Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-17
RY col. GEORGE C. MARSHALL,
a..I-...4 c,nr,nnandant Fort Benning, Ga

NY COL. GEORGE c. MARSHALL
Assistant Commandant, Fort Bennins' Ga
COLUMBUS, Ca, January II IN. A.
N. A0.-Gen. Pershing's memoirs
should not only provide vivldly inteT.
estinp reading for America, but shoulo
Srnve an invaluable document Tor 1u-
fure reference in the development OF
our national defense.
Inevitably there will be comparisons
with the memoirs of Gen. Grant and
The recent biographies OF conspicuous
World War figures, In several re-
spects the basis for Gen, Pershlng
story differs from all others.
He was at the time of his service
sy0OO miles from home, the commander
Ia chief of our fed armies for tne
entire period of their participation In
the war. He no. only fought MS
armies. he had first to organize ana
train them. and ne had to create at
the ports and across Central France
q complete neutrality-suspicious. and
hospital service; as we'll as an overseas
war Department. He was at one ana
the same tire a diplomat, statesman
and a military commander. the war
ended sc abruptly that few had oppor-
tunity 90 realize the wonder OF his
achievement.
Force of Two Millions.
In March. 1918, there was one Amer
lean division of $1,000 men, ready for
battle Four months later 100000 OF
our soldiers were fighting in the Marine
Salient, and within seven months. 29
combat divisions. six Army Corps and
two field armies; approximately mil
lion men, we're advancing against the
enemy.
frafY7fTFc 0r6T9f@
trlR a colossal supply service and pre-
pairing to serve three million In the
Spring and four million by the SUM
mer Of 1919.
Gen. Pershing's story will shed a
direct light on our desperate struggle
to develop Americas military power
and carry it to the battle field, but ne
VIII probably gain little by its puollI,
cation. His greatest moments Will
either not be mentioned or touched
IIpon so modestly that few will appre-
ciate the perfection Of his leadership
Ia the great crises Of our participation
n the war.
his first estimate Of the situation in
July. 1917, and his declaration OF the
magnitude Of the effort America must
make. In striking contrast with the
marrow view Of the War Department,
was a MAGNIFICENT stride toward
eventual success. His decision to train
ctr troops for open warfare rather
than indoctrinate them with the pa
ralysis of trench warfare methods, re-
CURED rare courage. 1t opposed the
views of every great allied leader tnen
Ia command.
unanimous view Of men who had three
wears experience That he was not re-
Ieved due to q deluge Of criticisms ana
attacks on him was a tribute 10 the
never failing support Of President Wiz
son and Secretary Of War Baker. Inc
great German offensive Of March, 1913,
came in time to prove him right as II
proved the others to be wrong.
Program Sacrificed.
Gen. Pershing was engaged in con-
tinuous struggle with our allies over
the disposition Of the American troops.
All wanted our fresh, vigorous men TO
bolster I'D thinned and war-worn
ranks. None felt that we could create
the vast and complicated mechanism
of great field Army n time to save
the situation.
With tact and tolerance and with oc-
casional compromises, he met the pro-
longed efforts of war councils, the Lead
ing statesmen Of Europe and the allied
commanders to bend him from his puT-
pose. And this despite his embarrass-
ment In having to depend on them for
cannon, airplanes, artillery, tanks ana
large quantities Of supplies.
Yet when the shock of the German
assault preeipitated the crisis in
March of 1918, Gen. Pershing rose to
the occasion and Voluntarily, in a few
sentences, renounced all his slowly won
concessions towards the formation Of
an American Army, offering his troops
TO be scattered along the front. from
Belgium to Switzerland. Months elapsed
before ne was able to reconstruct the
shattered program for the development
Of our Army.
The preceding incidents concern
matters not directly involving general
Pershing's leadership in battle. But in
October, 1918, came the critical moment
for the American Expeditionary Forces.
The battle of the Meuse-A rgonne had
ragged for two weeks. Necessity had
compelled the employment Of partially
trained divisions previously inexpeTi-
enced In battle. Casualties we're heavy,
daily advances negligible, roads all but
impossible, troops exhausted and the
weather cold, wet and gloomy Pessim-
ism was widespread and few officers
could see any light in the sky. Gratui-
tous criticisms from our allies, DESTROYS
of obtaining American troops, poured
IN. American officers Of high rank i'm
plored their chief TO break of the battle.
Few Realized Greatness.
Out Of this forest of gloom and
obstacles Gen. Pershing strobe, the
great leader. Determination written
clear in his face, in the very tones Of
his voice and in his confident bearing,
nothing daunting him, be drove, led
and cheered the Army on r attack
after attack. Americas sololNrs re-
gponded and finally, on November /,
the Army lunged forward In general
assault which broke through the hos
tile positions, and, with increasing mo-
mentum, plunged ahead until the
heights overlooking Sedan were reached
on the morning of November T.
Few are familiar with this phase Of
the MeuSe-Argonne operation. Public
interest was centered on the final ex-
change of notes between President VIII
son and the crumbling German gov
eminent. Every one promptly forgot
the pessimism, the fears and the weak
pleadingS Of those october days. All
were jubilant over the battle won, but
few realized when and how it was won.
So far as an individual can be said
70 have decisively influenced the course
Of such a great operation Gen. Per-
Shing won the Meuse- Argonne battle
On its blacklist day at its gloomiest
moment. Washington at Trenton and
Valley Forge, Grant and his great adj
Yersary, Lee, in the wilderness dis
played this rare quality of leadership
which triumphs over adversely and
difficulties in war.