HEADQUARTERS 27TH DIVISION, U. S. A.

AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES, FRANCE

October 22, 1918.
From—Commanding General.
To—Commanding Officer, 107th Infantry U. S. A.
Subject—Commendation.

1.—I write to express my admiration and respect for the valor
and endurance of the officers and men of the 107th Infantry, so
continuously demonstrated during the past 30 days.

2.—Since the great battle for the breaking of the Hindenburg
Line, our advance has given opportunity to inspect the defenses of
that system. Our attack of September 29th was directed against
what was probably the most highly organized system of field de-
fenses ever constructed. In that battle the 107th Infantry attacked
on the left half of the divisional sector of 4000 yards, and during
its advance had to defend its flank against heavy forces of the enemy
operating from VANDHUILLE and holding back the division on
our left. In the face of veritable hurricane of fire from weapons
of every calibre and class, the Regiment by the leadership of its
officers and the gallantry and determination of its men broke the
back of the main defense line resistance and at the same time
shattered all counter-attacks directed upon its flank.

3.—Almost continuously since that time, the Division has been
fighting and marching, and the 107th Infantry has continued its
inspiring record for discipline and cheerful endurance in battle.
Lying in shell holes at night, attacking at dawn, fighting all day
against the most determined and cunning machine-gun resistance
supported by artillery—repeating this the following day until the
relief which meant lying in other shell holes and pits in a position of
close support—to experience these privations with confidence and
cheerfulness unimpaired, requires physical fitness and spirit in super-
lative degree, and well indeed have you demonstrated their possession.

4.—In the ten days of operations in which you played so
prominent a part the Division forced the crossing of the La Salle
River, captured BANDIVAL FARM, the town of ARBRE-
GUERNON and in cooperation with flanking division compelled
the enemy to retire to the CANAL DE LA SAMBRE. It also
captured many hundreds of prisoners, and a great amount of war
material. In the operations of the past month the Regiment has
written some brilliant pages of regimental history. All honor to
the memory of those gallant comrades who died in the accomplish-
ment of what was achieved.

(Signed) JOHN F. O’RYAN,
Major General,

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