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By Root 2559 0

forward, and Pershing saw anger in the old man’s eyes. He felt himself pulling away, had seen enough of the arguing and bickering. He looked to the map again, said, “General, the AEF’s troops accomplished all that was asked of them. The enemy was prevented from crossing the Marne, and, for now, Paris is safe. For now. All I am suggesting is that we not allow our success to slip away. The troops in my command have been trained to fight in the open, on the move. They will not perform well if they are ordered to sit in their trenches and wait for the enemy. I have no doubt that Herr Ludendorff is planning his next attack. He knows the Second Division has been bloodied, and Paris is still a vital target. I respectfully suggest that we not allow him time to complete his plans. The St. Mihiel salient is a vulnerable point in his lines, and the AEF’s First Corps is in position to do something about it. If we are successful at collapsing the salient, we might very well break through to threaten his rear. We could damage his supply and communications, and compel him to retreat from his gains of the past three months. I appreciate . . . my entire command appreciates your gratefulness. But the mission is not yet complete. I must suggest, sir, that if you measure success by the failure of the enemy to capture Paris, that Paris will not be safe until Germany has been defeated, and her troops driven from French soil.”

Foch showed no emotion, seemed to study the map again.

“General Pershing, your commitment to the urgency of our cause has never been questioned. But this is not simply an American war to be fought as Americans would fight it. When this war is over, you will return to your home, to some position of authority in Washington, perhaps. We, on the other hand, must live directly under the consequences of our success or failure. If I am cautious in your eyes, it is because I fear for the future.”

Pershing stared at him for a long moment, thought, Of course, that is exactly the problem. “General Foch, the families of the American soldiers who are dying in France will know the consequences of this war as well as any Frenchman. I have no choice but to offer you my judgment as commander of the AEF. If you want this war to end, we must win it. We cannot merely wait for Germany to lose.”

“Then I have a suggestion, General. The Americans have given us something we have lacked for some time. Call it . . . energy. The morale of all France has been lifted by your success. Let us take advantage of that. You speak of a counteroffensive, an attack against one part of the front. There is a counteroffensive of another kind, an assault against the disease of despair that infects the French army. Consider the advantage if your spirit is infused into all of our forces. I have given thought to a plan that has already been approved by the prime minister. Consider the positive effect of placing one American regiment into each French division along the entire front. One regiment, still fresh from their glorious victories of June, can inspire, can change the fighting spirit of an entire division, and in doing so can bring renewed strength to the entire French army.”

Pershing felt the wind leaving him. He stared at Foch with disbelief, thoughts tumbling through his mind: You would divide us, pull us apart . . . still? He had no energy for explanation, for debate, the subject so beaten and strangled now for more than a year. He kept his stare at Foch, saw the man’s eyes glance away.

Pershing said, “No.”

HE WALKED WITH PéTAIN, HIS BOOT HEELS STRIKING THE HARD ground with a sharp thump. They moved out through a wide garden, the air hot and thick, a faint buzzing from swarms of bees that hovered over the sea of flowers. Pershing felt the sweat on his back, would not remove his jacket, the heat coming as much from inside of him as from the July sun. He turned along a narrow trail, realized that Pétain was not beside him. He stopped, turned, saw the heavy man wiping his brow with a white handkerchief.

Pétain said, “Forgive me, John. I cannot keep