In Their Words

Ltc. P. L. Stackpole

“Attack started at 5:25 without artillery preparation in all divisions and in 3rd and 5th Corps to east, the objective being combined Army first phase line. 1st goes forward well, though with much machine gun and artillery resistance, and takes Flevilll and line southeast through Hill 240, and thence generally east. Right brigade (General Nolan, temporary commanding officer) of 28th progresses to point on east bank of Aire, southwest of Flevill and holds line back to Apremont. Left brigade of 28th is stuck around Le Chene Tondu and does not move. General Liggett visited 28th headquarters in afternoon and saw Muir and Sweeney, satisfying himself that Nolan’s dispositions protect him in Apremont, and stirring things up for Conger on left; attack already planned. General Liggett told Muir he did not want to relieve the 28th until it had completed its task and Muir said that was the way he felt about it, and the 28th had something still to offer and could go forward and would. An attack by left (58th) brigade in late afternoon is supposed to have cleaned up Le Chene Tondu. Liaison between 28th and 77th is supposed to be established on about this line, but there is entire distrust of each by the other, and an unfortunate amount of back biting and argument. (The time of one accurate and conscientious observer spent in determining the facts would quickly resolve the uncertainty – but then there would be nothing for the staff to argue about.) Tanks seem to have helped right brigade, but to have missed their way and failed their mission with left. Saturday, October 5th [1918] . . . The Argonne Country they are going through is certainly the limit – ravines, sharp banks, heavy timber, dense bush, and all the obstacles the Germans have been able to invent and construct during four years of occupancy.”

Entry of October 4th, 1918 from the diary of
Ltc. P. L. Stackpole, A.D.C. to General Liggett.

Images (Click to Enlarge)