In Their Words

Cpt. Thos R. Gowenlock

“Today a captured Colonel of the German Army arrived at our Division Cage. He was cold, hungry and broken in spirit. After four years of severe fighting and constant service in his army, he was taken prisoner by the troops of the victorious First Division. The following is the substance of his remarks: “Yesterday I received orders to hold the ground at all costs. The American barrage advanced toward my position and the work of your artillery was marvelous. The barrage was so dense that it was impossible for us to move out of our dugouts.
Following this barrage closely were troops of the First Division. I saw them forge ahead and knew that all was lost. All night I remained in my dugout, hoping vainly to rejoin my Army. This morning your troops found me and here I am, after four years of fighting, a prisoner.

Yesterday I knew that the First Division was opposite us, and I knew that we would have to put up the hardest fight of the war. The First Division is wonderful and the German Army knows it. We did not believe that within five years the Americans could develop a division such as the First Division. The work of its infantry and artillery is worthy of the best armies in the world.”

Letter of October 10th, 1918 from
Cpt. Thos R. Gowenlock by command of
Major General Summerall regarding
German thoughts of the First Division

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