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and, having done this, he would strike straight at our centre and the roads behind it, so as to interfere as much as possible with our troops advancing to the attack. While our air staff was studying this question our infantry and artillery were incessantly marching at night from their Sant Mihiel positions to their new ones. In the day time, nothing was to be seen. They were concealed in forests, towns, villages, or old dugouts, while our aeroplanes watched for the enemy reconnaissance ships. 
When our aeroplane groups moved to their new aerodromes, they proceeded in battle formation close to the ground, well behind the line, and, upon arriving, were immediately put into their waiting hangars for concealment. They were always ready to go right into any fight, however, at a moment's notice. Within five days after the conclusion of the Saint Mihiel battle, our signal officer reported that he had all the telephones, wires, and other means of communication ready for a move to the new headquarters. So, when the word was given by General Pershing, all was ready at Souilly for our reception. In a day we changed from Ligny en Barrois to that place. 
The second day after our arrival there, an amusing incident occurred. As was mentioned before, we had taken every precaution against enemy aerial reconnaissance and were very proud to report that we had warded it off from all important points. Our pursuit aeroplane patrols, anti-aircraft artillery, and everything to prevent enemy observation had been carefully installed. High altitude reconnaissance is one of the hardest things to prevent in all air work. General Pershing had been very anxious to see all our group, wing and higher air commanders to tell them personally how he felt about their work in the recent battles. I had informed him that, according to custom, they would all be assembled at my headquarters the following day to receive their final instructions from me about the coming battle, and that we would very much appreciate it if he