861.00/4067: Telegram
The Chargé in Russia (Poole) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received March 12, 8:10 a.m.]
955. Since action February 28 to March 1st mentioned in my telegram 920, March 8[2], 4 p.m. the enemy has made vigorous and persistent attacks on the Vaga River front. Attacks have been repulsed with heavy losses to enemy but Allies have had to withdraw about five miles. If attacks continue the American troops will probably have to fall back from the Dvina as well as Vaga front to Beresnik at the junction of these two rivers. Enemy has artillery, superior officers; uses gas shells and opposes six [thousand] infantry—of which about 4,000 have been used in attack so far—to an Allied force of about 1,000. The latter includes one company Americans and one company British; Russians who make up remainder of force are reported to be doing remarkably well. American casualties on Vaga front February 28th to March 9th, 5 men killed, 2 officers, 24 men wounded. In addition 5 men killed, 8 wounded and one missing in a patrol action on the Dvina front March 1st. These casualties include those tentatively mentioned in my 920.
Military attaché’s telegrams 185, March 8, 7 p.m. and 189, March 11, 3 p.m. to Mil[itary] staf[f] give details of the foregoing. The foregoing to Paris as number 57.