the emplacements that were behind almost every clump of bushes, every jagged, rough group of boulders. But those that remained were wiped out by the American method of the rush and the bayonet, and in the days that followed every foot of Belleau Wood was cleared of the enemy and held by the frayed lines of the Americans.

"It was, therefore, with the feeling of work well done that the depleted lines of the marines were relieved in July, that they might be filled with replacements and made ready for a grand offensive in the vicinity of Soissons, July 18th. And in recognition of their sacrifice and bravery this praise was forthcoming from the French:

Army Headquarters, June 30, 1918.

"In view of the brilliant conduct of the Fourth Brigade of the Second United States Division, which in a spirited fight took Bouresches and the important strong point of Bois de Belleau, stubbornly defended by a large enemy force, the General commanding the Sixth Army orders that henceforth, in all official papers, the Bois de Belleau shall be named 'Bois de la Brigade de Marine.

"DIVISION GENERAL DEGOUTTE,
"Commanding Sixth Army.”

An official German Army report was captured July 7th on an officer taken in the Marne region. The document embodied a careful estimate by the Germans of American morale.

Intelligence Officer of the Supreme Command at Army Headquarters, No. 7, J. No. 3,528, Army Headquarters, June 17, 1917.

Second American Infantry Division. Examination of prisoners from the 5th, 6th, 9th and 23d Regiments captured from June 5th to 14th in the Bouresches sector. The prisoners were not informed of the purpose of the attacks. The orders for the attacks on Belleau Wood were made known only a few hours before the attacks took place.

The 2d American Division may be classified as a very good division perhaps even as assault troops. The various attacks on Belleau Wood were carried out with dash and recklessness. The moral effect of our firearms did not materially check the advance of the infantry. The nerves of the Americans are still unshaken. The individual soldiers are very good. They are healthy, vigorous and physically well developed men of ages ranging from 18 to 28, who at present lack only necessary training to make them redoubtable opponents. The troops are fresh and

full of straightforward confidence. A remark of one of the prisoners is indicative of their spirit-"We kill or get killed."

In both attacks on Belleau Wood, which were carried out by one or two battalions, the following method of attack was adopted: Three or four lines of skirmishers at about thirty to fifty paces distance: rather close behind these isolated assault parties in platoon column; abundant equipment of automatic rifles and hand grenades. The assault parties carried forward machine guns and were ordered to penetrate the German position at a weak point, to swing laterally, and to attack the strong points from the rear.

Particulars on the American position: No details are available. The prisoners are hardly able to state where they were in position. According to their statements, it may be assumed that the front line consists only of rifle pits one meter deep, up to the present not provided with wire entanglements. The organization of the positions in rear is unknown.

Morale: The prisoners in general make an alert and pleasing impression. Regarding military matters, however, they do not show the slightest interest. Their superiors keep them purposely without knowledge of military subjects. For example, most of them have never seen a map. They are no longer able to describe the villages and roads through which they marched. Their ideas on the organization of their unit is entirely confused. For example, one of them claimed that his brigade has six regiments, his division twenty-four. They still regard the war from the point of view of the "big brother" who comes to help his hard pressed brethren and is, therefore, welcomed everywhere. A certain moral background is not lacking. The majority of the prisoners simply took as a matter of course that they have come to Europe in order to defend their country.

Only a few of the troops are of pure American origin; the majority is of German, Dutch, and Italian parentage, but these semi-Americans, almost all of whom were born in America and never have been in Europe fully feel themselves to be true-born sons of their country.

(Signed) VON BERG, Lieutenant and Intelligence Officer.

Painted by Gayle Porter Hoskins- C. P. Co., 1918.

"THEY SHALL NOT PASS!"-THE SECOND BATTLE OF THE MARNE

Across the pontoon bridges the Germans came, streams of gray-green, writhing under the bombs from allied airplanes, into the arms of the Americans. Everywhere they were hurled back. The bridges blew up under them, the river seized them, the bombs rained upon them. And above the clamor rose the battle cry of the marines.

A

CHAPTER XI

AMERICA THE DECIDING FACTOR

MERICA was now ready to be tested as a factor in the war. Men and munitions poured in an endless chain of ships across the ocean. Some little preliminary training was given to troops before they were put into action, and while this training was going forward the older divisions were taken out of the training areas and put into the line. On June 30th, American troops in France in all departments of service numbered 1,019,115.

Like an electric current the news had sped through the entire allied front that the Americans had proved masters of the Germans at Château-Thierry, Belleau Wood, Bouresches and Cantigny. Along the lines of transportation from Brest American troops were pouring in streams of brown, virile, confident young manhood. New life surged through the arteries of the allied forces. For the first time they felt that the day of deliverance from the German menace was at hand. They had made a good fight against overwhelming odds. They had held the line against all that German scientific efficiency could hurl against them. Poison gas, airplanes, long-range guns, machine-gun nests, hammer strokes of German artillery and infantry against weak spots-all these had been endured. Now America vibrant with wealth, youth and determination had come like a fresh, well-trained gladiator ready to strike the deciding blow against the formidable foe.

Following closely upon the spirited defence at ChâteauThierry and the capture of Belleau Wood and Bouresches came the attack on Vaux and communicating positions along the German lines to Hill 204. This action was commenced and completed on July 1st, by the regular soldiers of the 2d Division included in the 3d Brigade.

While the marines of the 2d Division had been earning immortal laurels in Belleau Wood and Bouresches, the