The Camden chronicle. (Camden, S.C.) 1888-1981, November 27, 1931, Image 7

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page. It is also available as plain text as well as XML.

Ljlffy Experiences [I tm tbe World War ifl Wy General John J. Pershing [I ^jftgESsSSSg)'* v* [ CHAPTER LXIV I ^ buck'sh had been so striking tilnce (he beginning of the November Iptaek that I felt full advantage 'id he taken of the possibility of Lowing the armies on our front fjd ?eUi?? l'10 region upon which Lmaoy hugely depended fur her ~Ljy of Iron and boal. In. accordvj wlth tlieso views the following Jpjer was Issued to the First and Sec0$ grades: -'I'he energetic action of the j first army should completely ex pel trie enemy from the region be(>een the Meuse and the Bar ; within the next few days. The remits obtained by this army have fete on the entire front from the Moselle to Holland. . . . ; "It Is desired that, In carrying 90t the directions that are outjned herein, corps and division (omnianders push troops forward gherever resistance Is broken, -without regard for fixed objectives iod without fear for their flanks. Special attention will be given to impress uppn all officers and soldiers that energy, boldness and ' open warfare methods are demanded by the present situation, "2. The First ajid Second armies VH1 at. once prepflPfc to undertake operations with the uttlnmte purpose of destroying the enemy's organization. and driving him be- 1 yend the existing frontier In the region of Brley and Longwy. . . ." Between tlie Meuse and Chlors rlvire, north afltd northeast of Stonay, there was a Very strong position which commanded* the crossings In that tlcinity. I believed that If we should 1/ !;e river south of Sternly and ii the direction of Montmedy '<1 turn this position and liave client opportunity to capture umbers of German troops drivc on th? line Sedan-Montmedy? i maneuver we would also be advantageous position to adHi the important supply areas fwy and Brley. ttnek by the Third corps to tbe ross the Meuse. south of Dunsuae, in conjunction with the ard movement by the French jenth corps, was prepared as a nary to a new line of advance sast. ' ?ber 3, 4 and 5, the Fifth diof the Third corps In a brilliant *er on a wide front effected of the Meuse and established ^ds south of Dun-sur-Meuse. ^fhts of the Meuse were graddeared by the Third corps and ftwich Second Colonial corps, 1 tad relieved the French Sevnth corps. Now for the first time 19lt, the French positions around n "ere completely free from the nr flicse heights, bese operations the Fifth divilisted Ivfa regiment of the sncond, /<)n November ft had ?d Mil I y and established its line here south to the Iiols de ChatBy night of the Oth it had adto HemolvMle and north of front was also extended to the and by "November 10 an cxcele of departure was secured for naive irvthe direction of MontThe Seventy-ninth division ' in tlie French -Second Cocorps, met decided opposiit8 attacks of the 4th, Oth and dn?t the Borne de CornoulUer, 's strong point was finally taktbe 7th. On the following day 'enty-nlnth, with units of <4he ' sixth division .(Bamford) atadvanccd on its entire fyont, the Oth took Wovrllle. ecn November 8- and 7 the -sixth division, on the right of enty-ninth, made no attack. On 1 It took up the pursuit of the enemy, nnd> by night of the B^W^cupfed a line which Included 111 -Chn u mon t. 1 El??it.v-flrst division (Ballay,) 8Mb? line us th* rltfht division of the French Second Colonial corps, Novo/nbor 7, relieving the Thlr|y-flfth< division ,(Traub). Attacking on the Oth against stiff defense, It captured Manheulles and Moranvllle. Reaching the Meuse. The Ftghty-n|?th division, Fifth corps, overcoming stubborn opposition, captured Beaufort on the 4th and reached the Meuse, The Foret dp Jaulny was cleaned up the foUowiug day, and Cesse1 was occupied. The Second division In its attack of the 4th suffered . heavy losses and made slight headway, but during the next two days it continued rapidly, and by night of the Oth reached the Meuse south of VII lemon try. In the First corps the eightieth division, on the 4th, In spite of the enemy's stand, captured Vaux-en-Dleulet at^l Sonnuuuthe. The enemy retired during the night and the division took up the pursuit, overcoming vigorous rear guard resistance until reaching a line north and west of Beaumont. During the night of the 5th Its progress continued, the division being relieved the next morning. The Seventy-seventh division was effectively opposed on the 4th north and east of Oches, but on the 5th its line was pushed forward to the north of Stonne nnd La Besace., By night of the Gth- the Seventy-seventh had reached the Meuse, ItemiUy and Villers being entered by its patrols. w The Seventy-e'ghth division on the 4th captured Les l'ctltes Annoises, and on the following morning- advanced more than a mile to the north. ,. The Forty-second division relieved the Seventy-eighth on tills line, and by the 0th established Itself north of Bulson. Plan of Attach of Kir Si Army Nov 1.1918 - "" Jump gff line Sept 26'h hum Jump off lm* Now I si (No attack east of Meusc on Nov l?tj ? ? 11 L'ne reached Nov 5?h ? i ?. Line reached Nov llth ?XXX??- First Army Boundary ?? Corps Boundary Arabic Numerals designate Division* Roman Numerals designate Corps Arrows Indicate direction and weight of attach I 1 It was the ambition of the First nrmy, and mine, that our troops should capture Sedan, which the French had lost in n decisive battle in 1870. I suggested to General Malstre that the prescribed boundary line between our First and the French Fourth army might be Ignored in ^nse we should outrun the French, to which he offered no objection, but on the contrary warmly approved. To reaeh the objective the left boundary of the first army would have to be ignored, as Sedan lay to the northwest bevond that limit. The afternoon of November 5, the First corps was directed to bend its energies to capture Sedan "assisted on its right by the Fifth corps." A misconception In the Fifth corps of the exact Intent of my orders resulted in the First division erroneously going beyond the left boundary of the Fifth corps and marching directly across the sector of the First corps during the late afternoon of the 6th and throughout the night- The troops of the First division carried out this unnecessary forced march in fine spirit- despite their tired qondltlpn, J Considerable -confusion resulted In the Forty-second and Seventy-seventh divisions, and their advance was delayed as roads became blocked by tlx columns of the First division. Tlx Forty-second and the First then begn* a race for the honor of capturing So dan. Part uf these divisions had entered the zone of the French Fourth army and were waging a fight with the enemy for the possession of the heights south and west of Sedan. The morning of November 7 found men of the Forty-second and the First divisions on the height* overlooking the city. Under normal conditions the action of the officer or officers responsible for this movement of the First division directly across the stcio/s of % two other divisions would not have been overlooked, but the splendid | record of that unit and the approach of the e:.d of hostilities suggested J leniency. The enemy's main line of communications was now within range of the machine guns of the First army, which had driven him 24 miles since November 1. His position on the western front" was no longer tenable anrf he urged Immediate consideration of an - afmtstlce. me on November 0 Marshal Fooh, (lieu in conference with German rfpresentatlves regarding the terms of the armistice, sent telegraphic InstrucHons to oil Allied commanders In chief from which It might ho Inferred that he was uncertain regarding the outcome of negotiations and wished to let ttie euctpy know that there wmild he no further delay. The following was the message revolved: "The enemy, disorganized hy our repeated attacks, retreats along t he entire front. "It Is Important to co-ordtnuto and expedite our /movements. "1 appeal to the energy and the Initiative, of the commanders In chief of their armies to make decisive the results obtained." No Respite for Enemy. Orders in response to this appeal were Immediately Issued and their execution hy the First army was under. way November 10 and 11. Yet here again no sort of urging was necessary. Our troops were determined not to give the ei . jny any respite. Already the crossing of the Mouse hn\J been planned for the whole army, and i he Fifth corpse got over during the night of the lOth-Uth. -Part of the Eighty-ninth division crossed on rnfts lust west of Poullly, and others In the rear of tjie Ninetieth division (Allen). The Second division was unable to force a crossing at Mouzon, as planned, hut about n mile south of Vlllemontry the engineers of the division, with exceptional rapidity and skill, threw two bridges across, over which one regiment passed. The Soveuty-seventh division, now on the left of the Fifth corps, only sent over patrols on the IQth and 11th, the low ground north of the river opposite Its front being flooded by heavy rains and damming operations by the Germans. The First corps from November 6 to 10 was withdrawing Its divisions to points on the Mouse between Dun-sur- ' Meuse and Verdun, preparatory to n general attack which would have as Its object the turning of the enemy's strong position In front of the Fifthcorps. Fast of the .Meuse the First army advanced In conjunction with the Second army, which had been earnestly preparing for. this moment ever slhce its organization. Under the Instructions Issued by me November 5 for t^te .advance of the First and Second armies, which received approval <?f Marshal Foch In a personal note of November 8, the Second army made advances along Its entire front in the direction of the Briey iron basin during the last three days of hostilities. Attacking on the 10th, the Thlrtytjdrd division reaehed?the Bols d'Har-" vllle and captured Matchevllle, but was /forced to retire. ( The Twentyeighth division occupied a part of the Bois des Haudronvllles Bas, as well as Marimbols farm. The Seventh division took and held against counterattack Hill 823. The Ninety-second division captured the Bols Frehaut. On the front of the First army, the Ninetieth division, on the left of the Third corps (Ilines)? had crossed the Meusd on the 0th and attacked on the 10th, meeting decided opposition throughout the day." Elements Of the division entered,Stcnny hut were unable to clean tip the town, while others, after hard fighting In the nearby wood, reached but could not take Baalon. ? The Fifth division (Ely) captured .Tametz and cleared the Foret de Woevre. The Thirty-second, division (Haan) re-entered the line on the Oth. ns the right division of tlie Third corps, and made substantial progress. On the 10th the division moved forward until stopped by heavy fire from east of the Thinte river. ,f On Other Fronts. Meanwhile other of our divisions were engaged on distant fronts. In Flanders our Thlrtj seventh and Ninety-first divisions, which had been sent to the French Sixth army at Marshal Foch's request, entered the battle October 31. The Cruyshautem ridge was taken by thA Thirty-seventh division (Farnsworth) on the first day, while the Ninety-first (Johnston), advancing against Intense fire, seized the strongly defended wooded area In Its front. Both divisions moved forward rapidly to the Escaut river on the following day In pursuit of the enemy. Despite resistance, crossings of the river were effected by the Thirty-seventh, November 2 and 3. the division being relieved the following day. Audenarde was occupied by the Ninety-first division on 'the 2nd. and the division was relieved on the 3rd by the French. Both divisions re-entered the line for the general attack <>f the French Slxlh army November l<k The Thirty-seventh division was directed to relieve two French divisions east of the Escaut the morning of the 10th, but these divisions had been unable to cross, and were relieved on the west bnnk. Despite severe losses the Thirty-seventh succeeded in again crossing the river and moved forward the following day. advancing two and a half miles east ward. The Ninety-first division met ?llght opposition on the 10th and none , n the morning of the 11th, reaching a line east of Boucte-Snlnt-Blalse. In the First army the Fifth corps advanced rapidly the morning of the 11th. Elements of the Eighty-ninth di vision occupied Stenay and established a line on the hi" to the north, roullly-sur-Meuse was mopped up early In the morning and Autrevllle occupied. The Second division advanced to the ridge west of Monlins. while the Seventy-seventh dlvisloft-'field It*.. Hue of the 10th. ' Tn the Third corps, the morning, or the 11th, the Nineteenth division entered Baalon, and the Fifth and Thirty-socond divisions were preparing to attack. The Seventy-ninth division of 'he French Second .Colonial corpa attte*. , - mm - m_ ?, . -L ^ ^.. , tucked against the Cole de Montague ami advanced u short distance, the Twenty-sixth division made slight gallic, unci tho Flghty-first division again took Grinmucourt. On the front of the Second uruty the attack of the Thirty,-'third division on tile 11th was held up. Tho Twentyeighth div ision can-led Its line forward north of Mtirliuholfc farm, the Seventh i division made oft attack, and the Ninety-socond division attacked but did not hold all Its gains. Tho line of tho First army, November 11, extended from Fresnes-enXVoovre to I'mii-Mnugts, The Second army line ran from I'ort-sur-Selllo to Fresnes-tMt-WcK'vre, Thus both American armies were now In position to carry out tho otteURlvo as directed by my orders November 5. which was what r had planned and advocated when Marshal Foch Insisted that there should bo a coverglng movement of all the armies west of tho Mouse, with Mozlore.s-Sodan as the objective of tho American First army, CHAPTER LXV As the conference between Marshal Foch and the German delegates proceeded, and In anticipation of advices regarding the armistice, telephone lines were kept constantly open between my headquarters and those of the First and ..Second armies. When word came to me^nt 0 a. m? November 11, that hostilities would cease at 11 a. ?m., directions to that effect were sent to our armies Immediately. Our troops had been advancing rapidly during the preceding two days, and although every effort was made to reach them promptly a few could not be overtaken before the.prescribed . hour. A brief account of the conference with the German delegutes wus given to me a few days later by General Weygand. He said the Germans came across the line by automobile the afternoon of Noytunber 7 and boarded a ; special railway-, coach sent by the French tmtAk them. During the night thlp car and the marshal'^ were placed' side by side In the forest between Complogne nnd Solssons. (The emissaries were ushered luto the marshal's presence, and nfter producing their credentials were asked the object of their visit. They replied that they had come to discuss the terms an armistice. The marshal then made It clear that he htuuu'lf was not requesting nn armistice and did noT care to have one. When asked If they wished nn armistice J hey replied that they did. The marshal said that if that was the case, here were the terms, a, copy of which he handed them. The (Severity of the demands seemed to surprise them and they appeared very much depressed. They had no power to sign an armistice they said, without the. consent of the chnncellor, and nfter some little discussion they started an officer to the German capital with the terms. They did not seem to object to turn! tng over 5,000 cannon, but deplored the condition which required them to l surrender 30,000 machine guns. They finally succeeded In having this re duced to 25,000 mnchine guns on the grourfd that they might have some left for riot duty. In speaking of the danger of riots, the delegates were asked why th< v did not send somfe of their reserve divisions to maintain order in the Interior, Their reply was tbat they had no divisions In reserve, as every, division that they had was actually in line. Then they complained about the short time allowed for evacuation, stating that the German nrniy was In no condition to move, either forward or backward. . * What America Had Dona. Between September 20 and November 11, twenty-two American and six French divisions, with an approximate fighting strength of 500,000 men, on a front extending from southeast of Verdun to the Argonne forest, had engaged and . decisively beaten fortythree different German divisions, with an estimated fighting strength of 470,000. Of the twenty-two American divisions, four had at different times during this period been In action on fronts other than our own. The enemy suffered an estimated loss of over 100,000 casualties In this ' battle, and pur First army lost about 117,000. The total strength of the First army, including 135,000 French troops, reached 1,031.000 men. It captured 20.000 piTsoners, 874 cannon. 3,000 machine guns and large quantities of material. The transportation and supply of ! divisions to nnd from our front during this battle was a gigantic task. There * were 20 American and seven French divisions, besides hundreds of thou sands of corps- and army troops, moved in and out of the American zone. A total of 173.000 men were evacuated R> the rear and more than 100,000 replacements were received. It need hardly he restnted that our entry Into the war gave the allies the preponderance of force vitally necessary to out N eigh the tremendous increase in the strength of the Germans on the western 'front, due to the collapse of Russia nnd the consequent release of German divisions employed against her. From the military point of view we began to aid the allies early in' 1018. when our divisions, with Insufficient training to |nke active p irt In battle, were sent to the Inactive front to relieve French divisions, that thej? might he used In the fighting line. The assistance we gave the allies In combat began In May. with the successful attack of one of our divisions at Cnntlgny. This was followed early in June hy the entrance Into battle : nf the two divisions that stopped the . i . - . i > - ? "**?15?*" *~i Forest fires in the southeastern part of Spartanburg county burned over one tract of 1,200 acres umi other smaller tracts of woodland. Many people fought the flames there. The town of Waterloo, in (Jreenwood county, is considering giving up ita charter .in order to get a mile of highway "through it paved by the state. ,t j (lernutn advptu-e mi furls, near t'hn lean Thierry, and 1 .0* three others that were, pui In iho defensive line. in .IuI> iwii American divisions, wlili .one M or ocean division, 'formed lite rpeiirheud of the counter atluck against the Chtt lead-Thierry .salient. Ill wltlcli nine nf our divisions participated*. There was a total of up pro\inuiiel,v Hiui.tHKi American troop* engaged in this Second Battle of the Marne. which Involved very severe lighting, and was not completed until the Germans were driven beyond the Vesle In August. In the middle of Sepleinher an army of .v.p.int) Americans reduced the St Miliiel snlient, Tlie hitler pltt'.t of lemher our great battle of the MeaseArgonne was begun, lasting through 47 days of Intense lighting and ending .brilliantly for our First and Second armiw, November II, after more than 1.2tHUK>d American soldiers had partleipated. A Time to Forget Hardships. It was a time to forget the hardships and difficulties, except to record them with the glorious history, of our achievements. *hi praise and thanks for the decisive victories of our arm Ioh and In guidance for the future, the following order was Issued: "(1. Ft. I). "American Expeditionary Forces. "Gonorhl Order* No. 208 "France. Nov. 1101S. , "The enemy has capitulated. It Is tilling that j address myself In -thanks directly to the ntlleers and soldiers of the American expedltlonary forces who hy their heroic efforts have made possible this glorious result. Our armies, hurriedly raised and hastily trained, met a veteruirenemy, nnd by courage, discipline and skill always defeated him. Without complaint you have endured incessant toll, privation and danger.1' You have seen many of your comrades make the supreme sacrifice that freedom may live. .1 thank you for the patience nnd courage with which you have endured. I congrntulate you upon the splendid : fruits of victory which your heroIsm nnd the blood of our gallant dead are now presenting to our nation. Your deeds wfl^ live forever on. the most glorious pages of America's history. "These things you have done. There remains now a harder task which will test your soldierly qualities to the utmost. Succeed In this and little note will be taken and few praises will be sung; fall, and the light of your glorious achievements of the past wiirindly he dimmed. "Hut you will not full. Every natural tendency may urge toward relaxation In discipline, In conduct, In appearance, in everything tlint marks the soldier. Yet you will remember that each officer and each poldier Is the repro^ sentutive In Europe of his people, and that his brillintit deeds of yesterday permit no action of today to pass unnoticed hy friend or by foe. "You will meet this test as gallantly us you have met the tests of the battlefield. Sustained hy your high Ideals and inspired by the heroic part you have pluyeJ, you will carry back to our peop>?' the proud consciousness of a new Americanism bom of sacrifice. "Whether you stand on hostile territory, or on the friendly soil of France, you will so bear yourself In discipline, appearance and respect for all civil rights thnt yon will confirm for ull time the pride and love which every American feels for your uniform and for you. ; "JOHN J. PERSHING. "General, Commander In Chief. "Official: "ROBERT C. DAVIS. "Adjutant General." The experience pf the World war only continued the lestfons of the past. The divisions with Utile training, while aggressive and courageous, were lacking in the ready skill of habit. They were capable of powerful blows, hut their blows were apt to he awl; ward?teamwork was often not well understood. Flexible and resottreefu. divisions cannot lie created hy a f^>v maneuvers or hy a few months association 7>f (Four elements, on GoOther hand, without the keen Intelligence. the endurance, the willingness and the enthusiasm displayed in the training areas and on -the battlefields, the decisive results obtained would have been ImjJhsRlble. There Is little to add In praise of the spirit of determination that stimulated each individual soldier to over come the hardships and difficulties that fell to his lot. With fortitude and perseverance he gave his every energy to the accomplishment of his task, whether It required him to eharge the enemy's guns or play the less conspicuous role of forwarding I' supplies. In their devotion, their valor and the loyal fulfillment o/ their obligations, the officers and men of tdf American expettylonary forces hare left a heritage of which those who follow after may ever be proud. [END.J sssamexaar~mmBSBBsmitm\ n nn Death of Frank H. Gardner Frank H? Gardner, aged 77 years, died at hid hpipe in the Flat Creek section Thursday, November 12, and was buried at Flat Creek church burying: ground on the following day. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. J. B. Caston, of Camden und Rev, John Dabney. Mr. Gardner is survived by his widow .^-Kershaw Kra. Forest fires in North Crrolina. South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia and Florida continue to do much damage. Mail flyers are being much troubled by the clouds of smoke over their several mail routes, ...? Senator Glass of-Virginia, has hegun a campaign for 'the nomination of ex-Governor Byrd for the Democratic presidential nomination. Stop Night Coughing Night coughing is almost always caused by an irritated, inflamed throat; so is almost all coughing. Ordinary cough syrups do not reach these conditions, but Thoxine, a prescription conclusively for throat troubles, does. kIt relieves the irritation and the cough stopa within 16 minutes. ArnF Thoxine goes further too. It,eliminates the internal cause which ipany times develops into serious illfiesa. A swallow of Thoxine beforo retiring absolutely prevents night ,cougnin? and insures a . good night's sleep. It gives the same speedy relief for sore throat too. It contains no chloroform or other harmful drugs und children like it. Relief is ' guaranteed within lfi? min->; utes or money back. 35c, 60c und $1.00 bottles. Sold by DePass' Drug Store and alt other good drug stoles. * DeKALI) COUNCIL No 88 Junior Order U. A. M. /kOK Regular council seoond and \ fourth Mondays of each month at 8 p.m. Visiting Brethren are welcomod. A. W. HUMPHRIES, L. H. JONES, Councillor. Recording Secty. v ROBT. W. MIT CHAM Architect \ Crocker Building, Camden, S. C. ? KERSHAW LODGE No. *9 A. F. M. Regular communication ol this lodge is held on the f first Tuesday In each month at 8 p.m. Visiting Brethren are welcomed. " W. R; CtYBURN, J. E. ROSS, Worshipful Master. Secretary. r l-W?2T-tf_ mmm" T"" "*T R. H. HAILE FUNERAL DIRECTOR FOR COLORED PEOPLE 92T Broad St. Camden, S. C. We have secured the service# of Lovett Proe^or, Licensed Embalmer for S. C? who will be with he , permanently to do our embalming. Residence Phone 298-J Office Phone I,*? " o z TAX NOTICE" Books for collection of School, County and State taxes year 1,931 will open September 15th and stay open until December 31st. 1931, inclusive, without any penalty. Any information "Concerning this office will be given by mail. When inquiring about taxes please state school district in which yoU live or own property. Following is a li?t of total levies for each school district for School, County and State taxes. DeKalb Township Mills School District No. 1 48'A School District No. 2 46% School District No. 4 48Mi School District No. C 48 School District No. 25 31 School District No. 43 .. ,v..... 31 Buffalo Township School District No. 3 <....40% School District No. 5 School District No. 7 37% School District No. 15 28% School District No. 20 28% School District No. 22 61 School District No. 23 28% School District No. 27 41% School District No. .28 School District No. 31 36% School District No. 40 ~ 51% School District No. 42 / . 28% Flat Rock Township School District No. 8 . S. 41% School District No. 9 41% School District No. 10 82% School District No. 13 28% School District No. 19 41% School District No. 30 88% School District No. 33 41% School District No. 37 41% School Disrtrict No. 41 4lJ% School District No. 46 86% School District No. 47 28% Wateree Township " School District No. 11 36% Sobool District No. 12 46% School District No. 16 82 School District No. 29 84% School District No. 38 28% School District No. 39 . 38% Yours respectfully, S. W. HOG-UE, Treasurer, Kershaw County, Camden, S. C. September 14th, 1981. ??-~r~i ^ v ; - ^ ; ^ jjj