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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

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

16/3/1        

Cablegram Received    July <18, 1918.> 16218   RES

Comfran France (Paris Nav.  Staff Paris)     3950

N-1  19 July

Sigcode

Simsadus.

3950. Allied counter attack between Soissons and Chateau-Thierry launched 4 a.m. Thursday July 18th.1 Satisfactory progress. 1339. 16218  3950.

Wilson.2         

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B. Identification number “3/J” appears in the upper-right corner. The handwritten date is confirmed by the time/date stamp at the end of the cable.

Footnote 1: German forces, in a desperate bid to end the war, had driven to within 50 miles of Paris before being stopped. Inexperienced but determined American troops played a significant role in opposing the German push, and in the massive counter-attack reported in this cable. The fighting proved decisive, and “by nightfall on July 18 the German threat to Paris was over,” and the tide turned dramatically in the Allies’ favor. See, Gilbert, The First World War: 431-444, quotation on page 443.

Footnote 2: RAdm. Henry B. Wilson, Commander, United States Naval Forces in France, sent this cable on Jackson’s behalf.

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