When the Battle of Chateau Thierry was raging (May 31 – July 18, 1918), Frederick Palmer (1873 – 1958) was employed as General Pershing’s press attaché and as such, he was present at the battle. Returning in 1923 he filed this reminiscence of the battle and how the town is coming along:
“The disadvantage of going in an automobile is that the distances which seemed so long as you fought your way on foot become only a step. You are always running past some point of interest and getting out to walk back. There was so much you wanted to see, and you were seeing it so swiftly! My thoughts ran something like this:”
“There’s where the 42nd relieved the 26th. Now we are in the cussed old Forêt de Fère. There’s the Red Cross Farm where we outwitted the Boche so neatly… This is the apron of open country which the 42nd descended. There is the road over the hill which the 3rd ascended after crossing the river and taking Jaulgonne. There’s where the 55th brigade of the 28th joined in for its part in the junction of the 3rd and 42nd for the sweep forward.”
More articles about the Battle of Chateau Thierry can be read here.
Another Frederick Palmer article can be read here…
