Aisne-Marne

Page: > History > History of the 32D Red Arrow Infantry Division > World War I History of the 32D ‘Red Arrow’ Infantry Division > History of the Division during World War I

a.k.a. Second Battle of the Marne, a.k.a. Château-Thierry

On 26 July 1918, the Division proceeded to the region of Château-Thierry, as part of the 38th French Corps, 6th French Army, in the tip of the famous Marne salient.

After nightfall on 29 July, the 64TH Brigade (127TH and 128TH Infantry) began to filter forward to relieve the 3D Infantry Division in the front line, on the Ourcq in the vicinity of Ronchères. The 3D Division had been fighting continuously since the German offensive started about 15 July and was exhausted while attempting to overcome strong German resistance in the Bois de Grimpettes.

On 29 July, two members of the Army Nurse Corps, attached to the Division’s 127TH Field Hospital, performed deeds for which they earned the Silver Star Citation (also known as the Citation Star, now known as the Silver Star). The nurses were Lina E. ‘Linnie’ Leckrone and Irene M. Robar and they were recognized for their heroism while caring for the wounded during an artillery bombardment. They became two of the first three women to earn the new decoration for bravery, the third woman, Jane I. Rignel, earned the decoration under similar circumstances at a different hospital unit 14 days earlier. At the time, it was uncommon for nurses to be assigned to such forward hospitals, but as the war progressed it became more frequent. Some references state that nurses did not have formal rank at that time, but transcripts of these two women’s citations list their rank as WO3. [added 30 Jan. ’16, TPB]

Nurses Leckrone and Robar were friends; they both graduated the Training School for Nurses at Wesley Memorial Hospital in Chicago, that program was part of Northwestern University’s Medical School. Unfortunately, like many other WWI service members, it appears they may have never known that they had been awarded the decoration, the recommendations were processed after they were discharged from the service. To complicate things further, the Silver Star Citation became the now more familiar Silver Star Medal in 1932. In order to receive the new, full-sized medal, veterans had to apply for it by submitting proof they had earned the Silver Star Citation. The Army presented Leckrone’s Silver Star Medal to her daughter in 2007; living relatives of Robar could not be located at the time. [added 30 Jan. ’16, TPB]

Leckrone was born in 1893 at Illinois and her family resided at Marion Co., IL. Her brothers Orris, Dwight, and Lyle also served during the war. She returned home after the war and worked in nursing, but later moved to CO. She was commended in the Red Cross Bulletin for her actions as a nurse during a flood near Pueblo, CO in June of 1921. She married Ralph B. Bolles and they settled on a farm and raised a family of four. She passed away in 1989. [added 30 Jan. ’16, TPB]

Robar was born 29 December 1886 at Aurelia, Iowa; her family moved to Alta, IA. She attended Morningside College before heading to Chicago to complete nurses training. She entered service on 8 Nov. ‘17 and departed for overseas on 12 Dec. ‘17. She landed at Liverpool on 25 Dec. ‘17 and arrived at Boulogne, France on 29 Dec. ‘17. She served at American Red Cross Military Hosp. No. 1 at Paris and Base Hosp. No. 66 at Neufchâteau before being attached to the 125TH and later 127TH Fld. Hosp., 107TH San. Tr. She sailed for home from St. Nazaire on 6 Feb. ‘19, landed at New York on 28 Feb. ‘19 and was discharged 5 Mar. ‘19. Her brothers, Clifton J. and Garret D., also served during the war. She worked in Chicago, and possibly Rutland, MA, before moving to CO. She passed away on 1 June 1986. [added 30 Jan. ’16, TPB]

Another Nurse who served with the 127TH Field Hospital was also cited for bravery while treating wounded soldiers under fire, although it appears she was serving with a different unit at that time. Margaret E. Cummings, from Memphis, TN, a member of Base Hosp. No. 15, was attached to the 127TH Fld. Hosp. from 10 to 23 Aug. ‘18. She had earlier been attached to the 27TH Fld. Hosp., 3D Div., on 6 Jul. ’18. According to Livingston County, Illinois, in the World War, Cummings “received letter of thanks and appreciation from Gen. Dickman, 3D Div., in which he mentioned efficiency and bravery during the Château-Thierry Drive beginning 15 Jul. ‘18.” That same reference later states that Cummings was “cited for bravery by General John J. Pershing, Commander-in-Chief of the American Expeditionary Forces”. It further states: “At odd intervals members of the unit [Base Hosp. No. 15] were teamed up and sent to the first aid stations close to the front line trenches. Miss Cummings and her chum, Miss Hope, both of Memphis, Tenn., made up one of these teams and because they refused to leave their first aid station, which was under heavy shell fire, and remained to dress the wounds of the boys from home, were cited for bravery by General Pershing.” [added 10 Aug. ’19, TPB]

Cummings was born on 8 October 1887 at Bushnell, Illinois. She graduated Pontiac H. S. (Pontiac, IL) and earned a nursing degree from Northwestern University. She moved to Memphis, TN, at some point, from which she entered the service on 3 Feb. or 8 Aug. ’17. She sailed from New York aboard the HMS Carmania on 9 Jan. ’18, landing at Liverpool on 24 Jan. She sailed from St. Nazaire aboard the USS Heredia on 3 Feb. ’19, landing at Hoboken, NJ, on 25 Feb. She was discharged on 10 Apr. ’19. [added 10 Aug. ’19, TPB]

The 32D Division received its baptism of fire (first major offensive action) at 1430 hours on 30 July 1918 when the 127TH Infantry went over the top and followed a rolling barrage into the Bois des Grimpettes. The 127TH pushed through the woods until they were stopped by machine gun fire from the right flank. On this flank, from positions in the Bois de Cierges, the Germans continued to oppose every effort to advance, but the 127TH Infantry gained the edge of those woods and established themselves there. During the night the Germans launched a counter attack from the Bois de Meuniere and a bayonet melee raged for hours in the dark, tangled woods, until the attacking force was finally routed.

Pvt. Edwin Austin, from Shawano, WI, and Pvt. James C. Hix, from Beloit, WI, both assigned to Co. F, 127TH Inf., earned the DSC for their efforts to rescue wounded comrades during that attack near Ronchères on 30 July. Both decorations were bestowed posthumously; Pvt. Austin was KIA that day and Pvt. Hix was later KIA on 7 or 9 Oct. Pvt. Austin was a Soldier in the Wisconsin National Guard when it was mobilized on 15 Jul. ’17. More information about them and their medals can be found on the roster of DSC recipients.

During the night of 30 July, the 63D Brigade (125TH and 126TH Infantry) moved up from support to relieve the 28TH Division, Pennsylvania National Guard (adjacent and on the left of the 64TH Brigade, the 4th French Division was on our right).

Earlier on 30 July, at 1530 hours, while leaders were coordinating with the units they were to relieve that night, a high explosive shell hit a house in Courmont that was the Command Post of the 110TH Infantry from Pennsylvania. CPT James J. Cook and 1LT Elmer E. Nelson, both from Pontiac, MI, were KIA and the 1ST Bn., 125TH Inf. commander and his entire staff were WIA. One officer and seven men from the 110TH Inf. were also killed. CPT Charles Learned assumed command of the 1ST Bn., 125TH Inf. and the relief was executed as planned. CPT Cook was from Co. H, 126TH Inf.; he had previously served with the 120TH MG Bn. 1LT Nelson was from Co. A, 120TH MG Bn.

On the morning of 31 July, both Infantry Brigades of the 32D Division went into action side by side. Directly in front of us was the long, open slope of the Ourcq Valley, reaching to the woods of Les Jomblettes on Hill 212, a spur of Hill 230. This objective constituted one of the strongest German positions on the line of the Ourcq, and the success of the contemplated operation meant the breaking of the Kaiser’s last formidable line of resistance south of the Vesle. Les Jomblettes was not only holding up the 32D Division, machine gun nests there and in the Bois Pelger, further back, flanked the open ground in front of the 42D Division and absolutely prevented any advance by the “Rainbows”. On the left, the 63D Brigade promptly reached its objective, Hill 212, after some wicked fighting. They dove into Les Jomblettes and mopped it up and then cleaned out the Bois Pelger, allowing the 42D Division to advance. On the right, the127TH Infantry pushed their attack through the village of Cierges and passed beyond, only to be held up by a withering hail of machine gun bullets from Bellevue Farm, which had been organized into a very strong center of resistance which the artillery had failed to smother.

The attack was renewed on the morning of 1 August 1918. The objective of the 63D Brigade was Hill 230. The mission of the 64TH was to take Bellevue Farm, which had stopped the attack the day before. The Germans resisted desperately and were amply supported by machine guns and artillery. But “Les Terribles” were not to be denied. The objectives were gained and after dark the 32D Division dominated Hill 230. The Germans were forced to retreat after they lost this commanding high ground.

U.S. Army Signal Corps photograph, from U.S. Official Pictures of the World War.
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Soldiers of the 126TH Inf., 32D Division, assembling for an attack near Coutmont, 1 Aug. 1918.

Soldiers of the 2D Battalion, 126TH Inf., 32D Division, assembling in a wheat field prepatory to an attack near Coutmont, 1 Aug. 1918.

The situation was now such that the commander of the 6th French Army thought it probable that a consolidated advance could break through. Such an advance was ordered to begin on the morning of 2 August. The German resistance was not as stubborn as it had been over the last few days. As a result, the 32D Division advanced rapidly. The pursuit was continued to a line north of the village of Dravegny, which the 32D reached by nightfall, after an advance of about 6 km.

While lamenting the detritus of war, Lt. Col. Glenn W. Garlock recalled numerous gruesome scenes. “We went up the hill and passed a little strip of timber. Here were many Germans dead in pits and shelter trenches. A little way beyond was a gravel and clay pit. Here Co. A [128TH Inf.] had found a group trying to surrender but poured in a volley before any prisoners were taken. The dead were numerous there.” Soon after, “Here about the farm [Bellevue Farm] dead were strewn everywhere. Rain was falling and the finger tips of the dead were creased in little wrinkles from the water. Many faces there were familiar to me; the whole scene was depressing. At a corner of the farm a German machine gunner sat in a pit with his hands still gripping the handles of his Maxim. He wore glasses and had been a short man. Now he was shorter than before for a shell fragment had sliced off the whole upper two inches of his skull leaving it startlingly flat. A peculiar thing about this dead gunner was that his spectacles were undisturbed, there was no blood on his face and his body held the same posture it had when he was peering across his sights ready to pour out the terrific firepower of his gun.” (Garlock, 118) [added 31 Jan. ’16, TPB]

On 3 August, the pursuit was resumed and our troops continued to steadily gain ground, although meeting with increased resistance, especially on the left flank, where the 42D Division was unable to advance as rapidly as the 32D. By the end of the day, the Division’s front line had advanced about 7 km to the hills overlooking the valley of the Vesle, about 1 km south of the Vesle on the left and 2 km south of Fismes on the right. Here considerable resistance was met from the German rear guard, which was making a stand to protect the withdrawal over the river.

1LT Clarence G. Noble, from Soperton, Wis., an officer in Co. G, 128TH Inf., was KIA in this attack near St. Giles, France, on 3 August 1918, and was posthumously awarded the DSC for his actions that day. 1LT Noble’s citation reads: “He voluntarily exposed himself to heavy shell fire in placing his men under cover during a heavy bombardment. While assisting a wounded soldier he was struck by a shell and killed.”

On 4 August the 127TH moved out toward Fismes, while the 63D Brigade attacked the railroad yards on their front. The enemy had no intentions of yielding without a bitter battle and by means of very heavy artillery and machine gun fire was able to hold the town and railroad yards during the early hours of the afternoon. In its attack on Fismes, the 127TH was badly cut up and late in the day Colonel Langdon organized a provisional battalion out of what was left of his regiment and sent it forward to storm the town. His shattered companies made a desperate assault and finally succeeded, about nightfall, in passing through the town and establishing a position on the south bank of the river. On the left, the 63D Brigade took the railroad yards and succeeded in getting a few small patrols across the river during the night, but was unable to maintain them there so they were withdrawn.

The 3D Battalion, commanded by CPT Byron Beveridge, was the assault battalion for the 127TH Infantry’s attack on Fismes. The 3D Bn. commenced their attack at 1430, covered by machine gun fire from Co. A, 121ST Machine Gun Battalion and some artillery from the 120TH Field Artillery. The authorized strength of the battalion was 20 officers and 1,000 men; the 3D Bn. was down to 12 officers and 350 men when they started their assault on 4 August. They suffered many more casualties as they advanced over 2,100 yards of mostly open ground while subjected to intense German artillery and machine gun fire. The 2D Bn., 127TH Inf., commanded by CPT George F. O’Connell, also understrength due to the recent fighting, was brought into to assist the 3D Battalion’s push toward Fismes. The 127TH Inf. was able to capture Fismes, but at terrific cost. That night, the 3D Bn. was down to 2 officers and 94 men; the 2D Bn. had 5 officers and 104 men. The 1ST Bn., commanded by CPT William Smith, was held in reserve during this attack.

First Lt. Ray C. Dickop, from Beloit, Wis., Cdr. of Co. L, 127TH Inf., was KIA in this attack on Fismes, France, on 4 August 1918, and earned the DSC, posthumously, for his actions that day. First Lt. Dickop’s citation reads: “On reaching Chezelles Farm, he was shot in the head, body and legs. Although thus fatally wounded, when orders came for another assault, he gave the command ‘Charge’ to his company and led the assault until he fell dead.”

Near the end of the war, General Pershing compiled a list of the 100 greatest American heroes of the war. The list became known as Pershing’s 100. Gen. Pershing included 1st Lt. Ray C. Dickop on his list.

Pvt. Wilford Lloyd, a soldier in Co. L, 127TH Inf., was earned the DSC for his actions during the attack on Fismes, France, on 4 August 1918. He was serving as 1st Lt. Dickop’s orderly and was wounded at the same time as Lt. Dickop. As Pvt. Lloyd fell wounded, he lost his pistol. He then crawled over to a dead soldier, picked up the dead man’s rifle and joined a squad in a successful attack on the strongly fortified stone wall surrounding Chezelles Farm on the outskirts of Fismes.

On 4 August, two medical officers and their driver, Maj. Dirk Bruins, Capt. Allan A. Mitten, and Wag. Raymond P. Wagner, all from the 107TH Sanitary Train, set out to reconnoiter possible locations to establish a new aid station near Fismes. They accidentally strayed into enemy territory and were captured by the Germans. [added 11 Feb. ‘19, TPB]

Maj. Bruins later summarized the event: “On the afternoon of August 4, 1918 together with Capt. A. A. Mitten of Milwaukee and my driver R. P. Wagner I went toward Fismes to select a site for an ambulance dressing station. I had just received word from some officers who should know that there were wounded in the vicinity and had been to division headquarters where I was told that our advance line was beyond Fismes. This information was not correct and we found ourselves within the German lines and being fired upon. We went farther on to see if we could get back on another road but that too was lined with machine guns. Our car was much damaged by machine gun fire, the captain and myself were wounded. We were all three captured. We were marched back and I was sent to the hospital. Left the hospital August 29th. Was sent to the prison camp at Carlsruhe and from there to Villingen. Remained there till Nov. 26th and finally got out on the 30th. Came back to France through Switzerland. (qtd. in Schmidt 54)” [added 11 Feb. ‘19, TPB]

new photograph added 11 Feb. ‘19

Photograph, from Prisoners of the World War.
https://www.32nd-division.org/history/ww1/Bruins-Dirk-2At.jpg

“In the Prison Camp at Villingen, Germany. Major Sarda (centre), of the Spanish Artillery, was Official Representative of the United States Government for the Inspection of German Prison Camps. Maj. Harry Brown (left), of Milford, Mass., and Maj. Dirk Bruins (right), U.S. Sanitary Train, were Prisoners of War.”

Some references state that POWs, upon their release, were given the option of rejoining their unit, transferring to a different unit, or heading home. Maj. Bruins and Capt. Mitten chose to return to the Div. and served with the Army of Occupation in Germany. The fact that Wag. Wagner returned home circa 20 May ’19, suggests that he may have also chosen to return to his unit as well. [added 11 Feb. ‘19, TPB]

Capt. Arthur Allan Mitten, from Milwaukee, WI, was born on 28 or 29 Jul. ‘88 at Attica, IN, the son of Thomas Eugene and Katherine L. ‘Kate’ (Warner) Mitten. He attended med. school at Yale University ca. ‘06-’10, and University of Buffalo ca. ’11. Dr. Mitten practiced specialty surgery and diagnosis at 711-712, Goldsmith Building, Milwaukee, WI. He was also an assistant surgeon of the Milwaukee Electric Railway & Light Co. (TMER&L Co.), an attending surgeon at Trinity Hosp., an attending urologist at Milwaukee Co. Hosp., and a professor at the Marquette University Med. School. He was commissioned or promoted 1st Lt. in the Wisconsin National Guard on 28 Apr. ’15, assigned to Wis. Amb. Co. No. 1 (1ST Wis. Amb. Co.), Milwaukee, WI. Circa May ‘16, he “launched a campaign to raise $40,000 to be used in equipping the Wis. Amb. Corps with motor ambulances, auxiliary trucks and motorcycles” and he used some of his own money to purchase equipment for his unit. Lt. Mitten served during the Mexican Border Crisis. He was Capt. and Cdr. of the unit when mobilized again on 15 Jul. ’17. The unit was designated the 125TH Amb. Co., 107TH San. Tr., when the 32D Div. was organized. He was WIA and taken POW on 4 Aug. ‘18 near Fismes (see above). Initially held at a prison camp at Karlsruhe, he was later moved to Villingen. His capture was announced in newspapers on 7 Sep. ‘18, before the family received any official notification. He was listed as MIA on the 21 Sep. ‘18 casualty list. He reached Switzerland on 29 Nov. ’18, after being released from captivity. In a letter to his father-in-law, Dr. C. H. Lemon, received ca. 25 Jan. ‘19, he wrote, “If either of my wounds had been shifted just a little bit, or if my helmet had not worked, well, I would have been one of those permanently “over here.”” He passed away ca. 19 Jan. ‘67 and lies interred at Wesley Chapel Cemetery, Rock Hall, MD. [added 11 Feb. ‘19, TPB]

Maj. Dirk Bruins, from Milwaukee, WI, was born on 21 Aug. ‘78 at Brandon, WI, the son of Derk and Cynthia (Heusinkveld) Bruins. He attended Waupun H. S., Ripon College, and Northwestern U. Med. School ca. ’06. He established a med. practice at Milwaukee, WI ca. ’10. He enlisted as pvt. in Co. D, 2D Wis. Inf., Wisconsin National Guard, Ripon, WI, on 28 Apr. ’98 and served during the Spanish-American War. He was commissioned or promoted 1st Lt. in Wis. Fld. Hosp. No. 2 (2D Wis. Fld. Hosp., Wis. Fld. Hosp. Co. No. 2), Milwaukee, WI, on 24 Apr. ’14. He served with San. Det., 1ST Wis. Inf., during the Mexican Border Crisis. He was Capt. or Maj. with San. Det., 5TH Wis. Inf., Milwaukee, WI, when mobilized again on 15 Jul. ’17 He was assigned Dir. of Amb. Cos., HQ, 32D Div., and Cdr., Amb. Sec., HQ, 107TH San. Tr., when the 32D Div. was organized. He was WIA and taken POW on 4 Aug. ‘18 near Fismes (see above). His capture was announced in newspapers on 7 Sep. ‘18, before the family received any official notification. He was listed as MIA on the 9 Oct. ‘18 casualty list. His wife received a cablegram ca. 12 Dec. ’18, which he had sent from Berne, Switzerland, stating: “Free and well. Attempting to return to my division.” He was discharged as Lt. Col. at Camp Grant, IL, on 17 Jun. ’19. He passed away 12 Sep. ‘68 and lies interred at Wauwatosa Cemetery, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. [added 11 Feb. ‘19, TPB]

Wag. Raymond P. ‘Ray’ Wagner, from Marathon, WI, was the son of Matthew ‘Matt’ and Mary J. (Kohler) Wagner. He entered the service at Wausau, WI in ’17 and served with Amb. Sec., HQ Co., 107TH San. Tr. He was WIA and taken POW on 4 Aug. ‘18 near Fismes (see above). His capture was announced in newspapers on 7 Sep. ‘18, before the family received any official notification. He was listed as MIA on the 24 Sep. ‘18 casualty list. His father received a telegram from the Red Cross ca. 10 Oct. ’18, stating he was a POW. He was listed as ‘POW, Reported in Good Health, Camp Unknown,’ on 29 Oct. ‘18 casualty list. When he returned home ca. 19 May ’19, various newspapers reported: “he spent four months toiling at hard labor from 5 a. m. until 9 p. m., during which time he claims to have been beaten and ill-treated by guards.” He resided at Wauwatosa, WI, ca. ’26 and was the caretaker of potter’s field at the Milwaukee Co. infirmary ca. ’30. [added 11 Feb. ‘19, TPB]

On 5 August, the 127TH gave their attention to mopping up the town. Attempts were also made to cross the river, but without success. On the night of 5 August, the 3D Battalion of the 128TH, the only strong battalion left in the 64TH Brigade, was ordered into Fismes to reinforce the 127TH. On the morning of 6 August, the 127TH was relieved from Fismes. There were still German snipers in the town, and the 128TH continued to mop up the place. In the eastern half of the town German and American patrols clashed and it was nightfall before the Americans could claim anything like control of the city.

It was during this action that the 32D Division earned the nickname of “Les Terribles”. When this fight first started, General de Mondesir, the 38th French Corps Commander, under whose orders the 32D was serving at the time, went to the front to see how the Americans were conducting the battle. After he personally observed the 32D Div. clearing the Germans out of their powerful positions with regularity and determination, he exclaimed “Oui, Oui, Les soldats terrible, tres bien, tres bien!” General Mangin heard of it and referred to the 32D Division as “Les Terribles” when he asked for the Division to join his famous 10th French Army of shock troops north of Soissons. He later made the nickname official when he incorporated it in his citation for their terrific punch at Juvigny.

The 32D Division was the only American division to be bestowed a nom-de-guerre by an Allied nation during the war.

On 7 August Soldiers from the 32D Division found the grave of Lt. Quentin Roosevelt, son of former president Theodor Roosevelt. Lieutenant Roosevelt had been shot down behind German lines on 14 July. The Germans buried him next to his wrecked plane where it had crashed on the outskirts of Chamery; they afforded him a large funeral with military honors. Chamery was in the 32D Division’s sector as they pushed the Germans back. [added 27 Feb. ’15, TPB]

The Soldiers who found the grave were Pfc. Edward J. Donoghue and Horseshoer Fred J. Doyle, both from Bay City, MI and assigned to the 128TH Ambulance Company, 107TH Sanitary Train. When they found the grave the wreckage of Lt. Roosevelt’s plane was intact, except for the engine. Within about 24 hours the plane had been disassembled and carried off by souvenir hunters. Someone even pilfered Lt. Roosevelt’s dog tags, which the Germans had fastened to the rudimentary cross they erected to mark the grave. [added 27 Feb. ’15, TPB]

Before the Division moved on, Soldiers from the 107TH Engineer Regiment made some improvements to the grave and Maj. Gen. Haan wrote a letter to Theodore Roosevelt to inform him that his son’s grave had been found. [added 27 Feb. ’15, TPB]

On 7 August 1918 the 32D Division was relieved in the front by the 28TH Infantry Division. In the savage fighting that occurred since 30 July, the German line was forced steadily back, over difficult ground, from the strongly fortified position on the Ourcq River to the Vesle River, a distance of 19 kilometers. The brilliant and determined American attacks culminated in the 64TH Infantry Brigade’s capture of the important town of Fismes (on the Vesle) on 7 August, and the 63D Brigade’s capture of the important German railhead on the Vesle (in the left of the Division’s sector) on 4 August. During the past week the Division had captured 18 villages and fortified farms, captured 4 pieces of heavy artillery, five pieces of light artillery, ten trench mortars, 28 machine guns and hundreds of rifles. The Division had faced three German Divisions in this offensive: the Fourth Prussian Guards, the 200th and the 216th. One German officer and 96 soldiers were taken prisoner. The 32D Division casualties were 4,597 losses from all causes, including: killed and died of wounds, 797; severely wounded, 1,153; slightly wounded, 2009; gassed, 618; missing, 12; captured, 2 officers and 6 men.

While pondering the relative scarcity of decorations for bravery for the 32D Division, Lt. Col. Glenn W. Garlock noted in his memoirs, “In the fighting around Bellevue Farm hundreds of men displayed conspicuous bravery. Unfortunately the deeds of the great majority have gone unrecorded. In many cases recommendations for decorations were made and possibly these papers rest in some file in the War Department. Few awards were given so few men were mentioned in citations. (Garlock, 120-21)” [added 31 Jan. ’16, TPB]
Oise-Aisne Campaign

On 23 August 1918 the Division started movement to a new sector, in the vicinity of Pierrefonds, near Soissons. After a few days in the Army reserve the Division was sent across the Aisne to a position in the rear of the 127th French Infantry Division, with orders to relieve that division on short notice.

The relief of the 127th French Infantry Division took place on the night of 27-28 August. The 63D Brigade went into the line and the 64TH Brigade went into support (of the 63D). (The Infantry companies were down to 50% of their authorized strength of 250 soldiers as the 32D Division prepared to enter its second battle.) The relief was completed at 0200 hrs. The first attack was set for 0700 hours, the precise hour that command of the sector passed to the 32D Commander, General Haan.

The 63D went over the top at 0700 hours on 28 August to participate in a limited attack to eliminate a dangerous salient in the sector of the 59th French Division to the right of the 32D. During the morning the 32D readily gained their objective, the railroad track west of the village of Juvigny, the village was destined to be one of the high spots in the career of “Les Terribles”. The 63D Brigade turned in over 100 prisoners as a result of their push, and the captured Germans all testified to their complete surprise at the presence of Americans in the sector. Later the 32D found that the position they had captured was difficult to hold. They were on high, open ground on the slope of a hill facing the enemy. There was little cover, except shell holes, and they were subjected to artillery and machine gun fire from positions that had excellent observation of our front. The exposed position could not be abandoned without endangering the French; as a result, the casualties were high. Shortly after noon, the Germans counter attacked to attempt to dislodge the Americans. Our machine gunners held their ground and, aided by our artillery, were able to repel the German counter attack. After that, the Germans continued their harassing artillery and machine gun fire on the troops in the vicinity of the railroad tracks.

Soldiers of the 121ST Machine Gun Battalion, 32D Division, resting in a shell hole near Valpriez Farm, Juvigny, 29 Aug. 1918.

Men of the 107TH Field Signal Battalion, 32D Division, repair telephone wires broken by enemy shells near Juvigny, 29 Aug. 1918.

Men of Co. K, 128TH Inf., 32D Division, in line on Valpriez Farm in front of Juvigny, 29 Aug. 1918.

French tanks moving to the support of French troops operating on the left of the 32D Division, 29 Aug. 1918.

General Mangin ordered a general attack by the entire 10th French Army (of which the 32D was a part of at this time) to take place at 0525 hours on 29 August, with the objective of a complete break through the German line. Two companies of tanks and a troop of Moroccan Cavalry were attached to the 32D Division (several French Artillery units were also attached to the 57TH Field Artillery Brigade of the 32D Division).

Those two tank companies, although French-manned, were the first tanks used in support of U.S. troops. The first employment of U.S.-manned tanks occurred on 12 Sep. ‘18 near St. Mihiel. [added 19 Jan. ’14, TPB]

A tremendous artillery preparation had been delivered during the night, followed by a rolling barrage in front of the attacking infantry in the morning, but all this seemed to have little effect on the German machine gun nests, some of which took good advantage of numerous caves in the area. The Germans also laid down an effective counter barrage, just as our troops jumped off. The entire 10th French Army met a determined German defense occupying well sited and protected positions. Casualties were heavy on both sides and very little ground was gained. Because of the heavy casualties, the 63D Brigade was relieved by the 64TH Brigade on the night of 29-30 August in preparation for the next general attack, planned for 30 August. The 127TH was on the right and the 128TH on the left, each with two battalions in the line and one in support.

The planned attack for 30 August was not ordered. This situation left the 32D Division front line still exposed on the hill west of Juvigny, with the troops suffering heavily. While corrective measures were being considered, word was received from the 59th French Division on our right that its right flank had advanced in close liaison with the division to their right, which had found a weak spot in the German line and had broken through. It became apparent that this movement was going to meet with success and preparations were made for the 32D to participate in the shove. This would give us the opportunity to attack Juvigny. When the attack was launched, the left flank, together with the 66th French Division on our left, was held up by heavy fire coming from the northeast. The right flank, however, moved forward, and while it encountered determined opposition in going through the woods, it succeeded in making its way through the ravine to a position to the south of Juvigny with the extreme right partially enveloping the town to the east. One battalion of the 128TH Infantry moved forward west of Juvigny and reached a position north of the town, in this way the village was practically surrounded. The enemy was taken by surprise by the attack, but recovered and delivered a counter attack on our left flank. This attack was repulsed by the 128TH, which had been reinforced on its left by a battalion of the 125TH Infantry. With Juvigny surrounded, the support battalion of the 127TH Infantry entered the town from the southwest and mopped up, encountering some wicked fighting. Nearly all of the German troops holding the village were either killed or captured.

1LT Henry S. Blomberg, from Superior, Wis., an officer in Co. D, 127TH Inf., was awarded the DSC for his bravery during this attack at Juvigny, France, on 30 August 1918. 1LT Blomberg’s citation reads: “Inspiring his men by his own personal bravery, he vigorously led his company forward in the face of heavy machine-gun and artillery fire, capturing the heights overlooking Juvigny with many prisoners. After reaching the objective he repeatedly exposed himself to hostile fire time after time in reorganizing the line. During the defense of the position won he personally set up and operated a captured German machine gun against the enemy while under terrific fire.” 1LT Blomberg was later KIA on 4 October 1918.

General Mangin ordered his second general attack to take place at 1600 hours on 31 August 1918. This attack was needed to straighten out the front line and improve the positions of some of the forward units. He ordered an artillery preparation of four hours to precede the infantry attack. The entire 57TH Artillery Brigade, commanded by BG George L. Irwin, and the artillery of the 1st Moroccan Division, which was supporting the 32D, was assigned to General Haan for this attack. Novel use was made of this abnormal abundance of artillery in the form of a triple, rolling barrage, to cover a depth of about 1 ½ km. Some of the German prisoners taken during the day remarked that there were so many artillery shells bursting around them that they thought the Americans had a machine gun that sprayed 75 mm shells. Even after all this, the 32D Division still suffered considerable casualties as they progressed to the Terny-Sorny-Betancourt road, where the general advance stopped.

In an operation against a determined enemy, disposed in great depth, supported be adequate artillery and entrenched in highly organized positions in country that lent itself naturally to defense, the 32D Division had again broken through a German key position, had penetrated his line to a depth of 5 ½ km, and started an enemy withdrawal, thus paving the way for a forward movement by the whole French 10th Army.

The 32D was relieved by the First Moroccan Division; this division included the Foreign Legion and other famous units, on the night of 1-2 September and went into support for the 10th French Army.

Cave at Tartiers used as 32D Division command post and first aid station.

Lord Reading, Chief Justice of England, at Tartiers, 4 Sept. 1918, congratulates MG Haan on the victory at Juvigny.

On 4 September near Juvigny, the 120TH FA Regt. fired gas shells for the first time. [added 1 Jul. ’15, TPB]

On 5 September orders were received stating that the 32D was being transferred to the First American Army, thus effecting the 32D Division’s withdrawal from the Oise-Aisne offensive. General Mangin later decorated the Division for its actions in this offensive. He decorated the colors of all four Infantry regiments, all three artillery regiments and all three machine gun battalions with the Croix de Guerre with Palm, the highest order of the Croix de Guerre. These were the only National Guard units bestowed with the highest order of the Croix de Guerre during WWI.

The citations for the 63D Inf. Bde. and 64TH Inf. Bde. were published in Order No. 13978 “D” and said:

“Magnificent brigade, to which the French soldiers fighting by its side, have rendered the most beautiful homage in calling it the ‘Brigade les Terribles.’ Composed of the 127th and 128th Infantry Regiments and the 121st Machine Gun Battalion, it took in a brilliant and irresistible attack, the village of Juvigny, the 30th of August, 1918, and pursued its advance the 31st of August and the 1st of September, dominating constantly the enemy, in spite of heavy losses, sustaining without faltering the most violent enemy counter-attacks, fighting for three days without stopping, without rest, and almost without food.” [added 8 Jul. ‘19, TPB]

“The 63rd United States Infantry Brigade, composed of the 125th and 126th Infantry Regiments, have acquired the most splendid title of glory in the battles of August 28th, 1918, in the vicinity of Juvigny. Scarcely having entered the lines, it dashed forward into the assault; the enemy, surprised, became demoralized by the rapidity and vigor of the attack. It proved its superiority in a fierce hand-to-hand struggle where the 125th and 126th Regiments emerged victoriously despite counter-attacks by the enemy. It drove back the beaten enemy as far as the approach of Terny-Sorny, while efficaciously supporting the neighboring French troops during the attacks from August 31st to September 1st, 1918.” [added 23 Nov. ’15, TPB]

Gen. Mangin also cited over 500 officers and men for gallantry in action while under his command. The 32D Division casualties were 2908 losses from all causes, including: killed and died of wounds, 485; severely wounded, 599; slightly wounded, 1251; gassed, 574; missing, 14; captured, 5 men. Five German Divisions were used up in an attempt to hold the position which the 32D stormed-the 7th, 7th Reserve, the 223rd, the 238th and the 237th. From these Divisions 937 prisoners were captured, 9 of them officers. The material captured included 2 pieces of heavy artillery, 2 pieces of light artillery, 16 trench mortars, 112 machine guns, 700 rifles and great quantities of ammunition and material.

The Division was moved to a rest area in the vicinity of Joinville, north of Chaumont, on 10 September 1918. About 5,000 new men arrived in the Division, but the rifle companies were still short three officers and 50 men each.

On 15 September General Pershing visited the 32D Division and congratulated them on their accomplishments during the Oise-Aisne campaign.