To the Last Man - Jeff Shaara [150]
“Which point, John?”
“Please, let me be clear. I did not assemble a staff of nearly two hundred people so that I could sit in limousines and enjoy showers of bouquets. I am pleased the French people have responded with such emotion to our arrival, but you have my word, General Pétain, that an American army is coming to France. We are faced with enormous challenges, and we will overcome them.”
“I have a suggestion, John. Do what you must to assemble your regiments, then ship them to France. Their training can be completed here, under the expert hand of French instructors. The art of trench warfare is second nature to our officers, and this will save us both considerable time. Unlike what the English have proposed to you, I accept that your regiments will wish to remain together, and so it shall be. They can be placed into line beside French regiments, as part of French divisions, and still they will maintain their integrity as a fighting unit. But, most important, they can be placed into line. We can begin immediately, with your First Division. So many men could be of immeasurable benefit to our defenses around Verdun, for example. We must assume that General Bliss speaks for your president. If a moral benefit is of such importance, then we shall take full advantage. The French poilu will welcome his American comrade in the trench beside him. It may be the spark we must have to secure victory.”
Pershing stared at Pétain, saw hard eyes peering through the man’s soft grin. Of course, it will always come down to this. The French want the same thing the English want. They just phrase it differently.
“General Pétain, please forgive me. I did not make myself clear. General Bliss is incorrect that the American Expeditionary Force is being assembled solely to produce a moral effect. I have every intention of producing a military effect. But I am realistic, and I must ask the same of you. No division, regiment, no single American soldier will willingly fight under the flag of another country. I do not believe that, in this instance, General Bliss is speaking for President Wilson. The president has placed his confidence in my command, and has issued orders to me that are extremely clear. There will be an American army, and it will fight as a single force. You and I and Marshal Haig may discuss where the AEF may be the most effective, and we will make preparations accordingly. We will consult on strategy, and we will work alongside our allies to secure a victory. General Bliss is correct that we have been caught unprepared for the challenges of creating an army where none presently exists. The fact that General Bliss has put his thoughts on this matter on paper, and has made those thoughts available to you and your government, is simply one more challenge among many I must confront.”
Pétain stood, put out his hand. “John, this has been an enlightening meeting. I hope you understand that it was required that I make my request in that manner. I respect your answer. I will do everything in my power to assist you and your troops. Of all the talk you will hear, and all the demands that will be made of you, you must not be led astray from the most important fact. My country is suffering. If America cannot bring her army here, we may not survive.”
JULY 1, 1917
On June 26, the First Division had landed at the port of St. Nazaire, southwest of Paris. It was becoming