The Second Division advanced 8 kilometers in the first 26 hours, and by the end of the second day was facing Tigny, having captured 3,000 prisoners and 66 field guns. It was relieved the night of the 19th by a French division. The result of this counter-offensive was of decisive importance. Due to the magnificent dash and power displayed on the field of Soissons by our First and Second Divisions the tide of war was definitely turned in favor of the Allies.
Maj. Gen. James G. Harbord, commanding the Second Division in this operation, describes the two days’ fighting of his division in these words:
It is with keen pride that the division commander transmits to the command the congratulations and affectionate personal greetings of Gen. Pershing who visited the division headquarters last night. His praise of the gallant work of the division on the 18th and 19th is echoed by the French high command, the Third Corps commander, American Expeditionary Forces, and in a telegram from the former division commander. In spite of two sleepless nights, long marches through rain and mud, and the discomforts of hunger and thirst, the division attacked side by side with the gallant First Moroccan Division and maintained itself with credit. You advanced over 6 miles, captured over 3,000 prisoners, 11 batteries of artillery, over 100 machine guns, minnenwerfers, and supplies. The Second Division has sustained the best traditions of the Regular Army and the Marine Corps. The story of your achievements will be told in millions of homes in all Allied lands to-night.
This was one of the greatest strategical successes of Marshal Foch, and that the part played by the Marines was appreciated by the French is illustrated by the Fifth and Sixth Regiments and the Sixth Machine Gun Battalion being cited in French Army orders. The citations of the Sixth Regiment (that of the Fifth Regiment being similar) and that of the Sixth Machine Gun Battalion are quoted below:
Après approbation du général commandant en chef les forces expéditionnaires Américaines en France, le général commandant en chef les armées Françaises du nord et du nord-est, cite à l’Ordre de l’Armée:
“Le 6e Regiment de Marine Americaine, sous les ordres du Lieutenant-Colonel Lee.
“Engagés à l’improviste dans l’offensive du 18 juillet 1918, en pleine nuit, dans un terrain inconnu et trés difficile, ont déployé pendant deux jours, sans se laisser arrêter par les fatigues et les difficultés du ravitaillement en vivres et en eau, une ardeur et une ténacité remarquables, refoulant l’ennemi sur 11 kilométres de profondeur, capturant 2,700 prisonniers, 12 canons et plusieurs centaines de mitrailleuses.”
Au Grand Quartier Général, le 25 Octobre 1918.
(Ordre No. 10.886 “D.”)
Le Général Commandant en Chef.
Signé: Petain