Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Captain Richard H. Jackson, United States Staff Representative in Paris, to Vice Admiral William S. Sims, Commander, United States Naval Forces Operating in European Waters

ET                                          [File No.] 16/3/1

Cablegram Received       Y 22

                             [Serial No.] 6537  

Comfran Brest (Paris Naval Staff Rep)       

45 ADR



6537.  American drive continues successfully. Force entering from westward have captured Vigneulles and joined forces from eastward in Thiaucourts1 woods after capturing Thiaucourts thus cutting off enemy forces in Saint Mihiel Salient prisoners thus far 35,0002 030414   6537


3:04 a.m. I4 Sept. 1918


Footnote 1: Thiaucourt/Thiacourt and Vigneulles were some ten miles apart on an east-west axis.

Footnote 2: In the American offensive against the Saint-Mihiel salient, which did not succeed in “cutting off enemy forces” but which did capture some 200 square miles of territory, the Germans suffered 17,000 casualties, including 13,000 captured. Stevenson, With Our Backs to the Wall: 129.

Footnote 3: This cable from Jackson was sent via the American naval command at Brest, which is why it bears the name of the commander in France, VAdm. Henry B. Wilson.

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