HOUSE . • . . No. 1372 Cl)e Commontoeaiti) of ^a00acJ)U0ett0» SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT OF THE SPECIAL COM- IMISSION APPOINTED TO IDENTIFY THE GRAVES OF THE MEN AND WOMEN OF MASSACHUSETTS ^YHO GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR THEIR COUNTRY IN FRANCE AND IN OTHER FOREIGN COUN- TRIES DURING THE WORLD WAR; AND "TO INQUIRE INTO THE WISDOM OF CONSTRUCTION BY THE COIMMONWEALTH, IN FRANCE OR ELSEWHERE, OF A MONUMENT OR OTHER SUITABLE MEMORIAL, IN COMINIEJMORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS CITIZENS WHOSE LIVES WERE SO GIVEN." To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives: Gextlemen: — On January 15, when this Commission made its report to the General Court, it reported "progress" upon the last clause of its instructions, and asked, and obtained later, an extension of time to March 15 within which to com- plete its findings. These are as follows: — The Commission has given thoughtful consideration to the duty imposed by this portion of the act. The wisdom of con- structing a memorial in France to those citizens of Massachu- setts who laid down their lives for their country would seem to have been determined by the acts of the Nation and of the several Commonwealths following the wars in which the country has been involved. W^e daily pass under the shadows of the monuments at Charlestown, Dorchester, Concord and 2 HOUSE — No. 1372. Mar. Cambridge. In these and other places we are memorializing the valor ''even unto death" of the patriots of a century and a half ago. The Massachusetts heroes of the War of 1812, of the Mexican War, of the Civil War and of the Spanish War do not lack memorials of their services near where they served. They are not cemetery monuments. In the holy ground con- taining the remains of the heroic dead, • individual worth is recorded in the inscriptions upon the marble or bronze. It has been the custom of Massachusetts for over one hundred and fifty years, not only to follow her sons when enlisted in her service, but also to mark by enduring monuments the places where they have represented her in mortal combat. It may be assumed, then, that Massachusetts will in due time erect a monument or monuments in France, somewhere in the battle area; and the duty has been laid on this Commission to assemble the evidence in favor of a particular location. The United States em"olled into its service during the World War about 193,000 persons from Massachusetts. About 150,000 of these were connected with the Army, approximately one-third of whom got into the fighting line with the 29 Ameri- can battle participation divisions. But in 5 of these divisions we have no report of Massachusetts men killed in action; 24 is therefore probably the number of combat divisions in which Massachusetts men served. These were Regular Army divi- sions numbered 1 to 7, National Guard divisions numbered 2G to 30, 32, 37 and 42, and National Army divisions numbered 77 to 82, 89, 90 and 91. The War Department lists many regiments and brigades of artillery as actively engaged in the difit'erent battles in addition to those that were attached to divisions, and an indefinite but considerable number of in- fantrymen absent without leave from units back of the lines, "deserters to the front." The Commission has carefully tabulated the number of Massachusetts soldiers of each combat division who were killed in action or were wounded. Comparing these with the government reports of the totals under these heads in the divisions, we are able to a])proximate the number of Massachu- setts men who were engaged in each of the 12 major battles of the American ArnivhiFrance. The Commission is of the OOOUMKnTb CJiViSION 3 1921.] '^A'' v^JIOUSE-No. 1372. opinion that when it has set down the occasion and the purpose of these operations, and the measure of accomplishment in each case, it will have justified in some degree its choice of the location of a Massachusetts monument. This tabulation ac- companies this report. Americans were used in defensive warfare from ^ Nov. 20, 1917, at Gambrai, to the Chateau Thierry fight, beginning July 18, 1918. After that they took the offensive and held it up to the armistice, Nov. 11, 1918. The services of these divisions were not in any case confined to a single sector. The 1st Division was in the line in 9 different sectors, the 2d in 8 sectors, the 3d in 9 sectors, and the 26th in 8 sectors. If the number of killed and wounded in battle gives a proper basis for computations, besides the 26th, nine other divisions had from 1,000 to 7,000 Massachusetts men enrolled in them when formed, or by replacements. Because there were casual- ties of Massachusetts soldiers in each of 24 battle participation divisions, and because these divisions took part in all the major battles from Cambrai to Verdun, it would be suitable for the Commonwealth to e\ect a memorial in one or many places over an extended area. Indeed, she would be justified in erecting a monument to the devotion to duty and valor of a single one of her sons who, having accepted her mandate to carry her banner in a righteous cause, fell in the service. The quality of service unto death is the same whether one or a thousand pay the price. Defensive and offensive warfare are equally honorable. The Commission has no purpose to write a history of the World War or to apportion to companies, regiments or divisions their share in bringing the war, or any single movement, to a successful issue. But in placing the Massachusetts men in combat division's, and the divisions in the sectors where they must defend the line, at least, and endeavor to advance it when ordered to do so, we can claim for them a share of the glory that belongs to the event, and may call up the sentiments of gratitude for their achievement. We have given to the figures and computations we submit some influence in arriving at our decision, and we hope that they will be at least suggestive to the members of the General Court in putting a value upon our recommendations. .. 4 HOUSE — No 1372. [Mar. When it went overseas, the 26th, or "Yankee Division," contained 13,041 Massachusetts men, as follows: — 101st Infantry, 3,633 102d Infantry, 100 IGBcl Infantry, 548 104th Infantry, 2,348 Field Artillery, 3,004 Machine Gun, 436 Engineers, 625 Signal, Train, etc., 2,347 13,041 About the same number of men came from the militia of other New England States. About 600 came from the draft, and the division was short by nearly 900 men, these being added in France. Officially its casualties were 2,1*35 battle deaths and 11,325 wounded. Thirty per cent of the wounded came back into the line, but not all of them to the 26th Division. Re- placements came to the division up to November 4, in all probably amounting to 6,500 men, only a part of them Massa- chusetts boys. When the division returned from France about 10,500 were from Massachusetts. The strength of an American division was 28,000 officers and men. The battle deaths of the Massachusetts men in the 26th Division were 1,135, and wounded, 7,719. In 13 of the 24 battle participation divisions, the number of killed in action were from 1 to 10 persons, in- dicating that the wounded in each of these was less than 100 men, and the total of Massachusetts men connected with the division was not more than 600, depending largely upon the number of days the division was in battle participation and the arm of the service. Using percentages and approximations, out of the 150,000 Massachusetts men inducted into the army service, 48,975 saw fighting. Some of the particulars of the 12 major battles of the war, as connected with the participation of Massachusetts men in them, are set down in what follows: — (1) Cambrai, Nov. 20 to Dec. 4, 1917. About 2,500 American medical men and engineers, the 11th and 12th, served with the British. They were not designated as parts of a division, and may have contained 100 men from Massachusetts. 1921.] HOUSE — No. 1372. 5 (2) Somme. A German offensive from March 21 to April 6, 1918. About 2,200 American medical men, engineers, and air units served with the Australians. Again these were not designated as of a division, and may have contained 100 Massachusetts men. The drive was checked S miles out of Amiens. (3) River Lys. A German offensive from April 9 to April 27, 1918. About 500 American medical men and air men had a part in it, of whom perhaps 20 were Massachusetts men. (4) Aisne. A German offensive from May 27 to June 5, 1918. The Chemin des Dames was overrun and Soissons taken. It stopped at Chateau Thierry; 27,500 troops from Divisions 2 and 3 took part. In the closing days of the movement the Americans re- took Vaux, Boureshes and Belleau. About 4,000 Massachu- setts men were participants. (5) Noyon-Montdidier. A German offensive from June 5 to June 15, 1918; 27,000 took part in it. The 1st Division just before this offensive had cap- tured Cantigny and held it firmly. At this time 1,000 Massa- chusetts men were in this division. (6) Champagne-Marne. A German offensive from July 15 to July 18, 1918. Of the 85,000 Americans engaged, the 3d and 28th Divisions were fighting at Chateau Thierry, and the 26th and 42d were east in Cham- pagne. There were 23,000 Massachusetts men at this time in these divisions. (7) Aisne-Marne, "Chateau Thierry." An Allied offensive that flattened out the salient and made the line run straight from Soissons to Reims. It took place be- tween July 18 and August 6. There were 270,000 Americans engaged out of Divisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 26, 28, 32 and 42. Massa- chusetts furnished 23,450 men, of whom 700 were killed in action and 3,600 wounded. (8) Somme. An Alhed offensive from August 8 to November 11. Divisions 27, 30 and part of 33 were engaged; 54,000 Americans, of whom 225 were Massachusetts men, took part. The high point of the movement, which ended at the Belgian line, was the capture of Chipilly Ridge jointly with the Australians. (9) Oise-Aisne. An Allied offensive from August 18 to November 11. In only the earlier part of the drive, which on November 11 approached the Belgian line, were American Divisions 28, 32 and 77 employed. Then they were withdrawn to the Argonne. In these divisions were only 2,400 Massachusetts men out of 85,000 troops. 6 HOUSE — No. 1372 [Mar. (10) Ypres-Lys. An Allied offensive from August 19 to November 11, There were 108,000 Americans of Divisions 27, 30, 37 and 91 engaged, of whom 370 were from Massachusetts. (11) St. Mihiel. An Allied offensi^^e, the movement of which was almost whoUy by the 550,000 Americans of 15 divisions, 12 larger units of unat- tached artillery, 11 of engineers, 2 of pioneers, 2 of tanks, and 14 of air planes. Massachusetts had 40,000 men in action, the casualties being not more than 29 dead and 75 wounded, out of a total of 7,000. (12) Meuse-Argonne. An American offensive September 20 to November 11. Every American di^dsion was in the hne or in reserve, — a total of 1,200,000 men, 45,000 being from Massachusetts. There were 120,000 casualties, 1,000 dead and 4,000 wounded from Massa- chusetts. The purpose was to keep as manj'' troops of the enemy as possible engaged, and to use them up. From the facts set forth the conclusion of the Commission is — First. — Massachusetts might with propriety erect its monu- ment at Hattonchattel, where the St. Mihiel drive terminated. Because, while the losses were inconsiderable, a great many Massachusetts men were engaged in the movement, and the battle has fixed its place of importance in the history of the war, and Vigneulles, on the plain of the Woe\Te just underneath, was the actual objective of many thousands of Massachusetts soldiers. Also, a monument at Hattonchattel would be in sight of the Toul-Boucq sector, Mont Sec and the hills above Apremont to the southeast, and Hattonville, Hannonville, Haumont and Waddonville to the northeast, and Thiaucourt to the east. Many Massachusetts soldiers have cause to remember these places as connected with their service. The inhabitants of Hattonchattel told members of the Commission that from the roof of the highest buildings even Verdun could be seen. Second. — Massachusetts might select a conspicuous point in the Chateau Thierry drive, as at Etrepilly plateau, for its monument. Because there were 30,000 Massachusetts men in this move- ment, which extended through a period of severe fighting. 1921.] HOUSE — No. 1372. 7 The American soldiers here first became conscious that they were better than their opponents. They actually drove the Germans from organized positions of great strength. Their losses were considerable, only less than from the protracted fighting in the Argonne, yet the morale was increased and no one was discouraged. To select Chateau Thierry would be to say, "Here was the crisis of the war and it was . passed successfully." No one doubted after August 1 that Germany could and would be defeated. Third, — The Meuse-Argonne offensive was Chateau Thierry on a very large scale. It was a stand-up fight, successful every day, but at the price of precious lives in large numbers. The word from the front was always, "We have taken our ob- jective, but the boys are suffering terribly." These days the American lines extended 100 miles, and more than 40,000 Massachusetts men helped to hold it and push it forward. Death's Valley and other places of desperate fighting stand out prominently in the minds of American soldiers. The Commission is unanimous that a single Massachusetts monument to commemorate the heroic services of her sons should be placed in the St. Mihiel area. The majority of the Commission favors the point of the promontory upon which Hattonchattel is built, above the town of Vigneulles, the actual objective. General Logan would place the monument in the town of St. Mihiel, for reasons which he sets forth in his minority report following. Respectfully submitted, WALTER A. ROBINSON, Chairman. AXEL E. ZETTERMAN. HOUSE — No. 1372. [Mar. NOTE. St. Mihiel is situated on the Meuse River at the foot of limestone hills. It was founded twelve hundred years ago. It became a cathedral city, the church of which was made famous by the paintings and sculptures of the brothers Jean and Ligier Richier. It is connected by rail with Verdun, 18 miles to the north, and with Commercy, 10 miles to the south. Before the war it had several thousand inhabitants. Vigneulles is about 10 miles to the northwest of St. Mihiel over a good carriage road. It is reached by rail from Com- mercy, 14 miles to the south. This line taps the line from Verdun to Metz about 2 miles from the former city. The distance from Vigneulles to Verdun is 18 miles. Hattonchattel is at the end of the plateau overlooking Vigneulles. It is reached from Verdun directly by the Grande Tranchee de Colonne, a good road running along the ridge of the hills, a great part of the 18 miles being through the forest. Replace- ments. Total. From Massa- chusetts. Killed in Action. Wounded. Division. Num- ber. Per Cent. Num- ber. Per Cent. 1, . . . . 14,500 42,500 1,487 71 1.60 335 1.94 2, 14,000 42,000 3,129 195 4.35 551 3.10 3, 10,000 38,000 1,801 66 2,08 342 2.66 4, 7,000 35,000 2,736 87 3.33 441 4.48 5. 5,500 33,500 1,940 40 2.25 243 3.54 0, 3,400 31,400 597 2 .32 11 1.60 7. 600 28,600 506 3 1.00 15 1.10 26, 6,500 34,500 17,713 435 20.40 3,864 34.10 27, 4,000 32,000 208 5 .30 26 .35 28. 8,000 36,000 270 9 .35 47 .40 29. 2,500 30,500 73 1 .10 6 .14 30. 4,000 32,000 45 1 .06 6 .08 N 1921. HOUSE — No. 1372. Replace- ments. Total. From Massa- chusetts. KitLED IN Action. Wounded. DlYISION. Num- ber. Per Cent. Num- ber. Per Cent. 32 6,000 34,000 306 10 .30 60 .60 37, 3,000 31,000 146 2 .20 11 .27 42, 8,000 36,000 1,008 30 1.20 181 1.60 77, 6,500 34,500 2,449 67 3.30 326 3.80 78, 4,000 32,000 109 2 .14 11 .20 79, 3,000 31,000 930 15 1.00 115 2.00 80, 3,000 31,000 515 12 1.00 33 .66 81, 500 28,500 257 2 .80 11 .10 82, 4,000 32,000 6,976 108 8.50 830 13.30 89, 3,500 31,500 117 3 .20 16 .17 90, 3,500 31,500 50 1 .07 6 .10 91, 3,500 31,500 57 1 .07 6 .12 Other divisions, 1,350 17 1.80 200 2.70 Unattached, 4,000 40 1.00 240 1.20 48,975 1,225 7,921 10 HOUSE — No. 1372. Mar. MINORITY REPORT. Boston, Mass., March 15, 1921. To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives. Gentlemen : — In the matter of the supplementary report submitted by this Commission, I am unable to agree with the recommendations made by the majority of the members of the Commission. For reasons which now do not need to be enumerated, I strongly recommend the erection in France of a memorial to commemorate the sacrifices made by Massachusetts citizens during the war. Most of the battle front was visited by the Commission during its visit to France and a number of sug- gested sites viewed. Places in France where important actions had been taken, and which, until reviewed, seemed not only of great importance but appropriate places for the erection of a monument, appeared to me unsuited when viewed during the visit of the Commission. If a monument is to be erected by the Commonwealth, it should be, in my opinion, not only of suitable design and worthy of the cause which it is to represent, but should be so located as to be connected with some notable achievement. It should also be so situated that it would be possible to be seen by citizens generally and particularly by citizens of IMassachusetts, who in course of time may visit the battlefields of Europe. Long before the Commission had begun its trip to Europe, two places in France seemed to me peculiarly appropriate for the erection of a monument: one, the heights of Hattonchattel; the other, the Etrepilly plateau. A visit in days of peace to both of these places and a con- sideration of the peace-time transportation facilities connected with both have made me believe that some other location was preferable to either of those which were originally in my mind and which have been since recommended by the majority of the members of this Commission. 1921.] HOUSE — No. 1372. 11 Etrepilly and its vicinity is a pretty country community miles from any railroad facilities, and although a scene of very important action, particularly on the part of the 52d Brigade of the 26th Division, seems to me entirely inappropriate for the erection of a memorial by the Commonwealth of Massachu- setts, because of its isolation, if only one monument is to be erected in France. Hattonchattel is likewise an isolated spot, but by no means as devoid of transportation facilities as is Etrepilly. It is not situated on a railroad line, and, though it is fitted by nature for the location of the monument, it seems sufficiently difficult of access to be not the best site upon which a substantial and stately memorial should be erected. I recommend, first, the erection in France of a suitable memorial to the men who died in the war, and further recom- mend the city of St. Mihiel as the place in which the memorial should be placed. I recommend St. Mihiel, first, because it holds the name of what has been and perhaps may be hereafter regarded as America's first great successful contribution in the war. The offensive in St. Mihiel was a peculiarly American offensive on the battlefield. In it a large amount of territory was rescued, a great number of prisoners captured, and artillery and machine guns in substantial amounts taken from the enemy. While the American losses in the St. Mihiel sector are by no means as great as those which were subsequently made in other parts of the line, yet the results which were accomplished by the St. Mihiel drive, considering the small loss of human life therein suffered, make it a great military success. I recom- mend it, secondly, because in this drive Massachusetts had an important part, not only in the 26th Division, which attacked from the northern part of the salient, but by reason of the great numbers of Massachusetts soldiers which were part of the American force attacking from the southerly part. I recom- mend it, thirdly, because it has the added endorsement made to the Commission itself by Marshal Foch and Marshal Joffre and the expressed preference of the acting secretary of war of France. EDWARD L. LOGAN. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS llllllllillllllliili^ 015 845 679 5