June 19, 1918 - Don Martin, in Paris, writes about Cantigny battle

Don Martin diary entry for Wednesday, June 19, 1918: 

Am worried about my throat. Took an automobile at 2:30 p.m. and went to Paris. Got my hair cut and went to bed early. Am at the Crillon.

        Don Martin wrote about the German reactions to recent battles with American forces and next offensive. He dated the dispatch on Wednesday, June 15, from Picardy, which is a mystery. It was published in the New York Herald on June 20.

AMERICAN TROOPS READY 
TO MEET BIG NEW OFFENSIVE

Cantigny Rankles in German Hearts 
and Leaders Revise Tactics

STARTLED BY METHODS USED BY AMERICANS

Troops in Line Ordered to Bring in Prisoners, 
But Their Bag Remains Empty

By DON MARTIN.

Special Correspondent of the Herald with the American Armies in France.

[Special Cable to the Herald.]

WITH THE AMERICAN ARMIES IN PICARDY, Wednesday. [Jun 19]

                Information which has come to the hands of the Allies shows that the Germans are preparing to soon deliver the most gigantic blow of the entire war. The period of lull at present is said to be the calm before the storm. The Germans have felt the force of the Americans sufficiently to know that every day’s delay means the lessening of their chances to push the Allies back toward the sea or to Paris.

               No matter where the blow comes, Americans are certain to be in the line. There is plenty of evidence at hand to justify the statement that the Americans soon will be called upon to sustain a vaster attack than ever before has been directed against them. The Germans have an abundance of manpower, but their shock troops and also their high grade divisions are lacking. These units have lost heavily since the big attack started on March 21, but the losses of the Allies have been heavy, too, so the relative strength of the Germans and the Allies remains practically the same.

                 According to the information given to me, Germany now has fifty reserve divisions for a new offensive plus one hundred and fifty-three in the line. However, the number of men in each division has been reduced considerably.

                    It is no secret that the Allies expect the Germans to throw their superlative strength into the attack now threatening. This will be directed on a wide front, but it is likely to reach a climax in the neighborhood of Amiens, where they are sure to come in contact with the Americans.

               There is a probability also that the Germans will seek to pierce the line northwest of Château-Thierry, where the Americans already have made a splendid record and where they are still able to give the Hun a terrific pounding.

Cantigny a Sore Spot

                   The Germans are vexed, angry and bitter over the spunky, plucky resistance of the Americans. This is shown conclusively by documents captured on Germans. As a matter of fact, the vigor and imperturbability of the fresh American troops are upsetting many of the plans made by the Germans, who are unable to understand the American methods of fighting.

                   The situation is growing daily more gloomy for the Germans who admit their hope of a successful drive to Paris was lowered by the appearance of the American forces everywhere. All the German patrols sent out go with instructions to bring back American prisoners at any cost. This is a scheme to ascertain the details of what the Americans are doing and are preparing to do. It is a splendid tribute to the valor of our boys that the Germans have taken no prisoners in these raids. The Americans show the spirit of the Canadians, and, as a matter of fact, they are the same type –they will both fight to the death.

                         The capture of Cantigny by the Americans is a sore spot to the Germans. I have in my possession a document captured from a German officer admitting a defeat at the hands of the Americans at Cantigny and recommending drastic changes in the methods of handling the men, especially during the period of relief, so as to guard against a repetition of the victory by the Americans. The document says the Americans surprised the Germans in the first line at Cantigny and also comments on the lack of harmony between the artillery and infantry, resulting in confusion and enabling the Americans to win the town. It is a scathing comment on the efficiency of the Germans of the Twenty-sixth Reserve Corps. Continuing, the document, which is signed by Friesen von Eatter, commanding general, says: -- “Reports rendered to the commanding officers show that the reverses at Cantigny ascribed part of the mistakes to the commanding officers and troops idem, and these faults must be remedied immediately, for the enemy Americans might possibly launch another attack within a short time.”

                     This, coupled with other documents, and also statements by German captives, is proof that the spirit and dash of the Americans are upsetting many of the staid rules of the Germans, and it is important testimony to the remarkable character of the Americans.