UE UT ME PTET ERAS DE Le SST RPR UAC TABATA LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN Q 940.9197 M78uU 1920 Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2021 with funding trom University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign httos://archive.org/details/usofficialpicturOOmoor_0 | | 2 | lhe a eee, i! wee a — NO nee eae sceeeeecesees=s. | | fp ‘Cle (t all H = ft | ' ft iE eee ‘ Ie el U.S. Official Pictures i | ) it Hi of 4eWorld War | OS ae ee Lag 1g? loge age ee “ « - . ? > oe , ‘ = J ( 2 i = Sears.Roebuck and Co. Chica Sommer asa Distributors = S ! : ‘ & Fi - - be 3 He ng to) ts Roan acer ae Oe PICTORIAL BUREAU en dist Se Q y YH VW, Ve Yt, Yi WY) bldg yf) Vide WY y) “UW “yy MUU”, tM? Yn’ Ween ‘th a Mtl? WAR DEPARTMENT WASeE NGTON September £9, 1919. Dear Captain Moore: Any enterprise which attempts fairly and faithfully to spread hefore the country the facts regarding the participation of America in the World War is entitled to all the encouragement and arvroval it can receive from any source. The photographs of the Signal Corps are available for purchase at cost, of course, to any one who wishes to secure them, but I am glad to know that you are binding up a representative collection of them to illustrate the magnitude and effectiveness of the American military effort. Cordially yours, —_—_——— PE eae la eT Newton D. Baker Secretary of War. CAPTAIN MOORE served 15 months in France, where he was attached to General Headquarters of the American Expeditionary Forces as officer in charge of tke Pictorial History of the A. E. F. In this capacity he directed the work, for the General Staff, of the Signal Corps Photographic Section. Captain Russell was detailed by the General Staff of the Army as censor of all official photographs and motion pictures at the Army War College, Washington, D. C. Dedicated to The American Fighting Man “I pay the supreme tribute to our officers and men of the line. Their ct ee ee yn N deeds are immortal, and they have earned the eternal gratitude of our \ Ree ere country.”—John J. Pershing, General, Commander-in-Chief, American. ie ae Expeditionary Forces. Zz WE GO TO WAR When the United States entered the World War in the spring of 1917 the nation was unprepared in a military sense. The building of the huge war machine that later comprised four and a half million men had to be undertaken after the official entry of this country into hostilities April 6. The threat of war which had been hanging over the country since the sinking of the Lusitania in May, 1915, became practically a certainty Jan. 31, 1917, when the German Ambassador, Count von Bernstorff, handed a note from his government to Secretary Lansing announcing the inauguration by any of unrestricted submarine warfare on February |. The undersea policy of the German government was begun on the date announced. Three days later President Wilson handed his passports to Ambassador von Bernstorff and directed the withdrawal of the American Ambassador, James W. Gerard, from Germany. These steps were announced by President Wilson in a speech before the Senate on the same day, Feb. 3. In this speech Mr. Wilson suggested to all neutral countries that they follow the example of America. Feeling was intensified in the United States Feb. 28 when the Associated Press made public the details of a German plot to bring Mexico and Japan into an alliance against this country. The information was contained in a letter from Dr. Alfred Zimmermann, German Secretary of Foreign Affairs, to the German minister to Mexico. On March | Dr. Zimmer- mann admitted the authenticity of the letter. War was now so certain that on March 9 President Wilson issued a call for a special session of _ Congress to meet April 16. Twelve days later the call for the special session was changed to April 2. Before Congress met the President called out part of the National Guard in eastern states and sent them to camp. This was March 25. Congress met on the appointed day and was addressed by President Wilson. He asked that a state of war be declared to exist with Germany. The joint resolution was passed and was signed by the President April 6. Meanwhile several American vessels had been s by German sub- marines with loss of lives. All the naval forces of the United States were mobilized by presidential proclamation on the day war was declared. While our preliminary war steps were being taken, several missions arrived from Allied countries to assist with their advice. The first of these were the British and French. In. the latter was Marshal Joffre, the hero of the first battle of the Marne. He immediately became a popular idol and was given triumphal receptions when he toured the country. Italian, Belgian, Japanese and other missions followed. April 28 was a red letter day in the war calendar. On that day the Senate and House passed the army draft bill which provided for the call- ing up of approximately ten million men between the ages of 21 and 31 for service with the colors. The French and British were asking for the immediate despatch of troops to France and in compliance with this demand the War Department announced that nine regiments of engi- neers would be raised immediately and sent abroad. On May [8 the President ordered the Ist Division of the regular army to France. Mean- while Major General John J. Pershing had been chosen commander-in- chief of our still to be organized expeditionary forces and sent to France with a small staff of officers. At the time of his selection Gen. Pershing, only recently promoted from the grade of brigadier general, was com- manding a division of regulars that had been operating in Mexico to effect the capture of Villa. June 5 had been fixed as the day for all men eligible under the draft to register. In order to provide officers for these prospective citizen soldiers camps were opened Sear the country for the instruction of officers. These camps were modeled on the volunteer instruction camps at Plattsburg that had been inaugurated three years earlier by Maj. Gen. Leonard Wood. The finest young men in the nation rushed to offer their services and the regular army officers in charge of selection found it difficult to keep the numbers down to what properly could be handled. These officer candidates were given three months’ intensive instruction and were graduated in August in time to take care of the first quotas of the draft that reported for duty in the sixteen draft camps in September. Other training camps for officers were established later. Those units of the National Guard which had not been ordered to duty in March were called out by the President July 9. The regular army and the navy already were busily recruiting their ranks. Thus, within two months, the machinery had been constructed for the manu- facture of that great military force which by Nov. I1, 1918, had helped to topple over the German military autocracy. By July the nation was feverishly at work building up the army and navy. But there were other equally important measures to be taken in the fields of finance and production. To assist in this work eminent men in all walks of life were called into government service to serve upon boards and commissions, and in departments. The women of the nation also were mobilized for war service. These answered the call in as great numbers and with as much patriotic devotion as the men. Gm. PLEWw Harris & Ewin War! T is a fearful thing to lead this great, peaceful country | into war, into the most terrible and disastrous of al! wars, civilization itself seeming to be in the balance. But the right is more precious than peace, and we shall fight for the things which we have always carried nearest our hearts—for democracy, for the right of those who submit to authority to have a voice in their own governments, for the rights and liberties of small nations, for a universal! dominion of right by such a concert of free peoples as shal! bring peace and safety to all nations and make the world itself at last free To such a task we can dedicate our lives and our for- tunes, everything that we are and everything that we have, with the pride of those who know that the day has come when America is privileged to spend her blood and her might for the principles that gave her birth and happiness and the peace which she has treasured. God helping her, she can do no other. — President Wilson to Congress, April 2, 1917. THE WAR PRESIDENT Harris & Ewing The White House, where President Wilson and the Cabinet, with other ofhcial advisers formed their war plans. The War Cabinet: President Wilson. Back row, left to right: William G. McAdoo, Secretary of the Treasury; Thomas W. Gregory, Attorney General; Josephus Daniels, Secretary of the Navy; David F. Houston, Secretary of Agriculture; William B. Wilson, Secretary of Labor. Front row, left to right: Robert Lansing, Secretary of State; Newton D. Baker, Secretary of War; Albert S. Burleson, Postmaster General; Franklin K. Lane, Secretary of the Interior; William C. Redfield, Secretary of Commerce. Caeie Newton D. Baker, Secretary of War Josephus Daniels. Secretary of the Navy Underwood & Underwood G. V. Buck At 8:30 o'clock in the evening of April 2, 1917, President Wilson a ing that a state of war be declared to exist between the United States and the imperial German Government. The war resolution was passed by the Senate April 4, by the House April 6. It was signed by the President é and became effective the same day. ee ae ppeared in person before Congress, sitting in joint session, and read his message recommend- The Cotmander-in-Chief of the American “Shirt Sleeve’’ soldiering had prepared General Pershing for the task that faced him in France. “Over there” the nature of his duties demanded that he ride in limousines and special trains, but he worked harder than when he rode horseback in Mexico. Underwood & Underwood Expeditionary Forces came out of the West. General Peyton C. March, Chief of Staff during the last year of the war. Before becoming executive head of the army he was chief of artillery of the A. E. F. Gen. Peyton C. March, Chief of Staff, Maj. Lawrence Martin and the Washington newspaper correspondents. This conference took place daily during the Summer and Fall of 1918. Through these reporters the Chief of Staff daily told American families what their boys were doing in France. Harris & Ewin Gen. Peyton C. March, Chief of Staff; Edward B. Stettinius, Second Assistant Secretary of War, and Frederick Paul Keppel, Fourth Assistant Secretary of War, in consultation. fa a ‘ £ Be es aa 5 i AA, - ——— — : ae eo GU, a a\ st fom rz a WAL bE ileal ee LtaLS fa We rT Tilt Weill We dle OO a 0 hd sti Tree al | We ET a AG OTT Ee The State, War and Navy Building at Washington. It became tco small to house the personnel of the three departments early in the war. New buildings of immense size were hastily built to hold the overflow. ee et oe eee as ° ; FY 3 4 ® & Maj. Gen. George W. Goethals and staff. Goethals built the Panama Canal. During Director of Purchase, Storage and Traffic. In peace days Gen. the late war he was Harris & Ewing The War Trade Board. Its du- ties were to regulate exports and imports, and trading with the enemy or allies of the enemy. Standing, left to right: C. M. Woolley, E. F. Gray, Alonzo E. Taylor, Frank C. Munson. Seated, left to right: Beaver White, Vance McCormick, Thomas L. Chadbourne, Jr., Albert Strauss. Benedict Crowell, First Assistant Secretary of War. Mr. Crowell was a major in the Army when called upon to doff his uniform and help run the War Department as a civilian. Ss ~ | In this group of distinguished inventors, scientists and business men are Thomas A. Edison, Chairman: First general meeting of Naval Advisory Board in Secretary Daniels’ office. W. R. Whitney, L. H. Blackland. Frank J. Sprague, B. G. Lamme, R. S. Woodward, Arthur G. Webster, A. M. Hunt, Alfred Craven, Spencer Miller, William Le Roy Emmett, Matthew B Sellers, Hudson Maxim, Peter Cooper Hewitt, Thomas Robins. Howard Coffin, Andrew L. Riker. Henry A. Wise Wood, Elmer A. Sperry, William M. Saunders, Benjamin B. Thayer J. W. Richards and Lawrence Addicks Harris & Ewing + | National Council of Defense and Advisory Commission. Seated, left to right: David F. Houston, Secretary of Agriculture; Josephus Daniels, Secretary of the Navy; Newton D. Baker, Secretary of War; Franklin K. Lane, Secretary of the Interior; William B. Wilson, Secretary of Labor. Standing, left to right: Grosvenor B. Clarkson, Secretary; Julius Rosenwald, Bernard N. Baruch, Danie! Willard, Dr. F. H. Martin, Dr. Hollis Godfrey, Howard E. Coffin, and W. S. Gifford, Director. Mack Ewing Underwood & Underwood President Wilson and a group of his aides on the White House veranda. This group met every Wednesday to coordinate national war activities. Seated, left to right: Benedict Crowell, First Assistant Secretary of War; WilliamG. McAdoo, Secretary of the Treasury and Railroad Administration; President Wilson, Josephus Daniels, Secretary of the Navy; Bernard N. Baruch, War Industries Board. Standing, left to right: Herbert Hoover, Food Administrator; Edward N. Hurley, Chairman of the Shipping Board; Vance McCormick, Chairman of the War Trade Board, and Harry A. Garfield, Fuel Administrator. Personnel of the War Plans Division of the General Staff in the Winter of 1917-18. Brig. Gen. Lytle Brown, Director of the Division, stands in the center of the first row, number 4 from the left. War College Building, on the Potomac River, near Washington, D. C. This building, during the war, housed the War Plans Division of the General Staff. It is now a General Staff School, attended by officer students who commanded divisions and brigades in the Great War. ee is WE Navy War Council in Secretary Daniels’ office. Secretary Daniels seated. Standing, left to right: Major Gen. George Barnett, commandant of the Marine Corps; Capt. W. C. Watts, Judge Advocat noua Ga ottlin D. Roosevelt, Assistant Secretary of the Navy; Rear Admiral Samuel McGowan, Paymaster General; Rear Admiral Robert S. Griffin, Chief Engice ane William S. Benson‘ Chief of Naval Operations; Rear Admiral Ralph Earle, Chief of Bureau of Ordnance; Comd. Herbert G. Sparrow, Aide to the Secretary; Rear Admiral Charles W. Parks, Chief of the Bureau of Yards and Docks; Rear Admiral Leigh C. Palmer, Chief of the Bureau of Navigation: Rear Admiral William C. Braisted, Surgeon General. va British War Mission. Arthur Balfour, ex-premier of England, seated in middle, wearing a silk hat. The group comprises leading military, naval and commercial experts of the British Empire, sent over as soon as America declared war to aid us with their advice, based on three years’ war experience. Underwood & Underwood Italian War Mission. This group of celebrities helped arouse the French War Mission. Marshal Joffre, hero of the first Battle of the Italians in America to put forth the splendid effort that distinguished Marne, stands in the center of the group, wearing a military cape them during the war. Harrin & Bwine overcoat. That figure and uniform later became familiar and popular during the Marshal’s tour of the United States. RECRUIT BRITISHERS jury nual Patriotic men of all ages and conditions in life besieged recruiting offices in the first weeks of the war, demanding to be enrolled as soldiers or sailors. These crowds often stood in line for days before they could reach the overworked recruiting officers. Scene in a National Guard Armory in New York City when the first call came for volunteers to fill up the ranks of militia regiments. Note the splendid types of young men who are offering themselves for military service. Int. Film Service «ii = a scchasgl weer When the local militia marched away to their mobilization camps, scenes like this were repeated in hundreds of towns. No doubt your own town had a similar farewell parade in which discipline for the moment was forgotten. This outfit belonged to the Seventh Regiment, Illinois National Guard, Chicago. Sending their men to war with a kiss and a smile was one of the biggest jobs women had in the war days. Sometimes tears forced them- selves through the smiles and sobs had to be choked back as in this case. Int. Film Service New York’s famous Central Park was turned into a drill field when the war tocsin sounded. It was filled from dawn until sunset with “rookies” learning “squads east.’ This particular outfit of volunteers was made up of recruits of the 12th Regt. Inf., N. Y. National Guard. When Johnny marched away on the first leg of his trip to the battlefield his best girl went along as far as the train. ‘All aboard” was the signal for a barrage of kisses and the long embrace that sometimes was the last one. Underwood & Underwood Paes Fe t Seca Sat Maj. General Leonard Wood was the originator of the “‘Plattsburg Idea” which furnished our young army with its splendid reserve officers. The General is seen here addressing a group of officer candidates at Ft. McPherson, Ga. Central Now Eheto terviee 1 BN AEE NFS LOE NS os i haa —e 3 heed debt = | EES se be % _' ert A; Begs ot; ay, Cyt. Student officers at Ft. Myer Training Camp learning bayonet work. Maj. Theodore Reosevelt leading a company of officer candidates to Each bundle of switches represented a German, so when the embryo mess at first Plattsburg training camp. Maj. Roosevelt fought in officer missed the mark he was theoretically dead. France with the First Division, was wounded, decorated, and came home a lieutenant colonel. Punk Thompson On an old battlefield of Black Hawk, the Indian chieftain, his name- There was no royal road to a commission for the patriotic young men sakes of the 86th (Black Hawk) Division Jearned marksmanship. who volunteered in the officers’ training camps. The man without a hat is Louis Swift, son of a millionaire packer. This rifle range could accommodate two brigades at one time. tot. Film Serviee | 9) The “‘slacker hunt” Learning to handle the big guns at Ft. Mon- Secretary Baker handing his commission to a Making a landing at in New York City. roe. The men graduated here later handled successful candidate at the Ft. Myer Training the Army Balloon This boy, however, the big guns that helped blast our way to Camp. President and Mrs. Wilson were on- School, Ft. Sill, Ok- had his registration victory. lookers. + Central News Photo Service lahoma. card. The scroll of Fate. As the numbers were drawn in Washington, lists were posted in all the draft districts of the country. Crowds like the one in this New York City scene searched. the lists day and night. Typical scene in a district draft board office. Drafted men answer- ing the questionnaires. Int. Filta Service America’s biggest lottery. Secretary Baker drawing the first draft number. This number was 258, which meant that each man in the 4,577 selective draft districts of the United States holding that number was the first man called to the colors in his district. Underwood & Underwood The group in this picture typify the democracy of the American Army. The man in knickerbockers is Kingdon Gould. tnt. vitm service Blostein Studio Waiting for the train that would carry the first contingent of Na- tional Army mentocamp. Cities and villages made a patriotic holi- day of these occasions throughout the United States. This scene was caught by the camera in Devil’s Lake, North Dakota. It was duplicated in every town in the Union. Saying goodbye to mother. This was the hardest part of going to war. Most American mothers, like the one in this picture, played the game as bravely as their sons. Paul Thompson Field artillery section in action. Training of young men to become artillery officers. In a war where “rolling barrages” were a feature it was necessary that both officers and men should be able to shoot cannon with almost the same accuracy as rifles. Bee si. = a Chicago draft men boarding train for Camp Grant. As in all such scenes the prospective soldiers are more cheerful than the relatives they are leaving behind. Study the serious expressions on the faces in the platform crowd. “Please smile’’ is always the photographer’s command. Evidently the camera man asked the same thing here. Everybody is smiling but there is no mirth behind the attempt. tnt. Film Serviee £ & i : : * eS When th i RyAr n the men of the National Army marched away to war they were made to feel that the nation was behind them. These Chicago draft Michigan Avenue amidst a tornado of cheering. men swept down Iat. Film Service The willing spirit in which America accepted the draft always is testified to by these “goodby” New York City reviewing its army of draft scenes. The men in the cars are Brooklyn draft men bound for Yaphank. Brooklyu Kaske men before they left for Camp. Underwood & Underwood Three generations called to the colors. Right to Left: Father, Child, Wife, Sister, Mother. Snapped by a newspaper camera man in the Kansas City Union station. This single photograph tells better than a whole page of newspaper print the tragedy war brought to millions of American families. The camps were not finished when the first draft quotas arrived. The job called for speed. Drills began at once amidst the confusion of building operations. Camp Upton, Yaphank, N. Y. tt. Film Service Soldiers and citizens too. Because of lack of uniforms draft men in many camps learned to drill in the “‘civies’” they wore from home. These men were from Cincinnati. Getting acquainted with a mess kit—a complicated business. Draft “rookies” from New York City at their first mess in camp. Underwood & Underwood All dressed up in Uncle Sam’s uniform. Draft men at a Texas camp just after drawing full uniform equipment. “Hiking” long distances hardened the new soldiers for the tasks Gen. Pershing, in all his communications from France, emphasized ahead. It was hard work but, like true soldiers, these men at Camp training in shooting. Here is a target practice view showing how Grant seem to have got some fun out of it. marksmen were made. vaseiaheteeresoer Bayonet practice under a July sun in Texas. These soldiers are “Going over the top” in practice in a Maryland camp. In actual simulating actual war conditions by fighting with gas masks and practice in France it was done more casually. Int. Film Service “tin hats.” The human voice could not carry far enough to reach all these men so uge megaphone. the athletic instructor used a h Ten thousand infantrymen at Camp Hancock going through calisthenics in cadence. “Policing” camp after a heavy snowfall looks as if it might be a relief from monotony, but in Camp Grant, Rockford, IIl., it became a deadly grind during the hard winter of 1917-18. Husky Westerners jumping into the “‘enemy’s’” trench with fixed Shooting at targets 500 yards away. Our shooting astounded the bayonets. Camp Lewis, Washington. French and dismayed the Germans. Review of Artillery Brigade, 28th Division, Camp Hancock, Ga. The camera’s lens could take in only a few hundred of the 4,500 men assembled on the parade ground. te HR Ste Mel baat , 4 i Aue | 7 ; ® 1 t 4 4 wk | ais ax \ PAcalar mica thi *y SERS PEN DET Camp in the back ground. Human Service Flag comprising 2,000 sailors at the U. S. Naval Training Station, San Francisco. THE YANKS ARE COMING GLASGOW 45000 ANCHESTER 4900 IVERPOOL 844000 RISTOL PORTS 11000 [/raceouri 4000 //PLyYyMOUTH 4000 SOUTHAMPTON 57000 y / LONDON 62000 / 1025000 QUEBES 34000~___ ~*4 p Reloye) ee MONTREAL > SOHNS HALIFAX S00 SLE HAVRE 13000 PORTLAND 6000- od Ve - A ee =>-BREST —-791000 BOSTCK 46000 —. gi? ny rhe ie [=Kexels} NEW YORK 1656000. NS ad ae Pe o ee a PHILA. 350001' “POM me so P) BALTIMORE — 4000); = » ~ ao = NORFOLK | 286000! aie cS a8 oer This Map Illustrates Troop Sailings from American Ports to Great Britain and France During our 19 months of war more than 2,000,000 American soldiers were carried to France. Half a million of these went over in the first 13 months and a million and a half in the last 6 months. The highest troop-carrying records are those of July, 1918, when 306,000 The cargo fleet was almost exclusively American. It reached the size of 2,600,000 deadweight tons and carried to Europe about 7,500,000 tons of cargo. soldiers were carried to Europe and May, 1919, when 330,000 were brought home to America. Most of the troops who sailed for France left from New York. Half of them landed in Great Britain and the other half landed in France. Among every 100 Americans who went over 49 went in British ships, 45 in American ships, 3 in Italian, 2 in French, and | in Russian shipping under English control. Our cargo ships averaged one complete trip every 70 days and our troop ships one complete trip every 35 days. The greatest troop-carrier among all the ships has been the Leviathan, which landed 12,000 men, or the equivalent of a German division, in France every month. The fastest transports have been the Great Northern and the Northern Pacific, which have made complete turnarounds, taken on new troops, and started back again in 19 days. LEONARD P. AYRES, Colonel, G. S., Chief of the Statistics Branch of the General Staff. These troops are marching to the ferry-boats at Alpine Landing, N. J., that will carry them down the Hudson River to the transport at Hoboken. Hundreds of thousands of American soldiers passed this way from their “rest” camps. Why “rest” camps? Ask Washington. 205: “Lets Go!” Yanks on the first leg of their journey to France. The ferryboat is transporting eager fighting men to the docks at Hoboken where convoys await them. (In circle) The “safe arrival” Card. When soldiers had disposed of their equipment aboard the transport they addressed to their next of kin printed postcards announcing their safe arrival. These were collected at the port of embarkation and mailed when the cables told of the ship’s advent at the point of debarkation. ; Major General David C. Shanks who handled General March was sending more than 10,000 troops a day to General Pershing when this picture the great troop movements from Hoboken. was made at Hoboken in July, 1918. These soldiers are boarding the “Leviathan” at Hoboken. During the war |,656,000 men were expedited from that port. The “Leviathan”, formerly the German passenger liner “‘Vaterland”, leaving Hoboken for France. During the Spring and Summer of 1918 the “‘Leviathan’ averaged 27 days for the round trip. She carried on each eastern voyage 12,000 soldiers, or the equivalent of a German division, and a crew of 2,000. We Hii " {} UN) = | i = TA uc | BETTI ee say > ji : Meee ii! ; AL Vo 4:44) Lf Major General Grote Hutchinson during the war despatched to France from Newport News 288,000 men. Of the embarkation ports the Virginia city was second in Importance. Troops waiting to board ship at Newport News. Fighting men in full pack go aboard. “Goodby, Dixie. Hello! France.” The Great Adventure. As the troopship travels the lane where the U-boat lurks these “buddies” hold council. Whippets of the Sea. Submarine chasers on the alert. oP le The Yanks are Coming. In this fleet are seen the troop ships “‘George Washington” and ‘“‘America” steaming majestically toward France. Photographed May 18, 1918. i The destroyer Henderson throwing out smoke screen to protect convoy. “Ever”, says Lieutenant Colonel Palmer,” the destroyer weaving its watchful course of ‘guardianship in all weathers will remain the symbol of devout gratitude to all men who have crossed the Atlantic in this war. Scanning the sea from the pilot house of a destroyer. Owing to The wake of a periscope. The sign of death upon the waters for which the unceasing vigilance of the Navy not one East-bound American all “lookouts” on transports searched the sea twenty-four hours a day. transport was torpedoed or damaged by the enemy. Sharply on the lookout for periscopes great “blimps” escorted our ; ; troop fleets as they approached the shores of France. “Blimp” is Signalling from a destroyer. slang for dirigible balloon. Western Newspaper Union Paid in full. A U-boat blown up by a depth bomb. ON et (i on Of, ELE Hse = A deckload of “‘ash cans.” A full supply of depth bombs, each The destructive range of a depth charge is 200 feet from the point containing 300 pounds of high explosives, ready to be dumped on of detonation. undersea pirates. TEBE That w : pe Sh Cardinal Richelieu first recognized the importance of Brest as a seaport but it remained for the American army to give it fullest development. It was here that 79|,000 Yankee soldiers first set foot on French soil. From prairies pioneered by Mar- quette and Joliet came gallant men of Illinois to fight side by side with compatriots of the intrepid “voyageurs.” Thirty-third divis- ion, Brest. “The sea was all right. Let the navy have it, but give them the Early arrivals. land. They were soldiers.” Lieut. Col. Palmer in “America In France.” a CE Po psc) eS 2 i dane “So this is France!’ Americans getting their first view of the soil they had come 3,000 miles to fight on. The “Leviathan,” carrying 12,000 troops, 4,000 sailors, 200 Red Cross nurses and 700 casual officers was coming to anchor in the busy harbor of Brest when this picture was taken. An hour before the huge transport had been attacked by a nest of German U-boats and had successfully fought them off with stern guns and the assistance of destroyers. fe “ Ree tA a4 - , ‘9 , 5 Pt ee Em 5 ee ky 2) ; 3 oe e % ‘ tye Ry +s ta 7,8 f ; = <= Sie Bees re =P 3H : y pS 4 > = 4 +s % & “7 : > -# oo : “4 ne 33 ode al . ? 4 4 * i . Saf eae The vanguard of the two million in France. Soldiers of the First Divi- sion arriving June 26, 1917. This was the first combat outfit to land. Some aviators and medical units had preceded them. eg PL er ot ee ne (NPS PA Giving France the “once over’ from the decks of the first transport. French civilians gathered to welcome the first arrivals. to arrive in France, June 26, 1917. “Les Yankees sont arrives! Vivent les Yankees.” (“The Yankees have come! Long live the Yankees.’’) ia 0000 Be » ey Debarkation of the 42nd (Rainbow) Division at St. Nazaire. This famous division, made up of National Guard outfits from twenty-seven states and the District of Columbia, landed its headquarters at St. Nazaire Nov. 1, 1917. Other contingents landed at St. Nazaire, Brest and Liverpool, Eng., from Nov |. to Dec. 7. we “Liye F RS Early arrivals marching through the streets of ‘an- cient Brest. For two years this French port echoed to the tread of marching Yankees, go- ing towards the front and later flowing home. From the transports ar- riving troops marched to nearby rest camps for a few days be- fore boarding “Chevaux 8” for training areas. OS More of the Rainbow Division at St. Nazaire—the 117th Engineers. Street scene in St. Nazaire during the early days when France was - The two leading figures are Col. William Kelly, commanding, and strange and wonderful to the Americans and they were admired Lieut. Col. Harold Hetrick. curiosities to the French. Off to the training field. Their first ride in the now famous “Hommes 40,Chevaux 8” (40 men or 8 horses). In these “side door palace cars’ our doughboys traveled wherever they went, except at the front. There they “hiked” or rode in trucks. The “Hommes 40, Chevaux 8” furnished many of the famous jokes of the A. E. F. f Say ge oe ; , ea ome ‘ i. aes Tee 4 paling “8 A> | E eo ¢ SS 4S $e Mv el oF DR 2% ‘ | oe ina ‘el Ls ; —— |. The first armed force of a foreign power to march in England's Capital since the time of the Conqueror. Thirteenth Engineers crossing Westminster Bridge. In inset) Major General John J. Pershing, Commander-in-chief of the American Expeditionary Forces and his staff landing at Liverpool June 8, 1917. He and the British general who welcomed him inspect the guard of honor. The following day General Pershing was welcomed in London by King George. ~ Gen. Pershing and Gen. Pelletier, French army, reviewing honor steamer being welcomed by French civil and military dignitaries at guard of French marines on dock at Boulogne. Boulogne, June 13, 1917. | Pershing arrives in France. The general and his staff on a Channel Q Gen. Pershing meeting the French officials sent to welcome him and his staff at Boulogne. A notable group at the Boulogne railway station. In the front row. left to right, are: Colonel, the Count de Chambrun, descendant o- La Fayette, General Pelletier, Gen. Pershing and Maj. (later Major General) James G. Harbord, his chief of staff, A guard of honor of French infantry, in “a he i) ae te o — = ise] re ~ = ie) ° _ ro Vv ToT [=| E = i) iS) c is] as = E < vo pS an) ~ Vv _ o LA S 1G, ESS ¢ Paris welcomed Pershing with wild enthusiasm. Although unknown to them he typified the people of France from the devastator. The simple republican soldier was received with conquering marshals or crowned heads. power of the great sister republic that was coming to save the all the popular honors that heretofore had been reserved for Color of a battalion of 16th Inf., Ist Division Paris. part in n when gh the streets of 1917, , at Austerlitz Station, This battalion took a remarkable demonstratio aris, July 4 it marched throu P. = < 8 [1 5 a) re == O = a Ler! ~ < guard a eNO a ot ee American and French officers in the Reuilly Barracks yard, Paris. g through streets of .. marchin Paris from railway station to Reuilly Barracks. Battalion of the [6th Inf., Ist Div arracks to do honor to the memory of y march from Reuilly b 7) 5 g o = oO ime) os eS = ° 12) a) S fo} —_ 00 ee << n = vo G Cd w” o pe] im G:) ou. & n bm ea AS, ° a S oO oO — I =f < I ° o i=) S 3 te o vo Q Q 3 =) ww Lol LS wo) vo a ~ » rs vo a ° -_— vo Pa vo os > vo ES i] i Co] —] Me ° n pis ae be eS) o E “Latayette, we are here!’’ Historic scene at the tomb of the Marquis de Lafayette when General Pershing uttered the apothegm attributed to him by press correspondents. Army officers later declared that these words were spoken by Lt. Col. Charles E. Stanton, Q. M. C., of General Pershing’s staff. Underwood & Underwood French crowds cheer men of the 16th Infantry as they leave Picpus cemetery after doing honor to the memory of Lafayette. In the shadow of Napoleon’s tomb on Independence Day, 1917, General Pershing, Marshal Joffre, President Poincaire and other American and French notables inspect an American battalion about to leave for the training area near the front. = 3 ss oe eee While a French band plays the “Star Spangled Banner,” General No sooner are the ceremonies of greeting over than General Pershing Pershing is presented with a stand of colors. Hotel des Invalides, gets down to business. Here he is acquiring first hand information July 4, 1917. at a French aviation center. Busy days for the “C-in-C.””_ In the modest corner room at 31 Rue Constantine, Paris, Major General John J. Pershing laid the foundation of the American Expeditionary Forces. With that iron jaw could he fail to win? TRAINING AND TRENCH FIGHTING “All instruction must contemplate the assumption of a vigorous offensive. This purpose will be emphasized in every phase of training until it becomes a settled habit of thought.’ ““We did not enter this war for anything but a decision,” said a dis- tinguished officer of the General Staff during the course of a lecture at General Headquarters in France in which he described the training of American combat troops. There never was a question in the mind of G. H. Q., he said, that the German lines could be broken by American troops. “With the idea of the offensive as the only possible role to fit the Amer- ican characteristics and mission in the war,” he added, “‘also went the idea of an aggressive, self-reliant infantry’ as the basis of all organization. Only with troops imbued with the offensive spirit can decisive results be obtained.” The fundamental doctrine insisted upon by General Pershing is found in his statement of the general principles governing the training of units of the American Expeditionary Forces: “The methods to be employed must remain or become distinctly our own. “The general principles governing combat remain unchanged in their essence. This war has developed special features which involve special phases of training, but the fundamental ideas enunciated in our Drill Regulations, Small-Arms Firing Manual, Field Service Regulations and other service manuals remain the guide for both officers and soldiers and constitute the standard by which their efficiency is to be measured, except as modified in detail by instructions from these headquarters. “The rifle and the bayonet are the principal weapons of the In- fantry soldier. He will be trained to a high degree of skill as a marks- man both on the target range and in field firing. An aggressive spirit must be developed until the soldier feels himself, as a bayonet fighter, invincible in battle.” The early period of training and trench warfare is thus described by Brigadier General Fox Conner, Chief G-3, G. H. Q.: “When the great German offensive of March, 1918, began America had four divisions in the line. One of these (the Ist) held its own sec- tor north of Toul while the 26th in the Chemin-des-Dames, the 42nd in the Luneville, and the 2d in the Verdun-St. Mihiel sectors were bri- gaded with the French for a first tour of duty in the trenches. Prior ? —General John J. Pershing. to the opening of the German offensive the guiding principles which had been adopted for the employment of arriving divisions were in out- line as follows: “Arriving uivisions would be sent to a training area (the artillery to one of the special camps) for a period of from one to two months. During this period the division was to be equipped, receive special training and become acclimated in the atmosphere of war. Upon the completion of this preliminary period the division was to be brigaded in quiet sectors with units of our Allies for a month or six weeks’ duty in the trenches. After this period of actual service the division was to be reassembled in a training area and receive a month’s instruction in which attention would be especially devoted to maneuvering as a division. Upon the completion of this last month’s instruction the division would take its place on the battle front. The German offensive, however, made neces- sary the abandonment of the policy above outlined, During the period to mclude July 15, 1918, it was essential to throw American troops into the fight at the earliest possible moment in order that the war might not be lost, and after July 15 it was only by the maximum use of American troops that winning the war in 1918 became possible. The Ist Division was therefore the only division which followed strictly the program originally intended. - “In September of 1917 it had been decided that the logical employ- ment of the first American army to be formed was to be found in the reduction of the St. Mihiel salient. In preparation for this operation it had been arranged that as our divisions as such were ready to enter the line they should be placed on the St. Mihiel front, thus gradually creating a purely American sector. The German series of offensives and the necessity of breaking up those offensives at all costs—with corrollaries such as the desire, arising from necessity, of our allies to raise the morale of their soldiers through the appearance of our soldiers at different parts of the front, and willingness of the British to increase our troop shipping provided our troops were sent to the British front for preliminary training—served, however, to uvset our plans with regard to St. Mihiel for many weary months. In fact, by the end of June, 1918, our troops were literally spread from Switzerland to the English Channel and only the constant and firm determination of the Commander-in- Chief eventually to assemble our forces prevented that task from being abandoned as hopeless.” ee ~e / sais “An Aggressive spirit must be developed until the soldier feels himself, as a bayonet fighter, invincible in battle.’ Pershing. Gen. John J. ee — SSS —— <= < ESS ee SE / = Sa = Fy ike Famous Blue Devils showed our Ist Division how to hurl grenades. Strained arms soon taught us that SS overhand bowling throw was the est. “The Tin Lizzie” is what the doughboys dubbed the Chauchat automatic rifle whose uses are being explained by an Alpine Chasseur. 7 > _* oe a * wien st x Gee os oy Five wound stripes on the right sleeve of the French veteran on the left give a hint of the experience that qualifies him to teach our soldiers the use of the rifle grenade. American baseball pitchers might find serious rivals in these F rench grenade tossers. imate young our doughboys were on int 4 | es) ~ 3 2 a -_ x vo aed te § =) hme 8 a 2) ° ~ n°) vo = 3 oa wn = Yo Vv ) vo ~I o = g vo = he 3 } hes ro) > S = marine is learning to fire his pistol according to regulations. With the old as well as the and cordial terms. Say, Kids, is this right?’ The husky sergeant and his young The gossips. preceptresses. The British became so pro- ficient in the use of the machine gun that they couldlay down barrages as ac- curately as ar- tillerymen. His Majesty's officers in- structing our meninthe handling of the Vickers gun. Advancing on “enemy” positions. Sgt. Harris, 15th Bn., B. E. F., formerly Ist Regt., New Mexico National Guard, teaching a detail of Yanks. Cann iw: Debenham, of the British Army in- structs our oficers and non-coms on the machine gun range. C. A. Blacklock (left) and Brig. Gen. A. G. Hubback, B. E. F., watching the training of Americans. Scotch and English offtcers super- vising training on the target range. French soldier fitting mask on Yank so that gas cannot leak through, “The Infantry Soldier will be trained to a high degree of skill as a marksman, both on the rifle range and in field firmg.” Gen. John J. Pershing. % SARS Bes, EOF 4, NS Bbary 2 Sp Ln hoi RAMS si ~~ Rae HM > eialeegle OH ts ‘ ie Ties Fi nae Oe OND ae SEN, lta: ae & di ad os, hes j ae : we Ped t ee ia if oe Wel awe: api : wt C. Tee, \ et The chivalrous Yank, when not fighting alongside the men of France, often helped the women in their arduous toil. b 1 * <3 i = ie SSS f ; 4 : <— —r . aa 2 : : Lif O° EES KM BNO iy, t i 2 + + ¥ : “if LLC (SSS : Le See a AS * 2 2.4 , i NS French soldiers sm E Ax fe Naw Se OF a Men of the 42d acting as in- oe £m te att ag > Mere Nes 0 odanstin, | ae J Div., in gas structors 2S ; 3 ry, ie = Fe 5 BY Ay, naa | ao masks, hur! to marines on << , | aS lassie, | ary Mo er, E.Mey Som ) ‘ bombs. the rifle range. SA: ' A d f whippets at, the Gondre- “Hawkeyes” of the 168th Inf. (former lowa “Leathernecks” of the 95th Company, eilcor ote es National Guards), marching through Rolampont, Marines, at Sommedieue, watch Poilus February 4, 1918. march to front, April 29, 1918. * Bod es OA F s ikadiaen : AS EEE HE WD, Boe hy, | ERG ASSO ; he Sh HU DAM COE en eee 7 We eI WS, CR Pe Eh SR SEBS wey - Bee ee RE RR ie pa SPAS Bp wR 4 % hide bahahiphaeRiticnan Le 9 BARS ie OO VS He mg ya EOS ORR RS ; : yeh ee ROA EMR gy : ‘Sy ae tes, FE a RACH te, dis a tas te Lads used to bath rooms and steam heat looked back on billets like these as luxuries after front line experience: (Upper left hand corner). Entrance to G. H. Q. For more than a year American head- (Upper right hand corner). Barracks B, G.H. Q. On the second floor, over the middle quarters was a place of mystery to a hundred million Americans. General headquarters doorway was the office of the ““C-in-C”” (Commander-in-Chief). In the A. E. F. everything of the A. E. F. was establisher’ at Chaumont, Haute Marne, in September 1917. possible was reduced to initials for brevity’s sake. ois fl 88S E TA) PS v= fee OP we cna z Bod ro ie ff i-=. €: 7 OE See a EO teas ieee sere: s i: «oes SA 7 ag TO ern Bi An air view of “G. H. Q.”, Chaumont. The buildings surrounding the rectangle housed the eeneral staff of the A. E. F. and the hundreds of officers attached thereto. The brain center of the A. E. F. Officers of the Ist Diy. (18th Inf.) at mess during march to take up their positions in the sector north “There was nothing downhearted about their mood, as you saw by Men of the |8th Infantry in the trenches. They are now five-day their faces,’’ writes Lt. Col. Palmer in his book, speaking of the veterans. men of the Ist Div. when they went into the trenches for the first time, January 19, 1918. Taking a look at Jerry. Officers and men of the 18th Infantry, Ist Div., in the front line January 20, 1918. Sentinel of the Ist Div. on the alert. Men of the 18th Inf. in an observation post. “Buckeyes” of the 166th Inf., 42d Div., rest on the hike to Rolampont. In the Toul Sector where the Ist Division took over the first trenches Soldiers of the 101st Inf., 26th Div., in the trenches. to be held by Americans. Supply train of the 42d Div. on the way to Rolampont. & The last long mile on the way to Rolampont. : ate - 5 ; General Pershing insisted on rigorous march discipline. This Yank is temporarily exhausted but he'll be up and away in a few minutes. . TAG a) —- » , - The gun that fired the Geet shot for America. It was aimed in the general direction of Berlin October 23, 1917, by a gunner of Battery C, 6th F. A., Ist Div., commanded by Captain Idus R. McLendon. It is now at the United States Military Academy, West Point. ee : -s “Here lie the first soldiers of the United States to fall on the soil of France for liberty and justice.” This is the inscription on the graves of Corp. James D. Gresham and Privates Thomas F. Enright and Merle D. Hay who were killed on the night of November 3, 1917, when a German patrol raided a part of the trenches occupied by the Americans. Bathelemont, France. A gas alarm. Soldiers of the First Division in a dugout on the Y. M. C. A. worker serving hot chocolate to Yanks and Poilus in front line. front line. A medical officer at work behind the lines during our early occu- pation of the trenches. First aid. Bertrichamps, April 26, 1918. A dressing station at the front near Bertrichamps, April 26, 1918. Sgt. John Letzing, 104th Inf., 26th Div., proudly exhibits his prisoner, Robert Froehlich. Froehlich was the first German soldier captured by the 26th Div. February 17, 1918. “How!” Yanks and Poilus in the front line drink a toast to the Beloved of all Yanks. Miss Gladys McIntyre of the Salvation Allies. April 16, 1918. : Army, serving doughnuts to the men of the 26th Div. Ansauvillers, April 9, 1918. After a three days’ march im the snow the 42d _ Div. arrives in its training area around Rolampont. SN SSS SS SZ Del LS LL SSS AR 1 In “side-door Pullmans” Yanks of the 10{st Inf., 26th Div., leave Cannoneers of the 6th Artillery on way to front in Toul Sector, ; for the Soissons front, February, 1918. January 18, 1918. == FAN LSS —— Men of the 167th Inf.(4th Ala.) eat mess in front line. LL RV. gS Soldiers of the 42d Div. in forward posi- tion near Ba- donviller, March 16, 1918. Doughbo d machi nners of 165th Funeral of Private Dyer J. Bird, 166th Inf. (4th Lt. Col. George Florence, Major R. G. Inf. (69th Inf. N.Y.N G), about to Inf. O. N. G.), at Domjevin, March 3, 1918. Allen and members of staff of 166th Inf. move up to front line. Croismare, March Private Bird was killed in a listening post by leaving dugout for inspection of lines at 2, 1918. German patrol. Blemerey. ' g = ime) = 3 z jaa) ° Lay | . Cs] “~ oa a 5 =_l oO 2 = F 2 = 5 ° : rd E g E & o ro) 3 C ° g om tat) Trench mortar torpedo burst March 17, 1918. Patrol under Lieut. Cu viller, March 18, 1918 of 168th Inf. preparatory toaraid. March s land through ” ’ , 1918. Frenchmen Hawkeyes March 17 advance into no man ae In sector near Badonviller occupied by American and French officers cut wire Going over the top at Badonviller, and lowans of the 168th Inf. 17, 1918. breach in wire. In the 42d Div. trenches, Luneville Sector, the Secretary of War chums with a doughboy from Alabama. March 19, 1918. Secretary Baker seeks first-hand information. He is peering over a parapet in the Luneville Sector. March 19, 1918. With a French officer Mr. Baker reconnoiters the ground. Luneville Sector, March, 1918. The Mr. Baker and Maj. Gen. Charles T: Menoher Secretary looks as “hard-boiled” as one of ‘‘Reilly’s Bucks.” _ pac cae ruined church at Badonviller, arch 19, : Major Noble B. Judah and Lieutenant F. R. Wulsin, Intelligence Officers of the 42d Div., quizzing prisoners at Baccarat. There were no more intrepid soldiers than the men of the Field Signal Battalions. Lt. E. H. Cooper snapped these men of the 26th Div. as they were going forward to install phones in observation stations in Soissons sector March 12, 1918. Salvation Army lassies, God bless them! Misses Gladys and Irene McIntyre, Myrtle Turkington and Stella Young of the Salvation Army make pies for soldiers of the 26th Div. Ansauvillers, April 9, 1919. r > < . fA SS . ie ae ome Be | : : ‘4, a ae Ble TO aS Fit to Fight. Secretary Baker, General Pershing, Maj. Gen. Hunter Liggett and Col. John L. Hines, C. O., review 16th Inf., Ist Div., at Gondrecourt, March 20, 1918. Eight days later General Pershing sent this cable: “First Division is considered fit for any service and will probably be taken at an early date if battle continues.” (Inset). Secretary Baker and Maj. Gen. Charles T. Menoher of the 42d Div. in the front line, Luneville Sector, March 19, 1918. wpe PTE re) ae A 42d Div. outpost in the Woods of Paroy near Badonviller, March 5, 1918. A few minutes after this picture was taken the position was blownup by enemy shell fire. Smiles from a pretty Red Cross girl. They made as much for morale as the delicious doughnuts and chocolate. Right up,front on the edge of No Man’s Land the precious letters “Dere Mable.” A gunner in the doorway of a bombproof shelter from home were delivered. Post of command, Moscou, April 17, 1918. writes to his sweetheart in the far off U. S. A. Secretary Baker made his first visit to the A. E. F., March 19, 1918. Front row: General Pershing, Mr. Baker, tend William G. Sharp, U. S. Ambassador to France; Maj. Gen. W. M. Black, C. E. Back row: Capt. de Marenches, French Army; Col. Carl Boyd, Lt. Col. M. L. Brett, Col. Fox Conner, Commander R. D. White, U.S. N.; Ralph A. Hayes. Secretary to Mr: Baker. Meanwhile at Fremenil in the Toul Sector the 149th F. A. is engaging “The Blue Print Era.” On an observation car Secretary Baker and the enemy. A German shell bursts over the position occupied by General Pershing inspect the vast depot project at St. Nazaire. Brig. Battery C. Gen. W. W. Atterbury, in civil life an officer of a great railway system, explains the plans. Lieut. C. R. Holmes and Sgt. J. A. Murphy for bravery in raid near through Sexey Aux Forges, April 6, 1918. o oO “For Valor.” Maj. Theodore Roosevelt, Ist Bn., 26th Inf., cites On the way to stop the German drive the Ist Bn., 26th Inf., marches Bois l’Eveque, April 5, 1918. og Q Avi Iky animal to board a train at Toul. A gallant airman. Maj. Raoul Lufberry (wearing six decorations) Sic id alabama et eee EE chatting with Maj. J. W. F. M. Huffer of 94th Aero Squadron, Toul, April 18, 1918. Before the battle. Chaplain Rollins, 101st Inf., administers communion in the Pantheon Cave near the Chemin des Dames, Feb 20, 1918. A direct hit on the church at Rambucourt. A German battery fired However, there was plenty of retaliation. This is a “heavy’’ just five shells at the edifice before this one partially destroyed it. April fired by “Hoosiers” of the 150th F. A. near St. Pole. 20, 1918. A barrage at dawn. The 150th F. A. at Reherrey 4:15 A. M., May 3, 1918. The earth trembles as Battery D, 150th F. A., thunders on the line at Reherrey. The smoke from the heavies may be seen arising from the camouflage at the roadside. SSS Nes a Ui . = < i tint Snipers in cam- ouflage. _Intelli- gence personnel of the 168th Inf. at Badonviller in elaborate equip- ment first devised by British for scouting’ in No Man’s Land. Men of Co. H.,; 165th Inf., throw- ing hand grenades at Heinie near Brouville, April 16, 1918. BN ASSES LLL SSS “Where you been, Sarge, up front?” genially asked an M. P. of a Bunk fatigue up front. Men of the 167th Inf. (formerly 4th Ala.) first sergeant returning with a column like this. “Yes,” was the dry resting in the line near Neuviller, May 10, 1918. answer. “Where you been? Right here?”. Fifth Marines passing through Sommedieue on the way from the trenches. — ; i WN (459) LD LG NOE TTT EN? HTT: Ta ( au TU mul, 0} if i SS 32d Div., crossing the frontier at Sentheim, Alsace, May 29, 1918. 125th Inf. First American troops to set foot on German territory. Company A, Men of Batteries A and B, 103d F. A., 26th Div., in billets at Rangeval after the battle of Seicheprey. On the ground gunners are playing with a lion Col. E. L. Logan, 101!st Inf., 26th Div., in his dugout at Beaumont, Men of Battery D, 103d F. A., loading 155 m. m. gun near Mandres, May 6, 1918. May 12, 1918. Seicheprey. On April 20, 1918, Seicheprey was the scene of the first serious encounter between the Americans and the enemy. A German “traveling circus” composed of 1200 storm troops captured the place from elements of the 26th Division, but the Americans counter-attacked and recovered the lost ground. “Seicheprey,” says Lt. Col. Palmer, “should be mentioned as a primary exhibition of courage on the part of junior officers and men in face of a concentrated and well planned effort.” Photo by U. 8. Air Service Here you are, you congressmen, who say General Pershing never went up front. This is a picture of the “C-in-C”’ in shrap- nel helmet about to walk to Serevil- lers in the Mont- didier sector with Col. Carl Boyd and Lt. Shirey of the Ist Div., May 20, 1918. Serevil- lers was an active sector. Men of the 18th M. G. Bn, Ist Div., at Petit Froissy, May 16, 1918. Member of the Medical Corps, U. S. A., helping an aged refugee to After being in the line 20-days soldiers of the 18th Inf. eat their first board a flat car at Montmirail, May 31, 1918. meal since leaving the Petit Froissy, May §5, [918. ¥ ary : t) va i? re i! ay . 1H eae ’ 4 bes ps a ; NS 2 i : ena a Pe ss e & a 7 7 YiMaex 2°) “3 ‘4 & ’ ay: Mo “Nos Sauveurs.” As deliverers the little French children greeted the early arrivals. The advancing column is the 10I!st Ammunition Train. Soulosse April 10, 1918. ar <6 ° ve 2o\ *\a Us The first American division to enter an active battle sector in Europe. Historic scene at Chaumont-en-Vexin, April 16, 1918, when, on the eve of their departure for the front opposite Montdidier, General Pershing addressed the officers of the Ist Div., reminding them of the “essential, immemorial principles of the offensive spirit in war.” Six weeks later at Cantigny the First gloriously vindicated those principles. THE BATTLE OF CANTIGNY Our First Offensive On April 25, 1918, the First Division took over the active Cantigny sector near Montdidier. Strategically Cantigny was not important but it marked a salient in one of the most advanced parts of the German lines. It was desirable to straighten the line here, especially in view of an allied offensive movement which was contemplated. This offensive had to be given up owing to the development of the third German drive on May 27. The plans for the capture of Cantigny, however, were carried out, partly for the local advantage, but chiefly for the moral effect, on both friend and enemy, of showing American troops in an independent offensive action. In the commencement of their thrust the Germans were especially active in the neighborhood of Cantigny. They made three raids, one penetrating our line and resulting in the capture of one prisoner. As this might cause the disclosure of our plans, a patrol pursued the raiders and recaptured the prisoner after sharp fighting. Reinforced by French Artillery, the 28th Inf. at 6:45 A. M., May 28, attacked on a front of 2,250 yards. The men who went over the top carried 220 rounds of rifle ammunition, two hand grenades and one rifle grenade, two canteens filled with water, one shelter half, four sand bags and one shovel or one pick. They wore their blouses and left their blankets behind. The 18th Infantry was in support. The 28th Infantry advanced with the precision of the drill ground. It reached. Cantigny on schedule. American losses to this point were less than one hundred. A number of prisoners had been taken. The town was mopped up and the 28th regiment continued its progress. Aroused by the unexpected success of the movement the Germans redoubled the activity of their artillery. For three days our men were subjected to a heavy bombardment of eight inch shells together with shrapnel and gas. With Cantigny at their backs they had dug in. “We suffered serious casualties now,” says Lieutenant Colonel Frederick Palmer, “but we did not go back and we took revenge for our casualties in grim use of rifle and machine gun which, with the aid of prompt bar- rages, repulsed all counter attacks until the Germans were convinced of the futility of further efforts.” “The enemy reaction against our troops at Cantigny was extremely violent,” says General Pershing in his final report,’’ and apparently he was determined at all costs to counteract the most excellent effect the American success had produced. For three days his guns of all calibers were concentrated on our new position and counter attack succeeded counter attack. The desperate efforts of the Germans gave the fighting at Cantigny a seeming tactical importance entirely out of proportion to the numbers involved.” Elsewhere General Pershing has said of the battle of Cantigny: ‘‘Al- though local, the brilliant action had an electrical effect, as it demon- strated our fighting qualities under extreme battle conditions, and also that the enemy’s troops were not altogether invincible.” The French were anxious to exploit this American success for its effect on the morale of the French nation. The French press spread the propaganda—perhaps beyond the Americans’ deserts, but the reaction was electrical. Our soldiers everywhere were hailed as the “‘Saviours of France.” Men, women and even the children saluted them wherever they met them in the streets. x ~ ee 5 wae ; : j ‘ . _ :. ~*~ ge Sy “ ae ae, : ‘ Pia Fy °c x. wae e _ ye P & o 5 5 : g af ~ A 4 wa eh uate Zw ae EN ae 2” ~ Se ram TOWARDS EAST bs le oe eo ae ga. } f “: Bw nt ye ae TROOPS parle An? ese ee, LF NS 7, 3 THE VILeAGE HA ORGANTZI NC <9 KES See RED CE WAvINGusenves: « oa = FP neniy ros ‘un : ) Interpretation of hes air view ee ae = of Cantigny presented on the opposite page. The interpretation, a mise not call attention to the shell holes filled with advancing American troops which are interesting and pictorially unusual features of this photograph. Photo by U. 8. Air Service Air view of the battle of Cantingy. “‘On the morning of May 28 this division (the Ist) attacked the commanding German position on its front, taking with splendid dash the town of Cantigny and all other objectives which were organized and held steadfastly against vicious counter-attacks and galling artillery fire.” General John J. Pershing’s report to Secretary of War, November 20, 1918. Photo by U. 8. Air Service = * Beis hee 6 eat ee ere Wee During the battle, of Cantigny a German shell burst near this escort wagon. The animals were kill May 28,-1918 ed but the teamsters were unharmed. Cantigny, The cost. Bodies awaiting burial, constant fire preventing removal. Cantigny, May 28, 1918. Scene in the wrecked village of Cantigny after it had been seized by the Americans. Photographed May 30, 1918. SSS << RBSSS : ee bed] cr] oe @ ~~ “~ a s 7 . ‘ ; : is. idle i ' s yee °c ee ey oe i # ew ZL Enemy wound- ed received the same attention as our own. Twenty- eighth Inf. dress- ing station. Can- tigny, May 28, 1918. Major Robert R. McCormick of 5th F. A. German prisoners taken at Cantigny being searched German soldier killed at Cantigny, M Near Cantigny, May 28, 1918. P gn g searche n soldier killed at Cantigny, May 28, for information 1918, It was all in the day's work, so Private Barnes, a machine gunner of Men of the 28th Inf., Ist Div., in the Montdidier Sector. _ the Ist Div., though suffering from severe head wounds received at Cantigny, is taking the situation quite philosophically. Mercy to a fallen foe. A wounded German being lifted onto a stretcher at a 28th Inf. dressing station. Cantigny, May 28, 1918. RL): i ¥ ~ ’ SA TG) Yank and Poilus from a breach in a wall watch effect of enemy shell Prisoners captured at Cantigny marching through Le Mesnil-St. fire. Firmin. May 28, 1918. After a “drive” fleets of ambulances arrived in Paris with their toll of wounded. American Military Hospital Number One, Paris. (Inset.) “It is to laugh.” For being the first unit to advance at Cantigny, General Petain.of the French Army awarded the Croix de Guerre to the 28th Inf. On Jan. 11, 1919, when the Ist Div. was in the Army of Occupation, Maj. Gen. E. F. McGlachlin affixed the decoration to the regimental colors, CHATEAU THIERRY Saving Paris. The Second Battle of the Marne ‘Notes on the German offensives of May 27 and July 15 and the allied counter-attack of July 18, 1918, prepared by Brigadier-General Fox Conner, Chief G-3, G. H. Q., A. E. F. G-3 was Operations Division of the General Staff.] On May 27 the German Aisne-Marne offensive was launched. The German success during the first days of this offensive was more marked than anything that German arms had yet secured. Paris had already been sub- jected to long range bombardment and vio- lent air raids, and the state of morale of that capital may be judged by the fact that it is estimated that more than one million peo- ple left Paris during the months of May and June. On June |, just at the moment when the future seemed darkest, the 2d American Division, which had been brought around from Verdun-St. Mihiel, was thrown across the ~Chateau Thierry Paris road—and_ the Germans advanced no farther toward Paris. At the same time elements of the 3d Divisi- on, whichhad never before been in the line, were placed along the Marne together with various bodies of French troops—and wherever the soldiers of the 3d Division appeared there too the German advance broke on the rocks. Brig. Gen. Fox Conner The work of the 2d Division, and of the elements of the 3d, gave impetus to the rise, already begun as a result of the work of the Ist Division, of the American soldier in the esteem of enemy and Allies, and by June 30 all concerned fully realized that the arrival of American soldiers might soon turn the tide to the definite favor of the Allies. But America and England, who released her shipping for the transport of our troops until her food stocks had reached the vanishing point, had not waited for the events of June to demonstrate the value of the American soldier. So effectively had our shipping program been increased that on June 30, 1918, some 900,000 Americans were in France, and all prepara- tions had been made to maintain indefinitely the increased rate of arrival. Having now no illusions on the value of American troops and with the general knowledge which his High Command must have had concerning American arrivals, the German decided to try in one final effort to obtain a decision in his favor before the American soldier should render such a decision hopeless of attainment. The final German attack was accord- ingly launched in the Champagne on July 15. On that date the dispo- sition of the American divisions in France was as follows: The 32d, 35th, 5th and 77th Divisions were in line between the Swiss border and Luneville. The 82d was in line north of Toul. The four regiments of the 93d Division were with the French in line between the Argonne and the Meuse. The 42d was in reserve to meet the expected German attack in Champagne. The 3d and 26th were in line in the region of Chateau Thierry and the 28th had elements with the American and French units in the same region. The 2d and 4th were in reserve near Meaux and the Ist near Beauvais ready for use in the planned counter-attack. The 27th and 30th were in line with the British near Ypres. The 33d, 78th and 80th were completing their training with the British, tue 91st had just arrived at Le Havre and the 79th was arriving at Brest. The 29th, 90th, 83d, 92d, 37th and 89th were in our training areas around Chaumont and every nerve was being exerted to complete their training and equipment. Fortunately for the Allies the German attack and its location were foreseen and more fortunately still the considerable number of American soldiers who had now arrived were either in the line, in reserve ready for the counter-attack which had been planned during the first few days of July, or, in the case of newly arrived divisions, ready and anxious to get into the fight with or without their complete equipment. * * * * ok In the first days of July, 1918, it became apparent that the Germans would be unable to launch more than one other great attack, and towards the 10th of the month it was believed certain that if the enemy attacked cducy-LE- CHATEAU ° oe CRECY_Au-MonT EPAGNY ° NOUVRON ° FONTENEY ee N $-E1- VALSERY ° conuvRE Bois Of RETZ ° see Si 7 ° ve DAMPLEUX ere a a asin Teal ar FIA US. Div. from July 18 To July 22 VEN ORE or © COCHEVEL ° LEVILLY e JUMIGNY 0 PASLY CHAYPeNON oPAISSY ° r St. NARD CHASSEMY o BRENELLE ie LONGUEVAL ° CuUIRY HOoUsseE TAN NIERESO vezi 76 Mee °o ST. AGNAN > MONTLEVON ° ° YERDON ° Roucy LA MALMAIOON ASFELO- LASVILLE NEUFCHATEL SUR-AISHE O BERTAICOURT ST. ETIENNE ORAINYILLE = GuY ail aT VENTELAY ° BOLVANSCOURT BOVROOON 1 Pomac. sc 2 FRESNES ne VILLERS-FRANQUEUx COURE e TRIONY ° ad ST. THIERRY CHAMP-FLEURY ° hh. as wane chen eee ° GAILLY- CHAMPAGNE ROMERY ° Map of the Chateau-Thierry “pocket” explaining the American part in the opening phases of the great Allied counter offensive beginning July 18, 1918. This map is copied from the official map issued by the General Staff at American G.H.Q. in France. Gen. Fox Conner’s accompanying “Notes on Operations” should be read before studying the map. —— ee ee Pee the blow would fall in Champagne. Thanks to the arrival of American troops, the Allied reserves were now sufhciently numerous to justify a counter-attack, and if, as every High Command was confident, the Champagne front could hold with the troops already allotted to it, the Allied Command retained complete freedom in the selection of the front upon which the counter-attack should fall. The selection by the Germans of Champagne and the eastern face of the Marne salient, as the fronts on which they were to make their last effort was fortunate for the Allies; for this decision of the enemy allowed an Allied counter-attack which, while affording immediate relief to the enemy’s thrust, would also obtain other advantages for the Allied cause. Paris is still France, and the approach of the German lines along the Marne toward Paris had caused apprehension throughout France; it was essential that the threat on Paris be relieved at the earliest possible moment. Aside from reasons of morale, purely material reasons also demanded the reduction of the Marne salient as the first task of the Allies when the offensive should pass to their hands. Paris contained a multitude of essential war industries, and so long as the Germans maintained their lines these industries were seriously hampered by the constant long range bombardments and air raids. The great east and west railroad through Chateau-Thierry must also be regained by the Allies as a first necessity in the troop movements required in any general offensive. But while with each day there came increased certainty that the Allied counter-attack could be properly launched to the north of Chateau- Thierry, and while the French armies on that front began to plan accord- ingly, the Allied resources were not sufhciently great to permit a final decision until after the actual launching of the hostile attack; it thus ‘happened: that only on the 16th could many of the actual preparations be commenced. The general plan for the Allied counter-attack of July 18th involved attacking the entire west face of the Marne salient. This main attack was at first to pivot on Chateau-Thierry; later the Allies in the region of Chateau-Thierry were to take up the attack. The Allies were also to attack that part of the German salient south of the Marne and to the southwest of Rheims. The plan then really involved attacking the entire Marne salient, the principal blow falling at first on the west face, with the critical point, at which eventual success or failure would be determined, southwest of Soissons. The three divisions selected to break the most sensitive part of the German line were the 2nd American, the Ist Moroccan (French) and the Ist American. If these three divisions could seize and hold the heights south of Soissons the German position in the salient proper became untenable and its ultimate reduction was assured. At 4:35 a. m., July 18th, after some of the American infantry had double-timed into line and when some of their guns had barely gotten into position, the Ist and 2nd American Divisions and the Ist Moroccan Division jumped off. Notwithstanding their desperate resistance the Germans were driven back and the results upon which ultimate success depended were secured. The 2nd Division advanced 8 kilometers in the ‘first 26 hours, took about 3,000 prisoners, 2 batteries of 150 mm. guns, 66 light guns and 15,000 rounds of 77 mm. ammunition, besides much other property. This Division suffered some 4,000 casualties and, as it had made exhausting marches to reach the battlefield, and having recently been withdrawn from its desperate fighting at Chateau-Thierry, the Division was relieved after the second day. The Ist Division suffered 7,000 casualties, of whom it is believed that not one was a prisoner. Sixty per cent of its infantry officers were killed or wounded, in the 16th and 18th Infantry all field officers were casualties except the colonels, and in the 26th Infantry all field officers, including the colonels, were casualties. Notwithstanding its losses the Ist Division, by constant attacks throughout four days and nights, had broken through the entrenchments in the German pivot to a depth of || kilometers, had captured 68 field guns and quantities of other material, in addition to 3,500. prisoners taken from the seven separate German divisions which had been thrown against the Ist United States Division in the enemy's desperate effort to hold ground which was essential to his retaining the Marne salient. Never again could friend or enemy question the fighting qualities of the American soldier! But while the work of the Ist and 2nd Divisions attracted most attention because of the special importance of their attack, they were not the only American divisions to participate in the July 18th offensive. A little to the south of the 2nd Division the 4th Division was in line with the French, and the 4th Division joined in the attack and continued to advance until July 22nd when it was assembled’and as a division relieved the 42nd Division on August 2nd. The 26th Division was just northwest of Chateau-Thierry and together with the 167th French Division formed the Ist American Corps, which was the first American corps to exercise tactical command. This corps acted as a pivot in the beginning and later had to advance under peculiarly difficult conditions. For the 26th Division maneuver was much complicated in order that the front of the division might conform to the general plan; not only was it necessary for the division to pivot during attack, but at one time the right half of the division had to attack simultaneously in two directions. Notwithstanding the difficult nature of its task, and the fact that it lost 5,300 officers and soldiers, the 26th remained in the attack until July 25th; some of its elements having been continuously fighting for eight days and nights. The division had advanced more than 17 kilometers against determined enemy resistance, had taken the villages of Torcy, Belleau, Givry, Epieds, and Trugny, and had captured large quantities of enemy materiel. On July 25-26 the 26th Division was relieved by the 42nd Division, which, after having taken some part in the successful resistance to the German attack of July 15th in Champagne, had been brought round to the Chateau-Thierry region. Just east of Chateau-Thierry and south of the Marne the 3rd Division had broken up all efforts made against it on July 15th. Now on July 20th the 3rd Division received orders to join in the counter-attack. By skillful work of the command and staff the division had gotten well across the Marne by the 22nd and without having encountered serious resistance. From the 22nd to 25th the division was engaged in bitter fighting in the wooded slopes leading up to the village of le Charmel, which was taken on the evening of July 25th. Constantly fighting its way forward the division took Roncheres, and finally on July 30th was relieved by the 32nd Division after having suffered a total loss, in the defense of the Marne and in crushing the German resistance, of about 7,900. (It will be remembered that the 32nd Division had been in line near Belfort on July 15th. In the meantime this division had been relieved by the 29th Division and brought to Chateau-Thierry.) The 28th Division also had elements with French and American divisions during the attack and won great credit. As has been mentioned, the 42nd Division relieved the 26th on July 25th. On the next day the 42nd Division attacked, and by the 28th it had crossed the Ourcq and taken Sergy. Here the enemy offered desper- ate resistance, launching counter-attack after counter-attack, the village of Sergy changing hands four times. But the 42nd definitely occupied Sergy on the morning of July 29th and continued to press forward until August 2nd when the enemy withdrew. The 4th Division now relieved the 42nd, and on August 6th the operation of the reduction of the Marne salient terminated and the battlefront stabilized on the line of the Vesle (our 4th and 32nd Divisions being in line). The 42nd had lost some 5,500 officers and men. The 2nd and 3rd Divisions had played a conspicuous part in arresting the May 27th offensive, and now eight American divisions (the Ist, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 26th, 28th, 32nd and 42nd) had been indispensable in the reduction of the Marne salient. We had lost over 30,000, but the results were commensurate—not only was the Marne salient reduced, but the initiative had been gained by the Allies and was never to be lost—the value of the American soldier, which had first been demonstrated by the Ist and 2nd Divisions, had been verified by the conduct of six other divisions. From the beginning the Commander-in-Chief had never varied from his determination to bring the American forces together. The German offensive, however, had interrupted the execution of this plan, forcing us to utilize all our efforts to the end that the war might not be lost. Now, however, the initiative had passed into the Allied hands and there appeared to be no good reason for longer delay. On the contrary, the Chateau-Thierry operations had involved such difficulties in the way of supply and the evacuation of sick and wounded (in all of which we were largely dependent upon the action of French staffs) that it was apparent that our troops must be assembled. A few divisions might be properly cared for when dispersed under foreign command, but our forces had rela to the point where it became imperative to begin assembling them. The Commander-in-Chief naturally turned to St. Mihiel. ae _ youth ae re j ‘ a 3-5 Ewe pe a Devi, 1m Pa Sal, fe Ray rf ; ~ = AB . © z Sh, ~< 8 EN AS hierry—f to be associated with the glory of American arms. The Germans occupied the northern part of the city from June 3 to July 19 ee a fered Paris, were prevented from crossing the Marne by the 7th M. G. Bn. of the 3d Div., which had rushed to t he bridgehead in motor trucks from Montmirail, 28 kilometers away. Photo by U. 8. Air Service Major General James G. Harbord in the helmet Maj.-Gen. Omar Bundy and staff of the 2d Div.-at Chaumont-en-Vexin, May 28, 1918. Front of a French brigadier-general which he wore when row: - Colonel Preston Brown, Gen. Bundy, Col. Charles H. Bridges. Rear row: Capt. Prichard, he commanded the Marine brigade of the 2d Div. Lt. Col. George A. Herbst and Capt. Kerr. : Belleau Wood. “‘Belleau Wood was a jungle, its every rocky formation formin fire. There was only one way to wipe out these nests—by the bayonet. And by t shouting their battle cry of ‘E-e-e-e Y-a-a-h-h-h zip!’, charged straight into the g a machine gun nest, almost impossible to reach by artillery or grenade his method they were wiped out, for United States Marines, bare-chested, urderous fire from these guns and won.” Heroes of the fighting around Belleau Wood enroute to rest camp. All that remained of 2d Bn., 6th Marines, Ma)j.-T. C. Holcomb commanding. Infantry about to embus for the Chateau Thierry sector. Capt. Robert F. Hyatt (with megaphone) Battery F, 15th F. A., 2d- Div., receiving reports from observation post via field telephone. Coupru, Chateau Thierry Sector. June 5, 1918. Gassed. Gas cases were marked witha cross on the forehead. Soldier of 2d Div. being carried into hospital near Montreuil, June 7, 1918. [>a es || Sai > {| ss p< — << ef ( (iB S Interior of tent hospital at Auteuil, fa- mous race track in the Bois du Bou- logne, Paris. Wounded soldier of 2d Div. arriving at Lightly wounded arriving at field hospital. Mon- Interior of a hospital train. 15th Field Hospital near Montreuil. treuil, June 7, 1918. June 7, 1918. Bombardment of Bouresches Wood by the Germans. Bouresches, after the most desperate fighting, was captured at 9:45 p. m., June 6, 1918, by Lieut. James F. Robertson, U.S. M. C., and twenty men of his platoon. Later two re-inforcing platoons joined them. 3 , This remarkable photograph was taken by the U_ S. air service. Photo by U. S. Air Service eee Te s eo + i iM Pn) , ip iit 4 fh ef te | at SO ‘ ree. we er a @ German prisoners captured on the night of June 30 by 9th and 23d Inf. being escorted through La Ferte-sous-Jouarre, July 1, 1918, by French soldiers 2. Premier Clemenceau goes to American front June 30, 1918, to congratulate Maj. Gen. Omar Bundy of the 2d Div. 3. Prisoners captured by “ the 2nd Div. being 4ed through streets of La Ferte-sous-Jouarre. 4. Col. W.C. Neville, 5th Regt. of Marines. 5. Maj. E. J. Steichen, Chief, Pho- tographic Section Air Service. 6. Salmson observation plane going over German line’ under escort. 7: Brig. Gen. Charles A. Doyen, U.S. M. C ZFS LE ao ZB 38th Inf. 3d Div. on way from Mont- mirail to stem drive on Paris. June 1, 1918. 7, 1918. Bridgehead at Chateau Thierry where the Germans were stopped by Yankee machine gunners. Men of 9th M. G. Bn, 3d Div. set up gun in railroad shop. Chateau Thierry, June Troops of Company G, 7th Inf. 3d Div. resting on roadside. St. Martin, France. Gunners of 7th M. G. Bn, 3d Div. at Chateau Thierry. June 7, 1918. General John J. Pershing and General (later Marshal) Ferdinand Foch at the former’s quarters, Val des Ecoliers near Chaumont, Pershing at Val des Ecoliers. June 17, 1918. June 17, 1918. The Lion and the Tiger. Premier Georges Clemenceau and General A momentous occasion, General! John J. Pershing greets General Ferdinand Foch, Generalissimo of the allied forces at Va! des Ecoliers, 23, 1917. It was at this time that General Pershing ‘‘very strongly urged that our best divisions be concentrated use as a striking force against the Marne salient.” Chaumont, June under American command, if possible, for Stemming the tide at Chateau Thierry. Men of Company A, 7th M. G. Bn, 3d Div. at the bridgehead, Chateau Thierry, guarding against the passag« of the Marne by the Germans. The gallant conduct of these soldiers and their comrades of the 3d Div. earned for the organization the name of *“The Marne Division.” Independence Day at Chau- mont, 1918. General Pershing is presented with a bouquet by French children. The citizens of Chaumont, headquarters of the American Expeditionary Forces, entered heartily into the celebration of .the fete day of their newly arrived Yankee Allies. SS E (<. LCL; meee ((((( Troops of 125th Inf. 32d Div. passing through Massevaux, Alsace, G ] Pershing kept fit by daily horseback ri after review on Bastile Day, July 14, 1918. a ae Valdes bestia Te ge ae ea ps marched past the statue of when a column of American combat troo The men had just come from the line and their rugged appearance and martia! bearing stirred all Paris. Thrilling scene in the newly named “Avenue du President Wilson,” July 4, 1918, George Washington. Panorama of Chateau Thierry after its bombardment by the Ger- mans. Photographed July 27. 1918. Barricade erected by Germans in street at Chateau Thierry. Bridge over the Marne at Chateau Thierry blown up by the Germans when they abandoned the town. German machine gun barricade in Chateau Thierry. - - _ = - -~ - j * a5 The town of Vaux a few minutes before the 9th and 23rd Inf. 2d Div. entered, July 1, 1918. Dead Germans may be seen lying in the street. With the aid of information supplied by a stonemason who had escaped from the place, American gunners were able to search out and destroy every cellar and tunnel that might be used by the Germans for shelter. The American artillery fire was so accurate that not a single structure in the village escaped being struck by shells. = Photo by U. S. Air Service Members of the medical corps removing wounded from Vaux. Graves of American soldiers who died in hand-to-hand fighting near Vaux. Maj. Gen. Joseph T. Dickman and staft of the 3d (Marne) Division. During the operations previous to the counter offensive of July 18, the 3d Div. held the bank of the Marne east of Chateau Thierry ‘‘where a large force of German infantry sought to force a passage under support of powerful artillery concentration and under cover of smoke screens.’’ The result is laconically described by Gen. Dickman: “By noon of July 16 there were no Germans in the foreground of the 3d Div. sector except the dead.” 2% General Dickman at Niedermendig decorating the colors of the 38th Inf. for valor on the Marne. _(Inset.) Brig. Gen. U. G. McAlexander who commanded the 38th Inf. when the 3d Div. held the bank of the Marne. This regiment, says Gen. Pershing, ‘wrote one of the most brilliant pages in our military annals. 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 counter-attacks at critical points and succeeded in throwing two German divisions into complete confusion, capturing 600 prisoners.” Back to the U. S. A. Many non- assist in the training of draft men in the various cantonments. commissioned officers who had proven themselves in battle were sent back to the United States to _ Gunners of the 7th F. A. which supported the attack of the Ist Division infantry in the Marne salient beginning July 18, 1918. On July 16, 1918, the Ist Div., having been withdrawn from Cantigny, July 8, reported to relieve one brigade of the Moroccan division near Coeuvres-et- Valsery. On the night of July 17 it went into the line and on July 18 it attacked. Throughout four days of constant fighting it advanced 1] kilometers, cap- turing Berzy-le-Sec and the heights above Soissons. It took 3,500 prisoners and 68 field guns from the 7 German divisions employed against it. The photo- graph shows re.erves of the Ist Div. waiting to go in at Coeuvres-et-Valsery. vs 2 Sa = : Dp er Sita a NS + a 3 j te ' Sta a Bae * SRP Rd ‘4 2 aa * 4 ng a Bee ee ‘Us a oj he nr o=-- ; rr . ‘ Cy iors German prisoners, officers and men, captured by the Ist and 2nd Divisions in the assault beginning July 18, 1918. The 2d Div. advanced from the Bois de Retz, proceeding 8 kilometers in 26 hours and by the end of the second day was facing Tigny, having captured 3,000 prisoners and 66 field\guns. General Pershing rhe “‘Due to the magnificent dash and power displayed on the field of Soissons by our Ist and 2d Divisions the tide of war was definitely turned in favor of the Allies.” ae sa 3 ‘ U.S. \ 89\-% & On Te! vd ee | 7 ei, Desperate fighting marked the sweep of the Ist Div. over the field of Soissons. This is a sunken road choked with Germans killed by the 16th Inf. during the dash to Missy-au-Bois. Refugees fleeing from the scene of hostilities along the Marne. This scene was repeated hundreds of times during the Germans’ last drive toward Paris. The arriving American troops were spurred to their work by the sight of the se refugees whom they passed on all the roads that led to the front. (Inset). A view of the Marne Valley from Chateau Thierry. : * f \’ » oes ? Oa aN ¥ aig \ 2 5 & F we Le UM $ ~ NN IIMIOUEEA ; 1 HONE f vad sinrealioni j LN | EEL MALL ELE ‘ LE EE sf, + ~nene ae ae LLL } it fought its way through the says General Pershing, “* lieved by the 4th Div. on Aug. 3.” ., entering La Ferte-sous-Jouarre, July 23, 1918. Two days afterward the 42d Div. From this time until Aug. 2, “ee (4th Ohio Inf.) 42d Div , relieved a French division. urcq, advancing toward the Vesle until re we | ic Ss oO eS Oe oe S. bo , and, extendin Hardened veterans of Com relieved the 26th Foret de Fere and across the O - A 4 . * << Moving up to drive the Germans out of the Marne salient. One Hundred and Fiftieth F. A. (Ist regt. Indiana F. A.) passing through Chateau Thierry, July 25,4918, the day the 42d Div. relieved the 26th Div ~ > ~" = _ > SS \ \ . > > an Far ‘ Es £3 \, . 3 Bishop Luther B. Wilson, ex- treme left, conducting services at the grave of Lieut. Quentin Roosevelt, killed July 14, 1918. Chamery, Aug. 9, 1918. The grave of this young aviator be- came a place of pilgrimage for thousands of doughboys passing that way during the fighting in the Marne salient. Chaplain Francis P. Duffy officiating at the grave of Lieut. Roosevelt, Grave of Lieut. Roosevelt as found by Americans. The stones that Aug. 9, 1918. marked the grave, the posts and wire, were placed there by the Germans. A patrol of the 166th Inf. in Villers-sur-Fere at close quarters with the enemy. July 30, 1918. hs RN RAY: “3°. RS In the wake of the advance to Fere-en-Tardenois. Dead of the 167th Prussian guardsmen bayonetted in trench near F ere-en-l ardenois as (Ala.) Inf. 42d Div. advanced. er Heroes who fell during the advance of the 167th Infantry toward Fere-en-Tardencis, ers of the 167th Inf. during the hottest fighting at Seringes. Kneeling shelter was used by soldi German dead at Mezy. Fallen heroes of 38th Inf. at Mezy. It was bayonet and grenade, man to man, or rather one American to two or three Germans” at Mezy just before the Third Division crossed the Marne on July 21, 1918. vise Near Fresnes, in the thrust to the Vesle. Brig.-Gen. Douglas Mac- Arthur (middle figure) of the 84th Brigade, 42d Division, at his temporary headquarters. Cellar in Chateau Thierry residence filled with pack f ishings i i packages of French Household furnishings in Chateau Thi i clothing addressed by German soldiers to relatives at home. by the enemy ae their peaiarrite testo pare Training for its remarkable achievements in the reduction of the Marne salient was received by the 32d Div. in a front line sector near Belfort. The division held this sector until July 2! when it was ordered to the Ourcg where it relieved the 3d Div. in the Aisne-Marne offensive on July 30. In this offensive the 32d broke the German line of resistance on the Ourcq and drove the enemy back to the heights north of the Vesle, making a total advance of 19 kilometers. These are machine gunners of the 126th Inf., 32d Div., at Dieffmatten, Alsace, June 26. Preparing for later triumphs on the Ourcg.- Sgt. Charles Quick, Corpl. Mark Young and Pvt. Albert Lull, of the 126th Inf., manning a 37 mm gun in the front lie at Dieffmat- ten, Alsace, June 25. This “pound wonder,” as it was called, had a maximum range of | 14 miles and could be fired at the rate of 28 rounds a minute. 7 ELA AS Ss SE 7 Te iid N LSS- deg 6 StHdarre ~ sae te htver 2%, ie Sponville J . : - Ancy-sut-Mosdf les Eparges 90 mts Dy : Jonyitle es oy ne) & Wadoni10 s tN *Xonville oGorze 2 Doncourt .O, a © 5 %, Nh Hadenville CHAMBLEY ° Rupt 2 Mouilly 2 $ o Herbeuville 3 Avilers 39 4 Lachaussee S ©; Hagevilie ’ S Dommarting Thillot . S in WY : ° / ba St Julien waville oVandelainville y A °o « F 6 St. otadhrice son " Dorinertinaia Bayonvilfe be ° x v ioe A 0 Hsumont © la Chaussee i. : Ranzieres ® « ig Villece \ ie i) Y * ST: \ An oe pt /3 Sharey eMerieulles ors a. , PS 3 Dompi . ~ cote 89> ay Reliey Rembercourt. ¢ Silkegnye = x e's . 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F. ‘ 7 i Koeur Sh einig = Sept. /2 Be. t ( 9 i qrande Bumont. 4 ° } elo ee DIEVLOUVARD cl ee oe S Boucan tie o Bernecourt™ ° y I Brassertte eRambucourt : + StAgnan™ a \ Grosrouvres Manonville ampigny ° % ~ 2 » Liouville Broussey-en-woevre 5 Mecrin DOMEVKE - en- Haye oO WwW Vv T Oo . S | . i y Sk ad oe Mont Sec—“We ought to have that mountain,” said General Pershing one day in March, 1918, as he gazed at Mont Sec towering 380 meters above the Woevre plain. From this stronghold and the Fort du Camp des Romains the Germans dominated the St. Mihiel salient for four years. Sept. 12, 1918, General Pershing’s Ist Army captured the sector in 27 hours. During the battle the Ist Div., instead of making a direct attack on the hill, smothered it with a smoke barrage and passed around it. The photograph shows Brig.-Gen. F. E. Bamford, 2d Brig., Ist Div., reconnoitering the ground. Beginning MALINES ; Wood TomMBOIS . Wood 2727 = te RANAUK Stream. Set. XIVRAY v etal ao ene a = 4 Aae AS = eri Cpe a > ES < N Ansa utoensee. Monnens = te i Tet Air view of the Fort du Camp des Romains, when it was occupied Panorama of a portion of the St. Mihiel salient taken when it was still by the Germans. On the crest of a hill 326 meters high this stronghold in possession of the Germans. In the foreground are the ruins of Xivray. dominated the valley of the Meuse both North and South. Photo by U. 8. Air Service Photo by U. 3: Air Service aA Rhy. os wes The battle of Saint Mihiel: “At dawn on Sept. | ; “¥ ay pt. 12, after four hours of violent artillery preparation and accompanied re Ist and 4th corps advanced. The infantry of the 5th Corps commenced its advance at 8 A. M. The operation on ey Sree we Be oars cision. en. John J. Pershing. A machine gun company pass- ing through Richecourt, near Mont Sec, during the battle of Saint Mihiel. SL BRAS ee OIL caste « “ a ut 63 7th F. A. caissons rolling into Seicheprey. 28th Infantry, Ist Div., advancing in wave formation in the Seiche- prey sector at the opening of the battle of St. Mihiel. NonsARO Runt de Mad Sixteenth Inf., Ist Div., going forward near St. Baussant. Another view of the town of Mont Sec. Supply wagons going forward northeast of Mont Sec. , ae TERA ON LS OS ihe OIE ELE OR ORS . Maj. Gen. Charles T. Menoher and staff officers of the 42d Div. During the two days attack in the Saint Mihiel salient the 42nd Div., the center divi- sion of the 4th Corps, advanced 19 kilometers. L to R: Lt. Col. Noble B. Judah, Intelligence Officer; Col. W. W. Hughes, Chief of Staff; Maj. Gen. Menoher, commanding general; Maj. Murphy and Capt. Gill. French refugees in Essey after its capture. Air view of Essey while still occupied by Germans. Photo by U. 35. Air Service oar - ' ets ase = pi 4 “ » ve iy os ge ke 40 . 5 are a, ite eles Rg ne Ste ep ss e The Cliff Dwellers. These are dugouts near Flirey that were occupied by the 89th Div. before it jumped off in the battle of Saint Mihiel. Every hillside in the salient was filled with similar underground habitations. Some were pretentious, built of concrete with bungalow effects. German officers’ quarters some- times contained bathrooms and had formal flower gardens in front. 4) o Village of Flirey on the edge of the St. Mihiel salient Wrecked bridge at Flirey and supply trains which passed continu- ously for 80 hours during and after the battle. a Gassed patients of 82d and 89th Divs. Bathing eyes of gas victims belonging to 82nd and 89th Divs. os LA wy ¥, Pe er, « The bridge at Flirey, blown up in 1914 by the French to prevent its Field headquarters near Flirey bridge. use by the Germans. Photo by U. 5. Air Service | |. | | Maj. Gen. Joseph T. Dickman (center) commanded the 4th Corps (Ist, 42nd and 89th Divs.) at the battle of St. Mihiel. Air view of Essey and the Mort Mare Wood, St. Mihiel salient. Over this ground the 89th Div. attacked Photo by U.2. Air Bervies Pumping lead into the Ger- mans as they flee from the St. Mihiel salient. SS a ae eee SS er a LoS = SSO EDL << PA (PRETO WU WWoss Infantrymen dug in beside a road in the St. Mihiel salient. “Heavies” moving forward to batter the retreating Germans. > —_ a a c=) HS S £ 3 SG o i) wo & z= i=] : ° s) By < 30 e = S e fi © OC = e = me gS 3 bo = cS 2 wv A. r eo Oo irections. The church tower at Flirey. A landmark by which soldiers guided for miles in all d ie hem, 22 Fe 4 4 7g wpe we G ta | ne a) # a Bi’ he op eins ot ‘ a oe ae at i) ya , f ae ae yin’ et hey “2 : a . ; Mp ga Ming et wre NaF aM ( Hesll “foun BP co ali ei : = reba vee, A and. vs : an x rs. ‘ ok ae 84 # S n 7 ioe AP hie! Ae ia a a “a et” rons aay. 3 way ri ‘“ . 7 - > = eee deanna ” eae } : x 6 ity iv eck) Fa : bn be we re d Ds ong > eis oe ¥ Sy wf FE gst a eps eget a BBE ‘ccna a fase = tre ee ey fie Rh cee w? aS as a= at — si Minch wy a: rer tat = BS z tf. i & € \ ages et i re ‘ ean Vaaw gh GE, we -P Re x is he Fl Diab as " hea RM. te ry . ey e ‘ ee AE eee s=a! Air view of Pont-a-Mousson, on the edge of the St. Mihiel salient. For four years this town was pounded alternately by artillery and airplanes. American railway artillery located near here fired on Metz, seriously interfering with German railway movements. Photo by U. 8. Air Service A marine general commanding a regular army (2d) Division. Left to right: Lieut. Col. Hugh Matthews, Col. Preston Brown, Maj. Gen. J. A. Lejeune, Col. James C. Rhea, Lieut. ~ Col. G. A. Herbst. Artillery observer sending back information to his guns. Battery B, 21st Art., 5th Div. Machine gunners and supply train waiting in a shattered town for the congested road to clear. * This lucky village of Villecey was not in the pathway of heavy fight- What the airmen saw. Network of trenches in vicinity of Villecey. ing and so escaped destruction. Photo by U. 8. Air Service Victors and vanquished, except the wounded Germans, are equally ‘‘Booby traps’” were left by the departing enemy. This soldier from interested in having their pictures taken. the 103d Inf., 26th Div., was guarding the entrance to a dugout in the second line German trench until it could be examined for concealed bombs. Rushing supplies to the advancing Yanks of the 26th Div. A busy Patrol of Co. E, 168th Inf., 42d Div., waiting for word to “go over the day in Mouilly’s main street. top’ at Haumont. Meanwhile a barrage was emptying the town of Germans. This photograph was taken from a front line observation post two he St. Mihiel salient. days before the battle began for the reduction of t ”” over which the 26th Div. advanced near Les Eparges. ‘‘No Man’s Land, A quick lunch at Mouilly, served by Cook Barnacle, Battery E, 10Ist Art., 26th Div. First prisoners captured by 103d Inf., 26th Div., Sept. 12. Columns of enemy prisoners dribbling to the rear were signs of victory to the advancing Yanks in the Ist Army’s great drive in the St. Mihiel salient. Lieut. Gen. Hunter Liggett, who commanded the Ist Corps at St. Mihiel. Later he succeeded Gen. Pershing in command of the Ist Army. — Con a oe eee ow ee eee te Qh CO o 14 ~— AOA eres fs 2 a 4 " ons ye" Searching the first lot of prisoners for papers and weapons before turning them into the prison pens at Menil-la-Tour. Intelligence officers searched every scrap of paper found on prisoners for information that would reveal enemy plans. The stockades here shown were erected several days before the battle in anticipation of the big haul confidently expected. German officers captured by the 2d Div. on their way to headquarters Sloshing through mud and rain to the prison pens on the first day of to be questioned by American intelligence officers. the St. Mihiel drive. Yanks and Germans became badly mixed on the overcrowded roads. A “‘movie man”’ of the Signal Corps ‘‘shooting’’ German prisoners in From defeat, through ruined towns, to prison pens. ‘Those were drab order to show the folks back home how we were winning the war. days for the enemy. So I uke a eee Sis. ews OM ak A team of balky mules could hold up miles of traffic in those feverish days of St. Mihiel when all roads to the front were choked with guns, supplies, officers’ cars and support troops hurrying forward. When a transport stalled or broke down on the shell torn highways eager doughboys put their shoulders to the wheels and either pulled it out or threw it off the road into a ditch. This stalled ammunition wagon was photographed near St. Baussant on the second day of the battle. Officer prison- ers were never so cheerful over their capture as the en- listed men. The glum looking one The question- ing of a 16 year old prisoner af- fords much amuse- ment to his fellow captives. in the center pro- tested against be- ing photographed. LE eS Mrs. Walter Farwell and Miss Blanch- Doughnuts followed the flag very closely. A Sal- ard Scott, daughter of Maj.-Gen. Hugh L. vation Army girl turning them out. Scott, establishing their Red Cross canteen in Flirey during the battle. A Signal Corps field battalion tele- phone switchboard. On table at rear rests. a captured German instrument bearing the imperial arms. rS : iy, Se aa This tank plowed-through the tangled German wire in the advance of the Ist Div. on Mont Sec in the first day’s fighting, Sept. 12, After making a lane for the charging infantry it finally fell into a German trench. The next day its driver, Corp. George Heeszh, Co. C, 327thTank Battalion, rescued his pet and went on to further adventures. Tanks played an important part at St. Mihiel in clearing passages for our troops. * e\ Pra #, Zt 4K $y watt ” * walled . a a te +Eh ot oe! et a Se. APE Pressing the German retreat. The village in the foreground had been fired by the retiring enemy and raked by American shells. The ground over which the troops are advancing had been shell torn by the artillery of both armies. ttl ml : ! AMY — — — —— se eS me ed ——— Seal Ss es ae When tanks were not fighting they were useful as tractors. This one, going forward to aid the American advance on the northern edge of St. Mihiel salient, was hauling a trailer filled with bicycles for army couriers. The picture was taken on the afternoon of the first day of the battle. Air view of Hattonchattel. Near here the Ist and 26th Divs. effected a juncture early in the morning of the second day of battle, thus completing the pinching out of the famous salient held for four years by the Crown Prince’s army. Photo by U. 8. Air Service SA SS (Saas EMS SLM Na 2D SS ( Rss \ SS Shell craters torn in the ground by H. E.’s. Compare size with the Maj.-Gen. Charles P. Summerall, commanding Ist Div., and his chief pockmarks made by ordinary shells. of staff, Col. C. D. Herron, looking over German prisoners. Photo by U.S. Air Service Letting the eagle scream a bit. ‘‘Hindenburgstrasse”’ didn’t seem to be an appropriate street sign in a town just captured by Americans so the victory flushed doughboys held an informal christening party and nailed up the hastily painted sign seen in the picture. Taken Sept. 13 at -Vigneulles, where the juncture of the Ist and 26th Divs. spelled the successful pinching out of the salient of St. Mihiel View of Bouillonville taken from an observation plane a week before A concentration of rolling kitchens to feed the troops pouring through the Germans were driven out. A Pa Bouillonville-—called by the soldiers ‘‘Souptown. When a German prisoner played for his captors on a wrecked organ the Light railway train captured from Germans hauling supplies to the German sergeant at the end was moved to dance a jig. American front line. The enemy had covered the salient with these narrow gauge lines. Exhausted by their rapid advance, these men of Co. H, 167th Inf., 42d Div., fell asleep in their shelter trench. Five minutes after a Signal Corps photographer snapped this picture, two soldiers were killed here by a shell. Lieut.-Col. R. D. Garrett, S. C., 42d Div., testing a German telephone wire left behind by the retreating enemy at Essey. The Germans witb- Used by the 3d Bn., 103d Inf., 26th Div., as battalion headquarters after A German concrete dugout used by the enemy as a first aid station drew from the St. Mihiel salient so rapidly that they failed to destroy h te the enemy’s retreat much of their wire | - | i “EN A supply officer's roadside workshop. Here he unlimbered his typewriter for ten minutes in an effort to catch up with his ‘‘paper work.”’ Then he and his clerks moved on towards the front with the wagon train. a. | Engineers returning from the front through shell torn Non- sard. Colors flying and all hands pleased. Engineer troops worked in the zone of shell fire and gas attacks, during the battle of St.Mihiel, to restore the shell torn roads for the advancing army. Military Police regulating traffic in a village street in the salient. A one way road, showing the congestion as supplies and reenforce- ments drove forward behind the American line of advance. We ae Telling how it happened. Slightly wounded men. They were in the first batch to return from the fighting and were giving their buddies first-hand details. Not being seriously hurt they had not waited for an ambulance but “‘hopped a truck.”’ Note the cross mark on the forehead of a man sitting in the tail end of the truck. That cross indicated he was a gas victim. Bs ofl rk Pe bi Socy: a ‘vercprtymgga til] likes ae ee? ay : , ’ aor meee af a ‘yg \ . Pe) ” cod Thiaucourt when the Germans held it. It was taken by the Ist Corps the first day of the battle. The destroyed the town. Germans fired it on their retreat and Photo by U.S. Air Service The burning of Thiaucourt. Being on our front line after the advance stopped Sept. 15, Thiaucourt was shelled daily by the enemy. One night the German artillery dropped 5 gas shells a minute into the town for more than two hours. For breakfast one morning during the St. Mihiel battle this rolling kitchen served sirloin steak with onions, French fried potatoes, green peas, bread, butter and coffee. Loading for the front in French trucks. Members of the 3d Bn., 39th As soon as the Germans were driven out the French refugees began Inf., 4th Div. returning to their ruined homes. Re | Kornp Arm Bat! 67 ’ § The Germans left no beer in their abandoned canteens. This explanation is due one of the officers in the picture, who was a ‘‘dry’’ member of the Georgia legislature. But when an army photographer insisted on a drinking scene the Southern prohibitionist helped him out by posing with a stein in hand. Brig. Gen. B. D. Foulois, of the Air Service, standing in front of one of the first Liberty planes to arrive in France. the Army as a private, became a pioneer in military aviation and at 37 was a brigadier general Gen. Foulois started in Rass sos 98 ile & An American De Haviland observation plane. Flying in these machines our officers gathered the information on which operations were based. before and during battle. Photo by U. 8. Air Service Farewell for a time to mud, cold, hunger, ‘‘cooties,’’ and bloodshed. Once aboard a hospital train the wounded were in the midst of modern American comforts and scientific equipment. These trains were complete hospitals on wheels, including even operating rooms. é A Y.M.C. A. movable kitchen on the edge of the St. Mihiel salient. These kitchens followed their outfits from place to place, serving the soldiers delicacies unobtainable in company ‘ ‘chow lines.’’ Misses Elizabeth Barker and M. A. Nash conducted this rolling cook shop, which was attached to the 3d Div. Road theatricals by Y. M. C. A. players. The soldiers witnessing this _ open air performance belonged to the 89th Div. Shortly after this alfresco scene was photographed the 89th Div. took part in the battle of St. Mihiel. Mrs. F. T. Fitzgerald, of the Y. M. C. A., serving hot chocolate in Mary Shannon Webster, Red Cross canteen worker, serving chocolate. Bouillonville 48 hours after the Germans had been chased out. “Oe Rea Rp. iF was dropped on the 89th Div. ammunition dump at Lucey shortly before the St. Mihiel battle. The camera has caught here one of the series of explosions that followed. Pe ea o Wash day at the open air laundry in Lucey. Red Cross workers distributing cigarettes and chocolate to soldiers A Yank helps the woman in whose house =) bound for the front. he is billeted o Shock troops in battle, but children at play. Having a good time in At the altar of Joan of Arc in Domremy where the Maid of Orleans Lucey shortly before the battle of St. Mihiel. was born. rN at After peace had come to Saint Mihiel. The town was not badly damaged as it was never under direct artillery fire, although air bombs destroyed that part of the town lying close to the river. Chauvoncourt, just across the Meuse, was completely destroyed. Early in the war the French made an attempt to drive the Germans out of the village but the attacking force was annihilated by a subterranean mine. Photo by , . - 7 2% S% d Four shots, each a direct hit.. At Baleycourt, beginning at 3:00 P. M., September 26, 1918, men of the 35th Coast Artillery Company fired four 1200 pound shells at the headquarters of two German Army Corps near a railhead thirty kilometers north. The aerial observer reported that each projectile had struck the target. This is a mobile railroad gun of 340 mm. caliber. It was manned by 122 soldiers under command of Maj. G. F. Humbert Pn ME THE MEUSE-ARGONNE Smashing the German Pivotal Position (Notes on operations in the Meuse-Argonne Drive. Prepared by Brigadier General Fox Conner, Chief G-3, G. H. Q.) It will be remembered that the decision reached in the conference on July 24th, between the Commanders-in-Chief concerned, did not extend beyond the reduction of embarassing salients and the freeing of certain regions in the north. On August 6th the reduction of the Marne salient had been completed. On August 8th the French and British attacked the Amiens salient. This attack was successful from the first, and as the days passed th enemy began to show signs which led to the belief that great results might be obtained if the Allies could continue the> pounding already begun. By August 30th this belief had crystallized and no difference of opinion as to the necessity of pushing the fight was to be found among any of the Allied High Commands. Some differences of opinion as to the method of employing American troops existed and to adjust these differences conferences were held and several letters ex- changed from August 30th to September 2nd. The general strategical plan included an offensive which would involve the entire front from the Meuse to the sea, the main attacks being made between the Meuse and Reims in the direction Sedan-Meziéres and by the British and French in the north toward Cambrai-St. Quentin. As a result of the conference of September 2nd the Meuse-Argonne front was assigned to the American forces, while the American attack was to be supported by the attack of the French 4th Army between the Argonne and Reims. In order that American troops might be available to undertake the Meuse-Argonne offensive, the St. Mihiel salient drive was, as we have seen, limited in the results sought. In a letter of August 30th Marshall Foch had contem- plated that the attack towards Meziéres should be launched between September 15th and 20th; during the September 2nd conference it was recognized that this allowed too little time for the necessary concentra- tion of troops and other preparations and the date of attack was tenta- tively fixed for September 20th to 25th; actually the attack was launched on September 26th. Throughout the Meuse-Argonne fighting the question of keeping our ranks filled was so acute that it is well to outline our difficulties in this respect before considering the actual operations. The General Organization Project which the Commander-in-Chief had submitted to Washington early in July of 1917 assumed the necessity of having in France a supply of replacements equal to 50% of the infantry of combat divisions and 25% of the other arms. The same project also invited attention to the necessity of preparing at home to assure the steady flow of additional replacements to France. The estimate as to the number of replacements to be maintained in France had as its basis the creation of a sufficient reservoir of personnel to enable us to carry out two principles which were assumed as fundamental: (a) All losses of combat troops should be promptly replaced, not only in order to keep up fighting strength but to maintain the morale of the organizations (this principle had been clearly shown to be fundamental by the experience of all our wars); (b) Sick and wounded should on their recovery be returned to their own units. The replacement organization in France, as originally contemplated (General Organization Project), included a so-called depot division and a so-called replacement division for each Army Corps of four combat divisions. These two divisions were to have a full complement of in- fantry, but one-half of their artillery and other auxiliaries were to be utilized as Corps and Army troops; the organization thus provided the 50% reservoir of infantry and 25% of other arms considered necessary to insure carrying out the two fundamental principles mentioned above. But while experience more than justified the stress which the Commander-in- Chief so early placed on the importance of replacements and fully justified our early estimates of the numbers required, the German March 2|st and following offensives created conditions which, coupled with other reasons, prevented the functioning of the replacement system as originally planned. Some of the reasons for this failure were as follows: (a) The situation required our troops to be spread over France. (b) During May, June and July, 1918, every possible division had to be put into line, hence it was necessary to reduce the number of re- placement divisions from two out of six to one out of six. (c) The number of replacements required never reached France. (d) It became essential to fill up certain divisions on account of tactical necessities and since the shortage of replacements was at the time acute, sick and wounded returning to duty were sometimes necessarily sent to such divisions without regard to whether or not the soldier origin- ally belonged to the division to be filled. Our shortage of replacements became acute early in September and by mid October the situation was desperate. Only one recourse was possible—to utilize incoming divisions for replacements, holding the cadres to be reconstituted whenever replacements ‘in adequate numbers should be received from home. Even this action did not suffice to bring our 29 fighting divisions to full strength but we were able by a judicious use of the soldiers thus obtained, to maintain a reasonable strength in the divisions at the most critical points of attack. There is no doubt but that this decision to break up divisions contributed in a large degree to concluding the war in 1918. By the end of August, 1914, the German armies had reached the line of the Meuse north of Verdun, and the heights just north of the city became the pivot ef the great wheel of the German armies: although it was at one time practically entirely surrounded, the fortress of Verdun held. By September 5th this wheel had placed the center of the German armies well south of the Marne while Von Kluck, sweeping down from Brussels had passed just beyond range of the outer forts of Paris and stood with his army on both banks of the Marne at Meaux. The French armies which toward the end of August had stood along the Meuse north of Verdun had been forced back until on September 5th their battle line ran southwest from Verdun to Revigny; Revigny being in the hands of the French. The battle of the Marne (Ourcq) began on Sep- tember 6 and by September 12, 1914, the German lines between the Meuse and the western edge of the Argonne were practically those against which the American Ist Army launched its attack on September 26, 1918. Although the great German offensive in 1916 and the French counter- attacks of 1917 had witnessed fluctuations of the lines around Avocourt, Malancourt, Forges, Mort Homme, Esnes (all of which were points of direction either within or beyond our jumping off line of September 26th), neither French nor Germans had been able to force the other back materially and the net result was that in September, 1918, the German defenses were unusually deep and strong while No Man’s Land was as worthy of all that the name implies as any spot in the western front. All supplies and evacuations of the German armies in northern France were dependent upon two great railway systems; one, in the north, passing through Liége, while the southern system, with tracks coming from Luxemburg, Thionville, and Metz, had as its vital section the four-track line Carignan, Sedan, Meziéres. Neither of these sys- tems alone could supply the German masses in Northern France and no other important lines were available to the enemy because the moun- tainous masses of the Ardennes had forbidden the construction of east and west lines through that region. In addition to his dependence upon it for supply, the line Carignan, Sedan, Mezieres was essential to the German for movements of his troops. Should this southern system be cut by the allies the ruin of German armies would be complete. From the Meuse-Argonne front as it existed on September 26, 1918, the per- pendicular distance to the Carignan-Mezieres railroad line was about fifty kilometers. This region then formed the pivot of all German opera- tions in northern France and the vital necessity of covering the great four-track railroad resulted in the convergence on the Meuse-Argonne front of the several enemy defensive positions which further west were separated by 30 or even 60 kilometers. In fact, although in the northern part of the sector the works were not so complete, the German defenses on the Meuse-Argonne front consisted of trenches, wire, etc., one series behind another, to a depth of 20 kilometers or more. In thus preparing to hold a region which was so vital to him that utter ruin must follow its loss, the German was greatly aided by the natural features of the terrain. East of the Meuse the dominating heights not only secured the enemy's left but gave him positions in which powerful artillery could be installed to bring an obliqué fire on the western bank. Batteries located in the elaborately fortified Argonne forest secured the right flank arid could even cross their fire with those of the guns on the east bank of the Meuse. Midway between the Meuse. and the Argonne the heights of Montfaucon afforded the enemy perfect observation and formed a strong natural position which he had elaborately fortified. But while these were the most prominent features, the east and west ridges, abutting on the Meuse and Aire valleys, affording as they did perfect machine gun positions were perhaps the natural features which most favored the desperate defense which the enemy of necessity would have to make. Behind Montfaucon, wooded heights such as those west of Romagne and north of Barricourt constituted natural features which were most favor- able to the defense and unfavorable to the offense. Finally, not the least of the difficulties faced by the Ist Army were those resulting from the breadth of No Man’s Land and the absolute destruction of roads across that area. Even though the attack of the Ist Army would have to be made against so strong a natural position, to strengthen which the resources of Germany have been lavished for four years, it was nevertheless a sector in which the fighting could be forced. Thus, by compelling the enemy to draw in reinforcements, the advance of our Allies farther west could be best assisted. Above all, if the American Army could but win victory in this sector the end of the war would be in sight. When on September 2nd the decision to attack on the Meuse-Ar- gonne front was reached, the Ist Army was engaged in the preparation of the St. Mihiel drive. A portion of the staff was withdrawn from the St. Mihiel operation, however, and plans were at once begun for initiating the new operation. The origina! concentration for the Meuse-Argonne operation included 15 divisions. Of these the Ist, 3rd, 4th, 35th, 80th, 82nd and 91st were involved in the pending St. Mihiel drive; the 29th, 37th and 92nd were in sector in the Vosges; the 28th, 32nd and 77th were in the neighborhood of Soissons: the 79th Division was in one of our own training areas, and the 33rd was near Bar-le-Duc. Practically all the artillery, air service and other auxiliaries which could be found for the new operation, were committed to the St. Mihiel drive and could only be moved after it was comp}eted. Arrangements to move ail units not to be employed in the St. Mihie! fight were begun at once and on the second day (September 13th) of that fight reserve divisions and army artillery units began moving toward the Meuse-Argonne front. Other artillery, corps and army artillery and tanks followed and finally some of the divisions which had been in first line in the St. Mihiel attack were withdrawn and joined in the masses moving to the new scene of action. To insure secrecy all movements had to be made at night and as only three routes were available the roads were jammed to utmost capacity. The movement of the masses involved was one of the most delicate and difficult problems of the war and its successful accomplishment is a tribute to the staff work of the Ist Army. On September 22nd the command of the front from east of the Meuse to the western edge of the Argonne passed to the Ist Army, with head- quarters at Souilly; the 17th French Corps with three divisions passed to the command of the Ist Army and the army front now extended from east of the Moselle to the western edge of the Argonne. The Meuse- Argonne front had been taken over from the 2nd French Army which had rendered much assistance in routing troops, filling dumps, etc., etc. Finally, after successfully adjusting a thousand and one difficulites and after having foreseen the other thousand and one necessities which con- front staffs, the Ist Army stood on the night of September 25-26th ready for the attack. On the night of September 25-26th the enemy had ten divisions in line and ten in reserve on the front Fresnes-en-Woevre-Argonne Forest. After St. Mihiel the Germans had naturally expected a further American effort but successful ruses east of the line of the Meuse, extending as far south as Lunéville, had deceived the enemy and as a consequence the actual attack came as a tactical surprise. The surprise feature had also been assisted by arrangements under which a screen of French troops covered our first line until the last possible moment before launching the attack. On the night of September 25-26th the battle order of the Ist Army from right to left on the sector of attack was as follows: the 3rd Corps, with the 33rd, 80th and 4th Divisions in line and the 3rd Division in reserve; the 5th Corps, with the 79th, 37th and 91st Divisions in line and the 32nd Division in reserve; the Ist Corps, with the 35th, 28th and 77th Divisions in line and the 92nd Division in reserve; in army reserve were the Ist, 29th and 82nd Divisions in rear respectively of the 3rd, 5th and Ist Corps; the 5th French Cavalry Division was also in army reserve. Due to the fact that artillery organizations had not yet arrived for much of the infantry shipped over in the great troop movements of May, June and July, many of the divisions were not served by their own artillery brigades. The 33rd, 37th, 79th and 9|st divisions were supported by brigades not belonging to these organizations, while the 3rd, 32nd, 92nd and 29th divisions in reserve had no artillery brigades. The shortage in artillery material was largely made up by the assistance given by the French Command, who made ample French artillery units available for use in the operation, so that a total of 2,775 guns supported the attack. In addition the appropriate corps and army troops were available. These included 189 small tanks, of which 142 were manned by Americans, and the remainder by French, and 821 airplanes, 604 manned by Ameri- cans and the remainder by French. The Meuse-Argonne operation may properly be divided into two or more phases. For the present purpose the period September 26th to November ||th may properly be divided into two phases, the first of which closed with the end of October. Artillery interdiction fire on communications in the rear was begun six hours before the initial infantry attack. “Three hours before the attack fire was increased and intense artillery preparation all along the front commenced. At 5:30 a. m., September 26th, the artillery preparation changed to a rolling barrage, and the infantry advanced. The necessity for securing surprise had forbidden a long artillery preparation, and tanks had been unable to precede the infantry in the initial jump off. Therefore the infantry was practically dependent upon its own resources for cutting through the elaborate system of wire. This naturally slowed the infantry advance as did also the difficulties of the terrain. The infantry, however, progressed without encountering es- pecially serious resistance, except before Montfaucon. The early over- running of the enemy’s first positions, led to the hope that the 5th French Cavalry Division in army reserve might be pushed through the line to exploit the success in the direction of Grand Pré. However, blocked roads and other causes prevented the cavalry from getting through before the enemy reorganized his:defense. The cavalry did not reach Varennes and the 5th Cavalry Division (French) took no further part in the fight. The success of the initial assault having been assured the critical problem became the movement-of artillery and ammunition across the trackless No Man’s Land to support the continued progression of the troops. The strong point of Montfaucon, which had not fallen on the 26th, also interfered with moving guns forward; but at 11:00 a. m., on September 27th, the 79th Division captured Montfaucon, and the center of the line, which had fallen behind both flanks, went forward. At that hour the right had made a splendid advance into the woods south of Brieulles-sur-Meuse, but the extreme left was meeting strong resistance in the Argonne. The attack continued without interruption and the enemy, recognizing his danger, threw six new divisions into line before September 29, developed a powerful machine gun defense supported by heavy artillery fire, and made frequent counter-attacks with fresh troops, particularly on the fronts of the 28th and 35th Divisions. By nightfall of the 29th the Ist Army line was approximately Bois de la Céte Lemont-Nantillois-Apremont—southwest across the Argonne. Some of the divisions had suffered severely. Units had become inter- mingled on account of the difficult nature of the ground over which they had attacked and the fog or darkness which had covered them. Relief of these divisions had therefore to be made before another coordinated general attack could be launched. Consequently, on the night of the 29th, the 37th and 79th divisions were relieved by the 32nd and 3rd divisions respectively, and on the following night the Ist Division relieved the 35th Division. At 5:30 a. m., on October 4th the general attack was renewed. “he order of battle of first-line divisions and corps from right to left was as follows: the 3rd Corps, 33rd, 4th and 80th divisions; 5th Corps, 3rd and 32nd divisions; Ist Corps, Ist, 28th and 77th Divisions. The number of enemy divisions on the front from Fresnes-en-Woevre to the Argonne had increased from 20 to 23 in line and in reserve, and comprised his best divisions. The resistance was desperate, and only small advances were realized, except on the right of the Ist Corps. By evening of October 5th the line was approximately Bois de la Cate Lemont—Bois du Fays Gesnes- — Hill 240-— Fléville—Chéhéry—southwest through the Argonne. On October 6th the battle was extended to the east of the Meuse, in pursuance of instructions received to increase the extent of the battle front and thus involving more German divisions. On October 8th the 17th French Corps made a general attack on the front east of the Meuse with the following divisions in line from right to left: 26th French Division, 18th French Division, 29th and 33rd American Divisions. This attack fell on the exact pivot of the enemy’s salient formed by the whole of the ene- my’s armies in northern France and our troops encountered elaborate forti- fications and desperate resistance. Although the attack progressed until the 10th the advance realized was not sufficient completely to relieve troops west of the Meuse from enfilade artillery fire from the east bank. ——————— In the meantime on October 7th, the Ist Corps launched the 82nd Division in an attack northwest toward Cornay to outflank the Germans in the Argonne, and to free the 28th and Ist Divisions from enfilade fire from the eastern edge of the forest. The success of the 82nd Division in this attack was marked and did much to break down resistance in the Argonne. The 28th Division was relieved on the night of the 8-9th by the extension of the front of the 82nd Division. On October 9th the 5th Corps attacked, with the Ist Division rein- forced by one infantry brigade of the 91st Division and the 32nd Division; the stubbornest defense was encountered and the fighting was desperate but an advance was made. On the 10th the Argonne was cleared and on the night of the I!|th the line was approximately Bois d’Ormont (north of Verdun) — Molleville Farm —— Sivry-sur-Meuse—Bois de la Céte Lemont—Bois de Forét--Cunel--Romagne—-Sommerance —Aire river west to Grand Pré. On the night of the 11-12th the Ist Division was relieved by the 42nd Division, and the 80th Division by the 5th Division, both relieving divi- sions coming from the St. Mihiel front. Local attacks continued on October 12-13th preparatory to a genera! attack, and on October 14th this attack was delivered on the front from north of Verdun to St. Juvin. The order of battle in line on the front of attack from right to left was: 17th French Corps with 26th French Division, 18th French Division, 29th and 33rd divisions; 3rd Corps with the 4th, 3rd and 5th divisions; 5th Corps with the 32nd and 42nd divisions and the Ist Corps with the 82nd and 77th divisions. Stubborn resistance was encountered every- where and on most of the front only small advances were realized. Never- theless the La Céte-Dame-Marie fell and the Kriemhilde line of defense was broken. On October 18th there was heavy fighting east of the Meuse, and the dogged offensive continued everywhere by local operations. On the 23rd of October, the 3rd and 5th Corps pushed northward as far as Bantheville. It was now necessary to relieve certain troops, consolidate positions and generally to get forces and supplies in hand before attempt- ing another general attack. The remaining days of October (or to the end of the period we have called the first phase) were therefore devoted to preparing for the great attack to be launched November Ist. The material results which had been obtained by the Ist ‘Army up to the end of October may be summarized as follows: The enemy's most elaborately prepared positions had been broken through; the south- ern half of the Argonne was in our hands; 18,600 prisoners, 370 cannon, 1,000 machine guns and countless material of all sorts captured; an increasing number of German divisions, arising from 20 in line and reserve on September 26th to 31 on October 31st, had been drawn into the fight: the great railroad artery through Carigan and Sedan was seriously threatened. But great as were the material results, the moral results were still more important. The American soldier had shown an unrivalled forti- tude in enduring incessant efforts and all the hardships due to constant bad weather and never ceasing battle. The Army had developed into a powerful and smooth running machine and everyone from the Com- mander-in-Chief to the last arrival in France was supremely confdent of the ability of the American soldier to carry through any task. On the other hand the enemy’s morale had been reduced ':ntil his will to resist had reached the breaking point and he was ripe ror the disaster which was soon to overtake him in order that we may not fall into the error of supposing that the Meuse-Argonne offensive represented-the whole of America’s effort during the last days of the war it is well, before taking up the final attack of November Ist, to see what American troops were doing elsewhere. In preparation for the Meuse-Argonne attack the Ist Army had mere- ly extended its front, retaining command of the troops on the old St. Mihiel front. But by early October the ration strength of the Ist Army including the French troops, had risen to over a million men, and for this and other reasons the organization of another army was necessary. On October 10th therefore, the 2nd Army was created, and on October 12th Major-General Robert L. Bullard was assigned to command it; the St. Mihiel front extending from Port-sur-Seille to Fresnes-en-Woevre was taken from the Ist Army and assigned to the 2nd Army. On October 12th the Commander-in-Chief assigned Major-General Hunter Liggett to command the Ist Army and, establishing his advanced headquarters at Ligny-en-Barrois, assumed command of the group of armies formed by the Ist and 2nd American Armies. The prospect which became more and more a certainty of forcing an early conclusion of the war made it essential to keep all troops in line to the utmost of their powers of endurance, and therefore forbade the rest to which the tired divisions were richly entitled. Divisions which could no longer remain in the battle-front were therefore sent to the calmer sector of the 2nd Army. Notwithstanding the fact that it was constantly composed of tired divisions, the 2nd Army managed by its energetic attitude to keep the enemy in its front in constant dread. The 2nd Army was also prepared, as will be noticed later, to launch a powerful offensive when all plans were interrupted on November I Ith by the armistice. When the British attacked on August 8th, on the Amiens front, America was represented by the 33rd Division. When the Ist Army was formed at St. Mihiel the 3rd Corps with the 28th, 32nd and 77th Divisions had been left on the Vesle. Early in September (3rd to 13th) the 28th and 77th Divisions attacked and as usual progressed. On August 29th the 32nd Division, which had entered the line northwest of Soissons, attacked and by a brilliant success materially aided the advance of the French on either flank. Che 6th, 8Ist and 88th divisions held sectors in the Vosges dur- ing September and October, the last division being relieved-on Novem- ber 4th. The 2nd Corps with the 27th and 30th divisions remained on the British front until the armistice. These two divisions played an im- portant part in breaking the Hindenburg line, and when the armistice was signed they had taken nearly 6,000 prisoners, 44 guns and over 400 machine guns. The 4th French Army, attacking west of the Argonne, desired American troops. On September 30th the 2nd Division entered the French line and on October 3rd this division attacked a very strong position, broke through to a depth of 6 kilometers on the first day and thus allowed the French on either flank to advance. The 2nd Division not only held the positions it had gained, but made further progress until its relief on October 10th by the 36th Division. The 2nd Division had broken down the enemy’s resistance, having taken 2,296 prisoners, and the 36th Division, which had never been in the line before, showed that it was fully capable of profiting by the opportunity. In two days the 36th Division had reached the Aisne after an advance of no less than 21 kilometers. In October while we were so heavily engaged in the Argonne the Commander-in-Chief received an urgent call from Marshall Foch for two American Divisions to help the French 6th Army and the Belgians, who were attacking in the extreme north. In answer to this call the 37th and 91st Divisions (the 91st being accompanied by the artillery of the 28th Division) were promptly sent north, and on October 30th they entered the line and methodically broke down all the enemy resistance until November 4th. They again entered the line on November. 10th and were there when the armistice took effect on November | Ith. So insistent were the requests for American troops that it seemed that the commanders of our Allies felt that the very presence of American divisions assured victory; it is to the eternal glory of the American soldier that wherever he went he found victory. The French 4th Army, as well as our Ist Army, had felt the need of a period of comparative inactivity, so that the troops might be reorgan- ized and supplies accumulated for another concerted attack. It was of course desirable that the attack of the Ist Army and that of the French 4th Army should be simultaneous. As a result of conferences with French G. H. Q. and Marshall Foch’s Headquarters, November Ist was finally selected as the day of attack. The general objective of the attack was still the region Sedan- Meziéres, and its primary purpose was of course to cut the great railroad. The first and immediate objective of the Ist Army was the capture of Buzancy and the heights of Barricourt, the outflanking of the northern part of the Argonne, and establishing contact with the 4th French Army near Boult-aux-Bois. The line on the night of October 30th-November Ist ran approxi- mately as follows: The Meuse river—-Cléry-le-Grand—north of Banthe- ville—-northern part of the Bois de Bantheville—south of St. Georges— north of St. Juvin--north of Cheviéres. The order of battle from right _ to left was as follows: 3rd Corps with the 5th and 90th Divisions in line and the 3rd Division in reserve; 5th Corps with the 89th and 2nd Divisions in line and the Ist and 42nd Divisions in reserve; Ist Corps with the 80th, pilee-->+ é . 9 , ‘ : 77th and 78th Divisions in line and the 82nd Division in reserve. The 32nd Division was in army reserve. The attack was preceded by two hours of violent artillery preparation. By continuous effort all available artillery had been moved forward to suitable positions to cover the infan- try advance, and was well co-ordinated in a tremendous preparation. The enemy was overwhelmed and broke before the determined infantry. The 3rd Corps took Andevanne, and the 5th Corps pushed forward most rapidly and drove the enemy from the, heights of the Bois de Barricourt, a formidable natural obstacle which had blocked the way to Sedan. On November 2nd the Ist Corps joined more actively in the move- ment which had now become an onslaught that the enemy could not con- tain. On the 3rd, troops were rushed forward in motor trucks in the pursuit of the demoralized enemy. By the night of the 3rd the Ist Corps had reached St. Pierremont, the 5th Corp had taken Fossé and the 3rd Corps Beauclair. The enemy's line had been pierced to a distance of nearly 20 kilometers and selected heavy batteries were rushed forward to fre on the important railroad lines at Montmedy--Longuyon-~Conflans. The ultimate object of the whole operation was now within reach. On the 4th the pursuit was continued and operations were extended to the east bank of the Meuse. By night we were on the left bank of the Meuse, opposite Stenay, and on the 5th the line was beyond Stonne on the west bank of the Meuse, while on the east bank the 5th Division of the 3rd Corps had crossed the river and progressed over two kilometers east of Brieulles and Dun-sur-Meuse. Just west of the Meuse the enemy resistance had been completely disorganized. All his reserves had been used up and his first-line divisions were in flight. To the east of the Meuse, however, the enemy still held, and progress was slow. On Novem- ber 6th the Ist Corps pushed seven kilometers beyond Raucourt, the great railway artery was within easy artillery range and a continuation of our efforts and those of our Allies further north meant the end of all the German Armies in Northern France. Since October 7th, a date which coincides with that on which it became certain that the German could not wrest from the Ist Army its initial success in breaking the Meuse-Argonne line, the German Govern- ment had sought through the President of the United States to secure an armistice which, needless to say, would in the German mind be accept- able to Germany. Several exchanges of notes between the German Government and the President took place, until finally on November 5th the President informed Germany that the question of an armistice must be taken up with Marshall Foch, the Allied Commander-in-Chief. On November 6th, when the Ist Army had driven the German until his retreat became a rout, the German High Command asked Marshall Foch for a conference. Two such coincidences are not the result of chance and are themselves sufficient proof that the American soldier had borne his share in securing victory. The German representatives met Marshall Foch on the night of November 7th-8th. The Germans asked for an immediate cessation of hostilities. Marshall Foch refused and gave the Germans 72 hours in which to accept armistice terms which had eureacy been prepared; all the Allies were ordered to continue to attack. On November 7th the river line of the Meuse to a point not far from Sedan was in the hands of the 5th and Ist Corps. On November 7th, 8th and 9th the German forces on the heights southeast of Stenay were pushed into the plain of the Woevre. The attack of the Ist Army was now directed toward Carignan. The Ist Corps was withdrawn and its sector taken over by the 4th French Army. East of the Meuse the pur- suit was continued. On November 10th, the 5th Corps forced a crossing over the Meuse, south of Mouzon, and on the morning of the | |th this Corps crossed at Stenay and occupied that town in liaison with our 3rd Corps on its right. Early on the morning of November | |th the German Commissioners accepted the terms of the Armistice; G. H. Q. was at once notified by Marshall Foch’s headquarters that the armistice would go into effect at 11:00 a. m. The Armies were at once notified, and they in turn transmitted the order through the Corps headquarters to the troops. The advance of our troops had been so rapid, however, that communica- tion beyond Corps headquarters was uncertain, and in at least one case one of our small detachments took prisoners after 11:00 a. m. On November 5th, the Commander-in-Chief directed the Ist Army to prepare to move towards Carignan upon the completion of the Meuse- Argonne operation, and at the same time directed the 2nd Army to ad- vance its lines and prepare to attack in the direction of Briey. On the same day, November 5th, Marshall Foch wrote a letter (received on night of November 6th-7th) asking the Commander-in-Chief to send six American divisions to assist in the attack which the French were prepar- ing in the region of Chateau-Salins. Six divisions were at once selected, but it was arranged that these divisions should operate under our 2nd Army. The move of the Germans ‘toward an armistice served to hasten all Allied preparations for the delivery of a final blow in case the enemy did not accept the terms offered him, and on the | Ith the six divisions needed to support the left of the French were enroute to the right bank of the Moselle to join in the attack, which was scheduled for November 14th. From September 26th to November | Ith the Germans employed 46 divisions in attempting to defend the Meuse-Argonne sector. This was 25’, of the enemy’s entire divisional strength on the western front, but since these divisions included the finest Prussian shock troops the actual! percentage of the enemy’s fighting strength represented by the 46 divisions was probably considerably more than 25%. (Lest we forget, remember also that American divisions confronted the enemy at other points on the front during this same period.) Notwithstanding the forces thrown in by the enemy, the Ist Army had been completely successful. The enemy's vital supply line had been cut; nearly 20,000 prisoners, over 400 guns, more than 300 trench mortars, 3,000 odd machine guns and a large quantity of other material, including 3 locomotives and 100 cars had been taken. The American divisions actually engaged were the Ist, 2nd. 3rd, 4th,5th, 26th, 28th, 29th, 32nd, 33rd, 35th, 37th, 42nd, 77th, 78th, 79th, 80th, 81st, 82nd, 89th, 90th and 9Ist. The 6th Division was also in reserve, as was the 92nd Division, some of whose elements were for a time engaged. Many of the divisions were in line for a length of time that only the fortitude of the American soldier made possible, others were returned after a few days rest. The Ist, 5th, 32nd, 42nd, 77th and 79th Divisions were in line on this front twice, the 80th Division was in three times, while other divisions which were engaged were also engaged at other parts of the front during the period covered by the Meuse-Argonne offensive. The American casualties were just under 119,000. This number was large, but viewed in the light of the results achieved the casualties were light. As early as June, 1918, the Germans exhibited great apprehension as to the effect of America on the outcome of the war. On June 12th, for example, prisoners captured by the French stated with reference to the 2nd Division: “Tt was decided to use picked men against the Americans, to inflict on them a moral defeat. The purpose of the intervention of the 5th, Guard Division and the 28th Infantry Division was to prevent at all costs the achievement of success by the Americans.” A high German General Staff officer has stated: ‘‘It was the attack of the American troops west of the Meuse that, with the impetuosity which the German Staff had not believed possible for them upon so short a period of training, had gained the decision for the Allies and brought about the ruin of the German Army.” Volumes could, and will, be written on the American Soldier's part in the war, but only a brief statement of fact is necessary to establish for him a record to which no other nation can lay claim: In the defense no American division lost ground intrusted to it except locally and then only for a few hours, and no American division failed in attack. i O/1A “8) Ow } / &\\O asnay - uns “ <\NNGY3A Sewoy) 59 g / OIA PZZUOW BZ apy ay BuUualA f Z. : Sey ¢ gf. 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Le 4 rN sang? hyoee sed une -S£a//JA© ANOD SHOuBLy psnosaue) =U) [@P 9? -42- srouseyy a 4? 4 yanoosgny ° Se4guroasy hu Bieg } hasyonog 3// ‘Aad OlF ° yy (ey — ‘ i) > » Oo ao @ ye 3.8 2B Q, of the Ist Army '. ivisions by d ily advance, his map shows the da’ T Souilly, the headquarters of General John J. Pershing at the beginning of our greatest battle which involved the employment of 1,200,000 troops, the use of 2,417 guns and 4,214,000 rounds of artillery ammunition. General Pershing’s office was in the mairie where Petain directed the defense of Verdun and Nivelle the recapture of Fort Douaumont. The road running past the mairie, and traversing the picture, is known as the “Sacred Road’’—the road which saved Verdun. It had witnessed, says Lt. Col. Palmer, all of the grim movements of troops who had fought under the inspiration of Petain’s saying: “They shall not pass.” Photo by U. S. Air Service Verdun, the great bastion overlooking our advance to the Meuse-Argonne front. The citadel of Verdun is built of solid rock in which there are many miles of tunnels running in-all directions. ° During the Crown Prince’s attack (Feb. 22—Sept. 9, 1916) several thousand troops were quartered in the caverns. The subterranean barracks included a bakery, mess hall, chapel, recreation rooms, commissary, electric light plant and immense sleeping quarters, all fully protected against the largest shell or air bomb. The Germans fred their last shot into Verdun on the morning of Nov. I], 1918. Photo by U. S. Air Services Preparing to “‘treat ‘em rough.” Tanks loaded on cars at Vadelaincourt, Sept. 25, in anticipation of the attack on the following day. In the Meuse- Argonne operations 324 tanks were used. “Onward, Christian Soldiers.’ Church services near Verdun. A view of Verdun looking north from Cathedral tower. + bn é re i # ? Seas sil ie og? 7 ae ~ ee? * . 4 rs A 340 mm. gun manned by the U. S. Coast Artillery Corps firing into the German lines from the neighborhood of Nixeville, Sept. 26, 1918. In every hundred days that our combat divisions were in line they were supported by their own artillery for 75 days, by British artillery for 5 days, by French for | ' days and were without artillery support for 1814 days. Of these 1815 days, however, 18 days were spent in quiet sectors and only one-half of one day in active sectors. Thirty miles is the effective range of this 14 inch naval gun which formed part of a battery of railway ordnance manned by sailors and com- manded by Rear Admiral C. P. Plunkett. The first gun was shipped from the United States June 20, 1918. It went into action against the enemy Sept. 16, from which time this gun with its sister guns was engaged in firing against German bases hitherto completely beyond the reach of allied artillery. (Inset) Rear Admiral Plunkett Two miles an hour was the rate at which trafic moved through Esnes near the Meuse-Argonne front. The scene is typical of the congestion of vehicles back of the line. \ A trafhe jam at Esnes. A drinking water reservoir for American troops moving toward the front. ‘Shirt reading.” A catnap in a gun emplacement. The 326th Tank battery moving up front near Boureuilles Sept. 26. The outfit seems to have the entire approval of the buddy on the right Maj. Gen. C. P. Summerall. ‘‘Per Schedule’’ Maj. Gen. Joseph T. Dickman, Brig.-Gen. Malin Craig and Col. A. C. Voris. When General Summerall he was called. From July 18 to Oct. Liggett assumed command of the Ist Army on Oct. 16, 1918, General Dickman succeeded him as com- 11, 1918, he commanded the Ist Div. Then he : manding general of the Ist Corps. commanded the 5th Corps. — ‘ 6 ae we a a y 4 = ; An outstanding figure in the Meuse-Argonne operations, Maj. Gen. (later Lt. Gen.) Robert L. Bullard. In the early period Gen. Bullard commanded the 3d Corps and later the 2d Army. Left to right, front row: Maj. Gen. R. L. Bullard; Brig. Gen. Stuart Heintzelman; Col. David L. Stone, between and behind the generals. Second row, left to right: Lieut. Col. G. W. Wilson; Lieut Col. F. M. Thompson; Lieut. Col. G. P. Tyner, Capt. Shirey, aid-de-camp; Lieut. Col. O. Hope; Col. W. N. Haskell. October 20, 1918. Cellar dugouts in a village near troop ante A road camou- flaged by engineers to hide the front. from enemy. movements the Negro infantrymen of the 92d Div. advancing to the Argonne front The endless stream of trucks passing through Esnes. along screened highway. ‘“And unextinguished laughter shakes the skies An observer escaping in parachute from balloon set afire by German Secretary Baker made a second visit to the front in September. shell. Piste be. Ue ke Herve Maj. Gen. J. W. McAndrew, Chief of Staff, A. E. F., and the Secretary photographed at Fort de Marre, Sept. 26, 1918. Fort de Marre is one of the chain of outer forts around Verdun. ay A AY Preparatory to the advance engineer troops clear away wire entanglements from old German position to make way for new road to the front. Maj. Gen. Robert Alexander, Commanding Men General 77th Div of the 308th Inf., 77th Div., resting after their frst advance in the Argonne, Sept. 26. A halt during the drive through the Argonne. ? a oe \er we $e S a > ee © ¥ we , Mig as %, - : r. . ‘¢. ye 4 aa ee, Rae wa? he ¥ re : * Field Artillery liaison officer reporting the progress of the attack over a field telephone. a A direct hit on a German ammunition dump which exploded with a terrific roar. . Charles H. Muir, Commanding General, 28th Div. Members of Co. B, 108th M. G. Bn., 28th Div., halt near Boureuilles Sept. 26, 1918. 3 2 FEIC\ pv * ae While the 28th Div. was pushing forward an observation balloon of Not dead or wounded; just taking 40 winks after a hard drive. Men the 5th Co. was attacked and brought down by German airmen. of 28th Div. near Boureuilles Sept. 26. Forty-three of our balloons were destroyed during the war. Tanks of the 326th Battery, 31 1th Tank Center, near Boureuilles on way into action, Sept. 26, 1918. These machines carried two men, a driver and a gunner. About half of these tanks were equipped with 37 mm. cannon and about half with machine guns. The speed was five to six miles an hour; grade capacity 45 degrees; weight 15,000 pounds. gilt ae ae = a Secretary Baker and Maj. Gen. J. W. McAndrew at Rarecourt, Sept. 26, 1918, watching the examination of a German officer by intelligence officers, Ist Lt. Jennings and 2d Lt. McCoy. Military information required for general purposes included the enemy order of battle, his strength, condition and morale and the strength, position and condition of his reserves. Data of this character were obtained mainly from prisoners and captured documents. iO} x Bere Po | = 4 : : FET ar rr - t “Seles, Seine — - — SS one a ies : ? aig “ - * ~ Caring for enemy wounded at a first aid dressing station in a ruined village during the advance. Some of our own lightly wounded men are in the truck standing alongside. The dressing station is marked by the Red Cross flag seen in the right of the picture. Burst of phosphorous bomb. Used in combat operations to light enemy positions at night and thus mark them for attack or artillery fire. AJ - in oe a as tal a it ct So me eS “e ; . aoe ae iF concn" cnr Maj. G Not, a stone remains of the village of Vauquois, on the line of our headquarters. Both he and Maj. D. C. Cordiner, to whom he is talking, “jump-off” Sept. 26. It has been fought over by the Germans and French are in full combat equipment. Gen. Traub is carrying an old type gas many times in the previous four years. Photo by U.S: Air Service mask while Maj. Cordiner is carrying the new respirator, slung on the back. » * 6. A, In their retreat before the Yanks the Germans dynamited this bridge across the River Aire. Engineers hurriedly repaired it for the 35th Div. and other outfits hurrying after the retiring enemy. Old mine craters beyond Vauquois. In the early days of the war the French and Germans both set off mines on this spot. Tunnels were run from the lips of the craters and listening posts established at the heads of the tunnels. The opposing lines were often not more than 40 feet apart. Photo by U. 8. Air Service eal re Ein «4 oobi aE é| Zee tp tee se 8 i 7 Varennes, taken on the first day of the Meuse-Argonne battle. It was in the advance of the 28th and 35th Divs. Probably few of the Pennsylvania and Missouri National Guardsmen of those divisions knew that 127 years before Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were captured here and turned back to Paris and the guillotine. *. a) CF ss Pe as 3 : iN Be. “a Battery C., 108th Field Artillery, 28th Div., firing on the retreating Germans from the ruins of Varennes. Tank crawling out of a shell hole at Varennes. (Inset) Ready for action. Sergt. C. C. Peters is the driver. His gunner, Sergt. Thomas Hamlin, stands alongside. Gen. Pershing had 189 small tanks at the opening of the battle. ate % » ~— Slamut SE er LY’ ra Lost SRS . 7S SR sd aoe” end The fringes of the Argonne. The celebrated forest, further west, offered more serious obstacles to progress. The 35th Div. cleared its way through this desolate stretch of shell-torn trees and tangled underbrush east of Varennes without serious difficulty. Yanks streaming through the captured town of Varennes, taken Battery of 155 mm howitzers helping to speed the enemy on his in the first day’s advance by the 28th and 35th Divs. way. Firing from the gaptured town of Varennes. O° ed | Ae 'e, *eveanee™® Shelter tents of a Yank outfit on the outskirts of Cheppy. By the time the 28th and 35th Divs. reached this point, Gen. Pershing says in his final report, the Germans “had developed a powerful machine gun defense supported by heavy artillery fire, and made frequent counter attacks with fresh troops.” SX ne PMEL TU) EIS nn Pe a ohio oe = Charpentry, one of the numerous village ruins turned into machine gun nests to hold up our advance. Taken in the sector by the 28th and 35th Divs. Photo by U. 8. Air Service Baulny, in the same area. “We were no longer engaged in a maneuver for the pinching out of a salient,” says Gen. Pershing in his final report,“ bar ee committed to a direct frontal attack against strong, hostile positions fully manned by a determined enemy.” Pb+te by U. 8. Air Service During the first three weeks of the Argonne battle the Commander- Lieut. Gen. Hunter Liggett, comrnanding the Ist Corps at the open- in-Chief personally commanded the Ist Army, with headquarters at ing of the offensive. He took over command of the Ist Army, Oct. 16, Souilly, whence he made frequent trips to the advancing front. from Gen. Pershing, who then moved: his headquarters to Ligny-en- Barrois, from which place he directed the Ist and 2d Armies. The Commander-in-Chief on one of his almost daily trips to the front lines. He is discussing with Maj. Gen. William H. Johnston, 91st Div., some of the problems that officer faced in leading his Pacific Coast fighters against the Germans. A demolition bomb caught by the camera. These bombs were aimed at enemy dumps, railheads and wherever supplies were concentrated. aon aie The largest bombs manufactured for our army weighed 1,000 pounds ae and carried 570 pounds of explosives. They had fins to steady their flight. Photo by U.S. Air Service What happened when a demolition bomb struck an enemy concen- ie a 68 Aes Fa “O° > iy awarded him for Argonne American Cc He was the . 26 ited total was ickenbacker wearing the D. S. down German planes. At the end of the ially accred Eddie R nging is offic gallantry in bri h ace of aces. Capt campaign ystem over which the Photo by U. 8. Air Service . charged in the advance on the town of Montfaucon. Montfaucon Wood and the German trench s 79th and 37th Divs = 0 “Wild Luke,” our second ace, with a record of bringing down 14 enemy observation balloons and 4 planes. Lieut. Frank Luke, 27th Aero Squadron, went after his last record Sept. 28, 1918, after notifying his comrades of his intended victims. He shot down two enemy balloons in flames and never was heard of again. ‘He was swallowed up in the skies,” said Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker. No trace of him or his machine was ever found. 4 we, *eenneet® Montfaucon presented one of the hardest nuts the Americans had to crack. It occupied the dominating height of the terrain. The view givenh the nature of the land over which the 79th and 37th Divs. charged in storming the hil! ere shows Fosses Ravine Louvit RE Ravine Ss . ate ars Se att e8G . - = : w pT eB y x . a . ‘ Sad - 4 i a es Fpen.” Se ; “ak - “econ ORF an ucouith - 4 . ee TE pe 3 = w & Sige POT: mal << ae a “ Malancourt was inthe pathway of the 79th Div. in its first day’s rush for Montfaucon. This air view shows the enemy machine gun posi- tion and wire entanglements that had to be overcome by our men in their advance. Photo by U. 3. Air Service %- t Sake bea oe : Ruins of Montfaucon, where the Germans made their strongest stand in the first phase of the fighting. Shell holes in the foreground show the concentration of artillery fire. Photo by U. 3. Air Service i - vote I, ayes es i — _ - < In the foreground of this air photograph may be seen the famous observatory that the German Crown Prince used during the six months’ struggle for Verdun. From its tower he had a splendid view for miles in every direction. Photo by U. 8. Air Service From this safely armored retreat at Montfaucon the Crown Prince of Germany watched his men die by the thousands when they flung themselves on Verdun. Inside the house a steel and concrete tower was built for the prince. Through this tower ran a periscope that rose a foot above the roof. Wilhelm took his observations from a dark room far below. Another view of the Crown Prince’s armored observatory on the hills of Montfaucon. Advancing infantry of the 79th Div. passing the Crown Prince’s American and French observers with field glasses and periscopes observatory after the capture of the town. watching the German retreat from Montfaucon. This observation balloon had been hit by an enemy airman. The Maj. Gen. Joseph &. Kuhn; commanding the 79th Div., which took observer is dropping to safety in a parachute near Montfaucon. A few Montfaucon. moments later the German who destroyed the balloon, Hans Heinrich Marwede, was brought down by anti-aircraft guns. Concrete posts erected by the Germans on all roads approaching Still going strong after its terrific struggle at Montfaucon, the 79th Montfaucon.: There were three in each road. Div. reached Nantillois the night of Sept. 29. This area was subjected te heavy enemy shell-fire from across the Meuse. German shells bursting in Nantillois and a Signal Corps photographer right there to make pictures of them. Pt “There were but four roads available across this deep zone,” Gen. Pershing reports, “and the violent artillery **** fire had virtually destroyed them.” The engineers and pioneers repaired them and by afternoon of Sept. 27 all the divisional artillery but a few heavy guns were supporting the infantry. This 155 mm gun was a victim of the bad roads. % . Souvenirs. This first sergeant has forgotten For youthfulness and dash Col. Tenney Ross, C of S., 79th Div., said that Brig. Gen. W. J. Nicholson the hell of battle in the pleasure of collecting 62 years old, who commanded one of the infantry brigades of that division could not be beaten. He is here trophies. conferring with Col. J. W. Kilbreth of the Artillery. A first aid’ dressing station near Nantillois. Cas Se 4 ik He Au. Gathering the battle victims for buriaL. The enemy-dead in the pathway of our advance. Wed 8 aaeeye We, yt 1 $93 he Ki . cars hes (raat 3h,“ NP al act seth oh | ead bent ys VW hal a a ee Ve i Py © T%, , Ve ae “an oO ie Battery E. 16th F. A., 4th Div., advancing through Malancourt in the Meuse-Argonne drive. Notice the gas masks attached to the horses’ bridles. (In inset) Col. C. A. Bach, Chief of Staff, 4th Div. a Scanning the horizon for signs of the retreating Germans from a hill overlooking the ruins of Cuisy. Supply trains of the 4th Div. may be seen movin up along the road. 8 This buddy, who is a member of the 4th Div., has a problem. He is a “walking case.” If he can reach Septsarges, across the valley, he will find a first aid station in a ruined house. To get there he must crawl and scramble over the intervening space which is swept by machine gun fire. Bombing a supply station at Thionville, 30 kilometers north of Metz: Note the missles in flight. They are filled with T. N. T., one of whose ingredients is tolnol. Photo by U. 8. Air Service American observation balloon falling in flames after attack by German aviator near La Claire, Meuse, Sept. 26, 1918. S # Die i Our cannoneers served the 75’s so rapidly that a captured German officer is reported to have asked the privilege of seeing the American 75 mm. machine gun. By its recuperator device the field gun of today is chiefly distinguished from its brother of the latter part of the nineteenth century. Without a recupera- tor the gun would leap out of aim at each shot and would have to be pointed anew; but one with a recuperator needs to be pointed only at the beginning of the action. We are indebted to the French for the recuperator. BY age ee : 5 4 Nine kilometers in two days. This was the advance made by the 80th Div. after the jump-off in the Meuse-Argonne operations beginning Sept. 26. Here are seen the commanding general of the division, Maj. Gen. Adelbert Cronkhite, and Colonel William H. Waldron, Chief of Staff. They are examining a map of the sector on their front. Our armies were at all times supplied with an abundance of excellent maps, reproduced for the most part in the printing plant Langres, whose equipment and personnel were unexcelled on either side during the war. Thorough preparation for its role in the Meuse-Argonne operations was made by the 33d Div. Elements of that organization are here shown maneuvering at Willeroncourt. An inspection by Maj. Gen. Geo. Bell, commanding 33rd Div. Maj. Gen. Geo. H. Cameron, 5th Corps, and Maj. Gen. Geo. Bell, 33rd Div., during liaison maneuver. 132nd Infantryman and his'donkey at La Claire, Sept. 14. On Sept. 10, 1918, the 33rd Div. took over the Mort Homme sector. These are dugouts of 132nd Inf. at Germonville. Men of 108th Sanitary Train at Montzeville carrying wounded to hospital, Sept. 14. A % ; ny . ss lll oa. oes ‘ < Members of the 132d Inf., 33d Div., in a trench at Alexandre, Meuse, Sept. 17, 1918. From this position could be seen the valley of the Meuse. Photo by U.S. Air Service The bombing of the fortified town trafed.”’ ‘ y s ‘ of Mainz. While the advance in the Meuse-Argonne sector progressed towns in the interior of Germany were severel x Morion Sage’. “Fightin’ fools” is what admiring “Aussies” called the men of the 33d Div. when they were up with the British but never did they show such desperate courage as when they scourged the Germans out of the almost impregnable positions here shown. Upon this ground pivoted the entire American advance in the Meuse-Argonne sector. On the immediate front were Forges stream and swamp. Beyond were great systems of wire and trenches and still farther on was Forges wood, wirebound and teeming with machine guns. Inset: (left) Col. J. L. Sanborn, 13Ist Inf. (right) Col. Abel Davis, 132d Inf. Pre be Us aiedle Beccles by - . oy , wel me £. * % eet, rs Wises wate » apa , Egle = aT s Trains of the 129th Inf., 33d Div., winding through the ruins of Bethincourt, Sept. 29, 1918. Pounding the German lines north of Exermont. Filming a battle near Exermont. While shells burst in the foreground Capt. Nicholas McDonald, Sig. Corps, courageously cranked his machine and made 600 feet of what Lieut. Pierre Marcel, chief of the French photographic section pronounced the best shot ever made of actual conflict. A battery of the 6th F. A. is on the crest of the opposite hill. Its position became untenable and it was compelled to move to another position. Another part of the panorama covered by the range of Capt. McDonald’s motion picture camera. The battery has been dragged from the hill down to the road. Later the animals are hooked on and it moves out. There were casualties. A battery of “heavies” in the Argonne firing at dawn. The night mists have not yet disappeared. { ; ;! j e3 } { ! § 4 3 ; : a Tn 5 CU a a b bs RR, ber ° eines: “Happy” Dietz, they called him. On the i Soldiers in a ruined church at Exermont. tolls he was Sgt. Will A. Dietz, 27th Bn., Tank Corps. i“ we RTA et * wes ae pie cE eee ne aS a BPS oo. Ge me ARON OI : Street scene in Exermont. On the night of Sept. 30 the Ist Div. relieved the 35th Div. For the next eleven days there was almost continuous fighting as the Ist advanced seven kilometers down the Aire Valley in the face of desperate resistance. The casualties of the Ist Div. in this period were 8,500. Fleville, Exermont and its environs were taken. Fourteenshundred prisoners, 13 field guns and quantities of stores were captured. When this picture was taken Exermont was being shelled. Note the dead German lying on the roadway. A moment after the preceding picture was taken the warning screech of a high explosive shell was heard and the men who had been loitering in the street scrambled for cover. About 30 seconds intervene between the time when the shell is heard and the time when it arrives. thE MEMORY OF WHat SVS SCE OWE FS FIRE: OCF OBER TS? Ya He 1916 in the Ardennes Forest. Note the foreground . F. A. Hussey leading a patrol i dead German in the Sgt Aire. vo Je ~ Sate io) in] a oO ab sy fo) het o a= oO < ~ ° - ay ra i) & a ei i=l o vo r= S J NS ley re fs) ~~ ‘a vo € Ss | S Ist Div., who perished during the drive down the valley of the The Germans were unceremoniously evicted by the 77th Div. from four years’ comfortable occupancy Sgt. Geo. Norman, Co. C., 308th Inf., 77th of these dougouts in the Argonne Forest, Div., and one of his buddies. They have just been wounded and are being taken to a dressing station. Twenty-six thousand Germans cried “Kamerad” during the opera- tions of the Ist Army in the Meuse-Argonne sector. A great many Landsturm troops were on the 77th Div. front in the Argonne. Here are some——captive. This shattered church in the ruins of Neuvilly, not far from the Argonne forest, furnished temporary shelter for American wounded, while the struggle that rid the woods of Germans was being waged. A truckload of _ slightly wounded. American _ soldiers, heroes of the fighting in the Ar- gonne, watch with grim satisfac- tion a file of Germans pass. rads SB ool SS SEL .——— 4 ‘o> U a ~ CLL tf, SSS f, af Domesticity in the Argonne. Dreaming of home. Men of 77th Div. in deserted house at Cornay. Brambles and thickets of dense forests, unending systems of wire entahn concentrations—hell on earth—none of these balked for long the triumphant advance of the ga from the ravine east of Pont a |’Aulne. glements, sniper’s posts, machine gun pill boxes, toxic gases and terrific artillery llant First Army in the Meuse-Argonne sector. Looking east Panorama of Grandpre. Grandpre was captured in part by the 77th Div. The 78th Div. completed the capture after heavy fighting in the streets. The investment of Grandpre on Oct. 10 cleared the Ar- gonne forest of theenemy. _Photo by U. S. Air Servier Despite heavy bombardment with anti-air craft shells (note black puffs of smoke) an American pilot drops incendiary bombs on German supply station. Bombs contain oil emulsion, thermite and metallic sodium, a combination that burns with intense heat. Photo by U.S. Air Service gyms ete _ ‘ Onn eee see — - natoeeyeeiea aie _ ; tL t 4 i Drenched with bombs of T. N. T. Storehouses at Buhl, southeast of Saarburg bombarded by American airmen. Half a dozen of the destructive missiles may be seen exploding. The terrain is shot with holes made by bombs dropped the day before. Photo by U.S. Air Service A yard at a time. Soldiers of the 308th Inf., 77th Div., advancing north of St. Juvin, Oct. 31, 1918. A plume of smoke from an exploding rifle grenade may be seen in the thickets ahead. (Inset) Col. Cromwell Stacey, 308th Inf. Col. Stacey received the Croix de Guerre for carrying a wounded soldier through shell fire to a dressing station. Men of the 308th Inf., 77th Div., entered the line for the first time, Aug. II, pressing the attack, have fired a volley of grenades into the brush. Near St. Juvin, Oct. 31, 1918. From the time it 1918, until the close of hostilities, the 77th Div. made a total advance of 71.5 kilometers again st resistance a i hay. All that remained of the “Lost Battalion” of the 77th Div., after having been cut off by tine enemy for six days. Seven hundred men stormed the German entrenchments and seized the Ravin de Chaulevaux, Oct. 2, 1918. The outfit comprised elements of two battalions of the 308th Inf., sections from Co.’s C and D, 306th M. G. Bn., and Co. K, 307th Inf. Cut off that night, the composite battalion, without food, fighting from its fox holes, withstood the enemy although attacked with liquid fire, rifles, grenades and machine guns. When relief came, Oct. 8, only 252 men, some wounded, filed out for rest. thon f ery) F ee fy ee, ws +, ean - i Re . “ ya $ ‘ * > % J Tide ot ogg Be . Tee ic ae ~ root aa eat he, "HA < Eat ge Ie ees “Break through and hold at any cost.” Acting under these orders Maj. Charles W. Whittlesey led what was to become the “Lost Battalion” enemy in the Argonne Forest. During the six days and nights through which they fought, hungered, thirsted, were wounded and d heroic band. When a demand to surrender came from the Germans, “Go to Hell Whittlesey” didn’t say “Go to hell,’ fight Maj. Whittlesey was promoted to lieutenant colonel and decorated with the D. S. C. 4 9 ac © ve against the ied, his spirit buoyed up this ‘but he didn’t surrender. For his part in the Prisoners captured in the Ar- gonne fighting being conducted to division headquarters. There they were quizzed and searched before being sent in to the prison pens farther behind the lines. The doughboys at the roadside preserve a judicial air as they scrutinize the men who recently were battling against them. It was remarked throughout the war that the American soldiers seldom showed any animosity toward captive enemies. The Ith Inf., (formerly 8th and 16th Penn. Inf.), 28th Div., com- Always hungry. Two wounded soldiers enjoying refreshments near ing out of the line after being relieved. Food is being distributed by Chatel Chehery, Oct. 10, 1918. They will continue to the field hospital Red Cross and Salvation Army workers in the building in the rear. after lunch. Neuville, Oct. 19, 1918. How the Argonne was won. Like their Indian fighting ancestors the Americans fought from behind trees and bushes, digging a “fox hole” for cover when- ever they paused. This photograph was taken by a Signal Corps operator during the advance of the |8th Inf., Ist Div., up the slopes of Hill 240, near Exer- mont, Oct. 11, 1918. These soldiers fought their way to the top in the face of heavy machine gun fire and drove the enemy from the position. The bullet-torn helmet in the foreground tells the story of a “buddy” who lies “over yonder.” In the Argonne fighting the Americans held the superiority in the air. Throughout the struggle the infantry was supported by the Air We had at the start 821 airplaines, 604 manned by Americans. Service. The air was filled with the throb of engines carrying fighters, spent ae bo: bombers and observers on their missions. Photo by U. 3. Air Service Our troops went forward over ground torn by artillery of both armies and pockmarked by mines and bombs. Photo by U. 8. Air Servicw we ae, co fen pia ee tated V Oct. 8 g a major and three lieutenants, and put tol on Hill 223 near Chatel Chehery As Second Elder of a Tennessee mountain church at pis prisoners, includin 0 Germans. captured | 3. when he fought his epic battle with rifle and automatic standing on the ground where he killed 2 82d Div.. York was a corporal in Co. G, 328th Inf.. “greatest individual fighter of the war.” 35 machine guns out of bu 1918. He came home the beginning of the w siness. a sergeant wearing the DS. ¢€ Alvin G, York. Congressional Medal of Honor Later he was awarded the *. and Croix de Guerre. ar. York thought he was a conscientious obiector but he changed his mind Air view of the town of Gesnes, captured by the 9!st Div. This division comprised men from Pacific coast states. In the Argonne battle it advanced from west of Avocourt, Sept. 26, to a line north of Gesnes which it held until relieved Oct. 6. One brigade remained in line until Cet. 16, fighting alongside the Ist Div. Photo by U.S. Air Service “Uncle Joe,” J. C. Kernan, a K. of C. worker caring for a refu- gee recently es- caped from the Germans. When the shrapnel was hailing down these iron shelters, known as ‘elephant backs,” made pleasant retreats. This one was on a road lead- ng into Cunel. The bar at Bar-—a doughboy bit of fooling that immensely tickled his buddies. Sergt. Hughey, 305th Eng., tending bar. Lt. Col. Paul B. Clemens and Lieut. William J. Niedprune quizzing German officer about enemy artillery positions. Street scene in Romagne-Sous-Montfaucon. In the vicinity of this town the 32d Div. entered the Argonne battle Sept. 30. ' hi * a : ’ ie ys . See oul ; : ee AF ae fa go CPCI E Members of Battery C, 10th F. A., 3d Div., hard at it inthe Argonne. These gunners are loading a ““75’' which is shelling.the Bois de Foret, four kilo meters distant from the battery at Madeleine Farm, near Nantillois, Oct. 18. This position had just been heavily shelled by the Germans and the Americans are now retaliating. a ? in” 4 i ts : Romagne, in the advance of the 3d Div. From Oct. 4 to Nov. | there was severe fighting in the territory around this town, participated in by the 3d, 32d and 89th. The Kriemhilde Stellung ran close by. Twenty-five thousand Americans, who fell in the Argonne fighting, now lie buried in the U. S. Military Cemetery at Romagne. It is the largest American Cemetery in France. Photo by U.S. Air Serview While the earthbound soldiers were fighting For three weeks Romagne was under almost constant shell fire. This photograph was taken by an in the Argonne the airmen were bombing enemy 89th Div. Signal Corps operator just after a German shell had struck the church tower. The tower was supply centers, like Morhange, seen in this pic- destroyed by the fire which followed. Oct. 29. ture. Photo by U. 3. Air Serview [mecourt after the 80th Div. had occupied it Nov. 3. The narrow village street is filled with the bustle of activities that always occupied troops during the rush of an advance. eS Fe te Machine gunners of the 80th Div. using a Browning heavy machine gun to speed the departing Germans. The Browning heavy machine gun was pro- nounced by military experts the most effective weapon of its kind ever produced. General Pershing refused to use the Browning gun until he had a plentiful supply in September, 1918, because he feared the Germans might capture one and reproduce the type before America was fully equipped j wet TSS Bice ha } fa OE, ea nie sy Between fighting periods some of the divisions in the Argonne battle were withdrawn temporarily for rest, but the training. Here is a sample of what our generals called “rest.” seen in this picture practicing an advance through a smoke scre Sa ay, an Y e Pt %: A RF la ae Pe) 7 Ph 3d 5 F “ 4, * ¢ ae ‘ = 7 DN de ky Ce pa ORR & TIS bey 4. nary — * ‘rest’ time usually was spent in hard This regiment of the 80th Div., the 318th Inf., had just come back from the fighting line. It is en. Two weeks later it was back on the front putting into practice the training lessons. Spa oe ne = Graves of American soldiers on the edge of the Bois de Fays, near Brieulles-sur-Meuse. The 4th Div. fought there before its with- drawal for rest Oct. 4, as did the 80th Div. A 210 mm. gun captured by the 80th Div. in the Argonne drive. These Yankee general inspects Teutonic mural decorations of French men took the artillery piece from the Germans. Where they obtained chateau. Maj. Gen. Cronkhite, commanding 80th Div., Imecourt, the umbrella is a mystery. Nov. 4. Removing ammunition from the roadway, where it was a temp- tation to German. bombers. Cunel, Oct. 31. A Red Cross worker cheering up a wounded man with something to Brig. Gen. William Mitchell, Chief of the Air Service, A. E. F. eat. Near Grandpre, which was captured by the 77th and 78th Divs. Gen. Mitchell went to France as a colonel in 1917. As Chief of Air Service Oct. 10. The capture of this town completed the clearing of the Argonne of the Ist Army at St. Mihiel he commanded 1,200 allied planes, more Forest than had ever before been assembled under a single command. Early morning at a crossroads in the Argonne. A military policeman directing traffic near Chattancourt. This supply train belongs to the 33d Div. The fog was just lifting when this photograph was made by a Signal Corps operator. = YORE TRY SS ‘ ome AN; TAWA TTENT IN «3. Re AN ‘wa | ae Pgh A aA a, Piers \/\. Wy ieee pa ay ae as Maj. Gen. John L. Hines, commanding the 4th Div. in front of dug- Officer and men of 61st Inf., 5th Div., in advance northeast of Cunel, out used as post of command of his division. Cunel, Oct. 1. A few days Oct. 30. later Gen. Hines was promoted to command the 3rd Corps. German machine gunner on the Hindenburg Line who carried out his orders to die in his tracks rather than retreat or surrender. American newspapers were distributed by airplanes at the front and Occupying shell holes in the advance near Cunel, Oct. 30. were so precious that men read them until they fell to pieces from handling. xy 2291. OS ae 22387 a Mangabe Tr. Peaare a8 ale Consehyes ~ 4 Ave * 2 See Wire a~ * [>> ae : ~' fs + aA : OPP tt i x oP; C,0ss Ae ee i a Ss as, we , ae pt a Coil wat 5 ‘Mp y Jf, SOC nea Ser The town of Consenvoye while still occupied by the Germans, Oct. 3. At Brabant two battalions of the 132d Inf., 33d Div., crossed the Meuse in the advance on Consenvoye. Thirty-third division engineers Photo by U. 35. Air Service Men of 132d Inf. (2d and 7th Inf. I. N. G.), 33rd Div., in an observation On Oct. 8 the 132d Inf. crossed the Meuse under heavy fire and provided the bridge. post. captured Consenvoye. . Re. Sx, — aS = OPIS ALP. ¥. : Ss Holding the pivotal position on the west bank of the Meuse opposite Consenvoye. The men behind the old German camouflage in this picture belong to the 132d Inf., 33d Div. From Sept. 27 to Oct. 4 this division held the west bank, patrolling and reconnoitering in anticipation of the attack of Oct. 8, which involved crossing the river. The type of German defensive positions along the Kriemhilde and Another machine gun nest where stubborn defense was made. Some Hindenburg Lines that the American Army had to overcome in their of the enemy gunners lie amidst the debris where they fell. advance. This is a concrete strongpoint defended with machine guns. Photo by U. 3. Air Service The Germans left this trench near Consenvoye so hurriedly that 33d Div. men, hot on their trail. found beer, cigars and bread in the dugouts. An informa! “Kommers” was held by the Yanks during a pause in the fighting. Chaplain Gerard, 108th Sanitary Train, 33d Div., administering holy communion to men of his outfit. The service took place in a shell-wrecked church in the wake of the retreating Germans. Maj. Gen. John E. McMahon (left), Lieut. Col. R. W. Kingman and Capt. W. A. Knapp, at 5th Div. post of command studying battle map. Near Cuisy, Oct. 12. The Signal Corps photog- rapher who took this picture said the two sleeping soldiers were hav- ing the first real rest they had had in Il days. They belong to the 6th Inf., 5th Div. Near Nantil- lois, Oct. 22. Brig. Gen. Paul B. Malone, 5th Div. In the early fighting in June, 1918, Gen. Malone, then a colonel, commanded the 23d Inf., 2d Div.. in the vicinity of Chateau Thierry. ‘a A) Ambulances carrying wounded to hospitals in the rear. The tree branches atop the vehicles serve Maj. Gen. Hanson E. Ely, commanding 5th to camouflage them from enemy bombers. Div. from Oct. 24 to Nov. II. hy eae 4 eng ee, - ‘ Aincreville, captured by the Third Corps, 5th and 90th Divs., on the night of Nov. 1, the opening Bantheville. Severe fighting took place on day of the third phase of the Meuse-Argonne battle. The infantry went over ‘after two hours violent all sides of this place prior to the general advance artillery preparation. of Nov. | that marked the beginning of the third and last phase of the war. Photo by U. 8. Air Service Pvt. Fred Rambus, Co. E., 61st Inf., 5th Div., taking a squint at the Thawing out some of the Argonne chill. Members of 31 Ith Inf., 78th enemy through a German trench telescope left behind in the retreat. Div., near Grandpre, Oct. 29. North of Cunel, Oct. 30. The 78th fought desperately for two days before it definitely took Grand- Grandpre, Oct. 18. 0 : ‘ate Some of the men who took Grandpre. Co. E, 31 Ith Inf., 78th Div. Men of 312th M. G. Co., 78th Div., picking off German snipers near pre, Oct. 16. oO Wounded men of 312th Inf., 78th Div., being carried to first aid Bridging the Aire. Men of Co. B, 303d Engs., 78th Div., rebuilding station, Bois de Negremont, near Grandpre, Oct. 21. bridge near Grandpre that had been three times destroyed by German shells. The backwash of battle. Attending to wounded in rear of first line Capt. “Eddie” Rickenbacker in a Spad plane with which he was during gas attack. Jaulny, Oct. 27. bringing down enemy flyers during the Argonne drive. A freshly won position on the road from Marcq to Cheviers. Men Pvt. Frank Maia, Co. F, 312th Inf., on duty in Grandpre. When of 311th M. G. Co., and Medical Corps detachment of 78th Div. the picture was taken the Germans still held the opposite end of town. View of Grandpre and the Valley of the Aire as seen by German machine gunners dug in at the point. The hill from which this picture was made is one kilometer north of the city. It was here that the Germans in this sector made their most desperate resistance. The entire strong point bristled with machine guns which poured a murderous fire into the attacking American forces as they advanced down the trough of the Aire. The Americans captured the position after three unsuccessful atternpts. An editor- gunner. Capt. Joseph Medill Patterson, 149th F. A., 42d Div. Jazzing while the heavies boom. Maj. Gen. Charles T. Meno- her, 42d Div. Thirteen thousand feet above Landres-et-St. Georges. A shell bursting among men of Company E, 312th Inf., 78th Div., while they were repairing a road near Brieulles-sur-Bar that was mined and blown up by the Germans. The soldiers may be seen running to cover immediately after the explosion. Photographed Nov. 4, 1918. Sgt. J. W. Killigrow, 78th Div., pals with the children of Authe Poilus of the 320th Regt. 4th French Army and doughboys of the 312th Inf., 78th Div., advanced northward together. M. and Mme. Baloux, prisoners at Brieulles-sur-Bar four years Prisoners four years. Chaplain Jackson, 78th Div., fits a pair of thank their doughboy deliverers, Philip Tangor and Allen Floyd. old issue shoes on a French child at Brieulles-sur-Bar. _ Help for stricken refugees. Men of 306th Amb. Co., 77th Div., Battery F, 306th F. A., 77th Div., passing through Buzancy, Nov. establish first aid station at St. Pierremont. Nov. 7, 1918. 3, 1918. Buzancy had been an important German railhead, and on the outskirts of the town in a chateau was the headquarters of Gen. ven der Marwitz who commanded the Germans opposite our Army Achlung! FeiwNaen find, Fieger unter oon der Strasse? Teder berihme seine Neugiev! ‘ Deckung in Kellern Erdgeschossen ! fliegerbombe 2erscblagtebee Dac as Keller. Weg von Turen,u. Fenstern! Banke er dori Test Tire ce ewe eer Nach der ersten Goombe oi nach Spite shes! Er mie(t meist 6:8 Bomben! His wounds did not i i j prevent this soldier from i I at the hospital of Johns Hopkins unit. nS oss **eeee eee The operating room of Base hospi . ospital 101. inisteri Ministering to a badly wounded soldier at Base hospital 18 General von der Marwitz, commander-in-chief of the 5th German Eitel Friederich, second son of Wilhelm Hohenzollern, who com- Army operating in the Meuse-Argonne sector. Between Sept. 26 and manded the First Guard division in the Meuse-Argonne operations Nov. 11 there were 47 German divisions in line in the Meuse-Argonne He had been raised to the rank of Major General after the Chemin des vainly resisting the advance of 22 American and 4 French divisions. Dames offensive, May 27, 1918. Life, Liberty and Happiness. So long as the Administration is determined to keep the war going there is only one way for you to get out of this miserable fix and that is for you to stop fighting. You can do this honourably. As a free born American citizen you have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The American constitution guarantees to you these rights. Exercise them! Get out and dash to safety! If you don’t, you stand a very slim chance of ever seeing Broadway or the old home again. The Wall Street millionaires may like this war, because they are becoming billionaires. But you will have to pay for it all, my boy, . pay for it with your blood and taxes and the tears of your loved ones at home. If you were fighting on your own soil against a foreign foe it would be another matter, but what are you doing in Europe? France is not your country, neither is Belgium nor Alsace Lorraine. Are you satisfied that you are in the full enjoyment of your “inalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness“ as promised to you by the American bill of rights. The years will be lean and weary and the work will be hard and long for you and the longer the war lasts the longer will be the debt which you will have to pay to the money magnates of Wall Street for the munitions you are shooting away. Don't give up. your life till you have to and don't give any more labor for the benefit of the money trust! Quit it! ry German propaganda, one of Ludendorf’s own specialties, caused the debacle of Cadorna’s army in Italy in 1917. It is‘said to have contributed to the defeat of Gough’s 5th Army on the British front in 1918, but all it got from our soldiers was raucous laughter. The picture on the left shows a German “hot air’ Balloon that was wafted over our lines and fell at Sommedieue. -On the right is a reproduction of one of the leaflets it contained. Official figures. Der Bogen, wo fid) die Deutfden The captures made by the Allied armies | The captures made by the Allied , on the west front hetween September 1 armies on all fronts from July [5 4 Sabre lang behauptet hatten, wurde in 27 Stunden and September 30 amounted to : to September 30 amounted to : 2,844 Ofticers §,518 onticers 1 20, 192 Men 248,494 Men 1,500 Guns 3,669 Guns More than 10,000 Machine guns. || More than 23,000 Machine guns von den Winerifanern cingenommen. DHobines, Didier 5 Or oy ee oN ayn ay j OVER eee 23,018 * Gy “—v: gi highivite “SCN igneuites.. mn D> ae ee ees = 4— tre. af cae | ¥ eg hi r 4 card a » Ne ficou et Nensaedes Aiegjnot yy AER : hs ane Se FA : = oF ne aah E> 7 me ; S Behn 2 5 arenes a rs a ” sata Me ER’S “Maney Ret sie a - Jezpian’ The Embarkation of American Troops heros tit(f) -Purrnetie®, to all Theatre of the War er Ge Fab Bo Say aR Jp seer | be \Foug eg Laudiont} oLixi os Le i eee’ eres leaodiadae* 4 0 > 25 ia” G Tay rg Seri ty ot! Rn SAR az > SI 1 ae fe ek ee ae “Coad Otel The German Retreat from July 15'* to October 10 1918. Questions for the German soldier. ecocoee grout am 13. September friib. 1. Will you ever again be as strong as you were in July 1918? 2. Will your opponents grow stronger or grow weaker ? me 3. Did your terrible losses in 1918 bring the victory promised by : your leaders? 390 Onadratfilometer wurden erobert. 4. Have you the slightest hope of victory in the future? Dic Bahl der Gefangencn betrigt 15.000. 5. Are you going to throw your lives away in a hopeless struggle? American counter propaganda came within the purview of Brig. Gen. Denni ola i & ith g. Gen. Dennis E. Nolan, Chief of G-2, G. H. Q., A. E. F. Here are samples. In the ae oe the Pant fact ean the St. tne a ee the Germans for four years was captured by the Americans in 27 hours is Pee ot Of e value of propaganda Gen. Nolan says: ‘In general it can be said that it has little or no effect on an organization in a high state of excellent effect in further depressing the morale of a unit which is already in a low state.” : Kaas rae : Py 4 * = Maj. Gen. Frank L. Winn commanded the 89th Div. during the third phase of the Meuse-Argonne operations. L. to R.: Brig. Gen. T. G. Hanson, Maj. Gen. Frank L. Winn, Gen. Gerard, 3d French Army; Gen. Passaga, 32d French Army Corps; Col. J. H. Reeves (behind Gen. Winn); Col. D. C. E. Kil- bourne (behind Gen. Gerard). During the active operations the division captured 506! prisoners, 127 pieces of artillery and-455 machine guns. It advanced 36 kilometers against resistance. The division’s casualties were 1419 killed and 7394 wounded. French mud and the “black wax” ot Texas all in one. That was the consistency. of the oozy camping ground at Epinonville as the 314th F. S. Bn., moved up with the 89th Div. to the line along the Sommerance-Romagne road. Holes that the wire men had dug to sleep in were filled with water by morn- ing Oct. 16, 1918. Remonville, the first town to be wrested from the Germans by the 89th Div. as it advanced in the Meuse-Argonne sector. Under heavy shellfire, reserves of the 89th Div. sought the lee of the stone buildings along the principal street of Bayonville, Nov. 2, 1918. ; Ae 7 be * . - Sn! So. Sere Flooded area in the vicinity of Mouzay. On Nov. 9 the !79th brigade, The 90th Div. (Alamo) never failed to accomplish a mission and 90th Div., crossed the Meuse at Sassey and by all night marching occupied never yielded a foot of ground to the enemy. Its commander was Ma). Mouzay on the right bank of the river. The following day the enemy Gen. Henry T. Allen. threw into the line against the 90th his last reserve division. hae we BEAT wee Panorama of Dun-sur-Meuse. “The Third Corps, turning eastward, crossed the Meuse (Nov. 5) in a brilliant operation by the 5th Div., driving the enemy from the heights of Dun-sur-Meuse and forcing a general withdrawal from the positions he had so long held on the hills north of Verdun.’’ Gen. John lf Pershing. Photo by U. 3. Air Service Troops crossing the Meuse at Dun-sur-Meuse Nov. 6 on the way to the front. Prisoners captured near Dun-sur-Meuse. Soldiers resting on the bank of the River Andon near Clery-ie-petit The sentinel of the sky. Sitting comfortably aloft the observer in the kite balloon basket had the whole panorama of his particular station before him. His powerful glasses could note accurately everything transpiring in a radius of 10 miles or more. He was constantly in touch with his batteries by telephone and not only could give by co-ordinated maps the exact location of the target and the effect of the bursting shell but could and often did supply most valuable information of enemy troop movements, airplane attacks and the like. we ee en ve ts Sars = oe ees Pa. oa a PO . As the 42d Div. moved up along the Imecourt road to take part in the last phase of the Meuse-Argonne operations there were everywhere evidences of the desperate resistance the enemy vee made. In the foreground is a dead German machine gunner who had been killed at his post. Photographed Nov. 4, 1918. su ( The last photograph made by Lt. Ralph Estep, a Signal Corps photographer. It shows a patrol of the 42d Div. advancing toward enemy trenches near Sedan. Nov. 7, 1918. e x " | eS te if A Co. A, 3d Bn., 166th Inf., 42d Div., at Champigneulles on the way Shell bursting immediately in front of Lieut. Estep’s camera. Estep to the front. Nov. 3, 1918. lost his life at this spot in an effort to get “‘close-ups’’ of the war. Detachment of 166th Inf. (formerly 4th Ohio) resting in front of Cheveuges, near Sedan, Nov. 9, 1918. Cheveuges was captured by the Americans Nov. "| (Inset) Colonel Henry J. Reilly, who commanded the 83d brigade, comprising the 165th and 166th Inf., in front of Sedan. Na» Left—The dash to Sedan. Scene in dark and misty woods near Thelonne: Officer wearing barracks cap like those.of German officers is directing combat’ force. Lt. W. J. Black, 16th Inf., challenges. Tells officer he’s under arrest. “I’m General MacArthur’ is the prisoner's answer. “What the — are you doing in the 42d Div. sector?” ““We’re going to Sedan,” replied the lieutenant. In photo: Gen. MacArthur and the cap that caused the trouble. Right—Brig Gen. Frank Parker, commanding general Ist Div.; operating in front of Sedan, talking with Lt. Col. Roosevelt, C. O. 26th Inf., Ist Div., and Mrs: Roosevelt. =. gaged io eas Be: a 4 f ; Sedan, the goal." The actual fact is that nobody captured Sedan in this war. It was evacuated by the Germans under American and French artillery fire and, after the Armistice went into effect, French troops peacefully entered it. At least six American divisions and one French divison were actively in the race. Four of the American divisions—-the 2d, 77th, 80th and 6th—did not come within view of tht city. The other two—the Ist and the 42nd—fought their way to the hills overlooking the city en Nov. 7 and were to take it the following day if orders to withdraw had not come from Marshal Foch. Sedan, where Napoleon III surrendered in 1870 with 100,000 men, was too rich in memories for the French to encourage its capture by Americans.” Junius B. Wood. Photo by U. S. Air Service 10:59 A. M. Nov. II, 1918. “Calamity Jane” firing her last shot in the war. This gun was manned by a section of the [lth F. A. Its position was in the Bois de la Haie on the Laneuville-sur-Meuse-Beauclair road. ae Uo enor ee ee Se . Pam ae a 11:01 A. M. Nov. 11, 1918. After this gun section of Battery D, 105th F. A., had fired its last shot at Etraye the men raised Old Glory amid triumph- ant shouts. Where brave men sleep. Graves at Cheveuges of the last Americans to be killed in the operation in front of Sedan. Varennes. a a) | Smith College girls take a joyride on Sgt. L. K. MacIntosh’s tank at The town crier of Gondreville. | 2 a “Living the life of Reilly.” Girls of the Jewish Welfare Board. Interior of the main corridor of Gen. _Pershing’s quarters, the Chateau Val des Ecoliers, Chau- mont. Chateau Val des Ecoliers, Gen. Pershing’s residence near Chaumont, Drawing room at Val des Ecoliers. American G. H. Q. itnitie 4 FI 3 Ed - Ye, 3 ad Carter H. Harrison of the Red Cross, former mayor of Chicago, Home coming after the German retreat from Dun-su--Meuse. writes a letter for Private William Howard. : | Mrs. W. K. Vanderbilt and her co-workers at Red Cross headquar- ters, Paris. AK. of C. tea party. Mrs. Theodore Roosevelt Jr. (without hat), entertaining members of the women’s division, Y. W. C. A., at her residence in Paris. Mrs. Walter Hines Page. wife of the (then) American ambassador to England distributing flowers to wounded Yanks at Dartford, England. Pneumonia porch at Camp hospital No. 45, Aix les Bains, Savoie, France. i BES , chief , U. S. Military hospital No.57, The medical high command. L to R: Brig. Gen. J. R. Kean, Maj. es ne para Gen. M. W. Ireland, Chief Surgeon, U. S. A.; Col. (later Brig. Gen.) Walter D. McCaw and Col. James D. Glennan. Photographed at Tours, Sept. 10, 1918. ares) + Re ” ‘(a Ges |) ace Dressing a wound at Base hospital No. 18, manned by Johns Hopkins é Convalescent hospital No. 2 at Agay, Var, France. unit, 4 Dp The High Command at General Headquarters. The Commander-in-Chief, the Chief of Staff and the Assistant Chiefs of Staff, and the Adjutant General. Front row, left to right: Brig. Gen. H. B. Fiske, G-5 (Training Section); Maj. Gen. J. W. McAndrew, C. of S.: Gen. John J. Pershing, C. in C.; Brig. Gen. Fox Conner, G-3 (Operations Section); Brig. Gen. G. V. H. Moseley, G-4 (Co-ordination of Supply Services). Rear row, left to right: Brig. Gen. A. D. Andrews, G-I (Administrative Section); Brig. Gen. Leroy Eltinge, Deputy Chief of Staff; Brig. Gen. D. E. Nolan, G-2 (Information Section): Brig. Gen. R. C. Davis, A. G. id er Se 5 o The Signal Corps telephone operators at General Headquarters, The entente at Salmagne Chaumont. a oO a Blindfold boxing at Aix-les-Bains. Lieut. E.. F. Clark, Hdars. troop, 35th Div., receiving a French lesson. on ERP RE Be Se ee ool itty res . : 5 Jewish soldiers attending religious seryices at Chaumont, American G. H. Q. The French officer, wearing a beard, at the left of the picture is Capt. A. Levy, Mayor of Chaumont. His wife sits néxt to him. The American officer, wearing a garrison cap, next to Mme. Levy, is Rabbi Jacob Kohn of New York City. Both American and French soldiers attended this service of their common religion. The Commander-in-Chief of the A. E. F. being decorated with the Distinguished Service Medal on the parade ground at G.H. Q. Gen. Tasker H. Bliss made the presentation to Gen. Pershing, Nov. 16. 1918, five days after the Armistice brought the war to a victorious close. In the words of the official citation this medal was presented to Gen. Pershing “‘as a token of the gratitude of the American people to the commander of our armies in the field for his distinguished services, and in appreciation of the success which our armies have achieved under his leadership.” BI ie ON OTHER FRONTS British—Italian Russian Throughout the Summer and Fall of 1918 public interest in the United States was centered on the three principle campaigns of our fighting forces abroad. During the time, however, that American arms were gaining glory around Chateau Thierry, St. Mihiel and in the Argonne, other divi- sions and units were fighting as gallantly on other fronts. Even after the Armistice had brought peace to the western front some elements of our army were still engaged in active hostilities in-Northern Russia and in Siberia. On the British front American troops especially distinguished them- selves. As early as July 4, 1918, the 33d Div., represented by elements of the 13Ist and 132d Inf. regiments, had taken part with the Australians in the attack on Hamel. In the great British offensive which began Aug. 8 the 33d Div. broke the German line at Chipilly Ridge and Gres- saire Wood, and then moved on to its later successes in the Argonne. The Second American Army Corps, commanded by Maj. Gen. Geo. W. Read, and comprising the 27th and 30th Divs. never fought on any other front than the British. To these two divisions, one from the North, the other from the South, fell the honor of smashing the Hindenburg Line at Le Cateau, where the St. Quentin canal passes under a hill through a tunnel. The 27th Div. was made up of New York National Guard units and was commanded by a National Guard officer, Maj. Gen. John F. O'Ryan. This division entered the line with British units opposite _ Mt. Kemmel, later moving to the Dickebush sector in Belgium. On Aug. 31 the 27th was in the front line in the attack on Vierstaadt Ridge. In conjunction with the 30th American Division and the Australians the New Yorkers smashed through the famous Hindenburg Line between Sept. 29 and Oct. |. After a short rest it took up the pursuit of the re- treating Germans, advancing about 25 kilometers. The 30th Div., composed of National Guard troops from Tennessee, North and South Carolina, had its baptism of fire near the famous town of Ypres, the scene of the Germans’ first gas attack in 1915. Here it held the canal sector from Ypres to Voormezeele and from Aug. 3 to Sept. | took part in the fighting before Mt. Kemmel. Next came the attack on the Hindenburg Line with the Australians and 27th Div. Marshal Haig in his final report laid special emphasis on the gallant conduct of the 30th. Its fighting qualities may be gauged by the fact that this division won 12 Congressional Medals of Honor. Maj. Gen. Edward M. Lewis commanded the 30th Div. After the general advance of the Allies from Switzerland to the sea had got into full swing, Marshal Foch called upon Gen. Pershing for two American divisions to assist the Sixth French Army in Belgium. This occurred in the middle of October when the Americans were fighting the greatest battle in American history, in the Meuse-Argonne sector, but Gen. Pershing complied without demur. The 37th and 91st Divs. were sent to the Belgian front in compliance with the request of the Allied generalissimo. The 9Ist was accompanied by the artillery of the 28th Div. Both divisions entered the fighting line Oct. 30 and thereafter shared in the Flanders offensive until the Armistice. An early request for American troops had been made by Italy but the critical situation on the French and British fronts made it impossible for the Commander-in-Chief tocomply. After repeated requests it finally was decided to have American arms represented with the Italians for the moral effect. One regiment, the 332d Inf. of the 83d Div., an Ohio outfit, was despatched to the Italian front in July, 1918. By direction of the Secretary of War an American expedition was sent to the North Russian coast in the vicinity of Archangel in August, 1918. This was in compliance with the decision of the Supreme War Council which had decided that Allied forces ought to be sent to the aid of the Russians struggling against the Bolsheviki. The American forces, de- tached from the 85th Div., comprised the 339th Inf., Ist Bn., 310th Engs., 337th Field Hosp. Co., and the 337th Ambulance Co., all under British command. This small force held a front of 450 miles under trying Arctic conditions until May, 1919, when it was sent home via Brest, France. In its engagements against the Bolsheviki the American forces lost 82 killed. Brig. Gen. Wilds P. Richardson was in command. At the same time troops were sent to North Russia a small force, com- prising the 27th and 31st Inf. regiments, with auxiliary troops, were sent into Siberia by way of Vladivostok to co-operate with the Japane-. and other Allied forcés. The use of American troops in various parts of the former Russian empire was distinctly distasteful to the American public. There was constant public criticism until both expeditions were with- drawn. . ors ve pa “A x ia & we , ¥ é Key , roi pote, Sm TOs “? 7 gn saan. eats MAI ae tr) we ie Rs tx = ao) CS Tees we “Them guys is butchers,” an Australian sergeant declared after four companies of the 33d American division had attacked with the “Aussies” before Hamel, July 4, 1918. It was hand to hand fighting with the bayonet. King George personally pinned on the breast of the Yankee officers and men the British decorations they won. The King and General Pershing are seen in this picture on their way to the decoration ceremonies at Molliens-au-Bois, Aug. 6, 1918. Maj. Gen. George Bell, commanding the 33rd Div. is the officer with white mustache and imperial walking behind the King and Gen. Pershing. ef: e. ~>e ; j . it e re hy * Cae The King of England decorating a Chicago bo modest looking Yank whom the monarch is honoring. His feat of arms consisted in silencing an enemy sniping post and bringing in eight prisoners, July 4, 1918, when his regiment hit the German line at Hamel. Village of Mericourt, cap- tured by the 33d Div. while fighting with the British. This town was a German stronghold in the Albert sector and was used by the enemy as a headquarters. The white streaks on the distant hill tops are the German trenches. Mt == | 8 # Neirens) 4 7 Sualh fe xe S32 6 Ne sy Res tty soy Second Lieut. Harry Yagle, 132d Inf., 33d Div., receiving British Marshal Haig, Commander-in-Chief of the British Army in France Military Cross from King George for rushing a machine gun and capturing congratulating Maj. Gen. Bell, 33d American Div., on account of gallant eight prisoners at Hamel, July 4, 1918. conduct of his men at Hamel. Mis ; ey e oe % i . oe zis He “ar Saar ae a GHIA se Ss 8 ae eg ; A German gun that never fired on Amiens. When the 33d and 30th U. S. Divs., fighting with the Australians on the Cambrai-St. Quentin front pushed the enemy back in July the Germans dynamited this gun because they had no time to remove it. The length of the broken barrel is 45 feet. This cannon would have been dropping shells into Amiens, 20 miles away, in a few days had the British-American advance not ousted the German troops. hs. + Maj. Gen. James H. Mc Rae, and staff, of the 78th Div., while training on- the British front. Gen. Pershing ordered this divi- sion to the American front in time for the battle of St. Mihiel. Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig, commanding the British forces in Maj. Gen. James H. Mc Rae, 78th Div., receiving the King of Eng- France, on a visit to Gen. Pershing at the latter's chateau. land at the American general s headquarters, Rollecourt, Aug. 8, 1918. Maj. Gen. John F. O'Ryan, and staff, 27th Div., at headquarters, Oudezelle, Aug. 18, 1918. The 27th Div. comprised elements of the former New York National Guard Planning an attack. Maj. Gen. John F. O’Ryan (right), and his chief All the American commanders who fought solely on the British front of staff, Col. S. H. Ford, 27th Div., Oct. 18. On the following morning are in this group. Right to left: Maj. Gens. George W. Read, 2d Corps. the 27th attacked with the British, advancing 500 yards. John F. O’Ryan, 27th Div., E. M. Lewis, 30th Div.: Lieut. Gen. Sir Henry Davidson, British Army, at left. ro ° bonne . a otenw. P ~ wr mo we ts SD Niniyiae omens ont Qi 24 After the victory was won. March of 102d Field Signal Bn. to review. A Bnitish battery hurrying to the front in the British-American ad- Corbie, Nov. 19, 1918. vance in the Cambrai-St. Quentin sector. One of the 60 pound guns, firing a shell 15,000 yards, in action cn the Taking a shot at Fritz from the front line near St. Souplet, Oct. 19. British-American front near Vaux-Andigny. Men of Co. A, 105th M. G. Bn., 27th Div. Battle practice before the Germans were pushed back from Amiens. The 27th and 30th American Divisions trained and fought entirely with the British. These American soldiers are re- hearsing an attack back of the lines. A British tank is mowing down barbed wire to make a pathway for the Yanks. Thirtieth Div. marching from Calais, where it landed in France, June Lewis machine gun post of 119th Inf., 30th Div.. in the Ypres sector, 24, 1918, to its training area at Eperlecques. Aug. 9. British operating with 27th and 30th U. S. Divisions, sending up American propaganda for the Germans. Templeaux-la-Fosse, Oct. 10. Shell battered Peronne after the Germans had been driven out by the British-American advance late in September on the Cambrai-St. Quentin front. Chateau at Bellicourt once used as headquarters by Hindenbure’ Captured by 30th Div. when it smashed the Hindenburg Line at Belli- court, Sept. 29. Hindenburg Line where St. Quentin canal enters tunnel under ridge near Bellicourt. Captured by 30th Div., Sept. 29. nt a ' A view of St. Quentin canal. At the left is an entrance to one of the tunnels dug into the hill by the Germans and in which they concealed thousands of troops. After the 27th and 30th American Divisions had broken the Hindenburg Line at this point the enemy reserves poured out in their rear. This ruse failed. * KK * The American communique of Sept. 30, 1918, said: “Our attack on main Hindenburg system was made with tanks on front of 3,000 yards and was completely successful, penetrating enemy’s line to a depth of 5,000 yards.” Maj. Gen. Edward M. Lewis, commanding general of the 30th Div. during the period of its victorious advances through the Hindenburg this sector Canadian troops outflanked St. Quentin and forced the Ger- Line on the Cambrai-St. Quentin front in September and October, 1918. mans out. The 27th and 30th American Divisions fought north of the town, helping in the victory. Ruins of St. Quentin cathedral. In the British-American advance in The ruins of St. Quentin cathedral after withstanding four years of shell fire. This picture was taken shortly af iti : af : y after the British-American ad , Sept. 29, had driven the Germans out. The British took St. Quentin but were helped by the 27th and 30th U. S. Divisions, fighting just north of rhe ie Boeke day,” wrote the official correspondent with the Australian forces, “when the full story of the battle can be told the American people will thrill with pride in these magnificent troops upon whom a tremendous task fell.” : September-October advance of the British-American forces, it was found through Bellicourt. This town was taken by the 30th Div. The horse- that the church marked with a Red Cross had been used by the enemy as man is an Australian. a barrack. Its sanctuary was stripped of art treasures. oO a] | After this town, Braye-sur-Somme, had been freed of Germans in the One of the British tanks that led the American advance, rolling | Po a Yank Signal Corps photographers get a lift from a British tank on American and Australian victors on the Cambrai-St. Quentin front their way to the battle front. watch a group of 1,000 prisoners marched back to prison pens. fi “a al 7. : Strange surroundings for Pacific Coast men.. Supply wagons and mess outfits of 91st Div. in front of Hotel de Ville (City Hall) Audenarde, Belgium, Nov. 10, 1918. This city hall was built in 1531. Audenarde was captured by the westerners of the 9Ist Div. in the Lys-Scheldt campaign, Oct. 31-Nov. |}. After fighting ten days in the Argonne, the 91st was sent to Belgium at Marshal Foch’s request to aid the 6th French Army. On Nov. 22 elements of the 91st marched in the triumphal entry of the King and Queen into Brussels. Begin ‘’ De = FASS Seeing the sights of Thielt, Belgium, from a native “rubber neck bus.” Pvt. Uti John Thompson, ee Site 9lst Div., and a pe buddie of the 37th vie Div. Amateur theatricals. filled much of the soldier's play time. Steel helmets done over in spring styles by 27th Div. “actresses.” The 27th Div., from New York, had many pro- fessional actors in its ranks who knew the art of ‘‘make- up.” Oudezeele, Aug. 8. Celebrating the Armistice. Soldiers of +27th Div., around an improvised ‘‘Lib- erty Bell,” cheer- ing the news that the war is over. Pvt. Cornelius Vanderbilt (wearing cam- paign hat), son of Brig. Gen. Cornelius Vander- bilt, 27th Div. This heir to a great Ameri- can fortune was a despatch rider. e + v brea acetic 4 Pe ee ee n Seay aor Samuel Gompers, president of the American Federation of Labor An American on outpost duty on the Piave front in Italy taking a visits the front while on a government mission to Italy. Taken in the look at the Austrian lines not far away. Member of the 332d Inf., 83d Div American trenches on the Piave. The Piave front was filled with small streams and overflowed areas. on the Piave. Later they helped rout the Austrian army on this front. i] Qo Italian soldiers instructing Yanks how to cross rivers in pontoons. Soldiers of the 332d Inf., 83d Div.. in their trenches with the Italians Third Bn., 332d Inf., 83d Div., Porto di Fiera, Italy, Oct. 6, 1918. oO o These soldiers of the 332d Inf., were not robbing beehives. They Hand grenades for the Austrians. Men of the 332d Inf. training wore mosquito net masks and gloves to protect themselves from insects behind the Piave front for the battle where they later aided the Italians while fighting in the marshes on the Italian front. in victory. Fighting the Bolsheviki on the Vologda railway front in North Russia. These Michigan and Wisconsin men of Co. I, 339th Inf., 85th Div., are part of the American expedition into the Arctic regions that held 450 miles against the “Reds” from August, 1918, until May, 1919. From left to right they are: Corp. Stanley Pijut, Pvts. Arnold Buzburger, Eddie Egher, and George Johnson. SS cane (ee SZ ——— SSL fi AS SS (BSS Two platoons of Co. A, 339th Inf., 85th Div., at their berracks in the village of Visorka on the Volga River. The building in the czar’s day has been the home of an imperial forester. Many of the men in the 339th Inf. were of Slavic origin, chosen because they could speak Russian. A sample of weather in Northern Russia where elements of the 85th. Convoy of 339th Inf. hitting the trail between Archangel and Bere- Div. fought the Bolsheviki, and styles of clothing worn to combat the zinski, Jan. 18, 1918. The distance was 44 versts and there was only one cold. Men of 2d Bn., 339th Inf. rest house on the way. e ~e qs “4 Sd 3 f ap *’ * u Men of Co. I, 339th Inf., 85th Div., who received the Croix de Guerre for bravery in action in North Russia. Left to right: 2d Lieut. Dwight Fistler, Corps. Smelinski, Sieloff, and Groebel; Pvts. Rank, Lightee and SSS 6) Sodor. take command of the American forces after the Armistice. ardson commanded a brigade in the 28th Div. in France. Brig. Gen. Wilds P. Richardson, who was sent to Northern Russia to Gen. Rich- oO ORTH RUSSIA 2: Ke a! Unloading supplies at warehouse in Archangel, Russia, where all Allied stores were held. Detail of 2d Bn., 339th Inf., 85th Div., Oct. 27 Staff of 339th Inf., 85th Div., at Headquarters, Archangel, Russia. Oct. 25, 1918. ch 5 BORK, Buildings that housed American soldiers in the Archangel sector had Miss Marcia Dunham, Y. W. C. A., the only American woman then to be warm. Shoveling sawdust between double walls of barracks under at the Russian front. A post on the 450-mile American front. Nov. 16, erection. Russian girl serving tea and sandwiches to Yank soldiers in Y. W. C. Yanks feeding Bolsheviki prisoners at Archangel, Oct. 21, 1918. A. hostess house at Archangel. Prisoners used old tin cans and wooden spoons which they carried in their boots. } LD re we \ 1 iz a, L ox . *% he es ee vee ee Se < sii Vn Aide ee Wt ili “- = oat ee, oOo ve. ay ie ll netfee ee ee Pee e 8 ams Headquarters building, Co. M., 31st Inf., Suchan, Siberia. The 31st and 27th Inf ing the Bolsheviki. Maj. Gen. William S. Graves commanded the Siherian ex ec hilsd forces were under the supreme command of the Japanese General, Kizuzo Otani d to Siberia, Aug. 7, 1918, to aid the other Allies in check- pedition, which landed in Vladivostok from Manila, re 15, The Aas Maj. Gen. William S. Graves, and staff. Gen Graves is seated number 4 from the left, first row. He may be distinguished by the two silver stars on the cuff of his overcoat. This picture of the commander of the Siberian expedition was taken at Vladivos- tok, Nov. 23, 1918. U. S. transport Crooks unloading quartermaster supplies at the A. Yanks of the Siberian forces having mess on the road near Vladivostok. E. F. dock in Vladivostok. Thirty-first Inf. on a practice march near Vladivostok, Dec..3, 1918. This regiment, commanded by Col. Elmore F. Taggart, is a regular army outfit sent from Manila when it was decided to lend American aid in checking the wave of Bolshevism threatening Siberia. ao Me al a » ber Allied peace parade in Vladivostok, Nov. 15, 1918, to celebrate the Armistice of Nov. 11. The leading troops are Americans of the 3lst Inf. Twenty-four hours after this picture was taken these Bolshevist Admiral Kolchak, head of the Russian provisional government leaders were executed by the Czechs at Ekaterinburg. The girl was an opposing the Bolsheviki in Siberia during 1918 and 1919, official “Red” stenographer. WEES @rs: Supplying the United States Army in France with all those things an army needs was a commercial enterprise that utilized the services of 668,- 312 soldiers at the period of greatest expansion—Nov. !1, 1918. The Services of Supply of the A. E. F., known to the Army as the S. O. S. , was charged with procuring, storing and transporting whatever the 2,000,000 Americans soldiers in Europe demanded to eat, and wear, and fight with. In order that the details might be lifted from the shoulders of the Commander-in-Chief and the General Staff at G. H. Q., the Services of Supply were grouped under, one head, the Commanding General of the Services of Supply, with headquarters at Tours. This officer handled all projects in connection with roads, docks, railroads and buildings; the transportation of men, animals, and supplies by sea, rail and inland waterways, the operation of telephone and tele- graph systems, control and transportation of replacements, the hospiteliza- tion necessary for 2,000,000 men and all those entertainment and welfare activities that became so important in the life of the American fighting man abroad. Last, and mest important in the eyes of the soldiers, the S. O. S. controlled the final embarkation of the troops for home. For administrative purposes the S. O. S. was sub-divided into eleven territorial sections, each with a territorial commander. In order that all the services concerned with the supply of combat troops should work without friction, this work was co-ordinated through the Fourth Section of the General Staff at General Pershing’s headquarters at Chaumont. It will aid the reader to visualize the volume of work performed by the S. O. S. if he is informed that each combat division, consisting of approximately 28,000 men, required 25 French railway carloads of sup- plies for its daily consumption. These cars had to be delivered wherever the division was located. This demand was met by providing railroad regulating stations at strategic positions behind the lines occupied by American troops. From these stations supplies were forwarded to the fighting fronts. From the regulating stations supplies were forwarded by trains to railheads still closer to the front, and to these railheads the ‘combat divisions sent their motor and horse drawn transport for daily supplies. Because of lack of sufficient ocean tonnage there always was a short- age of supplies coming from America. To meet the Army’s demands pur- chases were made in Europe whenever possible. In order to prevent waste through competitive buying against the Allies, Gen. Pershing created a General Purchasing Board, headed by Brig. Gen. Charles G. Dawes. A total of ten million tons was bought by this board, most of it in France. The difference between the tonnage of supplies asked for and the amounts received is illustrated by Gen. Pershing in his final report to the Secretary of War, wherein he gives a table of figures showing that in the months of July, August, September and October, 1918, he cabled for 3,072,991 tons and received.2,112,015, leaving a shortage of 960,976 tons to be overcome by purchase in Europe. Construction in the S. O. S. was undertaken on a program to provide ultimately for an army of 4,000,000 men. This phase of S. O. S. activities was carried out by Engineer troops, whose undertakings included docks, railroads, warehouses, hospitals, barracks and stables. Of 160 new ships’ berths provided for in the plans approximately one-half were completed when the Armistice halted activities. New railway trackage to the extent of 1,002 miles was constructed. Twenty million square feet of storage houses were erected for supply depots. Marrs, a hospital city of 700 buildings, covering a space of 33 acres, is typical of the manner in which the S. O. S. was called upon to provide hospital facilities for numbers that fortunately never reached the figures estimated. Had the war continued, however, hospital building would, of necessity, have been extended. Marrs alone had a capacity of 4,000 beds. Isolated instances give an idea of the immense program that was carried out by the S. O. S. until “cease firing” sounded along the front Nov. 11, 1918. The city of Gievres was a great supply center. The refrigerating plant there had a capacity of 6,500 tons of meat a day and 500 tons of ice. At Is-sur-Tille a mechanical bakery was constructed with a capacity of 800,000 pounds of bread a day. Official figures show that if all the buildings erected by our army in France were placed end to end, of a width equal to a standard barrack, they would extend 730 miles. Twenty thousand cars and 1,500 standard gauge locomotives were shipped to France and assembled there by railroad troops. War means waste, but the S. O. S. took steps to insure that there should be no unnecessary waste. To this end a Salvage Service was organized, charged with saving the scraps. An estimated saving of $89,000,000 was achieved by this branch. EB DELIVER &. THE GOODS Rune — panty SERIE, AM ARES tial GSA Ma). Gen. James G. Harbord, commanding general of the S. O. S. (Services of Supply) of the A. E. F. American supplies unloaded on the banks Before becoming head of the expeditionary forces’ supply system he had been Chief of Staff of the A.E. of the Loire at Nantes. F., and had led the Marine brigade of the 2d Div. in the fighting around Belleau Wood and Chateau- Thierry. Brig. Gen. Charles G. Dawes, at the right, was chief purchasing agent of the A. E. F. ri | + ‘ AE: . ag American docks at Bassens, Base Section No. 2, Bordeaux, June The U. S. Army Engineer Corps built 83 others before the Armistice. mated 1,000,000 tons a month. Wherever possible the Americans used 8, 1918. Originally the French turned over 23 ship berths to the American Army. At the time this picture was taken our overseas shipments of supplies approxi- cranes, of many styles and sizes, for handling freight. marvel at the way in which the Yankees substituted machinery for hand labo The French never ceased to r. a ae | || Bassens dock || at Bordeaux, one of the principal || base ports turned | over to the Amer- ican Army by the French. View of Amer- ican docks on the Gironde River, near Bordeaux. Scene at U. S. Dock No. 3 at St. Nazaire in the Spring of 1918 when the great troop movement was beginning to speed up. St. Nazaire was one of the principal American base ports. Unloading supplies from America for the A. E. F. at Bassens docks, Bordeaux. This view offers a suggestion of the vastness of American dock facilities. ti a n oF Part of a day’s production of freight and tank cars at a U.S. assembling shop in a base port of the S.O.S. In all 18,313 freight cars of the 60,000 _ pound type were shipped to the Army in France. They were assembled at the base ports upon arrival. Arrangements had been made to send cars overseas complete on their wheels when the Armistice halted shipments. 7" Julius Rosenwald, Chicago philanthropist, reading a message from the governor of Illinois to a group Secretary Baker's special commissioner, Mr. of Illinois soldiers in the S. O. S. Mr. Rosenwald, formerly a member of the National-Council of Defence, Rosenwald, reading the governors’ and senators’ was sent to France by the Secretary of War to carry messages of cheer from the governors and senators messages to soldiers at another point in his of all the states. A. E. F. tour. Gen. Pershing inspecting troops of the Air Service Photographic At Tours, Hdars. S. O. S.; L to R: Maj. Gens. F. J. Kernan and J. W. Section at Tours Hdgrs. S. O. S. The officer next to Gen. Pershing is McAndrew, Gen. Pershing, Maj. Gen. J. G. Harbord, Commanding Lieut. (later Capt.) Fred Place. Ehatorey. 0.6. in Beryice General S. O. S., and his Chief of Staff, Brig. Gen. Johnson Hagood. Coating American locomotives with asbestos at assembling plant, Some of the 1,303 standard gauge consolidated American locomotives St. Nazaire. shipped to the American Army in France during the war. Each one cost $45,000. So want the S O 5S. to 4 the First Army a “4a the prompt res; uerte ta every demar Winners in the first week’s race between stevedore units engaged in unloading vessels. The victors at Dock No. 2, Marseilles, are being entertained by the band of-the 134th Inf. Fighters of Cuban and Philippine wars who helped speed up S. O. S. work in France. Sergt. Samuel Bradshaw, Ist Sergt. Thomas Henshaw, and Sergt. Arthur Steger, all of 807th Stevedore Regt., Bordeaux. Night crew of stevedores at Marseilles listening to a band concert Brig. Gen. Edgar Russel , Chief Signal Officer, A. E. F., being decor- before marching to work on the-docks. ated by Marshal Haig with the British order of Commander of the Bath. Chaumont, G. H. Q., A. E. F. : a ll se ee ee ee CONQUERING In 1917 when the United States entered the World War the fate of the Allies hung upon the U-boats. So did the fate of Germany, for if her undersea navy could shut out food from England and prevent American troops from reaching France in large numbers the war was won for the Kaiser and his Allies. ‘When Admiral Sims went to London in the Spring of 1917 the British Admiralty frankly told him Germany was winning the war and that the Entente Allies could not hold out longer than six months unless the strangling ring of U-boats could be broken. To this task our Navy addressed its first efforts. The best naval judgment of the Allied counselors was that destroyers, if procurable in sufficient numbers, would furnish the best offensive and defensive weapon against the submarine menace. A wise method of precaution adopted largely through American insistence was the convoy system, under the workings of which our transports crossed the Atlantic in close formation, and large groups, protected in front, flanks and rear by naval vessels. Admiral Sims, commanding the American Naval Forces in Europe, is on record as declaring that the convoy system was what snatched victory from defeat at the moment when tonnage losses had reached its gravest proportions. Another important step in checking U-boat activities was taken when the great North Sea mine barrage was laid from Scotland to Norway. In this undertaking, and similar though smaller ones in other European waters, the United States provided, transported and laid 59,439 mines, The distance covered by the North Sea barrage of mines was 250 miles, and the work done in conjunction with the British, engaged 6,700 sailors. A division of dreadnaughts under Admiral Hugh Rodman joined the British Grand Fleet at its base in the Firth of Forth and acted as a squad- ron of the British Battle Fleet throughout the war. Our co-operation with the British in the most active area of the sea fighting did not, how- ever, complete the sum of American sea effort. THE U-BOAT Under Admiral Mayo, commander-in-chief of the Atlantic Fleet, vessels were detached for operations with the French and Italian navies in Atlantic and Mediterranean waters, and even in the White Sea. Mean- while, of course, the main fleet had to be kept mobilized along the Atlantic Coast for emergency defense of home ports. Men of the American navy served on vessels of every class from the cockle shell submarine chasers to the super-dreadnaughts. The Navy also had its own aviation corps, whose ofhcers and men distinguished themselves by their courage and ability. Queenstown, Ireland, and Brest, France, were the principal bases for American naval activities in European waters, for it was from these ports that the destroyers, submarines and submarine chasers dashed forth on their vigils against the enemy undersea. In all, however, the United States had 15 naval bases in Europe. An idea of the extent of the American naval effort may be obtained from the report of the Secretary of the Navy for 1918, concerning aviation. In that connection the Navy. established two repair and assembly bases, four kite balloon stations, eighteen seaplane stations, five bombing plane stations, and three dirigible balloon stations. For manning these a complement of 624 officers and 15,000 enlisted men was required. How well the Navy performed all the tasks assigned to it is revealed in the statistics of accomplishment. In the single feature of convoying the transports which carried 2,079,880 soldiers to France, it is satisfying to National vanity to recall that not a single east bound ship carrying troops was lost by enemy action while under the protection of our forces. Every soldier who went to France during the period of hostilities will retain always a feeling of admiration and gratitude for his comrades in blue who kept the sea Janes safe for him by their vigilance and gallantry. The American ‘‘doughboy” feels he played a big_part in winning the war but he knows the ‘‘gob”’ made it possible by carrying him safely to Eurupe. Destroyers protecting mine layers in the North Sea. The plan to close the North Sea with mines, thereby hindering the activities of the German U-boats, had its inception in the American Navy. Admiral Mayo, Commander-in-Chief of the U. S. Atlantic fleet, carried the plan to the British Admiralty, which approved it. Both navies worked together in laying the mines. iy eaten ae tl . RR Re: é CREE ellie. a fps stew _ SRO SCDORET (ou drone PEAS whe TRI er neani ijk SRS S ‘ meget Shing ST cee ee! = SG Ree ONES Sota = eau — i aie 27 Ne ‘erent ai =, ib AEN mem ie Baad eee ee U.S. destroyers threw out smoke screens to protect the operations of mine layers in case of attack by enemy U-boats. Secretary Daniels said in his annual report for 1918 that there was reason to believe the mine barrage across the North Sea accounted for ten German undersea boats. A mine layer at work, protected by the guns of an accompanying U. S. battleship in the North Sea. The mine barrage extended from the Orkney Islands to the territorial waters of Norway, a distance of 250 miles, and across the English channel. More than 50,000 American mines were laid. The U. S. Navy laid 80 per cent of the entire barrage. (Inset) Capt. Reginald R. Belknap, U. S. N., in charge of the active operations of laying the North Sea mine barrage. Admirals Mayo and Sims, and their staffs, at a conference in Paris, Sept. 1917. Admiral Mayo (left) was com- mander-in-chief of the Atlantic fleet, while Sims was in charge of the forces in European waters. ae > Gey ee 2M ia ite eC telat ‘ + : " ae The King of England attends a baseball game July 4, 1918. The three central fig- ures are (left to right): Franklin Roosevelt, Asst. Secretary of the Navy, the King and Admiral Sims. Rear Admiral Strauss, commanding the mine laying force of the Atlantic fleet, and his staff. Admiral Strauss is No. 4 from the right. Admiral William S. Sims, commanding American Naval Forces in Europe. Vice-Admiral H. B. Wilson, commanding U. S. Naval Forces in France, with head- quarters at Brest. Official Photo U. 8. rs] a One of the many methods of fighting U-boats—dropping depth Navy hydroplane armed with Davis automatic gun, ready to fight bombs from navy planes. submarines or enemy planes. o fa) Effect of explosion of depth bomb dropped into the sea from a plane. A submarine skimming along on the surface, as seen from a height of 850 feet. - ; eager iwtons sie 7 RS eR Seared The British and American naval commanders-in-chief, and their aides, A mine dump at Inverness, Scotland. These American mines were on the U. S. S. Pennsylvania. Admiral Beatty has his hands in his used in the North Sea barrage. pockets. Admiral Mayo wears a white cap. Our only mystery ship, the U. S. S. Santee, after being struck by a Part of the crew of the Santee. All are U.S. Navy officers, disguised German torpedo in the Irish Sea on her first expedition. as merchantmen to mislead German U-boat commanders. Mystery ships sought attacks in order to force U-boats to battle. Six of America’s latest type submarines in the harbor at Queenstown, Ireland, our base of action against enemy U-boats in the Atlantic and Irish Sea. (Left inset) Capt. J. K. Taussig, U. S. N:, commander of the first American destroyer division sent to Europe during the war. (Right inset) Launching a torpedo. War vessel in its coat of camouflage. Setting the depth charge ready for firing. On board the U. S. S. The Y-gun, built especially for firing depth charges. This projector Perkins. can throw depth charges astern or on either side of an enemy boat. ARR Ae — nea re ; % Star ag \ ate sea — Fee 5}. Navy dirigibles. Every soldier who sailed to France will recall the thrill he got when, on approaching the coast, one or more of these fast flying sailed out and escorted his transport to harbor. The “blimps” searched the coastal waters for U-boats lurking beneath the surface. Ne <2 2 ra a ty Ss ew a rn / | TS was.) fT Se ee : _American battleships, composing Sixth Battle Squadron of the The Sixth Battle Squadron of the British Grand Fleet, all American British Grand Fleet, in the North Sea. vessels, at anchor in the Firth of Forth. This base port of the Grand Fleet was a place of fogs, mist and rain. A gob’s relax- ation from war- fare. Some mild fighting. ~~ Smtr A tame pirate. in a British harbor. Captured German U-boat Nothing to do till the bugle blows. Zid age * Torpedoes in tubes ready for launching. Des- troyers, cruisers, and battle cruisers carry torpedoes. Rear Admiral Hugh Rodman, who com- manded the U. S. Battle Squadron with the British Grand Fleet. 2 al a ew oe VICTORY AND THE ARMISTICE In September, 1918, Germany began to break under the Allied offen- sives delivered by Marshal Foch. The evidence of weakening was quickly apparent after Prince Maximilian of Baden became Imperial Chancellor, October 3. On October 5 he addressed a note to President Wilson asking him to notify all the Allies that Germany desired an Armistice. In accordance with this request the matter of terms was submitted to the Supreme War Council sitting at Versailles. The first formal meeting of the Entente powers took place at Versailles, October !3. Col. E. M. House, Gen. Tasker H. Bliss, and Admirals Benson and Sims represented the United States. The terms agreed upon were completed November 4, and on the following day President Wilson ‘notified the German government that Marshal Foch had been empowered to receive German envoys and communicate to them the conditions on which an Armistice would be granted. Three days of communication by wireless followed between Paris and the German Great Headquarters at Spa, Belgium. Arrangements for the German delegates to cross the lines having been completed by these means, the latter presented themselves at Marshal Foch’s field headquarters in the Forest of Compiegne, November 8. Germany was represented by Mathias Erzberger, Secretary of State, Gen. H. K. A. Winterfeldt, Count Alfred von Overndorff, Gen. von Gruenell and Naval Captain von Salow. With Marshal Foch at the conferences that ensued’ were Admiral Sir Rosslyn Wemyss, First Sea Lord of the British Admiralty and Gen. Weygand, Chief of Staff to the Marshal. When the Armistice terms finally were signed in Marshal Foch’s private car, standing on a side track at Rethondes station, at 5 o'clock in the morning, November | 1, word immediately was sent telegraph, cable, telephone and wireless-to all parts of the world. Gen. Pershing, in his final report to the Secretary of War, thus describes the receipt of the news at American General Headquarters: “At 6 o'clock A. M. on the 11th, notification was received from Marshal Foch’s head- quarters that the Armistice had been signed and that hostilities would cease at 1] A. M. Preparatory measures had already beentaken to insure the prompt transmission to the troops of the announcement of an Armistice. However, the advance east of Beaumont on the morning of the 11th had been so rapid and communication across the river was so difficult that there was some fighting on isolated portions of that front after 1] A. M.” The last sentence explains why some American elements were engaged after I1 o'clock, a feature that aroused some criticism in certain unin- formed quarters at the time. By the terms of the Armistice the Allies were to occupy German territory on the west bank of the Rhine, with bridgeheads on the East bank of 30 kilometers radius at Cologne, Coblentz and Mayence. Amer- ican forces were assigned the territory around Coblentz, with that city as headquarters. Under orders from Marshal Foch, Gen. Pershing set his American troops in motion, November |7, for the march to the Rhine. For the purpose in view the American commander-in-chief hastily formed a Third American Army, known as the Army of Occupation, and placed at its head, Maj. Gen. Joseph T. Dickman, who had been a division and corps commander in the combat period. Following through the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, close upon the heels of the retreating Germans, the American Third Army crossed the Sauer and Moselle Rivers into Rhenish Prussia, November 24. Signal Corps and ambulance details were the first elements to cross the border. The advance of the main army entered Trier, advanced headquarters, December |. Unruly elements in the Coblentz territory gave cause for fear of an outbreak. To forestall! this, and at the request of German authorities, a battalion of American troops was rushed by special train to Coblentz, December 8. Thereafter the American forces moved into the occupied territory according to schedule and settled down for their watch on the Rhine without further difficulty. At first the population was sullen but in time relations that might almost be described as friendly were established. The next step in ending the World War that called for the attention of the Allied world was the Peace Conference. This was convened in Paris. President Wilson, accompanied by a large staff of diplomats and expert advisers, sailed for France on the U. S. S. George Washington, landing in Brest, December 13, 1918. The representatives of the United States, other than the President, at the Peace Conference, were Robert Lansing Secretary of State; Henry White, former ambassador to France; Edward N. House and Gen. Tasker H. Bliss. Paris gave President Wilson a tremendous ovation when he arrived there December 14, and drove through troop lined streets to the residence of Prince Murat, where he resided during his first stay in France. Before the opening of the Peace Conference, the president visited England and Italy, being everywhere received with great warmth by the populace. A month passed before the great conference opened. The first plenary session, an informal one, was held at the Quai D 'Orsay, home of the French Foreign Ministry, January 13, 1919. Thereafter the sessions continued until the terms finally agreed upon were signed by the German plenipotentiaries in the Halls of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles, June 28, 1919. In the interval between the cessation of hostilities and the signing of the treaty of peace with Germany, the American Army command was occupied with caring for the well being of 2,000,000 soldiers impatient to return to their homes. é ag Saat Grand Hotel Brittanique at Spa, Belgium. The Kaiser had his headquarters here when Prince Maximilian of Baden, imperial chancellor, announced his abdication, Nov. 9, 1918. In fact, the Kaiser actually signed his abdication at Amerongen, Holland, Nov. 28, 1918, seventeen days after he fl ed with his personal staff from German Great Headquarters. (Inset) The War Lord when his “shining armor” was brightest and he was able to exclaim: “We stand with our hearts toward God-—to the dust with all the enemies of Germany.” be "aah A ee ‘ Ds 38 tan ‘ A £ rid ee ate. RSet id ale a Se Sa Here ended the World War. At 5 o'clock Monday morning, Nov. |1, 1918, the German plenipotentiaries, headed by Secretary of State, Mathias Erz- berger, signed the Armistice terms in Marshal Foch’s private car, No. 2419 D. The train to which the car was attached stood on the track at the station of Rethondes, in the Forest of Campiegne. Marshal Foch was accompanied by his chief of staff, Gen. Weygand and Admiral Sir Rosslyn Wemyss, First Sea Lord of the British Admiralty. (Inset) Marshal Foch, generalissimo of the Allied Armies, who presented the peace terms to the Germans. tice Commission after the signing of terms, but prior to that occupied by Green, Adye, Haking, British Army; Rhodes, American; Nudant, French; Qo a Villa Sous Bois at Spa, Belgium, headquarters of the American Armis- Generals of the Allied Armistice Commission at Spa. (R to L) Marshal Hindenburg. Debobda, Belgian. Q o Celebrating the Armistice at the Meuse-Argonne front. Members Captured German cannon in the Place de la Concorde, Paris, Nov. || of Co. M, 6th Inf., Nov. 12. Hotel Crillon, headquarters of American Peace Commission at left. Baath PTA A heheh f F ia PIL 7 | viene a Rae AL ip 4 | Leg 4 es ‘tt ‘ | _ me! wae Celebrating the Armistice in Broad Street, New York City. Tons Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Nov. !1, 1918, when the celebration of the of confetti sprinkled the streets. Every known device for making a noise Armistice was at its height. A Chicago newspaper said: “Chicago turned was used. Traffic in Fifth Avenue, Broadway, and the financial district topsy turvy today. Babel at its worst could not have been worse than was stopped. ausrel Haws Ebote Berrice Chicago was today.” Int. Film Service 8 With the Army of Occupation marching into Germany. The 149th F. A., 42d Div., crossing the Sauer River from Echternach, Luxembourg, into enemy territory. The defeated army homeward bound. German troops passing Co. A, 39th Inf., marching through Schweich on their way to the through Luxembourg’s- capital on their retreat. Rhine. BA Be: d 4. DST AN A FA BS BSS Sd NIN 6% a —— Maj. W. J. Jack and Lieut. J. F. Ryan, Ist Bn., 28th Inf., Ist Div., Maj. Gen. E. F. McGlachlin (at left) watching his Ist Div. troops crossing Moselle River bridge onto German territory at Winchrenger, cross the Moselle into Germany at Winchrenger, Nov. 30. Germany. j Mayen, Germany, Dec. 7, 1918. oO oO | Band of 125th Inf., 32d Div., announcing the entry of Americans into A quiet corner in ancient Mayen is visited by U. S. Marines. | Qo a Citizens of Treves, Germany, view the passage of the Ist Div. Their The entry into Saarburg, Germany, of Co. B, 38th Inf., 3d Div.. facial expressions are worth studying with care: Dec. |, 1918. es Pr ag Oe ; Lo ; " Us p- e pte Ye * dine ~ “ Py <= NAF icy! Tes ge i AB - wok L td ee f : ‘ w ~ : “ Peace?) Sle = aes Rg a ees ~~ 2- The town and castle of Cochem on the Moselle River. « This ancient fortress was occupied as headquarters of the 4th Army Corps of the American Army of Occupation. Sergt. Maj. A. M. Owens, 12th M. G. Bn., and Miss R. D. Holmes, Y. M. C. A. worker, walked into the picture just in time to be embalmed in history Castle and vil- lage of Montabaur during American occupation. Head- quarters Ist Div. er View of Moselle valley from Castle Cochem, headquarters 4th Army Corps Je 644 44d FO ‘ Pee Pe ; The 26th Inf., Ist Div., leaving Montabaur for a practice “hike.” The castle appears in background. Advance of 28th Inf., Ist Div., crossing Moselle River into Germany, at Winchrenger, Nov. 30. Maarksburg Castle. The hills of the Rhineland around Coblentz, _ Yankee sentinel of 5th Marines, 2d Div., on guard at gateway of occupied by the American 3d Army, were crowned with these ancient Altwied Castle, Altwied, Germany. strongholds. Whenever these castles were habitable they were occupied as headquarters for American troops. Photo by U. 8. Air Service ‘ (—— > — ADS APL — ARPS” Fort Ehren- breitstein, oppo- site Coblentz, on the Rhine. Ger- | | | many's_ strongest | Supply train of Ist Div. across the Rhine from Coblentz. Ehren- breitstein in back- frontier fort. Oc- cupied by the Am- ericans. Dec. 10, 1918. Li 3S AEBS Establishing amicable relations with the These frauleins of Hundsaugen, Germany, seem to The “starving women and children of enemy. Sewing on a 4th Army Corps shoulder have eaten well during the war. Dec. 29, 1918. Germany” we had read about. Factory badge, Cochem, Germany. workers at Bitburg, Dec. 2, 1918. ¢ rao es ry. conan meee dina ushered ule Ehrenbreitstein as seen from Coblentz, headquarters of the American Army of Occupation. This fortress occupies the rocky heights 400 feet above the Rhine. Because of the fear of revolution the German authorities requested the Americans to take it over as soon as they reached Coblentz. The Ist Div. occupied it. A balloon of the 3d Balloon Co. is keeping watch up and down the Rhine. 1 Changing the guard on the Rhine. Sentinels of 42d Div., Nieder-Breisig, Dec. 9, 1918. 2. Judging winners at 32d Div. horse show, Weis, Germany. Feb. 8, 1919. 3. Maj. Gen. Chas. H. Martin, 90th Div. at 90th Div. Horse Show. 4. This “Pied Piper” of Cochem is Pvt. Joe Foster, 5Ist Pioneer Inf. 5. The Prince of Wales (left) and Brig. Gen. B. H. Wells, Chief of Staff, 4th Army Corps, Cochem, Jan. 11, 1919. 6. Junius B. Wood, war corres- pondent gives his dog a view of the Rhine. Maj. Gen. J. T. Dickman, Commanding the Army of Occupation, reviewing Rhine River fleet taken from Germans. Feb. 6, 1919. “SEGGH finanan cites WMSELY. et inst ag wey 1A The municipal bath at Neuwied was operated by the Y: M. C. A. for This is where “‘buck”’ privates, 42d Div., dined while on leave at the Yanks on leave. famous Bad Neunahr. It formerly was the Kurhaus. Brig. Gen. Marlborough Churchill, Chief of Military Intel- ligence Division, General Staff, who accompanied Pres- ident Wilson to Peace Conference. President Wil- son on board the George Washing- ton, Brest, France. Dec. I1, 1918. tus 7 . aitie: ba Ne Ba ie eee bale eke a es ee ees : won ee The President and Rear Admiral Grayson, his personal physician, President and Mrs. Wilson landing at Brest, Dec. 13, 1918. Miss on deck of George Washington, bound for the Peace Conference. Margaret Wilson is just behind the President. bf President Wilson and President Poincare leaving railway station Dec. 14, 1918, on the occasion of Wilson’s arrival in Paris to take part in the Peace Conference. In state carriages the American president and his entourage were driven through the Champs Elysees and principal thoroughfares to the residence of Prince Murat, where President Wilson lived during his first stay in France. The boulevards through which the distinguished guest drove were lined with French troops. It was estimated that one million spectators greeted him on this occasion. ; pe Se, is t bt tS as, = 2 a - a Mid —_ : al President Wilson in his happiest mood. He is saluting the Parisian populace, whose shouts of “Vive Veelsong” filled the air when the American executive drove in state through the streets of the French capital upon his arrival to take part in the Peace Conference. President Poincare sits at the President's left. This Signal Corps photograph was the president’s favorite of all those taken of him while abroad. After the cares of state began to absorb his time and atten- tion he never appeared so buoyant as in this picture. a) a * *® Pa - ek . x38 ae +2 > a "i "ay ok . ¥ Bs he - < 2 Cae i How Paris greeted President Wilson.’ This picture was taken in the Rue Royal in front of the Madeleine. That famed church is the pillared structure in the background. Six months prior to the joyous occasion when this photograph was made, a shell from the German long distance cannon had beheaded one of the angel statues adorning the facade. At that time—June 1918—the Germans were on!y 50 miles away and one million people had fled from Paris. Wilson symbolized the great American nation that saved France and Paris strove to show its appreciation. Residence of Prince Murat, in the Rue Monceau, President Wilson’s The Guard of Honor at President Wilson’s Paris residence. Each a | official residence in Paris. Prince Murat is descended from Marshal officer and man was picked for physical appearance and military efficiency. Murat, King of Naples, and Caroline Bonaparte. a Reception by President and Mrs. Wilson to guard company and house Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Quai D’Orsay, Paris, where Peace Con- staff at Murat palace. Jan. 24, 1919. ference held formal meetings. oO ~ oa ww =| 7 vo ~ | 80 a vo fa) o s) 3 © jae 2p) =) 3 he oS a. S = k O LtoR: E. M. House, Robert Lansing, Secretary of State; President Woodrow ex-am- Gen. Tasker Wilson, Henry White H. Bliss, U.S.A. Dec. 18, 1918. bassador to France; official headquarters , on the Place de la Concorde of U. S. Peace Commission. The Hotel Crillon Behind the five delegates are the experts, military, naval, diplomatic and financial. The American Commission to negotiate Peace. + eam ©... ob 20h LY Christmas Day, 191 8. The president addressing troops at review During his Christmas day visit to the Army President Wilson climbed near Chaumont. into a doughboy billet in a stable at Sorrey. ‘In the sleet and mud the 26th Div. passed in review before its Commander-in-Chief, President Wilson, Christmas Day, 1918, near Langres. Before settling down to the long grind of the Peace Conference, President Wilson made a visit to England. This Signal Corps photograph shows his departure from London. R to L: Mrs. Wilson, Queen Mary, Mr. Wilson, King George. In the background in the state train on which the presidential party traveled. Jan. 31, 1918. oO o The Recorder of Dover, Sir Archibald Bodkin, reading address of President Wilson inspecting guard of honor at Mansion House, welcome to President Wilson on his arrival at Dover, December 26, 1918. London, December 28, 1918. o oO President Wilson and Lord Mayor of Manchester, Manchester, Eng., Thomas Watson, only surviving pupil who attended Sunday School Dec. 30, 1918. taught by Rev. Thomas Woodrow, greeting latter's grandson, President Woodrow Wilson. Carlisle, Eng., Dec. 29, 1918. President Wilson and the King ~f : : 2 sedis, 9 ud _* Te eet’, Ure ty) * a Tcl py Se %) i Fe ce he lly shown in this photograph. Jan. 5, 1919. (Inset) Qs Hee President Wilson and his party viewed the largest and most enthusiastic crowd seen on € 1919. > In the immense square before the royal palace at Milan, Italy It was estimated that 25,000 people were in gathering partia of Italy at the station in Rome, Jan. 4 the trip. SPs Delegates of 27 Allied nations standing while the President of France, Raymond Poincare, opens the Peace Conference with a formal address, Jan. 1, 1919. Immediately after Poincare’s speech Georges Clemenceau, premier of France, was named permanent chairman, This momentous conclave sat in the Salle d’Horologe (Hall of the Clock) in the Ministry of Foreign affairs, popularly known in Paris as the Quai D’Orsay. Although generally known as the Peace of Versailles, the treaty with Germany actually was formulated at the Quai D’Orsay. The signing took place at the Palace of Versailles. « ed By * Interpreter translating President Poincare’s speech into English at opening of Peace Conference. The interpreter is standing. The proceedings of the conference were carried on in English and French. Each speech was interpreted into some other language. President Wilson sits at the interpreter’s right, reading a paper. - ¥ ‘ancmemnacaeemncttnta sm idurnlaseinsannmcnivennnmeress The Big Four—L. to R.: Orlando, premier of Italy; Lloyd George, prime minister of England; Clemenceau, premier of France, and President Wilson. As the days of the conference drew on these leaders, known formally as the Council of Four, were empowered to shape the form of the growing treaty. Sessions of the Big Four were held in the library of President Wilson’s Paris residence, where this photograph was made by a Signal Corps operator. “Col.”” E. M. House, President Wilson’s confidant and one of the Lloyd George, prime minister of England and head of the British five American plenipotentiaries at the Peace Conference. Mission at the Peace Conference. The British statesman was not given to formal dress, as this picture shows. One of the unofficial powers attending the Conference. The man with a cane in his hand is Lord Northcliffe, owner of the London Times and. numerous other British journals. Among the notable figures in Paris during treaty making days was The man with bared head, descending the stairway, is Signor Orlando, Paderewski, pianist and statesman, head of the Polish delegation. then prime minister of Italy and head of the Italian delegation. While the statesmen of 27 nations were busy shaping the treaty in Paris many distinguished personages visited the A. E. F. Among the guests of the American Army were the King and Queen of Belgium, here seen on the occa- sion of their visit to Gen. Pershing at Chaumont. Behind the King (standing at salute) are Gen. Per- shing, the Queen, M. Levy, Mayor of Chaumont, and Mrs. APU ! {i The Queen “snaps” Gen. Pershing. At Gen. Pershing’s residence. L to R King Albert of Belgium, Countess of Caramonchimay, the Queen, Gen. Pershing. With the end of the war the generals permitted themselves a little social relaxation. Here is a distinguished group taken on the steps of Gen. Pershing’s chateau near Chaumont. In front row, L to R: Brig. Gen. F. R. McCoy, Lieut. Gen. Hunter Liggett, Marshal Petain, commander of the French armies in the held: Gen. Pershing, Maj. Gen. J. W. McAndrew, Chief of Staff, A. E. F., Brig. Gen. L. R. Holbrook. Jan. 14, 1919. The American officers in the group have just received from Marshal Petain decorations of the Legion of Honor. While the fighting lasted wounded men’s desire to return to their outfits was their incentive to get well. After peace came nurses devised all kinds of methods to keep up their patients’ interest while they mended. These men in Hospital No. 69, Savenay, are making bead bags, and painting fans and baskets. March 3, 1919. Whiling away time while waiting to come home. Miss Elsie Mc- Among the entertainers who helped cheer up the doughboy during .M.C.A., telling fortunes. T: ,G , Feb. 11, 1919. conference days was Miss Margaret Wilson, daughter of the President. oe 2 eal ie Sausteteg: ' She sang throughout the A. E. F. Miss Wilson stands at the right. Paris. Regard these doughboys at Biarritz, one time playground of are passing part of their 14 day leave. royalty and millionaires. Qa is | It was a hard life in the leave areas while statesmen talked peace in In the billiard room of a Y. M. C. A. hotel at Nice, these enlisted men | Q o A. Buck, on leave, never found enough girls to dance with him, but See what this “Sam Browne’ drew at the Red Cross convalescent he did not fare so badly, as this scene at Biarritz indicates. home at Beychevelle. ¥ = uf US oy be ‘ Moi sadildwngY ly” Ls Pleat See ° LP a As soon as the fighting was over the American doughboy, encouraged Boxing was a favorite sport. Candidates for championship honors by G. H. Q., turned at once to Athletics. This the 89th Div. football toured the A. E. F. seeking victims. team, champion of the A. E. F. It was an unambitious outfit that did not boast a theatrical company. “Die Wacht am Rhein” troupe, Ist Engs., Ist Div. Wirges, Germany, These “chorus girls” of the “Snap It Up” show belonged to the 29th Div. Feb. 7, 1919. es or SEEMS —— LC ((EBISS> Here at last d Mn sonny ! , BX, was “Sunny |} — a > On the beach France.” Sight- —— — a at Biarritz, March seeing -doughboys | jis a Geese Ss ace ne . al | 23, 1919. on the Riviera. After the “chow lines” in the Argonne these Riviera Hotel dining On the shores of the Mediterranean. rooms were not bad. a a “ * e * 7 e ° ® * . Henry White, veteran diplomat and Republican delegate on the Robert Lansing, U. S. Secretary of State, at his desk in the American American Peace Mission. He had been Ambassador to France. Peace headquarters, Hotel Crillon, Paris. 4 4 q | 4 + thes ~ ie re) mea -” Before they left their headquarters at the Hotel des Reservoirs, Versailles, May 7, 1919, for the Trianon Palace Hotel, where they received the treaty containing the Allies terms of peace, the German delegates posed for Corp. E. N. Jackson, a U. S. Signal Corps photographer. Reading from left to right the German envoys are: Herr Leinert, President of the Prussian National Assembl y; Dr. Karl Melchior, financial expert; Herr Giesberts, Minister of Posts; Count Brockdorff-Rantzau, Foreign Minister and head of the delegation; Dr. Landsberg, Minister of Justice, and Dr Schucking, an expert on international law. e in the Trianon Palace Hotel, Versailles, May 7, 1919. The representatives of the that received the Germans’ peace terms after the Franco-Prussian War of 1870. Count Brockdorff-Rantzau created a sensation at the Trianon Palace Hotel meeting by failing to rise when he replied to M. Clemenceau. All the Allied delegates had risen when the Germans entered the room and the French premier stood, as may be seen in the picture, while he addressed the enemy delegates. Georges Clemenceau, premier of France, delivering to the German delegates the Allies’ terms of peac 27 allied nations were present on this historic occasion. Clemenceau had been a member of the French Assembly eo = ee eS i eee President Wilson made a trip to Belgium shortly before the signing of peace and his return to America. On this occasion he made a special Hall) Brussels, June 19,1919 LtoR: King Albert of Belgium, standing; trip from Brussels to Malines to pay his respects to Cardinal Mercier, President Wilson, Mrs. Wilson, Brand Whitlock, American Ambassador with whom he is here seen conversing in the doorway. June 18, 1919. to Belgium; Queen Elizabeth of Belgium; Miss Margaret Wilson. Presidential party attending a ceremony at the Hotel de Ville (City @, “a Ae, >» a TEN = the at wd ai _ This photograph was made by a U. S. Army Air Service officer, June 28, 1919. It shows the Palace of Versailles and the crowds streaming through the gates to witness the signing of the Treaty of Peace. “The space outside the gateway is filled with a throng waiting to witness the arrival of the celebrities. Photo by U. 8. Air Serview The Hall of Mirrors in the Chateau Louis XIV (Palace of Versailles) A corner of the Palace of Versailles showing exterior of Hall of Mirrors where the German peace treaty was signed June 28, 1919. A few yards where the delegates of Germany and the Allied nations affixed their sig- from this spot William I was crowned German Emperor, Jan. 18, 1871. natures to the treaty. PSAs gusts a, oak i arg hiett tas Pac eT (Sem tees eas i= he en Lee Geena oe ey. * Seat TTT tt a aed SPEIER * . Se") tt. hy 23 att BN ppt Ben etn - 7 e. seas o — - . te b - ~ a Sed Re ah kee ty a Be a OS ce all ot “es oy : a + 2 Pais] | « 5 ~ et ee senn aves 3 4 RS ee es Te View of the Palace and City of Versailles, taken "from a U. S. Army airplane, June 28, 1919, while the delegates were assembling for the ceremony of signing the German treaty. The palace building spreads about the grand court in the lower left corner of the picture. The horse shoe shaped buildings at the right are the former royal stables. The German delegates, Mueller and Bell, were the first to affix their signatures. Next came President Wilson. The signing lasted 35 minutes. The Chinese delegates refused to sign on account of the Shantung clause, transferring former German rights to Japan The treaty text comprises approximately 80,000 words. Dhstn tow ts, Wake Photograph by a U. S. Army Signal Corps operator of ‘the actual signing of the German peace treaty, in the Hall of Mirrors, Palace of Versailles, 3:10 P. M., June 28, 1919. Outside cannon boomed and bells rang to announce to the world that peace finally had been sealed. Within this room, a few yards from where the German Empire was proclaimed 48 years before, delegates of the new German Republic affixed their signatures to the document which ended German military autocracy. Outside the crowds cheered as Wilson, Clemenceau, Lloyd George and other well’ known figures took their departure. Pershing Stadium, Joinville, near Paris, where the inter-Allied Army Athletic Contests were held in June, 1919. This Stadium was built by American Army engineers. At the close of the games, when our troops were leaving France, it was presented to the French nation. (Inset) King Nicholas of Monte- negro presenting a medal to a Yankee victor in Pershing Stadium games, June 22, 1919. __ Photo by U. 8. Air Service Marshals Joffre and Foch, and staff of Allied officers, leading the Victory Parade through the Arc de Triomphe, Paris, July 14, 1919. Ahead of the two Marshals marched 1,000 wounded French soldiers in civilian clothes. Note that Marshal Joffre, victor of the-first Battle of the Marne, and Senior Marshal of France, rides slightly in advance of Foch. Joffre is in dark uniform. Behind these two followed picked battalions from all the Allied Armies. The Arc de Triomphe was built by Napoleon !. None but victorious armies are permitted to march through the Arc, which stands at the head of the Champs Elysees. At other times heavy chains bar passage way. Sat eea® SS sresetwt ee ser: Forty American regimental flags in the Victory Parade, Paris, July Gen. Pershing and staff passing through Place de la Concorde in 14, 1919. A battalion of picked troops represented America. The flags Paris Victory Parade. Behind the general his orderly carries his four represented combat troops. starred personal flag. American composite regiment in Place de la Concorde, Paris Victory > The U: S. Navy's representatives in the Paris Victory Parade march- Parade. This regiment comprised picked men from combat units, chosen ing through the Arc de Triomphe and down the Champs Elysees. for size, bearing and record. ; Gen. Pershing leading the American contingent in the Paris Victory Parade: With him rode Maj. Gens. J. G. Harbord, Henry T. Allen, John L. Hines, Brig. Gens. Dennis Nolan, Fox Conner, and other officers of his headquarters. The Commander-in-Chief of the A. E. F. was given the place of honor directly behind Marshals Joffre and Foch and their staffs. Massed American colors pass- ing the King’s reviewing stand in the London Victory Parade, July 19, 1919. Here, as in the Paris Victory Parade five days earlier, Gen. Pershing and the American composite regiment, comprising picked men from combat units, were given an ovation. A London newspaper said of the American colors: “The Stars and Strips were fluttering in the wind like things of flame. They passed up Con- stitution Hill, a bunch of flapping, leaping fire.” Gen. Pershing saluting the King. A London paper said: “Then King George receiving the American salute. Gen. Pershing came —a big, thick-set man, with a thrusting chin, all smiles as the crowd let him have it, but steady and soldierly, as his hand went up to salute the King.” . tres Ta ne ere ic In the royal reviewing Manuel of Portugal, the ex-Queen of Portugal, Marshal Foch, Gen. Pershing, King George, Queen Mary and the. Dowager Queen Alexandria. The parade was six miles long. The Americans wearing their trench helmets, came first and were wildly received by the populace. Each of the 3,500 Yankee soldiers had been chosen for his height and soldierly bearing and they had been drilled together for three months for the Victory Parades. ‘‘Pershing’s Own,” they were called in the press. stand as the military of all the Allied nations swept by in the London Victory Parade, July 19, 1919. Left to right, ex-King “When do we go home?” was asked by every American soldier as soon The job done “‘over there,” these men are starting “back to the good as the Armistice was signed. Here are some of the earliest to leave. old U.S.A.” U.S.S. Mercury, St. Nazaire, December 6, 1918. The 49th Inf., embarking at Brest, January 11, 1919. Homeward bound—these lucky fellows are boarding the Wilhelmina Headquarters Co., 319th F. A., 82d Div., boarding transport Alaskan at Bordeaux, January 5, 1919. for home. April 27, 1919. aae- It required 19 months to transport 2,079,880 American troops to Europe but the exodus from France was much more rapid. The backward flow really did not get well under way until April, 1919. By September the last division, the Ist, was back in the United States. This photograph shows one of the earliest outfits to return, the 87th Div., loading on the transport Manchuria at St. Nazaire, Jan. 10, 1919. Pershing and Foch say “‘goodbye’’ at Brest, September |, 1919. Farewell to France. Gen. Pershing, on the bridge of the Leviathan, Foch holds paper in hand. Pershing stands at his left. waves at the receding shores of the land he helped to save. Sept. 1, 1919. Some one apparently has told the General a ‘‘good one.’ On board Home again. Gen. Pershing points out the first signs of land, Sep- the Leviathan homeward bound. tember 8, 1919. “HELLO, AMERICA.” Leviathan, our greatest troop carrying transport, docking at Hoboken, April 25, 1919. The arrival of a troopship in New York harbor with heroes of the A. E. F. was ever an occasion for outbursts of pleasure and gratitude. The ship was met down the bay with tugs carrying welcoming com- me mittees, bands and anxious rela- sh ~ a ; 7 tives. The procession up the bay _ ' patina was to an accompaniment of SOREL whistles, cheers and music. Carrying off wounded from U. S. hospital ship Mercy, New York, Negro troops of 93d Div., on Leviathan, in New York harbor, Feb- December 12, 1918. ruary 2, 1919. “Welcome home” to the 27th Div., the New York National Guard outfit that helped break the Maj. Gen. John F. O’Ryan (right), 27th Div., Hindenburg Line in September, 1919.. Passing through the Victory Arch at Madison Square, New reviewing his men as the division marched up York City, March 24, 1919. ; oh ih al de Fifth Avenue in its final parade. March 24, 1919. Central News Photo Service Famous fighters of many wars. The 165th Inf. (69th Inf., N. Y. N. G.) marching through the Victory Arch and up Fifth Avenue upon their return from France. This regiment, known as the “Fighting Irish’, was part of the 42d (Rainbow) Division. It fought at Chateau Thierry, St. Mihiel and in the Meuse-Argonne, suffering heavy losses in all those campaigns. (Inset) Maj. Gen. Alexander, and staff, leading 77th Div. in its victory march up Fifth Avenue, New York, May 8, 1919. The 77th was composed of New York City draft men. Paul ‘Thompson f 7, é a eee oe Chasen gs. “ pe now urging the indefinite continuation of priority for the shipment of infantry and its complete incorporation in their units, which fact was cabled to the War Department on April 3, with the specific recom- mendation that the total immediate priority of infantry be limited to four divisions, plus 45,500 replacements, and that the necessity for future priority be determined later. 5. The Secretary of War and I held a conference with British authorities on April 7, during which it developed that the British had erroneously assumed that the preferential shipment of infantry was to be continuous. It was agreed at this meeting that 60,000 infantry and machine-gun troops, with certain auxiliary units to be brought over by British tonnage during April, should go to the British area as part of the six-division plan, but that there should be a further agreement as ‘to subsequent troops to be brought over by the British. Consequently, a readjustment of the priority schedule was undertaken on the basis of postponing ‘‘shipment of all noncombatant troops to the utmost possible to meet present situation, and at the same time not make it impossible to build up our own Army.” 6. The battle line in the vicinity of Amiens had hardly stabilized when, on April 9, the Germans made another successful attack against the British lines on a front of some 40 kilometers in the vicinity of Armentieres and along the Lys River. As a result of its being included in a salient formed by the German advance, Passchendaele Ridge, the capture of which had cost so dearly in 1917, was evacuated by the Bnitish on April 17. The losses had been heavy and the British were unable to replace them entirely. They were, therefore, making extraordinary efforts to increase the shipping available for our troops. On April 21, I went to London to clear up certain questions concerning the rate of shipment and to reach the further agreement provided for in the April 7 con- ference. The result of this London agreement was cabled to Washing- ton April 24, ‘as follows: (a) That only the infantry, machine guns, engineers, and sig- nal troops of American divisions and the headquarters of divisions and brigades be sent over in British and American shipping dur- ing May for training and service with the British army in France up to six divisions and that any shipping in excess of that required for these troops be utilized to transport troops necessary to make these divisions complete. The training and service of these troops will be carried out in accordance with plans already agreed upon between Sir Douglas Haig and Gen. Pershing, with a view at an early date of building up American divisions. (b) That the American personnel of the artillery of these di- visions and such corps troops as may be required to build up American corps organizations follow immediately thereafter, and that American artillery personnel be trained with French materiel and join its proper divisions as soon as thoroughly trained. (c) If, when the program outlined in paragraphs (a) and (b) is completed, the military situation makes advisable the further ship- ment of infantry, etc., of American divisions, then all the British and American shipping available for transport of troops shall be used for that purpose under such arrangement as will insure im- mediate aid to the Allies, and at the same time provide at the earliest moment for bringing over American artillery and other necessary units to complete the organization of American divisions and corps. Provided that the ccmbatant troops mentioned in (a) and (b) be followed by such Service of the Rear and other troops as may be considered necessary by the American Commander-in- Chief. (d) That it is contemplated American divisions and corps when trained and organized shall be utilized under the American Com- mander-in-Chief in an American group. (ec) That the American Commander-in-Chief shall allot Amer- ican troops to the French or British for training or train them with American units at his discretion, with the understanding that troops already transported by British shipping or included in the six di- visions mentioned in paragraph (a) are to be trained with the British Army, details as to rations, equipment, and transport to be determined by special agreement. 7. Ata meeting of the Supreme War Council held at Abbeville May | and 2, the entire question of the amalgamation of Americans with the French and British was reopened. An urgent appeal came from both French and Italian representatives for American replacements or units to serve with their armies. After prolonged discussion regard- ing this question and that of priority generally the following agreement was reached, committing the Council to an independent American Army and providing for the immediate shipment of certain troops: It is the opinion of the Supreme War Council that, in order to carry the war to a successful conclusion, an American Army should be formed as early as possible under its own commander and under its own flag. In order to meet the present emergency it is agreed that American troops should be brought to France as rapidly as Allied transportation facilities will permit, and that, as far as consistent with the necessity of building up an American Army, preference will be given to infantry and machine-gun units for training and service with the French and British Armies; with the understanding that such infantry and machine-gun units are to be withdrawn and united with its own artillery and aux- iliary troops into divisions and corps at the direction of the Amer- ican Commander-in-Chief after consultation with the Commander- in-Chief of the Allied Armies in France. : Subparagraph A. It is also agreed that during the month of May preferences should be given to the transportation of infantry and machine-gun units of six divisions, and that any excess ton- nage shall be devoted to bringing over such other troops as may be determined by the American Commander-in-Chief. Subparagraph B. It is further agreed that this program shall be continued during the month of June upon condition that the British Government shall furnish transportation for a minimum of 130,000 men in May and 150,000 men in June, with the un- derstanding that the first six divisions of infantry shall go to the British for training and service, and that troops sent over in June shall be allocated for training and service as the American Com- mander-in-Chief may determine. Subparagraph C. It is also further agreed that if the British Government shall transport an excess of 150,000 men in June that such excess shall be infantry and machine-gun units, and that early in June there shall be a new review of the situation to determine further action. : The gravity of the situation had brought the Allies to a full realiza- tion of the necessity of providing all possible tonnage for the transporta- tion of American troops. Although their views were accepted to the extent of giving a considerable priority to infantry and machine gunners, the priority agreed upon as to this class of troops was not as extensive as some of them deemed necessary, and the Abbeville conference was adjourned with the understanding that the question of further priority would be discussed at a conference to be held about the end of May. 8. The next offensive of the enemy was made between the Oise and Berry-au-Bac against the French instead of against the British, as was generally expected, and it came as a complete surprise. The initial Aisne attack, covering a front of 35 kilometers, met with remarkable success, as the German armies advanced no less than 50 kilometers in four days. On reaching the Marne that river was used as a defensive flank and the German advance was directed toward Paris. During the first days of June something akin to a panic seized the city and it was estimated that 1,000,000 people left during the spring of 1918. The further conference which had been agreed upon at Abbeville was held at Versailles on June | and 2. The opinion of our Allies as to the existing situation and the urgency of their insistence upon further priority for infantry and machine gunners are shown by the following message prepared by the Prime Ministers of Great Britain, France, and Italy, and agreed to by Gen. Foch: The Prime Ministers of France, Italy, and Great Britain, now meeting at Versailles, desire to send the following message to the President of the United States: ‘““We desire to express our warmest thanks to President Wilson for the remarkable promptness with which American aid, in ex- cess of what at one time seemed practicable, has been rendered to the Allies during the past month to meet a great emergency. The crisis, however, still continues. Gen. Foch has presented to us a statement of the utmost gravity, which points out that the numerical superiority of the enemy in France, where !62 Allied divisions now oppose 200 German divisions, is very heavy, and that, as there is no possibility of the British and French increasing the number of their divisions (on the contrary, they are put to ex- treme straits to keep them up) there is a great danger of the war be- ing lost unless the numerical inferiority of the Allies can be remedied as rapidly as possible by the advent of American troops. He, there- fore, urges with the utmost insistence that the maximum possible number of infantry and machine gunners, in which respect the shortage of men on the side of the Allies is most marked, should continue to be shipped from America in the months of June and July to avert the immediate danger from an Allied defeat in the present campaign owing to the Allied reserves being exhausted before those of the enemy. In addition to this, and looking to the future, he represents that it is impossible to foresee ultimate victory in the war unless America is able to provide such an Army as will enable the Allies ultimately to establish numerical superiority. He places the total American force required for this at no less than 100 divisions, and urges the continuous raising of fresh American levies, which, in his opinion, should not be less than 300,000 a month, with a view to establishing a total American force of 100 divisions at as early a date as this can possibly be done. ‘We are satisfied that Gen. Foch, who is conducting the present campaign with consummate ability, and on whose military judg- ment we continue to place the most absolute reliance, is not over- estimating the needs of the case, and we feel confident that the Government of the United States will do everything that can be _ == Ss Se | done, both to meet the needs of the immediate situation and to proceed with the continuous raising of fresh levies, calculated to provide, as soon as possible, the numerical superiority which the Commander-in-Chief of the Allied Armies regards as essential to ultimate victory.” A separate telegram contains the arrangements which Gen. Foch, Gen. Pershing, and Lord Milner have agreed to recommend to the United States Government with regard to the dispatch of American troops for the months of June and July. (Signed) CLEMENCEAU, D. LLoyp GEORGE, ORLANDO. Such extensive priority had already been given to the transport of American infantry and machine gunners that the troops of those cate- gories which had received even partial training in the United States were practically exhausted. Moreover, the strain on our Services of Supply made it essential that early relief be afforded by increasing its personnel. At the same time, the corresponding services of our Allies had in certain departments been equally overtaxed and their responsible heads were urgent in their representations that their needs must be relieved by bringing over American specialists. The final agreement was cabled to the War Department on June 5, as follows: The following agreement has been concluded between Gen. Foch, Lord Milner, and myself with reference to the transporta- tion of American troops in the months of June and July: “The following recommendations are made on the assumption that at least 250,000 men can be transported in each of the months of June and July by the employment of combined British and American tonnage. We recommend: (a) For the month of June: (1) Absolute priority shall be given to the transportation of 170,000 combatant troops (viz, six divisions without artillery, ammunition trains, or supply trains, amounting to 126,000 men and 44,000 replacements for combat troops); (2) 25,400 men for the service of the railways, of which 13,400 have been asked for by the French Minister of Transportation; (3) the balance to be troops of categories to be determined by the Commander-in-Chief, American Expeditionary Forces. ‘“(b) For the month of July: (1) Absolute priority for the shipment of 140,000 combatant troops of the nature defined above (four divisions minus artillery ‘et cetera’ amounting to 84,000 men, plus 56,000 replacement); (2) the balance of the 250,000 to consist of troops to be designated by the Commander- in-Chief, American Expeditionary Forces. ““(c) It is agreed that if the available tonnage in either month allows of the transportation of a larger number of men than 250,- 000, the excess tonnage will be employed in the transportation of combat troops as defined above. ‘““(d) We recognize that the combatant troops to be dis- patched in July may have to include troops which have had in- sufficient training, but we consider the present emergency is such as to justify a temporary and exceptional departure by the United States from sound principles of training, especially as a similar course is being followed by France and Great Britain. (Signed) ‘“‘Focnu, “MILNER, ““PERSHING.” 9. The various proposals during these conferences regarding pri- ority of shipment, often very insistent, raised questions that were not only most difficult but most delicate. On the one hand, there was a critical situation which must be met by immediate action, while, on the other hand, any priority accorded a particular arm necessarily post- poned the formation of a distinctive American fighting force and the means to supply it. Such a force was, in my opinion, absolutely necessary to win the war. A few of the Allied representatives became convinced that the American Services of Supply should not be neg- lected but should be developed in the common interest. The success of our divisions during May and June demonstrated fully that it was not necessary to draft Americans under foreign flags in order to utilize American manhood most effectively. ALLIED COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF. 10. When, on March 21, 1918, the German Army on the western front began its series of offensives, it was by far the most formidable force the world had ever seen. In fighting men and guns it had a great superiority, but this was of less importance than the advantage in morale, in experience, in training for mobile warfare, and in unity of command. Ever since the collapse of the Russian armies and the crisis on the Italian front in the fall of 1917, German armies were being assembled and trained for the great campaign which was to end the war before America’s effort could be brought to bear. Germany's best troops, her most successful generals, and all the experience gained in three years of war were mobilized for the supreme effort. The first blow fell on the right of the British Armies, including the junction of the British and French forces. Only the prompt coopera- tion of the French and British general headquarters stemmed the tide. The reason for this objective was obvious and strikingly illustrated the necessity for having someone with sufficient authority over all the Allied Armies to meet such an emergency. The lack of complete cooperation among the Allies on the western front had been appreciated and the question of preparation to meet a crisis had already received attention by the Supreme War Council. A plan had been adopted by which each of the Allies would furnish a certain number of divisions for a general reserve to be under the direction of the military representatives of the Supreme War Council of which Gen. Foch was then the senior member. But when the time came to meet the German offensive in March these reserves were not found available and the plan failed. This situation resulted in a conference for the immediate considera- tion of the question of having an Allied Commander-in-Chief. Afier much discussion during which my view favoring such action was clearly stated, an agreement was reached and Gen. Foch was selected. His appointment as such was made April 3 and was approved for the United States by the President on April 16. The terms of the agreement under which Gen. Foch exercised his authority were as follows: Beauvais, April 3, 1978. Gen. Foch is charged by the British, French, and American Governments with the coordination cf the action of the Allied Armies on the western front; to this end there is conferred on him all the powers necessary for its effective realization. ‘To the same end, the British, French, and American Governments confide in Gen. Foch the strategic direction of military operations. The Commander-in-Chief of the British, French, and American Armies will exercise to the fullest extent the tactical direction -of their armies. Each Commander-in-Chief will have the right to appeal to his Government, if in his opinion his Army is placed in danger by the instructions received from Gen. Foch. (Signed) G. CLEMENCEAU. PETAIN. F. Focu. LLoyp GEORGE. D. Haic, F. M. Henry WILSON, General, 3.4.18. TASKER H. Biss, General and Chief of Staff. JoHN J. PERSHING, General, U. S. A. EMPLOYMENT OF AMERICAN DIVISIONS FROM MARCH TO SEPTEMBER, 1918. 11. The grave crisis precipitated by the first German offensive caused me to make a hurried visit to Gen. Foch’s headquarters, at Bombon, during which all our combatant forces were placed at his disposal. The acceptance of this offer meant the dispersion of our troops along the Allied front and a consequent delay in building up a distinctive American force in Lorraine, but the serious situation of the Allies demanded this divergence from our plans. On March 21, approximately 300,000 American troops had reached France. Four combat divisions, equivalent in strength to eight French or British divisions, were available—the First and Second then in line, and the Twenty-sixth and Forty-second just withdrawn from line after one month’s trench warfare training. The last two divisions at once began taking over quiet sectors to release divisions for the battle; the Twenty-sixth relieved the First Division, which was sent to northwest of Paris in reserve; the Forty-second relieved two French divisions from quiet sectors. In addition to these troops, one regiment of the Ninety- third Division was with the French in the Argonne, the Forty-first Depot Division was in the Services of Supply, and three divisons (Third, Thirty-second, and Fifth) were arriving. 12. On April 25 the First Division relieved two French divisions on the front near Montdidier and on May 28 captured the important observation stations on the heights of Cantigny with splendid dash. French artillery, aviation, tanks, and flame throwers aided in the attack, but most of this French assistance was withdrawn before the comple- tion of the operation in order to meet the enemy’s new offensive launched May 27 toward Chateau-Thierry. The enemy reaction against our troops at Cantigny was extremely violent, and apparently he was deter- mined at all costs to counteract the most excellent effect the American success had produced. For three days his guns of all calibers were concentrated on our new position and counterattack succeeded counter- attack. The desperate efforts of the Germans gave the fighting at Cantigny a seeming tactical importance entirely out of proportion to the numbers involved. 13. Of the three divisions arriving in France when the first German offensive began, the Thirty-second, intended for replacements, had been temporarily employed in the Services of Supply to meet a shortage of personnel, but the critical situation caused it to be reassembled and by May 21 it was entering the line in the Vosges. At this time the Fifth Division, though still incomplete, was also ordered into the line in the same region. The Third Division was assembling in its training area and the Third Corps staff had just been organized to administer these three divisions. In addition to the eight divisions already men- tioned, the Twenty-eighth and Seventy-seventh had arrived in the British area, and the Fourth, Twenty-seventh, Thirtieth, Thirty-third, Thirty-fifth, and Eighty-second were arriving there. Following the agreements as to British shipping, our troops came so rapidly that by the end of May we had a force of 600,000 in France. The Third German offensive on May 27, against the French on the Aisne, soon developed a desperate situation for the Allies. The Second Division, then in reserve northwest of Paris and preparing to relieve the First Division, was hastily diverted to the vicinity of Meaux on May 31, and, early on the morning of June |, was deployed across the Chateau- Thierry-Paris road near Montreuil-aux-Lions in a gap in the French line, where it stopped the German advance on Paris. At the same time the partially trained Third Division was placed at French disposal to hold the crossings of the Marne, and its motorized machine-gun bat- talion succeeded in reaching Chateau-Thierry in time to assist in suc- cessfully defending that river crossing. The enemy having been halted, the Second Division commenced a series of vigorous attacks on June 4, which resulted in the capture of Belleau Woods after very severe fighting. The village of Bouresches was taken soon after, and on July | Vaux was captured. In these operations the Second Division met with most desperate resistance by Germany’s best troops. 14. To meet the March offensive, the French had extended their front from the Oise to Amiens, about 60 kilometers, and during the German drive along the Lys had also sent reinforcements to assist the British. The French lines had been further lengthened about 45 kilometers as a result of the Marne pocket made by the Aisne offensive. This increased frontage and the heavy fighting had reduced French reserves to an extremely low point. Our Second Corps, under Maj. Gen. George W. Read, had been organized for the command of the 10 divisions with the British, which were held back in training areas or assigned to second-line defenses. After consultation with Field Marshal Haig on June 3, 5 American divisions were relieved from the British area to support the French. The Seventy-seventh and Eighty-second Divisions were moved south to release the Forty-second and Twenty-sixth for employment on a more active portion of the front; the Thirty-fifth Division entered the line in the Vosges, and the Fourth and Twenty-eighth Divisions were moved to the region of Meaux and Chateau-[/hierry as reserves. On June 9 the Germans attacked the Montdidier-Noyon front in an effort to widen the Marne pocket and bring their lines nearer to Paris, but were stubbornly held by the French with comparatively little loss of ground. In view of the unexpected results of the three preceding attacks by the enemy, this successful defense proved beneficial to the Allied morale, particularly as it was believed that the German losses were unusually heavy. 15. On July 15, the date of the last German offensive, the First, Second, Third, and Twenty-sixth Divisions were on the Chateau- Thierry front with the Fourth and Twenty-eighth in support, some small units of the last two divisions gaining front-line experience with our troops or with the French; the Forty-second Division was in sup- port of the French east of Rheims; and four colored regiments were with the French in the Argonne. On the Alsace-Lorraine front we had five divisions in line with the French. Five were with the Bnitish Army, three having elements in the line. In our training areas four divisions were assembled and four were in the process of arrival. The Marne salient was inherently weak and offered an opportunity for a counteroffensive that was obvious. If successful, such an opera: tion would afford immediate relief to the Allied defense, would remove the threat against Paris, and free the Paris-Nancy Railroad. But, more important than all else, it would restore the morale of the Allies and remove the profound depression and fear then existing. Up to this time our units had been put in here and there at critical points as emergency troops to stop the terrific German advance. In every trial, whether on the defensive or offensive, they had proved themselves equal to any troops in Europe. As early as June 23 and again on July 10 at Bombon, I had very strongly urged that our best divisions be concentrated under American command, if possible, for use as a striking force against the Marne salient. Although the prevailing view among the Allies was that American units were suitable only for the defensive, and that at all events they could be used to better advantage under Allied command, the suggestion was accepted in principle, and my esti- mate of their offensive fighting qualities was soon put to the test. The enemy had encouraged his soldiers to believe that the July 15 attack would conclude the war with a German peace. Although he made elaborate plans for the operation, he failed to conceal fully his intentions, and the front of attack was suspected at least one week ahead. On the Champagne front the actual hour for the assault was known and the enemy was checked with heavy losses. The Forty- second Division entered the line near Somme Py immediately, and five of its infantry battalions and all its artillery became engaged. South- west of Rheims and along the Marne to the east of Chateau- [hierry the Germans were at first somewhat successful, a penetration of 8 kilometers beyond the river being effected against the French imme- diately to the right of our Third Division. The following quotation from the report of the commanding general Third Division gives the result of the fighting on his front: Although the rush of the German troops overwhelmed some of the front-line positions, causing the infantry and machine-gun com- panies to suffer, in some cases a 50 per cent loss, no German sol- dier crossed the road from Fossoy to Crezancy, except as a prisoner of war, and by noon of the following day (July 16) there were no Germans in the foreground of the Third Division sector ex- cept the dead. On this occasion a single regiment of the Third Division wrote one of the most brilliant pages in our military annals. 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 crit- ical points and succeeded in throwing two German divisions into com- plete confusion, capturing 600 prisoners. 16. The selection by the Germans of the Champagne sector and the eastern and southern faces of the Marne pocket on which to make their offensive was fortunate for the Allies, as it favored the launching of the counterattack already planned. There were now over 1,200,000 American troops in France, which provided a considerable force of re- serves. Every American division with any sort of training was made available for use in a counteroffensive. Gen. Petain’s initial plan for the counterattack involved the entire western face of the Marne salient. The First and Second American Divisions, with the First French Moroccan Division between them, were employed as the spearhead of the main attack, driving directly eastward, through the most sensitive portion of the German lines, to the heights south of Soissons. The advance began on July 18, without the usual brief warning of a preliminary bombardment, and these three divisions at a single bound broke through the enemy’s infantry defenses and overran his artillery, cutting or interrupting the German communica- tions leading into the salient. A general withdrawal from the Marne was immediately begun by the enemy, who still fought stubbornly to prevent disaster. The First Division, throughout 4 days of constant fighting, ad- vanced 11 kilometers, capturing Berzy-le-Sec and the heights above Soissons and taking some 3,500 prisoners and 68 field guns from the 7 German divisions employed against it. It was relieved by a British division. The Second Division advanced 8 kilometers in the first 26 hours, and by the end of the second day was facing Tigny, having cap- tured 3,000 prisoners and 66 field guns. It was relieved the night of the 19th by a French division. The result of this counteroffensive was of decisive importance. Due to the magnificent dash and power dis- played on the field of Soissons by our First and Second Divisions the tide of war was definitely turned in favor of the Allies. Other American divisions participated in the Marne counteroffensive. A little to the south of the Second Division, the Fourth was in line with the French and was engaged until July 22. The First American Corps, Maj. Gen. Hunter Liggett commanding, with the Twenty-sixth Division and a French division, acted as a pivot of the movement to- ward Soissons, capturing Torcy on the 18th and reaching the Chateau- Thierry-Soissons road on the 21st. At the same time the Third Division crossed the Marne and took the heights of Mont St. Pere and the villages of Charteves and Jaulgonne. In the First Corps, the Forty-second Division relieved the Twenty- sixth on July 25 and extended its front, on the 26th relieving the French division. From this time until August 2 it fought its way through the Forest de Fere and across the Ourcq, advancing toward the Vesle until relieved by the Fourth Division on August 3. Early in this period elements of the Twenty-eighth Division participated in the advance. Farther to the east the Third Division forced the enemy back to Roncheres Wood, where it was relieved on July 30 by the Thirty- second Division from the Vosges front. The Thirty-second, after relieving the Third and some elements of the Twenty-eighth on the line of the Ourcq River, advanced abreast of the Forty-second toward the Vesle. On August 3 it passed under control of our Third Corps, Maj. Gen. Robert L. Bullard commanding, which made its first ap- pearance in battle at this time, while the Fourth Division took up the task of the Forty-second Division and advanced with the Thirty-second to the Vesle River, where, on August 6, the operation for the reduction of the Marne salient terminated. In the hard fighting from July 18 to August 6 the Germans were not only halted in their advance but were driven back from the Marne to the Vesle and committed wholly to the defensive. The force of American arms had been brought to bear in time to enable the last offensive of the enemy to be crushed. 17. The First and Third Corps now held a continuous front of 11 kilometers along the Vesle. On August 12 the Seventy-seventh Di- vision relieved the Fourth Division on the First Corps front, and the following day the Twenty-eighth relieved the Thirty-second Division in the Third Corps, while from August 6 to August 10 the Sixth Infantry Brigade of the Third Division held a sector on the river line. The transfer of the First Corps to the Woevre was ordered at this time, and the control of its front was turned over to the Third Corps. On August 18 Gen. Petain began an offensive between Rheims and the Oise. Our Third Corps participated in this operation, crossing the Vesle on September 4 with the Twenty-eighth and Seventy-seventh Divisions and overcoming stubborn opposition on the plateau south of the Aisne, which was reached by the Seventy-seventh on September 6. The Twenty-eighth was withdrawn from the line on September 7. Two days later the Third Corps was transferred to the region of Verdun, the Seventy-seventh Division remaining in line on the Aisne River until September 17. The Thirty-second Division, upon its relief from the battle on the Vesle, joined a French corps north of Soissons and attacked from August 29 to 31, capturing Juvigny after some particularly desperate fighting and reaching the Chauny-Soissons road. 18. On the British front two regiments of the Thirty-third Di- vision participated in an attack on Hamel July 4, and again on August 9 as an incident of the allied offensive against the Amiens salient. One of these regiments took Gressaire Wood and Chipilly Ridge, capturing 700 prisoners and considerable matériel, ASSEMBLING THE FIRST AMERICAN ARMY. 19. In conference with Gen. Petain at Chantilly on May 19 it had been agreed that the American Army would scon take complete charge of the sector of the Woevre. The Twenty-sixth Division was already in line in the Woevre north of Toul and was to be followed by other American divisions as they became available, with the under- standing that the sector was to pass to our control when four divisions were in the line. But demands of the battle then going on farther west required the presence of our troops, and the agreement had no immediate result. Due to the presence of a number of our divisions northeast of Paris, the organization of an American corps sector in the Chateau-Thierry region was taken up with Gen. Petain, and on July 4 the First Corps assumed tactical control of a sector in that region. This was an important step, but it was by no means satisfactory, as only one American division at the moment was operating under the con- trol of the First Corps, while he had at this time eight American di- visions in the front line serving in French corps. 20. The counter-offensives against the Marne salient in July, and against the Amiens salient in August, had gained such an advantage that it was apparent that the emergency, which justified the dispersion of our divisions, had passed. The moment was propitious for as- sembling our divisions. Scattered as they were along the Allied front, their supply had become very difficult. From every point of view the immediate organization of an independent American force was indicated. The formation of the Army in the Chateau-Thierry region and its early transfer to the sector of the Woevre, which was to extend from Nomeny, east of the Moselle, to north of St. Mihiel, was there- fore decided upon by Marshal Foch and myself on August 9, and the details were arranged with Gen. Petain later on the same day. \ ST. MIHIEL OPERATION. 21. At Bombon on July 24 there was a conference of all the Com- manders-in-Chief for the purpose of considering Allied operations. Each presented proposals for the employment of the armies under his command and these formed the basis of future cooperation of the Allies. It was emphatically determined that the Allied attitude should be to maintain the offensive. As the first operation of the American Army, the reduction of the salient of St. Mihiel was to be undertaken as soon as the necessary troops and material could be made available. On account of the swampy nature of the country it was especially impor- tant that the movement be undertaken and finished before the fall rains should begin, which was usually about the middle of September. Arrangements were concluded for successive relief of American di- visions and the organization of the First American Army under my personal command was announced on August 10, with La Ferte-sous- Jouarre as headquarters. This Army nominally assumed control of a portion of the Vesle front, although at the same time directions were given for its secret concentration in the St. Mihiel sector. 22. The force of American soldiers in France at that moment was sufficient to carry out this offensive, but they were dispersed along the front from Switzerland to the Channel. The three Army Corps head- quarters to participate in the St. Mihiel attack were the First, Fourth, and Fifth. The First was on the Vesle, the Fourth at Toul, and the Fifth not yet completely organized. To assemble combat divisions and service troops and undertake a major operation, within the short period available and with staffs so recently organized, was an extremely difh- cult task. Our deficiencies in Artillery, Aviation, and special troops, caused by the shipment of an undue proportion of Infantry and Machine Guns during the summer, were largely met by the French. 23. The reduction of the St. Mihiel salient was important, as it would prevent the enemy from interrupting traffic on the Paris-Nancy Railroad by artillery fire and would free the railroad leading north through St. Mihiel to Verdun. It would also provide us with an ad- vantageous base of departure for an attack against the Metz-Sedan Railroad system which was vital to the German armies west of Verdun, and against the Briey Iron Basin which was necessary for the produc- tion of German armament and munitions. The general plan was to make simultaneous attacks against the flanks of the salient. The ultimate objective was tentatively fixed as the gen- eral line Marieulles (east of the Moselle)—heights south of Gorze- Mars la Tour-Etain. The operation contemplated the. use on the west- ern face of 3 or 4 American divisions, supported by the attack of 6 divisions of the Second French Army on their left, while 7 American divisions would attack on the southern face, and 3 French divisions would press the enemy at the tip of the salient. As the part to be taken by the Second French Army would be closely related to the attack of the First American Army, Gen. Petain placed all the French troops involved under my personal command. By August 30, the concentration of the scattered divisions, corps, and army troops, of the quantities of supplies and munitions required, and the necessary construction of light railways and roads, were well under way. 24. In accordance with the previous general consideration of opera- tions at Bombon on July 24, an allied offensive extending practically along the entire active front was eventually to be carried out. After the reduction of the St. Mihiel sector the Americans were to cooperate in the concerted effort of the Allied armies. It was the sense of the conference of July 24, that the extent to which the different operations already planned might carry us could not be then foreseen, especially if the results expected were achieved before the season was far ad- vanced. It seemed reasonable at that time to look forward to a com- bined offensive for the autumn, which would give no respite to the enemy and would increase our advantage for the inauguration of suc- ceeding operations extending into 1919. On August 30, a further discussion with Marshal Foch was held at my headquarters at Ligny-en-Barrois. In view of the new successes of the French and British near Amiens and the continued favorable results toward the Chemin des Dames on the French front, it was now believed that the limited Allied offensive, which was to prepare for the campaign of 1919, might be carried further before the end of the year. At this meeting it was proposed by Marshal Foch that the gen- eral operations as far as the American Army was concerned should be carried out in detail by: (a) An attack between.the Meuse and the Argonne by the Second French Army, reinforced by from four to six American divisions. (b) A French-American attack, extending from the Argonne west to the Souain Road, to be executed on the right by an American Army astride the Aisne and on the left by the Fourth French Army. To carry out these attacks the 10 to 11 American divisions sug- gested for the St. Mihiel operation and the 4 to 6 for the Second French Army, would leave 8 to 10 divisions for an American Army on the Aisne. It was proposed that the St. Mihiel operation should be initiated cn September 10 and the other two on September 15. and 20, respectively. 25. The plan suggested for the American participation in these operations was not acceptable to me because it would require the im- mediate separation of the recently formed First American Army into several groups, mainly to assist French armies. This was directly centrary to the principle of forming a distinct American Army, for which my contention had been insistent. An enormous amount of preparation had already been made in construction of roads, railroads, regulating stations, and cther installations looking to the use and supply of our armies on a particular front. The inherent disinclination of our troops to serve under allied commanders would have grown and Amer- ican morale would have suffered. My position was stated quite clearly that the strategical employment of the First Army as a unit would be undertaken where desired, but its disruption to carry out these pro- posals would not be entertained. : A further conference at Marshal Foch’s headquarters was held on September 2, at which Gen. Petain was present. After discussion the question of employing the Amercan Army as a unit was conceded. The essentials of the strategical decision previously arrived at pro- vided that the advantageous situation of the Allies should be exploited to the utmost by vigorously continuing the general battle and extending it eastward to the Meuse. A\ll the Allied armies were to be employed in a converging action. The British armies, supported by the left of the French armies, were to pursue the attack in the direction of Cam- brai; the center of the French armies, west of Rheims, would continue the actions, already begun, to drive the enemy beyond the Aisne; and the American Army, supported by the right of the French armies, would direct its attack on Sedan and Mezieres. It should be recorded that although this general offensive was fully outlined at the conference no one present expressed the opinion that the final victory could be won in 1918. In fact, it was believed by the French high command that the Meuse-Argonne attack could not be pushed much beyond Montfaucon before the arrival of winter would force a cessation of operations. 26. The choice between the two sectors, that east of the Aisne in- cluding the Argonne Forest, or the Champagne sector, was left to me. ~~) We were confronted at this time by an insufficiency of replace- ments to build up exhausted divisions. Early in October combat units ‘ required some 90,000 replacements, and not more than 45,000 would be available before November | to fill the existing and prospective vacancies. We still had two divisions with the British and two with the French. A review of the situation, American and Allied, especially as to our own resources in men for the next two months, convinced me that the attack of the First Army and of the Allied Armies further west should be pushed to the limit. But if the First Army was to continue its aggressive tactics our divisions then with the French must be recalled, and replacements must be obtained by breaking up newly arrived divisions. In discussing the withdrawal of our divisions from the French with Marshal Foch and Gen. Petain, on October 10, the former expressed his appreciation of the fact that the First Army was striking the pivot of the German withdrawal, and also held the view that the Allied attack should continue. Gen. Petain agreed that the American divi- sions with the French were essential to us if we were to maintain our battle against the German pivot. The French were, however, strain- ing every nerve to keep up their attacks and, before those divisions with the French had been released, it became necessary for us to send the Thirty-seventh and Ninety-first Divisions from the First Army to assist the Sixth French Army in Flanders. 42. At this time the First Army was holding a front of more than 120 kilometers; its strength exceeded 1,000,000 men; it was engaged in the most desperate battle of our history, and the burden of command was too heavy for a single commander and staff. _There- fore, on October 12, that portion of our front extending from Port-sur- Seille, east of the Moselle, to Fresnes-en- Woevre, southeast of Verdun, was transferred to the newly constituted Second Army with Lieut. Gen. Robert L. Bullard in command, under whom it began preparations for the extension of operations to the east in the direction of Briey and Metz. On October 16 the command of the First Army was transferred to Lieut. Gen. Hunter Liggett, and my advance headquarters was estab- lished at Ligny-en-Barrois, from which the command of the group of American Armies was exercised. 43. Local attacks of the First Army were continued in order par- ticularly to adjust positions preparatory to a renewed general assault. The First and Fifth Divisions were relieved by the Forty-second and Eightieth Divisions, which were now fresh. An attack along the whole front was made on October 14. The resistance encountered was stubborn, but the stronghold on Cote Dame Marie was captured and the Hindenburg Line was broken. Cunel and Romagne-sous-Mont- faucon were taken and the line advanced 2 kilometers north of Sommer- ance. A maximum advance of 17 kilometers had been made since September 26 and the enemy had been forced to throw into the fight a total of 15 reserve divisions. During the remainder of the month important local operations were carried out, which involved desperate fighting. The First Corps, Maj. Gen. Dickman commanding, advanced through Grandpre; the Fifth Corps, Maj. Gen. Charles P. Summerall commanding, captured the Bois de Bantheville; the Third Corps, Maj. Gen. John L. Hines com- manding, completed the occupation of Cunel Heights; and the Seven- teenth French Corps drove the enemy from the main ridge south of La Grande Montagne. Particularly heavy fighting occurred east of the Meuse on October 18, and in the further penetration of the Kriemhilde- Stellung on October 23 the Twenty-sixth Division entering the battle at this time relieved the Eighteenth French Division. 44. Summarizing the material results which had been attained by the First Army by the end of October, we had met an increasing number of Germany’s best divisicns, rising from 20 in line and reserve on September 26, to 31 on October 31; the enemy's elaborately pre- pared positions, including the Hindenburg line, in our front had been broken; the almost impassable Argonne Forest was in our hands; an advance of 21 kilometers had been effected; 18,600 prisoners, 370 cannon, 1,000 machine guns, and a mass of material captured; and the great railway artery through Carignan to Sedan was now seriously threatened. ; - The demands of incessant battle which had been maintained day by day for more than a month had compelled our divisions to fight to the limit of their capacity. Combat troops were held in line and pushed to the attack until deemed incapable of further effort because of casualties or exhaustion; artillery once engaged was seldom withdrawn and many batteries fought until practically all the animals were casual- ties and the guns were towed out of line by motor trucks. The Amer- ican soldier had shown unrivaled fortitude in this continuous fighting during the most inclement weather and under many disadvantages of position. Through experience, the Army had developed into a powerful and smooth-running machine, and there was a supreme confidence in our ability to carry the task successfully. While the high pressure of these dogged attacks was a great strain on our troops, it was calamitous to the enemy. His divisions had been thrown into confusion by our furious assaults, and his morale had been reduced until his will to resist had well-nigh reached the breaking point. Once a German division was engaged in the fight, it became practically impossible to effect its relief. The enemy was forced to meet the constantly recurring crises by breaking up tactical organizations and sending hurried detachments to widely separated portions of the field. Every member of the American Expeditionary Forces, from the front line to the base ports, was straining every nerve. Magnificent efforts were exerted by the entire Services of Supply to meet the enorm- ous demands made on it. Obstacles which seemed insurmountable were overcome daily in expediting the movements of replacements, ammunition and supplies to the front, and of sick and wounded to the rear. It was this spirit of determination animating every American soldier that made it impossible for the enemy to maintain the struggle until 19193 MEUSE-ARGONNE, THIRD PHASE. 45. The detailed plans for the operations of the Allied Armies on the western front changed from time to time during the course of this great battle, but the mission of the First American Army to cut the great Carignan-Sedan-Mezieres Railroad remained unchanged. Marshal Foch coordinated the operations along the entire front, continuing per- sistently and unceasingly the attacks by all Allied Armies; the Bel- gian Army, with a French Army and two American divisions, ad- vancing eastward; the British Armies and two American divisions, with the First French Army on their right, toward the region north of Givet; the First American Army and Fourth French Army, toward Sedan and Mezieres. 46. On the 21st my instructions were. issued to the First Army to prepare thoroughly for a general attack on October 28, that would be decisive if possible. In order that the attack of the First Army and that of the Fourth French Army on its left should be simultaneous, our attack was delayed until November |. The immediate purpose of the First Army was to take Buzancy and the heights of Barricourt, to turn the forest north of Grandpre, and to establish contact with the Fourth French Army near Boult-aux-Bois. The Army was directed to carry the heights of Barricourt by nightfall: of the first day and then to exploit this success by advancing its left to Boult-aux-Bois in preparation for the drive toward Sedan. By strenuous effort all available artillery had been moved well forward to the heights previously occu- pied by the enemy, from which it could fully cover and support the initial advance of the Infantry. On this occasion and for the first time the Army prepared for its attack under normal conditions. We held the front of attack and were not under the necessity of taking over a new front, with its manifold installations and services. Our own personnel handled the communications, dumps, telegraph lines, and water service; our divi- sions were either on the line or close in rear; the French artillery, aviation, and technical troops which had previously made up our deficiencies had been largely replaced by our own organizations; and our army, corps, and divisional staffs were by actual experience second to none. 47. On the morning of November |, three Army corps were in line between the Meuse River and the Bois de Bourgogne. On the right the Third Corps, had the Fifth and Ninetieth Divisions; the Fifth Corps occupied the center of the line, with the Eighty-ninth and Second Divisions, and was to be the wedge of the attack on the first day; and on, the left the First Corps deployed the Ejightieth, Seventy-seventh, and Seventy-eighth Divisions. Preceded by two hours of violent artillery preparation, the Infantry advanced, closely followed by “‘accompanying guns.” The Artillery acquitted itself magnificently, the barrages being so well coordinated and so dense that the enemy was overwhelmed and quickly submerged by the rapid onslaught of the Infantry. By nightfall the Fifth Corps, in the center, had realized an advance of almost 9 kilometers, to the Bois de la Folie, and had completed the capture of the heights of Barricourt, while the Third Corps, on the right, had captured Aincre- ville and Andevanne. Our troops had broken through the enemy’s last defense, captured his artillery positions, and had precipitated a retreat of the German forces about to be isolated in the forest north of Grandpre. On the 2d and 3d we advanced rapidly against heavy fighting on the fronts of the right and center corps; to the left the troops of the First Corps hurried forward in pursuit, some by motor trucks, while the Artillery pressed along the country roads close behind. Our heavy artillery was skillfully brought into position to fire upon the Caripnan-Sedan Railread and the junction at Longuyon and Conflans. By the evening of the 4th, our troops had reached La Neuville, opposite Stenay, and had swept through the great Foret de Dieulet, reach- ing the outskirts of Beaumont, while on the left we were 8 kilometers north of Boult-aux-Bois. The following day the advance continued toward Sedan with in- creasing swiftness. The Third Corps, turning eastward, crossed the Meuse in a brilliant operation by the Fifth Division, driving the enemy from the heights of Dun-sur-Meuse and forcing a general withdrawal from the strong positions he had so long held on the hills north of Verdun. By the 7th the right of the Third Corps had exploited its river crossing to a distance of 10 kilometers east of the Meuse, completely ejecting the enemy from the wooded heights and driving him out into the swampy plain of the Woevre; the Fifth and First Corps had reached the line of the Meuse River along their respective fronts and the left of the latter corps held the heights dominating Sedan, the strategical goal of the Meuse-Argonne operation, 41 kilometers from our point of departure on November 1. We had cut the enemy’s main line of communications. Recognizing that nothing but a cessation of hostilities could save his armies from complete disaster, he appealed for an immediate armistice on November 6. 48. Meanwhile general plans had been prepared for the further employment of American forces in an advance between the Meuse and the Moselle, to be directed toward Longwy by the First Army, while the Second Army was to assume the offensive toward the Briey Iron Basin. Orders directing the preparatory local operations involved in this enterprise were issued on November 5. Between the 7th and 10th of November the Third Corps continued its advance eastward to Remoiville, while the Seventeenth French Corps, on its right, with the Seventy-ninth, Twenty-sixth, and Eighty- first American Divisions, and 2 French divisions, drove the enemy from his final foothold on the heights east of the Meuse. At 9 p. m. on November 9 appropriate orders were sent to the First and Second Armies in accordance with the following telegram from Marshal Foch to the Commander of each of the Allied armies: ‘The enemy, disorganized by our repeated attacks, retreats along the entire front. It is important to coordinate and expedite our movements. I appeal to the energy and the initiative of the Com- manders-in-Chief and of their armies to make decisive the results obtained.” In consequence of the foregoing instructions, our Second Army pressed the enemy along its entire front. On the night of the 10th-I1th and the morning of the 11th the Fifth Corps, in the First Army, forced a crossing of the Meuse east of Beaumont and gained the command- ing heights within the reentrant of the river, thus completing our control of the Meuse River line. At 6 a. m. on the I1th notification was received from Marshal Foch’s headquarters that the Armistice had been signed and that hostilities would cease at 11 a. m. Preparatory measures had already been taken to insure the prompt transmission to the troops of the announcement of an Armistice. However, the ad- vance east of Beaumont on the morning of the I 1th had been so rapid and communication across the river was so difficult that there was some fighting on isolated portions of that front after || a. m. 49. Between September 26 and November 11, 22 American and 4 French divisions, on the front extending from southeast of Verdun to the Argonne Forest, had engaged and decisively beaten 47 different German divisions, representing 25 per cent of the enemy’s entire divi- sional strength on the western front. Of these enemy divisions 20 had been drawn from the French front and | from the British front. Of the 22 American divisions |2 had, at different times during this period, been engaged on fronts other than our own. The First Army suffered a loss of about 117,000 in killed and wounded. It captured 26,000 prisoners, 847 cannon, 3,000 machine guns, and large quantities of material. The disposition which the enemy made to meet the Meuse-Argonne offensive, both immediately before the opening of the attack and during the battle, demonstrated the importance which he ascribed to this section of the front and the extreme measures he was forced to take in its defense. From the moment the American offensive began until the Armistice, his defense was desperate and the flow of his divisions to our front was continuous. OPERATIONS OF THE SECOND ARMY. 50. Under the instructions issued by me on November 5, for opera- tions by the Second Army in the direction of the Briey Iron Basin, the advance was undertaken along the entire front of the army and continued during the last three days of hostilities. In the face of the stiff resistance offered by the enemy, and with the limited number of troops at the disposal of the Second Army, the gains realized re- flected great credit on the divisions concerned. On November 6 Marshal Foch requested that 6 American divisions be held in readiness to assist in an attack which the French were preparing to launch in the direction of Chateau-Salins. The plan was agreed to, but with the provision that our troops should be employed under the direction of the com- manding general Second Army. This combined attack was to be launched on November 14, and was to consist of 20 French divisions under Gen. Mangin and the 6 American divisions under Gen. Bullard. Of the divisions designated for this operation the Third, Fourth, Twenty-ninth, and Thirty-sixth were in Army reserve and were starting their march eastward on the morning of November 11, while the Twenty-eighth and Thirty-fifth were being withdrawn from line on the Second Army front. AMERICAN ACTIVITIES ON OTHER FRONTS. 51. During the first phase of the Meuse-Argonne battle, American divisions were participating in important attacks on other portions of the front. The Second Army Corps, Maj. Gen. Read, commanding, with the Twenty-seventh and Thirtieth Divisions on the British front, was assigned the task in cooperation with the Australian Corps, of breaking the Hindenburg line at Le Cateau, where the St. Quentin Canal passes through a tunnel under a ridge. In this attack, carried out September 29 and October 1, the Thirtieth Division speedily broke through the main line of defense and captured all of its ob- jectives, while the Twenty-seventh progressed until some of its elements reached Gouy. In this and later actions from October 6 to 19, our Second Corps captured over 6,000 prisoners and advanced about 24 kilometers. : 52. On October 2-9 our Second and Thirty-sixth Divisions assisted the Fourth French Army in its advance between Rheims and the Argonne. The Second Division completed its advance on this front by the assault of the wooded heights of Mont Blanc, the key pojnt of the German position, which was captured with consummate dash and skill. The division here repulsed violent counterattacks, and then carried our lines ‘into the village of St. Etienne, thus forcing the Ger- mans to fall back before Rheims and yield positions which they had held since September, 1914. On October 10 the Thirty-sixth Division relieved the Second, exploiting the latter’s success, and in two days advanced, with the French, a distance of 21 kilometers, the enemy retiring behind the Aisne River. 53. In the middle of October, while we were heavily engaged in the Meuse-Argonne, Marshal Foch requested that 2 American divi- sions be sent immediately to assist the Sixth French Army in Belgium, where slow progress was being made. The Thirty-seventh and Ninety- first Divisions, the latter being accompanied by the Artillery of the Twenty-eighth Division, were hurriedly dispatched to the Belgian front. On October 30, in continuation of the Flanders offensive, these divi- sions entered the line and attacked. By November 3 the Thirty- seventh Division had completed its mission by rapidly driving the enemy across the Escaut River and had firmly established itself on the east bank, while the Ninety-first Division, in a spirited advance, captured Spitaals Bosschen, reached the Scheldt, and entered Aude- narde. AMERICAN TROOPS IN ITALY. 54. The Italian Government early made request for American troops, but the critical situation on the western front made it neces- sary to concentrate our efforts there. When the Secretary of War was in Italy during April, 1918, he was urged to send American troops to Italy to show America’s interest in the Italian situation and to strengthen Italian morale. Similiarly a request was made by the Italian Prime Minister at the Abbeville conference. It was finally decided to send one regiment to Italy with the necessary hospital and auxiliary services, and the Three hundred and thirty-second Infantry was selected, reaching the Italian front in July, 1918. These troops participated in action against the Austrians in the fall of 1918 at the crossing of the Piave River and in the final pursuit of the Austrian Army. AMERICAN TROOPS IN RUSSIA. 55. It was the opinion of the Supreme War Council that Allied troops should be sent to cooperate with the Russians, either at Mur- mansk or Archangel, against the Bolshevist forces, and the British Government, through its ambassador at Washington, urged American participation in this undertaking. On July 23, 1918, the War De- partment directed the dispatch of three battalions of Infantry and three companies of Engineers to join the Allied expedition. In compliance with these instructions the Three hundred and thirty-ninth Infantry, the First Battalion, Three hundred and tenth Engineers, Three hun- dred and thirty-seventh Field Hospital Company, and Three hundred and thirty-seventh Ambulance Company were sent through England, whence they sailed on August 26. The mission of these troops was limited to guarding the ports and as much of the surrounding country as might develop threatening conditions. The Allied force operated under British command, through whose orders the small American contingent was spread over a front of about 450 miles. From September, 1918, to May, 1919, a series of minor engagements with the Bolshevist forces occurred, in which 82 Americans were killed and 7 died of wounds. In April, 1919, two companies of American railroad troops were added to our contingent. The withdrawal of the American force commenced in the latter part of May, 1919, and on August 25 there was left only a small detachment of Graves Registration troops. THE ADVANCE INTO GERMANY. 56. In accordance with the terms of the Armistice, the Allies were to occupy all German territory west of the Rhine, with bridge- heads of 30 kilometer radius at Cologne, Coblenz, and Mayence. The zone assigned the American command was the bridgehead of Coblenz and the district of Treves. This territory was to be occupied by an American Army, with its reserves held between the Moselle-Meuse Rivers and the Luxemburg frontier. The instructions of Marshal Foch, issued on November 16, con- templated that 2 French infantry divisions and | French cavalry division would be added to the American forces that occupied the Coblenz bridgehead, and that | American Division would be added to the French force occupying the Mayence bridgehead. Ass this arrange- ment presented possibilities of misunderstanding due to difference of views regarding the government of occupied territory, it was represented to the Marshal that each nation should be given a well-defined territory of occupation, employing within such territory only the troops of the commander responsible for the particular zone. On December 9 Marshal Foch accepted the principle of preserving the entity of com- mand and troops, but reduced the American bridghead by adding a portion of the eastern half to the French command at Mayence. 57. Various reasons made it undesirable to employ either the First or Second Army as the Army of Occupation. Plans had been made before the Armistice to organize a Third Army and, on November 14, this army, with Maj. Gen. Joseph T. Dickman as commander, was designated as the Army of Occupation. The Third and Fourth Army Corps staffs and troops, less artillery, the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Thirty-second, and Forty-second Divisions, and the Sixty-sixth Field Artillery Brigade were assigned to the Third Army. This force was later increased by the addition of the Seventh Corps, Maj. Gen. William M. Wright commanding, with the Fifth, Ejighty-ninth, and Ninetieth Divisions. The advance toward German territory began on November 17 at 5 a. m., six days after signing the Armistice. All of the Allied forces from the North Sea to the Swiss border moved forward simultane- ously in the wake of the retreating German armies. Upon arrival at the frontier, a halt was made until December 1, when the leading elements of all Allied armies crossed the line into Germany. The Third Army Headquarters were established at Coblenz and an Ad- vance General Headquarters located at Treves. Steps were immediately taken to organize the bridgehead for defense, and dispositions were made to meet a possible renewal of hostilities. Che advance to the Rhine required long arduous marches, through cold and inclement weather, with no opportunity for troops to rest, refit, and refresh themselves after their participation in the final battle. The Army of Occupation bore itself splendidly and exhibited a fine state of discipline both during the advance and throughout the period of occupation. 58. The zone of march of our troops into Germany and the line of communications of the Third Army after reaching the Rhine lay through Luxemburg. After the passage of the Third Army, the occupation of Luxemburg, for the purpose of guarding our line of com- munications, was intrusted to the Fifth and Thirty-third Divisions of the Second Army. The city of Luxemburg, garrisoned by French troops and designated as the headquarters of the Allied Commander-in- Chief, was excluded from our control. Upon entering the Duchy of Luxemburg in the advance, a policy of noninterference in the affairs of the Grand Duchy was announced. Therefore, when the French commander in the city of Luxemburg was given charge of all troops in the Duchy, in so far as concerned the ‘‘administration of the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg,” my instruc- tions were that our troops would not be subject to his control. Later, at my request, and in order to avoid possible friction, Marshal Foch placed the entire Duchy in the American Zone. RETURN OF TROOPS TO THE UNITED STATES. 59. On the day the Armistice was signed, the problem of the return of our troops to the United States was taken up with the War Department and, on November 15, a policy recommended of sending home certain auxiliaries so that we could begin to utilize all available shipping .without delay. On December 21 the War Department an- nounced by cable that it had been decided to begin immediately the return of our forces and continue as rapidly as transportation would permit. To carry this out, a schedule for the constant flow of troops to the ports was established, having in mind our international obligations pending the signing of the treaty of peace. 60. While more intimately related to the functions of the Services of Supply than to Operations, it is logical to introduce here a brief re- cital of the organizations created for the return of our troops to America. Prior to the Armistice but 15,000 men had been returned home. Al- though the existing organization was built for the efficient and rapid handling of the incoming forces, the embarkation of this small number presented no difficulties. reversed the problem of the Services of Supply at the ports and the But the Armistice suddenly and completely - handling of troops. It became necessary immediately to reorganize the machinery of the ports, to construct large embarkation camps, and to create an extensive service for embarking the homeward-bound troops. Brest, St. Nazaire, and Bordeaux became the principal embarkation ports, Marseilles and Le Havre being added later to utilize Italian and French liners. The construction of the embarkation camps during unseasonable winter weather was the most trying problem. These, with the billeting facilities available, gave accommodation for 55,000 at Brest, 44,000 at St. Nazaire, and 130,000 at Bordeaux. Unfortunately, the largest ships had to be handled at Brest, where the least shelter was available. To maintain a suitable reservoir of men for Brest and St. Nazaire, an Embarkation Center was organized around Le Mans, which event- ually accommodated 230,000 men. Here the troops and their records were prepared for the return voyage and immediate demobilization. As the troops arrived at the base ports, the embarkation service was charged with feeding, reclothing, and equipping the hundreds of thou- sands who passed through, which required: the maintenance of a form of hotel service on a scale not hitherto attempted. 61. On November 16 all combat troops, except 30 divisions and a minimum of corps and army troops, were released for return to the United States. It was early evident that only limited use would be made of the American divisions, and that the retention of 30 divisions was not necessary. Marshal Foch considered it indispensable to main- tain under arms a total, including Italians, of 120 to 140 divisions, and he proposed that we maintain 30 divisions in France until February 1, 25 of which should be held in the Zone of the Armies, and that on March | we should have 20 divisions in the Zone of the Armies and 5 ready to embark. The plan for March | was satisfactory, but the restrictions as to the divisions that should be in France on February 1 could not be accepted, as it would seriously interfere with the flow of troops homeward. In a communication dated December 24 the Marshal set forth the minimum forces to be furnished by the several Allies, requesting the American Army to furnish 22 to 25 divisions of Infantry. In the same note he estimated the force to be maintained after the signing of the preliminaries of peace at about 32 divisions, of which the American Army was to furnish 6. In reply it was pointed out that our problem of repatriation of troops and their demobilization was quite different from that of France or Great Britain. On account of our long line of communications in France and the time consumed by the ocean voyage and travel in the United States, even with the maximum employment of our then available transportation, at least a year must elapse before we could complete our demobilization. Therefore, it was proposed by me that the num- ber of American combat divisions to be maintained in the Zone of the Armies should be reduced on April | to 15 divistons and on May | tol 0 divisions, and that in the unexpected event that the preliminaries of peace should not be signed by May | we would continue to maintain 10 divisions in the Zone of the Armies until the date of signature. The Allied Commander-in-Chief later revised his estimate, and, on January 24, stated to the Supreme War Council that the German demobilization would permit the reduction of the Allied forces to 100 divisions, of which the Americans were requested to furnish 15. In reply, it was again pointed out that our problem was entirely one of transportation, and that such a promise was unnecessary inasmuch as it would probably be the summer of 1919 before we could reduce our forces below the number asked. We were, therefore, able to keep our available ships filled, and by May 19 all combat divisions, except 5 still in the Army of Occupation, were under orders to proceed to ports of embarkation. This provided sufficient troops to utilize all troop transports to include July 15. 62. The President had informed me that it would be necessary for us to have at least one regiment in occupied Germany, and left the details to be discussed by me with Marshal Foch. My cable of July | summarizes the agreement reached: » “By direction of President, I have discussed with Murshal Foch question of forces to be left on the Rhine. Following “agreed upon: The Fourth and Fifth Divisions will be sent to base ports immediately, the Second Division will commence mov- ing to base ports on July 15, and the Third Division on August 15. Date of relief of First Division will be decided later. Agreement contemplates that after compliance by Germany with military conditions to be completed within first three months after German ratification of treaty, American force will be reduced to one regiment of Infantry and certain auxiliaries. Request Presi- dent be informed of agreement.” As a result of a later conference with Marshal Foch, the Third Division was released on August 3 and the First Division on Au- gust 15. I am, Mr. Secretary, Very Respectfully, John J. Pershing, General, Commander-in-Chief, American Expeditionary Forces. AMERICA’S AMAZING ACHIEVEMENT The following summary of America’s participation in the World War was compiled from data prepared by Colonel Leonard P. Ayres, Chief of the Statistics Branch of the General Staff. Before becoming a member of the General Staff, Colonel Ayres was director of the Departments of Education and Statistics of the Russell Sage Founda- lion. FOUR MILLION MEN. 1. * The number of men serving in the armed forces of the Nation during the war was 4,800,000, of whom 4,000,000 served in the Army. 2. In the War with Germany the United States raised twice as many men as did the Northern States in the Civil War, but only half as many in proportion to the population. The British sent more men to France in their first year of war than we did in our first year, but it took England three years to reach a strength of 2,000,000 men in France, and the United States accom- plished it in one-half of that time. 4. Of every 100 men who served, 10 were National Guardsmen, 13 were Regulars, and 77 were in the National Army (or would have been if the services had not been consolidated). 5 Of the 54,000,000 males in the population, 26,000,000 were registered in the draft or were already in service. 6. In the physical examinations the States of the Middle West made the best showing. Country boys did better than city boys; whites better than colored; and native born better than foreign born. 7. In this war twice as many men were recruited as in the Civil War and at one-twentieth of the recruiting cost. 8. There were 200,000 Army officers. Of every six officers, one had previous military training with troops, three were graduates of officers’ training camps, and two came directly from civil life. SIX MONTHS OF TRAINING. 1. The average American soldier who fought in France had six months of training here, two months overseas before entering the line, and one month in a quiet sector before going into battle. 2. Most soldiers received their training in infantry divisions which are our typical combat units and consist of about 1,000 officers and 27,000 men. 3. Forty-two divisions were sent to France. 4. More than two-thirds of our line officers were graduates of the officers’ training camps. 5. France and England sent to the United States nearly 800 specially skilled officers and noncommissioned officers who rendered most important aid as instructors in our training camps. FOOD, CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT. 1. The problems of feeding and clothing the Army were difficult because of the immense quantities involved rather than because of the difficulty of manufacturing the articles needed. Requirements for some kinds of clothing for the Army were more than twice as great as the prewar total American production of ihe same articles. 3. To secure the articles needed for the Army the Government had to commandeer all the wool and some other staple articles in the United States and control production through all its stages. 4. The distribution of supplies in the expeditionary forces required the creation of an organization called the Services of Supply, to which one-fourth of all the troops who went overseas were assigned. 5. American Engineers built in France 83 new ship berths, 1,000 miles of standard-gauge track, and 538 miles of narrow-gauge track. 6. The Signal Corps strung in France 100,000 miles of telephone and telegraph wire. 7, Prior to the armistice 40,000 trucks were shipped to the forces in France. 8. Construction projects in the United States cost twice as much as the Panama Canal, and construction overseas was on nearly as large a scale. 9, The Army in France always had enough food and clothing. SPRINGFIELDS, ENFIELDS AND BROWNINGS. 1. When war was declared the Army had on hand nearly 600,000 Springfield rifles. Their manufacture was continued, and the American Enfield rifle designed and put into production. 2. The total production of Springfield and Enfield rifles up to the signing of the armistice was over 2,500,000. 3. The use of machine guns on a large scale is a development of the European war. In the American Army the allowance in 1912 was four machine guns per regiment. In 1919 the new Army plans provide for an equipment of 336 guns per regiment, or eighty-four times as many. 4. The entire number of American machine guns produced to the end of 1918 was 227,000. 5. During the war the Browning automatic rifle and the Browning machine gun were developed, put into quantity production, and used in large numbers in the final battles in France. 6. The Browning machine guns are believed to be more effective than the corresponding weapon used in any other army. 7. American production of rifle ammunition amounted to approxi- mately 3,500,000,000, of which 1,500,000,000 were shipped over- seas. TWO THOUSAND GUNS ON THE FIRING LINE. 1. When war was declared the United States had sufficient light artillery to equip an army of 500,000 men, and shortly found itself confronted with the problem of preparing to equip 5,000,000 men. 2. To meet the situation it was decided in June, 1917, to allot our guns to training purposes and_ to equip our forces in France with artillery conforming to the French and British standard calibers. It was arranged that we should purchase from the French and British the artillery needed for our first divisions and ship them in return equivalent amounts of steel, copper, and other raw materials so that they could either manufacture guns for us in their own factories 01 give us guns out of their stocks and replace them by new ones made from our materials. 4. Up to the end of April, 1919, the number of complete artillery units produced in American plants was more than 3,000, or equal to all those purchased from the French and British during the war. 5. The number of rounds of complete artillery ammunition pro- duced in American plants was in excess of 20,000,000, as compared with 9,000,000 rounds secured from the French and British. 6. In the first 20 months after the declaration of war by each country the British did better than we did in the production of light artillery, and we excelled them in producing heavy artillery and both light and heavy ammunition. 7. So far as the Allies were concerned, the European war was in large measure fought with American powder and high explosives. 8. At the end of the war American production of smokeless pow- der was 45 per cent greater than the French and British production combined. 9. At the end of the war the American production of high explo- sives was 40 per cent greater than Great Britain’s and nearly double that of France. | 10. During the war America produced 10,000 tons of gas, much of which was sold to the French and British. 11. Out of every hundred days that our combat divisions were in line in France they were supported by their own artillery for 75 days, by British artillery for 5 days, and by French for 1'4 days, Of the remaining 181/7 days that they were in line without artillery, 18 days were in quiet sectors, and only one-half of | one day in each hundred was in active sectors. 12. In round numbers, we had in France 3,500 pieces of artillery, of which nearly 500 were made in America, and we used on the firing line 2,250 pieces, of which over 100 were made in America. AIRPLANES, MOTORS AND BALLOONS. 1. On the declaration of war the United States had 55 training airplanes, of which 51 were classified as obsolete and the other 4 as obsolescent. 2. When we entered the war the Allies made the designs of their planes available to us and before the end of hostilities furnished us from their own manufacture 3,800 service planes. 3. Aviation training schools in the United States graduated 8,602 men from elementary courses and 4,028 from advanced courses. More than 5,000 pilots and observers were sent overseas. 4. The total personnel of the Air Service, officers, students, and enlisted men, increased from 1,200 at the outbreak of the war to nearly 200,000 at its close. 5. There were produced in the United States to November 30, 1918, more than 8,000 training planes and more than 16,000 training engines. The De Haviland-4 observation and day bombing plane was the only plane the United States put into quantity production. Before the signing of the armistice 3,227 had been completed and 1,885 shipped overseas. The plane was successfully used at the front for three months. 7. The production of the 12-cylinder Liberty engine was America’s chief contribution to aviation. Before the armistice 13,574 had been completed, 4,435 shipped to the expeditionary forces, and 1,025 de- livered to the Allies. ; 8. The first flyers in action wearing the American uniform were members of the Lafayette Escadrille, who were transferred to the American service in December, 1917. 9. The American air force at the front grew from 3 squadrons in April to 45 in November, 1918. On November | 1 the 45 squad- rons had an equipment of 740 planes. 10. Of 2,698 planes sent to the zone of the advance for American aviators 667, or nearly one-fourth, were of American manufacture. 11. American air squadrons played important roles in the battles of Chateau-Thierry, St. Mihiel, and the Meuse-Argonne. They brought down in combat 755 enemy planes,: while their own losses of planes numbered only 357. TWO HUNDRED DAYS OF BATTLE. 1. Two out of every three American soldiers who reached France took part in battle. The number who reached France was 2,084,000, and of these 1,390,000 saw active service at the front. 2. Of the 42 divisions that reached France 29 took part in active combat service. Seven of them were Regular Army divisions, | | were organized from the Naticnal Guard, and 11 were made up of National Army troops. 3. American divisions were in battle for 200 days and engaged in 13 major operations. 4. From the middle of August until the end of the war the Ameri- can divisions held during the greater part of the time a front longer than that held by the Bnitish. 5. In October the American divisions held 101 miles of line. or 23 per cent of the entire western front. 6. On the Ist of April the Germans had a superiority of 324,000 in rifle strength. Due to American arrivals the allied strength exceeded that of the Germans in June and was more than 600,000 above it in November. 7. In the Battle of St. Mihiel 550,000 Americans were engaged, as compared with about 100,000 on the Northern side in the Battle of Gettysburg. The artillery fired more than 1,000,000 shells in four hours, which is the most intense concentration of artillery fire recorded in history. 8. The Meuse-Argonne Battle lasted for 47 days, during which 1,200,000 American troops were engaged. A MILLION DOLLARS AN HOUR. 1. The war cost the United States considerably more than $1,000,000 an hour for over two years, 2. The direct cost was about $22,0000,000,000, or nearly enough to pay the entire cost of running the United States Government from 1791 up to the outbreak of the European war. 3. Our expenditures in this was was sufficient to have carried on the Revolutionary War continuously for more than |,000 years at the rate of expenditure which that war actually involved. 4. In addition to this huge expenditure nearly $10,000,000,000 have been loaned by the United States to the Allies. 5. The Army expenditures have been over $14,000,000,000, or nearly two-thirds of our total war costs. 6. During the first three months our war expenditures were at the rate of $2,000,000 per day. During the next, year they averaged more than $22,000,000 a day. For the final ten months of the period, from April, 1916, to April, 1919, the daily average was over $44,000,000. 7. Although the Army expenditures are less than two-thirds of our total war costs, they are nearly equal to the value of all the gold produced in the whole world from the discovery of America up to the outbreak of the Eurcpean war. 8. The pay of the Army during the war cost more than the com- bined salaries of all the public-schooi principals and teachers in the United States for the five years from 1912 to 1916. 9. The total war costs of all nations were about $186,000,000,- 000, of which the Allies and the United States spent two thirds and the enemy one-third. 10. The three naticns spending the greatest amounts were Ger- many, Great Britain, and France, in that order. After them come the United States and Austria-Hungary, with substantially equal ex- penditures. 11. The United States spent about one-eighth of the entire cost of the war, and something less than one-fifth of the expenditures of the allied side. Agi FE; CASUALTY LIST: TOTAL NUMBER OF CASUALTIES TO JANUARY 19, 1920. Killed in action—including 382 at sea............-..... 34,774 Dicdso te. OUnd See re RE er ec ees i ui eee 13,961 Diedsotabiscasceeertoe. mceite eters, = Ss ed eae ee re 23,734 Died from Accident and Other Causes...............-- S157 Wounded in Action (over 85 per cent returned to duty)... .215,424 Missing in Action—not including prisoners released and tre: LINCO Saat eee met oes, Ok. ais, es 3 CTiotal arom) atcapaeet IRE Ls. mtic shes tv. ood ates 293,053 Acknowledgment For invaluable aid and co-operation in the compilation of this portfolio grateful acknowledgment is made to— Mr. Newton D. Baker, Secretary of War Mr. Josephus Daniels, Secretary of the Navy Major General Charles T. Menoher, Director of the Air Service Brigadier General Marlborough Churchill, Director, Military Intel- ligence Division, General Staff Brigadier General Fox Conner, G-3, G. H. Q., A. E. F. Lieutenant Colonel Oliver L. Spaulding, Chief, Historical Branch, War Lieutenant Colonel H. T. Hickam, Air Service Plans Division, General Staff Major Rowan P. Lemly, /nf., U. S. A. Lieutenant Colonel Noble B. Judah, G-2, 42d Div. Mr. Ralph A. Hayes, Secretary to the Secretary of War Major Edward J. Steichen, Chief, Photographic Section, Air Service Major Kendall Banning, General Staff Mr. William Cochran ~ Lieutenant John McDonnell, Air Service Captain Fred Place, Air Service The Authors GENSTEINES PRESS <“R LarcacGg | ll | wv | UNIV il Satectarwedacenemne wreraweresmeereren ~ Reeoreenep arrears Sone : = ee = Sot ee— ssa OSS SE ES = - SS re Se : = = SSE SS SSS ES = =. = grewiats ; a See Sees = Se z Mase Sesame eee ee * pearance a