a crisis equally grave as that of the Picardy offensive in March. Again every available man was placed at Marshal Foch's disposal. and the 3d division, which had just come from its preliminary training in the trenches, was hurried to the Marne. Its motorized machine gun battalion preceded the other units and successfully held the bridgehead at the Marne, opposite Chateau Thierry The 2d division, in reserve near Montdidier, was sent by motor trucks and other available transport to check the progress of the enemy toward Paris. The division attacked and retook the town and railroad station at Bouresches and sturdily held its ground against the enemy's best guard divisions. In the battle of Belleau wood, which followed, our men proved their superiority and gained a strong tactical position, with far greater loss to the enemy than to ourselves. On July 1, before the 2d Iwas relieved, it captured the village of Vaux with most splendid precision. "Meanwhile our 2d corps, under Maj.-Gen. George W. Read, had been organized for the command of our divisions with the British. which were held back in training areas or assigned to second line defenses. Five of the ten divisions were withdrawn from the British, area in June. three to relieve divisions in Lorraine and the Vosges and two to the Paris area to join the group of American divisions which stood between the city and any farther advance of the enemy in that direction. The great June-July troop movement from the States was well under way, and although these troops were to be given some preliminary training before being put into action, their very presence warranted the use of all the older divisions in the confidence that we did not lack reserves. Elements of the 42d division were in the line east of Reims against the German offensive of July 15, and held their ground unflinchingly. On the right flank of this offensive four companies of the 28th division were in position in face of the advancing waves of the German infantry. The 3d division was holding the bank of the Marne from the bend east of the mouth of the Surmelin to the west of Mezy. opposite Chateau Thierry, where a large force of German infantry sought to force a passage under support of powerful artillery concentrations and under cover of smoke screens. A single regiment of the 3d wrote one of the most brilliant pages in our military annals on this occasion. It prevented the crossing at certain points on its front while. on either flank. the Germans. who had gained a footing. pressed forward. Our men. firing in three directions, met the German attacks with counterattacks at critical points and succeeded in throwing two German divisions into complete confusion, capturing 600 prisoners. "The great force of the German Chateau Thierry offensive established the deep Marne salient. but the enemy was taking chances, and the vulnerability of this, pocket to attack might be turned to his disadvantage. Seizing this opportunity to support my conviction. every division with any sort of training was made available for use in a counteroffensive. The place of honor in the thrust toward Soissons on July 18 was given to our 1st and 2d divisions in company with chosen French di Copyright, Harris & Ewing. MAJ.-GEN. GEO. B. DUNCAN. Clinedinst Photo. MAJ.-GEN. OMAR BUNDY. visions. Without the usual brief warning of a preliminary bombardment, the massed French and American artillery, firing by the map, laid down its rolling barrage at dawn while the infantry began its charge. The tactical handling of our troops under these trying conditions was excellent throughout the action. The enemy brought up large numbers of reserves and made a stubborn defense both with machine guns and artillery. but through five days' fighting the 1st division continued to advance until it had gained the lage of Berzy-le-Sec. heights above Soissons. and captured the vilThe 2d division took Beaurepaire farm and Vierzy in a very rapid advance and reached a position in front of Tigny at the end of its second day. These two divisions captured 7.000 prisoners and over 100 pieces of artillery. The 26th division, which, with a French division, was under command of our 1st corps. acted as a pivot of the movement toward Soissons. On the 18th it took the village of Torcy, while the 3d division was crossing the Marne in pursuit of the retiring enemy. The 26th attacked again on the 21st. and the enemy withdrew past the Chateau Thierry-Soissons road. The 3d division, continuing its progress. took the heights of Mont St. Pere and the villages of Charteves and Jauigonne in the face of both machine gun and artillery fire. "On the 24th, after the Germans had fallen back from Trugny and Epieds, our 42d division, which had been brought over from the Champagne, relieved the 26th and, fighting its way through the Foret de Fere, overwhelmed the nest of machine guns in its path. By the 27th it had reached the Ourcq, whence the 3d and 4th divisions were already advancing, while the French divisions with which we were co-operating were moving forward at other points. "The 3d division had made its advance into Roncheres wood on the 29th and was relieved for rest by a brigade of the 32d. The 420 and 32d undertook the task of conquering the heights beyond Cierges, the 42d capturing Sergy, and the 32d capturing Hill 230, both American divisions joining in the pursuit of the enemy to the Vesle, and thus the operation of reducing the salient was finished. Meanwhile the 42d was relieved by the 4th at Chery-Chartreuve and the 32d by the 28th, while the 77th division took up a position on the Vesle. The operations of these divisions on the Vesle were under the 3d corps, Maj.Gen. Robert L. Bullard commanding. Battle of St. Mihiel. "With the reduction of the Marne salient we could look forward to the concentration of our divisions in our own zone. In view of the forthcoming operation against the St. Mihiel salient, which had long been planned as our first offensive action on a large scale, the 1st army was organized on Aug. 10 under my personal command. While American units had held different divisional and corps sectors along the western front, there had not been up to this time, for obvious reasons, a distinct American sector: but, in view of the important parts the American forces were now to play. it was necessary to take over a per manent portion of the line. Accordingly on Aug. 30 the line beginning at Port sur Seille, east of the Moselle and extending to the west through St. Mihiel, thence north to a point opposite Verdun, was placed under my command, The American sector was afterward extended across the Meuse to the western edge of the Argonne forest, and included the 2d colonial French, which held the point of the salient, and the 17th French corps, which occupied the heights above Verdun. "The preparation for a complicated operation against the formidable defenses in front of us included the assembling of divisions and of corps and army artillery, transport, aircraft. tanks, ambulances, the location of hospitals and the molding together of all of the elements of a great modern army with its own railheads, supplied directly by our own service of supply. The concentration for this operation, which was to be a surprise, involved the movement, mostly at night, of approximately 600,000 troops, and required for its success the most careful attention to every detail. "The French were generous in giving us assistance in corps and army artillery, with its personnel, and we were confident from the start of our superiority over the enemy in guns of all calibers. Our heavy guns were able to reach Metz and to interfere seriously with German rail movements. The French independent air force was placed under my command. which. together with the British bombing squadrons and our air forces, gave us the largest assembly of aviation that had ever been engaged in one operation on the western front. "From Les Eparges around the nose of the salient at St. Mihiel to the Moselle river the line was roughly forty miles long and situated on commanding ground greatly strengthened by artificial defenses. Our 1st corps (82d. 90th, 5th and 2d divisions), under command of Maj.-Gen. Hunter Liggett, restrung its right, on Pont-a-Mousson, with its left joining our 3d corps (the 89th, 42d and 1st divisions), under Maj.-Gen. Joseph T. Dickman, in line to Xivray, where it was to swing in toward Vigneulles on the pivot of the Moselle river for the initial assault. From Xivray to Mouilly the 2d colonial French corps was in line in the center and our 5th corps, under command of Maj.-Gen. George H. Cameron. with our 26th division and a French division at the western base of the salient, were to attack three difficult hills -Les Eparges, Combres, and Amaranthe. Our 1st corps had in reserve the 78th division, our 4th corps the 3d division, and our 1st army the 35th and 91st divisions, with the 80th and 33d available. It should be understood that our corps organizations are very elastic, and that we have at no time had permanent assignments of divisions to corps. "After four hours' artillery preparation the seven American divisions in the front line advanced at 5 a. m., on Sept. 12, assisted by a limited number of tanks manned partly by Americans and partly by the French. These divisions, accompanied by groups of wire cutters and others armed with bangalore torpedoes, went through the successive bands of barbed wire that protected the en Copyright, Harris & Ewing. MAJ.-GEN. HENRY T. ALLEN. Daily News Photo. MAJ.-GEN GEORGE BELL, JR. emy's front line and support trenches. in irresistible waves on schedule time, breaking down all defense of an enemy demoralized by the great volume of our artillery fire and our sudden approach out of the fog. "Our 1st corps advanced to Thiaucourt, while our 4th corps curved back to the southwest through Nonsard. The 2d colonial French corps made the slight advance required of it on very difficult ground and the 5th corps took its three ridges and repulsed a counterattack. A rapid march brought reserve regiments of a division of the 5th corps into Vigneulles in the early morning, where it linked up with patrols of our 4th corps, closing the salient and forming a new line west of Thiaucourt to Vigneulles and beyond Fresnes-en-Woevre. At the cost of only 7.000 casualties, mostly light, we had taken 16.000 prisoners and 443 guns, a great quantity of materiel, released the inhabitants of many villages from enemy domination and established our lines in a position to threaten Metz. This signal success of the American 1st army in its first offensive was of prime importance. The allies found they had a formidable army to aid them and the enemy learned finally that he had one to reckon with. Meuse-Argonne Offensive, First Phase. With "On the day after we had taken the St. Mihiel salient much of our corps and army artillery which had operated at St. Mihiel and our divisions in reserve at other points were already on the move toward the area back of the line between the Meuse river and the western edge of the forest of Argonne. the exception of St. Mihiel, the old German front line from Switzerland to the east of Reims was still intact. In the general attack all along the line the operation assigned the American army as the hinge of this allied offensive was directed toward the important railroad communications of the German armies through Mezieres and Sedan. The enemy must hold fast to this part of his lines or the withdrawal of his forces with four years' accumulation of plants and materiel would be dangerously imperiled. The German army had as yet shown no demoralization and, while the mass of its troops had suffered in morale, its first class divisions and notably its machine gun defense were exhibiting remarkable tactical efficiency as well as courage. The German general staff was fully aware of the consequences of a success would do everything in his power to oppose on the Meuse-Argonne line. Certain that he us, the action was planned with as much secrecy as possible and was undertaken with the determination to use all our divisions in forcing decision. We expected to draw the best German divisions to our front and to consume them while the enemy was held under grave apprehension lest our attack should break his line, which it was our firm purpose to do. "Our right flank was protected by the Meuse, while our left embraced the Argonne forest, whose ravines, hills and elaborate defense screened by dense thickets had been generally considered impregnable. Our order of battle from right to left was the 3d corps from the Meuse to Malancourt, with the 33d. 80th and 4th divisions in line, and the 3d division as corps reserve: the 5th corps from Malancourt | visions have been highly praised by the Britto Vauquois, with 79th, 87th and 91st di- ish army commander under whom they served. visions in line, and the 32d in corps reserve: "On Oct. 2-9 our 2d and 36th divisions were and the 1st corps, from Vauquois to Vienne sent to assist the French in an important atle Chateau, with 35th. 28th and 77th divisions tack against the old German positions before in line, and the 92d in corps reserve. The Reims. The 2d conquered the complicated dearmy reserve consisted of the 1st. 29th and fense works on their front against a persistent 82d divisions. defense worthy of the grimmest period of "On the night of Sept. 25 our troops quietly trench warfare and attacked the strongly held took the place of the French, who thinly held wooded hill of Blanc Mont, which they capthe line in this sector, which had long been tured in a second assault, sweeping over it inactive. In the attack which began on the with consummate dash and skill. This di26th we drove through the barbed wire en- vision then repulsed strong counterattacks betanglements and the sea of shell craters across fore the village and cemetery of Ste. Etienne "no man's land." mastering all the first line and took the town, forcing the Germans to fall defenses. Continuing on the 27th and 28th. back from before Reims and yield positions against machine guns and artillery of an in- they had held since September, 1914. On Oct. creasing number of enemy reserve divisions. 9 the 36th division relieved the 2d and in its we penetrated to a depth of from three to first experience under fire withstood very seseven miles, and took the village of Mont- vere artillery bombardment and rapidly took faucon and its commanding hill and Exermont. up the pursuit of the enemy, now retiring beGercourt, Cuisy. Septsarges, Malancourt, Ivoiry,hind the Aisne. Epinonville, Charpentry. Very and other villages. East of the Meuse one of our divisions, which was with the 2d Colonial French corps, captured Marcheville and Rieville, giving further protection to the flank of our main body. We had taken 10.000 prisoners, we had gained our point of forcing the battle into the open and were prepared for the enemy's reaction, which was bound to come, as he had good roads and ample railroad facilities for bringing up his artillery and reserves. "In the chill rain of dark nights our engineers had to build new roads across spongy, shell torn areas. repair broken roads beyond "no man's land." and build bridges. Our gunners. with no thought of sleep. put their shoulders to wheels and dragropes to bring their guns through the mire in support of the infantry. now under the increasing fire of the enemy's artillery. Our attack had taken the enemy by surprise, but quickly recovering himself. he began to fire counterattacks in strong force, supported by heavy bombardments, with large quantities of gas. From Sept. 28 until Oct. 4 we maintained the offensive against patches of woods defended by snipers and continuous lines of machine guns, and pushed forward our guns and transport. seizing strategical points in preparation for further attacks. Other Units with Allies. "Other divisions attached to the allied armies were doing their part. It was the fortune of our 2d corps, composed of the 27th and 30th divisions, which had remained with the British, to have a place of honor in co-operation with the Australian corps on Sept. 29 and Oct. 1 in the assault on the Hindenburg line where the St. Quentin canal passes through a tunnel under a ridge. The 30th division speedily broke through the main line of defense for all its objectives, while the 27th pushed on impetuously through the main line until some of its elements reached Gouy. In the midst of the maze of trenches and shell craters and under cross fire from machine guns the other elements fought desperately against odds. In this and in later actions, from Oct. 6 to Oct. 19. our 2d corps captured over 6.000 prisoners and advanced, over thirteen miles. The spirit and aggressiveness of these di Meuse-Argonne Offensive, Second Phase. "The allied progress elsewhere cheered the efforts of our men in this crucial contest, as the German command threw in more and more first class troops to stop our advance. We made steady headway in the almost impenetrable and strongly held Argonne forest, for despite this re-enforcement it was our army that was doing the driving. Our aircraft was increasing in skill and numbers and forcing the issue and our infantry and artillery were improving rapidly with each new experience. The replacements fresh from home were put into exhausted divisions with little time for training, but they had the advantage of serving beside men who knew their business and who had almost become veterans overnight. The enemy had taken every advantage of the terrain, which especially favored the defense, by a prodigal use of machine guns manned by highly trained veterans and by using his artillery at short ranges. In the face of such strong frontal positions we should have been unable to accomplish any progress according to previously accepted standards, but I had every confidence in our aggressive tactics and the courage of our troops. "On Oct. 4 the attack was renewed all along our front. The 3d corps tilting to the left followed the Brieulles-Cunel road; our 5th corps took Gesnes while the 1st corps advanced for over two miles along the irregular valley of the Aire river and in the wooded hills of the Argonne that bordered the river, used by the enemy with all his art and weapons of defense. This sort of fighting continued against an enemy striving to hold every foot of ground and whose very strong counterattacks challenged us at every point. On the 7th the 1st corps captured Chatel-Chehery and continued along the river to Cornay. On the east of Meuse sector one of the two divisions cooperating with the French captured Consenvoye and the Haumont woods. On the 9th the 5th corps, in its progress up the Aire, took Fleville, and the 3d corps, which had continuous fighting against odds, was working its way through Brieulles and Cunel. On the 10th we had cleared the Argonne forest of the enemy. "It was now necessary to constitute a second army, and on Oct. 9 the immediate command of the 1st army was turned over to Lieut.-Gen. Hunter Liggett. The command of the 2d army, whose divisions occupied a sector in the Woevre, was given to Lieut.-Gen. Robert L. Bullard, who had been commander of the 1st division and then of the 3d corps. Maj.Gen. Dickman was transferred to the command of the 1st corps, while the 5th corps was placed under Maj.-Gen. Charles P. Summerall, who had recently commanded the 1st division, Maj.-Gen. John L. Hines, who had gone rapidly up from regimental to division commander, was assigned to the 3d corps. These four officers had been in France from the early days of the expedition and had learned their lessons in the school of practical warfare. "Our constant pressure against the enemy brought day by day more prisoners, mostly survivors from machine gun nests captured in fighting at close quarters. On Oct. 18 there was very fierce fighting in the Caures woods, east of the Meuse, and in the Ormont woods. On the 14th the 1st corps took St. Juvin, and the 5th corps. in hand to hand encounters, entered the formidable Kriemhilde line. where the enemy had hoped to check us indefinitely. Later the 5th corps penetrated further the Kriemhilde line. and the 1st corps took Champigneulles and the important town of Grandpre. Our dogged offensive was wearing down the enemy. who continued desperately to throw his best troops against us. thus weakening his line in front of our allies and making their advance less difficult. Divisions in Belgium. "Meanwhile we were not only able to continue the battle, but our 37th and 91st divi: sions were hastily withdrawn from our front and dispatched to help the French army in Belgium. Detraining in the neighborhood of Ypres. these divisions advanced by rapid stages to the fighting line and were assigned to adjacent French corps. On Oct. 31 in continuation of the Flanders offensive they attacked and methodically broke down all enemy resistance. On Nov. 3 the 37th had completed its mission in driving the enemy across the Escaut river and firmly established itself along the east bank included in the division zone of action. By a clever flanking movement troops of the 91st division captured Spitaals Bosschen, a difficult wood extending across the central part of the division sector, reached the Escaut, and penetrated into the town of Audenarde. These divisions received high commendation from their corps commanders for their dash and energy. Meuse-Argonne-Last Phase. "On the 23d the 3d and 5th corps pushed northward to the level of Bantheville. While we continued to press forward and throw back the enemy's violent counterattacks with great loss to him, a regrouping of our forces was under way for the final assault. Evidences of loss of morale by the enemy gave our men more confidence in attack and more fortitude in enduring the fatigue of incessant effort and the hardships of very inclement weather. With comparatively well rested divisions, the final advance in the Meuse-Argonne front was begun on Nov. 1. Our increased artillery force acquitted itself magnificently in support of Daily News Photo. COL. MILTON J. FOREMAN. Daily News Photo. COL. J. B. SANBORN. the advance, and the enemy broke before the determined infantry which, by its persistent fighting of the past weeks and the dash of this attack, had overcome his will to resist. The 3d corps took Ancreville, Doulcon and Andevanne, and the 5th corps took Landres et St. Georges and pressed through successive lines of resistance to Bayonville and Chennery. On the 2d the 1st corps joined in the movement. which now became an impetuous onslaught that could not be stayed. "On the 3d advance troops surged forward in pursuit, some by motor trucks, while the artillery pressed along the country roads close behind. The 1st corps reached Authe and Chatillon-sur-Bar, the 5th corps Fosse and Nouart and the 3d corps Halles, penetrating the large caliber guns enemy's line to a depth of twelve miles. Our had advanced and were skillfully brought into position to fire upon the important lines at Montmedy, Longuyon and Conflans. Our 3d corps crossed the Meuse on the 5th and the other corps. in the full confidence that the day was theirs. eagerly cleared the way of machine guns as they swept northward, maintaining complete co-ordination throughout. On the 6th. a division of the 1st corps reached a point on the Meuse opposite Sedan. twenty-five miles from our line of departure. The strategical goal which was our highest hope was gained. We had cut the enemy's main line of communications, and nothing but surrender or an armistice could save his army from complete disaster. "In all forty enemy divisions had been used against us in the Meuse-Argonne battle. Between Sept. 26 and Nov. 6 we took 26,059 prisoners and 468 guns on this front. Our di26th, 28th, 29th. 32d, 33d. 35th, 37th, 42d. visions engaged were the 1st. 2d. 3d, 4th, 5th. 77th. 78th. 79th. 80th. 82d. 89th. 90th and 91st. Many of our divisions remained in line for a length of time that required nerves of steel, while others were sent in again after only a few days of rest. The 1st. 5th. 26th. 42d. 77th. 80th 89th and 90th were in the line twice. Although some of the divisions were fighting their first battle, they soon became equal to the best. Operations East of the Meuse. "On the three days preceding Nov. 10. the 3d, the 2d colonial and the 17th French corps fought a difficult struggle through the Meuse hills. south of Stenay, and forced the enemy into the plain. Meanwhile, my plans for further use of the American forces contemplated an advance between the Meuse and the Moselle in the direction of Longwy by the 1st army while. at the same time. the 2d army should assume the offensive toward the rich coal fields of Briey. These operations were to be followed by an offensive toward ChateauSalins east of the Moselle, thus isolating Metz. Accordingly. attacks on the American front had been ordered and that of the 2d army was in progress on the morning of Nov. 11. when instructions were received that hostilities should cease at 11 o'clock a. m. At this moment the line of the American sector, from right to left, began at Port-surSeille, thence across the Moselle to Vandieres and through the Woevre to Bezanvaux in the foothills of the Meuse. thence along to the foothills and through the northern edge of the Daily News Photo. Woevre forests to the thence along the Meuse French under Sedan. Daily News Photo. COL. HENRY J. REILLY. Meuse at Mouzay. connecting with the Relations with the Allies. "Co-operation among the allies has at all times been most cordial. A far greater effort has been put forth by the allied armies and staffs to assist us than could have been expected. The French government and army have always stood ready to furnish us with supplies, equipment, and transportation and to aid us in every way. In the towns and hamlets wherever our troops have been stationed or billeted the French people have everywhere received them more as relatives and intimate friends than as soldiers of a foreign army. For these things words are gratitude. quite inadequate to express our There can be no doubt that the relations growing out of our associations here assure a permanent friendship between the two peoples. Although we have not been so intimately associated with the people of Great Britain. yet their troops and ours when thrown together have always warmly fraternized. The reception of those of our forces who have passed through England and of those who have been stationed there has always been enthusiastic. Altogether it has been deeply impressed upon us that the ties of language and blood bring the British and ourselves together completely and inseparably. Strength. "There are in Europe altogether, including a regiment and some sanitary units with the Italian army, and the organizations at Murmansk, also including those en route from the States, approximately 2,053,347 men, less our losses. Of this total there are in France 1,338,169 combatant troops. Forty divisions have arrived, of which the infantry personnel of ten has been used as replacements, leaving thirty divisions now in France organized into three armies of three corps each. "The losses of the Americans up to Nov. 18 are: Killed and wounded, 36.145: died of disease, 14.811: deaths unclassified, 2.204: wounded, 179,625; prisoners, 2.163; missing, 1.160. We have captured about 44.000 prisoners and 1,400 guns, howitzers and trench mortars. Commendation. "The duties of the general staff, as well as those of the army and corps staffs, have been very ably performed. Especially is this true when we consider the new and difficult problems with which they have been confronted This body of officers, both as individuals and as an organization, has. I believe, no superiors in professional ability, in efficiency, or in loyalty. "Nothing that we have in France better reflects the efficiency and devotion to duty of Americans in general than the service of supply. whose personnel is thoroughly imbued with a patriotic desire to do its full duty. They have at all times fully appreciated their responsibility to the rest of the army and the results produced have been most gratifying. "Our medical corps is especially entitled to praise for the general effectiveness of its work both in hospital and at the front. Embracing men of high professional attainments. and Daily News Photo. COL. JOHN V. CLINNIN. splendid women devoted to their calling and untiring in their efforts, this department has made a new record for medical and sanitary proficiency. "The quartermaster department has had difficult and various tasks. but it has more than met all demands that have been made upon it. Its management and its personnel have been exceptionally efficient and deserve every possible commendation. "As to the more technical services, the able of the ordnance personnel department in France has splendidly fulfilled its functions both in procurement and in forwarding the immense quantities of ordnance required. The officers and men and the young women of the signal corps have performed their duties with a large conception of the problem and with a devoted and patriotic spirit to which the perfection of our communications daily testifies. While the engineer corps has been referred to in another part of this report. it should be further stated that the work has required large vision and high professional skill, and great credit is due the personnel for the high proficiency that it has constantly maintained. "Our aviators have no equals in daring or in and have left a record of fighting ability courageous deeds that will ever remain a brilliant page in the annals of our army. While the tank corps has had limited opportunities its personnel has responded gallantly on every possible occasion and has shown courage of the highest order. "The adjutant-general's department has been directed with a systematic thoroughness and excellence that surpassed any previous work of its kind. The inspector-general's department has risen to the highest standards and throughout has ably assisted commanders in the enforcement of discipline. The able personnel of the judge-advocate general's department has solved with judgment and wisdom the multitude of difficult legal problems, many of them involving questions of great international importance. "It would be impossible in this brief preliminary report to do justice to the personnel of all the different branches of this organization which I shall cover in detail in a later report. The navy in European waters has at all times most cordially aided the army, and it is most gratifying to report that there has never before been such perfect co-operation between these two branches of the service. "As to Americans in Europe not in the mili tary services, it is the greatest pleasure to say that, both in official and in private life, they are intensely patriotic and loyal, and have been invariably sympathetic and helpful to the army. "Finally. I pay the supreme tribute to our officers and soldiers of the line. When I think of their heroism, their patience under hardships, their unflinching spirit of offensive action, I am filled with emotion which I am Their deeds are immortal, unable to express. and they have earned the eternal gratitude of our country. "I am. Mr. Secretary, very respectfully JOHN J. PERSHING. "General, Commander in Chief American Expeditionary Forces. "To the Secretary of War." |