a member of the sector, was host to the visiting officers. Mayor Linn Babcock, of Norwich, one of the guests of honor, welcomed the officers to the city and spoke briefly in appreciation of the work being done by all components of the Army in matters looking to preparedness for the national defense. Maj. Floyd D. McLean, of the 390th Reserve Infantry, President of the Association, was toastmaster. In introducing Colonel Uline he paid a high tribute to the accomplishments of that cfficer and voiced the regret of members of the sector that the Colonel had been ordered to foreign service. Colonel Uline spoke in terms of highest praise of the efforts of the Association in the furtherance of matters pertaining to the national defense, and urged the officers to renewed activity in every line of their endeavors. He called attention to the many errors ccmmitted in military matters during the history of the United States, and pointed out that the government now possesses the only sane and rational military policy it ever had. The speaker said that this country now has, for the first time in its history, a trained reserve force for use in time of war or other emergency. "We men of the Army do not want war," declared Colonel Uline, "for we, of all persons, fully appreciate what war means. But the only way to prevent war is to prepare to be so strong and well prepared that no other nation. or combination of nations will dare attack us. The great importance of the Organized Reserve in preparation for the national defense must be brought home to the people of this country. The Reserve, however, must be kept up to its present strength and must receive replacements from time to time as it loses in strength through death, resignations, discharges and retirements. These replacements must come from the Reserve Officers' Training Corps of the colleges and universities. and from the Civilian Military Training Camps." County Judge James P. Hill, of Norwich spoke briefly and praised the work being done by the members of the Association. He emphasized the great value of tradition in the accomplishment of military feats of valor and cited instances in the history of several nations in which the tradition of past victories had undoubtedly been a tremendous factor in the winning of battles and campaigns. Judge Hill declared that victories of the American arms during the World War had added new luster to the flag and closed with a high tribute to the officers and men who won those victories. Maj. George W. Augustine spoke for the delegation of officers from Otsego County. He declared that the National Defense Act of June, 1920, was the most important piece of legislation ever enacted in the interests of preparedness. He said that the interest of many officers in military affairs had lagged somewhat after the termination of the World War, but that a reawakening had now come which would accomplish much in placing the country on a better footing to meet any possible enemies in the future. He paid a high tribute to the work being done at the West Point Military Academy and said that the spirit fostered there should imbue the Reservists to renewed efforts in preparing themselves for a more efficient performance of their duties in time of emergency. Captain William Hones, of the Eighth United States Infantry, was the next speaker. Captain Hones was the only representative of this community in the American forces in Germany, which were brought back to the United States this spring. He told of the great interest of the people of the South, especially in the vicinity of Savannah, Ga., where he is stationed, in matters of preparedness. He said that a wonderful work was being done by officers of the Reserves and National Guard and that there is less danger of war if the country is properly prepared to meet its enemies. TO FIGHT DISSENSION Judge William H. Sullivan, of Norwich spoke in terms of highest praise of the interest and accomplishments of the Reserves and National Guard and brought home in terms of pathos the lessons learned during the World War when he was a member of the local draft board in Norwich. Lieut. Col. Kirwin T. Smith, Assistant Chief of Staff of the Ninety eighth Division, and Maj. Carl J. Adler, Division Adjutant, made addresses in which they told of the work of the division and of the camps to be held this summer. State Senator Clayton R. Lusk gave an interesting address in which he emphasized the dangers of socialistic and communistic propaganda and praised the members of the Association for their efforts in combating the spread of such dangerous ideas. He declared that the citizens and property owners of the country have a distinct right to protect themselves against the menace of Bolshevism and urged the necessity of repressive measures in fighting the proponents of such schemes. He pleaded for a better functioning of our present system of government and for the enactment of legislation which has "teeth" for the prevention of those who would overthrow the established institutions of the country. Among those present was Chaplain John F. Hall, of the Ninety-eighth Division. Chaplain Hall offered the invocation, upon invitation of Major McLean. Those attending the dinner and meeting from Binghampton were Major McLean, Maj. Charles R. Seymour, Maj. John F. Coneybear, Capt. Andrew B. Suttle, Capt. William Hones, Capt. J. B. G. Babcock, First Lieut. Ivan H. Brooks, First Lieut. Frank G. Lillyman, Ensign G. A. Slater, United States Naval Reserve Force; Second Lieut. Charles D. Smith and Second Lieutenant Shoemaker. Records of Reserve Officers The office of the Chief of Infantry has been endeavoring for the past month to secure data for the completion of the records of Reserve Officers on file there. In this connection some 3,200 original communications have been addressed to Reserve Officers and more than 1,500 follow up letters have been sent to them. Out of all of the mass of correspondence only a total of some 1,400 replies have been received back. The data called for is absolutely necessary for the completion of the records and Officers of the Reserve Corps should be just as interested in supplying it as the Chief of Infantry is to secure it. Reserve Officers who have received these communications should devote a few minutes to the matter and supply the missing information. They will thus save additional correspondence and insure their records being complete. 77th Division Association "GetTogether" The ties of comradeship from A. E. F. days were again renewed for members of the 77th Division Association through their annual Get-Together held at Town Hall on Thursday evening, March 22. The Association, which has a splendid club house at 27 West 25th Street was first formed of members of the old 77th. All officers and men of the Reserve Corps now assigned or attached to the 77th Division are eligible and will be welcomed to membership. At the Get-Together, all Divisional units were splendidly represented. The Chairman of the meeting was Lt. Col. H. A. Herrick, President of the 77th Division Association, who was assisted by other members of the Division upon the various committees which cooperated to make the evening a success. The program of entertainment was arranged by Capt. Louis H. Frohman and contained several numbers which could not have been matched at the best vaudeville theaters, all the talent being professionals, several of whom performed through the courtesy of Mr. Sam H. Harris, Irving Berlin and B. F. Keith. Among the performers were Miss Dorothy Brown and Miss Mary McKee of the Music Box Review, Ethel Conroy and Tommy Gordon from the United Booking Offices, and Harry White and Al Wagner, the latter being a former member of the 77th. A special feature of the program was the assembly of five of the best professional acts which were overseas in 1918. These artists gave many numbers which they had given for the 77th Division in the A. E. F. and brought back mnemories to many present. They were: Miss Lucille Collette; Mr. and Mrs. Ross David, Miss Lois Fox, Miss Florence Neff and Mr. Dan Walker. Lieut. Col. Reginald Barlow acted as Master of Ceremonies. Officers of 79th Division Visit Army Ordnance Plant Through the courtesy of Col. Odus C. Horney, Ord. Dept., U. S. A., about eighty officers of the 79th Division, the headquarters of which is in Philadelphia, toured Frankford Arsenal on January 17. The officers were met by Colonel Horney and his assistants and divided into small groups, each in charge of an ordnance officer, who guided them through the different branches of the plant, the whole trip occupying over three hours. The Reserve Officers were shown the manufacture of optical instruments. and appliances for ranging targets on land, water and in the air, and were given an interesting short lecture on the special methods of anti-aircraft range finding. They were then shown the manufacture of small arms ammunition in all its steps, ending with a very interesting demonstration of the use of all types of small arms ammunition on the experimental range, with an explanation of the measures taken to test the ammunition for accuracy pressure, velocity and all other essential factors. Verdun' Col. James B. Gowen, Infantry The attack upon Verdun began February 21, 1916, and lasted with varying intensity and brief periods of respite until the middle of August. The French attacks to recover began October 21, the more important ones being executed October 21, November 4 and December 15-18, 1916. GENERAL SITUATION FEBRUARY, 1916 In order to present a picture of the story of Verdun and draw proper conclusions therefrom it is necessary to narrate briefly the situation in February, 1916, giving the more important events preceding the attack, particularly those which may have had some influence on the original decision of the German High Command, or contemporary events which may have influenced the execution of plans made to carry out that decision. Political.-Bulgaria had entered the war on the side of the Central Powers on October 5, 1915. Rumania and Greece were still playing with both sides. Germany and the Allies were doing their utmost to induce these countries to enter the war on their respective sides, or, failing this, to preserve neutrality. Rumania finally espoused the cause of the Allies on August 27, 1916. In the latter part of 1915 there was dissatisfaction in France with the conduct of the war, resulting, in October, in a change of ministries and replac ing of M. Delclassé by M. Briand as Premier. There was also criticism of Joffre and the French General Staff. General Castelnau, in December, was appointed Chief of Staff to Joffre, but there was a general lack of confidence in the High Command. In England criticism of the government for its Balkan policy was especially severe and criticism of the methods and of the military leadership were coming from responsible quarters. Sir Douglas Haig superseded Sir John French on December 15, 1915, and General Sir Wm. Robertson was made Chief of Staff, December 21, 1915. Portugal entered the war March 9, 1916. Economic.-Shortages of food supplies and raw materials were beginning to have their effect on Germany and Turkey. On this account it was especially desirable for Germany to keep on friendly terms with Rumania in order to obtain food supplies and oil, the receipt of which was considered indispensable at the time. Falkenhayn says: The supplies we received (winter of 1915-16) warded off a severe famine in Germany and especially Turkey. Moreover other economic relations were once more established and political tension became less acute, a change which justified hopes for the future. A serious shortage of labor in Germany prevented formation of any new divisions at this time. Military.-During the year 1915, Germany had, on the whole, remained on the defensive on the western front, 1The attack and campaign from the viewpoint of the German High Command. |