USA > Tennessee > Knox County > Knox County in the World War, 1917-1919 > Part 7
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The main theatre of operations by the American arme when the armistice put an end to the fighting on November 11. 1918, was from Sedan in a southeastern of sports east of the Muselle River. However the 30th and 27th Divisions were in reserve in the Vine is great 1\ 314at the 37th and 91st Divisions were At ak welt launched on the morning of in Belgium, while the Suth Division was in the Rhe i svat. November 11, aiming at the capture ot Langwy and Bones . meest i wat and iron to Germany.
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OUR VARIED SERVICE
Exclusive of a few companies and one division, there were no other units or organizations in the army in which the men and officers from Knox County were gathered distinctively and into large groups during the war. Through assign- ment and transfer, as well as on account of the different times at which they en- tered the service of the government in its multitude of branches, the large ma- jority of those who went to war from this city and county-above 4,000 in num- ber-were scattered throughout all the arms of our military and naval forces.
To understand thoroughly this diffusion and wide separation of men in the army, a condition which applied to every section and locality, it will be necessary to trace briefly the growth of our military forces under the stress of a great emergency. In its expansion from a small, compact organization of about 190,000 in time of peace, with virtually only four distinct branches-infantry, artillery, cavalry and engineering-to a huge, multiplex organization of more than 3,500,- 000 men under arms, our army underwent a complete transformation. Quite as striking as its growth in numbers was the increase in the variety and com- plexity of special services and special branches, made necessary by the waging of war under new conditions and at a great distance from home.
As an illustration, the motor transport service, which was quite unknown be- fore this war as a distinct organization, was almost as large in numbers on the day the armistice with Germany was concluded as our whole army was before the war began. The air service had more than 200,000 men and officers assigned to it. The chemical warfare branch required the employment of almost a division for its special work.
The units of the national guard divisions were organized before this great expansion took place. The individual companies were recruited from the same town or section. They were composed of men who had been boys together, who knew each other intimately, and whose officers were men whose leadership they accepted. When the call into federal service on August 5, 1917 came, and they went away to training camps, the same basic organization was maintained. There were some infusions of draft troops in the fall of 1917 to bring these com- panies up to the new war strength, but the personnel remained largely the same throughout the war. When the fighting was over, the men returned home in the same companies and same regiments, for the most part, with which they had departed two years before. The companies had the same nucleus with which they went away to war.
Quite the reverse was true of the men who were in the regular and national army divisions. After the declaration of war, the regular army regiments were expanded into three regiments each. Each of them was made up of one-third veterans and two-thirds recruits or drafted men. Many of the old men in the original regiments were transferred to the national army divisions as commis- sioned and non-commissioned officers. They were scattered throughout the Uni- ted States to assist in the training of the new men.
After the organization of the first national army divisions, this dispersion of men from the same section became even greater. This was due to two entirely different causes, whose full effect became in evidence during the spring and sum- mer months of 1918, when the majority of all the men drafted were called to the colors.
The national guard and regular arny divisions, which were selected to go to France first because of their earlier training, hegan to suffer casualties and to dwindle in strength after a few weeks in the trenches. There was need con- stantly of a large reservoir of man power from which replacements could be
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drawn periodically to fill these divisions. It was found better policy to refill them in this way than to create new divisions to take their place in the line. To meet this situation and to keep a steady flow of men to France to fill the gaps, in- fantry and artillery replacement camps were established in this country to train men for this work. Instead of becoming a component part of some new · division, the draft boards sent large groups of men directly to these camps, from which they were scattered throughout the combat divisions in France.
Under this policy, Knox County men filtered into regular army, national guard and national army combat divisions. They were as likely to be assigned to a regiment of Californians or New Yorkers as to one of the Tennessee units. They were used wherever the needs of the moment were greatest. Sectional lines and previous residence were disregarded absolutely in the assignment of troops. The War Department recognized this gradual amalgamation of the three grand di- visions of the combat forces of the army and ordered that all officers and men should wear the same collar insignia, the large "U. S." ,
There was another factor which added to this dispersion of men from the same county, state and section. By the spring of 1918, all the numerous special branches and services in the army had been organized on a skeleton basis. Men of special, technical training were needed to fill them to their proper strength. The government permitted men of this type with these special qualifications, even though they were registered and subject to call later into the service, to enlist in those branches for which they were fitted best. Regular calls were sent out from Washington to the draft boards, asking for men of this quality. Hundreds of Knox Countians came under this classification and rendered their service to the government in this way.
Finally, to complete the thorough dispersion of men of the same city or coun- ty, the local draft boards were ordered to send recruits to many different camps over the country. In the beginning of the operation of the draft law, Knox Coun- ty boards sent these men only to Camp Gordon. But in the heavy calls of the summer months of 1918, men were ordered to Camp Sevier, Camp Shelby, Camp Greene, Camp Jackson, Camp Taylor, Camp Sherman, and other cantonments.
Examination of the personal war records of the men, whose photographs are shown elsewhere in this volume, will reveal the fact that there was hardly a division in our army, a camp in this country, or a single one of the branches of the service, in which there were not a few Knox Countians. They were through- out the majority of the combat divisions; in the infantry, artillery, cavalry, quartermaster corps, and engineering branches; in the motor transport service, the many phases of railroad work in France, in the staff schools and staff head- quarters; in mobile ordnance repair shops, in pioneer regiments, labor battalions; cooking and baking schools, gas and flame service, and in the many subdivisions of the service of supply.
This diversity of service both at home and abroad has made it next to im- possible, therefore, to sketch in one volume, or even in many volumes, the history of the organizations of all the men from Knox County who played some part, either large or small, in the greatest of all wars. Such a history would be a complete story of the war in all its phases and of the battle actions of many companies, regiments and divisions. Its scope would be so extensive as to pre- clude its treatment in a volume of this size. The personal records of the Knox County men, which are given later, tell the principal facts of their military ca- reers and of their military service.
The fighting operations of the majority of these men, however, are comprised in the St. Mihiel and Argonne Forest battles, which constitute the distinctive, offensive accomplishment and contribution of the American Expeditionary Forces
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in winning the war. Several divisions, sooner or later, were stationed elsewhere, either entirely or in part throughout the fighting, but always under the British or French High Command. They made glorious records on whatever front or in whatever sector it was their lot to be engaged. The Thirtieth and Twenty-seventh divisions fought side by side with the British throughout their service in France. The First, Second, Third, Fourth, Twenty-sixth, Twenty-eighth, Thirty-second, and Forty-second divisions took a very weighty and active part under the French during June. and July, 1918, in checking the German drive toward Paris, while their assistance in the counter-offensive of Marshal Foch, beginning July 18, was the main factor in causing the German evacuation of the Marne salient.
The St. Mihiel and Argonne hattles, however, stand out above all the en- gagements of the American forces during the war, because they were fought in American sectors, under American leadership, and largely by American troops. The larger number of our combat divisions, twenty-four out of the twenty-nine which had battle experience, engaged in one or both of these great offensive operations.
To describe at some length these battles, together with the operations of the Thirtieth Division in Belgium and in the Somme offensive, should include, then, in a general way the principal activities on the front of the men from Knox Coun- ty who were privileged to have a part in the fighting. Reference to the accom- panying maps will make clear some of the difficulties that they encountered, show what parts of the line were held by the divisions of which Knox Countians were members, and the strategy which the American and allied commanders employed in accomplishing their ends and bringing the Germans to their knees.
The same conditions, which operated to separate and scatter the men who went into the army, also applied to those who went into the navy, air service and the marines. In no camp, training station, naval base or battle fleet were there gathered more than a handful of men who were from this city or county. Yet they served with the same fidelity, endured the same hardships, made the same sacrifices that their brothers did who fortunately were grouped together in larger numbers and in distinctive units. Only their personal records will ever reveal the quiet, unostentatious service they rendered. No class of men worked so hard, so long hours, or were so constantly exposed to danger as the men in the navy. Yet there was little of the spectacular in their work which brought them before the public eye like the soldiers who took part in some memorable battle.
This great majority of Knox Countians, who were submerged in the different varieties of war service, returned home as they left. They came by ones and twos and threes. Some were discharged a few days after the armistice was signed. Most of them were mustered out during the spring and summer of 1919. A few, who were in the last divisions to leave Germany as part of the army of occupation, did not receive their discharges for nearly a year after fighting had ceased. There was no blare of trumpets or reception committees to meet them. They came in quietly, and, after a few days of rest, went back to the occupations and professions in which they were engaged before war called them to their coun- try's standard. They had done their full duty. They were glad to lay aside the livery and pursuit of war and return to the labors of peace.
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MAJOR-GENERAL E.M. LEWIS COMMANDER, 30TH DIVISION
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L
THIRTIETH DIVISION (OFFICIAL HISTORY)
The Thirtieth Division was a distinctively American division. More than 95 per cent of its personnel was of American-born parents. The division was con- stituted of National Guard troops of North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennes- see, augmented by many thousands of selective draft troops from the states of Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.
The division was dubbed "Old Hickory" after the warrior and statesman, Andrew Jackson, who was so closely identified with the history of the states fur- nishing the major portion of its personnel.
The Old Hickory Division landed at the port of Calais, France on the 24th day of May, 1918, and was billeted in the Eperlocques Training Area. While in this area the officers of the division reconnoitered the Terdeghen Switch Line, south of Cassel, and complete plans were formulated for the occupation of this line by forced marches in case of emergency.
Before the completion of its training period, the division was transferred to the II British Corps, Second Army, in the Ypres sector to be in close support in case of the expected German offensive. This division, the first American division to enter that kingdom, marched into Belgium on July 4th, with Division Head- quarters at Watou, to be in close support of the 33rd and 49th British Divisions, and was employed in completing the construction of the East and West Poperinghe Defense Systems immediately in rear of these two divisions. An immense amount of trench and wire construction was done. Complete plans and orders were issued for the occupation of the East and West Poperinghe Systems by the 30th Division in the event of a German attack and a forced withdrawal of the British Divisions in the front. The division received training in the front line with the 33rd and 49th Divisions, first as individuals, then by platoons, and lastly by entire battal- ions.
On August 17, 1918, the division took over the entire sector occupied by the 33rd British Division, 60th Brigade being in the front line, 59th Brigade in support. This was known as the Canal Sector and extended from the southern outskirts of Ypres to the vicinity of Voormezeele, a distance of 2,400 metres.
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On August 31 and September 1 the division engaged in an offensive in con- junction with the 14th British Division on the left and 27th American Division on the right. The 30th Division captured all its objectives, including Lock No. 8, Lankhof Farm, and the City of Voormezeele, advancing fifteen hundred yards, capturing fifteen prisoners, two machine-guns and thirty-five rifles. As a result of this advance the 236th Division, which was considered an average German division, was identified. During the six weeks previous to this advance, many attempts had been made by the British and our own troops to identify this Ger- man division.
On September 4-5, the division was withdrawn from the Canal Sector and placed in British G. H. Q. reserve with Division Headquarters at Roellecourt, France. While in this area the entire division was trained in attacking in con- junction with British tanks. On September 17, the division was again moved farther south with Division Headquarters at Herissart, and on September 22 was moved to the British Fourth Army with Division Headquarters at Bois de Buire, near Tincourt, taking over a front line sector from the 1st Australian Division on the night of September 23-24.
September 29 this division, with the 27th American Division on the left and the 46th British Division on the right, assaulted the Hindenburg Line. The Hindenburg Line at this point curved in front of the Tunnel of St. Quentin. This was considered impregnable by the Germans for the following reasons: The Hindenburg Line, curving west of the tunnel, consisted of three main trench sys- tems protected by vast fields of heavy barbed wire entanglements skillfully placed. This wire was very heavy and had been damaged very little by artillery fire. The dominating ground enabled them to bring devastating machine-gun fire on all approaches. The lines had been strengthened with concrete machine-gun em- placements. It contained at this point a large number of dugouts, lined with mining timbers, with wooden steps leading down to a depth of about 30 feet and with small rooms capable of holding from four to six men each. In many cases, these dugouts were wired for electric light. The large tunnel, through which the canal ran, was of sufficient capacity to shelter a division. This tunnel was electrically lighted and filled with barges. Connecting it with the Hindenburg trench system were numerous tunnels. In one case a direct tunnel ran from the main tunnel to the basement of a large stone building, which the enemy used for headquarters. Other tunnels ran from the main tunnel eastward to the City of Bellicourt and other places. This complete subterranean system with its hidden exits and entrances, unknown to us, formed a most complete and safe subterranean method of communication and reinforcement for the German sector.
The Thirtieth Division, 60th Brigade, augmented by units of the 117th Infantry. attacking, assaulted this line at 5:50 a. m., September 29, on a front of three thousand yards, captured the entire Hindenburg System of that sector and ad- vanced farther, capturing the tunnel system with the German troops therein: took the Cities of Bellicourt, Nauroy, Riqueval, Carriere, Etricourt, Guillaine Ferme and Ferme de Riqueval, advancing four thousand, two hundred yards, de- feating two enemy divisions of average quality, (the 75th Reserve Division and the 185th Division), and taking as prisoners 47 officers and 1,434 men.
On October 1-2, the division was relieved by the 5th Australian Division and moved to a back area with division headquarters at Herbecourt. The division scarcely reached this area when it was marched back and took over the front line in the same sector from the 2nd Australian Division near Montbrehain on the night of October 4-5.
From October 8-11, the division attacked each day, advancing 17,500 yards, and capturing le Tilleul d'Archies, le Petit Cambresis, Becquigny, Mon. Sarasin, le Trou Aux Soldats, Busigny, Gloriette, le Vert Donjon, Escaufourt, le Rond
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Pont, Vaux-Andigny, Vallee Hasard, la Haie Menneresse, la Rochelle, le Vent de Bise, St. Souplet, St. Benin, Malassise, Geneve, half of Montbrehain. Brancourt, Premont, Vaux-le-Pretre, Brancoucourt, Fraicourt Ferme, Bois Mirand, Butry Ferme, la Sabliere Bois, Becquignette Ferme, Bois de Malmaison, Malmaison Ferme, Bois de Busigny, Bois l'Ermitage, Bois Proyart, Imberfayt and Du Guet Fassiaux Fermes, taking prisoners 45 officers and 1,889 men. The 59th Brigade began this attack on October 8 and captured all their objectives, including Pre- mont and Brancourt. During this operation from October 8-11, the 30th Division encountered units from fourteen German divisions, classified by the British High Command as follows: 34th Division, average; 20th Division, very good; 24th Division, very good; 21st Division, average; 21st Reserve Division, average; 38th Division, very good; 119th Division, average; 121st Division, average; 187th Sharp- shooting Section, very good; 204th Division, average; 208th Division, average ; 3rd Naval Division, very good; 15th Reserve Division, average.
The 30th Division was relieved by the 27th Division on October 11-12, but re- turned on October 16 and took over a part of the same line at the same place, being the right half of the sector temporarily held by the 27th. The next attack was launched on October 17-19 against the 221st Division, average; 243rd Division, average; 29th Division, very good, advancing nine thousand yards and capturing 6 officers and 412 men, and the towns of Molain, St .- Martin Riviere, Ribeauville, Ecaillon, Mazinghein and Ribeaucourt Ferme.
During much of the fighting from October 8-11 and October 17-19, difficulties of the terrain were very great, with the country greatly broken by small patches of woods, while villages, with uneven terrain and occasional large towns, admirably added to the machine-gun defense of which the Germans took every advantage. The Selle River with high banks beyond was obstinately defended. In spite of these difficulties the advance continued, often without artillery support, and was made possible only by the determination of the men and the skillful use of all arms combined with clever utilization of the diversified terrain. The 3rd German Naval Division of the crack German divisions was hastily thrown in in an attempt to stop the advance.
The division was then withdrawn to the Heilly Training Area, near Amiens, for replacements and a well-earned rest. Two weeks later, when orders for an immediate return to the front were expected daily, the armistice with Germany was signed November 11, 1918. The fighting being over, the 11 American Corps was released from the British E. F., with which it had been associated since its arrival in France, and transferred to the American E. F. in the Le Mans area, where the first units of the 30th Division arrived and Divisional Headquarters opened at Ballon on November 21.
During the ahove operations the advance was so rapid and the troops with- drawn so soon, there was no opportunity to gather up and salvage a great num- ber of guns and supplies captured, which were left for the salvage troops of the Fourth British Army. Upon a partial check by the units of the division, it is known that at least 72 field artillery pieces, 26 trench mortars, 426 machine guns and 1,792 rifles were captured in addition to the great mass of material. This represents but a portion of the captures. In many instances, field guns taken from the Germans were turned over to the supporting artillery and used by them upon the retreating enemy.
Total number of prisoners captured by this division from September 29 to October 20 were: 98 officers, 3,750 men. During the same period we lost 3 officers and 24 men as prisoners. The total casualties of the entire division, according to statistics of the War Department, were 1,652 killed and 9,429 wounded. The division stood eleventh in the army in the number of casualties.
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2
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"KING GEORGE REVIEWING THE THIRTIETH"
The King and General Lewis are seen talking in the foreground. To the left, and with strap under his chin, is Col. Cary F. Spence, of the 117th Infantry. Behind King George is General Faison.
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The following messages and orders speak for themselves:
AUSTRALIAN CORPS
Corps Headquarters, 2nd October, 1918.
My Dear General :
As the II American Corps has now been withdrawn from the line, and my official association with you and your troops has been, for the time being, sus- pended, I desire to express to you the great pleasure that it has been to me, and to the troops of the Australian Army Corps to have been so closely allied to you in the recent very important battle operations which have resulted in the breaking through of the main Hindenburg Line on the front of the Fourth British Army.
Now that fuller details of the work done by the 27th and 30th American Divis- ions have become available, the splendid gallantry and devotion of the troops in these operations have won the admiration of their Australian comrades. The tasks set were formidable, but the American troops overcame all obstacles and contributed in a very high degree to the ultimate capture of the whole tunnel system.
I shall be glad if you will convey to your Division Commanders my appreciation of and thanks for the work done, and to accept my best wishes for every possible success in the future.
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