AMERICAN

ARMIES AND BATTLEFIELDS

IN EUROPE

CENTER OF MILITARY HISTORY

UNITED STATES ARMY

WASHINGTON, D.C., 2018
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

American armies and battlefields in Europe.

p. cm.

Originally published: Washington D.C. U.S. Govt. Print.,

1938. With new introd.

Includes index.

1. World War, 1914–1918—Battlefields—Europe—Guidebooks.

2. World War, 1914–1918—Monuments—Europe—Guidebooks. 3. War 

memorials—Europe—Guidebooks. 4. World War, 1914–1918—United 

States. 5. United States. Army. American Expeditionary Forces—

History. 6. Europe—Guidebooks. I. Center of Military History.

D528.A44 1992

940.4—dc20 92–930

CIP

First CMH Edition 1992—CMH Pub 23–24
Foreword

Seventy-five years ago the United States entered World War I and left forever 

its position as a bystander in global affairs. The American Expeditionary 

Forces (AEF), sent to France in 1917 and eventually numbering more than 

two million, was the strategic counterweight that tipped the scales toward 

victory for the Allies. The AEF’s battle experience was not recorded in an 

official narrative history. Rather, its deeds, like those of its Civil War forebear, 

were recounted in published volumes of records and await the attention of 

students, historians, and writers. For soldiers, however, the lessons of battle 

were then, as now, of immediate interest.

Therefore, at war’s end, General John J. Pershing’s headquarters began 

a series of battlefield tours for officers whose staff duties kept them from 

combat or who may have arrived in theater too late to participate. These 

tours acquainted them with the actual battlefields and became the basis for 

early pamphlets sponsored by the American Battle Monuments Commission 

(ABMC). In 1927 the commission published “A Guide to the American 

Battle Fields in Europe” to commemorate the tenth anniversary of America’s 

entrance into the “war to end all wars.” But research and writing on the AEF 

and its battlefields did not stop. One of the early authors assigned to the 

commission to continue this work was Maj. Dwight D. Eisenhower.

By 1938 the American Battle Monuments Commission had expanded its 

guidebook, both to provide visitors with a detailed, documented itinerary 

for visits and to serve as a history of the AEF’s accomplishments. Although 

out of print since World War II, this guidebook has been avidly sought after 

by historians, students of the Great War, and veterans and their descendants 

wishing to find battle sites of long ago.

To commemorate the AEF’s seventy-fifth birthday, we are honored to 

republish this work in its original format. This book can still be used easily 

today. Few road changes have occurred, and though new forests or farms 

may require minor modifications to the itineraries or viewpoints detailed in 

the book, the original work remains the most authoritative and easily usable 

source for visitors to the AEF’s battlefields. By supplementing it with either a 

contemporary Michelin road map or one of the topographic maps published 

by France’s Institut Géographique National (IGN), any visitor to America’s 

Great War battlefields can easily navigate in France. Similarly produced 

road maps simplify visiting the AEF battlefields in Italy.
For the scholar or student, this book also provides a starting point for 

studying the AEF. This fine work now joins the reprinted United States Army 

in the World War, 1917–1919, series and its accompanying volumes of the 

Order Of Battle of the United States Land Forces in the World War to complete 

the Center of Military History’s World War I series.

We are proud to offer this long out of print work, both to commemorate the 

AEF’s anniversary and to assist visitors studying the fields where Americans 

fought and died for freedom.

Washington, D.C. HAROLD W. NELSON

9 January 1992 Brigadier General, U.S. Army

Chief of Military History
AMERICAN

ARMIES AND BATTLEFIELDS

IN EUROPE
American Meuse-Argonne Memorial at Montfaucon, France
AMERICAN

ARMIES AND BATTLEFIELDS

IN EUROPE

A HISTORY, GUIDE, AND REFERENCE BOOK

«

Prepared by the

AMERICAN BATTLE MONUMENTS

COMMISSION

UNITED STATES

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

1938

The American 

Battle Monuments Commission

*

General John J. Pershing

Chairman

*

Robert G. Woodside

Vice Chairman

*

David A. Reed

J. P. B. Clayton Hill

Finis J. Garrett

D. John Markey

Mrs. Henry Fenimore Baker

Lt. Col. X. H. Price, C. E.

Secretary
IMPORTANT ABBREVIATIONS USED IN TEXT

A. E. F.—American Expeditionary Forces.

G. H. Q.—General Headquarters, A. E. F.

S. O. S .—Services of Supply, A. E. F.

With a few obvious exceptions, all places mentioned in the text

are in France, and all dates are in 1918 unless otherwise indicated.
vii

CONTENTS



I. The World War to May 28, 1918, and the Organization of the 

American Expeditionary Forces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

The War Before the Entry of the United States—Reasons for the Entry 

of the United States—Organization of the American Expeditionary 

Forces and Formation of Its Combat Army—Military Situation in 

June 1917, and Summary of Events to May 28, 1918.

II. American Operations in the Aisne-Marne Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

General Description of the Operations—Tour of the American Battlefields—32d Division near Juvigny—370th Infantry, 93d Division—

Additional Places of Interest—Summary of Combat Service of American Divisions in the Region.

III. American Operations in the St. Mihiel Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

General Description of the Operations—Tour of the Battlefields—

Additional Places of Interest—Summary of Combat Service of American Divisions in the Region.

IV. American Operations in the Meuse-Argonne Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167

General Description of the Operations—Visit to the Battlefields—First 

Day’s Tour—Second Day’s Tour—Additional Places of Interest—Facts 

Concerning German Divisions Which Served on this Front—Combat 

Service of American Divisions in the Region.

V. American Operations in the Champagne Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329

Outline of Chapter—42d Division in the Champagne-Marne Defensive—2d and 36th Divisions with the French Fourth Army—369th, 

371st and 372d Infantry Regiments, 93d Division, with the French 

Fourth Army—“Lost Battalion” of the 77th Division—368th Infantry 

Regiment, 92d Division, in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive—Tour of 

the American Battlefields—Additional Places of Interest—Combat 

Service of American Divisions in the Region.

VI. American Battlefields North of Paris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 371

Outline of Chapter—27th and 30th Divisions in the Somme Offensive—American Monument North of Bellicourt—Somme American 

Cemetery—27th and 30th Divisions in the Somme Offensive—11th 

Engineers at the Battle of Cambrai—37th and 91st Divisions in the 

Ypres-Lys Offensive—Flanders Field American Cemetery—American Monument at Audenarde, Belgium—27th and 30th Divisions 

in the Ypres-Lys Offensive—American Monument Near Vierstraat, 

Belgium—80th Division in the Somme Offensive—33d Division at the 

Capture of Hamel and in the Somme Offensive—6th Engineers in the 

Somme Defensive—1st Division at Cantigny—American Monument at 

Cantigny—Summary of Combat Service of Divisions.
viii

VII. American Operations on the Vosges Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 419

General Description of the Operations—Sectors Occupied by American Divisions—Additional Places of Interest in the Region—Combat 

Service of American Divisions on the Front.

VIII. American Operations in Italy and Northern Russia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 429

IX. The Services of Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 437

Organization and Accomplishments—Location of Activities.

X. Operations of the United States Navy in the World War . . . . . . . . . . . . 449

General Description of American Naval Operations in European 

Waters—Partial List of Additional Places in Europe Where American 

Naval Activities Occurred.

XI. American Military Cemeteries in Europe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 457

General Description—Meuse-Argonne Cemetery—Oise-Aisne Cemetery—St. Mihiel Cemetery—Aisne-Marne Cemetery—Somme Cemetery—Suresnes Cemetery—Flanders Field Cemetery—Brookwood 

Cemetery.

XII. American World War Memorials in Europe Erected by the United 

States Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 473

General Description—Meuse-Argonne Memorial—St. Mihiel Memorial—Aisne-Marne Memorial—Naval Memorial at Brest—Memorial 

Near Sommepy—Memorial Near Bellicourt—Memorial at Tours—

Naval Memorial at Gibraltar—Belleau Wood—Memorial at Audenarde, Belgium—Memorial Near Vierstraat, Belgium—Memorial at 

Cantigny—Bronze Tablet at Chaumont—Tablet at Souilly.

XIII. After the Armistice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 487

Advance to the Rhine—American Army of Occupation—Activities in 

A. E. F. After Armistice—Return of Troops to the United States.

XIV. Interesting Facts and General Information Concerning the 

American Expeditionary Forces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 495

XV. Miscellaneous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 519

Information Concerning This Book—Information for Use on 

Described Tours—Verdun, St. Mihiel and Château-Thierry Medals—

American World War Memorials Erected by Agencies Other Than the 

United States Government—Architects and Others Who Worked on 

the Memorial Project in Europe of the American Battle Monuments 

Commission—Glossary of Military Terms Used in This Book.
ix

MAPS AND SKETCHES

Status of European Powers, August 9, 1914 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . l

Approximate Routes Followed by the Invading German Armies . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Western Front, Showing Topographical Features of Military Importance . . . . . 4

Eastern Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Strategical Features of the Lorraine Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

France . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Facing 16

Divisional Training Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Allied Attacks on Western Front in 1917 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Ground Gained by German Offensives of March and April, 1918 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Ground Gained by German Offensives of May, June and July, 1918 . . . . . . . . . . . 29

French-American Counteroffensive, July 18, 1918 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

German Withdrawal Positions, Aisne-Marne Salient . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

2d Division Operations, June 4–July 10, 1918 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

4th Division With French, July 1918 (Two Sketches) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54–55

Operations of 3d Division, July 15–18, 1918 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Operations of 28th Division, July 15–18, 1918 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Ground Gained by 3d, 28th, 32d and 42d Divisions Near the Ourcq River . . . . . 68

French-American Attack South of Soissons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

32d Division Near Juvigny . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

370th Infantry (93d Division) Near Vauxaillon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

Additional Places of Interest in Aisne-Marne Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

American Battle Operations in the Aisne-Marne Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Facing 102

American Divisions on Western Front, August 10, 1918 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

German Defensive Organization in the St. Mihiel Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107

Plan of Attack of First Army, September 12, 1918 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109

Plan of Proposed American-French Attack, November 14, 1918 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114

Section of War Map Showing Trench System Near Remenauville . . . . . . . . . Facing 136

Operations of 2d and 5th Divisions, September 13–16, 1918 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142

Additional Places of Interest in St. Mihiel Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156

Sectors Held by American Divisions in the St. Mihiel Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164

American Operations in the St. Mihiel Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Facing 164

German Defensive Positions Behind Western Front, September 1918 . . . . . . . . . . 169

German Defensive Organization in the Meuse-Argonne Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170

Plan of Attack of First Army, September 26, 1918 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172

Ground Gained by First Army, September 26–October 3, 1918 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175

Opposing Forces on First Army Front, October 4, 1918 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176

Plan of Attack of First Army, October 4, 1918 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177

Plan of Attack of First Army Against Argonne Forest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178

Plan of Attack East of the Meuse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179

Plan of Attack of First Army, October 14, 1918 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180

Ground Gained West of the Meuse, October 4–31, 1918 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182

Ground Gained East of the Meuse, October 8–31, 1918 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185

Operations of First Army, November 1–11, 1918 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186

Allied Attacks on Western Front, September 26–November 11, 1918 . . . . . . . . . . 189

German Divisions Moved To and From the Meuse-Argonne Front . . . . . . . . . . . 190

Ground Gained by First Army, November 1–11, 1918 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191

Section of War Map Showing Trench System Near Vauquois . . . . . . . . . . . . Facing 220

Ground Gained on Romagne Heights, October 4–10, 1918 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
x

Ground Gained by I Corps in Argonne Forest, October 7–10, 1918 . . . . . . . . . . . 228

Ground Gained Vicinity St. Juvin, October 10–31, 1918 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234

Ground Gained Near Grandpré by 77th and 78th Divisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237

Ground Gained on Romagne Heights, October 10–31, 1918 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242

Ground Gained Vicinity Romagne and Cunel, October 4–31, 1918 . . . . . . . . . . . . 249

Ground Gained Vicinity Bois de Forêt, October 4–31, 1918 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254

Ground Gained on Heights of the Meuse, October 8–30, 1918 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264

79th Division, October 30–November 11, 1918 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269

32d Division, November 9–11, 1918 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270

Ground Gained Near Barricourt Heights, November 1–2, 1918 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276

Operations of 1st, 42d and 77th Divisions, November 6–7, 1918 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296

Crossing of Meuse River by 2d and 89th Divisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304

Crossing of the Meuse River by 5th Division . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310

Additional Places of Interest in the Meuse-Argonne Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314

American Battle Operations in the Meuse-Argonne Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . Facing 326

Described Tour of American Battlefields in the Champagne Region . . . . . . . . . . 340

42d Division in Champagne-Marne Defensive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343

2d Division With French Fourth Army . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 349

36th Division With French Fourth Army . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 356

Regiments of 93d Division with French Fourth Army . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359

The “Lost Battalion”, October 2–7, 1918 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 363

368th Infantry Regiment (92d Division), September 26–October 1, 1918 . . . . . . . 366

American Battle Operations in the Champagne Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Facing 368

Suggested Tour of American Battlefields North of Paris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 372

27th and 30th Divisions in Somme Offensive, September 1918 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 374

27th and 30th Divisions in Somme Offensive, October 1918 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 389

Operations of 11th Engineers, 1917 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 394

37th and 91st Divisions in Ypres-Lys Offensive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 395

27th and 30th Divisions in Ypres-Lys Offensive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 402

80th Division in Somme Offensive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 407

33d Division at Capture of Hamel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 408

131st Infantry (33d Division) in Somme Offensive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 410

6th Engineers (3d Division) in Somme Defensive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 412

1st Division at Cantigny . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 415

Sectors Held by American Divisions in the Vosges Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 422

The 332d Infantry (83d Division) with the Italian Army . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 429

American Forces in Northern Russia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 432

Services of Supply of the American Expeditionary Forces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 438

American Naval Activities in European Waters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 450

Map Showing Location of American Military Cemeteries in Europe . . . . . . . . . . 457

Sketches Showing American Cemeteries and Nearest Towns . . . . . . . . . . . . . 461–468

American World War Monuments Erected in Europe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 477

American and Allied Advance to the Rhine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 487

Zone of American Army of Occupation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 489

Aisne-Marne, St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne Maps Showing Front Lines . . . . . Pocket
xi

PREFACE

THIS book has been prepared as 

part of the project of the American 

Battle Monuments Commission to 

commemorate in a complete and lasting 

manner the accomplishments and services of the American forces in Europe 

during the World War.

It is a revision of a book entitled “A 

Guide to the American Battlefields in 

Europe” which was published by the 

Commission in 1927. The text, however, 

has been enlarged considerably to meet 

also the need for a concise reference book 

and a brief history of the American Expeditionary Forces.

Because of space limitations, practically all information concerning the 

Allied Armies has been omitted. This 

omission should not be construed as a 

lack of appreciation of the magnitude of 

their effort, but rather as a recognition of 

the fact that any attempt to describe the 

operations of their armies during four 

years of fighting could not, as an incident 

to a book of this character, do justice to 

their importance.

Every possible precaution has been 

taken to insure the accuracy of the 

historical statements made in this text 

and each one has been subjected to 

careful scrutiny by the Chairman of the 

Commission and to several independent 

checks by a corps of selected officers 

from the Regular Army. The documents and other evidence supporting the 

historical statements have been listed 

and these lists form part of the files of 

the Commission.

The three areas in which American 

troops in relatively large numbers engaged 

in battle are dealt with in Chapters II, III 

and IV. Each of these chapters consists of a 

short general story and a detailed itinerary 

which takes the tourist to the most interesting points of the terrain and describes 

the American operations which occurred 

there. Each chapter also includes a list 

giving places of interest not described on 

the tour, a summary of the services of the 

American divisions in that part of France 

covered by the chapter, and a colored map 

which will aid in understanding the operations and which will be of use in following 

the described route.

The American fighting in the Champagne region and in the battle area north 

of Paris is described in Chapters V and 

VI. In these regions the American operations were in most cases those of units 

not larger than a division, and the areas in 

which they took place are quite far apart. 

Chapter V contains a detailed itinerary 

for the Champagne region and Chapter 

VI a suggested route for an extended tour 

in the region north of Paris.

Special attention is invited to Chapters 

XI and XII which give information about 

the military cemeteries and war memorials constructed in Europe by the United 

States Government.

Numerous sketches and maps are used 

to give a graphic picture of the American 

fighting and its relationship to the combat 

services of the Allied Armies. Included 

among these are three large maps inside 

the rear cover which show the American operations in the Aisne-Marne, St. 

Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne regions, the 

three areas in France where most of the 

American fighting occurred.

The wartime photographs in the 

volume were selected with a view to 

giving a comprehensive pictorial story 

of the American war activities in 

Europe. Certain of the photographs 

were obtained from the British Imperial 

War Museum and the German Heeresarchiv, and cannot be reproduced 

without their permission. These copyright pictures are identified in the titles 

by the symbols © B and © G, respectively. Copies of most of the other 

photographs may be purchased at the 

usual rate from the Photographic Division, Office of the Chief Signal Officer, 

U.S. Army, Washington, D. C.
xii

A large part of the interesting information in this book, including all detailed 

accounts of actual fighting, is given in the 

described tours. If the battlefields cannot 

be visited, it is suggested that the tours 

be read and followed on the maps. While 

doing this the panoramic sketches will be 

of help in obtaining an idea of the terrain.

Those who read this book from beginning to end will note some repetition. 

This was found necessary to meet the 

needs of the various classes of readers for 

whom the book is intended.

Many statements are made in the text 

concerning conditions or things which 

will change with the passing of time. 

These statements refer, of course, to 1937, 

the year this book was placed in the hands 

of the printer.

For the benefit of those who desire 

to make a more complete study of the 

American battle operations in Europe, 

the Commission is now preparing a 

series of booklets giving detailed data 

concerning the combat services of the 

American divisions. A booklet will be 

published for each division which will be 

illustrated by large maps, scale 1/20,000, 

showing the daily front lines of the unit. 

The first of the series of these booklets 

will be on sale by the Superintendent 

of Documents, Government Printing 

Office, Washington, D. C., during the 

summer of 1938.

It would be impossible here to give 

credit individually to all those who have 

made this book possible. Special mention 

is made, however, of Lieutenant Colonel 

X. H. Price, Corps of Engineers, U.S. 

Army, the Secretary of the Commission, under whose personal supervision the book has been prepared, and 

the following members of the Commission staff whose painstaking and careful 

work was invaluable in its preparation: 

Major Howard F. K. Cahill, Infantry, 

U. S. Army, Mr. James E. Mangum, 

Major Henry O. Swindler, Infantry, U.S. 

Army, Major Hal M. Rose, Cavalry, U.S. 

Army, Captain John R. Vance, Infantry, 

U.S. Army, Captain Richard P. Ovenshine, Infantry, U.S. Army, 1st Lieutenant Bream C. Patrick, Field Artillery, 

U.S. Army, and Mr. Richard A. Hansen.

It is desired also to make acknowledgment of the assistance given by other 

agencies of the Government in the preparation of this volume, notably the Adjutant General of the Army, who made 

available the World War records and 

furnished other essential information; 

the Historical Section of the Army War 

College, which placed its records at the 

disposal of the Commission and cooperated in other ways in searching out historical facts; the Engineer Reproduction 

Plant of the United States Army for its 

help in connection with the preparation 

of sketches and maps and the printing 

of the larger maps; the Signal Corps of 

the Army for assistance in selecting and 

furnishing photographs; the Quartermaster General for important information concerning medals, troop movements 

and burials; the Navy Department for 

supplying important facts from its files; 

the Department of State and the military attachés in Europe, who obtained 

from foreign countries such data as were 

requested; the Smithsonian Institution, 

which kindly loaned certain medals for 

reproduction in charts of this book; the 

library of the Army War College and the 

Library of Congress, which placed at the 

disposal of the Commission numerous 

official documents and works of reference; and the Government Printing 

Office, which actually printed the book in 

addition to furnishing advice concerning 

its make-up.

As future editions of this book will 

no doubt be published, suggestions for 

its improvement from men who participated in the activities of the American 

Expeditionary Forces are invited.

American Battle Monuments

Commission,

John J. Pershing,

Chairman.
AMERICAN

ARMIES AND BATTLEFIELDS

IN EUROPE

(1)

F OR some years prior to 1914 the 

great countries of Europe had been 

divided into two rival groups. One 

of these was the Triple Alliance, which 

comprised Germany, Austria-Hungary 

and Italy. The other was the Triple 

Entente, which consisted of France, Great 

Britain and Russia.

THE WORLD WAR TO MAY 28, 1918

AND THE ORGANIZATION

OF THE AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES

THE WAR BEFORE THE ENTRY OF THE UNITED STATES

Chapter I

0 200 400 600 800 1000 Miles

Allied Central Neutral

A T L A N T I C

O C E A N

N O R T H

S E A B A L T I C

S E A

B L A C K S E A

A D R I A T I C

S E A

M E D I T E R R A N E A N

S E A

D

M

N

L

IRELAND

GREAT BRITAIN

NORWAY

S W E D E N

R U S S I A

F R A N C E

S P A I N

HOLLAND

BELGIUM

G E R M A N Y

AUSTRIAHUNGARY SWITZERLAND

I T A L Y

RUMANIA

BULGARIA

SERBIA ALBANIA

GREECE

T U R K E Y

Status of European Powers, August 9, 1914

N
2 THE WORLD WAR TO MAY 28, 1918

The Triple Alliance, dominated by 

Germany, was the first to be formed 

and was initiated by Germany as a part 

of an ambitious plan to create a great 

world empire with herself at its head. 

In furtherance of this plan Germany 

had established close relationships with 

Turkey and some of the Balkan states, had 

extended her colonies by peaceful means 

and seizure, and had launched upon a 

program of military and naval expansion 

with the idea of becoming supreme on 

land and sea.

Great Britain, France and Russia, 

realizing their individual danger if called 

upon to act alone against a combination 

of powers such as the Triple Alliance, had 

formed the Triple Entente. 

Belgium was not identified with either 

the Triple Alliance or the Triple Entente, 

as her neutrality had been guaranteed by 

all members of both groups except Italy. 

Various incidents which occurred before 

1914 had almost caused war between 

the two groups and each incident had 

increased to some extent the strain which 

existed between them.

EVENTS OF 1914

The breaking point came when the 

Crown Prince of Austria was assassinated 

on June 28, 1914, while inspecting troops 

in the Austrian city of Serajevo, near the 

Serbian border. Austria at once accused 

Serbia of having instigated the crime and 

adopted an aggressive attitude in the 

diplomatic negotiations which ensued. 

Serbia went to great lengths to prevent 

war with her powerful neighbor, and after 

submitting to practically all the demands 

made upon her, agreed to arbitrate the 

others. Austria, however, confident 

of the support of Germany in a war of 

aggression, refused to accept the Serbian 

proposals and declared war against her on 

July 28, 1914. 

Austria started mobilizing her army 

and Russia soon thereafter did likewise. 

Germany demanded that the Russian 

mobilization cease at once, and at the 

same time sent an ultimatum to France 

requiring that nation to state immediately 

her intentions in case of a Russo-German 

war. Receiving no reply from Russia, and 

a statement from France that she would do 

what her own interests dictated, Germany 

declared war against Russia on August 1 

and against France on August 3.

Italy asserted that her agreements as 

a member of the Triple Alliance did 

not compel her to take part in a war of 

aggression and announced her neutrality. 

Great Britain did not enter the war until 

August 4, when it became certain that 

Germany had violated Belgian neutrality 

by invading that country regardless of her 

solemn agreement not to do so.

By that date, therefore, Germany and 

Austria-Hungary, commonly known as 

the Central Powers, were at war against 

German Cavalry Leaving Berlin, August 1914
THE WORLD WAR TO MAY 28, 1918 3

the Allies, consisting of France, Russia, 

Great Britain, Serbia and Belgium, which 

were joined by Montenegro a few days 

later. Four of these nations, France and 

Russia of the Allies, and Germany and 

Austria of the Central Powers, were able 

to place large, well trained armies in 

the field at once. Serbia, Belgium and 

Montenegro had relatively small armies 

and Great Britain’s organized power was 

mainly centered in her navy which at that 

time was the strongest in the world.

Believing that in the event of war Russia 

would mobilize her forces much more 

slowly than France, Germany, prior to 

the opening of hostilities, had made 

plans to crush the latter by a sudden and 

powerful offensive. According to these 

plans Austria and comparatively small 

German forces were to engage Russia on 

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

0 25 50 75 100 Miles

Limit of German Advance September 6–9, 1914 

International Boundary French Fortication 

N O R T H

S E A

Dunkirk

Ostend Antwerp

Brussels

Liége

Maubeuge

Amiens

Soissons

Reims

Paris

Verdun Metz

Namur

Aix-la-Chapelle

Coblenz

Toul

Epinal

Langres

Belfort

Strasbourg

Lys

R. R i ve r

Escaut

Somme

R.

R i v e r

Oi s e

A i s n e

R i v e r

M a r n e

R i v e r

S e in e

Ri v e r

Me`use

R i v e r

R h i n e

M e u s e

R.

River

R hi ne

River

River

Moselle

B E L G I U M

LUXEMBURG

F R A N C E

G

E

R

M

A

N

Y

H O L L A N D

Approximate Routes Followed by the Invading

German Armies in 1914

N
4 THE WORLD WAR TO MAY 28, 1918

the east until France could be defeated, 

after which the combined strength of the 

Central Powers was to be sent against 

Russia to impose the same fate on her.

Immediately after the declaration of 

war the German Army began the invasion 

of France, using all natural avenues of 

approach, including that through neutral 

Belgium. In spite of heroic resistance by 

the Belgians, and the vital aid rendered the 

French by Great Britain’s comparatively 

small expeditionary force, the Allies were 

forced back rapidly to the general line of 

the Marne River. Making a determined 

stand in early September, they withstood 

further attacks and so threatened the 

enemy’s right that his armies were 

compelled to retire to a position behind 

the Aisne River.

Following this battle both sides realized 

that the war would not end quickly and 

each, knowing the supreme importance 

to future military operations of the ports 

of northwestern France, ordered certain 

of their units to secure possession of 

these ports with all haste. If they had 

fallen to the Germans, not only would 

British military operations have been 

badly hampered, but Germany would 

have secured excellent bases for naval 

activities. In this famous “race to the sea” 

the Allies succeeded in retaining all ports 

southwest of Ostend.

At the end of these operations neither 

of the contending forces on the Western 

Front had sufficient superiority to 

undertake a major offensive, and each 

began to stabilize its position by the 

use of every artificial means available. 

Elaborate trench systems, defended by 

unprecedented numbers of machine guns 

and other quick-firing weapons, were built 

along the front and broad belts of barbed 

wire were constructed. These continuous 

Argonne Forest

W oë v r e

P l a i n

Black

Forest

Mont Kemmel

Blanc

Mont

E N G L A N D

B E L G I U M

G E R M A N Y

F R A N C E

Dover

Bony

Paris

Reims

Luxemburg

A r d e n n e s

V o s g e s

Antwerp OstendGhent

Brussels

Lille Mons Namur

Calais Ypres

Boulogne

Arras

Amiens St. Quentin

Montdidier

Rouen le Havre

Soissons

St. Mihiel

Metz

Toul

Chaumont Epinal

Belfort

Mulhouse

Strasbourg

Mayence

Coblenz

Liége

Cologne

Sedan

Laon

Orléans

ChâteauHastings

Thierry

Verdun

L y s

R.

R i v e r

E s c a u t

sambre R.

R h i n e R.

R.

Moselle

M e u s e

R i v e r

S o m m e

R.

S e i n e

O i s e R.

A i s n e

O ur c q

R. Marne

R.

R i v e r

V e s l e

R i v e r

R i v e r

S ei n e 

R i v e r

L o i r e

R i v e r

Rhine

R i v e r

E NGL ISH HC A N NE L

n

Front Line of March 20, 1918 International Boundary

Diagrammatic Sketch of Western Front Showing Certain

Topographical Features of Military Importance
(5)

defenses, with the hostile lines separated 

in many places by only a narrow strip of 

ground, resulted in the type of fighting 

known as “trench warfare.”

During the advance of her armies toward 

Paris, Germany became greatly alarmed at 

the speed of the Russian mobilization and 

the progress of that country’s offensive 

against East Prussia. This situation 

caused the German High Command, even 

before the Battle of the Marne, to weaken 

the force invading France by withdrawing 

approximately 90,000 men from its right 

wing—where they were so badly needed 

later—and starting them eastward to meet 

the Russian threat. The units withdrawn 

almost equaled in numbers the strength of 

the British Army in France at that time.

Generals von Hindenburg and von 

Ludendorff came into prominence in 

August when they were ordered to the 

German Eastern Army as Commander 

and Chief of Staff, respectively. The 

succeeding operations under their 

direction were characterized by rapid 

movements and crushing attacks, in 

which the losses inf licted on Russia were 

stupendous. The Russian Armies were 

hurled out of East Prussia by the decisive 

German victories at Tannenberg and 

the Mazurian Lakes, and farther south 

were soon thereafter pushed back toward 

Warsaw. Still farther south, however, 

the Russians succeeded in driving the 

Austrian troops west of the passes through 

the Carpathian Mountains.

A Gas Attack on the Western Front

N

R U S S I A

Warsaw GERMANY

EAST PRUSSIA

Tannenberg

Riga

AUSTRIA-HUNGARY

RUMANIA

BULGARIA

SERBIA

GREECE

ALBANIA

T U R K E Y

MONTENEGRO

G A L I C I A

C A R P A T H I A N

M O U N T A I N S

D A R D A N E L L E S

AFRICA S U E Z C A N A L

B A L T I C S E A

BLACK SEA

S E A

M E D I T E R R A N E A N

M a z u r i a n L a k e s

0 100 200 300 400 500 Miles
6 THE WORLD WAR TO MAY 28, 1918

Turkey entered the war on the side 

of the Central Powers in November 

1914, thus threatening Great Britain’s 

communications with the East by way 

of the Suez Canal. As a result, many 

thousands of Allied soldiers, always badly 

needed on the French front, were employed 

throughout the war in operations near the 

eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea.

Germany was in a very strong position 

at the close of the year. She had inflicted 

staggering losses on the Russians; was in 

possession of practically all of Belgium 

and of industrial areas in France which 

contained about three fourths of the French 

coal and iron deposits; and although the 

German colonies were virtually lost, her 

home resources had not been damaged by 

invasion and were still intact.

EVENTS OF 1915

Italy entered the war in May 1915 on the side 

of the Allies. This caused a large proportion 

of Austria’s strength to be withdrawn from 

the eastern and southeastern theaters of 

operations and be sent from there for service 

on the Italian front.

During the year the French and British 

launched several offensives against the 

Germans, the most important being the 

attacks begun in September by the French 

and British Armies north of Arras and by 

the French Army in the Champagne. These 

operations however did not produce any 

material change in the military situation 

on the Western Front.

On April 22, 1915, poison gas was used 

for the first time during the war when 

the Germans employed it against French 

troops serving in the line near Ypres. 

Germany was again victorious against 

Russia in a series of desperate battles. 

Bulgaria, which entered the war on the side 

of the Central Powers in October, joined 

in the offensive that overran Serbia and 

Montenegro, while the Allied expedition 

to the Dardanelles was shattered and 

withdrawn immediately after the close of 

the year. The British Fleet held the mastery 

of the seas, but the submarine blockade 

which Germany had established in 

February was becoming a serious menace 

to Allied supply, both civil and military.

EVENTS OF 1916

The Central Powers, believing they had 

nothing to fear from Russia, planned a 

vigorous campaign in the west for 1916. 

In February they began intensive assaults 

against Verdun, which continued for 

mouths, only to dash themselves to pieces 

against French heroism. The German 

pressure at Verdun was relieved as a 

result of the British and French offensive 

on the Somme which began on July 1 and 

resulted in enormous losses to all armies 

engaged. It was during this battle that 

tanks were used for the first time, being 

employed by the British in an attack on 

September 15.

The German Fleet made a sortie in May 

and met the British on the North Sea in 

the Battle of Jutland, the principal naval 

engagement of the war. This battle resulted 

in the loss of several vessels on each side, 

but was not decisive. It terminated when 

the German Fleet withdrew to its fortified 

harbors, which it did not leave again in 

force during the war.

Large German Gun in Action on the

Western Front. © G
THE WORLD WAR TO MAY 28, 1918 7

Russia astonished the world by her 

powers of recuperation, and in June 

practically destroyed the Austrian Army 

of Galicia. When the Austrian Army 

in Italy was defeated in August, and 

Rumania entered the war against the 

Central Powers in the same month, it 

became necessary that Austria be rescued 

without delay. Germany, quickly passing 

to the defensive in the west, started the 

eastern offensives which not only marked 

the beginning of the end for Russia but 

resulted in the elimination of Rumania 

before the close of the year.

In August General von Hindenburg was 

appointed Chief of the General Staff of 

the German Field Army. Offers of peace 

made by the Central Powers in the month 

of December were spurned by the Allied 

Governments as insincere.

EVENTS OF 1917 TO APRIL 6

The German High Command decided to 

remain on the defensive in the west during 

1917. To further this purpose, it greatly 

disrupted the Allied plans by devastating 

a large area in the vicinity of Péronne 

and by withdrawing from that area to a 

previously-prepared defensive position of 

great strength.

Germany renewed unrestricted submarine 

warfare in February and her U-boats 

were making alarming inroads on Allied 

shipping when the United States entered 

the war.

Meanwhile the Allies had decided to 

undertake offensives on a large scale. In 

April, a few days after the United States 

declared war, the British began the Battle 

of Arras, and the French the Second Battle 

of the Aisne. These attacks gained some 

ground but the losses suffered by the 

attacking troops were very great, especially 

in the battle on the Aisne. The results 

created a serious situation in the French 

Army and brought grave discouragement 

to the Allies. With Russia’s strength 

waning fast, this was almost final proof 

that without additional help the Allies 

would be unable to defeat Germany.

British Tank Set on Fire by German Flame Thrower

Note German trench and soldiers in foreground. © G
Sinking by the Germans of the American Bark Kirby

Sinking of the British Ship Messanabie—Torpedoed Twice by a German Submarine

British Hospital Ship Gloucester Castle—Torpedoed in the Mediterranean, April 15, 1917
(9)

T HE United States was in every respect a neutral nation at the beginning of 

the World War. The sympathies of the 

American citizens were naturally divided, 

but as the causes which brought on the 

conf lict were considered by the mass 

of the people to be of no direct concern 

to the United States, the attitude of the 

country as a whole was one of neutrality.

Early in the war, however, the activities 

of the warring nations on the high 

seas began to interfere with American 

maritime trade. Allied interference with 

American commerce caused an exchange 

of vigorous diplomatic notes with Great 

Britain while differences with Germany 

over the use of the submarine became 

particularly irritating. It soon developed 

that Germany intended to disregard a 

fundamental principle of international 

law which up to that time in history had 

remained unquestioned. This was that 

neither merchant vessels of the enemy nor 

those of neutrals could be lawfully sunk 

without first taking steps to remove the 

passengers and crew.

The first serious difficulty with 

Germany arose when on February 4, 

1915, she proclaimed that the waters 

surrounding Great Britain and Ireland 

would be regarded as part of the war zone 

in which enemy merchant vessels would 

be destroyed and in which even neutral 

vessels were in danger of destruction 

without assurance that the passengers 

and crew could be saved. The United 

States strongly protested this action 

which would endanger American lives and 

property, reminding Germany that under 

the conditions which existed her sole 

right under international law in dealing 

with neutral vessels on the high seas was 

limited to that of visit and search.

The German reply was unsatisfactory, 

stating in effect that the German 

Government would not be responsible for 

the consequences to neutral ships if they 

entered the waters announced by it as 

closed. The sinking of unarmed vessels 

soon occurred without any attempt 

being made to save those on board. 

This destruction of people innocent of 

any connection with the war reached its 

climax on the afternoon of May 7, 1915, 

when the British liner Lusitania was 

sunk, without warning, by a German 

submarine off the coast of Ireland. 1,195 

lives were lost, including 124 Americans 

and 94 children, of which number 35 

were infants.

The United States protested on 

May 13 and, in answer to the German 

Government’s reply, reiterated its position 

on June 9, 1915, stating that the United 

States was contending for something 

much greater than mere rights of property 

or privileges of commerce—that it was 

contending for the rights of humanity.

On July 8, 1915, Germany assured the 

United States that American ships would 

not be hindered in the prosecution of 

legitimate shipping and that the lives 

of American citizens on neutral vessels 

would not be placed in jeopardy provided 

there was no contraband on board. This 

reply failed to meet the real issue and 

Germany was informed that a repetition 

by commanders of German naval vessels 

of acts in contravention to the rights of 

the American Government, where they 

affected the lives of American citizens, 

would be considered as deliberately 

unfriendly to the United States.

On August 19, 1915, the British steamer 

Arabic was sunk without warning and 

two American lives were lost. Germany 

disavowed this act but offered an indemnity. 

The events up to this time had brought 

a gradual change in the attitude of the 

people of the United States toward the 

war. The violation of Belgian neutrality 

by Germany, in spite of her definite 

written pledges to respect it, naturally 

had an unfavorable reaction on the 

majority of the people in America and left 

them with the impression that the German 

R E A SONS FOR T HE EN TRY OF T HE U N I TED STATES 

INTO THE WORLD WAR
10 THE WORLD WAR TO MAY 28, 1918

Government would stop at nothing to 

gain its ends. This idea was strengthened 

by Germany’s submarine policy pursued 

in utter disregard of the property and 

lives of neutrals engaged in peaceful 

pursuits. Other contributing factors were 

the persistent reports of alleged German 

atrocities, acts of German sabotage in 

the United States, the first use of poison 

gas in warfare, considered at that time 

as an inhuman weapon, by the German 

Army on April 22, 1915, and patently 

false propaganda emanating from the 

German Embassy at Washington. This 

propaganda became so obnoxious to the 

press of America that they complained 

to the President with the result that the 

member of the German Embassy staff 

responsible for it was forced to return to 

Germany.

During the early part of 1916 the 

destruction of unarmed ships continued 

and on April 18 the President notified 

Germany that unless she at once abandoned 

her methods of submarine warfare against 

commercial vessels, diplomatic relations 

would be severed. Germany then promised 

that passenger ships would not be sunk, 

that due warning would be given to all 

other vessels which her submarines might 

seek to destroy, when no resistance was 

offered or escape attempted, and that care 

would be taken that the crews were given 

a reasonable chance to save themselves in 

their life boats.

This promise relieved the tension and 

relations between the two countries 

became more nearly normal during the 

next nine months. The situation, however, 

again grew critical when on January 31, 

1917, Germany revoked her pledges to the 

United States and announced that it was 

her purpose to use submarines to sink 

every vessel which sought to approach 

either the ports of Great Britain and 

Ireland or the western coasts of Europe or 

any of the ports controlled by the enemies 

of Germany within the Mediterranean. 

President Wilson at once broke off 

diplomatic relations. He did not, however, 

The Leviathan, Formerly the German Liner Vaterland,

Being Used as an American Transport
THE WORLD WAR TO MAY 28, 1918 11

then recommend a declaration of war, 

stating to Congress that he could not take 

such an extreme step unless the German 

Government should actually carry out 

its threat of sinking ships under the 

conditions to which the United States 

expressly objected.

Events which drove the United States 

into war now developed rapidly. On 

February 26, 1917, the President requested 

Congress to give him authority to equip 

American merchant ships with defensive 

arms should that become necessary. Two 

days later the President gave to the press 

the contents of a telegram which had been 

intercepted by the British Government 

late in January. This telegram had been 

sent by the German Secretary of Foreign 

Affairs, Arthur Zimmermann, through 

the German Embassy in Washington to 

the German Minister in Mexico City. 

It proposed that, in the event of war 

between the United States and Germany, 

an alliance be formed between Mexico 

and Germany and that Mexico endeavor 

to persuade Japan to desert the Allies 

and align herself with the Central 

Powers. Mexico was to be allowed “to 

reconquer her lost territory in Texas, 

New Mexico and Arizona”. The effect 

of the publication of this telegram upon 

the American people was instantaneous 

and widespread. It seemed to crystallize 

public opinion into a strong feeling of 

hostility toward Germany. The House 

of Representatives promptly passed the 

bill to authorize the arming of merchant 

ships and, although due to a filibuster 

the measure failed to pass the Senate 

before its adjournment on March 4, it was 

clear that the overwhelming sentiment of 

Congress was in favor of the passage of 

the bill.

After the sinking of American ships 

by German submarines had actually 

occurred, the President addressed a 

special session of Congress on April 2, 

1917, saying that under Germany’s new 

policy “Vessels of every kind, whatever 

their f lag, their character, their cargo, 

General Pershing Landing at Boulogne, June 13, 1917. © B
The First American Troops Arriving at St. Nazaire, June 26, 1917
(13)

their destination, their errand, have been 

ruthlessly sent to the bottom without 

warning and without thought of help or 

mercy for those on board, the vessels 

of friendly neutrals along with those of 

belligerents. Even hospital ships and ships 

carrying relief to the sorely bereaved 

and stricken people of Belgium . . . have 

been sunk with the same reckless lack 

of compassion and of principle.” He 

further stated that he was not “thinking 

of the loss of property, immense and 

serious as that is, but only of the wanton 

and wholesale destruction of the lives 

of non-combatants, men, women, and 

children, engaged in pursuits which have 

always, even in the darkest periods of 

modern history, been deemed innocent 

and legitimate . . . ” He then advised 

that war be declared against the Imperial 

German Government. Congress, with 

but few dissenting votes, approved this 

recommendation and war was declared 

against Germany on April 6, 1917. 

Diplomatic relations were severed with 

Austria-Hungary two days later, but war 

was not actually declared against her 

until December 7, 1917. 

The President took great care in his 

speech to Congress on April 2, 1917, to 

announce the aims and attitude of America. 

He said: “We have no selfish ends to serve. 

We desire no conquest, no dominion. We 

seek no indemnities for ourselves, no 

material compensation for the sacrifice 

we shall freely make. We are but one of the 

champions of the rights of mankind ... We 

enter this war only where we are clearly 

forced into it, because there are no other 

means of defending our rights.” 

Both the sincerity of his statement and 

the correctness of his interpretation of 

the national aims and ideals of the United 

States were forcibly proved to the world, 

when, at the peace table in Versailles many 

months later, the American Government 

demanded neither one dollar of indemnity 

nor one square mile of territory from the 

defeated nations. 

German Zeppelin Forced Down at Bourbonne-les-Bains, October 1917

American Troops Parading in London,

August 15, 1917
American Aviation Field at Issoudun

Storage Dam at Savenay Being Constructed by American Engineers

American Plant and Storage Yard at La Rochelle, Illuminated for Night Work
(15)

THE great task facing the United States when she entered the war was to place on 

the front as quickly as possible an American 

army sufficiently 

strong to give the 

combined Allied 

and American 

forces a decisive 

superiority over 

the Central Powers. It was evident 

that considerable 

time would elapse 

before America 

could actually have 

more than a nominal force in the 

battle lines, as her 

very small Regular 

Army, numbering 

less than 135,000 

men, was scattered 

in weak detachments throughout her home territory and outlying 

possessions. There 

were no complete and permanent units larger 

than regiments, 

and even these 

units were not 

suitably equipped 

and organized for 

major operations.

The Allies 

asked, however, 

that immediate help be rendered by other 

means, and upon 

their request the 

United States 

loaned them huge 

sums of money, sent them great quantities 

of food, and assisted against the submarine 

menace both by the use of her Navy and by 

building commercial ships to replace losses. 

The Allies also urged that an American unit 

be sent over at once for the effect on the 

morale of their 

armies and people. Accordingly, 

the 1st Division 

was formed from 

existing organizations and sent 

to France where 

most of its elements landed on 

June 26, 1917.

Major General John J. 

Pershing1 was 

designated Commander-in-Chief 

of the American 

E x p e d i t i o n a r y 

Forces effective

 on May 26, 1917, 

and served continuously in that 

capacity until the 

Armistice was 

signed and the 

Army was demobilized. He landed 

in France on June 

13, 1917, accompanied by a small 

staff, and immediately plunged into 

the preliminary 

work of organizing the A. E. F.

After a thorough study of the 

situation, General 

Pershing cabled 

the War Department early in 

July that every 

effort should be made to have an American 

army in France of at least 1,000,000 men by 

1

 Appointed to the rank of General, October 8, 1917.

General John J. Pershing

American Commander-in-Chief

ORGANIZATION

OF THE AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES 

AND FORMATION OF ITS COMBAT ARMY
16 THE WORLD WAR TO MAY 28, 1918

the following May. He pointed out that this 

figure did not represent the total number required, and recommended that plans for the 

further development of the military forces of 

the United States should contemplate placing 

3,000,000 American soldiers in the field in Europe. 

Decisions affecting the organization, 

size and equipment of various units: 

methods of training to be followed; the 

priority in which troops and supplies 

of various classes should be sent; and 

the requirements of the army in special 

equipment and personnel were cabled 

to Washington. These cables formed the 

basis of the War Department’s policies 

in mobilizing the great National Army in 

1917 and 1918, and enabled the authorities 

in the United States to proceed with their 

tasks in such a way as best to meet the 

needs of the fighting forces in France.

One decision which had a marked 

Strategical Features Inuencing Selection of the 

Lorraine Front for the American Army

International Boundary

Railroad

Fortried City

Coal and Iron Mines

L I N E OF 

JUN E 19 71

M e u se

R i v er

S

R. 

aar

M os elle

R.

R

hin

e

R iv er

T O

P A R I S

A R D E N N E S

R o u g h w o o d e d r e g i o n

A R G O N N E

V O S G E S

Luxemburg

Trèves

Longwy Sedan

Verdun

Thionville

Briey

Metz

Châlons- St. Mihiel

sur-Marne

Commercy Toul Nancy

Epinal

Neufchâteau

Chaumont

Vesoul

Belfort

Basel

Mulhouse

Colmar

Strasbourg

Saarbrücken

A

L

S

A

C

L O R R A I N E

E

N

IRON COAL

IRON

MINES

C O A L

MINES MINES

0 25 50 Miles
THE WORLD WAR TO MAY 28, 1918 17

inf luence on the later operations of the 

American Army was that all training 

should be conducted in preparation for 

offensive warfare in the open. “Trench 

warfare”, although practically the only 

method of combat being taught in the 

Allied Armies at that time, was considered 

by the American Commander-in-Chief 

only as a special phase of military 

operations which, if allowed to assume 

too great importance in training, could 

not fail to inculcate a defensive rather 

than an aggressive spirit in the army.

Another important decision was that 

affecting the size of the American combat 

division, which as organized for service in 

France was about twice the strength of any 

European division. Under the conditions 

then existing this resulted in giving to the 

American division much greater driving 

power in the offensive than that possessed 

by any other.

General Pershing’s instructions from 

the Secretary of War upon sailing for 

Europe had stated that he must cooperate 

with the Allies “but in so doing the 

underlying idea must be kept in view 

that the forces of the United States are 

a separate and distinct component of the 

combined forces, the identity of which 

must be preserved.” These instructions 

were faithfully carried out by General 

Pershing who insisted throughout the 

war, in spite of the greatest pressure from 

the Allies, each of whom was inf luenced 

to some extent by its own special interests, 

that the forces under his command should 

constitute an American army under its 

own f lag and its own commander. This 

basic idea was kept constantly in mind in 

organizing the American Expeditionary 

Forces and proved to be a decisive factor 

in the defeat of Germany.

Agreements had to be reached very 

quickly with the Allies as to where the 

American Army should be located, in 

order that the necessary preparations 

for its development and use could be 

initiated. With the British forces placed 

to cover the channel ports and the French 

Armies committed to the protection 

of Paris, the transportation systems in 

these regions were heavily burdened. The 

necessity for the supply and movement 

of additional forces made it essential 

for the American Army to choose a less 

crowded area where roads and railways 

were relatively free. The fact that there 

were few troops in Lorraine and that rail 

facilities, although extending across the 

First American Troops to Land in France Parading in Paris, July 4, 1917
18 THE WORLD WAR TO MAY 28, 1918

entire width of France, were available 

for transporting men and supplies from 

the French ports south of Le Havre to 

the Lorraine sector, were important 

considerations which finally decided its 

choice as the American front.

Another factor in the selection was 

the determination of the Commanderin-Chief to place his forces where their 

employment would decisively affect the 

outcome of the war. The coal and iron 

mines near Metz, the fortress itself and 

the essential railway systems at Sedan 

and to the southeast, all made the area 

protected by the Lorraine front of 

vital importance to Germany. Of the 

territory within striking distance of the 

Western Front, this was the area which 

she could least afford to lose, because 

on its retention depended her ability to 

maintain the German Armies west of the 

Rhine. The American Army in Lorraine 

would, therefore, be admirably located 

to strike at the most important German 

strategical area near the battle front.

The lack of vessels seriously retarded 

the transfer of troops to France, and the 

question was one of grave concern to 

the American Commander-in-Chief. At 

the beginning of 1918 agreements were 

made by him with the British for the 

use of a portion of their tonnage as they 

controlled most of the world’s shipping 

at that time. It, however, took the crisis 

caused by the German offensive in March 

of that year to bring out the amount of 

Allied shipping that made possible the 

remarkable increase of American arrivals 

to a maximum in one month of over 

300,000 officers and men.

This crisis interrupted the formation 

of an American army as the succession 

of German drives in the spring of 1918 

required the use of every available 

American and Allied division if defeat 

was to be avoided. It was at this time that 

General Pershing went to General Foch 

and freely offered him the use of every 

American man and gun in France.

When the American divisions had 

completed their part in the emergency 

and had assisted in the subsequent 

counteroffensive which turned the tide 

in favor of the Allies, the American 

Commander-in-Chief, despite renewed 

opposition on the part of the Allies, again 

insisted upon their assembly into one force, 

and soon thereafter this was resumed.

The American First Army was organized 

on August 10, 1918, and immediately 

started preparations for the reduction of 

the St. Mihiel salient, which was to be its 

first large offensive operation.

Meanwhile, in spite of the handicaps 

of a foreign country and language and 

the long line of communications to the 

United States, a multitude of tasks had 

been accomplished in order that the 

American forces could begin operations 

when the divisions became available. 

Staffs had been organized and trained; 

docks, railways, roads, depots, hospitals, 

bridges, and telegraph and telephone lines 

had been built; ammunition and supplies 

German Infantry Advancing Through Hermies

After Its Capture in March 1918. © G
THE WORLD WAR TO MAY 28, 1918 19

had been collected; intensive training 

schemes had been put into effect; and 

plans for the future military operations of 

the American Army on the Western Front 

had been studied and perfected.

The Commander-in-Chief, having foreseen that a considerable part of the artillery, airplanes and tanks necessary for 

a large force could not be obtained from 

American sources for some time to come, 

had made arrangements to purchase large 

quantities of them from the Allies. The 

wisdom of this is evident when it is considered that, except for four 14-inch naval 

guns on railway mounts, the American 

First Army throughout its entire service on the front did not fire an American-made cannon or shell, and that no 

American-made tank was ever available 

in Europe for use in battle.

Finally, after months of patient and 

unremitting labor, during which obstacles 

of every nature had been met and overcome, 

the American Army was ready on the 

morning of September 12, 1918, for its first 

great attack as an independent army.

Divisional Training Areas

American Expeditionary

Forces

Divisional Training Area No. 1

General Headquarters, A. E. F.

Army Headquarters

Headquarters, Divisional Training Area

Army Boundary

1

X X X X

N

0 10 20 30 40 50 Miles

FIRST

ARMY

AREA SECOND

ARMY

AREA

CHAUMONT

Souilly

Toul

Colombey-lesBelles

Neufchâteu

Vaucouleurs

Gondrecourt

Rimaucourt

Bourmont

Nogent-en-Bassigny

Bourbonne-les- Bains

Prauthoy

Fays-Billot

Rolampont

Aignay-le-Duc

Semur

Châteuvillain

Mussysur-Seine

Ancy-leFranc

Tonnerre Seignelay

Donjeux

Barsur

Aube

1

5 6

2

4

3

18

20

8

11

17

10

7

14

9

12

13

15

16 19

21

Line

of

Nov.

11 (A.M.)
Germans Defending Against a British Tank Attack

The tanks are under fire from field and anti-aircraft artillery and trench mortars

Middle picture shows a direct hit on a tank. © G
(21)

THE military situation in June 1917 was very favorable to Germany and 

her morale was high. Practically all her 

offensives, with the exceptions of the 

Battle of the Marne in 1914 and the Verdun 

operations in 1916, had been crowned with 

great success. Her battle lines, save for a 

small section in Alsace, were on foreign 

territory, her own resources were untouched 

by hostile occupation and wherever attacked 

by the Allies her armies had inflicted 

tremendous losses upon them.

The sacrifice by France of a large proportion of her man power, and the presence of 

hostile armies on her soil for three years, 

had caused deep discouragement among 

her civil population. This was aggravated by the severe reverse which her armies 

had suffered in April on the Aisne, which 

had resulted in a veritable wave of defeatism sweeping over the country and over the 

French military forces.

Great Britain, except for morale, was 

scarcely better off than France. Much of 

MILITARY SITUATION IN JUNE 1917 

AND SUMMARY OF EVENTS TO MAY 28, 1918

July 31–

Nov. 10

June 7–14

April 9–

May 15

Nov.

20–27

April 16–

May 20

Oct.

23–27

April 17–

May 20

Aug. 20–

Sept. 8

N

Ypres

Lille

Cambrai

St. Quentin

Sedan

Reims Verdun

Châlonssur-Marne

Metz

St. Mihiel

Nancy

Soissons

Meaux

Paris

Amiens

Brussels

Arras

F

R

A N C E

B

E

L G I U M

HOL LAND

LUXE MBURG

S eine

Ois e

Ri v er

R.

R.

Somme

Aisne

R.

Marne

R.

Meuse

R iv er

Mos elle

R.

Ground Gained by British

Front Line April 6, 1917

Ground Gained by French

International Boundary

0 25 50 75 Miles

Allied Attacks on Western Front in 1917
(22)

her best blood had been poured out on 

the battlefields; and like her allies, she 

had expended vast sums in the conflict. 

She retained command of the sea, but the 

German submarine campaign was reducing 

food and other supplies to the point where 

her very existence was threatened.

Italy was having great difficulty in 

financing the war, and grave deficiencies 

existed in her armies, as the events of the 

autumn of 1917 were to show.

The revolution in Russia, which had 

occurred in March, made it practically 

certain that the Allies could not count on 

effective help from that country.

The Germans were frankly scornful 

of America’s ability to exercise any real 

military inf luence in the war and evidently 

believed it impossible for any considerable 

American force to be organized and 

transported to France before the defeat 

of the Allies could be accomplished. 

Germany, therefore, looked forward with 

great confidence to her armies gaining a 

decisive victory in 1918.

General Pershing’s arrival in France, 

followed in two weeks by the landing 

of the American 1st Division, greatly 

improved the French morale.

The Allied conception of the critical 

nature of the military situation in the 

summer of 1917, and of the actions to 

be taken to meet it, are indicated in the 

conclusions reached by the Commandersin-Chief of the American, French and 

Italian Armies, and the Chiefs of Staff 

of the French and British Armies at a 

conference held in Paris during the latter 

part of July. An extract from their report 

is given in the following paragraph:

“General conclusions reached were: 

Necessity for adoption of purely defensive 

attitude on all secondary fronts and 

withdrawing surplus troops for duty on 

Western Front. By thus strengthening 

Western Front believed Allies could hold 

until American forces arrive in numbers 

sufficient to gain ascendency.”

As far as their strength would permit 

the Allies sought, however, to maintain 

the offensive on the Western Front during 

the latter part of 1917 in order to hinder 

the conquest of Russia by Germany and, 

if possible, to prevent an attack on the 

Italian front with German troops.

Accordingly, the British attacked in 

June capturing Messines Ridge, and near 

Ypres undertook a series of operations, 

which began on July 31 and lasted until 

November 10. Later in November they 

launched an offensive near Cambrai, in 

which many tanks were used, and made 

important initial gains which were largely 

lost in a German counteroffensive ten 

days later. These British attacks though 

very costly in men and matériel had no 

decisive effect on the military situation.

The Cambrai operation was the first 

major offensive in which American troops 

participated. Three American engineer 

American Troops Marching Through Neufchâteau on Their Way to the Battle Line
THE WORLD WAR TO MAY 28, 1918 23

regiments were serving with the British 

at the time and one of these was actually 

engaged in the front-line fighting.

The French conducted carefullyprepared limited attacks near Verdun 

in August and near the Chemin des 

Dames in October, both of which though 

comparatively small were successful.

Russia finally collapsed in early 

September, and the Italians suffered a 

disastrous defeat near Caporetto in October, 

making it necessary to send French and 

British divisions to their assistance.

An analysis of these events left no doubt 

in the minds of Allied commanders that 

Germany would soon resume the offensive 

on the Western Front, with her armies 

there augmented by large numbers of 

divisions drawn from the Russian theater 

of operations. This transfer of troops 

from Russia actually started in the month 

of November 1917.

Notwithstanding Germany’s favorable 

military position at the close of 1917, 

conditions within the Fatherland and the 

rapidly growing American Expeditionary 

Forces made it imperative for her to try 

to bring the war to a prompt conclusion. 

We know now that to accomplish this her 

plans contemplated the destruction of the 

British Army in the early spring of 1918, 

after which a crushing blow was to be 

directed against the French Army.

On December 31, 1917, there were 

174,884 American soldiers in Europe, of 

which the 1st Division alone had served at 

the front. The British and French desired 

to hasten the appearance of American 

troops in the line if only for the effect on 

the morale of their troops, and urged that 

the American training be limited to the 

minimum necessary for trench fighting. 

They also requested that American 

troops, in company and battalion units, 

be assigned to their organizations, 

pointing out the shortage of man power 

in their armies as sufficient reason for 

this request. They contended that the 

elimination of Russia as a factor in the 

war, together with the Italian defeat, had 

so altered conditions for the worse that to 

withstand the expected German attacks 

every American soldier in France should 

at once be made available for service at 

the front.

The American Commander-in-Chief 

agreed that every combat unit in France 

should be made available for frontline service, but remained fixed in his 

determination to assemble all Americans 

into an independent army. Any sort 

of prolonged amalgamation with the 

Allied Armies would have committed 

the fortunes of the American forces to 

alien hands, with no responsibility to the 

American Government for their proper 

care, training and employment. Such 

a step would have met with the decided 

opposition of the American officers and 

soldiers and would have been destructive 

American Soldiers En Route to the Front
German Infantry Attacking Over a Mine-Crater Area at Ripont in March 1917. © G

German Cavalry Ready for a Break-Through in March 1918. © G

German Engineers Advancing Through Captured British Position, March 1918. © G
THE WORLD WAR TO MAY 28, 1918 25

to their morale. It would have been 

strongly disapproved by the American 

people. There was, on the other hand, 

no doubt that the effect of aggressive 

American units in the battle line under 

their own commanders would produce far 

greater military results and be far more 

depressing to the morale of the German 

Armies and civil population than the 

presence of small American units under 

foreign officers in 

Allied regiments.

The policy of employing the American 

units as a single force, 

steadfastly maintained 

by General Pershing 

in the face of tremendous opposition from 

the Allies, unquestionably produced decisive 

results that could not 

have been obtained 

otherwise.1 Because of 

this policy, the American Army, welded into 

one powerful body, 

inspired by the traditions of its own country, confident in its 

leaders, and sure of its 

ability in the offensive, 

was finally enabled 

to deliver the terrific 

blows at St. Mihiel, in 

the Argonne and along 

the Meuse which made 

possible the defeat of 

Germany.

The Commanderin-Chief speeded up 

to the utmost the use 

of American units in 

the front line. As a 

consequence, the 1st Division relieved 

a French division in a sector north of 

Toul in January; the 26th entered the line 

with the French northeast of Soissons 

in February; the 42d went in east of 

1

 Marshal Pétain declared in a public address delivered 

in Versailles, France, in October 1937 that General 

Pershing was right in opposing the amalgamation of 

American troops with the Allied forces.

Lunéville during the same month; and 

about the middle of March, the 2d entered 

the line with the French southeast of 

Verdun.

On March 21, when the first great German offensive of 1918 started, there were 

approximately 300,000 American troops 

in France. Of these the 1st, 2d and 42d Divisions were in the trenches and the 26th 

was ready for service. The 32d and 41st Divisions had arrived in 

France but had been 

designated as replacement units, although 

later, in April, the 32d 

was redesignated as a 

combat division.

The German onslaught of March 21 

struck the British in 

Picardy between the 

Oise and the Scarpe 

Rivers along a front 

of about 50 miles, 

part of which had 

been recently taken 

over from the French. 

Within eight days 

the attacking troops, 

sweeping all before 

them, practically destroyed the British 

Fifth Army and penetrated to a maximum 

depth of about 37 

miles. The situation 

was serious and many 

French Divisions 

were rushed to aid 

the British.

During this period 

the Allies were still 

further annoyed and 

troubled when on 

March 23 the shelling of Paris by a large 

German gun from a distance of 75 miles 

was begun.

General Pershing, knowing the 

gravity of the Allied position, deferred 

the execution of his plan to form an 

American army and went to General 

Foch and said:

Marshal Ferdinand Foch

Allied Commander-in-Chief
26 THE WORLD WAR TO MAY 28, 1918

“I have come to tell you that the 

American people would consider it a great 

honor for our troops to be engaged in the 

present battle. I ask you for this in their 

name and my own.

“At this moment there are no other 

questions but of fighting. 

“Infantry, artillery, aviation, all that 

we have are yours: use them as you wish. 

More will come, in numbers equal to 

requirements.

“I have come especially to tell you that 

the American people will be proud to take 

part in the greatest battle of history.” 

This message had a stimulating effect 

upon French morale. Its confident 

optimism is an indication of the splendid 

spirit of cooperation which characterized 

the personnel of the entire American 

Army in France throughout the war.

On March 26 General Foch was charged 

with coordinating the actions of the 

French and British Armies, and soon 

afterwards on April 3 was given strategic 

direction of the French, British and 

American Armies on the Western Front. 

Fortunately the Germans were stopped 

before capturing Amiens, the loss of 

which would have separated the French 

and British Armies and enabled the 

Germans to operate against each of them 

separately. In this event the British Army 

would probably have had to hurry out of 

northern France or else run the risk of 

almost certain destruction.

The Germans succeeded in cutting one 

railroad into Amiens from the south and 

in seriously impeding traffic on the others, 

they increased the frontage which the 

Allies were forced to hold with diminished 

numbers, they proved that their forces 

could break through the highly organized 

defenses of the Western Front, they 

enormously increased the morale of their 

own troops and very seriously lowered that 

of the British and French units. 

The fighting near Amiens had scarcely 

died down when, on April 9, the Germans 

broke through the British lines in Flanders 

on a 12-mile front along the Lys River 

American Soldiers Advancing to Attack at Cantigny

Cantigny After Its Capture, May 28, 1918
THE WORLD WAR TO MAY 28, 1918 27

south of Ypres. Their initial advantage 

was not well exploited but operations were 

continued there until April 25 when the 

German troops succeeded in capturing 

Mont Kemmel, which at the time was 

defended by French units serving with the 

British Army.

A number of American medical, engineer 

and air service units with the British Army 

took part in the operations near Amiens 

and along the Lys River.

The German High Command believed 

that one more major attack against the 

British Army would destroy it. However, 

since elaborate preparations had already 

been made to strike the French, an 

offensive against them could be launched 

much quicker. As such an attack would 

use up French reserves, and prevent 

their being sent later to aid the British, 

the Germans decided to make an attack 

against the French Army first.

Immediately following the battle in 

Flanders the American 1st Division, 

which had been in sector near Seicheprey, 

in the St. Mihiel region, took over an 

exceedingly active portion of the line west 

of Montdidier. It captured Cantigny on 

May 28 in a well-planned operation and 

held that place in spite of violent and 

sustained counterattacks. This fighting 

again demonstrated the superb caliber 

of the American soldier in offensive 

and defensive combat and since troops 

from the United States were at that time 

arriving in France in increasingly large 

numbers, the Allied Armies and the Allied 

people could still hope for final victory.

N

21

A. M. ( )

L INE

OF MARCH

0 25 50 Miles

Nieuport Ghent

Dunkirk

Calais Ypres

Hazebrouck

Béthune

Armentières Lille

Loos

Arras

Cambrai

Albert

Péronne

Roye

Amiens

Cantigny

Montdidier

Noyon

Soissons

St. Quentin

la Fère

Mons

Mont Kemmel L y s

 R i v e r

E s c a u t

Scarpe

R.

O i s e

A i s n e R.

Ys er R.

R i v e r

Rive r

S omme

R i v er

P A R I S 40 M.

N O R T H S E A

March 21–April 5 April 9–29

Ground Gained by German Oensives

of March and April, 1918
German Infantry Advancing at the Chemin des Dames, May 1918. © G
(29)

T HE German strategical plan for 

1918 involved the destruction of the 

British Army in the early spring, 

to be followed immediately by a crushing 

blow at the French. In pursuance of 

this plan, German offensive operations 

were launched in Picardy and Flanders 

in March and April. Although gaining 

considerable ground and inf licting heavy 

losses, these operations failed in their 

primary purpose of destroying the British. 

Meanwhile preparations for a powerful 

drive against the French along the line of 

the Aisne River had been progressing.

The Allied Commanders, after the 

German April attack in Flanders had 

been checked, felt sure that a new German 

offensive was about to take place but 

were uncertain where it would fall. It was 

considered improbable, however, that it 

would fall on the Aisne front, and many 

French troops had been shifted from 

there to the British area. Consequently, 

when a German assault struck the Aisne 

front between Berry-au-Bac and Anizyle-Château early on the morning of May 

27 it came as a surprise.

The Germans carried the Chemin des 

Dames positions in the first dash and 

crossed the Aisne River about noon on 

bridges which the French had failed to 

destroy. Their progress exceeded all 

expectation. By evening they were south 

of the Vesle, and early on the 29th had 

captured Soissons. Advancing rapidly 

toward the Marne River and meeting very 

little resistance, they started to exploit 

their success toward Paris. The French 

people throughout the country were thrown 

into consternation, and the Government 

made preparations to flee from Paris to 

Bordeaux, a city much farther south.

AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE

AISNE–MARNE REGION

Chapter II 

Line

of

May 26

Oise

River

Marne

River

Ourcq

River

Vesle

River

Aisne

River

CHEMIN

DES DAMES

Montdidier

Noyon

Compiègne

Lucy-le-Bocage

ChâteauThierry Courthiézy

Soissons Berry-au-Bac

Reims

Souain

Epernay

Châlons-sur-Marne

Mézy

Laon

Anizy-le-Château

PARIS

N

0 10 20 30 40 50 Miles

May 27–June 5 June 9–13 July 15–17

Ground Gained by German Oensives of

May, June and July, 1918
Airplane View of Vaux Shortly After Its Capture by the 2d Division on July 1, 1918
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE–MARNE REGION 31

Reserves from every quarter were rushed 

to the front to meet this new danger. 

Among these were the American 2d and 3d 

Divisions which had been turned over to 

the French by the American Commanderin-Chief. They were hurried forward by 

forced marches and by every available 

means of transportation. 

The motorized machine gun battalion of 

the 3d Division reached Château-Thierry 

on May 31, and there gallantly assisted 

in preventing the Germans from crossing 

the Marne. As the infantry units of the 3d 

Division came up they reinforced French 

units holding the south bank of the river 

as far eastward as Courthiézy, 8 miles 

from Château-Thierry.

The 2d Division, arriving by truck on 

June 1, immediately went into position 

northwest of Château-Thierry. Facing 

northeast, with its center at Lucy-leBocage, the division established its line 

across the main route to Paris, where it 

repulsed all attacks and effectively stopped 

the German advance in that direction.

With this American assistance the French 

were able to stem the onslaught, but only 

after the Germans had driven a great 

salient, roughly defined by the triangle 

formed by Reims, Château-Thierry and 

Soissons, into the Allied lines.

In addition to a 30-mile gain straight 

toward the heart of France, the Germans 

captured 60,000 prisoners, 650 cannon 

and enormous quantities of supplies, 

ammunition and equipment. The situation 

looked very black for the Allies. Their 

rays of hope, however, were the rapid 

arrival of American troops, which were 

then pouring into France at the rate of 

about 9,000 per day, and their growing 

knowledge of the splendid dash and 

combat ability of the American soldiers, 

then being tested daily in battle.

These characteristics had been amply 

demonstrated by the troops of the 1st 

Division in its capture of Cantigny, north 

of Paris, on May 28, and in its retention of 

that place despite repeated counterattacks, 

as well as by the brilliant fighting of the 2d 

and 3d Divisions near Château-Thierry. 

They were finally proved beyond all 

doubt when the 2d Division, starting on 

the morning of June 6, struck back at the 

Germans and after prolonged and bitter 

fighting recaptured from them the strong 

positions of Belleau Wood, Bouresches and 

Vaux.

This fighting caused a change in the 

German opinion which up to that time 

had been frankly skeptical of the fighting 

ability of the American soldier and the 

driving power of American units. This 

change is illustrated by the following 

extracts from a communication issued 

on June 17 by the German corps which 

opposed the 2d Division and which had 

previously issued orders that as many 

casualties as possible be inf licted upon 

the Americans: “The personnel must 

be called excellent . . . The spirit of the 

troops is high . . . The 2d American 

Division can be rated as a very good 

division . . . The various attacks of the 

marines were carried out smartly and 

ruthlessly. The moral effect of our fire did 

not materially check the advance of the 

infantry. The nerves of the Americans are 

still unshaken.”

Although the Germans in their May 

attack made a deep penetration to the 

west and southwest of Reims, they failed 

in their efforts to capture that city and its 

important railway facilities. As a result, 

the 40 divisions which they had thrown 

into the salient were in a dangerous 

situation as they were mainly dependent 

for food, supplies and ammunition on one 

railroad through Soissons. This fact was 

realized by the American Commanderin-Chief who saw that if the heights south 

of that city were seized and held by the 

Allies the Germans would be deprived 

of the use of the railroad and would be 

compelled to retire from the Marne, thus 

removing the threat against Paris. He 

proposed that these heights be attacked 

and captured at once by American 

troops. The Allied Commander-in-Chief 

approved the idea of such an attack but 

felt that he was not yet ready to assume 

the offensive.

The German High Command also realized the dangerous position of its troops 
Vincelles on the 

Marne Under 

French Artillery 

Fire, June 1918. 

© G

German Reserves 

Advancing Close 

Behind the Assault 

Line at Chavignon, 

May 1918. © G

German Troops Just 

Before an Assault 

Near Fismes, on 

Terrain Untouched 

by the War, May 

1918. © G

Germans With a Trainload 

of Provisions Which Were 

Left by the French South of 

the Aisne, May 1918. © G

Part of a German Barge 

Battery of Heavy Artillery 

Firing on the Western 

Front, May 1918. © G

Sharing a Meal Abandoned 

by an English Officer on the 

Chemin des Dames Early 

on May 27, 1918. © G
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE–MARNE REGION 33

in the salient, and promptly undertook 

operations to relieve the situation. Consequently, on June 9 two German armies 

started an attack toward Compiègne, for 

which careful preparations had previously been made, in an 

attempt to widen the 

salient and to secure 

the use of the railroad 

between that place and 

Soissons. They met, 

however, determined 

resistance from the 

French and failed to 

reach their objective.

The next move of the 

Germans was to begin preparations for a 

great offensive on both 

sides of Reims, in the 

general direction of 

Epernay and Châlonssur-Marne. This attack 

was to capture Reims 

and the high ground to 

the south of it, and by 

so doing secure the use 

of another great trunk 

line railroad. The separation of the French 

forces defending Paris 

from those in the vicinity of Verdun was considered a possibility. 

A formidable array of 

three armies, totaling 

47 divisions, and an 

enormous amount of artillery were assembled, 

and nothing was left 

undone to provide both 

the troops and matériel 

considered necessary to 

break the French battle 

lines.

Meanwhile, the Allies 

were exerting every effort to prepare for 

the next German attack, and to discover 

where it would fall. In this last they were 

singularly successful, for not only did they 

learn the front to be attacked but they 

were also fortunate enough to determine 

the exact day and hour the offensive was 

scheduled to commence.

There were 26 American divisions in 

France on July 15 and the American 

and Allied strength was then superior 

to that of the Germans. 

The combat training of 

the American divisions 

was progressing well 

and seven were ready for 

battle operations, while 

five others were holding 

quiet sectors of the line. 

Thus 12 American divisions, the equivalent in 

numbers of 24 French, 

British or German divisions, were available for 

service in the front line.

With this increase in 

strength and with many 

more Americans on the 

way, General Foch definitely decided to attack 

the western face of the 

Marne salient, as had 

been previously proposed by General Pershing. In view of the enemy’s known intention to 

advance on both sides of 

Reims, this Allied offensive was of the greatest 

importance as it was to 

be launched against the 

most vulnerable part of 

the hostile line.

The task of drawing 

up the necessary plans 

for meeting the German 

assault and for the counterattack to be launched 

later, fell to General 

Pétain, the French Commander-in-Chief. He later stated that it would 

not have been possible to carry out the 

counterattack, which succeeded far beyond expectations, without the aid of the 

American troops.

To meet the German attack, General 

Pétain ordered that the front line be held 

Marshal Pétain, Commander-in-Chief 

French Armies, Picture taken at Chaumont, January 1919
34 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE–MARNE REGION

German Troops Ready for an Attack North of Compiègne, June 1918. © G

The Same Troops Jumping Off a Few Minutes Later. © G 
(35)

by weak detachments only, which were 

to retire before a strong hostile assault, 

and that the main resistance be made on 

the intermediate position 1 to 2 miles in 

rear of the front line. When the attack 

came, these tactics proved exceptionally 

successful and most of the heavy German 

artillery and trench-mortar preparatory 

fire was wasted on the abandoned French 

front-line trenches.

In addition the Allies profited by their 

knowledge of the hour of the German attack 

by starting their artillery bombardment 

about 30 minutes before the German 

artillery was scheduled to commence 

firing. The Allied bombardment caused 

heavy losses and much confusion in the 

ranks of the Germans assembled for the 

initial assault. Certain German units 

suffered so severely they had to be replaced 

before the attack began.

East of Reims, in the attack against 

the French Fourth Army, the hostile 

troops were heavily shelled upon reaching 

the abandoned front line, and upon 

approaching the intermediate position 

were met with withering fire and fierce 

counterattacks. The offensive there broke 

down all along the front. Southwest of 

Reims, the Germans succeeded in crossing 

the Marne and advancing on both banks 

of the river toward Epernay. When this 

attack was finally stopped, eight German 

divisions were south of the Marne in a 

small area between Epernay and Mézy.

In this defensive operation, the American 

soldiers still further distinguished 

themselves. The 42d Division, serving 

with the French Fourth Army, took part 

in the battle and fully measured up to the 

reputation of the Americans as splendid 

fighting men. The 369th Infantry of the 

93d Division was also with the French 

Fourth Army at that time, although not 

engaged in battle on the front of the main 

German attack.

A graphic representation of the operations 

now to be described is given on the map 

at the end of the chapter. It should be 

consulted in reading this narrative.

The 3d Division, in line along the 

Marne River from opposite Jaulgonne to 

Château-Thierry, was subjected to intense 

artillery fire and repeated assaults in the 

eastern part of its sector. The French unit 

on its right was compelled to give way, 

which made the task of the 3d Division 

extremely difficult. However, the Germans 

who succeeded in crossing the Marne on 

its front were counterattacked and driven 

back and by noon of the 16th, no enemy 

troops remained south of the Marne in the 

division sector, except on its extreme right 

flank where the front line was bent back to 

connect with the adjoining French division.

Elements of the 28th Division were in line 

with the French divisions on each side of 

Phosphorus Bomb Exploding

A Regimental Staff of the 4th Division in Conference 

Near the Vesle River, August 9, 1918
(36)

the 3d, and some of its units encountered 

extremely heavy fighting. Northwest of 

Château-Thierry, the front of the American 

I Corps, held by a French division and 

the American 26th Division, which had 

relieved the 2d in the sector between 

Vaux and Torcy, was subjected to a heavy 

bombardment. The 2d, which had suffered 

over 8,100 casualties in the fighting near 

Belleau Wood, and the 4th Division were 

in reserve to the west of the salient. The 1st 

Division was northeast of Paris.

On July 17 the German High Command 

ordered the offensive stopped. The 

assaulting troops had suffered tremendous 

losses and none of the important results 

expected had been obtained. 

Regardless of their terrific defeat, the 

German leaders were still determined to 

maintain the offensive, realizing that the 

American forces were rapidly increasing 

and that victory must be won quickly or 

not at all. The troops recently repulsed 

were directed to prepare to resume the 

attack as quickly as practicable, and plans 

for another offensive against the British 

Army were pushed.

The Allies, however, took immediate 

advantage of the German defeat and launched 

the previously prepared counteroffensive 

against the Aisne-Marne salient.

The French Fifth, Ninth, Sixth and Tenth 

Armies, in line from right to left on the 

front from Reims to Compiègne, were 

engaged. The Tenth Army, near Soissons, 

was designated to deliver the main attack. 

The spearhead of that Army was the French 

XX Corps, which was to capture the high 

ground south of Soissons. It consisted of 

the American 1st and 2d Divisions and 

the French 1st Moroccan Division. Its 

direction of attack was eastward over the 

plateau just south of Soissons and across 

the main railroad and road leading south 

from that place. The composition of 

the corps was such that four fifths of its 

numerical strength was American.

The concentration of troops was carried 

out with the utmost secrecy, the 1st and 

2d Divisions going into line only at the 

last minute. Some units of the 2d Division 

marched all night and then double-timed 

over muddy roads in the dark in order to 

jump off with the barrage. The assault was 

launched in the early morning of July 18 

and took the German troops by surprise.

The units of the 1st and 2d Divisions, 

with those of the 1st Moroccan 

Division between them, advanced with 

characteristic dash and vigor. They 

quickly pierced the hostile front lines, 

overran the forward artillery positions, 

3d Division Troops Entrucking Near Moulins
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE–MARNE REGION 37

and took many prisoners. By 8:00 a.m. 

they had advanced more than 3 miles 

and were in possession of ground which 

practically assured the success of the 

whole battle.

To the south, elements of the 4th Division 

attacking as a part of two French divisions 

in the Sixth Army, had progressed about 

2 miles by nightfall. Still farther south 

the 26th Division captured the villages 

of Belleau and Torcy. In the Ninth Army, 

the 3d Division, which was in line on the 

south bank of the Marne, did not attack 

that day. The 28th Division was near the 

3d in reserve.

As a result of the deep advance of the 

XX Corps on July 18, the situation of 

the German troops in the salient became 

most precarious and orders for a gradual 

withdrawal were issued by the German 

High Command that night. Reserves 

were sent to the south of Soissons with 

the utmost speed and orders were given 

to hold the ground there at all costs until 

the withdrawal from the salient could 

be accomplished. In fact, a disastrous 

defeat was certain if the American and 

French advance at that point could not 

be promptly and definitely checked.

The German retirement began on the 

night of July 19–20 with the evacuation of 

all ground south of the Marne. From then 

on, their withdrawal was conducted in 

successive stages, the Germans attempting 

to save what they could of the enormous 

quantities of supplies, ammunition and 

equipment in the salient. Intermediate 

positions were prepared and each one 

defended desperately until the pressure of 

the continued attacks against it forced a 

further withdrawal.

The 1st and 2d Divisions encountered 

fresh German troops on the 19th, but in 

spite of bitter opposition throughout the 

day both made important gains. The 2d 

Division surged forward about 2 miles to 

the Soissons–Château-Thierry highway 

but after severe fighting was forced back 

and established itself just west of Tigny, 

with the road about 1⁄2 mile away under 

the control of its guns. The division was 

relieved from the line that night by a 

French division. It had driven the enemy 

back 6 miles, captured 3,000 prisoners 

Oise

R.

Aisne

River

Vesle

River

River

River

Ourcq

Marne

Compiègne

Soissons

Reims

Epernay

Dormans

ChâteauMeaux Thierry

Main Attack August 6 July 18

(A.M.)

July

18

(A.M.)

N

0 5 10 15 20 Miles

French-American Counteroensive, July 18, 1918
2d Division Moving Up for the Attack on July 18, 1918

1st Division Artillery in Position Near Ploisy, July 20, 1918

Artillery Horses Assembled Near the Front Line Ready to Move Battery Forward, July 20, 1918
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE–MARNE REGION 39

and 75 guns, and in turn had suffered 

casualties of about 4,300 men.

On the following day, the attention of 

the 1st Division was directed particularly 

toward Berzy-le-Sec. That town had 

originally been in the zone of action of 

the adjacent French division which, after 

several attempts, had failed to capture 

it. The task was then turned over to the 

Americans. The fighting near the town 

was waged with the greatest fury, the 

1st Division capturing it on the 21st. 

On that same day the division crossed 

the Soissons–Château-Thierry highway 

which was one of the objectives of the 

Tenth Army attack. The division was 

relieved on the night of July 22, after five 

days in the line. It had advanced almost 

7 miles, captured 3,500 prisoners and 68 

guns from 7 different German divisions 

and suffered a loss of about 6,900 officers 

and men. The 1st and 2d Divisions on this 

battlefield wrote a most brilliant page in 

American military history.

While the struggle near Soissons was 

going on, the American troops with 

the French Sixth Army continued to 

advance. The units of the 4th Division, 

whose total losses were 2,100, gained an 

additional 2 miles before the last of its 

troops were relieved on the morning of 

July 21; and the 26th Division drove the 

Germans through the Bois de Bouresches 

and beyond, after hard fighting. 

Assisted part of the time by the 56th 

Infantry Brigade of the 28th Division, it 

continued the pursuit until the 24th of 

July, when it was stopped near La Croix 

Rouge Farm, having made an advance of 

10 miles and having suffered more than 

Line

of

July

18

(A.M.)

Line of July

18 (A.M.)

AISNE

SWITCH

LITTLE

BRIDGEHEAD

DORA

BERTA

CAESAR

BLUECHER

ALBERT

AISNE -VESLE

Soissons

Vailly

Dommiers

Buzancy

Billysur-Aisne

Droizy

Courchamps

Château-Thierry

Crézancy

Chartèves

le Charmel

Beuvardes

Nanteuil-

 Notre Dame

Epernay

Châtillonsur-Marne Nanteuilla-Fosse

Ste. Euphraise-

 et-Clairizet

Sergy

Coincy

Epaux-Bézu

Tinqueux

Vrigny Mareuil-en-Dôle

Fèreen-Tardenois Poilly

Fismes

Hermonville

Merval

Beaurieux

Aisne

River

Vesle

River

Ourcq River

Marne

River

REIMS

N

0 5 10 15 20 Miles

German Withdrawal Positions, Aisne–Marne Salient
40 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE–MARNE REGION

5,000 casualties during its service on the 

front line in this region.

On July 21 the 3d Division crossed the 

Marne River and joined the advance, 

capturing Mont St. Père that day and 

Jaulgonne on the following day. Steadily 

pressing on, it took Le Charmel during 

the 25th, after a bitter contest, and on 

the 28th crossed the Ourcq River and 

seized Ronchères. When it was withdrawn 

from the line on the 30th it had taken 

part in three major engagements and 

had advanced about 10 miles, Its losses, 

including those in the defensive operations 

along the Marne River, were, all told, 

nearly 6,600 officers and men.

The 42d Division, which relieved 

the 26th near La Croix Rouge Farm, 

succeeded in crossing the Ourcq on July 

28. Just north of that river it engaged in 

stubborn fighting, some points changing 

hands as many as four times. It captured 

Sergy and Seringes-et-Nesles and 

persistently fought its way forward until 

relieved on August 3 during the pursuit of 

the enemy toward the Vesle. The division 

was assisted part of this time by the 47th 

Infantry Regiment of the 4th Division. 

When taken out of the battle the 42d 

had advanced 7 miles and had suffered 

almost 6,500 casualties.

The 32d Division entered the line on 

July 30 on the right of the 28th Division, 

which had relieved a French division two 

days before. These two divisions delivered 

a combined attack on July 30 in which 

the 28th Division captured the Bois des 

Grimpettes, after which it passed into 

reserve, while the 32d continued in the 

offensive covering both divisional fronts.

On the following day the 32d took 

Cierges, and on August 1, after determined 

attacks, captured the important position 

of Les Jomblets, holding it against 

sustained and vicious counterattacks. 

On August 2 it took up the pursuit of the 

Germans, who had been forced to fall 

back to their next prepared line north of 

the Vesle River.

The 4th Division, which had relieved 

the 42d on August 3, and the 32d were 

now the only American divisions in line 

and they pushed forward side by side. On 

August 4 the 32d captured Fismes, on 

the south bank of the Vesle. During the 

next few days the 4th and 32d Divisions 

and the 6th Infantry Brigade of the 3d, 

which had entered the line to the right 

of the 32d, made determined attempts 

to establish bridgeheads north of the 

river. On August 7 the 32d Division was 

relieved by the 28th. It had advanced 11 

miles and lost almost 3,800 men. The 6th 

Infantry Brigade of the 3d Division was 

relieved on August 11, its losses having 

been approximately 600.

American Battery in Action Near Chéry-Chartreuve
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE–MARNE REGION 41

Meanwhile, on August 4 the American 

III Corps had taken command of the 

troops near Fismes, thus placing two 

American corps in line side by side for 

the first time in the war. The sectors of 

these corps comprised the entire front 

commanded by the French Sixth Army.

The reduction of the Aisne-Marne 

salient was completed when the American 

and Allied troops reached the Vesle 

River. The counterattack having achieved 

its purpose and the Germans having 

shown their intention to hold the line of 

the Vesle in force, the general attack on 

that front was stopped on August 6. The 

American troops, however, continued 

to exert pressure against the enemy. On 

August 10 the 28th Division succeeded 

in capturing Fismette, opposite Fismes. 

The 4th Division before being relieved on 

August 12, after having suffered about 

3,500 casualties, established a small force 

on the north bank of the Vesle River.

At the start of the counterattack, the 

Germans had 50 divisions between Reims 

and Compiègne. To withstand the Allied 

assault temporarily, they had been forced 

to throw 27 more divisions into the salient. 

During the same period the Allies had 

added 8 French and 3 American divisions 

to the 42 French, 6 American (equivalent 

of 12 French divisions), 4 British and 1 

Italian divisions which had previously 

been in line or in reserve in this region.

The results of this battle were most 

important. The threat against Paris was 

removed, important railroads were freed 

for Allied use, the American soldier 

proved to all concerned his ability as 

a fighter and it was obvious that the 

constantly increasing American forces 

were to be the decisive factor in the war. 

The attack south of Soissons completely 

changed the military situation. Thereafter 

the initiative was in the hands of the 

Allied Armies, and the Germans were 

forced into a defensive role and fought 

only to avert a serious disaster.

This situation made it possible for the 

American Commander-in-Chief to insist 

again upon the formation of an American 

combat army. After several conferences with 

General Foch an agreement was reached, 

and on August 10 the American First Army 

was organized and shortly thereafter the 

assembly of American divisions in the St. 

Mihiel region was begun.

In compliance with the desire of 

General Foch1 to retain some American 

units with the Allied Army, the 77th 

Division, which had relieved the 4th, and 

the 28th were allowed to remain in line 

1

 General Foch was made a Marshal of France on 

August 6, 1918, toward the conclusion of the fighting.

Main Bridge Between Fismes and Fismette Destroyed by the Retreating Germans
42 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE–MARNE REGION

on the Vesle, while the 32d was left in the 

area as a reserve under French orders.

With a view to continuing the pressure 

and giving the Germans no time to rest 

or reorganize, Allied operations were 

immediately planned against other 

portions of the front. The first of these, the 

Somme offensive, was begun by the British 

on August 3 against the salient immediately 

east of Amiens and was highly successful.

Then followed on August 18 the French 

Oise-Aisne offensive in the vicinity of 

Noyon for the purpose of flanking the 

German positions on the Vesle and Aisne 

Rivers and forcing them to be abandoned. 

This offensive succeeded in its purpose, 

aided to a large extent by the American 

32d Division which attacked from August 

23 to September 1, capturing the town 

of Juvigny in a brilliant assault and 

penetrating the hostile positions to a depth 

of 21⁄2 miles. The division was taken out of 

the line during September 2 after having 

suffered more than 2,600 casualties.

The progress of the Oise-Aisne offensive 

forced the Germans to retire from the 

Vesle on the night of September 3–4. 

The American 28th and 77th Divisions, 

which were still in line there, advanced in 

pursuit and attacked the new German line 

near the Aisne River. After a number of 

local successes the 28th was relieved on 

September 8, its total losses on the Ourcq 

and Vesle having been over 6,700 officers 

and men. The 77th was relieved later, 

on September 16, its casualties having 

totaled nearly 4,800, and both divisions 

moved eastward to take part in the MeuseArgonne operations of the American First 

Army which occurred shortly afterward.

During the latter part of September the 

370th Infantry of the 93d Division served 

in the line north of Vauxaillon, as a part 

of the French 59th Division, and made a 

substantial advance. It remained in line 

until about the middle of October, when 

it was relieved. It reentered the battle on 

November 5 and participated in the pursuit 

of the German Army. The activities of this 

regiment concluded the American fighting 

in the Aisne-Marne region.

During the severe battles in this area, a 

total American force of about 310,000 men, 

which comprised two corps headquarters, 

nine divisions, air units, heavy artillery, 

medical troops and transportation units, 

served with the Allies and suffered losses 

of more than 67,000.

While some American units attracted 

special attention due to their greater 

experience and the importance of their 

objectives, yet the reputations of all American 

divisions which served in this region were 

enhanced by their gallant conduct in battle, 

and they received unstinted praise from all, 

especially the French.

American Unit Entraining at Château-Thierry
(43)

THIS tour, which is a long one, begins and ends at Paris. It can be completed 

in ten hours if care is taken not to spend 

too much time at interesting points. To save 

time lunch should be carried.

Soissons is suggested as a stopping place 

for those who desire to spend more than 

one day in the area. It is on the described 

route and from there one can conveniently 

reach the French battlefields along the 

Chemin des Dames, and those of the 

American 32d Division near Juvigny and 

the 370th Infantry, 93d Division, in the 

vicinity of Vauxaillon.

The data given on pages 520–521 will be 

helpful to those following this tour.

The narrative at the beginning of the 

chapter should be kept in mind and the 

map at the end consulted so that the 

various operations which took place in 

the region of this tour will be more clearly 

understood by the tourist.

The speedometer distances given are for 

general reference and are not essential in 

following this tour. They may, however, 

be helpful in a few places and for that 

reason it is suggested that at the bridge in 

La Ferté-sous-Jouarre the tourist set his 

speedometer to agree with the distance 

which appears in the text.

When following this itinerary, unless 

contrary road instructions are given, the 

tourist should continue straight ahead.

EN ROU T E PA R IS TO NOR T H OF 

LUCY-LE-BOCAGE

(0 m 0 km) Leave vicinity of the Place de 

l’Opéra in Paris on Rue Lafayette.

Follow Highway N–3 through Claye and 

Meaux to La Ferté-sous-Jouarre. For a 

considerable distance beyond Paris, N–3 is 

indicated on street signs as the Rue de Paris.

(18.3 m 29.4 km) Claye is the point 

nearest Paris reached by hostile patrols 

during the German advance in 1914.

(24.1 m 38.8 km) About 5 miles beyond 

Claye, near the right side of the road, is seen 

a monument to Marshal Gallieni whose 

famous “taxicab army” hurried forward 

from Paris to this vicinity in September 

1914 to aid in stopping the progress of the 

German Armies.

(27.5 m 44.2 km) At entrance to Meaux, 

at main road fork, take right branch.

Meaux was near the battle line for 

several days in 1914 during the First 

Battle of the Marne. Desperate fighting 

took place immediately to the north of it. 

An interesting old cathedral is seen to 

the left of the road in the center of town.

A monument, consisting of a colossal 

statuary group, to commemorate the First 

Battle of the Marne is located a short 

distance northeast of Meaux. It was erected 

by Americans with funds raised in America. 

To visit, just before reaching far side of 

Meaux turn left on main road to Soissons 

(N-36) and proceed 1⁄2 mile to monument. 

Time required for side trip—10 minutes.

Monument Near Meaux

to Marshal Gallieni

Erected by the City of Paris

A TOUR OF THE A MER ICA N BAT TLEF IELDS 

IN THE AISNE-MARNE REGION
(44)

(30.9 m 49.7 km) At 

Trilport the route goes 

over the historic Marne 

River on a masonry 

bridge parts of which 

were destroyed by 

the French in 1814, 

1870 and again in 

1914 to hinder the 

march toward Paris of 

invading armies. Small 

plates on the righthand wall record the 

dates of the destruction 

and reconstruction.

(39.6 m 63.7 km) In 

La Ferté-sous-Jouarre, 

turn to the left at the 

large monument.

This monument is to the unknown dead 

of the British Expeditionary Force which 

landed in France during August 1914. It 

was here that this British force, after 

its memorable retreat from near Mons, 

struck back with vigor at the German 

divisions in the First Battle of the Marne.

To the left of the bridge, on the river 

banks, are markers which indicate the 

place where British troops recrossed the 

river on a temporary bridge, built by the 

Royal Engineers while under hostile fire. 

The American I Corps Headquarters 

was located in this town from June 18 to 

July 21, and from August 13 to August 18. 

American First Army Headquarters 

was organized here on August 10, 1918. 

It remained but a short time, moving to 

Neufchâteau three days later.

(39.7 m 63.9 km) Cross the Marne River 

and continue toward Château-Thierry still 

following Highway N-3.

(45.5 m 73.2 km) Montreuil-aux-Lions

was the Headquarters of the 2d Division 

during the early part of its fighting in the 

vicinity of Belleau Wood.

(47.1 m 75.8 km) Just after leaving town, 

on the right is seen a British military 

cemetery. A large cross of the type erected 

therein is the distinguishing feature of 

each British World War military cemetery. 

Most of the soldiers buried here fell in 

September 1914.

The infantry of the American 2d 

Division detrained at Montreuil-auxLions while hurrying forward to enter 

the battle line near Belleau Wood. They 

reported this road crowded and, in some 

places, blocked with French civilians and 

troops endeavoring to get out of the way 

of the German advance.

(49.6 m 79.8 km) At the next bend in the 

road, about 2 miles farther on, is a large 

group of buildings called Paris Farm. 

This farm was several miles in rear of the 

battle line during June and July, and was 

subjected to frequent bombardments by 

German heavy artillery.

(51.0 m 82.1 km) About a mile farther on, 

Monument Erected

Northeast of Meaux to

Commemorate the

First Battle of the Marne

in 1914

Assault Unit of 26th Division in Attack on Torcy at 4:35 a. m., July 18, 1918
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE–MARNE REGION 45

turn to the left toward Belleau Wood.

(51.8 m 83.3 km) In the valley just before 

reaching the next village, Lucy-le-Bocage,

a culvert is crossed near which medical 

officers of the United States Navy, 

attached to the Marine Brigade of the 2d 

Division, maintained a dressing station. 

Many of the division wounded were 

treated here and sent to the rear along the 

small valley to the left.

(52.1 m 83.8 km) Lucy-le-Bocage was 

completely destroyed by German shellfire 

during the fighting near by. 

The boulder marker, seen at the left side 

of the road just before reaching the church, 

is one of many such markers erected by 

the 2d Division after the Armistice, on or 

near its battlefields.

(52.4 m 84.3 km) At the crest of the first 

hill beyond the village, STOP.

Face down the road, which direction is 

approximately north. (See sketch above.)

If view to the right front is obstructed for 

any reason climb bank at left of road.

Belleau Wood is the nearest wood seen 

to the right front and right. The observer 

is standing on the line from which the first 

attack against it was launched by the 2d 

Division.

During the last days of May 1918 a 

powerful German offensive had broken 

through the Chemin des Dames front and 

German troops were advancing rapidly 

toward the Marne River. The Allied 

situation was critical and reserves from all 

parts of the Western Front were promptly 

rushed to this region.

Among the troops hurriedly moved here 

was the American 2d Division, which 

included one brigade of marines. Arriving 

on June 1, it was assigned a battle 

position with its center near this point. 

All available men immediately began 

digging trenches and otherwise preparing 

XX

XX

XX

XX

XX

XX

Bois de Bourbetin

June 4

June 4

July 10

June 5–14

June 15

(A.M.)

– July 10

(A.M.)

June 4

June 4

July 10 (A.M.)

June

4 – July 10 (A.M.)

Marigny Champillon

Lucy-le-Bocage

Coupru Monneaux

Vaux

Bouresches

Belleau

Torcy Givry

Mares

Farm

Paris Farm

Triangle

Gonétrie

Farm

Brusses Farm

TO CHÂTÊAUTHIERRY

TO PARIS

Aisne-Marne

American

Cemetery

Bois

des Clerembauts

B. de la

Côte 192

Hill 193

Bois de

Bouresches

Bois de

la Roche

Hill 204

Bellea

u

Wood

N

0 1000 2000 3000 Yards Route, described in text

Stop, described in text

Line of June 4 Line of July 10 XX Division Boundary

2d Division Operations, June 4–July 10, 1918

(7th Infantry, 3d Div. Attached June 15–23)
46 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE–MARNE REGION

for defense, the Germans at the time 

being delayed by French detachments in 

positions on the near slopes of the line of 

hills seen in the distance approximately 2 

miles away to the right front.

The front line organized by the division 

ran around the wood seen on top of the hill 

about 600 yards to the left front, included 

this point, and continued on to the right 

rear passing around the buildings of 

Triangle, seen on the hillside a mile away 

in that direction. It then crossed the main 

highway which the tour has been following 

from Paris, thus blocking the direct road 

to that important place.

Small advance groups of the enemy 

came in contact with that section of the 

American line near Triangle on June 2 and 

during the next day a determined assault 

against the left of the 2d Division position 

was repulsed with heavy losses. On June 

4 the entire front line of the division was 

engaged and on that day the advance of 

the German forces in this region was 

definitely stopped.

The German High Command, upon 

hearing of the presence of American 

troops on this important battle front, 

directed that they be denied any success 

whatsoever and that as much damage 

as possible be inf licted upon them. 

Consequently, as the Americans were 

determined to regain certain strong 

points which the Germans had captured, 

the fighting near here was very bitter and 

the casualties on both sides were out of 

all proportion to the amount of ground 

which finally changed hands.

During the morning of June 6, the first 

of the many 2d Division attacks in this 

vicinity was launched from its line on 

the far side of the wood to the left front. 

This attack, made in conjunction with the 

French, resulted in a gain of about 1⁄2 mile. 

That afternoon a powerful assault against 

Belleau Wood was made from here and 

succeeded in obtaining a foothold in that 

part of the wood seen to the right. While 

advancing across the open fields to the 

right front, heavy casualties were suffered. 

During the course of the attack the village 

of Bouresches to the right at the foot of 

this hill, but not visible, was captured and 

held in spite of five determined attempts 

made by the Germans during the next few 

days to recapture it.

French Refugees Fleeing From the Germans During the Advance of May 1918
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE–MARNE REGION 47

Belleau Wood, which is shaped somewhat 

like a distorted hour glass, with the lower 

or southern section to the right of here 

and the larger upper or northern section 

to the observer’s right front, was the scene 

of prolonged and bitter struggles in which 

the 7th Infantry of the 3d Division and 

engineer troops of the 2d Division, acting 

as infantry, assisted for a brief period 

before its capture was finally completed 

many days later.

Severe fighting took place in the 

southern part of Belleau Wood on 

June 7 and 8, but all efforts to advance 

resulted in only minor gains. The wood 

was abandoned on the 9th to permit 

the artillery to concentrate its fire on 

the German positions there without 

endangering American troops, and on the 

10th a determined attack was launched 

against the wood from the line to the 

right of here. This regained the positions 

previously held but in spite of every effort 

the troops were unable to progress farther. 

Consequently, on June 11 another attack 

against the entire wood was launched from 

near here in the direction of the observer’s 

right front. The assaulting units entered 

the northern part of the wood and took 

the enemy in the f lank and rear. This 

resulted in many captures and hand-tohand combats. Elements of the attacking 

force reached the far edge of the wood 

where they themselves were attacked in 

the rear. The fighting continued violently 

throughout the day, the Germans 

making two organized counterattacks 

by fresh battalions. That night no part 

of the northern section of the wood was 

retained, although the southern section, 

to the right of here, was for the first time 

entirely occupied.

On June 12 the northern section of the 

wood was again attacked and about one 

third of it taken. From that day on the 

fighting in it was fierce and furious. 

Counterattacks followed attacks as each 

side, determined not to yield an inch, 

stubbornly defended its positions. The 

casualties were heavy as the artillery 

executed prolonged bombardments and 

the machine guns took their toll. In the 

end, however, the determination of the 

Americans prevailed and Belleau Wood, 

after a bitter struggle on June 25, was 

definitely cleared of the enemy.

On July 1, following a terrific 24-hour 

bombardment, the town of Vaux, to the 

American Reserves Passing Through La Ferté-sous-Jouarre En Route to the Front, July 1918
48 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE–MARNE REGION

right rear from here beyond the large 

wood in the distance, was captured by the 

infantry and engineers of the 2d Division 

in a perfectly executed attack, with but 

few losses to themselves.

During the fighting on June 6 to the 

left front, Gunnery Sergeant Charles F. 

Hoffman, Marine Corps, 2d Division, 

performed the feat for which he was awarded 

the Congressional Medal of Honor, the 

highest award for bravery given by the 

American Government. Immediately after 

his company had reached its objective, 

several hostile counterattacks were 

launched against it. Sergeant Hoffman was 

attempting to organize the new position 

when he saw 12 of the enemy, armed with 

five light machine guns, crawling toward 

his group. Giving the alarm, he rushed 

the hostile detachment, bayoneted the 

two leaders, and forced the others to flee, 

abandoning their guns. His quick action, 

initiative and courage drove the enemy 

from a place where they could have swept 

the hill with machine-gun fire and forced 

the withdrawal of his company.

The splendid conduct of the 2d Division 

in fighting the enemy to a standstill on 

this front, in spite of a casualty list of 

approximately 8,100 officers and men, was 

widely and enthusiastically proclaimed 

by the French Army and the people of 

France.

EN ROUTE NORTH OF LUCY-LE-BOCAGE 

TO BELLEAU WOOD

(52.6 m 84.6 km) At the road junction 200 

yards ahead, turn to the right.

(53.5 m 86.1 km) At the flagpole in the 

center of Belleau Wood, STOP.

This wood, officially called by the 

French the Bois de la Brigade de Marine 

in honor of the unit mainly responsible for 

its capture, is now owned by the United 

States Government. It is being maintained 

as a memorial to all American troops who 

fought in Europe during the World War. 

It is the only place on this tour where 

evidences of the fighting still exist to any 

extent, as the other battlefields of this 

section of France again have been placed 

under intensive cultivation.

The remains of trenches and various 

relics of the war may be seen by walking 

through the wood, and a visit to the small 

museum will disclose many interesting 

Belleau Wood

Note the field crossed by the 2d Division in its first attack against the wood
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE–MARNE REGION 49

weapons and articles of equipment, a 

large number of which were found near by.

The large cleared space near the 

museum and that part of the wood beyond 

the clearing were captured on June 25 in 

an assault launched at 5 o’clock in the 

afternoon. An artillery bombardment 

of 14 hours preceded this attack, during 

which many thousands of shells of all 

calibers were poured into this small area. 

The fighting lasted well into the night 

before this part of Belleau Wood, the last 

section of the wood to be captured, was 

finally in the hands of the 2d Division. 

The importance of the American success 

in this region is indicated by the following 

extract from a statement which a German 

division commander published to his 

troops who were engaged in the fighting:

“Should the Americans on our front even 

temporarily gain the upper hand, it would 

have a most unfavorable effect for us as 

regards the morale of the Allies and the 

duration of the war. In the fighting that 

now confronts us, we are not concerned 

about the occupation or non-occupation 

of this or that unimportant wood or 

village, but rather with the question as 

to whether Anglo-American propaganda 

that the American Army is equal to or 

even superior to the German, will be 

successful.”

EN ROU T E BELLE AU WOOD TO A ISNEMARNE AMERICAN CEMETERY

(53.6 m 86.2 km) While proceeding 

through Belleau Wood, note the uneven 

character of the terrain and the tangled 

undergrowth which greatly hindered the 

advance of the American troops.

(54.0 m 86.9 km) Soon after leaving the 

wood another 2d Division boulder marker 

is passed and shortly thereafter to the 

left is seen the Aisne-Marne American 

Cemetery. The church passed near the 

corner of the cemetery is one restored 

by an association of veterans of the 26th 

Division as a memorial to that division.

(54.5 m 87.7 km) Beyond the church, turn 

to the left into the cemetery.

The building on the right of the driveway 

contains a reception room for the 

convenience of visitors and the office of the 

superintendent in charge of the cemetery. 

Inquiries concerning the location of a 

particular grave should be made at this 

office. The building on the left is the 

residence of the cemetery superintendent.

German Combat Group Working Its Way Forward, May 1918. © G
General View of Aisne-Marne American Cemetery Near Belleau
This cemetery, laid out in a sweeping 

curve at the foot of the hill upon which 

stands Belleau Wood, contains 2,288 

graves. The majority of those buried 

here are from units which fought in the 

immediate vicinity and along the Marne 

River. Some hundreds of bodies, however, 

were moved here in 1922 from wartime 

cemeteries in the general vicinity of Lyon 

and Clermont in central France.

From the center of the hillside rises 

the memorial chapel, a striking example 

of French Romanesque architecture. 

Over its entrance is carved the figure 

of a crusader in armor, f lanked by the 

shields of the United States and France. 

The decorative sculpture of the door and 

window openings is of trench scenes and 

articles of military equipment. Around 

the top of the tower runs a frieze of shields 

upon which are carved the insignia of 

the American corps and divisions which 

participated in the operations that took 

place in the Aisne-Marne region.

The crowning feature of the interior is 

the exquisitely carved and gilded altar, the 

Airplane View of Aisne-Marne Cemetery

Altar of Chapel

Door of Chapel

Entrance to Cemetery
(52)

solemn beauty of which is heightened by 

the effect of the three beautiful stainedglass windows above it. These represent 

St. Michael triumphing over the powers 

of evil, St. Louis the great crusader, and 

St. Denis the patron saint of France. The 

transept windows are decorated with coats 

of arms of the United States and Allied 

nations and the insignia of American 

divisions and higher units that fought in 

the Aisne-Marne region. The walls are 

inscribed with the names of American 

soldiers and marines who are carried on 

the rolls as missing in the operations of 

the vicinity.

A door in the chapel gives access to a 

circular stairway leading to the tower 

from which an excellent view of the 

surrounding country may be obtained.

Climb the chapel stairs and go to the front 

window at the upper landing, which faces 

approximately north.

The general view of the cemetery 

obtained from this point is superb.

The direction arrows on the window 

ledges should be used to locate the places 

mentioned below. The map at the end of the 

chapter should also be consulted.

The chapel stands directly over frontline 

trenches dug by the 2d Division as part of 

the defenses of Belleau Wood after it was 

captured on June 25.

The ground in front of here to the foot 

of the high ridge, Hill 193, and to the right 

as far as the eye can see was captured by 

troops of the American 26th Division 

during July in severe fighting.

The 26th Division relieved the 2d 

Division on a line passing through this 

point on July 10. Its front line was then 

about 5 miles long. On this part of the 

front it faced in the direction the observer 

is now facing but to the right of here it 

followed around the edge of Belleau Wood, 

as the crosses do now, and thus changed 

direction so as to face approximately east. 

The division while serving here was with 

the American I Corps.

When the great French-American 

counteroffensive against the Marne 

salient started on July 18, the 26th was on 

Machine Gun Unit of the 26th Division Going into Action Near Belleau, July 19, 1918

Hunting Lodge in Belleau Wood
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE–MARNE REGION 53

the right f lank of the attack. It advanced 

on the first day in spite of terrific fire 

from Hill 193, which was in the zone of 

action of the French division on its left, 

and captured Torcy, seen in the trees to 

the left front, Belleau just outside the 

cemetery gate, and Givry, just beyond the 

church. The Germans on Hill 193 held out 

against the French attacks for three days 

and during this time poured a deadly fire 

into the American troops below them. The 

precarious and difficult position of these 

troops is evident from here and too much 

credit can not be given to the men of the 

division for holding to their gains.

Go to right (east) window of tower.

The isolated group of buildings to the 

left front is called Les Brusses Farm. It is 

situated near the end of a long ridge which 

runs to the right and gradually increases 

in height until La Gonétrie Farm, seen to 

the front on the top of the hill, is reached. 

The near slopes and wooded areas on 

that ridge were such as to afford ideal 

positions for the German troops who were 

defending it.

In the assault of July 18, units of the 

26th Division reached the valley on this 

side of the ridge but severe fire from it 

and Hill 193 forced them back to Belleau 

Wood. It was during that attack that 

Private First Class George Dilboy of the 

26th Division won the Congressional 

Medal of Honor. After an advance he was 

reconnoitering the ground in front with 

his platoon leader when a machine gun 

suddenly opened fire on them from 100 

yards. From a standing position, fully 

exposed to view, he returned the fire 

at once. He then rushed forward, with 

bayonet fixed, falling within 25 yards of 

the gun with his right leg nearly severed 

and other wounds in his body. With 

undaunted courage and gallantry, he 

continued to fire from a prone position 

killing part of the machine gun crew and 

dispersing the rest. Private Dilboy died 

on the field of his exploits.

On July 20 the division attacked along 

its entire front and captured, after fierce 

fighting, La Gonétrie Farm and the 

Bois de Bouresches, the wood seen to 

the right of the farm. The ridge between 

Les Brusses Farm and La Gonétrie Farm 

was not taken on that day due to heavy 

machine-gun fire from it and enfilade fire 

Hunting Lodge in Belleau Wood

German Prisoners Captured at Belleau Wood
54 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE–MARNE REGION

from the top of Hill 193.

That night the Germans withdrew to 

a new line, and on July 21 the division 

advanced over the ridge which had caused 

them so much trouble and continued 

on about 5 miles, meeting for the most 

part but little opposition. A severe twoday struggle then followed near Epieds 

before the enemy again withdrew to a 

new position.

On July 25 the 26th Division was 

relieved by the 42d Division. During 

the 15 days it had served in line on this 

front the casualties of the division were 

approximately 5,000 officers and men.

Go to opposite (west) window of tower.

The village to the right front on top of 

the ridge is Hautevesnes and to the right 

of it also on the ridge is Courchamps. 

Elements of the American 4th Division 

assisted in the capture of both of those 

places in bitter fighting on July 18.

The 4th Division, except for its artillery 

and one infantry brigade, was attached to 

the French 164th Division for the July 18 

assault. In addition to the elements which 

fought at Hautevesnes and Courchamps, 

other units beyond Hautevesnes 

vigorously advanced about 2 miles.

Still farther along the front, about 

7 miles beyond Hautevesnes, the 7th 

Infantry Brigade of the 4th Division was 

serving with the French 33d Division. 

Units of it attacked with the French on 

July 18, cleaned out the strong German 

positions in the wood, Buisson de Cresnes, 

and by nightfall had captured Noroy-surOurcq which was about 2 miles within the 

hostile lines. (See map on next page.)

On July 19 the elements of the 4th 

Division which were still in line attacked 

against heavy machine-gun resistance 

and extended the gains of the previous 

day. These units were relieved from the 

battle during the early morning of July 21. 

The total casualties of the division, whose 

units had efficiently performed their 

missions during this fighting, were 2,100.

The center of the front of attack of the 

American 1st and 2d Divisions in the July 

18 counteroffensive was about 14 miles 

Part of Belleau Wood Soon After Its Capture

by the 2d Division

ChézyenOrxois

Chevillon

Hautevesnes

Priez

Courchamps

Sommelans

Pétret Farm

July

Orme Signal

18

(A.M.)

July 18

19

20–

July

21

July

(A.M.)

II

II II

II

II

II

II

II

II

II

II

II

II

II

II

Hill

172

Bois des

Démons

Bois

de la Folie

les

Sept Bois

Bois

de Leipzig

Bois

Pétret

Bois de l’Orme

N 0 500 1000 1500 2000 Yards

II Jump-o Line Front Line Battalion Boundary

Elements of 4th Division with French 164th Division, July 18–21, 1918
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE–MARNE REGION 55

beyond Courchamps, the attack being 

made across the observer’s line of vision 

in the direction from left to right. 

Belleau Wood is the wood close to the 

chapel in rear and on both sides of it.

EN ROU T E A ISN E-M A R N E A M ER ICA N 

CE M E T ERY TO MON U M EN T 

ON HILL 204

Opposite the cemetery gate is seen a 

form of marker which has been placed 

on most of the roads of France and 

Belgium to indicate the farthest advance 

of the German Armies in 1918. This one 

is incorrectly placed, the Germans having 

been in possession of all of Belleau Wood.

(54.7 m 88.0 km) Turn right at cemetery 

gate and continue straight ahead.

(55.1 m 88.7 km) Bouresches, captured by 

the 2d Division on June 6, is soon visible 

to the right front.

(55.4 m 89.1 km) When road starts to 

dip into deep valley, to the left across the 

valley is seen a closer view of the Les 

Brusses Farm–La Gonétrie Farm ridge 

mentioned at the last stop. The Germans 

on part of this ridge held out for three 

days in spite of the determined assaults 

of the 26th Division. 

(55.8 m 89.8 km) On far side of valley, the 

road climbs up a slope stormed by troops 

of the 26th Division on July 20.

(57.0 m 91.7 km) After ascending hill, the 

first buildings seen to the right are those of 

La Gonétrie Farm, captured by the 26th 

Division as the result of hard fighting 

during July 20.

(57.4 m 92.4 km) Beyond the farm, the 

advance of the 26th Division on July 21 

was generally from right to left across this 

road. Its zone of action extended as far as 

the next main road crossing, now marked 

by the entrance pylons to the American 

monument on Hill 204.

(59.3 m 95.4 km) Cross main highway and 

proceed to the site of the monument.

Troësnes

Ancienville

Noroysur-Ourcq Chouy

ST. FRONT

TO NEUILLY

TO NEUILLY ST. FRONT

TO VILLERS-COTTERÊTS

of Advance

XX XX

XX XX

XX

III

III

III

III

July 19- 20 A( M. .)

Direction

July

18 (A.M.)

July 18

Savières

River

Buisson de Cresnes

N

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 Yards

Jump o Line Front Line XX Division Boundary III Regimental Boundary

Elements of 4th Division with French 33d Division, July 18-20, 1918

Band, 5th Marines, 2d Division
Airplane View of East Face of Aisne-Marne American Memorial Near Château-Thierry
This impressive memorial was erected 

by the United States Government to 

commemorate the American fighting 

in the Aisne-Marne region and the 

friendship and cooperation of the French 

and American forces during the war.

The two sculptured figures at the 

center of the colonnade are symbolic of 

France and the United States. The names 

inscribed above the columns are those 

of places where important American 

fighting occurred. Inside the colonnade 

at the closed ends are marble tablets upon 

which appear inscriptions giving a brief 

résumé of all of the American fighting in 

this general vicinity.

From the terrace of the monument, a 

wonderful view of the Marne River valley 

is obtained. On this terrace is located an 

orientation table giving distances and 

directions to various places and above 

it is an ornamental map of the region 

showing the ground gained by American 

troops on July 18 and thereafter. Along 

the walls on each side of the map are 

carved the names and wartime insignia of 

the corps and divisions whose services are 

commemorated at this place.

Jean de la Fontaine, who was born 

in Château-Thierry, is said to have 

written a number of his fables on this 

hill. Napoleon, just prior to the battle 

West Face of Aisne-Marne American Cemetery

Symbolic Eagle and Ornamental Map

Aisne-Marne Memorial
58 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE–MARNE REGION

of Montmirail, camped his army in this 

neighborhood. The old main highway to 

Paris passed through this spot.

The following description of the 

American fighting in this vicinity has 

been written to be read while on the main 

terrace of the monument.

The large town which is seen about a 

mile away, located on both sides of the 

Marne River, is Château-Thierry.

Face its tall, square church tower, which 

direction is approximately east.

Just beyond and to the left of the church 

are the tree-covered ruins of the old 

château which gave the town its name. 

During the critical days of late May 1918, 

when the German troops were advancing 

rapidly in this direction, the American 

3d Division was training in an area some 

distance to the southeast of here. As the 

hostile rush continued and the gravity 

of the situation became more apparent, 

this division, which had had no frontline experience, was hurriedly moved 

up and thrown into the line in scattered 

detachments near Château-Thierry, to 

assist in preventing the Germans from 

crossing the Marne River.

The 7th Machine Gun Battalion of that 

division arrived late in the evening of May 

31, about the time the German troops were 

entering the northern (left) outskirts of 

Château-Thierry, and took up a position 

along the south (right as seen from here) 

bank of the river to defend the crossings 

in town. Two guns of that unit were sent 

to assist French detachments fighting just 

beyond the château and, though orders 

for their withdrawal had been issued, they 

were still there when during the night of 

June 1 the highway bridge was blown up 

by the French to prevent the Germans 

from crossing. Arriving at the bridge 

just after it had been destroyed, the men 

who had manned these two machine 

guns resolutely fought their way to the 

railroad bridge where they and their 

French comrades, after a hand-to-hand 

conf lict with German infantry, succeeded 

in recrossing.

This machine gun battalion of the 3d 

Division, assisted by French troops, 

prevented the Germans from crossing the 

river in town and inf licted exceptionally 

heavy losses on them.

It was due to this spirited defense, to the 

gallant stand of the 2d Division in the area 

just visited and to the desperate efforts of 

Main Bridge at Château-Thierry, Blown Up by French to Prevent Germans From Crossing
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE–MARNE REGION 59

the French units that the German advance 

on this front was definitely stopped on 

June 4. The hostile front line at that time 

did not cross the Marne River but did 

include all of this hill.

On June 6 and 7 the French 10th Colonial 

Division with the 30th Infantry of the 

3d Division attached, starting about 11⁄2 

miles to the right of here, launched two 

attacks against this hill and succeeded in 

gaining a foothold on top of it. The 4th 

Infantry, 3d Division, later in June, held 

a front-line position in the wood behind 

here for a few days.

The 3d Division held the south bank 

of the river from Château-Thierry on 

as far as the eye can see during part of 

June and July, the German lines being 

on the other bank. Its activities until 

July 15 consisted mainly in preparing its 

own position for defense and in sending 

an occasional patrol across the river to 

capture prisoners and attempt to secure 

information concerning the enemy troops.

On July 1 small units of the 111th 

Infantry, 28th Division, and on July 6 

elements of the 111th and 112th Infantry 

Regiments, 28th Division, assisted the 

French in local attacks which gained 

some ground in front of here. On July 6 

the small wood, Bois de Courteau, seen 

directly ahead on this slope, was captured. 

On the night of July 8–9, the Germans 

recaptured that wood in an attack during 

the course of which four companies of the 

28th Division became engaged.

As a result of the French-American 

counteroffensive which began on July 18 

south of Soissons, the Germans withdrew 

from this vicinity during the night of July 

20–21. They were immediately pursued by 

the troops on this front.

EN ROUTE MONUMENT ON HILL 2 0 4 

TO NEAR MÉZY

(61.0 m 98.1 km) Return to main highway, 

turn sharply to the right and continue into 

the town of Château-Thierry.

American Troops in Public Square of Château-Thierry After Its Capture, July 1918
(60)

(63.0 m 101.4 km) Just before reaching the 

main bridge in Château-Thierry, on the left

is a building containing a small museum 

of war relics, and near it is a monument 

erected by the 3d Division.

(63.1 m 101.5 km) Cross the river. 

From bridge, to the right in the distance

can be seen the monument on Hill 204.

(63.6 m 102.3 km) Beyond the viaduct over 

the railroad, turn to the left.

(65.0 m 104.6 km) Beyond the town, for 

the next few miles the tour runs near the 

Marne River, which winds its way in the 

valley to the left of this road.

(65.2 m 104.9 km) The high ridge seen to 

the left is on the opposite side of the river. 

German observation posts there kept 

close watch of the American activities 

near this road. All suspicious movements 

were communicated to German batteries 

concealed in woods and ravines in rear 

of the ridge and the places concerned 

on this side were generally subjected to 

immediate shellfire.

(67.0 m 107.8 km) Near first sharp left 

bend in road is the village of Fossoy. This 

was close to the west f lank of the last 

great German offensive of the war, which 

started on July 15. That part of the 3d 

Division in the area seen to the left front 

was caught by the full force of the assault 

units of the powerful German attack.

(67.6 m 108.8 km) From top of first hill 

beyond Fossoy, to the left about 1⁄2 mile 

away are seen two farms. The troops of 

the 3d Division defending those places 

on July 15 fought to the last man. The few 

Germans who then advanced beyond this 

road were later either killed or captured 

by the American troops.

The area where units of the 28th Division 

assisted the French in stopping the German 

advance on July 15 lies about 4 miles 

southeast of the next village, Crézancy. 

To visit, at second street in Crézancy, turn 

right and travel via St. Eugène, Monthurel, 

Celles-les-Condé to St. Agnan. Consult 

map on page 65 before starting. To complete 

a loop and to visit the sectors held by units of 

the 28th Division along the Marne continue 

through St. Agnan toward Dormans. Upon 

joining main highway near Dormans turn 

left and follow it to Crézancy. Rejoin the 

tour there. Length of detour about 18 miles. 

Amount of time required—1 hour.

(68.7 m 110.5 km) Soon after entering the 

next town, Crézancy, turn sharply to the 

left on the road to Mézy.

Crézancy was never captured by the 

Germans although the other side of 

Surmelin Creek valley, seen to the right, 

was in their possession for four days, and 

during two days fighting occurred in rear 

(south) of the town on the high ground 

across the creek from it.

(69.6 m 112.0 km) At first crossroads 

beyond the village cemetery, STOP.

In this vicinity occurred some of the 

most desperate fighting of the war.

Face down the road which direction is 

approximately north.

Except for Moulins Ridge, seen directly 

to the right, all other hills on the horizon 

to the front and sides are on the opposite 

bank of the Marne River and were in 

German hands on July 14.

The German attack of July 15, their last 

great offensive, involved a 50-mile front 

from near here to beyond Reims.

3d Division Monument at Château-Thierry

Machine Gun, 3d Division, in Position

 at Château-Thierry, June 1, 1918
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE–MARNE REGION 61

In this vicinity the 3d Division held the 

line of the river from Moulins Ridge to 

Château-Thierry, 5 miles away to the left.

On the evening of July 14, prisoners 

were captured east of Reims from whom 

it was learned that the long-expected 

German offensive would begin shortly 

after midnight. Taking full advantage of 

TO CHÂTEAU-THIERRY

Chartèves

Barzy

Marcilly

Rozay Varennes

Mézy Courtemont

Varennes

Gland

Fossoy

Blesmes

Crézancy Paroy

Launay Echamps

Passy

Moulins

Reuilly

Moulin Ruiné

Signal

Bretonnerie Farm

Ru Chailly Farm

Rocq Farm

Mont de Blesmes

 Farm

Etangs

Farm

Janvier

Farm

Houy Farm

 Aulnes

Bouillants Farm

Fontaine-aux-Charmes

Bochage

Farm

Donjon Farm

Grèves Farm St. Eugène

Connigis

Monthurel

Celles-les-Condé

Condé-en-Brie

TO LE CHARMEL

TO ST. AGNAN

Mont St.Père

Jaulgonne

XXX XXX XXX

III III

III

III

III

III

German 10th Infantry Division

AQUEDUCT

WOODS

ARMY

4th Inf. 7th Inf. 30th Inf. 38th Inf.

18

15

July July

July

July 15

French

Division

16–18

17–18

16

July 16– 17

15 (A.M.) &17– 18

July

15 (A.M.)

47th Inf. Regt.

6th Grenadier Regt.

5th Grenadier Regt.

175th Inf. Regt.

German 36th Infantry Division

128th Inf. R

e

gt.

XX

XX XX

LINE

RAILROAD

LINE

LINE

LINE

398th Inf. Regt.

River

Marne

Surmelin

Creek

Bois

d’ Aigremont

Bois de la Jute

Moulins

Maison Rouge

Ridge

N

0 1000 2000 3000 Yards

Front Line 3d Div. Gap in Line III Regt. Boundary

3d Div. Defensive Line XXX Corps Boundary

All German Data Shown in Red

Direction and Limit of Attack Division Boundary

Objective

XX

Crossing by Boat Crossing by Ponton Bridge

Stop, described in text

Route, described in text

Defensive Operations 3d Division, July 15–18, 1918
(62)

this information, at 11:45 p. m. every gun 

on this side of the river blazed forth in 

an intensive bombardment which caused 

great havoc in front of here in the German 

masses forming up for the attack. The 

support trenches and other points where 

German troops would naturally assemble 

for an assault were so heavily shelled that 

some of their units had to be replaced 

before the attack began.

At 12:10 a. m. on July 15 the German 

artillery opened up, and about 2:00 a. m. 

there was a sudden increase of machinegun and rif le fire along the river as the 

enemy started his attempts to cross by 

means of ferries and ponton bridges. 

One of the six German regiments which 

attacked the 3d Division crossed in front 

of here. It was badly cut up by American 

artillery fire, and the troops who reached 

the railroad near Mézy, the village seen 

ahead, were counterattacked and forced 

back over the river, the remnants reaching 

the far bank about 5:00 a. m. Another 

regiment which crossed to the left of 

here suffered heavily from artillery and 

machine-gun fire. However, it wiped out 

the American troops on the riverbank 

and advanced about 5:00 a. m. in the 

face of rif le and machine-gun fire from 

Americans in the woods above them. 

The attack was stopped near the edges 

of the woods to the left rear of here. A 

third regiment, after several disastrous 

attempts, crossed near Mont St. Père, seen 

on the hillside to the left of Mézy, about 

8:45 a. m. and in spite of heavy casualties 

a considerable part of it reached the 

railroad and the field in front of here, 

in both of which places large numbers of 

German soldiers later surrendered.

Early in the morning, the Germans 

succeeded in advancing over ground held 

by the French on the far side of Moulins 

Ridge. This exposed the right of the 

American line, and detachments on the 

ridge had to withstand several attacks 

against their front and flank during the 

day. The fighting there and near this point 

was of the greatest severity, involving 

repeated attacks and counterattacks until 

the units concerned were almost destroyed. 

On the entire front of attack this side 

of Reims, the Germans succeeded in 

advancing about 4 miles on July 15 at 

all places except near here where they 

were opposed by American troops. At 

midnight of that day the Germans to the 

front and left front were retreating across 

the Marne while the front line of the 3d 

Division was about 600 yards behind this 

point in the woods.

On the 16th the detachments of the 3d 

Division still on Moulins Ridge, being 

almost cut off from neighboring units, 

were withdrawn to a line about 1 mile 

to the rear. On that same day the 111th 

Infantry of the 28th Division relieved that 

part of the 3d Division in rear of here and 

on July 17 that regiment reestablished its 

German Anti-Aircraft Shells Exploding Near American Observation Balloon

Stationed in the Valley of Château-Thierry
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE–MARNE REGION 63

part of the front line along the riverbank 

to the left of Mézy.

The Germans made no organized attacks 

in this vicinity on the 16th, but farther 

to the right their advance continued 

although slowed up to a large extent by a 

French counterattack.

Of the two regiments of the 3d Division 

which were caught by the full force of the 

initial German attack, the 38th Infantry 

on the right was eventually forced to 

meet assaults from the front and from 

both flanks. In this precarious position 

it gallantly fought the storm troops of the 

enemy to a standstill. The 30th Infantry 

on the left, in a different but no less 

difficult situation, performed its task with 

equal determination and bravery, and 

consequently on the front of these units the 

Germans gained nothing to compensate 

them for their careful preparations and 

heavy losses. The conduct of the American 

troops in this action gave further impetus 

to the rapidly increasing reputation of the 

American divisions.

By July 17 the German offensive had been 

definitely stopped on the whole front, and 

the next day the French and Americans 

began their great counteroffensive south 

of Soissons. As a result of the Allied 

counteroffensive, the German High 

Command promptly ordered a withdrawal 

from this part of the Aisne-Marne salient, 

which began during the night of July 19.

On July 21 a regiment of the 3d Division 

crossed the river near Château-Thierry 

and occupied Mont St. Père from which 

place it protected the crossing of the 

remainder of the division.

From here to Fismes, about 19 miles 

away, the American divisions advanced 

along the axis of the Marne salient. The 

ground passed over on the tour is part of 

that which they restored to France during 

the period July 20 to August 6.

EN ROU T E N E A R M ÉZ Y TO N E A R 

COURMONT

(70.0 m 112.6 km) To the right of the bridge 

on which this road passes over the railway in 

Mézy, an American detachment held out 

until late in the afternoon of July 15 in spite 

of all efforts of the Germans to capture them.

(70.1 m 112.8 km) Beyond bridge, at curve 

in road, in the excavations seen to the left, 

a small group of Americans held their 

position on the first day of the offensive 

long after the German lines had swept 

beyond them on both their flanks.

(70.4 m 113.3 km) Upon approaching the 

river note the open fields on this side of 

it. Reports of German officers state that 

their troops suffered heavy losses on 

those f lats from the accurate rif le fire of 

the American soldiers.

During the night of July 21 and the next 

morning a large part of the 3d Division 

crossed the river on a temporary bridge 

German Anti-Balloon Gun in Action. © G
(64)

built by the division engineers near the 

site of the present structure.

(70.8 m 113.9 km) After crossing bridge, 

at first junction bear to the right.

(71.2 m 114.6 km) Pass through the village 

of Chartèves, which was occupied by the 

3d Division on July 22.

(71.4 m 114.9 km) At far side of village, 

by looking to the right across the river a 

view of the American position as seen by 

the attacking German troops on July 15 

is obtained. Detachments of Americans 

with machine guns were in the underbrush 

along the riverbank while stronger forces 

were along the railroad seen beyond it. 

The division orders prescribed that the 

main line of resistance on the high wooded 

ground in rear be held at all costs.

(72.7 m 117.0 km) Just before entering 

the next village, Jaulgonne, STOP without 

leaving car. (See map on next page.)

To the right front, on the other side of 

the bridge, the course of the river bends 

abruptly, its valley being visible for some 

distance extending to the right. Four 

companies of the 28th Division, attached 

to French units, were stationed along 

that part of the river when the enemy 

launched the July 15 attack. One of them 

was on the opposite bank with its nearest f lank at the bridge, while the other 

three were up the valley just beyond the 

next bend. The Germans forced a crossing between these two groups and also 

advanced past their outer f lanks for a 

considerable distance, but were unable to 

cross the river in their immediate front. 

Shortly after daybreak, when the full 

power of the German attack developed, 

the French fell back without advising the 

Americans or ordering their retirement, 

thus abandoning the four American companies on the riverbank. Although surLe Charmel Château, Captured

by the 3d Division, July 27, 1918

Ponton Bridge Near Mézy Built by Engineers of the 3d Division
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE–MARNE REGION 65

rounded, these companies maintained their 

positions until 8:00 a. 

m., when they started to 

fight their way back to 

regain the French lines 

which had been reestablished, with the help of 

other units of the 28th 

Division, about 3 miles 

to the rear. The survivors reached these new 

French lines during the 

afternoon.

On July 16 and 17 

the French units and 

those of the 28th Division on these new lines 

1aunched counterattacks which succeeded in recovering some 

of the lost ground. 

During July 18 the elements of the 28th Division were withdrawn 

from the front line, its 

losses in this area from 

July 15 to 18 having 

been about 1,200 officers and men.

Continue.

(73.2 m 117.8 km) 

Straight through Jaulgonne, which was captured by the 3d Division 

on July 22.

(73.7 m 118.6 km) Beyond town, in the ravine 

along this road, a part of 

the division advanced 

on July 22 to the far edge of the next village, Le Charmel. Threatened with isolation, these units, which were then several 

miles ahead of the troops on both sides of 

them, withdrew to the general vicinity of 

Jaulgonne.

During the next few days bitter struggles 

took place near this road as the German 

Army fought for time to withdraw the great 

quantities of supplies and ammunition 

which had been brought to this front but 

which had not been used, due to the sudden 

unsuccessful ending of their offensive 

which started early on July 15.

(74.3 m 119.5 km) Some distance farther 

on, to the right front up the valley, can be 

seen Le Charmel Château. That château, 

now rebuilt, was the scene of intense 

fighting, the Germans holding it against 

severe attacks until July 27.

(75.1 m 120.8 km) At next main road 

junction, keep straight ahead passing 

through Le Charmel, which although 

stubbornly defended was captured by the 

Rougis

July 15 (A.M.)

Bois de Condé

Bois de

Jaulgonne

Varennes

Reuilly

Connigis

 St.

Eugène

Monthurel

Condé- en-Brie

Cellesles-Condé

Dannejeu

Farm

Sacconay

St. Agnan

Sauvigny

Passysur-Marne

Barzysur-Marne

Courthiézy

Claire-

 fontaine

la

ChapelleMonthodon

Soilly

TO LE CHARMEL

TO CRÉZANCY

TO

CRÉZANCY

TO DORMANS

18

July 15

3d

July 16–17

Division

Co. L

109th Inf.

 Co. B

110th Inf.

Co. C

110th

Inf

Co. M

109th Inf.

XX

XX

XX

July 16–

July 15

18

XX

XX

July 17–18

July 15–16

July 16

Cos. A,B,C,K 109th Inf. Cos. A,B,C 103d Engrs.

 Cos.

 D&H

109th Inf.

American

Marne

River

Surmelin

Creek

N

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 Yards

XX

American Front Line French Front Line

Boundary French Division with which Elements

of 28th Division Were Serving

Arrows show counterattack of 109th Inf. July 16

Gap July 16

Stop, described in text

Route, described in text

Defensive Operations of 28th Division

July 15–18, 1918
66 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE–MARNE REGION

3d Division during daylight hours on July 

25 after an extremely hard fight.

For the next few miles the American 

advance encountered only slight 

resistance as the main German forces 

had been withdrawn to the Ourcq River 

during the night of July 26–27.

The operations, described later, of the 

28th and 32d Divisions on the Ourcq were 

directed from their division headquarters 

located in Le Charmel.

(78.1 m 125.7 km) About 3 miles beyond 

the town of Le Charmel, Courmont is seen 

to the right of the road.

(78.5 m 126.3 km) After passing the 

village of Courmont, a few yards before 

reaching the next main crossroad, STOP.

The panoramic sketch on these pages will 

be of great help in case difficulty occurs in 

locating the places mentioned below.

The Ourcq River lies in the valley to 

the right and right front. The far slopes 

of it had been organized by the Germans 

into a formidable position by the time the 

American and French troops arrived here 

on the evening of July 27 and began the 

series of attacks which finally drove the 

German troops from it.

This fighting was of the most severe 

character and although most of the 

American divisions were participating 

in an offensive for the first time the 

natural courage and fighting spirit of the 

American soldiers carried them forward 

n

e

la Croix Blanche Farm la Cense Villers-sur-Fère

Seringes-et-Nesles

Oise-Aisne

American Cemetery

Panorama From Stop

German Trench-Mortar Bombardment of Allied Strong Point, July 15, 1918. © G
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE–MARNE REGION 67

to accomplishments which could not have 

been excelled by veteran assault divisions.

From this point many of the attacks 

made against the German defenses 

were visible. Long thin lines of khakiclad American soldiers could be seen 

advancing up the slopes across the 

valley, preceded by bursts of smoke as 

the artillery barrage moved forward to 

prepare the way for them. Hostile fire took 

heavy toll from the attacking units, and 

counterattacks launched from the wooded 

heights often forced the Americans back. 

Such setbacks, however, were but signals 

for new assaults, which were bravely 

and persistently repeated until all of the 

heights were finally in American hands.

The nearest village to the front in the 

Ourcq River valley is Sergy. To the right 

front a road is seen, in the distance, 

entering a large wooded area.

Face that point, which direction is 

approximately northeast.

Courmont, the nearest town seen to the 

right, was captured by a French division 

on July 27. That night the 28th Division 

relieved the French, taking over a line 

the center of which was near this point 

and which changed direction so as to 

run along the far side of Courmont. The 

3d Division had the zone of action to the 

right of Courmont.

On July 28 Ronchères, seen on the hill 

beyond Courmont, was captured by the 

e

e,

o

h

r

n



f

e

Sergy Caranda Mill

les Jomblets

Cierges Bois des Grimpettes

Courmont

Ronchères

West of Courmont

German Heavy Machine Gun Unit Advancing Through Captured Village, July 15, 1918. © G
68 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE–MARNE REGION

3d Division, and the 28th Division 

advanced its lines to the other side of the 

Ourcq River all along its front. During the 

fighting that day the German resistance 

was such that it became evident they 

intended to make a determined stand on 

the opposite side of this valley.

About a mile from here, on the nearest hill 

seen to the left of and beyond Courmont, 

is the Bois des Grimpettes, a key point 

of the German position. Although in the 

zone of action of the 3d and later of the 

s valley.

nearest

d Cour

, a key

lthough

nd later

 TO CHÉRYCHARTREUVE

TO LE

CHARMEL

Mareuil-en-Dôle

Château

Fère-enTardenois

Seringeset-Nesles Oise-Aisne

American

Cemetery Château

de Nesles

Nesles

Meurcy Farm

Villerssur-Fère

Sergy

Fresnes

Château

Courmont

Ronchères

Cierges

Belle Vue

Farm

Reddy

Farm

Chamery

Coulonges

Cohan

Dravegny

Forêt

de

Nesles

Bois

de

Rognac

Bois Brulé

Bois Colas

Bois Pelger

Bois de la

Planchette

les Jomblets

Bois des

Grimpettes

Bois

Meunière Forêt

de

Fère

August 2

32D DIV.

42D DIV.

August 2

28TH DIV.

3D DIV.

July 28 (A.M.)

July 28 (A.M.)

July 30 (A.M.)

July

31

(A.M.)

XXX

XXX

XXX

XXX

XXX

XXX

XX

Ourcq

River

Caranda Mill

N

0 1000 2000 3000 Yards

Line of Relief

Corps Boundary

Front Line Gap in Line

XXX XX Division Boundary

Route, described in text

Stop, described in text

Ground Gained Near the Ourcq River by the 3d, 28th

32d and 42d Divisions, July 28–August 2, 1918
(69)

32d Division, it commanded the 28th 

Division front to such an extent that it 

had to be captured before any appreciable 

advance could be made. On both July 28 

and 29 it was attacked, but not captured, 

by the 3d Division from near Ronchères 

and by the 28th Division from its position 

in front of here.

On the night of July 29 the 3d Division 

was relieved by the 32d, after having been 

in line since early June and having made 

an outstanding record in combat. Its 

casualties were nearly 6,600.

On July 30, as the result of two attacks 

supported by brief but intense artillery 

preparations, the 28th Division succeeded 

in taking the Bois des Grimpettes in the 

afternoon, after a savage hand-to-hand 

fight in which it was assisted by the 32d 

Division. It also occupied for a short 

time part of the village of Cierges, whose 

church tower, which looks like a small 

house from here, can be seen to the right 

of and below the point the observer is 

facing. A German counterattack was 

repulsed about dark of that day.

During the night of July 30–31 the 32d 

Division relieved the 28th Division, 

whose casualties had totaled more than 

1,400 officers and men, thus extending its 

front to the left as far as Caranda Mill, 

the building partially seen in the small 

clump of trees at the foot of this hill about 

midway between Cierges and Sergy.

The wood which covers the crest of 

the ridge to the right of and beyond 

Caranda Mill is Les Jomblets. It lay in 

the German main line of defense and was 

an important strong point. On July 31 

the 32d Division, in an attack launched 

about 2:00 p. m., captured Cierges and 

reached Les Jomblets, but was forced 

by heavy hostile fire to fall back from 

that wood. On the next day, in an attack 

made in the early morning, the division 

captured Les Jomblets and established 

itself about 1⁄2 mile farther on. There the 

troops repulsed a counterattack made 

shortly after daybreak. About 9:00 a. 

m., however, they were driven back by a 

fierce German counterattack supported 

by artillery. That afternoon Les Jomblets 

was finally taken and held by the 32d 

Division as the result of two separate 

regimental assaults, made about the same 

time, which converged close to the point 

which the observer is now facing.

Sergy, in the valley to the left front, 

and Seringes-et-Nesles seen well to the 

left of it, are both located beyond the 

Ourcq. Villers-sur-Fère in the distance to 

the observer’s left, is on this side of the 

river. These towns were captured by the 

42d Division in operations which will be 

described at the next stop.

To the left front in the distance, the 

Oise-Aisne American Cemetery, which 

is distinguished by its field of white 

headstones, is seen slightly to the right of 

and below the village of Seringes-et-Nesles.

42d Division Artillery Passing Through Sergy,

August 3, 1918

Street Barricade at Northern Edge

of Le Charmel, July 1918

Built by the Germans in their retreat
Snipers Firing in Villers-sur-Fère After Its Capture by the 42d Division, July 27, 1918
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE–MARNE REGION 71

The route now follows closely the south 

bank of the Ourcq River and a better view 

of many of the places just mentioned will 

be obtained. The natural strength of the 

German positions across the river will 

also be more evident at that time.

EN ROU T E N E A R COU R MON T TO 

NEAR VILLERS-SUR-FÈRE

(79.5 m 127.9 km) While ascending the 

next ridge, Cierges is seen to the right, 

about a mile away.

(80.4 m 129.4 km) The next village seen to 

the right is Sergy. That town and the steep 

slopes on both sides of it were stubbornly 

defended by the German troops who were 

holding them.

(80.9 m 130.2 km) A short distance farther 

on, to the right on the hillside across the 

valley, is seen a small triangular-shaped 

wood where Private Sidney E. Manning, 

42d Division, performed the deeds on 

July 28 for which he was awarded the 

Congressional Medal of Honor. Private 

Manning, who had been severely wounded 

shortly before, led a platoon in an attack 

which resulted in the capture of that 

wood, and although again hit several 

times during the assault, he broke up 

a hostile counterattack mainly by his 

own accurate automatic rif le fire. He 

remained in charge until the position had 

been made secure, after which, suffering 

from nine wounds in various parts of the 

body, this gallant soldier dragged himself 

to shelter.

(81.8 m 131.6 km) Just before reaching 

the next town, Villers-sur-Fère, about 100 

yards from top of hill, where a clear view to 

right is obtained, STOP.

The village of Seringes-et-Nesles and 

the Oise-Aisne American Cemetery to the 

right of it are seen across the valley.

Face the cemetery, which direction is 

approximately northeast.

The Ourcq River is located in the valley 

at the foot of this slope. 

The 42d Division captured Villers-surFère on the 27th and continued its attacks 

on the 28th gaining a foothold on the other 

side of the Ourcq. Sergy, seen to the right, 

which was strongly held by the Germans, 

German Dressing Station Near Château de la Forét Being Used by Americans Soon After Its Capture
72 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE–MARNE REGION

was entered by patrols that day but not 

captured although ground was gained in 

its immediate vicinity.

Across the river in front of here an 

unusual exploit was performed on July 

28 by Sergeant Frank Gardella, Jr., of the 

42d Division. Two enemy airplanes were 

f lying parallel to the American infantry 

lines and pouring machine-gun bullets 

into them, driving everyone to cover. 

Sergeant Gardella, noting the situation, 

rushed to his machine gun and took aim at 

the upper of the two machines. Although 

he was constantly subject to a storm of 

bullets from the plants and from enemy 

snipers on the ground, he nevertheless 

coolly sighted his gun and riddled the 

upper plane, causing it to collapse and 

fall in f lames. In falling it struck the lower 

plane and brought it to the earth also. For 

his coolness and bravery he was awarded 

the Distinguished Service Cross.

Part of the 47th Infantry, 4th Division, 

was attached to the 42d Division and, 

with this additional strength, Sergy was 

captured on July 29 and other advances 

made. In the valley to the front, the 

nearest wood in line with the cemetery, 

Bois Colas, which was literally bristling 

with hostile machine guns, and the town 

of Seringes-et-Nesles were captured on 

that day in brilliant attacks. Although 

the gains at Seringes-et-Nesles and Sergy 

formed pronounced salients in the line 

and the troops in them were subjected to 

fire from three sides, the Germans were 

unable to retake that ground.

On July 30 the attacks were continued 

but in spite of determined efforts no 

substantial gains were made. A strong 

German counterattack near Meurcy 

Farm, identified by the buildings seen to 

the right of the cemetery, was repulsed.

In the bitter fighting around that 

farm, Sergeant Richard W. O’Neill, 

42d Division, advanced ahead of the 

assaulting line and attacked an enemy 

force of about 25 men. In the ensuing 

hand-to-hand encounter he sustained 

pistol wounds but heroically continued 

in the fight, during which he received 

additional wounds. With great physical 

effort he remained in active command 

of his detachment until he was again 

wounded and was forced by weakness and 

loss of blood to be evacuated. He insisted 

42d Division Infantry in Position Near Seringes-et-Nesles, July 29, 1918
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE–MARNE REGION 73

upon being taken first to the battalion 

commander in order to transmit to him 

valuable information relative to the enemy 

positions and the disposition of his men. 

For his conspicuous bravery above and 

beyond the call of duty Sergeant O’Neill 

was later awarded the Congressional 

Medal of Honor.

On July 31, after a very heavy bombardment in which smoke and thermite shells 

were used, the tiny Bois Brulé, which 

covered the ground near this end of the 

cemetery, was abandoned by the Germans and the 42d Division occupied it 

and Meurcy Farm, thus forming another 

salient in the German lines. By the evening of August 1 the 42d and 32d Divisions were in secure possession of a large 

portion of the high ground on the other 

side of the river, from Seringes-et-Nesles 

to beyond Les Jomblets.

These successes, and those of the French 

farther to the left, caused the Germans 

to withdraw during the night of August 

1–2 to their next prepared position at 

the Vesle River, 10 miles in front of here. 

The pursuit, which was begun by the 

Americans and French on the morning of 

August 2, had to overcome many hostile 

machine-gun nests cleverly placed in 

mutually supporting positions throughout 

the entire area between the Ourcq and the 

Vesle Rivers.

The 42d Division on August 2 advanced 

over the ground on which the cemetery 

stands and through the Forêt de Nesles, 

the large wood seen beyond the cemetery. 

On August 3 the division, having suffered 

nearly 6,500 casualties, was relieved by the 

4th Division which, together with the 32d 

Division on its right, continued to push 

forward until the Vesle River was reached.

EN ROU TE NEA R V ILLER S-SUR-FÈR E 

TO OISE-AISNE AMERICAN CEMETERY

(82.6 m 132.9 km) Cross Ourcq River.

Note its extremely small size.

(83.0 m 133.5 km) Turn sharply to the 

right on the first street in the next town, 

Fère-en-Tardenois,

The American I Corps Headquarters 

was located here from August 5 to 13 after 

the Germans had been driven back from 

their position near the Ourcq.

(84.3 m 135.6 km) Beyond town, at the 

large cemetery near the road, STOP.

German Ammunition Train Destroyed by American Shellfire at Cierges
Oise-Aisne American Cemetery Near Fère-en-Tardenois
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE–MARNE REGION 75

This is the Oise-Aisne American 

Cemetery, the second largest American 

military cemetery in Europe. It contains 

6,012 graves. The majority of the battle 

dead who rest here were killed in the 

fighting along the Ourcq River and in the 

territory between here and the Oise River. 

In 1922, American soldiers then buried in 

France in the general area west of the line, 

Tours–Romorantin–Paris–Le Havre were 

moved to this cemetery.

The building across the road contains a 

reception room for visitors and the office 

of the superintendent, where inquiries for 

information or concerning the location of 

a particular grave should be made.

The cemetery is entered through an 

ornamental wrought-iron gateway. Rows 

of trees and beds of red roses line the 

central paths. The chapel overlooks the 

cemetery from the rear and as the visitor 

walks toward it the fields of white marble 

headstones constantly change pattern, 

the crosses apparently arranging and 

rearranging themselves into a succession 

of symmetrical geometrical designs.

The chapel is a harmony of color, 

with its pink and gray sandstone walls 

and variegated marble columns. It is 

semicircular in form and from its terrace 

a fine view of the cemetery and the 

surrounding country can be obtained.

The decorative sculpture of the chapel 

is Romanesque in style but modern in 

subject. On each front wall appears 

the coat of arms of the United States, 

beneath a frieze of shields which display 

the insignia of branches of the Army. 

The column capitals are carved with the 

insignia of the American divisions which 

took part in the battles in this region and 

with various military weapons and articles 

of equipment. In the four medallions 

above the columns the modern soldier is 

contrasted with the medieval crusader.

The simple lines of the interior are 

softened by the subdued light from the 

windows whose panes are thin slabs of 

Oise-Aisne Cemetery Chapel

Note the exterior altar in the foreground
76 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE–MARNE REGION

Algerian onyx. The chapel contains a 

beautiful altar of carved stone, and upon 

the walls appear in carved and gilded 

letters the names of American soldiers 

who fought in this region and who sleep 

in unknown graves. The museum room 

across the terrace from the chapel proper 

contains f lags of the United States and 

France and a beautifully carved and 

decorated wall map, upon which are 

shown the area in this region captured by 

the different American divisions.

While visiting the cemetery it is only 

with effort that the visitor can bring his 

imagination to picture the scenes of bitter 

combat which took place on these slopes 

when the 42d Division was fighting for 

them, and on the various other battlefields 

of the Ourcq River valley which were 

fought over by soldiers of the American 

3d, 4th, 28th, 32d and 42d Divisions.

Joyce Kilmer, the poet, was killed in the 

fighting near here and now rests in this 

cemetery with so many other of his brave 

friends and comrades. 

As the inscription which is seen above 

the columns of the chapel states: 

“THESE ENDURED ALL AND GAVE 

ALL THAT HONOR AND JUSTICE MIGHT 

PREVAIL, AND THAT THE WORLD MlGHT 

ENJOY FREEDOM AND INHERIT PEACE.”

EN ROU T E OISE-A ISN E A M ER ICA N 

CEMETERY TO NEAR FISMES

(85.5 m 137.6 km) The next village, 

Nesles, was taken by the 42d Division on 

August 2. Near it can be seen the ruins of 

a 13th Century château.

(86.0 m 138.4 km) Beyond Nesles, about 

1⁄2 mile, the zone of action of the 32d 

Division is entered.

During an aerial combat on July 14, 

First Lieutenant Quentin Roosevelt, son 

of ex-President Theodore Roosevelt, was 

shot down near Chamery. The Germans 

buried him where he fell, and marked his 

grave with the wheels of his plane and 

a rough cross bearing the inscription 

“ROOSEVELT, AMERICAN AVIATOR”. 

Field Artillery During a Lull Between

Engagements, July 1918

4th Division Troops on Way to Front,

Seringes-et-Nesles, August 4, 1918
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE–MARNE REGION 77

On August 2 the grave was found by 

advancing troops of the 32d Division, who 

held appropriate services and built a fence 

protecting the spot. Since that time it has 

been more permanently marked.

To visit grave, turn right at crossroad 

indicated in next paragraph. At next 

village, Chamery, take first road to the 

left (impossible in wet weather) and go 800 

yards to grave, which is 100 yards to left 

of road. Total length of side trip—2 miles. 

Amount of time required—30 minutes.

(88.2 m 141.9 km) At next main crossroad 

at foot of long slope, turn left toward the 

village of Coulonges.

(88.6 m 142.6 km) In next village. 

Coulonges, beyond bridge turn left.

This village and the next one, Cohan, 

were captured on August 2 by the 32d 

Division. The right boundary of the 

division was just to the right of the road 

which the tour is following.

(89.6 m 144.2 km) Continue through the 

town of Cohan.

(90.9 m 146.3 km) In the next village, 

Dravegny, at the church turn to the left, at 

the next corner turn to the right toward the 

village of Chéry-Chartreuve.

Dravegny was captured by the 32d 

Division on August 2. The front line of 

the division on that night was established 

in the north edge of the town.

The 28th Division headquarters directed 

operations from this village during the 

period August 4–14, while the division 

was fighting along the Vesle.

(91.7 m 147.5 km) Beyond the next hill, 

the town seen in front across the valley is 

Chéry-Chartreuve. The 4th Division, 

after relieving the 42d Division during 

the early morning, advanced on August 3 

to the wood seen just to the right of and 

beyond that town.

(93.7 m 150.8 km) At small monument 

near entrance to Chéry-Chartreuve turn 

right. Note speedometer reading.

(97.3 m 156.6 km) 3.6 miles farther on, 

when the large town, Fismes, comes in full 

view to the right front, STOP. 

Face the church, the right one of the two Camouflaged Road Just North of Dravegny

Road followed by tour Observation Balloon Trucks Passing Through

Coulonges, August 4, 1918
78 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE–MARNE REGION

buildings with a tower, which direction is 

approximately northeast.

The stream at the foot of this hill is the 

Ardre River, which joins the Vesle River 

at a point to the left front in the valley. 

The German troops fought stubbornly to 

hold Fismes and the slopes which are seen 

beyond it.

On the afternoon of August 4 the 32d 

Division attacked Fismes from this 

hill, suffering severe losses from hostile 

artillery and machine-gun fire before the 

town was finally captured.

On August 6, the 6th Brigade of the 3d 

Division was placed in the line to the right 

of Fismes. Although worn out by its heavy 

fighting on the Marne River, the brigade 

on August 7 and 10 made valiant efforts 

to cross the river but did not succeed in 

establishing a foothold on the far bank. 

On August 11 the brigade was relieved, its 

losses in this general vicinity being about 

600 officers and men.

On the night of August 6–7 the 28th 

Division relieved the 32d Division, 

which had advanced 11 miles and whose 

casualties had been almost 3,800 since 

entering the battle on the Ourcq River.

The 28th Division on August 7 launched 

an unsuccessful attack upon Fismette, 

which is beyond the Vesle River, 

adjoining Fismes on its left side. The 

next day, after two attacks with heavy 

artillery preparation, parts of Fismette 

was captured and held. The town was 

completely occupied on August 10, but 

because of the German efforts to retake 

it, desperate fighting took place in the 

streets of the town almost daily during the 

next two weeks.

In the fighting in Fismette on August 

10 Sergeant James I. Mestrovitch, 

28th Division, performed the act of 

gallantry for which he was awarded the 

Congressional Medal of Honor. Seeing his 

company commander lying wounded 30 

yards in front of the line after his company 

had withdrawn to a sheltered position 

behind a stone wall, Sergeant Mestrovitch 

voluntarily left cover and crawled through 

heavy machine-gun and shell fire to where 

the officer lay. He took the officer upon 

his back and crawled back to a place of 

safety where he administered first aid 

treatment. His exceptional heroism saved 

the life of his company commander.

During the early morning hours of 

August 27, the Germans inclosed Fismette 

in a heavy barrage and attacked in force 

with f lame throwers, capturing or killing 

all Americans holding it except a few who 

escaped by swimming across the river.

ch

ual

ring

7

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The

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Perles Blanzy-les-Fismes Fismette Ardre River Baslieux

Fismes

Vesle River

Panorama From Stop Near Fismes

Ruins of City Hall of Fismes, August 14, 1918
On August 12 the 77th Division relieved 

the 4th to the left of here and on the 

13th changes were made in the division 

boundaries so that the 28th Division 

held Fismes and the riverbank for about 

21⁄2 miles to the right of it, while the 77th 

Division held the line along the river from 

Fismes to the left for about 3 miles. 

The American III Corps directed active 

operations for the first time on this front, 

holding a sector immediately alongside 

that of the American I Corps.

On the night of September 3–4, as a 

result of the Oise-Aisne offensive, which 

began north of Soissons on August 18, the 

German lines here were turned and the 

enemy troops along this front withdrew 

toward the Aisne River. This movement 

was covered by rear guards composed 

mainly of machine gun organizations.

On September 4 the divisions here 

started in pursuit, and by September 6 

the 28th had pushed its front line about 

a mile north of Baslieux, partially seen 

in the little valley 3 miles away beyond 

the church in Fismes. There the division 

again faced a prepared German position 

and had severe fighting in front of it until 

relieved on the night of September 7–8 by 

one of the French divisions.

The 77th Division was stopped on 

September 6, south of the Aisne River, 

after an advance of 5 miles. From that day 

until September 16, when it was relieved 

by an Italian division (of which there were 

two serving on the Western Front), its 

line remained approximately in the same 

place. A brief description of its service on 

the Aisne is given at the next stop.

In these operations the casualties of the 

28th Division were about 5,300 and those 

of the 77th Division nearly 4,800. By their 

repeated efforts to cross the river and by 

their energetic pursuit after the Germans 

had retired, both divisions brought great 

credit upon themselves and upon the 

American forces.

The State of Pennsylvania has built a 

memorial bridge over the Vesle between 

Fismes and Fismette. To visit it, bear 

Engineers Exploding Mine Trap Left by Germans in a 

Dugout Near Blanzy-les-Fismes, September 5, 1918

Fismette, Scene of Hard Fighting by the 28th Division
80 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE–MARNE REGION

right at road junction indicated in the next 

paragraph, go to open plaza in town, turn 

left and cross railroad to bridge. Total 

length of side trip—1 mile. Amount of time 

required—15 minutes.

EN ROU T E N E A R F ISM ES TO N E A R 

BAZOCHES

(98.2 m 158.0 km) At the near edge of 

Fismes, beyond the small bridge turn 

sharply to the left toward Soissons.

The American advance passed from the 

left to right across this road.

(98.8 m 159.0 km) After crossing the 

Vesle River and the railroad, a dense -

ly wooded area is seen 

on the left. Part of it 

surrounds a château 

called, on war time 

maps, the Château du 

Diable (Castle of the 

Devil). Troops of the 

4th, 28th and 77th Divisions, who engaged 

in many hot f ights with 

the Ger mans near this 

château, agree that the 

place was well named.

(99.4 m 160.0 km) Beyond the far end of the 

wooded area a 4th Division monument is passed 

on the right.

(100.3 m 161.4 km) At 

the second crest, when 

the next village is plainly 

seen down the road ahead, 

STOP.

Face to the left, which 

direction is approximately south. 

From this point a good view is obtained 

of the ground fought over by the 4th and 

later by the 77th Division.

The 4th Division, advancing in this 

direction over the line of hills in front of 

here, on August 4 captured St. Thibaut, 

seen on the hillside to the right front, 

and Ville-Savoye, seen to the left front. 

The next day the division repulsed a 

counterattack and began attacks to gain 

a foothold on this side of the river. Small 

detachments succeeded in crossing to the 

left front of here and also near Bazoches, 

seen in the valley to the right, but they 

were later withdrawn to the far bank.

On August 6 the division attacked in 

force, after a 4-hour artillery preparation, 

with this road as its main objective. It 

forced a crossing opposite Ville-Savoye 

and reached this highway about 1⁄2 mile to 

the left of here. The line was maintained 

there, in spite of strong counterattacks, 

until August 8, when it was withdrawn to 

the railroad which runs in the valley near 

this side of the river.

From August 7 to 9, the 4th Division 

launched several attacks near Bazoches. 

Hostile fire preventing 

the building of suitable 

footbridges, many of the 

men courageously attempted to swim the river or crawl over on fallen 

trees. Those who succeeded were insufficient 

in number to establish 

themselves on this bank. 

Between August 3 and 

12, when it was relieved 

by the 77th Division, the 

4th Division lost approximately 3,500 men.

For the next ten days 

this sector, like others 

along the front where 

troops of neither side 

were trying to advance, 

was comparatively quiet 

except at night. During 

the daytime all troops 

remained well concealed to escape the vigilance of snipers and hostile obser vers searching for 

favorable artillery targets. After nightfall, however, the hillside swar med with 

men busily strengthening the positions, 

while patrols from each side, trying to 

discover the dispositions and intentions 

of the other, frequently clashed along 

the banks of the river and engaged in 

small but desperate battles in the dark.

On August 22 the Germans attacked 

the Château du Diable, located to the left 

in the trees, and drove the 77th Division 

4th Division Monument

Near Bazoches
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE–MARNE REGION 81

troops holding it across the river. Early the 

next morning, the 77th counterattacked 

and in desperate fighting lasting into the 

night regained part of the wood.

Bazoches was the objective of a carefully 

prepared assault by the 77th Division 

launched early on August 27. The Château 

du Diable was also attacked and in each 

case the objectives fixed for the day were 

reached after severe combats, but in the 

end could not be retained.

Two German attacks were repulsed 

during the night of September 1–2. On 

September 4 the division crossed the 

river, occupied Bazoches, and advanced 

in pursuit of the Germans who had 

withdrawn during the previous night. The 

division reached the Aisne River valley on 

September 6 and established its front line 

close to this side of it.

The next few days were marked by 

frequent local actions bitterly fought but 

with only minor results. On September 14 

the division attacked as part of a general 

assault and made some gains in spite of 

stubborn resistance.

It was during the fighting of this day that 

Captain L. Wardlaw Miles, 77th Division, 

performed the heroic services for which 

he was awarded the Congressional Medal 

of Honor. He volunteered to lead his 

company in making a hazardous attack 

on a commanding trench position near 

the Aisne Canal, which other troops had 

previously attempted to take without 

success. His company immediately met 

with intense machine-gun fire, against 

which it had no artillery assistance, 

but Captain Miles preceded the first 

wave and assisted in cutting a passage 

through the enemy wire entanglements. 

In so doing he was wounded five times 

by machine-gun bullets, both legs and 

one arm being fractured, whereupon he 

ordered himself placed on a stretcher and 

had himself carried forward to the enemy 

trench in order that he might encourage 

and direct his company, which by this 

time had suffered numerous casualties. 

Under his inspiration the men held the 

hostile position and consolidated their 

front line after an action lasting two 

hours. This gallant officer was then 

carried against his will to a first-aid 

station for treatment.

On September 15, after repulsing a 

German counterattack, the division was 

relieved from the line and was sent to the 

Meuse-Argonne region to take part there 

in the great offensive of the American 

First Army later in the month.

The tour now follows the Vesle River 

valley as far as near Sermoise and then 

continues along the Aisne River valley to 

Street in Soissons, September, 1918
82 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE–MARNE REGION

Soissons. No American fighting took place 

in the area which will be passed over.

EN ROU T E N E A R BA Z O CH ES TO 

NEAR MISSY-AU X-BOIS

In its long and eventful history Soissons 

has been destroyed and rebuilt many 

times, and no less than 32 sieges and 

major battles have occurred there or in 

the immediate vicinity. Among the points 

of interest in town are the cathedral and 

the church of St. Jean-des-Vignes.

The American battlefields at Juvigny 

and near Vauxaillon may be reached by 

following the main highway from Soissons 

to St. Quentin. See pages 91–93.

An American 14-inch naval gun on a 

railroad mount, manned by men of the 

United States Navy, fired from a position 

in St. Christophe Cemetery, 1⁄2 mile west 

of Soissons, from September 10 to October 

24. Its target was the railroad junction in 

the town of Laon, about 19 miles away.

(116.5 m 187.4 km) Upon reaching the 

large monument in Soissons, continue 

straight ahead toward church for one block. 

Bear left onto Rue Carnot and take second 

street to right. Continue to railroad, then 

turn sharp left across the tracks toward 

Villers-Cotterêts.

(120.1 m 193.2 km) After leaving the 

valley, the large cemetery passed contains 

French, British and German graves.

(121.2 m 195.0 km) Beyond cemetery 1.1 

miles, Missy-aux-Bois is seen to the right 

front. When the village is in full view, on 

top of the next rise in the road (beyond the 

kilometer post), STOP.

Face Missy-aux-Bois, which direction is 

approximately west.

The reader is now on ground swept over 

by the main attack of the French-American 

counteroffensive of July 18 which marked 

the turning point in the succession of 

Advance Command Post and Aid Station, 1st Division,

Near Missy-aux-Bois, July 20, 1918

Crise

Cr.

TO

FISMES

TO

VILLERS- COTTERÊTS

A. Church St. Jean-des-Vignes

1. Av. de Reims

2. Pl. de la République

3. Av. Thiers

4. R. Carnot

Route through

SOISSONS

A

4

4

3

2

1

0 500 M. N
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE–MARNE REGION 83

dramatic military events that so closely 

followed each other in the year 1918. Up 

to the time of this attack, the Allies had 

been compelled to withstand a series of 

powerful German offensives which almost 

gained a decisive victory. It was in this 

region that the tide definitely turned in 

favor of the Allies, and this battle was 

the first of a series of offensives, made 

possible by the rapid arrival of American 

troops, which, within less than four 

months, forced the enemy troops back 

and compelled Germany to sue for an 

immediate armistice.

It is difficult to imagine this peaceful 

countryside as the scene of such a bitter 

struggle. The fields were covered with 

wheat, breast high, ready for harvest. 

The Germans had dug here no elaborate 

system of trenches, but every little rise 

in the ground had its group of individual 

rif le pits and nests of machine guns, 

while along the farm roads and ravines 

and hidden by banks of earth and the tall 

grain, were batteries of German artillery. 

The farm buildings and villages, largely 

of stone construction, afforded admirable 

protection, and each constituted a strong 

point which could be taken only after the 

most desperate fighting.

The 1st Division attacked toward this 

road from a line about 3 miles in front of 

here, this point being near the center of 

its zone of action. The zone of action of 

the French 1st Moroccan Division, one 

regiment of which was the famous Foreign 

Legion, included Cravançon Farm, the 

group of buildings a mile down the road 

to the left, and the zone of action of 

the 2d Division (to be visited later) lay 

beyond. These three divisions formed the 

spearhead of the attack which started at 

Râperie

TO PARIS

Cutry

Coeuvreset-Valsery

Longpont

VerteFeuille

Farm

 Beaurepaire

 Farm

Cravançon Farm

Madison

Neuve Farm

St. Amand Farm

Râperie

Missy-aux-Bois

Breuil

Chaudun

Ploisy

Vauxcastille

Vierzy

Parcy-Tigny

Tigny

Hartennes

Villemontoire

Buzancy

Berzy-le-Sec

Noyant

Sucrerie

Aconin Farm

TO SOISSONS

Ravine

Ravine

Ravine

Ravine

Hill

166

Missy

Forêt

Domaniale

de Retz

XX

XX

XX

XX

XX

XX

XX

XX

1ST DIVISION

2D DIVISION

21–22

19

2- 2 19–20

21– 22

July 18

Line

8 A.M.

July 18

(A.M.)

French

Troops

Division

French 1st Moroccan

French

Troops

8 A.M.

July 18

19–20

21–22

20

21–22

20

20

July 19

21–22

ROAD

SOISSONS-CHÂTEAU-THIERRY

le Mont d’Arly

N

0 1 2 3 4 Miles

XX Jump-o Line Front Line Division Boundary

Route, described in text

Stop, described in text

French - American Attack South of Soissons

July 18–22, 1918
84 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE–MARNE REGION

4:35 a. m. on July 18. This assault was 

made without artillery preparation but 

behind a rolling barrage, and quickly 

overran the forward German positions.

About 7:00 a. m. the 1st Division 

reached Missy-aux-Bois and the far 

edge of Missy Ravine, which extends to 

the right from that village. By that time 

the resistance had greatly stiffened, and 

Missy-aux-Bois and the ravine itself were 

full of enemy troops. The assaulting 

units at once pushed on into the ravine 

in the face of point-blank fire from many 

batteries of German artillery located 

therein. These guns, whose removal had 

been prevented by the rapidity of the 

American advance, destroyed a majority 

of the tanks which accompanied the 

brigade of the 1st Division on that f lank. 

However, after a terrific struggle the 

Germans in the ravine were killed or 

taken prisoner, and the guns emplaced in 

it were captured.

The little group of buildings called Le 

Mont d’Arly, seen 11⁄2 miles to the right 

front in the trees below the edge of the 

ravine, was in the zone of action of a 

French division. During the attack, hostile 

fire from there held up the advance of part 

of the 1st Division, whereupon a support 

battalion of the division, attacking in 

conjunction with the French, captured the 

place in a hard fight. St. Amand Farm, 

seen on the hill above Le Mont d’Arly, 

had been previously captured by the 1st 

Division although also situated in the 

French zone of action.

After the leading troops of the 1st 

Division had reached this side of the 

valley, a large hostile force came out of a 

cave on the far slope near Le Mont d’Arly 

and formed up to attack the American 

troops in rear. This force, however, was 

driven back into the cave by an American 

support unit. After futile attempts to 

bomb this German force out of its cave, 

late in the afternoon an officer appeared 

at the mouth of it waving a white f lag 

and surrendered his entire command, 

consisting of approximately 600 officers 

and men.

While the advance to Missy Ravine 

was being made, other troops of the 1st 

Division captured Cravançon Farm, and 

Infantry of 1st Division Near Berzy-le-Sec, July 21, 1918
(85)

the artillery placed a heavy barrage upon 

the German positions along this highway 

and on Hill 166, which slopes up to the left 

rear from this point. When the barrage 

moved forward at 7:53 a. m., the infantry 

continued the attack, meeting desperate 

resistance. To the left of here, the far slope 

of Hill 166 was reached and held. Soon 

thereafter the troops which advanced 

from Missy Ravine toward this locality 

encountered heavy fire from the top of 

the hill and from points to the observer’s 

right along this road. A few Americans 

reached the highway near here, but not in 

sufficient numbers to hold the gains they 

had made.

The 1st Division captured most of its 

objectives by 10:00 a. m. and spent the 

afternoon in preparing to renew the 

attack. Fresh troops were brought up, the 

artillery moved forward, telephone lines 

were strung and food and ammunition 

distributed. The enemy during this period 

became increasingly vigilant and every 

movement in the American lines promptly 

drew machine-gun fire.

The division front line that night was 

established along the near edge of Missy 

Ravine. It crossed this road about 300 

yards to the left of here and continued 

on from there, in the direction of the 

observer’s left rear, for about one mile to 

where it joined with the French.

Face to the rear.

After the loss of their original position 

and most of the artillery in it on July 

18, the Germans rushed every available 

reserve to this area. An enormous number 

of machine guns were set up in front of 

here; new artillery was placed on the hills 

bordering the Soissons–Château-Thierry 

road, 3 miles away; and the troops were 

told to hold the ground then occupied 

regardless of cost. Machine guns were 

ordered to be sacrificed, if necessary, but 

were not to be withdrawn.

About 4:00 a. m. on July 19 the 1st 

Division, supported by tanks, attacked 

all along its front behind a rolling 

barrage. The troops who jumped off 

from Missy Ravine advanced, in the face 

of devastating machine-gun fire, up the 

bare exposed slopes of Hill 166, seen to 

the right front, and captured the top of it. 

Those attacking to the left of this point 

reached this road where they were stopped 

by a withering fire from the front and left 

f lank. All tanks which accompanied the 

assault units were disabled. The troops 

attacking from the right of the division 

line which was to the right front from 

here, made an advance of about 1⁄2 mile in 

spite of intense opposition.

At 5:30 in the afternoon, that part of 

the 1st Division near here attacked in 

conjunction with the French. It started 

from this road, advanced over the fields 

seen ahead, which were being swept by 

severe hostile machine-gun fire, and 

captured the town of Ploisy, about 1 mile 

from here just to the right of the direction 

the observer is facing. Against obstinate 

resistance the troops on the right of the 

division advanced that part of its line 

another 1⁄2 mile during the afternoon.

The next day the attacks of the 1st 

Division were continued. In addition to 

terrific machine-gun and artillery fire, 

many hostile airplanes f lew low over the 

area, machine-gunning and bombing the 

troops, as the Germans frantically tried 

to stop the American advance. In spite 

1st Division Artillery Changing Position 

Near Missy-aux-Bois, July 19, 1918

Captured German Field Gun

Near Missy-aux-Bois
German Prisoners Being Marched to the Rear, South of Soissons, July 18, 1918
(87)

of this the right part of the division front 

line was advanced an additional 1⁄2 mile to 

the other side of the main railroad leading 

south from Soissons.

On the 21st the fighting continued 

with much fury. Berzy-le-Sec was 

captured that day, the division reaching 

Buzancy, beyond the Soissons–ChâteauThierry highway, thereby cutting the 

most important road of the German 

communication system within the salient.

The 1st Division, after its remarkable 

demonstration of fighting ability in this 

attack, was relieved from the line on the 

night of July 22–23. The casualties of the 

division, an indication of its exceptional 

services during the five days of fighting 

here, reached the total of 6,870 officers 

and men. Three fourths of all the infantry 

field officers of the division were either 

killed or wounded and one regiment was 

at the end commanded by a captain of less 

than two years’ service.

EN ROU T E N E A R M ISS Y-AU X-BOIS TO 

NEAR BEAUREPAIRE FARM

(122.4 m 196.9 km) Just beyond the next 

group of buildings, Cravançon Farm, turn 

sharply to the left.

The right boundary of the 1st Division 

during the advance was 200 yards to the 

left of and parallel to this road.

(123.3 m 198.4 km) Immediately after 

entering the next village, Chaudun, turn 

sharply to the right. 

This town, although in the zone of 

action of the Moroccan division, was 

captured on July 18 in an attack in which 

the 2d Division participated. The attack 

was launched from the direction opposite 

to the one the tourist is now traveling.

(124.2 m 199.8 km) The next large group 

of buildings, La Mason-Neuve Farm, was 

in the zone of action of the Moroccans but 

was captured on July 18 by troops of the 

2d Division.

(125.0 m 201.1 km) About 3⁄4 mile beyond 

La Mason-Neuve Farm, where a good 

view is obtained of the group of buildings 

directly ahead, STOP.

Face down the road, which direction is 

approximately southwest. 

After some of its units had marched 

all night and double-timed over muddy 

roads in a driving rain in order to 

jump off at the time designated, the 2d 

Division attacked at 4:35 a. m., July 18, in 

this general direction from a line about 

2 miles to the right front. The initial 

attack was made without the machine 

gun companies, as they had been unable 

to reach the line of departure in time to 

participate, and without the full support 

of the tanks, which were late in arriving.

About 5:45 a. m. the French tanks which 

had caught up with the front line circled 

around La Verte-Feuille Farm, partially 

visible through the trees to the right 

front, while troops of the Marine Brigade 

charged out of the woods seen beyond it 

and overpowered the German garrison 

after a sharp encounter.

Beaurepaire Farm, which the Germans 

had converted into a veritable fortress, 

is seen straight down the road. It was 

near the center of the 2d Division zone 

of action and was captured early on the 

morning of July 18 by the Infantry Brigade 

French Tank With American Forces 

South of Soissons, July 18, 1918

Large Cave South of Soissons 

Many similar caves are in this vicinity
88 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE–MARNE REGION

of the division. At least 100 prisoners were 

captured in or near the farm.

Batteries of German artillery in the 

wheat fields in this general vicinity 

fired point-blank at the Americans as 

they advanced, and before they could be 

silenced these guns had destroyed many of 

the tanks accompanying the attack.

Adding to the confusion caused by 

these terrific bombardments, low-f lying 

airplanes, both Allied and German, 

machine-gunned and bombed the troops 

of their opponents. The Americans 

crawled or darted through the wheat, 

steadily advancing against the Germans, 

who were often unseen until the infantry 

practically stumbled on them or until the 

rapidly moving tanks drove the German 

soldiers from their cover into the open.

Across the open field to the left, on the 

low ground a mile away, is Vauxcastille, 

and running toward the left from it, 

approximately parallel to this road, is 

a deep wooded ravine. Attacking from 

right to left across this road in the early 

morning of the first day of the offensive, 

troops of the 2d Division swarmed into 

that ravine, where a desperate conf lict 

raged until about 7:00 a. m., when the 

Germans were driven beyond it. A large 

number of the enemy who had been 

surrounded at Vauxcastille took refuge in 

the caves in that vicinity. They received 

a message dropped from a German 

airplane directing them to retire, and 

late in the afternoon were captured while 

attempting to fight their way back from 

the town to their own lines.

Vierzy, situated in a ravine to the left 

of and beyond Vauxcastille, is about 2 

miles from here on this side of the nearest 

heavily wooded hill in that direction. It 

was reached by American troops about 

7:00 a. m. The town was entered about 

9:30 a. m. but the American soldiers were 

later compelled to retire on account of 

the presence of persistent gas.

Early in the evening the 2d Division 

attacked from the vicinity of Vauxcastille, 

and after a hard fight in Vierzy, where 

a large number of Germans were made 

prisoner, pushed on and by midnight was 

about a mile beyond that place. Desperate 

counterattacks launched against the 2d 

Division during the night of July 18 were 

unsuccessful.

On July 19 the division attacked about 

9:00 a. m. The Germans were driven 

back steadily until 10:00 a. m. when 

La Verte-Feuille Farm After Its Capture 

by the 2d Division, July 18, 1918



t

r

n

e

e

t

t

f

e



t

d

t

Tigney Vierzy Vauxcastille

Panorama From Stop
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE–MARNE REGION 89

the American troops were near Tigny, 

which can be seen on a clear day 4 miles 

away from here, beyond Vierzy. There 

a German counterattack against the 

division’s exposed left f lank was repulsed. 

The 2d Division was relieved by a French 

division during the night of July 19–20, 

after brilliantly accomplishing, during 

two days of continuous attacks, almost 

every mission assigned to it. Its losses 

were over 4,300 officers and men.

✧

This is the last stop of the tour. Every 

important area of American fighting in 

the region has been visited or pointed 

out except that of the 32d Division near 

Juvigny and the 370th Infantry (93d 

Division) near Vauxaillon. The operations 

of these units are described in detail a few 

pages farther on in this chapter.

The battle areas were visited very closely 

in the chronological order of the fighting, 

except for the one here. The reader should 

remember that the counteroffensive just 

described occurred after the defensive 

fighting of the 2d, 3d and 28th Divisions 

near Château-Thierry and before any of 

the American divisions had gained any 

appreciable amount of ground in the 

Aisne-Marne region.

Although the American divisions in this 

region served with French units and not as 

part of an American army, they supplied 

the numbers which made it possible to 

attack and contributed greatly to the 

strength of the offensive and to the Allied 

morale. The American part in the actual 

fighting is evident when it is realized that 

310,000 American soldiers were engaged 

in battle and that 67,000 were casualties.

✧

Those desiring to complete a loop in this 

area or who started the tour at a place other 

than Paris or Belleau, should proceed to the 

Aisne-Marne American Cemetery either by 

way of Vierzy, Tigny and Château-Thierry 

or via Longpont and Neuilly-St. Front. The 

route through Château-Thierry is easier to 

follow and will take less time. The other is 

more picturesque and goes through the area 

where elements of the 4th Division fought. 

For information concerning this fighting 

see page 54.

About 1 mile from road junction beyond 

Beaurepaire Farm is Longpont, location 

of interesting ruins of a large Cistercian 

abbey which was built in the 12th Century. 

A visit to the town is worth while if time 

is available. Length of side trip—2 miles. 

Time required for side trip—20 minutes. 

Beaurepaire Farm, July 19, 1918

9

is

er

e

r



.

y

.

es

he



nd

n

y.

s

.

s.

Beaurepaire Farm la Verte-Feuille Farm

North of Beaurepaire Farm
90 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE–MARNE REGION

EN ROU T E N E A R BE AU R EPA I R E 

FARM TO PARIS

The Headquarters of the 2d Division was 

established in the ruins of Beaurepaire 

Farm after it was captured on July 18, 

and remained there until the division was 

relieved from the front line.

(126.6 m 203.7 km) Beyond Beaurepaire 

Farm, at the first road junction turn sharply 

to the right.

Compare the present appearance of La 

Verte-Feuille Farm, at the next corner, 

with the picture on page 88.

(128.3 m 206.4 km) Upon reaching the 

next road crossing, turn to the left.

The advance of the 2d Division on July 

18 was in the direction opposite to that 

which the tourist is now following.

In the woods to the right of this road 

were performed early on the morning 

of July 18 the deeds for which Sergeants 

Louis Cukela and Matej Kocak, Marine 

Corps, 2d Division, was later awarded 

Congressional Medals of Honor.

Sergeant Cukela was near this road 

when his company met with heavy 

fire from an enemy strong point in the 

wood. Disregarding the warnings of his 

comrades, he crawled out from the f lank 

and made his way toward the German lines 

in the face of heavy fire. He succeeded in 

getting behind the enemy position and 

rushed a machine-gun emplacement, 

killing or driving off the crew with his 

bayonet. With German hand grenades he 

then bombed out the remaining portion of 

the strong point, capturing four men and 

two machine guns.

About the same time Sergeant Kocak, 

who was in the wood about 500 yards 

from this road, went forward alone 

against another machine-gun nest that, 

hidden in the underbrush, had checked 

the American advance. Without the 

protection of fire from his own men, he 

worked his way in between the German 

positions in the face of fire from hostile 

covering detachments. Locating the 

machine-gun nest, he rushed it and with 

his bayonet drove off the crew. Shortly 

thereafter he took command of 25 

French colonial troops who had become 

Captured Weapons in Public Square at Villers-Cotterêts, July 27, 1918
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE–MARNE REGION 91

separated from their company and led 

them in an attack which succeeded in 

wiping out another machine-gun nest.

(129.4 m 208.2 km) Beyond the farm about 

1 mile are a 2d Division boulder marker and 

a marker indicating the farthest advance of 

the German Army in 1918. They are on the 

left near the road. The jump-off line of the 

2d Division ran near the location of these 

markers and was at right angles to this road.

(134.9 m 217.1 km) From Villers-Cotterêts 

there are three main roads to Paris—via 

Senlis, or La Ferté-Milon and Meaux, or 

Nanteuil and Dommartin.

32d Div ision near Juv ign y, 

August 28 –September 2

The 32d Division, after its relief on the 

Vesle River early in August, was assigned 

on August 23 to the French Tenth Army. 

That Army was then engaged in the OiseAisne offensive northwest of Soissons 

which, if successful, would force the 

Germans to withdraw from their positions 

along the Vesle and Aisne Rivers.

The division was held in reserve until 

August 28, when it entered the line about 1 

mile west of Juvigny. That day it launched 

local attacks and gained some ground in 

spite of heavy hostile fire.

On August 29 a general assault was made 

by the entire Tenth Army. This attack met 

with severe enemy fire and the net result 

was only slight gains.

During the afternoon of August 30 the 32d 

Division flanked the town of Juvigny from 

the south and captured it in a skillful attack, 

after some vicious street fighting. That 

evening two strong German counterattacks 

were repulsed. The American line that night 

formed a small salient projecting into the 

German lines.

The attacks were resumed on the 31st, 

during which the artillery supporting the attack fired a double barrage, instead of a single barrage, as was customary. The Germans, 

who had been in the habit of remaining in 

the numerous caves during the artillery bombardments and then manning their trenches 

and machine-gun nests when the barrage 

moved on, were caught by the second barrage 

and suffered heavy casualties from it.

By the end of the day the 32d Division 

had reached in hard fighting the 

important Soissons-St. Quentin road at 

a point northwest of Terny-Sorny. The 

next day local efforts to advance met with 

determined resistance. The division was 

relieved by the 1st Moroccan Division on 

the night of September 1–2, having made 

a total advance of 3 miles and having 

suffered over 2,600 casualties.

The success of the 32d Division in this 

operation was of great assistance to the 

31

Sept. 1–2 (A.M.)

Bois d’Alsace

Bois de la Domaine

XX

XX

Aug. 28

XX

–29

Aug. 28 (A.M.)

Aug. 29

Aug. 28

Aug. 29–30

Aug. 30

Direction

of Advance

Aug.

Juvigny Terny-Sorny

Râperie

Bois de

Beaumont

Bois

de Leury

Beaumont

Farm

Bois

du

Couronné

TO ST. QUENTIN

TO SOISSONS

N

0 500 1000 1500 2000 Yards

Jump-o Line Front Line XX Division Boundary

32d Division Near Juvigny, August 28–September 2, 1918
92 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE–MARNE REGION

French Tenth Army, whose pressure 

caused the Germans on this front to 

retreat from the Vesle River on September 

4 to a new position on the Aisne River, 

east of its junction with the Vesle.

370th Infantry, 93d Div ision, 

September 15–November 11

The 370th Infantry, which had served 

during the summer in both the St. Mihiel 

and Argonne regions with units of the 

French Army, moved into the Vauxaillon 

area on September 15 as part of the French 

59th Division. Four of its companies 

assisted French troops in unsuccessful 

attacks against Mont des Singes between 

September 17 and 20, and on the 24th the 

regiment as a unit took command of that 

part of the front line just north of the 

small village of Vauxaillon.

Participating in the attack of the 59th 

Division, which began on September 28, 

the 370th Infantry succeeded in advancing 

its lines to the Ailette River valley by 

September 30. The Germans withdrew 

from this front on the night of October 11, 

and the American regiment crossed the 

Ailette and advanced into Bois de Mortier 

on the 12th. Thereafter, acting as division 

reserve, it participated in the pursuit as far 

as Cessières. The losses in these operations 

were about 500 officers and men. 

The French 59th Division was then 

relieved, only to reenter the battle near 

Grandlup-et-Fay on October 30, the 

American regiment being placed in 

support near Chantrud Farm, about a mile 

southwest of Grandlup-et-Fay. There, on 

November 3, it suffered a loss of 41 men 

from the explosion of a single shell.

attack of the 59th

n on September 28,

cceeded in advanc

tte River valley by

Germans withdrew

night of October 11,

giment crossed the

nto Bois de Mortier

ter, acting as divi

pated in the pursuit

he losses in these

500 ocers and men.

sion was then re

er the battle near

October 30, the

eing placed in sup

Farm, about a mile

lup-et-Fay. There,

ered a loss of 41

on of a single shell.

OISE - AISNE

CANAL 3

Oct.

French Troops

Sept. 30–Oct. 11

Direction of Advance

River

Ailette CANAL

LOCKS III

III

III

III

XX

French Troops

Sept. 24 – Oct. 11

Sept.

24–27

24–29

28–29

Sept.

24–27

Sept. 28–29

Sept. 28

29

30

1 2

Champ

Vailly

Mont des

Singes

Vauxaillon

Pinon

Anizy-le-Château TO

CESSIÈRES

Bois

de

Mortier

Forêt

de

Pinon

TO ST. QUENTIN

Noon Oct. 12

N

0 500 1000 1500 2000 Yards

American Front Line

Division Boundary

French Front Line

Regimental Boundary

Ground Gained Sept. 28

XX III

370th Inf. (93d Division) Near Vauxaillon

Sept. 24–Oct. 12, 1918
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE–MARNE REGION 93

The Germans made a general retirement 

in early November, and the 59th Division 

took part in the pursuit. Although 

spasmodic fighting occurred, the 370th 

Infantry moved forward mainly in march 

formation. Battalions of the regiment 

alternated with French units in leading 

the advance of the 59th Division.

At the time of the Armistice the forward 

battalion of the regiment was at Le Gué 

d’Hossus, having marched about 40 miles 

during the last week of the war. There were 

65 casualties in the regiment during the 

fighting which has just been described.

French Tanks With the 32d Division at Juvigny, August 29, 1918
(94)

I

N addition to the places whose World 

War history has been described in the 

itinerary, there are a number of other 

places in the Aisne-Marne region where 

interesting war events occurred, where 

there now exist features of special interest, 

or which are of sufficient importance in 

pre-World War history to warrant special 

mention. For reference purposes and for the 

benefit of the tourist who travels in the area 

on roads other than the described route, 

these places with some of their history have 

been recorded here.

The map on the next page indicates the 

general location of the places mentioned. 

At those places indicated by a star there 

is some existing interesting object such as 

a memorial, ancient ruins or World War 

feature of an outstanding character in 

excellent state of preservation.

Arcis-le-Ponsart. 28th Div. Hdqrs. 

during the period Aug. 14–20.

Belle-Vue Farm, north of Cierges. Scene 

of heavy fighting by the 32d Division on 

both July 31 and August 1.

«Beugneux. About halfway between 

Soissons and Château-Thierry, south 

of Beugneux, on the road to Wallée is 

located a large French monument to 

commemorate the Second Battle of the 

Marne. It consists of a statue near the 

road symbolizing France and a sculptured 

group on a hillside representing eight 

phantom spirits. The monument has a 

beautiful location and commands a fine 

view of the surrounding country.

Beuvardes. Location of 42d Div. Hdqrs., 

during the period July 28–Aug. 12.

«Blérancourt. In a 17th Century château, 

which has been partially restored, is 

displayed in this town an interesting 

collection of paintings, engravings and 

other articles relating to the historical 

cooperation of America and France. The 

establishment, financed by Americans, 

is called the “Musée de Coopération 

Franco-Américain” and is one of the 

national museums of France. A visit, if in 

the neighborhood, is recommended.

Bois de Bourbetin; Bois de la Côte 192; 

Bois de la Roche. These woods near Vaux 

were the scenes of hard fighting by the 

Infantry Brigade of the 2d Division. On 

June 6 the division captured the Bois de 

Bourbetin and the Bois de la Côte 192 

in spite of heavy hostile fire, and then 

defeated an enemy counterattack close 

to the last-named wood. The positions 

Museum at Blérancourt

A DDIT IONA L PL ACES OF INTER EST IN THE 

AISNE-MARNE REGION
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE–MARNE REGION 95

were ordered evacuated that night. In 

the late afternoon of July 1 an attack was 

launched on Vaux and the near-by Bois 

de la Roche. During the course of this 

attack the Bois de Bourbetin and the Bois 

de la Cote 192 were taken. All objectives 

were gained within two hours and many 

machine guns were captured. A German 

counterattack early in the morning of 

July 2 was repulsed with heavy losses. In 

all, over 400 prisoners and much matériel 

were captured.

Bois Pelger; Bois de la Planchette. These 

adjoining woods northeast of Sergy 

were strongly held by the Germans after 

their retreat to the Ourcq River. The 32d 

and 42d Divisions, and elements of the 

4th attached to the latter, were heavily 

engaged in the vicinity of these woods 

from July 29 to August 1. The woods 

were finally captured by the 32d Division 

during August 2.

Bois de Rognac Farm, one mile southeast 

of Coulonges. III Corps Hdqrs., Aug. 

8–19, while directing operations on the 

Vesle. 28th Div. Hdqrs. during the period 

Aug. 20–Sept. 5.

Breuil. This village was captured in 

severe fighting early on July 18 by the 

combined efforts of the 1st Division and 

the adjoining French troops.

Buire. I Corps Hdqrs., July 22–28, 

during part of the time that its troops 

were moving forward to the Ourcq River.

18

(A.M.)

7M.

11 M.

 Carrefour

de-l’Armistice

Compiègne

Coucy-le-Château

Blérancourt

Tartiers Juvigny

4 M.

4 M.

Filain

Pierrefonds

4 M. Cutry

Coeuvreset-Valsery

Mortefontaine

Verte-Feuille Farm

Râperie

Breuil

MissyauxBois

VillersCotterêts Longpont

Chaudun

Buisson

de Cresnes

Pétret Farm

Courchamps

Aisne-Marne

American

Cemetery

Belleau Wood

Mares Farm

Lucy-le-Bocage Bois de Bourbetin

Lizy-sur-Ourcq

2.5 M.

Méry-sur-Marne .5 M. Basseville 3.5 M. la Houssière 3.5 M.

Bézu-le-Guéry

Genevrois Farm 1 M. la Doultre

Château

MonneauxHill

204

 Bois de la

 Côte192

Vaux

1 M. Viort

7 M.Montmirail

St. Eugène Grèves Farm

Connigis

Etangs Farm

Janvier

Farm St. Agnan

Bois de Rougis

Bois de Condé

Courthiézy Launay Sauvigny

Epernay

Dormans Jaulgonne St. Père

Franquets Farm Chartèves

Tieulerie Farm

Mont

Château-

 Thierry

Grand

Ru Farm

Trugny Etrépilly

Buire Epieds

Moucheton Château Bois de

Mont

 l’Evêque

Beuvardes de

Forêt

Fère

Croix Rouge Farm

Château de Fresnes

Courmont

Bois de la Planchette

Sergy Belle-Vue Farm

Cierges

Reddy Farm

Bois Pelger Bois de Rognac Farm

Coulonges

Fère-enTardenois

Wallée

French Monument

Beugneux Mareuil-en-Dôle

 Fère-en-Tardenois Castle Oise-Aisne

American

Cemetery

Arcis-le-Ponsart

Mont-sur-Courville

Mont-St. Martin

Buzancy

Couvrelles Soissons

Mont Notre Dame

Fontaine des Filles Fismes Magneux

Villette

Braine Serval Glennes Merval

Révillon

St. Pierre Farm Villers-en-Prayères TO REIMS

3 MILES

TO REIMS

2 MILES

TO REIMS

10 M.

Ravine Marion

Chazelle

Ravine

Forêt Domaniale

de Retz

CHEMIN DES DAMES

Aisne River

Vesle

River

Marne River

River Ourcq

Sept. 7

Aug. 6

Aug. 6

July 18

July

(A.M.)

N

0 2 4 6 8 10 Miles

Front Line National Highway Place of special interest not on described route

Stop, descibed in text

Route, descibed in text

Described Route and Additional Places of Interest in Aisne-Marne Region
96 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE–MARNE REGION

Buisson de Cresnes. This wood was 

captured on the morning of July 18 by 

units of the 4th Division which were 

serving with the French 33d Division.

Buzancy. Near this town the Soissons–

Château-Thierry highway was cut by 

the 1st Division on July 21 and hostile 

counterattacks were repulsed in heavy 

fighting. At the château near the village 

several hundred prisoners were captured. 

A small 1st Division monument is located 

alongside the main highway.

«Carrefour de l’Armistice. The place 

in the Forêt de Compiègne where the 

Armistice was signed is now marked by 

several interesting monuments. Marshal 

Foch’s headquarters car is housed there in 

a building donated by an American.

Château de Fresnes, west of Courmont. 

III Corps Hdqrs., Aug. 19–Sept. 6.

Chazelle Ravine, east of Chaudun. Scene 

of bitter fighting by the 1st Division 

during its attack on July 19.

«Chemin des Dames. The terrain in 

the vicinity of this road was fought over 

by the French and Germans many times 

during the war. A number of French war 

monuments are to be seen alongside it.

Coeuvres-et-Valsery. 1st Div. Hdqrs. 

during the period from July 18 to 23.

«Compiègne. This city was occupied for 

a short time in 1914 by the Germans and 

the Armistice was signed near it. Joan of 

Arc was captured at Compiègne in 1430 

by the Burgundians, who sold her to the 

English. The city contains a fine historic 

château which is open to visitors.

«Coucy-le-Château. Location of 

interesting ruins of a large ancient castle, 

partly destroyed by Germans during the 

war. The massive concrete emplacement 

of a large German railroad gun is still to 

be seen a short distance across the tracks 

from the railroad station.

Courthiézy and Sauvigny. Front-line 

positions on the south bank of the Marne 

River near these villages were held by 

elements of the 3d Division from June 

3 to 8 and by units of the 28th Division 

from July 9 to 15. The 28th Division units, 

due to the retirement of the French on 

their f lanks, were surrounded and nearly 

annihilated in the German attack of July 

15. (See sketch on page 65.)

Couvrelles, about 2 miles west of 

Braine. Location of 26th Div. Hdqrs. 

Marshal Foch’s Train Arriving at Compiègne

The Armistice was signed in the car in the foreground
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE–MARNE REGION 97

for a six weeks’ period in February and 

March, 1918, while the division received 

front-line training with troops of the 

French XI Corps then occupying the 

Chemin des Dames Sector. At various 

times during this period elements of the 

26th Division held portions of the corps 

front which extended to the westward 

from Filain for about 11 miles.

Croix Rouge Farm. The 26th Division, 

whose front line at the time was composed 

entirely of troops of the 56th Brigade, 28th 

Division, attached to it, was held up near 

this farm on July 24 by heavy resistance in 

the Forêt de Fère. The farm was captured 

two days later, after severe hand-to-hand 

fighting by the 42d Division which had 

relieved the 26th.

«Dormans. An interesting World War 

memorial church has been constructed on 

the hill in rear of this town.

«Fère-en-Tardenois Castle. An 

interesting medieval castle built about 

1200 A.D. is located about 11⁄2 miles 

northeast of Fère-en-Tardenois, close to 

the road to Fismes. The 77th Div. Hdqrs. 

was located in the adjoining château for 

the period from August 13 to September 4.

Fontaine des Filles, west of Mont-St. 

Martin. In a cave north of this point 

was located the 77th Div. Hdqrs. from 

September 4 to September 16.

Franquets Farm, about 1⁄2 mile north of 

Jaulgonne. Scene of heavy fighting by the 

3d Division on July 22 and 23. The farm 

was finally captured on July 24.

Genevrois Farm, near Bézu-le-Guéry. 2d 

Div. Hdqrs., June 10–July 10. 26th Div. 

Hdqrs., July 10–15, and on July 20.

Glennes. On the plateau south of this 

village the 28th Division engaged in 

severe fighting on September 6, capturing 

four enemy strong points and holding 

them against a counterattack. 

Grand Ru Farm, southeast of Etrépilly. 

26th Div. Hdqrs., July 21–30.

Grèves Farm, 11⁄2 miles west of St. 

Eugène. On July 15 a battalion of the 3d 

Division advanced from near this farm to 

counterattack the advancing Germans. 

It was heavily shelled by hostile artillery 

and suffered severe losses.

Close to this farm First Lieutenant 

George P. Hays, Field Artillery, 3d 

Division, rendered the gallant services for 

which he was awarded the Congressional 

Medal of Honor. At the outset of the 

terrific enemy artillery bombardment 

Ruins of Old Castle at Coucy-le-Château
(98)

on the night of July 14–15, his telephone 

line was destroyed beyond repair. He 

immediately set out to establish contact 

with the neighboring command post 

and while so doing established liaison 

with two French batteries, visiting their 

positions so frequently that he was 

mainly responsible for the accurate fire 

therefrom. While thus engaged he was 

severely wounded. His deeds were an 

important factor in checking the advance 

of the enemy troops on this front.

During the same battle and also near 

this farm, Second Lieutenant Jay F. 

Hostetter, Field Artillery, 3d Division, 

having discovered that two French guns 

on his left had lost their crews during the 

heavy German bombardment, requested 

and obtained permission to use them. 

Securing eight volunteers from his ranks, 

he pressed the guns into action, and 

for several hours poured an effective 

fire into the advancing enemy. For this 

action he and the eight men were awarded 

Distinguished Service Crosses.

Janvier Farm, about 1⁄2 mile east of 

Connigis. Near this farm a battery of the 

3d Division on July 15 fired at pointblank 

range against German infantry until its 

ammunition was exhausted. The guns 

were then disabled and the gunners retired 

to the infantry lines.

La Doultre Château, near Viffort. 3d 

Div. Hdqrs., June 11–July 22.

La Houssière, east of Bassevelle. 28th 

Div. Hdqrs., July 15–18.

Launay. In the vicinity of this village and 

Etangs Farm troops of the 3d Division on 

the afternoon of July 15 repulsed a strong 

German attack.

Lizy-sur-Ourcq. 4th Div. Headquarters 

during the period from July 5 to 23.

German Troops Advancing Across the Chemin des Dames, May 1918

Large German Gun Emplacement at Coucy-le-Château in 1934
(99)

«Longpont. In this town are the ruins of 

a large Cistercian abbey, said to have been 

built in the 12th Century.

Magneux. Near this place on August 

16 and 25, the 28th Division launched 

attacks to advance its lines closer to the 

Vesle River. These attacks resulted in 

heavy fighting although no permanent 

gains of ground were made.

Mares Farm. About noon on June 2 

a marine battalion of the 2d Division 

hurried into a second-line position at this 

farm, which is about 2 miles northwest 

of Lucy-le-Bocage. Late the next day, 

the Germans pushed through the French 

troops and reached the farm where their 

advance was stopped by the American 

battalion after a severe fight.

Mareuil-en-Dôle. 4th Div. Hdqrs., 

Aug. 4–12, and 77th Div. Hdqrs., Aug. 

12–13. The town was captured by the 

42d Division on August 2 after a battle 

with German machine gun units but was 

voluntarily abandoned the same day. It 

was reoccupied on August 3 by the 4th 

Division, which had relieved the 42d.

Merval and Serval were occupied on 

September 5 by the 77th Division while it 

was moving its front line forward from the 

Vesle toward the Aisne River.

Méry-sur-Marne. 26th Div. Hdqrs. 

during the period July 15–20.

Missy-aux-Bois. During the fighting in 

the ravine north of Missy-aux-Bois a gap 

had developed between the American 

1st Division and the French division on 

its left, thus exposing the left of the 1st 

Division to terrific fire from several 

German machine guns located in a rock 

quarry. Second Lieutenant Samuel I. 

Parker, 1st Division, observing this serious 

situation, ordered his depleted platoon to 

German Batteries in Position Near the Marne River, June 1918 © G

Artillery of I Corps on the March Near Vaux, July 1918
(100)

follow him in an attack upon the strong 

point. Meeting a disorganized group of 

French soldiers wandering about in the 

ravine, he persuaded them to join his 

platoon. This consolidated group followed 

Lieutenant Parker through direct enemy 

rifle and machine-gun fire to the crest 

above the ravine and, rushing forward, 

took the quarry by storm, capturing six 

machine guns and about 40 prisoners. 

Lieutenant Parker remained in the 

combat the following day and, although 

painfully wounded, led the battalion he 

then commanded to its objective. For this 

example of conspicuous gallantry and 

spirit of self-sacrifice he was later awarded 

the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Monneaux, on the western slope of Hill 

204. This town was captured on June 6 by 

elements of the 3d Division serving with 

the French 10th Colonial Division.

Montmirail. The non-motorized units 

of the 3d Division detrained at this 

town early in June when the division 

was hurrying forward to enter the battle 

near Château-Thierry. Near Montmirail 

important battles were fought by 

Napoleon on February 11 and 14, 1814.

Mont Notre Dame. The large church 

located here replaces one destroyed by the 

Germans and stands on a site occupied by 

historic churches since the 9th Century.

Mont-St. Martin. On August 3 this 

village was occupied by the 32d Division 

after a sharp fight in the vicinity with 

German machine gun units.

Mont-sur-Courville. 28th Div. Hdqrs. 

during the period Sept. 5–9.

Mortefontaine. 1st Div. Hdqrs., just 

before the offensive of July 18. III Corps 

Hdqrs., July 24–30, prior to its assuming 

active direction of operations. The 1st 

Division assembled in the vicinity of this 

village before it started its attack early on 

the morning of July 18.

8-Inch Austrian Howitzer Captured by the

26th Division at Epieds, July 24, 1918

German Gun Firing Near Reims, June 1917. © G
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE–MARNE REGION 101

Moucheton Château, north of Epieds. I 

Corps Hdqrs., from July 28 to Aug. 5.

Pétret Farm, 1 mile east of Courchamps. 

A battalion of the 4th Division attached 

to the French 164th Division captured this 

farm and the near-by wood during the day 

of July 20.

«Pierrefonds Château. This magnificent 

castle is a fine example of French medieval 

military architecture. Originally built 

in 1390, the castle was restored in 1862. 

During the war, while used as a hospital, 

it was shelled several times.

Râperie, about 1 mile east of Cutry. In 

the vicinity of this mill, the 1st Division 

had a short but bitter fight early on 

the morning of July 18. During this 

engagement, Private First Class Daniel R. 

Edwards, 1st Division, who had been under 

treatment for several weeks for numerous 

and serious wounds and was suffering 

intense pain from a freshly shattered arm, 

crawled alone into an occupied German 

trench. He killed four men and captured 

four more. While conducting them to the 

rear a shell completely shattered one of 

Private Edwards’ legs but he continued 

to the rear, forcing one of the prisoners 

to carry him. The bravery of Private 

Edwards, then a tradition in his battalion 

because of his previous gallant acts, again 

raised the morale of his comrades to a 

high pitch. For his exceptional bravery 

during this fighting, Private Edwards was 

later awarded the Congressional Medal of 

Honor.

Ravine Marion, southwest of Glennes. 

Scene of sharp fighting by the 77th 

Division on September 8, 9 and 14.

Reddy Farm, northeast of Cierges. The 

vicinity of this farm was the scene of 

heavy fighting by the 32d Division on 

August 1. It was captured by that division 

during August 2 after a sharp fight.

American Marching to Attack Near Beuvardes, July 24, 1918

The men are in gas masks, the road having recently been gassed by the Germans

The Repairing of Roads Was a Problem

for the Engineers
102 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE–MARNE REGION

«Reims, one of the historic cities of 

France, was badly damaged by German 

bombardments during the war. Objects 

of interest in it are its Roman ruins and 

the world-famous cathedral where many 

of the kings of France were crowned. A 

visit to one of the vast champagne cellars 

at Reims will prove interesting.

St. Agnan. In the near-by Bois de 

Rougis and Bois de Condé, the 55th 

Brigade of the 28th Division assisted the 

French in checking the German July 15 

offensive. It sustained heavy losses in two 

counterattacks launched by it from the 

Bois de Rougis on July 16. (See the sketch 

which appears on page 65.)

St. Pierre Farm, southwest of Révillon. 

Intense local fighting by the 77th Division 

occurred near this place on September 8, 

9 and 14. On the latter date positions near 

the farm changed hands as many as three 

times before they finally remained in the 

possession of the Americans.

Tartiers. 32d Div. Headquarters during 

the period Aug. 27–Sept. 6.

Tieulerie Farm and the near-by Bois de 

Mont l’Evêque, about 11⁄2, miles north of 

Chartèves. This farm and wood were the 

scenes of bitter fighting on July 22 and 23 

by the 3d Division. They were both finally 

captured on the latter date. 

Trugny and Epieds. The 26th Division 

engaged in severe fighting for the 

possession of these two villages, which 

were part of a strong German defensive 

position. In four different attacks made 

during July 22 and 23 the towns changed 

hands a number of times. 

Verte-Feuille Farm. Southwest of Soissons, 

on the main road to Villers-Cotterêts, 

about 1 mile northeast of Verte-Feuille 

Farm is located a French monument “TO 

THE GLORY OF THE FRENCH AND 

ALLIED SOLDIERS WHO FOUGHT 

VICTORIOUSLY ON THIS PLATEAU 

FROM MAY 29 TO JULY 25, 1918.” Among 

the many units listed are British divisions 

and the American 1st and 2d Divisions. 

Villers-en-Prayères. Captured by the 

77th Division on September 6. 

Villette. The 6th Brigade of the 3d 

Division held the front line northwest 

of the village of Villette near the Vesle 

River from August 6 to 11 and during this 

period made two determined attempts to 

establish a bridgehead north of the river.

Troops of the 2d Division En Route to a Rest Camp During a

Temporary Relief from the Front Line, June 17, 1918
(103)

Name 

of Div.

Period of 

Service 1918

Character 

of Service

Location of Service

General vicinity of—

Army to Which 

Attached1

Corps to Which 

Attached1

Casualties 2

1 July 18–22........... Battle........ Missy-aux-Bois and Berzy-le-Sec.

Tenth .................... XX............................ 6,870

2 June 2–5 ............. Battle........ Lucy-le-Bocage................ Sixth..................... XXI.......................... 546

June 6–July 10.... Sector....... Belleau Wood and Vaux. Sixth..................... XXI until June 21, 

then III until July 

4, then Am. I.

7,225

(363)

July 18–20........... Battle........ La Verte-Feuille Farm 

and Vierzy.

Tenth .................... XX............................ 4,319

3 May 31–June 5 ... Battle........ Château-Thierry and

along the Marne River

to Courthiézy.

Sixth..................... XXXVII................... 65

June 6–July 14.... Sector....... Château-Thierry and

along the Marne River

to Courthiézy.

Sixth..................... XXXVII................... 432

July 15–30........... Battle........ Mézy and Ronchères....... Sixth until July 17, 

then Ninth until 

July 20, then 

Sixth.

XXXVIII ................. 5,964

(92)

(6th 

Brig. 

only)

Aug. 6................. Battle........ Vesle River east of 

Fismes.

Sixth..................... Am. III..................... 32

(6th 

Brig. 

only)

Aug. 7–11............ Sector....... Vesle River east of 

Fismes.

Sixth..................... Am. III..................... 574

(2)

4 July 18–21........... Battle........ Noroy-sur-Ourcq and 

Chevillon.

Sixth..................... II and VII................. 2,100

Aug. 3–6............. Battle........ Mareuil-en-Dôle and St. 

Thibaut.

Sixth..................... Am. I........................ 1,625

(33)

Aug. 7–12 ........... Sector....... St. Thibaut....................... Sixth..................... Am. I........................ 1,761

(59)

26 Feb. 6–Mar. 19... Training 

in Line

Chemin des Dames.......... Sixth..................... XI............................. 404

July 10–14........... Sector....... Belleau Wood................... Sixth..................... Am. I........................ 213

July 15–25........... Battle........ Belleau and Epieds.......... Sixth..................... Am. I........................ 4,644

(149)

28 July 1–14............. Training 

in Line

Château-Thierry and 

along the Marne River 

to Courthiézy.

Sixth..................... XXXVIII and III..... 178

July 15–18........... Battle........ Château-Thierry and 

along the Marne River 

to Courthiézy.

Sixth until July 17, 

then Ninth.

III and XXXVIII..... 1,233

July 28–31........... Battle........ Bois des Grimpettes ........ Sixth..................... XXXVIII ................. 1,416

Aug. 7–17............ Sector....... Fismes.............................. Sixth..................... Am. III..................... 1,809

(124)

Aug. 18–Sept. 8.. Battle........ Baslieux ........................... Sixth..................... Am. III..................... 3,277

(25)

32 July 30–Aug. 6 ... Battle........ Cierges and Fismes Sixth..................... XXXVIII until Aug. 

4, then Am. III.

3,662

(49)

See footnotes on page 104.

SUMMARY OF COMBAT SERVICE OF AMERICAN DIVISIONS

IN THE AISNE-MARNE REGION
(104)

32d Division Troops Resting Near Mont-St. Martin, August 6, 1918

Name 

of Div.

Period of 

Service 1918

Character 

of Service

Location of Service

General vicinity of—

Army to Which 

Attached1

Corps to Which

 Attached1

Casualties 2

Aug. 7................. Sector....... Fismes.............................. Sixth..................... Am. III..................... 42

Aug. 28–Sept. 2 Battle........ Juvigny............................. Tenth .................... XXX......................... 2,633

(13)

42 July 25–Aug. 3 ... Battle........ Sergy and Seringes-etNesles.Sixth..................... Am. I........................ 5,476

(975)

77 Aug. 12–17.......... Sector....... St. Thibaut....................... Sixth..................... Am. I until Aug. 13, 

then Am. III.

1,407

(135)

Aub. 18–Sept. 16. Battle........ Bazoches, Merval and 

Villers-en-Prayères.

Sixth until Sept. 8, 

then Fifth.

Am. III until Sept. 9, 

then XVI.

3,200

(13)

93

(370th 

Inf. 

only)

Sept. 17–Oct. 12. Battle........ Northeast of Vauxaillon Tenth .................... XXX until Oct. 6, 

then XVI.

504

(370th 

Inf. 

only)

Nov. 5–11 ........... Battle........ Northeast of Laon and 

Rocroi.

Third.................... XVIII until Nov. 10, 

then XVI.

65

l All armies and corps are French unless otherwise indicated. In this table Am. = American. 2 Casualties are for period in line only. Figures in parentheses give casualties for units temporarily attached. Add figure in 

parentheses to the one above in order to obtain the total casualties during entire operation.

SUMMARY OF COMBAT SERVICE—Continued
(105)

T HE St. Mihiel offensive, which began 

on September 12, 1918, was the first 

operation in the World War carried 

out by a complete American army under 

the separate and independent control of the 

American Commander-in-Chief. 

The plan to develop an army near 

St. Mihiel when sufficient troops were 

available, and to reduce the salient 

there as a preliminary to a more decisive 

operation in the same vicinity, was 

proposed by General Pershing and was 

agreed to by General Pétain at the first 

conference between them shortly after the 

arrival of the American Headquarters in 

France. This plan was constantly kept in 

mind by the American High Command and 

beginning in January 1918 the battle front 

near St. Mihiel was used to give front-line 

experience to American divisions and to 

acquaint them with the region in which 

they would later attack.

The succession of German drives in 

the spring of 1918 made it necessary to 

postpone the original plan, as all available 

troops were urgently needed at other places 

on the front. Consequently, although 

there were more than 1,200,000 American 

A MERICAN OPER ATIONS IN THE ST. MIHIEL REGION

Chapter III

7

83

41

76

85

80

78

36

32

42 3

77

26

91

92

90 79

82

30

27

33

4 28 93

89 1

37

2

5

35

29

ENGLISH

CHANNEL

Ypres

Lille

Arras

Brussels

Namur

Cologne

Coblenz

Metz

Strasbourg

Colmar

Mulhouse

Epinal

Neufchâteau

Nancy

Chaumont

Bar-le-Duc

St. Mihiel

Verdun Châlons

Château-Thierry Meaux

Montdidier

Amiens

Soissons Reims

Mézières

Paris

Somme

R.

Oise

R i ve r

Seine

R.

S eine R.

River

Ais ne R ive r

Marne

Meu s e R.

Mo s el le R iv er

R hine R iv e r

R hine R iv e r

LUXEMBURG

F R A N C E

G

E

R

M

A

N

Y

B

E

L

G I U

M

Brest

At le Mans

At St. Aignan

At St. Amand-Montrond

Cherbourg

6

Line of Aug.10 Division in Line

International Boundary

28 79 Division in Rear Area

N

Location of American Divisions on Western Front

August 10, 1918

0 50 100 Miles
(106)

soldiers in France in July, the American 

combat units were widely distributed 

along the entire front, either serving in 

line with the French and British Armies or 

undergoing training in rear areas.

When the reduction of the Aisne-Marne 

salient was assured General Pershing 

pointed out to the Allied Commander-inChief that the improved situation made 

possible the concentration of American 

units, and insisted that the formation of 

an American army be resumed. Although 

the French but more especially the 

British urged that American units be left 

with their forces, an understanding was 

reached that most of these units should 

soon be assembled into an independent 

army in the neighborhood of St. Mihiel.

The American First Army Headquarters 

began to function on August 10 and on 

that day started vigorous preparations 

for the reduction of the St. Mihiel salient. 

The assembling of units commenced soon 

thereafter and on August 30 the First 

Army took command of the battle front 

from Port-sur-Seille, 5 miles east of the 

Moselle, to Watronville, 7 miles southeast 

of Verdun.

The St. Mihiel salient was shaped 

roughly like a triangle with its points 

near Pont-à-Mousson, St. Mihiel and 

Verdun. It was 25 miles wide at its base, 

extended 16 miles into the Allied lines 

and had remained almost unchanged in 

shape for four years. Its western face ran 

diagonally across the wooded heights 

east of the Meuse River, and its southern 

face extended from St. Mihiel to the 

Moselle River, traversing the Heights of 

the Meuse, the Heights of the Moselle and 

the intervening Woëvre Plain. This plain 

is cut by small streams and dotted with 

woods of varying size. It is comparatively 

low ground containing many large ponds 

and swampy areas, thus making crosscountry travel difficult especially in wet 

weather.

Within the German lines at the south 

face of the salient were the high isolated 

hills of Loupmont and Montsec. These 

were not only strong natural defensive 

positions but in addition afforded the 

enemy excellent observation of much of 

the ground behind the Allied lines.

Two strong German positions had 

been prepared in front of the one across 

the base of the salient, and all had been 

strengthened by elaborate systems of 

trenches, barbed-wire entanglements, 

concrete shelters and machine-gun 

emplacements. The salient was therefore 

a veritable field fortress against which the 

French in the preceding years had made a 

number of unsuccessful attacks.

The value of the salient to Germany lay 

in the fact that it protected the strategic 

centers of Metz and the Briey iron 

basin; interrupted traffic on the main 

Wartime View From Top of Montsec

Arrows indicate successive barriers of wire
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE ST. MIHIEL REGION 107

Paris–Nancy railroad; cut the VerdunToul railroad; and threatened the Allied 

territory in its vicinity, especially west of 

the Meuse. Its reduction was imperative 

before any great Allied offensive could 

be launched against the Briey and Metz 

region or northward, between the Meuse 

River and Argonne Forest, toward the 

general area around Sedan.

The preparations for the attack against 

the salient were well along when, on 

August 30, the Allied Commander-inChief suggested to General Pershing that 

the offensive be reduced greatly in scope, 

that most of the American divisions be 

used for an attack about September 15 

between Verdun and Reims and that in 

the new attack some of the American 

divisions be assigned to operate under 

certain of the higher French commands.

General Pershing felt that the St. 

Mihiel offensive should be carried out 

as planned and definitely stated that the 

American divisions would fight in the 

future only as part of an independent 

American army. After a series of 

conferences with Marshal Foch it was 

finally agreed, on September 2, that the 

St. Mihiel attack would be carried out, 

but that its objectives would be strictly 

limited so that the American Army could 

undertake another major offensive about 

ten days later on the front between the 

Meuse River and the Argonne Forest.

This agreement put a great burden upon 

the American First Army as under it 

the Army was called upon to carry to a 

conclusion the important offensive at St. 

Mihiel which was scheduled to start on 

September 12, to concentrate an enormous 

German Defensive Organization in the 

St. Mihiel Region

Front Line

Defense Line

N

Line of

Sept 12 (A.M.)

R.

M e u s e

R i v e r

River

Se i ll e R.

Seille

Moselle

Verdun

Grimaucourt

Watronville

Haudiomont

St. Mihiel

Marchéville

Doncourt

Vigneulles

Heudicourt

Thiaucourt

Rembercourtsur-Mad

Vandières

Loupmont

Montsec

Marvoisin

Pontà-Mousson Portsur-Seille

Prény

Etain

Conans-en-Jarnisy

Metz

WILHELM

ZONE

WILHELM DEFENSE ZONE

MICHEL

ZONE

L INE )

V O L K E R

S T E L L U N G

K R I E M H I L D

H A G E N

S T E L L U N G

S T E L L U N G

(HINDENBURG

0 5 10 15 Miles

S C H R O E T E R

Z O N E
Reserves Moving Forward During the St. Mihiel Offensive

Note Montsec in the distance
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE ST. MIHIEL REGION 109

force on the Meuse-Argonne front, and to 

initiate a still greater operation there, all 

within the brief space of two weeks. In 

other words, at the time the agreement 

with the Allied Commander-in-Chief 

was made the American Army undertook 

the mission of launching within the 

next 23 days two great offensives on 

battlefields 40 miles apart. Never before 

on the Western Front had a single army 

attempted such a colossal task, and its 

successful accomplishment ref lects great 

credit on all those concerned.

The final plans for the St. Mihiel 

operation provided for a main drive 

against the southern face of the salient, a 

secondary blow against the western face, 

and holding attacks and raids against the 

tip. The American I and IV Corps were 

designated to deliver the main attack. The 

I Corps, extending from Port-sur-Seille 

westward, had the 82d, 90th, 5th and 2d 

Divisions in line from right to left, and the 

78th in reserve. The IV Corps continued 

the line to the west as far as Marvoisin, 

with the 89th, 42d and 1st Divisions in 

line, and the 3d in reserve.

The American V Corps, composed of the 

26th Division, the French 15th Colonial 

Division and part of the 4th Division, in 

line from right to left, and the remainder 

of the 4th in reserve, was to make the 

secondary attack on and from that part of 

the Heights of the Meuse to the south of 

Haudiomont.

The French II Colonial Corps, composed 

of three French divisions, each occupying 

large sectors of the front line around the 

tip of the salient, was to support the left 

of the main attack and the right of the 

Plan of Attack of First Army, September 12, 1918

Jump-o Line Sept. 12 (A.M.)

Army Boundary

Numerals indicate divisions Arrows indicate direction and weight of attacks

Corps Boundary

Front Line Actually Reached

X X X X X X X

N

0 5 10 15 Miles

Haudiomont

Loupmont

St. Mihiel Montsec

Nonsard

Thiaucourt

Vigneulles Rembercourtsur- Mad

Marvoisin Seicheprey

Limey

Pont-à-Mousson

I Corps

IV Corps

September

16

Meuse

Woëvre

Plain

Rupt

de

Mad

Creek

River

M o s e ll e

R i v e r

Meuse

Sept 12

Sept

12

4 Fr. 2 D.

C.P.

26

Fr.

26

Fr. 39

1 42 89

2

5 90 82

Fr. II

C. A.C.

Fr.

15

D.I.C.

Fr. 26

Heights

of the

V Corps

F R E N

C

H
secondary attack and to hold the enemy 

at the apex of the salient while the other 

attacks were being made.

Of the three American corps and the 

nine American divisions which took part 

in the attack two of the corps and four 

of the divisions had never before been 

engaged at the front in offensive combat.

The First Army had the 35th, 80th and 

91st Divisions in reserve for use in case of 

necessity. The Army’s needs for additional 

aviation, artillery and tanks, to round out 

the normal proportions of these arms in 

the higher units, were largely met by the 

French and British.

More than 550,000 Americans and 

about 110,000 French were involved in 

the offensive. The air force concentrated 

for it, 1,481 airplanes, was the largest 

ever brought together up to that time and 

consisted chief ly of French and British 

planes. The Army had about 400 French 

tanks available of which 350 were light 

ones and 144 were manned by Americans. 

About 3,000 pieces of artillery were used 

and approximately 3,300,000 rounds of 

artillery ammunition were brought into 

the area in preparation for the offensive.

The secret movement of such a large 

number of troops to the battle front and 

the many details involved in planning the 

operation and in providing the necessary 

special troops put a tremendous strain 

upon the Army Staff which it successfully 

met. Finally, after weeks of effort, on the 

night of September 11–12 all preparations 

had been completed, and the First Army 

was in position ready for battle.

Opposing it, holding the salient, was an 

enemy force known as Army Detachment 

“C”. It was composed of 8 divisions and 

2 brigades in line and 5 divisions which 

were held in the rear areas in reserve.

The Germans suspected that an attack 

was being prepared but believed that 

it would not take place until late in 

September. In anticipation of this attack, 

and to shorten their front line because 

their reserves on the Western Front 

were being depleted, the German High 

Command issued orders on September 

11 for a gradual withdrawal from the 

salient and the destruction of all things of 

military value which could not be moved. 

The execution of this order, however, 

Road Near Sanzey Just Before the

St. Mihiel Offensive

Note its muddy, torn-up condition typical of

most roads in the region at that time

Wrecked Bridge at Flirey

Note double line of traffic, continuous for three days after the attack of September 12, 1918
(111)

had not begun when the American attack 

burst upon the defenders of the salient.

The bombardment of the hostile 

positions began at 1:00 a. m. on September 

12 and was so intense and overpowering 

that the German guns could not make 

effective reply. At 5:00 a. m. the infantry 

of the main attack jumped off. Despite the 

lack of tanks, only a few of which came 

up in time to assist the troops through the 

wire entanglements, the entire advance 

proceeded according to schedule.

The plan provided that the greatest 

initial penetration should be made by 

the IV Corps and the left of the I Corps, 

the objectives for September 12 requiring 

a 5-mile advance. In its execution the 

1st Division, on the left f lank of the 

main attack, captured Nonsard and 

entered the woods to the north; the 42d 

Division pushed on beyond the towns of 

Essey and Pannes; while the 89th seized 

Bouillonville. In the I Corps, the 2d 

Division captured Thiaucourt, and the 

5th drove through Viéville-en-Haye, with 

its eastern f lank bent back to connect 

with the 90th Division, which was at the 

pivot of the main attack on the first day.

On the western face of the salient the 

artillery preparation was continued until 

8:00 a. m., when the infantry of the V 

Corps launched its assault. By nightfall 

the corps had advanced about 2 miles.

While the attacks on the two faces were 

progressing reports indicated that the 

Germans were retiring from that part of 

the salient in front of the French troops, 

although raids into the opposing lines 

made by the French near the town of St. 

Mihiel met with considerable opposition 

principally from machine gun units.

With the idea of cutting off the retreat 

of as many Germans as possible, General 

Pershing, early on the evening of the 12th, 

directed that troops of the IV and V Corps 

be rushed with all speed to the vicinity 

of Vigneulles. Part of the 26th Division 

marched along a narrow forest road 

directly to the heart of the salient, and 

soon after 2:00 a. m. Vigneulles was in its 

possession. About dawn on the 13th it met 

patrols of the 1st Division just northeast 

of that town. This marked the closing of 

the salient and the German soldiers who 

had not retired beyond that vicinity were 

cut off and captured.

Practically all objectives had been 

gained by the evening of September 13, 

German 21-Centimeter Mortar Battery Firing on Western Front, October 1918. © G

American 75-Millimeter Gun Firing Toward

Montsec From a Position Near Beaumont,

September 12, 1918
(112)

and the organization of the new position, 

roughly along the line joining Vandières 

and Haudiomont, was begun. Deep raids 

and local attacks were pushed, especially 

on the eastern part of the front of attack, 

until September 16, by which time the 

whole of the Bois des Rappes and much 

adjoining territory had been captured.

Although the new front was 21 miles 

shorter than the former battle line, by 

September 17 the enemy forces had been 

increased to 10 divisions and 2 brigades 

in line, and 10 other divisions in reserve, 

an actual increase of seven divisions 

during the period of the offensive. The 

First Army had placed the 78th Division 

in line during the same period and had 

withdrawn from the line the American 1st, 

2d, 4th, 5th and French 26th Divisions.

The complete success of the American 

Army in its first offensive greatly 

stimulated the morale of the Allies and 

depressed that of the Germans. The 

American casualties were less than 9,000, 

yet more than 15,000 prisoners and about 

450 cannon had been captured, and over 

200 square miles of territory, with its 

remaining French population, had been 

restored to France. The railroads in the 

vicinity of St. Mihiel had been freed for 

Allied use, the threat of the salient against 

the surrounding country had been removed 

and one of the most important obstacles 

to an advance toward the vital Briey–

Metz region or Sedan had been overcome. 

American staffs had shown their ability to 

maneuver and control large masses, and 

the whole Army had developed added selfconfidence and a sense of power which 

was to be of great value in helping it to 

surmount the difficult tasks ahead.

The battle was the first large Allied 

offensive of the year against a carefully 

prepared trench system, the previous 

Allied attacks of 1918 having been made 

against salients created by the Germans 

in their spring and summer offensives 

and which were only partially organized 

for defense. The clean-cut victory of the 

American Army at St. Mihiel indicated 

that no longer could any German positions 

on the Western Front be considered strong 

enough to be impregnable.

The ability displayed by the Americans in 

penetrating formidable wire entanglements 

so favorably impressed the French 

High Command that selected groups of 

officers and enlisted men were sent from 

neighboring French armies to view the 

strength of the obstacles through which 

the American soldiers had made their way. 

The French official comments at the time 

characterized the conduct of the American 

divisions in this battle as “magnificent”.

Supplies Moving Forward and Prisoners Marching to the Rear at St. Baussant

September 12, 1918

German Prisoners at Beaumont, September 12, 1918
(113)

The transfer of American units to the 

Meuse-Argonne region, their next great 

battlef ield, was begun even before the 

completion of the St. Mihiel offensive, 

and by the 20th of 

September only the 

26th, 42d, 78th, 89th, 

90th and four French 

divisions were left to 

serve on this front. 

These divisions, 

and those which entered the line from 

time to time as relieving units, continued to strengthen 

the positions and to 

conduct local attacks 

to secure points of 

vantage. Artillery 

bombardments by 

both sides were of 

frequent occurrence. 

On October 12 Major General Robert 

L. Bullard, the Commanding General of 

the newly organized 

American Second 

Army, took command of the front 

between Fresnes-enWoëvre and Port-surSeille, then held by the 

7th, 37th, 79th, 92d 

and two French divisions. The 28th American Division was 

in Army reserve.

At that time the First Army offensive 

in the Meuse-Argonne region had been 

in progress for more than two weeks, 

and the situation there demanded that 

every American division be used to 

the limit of its endurance. The Second 

Army, therefore, had 

for the time being 

the rôle of holding 

its front principally 

with tired divisions 

while they rested 

and prepared for another tour of duty in 

the Meuse-Argonne 

fighting. Active patrolling and raiding were continued, 

however, and the 

artillery carefully 

registered on targets 

in anticipation of a 

possible major offensive to be undertaken 

later.

Early in November 

it became evident 

that the Allied and 

American attacks, 

covering almost the 

entire front from the 

Meuse to the North 

Sea, were producing 

great disorganization 

within the German 

armies, and on November 5, the American 

C om m a nd e r-i n- C h i e f 

ordered the Second Army to begin advancing its lines in preparation for an 

offensive in the direction of Briey. The 

Army planned to launch these attacks on 

Gas Alarm for an American Unit on Western Face of the St. Mihiel Salient, April 30, 1918

Lieutenant General Robert L. Bullard

Commanding General of the

Second Army from October 12, 1918 

to April 15, 1919
114 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE ST. MIHIEL REGION

November 11 but on the evening of November 9 a message was transmitted from 

the Allied Commander-in-Chief which 

directed that vigorous pressure be applied immediately along the whole front.

The 7th, 28th, 33d and 92d Divisions, 

then on the Second Army front, began 

at once the attacks already planned. 

The scarcity of troops prohibited strong 

concentrations but in spite of this and 

of stubborn resistance encountered, the 

Army made a considerable advance, 

recovering a total of approximately 25 

square miles of French territory.

In the meantime the Allied Commanderin-Chief had decided upon an offensive east 

of the Moselle River, and requested that 

six American divisions be designated to 

take part in it. General Pershing had long 

favored an attack in that direction and had 

planned to launch one there following the 

St. Mihiel offensive. He therefore selected 

the 3d, 4th, 28th, 29th, 35th and 36th 

Divisions for the task, with the stipulation 

that these units should operate under the 

command of the American Second Army.

The plans prepared by the Second Army 

for its part in this offensive provided for a 

powerful drive in a northeasterly direction 

from the vicinity of Port-sur-Seille, east 

of the Moselle River. On its right f lank a 

French army group was to attack at the 

same time and the American First Army 

from its location in the general vicinity of 

the Meuse River was to drive eastward in 

the direction of Longwy, as shown on the 

sketch at the top of this page.

The date for the commencement 

of this combined offensive, which 

without doubt would have produced 

far-reaching results, was fixed by the 

French High Command as November 

14. The American divisions directed to 

take part on that section of the front 

east of the Moselle River were already 

in movement toward their new positions 

when the Armistice became effective on 

the morning of November 11.

Front Line Nov. 11 (A. M.) Army Boundary Fortied City

Arrows indicate weights and directions of proposed attacks

XXXX

0 10 20 30 Miles

XXXX

XXXX

X XXX

N

Plan of Proposed American-French Attack, Nov. 14, 1918

M e u s e

R i v e r

M o s e ll e

R.

R h i n e

R.

G

E

R

M

A N Y LUXEMBURG

BELGIUM

FIRST ARMY

AMERICAN

SECOND ARMY

AMERICAN

FRENCH

Longwy

Thionville

Metz

Strasbourg

Sedan

DunsurMeuse

Verdun

St.Mihiel

Toul

Portsur-Seille

Lunéville

Baccarat

Etain

Longuyon

Briey

Trèves

Sarrbrücken

Sarrgemünd

Château-Salins

I R O N

M I N E S
(115)

This tour begins and ends at Verdun. It is 96.1 miles (154.6 kilometers) long and 

can be completed in eight hours if care is 

taken not to spend too much time at the 

interesting places. It is suggested that lunch 

be carried.

The data given on pages 520–521 will be 

helpful to those following this tour. The 

narrative at the beginning of the chapter 

should be kept in mind and the map facing 

page 164 consulted so that the operations 

which took place in this region will be 

more clearly understood.

The speedometer distances given on the 

following pages are mainly for general 

reference purposes and, except for a few 

places at the beginning and near the end 

of the tour which are specifically noted in 

the road instructions, these distances are 

not essential in following this tour.

When following this itinerary, unless 

contrary road instructions are given, the 

tourist should continue straight ahead.

EN ROU T E V ER DU N TO CÔ T E DE 

SENOUX

Speedometer distance is measured from 

the Victory monument in Verdun.

(0 m 0 km) At large World War 

monument near center of city (Monument 

à la Victoire et aux Soldats de Verdun), 

with the f light of steps up to the monument 

on the right-hand side of automobile, set 

speedometer at zero. Proceed straight 

ahead, at the second street turn left and 

cross the Meuse River. 

Beyond town, follow the road signs toward 

the city of Metz.

(6.1 m 9.8 km) At road fork 6.1 miles (9.8 

kilometers) from starting point, bear to the 

VICTORY MONUMENT

T O L E M O R T H O M M E

CITADEL

T O

S T E.

STATION

T O

T O

T O

S T.

M I H I E L

T OM E T Z

C A N A L

M e u s e

R i v e r

6

5

D

4 3

7

8

9

2

A 1 13 10 B C

11

12

M E N E H O

U L D

E TA I N

S T E N A Y

1. Pl. Mazel

2. R. Mazel

3. R. St. Paul

4. Pl. St. Paul

5. Av. Garibaldi

6. Av. Miribel

7. R. Chaussée

8. Porte Chaussée

9. R. Beaurepaire

10. R. Prés. Poincaré

11. R. St. Sauveur

12. R. St. Victor

13. R. de Rû

A. Cathédrale

B. Hôtel de Ville

C. Egl. St. Sauveur

D. Palais de Justice

N

0 5 0 0 M.

VERDUN

A TOUR OF THE A MER ICA N BAT TLEF IELDS 

IN THE ST. MIHIEL REGION
Côte de Senoux, January 1919
(117)

right toward the village of Hattonchâtel. 

Note the speedometer reading.

The tour now goes on a narrow road 

along the wooded Heights of the Meuse 

River directly to Hattonchâtel.

This road is called the Grande Tranchée 

de Calonne. It is said to have been built 

by direction of M. de Calonne, Minister 

of Finance under Louis XVI, as a means 

of access to his château at Hattonchâtel.

During the war it was of great importance 

as an avenue of supply and communication. 

Near it, concealed in the trees, were 

hundreds of shacks, underground shelters, 

artillery emplacements, temporary roads, 

narrow-gauge railway tracks and supply 

depots of all kinds.

In the periods of intensive fighting on 

the front ahead this road was the scene 

of great activity as motor trucks and 

other vehicles moved thousands of tons of 

ammunition, supplies and equipment to 

the front lines, and innumerable men used 

it in going to and returning from battle. 

This activity was carried on mainly at 

night and consequently during the hours 

of darkness the road was packed with 

continuous streams of traffic moving in 

both directions.

On August 30, 1918, the American 

First Army took command of the front 

which included the St. Mihiel salient. Its 

orders for the offensive on September 

12 provided for a main attack by six 

divisions against the southern face, a 

secondary drive by one American and 

one French division against the face in 

front of here, and a holding attack by 

a French corps around the tip of the 

salient. The main attack was to be made 

by the American I and IV Corps at 5:00 

a. m. and the secondary attack by the 

American V Corps at 8:00 a. m.

The V Corps at the time of the offensive 

was composed of the 4th and 26th 

Divisions and a French division.

As an additional help in locating the stopping 

point indicated in the next paragraph, it 

should be noted that a small monument to 

Lieutenant Robert Guillie, a French officer, 

is located on the crest immediately preceding, 

alongside the left of the road.

(12.6 m 20.3 km) At top of crest, 6.5 

miles (10.5 kilometers) from road fork 

where speedometer reading was noted, 

STOP.

This is the Côte de Senoux.

Face down the road, which at this point 

runs approximately south.

The American 2d Division received its 

first training in the battle line near here 

during March, April and May of 1918. 

The French front-line trenches which 

ran through this point at right angles to 

the road had been located here for nearly 

four years when on September 8 the 26th 

Division took command of this part of 

the front. The German trenches were then 

about 100 yards ahead, the intervening 

ground being no man’s land.

Only a faint idea can now be obtained 

of the scene of appalling destruction 

which existed here at that time. The land 

was a grayish-white waste with but little 

vegetation. Thick masses of barbed wire 

and other debris covered the ground and 

shattered and splintered trees dotted the 

Changing the German Name of a Street

in Vigneulles From “Hindenburg Strasse”

to “Wilson, U. S. A.”

Maneuvering a Balloon Near Haudainville
118 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE ST. MIHIEL REGION

landscape. Trenches furrowed the area in 

all directions and interlocking shell holes 

were everywhere.

Taking part in the great offensive of 

the First Army against the St. Mihiel 

salient, the 26th Division from its sector 

astride this road attacked at 8:00 a.m. on 

September 12, after a seven-hour artillery 

bombardment. In spite of considerable 

resistance and the difficult nature of the 

terrain, it had advanced by nightfall more 

than 2 miles along this road.

The main attack from the other side 

of the salient started at 5:00 a.m. and 

progressed so rapidly in this general 

direction that by afternoon the success of 

the entire offensive was assured. In order 

to reap the full benefits of the victory and 

to prevent the escape of German units still 

remaining in the salient, General Pershing 

early in the evening directed that the 

26th Division rush troops to the vicinity 

of Hattonchâtel, about 8 miles from this 

point, to meet the advanced elements of 

the American troops in the main attack.

In compliance with this order a brigade 

of the division, reinforced by artillery 

and machine gun units, formed a column 

on this road some distance ahead, and 

shortly after dark boldly marched forward 

to accomplish its mission. Although the 

Germans were considerably disorganized 

by the American successes of that day, 

nevertheless the night march was dangerous 

and difficult. After having captured a 

considerable number of prisoners the 

brigade reached Hattonchâtel about 2:00 

a. m. and by daybreak had established 

contact below that village with the troops 

of the main attack.

After leaving this point the tour now 

enters the area captured by the American 

First Army in its September 12 offensive 

and goes to the heart of the salient.

Hattonchâtel Xammes Béney

Panorama From Stop

German Cavalry Regiment Deployed for Counterattack, September 1918. © G
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE ST. MIHIEL REGION 119

EN ROUTE CÔTE DE SENOUX TO 

HATTONCHÂTEL

Note the speedometer reading.

(15.0 m 24.1 km) 2.4 miles (3.8 

kilometers) farther on, near the kilometer 

post seen to the left of the road, is the 

place from which the night march of the 

26th Division began. During the advance 

small detachments were placed to guard 

each road and trail leading off to the right 

with the object of trapping the Germans 

who had not already retreated to the left 

across this road.

(20.6 m 33.1 km) About 80 yards this side 

of next village, Hattonchâtel, STOP.

Face the town of Hattonchâtel, which 

direction is approximately east.

This point is near the center of the St. 

Mihiel salient. When the troops of the 

26th Division reached here during the 

night of September 12–13 they saw the 

Woëvre Plain below ablaze with burning 

buildings and supply dumps which the 

retreating Germans were destroying. 

The leading elements promptly moved 

down from these heights and occupied 

Vigneulles, the village seen to the right 

not far from the foot of this hill.

The isolated hill seen to the right in 

the distance, 7 miles away, is Montsec. 

The memorial on its summit was built 

by the United States Government to 

commemorate the St. Mihiel and other 

American operations in this part of France.

The main attack on September 12 was 

launched in this general direction by 

the American I and IV Corps from a 

line to the left of and beyond Montsec. 

The blow fell with crushing effect on the 

surprised defenders and the victorious 

troops on the first day swept forward 

approximately 5 miles. The Germans, 

realizing that they could not hold the 

salient in the face of this tremendous 

19

the

ng.

ved

pied

ght

the

he

the

mo

an

was

the

o

he

ur

ous

ard

ns,

the

ous

Heudicourt

Montsec

Memorial

St. Baussant Vigneulles Montsec

Near Hattonchâtel

American Narrow-Gauge Train Bringing Up Rations Near Ménil-la-Tour
(120)

advance, began quickly to withdraw and 

to destroy all supplies and other articles 

that could not be taken with them.

By dark on September 12 the 1st Division, 

the nearest flank unit of the main attack, 

was in the center of the large wood seen 

to the right front. Contact between these 

troops and the 26th Division was established 

about dawn on September 13, at the foot of 

these slopes, thus closing the salient.

On September 13 the rapid advance of the 

main attack continued and all divisions 

moved up to a line approximately straight 

ahead from this point. By nightfall 

practically all objectives of the offensive 

had been gained.

On that day the 26th Division moved into 

Viéville-sous-les-Côtes and Billy-sousles-Côtes, the two villages to the left close 

in at the foot of this hill. It was at and near 

those towns that a composite squadron of 

the American 2d Cavalry reconnoitered 

on September 13. This is of interest as 

it is one of the few times that American 

cavalry was used as combat units during 

the war and gives a good indication of the 

extent of the breakthrough during the St. 

Mihiel attack.

The village to the left front, some distance 

away, is Woël. On September 14 the troops 

of the First Army captured it and that night 

the front line of the Army was established 

just beyond Woël, running generally at 

right angles to the observer’s line of vision 

when facing in the direction of that place.

One brigade of the American 4th 

Division was in line along the edge of the 

heights about 8 miles to the left of here, 

at the pivot of the attack on this face of 

the salient. On September 12 and 13 its 

activities were confined to reconnoitering 

but on September 14 it moved forward 

capturing considerable ground.

For several days after September 14 

fighting took place at a number of points 

along the First Army front as the divisions 

repulsed counterattacks and made local 

attacks to determine definitely the new 

enemy line of resistance and to establish 

their own lines in the most advantageous 

positions. The area in which this fighting 

occurred is passed through toward the 

end of this tour. 

At the far side of Hattonchâtel is a 

picturesque château to which visitors are 

admitted. It was restored soon after the war 

and from its grounds an excellent view of 

the surrounding country is obtained.

Vigneulles Soon After Its Capture
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE ST. MIHIEL REGION 121

EN ROU T E H AT TONCH ÂT EL TO 

MONTSEC

(20.7 m 33.3 km) Immediately after 

entering Hattonchâtel, turn sharply to the 

right and descend the hill.

(21.9 m 35.2 km) In the center of 

Vigneulles where road ends abruptly, turn 

to the right; then to the left.

In Vigneulles the 26th Division captured 

a considerable number of prisoners, 

including a regimental band, and a great 

quantity of military supplies.

(22.3 m 35.8 km) Beyond town, at first 

road junction, to the right of the road was 

located one of the many big supply depots 

which the Germans had constructed 

along the Western Front during the 

war. These depots consisted of a large 

number of storehouses so arranged in a 

network of railroad lines and roads that 

supplies delivered to them from Germany 

by standard-gauge railway could be 

reshipped with a minimum of labor to 

units in the front lines by narrow-gauge 

railroads, motor trucks and wagons.

(22.4 m 36.0 km) To the right up the small 

valley is seen the town of Creuë, which was 

entered early on September 13 by patrols 

sent out by the 26th Division.

Continue through Heudicourt, which was 

captured by a patrol of the 26th Division 

early on the morning of September 13.

Straight through the villages of Buxières 

and Buxerulles which were occupied by 

a French division on September 13. In 

the wooded ravines to the right of these 

towns were located many German war 

establishments. These included a large 

hospital camp, a dressing station and 

extensive supply dumps for food, engineer 

materials and ammunition.

(28.8 m 46.3 km) In next village, 

Woinville, turn sharp left toward Montsec.

This village was the location of the 

headquarters of the American IV Corps 

after the St. Mihiel offensive, from 

November 3 to the Armistice.

(29.2 m 46.9 km) Beyond town, to the 

right is seen Loupmont Ridge. It is a long 

narrow ridge which lay in rear of the 

German front line and was an important 

part of their defensive system. Numerous 

deep underground shelters had been dug 

into this side of it.

(31.9 m 51.2 km) At far side of the next 

village, Montsec, turn right toward the 

village of Loupmont.

(32.1 m 51.7 km) At the next road junction, 

bear to the right up Montsec hill.

(33.1 m 53.2 km) At flagpole, STOP.

Anti-Aircraft Gun in Action
St. Mihiel American Memorial on Montsec
(123)

This imposing monument is one of the 

three principal memorials erected by the 

United States Government in France. 

Its site upon this high isolated hill, 

dominating the surrounding country in 

nearly all directions, cannot be surpassed.

The hill of Montsec is well known to the 

soldiers of the American Expeditionary 

Forces as a large number of American 

divisions had their first service in the 

battle line near this place.

The following description of the combat 

operations should be read by the observer 

when standing upon the upper terrace 

of the monument in the space between 

the first columns to the south (right as 

flagpole is faced) of the steps.

This hill was close to the south face 

of the St. Mihiel salient. Because of its 

natural strength and height it was an 

exceptionally important point in the 

German defensive system. On this side 

it was protected by numerous trenches, 

machine-gun emplacements and barbedwire entanglements. On the other side 

tunnels led to large underground shelters 

in the hill and to observation posts along 

this crest from which the German artillery 

fire was directed and controlled.

Except for the weakness inherent to all 

salients, which is the danger of attack 

from both sides at once, the St. Mihiel 

salient was exceptionally strong. Proof 

of this is that it projected into the Allied 

lines for four years. In 1914 the Germans 

had established themselves near here on 

strong natural positions and had spent the 

following years in constructing elaborate 

trenches, vast masses of barbed-wire 

entanglements, concrete machine-gun 

emplacements and other field works in 

an endeavor to make these positions 

impregnable. It was feared by many that 

attacking the salient would prove to be a 

difficult and costly undertaking.

The plan of the offensive consisted of a 

main attack by the I and IV Corps on a 

14-mile front on this face of the salient, 

a secondary attack a few hours later by 

the V Corps, whose zone of action we 

have already visited, and a diversion 

and exploitation by the French II 

Church at Montsec

German Artillery Telephone Exchange at Montsec

German Dugout Entrance on Montsec

The hill was honeycombed with dugouts
124 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE ST. MIHIEL REGION

Colonial Corps which held the tip of the 

salient.

The places mentioned below should be 

identified by means of the direction arrows 

located between the columns.

Spread out before the observer like a 

huge relief map is part of the ground over 

which the main assault of the First Army 

swept on September 12, 1918.

The jump-off line extended from 

Marvoisin, the small village seen to the 

right front just beyond the nearest wood; 

passed between Richecourt and Seicheprey; 

ran this side of Flirey, whose church 

steeple is seen to the left of Seicheprey; and 

continued on to the Moselle River, which is 

about 15 miles away.

The divisions in the initial assault were, 

in order from the observer’s right to left, 

the 1st, 42d, 89th, 2d, 5th and part of the 

90th. The rest of the 90th Division and 

that part of the 82d Division beyond it 

on this side of the Moselle did not attack 

until the second day of the offensive.

The battle started at 1:00 a. m., dotting 

the countryside in front of here with 

f lame as about 3,000 pieces of artillery 

of all calibers commenced a violent 

bombardment. In the next few hours 

thousands of shells crashed into the hostile 

battery emplacements, observation posts, 

communication centers, trenches and 

other vital points, while a smoke screen 

was placed around this hill to prevent the 

German observers on it from seeing and 

reporting details of the advance.

The infantry assault in front of here 

began at 5:00 a. m., in a drizzling rain and 

mist. The strength and suddenness of the 

attack completely disrupted the German 

defense and the divisions advanced 

steadily. Within a few hours sufficient 

ground had been gained to assure the 

success of the entire operation.

Richecourt and Lahayville, the town 

seen to the left of Richecourt, promptly 

fell to the 1st Division while St. Baussant, 

the large village seen to the front, was 

captured by the 42d Division.

Before noon the 1st Division had 

captured Nonsard, the nearest village 

to the left front, and by night was 

advancing in the large wood seen to the 

left of and beyond that village. The 42d 

Division seized Pannes, seen to the right 

of Nonsard, and advanced several miles 

beyond it while the 89th Division reached 

r

e

Nonsard

Pannes

Thiaucourt

Church

Viéville-en-Haye

St. Baussant

Lahayville

Flirey Church

Richecourt

Seicheprey

Marvoisin

Panorama Looking East From Montsec

German Communication Trench Between

Montsec and Richecourt
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE ST. MIHIEL REGION 125

a line near Thiaucourt, which town can 

be seen to the left front on a clear day. 

The 2d Division captured Thiaucourt and 

the 5th captured Viéville-en-Haye, the 

village seen some distance to the right of 

Thiaucourt just below the sky line in an 

open space between two large woods.

Go to space between first columns on 

opposite side of the steps.

The village seen to the front on the nose 

of the hill is Hattonchâtel. About dawn on 

September 13 patrols of the 1st Division 

met the advanced elements of the 26th 

Division below that place, thus actually 

closing the salient.

During September 13 the advance was 

continued with the right of the 90th and 

the 82d Division on this side of the Moselle 

River joining in the attack. By late evening 

of the 13th practically every objective of 

the offensive had been secured.

On that day this hill and the villages 

seen to the left along the base of the 

heights were evacuated by the Germans.

The main attack terminated on the 13th 

although during the next three days local 

operations continued and numerous small 

advances were made at various places as 

the American units attempted to improve 

their positions.

The offensive here was launched at a 

most propitious moment. The German 

High Command had decided to abandon 

the St. Mihiel salient so as to shorten the 

line held by its forces, and orders had 

been issued on September 11 for a gradual 

and orderly withdrawal. The plans for 

this withdrawal and the laying waste of 

the country in the salient were completely 

frustrated, however, by the suddenness 

and strength of the American attack.

As a result of this offensive a large 

number of prisoners and great quantities 

of matériel and supplies were captured, 

and several important roads and 

railroads south of Verdun were released 

for Allied use. The successful conclusion 

of the operation had a marked adverse 

psychological effect upon the enemy and 

greatly improved the morale of the Allies.

Before leaving this spot the tourist 

should step to the right and from the 

space between the next columns note 

the St. Mihiel American Cemetery near 

Thiaucourt, identified by its white stone 

chapel and field of white headstones, 

which can be seen in the distance on a clear 

day on a line just to the right of the round 

plaza at the f lagpole. At that cemetery are 

buried more than 4,000 American soldiers 

among which are many of those who so 

gallantly gave their lives in the battle 

Buxières Heudicourt Hattonchâtel Nonsard

Panorama Looking North From Montsec

German Trench Southwest of Montsec
126 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE ST. MIHIEL REGION

which has just been described.

Within the circle of columns, resting 

upon a stone platform decorated with 

carvings of military equipment carried by 

American soldiers, is a large bronze relief 

map of the St. Mihiel salient. Upon it are 

shown the front lines before and after the 

American offensives in this region. By 

lining up the monument on the map with 

any feature on the map, that feature on 

the ground, if visible, will be seen in the 

distance on the same line and thus can be 

identified.

To aid the visitor in understanding the 

military operations illustrated by the 

bronze map, and to permit identification by 

name of the villages shown on it, three round 

porcelain maps of Sèvres manufacture have 

been placed in the border.

The names of the American and 

French units whose brilliant services are 

commemorated here have been recorded 

on the inside attic wall. The inscription 

which appears below them is from the 

final report of the Commander-in-Chief 

of the American Expeditionary Forces.

Other interesting features of the upper 

terrace are the insignia of the principal 

arms and branches of the American forces 

which have been carved on the shields 

below the eagles of the pilaster capitals; 

the compass included in the inlaid design 

of the f loor; and the inscription on the 

stone base of the relief map which gives 

a brief record of the accomplishments of 

the American Army near here.

The dedicatory inscriptions, in French 

on one side and in English on the other, 

are on the large inclined stones at the sides 

of the steps descending from the upper 

terrace. Included in these inscriptions is a 

tribute to the friendship and cooperation 

of the French and American Armies 

during the World War.

The names on the outside frieze above 

the columns are those of villages in this 

general region which were captured by 

American troops. These places when 

considered as a whole give a good idea of 

the large area covered by the American 

Close-Up View of St. Mihiel American Memorial
(127)

combat activities in Alsace and Lorraine.

The coats of arms carved on the stone 

pillars near the f lagpole are those of 

France and the United States, whose 

divisions fought side by side in this region; 

and of Alsace and Lorraine, the two 

French provinces in which occurred the 

fighting commemorated by this memorial.

EN ROU T E MON T SEC TO E A S T 

OF SEICHEPREY

Descend hill to the village of Montsec.

(34.3 m 55.2 km) In town, turn sharp right 

on the descending road.

(34.8 m 56.0 km) Beyond town, by 

looking to the rear, can be seen the view 

of Montsec most familiar to the American 

soldiers who served in this region.

(36.0 m 57.9 km) Just before reaching the 

next sharp RIGHT bend in road, the zone 

of action of the 1st Division during the 

main attack is entered.

(36.5 m 58.7 km) The next village, 

Richecourt, was just within the enemy 

front line. The Germans had elaborately 

organized it as a strong point and the 

immediate surroundings were a maze of 

trenches and wire entanglements. The 

town itself was completely obliterated by 

Allied shellfire during the war.

At the far edge of the town the Rupt de 

Mad is crossed. This small stream, which 

ran obliquely across a considerable part of 

the zone of attack, was a serious obstacle 

to the tanks and transportation of the 

First Army until its destroyed bridges 

were replaced by the engineers.

(36.7 m 59.0 km) Beyond town, at first 

crossroad, continue straight ahead.

(36.8 m 59.2 km) At top of next crest, 

where a good view to the left front is 

obtained, STOP without leaving the car.

The German front-line trench ran at 

right angles to this road and passed 

through this point. Near the bottom of 

the shallow valley ahead was located 

the American front line, the intervening 

ground being that of no man’s land.

Sectors in this vicinity were held for 

considerable periods of time by the 1st, 

26th, 82d and 89th Divisions before the 

concentration for the St. Mihiel attack.

The village seen to the front is Seicheprey 

and the wood in the valley to the left of it 

is the Bois de Remières.

Early on the morning of April 20 

Seicheprey was the scene of a German 

raid against the 26th Division, which was 

then holding this part of the front. The 

Germans placed a heavy “box barrage” 

around Seicheprey and the Bois de 

Remières to prevent supporting troops 

from entering that area. Then, screened by 

a dense fog, about 1,200 picked German 

assault troops, starting from near here, 

quickly overran the American front lines 

and entered Seicheprey. They destroyed 

the dugouts, battalion first-aid station 

and kitchen, and captured a considerable 

number of prisoners. Soon thereafter the 

Germans withdrew from the town and 

remained most of the day in the American 

front-line trenches. They retired to their 

own lines shortly before an American 

counterattack could be launched to drive 

them out.

Continue.

(37.4 m 60.2 km) The railroad which is 

next crossed is a strategic railroad which 

has been constructed since the war.

The ridge seen on the sky line ahead

was the location of the Allied main line 

Distant View of American Memorial on Montsec
128 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE ST. MIHIEL REGION

of resistance. That position had been 

elaborately prepared for defense by the 

French Army during the preceding years.

(38.1 m 61.3 km) At near edge of next 

village, Seicheprey, the sector which was 

held by the 42d Division is entered.

In Seicheprey, alongside the church, is a 

small memorial fountain presented to the 

village by men and women of the State of 

Connecticut. To visit it, turn to the left in 

the town. Time of side trip—3 minutes.

(38.3 m 61.5 km) In town turn right, at 

first road turn to the left toward Flirey. 

(39.2 m 63.0 km) About 50 yards from the 

next large wood, STOP.

To the left rear the nearest wood which 

is seen is called the Bois de Remières. 

Face its center, which direction is 

approximately north.

Montsec is visible to the left front.

From observation posts located near 

here a large part of the ground within the 

German lines could be seen. In these posts, 

which were carefully concealed, observers 

continuously watched the enemy positions 

during daylight hours and reported at 

once all signs of unusual activity. This 

work was supplemented by the use of 

captive balloons stationed several miles in 

rear of the forward trenches at intervals 

along the entire front. The occupants of 

these balloons also studied the hostile 

positions through powerful glasses and 

telephoned immediately to the ground 

forces all information gained. The balloon 

observer, his helpers on the ground, and 

the protecting anti-aircraft artillery had 

to be constantly on the alert for German 

airplanes, as a successful airplane attack 

on the inf lammable balloon invariably 

caused it to burst into f lames and be 

destroyed.

A large amount of important information 

Fountain at Seicheprey

Erected by Inhabitants of Connecticut

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Seicheprey Montsec Memorial

Richecourt

Montsec

Quart de Réserve

Panorama Looking North
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE ST. MIHIEL REGION 129

was also obtained by the Air Service 

which periodically sent airplanes over the 

enemy lines to reconnoiter and to take 

photographs of the hostile battle lines. 

These photographs, when compared with 

others previously taken, gave valuable 

indications of changes in the enemy 

defensive organization and in his plans.

This point is near the center of the 

zone of the IV Corps, which attacked on 

September 12 with the 1st, 42d and 89th 

Divisions in line from left to right. 

The German front line at that time ran 

just this side of Richecourt, the second 

village between here and Montsec; just 

beyond the Bois de Remières; and along 

the near edge of the Bois de la Sonnard, 

the large wood which is seen to the right 

of the Bois de Remières.

The troops here jumped off at 5:00 a. 

m. in a rain and fog, closely following a 

heavy rolling barrage. The 1st Division 

promptly captured Richecourt but 

encountered considerable resistance in 

the Quart de Réserve, the wood seen 

just beyond the left side of the Bois de 

Remières. Overcoming this before noon, 

it captured Nonsard, the village seen 

beyond and to the right of the Quart de 

Réserve, and was advancing at dark in 

the wood seen beyond that place.

The 42d Division, in front of here, met 

stubborn resistance from machine gun 

units at St. Baussant, the village seen to 

the front, and in the Bois de la Sonnard. 

It drove forward aggressively, however, 

capturing Essey, the first village seen over 

the right side of the Bois de Remières, about 

noon, and Pannes, whose church is seen to 

the left of Essey, about 2:00 p. m. Lamarche, 

seen in the distance to the left of Pannes, 

was beyond the first day’s objective. It was, 

Flare Used at Night to Call for an

Artillery Barrage

Nonsard

St. Baussant

Bois de Remières Pannes Essey

Bois de la Sonnard

Béney

From Stop Near Seicheprey
Ruins of Richecourt

The described route passes over the road to the right
(131)

however, entered by a patrol of the 42d 

Division in the afternoon and occupied by 

the 1st Division that night.

The 89th Division, to the right of here, 

advanced rapidly through the large wood, 

Bois de Mort-Mare, in front of its jumpoff line and that night established itself 

about a mile this side of Béney, the village 

seen on a clear day in the distance to the 

right of and beyond Essey.

The rapid advance of the IV Corps on 

this front made certain the success of the 

whole attack of the First Army.

EN ROU T E E A S T OF SE ICH EPR E Y TO 

EAST OF REGNIÉVILLE

(39.7 m 63.8 km) At the next road junction, 

turn to the left.

Beyond the road junction, the front 

trenches of the Allied main line of 

resistance ran immediately alongside this 

road for the next several miles.

(40.8 m 65.3 km) Before reaching the 

next village, Flirey, the sector held by the 

soldiers of the 89th Division is entered.

(41.0 m 66.0 km) At entrance to town are 

seen the embankments of a large railway 

bridge which formerly spanned the road. 

This bridge was destroyed by the French 

Army early in the war.

The 89th Division Headquarters during 

the attack was located in dugouts at the 

embankment nearest the road.

(41.3 m 66.4 km) In center of town, on 

the right is seen a monument erected by 

the people of Lorraine to commemorate 

the services of the American Army in 

this region. On it are listed the American 

divisions which fought near here.

(41.4 m 66.6 km) At far edge of town are 

seen the ruins of the old village, Flirey 

having been rebuilt on a new site.

(41.5 m 66.8 km) To the left of this road, 

about 3⁄4 mile, was the location of a successful 

raid made on August 4 by the 82d Division, 

which occupied this sector for about one 

month before the St. Mihiel offensive. Two 

companies of the division penetrated the 

German lines to a depth of more than 600 

yards, inflicting a number of casualties on the 

enemy forces and capturing three machine 

guns before returning to their own trenches.

(42.1 m 67.7 km) Beyond town, at top 

of first crest, was the scene of a strong 

German raid early on August 31 against the 

89th Division, which was then occupying 

this sector. The Germans passed through 

the American front line between two 

regiments, crossed this road and in a 

trench along the right side of it moved in 

the direction the tourist is traveling, at 

the same time calling out in English that 

they were from the adjoining American 

regiment. This ruse failed to mislead 

the American platoon commander, who 

French Monument at Flirey Listing American

Units Which Fought in the Vicinity

Church at Limey
Air Photograph of Bridge Near Flirey

The front lines were near top of picture. Note communicating trenches
Dugouts in Rear of the 89th Division Jump-Off Line Near Flirey

View of Flirey on September 13, 1918
(134)

repulsed the raiding party by a courageous 

and well executed defense. The Germans 

were forced to abandon two of their dead 

within the American lines.

(42.6 m 68.5 km) While approaching the 

next village, Limey, to the left is seen a 

ridge upon which were located jump-off 

trenches of the 89th Division.

(43.5 m 70.0 km) Near this side of the 

town, the sector of the 2d Division before 

the offensive is entered.

(43.8 m 70.5 km) Just before reaching the 

far end of Limey, turn sharply to the left 

toward Remenauville.

(43.9 m 70.6 km) Beyond town, to the 

front is seen Ansoncourt Farm, which was 

near the boundary line between the zones 

of action of the 2d and 89th Divisions.

That farm, which was a strong point in 

the German lines, was captured by the 

89th Division on September 12. During 

the attack on it Second Lieutenant J. 

Hunter Wickersham of the 89th Division 

won the Congressional Medal of Honor. 

Severely wounded in four places by a 

high-explosive shell, and with his right 

arm disabled, he declined aid for himself 

until he had dressed the wounds of his 

orderly, who had been wounded at the 

same time. Leading his men forward again 

he continued fighting, using his pistol 

with his left hand until exhausted from 

loss of blood he finally fell and died.

(44.5 m 71.5 km) On far side of first 

valley, a 2d Division boulder marker, one 

of a number erected after the Armistice by 

that division on its former battlefields, is 

passed near the road.

(44.7 m 71.8 km) Near the top of the next 

crest were located the front-line trenches 

of the 2d Division. They are still (1937) 

plainly to be seen.

(45.0 m 72.4 km) The church seen to 

the left of the road marks the site of the 

former village of Remenauville which was 

completely destroyed during the war. That 

town was just within the German front 

line. On September 12 it was captured by 

the 2d Division which met determined 

resistance in the Bois du Four, the large 

wood seen to the left. After a severe fight 

the enemy troops were driven out, and 

by 1:00 p. m. the division had advanced 

about 5 miles.

(45.2 m 72.7 km) Upon reaching the next 

road junction, turn to the right.

(45.4 m 73.0 km) At the bottom of the 

valley the zone of action of the 5th 

Division during the attack is entered.

(45.7 m 73.5 km) At the top of the next hill

are seen (1937) traces of the trench system 

held by the 5th Division before it jumped 

off for the main attack.

(45.9 m 73.8 km) The church seen ahead

marks the site of Regniéville, which was 

just within the American lines. The town 

Ruins of Remenauville, October 1918
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE ST. MIHIEL REGION 135

was totally demolished during the four 

years of fighting in this vicinity. 

At the road junction ahead is a 5th 

Division marker, one of many erected by 

that division shortly after the Armistice; 

also a French marker indicating the 

farthest advance of the German forces 

during the last year of the war.

(46.2 m 74.3 km) Upon reaching the road 

junction, turn to the right.

The road running to the left at this point 

is the most direct route to Thiaucourt.

(46.7 m 75.1 km) Just before reaching the 

top of the next crest, when a good view is 

obtained to the rear, STOP.

If the growth of trees has obstructed the 

view go off the road or back down hill in 

order to obtain the best view possible.

Face so that the church just passed, 

which marks the site of the former village 

of Regniéville is seen to the left front. The 

direction which the tourist is now facing 

is approximately north.

This point is close to the center of the 

jump-off line of the I Corps.

The church which is seen to the left is the 

one passed a short time ago in the former 

village of Remenauville.

The German front line in this vicinity 

ran from the observer’s left of Ansoncourt 

Farm, seen beyond and to the right of 

the church of Remenauville; included 

Remenauville; passed on the other side 

of Regniéville; ran along the near slopes 

of the ridge seen ahead; and continued on 

to the right crossing the Moselle River, 

which is about 5 miles away.

On September 12 the 2d, 5th and the left 

of the 90th Division attacked at 5:00 a. m. 

and made rapid and deep penetrations 

into the hostile positions.

The 2d Division promptly captured 

Remenauville and advanced quickly to 

the Bois du Four, the wood seen to the 

left front, where considerable resistance 

from machine-gun nests was encountered. 

This was overcome by 7:00 a. m. and 

Thiaucourt (not visible), 4 miles away 

beyond the right edge of the Bois du Four, 

was captured about noon. The 2d Division 

dug in that night on a position north of 

Thiaucourt, which was one of the main 

objectives of the offensive.

The 5th Division jumped off from near 

Regniéville and made steady progress 

through the German trenches and 

thick wire entanglements on its front. 

Determined resistance from machine guns 

in the wood, Bois de la Rappe, seen fringing 

the ridge ahead, was overcome about 6:15 

a. m. and from then on the advance was 

rapid until that night, when the front line 

of the 5th Division was established about 3 

miles ahead of this point.

The left of the 90th Division, which 

attacked to the right of this point, met 

Regniéville in October 1918
90th Division Engineers Repairing Road at Fey-en-Haye, September 1918


AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE ST. MIHIEL REGION 137

obstinate resistance from machine-gun 

nests and snipers in the wood, the treetops 

of which can be seen in the distance to the 

right front. That resistance was cleared 

out during the morning and by 1:30 p. m. 

the division had reached its objective. The 

position consolidated that night was 2 

miles from here, at about right angles to 

the observer’s line of vision when looking 

in the direction of his right front.

The masses of barbed-wire entanglements on this front were very formidable 

but the extensive preparations which had 

been made by the American divisions to 

pass through them without loss of time 

proved to be unexpectedly effective.

The fighting after September 12 of the 

divisions which attacked from this part of 

the front will be discussed later when the 

area of that fighting is visited.

On the preceding page is a section of 

a wartime map, scale 1/20,000 (about 

3"=1 mile), showing Remenauville and 

Regniéville. This map, which is of the 

type most commonly used by American 

front-line units, gives a good idea of the 

extent of the trench system existing in this 

region before the American attack.

EN ROU T E E A S T OF R EGN I ÉV I L L E TO 

NORTH OF PONT-À-MOUSSON

(47.8 m 76.9 km) The next village, Fey-enHaye, has been rebuilt on a new site. The 

site of the old town, which was destroyed, 

is about a mile to the left of this road, on 

the 90th Division jump-off line.

(48.9 m 78.6 km) Beyond the town, at the 

next crossroad, turn to the left.

The opposing front lines between here 

and the Meuse River ran about a mile to 

the left of this road. They traversed the 

Forêt du Bois-le-Prêtre, a dense wood 

in which the Germans had established 

themselves early in the war and from 

which the French had made several 

unsuccessful attempts to drive them out.

When the 90th Division took over a 

sector in this vicinity on August 24 the 

opposing positions in some places were 

only 20 yards apart, each of them being 

composed of wide zones of deep trenches, 

bristling with machine guns in concrete 

emplacements and strongly protected by 

numerous thick bands of barbed wire.

(50.0 m 80.5 km) After leaving the wood, to 

the left front across the valley is seen a French 

World War cemetery. 

Pont-à-Mousson, October 1918
(138)

The 1st and 2d Divisions held adjoining 

sectors near here for a short time in August.

(50.5 m 81.2 km) While approaching the 

next town, Montauville, over it is seen 

Mousson Hill, upon which is located the 

village of Mousson. That place served 

as an excellent observation point for the 

French and American units on this front. 

The ruins of an 11th Century 

castle and a church tower, upon 

which stands a statue of Joan of 

Arc, are visible on the hill.

After passing through Montauville 

and the adjoining village, Maidières, 

the tour enters Pont-à-Mousson

which was captured by the 

Germans in 1914. It was retaken by 

French troops shortly thereafter 

and remained in the hands of 

the Allies from then on. Pont-àMousson being near the front line 

was often heavily shelled by the 

German artillery.

The churches of St. Laurent and 

St. Martin are places of interest.

(52.5 m 84.5 km) After entering the town, 

cross over the railroad tracks.

In center of town, at large plaza with the 

arcades, to the right is seen a Renaissance 

fountain reconstructed by the American 

Field Service as a memorial to its war 

dead. That Service was composed of a 

number of American ambulance sections, 

organized in the fall of 1914, and truck 

units, formed in the spring of 1918. It 

served with the French Army both before 

and after the United States entered the 

war, although it was made part of the 

American Army in 1917.

(52.7 m 84.8 km) At center of the large 

plaza with the arcades, turn to the left 

toward Pagny-sur-Moselle.

The tour now goes north down the 

Moselle valley and for approximately the 

next 4 miles follows in the direction of 

advance of the American Army.

(54.5 m 87.5 km) Beyond the town, after 

crossing the railroad, at the first crest 

where a good view of the hill to the front is 

obtained, STOP.

Face down the road, which, at this point, 

runs approximately north.

The Moselle River is to the right in the 

valley. The high peak, seen to the right on 

the other side of it, is Xon Hill.

On September 12 the 82d Division was 

holding a line, astride the river, which ran 

through this point and included Xon Hill. 

Its right connected with the French at 

Port-sur-Seille, a town about 6 miles away 

Memorial Fountain of the American Field

Service in Pont-à-Mousson

N 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Rte. de St. Mihiel

Av. Prés. Carnot

Pl. Thiers

R. Victor Hugo

Pl. Duroc

R. St. Laurent

R. Bois le Prêtre

A. City Hall

B. Egl. St. Laurent

Route through

PONT-À-MOUSSON 0 500M.

T O 

1

2

3

4

6

5

7

B

A

M O N T A U V I L L E

T O

P A G N Y

M o s e l l e

R i v e r
(139)

to the right rear, and its left joined the 

90th Division, at a point which is about 1⁄2 

mile to the left of here.

No attack was made on this front on 

September 12, the mission of the 82d 

Division being to exert pressure on the 

enemy by raiding and patrolling, but not 

to make a permanent advance. At this 

particular place, in carrying out this 

mission, an enemy strong point at the 

house seen down the road was raided.

On September 13 the 90th Division 

was ordered to advance its right about 1 

mile and the 82d was directed to protect 

its f lank. The 90th Division attacked at 

9:30 a. m., drove the enemy in determined 

fighting out of the woods and quarries in 

its zone of action and by 5:00 p. m. had 

reached its objective which it held in 

spite of a severe gas and high explosive 

bombardment. The 82d Division attacked 

after dark, advanced across the valley 

ahead under heavy hostile fire from the 

other side of the Moselle and reached a 

line just beyond the crest of Hill 324, seen 

ahead. Its position was then abreast of the 

line of the 90th Division.

On the 15th the 90th again drove 

forward, early in the morning, and 

advanced to a ridge 11⁄2 miles farther 

on. Shortly after noon the 82d passed 

through Vandières, about 2 miles down 

this road, to a position alongside that 

of the 90th. The ground held by the 82d 

Division was exposed to artillery fire 

from the north and from across the river 

so, after many casualties, it was given 

up. Vandières will be passed through 

and the position just mentioned will be 

seen later in the tour.

One of the outstanding deeds of 

daring in the fighting near here 

was that of Lieutenant Colonel 

Emory J. Pike, 82d Division, 

on the far slopes of Hill 324. 

Going beyond the call of his own 

duties as division machine gun 

officer he volunteered to assist in 

reorganizing advanced units under 

a terrific bombardment. Although 

seriously wounded while going 

to the aid of an injured soldier 

in the outpost line he continued 

in command and remained in the 

position until it was prepared for 

defense, encouraging everyone 

German Front-Line Trench and Barbed Wire

Near Fey-en-Haye, September 1918

Light Tank Manned by Americans Crossing a

Trench During the St. Mihiel Operation
(140)

with his cheerful spirit, courage and 

confidence. This gallant soldier died from 

his wounds. For his heroic actions in this 

fighting he was posthumously awarded 

the Congressional Medal of Honor.

On September 18 that part of the 82d 

Division on this side of the river was 

relieved by the 90th Division and on the 

20th the remainder of the division was 

replaced in the line by French troops.

On October 9 the 92d Division took over 

a sector just beyond the Moselle River and 

on October 26 its front was extended for a 

short distance on this side. On November 

10 the division attacked and captured the 

Bois Fréhaut, the wooded area seen to 

the left of Xon Hill, held it under heavy 

bombardment and made other minor 

gains farther to the right.

In the region of the Vosges Mountains, 

lying to the right rear from here, many 

American divisions had their first service 

in the battle lines. The nature of that 

country was such that large operations 

were practically impossible, and the 

sectors there were ordinarily held by tired 

or newly formed divisions. (See Chapter 

VII for information of that region.)

EN ROUTE NORTH OF PONT-À-MOUSSON 

TO SOUTHEAST OF THIAUCOURT

(55.0 m 88.5 km) Upon reaching the road 

fork on the next low crest, bear right.

(55.2 m 88.8 km) Up the valley leading to 

the left is seen Norroy, which was occupied 

by troops of the 82d Division during the 

evening of September 13.

The next village, Vandières, was captured 

by the 82d Division on September 15. Due 

to intense hostile artillery fire the division 

withdrew from the village early the next 

day. The 90th Division, after relieving the 

82d on September 18, advanced its front 

line beyond the town.

(56.7 m 91.2 km) In Vandières, turn to the 

left toward Villers-sous-Prény.

The tour turns west at this point and 

from now on runs generally across the zone 

of action of the American First Army.

90th Division Detachment Coming Out of Line Near Vilcey-sur-Trey September 15, 1918

American Officers at a Captured German Canteen,

Nonsard, September 13, 1918
(141)

(57.1 m 91.9 km) Beyond town, leading up 

from the right of the road, are the slopes 

of the hill captured by the 82d Division 

on September 15, and from which it later 

withdrew because of intense hostile 

artillery bombardments.

(57.6 m 92.7 km) At next group of farm 

buildings seen to the left near the road, the 

zone of action of the 90th Division during 

the attack is entered. 

The high bald ridge with the irregular crest 

seen to the left is Hill 324, which was mentioned at the last stop. The village of Norroy is 

located just the other side of it. The front line 

of the 82d Division on both September 13 and 

14 was just beyond the crest of that ridge.

(58.3 m 93.7 km) Some distance farther 

on to the right is seen a high wooded 

ridge, captured on September 15 by the 

90th Division. In the Bois des Rappes, 

the dense wooded area on its summit, 

considerable fighting occurred.

(58.7 m 94.4 km) Continue through the 

village of Villers-sous-Prény.

The valley which the road now follows 

received a continuous bombardment of 

gas and high explosive shells after its 

capture on September 15, from German 

batteries on the hills seen to the rear 

beyond the Moselle River. On account of 

this shelling it received the name of the 

“Valley of Death” from the American 

soldiers who served near here.

(59.4 m 95.6 km) While approaching the 

next village, Vilcey-sur-Trey, to the right 

front is seen the edge of the wood, Forêt 

des Venchères, along which the 90th 

Division line rested on September 13. 

That line crossed this road at right angles 

just this side of the town.

(60.1 m 96.8 km) Continue through the 

village of Vilcey-sur-Trey.

(61.0 m 98.1 km) In the large wood, Forêt 

des Venchères, next entered, the 90th 

Division encountered stubborn resistance 

from the Germans who were driven out of 

it on September 13.

In this wood was located a large German 

rest camp for troops waiting to enter the 

Light Railway Operated by the American Army, Moving Civilian Property From the Vicinity of the Front Line

Road Work

The silk hat was found in Thiaucourt
142 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE ST. MIHIEL REGION

front lines. Hundreds of huts had been 

constructed under the trees, where they 

were concealed from the view of hostile 

aviators, and many facilities for the 

comfort of the soldiers were provided.

(61.1 m 98.3 km) On the far side of the 

small valley which the road follows was 

located the front line of the 90th Division 

on the evening of September 12.

(62.1 m 99.9 km) After leaving wood, 

just before reaching sharp bend in road,

the front line of the 5th Division on the 

first day of the attack is crossed. It ran 

almost at right angles to the road and at 

this point faced in the direction opposite 

to that which the tourist is traveling.

(62.4 m 100.4 km) Beyond bend, at the 

first crest, STOP without leaving car.

The village seen ahead is Viéville-enHaye, one of the objectives of the I Corps 

in the St. Mihiel offensive. In an attack 

launched from the edge of the wood, Bois 

de St. Claude, seen to the left, the 5th 

Division captured that town about noon 

on September 12. Its front line was then 

established about a mile to the right of 

this road and included the Bois Gérard, 

located just over the ridge seen to the 

right. The upper parts of several of the 

highest trees of that wood can be seen 

topping the ridge to the right front.

Due to this deep penetration by the 

5th Division, parts of two fresh German 

divisions were put into the line on this front. 

These launched a strong counterattack 

on the afternoon of September 13 and 

Front Line

Division Boundary

Gap in Line

Arrows show German counterattacks

Hindenburg Line x x

Stop, described in text

Route, described in text 0 1000 2000 3000 Yards

N

Operations of 2d and 5th Divisions, Sept. 13–16, 1918

Xammes

RembercourtHanido

Wood

Souleuvre

Farm

Farm Tautecourt

la Grange–en–Haye

Farm

Forêt

des

St. Mihiel

American

Cemetery

Sept 14

13 (A.M.)–13

Line

of

13

14

14

Sept.15

Sept.

16

14

14

15

15

Sept.

13

13

T O V E R D U N

13

A

T O - -

-

2d Div.

89th Div. 5th Div.

90th

15

16

T O 

C HA R E Y

Direction of Adavance

361.4

L INE Mon Plaisir Farm

HINDENBU R G

M a d

C r e e k

sur-Mad

R u p t

d e

Bois du

Rupt 15

14

Bois

Blainchamp

Bois de

Bonvaux

Bois de Grande Fontaine

Bois du Trou de la Haie

Venchères

Div. Viéville- en-Haye

September

13 (A.M.)

Bois Gérard

PON T

M O U S SON

Thiaucourt

A( M. .)

Jaulny

13–15

XX

X X X X

X X

X X X X

X X

XX

X X

Hill
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE ST. MIHIEL REGION 143

although small hostile units succeeded in 

entering the Bois Gérard, the division line 

at midnight was not materially changed.

On the 14th the 5th Division once again 

attacked and after severe fighting, during 

which another German counterattack 

was repulsed, advanced its line a mile 

in the left part of its zone of action and 

approximately 800 yards in the right part.

During September 15 and 16 further 

fighting occurred but the division line 

remained practically unchanged except 

on its extreme right where an advance of 

approximately 800 yards was made. 

Its mission having been efficiently 

accomplished the 5th Division was relieved 

on September 17 by the 78th Division.

Continue.

(62.8 m 101.0 km) Straight through the 

village of Viéville-en-Haye.

(63.1 m 101.5 km) Beyond village 

cemetery, to the right front on the sky 

line is seen the American monument on 

Montsec hill, visited earlier in the tour.

(63.9 m 102.8 km) Near first pronounced 

LEFT bend in road, the zone of action of 

the 2d Division is entered.

(64.1 m 103.1 km) In the wood, Bois 

d’Heiche, seen to the right, taken by the 

2d Division about 9:30 a. m. on September 

12, a large number of prisoners and great 

quantities of supplies were captured.

(64.2 m 103.3 km) Upon approaching the 

next crossroad, to the left front can be seen 

(1937) the remains of a German concrete 

machine-gun emplacement.

In a building, called Loge Mangin, 

near the edge of the wood seen to the left 

front, the 2d Division Headquarters was 

established on September 12. When that 

division was relieved from this front the 

building was used as the 78th Division 

Headquarters until October 5.

(64.4 m 103.5 km) Upon reaching the next 

crossroad, turn to the right.

(64.5 m 103.8 km) Beyond crossroad, to 

the left is seen the large wood, Bois du 

Beau Vallon, taken by troops of the 2d 

No Man’s Land Along Southern Face of St. Mihiel Salient

Shows character of the terrain advanced over
(144)

and 89th Divisions on the morning of the 

first day of the offensive of September 12.

(65.3 m 105.1 km) At the next road 

crossing, turn to the right.

(65.4 m 105.3 km) Immediately beyond 

the next crossroad, STOP.

Face down the road, which direction is 

approximately northwest.

From this point on a clear day may be 

seen to the left and left front a wonderful 

panorama of the Woëvre Plain over which 

the American troops advanced.

To the left in the distance is seen 

Montsec, crowned by the American 

monument, with the village of Montsec 

at its base. The jump-off line of the 

main attack on September 12 was 

approximately parallel to the observer’s 

line of sight when facing Montsec and 

about 3 miles to the left of that line. 

Between here and the hill of Montsec the 

line of vision cuts directly across part of 

the zone of action of the 2d Division and 

through the zones of action of the 89th, 

42d and 1st Divisions in that order.

To the left front Hattonchâtel with its 

picturesque château is plainly visible just 

below the sky line, perched on one of the 

prominent heights which rim the plain in 

that direction; and to the left of it, strung 

along the forward slopes of the confining 

heights, are the villages of Vigneulles, 

Heudicourt, Buxières, Buxerulles and 

Woinville which were passed through 

earlier in the tour.

The observer is near the middle of the 

2d Division zone of action. That division 

reached this vicinity about 9:00 a. m. 

on September 12 and by early afternoon 

had captured Thiaucourt, the town seen 

in the valley ahead, and had established 

its line on the Army objective about 2 

miles to the right front from here. Later 

in the afternoon the division repulsed two 

strong hostile counterattacks.

Thiaucourt was an important point in 

the German supply system, and with its 

capture there fell into American hands 

11 field guns loaded on railroad cars, 

numerous empty railway cars, and vast 

quantities of food, lumber and military 

supplies and equipment of all kinds.

The St. Mihiel American Cemetery, 

identified by its white chapel and field of 

white headstones, can be plainly seen to 

the left of and beyond Thiaucourt.

The 89th Division drove forward on 

September 12 through the wooded areas 

Thiaucourt Being Shelled by the Germans After

Its Capture by the 2d Division
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE ST. MIHIEL REGION 145

in front of its jump-off line and about 

noon captured Euvezin, identified by 

the nearest building between here and 

Montsec. Later in the day it captured 

the ground upon which the American 

cemetery now stands. It dug in that night 

with its front line running near the right 

edge of the present cemetery area.

The prominent church tower with the 

slate colored roof, seen some distance to 

the right of Euvezin, is in Pannes which 

lay within the zone of action of the 42d 

Division and was captured by it early in 

the afternoon on September 12.

Slightly to the right of and beyond the 

church tower in Pannes is seen the church 

steeple of Nonsard. That village lay within 

the zone of action of the 1st Division and 

was taken by it about noon on the first day 

of the attack.

On September 13 the 89th Division 

captured the Bois de Xammes which can be 

seen on the sky line immediately above and 

beyond the church steeple in Thiaucourt, 

and the 2d Division drove forward in the 

direction of the observer’s right front for 

approximately three fourths of a mile in 

the right of its zone of action.

During the 14th and 15th, the 2d 

Division pushed strong reconnaissance 

patrols to the front and on the 15th several 

hostile counterattacks were broken up. 

The division line was advanced slightly 

along all of its front during these days.

The 2d Division was relieved from the 

line on September 16 by the 78th. The 

89th Division remained on this front until 

October 7 when it was relieved by the 37th. 

Both divisions had brilliantly performed 

their battle assignments.

EN ROU T E SOU T H E A S T OF 

T H I AUCOU R T TO S T. M I H I EL 

AMERICAN CEMETERY

(65.9 m 106.0 km) While approaching 

Thiaucourt, along the right side of the road

is seen a German military cemetery. 

Thiaucourt is well known to troops 

of the 7th, 28th, 37th, 78th and 89th 

Divisions, which served in the line north 

of it at various times between September 

16 and the Armistice. It was subjected 

to heavy German shelling soon after its 

capture by the Americans.

(66.6 m 107.2 km) In town, cross righthand bridge over the Rupt de Mad.

(66.8 m 107.5 km) Near the church, 

passed on the left, is the village monument 

upon which are named the American units 

that fought in this vicinity during the St. 

Mihiel offensive.

(66.9 m 107.6 km) At the small monument 

farther on, bear to the left.

(67.1 m 108.0 km) At far edge of town the 

zone of action of the 89th Division during 

the attack is entered.

(67.5 m 108.5 km) Beyond town, at the 

large cemetery at left of road, STOP.

Street in Thiaucourt After the German Bombardment
General View of the St. Mihiel American Cemetery
(147)

This is the St. Mihiel American 

Cemetery. It is the third largest of the 

eight American military cemeteries in 

Europe and contains 4,152 graves. Most of 

the men buried here gave their lives in the 

St. Mihiel offensive. The majority of the 

others died while serving in sectors in this 

region or in the divisional training areas 

which were located to the southwest.

The architecture of the cemetery 

is classic in design and the entire 

development has been made along formal 

lines. A harmonious and beautiful effect 

has thus been obtained which can not fail 

to impress the visitor from America with 

the fitness of this as a final resting place 

for these gallant soldier dead.

The formal entrance, with its gem-like 

pavilions and ornamental black and gilded 

grill fence, is of striking beauty. Through 

it an excellent view of the cemetery can be 

obtained from the main highway.

As the cemetery is entered, the pavilion 

to the right contains the superintendent’s 

office. Inquiries concerning the location 

of a particular grave or requests for 

other information should be made there. 

The pavilion to the left contains a wellappointed reception room and other 

facilities for the convenience of visitors.

Although the f lower beds and roses and 

the large green lawns which carpet the 

grave areas are now in their final beauty, 

visitors during the next few years will 

have to draw upon their imaginations to 

visualize the greater beauty that will come 

when the trees and shrubbery have reached 

their full growth. In time the cemetery 

will be sheltered on all sides by masses 

of vegetation outside the stone walls, and 

the main paths will pass through leafy 

canopies formed by overhanging boughs 

of the trees along them.

The white marble headstones, which 

are the same in all the American military 

cemeteries in Europe, are of a cross design 

for those of the Christian faith and a sixpointed star design for those of the Jewish 

faith. The changing beauty of these fields 

of crosses when seen at various times 

throughout the day and in different lights 

is unusually impressive.

At the center of the cemetery is a large 

sundial of attractive design surrounded by 

beautiful beds of f lowers. Carved around 

the top of its base appears the prophetic 

inscription “TIME WILL NOT DIM THE 

GLORY OF THEIR DEEDS.”

From this point the beautiful perspectives 

along the cross axes of the cemetery catch 

the eye. Between the trees and flower beds 

along one axis is seen a small monument 

depicting a typical American soldier in 

his wartime uniform, standing in front of 

a stone cross. Behind this and framing it 

is a stone hemicycle intended ultimately 

to be set off by a high square-trimmed 

tree hedge. At the end of the other axis 

there is seen an ornamental urn on a 

semicircular platform from which a fine 

view of Thiaucourt and the terrain in that 

direction may be obtained.

Entrance, St. Mihiel Cemetery
Sundial at St. Mihiel American Cemetery Near Thiaucourt; Note American Memorial on Montsec in the distance
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE ST. MIHIEL REGION 149

From the center of the cemetery there is 

a splendid view of the chapel, a building 

of great simplicity and dignity, which has 

been built of fine white stone.

The two f lags f lying in front of the chapel 

bring a feeling of patriotism to American 

visitors and a sense of gratification that 

the brave men who rest here will always 

sleep beneath their country’s f lag.

Carved inscriptions in French and English 

on the front of the chapel state that it has been 

dedicated “TO THOSE WHO DIED FOR 

THEIR COUNTRY”, and this thought has 

been repeated in the main inscription inside 

the peristyle which reads: “THIS CHAPEL 

HAS BEEN ERECTED BY THE UNITED 

STATES OF AMERlCA IN GRATEFUL 

REMEMBRANCE OF HER SONS WHO 

DIED IN THE WORLD WAR.”

These words, carved in stone, emphasize 

the fact that the chapel stands not to 

commemorate the glory of battles won nor 

the triumph of victory achieved, but as a 

direct tribute of America to those who 

made the supreme sacrifice for it.

The large rose-granite urn with its carved 

drapery at the center of the peristyle 

recalls to mind an ancient funereal vase. 

One of the decorative features on it is 

a winged horse, which is intended to 

symbolize the f light of the immortal soul 

to its resting place in the life beyond.

The bronze door to the left, decorated 

with stars and two miniature bronze 

soldier heads, leads to the impressive 

interior of the chapel. As the visitor 

enters, his attention is first attracted 

to the carved, ivory-tinted altar, with 

its beautiful cross and the rich mosaic 

above it, portraying an angel sheathing 

his sword. The mosaics on the end walls 

have as their main features large shields 

displaying the national colors of the 

United States and of France.

The coffered ceiling is decorated in 

gold and blue, while the f loor and lower 

wall-paneling are of inlaid marble with 

light and dark green markings. Disposed 

about the chapel in appropriate places 

are graceful candelabra and bronzedecorated seats and kneeling-benches.

On the other side of the peristyle is 

a room upon the end walls of which are 

recorded, in carved and gilded letters 

on black marble panels, the names of all 

American soldiers who are carried on 

the rolls as missing in the operations in 

this vicinity. The wall opposite the door 

displays an inlaid marble map, to a scale 

of 1/10,000, upon which the ground gained 

by the American divisions is shown in 

various colored marbles.

Behind the chapel, corresponding in 

position to the f lagpoles in front, are 

two weeping willows and filling the four 

corners of the chapel terrace are large 

masses of trimmed evergreen trees.

From the rear of the peristyle, the 

American monument on Montsec is plainly 

visible in the distance on a clear day.

View at St. Mihiel Cemetery Chapel
150 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE ST. MIHIEL REGION

EN ROU T E S T. M I H I EL A M ER ICA N 

CEMETERY TO WEST OF WOËL

From this cemetery the tour follows the 

main road to Verdun. For most of the 

distance to Haudiomont, 20 miles away, 

the front line held by the American troops 

at the end of the war lay generally from 1 to 

3 miles to the right of and approximately 

parallel to this road.

(67.8 m 109.1 km) Beyond first crest, 

to the right, the nearest village is 

Xammes, which was close to the final 

objective of the First Army in the St. 

Mihiel offensive. It was occupied by the 

89th Division early in the morning of 

September 13. 

On September 16 the front line of the 

First Army was established about a mile 

beyond Xammes. It was located there 

when the American Second Army took 

over this front on October 12.

(68.2 m 109.7 km) To the left front, in the 

distance, Montsec is clearly visible.

(68.5 m 110.2 km) Continue through 

Béney, which was captured before dawn 

on September 13 by the 89th Division.

(69.0 m 110.9 km) At far edge of the village

the zone of action of the 42d Division 

during the attack is entered.

(69.1 m 111.2 km) Beyond town, to the 

left is seen the wood, Bois de Thiaucourt, 

near the left end of which, approximately 

parallel to this road, was located the front 

line held by troops of the 42d Division on 

the evening of September 12.

(69.6 m 111.9 km) To the left front is seen 

the Bois de Béney, at the near edge of 

which during most of the war the Germans 

maintained and f lew an observation 

balloon. In that wood was captured a 

large German supply depot.

(70.9 m 114.0 km) While approaching 

the next village, St. Benoît, in its right 

edge is seen a château where a brigade 

headquarters of the 42d Division was 

located after the capture of the town on 

September 13. Several times after that 

date it was heavily shelled.

(71.4 m 114.9 km) Continue through the 

village of St. Benoît.

As part of a general forward movement 

of the 42d Division early on September 

13, one of its battalions drove out small 

hostile units in the woods near this road, 

A Battalion Headquarters of the 89th Division Near Béney, September 16, 1918
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE ST. MIHIEL REGION 151

captured Hassavant Farm, the next group 

of buildings, organized a position beyond 

the farm, and sent patrols still farther 

along down the road.

The 42d Division was relieved by the 

89th Division during October 1.

(73.0 m 117.5 km) At Hassavant Farm, 

to the left is seen Hattonchâtel which was 

visited earlier in the tour. In the area to 

the left of that place the 1st Division was 

assembled on September 14, having been 

pinched out of the front line due to the 

meeting of the two forces advancing from 

the sides of the salient. Its movement to 

the Meuse-Argonne region was started 

from there on September 20.

(76.1 m 122.4 km) Continue through next 

village, Woël, which was occupied by a 

French division on September 14.

(77.0 m 123.9 km) Beyond town, at far side 

of crest where the next village, Doncourt, 

comes in full view, STOP.

Face to the right, which direction is 

approximately northeast.

After September 16 this part of the 

front became stabilized and the activities 

here from then on were mainly those of 

patrolling, with an occasional raid into 

the German lines to find out information 

concerning the dispositions of their 

troops and their future plans of action.

On September 26, when the MeuseArgonne operation began, the troops here 

were ordered to make demonstrations 

with the idea of confusing the enemy as 

to the exact point of the American attack. 

Consequently, artillery bombardments 

lasting as long as nine hours were laid 

down and strong patrols were sent to 

attack the enemy lines. These maneuvers 

served to hold the German reserves 

behind this front much longer than would 

otherwise have been the case.

On October 12 the American Second 

Army took command of this part of the 

front. Its sector extended from Port-surSeille, on the other side of the Moselle 

River, to Fresnes-en-Woëvre, about 5 

miles to the left from here. The front line 

at that time was practically in the same 

place as it was at the termination of the 

main St. Mihiel attack.

Comparatively little activity occurred 

on this front during the month of October.

42d Division Patrol Near Hassavant Farm, September 14, 1918
(152)

Early in November the Allied attacks, 

covering almost the entire front from the 

Meuse River to the North Sea, produced 

great disorganization in the German 

forces. The Second Army was therefore 

ordered to keep close watch of the enemy 

for any indications of a withdrawal.

At that time the Second Army front was 

held, in order from right to left, by the VI 

Corps with the 92d Division in line, the 

IV Corps with 7th and 28th in line, and 

the French XVII Corps with the American 

33d Division in line.

The 33d Division held this part of the 

front and its sector included the towns 

of Woël, seen to the right; the far edge of 

Doncourt; and Wadonville, seen to the 

left of and beyond Doncourt.

The nearest part of the sector held by the 

28th Division was at the woods seen in the 

distance to the right.

On November 9, while the Armistice 

negotiations were in progress, urgent 

orders were issued by Marshal Foch, the 

Allied Commander-in-Chief, directing 

that the enemy be pushed all along the 

Western Front and that he be given no 

time to rest or reorganize his troops.

In carrying out these instructions all 

divisions on this front, following some 

local operations on November 9, launched 

attacks on November 10 and 11 in the 

general direction the observer is facing. 

This American offensive is generally 

referred to as the Woëvre Plain operation.

These attacks resulted in substantial 

gains and by the time of the Armistice the 

front line had been advanced to include the 

large wood, seen to the right front; the first 

wood, Bois de Warville, seen to the left 

front; and St. Hilaire, the village whose 

church steeple may be seen at certain 

seasons of the year beyond Doncourt. 

Jonville, whose church is seen to the 

front, was never captured although the 

ground between here and that village was 

the scene of numerous severe combats.

EN ROU T E W ES T OF WOËL TO E A S T 

OF HAUDIOMONT

(77.5 m 124.7 km) Straight through the 

village of Doncourt.

The 79th Division held a sector in this 

vicinity during most of the month of 

October. It was relieved by the 33d Division 

which assumed command on October 26.

(79.1 m 127.3 km) The next village, St. 

Hilaire, was occupied on September 13 by 

a French division and was taken over from 

it by the 26th Division on the same day. It 

was abandoned on September 15, after an 

enemy attack had been repulsed, because by 

its retention a sharp salient was created in 

the American line.

The town was raided by American troops 

a number of times before its capture on 

November 10 by the 33d Division. The front 

line at the time of the Armistice was near the 

far edge of the village.

(80.3 m 129.2 km) The next village, 

Marchéville, had been elaborately 

organized for defense by the Germans 

before September 1918. After the salient was 

eliminated the village was strongly held by 

Crossroads at St. Hilaire
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE ST. MIHIEL REGION 153

German troops and was the scene of much 

vicious fighting until November 11.

On September 26, as part of the 

demonstration on this front at the time 

of the opening of the Meuse-Argonne 

offensive, a battalion of the 26th Division 

made an attack against the town and entered 

it at 9:00 a. m. after stubborn fighting; a 

counterattack by a German unit was beaten 

off about noon, and the town changed hands 

four times before the troops of the 26th 

Division were ordered to withdraw that 

evening.

On November 10 the village was attacked 

in force by the 33d Division which inf licted 

heavy losses in overcoming the stubborn 

resistance of the enemy. Sharp hostile 

counterattacks from the front and f lanks 

and heavy artillery fire caused a withdrawal 

to the higher ground seen to the left of the 

village. On November 11 another attack was 

launched and fighting was going on in the 

streets when notification of the Armistice 

was received.

(80.9 m 130.2 km) Beyond town, at the 

road fork, bear to the right.

(82.3 m 132.4 km) While approaching the 

next town, Fresnes-en-Woëvre, on the right 

are seen (1937) several concrete machinegun emplacements which were part of one 

of the main German defensive lines which 

ran near here.

(82.8 m 133.2 km) Straight through 

Fresnes-en-Woëvre, captured on September 

14 by the 4th Division. The front line 

remained near this town until the morning 

of November 11 when the 33d Division 

advanced it 3⁄4 mile to the right of the road 

which the tourist is following.

(83.2 m 133.9 km) Beyond town, about 500 

yards, was located the boundary between 

the American First and Second Armies at the 

close of hostilities.

(84.5 m 136.0 km) At next road junction is 

seen a monument erected by the 4th Division 

after the Armistice.

(84.7 m 136.3 km) Continue through 

next village, Manheulles, captured by 

the 4th Division on September 14. During 

October and the early part of November 

it was just within the American lines. 

Its exposed location made it subject to 

frequent and intense bombardments from 

hostile artillery.

(85.5 m 137.5 km) Beyond town, just 

beyond second bend in road, before 

reaching the railroad, STOP.

Face down the road, which direction is 

approximately west.

On November 7 the 81st Division relieved 

the 35th on a line which ran along the edge 

of the heights seen ahead. It was at that time 

the right f lank division belonging to the 

American First Army.

On November 9 the division attacked 

as part of the general forward movement 

on this front. It advanced to the right 

of this road well into the wood, Bois de 

Manheulles, seen in that direction. Only 

two isolated groups, however, remained in 

the wood during the night. The smaller of 

these withdrew about 10:00 a. m. the next 

day to the road on which the observer is 

standing. The other group, a company, 

On Front of 81st Division Near Manheulles, November 10, 1918
154 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE ST. MIHIEL REGION

was attacked by the Germans early on 

the morning of the 10th and about half 

of its men were captured. The remnants, 

however, about 40 men, bravely fought 

their way back to the American position 

at Haudiomont, which is the village seen 

ahead.

No attack was made here on November 

10 but on the 11th the 81st Division met 

resistance in its efforts to advance in the 

Bois de Manheulles. Its front line was in the 

wood at the time of the Armistice.

About 4 miles to the right front from here 

the left of the 81st Division made successive 

advances during November 9, 10 and 11, for 

a total gain of about 3 miles.

✧

As this is the last stop on the tour, a brief 

summary of the events connected with the 

reduction of the St. Mihiel salient will serve 

to fix them more definitely in the mind of 

the reader.

Shortly after the American Expeditionary 

Forces reached France in 1917 General 

Pershing decided that the American Army 

should be built up and enter the battle line 

in this region, and that the reduction of the 

St. Mihiel salient should be its first major 

operation of the war.

In the spring of 1918 the formation of the 

American Army was postponed because 

of the great demand for divisions to meet 

critical situations created on other parts 

of the front by the successful German 

offensives at that time.

Early in August of that year the situation 

became such that General Pershing felt free 

to insist that the creation of an American 

army be no longer delayed. As a result the 

First Army was formed and took over on 

August 30 all of the front line around the St. 

Mihiel salient.

The original plans for the attack provided 

for exploiting toward Metz and the Briey 

iron region if the situation became favorable. 

These plans, however, were changed in order 

Troops of the 81st Division in Manheulles, November 10, 1918

Captured Burros Carrying Water Near

Haudiomont, November 1918
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE ST. MIHIEL REGION 155

to fit in with those for an offensive in the 

Meuse-Argonne region and it was finally 

decided that the St. Mihiel operation should 

be limited merely to the reduction of the 

salient.

After almost superhuman efforts on the 

part of all concerned the First Army was in 

place on this front ready to attack early on 

the morning of September 12.

The main attack was carried through with 

dash and precision and ended on the evening 

of September 13, all major objectives having 

been gained.

The effect upon morale of this striking 

victory of the American Army in its 

initial major offensive is almost beyond 

evaluation. The Germans were greatly 

depressed, as the superb fighting qualities 

of the American soldier had again 

been demonstrated and the American 

high commanders and their staffs had 

successfully proved their ability to conduct 

large operations, an ability previously 

doubted by the Germans. The Allies were 

greatly encouraged and all Americans 

were elated at the victory, which was far 

more rapid and clear-cut than even the 

most optimistic had a right to expect.

Before leaving this stop the speedometer 

reading should be noted.

EN ROU T E E A S T OF H AU DIOMON T 

TO VERDUN

(86.5 m 139.1 km) Straight through the 

village of Haudiomont.

(87.0 m 139.9 km) Beyond town, while 

ascending hill, to the rear may be seen a 

fine view of the Woëvre Plain.

(90.7 m 145.9 km) 5.2 miles (8.4 

kilometers) from the last stop; at top of hill 

where Fort du Rozellier is to the right of the 

road; to the right front on a clear day may 

be seen the shaft of the Meuse-Argonne 

American Memorial at Montfaucon, 

approximately 18 miles away.

(96.1 m 154.6 km) Continue to the Victory 

monument in the center of Verdun.

Verdun is the starting point for the tour 

of the American battlefields in the MeuseArgonne region described in Chapter IV.

German Command Post at Manheulles Captured by the 4th Division on September 14, 1918

Effect of a Direct Hit on a German

Concrete Shelter
(156)

I

N addition to the places whose World 

War history has been described in the 

itinerary, there are a number of other places 

in the St. Mihiel region where interesting 

war events occurred, where there now exist 

features of special interest, or which are 

of sufficient importance in pre-World War 

history to warrant special mention. For 

reference purposes and for the benefit of 

the tourist who travels in the area not on 

the described route, these places and parts 

of their history have been recorded on the 

following pages.

The sketch which appears on this page 

shows the general location of the places 

mentioned. At those indicated by a star 

on the sketch and in the text there is some 

interesting object such as a memorial, 

ancient ruins or outstanding World War 

feature in a good state of preservation.

Abaucourt. Captured on November 10 by 

the 81st Division after severe fighting.

Ancemont. Location of V Corps 

Headquarters, September 10–16.

Ansauville. Location of 42d Div. 

Headquarters, September 9–14.

Apremont. This village, just within 

the German front lines, was completely 

demolished by French and American 

artillery fire. In town, near the church, 

Described Route and Additional Places of Interest in St. Mihiel Region

Front Line National Highway Place of special interest not on described route

Stop, described in text

Route, described in text

4 M.

10 M. 4 M.

Forêt de la Reine

Metz

Verdun Conans-en-Jarnisy

Pont-à-Mousson

Commercy

St. Mihiel

Montsec

Hattonchâtel

Thiaucourt

Ft. de Vaux

Bois

Belrupt

Abaucourt

le Grand Cognon

Grimaucourt

Haudainville

Sommedieue

Ancemont les Eparges

Rupt-en-Woëvre

TroyonMamey

Euvezin

Bouillonville

Bois

du Rupt

Dommartin-la-Chaussée Mon Plaisir Farm

Rembercourt-sur-Mad

Froidmont

Prény

Jonville Puxieux

Chambley

Rezonville

Gravelotte

Bois de Bonvaux

Bois d’ Harville

Bois de Dommartin

Marimbois Farm

Haumont- lèsHill 323

Bois de Grande Fontaine

Hanido

BouxièresBois de la

JouyBois de Pannes 

St. Mihiel American Cementary

Toul

de Moranville

Moranville en-Woëvre

sur-Meuse

Dommartinla-Montagne

Billy-sous-les-Côtes Lachaussée

Bois de Dampvitoux Jaulny

Essey-et-Maizerais

Wood

Souleuvre Farm

Bois du Trou de la Haie sousVoivrotte

aux-Arches

Riaville

Butgnéville

Château d’ Aulnois

Ansauville

Ménil-la-Tour

Ligny-en-Barrois Boucq

Bois Brulé

Fort du Camp des Romains

Chauvoncourt

Apremont

Beaumont

Lironville

Noviant-aux-Prés

Bois Montjoie

St. Jacques Farm

Dieulouard

Villers-en-Haye

Marbache

Saizerais Nancy

Line

of Sept. 12

(A.M.)

Line

of

Sept. 12

(A.M.)

Line

of

Line

of Sept. 16

Nov. 11 (A.M.)

O r n e

M o s e ll e

R i v e r

R u p t

d e

C r

M e u s e

R i v e r

M a d

R i v e r

N 0 2 4 6 8 10 Miles

ADDITIONAL PLACES OF INTEREST IN THE ST. MIHIEL REGION
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE ST. MIHIEL REGION 157

is a memorial fountain to the American 

soldiers who fell at Apremont, donated by 

the city of Holyoke, Massachusetts.

Beaumont. 1st Div. Hdqrs., Sept. 11–13.

Belrupt. 81st Div. Hdqrs., Nov. 9–11.

Billy-sous-les-Côtes. While alone on a 

voluntary air patrol near this place on 

September 25, First Lieutenant Edward V. 

Rickenbacker, Air Service, encountered 

a hostile formation of seven planes. 

Disregarding the odds against him he dived 

on them and shot one down out of control. 

He then attacked a second which was 

likewise shot down. For this conspicuous 

gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond 

the call of duty, Lieutenant Rickenbacker 

was later awarded the Congressional 

Medal of Honor.

Bois de Banvaux. This wood was 

reached by patrols of the 5th Division 

on September 12. It was the scene of 

hard fighting on September 14 when the 

Germans were driven from it.

«Bois Brulé. Scene of bitter fighting 

between the French and Germans in 1915. 

The 26th Division engaged in severe local 

combats in the vicinity during April 1918. 

Many interesting trenches and German 

dugouts are being preserved there (1937).

Bois de Dampvitoux. Near this wood 

the Germans had an important aviation 

field and a group of barracks. The wood 

was occupied during September 13 by the 

troops of the 42d and 89th Divisions.

Bois de Dommartin. Located about 600 

yards in front of the American lines after 

the St. Mihiel operation, this little wood 

was the scene of many small but bitter 

fights in which at different times the 89th, 

37th and 28th Divisions, in that order, 

participated. It was occupied by the 28th 

Division on November 10 and held until 

after the Armistice.

Bois de Grande Fontaine. Scene of severe 

local fighting by the 5th, 78th and 7th 

Divisions at various times from September 

14 on. During November 1 the southern 

part of this wood was captured and held 

by troops of the 7th Division.

Bois d’Harville. The 33d Division 

attacked and gained a foothold in this wood 

on November 10 in spite of heavy machinegun and artillery fire. The wood was 

abandoned that night, however, because of 

hostile gas-shell bombardments.

Bois Montjoie, about 1⁄2 mile southeast of 

Lironville, was the location of the 2d Div. 

Headquarters, September 10–12.

Bois de Pannes. The 42d Div. Hdqrs. was 

located here from Sept. 25 to Oct. 1.

Allied Prisoners Returning to American Lines at Abaucourt, November 13, 1918
158 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE ST. MIHIEL REGION

Bois du Rupt. A counterattack of the 

German 31st Division, launched from this 

wood during the afternoon of September 

12, was repulsed by the 2d Division, which 

inf licted heavy losses. The wood was 

occupied by the 2d Division on September 

14 and remained in American hands until 

after the Armistice.

Bois du Trou de la Haie. Considerable 

hard fighting occurred in this wooded 

area both before and after November 1, on 

which date the 7th Division established its 

front line well into it.

Bois de la Voivrotte. The 92d Division 

captured this wood early on November 11 

and from it launched two attacks against 

Bouxières-sous-Froidmont.

Boucq. Location of 26th Div. Hdqrs., 

Mar. 31–June 20, and IV Corps Hdqrs. for 

the period Oct. 10 to Nov. 3.

Bouillonville. Sergeant Harry J. Adams, 

89th Division, won the Distinguished 

Service Cross in this town for an act of 

great coolness and daring on September 

12. Discovering a group of Germans in a 

building he promptly fired his remaining 

pistol bullets through the door and 

demanded the instant surrender of the 

occupants. Some 300 Germans emerged 

and Sergeant Adams, although alone and 

armed only with an empty pistol, made 

prisoners of them all.

Butgnéville. A 33d Division attack on 

November 11 made against this village 

was repulsed with severe losses.

Chambley. Site of an important German 

ammunition depot.

Château d’Aulnois. Captured by the 33d 

Division on November 11. It had been the 

objective of active patrolling by various 

American units before then.

Chauvoncourt. This town, situated 

across the Meuse River from St. Mihiel, 

and the f lat-topped hill near it, were 

captured by the Germans in 1914 and held 

as a bridgehead until the American attack 

of September 12 forced their evacuation.

Conflans-en-Jarnisy. Headquarters of 

the German Army Detachment “C” which 

was holding the St. Mihiel salient. The 

town was an important communication 

center and the objective of many of the 

American aviation bombing raids.

«Dieulouard. In the northern outskirts 

of this town, along the main road, are 

(1937) the remains of a large concrete 

Wartime View of German Support Trenches Near Apremont
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE ST. MIHIEL REGION 159

emplacement for an Allied railroad gun.

Dommartin-la-Chaussée. Site of a large 

German supply depot. The town was in the 

main line of resistance of the Hindenburg 

Line. Attempts of the 28th Division to 

capture it on November 10 were defeated 

with considerable losses.

Dommartin-la-Montagne. Fire from this 

village halted the advance of the left units 

of the 26th Division on September 12. It 

was captured the next morning.

Essey-et-Maizerais. Location of the 42d 

Div. Headquarters, Sept. 14–25.

Euvezin. Captured by the 89th Division. 

Before the St. Mihiel offensive a German 

artillery camp was located in the ravine 

south of the town. The camp was the 89th 

Div. Hdqrs., Sept. 14–Oct. 7; 37th Div. 

Hdqrs., Oct. 7–16; 28th Div. Hdqrs., Oct. 

16–29; and 7th Div. Hdqrs., Oct. 30 to 

after the Armistice.

«Fort du Camp des Romains. This fort 

near St. Mihiel was built by the French 

about 1879 upon the site of an old Roman 

camp. It was captured in 1914 by the 

Germans and retained by them until the 

attack of the American First Army forced 

its evacuation. The fort is not used now 

and is in ruins.

Gravelotte. This village was the scene 

of an important German victory in 1870 

during the Franco-Prussian War.

Grimaucourt-en-Woëvre. Captured by 

the 81st Division on November 10 but not 

held that night. The next day the division 

pushed forward through the town and 

about 1 mile beyond it.

Hanido Wood and Souleuvre Farm. These 

places were occupied on the afternoon 

of September 12 by the German Saxon 

123d Division which had entered the 

battle to check the American advance. A 

counterattack by that division from the 

wood the next day was repulsed by the 5th 

Division after severe fighting.

Haudainville. Location of 4th Div. 

Headquarters, September 9–19.

Haumont-lès-Lachaussée. This village 

was lightly held by the Germans following 

the St. Mihiel attack. The 42d, 89th and 

37th Divisions raided it several times 

and the 28th Division occupied it on two 

different occasions; from October 24 to 

29, and again from November 9 to 11.

Hill 323, south of Rembercourt-sur-Mad. 

This hill was strongly held by the Germans 

following the St. Mihiel offensive. It was 

the scene of numerous severe combats by 

the 5th, 78th and 7th Divisions prior to 

its capture by the latter on November 10. 

Several determined German attempts to 

retake it were repulsed.

Jaulny. This town was captured by the 

2d Division about 1:00 p. m. on September 

12. A German ammunition train and a 

completely equipped hospital train were 

captured there. Because the village lay 

beyond the objective of the American 

Army it was abandoned later in the day. 

The Germans reoccupied it but on the 

next day the 2d Division again drove them 

from the town and the American lines 

were then established beyond it.

Château d’Aulnois, November 1918
Learning the Language at Lucey, Near Toul
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE ST. MIHIEL REGION 161

Jonville. On September 14 a group of 

American tanks, operating considerably 

ahead of the infantry lines, engaged in a 

severe fight near this town.

«Jouy-aux-Arches. At this place there 

are still standing several arches of a large 

aqueduct built by the Romans to bring 

water across the Moselle River to Metz.

Le Grand Cognon. This wooded area 

was captured by the 81st Division on 

November 10 after a hard fight.

Les Eparges. Scene of bitter fighting 

between the French and Germans in 

1914 and 1915. The remains of large mine 

craters are still (1937) to be seen there.

Ligny-en-Barrois. Location of First 

Army Hdqrs., Aug. 28–Sept. 21. Advance 

G. H. Q., A. E. F., Oct. 25–Dec. 3.

Lucey. 82d Div. Hdqrs., June 27–Aug. 10; 

89th Div. Hdqrs., Aug. 10–Sept. 10.

Mamey. Location of 90th Div. Hdqrs., 

for the period September 11–19.

Marbache. 2d Div. Hdqrs., Aug. 9–19; 

82d Div. Hdqrs., Aug. 18–Sept. 20; and 

92d Div. Hdqrs., Oct. 9–Nov. 10.

Marimbois Farm. This farm was in 

German hands at the close of the St. 

Mihiel offensive. From September 16 on 

patrols of the 42d and, later, of the 89th 

and 28th Divisions frequently clashed 

with the enemy there. It was occupied by 

the 28th Division on November 9 and held 

until the Armistice.

Ménil-la-Tour. 1st Div. Headquarters, 

from January 18–April 3, and IV Corps 

Headquarters, September 10–October 10.

«Metz. This city, which is strategically 

located on the Moselle River, has been a 

fortress of importance since the time of 

the Romans, who called it Divodurum. 

The city was plundered by Attila the 

Hun in the 5th Century. It was ceded by 

France to Germany after the War of 1870 

and became one of the principal fortified 

places in the German line of frontier 

defenses. It was returned to France after 

the World War by the provisions of the 

Treaty of Versailles.

Mon Plaisir Farm. A strongly organized 

place in the Hindenburg Line which 

was attacked at different times after the 

St. Mihiel offensive by the 78th and 7th 

Divisions. The 28th and 89th Divisions 

sent patrols to it. The farm was still in the 

hands of the Germans when the Armistice 

became effective.

Moranville and the Bois de Moranville.

These places in the outpost zone of the 

Hindenburg Line were captured by the 

81st Division on November 9 in spite of 

determined hostile resistance.

«Nancy. The Kaiser is said to have 

come to view the German attacks north 

of Nancy at the beginning of the World 

War, expecting to make a triumphal entry 

into the city. Although it was shelled 

all attempts to capture the town were 

repulsed. Nancy contains many beautiful 

buildings and other works of art. It is well 

worth a visit.

Noviant-aux-Prés. In a dugout along the 

railroad north of this town was located 

the 89th Div. Headquarters, for the period 

September 10 to 12.

Prény. This town, picturesquely situated 

on a long ridge in the Hindenburg Line, 

Mon Plaisir Farm in the Winter After the Armistice
St. Mihiel Soon After Its Capture; Note ponton bridge built by American Engineers
(163)

was the objective of frequent raids by 

the 90th and 7th Divisions. Many handto-hand fights took place near it. The 

interesting ruins of an ancient fortified 

chateau are to be seen there.

Puxieux. An important German aviation 

field and a large munitions depot were 

located near this town.

Rembercourt-sur-Mad. This village, 

situated in the valley of the Rupt de Mad, 

and the wooded heights south of it were 

hastily occupied on September 12 by the 

German 31st Division which had entered 

the battle line to check the American 

advance. The German division launched 

a counterattack that afternoon which was 

repulsed by the 2d Division.

Rezonville. Scene of a desperate battle 

in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870. This 

battle and that of Gravelotte prevented 

Marshal Bazaine from retreating toward 

Paris and forced his army into Metz, 

where it later surrendered.

Riaville. Captured by the 33d Division 

on the morning of November 11.

Rupt-en-Woëvre. Location of 26th 

Division Headquarters, Sept. 6–16.

St. Jacques Farm, about 1 mile southwest 

of Mamey. 5th Division Headquarters 

during the period, Sept. 10–17.

«St. Mihiel. This town, at the tip of 

the St. Mihiel salient, gave the salient 

its name. The town was captured on 

September 24, 1914, by the Germans 

Several thousand French civilians lived 

in it during the entire war and for that 

reason, though near the front line, it was 

never heavily bombarded by the Allies.

St. Mihiel was not attacked during the 

offensive of September 12 but was hastily 

abandoned by the enemy troops when 

the American divisions broke through 

the battle line on both sides of it. The 

town was occupied on September 13 by a 

French division attached to the American 

First Army. Soon after its occupation the 

President of the French Republic sent a 

message to the United States Government 

in which he expressed the deep gratitude 

of the French nation because of the 

restoration to France of that place.

Among the points of interest in or near 

the town are the churches of St. Etienne and 

St. Mihiel, and at the northern edge of the 

town on the road to Verdun are located seven 

great rocks near which have been found 

many interesting relics of prehistoric man.

The 370th Infantry, 93d Division, while 

attached to the French 34th Division had 

front-line service to the south of this town 

during the month of June 1918.

St. Mihiel–Apremont Road. Alongside 

Searching Prisoners at Headquarters

5th Division, St. Jacques Farm,

 September 12, 1918

Off Duty
164 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE ST. MIHIEL REGION

this road are to be seen many interesting 

examples of wartime military construction. 

The large concrete shelter extending into 

the roadway is well worth a visit. It was 

built by the Germans as a first-aid station. 

In the wood near by are many other 

German field works constructed during 

the four years of trench warfare. 

Saizerais. Location of 1st Div. Hdqrs., 

Aug. 7–24; I Corps Hdqrs., Aug. 21–Sept. 

18; and VI Corps Hdqrs., from Sept. 15 

until after the Armistice.

Sommedieue. 2d Div. Hdqrs., during 

most of the period, Mar. 16–May 9, while 

the division was training in the front line 

with the French on the western face of 

the St. Mihiel salient. Location of 35th 

Div. Hdqrs., Oct. 15–Nov. 7, and 81st Div. 

Hdqrs., Nov. 7–9.

Toul. This city was the American Second 

Army Headquarters during the entire 

time that Army served at the front. IV 

Corps Hdqrs., Aug. 13 to Sept. 10.

Troyon-sur-Meuse. Location of 26th Div. 

Hdqrs., Sept. 16–Oct. 8; 79th Div. Hdqrs., 

Oct. 8–26; and 33d Div. Hdqrs., Oct. 26 to 

the Armistice.

Villers-en-Haye. Location of 90th Div. 

Hdqrs., Aug. 24–Oct. 10, except from 

September 11 to 19 when it moved forward 

to Mamey for the St. Mihiel operation. 

7th Div. Hdqrs., Oct. 10–30.

ocation

7, and

merican

ring the

the front.

pt. 10.

of 26th

th Div.

Hdqrs.,

0th Div.

pt from

t mov ed

Mihiel

10–30.

81st Div.

Nov. 7–8

4th Div.

Sept. 7–11

35th Div.

Oct. 15–Nov. 7

26th Div.

Sept. 17–Oct. 8

79th Div.

Oct. 8–26

33d Div.

Oct. 26–Nov. 8

28th Div. Oct. 16–Nov. 8

42d Div. Sept. 17–Oct. 1

37th Div. Oct. 7–16

89th Div. Sept. 17–Oct. 7

78th Div. Sept. 17–Oct. 4

5th Div. Sept. 17

7th Div. Oct. 10–Nov. 8

90th Div.

Sept. 17–Oct. 10

82d Div.

Sept. 17–20

92d Div.

Oct. 9–Nov. 8

26th Div.

Sept. 8–11

2d Div.

Mar. 17–May 13

93d Div.

(370th Inf. only)

June 22–July 3

26th Div.

Apr. 3–June 28

1st Div. Jan. 18–Apr. 3

82d Div.

June 25–Aug. 10

1st Div. Sept. 8–11

42d Div. Sept. 11

89th Div. Aug. 10–Sept. 11

2d Div. Sept. 10–11

5th Div. Sept. 10–11

90th Div. Aug. 24–Sept. 11

1st Div. Aug. 7–24

2d Div. Aug. 9–19

82d Div.

Aug. 19–Sept. 11

Watronville

Haudiomont

Manheulles

Sommedieue

les Eparges Wadonville

Woël Haumont

Rembercourt

St. Benoît

Xammes Jaulny

Thiaucourt

Viéville-en-Haye

St. Baussant

Vandières

Fey-en-Haye Pont-à-Mousson

RegniévilleLimey en-Haye

Flirey Seicheprey

St. Mihiel

Prény

0 5 10 15 Miles N

Sectors Held by American Divisions in the St. Mihiel Region
(165)

SUMMARY OF COMBAT SERVICE OF AMERICAN DIVISIONS

IN THE ST. MIHIEL REGION

Name 

of Div.

Period of 

Service 1918

Character 

of Service

Location of Service

General vicinity of—

Army to Which 

Attached1

Corps to Which 

Attached1

Casualties 2

1

Jan. 18–Apr. 3 .... Training 

in Line 

and Sector.

Seicheprey........................ Fr. First until 

Mar. 27, then 

Fr. Eighth.

Fr. XXXII................ 654

Aug. 7–24 ........... Sector....... Forêt du Bois-le-Prêtre 

and Regniéville.

Fr. Eighth............. Fr. XXXII until 

Aug. 22, then I.

75

Sept. 8–ll ............ Sector....... Seicheprey........................ First...................... IV ............................. 13

(1)

Sept. 12–14 ......... Battle........ Richecourt and Nonsard. First...................... IV ............................. 467

(18)

2 Mar. 17–May 13 . Training 

in Line.

Northwest of St. Mihiel 

and Watronville.

Fr. Second untilMay 11, then 

French Group 

of Armies of the 

Reserve.

Fr. X until Apr. 17, 

then Fr. II CAC.

881

Aug. 9–19 ........... Sector....... Port-sur-Seille and

Pont-à-Mousson.

Fr. Eighth............. Fr. XXXII................ 38

Sept. 10–l1.......... Sector Limey First...................... I .............................. 22

Sept.12–16 .......... Battle........ Thiaucourt and Jaulny ... First...................... I .............................. 1,477

4 Sept. 7–11 ........... Sector....... Haudiomont..................... First...................... V .............................. 17

Sept. 12–15 ......... Battle........ Fresnes-en-Woëvre.......... First...................... V .............................. 60

5 Sept. 10–11 ......... Sector....... Regniéville-en-Haye........ F irst..................... I .............................. 23

Sept. 12–16 ......... Battle........ Viéville-en-Haye.............. First...................... I .............................. 1,449

Sept. 17............... Sector....... North of Viéville-enHayeFirst...................... I .............................. 86

7 Oct.10–Nov.l1 .... Sector....... South of Rembercourt-sur-Mad.First until Oct. 12, 

then Second.

IV ............................. 1,676

(85)

26 Apr. 3–June 28 ... Sector....... Seicheprey........................ Fr. Eighth............. Fr. XXXII................ 2,194

(7)

Sept. 8–11........... Sector....... Côte de Senoux................ First...................... V .............................. 24

(1)

Sept. 12–16 ......... Battle........ Côte de Senoux and 

Vigneulles-1ès-Hattonchatel.

First...................... V until Sept. 16, then 

Fr. II CAC.

479

(4)

Sept. 17–Oct. 8... Sector....... Wadonville....................... First...................... Fr. II CAC................ 738

28 Oct. 16–Nov. 11.. Sector....... Haumont.......................... Second.................. IV ............................. 1,059

(117)

33 Oct. 26–Nov. 11. Sector....... Woël and Marchéville ..... Second.................. Fr. II CAC until 

Nov. 6, then Fr. 

XVII.

825

(78)

35 Oct. 15–Nov. 7 ... Battle........ Manheulles and west of 

Moranville.

First...................... Fr. XXXIII until 

Nov. 1, then Fr. 

XVII until Nov. 6, 

then Fr. II CAC.

422

1 All armies and corps are American unless otherwise indicated. In this table Fr. = French. 2 Casualties are for period in line only. Figures in parentheses give casualties for units temporarily attached.

Add figure in parentheses to the one above in order to obtain the total casualties during the entire operation.
(166)

Name 

of Div.

Period of 

Service 1918

Character 

of Service

Location of Service

General vicinity of—

Army to Which 

Attached1

Corps to Which 

Attached1

Casualties 2

37 Oct. 7–16 ................ Sector......... Xammes ................................ First until Oct. 12, 

then Second.

IV.................................... 269

(9)

42 Sept. 11 ................... Sector......... Bois de Remières................. First........................... IV.................................... 8

Sept. 12–16............. Battle.......... St. Baussant, Pannes and 

Hassavant Farm.

First........................... IV.................................... 901

(7)

Sept. 17–Oct. 1 ...... Sector......... North of St. Benoiten-Woëvre.First........................... IV.................................... 309

78 Sept. 10 ................... Battle.......... North of Jaulny.................... First........................... I .................................... 58

(7)

Sept. 17–0ct. 4 ....... Sector......... North of Jaulny.................... First........................... I until Sept. 18, 

then IV.

1,848

(109)

79 Oct. 8–20................ Sector......... Wadonville ........................... First until Oct. 12, 

then Second.

Fr. II CAC...................... 369

(210)

81 Nov. 7–11 Battle Moranville and Bois de 

Manheulles.

First Fr. II CAC...................... 974

(5)

82 June 25–Aug. l0 Training in 

Line and 

Sector.

 Forêt du Bois-le-Prêtre 

and Marvoisin.

Fr. Eighth ................. Fr. XXXII...................... 374

Aug. 19–Sept. 11 Sector......... Port-sur-Seille and

Pont-à-Mousson.

Fr. Eighth until 

Aug. 30, then 

First.

Fr. XXXII until Aug. 

22, then I.

99

(1)

Sept. 12–16............. Battle.......... Norroy ................................... First........................... I .................................... 816

Sept. 17–20............. Sector......... Port-sur-Seille and Xon 

Hill.

First........................... I until Sept. 18, 

then IV.

146

89 Aug. 10–Sept. 11 Sector......... Limey and Marvoisin ......... Fr. Eighth until 

Aug. 30, then 

First.

Fr. XXXII until Aug. 

20, then IV.

212

(7)

Sept. 12–16............. Battle.......... Bois de Mort-Mare and 

Xammes.

First........................... IV.................................... 833

(24)

Sept. 17–0ct. 7 Sector Xammes ................................ First........................... IV.................................... 1,351

(11)

90 Aug. 24–Sept. 11 Sector......... Forêt du Bois-le-Prêtre 

and Regniéville.

Fr. Eighth until 

Aug. 30, then 

First.

I .................................... 137

(19)

Sept. 12–16............. Battle.......... Vilcey-sur-Trey and Bois 

des Rappes.

First........................... I .................................... 1,972

(35)

Sept. 17–0ct. 10 Sector Vandières and west of 

Souleuvre Farm.

First........................... I until Sept. 18, 

then IV.

1,830

(51)

92 Oct. 9–Nov. 11....... Sector Port-sur-Seille and 

Vandières.

First until Oct. 12, 

then Second.

IV until Oct. 23, 

then VI.

959

(12)

93

(370th

Inf. 

only)

June 22–July 3 ....... Training in 

Line.

 Southwest of St. Mihiel ..... Fr. Second ................ Fr. II CAC...................... 0

1 All armies and corps are American unless otherwise indicated. In this table Fr. = French. 2 Casualties are for period in line only. Figures in parentheses give casualties for units temporarily attached.

Add figure in parentheses to the one above in order to obtain the total casualties during the entire operation.

SUMMARY OF COMBAT SERVICE—Continued
(167)

O NE of the most far-reaching effects 

of the rapid increase of American 

troops in Europe, and the resulting 

Allied and American successes during 

the summer of 1918, was that it became 

possible to undertake in September a 

gigantic convergent offensive movement 

against the German forces on the Western 

Front. The final plans for this movement 

were agreed upon and as a formality of 

coordination were promulgated by the 

Allied Commander-in-Chief on September 

3. Under these plans the American Army 

was to advance northward between the 

Meuse River and the Argonne Forest, 

supported on its left by the French Fourth 

Army west of the Argonne. Northeast of 

Paris the center of the French Armies was 

to renew its efforts to force the Germans 

back from the Aisne, while farther north 

the British were to continue operations in 

the direction of St. Quentin and Cambrai, 

and the Allies were to attack near Ypres to 

free the Belgian coast.

The significance of the American 

Army’s part in the general plan lay in 

the fact that its attack was to be directed 

against a most vital point of the German 

system of railroad communications.

Within the German lines were two 

important railways which ran to the 

northwest from the area around Metz 

and roughly paralleled the battle front. 

These railroads were practically the 

Germans’ only lateral communications 

between their forces east and west of the 

Meuse, and were therefore essential to 

their supply system and for the transfer 

of troops back and forth along the front. 

Northwest of Mézières these railways 

were rather widely separated and were at a 

considerable distance from the front lines, 

but in the vicinity of Sedan and to the 

southeast of that city they converged and 

ran through a narrow strip of territory 

lying within 35 miles of the battle line.

To the north of Sedan, as far as Liége, 

the country, including the Ardennes 

Forest, was of a wooded and difficult 

character, and no important east and west 

railways had been built through it.

The network of railways which radiated 

to the west and southwest from Liége 

passed through a restricted zone near that 

place, which was bounded by the rough 

terrain on the south and neutral Holland 

on the north. These railroads were the 

principal lines of supply and evacuation 

for the German troops along the entire 

front northwest of Reims.

It was apparent that an Allied attack 

in the vicinity of the Meuse River, if 

carried far enough to gain control of the 

lateral railways, would divide the German 

Armies. Once this was accomplished 

Germany would be unable to maintain 

her forces in France and Belgium because 

communications between the two wings 

would be practically impossible except 

by the long and circuitous route through 

Liege and the Rhine River valley.

Furthermore, the capture or defeat of 

the German northern armies would be 

practically certain because, under the stress 

of the powerful attacks which the Allies 

were then prepared to deliver, these armies 

could scarcely effect an orderly withdrawal 

through the congested bottle neck at Liege. 

It was evident, therefore, that in the sector 

covering the communications near Sedan, 

and to the southeast of that place, the 

German forces could least afford to lose 

ground. This was clearly appreciated by 

the German High Command which had 

made elaborate preparations to prevent 

any Allied advance on that part of the 

battle front.

Along most of the Western Front the 

AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE

MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION

Chapter IV
German Tank Attack, October 1918. © G

German Tank and Observation Plane Cooperating in an Attack, September 1918. © G

German Troops Mopping Up a Trench, October 1918. © G
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 169

Germans had prepared several defensive 

lines in rear of their first position. West 

and northwest of the Meuse-Argonne 

region, where loss of ground would have 

no decisive effect on the situation, these 

different positions were separated by 

relatively great distances. In the MeuseArgonne region, however, where the 

important railways lay comparatively 

close to the battle line, the second 

and third lines were very close to the 

forward position, forming a practically 

continuous zone of trenches, barbed wire 

and other field fortifications extending 

for a depth of about 10 miles in rear of 

the front lines.

The nature of this region was such as 

to make it ideal for defensive fighting. 

The heights just east of the Meuse 

River constituted not only a formidable 

natural barrier but furnished splendid 

sites from which the country to the east 

and west could be observed and covered 

by artillery fire. These heights and the 

broken hills of the Argonne Forest had 

been organized into almost impregnable 

positions by the addition of machine 

guns, artillery, trenches and obstacles of 

all kinds. Between these two great natural 

bulwarks lay the dominating hill of 

METZ- STRASBOURG

Calais

Boulogne

Dunkirk

Ypres

Nieuport

Ostend

Bruges

Ghent

Audenarde

Antwerp

Brussels

Liége

Namur

Sedan

Mons

Maubeuge

Hirson

Vimy Valenciennes

Arras

Cambrai

Amiens

Montdidier

St.

Quentin

Laon

Soissons

Paris

Epernay

Reims

Rethel

Nancy

Bar-le-Duc

Verdun Metz

Montfaucon

Lille

Mézières

St. Mihiel Châlons-sur-Marne Château- Thierry

Quéant

HOLLAND

GERMANY

BELGIUM

LUXEMBURG

FRANCE

LINE

OF

SEPT. 1

WOTAN

SIEGFRIED

ALBERICH

FREYA

LYS

GHENT

Argonne

Forest

Lys

River

River

River

River

River

River

River

River

River

River

River

Escaut

Meuse

Meuse

Moselle

Marne Ourcq

Aisne

Oise

Vesle

Seine

River

Somme

HUNDING BRUNHILD

KRIEMHILD

AISNE-VESLE

HERMANN

ANTWERP-MEUSE

GRENZE

HAGEN

N

0 50 100 Miles

Front Line German Defensive Position International Boundary

German Defensive Positions Behind Western Front

September 1918
170 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION

Montfaucon which afforded the Germans 

perfect observation, and whose inherent 

strength had been greatly increased by 

the elaborate use of field fortifications of 

all kinds.

The numerous east and west ridges in 

this area lent themselves admirably to 

the construction of defensive lines which 

connected the Heights of the Meuse with 

the Argonne Forest. In organizing these 

lines the Germans had made elaborate use 

of barbed-wire entanglements, trenches, 

concrete machine-gun emplacements and 

prepared artillery positions, all so placed 

as to be mutually supporting and to cover 

by cross and enfilade fire the ground 

between the features of natural strength.

The comparatively narrow front of this 

natural defile and the great depth of the 

German defensive organization made the 

task of the American Army extremely 

difficult. The only feasible method of 

advancing was to drive salients into the 

enemy lines by frontal assaults and to 

exploit these penetrations by attacking 

the flanks of the salients thus created.

Boult-aux-Bois

Bois

de

Bourgogne

Buzancy

Bayonvilleet-Chennery

Champigneulle

Grandpré

Autry

Boureuilles Vienne- (New Site) le-Château

Varennes

Montblainville

Apremont

Exermont

Barricourt

Andevanne

Romagne

Brieulles

Gesnes Montfaucon

Malancourt

Vauquois Hill Avocourt

Hill 304

Béthincourt

Consenvoye

Sivry

Dun-sur-Meuse Lissey

Damvillers

Wavrille

RegnévilleBeaumont

Verdun

Line

4TH

POSITION

Barricourt Heights

(BRUNHILD STELLUNG) (HINDENBURG

LINE)

SWITCH POS ITION

2D POSITION

1ST POSITION

(SENTA

STELLUNG)

3D POSITION

(GISELHER

M euse

(KRIE MHILD STELLUNG)

STELLUNG)

(FREYA STELLUNG)

(ETZEL STELLUNG)

(HAGEN STELLUNG) (ARGONNE

SWITCH)

(VOLKER STELLUNG)

(WIESENSCHLENKEN STELLUNG)

Sept. 26 (A.M.)

Aire

Aisne

River

River

River

Argonne

Forest

of

N

0 5 10 Miles

German Defensive Organization in the

Meuse-Argonne Region

American Supply Dump During the Meuse-Argonne Operation
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 171

While the difficulties to be encountered 

in an offensive on the Meuse-Argonne 

front were clearly appreciated by the 

Allied High Command, it realized that 

an advance there would have far-reaching 

effects and that it would be essential to 

the success of the general plan.

In view of the strength of the German 

positions, the stubborn opposition that 

would undoubtedly be met with at that 

point and the vital importance of the front, 

the American Army could well feel that in 

the coming combined Allied offensive it 

had been given the place of honor.

When the decision was made to attack in 

the Meuse-Argonne region the American 

First Army was busily engaged in 

preparations for the St. Mihiel offensive, 

planned for September 12. However, 

because of the limited time available, 

the assembly of American divisions not 

scheduled for the St. Mihiel attack was 

begun immediately and detailed plans for 

the larger battle were at once prepared.

Two of the American divisions designated 

for the attack west of the Meuse, the 33d 

and 79th, were sent to that front before the 

middle of September and took over large 

sectors. Soon thereafter other American 

units were sent to the region and secretly 

concentrated behind them.

The movement of men and matériel was 

made entirely under cover of darkness, 

all activity being suspended and the men 

kept in concealment during daylight hours. 

Consequently, at night the roads leading 

into the area were the scenes of great activity 

as troops and artillery, ammunition and 

supplies moved steadily forward. On most 

of the Meuse-Argonne front French soldiers 

remained in the outpost positions until the 

last minute to prevent the Germans from 

seeing or otherwise securing information of 

the presence of large numbers of American 

soldiers in the region and thus receiving 

advance warning of the impending offensive.

In all, about 220,000 Allied soldiers were 

moved out of the area and approximately 

600,000 Americans were moved into it. The 

planning and execution of this gigantic 

movement of concentration was an intricate 

and arduous task. The fact that it was 

done with smoothness and precision, and 

without the knowledge of the enemy, is in 

itself a striking tribute to the ability of the 

American Army and to the skill of its staffs.

Finally, on the night of September 25–

26 the First Army stood on its new front 

ready for the momentous battle that was 

to begin at dawn the next day.

The American corps and divisions in 

line were in position as shown on the abo

Road Scene at Esnes, an Important Road Center, During the Meuse-Argonne Operation
172 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION

ve sketch. The III Corps was on the right 

with the 33d, 80th and 4th Divisions in 

line, in that order from right to left, and 

the 3d Division in reserve. The V Corps 

was in the center with the 79th, 37th and 

91st Divisions in line and the 32d Division 

in reserve. The I Corps was on the left, 

with the 35th, 28th and 77th Divisions in 

line and the French 5th Cavalry Division 

and the American 92d Division, less 

one regiment, in reserve. The 1st, 29th 

and 82d Divisions composed the Army 

reserve. Opposing the American First 

Army were the German Fifth and Third 

Armies.

The general plans provided first for an 

advance of 10 miles which would break 

through the hostile first, second and 

third positions and force the Germans 

to give up the Argonne Forest. This was 

to be followed by a further penetration 

of about the same distance which would 

outf lank their defenses in the Bois de 

Bourgogne1 and along the Aisne in front 

1

 In this text the name Bois de Bourgogne has been 

used to designate the entire large continuous wooded 

area which lies to the north of the Argonne Forest.

of the French Fourth Army, and thus 

open the way toward Sedan and Mézières. 

These attacks of the First Army were to 

be coordinated by General Pershing and 

General Pétain with those of the French 

Fourth Army west of the Argonne.

The difficulty of capturing Montfaucon 

was fully realized, and it was planned 

to drive deep salients into the German 

lines on each side of that stronghold and 

then, by threatening its rear, to force the 

retirement of the garrison. By these tactics 

the troops in front of the hill would be 

enabled to carry it without encountering 

too severe opposition.

The V Corps, whose zone of action 

included Montfaucon near its eastern 

boundary, was to drive vigorously forward 

to the left of that place and without 

waiting for the adjacent corps was to 

penetrate the German third position near 

Romagne. The main mission of the III 

Corps was to support the advance of the 

V Corps by turning Montfaucon from the 

east and by protecting the right f lank of 

the advancing troops. The I Corps was to 

protect the left of the V Corps and f lank 

Grandpré

Apremont

French

Fourth

Army

Argonne

Forest

Varennes

Montfaucon

Sivry

Forges

Molleville

Farm

Consenvoye

Brabant

Beaumont

Verdun 77

28 35 91

37 79

4 80 33

Fr.18 Fr.10

D. I. C.

Fr.15 D. I. C.

I Corps

V Corps III Corps

 XVII Corps French

First Army

XXX

XXX

XXX

XXX

XXX

XXXX

XXXX

Cunel

Heights

River

Aisne

Aire

River

River

Meuse

Romagne

Heights

N

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Miles

Jump-o Line

Army Boundary

Front Line Sept. 28

Corps Boundary Numerals indicate divisions

Arrows indicate direction and weight of principal attacks

XXXX XXX

Plan of Attack of First Army, September 26, 1918
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 173

the Argonne Forest from the east. The 

artillery of the III Corps was especially 

charged with suppressing the enemy guns 

located on the dominating heights east 

of the Meuse, while the artillery of the 

I Corps was to silence the German guns 

firing from the Argonne Forest.

A brigade, under French command, 

which included the 368th Infantry, 92d 

Division, and one French regiment, 

had the mission of maintaining contact 

between the f lanks of the American First 

Army and the French Fourth Army.

Of the nine American divisions which 

took part in the initial assault only five 

had seen service in offensive combat 

and four of the nine were supported by 

divisional artillery with which they had 

never served. Moreover, time had not 

been available in which to train the many 

units of the First Army in the teamwork 

so essential to success in battle. Despite 

these handicaps, however, the ability of 

the commanders and their staffs, and the 

unbounded strength, courage and willto-win of the soldiers, carried the Army 

rapidly forward from the very beginning.

The artillery preparation for the attack 

began in full force at 2:30 on the morning of 

September 26. Two thousand seven hundred 

guns kept up an intense bombardment 

of the hostile positions until 5:30 a.m., 

at which time the assaulting infantry 

jumped off, protected by a rolling barrage. 

The dense fog during the morning, the 

networks of wire, myriads of shell craters, 

deep ravines and thick woods presented 

great difficulties, but, except in front of 

Montfaucon, the progress made that day 

was considered entirely satisfactory.

In the center, the left of the V Corps 

made a splendid advance to the west 

of Montfaucon but its right was held 

up in front of that place. The III Corps 

drove forward vigorously to the east of 

Montfaucon and by early afternoon its 

left f lank was a mile beyond that hill. 

During the advance its right f lank wheeled 

toward the Meuse and took up a defensive 

position along the bluffs of the river. The 

I Corps, on the Army’s left, made a deep 

penetration along the Aire River while its 

left f lank fought its way forward about 

one mile in the Argonne Forest.

German Narrow-Gauge Railroad Equipment Captured in the Argonne Forest
American Troops Marching Toward the Front, Montfaucon, October 2, 1918

The house with the peaked roof contained a concealed concrete observation post used at one time by the German Crown Prince
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 175

On the evening of September 26 the 

strong German first position was all in 

American hands. Montfaucon, in the 

German second position, had held out, 

but deep salients driven into the German 

lines on both sides of that hill made its 

capture a question of merely a few hours.

On the second day the infantry assaults 

were continued vigorously, Montfaucon 

being carried about noon. The Germans’ 

brief stand there, however, had enabled 

them to reinforce their strong positions 

north of the hill, and as the American 

advance of the day before had been so rapid 

as to outrun much of its artillery support, 

the amount of ground captured and held by 

the First Army on September 27 was not as 

great as that secured on the preceding day.

On September 28, however, with more 

artillery and tank support, the American 

units again surged forward, gaining about 

l1⁄2 miles all along the front of attack. 

Except in the Argonne Forest, the line 

held that evening was beyond the German 

second position and the III and V Corps 

faced the outpost defenses of the German 

third position in this region, commonly 

known as the Hindenburg Line.

During the next day the determined 

efforts of the Army to advance were met by 

severe artillery concentrations and strong 

counterattacks by fresh German troops. 

Gains were made by the Americans at a 

number of places but most of these were 

isolated and had to be given up. As a 

result of the increased resistance and of 

conditions incident to the deep and rapid 

advance, the First Army on September 29 

ordered that the positions then held be 

organized for defense and that vigorous 

preparations be started for a prompt 

renewal of the battle. During this period 

certain of the inexperienced divisions 

which had been in the initial assault were 

replaced in line by other divisions with 

previous battle service.

During the initial stages of the offensive 

the Army had under its control 821 

airplanes, which rendered valuable 

service. The Army keenly felt the need of 

tanks. The total number with the Army 

was reduced during the first two weeks of 

the offensive from 415, of which 141 were 

operated by Americans, to about 94. 

While the attack on the first day had 

surprised the Germans and resulted in 

important gains at comparatively small cost, 

the fighting all along the front from that time 

on was of the most desperate character. Each 

foot of ground was stubbornly contested, 

Grandpré

St. Juvin

Chevières

Marcq Fléville

ChâtelChéhéry

Sommerance

Apremont

Binarville

Varennes

Boureuilles (New Site)

Vauquois

Cheppy

Baulny

Romagne

Nantillois

Montfaucon

Cunel Brieulles

Septsarges

Béthincourt

Malancourt

Vacherauville

Cumières

Samogneux

Consenvoye

Molleville Farm

Madeleine Farm

Martincourt

Farm

Farm des Granges

le Mort Homme Hill 304

Line

of

October

Line

of

Line

Jump-o

Sept.

26

Sept. 26 (A.M.)

Bois de Forges

Argonne

Forest

3

TO

DAMVILLERS

TO VERDUN

XXXX

River

River

River

Meuse

Aire

Aisne

HINDENBURG

LINE

Forges Cr.

N 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Miles

Route, described in text

Stop, described in text

XXXX Army Boundary

Ground Gained by First Army, September 26–October 3, 1918
176 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION

the hostile troops taking advantage of every 

available spot from which to pour enfilading 

and cross fire into the advancing Americans.

In their efforts to stop the progress of 

the American units, the Germans quickly 

began drawing reinforcements from other 

parts of the Western Front to strengthen 

their forces in the Meuse-Argonne region 

and by the end of the fifth day seven more 

German divisions had been rushed to this 

crucial region and had entered the battle.

The great progress of the First Army 

attack and Allied pressure on other parts 

of the front caused the German High 

Command on September 29 to urge its 

Government to forward immediately an 

offer of peace to the Allied Governments 

and this was done on October 6.

The area near the former front lines had 

been torn to pieces by shellfire during the 

preceding four years and the few roads 

leading across it were almost entirely 

obliterated in what had been no man’s 

land. In order to move troops, food and 

Sedan

Carignan Luxemburg

GERMAN

THIRD ARMY

IR. LVIII XXI

V R.

XVIII A. H.

FIFTH

ARMY

GERMAN

32 S.

41

117

Montmédy Longwy

Longuyon

Grandpré 37 28

River

Thionville

GERMAN ARMY

DETACHMENT “C”

Briey

GERMAN

NINETEENTH

Conans Metz ARMY

XIII W.

V

FRENCH

FOURTH

ARMY

9 L.

76 R.

2 W. L.

13( ) 1/

3

1 G.5 G.

52

1

77 28

32

91

3 80 4

33

82115

236

5 B. R.

7 R.

106

A. H.( ) 1 /

4 1 A. H.

228

15

A. H.( ) 3/

4

106

33

27 W.

192 S.

28 R. 8 L.

3 B.

13 L.

107

35 A. H.

195 XII

S. R. LVII B.

10

XIX S.

Metz Group

5 L.

88

31

123 S.

255

31 L. Brig.

44 R.

84 L. Brig.

Fr. 69

French

Eighth

Army

IV

7 At Toul

Pont-à-Mousson

90 78

89 Fr. 39

Fr. 2

D. C. P.

26

Fr. II C. A. C.

Fr.18

Fr.

XVII

III

29

Fr. 26

Verdun

Montfaucon

V

I

Fr. 5th Cav.

42

92

35 5 37

St. Mihiel

79

AMERICAN FIRST ARMY

River

Meuse

Moselle

XXXX

XXX

XXXXX

XXX

XXX

XXX

XXX

XXX

XXXX

XXX

Fr. 10

D. I. C.

Fr. 15

D. I. C.

XXX

XXXX

XXX

XXXXX

Argonne Forest

At Pagny

N

0 10 20 30 Miles

Line of October 4 (A.M.)

Group of Armies Boundary

Army Boundary

Corps Boundary

International Boundary

Fortied Town

Roman numerals indicate corps

A. H.

B.

C. A. C.

D. C. P.

D. I. C.

Fr.

G.

L.

R.

S.

W.

= French

= Guard

= Landwehr

= Reserve

= Saxon

= Württemberger

= Austro-Hungarian

= Colonial Infantry Division

= Dismounted Cavalry

 Division

= Colonial Corps

= Bavarian

Arabic numerals indicate divisions (American divisions circled)

Abbreviations XXXXX

XXXX

XXX

Opposing Forces on First Army Front, October 4, 1918
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 177

ammunition forward, and the wounded to 

the rear, these roads had to be practically 

rebuilt while in use. The difficulty of the 

task was increased by inclement weather, 

frequent hostile artillery bombardments, 

and the limited number of engineer and 

pioneer troops available.

The resumption of the attack was ordered 

for October 4. At that time, on most of 

its front east of the Argonne, the Army 

faced the outpost zone of the Hindenburg 

Line. That line, which included the Bois 

de Forêt, Cunel Heights and Romagne 

Heights, had been organized with great 

skill so as to take full advantage of the 

natural defensive features of the ground. 

In the Argonne Forest the First Army was 

in front of the German second position 

which extended across it to the west from 

Apremont.

The III and V Corps were to attack 

the Bois de Forêt, Cunel Heights and 

Romagne Heights, while the I Corps 

was to assist the V Corps by capturing 

the western end of Romagne Heights, 

neutralize the hostile artillery fire from 

the Argonne Forest and maintain liaison 

with the French Fourth Army.

Many changes had been made in the 

front-line divisions and on October 4 the 

Army order of battle from the Meuse River 

to the west was as follows: the 33d, 4th and 

80th Divisions in line in the III Corps; the 

3d and 32d Divisions in line and the 91st 

Division in process of withdrawal from 

line to reserve in the V Corps; and the 

1st, 28th and 77th Divisions in line with 

the 82d, 92d (less the 183d Brigade) and 

French 5th Cavalry Divisions in reserve in 

the I Corps. The 35th and 42d Divisions 

and the 183d Brigade of the 92d Division 

were in Army reserve.

The attack was launched with great 

force about daybreak. The resistance 

177

as to

the

neu

the

aison

n the

4 the

euse

33d,

e III

line

with

orps;

n line

ade)

s in

and

f the

great

ance

Bois de Bourgogne

Grandpré

French

Fourth

Army

77

I Corps

28

Varennes

Apremont

Châtel-

 Chéhéry

1

32

First Army

V Corps

3

80

Montfaucon

4

Heights

Cunel

Aincreville

Dunsur-Meuse

33

Sivry

III Corps

Forges

Consenvoye

River

Meuse

River

Heights

Romagne

Barricourt Heights

Aire

Forest

Argonne

Aisne River

XXXX

XXX

XXXX

XXX

XXX

XXX

XXX

N 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 Miles

Jump-o Line

Army Boundary

Front Line Oct. 7

Corps Boundary

Arrows indicate direction and weight of principal attacks

Front Line Oct. 13

Numerals indicate divisions XXXX XXX

Plan of Attack of First Army, October 4, 1918
178 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION

encountered was desperate in the extreme 

as the Germans were rapidly pouring 

their best troops into this battle. Not all 

the assigned objectives were taken, but 

important gains were made, outstanding 

among them being the capture by the 

4th Division of the Bois de Fays in the 

Hindenburg Line southeast of Cunel and 

a deep advance immediately east of the 

Aire River by the 1st Division.

To exploit this latter gain it became 

necessary to make a f lank attack 

against the Heights of the Argonne, 

near Châtel-Chéhéry, from which the 

fire of increasingly large concentrations 

of hostile artillery was causing severe 

casualties and hampering the American 

operations to the east of the forest. 

Consequently on the morning of the 7th 

an assault was made by the 28th and 82d 

Divisions against Châtel-Chéhéry, in rear 

of and near the left f lank of the German 

second position in the Argonne. At the 

same time the 77th Division advanced 

from the south. The f lank attack was 

successful and freed the heroic survivors 

of the “Lost Battalion”. (See Chapter V.)

The advance was continued on the 

stile

ties

ions

ntly

was

ons

and

ond

ame

rom

uc

s of

V.)

8th

XXXX

Chevières St. Juvin

Marcq Martincourt Farm

Sommerance

Côte

de Maldah

Hill 272

Fléville Cornay Hill 240

Hill

180

Montrefagne

Beauregard Farm

Exermont

Farm des Granges

Hill

223

Montrebeau

82

Lançon

French

Fourth

Army

Hill 244

ChâtelChéhéry

Apremont

Baulny

Montblainville

le Chêne Tondu

POSITION

28

2D

GERMAN

Lost Battalion

Charlevaux

 Mill

Binarville Line

of

Oct. 7

77

Argonne

Forest

XXXX

XXXX

XXX

XXX

XXX

Aire

River

Aisne

River

(A.M.)

N

0 1000 2000 3000 Yds.

Jump-o Line

Army Boundary

Front Line Oct. 8

Corps Boundary

Front Line Oct. 10

Numerals indicate divisions

Arrows indicate direction and weight of attacks

XXXX XXX

Plan of Flank Attack of First Army

Against Argonne Forest, October 7, 1918
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 179

8th with further 

valuable gains. As a 

result the Germans 

on October 9 started 

a withdrawal from 

the Argonne, and 

the menace to the 

First Army of their 

presence in the 

forest was removed.

The success in the 

Argonne Forest on 

October 7 was followed on October 

8 by an attack east 

of the Meuse by the 

French XVII Corps 

of the American 

First Army. The 

Corps was composed 

of three French divisions reinforced by 

the American 29th 

and 33d Divisions, 

making it almost 

two-thirds American in strength. It 

cleared the enemy 

from an important 

part of the heights 

east of the Meuse, captured approximately 3,000 prisoners and eliminated much 

of the serious f lanking fire which had 

been directed against the troops west of 

the river. This operation created a new 

threat against the enemy main lateral line 

of communication through Sedan and 

caused the Germans to increase the number of their divisions engaged in the active 

fighting.

To reap the full advantage of the two 

successful attacks in progress on the 

f lanks, the V Corps, at the center of the 

Army, on October 9 again vigorously 

resumed the offensive, and on that day 

the 3d and 80th Divisions penetrated the 

Hindenburg Line in and near the Bois de 

Cunel and the 32d Division penetrated it 

to the south of Romagne.

On the 10th the attacks were general 

along the Army front from Beaumont, 

east of the Meuse, to the Argonne. By 

the 11th the 4th Division had deepened 

its penetration in the Hindenburg Line 

and had gained a foothold in the Bois de 

Forêt. On that day the 82d Division came 

in close contact with the outpost of the 

Hindenburg Line east of St. Juvin. These 

operations involved fighting of the most 

vicious sort, many places changing hands 

several times in a single day.

The battle died down on the 12th as 

the First Army again drew its breath 

preparatory to a resumption of the 

offensive on October 14. At that time 

the Army faced the Hindenburg Line, 

the last fully-prepared German position, 

along most of its zone of attack and had 

penetrated it on a front of about 3 miles.

The plan of attack for October 14 and 

the units which took part are shown on 

the sketch on the following page. 

For this attack the order of battle on the 

Meuse-Argonne front was, from right to 

Damvillers

Heights

Sivry

Bois

de la Grande

Montagne

of the 

Dannevoux

33

Molleville

Farm

Consenvoye

Brabant

Meuse

Beaumont

Forges 29 Fr. 18 Fr. 26

Fr. 10

D.I.C.

French

XVII Corps

XXX

Meuse

River

N

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 Miles

Jump-o Line

Front Line Oct. 31

Front Line October 8

Corps Boundary

Numerals indicate divisions

Arrows indicate direction and weight of attacks

American 29th Div. attached to French 18th Div. for this attack

XXX

Plan of Attack East of the Meuse, October 8, 1918
180 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION

left, as follows: east of the Meuse—the 

French XVII Corps with the French 10th 

Colonial, 26th and 18th Divisions and 

the American 29th and 33d Divisions in 

line and the American 26th Division in 

reserve; west of the Meuse—the III Corps 

with the 4th, 3d and 5th Divisions in line, 

the V Corps with the 32d and 42d Divisions 

in line and the 89th in reserve, and the I 

Corps with the 82d and 77th Divisions in 

line and the 78th and French 5th Cavalry 

Divisions in reserve. The 1st, 80th, 90th 

and 91st Divisions were in Army reserve. 

Opposing this front the Germans had 17 

divisions in the front line and 6 in reserve.

It was hoped that the III and V 

Corps could drive salients through the 

Hindenburg Line and then force the enemy 

from the ground between the salients. The 

I Corps was to protect the left of the V 

Corps. The French XVII Corps was to 

continue its offensive east of the Meuse.

The offensive was to be started at 

the same time as one by the French 

Fourth Army, in an attempt to advance 

simultaneously on both sides of the 

difficult ground in the dense Bois de 

Bourgogne.

isions

d and

9th in

e 82d

e 78th

ns in

d 91st

ppos

ad 17

serve.

Corps

inden

my from

. The I

the V

s to

Meuse.

at the

Fourth

simul

icult

gogne.

Boult-aux-Bois Barricourt

Barricourt Heights

XXX

XXX

XXXX

Bois

Bourgogne

de

Grandpré

Dun

XXX

Aincreville

French

Fourth

Army

XXXX

I Corps

77

82

42

32 5

3

4

V Corps III Corps

Montfaucon

Apremont

First Army

Argonne

Forest

Romagne

Heights

Romagne

Cunel

Cunel

Heights

Meuse

River

River

River

Aisne

Aire

ChâtelChéhéry

N 0 1 2 3 4 5 Miles

Jump-o Line Front Line Oct. 17 Front Line Oct. 31

XXXX Army Boundary XXX Corps Boundary Numerals indicate divisions

Arrows indicate direction and weight of principal attacks

Plan of Attck of First Army, October 14, 1918

German Trench Mortar Used for Anti-Tank

Defense, October 1918 © G
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 181

The attack was launched with great 

vigor on October 14 and met with violent 

resistance. Its weight, however, proved 

overwhelming and positions of tremendous 

strength in and near the Hindenburg Line 

were carried, the most notable being the 

Bois de la Pultière taken by the 3d and 

5th Divisions, the dominating Côte Dame 

Marie seized by the 32d Division, St. Juvin 

captured by the 77th, and the ridge to the 

east of it taken by the 82d.

The offensive was pushed on the 15th 

and 16th, resulting in the capture of the 

Côte de Châtillon, a stronghold in the 

Hindenburg Line, by the 42d Division 

and the hill north of St. Juvin by the 82d. 

Although the ground gained in these three 

days was not so great in area, it was of 

exceptional importance as it opened the 

way for further advances.

East of the Meuse, in the French XVII 

Corps, both the 29th and 33d Divisions 

gained some ground during this period.

On October 21 General Pershing 

directed the First Army to prepare for a 

general offensive, the date for which was 

tentatively set as October 28. Prior to the 

day of the attack, local assaults were to be 

made to secure favorable jump-off lines 

and operations were to be initiated on the 

left of the Army to clear the wooded area 

north of Grandpré.

 The local attacks were highly successful 

in spite of severe opposition. The 3d, 5th, 

26th (which had entered the line east of 

the Meuse), 29th and 32d Divisions and 

the 89th and 90th (which had entered the 

line near Romagne) were all engaged. By 

the 22d of the month the 3d Division had 

completed the capture of the Bois de Forêt; 

German Plane Down Near Cierges,

October 4, 1918

Supply Train Passing Through Cuisy, October 11, 1918
182 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION

the 5th Division, Cunel Heights; and the 

89th, the northern and eastern part of 

Romagne Heights. The American troops 

on the heights east of the Meuse River 

gave the enemy no respite and continued 

to advance despite the opposition of fresh 

German divisions.

The operations at Grandpré were 

pushed with great resolution, the 78th 

Division attacking almost continuously. 

Important ground was gained and by 

October 27 sufficient progress had been 

made on that f lank to enable the right 

of the French Fourth Army to advance. 

This activity had a material effect on the 

success of the final offensive, as it drew 

the hostile attention away from the center 

of the First Army at which point the main 

attack was finally delivered.

During the severe fighting in October 

several events of importance to the 

First Army occurred. On October 12 the 

American Second Army was formed in 

the Woëvre. After the reapportionment 

of the American front between the two 

Armies, the First extended from Fresnesen-Woëvre to the western edge of the 

Argonne, a distance of about 49 miles. 

The French XXXIII and XVII Corps, and 

the American III, V and I Corps were in 

line from right to left.

General Pershing relinquished personal 

command of the American First Army 

on October 16 to Major General Hunter 

Liggett, and from that time on became 

Commander of the American Group 

of Armies, in addition to his duties as 

Commander-in-Chief of the A. E. F.

In his report, covering the period of 

the Argonne battle from its beginning to 

October 16, he paid a glowing tribute to 

the enlisted men and junior officers of 

the American Expeditionary Forces. He 

said in part: “ . . . attended by cold and 

Bois

de

XXXX

Bourgogne

Verpel

Bois

des

Loges

HINDENBURG

Grandpré

Chevières

Marcq

St. Juvin

ChâtelChéhéry

Apremont

Binarville

Baulny

Fléville

Sommerance

Rémonville

Bayonville

Buzancy

Romagne

Cierges

Nantillois

Cunel

Brieulles

Bantheville

Aincreville

Dunsur-Meuse

Aisne

River

River

Aire

Meuse

River

Line

of October

31

LINE Côte

de Châtillon

Martincourt

Farm

Farm des Granges

Côte

Dame Marie

Bois de la Pultière

Romagne

Heights

Bois

de Cunel

Bois

de Forêt

Barricourt Heights

Line

of

October 4

(A.M.)

XXXX

Argonne

Forest

0 1 2 3 4 5 Miles N

Route, described in text

Stop, described in text

XXXX Army Boundary

Ground Gained by First Army West of the Meuse River

October 4-31, 1918
(183)

inclement weather and fought largely by 

partially trained troops: the battle was 

prosecuted with an aggressive and heroic spirit of courage 

and fortitude which 

demanded eventual 

success despite all obstacles. The morale of 

the American soldier 

during this most trying period was superb. 

Physically strong and 

virile, naturally courageous and aggressive, 

inspired by unselfish 

and idealistic motives, 

he guaranteed the victory and drove a veteran enemy from his 

last ditch. Too much 

credit cannot be given 

him; his patriotism, 

courage, and fortitude 

were beyond praise.

“Upon the young 

commanders of platoons, companies, 

and battalions fell the 

heaviest burden. They 

not only suffered all 

the dangers and rigors 

of the fight but carried 

the responsibility of 

caring for and directing their men, often 

newly arrived and not 

fully trained . . . quick 

to learn, they soon developed on the field 

into skilled leaders and inspired their men 

. . .”

Although a pressing need existed during 

the offensive for additional combat troops 

on the Meuse-Argonne front, the Allied 

Commander-in-Chief made many demands 

on General Pershing 

for American divisions 

to assist the attacks at 

other points. While 

reluctant to have his 

divisions operate away 

from the American 

Army, General Pershing nevertheless gave 

his consent in certain 

cases where he felt that 

by so doing the general 

situation would be improved.

The divisions which 

served with the Allies 

during this period had 

a very favorable effect 

upon the morale of the 

Allied soldiers, and 

the military accomplishments of these 

American divisions 

were outstanding. The 

2d and 36th were assigned to the French 

Fourth Army west of 

the Argonne and early 

in October vitally assisted it to advance at 

a critical period. (See 

Chapter V.) The 27th 

and 30th Divisions operated with the British Army throughout 

the entire duration 

of the Meuse-Argonne operation. Their 

most striking achievement was on September 29 when, as part of the American 

American Airplanes Ready to Start on Patrol Duty

Lieutenant General Hunter Liggett

Commanding General of the

First Army from October 16, 1918,

to April 20, 1919
First Aid Station at Main Road Junction in Montfaucon, October 1918

German Prisoners, Headed by Their Officers, Being Conducted to the Rear

German 21-Centimeter Mortar Being Withdrawn From Position, October 1918. © G
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 185

II Corps, they broke the Hindenburg 

Line north of St. Quentin. (See Chapter 

VI.) The 37th and 91st Divisions were sent 

to Belgium during October to assist the 

Group of Armies of Flanders, and late in 

the month attacked near Audenarde and 

made important gains. (See Chapter VI.) 

The four infantry regiments of the 93d 

Division fought with great credit as integral parts of French 

divisions, and three 

American divisions, the 6th, 81st 

and 88th, held sectors for a time with 

the French Seventh 

Army in the Vosges 

Mountains, thus 

releasing French 

troops for service 

elsewhere.

On the MeuseArgonne front a 

number of changes 

were made in the 

front-line units 

between October 22 

and 31 as the wornout divisions were 

relieved for rest and 

recuperation and other divisions in better 

condition were placed in the battle line.

The American Army during this period 

was for the first time able to prepare for 

an offensive under reasonably normal 

conditions. It was already on the front 

from which the assault was to be made and 

sufficient time for careful and deliberate 

planning was available. Other favorable 

German Reserves Being Moved to the Front, October 1918. © G

185

ther divisions in better

ced in the battle line.

my during this period

e able to prepare for

r reasonably normal

already on the front

ault was to be made

or careful and deliber

vailable. Other favor

8. © G

Vilosnes

Sivrysur-Meuse

Damvillers

Consenvoye

Brabant

Beaumont

Ville-

 devant-

 Chaumont

Molleville

Farm

Line

of

Oct. 8 (A.M.)

31

Oct.

of

Line

Line

of Nov. 11

Heights

of

the

R.

Meuse

Meuse

Route, described in text

Stop, described in text

N

0 1 2 3 4 Miles

Ground Gained by First Army

East of the Meuse River, October 8–31, 1918
186 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION

factors were that the majority of the 

Allied artillery and aviation units had 

been replaced by Americans and that the 

weather in the preparatory period took a 

turn for the better thus greatly relieving 

the hardships of the troops.1

Upon the request of the French the 

date of the attack was postponed until 

November 1, at which time the divisions 

of the First Army were in line as shown 

on the accompanying sketch. The order of 

1

 During the course of the Meuse-Argonne 

operation, rain was reported in the official reports 

by at least one American division of the First Army 

on every day from September 26 to November 11, 

except for seven days, which were October 2, 3, 24, 

25, 27, 28 and 29.

battle, from the Meuse River to the west, 

was: the III Corps with the 5th and 90th 

Divisions in line and the 32d in reserve, 

the V Corps with the 89th and 2d Divisions 

in line and the 1st and 42d in reserve, and 

the I Corps with the 80th, 77th and 78th 

Divisions in line and the 6th and 82d in 

reserve. The 42d Division was transferred 

to the reserve of the I Corps soon after the 

beginning of the attack. The 3d, 29th and 

36th Divisions in the rear areas composed 

the Army reserve.

The general mission of the First Army 

remained the same, to cut the Metz–

Sedan–Mézières railroad. The detailed 

plan for the attack contemplated a deep 

west,

90th

serve,

Divi

eserve,

th and

nd 82d

rans

s soon

k. The

e rear

Army

Metz

tailed

a deep

Sedan

Stenay

Beaumont

Verrières

Boult-aux-Bois

Fossé

Buzancy

Verpel

Barricourt

Romagne

Montfaucon

Ville

devantChaumont

Peuvillers

Jametz

Dun-sur-Meuse

Montmédy

METZ

SEDAN

MÉZIÈRES R.R.

8–11

Nov. 7

Nov.

Nov. 11

Nov.

11

Nov. 1–7

Nov.

3

Nov. 3

78 77 80 2 8990

5

Fr. 15 D. I. C. 79

26

Sept. 26

I Corps V Corps III Corps

Fr. XVII Corps

First Army

XXXX

XXXX

XXXX

XXX

XXX

XXX

XXX

XXX

XXX

XXX

Bois

 de

Bourgogne

Argonne

Forest

Aisne

R.

Aire

R.

Bar

River

Chiers R.

Meuse

River

N

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Miles

Direction and weight of Principal Attacks

November 1–3

Direction of Advance, November 4–11

Jump-o Line Nov. 1 Front Line

Army Boundary Corps Boundary

Numerals indicate divisions

XXXX XXX

Operations of First Army, November 1–11, 1918
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 187

penetration by the V Corps in the center 

to secure Barricourt Heights, followed by 

a drive by the I Corps to connect with the 

French near Boult-aux-Bois. The capture 

of Barricourt Heights, which constituted 

a formidable natural obstacle, would 

compel a German retirement across the 

Meuse, so the III Corps, while assisting 

the main attack in the center, was directed 

to be prepared to force a crossing of the 

river if the enemy withdrew. There was to 

be no attack by the French XVII Corps 

then on the heights east of the Meuse 

until this crossing was started. The 

eastern edge of the Bois de Bourgogne 

was to be neutralized by heavy artillery 

concentrations of persistent gas.

With conditions generally favorable, it 

was a splendid force of veteran American 

soldiers which jumped off west of the 

Meuse at daybreak on November 1.

The assault was preceded by a terrific 

two-hour artillery preparation which 

effectively bombarded the sensitive points 

of the enemy positions. The progress of 

the attack exceeded all expectations. 

In the center, the V Corps crushed all 

opposition and by early afternoon had 

advanced about 6 miles and captured 

Barricourt Heights, thus assuring the 

success of the whole operation. On 

its right, the III Corps made a deep 

advance, wheeling toward the Meuse 

River to protect that f lank of the Army. 

On the left, the I Corps, which faced the 

unbroken Hindenburg Line on most of its 

front, attacked and made an average gain 

of about 1⁄2 mile. Its extreme right f lank 

made a rapid and deep advance, keeping 

up with the left flank of the V Corps.

This deep penetration of the hostile 

lines, which overran the enemy artillery 

positions, caused the German High 

Command to issue orders on the night 

of November 1 for a withdrawal from 

the First Army front west of the Meuse. 

Buzancy on the Day After Its Capture
American Wounded in a Wrecked Church, Neuvilly, September 26, 1918
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 189

The decision was a momentous one as 

such a withdrawal required a general 

retirement along the whole battle line as 

far as Holland, if the Germans were to 

avoid a decisive military defeat.

The First Army continued to drive 

forward on November 2 and 3. The III Corps 

forced the enemy across the Meuse River, 

the V Corps made a maximum advance of 

7 miles, and the I Corps gained 10 miles. 

By November 4 the Germans were in full 

retreat west of the Meuse, although still 

vainly trying to check the rapid advance 

of the First Army by means of rearguard 

actions and the use of machine guns placed 

in strong commanding positions.

The pursuit continued until November 

7, when units of the I Corps reached the 

heights overlooking the city of Sedan. The 

occupation of these heights effectively cut 

the lateral railroad through Sedan, which 

was the main objective of the MeuseArgonne offensive.

During the period from November 4 to 7 

the 1st Division relieved the 80th and the 

42d Division relieved the 78th. 

Between September 26 and November 

6 the French, British and Belgians to the 

west and north had gradually increased 

the vigor and strength of their attacks 

Ypres

Arras

Amiens St. Quentin

Soissons

Reims

Verdun

St. Mihiel

Nancy

Liége

LUXEMBURG

BELGIUM

FRANCE

Paris

Line

of

Sept. 26 (A.M.)

Ghent

Brussels

Lille

Mons

Cambrai

Hirson

Metz

Mézières Sedan

ChâteauThierry

Line

of

Belgian

British

French

French

American

Nov. 11 (A.M.)

XXXX

XXXX

XXXX

Somme

R.

River

Oise

Seine

R.

Aisne

R.

Marne

River

Aire

R.

Meuse

R.

Moselle

R.

N

0 25 50 75 Miles

Arrows indicate directions of main attacks Boundary between Armies

Ground gained by American units Sept. 12–16, 1918

Ground gained by American units Sept. 26–Nov. 11, 1918

XXXX

American and Allied Attacks on the Western Front

September 26–November 11, 1918
190 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION

and had made substantial inroads into 

the hostile positions. Damaging as these 

drives were to the German cause, and 

valuable as they were in the Allied plan 

for victory, such was the importance to 

the Germans of protecting their main 

railroad at Sedan that they brought 

reserves from almost every portion of the 

Western Front to throw in the path of the 

American advance. (See the sketch below.)

When the American Army, in spite of 

increasing enemy reinforcements and a wellnigh impregnable hostile defensive system, 

had driven forward to a position dominating 

the German railroad communications in 

the vicinity of Sedan, the termination of the 

war in 1918 was assured. 

While the pursuit was going on, the 

western boundary of the First Army 

was shifted several times by the Allied 

Commander-in-Chief, the notice of the 

last change being received on November 

7 when the American troops were on 

the heights south of Sedan preparing to 

attack the city. It limited the left of the 

Army to Mouzon instead of to near Sedan. 

The topography of the ground and these 

modifications in its boundary caused the 

gradual withdrawal of the I Corps from 

the battle line on the left f lank of the First 

Army and a change from north to east in 

the general direction of advance of the 

American Army.

Meanwhile the crossing of the Meuse 

by the III Corps began on November 4, 

when bridgeheads were established by 

the 5th Division south of Dun-sur-Meuse. 

These gains were exploited, assisted by a 

Com

he last

mber 7

on the

o attack

Army

n. The

these

ed the

from

of the

rth to

dvance

Meuse

ber 4,

d by the

euse.

ted by

Ypres

Arras

Amiens

St. Quentin

Soissons

Reims

Sedan

Verdun

St. Mihiel

Nancy

Liége

LUXEMBURG

BELGIUM

FRANCE

Paris

3 1

9

18 16

10

4

1

3

Line

of

Sept. 26 (A.M.)

Line

of Nov. 11 (A.M.)

N

0 25 50 75 Miles

Divisions on front Sept. 26 (A.M.)

Divisions moved from the front (total 15)

Divisions moved to the front (total 34)

German Divisions Moved To and From the Meuse-Argonne

Front, September 26–November 11, 1918
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 191

northward movement of the French XVII 

Corps which was farther up the river on 

the heights to the east of it. This fighting 

gradually cleared the enemy from the 

heights east of the Meuse as far as Stenay. 

All divisions of the III Corps and French 

II Colonial Corps, which latter corps 

had relieved the French XVII Corps 

on November 6, were involved. These 

attacks, participated in by the 26th, 79th, 

French 15th Colonial, 32d, 5th and 90th 

Divisions, in order from right to left were 

so successful that by November 10 an 

excellent line of departure for an advance 

in the direction of Montmédy had been 

secured.

The American Commander-in-Chief 

issued instructions on November 5 

directing both American Armies to 

prepare for an advance in the direction of 

Longwy and the Briey iron basin, and for 

the First Army to conduct an offensive with 

the object of driving the enemy beyond 

Theinte Creek and the Chiers River.

Late on November 9 Marshal Foch, then 

in conference with the enemy concerning 

the Armistice, issued instructions to all 

armies directing that attacks be initiated 

and sustained along the whole front 

in order to take full advantage of the 

demoralization of the German forces.

The First Army executed these attacks 



r

y

e

d

n

s

e

e

f

s.

s

Sedan

Stenay

Balan

Bazeilles Douzy Wadelincourt

Cheveuges

Pont-Maugis

Remilly-sur-Meuse

Chéhé Angecourt ry

Haraucourt

Chémery

Raucourt

la Besace

Beaumont

les PetitesArmoises Mt. du Cygne

Vaux-en-Dieulet

Châtillon- sur-Bar

Bois

Boult-aux-Bois Buzancy

de

Bourgogne

Thénorgues

Hill 289

Bayonville

Grandpré

St. Juvin

Argonne

Forest

Châtel-Chéhéry Montfaucon

Côte de Châtillon

Romagne

Cunel

Bantheville

Aincreville

Rémonville

Barricourt

Hts.

Pouilly

Mairy

Mouzon

Moulins

Inor

Martincourt

Cervisy

Mouzay

Dun-sur-Meuse

Liny-devt. dun

Vilosnes-sur-Meuse

Sivry- sur-Meuse

Samogneux

Brabantsur-Meuse

Consenvoye Ville-devt.

Chaumont

Damvillers

Jametz

XXXX

XXXX

Nov. 7

11

(A.M.)

Lin e of Nov.

Line of Nov. 11 (A.M.)

Line of N ov. 1 (A.M.)

Line of Nov. 1 (A.M.)

METZ-SEDAN-MÉZIÈRES R.R. Chiers

River

Meuse

River

River

Bar

Aisne River

Aire

River

Meuse

River

Bar

N

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Miles

Route, described in text

Stop, described in text

XXXX Army Boundary

Ground Gained by First Army, November 1–11, 1918
(192)

on November 10 and 11, making assaults 

along most of its front. These resulted in 

substantial gains, including, in addition 

to those mentioned above, the forcing of 

a crossing of the Meuse River south of 

Mouzon by the 2d and 89th Divisions of 

the V Corps, and a 11⁄2 mile advance east 

of Verdun by the 81st Division, the right 

division of the French II Colonial Corps.

On the morning of November 11 word 

was received and sent to the American 

troops as quickly as possible that the 

Armistice had been signed, and that 

hostilities would cease at 11:00 a.m.

Thus ended the Meuse-Argonne battle, 

the greatest one in American history.

The First Army, which reached 

a strength in early October 

of about 900,000 Americans, 

reinforced by more than 100,000 

French, was approximately eight 

times the size of the army with 

which General Grant opposed 

General Lee at the end of the 

American Civil War.

Its total losses from all 

causes, excluding those of the 

French troops serving with 

it, were about 117,000. It had 

inf licted approximately 100,000 

casualties on the enemy and had 

captured 26,000 prisoners, 874 

cannon, 3,000 machine guns 

and vast quantities of supplies, 

ammunition and other matériel.

The American First Army in 47 

days of continuous fighting had 

advanced steadily in spite of all 

obstacles, and the most desperate 

resistance, and had played a 

vital part in bringing the war to 

a successful conclusion.

Allied Propaganda Being Floated

 to German Lines

German Propaganda Dropped Behind the

American Lines
(193)

THIS itinerary of the Meuse-Argonne battlefield is divided into two tours, 

each requiring a day. The first, which is the 

shorter, traverses the area that was fought 

over between September 26 and November 

1, 1918; the second covers principally that 

part where the fighting occurred between 

November 1 and the Armistice. The first 

day’s tour is recommended to all tourists 

who can spend but one day on this battle 

front.

For those who have not sufficient 

time to follow the first day’s tour, it is 

recommended that a special effort be 

made to visit the American memorial at 

Montfaucon and the American cemetery 

near Romagne-sous-Montfaucon and that 

pages 203–214 and 247–253 of the first 

day’s tour be read while there. Besides 

being objects of great sentimental interest 

to Americans, these places are in areas 

of severe American fighting and afford 

excellent observation points. The combat 

operations described at the monument and 

cemetery in the first day’s tour, to which 

the above page references refer, give a good 

résumé of all the fighting of the American 

Army in the Meuse-Argonne region.

No Man’s Land South of Malancourt

A V ISIT TO THE A MER ICA N BAT TLEF IELDS 

IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION
THIS tour begins and ends at Verdun and 

is about 95 miles (153 kilometers) long. 

It can be completed in eight hours. To save 

time lunch should be carried.

The data given on pages 520–521 will be 

helpful to those following this tour.

The narrative at the beginning of the 

chapter should he kept in mind and the 

map at the end consulted, so that the 

operations described in this chapter will 

be more clearly understood.

When following this tour of the battlefields, 

unless contrary road instructions are given, 

continue straight ahead.

EN ROU T E R A I LROA D S TAT ION 

V ER DU N TO NOR T H ER N SL OPE OF 

LE MORT HOMME

Speedometer distance is measured from 

the plaza in front of the railroad station.

(0.0 m 0.0 km) At railroad station, 

with the station on right-hand side, set 

speedometer at zero. Proceed by the road 

seen straight ahead.

(0.3 m 0.5 km) A short distance farther 

on, bear right and cross the viaduct which 

runs over the railroad tracks.

(0.6 m 1.0 km) At the road junction beyond 

viaduct, bear to the right and continue on 

the road toward Montfaucon.

(1.2 m 1.9 km) Near far side of town, at 

large barracks passed on the left, to the 

right front can be seen glimpses of the 

open field in which three American 14-

inch naval guns, mounted on railway 

carriages and manned by personnel of 

the United States Navy, went into action 

on October 13, 1918. These guns fired at 

important enemy communication centers 

about 20 miles away. Two of them were 

later moved to positions near Charny, 

several miles ahead, where they joined 

a third that had been on duty with the 

French near Soissons. As a result of 

direct hits made by these guns on their 

targets, the movement of enemy troops 

and supplies was considerably hampered.

(2.9 m 4.7 km) Beyond town, about 11⁄2 

miles, at the first road junction, turn to the 

right toward Charny.

To the left on top of the hill is seen one 

of the ring of forts constructed around 

Verdun about 1880 for its defense.

(4.7 m 7.6 km) In next village, Charny, at 

first road junction, turn sharp left.

This road was an important supply 

route for the American First Army in 

the fall of 1918. During the first part of 

the Meuse-Argonne battle it was seldom 

used in daylight hours because of the 

United States 14-Inch Naval Gun Firing From Railway Mount Near Charny, October 1918

FIRST DAY’S TOUR OF THE AMERICAN MEUSEARGONNE BATTLEFIELDS
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 195

incessant activity of hostile airplanes and 

artillery. Consequently, during the hours 

of darkness it was filled to capacity as 

men, ammunition and supplies were moved 

to the front and wounded were carried 

to the rear. Motor trucks, ambulances, 

wagons and troops had to move without 

lights, and much confusion and many 

traffic jams occurred here in spite of all 

precautions and constant supervision. The 

difficulties were greatly aggravated by the 

enemy artillery which at night periodically 

shelled the important road crossings.

(7.5 m 12.1 km) At church in the next 

village, Marre, bear to the right.

(8.7 m 14.0 km) Near the next crossroad,

a 33d Division dressing station, which 

gave first aid to the wounded, was located 

during the early days of the American 

operations on this front.

(9.4 m 15.1 km) A short distance farther 

on, the monument seen on the right 

alongside the road marks the site of the 

former village of Cumières. This village 

was literally blown away by shellfire 

during the fighting in the vicinity.

(9.7 m 15.6 km) Where the road starts to 

climb the hill ahead, turn sharp left on the 

narrow road which leads off from it.

If narrow road is closed continue straight 

ahead and stop on far side of next ridge 

where a good view of the valley, to the left 

front is obtained. At this point read itinerary 

to paragraph 1 of the second column on page 

200. From here can be identified most of the 

places seen from the stop at Le Mort Homme 

if the map is consulted and it is remembered 

that the wood on the hill across the valley 

to the left front is the Bois de Forges. 

After reading itinerary, continue straight 

ahead. At next road fork turn left, cross 

bridge and again turn left. The described 

route is rejoined at the road crossing just 

beyond the next village, Béthincourt. Reset 

speedometer at that point.

(10.5 m 16.9 km) Beyond the first hill, 

a sign is seen (1937) on the right which 

indicates a path to a tunnel built by the 

Germans during the war. In this region 

were constructed many such elaborate 

tunnels which afforded shelter and a 

means of transferring troops and supplies 

from one place to another underground, 

free from hostile observation and fire.

(10.6 m 17.1 km) The monuments seen to 

the left front are French monuments on 

the hill called Le Mort Homme.

(10.8 m 17.4 km) At the top of the hill 

which the road is climbing, where a good 

panorama to the right is obtained, STOP.

33d Division Troops Passing Through Chattancourt, October 1918
196 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION

This point is on the northern slope of 

Le Mort Homme. Forges Creek runs in 

the valley to the right front and right. 

The large wood seen to the right on the 

hill across the valley is the Bois de Forges. 

The left portion of it is to the north.

Face north.

Along the slopes in front of here ran 

part of the battle line from which an army 

of 600,000 American soldiers, on the 

morning of September 26, 1918, started 

a great drive that finally reached the 

vicinity of Sedan, 35 miles away, after 43 

days of continuous fighting.

This area at that time was a scene of 

indescribable desolation. Thousands of 

shells had churned up the surface of the 

ground and the autumn rains had made 

it a sea of mud, littered with battlefield 

wreckage. Innumerable bands of barbed 

wire zigzagged their way across the hills 

and valleys, while the few shattered trees 

that remained stood lonely sentinels over 

the bleak landscape. Nature has done 

much to heal this battle-scarred area but 

even now (1937) the marks of trenches and 

shell holes are plainly visible.

The assembly of troops and supplies for 

the attack commenced early in September 

when the American 33d Division arrived 

in this region and on September 10 took 

over a large sector of the line. It was 

followed by the 79th, which on September 

16 occupied an adjoining sector. Soon 

thereafter numerous other American units 

secretly concentrated behind this front 

and made preparations for the assault.

The front of attack of the American First 

Army ran from the Meuse River on the 

right, along the forward slopes of the low 

ridge seen directly ahead, and passed just 

this side of Béthincourt, whose church is 

plainly visible to the left front beyond the 

ridge. It continued on, passing to the left 

of Malancourt, seen on a clear day down 

the road to the left over the second ridge, 

and ended about 16 miles from here near 

the far edge of the Argonne Forest.

This point lay in the sector of the III 

Corps which had the 33d, 80th and 4th 

Divisions, in that order from right to left, 

in the initial assault. The 79th Division 

top

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Malancourt Montfaucon Hill 295 Béthincourt Forges Creek

Panorama From Stop

33d Division Troops in Front-Line Trench Near

Forges, October 3, 1918
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 197

of the V Corps was next in line with the 

commanding hill of Montfaucon, marked 

by the monument on the sky line to the 

left, in its zone of action.

Beyond the 79th Division, and also in 

the V Corps for the initial assault, were 

the 37th and 91st Divisions. The I Corps 

was on the left of the Army with the 35th, 

28th and 77th Divisions in line.

The German positions on this front 

were extremely formidable, having been 

strengthened to the highest degree during 

the preceding years of fighting. In rear of 

their front line, they had constructed a 

series of positions, one behind the other, 

which formed a continuous defensive zone 

for a depth of about 10 miles. Progress 

here was considered so difficult that 

General Pétain, the Commander-in-Chief 

of the French Army, gave it as his opinion 

that the American advance would not get 

farther than Montfaucon before winter.

The battle began at 2:30 a. m. on 

September 26 when approximately 

27,000 pieces of artillery opened fire 

on the German trenches, strong points, 

wire entanglements, observation posts 

and communication centers on the front 

of attack. This bombardment lasted 

continuously until daybreak when the 

infantry, protected by a dense barrage of 

shellfire, began its assault. A thick fog 

aided in concealing the movements of the 

American troops from the enemy but also 

made more difficult their tasks of mopping 

up, keeping contact with adjoining units 

and advancing in the proper direction 

through the myriads of trenches, mazes of 

barbed wire and tangled masses of trees 

and underbrush.

On this part of the front, the divisions of 

the III Corps crossed the swampy Forges 

Creek valley and broke into the strong 

German positions to a depth of 5 miles on 

the first day. The 33d Division, starting 

from this vicinity, quickly captured the 

Bois de Forges, and before noon had 

established a line along this side of the 

Meuse River valley beyond the Bois de 

Forges as a protection for the f lank of 

the advancing forces. The 80th Division 

to the left of this point took Béthincourt, 

Brabant-sur-Meuse

Forges

Bois de Dannevoux Bois de Forges Bois de Chaume

on Le Mort Homme

Camouflaged Road Near Forges,

October 1918
Shell Holes and Mine Craters; Good illustration of type of ground in no man’s land on the Meuse-Argonne front
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 199

drove ahead several miles and by 

midnight had reached the Meuse River in 

the right part of its zone of action. The 

next day in severe fighting it captured 

the Bois de Dannevoux, the wood seen 

on the sky line to the right of and beyond 

Béthincourt. The 4th Division, passing 

just this side of Montfaucon, made a rapid 

and spectacular advance which will be 

described at the next stop.

The successes here were largely due 

to the courage and fighting spirit of the 

individual American soldier. Illustrative 

of these are the exploits of Captain 

George H. Mallon, First Sergeant Sydney 

G. Gumpertz and Sergeant Willie Sandlin 

of the 33d Division. All of these men were 

awarded Congressional Medals of Honor, 

the highest decoration for bravery given 

by the American Government, for the 

important part they played in the capture 

of the Bois de Forges.

Becoming separated from his company 

in the fog, Captain Mallon, with nine 

men, pushed forward and attacked nine 

hostile machine guns, capturing them all 

without the loss of a man. Continuing, he 

led his men against a battery of howitzers 

in action and captured the guns and 

their crews. Captain Mallon personally 

attacked one of the enemy with his fists. 

Later, in assaulting two other machine 

guns he sent his men to the f lanks, while 

he himself rushed directly forward in the 

face of the fire and silenced the guns. The 

exceptional gallantry and determination 

displayed by Captain Mallon resulted in 

the capture of eleven machine guns, four 

155-millimeter howitzers, and one antiaircraft artillery piece.

When the advancing lines were held up 

by severe machine-gun fire First Sergeant 

Gumpertz left the platoon of which he was 

in command and started with two other 

soldiers through a heavy barrage toward 

the machine-gun nest. His two companions 

soon became casualties from the bursting 

shells, but Sergeant Gumpertz continued 

on alone in the face of direct fire from the 

machine gun, jumped into the nest and 

silenced the gun, capturing nine of the 

crew who were manning it.

Sergeant Sandlin showed conspicuous 

gallantry by advancing alone on a 

machine-gun nest which was holding up 

the progress of his unit. He killed the crew 

with a grenade and enabled the advance 

to continue. Later in the day he attacked 

alone and put two other machine-gun 

nests out of action, setting a splendid 

example of coolness and bravery.

Before leaving this stop the reader should 

fix in his mind the general appearance 

of the tall shaft of the monument on 

Montfaucon, which is visible from many 

places on this tour. Because it is located 

near the center of the area fought over by 

the American Army between September 

26 and November 1, 1918, it will be pointed 

out from time to time as an orientation 

aid to the tourists who are following the 

described route.

Cumières–Forges Road, 1918
200 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION

EN ROU T E NOR T H ER N SL OPE OF 

LE MORT HOMME TO MONTFAUCON

(11.5 m 18.5 km) Beyond next hill, while 

descending long slope, to the left front the 

high wooded hill marked by a monument

is Hill 304. Severe French and German 

fighting occurred there in 1916. It was 

within the American lines before the 

attack of September 26.

(12.0 m 19.3 km) When Béthincourt 

comes into plain view to the right front, a 

small marker is seen alongside the road. 

This is a type of marker that has been 

placed throughout France and Belgium 

to indicate the farthest advance of the 

German Armies in 1918. The center of the 

jump-off line of the 80th Division, which 

attacked on the morning of September 

26 in the direction of Béthincourt, was 

approximately at this point.

(12.7 m 20.4 km) After crossing the bridge 

over the creek, at the next road junction, 

turn left toward Malancourt.

(13.3 m 21.4 km) Beyond first crest, 

where road crosses center of shallow valley 

leading off to the right the zone of action 

of the 4th Division is entered. It was from 

this part of the American front that one 

of the deepest and most rapid advances of 

the attack was made.

The valley of Forges Creek, which the 

road now follows, was in no man’s land 

when the American Army arrived on 

this front. These slopes were covered 

with thick bands of barbed wire which 

protected the main German trenches 

located near the crest of the ridge to the 

right. The Allied trenches were close to 

the top of the ridge across the valley, with 

an enormous area of wire entanglements 

and other obstacles in front of them. The 

whole countryside was a white, desolate 

waste covered with interlocking shell 

craters and great quantities of débris.

Section of Avocourt–Montfaucon Road Showing Plank Construction

Road Constructed With Sandbags Across No Man’s Land
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 201

On September 26 the center of this 

valley was a spongy shell-torn morass. 

The infantry crossed it on boards which 

were carried from the American trenches 

and laid end to end across the mud. 

Later the engineers and pioneer infantry 

units accomplished the colossal task of 

building roads and bridges over it for the 

artillery and supply trains. To give an 

idea of the magnitude of the task, it may 

be stated that the construction of but one 

of these roads required the use of 40,000 

sand bags.

(14.5 m 23.3 km) Beyond place where road 

passes through a cut, in the next shallow 

valley, the zone of action of the 79th 

Division during the attack is entered.

(14.9 m 24.0 km) Straight through 

Malancourt, which was a heap of ruins in 

1918. It was captured by the 79th Division 

early on the morning of September 26. 

The town was the III Corps Headquarters, 

October 26–November 3.

The tour from this point on to 

Montfaucon generally follows the 

direction of advance on September 26 of 

the attacking units of the American First 

Army.

The 79th Division had great difficulty 

in advancing up the valley which the road 

follows beyond Malancourt. This was due 

to the uneven character of the ground and 

the fact that the first waves of the division 

attack passed by many German strong 

points in the thick fog.

(16.4 m 26.4 km) About 11⁄2 miles farther 

on, at top of first hill, was a large, powerful 

field fortification called on French 

war maps the “Ouvrage du Démon” 

(Strongpoint of the Devil). By looking to 

the rear from the road near the top of the 

hill, its commanding position is evident. 

Heavy machine-gun fire from it stopped 

the advance of the 79th Division troops 

during September 26.

(16.5 m 26.6 km) To the left front is seen 

a fine view of the American monument on 

top of Montfaucon.

(16.8 m 27.0 km) To the right front 

considerably beyond and to the right of 

Montfaucon was located the line reached 

by the 4th Division on the first day of the 

attack. The line of the 37th Division at 

that time was just to the left of the hill.

(18.0 m 29.0 km) At monument in the 

ruined town of Montfaucon, STOP.

German Plane Brought Down by Machine-Gun Fire Near Malancourt, October 3, 1918
The Meuse-Argonne American Memorial at Montfaucon

The shaft is 180 feet high
(203)

This imposing monument, rising 

from the ruins of the former village of 

Montfaucon, commemorates the brilliant 

victory of the American First Army in 

the Meuse-Argonne offensive and the 

heroic services of the Armies of France 

before that time on this important battle 

front. It was erected by the United States 

Government and is the largest of the 

American war memorials in Europe.

Montfaucon is supposed to date back 

to the 6th Century when it grew up as 

a market town around a monastery. 

Numerous battles have taken place in 

its vicinity. In one, fought against the 

Normans about 888 A. D., 19,000 dead are 

said to have been left on the battlefield. 

During the Hundred Years’ War the 

district was frequently ravaged by bands 

of robbers; during the Religious Wars 

of the 16th Century, it was taken and 

burned; while in 1636 the town was again 

destroyed. In 1792, it was captured by 

Prussian troops taking part in the Valmy 

campaign.

While making excavations for the 

foundations of the monument, an old 

underground passage, hollowed out of 

the soft rock, was found running from 

the ruins behind the monument to the 

foot of the hill. To the left of the shaft 

as seen from the parking plaza, about 12 

feet underground, was found a cemetery 

probably dating from the Middle Ages, 

and under the front end of the wall on 

the right side of the main terrace were 

three old cellars, one below the other, the 

lowest one evidently having been used as 

a dungeon. A small pot containing a few 

gold and silver pieces dated about 1750 

was also discovered on the site.

The monument has the form of a 

Doric column surmounted by a figure 

representing Liberty. It faces the First 

Army jump-off line of September 26. 

From the observation platforms at the 

top, a large portion of the Meuse-Argonne 

battlefield is plainly to be seen.

Across the front of the monument appear 

in large letters the names of the four most 

important areas, from a military point 

of view, in the territory captured by the 

American troops. The two large words at 

the sides, Meuse and Argonne, were placed 

in that order as the American fighting in 

this vicinity is officially known as the 

Meuse-Argonne offensive.

On the wall around the main terrace are 

listed the divisions which formed the First 

Army and under each name are given 

three places, now famous in American 

military history, where hard fighting of 

the division concerned occurred.

Interior of Church at Montfaucon in 1914

Church at Montfaucon in 1917
Inside the entrance door is a small vestibule, 

decorated with f lags of the United States and 

France. Carved on its walls are a brief description 

in French and English of the American operations, 

a colored map illustrating the American offensive in 

this region, and a tribute by General Pershing, the 

Commander-in-Chief of the American Expeditionary 

Forces, to his officers and men who served here.

The observation platforms, from which superb 

views are obtained, are reached by the circular 

stairway leading up from the base of the shaft. It is 

a climb of 234 steps. Eleven of the thirteen landings 

are provided with benches where those ascending the 

tower may stop to rest.

The following is written to be read from the 

observation platforms. Those not climbing the tower 

should read Part I from the terrace in front of the 

monument and Part II from the large crucifix, on the 

other side of the hill, 400 yards from here along the 

road toward the village of Nantillois.

Corner of Observation Terrace, Meuse-Argonne Monument,

Showing Direction Arrows

Map and Inscription Carved

on Interior Wall

Church at Montfaucon in 1927
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 205

Part I

Climb tower, go to platform overlooking 

plaza in front of monument and face so as to 

look along the center of the approach steps,

which direction is south.

Spread out below the observer in a 

magnificent panorama is the grand over 

which the American Army attacked 

on the first day of the Meuse-Argonne 

offensive. The trenches and fields of 

barbed wire that criss-crossed this area 

are no longer visible, the shell holes and 

concrete emplacements that gave it the 

appearance of a desolate waste are gone, 

but the woods, hills and streams are still 

here and the names of the farms and 

towns, which have been rebuilt, recall the 

glories and sacrifices of the troops who 

fought near them.

This hill, an extremely important 

feature in the German second position, 

had looked down upon the fighting in 

front of here since 1914. Located as it is, 

midway between the Meuse River (6 miles 

to the left of here, just beyond the large 

wood, Bois de Forges, seen on the long 

hill in the near distance) and the Argonne 

Forest (the wooded plateau near the sky 

line to the right), its dominating height 

afforded the enemy excellent observation. 

Inherently strong, it had been carefully 

prepared for defense and was a veritable 

fortress organized with deep shelters, 

concealed observation posts and obstacles 

of all kinds. Its strength, almost a legend 

to those who had served in the region, 

constituted a formidable mental as well as 

physical obstacle to any advance. In view 

of the strength of the German position on 

this front, it was perhaps fortunate that 

it was assigned to the young and virile 

American Army.

The direction arrows on the parapets of 

the observation platforms should be used 

to aid in locating the places mentioned in 

the following description of the operations.

American Memorial at Montfaucon Viewed From an Airplane, Looking North
Airplane Photograph of Montfaucon, Looking South, Taken During the War

Arrow indicates sketched-in position of Meuse-Argonne American Memorial
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 207

The line taken over by the First Army 

in September and from which it jumped 

off on the morning of September 26 was 

generally parallel to the front of this 

monument. It ran from a point on the 

Meuse River beyond the right edge of the 

Bois de Forges; passed this side of Hill 304, 

the hill with a monument on its summit to 

the left front just beyond the first town, 

Malancourt; and over Vauquois Hill, the 

large isolated oval-shaped hill 6 miles 

away to the right front.

The III Corps, whose operations were 

described at the last stop, jumped off on 

the front from the Meuse River to Hill 304; 

the V Corps from Hill 304 to Vauquois 

Hill; and the I Corps, whose operations 

will be described further at the next stop, 

from Vauquois Hill to near the far edge of 

the Argonne Forest. Each corps had three 

divisions in line for the attack. In order 

from the observer’s left to right, they were 

the 33d, 80th and 4th of the III Corps, the 

79th, 37th and 91st of the V Corps, and 

the 35th, 28th and 77th of the I Corps. 

Montfaucon was in the zone of action of 

the 79th Division.

The preparations for the attack here had 

necessarily been hurried, as the offensive 

of the First Army in the St. Mihiel region 

had been completed only ten days before. 

In spite of the short time, however, on the 

evening of September 25 the American 

troops were in place on this front and the 

Army was ready for battle.

At 2:30 a. m. on September 26, the 

horizon in front of here lit up with a f lash 

as thousands of cannon blazed into action. 

Explosions of all sorts followed each other 

with deafening noise like continuous 

peals of thunder. About 5:30 a. m. the 

noise slackened somewhat as most of the 

cannon prepared to fire on new targets. 

Some of the heavier guns had already 

started to shell with high explosives this 

hill and other known observation points. 

Now, just before dawn, the smaller ones 

were set to perform the new mission of 

creating a barrage of exploding shells, 

which would move forward in front of the 

infantry who, at this time, were tensely 

watching and waiting for the coming hour 

of attack in their jump-off positions.

Soon thereafter a new note was added 

to the din as innumerable machine guns, 

automatic rif les and rif les along the front 

went into action. This was evidence to 

the surprised Germans on this hill that a 

general offensive had started.

It was not long before the rif le and 

machine-gun fire to the left front was 

heard getting closer and closer. About 

10:00 a. m. the fog lifted and small groups 

of khaki-clad soldiers of the 4th Division 

were observed moving near Septsarges, 

the nearest village seen to the left, where 

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Monument on Hill 304

Malancourt

Bois de Cuisy Bois de Montfaucon

Bois de Cheppy

Vauquois

Bois Chéhémin

Panorama Looking South From Upper Platform, Montfaucon Monument
208 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION

they captured an undamaged battery of 

German artillery which was later used 

effectively against its former owners. (See 

picture on page 211.)

Farther away to the left, troops of the 

80th Division could be seen near the 

Bois de Sachet, the large wood beyond 

and to the right of Septsarges, and still 

farther away those of the 33d Division 

near Drillancourt, the village on the open 

ground to the right of that wood.

About 11:00 a. m., to the front and right, 

the leading lines of the 37th Division 

emerged from the Bois de Montfaucon, 

the large wood in that direction. They 

crossed the open ground this side of 

the wood and after capturing a German 

trench system in the field near the road, 

seen running to the right front from this 

hill, started changing it into an American 

position. Still farther to the right, soldiers 

of the 91st Division were on the open 

ground to the right of the large wood, Bois 

Chéhémin, seen to the right front, having 

made an advance of more than 3 miles.

The 79th Division promptly captured 

Malancourt, seen to the left front, but had 

difficulty in advancing in this direction 

up the valley from that village, as well as 

through the left part of the large wood in 

front of here. Consequently, no assault 

was made by that division on Montfaucon 

until about 6:00 p. m., when the 79th and 

37th Divisions launched an attack across 

the machine-gun-swept ground on this side 

of the wood, seen to the front. Assisted by 

tanks, but without artillery support, the 

slopes of this hill were reached in the face 

of heavy fire, but as night was coming on, 

the attack was given up.

Although Montfaucon remained in 

German hands, the achievements of the 

American Army on September 26 were 

more than had actually been expected. 

Advances of about 5 miles from the jumpoff line had been made on both sides of this 

hill and its capture was almost a certainty 

within a very short time. The highlyorganized German forward positions 

were all in American hands, in addition to 

thousands of prisoners, many cannon and 

vast stores of supplies and ammunition.

The battle for Montfaucon was renewed 

in a rainstorm at dawn on September 

Malancourt

Monument on

Hill 304

Meuse River

Ossuary of Douaumont

Bois de Forges

Bois de la Tuilerie

Drillancourt

Gercourt

Dannevoux Bois de Consenvoye

Septsarges

Bois

d’en delà

Bois Juré

Bois de

Sachet

Sivry-sur-Meuse

Bois de

Septsarges

Bois de

Dannevoux

Bois de Brieulles

Bois de la

Côte Lémont

Panorama Looking East From Upper Platform, Montfaucon Monument
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 209

27 the hill being attacked by the 37th 

Division from the observer’s right and by 

the 79th Division from the front. The last 

machine-gun nest was finally wiped out 

and the hill cleared of the enemy about 

noon by troops of the 79th Division.

Henceforth Montfaucon served as an 

American observation point.

Part II

After visiting the side platform,1 go to the 

rear one and read the following:

The assault on September 26 surprised 

the Germans and disrupted their defense, 

but this situation was only momentary. 

From that day on the fighting was 

probably unsurpassed during the World 

War for dogged determination on both 

sides. Each foot of ground was stubbornly 

contested and the hostile troops took 

advantage of every available spot from 

which to pour enfilade and cross fire into 

the advancing American troops.

The line reached on the first day of 

the attack included Dannevoux, seen to 

the right about 5 miles away in the cupshaped valley, and the Bois de Septsarges, 

the long narrow wood to the right front, 

1

 The panoramic sketches on these pages show 

most of the ground seen from the side platforms.

about halfway between here and the 

nearest large wood in that direction. It 

then bent back sharply, passing the other 

side of this hill, curved forward again to 

near Epinonville, the third village seen 

to the left, and continued on to include 

Varennes, the village seen to the left rear 

below the wooded heights on the sky line.

The First Army on September 27 

continued its assaults, which were met by 

frantic resistance from German infantry 

and machine gun units that had taken 

up new positions during the night and by 

unusually heavy artillery concentrations.

A large part of the American artillery 

had been unable to move forward because 

of the absence of roads over the tornup ground of the old no man’s land and, 

therefore, was not in a position on that 

day effectively to support the initial 

infantry assaults or to keep down the 

enemy shellfire. In spite of this and 

the shortage of tanks, the assault units 

attacked energetically and substantial 

gains were made during the day although 

many of them could not be retained.

On September 28, with better artillery 

support, the Army surged forward about 

11⁄2 miles. After severe fighting it reached 

that day a line marked generally by the 

Bois de Montfaucon

Vauquois

Bois Chéhémin

Argonne Forest

Varennes

Montblainville

Montfaucon

Baulny

Apremont

Montrebeau

Epinonville Ivoiry

Châtel-Chéhéry Eclisfontaine

Cornay

Montrefagne Romagne Heights

Gesnes

Panorama Looking West From Upper Platform, Montfaucon Monument
210 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION

far edges of the Bois de la Côte Lémont 

and the Bois de Brieulles, the two nearest 

adjoining large woods to the right front; 

the slopes beyond Nantillois, the nearest 

town to the front; the Bois de Beuge, the 

first isolated wood to the left front; and 

Apremont, the village seen to the left in 

the distance near the foot of the heavily 

wooded heights.

On September 29 the attacks of the 

First Army were energetically pushed 

against stiffer resistance, as the enemy 

had reinforced his front line near here 

by six fresh divisions. This fighting 

was exceptionally bitter, the Germans 

making many severe counterattacks and 

concentrated artillery bombardments. 

During the day the ground gained and lost 

on this front by both sides was about equal.

For a few days after these attacks the 

Army devoted its efforts toward preparing 

for a renewal of the offensive. Its troops 

in the line were worn out by four days of 

terrific fighting and the advance had been 

so rapid that much of the heavy artillery 

and many of the supplies could not be 

brought up until the roads were rebuilt. 

During this pause, which was normal in 

every general attack, the 35th, 37th and 

79th Divisions were replaced by the 1st, 

32d and 3d, while the 33d extended its 

front and relieved the 80th Division. In 

all, a movement of more than 125,000 

officers and men in and out of the line was 

made. As the roads and transportation 

facilities on the newly captured ground 

were improved, the wounded were taken to 

hospitals in the rear and large quantities 

of supplies, ammunition and artillery 

were moved forward.

The American casualties up to this time 

had totaled over 23,000. The First Army 

had penetrated the formidable hostile 

positions for more than 6 miles and 

included among its captures 9,000 men 

and 100 pieces of artillery.

The progress on this front threw 

consternation into the German High 

Command, who realized that the American 

Army here could not long be held in check. 

It urged its Government, therefore, to make 

peace at once before disaster overcame the 

German forces in the field.

The First Army on October 1 faced the 

outpost zone of the famous Hindenburg 

Line along a considerable part of its front 

to the east of the Argonne Forest.

The Hindenburg Line in front of here 

d

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Romagne

Heights

Cierges

Côte Dame Marie

Bois de Beuge

Romagne

Meuse-Argonne

American Cemetery

Bantheville

Bois de

Cunel

Cunel

Bois des

Ogons

Nantillois

Bois de Fays

Bois de Forêt

Dun-sur-Meuse

Bois de

Brieulles

Bois de la Côte Lémont

Panorama Looking North From Upper Platform, Montfaucon Monument
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 211

included the long high wooded area, Bois 

de Forêt, to the left of and just this side 

of Dun-sur-Meuse, which is seen on a 

low pointed hill to the right of front in 

the distance; a large portion of the wood, 

Bois de Fays, seen on this side of the right 

part of the Bois de Forêt and apparently 

connected with it; the open ground just 

this side of Cunel, the village to the 

front in the distance between the woods; 

and Côte Dame Marie, the prominent 

hill to the left front. It ran through the 

large wooded area dotted with hills, 

called Romagne Heights, seen in the near 

distance to the left front, and continued 

on to the North Sea. In advancing to and 

gaining a foothold in that line, the First 

Army had its hardest fighting and the 

officers and men passed through their 

most terrific ordeal.

The battle was renewed with full vigor 

on October 4. The attacking divisions of 

the III Corps were: the 4th Division in 

line to the right of Nantillois, the first 

village seen on the open ground directly 

ahead, and the 80th, which had reentered 

the line, just beyond that town. In the 

V Corps, the 3d was in front of and to 

the right of Cierges, the nearest village 

to the left front; and the 32d Division, 

which had relieved the 91st, jumped off 

from a line which included the wood seen 

to the left of Cierges. In the I Corps, 

the 1st Division faced the large isolated 

wooded area called Montrebeau, visible 

in the distance to the left well beyond 

the nearest towns seen in that direction; 

the 28th was to the left of the 1st with 

its left f lank in the Argonne Forest; and 

the line of the 77th Division was entirely 

within the forest. The initial assault was 

a success and splendid advances were 

made all along the front, including a 

foothold in the Hindenburg Line in the 

Bois de Fays.

The progress of the First Army from 

October 5 to October 22 was slow but 

steady. In spite of the fact that it was 

fighting against an enemy with his back to 

the wall, who fully realized that this front 

must be held at all costs, and over terrain 

favorable for defense, almost daily gains 

were made. In the face of all obstacles 

and hardships and the most desperate 

resistance, the American Army during 

this period doggedly and persistently 

fought its way forward.

On October 7 a f lank attack was 

launched against the Argonne Forest by 

the 28th Division and the 82d Division, 

which had entered the line for that 

purpose. This attack was directed against 

Châtel-Chéhéry and Cornay, the two 

villages seen to the left in the distance 

on the wooded heights beyond and to the 

right of Montrebeau, and was made in 

Battery of German Guns Being Used by the 4th Division Near Septsarges, October 1918
212 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION

the direction of the reader’s line of vision 

when facing those places. The maneuver 

was unusually effective and within the 

next three days the enemy had been driven 

from the Argonne Forest, which ends at 

the gap on the sky line to the left of the 

isolated peak, Montrefagne, seen in the 

distance to the left front.

On October 8 an attack was made on 

that part of the Army front beyond the 

Meuse River. The American 29th and 

33d Divisions and two French divisions 

drove forward a distance of 21⁄2 miles on 

that day, capturing a large part of the 

heights from which German artillery 

had been firing on the f lank and rear of 

the troops on this side of the river. The 

29th Division captured the wedge-shaped 

wood, Bois de Consenvoye, seen beyond 

Gercourt, the village to the right of and 

beyond Septsarges, and the 33d Division 

reached the Bois de Chaume, the line of 

woods extending down to the left from 

near the Bois de Consenvoye. The attacks 

there were pushed vigorously for several 

days and additional substantial gains 

were made, including the capture of the 

Bois de Chaume.

On October 9 the V Corps in front of 

here attacked with great force and the 

next day all divisions on the Army front 

from Beaumont, beyond the Meuse River, 

to the Argonne Forest launched powerful 

assaults. This fighting was extremely 

bitter, positions of the Hindenburg Line 

being carried on a front of 2 miles just this 

side of Cunel and Romagne, the village 

seen to the left of Cunel and about the 

same distance away. The general attacks 

were continued on the 11th and that day 

the Army, along most of the remainder 

of its front on this side of the Meuse, 

fought its way forward much closer to the 

Hindenburg Line.

Another general attack was made on 

October 14, and after fighting of the 

most desperate character on that and on 

the days immediately following, many 

more strong positions in or beyond the 

Hindenburg Line were torn from the 

enemy. Among these were the Bois de 

la Pultière, just beyond Cunel, captured 

by the 3d and 5th Divisions, and the 

dominating Côte Dame Marie taken by 

the 32d Division. By October 22, all of 

the Bois de Forêt, Cunel Heights and 

Romagne Heights were in American 

possession and the First Army was 

well beyond the last prepared German 

position at the center of its front. At 

that time the units of the Army started 

careful preparations for a finishing blow.

During the fighting between October 1 

and 31, the American losses totaled over 

German Guard Division Returning From Hard Fighting, September 1918

This division opposed the American attack on September 26, 1918. © G
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 213

75,000 officers and men. The 5th, 26th, 

42d, 78th, 82d, 89th and 90th Divisions, in 

addition to those previously mentioned, 

joined in the battle, relieving tired 

divisions. During this period 36 different 

German divisions were employed on this 

front west of Fresnes-en-Woëvre, several 

having been engaged twice. The area of 

this fighting will be visited later, when a 

more detailed account will be given.

The last great American offensive of 

the war was launched on November 1, 

completely breaking through the enemy 

lines. All troops of the Army in front of 

here pushed forward. The formidable 

Barricourt Heights, the wooded heights 

seen on the horizon just to the left of the 

observer’s front, were carried on the first 

day and by November 6 the American 

light artillery was firing on the Metz–

Sedan–Mézières railway, the primary 

objective of the First Army. On the 

morning of November 7 American units 

were on the hills overlooking Sedan, 31 

miles away. On that very day, the German 

representatives crossed the battle lines to 

ask for an immediate armistice.

From November 7 on to the Armistice at 

11:00 a. m., November 11, the First Army 

advanced in the direction to the right 

front from here. By the Armistice it had 

forced its way across the Meuse River, 

captured the heights on the far side and 

had progressed about 10 miles beyond the 

river onto the Woëvre Plain.

Thus the war ended. The German Army 

had been driven back 35 miles on this the 

most vital part of its front. The natural 

energy, ability and efficiency in battle 

of the American soldiers and officers 

had prevailed against one of the finest 

military forces of the world. Although the 

Germans were fighting with desperation 

and all the skill they possessed to deny 

any progress whatsoever to the American 

forces, and were throwing onto this 

front fresh reserves drawn from many 

other parts of the Western Front, the 

tremendous thrusts of the First Army at 

this point could not be withstood.

The battle here was the greatest 

in American history. Its successful 

conclusion is a great tribute to the 

American soldiers, their leaders and 

those behind the lines and at home who so 

wholeheartedly and efficiently supported 

the combat armies in the field.

Before leaving this observation platform, 

the long gray stone building to the left 

front in the near distance should be noted. 

It is the chapel of the Meuse-Argonne 

American Cemetery, which stands on a 

hillside above the graves of more than 

14,000 American soldiers whose final 

resting place is there. No more fitting site 

could have been chosen for these battle 

German Reserves Being Brought Up for a Counterattack, October 1918. © G
214 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION

dead than the gentle slopes of the valley 

joining Cunel and Romagne, where deeds 

of daring, devotion and heroism were 

unsurpassed.

Montfaucon was the 3d Division 

Headquarters, October 3–14 and October 

26–31. The 79th Division Headquarters 

was located 600 yards south of Montfaucon 

from September 27 to October 1. 

The ground surrounding this monument 

is being maintained as far as practicable in 

its wartime state. Many relics of the war, 

including machine-gun posts, concrete 

shelters and dugouts still exist. A walk 

over it will prove most interesting.

Beyond the ruins of the church, about 

300 yards from this monument, on 

the road to Nantillois are located the 

foundations of a house with several 

inscription plaques on the posts of the 

front fence which is still standing. In this 

house, which was repaired from time to 

time by the Germans, was built a heavy 

concealed concrete tower, equipped with 

a large periscope. It is said that in 1916 the 

German Crown Prince watched his troops 

battle for Verdun from that observatory. 

The periscope is now in the United States 

Military Academy Museum at West Point, 

New York.

EN ROUTE MONTFAUCON TO VAUQUOIS

Leave plaza at same side as entered, turn 

right immediately; 80 yards farther turn 

sharply to the right toward Cheppy.

In the new village of Montfaucon is an 

almshouse constructed for this community 

by the State of Ohio as a memorial to the 

37th Division, many of whose soldiers came 

from that state. To visit, turn right at next 

crossroad and go to main square of town. 

Time of side trip—15 minutes.

(18.3 m 29.5 km) Just before reaching 

road crossing at foot of hill, the zone of 

action of the 37th Division is entered.

In the fighting near here on September 

27, First Lieutenant Fred Kochli, 

Sergeant Orum B. Lee and Corporal 

Ernest R. Rumbaugh, 37th Division, 

took an important part, for which each 

was awarded the Distinguished Service 

Cross. When the right of the division was 

held up by machine-gun fire early that 

morning, two combat patrols were sent to 

clean out the machine guns on the slopes 

of Montfaucon to the right of this road. 

One patrol was unsuccessful and the other 

was stopped by heavy fire soon after it 

started. Lieutenant Kochli then asked for 

and received permission to lead the latter 

patrol which comprised 24 men. Under 

his bold leadership the patrol attacked 

and captured 14 heavy machine guns, 3 

officers and 23 enlisted men. He put most 

of his patrol on guard over the prisoners 

and continued on over 200 yards farther 

up the hill with Sergeant Lee and Corporal 

Rumbaugh under heavy fire. These three 

then captured three 77-millimeter field 

guns and two light machine guns in the 

orchard close to the near edge of the old 

37th Division Memorial at Montfaucon

37th Division Engineers Repairing Road

Near Montfaucon, September 28, 1918
(215)

town. The hostile fire was so heavy that 

the three Americans were forced to take 

cover in a shell hole, where they held out 

practically surrounded by the enemy for 

a considerable time until reinforcements 

arrived.

(18.7 m 30.1 km) Beyond road crossing, at 

first crest, to the rear is seen a fine view of 

the hill of Montfaucon.

(18.9 m 30.4 km) To the right, near top of 

ridge beyond the wide valley, was located 

a strong German trench line which 

was captured by the 37th Division on 

September 26. The next morning an attack 

was launched from there against Ivoiry, 

beyond the ridge. That town was captured 

and the front line was moved forward 

about 3⁄4 mile in spite of heavy hostile fire 

and a determined German counterattack. 

During the afternoon the ground gained 

was given up because of heavy enemy 

shelling and the failure of the rest of the 

division to advance.

During the fighting there Second 

Lieutenant Albert E. Baesel, 37th 

Division, was killed while trying to rescue 

a wounded comrade lying about 200 yards 

in front of the assault line. Working his 

way through severe artillery, rif le and 

machine-gun fire and a deluge of gas, he 

had just placed the wounded man on his 

shoulder when both he and the man were 

killed by the enemy fire. For this brave 

exploit he was posthumously awarded the 

Congressional Medal of Honor.

(20.4 m 32.8 km) In next wood, Bois 

Chéhémin, just this side of road junction,

the zone of the 91st Division is entered.

(20.6 m 33.2 km) After leaving wood, in 

the distance to the left front is seen La 

Neuve Grange Farm, which was captured 

by the 91st Division on the morning of 

September 26 after a hard fight. Near that 

farm Sergeant Chester H. West of the 91st 

Division dashed through the fire of two 

German machine guns that had suddenly 

opened up on his company and killed the 

crews in hand-to-hand combat. By this 

prompt and decisive action his unit was 

enabled to advance without losses. For it 

he was awarded the Congressional Medal 

of Honor.

(20.7 m 33.3 km) To the left front in the 

distance is seen Vauquois Hill.

(21.0 m 33.8 km) In the vicinity of this 

road the 91st Division encountered strong 

resistance from enemy machine gun 

groups on September 26. It overcame them 

before noon and drove forward about 2 

miles farther that day.

(22.3 m 35.9 km) Immediately after the 

road starts to descend into a valley, at the 

first small ravine leading off to the right 

from it the zone of action of the 35th 

Division during the attack is entered. 

The 35th Division, which jumped off 

from near Vauquois, reached the German 

main line of resistance on top of the hill to 

155-Millimeter Tractor-Drawn Gun of the

First Army After Being Hurled 40 feet

by a Direct Hit Near Charpentry

A Typical Scene in the Argonne Forest,

Southwest of Varennes
216 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION

the left of this road about 8:30 a. m. There 

a severe struggle took place and it was not 

until 12:30 p. m. that, with the assistance 

of tanks, the strong enemy positions on 

that hill were captured.

(23.1 m 37.2 km) In the next village, 

Cheppy, the troops who had stormed the 

powerful main line of resistance of the 

German first position near here assembled 

and reorganized before renewing their 

attacks at 3:30 p. m.

It was during the fighting in this vicinity 

that Captain Alexander R. Skinker, 35th 

Division, won the Congressional Medal 

of Honor. When his company was held 

up by terrific machine-gun fire from 

“pillboxes” in a strong German position, 

he personally led an automatic rif leman 

and a carrier in an attack on the guns. 

The carrier was killed instantly, but 

Captain Skinker seized the ammunition 

and continued through an opening in the 

barbed wire, feeding the automatic rif le 

until he, too, was killed.

A former German command post in town 

was used as the 35th Division Headquarters, 

September 28–October 2; the 1st Division 

Headquarters, September 30–October 13; 

the 42d Division Headquarters, October 

11–19; and the V Corps Headquarters, 

October 21–November 6. 

A monument erected by the State of 

Missouri in honor of her sons who died 

in the World War is located at the road 

Missouri Monument Near Cheppy

Street in Cheppy, October 6, 1918
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 217

junction beyond town. Many Missourians 

served in the 35th Division, which had 

very hard fighting near here.

(23.4 m 37.7 km) Beyond bridge, at road 

junction near monument bear left.

The tour now goes to Vauquois Hill, 1 

mile away, from the top of which can be 

obtained a fine view of the Aire River valley 

and where unusually large mine craters can 

be seen. The climb up the steep hill must 

be made on foot. Those who can not make 

such an ascent may turn sharp right at next 

road junction and rejoin the described route 

at the church in Varennes. That part of the 

itinerary not followed should be read.

(23.6 m 38.0 km) Beyond next road 

junction, to the left front on far side of 

small valley, is seen the locality of the 

heroic exploits of Private Nels Wold, 35th 

Division. Assisted by one other soldier, he 

silenced several machine-gun nests and 

captured 11 prisoners. He then gallantly 

risked his life to aid a comrade, after 

which he himself was killed in an attempt 

to capture a fifth machine-gun nest. For 

his great courage and devotion to duty 

he was later posthumously awarded the 

Congressional Medal of Honor.

(24.1 m 38.8 km) To the right front is 

Vauquois Hill. Openings of underground 

passages dug by the Germans can be seen 

(1937) on its near slopes.

(24.8 m 40.0 km) At first junction where 

a road enters sharply from right, turn right 

on it towards Vauquois.

(25.3 m 40.7 km) At the next road fork, 

turn to the right.

(25.8 m 41.5 km) In next village, 

Vauquois, 60 yards beyond church, just 

before reaching road junction, STOP.

Follow path, 300 yards, to summit of 

hill. For most of the way the path is in an 

Allied communication trench. It is a hard 

climb but well worth while.

The monument on top of the hill is a 

French one in memory of the soldiers who 

fought in the vicinity and of the soldiers of 

Vauquois who died during the World War.

Vauquois Hill From the Air, Looking Northeast
218 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION

Cross craters to rim of hill opposite 

monument and face Cheppy, the nearest 

village marked by the scattered houses.

(Note the above panoramic sketch.) The 

direction faced is approximately north.

Montfaucon is seen to the right front. 

The first large village which is plainly 

visible to the left front is Varennes.

In 1914 the village of Vauquois stood 

on this hill. It was of great military 

importance because of its dominating 

height and the facilities afforded by it for 

viewing the surrounding country.

Before the United States entered the 

war, this place was the scene of large-scale 

military mining operations by the French 

and the Germans, during which the town 

located here was blasted away. In these 

operations, deep tunnels were built under 

the opposing lines and vast quantities of 

explosives were set off in them. The huge 

craters thus formed are still to be seen 

behind the reader.

The First Army front line on the morning 

of September 26 ran across this hill and 

through the Argonne Forest, the large 

wooded area seen to the left. The I Corps 

with the 35th, 28th and 77th Divisions in 

line from right to left, attacked from this 

part of the front.

The German front line at the time of 

the attack was on this part of the hill, the 

line held by the 35th Division being on 

the opposite side of the crater. Five hours 

before the infantry assault, all American 

trenches on the hill were abandoned and 

a heavy concentration of artillery fire, 

including gas and smoke shells, was 

placed on it. This forced the German 

troops here to remain in their bombproof 

shelters and so blinded their observers 

that when the attack took place the 35th 

Division was able to make rapid progress 

in the valleys to the right and left. Those 

advances isolated the hill which was then 

cleared of the enemy by units especially 

designated for the purpose. After 

severe fighting the division front line 

was established that night about 1 mile 

beyond Cheppy.

The 35th Division continued its attacks 

during the next three days. By noon of 

September 28, after having repulsed a 

German counterattack that morning, it 

had captured Charpentry, the first village 

beyond Cheppy; Baulny, the village 

immediately to the left of Charpentry; and 

the large wooded area called Montrebeau, 

seen beyond and between them in the 

distance, 51⁄2 miles away. That night 

it dug in on the far edge of that wood. 

The next day the division attacked twice 

and had made further substantial gains 

when a vicious German counterattack by 

fresh troops, supported by large artillery 

concentrations from the Argonne Forest, 

forced it back to Baulny. Its lines were 

there on October 1 when the division was 

relieved by the 1st Division.

The 28th Division, whose zone of action 

was half in the Argonne Forest, jumped 

off on the other side of the Aire River, 

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Argonne Forest

Varennes

Apremont

Montrebeau

Baulny Charpentry

Cheppy Epinonville

Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery Bois de Cheppy

Montfaucon

Panorama Looking North From Vauquois Hill
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 219

which runs in the valley to the left of 

here. On September 26 the division drove 

forward vigorously and captured part 

of Varennes. In the Argonne it made an 

advance of about 1 mile. It continued to 

advance during the next few days and by 

September 29, after severe fighting, had 

reached a line beyond Apremont, the 

second village seen in the distance to the 

right of and beyond Varennes.

The zone of action of the 77th Division, 

which was the left f lank unit of the I Corps 

and of the First Army, was entirely within 

the Argonne. That forest is a formidable 

natural obstacle, almost impossible to 

walk through, with deep abrupt-sided 

ravines, heavy underbrush and many 

rock outcrops. During the preceding four 

years on this front, the Germans had 

skillfully prepared it for defense with 

concealed bands of barbed wire, machine 

guns placed so as to fire down lanes cut 

through the undergrowth, machine-gun 

nests in trees, and many ingenious traps 

to impede the progress of or inf lict death 

on an advancing enemy.

In spite of all obstacles, the 77th Division 

drove forward in the initial assault about 

1 mile. From then on it continued to 

push its way forward, each day’s close 

finding hard-won ground behind it, until 

by October 1 the division was practically 

abreast of the other divisions of the I 

Corps, having made a total gain of 4 miles 

over the difficult ground on its front.

Outstanding among the deeds of valor 

in the Argonne Forest, were those of First 

Lieutenant Dwite H. Schaffner of the 

77th Division on September 28. On that 

day he led his men in an attack against 

St. Hubert’s Pavilion, about 5 miles to the 

left front from here, captured a strongly 

entrenched position after severe handto-hand fighting and by his bravery and 

contempt of danger inspired his men to 

hold fast in the face of three determined 

enemy counterattacks. He personally 

discovered and put out of action a machine 

gun that was causing heavy casualties 

in his company. The third counterattack 

made by the enemy was initiated by the 

appearance of a small detachment calling 

“Kamerad”, the word used by German 

soldiers when they wanted to surrender. 

When they were almost within reach of 

the American front line, the attacking 

wave behind them appeared and assaulted 

vigorously, causing heavy casualties 

in the American platoon holding 

the advanced position. Lieutenant 

Tanks Manned by Americans Going Forward Near Boureuilles, September 26, 1918
(220)

Schaffner mounted the parapet of the 

trench, killed a number of the enemy 

and finally reached and shot the captain 

leading the attack. Dragging this wounded 

officer back into the company trenches, 

Lieutenant Schaffner secured valuable 

information about the enemy strength and 

position. As his company was surrounded 

on three sides for five hours by strong 

enemy forces, the undaunted bravery, 

gallant soldierly conduct and leadership 

displayed by Lieutenant Schaffner 

undoubtedly saved the survivors of his 

company from death or capture. For these 

acts he was awarded the Congressional 

Medal of Honor.

The rapid advance made on the first day 

by the 91st Division of the V Corps to just 

this side of Epinonville, the village seen 

to the right of and beyond Cheppy; by the 

35th Division to beyond Cheppy; and by 

the right of the 28th Division to the other 

side of Varennes partially outf lanked the 

Argonne Forest and greatly helped the 

American troops to advance through that 

difficult area.

During this fighting the airplanes 

under control of the American Army 

to a large extent kept down the German 

aircraft and secured valuable information 

concerning the enemy. The Army badly 

needed tanks which in the first two weeks 

of the offensive, due to casualties and the 

transfer away of some French units, were 

greatly reduced in number.

On the following page is reproduced a 

section of a wartime map, scale 1/20,000, 

showing Vauquois and its vicinity. This 

type of map was the one generally used by 

American front-line units during the war. 

American Artillery in Action Near Varennes


AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 221

Before leaving Vauquois Hill a walk to 

the left around the top of it will disclose 

many large craters, additional evidences 

of the war and interesting panoramas.

EN ROU T E VAUQUOIS TO NOR T H OF 

FARM DES GRANGES

Leave Vauquois by road to left front.

(26.3 m 42.3 km) From the end of Vauquois 

Hill to the next town, Boureuilles, this 

road generally runs parallel to the former 

French front-line trenches.

(27.2 m 43.8 km) Just before reaching 

Boureuilles, the zone of action of the 28th 

Division during the attack is entered.

The village of Boureuilles has been 

rebuilt on a new site. The old town, which 

was one of the most advanced points in 

the German lines, was located just to the 

right (north) of the new village. It was 

subjected to severe bombardments during 

the four years of war and was completely 

destroyed. In 1916 the French exploded a 

large mine under the road just south of 

town to impede an anticipated German 

advance. Later the Germans exploded a 

mine north of the village. The enormous 

craters thus formed greatly hindered the 

American operations in 1918 after the 

town was captured by the 28th Division. 

Temporary roads were first built around 

the craters by American Army engineers 

and as soon as possible thereafter bridges 

were constructed across them.

(27.5 m 44.3 km) At the church in the town 

turn to the right.

The tour here turns northward along 

the Aire River and follows the general 

direction of advance of the I Corps from 

September 26 to October 30. 

This road was one of the few main roads 

in the area of the American advance. It 

was of inestimable value in supplying the 

soldiers in the front lines with the food, 

ammunition, supplies and equipment 

necessary to continue the attack. 

In anticipation of further advances, 

the construction of a standard-gauge 

railroad, generally following this road, 

was rushed from a place 5 miles south 

of here to the next town, Varennes. It 

was later extended to Grandpré, 11 miles 

farther on. Needless to say it proved of 

tremendous value to the American Army.

(27.9 m 44.9 km) Beyond Boureuilles, 

the prominent nose of the Argonne 

Forest seen to the left front is called the 

Côtes des Perrières. The front line of 

German Dugouts in the Argonne Forest, 1918. © G
the left brigade of the 28th Division on 

September 26 and 27 was along the near 

side of that nose and on September 27 

the 77th Division was abreast of the 28th 

Division farther over in the forest.

A large German wartime headquarters 

named “Champ Mahaut” on French war 

maps and now (1937) indicated on road 

signs as the “Abris du Kronprinz” is located 

2 miles to the left front. Excellent examples 

of German concrete dugouts are preserved 

there. To visit, turn left at entrance to 

Varennes on road to Le Four de Paris. 

About 2 miles farther on turn right and 

follow small road for 800 yards. Length 

of side trip—5 miles. Time required— 30 

minutes. (See page 316.)

(29.7 m 47.8 km) After entering the next 

village, Varennes, a memorial park is seen 

to the left. This park was improved by the 

State of Pennsylvania in honor of all of 

her soldiers who served in the World War, 

a large number of whom were members of 

the 28th Division.

During the fighting at Varennes on 

September 26, Corporal Donald M. Call, 

Tank Corps, won the Congressional 

Medal of Honor. He was driver of a tank, 

operating against enemy machine-gun 

nests on the western edge of the town, 

when half of the tank turret was knocked 

off by a direct artillery hit. Choked by 

fumes from the high-explosive shell, he 

left the tank and took cover in a shell hole 

30 yards away. Noticing that the other 

member of the tank crew, an officer, had 

not followed him, and thinking that he 

might be alive, Corporal Call returned to 

the tank under intense machine-gun and 

shell fire and gallantly assisted the officer 

to reach a place of safety.

Varennes is famous in French history 

as the place where Louis XVI and Marie 

Antoinette were captured in their attempt 

to escape into Belgium at the beginning 

of the French Revolution. The house in 

which they spent the night prior to their 

capture is the last one of the row on the 

right beyond the Pennsylvania monument.

This part of Varennes was captured 

by the 28th Division about noon on 

September 26, shortly before the troops of 

the 35th Division captured that part of the 

village on the other side of the river.

Pennsylvania Memorial at Varennes, 1927

28th Division Engineers Repairing a Destroyed

Bridge at Boureuilles, September 26, 1918

Bridge at Boureuilles After Repairs

Had Been Made, September 28, 1918
(223)

The 28th Division Headquarters was located here, 

September 27–30, and the 82d 

Division Headquarters, from 

October 4 to 9.

(29.9 m 48.1 km) At bottom 

of hill turn right and cross 

the Aire River.

(30.4 m 48.9 km) Beyond 

town, at first road junction, 

turn to the left.

(32.0 m 51.5 km) After ascending hill, beyond next 

main roadfork, at second 

small crest, the line reached 

by the 35th Division on September 26 is crossed. The 

28th Division was across the 

valley from it.

(32.2 m 51.8 km) The first 

village seen to the left front 

on the other side of the river

is Montblainville, captured 

by the right brigade of the 

28th Division early on the 

morning of September 27. 

The division was held up 

by heavy machine-gun fire 

during that entire day on the 

slopes beyond the town. It 

repulsed a hostile counterattack at that place about 

noon.

(32.5 m 52.3 km) After 

passing Montblainville, the 

village seen on the hill down 

the road is Baulny, taken 

soon after dark on September 27 by troops of the 35th 

Division.

(33.4 m 53.8 km) Beyond 

Baulny, at first road junction, 

in the little valley leading 

off to the right was located 

the front line upon which 

troops of the 1st Division 

relieved the 35th Division 

on October 1.

(33.6 m 54.1 km) To the 

left is seen a projecting 

ridge of the Argonne Forest 

plateau, called Le Chêne 

28th Division Troops in Varennes, September 26, 1918

Varennes, Looking West Across the Aire River, September 27, 1918

35th Division Artillery Near Varennes, September 27, 1918
224 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION

Tondu. The strong German second 

position had been organized along 

that ridge and across the Argonne in a 

direction approximately at right angles 

to this road. Le Chêne Tondu was the 

scene of prolonged and intense fighting 

by the 28th Division for ten days from 

September 28, the date the division first 

obtained a foothold on the ridge, until 

its capture was finally completed in an 

attack on the morning of October 7.

The position held by the so-called “Lost 

Battalion” was in the Argonne Forest to the 

left of here. To visit that area, at next road 

junction turn left to Apremont. At far edge 

of Apremont bear right on narrow road 

toward Binarville. Length of side trip— 8.4 

miles. Time required—1 hour. (For exact 

location and description of the position, see 

pages 562 to 365.)

(34.0 m 54.7 km) The next village across 

the valley is Apremont. It was captured 

by the 28th Division on September 

28, the division line that night being 

established around the hill seen 

extending to the right from the town. 

Twice on September 29 strong German 

attacks penetrated the American lines 

near Apremont but each time the enemy 

was driven hack after bitter fighting.

During the fighting there Major Joseph 

H. Thompson, 28th Division, performed 

the heroic acts for which he was awarded 

the Congressional Medal of Honor. 

When his battalion was counterattacked 

on September 29, although wounded, 

he encouraged his men by constantly 

braving the heavy fire of machine guns 

and artillery. His courage was largely 

responsible for the severe repulse of the 

enemy. Again on October 1, after his 

battalion once more had met a strong 

German counterattack, the advance of 

his assaulting companies was held up by 

fire from a hostile machine-gun nest. All 

but one of six accompanying tanks were 

disabled when Major Thompson, with 

great gallantry and coolness, rushed 

forward on foot three separate times in 

advance of the assaulting lines and under 

heavy machine-gun and anti-tank gun fire 

led the one remaining tank to within a few 

yards of the enemy where it was successful 

in putting the machine-gun nest out of 

action. This brave deed permitted the 

infantry to advance.

(35.5 m 57.1 km) At top of next hill, the 

Farm des Granges is passed on the left.

An American Brigade Headquarters Was Located

in These Ruins in Apremont
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 225

(35.7 m 57.5 km) Beyond the farm, at 

the next small crest, where a clear view is 

obtained to the front and right, STOP.

If the trees along the road obstruct the view 

walk off from the road sufficiently to see the 

places pointed out in the following text.

Face down the road, which direction is 

approximately north.

The American monument on Montfaucon 

is on the sky line to the right rear.

The area around this point was the scene 

of prolonged fighting in late September 

and early October 1918 during which 

the Germans were driven from carefully 

prepared defensive positions, constructed 

with the idea that they would be 

impregnable. All ground within the range 

of vision was captured by the First Army.

The wooded hills to the right front, 

which were known collectively as 

Romagne Heights, are a natural terrain 

feature that had been organized by the 

Germans into a powerful fortified area.

The Argonne Forest, seen across the valley 

to the left, had been similarly prepared for 

defense so that troops who attempted to 

advance down the valley of the Aire in the 

direction the observer is facing, or over the 

open ground in front of this point, were 

not only subjected to frontal fire but were 

caught by enfilade fire from these two 

strong positions on their flanks.

On the hillside about a mile to the right 

are seen the buildings of Beauregard 

Farm. The most prominent peak to the 

right front is called Montrefagne.

Montrebeau, the large timbered area to 

the right rear, was captured on September 

28 by troops of the 35th Division.

On September 29 the division attacked 

from the edge of Montrebeau under 

extremely heavy hostile fire and succeeded 

in occupying Beauregard Farm and the 

southern slope of Montrefagne as well 

as Exermont, which, invisible from here, 

lies in the valley near Beauregard Farm. 

A severe counterattack on that afternoon 

by fresh German troops, supported by a 

heavy and well-directed artillery fire from 

the Argonne Forest, forced the units of 

Côte de Maldah Montrefagne Romagne Heights Beauregard Farm Montfaucon Montrebeau

Panorama Looking Northeast From Stop Near Farm des Granges

Battery of 155-Millimeter Artillery of the First Army in Action Near Baulny, October 7, 1918
226 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION

the 35th Division back again to a position 

the other side of Montrebeau.

On that same day the 28th Division had 

unusually severe fighting to the left rear 

of this point beyond the Aire River. Early 

in the morning it advanced about 3⁄4 mile 

along the river toward Châtel-Chéhéry, the 

village seen to the left across the valley, 

and on the open fields near the river to the 

left of that place beat off a severe German 

counterattack. That afternoon it withdrew 

from its advanced positions, which were 

too exposed to hold, to its former lines 

near Apremont. There, during the course 

of the evening, the division repulsed 

another strong German attack.

After September 29 the efforts of the 

First Army to advance ceased for a 

few days, except for local attacks in the 

Argonne Forest, as it prepared for a 

renewal of the offensive on a larger scale.

After repulsing a German counterattack 

on the 30th, the 35th Division, which 

in four days had fought its way forward 

s



n

k.

e

al

k

d

Sommerance

Oct.

10

Côte

82d

Div. Fléville

Farm

des

Granges

Apremont

Montrebeau

Baulny

Exermont

Eclisfontaine

Montrefagne

Gesnes

Romagne

October 10

de Maldah

Ocober 9

Hill 272

Oct.

5–8

Oct. 4

Beauregard

Farm

October

4 (A.M.)

5

6

8

8

5–6

7–8

9

10

Oct. 9

Hill 269

32d Div.

1st Division

28th

Div.

8

4

5–6

7 and 9

Romagne

Heights

181st

Brigade

HINDENBURG

LINE

XX

XXX

XX

XX

X

XXX

XXX

Aire

River

N

0 1000 2000 3000 Yds.

Front Line

Division Boundary

Gap in Line Corps Boundary

Brigade Boundary

XXX

XX X

Route, described in text

Stop, described in text

Ground Gained on Romagne Heights, October 4–10, 1918
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 227

approximately 6 miles, was relieved from 

the line on October 1 by the 1st Division.

The First Army resumed the offensive 

by a general attack on October 4. The 

1st Division on that day advanced in this 

direction from beyond Montrebeau, while 

the 28th drove forward along the near 

bank of the river. The boundary between 

the two divisions ran along this road.

Supported by tanks and a concentrated 

artillery fire, the 1st Division in a 

vigorous advance captured Montrebeau, 

Farm des Granges, Exermont and 

Beauregard Farm, after which it attacked 

Montrefagne, but was unable to take and 

hold that hill until the following morning. 

The 28th Division pushed forward about 

3⁄4 mile beyond this point, driving the 

enemy from most of the ground between 

this road and the river. The fighting 

during October 4 and 5 on the terrain 

near here was terrific, the 1st Division 

alone losing nearly 3,500 men.

The hill rising above the town of 

Châtel-Chéhéry across the valley is 

Hill 244. The high, round peak seen 

immediately to the right of the town is 

Hill 223. The village which is plainly 

seen to the left front is Cornay.

After the deep advance of the First 

Army near here on October 4 and 5, the 

Germans continued to hold the edge of 

the Argonne Forest in this vicinity and 

from it kept up a continuous artillery fire 

directly along and in rear of the lines of 

the American units on this side of the 

river, inflicting heavy casualties.

In order to exploit the gains of the 1st 

e

Argonne Forest Aire River Hill 244

Châtel Chéhéry

Hill 223 Argonne Forest Cornay Aire River

Panorama Looking West From Stop Near Farm des Granges

Tractor and 155-Millimeter Gun Put Out of Action by a Direct Hit Near Epinonville
228 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION

and 28th Divisions on this side of the 

Argonne, to stop the artillery fire from 

the forest and to relieve a detachment of 

the 77th Division (the “Lost Battalion”) 

which had gone ahead of the rest of its 

division on October 2 and had been 

surrounded for several days in the 

Argonne Forest to the left rear of here, it 

was decided to launch an attack from this 

vicinity straight at the German positions 

near Châtel-Chéhéry and Cornay. An 

attack in that direction would threaten 

the f lank and rear of the hostile forces 

which were then holding the strong 

German second position (see the sketch 

on this page) about 3 miles to the left 

rear of this point, and if successful would 

force the enemy to withdraw from that 

position and all of the Argonne Forest.

On the night of October 6 the 82d 

Division took over a portion of the 28th 

Division line along the river, to the left 

front of here. The next morning both 

divisions attacked toward the Argonne 

Forest, the boundary line between them 

passing just north of Châtel-Chéhéry.

This daring attack was remarkably 

successful in spite of desperate resistance. 

XXXX

Chevières St. Juvin

Marcq Martincourt Farm

Sommerance

Côte

de Maldah

Hill 272

Fléville

Cornay

Hill 240

Hill

180

Montrefagne

Beauregard Farm

Exermont

Farm

Hill 223 des Granges

Montrebeau Lançon

French

Fourth

Army

Hill 244

ChâtelChéhéry

Apremont

Baulny

Montblainville

le Chêne Tondu

POSITION

2D

GERMAN

Lost Battalion

Charlevaux

 Mill

Binarville

Oct. 7

Argonne

Forest

XXXX

XXXX

XXX

XXX

XXX

Aire

River

Aisne

River

(A.M.)

Oct. 10

Oct. 10

Oct. 9

82d

Division

Oct. 9

8

Oct. 8

7 and 9

7–8

1st

Division

Oct. 7 (A.M.)

Oct. 7

XX

Oct.

77th Division

Oct. 8

XX

28th Division

Oct. 7

N

0 1000 2000 3000 Yds.

XXXX

XXX XX

Front Line Gap in Line

Corps Boundary

Army Boundary

Division Boundary

Route, described in text

Stop, described in text

Ground Gained by I Corps in Argonne Forest

Oct. 7–10, 1918
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 229

The 28th Division promptly captured 

Châtel-Chéhéry and Hill 244, and the 

82d Division took Hill 223 and the high 

ground beyond the river between here 

and Cornay. Because of this advance the 

Germans in the Argonne Forest began 

a retirement during that day to a line 

extending to the reader’s left from Cornay, 

approximately at right angles to the line of 

vision when facing that place. While the 

attack was progressing, the 77th Division 

advanced from the south and effected 

the rescue of the survivors of the “Lost 

Battalion”, whose prolonged defense of 

an isolated position entirely within the 

enemy lines was an extraordinary and 

thrilling exploit. (See pages 337 and 362.)

On October 8 the 28th and 82d Divisions 

again attacked. They reached and held 

against a vicious counterattack positions 

controlling a road and light railway at 

the top of the ridge beyond Hill 223, thus 

cutting the most important north and 

south communications available to the 

German Army in the forest. That night 

the 82d Division took over the front of 

the 28th, and in the next two days pushed 

the retreating Germans from the wooded 

heights seen just beyond and to the right 

of Cornay, while the 77th Division, on its 

left, advanced rapidly northward, meeting 

slight opposition.

In the course of the fighting on October 

8 occurred the extraordinary exploits of 

Private First Class Alvin C. York, 82d 

Division. The advance of his regiment 

across the valley beyond Hill 223 being 

held up by heavy fire from machine guns 

on the wooded slope at the left end of the 

valley, Private York was one of a patrol 

of 17 men who were sent out to get behind 

and silence the machine guns.

Carefully working their way through 

the woods behind the enemy line, the 

patrol surprised a battalion commander 

and a large group of men in a clearing. 

The Americans attacked and most of 

the Germans had thrown up their hands 

to surrender when a number of German 

rif les and machine guns, on a hillside a 

short distance away, opened fire killing 

and wounding nine of the patrol. From 

this time on, Private York, who was 

nearest the firing, assumed command. 

The other members of the patrol took 

cover and fired only a few shots in the 

fighting which followed, as they occupied 

themselves in guarding the German 

soldiers who had previously surrendered.

Sheltering himself to some extent behind 

the prisoners who were f lat on the ground 

Private York, in the face of the terrific 

28th Division Artillery Firing While

Under a Gas Bombardment

Sergeant Alvin C. York, 82d Division, February 7, 1919
230 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION

fire, opened rapid fire with his rif le 

and later with his pistol. He maintained 

this fire until he, alone, had killed more 

than 15 of the enemy and had forced the 

remainder of them to surrender.

Forming the prisoners in a column 

Private York distributed the seven 

remaining men of his patrol along it and 

started back to the American lines with 

the German battalion commander in front 

of him. More Germans were encountered 

on the way and were forced to surrender. 

Private York brought back to the 

American lines three wounded members 

of the original patrol and 132 prisoners, 

including five German officers. Largely 

on account of Private York’s exceptional 

coolness, skill with firearms, bravery 

and leadership his regiment was able to 

continue its advance on this day. For his 

exceptional exploits he was awarded the 

Congressional Medal of Honor.

Meanwhile, the 1st Division had 

consolidated its gains made on October 

5 and had carried on active patrolling. It 

was assigned to the V Corps on October 

7 preparatory to making a general attack 

with that corps. On October 8 considerable 

fighting took place on the hills seen to the 

right of Montrefagne, one of the hills, 

Hill 269, being captured on that day by a 

battalion of 1st Division engineers.

In the fighting there the next day, 

Sergeant Wilbur E. Colyer, Engineers, 

1st Division, won the Congressional 

Medal of Honor. Volunteering with two 

other soldiers to locate machine-gun 

nests, Sergeant Colyer advanced on the 

hostile positions to a point where he 

was half surrounded by the nests, which 

were in ambush. He killed the gunner of 

one machine gun with a German grenade 

and then turned this machine gun on the 

other nests, silencing all of them before 

he returned to his platoon. He was later 

killed in action against the enemy.

On October 9 the 1st Division attacked 

with the V Corps and stormed the long 

wooded ridge seen to the left of and 

beyond Montrefagne. On the next day it 

seized Côte de Maldah, the double-crested 

ridge seen to the left of the wooded ridge. 

The taking of these ridges completed the 

capture of this end of Romagne Heights.

1st Division Infantry on Montrefagne, North of Exermont, October 11, 1918
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 231

During these two days the 181st Brigade 

of the 91st Division was attached to the 

1st Division and fought on its right f lank, 

gaining considerable ground. 

In the desperate fighting near here the 

1st, 28th, 77th and 82d Divisions and 

the brigade of the 91st Division suffered 

a total of almost 18,000 casualties. 

Constantly attacking, undaunted by 

almost insuperable obstacles and the 

incessant demands on their strength, the 

American soldiers on these fields role to 

supreme heights of sacrifice and heroism.

Illustrative of these characteristics are 

the deeds performed by Private Michael 

B. Ellis, 1st Division, on October 5 on 

the slopes to the north of Exermont. 

During the entire day’s engagement he 

operated in advance of the first wave of 

his company, voluntarily undertaking 

most dangerous missions, attacking and 

reducing machine-gun nests singlehanded. 

Flanking one emplacement he killed two 

of the enemy with rif le fire and captured 

17 others. Later he advanced under heavy 

fire and captured 27 prisoners, including 

two officers, and six machine guns. 

Soon thereafter he captured four other 

machine guns and their crews, at all times 

showing marked heroism and fearlessness. 

For his outstanding bravery and great 

accomplishments he was awarded the 

Congressional Medal of Honor.

EN ROUTE NORTH OF FARM DES 

GRANGES TO NEAR MARTINCOURT FARM

(35.9 m 57.8 km) While descending the 

hill, to the right in the valley, the town of 

Exermont can be seen.

The next village, Fléville, after having 

been taken but not held by units of the 

1st Division on October 4, was finally 

captured by the division on October 9.

(37.1 m 59.7 km) In town turn to the left 

and cross the Aire River valley.

(37.6 m 60.5 km) While ascending the 

next hill, Cornay is seen ahead. Troops of 

the 82d Division entered that town before 

dark on October 8 and after mopping 

up part of it withdrew about midnight. 

On October 9, after a hard fight, they 

drove the Germans from the village 

about 11:00 a. m. Shortly after noon the 

enemy launched a counterattack with 

artillery preparation and recaptured 

Cornay, surrounding in it a small force 

of Americans who fought desperately 

from house to house before being killed 

or captured. The town was finally taken 

and held during October 10.

(38.0 m 61.2 km) At the top of the hill, 

turn sharply to the right.

(39.1 m 62.9 km) Beyond the next road 

junction at the top of the first crest, where 

an extensive panorama is obtained to the 

right front and right, STOP.

1st Division Artillery in Fléville, October 12, 1918
232 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION

The nearest village is St. Juvin which is 

on the other side of the Aire River.

Face that town, which direction is 

approximately north.

Montfaucon is visible to the right 

rear, just to the left of Montrefagne, the 

wooded peak in that direction.

Note that the Aire River, which the tour 

has been following in a general way since 

leaving Boureuilles, changes direction not 

far from St. Juvin and runs approximately 

west in front of here, toward the left 

directly across the line of vision of the 

observer. (See sketch on page 234.)

The Hindenburg Line in this region 

was just to the observer’s right of Côte 

de Châtillon, the conspicuous isolated 

wooded peak with the abrupt side seen 

to the right; passed just this side of 

Champigneulle, the village seen on top 

of the hill to the left of St. Juvin; and 

extended along the heights seen to the 

left of that place. That position had been 

thoroughly studied and surveyed earlier 

in the war, and locations for artillery 

and machine guns had been carefully 

selected and indicated on the ground. 

Some shelters and trenches had been 

constructed, others were traced, and 

much barbed wire had been laid before 

October 1918. The great strength of the 

position lay, however, not so much in the 

works constructed on it as in the natural 

features of the ground and the thorough 

coordination of the fire power of all 

weapons, planned in accordance with the 

highest art of defensive warfare perfected 

by the German Army during their 

previous four years of intensive fighting.

St. Juvin was included in the outpost 

position of the Hindenburg Line which had 

also been strongly organized for defense.

When the I Corps arrived in this vicinity 

on the afternoon of October 10, its 

attempt to cross the Aire River disclosed 

that the bridges had been destroyed and 

that the enemy was strongly holding the 

Hindenburg Line and its outpost line on 

the far side of the valley. The corps was 

therefore faced, in front and to the left 

of here, with the almost impossible task 

of crossing the valley and storming the 

formidable positions there.

The front line established by the Army 

on October 10 was to the reader’s right 

of Côte de Châtillon; just to the right of 

Sommerance, the village seen to the right 

across the valley; included Martincourt 

Farm, seen in the trees to the right front; 

and continued to the left on this side of 

the Aire River for approximately 4 miles.

a From

n had

rveyed

ns for

d been

on the

hes had

ced, and

before

of the

in the

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Army

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he right

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t front;

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Bellejoyeuse Farm

Bois de Bourgogne Bois des Loges

la Lairesse

Champigneulle

St. Juvin

Hill 289

Panorama From

1st Division Artillery, With Machine Gun Mounted 

for Anti-Aircraft Defense, Moving Toward the Front
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 233

On October 11 the 1st Division, the left 

division of the V Corps, sent patrols into 

Sommerance. The 82d Division, whose 

zone of action ran from that town to just 

beyond the nose of the hill seen to the 

left, launched determined attacks that 

same day. The right of its line, which was 

beyond the river, was advanced to the 

open ground seen just over the roof of 

Martincourt Farm. The left of the division 

started from this vicinity in an attempt 

to capture St. Juvin. The assault units 

crossed the river in a fog on bridges which 

the engineers had repaired. Unfortunately 

the fog lifted while they were still close to 

the far bank and they were caught on open 

ground by severe machine-gun fire. After 

suffering heavy casualties, they were 

forced to return to their lines on this side 

of the river.

There were no American attacks in 

this vicinity on October 12 and 13 as the 

units reorganized and consolidated their 

positions. During that period of time 

the 42d Division relieved the 1st. On the 

afternoon of October 13 a strong German 

counterattack against that part of the 82d 

Division line to the right front across the 

river was driven back.

On October 14, in conjunction with the 

French Fourth Army on its left, the First 

Army launched a vigorous assault. On this 

part of the front the I Corps attacked with 

the 82d and 77th Divisions in line, the 

boundary between the divisions passing 

just to the right of St. Juvin.

The 82d Division, on the right, in a 

dashing attack advanced about 3⁄4 mile, 

reaching the Hindenburg Line to the 

right of St. Juvin and holding most of 

its gains in spite of a counterattack. 

Some of its units fought in the right 

part of the town. The 77th Division 

captured St. Juvin and many prisoners 

in the town but all its efforts to cross 

the river in force to the left front were 

unsuccessful until after dark. Then it 

reached and held as a salient in its line 

the last building, named La Lairesse on 

wartime maps, seen in the valley to the 

left of St. Juvin. That night the front line 

of the division was on the other side of 

St. Juvin and close to it.

The next day the assault planned for 

early in the morning was delayed by 

a strong German attack with heavy 

artillery preparation, made about 6:45 

a. m., in the vicinity of St. Juvin. This 

was beaten off, the American troops, 

particularly a machine gun company of 

the 82d Division which had seized a part 

Martincourt Farm

Barricourt Heights

Sommerance

Montrefagne

Montfaucon

Côte de Châtillon

Stop Near Marcq

Tank and Supply Wagon Blown Up by a German 

Road Mine North of Fléville, October 12, 1918
234 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION

of the hill north of St. Juvin just before 

the attack, inf licting severe losses on the 

enemy. Later in the day the left of the 82d 

Division advanced about 500 yards to 

a position on the hill north of St. Juvin 

in contact with this company. The 77th 

Division attacked Grandpré, a village 

to the left 3 miles away which will be 

passed through later in the tour, but its 

attempts to gain a foothold in the town 

were unsuccessful until next day.

The 77th Division was relieved by the 

78th Division on October 16, after having 

been in the line since September 21 and 

having advanced about 11 miles through 

the dense terrain of the Argonne.

On October 16 after having tried to 

capture the hill on the two previous days 

the 42d Division in a brilliant assault 

stormed and captured Côte de Châtillon, 

seen to the right. During that day the 78th 

and 82d Divisions in vigorous attacks 

reached the near side of Champigneulle, 

the village seen to the left of St. Juvin, but 

due to heavy hostile shellfire could not 

hold their gains.

The attacks of the 78th and 82d 

Divisions in front of here were continued 

from October 17 to 19. This fighting was 

of a desperate character, the attacking 

forces suffering many casualties from the 

incessant fire of the German batteries in 

the Bois de Bourgogne, the large wooded 

area on the sky line to the left front. 

One of the attacks on October 17 gained 

a foothold in the Bois des Loges, the 

wood extending over the nearest high 

hill seen to the left front, which was a 

strong position in the Hindenburg Line 

fairly bristling with machine guns, and 

the

ous

am

ft of

ell-

ivi

ued

ng

ack

om

eries

oded

ned

the

h hill

s a

Line

and

Bois des Loges

Champigneulle

St. Juvin

82d Div.

77th Div.

78th

Div.

HINDENBURG

LINE

Marcq

Oct.

Oct.

18

19

Oct. 18

Oct. 17

Oct.

17–18 Oct. 17–19

Oct. 20–31

 Farm des

Grèves

la Lairesse

Oct. 16

Oct. 14

14

Oct.

–15

Oct. 10–14 Oct. 10–16

(A.M.) Oct. 10–13

Oct. 15

Oct. 10

Oct. 10–13

Oct.

16 (A.M.)

Oct. 11–13

Oct. 15

Martincourt

Farm

Oct. 14–15

20–31

Oct. 15

Oct. 14

Oct. 17

Oct.

18–19

Oct.

16–31

Oct. 15–20

Oct.

18–19

Oct.

16

Oct. 21–31

Oct. 14–20 Oct. 14–15

Oct.

16–31

Oct. 14

12–13

Oct 11–13

Oct. 11

Oct. 10

77 15

Chevieres

Aire

River

Agron

River

St. Georges

Creek

N

0 1000 2000 3000 Yards

Route, described in text

Stop, described in text

Ground Gained Vicinity St. Juvin, October 10–31, 1918
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 235

another assault on October 19 reached 

Bellejoyeuse Farm, seen to the left front 

just below the near edge of the Bois de 

Bourgogne. By October 20, however, 

it had been proved that the German 

defenses across the river were too strong 

to be taken without further preparations 

so, on that day, the 78th Division was 

ordered back from its advanced positions 

and established its line to the left front 

along the road across the valley marked in 

places by the row of trees. The line of the 

82d Division remained beyond St. Juvin, 

and on October 21 that part of it to the 

right of St. Juvin was advanced about 500 

yards with little opposition.

Although the battle died down in front 

of here on October 22, the 78th Division 

attacked continuously in the vicinity of 

Grandpré until the 27th, advancing its 

lines in bitter fighting more than 1 mile. 

Because the American efforts to advance 

there were so persistent and the place on 

the front was such an important one, the 

Germans opposed the attacks with their 

best troops. Consequently, the success of 

the last major offensive of the First Army 

on November 1 was greatly aided as the 

German attention in this region had been 

drawn to the front near Grandpré, rather 

than that near Côte de Châtillon at which 

point the vital thrust of the Army was 

actually made.

The casualties of the 77th, 78th, 82d and 

42d Divisions in this region from October 

11 to the end of the month were in excess 

of 13,000 officers and men.

The Army prepared for its attack of 

November 1 with great care and made full 

use of the lessons learned in its previous 

fighting in this region. The various combat 

organizations which composed it were by 

that time well-coordinated fighting units, 

fully tested in battle, and formed together 

a superb fighting force.

All three corps of the First Army on this 

side of the Meuse River were involved in 

the attack. The V Corps, in the center, 

which was already beyond the Hindenburg 

Line, was expected to make the greatest 

advance. Its immediate objective was 

Barricourt Heights, the high ground seen 

on the sky line just over and to the right 

of Martincourt Farm. The III Corps on 

the right was to pivot toward the Meuse 

River. The I Corps on this f lank was to 

protect the left of the V Corps and to 

move forward as rapidly as possible. Its 

objective for the first day was the high 

ground 4 miles away, seen just over the 

center of St. Juvin.

The attack was launched at 5:30 in the 

morning and was an outstanding success 

from the start. The V Corps, with the 2d 

Division in line on this side of Côte de 

Châtillon and the 89th on the other side 

of it, drove forward rapidly and by early 

afternoon had captured the Barricourt 

Heights, thus making certain an extensive 

German retirement in this region.

Champigneulle After Its Capture by the 77th Division, November 2, 1918

Note destruction caused by American artillery fire
236 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION

The I Corps, in front of here, jumped 

off with the 80th, 77th and 78th Divisions 

in line from right to left, the 80th and 

77th having relieved the 82d to take part 

in the attack. The 80th Division was on 

that part of the front located in the area 

seen over Martincourt Farm, the 77th 

Division was beyond St. Juvin, and the 

front of the 78th ran from the building, 

La Lairesse, previously pointed out in 

the valley to the left front, on to the left 

for approximately 4 miles.

On November 1 the I Corps met stubborn 

resistance. The 80th Division was held in 

the left of its zone of action but its right 

drove forward rapidly in conjunction 

with the 2d Division and captured part 

of the wooded hill, Hill 289, seen on the 

sky line halfway between St. Juvin and 

Martincourt Farm. That hill can be easily 

identified (1937) by the high isolated tree 

on its summit. The 77th Division gained 

some ground on the ridge to the right of 

Champigneulle while the 78th captured 

Bellejoyeuse Farm and a small section of 

the nearest part of the Bois des Loges.

Due to the deep penetration by the 

V Corps, the Germans withdrew most 

of their troops on this part of the front 

during the night of November 1–2, leaving 

behind machine gun units to delay the 

American advance. On November 2 that 

resistance was overcome and all divisions 

of the I Corps moved rapidly northward.

The Bois de Bourgogne and the 

adjoining woods form a large forest area 

similar in character to the Argonne. On 

November 1 strong attacks were not made 

against that area but its eastern edge was 

heavily shelled with persistent gas. Its 

evacuation was forced by the advance 

in front of here and the advance of the 

French Fourth Army on the other side 

of it. From the time when, on November 

3, the 78th Division made contact with 

a French division at Boult-aux-Bois, 

about 9 miles to the left front from here, 

the Bois de Bourgogne was definitely in 

Allied hands.

The Army continued to push forward 

vigorously until November 7 when 

American troops were on the hills 

dominating Sedan, 24 miles directly to 

the front of here. It then changed the 

direction of its attacks and on November 

11, the day of the Armistice, it was driving 

forward to the reader’s right beyond the 

Meuse River. 

The tour now goes west to Grandpré and 

at that place reverses its direction and 

turns to the east along the far bank of the 

Aire River, traversing as far as the Meuse 

River ground captured during the month of 

October. The tourist must be careful from 

now on to note the dates of the various 

events as at this stop the operations on this 

part of the Army front have been described 

up to the end of the war.

Terrain Near Marcq; Note the Barbed Wire
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 237

EN ROU T E N E A R M A R T I NCOU R T 

FARM TO EAST OF SOMMERANCE

(39.9 m 64.2 km) Continue through the 

next village, Marcq, which was captured 

on October 10 by soldiers from both the 

77th and 82d Divisions.

(40.2 m 64.7 km) At the far edge of the 

village the zone of action of the 77th 

Division during its advance is entered.

(41.1 m 66.1 km) While approaching the 

next village, Chevières, to the right front 

on the ridge across the valley is seen the 

road, marked by the row of trees, from 

which the 78th Division jumped off for the 

attack on November 1.

(41.6 m 66.9 km) Continue through 

Chevières, which was captured on October 

10 by troops of the 77th Division.

(42.6 m 68.6 km) Beyond the next hill, 

the village seen ahead is Grandpré. It was 

the scene at different times of stubborn 

fighting by the 77th and 78th Divisions, 

the 77th entering the town just before its 

relief by the 78th on October 16.

Most of the town is situated against 

a steep bluff upon which was located a 

citadel of great strength. This citadel, 

which was part of the outpost position of 

the Hindenburg Line, was captured by the 

78th Division on October 23, after it had 

been attacked on previous occasions by 

troops of that division as well as by those 

of the 77th Division.

It was for deeds performed on the 23d 

while a member of the assaulting party 

which stormed and captured the citadel, 

that Private Edward Rischmann, 78th 

Division, was awarded the Distinguished 

Service Cross. He scaled the wall and alone 

entered a dugout in which he captured 46 

Germans, holding them prisoners until 

assistance arrived.

The Germans clung desperately to 

the remainder of the bluff for the next 

four days. It was finally captured after 

sufficient ground had been gained to its 

left and rear (as seen from here) to permit 

an assault to be made from the rear.

Bois

de

Bourgogne

Bois des Loges

Argonne Forest

Talma

Grandpré

Chevières

78th Div.

77th

Div.

77th Div.

78th

Div.

Oct. 16

Oct. 30–31

Oct. 25–29

Oct. 25–31

Oct. 27–31

Bellejoyeuse

Farm Oct. 19 Oct. 18

Farm

des Loges

Oct. 17–19

Oct. 17

Oct. 18–19

Oct. 17

Oct. 18

20–31

Oct. 20–31

 Farm des

Grèves

la Lairesse Oct. 16

14

Oct.

–15

Oct. 14–15

Oct. 14

16 (A.M.)

Oct. 10–13

Oct. 10–13 Oct. 15

Oct. 10–16 (A.M.)

Oct. 10–14 Oct. 11–14

Oct. 17–18

Oct. 16

Oct. 15

Oct. 15–31

Oct. 10

Oct. 10–14

Citadel Oct. 23–24

Oct. 30–31

Oct. 27–29

Oct. 25

Oct. 26

Oct. 15

Oct. 16 (A.M.)

Talma

 Farm

Oct. 16

Oct. 17

Oct. 18–22

Oct. 23–24

Oct. 17–31

Aire

River

HINDENBURG LINE

N

Route, described in text 0 1000 2000 3000 Yards

Ground Gained Near Grandpré by 77th and 78th Divisions

October 10–31, 1918
Captured German Machine Gun on the Citadel Near Grandpré

Note the excellent field of fire
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 239

On October 26 during the operations at 

Grandpré, Sergeant William Sawelson, 

78th Division, performed the heroic act 

for which he was given the Congressional 

Medal of Honor. Hearing a wounded man 

in a shell hole some distance away calling 

for water, Sergeant Sawelson, upon his 

own initiative, left shelter and crawled 

through heavy machine-gun fire to where 

the man lay, giving him what water he had 

in his canteen. He then went back to his 

own shell hole, obtained more water, and 

was returning to his wounded comrade 

when he was killed by a bullet from a 

machine gun.

Grandpré is on one of the two main 

passes traversing the plateau upon which 

are located the Argonne Forest and the 

Bois de Bourgogne. Throughout the ages 

these passes have been natural routes of 

travel. Grandpré itself is reported to have 

been founded by followers of Clovis about 

500 A. D. The village has been subjected 

to much severe fighting during its long 

and eventful history.

(42.9 m 69.0 km) After crossing the 

railroad near Grandpré turn to the right.

(43.2 m 69.5 km) In the center of the 

village of Grandpré, turn to the right.

(43.3 m 69.7 km) While proceeding to exit 

of town, to the left on the high bluff may 

be seen glimpses of the massive walls of 

the citadel. Its extreme strength and that 

of the German positions near by are more 

evident from this point.

(44.0 m 70.8 km) To the left front is seen 

the Farm des Loges, captured by the 78th 

Division on October 19 after severe handgrenade fighting. It was given up the next 

day as the position was too isolated to 

hold without excessive losses.

Rising above the farm is the Bois des 

Loges which was an ideal defensive 

position for the Germans. The smooth 

regular slopes on the lower part of the 

hill afforded an excellent field of fire 

and the wood at the top served to give 

fine protection and concealment for the 

German movements. The hill was attacked 

by the American forces on a number of 

occasions but was never captured until 

after the German troops had started their 

withdrawal from this part of the front 

during the night of November 1–2.

A Street in Grandpré, October 1918
80th Division Marching Through St. Juvin After Relief From the Front Line
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 241

(45.5 m 73.2 km) Beyond crest of next hill, 

to the right front across the valley is seen 

Marcq and to its left Martincourt Farm. 

These were just within the American 

lines on October 10. The difficulty of 

advancing across the valley and up these 

steep slopes in the face of rifle, machinegun and artillery fire is better appreciated 

from here.

(46.4 m 74.7 km) While approaching the 

next village, St. Juvin, extending to the 

left from it is seen the hill, in the outpost 

position of the Hindenburg Line, which 

was captured by the 82d Division on 

October 15 after a hard fight.

(47.1 m 75.8 km) Continue through St. 

Juvin, captured on October 14 by the 77th 

Division after a severe struggle.

(47.4 m 76.3 km) Beyond town, the railroad 

seen to the right crossing the valley was not 

there during the war.

At road junction mentioned in the next 

paragraph is located a monument erected 

by the 1st Division listing those of the 

division who were killed in the fighting in 

its zone of action which was near here.

(48.0 m 77.2 km) At the next road junction, 

turn to the left.

This road and the next village, 

Sommerance, were captured by the 82d 

Division on October 11. The division front 

line from that date to October 13 was 

along the top of the ridge seen to the left.

(49.4 m 79.5 km) At main road junction in 

town, bear right toward Romagne.

After the battle had progressed beyond 

Sommerance, the partially destroyed 

church in the village was used by the 

Americans as a first-aid station.

(50.4 m 81.1 km) Beyond town, at the crest 

where a clear view is obtained of the ground 

to both sides, STOP.

Face to the left, which direction is 

approximately north.

Landres-et-St. Georges, invisible from 

here, is in a valley 11⁄2 miles to the front.

The 1st Division, the left division of the 

V Corps, fought its way forward to this 

point on October 10, the same day that the 

82d Division of the I Corps reached the 

vicinity of Martincourt Farm, the place 

near which we have recently stopped.

The high ground immediately in rear 

of here, which is part of the west end of 

Romagne Heights, was captured by the 

1st Division in a series of well executed 

attacks. The fire of all available artillery 

of the division was concentrated upon 

each hill individually, while the infantry 

pushed close up, prepared to assault. 

At a fixed time the artillery shifted to a 

new target and the infantry charged the 

hill, occupying it before the remaining 

Germans had time to leave their shelters 

and offer sufficient resistance to stop the 

progress of the American troops.

Côte de Maldah, the ground sloping up 

to the left rear from here, was taken on 

October 10, about the same time that the 

division advanced through the nearest 

American Observer Jumping From

Captive Balloon

Machine Gun Unit in Position at St. Juvin

November 1, 1918
242 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION

part of the Bois de Romagne, the large 

wood seen to the right front.

The 1st Division was relieved by the 

42d Division on October 12. In its 12 

days of battle near here it had driven 

forward more than 4 miles through the 

difficult terrain of Romagne Heights. Its 

casualties, to some extent a measure of its 

exceptional accomplishment, reached the 

heavy total of over 8,200 men, the greatest 

casualties of any division in the MeuseArgonne offensive.

When the 42d Division took over the 1st 

Division sector it faced the Hindenburg 

Line which on this front included Hill 288, 

the left one of the three hills seen to the 

right; Côte de Châtillon, the prominent 

oval-shaped hill to the right front; and 

the low bare ridge sloping off to the left 

from the woods on Côte de Châtillon. The 

task of the division was to penetrate that 

line; and this, after repeated attempts, it 

successfully accomplished.

In the general attack of the First Army 

on October 14, the 42d Division jumped 

off all along its front. On the right, 

after overcoming stubborn resistance, it 

reached the crest of Hill 288. Determined 

assaults made against Côte de Châtillon 

from the far edge of the Bois de Romagne 

were stopped at the thick bands of barbed 

wire located on the open slopes below the 

wood seen on that hill. In front and to the 

left front from here, the division advanced 

in spite of heavy artillery fire and dug in 

that night at the far side of the shallow 

o to the

hâtillon.

enetrate

ated at

shed.

st Army

jumped

ht, after

t reached

ned as

Châtillon

omagne

and s of

en slopes

t hill. In

here, the

eavy ar

t at the

Bois des Hazois

Oct. 21-31

Oct.

18-31

18-20

Oct. 17-31

Oct. 17

Bois

de

Bantheville

Oct. 16

Oct. 15

Oct.16-31 Bois

de

Romagne

la Tuilerie Farm

Oct. 14

Hill

288

Oct.

10-13

Oct. 10-13

Bois de Moncy

le Petit

Bois

Bois

de

Romagne

Oct. 13

Oct. 14 Musarde Farm

Oct. 14-15

Oct. 10-13

Oct.

16-31

Oct. 14-31

Oct. 14

Oct. 13

Oct.

10-12

Oct. 10

Oct. 10

Oct. 11-13

Oct. 14-31

Oct.

 14-15

Oct. 16-31

89th

Div.

32d Div.

42d

Div.

82d

Div. Heights

Romagne

Côte de

Châtillon

CôteDame Marie

Côte de Maldah

Oct. 15 Oct. 10-12

Landres-etSt. Georges St. Georges

Sommerance

St. Georges

Creek

N

0 1000 2000 3000 Yards

Route, described in text

Stop, described in text

Ground Gained on Romagne Heights, October 10–31, 1918
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 243

valley, marked by the few scattered trees, 

about 1⁄2 mile away.

During the fighting on October 14 

Private Michael A. Donaldson, 42d 

Division, won the Congressional 

Medal of Honor. The advance of his 

regiment having been checked by intense 

machine-gun fire of the enemy, who were 

entrenched on the open ridge beyond 

the valley in front of here, his company 

retired to reorganize, leaving several 

wounded near the enemy lines. Of his own 

volition, in broad daylight and with utter 

disregard for his own safety, he advanced 

to the crest of the hill, rescued one of his 

wounded comrades, and returned under 

intense fire to his own lines. He repeated 

this heroic act until he had brought in all 

the men, six in number.

On October 15 the attacks were 

continued. On the right the division front 

line was advanced through the woods to 

a point about midway between Hill 288 

and Côte de Châtillon. Substantial gains 

were made in front of here but the ground 

captured was so exposed to hostile fire 

that it had to be given up. The fighting 

on that day was very bitter, the enemy 

making many counterattacks.

During the attacks on October 14 and 

15 in the direction of Landres-et-St. 

Georges, Lieutenant Colonel William J. 

Donovan, 42d Division, personally led 

the assault wave of his regiment. When 

his troops were suffering heavy casualties 

he encouraged all near him by his daring 

example, moving among his men in 

exposed positions, reorganizing decimated 

platoons and accompanying them forward 

in assaults. When he was wounded in the 

leg by a machine-gun bullet, he refused to 

be evacuated and continued with his unit 

until it withdrew to a less exposed position. 

For this gallant action Lieutenant Colonel 

Donovan was awarded the Congressional 

Medal of Honor.

On the next day, October 16, as a 

result of persistent efforts and skillful 

maneuvering, the formidable defenses of 

Côte de Châtillon were penetrated and 

the hill was captured and held in spite 

of the most desperate efforts on the part 

of the Germans to retake it. Taking that 

dominating strong point marked the 

climax of the splendid services of the 42d 

Division on this particular battle front.

In this fighting Private Thomas C. 

Neibaur won the Congressional Medal 

of Honor for his heroic exploits. Soon 

after the crest of Côte de Châtillon 

was reached he was sent out with an 

automatic rif le squad to enfilade enemy 

machine-gun nests. Just as he set up his 

gun he was shot through both legs by 

fire from a machine gun supporting a 

German counterattack. The German 

wave came on, all but surrounding the 

squad, and although every man in it was 

either killed or wounded, Private Neibaur 

continued to operate the gun. Due to his 

fire and that from the skirmish line of 

his company, 100 yards behind him, the 

Germans halted and took cover. Four of 

them, who attacked Private Neibaur at 

close quarters, he killed. Then moving out 

alone among the enemy lying near by, he 

captured 11 men at the point of his pistol 

German Machine Gun and Observation Post

Near Grandpré
244 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION

and brought them into the American 

lines. The defeat of this counterattack 

was due to a large extent to the individual 

efforts of Private Neibaur, whose exploits 

greatly improved the morale of his 

battalion as they took place against the 

sky line in full view of it.

Among the men who were awarded 

Distinguished Service Crosses for their 

bravery at Côte de Châtillon on this day 

was Corporal Joseph E. Pruett of the 

42d Division. After a daring dash with 

his platoon across open ground swept 

by machine-gun fire, he saw an enemy 

machine gun crew preparing to open fire 

upon the f lank and rear of his position. 

Singlehanded he attacked, using enemy 

grenades, drove the crew into a dugout 

and by bombing the entrance to the 

dugout, he effected the capture of four 

German officers, 64 men and four heavy 

machine guns. With remarkable gallantry 

this soldier had thus put out of action an 

enemy force that would have critically 

threatened a success already gained. 

After October 16 the positions captured 

were consolidated and no further efforts 

to advance were made by the 42d Division. 

Its front line then extended from the far 

side of Côte de Châtillon to a point about 

the same distance away from this point to 

the left front. 

Early on the morning of November 1 

the 2d Division passed through the 42d 

Division, and taking part in the Army 

offensive of that date attacked straight 

ahead. Supported by heavy artillery fire, 

it quickly overcame the German resistance 

in front of here, captured Landres-et-St. 

George and by nightfall had advanced 

approximately 6 miles. 

The road followed from here to 

Romagne runs generally east and west 

and was entirely within the front lines of 

the American Army before October 15. 

EN ROUTE EAST OF SOMMERANCE TO THE 

MEUSE-ARGONNE AMERICAN CEMETERY

(52.2 m 84.0 km) After entering large 

wood, at second abrupt right bend in road,

the tour is passing over the northern slope 

of Hill 288, whose crest lies to the right. 

On October 14 the summit of the hill was 

reached by the 42d Division which, on the 

next day, advanced about 1⁄2 mile to the 

left of this road in the general direction of 

Côte de Châtillon.

(52.6 m 84.7 km) Beyond next sharp right

bend in road, the zone of action of the 32d 

Division is entered.

(53.2 m 85.6 km) After entering first 

clearing, to the right is seen the rear side 

of Côte Dame Marie, a highly-organized 

and important strong point of the 

Hindenburg Line. It was encircled and 

captured by the 32d Division in severe 

fighting on October 14. During that day 

the division fought its way forward to a 

line about 3⁄4 mile to the left of the road 

we are now traveling. Its signal victory 

here is described at the next stop.

A Trench of the Hindenburg Line in the

Bois de Bantheville, November 3, 1918
(54.3 m 87.4 km) While descending the next 

steep hill, to the right front may be obtained 

glimpses of the chapel and flagpoles 

located in the Meuse-Argonne American 

Cemetery, which is the next stop.

Beyond village cemetery at entrance 

to next town is a large German military 

cemetery. To visit, bear left at road fork at 

village cemetery. Rejoin tour at church in 

Romagne, which can be seen from cemetery 

entrance. Time of side trip—10 minutes.

The next town, Romagne, was captured 

by the 32d Division before noon on 

October 14. A large German supply depot 

located there fell into the hands of the 

advancing Americans. The town was the 

90th Division Headquarters, October 31–

November 3, and III Corps Headquarters 

from November 3 to 10.

(54.6 m 87.9 km) At the church in 

Romagne-sous-Montfaucon, turn to the left.

(54.7 m 88.0 km) Beyond the bridge is the 

center of the town, turn to the left.

Top: Romagne, October 1918

Right: Romagne Church Set on Fire by an

 Artillery Bombardment, October 29, 1918

American Cemetery at Romagne, May 1919
The Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery Near Romagne-sous-Montfaucon
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 247

(55.6 m 89.5 km) Enter the cemetery, 

proceed slowly to far entrance, turn right, 

ascend hill to chapel and STOP.

This is the largest of the American 

military cemeteries in Europe. It is 

fittingly located near the center of the 

area where the hardest American fighting 

of the war occurred. More than 14,200 

soldiers are buried on this hillside, most 

of whom fell during the operations of the 

First Army between September 26 and 

November 11. In 1922 bodies were brought 

here from the Vosges Mountains, from 

the area on the other side of the Argonne 

Forest, and from occupied Germany. 

Many of those who died at Archangel, 

Russia, were later moved to this place. 

Almost every unit of the American 

Expeditionary Forces is represented by 

one or more burials in this cemetery.

The permanent improvements of the 

cemetery were completed in 1931. The 

buildings across the valley from the 

grave area contain a reception room for 

the convenience of visitors, the office 

of the superintendent, where inquiries 

concerning the location of a particular 

grave and for other information may be 

made, and a few rooms which have been 

furnished so that the relatives of those 

buried in the cemetery can spend the night.

An attractive development has been made 

at the center of the cemetery, and the pools 

there with their flowers and goldfish are a 

never-failing source of interest to visitors 

from the surrounding region.

An idea of the size of the cemetery 

is obtained when it is realized that the 

distance between the two main entrances 

is 600 yards and that the stone wall around 

the cemetery is more than 11⁄2 miles long.

The chapel is a splendid example of 

modern architecture of the Romanesque 

style. The imposing main entrance is 

surmounted by a sculptured bas-relief 

in which the figures represent Grief and 

Entrance to the Meuse-Argonne Cemetery Chapel

Interior of the Meuse-Argonne Cemetery Chapel
Remembrance. Carved heads of American 

soldiers are included in the design of the 

column capitals alongside the door and 

at the same height across the front of the 

building are names of places famous in 

the history of the American fighting in 

this general region.

The chapel is entered through doors 

of unusual size. Within, the attention is 

first attracted to the apse, in the center of 

which is the altar, backed by a semicircle 

of f lags of the United States and the 

principal Allied nations.

The insignia of the American divisions 

and higher units which served in Europe 

are worked into the patterns of the stained 

glass windows. Through these a soft and 

subdued light, which blends with the deep 

colors of the marble f loor, is diffused 

throughout the interior. The impression 

made upon the visitor is such that he can 

not help but feel that this beautiful and 

holy place is fittingly appropriate “as a 

sacred rendezvous of a grateful people 

with its immortal dead”.1

On the walls of the loggias are carved 

the names of all American soldiers who 

fought in this region and who now rest 

in unknown graves. The unknown dead 

1

 This quotation is from the dedicatory inscription 

which is carved on the interior walls of the chapel.

of the Services of Supply are recorded on 

the front panel of the east loggia and the 

corresponding panel of the west loggia 

displays an ornamental map in colors 

showing the ground captured by each 

of the American divisions during the 

Meuse-Argonne offensive. The names 

of the unknown dead of the American 

expedition to Northern Russia are also 

carved on a panel of the west loggia.

On the f loors of the pavilions at the 

ends the loggias are direction arrows 

pointing out the prominent features of 

the landscape. After enjoying the visit 

to the chapel and its surroundings, go to 

the pavilion nearest Romagne and read 

the following description of the fighting 

which took place in this vicinity.

The reader should make use of the 

direction arrows on the f loor, and move in 

and around the pavilion so as to identify 

the various features of the landscape as 

they are mentioned in the text.

In the description of the operations all 

designations, such as right, left, front and 

rear, are with reference to the direction 

the chapel faces, which is north.

The famous German defensive position 

known as the Hindenburg Line ran along 

the ridge seen behind the chapel. It 

included the high wooded hill, Côte Dame 

Chapel at the Meuse-Argonne Cemetery
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 249

Marie, the highest hill seen to the left rear 

over the buildings of the town of Romagne.

The jump-off line of the American First 

Army on September 26, 1918, was about 

10 miles from here, beyond Montfaucon, 

seen in the distance to the right rear. By 

the end of the third day the Germans had 

been driven back in this direction to the 

outlying defenses of the Hindenburg Line, 

which were located about midway between 

here and Montfaucon.

On October 4 a second general attack 

was launched by the First Army and 

vigorously pushed, during the course of 

which many important gains were made.

On October 7 the f lank attack against 

the Argonne Forest near Châtel-Chéhéry 

was started and the next day the drive 

east of the Meuse was begun. These were 

so successful that the Army ordered the 

V Corps on this immediate front to join 

in and to attack on October 9. This it did 

and, after some of the most heartrending 

fighting of the war, it gained a foothold in 

the Hindenburg Line.

The 32d Division on October 9 pushed 

forward part way up the slopes of Côte 

Dame Marie and to the ridge in rear of 

the chapel, where it established itself in 

a trench of the Hindenburg Line, called 

on French wartime maps the Tranchée 

de la Mamelle. Romagne was reached 

in that attack but a strong German 

counterattack drove the advancing forces 

back. Isolated groups of the 3d Division, 

whose zone of action included the ground 

upon which this cemetery stands, entered 

the valley which runs through the 

5th Div.

3d Div.

4th

Div.

80th

Div. 3d Div.

5th Div.

89th

Div.

90th Div.

32d Div.

Oct. 21–31 Oct. 25–31

Oct.

21–24

23–24

Bantheville

Oct. 18–20

de

Oct. 21–22

Bois

Oct. 17

Oct. 16

Oct. 15 Oct. 15–20

Oct. 14

Côte Dame

Marie

Oct. 9–13

Oct. 9

Oct. 10–13

Tr. de la Mamelle

Oct. 14

Meuse-Argonne

American Cemetery

Oct. 15–20

Oct. 15–16

17–20

Oct.

Oct. 21–22

Oct. 23–31

Oct. 24–31

Oct. 23

Oct. 21–23

21–22

Oct.

Bois

de

Rappes

Oct. 14–22

Oct.

15–20

Bois de la

Oct. 14

Pultière

Oct. 11–13

Oct. 9–10

Bois

de

Cunel Madeleine

Farm

Oct. 9

Oct. 5–8

Oct. 4–8

Oct. 10

Bois de Malaumont

Oct. 4–9

Oct. 10

Bois de Forê

Oct. 14

t

Oct. 11–14

Oct. 14–19

Oct. 15–20

Oct. 20

Oct. 20

20–22

21–22

Oct. 23–29

Oct. 24–29

Oct. 30–31

Oct.

23–31

Oct. 22 Oct. 21

Oct. 11–12

11–21 Oct.

Bois de Fays

Bantheville

Romagne

Cunel

Aincreville

Andon

Creek

HINDENBURG

LINE

N 0 1000 2000 3000 Yards

Route, described in text

Stop, described in text

Ground Gained Vicinity Romagne and Cunel, Oct. 4–31,1918
250 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION

cemetery and also entered Romagne. The 

hostile fire was so severe, however, that 

these groups did not attempt to hold on 

but took up a position in the Tranchée de 

la Mamelle alongside the 32d Division. 

The remainder of the 3d Division, to the 

right rear from here, made a substantial 

advance also, and after dark the 80th 

Division on the right of the 3d entered 

Cunel, the village seen to the right when 

looking along the front of the chapel. 

Elements of the division were fighting 

in the town at midnight but it was not 

captured on that night.

The First Army ordered a general attack 

on the 10th and the fighting continued 

fiercely on that day all along this front. 

The 32d Division penetrated the trenches 

of the Hindenburg Line near the top 

of Côte Dame Marie. A counterattack 

caused some withdrawal but at the end 

of the day the division had made a total 

gain there of about 1⁄2 mile. Romagne 

was attacked but not captured. The left 

of the 3d Division advanced at 7:00 a. 

m. but was held up by fire from the front 

and f lanks. During the day elements of 

the division established themselves in 

German trenches, located to the right 

rear not far from this chapel, but they 

were withdrawn after dark. The right 

of the division made two attacks which 

resulted in no permanent gains but in a 

third, begun at 9:45 p. m. and continued 

through most of the night, it advanced 

about 600 yards. During the day the 80th 

Division pushed its line forward about 1⁄2 

mile nearer to Cunel.

The general attack was pressed with 

great vigor on the 11th, all divisions in 

line here taking part. The 32d Division 

made only minor gains which were not 

held. The left unit of the 3d Division 

attacked at 7:15 a. m. but was stopped 

by hostile machine-gun fire from that 

part of this ridge to the right rear of 

the chapel. Shortly after 1:00 p. m. it 

advanced as far as the valley in the 

cemetery and established a position 

about 100 yards to the right rear of the 

site of the chapel but withdrew after 

dark. The right of the division repulsed a 

German counterattack at dawn, jumped 

off at 7:00 a. m. and made a substantial 

gain, attacked about noon with the 80th 

Division and captured Cunel but did 

not hold the town that night. The 80th 

Division during the day advanced its 

lines about 700 yards. The 4th Division, 

in line beyond the 80th, captured this 

end of the Bois de Forêt, the wood seen 

above the right side of Cunel. That wood, 

a highly-organized and strong part of the 

Hindenburg Line, extends to the valley of 

the Meuse River about 4 miles away.

On October 12 and 13 the divisions 

consolidated their gains. On the 12th 

Cunel was entered though not held by 

a battalion of the 5th Division, that 

division having relieved the 80th. On 

the 13th the 3d Division extended to the 

right, relieving parts of the 5th and 4th 

Divisions. During the day it was subjected 

to heavy hostile artillery concentrations 

on its front lines, particularly in the Bois 

de Forêt where a determined enemy attack 

was repulsed.

On the morning of October 14 the Army 

launched a general attack, the 5th and 

42d Divisions having entered the line 

to take part. The 3d Division attacked 

from just beyond Cunel; the 5th from in 

front of Cunel and along the ridge in rear 

of the chapel; the 32d from the front to 

the observer’s left of Romagne and Côte 

Dame Marie; the 42d from the line facing 

Results of Traffic on the Avocourt–Malancourt Road Built Over No Man’s Land
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 251

Côte de Châtillon (the operations there 

were described at the last stop) and the 

82d and 77th from the front line beyond 

the 42d Division (the operations of the 

77th and 82d Division were described at 

the stop near Martincourt Farm).

In this attack the German defenses 

crumbled before the onslaughts of the 

terrific American assaults. The 5th 

Division captured Cunel and with the 3d 

Division stormed the strongly fortified 

Bois de la Pultière, seen on the hill just 

to the left of Cunel, and by that night had 

practically cleared it of the enemy. The 5th 

Division just before jumping off suffered 

heavy casualties on the ridge behind the 

chapel from a two-hour concentrated 

enemy artillery bombardment and again 

from an intense concentration of hostile 

fire just after leaving its trenches. The 

troops doggedly advanced, however, 

capturing this hill about 10:00 a. m. and, 

in spite of savage crossfire from machine 

guns located at the edge of the Bois de la 

Pultière near Romagne, stormed the ridge 

across the valley about 10:40 a. m. Upon 

arriving at that ridge, which was devoid 

of trees at that time, their positions were 

so exposed and the sweeping cross-fire 

was so intense that the men could not dig 

in but secured what shelter they could in 

the shell holes and captured trenches until 

after dark.

The 32d Division, in spite of severe 

counterattacks, by a brilliant enveloping 

maneuver, captured Côte Dame Marie and 

advanced its front lines a total distance of 

approximately 11⁄2 miles. It also captured 

the village of Romagne and held it through 

a heavy German gas bombardment during 

that night. 

The day was a momentous one for the 

First Army, for by its close the Hindenburg 

Line was in American hands on all this 

part of the battle front.

In this immediate vicinity the American 

troops organized themselves that night 

on a line which included the village of 

Romagne and ran from there along the 

valley to a point near the pool at the center 

of the cemetery. It then went diagonally to 

the right up the ridge across the valley and 

followed the top of that ridge to the Bois 

de la Pultière near Cunel.

Observer Dropping Message for 5th Division Headquarters at Bois de la Tuilerie

(Insert) White Panels Being Displayed as Signals to an Airplane
252 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION

The Bois des Rappes, on the horizon to 

the right front, was the scene of terrific 

fighting for eight days before it was finally 

captured and cleared of the enemy on 

October 21 by the 5th Division. The 90th 

Division relieved the 5th on October 22 at 

the edge of the Bois des Rappes and on 

the ridge across the valley. The next day 

it captured Bantheville, seen in the valley 

to the left of and beyond the reception 

house. The 32d Division made almost 

daily gains until October 20 on which date 

it was relieved by the 89th Division. By 

that time it had driven a deep salient into 

the German lines by capturing most of the 

Bois de Bantheville, the very large wood 

which covers the tops of the hills to the 

left front, and which ends near Le Grand 

Carré Farm, seen just below the horizon 

to the left of front.

History records no more sustained and 

severe fighting than that on this front 

during October. The highly-organized 

positions of the Germans were defended 

with desperate tenacity by experienced 

troops. The ground was ideal for defense, 

and that the necessity of holding it was 

evident to the Germans is clear from the 

following sentence of an order which the 

opposing German general issued to his 

men on October 1: “The fate of a large 

portion of the Western Front, perhaps of 

our nation, depends on the firm holding 

of the Verdun Front.”

The American Army attacked incessantly and such lack of experience as existed 

in its divisions in the beginning was more 

than counterbalanced by the individual 

bravery and unbounded energy of its soldiers. Their constant pressure gradually forced the enemy back so that by the 

end of October the First Army faced the 

last German line on this part of its front. 

The bitterness of this fighting is attested 

by the 27,000 casualties suffered by the 

American 3d, 4th, 5th, 32d, 80th, 89th and 

90th Divisions in the general vicinity of 

this cemetery.

On November 1 the First Army again 

drove forward, in what proved to be its 

last great attack, from a jump-off line 

which ran just this side of Le Grand Carré 

Farm. The zone of action of the 90th 

Division included that farm near its left 

90th Division Troops Passing Through Cunel, October 27, 1918
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 253

boundary. In line on its left was the 89th 

Division and then the 2d Division. The 

immediate objective of the attack was 

Barricourt Heights, seen on the horizon 

to the right of the wood just beyond Le 

Grand Carré Farm, and the more distant 

objective was the lateral railroad running 

near Sedan.

The attack was a signal success and 

Barricourt Heights was captured by the 

2d and 89th Divisions on the first day. 

Hill 343, the wooded hill seen to the right 

of front was captured by the 90th Division 

on November 2. By November 4 the 

German Army was in full retreat on this 

front, and by the morning of November 7 

the troops of the First Army were on the 

heights of the river across from Sedan, 25 

miles from here.

By November 11, the day of the 

Armistice, the Meuse River had been 

crossed in several places and the American 

Army was pushing rapidly on beyond it. 

Thus the war ended with a glorious 

victory for the American Army. Those who 

sleep on this hillside and their comrades 

in death who now rest in the cemeteries of 

America had not fought in vain.

Go to the reception building on the 

opposite side of the valley. From its terrace 

a beautiful view of the cemetery and its 

fields of crosses is obtained.

EN ROU T E M EUSE-A RG ON N E 

A M ER ICA N CE M E T ERY TO SOU T H OF 

MADELEINE FARM

(56.5 m 90.9 km) Leave the cemetery by 

the gate opposite to the one entered.

The next village, Cunel, was the scene 

of many desperate conf licts between 

October 9 and 14, in which the 80th, 3d 

and 5th Divisions participated. The town 

was captured several times but not held 

because it was dominated by the German 

positions in the Bois de la Pultière above 

it. The town and the wood, which was 

defended with the greatest tenacity, were 

finally captured on October 14; the town 

by the 5th Division and the wood by 

troops of the 3d and 5th Divisions.

(57.5 m 92.5 km) At church in Cunel, 

bear right. This town was the 5th Division 

Headquarters, November 4–7.

(57.6 m 92.7 km) At next road fork, bear 

right and STOP without leaving car.

“Cornwilly” for Breakfast in a Quarry Near Cunel, October 29, 1918
254 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION

The wood seen to the left rear is the 

Bois de Forêt. That part of it closest to 

here was captured by the 4th Division on 

the morning of October 11 after terrific 

fighting. It was held in spite of several 

determined counterattacks, one of which 

was launched from the Bois de la Pultière, 

the wooded area seen to the rear.

The ground in this immediate vicinity 

was captured by the 5th Division on 

h

Aincreville

Cunel

Nantillois

Brieulles

Cléry-le-Grand

Cléryle-Petit

90th

Div. 5th Div.

3d Div.

5th

Div.

4th Div.

3d Div. 80th Div.

24–31

Oct. 30–

Oct. 24

31

–29

Oct. 21–23

Oct. 23–29

20–22

21–22

Oct. 20

Oct. 20

Oct. 15–20

14–19

Oct. 15–20

Oct. 14

Oct. 14

Oct. 11–14 Oct.

Oct.

11–13

9–10

Oct. 10

Oct. 9

Oct. 6–8 Madeleine

 Farm

Oct. 5–8

Oct. 5

Oct. 4

Oct. 4 (A.M.)

Oct. 4 (A.M.)

Oct. 4

Oct. 5–8

Oct. 4–8 Oct. 4–9

Oct. 4–31

Oct.

11–31

Oct. 10

Oct. 11–12

Oct. 13–21

Oct. 11–21

Oct. 21

Oct. 22

Oct. 23–31

Oct.

22–31

Oct. 4 (A.M.) –31

Oct. 4 (A.M.)–31

Bois

des

Rappes

Bois de la

Pultière

Bois

de Forêt

Bois de Malaumont

Bois de Fays

Bois

de

Cunel

Hill 250

Bois des

Ogons

Hill 274

Hill 268

Bois de Beuge Bois de Septsarges

Bois

de

Brieulles Bois de

Dannevoux

Bois de la

Côte Lémont

Trench du

Teton

HINDENBURG

LINE

Andon

Creek

Meuse

Canal

River

Creek

Wassieu

N

0 1000 2000 3000 Yards

Route, described in text

Stop, described in text

Ground Gained Vicinity Bois de Forêt, October 4–31, 1918
(255)

October 14 and near this point is seen one 

of the many pyramidal markers erected 

after the Armistice by the 5th Division on 

or near its former battlefields.

The terrain to the left and rear of 

here was, on October 12, the scene of 

the heroic exploits of First Lieutenant 

Samuel Woodfill, 5th Division, for 

which he was awarded the Congressional 

Medal of Honor and later selected by 

General Pershing as an outstanding hero 

of the American Expeditionary Forces. 

Lieutenant Woodfill was leading his 

company in an attack toward the Bois de 

la Pultière from the small wooded areas to 

the left of here when it encountered heavy 

enemy fire. Followed at some distance by 

two soldiers, he immediately advanced 

toward a machine-gun nest, which was at 

the edge of the wood in rear of here, and 

worked his way around its flank. Four 

of the enemy emerged, three of whom 

were shot by Lieutenant Woodfill and the 

fourth, an officer, was killed in hand-tohand combat. The company then continued 

to advance through the wood until another 

machine-gun nest was encountered. Again 

Lieutenant Woodfill rushed ahead of his 

command in the face of heavy fire from 

the nest and when several of the enemy 

appeared, he shot them, captured three 

other members of the crew and silenced the 

gun. A few minutes later, this officer, for 

the third time, demonstrated conspicuous 

bravery by charging another machine-gun 

position and by employing in turn a rifle, 

a pistol, and finally a pick, killed seven of 

the enemy.

From here to the next town, Nantillois, 

the tour goes opposite to the direction of 

the American advance. The view of the 

terrain is, therefore, that which was seen 

from the various German positions.

The difficult character of the ground 

over which the American Army forced 

its way forward is illustrated by the 

country between here and the next village, 

Nantillois; and the bitter nature of the 

fighting is indicated by the comparatively 

small yet numerous American gains made 

along this road. In the next 21⁄2 miles 

there are six pronounced ridges which 

run almost at right angles to this road. 

It took the First Army 14 days of nearly 

continuous fighting to capture them. Each 

time the Germans lost a ridge they had 

one equally good for defensive purposes 

just behind it.

The line reached on October 11 by the 

3d and 80th Divisions was along this side 

of the crest in front of here. The other 

front lines which crossed this road will be 

pointed out while approaching them. 

A Typical Scene in the Bois de Forêt

Captain Samuel Woodfill, 5th Division, July 1919
(256)

From the next crest on to near Nantillois, 

this road was the boundary between 

the zones of action of the 3d and 80th 

Divisions, the 3d Division zone of action 

being that to the reader’s right.

Continue.

(58.0 m 93.3 km) Beyond next crest, by 

looking down the valley to the right a fine 

view is obtained of part of the heavilywooded Romagne Heights.

(58.2 m 93.7 km) At next crest, to the right 

front on the ridge ahead, is seen the Bois de 

Cunel. Along its near edge was located the 

front line of the 3d Division on October 9 

and 10. The Hindenburg Line crossed the 

road close to this side of that wood. (See 

map page 254.)

(58.9 m 94.8 km) At the far side of the 

wood, when a clear view of the valley to the 

right is obtained, STOP.

Face down the road, which direction is 

approximately south.

The buildings just passed are those of 

Madeleine Farm, famous in the history 

of the American Expeditionary Forces. 

The old building, formerly used by the 

Germans as a hospital, was marked with 

a large red cross on the roof. It had been 

carefully prepared for defense, however, 

and was the scene of desperate fighting 

from September 28 to October 9 when the 

battered ruins of the farm were finally 

captured by troops of the 3d Division.

The first attacks against it, made by units 

of the 4th and 79th Divisions, supported 

by tanks, were repulsed on September 28. 

From then on the 3d, 4th, 79th and 80th 

Divisions all engaged in bitter fighting in 

its vicinity.

The large wood seen to the left is the 

Bois des Ogons. Troops of the 4th and 

79th Divisions advanced through it on 

September 28, but were forced back 

by counterattacks. The following day 

elements of both divisions penetrated 

into it, but were again forced to fall 

back. It was attacked on October 4 by the 

80th Division, which made frontal and 

f lank assaults against it without success 

until dark when the far edge of it was 

reached. Attempts to capture the wood by 

infiltration that night were unsuccessful. 

On October 5, in spite of desperate efforts 

during the daytime, no progress could 

be made. About 6:00 p. m., however, 

the division reached this edge, which 

it outposted, and organized a position 

across the center of the wood.

The wood seen to the right front is on 

a ridge called during the war Hill 250, 

which was an exceptionally strong feature 

of the German defenses. It was reached 

by the 79th Division on September 28 and 

on the following day was captured but not 

held because it formed a sharp salient in 

the line. It was finally captured on the 

night of October 5–6 by units of the 3d 

Division, after a hard fight.

Madeleine Farm, Captured by the 3d Division on October 9, 1918

Note character of wooded areas in 1918
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 257

Hill 253, the high bare hill seen to the 

right, was a powerful German strong 

point that dominated a large part of the 

zone of advance of the 3d Division. It was 

attacked on October 4 without success 

and again on October 5 when a foothold 

was gained on its southern slopes. It was 

taken on October 9 by the 3d Division 

after a bitter struggle.

This point and the valley on each side of 

it were in no man’s land from October 5 to 

8. The American front line was along the 

edge of the wood to the right front and the 

German line was facing it from the wood 

across the valley.

As an illustration of the continuous 

fighting in this vicinity it might be noted 

that between midnight and dawn on 

October 7, the 3d Division made three 

determined efforts to cross this valley. 

Each attempt failed because of the 

alertness of the Germans, who illuminated 

the area with flares and raked it with severe 

machine-gun, rifle and artillery fire.

The American positions in the Bois des 

Ogons and on Hill 250 were subjected to 

many terrific artillery bombardments and 

counterattacks during this period.

It was during counterattacks on October 

7 against Hill 250 that Private First Class 

John L. Barkley, 3d Division, won the 

Congressional Medal of Honor. He was 

stationed in an observation post near 

the edge of the wood seen to the right 

front. On his own initiative he repaired a 

captured enemy machine gun and mounted 

it in a disabled tank which was near his 

post. Shortly afterward, when the enemy 

launched a counterattack from the edge of 

the wood across the valley, Private Barkley 

got into the tank, waited under the hostile 

barrage until the enemy line was abreast 

of him, and then opened fire, completely 

breaking up the attack and killing and 

wounding a large number of the enemy. 

Five minutes later an enemy artillery 

piece opened point-blank fire on the tank 

from the opposite wood. Although one 

shell made a direct hit, Private Barkley 

stuck to his improvised “pillbox” and 

broke up a second counterattack several 

minutes later.

The fighting in this valley ended on 

October 9 when the 3d and 80th Divisions, 

attacking from the woods ahead, captured 

this clearing and Madeleine Farm, the 

Bois de Cunel, seen to the rear, and 

advanced their front line to the far side of 

the ridge directly in rear of here.

Madeleine Farm was the 3d Division 

Headquarters from October 14 to 26.

EN ROUTE SOUTH OF MADELEINE FARM 

TO NORTHWEST OF CONSENVOYE

(59.4 m 95.6 km) At the next bend in 

the road the American monument on 

Montfaucon is seen directly ahead.

In the small wood at this point the 

bodies of seven American soldiers were 

discovered as late as 1927 buried in the 

same unmarked shallow grave. They were 

all without shoes, probably indicating 

that these articles were in demand by the 

Germans who buried them.

(59.5 m 95.8 km) The wood to the right 

front is on Hill 268. On October 4 the 

American front line was about 100 yards 

this side of that wood and ran close to the 

edge of the wood seen to the left rear.

“Fox Holes” South of Bois des Ogons
Looking East During the War Toward the Ruins of Nantillois
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 259

Hill 274, seen to the left front, was 

captured on September 28 by the 4th and 

79th Divisions but due to the total lack 

of cover and the intense enemy artillery 

fire, the troops of the 79th Division on 

that part of it nearest this road withdrew 

about 1⁄2 mile the next day.

(59.9 m 96.4 km) Upon reaching the next 

crest proceed about 100 yards and STOP 

without leaving automobile.

In this general vicinity the German 

reserves of men and artillery, which were 

rushed to this front after the attack of 

September 26, entered the battle and 

desperately strove to stop the American 

advance by counterattacks and heavy 

concentrations of artillery fire.

The crest of the ridge seen to the left 

front on the sky line was reached by 

the 4th Division early on the afternoon 

of September 26. The near end of the 

division line was just this side of Hill 295, 

the highest part of the ridge as seen from 

here. Three enemy counterattacks against 

that part of its line were repulsed during 

the course of the afternoon.

The 79th Division at that time was held 

up on the other side of Montfaucon but 

part of the 37th Division and the 91st 

Division had progressed almost as far as 

Epinonville, seen in the distance just to 

the right of the Bois de Beuge, the large 

wooded area to the right front.

On September 27 the 4th Division 

attacked but encountered such severe 

resistance that it could not advance 

its lines to any extent. On that same 

day the 79th Division, after occupying 

Montfaucon about noon, attacked the 

Bois de Beuge, which was reached by a 

few men but not held. The division that 

night dug in along the lowest well-defined 

line of vegetation seen on Montfaucon. 

The village of Epinonville was repeatedly 

attacked by troops of the 91st Division 

during the day but was not captured.

On September 28 the Bois de Beuge was 

taken in a vigorous assault by the 79th 

and 37th Divisions, the latter taking the 

far side of it. The 37th Division after 

passing the Bois de Beuge was stopped 

by a German counterattack. The left of 

its line, which had advanced over 2 miles, 

was driven back about 3⁄4 mile by the same 

counterattack. On that day Nantillois, 

in the deep valley ahead, was taken by 

the 79th Division, it having been entered 

but not held by the 4th Division the day 

before. Being an important road center, 

that town, after its capture, was subjected 

to heavy shelling by German artillery.

In Nantillois are (1937) a building 

erected by a 315th Infantry association 

in memory of the dead of that regiment, 

which was a part of the 79th Division, and 

a memorial fountain constructed by the 

State of Pennsylvania as a tribute to the 

achievements of the 80th Division, which 

had a number of men in it from that state. 

The building is seen on the right, set back 

from the road, soon after entering town. 

The fountain is passed at the main road 

junction in the center of the village.

Continue.

(60.7 m 97.7 km) At the center of 

Nantillois, turn sharply to the left.

(61.2 m 98.5 km) Beyond town, the little 

valley which the road follows was the scene 

of desperate fighting on September 27 and 

28 before it and the ridge to the left were 

finally taken by the 4th Division.

(63.1 m 101.5 km) Beyond the first farm 

buildings located to the LEFT of the road, 

at second pronounced crest, STOP without 

leaving the automobile.

A 4th Division monument is located 

alongside the road near this stopping 

point. (Consult the map on page 254.)

The hills seen ahead in the distance are 

on the other side of the Meuse River. Fire 

from German artillery positions located 

on those hills enfiladed the lines of the 

American units on this side of the river 

and caused many casualties. The hills 

were not taken until November 5, six days 

before the Armistice.

The large wood seen fringing the top of 

the ridge to the left and left front across 

the valley is the Bois de Forêt and that 

on the hillside seen to the left rear is 

the Bois de Fays. The Hindenburg Line 

included all of the Bois de Forêt and most 

of the Bois de Fays. The first penetration 

of the Hindenburg Line made by the 
260 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION

First Army was on October 4 when in a 

dashing assault troops of the 4th Division 

captured the Bois de Fays.

The Bois de Forêt was the scene of many 

desperate conf licts, in which the 4th and 

3d Divisions were engaged, before its 

capture was finally completed on October 

22 by the 3d Division.

Because of the enfilade fire of the 

German artillery up this valley, no 

attacks were launched from this vicinity 

against the Bois de Forêt. The capture of 

that wood was finally brought about by 

an enveloping movement through the Bois 

de Fays. This movement, which involved 

fighting of the most vicious character, was 

initiated by the 4th Division on October 

4 and continued by it until October 11, 

when the left half of the Bois de Forêt was 

captured. The 3d Division relieved the 4th 

there on October 13 and on October 22 

occupied the rest of the wood.

On top of the bare hill rising to the right 

from here was an exceptionally strong 

German position called the Trench du 

Téton. It was occupied by the 4th Division 

on October 10 and soon thereafter the 

Germans abandoned Brieulles, seen 

in the valley ahead, because the town 

was dominated by the newly organized 

American positions on that hill.

During the severe fighting in the 

Bois de la Côte Lémont, to be pointed 

out later in the tour, and in the Bois 

de Fays, First Lieutenant William R. 

Arrants, Medical Corps, 80th Division, 

performed the heroic services for which 

he was awarded the Distinguished Service 

Cross. He accompanied his battalion 

into action on September 28 in the Bois 

de la Côte Lémont, and promptly opened 

his aid station within 100 yards of the 

front line, where he worked all night 

under continuous fire, giving aid to the 

wounded. When there was a shortage of 

stretcher bearers he assisted in bringing 

in the wounded. Under intense fire he 

undertook to locate the ambulance station 

and personally directed the evacuation 

of wounded to it. In the attack from the 

Bois de Fays on October 5 he again went 

with the attacking troops and opened a 

first aid station in an old cellar. Under 

an intense barrage of shrapnel and highexplosive shells, he performed the most 

devoted service in attending the wounded, 

working continuously until after his unit 

had been ordered to retire.

Continue.

(63.2 m 101.7 km) To the left front, across 

the valley, is seen a large French World 

War military cemetery.

(63.9 m 102.8 km) Immediately after 

entering Brieulles, turn to the right.

(64.4 m 103.6 km) Where the road ends at 

the railroad, turn right and STOP without 

leaving the automobile.

This point is at the west side of the 

Meuse River valley. The river winds its 

way through the valley and a canal is at 

the foot of the nearest hill to the left. 

During the progress of the last great 

33d Division Troops in Drillancourt, October 4, 1918
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 261

offensive of the First Army, one of the 

most difficult military feats, that of 

crossing a river under hostile fire, was 

accomplished by the 5th Division near 

here.

Soon after midnight on November 2–3, a 

footbridge was placed by the engineers over 

the river about 300 yards in rear of here and 

a patrol followed by one infantry company 

crossed to the flats between the river and 

canal. About dawn the enemy discovered 

the movement and laid down a heavy fire 

in the area. The troops on the flats were 

driven to the cover of the high bank along 

the canal, in which precarious position 

they remained throughout the day.

That night the canal was bridged about 

900 yards to the left rear from here with 

two footbridges. An attempt to rush 

over one of the bridges at 2:00 a. m. 

on November 4 was defeated by enemy 

machine-gun fire and several other 

attempts to cross before daybreak were 

repulsed. However, after dark (the sun 

set at 4:19 p. m.) by a sudden rush over 

the footbridges the enemy was surprised 

and two companies quickly established 

themselves on the far side. These 

immediately extended their lines for a 

considerable distance along the river. 

Profiting by the confusion caused in the 

German ranks by this crossing, another 

battalion of the 5th Division crossed the 

river and canal, to the left front from 

here, in boats. This battalion promptly 

captured Hill 252, seen to the left, and 

organized a position on it that night.

On November 5 the division made 

another crossing of the river about 2 miles 

to the left rear from here and still further 

extended its gains in this vicinity, among 

its captures being the Bois de Châtillon, a 

large wooded area part of which is seen to 

the left front.

The successful crossing here turned the 

German lines on the Heights of the Meuse, 

to the left front beyond the river, and 

greatly facilitated the progress of those 

units of the American Army which were 

attacking the German lines from the front.

A 79th Division Aid Station in the Bois de Consenvoye, November 8, 1918
262 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION

From now on to the village of Consenvoye, 

where the river is crossed, the tour goes 

along the Meuse River valley.

Continue.

(65.3 m 105.1 km) At the place where large 

wood, Bois de la Côte Lémont, extends 

immediately alongside road, the 80th 

Division reached this valley on September 

28 and established its front line along the 

railroad track. The opposing lines faced 

each other across the valley from that 

time on to November 6.

(66.0 m 106.2 km) The village to the 

left front across the valley is Vilosnes, 

captured on November 6, and beyond it 

on the ridge in the distance, Haraumont, 

raptured on November 7, soon appears. 

These were taken by the French 15th 

Colonial Division which was attached to 

the American Army. It was assisted in the 

crossing of the river and the capture of 

Vilosnes by the 5th Division, which, after 

crossing at Brieulles, attacked the town 

from the heights seen above it.

From here to the next sharp bend in 

the road, the tour runs generally east 

and west, that is, at right angles to the 

direction of advance of the First Army.

(67.0 m 107.8 km) Opposite Vilosnes, 

on this side of the valley a large German 

supply depot was captured.

(67.9 m 109.3 km) While approaching 

next sharp bend in road, there is seen 

straight ahead a bald-topped hill marked 

by a small monument. That hill is the 

Borne de Cornouiller, called by our men 

“Cornwilly Hill”. The slopes of the hill to 

the observer’s right were reached by the 

33d Division on October 9 and again on 

the 10th, its front line remaining there 

until the 12th. The top of the hill was 

captured on November 7 by the 79th 

Division after parts of it had changed 

hands several times during bitter fighting 

on the preceding days. The advance was 

from right to left as seen from here.

The monument on the hill is a small 

one in commemoration of the services of 

the American soldiers who fought in that 

vicinity. No road runs near it.

(68.9 m 110.9 km) In the next valley 

leading to the right is seen Dannevoux. 

That village, which lay in the German 

second position, was taken after dark 

on September 26 by the 80th Division. 

On this side of Dannevoux a large depot 

containing valuable military supplies was 

captured by the 33d Division.

(69.1 m 111.2 km) At next crest, the zone 

of action of the 33d Division on September 

26 is entered. The division established its 

line just to the left of this road before 

noon of that day.

(69.3 m 111.5 km) In the next little valley, 

after crossing the stone bridge, to the left

are seen (1937) several large concrete 

shelters built by the Germans. 

On October 7 a French airplane was 

shot down near here and crashed on the 

f lats across the river near the enemy 

lines. Seeing that the French aviator 

was injured, Corporal Ralyn Hill, 33d 

Division, voluntarily dashed over the river 

on a footbridge and carried the wounded 

man to this side under heavy hostile fire. 

For his gallant exploit he was awarded 

German Observation Post Captured by the

29th Division in the Bois de Consenvoye
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 263

later the Congressional Medal of Honor.

(70.4 m 113.3 km) About 1 mile farther 

on, at top of the hill to the right is seen a 

distant view of Montfaucon.

(70.9 m 114.1 km) Beyond next road 

junction, where a good view is obtained of 

the valley ahead, STOP.

Face down road, which direction is 

approximately southeast. 

The nearest town across the valley is 

Consenvoye. The first buildings seen up 

the valley beyond it are in Brabant.

In this region, the Meuse River is 

followed on its far side by a comparatively 

narrow and rough plateau, about 4 or 

5 miles wide, called the Heights of the 

Meuse. This forms a formidable military 

obstacle, being heavily wooded and 

indented by many deep valleys.

The German positions on those heights 

were not attacked on September 26, 

although the First Army contemplated 

that an advance would have to be made 

north along them in the near future.

This proved to be the case, because, 

as the offensive on this side of the river 

progressed, the hostile artillery fire 

from the heights seen to the left began to 

strike the f lank and rear of the advancing 

forces and inf licted many casualties. 

Consequently, the French XVII Corps, 

which was holding that part of the front 

just across the river, was ordered by the 

First Army to attack on October 8.

The operation was executed by the 

American 33d and 29th Divisions and 

three French divisions. The main assault 

was made by a brigade of the 29th attached 

to the French 18th Division, a brigade of 

the French 18th Division and the French 

26th Division, in line in that order from 

Brabant on to the observer’s left. The 

French 10th Colonial Division protected 

the right flank of the corps.

The 33d Division, which held this bank 

of the river from Brabant to the Bois de 

la Côte Lémont, recently passed on the 

tour, was to cross at Brabant after the 

main attack had progressed a certain 

distance. It was to be notified by the 

French 18th Division when to cross and 

after crossing it was to attack toward the 

Bois de Chaume, the wood seen fringing 

the summit of the hill to the left rear.

79th Division Water Service Train in Brabant-sur-Meuse, November 3, 1918
264 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION

The troops of the main attack jumped 

off at 5:00 a. m. behind an intense rolling 

barrage. The advance of the 29th Division 

was rapid for about a mile until its 

intermediate objective, marked roughly 

by an extension of the line from this point 

through the center of Consenvoye, was 

reached. From there on it was subjected 

to severe machine-gun fire, a large part of 

which came from the Bois de Consenvoye, 

the wedge-shaped wood seen over the 

left edge of Consenvoye. That wood was 

reached about noon and captured by the 

29th Division during the afternoon.

At 9:00 a. m. the 33d Division was 

ordered to cross the river and at 11:00 

a. m. it began its advance from Brabant. 

Consenvoye was captured about noon and 

a pause was made near there. The attack 

was continued soon after 4:00 p. m. against 

artillery and machine-gun fire. The most 

advanced part of the division line was 

he

d

k

Sivry-sur-Meuse

Consenvoye

Brabant-sur-Meuse

Haumont-prèsSamogneux

Bois

de

Chaume

Bois

de

Consenvoye

Richene

Hill

Borne de Cornouiller

Bois

d’Etraye

33d Division 29th Division

29th Div.

26th

Div.

Fr. 18th Div.

Heights

of

the

Meuse

Hill

360

Samogneux

Bois de la

Grande Montagne

Oct.

10–12

Oct. 8

(A.M.)

Oct. 8–9

Oct. 8

(A.M.)

XX

Jump-o

Line

attached to Fr 18th Div.

Oct. 8–29

XX

Oct. 8

Oct. 9

Oct. 13–21 (A.M.)

Oct. 16–21 (A.M.)Oct. 10–12

Oct. 16–30 (A.M.)

XX

Oct. 10–15 Oct. 15

Oct. 13–15

Oct. 8–9 Oct. 9

Oct. 10

Oct. 8 (A.M.)

X Oct. 8–10

Oct. 8

Oct. 9

Oct. 8

Oct. 9–10

Oct.

23–30 (A.M.)

11–16

XX

17–22

Oct. 23–24

XX

Oct. 25–29 XX

15–22

XX

XX23–26

18–22

Molleville

 Farm 10–14

11–14 11–17

(P.M.)

X

III

III

III

Oct. 10–11

Oct.

12–18 (A.M.)

10– 18 (A.M.)

Oct. 10 (A.M.)

27– 30(A.

M.)

Meuse

River

N

0 1000 2000 3000 Yards

Front Line Gap in Line Division Boundary

Brigade Boundary Regimental Boundary

XX

X III

Route, described in text

Stop, described in text

Ground Gained on Heights of the Meuse, October 8–30, 1918
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 265

established that night in a German trench 

which was located just to the observer’s 

right of the Bois de Chaume.

On October 9 the 33d Division attacked 

about 6:40 a. m. in a thick fog. It made an 

advance of about 11⁄2 miles, well beyond 

the Bois de Chaume, but withdrew that 

afternoon because the 29th Division, 

adjoining it, had not advanced and the 

German units had begun to work their way 

in behind its exposed f lank. These enemy 

units cut off and surrounded about 100 

American soldiers near the far edge of the 

Bois de Chaume, but the Americans held 

out and were rescued by the advancing 

troops during the next morning.

It was during this fighting on October 9 

that Private First Class Berger H. Loman, 

33d Division, won the Congressional 

Medal of Honor. When his company was 

approaching its objective under terrific 

hostile fire, Private Loman voluntarily 

and unaided made his way forward after 

all others had taken shelter from the direct 

fire of an enemy machine gun. He crawled 

to a position on the f lank of the gun and, 

after killing or capturing the entire crew, 

turned the machine gun and used it on the 

retreating German troops.

On this same day Private Felix Bird of 

the 33d Division advanced alone against 

a German dugout and captured 49 of the 

enemy, killing one officer who attempted 

to escape. For this courageous and gallant 

deed, Private Bird was awarded the 

Distinguished Service Cross.

The 33d Division attacked early on 

October 10 and by 10:00 a. m. had again 

captured the Bois de Chaume. On that 

day the 29th Division captured Richène 

Hill, the first wooded hill seen to the left 

of the wedge-shaped Bois de Consenvoye. 

The zone of action of the 29th Division is 

visited later in the tour and the fighting of 

that division is described in considerable 

detail at the next stop.

The 33d Division moved its front line a 

short distance to the rear on October 13 

to a better defensive location. On October 

16 it advanced the right of its line about 

1⁄2 mile in support of an attack by the 29th 

Division. This advance ended its active 

fighting on this front as it was relieved 

from the line on October 21.

EN ROUTE NORTHWEST OF CONSENVOYE 

TO NEAR MOLLEVILLE FARM

(71.4 m 114.9 km) At road junction 

opposite the village of Consenvoye, turn to 

the left and cross Meuse River valley.

Road Through Bois d’Etraye, Showing German Shelters, November 10, 1918

The described route passes over this route
(266)

Soon after its capture on October 8, 

this road was heavily camouf laged along 

its left side to conceal movements over it 

from German observation posts located 

on the high ridge to the left, 4 miles away. 

During the early morning of October 

8 the engineers, in spite of heavy hostile 

artillery fire, built a bridge over the river 

to the right of here upon which part of 

the division crossed about 4:30 in the 

afternoon to join in the attack.

(72.1 m 116.0 km) Continue on straight 

through the village of Consenvoye.

During the attack on Consenvoye on 

October 8 First Sergeant Johannes S. 

Anderson and Private Clayton K. Slack, 

33d Division, performed the acts for 

which they were awarded Congressional 

Medals of Honor. While his company was 

held up by intense artillery and machinegun fire, Sergeant Anderson, armed with 

a shotgun, voluntarily worked his way 

alone to the rear of the machine-gun 

nest that was offering the most stubborn 

resistance. Although his advance was 

made through an open area under 

constant hostile fire, he not only silenced 

the gun but captured it and brought back 

with him 23 prisoners. 

Private Slack, observing German soldiers 

under cover 50 yards away to his left flank, 

upon his own initiative rushed them with 

his rifle and singlehanded captured ten 

prisoners and two heavy machine guns, 

thus saving his company and its adjoining 

units from heavy casualties.

(72.5 m 116.7 km) Beyond town, about 

500 yards, a German bombproof shelter is 

seen (1937) just at the left of the road. 

In the attack on October 8 the 33d 

Division advanced across this road from 

right to left and established its front line 

in a German trench on the near slope of 

the hill seen across the valley.

(73.0 m 117.5 km) Beyond second left bend 

in road, by looking to the left rear down the 

valley is seen the village of Consenvoye 

and a large part of the ground beyond 

the river which was captured by the First 

Army on September 26. The American 

monument erected on Montfaucon is 

visible in the distance to the left on the 

sky line.

(73.8 m 118.8 km) The large wood seen 

ahead is the Bois de Consenvoye. The front 

line of the 29th Division was established 

on October 8 along the near edge of that 

part of it to the right of this road. It 

remained there throughout the next day.

Illustrates Character of Terrain Advanced Over by the American First Army

on September 26, 1918

German 21-Centimeter Howitzer Captured

by the 80th Division Near

Vaux-en-Dieulet on November 4, 1918
(267)

(74.2 m 119.4 km) While approaching 

the wood, to the left front the wooded hill 

nearest the road is Richène Hill which was 

pointed out at the last stop.

(74.4 m 119.7 km) After entering wood, 

to the right of the road was the scene on 

October 8 of the heroic deeds of Sergeant 

Earl D. Gregory, 29th Division. Sergeant 

Gregory seized a rif le and trench-mortar 

shell, which he used as a hand-grenade, 

advanced ahead of the infantry and 

captured a machine gun and three of the 

enemy. Advancing still farther on beyond 

the machine-gun nest, he captured a 

75-millimeter mountain howitzer and 

entering a dugout in its immediate 

vicinity he singlehandedly captured 19 of 

the enemy soldiers. For these acts of valor 

and outstanding gallantry he was awarded 

the Congressional Medal of Honor.

(75.1 m 120.9 km) Beyond next crossroads, 

where a good view is obtained of valley to 

the right front, STOP.

Face to the right, which direction is 

approximately south.

In the valley to the left front are seen the 

buildings of Molleville Farm.

Consult the map on page 264.

When the heights east of the Meuse were 

attacked on October 8, a brigade of the 

29th Division, operating with a French 

division, drove forward aggressively in 

this direction from a jump-off line about 

3 miles in front of here. Elements of the 

brigade reached the ravine seen beyond 

Molleville Farm on that day but, having 

no contact with the troops on their f lanks, 

they withdrew about 1 mile.

On October 9 the brigade repulsed a 

hostile attack and advanced its line in the 

woods in front of here and on October 10 

units of it reached the edge of this clearing 

to the right front.

It was during this fighting that Second 

Lieutenant Patrick Regan and Private 

First Class Henry G. Costin, 29th 

Division, won Congressional Medals of 

Honor. While leading his platoon against 

a strong enemy machine-gun nest which 

was holding up the advance, Lieutenant 

Regan divided his men into three groups, 

sending one group to each f lank, he 

himself attacking the nest from the front 

with an automatic rif le team to which 

Private Costin had been first to volunteer. 

Two of the team were killed outright, 

while Lieutenant Regan and Private 

Costin were seriously wounded, the latter 

Steel Observation Turrets at Fort Douaumont

Headquarters Constructed by the French

at Bras, Occupied by the 26th Division

October 18–November 11, 1918
268 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION

being unable to advance. In spite of his 

injury Lieutenant Regan dashed with 

empty pistol into the machine-gun nest, 

capturing 30 Austrian gunners and four 

machine guns, Private Costin continuing 

to fire his rif le in support until he 

collapsed. These gallant deeds permitted 

the advance to continue. Private Costin 

died as a result of his wounds but 

Lieutenant Regan gallantly continued to 

lead his platoon forward until ordered to 

the rear by his commanding officer.

Early on October 11 the 29th Division 

took command of the zone of action 

immediately in front of here. One brigade 

of it, however, still continued to operate 

with the French 18th Division.

On the 11th the 29th Division advanced 

its line in front of here to the far side of 

this clearing. It made three determined 

efforts to cross the clearing, each time 

being driven back by severe fire from 

Germans in trenches along this road.

The brigade of the 29th Division still 

with the French made several determined 

attacks on October 12 and succeeded in 

gaining a foothold in the Bois d’Ormont 

on Hill 360, the hill seen to the left front 

with the patch of wood on its summit.

On October 15, after a severe fight, the 

division finally captured this clearing 

and established its front line along this 

road to the left of here. The next day its 

attacks were continued and in spite of 

intense opposition the division pushed 

forward about 1⁄2 mile into the Bois de la 

Grande Montagne, the large wooded area 

immediately behind this point.

The brigade of the 29th with the French 

was returned to its own division on 

October 18, and on that day the relief of 

the French division to the observer’s left 

of the 29th was completed by units of the 

American 26th Division.

On October 23 the 26th and 29th 

Divisions attacked in the direction of the 

observer’s left and in a spirited assault 

advanced their lines about 3⁄4 mile, 

gaining all objectives. Several hostile 

counterattacks made during the afternoon 

and evening of that day were driven back.

The 26th Division made determined 

efforts to capture Hill 360 on each of the 

three days, October 24, 25 and 27, but no 

permanent gains resulted.

It was during the fighting on October 27 

that Private First Class Michael J. Perkins, 

26th Division, voluntarily and alone, 

Main Street in Ville-devant-Chaumont, November 1918
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 269

crawled to a German concrete machinegun emplacement from which grenades 

were being thrown at his platoon. Awaiting 

his opportunity, when the door of the 

emplacement was opened by a German to 

throw a grenade, Private Perkins threw a 

bomb inside which burst the door down. 

Then, drawing his trench knife, he rushed 

into the emplacement and in a hand-tohand struggle killed or wounded several of 

the occupants, captured about 25 prisoners 

and silenced seven machine guns. He was 

killed in the operations of that day but was 

posthumously awarded the Congressional 

Medal of Honor for the courageous feats 

recorded above.

The 29th Division after its hard fighting 

here was relieved from the line on October 

30 by the 79th Division.

On November 1 the 79th Division 

extended its sector to the observer’s left, 

as shown on the above sketch, so that it 

held a total frontage of about 4 miles.

The capture of Barricourt Heights by 

the First Army on November 1, and the 

resulting German withdrawal on the 

other side of the river, caused the Army 

to suspect a retirement was contemplated 

near here. Consequently, the 79th Division 

was ordered to test out the situation by 

sending out strong patrols near the Borne 

de Cornouiller, a high bald hill located 

about 1 mile to the right rear from here, 

recently pointed out from across the 

river. These patrols advanced early on 

November 3, and in severe fighting pushed 

the division line forward about 500 yards. 

During November 4 and 5 the 79th 

Division after further desperate fighting 

reached a line near the crest of the 

Borne de Cornouiller. This success and 

the progress made by other divisions to 

the north forced the German troops to 

withdraw from the heights in this vicinity.

A deep advance was made on November 

7 and the next day the division moved 

rapidly forward, toward the observer’s 

left, to the eastern edge of these heights. 

Ecurey

Réville

Etraye

Damvillers

Wavrille

Crépion

Villedevt.

Chaumont

Moirey

Chaumontdevt. Damvillers

Gibercy

Romagnesous-les-Côtes

Bois

de la

Grande

Montagne

French Troops

Nov. 8

Nov. 8

Nov. 7

French Troops

Nov. 5–6

Nov. 3

4

Nov. 7

Oct. 30–Nov.2 Oct. 30 Oct. 30–Nov. 7

Oct. 30– Nov. 1

(A.M.)

26th

Division

Nov. 1–8

Nov. 8

Nov. 1–7

Nov. 9–11

Nov. 9

Nov. 10

Nov. 9–11

Nov. 11 (A.M.)

Nov. 9–11

Hill 319

Côte

d’Orne

Côte de Morimont

Borne

de

Cornouiller

Bois

d’Etraye

Molleville Farm

XX

XX

XX XX

XX

XX XX

XX

XX

XX

XX

Côte de Rom agne

VERDUN TO

HINDENBURG LINE

N

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 Yards

Line of Relief Front Line Gap in Line XX Division Boundary

Route, described in text

Stop, described in text

79th Division, October 30–November 11, 1918
270 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION

Substantial daily gains were made 

thereafter until the Armistice on 

November 11. 

The total casualties of the 33d, 29th, 

79th and 26th Divisions during their 

fighting on and near the Heights of the 

Meuse were almost 15,000 officers and 

men.

Molleville Farm was the 79th Division 

Headquarters from November 9 to 11.

Beyond this clearing for about 3 miles 

the tour follows the direction of advance 

on this front during November 8 and 9.

EN ROU T E N E A R MOL L EV I L L E FA R M 

TO VERDUN

(75.2 m 121.0 km) To the right in the distance is 

seen the tower of the Ossuary of Douaumont, 

a French war memorial.

(76.2 m 122.6 km) After entering wood, the 

valley which the road follows was a concentration 

place for German reserve units. In the woods 

on both sides of the road were many elaborate 

shelters and dugouts, constructed by the 

Germans for the protection and comfort of the 

troops who were waiting to support the front 

line or to relieve units serving in it.

(77.7 m 125.0 km) Straight through next 

village, Etraye, which was 

captured by the 79th Division 

on November 8, and was just 

within its front line that night. 

From here to the next road 

junction, this road was close 

to the left boundary of the 

79th Division zone of action 

on November 9. A French 

division was adjoining it on 

the left.

(78.8 m 126.8 km) Just before 

reaching road junction, the 

second nose of heights seen to 

the left is near where the 32d 

Division entered the line on 

the afternoon of November 

9. That afternoon some of 

its units reached the main 

road running to the left from 

the village, Damvillers, seen 

to the left front. One of its 

regiments attacked from there 

in a heavy fog on the morning 

of November 10, advanced 

about 2 miles and when the fog 

lifted found itself isolated. It 

withdrew in good order to its 

jump-off line. The left of the 

division on that day pushed 

forward about 2 miles.

(79.0 m 127.1 km) At road 

junction, turn sharp right.

(79.6 m 128.1 km) The next 

town, Wavrille, was captured 

by the 79th Division about 

10:00 a. m. on November 9. 

The hostile resistance then 

270 AMERICAN OPERA

Substantial daily gains wer

after until the Armistice on N

The total casualties of th

79th and 26th Divisions duri

ing on and near the Heights 

were almost 15,000 ocers 

Molleville Farm was the 7

Headquarters from Novem

Beyond this clearing for a

the tour follows the directi

on this front during Novem

EN ROUTE NEAR MOLLEVILLE 

TO VERDUN

(75.2 m 121.0 km) To the 

Jametz

Brehéville

Lissey

Ecurey Peuvillers

Damvillers

5th Division

32d Division

French Troops

XXX

XXX

XXX

XX

XX

Bois

de

Jametz

Bois

de

Lissey

Nov. 9

Bois de Boémont

Nov. 10–11 (A.M.)

B Demange

N ov. 9–11 A( M. .)

Heights of the MeuseHeights of the Meuse

Nov. 9

French

Loison

R.

Loison

Creek

R

T

iver

heinte

N

0 1 2 Miles

Line of Relief Front Line Gap in Line

XXX Corps Boundary XX Division Boundary

32d Division, Nov. 9–11, 1918
(271)

stiffened and progress was difficult due mainly 

to hostile fire from the hills seen to the left. 

The division established its line that night to 

the left of this road and generally parallel to 

it. On the 10th it again pushed forward despite 

considerable opposition and at the time of the 

Armistice the soldiers of the division were 

fighting on the near slopes of the hills seen to 

the left.

(80.1 m 128.9 km) The bare hill seen to 

the left front was captured by the 79th 

Division early on November 10.

(81.0 m 130.4 km) The next town, Moirey, 

seen to the right near the road, was near 

the boundary between the 79th and 26th 

Divisions. It was entered by elements 

of both of those divisions during the 

morning of November 9.

(81.3 m 130.8 km) Soon after Moirey 

appears in view, alongside the road are 

seen (1937) two large reinforced concrete 

posts which were built by the Germans. 

Heavy chains suspended between them 

were intended to prevent the advance of 

armored cars along this road.

(82.0 m 132.0 km) The village seen to the 

left, part way up the hill, is Chaumontdevant-Damvillers. It was captured by the 

79th Division on November 10.

(82.8 m 133.2 km) Beyond Chaumont, 

take the first road to the right.

The tour now goes in a direction 

generally contrary to the direction of 

advance of the Army on this part of its 

front.

(83.4 m 134.2 km) Straight through 

the village of Ville-devant-Chaumont,

captured by the 26th Division late in the 

afternoon of November 10. 

(83.6 m 134.5 km) Upon leaving the 

village, to the left of the road is seen a 

German World War military cemetery.

(84.1 m 135.3 km) Beyond town, along the 

foot of the slopes seen to the right front, the 

26th Division was held up on November 9 by 

heavy machine-gun fire. The division dug 

in there that night, facing in this direction. 

Its front line by the time of the Armistice 

had been advanced across this road and was 

established along the slopes to the left of it.

(85.4 m 137.4 km) Near top of long hill, 

just beyond the road junction, was located 

the front line of the 26th Division, 

November 3–7, from which it advanced on 

the afternoon of November 8.

(85.5 m 137.6 km) At the right side of 

the road is seen a monument, surrounded 

by graves, commemorative of a heroic 

defense in 1916 by a French officer, 

Colonel Driant, and his unit.

 (85.8 m 138.1 km) While descending hill, 

to the left front are seen a small chapel 

and monument. These mark the site of the 

former village of Beaumont, which was 

completely destroyed during the severe 

fighting in 1916.

The battle line on September 26 was 

located just the other side of Beaumont. 

The attack in this region on October 8 was 

made from that line on a front of about 

4 miles extending from the vicinity of 

Beaumont to the Meuse River.

The tour now passes through one of the 

few remaining areas which give an idea 

of the devastation at the front during 

Near 79th Division Headquarters

at Vacherauville, October 31, 1918
272 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION

the war. To obtain a better picture of its 

wartime condition, this desolate country 

should be visualized as being devoid of all 

vegetation.

(89.9 m 144.7 km) In Vacherauville, the 

main road to Verdun is joined. This town 

was the 29th Division Headquarters, 

October 7–30, and 79th Division 

Headquarters, October 29–November 9.

The route leading east from the next town, 

Bras, shown in broken lines on the map at 

the end of the chapter, is a tour of the French 

forts near Verdun. It will take the visitor to 

the Trench of Bayonets, Fort Douaumont, 

the Ossuary of Douaumont and other places 

and monuments of general interest.

(90.9 m 146.3 km) At Bras, the next 

village, was located the 26th Division 

Headquarters, October 18–November 11.

(91.1 m 146.6 km) Beyond the town, on the 

right side of the road, is located a French 

World War military cemetery.

(94.9 m 152.7 km) Continue to Verdun. 

The mileage ends at the railroad station.

The city of Verdun was severely damaged 

by the German heavy artillery and by 

numerous air bombardments during the 

prolonged fighting in this vicinity.

Points of interest are the underground 

part of the citadel, the cathedral and 

house of the bishop, and the Hôtel-deVille (City Hall). The citadel is located 

on the western edge of the city. Its 

underground compartments served to 

house various French headquarters and 

thousands of reserves during the great 

battles near here in 1916–17. In the house 

of the bishop, which adjoins the cathedral, 

is a museum which contains battlefield 

souvenirs as well as ancient relics of the 

city. The cathedral and cloister, badly 

damaged during the war, are of interest. 

The Hôtel-de-Ville, located on Rue de 

l’Hôtel-de-Ville, contains an excellent 

museum, and in the building are the many 

beautiful tokens of esteem given to the 

city by various nations in appreciation of 

its heroic defense in 1916.

Gate at Verdun, Said to Have Been the Inspiration for the Insignia of the U. S. Corps of Engineers
THIS tour starts at the Meuse-Argonne 

American Cemetery near Romagne 

and ends at Verdun. It is about 93 miles 

(150 kilometers) long and can be completed 

within approximately eight hours. To save 

time lunch should be carried.

The greater part of the tour is in the area 

captured by the American First Army 

between November 1 and 11, 1918. It is 

recommended to persons who have been 

over the first day’s tour and to others who 

are especially interested in the last part of 

the Meuse-Argonne offensive.

The data given on pages 520–521 will be 

helpful to those following this tour.

In case the first day’s tour has not been 

followed, it is suggested that the tourist in 

going to the starting point of the second 

day’s tour follow the first day’ s tour from 

Verdun to Montfaucon and from there 

proceed via Nantillois and Cunel.

The narrative at the beginning of the 

chapter should be kept in mind, and the 

map facing page 326 should be consulted, 

so that the combat operations which took 

place in the region of this tour will be 

more clearly understood by the tourist.

Upon arriving at the Meuse-Argonne 

American Cemetery, go to chapel and 

read pages 248–253, giving information 

about the American fighting in the 

vicinity. If first day’s tour has not already 

been followed, read also pages 247–248 

which give a description of this cemetery.

When following this itinerary, unless 

contrary road instructions are given, the 

tourist should continue straight ahead.

EN ROUTE CHAPEL MEUSE-ARGONNE 

AMERICAN CEMETERY TO NORTH OF CUNEL

Speedometer distance is measured from 

the plaza immediately in front of the chapel.

(0.0 m 0.0 km) Leave the chapel and 

cemetery by the road to the right.

(0.6 m 1.0 km) Down the road, to the left of 

the next village, Cunel, is seen the Bois de 

la Pultière, an exceptionally strong point 

in the German defensive organization. It 

was taken on October 14 by the 3d and 5th 

Divisions after hard fighting.

(1.4 m 2.3 km) At the church in the village 

of Cunel turn to the left.

(1.6 m 2.6 km) Beyond town, by looking 

to the left, may be had a fine view of the 

exposed slopes and ridges over which 

the American troops advanced. The 

commanding situation of the many German 

machine-gun positions located near the 

edge of the Bois de la Pultière, which is seen 

to the right, is evident from there.

German Anti-Tank Gun in Firing Position, October 1918. © G

SECOND DAY’S TOUR OF THE AMERICAN

MEUSE-ARGONNE BATTLEFIELDS
274 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION

(2.4 m 3.9 km) Beyond the village 

cemetery, on the second crest, where a good 

panorama is obtained of the terrain to the 

front and right front, STOP.

The town ahead in the valley is 

Bantheville. The village marked by the 

scattered houses to the right of Bantheville 

and some distance from it is Andevanne.

Face Andevanne, the direction to which 

is approximately north.

Beyond Andevanne is Sedan, 25 miles 

from here, through which ran the lateral 

railroad which was the main goal of the 

American Meuse-Argonne offensive.

For dauntless courage and the overcoming 

of seemingly impossible obstacles, the 

fighting of the American soldier up to 

and immediately beyond this point is 

unsurpassed in the history of the war.

On the ridges behind here was located 

the famous Hindenburg Line, the German 

defensive position constructed with the 

hope that it would be impregnable. Along 

the heights in front of here was the German 

Freya position, planned with the idea that 

it would be held, in case portions of the 

Hindenburg Line were broken through, 

until those portions could be regained by 

counterattacks.

A glance at the landscape with its ridges, 

woods and open fields will give some idea 

of the difficulties which the American 

units had to overcome. Each patch of 

woods was skillfully organized as a strong 

point and numerous enemy machine guns 

in them and in other concealed positions 

often were not discovered until their fire 

started to cut down the advancing lines. 

The conduct of the American troops in 

overcoming the resistance in this vicinity 

and in forcing their way forward is beyond 

all praise.

If we consider with the above the fact 

that the Germans were using every energy 

and means at their command to check the 

advance on this front and thus protect 

their vital railroad at Sedan, the task 

performed by the American Army will be 

clearer and much better appreciated.

Positions in the woods near here 

frequently changed hands several times 

on the same day and the opposing lines 

at night were sometimes but a few yards 

apart. The situation was so balanced 

that a moment’s relaxation by either side 

risked immediate loss of men and ground.

e

Romagne Côte Dame Marie Côte de Châtillon Bantheville

Bois

de Bantheville

Panorama From Stop

90th Division Ration Party Going Forward

Through the Bois des Rappes, October 25, 1918
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 275

After the capture of Romagne, seen in the 

valley to the left, and Côte Dame Marie, the 

high wooded peak just beyond it, the 32d 

Division continued to advance until it had 

overrun most of the Bois de Bantheville, 

the large wood which covers the tops of 

the hills to the left and left front. The 89th 

Division relieved the 32d on October 20, 

on a line which included the wooded hill 

on the sky line seen just to the right of the 

church in Bantheville. It later succeeded in 

capturing the remainder of that wood and 

in advancing through it to near Le Grand 

Carré Farm, the group of buildings seen on 

the hill beyond the village of Bantheville.

The 5th Division after eight days 

of intense and bitter fighting finally 

completed, on October 21, the capture of 

the Bois des Rappes, the large wood which 

is seen just to the right of this road.

On October 23 the 90th Division, 

which had relieved the 5th Division on 

the preceding day, attacked from the 

ridge to the left rear and from the Bois 

de Bantheville, captured Bantheville and 

established itself beyond that town. The 

division front line on that night extended 

across the open fields from the Bois des 

Rappes to the end of the wood seen to the 

left of Le Grand Carré Farm.

The wooded ridges on the sky line to the 

left of Andevanne are Barricourt Heights, 

and the most prominent wooded hill seen 

some distance to the right of that village 

is Hill 343.

The Freya position in front of here ran 

along Barricourt Heights, passed through 

Andevanne, included Hill 343 and 

continued on through the Bois de Sassey, 

which is partially visible on the horizon 

beyond the Bois des Rappes.

The date f ixed by the First Ar my for 

the general assault against this strong 

Ger man line was November 1. The III, 

V and I Cor ps, in that order from right 

to left, were to take part in the attack. 

The V Cor ps, which was to make the 

main advance, was in the center of the 

Ar my zone of attack and had the 89th 

Division in line to the left of Le Grand 

Carré Far m, and the 2d Division on 

the far side of the 89th, with its front 

line just beyond Côte de Châtillon, the 

wooded hill seen to the left front in 

the distance peeping up over the Bois 

de Bantheville. The im mediate mission 

Bois de Bantheville Barricourt Heights

le Gd. Carré Farm Andevanne

Hill 343 Bois de Sassey

Bois des Rappes

Chassogne Farm

North of Cunel

Machine Gun Firing at German Plane Near Cunel, 

October 1918
276 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION

of the V Cor ps was to capture the 

dominating Barricourt Heights, the 

accomplishment of which was certain 

to cause the Ger mans on this front to 

retire in haste across the Meuse River 

toward Germany.

The III Corps, in front of and to the 

right of here, was to assist in the main 

attack and be ready to force its way over 

the Meuse River, which is about 31⁄2 miles 

away to the right and runs just the other 

side of the Bois de Sassey. In this corps, 

the 90th Division had the zone of attack 

immediately in front of here, and the 5th 

Division, which had reentered the line, 

the one beyond the Bois des Rappes.

The I Cor ps, on the left of the Ar my, 

was to cover the f lank of the V Cor ps 

and was given an objective in the right 

part of its zone of action which was 

about 4 miles in advance of its front 

line. 

After an extremely heavy artillery 

bombardment lasting two hours, the 

attack was launched on the morning of 

November 1. When the infantry jumped 

5th

ine,

.

my,

rps

ight

was

line.

lery

he at

ng of

mped

Fossé

Bar

Buzancy

Sivry-les-Buzancy

Bayonville

Landreville

Imécourt

Landres-etSt. Georges

Bantheville

Cunel

Aincreville

Babiémont

Rémonville

Villersdevt.

Dun

Barricourt

Nouart

Tailly

de

Bois

Côte de

Châtillon

Bois

de Bantheville

Bois des

Rappes

Bois de la

Pultière

le Grand Carré Farm

Chassogne

Farm

Hill

299

Hill 289

Hill 343

Andevanne

80th

Division

2d

Division

89 th

Division 90th

Division

I Corps

V Corps III Corps

Romagnesous-Montfaucon

Nov.

2

Nov. 2

Nov. 1

80th Division

Nov. 1 (A.M.)

Nov. 1 (A.M.)

Nov. 1

Nov. 1–2 Nov. 2

Nov. 2

Meuse-Argonne

American Cemetery

XX

XXX

XXX

XX

XX

XX

XXX

XXX

XXX

XX

XX

XXX

XX

XX

XX

FREYA

POSITION

Barricourt Heights

N

0 1 2 3 Miles

XXX XX

Jump-o Line Front Line Gap in Line

Corps Boundary Division Boundary

Stop, descibed in text

Route, descibed in text

Ground Gained Near Barricourt Heights, Nov.1–2, 1918
off at 5:30 a. m. all available artillery 

fire was concentrated in a rolling 

barrage about 1,100 yards in depth, 

which progressed immediately in front 

of the advancing lines. This intense and 

extremely effective fire and the severity of 

the infantry assault so overwhelmed the 

German defenders that the attack was a 

remarkable success from the outset.

The 2d and 89th Divisions, to the left 

of here, captured Barricourt Heights by 

early afternoon; while in front of here 

the 90th Division took Andevanne, the 

wooded ridge seen to the right of and 

beyond Andevanne, and Chassogne Farm, 

seen to the right front below the sky line. 

The fighting was severe but the dash of 

the American troops was irresistible. Hill 

343, an exceptionally strong position, 

held out until the afternoon of November 

2, when it was captured by soldiers of the 

90th Division after a bitter struggle.

The 5th Division swung toward the 

Meuse River during its advance and 

reached the banks of that stream to the 

right of the Bois de Sassey on November 

3; the same day the 90th Division reached 

the river by fighting its way forward 

through that dense wood.

The I Corps, on the left of the Army, 

which faced the unbroken Hindenburg 

Line on most of its front, met stubborn 

resistance during the first day of the 

attack but in spite of this drove forward 

an average distance of 3⁄4 mile. That night, 

due to the deep advance of the V Corps, 

the German troops in front of the I Corps 

retired and from then on its progress was 

exceptionally rapid.

The battle soon became a pursuit, the 

enemy fighting a delaying action. All 

American divisions pushed forward 

rapidly until they reached the Meuse 

River, which f lows obliquely across the 

direction of advance of the Army and 

passes through Sedan. From November 1 

German Machine Gun Unit Going Into Position. © G

German Artillery Being Hauled Into Position by Oxen, 1918. © G
278 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION

on the progress of the American Army was 

continuous until halted by the Armistice.

From here to Bar, which is 10 miles away 

to the left front, the described route runs 

generally northwest traversing in succession 

the zones of action of the American 90th, 

89th, 2d and 80th Divisions.

EN ROU T E NOR T H OF C U N EL TO 

HILL 289

(2.7 m 4.3 km) While descending hill, to 

the right in the valley is seen the village 

of Aincreville which was captured on 

October 30 by the 5th Division.

(2.8 m 4.5 km) The small wood which is 

seen just above Aincreville is the Bois de 

Babiémont. In spite of two determined 

assaults on November 1 the 5th Division 

was unable to take that wood until the 

morning of the next day.

(2.9 m 4.7 km) Before reaching railroad 

(which was not here in 1918) on right of 

road, is a 5th Division marker, one of 

many erected by that division after the 

Armistice on or near its battlefields.

(3.0 m 4.8 km) While crossing the 

railroad, to the right down the valley is 

seen an isolated bald-topped hill, called 

Côte St. Germain, which is situated on the 

other side of the Meuse River. That hill 

will be passed close up later in the tour.

(3.3 m 5.3 km) In Bantheville, where the 

road ends turn to the right; at road fork at 

edge of town, bear left.

After capturing Bantheville on October 

23, the 90th Division established its front 

line near the crest of the hill which is seen 

to the right of this road.

It is reported that on that hill a 90th 

Division soldier, of Italian descent, 

charged a machine-gun nest manned by 

six Germans. After killing three of the 

enemy he made prisoners of the others and 

marched them nearly 8 miles to division 

headquarters where, in broken English, 

he insisted upon telling the division 

commander about his experiences.

(4.6 m 7.2 km) Near top of hill, the wood 

seen ahead is the northern end of the Observation Balloon Hit by German Shells

Coming Down in Flames

The balloonists are descending by parachute Tender of an Observation Balloon Mounted with Two 

Machine Guns for Anti-Aircraft Defense
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 279

Bois de Bantheville. After its capture on 

October 22, the Germans bombarded it 

almost continuously with high explosive 

shells and mustard gas projectiles.

(4.6 m 7.4 km) At top of hill, to the 

right front is seen Le Grand Carré Farm,

captured on November 1 by the 90th 

Division; and beyond it to the right, Hill 

343, taken by that division the next day.

(5.1 m 8.2 km) At the road fork in the next 

valley, bear right and STOP near the road 

junction without leaving automobile.

Note the wartime condition of this 

valley as shown by the above photograph 

taken after the American advance. In the 

photograph the road climbing the hill is 

the one the tourist has just descended.

This road junction was on the First 

Army jump-off line of November 1 and 

also was on the boundary line between the 

zones of the 89th and 90th Divisions.

It was to the left of here that on October 

31 Private First Class Charles D. Barger 

and Private Jesse N. Funk, 89th Division, 

upon their own initiative, made two trips 

as stretcher bearers 500 yards beyond 

the American lines, which were then 

along the edge of the wood to the left 

rear, under continuous machine-gun fire 

and rescued two wounded officers. For 

conspicuous gallantry and utter disregard 

for their own safety while performing this 

deed of mercy these men were awarded 

Congressional Medals of Honor.

In the wood seen on the hill ahead 

occurred the heroic act of First Lieutenant 

Harold A. Furlong, 89th Division, which 

is illustrative of the many individual feats 

of bravery performed by the American 

soldiers during the November 1 attack. 

In this wood Lieutenant Furlong, finding 

his company held up on that morning by 

withering machine-gun fire which killed 

his company commander, moved out alone 

and worked his way into the German 

position. He succeeded in getting behind 

the line of machine guns and closed in on 

them one at a time, killing a number of the 

enemy with his rifle, putting four machinegun nests out of action, and driving 20 

German prisoners into the American 

lines. For his exceptional daring this 

courageous officer was later awarded the 

Congressional Medal of Honor.

Road Between Bantheville and Rémonville, November 1918

This road is passed over on the described tour
280 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION

(5.6 m 9.0 km) Continue to the top of the 

next crest, where a few buildings can be 

seen to the left front in the valley, STOP 

without leaving the automobile.

The above panorama is from this point.

The nearest buildings are those of La 

Dhuy Farm. To the right of them in the 

valley can be seen a few houses of the 

village of Landres-et-St. Georges.

At this point can be obtained a good 

view of a large part of the jump-off line of 

the First Army on November 1.

From the road junction just passed, the 

line followed the edge of the large wood, 

seen to the left across the valley, and 

included Côte de Châtillon, the nearest 

prominent wooded hill seen to the left. 

From there it ran approximately parallel 

to this road and included St. Juvin, which 

can be seen at the foot of the wooded 

heights on the sky line to the right of and 

beyond the buildings of La Dhuy Farm. 

From St. Juvin it continued on for about 

4 miles and joined the French line near 

the edge of the wooded heights on the sky 

line, which to the left of St. Juvin are the 

Argonne Forest and to the right of that 

town are the Bois de Bourgogne.

The 89th Division jumped off from the 

line to the left of here. The center of its 

zone of action passed through the wood 

seen down the road ahead. The 2d Division 

started from Côte de Châtillon and beyond. 

Landres-et-St. Georges was near the center 

of its zone of action. These divisions, which 

had fought side by side in the St. Mihiel 

offensive, were the assault divisions of the 

V Corps which was expected to make the 

h

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Bois de Bantheville

Panorama From Stop

American Tanks Beside a Machine-Gun Nest Which They Put out of Action on

November 1, 1918, South of Bayonville
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 281

greatest initial penetration of the corps on 

the Army front.

The 80th Division was beyond the 2d; 

the line of the 77th included St. Juvin, 

which was near the center of its sector; 

and the 78th was still farther on, the near 

edge of the wooded heights being the far 

boundary of its prescribed zone of attack.

Continue.

(6.6 m 10.6 km) While approaching the 

next village, Rémonville, beyond it to the 

right and left are seen Barricourt Heights, 

the first main objective of the American 

Army in its November 1 attack. Hill 299, 

seen beyond the town, was in the zone of 

action of the 2d Division. Rémonville and 

the heights to the right of Hill 299 were in 

that of the 89th Division.

The natural defensive strength of the 

German Freya position, which ran along 

those heights, is evident from here. Note 

the steep exposed slopes up which the 

American troops had to advance and the 

woods along the tops of the hills which 

afforded the enemy good concealment and 

excellent protection for his troops.

Near this road on November 1, Sergeant 

Arthur J. Forrest, 89th Division, won the 

Congressional Medal of Honor. When 

the advance of his company was held up 

by fire from a nest of six enemy machine 

guns, Sergeant Forrest worked his way 

alone to a point within 50 yards of the 

machine-gun nest. Charging the nest 

singlehanded, he drove the enemy out in 

disorder, killing one with the butt of his 

rif le. This gallant exploit permitted the 

advance of his company to continue.

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Bois de Hazois

Landres-etSt. Georges

St. Juvin

la Dhuy Farm

Côte de Châtillon Cornay

North of Bois de Bantheville

Rémonville Soon After Its Capture by the 89th Division on

November 1, 1918
Reloading Artillery Ammunition in Rémonville, November 2, 1918

80th Division Troops Passing Through Imécourt, November 3, 1918
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 283

(7.3 m 11.7 km) In the village of 

Rémonville, at the place where the road 

ends, turn to the left; at the far edge of the 

village, turn to the right.

(7.5 m 12.1 km) A short distance beyond 

town the zone of action of the 2d Division 

during the advance is entered.

(7.7 m 12.4 km) While ascending hill, to 

the left in the valley is seen Landreville, 

where the 2d Division about 9:00 a. m. on 

November 1 encountered strong resistance 

from numerous machine guns. These guns 

were finally overcome and the advance 

was continued on over this hill.

(8.7 m 14.0 km) While approaching the 

next village, Bayonville, to the right are 

seen the wooded heights upon which 

the 2d Division established its lines on 

the afternoon of November 1. The 89th 

was abreast of the 2d on its right. On 

November 2 the 89th Division advanced 

the right of its line about 2 miles farther.

(8.9 m 14.3 km) At entrance to village, 

take the road to the right and continue 

through town toward Buzancy.

Bayonville was captured in the morning 

of November 1 by the 2d Division.

(9.3 m 15.0 km) Beyond town, while 

ascending hill, to the left in the valley is 

seen Imécourt which was captured about 

11: 00 o’clock in the morning of November 

1 by the 80th Division, after which a 

severe counterattack against the troops in 

the village was repulsed.

(10.1 m 16.3 km) Beyond next high crest, 

continue 80 yards, then STOP.

German Warning Against Airplanes at Bayonville
284 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION

The large tree on this crest (1937) can be 

seen from the monument on Montfaucon 

and is a conspicuous landmark from many 

other places in this region.

Face down the road, which at this place 

runs approximately northwest.

This point is on Hill 289 and was near 

the boundary line between the zones of 

action of the 2d and 80th Divisions.

The tour has just entered the area 

captured by the I Corps, the left corps of 

the First Army in its November offensive. 

The other boundary of its zone of action 

ran close to the far edge of the Bois de 

Bourgogne, the large wooded area seen on 

the sky line to the left and left front.

The I Corps objective during the 

November 1 attack was a line running near 

Verpel, the second village seen to the left.

On the first day of the attack the I Corps 

met great resistance at the Hindenburg 

Line and the progress of its units was slow, 

except for the right of the 80th Division 

which captured the small wooded areas 

on this slope, including those seen in the 

foreground to the right front. The front 

line of the division that night ran from 

near here to the left rear for approximately 

4 miles, almost parallel to the direction of 

advance of the Army.

On November 2, due to the withdrawal 

of the Germans on the previous night, the 

progress in the I Corps was rapid and by 

that evening all its divisions had reached 

a line beyond this point, the 80th Division 

having captured the bald-topped hill seen 

 Stop

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Bois des Loges Verpel

Sivry-les-Buzancy

Bois de Bourgogne Briquenay

Thénorgues

Panorama From Stop

German Artillery Position Near Landreville Soon After Its Capture
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 285

to the left front, and the right of the 77th 

being abreast of it. The left of the 77th 

Division was to the observer’s right of 

Thénorgues, the first village seen to the 

left front over the ridge, and the 78th 

Division was to the right of Briquenay, 

the village seen beyond Thénorgues.

The nearest town seen to the left is Sivryles-Buzancy, captured by the 80th Division 

on November 2. The town just beyond it is 

Verpel, occupied by the 77th Division the 

same day. The towns seen beyond Verpel, 

near the foot of the wooded heights, were 

in the zone of action of the 78th Division, 

which had been held up on November 1 

in front of the Bois des Loges, the first 

prominent wooded hill seen to the left of 

and beyond Verpel. That wood was one 

of the strongest points of the Hindenburg 

Line and proved impossible to capture by 

direct assault. It was occupied early in the 

morning of November 2 by the American 

soldiers after the German troops had been 

withdrawn.

EN ROUTE HILL 280 TO NORTH OF BAR

(11.0 m 17.7 km) While approaching the 

next town, Buzancy, to the right across 

the valley are seen the heights to which 

the Germans withdrew their main forces 

on the night of November 1–2. The 80th 

Division, on November 2, established its 

lines to the right in the valley at the foot 

of this hill, facing the German position.

(11.3 m 18.2 km) Before entering town, a 

German military cemetery is passed.

on Hill 289

German Prisoners Captured by the 2d Division
American Infantry Passing Through Buzancy, November 3, 1918
(287)

Buzancy was formerly a fortified town. 

In the War of 1870 between Prussia and 

France cavalry fighting took place near it.

(11.9 m 19.2 km) After entering town, note 

that many of the walls and buildings on 

the right side of the street are still (1937) 

marked by rif le and machine-gun bullets 

from the fighting in the vicinity.

(12.3 m 19.8 km) In center of Buzancy, 

bear right; pass church, then bear left. This 

town was captured by the 80th Division 

early on the afternoon of November 2 

after brisk fighting. Shortly thereafter 

it was under heavy hostile artillery and 

machine-gun fire, and in flames.

After the Americans had advanced beyond 

it, the only roads available for the 77th and 

80th Divisions passed through Buzancy. 

Knowing that these would be crowded, the 

Germans shelled and bombed the crossroads 

in town for several days, thus making the 

movement of troops and supplies through this 

village a hazardous and difficult undertaking.

Buzancy was the 80th Division Headquarters 

during the period November 4–7.

(13.0 m 20.9 km) At the near edge of the 

next village, Bar, the zone of action of the 

17th Division is entered.

(13.2 m 21.2 km) Pass through Bar, which 

was captured during the afternoon of 

November 2 by the 77th Division.

Troops West of Bar, Compelled to Pass Around 

Bridge Being Repaired, November 3, 1918 Below: At Bar, November 4, 1918; Engineer soldier having

fun with passing troops over the name of the town
288 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION

(13.5 m 21.7 km) Beyond the town, at the 

first road crossing, turn to the right.

(14.0 m 22.5 km) Just before reaching the 

first LEFT bend in the road, STOP.

To the right rear in the valley is Bar.

Face just to the right of Bar, which 

direction is approximately south.

To the left front is Buzancy. Beyond 

and to the left of it, the most prominent 

wooded hill is Hill 289, which was the last 

stop on this tour. To the left of it, in the 

distance, there is visible the near end of 

the wooded Barricourt Heights.

When the Germans facing the I Corps 

withdrew during the night of November 

1–2, they established new temporary 

positions on these slopes with their front 

line running close to this point. Machine 

gun units and detachments of other 

troops had been left behind to delay the 

American advance as much as possible.

Overcoming the resistance on their 

front in sharp fighting in the morning, the 

divisions of the I Corps advanced rapidly. 

The 80th and 77th Divisions reached the 

wide valley in front of here during the 

afternoon and established positions on 

this side of it. The 80th Division front 

line ran from near Bar to the observer’s 

left for about 21⁄2 miles. Part of the 77th 

Division was at the foot of these slopes, 

its line including Bar. The rest of that 

division was just this side of Thénorgues, 

the village seen directly ahead in the 

distance. The valley between here and 

there was in many places knee deep in 

water and impassable. The front line 

of the 78th Division was located to the 

observer’s right of and some distance on 

this side of the village of Thénorgues.

On November 3 the German positions 

here were attacked and carried by the 

American troops, the main enemy forces 

having retired during the night. This 

procedure—in which the Germans retired 

their main forces to a new position at 

night but left machine gun units scattered 

in strong defensive positions to hinder 

pursuit, and in which the Americans 

advanced the next day, overcame the 

determined machine gun resistance and 

fought their way forward toward the new 

position until stopped in front of it—was 

repeated almost daily until November 7 

at which time all German troops on the 

First Army front had been withdrawn to 

the east of the Meuse River.

The village of Fossé, seen on top of the 

hill to the left rear, was near the boundary 

line between the 2d and 80th Divisions. It 

was taken by troops of the 2d Division 

about 6:00 a. m. on November 3.

The village seen on the sky line to 

the right is Belleville-sur-Bar. On the 

hillside some distance to the left of it is 

seen Boult-aux-Bois, near which, on the 

morning of November 3, the 78th Division 

joined with a unit of the French Fourth 

ma From

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Fossé Barricourt Heights Buzancy

Hill 289

Bar Thénorgues

Panorama From

American 34-Centimeter Gun on Railroad Mount
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 289

Army which had advanced on the far side 

of the Bois de Bourgogne, thus pinching 

out that strong defensive feature.

The first town, Autruche, seen to the 

right rear, was taken by the 77th Division 

about noon on November 3. The village 

seen beyond it, Authe, had been occupied 

just before noon by the 78th Division.

To the right of Autruche, on the sky line, 

is seen a patch of woods which marks the 

ridge just beyond the village of Verrières. 

After a sharp fight that town was captured 

by the 78th Division about 5:00 p.m. on 

November 3. The troops of the division 

then established their front line on the 

ridge located beyond the town.

For the next 10 miles the tour goes with 

the direction of advance of the American 

First Army and passes over territory 

captured by the 80th and 2d Divisions.

EN ROUTE NEAR BAR TO SOUTH

OF BEAUMONT

(14.5 m 23.3 km) Beyond next crest to the 

right front is seen the valley up which the 

80th Division advanced on November 3. 

Strong resistance was encountered near 

the upper part of that valley.

(15.0 m 24.1 km) At the first road fork, 

keep to the right.

(15.4 m 24.8 km) At first crest, to the 

left front in the distance is seen the high 

wooded hill, Mont du Cygne, taken 

by the 77th Division on November 5. 

Montfaucon, 16 miles away, can be seen 

in the distance to the right on the sky line.

(17.1 m 27.5 km) Beyond first sharp 

S-bend in road, on the next crest the 80th 

Division line of November 3 crossed this 

road approximately at right angles to it.

(17.3 m 27.8 km) At next main road 

fork, turn to the right and descend toward 

Vaux-en-Dieulet, which is seen ahead in 

the valley. That town was captured on 

November 4 by the 80th Division.

(17.5 m 28.2 km) While descending hill, 

to the right front is seen a large high hill, 

Hill 308, fire from which stopped the 

advance of the right f lank units of the 

80th Division on November 3.

(18.1 m 29.1 km) In Vaux-en-Dieulet, at 

the church, bear to the left.

(18.4 m 29.6 km) At road junction beyond 

the town, bear to the right.

(19.0 m 30.6 km) Where large hill 

descends to road, the zone of action of the 

2d Division and V Corps is again entered.

(19.6 m 31.5 km) Just before reaching the 

first road junction, STOP without leaving 

the automobile.

The large buildings seen to the right up 

the valley are those of Château de Belval, 

captured by the 2d Division before 9:00 

a. m. on November 3. The progress of the 

units of the division was then stopped by 

heavy fire from the woods which are seen 

ahead and to the left of this road.

The infantry regiments of the division (it 

Bois de Bourgogne Boult-aux-Bois

Belleville-sur-Bar

Autruche

Authe

Stop Near Bar

German Monument to Their Dead

in the Operations Near Beaumont in 1870
American and French Soldiers After Meeting at Boult-aux-Bois, November 3, 1918
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 291

had two regiments of infantry and two of 

marines) were ordered to make a vigorous 

advance that evening. Soon after dark 

these regiments started forward in column 

in advance-guard formation, led by 

German-speaking soldiers, with the high 

ground near Beaumont, about 3 miles to 

the left front, as their goal. After breaking 

through the hostile front line, the two 

regiments, with a battalion of marines 

between them, moved forward rapidly; 

and as the night was extremely dark 

the marching troops passed practically 

unnoticed. Such resistance as was met 

was eliminated as quietly as possible by 

having the head of the column stop while 

detachments from the rear worked their 

way around the f lanks of the opposing 

units and overcame them. Hostile artillery 

that was seen firing from the woods at 

objectives within the American lines was 

left unmolested so as not to alarm the 

enemy as its capture would be assured by 

the success of the march.

Continue.

(19.6 m 31.5 km) At the road junction, 

turn sharp left toward Beaumont.

(20.7 m 33.3 km) After entering wood, at 

road junction where road bends sharply to 

left, the tour joins the route followed by 

the units of the 2d Division at the time of 

their daring night maneuver.

(20.9 m 33.6 km) The first group of 

buildings is La Forge Farm. When the 2d 

Division column reached here the farm 

was full of sleeping Germans who were 

captured without difficulty and sent to 

the rear under a strong guard.

(21.1 m 34.0 km) Just beyond the farm,

the American troops routed a hostile 

battalion engaged in digging trenches.

A short distance farther on, an enemy 

machine gun company that had halted 

along the road was captured.

(23.1 m 37.2 km) Beyond the wood, at the 

first group of buildings, La Tuilerie Farm,

approximately 40 German soldiers were 

surprised and made prisoners. 

The monument across the road from this 

farm is a monument in commemoration of 

German dead in the War of 1870.

(23.5 m 37.8 km) Continue beyond the 

next buildings, which are La Petite Forêt 

Farm, about 300 yards, then STOP.

Emerging from the woods in rear of here 

shortly after midnight, the 2d Division 

column deployed, at right angles to this 

road, on a line passing near this point. 

The units of the column were then about 

4 miles ahead of the adjoining divisions.

It is an interesting fact that the route 

taken by the 2d Division coincided with 

that used by the Germans on August 30, 

1870, when they surprised and defeated the 

French who were camped near Beaumont. 

The German monuments located near La 

Tuilerie Farm and the village of Beaumont 

commemorate that operation.

Interior of Beaumont Church
292 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION

Face down the road, which direction at 

this point is approximately northeast.

The Meuse River is only 2 miles away; the 

wooded hill which is seen straight ahead 

on the sky line is on the other side of it.

Shortly before noon on November 4 the 

2d Division attacked from its line near 

here toward Beaumont, whose church is 

seen in the valley to the left front. Intense 

hostile fire was immediately encountered 

from the front and f lanks and after heavy 

losses the attempt to advance was given 

up. The division front line was then 

established across this road about 100 

yards ahead, and along this side of the 

ridge seen to the right front.

By the evening of November 4 the 80th 

Division had established itself along the 

edge of the large wood partially seen to 

the left rear, and the 89th Division, to 

the right of here, had come up abreast 

of the 2d Division. There were, however, 

wide gaps in the front line in the intervals 

between the zones of these three divisions.

On the next day the 89th and 2d 

Divisions advanced to the bluffs of the 

Meuse, the 89th Division occupying the 

Forêt de Jaulnay, the large wood seen on 

the horizon to the right front, while the 2d 

Division moved to the top of the wooded 

hill which is seen almost directly ahead.

Beaumont was mopped up about dawn 

on November 5 by troops of the 2d and 

80th Divisions. The 80th Division front 

line that night ran from near Beaumont 

to the vicinity of the buildings, La 

Thibaudine Farm, seen to the left in the 

trees on top of the hill across the valley. 

 Stop

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 Farm

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Farm

Panorama From Stop

42d Division Troops Resting in Front of Cheveuges, Near Sedan, November 7, 1918
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 293

The farm seen to the left front across the 

valley is La Harnoterie Farm, occupied by 

the 80th Division early on the 6th.

About dawn on November 6 the 1st 

Division relieved the 80th Division and 

during the morning advanced to the 

Meuse River. At approximately 7:30 in the 

evening it moved toward Sedan, 10 miles 

away to the left front. The 2d Division 

took over the zone thus vacated.

EN ROU T E SOU T H OF BE AU MON T TO 

NORTH OF PONT-M AUGIS

(23.5 m 37.8 km) Fifty yards farther on, to 

the right of the road is seen a 2d Division 

boulder marker, one of many erected by 

that division on its former battlefields.

(24.4 m 39.3 km) At the near edge of the 

village of Beaumont, turn to the left.

(24.7 m 39.8 km) Near the center of the 

village, beyond the church, bear left.

The tour has now turned west, away 

from the Meuse River, and for 4 miles 

runs about at right angles to the direction 

of advance of the First Army.

(24.9 m 40.1 km) At the far edge of town,

the zone of action of the 80th Division 

during the advance is again entered.

(25.6 m 41.2 km) At top of next high hill 

to the left rear across the valley is seen La 

Petite Forêt Farm, which is situated in the 

vicinity of the last stop.

To the right front near the edge of the 

nearest wood, the buildings barely visible 

because of the trees are those of La 

Harnoterie Farm. Machine-gun fire from 

that farm on the afternoon of November 5 

stopped the advance of the 80th Division.

German Monument Forêt de Jaulnay

2d Division

Marker

South of Beaumont

German Infantry Firing With Telescopic Sights, November 1918. © G
294 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION

From this crest on for about 21⁄2 miles the 

front line of the 80th Division, which had 

been advanced from the left on November 

5, was close to this road.

(26.5 m 42.6 km) The buildings passed 

next are those of La Thibaudine Farm, 

which was captured by the 80th Division 

during its advance on November 5.

(27.6 m 44.4 km) At next group of 

buildings, there is seen straight down the 

road a high prominent ridge upon which 

is the village of Stonne, captured on 

November 5 by the 77th Division.

The 42d Division, which relieved the 78th 

Division on November 5, had advanced by 

evening so that its front line was about in 

prolongation of this road on the other side 

of the village of Stonne.

(28.8 m 46.3 km) At the next crossroad, 

turn to the right.

From here until the Meuse River is 

reached the tour follows along the zone of 

action of the 77th Division.

(29.5 m 47.5 km) The next village, 

La Besace, was captured by the 77th 

Division on November 5. The division met 

determined resistance just beyond town 

which could not be overcome during that 

day. On the next day, however, its advance 

units moved rapidly forward to the Meuse 

River, 53⁄4 miles away.

(31.2 m 50.2 km) About 13⁄4 miles farther 

on, at sharp S-bend in road, to the right 

up the valley is seen Flaba near which the 

77th Division encountered machine-gun 

resistance on the morning of November 6. 

It also met with resistance on the slopes 

seen to the left of this road.

(32.7 m 52.6 km) Continue through 

Raucourt, captured about 2:10 p. m. on 

November 6 by the 77th Division.

The boundary between the 42d and 77th 

Divisions during the advance was just 

beyond the small stream in the valley 

which the tour is now following.

It is reported that the inhabitants of 

some of the towns displayed white f lags at 

the approach of the American forces, to 

prevent the advancing troops from firing 

on places which were not defended by 

77th Division Anti-Aircraft Post at Raucourt, November 10, 1918
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 295

German soldiers. As the advance guards 

entered the villages, the joy of the people 

at being liberated after four years of 

German occupation knew no bounds.

(34.2 m 55.0 km) The next village, 

Haraucourt, was entered at about the 

same time on November 6 by units of both 

the 42d and 77th Divisions.

(34.9 m 56.2 km) Beyond town, at first 

high crest, the hills seen down the valley 

are on the far side of the Meuse River. The 

line of the 42d Division on November 6 

ran to the left up the slopes seen across 

the valley, it having advanced from near 

Stonne, recently pointed out, on that day.

(35.6 m 57.3 km) Continue through 

Angecourt, captured during November 6 

by the troops of the 77th Division.

(36.4 m 58.6 km) Beyond the town of 

Angecourt to the left on the crest of the 

high hill was where part of the front line 

of the 42d Division was located during the 

period from November 7 to 9.

(36.5 m 58.7 km) Just before reaching 

next town, Remilly-sur-Meuse, to the left 

front is seen the city of Sedan.

(36.8 m 59.2 km) Remilly, which is on 

the Meuse River, was occupied about 

4:30 on the afternoon of November 6 by a 

battalion from the 77th Division.

(37.0 m 59.5 km) At the far side of 

Remilly-sur-Meuse, turn to the left.

(38.3 m 61.6 km) While approaching first 

bend in road, to the right front is seen the 

steel bridge over which the Metz–Sedan–

Mézières railway crosses the Meuse River. 

The cutting of this railroad was the main 

objective of the American First Army 

in the Meuse-Argonne offensive. As 

soon as the advancing troops reached a 

French Peasants Expressing Their Joy at Liberation by the Americans, November 6, 1918
Donchery

Torcy Sedan

Balan

Douzy

Bazeilles

Ossuary

Wadelincourt

Frénois

Villers-sur-Bar

French

Fourth

Army

Cheveuges Noyers

Pont-Maugis

PetitRemilly

 Remillysur-Meuse

Aillicourt

Thélonne

Chaumont

Coulan Farm

St. Aignan

Chéhéry

Bulson

Angecourt

le Chesne

Farm Beau Menil

Farm

St. Quentin

Farm

Hill 346

Hill 307

Hill

252

Hill

334

XXXX

GERMAN

BRIDGEHEAD

Nov. 7

Company A,

1st Engineers

Nov. 7 (P.M.)

STEEL

BRIDGE

16th Inf.

on march

Nov. 6

307th Inf.

Nov. 6

Nov. 7

Nov.

7 167th Inf.

16th

Inf.

167th Inf.

Inf.

POSITION

165th

6

Inf.

Nov.

Inf.

Inf.

166th

28th

Nov. 7 (P.M.)

26th Inf.

18th Inf.

Nov.

6

16th

Nov. 6

Inf.

16th Inf.

168th

XX

Nov. 6–7

Nov.

6

77th

 Div.

Div. 42d

XXXX

Nov. 6–7

Nov. 7

Nov. 6

Bar River

Meuse

River

Meuse

River

River

Chiers

River

Bar

METZ-SEDAN-MÉZIÈRES R.R.

CANAL

N

0 1000 2000 4000 3000 Yds.

XXXX XX Front Line Gap in Line Army Boundary Division Boundary

Path of Advance Regiment 1st Div.

Path of Advance Regiment 42d Div.

Stop, described in text

Route described in text

Operations of 1st, 42d and 77th Divisions Near Sedan, November 6

–7, 1918
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 297

point from which long-range guns could 

fire on the railway, it was subjected to 

periodic bombardments by American 

artillery in order to prevent traffic over 

it. When on the morning of November 7, 

American units captured a commanding 

position on the hills to the left of this 

road, the great value of this railroad to 

the German Army was destroyed. It is a 

striking coincidence that on this same day 

the German representatives crossed the 

battle line to ask the Allied Commanderin-Chief to grant an immediate armistice.

(38.7 m 62.3 km) Beyond the bend, along 

the left side of this road overlooking the 

bridge was the location during November 

7 of the battle position of one regiment of 

the 42d Division.

(39.6 m 63.7 km) Beyond next village, 

Pont-Maugis, at the bottom of the first 

little valley running to the left, STOP.

Face to the left front, which direction is 

approximately west.

The large city which is seen to the right 

about 2 miles down the river is Sedan.

During the night of November 6–7 

the Germans established a bridgehead 

position to protect Sedan. It ran from 

Pont-Maugis, just passed through, 

included Noyers, the village which can be 

seen to the left up the valley, and extended, 

in the direction the reader is facing, from 

there on over the hill beyond Noyers. (See 

the sketch on the opposite page.)

On the afternoon of November 5 the I 

Corps was directed to capture Sedan, 

assisted on its right by the V Corps. As a 

result of a misconception in the V Corps 

of the exact intent of the orders, the 1st 

Division crossed the zone of action of the 

77th Division and entered that of the 42d 

Division. This resulted in both the 1st and 

42d Divisions operating in this general 

region on November 6 and 7.

Before daylight on November 7 a 

column of troops of the 1st Division 

captured a German wagon train in PontMaugis, partially mopped up the town in 

hand-to-hand fighting and then moved 

up a little valley towards Thélonne, not 

visible, about a mile to the left over the 

hill. En route there it suffered heavily 

1st Division Troops Advancing Through Thélonne Under Machine-Gun Fire, November 7, 1918
298 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION

from fire from that hill, from across the 

Meuse River and from the south, but most 

of the column succeeded in joining other 

troops of its division near Thélonne. 

Pont-Maugis was reentered by German 

troops but was retaken again about 2:00 

o’clock in the afternoon by an engineer 

company of the 1st Division.

During the morning of November 7 the 

1st and 42d Divisions attacked the German 

bridgehead positions on the hills to the front 

and left of here. After intense fighting, they 

succeeded in capturing these positions shortly 

after midday, and forced the German troops 

to retire still closer to Sedan. The American 

front line was then established on the Sedan 

side of Hill 252, seen to the front, after which 

patrols of the 42d Division advanced to 

within 100 yards of Wadelincourt, the next 

village down the road.

The French desired, probably for sentimental 

reasons, to be the first to enter Sedan; so during 

the night of November 7–8 the positions on the 

hills in front of here were turned over to them. 

The left boundary of the First Army was at 

that time changed by the Allied Commanderin-Chief so that it ran in a northeasterly 

direction passing near Pont-Maugis.

The efforts of the American First Army 

were then directed toward forcing the 

Germans back from the Meuse River, 

in rear of here, preparatory to a general 

offensive in the direction of the town of 

Longwy and the Briey iron mines.

In Sedan the tour changes direction and 

follows the other side of the Meuse River valley 

back to Verdun. The American operations 

described from now on are mainly efforts to 

cross the valley. A general idea of the size and 

character of the Meuse River may be obtained 

at this stop. It should also be noted that for 

a large part of the way there is a canal in the 

valley and that during the time of the American 

operations the valley was in places flooded by 

the autumn rains and by obstructions in the 

river. The crossing of such a valley in the face 

of an energetic enemy could, of course, only be 

accomplished by surprise and with a superior 

concentration of forces.

EN ROU T E P ON T-M AUGIS TO N E A R 

MOULINS

(40.0 m 64.4 km) A short distance farther 

on, to the left of the road is seen a 1st 

Division monument upon which is a list 

of its dead in the fighting in this region.

Railway Station at Sedan
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 299

(40.6 m 65.3 km) Continue on main road 

through the village of Wadelincourt.

(41.4 m 66.6 km) In Sedan, at the railroad 

station turn sharply to the right.

This part of the city is known as Torcy. It 

was entered by joint patrols of the French 

and the 42d Division during the night 

of November 8–9. This was the farthest 

north that any American unit actively 

operated during this offensive.

(41.5 m 66.8 km) Cross Meuse River.

Sedan has a prominent place in French 

history. Here, in 1870, Napoleon III 

and the Army of Marshal MacMahon 

surrendered to the Prussians. It contains 

an old château-fort, built about 1430, 

during the time of Joan of Arc, which is an 

impressive example of the massive feudal 

construction of that period.

(42.4 m 68.2 km) Where the street ends at 

a monument, turn to the right.

(42.9 m 69.0 km) Pass through Balan.

(43.9 m 70.6 km) Beyond town, to the 

right across the Meuse River valley, can be 

seen the town of Pont-Maugis, Noyers on 

the hill above it, and the heights beyond 

and to the right of that place which were 

captured on November 7 by American 

soldiers after determined fighting.

(44.1 m 71.0 km) Just before entering 

the next town, Bazeilles, on the left is 

an interesting museum of the War of 

1870, called “La Maison de la Dernière 

Cartouche”. The scene of Neuville’s famous 

painting “Les Dernières Cartouches” (“The 

Last Cartridges”) is laid in this building, 

which in 1870 was an inn called, of course, 

by a different name.

By bearing right at road junction at this 

point a large ossuary of the War of 1870 

will be found on the right a few hundred 

yards farther on. Amount of time required 

for side trip—20 minutes.

(44.5 m 71.6 km) In Bazeilles, turn to the 

left, keeping on the main road.

(46.8 m 75.3 km) While approaching next 

town, Douzy, to the right of the road is seen 

again the railroad which the First Army 

had as its objective. Its importance lay in 

the fact that the railroads which served 

the German forces on the Western Front 

were so located that without the use of 

this double-tracked road Germany could 

not supply and maintain its armies in 

northern France and Belgium.

(47.7 m 76.8 km) In center of town, turn 

sharp right and cross over the Chiers 

River, a tributary of the Meuse River. 

From here on the described route follows 

the main highway to the city of Verdun.

War of 1870 Museum at Bazeilles
Mouzon; The 2d Division made several attempts to cross the Meuse near this place before operations were halted by the Armistice
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 301

(47.9 m 77.1 km) To the right front across 

the valley is seen the line of hills on which 

the front line of the 77th Division rested 

at the end of the war.

(49.2 m 79.2 km) After passing next 

village, Mairy, to the right front across 

the river is seen Villers-devant-Mouzon, 

where, although under heavy fire, a small 

detachment of the 77th Division succeeded 

in crossing the river on November 7. It 

was forced to withdraw the following day 

as the temporary bridge upon which the 

detachment had crossed was destroyed 

by enemy artillery fire, thus preventing 

reinforcements from joining it.

(50.4 m 81.1 km) The next village which is 

seen to the left is Amblimont.

The American units on the other side of 

the valley sent many patrols to this side at 

night to find out the location and strength 

of the hostile troops. One of the most 

successful of these patrols, consisting of an 

officer and a non-commissioned officer of 

the 77th Division, crossed over near Villersdevant-Mouzon on a raft about midnight on 

November 8. It reconnoitered Amblimont, 

reached Hill 345, the high bare hill seen 

above that town, and returned with valuable 

information concerning the enemy forces.

(52.3 m 84.2 km) At entrance to next 

town, Mouzon, bear left up the hill.

Corporal L. M. M. Van Iersel, 2d 

Division, won the Congressional Medal 

of Honor for an outstanding exploit near 

this town. When his division reached 

the river opposite here, Corporal Van 

Iersel volunteered to reconnoiter the 

hostile positions on this side of it. 

While attempting, in the face of intense 

machine-gun fire, to crawl across on the 

timbers of a ruined bridge at night he was 

thrown into the river by a German trap. 

In spite of the swift current he swam the 

river, continued on his dangerous mission 

regardless of the enemy fire and obtained 

information of the greatest value.

(53.7 m 86.4 km) Beyond Mouzon, to 

the right in the valley are seen two farms 

which were captured by the 2d Division 

on the morning of November 11.

(54.2 m 87.2 km) While ascending high 

hill, to the right on the far slopes of the 

valley, can be seen Villemontry, captured 

by the 1st Division during November 6.

(55.3 m 89.0 km) Beyond the large woods 

where a good view of the country to the 

right is obtained, STOP.

On the right side of the road are 

monuments erected by the V Corps and the 

2d Division shortly after the Armistice.

Engineers Building a Bridge Across the Meuse

Near Pouilly After the Armistice

V Corps Marker, South of Mouzon
302 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION

Face the buildings, Farm St. Rémy, seen in 

the valley to the right rear. That direction 

is approximately south.

The town of Beaumont, through which 

the tour recently passed, is 4 miles from 

here beyond the edge of the large wood, 

Bois des Flaviers, which is seen extending 

off from this point to the right front.

The above sketch and the map on page 

304 will aid in making the following 

description clearer. The map and sketch 

have been so drawn that they are oriented 

with the tops of them pointing south, the 

direction which the observer is facing.

About 3 miles away to the left front the 

Meuse River, f lowing this way, changes its 

direction sharply. It runs on the far side 

of Pouilly, whose church is seen directly 

ahead, and, again curving abruptly, 

follows an irregular course, passing just 

to the right of the hill upon which the 

observer is standing. In the large bend 

thus formed, the 2d and 89th Divisions on 

the night of November 10 accomplished 

the difficult military feat of crossing a 

river under hostile fire.

During the night of November 7, in 

anticipation of a crossing by the Americans 

at Mouzon, the enemy burned oil on the 

surface of the river for illumination and 

swept the remains of the destroyed bridge 

by an intense cross fire from machine guns 

located on or near the river bank. Under 

cover of darkness during November 8 

troops of the 2d Division attempted to 

cross over the ruined bridge there. Some 

Moulins Main Road to Verdun

Panorama Looking South

Pouilly and Létanne Viewed From the South

The 89th Division crossed the Meuse near the left edge of this terrain on November 10, 1918
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 303

of them were thrown into the water by 

traps placed on the bridge by the Germans 

for that purpose but others continued on 

until they reached a gap in the bridge, 

too wide to be passed without further 

preparation, at which place the attempt 

had to be abandoned.

On November 10 a second effort to make 

a surprise crossing, this time by means 

of footbridges constructed near Mouzon, 

was defeated as the enemy discovered 

the point at which the crossing was to 

be attempted and smothered it with shell 

and machine-gun fire. That same night, 

however, a crossing was forced, after 

heavy losses, on the far side of the Bois des 

Flaviers, and by the time of the Armistice 

troops of the 2d Division had advanced 

as far as Moulins, seen to the left. Other 

units of the division were at Farm St. 

Rémy, and still others had advanced 

about halfway between this point and the 

town of Mouzon, capturing the two farms 

recently pointed out.

An effort of the 89th Division to 

construct footbridges across the river 

beyond Pouilly met with failure because 

of heavy hostile artillery fire. The 

division, however, crossed to the right of 

that town as seen from here, on large rafts 

holding 75 men each which had been built 

on a tributary stream and f loated down to 

the main river. It captured Pouilly before 

daylight on November 11. Continuing its 

advance, it crossed this highway about 2 

miles from here, just beyond where the 

Meuse Bois des Flaviers

River

Forêt de Jaulnay Pouilly Farm St. Rémy

From Stop Near Moulins

Flooded Meuse River Near Stenay,

November 11, 1918
304 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION

highway, identified by the line of trees, 

can be seen to the left front disappearing 

over the hill which is to the right of and 

beyond the village of Moulins.

During the operations near Pouilly, 

Sergeant M. Waldo Hatler, Private First 

Class Harold I. Johnston and Private 

David B. Barkeley, all of the 89th Division, 

volunteered to make reconnaissances 

of the hostile position on this bank of 

the river, although there were no means 

of crossing except by swimming. In 

carrying out their dangerous missions, 

Private Barkeley while returning to 

the American lines with the desired 

information which he had obtained, was 

drowned. The others succeeded after the 

greatest difficulty in securing and taking 

back valuable information concerning 

the enemy forces. For these daring acts 

the three were awarded Congressional 

Medals of Honor.

EN ROU T E N E A R MOU L I NS TO SOU T H 

OF DUN-SUR-MEUSE

(56.3 m 90.6 km) Continue through 

Co A 353d Inf crossed river at Laneuville Nov 11 (A.M.)

Cos A and B 354th Inf crossed

on rafts here Nov 11 (A.M.)

Bois de

la Vache 1st and 3d Bns 356th Inf and 3d Bn 355th Inf

ferried across river here night of Nov 10

2d Bn 356th Inf 89th Div 1st Bn 9th Inf and

3d Bn 5th Marines crossed on foot-bridges here Nov 11 (A.M.)

Bois de l’Hospice

Bois d’Alma-Gisors

Bois des

Flaviers

1st and 2d Bns 5th Marines crosses Nov 10 (P.M.)

on foot-bridges

constructed here

Farm

St. Rémy

Sénégal Farm

Bois 

de

Hâche

Wamme

Farm

Nov.9–10

Nov. 11 (A.M.)

XX

Nov. 11 (A.M.)

Nov.

10

XX

Nov.9

Nov. 9

Nov. 9

Forêt

de

Jaulnay

Beaumont

Pouilly

Létanne

Villemontry

Moulins

Autreville 2 D D I V I S I O N

Meuse

River Canal

Wamme

Creek

8 9 T

H

D

I

V

I

S I O N

N

0 1000 2000 Yards

Front Line Gap in Line Division Boundary

Note direction of north on this sketch

XX

Route, described in text

Stop, described in text

Crossing of Meuse River by 2d and 89th Divisions

November 9–11, 1918
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 305

the village of Moulins, which was in 

possession of troops of the 2d Division 

when the Armistice became effective.

(57.0 m 91.7 km) Beyond town, while 

ascending hill, to the right in the valley is 

seen Autreville. That village and the high 

hill to the right of it were captured by the 

89th Division about 8:00 o’clock on the 

morning of November 11.

(57.4 m 92.4 km) Before reaching top of 

hill, to the right in the valley in the distance

can be seen on a clear day the village of 

Beaumont, the fighting near which was 

recently described on the tour.

(57.7 m 92.9 km) Beyond hill, the first 

wood growing to left edge of road is the Bois 

de Hâche, where the leading elements of 

the 89th Division continued fighting for 

a short time after 11:00 a. m., November 

11, not having previously received word 

concerning the Armistice.

Continue through Inor, Martincourt and 

Cervisy. The Armistice line of the 89th 

Division was along the other bank of the 

Meuse River opposite these towns.

(63.7 m 102.5 km) Continue through 

Stenay, where the zone of action of 

the 90th Division and the III Corps is 

entered. Early on November 10 units of 

the 90th Division captured the far (south) 

side of this town but were not in sufficient 

strength to drive the Germans out of the 

rest of it. The remainder of the town was 

captured on November 11, before the 

Armistice became effective, by troops of 

the 89th and 90th Divisions.

(64.3 m 103.5 km) Beyond town, the 

military barracks seen to the left of the 

road were captured by the 90th Division. 

They were comparatively little damaged 

and were used by the Americans after 

the Armistice. The facilities for bathing, 

as well as the shelter from the cold, rainy 

weather were very welcome to the men 

who had undergone the hardships of a 

November campaign in this region.

(64.5 m 103.8 km) Beyond barracks, to the 

left of the road is seen the large wood, Bois 

de Chénois, in which the 90th Division 

had a severe struggle on November 10. 

The Division was fighting at the village 

of Baâlon, 2 miles away to the left, at the 

time of the Armistice.

The far side of the valley opposite here 

was reached by the 90th Division on 

November 6. The division immediately 

89th Division Infantry in Stenay Two Minutes Before the Armistice Took Effect
Airplane Photograph of Dun-sur-Meuse Taken From the South
(307)

began assembling bridge material 

preparatory to a crossing and from time 

to time sent patrols over the river to 

obtain information. The crossing of the 

river by the division was finally carried 

out on November 9 farther up the valley.

(65.9 m 106.1 km) Straight through 

Mouzay, captured about 1:45 p. m. on 

November 9 by the 5th Division.

(68.4 m 110.1 km) After passing first 

pronounced left bend in road (about 2 miles 

farther on), to the right front at foot of hill across 

the river is seen Sassey-sur-Meuse. It was near 

there that a large part of the 90th Division on 

November 9 crossed the river by means of a 

footbridge which had been constructed across 

the demolished stone bridge.

During the afternoon of November 7 

five American ambulances lost their way, 

entered the German lines near here and 

were captured. Observing their plight, 

a patrol of the 90th Division, which was 

near the river to the right of this road, 

attacked and recaptured the ambulances. 

They were then sent to the rear loaded 

with German prisoners taken near there.

(68.6 m 110.4 km) To the left is seen 

the long, sparsely wooded ridge, Côte St. 

Germain, captured by the 5th Division on 

November 6 and 7, after severe fighting. 

The village on this side of it, Lion-devantDun, was attacked on the 6th but not 

taken until the next day.

On the other side of Côte St. Germain is 

Murvaux near where Second Lieutenant 

Frank Luke, Jr., Air Service, on September 

29, performed his last heroic deed. After 

having previously destroyed a number 

of enemy aircraft, he voluntarily started 

on a patrol seeking German observation 

balloons. Though pursued by eight German 

planes which were protecting the enemy 

balloon line, he attacked and shot down 

in flames three German balloons. In this 

engagement Lieutenant Luke was exposed 

to heavy fire from ground batteries as well 

as hostile planes. Severely wounded, he 

descended to within 50 yards of the ground, 

and flying at this low altitude near the town 

of Murvaux he fired upon enemy troops, 

killing six and wounding as many more. 

Forced to make a landing and surrounded on 

all sides by the enemy, who called upon him 

to surrender, he drew his automatic pistol 

and defended himself until he fell dead from 

a wound in the chest. For his conspicuous 

gallantry in the performance of his last flight 

Lieutenant Luke was posthumously awarded 

the Congressional Medal of Honor.

In the next town, Dun-sur-Meuse, the 

veterans of the 5th Division have erected 

a wrought-iron railing on a bridge to 

commemorate the crossing of the Meuse 

River by their division. To visit, in center 

of town stop at village monument passed on 

the right. The bridge adjoins the monument.

(72.0 m 115.9 km) Continue through Dunsur-Meuse, captured after a hard fight by 

the 5th Division on November 5. 

The Headquarters of the 5th Division 

was located here, during the period 

November 7–10, and the Headquarters of 

the III Corps, during November 10–11.

Second Lieutenant Frank Luke, Jr., Air Service,

September 19, 1918

Engineers Relaxing in Ruined House After

Working Under Fire, Dun-sur-Meuse
308 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION

(73.7 m 118.6 km) Beyond town, from 

point where canal turns away from road, 

continue halfway up hill and STOP.

A 5th Division marker monument is seen 

(1937) alongside the road.

Face to the right, which is west. Note that 

both the above panorama and the sketch 

on page 310 are oriented when the upper 

part is held in the direction being faced.

The Meuse-Argonne American 

Cemetery, where the tour started, is about 

5 miles away. It is beyond the large wood, 

Bois de Forêt, which is seen to the left 

front on the other side of the river.

To the left in the distance is seen the 

American monument on Montfaucon.

Dun-sur-Meuse is plainly visible on the 

hill to the right. To the left of Dun-surMeuse, about a mile away from the river, 

is seen Doulcon. The ridge beyond that 

town surrounds it on three sides and the 

dish-shaped valley thus formed was called 

the “Punch Bowl” by American soldiers.

When the 5th Division attacked on 

November 1, it pivoted near Brieulles, 

seen to the left up the valley, and swung 

toward Doulcon. By November 3 it had 

reached the other bank of the river as 

far as this point, cleared the rim of the 

“Punch Bowl” and captured Doulcon.

A crossing of the Meuse River valley was 

attempted about 1:00 a. m. on November 

3 just this side of Brieulles. The river 

was crossed there before daylight but 

attempts to bridge the canal failed with 

heavy losses, a number of men being 

forced to seek shelter on the exposed f lats 

between the river and canal all during the 

next day. That night desperate efforts to 

cross the canal, on two footbridges which 

the division engineers had been able to 

construct over it, were repulsed.

After dark on November 4 an infantry 

force rushed across the footbridges and 

gained a foothold on this bank. While 

the enemy’s attention was engaged with 

this operation, another force farther up 

the valley came over in boats. After these 

p

n

o

d

ar

e

o

e

ut

th

g

ts

he

to

ch

to

y

nd

he

his

he

e

Brieulles

Montfaucon

Bois de Forêt

Panorama From Stop

Ponton Bridge Constructed by 5th Division Engineers Near Dun-sur-Meuse
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 309

surprise attacks, the enemy was driven 

back far enough to enable a large part 

of the division to cross during the night. 

Early on the 5th some of those troops 

attacked toward this point over the low 

ridge seen to the left down the road.

A determined though unsuccessful 

attempt to construct two pontoon bridges 

across the river about halfway between 

here and Dun was made about 4:00 p.m. 

on November 4. The enemy discovered 

the bridges before they were finished and 

destroyed them by shellfire.

That night the river was bridged where 

it runs close to the hill on the other 

side of the valley, and the canal was 

bridged near here. At dawn, when the 

enemy discovered the operation and 

opened fire damaging the bridges, part 

of a company was on this bank and a 

large force was on the swampy ground 

between the river and canal. The men on 

this bank found themselves in a difficult 

position as they had no means of retreat 

and were subjected to severe enfilade 

fire from Côte de Jumont, the hill seen 

down the road to the right. To relieve the 

situation, Captain Edward C. Allworth, 

5th Division, called upon the remainder 

of his company to follow him, plunged 

into the canal, swam over under a hail 

of bullets and joined his hard pressed 

units near here. He then led his men 

in a vigorous assault against the ridge 

behind here, about the same time that 

it was being attacked by the troops who 

had crossed near Brieulles. The ridge 

was captured after a hard fight and many 

prisoners were taken. For his daring 

act, Captain Allworth was awarded the 

Congressional Medal of Honor.

Other troops of the division who crossed 

at this point pushed down the river and 

took Dun. By dark of November 5 the 

Germans had been driven back more than 

a mile to the rear of here.

It was during the crossing in front of 

here that Sergeant Eugene P. Walker, 

e

d

,

s

o

f

ts

a

d

as

ad

y

g

e

d

d

e

f

,

Meuse River Canal Doulcon Bois de Sassey

Dun-sur-Meuse

Côte de Jumont

South of Dun-sur-Meuse

Division Ration Dump Near Montfaucon, October 5, 1918
310 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION

Corporal Robert E. Crawford and 

Privates Noah L. Gump, John Hoggle 

and Stanley T. Murnane, all members 

of the 7th Engineers, 5th Division, won 

Distinguished Service Crosses. When 

three boats in a ponton bridge across 

the river were destroyed by artillery fire, 

these men voluntarily entered the icy 

river and, standing in water up to their 

armpits and under heavy shellfire, held 

up the deck until new boats were launched 

and placed in position. This timely and 

courageous act permitted the crossing of 

the infantry units.

The 5th Division continued to advance 

in the direction to the right rear from here 

during the following days. It was assisted 

by one regiment of the 32d Division from 

November 6th to the 9th; and by the time 

of the Armistice had pushed the enemy 

back about 10 miles from the river, onto 

the Woëvre Plain. During the last days 

of the war, the 32d Division went into 

the line south of the 5th Division and 

advanced rapidly with it.

EN ROU TE SOU TH OF DU N-SUR-MEUSE 

TO SOUTH OF SIVRY-SUR-MEUSE

(74.4 m 119.7 km) Continue through the 

village of Liny-devant-Dun.

(75.0 m 120.7 km) Beyond town, the large 

wood which extends along the road on the 

right for a considerable distance is the Bois 

de Châtillon. It was captured by the 5th 

Division on November 5, the front line of 

the division on that night resting along 

this edge of it.

(76.4 m 123.0 km) Beyond wood, at first 

crest, to the right at foot of hill is seen 

Vilosnes-sur-Meuse. The 5th Division 

aided the French 15th Colonial Division 

to cross the river there on November 6 

11th Inf crossed these bridges

shortly after midnight

of Nov 4–5 Cos E and G

6th Inf made

an unsuccessful

attempt to cross a

temporary bridge here

on the night of

Nov 3

Cos E and G 6th Inf

crossed at this point

after dark Nov 4

On Nov 5 (A.M.)

the 3d Bn 60th Inf

and 2d and 3d Bns

61st Inf crossed river

on temporary bridge

constructed here

Unsuccessful attempt made

on Nov 4 to construct

two ponton bridges

here

The 3d Bn 60th Inf and 2d

and 3d Bns 61st Inf crossed

canal on these footbridges

Nov 5 (A.M.)

Detachments of

Co I 60th Inf

and Co I 61st Inf

swam canal here Nov 5

3d Bn 6th Inf

crossed by

boats here

after dark

Nov 4

Det Co D 7th Engrs and

Co E 6th Inf crossed by

this footbridge at 1 A.M.

 Nov 3 followed

 by Co G 6th Inf

 after dark Nov 3

Bois de Forêt

Côte de Jumont

Hill 260

Hill

252

Bois

de

Châtillon

Nov. 3

Nov. 3

Nov. 3–4

Nov. 4

Nov. 5

Nov. 5

Brieullessur-Meuse Cléryle-Petit

Doulcon

DunLiny- sur-Meuse

devt. Dun

Canal

Meuse

River

XX

N

0 500 1000 1500 2000 Yards

Front Line

Bridge built by 5th Division

Gap in Line Division Boundary

Note direction of north on this sketch

XX

Route, described in text

Stop, described in text

Crossing of the Meuse River by 5th Division

November 3–5, 1918
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 311

by attacking in rear, from this hill, the 

Germans who were defending the village.

(76.6 m 123.3 km) While descending hill, 

the ridge seen to the right front is on the 

other side of the Meuse. It was taken by 

the 80th Division on September 26 and 

from then on to November 6 the opposing 

lines faced each other across this valley.

(78.7 m 126.7 km) Continue through the 

town of Sivry-sur-Meuse.

(79.3 m 127.6 km) Beyond far edge of 

town, about 80 yards, STOP.

The monument on Montfaucon can be 

seen on the sky line to the right front.

Face to the left, which direction is east.

The 79th Division on October 30 took 

over a portion of the front line, about 2 

miles away, which ran in the direction 

the reader is facing. It attacked, from the 

reader’s right to left, daily on November 3, 

4 and 5, by which time, after severe fighting, 

a line near the crest of the bald-topped hill 

seen to the left front had been reached. 

That hill, designated on French maps as 

the Borne de Cornouiller, was nicknamed 

“Cornwilly Hill” by the American soldiers 

who fought on this front.

On November 7 the division took the 

remainder of the hill, its direction of 

advance then changing to the direction 

which the reader is now facing.

The 26th Division on November 8 

advanced alongside the 79th Division on 

its right and at the time of the Armistice 

both divisions were on a line about 8 miles 

from here, beyond Theinte Creek.

On the right of the 26th Division were 

the French 10th Colonial Division and 

the American 81st Division. The latter 

division advanced about 3 miles in the 

period between November 9 and 11.

Face down the road, which direction is 

approximately south.

As this is the last stop of the tour, a 

brief résumé here will aid in fixing in the 

reader’s mind the events which took place 

in this region during the fall of 1918.

On September 26 a smashing surprise 

attack by the First Army, between the Meuse 

River and the Argonne Forest, overran 

the strong German forward positions and 

captured the heights to the right across the 

valley. In four days of bitter fighting an 

advance exceeding 6 miles was made by the 

American assault units.

On October 4 the general attack was 

renewed and continued almost without 

pause until October 22, by which time the 

Hindenburg Line had been carried on most 

of the First Army front beyond the river. 

This period was characterized by almost 

daily attacks and terrific fighting during 

which the German reserves were used up. It 

included a flank attack against the Argonne 

Forest on October 7, an advance on this 

side of the Meuse River on October 8, and a 

general assault against the Hindenburg Line 

on the other side of the river on October 14.

From October 23 to the end of that month 

only local attacks were made as the Army 

prepared for an offensive on November 1 

that proved to be its last one. The results 

of this offensive exceeded all expectations 

and a complete break-through of the last 

prepared German position occurred. As the 

Germans did not have sufficient reserves to 

stop such a strong attack, they started a 

withdrawal to this side of the Meuse River.

The First Army then conducted an 

energetic pursuit. It brilliantly forced 

crossings of the river at several places, and 

exerted terrific and continuous pressure 

until the Armistice became effective.

The twelve American divisions that 

participated in the fighting between 

November 1 and November 11 suffered 

more than 18,000 casualties. The total 

American losses during the entire MeuseArgonne offensive were close to 117,000.

5th Division Troops on the Armistice Line

Near Rémoiville
(312)

EN ROUTE SOUTH OF SIVRY-SURMEUSE TO VERDUN

(79.9 m 128.6 km) At next crest, running 

at right angles to this road, was located the 

First Army front line of November 1. No 

attack, however, was made on this side of 

the river that day.

(80.6 m 129.7 km) To the left, crowning 

the ridge, is the Bois de Chaume captured 

by the 33d Division on October 10.

(81.6 m 131.3 km) The next village, 

Consenvoye, was captured by the 33d 

Division during the general attack 

of October 8 on this side of the river. 

The division advanced in the direction 

opposite to the one the tourist is traveling.

(82.3 m 132.4 km) Beyond the town, to the 

left alongside the road is a German World 

War military cemetery.

(82.5 m 132.8 km) To the right front is 

seen Forges, which was just in front of 

the jump-off line of the American Army 

in its first great attack in this region on 

September 26. Le Mort Homme hill is 

seen on the sky line beyond it.

(83.1 m 133.7 km) Continue through next 

village, Brabant-sur-Meuse.

(83.2 m 133.9 km) From first bend in road 

and for about a mile farther on, the 29th 

Division used this road to form on for 

the attack of October 8. It advanced up 

the slopes to the left. During the next few 

days it was opposed by Austrian troops, 

of which only three divisions ever served 

in line on the Western Front.

(84.9 m 136.8 km) The next village, 

Samogneux, was just within the front line 

of the American Army on September 26. 

The town was entirely obliterated during 

the severe fighting on this front.

(86.6 m 139.4 km) Beyond town, the road 

climbs a steep hill called the Côte de 

Talou. It was captured by the Germans in 

hard fighting during 1916 and recaptured 

by the French in 1917.

(87.9 m 141.5 km) Continue through 

Vacherauville, which town was completely 

destroyed by shellfire during the war.

(88.5 m 142.4 km) Beyond the town, after 

passing the first bend in the road, to the left 

front the Ossuary of Douaumont with its 

tower can be seen.

The road leading east from the next 

village, Bras, is the one generally followed 

by tourists who visit the French battlefields 

near Verdun. A suggested route for this trip 

is shown in a broken black line on the map 

at the end of the chapter. This makes an 

interesting side trip and can be completed 

in approximately 11⁄2 hours if no long stops 

at interesting points are made.

(89.1 m 143.4 km) Just beyond Bras, which 

also was completely destroyed, to the right 

of the road is a large French World War 

military cemetery.

(92.9 m 149.5 km) Continue to Verdun.

The mileage ends at the railroad station. 

A few points of interest in Verdun have 

been indicated on page 272 which is the 

concluding page of the first day’s itinerary.

Vacherauville, October 31, 1918
I

N addition to the places whose World 

War history has been described in the 

itinerary, there are a number of other 

places in the Meuse-Argonne region where 

interesting war events occurred, where 

there now exist features of special interest, 

or which were of sufficient importance in 

history before the World War to warrant 

special mention. For reference purposes 

and for the benefit of the tourist who travels 

in the area not on the described route, these 

places and some of their history have been 

recorded here. 

The map on the next page indicates the 

general location of most of the places 

mentioned. At those indicated both in the 

text and on the sketch by a star there is 

some existing interesting object such as 

a memorial, ancient building or ruins or 

outstanding World War feature which is 

still in a good state of preservation. 

Argonne Forest. While the 77th Division 

was engaged in heavy fighting about 

11⁄4 miles southeast of Binarville on 

September 29, Lieutenant Colonel Fred E. 

Smith of that division performed his last 

heroic act. When communication with 

the leading battalion of his regiment was 

interrupted by the infiltration of small 

parties of the enemy, Lieutenant Colonel 

Smith personally led a party of two 

other officers and ten soldiers forward 

to reestablish runner posts and carry 

ammunition to the front line. The party, 

straying to the f lank beyond supporting 

troops, suddenly came under fire from 

enemy machine guns only 50 yards away. 

Shouting to the members of his party to 

take cover, Colonel Smith disregarding 

his own danger opened pistol fire on the 

Germans. About this time he fell, severely 

wounded, but regaining his footing he 

continued to fire on the enemy until 

most of the men of his party were out of 

danger. Refusing first-aid treatment, he 

made his way to a hand-grenade dump 

and returned under heavy machine-gun 

fire for the purpose of making another 

attack on the enemy machine guns. As 

he was attempting to determine the 

exact location of the nearest nest, he fell 

mortally wounded. This gallant and brave 

soldier was later posthumously awarded 

the Congressional Medal of Honor. 

In this same part of the Argonne Forest, 

Sergeant Benjamin Kaufman, 77th 

Division, won the Congressional Medal 

of Honor on September 29. He took out 

a patrol for the purpose of attacking an 

enemy machine gun which had checked 

the advance of his company. Before 

reaching the gun he became separated 

from his patrol and a machine-gun 

bullet shattered his right arm. Without 

hesitation he advanced on the gun alone, 

throwing grenades with his left hand and 

charging with an empty pistol, taking one 

prisoner and scattering the crew. He then 

View Near the Jump-Off Line of the 77th Division, September 26, 1918

A DDIT IONA L PL ACES OF INTER EST IN THE 

MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION
Sedan

Douzy

Cheveuges PontMaugis

Remilly

Maisoncelle Raucourt

Tannay

Sommauthe

Beaumont

Harricourt

Fossé

Buzancy

le Champy Bas

Nouart

Sivryles-Buzancy

Talma Côte de St. Georges Châtillon

St. Juvin

Grandpré

Marcq

Cornay

Fléville

ChâtelChéhéry

Apremont

Exermont

Binarville Montblainville

Moulin de

l’Homme Mort

Champ Mahaut

Viennele-Château

la Chalade

P C Pau

P C

Gorgia

Ste. Menehould Clermont-en-Argonne Rampont

Rarecourt Ville-sur-Cousances

Neuvilly

Vauquois

P C

Zouave

Avocourt

Montzéville

la Claire P C la Hutte

Varennes Malancourt Cumières

Véry

Forges Cuisy

Béthincourt

Eclisfontaine

Baulny

Exmorieux Farm

Bois de la

Morine

Gesnes

Montfaucon

Nantillois Cierges

Romagne Cunel Brieulles

Cléry- le-Grand

Villers- devant-Dun Dunsur-Meuse

Barricourt

Tailly

Beauclair

Mouzay

Stenay

Pouilly

Moulins

Mouzon

Montmédy

Jametz

Brandeville

Peuvillers

Etraye

Molleville Farm

Consenvoye

Villedevt. Chaumont

Bras

Verdun

Souilly 4 M.

la Wavrille

XXXX

XXXX

XXXX

Oct. 31

XXXX

Sept. 26 (A.M.)

Oct. 31

Nov. 11 (A.M.)

Nov. 11 (A.M.)

“Lost Battalion” Site

Nov. 7

Chiers

Meuse

River

River

Bar

Aisne

Aire

River

River

River

Hill

269

Bois de Montfaucon

Bois Bourrus

Hill 285

FOREST

ARGONNE

Forêt de Woëvre

Forêt de Dieulet

Bois de Lambechamp

Ossuary of Douaumont

0 2 4 6 8 Miles

N

Front Line National Highway Place of Special interest not on described route

Stop, described in text

Route, described in text

Alternate Route

Side Trip

Described Routes and Additional Places of Interest

in Meuse-Argonne Region
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 315

brought the machine gun and prisoner 

back to the first-aid station where he went 

to have his wounded arm treated.

Slightly to the east of the scene of the 

above exploit, Private Archie A. Peck, 

77th Division, also won the Congressional 

Medal of Honor. While engaged with two 

other soldiers in patrol duty on October 

6, he and his comrades were subjected to 

the direct fire of an enemy machine gun 

which wounded both of his companions. 

Returning to his company, he obtained 

another soldier to assist in carrying in the 

wounded men. Although his assistant was 

killed and Private Peck was constantly 

under terrific machine-gun fire he made 

the round trip twice, bringing in each time 

one of the wounded men.

Ariétal Farm, 1 mile northeast of 

Exermont. A tank attack on September 29 

was broken up near this farm by hostile 

artillery fire. The farm was captured by 

the 1st Division on October 5.

Avocourt. This village was an important 

road junction just in rear of the 37th 

Division jump-off line on September 26.

Barricourt. Strong resistance was 

encountered in this village on November 

2 before it was captured early the next day 

by troops of the 89th Division.

Beauchamp Farm, 11⁄2 miles southwest of 

Clermont-en-Argonne. Location of 92d 

Div. Hdqrs., September 24–30.

Beauclair. Captured by the 89th Division 

on November 3 after a sharp fight.

Béthincourt. Location of 80th Div. 

Headquarters, October 1–12.

Bois Emont, 1⁄2 mile southwest of Cierges. 

Captured by the 37th Division early on 

September 28 after a hard fight.

Bois de Gesnes. This wood which is 

located on the Romagne Heights just 

west of Côte Dame Marie was the scene 

of heavy fighting at various times from 

October 10 to 14 by the 32d and 42d 

Divisions, and the 181st Brigade of the 

91st Division while with the 1st Division.

Bois de Lambechamp. In a ravine at the 

east edge of this wood was located the 

79th Div. Hdqrs., September 24–26.

Bois de Montfaucon. German concrete 

dugouts located at the crossroads on 

Engineers Working on Road Near Barricourt, November 4, 1918

Note condition of road
(316)

Hill 269 in the Bois de Montfaucon were 

occupied by the 37th Div. Hdqrs., Sept. 27–

Oct. 1, and by the 32d Div. Headquarters, 

September 29–November 2.

Bois de la Morine and Bois du Chêne Sec.

These woods witnessed heavy fighting on 

October 4 and 5 when they were attacked 

several times by the 32d Division. They 

were finally captured on October 5 after 

a four-hour battle.

Bois de Taille l’Abbé, 1 mile west of 

Apremont. At daybreak October 1 a 

German counterattack from this wood 

met a 28th Division attack supported by 

tanks. The Germans were driven back. 

The wood was finally captured by troops 

of the 28th Division during October 7.

Bois de la Tuilerie, east of Montfaucon. 

5th Div. Hdqrs. from Oct. 12 to Nov. 4.

Bois de Valoup, on the southeastern slope 

of Côte Dame Marie. Captured October 

9 by the 32d Division in heavy fighting. 

Attempts of the 32d Division to advance 

from this wood on October 10 and 11 were 

unsuccessful.

Bois de Ville, 3⁄4 mile south of Villedevant-Chaumont, was captured by the 

26th Division during November 10.

Brandeville. German resistance near this 

place held up the advance of part of the 

5th Division on November 7. The village 

was captured on November 8 by the 5th 

Division, to which the 128th Infantry 

Regiment of the 32d Division was attached 

at the time.

Camp Drachen, 3⁄4 mile north of 

Apremont. At this balloon camp, captured 

from the Germans, was located the 42d 

Div. Hdqrs., Oct. 19–Nov. 3.

«Champ Mahaut. At this place are 

(1937) a large number of wartime 

concrete shelters and dugouts said to 

have been used as a headquarters by the 

Crown Prince of Bavaria. The place was 

captured by the 28th and 77th Divisions 

after hard fighting on September 26, 27 

and 28. The 77th Div. Hdqrs. was located 

there Oct. 2–12 and Oct. 16–31. To visit 

Champ Mahaut, leave Varennes on road 

to the south. Beyond town, at first road 

junction, take road to the right toward 

Vienne-le-Château. About 3 kilometers 

1st Division Marching Into Bantheville Just After the Armistice

Concrete Dugout in Champ Mahaut
(317)

(1.8 miles) from road junction turn right 

and travel 800 yards to shelters.

Châtel-Chéhéry. 77th Div. Hdqrs., Oct. 

12–16; 78th Div. Hdqrs., Oct. 16–31; and 

80th Div. Hdqrs., Oct. 30–Nov. 1.

Chaudron Farm, in a ravine 1 mile north 

of Baulny. This farm was captured during 

September 28 by the 35th Division after 

severe fighting.

Chéhéry, 1 mile south of Fléville. In this 

town was located the I Corps Hdqrs., Nov. 

2–5. The near-by château was the 82d Div. 

Hdqrs., October 13–31.

Cheveuges. Positions on the hills east 

and north of this place were occupied on 

November 7 by the 1st and 42d Divisions. 

These positions were turned over to the 

French early on November 8.

Cierges. This town was reached by 

the 37th Division on September 28 but 

a German counterattack drove the 

American troops from the village. On the 

29th it was attacked twice, once with tank 

support, but the heavy artillery fire of the 

enemy was so severe that it could not be 

held. It was finally captured by troops of 

the 32d Division on October 1.

Clairs Chênes Wood, northeast of Cunel. 

Scene of heavy fighting by the 3d Division 

on October 14–16. It was captured on 

October 20 and a German attempt to 

recapture it on the 21st was repulsed. 

To the east are Hill 299 and La Mi-Noël 

Wood, at both of which places severe 

fighting took place on October 14, 15 and 

21. They were captured by the 3d Division 

on the last-named date.

Clermont-en-Argonne. This historic 

town, because of its position on one of the 

two principal passes through the Argonne 

Forest, has been the scene of numerous 

battles and sieges. The Church of St. 

Didier, dating from the 16th Century, is 

of architectural interest. The town was 

an important point in the supply and 

communication system of the American 

First Army during the offensive.

Cléry-le-Grand. Captured early on 

November 1 by the 5th Division.

Cléry-Ie-Petit, near Cléry-le-Grand, was 

captured by the 5th Division on Nov. 2.

Cuisy. Location of 4th Div. Hdqrs. 

German Shells Exploding Near Cuisy, October 7, 1918

A man was severely wounded by the shell exploding in the foreground

Temporary American Cemetery Near Cierges,

January 1919
Ruins of Avocourt, October 1918
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 319

during the period Sept. 26–Oct. 19, and 

90th Div. Hdqrs. from Oct. 19 to Oct. 31.

Dhuy Farm, 11⁄2 miles northeast of 

Landres-et-St. Georges. This farm was 

a German strong point captured on 

November 1 by the 89th Division.

Eclisfontaine. In this village and in 

Bouleaux Bois west of it the 91st Division 

had bitter fighting from September 26 

to 28. Both places were captured on 

September 27, abandoned the same day 

and recaptured on September 28.

In the general attack toward Eclisfontaine 

on September 26, First Lieutenant Deming 

Bronson, 91st Division, was struck by 

fragments of an enemy hand grenade, 

receiving deep cuts on the head. He 

nevertheless participated under hazardous 

conditions in the capture of an enemy 

dugout from which a large number of 

prisoners was taken. That afternoon he 

was painfully wounded in the arm by an 

enemy rifle bullet and after receiving 

first-aid treatment was ordered to the 

rear. Disregarding these instructions, 

Lieutenant Bronson remained on duty with 

his company throughout the night although 

suffering from severe pain and shock. 

On September 27 when the attack was 

resumed, Lieutenant Bronson’s company 

was in support. Nevertheless, he gallantly 

joined the assaulting line and took part 

in the capture of Eclisfontaine. Later he 

participated in the capture of a hostile 

machine gun, himself killing the enemy 

gunner. Shortly after this encounter, 

when the troops were compelled to retire 

because of the heavy enemy artillery 

barrage, Lieutenant Bronson, who was the 

last man to leave the advanced position, 

was wounded in both arms by an enemy 

high-explosive shell. He was then assisted 

to cover by another officer who applied 

first aid. Although bleeding profusely 

and faint from the loss of blood, 

Lieutenant Bronson remained with the 

front line that night refusing to go to 

the rear for treatment. His conspicuous 

gallantry was an inspiration to the 

members of his command and for his 

deeds he was awarded the Congressional 

Medal of Honor.

During the 91st Division advance 

between Véry and Eclisfontaine, on 

September 26, Corporal Philip C. Katz 

performed the heroic service for which he 

was awarded the Congressional Medal of 

Honor. After his company had withdrawn 

about 200 yards to a line about 1 mile 

south of Eclisfontaine, Corporal Katz 

learned that one of his wounded comrades 

had been left in an exposed position. 

Voluntarily crossing an area swept by 

heavy machine-gun fire, he advanced to 

where the wounded soldier lay and carried 

him to a place of safety.

Epinonville, 3⁄4 mile east of Eclisfontaine, 

was the 91st Div. Hdqrs., Sept. 28– Oct. 4, 

and 89th Div. Hdqrs., Oct. 14–24.

During the severe fighting near 

Epinonville, Sergeant Lloyd M. Seibert, 

91st Division, won the Congressional 

Medal of Honor. Suffering from illness, he 

led his men with the highest courage and 

leadership under heavy shell and machinegun fire. On September 26, with two 

other soldiers, he charged a machine-gun 

emplacement in advance of his company, 

he himself killing one of the enemy with a 

shotgun and capturing two others. In this 

encounter he was wounded but continued in 

action, and when a withdrawal was ordered 

he returned with the last unit, assisting a 

wounded comrade. Later in the evening 

he carried in wounded until overcome 

with exhaustion. On September 27, when 

his organization captured Epinonville, 

Sergeant Seibert was one of about ten 

soldiers who went through their own 

barrage into the village, where, according 

to his citation, he chased a group of 30 or 

more Germans along the main road until 

he dropped from exhaustion.

Exermont. In the severe fighting near 

here on October 4, Private Sterling 

Morelock, 1st Division, won the 

Congressional Medal of Honor. While 

his company was held up by heavy fire, 

Private Morelock voluntarily led three 

other men, who were acting as runners, as 

a patrol through his company’s front line. 

Under intense rif le, machine-gun and 

artillery fire they penetrated a wood in 

which the German front line was located. 
(320)

The patrol encountered a series of five 

hostile machine-gun nests, containing 

from one to five guns each, cleaned them 

all out, and held control of the situation 

until the arrival of reinforcements, even 

though all except Private Morelock had 

become casualties. He rendered first aid 

to the injured and evacuated them, using 

as stretcher bearers ten German prisoners 

whom he had captured. Soon thereafter 

his company commander was wounded 

and while dressing his wound Private 

Morelock was severely wounded in the 

hip, which forced his evacuation. His 

heroic action and devotion to duty were 

an inspiration to the entire regiment.

In the same attack of the 1st Division, 

Corporal Berte L. Kinkade, Private First 

Class Stanley Gancaz and Private George 

W. Garner took an important part. 

When a German 77-millimeter field gun, 

supported by numerous machine guns, 

broke up the tank attack and held up the 

infantry advance, Corporal Kinkade, 

with Privates Gancaz and Garner, both 

of whom were scouts, made an encircling 

movement on their own initiative under 

heavy fire and put the gun out of action, 

capturing the entire crew. They cleaned 

out the enemy dugouts in the vicinity and 

returned with 40 prisoners, including 

one infantry officer. All three men were 

awarded the Distinguished Service Cross 

for their bravery.

Exmorieux Farm and the near-by Les 

Epinettes Bois. This farm and wood were 

captured by the 91st Division on September 

28 against desperate resistance.

Forêt de Dieulet. Patrols of the 89th 

Division pushed through this wood on 

November 4 and reached the Meuse River 

that same day. The engineers of the 89th 

Division built rafts in the Forêt de Dieulet 

which were f loated down Wamme Creek 

to the Meuse where they were used in 

forcing a crossing of the river near Pouilly 

on November 10.

Forêt de Woëvre. This wood was cleared 

of the Germans by the 5th Division during 

November 9 and 10.

Fossé. This village was the location of 

the 2d Division Hdqrs., November 4–11.

Gesnes. In the vicinity of this village, 

situated at the foot of Romagne Heights, 

occurred some of the most desperate fighting 

of the war. The town itself was captured by 

the 91st Division on September 29 after 

two previous attacks that day had failed, 

but was abandoned the same night because 

it formed a sharp salient in the line. Soon 

after the war a small marker was erected 

near the church by the 362d Infantry, 91st 

Division, in commemoration of its fighting 

at Gesnes during this period. The town was 

recaptured by the 32d Division in savage 

fighting during October 5.

South of this village Major Oscar F. 

Miller, 91st Division, performed the 

exploits for which he was awarded the 

Congressional Medal of Honor. Although 

exhausted by two days of intense physical 

and mental strain, he reorganized his 

battalion and ordered an attack during 

September 28. Upon reaching the open 

ground, the advancing line commenced 

A Dangerous Corner in Exermont, October 7, 1918

A Haircut Near the Front Lines
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 321

to waver in the face of machine-gun 

fire from the front and f lanks and 

from direct artillery fire. Personally 

leading his command group forward 

between his front-line companies Major 

Miller inspired his men by his personal 

courage and they again moved ahead. 

During this advance he was shot in the 

leg but he staggered on in front of his 

command. Soon afterwards he was shot 

in the arm, but continued the charge, 

personally cheering his men on through 

the heavy machine-gun fire. Just before 

the objective was reached, he received a 

wound in the abdomen, which forced him 

to the ground, but he continued to urge 

his men ahead, telling them to push on 

to the next ridge and leave him. He died 

from the effects of his wounds a few days 

later.

The 89th Div. Hdqrs. was located at 

Gesnes during the period Oct. 24–Nov. 1.

Grange-aux-Bois Farm, 1⁄2 mile west of 

Cierges. Scene of heavy fighting by the 

37th Division on September 28 and 29 

and by the 91st Division on September 

29. From the road near it is obtained an 

excellent view of the ground captured 

by the 3d and 32d Divisions during the 

severe fighting in this vicinity in early 

October.

Harricourt. Captured by the 77th Division 

on November 2. Location of the I Corps 

Hdqrs. from Nov. 5 to Nov. 10.

Hill 255, northwest of Gesnes. This 

hill was attacked by the 32d Division on 

October 4 and 5. On October 9 the 181st 

Brigade of the 91st Division, while attached 

to the 1st Division, reached a position just 

south of the crest in heavy fighting and 

occupied the hill the next day.

Hill 263, in Le Petit Bois. This hill was 

captured by the 1st Division on October 9 

after severe fighting.

Hill 269, in the Bois de Moncy. Elements 

of the 1st, 32d and 91st Divisions fought 

on this hill at various times between 

October 5 and 9. The crest was captured 

on October 8 by the 1st Engineers, a part 

of the 1st Division.

In the advance on October 7 First Lieutenant Edmund P. Arpin, 32d Division, 

won the Distinguished Service Cross for 

voluntarily leading a platoon of 41 men 

in an attack on Hill 269. Although all but 

four of his men became casualties, this 

small group under the leadership of Lieutenant Arpin continued on its mission, 

capturing a position on the hill and holding it for some time although there was no 

hope of his receiving reinforcements.

Hill 272, two miles east of Fléville. 

Brabant-sur-Meuse, November 3, 1918
322 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION

Heavy fire from this strong position 

held up the advance of the 1st Division 

on October 5. A hostile counterattack 

stopped an attempt to outflank it on 

October 8, but it was stormed and captured 

by the 1st Division, in spite of terrific 

hostile artillery fire, in a brilliant assault 

on October 9. It is reported that more than 

50 German machine guns were captured 

during the advance up its southern slope.

«Hill 285, in the Argonne Forest. This 

was on the American jump-off line of 

September 26. It was the scene of hard 

fighting in 1914–15 and is marked by many 

deep mine craters. A French ossuary 

monument, called the Ossuaire de la 

Haute Chevauchée, which mentions the 

American units that served in the vicinity, 

is on the hill. To reach it from Varennes, go 

southwest on road leading toward Viennele-Château. After entering woods take 

first turn to the left and proceed 11⁄2 miles 

to the monument.

Hill 304, 1 mile north of Esnes. This 

hill was just behind the American jumpoff line on September 26. It was the scene 

of severe French and German fighting in 

1916 and 1917. A monument on its summit 

commemorates the French defenders of 

the hill and French soldiers who died on 

it. The monument is difficult of access 

(1937) and is reached from the Esnes–

Malancourt road. The 79th Div. Hdqrs. 

was located near this road at PC Zouave, 2 

miles south of Malancourt, on September 

26 and 27.

Jametz. Captured after dark on 

November 9 by troops of the 5th Division 

who waded one stream and swam the 

Loison River under hostile fire to attack 

the town. The troops could not hold it that 

night, but reoccupied it the next day after 

a short fight. A German aviation field was 

located near there.

La Besogne, in the Argonne Forest 2 

miles west of Cornay. Location of 78th 

Div. Headquarters, Oct. 31–Nov. 3.

La Claire, 200 yards north of Bois 

Bourrus. Location of 80th Div. Hdqrs. 

during the period Sept. 26–Oct. 1.

La Forge, 1⁄2 mile southeast of 

Montblainville. Captured by the 28th 

Division on September 27. Location of 

28th Div. Hdqrs., Sept. 30–Oct. 9, and 82d 

Div. Hdqrs., Oct. 9–13.

La Wavrille. The French 26th Division 

engaged in heavy fighting on this wooded 

height from October 8 to 11. The height 

Salvation Army Workers Near Varennes Giving Fresh Doughnuts to Soldiers

Just in From the Front Line, October 1918
(323)

was captured by troops of the American 

26th Division on November 9.

Le Champy Bas. This village was captured 

by the 89th Division on November 3. In 

this attack, Captain Marcellus H. Chiles 

took a heroic part. When his battalion, 

of which he had just taken command, was 

halted by machine-gun fire, he picked up 

the rifle of a dead soldier and calling on 

his men to follow, led the advance across 

a stream waist deep. Upon reaching the 

opposite bank this gallant officer was 

seriously wounded, but before permitting 

himself to be evacuated he made complete 

arrangements for turning over his 

command to the next senior officer. Under 

the inspiration of his fearlessness, Captain 

Chiles’ battalion reached its objective. He 

died shortly after reaching the hospital 

for treatment and was later awarded the 

Congressional Medal of Honor.

Le Champy Haut, 1⁄2 mile southwest of Le 

Champy Bas. In an unsuccessful attack on 

this place on the morning of November 3, 

the 2d Division sustained heavy losses. 

The town was later occupied by the 

division without opposition.

Le Houppy Bois, east of Molleville 

Farm, was captured on October 23 by the 

26th Division. That night it was violently 

bombarded by the German artillery.

Les Côtes de Forimont, 11⁄4 miles north 

of Neuvilly. In a dugout near the southern 

edge of the woods on these hills was 

located the 35th Division Hdqrs., for 

the period Sept. 25–28, and the I Corps 

Hdqrs., Sept. 20–Nov. 2.

Maisoncelle. Captured by the 42d 

Division on November 6. Location of the 

42d Div. Hdqrs., November 7–10.

Montrebeau, 3⁄4 mile south of Exermont. 

In the attack on this wood on October 

4, Corporal Harold W. Roberts, Tank 

Corps, was driving his tank into a 

clump of bushes to afford protection to 

a disabled tank when his tank slid into a 

waterfilled shell hole, ten feet deep, and 

was immediately submerged. Knowing 

that only one of the two men in the tank 

could escape, Corporal Roberts said 

to the gunner “Well, only one of us can 

get out, and out you go,” whereupon he 

pushed his companion through the back 

door of the tank and was himself drowned. 

He was later posthumously awarded the 

Congressional Medal of Honor.

In the same attack Sergeants Harold 

J. Ash and Harley N. Nichols, Tank 

Corps, took a gallant part. Driving their 

tank in the face of direct 77-millimeter 

gun fire into the extreme eastern part of 

Montrebeau, it was put out of action by an 

enemy shell. These men continued for some 

minutes to fire on a machine-gun nest 

which was firing on them, then dismounted 

and attacked the nest. They killed the two 

gunners and disabled the guns, and then 

drove the crew from another machine gun. 

Under the protection of another tank, they 

started to their own lines, nearly a mile 

away. On the way back, they encountered 

two Germans with anti-tank rifles and 

captured the rifles. Both men were under 

heavy machine-gun and artillery fire 

throughout this operation. They were 

awarded Distinguished Service Crosses.

American Soldiers Constructing Heavy Timber

Bridge at Dun-sur-Meuse, November 1918
324 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION

Montzéville. Location of III Corps 

Headquarters during the period from 

September 29 to October 26.

Moulin de l’Homme Mort. Four 

companies of the 77th Division succeeded 

in penetrating the German lines in the 

Argonne Forest on September 28, reaching 

a position about 200 yards south of this mill. 

The units on the flanks of this force had not 

kept abreast of it, and soon the Germans 

succeeded in infiltrating behind this group, 

cutting it off from the remainder of the 

division. These four companies remained 

thus surrounded by the enemy until the 

evening of September 30. On September 

29 First Lieutenant Arthur F. McKeogh, 

accompanied by Privates First Class 

Jack Herschkowitz and John J. Monson, 

attempted to reestablish communications 

with regimental headquarters, in order 

to obtain ammunition and food. In the 

afternoon they were attacked by a hostile 

force. Killing one of the enemy, they eluded 

the others. When night came they crawled 

unknowingly into the center of a German 

camp, where they lay for over three hours, 

undetected. Finally discovered, they 

made a dash to escape, each drawing 

hostile fire. They succeeded in getting 

through the enemy lines and delivered 

valuable information to regimental 

headquarters, which helped in the relief 

of the beleaguered group. For this daring 

exploit each of the three men was awarded 

the Distinguished Service Cross.

Musarde Farm, near the southern tip of 

Côte de Châtillon. Scene of heavy fighting 

by the 42d Division from October 14 to 16, 

when it was finally captured.

Neuville-le-Comte Farm, 1⁄2 mile east of 

Exermont. Captured by the 35th Division 

on September 29, in an attack made under 

severe artillery fire, but not held due to 

a heavy German counterattack launched 

that noon. On October 4 it was recaptured 

by the 1st Division in spite of desperate 

hostile opposition.

Nouart. V Corps Hdqrs., Nov. 7–11.

«Ossuaire de la Haute Chevauchée. See 

the account given under Hill 285.

«Ossuary of Douaumont. 4 miles 

northeast of Verdun, near Fort Douaumont, 

stands the Ossuary of Douaumont, a large 

memorial to the French dead of the Verdun 

battles of 1916 and 1917. A French military 

cemetery adjoins it.

The “Trench of Bayonets”, where a number 

of French soldiers are supposed to have been 

buried standing up, is located about 1⁄2 mile away 

on the road to Bras. It is sheltered by a concrete 

structure donated by an American citizen.

PC Gorgia, 33⁄4 miles north of Clermont. 

28th Div. Headquarters, Sept. 24–27.

PC La Hutte, in the Bois Bourrus. 33d 

Div. Headquarters, Sept. 25–Oct. 21.

PC Pau, near Fontaine des Emerlots, 11⁄4 

miles southwest of La Chalade. 77th Div. 

Headquarters, Sept. 25–Oct. 2.

Peuvillers. Early on November 9 troops 

of the 32d Division attached to the 5th 

Division relieved units of the French 

15th Colonial Division who had occupied 

this village the previous day. East of the 

village on November 10 the 32d Division 

had considerable fighting.

Polka Farm, 1 mile northwest of 

Sommauthe. Heavy resistance near this 

farm checked the advance of the 77th and 

80th Divisions on November 4. The farm was 

captured on the 5th by the 80th Division.

Rampont. Location of the III Corps 

Hdqrs., Sept. 14–29, during the initial 

attack of the Meuse-Argonne offensive.

Rarécourt. Location of the I Corps 

Hdqrs., Sept. 18–29, during the initial 

attack of the Meuse-Argonne offensive.

Town Hall at Souilly Where First Army

Headquarters Was Located
(325)

Raucourt. Location of the 77th Div. 

Hdqrs. during the period from Nov. 7–11.

Ravine aux Pierres, northeast of St. 

Juvin. The 82d Division engaged in bitter 

fighting near this ravine from October 14 

to 16 and occupied it on October 21. On 

November 1 the 77th and 80th Divisions 

suffered heavy losses in an attack 

launched from the ravine.

St. Christophe, 3⁄8 mile east of Cunel. 

An entrenched German position there 

was attacked twice by the 80th Division 

on October 10 without success but on 

the next day, as the result of two attacks, 

part of it was captured. On the 12th the 

5th Division fought in the vicinity and on 

October 14 the area was finally captured 

by the troops of the 3d Division.

St. Georges. Elements of the 42d and 82d 

Divisions fought severe actions with the 

Germans south and west of this place on 

October 14 and 15. It was captured by a joint 

detachment of the 2d and 80th Divisions on 

November 1 after a determined fight during 

the main attack.

Sérieux Farm, 1 mile west of 

Eclisfontaine. The 91st Division overcame 

strong resistance here on September 28.

Sivry-les-Buzancy. This village was captured 

by the 80th Division on November 2. It is 

reported that while 45 American officers were 

discussing plans in an old stable that night for 

the next day’s attack, a large shell came through 

the roof, causing casualties among them.

Sommauthe. Captured on November 4 

by the 80th Division. Stiff resistance was 

encountered on the hill south of town and 

in the woods to the north.

«Souilly. Location of First Army 

Headquarters from September 21 to the 

end of hostilities. The United States 

Government has placed a bronze plaque 

on the town hall recording this fact.

Tailly. Captured on November 2 by the 

89th Division after overcoming strong 

machine-gun resistance. The town formed 

a salient in the line that night. 89th Div. 

Headquarters, November 4–11.

Talma, farm and village, about 11⁄2 miles 

northwest of Grandpré. These were in the 

Hindenburg Line. French troops captured 

them on October 16 but were driven out 

the next day. From October 18 to 27 the 

78th Division engaged in heavy fighting 

in their vicinity, capturing the farm 

on October 18 and the hill east of the 

village on October 25. This outf lanked 

the hostile position on the hill north of 

Grandpré, which was captured on the 

27th in desperate fighting. Talma village 

was occupied by the 78th Division on 

October 30.

During the attack by the 78th Division 

on October 23 against the hill east of 

Talma, Private Parker F. Dunn won the 

Congressional Medal of Honor. When his 

battalion commander found it necessary to 

send a message to a company in the attacking 

line and hesitated to order a runner to make 

the trip because of the extreme danger 

involved, Private Dunn, a member of the 

intelligence section, volunteered for the 

mission. After advancing across a field 

swept by artillery and machine-gun fire, 

he was wounded but continued on, falling 

wounded a second time. Still undaunted, 

he persistently attempted to carry out his 

mission until he was killed by a machinegun bullet before reaching the advance line.

Tannay. Entered early on November 5 

by patrols of the 78th Division. Later that 

day elements of the 42d Division passed 

through the 78th Division about 3⁄4 mile 

northeast of the village and continued the 

advance to the north.

Transvaal Farm, on the southern slope of 

Côte Dame Marie. Scene of heavy fighting 

on October 9 and 10 by soldiers of the 32d 

Division. The farm was finally captured by 

the division on October 10.

Signal Corps Photographer Taking Pictures

in St. Juvin
326 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION

Tronsol Farm, 11⁄4 miles southwest of 

Gesnes. Captured by the 91st Division 

after a hard fight on September 28 and held 

against a vigorous German counterattack 

the next afternoon. The 32d Division had 

heavy fighting north of the farm.

Tuilerie Farm, near the eastern end of 

Côte de Châtillon. Scene of severe fighting, 

October 15–16, by the 42d Division.

Verrières-en-Hesse Farm, 21⁄2 miles 

southeast of Avocourt. Location of the 

37th Division Hdqrs., Sept. 23–26, and of 

the V Corps Hdqrs., Sept. 29–Oct. 21.

Véry. Captured about noon September 

26 by the 91st Division. The headquarters 

of the division was located at a road 

junction 1⁄2 mile southwest of Véry during 

the period September 26–28.

Ville-aux-Bois Farm, 3⁄4 mile southeast 

of Cunel. Scene of heavy fighting by the 

80th Division on October 5, 9 and 10.

Villers-devant-Dun. Captured by the 

90th Div. during November 2. 90th Div. 

Headquarters from November 3 to 10.

Ville-sur-Cousances. Location of the V 

Corps Hdqrs. from September 18 to 29. 

Church Services at Verdun, October 18, 1918

−− −− −− −− −− ✧ −− −− −− −− −−

FACTS CONCERNING GERMAN DIVISIONS WHICH SERVED ON THE

MEUSE-ARGONNE FRONT, SEPTEMBER 26–NOVEMBER 11, 1918

Divisions moved to Meuse-Argonne front............................................................ 34

Divisions moved from front................................................................................. 15

Divisions on front September 26 (a.m.) ................................................................ 16

Divisions in line twice......................................................................................... 13

Divisions in line three times................................................................................ 5

Divisions which came from British front.............................................................. 3

Divisions sent to British front ............................................................................. 1

Divisions which came from French fronts other than Vosges................................ 18

Divisions sent to French fronts other than Vosges................................................ 9

Divisions which came from Vosges ...................................................................... 3

Divisions sent to Vosges...................................................................................... 1

Divisions which came from St. Mihiel region....................................................... 10

Divisions sent to St. Mihiel region ...................................................................... 4
(327)

Name 

of Div.

Period of 

Service 1918

Character 

of Service

Location of Service

General vicinity of—

Army to Which 

Attached1

Corps to Which 

Attached1

Casualties 2

1 Oct. 1–12 ............ Battle........ Exermont and Côte de 

Maldah.

First...................... I until Oct. 7, then V. 7,772

(459)

Nov. 6–8............. Battle........ South of Sedan................. First...................... V .............................. 583

2 Oct. 31–Nov. 11 Battle........ Landres-et-St. Georges, 

Beaumont and Moulins.

First...................... V .............................. 3,282

(61)

3 Sept. 30–Oct. 27 Battle........ Madeleine Farm and 

Bois de Forêt.

First...................... V until Oct. 12, 

then III.

7,708

(165)

4 Sept. 26–Oct. 19. Battle........ Septsarges and Bois de 

Fays.

First...................... III............................. 5,820

(396)

5 Oct. 12–22 .......... Battle........ Cunel................................ First...................... III............................. 4,184

(159)

Oct. 27–Nov. 11.. Battle........ Dun-sur-Meuse and 

Jametz.

First...................... III............................. 2,083

(267)

26 Oct. 14–Nov. 11.. Battle........ Ville-devant-Chaumont First...................... Fr. XVII until Nov. 

6, then Fr. II CAC.

4,666

28 Sept. 20–25......... Sector....... Boureuilles....................... Fr. Second until 

Sept. 22, then 

First.

Fr. IX until Sept. 21, 

then I.

97

Sept. 26–Oct. 9 .. Battle........ Côtes des Perrières, 

Apremont and Châtel-Chéhéry.

First...................... I .............................. 4,131

(106)

29 Oct. 8–30............ Battle........ Bois de Consenvoye and 

Molleville Farm.

First...................... Fr. XVII................... 4,746

(219)

32 Sept. 30–Oct. 20 Battle........ Côte Dame Marie and 

Romagne-sous-Montfaucon.

First...................... V .............................. 5,148

(370)

Nov. 9–11............ Battle........ Bois de Jametz ................. First...................... III............................. 476

(11)

33 Sept. 10–25......... Sector....... Béthincourt...................... Fr. Second until 

Sept. 22, then 

First.

Fr. XVII until Sept. 

14, then III.

48

(24)

Sept. 26–Oct. 21. Battle........ Forges and Consenvoye... First...................... III until Oct. 7, then 

Fr. XVII.

3,904

(82)

35 Sept. 21–25 ......... Sector....... Vauquois.......................... Fr. Second until 

Sept. 22, then 

Frist.

I .............................. 100

Sept. 26–Oct. 1 .. Battle........ Cheppy and Baulny ......... First...................... I .............................. 6,006

37 Sept. 23–25......... Sector....... Avocourt.......................... First...................... V .............................. 40

(5)

Sept. 26–30......... Battle........ Bois de Montfaucon and 

Ivoiry.

First...................... V .............................. 3,060

(14)

42 Oct. 12–31 .......... Battle........ Côte de Châtillon and 

east ofSommerance.

First...................... V .............................. 3,679

(91)

Nov. 5–10 ........... Battle........ Grandes Armoises and 

south of Sedan.

First...................... I .............................. 357

See footnotes, end of table.

SUMMARY OF COMBAT SERVICE OF AMERICAN DIVISIONS

IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION
(328)

Name 

of Div.

Period of 

Service 1918

Character 

of Service

Location of Service

General vicinity of—

Army to Which 

Attached1

Corps to Which 

Attached1

Casualties 2

77

Sept. 21–25 ......... Sector....... Argonne Forest................ Fr. Second until 

Sept. 22, then 

First.

I .............................. 93

Sept. 26–Oct. 16. Battle........ Argonne Forest and St. 

Juvin.

First...................... I .............................. 4,061

Oct. 31–Nov. 11.. Battle........ Champigneulle, Bar and 

Villers-devant-Mouzon.

First...................... I until Nov. 10, 

then V.

897

78 Oct. 16–Nov. 5 ... Battle........ Grandpré and Verrières .. First...................... I .............................. 4,876

79 Sept. 16–25......... Sector....... Avocourt.......................... Fr. Second until 

Sept. 22, then 

First.

III until Sept. 21, 

then V.

103

(1)

Sept. 26–30......... Battle........ Malancourt, Montfaucon

and Nantillois.

First...................... V .............................. 3,529

(65)

Oct. 30–Nov. 11 . Battle........ Borne de Cornouiller

and Wavrille.

First...................... Fr. XVII until Nov. 

6, then Fr. II CAC.

2,347

(96)

80 Sept. 26–29......... Battle........ Béthincourt and Dannevoux.First...................... III............................. 790

(1)

Oct. 4–12 ............ Battle........ Southeast of Cunel .......... First...................... III............................. 2,767

Oct. 31–Nov. 6.... Battle........ Imécourt, Buzancy and 

Beaumont.

First...................... I .............................. 1,219

(69)

82 Oct. 7–31 ............ Battle........ Cornay and Marcq .......... First...................... I .............................. 6,369

(8)

89 Oct. 20–Nov. 11 . Battle........ Rémonville, Barricourt 

and Stenay.

First...................... V .............................. 3,864

(267)

90 Oct. 22–Nov. 11.. Battle........ Bantheville, Andevanne 

and Stenay.

First...................... III............................. 3,492

(267)

91 Sept. 20–25......... Sector....... East of Vauquois First V .............................. 39

Sept. 26–Oct. 4 .. Battle........ Bois de Cheppy and Epinonville.First...................... V .............................. 4,568

(131)

92

(368th 

Inf. 

only)

Sept. 25............... Sector....... Northeast of Viennele-Château.Fr. Fourth ............ Fr. XXXVIII............ 4

Sept. 26–Oct. 1 .. Battle........ Binarville and to the 

south.

Fr. Fourth ............ Fr. XXXVIII............ 266

93

(370th 

Inf. 

only)

July 23–Aug. 15.. Sector....... Vauquois.......................... Fr. Second............ Fr. XIII .................... 10

93

(371st 

Inf. 

only)

June 22–Sept.14 . Training 

in

Line and

Sector.

Avocourt.......................... Fr. Second............ Fr. XIII until Aug. 

21, then Fr. XVII.

40

93

(372d 

Inf. 

only)

June 6–July 14.... Training 

in Line.

Boureuilles....................... Fr. Second............ Fr. XIII .................... 15

July 25–Sept. 9... Sector....... Béthincourt...................... Fr. Second............ Fr. XIII until Aug. 

21, then Fr. XVII.

16

1 All armies and corps are American unless otherwise indicated. In this table Fr. = French. 2 Casualties are for period in line only. Figures in parentheses give casualties for units temporarily attached.

Add figure in parentheses to the one above in order to obtain the total casualties during the entire operation.

SUMMARY OF COMBAT SERVICE—Continued
(329)

I

N this chapter are described the 

American military operations which 

took place during the World War 

on that part of the battle front in the 

Champagne region between the city of 

Reims and the western part of the Argonne 

Forest. They include combat services of the 

2d, 36th and 42d Divisions; the 369th, 371st 

and 372d Infantry Regiments of the 93d 

Division; the so-called “Lost Battalion” of 

the 77th Division; and the 368th Infantry 

Regiment of the 92d Division.

The operations of the “Lost Battalion” 

were part of the Meuse-Argonne offensive 

of the American First Army but because 

the area concerned is near the west side 

of the Argonne, and therefore more easily 

reached from the direction of Reims, the 

detailed description of them is included in 

this part of the book.

This chapter also includes a described 

tour of the American battlefields. The 

locations of all American operations 

in the region are shown on the general 

map at the end of the chapter and each 

operation is illustrated by a sketch which 

accompanies the text of the itinerary.

The described tour begins at Reims and 

ends at Le Four de Paris, near the western 

edge of the Argonne Forest. It takes the visitor 

to each of the areas where American fighting 

occurred and to the monument constructed 

by the United States Government north of 

Sommepy to commemorate the achievements 

of American and French troops who fought 

in the Champagne region during the World 

War.

This itinerary differs from those in the 

preceding chapters in that it does not 

form a complete loop. Such a change 

was considered advisable because it is 

believed this tour will he used mainly by 

tourists passing through the Champagne 

region on their way to visit the American 

Meuse-Argonne or St. Mihiel battlefields 

or other places still farther to the east.

AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE

CHAMPAGNE REGION

Chapter V

German Troops Attacking Village Behind Smoke Screen, July 15, 1918. © G
EARLY in July the French secured 

information indicating that the next 

enemy attack would be launched near 

Reims. As part of the preparations to meet 

it the American 42d Division was sent to 

reinforce the French Fourth Army, which 

was then holding the front line from a point 

about 7 miles east of Reims to the edge of 

the Argonne Forest. 

General Pétain, the Commander-inChief of the French Army, on June 24 

had prescribed in considerable detail the 

plan to be followed in defending against 

the expected attack. Under this plan the 

front lines were to be held by but few 

troops, who were to withdraw in case 

of a determined assault, and the main 

defense was to be made at a position, 

intermediate between the then-existing 

first and second positions, about 11⁄2 miles 

from the front line. The preparation for 

defense of this intermediate position 

and the existing second position in rear 

of it was an emergency task requiring 

immediate attention. Consequently, when 

the 42d Division arrived all available 

units were immediately assigned to work 

to strengthen these two positions.

The 42d Division was attached to the 

French XXI Corps, which was charged 

with the defense of that part of the front 

including Perthes-les-Hurlus, Souain and 

St. Hilaire-le-Grand. (See map page 343.) 

The intermediate position ran just north of 

these towns and the second position about 

1 mile south of them. The 42d Division was 

given the mission of preparing for defense 

and holding that part of the second line 

south of Souain and St. Hilaire, and, in 

addition, three of its battalions were 

placed on the intermediate position in 

front of those places. All troops on the 

intermediate and second positions were 

directed to maintain their ground “in any 

event and at all costs.”

The French Intelligence Service discovered further details of the impending attack, and by July 11 was able to forecast 

its direction, the frontage it would cover 

and the probable day it would take place. 

As a final stroke of good fortune it was 

learned during the evening of July 14, 

from prisoners captured by the French 

east of Reims, that the German artillery 

bombardment would start about midnight of that day and that the German infantry assault would be launched several 

hours later.

Thus forewarned, the French were able 

to complete their plans to break up the 

German Infantry Mopping Up a Destroyed and Still Burning Village, July 1918. © G

42D DIV ISION IN THE CH A MPAGNE-M A R NE DEFENSIV E 

JULY 15–18, 1918
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE CHAMPAGNE REGION 331

expected attack. They had previously 

moved a large quantity of artillery 

into the sector and, shortly before the 

German bombardment began, the French 

and American guns placed an intense 

bombardment on the German artillery 

emplacements and assembly points for 

troops. This caused severe casualties 

in the hostile ranks and resulted in the 

replacement of several German units before 

the infantry assault was even started.

The Germans likewise had concentrated 

a great mass of artillery for the battle, and 

soon after midnight on July 14–15 such 

cannon as had not been put out of action 

by the French bombardment deluged the 

French and American positions with a 

tremendous concentration of gas and 

high-explosive shells. While there were 

many casualties, the losses were much less 

than in the previous German offensives, 

as a large part of this bombardment was 

on the first position from which most of 

the French troops had been previously 

withdrawn.

The few troops manning the front line 

had the mission of giving warning of the 

attack to the units in the intermediate 

position and of delaying the enemy as long 

as possible. They sent back information 

mainly by telephone, rockets and f lares. 

The story of these men, exposed to almost 

certain death under the heavy shelling, 

is an epic of heroism. Among them was a 

group comprising one officer and 25 men 

of the 42d Division who were posted 1⁄2 

mile in front of the main line of resistance 

to defend an anti-tank gun. This entire 

group was sacrificed, not one returning to 

the division after the attack.

The infantry assault began at 3:50 a. m. 

on a battle front extending east of Reims to 

Tahure and southwest of Reims to a point 

about 4 miles east of Château-Thierry. 

Because the Germans progressed rapidly 

through the French front line their first 

reports were highly favorable and reserve 

troops were rushed forward in the belief 

that the shock of the initial onslaught had 

been irresistible.

On the front of the French XXI Corps, 

the Allied and American artillery was 

kept informed of the progress of the 

German infantry attack by watchers in 

the forward positions. Consequently, 

the gunners were able to shorten their 

range progressively so that the German 

troops from the time the attack started 

German Anti-Aircraft Battery in Position Near the Champagne Front. © G
were constantly under a rain of Allied 

shells, with no shelter available, the 

French having previously destroyed or 

made untenable by poison gas all dugouts 

in front of their intermediate position. 

Under this deluge of fire the Germans 

approached the intermediate position 

where the French and Americans were 

waiting. They repeatedly attacked that 

position during the first day, suffering 

terrific losses, but were everywhere 

repulsed, except at two places. In those 

places the hostile troops who penetrated 

the French and American lines were 

promptly driven out by counterattacks.

During this fighting six more American 

infantry companies were sent forward to 

the intermediate position, now become 

the front line, and the 150th and 151st 

Machine Gun Battalions and the artillery 

brigade of the 42d Division all actively 

participated in driving the enemy back.

The Germans continued their attacks 

on some parts of this front on July 16, but 

made no gains of importance.

In the sector of the French Fifth Army 

southwest of Reims the Germans on 

July 15 pushed several divisions across 

the Marne River and advanced a short 

distance in the direction of Epernay. Hard 

fighting continued there until the 17th 

when the advance was definitely stopped.

Although this powerful and ambitious 

drive was made by the enemy in a desperate 

effort to win the war, it lacked the quality 

of surprise which had characterized most 

of the other German attacks of 1918. The 

Allies not only avoided exposing their 

men to much of the devastating effects 

of the hostile preliminary artillery 

bombardment, but they fought the battle 

on a position of their own choosing, 

inf licting heavy losses and a serious 

repulse on the enemy.

The 42d Division, which suffered more 

than 1,600 casualties, was enthusiastically 

commended by General Gouraud, 

commanding the French Fourth Army, 

for its gallant conduct in the defense. It 

was withdrawn from the line on July 19 

preparatory to moving westward to take 

part in the Franco-American offensive 

against the Marne salient which had 

begun with great success the day before.

The exact locations of the infantry units of 

the 42d Division are shown on the sketch on 

page 343 and further details of the fighting 

will be found in that part of the text.

German Infantry Advancing on the Western Front, 1918. © G

German 15-cm. Howitzer Battery Firing While Infantry Is Moving Forward, October 1918. © G
(333)

T HE French Fourth Army, holding most of the front between the Argonne 

Forest and Reims, attacked on September 

26, in conjunction with the northward 

drive of the American First Army between 

the Meuse River and the Argonne. By 

September 30 the Americans east of the 

Argonne Forest had progressed more 

than 6 miles, whereas the French Army 

near Sommepy, after an advance of about 

31⁄2 miles, met with desperate resistance 

just south of Blanc Mont Ridge and were 

unable to take that position. (See map on 

page 349.)

Blanc Mont Ridge was the key point of 

the German defenses in the region, being 

on the last natural defensive line south 

of the Aisne River, 16 miles away. It had 

been greatly strengthened by an elaborate 

system of trenches, underground shelters 

and barbed-wire entanglements. The 

capture of the ridge was essential to 

further progress in the region; so, at the 

request of the Allied Commander-inChief for two American divisions, General 

Pershing sent the 2d and 36th Divisions 

from the American First Army to assist 

the French Fourth Army in its efforts to 

take the ridge.

On October 2 the 2d Division took over a 

zone of action north of Sommepy, as part 

of the French XXI Corps, preparatory to 

launching an attack against Blanc Mont 

Ridge. If this ridge could be captured the 

enemy would be compelled to retire to the 

Aisne River on the entire French Fourth 

Army front. The American troops had 

therefore the most important assignment 

in the attack and were expected to lead 

the advance, which they succeeded in 

doing in a splendid manner.

Prior to the general attack on October 

3 the 2d Division, with characteristic 

energy, captured certain sections of the 

hostile trenches which were necessary to 

provide a suitable jump-off line. It formed 

for the general assault with its Infantry 

Brigade on the right, to drive forward 

from the southeast against the eastern 

end of Blanc Mont Ridge, and its Marine 

Brigade on the left, to strike the western 

part of the ridge from the south.

Early on October 3 the 2d Division 

jumped off and in spite of desperate 

resistance within three hours had the 

crest of Blanc Mont Ridge firmly in its 

grasp. The French divisions on its f lanks 

were left far behind. The one on its left 

German Airplane Shot Down by American Anti-Aircraft Gun

2D A ND 36TH DIV ISIONS W ITH THE FR ENCH FOURTH 

AR MY, SEPTEMBER 29–OCTOBER 28, 1918
made no progress, and the western slopes 

of Blanc Mont remained in the possession 

of the Germans. This enabled them to 

keep up a deadly enfilade fire against 

the 2d Division, and the Marine Brigade 

was compelled to deploy part of its forces 

facing to the west to cover that exposed 

f lank. While facing in that direction these 

American units repulsed a determined 

German counterattack.

During the afternoon the Infantry 

Brigade again pushed forward. It reached 

a point about 1 mile from St. Etienne-àArnes where it remained that night with 

its f lanks temporarily unsupported. 

The deep advance of the 2d Division 

on October 3 caused the Germans to 

initiate at once preparations for a hasty 

withdrawal to the Aisne River valley.

On October 4 the Marine Brigade pushed 

its front lines abreast of the Infantry 

Brigade, while some of its troops continued 

to hold off the Germans on the left where the 

French still found it impossible to advance. 

It attacked again about noon but was not 

able to hold all of its gains. The Infantry 

Brigade, after defending its position against 

a number of vicious counterattacks early 

in the morning, launched an assault in the 

afternoon but after heavy losses retired 

to its jump-off position. The fighting on 

this day was of exceptional severity, the 

Germans launching many counterattacks 

in an effort to regain the ground which they 

had lost.

During most of October 5 it was 

necessary for the 2d Division to wait until 

the French divisions on its f lanks had 

advanced farther. The Marine Brigade 

cleared the enemy from the western slope 

of Blanc Mont, thus enabling the French 

troops on that f lank to progress, and later 

in the day pushed on several hundred 

yards in conjunction with them. On the 

6th both brigades again moved forward.

The 71st Brigade of the 36th Division 

went into the line with the 2d Division 

during the night of the 6th, and on the 8th 

the attacks were renewed. St. Etienne-àArnes was captured that day, and several 

heavy counterattacks were repulsed.

The 2d Division, except for its artillery 

brigade and engineer regiment, which 

continued on with the 36th Division, was 

relieved by that division on October 10.

In the operations up to this time the 2d 

Division had lost about 6,300 officers and men. 

It had broken into the German lines to a depth 

of about 4 miles, and had captured over 2,000 

prisoners and the vitally important Blanc 

Mont Ridge. The accomplishments of the 2d 

Division in this operation were responsible for 

the advance of the entire French Fourth Army, 

and for its brilliant exploits it was commended 

in the highest terms by the French Corps and 

Army Commanders.

German Machine-Gun Emplacement, Blanc Mont 

Ridge, Captured by the 2d Division, 

October 3, 1918

German Tanks Disabled on the Western Front. © G
(335)

For further details of this 2d Division 

fighting see pages 351–355 of the itinerary.

The 36th Division, which was entering 

the front line for the first time, took 

immediate advantage of the favorable 

conditions created by the successful 

advance of the 2d Division, and attacked 

east of St. Etienne-à-Arnes on the 10th. 

After considerable fighting it made some 

gains. (See the sketch on page 356.)

That evening information was received from 

the French XXI Corps, with which the division 

was serving, that the Germans were retiring, 

and the Corps directed a vigorous advance. 

As a result the 36th Division attacked the next 

morning, and after overcoming machine-gun 

resistance, drove the Germans back about 

3 miles to beyond Machault. Its aggressive 

advance, in conjunction with the French, 

was continued on the 12th when Dricourt 

and Vaux-Champagne were captured. The 

division front line was established that night 

on the high ground just to the north of the 

latter place. On the 13th the 36th Division 

again moved forward and that day took up 

a defensive position along the canal near the 

Aisne River.

During the next few days it extended its 

flanks to take over sectors from French 

units leaving the line. On the 18th it was 

placed under the French XI Corps and 

on the 23d it assumed control of the front 

facing the bend of the Aisne in which are 

located Rilly-aux-Oies and Forest Farm. 

At that point enemy troops had remained 

south of the Aisne River and had organized 

a strong position across the base of the 

bend which a French division had assaulted 

unsuccessfully on October 16.

On the afternoon of October 27 the 

division attacked that position, drove the 

Germans beyond the river and organized 

its line north of Forest Farm.

The operations of the division, which 

were begun in the vicinity of St. Etienneà-Arnes about 12 miles to the south, were 

terminated on October 28, and on that 

date the division passed into reserve, 

having lost close to 1,100 men. (For 

further details consult pages 355–357.)

This successful operation was the only 

one in which the 36th Division participated, 

although when the Armistice was signed it 

was again preparing to enter the battle line 

as part of the American Second Army for 

an attack near the Moselle.

German Trench Mortar Detachment in the Assault, July 15, 1918. © G

German Troops Combatting Tanks

With Flame Throwers, October 1918. © G
WHEN the French Fourth Army 

advanced northward in the 

Champagne region on September 26, three 

infantry regiments of the American 93d 

Division1 were serving in that Army as 

integral parts of French divisions. These 

French divisions were with the French IX 

Corps, which attacked from a position on 

the battle front lying a few miles to the west 

of the Argonne Forest.

The 369th Infantry had entered this 

general area on April 8 with the French 

16th Division and was slightly engaged 

on July 15 during the German offensive 

of that date. Reassigned to the French 

161st Division it was in support when the 

attack of September 26 started. (See the 

map on page 359.) On that day it entered a 

gap in the line, took the town of Ripont, 

captured a number of prisoners and 

several pieces of artillery, and continued 

forward during the 27th and the 28th. On 

the latter day it gained a foothold on the 

side of the Bellevue Signal Ridge after a 

stubborn fight.

On October 28 the 371st and 372d 

Infantry Regiments entered the line as 

part of the French 157th Division and 

attacked at once, advancing about 600 

yards against machine-gun resistance.

During the morning of September 29 

the 371st Infantry captured Ardeuil and 

Montfauxelles and the 372d made an 

unsuccessful assault against Séchault 

from the west. Although patrols entered 

1

 The units of the 93d Division were composed of 

colored troops from all sections of the United States.

the town the units of the regiment became 

so intermingled that it was withdrawn for 

reorganization. The town of Séchault was 

finally taken that afternoon by the 369th, 

in an attack launched from the heights to 

the south of it.

On September 30 the 369th Infantry 

advanced about 1⁄2 mile and was relieved 

from the line that night, after having 

suffered heavy casualties. On the same 

date the 371st captured Trières Farm.

On October 1 the 372d Infantry 

relieved the 371st and on October 2 

advanced about 3⁄4 mile to a point south 

of Monthois where it was subjected to 

enfilade fire from the high ground to 

the southwest of that town. It repulsed 

a strong enemy counterattack on the 5th 

and held its position about 1⁄2 mile south 

of the village of Monthois until it was 

relieved on October 7.

All three regiments won the praise of 

the French authorities for their conduct 

in the attack. The 369th Infantry suffered 

785 casualties during the fighting in this 

region and the 371st and 372d Infantries, 

882 and 579, respectively.

For further details of the operations of 

these regiments consult pages 358–360.

While this fighting was going on, the 

other infantry regiment, the 370th, of the 

93d Division was serving with a French 

division northeast of Soissons.

Soon after October 8 these three 

regiments of the 93d Division entrained 

with their French divisions to enter sectors 

of the front line in the Vosges Mountains. 

Troops of the 369th Infantry, 93d Division in the Front-Line Trenches

369 TH, 371ST A ND 372D INFA NTRY R EGI MENTS 

93D DIV ISION W ITH THE FR ENCH FOURTH A R M Y 

SEPTEMBER 26–OCTOBER 8, 1918
ON October 2 the 77th Division, 

attacking northward in the Argonne 

Forest as the left division of the I Corps and 

American First Army, encountered heavy 

resistance and made little progress except 

in the zone of action of the 308th Infantry. 

Six companies of that regiment and parts 

of two companies of the 306th Machine 

Gun Battalion, which were operating under 

orders to proceed without regard to the 

progress on their flanks, penetrated the 

enemy lines by following a small valley and 

established themselves, just before dark, on 

the northern slope of the ravine to the east 

of Charlevaux Mill. (See map page 363.) 

Communication had been maintained with 

the troops in rear during the day, and late 

in the evening one company of the 307th 

Infantry succeeded in moving forward to 

join this advanced force in the ravine.

The Germans, however, pushed troops 

between the main body of the division and 

these companies, with the result that by 

daybreak on October 3 the companies were 

completely surrounded.

This little force, holding a position 

about 1⁄2 mile in advance of the front line 

of the division, was subjected to repeated 

assaults and exposed to incessant 

machine-gun and minenwerfer fire from 

all sides. Food was exhausted on the 

second day, water could be procured only 

with difficulty from the muddy creek, 

which was exposed to hostile fire, and 

suffering from hunger and thirst became 

more and more acute. Ammunition soon 

became scarce and to defend themselves 

the men in the position were forced to 

salvage rif les and ammunition from the 

German dead.

The Air Service did not succeed in its 

attempts to deliver messages or to drop food, 

medical supplies and ammunition into the 

position, and the efforts of the 77th Division to 

push forward to relieve its isolated troops were 

also unsuccessful. Disdaining any thought 

of surrender, however, the detachment 

maintained its unequal fight day and night.

Finally, on October 7, the right of the 

American I Corps launched an attack from the 

east against the flank and rear of the hostile 

position in the Argonne Forest and at the same 

time the 77th Division renewed its attacks.

This flanking movement forced the 

Germans to withdraw, and that evening the 

troops of the 77th Division advancing from 

the south rescued the “Lost Battalion,” 

which that afternoon had beaten off the 

last and fiercest attack against it.

When relieved on the night of October 

7, after having been cut off for five days 

and nights, only about one third of the 

more than 600 men who had entered the 

position were able to walk from it.

The American First Army at the time 

this operation started was engaged in 

the Meuse-Argonne offensive and, in the 

Argonne Forest, was facing the German 

second position, a strongly-organized 

defensive line. The “Lost Battalion” 

penetrated that line at a place temporarily 

unoccupied by German troops. When 

reoccupied by the Germans the defenses 

were so strong that, in spite of the greatest 

efforts, the 77th Division could not break 

through until the f lank attack of the I 

Corps forced the enemy to retire.

For additional information concerning 

this “Lost Battalion,” refer to pages 362–

365 of the itinerary in this chapter.

Scene of the “Lost Battalion”, 77th Division, in the Argonne Forest

The American troops occupied the slope below the road identified by the white gash

on the hillside near the right side of the picture

“LOST BATTALION” OF THE 77TH DIVISION, OCTOBER 2–7, 1918
Airplane View of a Battle in France, Probably in the Champagne region; date unknown
(339)

ON September 26 the connecting force between the French Fourth Army, 

attacking northward from the Champagne 

front, and the American First Army, 

attacking from the Meuse-Argonne front, 

was composed of the 368th Infantry, 92d 

Division,1 and the French 11th Cuirassiersà-pied, and operated under the command 

of the French 1st Cavalry Division 

(dismounted) which was the right element 

of the French XXXVIII Corps.

These units went into line on September 

25. The next day part of the 368th Infantry 

advanced about 1 mile but with the 

exception of one company which spent 

the night about 200 yards in front of its 

starting point, the rest of the units retired 

during the evening to behind their jumpoff positions. (See map on page 366.)

On the 27th the connecting force moved 

forward an average distance of 1 mile, 

encountering little opposition.

On the 28th the 368th Infantry, reinforced 

by two companies of the 351st Machine 

Gun Battalion of the 92d Division, 

French artillery units and a squadron of 

the French 10th Dragoons, attacked in 

the direction of Binarville and although 

considerable movement backward and 

forward took place during the day the total 

ground gained was quite small.

The American First Army placed the 

remainder of the 92d Division, less its 

artillery, engineers and 183d Brigade, at 

the disposal of the French XXXVIII Corps 

on September 29. The corps reduced the 

width of the zone of action of the 368th 

Infantry at that time and the regiment 

spent most of the day in rearranging and 

reorganizing its units.

On the 30th a French regiment, the 9th 

Cuirassiers-à-pied, was directed to capture 

Binarville. Seeing this unit advancing, and 

having failed to receive the orders to stand 

fast which had been sent it, elements of the 

368th attacked with the French. Binarville 

1

 The 92d Division was composed of colored soldiers 

from various parts of the United States and all of the 

company officers of the 38th Infantry were colored.

was captured and the front line was 

established beyond it.

During the morning of October 1 the 

American regiment was relieved from the 

front line, and it passed into reserve with 

other organizations of the 92d Division.

The division was returned to the control 

of the American First Army on October 

4, after having suffered casualties which 

totaled 270 officers and men.

For further information of the fighting 

of this detachment consult pages 366–367.

German Balloon Detachment Advancing Along 

Road, 1918. © G

368 TH INFA NTRY R EGI MENT, 92D DIV ISION 

IN THE MEUSE-A RGONNE OF FENSIV E 

SEPTEMBER 26–OCTOBER 4, 1918
Monts

de Cha m p a gne

Ft. de la

Pompelle A

B

D

C

E

F

Aisn

e

R iver

V e e sl

R i v e r

i A re

i R

v er

Re e th l

Attigny Roche

Vouziers Leincourt

Ma a ch ult

St. Etie e nn n àAr es Mo o nth si

Ardeuil Séchault

Condé les Autry

Binarville Servon

Vienne le Châ â te u Ville sur Tourbe

C e rnay e n Do mr ois

Hu url s Hur ul s Pe e rth e s s l

Tahure

Souain

Na av rin

Farm

Manre

Be

e

e

e ll vu

S

gi nal R

di g

Ripont

Sommepy

Blanc Mont R di ge

Orfeuil

Mé éd ah Fa mr

Rilly-auxOies le e e Ch sn

B B oult- aux- ois

Buzancy

Grandpré

St. Juv ni

St. Hila eir e ar G dn

Pr e os s n

Aub e ériv

R

eims Witry les s Re

W

im

ar r me e i ill v

la a a H r zée

Nauroy

l

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Bois

de Bou gr go ne

Argonne

Forest

Stop, described in t t ex

t t ex in described Route,

Na a t

t

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O her R ao ds

Highway

ABCDEF

S s ee ek tch of 42d Div. Operation

R

s

uins

2d.

3 t 6 h

39 d

“Lost tt Ba alion”

368th Infantry

(77th Div.)

(92d Div.) Operations

Dotted line enclos se approximate a a re in wh hic

roads re a blocked by y artiller prac cti e at t t a e e

e

r i i

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” ” ” ” ”

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(341)

THIS tour begins at Reims and ends at Le Four de Paris. It is 68 miles (109 

kilometers) long and can be completed in 

four hours if care is taken not to spend too 

much time at the interesting points.

The described tour is only slightly greater 

in mileage than the direct route across the 

area, and for that reason it is expected 

that it will be used most often by those 

who cross the region from west to east en 

route to other places. An interesting return 

road is suggested for those desiring to visit 

other battlefields in this region while going 

back toward Reims or Paris.

The information which is given on pages 

520–521 will be helpful to those who are 

following this tour and it should be read 

by the tourist before he starts on his trip.

The mileage figures in the text are given 

merely as an aid to the reader and are not 

essential in following the itinerary.

When following the described route, 

unless contrary road instructions are 

specifically given, continue straight ahead.

EN ROUTE REIMS CATHEDRAL TO 

NORTHWEST OF ST. HILAIRE-LE-GRAND

Speedometer distance is measured from 

the statue of Joan of Arc which is located 

on the plaza in front of the cathedral.

(0.0 m 0.0 km) With automobile facing 

cathedral, set speedometer to read zero. 

Reims Cathedral During the War; Note the sandbag protection

A TOUR OF THE A MER ICA N BAT TLEF IELDS 

IN THE CHAMPAGNE REGION
342 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE CHAMPAGNE REGION

Leave plaza by street to the right front and 

follow the route to the exit of town shown on 

the above sketch.

(1.5 m 2.4 km) Near edge of town, at 

road junction where street ends, is located 

a small monument to the colored troops 

who fought in the French Armies.

(4.3 m 6.9 km) Beyond town, after crossing 

railroad, on the sky line just to the right of 

the road ahead are seen the battered ruins 

of the Fort de la Pompelle, a French fort 

built many years before the World War 

for the defense of Reims. It was captured 

by the Germans early in September 

1914 and recaptured by the French soon 

thereafter. During the fighting in 1918 it 

was encircled by the German troops but 

not captured. Severe fighting took place 

all around it.

Across the road from the fort is a 

monument to the defenders of this part of 

the front during the World War.

At road junction near fort, close to the 

right side of the road, is one of a number 

of small markers erected at various points 

along the roads of France and Belgium to 

indicate the line from which the German 

forces were hurled back by the Allied 

Armies in the summer and fall of 1918.

(5.6 m 9.0 km) At the road junction near 

Fort de la Pompelle, bear to the left.

(6.1 m 9.8 km) Beyond junction, 

about 1⁄2 mile, alongside the road

are seen (1937) the remains of a 

large British tank. It was captured 

by the Germans in Picardy, used 

by them here on July 15 in their 

last great offensive, and put out 

of action at this spot by French 

artillery fire.

The road for the next 14 miles 

follows the trace of an old Roman 

road and for the greater part of 

the next 20 miles was either on 

or just in rear of the French front 

line during most of the war. For a large 

part of the way a trench followed the left 

side of it. Many traces of other Allied and 

German trenches are still visible (1937) in 

the fields along this road.

(6.3 m 10.2 km) To the right and right 

rear in the distance is seen the Montagne 

de Reims. It is a high wooded plateau, 

forming a very strong natural defensive 

position, and was the main objective of the 

last great German offensive. Important 

French observation posts were located 

along its near edge.

(10.8 m 17.4 km) About 41⁄2 miles farther 

on, while approaching main crossroads, 

to the left front are seen the shattered 

crests of the Monts de Champagne. These 

were in the hands of the Germans until 

April 1917 when a general French attack 

launched from near this road pushed the 

enemy from them.

The French Government is attempting 

to preserve there a number of trenches, 

concrete machine-gun emplacements and 

tunnels. To visit some of them, turn left at 

next crossroad toward Nauroy and proceed 

to first high crest. Length of detour—3 

miles. Time required—30 minutes.

(11.4 m 18.4 km) Just before reaching 

the main crossroads, to the left alongside 

the road, are seen two small markers, one 

342 AMERICAN OPERATION

Leave plaza by street to the right fr

and follow the route to the exit of t

shown on the above sketch.

(1.5 m 2.4 km) Near edge of tow

road junction where street ends, isloc

a small monument to the colored 

who fought in the French Armies.

(4.3 m 6.9 km) Beyond town, a

crossing railroad, on the sky line jus

the right of the road ahead are see

battered ruins of the Fort de la Pom

A French fort built many years befo

World War for the defense of Reim

was captured by the Germans ea

September 1914 and recaptured 

French soon thereafter. Durin

ghting in 1918 it was encircled b

German troops but not captured. 

ghting took place all around it.

Across the road from the fort 

monument to the defenders of th

of the front during the World War.

At road junction near fort, close to 

right side of the road, is one of a nu

of small markers erected at various 

along the roads of France and Belgi

indicate the line from which the Ge

forces were hurled back by the A

Armies in the summer and fall of 

(5.6 m 9.0 km) At the road junc

near Fort de la Pompelle, bear to the 

Fort de la Pompelle, 

Cathedral

Statue

Joan of Arc

Boul. de la Paix

Boul. Pasteur

Monument to French

Colored Troops

TO CHÂLONS

Caves

Pommery

Route Leaving

N REIMS

0 500 1000 1500 M.

Fort de la Pompelle, Part of the Eastern Defenses of Reims
(343)

indicating the farthest advance of the 

German Armies in this region during 1918 

and the other commemorating the 27th 

Infantry Regiment of the French Army.

(12.8 m 20.6 km) The next village seen to 

the right is Prosnes. At its near edge is seen 

a small monument which commemorates a 

French infantry regiment.

(16.7 m 26.9 km) About 4 miles farther on, 

along left side of road, is seen a large World 

War cemetery, containing in different 

sections the bodies of 6,424 French, 66 

Polish and 5,333 German dead.

(17.1 m 27.5 km) 21⁄2 miles to the left 

of this road is located the scene of the 

raid by the French 366th Infantry, 132d 

Division, IV Corps, French Fourth Army, 

about 8:00 o’clock on the evening of 

July 14 which resulted in the capture of 

27 prisoners from whom were obtained 

the time schedule and other priceless 

information concerning the great German 

offensive which was made later that same 

night along this entire battle front.

(19.0 m 30.6 km) Beyond next main 

crossroad, about 200 yards, just over the 

first slight crest, STOP.

Face down the road, which direction is 

approximately east.

The last large German offensive of the 

war which was launched on July 15, was 

stopped in this vicinity with terrific losses 

to the attacking forces.

The tourist has now reached that part of 

the front where elements of the American 

42d Division fought. The operations 

of that division have been previously 

described in this chapter. The following 

should be read with that description in 

mind and with frequent references to the 

map of the 42d Division operations which 

appears at the bottom of this page.

The intermediate position selected to be 

defended at all costs against the expected 

German Infantry Attacking With a Tank Which Had Been Captured From the British. © G

42d Division in Champagne-Marne Defensive, July 15–18, 1918

Farm

Navarin

Aubérivesur-Suippes

Auberge de l’Espérance

St. Hilairele-Grand

Joncherysur-Suippes

Souain

Perthes-lesFt. Hurlus St. Hilaire

TO

É P E R NA Y O L D R O M A N R O A D

T O

S U I P P E S

T O S U I P P E S

T

M

O

A S S I G E S

T O T A H U R E

T O

SO M M E P Y

TO R E I M S

TO SU I P P E S

Cos. F and G

165th Inf.

July 6–18

Co. H 165th Inf. in support

July 6–18 3d Bn. 165th Inf in support

July 15–18 Co. K 166th Inf. July 7–18

Co. E 165th Inf.

July 6–18

Co. I 166th Inf. July 7–18

Co. L 166th Inf.

July 7–18

Co. M 166th Inf. in support July 7–18

Co. F 167th Inf.

July 5–18

Co. E 167th Inf.

July 5–18

Cos. G and H

167th Inf.

in support

July 5–18

Cos. E and F

168th Inf.

in support

July 15–18

Espérance Sector Souain Sector

83d Brigade

84th Brigade Wacques Farm

French

Fre nch

French

French

A i n

C r e e k

Suippes

R i v e r

Bois de

Spandau

Bois des

Sapins

N

Stop, described in

in

te t

te t

x

Route, described x

First Position

Corps Boundary

Sacrice Post, see text

Intermediate Position

Division Boundary

Direction of German attack was from north to south

Second Position

Brigade Boundary

0 1 2 3 4 Miles
(344)

German attack included this road near 

here. The forward trench of the position 

ran approximately parallel to this road 

about 300 yards away to the left. Some of 

the support trenches were along this road 

and others approximately 150 yards to the 

right of it.

One battalion of the 42d Division held 

a sector here, about 1⁄2 mile long, with 

two companies in the forward line and 

one company in support in the trench 

system just to the right of this point. The 

remaining company of this battalion held 

a position in the forward line about 11⁄2 

miles away in the direction the tourist 

is facing. Another battalion was in the 

position defending St. Hilaire-le-Grand, 

about 2 miles to the right front but 

invisible from here, and still another was 

near the village of Souain, which is passed 

through later in the tour.

During the night of July 14–15 the 

excitement at this point was intense. With 

full knowledge of the German plans the 

American and French artillery, located 

a mile or more to the right of this road, 

opened fire about 11:20 p. m. upon the 

German masses forming for the attack. 

Exactly on scheduled time, 12:10 a. m., 

the German artillery commenced firing. 

Some of its fire was directed against the 

positions here but most of it pounded the 

trenches and wire of the first line, which 

ran about 11⁄2 miles away, beyond Aubérivesur-Suippes, seen to the left, and along the 

top of the ridge seen to the left front. As 

that line had been practically abandoned, 

except for the so-called “sacrifice posts,” 

much of the German fire which fell upon 

it was wasted.

At 3:50 a. m. the German infantry 

assault was launched, this fact being 

signaled to those near here by rockets 

sent up by men in the “sacrifice posts” 

who then attempted to disorganize the 

first enemy assault waves by machinegun fire while retreating slowly to the 

lines near here. At that time the American 

soldiers near this point prepared to 

receive the assault, but so effective was 

the delay caused by the small posts in 

the front line that it was not until shortly 

before 8:00 a. m. that the German troops 

succeeded in reaching the position just 

to the left of this road. The first waves 

were beaten off and by 10:00 a. m. the 

French and Americans in this vicinity 

had repulsed, with terrific losses to the 

Germans, seven separate assaults. About 

11:00 a. m. the attack lost its impetus and 

the enemy was compelled to withdraw for 

reorganization.

Further attacks by the enemy in the 

afternoon and early evening were repulsed, 

and during the night another battalion 

of the 42d Division was sent forward to 

support the lines near here. It took up a 

position in trenches running immediately 

along the right side of this road with the 

center of the battalion approximately 800 

yards ahead.

At 10:30 a. m. on July 16, after heavy 

artillery preparation, the Germans 

renewed their efforts to break through the 

line near St. Hilaire. In spite of repeated 

attacks, however, continued until 2:00 

German Assault Detachment Advancing Under Enemy Fire During the Attack of July 15, 1918. © G
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE CHAMPAGNE REGION 345

p. m., their assaults were everywhere 

repulsed with severe losses. These attacks 

were probably launched in an effort to 

conceal from the Allies the decisiveness of 

the defeat suffered by the German Armies 

on the previous day and they marked the 

end of the German attempts to advance on 

this front.

On July 16 and 17 American and 

French patrols operated as far as the 

former French first line, then held by the 

Germans, and on the morning of July 18 

the American troops made a successful 

raid on a German position to the left of 

here as a result of which information and 

a number of prisoners were secured.

On July 19 the 42d Division was 

relieved from the trenches on this front, 

preparatory to moving westward to join 

the fighting in the Aisne-Marne region.

The headquarters of the 42d Division 

during the operations on July 15 and 16 

was located at Crête Niel about 6 miles 

away to the right of this road.

From here to Souain the intermediate 

position from which the German attack 

was repulsed ran approximately parallel 

to the road followed by the tour. It was 

located from 1⁄4 to 3⁄4 mile to the left of it.

EN ROUTE NORTHWEST OF ST. HILAIRE 

TO THE NAVARIN FAR M MONUMENT

(21.5 m 34.6 km) In the next village, St. 

Hilaire-le-Grand, immediately beyond the 

church, turn to the left.

On July 15 and 16 the troops of the 42d 

Division played a prominent role in the 

defense of St. Hilaire-le-Grand.

(23.8 m 38.3 km) Approximately 3⁄4 mile 

to the right of this road was located the 

second position, organized and held by 

the greater part of the 42d Division. That 

position was heavily shelled during the 

attack but no active fighting took place 

there as the Germans were unable to 

force their way through the intermediate 

position to the left of this road.

Beyond next town, Souain, on road to 

Tahure are a monument and cemetery of 

the French Foreign Legion, the funds for 

which were furnished by an American. It 

is easily reached and well worth seeing. To 

visit, turn right at church in Souain, cross 

creek and then turn left. At road fork near 

edge of town take left-hand branch and 

proceed about 1 mile to monument and 

cemetery which are on right side of road. 

Length of side trip—3 miles. Amount of 

time required—30 minutes.

(25.5 m 41.1 km) Where road ends in the 

next village, Souain, turn left.

(25.7 m 41.4 km) Beyond town, to the 

left of the road is seen a large World War 

military cemetery containing 29,507 

French and 13,708 German dead.

(25.9 m 41.7 km) About 300 yards farther 

on, at small crest marked (1937) by two 

concrete shelters to the left of the road, 

STOP without leaving automobile.

Through this point, running at right 

angles to the road and extending about 

600 yards on each side of it, were located 

trenches held by two companies of the 42d 

Division from July 15 to 19.

Early on the morning of July 15 when 

the isolated groups in the front line, 

which were on the ridge 2 miles ahead, 

German Assault Against Village After an Artillery Preparation, July 1918. © G
(346)

retired before the German onslaught the 

American troops here were caught by the 

full force of the attack. After vigorous 

assaults the Germans penetrated the 

American lines in this vicinity about 

7:50 a. m., but were thrown back at 8:30 

a. m. after vicious hand-to-hand fighting. 

Further attacks by the enemy during 

the afternoon and early evening were 

so decisively repulsed that the German 

efforts to advance in this vicinity were not 

renewed the following day.

The following are verbatim extracts 

from an account written by an officer of 

an American company in line immediately 

to the left of this road:

“Just before midnight . . . our artillery 

opened up and the sky was red for miles, 

at midnight the enemy opened up with 

artillery and I could see hundreds of 

trench mortar shells being thrown into 

the first position where the French were 

holding the lines with a skeleton force. 

The shelling lasted until just before dawn. 

Tanks were heard during the night, these 

were put out of action before reaching 

our lines. The enemy infantry and light 

machine gunners . . . reached our wire 

at dawn, some of these broke through 

into our trenches but were killed . . . all 

attacks were beaten off.

“ . . . Some Germans attacked near 

the road in French overcoats but were 

detected in time. Before the second 

attack, the Germans could be plainly 

seen coming over the hill and down the 

Sommepy–Souain road in the distance in 

small groups and moving off to the east 

of the road to form. This attack when 

it came did not hit our line head on but 

struck us on a slant from right to left as 

a result of which large numbers of the 

enemy passed in front of our wire and 

were exposed to our fire at close range. 

One German under officer stood on 

a little rise out in front of us and gave 

arm signals until he was picked off, the 

enemy withdrew in good order when the 

attack ceased. I could see a group on a 

hillside at a considerable distance send 

up a rocket signal, a parachute with what 

appeared to be a triangle suspended from 

it, the attack ceased shortly after this.

“Our planes brought down a number 

of enemy observation balloons directly 

in front of us. The enemy planes were 

numerous and active. On July 16th I 

counted 36 Red Nose planes in one 

formation which passed over us firing on 

the trenches with machine guns.”

Continue.

(26.2 m 42.2 km) About 600 yards farther 

on, to the right of the road was located 

Wagram Dugout, occupied by the 2d 

Division Headquarters, October 2–6, 

during the fighting for Blanc Mont Ridge.

(28.0 m 45.1 km) On the next hill, at the 

large monument with the sculptured group 

on top, seen to the left of road, STOP.

This monument is across the road from 

the site of Navarin Farm, which was 

completely obliterated during the war. 

It takes its name from that place. From 

September 1915 to July 1918 the German 

German Artillery and Infantry Observers at 

Berry-au-Bac, 1918. © G

A Brigade Headquarters of the 42d Division Near

Suippes, July 10, 1918
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE CHAMPAGNE REGION 347

front-line trenches which ran at right 

angles to the road crossed it at this point. 

The French front-line trenches were about 

400 yards back toward Souain.

The monument, erected by the French, 

commemorates the dead of the armies of 

Champagne. One of the three sculptured 

figures on top represents an American 

automatic rif leman. The inscription 

names the American units which fought 

side by side with the French in this region.

In defending against the German 

offensive of July 15 the French held 

their front-line trenches only lightly 

and consequently the main fight in this 

vicinity was made near Souain at the 

place where the tourist recently stopped.

After the German attack in July had 

failed, the French lines on this ridge were 

not reoccupied and their front line was 

located about 11⁄4 miles from here in the 

direction of Souain. On September 26 the 

French troops in this vicinity attacked 

in conjunction with the Meuse-Argonne 

offensive of the American First Army. 

By September 30 they had advanced to 

beyond Sommepy, seen down the road in 

the valley ahead, where they were held up 

in front of strong German positions on 

Blanc Mont Ridge just beyond that town.

The ground in the vicinity of this 

monument has not been restored and a 

walk around it will prove most interesting.

On a clear day the square tower of the 

American monument, on the ridge beyond 

Sommepy, can be seen on the sky line by 

looking in a direction some distance to 

the left of that followed by the road ahead.

EN ROUTE NAVAR IN FAR M MONUMENT 

TO A MER ICAN MONUMENT NORTH OF 

SOMMEPY

In the next village, Sommepy, under the 

church are (1937) German dugouts which 

were used by the American 2d Division 

Headquarters, October 6–10, and by the 

36th Division Headquarters, October 

10–12. The town hall of the village was 

reconstructed with funds raised by a 

committee of American women.

(30.3 m 48.8 km) In Sommepy, after 

crossing the railroad, when church steeple 

is seen to the LEFT front, turn left.

(30.6 m 49.3 km) At the road junction 

about 1⁄

3

 mile farther on, turn to the left.

French Monument Near Navarin Farm
37-Millimeter Gun of the 2d Division Infantry in Action Against the Germans
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE CHAMPAGNE REGION 349

(31.1 m 50.1 km) A short distance farther 

on, near the left side of road, is seen a 2d 

Division boulder marker. It is located 

near the right f lank of the jump-off line 

of the Marine Brigade early on October 3.

Down the road ahead on the sky line can 

be seen the American monument on a high 

point of Blanc Mont Ridge.

(31.2 m 50.3 km) To the left of the road is 

seen a fine view of the ground advanced 

St. Etienne-à-Arnes

Orfeuil

Sommepy

Ste. Marie-à-Py

0 14

0 16

0 12

0 14

140

0 16

0 18

140

0 16

160

0 16

0 14

0 18

0 18

160

140 140

160

140

0 14

0 14

160

0 14

0 16

0 18

0 16

160

160

180

180

160

160

180

0 18

0 18

180

0 18

0 18

0 18

0 16

0 16

0 18 0 16

0 14

0 12

0 18

0 16 0 20

0 20

0 20

R i v e r

P y

R i v e r

A r n e s

(A.M.)

Oct. 4

3–5

6–7 Oct.

Oct. 8–10 (A.M.) Oct. 9

Oct. 8

Oct. 3

Oc t. 3

Oct. 4

Oct. 9–10

Oct. 7

Oct. 6

Oct. 5

Oc t. 3

Oct.

Oc t. 3

Oct. 3 (A.M.)

Farm

Scay Farm

Médéah

T O

A T T I G N Y

T O

A T T I G N Y

T O G R A N D P R É

T O

C H Â L O N S

8

French

7th

Div.

French 22d Div.

Blanc Mont

Hill 210

French 73d Div. Oct. 4–7

French 167th Div.

Oct. 3 (A.M.)

Jump-o Line

Brigade

Infantry

Marine

Brigade

Jump-o Line

O c t. 2 (A.M.)

French 21st Div. Notre Dame des Champs Ridge Hook

Essen

le Gd. Bois St. Souplet

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 Yards

Contour Interval 20 Meters N

Stop, described in text

Route, described in text

Line of Relief Front Line Gap in Line

Division Boundary Brigade Boundary

This area is about half-covered with pine woods

2d Division with French Fourth Army, Oct. 2–10, 1918

(71st Brigade, 36th Division, Attached October 6–9)
(350)

over by the Marine Brigade on October 3. 

The direction of advance of the brigade 

was approximately parallel to that which 

the tourist is now traveling.

(33.2 m 53.3 km) At next crossroads, 

turn to the right, proceed to the site of the 

monument and STOP.

This monument was erected by the United 

States Government to commemorate the 

achievements of her soldiers and those of 

France who fought in this region during 

the World War. It stands on the crest of 

Blanc Mont Ridge which was captured by 

the American 2d Division on October 3, 

after terrific fighting.

The memorial has the form of a tower 

and its sturdy, though graceful, shape 

harmonizes with the bleak and desolate 

landscape. The golden brown stones, 

of different shades, give an unusually 

attractive effect to the exterior and the 

monument as a whole is representative of 

a fine type of American architecture.

Between the road and the monument is a 

German trench and beyond it in the open 

field are the entrances to several German 

dugouts. The neighborhood contains 

many trenches and other indications of 

the war. A walk in the vicinity will prove 

to be most interesting.

On the exterior walls of the monument 

are carved the dedicatory inscription 

and the names of the American divisions 

which the monument commemorates, 

their insignia, the inclusive dates that 

they served in this region and four places 

where each division had hard fighting.

The tower is now (1937) open to visitors 

only on Sundays. Inside the door, on a 

stone panel visible through the bronze 

grille, is a brief description of the 

American operations in the vicinity.

The following details of the fighting 

are written to be read from the top of the 

tower. If read from the lower terrace a 

large part of the description will be clear 

and many of the places can be identified.

The direction arrows on the upper parapet 

walls will be of help in locating the places 

mentioned on the following pages.

American Memorial Near Sommepy Commemorating the Fighting in the Champagne Region
(351)

The American monument on Montfaucon, 

27 miles away, can be seen when the 

atmospheric conditions are favorable.

Climb tower, go to side of terrace over 

entrance door and face out with line of 

vision at right angles to the parapet wall.

Sommepy is in the valley ahead.

If the tourist is not familiar with the 

account of the operations of the 2d and 

36th Divisions, given previously in this 

chapter, it should now be read.

This monument is near the center of the 

dominating Blanc Mont Ridge. The ridge 

is crescent-shaped, Blanc Mont being that 

end about 1 mile away to the right and 

Hill 210 the end about the same distance 

to the left front. On an offshoot of this 

ridge was located Médéah Farm, which is 

about 1 mile to the left.

The ridge has great natural defensive 

strength due to its height above the surrounding country and the many wooded and cleared places on its summit. The 

chalky character of its soil made the construction of field fortifications comparatively easy and many trenches, dugouts and 

obstacles had been constructed.

The offensive of the French Fourth Army, 

which started on September 26 from a line 

about 1 mile beyond the location of the 

Navarin Farm monument, the pyramidshaped monument seen to the right of and 

beyond Sommepy, was shattered against 

the German positions at the foot of this 

ridge. The repeated French assaults were 

without avail and the French advance had 

been definitely stopped when the American 

2d Division on October 2 took over the 

front line just this side of Sommepy.

A general offensive was fixed for 

October 3. The 2d Division’s task was to 

force the enemy from this ridge and thus 

open the way for the French Fourth Army 

to advance to the Aisne River, about 14 

miles to the rear of the observer.

The division plan of attack, though 

hurriedly drawn, was cleverly conceived. 

An assault was not ordered for its entire 

front, but the Marine Brigade was directed 

to advance from the low ridge seen just 

this side of and to the right of Sommepy, 

and the Infantry Brigade was directed to 

jump off from a line just beyond the far 

edge of the wood seen to the left of front. 

The direction of advance of this last 

attack was directly against the eastern 

end of Blanc Mont Ridge and then along 

it. The zones of action of the two attacks 

Inscription on the American Sommepy Memorial

Entrance to the American Memorial Near Sommepy
(352)

converged at the crossroads seen to the 

right rear near this monument. No assault 

was made from this side of Sommepy thus 

avoiding a frontal attack against a very 

strong part of the ridge.

The attack was launched at 5:50 a.m. on 

October 3, after a brief but heavy artillery 

bombardment. It was accompanied by 

tanks and was preceded up these slopes 

by an artillery barrage. The Infantry 

Brigade found its jump-off line, which 

was in the zone of action of a French 

division, occupied by Germans who had 

made a local attack and had advanced 

there the day before. In spite of this and 

heavy enemy shellfire, the assault units 

lined up farther to the rear and attacked 

with overpowering force on scheduled 

time. Hill 210 was soon captured and the 

advance progressed rapidly along the 

ridge. By 8:30 a. m. the brigade objective, 

that part of the road in rear of the 

observer extending to the left from here 

as far as Médéah Farm, was reached and 

a defensive position along it was promptly 

organized.

The Marine Brigade, attacking from 

the right of Sommepy, drove forward 

vigorously and about 8:30 a. m. reached 

its objective, that part of the road in rear 

of the observer from the crossroads near 

here to the right as far as Blanc Mont. 

Its greatest troubles then began, as the 

French division alongside it had made no 

appreciable gain and the brigade f lank, 

about 1 mile to the observer’s right, was 

2 miles ahead of the French line and 

entirely exposed. The Germans, realizing 

the critical situation of the unit, drove in 

heavily against the exposed f lank but were 

repulsed with severe losses by a company 

on that f lank which had previously faced 

in the direction of the observer’s right in 

preparation for such a contingency. Other 

support units faced in that direction also 

and thus filled the wide gap which had 

existed in the line.

To the right front, just to the right of the 

line of the direction arrow pointing out 

St. Hilaire, is the high, partially wooded 

ridge called Notre Dame des Champs, 

which was holding up the French. On 

the left end of that ridge was a powerful 

German position called Essen Hook. That 

strong point had been unsuccessfully 

attacked by the French several times, the 

last attack having been repulsed by the 

Germans early on October 3. During the 

morning of October 3 the position was 

taken by the marines in a f lank attack and 

turned over to a French division, which 

lost it later in the day when the German 

troops counterattacked.

Go to opposite side of terrace.

St. Etienne-à-Arnes is the village which 

is seen to the left front.

The 2d Division at 2:00 p. m. on October 

3 ordered an advance from its newlywon positions along the road running in 

front of here. The marine units, in line 

beyond the road junction seen to the left, 

between 6:00 and 7:00 p. m. received this 

order to attack but being heavily engaged 

on the division’s left f lank the battalion 

commanders agreed among themselves 

to attack early the next morning. The 

Infantry Brigade, in front of and to 

the right of here, jumped off late in the 

afternoon of the 3d and advanced more 

than a mile, well beyond the units on 

Tank Preparing the Way for a German Assault, September 1918. © G
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE CHAMPAGNE REGION 353

each side of it. In spite of its precarious 

position with both f lanks exposed, the 

brigade tenaciously held to its gains.

At the end of its first day of attack the 

crest of Blanc Mont Ridge was firmly in 

the grasp of the 2d Division and both of 

its f lanks were far ahead of the adjoining 

French units. Its main mission had been 

accomplished and as a result the German 

High Command that day decided to retreat 

to the Aisne River on all the Champagne 

battle front. This decision caused no great 

change in the severity of the fighting in 

this region as from then on the Germans 

fought even more desperately to gain time 

to make the withdrawal in good order 

and thus avoid excessive losses of men, 

supplies and matériel.

Illustrative of the aggressive spirit and 

heroism of the individual soldier during the 

intense fighting on October 3 are the deeds 

for which Corporal John H. Pruitt, Private 

First Class Frank J. Bart and Private 

John Joseph Kelly of the 2d Division were 

awarded Congressional Medals of Honor, 

the highest award given by the United 

States Government for bravery.

Corporal Pruitt of the Marine Brigade 

attacked singlehanded two machine 

guns, located not far from the site of this 

monument. He captured them, killed 

two of the enemy, and then captured 40 

prisoners in a dugout near by. This gallant 

soldier was killed soon afterward by 

shellfire while sniping at the enemy.

Private Bart of the Infantry Brigade 

was on duty as a company runner when 

the advance was held up by machinegun fire not far from Médéah Farm. He 

voluntarily picked up an automatic rif le, 

ran out ahead of the line, and silenced 

a hostile machine-gun nest, killing the 

German gunners. The advance then 

continued and when it was again hindered 

shortly afterwards by fire from another 

machine-gun nest this courageous soldier 

repeated his bold exploit by putting the 

second machine gun out of action.

Private Kelly of the Marine Brigade, 

while his unit was attacking a German 

position between here and Sommepy, ran 

through the American barrage 100 yards 

in advance of the front line and attacked 

an enemy machine-gun nest, killing the 

gunner with a grenade, shooting another 

member of the crew with a pistol and 

returning through the barrage with eight 

prisoners which he had captured.

The dangerous position of the Infantry 

Brigade, whose front line about halfway 

between here and St. Etienne formed a 

deep salient into the German lines during 

the night of October 3–4, was somewhat 

relieved when the Marine Brigade attacked 

at 6:00 a. m. on October 4 and moved up 

abreast of it. Early in the morning, however, 

the Infantry Brigade had withstood fierce 

German counterattacks against its flanks, 

launched from the vicinity of Médéah 

Farm and from St. Etienne.

That afternoon the attack was renewed 

on the entire front of the division. In front 

of here the Infantry Brigade advanced at 

2:30 p. m. but came under severe machinegun fire from German positions along the 

road joining St. Etienne with Orfeuil, seen 

to the right, and was forced to retire after 

severe losses.

The Marine Brigade attacked about 

noon toward St. Etienne and reached 

the edge of the wood on this side of the 

town before it was stopped. During the 

afternoon a counterattack against its 

left f lank was repulsed. The gains made 

during the afternoon were not held as the 

advanced troops, after suffering heavily 

from hostile machine-gun and shell fire, 

were forced to fall back. Meanwhile, the 

marine units facing to the left at the end 

of Blanc Mont Ridge had beaten off two 

determined German counterattacks.

Men of the 42d Division at a Dugout Near the

Second-Line Trenches Northwest of

Suippes, July 10, 1918
German Troops Occupying a Gigantic Mine Crater Just After the Mine Exploded, July 11, 1917. © G
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE CHAMPAGNE REGION 355

Most of the German assaults on this 

day were determined, carefully planned 

attacks to regain the high ground between 

here and St. Etienne. Many of them 

collided with 2d Division attacks and thus 

the area became one great maelstrom of 

violence. Reports of 2d Division officers 

speak of this day’s fighting as the most 

severe in their experience.

The line organized by the 2d Division 

on the night of October 4–5 was about 

half way from here to St. Etienne. The left 

f lank of the division was far ahead of the 

adjoining French unit.

During the day, the French division 

on the right had advanced about 700 

yards beyond Médéah Farm. On the left 

the French had moved forward in the 

2d Division zone of action and attacked 

to the west (observer’s left) forcing the 

Germans to evacuate all of the Notre 

Dame des Champs Ridge, which was 

recently pointed out to the left rear.

On October 5 the 2d Division ordered 

an attack which was only to be launched 

when the French units came up on the 

f lanks. Due to the withdrawal of the 

German troops to the left of here, the 

French advanced during the day and the 

Marine Brigade attacked in the afternoon, 

moving forward several hundred yards. 

Other local fighting took place in the 2d 

Division zone of action but no further 

changes in the front line occurred.

On October 6 the division advanced its 

lines about 700 yards all along its front, 

the heaviest fighting taking place just this 

side of St. Etienne. During that night, a 

brigade of the American 36th Division 

took over all of the 2d Division front line 

except that held by two of its battalions. 

No attacks were made on the 7th by 

American units.

Early on October 8 an attack, 

accompanied by tanks and a heavy 

artillery barrage, was launched on the 

entire division front. It was opposed by 

severe artillery and machine-gun fire, and 

the fighting waged fiercely in St. Etienne 

and just beyond the St. Etienne–Orfeuil 

road during most of the day. Two strong 

German counterattacks were repulsed 

and by that night St. Etienne had been 

captured by a marine battalion still in 

the line, and the division front line had 

been advanced an average distance of 600 

yards. On the right the French came up 

alongside the American division.

It was during this fighting near St. 

Etienne that there occurred the deeds, 

indicative of the fine spirit and bravery 

of the 36th Division, for which Corporal 

Samuel M. Sampler and Private First 

Class Harold L. Turner were awarded 

Congressional Medals of Honor. 

Corporal Sampler’s company having 

suffered severe casualties from enemy 

machine-gun fire was finally stopped. 

Corporal Sampler discovered the location 

of the hostile machine guns on an elevation, 

and armed with German hand grenades 

which he had picked up, he rushed forward 

in the face of heavy enemy fire until he 

was near the guns, where he threw his 

grenades into the hostile position. His 

third grenade landed among the enemy, 

killing two of them, silencing the machine 

guns, and causing the surrender of 28 

German soldiers, whom he sent to the rear 

as prisoners. As a result of his courageous 

act the company was enabled to resume the 

advance immediately.

After Private Turner’s platoon had 

started the attack, he assisted in organizing 

a platoon consisting of the battalion 

scouts, runners and a detachment of Signal 

Corps troops. As second in command of 

this platoon he fearlessly led them forward 

through heavy enemy fire, continually 

encouraging the men. Later deadly 

machine-gun fire was encountered which 

reduced the strength of his command to 

four men, and forced these to take shelter. 

The enemy machine-gun emplacement, 

25 yards distant, kept up a continual fire 

from four machine guns. After the fire 

had shifted momentarily, Private Turner 

rushed forward with fixed bayonet and 

charged the position alone, capturing the 

strong point, 50 German soldiers and the 

four machine guns in it. His remarkable 

display of courage and fearlessness was 

largely instrumental in enabling his 

company to continue its advance.
(356)

2

1

3

0 1 2 3 Miles

–22

–

12

12–13

Oct.

Oct.

Oct.

11

Oct.

11

Oct. 10

Oct.

10

Oct.

10

(A.M.)

Oct. 10

Oct. 12 –22

Oct. 23–26

Oct. 21

Oct 13 26

Oct 27–28 (A.M.)

13–28

(A. M.) O

(

c

A

t. 14–28 . M)

Oct. 14–22

Oct.

2 3–26

23–28 (A.M.)

Oct. 27–28(A.M.)

Oct. 12–20

Oct.

11

Ambly-Haut Givry

Saulces-Champenoises

Vaux-Champagne

Attigny

Ste. Vaubourg

Roche

Forest

Farm

Voncq

Semuy

Rillyaux-Oies

Pauvres

Dricourt

Lencourt

Machault

St. Etiennea-Arnes

Scay Farm

T O V O U Z I E R S

T O

N E U F C H A T E L

T O

R E I M S

T O VOUZI ER S

T O

C H Â L O N S

T O M É Z I È R E S

T O

S E D A N

Canal des Ardennes

A i s n e

R i v e r

1

2

3

Line of Relief Front Line

Division Boundary

National Highway Other Roads

An excellent view of Attigny and

the valley of the Aisne River may be

obtained from this point.

This point, on the edge of Voncq

aords a good general view of the

zone of action of the 36th Division

when it captured Forest Farm.

Location 36th Division Headquarters, October 12–28.

36th Division with

French Fourth Army

October 10–28, 1918
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE CHAMPAGNE REGION 357

On October 9 some fighting occurred 

in front of here but no appreciable gains 

were made. The French were now up with 

the 2d Division on both flanks.

The 36th Division took command of 

the zone of action of the 2d Division on 

October 10. The artillery and engineers 

of the 2d remained with the 36th Division 

until that division was relieved.

The importance of the achievements 

of the 2d Division here can not be 

overemphasized and too much credit can 

not be given it. Blanc Mont Ridge was 

the key to any advance in this region and 

its capture caused the Germans to start 

a withdrawal which enabled the entire 

Fourth Army to move forward.

On the morning of October 10, based 

on information that the enemy was 

retreating, the 36th Division was ordered 

to keep in close contact with the German 

forces and pursue them vigorously. It 

attacked that afternoon and reached the 

road between St. Etienne and Scay Farm, 

seen to the right front, in the right part of 

its zone of action. The French were then 

held up near Scay Farm. The lines near St. 

Etienne were unchanged.

During the evening of October 10 

information was again received that the 

Germans were withdrawing so the 36th 

Division ordered its units to start the 

pursuit at 9:30 a. m. on the following day. 

Considerable machine-gun resistance 

was overcome during October 11 but by 

evening the division was beyond Machault, 

seen about 5 miles directly ahead.

The pursuit was continued on the 12th 

when Dricourt and Vaux-Champagne 

were captured, the division advancing 

about 7 miles. On the next day the Aisne 

River, about 14 miles to the right front 

from here, was reached. The high ground 

seen on the horizon in that direction is 

just beyond the river.

After further fighting near the Aisne 

River the 36th Division was relieved 

from the line on October 28. Its fine 

accomplishments in this region are even 

more creditable when it is considered that 

the division had been in France but two 

months, had never served at the front 

even in a quiet sector, was separated from 

its engineer regiment and field artillery 

brigade, and was critically short of 

transportation of all kinds.

Before leaving the upper terrace go to 

the side opposite the stairway leading 

to this terrace and note the village of 

Séchault to the right front, 9 miles away. 

That town and Bellevue Signal Ridge, the 

wooded nose of land seen to the right of it 

below the horizon, were the scenes of hard 

fighting by the infantry regiments of the 

93d Division whose zones of action are to 

be visited later during this tour.

EN ROUTE AMERICAN MONUMENT NORTH 

OF SOMMEPY TO SOUTHEAST OF ARDEUIL

Continue along road toward the northeast, 

without retracing route.

This road marked the front line of the 

2d Division Infantry Brigade at noon on 

October 3. On the slopes to the left of it 

were many German dugouts and shelters 

built by German troops during the early 

years of the World War when the battle 

line was about 5 miles to the right.

At the next road junction was located 

Médéah Farm. The right of the 2d Division 

line remained near it from October 3 to 6, 

in contact with the French.

(34.5 m 55.5 km) At the road junction 

near Médéah Farm, turn right.

(35.5 m 57.2 km) At the next crest, the 

road crosses the eastern end of Blanc Mont 

Ridge along which the infantry advanced.

(36.4 m 58.6 km) A short distance beyond 

the first pronounced right bend in the road,

the tour leaves the zone of action of the 2d 

Division Infantry Brigade.

(38.1 m 61.3 km) Upon reaching the next 

village, Sommepy, turn sharp left toward 

the village of Manre.

(39.9 m 64.2 km) About 11⁄2 miles farther 

on, to the right is seen a small monument 

commemorating two French regiments. 

A German concrete machine-gun 

emplacement is located close to it.

(41.9 m 67.5 km) Beyond the next wood, 

to the right front on the hillside across 

the valley are seen (1937) many traces of 

German artillery emplacements.
(358)

(42.1 m 67.8 km) At the next crossroads, 

turn to the right.

(43.7 m 70.4 km) Continue through the 

next village, Manre, toward Séchault.

There is a fine observation point on the 

high ridge south of Ardeuil where most of 

the ground fought over by the regiments of 

the 93d Division can be seen. For those who 

are especially interested in that fighting or 

who wish to enjoy an extensive panorama, 

turn right at near edge of Ardeuil and 

follow road toward Gratreuil until top of 

ridge is reached. Length of detour—21⁄2 

miles. Time required—30 minutes.

(45.8 m 73.7 km) At far side of next 

village, Ardeuil, turn to the right toward 

the village of Séchault.

(46.3 m 74.5 km) Beyond this turn, about 

1⁄2 mile farther on along the road, at the 

first crest, STOP.

Face down the road, which direction is 

approximately southeast.

This point is near the middle of the area 

of operations in the Champagne region 

of the 369th, 371st and 372d Infantry 

Regiments of the 93d Division.

The village seen to the left front is 

Séchault and the high ridge seen ahead 

to the right of the road is Bellevue Signal 

Ridge. The direction of advance of the 

units fighting near here was from the 

observer’s right front to left rear.

If the tourist is not familiar with the 

account, given earlier in this chapter, 

of the operations in this region of the 

regiments of the American 93d Division it 

should be read at this time.

The near edge of the Argonne Forest is 

seen on the sky line beyond Séchault.

When the American First Army made its 

attack on the other side of the Argonne 

Forest on September 26, the French 

Fourth Army advanced in this direction 

from its front line which was then about 4 

miles away to the right front.

With this French Army were three 

infantry regiments of the American 93d 

Division. These regiments had been 

incorporated into two French divisions, 

the 369th being part of the French 161st 

Division and the 371st and 372d being 

part of the French 157th Division.

On September 26, when the French 161st 

Division jumped off, the 369th Infantry 

was in support. During the day it entered 

a gap in the front line and captured the 

town of Ripont, about 3 miles from 

here, over the ridge to the right front. It 

continued to advance in this direction 

until September 28 when, after hard 

fighting, it established itself on the far 

side of Bellevue Signal Ridge.

On the 28th the French 157th Division 

entered the battle line to the right of here 

and both the 371st and 372d Infantry 

Regiments were engaged with it in the 

fighting. Attacking in this direction they 

advanced about 600 yards to this side of 

the ridge seen to the right. On that night 

the 371st was close to the crest of that ridge 

and the 372d on the near slopes of it. Two 

companies of the 372d lost direction and 

became separated from their battalion. 

Parts of these spent the night just this side 

of Séchault. Bussy Farm, seen to the right 

front, was occupied by the 372d Infantry 

after dark.

The French 161st Division, of which the 

American 369th Infantry was a part, on 

the morning of September 29 completed 

the capture of Bellevue Signal Ridge and 

the hill, Mont Cuvelet, seen to the left 

of it. About 2:45 p. m. the 369th Infantry 

launched an attack from those heights 

German Infantry Advancing With a Machine Gun, July 1918. © G
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE CHAMPAGNE REGION 359

against Séchault and took the town, digging 

in just beyond it. During this advance the 

members of the 372d Infantry who had 

spent the night just this side of town were 

rescued from their exposed position.

On September 29 

the French 157th 

Division formed at 

the foot of the slopes 

seen to the right 

front for an attack 

at 10:00 a. m. Part 

of the 372d Infantry 

advanced toward 

Séchault, which was 

outside the zone of 

action assigned its 

division. At 1:00 p. m. 

patrols of the 

regiment entered 

the town but were 

driven out by hostile 

machine-gun fire. 

Later in the day, after 

the town had been 

captured by the 369th 

Infantry, troops of 

the 372d mopped up 

part of it. During the 

evening the 372d was 

withdrawn from the 

line and reorganized 

near Bussy Farm.

The 371st Infantry 

attacked from near 

Bussy Farm at 10:00 

a. m. on September 

29, passed over the 

ground in rear of 

here, captured Ardeuil, seen to the 

rear, and that evening 

established its front 

line about 1 mile to 

the left rear of this 

point.

On the 30th the 

369th attacked in 

the morning and 

by afternoon had 

advanced about 1⁄2 

mile from Séchault. 

During the night it was relieved and 

moved to Bellevue Signal Ridge where it 

remained until October 7, when the division to which it was attached was taken 

out of the front line.

N

Monthois

Challerange

Mouron

Montfauxelles

Ardeuil

Moya

Mill

Séchault

Ripont

Gratreuil

Fontaine-en-Dormois

Cernayen-Dormois

Bellevue Signal Ridge

Mt.

Cuvelet

Butte

du

Mesnil

A is n e R i v e r

A l i n C r e e k F l o o d e d A r e a

D o r m o is e R i v e r

Oct. 2–7 (A.M.)

Sept. 30–Oct. 1

Trières

Farm

Sept. 3 0 –

Oct. 1 (A.M.)

Sept. 29

Sept. 28

Sept. 27

Sept. 26

Sept. 28

French 157th Div.

French 161st Div.

S

French 2d Moroccan Div. ept. 26 (A.M.)

French 74th Div.

Bussy

Farm

0 1000 2000Yds.

Stop, described in text

Route, described in text

American Front Line

Ground gained by 369th Infantry

Ground gained by 371st Infantry

Ground gained by 372d Infantry

French Front Line

Corps Boundary

Division Boundary

369th, 371st and 372d Infantry Regiments

(93d Division) with French Fourth Army

September 26–October 7, 1918
(360)

It was during the fighting near Séchault on September 29 and 30 that 

First Lieutenant George 

S. Robb of the 369th Infantry performed 

the deeds for which he was awarded the 

Congressional Medal of Honor. During 

the attack he was severely wounded by 

machine-gun fire while at the head of his 

platoon. Refusing to go to the dressing 

station for treatment until ordered to do 

so, he returned within 45 minutes and remained on duty throughout the day and 

night, inspecting the lines and establishing outposts. Early the next morning he 

was again wounded and later that day 

was struck by fragments of a bursting 

shell that killed three officers of his 

company. He at once assumed command 

and took a leading part in preparing 

the new position for defense. Displaying remarkable courage and tenacity at 

critical times, he was the only officer of 

his battalion who advanced beyond the 

town, and by clearing out machine-gun 

and sniping posts he contributed largely 

to the success of his battalion in holding 

its objective. His example of bravery and 

fortitude and his eagerness to continue 

with his mission despite severe wounds 

set before the enlisted men of his command an admirable standard of morale 

and self-sacrifice. 

On September 30 the 371st advanced 

over a mile in the direction to the left rear 

from here and captured Trières Farm. 

On October 1 it was relieved by the 372d 

and reorganized near this point. The 

372d advanced about 3⁄4 mile on October 

2 and, after repulsing a German attack 

on the 5th, was relieved from the line on 

October 7. 

On the slopes of the nose 

of the heights to the right 

of here is a small monuObservers Dropping From Observation 

Balloon After Attack by German Aviator

The Balloon Coming Down in Flames
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE CHAMPAGNE REGION 361

ment, see picture above, to the 371st Infantry. It is inaccessible by automobile.

EN ROUTE SOUTHEAST OF ARDEUIL TO 

NORTHEAST OF BINARVILLE

About 21⁄2 miles north of Séchault along 

the main road is located a small monument 

to the 372d Infantry. To visit, turn left 

toward Monthois at next main crossroads. 

Length of detour—5 miles. Amount of time 

required—25 minutes.

(47.2 m 76.0 km) At near edge of the next 

village, Séchault, turn right.

(48.3 m 77.8 km) Beyond next bend in 

road, after passing first crossroad, to the 

right can be seen the edge of the heights 

along which the 369th Infantry fought on 

September 27 and 28. The Argonne Forest 

can be seen covering the hills on the sky 

line to the left front.

(50.3 m 81.0 km) Just after entering the 

next village, Cernay-en-Dormois, turn to 

the left.

(50.9 m 81.9 km) Beyond the town, at the 

first pronounced crest, about 100 yards to 

the left of the road are located (1937) the 

remains of a number of German concrete 

battery positions. Although close to the 

road but little of them can be seen from it. 

A visit to these gun positions will prove 

most interesting.

(54.8 m 88.2 km) Continue through next 

village, Condé-les-Autry.

Beyond town, at first road junction, just 

before turning there is a fine view to the 

left rear of the ground recently passed 

over on the tour. Bellevue Signal Ridge 

can be easily identified.

(55.4 m 89.2 km) At road junction, turn 

to the right.

(57.2 m 92.1) At next main road junction, 

marked by a monument to the French 9th 

Cuirassier Regiment, turn sharply to the 

left.

(57.9 m 93.2 km) Some distance farther 

on, while descending steep hill, to the right 

along the bank can be seen (1937) several 

entrances to former German shelters and 

dugouts.

(58.2 m 93.7 km) At foot of hill, the pond 

crossed is that of Charlevaux Mill. During 

the war that part of it to the right of the 

road did not exist.

(58.3 m 93.8 km) Beyond the bridge, to 

the right across the valley is soon seen the 

Monument to 371st Infantry Near Ardeuil

Monument to 372d Infantry South of Monthois
362 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE CHAMPAGNE REGION

small ravine by means of which the troops 

of the “Lost Battalion” advanced to this 

vicinity on October 2.

(58.6 m 94.3 km) Just beyond the first 

LEFT bend in the road, at the small stone 

marked “Lost Battalion,” located near the 

right edge of the road, STOP.

Face to the right, which direction is 

approximately south.

This point is in the Argonne Forest. One 

of the most heroic defenses of the war was 

made on the steep bank just below where 

the tourist is now standing.

If the reader is not familiar with it, 

he should read the account of the “Lost 

Battalion,” given on page 337 of this 

chapter. The sketch on the next page 

should be consulted from time to time.

On October 1 the 77th Division was 

stopped by a strongly organized German 

defensive line about 1⁄2 mile in front of here 

and the French troops were held up to the 

right of here, about 3⁄4 mile northwest of 

the road junction at which the monument 

to the French 9th Cuirassier Regiment 

was recently pointed out.

On the morning of October 2 the 77th 

Division launched an attack all along 

its front in an attempt, which proved 

unsuccessful, to capture the ridge back 

of here. About noon one of its brigades 

ordered a second attack with this road as 

its objective. In that attack the units were 

directed to push forward without regard 

to the progress of adjoining units, as it 

had been erroneously reported that the 

French had made a deep advance north 

of Binarville and it was believed that the 

German resistance in front of here was 

weakening. During the course of this 

brigade attack, six companies of the 308th 

Infantry and parts of two companies of 

the 306th Machine Gun Battalion made 

a deep advance through an unoccupied 

portion of the hostile line, the German 

troops having moved over to repel 

French attacks on their right. This small 

American force, meeting little opposition, 

came into this valley through the ravine, 

to the right of here, recently pointed out, 

and about 6:00 p. m. took up a position, 

which extended from this vicinity about 

350 yards to the left, on the slope below 

the road. This position was immediately 

organized for all around defense and 

attempts were made to secure liaison with 

adjoining troops.

During early evening a battalion of the 

307th Infantry attempted to join the force 

here, but in the darkness the companies 

lost contact and only one, the leading 

company, succeeded in advancing through 

the hostile wire. It took up a position 

about 300 yards from here, to the right 

front on the near slope of the hill across 

the valley, where it remained during the 

night of October 2 in close communication 

with the troops on this side.

During the night the enemy troops 

closed the gap in their line and cut off the 

American force in this vicinity.

On October 3 all efforts of the 77th 

Division to relieve its so-called “Lost 

Battalion” failed. Early that morning the 

company across the valley moved to this 

side and took up a position on the left 

of the force here. Shortly thereafter one 

company was sent to clear a way back 

up the ravine which had been followed 

in reaching this spot. It ran into heavy 

Road Marker Indicating Site of “Lost Battalion”
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE CHAMPAGNE REGION 363

hostile fire and returned, reporting the 

gap closed. Shortly thereafter another 

company crossed the valley to the left of 

here in an attempt to secure contact with 

the remainder of its division. This unit 

was attacked on both f lanks with such 

energy that only with great difficulty was 

it able to return. That marked the last 

attempt of the troops here to fight their 

way back to the lines of their division. 

The position organized by the “Lost 

Battalion” on the steep slope below here 

was in the form of an elongated oval more 

than 350 yards in length, with an average 

Charlevaux Mill

C h a rl e

C

v a u x r e e k

Oct. 1–2

O ct. 3–7(A.M.)

Binarville

French Troops

77th Division

Oct. 1–7 (A.M.)

Advance Ax si of

A R G O N N E

F O

R

E

S

T

Stop, described in text

Route, described in text

Location of “Lost Battalion”

American Front Line

Gap in Line

French Front Line German Front Line

Army Boundary (Left boundary 77th Division)

German Encircling Troops

Flame Throwers

Machine Guns Rie Unit

Trench Mortars

Shock Section

24

200 0

180

220

140

160 180

200

200

180

160

240

200

220

180

160

180

200

220

The “Lost Battalion,” October 2–7,1918

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 Yards

Contour interval 20 meters

N
364 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE CHAMPAGNE REGION

width of about 75 yards. The machine 

gun companies were placed on the f lanks. 

The position had one great advantage in 

that this slope was so steep that German 

artillery, located in rear of the observer 

was unable to fire on the men who 

occupied it. The force dug in and prepared 

as best it could to withstand a siege.

During October 3 and 4 homing pigeons 

were used to send six messages back to 

division headquarters, giving by map 

coordinates the exact location of the force 

and describing its critical situation.

In the meantime, the enemy had 

completely surrounded the “Lost 

Battalion.” The Germans on the hills to 

the left and front greeted every movement 

with rif le fire while heavy machine guns 

emplaced on the hill to the right front 

delivered plunging bursts that swept the 

full length of the American position. 

Trench mortars, located to the right 

beyond the mill, and to the rear of the 

observer, added their fire to the deluge of 

projectiles which was being poured on the 

position of this beleaguered force.

The food available was equal to but 

one day’s supply for four companies and 

that was consumed by noon of October 3. 

There was no medical officer, and medical 

supplies were scarce. As the starving 

troops were prevented from getting 

adequate supplies of water by the intense 

machine-gun fire sweeping the valley, 

their condition soon became serious.

Airplanes were dispatched with messages 

and food, but such as were dropped 

fell each time out of reach. During one 

of these attempts, Second Lieutenant 

Harold Ernest Goettler, Air Service, and 

his observer, Second Lieutenant Erwin R. 

Bleckley, Field Artillery, were brought 

down by hostile machine-gun fire from 

the ground. They were posthumously 

awarded Congressional Medals of Honor. 

For the next four days the 77th Division 

tried unsuccessfully to break through to 

its isolated force, which in the meantime 

was performing prodigies of valor in 

withstanding the German attacks which 

were launched against it daily.

On the afternoon of October 7 the 

Germans sent a captured American 

soldier to the commander of the “Lost 

Battalion,” with a message advising him 

to surrender, and stating that a white f lag 

displayed in the American position would 

be considered as a sign of his intention to 

do so. This message was answered only 

by gathering in the white panels which 

had been used for signaling American 

airplanes and which lay on the ground at 

the foot of this slope.

At the time the message was sent, the 

Germans were on the point of launching a 

powerful attack, supported by five f lame 

throwers and additional trench mortars. 

Failing to receive a reply to their message, 

the Germans placed a terrific trenchmortar bombardment upon the Americans 

and sprayed them with liquid fire. 

However, this brave force, summoning 

all its strength, rose up from its shelters 

and counterattacked the Germans, killing 

the operators of the f lame throwers and 

beating off the attack.

This small force of Americans isolated 

behind the German front line, which 

refused to surrender and which so 

persistently avoided capture, was a source of 

considerable comment among the Germans 

and in their official communications it was 

referred to as the “Amerikanernest.”

Hillside Where the “Lost Battalion”

Was Surrounded for Five Days Near Charlevaux Mill
(365)

As a result of the successful flank attack 

by the American I Corps near the edge 

of the Argonne Forest to the left of here, 

the Germans were forced on October 7 to 

withdraw their front line in this vicinity. 

About 7:00 p. m. troops of the 77th Division, 

after a sharp fight in overcoming machinegun resistance, reached this valley and 

rescued the “Lost Battalion,” which in six 

days had its effective strength reduced from 

more than 600 to 194 men, all of whom were 

in a severely weakened condition.

Illustrative of the heroism of this 

defense are the gallant exploits for 

which Major Charles W. Whittlesey, the 

commander of the detachment during the 

fighting, Captain George G. McMurtry 

and Captain Nelson M. Holderman were 

awarded Congressional Medals of Honor.

Major Whittlesey displayed marked 

ability and indomitable spirit in his 

conduct of the defense, frequently visiting 

under fire all parts of the position and 

encouraging the men by his cool demeanor 

and calm assurance. On the fifth day 

he received from the Germans a written 

demand to surrender which he treated 

with contempt, although at that time his 

command was out of rations, had suffered 

a loss of more than 50 per cent and was 

entirely surrounded by the enemy.

Captain McMurtry commanded a 

battalion of this force. Although wounded 

in the knee by shrapnel on October 4 

and suffering great pain, he continued 

throughout the entire period to encourage 

his officers and men with an irresistible 

optimism that contributed largely toward 

preventing panic and disorder among the 

troops. On October 4, during a heavy 

barrage, he personally directed and 

supervised the moving of the wounded to 

a protected place before himself seeking 

shelter. On October 6 he was again 

wounded in the shoulder by a German 

grenade, but continued personally to 

organize and direct the defense against 

the German attack until it was defeated. 

After assistance had arrived he refused 

relief and personally led his men out of the 

position on October 8 before permitting 

himself to be evacuated to the hospital.

Captain Holderman commanded 

one of the companies. He was wounded on October 4, on 

October 5 and again 

on October 7, but 

throughout the entire period, although 

suffering great pain 

and subjected to fire 

of every description, 

he continued personally to lead and 

encourage the officers and men under 

his command with 

unflinching courage and with distinguished success. 

On October 6, in a 

wounded condition, 

he rushed through 

enemy machine-gun 

and shell fire and 

carried two wounded 

men to a place of greater safety.

The individual rif le pits used by the men 

of the “Lost Battalion” can be seen (1937) 

by climbing about 30 feet down the steep 

slope leading from the road.

The tour from here retraces itself to the 

road fork at the French 9th Cuirassier 

monument. At that point the zone of 

action of the 368th Infantry of the 92d 

Division is entered. Before leaving this 

stop the tourist should consult the map 

which appears on the next page and, if not 

already familiar with it, read the account 

of the operations of the 368th Infantry 

given on page 339 of this chapter.

EN ROUTE NORTHEAST OF BINARVILLE TO 

NORTH OF VIENNE-LE-CHÂTEAU

As the road here is (1937) too narrow to 

permit turning, proceed to road junction 

about 1⁄2 mile ahead, turn around there and 

retrace route to the monument to the French 

9th Cuirassiers recently passed.

(60.8 m 97.9 km) Upon reaching the 

monument, continue straight ahead.

Major Charles W. Whittlesey,

77th Division,

October 29, 1918
366 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE CHAMPAGNE REGION

(60.9 m 98.0 km) Between 

monument and next bend in 

road, immediately to right of 

road was located on September 

30 the front line held by one 

company of the 368th Infantry 

and part of the 9th Cuirassiers 

after they had captured 

Binarville, which is seen to the 

right front.

(61.4 m 98.8 km) In Binarville, 

at church, turn left.

After the capture of this town 

about 4:00 p. m. on September 

30, two companies of the 368th 

Infantry were heavily shelled 

in it and withdrew to former 

German trenches about 300 

yards away. An outpost, 

however, was left northeast of 

town.

Between here and the next 

town, Vienne-le-Château, the 

route goes opposite to the 

direction of advance of the 

368th Infantry. The zone of 

action of that unit was located 

almost entirely to the left of 

this road.

(62.4 m 100.4 km) Beyond 

town, at the third crest, was 

situated the line from which 

the French 9th Cuirassiers 

jumped off on the afternoon 

of September 30 to attack 

Binarville. A battalion of the 

368th Infantry, which during 

the morning had reached a 

position in the woods to the 

left, joined in this attack, 

although without orders, and 

captured the town.

Two days before, on 

September 28, elements of the 

368th Infantry had reached 

this hill during the afternoon 

but as the hostile fire was 

increasing in intensity they 

withdrew to the far side of the 

valley ahead.

(62.7 m 100.9 km) At bottom 

of next deep valley, on the right 

N

Hill 188

176

Hill

Hill

212

R a v ine de Bel Abri

TO CONDÉ - L ES -AUTRY

T O

S E R V O N

TO VI ENNE -

L E - C HAT E AU

L A H A R A Z E E

Sept. 26 – 28

Sept. 26

Sept. 29

Bois de

la

Grurie

F o r e s t

A r g o n n e

F o r e s t

A r g o n n e

Jump o Line Sept. 26 (A.M.)

Sept. 26

Sept. 26

Sept. 27

Sept.2 9

Sept.

27

Sept.27

Sept.28

Sept. 29 28–2 9

Sept.28

Sept. 29

Sept. 3 0 Oct.1(A.M.)

368th Infrantry Regiment

(92d Div.) Sept. 26–Oct. 1,1918

Vallée Moreau

Charlevaux Mill

Moulin

de

l’Homme

Mort

Bois

Carré

Binarville

Bois

Beaurain

77th

Division

0 500 1000 1500 Yards

Front Line Gap in Line

Front Line Adjoining Unit

Division Boundary Regimental Boundary

Stop, described in text

Route, described in text
(367)

side of the road, are located a number of 

German shelters which are (1937) being 

preserved.

For the next 3⁄4 mile, this road and the 

area to the left of it were the scene of 

considerable movement back and forth by 

the units of the 368th Infantry. Part of the 

area was taken on September 26 but given 

up. On the 27th in spite of considerable 

confusion it remained definitely in the 

hands of the regiment.

(63.4 m 102.8 km) Beyond next crest, 

at far side of wide shallow valley, about 

halfway up the hill, STOP.

Face back down the road, which direction 

is just west of north.

During most of the World War this point 

was near the French front line. The ground 

immediately in front was in no man’s land 

and the German trenches were close to the 

bottom of this slope.

On September 26 the 368th Infantry 

jumped off from the trenches near this 

point on a 11⁄2 mile front, mainly to the right 

of here, with the mission of feeling out the 

enemy, maintaining contact with the units 

on its f lanks and aggressively following 

up any retirement of the Germans. 

The attack was made at 5:25 a. m., 

with poor artillery support. It finally 

developed into separate movements by 

three different groups. The one nearest 

here had worked its way by dusk into the 

German trenches in the valley ahead. 

The other two groups had penetrated the 

German lines for a considerable distance 

but later in the day retired to a position 

about 1⁄4 mile behind the line from which 

they had started.

On the 27th, the units here attacked and 

advanced over the next ridge. On that day 

the whole regimental line moved forward 

about 1 mile.

Those who desire to return to Reims or 

spend further time on the battlefields in 

the Champagne region should turn right 

at next road junction toward Servon, 

and follow route to Souain shown by 

a double black broken line on the map 

opposite page 368. The region in the 

vicinity of Hurlus is most interesting as no 

reconstruction work has been done there 

and the nature of the soil is such that the 

wartime trenches, dugouts and various 

other field fortifications are relatively 

well preserved at this time (1937).

All roads through the French artillery 

training camp, which is shown enclosed 

in dotted lines on the map opposite page 

368, are blocked at certain times when the 

artillery of the French Army is firing.

(64.3 m 103.5 km) A short distance beyond 

next road junction are seen a French World 

War monument and cemetery.

(65.1 m 104.8 km) In next village, Viennele-Château, turn left at church.

(66.1 m 106.4 km) While approaching the 

next village, La Harazée, to the left front 

across the valley can be seen a French 

World War military cemetery. 

The left boundary of the American 77th 

Division on September 26 included the 

village of La Harazée.

(66.5 m 107.1 km) In the village, La 

Harazée, at the road fork near the church, 

bear to the right toward Le Four de Paris.

Gas Mask Drill

92d Division Soldiers Stringing Wire South

of Binarville
368 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE CHAMPAGNE REGION

(67.0 m 107.8 km) Beyond town, to the 

left of road, along the steep bank can be 

seen the remains of many French wartime 

shelters in excellent condition (1937). The 

battle line for several years was only about 

1⁄2 mile away to the left but the steep bank 

here gave these shelters full protection 

from hostile artillery fire.

(67.9 m 109.3 km) The next road junction 

is the one called Le Four de Paris where 

this tour comes to an end.

The quickest automobile route to Paris is 

straight ahead via Le Claon, Ste. Menehould, 

Châlons-sur-Marne and Montmirail.

The tourist going to the area of the 

American Meuse-Argonne offensive 

should turn left here and cross the Argonne 

Forest. The front line from which the 

77th Division jumped off on September 

26 is crossed about 300 yards from this 

road junction. The two most interesting 

features on side roads off the main road 

through the forest are the Ossuaire de la 

Haute Chevauchée (see the reference to 

Hill 285 on page 322) and Champ Mahaut 

(see page 316). Both of these are pointed 

out by signs along the road. Just beyond 

the forest is located the town of Varennes.

I

N addition to the places described in the 

itinerary, there are several other places 

in the Champagne region where there now 

exist features of special interest or which 

are of sufficient historical importance to 

warrant special mention in this text. For 

reference purposes and for the benefit of 

the tourist who travels in the area, these 

places have been recorded below.

Camp of Attila. Near the village of La 

Cheppe, 8 miles northeast of Châlonssur-Marne, is located a large, ovalshaped embankment, about 40 feet high, 

enclosing about 60 acres. This is an ancient 

entrenchment said to have been the site 

of a Roman camp or Gallic town. Some 

accounts state that it was constructed by 

Attila and used by him as a camp after the 

battle of Châlons in 451 A. D.

Châlons-sur-Marne. Known to the 

Romans as Catalaunum, this city is 

mentioned in history as early as the 3d 

Century. Between here and Troyes, Attila 

the Hun was defeated by the Romans and 

their allies in 451 A. D. Since then the city 

has been the scene of many battles. It was 

unsuccessfully attacked by the English 

in 1430 and again in 1434. The town was 

occupied by the Prussians in 1814 and by 

the Russians during the following year. 

The Germans occupied it in 1870 and 

again in August and September, 1914. It 

was one of the principal objectives of the 

German Armies during the offensive of 

July 15, 1918, but was not taken. In the 

city is an interesting cathedral dating 

from the 13th Century and containing fine 

stained-glass windows.

Rethel. This ancient town of Roman 

origin was within the German lines from 

1914 until the last days of the war. It 

contains an ancient church, part of which 

dates from the 13th Century, and several 

buildings dating from the 17th Century.

Ste. Menehould. This city, picturesquely 

located at the junction of the Auve and 

Aisne Rivers, controls one of the passes 

through the Argonne Forest and has 

figured in many campaigns in this region. 

Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, while 

f leeing from the French revolutionists 

in 1791, were recognized here by the 

postmaster, Drouet, who then rode 

through the Argonne Forest by an 

unfrequented road and caused the arrest 

of the royal fugitives when they stopped 

at the village of Varennes.

Valmy. This village, about 5 miles west 

of Ste. Menehould, was the scene of one 

of the decisive battles of the world when 

in 1792 the French Revolutionary Army 

under General Kellermann defeated the 

Prussians under the Duke of Brunswick. 

On the battlefield south of the village of 

Valmy is a statue of Kellermann, Duke of 

Valmy, who died in 1820.

A DDIT IONA L PL ACES OF INTER EST IN THE 

CHAMPAGNE REGION
42d Division Machine Gun Battalion Headquarters, North of St. Hilaire-le-Grand

Name 

of Div.

Period of 

Service 1918

Character 

of Service

Location of Service

General vicinity of—

Army to Which 

Attached1

Corps to Which 

Attached1

Casualties 2

2 Oct. 2–10 ............ Battle........ North of Sommepy, 

Blanc Mont and St. 

Etienne-à-Arnes.

Fourth.................. XXI.......................... 4,821

(1,506)

36 Oct. 10–28 .......... Battle........ Machault, west of Attigny and Forest Farm.Fourth.................. XXI until Oct. 18, 

then XI.

1,009

(50)

42 July 15–18........... Battle........ Souain and St. Hilairele-Grand.Fourth.................. XXI.......................... 1,590

July 19 ................ Sector....... Souain and St. Hilairele-Grand.Fourth.................. XXI.......................... 11

92

(368th 

Inf. 

only)

Sept. 25............... Sector....... Northeast of Vienne-le-Château.Fourth.................. XXXVIII ................. 4

Sept. 26–Oct. 1 .. Battle........ Binarville and to the 

south.

Fourth.................. XXXVIII ................. 266

93

(369th 

Inf. 

only)

Apr. 8–July 3...... Training 

in Line 

and Sector.

Ville-sur-Tourbe .............. Fourth.................. VIII .......................... 41

July 15–18........... Battle........ Massiges........................... Fourth.................. VIII .......................... 45

July 19–Aug. 19.. Sector....... Massiges........................... Fourth.................. VIII .......................... 82

Sept. 11–16 ......... Sector....... Massiges........................... Fourth.................. XXXVIII ................. 10

Sept. 26–Oct. 1 .. Battle........ Séchault ........................... Fourth.................. IX ............................. 785

93

(371st 

Inf. 

only)

Sept. 28–Oct. 1 .. Battle........ Ardeuil............................. Fourth.................. IX ............................. 882

93

(372d 

Inf. 

only)

Sept. 28–Oct. 7 .. Battle........ South of Monthois........... Fourth.................. IX ............................. 579

1 All armies and corps are French. 2 Casualties are for period in line only. Figures in parentheses give casualties for units temporarily attached.

Add figure in parentheses to the one above in order to obtain the total casualties during the entire operation.

SUMMARY OF COMBAT SERVICE OF AMERICAN DIVISIONS

IN THE CHAMPAGNE REGION
91st Division Engineers Repairing Tracks Blown Up by the Germans Near Waereghem, Belgium, November 1, 1918

Bapaume, March 17, 1917. © B
(371)

T HIS chapter gives brief accounts 

of all American fighting which 

occurred on the battle front north of 

Paris and complete information concerning 

the American military cemeteries and 

monuments in that general region. The 

military operations which are treated are 

those of the American 1st, 27th, 30th, 33d, 

37th, 80th and 91st Divisions and the 6th 

and 11th Engineer Regiments.

Because of the great distances apart 

of the areas where this fighting occurred 

no itinerary is given. Every operation is 

described, however, by a brief account 

illustrated by a sketch. The account and 

sketch together give sufficient information 

to enable the tourist to plan a trip through 

any particular American combat area.

The general map on the next page 

indicates a route which takes the tourist 

either into or close to all of these 

combat areas and to all of the American 

cemeteries and monuments. This route is 

recommended for those who desire to make 

an extended automobile tour in the region. 

Starting from Paris, it can be completely 

covered in four days, allowing plenty of 

time to stop on the way.

The accounts of the different operations 

and the descriptions of the American 

cemeteries and monuments are given in 

the order they are reached when following 

the suggested route. For this reason they 

do not appear in chronological order.

Many American units other than those 

mentioned in this chapter, such as aviation, 

tank, medical, engineer and infantry, served 

behind this part of the front. Their services 

have not been recorded, however, as the 

space limitations of this chapter required 

that it be limited to those American 

organizations which actually engaged in 

THE AMERICAN BATTLEFIELDS

NORTH OF PARIS

Chapter VI

Southern Entrance to the St. Quentin Canal Tunnel, Near Bellicourt, October 1, 1918
372 THE AMERICAN BATTLEFIELDS NORTH OF PARIS

physical combat with the enemy during 

which territory was either lost or gained.

Numerous battles in which American 

troops took no part were fought north 

of Paris. No attempt has been made to 

describe these battles or to indicate on the 

maps in this chapter more than a few of 

the important memorials which have been 

constructed to commemorate them. Those 

tourists who are interested in these or in 

the historical events which took place in 

the region prior to 1917 should provide 

themselves with the necessary additional 

guidebooks before starting on their tour.

e been

. Those

e or in

ace in

rovide

itional

ir tour.

Ghent

Audenarde

Waereghem

Menin

Ypres

Lille

Lens

Vimy

Arras

Douai

Cambrai

le Cateau

St. Quentin

Péronne

Montdidier

Cantigny

Amiens Bray

Albert

37th and 91st Divisions, Ypres-Lys

oensive, October 30–November 11, 1918

27th and 30th Divisions, Somme

Oensive, October 6–21, 1918

27th and 30th Divisions, Somme

oensive, September 24–30, 1918

11th Engineers,

September and

November, 1917

80th Divisions, Somme

oensive, August 8–18, 1918

33d Division, Hamel,

July 4, 1918

6th Engineers, 3d

Division, Somme

defensive, March 27–

April 3, 1918

131st Infantry, 33d Division,

Somme oensive, August 9–19,

1918

1st Division, Cantigny,

April 27–July 8, 1918

Gouzeaucourt

Bony

27th and 30th Divisions, Ypres-Lys

oensive, August 18–September 4, 1918

BELGIUM

FRANCE

TO

REIMS

TO

PARIS

N

0 10 20 30 Miles

Rectangles indicate areas of American ghting shown on other mapsin chapter

Monuments shown are those erected by the U.S. Government. For exact location consult text

American Military Cemetery

Proposed Route

Suggested Tour of American Battleelds North of Paris
THE 27th and 30th Divisions trained 

and served in line with the British 

Army in the summer of 1918, and took part 

in an operation near Ypres which ended 

early in September. After that engagement 

they were sent southward, entering the 

battle lines north of St. Quentin with the 

British Fourth Army.

The terrain in this region is open and 

rolling, with pronounced ridges and 

valleys and many sunken roads. There 

are practically no fences or hedges and 

but few trees and isolated houses. It is 

excellent terrain for defensive fighting.

On this section of the front the Germans 

made use of the St. Quentin Canal as 

the primary feature of their formidable 

Hindenburg Line. Between Bellicourt 

and a point about 1⁄2 mile north of Bony, 

where the channel passed through a 

tunnel, they took advantage of this 

spacious underground passage, which 

was deep enough below ground to be 

safe from the heaviest bombardment, to 

install barracks, storehouses and other 

accommodations for their troops. Large 

chambers dug in the tunnel walls were 

equipped as kitchens, offices, dressing 

stations and stables, while barges, 

stranded in the dry channel, were used as 

living quarters. The tunnel, nearly 4 miles 

long, was artificially ventilated, heated 

and electrically lighted; and there, close 

to the front line, the German troops lived 

safely and in comparative comfort.

From the tunnel below, underground 

passages led to the defenses above, which 

consisted of two separate trench systems. 

The principal one, the Hindenburg Line, 

was located in a zone about 1,000 yards 

wide immediately west of the tunnel. The 

other, located about a mile away, served as 

the outpost zone for the Hindenburg Line. 

These trench systems were connected with 

each other by numerous communicating 

trenches and both were protected by many 

bands of wire entanglements. All in all 

the defenses here in the autumn of 1918 

were among the most formidable on the 

Western Front.

About the middle of September the 

British began to attack the outpost zone in 

order to establish a good line of departure 

for a general attack on September 29 

against the Hindenburg Line. This general 

attack and the Meuse-Argonne offensive 

of the American First Army were two of 

the four great Allied attacks which were 

either started or continued with increased 

force late in September.

Interior of St. Quentin Canal Tunnel Near Bellicourt, Showing a Barge Which Was

 Used as a Barrack by the Germans

27 TH A ND 30TH DIV ISIONS IN THE SOM ME OF FENSIV E 

SEPTEMBER 23–30, 1918
(374)

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Vendhuile

Lempire

Bony

Guillemont

Farm

Hargicourt

Villeret

Ville Noire

Nauroy

Bellicourt

le Catelet

Gouy

Riqueval Quarry Wood

Quennemont

Farm

Sart

Farm

27th

Division

30th

Division

XX XX

XX

XX

XX

XX The

Knoll

BRITISH TROOPS

BRITISH TROOPS

Cabaret Wood

Farm

TO CAMBRAI

11 MILES

TO ST. QUENTIN 6 MILES

Sept.

29–30 (A.M.)

27–28

Sept.

25–26

27–28

Sept.

25–26

26

24–25

26–28

Sept.

24– 28

Sept.

29–30

(A.M.)

E N

O

Z

T

S

O

P

T

U

O

H I N

D E N

B

U

R

G

L I N E

Escaut

R. S T. Q U E N T I N

C A N A L

T U N N E L

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XX

German Trench

Wire Entanglement

Line of Relief

Front Line

Gap in Line

Division Boundary

Contour interval 20 meters

0 500 1000 1500 2000 Yards

27th and 30th Divisions in Somme Oensive

September 24–30, 1918
THE AMERICAN BATTLEFIELDS NORTH OF PARIS 375

The 30th and 27th Divisions went into 

the line in adjoining zones of action on 

September 24 and 25, respectively, as part 

of the American II Corps, although under 

the tactical control of the Australian 

Corps. They were supported by British 

artillery, as these two divisions did not 

have their own artillery brigades with 

them. The line taken over by the 30th 

Division was west of Bellicourt and that 

by the 27th Division was west of Bony.

The front was very active at the time 

and the 30th Division came under heavy 

artillery fire while entering the line. It 

repulsed a raid on September 25 and on 

the afternoon of the 26th counterattacked 

and drove back a German raiding party.

In the 30th Division zone of action a 

large part of the German outpost position 

had been captured by the British. Most of 

the remainder was seized on the evening 

of September 26 when the 30th Division 

advanced about 300 yards and occupied 

Quarry Wood and a trench running to the 

north from it. The left f lank of the division 

was heavily engaged on September 27 

during a preliminary attack which the 

27th Division had been ordered to make. 

In the zone of action taken over by 

the 27th Division the British in several 

attempts had been unable to do much more 

than dent the German outpost position. 

The principal strong points of that position 

were Quennemont Farm, Guillemont Farm 

and The Knoll, which were near the crest 

of the reverse slope of a ridge and about 1⁄2 

mile from the American front line.

The 27th Division was ordered to take 

these strong points on September 27. At 

5:30 a. m. the regiment designated to 

make the attack jumped off in a carefully 

planned assault, supported by tanks and 

a heavy barrage. The attacking troops, 

following close behind the barrage, 

reached the general line of the objective 

and gained footholds around Quennemont 

Farm, Guillemont Farm and The Knoll. 

Severe resistance which developed at 

these places, together with machine-gun 

fire from the rear and flanks, and strong 

counterattacks from the valleys leading to 

the Hindenburg Line, made it impossible to 

Road Near Guillemont Farm. © B

CIRCLED NUMERALS ON MAP INDICATE LOCATION OF THE FOLLOWING

 Monument erected by U.S. Government

 Somme American Cemetery

 St. Quentin Canal tunnel

 Monument to 30th Division

 Town Hall donated by Americans

 Ruins of old château

 Good panorama of 27th Div. battlefield

 Excellent view of 30th Div. battlefield
Americans Advancing for the Attack Against the Hindenburg Line Near Bellicourt. © B
THE AMERICAN BATTLEFIELDS NORTH OF PARIS 377

consolidate the ground gained. Parts of the 

attacking line were forced back and others 

withdrew, although small parties whose 

numbers were unknown remained isolated 

in shell holes on the ground advanced over. 

The close of the day showed practically 

no gains except on each flank, where the 

front line was advanced a few hundred 

yards. The casualties in this regiment were 

unusually heavy, all company officers 

except two being killed or wounded.

It was at The Knoll during this fighting 

that First Lieutenant William B. Turner, 

27th Division, performed the heroic 

deeds for which he was awarded the 

Congressional Medal of Honor. Under 

terrific artillery and machine-gun fire he 

led a small group of men in the attack after 

they became separated in the darkness 

from their company. Singlehanded he 

rushed an enemy machine gun that 

suddenly opened fire on his group, and 

killed the crew with his pistol. He then 

pressed forward to another machine-gun 

nest, 25 yards away, and killed one gunner 

before his detachment arrived and put 

the gun out of action. With the utmost 

bravery and disregard for three wounds he 

had received, he continued to lead his men 

over three lines of hostile trenches, killing 

several of the enemy in hand-to-hand 

combat. After his pistol ammunition had 

been exhausted, this gallant officer seized 

the rif le of a dead soldier, bayoneted 

several members of a hostile machine gun 

crew, and shot the other. Upon reaching 

the fourth-line trench, which was his 

objective, Lieutenant Turner, with the 

nine men remaining in his group, captured 

it and resisted a hostile counterattack 

until he was finally killed.

Sergeant Reidar Waaler, 27th Division, 

also received the Congressional Medal of 

Honor for his fighting on September 27. In 

the face of heavy artillery and machinegun fire near Ronssoy, he crawled forward 

to a burning British tank, in which some of 

the crew were imprisoned, and succeeded 

in rescuing two men. Although the tank 

was then burning fiercely and contained 

ammunition likely to explode, he returned 

to the tank and made a search for other 

occupants, remaining until satisfied that 

there were no more living men in the 

vehicle.

On the night of September 27 the 

brigade designated to make the general 

assault took over all of the front line of 

the 27th Division. Its orders prohibited 

any organized attack on September 28 

and the attempts of the brigade on that 

day to push the front line farther forward 

by means of patrols were unsuccessful.

The failure of the preliminary operation 

had a grave effect upon the subsequent 

general attack because the British, whose 

artillery was supporting the 27th Division, 

made the error of starting the artillery 

barrage in front of the line which had been 

set as the objective of the preliminary 

operation instead of in front of the actual 

jump-off line. Consequently, when the 

attack was made, British artillery fire in 

the intervening zone, which was about 

Monument Erected by the State of

Tennessee South of Bellicourt
(378)

1,100 yards in depth, was entirely lacking, 

thus placing upon the assault troops of 

the 27th Division the impossible task of 

capturing a strong position without the aid 

of close-in artillery support.1 The reason 

given for this decision, which proved so 

extremely costly in American lives, was 

the probable presence of wounded and 

isolated groups of Americans stranded in 

the intervening zone.

Meanwhile, in preparation for the main 

attack, the British heavy artillery had 

been hammering away for two days at the 

strong points and other defenses of the 

Hindenburg Line in this vicinity.

This was the situation at 5:30 a. m. on 

September 29 when the 27th and 30th 

Divisions, on a battlefield enveloped by 

autumn mists and low-hanging clouds, 

jumped off for the main offensive.

Behind a heavy rolling barrage the 30th 

Division, accompanied by tanks, moved 

1

 This attack illustrates the serious situations which 

would have resulted from any permanent amalgamation 

of American troops with the Allied Armies.

forward with great rapidity across the 

main German trench system. In spite 

of the fog the leading waves pushed on 

beyond the Hindenburg Line and the 

tunnel to near Nauroy, leaving in their 

wake many unseen and uncaptured strong 

points. The southern mouth of the tunnel 

was quickly blocked and Bellicourt was 

captured, but the enemy, who were able 

to reach their positions above ground by 

means of underground passages of which 

the Americans were unaware, desperately 

remanned machine-gun nests previously 

overrun by the 30th Division. From these 

and the strong points passed by in the fog 

the Germans opened fire on the American 

reserve units, wire details, runners and 

other groups which were following up 

the assaulting waves. This caused much 

confusion and many isolated combats 

continued throughout the morning over a 

large part of the zone of action. The dash 

of the American troops, however, finally 

prevailed and in the end all the German 

soldiers who had been found in rear of 

German Prisoners Captured by the 27th and 30th Divisions

Near the St. Quentin Canal
THE AMERICAN BATTLEFIELDS NORTH OF PARIS 379

the American front lines after the initial 

assault were killed or captured.

Illustrative of this fighting are the 

exploits of Sergeant Joseph B. Adkison 

and Sergeant Milo Lemert of the 30th 

Division for which they were awarded 

Congressional Medals of Honor.

When murderous machine-gun fire at 

a range of 50 yards made it impossible 

for his platoon to advance, and caused 

his men to take cover, Sergeant Adkison 

alone, with the greatest intrepidity, 

rushed across 50 yards of open ground 

directly in the face of the hostile machine 

gun, kicked the gun from the parapet into 

the enemy trench, and at the point of his 

bayonet captured the three men manning 

the gun. The gallantry and quick decision 

of this soldier enabled his platoon to 

resume its advance.

Sergeant Lemert, seeing the left of 

his company held up, located the enemy 

machine gun which had been causing 

numerous casualties. In spite of heavy 

fire he rushed it single-handed, killing 

the entire crew with grenades. Continuing 

along the enemy trench in advance of his 

company, he charged another machine 

gun, silencing it with grenades. A third 

machine gun opened fire upon him from 

the left and with similar skill and bravery 

he destroyed this also. Later, in company 

with another sergeant, he attacked 

a fourth machine-gun nest, being 

killed as he reached the parapet of the 

emplacement. The courageous action of 

Sergeant Lemert in destroying in turn four 

enemy machine-gun nests prevented many 

casualties in his company and materially 

aided it in achieving its objective.

The 27th Division, with tanks in the 

lead, left its trenches on schedule time 

and started across the wide expanse of 

level ground in the German outpost zone. 

The British artillery fire supporting the 

American attack came down beyond the 

powerful German positions at The Knoll, 

Guillemont Farm and Quennemont Farm, 

and their garrisons, unhampered by any 

Allied artillery bombardment, at once 

opened a withering machine-gun fire 

that swept the entire front of the 27th 

After the Battle Near Nauroy

German prisoners are in the foreground, 30th Division troops are on road in rear
Division. The tanks were soon put out of 

action, throwing an additional burden on 

the infantry, which gallantly struggled 

forward in shattered waves. As the reserves 

moved forward they encountered the fire 

of machine-gun nests that the troops 

preceding them had passed by in the fog. 

Most of the divisional zone between the 

jump-off line and the tunnel thus became 

one vast maelstrom of violence. Around 

Guillemont Farm and The Knoll, the 107th 

Infantry Regiment of the 27th Division 

had 337 men killed and 658 wounded 

on September 29. No other American 

regiment suffered such a heavy loss in a 

single day during the war. In spite of all 

this, however, the troops attacked boldly 

and incessantly. By noon, Quennemont 

Farm, part of the elaborate trench system 

south of Bony, the ground now occupied 

by the American cemetery and The Knoll 

were in the hands of the 27th Division. 

As previously planned, Australian 

troops passed through the American 

divisions in the early afternoon and 

continued the drive, many Americans 

joining the Australians in their attacks. 

By nightfall these troops had occupied all 

of Nauroy and from there a line that ran 

generally northwestward to a point about 

1⁄2 mile southwest of Vendhuile.

This fighting of the 27th Division was 

characterized by many individual feats of 

bravery among which were the exploits of 

Privates First Class Frank Gaffney and 

Michael Valente, both of whom were given 

the Congressional Medal of Honor. 

Private Gaffney, an automatic rif leman, 

pushing forward alone with his gun after 

all the other members of his squad had 

been killed, discovered several Germans 

placing a machine gun in position. He 

killed the crew, captured the gun, bombed 

several dugouts and, after killing four 

American Infantry Hurrying Forward Under Artillery Fire. © B

27th Division Tank Destroyed by a German Mine East of Ronssoy
THE AMERICAN BATTLEFIELDS NORTH OF PARIS 381

more of the enemy with his pistol, held the 

position until reinforcements came up, 

when 80 prisoners were captured.

Private Valente, finding the advance 

of his organization held up by withering 

enemy machine-gun fire, volunteered to go 

forward. With utter disregard of his own 

personal danger, accompanied by another 

soldier, Private Valente rushed forward 

through intense machine-gun fire directly 

upon the enemy nest, killing two and 

capturing five of the enemy and silencing 

that gun. Discovering another machine-gun 

nest close by, which was pouring a deadly 

fire on the American forces, preventing 

their advance, he and his companion 

charged this strong point, killing the 

gunner and putting the machine gun out of 

action. Without hesitation they jumped into 

the enemy’s trench, killed two and captured 

16 German soldiers. Private Valente was 

later wounded and sent to the rear. His 

companion, Private Joseph Mastine, was 

awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.

The American divisions were relieved 

early on September 30 but some elements 

of the 27th Division remained in line and 

continued to attack with the Australians 

during September 30 and October 1.

Although the casualties in this 

operation had been exceptionally heavy 

the American soldiers had persistently 

continued their assaults and succeeded 

in breaking the Hindenburg Line, thus 

opening the way for additional advances.

Following this battle the 27th and 30th 

Divisions received many commendations 

for their heroic conduct. General 

Pershing and Marshal Haig, as well as 

the Commander of the Australian Corps, 

were warm in their praise of the splendid 

fighting qualities of the divisions and of 

the results they had achieved.

This battlefield may be visited by 

taking a train to the city of St. Quentin or 

Cambrai and hiring an automobile there.

Locations of Headquarters

The locations of the principal headquarters of the American corps and divisions 

serving in this region were as follows:

II Corps:

Sept. 26–Oct 5 .....Bois de Belloy, near Assevillers.

Oct. 5–12..............Bois de Buire.1

Oct. 12–25............Wiancourt.

27th Division:

Sept. 24–28 ..........Bois de Buire.1

Sept. 28–Oct. 2 ....In a quarry west of Ronssoy.

Oct. 13–21 ............Busigny.

30th Division:

Sept. 22–28 ..........Bois de Buire.1

Sept. 28–Oct. 1 ....In a quarry southeast of Roisel.

Oct. 6–10 ..............In a quarry near Templeux-le-Guérard.

Oct. 10–22............Montbrehain.

1

 Located one mile northeast of Tincourt-Bouely.

Wrecked British Airplane Near Bony, October 3, 1918
American Memorial Near Bellicourt

Commemorates the American soldiers who served with the British Armies in France
(383)

A BEAUTIFUL and impressive memorial to commemorate all 

American units which served with the 

British Armies in France during the World 

War has been constructed by the United 

States Government north of Bellicourt.

This monument is conveniently located 

along the main highway running north 

from St. Quentin. It stands in the center 

of a small park area the landscaping of 

which frames in an admirable manner the 

graceful lines of the memorial.

The main decorative feature of the 

monument is an imposing sculptured 

group consisting of an American eagle 

resting on a pedestal of stars and stripes 

f lanked by two allegorical figures 

representing Victory and Remembrance.

Below the sculptured group is the 

dedicatory inscription, carved with 

raised letters on a gilded background, 

and around the monument on a frieze 

are inscribed the names of places which 

were prominent in the American fighting 

commemorated by the memorial.

On the rear face of the monument is a 

map illustrating the American operations 

in the vicinity, and from the terrace near 

it a fine view of the battlefield fought 

over by the 27th and 30th Divisions can 

be obtained. A raised circular orientation 

table on the terrace indicates the 

directions and distances to the important 

places in the vicinity.

Included among the decorative features 

are the insignia and names of the II 

Corps, 27th, 30th, 33d and 80th Divisions, 

and 6th and 11th Engineers, all of whose 

combat operations with the British forces 

are commemorated here.

The monument is constructed directly 

over the St. Quentin Canal tunnel which 

was built by Napoleon between 1802 and 

1810. The ridge upon which the monument 

stands was formed from the excavated 

earth hoisted up from below. The small, 

round, tower-like structures which are 

seen at regular intervals along the ridge 

are the ends of ventilating shafts that 

supply air to the tunnel below.

In excavating for the foundation of this 

monument several filled-in passages were 

found extending into the bank from the 

road side, in one case connecting with the 

canal tunnel below, and in others leading 

to underground rooms at different levels. 

These were the remains of some of the 

wartime field works which honeycombed 

the embankment of the canal tunnel 

throughout its entire length.

The battle operations of the 27th and 

30th Divisions in this region are described 

on pages 373–381. The following will help 

to make that description clearer and to 

tie it in with the terrain visible from the 

terrace of the monument. (Consult the 

map which appears on page 374.)

Go to the center of the orientation table 

and face away from the monument. Most 

of the places mentioned in the following 

description can be identified by the 

direction arrows on the table.

Upon arriving at this front the 27th 

Division on September 25 took over a 

portion of the front line whose center 

was located about 1⁄2 mile to the left of 

Guillemont Farm, the group of buildings 

plainly seen to the right front. The 30th 

Division took over a sector on September 

24 about 1⁄2 mile this side of Villeret, 

whose church steeple is plainly visible to 

the left front. The boundary line between 

the zones of action of the two divisions 

roughly paralleled the directional arrow 

pointing toward Hargicourt and passed 

about 300 yards to the right of this point.

All American attacks in this vicinity 

were from the general direction toward 

which the observer is now facing.

The strong German defensive position 

known as the Hindenburg Line was on 

the slopes immediately in front of this 

canal tunnel. It comprised a defensive 

zone about 1,000 yards wide, consisting 

of three lines of trenches heavily protected by thick masses of barbed-wire entanglements and defended by numerous machine guns and other weapons. The town 

of Bony, seen to the right, and the town 

of Bellicourt, seen to the left along the 

THE AMERICAN MONUMENT NORTH OF BELLICOURT
384 THE AMERICAN BATTLEFIELDS NORTH OF PARIS

tunnel, were included in it. Bony, which 

had been thoroughly prepared for allaround defense, was about in the center 

of the zone of action of the 27th Division, 

and Bellicourt, which was protected by an 

elaborate trench system, was close to the 

center of the zone of action that was assigned to the 30th Division.

The ground upon which is now located 

the Somme American Cemetery, whose 

f lagpole can be seen in the distance 

to the right front just to the right of 

Guillemont Farm, was located between 

the Hindenburg Line and its outpost zone.

The outpost zone of the Hindenburg 

Line included strong points at The Knoll, 

the low bare hill which can be faintly 

seen to the right front on a clear day; 

Guillemont Farm; Quennemont Farm, 

invisible from here but just this side of the 

first wood whose tops are seen to the right 

of front; and ran just this side of Villeret.

Nauroy, to the left rear, was one of the 

objectives of the 30th Division in the 

main attack against the Hindenburg Line. 

Gouy, to the right rear, was one of the 

objectives of the 27th Division.

The American front line at the end of 

September 29, the day of the main attack, 

did not include the site of this monument, 

the Germans having held this ground 

throughout all the severe fighting of that 

day. It did, however, include Nauroy and 

in this direction ran to just this side of 

Cabaret Wood Farm, which can be seen 

around the side of the monument by 

stepping to the left edge of the orientation 

table and looking to the rear. There it 

changed direction and passed about 200 

yards to the left (south) of here. About 500 

yards in front of this monument, just over 

the first ridge, it changed direction again 

and ran toward Bony; about halfway there 

it again changed direction and followed 

an irregular path passing to the observer’s 

left of the town of Vendhuile which is 

close to the high smoke stack seen in the 

distance through the trees beyond the left 

edge of Bony.

Some of the high points of the fighting 

near here are the following: About 1⁄2 mile 

to the right front over the first ridge, 

about 200 men of the 27th Division early 

on September 29 captured a section of the 

Hindenburg Line after fierce hand-to-hand 

fighting. They consolidated their position 

in the German trenches after capturing 

many prisoners and four field guns. 

Attempts to enter Bony down the trenches 

of the Hindenburg Line were unsuccessful. 

Several German counterattacks launched 

from Bony against this group of American 

soldiers were repulsed.

Other units of the 27th Division reached 

the ground upon which the American 

cemetery now stands. These units held 

West Face of American Memorial Near Bellicourt
(385)

their position during the day in spite of 

plunging fire from near Bony and the 

intense efforts of the Germans to dislodge 

them. Many American casualties were 

suffered at the site of the cemetery.

Aided by the fog a number of 27th 

Division soldiers on the morning of 

September 29 penetrated the German 

lines as far as the village of Gouy, seen to 

the right rear. These men were reported in 

that town by an Allied airplane but in the 

end were either killed or captured.

Near the exit of the canal tunnel beyond 

Bony, a British heavy tank manned by 

Americans was disabled by a direct 

hit of a German shell, which killed or 

wounded all of the crew. Sergeant John 

C. Latham and Corporals Alan L. Eggers 

and Thomas E. O’Shea, 27th Division, 

who had become separated from their 

platoon by a smoke barrage and had 

taken cover in a shell hole within the 

enemy lines, heard a call for help from 

the tank, whereupon they left their shelter 

and started toward the tank under heavy 

fire from German machine guns and 

trench mortars. In crossing the fireswept area Corporal O’Shea was mortally 

wounded and died soon afterwards, but 

Sergeant Latham and Corporal Eggers, 

undeterred, continued on to the tank, 

rescued a wounded officer and assisted 

two wounded soldiers to a near-by trench. 

One of the wounded members of the tank 

crew, Sergeant Frank J. Williams, after 

having assisted his wounded officer, 

returned to the tank under heavy fire 

and continued to operate a 6-pounder 

against the enemy until driven out by 

armor-piercing shells. Sergeant Latham 

and Corporal Eggers returned to the tank 

in the face of violent fire, dismounted a 

machine gun and took it back to where 

the wounded men were. With this weapon, 

and assisted by Sergeant Williams, they 

succeeded in keeping off the enemy all 

day and later under cover of darkness 

brought the machine gun and wounded 

men back to the American lines. Sergeant 

Latham and Corporals Eggers and O’Shea 

were awarded Congressional Medals of 

Honor. Sergeant Williams was awarded 

the Distinguished Service Cross.

The casualties of the 27th and 30th 

Divisions on this battlefield totaled more 

than 7,500 officers and men.

Upon being relieved from the front line 

in this vicinity, the 27th and 30th Divisions 

rested in rear areas until October 6, when 

the 30th Division as part of the American 

II Corps again entered the battle. Its new 

zone of action was near Montbrehain, 

the direction to which is indicated on the 

orientation table although invisible from 

this point. 

The account, given on pages 389–393, 

of the operations of the 27th and 30th 

Divisions in this region after October 1, 

should be read at this time if the area of 

that fighting is not to be visited later.

Upon leaving this monument the tourist 

should visit the Somme American Cemetery 

which is 2.2 miles away by road. To go 

there, at exit from monument turn left on 

the main road and take the first road to 

the left. After passing through the town of 

Bony, stop on the road when the cemetery 

comes in full view and read pages 387–388.

30th Division Reserves Digging In Near Molian, October 18, 1918
Somme American Cemetery Near Bony
(387)

I

N October 1918 a temporary American 

cemetery was established on the bare, 

shell-torn fields about 1⁄2 mile southwest of 

the ruins of the small village of Bony. In 

that cemetery were buried the men of the 

27th and 30th Divisions who lost their lives 

in the fighting near by for the possession of 

the Hindenburg Line.

The temporary cemetery with its 

wooden crosses painted white and 

arranged in regular rows made a deep 

impression upon the survivors of the 

American divisions who had fought in the 

region and they asked that a permanent 

cemetery be established there. No more 

fitting spot could have been found than 

that gentle slope where they and their 

fallen comrades had performed such 

deeds of valor and, in answer to their 

request, it became the site of a permanent 

military cemetery.

Among the 1,833 Americans who now 

sleep there, are soldiers not only from the 

27th and 30th Divisions but those of the 1st 

Division who gave their lives at Cantigny, 

and of the 33d and 80th Divisions and 6th 

and 11th Engineers who fell while serving 

with the British.

By means of architectural features and 

of trees, f lowers and shrubs especially 

appropriate to the region, this cemetery 

has been developed into a resting place 

of outstanding beauty. A splendid view 

of this American shrine can be obtained 

while approaching it from Bony.

The cemetery consists of a grave area 

enclosed by a low stone wall, and an 

adjoining area where the superintendent’s 

quarters, including a reception room for 

the convenience of visitors, are located. 

Inquiries for the location of a particular 

grave or for other information should be 

made at the reception room.

A f lagpole from which the American 

f lag f lies during daylight hours is located 

at the center of the grave area. The rear 

wall is high and joins two hangars used 

for service purposes. This wall is covered 

with ivy and will ultimately be shaded 

in rear by tall cedars of Lebanon. The 

shorter axis of the cemetery is bordered 

by beds of red roses. The longer axis, 

f lanked by small square-cut box hedges, 

leads to the chapel at its eastern end.

The chapel, of striking design, stands 

like a castle guarding the graves of these 

men who died for their country. Among 

its exterior decorations are sculptured 

articles of military equipment, including 

a large field gun, shells, rifles and a tank.

The interior of the chapel is entered 

through a bronze door, beautiful in its 

simplicity, and directly across from it, 

above the altar, is a cross-shaped window 

with panes of crystal glass. The effect of 

the sunlight through this window is deeply 

impressive. The small side windows are 

Interior of Chapel in American Cemetery

Near Bony

THE SOMME AMERICAN CEMETERY NEAR BONY
388 THE AMERICAN BATTLEFIELDS NORTH OF PARIS

purple in tone and include in their designs 

the insignia of the various divisions, corps 

and higher units which formed part of the 

American Expeditionary Forces.

On the interior walls are carved the 

names of those men who lost their lives in 

the American operations in France north 

of Paris and who now sleep in unknown 

graves. Above, on each side of the altar, 

are American f lags, while opposite them, 

near the door, are f lags of the infantry 

and field artillery, the combat branches 

of the army which sustained the greatest 

number of casualties during the war. An 

American f lag hangs above the entrance 

door. The bronze work of the chapel is 

unusually effective and all features of the 

interior combine to give an atmosphere of 

impressive dignity.

On the outside of the chapel, facing 

the road, are carved two American 

eagles. When the carving was done one 

of these, the one nearer Bony, had an 

eye of startling reality. This was due 

to a singular coincidence by which the 

carvers, fashioning the figure from a 

block of white stone, came upon a coalblack spot which turned out to be exactly 

the right position and of exactly the right 

size to form a lifelike ball for the eye. This 

spot has now faded to a great extent.

A walk through the peaceful atmosphere 

of this cemetery will bring to the American 

visitor a feeling of its fitness as a resting 

place for America’s heroic dead.

This cemetery can be easily reached by 

taking a train to St. Quentin or Cambrai, 

the nearest large towns, and by hiring an 

automobile at either of those places.

The American monument to commemorate all American units which served with 

the British Armies in France is 1 mile away 

to the southeast. (See page 383.)

The accounts of the fighting of the 27th 

and 30th Divisions near here are given on 

pages 373–381 and pages 389–393.

Chapel at American Cemetery Near Bony
(389)

THE area where this operation occurred is not picturesque and practically no 

evidences of the fighting remain. The roads 

are (1937) generally narrow, winding and 

difficult to follow and many are sunken which 

makes it difficult to view the landscape.

After taking a prominent part in breaking 

the Hindenburg Line north of St. Quentin, 

the American II Corps was withdrawn 

from the front line on September 30 while 

the British continued the pressure against 

the retreating Germans. By October 5 the 

British had advanced about 33⁄4 miles, and 

the next morning the II Corps entered the 

line, taking command of a zone of action 

near Montbrehain with the 30th Division 

in line and the 27th in reserve. (Consult 

the sketch on this page.)

On October 7 the 30th Division made a 

preliminary attack to straighten its line. 

This was partially successful but resulted 

in severe losses. On the 8th the division, 

participating in a general offensive of the 

British Fourth Army, attacked vigorously 

and captured the towns of Brancourtle-Grand and Prémont. It gained all 

objectives by early afternoon and ended 

the day well ahead of the divisions on its 

f lanks. The assaults were energetically 

continued until the 11th, by which time 

the division had advanced about 10 miles, 

reaching the Selle River (known also as 

the Sourcelle River) in the vicinity of St. 

Souplet. During this fighting the progress 

of the division was delayed considerably 

by f lanking fire because the British troops 

e

e.

d

,

e

e



he

s

y

e

s,

s

y

s

1

2

5

3

6

4

Walincourt

Malincourt

Dehéries

Elincourt

Villers-Outréaux

Serain

Maretz

Beaurevoir

Ponchaux

Vauxle-Prêtre

Prêmont

Waincourt

Ramicourt Fresnoy-le-Grand

Brancourt-le-Grand

Seboncourt

Tupigny

Hannappes

Mennevret

Becquigny

Molain

Escaufourt

Ribeauville

 Rejetde-Beaulieu St. Martin-

 Rivière

Catillon

Honnechy

Maurois

Reumont

St. Benin

Oct. 6–8

Oct. 7

Oct. 6–7 (A.M.)

XXX

XXXOct. 6–8

Oct. 8

Oct. 9–14 XXX

XXX

Oct. 9–14

XXX

Oct. 9

Oct.

10

11–17 (A.M.)

XXX

XX

Oct. 17

15–20

XXX (A.M.)

17–21 (A.M.) Oct. 19

(P.M.)

Oct.

19 –21 (A.M.)

XX

15–21 (A.M.)

XXX

Oct.

18

Bandival

Farm Jonc

de Mer

Farm

Arbre Guernon

British

Troops

British Troops

Bohain

Montbrehain

Wassigny

Vaux-Andigny

Busigny

Mazinghien

St. Souplet

Bazuel

TO

LE CATEAU

2.5 MILES

TO BONY

3.5 M.

TO BELLICOURT

3 M.

30TH DIVISION

27TH

DIV.

Selle R.

Sambre R.

and Canal

N

0 1 2 3 4 5 Miles

Jump-o Line Front Line XXX Corps Boundary XX Division Boundary

Ruins of old tower where Joan of Arc was imprisoned after her capture at Compiègne in 1430

30th Div. Hdqrs., Oct. 10–22 II Corps Hdqrs., Oct. 12–25 Monument to 118th Inf., 30th Div.

Monument to 117th Inf., 30th Div. 27th Div. Hdqrs., Oct. 13–21

1

2

5

3

6

4

27th and 30th Divisions with American II Corps

in Somme Oensive, October 6–21, 1918

27 TH A ND 30TH DIV ISIONS IN THE SOM ME OF FENSIV E 

OCTOBER 1–22, 1918
(390)

on its right f lank were unable to move 

forward as rapidly as the 30th Division. 

The 27th Division relieved the 30th on 

October 12 and held the II Corps front 

while a new general attack was being 

prepared. During this period constant 

house-to-house sniping and patrol 

fighting took place near the eastern edge 

of St. Souplet. On the night of October 

15–16 the 30th Division again entered the 

line, taking over the right portion of the 

zone of action of the 27th Division.

At 5:20 a. m. on October 17 the II Corps 

attacked eastward across the Selle River 

in conjunction with an attack by the 

remainder of the British Fourth Army and 

the French First Army. In a heavy mist the 

troops waded the small stream, climbed 

the steep opposite bank and assailed the 

enemy’s trenches on the heights beyond. 

Although its divisions were seriously 

depleted in strength as a result of their 

previous severe fighting, important 

advances were made.

The 30th Division captured Molain and 

St. Martin-Rivière in hard fighting on the 

17th, making an advance of about 2 miles. 

The next day it took Ribeauville and on the 

19th captured the village of Mazinghien. 

The division was relieved from the front 

line during the night of October 19. 

The 27th Division had severe fighting 

along the railway which crossed its zone 

of action beyond the Selle River, at 

Bandival Farm and in the hamlet near 

Arbre Guernon, all of which were taken 

on the 17th. The next day Jonc de Mer 

Farm was captured after a stiff fight and 

on the 19th the division advanced about 

1 mile farther, where it was relieved by a 

British division on October 21.

When the 27th and 30th Divisions were 

relieved from the battle line they were 

approaching the Sambre River, about 

19 miles northeast of where they had 

originally entered the line in September. 

In their operations after October 5 the 

27th Division suffered more than 2,100 

casualties and the 30th about 4,000.

During this fighting the Germans were 

retiring on this front because of the deep 

advance being made by the American First 

Army in the Meuse-Argonne region. Much 

of the combat, especially that of the 30th 

Division, was in overcoming the resistance 

of machine gun units left behind in 

commanding positions. Illustrative of this 

type of fighting are the brave exploits for 

which Sergeant Thomas Lee Hall, Sergeant 

Richmond H. Hilton and Corporal James 

Congested Traffic at Montbrehain in Rear of the American Lines, October 14, 1918
THE AMERICAN BATTLEFIELDS NORTH OF PARIS 391

D. Heriot, all noncommissioned officers 

with the 30th Division, were awarded 

Congressional Medals of Honor.

On October 8, northwest of Brancourtle-Grand, Sergeant Hall commanded a 

platoon which, after having by his skillful 

leadership overcome two machine-gun 

nests, was stopped by additional machinegun fire of great intensity. Ordering his 

men to take cover in a sunken road, he 

advanced alone on the enemy machine-gun 

post, killed five members of the crew with 

his bayonet and thereby made possible a 

further advance. While attacking another 

machine-gun nest later in the day he was 

mortally wounded.

Sergeant Hilton’s company on October 

8, while advancing through the village 

of Brancourt-le-Grand, was held up by 

intense enfilade fire from a machine gun. 

Discovering that this fire came from 

a machine-gun nest among shell holes 

at the edge of town, Sergeant Hilton, 

accompanied by a few other soldiers but 

well in advance of them, pressed on toward 

this position, firing with his rif le until his 

ammunition was exhausted and then with 

his pistol, killing six of the enemy and 

capturing ten. During the course of this 

daring exploit he received a wound from 

a bursting shell which resulted in the loss 

of an arm.

Corporal Heriot on October 11 at 

Vaux-Andigny with four other soldiers 

organized a combat group and attacked 

a German machine-gun nest which had 

been inf licting heavy casualties on his 

company. In advancing toward it, two of 

his men were killed, and because of the 

heavy fire from all sides the remaining 

two sought shelter. Unmindful of the 

hazard attached to his mission, Corporal 

American Troops Awaiting Orders Behind the Front Line Near Prémont, October 8, 1918. © B
392 THE AMERICAN BATTLEFIELDS NORTH OF PARIS

Heriot, with fixed bayonet, alone charged 

the machine gun, making his way through 

the fire for a distance of 30 yards and 

forcing the enemy to surrender. During 

this action he received several wounds in 

the arm, and later in the same day while 

charging another machine-gun nest this 

gallant soldier was mortally wounded.

In the operations after October 7, the 

30th Division took about 2,400 prisoners, 

and the 27th Division 1,500. Among their 

captures were many field guns, machine 

guns, trench mortars, ammunition dumps, 

much railroad rolling stock and military 

property of all kinds. This battle was the 

last operation of the war in which either 

the 27th Division or the 30th Division 

took an active part.

For the locations of headquarters of 

American corps and divisions while 

serving in this region turn to page 381.

This battlefield can be visited by going 

to Cambrai or St. Quentin by rail and 

from either of those places by automobile.

✧

In addition to the men whose Medal of 

Honor citations have been included in 

the preceding narrative, the following 

members of the 27th and 30th Divisions 

were awarded Medals of Honor for their 

heroic actions during the advance to the 

Selle River and just east of it.

Private Edward R. Talley, 30th Division, 

seeing several comrades killed in 

attempting to silence a hostile machinegun nest on October 7 near Ponchaux, 

attacked the position singlehanded. 

Armed only with a rifle, he rushed the nest 

in the face of intense enemy fire, killed or 

wounded at least six of the crew and put 

the gun out of action. When the enemy 

attempted to bring forward another gun he 

drove them back with effective rifle fire.

First Lieutenant James C. Dozier, 30th 

Division, was painfully wounded near 

Montbrehain on October 8, but continued 

to lead his men, displaying the highest 

type of bravery and skill. When his 

command was held up by heavy machinegun fire, he disposed his men in the best 

cover available and, aided by one soldier, 

continued forward to attack a machinegun nest. Creeping up in the face of intense 

fire, he killed the entire crew with hand 

27th Division Troops Crossing the Selle River on a Temporary Bridge

at St. Souplet, October 19, 1918
grenades and a pistol and later captured a 

number of Germans in a near-by dugout. 

When his company was held up on 

October 8 near Montbrehain by violent 

machine-gun fire from a sunken road, 

Sergeant Gary Evans Foster, 30th 

Division, went forward with an officer 

to attack the hostile machine-gun nests. 

The officer was wounded, but Sergeant 

Foster continued on alone in the face of 

heavy fire and by the effective use of hand 

grenades and his pistol killed several of 

the enemy and captured 18.

When, during an advance on October 8, 

the company of the 30th Division to which 

Corporal James E. Karnes and Private 

Calvin John Ward belonged, was held up 

near Vaux-le-Prêtre by a machine-gun 

nest which was enfilading their line, these 

two soldiers advanced against it. They 

succeeded in silencing the nest by killing 

three of the crew and capturing the guns 

and seven of the enemy.

When Private Robert L. Blackwell’s 

platoon of the 30th Division was almost 

surrounded by the enemy near St. 

Souplet on October 11, and his platoon 

commander called for volunteers to carry 

a message requesting reinforcements, he 

volunteered for this mission, well knowing 

the extreme danger to which he would be 

exposed. While attempting to get through 

the heavy shell and machine-gun fire this 

gallant soldier was killed.

Corporal John C. Villepigue, 30th 

Division, having been sent out with two 

other soldiers on October 11 to scout 

through Vaux-Andigny, met with heavy 

enemy machine-gun fire which killed one of 

his men and wounded the other. Continuing 

his advance 500 yards in advance of his 

platoon he attacked and killed with a hand 

grenade four of the enemy in a dugout. 

Crawling forward to a point 150 yards in 

advance of his first encounter, he rushed 

a machine-gun nest, killing four and 

capturing six of the enemy and taking two 

light machine guns. After being joined by 

his platoon in this advanced position he was 

severely wounded in the arm.

Americans Receiving Coffee From Inhabitant of Becquigny Soon After Capturing the Town

Salvage Dump of the 30th Division at Montbrehain, October 14, 1918
(394)

THE 11th Engineers was one of nine regiments of engineers organized and 

sent to France at the request of the Allied 

Governments, soon after the United States 

entered the war, to help the Allied troops 

catch up on emergency railroad work.

From August 1917 until January 1918 

the regiment, composed principally of 

railway specialists, was on duty with 

the British employed in building and 

repairing railroads near the front line. 

While so engaged two enlisted men of the 

regiment were wounded by shellfire near 

the village of Gouzeaucourt on September 

5, 1917. These were the first American 

soldiers to be wounded while serving at 

the front with an American unit.

On November 20, 1917, the British 

Third Army launched a surprise attack 

toward Cambrai without the customary 

artillery preparation, the infantry 

advancing behind a screen of 380 tanks. 

These tactics were more successful than 

expected and the British succeeded in 

breaking through the Hindenburg Line, 

almost reaching the outskirts of Cambrai. 

German reserves were rushed to the area 

and on November 30 the enemy launched 

a counteroffensive which by its weight and 

suddenness surprised the British.

At this time the 11th Engineers was 

at work building a railroad yard near 

Gouzeaucourt, about 2 miles behind the 

battle line. The German assault units 

made rapid progress and soon reached the 

area where the Americans, who 

were unarmed, were at work. 

Many of the Americans withdrew 

under fire, secured arms and 

assisted the British in organizing 

new defensive positions west of 

Gouzeaucourt. Others joined 

with the British and helped stop 

the attack, some of them having 

no weapons at the start except 

picks and shovels. A number of 

men were captured but many of 

these escaped when the enemy 

was suddenly counterattacked 

about noon by a British division, 

the Americans participating in 

this assault. The regiment had 

18 casualties in the fighting on 

November 30.

This locality can be visited by 

taking a train to Cambrai or St. 

Quentin and hiring an automobile 

at one of those places.

Explosion of a German Time Bomb in Cambrai

at the Time of Its Capture, October 8, 1918

T HE 11th Engineers was one o

regiments of engineers organi

sent to France at the request of the 

Governments, soon after the United 

entered the war, to help the Allied 

catch up on emergency railroad w

From August 1917 until January 

the regiment, composed princip

railway specialists, was on duty w

British employed in building and 

ing railroads near the front line. 

so engaged two enlisted men of t

ment were wounded by shellre n

village of Gouzeaucourt on Septem

1917. These were the rst Ame

soldiers to be wounded while ser

the front with an American unit.

On November 20, 1917, the B

Third Army launched a surprise 

toward Cambrai without the cus

artillery preparation, the infant

vancing behind a screen of 380 

These tactics were more successf

expected and the British succee

breaking through the Hindenbur

almost reaching the outskirts of Ca

German reserves were rushed to t

11TH ENGINEERS AT T

NOVEMBER 20

1

Gouzeaucourt

Villers-Guislain

Gonnelieu

Bois Gauche

German

Counterattack Nov. 30

TO FINS

3 MILES

8 MILES

TO CAMBRAI

British Attack Nov. 20

British Line

Nov. 20 (A.M.)

Nov. 30

1917

Nov.

30 (A.M.)

1917

British

Line

British Line

 Place where rst 1

American soldiers with

American unit were

wounded at the front,

Sept. 5, 1917.

Scene of action of

11th Engineers,

Nov. 30, 1917.

N

0 1000 2000 Yards

Operations of 11th Engineers

September and November, 1917

11TH ENGINEER S AT THE BAT TLE OF CA MBR A I 

NOVEMBER 20–DECEMBER 3, 1917
(395)

I

N the middle of October, while the 

American First Army was heavily 

engaged in the Meuse-Argonne offensive, 

a request was received from the Allied 

Commander-in-Chief for two American 

divisions to be sent to Flanders to give 

impetus to an offensive there which 

had been going on since September 28. 

Urgent as was his own need for troops, 

the American Commander-in-Chief 

nevertheless designated two of his best 

divisions, the 37th and 91st, and these 

units reported within a few days to the 

French Army of Belgium, which was then 

part of the Group of Armies of Flanders 

commanded by the King of the Belgians.

The two divisions, with a French 

division between them, went into the front 

lines near Waereghem on October 30. The 

37th Division was in the French XXX 

Corps and its zone of action was along the 

railroad northeast of Waereghem, close to 

the town of Olsene. The 91st was in the 

French VII Corps and its zone of action 

was just south of Waereghem. (See the 

sketch on this page.)

At that time this region, which had been 

well behind the German front line since 

the autumn or 1914, was little damaged 

and was still occupied by most of its 

civilian population. The terrain where 

these divisions fought was slightly rolling 

and broken by numerous houses, patches 

of trees, fenced-in small fields and ditches.

The 37th and 91st Divisions took part 

in a general attack which was launched 

eastward toward the Escaut River (also 

known as the Scheldt) at 5:30 a. m. on 

s

1

4

2

5

3

6

Olsene

Zulte

XX

Oct. 30

(P.M.)

XXX

Oct.

31 Nokere

XX

Spitaals

BosschenOct.

31

Stuivenberghe

XX Wortegem

Oct. 30

(A.M.)

Heirweg

Anseghem Gyselbrechteghem

XX

Elsegem

Petegem Leupegem

Nov. 3– 4 (A.M.)

1

2–3 Nov.

Mooregem Bevere

Oycke XXX Eyne

WannegemLede

Heurne

Mullem Huysse

XX

Semmersaeke

Gavere

Asper

Syngem

Dickelvenne XX

Heuvel

XX Nov.

10

(A.M.)

Beirlegem

Meytegem Dickele

Zwartenbroek 10

XXX

NederzwalmHermelgem

Welden

Boucle-St. Denis

1

2 3 2

3 4

Nov. 4

Neder-Eename

Eename XX XX

Maeter

HoorebekeSte. Marie

Volkegem

Edelaere

Nov.

10

(P.M.)

BoucleSt. Blaise

10

Nov. 11

XX Hoorebeke-

 St. Corneille Elst

(A.M.)

Munckzwalm XXX

(A.M.)

XXNov. 11

Baeygem

TO GHENT

14 M.

Waereghem

Audenarde

Cruyshautem

TO GHENT

9 MILES

TO

LILLE

26 M.

TO BRUSSELS 29 MILES

Lys

River

Escaut R.

Escaut

River

37TH DIVSION

DIVSION 91ST

37TH

DIV.

91ST

DIV.

N

0 1 2 3 4 Miles

Jump-o Line Front Line XXX Corps Boundary XX Division Boundary

Flanders Field American Cemetery

37th Div. Hdqrs., Nov. 9–11

91st Div. Hdqrs., Nov. 1–4 37th Div. Hdqrs., Nov. 1–4

91st Div. Hdqrs., Nov. 10–11 37th Div. memorial bridge

A monument has been erected at Audenarde by the United States Government

1

4

2

5

3

6

37th and 91st Divisions in Ypres-Lys Oensive

October 30–November 11, 1918

37TH AND 91ST DIV ISIONS IN THE Y PRES-LYS OFFENSIVE 

OCTOBER 28–NOVEMBER 11, 1918
396 THE AMERICAN BATTLEFIELDS NORTH OF PARIS

October 31. The 37th Division advanced 

against hostile artillery and machinegun fire about 21⁄2 miles to the western 

outskirts of Cruyshautem where it dug in 

for the night. The 91st drove forward in 

spite of intense artillery and machine-gun 

fire and captured the Spitaals Bosschen, a 

large wooded area a short distance in front 

of its jump-off line. It was then delayed as 

the French division on its right had been 

unable to keep up and this exposed the 

right f lank of the 91st Division to severe 

hostile enfilade fire which was continued 

throughout the day.

When the attack was resumed on 

November 1 it became evident that the 

Germans were making a retirement and 

the 37th and 91st Divisions pushed forward 

rapidly. The 37th Division advanced about 

5 miles to the Escaut River, reaching it 

near Eyne and Heurne. The 91st advanced 

about the same distance to a position 

close to Audenarde.

The 91st Division occupied part of 

Audenarde on November 2 and the 

remainder of it on the 3d. Before it was 

relieved on November 4 the division had 

made reconnaissances of the river and 

was preparing plans to force a crossing. 

Among the first to enter Audenarde was 

Sergeant Charles R. Reilley, Engineers, 

91st Division, who voluntarily accompanied a patrol into the city on November 1, 

while it was still occupied by the enemy. 

He obtained important data regarding 

destroyed bridges and assisted in a fight 

with a strong enemy patrol. He also captured a German spy while the latter was 

attempting to escape, and drove a sniper 

to cover, thus saving the life of his captain 

who was about to be fired upon. For his 

gallant actions he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.

Early on November 2 the 37th Division 

forced a crossing of the river southeast 

of Heurne under heavy fire, the infantry 

improvising a bridge from trees felled 

near the riverbank. The river at this point 

is canalized and is about 100 feet wide 

with steep banks about eight feet high. 

That night the engineers of the division 

erected footbridges at Heuvel and Eyne 

upon which more troops crossed. A 

German attack against the bridgehead 

position launched about 5:00 p. m. on 

November 4 was repulsed. The division 

was relieved from the front line during the 

night of November 4–5.

Both divisions then began preparations 

to take part in another general offensive. 

Waereghem, Belgium, November 1, 1918
(397)

These plans were hastened when the 

Allied Commander-in-Chief sent word 

on November 9 that the Germans were 

withdrawing in disorder along the entire 

front and directed that they be attacked 

vigorously. As a result both American 

divisions were ordered back into the line 

early on November 10 and directed again 

to drive forward.

The 37th was assigned a zone of action 

along the west bank of the Escaut River, 

about 3⁄4 mile to the northeast of the one 

it had previously held, in the bend of the 

river east of Syngem. The division was 

under the orders of the French XXXIV 

Corps. The French divisions which were 

relieved by the 37th had attempted to 

cross the river unsuccessfully on the 9th.

When the 37th Division took over the 

sector it was found that the Germans had 

not withdrawn. The division, however, in 

spite of hostile shell and machine-gun fire 

forced a crossing of the river for a second 

time, the engineers building a footbridge 

just north of the destroyed Hermelgem–

Syngem bridge. By the evening of that day 

the division was established firmly on the 

far bank.

The 91st Division relieved French troops 

in the French XXX Corps, about 4 miles 

east of Audenarde, on November 10.

During the night of November 10 

the Germans on this front were badly 

disorganized and retiring rapidly, their 

retreat being due largely to the success of 

the American First Army in the MeuseArgonne operation which on November 7 

had severed, near Sedan, the main German 

lateral railroad along the Western Front.

On November 11 both the 37th and 

91st Divisions advanced practically 

unopposed. Patrols of the 37th were in 

the villages of Dickele and Zwartenbroek 

while those of the 91st were near Elst and 

in Boucle-St. Blaise by 11:00 a. m. when 

the Armistice became effective.

During their operations in Flanders 

deep advances were made by the two 

American divisions. The total casualties 

of the 37th Division were almost 1,600 and 

those of the 91st were about 1,000.

This battlefield can be easily visited by 

traveling by train to Waereghem, Audenarde 

or Ghent and hiring an automobile.

✧

Locations of Headquarters

The prinicpal American headquarters 

during these operations were as follows:

37th Division:

Oct. 29–Nov. 1........... Denterghem.

Nov. 1–4 .................... Cruyshautem.

Nov. 9–11 .................. Château de Huysse.

91st Division:

Oct. 30–Nov. 1........... Desselghem.

Nov. 1–4 .................... Stuivenberghe Château.

Nov. 10–11................. Audenarde.

Troops of the 91st Division in Front of the

Hôtel-de-Ville, Audenarde, Belgium,

November 12, 1918

37th Division Memorial Bridge at Eyne, Belgium
Flanders Field American Cemetery Near Waereghem, Belgium
(399)

THE Flanders Field Cemetery, the only American military cemetery in 

Belgium, has been developed by the United 

States Government into a beautiful and 

appropriate resting place for the soldiers 

who are buried there.

This cemetery is located near 

Waereghem, 43 miles west of Brussels, 

upon a battlefield of the 91st Division. 

It contains the graves of 368 Americans, 

most of whom are soldier dead from the 

37th and 91st Divisions which operated 

in the vicinity and the 27th and 30th 

Divisions which served for a considerable 

time in the front line just south of Ypres.

The enclosing wall of the cemetery and 

the reception building near the entrance 

are of red brick. The impressive chapel, 

built of pure white stone, occupies the 

center of the cemetery grounds.

Above the entrance to the chapel the 

following inscription, “GREET THEM 

EVER WITH GRATEFUL HEARTS”, 

reminds the visitor of the important 

service rendered the world by the dead 

buried here.

On its outer walls appears the following 

inscription in English, French and Flemish:

THIS CHAPEL HAS BEEN ERECTED

BY THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

IN MEMORY OF HER SOLDIERS

WHO FOUGHT AND DIED

IN BELGIUM

DURING THE WORLD WAR.

THESE GRAVES ARE THE

PERMANENT AND VISIBLE SYMBOL

OF THE HEROIC DEVOTION

WITH WHICH

THEY GAVE THEIR LIVES

TO THE

COMMON CAUSE OF HUMANITY

Below this inscription, in bas-relief, 

are small sculptured figures symbolizing 

Grief, Remembrance and History.

The altar inside the chapel is of black 

and white marble, upon which rest a cross 

and two vases for f lowers. It bears the 

inscription: “I WILL RANSOM THEM 

FROM THE POWER OF THE GRAVE, I 

WILL REDEEM THEM FROM DEATH.” 

Above, carved on a rose-tinted marble 

panel, is a Crusader’s sword outlined in 

gold. On each side of the altar are draped 

f lags of the United States, Belgium, 

France, Great Britain and Italy. On the 

side walls of the chapel, on marble panels, 

are listed the names of the American 

soldiers who lost their lives in Belgium 

but have no known graves.

The quiet beauty of the interior is 

enhanced by a mosaic ceiling of striking 

design and a large ornamental window 

over the door which lights the room with a 

subdued yellow light.

The furniture of the chapel consists of 

four seats and kneeling benches, where 

those so inclined may rest for meditation 

and prayer. This furniture is of carved 

oak, stained a black color with the veining 

in white, and it harmonizes perfectly with 

the black and white marble which has 

been used for the altar.

Each of the four grave blocks is framed 

by a trimmed hedge and at three of the 

corners of the cemetery are circular 

nooks, ornamented by attractive urns, 

f lanked by stone benches and closely 

surrounded by trees and hedges.

On the bases of the urns are the insignia 

of the 27th, 30th, 37th and 91st Divisions, 

the divisions to which belonged most of 

the men now buried here.

This little cemetery is dear to the hearts of 

the people of the neighborhood who visit it in 

large numbers on Sundays and holidays. On 

the Sunday nearest Memorial Day (May 30) a 

touching ceremony of praise and thanksgiving 

is held in memory of the American war dead.

The cemetery may be easily visited by 

taking a train to Waereghem, or to Ghent, 

17 miles away, which is larger and contains 

much more of historical interest. 

If the tourist has not already done so, 

the account of the operations of the 37th 

and 91st Divisions, which is given on the 

preceding pages, should be read.

The monument erected by the United 

States Government to commemorate the 

fighting of the American soldiers in this 

part of Belgium is located at Audenarde, 

61⁄2 miles to the east from this cemetery.

THE FL A NDER S F IELD A MER ICA N CEMETERY NEA R 

WAEREGHEM, BELGIUM
Interior of Chapel, American Cemetery Near Waereghem, Belgium
(401)

UNDER the century-old trees of a public square near the west side of the city of 

Audenarde in Belgium, the United States 

Government has erected an attractive 

monument to commemorate the services 

of the 37th and 91st Divisions and the 53d 

Field Artillery Brigade of the American 

Army all of which fought in battle in this 

region.

The monument stands at the end of a 

small park, which has been improved by 

the planting of hedges and shrubs and the 

addition of paths and benches. On the 

front of it, below a shield of the United 

States and f lanked by two American 

eagles, is the dedicatory inscription which 

is in gilded letters and reads as follows:

ERECTED BY THE

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

TO COMMEMORATE THE

SERVICES OF AMERICAN TROOPS

WHO FOUGHT IN THIS VICINITY

OCT. 30–NOV. 11, 1918

This inscription is repeated on one side 

in French and on the other side in Flemish.

The names of the units commemorated 

by the memorial are carved on its face 

above the shield of the United States.

In the center of a round place in the 

roadway near by is a Belgian monument 

erected in honor of the Belgian volunteer 

troops who served in Mexico from 1864 to 

1867 and aided in establishing Maximilian 

on the throne of Mexico.

For an account of the operations of the 

37th and 91st Divisions in the general 

vicinity of Audenarde see pages 395–397. 

The Flanders Field American Cemetery 

near the village of Waereghem is 

approximately 6 miles away to the west.

Audenarde may be easily reached by 

train and the American monument is not 

far from the railroad station. The city is on 

one of the main highways from the North 

Sea to Brussels and can be easily visited by 

automobile from Ghent, which is 17 miles 

to the north, and also from Brussels, which 

is about 37 miles to the east.

American Memorial at Audenarde, Belgium

THE AMERICAN MONUMENT AT AUDENARDE, BELGIUM
(402)

THE 27th and 30th Divisions served with the British Army from the time 

of their arrival in Europe in May 1918 

until the Armistice. During the summer 

they were trained at the front, under the 

administrative control of the American II 

Corps, by attaching small units to British 

organizations in Picardy and Flanders. 

In August, while with the British Second 

Army, they assumed complete charge of 

adjoining divisional sectors along the 

Lys salient just south of Ypres. They were 

familiar with this front, as various units 

of the 30th Division had been training on 

it with the British since July 16, and units 

of the 27th since July 25. The 30th Division 

took command of its sector on August 18 

as part of the British II Corps and the 27th 

Division on August 23 as part of the British 

XIX Corps.

Lys

ere

its

ing

nd

he

ctor

II

ust

s.

2

1

3

Dickebusch

Hallebast

la Clytte

Kemmel

Vierstraat

Wytschaete

St. Eloi

Voormezeele

Lankhof Farm

27TH

DIVISION

30TH

DIVISION

Mt. Kemmel

British

Troops

British Troops

POPERINGHE

TO

4 MILES

TO

POPERINGHE

TO LOCRE

1.5 MILES

TO

8 M.

ARMENTIÈRES

TO

MESSINES

1 MILE

TO LILLE

14 MILES

Petit Bois Bois de

Wytschaete

Grand Bois

TO YPRES

1 MILE

TO YPRES

1 MILE

Aug. 23–30

XXX

XXX

Aug. 31–Sept. 1

XX

Aug. 31

XX

Sept. 1

Sept. 2–3

(A.M.)

Sept. 1–4 (P.M.)

Aug. 18–31

YPRES- COMINES

CANAL

Lake Dickebusch

XX

N

0 500 1000 1500 2000 Yards

XXX XX

Jump-o Line Front Line

Corps Boundary

Gap in Line

Division Boundary

Monument erected by United States Government Observation tower

Scene of gas-cloud attack by 30th Division, August 27

1 2

3

27th and 30th Divisions in Ypres-Lys Oensive

August 18–September 4, 1918

 27TH AND 30TH DIVISIONS IN THE YPRES-LYS OFFENSIVE 

AUGUST 18–SEPTEMBER 4, 1918
THE AMERICAN BATTLEFIELDS NORTH OF PARIS 403

It was discovered on August 30 that 

the Germans were making a general 

withdrawal from the Lys salient for the 

purpose of shortening their front line. 

Consequently the 27th Division was 

ordered to reconnoiter the situation on 

its front that night and the 30th Division 

was directed to send out strong patrols 

the next morning. According to its 

instructions if no determined opposition 

was encountered by the patrols of the 30th 

Division it was to advance and occupy a 

new line which included Voormezeele.

The 27th Division reconnoitered 

that night and encountered resistance. 

However, about 10:00 a. m. on August 31 

information was received from the British 

XIX Corps that the enemy had retired 

from Mont Kemmel. The division was, 

therefore, ordered to move forward in 

conjunction with the British troops on its 

right. This movement was started promptly 

and the objectives, which included the 

village of Vierstraat, were reached about 

4:00 o’clock in the afternoon.

The patrols of the 30th Division met with 

considerable resistance on the morning of 

August 31 so the division did not attempt 

to advance during that day.

The 27th Division attacked at 7:00 a. m. 

on September 1 after a 31⁄2-hour artillery 

bombardment. Machine-gun nests were 

overcome and all objectives were taken 

before noon. Shortly thereafter, having 

received new orders, the division attacked 

again but a German counterattack 

combined with heavy machine-gun fire 

forced it to withdraw slightly.

Early on September 1 the 30th Division 

moved forward to beyond Voormezeele 

and by 8:30 a.m. had reached the objectives 

prescribed by the British II Corps.

The 27th Division did not make a 

determined attack on September 2 because 

it was obvious from the stubborn fighting 

of the previous day that the Germans were 

no longer retiring but had taken up strong 

new positions which they were prepared to 

defend vigorously. The division, however, 

pushed its units forward until they had 

contact with the new German line along 

its entire length.

27th Division Wagon Train Near Cloth Hall, Ypres, Belgium
404 THE AMERICAN BATTLEFIELDS NORTH OF PARIS

During September 2 the 30th Division 

repulsed a small hostile attack in the area 

northeast of Lankhof Farm.

The 27th Division was relieved on 

September 3 and the 30th Division on 

September 4. The casualties of the 27th 

Division up to the time of its relief had 

totaled almost 1,300 officers and men, 

and those of the 30th about 800.

Both divisions reentered the line about 

three weeks later in the region north of St. 

Quentin and took part there in the fierce 

battle for the Hindenburg Line described 

on pages 373–381.

This battlefield near Ypres can be visited 

by taking a train to that city and traveling 

out from there by automobile.

✧

 Locations of Headquarters

The headquarters of the American units 

during the operations here were:

II Corps:

Aug. 30–Sept. 3 ...Houtkerque.

27th Division:

Aug. 23–Sept. 3 ...Douglas Camp, north of Abeele.

30th Division:

Aug. 20–Sept. 4 ......Vogeltje Convent, 2 miles to the 

northwest of Poperinghe.

Captured British Tank Being Used by Germans, September 18, 1918. © G

Cloth Hall of Ypres, Belgium, in 1935
I

MMEDIATELY alongside the road 

leading south from Ypres toward 

Mont Kernmel, near the little hamlet of 

Vierstraat, Belgium, is located a monument 

erected by the United States Government to 

commemorate the services of the American 

troops who fought in that general region 

during the World War.

This monument consists of a central 

block of white stone in front of which, 

carved out of stone, is an American 

helmet resting upon a wreath. The 

inscription which appears on the face of 

the monument above the helmet is f lanked 

on each side by an American bayonet 

carved in relief. The inscription reads:

ERECTED BY THE

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

TO COMMEMORATE THE SERVICES

OF AMERICAN TROOPS

WHO FOUGHT IN THIS VICINITY

AUGUST 18–SEPTEMBER 4 1918

This inscription is repeated in French 

and Flemish on the ends of the central 

block. On the rear face appear the 

insignia of the 27th and 30th Divisions, 

the American units whose fighting is 

commemorated by the memorial.

Sur roundi ng the monu ment prop er 

is a ter rac e enclosed by a rai l i ng. The 

ac count of the A mer ican op erations 

i n the v ici n ity, g iven on the pre c edi ng 

pages, should be read from th is ter rac e. 

By consulti ng the sketch and readi ng 

the fol low i ng descr iption w ith h is back 

to the road, the tour ist w i l l obtai n a 

good idea of the A mer ican f ig hti ng 

near here.

The group of houses seen to the left 

down the road is the town of Vierstraat.

Just to the right of Vierstraat the church 

steeple of Voormezeele can be seen 

through the trees. That town was captured 

by the 30th Division on September 1.

Mont Kemmel is the highest hill in the 

region and is seen to the right rear.

The jump-off line of the 27th Division 

on August 31 was about 1⁄2 mile away, 

just over the ridge sloping up across the 

road from the monument. The division 

advanced in this direction on that day 

and reached a line which included the site 

of this monument and extended about a 

mile to the right and left from it, running 

roughly parallel to this road.

The line held by the 27th Division at 

the time of its relief on September 3 ran 

along the bottom of the small valley seen 

directly ahead. That valley can be traced 

by the patches of trees which grow on the 

banks of the small stream in it.

The large town on the sky line directly 

ahead is Wytschaete. In this particular 

vicinity the position to which the Germans 

retired ran along the lower slopes of the 

ridge upon which that village is located.

American Monument Near Vierstraat, Belgium

THE A MER ICA N MON U MENT NEA R V IER STR A AT, 

BELGIUM
British Band Playing in Arras, April 30, 1917. © B
(407)

UPON its arrival in France in June 1918 the 80th Division was assigned 

to the British First Army. It was under the 

administrative control of the American II 

Corps and later served with both the British 

Second and Third Armies.

On July 4 the division joined the Third Army 

and for training in the front line its regiments 

were distributed among the 

British V, IV and VI Corps. 

These corps were in line in that 

order from Albert to Arras. The 

317th Infantry Regiment was 

with the IV Corps, the 318th 

with the V Corps and the 319th 

and 320th with the VI Corps. 

Parts of these American units 

first entered the front line on 

July 23.

While elements of the 80th 

Division were occupying portions of the line, the British on 

August 8 launched the Somme 

offensive south of Albert. The 

initial assault made a deep 

penetration into the German 

lines and as a direct result the 

enemy was soon forced to give 

ground at other places.

A battalion of the 317th Infantry was holding a front-line 

sector with the New Zealand 

Division when the Germans 

began to retire in front of 

them. Meeting slight resistance, the American battalion 

advanced 11⁄2 miles with the 

New Zealanders on August 14, 

and occupied the villages of 

Serre and Puisieux-au-Mont. 

Another battalion of the regiment repulsed a German raid 

which was made against its 

front lines during the night of August 17–18.

The other American regiments did not 

gain ground although the 320th Infantry 

successfully repulsed a German raid on 

August 4, southeast of Boiry-St. Martin, 

and again on the night of August 13–14 

near the village of Boisleux-St. Marc.

The last units of the 80th Division were 

relieved from the front line during the 

night of August 18–19 and on the 19th the 

80th Division was relieved from further 

duty with the British. It immediately 

started to move to the St. Mihiel region to 

join the American First Army.

While serving with the British the division 

had 274 casualties. Its headquarters during 

the period was at Beauval.

The area of this operation can he easily 

visited by taking a train to the city of 

Albert and hiring an automobile there.

H OF PARIS 407

e village of Boisleux-St. Marc.

st units of the 80th Division were

d from the front line during the

f August 18–19 and on the 19th

h Division was relieved from fur

ty with the British. It immedi

arted to move to the St. Mihiel

to join the American First Army.

serving with the British the divi

d 274 casualties. Its headquarters

the period was at Beauval.

ea of this operation can he easily

by taking a train to the city of

and hiring an automobile there.

OFFENSIVE

18

1

2

3

4

Boisleaux-St. Marc

Ervillers

Bihucourt Achietle-Petit

Miraumont

le Sars

Longueval

Pozières

Thiepral

Hamel

Puisieux- auMont Serre

Bucquoy

Ayette

Boiry-St. Martin

Hébuteme

Auchonvillers

Bois d’Aveluy

Albert

Bapaume

British VI Corps

British IV Corps

British V Corps

320th Inf.

Aug. 8–15, 17–18

319th Inf.

Aug. 10–18

317th Inf.

Aug.8–14 (A.M.)

Aug.14–18 XXX

XXX

II

II

XXX

318th Inf.

Aug. 12–18

TO ARRAS

5.5 MILES

TO BEAUVAL

15 M.

TO AMIENS

15 MILES

Ancre

River

N

0 1 2 3 4 Miles

Front Line Held by American Troops

Front Line Held by British Troops

Ground Gained by American Trrops

XXX Corps Boundary II Battalion Boundary

1

2

3

4

Newfoundland memorial park

Memorial tower, Br. 36th (Ulster) Div.

British Memorial to missing in Somme battles

Delville Wood, South African Memorial

There are numerous other British monuments in this region

80th Division in Somme Oensive

August 8–18, 1918

80TH DIVISION IN THE SOMME OFFENSIVE

AUGUST 8 –18, 1918 
(408)

THE 33d Division upon its arrival in France during the latter part of May 

1918 joined the British Fourth Army. Early 

in July it was serving with that Army near 

Amiens, its elements being divided for 

training between the British III Corps and 

the Australian Corps.

The Australian 4th Division was directed to attack on July 4 with the object of 

capturing the village of Hamel, which is located at the center of a bare saucer-shaped 

valley just south of the Somme River and 

11 miles east of Amiens. Companies C and 

E, 131st Infantry, and A and G, 132d Infantry, all of the 33d Division, were attached 

to the Australian 4th Division for the operation. The Americans, totaling about 

1,000 men, advanced with the Australians 

and promptly secured their objectives. 

Two of the American companies assisted 

in repulsing a German 

counterattack at dusk. 

Although the number 

of Americans engaged 

on this day was not 

great, their conduct 

was such as to receive 

high commendation 

from the British commanders.

It was during this 

fighting that Corporal Thomas A. Pope 

performed the heroic deed for which 

he was awarded the 

Congressional Medal 

of Honor. His company was advancing 

when it was halted by 

hostile machine-gun 

fire. Going forward 

alone he rushed a machine-gun nest, killed 

several of the crew 

with his bayonet, 

and, standing astride 

the gun, held off the 

other members of the 

crew until reinforcements arrived and 

captured them.

The four companies 

were withdrawn during 

the night of July 5–6 

and rejoined their division which was training in the rear areas.

33D DIVISION AT 

INTHE SOM

T HE 33d Division upFrance during the 

1918 joined the Briti

Early in July it was se

Army near Amiens its 

divided for training be

III Corps and the Austr

The Australian 4th 

directed to attack on J

ject o f capturing the 

Hamelet

Hamel

Vaire-sous-Corbie

Warfusée-Abancourt

Bois des

Tailloux

British

Troops

Bois

de

Hamel Bois

de

Vaire

Australian

Division 11th Brigade and Cos. C and E

131st Infantry

4th Brigade and

Cos. A and G

132d Infantry

4th

6th Brigade

French Troops TO XX

AMIENS

11 M.

Jump-o

Line July 4 (A.M.)

TO AMIENS

11.5 M.

X

July 4

TO CHIPILLY

2.5 Miles

X

XX

Somme

River

Canal

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 Yards N

Ground Gained by Australians and Detachments

of 33d Division

XX Austral. Div. Boundary X Austral. Brig. Boundary

33d Division at Capture of Hamel

July 4, 1918

33D DIV ISION AT THE CA P T UR E OF H A MEL , J U LY 4, 1918 

A ND 

IN THE SOMME OFFENSIVE, AUGUST 8–20, 1918
Street Scene in Amiens, April 25, 1918. © B

American Troops Marching to the Music of a British Band. © B
410 THE AMERICAN BATTLEFIELDS NORTH OF PARIS

From July 17 to August 6 elements of the 

33d Division trained in line with British 

units on the front south of Albert.

When the British launched their Somme 

offensive against the Amiens salient on 

August 8, the infantry units of the 33d 

Division were in reserve, attached to the 

British III Corps. The offensive made 

great progress on the first day although 

Chipilly Ridge, a high bare ridge situated 

on the north bank of the Somme within 

a large horseshoe bend of the river, was 

in German hands, having been recaptured 

from the British 58th Division. From 

this ridge the German troops threatened 

the f lank of the Australian Corps on the 

south bank. (See the sketch below.)

To retake this position the 131st Infantry, 

33d Division, was directed to join the 

British 58th Division immediately. It 

moved forward and after a difficult night 

march took part during the afternoon of 

August 9 in an assault against Chipilly 

Ridge and Gressaire Wood.

The attack was made at 5:30 p. m., the 

American regiment double-timing part 

From

atened

n the

.)

131st

ed to

mme

fter a

ng the

gainst

p. m.,

timing

Morlancourt

Chipilly

CérisyGailly Méricourtsur-Somme

Etinehem

Bray- sur-Somme

Bois

Malard

les

Célestins

Gressaire

Direction

of Advance

Bois

 Fosse

Bois

Marcou

River Somme

SOMME

CANAL

TO AMIENS

17 MILES

TO AMIENS

17 MILES

TO

MONTDIDIER

21 M

TO ALBERT

5 MILES

III

III

III

III

III

III

III

Aug.

9

Aug. 9–12

Aug.

13–19

(P.M.)

Aug. 10–12

Aug. 10

(P.M.)

Aug. 10–12

14 –19 (P.M.)

10–12

Wood

Bois

Fromion

Jump-o Line

Aug. 9 (P.M.)

N

0 500 1000 1500 2000 Yards

Front Line 131st Infantry

Ground Gained, 131st Infantry

Front Line Australians Gap in Line

Regimental Boundary

Ground Gained, 131st Infantry and Australians

III

131st Infantry (33d Division) in Somme Oensive

August 9–19, 1918
(411)

of the last 4 miles to reach its jumpoff line on time. It advanced under 

hurriedly issued orders with but little 

reconnaissance; and in spite of heavy 

machine-gun and artillery fire drove 

the hostile troops from the northern end 

of Chipilly Ridge and the southern part 

of Gressaire Wood. The Australian 4th 

Division launched an attack from across 

the river at the same time and as a result 

of the combined attacks the town of 

Chipilly and the southern end of Chipilly 

Ridge were also captured.

Illustrative of the gallant exploits of 

the American soldiers on this day are the 

deeds for which Corporal Jake Allex, 33d 

Division, was awarded the Congressional 

Medal of Honor. At a critical point when 

all the officers with his platoon had 

become casualties, Corporal Allex took 

command and led the platoon forward 

until its advance was stopped by fire from 

a machine-gun nest. He then advanced 

alone for about 30 yards in the face of 

intense fire and attacked the nest. With 

his bayonet he killed five of the enemy and 

when the bayonet broke he used the butt 

of his rifle and captured 15 prisoners.

On August 10 the Australian Corps 

was assigned the zone north of the river, 

and the 131st Infantry was placed under 

the Australian 4th Division. That day 

the regiment advanced and occupied the 

remainder of Gressaire Wood.

As a result of these two days of fighting 

the regiment had in its possession an 

important enemy position, 700 prisoners, 

30 pieces of artillery, 1 airplane and more 

than 100 captured machine guns.

On the 13th the 131st Infantry joined the 

Australians in an attack which captured 

the ridge east of Etinehem. It stayed in 

the line until the night of August 19–20 

taking part in local attacks and assisting 

the Australian troops in organizing the 

positions gained.

During this period other units of the 

33d Division served in the front lines or 

as reserves for various British divisions.

The attack of August 9 and 10 won for the 

33d Division the warm praise of the British 

commanders. On August 12 the King of 

England visited the division headquarters 

at Molliens-au-Bois where he personally 

presented British decorations to the 

members of the 33d Division who had 

distinguished themselves in the fighting 

at Hamel on July 4.

These battlefields of the 33d Division 

can be visited by going to Amiens by rail 

and traveling from there by automobile.

The division suffered more than 1,400 

casualties while serving on the British 

Front. On August 23 it was relieved from 

this front and began its movement to the 

region of Verdun where it became part of 

the American First Army.

The King of England Decorating Men of the

33d Division, August 12, 1918

British, French and American Military Police

in Amiens, May 1918. © B
EARLY in February 1918 the Headquarters 

and Companies B and D of the 6th 

Engineers, 3d Division, were detailed to 

the British Army in response to an urgent 

request of the British Commander-in-Chief 

for American engineer assistance. 

They were assigned to the British 

Fifth Army to aid in constructing 

bridges and other works essential 

for the defense of the front recently 

taken over by that Army from 

the French. These engineers were 

building heavy steel bridges near 

Péronne when the German March 

21 offensive broke through the 

British lines in that vicinity. On 

March 22 this engineering work 

had to be discontinued due to 

enemy shellfire, and the American 

troops were ordered to move 

farther to the rear.

The German advance toward 

Amiens was so rapid and the 

troops opposing it so few in number that the British, as a measure almost of desperation, assembled every available man to 

occupy the old French trenches, 

known as the Amiens Defense 

Line, which extended approximately north and south about 10 

miles east of that city. The detachments of troops which were 

hurriedly collected and put in 

position, with orders to defend to 

the last man, included Companies B and D 

of the 6th Engineers. This combined force 

was popularly known as “Carey’s Force” 

because of General Carey, the British general who commanded them.

E ARLY in February 1918 the He

quarters and Companies B and 

the 6th Engineers, 3d Division, wer

tailed to the British Army in respon

an urgent request of the British 

mander-in-chief for American eng

6TH ENGINEERS IN TH

MARCH 2

German Artillery Moving Forwa

in M

Hamel

WarfuséeAbancourt

6th Engineers

British Troops

British Troops

Bois

de

Vaire Bois d’ Accroche

Bois d’ Arquaire

Bois des

Tailloux

Direction German Attack

Somme R.

Canal

TO CHIPILLY

2 MILES

TO PÉRONNE

17 MILES

TO AMIENS

III

TO MARCELCAVE

1.5 MILES

March 27 –April 3

(A.M.)

III III

N

0 500 1000 1500 Yards

Front Line 6th Engineers III Regt. Boundary

6th Enineers (3d Div.) in the Somme

Defensive, March 27–April 3, 1918

German Artillery Moving Forward After the Break-Through East of Amiens in March 1918. © G

6TH ENGINEER S IN THE SOM ME DEFENSIV E 

MARCH 21–APRIL 6, 1918
THE AMERICAN BATTLEFIELDS NORTH OF PARIS 413

This force, totaling about 2,200 men, 

held about 8 miles of trenches on the generally flat terrain in the vicinity of the main 

road leading to Amiens. It was composed 

of certain British army troops; tunneling, workshop and electrical companies; 

detachments from five different schools; 

and the units of the 6th Engineers. It was 

later reinforced by 300 convalescents from 

the hospitals and 400 Canadian railroad 

troops.

The American engineers occupied the 

right of the Amiens Defense Line, near 

Marcelcave, on March 26 but on the 

following day moved by truck to Bois 

des Tailloux, about 1 mile northwest of 

Warfusée-Abancourt. There it took over 

the defense of that wood and of the line as 

far south as the main Amiens road.

On March 27 the retreating British 

retired behind the Amiens Defense Line. 

Warfusée-Abancourt was captured by the 

Germans late in the evening and during 

that night patrols of the 6th Engineers 

were engaged with the enemy in town. 

Heavy fighting took place south of town 

on March 28, in which the 6th Engineers 

was not involved, but on both March 29 

and 30 the American troops repulsed 

determined attacks against their position.

No further efforts to advance in force 

were made by the Germans until after the 

American detachment was relieved on 

April 3. On the 8th it resumed engineering 

work near Amiens and two months later 

rejoined its division near the village of 

Château-Thierry.

The area of this 6th Engineer fighting 

can be easily visited by taking a train to 

Amiens and hiring an automobile there.

Amiens–St. Quentin Road. © B

Large German Gun Destroyed East of Chipilly,

Near Chuignes
(414)

DURING the emergency created by the German offensive of March 21, 

General Pershing placed all American 

combat troops then in Europe at the 

disposal of General Foch. Among these 

units was the 1st Division which on April 5 

was moved to the region north of Paris, and 

on April 27 was given command of a sector 

west of Montdidier as part of the VI Corps 

of the French First Army. This marked the 

first entry into line of an American division 

on an active battle front. (See Chapter I, 

page 27.)

At that time the Germans were in the 

midst of their series of great offensives and 

there was a possibility that the next attack 

might include the 1st Division sector. The 

activity and firing on this front were so 

great that it was only with difficulty that 

any semblance of a defensive position 

could be prepared.

The most prominent feature of the 

German lines facing the 1st Division was 

the high ground on which Cantigny is 

located. Not only did it furnish excellent 

positions from which the Germans could 

observe the American sector, but it also 

served as a screen for hostile movements 

and other activities in its rear.

Early in May the command of the 

division was transferred to the French X 

Corps and about the middle of the month 

it was decided to dislodge the Germans 

from their positions near Cantigny, in 

order to reduce the difficulties of holding 

the front line in the vicinity of that place.

The 28th Infantry of the 1st Division 

was selected to carry out the attack and 

for several days rehearsed its plans over 

similar terrain in the rear area. During 

the attack the regiment was supported by 

American and French artillery, machine 

gun, Stokes mortar, 37-mm. gun, tank, 

f lame-throwing and engineer units and 

two companies from the 18th Infantry.

The assault was launched at 6:45 a. m. 

on May 28 and in spite of heavy resistance 

mainly beyond the town and severe 

artillery and machine-gun fire from the 

left f lank all objectives were soon gained. 

The construction of trenches, the laying of 

barbed wire and the preparation of strong 

points on the newly captured ground were 

promptly started by the American troops 

concerned.

The German reaction was immediate and 

unusually violent, indicating a desire to 

shatter American morale. Counterattack 

after counterattack was launched against 

the newly-won positions during the 

next two days, and starting about noon 

on May 28 the American lines around 

Cantigny were subjected to an intense 72-

hour bombardment from hostile guns of 

all calibers. At the end of that time the 

Americans still held every inch of ground 

they had gained and the Germans were 

compelled to accept defeat.

1st Division Infantry Going “Over the Top” at Cantigny, May 28, 1918

1ST DIV ISION AT CA NT IGN Y 

APRIL 27–JULY 8, 1918
THE AMERICAN BATTLEFIELDS NORTH OF PARIS 415

During the defense against 

the German counterattacks 

the two companies of the 

18th Infantry in reserve and 

one company of the 26th 

Infantry were placed in the 

front lines.

The capture of Cantigny 

was the first large offensive 

operation by an American 

division. It was considered 

a brilliant exploit and was 

particularly gratifying to 

the Allies as it furnished 

a concrete example of the 

fighting ability of American 

troops, who were then beginning to arrive in France 

in large numbers. As this 

engagement occurred the 

day after the great German 

offensive of May 27 broke 

through the French lines at 

the Chemin des Dames, it 

was a very bright spot for 

the Allies in an otherwise 

gloomy situation.

The 1st Division on June 

2 took over additional 

frontage in order to release 

French troops for service 

elsewhere. North of Cantigny the front line was advanced slightly on 

June 3 to a more advantageous location. 

During June 9 the division was subjected 

to a severe artillery bombardment, as on 

that day the Germans launched their great 

offensive between Montdidier and Noyon, 

which was just east of the sector occupied 

by the troops of the 1st Division.

The division remained in line a total 

of 73 days and suffered almost 5,200 

casualties. It was relieved on July 8, and 

ten days later played an outstanding role 

in the counteroffensive south of Soissons 

against the Aisne-Marne salient. 

The Headquarters of the 1st Division 

was located at the village of Le MesnilSt. Firmin, April 24–June 4, and at the 

village of Tartigny, June 4–July 8.

This battlefield of the 1st Division may be 

conveniently visited by automobile from 

Paris or by taking a train to Montdidier 

(54 miles from Paris) or to Amiens and 

hiring an automobile at either place.

F PARIS 415

ery bombardment, as on that

rmans launched their great

etween Montdidier and Noyon,

ust east of the sector occupied

ps of the 1st Division.

on remained in line a total

and suered almost 5,200

It was relieved on July 8,

ys later played an outstand

the counteroensive south of

ainst the Aisne-Marne salient.

uarters of the 1st Division

at the village of Le Mesnil-St.

l 24–June 4, and at the village

June 4–July 8.

eeld of the 1st Division may

ently visited by automobile

or by taking a train to Montdi

es from Paris) or to Amiens

an automobile at either place.

le Plessier

Villers-Tournelle

Cantigny

Bois

St. Eloi

Bois des

Glands

Bois

Allonge

Bois de

Fontaine

Bois de

Cantigny

Bois de

Framicourt

Bois de l’Alval

Direction of

Advance

May 28 XX

XX

June 1

April 27 May 27

XX

June 3–July 8(A.M.)

May 28– June 2

April 27–May 28(A.M.)

April 27–July 8(A.M.)

XX

XX

TO

3

MONTDIDIER

MILES

In Catigny the United States

Government has erected a monument to commemorate the

rst oensive operation by an

American division during the war.

May 28–July

8(A.M.)

–

N

0 1000 2000 3000 Yards

Front Line XX Division Boundary

1st Divison, April 27–July 8, 1918

Germans Leaving Dugout at Cantigny After

Flame Thrower Had Been Used in it
(416)

THE United States Government has constructed in a public square 

at Cantigny a small but appropriate 

monument to commemorate the first large 

offensive action by an American division 

which took place during the World War. 

The monument consists of a shaft near the 

upper four corners of which are American 

eagles. A row of stars encircles the top 

and on the sides are carved, in French and 

English, the following inscriptions:

THE AMERICAN MONUMENT AT CANTIGNY

Around the monument proper is a 

paved circular terrace from which a 

considerable portion of the ground over 

which the American troops advanced may 

be seen. Ornamental stone benches have 

been placed on this terrace and trimmed 

hedges enclose it. The surrounding area 

THE FIRST DIVISION

UNITED STATES ARMY, OPERATING

UNDER THE X FRENCH CORPS,

CAPTURED THE TOWN OF CANTIGNY

ON MAY 28, 1918, AND HELD IT

AGAINST NUMEROUS COUNTERATTACKS

ERECTED BY THE

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

TO

COMMEMORATE THE FIRST ATTACK

BY AN AMERICAN DIVISION

IN THE WORLD WAR

has been developed into a park which 

is landscaped in an attractive manner 

and the whole development has proved a 

welcome addition to the village life.

This monument may he conveniently 

visited by automobile from Paris which 

is 54 miles to the south or from Amiens, 

the nearest large city, which is 25 miles 

north of the site. For the tourist who 

desires the minimum auto trip the train 

should be taken to Montdidier, which is 

3 miles away on the railroad and where 

taxicabs for a visit to Cantigny and the 

surrounding battlefields may be hired.

Before leaving the site of the monument 

the description on the preceding pages of 

the battle operations of the 1st Division in 

this vicinity should be read.

−− −− −− −− −− ✧ −− −− −− −− −−
(417)

Name 

of Div.

Period of 

Service 1918

Character 

of Service

Location of Service

General vicinity of—

Army to Which 

Attached1

Corps to Which 

Attached1

Casualties 2

1 Apr. 27–June 8 ... Sector....... Cantigny .......................... Fr. First................ Fr. VI until May 5, 

then Fr. X.

4,111

June 9–13............ Battle........ Cantigny .......................... Fr. First................ Fr. X......................... 567

June 14–July 8.... Sector....... Cantigny .......................... Fr. First................ Fr. X......................... 485

3

(6th 

Engrs. 

only)

Mar. 27–Apr. 3... Battle........ Warfusée-Abancourt....... Fifth ..................... None......................... 77

27 July 25–Aug. 18.. Training 

in Line.

South of Ypres................. Second.................. XIX .......................... 417

Aug. 19–Sept. 3.. Battle........ Vierstraat......................... Second.................. XIX .......................... 862

Sept. 25–30......... Battle........ West of Bony.................... Fourth.................. Am. II....................... 4,508

Oct. 12–21 .......... Battle........ Southeast of Le Cateau ... Fourth.................. Am. II....................... 2,103

30 July 16–Aug. 18.. Training 

in Line 

and Sector.

 South of Ypres ................ Second.................. II .............................. 298

Aug. 19–Sept. 4.. Battle........ Voormezeele .................... Second.................. II .............................. 466

Sept. 24–30......... Battle........ Bellicourt......................... Fourth.................. Australian until 

Sept. 25, then 

Am. II.

3,018

Oct. 6–12............ Battle........ Brancourt - le - Grand 

and St. Souplet.

Fourth.................. Am. II....................... 2,480

Oct. 16–19 .......... Battle........ Mazinghien...................... Fourth.................. Am. II....................... 1,491

33 June 23 ............... Training 

in Line.

East of Amiens ................ Fourth.................. III............................. 1

July 2–6.............. Training 

in Line.

Hamel............................... Fourth.................. III............................. 214

July 17–Aug. 6.... Training 

in Line.

West and southwest of 

Albert.

Fourth.................. III and Australian ... 237

Aug. 9–20 ........... Battle........ Chipilly Ridge ................. Fourth.................. III until Aug. 10, 

then III and Australian.

982

37 Oct. 30–Nov. 4 ... Battle........ Cruyshautem and Eyne ... Fr. Sixth ............... Fr. XXX................... 1,455

Nov. 10–11.......... Battle........ Dickele ............................. Fr. Sixth ............... Fr. XXXIV............... 117

80 July 23–Aug. 7 ... Training 

in Line.

North of Albert ............... Third.................... IV, V and VI............. 129

Aug. 8–18 ........... Battle........ North of Albert ............... Third.................... IV, V and VI............. 145

91 Oct. 30–Nov. 4 ... Battle........ Southeast of Waereghem 

and Audenarde

Fr. Sixth ............... Fr. VII...................... 963

(54)

Nov. 10–11.......... Battle........ Boucle-St. Blaise.............. Fr. Sixth ............... Fr. XXX................... 3

(1)

1 All armies and corps are British unless otherwise indicated. In this table Fr. = French. 2 Casualties are for period in line only. Figures in parentheses give casualties for units temporarily attached.

Add figure in parentheses to the one above in order to obtain the total casualties during the entire operation.

SUMMARY OF COMBAT SERVICE OF AMERICAN DIVISIONS

IN THE OPERATIONS NORTH OF PARIS
Typical Scene in the Vosges Mountains
(419)

T HE Western Front, extending 

for more than 400 miles from 

Switzerland to the North Sea, was so 

long that neither the Allies nor the Germans 

could obtain sufficient men to undertake 

operations on a large scale throughout its 

entire length. Consequently each massed 

its troops most heavily near those places 

where there existed a strong likelihood that 

the other might attack or where the terrain 

or other strategic factors were such that an 

offensive would have good chances to bring 

about decisive results.

The rugged terrain in the Vosges 

Mountains, north of the Swiss border, was 

a serious obstacle to major operations in 

that region because of the difficulty of 

maneuvering and supplying any considerable 

number of troops during an advance. 

South of these mountains near the town 

of Belfort, no great amount of fighting 

had taken place since 1914 and although 

the terrain was appropriate for military 

operations the narrowness of the pass 

between the mountains and the Swiss border, 

called the Belfort Gap, made the region not 

suitable for large-scale operations.

The battle line between the Vosges 

Mountains and the Moselle River followed 

roughly the former frontier between France 

and Germany. The French had prepared 

before the World War to meet a German 

attack on that particular front and one of 

the main reasons Germany violated the 

neutrality of Belgium was to avoid a major 

offensive there. Severe fighting, however, 

occurred in the region early in the war when 

the Germans attempted to take Nancy, but 

after 1914 it became inactive as both sides 

realized that offensive operations on other 

AMERICAN OPERATIONS ON THE VOSGES FRONT

Chapter VII

42d Division Troops in Front-Line Trench Near Baccarat, June 3, 1918

Scene is typical of the trenches and terrain in the Vosges region
parts of the battle line which were not as 

strong offered more possibility of success.

When the American troops arrived in 

France the entire stretch southeastward 

from the Moselle River to the Swiss 

border was a quiet or inactive front held 

by comparatively few troops. This front, 

commonly known to the Americans as 

the “Vosges Front,” was used by many 

American divisions for training purposes. 

It was admirably suited for the purpose as it 

was conveniently located with respect to the 

St. Mihiel salient, which was early selected 

as the scene of the first offensive operation 

by the American Army, and with respect 

to the American line of communications, 

which was being developed to supply troops 

on the St. Mihiel front. 

The normal program of training prescribed for an American division after its 

arrival in France was first to carry out intensive training in an area in rear of the front 

lines, then to serve in quiet sectors for a time 

with French or British troops and finally to 

complete its training for battle in a sector of 

its own. This routine procedure was broken 

in emergencies and some American divisions, such as the 3d, 4th, 36th, 78th and 91st, 

went directly from training areas into battle 

without sector service, while the 79th, 89th 

and 90th Divisions took command of sectors 

without any period of affiliation with troops 

of the Allied Armies.

The 1st, 5th, 6th, 29th, 32d, 35th, 37th, 

42d, 77th, 81st, 88th and 92d Divisions of 

the American Army had their first sector 

service at the front in the Vosges region.

Elsewhere on the Western Front the 2d, 

An American Division on the March, Winter of 1917–1918

Delousing Machine in Operation at Saacy, August 10, 1918
26th, 28th, 82d and 93d Divisions had 

their first front-line training with the 

French; the 27th, 30th, 33d and 80th with 

the British, and the 7th Division mainly 

with the American Second Army.

Service in quiet sectors varied widely 

in character. For considerable periods 

the daily life of the front-line troops 

would be comparatively uneventful, 

disturbed only by routine patrolling and 

desultory shelling. At intervals, however, 

this comparative quiet was shattered by 

hard-fought local operations and raids. 

The natural enthusiasm of the American 

troops and their inherent desire to start 

active operations as quickly as possible 

usually produced a marked increase in the 

fighting in these normally quiet sectors. 

While this had no immediate effect on the 

general military situation it did result in 

giving valuable combat experience to the 

American soldiers who later served so 

creditably on the Marne, at St. Mihiel, 

along the Meuse and in the Argonne.

Sections of the front line assigned to 

divisions were called “division sectors.” 

A particular sector was often changed 

in both size and name as the military 

situation changed. However, those of the 

Vosges Front were not radically changed 

while the American divisions served in 

the region and, consequently, it has been 

possible on the following pages to give a 

general description of the sectors as they 

were known to the American troops who 

occupied them. The division sectors of the 

Vosges region are graphically shown on the 

sketch which appears on the next page. In 

the text which follows the sketch they are 

discussed in order from south to north.

American Patrol Starting on a Raid Near Badonviler, March 17, 1918

Mail Call at Rolampont, February 1918
422 AMERICAN OPERATIONS ON THE VOSGES FRONT 

42

1

37

42

77

5

81

92

5

6 35

35

29 32 88

VOSGES MTS.

Baccarat

St. Dié

Wesserling

ALPS

Ballon de Guebwiller

le Grand Couronne

To Neufchâteau

Ballon d’Alsace

RougemontBELFORT

Lunéville

Anould

Gérardmer

Center

GAP

JURAL

Mt. Donon

Forêt de Champenoux

Moselle

River

Meurthe

R.

Breusch R.

ILL

R.

Fave

River

Fecht

R.

Rhine

River

Lauch R.

Thur

R.

R.

ILL

Nancy

Luneville

Domremy

Krüth

Frapelle

Bathelémont

Mulhouse

Metz

Toul

Port-sur-Seille

Charmes

Epinal

Baccarat

Remiremont

St. Dié

Gérardmer

le-Château

Belfort

Montreux-Château

Montreux-Vieux Basel

Colmar

Strasbourg

Sarrebourg

Morhange

Château-Salins

FRANCE

GERMANY

N

0 10 20 30 40 Miles

Sector International Boundary Fortied City

Sector names appear opposite each sector

Circled numerals show American divisions which held sectors indicated

Sectors Held by American Divisions in the Vosges Region
AMERICAN OPERATIONS ON THE VOSGES FRONT 423

The Center Sector lay wholly in German 

territory. It extended north from the Swiss 

border and controlled the important 

Belfort Gap. The American 32d, 29th 

and 88th Divisions served in that order at 

different times in this sector.

The Wesserling Sector, also on German 

soil, secured for the Allies the Bussang 

Pass and the greater part of the mountain 

mass called the Ballon de Guebwiller. The 

35th Division trained in this sector and 

the 369th Infantry of the 93d Division 

served here just prior to the Armistice, as 

part of a French division.

The Gérardmer Sector covered the 

Schlucht Pass and lay entirely in German 

territory. It was held by the 35th and 6th 

Divisions at different times.

The Anould Sector was astride the 

principal range of the Vosges Mountains, 

its southern portion being on German 

soil. It covered the Bonhomme Pass. The 

5th Division gained front-line experience 

here and the 371st and 372d Infantry 

Regiments of the 93d Division served 

in this same sector as part of a French 

division just before the Armistice.

The St. Dié Sector, north of St. Dié, 

controlled the southern exit of the Saales 

Pass. It was held at various times by the 

5th, 92d and 81st Divisions.

A corps front extended from the western 

slopes of the Vosges Mountains toward 

the northwest. It was known to the 42d 

Division, which trained on it, as the 

Lunéville Sector. The corps front was 

divided into three divisional sectors, the 

one nearest the Vosges being called the 

Baccarat Sector. This last-named division 

sector was held at different times by the 

42d, 77th and 37th Divisions.

Farther to the northwest was the 

Sommerviller Sector. Units of the 1st 

Division entered the front lines in this 

sector for training with the French on 

October 23, 1917. This marked the first 

time that elements of an American division 

held a section of the front-line trenches.

The following incidents in the history of 

the American divisions which served in the 

Vosges region will give an idea of the more 

active part of the American occupation of 

the so-called quiet sectors there.

While the 1st Division was in the 

Sommerviller Sector training with 

the French it took the first German 

prisoner captured by the A.E.F. The first 

Americans to be captured were taken by 

the Germans in a raid at Bathelémont on 

November 3, 1917, and in the same raid 

the first American soldiers were killed in 

action, three men losing their lives. These 

three men are now commemorated by a 

monument which the French erected in 

1918 over their graves near Bathelémont.

When the 5th Division took command of 

the St. Dié Sector, the German position 

near Frapelle formed a salient projecting 

into the American lines. The division 

decided to seize this salient and on 

August 17 captured it in a small but wellexecuted attack. Consolidation of the new 

position was begun in spite of a violent 

hostile artillery bombardment which 

continued almost without interruption for 

three days. The division, however, clung 

grimly to its gains, repulsing a German 

counterattack on August 18. By the 20th 

the new position was completely organized 

and securely in American hands. The 5th 

Division lost approximately 400 men in 

this fighting.

On October 4 about 60 men of the 

6th Division near Sondernach, east of 

Gérardmer, were attacked by a party of 

300 Germans, equipped with machine 

guns and f lame throwers. Although cut 

off by a barrage and greatly outnumbered, 

the Americans repulsed the attack and 

captured five prisoners.

While occupying the Center Sector, 

elements of the 29th Division raided 

the German lines on August 31 and on 

September 7, inf licting many casualties.

The front lines of the 32d Division were 

raided on July 19, while the division was 

in the Center Sector. The raiding party in 

this operation was repulsed, leaving two 

prisoners in American hands.

While training with a French division in 

the Wesserling Sector, troops of the 35th 

Division raided a German position on 

July 6, inf licting losses upon the enemy 

troops and capturing seven prisoners.
(424)

On September 11, while in the Baccarat 

Sector, a party of the 37th Division 

penetrated the German lines and captured 

two prisoners without any losses.

While with the French in the Lunéville 

Sector, units of the 42d Division 

participated in three raids on March 9.

The Germans raided the 77th Division 

in the Baccarat Sector on June 24. They 

were repulsed after a sharp fight.

A post of the 81st Division in the St. Dié 

Sector was attacked by German troops 

on October 9. The enemy was promptly 

driven back, leaving a number of dead and 

one prisoner in American hands.

During October the 88th Division 

holding the Center Sector encountered 

strong resistance when it attempted to 

improve the position of its front line.

On September 4 the Germans raided 

the lines of the 92d Division, at that time 

serving in the St. Dié Sector. The raid was 

repulsed after a brisk fight.

While the American First Army was 

preparing for the St. Mihiel offensive, an 

American corps commander and a group 

of staff officers were sent to Belfort on 

August 28 with orders to prepare plans 

for a major offensive in the direction of 

Mulhouse and the heights southeast of 

that place. No American divisions were 

moved, nor did General Pershing actually 

contemplate such an attack, but the 

Germans instantly became aware of the 

increased activity in the vicinity and were 

led to bring more divisions to the Vosges 

region, thus decreasing their availability 

for use on the St. Mihiel front where the 

attack was actually made. This successful 

maneuver which deceived the enemy has 

become known as the Belfort ruse.

If the war had continued beyond 

November 11 that part of this region 

northwest of the Vosges Mountains would 

have seen greater activity as the Allied 

Commander-in-Chief had decided to 

launch an offensive east of the Moselle 

River. This attack was to be participated in 

by six American divisions of the American 

Second Army, which was to advance in a 

northeasterly direction from the vicinity 

of Port-sur-Seille, and by a French army 

group adjoining it on the east. The date 

for this offensive was fixed as November 

14, and the movement of the divisions 

and other troops which were to take part 

in the attack had already begun when the 

Armistice was signed. (See map page 114.)

The Vosges region holds vivid memories 

for many American soldiers as it was 

there that so many of them, after arduous 

months of training in the rear areas, had 

their first experience with trench life 

and their first contact with the enemy. 

One division, the 6th, had its only frontline experience in the Vosges Mountains. 

Deeds of individual bravery were 

numerous and the Distinguished Service 

Cross was awarded to 85 members of the 

A.E.F. for their heroism on this front.

Outpost in the Forest of Parroy, Northeast of

Lunéville, March 5, 1918

Position destroyed by shellfire soon after

picture was taken

Firing a Trench Mortar During Sector

Occupation Near Baccarat, June 3, 1918
(425)

Baccarat. Location of 42d Div. Hdqrs., 

Mar. 30–June 21; 77th Div. Hdqrs., June 

19–Aug. 4; and 37th Div. Hdqrs., July 23–

Sept. 17.

Ballon d’Alsace. Southernmost mountain 

mass of the Vosges. It rises to a height 

of over 4,000 feet and dominates the 

northern side of the Belfort Gap.

Ballon de Guebwiller. Southeastern 

shoulder of the Vosges. Lying between the 

Thur and Lauch Rivers, this rugged area 

reaches a height in excess of 4,600 feet. It 

dominates the eastern exit of the Belfort 

Gap and the valley of the Rhine River to 

the north of Mulhouse.

Belfort. An important fortified town 

forming the southern element of the 

French frontier defenses in 1914. The 

town was fortified late in the 17th 

Century by the famous military engineer, 

Vauban. It successfully withstood siege 

by the Prussians in the War of 1870. This 

successful defense is commemorated by 

the great Lion of Belfort, a memorial 

monument located in front of the castle.

Belfort Gap. A rolling valley about 15 

miles wide between the Vosges Mountains 

and the Jural Alps. It is of strategic 

importance and on the French side is 

controlled by the fortress of Belfort.

Bonhomme Pass. A pass through the 

Vosges northeast of Gérardmer.

Bussang Pass. An important pass in the 

eastern part of the Vosges Mountains 

which gives access to the valley of the 

Thur River and that of the upper Rhine.

Charmes Gap. Between the fortifications 

of Epinal and Toul lies the relatively 

open Lorraine plain, in the center of 

which stands the town of Charmes. 

Before August 1914 this area had been 

left without permanent fortifications 

so that in the event of war the stream of 

German invasion would be canalized to 

this definite course. It became known as 

Charmes Gap and it was through this gap 

that the Germans attempted during 1914 

to turn the French position near Nancy.

Street in Badonviller on April 29, 1918; Note entrances to dugouts and cellars

A DDIT IONA L PL ACES OF INTER EST 

IN THE VOSGES REGION
426 AMERICAN OPERATIONS ON THE VOSGES FRONT

Epinal. An important fortified town 

situated at a strategic point on the 

Moselle River about 38 miles south of 

Nancy. In 1914, at the beginning of the 

war, it was one of the principal elements 

of the French frontier defenses.

Gérardmer. Location of 5th Div. Hdqrs., 

June 7–July 15; 35th Div. Hdqrs., Aug. 14–

Sept. 2; 6th Div. Hdqrs., Sept. 3–23 and 

Sept. 25–Oct. 26.

This village, situated on a beautiful 

lake, is a summer resort in a setting of 

forests and mountains.

Krüth. The 35th Div. Hdqrs. was located 

here July 27–Aug. 14.

Le Grand Couronné. The name given 

by the French to the bastion-like heights 

north and east of Nancy. It was from these 

heights that the French forces hurled back 

many powerful assaults by the German 

Army in the Battle of Nancy during 

August and September, 1914.

Mont Donon. The most northern 

mountain mass of the Vosges. It dominates 

the valley of the Breusch River to the 

north of the Saales Pass.

Montreux-Château. Location of 29th 

Div. Hdqrs., Sept. 14–22, and 88th Div. 

Hdqrs., Oct. 7–Nov. 4. 

Montreux-Vieux. Location of 29th Div. 

Hdqrs., Aug. 9–Sept. 14.

Neufchâteau. I Corps Hdqrs., Jan. 20–

June 18; IV Corps Hdqrs., June 20–Aug. 

13; and VI Corps Hdqrs., Aug. 1–12. These 

corps headquarters while at Neufchâteau 

exercised administrative but not tactical 

control over the American divisions 

assigned to them.

Remiremont. III Corps Hdqrs., June 10–

July 12; V Corps Hdqrs., July 10–Aug. 18; 

and VII Corps Hdqrs., Aug. 20–Nov. 8. 

While at Remiremont, these headquarters 

exercised administrative but not tactical 

control over the American divisions 

assigned to them.

Rougemont-le-Château. Location of 32d 

Div. Hdqrs., June 9–July 20.

Saales Pass. This pass, in the northern 

Vosges, is second in importance to Belfort 

Gap. It gives access to the upper part of 

the Breusch River valley and thence to the 

Rhine River valley near Strasbourg.

St. Dié. Location of 5th Div. Hdqrs., 

July 15–Aug. 23; 92d Div. Hdqrs., Aug. 

24–Sept. 20; and 81st Div. Hdqrs., during 

the period Sept. 21–Oct. 20.

This ancient town grew up about a 

monastery established in the 7th Century. 

One of the earliest printing presses was 

located at this place in the 15th Century.

Schlucht Pass. An important opening 

in the eastern Vosges which gives access 

to the valley of the Fecht River and the 

upper Rhine. This pass was taken by 

the French in August 1914 during their 

invasion of upper Alsace and was held by 

them throughout the war.

Strasbourg. Location of an old Celtic 

city which was captured by the Romans. 

It is situated at the junction of the Ill 

and Breusch Rivers, 2 miles west of the 

Rhine, and has long been a point of great 

strategic importance. It was ceded to 

Germany in 1871 but returned to France 

at the conclusion of the World War. The 

city contains many interesting features.

Front-Line Trench of the 32d Division, Alsace,

June 14, 1918
(427)

Name 

of Div.

Period of 

Service 1918 

Unless Otherwise 

Indicated

Character 

of Service

Location of Service

General vicinity of—

Army to Which 

Attached1

Corps to Which 

Attached1

Casualties 2

1 Oct. 23–Nov. 20, 

1917.

Training in 

Line.

Bathelémont..................... Eighth .................. IX ............................. 45

5 June 14–July 16. Training in 

Line.

Northeast of Gérardmer . Seventh................. XXXIII.................... 149

July 19–Aug. 23. Sector....... North of St. Dié ............... Seventh................. XXXIII.................... 580

6 Aug. 31–Oct. 12. Training in 

Line and 

Sector.

Southeast of Gérardmer Seventh................. XXXIII until Oct. 4, 

then I .

311

29 July 27–Sept. 23. Training in 

Line and 

Sector.

East of Belfort ................. Seventh................. XL............................ 744

32 May 20–July 19. Training in 

Line and 

Sector.

East of Belfort ................. Seventh................. XL............................ 365

(2)

35 June 20–Sept. 2. Training in 

Line and 

Sector.

Southeast of Krüth and 

southeast of Gérardmer.

Seventh................. XXXIII.................... 360

37 July 28–Sept. 16. Training in 

Line and 

Sector.

Northeast of Baccarat..... Eighth .................. VI ............................. 174

42 Feb. 21–Mar. 23. Training in 

Line.

East of Lunéville and 

northeast of Baccarat.

Eighth .................. VII............................ 893

Mar. 31–June 21. Sector....... Northeast of Baccarat..... Eighth .................. VII until May 12, 

then VI.

1,104

77 June 21–Aug. 4. Training in 

Line and 

Sector.

Northeast of Baccarat..... Eighth .................. VI ............................. 375

81 Sept. 18–Oct. 19. Training in 

Line and 

Sector.

North of St. Dié ............... Seventh................. XXXIII until Oct. 1 

then X.

116

88 Sept. 23–Nov. 4. Training in 

Line and 

Sector.

East of Belfort ................. Seventh................. XL............................ 72

92 Aug. 23–Sept. 20. Training in 

Line and 

Sector.

North of St. Dié ............... Seventh................. XXXIII.................... 355

93

(369th 

Inf. 

only)

Oct. 17–Nov. 11. Sector....... Southeast of Krüth.......... Seventh................. I .............................. 23

93

(371st 

Inf. 

only)

Oct. 16–Nov. 11. Sector....... Northeast of Gérardmer . Seventh................. X .............................. 9

93

(372d 

Inf. 

only)

Oct. 14–Nov. 11. Sector....... Northeast of Gérardmer . Seventh................. X .............................. 33

1 All armies and corps are French. 2 Casualties are for period in line only. Figures in parentheses give casualties for units temporarily attached.

Add figure in parentheses to the one above in order to obtain the total casualties during the entire operation.

SUMMARY OF COMBAT SERVICE OF AMERICAN DIVISIONS

ON THE VOSGES FRONT
The 332d Infantry Marching Into Austria, Northwest of Cormons
(429)

E XCEPT for small forces sent to 

Italy and Northern Russia, all 

American military operations 

in Europe during the World War were 

confined to the Western Front. The High 

Command of the A.E.F. realized that the 

decision in the war would depend upon 

victory or defeat on the Western Front 

and, consequently, was decidedly opposed 

to dissipating its strength by sending 

troops to other theaters of operations, as 

often proposed by Allied governments. 

In two cases, however, this was ordered 

by higher authority and the operations 

of these American forces, in Italy and 

Russia, form the subject of this chapter.1

1

 An American expedition, not under the A.E.F., 

was sent to Siberia. It is mentioned in Chapter XIV.

AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN

ITALY AND NORTHERN RUSSIA

Chapter VIII

.,

V.

ng

as

ts.

ed

of



Fiume

TO DALMATIA AND MONTENEGRO

Valeggio

Mantua

Venice

Treviso

Vittorio

Villorba

Udine

Codroipo PontedellaDelizia

Cormons

Gorizia

Trieste

Nov. 4

Armistice

SWITZERLAND

AUSTRIA - HUNGARY

ITALY

Piave

River

Tagliamento

River

Lake

Garda

ADRIATIC

SEA

Line

July 26– October 23

N

0 10 20 30 40 Miles

Front Line

Scene of American Fighting

Route of Advance 332d Infantry

International Boundary

The 332d Infantry (83d Division) with the Italian Army

July 26, 1918–March 29, 1919
(430)

THE 332d Infantry Regiment, 83d Division, with attached medical and 

supply units, was sent to the Italian front 

in July 1918 in response to urgent requests 

from the Italian Government. Its principal 

missions were to build up Italian morale and 

to depress that of the enemy by creating the 

impression that a large force of Americans 

had reached that front and was preparing 

to enter the battle line and to take an active 

part in the fighting.

The regiment was first stationed near 

Lake Garda, where it trained in methods of 

warfare suitable for the difficult mountain 

terrain which comprised the greater part 

of the Italian theater of operations. Early 

in October it moved to Treviso, behind the 

Piave River Front, where it was assigned 

to the Italian 31st Division. From there, 

for purposes of deceiving the enemy, 

it staged a series of marches in which 

each battalion, with different articles 

of uniform and equipment, left the city 

by a separate road, circulated during 

daylight hours in exposed positions for 

both the Italians and Austrians to see, 

and returned after nightfall to its station 

at Treviso in as inconspicuous a manner 

as possible.

On October 24, the opening day of 

the Italian Vittorio-Veneto offensive, 

the Italian 31st Division, with the 332d 

Infantry attached, was in reserve. It joined 

in the pursuit of the f leeing Austrians on 

October 29 as part of the British XIV 

Corps of the Italian Tenth Army, the 

American regiment forming the advance 

guard of the corps. On November 3, after 

several hard marches, the 332d Infantry 

established contact with an enemy rearguard battalion which was defending the 

crossings of the Tagliamento River near 

the village of Ponte-della-Delizia.

Early on November 4 the 2d Battalion 

Scene in Codroipo, Italy, a Short Time After Its Capture by the 332d Infantry on November 4, 1918

A MER ICA N TROOPS IN ITA LY 

JULY 26, 1918–APRIL 7, 1919
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN ITALY AND NORTHERN RUSSIA 431

crossed the river on a narrow footbridge 

and after a brief fight captured the Austrian 

position on the far side. Continuing to 

move forward along the Treviso-Udine 

railroad, the 2d Battalion occupied the 

town of Codroipo where it took possession 

of large stores of munitions and supplies. 

At 3:00 p. m., November 4, when the 

armistice between Italy and AustriaHungary became effective, the leading 

American elements were at Villorba.

After this Armistice the American troops 

formed part of the Allied forces stationed 

in Austria and along the Dalmatian 

coast. The 1st and 3d Battalions were at 

Cormons near Gorizia, Austria. Later in 

November the 1st Battalion was ordered 

to go to Treviso and the 3d Battalion to 

Fiume, Austria. The 2d Battalion was 

stationed at Cattaro, Dalmatia, and a 

detachment from it was sent to Cetinje, 

Montenegro. In March 1919 the regiment 

was assembled in Genoa and on April 3 its 

last elements embarked from that seaport 

for the United States.

In addition to this American infantry 

force, 30 American ambulance sections, 

a base hospital and 54 airplane pilots 

also served with the Italian Army. The 

American pilots, as members of Italian 

bombardment squadrons, engaged in 

bombing raids behind the Austrian lines, 

being especially active during the progress 

of the Vittorio-Veneto offensive.

The 332d Infantry Crossing the Piave River on a Ponton Bridge in Pursuit of the Austrians

Detachment of the 332d Infantry Near the Front Lines

Northeast of Treviso, Italy, October 5, 1918
(432)

PRIOR to the collapse of Russia in 1917, vast quantities of military supplies had 

been assembled in the northern part of 

that country at the ports of Archangel and 

Murmansk, the latter being an open port 

the year round though north of the Arctic 

Circle. The Supreme War Council believed 

that Allied troops should be sent to 

secure these ports for the use of the Allies 

and to save the supplies located there. 

Consequently an Allied force under British 

command was dispatched by sea and on 

August 3, 1918, seized the city of Archangel 

and drove the Bolshevik troops to the south 

of that place.

The British Government, through 

its Ambassador at Washington, urged 

American participation in the undertaking. 

As a result the War Department on July 23 

directed the Commander-in-Chief of the 

Allied force

as dispatched

18, seized the

e the Bolshe

of that place.

, through its

, urged Ameri

ndertaking. As

ent on July 23

n-Chief of the

Shenkursk

Ust-Padenga

Bereznik

Kitsa

Shegovari

Tulgas

Seltso

Pinega

ARCHANGEL

Onega

Chekuevo

Bolshie-Ozerki

Obozerskaya

Seletskoe

Kodish VOLOGDA R.R.

Pinega

River

Dvina

River

Vaga

R.

Onega

River

TO MURMANSK

335 MILES

TO MOSCOW

370 MILES

38° 39° 40° 41° 42° 43°

39° 40° 41° 42° 43°

62°

63°

64°

62°

63°

64°

N

0 10 20 30 40 Miles

Headquarters American Forces Northern Russia

Scene of American Activity

American Forces in Northern Russia

Sept. 4, 1918−Aug. 5, 1919

A MER ICA N TROOPS IN NORTHER N RUSSI A 

SEPTEMBER 4, 1918–AUGUST 5, 1919
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN ITALY AND NORTHERN RUSSIA 433

American Expeditionary Forces to send 

three battalions of infantry and three 

companies of engineers to join this Allied 

venture. The 339th Infantry, 1st Battalion 

of the 310th Engineers, 337th Field 

Hospital and 337th Ambulance Company, 

all of the 85th Division, were designated. 

They sailed from England, and arrived in 

Northern Russia on September 4.

Operating under British command, this 

small American contingent was soon split 

up in isolated detachments protecting, 

with Allied troops and Russian volunteers, 

the vital points on the railroads and rivers 

which were the main avenues of approach 

to the coast. The Americans were spread 

out over a front of 450 miles and in some 

places were as great a distance as 200 

miles from their main base at Archangel. 

The American soldiers soon participated 

in the fighting, their first casualties 

occurring on September 16 in the general 

area to the south of Obozerskaya.

During their service in Russia the 

American troops conducted many small 

operations under arduous conditions, 

the normal hardships of warfare being 

intensified by the deep snow, intense cold, 

darkness of winter in the Arctic Zone and 

the long lines of communication, which were 

in constant danger of being cut by the enemy.

During January 1919 the Bolsheviki 

launched an offensive northward between 

the Dvina River and the railroad, forcing 

An Advanced Outpost of the 339th Infantry in Northern Russia, February 21, 1919
American Soldiers in Archangel, Russia, October 25, 1918

Convoy En Route from Archangel to Bereznik, Russia; Typical view of the terrain of the region
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN ITALY AND NORTHERN RUSSIA 435

the evacuation of Ust-Padenga, Shenkursk 

and Shegovari after heavy fighting. This 

caused the Allies to establish a new line of 

defense, and in garrisoning it the American 

forces became more widely dispersed than 

before. In March severe fighting developed 

around Bolshie-Ozerki and on May 1 a 

long-threatened attack in the vicinity of 

the Vaga River, 18 miles southeast of the 

town of Bereznik, was beaten off.

During April 1919 the American 167th and 

168th Railroad Transportation Companies 

joined the expedition, operating mainly in 

the Murmansk region. After performing 

valuable service they were returned to 

France three months later.

The American soldiers began to be 

withdrawn from the forward positions 

late in May 1919. They were assembled 

at Archangel and soon thereafter sailed 

for France, being replaced by British 

troops newly arrived from England and 

by Russian soldiers. On August 5 the 

headquarters of the American force in 

Northern Russia was officially closed.

In the opinion of the senior American 

officer the expedition was not particularly 

well managed and his troops were 

subjected to needless hardships.

More than 400 casualties were suffered 

by this small American force, most of them 

occurring after the fighting had ceased on 

the Western Front. In spite of this, however, 

and the trying nature of their service, the 

American units performed their duties 

with great fortitude and bravery.

American Blockhouse at Tulgas, on the Dvina River, Russia

Two patrols are in front of the blockhouse, one returning, the other just starting

Outpost of the 339th Infantry at Ust-Padenga, Russia

This was the most distant post from the base at Archangel
American Docks at Nantes, November 3, 1918, Third largest port of the A.E.F.
(437)

I

N rear of the area actually occupied 

by the fighting elements of a modern 

army, a great organization is required 

to keep the combat units constantly 

supplied with the men and means 

necessary for operations against the 

enemy. Replacements of men and animals, 

great quantities of rations, ammunition, 

weapons, equipment and supplies of all 

kinds must be obtained and delivered to 

the front. To accomplish this, complete 

transportation facilities must be provided, 

and these must not only be adequate to 

handle the enormous volumes of freight but 

also to move organizations from one point 

to another and to evacuate the wounded 

to the rear. In the A.E.F. these and other 

tasks, which involved the construction 

and operation of transportation systems, 

telephone and telegraph lines, hospitals, 

depots, docks, mills, repair shops and 

factories of various kinds, were performed 

by an organization known successively 

as the “Line of Communications,” the 

“Service of the Rear” and the “Services of 

Supply” or briefly “S.O.S.” 

The building up of this organization 

was one of the most difficult problems 

which faced the Commander-in-Chief of 

the A.E.F. upon his arrival in France. It 

was imperative that the essential supply 

services be ready to operate when the 

first combat troops arrived and that their 

facilities be expanded progressively to 

supply the needs of the vast forces soon 

to come. In spite of the handicaps of 

emergency pressure, the great distance 

from America, a foreign language 

and foreign customs, and an already 

overburdened railroad system in France, 

the organization was developed steadily 

so that when the crisis came at the time of 

the Meuse-Argonne offensive it was able 

to handle with great success the enormous 

demands made by the First Army upon it.

The “Line of Communications” was 

formed on July 5, 1917, shortly after 

General Pershing arrived in France. At that 

time it was given no definite boundaries 

but consisted mainly of the port of St. 

Nazaire and the city of Nevers, the latter 

being the Headquarters of the Advance 

THE SERVICES OF SUPPLY

Chapter IX

Locomotive Repair Shop at Nevers Under Construction by American Engineers

Nevers was an important railroad and storage center
438 THE SERVICES OF SUPPLY

Section. Its active area was gradually 

extended, however, and on February 16, 

1918, the “Line of Communications” was 

reorganized and called the “Service of 

the Rear.” This designation was changed 

on March 13, 1918, and throughout the 

remainder of its existence the organization 

was known as the “Services of Supply” or 

more generally as the “S.O.S.”

The American lines of supply and 

communication began within the United 

States and extended across the sea to 

France. They entered France mainly at 

ports along its western coast from Brest 

southward, as those farther north were 

already heavily burdened with British and 

French traffic. The railway lines which 

ran northeastward from these southern 

ports to the main areas of American 

operations were selected for the use of 

Miramas

Marseille

Cherbourg

Brest

St. Nazaire Nantes

la Pallice

Rochefort

Pauillac

Bordeaux

Bassens

le Havre

Briey Verdun

Toul

Chaumont

le Mans

Paris

Neufchâteau

Epinal

Belfort Is-sur-Tille

Dijon

Bourges St. Aignan Nevers

Gièvres

Issoudun

Lyon

6

2

7

1

5

4

3

INTERMEDIATE

SECTION

ADVANCE

SECTION

ARGONNE

FOREST

LORRAINE

ENGLAND

HOLLAND

BELGIUM

GERMANY

SWITZERLAND ITALY

SPAIN

E N G L I S H

C H A N N E L

AT L A N T I C O C E A N

MEDITERRANEAN SEA

Tours

N

0 100 200 Miles

General Headquarters A.E.F.

Important Town

Section Boundary

Headquarters S.O.S.

Line of Jan. 1918

Numbers indicate base sections

Railroad

Port used by S.O.S.

Services of Supply of the American Expeditionary Forces
THE SERVICES OF SUPPLY 439

the A.E.F., thus avoiding the congested 

region near Paris where the greater part of 

the French war factories and large supply 

depots were located.

For purposes of administration the 

S.O.S. was divided into several base 

sections, located around the ports of debarkation, and one intermediate and one 

advance section located 

progressively nearer the 

front lines. Eventually there were nine base 

sections, including one 

in England, one in Italy 

and one comprising Antwerp and Rotterdam. 

The extent of the S.O.S. 

and its territorial organization at the time of 

the Armistice are shown 

on the preceding sketch.

The Commanding 

General of the S.O.S. 

was responsible directly to the Commander-in-Chief of 

the A.E.F. He was in 

charge of all activities 

of the Services of Supply and of all personnel 

and matériel from the 

moment they arrived 

at the ports until they 

reached points in the 

forward areas designated by G.H.Q. He 

coordinated the work 

of the different supply 

branches, such as the 

quartermaster, engineer, ordnance, signal, 

transportation, aviation, chemical warfare 

and medical, and so 

planned that, as far as possible, there 

would be on hand at all times sufficient 

supplies to meet every requirement of the 

forces at the front.

The scarcity of vessels made it imperative 

that as many articles as possible be 

purchased in Europe, so an agency of 

the S.O.S., called the General Purchasing 

Board, was created to supervise and 

coordinate such purchases. The efficiency 

of this agency as well as its great value 

is illustrated by the fact that from June 

1917 to December 1918 approximately 

10,193,000 ship tons of material were 

acquired in Europe for the use of the 

American Army, while shipments from 

the United States to 

the A.E.F. during that 

same period amounted 

to approximately 

7,675,000 ship tons.

A further saving in 

tonnage was made 

by the formation of 

a salvage service, 

which collected, repaired and reissued 

discarded shoes, hats, 

clothing and other articles of equipment. 

This service, besides 

saving much raw material, reclaimed for 

use supplies valued at 

$126,367,322.

The construction of 

the many establishments 

and facilities necessary 

to the proper functioning of the supply service 

was performed chiefly 

by American engineer 

troops. Nearly 1,000 

miles of standard-gauge 

railway tracks; 4 docks, 

with 23 berths, including the necessary equipment for unloading 

ships; about 25,000,000 

square feet of covered 

storage space; 16,000 

barracks, which, if 

placed end to end, would have reached 

303 miles, or from Washington, D.C., 

to Albany, New York; bakeries; several 

enormous hospitals; refrigeration plants; 

and many other structures were built by 

the American Army in France. The base 

hospital center at Mars consisted of 700 

buildings, with a floor space of 33 acres. 

Major General James G. Harbord

Commanding General of the Services of

Supply from July 29, 1918,

to May 26, 1919
440 THE SERVICES OF SUPPLY

One of the refrigerating plants could store 

6,500 tons of meat and produce 500 tons 

of ice per day; and one of the mechanical 

bakeries had a daily capacity of 800,000 

pounds of bread, enough to fill about 50 

standard American freight cars. Forestry operations, which produced more than 

200,000,000 feet of lumber and about 

4,000,000 railway ties, were carried on to 

assist in providing the materials needed 

in the construction program, the size of 

which is indicated by the examples that 

have just been given in this paragraph.

The transportation of supplies required 

a great amount of rolling stock. As only 

a part of this could he procured from 

the French, assembly plants were erected 

in which more than 1,500 locomotives 

and 18,000 cars were constructed from 

parts received from the United States. 

American railroad repair shops in France 

also reconditioned approximately 2,000 

locomotives and 56,000 cars for the Allies. 

The supplies collected were stored at 

different points between the base ports 

and the combat zone. It was inadvisable 

to place large quantities too close to the 

front because of the enormous losses 

and consequent scarcity of supplies 

which would result if the Germans 

made a substantial advance. On the 

other hand, if stored near the base ports 

they would be too far from the battle 

front and an interruption of the lines 

of communication would interfere with 

sending them forward and thus seriously 

embarrass the troops in contact with the 

enemy. Depots were therefore established 

in the base, intermediate and advance 

sections, those in the advance section 

containing relatively small reserves and 

being located as near to the combat 

areas as practicable. It was originally 

planned that sufficient reserve stocks 

should be kept in France to supply the 

army for three months, thus providing 

American Lumber Mill Near Eclaron

At the time of the Armistice 81 of these mills were in operation
an ample factor of safety in case ocean 

traffic were interrupted. In August 

1918, however, it was considered safe to 

reduce this reserve requirement to 45 

days. From the advance depots supplies 

were distributed regularly to the troops 

through great combination depots and 

railway yards known as regulating 

stations, which operated directly under 

General Headquarters, A.E.F.

The growth and development of the 

Services of Supply, which kept pace 

with those of the combat forces, and 

the successful carrying out of its 

innumerable, important and complicated 

tasks form an outstanding achievement 

of the A.E.F. It actually supplied 

successfully an army of 2,000,000 men 

and, at the time of the Armistice, plans 

for the necessary expansion to care for 

the needs of an army of 4,000,000 men 

were well under way. By that date this 

huge organization had reached a strength 

of 644,540 men, not including 23,772 

civilian employees carried on its rolls, 

and comprised about one third of the 

American soldiers in Europe. 

The vital importance of the S.O.S. 

and its value to the fighting troops are 

indicated by the following telegram which 

was sent on September 23, 1918, after the 

successful attack of the American First 

Army in the St. Mihiel region, to the 

Commanding General of the Services of 

Supply by the Commander-in-Chief of the 

A.E.F., who at the time was also directly 

in command of the First Army:

“I want the officers and men of the 

S.O.S., under your command, to know 

how much the First Army appreciates 

the prompt response made to every 

demand for men, equipment, supplies and 

transportation necessary to carry out the 

recent operations. Please extend to all our 

hearty congratulations and say that they 

share the success with us.”

View of the Yards at La Rochelle

Shows 80 cars, representing one day’s assembling at this American plant

Supplies in Storage at Montoir
THE following list gives some of the 

places in France where establishments 

were created or operated by the Services of 

Supply. This list although incomplete will 

give an idea of the magnitude of the work 

performed by that organization.

HEADQUARTERS, S.O.S.

Tours. Also aviation instruction center 

and base depot; refrigeration plant. 

A beautiful fountain at Tours erected 

by the United States Government 

commemorates the services of the S.O.S. 

It is located on the Quai d’Orléans at the 

southern end of the Pont Wilson. For a 

description of this memorial see page 479.

ADVANCE SECTION *

Bazoilles-sur-Meuse. Hospital center; 

salvage plant; storage depot; cold-storage 

and ice-making plant; medical school.

Beaune. A university, established here 

by the A.E.F. after the Armistice, was 

attended by about 9,000 Americans; 

hospital center; general storage depot.

Belfort. Motor transport repair shops.

Besançon. Location of a forestry district 

headquarters and remount depot.

Bourbonne-les-Bains. Remount depot 

and veterinary hospital; medical supply 

depot; advance motor transport center.

Châtillon-sur-Seine. Location of II 

Corps schools; air service school in 

gunnery and observation; gasoline storage 

depot; field and mechanical bakeries.

*

 See map, page 438, for location of these Sections.

Colombey-les-Belles. Air service depot 

for advance section of the SOS.

Commercy. Remount depot and veterinary 

hospital; motor transport center.

Contrexéville. Hospital center.

Corbeil. Coffee roasting plant.

Dijon. Advance quartermaster depot; 

motor transport shops; camouf lage plant; 

air service depot; forestry district hdqrs.

Donjeux. Tractor artillery repair shops; 

motor transport service park.

Doulaincourt. Ordnance shops.

Eclaron. Location of a forestry district 

headquarters.

Epinal. Motor transport overhauling 

and repair shop; forestry district hdqrs.

Gondrecourt. I Corps schools.

Hanlon Field. 1 mile east of Chaumont. 

Location of A.E.F. gas defense school.

Haussimont. Artillery observation 

school; training center for railway 

artillery; ordnance training center and 

repair shop for artillery on railway 

mounts.

Is-sur-Tille. Headquarters of Advance 

Section of S.O.S., Sept. 17–Nov. 1, 1917; 

regulating station, from which more than 

1,000,000 men were supplied at one time; 

largest bakery in the A.E.F.; ordnance 

school and shops; air service intermediate 

depot; artillery camp; important center of 

railroad construction in this area.

Jonchery. Advance quartermaster depot; 

advance ammunition storage depot; 

center of railroad construction; ordnance 

school; advance motor transport center.

New Cars and Trucks Assembled at Bassens, October 1, 1918

LOCAT IONS IN FR A NCE OF ACT IV IT IES 

OF THE SERVICES OF SUPPLY
THE SERVICES OF SUPPLY 443

Langres. Army schools, which included 

17 separate schools; motor transport 

repair and supply center; hospital center; 

Headquarters of the Advance Section, 

Services of Supply, during the period 

from January 20 to June 28, 1918.

Léonval. Advance miscellaneous storage 

depot; chemical warfare ammunition 

depot and repair shops.

Le Valdahon. Aerial observation school 

for artillery; field artillery school and 

training camp; ordnance repair shop; 

location of veterinary hospital.

Liffol-le-Grand. Regulating station; 

depot camp; railroad repair shop and 

engine terminal; mechanical bakery; 

scene of many large general activities.

Lux. Location of a remount depot and 

veterinary hospital.

Mailly. Heavy artillery school before 

removal to Angers; artillery camp.

Montiers-sur-Saulx. Location of a 

remount depot and veterinary hospital.

Nancy. Location of a remount depot.

Neufchâteau. Headquarters of the 

Advance Section, S.O.S., Nov. 1, 1917–Jan. 

20 and after Oct. 23, 1918; motor transport 

overhaul park; veterinary hospital.

Nogent-en-Bassigny. Headquarters of 

the Advance Section, S.O.S., during the 

period, June 28 to October 23, 1918.

Rimaucourt. Hospital center.

St. Dizier. Regulating station.

Sampigny. Location of a large motor 

transport park and repair center.

Toul. Important hospital center; 

refrigeration plant; veterinary hospital.

Vaucouleurs. Advance storage depot.

Vitrey. Trench artillery school center.

Vitry-le-François. Motor transport 

repair center; important railroad junction.

 INTERMEDIATE SECTION

Aix-les-Bains. Central point of the 

principal leave area for the A.E.F.

Allerey. Hospital center; storage depot; 

ice-making and cold-storage plant.

Autun. Military police school. 

Blois. Reclassification camp for officers; 

concentration and reclassification point 

for enlisted casuals discharged from 

hospitals in the A.E.F.

Bourges. Location of the central records 

office for all personnel of the A.E.F.; 

ordnance school, shops and depot; forestry 

district headquarters; field bakery.

Horses for the American Forces Just Unloaded at Bordeaux
(444)

Sorting Salvaged Shoes

Drafting an Operation Map

Châteauroux. Gas mask salvage depot; 

forestry district headquarters.

Chinon. Location of the Chemical 

Warfare Service training center.

Clamecy. III Corps schools.

Clermont-Ferrand. Training center for 

heavy tractor artillery; aviation instruction 

center; ordnance training center and repair 

shops; hospital center; quartermaster 

depot; location of a field bakery.

Decize. Motor transport school.

Gien. Heavy artillery tractor school; 

forestry district headquarters.

Gièvres. General intermediate storage 

depot, the largest depot in the A.E.F. It 

reached a strength of about 700 officers 

and 25,000 soldiers. Included in this 

depot were the largest refrigeration and 

ice-making plant in the A.E.F.; coffee 

roasting plant and field bakery; coal and 

gasoline storage; central baggage office; 

remount depot and veterinary hospital; 

center of railroad construction.

Grenoble. One of the leave areas.

Issoudun. Aviation instruction center 

comprising 12 f lying fields; intermediate 

quartermaster depot; ammunition storage 

depot; site of prisoner of war enclosure.

La Cluze. Location of a forestry district 

headquarters.

Le Blanc. Field artillery motor training 

center and ordnance repair shop.

Le Mans. Replacement depot; rif le 

range with 775 targets; motor transport 

repair shop; chaplains’ school. After the 

Armistice this was the principal area in 

which troops were assembled, inspected 

and equipped preparatory to embarking 

for the United States. Its maximum 

capacity was 230,000 men.

Le Puy. Forestry district headquarters.

Mars. Location of a hospital center.

Mehun-sur-Yèvre. Location of largest 

ordnance repair shop in A.E.F., where 

rif les, machine guns and cannon were 

reconditioned; storage depot.

Mesves-sur-Loire. One of the largest 

hospital centers of the A.E.F.

Montierchaume. General intermediate 

storage depot, similar to the one at 

Gièvres but only half completed at the 

time the hostilities ceased.

Montlouis. Potato storage depot.

Neuvy-Pailloux. Tank center.

Nevers. Headquarters of the Advance 

Section, S.O.S., July 10–Sept. 17, 1917; 

Headquarters of the Intermediate 

Section, S.O.S., after Sept. 17, 1917; also 

an important railroad and storage center; 

principal locomotive repair shops of the 

Expeditionary Forces; veterinary hospital.
(445)

Pont-de-Claix. Gas cylinder filling plant 

run by the Chemical Warfare Service.

Pouilly. Location of a supply depot. 

Richelieu. Camp for officer prisoners of 

war, more than 800 being confined.

Romorantin. Aviation production center 

and base depot; motor transport repair 

shop and storage depot.

St. Aignan. Replacement depot. After 

the Armistice it became a clearing point 

for troops returning to the United States. 

St. Pierre-des-Corps. Central camp for 

prisoners of war; supply depot; salvage 

plant; postal and statistical bureaus.

Selles-sur-Cher. Remount depot.

Sougy. Location of a remount depot and 

veterinary hospital.

Valbonne. Infantry school for officer 

candidates; location of a field bakery.

Verneuil. Motor transport reconstruction 

shop of the A.E.F.; motor transport supply 

depot; prisoner of war enclosure. 

Vichy. Location of a hospital center.

DISTRICT OF PARIS

Arnouville-les-Gonesse. Artillery 

section of the Army anti-aircraft school.

Clichy-la-Garenne. Air base depot.

Le Bourget. Temporary regulating 

station which included Noisy-le-Sec and 

was used in conjunction with the French.

BASE SECTION NO. 1

Angers. Heavy artillery school; engineer 

training base; ordnance training center 

and repair shops; railroad transportation 

officers’ school; hospital center; location 

of a cold-storage plant.

Baugé. Forestry district headquarters.

Coëtquidan. Artillery training camp; 

aerial observation school; veterinary 

hospital; ordnance repair shop; storage 

depot.

Donges. Ammunition depot.

Les Sables-d’Olonne. Secondary port of 

entry, principally used for coal.

Meucon. Field artillery training camp; 

artillery aerial observation school; 

ordnance repair shop for mobile artillery.

Montoir. Large storage depot and 

railroad yards; engine terminal and 

railroad repair shop; coal storage yards. 

A large new dock to accommodate eight 

ships was unfinished at the time of the 

Armistice. This was the main depot for 

supplies received at the port of St. Nazaire.

Nantes. Port of entry; motor assembly 

and repair shop; hospital center.

St. Jean-de-Monts. Location of an aerial 

gunnery and an ordnance school.

St. Nazaire. Headquarters of Base Section 

No. 1; principal freight port, about 2,552,000 

tons of freight were received here before 

May 1, 1919; remount depot and veterinary 

hospital; ice-making and refrigeration plant; 

center of railroad construction; locomotive 

erecting shops; camps.

Saumur. Artillery school for officers and 

candidates for commission; bakery.

Savenay. Hospital center for wounded 

being returned to the United States.

BASE SECTION NO. 2

Angoulême. Ordnance training center 

and repair shops; training center for 

personnel of artillery ammunition trains.

Bassens. Large American docks; storage 

warehouses and cold-storage plant; 

machine repair shop for the transport 

service; engine terminal; center of railroad 

construction and many other activities. 

Bayonne. One of the smaller ports used 

by the A.E.F.; remount depot.

Beau Désert. Hospital center; small 

storage depot; prisoner of war enclosure.

Bordeaux. Headquarters of Base Section 

No. 2. At the time of the Armistice this 

port was rapidly becoming the principal 

freight port of the A.E.F. and by May 1, 

1919, it had received about 2,197,000 tons. 

Ice Plant at Gièvres

Third largest in the world, constructed by the A.E.F.
(446)

In its vicinity were a large number of 

sawmills, hospitals and warehouses.

Carbon-Blanc. Location of a remount 

depot and veterinary hospital.

Cazaux. Aerial gunnery school.

Dax. Forestry district headquarters.

Hendaye. Remount depot.

Labrit. Forestry district headquarters.

La Courtine. Field artillery training 

camp; miscellaneous storage depot.

Le Courneau. Field artillery training 

camp; miscellaneous storage depot.

Libourne. Heavy tractor artillery 

training center; ordnance training center 

and shops; miscellaneous storage depot. 

Limoges. Heavy tractor artillery 

training center; ordnance training center 

and shops; storage depot; hospital center.

Mérignac. Remount depot.

Mimizan. Location of a forestry district 

headquarters.

Pauillac. Naval air station; port of 

entry and port of embarkation for troops 

returning to the United States after 

hostilities had ceased; small storage yard.

Perigueux. Hospital center.

Poutenx-les-Forges. Forestry district 

headquarters; location of a field bakery.

St. Loubès. Large base depot; ordnance 

storage depot; oil storage tank; center of 

railroad construction. 

St. Sulpice. Large storage depot; coffee 

roasting plant; field bakery; coal storage 

yard; center of railroad construction.

Sougé-Champ-de-Tir. Artillery concentration and training camp; balloon, aerial 

gunnery and observation schools; ordnance repair shop and remount depot.

BASE SECTION NO. 4

Calais. One of the ports used by American 

troops arriving by way of England.

Le Havre. Headquarters of Base Section 

No. 4; auxiliary port for American 

shipping; most of the men trans-shipped 

from England landed here; storage depot; 

refrigeration plant; location of a motor 

transport service and reception parks.

Rouen. Port of entry for gasoline, coal and 

other supplies; motor transport shops.

BASE SECTION NO. 5

Brest. Headquarters of Base Section 

No. 5; principal port for debarkation 

and embarkation of troops. A lighterage 

wharf, warehouses and refrigeration plant 

were constructed by Americans there.

A beautiful monument to commemorate 

the achievements of the United States 

Navy during the World War has been 

erected by the American Government on 

Railway Yards and Warehouses at St. Sulpice Constructed by American Engineers

Assembling an American Locomotive at the 

St. Nazaire Shops of the S.O.S.
THE SERVICES OF SUPPLY 447

an old fortification wall overlooking 

the harbor. See page 475 for a general 

description of this memorial.

Cherbourg. Port of debarkation for 

troops arriving by way of England.

Granville. Port of entry for coal.

Pontanézen Barracks. Largest American 

camp in France; rest camp for troops 

debarking or embarking at Brest.

Rennes. Locomotive terminal; repair 

shop for railroad cars and locomotives.

St. Malo. Leave center in Brittany; 

secondary port of entry, mainly for coal.

BASE SECTION NO. 6

Marseille. Headquarters of Base Section 

No. 6; motor reception park; remount 

depot. Due to submarine activities in the 

Mediterranean and the greater distance 

from America this port was not used 

extensively by the American Expeditionary 

Forces during the war. After the Armistice 

it was a secondary port of embarkation for 

troops returning to the United States.

Miramas. Storage depot for the port of 

Marseille: prisoner of war enclosure.

Nice. Main town in Riviera leave area.

BASE SECTION NO. 7

Aigrefeuille. Location of a base depot; 

classification yards and coal storage depot.

La Pallice. Headquarters of Base Section 

No. 7 for a time; port of entry for oil and 

other freight; gasoline storage depot; 

refrigeration plant and remount depot.

La Rochelle. Headquarters of Base 

Section No. 7 after removal from La Pallice; 

operated as a port in conjunction with 

La Pallice; railroad car erection center; 

remount depot and veterinary hospital.

Marans. Location of a secondary coal 

port and coal storage depot.

Mortagne. Cement plant, leased from 

the French, was operated by the S.O.S.

Rochefort. Port for coal and general 

Cargo; site of prisoner of war enclosure.

Tonnay-Charente. Coal port and coal 

storage depot, operating with Rochefort. 

Loading Cars at Quartermaster Depot No. 1, Nevers

Note women laborers employed for this work
Convoy of Transports En Route to France, October 1918
(449)

T HE information given in this chapter 

is based upon data furnished officially 

by the Secretary of the Navy.

When the United States entered the war 

the Allied Navies appeared to be lacking 

in effective means for combating the 

German submarines which had started 

a campaign of unrestricted warfare two 

months previously. It was extremely 

important, therefore, that immediate 

American naval assistance be furnished 

to aid them in meeting the crisis.

Admiral William S. Sims, who was 

to become Commander-in-Chief of the 

United States Naval Forces in European 

waters, landed in England shortly 

after America’s entry into the war and 

established his headquarters at London. 

He was at once informed by the British 

authorities that if losses due to hostile 

submarines were not checked quickly the 

Allies would probably be defeated, as 

they were then losing about 800,000 tons 

of shipping a month, which was much 

greater than the rate of replacement.

The task facing the American Navy was 

one of tremendous difficulty. It had to 

assist as soon as possible in counteracting 

the submarine menace and in addition 

had to organize means of providing 

passage across the Atlantic for hundreds 

of thousands of American troops and 

enormous quantities of supplies.

Action against submarines was initiated 

at once by dispatching to Europe the 

limited number of destroyers then 

available. These were augmented by 

converted yachts, gunboats, small cruisers 

and revenue cutters, and immediate steps 

were taken to build additional destroyers. 

The first fighting unit of the American 

Navy to arrive in European waters was 

a detachment of six destroyers which, 

on May 4, 1917, steamed into the harbor 

at Queenstown, Ireland, where a main 

base was established. This force was 

OPER ATIONS OF THE U NITED STATES NAV Y

IN THE WORLD WAR

Chapter X

German Submarine U-58 Surrendering to United States Destroyers Fanning and Nicholson, November 1917
450 OPERATIONS OF UNITED STATES NAVY IN WORLD WAR

soon increased to 34 destroyers. A main 

base was later established at Brest, and 

the force operating from there gradually 

grew in size until it approximated that 

of Queenstown. A third main base was 

established at Gibraltar. Secondary bases 

were established along the Bay of Biscay 

and at various other places along the 

European and Mediterranean coast.

Soon after the United States entered 

the war the Cruiser and Transport Force 

was organized to carry American troops 

overseas. The few suitable vessels available were taken over by the Government 

at once and the German liners interned 

in American ports were later added 

to this f leet. Every effort was made 

throughout the war to obtain additional ships for this service, which carried 

a total of 911,000 men to Europe, or a 

Force

troops

avail

rnment

terned

ded to

made

ditional

ried a

a little

+

IRELAND

GREAT

BRITAIN

NOR WAY

D

SWEDEN

HOLLAND

BELGIUM

GERMANY

FRANCE AUSTRIAHUNGARY

SWITZERLAND

ITALY

SERBIA

M

A

SICILY

SARDINIA

CORSICA

AFRICA

SPAIN PORTUGAL

Paris L

Scapa Flow

Inverness

Berehaven

Queenstown

Cardi

Plymouth

Southampton London

Calais Dunkirk

Killingholme

Brest

St. Nazaire

Rochefort

Pauillac Bordeaux

Porto

Corsini

Durazzo

Brindisi

Corfu

Bizerta

Gibraltar

PONTA

DELGADO

820 M.

AT L A N T I C O C E A N

NORTH

SEA

B A LT I C S E A

A D R I AT I C S E A

MEDITERRANEAN SEA

ENGLISH CHANNEL

BAY OF

BISCAY

N

0 100 200 300 400 500 Miles

+

Naval Headquarters

Main Base, Destroyers, etc.

Minor Base

Sub-Chaser Base

Battleships

Submarines

Air Force

Mine Barrage

Mine Base

American Naval Activities in European Waters
(451)

little less than half of the number sent. 

Most of the remainder were transported 

in ships under British control.

To guard against submarine attack, 

American transports making the trip 

to Europe were, as far as practicable, 

gathered into groups and escorted 

through the danger zone by destroyers 

and other armed vessels. This method 

of combating the submarine menace was 

most successful and the results obtained 

were remarkable. Not a single vessel of 

the Cruiser and Transport Force was lost 

on the eastward voyage, although three 

ships returning to the United States were 

sunk out of a total of five torpedoed.

Nearly all the troops who crossed the 

Atlantic in American and French ships 

landed at French ports, while those 

going in other vessels landed in England. 

This necessitated the establishment of a 

small transport force of American ships 

at Southampton, the chief port used for 

reembarkation to France, in order to 

augment the British cross-channel service.

As the number of troops overseas 

increased, the task of supplying them 

became more difficult. This problem 

was met by the formation of the Naval 

Overseas Transportation Service, which 

was a force distinct from the troop 

transport organization. It developed into 

a f leet of more than 400 vessels, manned by 

approximately 4,500 officers and 29,000 

men. To form this great organization 

it was necessary to take vessels from 

every available source, and included 

in it were ships taken over from the 

Shipping Board, new tonnage resulting 

from the intensive building program of 

the Emergency Fleet Corporation, and 

a number of ships which were brought 

from the Great Lakes under considerable 

difficulties. The convoy system was also 

used insofar as possible in the operation 

of this f leet, and only seven vessels were 

lost by enemy action. This was considered 

an exceptionally fine record. 

As soon as the safety of the transports 

and supply ships had been reasonably 

assured, aggressive steps were taken 

against enemy submarines. This was 

Stern of Destroyer Showing 4-Inch Gun

and Depth Bombs Used Against Submarines

Explosion of a 300-Pound Depth Bomb Dropped

by a United States Destroyer, May 18, 1918

Oil Patch Indicating a “Hit” With a Depth Bomb
(452)

done by the laying of mine barrages, the 

employment of a hunting force of small 

ships, supplemented by aircraft, and the 

use of submarines.

Before America’s entry into the war 

the British had considered closing the 

northern entrance to the North Sea by 

placing a mine barrage from Scotland 

to Norway, but had given up this idea 

as impracticable. The American naval 

authorities felt, however, that with a new 

type of mine which had been developed 

in the United States this scheme could 

be undertaken successfully. In October 

1917 it was decided to make the attempt, 

in conjunction with the British, and 

the construction of mines was begun 

in the United States. The total length 

of the mine barrage to be put down was 

270 miles, and the estimated number of 

mines required was about 75,000. Bases 

were established on the eastern coast of 

Scotland, necessary vessels were procured 

and equipped, and in March 1918 

operations were begun by the British and 

in June by the United States. By the time 

hostilities ceased the British had placed 

approximately 14,000 mines and the 

Americans 56,000, as a result of which 12 

enemy submarines are known definitely to 

have been put out of action either by being 

sunk or considerably damaged.

Plans were also made for placing mine 

barrages in other areas, and a mine base 

was planned at Bizerta, Tunis, from where 

operations were to be conducted in the 

Adriatic and Aegean Seas, but the signing 

of the Armistice halted the undertaking.

In order to establish a large and 

effective hunting force of surface 

vessels, construction was undertaken in 

America of several hundred boats called 

“submarine chasers.” These were small 

wooden vessels, 110 feet long, powered 

by gasoline motors, and equipped with 

sound-detecting devices. A force of 135 

of these vessels was sent to Europe. Most 

of them based at Plymouth, England, 

Queenstown, Ireland, and Corfu, Greece, 

and were very effective in the protection 

of merchant shipping. During the period 

of operation of the Plymouth detachment 

between Start Point and Lizard Head not a 

single merchant vessel was lost in its area 

as a result of German submarine attacks. 

A detachment from the Corfu group 

sailed from Brindisi, Italy, with the Allied 

f leet and participated with it in the attack 

on the Austrian port of Durazzo, doing 

especially valuable work in screening the 

United States Naval Vessels With Captive Balloon in Tow

The balloon was used in searching for German submarines
OPERATIONS OF UNITED STATES NAVY IN WORLD WAR 453

larger vessels of the f leet from attack by 

Austrian submarines.

In June 1917 a small detachment of 

the Naval Air Service arrived in Europe 

and soon thereafter the establishment 

of aviation bases was begun along the 

French, English and Italian coasts in 

order to assist in the escort of shipping. 

At the signing of the Armistice this force 

had developed into an organization of 

approximately 19,000 officers and enlisted 

men, operating from 27 bases.

The operations of this force against 

hostile craft at sea were very successful. 

With its growth, plans were made for 

offensive action against the submarines 

at their bases, and eight squadrons, based 

near Calais and Dunkirk, frequently 

bombed the Belgian ports of Zeebruge, 

Ostend and Bruges until they were freed 

in the autumn of 1918 by the attacks of 

the Allied Armies. Until the cessation of 

hostilities the American naval air units also 

helped the Royal Air Force by operating 

against objectives which aided the advance 

of the northern British Armies.

The Allied naval authorities having 

decided to employ some of their own 

submarines as an additional means of 

combating similar hostile craft, two 

groups of American submarines were 

dispatched to European waters. One group 

operated from Ponta Delgada, Azores, 

and the other from Berehaven, Bantry 

Bay, Ireland, and effectively covered the 

areas in the vicinity of these places.

During the early days of America’s 

effort there appeared to be no necessity 

for dispatching any great portion of her 

battle f leet to European waters. Therefore, 

except for two divisions, it remained on 

the American side of the Atlantic, where 

it was engaged principally in training the 

large numbers of recruits taken into the 

Navy during the war.

Of the two divisions of battleships 

sent to Europe, one, comprising four 

vessels later increased to five, joined the 

British at Scapa Flow in December 1917, 

thereafter participating in operations of 

the Grand Fleet. The other division of 

three battleships took station in 1918 at 

Berehaven, from where it was to operate 

against any enemy raiding cruisers that 

might break through the cordon drawn 

around the German coast.

Aside from the foregoing purely naval 

operations, a brigade of marines served as 

part of the 2d Division, and five 14-inch 

naval guns on railroad mounts, manned 

by naval personnel, operated along the 

battle front firing against distant targets. 

These naval railroad batteries arrived in 

France during July and August, 1918, and 

were all in action during October. They 

continued in service taking part in the 

fighting until the Armistice.

To commemorate the achievements of 

the Navy, memorials have been erected at 

Brest and Gibraltar by the United States 

Government. Information concerning these 

memorials may be found in Chapter XII.

An American Convoy Nearing the English Coast
(454)

Bordeaux. The Naval District Headquarters, located here, directed the operations 

of vessels engaged in convoy work and submarine hunting in this vicinity. Near the 

city the construction of a high-powered naval radio station was undertaken for communication with the United States, but this 

was still under construction at the time the 

Armistice was signed.

Brest. American Naval Headquarters 

in France and main port of debarkation 

for troops carried on American naval 

transports. A force of over 30 destroyers 

and many yachts which based here operated 

as escorts for troop and supply convoys. 

During July and August, 1918, over 

3,000,000 tons of shipping were convoyed 

in and out of French ports by vessels from 

this base with a loss of less than one-tenth 

of 1 per cent of this shipping.

Cardiff, Wales. American Naval Headquarters for the administration of the coal 

transport service, which carried coal for 

the Army from this port to France.

Gibraltar. A naval force operating from 

here made many attacks upon submarines, 

and during July and August, 1918, 

escorted 25 per cent of all Mediterranean 

convoys to French ports, as well as 70 per 

cent of all convoys to English ports from 

the vicinity of Gibraltar.

Inverness, Scotland. The main base for 

American mining operations in the North 

Sea was established at this port in the 

autumn of 1917.

Killingholme, England. An American 

naval air base was located here. Planes 

operating from it f lew approximately 

57,000 sea miles while escorting about 

6,000 vessels through the submarine zone.

United States Transport George Washington, Battleship Pennsylvania and a Submarine Chaser at Brest

PA RT I A L LIST OF A DDIT IONA L PL ACES W HER E 

A MER ICAN NAVA L ACTIV ITIES OCCUR R ED IN EUROPE
OPERATIONS OF UNITED STATES NAVY IN WORLD WAR 455

Pauillac. An assembly plant for all 

naval planes shipped to the Continent 

was located here. A force of about 5,000 

officers and men built and operated it.

Porto Corsini, Italy. American naval 

f lyers from this base, which was taken 

over from the Italians in July 1918, 

participated in raids upon the Austrian 

port of Pola and carried out 5,500 f lights 

while patrolling and reconnoitering.

Queenstown, Ireland. First American 

naval base in Europe. The U. S. S. 

Nicholson and Fanning, based here, sank 

the German U-58 and captured its crew in 

November 1917. During July and August, 

1918, destroyers operating chief ly 

from this port furnished 75 per cent 

of escorting vessels for approximately 

2,700,000 tons of shipping into British 

harbors, steaming a total of 260,000 

miles and accomplishing the task without 

the loss of a single ship.

Rochefort. Eight naval vessels, including 

five converted yachts, operated from this 

port during the war and escorted a total 

of 182 convoys.

St. Nazaire. Naval District Headquarters 

and principal port of army supplies. First 

detachment of American troops landed 

here June 26, 1917. A force consisting 

principally of converted yachts was 

concentrated at this port and performed 

the duties of mine sweeping, submarine 

hunting and convoy escorting.

American Submarine off the Coast of Ireland

 United States Naval Air Station at Pauillac
Flagpole at the Somme American Cemetery
(457)

T HERE are eight permanent American military cemeteries in Europe. These have been developed by the 

United States Government into places of 

distinguished beauty and no American 

who travels in Europe should fail to visit as 

many of them as his time will permit.

The cemeteries are conveniently located 

with respect to the routes which travelers 

normally follow. From the center of 

Paris it is only 5 miles to the cemetery 

at Suresnes, and from London it is less 

than an hour by train to the Brookwood 

Cemetery. The other American cemeteries 

are located on the battlefields of France 

and Belgium and have been included in 

the tours described in this book. 

The cemeteries were originally established 

by the War Department. They are now (1937) 

under the jurisdiction of the American 

Battle Monuments Commission, which 

has erected in each one an appropriate 

memorial chapel and has added the 

additional architectural and landscape 

features necessary to make all of them 

outstanding in beauty and dignity.

AMERICAN MILITARY CEMETERIES

IN EUROPE

Chapter XI

ST. MIHIEL

NORTH SEA

FLANDERS FIELD

SOMME

AISNE-MARNE

SURESNES

OISE-AISNE

MEUSE-ARGONNE

BRUSSELS

GHENT

BONY

ST. QUENTIN

NANCY

PARIS

SURESNES

YPRES

WAEREGHEM

MONS

LILLE

ARRAS

LAON

SOISSONS

REIMS

SEDAN LUXEMBURG

METZ

ST. MIHIEL THIAUCOURT

BAR-LE-DUC

CHÂLONS

BELLEAU

CHÂTEAU-THIERRY

FÈRE-EN-TARDENOIS FRANCE

BELGIUM

AMIENS

ROMAGNE

VERDUN

BROOKWOOD

BROOKWOOD

LONDON

N

0 25 50 75 Miles

Map Showing Location of

American Military Cemeteries

in Europe

Cemetery indicated by symbol

and name of a near-by town. Thus:BONY

SOMME
458 AMERICAN MILITARY CEMETERIES IN EUROPE

The development of each cemetery is 

formal in character and this formality 

is emphasized by the regular rows of 

white marble headstones which mark the 

graves of the soldiers buried there. The 

headstones are of two designs, a cross 

for those of the Christian faith and a sixpointed star for those of the Jewish faith.

Every soldier now buried in an 

American military cemetery who lost his 

life during the World War and whose body 

has been identified has his name, rank, 

organization, state and date of death 

carved on the headstone over his grave. 

These men are called the “known dead” 

to distinguish them from the “unknown 

dead” whose bodies have not been found 

or, if found, have not been identified.

With one exception, all “unknown dead” 

whose bodies have been found are now 

buried in the cemeteries in Europe, each 

resting in a separate grave marked with a 

headstone bearing the following inscription: 

“HERE RESTS IN HONORED GLORY 

AN AMERICAN SOLDIER KNOWN BUT 

TO GOD”. The single exception is that of 

the “Unknown Soldier” who was buried in 

a superb tomb bearing the same inscription 

at the Arlington National Cemetery near 

Washington, D. C. This soldier, selected 

from the unidentified dead of the A. E. F., 

was returned to America and buried 

with full military honors at this national 

shrine where, as the representative of his 

comrades, he receives daily the homage of 

a grateful people.

The “unknown dead” whose bodies 

were not found consist mainly of soldiers 

who were buried hurriedly during battle 

without suitable markers on their graves 

or with markers which were obliterated by 

shellfire, men who were blown to pieces 

by high-explosive shells, and prisoners 

who died without their identity being 

recorded. Through the misfortunes of 

war these men have thus been denied the 

honored burial which has been given to 

their comrades in death.

Others who have no identified graves 

are the soldiers and sailors whose resting 

place is the sea. This group includes men 

who died at sea and were buried there, as 

well as those who lost their lives at sea due 

to the action of the enemy.

The Commission early decided that each 

of these “unknown dead” should have his 

name, rank, organization, state and date 

of death inscribed in one of the chapels 

in the American cemeteries in Europe. As 

a result, in the chapel of each battlefield 

cemetery are inscribed the names of the 

“unknown” soldiers who lost their lives in 

that region. In addition, on panels of the 

chapel in the Meuse-Argonne Cemetery 

are recorded the names of the “unknown 

dead” of the Services of Supply and of the 

General View of the Headstones at the Meuse-Argonne Cemetery
AMERICAN MILITARY CEMETERIES IN EUROPE 459

American Expedition to Northern Russia. 

The “Unknown Soldier” who is buried 

at the Arlington National Cemetery is 

therefore among the soldiers whose names 

appear on the walls of one of the chapels 

in the American military cemeteries in 

Europe.

The names of the “unknown” soldiers 

and sailors whose bodies were lost or 

buried in European waters are recorded in 

the chapels at Suresnes and Brookwood. 

Of the 81,067 American soldiers, sailors 

and marines who gave their lives in Europe 

and European waters during the war, the 

number who still remain “unknown” 

is 4,431. This number includes 1,643 

who are buried in unidentified graves 

in the permanent American cemeteries 

in Europe, 1,537 whose grave is the sea, 

1,250 whose remains have never been 

found, and the “Unknown Soldier” who 

is buried at the Arlington National 

Cemetery.

At the time of the Armistice there were 

approximately 2,400 places in Europe in 

which American dead were temporarily 

buried. After hostilities ceased, provision 

was made for the permanent burial of 

these bodies in accordance with the 

expressed wishes of the nearest relatives 

concerned, and the eight permanent 

American cemeteries in Europe were 

established. These cemeteries, with their 

30,902 burials, now contain the graves 

of all members of the American forces 

whose bodies remain in Europe except 

as follows: 42 men whose bodies were 

left in their original graves outside the 

cemeteries at the request of relatives; 18 

who are buried beneath the Lafayette 

Escadrille monument at Garches, near 

Paris, where 21 of their former comrades 

of the Escadrille are also buried; those 

whose bodies were released to relatives 

for private interment, and those whose 

remains have not been found.

A brief description of each of the 

American cemeteries is given on the 

following pages. The photographs 

accompanying them will give a good idea of 

the appearance of the different cemeteries 

and the small maps will be found useful by 

the tourist in locating a cemetery after he 

arrives in its general neighborhood. 

An information bureau is maintained at 

the European Office of the American Battle 

Monuments Commission, located in the 

American Government Office Building, 

2 Avenue Gabriel, Place de la Concorde, 

Paris, where locations of particular graves 

and information concerning the cemeteries 

may be obtained. 

An American superintendent is on duty 

at each cemetery to give information and 

other assistance to visitors. Reception 

rooms are available at the cemeteries for 

the comfort and convenience of tourists.

All distances in this chapter are air line.

Airplane View of the St. Mihiel Cemetery
Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery Near Romagne-sous-Montfaucon
(461)

THIS is the largest and most impressive American cemetery 

in Europe. It contains 14,240 

graves. Most of those buried here 

gave their lives during the MeuseArgonne offensive, the greatest 

battle in all American history.

The cemetery is located just in 

rear of the Hindenburg Line in 

a small valley between Romagne 

and Cunel. Its size and the 

harmony of its architectural 

development make it rank high 

among the beautiful cemeteries of 

the world. The immense field of 

white marble crosses arranged in 

long regular rows on the sloping 

hillside, with the chapel silhouetted on 

the crest above, is a sight which, once it is 

seen, will not quickly be forgotten.

A more complete description of this 

cemetery is given on pages 247–248.

A hostess house, which has facilities to 

provide rooms and meals for a limited 

number of visitors during the summer 

months, is now maintained at the cemetery 

for the convenience of the relatives of the 

men who are buried in the cemetery.

The cemetery is about 18 miles northwest 

of Verdun, which is a tourist center and 

easily reached by train. Good hotel 

accommodations are available in the city 

and automobile can be hired there. Both 

the cemetery and the Meuse-Argonne 

American memorial on Montfaucon are 

included in most of the regular tours of 

the battlefields which start from Verdun.

Romagne Entrance, Meuse-Argonne Cemetery

IN EUROPE 461

nne Cemetery

RY NEAR

FAUCON

men who are buried in the cemetery.

cemetery is about 18 miles north

of Verdun, which is a tourist center

asily reached by train. Good hotel

mmodations are available in the city

utomobile can be hired there. Both

emetery and the Meuse-Argonne

can memorial on Montfaucon are

ded in most of the regular tours of

attleelds which start from Verdun.

TO

DUN-SUR-MEUSE

TO

CUNEL

MEUSE-ARGONNE

AMERICAN

CEMETERY

TO

VARENNES

RomagnesousMontfaucon

TO

GRANDPRÉ

Andon

Creek

N

0 500 1000Yds.

MEUSE-A RGONNE CEMETERY NEA R 

ROMAGNE-SOUS-MONTFAUCON
(462)

O N a battlefield where many of America’s bravest sons met their 

death, near Fère-en-Tardenois, is located 

the Oise-Aisne Cemetery, the second 

largest American cemetery in Europe. It 

contains 6,012 graves. The majority of 

the battle dead who sleep there are from 

divisions which fought in the vicinity and 

to the north as far as the Oise River. In 

1922 a considerable number of bodies 

were moved to this cemetery from the 

general area to the southwest of Paris. 

The quiet surroundings now give no 

indication of the conf lict that raged in 

this region while American soldiers were 

fighting here for the Ourcq River heights.

The cemetery itself is a peaceful 

harmony of landscaping and architecture. 

The pink and gray sandstone chapel and 

walls give color at all times but perfection 

is reached in the spring when the roses 

and flowering shrubs are in full bloom.

The cemetery is about 14 miles from 

Château-Thierry and Soissons and slightly 

more from Reims. Good train service is 

available to each of those places, where 

hotel accommodations can be obtained 

and automobiles hired. The main railroad 

line between Paris and Reims passes close 

to the village of Fère-en-Tardenois.

For further information concerning this 

cemetery and its features see pages 75–76. 

The American cemetery near Belleau 

and the American memorial on Hill 204 

just outside of Château-Thierry are each 

about 14 miles away to the southwest.

d

s

e

d

d

e

s

6.

.

OISE-AISNE

AMERICAN

CEMETERY

TO

REIMS

Meurcy

Farm

Seringeset-Nesles

Fèreen Tardenois

TO FISMES

TO

SOISSONS

TO

CHÂTEAUTHIERRY

Pelle

Cr.

Ourcq R.

du Pont

Creek

N

0 500 1000 Yds.

OISE-AISNE CEMETERY NEAR FÈR E-EN-TA R DENOIS
(463)

THIS is the third largest of the American military cemeteries in Europe and 

contains 4,152 graves. It is located on ground 

restored to France, after more than four 

years of German occupation, by the great 

offensive of the American First 

Army which resulted in reducing 

the St. Mihiel salient.

The cemetery contains many 

works of art and architecture 

in commemoration of those 

who died on this field of honor. 

The interior decorations of 

the chapel and museum, which 

include an inlaid marble map 

picturing the American fighting 

in the vicinity, are of special 

interest. For a more complete 

description of this cemetery and the 

features located in it, see pages 147–149.

The American memorial on Montsec, 

commemorating the St. Mihiel operation 

and other American fighting in the region, 

is 8 miles to the southwest and can be seen 

from the cemetery on a clear day.

The cemetery is less than 26 miles 

from Nancy, Verdun and Metz. There is 

good train service to these places, and at 

each of them hotel accommodations are 

available and automobiles may be hired. 

Thiaucourt is on the main railroad line 

between Paris and Metz and a few of the 

trains stop there. The town is four hours 

by train from Paris. There are, however, 

no good hotels at Thiaucourt.

ES IN EUROPE 463

Thiaucourt

HIAUCOURT

n from the cemetery on a clear day.

e cemetery is less than 26 miles

m Nancy, Verdun and Metz. There

ood train service to these places, and

ach of them hotel accommodations are

lable and automobiles may be hired.

ucourt is on the main railroad line

ween Paris and Metz and a few of

trains stop there. The town is four

rs by train from Paris. There are,

ever, no good hotels at Thiaucourt.

Rupt de Mad

Creek

TO

VERDUN

TO

MONTSEC

TO PONTMOUSSON

ÀRailroad

Station

Thiaucourt

ST. MIHIEL

AMERICAN

CEMETERY

METZ

TO

N

0 500 1000 Yds.

St. Mihiel Cemetery Near Thiaucourt

ST. MIHIEL CEMETERY NEAR THIAUCOURT
464 AMERICAN MILITARY CEMETERIES IN EUROPE

THIS cemetery lies at the foot of the hill upon which stands Belleau Wood. 

It contains 2,288 graves, mainly those of 

American soldiers who fought in the near 

vicinity or in the Marne River valley.

The imposing chapel standing against 

the hillside is of French Romanesque 

style of architecture. The natural setting 

of the cemetery and chapel, and the 

perfection of detail of the architectural 

and landscape development, all combine 

to give this historic spot an atmosphere of 

exceptional beauty and dignity.

The cemetery is 45 miles from Paris 

and about 5 miles northwest of ChâteauThierry, which is on a main railroad 

line running east from Paris. Fair hotel 

accommodations are available at ChâteauThierry and automobiles for a visit to the 

battlefields may be hired there.

A more detailed description of this 

cemetery is given on pages 49–52.

A visit to the cemetery will give the 

tourist an opportunity to see Belleau 

Wood, which adjoins the cemetery, and 

the Aisne-Marne American memorial 

which is on a hill above Château-Thierry.

464 AMERICAN MILITARY 

AISNE-MARNE CEM

T HIS cemetery lies at the foot of 

hill upon which stands Belleau Wo

It contains 2,288 graves, mainly thos

American soldiers who fought in the 

vicinity or in the Marne River valley.

The imposing chapel standing ag

Torcy

Belleau

Belleau

Wood

AISNE-MARNE

AMERICAN

CEMETERY

TO LUCY-LE-BOCAGE

TO BOURESCHES

TO CH

THIERRY

ÂTEAUN

0 500 1000 Yds.

AISNE-MARNE CEMETERY NEAR BELLEAU
(465)

THIS cemetery, located about halfway on the road between 

St. Quentin and Cambrai, is 

just southwest of Bony and 

contains 1,833 graves. Its style 

of architecture expresses the 

spirit of rugged determination 

which inspired the American 

soldiers in their repeated assaults 

across the neighboring fields 

while advancing to attack the 

Hindenburg Line in front of Bony.

The men buried here are mainly those 

who lost their lives while serving with 

the British Armies in France or in the 

operations of the 1st Division with the 

French Army near the town of Cantigny. 

The chapel is remarkable for its crossshaped window of crystal glass above the 

altar, the harmony of its interior decorations, 

the beauty of its bronze doors and its 

interesting carved exterior decorations.

The cemetery is about 9 miles north 

of St. Quentin, which can be reached 

by train from Paris in two hours. Hotel 

accommodations are available and motor 

transportation may be hired there.

For a more complete description of this 

cemetery consult pages 387–388.

The American monument north of 

Bellicourt which commemorates the services 

of all American troops who fought with the 

British Armies in Europe during the World 

War is one mile away to the southeast.

UROPE 465

y Near Bony

AR BONY

n, which can be reached by

m Paris in two hours. Hotel

dations are available and motor

tion may be hired there.

ore complete description of

ery consult pages 387–388.

ican monument north of Belli

h commemorates the services of

an troops who fought with the

ies in Europe during the World

e mile away to the southeast.

TO

GUILLEMONT

FARM

TO HARGICOURT

TO BELLICOURT

TO

LE CATELET

Bony

SOMME

AMERICAN

CEMETERY

CANAL

TUNNEL

N

0 500 1000 Yds.

Chapel at the Somme American Cemetery Near Bony

SOMME AMERICAN CEMETERY NEAR BONY
(466)

ON the slopes of Mont Valérien, 5 miles from the heart of Paris, is located the 

Suresnes Cemetery containing 1,541 graves. 

The men buried there are mainly those who 

died during the World War in hospitals 

located in Paris or at other places in the 

Services of Supply.

The cemetery is entered through an 

ornamental, wrought-iron gateway, 

and paths lead from it directly to the 

impressive chapel of an early colonial 

design. From its site against the steep 

wooded hillside, the chapel looks out over 

the fields of white marble headstones, and 

from its terrace a fine panorama of a large 

part of the city of Paris is obtained.

Inside the chapel is an artistic marble 

altar f lanked by large marble urns 

containing green shrubbery. The effect 

of these is heightened by the beautiful 

mosaic above them depicting the Angel of 

Victory laying a tribute upon the tombs of 

the soldier dead. The interior of the chapel 

is illuminated by a subdued light from six 

attractive stained-glass windows and on 

the walls are bronze tablets giving the 

names of American soldiers and sailors 

whose grave is the sea.1 Carved benches 

have been provided for meditation and 

prayer.

Nature has aided with a generous hand 

the careful planning which created this 

peaceful resting place and a visit to honor 

these soldier dead is recommended when 

the trees and shrubs are in flower.

The reception building which contains 

facilities for visitors is located at the 

southern end of the cemetery.

The town of Suresnes can be easily 

reached from Paris by train, autobus or 

automobile. The cemetery is only about 

200 yards from the main railroad station.

1

 Additional names of those men who have no grave 

except the sea are given in the Brookwood chapel.

SURESNES AMERIC

ON the slopes o f Mont Valé

miles from the heart o f P

located the Suresnes Cemetery 

ing 1,541 graves. The men buried 

mainly those who died during t

War in hospitals located in Par

other places in the Services of S

The cemetery is entered thr

ornamental, wrought-iron gate

paths lead from it directly to the 

sive chapel of an early colonial 

From its site against the steep 

hillside, the chapel looks out o

SURESNES

AMERICAN

CEMETERY

Fort du

MontValérien TO ST.

GERMAIN

TO

PARIS

TO PUTEAUX

TO ST. CLOUD

TO

VERSAILLES

TO

ST. CLOUD

R.R.

Sta.

TO

Bois

PARIS

de Boulogne

Suresnes

Seine River

N

0 500 Yds.

SURESNES AMERICAN CEMETERY NEAR PARIS
(467)

THIS cemetery, located about halfway between Brussels 

and Ypres, contains 368 graves. 

The men who rest here are mainly 

those who gave their lives during 

the American fighting in Belgium. 

The beautiful chapel at the center 

of the cemetery is surrounded 

on four sides by the fields of 

white marble headstones. The 

landscaping gives an impression 

of quiet harmony and the whole 

development forms a fitting resting 

place for the American heroes who 

are buried at this place.

Additional information concerning this cemetery and the 

features in it is given on page 399.

The American monument in the 

town of Audenarde is 7 miles away 

on the direct road to Brussels.

The cemetery is 17 miles southwest of 

Ghent, 24 miles northeast of Lille and 

39 miles west of Brussels. The nearest 

railroad station, which is in the village of 

Waereghem, can be reached by fast train 

from Paris in approximately five hours.

em, Belgium

R

which is in the village of

can be reached by fast train

approximately ve hours.

TO

CRUYSHAUTEM

GHENT

TO

TO

AUDENARDE

TO COURTRAI

FLANDERS FIELD

AMERICAN

CEMETERY

R.R.

Sta.

Spitaals

Bosschen

Waereghem

Gaverbeek

N

0 500 1000 Yds.

Flanders Field American Cemetery Near Waereghem, Belgium

FL A NDER S F IELD CEMETERY NEA R 

WAEREGHEM, BELGIUM
American Cemetery Near Brookwood, England
(469)

THIS cemetery, located near the village of Brookwood about 25 miles southwest 

of London, contains 468 graves. Adjoining 

it is a British World War cemetery in which 

are buried many of the dead from their 

colonial forces. Both of these burial areas 

form part of a very large and beautiful 

British cemetery that was established 

privately many years ago.

The American soldiers who rest in the 

Brookwood Cemetery were brought 

there after the Armistice, from various 

places throughout England, Scotland and 

Ireland, and comprise those members of 

the American Expeditionary Forces who 

lost their lives in Great Britain or its 

surrounding waters during the war. They 

include many of the victims of the S. S. 

Tuscania which was sunk by a German 

submarine on February 5, 1918, not far 

away from the west coast of Scotland.

On the southwest side of the cemetery, 

across from the British military burial 

ground, is situated a reception building 

which contains facilities for the comfort of 

visitors. The office of the superintendent 

is in that building and inquiries should be 

made there for the location of a particular 

grave or for other information.

At the center of the cemetery is an 

ornamental f lagpole from which the 

American f lag f lies, each day of the year, 

over the soldier dead buried here.

The regular rows of white marble 

headstones are shaded by thick masses of 

evergreens which form a perfect setting 

for the chapel, a graceful building of 

classic design decorated with features of 

both religious and patriotic interest.

The interior of the chapel is of brown 

stone, soft in coloring. Small stainedglass windows, remarkable for the beauty 

of their designs, light the altar and the 

carved cross above it. On the walls are 

inscribed the names of American soldiers 

and sailors whose grave is the sea.1 Inlaid 

in the f loor is a large bronze coat of arms 

of the United States; and high above the 

altar, carved in relief on the wall, is an 

eagle with the inscription below it,

WITH GOD IS THEIR REWARD

A visit to the cemetery can not fail to 

bring a feeling of satisfaction to the 

American visitor that these soldiers who 

died in Great Britain and who still remain 

there are sleeping in such beautiful, 

dignified and peaceful surroundings.

It is a pleasant drive by automobile 

from London to Brookwood, through an 

interesting part of England, and a round 

trip to the cemetery in this way can be made 

comfortably in half a day. Brookwood can 

also be reached by train in less than an 

hour from London. The railroad service is 

exceptionally good, trains running about 

every hour, and the American cemetery is 

only about 300 yards to the southwest of 

the railroad station.

1

 Additional names of those men who have no grave 

except the sea are recorded at the Suresnes Cemetery.

.

BROOKWOOD

AMERICAN

CEMETERY

Brookwood

British

 Military

 Cemetery

Passage under track

CIVILIAN

CEMETERY

R.R. Sta.

SOUTHERN RAILWAY

TO LONDON

TO

WOKING

BRAMSTOKE

CANAL

N

0 500 Yds.

BROOKWOOD CEMETERY NEAR BROOKWOOD, ENGLAND
Entrance, Aisne-Marne Cemetery

Chapel Window in the 

Meuse-Argonne Cemetery

Altar of Chapel

in the Somme Cemetery

Altar of Chapel

in the Brookwood Cemetery

Line of Crosses in the Brookwood Cemetery Bronze Gates at the Somme Cemetery
Entrance, Brookwood Cemetery

Monument in the

St. Mihiel Cemetery

Altar of Chapel

in the Meuse-Argonne Cemetery

Mosaic and Altar of Chapel

in the St. Mihiel Cemetery

Mosaic and Altar of Chapel at the Suresnes Cemetery A Corner of the Flanders Field Cemetery
Meuse-Argonne Memorial at Montfaucon
(473)

WHEN the American Battle 

Monuments Commission was 

created in 1923 one of the most 

important duties given it was to erect 

memorials in Europe to commemorate 

the services of the American forces there 

during the World War. This work has now 

been completed and the eleven memorials 

and two bronze tablets erected by the 

Commission commemorate these services 

in a complete yet dignified and modest way.

The memorials vary in size from three 

large ones, which commemorate the 

American fighting in the three areas 

of France where the American combat 

forces were engaged in greatest numbers, 

to smaller ones recording the wartime 

services of American units outside of 

these areas. No two of them are alike, 

as each was designed to fit its particular 

site and to give a comparative degree 

of commemoration with respect to the 

others. The architects were carefully 

selected from Americans of prominence 

in their profession and all concerned bent 

every effort to make the results ref lect the 

pride of America in the historic events 

which the memorials commemorate.

The completed project has been the 

subject of much favorable comment and 

the larger monuments are now visited 

each year by many thousands of travelers 

from American and European countries.

The map on page 477 shows the locations 

of the memorials, and the photographs in 

this chapter will give a good idea of their 

appearance. Those on the battlefields 

have been described in connection with 

the tours and in the following pages 

references are given to the pages upon 

which these descriptions are to be found.

All distances in this chapter are air line.

MEUSE-ARGONNE MEMORIAL AT 

MONTFAUCON

This is the most imposing American 

monument in Europe. It commemorates the 

brilliant victory of the American First Army 

in the Meuse-Argonne offensive, September 

26–November 11, 1918, and pays tribute to 

the previous heroic services of the Armies of 

France on the important battle front upon 

which the memorial has been constructed.

The massive shaft rises from the ruins 

of the hilltop village of Montfaucon and 

dominates the surrounding country. From 

the observation platforms high above the 

ground an extended view is obtained of 

a large part of the territory over which 

the soldiers of the American First Army 

advanced during the autumn of 1918.

Consult pages 203–204 for additional 

information concerning this memorial.

A caretaker is at the memorial during 

daylight hours. While he is on duty 

visitors are permitted to ascend the tower.

The Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery 

is 5 miles to the north. The nearest large 

town is Verdun, 14 miles to the southeast, 

which is easily reached by train. At that 

place good hotel accommodations are 

available and automobiles for visits to the 

battlefields may be hired in front of the 

railroad station.

ST. MIHIEL MEMORIAL ON MONTSEC

This memorial stands on the high 

isolated hill of Montsec. It commemorates 

the capture of the St. Mihiel salient by the 

American First Army, the operations of 

the American Second Army on November 

9–11, 1918, and the other combat services 

of the American divisions both in this 

region and in Alsace and Lorraine.

It consists of a large circular colonnade, 

AMERICAN WORLD WAR MEMORIALS IN EUROPE

ERECTED BY

THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT

Chapter XII
St. Mihiel Memorial at Montsec
AMERICAN WORLD WAR MEMORIALS IN EUROPE 475

at the center of which on a raised platform 

is a bronze relief map of the St. Mihiel 

salient. The size of the memorial, its 

commanding site and the perfection of its 

proportions all combine to make it one of 

the most impressive in the world.

See pages 123–127 for a more complete 

descriptive account of this monument.

The memorial is about 24 miles from Verdun, 

Nancy and Metz. Good hotel accommodations 

exist at those places and automobiles for a 

visit to the site may be hired there. The St. 

Mihiel American Cemetery near Thiaucourt 

is 8 miles away to the northeast. Thiaucourt 

is also the nearest main-line railroad station 

to the monument and automobiles for a trip to 

the battlefields may be hired at that place.

AISNE-MARNE MEMORIAL NEAR 

CHÂTEAU-THIERRY

An impressive memorial, overlooking 

Château-Thierry and the Marne River, has 

been erected on Hill 204 to commemorate 

the services of the American and French 

soldiers who participated in the important 

operations in the Aisne-Marne region 

during 1918, and to memorialize the 

friendship and cooperation which existed 

between the French and American Armies 

during the World War.

The monument proper is a long double 

colonnade ornamented on the west face 

by heroic figures representing France and 

the United States and on the east face 

by a large symbolic eagle. Appropriate 

inscriptions give details of the fighting. 

The architecture is outstanding in 

appearance and has been made even more 

effective by the beautiful landscaping.

For a more complete description of this 

monument and its features see page 57.

This is the closest to Paris of any of 

the American memorials and it is but 4 

miles away from Belleau Wood and the 

American cemetery near Belleau. The 

Oise-Aisne American Cemetery is 14 miles 

to the northeast, near Fère-en-Tardenois. 

Hotel accommodations may be had (1937) 

at Château-Thierry, which is on a main 

railroad line running east from Paris, and 

automobiles for trips to the battlefields may 

easily be hired there.

NAVAL MEMORIAL AT BREST

In recognition of the heroic work of the 

American Navy in convoying troops and 

supplies to Europe, a large memorial has 

been erected on an old fortification wall 

of the city. The site overlooks the harbor 

of Brest, which was a base of operations 

for American naval vessels during the war 

as well as a large port of debarkation and 

embarkation for the American troops.

The memorial consists of a tall shaft from 

the top of which is obtained a fine view of the 

harbor. It is constructed of Brittany granite 

with decorative features of nautical interest. 

The surrounding area has been improved with 

planting and forms an attractive park, much 

appreciated by the inhabitants of the town.

Brest is in Brittany near the most western 

point of France. It is 315 miles from Paris 

and may be reached by train from that city 

in less than eight hours.

MEMORIAL NEAR SOMMEPY

On the crest of Blanc Mont Ridge, 

3 miles north of Sommepy, has been 

erected a memorial to commemorate the 

achievements of the American and French 

soldiers who fought in the Champagne 

region of France during the World War.

The American 2d, 36th, 42d and 93d 

Divisions saw battle service in the vicinity 

and their names and divisional insignia 

appear on the monument, which is located 

on ground captured by the 2d Division.

The memorial consists of a tower notable for 

the beauty and simplicity of its lines. A flight of 

steps leads to an observation platform on top 

where a fine view may be obtained and where 

direction arrows point out prominent places 

on the landscape. A good view, however, may 

also be had from the lower terrace.

At the present time (1937) the tower is 

open to visitors only on Sundays.

See page 350 for additional information 

of this monument and its surroundings.

The nearest cities are Reims, 22 miles to 

the west, and Châlons-sur-Marne, 23 miles 

to the south. Good hotel accommodations 

are available at both of those places. 

The village of Sommepy may be reached 

by railroad from Paris in four hours and 

automobiles may be hired there.
(476)

Aisne-Marne American Memorial Near Château-Thierry
(477) 

BELGIUM

GERMANY

ALSACELORRAINE

FRANCE

DUNKIRK

ST. POL

AMIENS

MONTDIDIER

ST. QUENTIN

CAMBRAI

VALENCIENNES

LILLE

GHENT

BRUSSELS

MONS CHARLEROI

NAMUR

LAON

SOISSONS

RETHEL

REIMS

CHALONS

BAR-LE-DUC

ST. MIHIEL

VERDUN METZ

LONGWY

LUXEMBURG

STRASBOURG

Paris

SEDAN

ˆ

30

27

37

91

91

80

33

33

27

30 30

27

1

32

1

93

2

77

28 4

32

42

28

26

2

3

362

42

93

1 2 3 4

5 26 28 29

32 33 35

37 4277 7881 82

91

79 8089 90

92

33

4

26

28

1

42

7

78 90

89 2 5 82 92

Commemorates also sector service

of 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 26, 28, 29, 32, 33,

35, 37, 42, 77, 78, 79, 81, 82,

88, 89, 90, 92 Divisions

BATTLE LINE JULY 17

BATTLE LINE NOV. 11

AUDENARDE

YPRES

BELLICOURT

CANTIGNY

CHÂTEAU-THIERRY

BLANCMONT

MONTFAUCON

MONTSEC

100 Miles TOURS GIBRALTAR

(Naval Memorial)

950 Miles

BREST

(Naval Memorial)

300 Miles 4

4

N

0 10 20 30 40 50 Miles

World War Monuments Erected in Europe

by the United States Government

Represents ground gained by American divisions

Numbers indicate names of American divisionsengaged in areasIndicates monument and name of place wherelocated or nearest town

Rectangles enclose areas of ghting commemorated by themonuments shown in them

MONTSEC

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 26, 28,29, 32, 33, 35, 37
American Naval Memorial at Brest
AMERICAN WORLD WAR MEMORIALS IN EUROPE 479

MEMORIAL NEAR BELLICOURT

A memorial near Bellicourt commemorates the American units, totaling approximately 90,000 men, which fought with the 

British Armies in France during the World 

War. It is on a battlefield of the 27th and 

30th Divisions, being picturesquely located 

on the ridge over the St. Quentin Canal tunnel which was such a strong feature of the 

Hindenburg Line.

A detailed description of the monument 

and its features is given on page 383.

The Somme American Cemetery near 

Bony is 1 mile away to the northwest.

The Bellicourt memorial is 9 miles 

north of St. Quentin and 13 miles south 

of Cambrai. Hotel accommodations are 

available at those places and automobiles 

for a visit to the site may be hired there.

MEMORIAL AT TOURS

A beautiful fountain has been constructed at Tours by the United States Government in grateful recognition of the achievements of the more than 640,000 members 

of the American Expeditionary Forces 

who served in the Services of Supply and 

whose work behind the battle lines made 

possible the brilliant accomplishments of 

the armies in the field.

The fountain is of outstanding beauty 

and is worthy of a high place among the 

many architectural gems of that historic 

part of France. It stands in the heart of 

Tours near the southern end of the Pont 

Wilson, the main bridge which crosses the 

Loire River within the city boundaries.

On the lower circular basin is carved 

the dedicatory inscription. Below the 

upper basin appear the coats of arms of 

Tours, Brest, St. Nazaire, Le Mans, Issur-Tille, Nevers, Neufchâteau and Bordeaux; French cities where important installations of the Services of Supply were 

located. Above the upper basin are four 

beautiful figures representing Administration, Construction, Procurement and 

Distribution, the four principal divisions 

of the Services of Supply organization. 

The crowning feature is a bronze American Indian releasing an American eagle. 

A model of this figure won a gold medal 

during a recent American competition.

The small adjoining park area is part of 

the memorial and is being maintained by 

the United States Government.

Tours was the headquarters of the 

Services of Supply during the war. It is in 

the center of the famous château region of 

France and is three hours south of Paris 

by train. It may be visited from that place 

by automobile or autobus. The trip is 

interesting as the main roads pass by or 

near many famous châteaux.

NAVAL MEMORIAL AT GIBRALTAR

At Gibraltar, the gateway to the Mediterranean, the United States Government has 

constructed a memorial archway of stone 

from the neighboring mountain to commemorate the achievements and comradeship of the American and British Navies in 

that vicinity during the World War. Many 

American vessels used the harbor as a base 

for naval operations.

The memorial serves a useful purpose as 

it includes a f light of steps which connects 

the town of Gibraltar with the large 

British naval establishments below.

Gibraltar is a port of call for most 

passenger vessels using the Mediterranean 

and a visit to the monument may be made 

from the pier in about half an hour.

BELLEAU WOOD

Belleau Wood, 5 miles northwest of 

Château-Thierry, was given to the United 

States Government by an American 

association which had acquired it soon 

after the World War. It is now being 

maintained as a memorial to all American 

soldiers who fought in the war. The 

remains of trenches, shell holes and many 

relics of the war, including weapons 

salvaged in the vicinity, may be seen there.

For further information concerning the 

wood and the American fighting in the 

vicinity, consult pages 45–49 of Chapter II.

The Aisne-Marne American Cemetery 

adjoins Belleau Wood on its north side.

The wood is easily reached from Paris, 45 

miles away, either directly by automobile 

or by train to Château-Thierry and then 

by automobile from that place.
(480)

American Monument Near Bellicourt

American Memorial at Tours to the Services of Supply, A.E.F.
(481)

American Memorial Near Sommepy

American Navy Memorial Arch at Gibralter
482 AMERICAN WORLD WAR MEMORIALS IN EUROPE

MEMORIAL AT AUDENARDE, BELGIUM

In the historic town of Audenarde, 

Belgium, a small memorial has been 

erected in a public park to commemorate 

the services of the approximately 40,000 

American soldiers who fought in that 

vicinity toward the end of the World War.

A more complete description of this 

memorial and its location with respect to 

the nearest large cities in the surrounding 

country may be found on page 401.

The Flanders Field American Cemetery 

near Waerghem, where many of the 

soldiers who died during the American 

operations in this immediate vicinity are 

buried, is about 7 miles away to the west.

MEMORIAL NEAR VIERSTRAAT, BELGIUM

About 4 miles south of Ypres, Belgium, 

near the hamlet of Vierstraat and not 

far from the base of Mont Kemmel, a 

small monument has been erected to 

commemorate the services of the 27th and 

30th Divisions which participated with the 

British in the Ypres-Lys offensive in that 

region in August and September, 1918.

See page 405 for a more complete description of this memorial and its features.

The Flanders Field American Cemetery 

near Waereghem, Belgium, where a 

considerable number of the men who died in 

the operations near Vierstraat are buried, 

is approximately 27 miles away to the east.

MEMORIAL AT CANTIGNY

In the center of the little village 

of Cantigny a small park has been 

developed into an attractive memorial to 

commemorate the capture of that village 

by the American 1st Division in the first 

offensive operation carried out by a large 

American unit during the World War.

A more detailed description of this 

memorial and directions for reaching it 

have been given on page 416 of this book.

BRONZE TABLET AT CHAUMONT

An attractive bronze tablet has been 

placed at the entrance to the Damrémont 

Barracks at Chaumont and upon it is the 

following inscription which has been 

American Memorial at Vierstraat

American Monument at Cantigny

American Monument at Audenarde
AMERICAN WORLD WAR MEMORIALS IN EUROPE 483

inscribed both in English and in French:

GENERAL HEADQUARTERS

OF THE

AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES

IN EUROPE

DURING THE WORLD WAR

OCCUPIED THE BUILDINGS

OF THE CASERNE DAMRÉMONT FROM

SEPTEMBER 1, 1917, TO JULY 11, 1919

AND FROM HERE DIRECTED

THE ACTIVITIES OF MORE THAN 

TWO MILLION AMERICAN SOLDIERS

✧

BRONZE TABLET AT SOUILLY

An ornamental bronze tablet has been 

placed on the outside of the town hall 

at Souilly and upon it is the following 

inscription both in English and French:

HEADQUARTERS

OF THE AMERICAN FIRST ARMY

OCCUPIED THIS BUILDING FROM

SEPTEMBER 21, 1918,

TO THE END OF HOSTILITIES

AND FROM HERE CONDUCTED

THE MEUSE-ARGONNE OFFENSIVE,

ONE OF THE GREAT OPERATIONS

OF THE WORLD WAR

✧

The memorials described above, except 

for Belleau Wood, were constructed by 

the United States Government and all of 

them are now being maintained by it.

A table giving information concerning the 

principal American World War memorials 

in Europe erected by agencies other than 

the United States Government has been 

included in this book in Chapter XV.

Bronze Tablet at Souilly

Bronze Tablet at Chaumont
View of the Aisne-Marne Memorial From Across the Marne River

Upper Part of Naval

Memorial at Brest

Symbolic Figures, Aisne-Marne Memorial Lower Terrace, Naval

Memorial at Brest

Memorial Near Bellicourt Aisne-Marne Memorial
Looking Southeast Toward the Hill, Monument and Village of Montfaucon

Terrace of St. Mihiel

Memorial

Details of the S.O.S. Meuse-Argonne Memorial

Memorial Fountain at Tours

Porcelain Map at the St. Mihiel Memorial Orientation Table at the St. Mihiel Memorial
Troops Arriving at Hoboken from France on the Agamemnon
(487)

T HE Armistice was signed at 5:00 

o’clock in the morning of November 

11, 1918, on Marshall Foch’s train 

in the Forest of Compiègne, and took 

effect at 11: 00 a. m. on the same day.

Its terms, which are summarized on 

pages 507–509, required Germany to 

evacuate all invaded and occupied 

territory in Belgium, Luxemburg and 

France (including Alsace-Lorraine), and 

to withdraw her armies across the Rhine 

River. They also provided that the Allied 

forces should be permitted peaceably to 

occupy bridgeheads, 18 miles in radius, 

east of the Rhine at Mayence, Coblenz 

and Cologne, and that a neutral zone 6 

miles wide in which neither the Allies nor 

Germany could maintain troops would 

be established along the east bank of the 

Rhine and around each of the bridgeheads.

AFTER THE ARMISTICE

Chapter XIII

Düsseldorf

Cologne

Mayen Coblenz

Mayence

Strasbourg

Bitburg

Trèves

Reims

St. Mihiel Pontà-Mousson

Nancy

Verdun Metz

Montfaucon Thionville

Longuyon

Luxemburg

Sedan

Mons

Brussels

Ghent

Antwerp

Liége

 Aixla-Chapelle

Ligny-en-Barrois

Line of Dec. 13 (A.M.)

Dec. 14

Neutral

Zone

XXXX

XXXX

XXXX

XXXX

XXXX

XXXX

XXXX

Line of November 11(A.M.)–17(A.M.)

BELGIAN

BRITISH

FRENCH

AMERICAN

FRENCH

Rhine

River

Meuse

River

HOLLAND

BELGIUM

GERMANY

Moselle

River

N

0 10 20 30 40 50 Miles

XXXX Boundary of Zone of Advance

International Boundary

Bridgehead 18 Mile Radius

Neutral Zone 6 Miles Wide

American and Allied Advance to the Rhine

November 17–December 14, 1918
488 AFTER THE ARMISTICE

The advance of the American and Allied 

Armies was so regulated that they occupied 

all territory evacuated by the Germans 

within a short time after the German 

troops withdrew. The plans for the advance 

prescribed that the French should move 

through Alsace-Lorraine to Mayence, the 

Americans through Luxemburg and the 

Moselle valley to Coblenz, the British to 

Cologne, and the Belgians 

by way of Aix-la-Chapelle 

to the lower Rhine River.

On November 7 the 

C o m m a n d e r - i n - C h i e f 

of the American Expeditionary Forces had 

directed that an American Third Army be 

organized and on November 14 this Army, 

with Major General Joseph T. Dickman as commander, was designated 

as the Army of Occupation. It was composed 

initially of the III Corps, 

containing the 2d, 32d 

and 42d Divisions; and 

the IV Corps, comprising the 1st, 3d and 4th 

Divisions. To these were 

added on November 22 

the VII Corps, containing the 5th, 89th and 90th 

Divisions. On that same 

day the Third Army detached the 5th Division 

from the VII Corps and 

gave it the duty of guarding the extended lines of 

communication of the 

Army.

The advance to the 

Rhine was begun by the 

Americans and Allies on November 17 

along the entire Western Front. Although 

active operations against a hostile enemy 

were not involved, there were nevertheless many difficult problems to be met. 

For the Americans, these included the 

creation in a limited time of a staff and 

services for the supply and rapid movement of more than 200,000 men through 

country where transportation lines in 

many places were completely destroyed 

and where food was scarce. Moreover, the 

weather was cold and rainy and in many 

places the roads were nearly impassable. 

Although the troops had been hastily assembled and had been allowed no opportunity to rest and refit after the trying 

period of the Meuse-Argonne offensive, they 

cheerfully met every demand made upon them. 

The advance elements of 

the Third Army passed 

through the city of Luxemburg on November 21 

and arrived two days later at the German frontier. There they rested 

until December 1 when 

all of the Armies of Occupation pushed on into 

Germany.

Through the liberated 

districts of France and 

Luxemburg the Americans were received with 

wild demonstrations of 

joy, but upon entering 

Germany they were regarded with a mixture of 

curiosity and suspicion. 

However, the fine conduct of the Army and the 

firmness and justice of 

the American commanders quickly quieted any 

apprehensions the civil 

population may have had 

and no incidents of hostility took place.

The leading troops 

of the Third Army 

reached the Rhine River on December 

9. On the 13th, American, French and 

British infantry divisions crossed the 

river, having been preceded in some 

cases by advance elements the day 

before. In the American Third Army, 

the III Corps, whose composition 

had been changed to include the 

Major General Joseph T. Dickman

Commanding General of the

Third Army from November

15, 1918, to April 28, 1919
AFTER THE ARMISTICE 489

1st, 2d and 32d Divisions, was designated 

to occupy the northern portion of the 

bridgehead at Coblenz, the southern 

portion having been transferred to French 

control. The American bridgehead 

included the fortress of Ehrenbreitstein 

located immediately across the Rhine 

River from Coblenz and dominating it.

The III Corps crossed on four bridges—

two at Coblenz, and one each at Engers 

and Remagen below Coblenz—and by the 

night of December 14 had completed the 

occupation of the American part of the 

bridgehead. The remainder of the American 

Army of Occupation, consisting of the 

IV Corps, comprising the 3d, 4th and 42d 

Divisions, and the VII Corps, containing the 

89th and 90th Divisions, remained west of the 

Rhine. Luxemburg was occupied by the 5th 

and 33d Divisions, both of which were under 

command of the American Second Army, and 

not under control of the Army of Occupation.

To the south of Coblenz the French 

occupied a bridgehead with headquarters 

at Mayence, while to the north, the British 

occupied a bridgehead with headquarters at 

Cologne. Although the Belgians advanced 

to the Rhine and occupied jointly with the 

French a zone in the Rhineland to the north 

of the British, with headquarters at Aix-laChapelle, they had no force across the river.

An additional bridgehead at Kehl 

across the Rhine from Strasbourg and 

including the ring of forts of that place, 

89

90

4 3

42 2

32 1

Sedan

Verdun

Metz

Trèves

Berncastel

Bad Bertrich Kylburg

Wittlich

Cochem Weisbaden

Coblenz

Montabaur

Ahrweiler Rengsdorf

Heddesdorf

Andernach Neuwied

British Troops

French Troops

THIRD

ARMY

SECOND

ARMY

XXXXX

XXXXX

XXXXX

XXXXX

XXXX

XXXX

Line of November 11 (AM)

Moselle R.

River

Rhine

BELGIUM

LUXEMBURG

N

0 10 20 30 40 50 Miles

Boundary of American Zone

Boundary between

American Armies

Division Boundary

Headquarters Third Army

Neutral Zone Bridgehead

XXXXX

XXXX

Zone of American Army of Occupation, December 21, 1918
1st Division Marching Into Luxemburg, November 21, 1918

German Army Leaving Luxemburg

A Signal corps photographer of the American Army arrived in time to take this picture
Fort Ehrenbreitstein, as Seen From Across the Rhine River at Coblenz

Captured German Guns on the Place de la Concorde, Paris, November 1918
492 AFTER THE ARMISTICE

was established on February 4, 1919, by 

the French on their own responsibility. 

When finally located on December 21, 

1918, the headquarters of the principal 

units of the American Army of Occupation 

in Germany were placed as follows:

Third Army ................... Coblenz

III Corps....................... Neuwied

IV Corps ....................... Cochem

VII Corps...................... Wittlich

1st Division ................... Montabaur

2d Division.................... Heddesdorf

3d Division.................... Andernach

4th Division .................. Bad Bertrich

32d Division .................. Rengsdorf

42d Division .................. Ahrweiler

89th Division................. Kylburg

90th Division................. Berncastel

Immediately after the Armistice the 

American Commander-in-Chief started 

preparations for moving his forces 

back to the United States with the least 

possible delay. The Services of Supply 

was promptly reorganized to carry out 

the intricate details connected with this 

work, and approximately 25,500 men of 

the American forces actually sailed from 

France, homeward bound, in November. 

Before the end of the year this number had 

been increased to about 124,000.

Upon the cessation of hostilities 

practically every man of the 2,000,000 in 

the A.E.F. wanted to return to the United 

States at once; but with the limited number 

of ships available this was, of course, 

impossible. While military training was 

continued after the Armistice against the 

remote possibility that operations might 

be resumed, the higher commanders 

realized that this was a most trying period 

for the soldiers and undertook measures 

to make life for them as interesting 

as possible commensurate with the 

maintenance of a satisfactory standard of 

discipline and military conduct.

Men were allowed regular leaves to 

visit leave areas established at various 

summer and winter resorts in France and 

in the occupied portion of Germany, and 

arrangements were made whereby they 

could visit several other countries such as 

Great Britain, Belgium and Italy.

A vast school system was established, in 

which more than 230,000 men enrolled. 

Wherever troops were quartered in any 

number, classes were organized and 

instruction given in practically every 

subject taught in the public schools of 

the United States, as well as in trade 

and business subjects. At Beaune a huge 

university was established for advanced 

instruction and approximately 9,000 

soldiers registered to take the course.

An Education Corps Commission was 

formed to direct all lecturers, schools 

and extension courses in the A.E.F. The 

men selected as instructors for the schools 

were competent educators with previous 

experience. This often resulted in classes 

for officers being conducted by privates 

from the ranks. The educational system 

28th Division En Route to St. Nazaire, April 22, 1919, for Embarkation to the United States
(493)

on the whole was democratic, well planned 

and produced very substantial results.

Horse shows were held by nearly every 

division, and many of the units organized theatrical troupes, which traveled 

throughout the A.E.F. giving performances. These activities were encouraged and 

aided in every way by the army officials, 

and to a large extent contributed to the 

pleasure and contentment of the troops.

The men were also encouraged to 

participate in sports and games, and a 

great athletic program was carried out 

which culminated in the Inter-Allied 

Games held near Paris in June and 

July, 1919. Upon the invitation of the 

American Commander-in-Chief, eighteen 

of the Allied and associated nations sent 

contestants to this meet, which was a 

remarkable success from every standpoint. 

The Pershing Stadium, where it took place, 

was built mainly by engineers from the 

American Army. The funds were donated 

by the Young Men’s Christian Association, 

which presented the structure to General 

Pershing. It was later turned over by him 

to the French people.

In the spring of 1919 a composite 

regiment of selected officers and men was 

formed from the Third Army. Selection 

was based on appearance, soldierly 

qualities and war record. It was used 

as an escort of honor to the American 

Commander-in-Chief, and paraded in 

Paris, London and other places, including 

New York and Washington, D. C., when 

the regiment returned to America.

In the meantime the transfer of troops 

to the United States had been progressing 

rapidly. Marshal Foch wished to retain 

a large force, at least 15 divisions, in 

Europe, but was told that the American 

Army would be withdrawn as soon 

as possible. President Wilson finally 

agreed that American representation in 

the occupied territory would be a small 

detachment only, to be known as the 

“American Forces in Germany,” which 

would serve, as the French said, merely to 

keep the American flag on the Rhine.

By May 19, 1919, all American combat 

divisions, except five in occupied German 

territory, had received their embarkation 

orders to sail for American ports.

The units of the Army of Occupation 

were relieved as fast as practicable during 

the summer of 1919, and the 1st Division, 

the last large organization to leave for 

home, began its movement on August 15. 

With the dissolution of the Third Army 

on July 2, 1919, the “American Forces 

in Germany” consisting of about 6,800 

men came into being and remained on 

the Rhine for more than three years. The 

American f lag on Fort Ehrenbreitstein 

was finally lowered on January 24, 1923, 

when the last of the American troops in 

Germany entrained. The American zone 

was formally turned over to the French 

three days later on.

American Soldiers Embarking at St. Nazaire, December 6, 1918
General Headquarters of the A. E. F. at Chaumont
(495)

Location of General Headquarters:

Paris—June 13, 1917–Sept. 1, 1917.

Chaumont-en-Bassigny—Sept. 1, 1917–

July 11, 1919.

Paris—July 12, 1919–Sept. 1, 1919.

Location of First Army Headquarters:

La Ferté-sous-Jouarre—August 10, 

1918–August 13, 1918.

Neufchâteau—August 13, 1918–August 

28, 1918.

Ligny-en-Barrois—August 28, 1918– 

September 21, 1918.

Souilly—Sept. 21, 1918–Nov. 25, 1918.

Bar-sur-Aube—November 25, 1918– 

April 20, 1919.

Location of Second Army Hdqrs.:

Toul—Oct. 12, 1918–April 15, 1919.

Location of Headquarters, S. O. S.:

Paris—July 5, 1917–January 13, 1918.

Tours—Jan. 13, 1918–Aug. 31, 1919.

The United States and the Allies:

When the United States entered the World 

War it did not unite itself to any other nation 

by a treaty of alliance but merely associated 

itself with the Allies in their effort to defeat 

the Central Powers. Such being the case, the 

United States was not one of the “Allies” and 

is not included when that term is used alone.

The Supreme War Council:

The Supreme War Council was composed of 

the heads of the Governments of the United 

States, Great Britain, France and Italy, each with 

a civilian assistant and a military adviser. It was 

essentially a civilian agency and did not command 

the armies in the field. Its function was to establish 

unity of purpose among the great powers in the 

prosecution of the war. Consequently, it dealt 

principally with the general policies affecting the 

military situation, the character of operations to 

be undertaken in the various theaters of war and 

the allotment of man power, equipment, supplies 

and shipping to the various fronts upon which the 

Allied Armies were carrying on fighting.

Military Representatives who served on 

the Supreme War Council, November 7, 

1917, to November 11, 1918:

UNITED STATES

General Tasker H. Bliss.

GREAT BRITAIN

Lieutenant General Sir Henry H. Wilson 

to February 18, 1918.

General Sir Henry Rawlinson to March 

27, 1918.

Major General C. J. Sackville-West to 

after the Armistice.

FRANCE

General Ferdinand Foch to November 

29, 1917.

General Maxime Weygand to April 10, 1918.

General Emile Eugène Belin to after the 

Armistice.

ITALY

Lieutenant General Luigi Cadorna to 

February 7, 1918.

Lieutenant General Gaetano Giardino to 

April 16, 1918.

Lieutenant General Mario Nicolis di 

Robilant to after the Armistice.

Important governmental officials of 

nations engaged on the Western Front, 

April 6, 1917, to November 11, 1918:

UNITED STATES

President—Woodrow Wilson.

Secretary of State—Robert Lansing.

Secretary of War—Newton D. Baker.

Ambassador to Great Britain—Walter H. 

Page.

Ambassador to France—Wm. G. Sharp.

INTERESTING FACTS AND GENERAL INFORMATION

CONCER NING THE A MER ICA N E X PEDIT ION FORCES 

Chapter XIV
496 INTERESTING FACTS AND GENERAL INFORMATION

Ambassador to Italy—Thomas N. Page.

Minister to Belgium—Brand Whitlock.

GREAT BRITAIN

Reigning Sovereign—King George V.

Prime Minister—David Lloyd George.

Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs—

Arthur J. Balfour.

Secretary of State for War—

The Earl of Derby to Apr. 20, 1918.

Viscount Milner to after the Armistice.

Ambassador to United States—Sir Cecil 

A. Spring-Rice.

FRANCE

President—

Raymond Poincaré.

Premier—

Alexandre Ribot to September 13, 1917.

Paul Painlevé to November 11, 1917.

Georges Clemenceau from November 

17, 1917, to after the Armistice.

Minister of Foreign Affairs—

Alexandre Ribot to November 17,1917.

Stephen Pichon to after the Armistice.

Minister of War—

Paul Painlevé to November 17, 1917.

Georges Clemenceau from November 7, 

1917, to after the Armistice.

Ambassador to the United States—Jean 

J. Jusserand.

Ambassador to Great Britain—Paul 

Cambon.

ITALY

Reigning Sovereign—

King Victor Emmanuel III.

Prime Minister—

Paolo Boselli to October 20, 1917.

Vittorio Orlando from October 20, 1917, 

until after the Armistice.

Minister of Foreign Affairs—

Baron Sidney Sonnino.

Minister of War—

General Paolo Motrone to June 15, 1917.

General Gaetano Giardino from June 

16, 1917, to October 29, 1917.

General Vittorio Alfieri to Mar. 20, 1918.

General Vittorio Zupelli from March 

20, 1918, until after the Armistice.

Painting of the Permanent Military Representatives by Captain Dana Pond, February 14, 1919

Left to right: General di Robilant, Italy; General Tasker H. Bliss, U. S.;

General Belin, France; General Sackville-West, Great Britain
INTERESTING FACTS AND GENERAL INFORMATION 497

Ambassador to the United States—

Count Vincenzo Macchi di Cellere.

BELGlUM

[Temporary seat of government at Le

Havre, France]

Reigning Sovereign of the Kingdom—

King Albert I.

Premier—

Count de Broqueville to May 31, 1918.

G. Cooreman to after the Armistice.

Minister of Foreign Affairs—

Baron Beyens to August 4, 1917.

Count de Broqueville to Oct. 17, 1917.

P. Hymans until after the Armistice.

Minister of War—

Count de Broqueville to Aug. 4, 1917.

General de Ceuninck from August 4, 

1917, until after the Armistice.

Minister to United States—

Emmanuel Havenith to Apr. 12, 1917.

Emile E. de Cartier de Marchienne 

until after the Armistice.

GERMANY

Reigning Sovereign—Emperor William II.

Chancellor—

Theobald von Bethmann-Hollweg to 

July 14, 1911.

Dr. George Michaelis to Nov. 1, 1917.

Count von Hertling to Sept. 29, 1918.

Prince Max von Baden from October 3, 

1918, to after the Armistice.

Secretary of Foreign Affairs—

Arthur Zimmermann to Aug. 7, 1917.

Dr. Richard von Kühlmann from 

August 7, 1917, to July 9, 1918.

Paul von Hintze to October 3, 1918.

Dr. Wilhelm Solf to after the Armistice.

Minister of War—

Hermann von Stein to Oct. 9, 1918.

General Heinrich Scheüch from October 

9, 1918, until after the Armistice.

AUSTRIA-HUNGARY

Reigning Sovereign—Emperor Charles I.

Prime Minister—Count Heinrich ClamMartinic to June 21, 1917.

Dr. Ernst von Feuchtenegg from June 

23, 1917, to July 22, 1918.

Dr. Maximilian von Heinlein from July 

25, 1918, to October 27, 1918.

Dr. Heinrich Lammasch to Oct. 30, 1918.

Field Marshal von Hindenburg with General von Ludendorff and Members of His Staff
498 INTERESTING FACTS AND GENERAL INFORMATION

Minister of Foreign Affairs—

Count Ottokar Czernin to April 14, 

1918.

Baron Stephan von Rajecz from April 

16, 1918, to October 24, 1918.

Count Julius Andrassy to Nov. 2, 1918.

Dr. Ludwig von Flotow from November 

2, 1918, to after the Armistice.

Minister of War—General Alexander von 

Krobatin to April 8, 1917.

General Rudolf von Steinstatten from 

April 12, 1917, to October 30, 1918.

General-in-Chief of the Allied Armies:

On March 26, 1918, Marshal Ferdinand 

Foch of the French Army was designated 

to coordinate the action of the French and 

British Armies on the Western Front and 

on April 3 he was given strategic direction 

of the French, British and American 

Armies on that front. On April 14 he was 

given the official title of “General-inChief of the Allied Armies in France”, 

and on May 2 Italy agreed that he would 

exercise strategic direction of her armies. 

For ease of reference Marshal Foch’s 

position has been called in this book that 

of “Allied Commander-in-Chief ”.

Important military commanders in Europe, 

Apr. 6, 1917, to Nov. 11, 1918:

Commander-in-Chief, A. E. F.—General 

John J. Pershing.

Commander-in-Chief, B. E. F.—Field 

Marshal Sir Douglas Haig.

Commander-in-Chief, French Army— 

General Robert George Nivelle, to May 17, 

1917. General Henri Philippe Pétain from 

May 17, 1917, to after the Armistice.

Commander-in-Chief, Italian Army— 

General Luigi Cadorna, to November 

8, 1917. General Armando Diaz from 

November 8, 1917, to after the Armistice.

Commander-in-Chief, Belgian Army— 

King Albert I.

Commander-in-Chief, German Army— 

Although Emperor William II was nominally 

in command of the German Army, Field 

Marshal Paul von Hindenburg, as Chief of the 

General Staff of the Field Army, was actually 

in command.

Commander-in-Chief, Austro-Hungarian 

Army—Emperor Charles I was nominally 

in command but General Arz von 

Straussenburg, who held the position of 

Chief of Staff, was actually in command.

−− −− −− −− −− ✧ −− −− −− −− −−

Members of Supreme War Council, November 7, 1917, to November 11, 1918:

Country Permanent Representative Civilian Assistant

United States President Woodrow Wilson Edward M. House

Great Britain Prime Minister David Lloyd George Viscount Milner

France Premier Georges Clemenceau Stephen Pichon

Italy Prime Minister Vittorio Orlando Baron Sidney Sonnino

−− −− −− −− −− ✧ −− −− −− −− −−

American Army Commanders1

Name of Army Commander Period (1918)

First ....................General John J. Pershing........................................ Aug. 10–Oct. 16

Maj. Gen. Hunter Liggett2 .......................................Oct. 16–Nov. 11

Second.................Maj. Gen. Robert L. Bullard2 ..................................Oct. 12–Nov. 11

−− −− −− −− −− ✧ −− −− −− −− −−

American Corps Commanders1

Name of Corps Commander Period (1918)

I ..........................Maj. Gen. Hunter Liggett........................................ Jan. 20–Oct. 12

Maj. Gen. Joseph T. Dickman .................................Oct. 12–Nov. 11

II.........................Position vacant ...................................................... Feb. 24–June 15

Maj. Gen. George W. Read..................................... June 15–Nov. 11

1

 From date of organization until the Armistice. 2 Appointed Lieutenant Generals on Nov. 1, 1918.
INTERESTING FACTS AND GENERAL INFORMATION 499

III .......................Position vacant ......................................................Mar. 30–June 17

Maj. Gen. William M. Wright ................................. June 17–July 12

Maj. Gen. John E. McMahon3 ..................................July 12–July 14

Maj. Gen. Robert L. Bullard ................................... July 14–Oct. 12

Maj. Gen. John L. Hines .........................................Oct. 12–Nov. 11

 IV.......................Position vacant ...................................................... June 19–Aug. 18

Maj. Gen. Joseph T. Dickman ................................ Aug. 18–Oct. 12

Maj. Gen. Charles H. Muir......................................Oct. 12–Nov. 11

V .........................Maj. Gen. William M. Wright ................................. July 12–Aug. 18

Maj. Gen. George H. Cameron ............................... Aug. 18–Oct. 12

Maj. Gen. Charles P. Summerall..............................Oct. 12–Nov. 11

VI........................Position vacant ....................................................... Aug. 1–Aug. 26

Maj. Gen. Omar Bundy .......................................... Aug. 26–Sept.13

Position vacant ......................................................Sept. 13–Oct. 23

Maj. Gen. Charles C. Ballou .................................. Oct. 23–Nov. 10

Maj. Gen. Charles T. Menoher ............................... Nov. 10–Nov. 11

VII .................... Maj. Gen. William M. Wright..................................Aug. 19–Sept. 6

Position vacant ...................................................... Sept. 6–Sept. 13

Maj. Gen. Omar Bundy ..........................................Sept. 13–Oct. 25

Position vacant .......................................................Oct. 25–Nov. 11

−− −− −− −− −− ✧ −− −− −− −− −−

American Division Commanders

Name of Div. Commander Period 1

1 ........................ Maj. Gen. William L. Sibert .......................................Oct. 23, 19172–

Dec. 14, 1917

Maj. Gen. Robert L. Bullard....................................... Dec. 14, 1917–

Apr. 5, 1918

Brig. Gen. Beaumont B. Buck 3 .................................. Apr. 5–Apr. 13

Mai. Gen. Robert L. Bullard..................................... Apr. 13–July 15

Maj. Gen. Charles P. Summerall ............................... July 15–Oct. 12

Brig. Gen. Frank E. Bamford 3 .................................. Oct. 12–Oct. 18

Brig. Gen. Frank Parker ...........................................Oct. 18–Nov. 11

2 ....................... Maj. Gen. Omar Bundy ............................................Mar. 17–July 15

Maj. Gen. James G. Harbord .....................................July 15–July 26

Brig. Gen. John A. Lejeune, USMC 3 ......................... July 26–July 27

Maj. Gen. James G. Harbord .....................................July 27–July 28

Brig. Gen. John A. Lejeune, USMC 4 ......................... July 28–Nov. 11

3 ....................... Maj. Gen. Joseph T. Dickman ...................................May 31–Aug. 18

Brig. Gen. Fred W. Sladen 3 ......................................Aug. 18–Aug.27

Maj. Gen. Beaumont B. Buck................................... Aug. 27–Oct. 18

Brig. Gen. Preston Brown .........................................Oct. 18–Nov. 11

4 ....................... Maj. Gen. George H. Cameron.................................. July 18–Aug. 14

Brig. Gen. Benjamin A. Poore3 ..................................Aug. 14–Aug.27

Maj. Gen. John L. Hines.......................................... Aug. 27–Oct. 11

Maj. Gen. George H. Cameron.................................. Oct. 11–Oct. 22

Brig. Gen. Benjamin A. Poore 3 ................................. Oct. 22–Oct. 31

Maj. Gen. Mark L. Hersey ........................................ Oct. 31–Nov. 11

5 ........................ Maj. Gen. John E. McMahon ................................... June 142–Oct. 18

Maj. Gen. Hanson E. Ely ..........................................Oct. 18–Nov. 11 1

 1918 unless otherwise indicated. Other reference numerals used above are explained on the next page.
500 INTERESTING FACTS AND GENERAL INFORMATION

6 ........................ Maj. Gen. Walter H. Gordon ................................... Aug. 31–Nov. 11

7 ........................ Brig. Gen. Charles H. Barth .....................................Oct. 10–Oct. 24

Brig. Gen. Lutz Wahl3...............................................Oct. 24–Oct. 28

Maj. Gen. Edmund Wittenmyer ................................Oct. 28–Nov. 11

26 ..................... Maj. Gen. Clarence R. Edwards ................................. Feb. 6–Oct. 25

Brig. Gen. Frank E. Bamford....................................Oct. 25–Nov. 11

27 ...................... Maj. Gen. John F. O’Ryan ........................................ July 25–Nov. 11

28 ...................... Maj. Gen. Charles H. Muir ......................................... July 1–Oct. 23

Brig. Gen. Frank H. Albright 3..................................Oct. 23–Oct. 25

Maj. Gen. William H. Hay ........................................Oct. 25–Nov. 11

29 ...................... Maj. Gen. Charles G. Morton ................................... July 27–Nov. 11

30 ...................... Brig. Gen. Samson L. Faison 3 .................................. July 16–July 18

Maj. Gen. Edward M. Lewis ..................................... July 18–Nov. 11

32 ...................... Maj. Gen. William G. Haan ..................................... May 20–Nov. 11

33 ...................... Maj. Gen. George Bell, Jr. ....................................... June 23–Nov. 11

35 ...................... Brig. Gen. Nathaniel F. McClure ..............................June 20–July 20

Maj. Gen. Peter E. Traub ........................................... July 20–Nov. 1

Brig. Gen. Thomas B. Dugan 3 ................................... Nov. 1–Nov. 2

Maj. Gen. Peter E. Traub ...........................................Nov. 2–Nov. 11

36 ...................... Maj. Gen. William R. Smith .................................... Oct. 10–Nov. 11

37 ...................... Maj. Gen. Charles S. Farnsworth .............................. July 28–Nov. 11

42 ...................... Maj. Gen. Charles T. Menoher................................. Feb. 21–Nov. 10

Brig. Gen. Douglas MacArthur............................... Nov. 10–Nov. 11

77 ...................... Maj. Gen. George B. Duncan.................................... June 21–July 20

Brig. Gen. Evan M. Johnson 3 .................................. July 20–July 28

Maj. Gen. George B. Duncan....................................July 28–Aug. 19

Brig. Gen. Evan M. Johnson 3 ................................. Aug. 19–Aug. 27

Maj. Gen. Robert Alexander.................................... Aug. 27–Nov. 11

78 ...................... Maj. Gen. James H. McRae..................................... Sept. 16–Nov. 11

79 ...................... Maj. Gen. J oseph E. Kuhn ..................................... Sept. 16–Nov. 11

80 ...................... Maj. Gen. Adelbert Cronkhite .................................. July 23–Nov. 11

81 ...................... Maj. Gen. Charles J. Bailey .................................... Sept. 18–Nov. 11

82 ...................... Maj. Gen. William P. Burnham .................................. June 25–Oct. 4

Maj. Gen. George B. Duncan..................................... Oct. 4–Nov. 11

88 ...................... Maj. Gen. William Weigel....................................... Sept. 23–Nov. 11

89 ...................... Brig. Gen. Frank L. Winn.........................................Aug. 10–Sept. 6

Maj. Gen. William M. Wright ................................... Sept. 6–Nov. 11

90 ...................... Maj. Gen. Henry T. Allen ........................................Aug. 24–Nov. 11

91 ...................... Maj. Gen. William H. Johnston .............................. Sept. 22–Nov. 11

92 ...................... Maj. Gen. Charles C. Ballou ................................... Aug. 23–Nov. 11

2

 The first date which appears opposite each division is that of its first entry into line. It is not the date the 

division commander was appointed. 3 Temporarily in command. 4 Promoted to Maj. Gen. on Aug. 1, 1918.

American Division Commanders—Continued

Name of Div. Division Commander Period
INTERESTING FACTS AND GENERAL INFORMATION 501

Maximum number of miles of front line 

held at one time by American units:

101 miles on October 10, 1918.

Total length of the Western Front:

Oct. 1914—468 miles.

July 17, 1918—632 miles.

Maximum number of American divisions 

that saw action during any one week:

29 during second week of October 1918.

Approximate average actual strength of the 

various combat divisions on the Western 

Front during the year 1918:

American...................................... 25,500

British .......................................... 11,800

French .......................................... 11,400

German ........................................ 12,300

Greatest number of Americans that arrived 

in Europe during any single month:

313,410 during the month of July 1918.

Commanders of the Services of Supply:

Colonel David S. Stanley (temporary) , 

July 6, 1917–July 24, 1917.

Major General Richard M. Blatchford, 

July 26, 1917–November 1, 19 17.

Brigadier General Mason M. Patrick 

(temporary) from November 1, 1917, to 

November 27, 1917.

Major General Francis J. Kernan, 

November 27, 1917–July 29, 1918.

Major General James G. Harbord, July 

29, 1918–May 26, 1919.

Brigadier General William D. Connor, 

May 26, 1919–August 31, 1919.

Insignia used by units of the A. E. F.:

Various American units during the 

World War adopted colored insignia 

which after approval by G. H. Q. were 

used as the distinctive emblem of the unit. 

Cloth reproductions of these insignia were 

worn by the officers and men on the upper 

part of the left sleeve of their uniforms. 

The insignia were also often painted on 

the various pieces of transportation. The 

distinctive insignia used by the divisions 

and various other units of the American 

Expeditionary Forces are shown on the 

colored charts on the following pages.

−− −− −− −− −− ✧ −− −− −− −− −−

Miles of Western Front occupied by American and Allied forces in 1918

Date (1918) American British French 1 Belgian Total

Jan. 31 .......................................................6 116 323 23 468

Mar. 20 ................................................... 17 116 312 23 468

Mar. 30.................................................... 19 92 353 23 487

Apr. 10 .................................................... 31 92 348 23 494

Apr. 30 .................................................... 34 83 358 23 498

May 30 .................................................... 23 83 393 23 522

June 10 .................................................... 36 83 389 23 531

June 20 .................................................... 65 83 360 23 531

July 10..................................................... 62 92 354 23 531

July 20..................................................... 55 92 362 23 532

July 30..................................................... 68 92 318 23 501

Aug. 10 .................................................... 79 93 277 23 472

Aug. 20.................................................... 85 93 276 23 477

Aug. 30....................................................90 87 262 23 462

Sept. 10 ................................................... 98 87 241 23 449

Sept. 30 ................................................... 82 83 258 28 451

Oct. 10 .................................................. 101 83 244 15 443

Oct. 30 .................................................... 79 68 248 15 410

Nov. 11 .................................................... 83 70 214 25 392

1

 The sections of the front which were held by Italian and Portuguese divisions are included with French.

−− −− −− −− −− ✧ −− −− −− −− −−
502 INTERESTING FACTS AND GENERAL INFORMATION

Cumulative arrivals in Europe of American 

military personnel for the A. E. F.:

By May 31, 1917............................... 1,308

By June 30, 1917 ........................... 16,220

By July 31, 1917 ............................. 20,120

By Aug. 31, 1917 ............................ 39,383

By Sept. 30, 1917 ........................... 61,927

By Oct. 31, 1917............................. 92,265

By Nov. 30,1917 ............................129,623

By Dec. 31, 1917 ...........................183,896

By Jan. 31, 1918 ............................224,655

By Feb. 28, 1918 ...........................254,378

By Mar. 31, 1918 ...........................329,005

By Apr. 30, 1918 ...........................434,081

By May 31, 1918 ........................... 667,119

By June 30, 1918 .......................... 897,293

By July 31, 1918 ......................... 1,210,703

By Aug. 31, 1918 ........................ 1,473,190

By Sept. 30, 1918 ....................... 1,783,955

By Oct. 30, 1918 ........................ 1,986,618

By Nov. 11, 1918 ........................ 2,057,675

Actual combat strength of the A. E. F.:

Mar. 21, 1918................................162,482

May 27, 1918 ............................... 406,844

Aug. 10, 1918................................822,358

Sept. 12, 1918 .............................. 999,602

Oct. 12, 1918 ............................. 1,078,190

Nov. 11, 1918 ............................. 1,078,222

These figures include only combat 

troops and exclude the troops in the 

S. O. S., headquarters, schools, hospitals, 

liaison service and other special services.

Combat strength of A. E. F. by branch of 

service at the time of the Armistice:

Infantry and M.G. Battalions.... 646 ,000

Engineers ................................. 81,600

Signal Corps............................. 21,300

Air Service ............................... 34,800

Artillery ................................... 278,500

Tank Corps............................... 10,200

Amm. Trains, Q. M., etc............ 70,800

Medical Department ................ 1 152,300

Cavalry..................................... 6,000

Ordnance................................. 1 22,900

1

Including those on duty in the Services of Supply.

Total strength of A. E. F. on Nov. 11:

Its total strength was 1,981,701, In which 

were included 32,385 marines.

Percentage of total strength in various 

branches of the A. E. F., Nov. 1918:

Enlisted

Officers; Men

% of % of

total total

Infantry ............................ 23.83 32.40

Engineers ......................... 8.69 12.68

Field Artillery .................. 10.91 11.18

Casuals (all branches) ....... 3.39 10.81

Medical Dept. (Army) ....... 18.46 7.26

Quartermaster Corps........ 6.33 7.16

Coast Artillery Corps ....... 4.00 3.78

Air Service ....................... 7.30 3.11

Ammunition Trains........... 1.47 2.48

Signal Corps..................... 1.63 1.83

Supply Train s ................... 1.02 1.61

Ordnance Department ...... 1.53 1.16

Marines............................ 0.75 0.96

Headquarters Troops ........ 0.21 0.78

Military Police.................. 0.49 0.67

Hdqrs. Detachments ......... 0.00 0.55

Tank Corps....................... 0.91 0.50

Cavalry............................. 0.25 0.29

Postal Express Service ...... 0.15 0.15

Medical Dept. (Navy) ....... 0.07 0.02

G.H.Q. and General Staff.. 8.49 0.00

Number of civilians employed by A. E. F.:

42,644 at the time of the Armistice. 

Greatest number of American soldiers in 

hospitals in Europe at any one time :

190,564 men on November 7, 1918.

Provisions for hospitalization in A. E. F. :

On November 11, 1918, there were 

192,844 normal beds, which could have 

been increased in an emergency to 

276,547. There were 153 base hospitals, 66 

camp hospitals, 12 convalescent camps, 21 

hospital trains and 6,875 ambulances. 

First casualty of A. E. F.:

First Lieutenant Louis J. Genella, 

Medical Corps, suffered a shell wound 

on July 14, 1917, while serving with the 

British at the front southwest of Arras.




INTERESTING FACTS AND GENERAL INFORMATION 503

First soldiers of A. E. F. killed by enemy:

First Lieutenant William T. Fitzsimmons 

and Privates First Class Rudolph Rubino, 

Jr., Oscar C. Tugo and Leslie G. Woods, 

all of United States Base Hospital No. 5, 

lost their lives at 10:55 p. m., September 4, 

1917, when the Germans bombed a British 

hospital with which they were on duty 

near Dannes-Camiers.

First battle casualties of an American unit 

while it was serving at the front:

Sergeant Matthew R. Calderwood and 

Private William F. Branigan, both of 

Company F, 11th Engineers, were wounded 

by shellfire on September 5, 1917, while 

working on a railway near Gouzeaucourt. 

The 11th Engineers served with the British 

from August 1917 to June 13, 1918.

First American soldiers killed in action: 

Corporal James B. Gresham and Privates 

Thomas F. Enright and Merle D. Hay, all 

of the 16th Infantry, 1st Division, lost 

their lives when the German troops raided 

the American trenches at Bathelémont on 

November 2, 1917.

American Expedition to Siberia:

On August 15, 1918, the 27th Infantry 

arrived at Vladivostok, Siberia, from the 

Philippine Islands, followed one week later by 

the 31st Infantry from the same place. To these 

regiments were added medical, ordnance, 

transportation and other auxiliary units. The 

purposes of the expedition were threefold: to 

help the Czecho-Slovaks (who had been held 

as prisoners of war in Russia and were then 

in Siberia, liberated and partially organized) 

consolidate their forces and get in touch with 

their Slavic kinsmen; to steady any efforts 

at self-government or self-defense in which 

the Russians themselves might be willing 

to accept assistance; and to guard military 

stores which might subsequently be needed by 

any Russian forces which might be organized 

again to fight against the Central Powers. The 

expedition was withdrawn on April 1, 1920. 

As this book is concerned mainly with the 

American military operations and battlefields 

in Europe, the Siberian Expedition will not be 

described in more detail.

Lafayette Escadrille:

This organization was composed of 

Americans who volunteered to become 

aviators in the French Army before the 

United States entered the war. After 

the American forces reached France, 

90 of these early volunteers were finally 

commissioned in the American Army.

American Field Service:

This Service consisted of a group of 

American volunteer ambulance sections 

which joined the French forces early in 

the World War and a similar group of 

truck sections, known as the “Réserve 

Mallet”, organized immediately after 

the United States entered the war. By the 

time the first elements of the American 

Expeditionary Forces reached France, 

the American Field Service had grown 

to a strength of about 2,000 men, and in 

the fall of 1917 most of its personnel were 

enlisted or commissioned in the American 

Army. The Service was later increased 

to 81 ambulance sections and 24 truck 

sections. It did not serve with American 

troops but remained with the French 

Army until the termination of hostilities. 

Trench Maps Used by the A. E. F.:

Opposite pages 136 and 220 there appear 

sections of the l/20,000 (about 3” = 1 mile) 

trench map, called “plan directeur”, which 

was the principal map used by the Americans 

and French for battle operations during 

the war. These sections show terrain in the 

vicinity of Remenauville and Vauquois. 

Information concerning the Allies is shown 

in red and that of the Germans in blue. The 

full lines are trenches, the small squares 

are dugout entrances, the lines of small 

crosses represent bands of barbed wire, and 

the short, isolated, heavy lines with small 

projections on them are artillery positions. 

The horizontal and vertical lines form a 

grid which was the basis for a system of 

coordinates used to designate points on 

the map. These maps existed for almost the 

entire area of the Western Front and were 

constantly being revised as new information 

concerning the field fortifications of the 

enemy was obtained. 
504 INTERESTING FACTS AND GENERAL INFORMATION

All maps which showed the Allied 

trenches were secret. These were printed 

only in comparatively small numbers and 

had a limited distribution. The l/20,000 

map without the Allied trenches was the 

one mainly used by front-line units. Maps 

of this type of a scale l/10,000 and 1/5,000 

were also in quite common use.

Air Service of the A. E. F.:

In April 1918 the Air Service had three 

squadrons at the front. This number 

increased rapidly until the Armistice, 

when 45 American squadrons with 

740 planes were operating. 12 of these 

squadrons had been equipped with 

American-built planes. In November 1918 

the Air Service reached a total strength 

of 7,726 officers and 70,769 men; of these, 

446 officers and 6,365 men constituted 

the balloon section. 23 American balloon 

companies served at the front. American 

aviators brought down 753 enemy planes 

and 71 balloons which were officially 

confirmed. American losses to enemy 

aviators were 357 planes and 35 balloons. 

Largest concentration of aviation for an 

offensive during the war:

The concentration of American and 

Allied aviation for the St. Mihiel offensive 

in September 1918 was the largest 

during the war, consisting of 21 balloon 

companies and 701 pursuit planes, 366 

observation planes, 323 day-bombers and 

91 nightbombers, a grand total of 1,481 

planes.

No American-made cannon or shell was 

used by the American First Army:

Except for four 14-inch naval guns, the 

First Army throughout its entire service 

at the front did not fire a single cannon or 

shell which was made in America.

No tank of American manufacture was ever 

used on the Western Front:

All tanks operated by the American 

Army in the war were of French or British 

make. American manufacturers were just 

beginning to produce tanks in quantity 

when the Armistice became effective. 

Munitions which were provided by the 

Ordnance Department of the A. E. F.:

An idea of the munitions furnished for 

the A. E. F. by its Ordnance Department 

is given by the following figures, which 

indicate the total number of articles 

furnished but do not include the 

equipment and supplies brought with the 

American units when they disembarked 

in France:

600,000 rifles.

93,326 machine guns.

75,000 automatic rif les.

4,000 cannon.

10,000,000 rounds of art. ammunition.

Partial list of munitions which were 

purchased in France by the A. E. F.:

514 tanks.

1,190 155-millimeter howitzers.

3,035 75-millimeter guns.

9,592 Hotchkiss machine guns.

40,000 Chauchat automatic rifles.

2,909,200 trench-mortar shells.

3,000,000 bombs.

5,011,000 75-millimeter shells.

Partial list of munitions purchased from 

the British by the A. E. F.:

122 9.2-inch howitzers.

212 8-inch howitzers.

865 6-inch Newton mortars.

2,550 3-inch Stokes mortars.

Ammunition expended by the A. E. F. in 

actual combat with the enemy:

181,391,341 rounds, caliber .30 (rif le).

120,901,102 rounds, caliber 8-millimeter 

(automatic rifle).

21,385,164 rounds, caliber .45 (pistol).

2,274,229 rounds, caliber 37-millimeter.

7,550,835 rounds, caliber 75-millimeter.

1,983,937 rounds, calibers greater than 

75-millimeter.

2,724,067 grenades, all types.

362,911 bombs (Stokes mortar, etc.)

Record movement of mail in the A. E. F.:

In December 1918, the record month, 

a total of 131,900 sacks of mail were 

received by the A. E. F. and 25,532 bags of 

mail were sent to the United States.
INTERESTING FACTS AND GENERAL INFORMATION 505

Procurement of animals for the A. E. F.:

The procurement of horses and mules 

was a major problem and a shortage 

always existed. The following information 

gives the source, number purchased and 

average delivered cost of the animals 

which were secured for use of the A. E. F.:

United States.............. 67,825 $487.00

France ........................ 135,722 379.81

Great Britain .............. 21,030 411.26

Spain .......................... 18,462 435.00

Total ...................... 243,039 $416.63

Total cost of animals... $101,259,342.48

Rates paid the British Government for 

transporting American soldiers to Europe 

in vessels under its control:

Under the Reading-Hines Agreement 

made after the Armistice an February 11, 

1919, the United States agreed to pay the 

British Government the following rates 

for the American soldiers which it had 

previously transported to Europe:

1st class .................................. $176.30 

2d class................................... $128.65 

3d class................................... $76.24

Merchant shipping lost during the war:

12,946,000 gross tons of world merchant 

shipping were lost through hostile acts. 

This is almost one third of the world total 

as of July 1914. More than 3,250,000 tons 

of Allied shipping were destroyed during 

the five-month period from February 1 to 

June 30, 1917.

American troops landing in England:

Of all American troops which arrived 

in France, about 49 percent were landed 

in England, mainly at Liverpool, then 

moved by train to the English Channel 

and by boat across it to northern France.

Cost of war to the United States:

For the 25 months from April 1917 to 

May 1919 the war cost the United States 

more than $1,000,000 per hour. Its total 

expenditure, excluding loans to the Allies, 

was $22,000,000,000. At the time of the 

Armistice the cost was about $2,000,000 

per hour. The pay of officers and men 

amounted to only about 13 per cent of 

this amount. The total expenditure of 

22 billions was practically equal to the 

entire cost of running the United States 

Government from 1791 to 1914, inclusive.

Mail Call
506 INTERESTING FACTS AND GENERAL INFORMATION

Foreign loans made by the United States during and after the war:

The following table gives the status in 1937 of the foreign loans made by the United 

States during and after the World War. The last loan made was in 1929.

−− −− −− −− −− ✧ −− −− −− −− −−

United States Liquidation Commission:

The United States Liquidation Commission was created on February 11, 1919, to 

dispose of America’s surplus war stocks in 

Europe and to settle all claims against the 

United States. Supplies and equipment of 

the estimated value of $672,000,000 were 

returned to America. The balance of the 

stocks was sold in Europe for the sum of 

$822,923,225.82.

Sales were made as follows:

$108,700,000 for cash on delivery.

$532,500,000 to France.

$29,000,000 to Belgium.

$140,100,000 to Poland, Czecho-Slovakia 

and other countries of Central and 

Southern Europe and the Near East.

The most important sale consummated 

was what is known as the “Bulk Sale to 

France” of surplus war stocks in France 

which remained unsold on August 1, 1919, 

for the following considerations:

(a) $400,000,000 in 10-year 5% bonds.

(b) The assumption by France of all rents 

for installations accruing after August 

1, 1919, and the agreement of France to 

hold the United States harmless against 

all claims arising out of American occupation and use of such installations. 

(c) The waiver by France of all claims 

(estimated at $150,000,000) for taxes or 

customs duties on properties imported 

into France and sold after April 6, 1917.

Country Pre-Armistice cash 

loans

Post-Armistice

Total loans

Total payments 

received to Nov. 

Cash loans 1, 1937 War supplies and 

relief supplies

Armenia............... ........................... ........................... $11,959,917.49 $11,959,917.49 ...........................

Austria ................. ........................... ........................... 24,055,708.92 24,055,708.92 $862,668.00

Belgium................ $171,780,000 $177,434,467.89 29,872,732.54 379,087,200.43 52,191,273.24

Cuba..................... 10,000,000 ........................... ........................... 10,000,000.00 12,286,751.58

Czecho-Slovakia ........................... 61,974,041.10 29,905,629.93 91,879,671.03 20,134 ,092.26

Estonia................. ........................... ........................... 13,999,145.60 13,999,145.60 1,248,432.07

Finland ................ ........................... ........................... 8,281,926.17 8,281,926.17 4,868,891.77

France .................. 1,970,000,000 1,027,477,800.00 407,341,145.01 3,404,818,945.01 486,075,891.00

Great Britain ....... 3,696,000,000 581,000,000.00 ........................... 4,277,000,000.00 2,024,848,817.09

Greece.................. ........................... 1

 27,167,000.00 ........................... 27,167,000.00 3,778,384.01

Hungary............... ........................... ........................... 1,685,835.61 1,685,835.61 468,466.32

Italy...................... 1,031,000,000 617,034,050.90 ........................... 1,648,034,050.90 100,829,880.16

Latvia................... ........................... ........................... 5,132,287 .14 5,132,287.14 761,549.07

Liberia ................. ........................... 26,000.00 ........................... 26,000.00 36,471.56

Lithuania ............. ........................... ........................... 4,981,628.03 4,981,628.03 1,237,956.58

Nicaragua ............ ........................... ........................... 431,849.14 431,849.14 168,575.84

Poland.................. ........................... ........................... 2

 159,666,972.39 159,666,972.39 22,646,297.55

Rumania .............. ........................... 25,000,000.00 12,911,152.92 37,911,152.92 4,791,007.22

Russia................... 3

 187,729,750 ........................... 4,871,547.37 192,601,297.37 8,750,311.88

Yugoslavia ........... 10,605,000 16,175,465.56 24,978,020.99 51,758,486.55 2,588,771.69

Total............ 7,077,114,750 2,533,288,825.45 740,075,499.25 10,350,479,074.70 2,748,574,488.89

1

 Includes $12,167,000 authorized under act of Feb. 14, 1929.

2

 Includes $3,736,628.42 acquired by U. S. Shipping Board Emergency Fleet Corp. for services rendered.

3

 Exclusive of $5,000,000 conditional advance not availed of and returned.
INTERESTING FACTS AND GENERAL INFORMATION 507

German Debt to the United States: 

Germany is indebted to the United 

States for the costs of the American 

Army of Occupation and the awards of 

the Mixed Claims Commission (United 

States and Germany). This indebtedness 

was originally funded at 3,169,700,000 

reichsmarks, which at the present (1937) 

rate of exchange, 40.33 cents to the 

reichsmark, is more than $1,250,000,000. 

The total payments of principal and interest 

received from Germany on this debt to 

November 1, 1937, was $33,587,809.69.

“The Stars and Stripes”:

This was the service newspaper of the 

American Expeditionary Forces, written, 

edited and published by men from the 

ranks. The first number was issued in 

Paris on February 8, 1918. The paper 

appeared weekly thereafter until June 

13, 1919. It was one of the greatest aids 

in keeping up the spirit and morale of 

the men overseas, and at the height of its 

popularity had a circulation of 522,000.

Welfare Organizations with the A. E. F.:

There were seven welfare organizations 

operating officially in the A. E. F. Their 

names and the maximum number of 

workers who served in each are given below. 

The total of the list is 12,585. 

Young Men’s Christian Assn. ....... 5,861

American Red Cross .................... 5,500

Knights of Columbus ................... 800

Salvation Army............................ 200

Young Women’s Christian Assn.... 136

Jewish Welfare Board................... 68

American Library Association ..... 20

The Armistice with Germany:

The Armistice with Germany was signed 

at 5:00 a. m. on November 11, 1918. It 

originally covered a period of 36 days, 

with provisions for extension, and in the 

event of noncompliance with its terms 

was subject to being terminated by either 

party on 48 hours’ notice. It was extended 

and modified several times after it became 

effective on November 11.

The articles of the Armistice provided for 

The Y. M. C. A. Was Always Ready to Lead a Song,

Château-Thierry, August 13, 1918
508 INTERESTING FACTS AND GENERAL INFORMATION

the cessation of hostilities six hours after 

signature; evacuation within a prescribed 

time of all invaded and occupied territory 

in Belgium, Luxemburg and France 

(including Alsace-Lorraine); withdrawal 

of German Armies then operating in 

Russia, Austria-Hungary, Rumania, 

Turkey and East Africa; retirement across 

the Rhine, within 31 days after signature, 

of the German Armies on the Western 

Front to a line in rear of a neutral zone 

6 miles wide, parallel to the right bank 

of the Rhine River from the Dutch to the 

Swiss border; occupation by American 

and Allied Armies, at the expense of 

the German Government, of German 

territory up to the Rhine and including 

bridgeheads at Mayence, Coblenz and 

Cologne; the evacuations and withdrawals 

to be attended by no destruction of 

property or injury to inhabitants; nonreciprocal return of prisoners, whether 

military, naval or civilian, including 

hostages and sentenced persons: 

restitution of all seized property and 

payment of damages; surrender in good 

condition of the following equipment: 

2,500 pieces of heavy artillery and an 

equal number of field artillery, 25,000 

machine guns, 3,000 trench mortars, 1,700 

planes including all night-bombardment 

planes, 5,000 locomotives, 15,000 railroad 

cars and 5,000 trucks.

In addition Germany agreed immediately 

to disarm and, within seven days, intern 

10 battleships, 6 battle cruisers, 8 light 

cruisers and 50 destroyers. All other 

naval vessels were to be assembled and 

disarmed, submarines in particular 

were to proceed intact within 14 days to 

designated ports for surrender. Location 

and movements of all ships at sea, naval 

or merchant marine, were to be reported, 

while all merchant ships that had been 

seized were to be returned without 

reciprocity and in good condition. All 

boats and naval supplies along the 

Belgian coast were to be abandoned to 

the Allies. Moreover, the Germans were 

to surrender all Russian vessels of war or 

commerce and all naval supplies that had 

been seized in the Black Sea. Germany 

First Edition of “The Stars and Stripes”
INTERESTING FACTS AND GENERAL INFORMATION 509

was to cease all requisitioning, seizures 

or coercive measures to procure supplies 

in Rumania and Russia for use at home. 

The Allies were to have free access to 

evacuated areas of the Eastern Front via 

Danzig and the Vistula River to enable 

them to supply food to the populations 

and maintain order among them.

Armistices with Bulgaria, Turkey and 

Austria-Hungary:

The armistices with these countries in 

1918 were effective at the following times:

Bulgaria—12:00 noon, September 29. 

Turkey—12:00 noon, October 31. 

Austria-Hungary—3:00 p.m., Nov. 4. 

The United States had never declared war 

on Bulgaria or Turkey and consequently 

was not a party when the armistices with 

these two countries were made.

Official termination of the World War:

The war with Germany and AustriaHungary was officially terminated by a 

joint resolution of Congress approved 

July 2, 1921. Later, separate treaties of 

peace were concluded between the United 

States on the one hand and Germany, 

Austria and Hungary on the other. The 

Treaty of Berlin, with Germany, became 

effective on November 11, 1921; the Treaty 

of Vienna, with Austria, on November 8, 

1921; and the Treaty of Budapest, with 

Hungary, on Dec. 17, 1921.

Treaty of Versailles:

On account of the complicated problems 

involved, the Allied and Associated 

Powers were obliged to abandon the 

original plan of a general treaty with all 

of the enemy states and to treat with each 

one of these states separately.

The treaty of peace terminating the war 

with Germany was signed at Versailles, 

June 28, 1919, by the representatives of 26 

Allied and Associated Powers on the one 

hand and Germany on the other. China 

refused to sign the treaty. In ratifications 

of this treaty exchanged on January 

10, 1920, the United States was not a 

participating party.

Important among the provisions of the 

treaty was the Covenant of the League 

of Nations. The League was to function 

at Geneva under a Council and an 

Assembly, with a permanent Secretariat. 

The Covenant provided for the placing 

under various powers as mandatories 

the administration of the former 

German colonies. Provision was made 

for guaranteeing the territorial integrity 

and political independence of all League 

Red Cross Station Giving Refreshments at Cheppy, October 10, 1918
510 INTERESTING FACTS AND GENERAL INFORMATION

members, including Germany, against 

external aggression. Reduction and 

limitation of national armaments were 

planned and members agreed to take 

common action against any nation 

threatening peace, to submit serious 

disputes to arbitration and mutually to 

apply financial, economic and military 

sanctions against any member resorting 

to war in disregard of its covenants.

The boundaries of Germany were 

determined, her political status with 

reference to other European states, 

both old and new, particularly Poland 

and Czecho-Slovakia, was established, 

Alsace-Lorraine was restored to French 

sovereignty as from November 11, 1918, 

and the coal mines of the Saar basin were 

ceded to France as compensation for 

German damage to French mines and as 

part payment toward the total reparation 

due. The government of the Saar basin was 

to pass from Germany to an international 

commission representing the League and 

a plebiscite of the inhabitants after 15 

years was to determine their eventual 

political status. Germany acknowledged 

the independence of Austria and pledged 

herself strictly to respect it.

Germany was forbidden to maintain 

or construct any fortifications either on 

the left bank of the Rhine or on the right 

bank to the west of a line about 30 miles 

to the east of that river, or to maintain or 

assemble any armed force in that area, 

under penalty of being regarded as having 

committed a hostile act calculated to 

disturb the peace of the world. Her army, 

reduced to 100,000 and not more than seven 

infantry and three cavalry divisions, was 

to be devoted exclusively to maintenance 

of domestic order and frontier control. 

Conscription was abolished and strict 

limitations were imposed on the 

manufacture or importation of armament, 

ammunition and equipment; military and 

naval aviation were forbidden and the 

acquisition or construction of submarines 

was prohibited. The military and naval 

establishments were fixed so low in 

personnel and matériel as effectively to 

prevent an offensive war.

The treaty publicly arraigned the 

former German Emperor William II for 

a supreme offence against international 

morality and the sanctity of treaties, and 

arranged for the constituting of a special 

tribunal for his trial and punishment.

It further placed upon Germany and 

her allies responsibility for reparation 

for all losses and damages sustained by 

the Allied and Associated Powers and 

their nationals as a consequence of the 

aggression of the enemy. The amount of 

such reparation was to be determined by 

an Inter-Allied Reparation Commission.

German ports and inland waterways, 

including the Kiel Canal, were opened to 

the nationals of all Allied and Associated 

Powers on a footing of complete equality 

with the citizens of Germany.

There were other provisions of a 

political, financial, economic and social 

character too numerous to enumerate 

here which with the foregoing made this 

treaty of 440 articles the most voluminous 

document of its kind in modern times.

Decorations and Medals:

The United States Government awarded 

various decorations and one service medal 

for service during the World War. These 

decorations and the medal are shown on 

the chart on the following page and are 

described below. Decorations which could 

be awarded for service in either peace or 

war, for acts not directly incident to the 

war, have not been reproduced on the chart.

Decorations which were awarded through 

the War Department:

Medal of Honor, presented by the 

President, in the name of Congress, to 

persons who, while members of the Army, 

distinguished themselves conspicuously 

by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk 

of life above and beyond the call of duty 

while in action involving actual conf lict 

with an armed enemy.

Distinguished Service Cross, presented 

to persons serving with the Army who 

distinguished themselves by extraordinary 

heroism in connection with military 

operations against an armed enemy.


INTERESTING FACTS AND GENERAL INFORMATION 511

Distinguished Service Medal, awarded 

to persons serving with the Army who 

distinguished themselves by exceptionally 

meritorious service to the Government in 

a position of great responsibility.

Silver Star, awarded to persons who 

were cited for gallantry in action in orders 

issued from the headquarters of a force 

normally commanded by a general off icer, 

or issued by the War Department, which 

citation does not warrant the award of a 

Medal of Honor or Distinguished Service 

Cross. This decoration was originally a 

small silver star worn on the ribbon of a 

service medal, but in 1932 it was replaced 

by a separate medal.

Purple Heart, awarded to persons who 

performed singularly meritorious acts of 

extraordinary fidelity or essential service. 

A wound which necessitated treatment by 

a medical officer and which was received 

in action is considered as resulting from 

a singularly meritorious act of essential 

service. This decoration was established 

by General George Washington in 1782 

but was subsequently allowed to lapse. 

It was reinstituted in 1932 on the 200th 

anniversary of Washington’s birth.

Oak-Leaf Cluster. Not more than one 

of each of the decorations named above 

could be awarded to any one person, but 

for each succeeding act or achievement 

sufficient to justify the award of the 

decoration, a bronze Oak-Leaf Cluster 

was presented to be worn on the ribbon of 

the medal previously awarded.

Decorations which were awarded through 

the Navy Department:

Medal of Honor (new), presented by the 

President, in the name of Congress, to 

persons who distinguished themselves 

conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity 

at the risk of life above and beyond the 

call of duty and without detriment to 

the mission of their commands, while in 

action involving conf lict with the enemy.

Distinguished Service Medal, presented 

to persons in the naval service who 

distinguished themselves by exceptionally 

meritorious service to the Government in 

duty of great responsibility.

Navy Cross, presented to persons who 

distinguished themselves by extraordinary 

heroism or distinguished service in the 

line of their profession, such heroism or 

service not being sufficient to justify the 

award of either a Medal of Honor or a 

Distinguished Service Medal.

Gold Star, awarded by the Navy 

Department under conditions identical 

to those for which the War Department 

awards the Oak-Leaf Cluster and worn 

similarly on the ribbons of the medals.

Victory Medal:

Awarded to all persons in the military and 

naval services who were on active duty at any 

time between April 6, 1917, and November 11, 

1918, or who were members of the American 

Expedition to Siberia or Northern Russia 

after November 11, 1918. Clasps are worn on 

the ribbon of this service medal to indicate 

the major operations, defensive sectors, 

country or type of naval duty in which the 

World War service was performed.

Foreign decorations which were awarded to 

a number of American soldiers:

Many Americans received decorations 

from the Allied Governments during 

the World War. The foreign decorations 

most commonly awarded to Americans 

are shown on the chart facing this page. 

These were given to Americans for the 

same general reasons that they were given 

to the individuals of the Allied country 

concerned. The particular medals shown 

on the chart were awarded as follows:

Great Britain:

Military Cross—To army officers of 

junior rank for heroism in action.

Distinguished Conduct Medal—To 

enlisted men of the army for conspicuous 

gallantry on the field of battle.

Military Medal—To enlisted men of the 

army for meritorious action under fire.

France:

Legion of Honor—For extraordinary and 

distinguished service, civil or military. 

Awards are made in various grades.

Medaille Militaire—To enlisted men and 

generals of the army for signal acts of valor 

or especially meritorious service.
Officers and Men Being Presented with Medal of Honor at Chaumont, February 9, 1919

Left to Right: Captains Edward C. Allworth, George H. Mallon, George G. McMurtry, 1st Lieutenants Samuel Woodfill, Harold A. Furlong,

2d Lieutenant Donald M. Call, 1st Sergeants Johannes S. Anderson, Sydney G. Gumpertz, Sergeants Willie Sandlin, Archie A. Peck, Harold I. Johnston,

Corporals Frank J. Bart, Jesse N. Funk, Berger H. Loman, Private 1st Class Charles D. Barger, Privates Thomas C. Neibaur, Clayton K. Slack
INTERESTING FACTS AND GENERAL INFORMATION 513

Croix de Guerre—To officers and 

enlisted men of the army for meritorious 

acts performed in the theater of operations.

Belgium:

Order of Leopold—For extraordinary 

and distinguished service, civil or military. 

Awards are made in various grades.

Croix de Guerre—To officers and 

enlisted men of the army for meritorious 

acts performed in the theater of operations.

Italy:

War Cross—For war deeds of heroism.

The Constitution of the United States 

forbids the acceptance of foreign 

decorations by the members of its 

government or of its armed forces 

without the consent of Congress. This 

authorization was granted by Congress 

through one general law in the case of all 

Allied decorations presented to members 

of the military forces of the United States 

during or within one year after the World 

War.

American units which were awarded French 

decorations during the war:

The French Government awarded 

decorations for especially meritorious 

conduct in action during the war to 156 

American units varying in size from a 

section to a brigade. These decorations 

were the fourragère and the Croix de 

Guerre with various combinations of 

palms and gilt, silver and bronze stars. 

The American unit to which such an 

award has been made is authorized by the 

American Government to place on its f lag 

a silk streamer 23⁄4 inches wide and not less 

than 3 feet nor more than 4 feet long, or 

on its guidon a smaller streamer, which is 

attached to the staff near the spearhead. 

One streamer is used for each award and 

on each streamer, which is in the colors 

of the decoration, are embroidered the 

names commemorating the actions for 

which the unit was cited.

Under French regulations, an 

organization twice decorated with a Croix 

de Guerre with palm was entitled, upon 

issuance of orders by the French Ministry of 

War, to a braided and knotted cord, called 

a fourragère, in the green and red colors 

of the Croix de Guerre. An organization 

which received the Croix de Guerre with 

four palms was likewise entitled to a 

fourragère in the yellow and green colors of 

the Médaille Militaire. American units so 

decorated are authorized by the American 

Government to wear the fourragere. In 

these units the fourragère is placed with 

the streamers on the flag or guidon and 

all members of the organization wear 

the fourragère on the left shoulder of the 

uniform as long as they remain members 

of the organization. Individuals are also 

awarded the fourragère as a personal 

decoration under conditions similar to 

those pertaining to an organization. At 

ceremonies the decoration itself may 

be placed on the streamer of the flag or 

guidon of an organization to which the 

award has been made.

For each citation after the award of a 

Croix de Guerre, a palm or a gilt, silver 

or bronze star was awarded instead of 

another Croix de Guerre medal.

The following list shows the awards 

received by all American units decorated 

by the French for service during the World 

War. These are arranged in order of the 

relative rank of the award.

Fourragère and Croix de Guerre with 4 

Palms, 1 Gilt Star and 1 Silver Star: Amb. 

Serv. Sec. No. 646.1

Fourragère and Croix de Guerre with 

2 Palms, 1 Gilt Star and 1 Bronze Star: 

Amb. Serv. Sec. No. 625.

Fourragère and Croix de Guerre with 2 

Palms and 1 Gilt Star: 5th Marines, 6th 

Marines, 2d M. G. Bn., 3d M. G. Bn., 2d 

Field Signal Bn.

Fourragère and Croix de Guerre with 2 

Palms: 9th Inf., 16th Inf., 18th Inf., 23d 

Inf., 26th Inf., 28th Inf., 1st M. G. Bn., 4th 

M. G. Bn., 5th M. G. Bn., 6th M. G. Bn. 

(Marines), 5th F. A., 6th F. A., 7th F. A., 

12th F. A., 15th F. A., 17th F. A., 2d Trench 

Mortar Battery, 1st Engrs., 2d Engrs.,

1

 Partial list of the abbreviations which are used: 

Amb.—Ambulance M. G.—Machine Gun

Bn.—Battalion Plat.—Platoon

Det.—Detachment Sec.—Section

F. A.—Field Artillery Serv.—Service

Hdqrs.—Headquarters Tn.—Train
514 INTERESTING FACTS AND GENERAL INFORMATION

1st Field Signal Bn., Hdqrs. 2nd Hdqrs. 

Det. 2d Division, Hdqrs. and Hdqrs. Det. 

3d Inf. Brig., Hdqrs. and Hdqrs. Det. 4th 

Brig. (Marines), Hdqrs. and Hdqrs. Det. 

2d F. A. Brig., Hdqrs. Troop 2d Division, 

2d Military Police Co., 2d Tn. Hdqrs., 2d 

Ammunition Tn., 2d Engr. Tn., 2d Supply 

Tn., 2d Sanitary Tn., 2d Mobile Ordnance 

Repair Shop, Mobile Veterinary Sec. No. 

2, 103d Aero Squadron (formerly Lafayette 

Escadrille), Ambulance Service Section No. 

539, Services attached to 2d Division: Foden 

Disinfecting Squad No. 17, Machine Shop 

Truck Units No. 303 and 363, Military Postal 

Express Serv. Det., Mobile Surgical Unit No. 

3, Railhead Detachment, Sales Commissary 

Unit No. 1, Salvage Squad No. 2, Veterinary 

Field Units Numbers 1, 2 and 3.

Croix de Guerre with 2 Palms: Ambulance 

Service Section No. 567.

Croix de Guerre with 1 Palm and 1 Gilt 

Star: Ambulance Service Section No. 523.

Croix de Guerre with 1 Palm and 2 Silver 

Stars: Ambulance Service Sections No. 

626, 629 and 633.

Croix de Guerre with 1 Palm and 1 Silver 

Star: Ambulance Service Sections No. 621 

and 622.

Croix de Guerre with 1 Palm: 3d Inf. 

Brig., 4th Brig. (Marines), 63d Inf. Brig., 

64th Inf. Brig., 30th Inf., 38th Inf., 125th 

Inf., 126th Inf., 127th Inf., 128th Inf., 353d 

Inf., 371st Inf., 372d Inf., 1st Bn. 102d Inf., 

Co. I 9th Inf., Co. L 9th Inf., Co. F 167th 

Inf., Co. C 370th Inf., a composite Plat. 

Co. A 111th Inf., 2d Plat. Co. B 111th Inf., 

7th M. G. Bn., 9th M. G. Bn., 119th M. 

G. Rn., 120th M. G. Bn., 121st M. G. Bn, 

Battery H 53d Coast Artillery, 6th Engrs., 

302d Engrs., Co. C 56th Engrs., 91st Aero 

Squadron, 94th Aero Squadron, Amb. 

Serv. Secs. No. 504, 525, 544, 546, 583, 631 

and 648.

Croix de Guerre with 1 Gilt Star and 1 

Silver Star: Ambulance Service Sections 

No. 516, 534 and 635.

Croix de Guerre with 1 Gilt Star: 4th 

Inf., 7th Inf., 39th Inf., 104th Inf., Co. F 

9th Inf., Co. G 9th Inf., 4th Plat. Co. K 

9th Inf., 2d Plat. Co. C 308th Inf., Stokrs 

Mortar Sec. Hdqrs. Co. 102d Inf., 10th 

F. A., 18th F. A., 76th F. A., 147th F. A., 

Battery D 17th F. A., 308th Trench Mortar 

Battery, 1st Anti-Aircraft M. G. Rn., 

Ambulance Service Sections No. 7, 585, 

638 and 642.

Croix de Guerre with 2 Silver Stars and 3 

Bronze Stars: Ambulance Service Section 

No. 628.

Croix de Guerre with 2 Silver Stars: 

Amb. Serv. Sections No. 591 and 636.

Croix de Guerre with 1 Silver Star and 1 

Bronze Star: Ambulance Service Sections 

No. 553 and 623.

Croix de Gurrre with 1 Silver Star: 369th 

Inf., 1st and 2d Plats. Co. B 168th Inf., 

Stokes Mortar Sec. Hdqrs. Co. 168th Inf., 

8th M. G. Bn., 119th F. A., 120th F. A., 

121st F. A., 5th Field Signal Bn., Mobile 

Hospital No. 1, Evacuation Hospital No. 

7, Ambulance Service Sections No. 503, 

510, 533, 535, 558, 568, 580, 586, 627, 632, 

634, 63’ 7, 639, 640, 641, 643, 644 and 645.

Croix de Guerre with 1 Bronze Star:

Headquarters and Supply Co. 1st 

Battalion Anti-Aircraft Artillery, 

Ambulance Service Sections Numbers 593 

and 594.

United States Steamships George Washington, America and De Kalb in Convoy, May 18, 1918
(515)

REGULAR ARMY DIVISIONS

Div.

Date Div. 

Hdqrs. 

arrived in 

France

Battle 

deaths 

and died 

of wounds

Wounded Locality from which division was originally raised

(Many divisions were reorganized prior to sailing to Europe)

1 June 26, 1917 4,993 17,324 At large.

2 1

 5,155 2 18,080 At large. (Included one brigade of marines.) Division formed in France in 1917.

3 Apr. 4, 1918 3,401 12,000 At large.

4 May 17,1918 2,903 9,917 Do.

5 May 1, 1918 2,120 6,996 Do.

6 July 22, 1918 68 318 Do.

7 Aug. 11, 1918 287 1,422 Do.

8 Nov. 9, 1918 At large. (Part arrived in France just prior to Armistice.)

NATIONAL GUARD DIVISIONS

26 Oct. 28, 1917 2,281 11,383 New England.

27 May 31, 1918 1,829 6,505 New York.

28 May 18, 1918 2,874 11,265 Pennsylvania.

29 June 28, 1918 1,053 4,517 New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, District of Columbia.

30 May 24, 1918 1,641 6,774 Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina.

31 Oct. 15, 1918 Georgia, Alabama and Florida. (Became 7th Depot Division.)

32 Feb. 20, 1918 3,028 10,233 Michigan and Wisconsin.

33 May 24,1918 993 5,871 Illinois.

34 Oct. 3, 1918 Nebraska, Iowa. North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota. (Personnel used as 

replacements.)

35 May 11, 1918 1,298 5,998 Missouri and Kansas.

36 July 30, 1918 591 1,993 Texas and Oklahoma.

37 June 23, 1918 1,066 4,321 Ohio.

38 Oct. 4, 1918 Indiana, Kentucky and West Virginia. (Personnel used as replacements.)

39 Aug. 27, 1918 Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana. (Became 5th Depot Division.

40 Aug. 24, 1918 California, Colorado, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico. (Became 6th Depot Division.)

41 Dec. 31, 1917 93 315 Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, North Dakota, South 

Dakota, New Mexico and District of Columbia. (Became 1st Depot Division.)

42 Nov. 1, 1917 2,810 11,873 Composite division from 26 States and District of Columbia.

NATIONAL ARMY DIVISIONS

76 July 16, 1918 4 22 New England and New York. (Became 3d Depot Division.)

77 Apr. 13, 1918 2,110 8,084 New York City and vicinity.

78 June 8, 1918 1,530 5,614 New York, New Jersey and Delaware.

79 July 16, 1918 1,517 5,357 Pennsylvania, Maryland and District of Columbia.

80 May 30, 1918 1,241 4,788 Virginia, West Virginia and Pennsylvania.

81 Aug. 16, 1918 248 856 North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida.

82 May 13, 1918 1,413 6,664 Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee.

3

 83 June 17, 1918 67 257 Ohio and Pennsylvania. (Became 2d Depot Division.)

84 Sept. 25, 1918 Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois. (Personnel used as replacements.)

4

 85 Aug. 10, 1918 145 281 Michigan and Wisconsin. (Became 4th Depot Division.)

86 Sept. 23, 1918 Illinois and Wisconsin. (Personnel used as replacements.)

87 Sept. 9, 1918 Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

88 Sept. 4, 1918 20 58 North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois.

89 June 21, 1918 1,466 5,625 Kansas, Missouri, South Dakota, Nebraska, Arizona, Colorado and

New Mexico.

90 July 7, 1918 1,496 6,053 Texas and Oklahoma.

91 July 23, 1918 1,454 4,654 Montana, Nevada, Wyoming, Utah, Washington, Oregon, California and Idaho.

92 June 19, 1918 182 1,465 Colored troops (various states).

93 Mar. 5, 1918 591 2,943 Colored National Guard and other troops (various states) four

infantry regiments only.

Other troops............. 976 2,802

52,947 202,628

1

 Includes 2454 Marine Corps and 18 Navy serving with the Marine Corps.

2

 Includes 8894 Marine Corps and 123 Navy serving with the Marine Corps.

3

 332d Infantry of this division went to Italy in July 1918 and saw active service.

4

 339th Infantry of this division served at Archangel, Russia, for a time.

AMERICAN DIVISIONS SENT TO EUROPE

THEIR DATES OF ARRIVAL, CASUALTIES AND LOCALITIES

FROM WHICH ORIGINALLY RAISED
(516)

Div. Popular Nickname

Numeral Designation of Units in Division

Inf. Brigades Inf. Regiments F.A. 

Brig. F.A. Regts.

1 None.................................. 1, 2.................. 16, 18, 26, 28.............................. 1 5, 6, 7 ...............................

2 None.................................. 3, 4.................. 9, 23, 5, 6.................................... 2 12, 15, 17..........................

3 Marne................................ 5, 6.................. 4, 7, 30, 38.................................. 3 10, 18, 76..........................

4 Ivy ..................................... 7, 8 .................. 39, 47, 58, 59 .............................. 4 13, 16, 77..........................

5 Red Diamond ................... 9, 10 ................ 60, 61, 6, 11 ................................ 5 19, 20, 21..........................

6 None.................................. 11, 12............... 51, 52, 53, 54 .............................. 6 3, 11, 78............................

7 None.................................. 13, 14 .............. 55, 56, 34, 64.............................. 7 8, 79, 80 ...........................

8 Pathfinder......................... 15, 16............... 12, 62, 8, 13................................ 8 2, 81, 83............................

26 Yankee .............................. 51, 52 .............. 101, 102, 103, 104....................... 51 101, 102, 103 ....................

27 New York.......................... 53, 54 .............. 105, 106, 107, 108....................... 52 104, 105, 106 ....................

28 Keystone ........................... 55, 56 .............. 109, 110, 111, 112........................ 53 107, 108, 109 ....................

29 Blue and Gray................... 57, 58 .............. 113, 114, 115, 116........................ 54 110, 111, 112 .....................

30 Old Hickory...................... 59, 60 .............. 117, 118, 119, 120........................ 55 113, 114, 115.....................

31 Dixie ................................. 61, 62 .............. 121, 122, 123, 124....................... 56 116, 117, 118 .....................

32 Iron Jaws........................... 63, 64 .............. 125, 126, 127, 128....................... 57 119, 120, 121.....................

33 Prairie ............................... 65, 66 .............. 129, 130, 131, 132 ....................... 58 122, 123, 124....................

34 Sandstorm......................... 67, 68 .............. 133, 134, 135, 136....................... 59 125, 126, 127....................

35 None.................................. 69, 70 .............. 137, 138, 139, 140 ....................... 60 128, 129, 130 ....................

36 Lone Star .......................... 71, 72 .............. 141, 142, 143, 144 ....................... 61 131, 132, 133.....................

37 Buckeye............................. 73, 74 .............. 145, 146, 147, 148 ....................... 62 134, 135, 136 ....................

38 Cyclone ............................. 75, 76 .............. 149, 150, 151, 152 ....................... 63 137, 138, 139 ....................

39 Delta ................................. 77, 78 .............. 153, 154, 155, 156 ....................... 64 140, 141, 142.....................

40 Sunshine ........................... 79, 80 .............. 157, 158, 159, 160 ....................... 65 143, 144, 145 ....................

41 Sunset................................ 81, 82 .............. 161, 162, 163, 164 ....................... 66 146, 147, 148.....................

42 Rainbow............................ 83, 84 .............. 165, 166, 167, 168 ....................... 67 149, 150, 151.....................

76 None.................................. 151, 152........... 301, 302, 303, 304 ...................... 151 301, 302, 303....................

77 Metropolitan .................... 153, 154........... 305, 306, 307, 308 ...................... 152 304, 305, 306....................

78 Lightning .......................... 155, 156........... 309, 310, 311, 312 ....................... 153 307, 308, 309....................

79 Liberty .............................. 157, 158........... 313, 314, 315, 316........................ 154 310, 311, 312.....................

80 Blue Ridge......................... 159, 160........... 317, 318, 319, 320........................ 155 313, 314, 315.....................

81 Stonewall .......................... 161, 162 ........... 321, 322, 323, 324....................... 156 316, 317, 318 .....................

82 All American.................... 163, 164........... 325, 326, 327, 328....................... 157 319, 320, 321 ....................

83 Ohio .................................. 165, 166........... 329, 330, 331, 332 ....................... 158 322, 323, 324....................

84 Lincoln.............................. 167, 168........... 333, 334, 335, 336....................... 159 325, 326, 327....................

85 Custer................................ 169, 170........... 337, 338, 339, 340....................... 160 328, 329, 330 ....................

86 Black Hawk....................... 171, 172 ........... 341, 342, 343, 344 ...................... 161 331, 332, 333 ....................

87 Acorn ................................ 173, 174 ........... 345, 346, 347, 348 ...................... 162 334, 335, 336 ....................

88 Cloverleaf.......................... 175, 176 ........... 349, 350, 351, 352....................... 163 337, 338, 339 ....................

89 Middle West...................... 177, 178 ........... 353, 354, 355, 356....................... 164 340, 341, 342....................

90 Alamo ............................... 179, 180........... 357, 358, 359, 360....................... 165 343, 344, 345....................

91 Wild West.......................... 181, 182........... 361, 362, 363, 364 ...................... 166 346, 347, 348....................

92 Buffalo .............................. 183, 184........... 365, 366, 367, 368....................... 167 349, 350, 351 ....................

93 None 1................................ 185, 186........... 369, 370, 371, 372....................... ............... .........................................

Marine units, all in 2nd Division, in bold face type. 1

 Never operated as a division.

AMERICAN DIVISIONS SENT

THEIR POPULAR NICKNAMES, COMPOSITION, DAYS IN MAJOR

PRISONERS LOST AND
(517)

TO EUROPE

OPERATIONS, DAYS IN SECTOR, MILES ADVANCED, PRISONERS CAPTURED,

REPLACEMENTS RECEIVED

Numeral Designation of

Units in Division Days in Front Line Approximate Number of Miles 

Advanced

Prisoners Captured

Prisoners Lost

Replacements 

Received

Div.

Engr. 

Rgt. M. G. Bns. Training 

in line Sector Battle Total

1 1, 2, 3 .............. 47 148 28 223 32 6,469 152 30,206 1

2 4, 5, 6 .............. 58 48 33 139 37 12,026 157 35,343 2

6 7, 8, 9 .............. 0 39 50 89 25 2,240 314 24,033 3

4 10, 11, 12......... 0 11 36 47 15 2,756 72 19,559 4

7 13, 14, 15......... 33 39 32 104 18 2,356 100 12,611 5

318 16, 17, 18 ......... 6 37 0 43 0 12 3 2,784 6

5 19, 20, 21......... 0 33 0 33 1 69 20 4,112 7

319 22, 23, 24 ........ .............. ............ ............ ............. ................... .............. 1 ............... 8

101 101, 102, 103 ... 42 118 45 205 23 3,148 457 14,411 26

102 104, 105, 106 ... 25 0 32 57 7 2,357 229 5,255 27

103 107, 108, 109 ... 14 44 44 102 6 921 732 21,717 28

104 110, 111, 112 .... 13 46 23 82 4 2,187 68 4,977 29

105 113, 114, 115.... 33 1 35 69 18 3,848 75 2,384 30

106 116, 117, 118 .... .............. ............ ............ ............. ................... .............. 2 ............... 31

107 119, 120, 121.... 25 37 38 100 22 2,153 161 20,140 32

108 122, 123, 124... 27 33 38 98 22 3,987 127 5,415 33

109 125, 126, 127... .............. ............ ............ ............. ................... .............. 1 ............... 34

110 128, 129, 130 ... 37 43 30 110 7 781 167 10,605 35

111 131, 132, 133.... 0 0 19 19 13 549 24 3,397 36

112 134, 135, 136 ... 7 57 13 77 19 1,495 23 6,282 37

113 137, 138, 139 ... .............. ............ ............ ............. ................... .............. 2 ............... 38

114 140, 141, 142.... .............. ............ ............ ............. ................... .............. 2 ............... 39

115 143, 144, 145 ... .............. ............ ............ ............. ................... .............. 3 ............... 40

116 146, 147, 148.... .............. ............ ............ ............. ................... .............. 4 ............... 41

117 149, 150, 151.... 31 100 45 176 34 1,317 112 17,253 42

301 301, 302, 303... .............. ............ ............ ............. ................... .............. 3 ............... 76

302 304, 305, 306... 25 31 63 119 44 750 403 12,728 77

303 307, 308, 309... 0 18 22 40 13 432 123 3,190 78

304 310, 311, 312.... 0 29 18 47 12 1,077 80 6,246 79

305 313, 314, 315.... 16 0 31 47 24 1,813 100 4,495 80

306 316, 317, 318 .... 14 18 5 37 3 101 51 1,984 81

307 319, 320, 321 ... 17 58 30 105 11 845 240 8,402 82

308 322, 323, 324... .............. ............ ............ ............. ................... .............. 3 ............... 83

309 325, 326, 327... .............. ............ ............ ............. ................... .............. 1 ............... 84

310 328, 329, 330 ... .............. ............ ............ ............. ................... .............. 18 ............... 85

311 331, 332, 333 ... .............. ............ ............ ............. ................... .............. .............. ............... 86

312 334, 335, 336 ... .............. ............ ............ ............. ................... .............. .............. ............... 87

313 337, 338, 339 ... 22 21 0 43 0 3 9 734 88

314 340, 341, 342... 0 54 28 82 30 5,061 25 7,669 89

315 343, 344, 345... 0 43 26 69 17 1,876 81 4,437 90

316 346, 347, 348... 0 6 17 23 21 2,412 28 12,530 91

317 349, 350, 351 ... 7 56 0 63 5 38 17 2,920 92

........... ........................ .............. ............. ............. ............. .................... ............... 4 ........... 93
Impromptu Service at Exermont Soon After Its Capture
(519)

T HE American Battle Monuments 

Commission was created by Congress in 1923. In carrying out its 

task of commemorating the services of 

the American forces in Europe during 

the World War the Commission erected appropriate memorials abroad, improved the 

eight military cemeteries there and in this 

volume records the vital part American soldiers and sailors played in bringing the war 

to an early and successful conclusion. 

All dates which appear in this book are 

inclusive. For instance, when a period 

is stated as November 7–9 it includes all 

three days, i. e., November 7, 8 and 9.

The date given for the relief in the front 

line of one division by another is that 

when the command of the sector passed 

to the division entering the line. In the 

few instances where no date of passage of 

command could be found it was assumed 

that command passed as directed in the 

field orders and when the field orders did 

not specify the time it was assumed that 

the command passed upon the completion 

of the relief of the last front-line unit of 

the division.

When units of a division entered the 

line for training, the date of entry into 

the line is that when the first unit went 

into the front line; the date used for the 

termination of this service is that when 

the last unit of the division left the line.

On the maps and sketches all dates on the 

battle lines refer to midnight of the day in 

question unless otherwise indicated. For 

example, if the date September 26 appears 

on a battle line, it means the line was there 

at midnight of September 26.

The unit boundaries shown on the small 

sketches are those prescribed in official 

field orders. On all maps which use colored 

areas or stippling to show ground gained, 

the field order boundaries are disregarded 

and each color or type of stippling shows 

the ground actually passed over by the 

troops of the organization concerned.

The size or type of the map illustrating 

any particular operation in no way 

indicates the importance of the operation; 

clearness was the only governing factor.

The 1/200,000 maps at the ends of 

Chapters II, III, IV and V have been 

placed there with the idea that while the 

tourist is reading the text or following the 

tour of a chapter he will keep the map at 

the end unfolded, available for reference.

As a general rule, only the locations of 

headquarters of corps and divisions from 

which active operations were directed 

more than three days are mentioned in 

the text. Those who desire more complete 

information on the subject can find it 

in the two volumes published officially 

by the Historical Section, Army War 

College, entitled “Order of Battle of the 

United States Land Forces in the World 

War, American Expeditionary Forces”.

All casualty figures are derived from 

official records of the War Department 

and include only the killed and wounded 

in action and those who died of wounds 

received in action. They exclude all missing 

in action, captured and sick. In all cases, 

except on page 515, casualties are given 

only for the periods units actually served 

in the front line. In the tables at the ends 

of the various chapters, the casualties of 

units which served temporarily attached 

to the different divisions are given by 

separate figures. The casualties which 

appear on page 515 are from the Report 

of the Secretary of War for 1926, with the 

addition of the Marine Corps and the Navy 

casualties. These figures do not include the 

casualties of the attached units.

This text embodies the results of a very 

exhaustive study made by the Commission, 

using data from German and other sources 

concerning the location of the Hindenburg 

Line in the Meuse-Argonne region. Unless 

otherwise indicated the part of that 

position described in the text and on the 

maps is its main line of resistance.

MISCELLANEOUS

Chapter XV
520 MISCELLANEOUS

Medal of Honor citations have been 

used freely because these citations give 

a vivid picture of the hardest part of the 

fighting. At one place or another in the 

book information is given concerning the 

citations of each of the 94 men awarded 

the Army Congressional Medal of Honor. 

As the majority of these men were in the 

infantry, the branch of service has been 

indicated in the text only in case the soldier 

was in some other branch of the army.

The classification in this text of the 

front-line service of American divisions 

into battle and sector service is the same 

as given in General Order No. 16, War 

Department, 1921, and its amendments. 

French maps and guidebooks:

There are on sale in France and Belgium 

excellent road maps and inexpensive 

guidebooks, written in English, giving 

complete, up-to-date information concerning 

roads, hotels, restaurants and objects of some 

historical interest. These books and maps will 

be found of great value while making a tour of 

the battlefields.

Information concerning French roads:

The roads in France are numbered. 

National highways are the best roads and 

are designated by the letter “N” followed 

by a numeral; for example, N–3 is the 

National Highway No. 3. Departmental 

roads, corresponding to state roads in 

the United States, are designated by 

the letters “G. C.” or “G. C. D.” and a 

number; for example, G. C. 6 or G. C. D. 

6. These also are good roads and rank just 

below the national highways. The letters 

“I. C.” and “V. O.” indicate local roads. 

The main difference in all these roads is 

in width rather than in the character of 

the surface. National roads are wide, run 

comparatively straight, and are marked so 

they are easy to follow, whereas local roads 

are narrow, very winding, and in general 

have not many road signs.

All roads except poor ones have alongside 

them a stone post at each kilometer. That 

part of the post facing the road bears a 

number and the designation of the road, 

such as N–3 or G. C. 6. The sides of the 

posts generally give the name of the next 

large village or town and the distance 

to it. Small posts about 8 inches high 

usually mark each tenth of a kilometer 

between successive posts. Roads change 

the numbering of their kilometer posts, 

given on the side facing the road, at each 

departmental boundary.

Conversion of meters and kilometers:

1 kilometer = 0.62137 mile

1 mile = 1.6093 kilometers

1 meter = 39.37 inches

 = 1.09 yards

1 yard = 0.9144 meter

A simple rule for roughly converting 

kilometers to miles is to multiply the 

number of kilometers by 0.6. To change 

from miles to kilometers do the opposite 

and divide the number of miles by 0.6.

The graphic scales below can be used 

for conversion purposes where distances 

shorter than 20 kilometers are involved:

Typical 2d Division Battlefield Marker
MISCELLANEOUS 521

Information for use on described tours:

On the described tours road directions 

have been given where there is a possibility 

that the tourist might go astray. At 

junctions where no road instructions 

are giwn the tourist should, of course, 

continue straight ahead.

The speedometer distances recorded 

by automobiles vary greatly and those 

recorded by the same car under different 

conditions, such as wet and dry weather, an 

not the same. These points are mentioned 

so that too much reliance will not be placed 

on speedometer readings.

At the stops the tourist is told to face 

in a certain direction and the account of 

the operations is given with respect to 

that facing. The meanings of the various 

expressions used to indicate the different 

directions are illustrated by the sketch 

located on the upper part of this page.

Medals issued by the cities of Vurdun, St. 

Mihiel and Château-Thierry:

The cities of Verdun, St. Mihiel and ChâteauThierry have issued special medals which are 

available to all American veterans who served 

in the general vicinity of these cities during 

the war. These medals may be obtained by 

writing and sending some proof of service in 

the American Army and in the region to the 

mayors of the cities concerned, who will place 

the letter in the proper hands. A small fee is 

charged for the cost of the medal.

The requirements 

for these medals are 

not always strictly 

enforced. In general, 

all those who served 

in the area bounded 

by the following (all 

towns are inclusive) 

are eligible for the 

Verdun medal: 

Conf lans-en-Jarnisy, 

Thiaucourt, Montsec, 

St. Mihiel, Noyers, 

Ste. Menehould and to 

the north as far as the 

Armistice line. The 

area prescribed for 

the St. Mihiel medal 

is roughly as follows: Pont-à-Mousson, 

Ménil-la-Tour, Ligny-en-Barrois, Souilly, 

Les Eparges and Vandières. No general 

area has been prescribed for eligibility for 

the Château-Thierry medal.

Typical 1st Division Battlefield Monument
(522)

I

N addition to the memorials erected by 

the United States Government there are 

a number of other American World War 

memorials in Europe. Some of these were 

in existence before the American Battle 

Monuments Commission was created and 

others are useful memorials constructed 

with the Commission’ s approval. A few are 

memorials to American units which served 

with the French Army before the United 

States entered the war and concerning the 

erection of which the Commission was 

without jurisdiction.

For the benefit of those interested there 

is given below a tabulation of American 

World War commemorative memorials 

in Europe of which the American Battle 

Monuments Commission has a record and 

which were erected by agencies other than 

those of the United States Government.

This table does not include monuments to 

units smaller than a regiment, markers now 

falling to pieces, French village monuments 

which commemorate American units in 

addition to their own dead, and monuments 

to foreign armies erected by Americans or 

from American sources.

In this connection it may be stated that 

the Commission feels that the memorial 

project of the United States Government, 

described in Chapter XII, adequately 

commemorates all units of the American 

forces in Europe during the World War 

and that the erection of any additional 

American monuments abroad would not 

be in good taste and should be prohibited.

AMERICAN WORLD WAR MEMORIALS IN EUROPE 

ERECTED BY AGENCIES OTHER THAN THE UNITED STATES 

GOVERNMENT

Unit or Event 

Commemorated

Number Location Character Date erected Remarks

V Corps.............. 1 3 miles southeast of Mouzon(Ardennes) on 

the main road.

Small marker built 

of field stones.

Soon after the

Armistice.

Erected by members 

of unit to mark V 

Corps line at the 

Armistice. See 

picture, page 301.

1st Division........ 5 (a) Along road 1⁄2 

mile southeast of 

Cantigny (Somme).

(b) On main highway 

west of Buzancy 

(Aisne).

(c) At road junction 

east of Vigneulles 

(Meuse).

(d) Along main road 

1⁄2 mile east of St. 

Juvin (Ardennes).

(e) Along road south 

of Wadelincourt 

(Ardennes).

Small concrete shaft, 

surmounted by 

a carved eagle of 

stone.

1919 .......................... Erected by the 1st 

Div. Names of 

dead in vicinity 

given on bronze 

plates. See picture 

on page 521.

2d Division......... 22 On all of the battlefields where 

the division had 

fighting.

Concrete boulder 

about 3 feet in 

diameter, with 2d 

Div. insignia in 

bronze upon it.

Soon after the 

Armistice.

Erected by men from 

the division. See 

picture on page 

520.

3d Division......... 1 Château-Thierry 

(Aisne), northwest of the main 

bridge.

Stone monument of 

medium size.

1923 .......................... Erected by division 

to its deeds and 

dead. See picture, 

page 60.
MISCELLANEOUS 523

Unit or Event 

Commemorated

Number Location Character Date erected Remarks

4th Division ....... 3 (a) About 1 mile 

west of Fismes 

(Marne).

(b) At the eastern 

exit or Manheulles 

(Meuse).

(c) About 1 mile west 

of town of Brieullessur-Meuse.

Small stone obelisk. Soon after the Armistice.Erected by the 

division. See the 

picture appearing 

on page 80.

5th Division ....... 28 On all or the battlefields where 

the division had 

fighting.

Small obelisk of 

concrete.

Soon after the Armistice.Erected by men 

of the division. 

Inscriptions give 

details of fight 

ing. See picture on 

page 525.

5th Division ....... 1 Dun-sur-Meuse....... An ornamental 

wrought-iron railing on a bridge.

1932 ......................... Erected by the 5th 

Div . Assn. to 

commemorate 

crossing of the 

Meuse River.

26th Division ..... 1 Belleau (Aisne)........ Reconstruction of 

village church.

1929 ......................... Erected by the 26th 

Div. Assn. in 

memory of division’s dead. See 

picture, page 53.

28th Division ..... 1 Fismes (Marne)....... Ornamental stone 

bridge.

1927 ......................... Erected by the State 

of Pennsylvania. 

See picture, page 

525.

30th Division ..... 1 Along the main road 

south or town of 

Belllcourt (Alme).

Small monument of 

cut stone.

1923 ......................... Erected by the State 

of Tennessee to 

her troops of tbe 

59th and 60th Brigades. See picture, 

page 377.

37th Division ..... 1 Montfaucon (Meuse) Substantial stone 

building, donated 

for use as an almshouse.

1929 ......................... Erected by the State 

of Ohio. See picture of building on 

page 214.

37th Division ..... 1 Eyne, Belgium......... A large bridge, stucco finish.1929 ......................... Erected by the 

State of Ohio to 

commemorate 

crossing of Escaut 

River by 37th Division. See the picture on page 397

80th Division ..... 1 Nantillois (Meuse) Medium-size stone 

fountain.

1927 ......................... Erected by the State 

of Pennsylvania. 

See picture on 

page 525.

102d Infantry .....

(26th Division)

1 Seicheprey (Meurthe-et-Moselle).Small gmnite fountain (no water).1923 ......................... Presented by men 

and women of the 

State of Connecticut. See picture on 

page 128.

117th Infantry ....

(30th Division)

1 Southwest edge of 

Prémont (Aisne).

Small monument of 

cut stone.

1923 ......................... Erected by private 

subscription. 

Same design as 

30th Div. monument. See picture 

on page 377.
Memorial Near Islay, Scotland, to Those Who

Lost Their Lives on the S. S. Tuscania

Lafayette Escadrille Monument Erected Near

Garches by members of the Unit

3d Aviation Center Monument

at Issoudun

Monument on the Borne de Cornouiller to 

American Troops Who Fought Near By

U.S. Naval Air Station Monument, 

Moutchic-Lacanau

Memorial at St. Nazaire Commemorating First

American Troops to Land in France
Monument in Paris to American Volunteers

Who Died for France

Memorial Bridge at Fismes Erected

by State of Pennsylvania

Typical 5th Division 

Battlefield Marker

315th Infantry, 79th Division, Memorial

 Building in Nantillois

French Monument 

at Bathelémont

Fountain in Nantillois Erected by State

of Pennsylvania
526 MISCELLANEOUS

Unit or Event 

Commemorated

Number Location Character Date erected Remarks

118th Infantry ....

(30 Division)

1 In the northern part

of town of Brancourt-le-Grand 

(Aisne) .

Small monument of 

cut stone.

1923 ......................... Erected by private 

subscription. 

Same design as 

30th Div. monument. See picture 

on page 377.

310th Infantry....

(78th Division)

1 In church at town of

Semur-en-Auxois 

(Côte-d’Or).

Stained-glass church 

window.

1927 ......................... In memory of the 

dead of the regiment.

313th Infantry ....

(79th Division)

1 Alongside the road 

in old town of 

Montfaucon 

(Meuse).

Bronze tablet on a 

fence post.

Soon after the Armistice.Tablet states that the 

town was captured 

by the regiment.

315th Infantry ....

(79th Division)

1 Nantillois (Meuse). Building given to the 

village as a recreat 

ion center.

1930 ......................... Erected by the regiment in memory 

of its dead. See 

picture appearing 

on page 525.

362d Infantry .....

(91st Division)

1 Gesnes-en-Argonne 

(Meuse).

Concrete post, about 

4 feet high.

Soon after the Armistice.A small bronze plate 

describes fighting 

of regiment in 

vicinity.

371st Infantry.....

(93d Division)

1 On hill in open field 

about 1⁄2 mile 

south of town 

of Ardeuil (Ardennes).

(Difficult of access.)

Small granite monument, which 

lists names of the 

dead.

About 1924.............. In memory of the 

regiment's dead in 

vicinity. See the 

picture appear ing 

on page 361.

372d Infantry .....

(93d Division)

1 Along main road, 

1⁄4 mile south of 

Monthois (Ardennes).

Small obelisk of cut 

granite.

1920 ......................... In memory of 

members of the 

regiment killed 

in action, Sept. 

26–Oct. 7, 1918. 

See picture on 

page 361.

6th Engineers..... 1 Cathedral at Amiens 

(Somme).

Tablet ...................... 1919 ......................... Erected by the citizens of Amiens 

to commemorate 

the dead of 6th 

Engineers lost in 

defense of that 

place.

23d Engineers .... 1 In village of Varennes-en-Argonne (Meuse) 

a cross from the 

church.

Concrete marker, 

about 5 feet high.

Soon after the Armistice.Erected by the men 

of the regiment.

The American 

Field Service.

1 At Pont-à-Mousson 

(Meurthe-et-Moselle).

Large Renaissance 

fountain.

1931 ......................... Erected by members 

of unit to those of 

American Field 

Service who died 

for France. See 

picture appearing 

on page 138.

The Lafayette 

Escadrille.

1 At Garches (Seineet-Oise), near 

Paris.

Imposing memorial 

of cut stone.

1928 ......................... Erected by unit. 

Contains bodies 

of members. See 

the picture appearing on page 

524.

All Pennsylvania 

troops who 

served in the 

World War.

1 At Varennes-en-Argonne (Meuse).Development of a 

public park.

1927 ......................... Erected by the State 

of Pennsylvania. 

See picture on 

page 222.
MISCELLANEOUS 527

Unit or Event 

Commemorated

Number Location Character Date erected Remarks

Men of Missouri 

who gave their 

lives during the 

World War.

1 At the road junction, south of the 

town of Cheppy 

(Meuse).

Stone shaft surmounted by a 

bronze figure.

1922 ......................... Erected by the State 

of Missouri. See 

the picture on 

page 216.

To those of the 

U.S. Naval 

Air Station 

at MoutchicLacanau who 

lost their lives.

1 Moutchic (Gironde) 

west of Bordeaux.

 Stone obelisk.......... Soon after the Armistice .....................Erected by subscription from officers 

and men of naval 

air station. See the 

picture on page 

524.

To those who 

were killed at 

Third Aviation 

Center.

1 11 kilometers fromIssoudun (Indre), 

on road to Vatan, 

about 40 yards off 

from the road.

Stone, of medium 

size, surrounded 

by an iron chain 

on stone posts.

Soon after the Armistice .....................Erected by subscription from officers 

who were on duty 

at the Aviation 

Center at the time. 

See the picture on 

page 524.

American 

Soldiers who 

were killed at 

the village of 

Apremont.

1 Apremont (Meuse), 

near Montsec.

Building with a 

fountain outside.

1922 ......................... Erected with funds 

donated by the 

city of Holyoke, 

Massachusetts.

American 

Soldiers 

who were 

killed near 

Seicheprey.

1 On outside of church 

in Seicheprey 

(Meurthe-et-Moselle), near door.

Small ornamental 

plaque of bronze.

1929 ......................... Funds were supplied 

by an American.

Achievements 

of American 

troops who 

fought in the 

vicinity of 

Sivry-surMeuse.

1 On the Borne de 

Cornouil1er near 

Sivry-sur-Meuse.

(Difficult of access.)

Stone obelisk........... 1925 ......................... See picture, page 

524.

To the American 

volunteers 

who died for 

France.

1 In Place des EtatsUnis at Paris.Stone, sculptured 

group on front.

1923 ......................... Erected by the 

French. American 

dead of the Foreign Legion. Lafayette Escadrille 

and American 

Field Service are 

listed. Picture on 

page 525.

To the first 

American 

troops to land 

in France.

1 St. Nazaire-surLoire (Loire 

Inférieure).

Stone shaft surmounted by a 

bronze soldier on 

an eagle's back.

1926 ......................... Erected by public 

subscription 

from Americans. 

See the picture 

appearing on page 

524.

To first three 

Americans 

killed at front 

during the 

World War.

1 In Bathelémont 

(Meurthe-et-Moselle) 12 kilometers north of 

Lunéville.

Stone shaft, about 18 

feet high.

1918.......................... Erected by the 

French. See picture page 525.

Those who lost 

their lives as 

a result of the 

sinking of 

S.S. Tuscania

during Feb. 5, 

1918.

1 Near Islay, Scotland. Stone tower on a 

rocky headland.

1920 ......................... Constructed by the 

American Red 

Cross not long 

after the war. 

See the picture 

appearing on page 

524.
528 MISCELLANEOUS

The Consulting Architect of the American 

Battle Monuments Commission:

Dr. Paul P. Cret of Philadelphia has been 

the Consulting Architect of the Commission 

throughout its entire existence.

Architects who designed the memorials 

constructed by the Commission:

The chapels and monuments erected 

in Europe by the American Battle 

Monuments Commission were designed by 

the following named American architects:

John Russell Pope, New York.

Meuse-Argonne memorial, Montfaucon.

York & Sawyer, New York.

The chapel and other architectural 

features in Meuse-Argonne cemetery.

Egerton Swartwout, New York.

St. Mihiel monument, on Montsec.

The chapel, entrance and flagpole in the 

Brookwood cemetery in England.

Paul P. Cret, Philadelphia.

Aisne-Marne memorial, on Hill 204.

The chapel in Flanders Field cemetery.

Monument located north of Bellicourt.

Memorial archway located at Gibraltar.

Bronze tablet on building at Chaumont.

Bronze tablet on building at Souilly.

Cram & Ferguson, Boston.

Chapels and other features in AisneMarne and Oise-Aisne cemeteries.

Ralph Milman and the Howard Shaw 

Associates, Chicago.

Monument on old fortification at Brest.

Arthur Loomis Harmon, New York.

Memorial fountain at city of Tours.

Monument near village of Sommepy.

Monument in the village of Cantigny.

George Howe, Philadelphia.

Chapel and other architectural features 

in the Somme cemetery near Bony.

Vierstraat monument, south of Ypres.

Thomas Harlan Ellett, New York.

The chapel and other architectural 

features in the St. Mihiel cemetery.

Charles A. Platt, New York.

The chapel and main entrance gate at 

the Suresnes cemetery, near Paris.

Harry Sternfeld, Philadelphia.

Monument and park development in the 

village of Audenarde in Belgium.

Sculptors and artists who did outstanding 

works of art for the Commission:

The work of the following sculptors and 

artists in connection with the chapels and 

memorials erected by the Commission in 

Europe is worthy of special recognition:

C. P. Jennewein, Sculptor, New York.

All sculpturing for Tours fountain.

Adolph Weinman, Sculptor, New York.

Meuse-Argonne memorial, Montfaucon.

Paul Manship, Sculptor, New York.

Soldier monument and urn at chapel of

the St. Mihiel cemetery, Thiaucourt.

John Bradley Storr, Sculptor, Chicago.

All sculpturing for Brest monument.

A. Bottiau, Sculptor, Paris.

Features for Aisne-Marne monument.

All sculpturing on Bellicourt monument.

Flanders Field chapel near Waereghem.

Marcel Loyau, Sculptor, Paris.

Sculpturing for Somme cemetery chapel.

Barry Faulkner, Painter, New York.

Mosaics on the interior walls of the St. 

Mihiel and Suresnes chapels.

Reginald Hallward, London.

All stained-glass windows in both the 

Brookwood and Suresnes chapels.

Officials of European Office, American 

Battle Monuments Commission, who 

supervised construction:

The following officials who served in 

the European Office of the Commission 

while the memorials and chapels were 

being constructed had important duties 

in connection with the construction work. 

(All officers are in the Regular Army and 

are listed in order of reporting for duty.)

Lt. Col. X. H. Price, C. E. (In charge.)

Capt. Thomas North, F. A.

Lt. Col. Harris Jones, C. E.

Maj. George A. Horkan, Q. M. C.

Maj. Hubert W. Beyette, Q. M. C.

Lt. Col. Wilhelm D. Styer, C. E.

Capt. Robert A. Schow, Inf.

Maj. Willis E. Teale, C. E.

Lt. Col. Raymond G. Moses, C. E.

Maj. George F. Hobson, Q. M. C.

Capt. Louis J. Rumaggi, C. E.

Mr. Henry R. Brown.
(529)

Aid Station. A medical establishment, near 

the front, for emergency treatment and further 

disposition of combat casualties.

Artillery Preparation. Scheduled artillery fire 

delivered before an attack to destroy or neutralize 

the enemy defenses, matériel and personnel.

Barrage. A curtain formed by fire from 

artillery or other weapons firing from fixed 

mounts. A “standing barrage” is one usually 

placed across a probable avenue of enemy 

approach. A “rolling barrage” is one that 

precedes the attacking infantry at a prescribed 

rate in order to assist its advance. A “box 

barrage” is a continuous standing barrage, 

covering the rear and f lanks of an area in order 

to prevent the escape or reinforcement of the 

enemy within the area.

Base Section. A rear area or subdivision of the 

services of Supply.

Battalion (Infantry, American). A tactical 

unit consisting of a headquarters and four rifle 

companies. The normal command of a major. 

Total World War strength 1,027 officers and men.

Battery (American). An artillery unit 

consisting of a specified number of guns, 

usually four, and the personnel to man them. 

Commanded by a captain.

Bridgehead. A position covering a bridge, 

located on the side toward the enemy.

Brigade (Field Artillery, American). An 

organization comprising a headquarters, two 

regiments of 75-mm. guns, one regiment of 155-

mm. howitzers, and one 6-inch trench mortar 

battery. The normal command of a brigadier 

general. World War strength 4,908 combatants 

and 48 guns, 24 howitzers and 12 trench mortars.

Brigade (Infantry, American). An organization 

consisting of a headquarters, two infantry 

regiments and a machine gun battalion. The 

normal command of a brigadier general. World 

War strength 8,324 combatants; 6,459 rif les.

Camouflage. Means employed to conceal 

from hostile observation, both ground and air, 

troops and matériel located in exposed areas.

Captive Balloon. A balloon, held by cables, used 

for observation purposes. Some of these, because 

of their shape, were called “sausage balloons.”

Casualties. The dead, wounded, captured, 

missing in action and sick in campaign and 

battle. Those sick from disease are not included 

in the heading “battle casualties.”

Command Post. The place from which a 

commander directs the operations of his unit. 

Often called during the World War a “P. C.” 

meaning a post of command. Now generally 

abbreviated in the United States Army and 

called a “C. P.”

Company (Infantry, American). The authorized 

command of a captain. World War strength 256 

officers and men.

Concentration Camp. A camp in which troops 

are assembled preparatory to service against an 

enemy or for transportation to the theater of 

war. A camp or cantonment where prisoners or 

refugees are interned.

Consolidate (a position). To prepare a 

captured position for defense by erecting field 

fortifications, etc.

Convoy. A group of vehicles or vessels, the escort 

and the matérial or personnel being transported.

Corps (American). A tactical unit normally 

made up of a headquarters, two or more divisions 

and auxiliary troops. The normal command of a 

major general or lieutenant general.

Defile. Any narrow space or place which can 

be passed only when troops are in column, such 

as a ford, bridge or mountain pass.

Depot. A place where military supplies are 

collected for distribution.

Detachment. A group separated from its 

organization for a special purpose.

Division (American). Two brigades of infantry 

and one brigade of artillery. It contained also 

engineer, machine gun, signal, medical and 

transportation units and a headquarters. World 

War strength 28,105 officers and men; 16,193 

rifles. The normal command of a major general.

Doughboy. Name applied to an American 

infantryman. A colloquialism.

Dressing Station. Place established during 

combat for the reception of casualties and 

treatment of minor wounds. Also known as an 

aid station. See under “Aid Station.”

Dump. A place where supplies are temporarily 

stored for distrihution in the field.

Emplacement. A prepared gun position.

Enfilade. A firing in the direction of the 

length of a trench, line or column of troops. 

This is also known as “f lanking fire”.

Evacuate. To withdraw from a position. To 

remove sick, wounded, prisoners or the civil 

population to the rear.

Field Fortifications. All field works, shelters 

and obstacles constructed to increase the 

powers of resistance of a force.

Flame Thrower. A device for projecting 

f lame. Carried on the back and operated by 

gas pressure, it threw a f lame of burning oil 

about 20 yards and was capable of two minutes 

continuous operation.

Flank. The right or left of a command or position. 

To pass around or turn a flank. To threaten a flank.

Fox Hole. Individual shelter or rif le pit, 

usually dug during combat.

French Colonial Division. A division composed 

of troops from a French colony. During the war 

it was abbreviated to D. I. C.

Front. Zone of active operations. Any section of 

the battle line. The lateral space occupied by a unit.

Front Line. The most advanced line which 

would be defended in ease of attack.

Gas. A chemical agent for producing a 

poisonous or irritant atmosphere. In general, 

gases were persistent (mustard) or non-persistent 

(chlorine or phosgene), depending on how long 

the area upon which they were used would 

remain contaminated. Placed upon hostile areas 

by guns, mortars and projectors. The gas was 

sometimes released from cylinders to be carried 

by wind currents toward the enemy position.

GLOSSARY OF MILIARY TERMS USED IN THIS BOOK
530 MISCELLANEOUS

Grenade. A small bomb. One type could be thrown 

by hand and another was projected from a rifle by 

means of a grenade discharger.

Hindenburg Line. Name given originally by the 

British to a powerful defensive position of great 

strength constructed by the Germans between 

Soissons and Cambrai to which they conducted a 

strategic retirement in February 1917. The name was 

later applied by the Allies and Americans to strong 

German defensive positions on other parts of the 

front.

Howitzer. A rifled, breech-loading cannon with 

comparatively short barrel and low muzzle velocity, 

fired at ranges and elevations intermediate between 

field guns and mortars.

Infiltrate. To pass troops in relatively small 

numbers through gaps or weakly held portions of the 

hostile lines. To move troops into or nearer a hostile 

position by sending forward single men, small groups 

or thin lines at widely separated intervals.

Intelligence Service. The organization in an army 

whose duty it is to collect, study, interpret and 

distribute information of the enemy and to prevent 

the enemy from obtaining information.

Liaison. Close touch maintained between units, 

by agents or officers, for the purpose of exchanging 

information and insuring cooperation.

Lines of Communication. All routes, land, water 

and air, which connect a military force in the field 

with its base of operations, and along which supplies 

and reinforcements are sent to the front and wounded 

are moved to the rear.

Machine Gun. A gun firing on the automatic 

principle from a fixed mount. During the war such 

guns were usually water cooled.

Machine-Gun Nest. One or more machine guns 

emplaced or concealed in a firing position. Usually 

organized so that two or more guns could be mutually 

supporting and could deliver crossing bands of fire.

Matériel. All material things necessary for war 

purposes. Used in contradistinction to personnel.

Mine Barrage. A line or network of sea mines to 

prevent the passage of ships. A mine layer is a boat 

equipped for placing mines, and a mine sweeper is 

one used in removing them from the water.

Minenwerfer. A German bomb-throwing weapon 

designed for trench use. It was muzzle-loading and 

rifled, and had a curved trajectory. A small mortar.

Mobilization. The organizing and assembling of 

troops and all resources of a nation for war.

Mopping Up. To clear an area or position that 

has been advanced over in an attack, by killing or 

capturing the enemy soldiers remaining in it.

Morale. The mental state of an individual or body 

of troops, especially in relation to performance of 

duty; also applies to the civilian population.

Mortar. A cannon with a comparatively short 

barrel and a low muzzle velocity which is fired at high 

angles to shell areas behind steep ridges.

Munitions. Military stores of all kinds.

No Man’s Land. The strip of ground between 

opposing front lines. On the Western Front it varied 

in width from a few yards to several hundred.

Order of Battle. The general disposition of troops 

or their arrangement when participating in battle.

Outflank. To pass around or turn the flank of an 

enemy so as to be able to threaten his flank or rear.

Patrols. Small detachments used for a number of 

purposes, such as raiding and reconnoitering the 

enemy and protection.

Pillbox. A covered concrete emplacement for one 

or more machine guns.

Pioneer Troops. Military laborers employed in 

building roads, digging trenches, etc.

Platoon (American). One of the elements of a 

company, World War strength about 50 men. The 

normal command of a lieutenant.

Ponton. A boat used to hold part of the roadway of 

a floating bridge.

Raid. A sudden and rapid invasion of a hostile 

position, usually carried out by a small force for the 

purpose of returning with prisoners and information.

Railhead. A point on a railway where ammunition 

and supplies are transferred to dumps or vehicles for 

delivery to the troops.

Reclassification Camp. A camp to which individuals 

are sent for examination in order to determine the 

duty for which they are best suited.

Reconnaissance. The examination of a locality or 

of a hostile force in order to gather information of 

military value.

Regiment (Infantry, American). An organization 

composed, during the World War, of a headquarters, 

three battalions, a headquarters company, a supply 

company and a machine gun company. Strength 

3,770 combatants. The normal command of an 

officer of the rank of colonel.

Regulating Stations. Large railway yards from 

which supplies were forwarded to the railheads.

Remount Depot. Replacement depot for animal 

casualties. A remount is the replacement furnished.

Salient. A part of a battle line which projects 

pointedly into opposing territory.

Sector. An area occupied by a unit in defense; the 

frontage of such an area.

Sortie. A sudden offensive movement made from 

a fortified base.

Squad (American). A basic unit of organization, 

consisting normally of a corporal and seven privates. 

A general term for various small groups.

Strategic Center. A region which because of its 

commanding position, harbor facilities, lines of 

communication, natural resources, bases of supply 

situated there, or other reasons is of great advantage 

to the holder in the conduct of operations, and the 

loss of which would seriously cripple him.

Strong Point. A compact area strongly organized 

and garrisoned for a protracted defense.

Tank. An armored self-propelled vehicle of the 

track-laying type (caterpillar tractor), combining 

fire-power, mobility and shock action.

Western Front. The name applied to the battle front 

in France and Belgium extending from the North Sea 

to the Swiss border.

Zone of Action. The area between certain defined 

limits or boundaries, generally at right angles to the 

front, assigned to a unit in offensive action or in a 

withdrawal from a certain locality.

Zone of Operations. The region within which an 

army operates between its base and its objective.
(531)

Abaucourt, 156

Abbreviations, vi, 513

Abeele, 404

Abris du Kronprinz. (See Champ Mahaut.)

Adams, Sgt. Harry J., 158

Adkinson, Sgt. Joseph B., 379

Ahrweiler, 492

Aigrefeuille, 447

Ailette River, 92

Aincreville, 278

Air Service. (See also Aviation), 128, 157, 220, 307, 

337, 364, 503

Aire River, 173, 178, 217, 218, 221, 223, 226, 231, 

232, 236

Aisne Canal, 81

Aisne-Marne region, 42, 51, 52, 57, 89, 94, 103, 

345, 475

Casualties, 89, 103–104

Combat service summary, l03–104

Operations, 29–104

Tour of battlefields, 43–93

Aisne-Marne salient, 36, 41, 63, 106, 415

Aisne River, 4, 7, 21, 29, 42, 79, 81, 91, 92, 99, 167, 

172, 333, 334, 335, 351’ 353, 357, 368

Aisne, Second Battle of the, 7

Aix-les-Bains, 443

Aix-la-Chapelle, 488, 489

Albert, 407, 410

Allerey, 443

Allex, Corp. Jake, 411

Allworth, Capt. Edward C., 309

Alsace, 21, 426, 473, 488, 510

Amalgamation of American troops with Allied 

forces (see also Cooperation with Allies;

Independent American Army), 25, 378

Amblimont, 301

American Battle Monuments Commission, 457, 

458, 473, 519

Architects, artists and sculptors, 528

European Office, 459, 528

Members, v

American Field Service, 138, 503

American Forces in Germany. (See Army of 

Occupation.)

American Headquarters. (See Headquarters.)

American Library Association, 507

American Mixed Claims Commission, 507

American Red Cross, 507

Amiens, 26, 27, 42, 408, 412, 413, 415, 416

Amiens Defense Line, 412, 413

Amiens salient, 410

Ammunition expended in actual combat, 504

Ancemont, 156

Andernach, 492

Anderson, First Sgt. Johannes S, 266

Andevanne, 274, 275, 277

Angecourt, 295

Angers, 443, 445

Angoulême, 445

Animals, procurement, 505

Anizy-le-Château, 29

Ansauville, 156

Ansoncourt Farm, 134, 135

Apremont (Ardennes), 177, 210, 224, 226, 316

Apremont (Meuse), 156–157

Arabic, 9

Arbre Guernon, 390

Archangel, 247, 432, 433, 435

Arcis-le-Ponsart, 94

Ardennes Forest, 167

Ardeuil, 336, 357, 358, 359, 361

Ardre River, 78

Argonne Forest, 25, 92, 107, 167, 169, 170, 172, 173, 

175, 177, 178, 179, 182, 183, 196, 205, 207, 

210, 211, 212, 218, 219, 220, 221, 223, 224, 

225, 226, 227, 228, 229, 234, 236, 239, 247, 

249, 280, 311, 313, 317, 322, 324, 329, 330, 

333, 336, 337, 358, 361, 365, 368, 421

Ariétal Farm, 315

Arlington National Cemetery, 458

Armistice:

Austria-Hungary, 431, 509

Bulgaria, 509

Germany, 487, 507–509

Place of signing, 96, 487

Signed, 192

Terms, 487

Turkey, 509

Armies. (See Military units.)

Army, National (See Divisions.)

Army of Occupation, 488, 489, 493, 507

American Forces in Germany, 493

Headquarters, 492

Plan of advance, 488

Army, Regular. (See Divisions.)

Arnouville-les-Gonesse, 445

Arpin, First Lt. Edmund P., 321

Arrants, First Lt. William B., 260

Arras, 6, 407, 502

Arrivals in Europe, 501, 502

Ash, Sgt. Harold J., 323

Assevillers, 381

Aubérive-sur-Suippes, 344

Audenarde, 185, 396, 397, 399, 482

Austrian troops, on Western Front, 312

Authe, 289

Autreville, 305

Autruche, 289

Autun, 443

Auve River, 368

Aviation: 

Largest concentration for offensive, 110, 504

Shortage, 110

(See also Air Service.)

Avocourt, 315, 326

Baâlon, 305

Baccarat, 425

Bad Bertrich, 492 

Baesel, Second Lt. Albert E., 215

Balan, 299

Ballon d’Alsace, 425

INDEX
532 INDEX—AMERICAN ARMIES AND BATTLEFIELDS IN EUROPE 

Ballon de Guebwiller, 423, 425

Bandival Farm, 390

Bantheville, 252, 274, 275, 278

Bar, 278, 285, 287, 288, 289

Bar-sur-Aube, 495

Barger, Pvt. (1st cl.) Charles D., 279

Barkeley, Pvt. David B., 304

Barkley, Pvt. (1st cl.) John L., 257

Barricourt, 315

Barricourt Heights, 187, 213, 235,253,269, 275, 276, 

277, 281, 288

Bart, Pvt. (1st cl.) Frank J., 353

Baslieux, 79

Bassens, 445

Bathelémont, 423

Battle Monuments Commission. (See American 

Battle Monuments Commission.)

Battle:

Aisne, 7

Arras, 7

Cambrai, 22, 394

Jutland, 6

Marne, 21, 43, 44

Nancy, 426

Battlefields north of Paris, 371–417

Combat service summary, 417

Baugé, 445

Baulny, 218, 223, 317

Bayonne, 445

Bayonville, 283

Bazeilles, 299

Bazoches, 80, 81, 82

Bazoilles-sur-Meuse, 442

Beau Désert, 445

Beauchamp Farm, 315

Beauclair, 315

Beaumont (Ardennes), 291, 292, 293, 302, 305

Beaumont (Meurthe-et-Moselle), 157

Beaumont (Meuse), 179, 212, 271

Beaune, 442, 492

Beauregard Farm, 225, 227

Beaurepaire Farm, 87, 89, 90

Beauval, 407

Belfort, 419, 424, 425, 442

Belfort Gap, 419, 423, 425, 426

Belfort ruse, 424

Belleau, 37, 53, 89, 462

Belleau Wood, 31, 36, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 51, 52, 

55, 464, 475, 479, 483

Bellejoyeuse Farm, 235, 236

Belleville-sur-Bar, 288

Belle-Vue Farm, 94

Bellevue Signal Ridge, 336, 357, 358, 359, 361

Bellicourt, 373, 375, 378, 383, 384, 465

Belrupt, 157

Béney, 131, 150

Berehaven, 453

Bereznik, 435

Berncastel, 492

Berry-au-Bac, 29

Berzy-le-Sec, 39, 87

Besace, La, 294

Besançon, 442

Besogne, La, 322

Béthincourt, 195, 196, 197, 199, 200, 315

Beugneux, 94

Beuvardes, 94

Bézu-le-Guéry, 97

Billy-sous-les-Côtes, 120, 157

Binarville, 313, 339, 361, 362, 365, 366

Bird, Pvt. Felix, 265

Blackwell, Pvt. Robert L., 393

Blanc, Le, 444

Blanc Mont, 334, 351, 352

Blanc Mont Ridge, 333, 334, 346, 347, 349, 350, 351, 

353, 357, 475

Bleckley, Second Lt. Erwin R., 364

Blérancourt, 94

Blois, 443

Boiry-St. Martin, 407

Bois:

de Babiémont, 278

de Bantheville, 252, 275, 279

du Beau Vallon, 143

de Belloy, 381

de Béney, 150

de Beuge, 210, 259

de Bonvaux, 157

de Bourbetin, 94, 95

de Bouresches, 39, 53

de Bourgogne, 172, 180, 187, 234, 235, 236, 239, 

280, 284, 289

Bourrus, 322

de Brieulles, 210

de Ia Brigade de Marine, 48

Brulé (Aisne), 73

Brulé (Meuse), 157

de Buire, 381

de Châtillon, 261

de Chaume, 212, 263, 265, 312

Chéhémin, 208, 215

du Chêne Sec, 316

de Chénois, 305

Colas, 72

de Condé, 102

de Consenvoye. 212, 264, 265, 266

de la Côte Lémont 210, 260, 262, 263

de la Côte 192, 94, 95

de Courteau, 59

de Cunel, 179, 256, 257

de Dampvitoux, 157

de Dannevoux, 199

de Dommartin, 157

Emont, 315

de Fays, 178, 211, 259, 260

des Flaviers, 302, 303

de Forêt, 177, 179, 181–182, 211, 212, 250, 254, 

259, 260, 308

de Forges, 195, 196, 197, 205, 207

du Four, 134, 135

Fréhaut, 140

Gérard, 142, 143

de Gesnes, 315

de Grande Fontaine, 157

de la Grande Montagne, 268

des Grimpettes, 40, 68, 69

de Hâche, 305

d’Harville, 157

d’Heiche, 143

de Lambechamp, 315
INDEX—AMERICAN ARMIES AND BATTLEFIELDS IN EUROPE 533

des Loges, 234, 236, 239, 285

de Manheulles, 153, 154

de Mancy, 321

de Mont l’Evêque, 102

de Montfaucon, 208, 315, 316

Montjoie, 157

de Moranville, 161

de la Morine, 316

de Mort-Mare, 131

de Mortier, 92

des Ogons, 256, 257

d’Ormont, 268

de Pannes, 157

Pelger, 95

de la Planchette, 95

de la Pultière, 181, 212, 251, 253, 254 , 255, 273

de la Rappe, 135

des Rappes (Meurthe-et-Moselle), 112, 141

des Rappes (Meuse), 252, 275, 276

de Remières, 127, 128, 129

de la Roche, 94, 95

de Rognac Farm, 95

de Romagne, 242

de Rougis, 102

du Rupt, 158

de Sachet, 208

de St. Claude, 142

de Sassey, 275, 276, 277

de Septsarges, 209

de la Sonnard, 129

de Taille l’Abbé, 316

des Tailloux, 413

de Thiaucourt, 150

du Trou de Ia Haie, 158

de la Tuilerie, 316

de Valoup, 316

de Ville, 316

de la Voivrotte, 158

de Warville, 152

de Xammes, 145

Boisleux-St. Marc, 407

Bolsheviki, 432, 433

Bolshie-Ozerki, 435

Bonhomme Pass, 423, 425

Bony, 373, 375, 380, 383, 384, 385, 387, 388, 465, 479

Bordeaux, 29, 445, 454, 479

Borne de Cornouiller (Cornwilly Hill), 262, 269, 

311

Boucle-St. Blaise, 397

Boucq, 158

Bouillonville, 111, 158

Bouleaux Bois, 319

Boult-aux-Bois, 187, 236

Bourbonne-les-Bains, 442

Bouresches, 31, 46, 55

Boureuilles, 221, 232

Bourges, 143

Bourget, Le, 445

Bouxières-sous-Froidmont, 158

Brabant, 263, 264, 312

Braine, 96

Brancourt-le-Grand, 389, 391

Brandeville, 316

Bras, 312, 324

Brest, 438, 446–447, 450, 454, 475, 479

Breuil, 95

Breusch River, 426

Brieulles, 260, 262, 308, 309

Briey, 113

Briey iron basin, 106, 154, 191, 298

Briey-Metz region, 107, 112

Brigades (See Military units.)

Briquenay, 285

Brittany, 475

Bronson, First Lt. Deming, 319

Bronze tablets. (See Memorials.)

Brookwood, 457, 459, 466, 469

Bruges, 453

Brussels, 399, 401, 467

Brusses Farm, Les, 53

Brusses Farm-Gonétrie Farm Ridge, 55

Buire, 95

Buisson de Cresnes, 54, 96

Bulk sale to France, 506

Bullard, Maj. Gen. Robert L., 113

Busigny, 381

Bussang Pass, 423

Bussy Farm, 358, 359

Butgnéville, 158

Buxerulles, 121, 144

Buxières, 121, 144

Buzancy, 87, 96, 283, 285, 287, 288

Cabaret Wood Farm, 384

Calais, 446, 453

Call, Corp. Donald M., 222

Cambrai, 22, 167, 381, 388, 392, 394, 465, 479

Cambrai battle, 22, 394

Camp Drachen, 316

Cannon or shell—no American-made fired by First 

Army, 19, 504

Cantigny, 27, 31, 387, 414, 415, 416, 465, 482

Caporetto, 23

Caranda Mill, 69

Carbon-Blanc, 446

Cardiff, 454

“Carey’s Force”, 412

Carpathian Mountains, 5

Carrefour de l’Armistice, 96

Casualties:

Aisne-Marne region, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 54, 65, 

69, 73, 78, 79, 80, 87, 89, 92, 93, 103–104

Champagne region, 332, 334, 335, 336, 369

Figures, how derived, 519

Meuse-Argonne region, 210, 212–213, 227, 231, 

235, 242, 270, 311, 327–328

North of Paris battlefields, 380, 385, 390, 394, 

397, 404, 407, 411, 415, 417

Northern Russia, 435

St. Mihiel region, 112, 165–166

Vosges Front, 423, 427

Cattaro, 431

Cazaux, 446

Celles-les-Condé, 60

Cemeteries, American:

Aisne-Marne, 49, 51–52, 55, 89, 464, 479

Brookwood, 457, 459, 469

Flanders Field, 399, 467, 482

Meuse-Argonne, 193, 213, 244, 245–248, 253, 

273, 308, 458, 461, 473
534 INDEX—AMERICAN ARMIES AND BATTLEFIELDS IN EUROPE 

Cemeteries, American—Continued

Oise-Aisne, 69, 71, 73, 75–76, 462, 475

St. Mihiel, 125, 144, 145, 147, 149–150, 463, 475

Somme, 384, 385, 387–388, 465, 479

Suresnes, 459, 466, 469

Cernay-en-Dormois, 361

Cervisy, 305

Cessières, 92

Cetinje, 431

Chalade, La, 324

Châlons-sur-Marne, 33, 368, 475

Chambley, 158

Chamery, 77

Champ Mahaut, 222, 316, 368

Champagne-Marne defensive, 33–36, 60–63, 330, 

343–347

Champagne region, 6, 329–369, 475

Combat service summary, 369

Tour of battlefields, 341–368

Champigneulle, 232, 234, 236

Champy Bas, Le, 323

Champy Haut, Le, 323

Chantrud Farm, 92

Charlevaux Mill, 337, 361

Charmel, Le, 40, 65, 66

Charmel Château, Le, 65

Charmes, 425

Charmes Gap, 425

Charny, 194

Charpentry, 218

Chartèves, 64, 102

Chassogne Farm, 277

Château d’Aulnois, 158

Château de Belval, 289

Château du Diable, 80, 81

Château de Fresnes, 96

Château de Huysse, 397

Château-Thierry, 31, 35, 36, 58, 59, 60, 61, 63, 89, 

100, 331, 413, 462, 475, 479

Châteauroux, 444

Châtel-Chéhéry, 178, 211, 226, 227, 228, 229, 249, 

317

Châtillon-sur-Seine, 442

Chaudron Farm, 317

Chaudun, 87, 96

Chaumont, 442, 482, 495

Chaumont-devant-Damvillers, 271

Chauvoncourt, 158

Chazelle Ravine, 96

Chéhéry, 317

Chemical Warfare Service, 444, 445

Chemin des Dames, 23, 29, 43, 45, 96, 97, 415

Chêne Tondu, Le, 223–224

Cheppe, La, 368

Cheppy, 214, 216, 218, 220

Cherbourg, 447

Chéry-Chartreuve, 77

Cheveuges, 317

Chevières, 237

Chiers River, 191, 299

Chiles, Capt. Marcellus H., 323

Chinon, 444

Chipilly Ridge, 410, 411

Cierges (Aisne), 40, 69, 71, 94, 101

Cierges (Meuse), 211, 315, 317, 321

Civilians, number employed, 441, 502

Claire, La, 322

Clairs Chênes Wood, 317

Clamecy, 444

Claon, Le, 368

Claye, 43

Clermont, 51

Clermont-en-Argonne, 315, 317, 324

Clermont-Ferrand, 444

Cléry-le-Grand, 317

Cléry-le-Petit, 317

Clichy-la-Garenne, 445

Cluze, La, 444

Coblenz, 487, 488, 489, 492

Cochem, 492

Codroipo, 431

Coëtquidan, 445

Coeuvres-et-Valsery, 96

Cohan, 77

Cologne, 487, 488, 489

Colombey-les-Belles, 442

Colored troops, 336, 339

Colyer, Sgt. Wilbur E., 230

Combat service summaries:

Aisne-Marne region, 103–104

Champagne region, 369

Meuse-Argonne region, 327–328

Operations north of Paris, 417

St. Mihiel region, 165–166

Vosges Front, 427

Commanders:

Army, 498

Corps, 498–499

Division, 499–500

in Chief (see also Foch; Pershing; Pétain), 498

Services of Supply, 501

Commercy, 442

Compiègne, 33, 36, 41, 96

Condé-les-Autry, 361

Confians-en-Jarnisy, 158

Congressional Medal of Honor. (See Decorations 

and medals.)

Connecticut memorial fountain, 128

Connigis, 98

Consenvoye, 257, 262, 263, 264, 265, 266, 312

Contrexéville, 442

Cooperation with Allies and preservation of 

identity (see also Amalgamation of 

American troops with Allied forces), 17

Corbeil, 442

Corfu, 452

Cormons, 431

Cornay, 211, 227, 228, 229, 231

Cornwilly Hill, (See Borne de Cornouiller.)

Corps, (See Military units.)

Cost of war, 505

Costin, Pvt. (1st cl.) Henry G., 267–268

Côte de Châtillon, 181, 232, 234, 235, 242, 243, 244, 

251, 275, 280, 324, 326

Côte Dame Marie, 181, 211, 212, 244, 248–249, 250, 

251, 275, 315, 316, 325

Côte de Jumont, 309

Côte de Maldah, 230, 241

Côte St. Germain, 278, 307

Côte de Senoux, 115, 117, 119
INDEX—AMERICAN ARMIES AND BATTLEFIELDS IN EUROPE 535

Côte de Talou, 312

Côtes de Forimont, Les 323

Côtes des Perrières, 221

Coucy-le-Château, 96

Coulonges, 77, 95

Courchamps, 54, 55, 101

Courmont, 63, 66, 67, 68, 71, 96

Courneau, le, 446

Courthiézy, 31, 96

Courtine, La, 446

Couvrelles, 96

Cravançon Farm, 83, 84, 87

Crawford, Corp. Robert E., 310

Crête Niel, 345

Creuë, 121

Crézancy, 60

Croix Rouge Farm, La, 39, 40, 97

Crossing river under hostile fire, 261, 302

Cruyshautem, 396, 397

Cuisy, 317

Cukela, Sgt. Louis, 90

Cumières, 195

Cunel, 178, 211, 212, 214, 250, 251, 253, 273, 278, 

317, 325, 326, 461

Cunel Heights, 177, 182, 211

Cutry, 101

Damvillers, 270

Dannes-Camiers, 503

Dannevoux, 209, 262

Dardanelles, 6

Dax, 446

Days in major operations. (See Divisions.)

Decize, 444

Decorations and medals:

Army:

Congressional Medal of Honor:

Individual awards, 48, 53, 71, 73, 78, 81, 

90, 97, 100, 101, 134, 140, 157, 199, 

215, 216, 217, 220, 222, 224, 230, 231, 

239, 243, 255, 257, 263, 265, 266, 267, 

269, 279, 281, 301, 304, 307, 309, 313, 

315, 319, 320, 323, 325, 353, 355, 360, 

364, 365, 377, 379, 380, 385, 391, 392, 

408, 411

Number awarded, 520

When awarded, 510

Distinguished Service Cross:

Individual awards, 72, 98, 158, 214, 237, 

244, 260, 265, 310, 320, 321, 323, 324, 

381, 385, 396, 424

When awarded, 510

Distinguished Service Medal, 511

Oak-leaf Cluster, 511

Purple Heart, 511

Silver Star, 511

Navy:

Congressional Medal of Honor, 511

Cross, 511

Distinguished Service Medal, 511

Gold Star, 511

Victory Medal, 511

(See also Foreign decorations; Foreign medals.)

Denterghern, 397

Dhuy Farm, La, 280, 319

Dickman, Maj. Gen. Joseph T., 488

Dieulouard, 158–159

Dijon, 442

Dilboy, Pvt. (1st cl.) George, 53

Direction meanings at stops, 521

Distinguished Service Cross. (See Decorations and 

medals.)

Distinguished Service Medal. (See Decorations 

and medals.)

Divisions:

Approximate strength, 17, 501

Casualties (see also Casualties), 517

Composition, 516–517

Dates of arrival, 515

Days in major operations, 517

Localities from which originally raised, 515

Maximum in action in one week, 501

Miles advanced, 517

National Army, 515

National Guard, 515

Popular nicknames, 517

Prisoners, 517

Regular Army, 515

Replacements, 517

Sectors. (See Sectors.)

(See also Military units.)

Dommartin, 91

Dornrnartin-la-Chaussée, 159

Dornrnartin-la-Montagne, 159

Donaldson, Pvt. Michael A., 243

Doncourt, 151, 152

Donges, 445

Donjeux, 442

Donovan, Lt. Col. William J., 243

Dormans, 60, 97

Douglas Camp, 404

Doulaincourt, 442

Doulcon, 308

Doultre Château, La, 98

Douzy, 299

Dozier, First Lt. James C., 392

Dravegny, 77

Dricourt, 335, 357

Drillancourt, 208

Dun-sur-Meuse, 190, 211, 304, 307, 308, 309, 310

Dunkirk, 453

Dunn, P vt. Parker F., 325

Durazzo, 452

Dvina River, 433

Eclaron, 442

Eclisfontaine, 319, 325

Education Corps Commission, 492

Edwards, Pvt. (1st cl.) Daniel R., 101

Eggers, Corp. Alan L., 385

Ehrenbreitstein, 489, 493

Ellis, Pvt. Michael B., 231

Elst, 397

Emergency Fleet Corporation, 451

Emplacements, 143, 153, 159

Engers, 489

Entry into war, reasons for, 9

Eparges, Les, 161

Epernay 33, 35, 332

Epieds, 54, 101, 102
536 INDEX—AMERICAN ARMIES AND BATTLEFIELDS IN EUROPE 

Epinal, 425, 426, 442

Epinettes Bois, Les, 320

Epinonville, 209, 220, 259, 319

Escaut (Scheldt) River, 395, 396, 397

Esnes, 322

Esnes–Malancourt road, 322

Essen Hook, 352

Essey-et-Maizerais, 111, 129, 131, 159

Etangs Farm, 98

Etinehem, 411

Etraye, 270

Etrépilly, 97

Euvezin, 145, 159

Events, summary of:

1914, 2

1915, 6

1916, 6

1917 to April 6, 7

To May 28, 1918, 21

Exermont, 225, 227, 231, 315, 319, 323, 324

Exmorieux Farm, 320

Eyne, 396

Farm des Granges, 221, 224, 227, 231

Farm des Loges, 239

Farm St. Rémy, 302, 303

Fecht River, 426

Fère-en-Tardenois, 73, 97, 462, 475

Fère-en-Tardenois Castle, 97

Ferté-Milon, La, 91

Ferté-sous-Jouarre, La, 43, 44, 495

Fey-en-Haye, 137

Filain, 97

First:

Battle casualty, 502, 503

Captured:

Americans, 423

German, 423

Entry into line of division on active battle 

front, 414

Gun firing 75 miles, 25

Killed in action, 423, 503

Line training, 420, 421, 423

Offensive by division, 415, 416, 482

Offensive by First Army, 18, 105, 154

Soldier killed by enemy, 503

Time division held front-line trenches, 423

Use of poison gas, 10

Wounded, 394, 502, 503

Fismes, 40, 41, 63, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 97

Fismette, 41, 78

Fiume, 431

Flaba, 294

Flanders, 26, 27, 29, 395, 397, 402

Fléville, 231, 317, 321

Flirey, 124, 128, 131

Foch, Marshal Ferdinand, 18, 25, 26, 33, 41, 96, 

152, 191, 414, 487, 493, 498

Fontaine, Jean de la, 57

Fontaine des Emerlots, 324

Fontaine des Filles, 97

Foreign decorations:

American units awarded, 513–515

Description, 511, 513

Foreign medals, how obtained:

Château-Thierry, 521

St. Mihiel, 521

Verdun, 521

Forêt du Bois-le-Prêtre, 137

Forêt de Compiègne, 96

Forêt de Dieulet, 320

Forêt de Fère, 97

Forêt de Jaulnay, 292

Forêt de Nesles, 73

Forêt des Venchères, 141

Forêt de Woëvre, 320

Forge, La, 322

Forge Farm, La, 291

Forges, 312

Forges Creek, 196, 197, 200

Forest Farm, 335

Forrest, Sgt. Arthur J., 281

Fort du Camp des Romains, 159

Fort de Ia Pompelle, 342

Fort du Rozellier, 155

Fossé, 288, 320

Fossoy, 60

Foster, Sgt. Gary E., 393

Four de Paris, Le, 222, 329, 341, 367, 368

Franco-American Cooperation, Museum of, 94

Franquets Farm, 97

Frapelle, 423

French medals for Americans. (See Foreign 

medals.)

French roads, information concerning, 520

Fresnes-en-Woëvre, 113, 151, 153, 182, 213

Freya position, 274, 275, 281

Front-line-service classification, 520

Funk, Pvt. Jesse N., 279

Furlong, First Lt. Harold A., 279

Gaffney, Pvt. (1st cl.) Frank, 380, 381

Gallieni, Marshal, 43

Gancaz, Pvt. (1st cl.) Stanley, 320

Garches, 459

Gardella, Sgt. Frank, Jr., 72

Garner, Pvt. George W., 320

G. H. Q., 105, 439, 441, 483, 495

Advance, 161

General Purchasing Board, tonnage handled, 439

Genevrois Farm, 97

Genoa, 431

Gérardmer, 423, 425, 426

Gercourt, 212

Gesnes, 320, 321, 326

Ghent, 397, 399, 401

Gibraltar, 450, 454, 479

Gien, 444

Gièvres, 444, 445

Givry, 53

Glennes, 97, 101

Glossary of military terms, 529–530

Goettler, Second Lt. Harold E., 364

Gondrecourt, 442

Gonétrie Farm, La, 53, 55

Gorizia, 431

Gouy, 385

Gouzeaucourt, 394 , 503

Grand Carré Farm, Le, 252, 275, 279

Grand Cognon, Le, 161
INDEX—AMERICAN ARMIES AND BATTLEFIELDS IN EUROPE 537

Grand Couronné, Le, 426

Grand Ru Farm, 97

Grande Tranchée de Calonne, 117

Grandlup-et-Fay, 92

Grandpré, 181, 182, 221, 234, 235, 236, 237, 239, 325

Grange-aux-Bois Farm, 321

Granville, 447

Gratreuil, 358

Grave at sea, 458, 459, 466, 469

Gravelotte, 159, 163

Greatest number in hospitals at one time, 502

Gregory, Sgt. Earl D., 267

Grenoble, 444

Gressaire Wood, 410, 411

Grèves Farm, 97

Grimaucourt-en-Woëvre, 159

Guard, National. (See Divisions.)

Gué d’Hossus, Le, 93

Guillemont Farm, 375, 379, 380, 383, 384

Gump, Pvt. Noah L., 310

Gumpertz, First Sgt. Sydney G., 199

Hall, Sgt. Thomas L., 390, 391

Hamel, 408, 411

Hanido Wood, 159

Hanlon Field, 442

Haraucourt, 295

Haraumont, 262

Harazée, La, 367

Harbord, Maj. Gen. James G., 439

Hargicourt, 383

Harnoterie Farm, La, 293

Harricourt, 321

Hassavant Farm, 151

Hatler, Sgt. M. Waldo, 304

Hattonchâtel, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 125, 144, 151

Haudainville, 159

Haudiomont, 109, 112, 150, 152, 154, 155

Haumont-lès-Lachaussée, 159

Haussimont, 442

Hautevesnes, 54

Havre, Le, 18, 446

Hays, First Lt. George P., 97–98

Headquarters (see also G. H. Q.), 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 

99, 100, 102, 156, 157, 158, 159, 161, 163, 164, 

216, 245, 307, 315, 316, 317, 319, 320, 321, 

322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 346, 381, 397, 404, 

425, 426, 437, 442, 492, 495, 519

Headstones, 147, 458

Heddesdorf, 492

Heights of the Argonne, 178

Heights of the Meuse, 106, 109, 117, 170, 261, 263, 

270

Heights of the Moselle, 106

Hendaye, 446

Heriot, Corp. James D., 391–392

Hermelgem–Syngem bridge, 397

Hermies, 18

Herschkowitz, Pvt. (1st. cl.) Jack, 324

Heudicourt, 121, 144

Heurne, 396

Heuvel, 396

Hill, Corp. Ralyn., 262

Hill:

166, 85

193, 52, 53,54

204, 55, 59, 60, 100, 462, 475

210, 351, 352

223, 227, 229

244, 229

250, 256, 257

252, 261, 298

253, 257

255, 321

263, 321

268, 257

269, 230, 316, 321

272, 321

274, 259

285, 322, 324, 368

288, 242, 243, 244

289, 236, 278, 284, 285, 288

295, 259

299, 281, 317

304, 200, 207, 322

308, 289

323, 159

324, 139, 141

343, 253, 275, 277, 279

345, 301

360, 268

Hilton, Sgt. Richmond H., 390, 391

Hindenburg, Gen. Paul von 5, 7

Hindenburg Line, 159, 161, 175, 177, 178, 179, 181, 

187, 210, 211, 212, 232, 233, 234, 235, 241, 

242, 244, 248, 250, 251, 256, 259, 274, 277, 

284, 311, 373, 375, 378, 381, 383, 384, 387, 

389, 394, 404, 461, 465, 479.

Hoffman, Sgt. Charles F., 48

Hoggle, Pvt. John, 310

Holderman, Capt. Nelson M., 365

Holland, 167, 189

Hospitalization provisions, 502

Hostetter, Second Lt. Jay F., 98

Houppy Bois, Le, 323

Houssière, La, 98

Houtkerque, 404

Hurlus, 367

Ill River, 426

Imécourt, 283

Important governmental officials of nations at war, 

495–498

Independent American army (see also

Amalgamation of American troops), 106, 

107, 114

Infantry. (See Military units.)

Inor, 305

Insignia, 501

Inter-Allied Reparation Commission, 510

Inverness, 454

Isolated units (see also “Lost Battalion”), 153, 154, 

265, 270

Issoudun, 444

Is-sur-Tille, 442, 479

Italy, operations, 429, 430–431

Ivoiry, 215

Jametz, 322

Janvier Farm, 98
538 INDEX—AMERICAN ARMIES AND BATTLEFIELDS IN EUROPE 

Jaulgonne, 35, 40, 64, 65, 97

Jaulny, 159

Jewish Welfare Board, 507

Johnston, Pvt. (1st cl.) Harold I., 304

Jomblets, Les, 40, 69, 73

Jonc de Mer Farm, 390

Jonchery, 442

Jonville, 152, 161

Jouy-aux-Arches, 161

Jural Alps, 425

Jutland, Battle of, 6

Juvigny, 42, 43, 82, 89, 91

Karnes, Corp. James E., 393

Katz, Corp. Philip C., 319

Kaufman, Sgt. Benjamin, 313–315

Kehl, 489

Kelly, Pvt. John J., 353

Killingholme, 454

Kilmer, Joyce, 76

Kilometers, conversion into miles, 520

King of Belgians, 395

King of England, 411

Kinkade, Corp. Berte L., 320

Knights of Columbus, 507

Knoll, The, 375, 377, 379, 380, 384

Kocak, Sgt. Matej, 90

Kochli, First Lt. Fred, 214–215

Krüth, 426

Kylburg, 492

Labrit, 446

Lafayette Escadrille, 459, 503

Lairesse, La, 233, 236

Lake Garda, 430

Lamarche, 129

Landres-et-St. Georges, 241, 243, 244, 280, 319

Landreville, 283

Langres, 443

Lankhof Farm, 404

Laon, 82

Largest concentration of aviation for offensive 

during war, 110, 504

Last great American offensive, 213

Last large organization to leave for home, 493

Latham, Sgt. John C, 385

Lauch River, 425

Launay, 98

League of Nations Covenant, 509

Lee, Sgt. Orum B., 214–215

Lemert, Sgt. Milo, 379

Length of front, 501

Léonval, 443

Libourne, 446

Liége bottle neck, 167

Liffol-le-Grand, 443

Liggett, Maj. Gen. Hunter, 182

Ligny-en-Barrois, 161, 495

Limey, 134

Limoges, 446

Line of Communications, 437, 438

Liny-devant-Dun, 310

Lironville, 157

Lizy-sur-Ourcq, 98

Loans made by U nited States to foreign countries, 506

Localities of origin of troops. (See Divisions.)

Loge Mangin, 143

Loire River, 479

Loison River, 322

Loman, Pvt. (1st cl.) Berger H., 265

London, 469, 493

Longwy, 114, 191, 298

Longpont, ruins of Cistercian abbey, 89, 99

Lorraine, 17, 18, 473, 488, 510

Lorraine Plain, 425

“Lost Battalion” (see also Isolated units), 178, 224, 

228, 229, 329, 337, 362–365

Loupmont, 106, 121

Loupmont Ridge, 121

Lucey, 161

Lucy-le-Bocage, 31, 43, 45, 48, 99

Ludendorff, Gen. Erich von, 5

Luke, Second Lt. Frank, Jr., 307

Lunéville, 25

Lusitania, 9

Lux, 443

Luxemburg, 488, 489

Lyon, 51

Lys River, 26, 27

Lys salient, 402, 403

Machault, 335, 357

Madeleine Farm, 253, 256, 257

Magneux, 99

Maidières, 138

Mail, record delivery, 504

Mailly, 443

Mairy, 301

Maison-Neuve Farm, La, 87

Maisoncelle, 323

Malancourt, 196, 200, 201, 207, 208, 322

Mallon, Capt. George H., 199

Mamey, 161, 163, 164

Manheulles, 153

Manning, Pvt. Sidney E., 71

Manre, 357, 358

Mans, Le, 444, 479

Maps and sketches:

Dates, 519

List, ix–x

Size or type, 519

Unit boundaries, 519

Marans, 447

Marbache, 161

Marchéville, 152

Marcq, 237, 241

Mares Farm, 99

Mareuil-en-Dôle, 99

Marimbois Farm, 161

Marines. (See Military units.)

Markers:

Farthest German advance, 55, 91, 135, 200, 

342, 343

“Lost Battalion”, 362

Marne, First Battle of, 21, 43, 44

Marne River, 4, 31, 35, 37, 40, 44, 45, 51, 57, 58, 59, 

60, 62, 78, 96, 332, 421, 464, 475

Marne salient, 52, 63, 332

Marre, 195

Mars, 439, 444
INDEX—AMERICAN ARMIES AND BATTLEFIELDS IN EUROPE 539

Marseille, 447

Martincourt, 305

Martincourt Farm, 231, 232, 233, 235, 236, 237, 

241, 251

Marvoisin, 109, 124

Mastine, Pvt. Joseph, 381

Maximum divisions in action in one week, 501

Mayence, 487, 488, 489

Mazinghien, 390

McKeogh, First Lt. Arthur F., 324

McMurtry, Capt. George G., 365

Meaux, 43, 91

Medals:

American. (See Decorations and medals.)

Foreign. (See Foreign medals.)

Médéah Farm, 351, 352, 353, 355, 357

Mehun-sur-Yèvre, 444

Memorials and monuments:

Erected by United States Government:

Aisne-Marne, 55, 59, 60, 462, 464, 475

Audenarde, 401, 467, 482

Belleau Wood, 48, 479

Bellicourt, 383, 479

Blanc Mont Ridge (north of Sommepy), 

347, 349, 350, 357, 475

Bronze tablet at:

Chaumont, 482–483

Souilly, 325, 483

Cantigny, 416, 482

Fountain at Tours, 442, 479

Meuse-Argonne, on Montfaucon, 155, 193, 

197, 199, 201, 203, 204, 205, 207, 

214, 225, 257, 266, 284, 308, 311, 351, 

461, 473.

Navy:

Brest, 446–447, 453, 475

Gibraltar, 453, 479

St. Mihiel, on Montsec, 119, 123, 126–127, 

143, 144, 149, 463, 473–475

Vierstraat, 405, 482

(See also page 457.)

Erected by agencies other than United States 

Government, 522–527

First Americans killed in action, near 

Bathelémont, 423

Fountain:

American Field Service, at Pont-àMousson, 138

Connecticut, at Seicheprey, 128

Holyoke (Mass.), at Apremont, 157

Pennsylvania, at Nantillois, 259

Lafayette Escadrille, at Garches, 459

Missouri, near Cheppy, 216

Pennsylvania:

At Varennes-en-Argonne, 222

Fismes-Fismette bridge, 79

V Corps, near Mouzon, 301

1st Division:

Near Buzancy, 96

Near St. Juvin, 241

Near Wadelincourt, 298

2d Division, near Mouzon, 301

3d Division, at Château-Thierry, 60

4th Division:

Near Bazoches, 80

Near Brieulles-sur-Meuse, 259

Near Manheulles, 153

5th Division, at Dun-sur-Meuse, 307

26th Division, at Belleau, 49

37th Division, at Montfaucon, 214

315th Infantry, at Nantillois, 259

371st Infantry, near Ardeuil, 361

372d Infantry, near Séchault, 361

Ménil-la-Tour, 161

Merchant shipping lost, 505

Mérignac, 446

Merval, 99

Méry-sur-Marne, 99

Mesnil-St. Firmin, Le, 415

Messines Ridge, 22

Mestrovitch, Sgt. James I., 78

Mesves-sur-Loire, 444

Metz, 18, 106, 115, 154, 161, 163, 167, 463, 475

Metz–Sedan–Mézières railroad, 186, 213, 295

Meucon, 445

Meurcy Farm, 72, 73

Meuse-Argonne offensive, 153, 167–328, 329, 337, 

339, 347, 368, 373, 395, 397, 437, 473, 483, 

488

Airplanes, 175

German divisions, 326

Gigantic movement of concentration, 171

Objectives, 213, 274, 295, 299

Plan of operation, 167, 172, 173, 177, 295–297

Tank shortage, 175, 209

Meuse-Argonne region, 81, 167–328, 390

Combat service summary, 327–328

German:

Lateral line of communications, 179, 189

Positions formidable, 197

Ideal for defensive fighting, 169

Rain, 186

Terrain, 169–171, 176–177, 201, 211, 232, 252, 

255, 274

Tours of battlefield :

First day, 194–272

Second day, 273–312

Meuse River, 25, 106, 107, 113, 115, 137, 152, 158, 

167, 171, 173, 177, 179, 180, 181, 182, 186, 187, 

189, 190, 191, 192, 196, 197, 199, 205, 207, 

212, 213, 235, 236, 249, 250, 253, 259, 260, 

262, 263, 265, 267, 271, 276, 277, 278, 288, 

292, 293, 294, 295, 298, 299, 302, 305, 307, 

308, 311, 320, 333, 335, 421

Mézières, 167, 172

Mézy, 35, 59, 60, 62, 63

Miles, Captain L. Wardlaw, 81

Military decorations. (See Decorations and 

medals.)

Military terms, glossary, 529-530

Military units:

Armies:

First, 18, 19, 41, 42, 44, 106, 107, 110, 112, 

117, 118, 120, 124, 127, 131, 140, 150, 

153, 154, 155, 159, 163, 165, 166, 171, 

172, 173, 175, 176, 177, 179, 181, 182, 

186, 187, 189, 190, 191, 192, 194, 196, 

201, 203, 207, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, 

218, 219, 225, 226, 227, 233, 235, 242, 

247, 249, 250, 251, 252, 253, 255, 260,
540 INDEX—AMERICAN ARMIES AND BATTLEFIELDS IN EUROPE 

Military units—Continued

Armies—Continued

First—Continued

261, 262, 263, 266, 269, 273, 275, 279, 

280, 284, 288, 289, 293, 295, 298, 311, 

312, 317, 325, 327, 328, 333, 337, 339, 

347, 373, 390, 395, 397, 407, 411, 424, 

437, 441, 463, 473, 433, 495, 504

Second, 113, 114, 150, 151, 152, 153, 164, 165, 

166, 182, 335, 421, 424, 489, 495

Third, 488, 492, 493

Corps:

I, 36, 44, 52, 73, 79, 95, 101, 103, 104, 109, 

111, 117, 119, 123, 135, 142, 164, 165, 

166, 172, 173, 177, 180, 182, 186, 187, 

189, 190, 197, 207, 211, 218, 219, 221, 

232, 233, 235, 236, 241, 275, 276, 277, 

284, 288, 297, 317, 323, 324, 327, 328, 

337, 365, 426, 442

II, 185, 375, 381, 383, 385, 389, 390, 402, 404, 

407, 417, 442

III, 41, 79, 95, 96, 100, 103, 104, 172, 173, 

175, 177, 180, 182, 186, 187, 189, 190, 

191, 196, 197, 201, 207, 211, 235, 245, 

275, 276, 305, 307, 324, 327, 328, 426, 

444, 488, 489, 492

IV, 109, 111, 117, 119, 121, 123, 129, 131, 158, 

161, 164, 165, 166, 488, 489, 492

V, 109, 111, 117, 123, 156, 165, 172, 173, 175, 

177, 179, 180, 182, 186, 187, 189, 192, 

197, 207, 211, 212, 216, 220, 230, 233, 

235, 236, 241, 249, 275, 276, 277, 280, 

289, 297, 301, 324, 326, 327, 328

VI, 152, 164, 426

VII, 426, 488, 489, 492

Divisions:

1st, 15, 22, 23, 25, 27, 36, 37, 39, 54, 83, 84, 

85, 87, 95, 96, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 

109, 111, 112, 120, 124, 125, 127, 129, 

131, 138, 144, 145, 151, 157, 161, 164, 

165, 172, 177, 178, 180, 186, 189, 210, 

211, 216, 218, 223, 227, 230, 231, 233, 

241, 242, 293, 297, 298, 301, 315, 317, 

321, 322, 324, 327, 371, 387, 414, 415, 

416, 417, 420, 423, 427, 465, 482, 488, 

489, 492, 516–517

18th Infantry Regiment, 414, 415

26th Infantry Regiment, 415

28th Infantry Regiment, 414

1st Engineer Regiment, 230, 321

2d, 25, 31, 36, 37, 39, 44, 45, 46, 48, 49, 52, 

54, 55, 58, 83, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 94, 

97, 102, 103, 109, 111, 112, 117, 124, 

125, 134, 135, 138, 143, 144, 145, 157, 

158, 159, 161, 163, 164, 165, 183, 186, 

192, 235, 236, 244, 253, 275, 277, 278, 

280, 281, 283, 284, 288, 289, 291, 

292, 293, 301, 302, 303, 305, 320, 

323, 325, 327, 329, 333, 334, 335, 346, 

347, 349, 350, 351, 352, 353, 355, 357, 

369, 421, 475, 488, 489, 492, 516–517

Infantry, 333, 334, 351, 352, 353, 357

Marines, 45, 48, 87, 90, 99, 333, 334, 350, 

351, 352, 353, 355, 453

2d Engineers, 47

3d, 31, 35, 36, 37, 40, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 

64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 76, 89, 96, 97, 

98, 100, 102, 103, 109, 114, 172, 177, 

179, 180, 181, 186, 210, 211, 212, 214, 

249, 250, 251, 252, 253, 255, 256, 257, 

260, 273, 317, 321, 325, 327, 420, 488, 

489, 492, 516–517

6th Infantry Brigade, 40, 78, 102, 103

4th Infantry Regiment, 59

7th Infantry Regiment, 47

30th Infantry Regiment, 59, 63

38th Infantry Regiment, 63

6th Engineer Regiment, 371, 383, 387, 

412, 413, 417

7th Machine Gun Battalion, 58

4th, 36, 37, 39, 41, 54, 73, 76, 77, 79, 80, 89, 

95, 96, 98, 99, 101, 103, 109, 112, 114, 

117, 120, 153, 159, 165, 172, 177, 178, 

179, 180, 196, 199, 200, 201, 207, 211, 

250, 252, 254, 256, 259, 260, 317, 327, 

420, 488, 489, 492, 516–517

7th Infantry Brigade, 54

47th Infantry Regiment, 40, 72

5th, 109, 111, 112, 124, 125, 134, 135, 142, 

143, 157, 159, 163, 165, 180, 181, 182, 

186, 190, 191, 212, 213, 250, 251, 252, 

253, 254, 255, 261, 262, 273, 275, 276, 

277, 278, 307, 308, 309, 310, 316, 317, 

320, 322, 324, 325, 327, 420, 423, 

426, 427, 488, 516–517

7th Engineers, 310

6th, 185, 186, 420, 423, 424, 426, 427, 516–517

7th, 113, 114, 145, 152, 157, 158, 159, 161, 

163, 164, 165, 421, 516–517

8th, 516–517

26th, 25, 36, 37, 39, 40, 49, 52, 53, 54, 55, 96, 

97, 102, 103, 109, 111, 113, 117, 118, 

119, 120, 121, 125, 127, 152, 153, 157, 

158, 159, 163, 164, 165, 180, 181, 191, 

213, 268, 270, 271, 311, 316, 323, 327, 

421, 516–517

27th, 183, 371, 373, 375, 377, 378, 379, 380, 

381, 383, 384, 385, 387, 388, 389, 390, 

392, 399, 402, 403, 404, 405, 417, 421, 

479, 482, 516–517

107th Infantry Regiment, 380

28th, 35, 37, 39, 40, 41, 42, 59, 60, 64, 65, 66, 

67, 68, 69, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 89, 94, 

95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 103, 113, 114, 145, 

152, 157, 159, 161, 165, 172, 177, 178, 

197, 207, 211, 218, 220, 221, 222, 223, 

224, 226, 227, 228, 229, 231, 316, 322, 

324, 327, 421, 516–517

55th Infantry Brigade, 102

56th Infantry Brigade, 39, 97

111th Infantry Regiment, 59, 62

112th Infantry Regiment, 59

53d Field Artillery Brigade, 401

29th, 114, 172, 179, 180, 181, 186, 212, 263, 

264, 265, 266, 267, 268, 269, 270, 

312, 327, 420, 423, 426, 427, 516–517

30th, 183, 371, 373, 375, 378, 379, 381, 383, 

384, 385, 387, 388, 389, 390, 391, 392, 

393, 399, 402, 403, 404, 405, 417, 421, 

479, 482, 516–517
INDEX—AMERICAN ARMIES AND BATTLEFIELDS IN EUROPE 541

31st, 516–517

32d, 25, 40, 42, 43, 66, 69, 73, 76, 77, 78, 89, 

91, 94, 95, 100, 101, 102, 103, 172, 

177, 179, 180, 181, 186, 191, 210, 211, 

212, 244, 245, 249, 250, 251, 252, 

270, 275, 310, 315, 316, 317, 320, 321, 

324, 325, 326, 327, 420, 423, 426, 427, 

488, 489, 492, 516–517

128th Infantry Regiment, 316

33d, 114, 152, 153, 157, 158, 163, 164, 165, 

171, 172, 177, 179, 180, 181, 196, 197, 

207, 208, 210, 212, 262, 263, 264, 

265, 266, 270, 312, 324, 327, 371, 383, 

387, 408, 410, 411, 417, 421, 516–517.

131st Infantry Regiment, 408, 410, 411

132d Infantry Regiment, 408

34th, 516–517

35th, 110, 114, 153, 164, 165, 172, 177, 197, 

207, 210, 215, 216, 217, 218, 220, 222, 

223, 225, 226, 317, 323, 324, 327, 420, 

423, 426, 427, 516–517

36th, 114, 183, 186, 329, 333, 334, 335, 347, 

351, 355, 357, 369, 420, 475, 516–517.

71st Infantry Brigade, 334

37th, 113, 145, 157, 159, 166, 172, 185, 197, 201, 

207, 208, 209, 210, 214, 215, 259, 315, 316, 

317, 321, 326, 327, 371, 395, 396, 397, 399, 

401, 417, 420, 423, 424, 425, 427, 516–517

38th, 516–517

39th, 516–517

40th, 516–517

41st, 25, 516–517

42d, 25, 35, 40, 54, 69, 71, 72, 73, 76, 77, 94, 

95, 97, 99, 104, 109, 111, 113, 124, 

128, 129, 131, 144, 145, 150, 151, 156, 

157, 159, 161, 166, 177, 180, 181, 186, 

189, 213, 216, 233, 234, 235, 242, 243, 

244, 250, 251, 294, 295, 297, 298, 

299, 315, 317, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, 

329, 330, 331, 332, 343, 344, 345, 369, 

420, 423, 424, 427, 475, 488, 489, 492, 

516–517

67th Artillery Brigade, 332

150th Machine Gun Battalion, 332

151st Machine Gun Battalion, 332

76th, 516–517

77th, 41, 42, 79, 80, 81, 97, 99, 101, 102, 104, 172, 

177, 178, 180, 181, 186, 197, 207, 211, 218, 

219, 222, 229, 231, 233, 234, 235, 236, 

237, 241, 251, 281, 285, 287, 288, 289, 

294, 295, 297, 301, 313, 315, 316, 317, 321, 

324, 325, 328, 337, 362; 364, 365, 367, 

368, 420, 423, 424, 425, 427, 516–517

307th Infantry Regiment, 337, 362

308th Infantry Regiment, 337, 362

306th Machine Gun Battalion, 337, 362

78th, 109, 112, 113, 143, 145, 157, 159, 161, 

166, 180, 182, 186, 189, 213, 234, 235, 

236, 237, 239, 281, 285, 288, 289, 294, 

317, 322, 325, 328, 420, 516–517

79th, 113, 152, 164, 166, 171, 172, 191, 196, 

197, 201, 207, 208, 209, 210, 214, 256, 

259, 262, 269, 270, 271, 311, 315, 322, 

328, 420, 516–517

315th Infantry Regiment, 259

80th, 110, 172, 177, 179, 180, 186, 189, 196, 

197, 200, 207, 208, 210, 211, 236, 250, 

252, 253, 255, 256, 257, 259, 262, 278, 

281, 283, 284, 285, 287, 288, 289, 

292, 293, 294, 311, 315, 317, 322, 324, 

325, 326, 328, 371, 383, 387, 407, 417, 

421, 516–517

317th Infantry Regiment, 407

318th Infantry Regiment, 407

319th Infantry Regiment, 407

320th Infantry Regiment, 407

Medical Corps, 260

81st, 153, 154, 156, 157, 159, 161, 164, 166, 

185, 192, 311, 420, 423, 424, 426, 427, 

516–517

82d, 109, 124, 125, 127, 131, 138, 139, 140, 

141, 161, 166, 172, 177, 178, 179, 180, 

181, 186, 211, 213, 223, 228, 229, 231, 

233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 241, 251, 317, 

322, 325, 328, 421, 516–517

83d, 516–517

332d Infantry Regiment, 430

84th, 516–517

85th, 516–517

339th Infantry Regiment, 433

310th Engineer Regiment, 433

86th, 516–517

87th, 516–517

88th, 185, 420, 423, 424, 426, 427, 516–517

89th, 109, 113, 124, 127, 129, 131, 134, 144, 

145, 150, 151, 157, 159, 161, 166, 180, 

181, 182, 186, 192, 213, 235, 252, 

253, 275, 277, 278, 279, 280, 281, 

283, 292, 302, 303, 305, 315, 319, 

320, 321, 323, 325, 328, 420, 488, 

489, 492, 516–517

90th, 109, 111, 113, 124, 125, 135, 137, 139, 

140, 141, 142, 161, 163, 164, 166, 

180, 181, 186, 191, 213, 245, 252, 

253, 275, 276, 277, 278, 279, 305, 

307, 319, 326, 328, 420, 488, 489, 

492, 516–517

91st, 110, 172, 177, 180, 185, 197, 207, 208, 

211, 215, 220, 231, 259, 319, 320, 321, 

325, 326, 328, 371, 395, 396, 397, 399, 

401, 417, 420, 516–517

181st Infantry Brigade, 231, 315, 321

362d Infantry Regiment, 320

316th Engineer Regiment, 396

92d, 113, 114, 140, 152, 158, 161, 166, 172, 

177, 339, 420, 423, 424, 426, 427, 

516–517

183d Infantry Brigade, 177

368th Infantry Regiment, 173, 328, 329, 

339, 365, 366, 367, 369

351st Machine Gun Battalion, 339

93d, 185, 357, 358, 421, 475, 516–517

369th Infantry Regiment, 35, 329, 336, 

358, 359, 360, 361, 369, 423, 427.

370th Infantry Regiment, 42, 43, 89, 92, 

93, 104, 163, 166, 328, 336

371st Infantry Regiment, 328, 329, 336, 

358, 359, 360, 361, 369, 423, 427

372d Infantry Regiment, 328, 329, 336, 

358, 359, 360, 361, 369, 423, 427
542 INDEX—AMERICAN ARMIES AND BATTLEFIELDS IN EUROPE 

Military units—Continued

2d Cavalry, 120

11th Engineers, 371, 383, 387, 394, 503

(See also Air Service; American Field Service; 

American Headquarters in France; Army 

of Occupation; Chemical Warfare Service; 

G. H. Q.; Lafayette Escadrille; Railroad 

Transportation Companies; Services of 

Supply; Signal Corps; Tank Corps.)

Miller, Maj. Oscar F., 320–321

Mimizan, 446

Mi-Noël Wood, La, 317

Miramas, 447

Missing (see also Unknown dead), 149

Missy-aux-Bois, 82, 84, 87, 99

Missy Ravine, 84, 85

Moirey, 271

Molain, 390

Molleville Farm, 265, 267, 270, 323

Molliens-au-Bois, 411

Mon Plaisir Farm, 161

Monneaux, 100

Mons, 44

Monson, Pvt. (1st cl.) John, 324

Mont d’Arly, Le, 84

Mont Cuvelet, 358

Mont du Cygne, 289

Mont Donon, 426

Mont Kemmel 27, 403, 405, 482

Mont Notre Dame, 100

Mont-St. Martin, 97, 100

Mont St. Père, 40, 62, 63

Mont des Singes, 92

Montabaur, 492

Montagne de Reims, 342

Montauville, 138

Montblainville, 223, 322

Montbrehain, 381,385, 389, 392–393

Montdidier, 27, 414, 415, 416

Montfaucon, 155, 170, 172, 173, 175, 194, 197, 199, 

200, 201, 203, 205,207, 208, 209, 214, 215, 

218, 232, 249, 259, 263, 273, 289, 316, 351, 

461, 473

Montfauxelles, 336

Monthois, 336, 361

Monthurel, 60

Montierchaume, 444

Montiers-sur-Saulx, 443

Montlouis, 444

Montmédy, 191

Montmirail, 58, 100, 368

Montoir, 445

Montrebeau, 211, 218, 225, 226, 227, 323

Montrefagne, 212, 225, 227, 230, 232

Montreuil-aux-Lions, 44

Montreux-Château, 426

Montreux-Vieux, 426

Monts de Champagne, 342

Montsec, 106, 119, 121, 123, 127, 128, 129, 144, 145, 

150, 463, 473

Montzéville, 324

Monuments. (See Memorials and monuments.)

Moranville, 161

Morelock, Pvt. Sterling, 319

Mort Homme, Le, 194, 195, 196, 200, 312

Mortagne, 447

Mortefontaine, 100

Moselle River, 106, 114, 124, 125, 135, 138, 139, 140, 

141, 151, 161, 419, 420, 424, 426, 488

Moucheton Château, 101

Moulin de l’Homme Mort, 324

Moulins, 298, 303, 304, 305

Moulins Ridge, 60. 61, 62

Mousson, 138

Mouzay, 307

Mouzon, 190, 192, 301, 302, 303

Mulhouse, 424, 425

Munitions:

Provided by Ordnance Department, 504

Purchased from British, 504

Purchased in France, 504

Murmansk, 432, 435

Murnane, Pvt. Stanley T., 310

Murvaux, 307

Musarde Farm, 324

Nancy, 161, 419, 425, 426, 443, 475

Nantes, 445

Nanteuil, 91

Nantillois, 204, 210, 211, 255, 256, 259, 273

National Army. (See Divisions.)

National Guard. (See Divisions.)

Nauroy, 342, 378, 380, 384

Naval engagement, principal, 6

Navarin Farm, 345, 346–347, 351

Navy, 194

Air Service, 453

Cruiser and Transport Force, 451

Decorations. (See Decorations and medals.)

Emergency Fleet Corporation, 451

Guns, 82, 194, 453

Marines (see also Military units), 453

Memorials. (See Memorials and monuments.)

Number of men carried, 450–451

Operations, 449–455

Overseas Transportation Service, 451

Submarine attack, 451–452

Submarine chasers, 452

Tons of shipping convoyed, 454

Neibaur, Pvt. Thomas C., 243–244

Nesles, 76

Neufchâteau, 44, 426, 443, 479, 495

Neuilly-St. Front, 89

Neuve Grange Farm, La, 215

Neuville-le-Comte Farm, 324

Neuvilly, 323

Neuvy-Pailloux, 444

Neuwied, 492

Nevers, 444, 479

Nichols, Sgt. Harley N., 323

Nogent-en-Bassigny, 443

Noisy-le-Sec, 445

Nonsard, 111, 124, 129, 145

Noroy-sur-Ourcq, 54

Norroy, 140, 141

North of Paris battlefields, 371–417

North Sea, 6, 113, 152, 211, 401

Northern Russia Expedition, 248, 429, 432–435

Unknown dead, 459

Notre Dame des Champs Ridge, 352, 355
INDEX—AMERICAN ARMIES AND BATTLEFIELDS IN EUROPE 543

Nouart, 324

Noviant-aux-Prés, 161

Noyers, 297, 299

Noyon, 42, 415

Number buried in Europe, 459

Number returned for burial in United States, 459

Obozerskaya, 433

Offensives. (See Operations.)

Officials of nations at war, 495–498

Oise-Aisne offensive, 42, 79, 91

Oise River, 25, 462

O’Neill, Sgt. Richard W., 72–73

Operations:

Aisne-Marne, 29–104

Champagne, 329–369

Italy, 429, 430–431

Meuse-Argonne, 167–328

Navy, 449–455

North of Paris, 371–417

Northern Russia, 429, 432–435

St. Mihiel, 105–166

Vosges Front, 419–427

Woëvre Plain, 152

Orfeuil, 353

O’Shea, Corp. Thomas E., 385

Ossuaire de Ia Haute Chevauchée, 322, 324, 368

Ossuary of Douaumont, 270, 312, 324

Ostend, 4, 453

Ourcq River, 40, 42, 66, 67, 68, 69, 71, 73, 75, 76, 

78, 95, 462

Pagny-sur-Moselle, 138

Pallice, La, 447

Pannes, 111, 124, 129, 145

Paris, 17, 22, 25, 29, 31, 33, 36, 41, 43, 44, 46, 58, 89, 

90, 91, 167, 341, 368, 371, 372, 414, 415, 416, 

457, 459, 462, 463, 464, 465, 466, 467, 475, 

479, 493, 495

Paris Farm, 44

Parker, Second Lt. Samuel I., 99–100

Pauillac, 446, 455

PC Gorgia, 324

PC La Hutte, 324

PC Pau, 324

PC Zouave, 322

Peace offer, 176

Peck, Pvt. Archie A., 315

Pennsylvania memorials, 79, 222, 259

Perigueux, 446

Perkins, Pvt. (1st cl.) Michael J., 268–269

Péronne, 7, 412

Pershing, Gen. John J., 11, 15, 17, 18, 22, 25, 31, 41, 

105, 106, 107, 111, 113, 114, 118, 126, 154, 

172, 181, 183, 191, 204, 255, 333, 381, 414, 

424, 432, 437, 439, 441, 488, 492, 493

Pershing Stadium, 493

Perthes-les-Hurlus, 330

Pétain, Marshal Henri, 25, 33, 105, 172, 330

Petit Bois, Le, 321

Petite Forêt Farm, La, 291, 293

Pétret Farm, 101

Peuvillers, 324

Piave River Front, 430

Picardy, 25, 29, 342, 402

Pierrefonds Château, 101

Pike, Lt. Col. Emory J., 139

Places of burial, number before Armistice, 459

Ploisy, 85

Plymouth, 452

Poison gas, first use of, 10

Polka Farm, 324

Ponchaux, 392

Pont-de-Claix, 445

Pont-Maugis, 293, 297, 298, 299

Pont-à-Mousson, 106, 137, 138, 140

Pontanézen Barracks, 447

Ponte-della-Delizia, 430

Pontenx-les-Forges, 446

Pope, Corp. Thomas A., 408

Poperinghe, 404

Port-sur-Seille, 106, 109, 113, 114, 138, 151, 424

Porto Corsini, 455

Pouilly (Ardennes), 302, 303, 304, 320

Pouilly (Nièvre), 445

Preface, xi–xii

Prémont, 389

Prény, 161

President of French Republic, 163

Prosnes, 343

Pruett, Corp. Joseph E., 244

Pruitt, Corp. John H., 353

Puisieux-au-Mont, 407

Punch Bowl, 308

Purple Heart. (See Decorations and medals.)

Puxieux, 163

Puy, Le, 444

Quarry Wood, 375

Quart de Réserve, 129

Queenstown, 449, 450, 452, 455

Quennemont Farm, 375, 379, 380; 384

Quiet sectors, 423

Railroad Transportation Companies, 435

Rampont, 324

Râperie, 101

Rarécourt, 324

Rates paid British Government for transporting 

troops, 505

Raucourt, 294, 325

Ravine Marion, 101

Ravine aux Pierres, 325

Reasons for entry into war, 9

Reddy Farm, 101

Regan, Second Lt. Patrick, 267–268

Regiments. (See Military units.) 

Regions:

Aisne-Marne, 29–104

Briey-Metz, 107, 112

Champagne, 329–369

Italy, 429, 430–431

Meuse-Argonne, 167–328

North of Paris, 371–417

Northern Russia, 429, 432–435

St. Mihiel, 105–166

Vosges Front, 419–427

Regniéville, 131, 134, 135, 137

Regular Army . (See Divisions.)

Reilley, Sgt. Charles R., 396
544 INDEX—AMERICAN ARMIES AND BATTLEFIELDS IN EUROPE 

Reims, 31, 33, 35, 36, 41, 60, 61, 62, 102, 107, 167, 329, 

330, 331, 332, 333, 341, 342, 367, 462, 475

Remagen, 489

Rembercourt-sur-Mad, 159, 163

Remenauville, 134, 135, 137, 503

Remilly-sur-Meuse, 295

Remiremont, 426

Rémonville, 281,283

Rengsdorf, 492

Rennes, 447

Replacements. (See Divisions.)

Réserve Mallet, 503

Rethel, 368

Return of troops to United States, 492, 493

Rezonville, 163

Rhine River, 167, 425, 426, 487, 488, 489

Rhineland, 489

Riaville, 163

Ribeauville, 390

Richecourt, 124, 127, 129

Richelieu, 445

Richène Hill, 265, 267

Rickenbacker, First Lt. Edward V., 157

Rilly-aux-Oies, 335

Rimaucourt, 443

Ripont, 336, 358

Rischmann, Pvt. Edward, 237

Road directions, 521

Roberts, Corp. Harold W., 323

Robb, First Lt. George S., 360

Rochefort, 447, 455

Rochelle, La, 447

Roisel, 381

Romagne Heights, 177, 211, 212, 225, 230, 241, 242, 

256, 315, 320

Romagne-sous-Montfaucon, 172, 179, 181, 193, 212, 214, 

241, 244, 245, 248, 249, 250, 251, 273, 275, 461

Romorantin, 445

Ronchères, 40, 67, 69

Ronssoy, 377, 381

Roosevelt, First Lt. Quentin, grave, 76

Rotterdam, 439

Rouen, 446

Rougemont-le-Château, 426

Rumbaugh, Corp. Ernest R., 214–215

Rupt de Mad Creek, 127, 145, 163

Rupt-en-Woëvre, 163

Russia. (See Northern Russian Expedition.)

Saales Pass, 423, 426

Sables-d’Olonne, Les, 445

St. Agnan, 60, 102

St. Aignan, 445

St. Amand Farm, 84

St. Baussant, 124, 129

St. Benoit, 150

St. Christophe, 325

St. Dié, 423, 426

St. Dizier, 443

St. Etienne-à-Arnes, 334, 335, 352, 353, 355, 357

St. Etienne-Orfeuil road, 355

St. Eugène, 60, 97

St. Georges, 325

St. Hilaire, 152

St. Hilaire-le-Grand, 330, 341, 344, 345, 352

St. Hubert’s Pavilion, 219

St. Jacques Farm, 163

St. Jean-de-Monts, 445

St. Juvin, 179, 181, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 241, 280, 

281, 325

St. Loubès, 446

St. Malo, 447

St. Martin-Rivière, 390

St. Mihiel, 18, 25, 27, 41, 105, 106, 111, 112, 158, 159, 

163, 421

St. Mihiel-Apremont road, 163–164

St. Mihiel operations, 105–166, 441

Figures, 110

Lack of tanks, 111

Plan, 105, 109–110

St. Mihiel region, 92, 105–166, 207, 407

Combat service summary, 165–166

Terrain, 106

Tour of battlefield, 115–155

St. Mihiel salient, 106, 117, 118, 123, 125, 154, 158, 

163, 164, 420, 463, 473, 475

St. Nazaire, 437, 445, 455, 479

St. Pierre-des-Corps, 445

St. Pierre Farm, 102

St. Quentin, 82, 167, 185, 373, 381, 383, 388, 389, 

392, 394, 404, 465, 479

St. Quentin Canal, 373, 383

St. Quentin Canal tunnel, 373, 378, 479

St. Soup1et, 389, 390, 393

St. Sulpice, 446

St. Thibaut, 80

Ste. Menehould, 368

Saizerais, 164

Salvation Army, 507

Sambre River, 390

Samogneux, 312

Sampigny, 443

Sampler, Corp. Samuel M., 355

Sandlin, Sgt. Willie, 199

Sassey-sur-Meuse, 307

Saumur, 445

Sauvigny, 96

Savenay, 445

Sawelson, Sgt. William, 239

Scapa Flow, 453

Scarpe, 25

Scay Farm, 357

Schaffner, First Lt. Dwite H., 219–220

Scheldt River. (See Escaut River.)

Schlucht Pass, 423, 426

Séchault, 336, 357, 358, 359, 360, 361

Second Battle of the Aisne, 7

Sectors:

Anould, 423

Baccarat, 423, 424

Center, 423, 424

Defined, 421

Gérardmer, 423

Lunéville, 423, 424

Quiet, 423

St. Dié, 423,424

Sommerviller, 423

Wesserling, 423

Sedan, 18, 107, 112, 167, 172, 179, 189, 190, 196, 236, 

253, 274, 277, 293, 297, 298, 299, 397
INDEX—AMERICAN ARMIES AND BATTLEFIELDS IN EUROPE 545

Seibert, Sgt. Lloyd M., 319

Seicheprey, 27, 124, 127, 128, 131

Sèvres, 126

Selle (Sourcelle) River, 389, 390

Selles-sur-Cher, 445

Senlis, 91

Septsarges, 207, 208, 212

Sergy, 40, 67, 69, 71, 72, 95

Sérieux Farm, 325

Seringes-et-Nesles, 40, 69, 71, 72, 73

Sermoise, 81

Serre, 407

Serval, 99

Service of the Rear, 437, 438

Services of Supply, 248, 437–447, 466, 492, 495

Servon, 367

Shegovari, 435

Shenkursk, 435

Shipping Board, 451

Siberia, Expedition to, 503

Signal Corps, 355

Silver Star. (See Decorations and medals.)

Sims, Admiral William S., 499

Sivry-les-Buzancy, 285, 325

Sivry-sur-Meuse, 310, 311, 312

Sketches. (See Maps and sketches.)

Skinker, Capt. Alexander R., 216

Slack, Pvt. Clayton K., 266

Smith, Lt. Col. Fred E., 313

Soissons, 25, 29, 31, 33, 36, 39, 41, 43, 59, 63, 79, 80, 

82, 87, 91, 102, 194, 336, 415, 462

Soissons-Château-Thierry highway, 37, 39, 85, 87, 96

Soissons-St. Quentin road, 91

Sommauthe, 324, 325

Somme defensive, 412

Somme offensive, 42, 373, 389, 407, 408, 410

Somme River, 6, 408

Sommedieue, 164

Sommepy, 329, 333, 347, 351, 352, 357, 475

Sommepy-Souain road, 346

Sommerance, 232, 237, 241, 244

Sondernach, 423

Souain, 330, 344, 345, 347, 367

Sougé-Champ-de-Tir, 446

Sougy, 445

Souilly, 325, 483, 495

Souleuvre Farm, 159

Sourcelle River. (See Selle River.)

Southampton, 451

Spitaals Bosschen, 396

Stars and Stripes, The, 507

Stenay, 191, 305

Stonne, 294, 295

Strasbourg, 426, 489

Strength of A. E. F.:

By branch of service, 502

Combat, 502

Percentage, 502

Total, 502

Stuivenberghe Château, 397

Supreme War Council, 495, 498

Syngem, 397

Tagliamento River, 430

Tahure, 331, 345

Tailly, 325

Talley, Pvt. Edward R., 392

Talma, 325

Tank Corps, 323

Tanks:

American-made, not available, 19, 504

Shortage, 110, 209, 220

Tannay, 325

Tartiers, 102

Tartigny, 415

Taxicab army, 43

Templeux-le-Guérard, 381

Termination of war, 509

Terny-Sorny, 91

Theinte Creek, 191, 311

Thélonne, 297, 298

Thénorgues, 285, 288

Thiaucourt, 111, 125, 135, 140, 144, 145, 147, 463, 475

Thibaudine Farm, La, 292, 294

Thompson, Maj. Joseph H., 224

Thur River, 425

Tieulerie Farm, 102

Tigny, 37, 89

Tincourt-Boucly, 381

Tonnay-Charente, 447

Torey (Aisne), 36, 37, 53

Torey (Ardennes), 299

Toul, 25, 164, 425, 443, 495

Tours, 442, 479, 495

Tours of battlefields:

Aisne-Marne, 43–93

Champagne, 341–368

Information for use on:

Direction meanings at stops, 521

Road directions, 521

Speedometer distances, caution, 521

Meuse-Argonne:

First day, 194–272

Second day, 273–312

St. Mihiel, 115- 155

Training for offensive warfare, 17

Tranchée de la Mamelle, 249, 250

Transvaal Farm, 325

Treaties:

Berlin, 509

Budapest, 509

Versailles, 161, 509–510

Vienna, 509

Trench of Bayonets, 324

Trench du Téton, 260

Treviso, 430, 431

Treviso–Udine road, 431

Triangle, 46

Trières Farm, 336, 360

Trilport, 44

Triple Alliance, 1, 2

Tripre Entente, 1, 2

Tronsol Farm, 326

Troops:

Colored, 336, 339

Landing in England, 505

Rates paid British Government for 

transporting, 505

Return to United States, 492, 493

(See also Military units.)
546 INDEX—AMERICAN ARMIES AND BATTLEFIELDS IN EUROPE 

Troyon-sur-Meuse, 164

Trugny, 102

Tuilerie Farm, La, 291, 326

Turner, First Lt. William B., 377

Turner, Pvt. (1st cl.) Harold L., 355

Tuscania, 469

Trench maps, 137, 220, 503–504

U-boats, 7

United States Liquidation Commission, 506

Unknown dead, 248, 458

Soldiers and sailors with grave at sea, 458, 459, 

466, 469

Unknown graves, 248

“Unknown” headstones, 459

Unknown Soldier, 458, 459

Ust-Padenga, 435

Vacherauville, 312

Vaga River, 435

Valbonne, 445

Valdahon, Le, 443

Valente, Pvt. (lst cl.) Michael, 380, 381

Valmy, 368

Van Iersel, Corp. L. M. M., 301

Vandières, 112, 139, 140

Varennes, 209, 217, 218, 219, 220, 221, 222, 316, 

322, 368

Vaucouleurs, 443

Vauquois, 214, 218, 220, 221, 503

Vauquois Hill, 207, 215, 217, 221

Vaux, 31, 36, 47, 94, 95

Vauxaillon, 42, 43, 82, 89, 92

Vaux-Andigny, 393

Vauxcastille, 88

Vaux-Champagne, 335, 357

Vaux-en-Dieulet, 289

Vaux-le-Prêtre, 393

Vendhuile, 380, 384

Verdun, 6, 21, 23, 25, 33, 106, 115, 125, 155, 163, 192, 

194, 214, 252, 270, 272, 273, 298, 299, 312, 

324, 411, 461, 473, 475

Verdun-Toul railroad, 107

Verneuil, 445

Verpel, 284, 285

Verrières, 289

Verrières-en-Hesse Farm, 326

Versailles, 13,25

Verte-Feuille Farm, La, 87, 90, 102

Véry, 319, 326

Vesle River, 29, 40, 41, 42, 73, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 91, 

92, 95, 99, 102

Vichy, 445

Victory Medal. (See Decorations and medals.)

Vienne-le-Château, 365, 366, 367

Vierstraat, 403, 405, 482

Vierzy, 88, 89

Viéville-sous-les-Côtes, 120

Viéville-en-Haye, 111, 125, 142, 143

Vigneulles, 111, 119, 121, 144

Vilcey-sur-Trey, 141

Ville-aux-Bois Farm, 326

Ville-devant-Chaumont, 271, 316

Ville-sur-Cousances, 326

Ville-Savoye, 80

Villemontry, 301

Villepigue, Corp. John C., 393

Villeret, 383

Villers-Cotterêts, 82, 91, 102

Villers-devant-Dun, 326

Villers-sur-Fère, 69, 71, 73

Villers-en-Haye, 164

Villers-devant-Mouzon, 301

Villers-en-Prayères, 102

Villers-sous-Prény, 140, 141

Villette, 102

Villorba, 431

Vilosnes-sur-Meuse, 262, 310

Vitrey, 443

Vitry-le-Francois, 443

Vittorio-Veneto offensive, 431

Vladivostok, 503

Vogeltje Convent, 404

Voormezeele, 403, 405

Vosges Front, 419–427

Combat service summary, 427

For training, 420

Operations, 419–427

Vosges Mountains, 140, 185, 247, 336, 419, 423, 

424, 425

Waaler, Sgt. Reidar, 377

Wadelincourt, 298, 299

Wadonville, 152

Waereghem, 395, 397, 399, 401, 467, 482

Wagram Dugout, 346

Walker, Sgt. Eugene P., 309–310

Wamme Creek, 320

Ward, Pvt. Calvin J., 393

Warfusée-Abancourt, 413

Watronville, 106

Wavrille, 270, 322

Welfare organizations, 507

West, Sgt. Chester H., 215

Whittlesey, Maj. Charles W., 365

Wiancourt, 381

Wickersham, Second Lt. J . Hunter, 134

Williams, Sgt. Frank J., 385

Wilson, President Woodrow, 10, 493

Wittlich, 492

Woël, 120, 150, 151, 152

Woëvre Plain, 106, 119, 144, 155, 182, 213, 310

Woëvre Plain operation, 152

Woinville, 121, 144

Wold, Pvt. Nels, 217

Woodfill, First Lt. Samuel, 255

Wytschaete, 405

Xammes, 150

Xon Hill, 138

York, Pvt. (1st. cl.) Alvin C., 229–230

Young Men’s Christian Association, 493, 507

Young Women’s Christian Association, 507

Ypres, 6, 22, 27, 167, 373, 399, 402, 404, 405, 467

Ypres-Lys offensive, 395, 402, 482

Zeebruge, 453

Zimmermann telegram, 11

Zwartenbroek, 397

PIN : 069009–000