lery preparation. The Americans pushed the German infantry and machine gunners back after fighting that lasted all day. Northwest of Grandpre the Americans captured Talma farm in the face of a stiff machine gun resistance. There was much fighting at close quarters throughout the day. Praised by Field Marshal Haig. High praise was given to the 27th and 30th divisions of the 2d American army by Field Marshal Haig in a special communique devoted to their exploits issued Oct. 19. He said of these divisions: "During the course of the last three weeks the 27th and 30th divisions of the 2d American army, co-operating with the 4th British army, have participated with great gallantry and success in three or more offensives and a number of lesser attacks. "In the last three days the two divisions have fought their way forward to the high ground west of the Sambre-Oise canal, repulsing many counterattacks and advancing five miles. They took 5,000 prisoners and many guns. Valenciennes, the last city of importance remaining in German hands in French Flanders, was reached by the British Oct. 20 and on the following day they drove through strong German defenses over a fifteen mile front tending from Valenciennes down to a point east of Le Cateau. Nearly a dozen villages were taken in the advance. Victories Unbroken. ex On Oct. 23 American troops captured strongly fortified hills in the Meuse region and took Tamla farm and the village of Bellejoyeuse northwest of Grandpre. Victories continued to be announced from day to day on all parts of the front. Sometimes they were of compara tively little importance, but oftener they recorded decisive triumphs over large forces of the enemy. Armistice negotiations had been begun before this, but the allies on the one hand were pressing their advantage to the utmost, while the Germans in response to appeals from Marshal von Hindenourg, the crown prince and other leaders were resisting the best they could. On One of the last heavy battles in which the Americans took part was that on Nov. 1, when the 1st army took Champigneulle and Landres-et-St. Georges after a heavy artillery preparation, Their advance on this occasion and previously enabled them to threaten the enemy's most important line of communication, for which reason the opposition to them was stubborn. Valenciennes was finally taken by the British Nov. 2. Gen. Haig's forces then pressed on forward toward Maubeuge. Nov. 4 the Americans reached Stenay and on the 6th they crossed the Meuse. By the 7th they entered Sedan, the place made famous by the downfall of Nap leon III. in the war of 1870. On other part of the American front the enemy retreated so fast that the infantry had to resort to motor cars to keep in touch with the foe. It was the same on the other fronts. By Nov. 10 Brussels was within range of Gen. Haig's guns. Here is the description of the last day's fighting on Nov. 11 as given in an Associated Press dispatch: Final Fight by Americans. "Thousands of American heavy guns fired the parting shot to, the Germans at exactly 11 o'clock this morning. The line reached by the American forces at 11 o'clock to-day was being staked out this afternoon. The Germans hurled a few shells into Verdun just before 11 o'clock. "On the entire American front. from the Moselle to the region of Sedan, there was artillery activity in the morning, all the batteries preparing for the final salvos. "At many batteries the artillerists joined hands, forming a long line as the lanyard of the final shot. There were a few seconds of silence as the shells shot through the heavy mist. Then the gunners cheered. American flags were raised by the soldiers over their dugouts and guns and at the various headquarters. Northeast of Verdun the American infantry began to advance at 9 o'clock this morning after artillery preparation in the direction of Ornes. "The German artillery responded feebly, but the machine gun resistance was stubborn. Nevertheless, the Americans made progress. The Americans had received orders to hold the positions reached by 11 o'clock, and at those points they began to dig in, marking the advanced positions of the American line when hostilities ceased. Along the American front the eleventh hour was like awaiting the arrival of a new year. The gunners continued to fire, counting the shells as the time approached. The infantry were advancing glancing at their watches. The men holding at other places organized their positions to make themselves more secure. "Then the individual groups unfurled the stars and stripes, shook hands, and cheered. Soon afterward they were preparing for luncheon. All the boys were hungry, as they had breakfasted early in anticipation of what they considered the greatest day in American history." Last French Communique. The last French communique was as follows: "In the fifty-second month of a war without precedent in history, the French army. with the aid of the allies, has achieved the defeat of the enemy. "Our troops, animated by the purest spirit of sacrifice, and giving, during four years of uninterrupted fighting, a sublime example of endurance and heroism daily, have fulfilled the task confided to them by the mother country, meeting at times with indomitable energy the enemy's assaults and at other times themselves attacking, thus bringing victory. "They have. after a decisive offensive of thrown out of France the powerful German four months. thrown into disorder. beaten and army. They have compelled it to beg for peace. "All the conditions required for the suspension of hostilities having been accepted by the enemy, an armistice came into force to-day at 11 o'clock." Last British Report. Field Marshal Haig sent the following report to the British war office on the evening of Nov. 11: "Shortly before dawn this morning Canadian troops of the 1st army under Gen. Horne captured Mons. "At the cessation of hostilities this morning we had reached the general line of the FrancoBelgian frontier. east of Avesnes, Jeumont, Xivry, four miles east of Mons. Chievres, Lessines and Grammont.' Part Played by American Soldiers. In a brief review of the part played by the American troops in the fighting on the front in France. Junius B. Wood, correspondent of The Daily News attached to the expeditionary forces from the start. cabled Nov. 13, 1918. two days after the signing of the armistice: "Gen. Pershing's offer to throw in the American troops wherever Marshal Foch deemed it necessary was taken advantage of continually. The French also put in a certain number of their own divisions under the command of the Americans. but they were inconsiderable. "European newspapers mentioned American troops as assisting in the latest Belgian activities in Flanders. Military reasons have made it inadvisable to disclose the exact number of these troops, but they may be roughly indicated by the fact that the Belgian fighting force was composed of rather more than three Americans to every four Belgians. in "The Americans in the French. British and Italian armies were much less numerous proportion to the total strength of the men of those nations. However, in these days when the fighting strength of armies is computed in millions of men, it may be said that the fighting strength of the Americans in Europe was not far from half of that of the French and British combined. personal praise of King George. Real fighting on the British front fell to the 27th and 30th divisions early in October, when they with a portion of the British forces were du Nord. The British took the outer works and the Americans swept over the main defenses. Australians who took part in the action on the following day said it was the hardest battle in their entire four years of desperate fighting.. "One thing clearly stands out. When Ameri-breaking the Hindenburg line across the Canal can divisions were included in the French and British armies they invariably received their full share of the fighting against the enemy. Time after time these fresh young soldiers from across the Atlantic were either the driving wedge in the allied attacks or the center around which the others rallied to withstand 1 the German onslaughts. In either case they acquitted themselves nobly of their task. "This policy was started when the American 1st division was put in north of Montdidier on April 26. It was the division which was then the best trained American unit in France and it was used as the driving wedge in the attack to cut off the Montdidier salient. This is a piece of history which hitherto has not been told. The French realized that the Americans were keen to show their valor and that it was a gallant thing to offer the Americans an opportunity to cover their arms with glory. The German offensive interfered with that plan and all the division did was to capture Cantigny, which was the first American offensive operation. On June 1 the 2d division, composed of a brigade of marines and a brigade of infantry resting near Gisors, received maps showing the billeting villages on the different nights when they were to march north to relieve the 1st division. On the same night a countermanding order came to prepare instantly to take motor trucks for a secret destination, "Before daylight thousands of French motor trucks driven by Chinese entered the different villages and loaded up. The next afternoon the division was in the midst of a fight with the German wave that was sweeping toward Paris. The 2d division met_the_Germans on that Sunday afternoon at Le Thillot-Faure crossroads on the national highway between Chateau Thierry and Paris. "The fight which fell to the lot of this American division was the high water mark of the hitherto successful German offensive of 1918. The fighting at Belleau wood, Vaux and Torcy followed. "On the same day the 3d division and the 28th division, which were training in the area. helped the French to hold back the Germans at the bridgehead of Chateau Thierry on the western bank of the Marne. These gallant fights, where the young American soldiers received their baptism of blood, told at that time, as well as in the days of bitter fighting by the 2d division, before the Germans real ized that their advance had been halted. "War-tired Europe sparred for breath until July 15. when the Germans launched their last offensive. The American 42d (Rainbow) division received the brunt of the attack north of Chalons-sur-Marne. The French largely outnumbered all the others on the long battle front, though British and Italian units and the 93d American division, composed of negro infantry from Chicago, New York, Washington, South Carolina, Ohio, Maryland, Tennessee and Mississippi. were involved. The allied line never budged and Germany was on the defensive from that time on. "Before the Germans had time to catch their breath the great allied offensive of July 18 was launched and turned the tide of the war. The 1st and 2d American divisions were again selected as the driving force. With a Moroccan division between them and with other French divisions on either side they smashed in opposite Soissons at daybreak, while other American divisions. co-operating on the Chateau Thierry side of the salient, started hammering. Before the Aisne was reached after weeks of fighting the 3d, 4th, 26th, 28th, 32d, 42d and 77th American divisions had taken part. "Divisions trained with the British were in the meantime getting action on the northern front. The participation of the 33d division in the fighting at Hamel and Albert won the The American divisions rapidly rounded into shape and the 1st army was organized, with Gen. Pershing in command, just before it nipped off the St. Mihiel salient on Sept. 12. This salient had been a troublesome thorn in The 52d, the side of France for four years. 89th. 42d and 1st divisions, with the 2d division in reserve. attacked on the south side of the salient. The 26th division, accompanied by the 15th French division and the 2d French cavalry. struck the hitherto impregnable Eparges on the north side. This brilliant operation, which was entirely American, was completed in twenty-two hours, when the French entered St. Mihiel. "Then on Oct. 3, almost on the identical spot north of Chalons where the 42d division three months earlier had stopped the German drive, the American 2d division was the center or driving wedge in the French attack which forced the Germans back pellmell and liberated Reims and later Laon, with many square miles of country. "The rest of the fighting came in the last offensive, when the Americans were given the toughest spot on the entire line between Switzerland and the North sea-the hinge position pivoting on Verdun and swinging from the Meuse to the Aisne. The 33d. 18th, 4th, 79th, 37th, 91st, 35th, 28th and 77th divisions made the initial attack on Sept. 26, with the 3d, 32d and 92d divisions in support. Later in the days of fighting the 1st. 5th. 26th, 29th. 42d. 78th. 82d and 90th divisions took their places in the line. "In the midst of all this fighting some of these divisions and other new divisions were transferred to the 2d army, which had then been formed. Determining Cause of Victory. Gen. Pershing, in the name of President Wilson, presented the distinguished service medal to Marshal Joffre, the victor of the Marne, the ceremony taking place in Paris, Nov. 13, 1918, Gen. Pershing said: "This medal is a symbol of our respect for your noble character and of our admiration for the great task you accomplished. Your name will always be associated with the results we have obtained. Marshal Joffre in thanking Gen. Pershing said: "I am proud to have been the godfather of the noble American army which was the determining cause of our victory. I love the American soldiers as though they were mine," Negotiations for Armistice. Long before the last, shots were fired in the war the Germans, seeing that there could be but one outcome to the conflict, asked for terms of an armistice. On Oct. 3 Chancellor von Hertling resigned his office and was succeeded by Prince Maximilian of Baden, who immediately set about getting peace, for his sorely tried country, He announced his policy to the reichstag and on Oct. 5 he addressed a note to President Wilson asking him to acquaint all the belligerents with Germany's request for an armistice. (That note and other aration of armistice terms by the supreme war official proceedings leading up to the prepcouncil of the allies in Versailles will be found in full in this volume beginning on page 450. Some additional details will be given here of the meeting of the armistice plenipotentiaries at Marshal Foch's headquar ters and the events immediately preceding and succeeding it.) On Oct. 29 the supreme war council and its military advisers had agreed upon tentative armistice terms. a resume of which was sent to President Wilson for his approval. The "There was received the seventh of Novemmen attending the conferences at which the ber at 12:30 a. m. the following from the decisions were reached divided the work into German high command by order of the Gerthree sections. One attended by Premier Lloyd man government to Marshal Foch: George and Foreign Minister Balfour of The German government, having been inBritain. Premier Orlando and Foreign Minister formed through the president of the United Sonnino of Italy. Col. E. M. House, represent-States that Marshal Foch had received powers ing the United States, and the leaders of the to receive accredited representatives of the GerFrench government, dealt with the whole ques- man government and communicate to them tion in a broad manner. A second section conditions of an armistice, the following plenidealt with the strictly military questions. potentiaries have been named by it: "Mathias Erzberger, Gen. H. K. A. WinterThe United States representative on this was Gen. Tasker Bliss. A third conference dealt feld. Count Alfred von Oberndorff, Gen, von Gruenell and Naval Captain von Salow. with naval affairs, and Admiral Benson and Vice-Admiral Sims of the American navy took part in this with the representatives of all the allied navies. "The plenipotentiaries request that they be informed by wireless of the place where they can meet Marshal Foch. They will proceed by automobile with subordinates of the staff to the place thus appointed." front at 3 p. m., until further orders. sent the following to the German command: The first formal meeting of the representatives of the entente powers took place Oct. 31. An informal conference took place at the home of Col. E. M. House. President Wilson's personal representative. in the forenoon prior to the assembling at Versailles. Among others present were M. Clemenceau and M Pichon, respectively the French premier and foreign minister: Sig. Orlando and Baron Sonnino. Italian premier and foreign minister, and David Lloyd George. the British prime minister. In addition to the French. Italian and British representatives, Dr. M. R., Vesnitch, the Serbian minister to France, and Eleutherios 7, at 1 p. m., said: "A German wireless dispatch received Nov. Venizelos, the Greek premier. attended. The 66 'German general headquarters to the allies' Americans present. in addition to Col. House, general headquarters: The German commandwere Arthur H. Frazier, secretary of the Amer-er-in-chief to Marshal Foch: The German ican embassy: Joseph C. Grew and Gordon plenipotentiaries for an armistice leave Spa Auchincloss, who acted as secretaries for Col. to-day. They will leave here at noon and House: Gen. Tasker H. Bliss. United States reach at 5 o'clock this afternoon the French representative in the war council. with Gen, outposts by the Chimay-Fourmies-La CapelleLockridge and Col. Wallace as secretaries, and Guise road. There will be ten persons in Admiral Benson, with Commander Carter and all, headed by Secretary of State Erzberger.' Lieutenant Commander Russell as his secre- "The following wireless dispatch in German taries. The last to arrive at the conference was received at 1:50 p. m.: was Marshal Foch. He was alone, without aid or orderly. At Versailles the business was over in a couple of hours and a long line of automobiles with the representatives of the powers returned to Paris. Terms Are Drafted. "German general headquarters to the allied general headquarters: The supreme German command to Marshal Foch: From the German outposts to the French outposts our delegation will be accompanied by a road mending company to enable automobiles to pass the La Capelle road, which has been destroyed." "The following wireless in German was re "The German supreme command to Marshal Foch: By reason of delay the German delegation will not be able to cross the outpost until between 8 and 10 o'clock to-night at Haudroy, two kilometers northeast of La Capelle.' On Nov. 1 another conference took place ceived at 6 p. m.: soon after noon. Gen. Tasker H. Bliss, representative of the United States, was the first delegate to reach the Trianon palace, arriving at 1:50 p.m. He was followed shortly afterward by Premier Clemenceau, Marshal Foch, Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig, Col. E. M. House, President Wilson's personal representative, and David Lloyd George, the British prime minister. marble The session was held in the large chamber on the main floor of the Trianon palace, with windows overlooking the garden, The hall had little ornamentation beyond a clock and candelabra upon a mantel topped with massive mirrors. Immediately in front of this extended a wide mahogany table the entire length of the room, with the members facing one another on two sides. Col. House sat on the left side next to Premier Orlando of Italy, with Premier Clemenceau directly opposite. The deliberations proceeded with complete privacy. Guards along the Boulevard of the Queen kept the crowds from approaching the iron gate leading to the palace. After several sessions the armistice terms were drafted and signed at Versailles Nov. 4, complete harmony having been reached by the conferees. (These terms will be found on page 458 of this volume.) On Nov. 5 President Wilson notified the German government that Marshal Foch, commander of the allies' armies in the field. was authorized and ready to receive accredited representatives to whom he would communicate the terms of armistice agreed upon by the supreme war council at Versailles. (The text of this note will be found on page 455, this volume.) Germany Sends Envoys. On the evening of Nov. 7. the following information was officially published in Paris: In London on the same day it was announced that the British naval representative at the armistice negotiations would be Sir Rosslyn Wemyss, first sea lord of the admiralty. On Thursday, Nov. 7. a false report that the armistice had been signed was sent broadcast and caused premature celebrations throughout the world." Delegates Meet French Marshal. The following official note was given out in Paris on the afternoon of Nov. 8: "The German delegates arrived this morning at Marshal Foch's headquarters. They made a formal demand for an armistice. The text of the conditions of the allies was read and delivered to them. They asked a cessation of arms. It was refused them. The enemy has seventy-two hours to answer." Marshal Foch reported that the German plenipotentiaries arrived at his headquarters with full power from the chancellor. Soon after Marshal Foch had presented the allies' terms to the Germans the courier carrying them started for Spa. He was preceded by a wireless message from the German delegates. "From the German plenipotentiaries for an armistice to the imperial chancellor and the German high command." the message read. "Friday morning at allied general headquarters the plenipotentiaries received the conditions of an armistice, as well as a formal demand WESTERN RUSSIA AS IT APPEARED IN DECEMBER, 1918. that they be accepted or refused within seven ty-two hours, expiring on Monday morning at 11 o'clock. French time. "The German proposal for an immediate conclusion and provisional suspension of hostilities was rejected by Marshal Foch. "A German courier bearing the text of the conditions of the armistice has been sent to Spa, no other means of communication being practicable. "Please acknowledge receipt and send back courier as soon as possible with your latest instructions. Sending of fresh delegates is not necessary for the moment." The French wireless service also gave out a dispatch sent by Gen, Winterfeld of the German armistice delegation to the German high command. announcing that the courier. Capt. Helldorff, would cross the lines between 6 and 8 p. m.. and that the French command had taken measures for his safety. Describing the arrival of the German enVoys at the French lines, the Intransigeant said the automobiles carried white flags and were preceded by a trumpeter. Some French soldiers under an officer approached them on the road just outside the line of the left wing of Gen. Debeney's army near La Capelle, at 10 o'clock on the evening of Nov. 7. The delegates established their identity and showed their credentials. The eyes of the members of the German party were then blindfolded and the delegates proceeded to the place where they spent the night. arriving there about 2 o'clock on the morning of Nov. 8. The company of German road menders which accompanied the envoys did not cross the lines. The party started early in the morning for the headquarters. arriving there at 6 French o'clock. Gen. Winterfield and Gen. von Gruennel wore uniforms of the rank of general. Von Salow was in the uniform of an admiral of the fleet. Mathias Erzberger, and Count von Oberndorff were in plain civilian dress. Historic Meeting Described. The Paris correspondent of the London Times described the historic meeting somewhat more in detail. He telegraphed on Nov. 10: The German parlementaires did not reach the French lines until after 9 o'clock on Thursday evening, when the French party awaiting them near La Capelle saw three motor cars advancing, together with a working party of pioneers. The journey of the German delegates had been exceedingly difficult. The French had lit up the road with searchlights and fires. the car "At La Capelle a French guard, under the command of a superior officer, met the delegates and scrutinized their papers, and a French motor car with officers attached to the German party, placed itself at the head of convoy, and another French staff brought up the rear. The mission proceeded at once to the Chateau Francport, the property of the Marquis de Laigle, quite close to Choisy-au-Bac, which had been set aside as their residence. There members of Marshal Foch's staff met them. "On Friday morning the delegates were conducted to Rethondes station, in the forest of Compiegne, on the Compiegne-Soissons line, where Marshal Foch's special train was lying. Marshal Foch was accompanied by Gen. Weygand and Admiral Sir Rosslyn Wemyss, first sea lord. "Herr Erzberger at once informed Marshal Foch that he had been instructed to ask for an immediate suspension of hostilities. Marshal Foch in reply informed them that this request had been foreseen in the terms of the armistice settled at Versailles and could not be granted. With cold military precision Marshal Foch then read the full text of those terms. "The delegates returned by car to their temporary residence at Francport, and after a brief consultation, requested authorization to send a courier to German headquarters at Spa. A wireless message was dispatched from the Eiffel tower informing the Germans of the journey of this courier so as to obtain a cessation of fire along the front in the neighborhood of La Capelle to enable him to return to his lines. The bombardment, however, increased in violence when he reached the front and in spite of all efforts by wireless to persuade the Germans to cease fire the bombardment was maintained with great intensity throughout the night. In the morning the Germans suggested that it might be possible to get their messenger to German headquar ters by airplane. The French high command at once agreed and the Germans, by wireless. undertook that the French airplane, which should bear two large white streamers, should not be fired upon. A French airman was told to get ready for this unique journey and almost immediately afterward a further wireless came from the Germans announcing that the orders given for the cessation of fire along La Capelle road were going to be carried cut and that the German officer could, therefore, proceed by road to his destination." The German courier bearing the text of the armistice conditions arrived at German headquarters at 10 o'clock on Sunday morning. Nov. 10. Capt. Helldorf was long delayed, while the German batteries persisted in bombarding the route he had to follow. but he finally got through. Armistice Signed. The new German government considered the armistice conditions at a sitting late Sunday in Berlin. Having decided to accept them, it telephoned instructions from Berlin to Spa, German headquarters., authorizing the delegates to affix their signatures to the agreement. The courier, who was waiting at Spa, departed immediately for the lines and crossed them without incident north of Chimay. He reached the Chateau de Francport at about 2 o'clock Monday morning and found the German plenipotentiaries waiting for him. They Scenes of the wildest enthusiasm were enacted in the chamber of deputies when Premier Clemenceau read the conditions of the German armistice. The whole chamber rose to greet the premier. while the galleries. in which was a predominance of soldiers in uniform and women, cheered for several minutes. Prolonged cheering greeted the announcement that Alsace-Lorraine would be occupied, and the name of Marshal Foch, as the signer of the document, was enthusiastically received. The municipal council of Paris had the following posted on walls in all parts of the city: "Citizens, victory is here- triumphant victory! The vanquished enemy lays down his arms. Blood ceases to flow. Let Paris emerge from her ordered reserve. Let us give free course to our joy and enthusiasm and hold back our tears. "Let us testify to our infinite gratitude to Our grand soldiers and their incomparable chiefs by festooning our houses in the colors of France and our allies. Our dead can sleep in peace. The sublime sacrifice they have made for the future of their race and the salvation of their country will not be in vain. "The day of glory has come. Long live the republic! Long live immortal France!" In London. Waving flags and cheering, an enormous crowd pressed into Downing street before noon on the 11th shouting "Lloyd George! Lloyd George!" Finally the cheers and shouts brought the premier and Andrew Bonar Law, chancellor of the exchequer, to a second floor window of the premier's residence. When they appeared pandemonium ensued. For five minutes the crowd cheered and waved flags frantically, and then they sang, "For he's a jolly good fellow." The premier stood passive and unsmiling, but his face was serene. When order and silence had been secured he began to speak, as follows: "You are entitled to rejoice. The people of this country and of their allies and the people of our overseas dominions and of India have won a glorious victory. It was the sons and daughters of the people who have won it. It is the most wonderful victory for liberty in the history of the world. Let us thank God for it." Premier Lloyd George bowed and disapChancellor Bonar Law, after kissing peared. his hand to the crowd as he pulled down the window, moved away. Hardly had the premier finished talking when a long file of shouting soldiers-British. Canadians, Australians, Americans, and a few from other allied countries-wedged their way through the throng and managed to reach the front of the premier's house, where they gave him a great ovation. A great multitude, waving flags, appeared before Buckingham palace shortly before noon and cheered until the king and queen, Princess Mary and the duke of Connaught appeared on the balcony. The national anthem was sung repeatedly by the crowd. Speaking from the balcony. King George said: "With you I rejoice and thank God." At the admiralty there were calls for a speech from Sir Eric Geddes, the first lord. |