ber 30, the date of the latest available information, there were thirty-two squadrons at the front; of these fifteen were pursuit, thirteen observation, and four bombing. The first squadron equipped with American planes reached the front in the latter part of July.

LOSSES IN BATTLE AND IN TRAINING.

Though the casualties in the air force were small as compared with the total strength, the casualty rate of the flying personnel at the front was somewhat above the artillery and infantry rates. The reported battle fatalities up to October 24 were 128 and accident fatalities overseas 244. The results of allied and American experience at the front indicate that two aviators lose their lives in accidents for each aviator killed in battle. The fatalities at training fields in the United States to October 24 were 262.

COMMISSIONED AND ENGLISH STRENGTH.

On America's entrance into the war, the personnel of the air servoce consisted of sixty-five officers and 1,120 men. When the armistice was signed the total strength was slightly over 190,000, comprising about 20,000 commissioned officers, over 6,000 cadets under training, and 164,000 enlisted men. In addition to the cadets under training, the flying personnel was composed of about 11,000 officers, of whom approximately 42 per cent were with the expeditionary force when hostilities ceased. The air service constituted slightly over 5 per cent of the total strength of the army.

CHAPTER CXXV

1916-1919

AMERICA IN THE GREAT STRUGGLE.

America's Increasing Army in France-The Training of the Men-Germany's Realization of America's StrengthThe Need for Immediate Action on Her Part-The Great Offensive on March 21, 1918-The Enemy's Plan-Germany's Temporary Success-American Troops on Land -General Foch in Supreme Command-Chatteau Thierry -The Allies' Counter-Attack-The German RetreatAmerica's Share in the Fighting-Bulgaria SurrendersItaly's Success-Turkey Surrenders-Germany Seeks an Armistice-Austria Gives up-Armistice Declared-Its Terms-The Emperors of Germany and Austria Abdicate -What the War's Conclusion Brought-The War at Home The Drafted Men-War on Austria Declared-Workless Mondays-Foe Restrictions-The Third Liberty Loan-1918 Independence Day-Fourth Liberty Loan -America's Concentration of Effort-The News of the Armistice-President Wilson Goes to France-His Work There The Peace Council-The League of NationsOpposition at Home-Text of its Covenant-Colonel Roosevelt Dies-Prosperity Ahead.

While America bent its efforts toward preparation and the transportation of troops, Germany, which had up to now, outwardly ridiculed the possibility of America's aid to the cause of the Allies, first, because its submarines would make the transportation of troops impossible, second, because the Americans were not fighters, third, because an army needed months and years of training and preparation and America not only was without the training and preparation but without the army for it, Germany, as we have said, began to realize that the United States despite all this unassailable reasoning to the contrary was getting a large and constantly increasing army to the scene of conflict and that this army was

trained and counting effectively in the great struggle. In the latter part of 1917 and throughout all the early months of 1918, Germany which had been freed in the East by the shameful surrender of the Bolsheviki Government through the infamous Brest-Litovsk treaty, began moving division after division to the Western front. The Allies realized that a new and desperate offensive would be begun by the enemy in the Spring.

On March 21, 1918, the enemy struck. His plan was to force a wedge between the French and British Armies forcing the latter west and north toward the Channel ports and the former south beyond the Somme. To do this successfully it was necessary for the Germans to capture Amiens.

Truly a big program. To succeed the blow had to be struck at once before America began to pour its magnificent strength into the conflict. The submarines had been unable to sink a single transport on its way to France. Germany began to realize that its strongest weapon, the Submarine, was a failure.

England at this time was dangerously short of food and France also was in a desperate food situation. America had undertaken a voluntary food rationing, account of which is made later. Because of this and the concentration of all its efforts, it was able to send vast supplies, food and men to the Allies. That was the big task ahead and how well the ships of America and the Allies succeeded in this task, history will tell.

The enemy's attack was on a front of over fifty miles, from a point north of Cambrai to west of La Fere. General Byng held his position at Cambrai but on the third day the enemy hurled tremendous strength against General Gough at St. Quentin. The British retreated at this point. Its retreat left a gap between the British and the French.

It was a critical situation for the Allies. But by superhuman efforts all the reserves and every available man was hurled into the weakened link. It is worthy of note here that a force of American engineers was used at this time and that these men acquitted themselves well. The day was saved. It meant that the enemy's drive for the channel ports was stopped.

The Germans after a short rest, successfully smashed through to the Aisne at a point between Rheims and Soissons and reached the Marne. Nothing seemed able to stop them. Well and heroically the French fought but to no avail.

In Allied Council, it was being seriously debated whether to give up Paris or the Channel ports or even both. It was felt that one or the other or even both would have to go. The foe's success in Picardy along the Aisne and in Flanders spelled disaster.

At the same time the Council discussed the advisability of placing the Allied troops under a supreme command. But nothing came of this at the time, although it was felt that it was but a question of time when this step would be found necessary.

A half million American troops were now in France being prepared for the front. The British prime minister, Lloyd George, made a memorable appeal to the President of the United States for immediate aid. It was, so he said, the Allies only hope. Great Britain turned over every available ship for the purpose of transportation of troops.

At the end of May, three hundred thousand more Americans were in France. A month later, the number had reached a million.

To General Foch, in command of the French forces, the American commander, General Pershing, now made known his willingness to place himself and his

command under orders. It was this willingness on his part to accept the leadership of the French commander that brought the quick appointment of the latter as Commander in Chief.

The American presence at the front began to be felt now. In all engagements the might of the new army was apparent.

Possibly, the turning point of the tremendous German effort was at Chateau Thierry. The French had held the line at this point until every ounce of its strength had been expended. Into this widening breach were thrown the United States Marines. The battle that then followed shall ever redound to America's glory.

The triumphant Germans in the full swing of continued success attacked once and again. The Marines met these attacks confidently. Not a step did they give. The enemy, his losses heavy, was forced to retire.

Then the Marines in return attacked. The youth of America, superb in its strength, proved its power then and there. On a front of two and one half miles they penetrated into the enemy's ranks for over two miles. The French, with renewed strength attacked at the same time on the Americans' left.

For ten days the battle continued. The loss of the Americans was large but the Germans were piled three deep and more in many places. The "teufel hunds" as the German called the Marines had advanced and captured Belleau Woods, a German stronghold and the French had completed the capture of Vilny and Veiully-la-Poterie.

Foch launched his counter attack now-on July 18th-which spelled Germany's doom. The Americans pounded against the Crown Prince's center, while on both wings the British, French and Italians