, which l. of course. fully ap-
preciated. He pointed out that the
enemy was very aggressive and re-
ferred to the severe attack against
the British on the Lys between Lens
|
and was still in progress. But look
ing beyond, insisted that the Twen-
ty-Sixth and Forty-second divisions
might be withdrawn at any time from
quiet sectors, to be followed by the
Second and the Thirty second and also
the Third a few days later.
l pointed out that this force Of six
divisions. including the First, would
equal twelve French divisions, and
gave it as my opinion that it would
be better to use this American group
for active operations than to detain
the units in quiet sectors and send
French divisions to the battle front.
My understanding after this discus
sion was very definite that the plan
would soon be carried out, leaving the
exact time and place to be determined.
1t was immaterial to me just where
it should occur, the point being to get
it done.
Hard Fighting on the Lys.
The German offensive on the Lys
was another formidable effort to
break the British line. The attack
was made to the north and south of
Armentieres on front of "a miles by
q German divisions. The exhausted
British, though they fought with most
cOmmendable courage and skill, were
forced again to yield with heavy losses
to themselves and the Portuguese,
consisting of two divisions, who were
with them.
| Several French divisions were hur-
ried to the Lys front, but it was
week after the attack began before
they were put into the line. They
then relieved British divisions at the
famous KENNEL hill, only to be sur
prised and defeated themselves April
%, much to their chagrin. The battle
was practically ended by the last of
the month, with gain by the Ger
mans of ten or eleven miles and the
capture of important territory from
the British, but with failure to take
| HaZebrouck