Chapter I: Front Matter

Transcribers Notes

1. Passages in italics are surrounded by _underscores_. 2. Passages in bold are indicated by =bold=. 3. Minor printers errors have been corrected. A detailed list can be found at the end of this text. 4. Text spelling was common at the time of its publication. 5. All dialect spelling has been retained.

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"AND THEY THOUGHT WE WOULDN'T FIGHT"

FLOYD GIBBONS

"AND THEY THOUGHT
WE WOULDN'T FIGHT"

BY

FLOYD GIBBONS

OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENT OF _THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE_,
ACCREDITED TO THE AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES

NEW YORK

GEORGE H. DORAN COMPANY

_Copyright, 1918,_
_By George H. Doran Company_

_Printed in the United States of America_

TO

GENERAL JOHN J. PERSHING

AND

THE AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES

I RESPECTFULLY DEDICATE THIS INADEQUATE RECORD
IN REVERENT MEMORY OF
OUR SACRED DEAD
ON FIELDS IN FRANCE

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The author expresses his hearty thanks to
_The Chicago Tribune_ for the opportunity
he enjoyed as a correspondent of that paper,
in the service of which he secured the
material for these papers.

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Personal.
AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES
OFFICE OF THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF

France, August 17, 1918.

Mr. Floyd Gibbons,
Care Chicago Tribune,
420 Sue Saint-Honore,
P a r i s.

Dear Mr. Gibbons:

At this time, when you are returning to America, I wish to
express to you my appreciation of the cordial cooperation and
assistance you have always given us in your important work as
correspondent of the Chicago Tribune in France. I also wish to
congratulate you on the honor which the French government has
done you in giving you the Croix de Guerre, which is but a just
reward for the consistent devotion to your duty and personal
bravery that you have exhibited.

My personal regrets that you are leaving us at this time are
lessened by the knowledge of the great opportunity you will have
of giving to our people in America a true picture of the work of
the American soldier in France and of impressing on them the
necessity of carrying on this work to the end, which can be
accomplished only by victory for the Allied arms. You have a
great opportunity, and I am confident that you will grasp it, as
you have grasped your past opportunities, with success. You have
always played the game squarely and with courage, and I wish to
thank you.

Sincerely yours,

John J. Pershing.

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G. Q. G. A. le July 28, 1918.

COMMANDEMENT EN CHEF
DES ARMEES ALLIES
LE GENERAL

MONSIEUR,

I understand that you are going to the United States
to give lectures on what you have seen on the French front.

No one is more qualified than you to do this, after your
brilliant conduct in the Bois de Belleau.

The American Army has proved itself to be magnificent
in spirit, in gallantry and in vigor; it has contributed largely
to our successes. If you can thus be the echo of my opinion
I am sure you will serve a good purpose.

Very sincerely yours,

(_Signed_) F. FOCH.

MONSIEUR FLOYD GIBBONS,
War Correspondent of the Chicago _Tribune_.

* * * * *

G.Q.G.A. _Le_ 28 Juillet 1918.

_Commandement en Chef_
_des Armies Allies_
_Le General_

Monsieur,

Je sais que vous allez donner des conferences aux
Etats-Unis pour raconter ce que vous avez vu sur le front
francais.

Personne n'est plus qualifie que vous pour le faire,
apres votre brillante conduite au Bois BELLEAU.

L'Armee Americaine se montre magnifique de sentiments,
de valeur et d'entrain, elle a contribue pour une large part
a nos succes. Si vous pouvez etre l'echo de mon opinion, je
n'y verrai qu'avantage.

Croyez, Monsieur, a mes meilleurs sentiments.

F. Foch

Monsieur FLOYD GIBBONS
Correspondant de Guerre du CHICAGO TRIBUNE.

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GRAND QUARTIER GENERAL
DES ARMEES DU NORD ET DU NORD EST
ETAT-MAJOR
BUREAU DU PERSONNEL
(Decorations)

ORDER NO. 8809 D

The General Commander-in-Chief Cites for the _Croix
de Guerre_

M. FLOYD GIBBONS, War Correspondent of the Chicago
_Tribune_:

"Has time after time given proof of his courage and bravery by
going to the most exposed posts to gather information. On June 5,
1918, while accompanying a regiment of marines who were attacking
a wood, he was severely wounded by three machine gun bullets in
going to the rescue of an American officer wounded near
him--demonstrating, by this action, the most noble devotion.
When, a few hours later, he was lifted and transported to the
dressing station, he begged not to be cared for until the wounded
who had arrived before him had been attended to."

General Headquarters, August 2, 1918
THE GENERAL COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF
(_Signed_) PETAIN

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GRAND QUARTIER GENERAL
DES ARMEES DU NORD ET DU NORD-EST

ETAT-MAJOR

BUREAU DU PERSONNEL
(Decorations)

ORDRE No 8809 D

Le General Commandant en Chef Cite a l'Ordre de l'Armee:

_M. FLOYD GIBBONS_, Correspondant de Guerre du Chicago Tribune:

"A donne a maintes reprises des preuves de courage et de
bravoure, en allant recueillir des informations aux postes les
plus exposes. Le 5 Juin 1918, accompagnant un regiment de
Fusiliers marins qui attaquait un bois, a ete tres grievement
atteint de trois balles de mitrailleuses en se portant au secours
d'un officier americain blesse a ses cotes, faisant ainsi preuve,
en cette circonstance, du plus beau devouement. Releve plusieurs
heures apres et transporte au poste de secours, a demande a ne
pas etre soigne avant les blesses arrives avant lui."

Au Grand Quartier General, le 2 Aout 1918.
LE GENERAL COMMANDANT EN CHEF.

Petain

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