. Illinois in the World War; an illustrated record prepared with the coöperation and under the direction of the leaders in the state's military and civilian organizations. 204 ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR the greatest burial grounds of the entire western front. It had been the sceneof tremendous fighting, but the Germans opposite had established themselvesso formidably that they had not been disturbed by the Allies for more thana year. Fortunately their long freedom from attack and the solidity of theirpositions had made the enemy overconfident, and they were an easier preyfor us when we overran
. Illinois in the World War; an illustrated record prepared with the coöperation and under the direction of the leaders in the state's military and civilian organizations. 204 ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR the greatest burial grounds of the entire western front. It had been the sceneof tremendous fighting, but the Germans opposite had established themselvesso formidably that they had not been disturbed by the Allies for more thana year. Fortunately their long freedom from attack and the solidity of theirpositions had made the enemy overconfident, and they were an easier preyfor us when we overran them on that memorable morning of September 26. And for the Sixty-sixth Brigade it was truly a memorable morning. Idoubt if the events of that day ever will be effaced from the minds of thosewho had a part in them. Official reports show that the brigade took morethan a thousand prisoners, as well as many cannon and machine guns. Thesereports, however, do not disclose the splendid individual deeds of courage. GENERAL WOLFS BILLET AT DEUXNOUDS and the innumerable acts of heroism that made victory possible. They can-not give even a faint semblance of an idea of the sufferings of those who fellwhile crossing that shell-torn valley of the Forges Stream. The days that followed were not less difficult. Enemy batteries beyondthe Meuse began sending over a terrific hail of shells, hoping to batter theIllinoisans out of the new positions. Rain increased the difficulty of holdingthe new lines by flooding roads in the rear and delaying food and the supply trains struggled through somehow, and the brigade held itsground, consolidating its lines and recuperating for a fresh attack. Orders for a renewal of the offensive were not long in coming. Thebrigade was instructed to push across the INIeuse against the enemy, nowentrenched along the heights beyond the river. Exhausted as the men were by the ordeal of the initial attack and thestrain of holding fast under incessant fire,
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Keywords: ., boo, bookcentury1900, bookdecade1920, booksubjectworldwar19141918
