$Unique_ID{how04529}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{True Stories Of The Great War
I - Story Of Arrival Of General Pershing On French Soil}
$Subtitle{}
$Author{Eyre, Lincoln}
$Affiliation{}
$Subject{american
pershing
french
army
france
gen
general
war

}
$Date{1917}
$Log{}
Title:       True Stories Of The Great War
Book:        Under The Stars And Stripes - With American Army In France
Author:      Eyre, Lincoln
Date:        1917

I - Story Of Arrival Of General Pershing On French Soil

Stories of American Troops On on Road To Front Told By Lincoln Eyre, With
Pershing's Army

[It was one of the most dramatic scenes in the world's history when on that
twenty-seventh day of June, 1917, the first American Army that ever crossed
the seas to Europe stepped foot on the soil of France to join its allies in
the war to "make the world safe for democracy." America at last was repaying
the debt which it owed France when she crossed the Atlantic to fight with
Washington's Army in the American Revolution.  The historic scenes are
described by Lincoln Eyre, who was attached to the Joffre commission on its
tour of triumph in the United States.  He is now with the American Army as war
correspondent for the New York World, with whose permission this record is
made.]

     Boulogne, France, June 13, 1917.

     Cheering thousands, moved to tears, welcomed General John J. Pershing
on his arrival here to-day.  The tall, soldierly-appearing figure of
Pershing, garbed in the business-like khaki of the American army, was
acclaimed as France has seldom acclaimed another in all her history.
Frenzied crowds packed the streets to shout their joy and wave the Tricolor
of France with the same three colors of the Star Spangled Banner.  Gen.
Pershing was welcomed at the dock by Gen. Pelletier, representing the French
Government and General Headquarters; Commandant Hue, representing the
Minister of War; Gen. Lucas, commanding the northern region; Col. Daru,
Governor of Lille; the Prefect of the Somme and other public officials.

     Pershing arrived at 9:40 o'clock this morning.  He was deeply moved by
the greeting he received.

     "I consider this one of the most important moments in American history,"
he said. "Our arrival on French soil, constituting as we do the advance guard
of an American army, makes us realize to the fullest the importance of
America's participation.  Our reception has moved us deeply.  I can only
reaffirm that America has entered the war with the intention of performing
her full share - however great or small the future will dictate.  Our Allies
can depend upon that absolutely."

     A small French boy who edged forward in the crowds that greeted the
American general was noticed by Pershing.  He wanted something and Pershing
wanted to know what it was.  He came forward and shyly shook hands with the
big, smiling American and then asked him to sign an autograph album, proudly
displaying the signatures which he had already obtained in it from Marshal
Joffre and Field Marshal Haig.  Gen. Pershing stopped right there and signed
the book.

     While Pershing and the commissioned officers of his staff disembarked
and were immediately taken away in automobiles, non-commissioned officers and
privates - orderlies and attaches to the American General's entourage -
swarmed off the vessel and mixed joyously with the crowd at the railway
station.  There were British Tommies there to welcome their new brothers in
arms - and - French poilus as well.  Hundreds of handshakings - and embraces
- marked the meeting of these representatives of three great armies, now
pledged to a common purpose.

     Boulogne harbor was alive early in the morning awaiting the arrival of
the American General and his staff.  The first notice that the ship was
finally arriving came with the roar of salutes from French patrol boats in
the outer harbor.  Then the British troopships hastily shifted their
anchorage to allow the boat with its all-important cargo to dock at the
principal wharf.  There a huge American flag was flung to the breeze from the
topmost part of the landing stage, while on the dock itself a brilliant,
colorful assembly awaited, cheering so that their welcome must have been
heard far out over the waters as the boat slowly nosed her way between the
whistle-shrieking and gun-barking craft in between.

     On the dock were British, French and Belgian officers, formally drawn
up in rigid salute as Gen. Pershing first put his foot on French soil and
gave evidence in the flesh of America's determination to fight.  Rene
Besnard, Under Secretary of War, was the Governmental representative at this
notable scene.  He arrived from Paris and shook hands with the American
commander as he stepped ashore.  French Government officials formally
welcomed Gen. Pershing and his staff in the name of the nation and the
Americans were taken to a special train en route for Paris.