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 

193 8 
COPIES FOR SALE BY 

THE SUPERINTENDENT OF DOCUMENTS 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 

WASHINGTON, D. C. 

$2.75 

PER COPY 
* 

* 

* 

CJ'he .AmericarL 


~attle :M..onuments CommissiorL 


GENERAL JOHN J· PERSHING 

Chainnan 

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. 0._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. 
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 DivisionAdditional 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 BattlefieldsAdditional 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 BattlefieldsFirst Day's Tou:r:-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 InterestCombat 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. 

vii 
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 Service3 of Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Organization and Accomplishments-Location of Activities. 

437 

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

General Description of American Naval Operations in European 

Waters-Partial List of Additional Places in Europe Where American Naval Activities Occurred. 

449 

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 CMteau-Thierry MedalsAmerican World War Memorials Erected by Agencies Other Than 

theUnited States Government-Architects and OthersWho Worked 

on the Memorial Project in Europe of the American Battle Monuments Commission-Glossary of Military Terms Used in This Book. 

viii 
ix 

MAPS AND SKETCHES 

Status of European Powers, August 9, 1914 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 

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 26-0ctober 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 

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 Grandpre 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 For~t, 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 26-0ctober 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 


x 
PREFACE 

T HIS 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. 

xi 
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 

i::upervision 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 0. 

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 attaches 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 

Status of European Powers, August 9, 1914 

r2l Allied • Centra I Neutral 

0"'===='200=-----400====600---BiiEOO'====l:OOO; Miles 

Chapter I 

THE WORLD WAR TO MAY 28, 1918 

AND THE ORGANIZATION 

OF THE AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES 

THE WAR BEFORE THE ENTRY OF THE UNITED STATES 

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, AustriaHungary and Italy. The other was 

the Triple Entente, which consisted 

of France, Great Britain and Russia. 

(1) 
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. 

German Cavalry Leaving Berlin, August 1914 

By that date, therefore, Germany and 

Austria-Hungary, commonly known as 

the Central Powers, were at war against 
Approximate Routes Followed by the Invading 

German Armies in 1914 

t,ys 

R A N 

Langres 

o=====i2...s__..,so"===="'1s...___1...oo Miles 

...-- Limit of German Advance September 6-9, 1914 

----- International Boundary French Fortification 

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 
- Front Line of March 20, 1918 -·-·-·- International Boundary 

Diagrammatic Sketch of Western Front Showing Certain 

Topographical Features of Military Importance .-,,..--.-~~,,,..,.,'='"7 ,,:~ 

4 TH E W 0 R L D WAR T 0 MAY 2 8, 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 
100 200 300 400 500 Miles 

N 

RUSSIA 

1 

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". 

A Gas Attack on the Western Front 

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 

inflicted on Russia were stupendous. The 

Russian Armies were hurled out of East 

Prussia bythe decisive German victories at 

Tannenberg and the Mazurian Lakes, and 

farther south were soon thereafter pushed, 

back toward Warsaw. Still farther south, 

however, the Russianssucceeded in driving 

the Austrian troops west of the passes 

through the Carpathian Mountains. 

(5) 
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 Septem her 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. 

Large German Gun in Action on the 

Western Front. © G 

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 months, 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. 
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 Kirhy 

Sinking of the British Ship Me.r.ranahis--Torpedoed Twice by a German Submarine 

British Hospital Ship Glouce1ter Ca1tle--Torpedoed in the Mediterranean, April 1917 
REASONS FOR THE ENTRY OF THE UNITED STATES 

INTO THE WORLD WAR 

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 

conflict 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 

(9) 
10 THE WORLD WAR TO MAY 2 8 , 19lg 

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 

ber methods of submarine warfare against 

commercial vessels, diplomatie relations 

would be severed. Germany then promised that passenger ships would not be 

sunk, that due warning would be given to 

ail 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. 

The Leviathan, Formerl y the German Liner V aterland, 

Being Used as an American Transport 

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 ber pledges to 

the United States and announced that it 

was her purpose to use submarines to 

sink every vesse! 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 diplomatie relations. He did 
THE WORLD WAR TO MAY 28, 1918 11 

not, however, 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. 

General Pershing Landing at Boulogne, June 13, 1917. © B 

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 

flag, their character, their cargo, 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. 

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

American Troops Parading in London, 

August 15, 1917 

(13) 
American Plant and Storage Yard at La Rochelle, Illuminated for Night Work 
ORGANIZATION 

OF THE AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES 

AND FORMATION OF ITS COMBAT ARMY 

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. Pershing 1 

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

was designated 

Commander-inChief of the American Expeditionary 

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. 

General John J. Pershing 

American Commander-in-Chief 

After a thorough 

study of the situation, Gen er al 

Pershing cabled 

the War Departmen t early in 

July that every 

effort should 

be made to have an American army in 

France of at least 1,000,000 men by the 

(15) 
Strategical Features Influencing Selection of the 

Lorraine Front for the American Army 

N 

---International Boundary 

-+-+-+-Railroad 

Fortified City 

Coal and Iron Mines ____ Miles 

16 THE WORLD WAR TO MAY 28, 1918 

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
50 I.ands 

End 

a• 

G 

d 

A 1' 

•&·r--------i. 

L A 

0 c 

... 0 

0 

B A y 

Z5 

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National ti 

Battle Lim 

I nternatio1 

50 

50 

.. 

THE WORLD WAR TO MAY 28, 1918 17 

influence 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-inChief 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 influenced to 

some extent by its own special interests, 

that the forces under his command should 

constitute an American army under its 

own flag 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. 

First American Troops to Land in France Parading in Paris, July 4, 1917 

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 qse 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 
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 Commander-inChief 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 arriv.als 

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. 

German Infantry Advancing Through Hermies 

After Its Capture in March 1918. © G

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 Commanderin-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 
'l'HE 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. 

Divisional Training Areas 

American Expeditionary 

Forces 

(!)Divisional Training Area No. 1 

® General Headquarters, A. E. F. 

® Army Headquarters 

• Headquarters, Divisional Training Area 

-xx xx- Army Boundary 

)( 

,., 

7+ 

0 10 20 30 40 50 Miles ==~=-----~~-----=~== 

FIRST 

ARMY 

AREA 

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 Americanmade 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.
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
--·-·-International Boundary 

411llA Ground Gained by French 

--- Front Line April 6, 1917 

~ Ground Gained by British 

Allied Attacks on Western Front in 1917 

0 25 50 75 Miles 

N 

I O> 

~ ( 

GI U M 

oBrussels 

'v-· ......... ...., 

' oCambrai . 

~ I 

St. Quentin /" __ _,,.,. 

N c E 

MILITARY SITUATION IN JUNE 1917 

AND SUMMARY OF EVENTS TO MAY 28, 1918 

T HE 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 

(21) 
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. 

American Troops Marching Through Neufchateau on Their Way to the Battle Line 

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 influence 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 Commanders-inChief 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 materiel had no 

decisive effect on the military situation. 

The Cambrai operation was the first 

major offensive in which American troops 

participated. Three American engineer 

(22) 
THE WORLD WAR TO MAY 2 8 , 1 9 1 8 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 carefully-prepared 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. 

N otwithstanding 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 

17 4,884 American soldiers in Europe, of 

which the lst 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 fa ctor 

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. 

American Soldiers En Route to the Front

The American Commander-in-Chief 

agreed that every combat unit in France 

should be made available for front-line 

service, but remained fixed in his determination to assemble al! 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 
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 
THEWORLD 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 oth.erwise.1 

1 Marshal Petain declared in a J>Ublic address delivered in Versailles, France, in October 1937 that 

General Pershing was right in opposing the amalgamation of American troops with the Allied forces. 

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. 

Marshal Ferdinand Foch 

Allied Commander-in-Chief 

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 Luneville 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 

and41st 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 7 5 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:
26 THE WORLD WAR TO MAY 28, 1918 

"I have corne 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 corne, in numbers equal to 

requirements. 

"I have corne 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. 

American Soldiers Advancing to Attack at Cantigny 

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. 

Cantigny After Its Capture, M ay 28, 1918. 

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 
THE WORLD WAR TO MAY 28, 1918 27 

River 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. 

Ground Gained by German Offensives 

of March and April, 1918 

~ March 21-April 5 

Mons 

0 

~ April 9-29 

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.
German Infantry Advancing at the Chemin des Dames, May 19
Chapter II 

AMER ICAN OPERATI ONS IN THE 

AISNE-MARNE REGION 

THE 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 inflicting 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-Bae 

and Anizy-le-Chfi.teau early on the morning of May 27 it came as a surprise. 

Ground Gained by German Offensives of 

May, June and July, 1918 

0"===:=:;10.._ __ 2-=0===3,.,o __ ... 40=====50 Miles 

N 

t 

D May 27-June 5 ~June 9-13 ~July 15·17 

The Germans carried the Chemin des 

Dames pcsitions 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. 

( 29 ) 

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 Commander-in-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 Ch!l.teauThierry 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 Courthiezy, 

8 miles from Ch!l.teau-Thierry. 

The 2d Division, arriving by truck on 

June 1, immediately went into position 

northwest of Ch!l.teau-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, Ch!l.teau-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 

Ch!l.teau-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 inflicted 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 :£ood, supplies and ammunition on one' railroad through Soissons. 

This fact was realized by the American 

Commander-in-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
German Reserves 

Advancing Close 

Behind the Assault 

Line at Chavignon, 

May 1918. @ G 

Germans With a Trainload 

of Provisions 

South 

Which Were 

Left by the French 

of the Aisne, 

May 1918. @ G 

Part of a German 

Barge Battery of Heavy 

Artillery Firing on 

the Western Front, 

May 1918. @ G 

Vincelles on the 

Marne Under 

French Artillery Fire, 

June 1918. © G 

German Troops 

Just Before an 

Assault Near Fismes, 

on Terrain Untouched 

by the War, 

May 1918. @G 

Sharing a Meal Abandoned 

by an English Officer 

on the Chemin des Dames 

Early on May 27, 1918. 

@G
AMERICAN OPERATIONS l THE AISNE-MARNE REGION 33 

troops 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 

r es i s t a n c e 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 Châlons-sur-Marne. 

This a t tac k was to 

capture Reims and the 

high gr o un d 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 incrcase 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 A 11 i e d offensive 

was of the greatest 

importance as it was to 

be launched against 

the m os t 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-inChief. 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. 

Marshal Pétain, 

Commander-in-Chief French Armies. 

Picture taken at Chaumont, 

January 1919 

To meet the German attack, General 

Pétain ordered that the front line be 
34 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE-MARNE REGION 

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

The Same Troops Jumping Off a Few Minutes Later. © G 
held 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. 

Phosphorus Bomb Exploding 

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 Mezy. 

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 

Chateau-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. 

A Regimental Staff of the 4th Division in 

Conference Near the Vesle River, August 9, 1918 

Elements of the 28th Division were in 

line with the French divisions on each 

(35) 
side of the 3d, and some of its units 

encountered extremely heavy fighting. 

Northwest of Chateau-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 Torey, 

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. 

3d Division Troops Entrucking Near Moulins 

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 Compiegne, 

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 for-

(36) 
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE-MARNE REGION 37 

ward artillery positions, 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 Torey. 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. 

French-American Counteroffensive. July 18, 1918 

O'=====i.5 __ .,.;1 0 ==,;;;15.._ __ 20 Miles 

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-Chliteau-Thierry highway 

but after severe fighting was forced back 

and established itself just west of Tigny, 

with the road about }'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 
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 

prisoners 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-Chatea u-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. 

German Withdrawal Positions, Aisne-Marne Salient 

• 1Billy-

~sur-Aisne I 

I 

I 

.... _ ... ----~~ 

.... ... - .... 

,,. ,,.. , ... Cl Hermonville 

,,, 

I ' ~,, 

II ',',,</ ., --- " 1l!<. '~ ,,,.... ----~'-'s 1Droizy\ \ ' '~ .. , M . .. ~ 

1 • Vrigny ____ _ \ \ ~ areu1 -en-Dole 

0 ___ ~ 

\ \ \1' .. ---.. , i:;Hi::~ .. -- j Tinqueux 

I \ , '' SRI~~--- ' 

1 , -' Fere- .. _____ .... ~ ... , Ste. Euphraise1 River ' .. ~~';:en:rardenois ,, .. Poi~y ~ ,' et-Clainzet 

:!>.N ·1 ' P.. ' I \v, anteu1 · .... .1;; Sergy o~ ,, / \\ ' Notre Dame .. _ _ __ .. ...~, 

' ------- fl)'' 1 ,... Coincy~1 ', Ii/ 1 

I Wi 'Ill ', Beuvardes 0't/ 

'~ \\'\ ~,, Ch·t·11 ,' Courchamps \ ~ '-:n ' a 1 on- , ~ \..-LEpaux·Bezu \;. ''41e Charmel sur-~arn.e,,- ·1 ~ \ ~{ ... ---- .. '1\i \ \ \ ,charteves \ ,--..... R;ve ( - \ \ ,_ \ l... \ ',,-- _lie 

Nanteuil- ~ "la-Fosse 

~-

'\,co~ 

Epernayli..'f' p-- l "E======-s ____ ""'10======-1s.._ ___ 20Miles 

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
40 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE-MARNE REGION 

than 5,000 casualties during its service 

on the front line in this region. 

American Battery in Action Near Chery-Chartreuve 

On July 21 the 3d Division crossed the 

Marne River and joined the advance, 

capturing Mont St. Pere 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 

Roncheres. 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, ineluding 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, sueceeded 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 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. 

Main Bridge Between Fismes and Fismette Destroyed by the Retreating Germans 

At the start of the counterattack, the 

Germans had 50 divisions between Reims 

and Compiegne. 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 rôle 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 Foch 1 

1 General Foch was made a Marshal of France on 

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

to retain some American 

units with the Allied Armies, the 77th 

Division, which had relieved the 4th, and 

the 28th were allowed to remain in line
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 8 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 

N oyon 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 

28 to September 1, capturing the town of 

Juvigny in a brilliant assault and penetrating the hostile positions to a depth of 

2 1/2 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 andparticipatedinthepursuit 

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. 

American Unit Entraining at Château-Thierry 

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. 
A TOUR OF THE AMERICAN BATTLEFIELDS 

IN THE AISNE-MARNE REGION 

THIStour, 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-J ouarre 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 ROUTE PARIS TO NORTH OF 

LUCY-LE-BOCAGE 

(0 m 0 km) Leave vicinity of the Place 

de I 'Opéra in Paris on Rue Lafayette. 

Follow Highway N-3 through Claye and 

Meaux to La Ferte-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. 

Monument Near Meaux 

to Marshal Gallieni 

Erected by the City of Paris 

(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-96) and proceed 1/2 mile to monument. 

Time required for side trip-10 minutes. 

( 43 ) 
(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 right-hand 

wall record the dates 

of the destruction and 

reconstruction. Monument Erected 

Northeast of Meaux to 

Commemorate the 

First Battle of the Marne 

in 1914 

(39.6 m 63.7 km) In 

La Ferte-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 

Neufchateau three days later. 

(39.7 m 63.9 km) Cross the Marne 

River and continue toward ChâteauThierry 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. 

Assault Unit of 26th Division in Attack on Torey at 4:35 a. m., July 18, 1918 

(51.0 m 82.1 km) About a mile farther 

c 44)
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE-MARNE REGION 45 

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

<7th Infantry, 3d Div. Attached June 15-23) 

N 

1 

Route, described in text 

Line of June 4 Line of July 10 -xx- Division Boundary 

on, turn to the left toward Belleau Wood. 

(51.8 m 83.3 km) In the valley just 

before reaching the next village, Lucyle-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
46 AMER I CAN 0 PE RAT I 0 N S I N TH E A I SNE - MARNE REG 1 ON

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. 

French Refugees Fleeing From the Germans During the Advance of May 1918 

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 inflicted 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 

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. 
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 flank 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. 

American Reserves Passing Through La Fertc-sous-Jouarre 

En Route to the Front, July 1918 

On July 1, following a terrific 24-hour 

bombardment, the town of Vaux, to the
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 

Belleau Wood 

Note the field crossed by the 2d Division in its first attack against the 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 

W orld W ar. 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 

relies of the war may be seen by walking 

through the wood, and a visit to the small 

museum will disclose many interesting 
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 nonoccupation 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." 

German Combat Group Working Its Way Forward, 

May 1918. @ G 

EN ROUTE BELLEAU WOOD TO AISNEMARNE 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. 
Be

Near Cemetery American Aisne-Marne of View General 
Airplane View ot Aisne-Marne Cemetery 

Altar of Chapel 

Door of Chapel

Entrance to Cemetery

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, flanked 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 solemn beauty of which is heightened 

by the effect of the three beautiful 

stained-glass 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 chape! stairs and go to the 

front window of 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. 

Machine Gun Unit of the 26th Division Going inro Action 

Near Belleau, July 19, 191 8 

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. 

Hunting Lodge in Belleau Wood 

When the great French-American 

counteroffensive against the Marne 

salient started on July 18, the 26th was 

( 52) 
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE-MARNE REGION 53 

on the right flank 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 Torey, 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. 

26th Di vision Memorial Church at Belleau 

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 Gonetrie 

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. 

German Prisoners Captured at Belleau Wood

On July 20 the division attacked along 

its entire front and captured, after 

fierce fighting, La Gonetrie Farm and 

the Bois de Bouresches, the wood seen 

to the right of the farm. The ridge 

between Les Brusses Farm and La 

Gonetrie Farm was not taken on that 

day due to heavy machine-gun fire from 
54 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE-MARNE REGION 

it and enfilade fire 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 two-day struggle then followed 

near Epieds before the enemy again 

withdrew to a new position. 

Part of Belleau Wood Soon After Its Capture 

by the 2d Division 

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. 

Elements of 4th Division with French 164th Division, July 18-21, 1918 

Battalion Boundary 

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 N oroy-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
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE-MARNE REGION 55

miles 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. 

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

500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 Yards 

N 

l 

Jump off Line - Front Line -xx- Division Boundary Regimental Boundary 

Band, Sth Marines, 2d Division 

EN ROUTE AISNE-MARNE AMERICAN 

CEMETERY TO MONUMENT 

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 Gonetrie 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 Gonetrie 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
Airplane View of East Face of Aisne-Marne American Memorial Near C
Symbolic Eagle and Ornamental Map 

Aisne-Marne Memorial 

This impressive memcrial was erected 

by the United States Government to 

commemorate the American fighting in 

the Aisne-Marne region and the friendship and cooperation cf 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 

upcn which appear inscriptions giving a 

brief résumé cf 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 

Chateau-Thierry, is said to have written 

a number of his fables on this hill. 

Napoleon, just prior to the battle of
58 AM E RICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AI S N E -MARN E REGION 

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 front-line experience, was hurriedly 

moved up and thrown into the line in 

scattered detachments near ChâteauThierry, to assist in preventing the 

Germans from crossing the Marne River. 

Main Bridge at Château-Thierry, Blown Up by French to 

Prevent Gcrmans from Crossing 

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 conflict 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 infticted 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 
AMERICA N OPERAT! 0 NS IN THE AISNE-MARNE REG l ON 59 

efforts of 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 bill. 

American Troops in Public Square of Château-Thierry Afrer Its Capture, July 1918 

On June 6 and 7 the French lOth 

Colonial Division with the 30th Infantry 

of the 3d Division attached, starting 

about 1 1/2 miles to the right of here, 

launched two attacks against this bill 

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 lllth 

Infantry, 28th Division, and on July 6 

elements of the lllth 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 204 

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. 
3d Division Monument at Chateau-Thierry 

Machine Gun, 3d Division, in Position at 

Chateau-Thierry, June I, 1918 

(63.0 m 101.4 km) Just before reaching the main bridge in Chateau-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 subj ected 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 flank 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, Crezancy. To visit, 

at second street in Crezancy turn right and 

travel via St. Eugene, M onthurel, Celles-lesCondé 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 Crezancy. 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, Crezancy, turn sharply to 

the left on the road to Mézy. 

Crezancy 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. 

(60) 
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 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. 

German Anti-Aircraft Shells Exploding Near American Observation Balloon 

Stationed in the Vicinity of Cbâteau-Thierrv 

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

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

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

the enemy started bis 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 eut 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 remuants reaching the far bank about 5 :OO 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 :OO a. m. in the face 

of rifle 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 hillsic'e t o the left of Mézy, ahout 

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 bath 

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 ftank 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 en tire 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 eut off from neighboring units, 

were withdrawn to a line about 1 mile to 

the rear. On that same day the lllth 

Infantry of the 28th Division relieved 

that part of the 3d Division in rear of 

here and on July 17 that regiment rees-

(62) 
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE-MARNE REGION 63 

tablished its 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 ChâteauThierry 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. 

German Anti-Balloon Gun in Action. © G

EN ROUTE NEAR MÉZY TO NEAR 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 flats from the accurate rifle 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 built by the division engineers 

near the site of the present structure. 

Ponton Bridge Near Mézy Built by Engineers of 

the 3d Division 

(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 Charteves, which was occupied 

by the 3d Division on July 22. 

Le Charmel Château, Captured by the 

3rd Division, July 27, 1918 

(71.4 m 114.9 km) At far side ofvillage, 

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 flank 

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 flanks 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 surrounded, 

(64)
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE-MARNE REGION 65 

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 

launched 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. 

Defensive Operations of 28th Division 

July 15-18, 1918 

2000 3000 

- American Front Line - French Front Line ---Gap July 16 

-xx-Boundary French Division with which Elements 

of 28th Division Were Serving 

Arrows show counterattack of 109th Inf. July 16 

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. 'fhreatened 

with isolation, these units, which were 

then several miles ahead of the troops 

on both sides of them, withdrew to the 

general vicinity of J aulgonne. 

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 Chateau. That 

chateau, 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
66 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE-MARNE REGION 

3d Division during daylight hours on 

July 25 after an extremely hard fight. 

German Trench-Mortar Bombardment of Allied Strong Point, 

July 15, 1918. © G

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. 

la Croix Blanche Farm la Cense 

--

Villers-sur-Fère 01se-A1sne 

American Cemetery 

Seringes-et- Nesles 

Panorama From 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 to 
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE-MARNE REGION 67 

accomplishments which could not have 

been excelled by veteran assault divisions. 

Sergy Cierges Bois des Grimpettes Roncheres Caran[ a Mill

les Jomblets Courmont 

West of Courmont 

From this point many of the attacks 

made against the German defenses were 

visible. Long thin lines of khaki-clad 

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. 

German Heavy Machine Gun Unit Advancing Through Captured Village, 

July 15, 1918. © G 

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
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. 

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

32d and 42d Divisions, July 28-August 2, 1918 

N 

f 

0 1000 2000 3000Yards 

Line of Relief _ 

-xxx- Corps Boundary 

Stop,described in text 

Route.described in text 

Front Line ----- Gap in Line 

-xx- Division Boundary 

About a mile from here, on the nearest 

hill seen to the left cf 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 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. 

42nd Division Artillery Passing Through Sergy, 

August 3, 1918 

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 31the32d 

Division, in an attack launched about 

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

Les J omblets, 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 J omblets and established itself about 

1/2mile 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-Fere 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. 

Street Barricade at Northern Edge of 

Le Charmel, July 1918 

Built by the Germans in their retreat 

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. 

( 69 ) 

AM E RICAN OPERATIONS IN 1 HE 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 ROUTE NEAR COURMONT TO NEAR 

VILLERS-SUR-FÊRE 

(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 triangularshaped 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 

rifle fire. He remained in charge until 

the position bad 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-Fere, 

about 100 yards from top of hill, where a 

clear view to right is obtained, STOP. 

German Dressing Station Near Chkteau de la Forêt 

Being Used by Americans Soon After Its Capture 

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 Vtllers-surFqre 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 hy 
72 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE-MARNE REGION 

the Germans, was entered by patrols that 

day but net 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 

fiying parallel to the American infantry 

lines and pouring machine-gun bullets 

into them, driving everyone to caver. 

Sergeant Gardella, noting the situation, 

rushed to bis machine gun and took aim 

at the upper of the two machines. Although he was constantly subject to a 

storm of bullets from the planes and from 

enemy snipers on the ground, he nevertheless coolly sighted bis gun and riddled 

the upper plane, causing it to collapse and 

fall in fiames. In falling it struck the 

lower plane and brought it to the earth 

also. Fer bis coolness and bravery he was 

awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. 

Part cf 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, 

Bcis 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. 

42d Division Infantry in Position Near Seringes-et-Nesles, July 29, 1918 

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 ccmmand of bis detachment until 

he was again wounded and was forced by 

weakness and Joss of blood to be evacuated. He insisted upon being taken first 
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE-MARNE REGION 73 

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 Brulp, 

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 Seringeset-Nesles to beyond Les Jomblets. 

German Ammunition Train Destroved by American Shellfire at Cierges

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 Forrt 

de N esles, 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 ROUTE NEAR VILLERS-SUR-FÊRE 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, Fere-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 rn 135.6 km) Beyond town, at 

the large cemetery near the road, STOP. 
Oise-Aisne American Cemetery Near Fere-en-Tardeno
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-ParisLe Havre were moved to this cemetery. 

Oise-Aisne Cemetery Chapel 

Note the exterior altar in the foreground 

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 
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 flags of the United States and 

France and a beautifully carved and decorated wall map, upon which are shown 

the areas 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 cf 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. 

Field Artillery During a Lull Between 

Engagements, July 1918 

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 MIGHT ENJOY FREEDOM AND INHERIT PEACE." 

4th Division Troops on Way to Front, 

Seringes-et-Nesles, August 4, 1918

EN ROUTE OISE-AISNE AMERICAN 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 chkteau. 

(86.0 m 138.4 km) %eyond Nesles, 

about l/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". On 
AMERICAN OPERATIONS JN THE AlSNE-MARNE REGION 77 

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. 

Camouflaged Road Just North of DrDYHJQ\

Road followed by tour 

To YLVLW JUDYH turn right at crossroad 

indicated in next paragraph. At next YLO

lage, Chamery, take first road to the left 

(impassable in wet weather) and go 800 

yards to JUDYHwhich is 100 yards to left 

of road. Total length of side trip-miles. 

Amount of time required-80 minutes. 

(88.2 m 141.9 km) At next main crossroad at foot of long slope, turn left toward 

the village of Coulonges. 

2EVHUYDWLRQ Balloon Trucks Passing Through 

Coulonges, August 4, 1918

(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 Chpry-&hartreuve. 

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 esle. 

(91.7 m 147.5 km) Beyond the next 

hill, the town seen in front across the 

valley is Chery-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 Chery-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 
78 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE-MARNE REGION 

two buildings with a tower, which direction is approximately northeast. 

The stream at the foot of this bill 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. 

Blanzy-les-Fismes Vesle River 

Panorama From Stop Near Fismes 

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 were 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. 

Ruins of the City Hall of Fismes, August 14, 1918 

During the early morning hours of 

August 27, the Germans inclosed Fismette 

in a heavy barrage and attacked in force 

with flame throwers, capturing or killing 

all Americans holding it except a few 

who escaped by swimming across the river.
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 

2 1/2 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. 

Engineers Exploding Mine Trap Left by 

Germans in a Dugout Near Blanzyles-Fismes, September 5, 1918 

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. 

Fismette, Scene of Hard Fighting by the 28th Division 

The State of Pennsylvania has built a 

memorial bridge over the Vesle between 

Fismes and Fismette. To visit it, bear 

(79)
80 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE-MARNE REGI ON 

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. A mount of 

time required-15 minutes. 

EN ROUTE NEAR FISMES TO 

NEAR 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 densely 

wooded area is seen on 

the left. Part of it 

surrounds a château 

called, on war time 

maps, the Château du 

Diable (Castle cf the 

Devi!). Troops of the 

4th, 28th and 77th 

Divisions, who engaged 

in many hct fights with 

the Germans near this 

château, agree that the 

place was well named. 

(99.4 m 16u.û 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 gocd 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 bills 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. Smail 

detachments surceeded in crossing to the 

left front cf here and also near Bazoches, 

seen in the valley to the right, but they 

were la ter 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. Th ose 

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 lest approximately 3,500 men. 

4th Division Monument 

Near Bazoches 

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 observers searching for 

favorable artillery targets. After nightfall, however, the hillside swarmed 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 
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE-MARNE REGION 81 

left in the trees, and drove the 77th 

Division 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 machinegun 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. 

Street in Soissons, September 1918 

The tour now follows the Vesle River 

valley as far as near Sermoise and then 

continues along the Aisne River valley to
82 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE-MARNE REGION 

Soissons. No American fighting took place 

in the area which will be passed over. 

Route through 

SOISSONS 

500 M. N 

EN ROUTE NEAR BAZOCHES TO NEAR 

MISSY-AUX-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 cathedra! 

and the church of St. Jean-des-Vignes. 

The American battlefields at Juvigny and 

near Vauxaillon may be reached by f ollowing 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 N avy, 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. 

(11 6.5 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. 

Advance Command Post and Aid Station, lst Division, 

Near Missy-aux-Bois, .July 20, 1918

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 
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE-MARNE REGION 83 

of 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. 

French -American Attack South of Soissons 

July 18-22, 1918 

Jump-off Line Front Line -xx- Division Boundary 

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 

rifle 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 
84 AM ER I CA N 0 P E RAT I 0 N S I N T H E A I SNE - MAR N E REG I 0 N 

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: OO a. m. the lst 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 lst Division 

on that flank. However, after a terrifie 

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 1 1/2 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 lst 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 bill above Le 

Mont d' Arly, had been previously captured by the lst Division although also 

situated in the French zone of action. 

After the leading troops of the lst 

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 offi.cer appeared at the mouth of 

it waving a white flag and surrendered 

bis entire command, consisting of approximately 600 offi.cers and men. 

Infantry of lst Division Near Berzy-le-Sec, July 21, 1918 

While the advance to Missy Ravine 

was being made, other troops of the lst 

Division captured Cravançon Farm, and 
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. 

1st Division Artillery Changing Posirion 

Near Missy-aux-Bois, July 19, 1918 

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 

flank. 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. 

Captured German Field Gun 

Near Missv-aux.Bois

The next day the attacks of the 1st 

Division were continued. In addition 

to terrific machine-gun and artillery fire, 

many hostile airplanes flew low over the 

area, machine-gunning and bombing the 

troops, as the Germans frantically tried 

to stop the American advance. In spite 

(85) 
German Prisoners Being Marched to the Rear, SouTh cf Soissons, 
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. 

Large Cave South of Soissons 

Manv similar caves are in this vicinitv 

On the 21st the fighting continued 

with much fury. Berzy-le-Sec was captured that day, the division reaching 

Buzancy, beyond the Soissons-ChateauThierry 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 o! 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 ROUTE NEAR MISSY-AUX-BOIS TO NEAR 

BEA UREPAIRE 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 Maison-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 Maison-Neuve Farm, where a 

good view is obtained or 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. 

French Tank With American Forces South of 

So1ssons, July 18, 1918 

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
88 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISN E-MARNE REGION 

of the division. At least 100 prisoners 

were captured in or near the farm. 

Vauxcastille 

Panorama From Stop 

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-flying 

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 Gerrr..an 

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 conflict 

raged until about 7 :00 a. rn., 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. 

La Verte-Feuille Farm After Its Capture by 

the 2d Division. July 18, 1918 

On July 19 the division attacked about 

9 :00 a. m. The Germans were driven 

back steadily until 10:00 a. m. when the
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AlSNE-MARNE REGION 89 

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 flank 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. 

Beaurepaire Farm la a Verte-Feuille Farm 

North of Beaurepaire Farm 

Beaurepaire Farm, July 19, 1918

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 ChâteauThierry or via Longpont and N euilly-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. 
90 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE-MARNE REGION 

Captured Weapons in Public Square at Villers-Cotterêts, July 27, 1918 

EN ROUTE NEAR BEAUREPAIRE 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, were later awarded 

Congressional Medals of Honor. 

Sergeant Cukela was near this road 

when bis company met with heavy fire 

from an enemy strong point in the wood. 

Disregarding the warnings of bis comrades, he crawled out from the fiank and 

made bis 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 bis 

bayonet. With German band grenades 

be 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 bis own men, he 

worked bis 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 be took command of 25 French 

colonial trcops who had beccme separated 
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE-MARNE REGION 91 

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 VillersCotterêts there are three main roads to 

Paris-via Senlis, or La Ferte-Milon and 

Meaux, or Nanteuil and Dornrnartin. 

32D DIVISION NEAR JUVIGNY, 

AUGUST 28-SEPTEMBER 2 

32d Division Near Juvigny, August 28-September 2, 1918 

Jump-off Line - Front Line Division Boundary 

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
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 Inf. (93d Division) Near Vauxaillon 

Sept. 24-0ct. 12, 1918 

N 

1 

- American Front Line - French Front Line 

-xx- Division Boundary Regimental Boundary 

Ground Gained Sept. 28 

370TH INFANTRY, 93D DIVISION, 

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 Cessieres. 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 cf a single shell. 
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
ADDITION AL PLACES OF INTEREST IN THE 

AISNE-MARNE REGION 

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-Ie-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 Chateau-Thierry, south of 

Beugneux, on the road to W allée 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 

chateau, 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 AmeriC'a 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. 

Museum at Blérancourt 

Bois de Bourbetin; Bois de Ia Côte 192; 

Bois de Ia 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 

(94)
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 Côte 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 materiel were captured. 

Described Route and Additional Places of Interest in Aisne-Marne Region 

LtZy-sur-Ourcq 

2.SM. 

Mont·sur-Courville 

Arcis-le-Ponsart 

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

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.
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 SoissonsChâteau-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 Compiegne 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. 

Chateau 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. * Compiegne. 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 Compiegne 

in 1430 by the Burgundians, who sold her 

to the English. The city contains a fine 

historic château which is open to visitors. 

Marshal Foch's Train Arriving at Compiegne 

The Armistice was signed in the car in the foreground

* Coucy-le-Chateau. 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. 

Courthiezy 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 flanks, 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. 
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN TliE 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. 

Ruins of Old Castle at Coucy-le-Chateau 

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. * Fere-en-Tardenois Castle. An interesting medieval castle built about 1200 

A.D. is located about 11/2 miles northeast 

of Fere-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 J aulgonne. 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 Etrepilly. 

26th Div. Hdqrs., July 21-30. 

Greves Farm, 1 1/2 miles west of St. 

Eugene. 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 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 cf the 

enemy troops on this front. 

German Troops Advancing Across the Chemin des Dames, May 1918 

During the same battle and also near 

this farm, Second Lieutenant Jay F. 

Hostetter, Field Art]Jery, 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. N ear 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. 

Large German Gun Emplacement at Coucy-le-Château in 1934 

( 98 ) 
German Batteries in Position Near the Marne River, June 1918. © G 

* Longpont. In this town are the ruins 

of a large Cistercian abbey, said to have 

been built in the 12th Century. 

Magneux. N ear 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 

lst Division and the French division on 

its left, thus exposing the left of the lst 

Division to terrifie fire from several German machine guns located in a rock 

quarry. Second Lieutenant Samuel I. 

Parker, lst Division, observing this serious situation, ordered his depleted platoon 

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

99 ) (
to follow him in an attack upon the 

strong point. Meeting a disorganized 

group of French soldiers wandering about 

in the ravine, he pursuaded 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. 

8-Inch Austrian Howitzer Captured by the 

26th Division at Epieds, July 24, 1918 

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 

CKkteau-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. 

German Gun Firing Near Reims, June 1917. © G 

100) 
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE AISNE-MARNE REGION 101 

Americans Marching to Attack Near Beuvardes, July 24, 1918 

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

Moucheton Chateau, north of Epieds. 

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

Petret 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 Chateau. 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. 

Râlperie, 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. 

The Repairing of Roads Was a Problem 

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

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

Temporary Relief from the Front Line, June 17, 1918 

*Reims, one of the historie 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 cathedra! where many 

of the kings of France were crowned. A 

visit to one of the vast champagne celIars 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 Iosses 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 bands 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 }'Evêque, about 1 1/2 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 VillersCotterêts, about 1 mile northeast of 

Verte-Feuille Farm is Iocated 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 Iisted are British divisions and the 

American lst 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 Iine northwest of 

the village of Villette near the Vesle River 

from August 6 to 11 and during this period 

made two determined attempts to estabIish a bridgehead north of the river. 
Large circled numeral in a colored area indicates the 

American division which fought there 

Small circled numeral indicates part of American division 

which fought attached to another division 

SUMMAR Y OF COMBAT SER VICE OF AMERICAN DIVISIONS 

I N THE AISNE- MARNE REG ION 

Name Period of Serl'ice Character of of Div. 1918 Service 

Location of Service 

General vicinity ofArmy to W/lich 

Attached l 

Corps to TVhich 

,l!tached' 

Casuallies 2 

2 

3 

(6tb 

Brig. 

only) 

(6tb 

only) 

4 

26 

28 

32 

July 18-22 ______ Battle _______ l\Iissy- aux - Bois and Tentn ___________ XX _______________ 6,870 

Berzy-le-Sec. 

June 2-5 ------- Battle _______ Lucy-le-Bocage _________ Sixth ____________ XXI_ ____________ _ 

June G-July 10_ Sector _______ Belleau Wood and Sixth ____________ XXI until June 

Vaux. 21, then III until July 4, then 

Am. I. 

July 18-20 ______ Battle _______ La Verte-Feuille Farm Tenth ___________ XX ______________ _ 

and Vierzy. 

546 

7, 225 

(363) 

4, 310 

May 31-June 5_ Battle ______ _ Château-Thierry and 

along the Marne River to Courthiézy. 

Sixth____________ XXXVIII________ ü5 

June 6-July 14- Sector. _____ _ 

July 15-30______ Battle ______ _ 

Château-Thierry and 

along the Marne River to Courthiézy. 

Mézy and Ronchères __ _ 

Sixth ____________ XXXVIII________ 432 

Sixth until July 

17, then Ninth 

until July 20, 

then Sixtb. 

XXXVIII_ _______ 5, 964 

(92) 

Aug. 6_________ BattJe_______ Vesle River east of Sixth ____________ Am. IIL _________ _ 32 

Fismes. 

Aug. 7-11 ______ Sector. ______ Vesle River ea:st (Jf Sixth ____________ Am. IIL _________ _ 5i4 

(2) Fismes. 

1 July 18-2L _____ Battle _______ Noroy-sur-Ourcq and Sixth ____________ II and VIL _______ 2, 100 

Chevillon. 

Aug. 3-G _______ Eattle _______ Mareuil-en-Dôle and 

St. Thibaut. 

Sixth____________ Am.!_____________ 1, 625 

(33) 

Aug 7-12 Sector _______ St. Thibaut_ ___________ Sixth ____________ Am.!_ ____________ 1, 7Gl . ------ (59) 

Feb. 6-Mar. 19_ Training in Chemin des Dames ____ Six th ___ . ___ . ____ XL _______________ 

Line 

July 10-14 ______ Sector.. ____ Belleau Wood __________ Sixth ____________ Am.!_ ____________ 

July 15-25 ______ Battle _______ Belleau and Epieds _____ Sixth ____________ Am.!_ ____________ 

July 1-14 _______ Training in Château-Thierry and Sixth ____________ XXXVIII an cl llL 

Line along the Marne River to Courthiézy. 

July 15-18 ______ Battle _______ Château-Thierry and Sixth until July III and XXXVIII. 

along the Marne Riv- 17, lhen Nin th. 

er to Courthiézy. 

July 28-3L _____ Battle _______ Bois des Grimpettes ____ Sixth ___________ XXXVIII -------

Aug. 7-17 ______ Sector. ______ Fismes __________ . ____ ._ Six th _______ .... _ Am. IIL __________ 

Aug. 18-Sept. 8. Battle _______ Baslieux ________________ Sixth ____________ Am. IIL __________ 

July 30-Aug. 6_ Battle ... ____ Cierges and Fismes __ -- Sixth____________ XXXVIII until 

1 

Aug. 4, 

Am. IIT. 

th en 

404 

213 

4, 644 

(149) 

178 

1, 23:J 

1, 416 

l, 8a9 

(124) 

3, 277 

(25) 

3, 662 

(49) 

See footnotes on page 104. 

c 103) 
SUMMARY OF COMBAT SERVICE--Continued 

Name 1Period of Service Character of of Div. 1918 Service 

---

Location of Service 

General vicinity ofArmy to Which 

Attached' Attached 1 ties 2 -

C01'ps to Which I Casual 

Aug. 7. ------ Sector _______ Fismes _________________ Sixth ____________ Am. m ___________ 42 

Aug. 2&-Sept. 2 Battle •.••••• Juvigny ________________ Tenth ... ------ xxx ___________ 2,633 

(IS) 

42 July 25-Aug. ~- Battle _______ Sergy and Seringes-et- Sixth ____________ Am. L--~-------- 5, 476 

Nesles. L976) 

77 Aug. 12-17 _____ Sector ---• ___ St. Thibaut_ __________ Sixth. --------- Am. I until Aug. 1,407 

13, then Am. III. (156) 

Aug. 18-Sept. Battle ••• ____ Bazoches, Merval and Sixth until Sept. Am. III until 3, 200 

16. Villers·en·Prayiires. 8, then Fifth. Sept. 9, then (13) 

XVI. 

93 Sept. 17-0ct. Battle ______ N ortheust of Vauxaillon. Tenth ••• ________ xxx until Oct. 501 

(370th 12. 6, then XVI. Inf. 

only) 

(370th Nov. 5-lL - --- Battle .. _____ Northeast of Laon and Third __________ XVIII until Nov. 65 Inf. 

only) Rocroi. 10, then XVI. 

t 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. 

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

(104)
Chapter III 

AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE ST. MIHIEL REGION 

THE 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. 

Location of American Divisions on Western Front 

August 10, 1918 

N 

Brussels l

At le Mans 

At St. Aignan 

At St. Amand-Montrond 

Colmar 

Mui house 

Line of Aug.10 28 Division in Line Division in Rear Area 

Boundary 

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 

(105)
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. 

Wartime View From Top of Montsec 

Arrows indicace successive barriers of wire 

When the reduction of the AisneMarne salient was assured General Pershing pointed out to the Allied Commanderin-Chief 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 Ameriran 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-surSeille, 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 cf 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 eut by small streams 

and dotted with woods of varying size. 

It is comparatively low ground containing many large ponds and swampy areas, 

thus making cross-country travel difficult especially in wet weather. 

Within the German lines at the south 

face of the salient were the high isolated 

bills 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 

(106) 
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 reducticn 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 Ccmmander-inChief suggested to General Pershing that 

the offensive be reduced greatly in scope, 

that most cf 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. 

Front Line 

------- Defense Line 

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 enor-
Reserves Moving Forward During the St. Mihiel Offens

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

mous 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 reflects 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. 

Plan of Attack of First Army, September 12, 1918 

0 5 10 15 Miles 

N 

creek 

r+ Jump-off Line Sept 12 (A. MJ - Front Line Actually Reached 

-xxx x- Army Boundary -xxx- Corps Boundary 

Numerals indicate divisions Arrows indicate direction and weight of attacks 

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 secondary attack and to hold 

the enemy at the apex of the salient while 

the other attacks were being made. 

Road Near Sanzey Just Before the 

St. Mihiel Offensive 

Note its muddy, tom-up condition typical of 

most roads in the region at that time 

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 

9lst Divisions in reserve for use in case cf 

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 chiefly 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. 

Wrecked Bridge at Flirey 

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

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, had 
not begun when the American attack 

burst upon the defenders of the salient. 

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

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. 

American 75-Millimeter Gun Firing Toward 

Montsec From a Position Near Beaumont, 

September 12, 1918

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 flank of the main attack, captured N onsard 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 Vieville-en-Haye, with its eastern 

flank 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, 

(Ill) 
and the organization of the new position, 

roughly along the line joining Vandieres 

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 

self-confidence and a sense of power which 

was to be of great value in helping it to 

surmount the difficult tasks ahead. 

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

Septernber 12, 1918 

Gerrnan Prisoners at Beaurnont, 

Septernber 12, 1918 

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 "magnificient". 

(112) 
Gas Alarm for an American Unit on Western Face of the St. Mihiel Salient, 

April 30, 1918 

The transfer of American units to the 

Meuse-Argonne region, their next great 

battlefield, was begun even before the 

completion of the St. 

Mihiel offensive, and 

by the 20th of September only the 26th, 

42d, 78tb, 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-enW oevre and Port-surSeille, then held by 

the 7th, 37th, 79th, 

92d and two French divisions. The 28th 

American Division was in Army reserve. 

LieutenanL General Robert L. Bullard 

Commanding General of the 

Second .Army from October 12, 1918, 

to .April 15, 1919 

At that time the First Army offensive 

in the Meuse-Argonne region had been in 

Early in November 

it became evident 

that the Allied and 

American attacks, 

covering almost the 

entire front from 

the Meuse to the 

Nor th Sea, were 

producing great disorganization within 

the German armies, 

and on November 

5 the American 

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, thereIo re, had for the 

time being the role 

of holding its front 

principally with tired 

divisions while they 

rested and prepared 

for another tour of 

duty in the MeuseArgonne 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. 

Commander-in-Chief ordered the Second 

Army to begin advancing its lines in 

preparation for an offensive in the direction of Briey. The Army planned to 

(113)
114 AMER ICAN OPERATIONS IN THE ST. MIHIEL REGION 

launch these attacks on 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. 

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

0 10 20 30 Miles Baccarat 

N 

- Front Line Nov. 11 (A. M.) -XXXX- Army Boundary Fortified City 

Arrows indicate weights and directions of proposed attacks 

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 Commander-in-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 Portsur-Seille, east of the Moselle River. On 

its right flank 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.
A TOUR OF THE AMERICAN BATTLEFIELDS 

IN THE ST. MIHIEL REGION 

VERDUN 

0 500M. 

A. Cathedrale 

B. Hôtel de Ville 

C. Egl. St. Sauveur 

D. Palais de Justice 

T HIS 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 ROUTE VERDUN TO COTE 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 flight 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 

(ll5)
Côte de Senoux, .January 1919 
to the right toward the village of Hattonchatel. Note the speedometer reading. 

Changing the German Name of a Street 

in Vigneulles From .. Hindenburg Strasse"' 

to "Wilson, U. S. A." 

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. 

Maneuvering a Balloon Near Haudainville

(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 Cote 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 

(117) 
118 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE ST. MIHIEL REGION 

the landscape. Trenches furrowed the 

area in all directions and interlocking shell 

holes were everywhere. 

Hattonchatel 

, 

Panorama From Stop 

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 

Hattonchatel, 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. 

German Cavalry Regiment Deployed for Counterattack, September 1918. © G

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. 
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE ST. MIHIEL REGION 119 

St. Baussant Vigneulles Montsec Montsec 

Memorial 

Heudicourt 

Near Hattonchatel 

EN ROUTE COTE DE SENOUX 

TO HATTONCHATEL 

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, Hattonchatel, STOP. 

Face the town of Hattonchatel, 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 

W oevre 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. 

American Narrow-Gauge Train Bringing Up Rations Near Menil-la-Tour

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 
advance, began quickly to withdraw and 

to destroy all supplies and other articles 

that could not be taken with them. 

Vigneulles Soon After Its Capture 

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-Cotes and Billysous-les-C6tes, 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 Woel. On September 14 

the troops of the First Army captured it 

and that night the front line of the Army 

was established just beyond W oel, 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 Hattonchdtel is a 

picturesque chateau 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. 

(120)
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE ST. MIHIEL REGION 121 

EN ROUTE HATTONCHATEL TO MONTSEC 

(20. 7 m 33.3 km) Immediately after 

entering Hattonchatel, 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 Creue, 

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 

Buxieres 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, W oinville, 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
Sr. Mihiel American Memorial on Montsec
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. 

Church at Montsec 

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 barbed-wire 

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 barbedwire entanglements, concrete machinegun 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. 

German Artillery Telephone Exchange at Montsec 

German Dugout Entrance on Montsec 

The hill was honeycombed with dugouts

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 Colonial 

(123) 
124 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE ST. MIHIEL REGION 

Corps which held the tip of the salient. 

Nonsard Thiaucourt St. Baussant Flirey Church Marvoisin Church 

Pannes Viéville-en-Haye Lahayville R1checourt 

Seicheprey 

Panorama Looking East From Montsec 

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 Anny 

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 flame 

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 

German Communication Trench Between captured by the 42d Division. 

Montsec and Richecourt Before noon the 1st Division had captured N onsard, 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 Panne3, seen to the right of Nonsard, and advanced several miles beyond 

it while the 89th Division reached a line 

near Thiaucourt, which town can be seen 
.AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE ST. MIHIEL REGION 125 

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. 

Heudicourt Hattonchâtel Nonsard 

Panorama Looking North From Montsec 

The village seen to the front on the 

nose of the hill is HattoncMtel. 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 materiel 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 flagpole. 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 which has just been described. 

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

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 Sqvres 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 floor; 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 

combat activities in Alsace and Lorraine. 

Close-Up View of St. Mihiel American Memorial 
Distant View of American Memorial on Montsec 

The coats of arms carved on the stone 

pillars near the flagpole 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 ROUTE MONTSEC TO EAST 

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 Remieres. 

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 

Remieres 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 

of resistance. That position had been 

(127) 
128 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE ST. MIHIEL REGION 

elaborately prepared for defense by the 

French Army during the preceding years. 

Seicheprey Montsec Memorial 

Richecourt 

Montsec 

Quart de Réserve 

Panorama. Looking North 

(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-9 minutes. 

Fountain at Seicheprey 

Erected by Inhabitants of Connecticut 

(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 Remieres. 

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 inflammable balloon invariably caused it to 

burst into flames and be destroyed. 

A large amount of important information was also obtained by the Air Service 
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE ST. MIHIEL REGION 129 

which periodically sent airplanes over the 

enefny 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 bis plans. 

Nonsard Bois de Remières 

St. Baussant 

Pannes Essey Béney 

Bois de la Sonnard 

From Stop Near Seicheprey 

This point is near the center of the 

zone of the IV Corps, which attacked on 

September 12 with the lst, 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 :OO 

a. m. in a rain and fog, closely following a 

heavy rolling barrage. The lst 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. 

Flare Used at Night to Cali for an 

Artillery Barrage 

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 : OO p. m. Lamarche, seen in the distance to the left of Pannes, was beyond 

the first day's objective. It was, how-
Ruins of Richecourt 

The described route passes over the road to the right 
ever, entered by a patrol of the 42d 

Division in the afternoon and occupied 

by the lst Division that night. 

French Monument at Flirey Listing American 

Units Which Fought in the Vicinity 

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 Fùst Anny. 

EN ROUTE EAST OF SEICHEPREY 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 rlght 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 

suce ful 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 

bef ore returning to their own trenches. 

Church at Limey 

(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 again.st 

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 

(131) 
Air Photograph of Bridge Near Flirey 

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

View of Flirey on September 13, 1918 
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 higbexplosive 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 

witb his left band until exhausted from 

loss of blood be 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. 

Ruins of Remenauville, October 1918 

(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 :OO p. m. 

the division had advanced about 5 miles. 

(45.2 m 72.7 km) Upon reaching the 

next road jonction, 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 

(134) 
AMERICAN OPERATIONS 1N THE ST. MIHIEL REGION 135 

town wa 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.l km) Just before reaching 

the top of the next crest, when a good 

view i obtained to the rear, STOP. 

If the growlh of trees has obstrncted the 

view go off the road or back down hill in order 

to obfain the best view possible. 

Face so that the church just passed, 

which marks the site of the former village 

of RegniévilJe, is seen to the left front. 

The direction which the tourist is now 

facing is approximately north. 

Thi 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 Iine 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. 

Regniéville in October 1918 

On September 12 the 2d, 5th and the 

left of the 90th Division attacked at 5 :OO 

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: OO 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 Divi ion was established about 

3 miles ahead of this point. 

The left of the 90th Division, which 

attacked to the right of this point, met 
90th Division Engineers Repairing Road at Fey-en-Haye, Septem
SECTION OF WAR MAP SHOWING 

TRENCH SYSTEM NEAR REMENAUVILLE 

0 500 1000 Meters ..... 

AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE ST. MIHIBL REGION 137 

obstinate resistance from machine-gun 

nests and sni pers 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 thern without Joss of time 

proved to be unexpectedly effective. 

The fighting after Septernber 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 comrnonly 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 ROUTE EAST OF REGNIÉVILLE TO NORTH 

OF PONT-À-MOUSSON 

Pont-à-Mousson, October 1918 

(47.8 m 76.9km) The next village, Feyen-Haye, bas 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) Deyond the town, at 

the next cro road, turn to the Je(t. 

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 Germane 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 cemeteTV. 
The lst and 2d Divisions held adjoining 

sectors near here for a short time inAugust. 

(50.5 m 81.2 km) Whlle approaching 

the next town, MontauviUe, 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 11 th 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 Pontà-Mousson which was captured by 

the Germans in 1914. It was retaken by French troops shortly 

thereafter and remained in the 

bands of the Allies from then on. 

Pont-à-Mousson 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. 

1. Rte. de St. Mihiel 

2. Av. Prés. Carnot 

3. Pl. Thiers 

4. R. Victor Hugo 5. Pl. Duroc 

6. R. St. Laurent 7. R. Bois le Prêtre 

Route through ' PONT-A-MOUSSON 

(52.5 m 84.5 km) After entering the 

town, cross over the railroad tracks. 

In center of town, at large plaza wlth 

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. 

Memorial Fountain of the Amertcan Field 

Service in Pont-à-Mousson 

(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 

ad van ce of the American Army. 

(54.5 m 87.5 km) Beyond the town, 

after cro lng the railroad, at the ftrst 

crest where a good view of the bill to the 

front is obtalned, 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 

(138) 
(139) 

away 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. 

German Front-Line Trench and Barbed Wire 

Near Fey-en-Haye, September 1918 

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 

bouse 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 

flank. 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: OO 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 1 1/2 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 tire from the north and 

from across the river so, after many cas· 

ualties, it was given up. V andières will be passed through and 

the position just mentioned will 

be seen later in the tour. 

Llght Tank Manned by Americans Crossing a 

Trench During the St. Mihiel Operation 

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 bis own duties 

as di vision machine gun offi.cer be 

volunteered to assist in reorganizing advanced units under a terrifie 

bombardment. Although seriously wounded while going to the 

aid of an injured soldier in the 

outpost line be continued in 

command and remained in the 

position until it was prepared 

for defense, encouraging everyone 
with his cheerful spirit, courage and confidence. This gallant soldier died from 

his wounds. For bis heroic actions in this 

fighting he was posthumously awarded 

the Congressional Medal of Honor. 

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

September 15, 1918 

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 tbis 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. 

American Officers at a Captured German Canteen, 

Nonsard, September 13, 1918 

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 Jeft toward Villers-sous-Prény. 

The tour tums west at this point and 

from now on runs generally across the zone 

of action of the American First Army. 

(140)
Light Railway Operated by the American Army, Moving Civilian Property From 

the Viciotty of the Front Liac 

(67.1 m 91.9 km) Beyond town, leading 

up from the right of the road, are the 

slopes of the bill captured by the 82d 

Division on September 16, and from 

which it later withdrew because of intense 

hostile artillery bombardments. 

(57.6 m 92.7 km) At next group offarm 

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 824, whieh 

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 rlght 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, 

eonsiderable 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 bills 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 throogh 

the village of Vilcey-sur-Trey. 

Road Work 

The silk hat was found in Thiaucourt 

(61.0 m 98.1 km) In the large wood, 

Forêt des V enchères, next entered, the 

90th Division eneountered 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 

(141)
142 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE ST. MIHIEL REGION 

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

Front Line 

the front lines. Hundreds of buts 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 1 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 aftemoon of September 13 and 
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THB 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 viUage of Viéville-en-Haye. 

(63.1 m 101.5 km) Beyond viHage 

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. 

(64.2m103.3km) Uponapproachingthe 

next crossroad, to the Jert 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. 

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

Shows character of the terrain advanced over 

(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 Jeft is seen the large wood, Bois du 

Beau Vallon, taken by troops of the 2d 
and 89th Divisions on the moming 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 bill 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 lst Divisions in that order. 

To the left front HattonchAtel 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: OO 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 Being Shelled by the Germans After 

lts Capture by the 2d Division 

Thiaucourt was an important point in 

the German supply system, and with its 

capture there fell into American bands 

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 

(144) 
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THB ST. MIHIBL REGION 145 

in front of its jump-off line and about 

noon captured Euvezin, identitied 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 churcb 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 Septernber 12. 

Sligbtly 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 lst 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 ail 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 brilliantlyperformed their battle assignments. 

EN ROUTE SOUTHEAST OF THIAUCOURT 

TO ST. MIHIEL AMERICAN CEMETERY 

(65.9 m 106.0 km) Wbile 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, 87th, 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. 

Street in Thiaucourt After the German Bombardment

(66.6 m 107.2 km) In town, cross 

right-hand bridge over the Rupt de Mad. 

{66.8 m 107 .5 km) Near the cburch, 

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 monu· 

ment farther on, bear to the Ieft. 

(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 cemeter at Jeft of road, STOP. 
General View of che SW Mihiel American Cemete
Enrrance, St. Mihiel Cemecery 

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 bas been made along forma! 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 :ftower 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 

corne when the trees and shrubbery have 

reached their full growth. In time the 

cemetery will be sheltered on ail 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 ail the American military 

cemeteries in Europe, are of a cross design 

for those of the Christian faith and a 

six-pointed 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 fiowers. 

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 squaretrimmed 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. 

(147) 
Sundial at St. Mihiel American Cemetery Near Thiauco

Note American Memorial on Montsec in the distance 
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE ST. MIHIEL REGION 149 

View at St. Mihiel Cemetery Chapel 

From the center of the œmetery there 

is a splendid view of the chape}, a building of great simplicity and dignity, which 

has been huilt of fine white atone. 

The two fiags fiying in front of the 

chapel bring a feeling of patriotism to 

American visitors and a sense of gratification that the brave men who rest bere will 

always sleep beneath their country's tlag. 

Carved inscriptions in French and 

English on the front of the chape} state 

that it has been dedicated "TO THOSE 

WHO DIED FOR THEIR COUNTRY", and this 

tbought bas been repeated in the main 

inscription inside the peristyle which 

reads: "THIS CHAPEL HAS BEEN ElRECTED 

BY THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IN 

GRATEFUL REMEMBRANCE OF HER SONS 

WHO DIED IN THE WORLD W AR." 

These words, carved in stone, emphasize 

the fact that the chapel stands not to 

comrnemorate the glory of battles won 

nor the triumph of victory acbieved, 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 !eatures on 

it is a winged horse, which is intended to 

symbolize the filght 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, hie attention is first attracted to 

the carved, ivory-tinted altar, with its 

beautiful cross and the rich mosaic above 

it, portraying an angel sheathing bis 

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 :floor and lower wallpaneling are of inlaid marble witb light 

and dark green markings. Disposed 

about the chapel in appropriate places are 

graceful candelabra and bronze-decorated 

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 w ho 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 cbapel, corresponding in 

position to the flagpoles in iront, 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. 
150 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE ST. MIHIEL REGION 

EN ROUTE ST. MIHIEL AMERICAN CEMETERY TO WEST OF WOEL 

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.l 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 on 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. 

A Battalion Headquarters of the 89th Division Near Béney, 

September 16, 1918 

(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 s

een the Bois de Béney, at the near edge 

of which during most of the war the Germans maintained and flew 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, 
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. 

42d Division Patrol Near Hassavant Farm, 

September 14, 1918 

(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 lst 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, cornes 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 Portsur-Seille, 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 mon th of October. 
Crossroads at St. Hilaire 

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 N ovember 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 pusbed ail along the 

Western Front and that be 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 ROUTE WEST OF WOËL TO EAST 

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 rn 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. 

(80.8 m 129.2 km) The next village, 

Marchéville, had been elaborately organized for defense by the Germ ans bef ore 

September 1918. After the salient was 

eliminated the village was strongly held 

(152)
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN 'THE ST . MIHI E L REGION 153 

by German troops and was the scene of 

mu ch vicious fighting until N ovem ber 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 

inflicted heavy losses in overcoming the 

stubborn resistance of the enemy. Sharp 

hostile counterattacks from the front and 

flanks and heavy artillery fire caused a 

withdrawal to the higher ground seen to 

the left of the village. On N ovember 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 

machine-gun 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 i t 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. 

On Front of VW Division Near Manheulles, NoYember 10, 1918 

(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 N ovember 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 flank division 

belonging to the American First Army. 

On N ovember 9 the division attacked 

as part of the general forward movemen t 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: OO a. m. the next day to the road on 

which the observer is standing. The 

/ 
154 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE ST. MIHIEL REGION 

other group, a company, was attacked 

by the Germans early on the morning of 

the lOth 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. 

Captured Burros Carrying Water Near 

Haudiomont, November 1918 

No attack was made here on November 

10 but on the llth 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 8lst Division made 

successive advances during November 9, 

10 and 11, for a total gain of about 3 miles. 

Troops of the 8lst Division in ManheuHes, November 10, 1918 

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. 

ln 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 
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE ST. MIHIEL REGION 155 

changed in order 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 ail Americans were elated 

at the victory, which was far more rapid 

and clear-cut than even the most optimistic had a right to expect. 

Effect of a Direct Hit on a German 

Concrete Shelter 

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

Before leaving this stop the speedometer 

reading should be noted. 

EN ROUTE EAST OF HAUDIOMONT 

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 MeuseArgonne 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 A merican battlefields in the MeuseArgonne region described in Chapter IV. 
ADDITIONAL PLACES OF INTEREST IN THE ST. MIHIEL REGION 

I

N addition to the places whose World 

W ar 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-W orld W ar 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. 

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

Saizerais * 4 M Nancy

Stop, described in text 

Route, described in text 

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

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, 

(156) 
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. 

Allied Prisoners Returning to American Lines at Abaucourt, 

November 13, 1918 

Beaumont. lst 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 Ronvaux. 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. N ear 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 machine-gun 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. 
158 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE ST. MIHIEL REGION 

Wartime View of German Support Trenches Near Apremont 

Bois du Rupt. A counterattack of the 

German 3lst Division, launched from 

this wood during the afternoon of September 12, was repulsed by the 2d Division, which inflicted 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 N ovember 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 be promptly fired his 

remaining pistol bullets through the door 

and demanded the instant surrender of 

the occupants. Sorne 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 flat-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 
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE ST. MIHIEL REGION 159 

emplacement for an Allied railroad gun. 

Château d 'Aulnois, November 1918 

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. 14-0ct. 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. 

Han.ido 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 

5tb 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 37tb Divisions raided it several 

times and the 28th Division occupied it on 

two different occasions; from October 24 

to 29, and again from N ovember 9 to 11. 

Hill 323, south of Rembercourt-surMad. This bill 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 : OO 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. 
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. lst Div. Headquarters, 

from January 18- April 3, and IV Corps 

Headquarters, September 10- 0ctober 10. * Metz. This city, which is strategically located on the Moselle River, bas 

been a fortress of importance since the 

time of the Romans, wbo 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 W orld W ar 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. 

Mon Plaisir Farm in the Winter After the Armistice 

Moranville and the Bois de Moranville. 

These places in the outpost zone of the 

Hindenburg Line were captured by the 

81st Division on N ovember 9 in spite of 

determined hostile resistance. 

*Nancy. The Kaiser is said to have 

corne to view the German attacks north 

of Nancy at the beginning of the W orld 

War, expecting to make a triumphal 

entry into the city. Although it was 

shelled all attempts to capture the town 

were repulsed. Nancy con tains 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 
St. Mihiel Soon After Its Capture 

Note ponton bridge built by American engineers 
Line, was the objective of frequent raids 

by the 90th and 7th Divisions. Many 

hand-to-hand fights took place near it. 

The interesting ruins of an ancient fortified château 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 d uring the period, Sept. 10-17. 

Searching Prisoners ac Headquarters, 

5rh Division, St. Jacques Farm, 

September 12, 1918 

*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 relies 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. 

Off Duty 

St. Mihiel-Apremont Road. Alongside 

(163) 
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 lst 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- 0ct. 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- 0ct. 10, except from 

September 11 to 19 when it moved 

forward to Mamey for the St. Mihiel 

operation. 7th Div. Hdqrs., Oct. 10- 30. 

Sectors Held by American Divisions in the St. Mihiel Region 
September 13 and later abandoned; regained 

==== 

Front by American divisions Sept. 17-Nov. 8 

------ Front . . of Amencan Second Army and 81st 

front lines are as merican First Army 

noted; thus 

midnight by French divisions attached to American Army 

on a line indicate d. t A . d ... midnight of bath srn e mencan 

• 

SUMMAR Y OF COMBAT SER VICE OF AMERICAN DIVISIONS 

IN THE ST. MIHIEL REG ION 

l\'ame 1 Period of 8errice 1 Character of 1 Location of Serl'ice Army Io llnich 

of Dil'. J.918 &rl'ice General ,·icinity of- • lttached 1 

Corps to Hnich 1 Casual- , Wached 1 lies ' 

Jan. lS-Apr. 3__ Training in 

Line anù 

Sector. 

Ang. 7-2L ---· _ Sector. . __ 

Sept. 8-ll __ __ _ Hector. ___ _ 

Sept. 12-H __ Hattie _____ _ 

Seicheprey_ _____ ____ Fr. First until Fr. XXXII. __ _ 

Mar. 27, then 

Fr. Eighth. 

Forêt du Bois-le-Prêtre Fr. Eighth ______ Fr. XXXII until 

and Regniéville. 

Seicheprey __ ___ __ _ _ 

Richecourt and Nonsar<I. 

Aug. 22, then L 

FirsL ____ __ _ IV ______ _____ __ _ 

First __ ____ _ !\' ____ --- - - -- ----

654 

î5 

13 

(1) 

467 

(18) 

2 1 Mar 17- 1\[ay 13 Training in 

Li ne. 

:-\orthwest of St. Mihiel 

arnl "'atronville. 

Fr. econd until 

l\f ay 11, then 

French Group 

of Armies of 

Fr. X until Apr. 

17, then Fr. II 

CAC. 

881 

Ang. 9-1\J _______ Sector. __ 

Sept. 10-lL ___ _ Sector __ _ _ 

Sept. 12- lfL. _ Hattie ___ _ 

the Reserve. 

Port-sur-Seille a nd Fr. Eighth__ ___ Fr. XXXIL _ 

Pont-â-1\Iousson. 

Limey ________________ FirsL ------ --- - L _______ ___ __ ___ _ 

TbiaucourtandJaulny_ First___ __ _____ I ____ ______ __ _ 

22 

1 47i 

4 Sept. 7-1 L _ __ Sector.. _ IIaudiornont. ___ _ ___ Firot. ___ __ ___ _ V __ __ _ -------- 17 

Sept. 12-15__ Battle __ _ Fresnes-en-" 60 'oëvre ___ First ______ ___ \" __ ____ __ __ ____ ___ _ 

Sept. 10-ll __ ____ Sector._ _ Regniêville-en-Haye ___ First ____________ I ----------------- 23 

Sept. 12-16 ___ ___ Battle ___ ___ Viéville-en-Haye _____ First_ __ ___ __ ____ I - ---------------- l,H9 

Sept. 17 ____ ____ ' Sector__ __ North of Viéville-en- FirsL __ __ _____ I _ ------- ------ 86 

Haye. 

7 Oct. 10-N'o,-. li Sector_ ____ South of Rembercourt- First until Oct. n --- ------------- l l,(~J)6 sur-l\1ad. 12, tben Second. 

26 Apr. 3-June 2b __ Seclor __ -- Seicheprey __ __________ Fr. Eigbth ___ Fr. XXXII. __ - 2. HH 

(7) 

Sept. 8-ll _____ Sector. _ Côto de Senoux . ___ - First -- ------ V ________________ 21 

(/ ) 

Sept. l 2-J6 ___ __ BattJe __ Côte de Senonx and FirsL -------- y unlil Sept. 16, •lï9 

Vigneulles-lès-Hat- the n Fr. II w 

tonchâlel. CAC'. 

Sept. 17-0ct. s Sector. ._ Wadon,-ille _______ First_ __ _________ Fr. II CAC _____ 738 

2 Oct. Hi-No,-. 11 Sector llauruont ___ - . -- --- -- Second __ ___ -- -- IV ____ ------ ____ __ 1 059 

(J 17) 

33 Oct. 2f>-Nov. ll Sector_ ___ \\'oëlnndMarchê'ville Second _____ ____ _ Fr. II CAC until 82,1 

Nov. 6, then Fr. (78) 

XVII. 

3.i o et. l.'i-Xov ;_ B>.ttle_ Manheulles anù west First_ _________ __ Fr. X:XXIIIuntil 422 

of l\[oranville. Nov. 1, then Fr. 

XVIIuntil NoY. 

6, then Fr. lI 

CAC'. 

1 Ail armies and C'OTJJS are American unless otherwise indicated. In this tahle Fr.=French. 

2 Casualties are for veriod in line only. Figures in parentbeses give casualties for units temporarily attached. 

Add figure in parenthe~es to the one ahove in order ta obtain the total cnsualties during the entire operation. 

(165) 
SUMMARY OF COMBAT SERVICE-Continued 

Name Period of Service Chnracter of Location of Service 

of Div. 1918 Serr>ice General vicinity of- Army to irhich 

Attached 1 

Corps Io u•llich 

AUached 1 

Casualties 2 

37 

42 

78 

79 

Oct. 7-16 _______ Sector _______ Xammes .. ------------_ 

Sept. lL ______ Sector.. _____ Bois de Remières ____ __ Sept. 12-16 _____ Battle ... ____ St. Baussant, Pannes 

and Hassavant Farm. 

Sept. 17-0ct. L Sector. ----- North of St. Benoit-en-

·woëvre. 

First until Oct. 

12, then Second. 

FirsL ___________ 

First ____________ 

First. ___________ 

l V ____ ------------

IV ________________ 

IV ________ ------ __ 

IV_---------------

269 

(9) 

8 

901 

(7) 

309 

Sept. HL ______ Battle _______ North ofJaulny ________ First ____________ !_ _________ _______ _ 58 

(7) 

Sept. 17-0ct. 4. Sector. ______ North of Jaulny ________ First. ___________ I until Sept. 18, 1, 848 

Oct. 8-26 ... ____ Sector.. _____ Wadonville ____________ First until Oct. 

12, then Second. 

then IV. (109) 

Fr. II CAC.______ 369 

(210) 

81 Nov. 7-lL _____ Battle _______ l\IoranvilleandBoisde First_ ___________ Fr. II CAC_______ 974 

Manheulles. (5) 

82 June25-Aug.10. Training in ForêtduBois-le-Prt"tre Fr. Eighth ______ Fr. XXXIl_______ 374 

89 

90 

92 

93 

(370th 

Jnf. 

only) 

Aug. 19-Sept. 

11. 

Line and and Marvoisin. 

Sector. 

Sector. ______ Port-sur-Seille and 

Pont-à-Mousson. 

Fr. Eighth until Fr. XXXII unti! 

Aug. 30, then Aug. 22, then I. 

First. 

99 

(}) 

Sept. 12-16 _____ Battle _______ Norroy _________________ First_ ___________ L_________________ 816 

Sept.17-20 _____ Sector _______ Port-sur-Seille and FirsL ___________ I unlil Sept. 18, 116 

Aug. 10-Sept. 

11. 

Xon Hill. then IV. 

Sector. ______ Limey and Man7 oisin __ Fr. Eighlh until 

Aug. 30, then 

First. 

Fr. XXXII until 

Aug. 20, then 

IV. 

212 

(7) 

Sept. 12-16 _____ Battle _______ Bois de Mort-Mare First_ ___________ n·---------------- 833 

and Xa=es. (24) 

Sept. 17-0ct. 7. Sector.____ __ Xammes_______________ First____________ IV __ -------------- 1, 351 

(1 /) 

Aug. 24-Sept. 

11. 

Sector.______ Forêt du Bois-le-Prt"tre Fr. Eighth until r_ _____ ___________ _ 

and Regniéville. Aug. 30, then 

First. 

137 

(19) 

Sept. 12-16 _____ Battle _______ Vilcey-sur-Trey and First_ ___________ r_ _________________ 1, 972 

Bois des Rappes. (35J 

Sept. 17-0ct. 

10. 

Sector. ______ Vandières and west of First_ ___________ I until Sept. 18, 

Souleuvre Farm. then IV. 

Oct. 9-Nov. lL Sector.. _____ Port-sur-Seille and First until Oct. IV until Oct. 23, 

June 22-July 3_ Training in 

Line. 

Vandières. 12, then Sec- then VI. 

ond. 

Southw t of St. Mihiel. Fr. Second ______ Fr. II CAC ______ _ 

1, 30 

(51} 

959 

(12) 

0 

1 AU armies and corps are American unless otherwise indicated. In this lahlc Fr. = French. 

2 Casualties are for period in line only. Figures in parentbeses 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 ) 
Chapter IV 

AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE 

MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 

ONE 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 lef.t by the French Fourth 

Army west of the Argonne. N ortheast 

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. 

N orthwest 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 Rolland 

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 

Liége 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 Liége. 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 Jose 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 

( 167 ) 
German Tank Arrack, 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 Jay 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. 

German Defensive Positions Behind Western Front 

Amiens 

'=====----50=====----100 Miles 

Front Line ----- German Defensive Position International Boundary 

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 bills 

of the Argonne Forest had been organized 

into almost impregnable positions by 

the addition of machine guns, artillery, 

trenches and obstacles of ail kinds. Between these two great natural bulwarks 
170 AMERICAN OP E RATIONS IN THE MEUSE - ARGONNE REGION 

lay the dominating hill of 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. 

German Defensive Organization in the 

Meuse-Argonne Region 

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. 

American Suppl y Dump During the Meuse-Argonne Operation 

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. 
AMERICAN OPERATIONS I 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 

ad van ce 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. Saon 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. 

Road Scene at Esnes, an Important Road Center, 

During the Meuse-Argonne Operar1on 

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 
172 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 

above 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 lst, 29th and 82d Divisions composed the Army reserve. Opposing the 

American First Army were the German 

Fifth and Third Armies. 

Plan of Attack of First Army, September 26 1 1918 

N 

î 

First Arrny 

Jump-off Line - Front Line Sept 28 

-xxxx- Army Boundary -xxx-Corps Boundary Numerals indicate divisions 

Arrows indicate direction and weight of principal attacks 

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 

outflank their defenses in the Bois de 

Bourgogne 1 

1 In this text the name Bois de Bourgogne has been 

used to design a te the en tire large con tinuous wooded 

area which lies to the north of the Argonne Forest. 

and along the Aisne in front 

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 flank 

of the advancing troops. The I Corps 

was to protect the left of the V Corps and 
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 173 

flank 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 flanks 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 will-towin 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. 

German Narrow-Gauge Railroad Equipment Captured in the Argonne Forest 

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 

flank was a mile beyond that hill. During the advance its right flank 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 fiank fought its way forward 

about one mile in the Argonne Forest. 
Americao Troops Marching Toward the Front, Montfaucon, Octob

The house with the peaked roof contaioed a concealed concrete observation pose used at 
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 175 

Ground Gained by First Army, September 26-0ctober 3, 1918 

- xxxx- Army Boundary 

Stop, described in text 

Route, described in text 

On the evening of September 26 the 

strong German first position was all in 

American bands. Montfaucon, in the 

German second position, had held out, but 

deep salients driven into the German lines 

on both sides of that bill 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 

arti1lery 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 

l 1/2 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, the hostile troops 
176 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE - ARGONNE REGION 

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 reinîorcements 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. 

Opposing Forces on First Army Front, October 4, 1918 

____ 

Luxemburg . 

- Li ne of October 4 (A. M.l Abbreviations -xxxxx- Group of Armies Boundary A. H. = Austro·Hungarian Fr.= French 

- xxxx- Army Boundary B. = Bavarian G. = Guard 

- xxx- Corps Boundary C. A. C. =Colonial Corps L. = Landwehr 

International Boundary D. C. P.= Dismounted Cavalry R. =Reserve 

Fortified Town Division S. = Saxon 

Roman numerals indicate corps D. 1. C. =Colonial lnfantry Division W.= Württemberger 

Arabie numerals indicate divisions (American divisions circled) 

The area near the former front lines had 

been tom 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 
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. 

Plan of Attack of First Army, October 4, 1918 

N 

î 

Jump-off Line - Front Line Oct. 7 Front Line Oct. 13 

Army Boundary Corps Boundary Numerals indicate .divisions 

Arrows indicate direction and weight of principal attacks 

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 lst, 28th and 77th Divisions in line 

with the 82d, 92d (Jess 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 
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 lst Division. 

To exploit this latter gain it became 

necessary to make a flank attack against 

the Heights of the Argonne, near ChâtelChéhéry, 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 flank of the German second 

position in the Argonne. At the same 

time the 77th Division advanced from 

the south. The flank attack was successful and freed the heroic survivors of 

the "Lost Battalion". (See Chapter V.) 

Plan of Flank Attack of First Army 

Against Argonne Forest, October 7, 1918 

Chevières Juvin 1000 2000 

Sommerance , 

Marcq Martincourt Farm '\ .. .. _ . \ N 

.. __ î Hill 

Hill 

Montrefagne 

Beauregard Farm 

Exermont

Jumo-off Line - Front Line Oct. 8 .... __ Front Line Oct. 10 

-xxxx- Army Boundary -xxx- Corps Boundary Numerals indicate divisions 

Arrows indicate direction and weight of attacks 

The advance was continued on the 8th 
AM ERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 179 

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. 

Plan of Attack East of the Meuse, October 8, 1918 

0 2 3 4 5 6 Miles Damvillers 

N 

Jump-off Line - Front LiOctober 8 

.......... Front Line Oct. 31 -xxx- Corps Boundary 

Numerals indicate divisions 

Arrows indicate direction and weight of attacks 

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

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 corn posed 

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 flanking tire 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 

flanks, 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 lOth the attacks wcre general 

along the Army front from Beaumont, 

east of the Meuse, to the Argonne. By 

the llth 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. J uvm. 

These operations involved fighting of the 

most vicious sort, many places changing 

bands 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 
180 AMER l CAN OPERAT IONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REG I ON 

to left, as follows: east of the Meuse-the 

French XVII Corps with the French lüth 

Colonial, 26th and 18th Divisions and the 

American 29th and 33d Divisions in 

J:r.e 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. T he lst, 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. 

Plan of Attack of First Army, October 14, 1918 

N 

First Army 

Jump-off 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 

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 protert the left of the V 

Corps. The French XVII Corps was to 

continue its offensive east of the Meuse. 

German Trench Mortar Used for Anri-Tank 

Defense, October 191 8. © G 

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 Bo urgogne. 
A 1ERICAN OPERATIONS I THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 181 

German Plane Forced Down Near Cierges, 

October 4, 1918 

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 Li ne 

were carried, the most notable being the 

Bois de ]a 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. 

Supply Train Passing Through Cuisy, October 11, 1918 

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 

Jines 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 ail engaged. 

By the 22d of the month the 3d Division 

had completed the capture of the Bois de 
182 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 

Forêt; 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. 

Ground Gained by First Army West of the Meuse River 

October 4-31, 1918 

N 

1 

ncy 

Brieulles 

-xxxx- Army Boundary 

Stop, described in text 

described in text 

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 flank 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-W oëvre 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 persona! 

command of the American First Army on 

October 16 to Major General +XQWHU

Liggett, and from that time on became 

Commander of the American Group of 

Armies, in addition to bis duties as Commander-in-Chief of the A. E. F. 

In bis 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 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 

mu ch credit cannot 

be given him; hi3 

patriotism, courage, 

and fortitude were 

beyond praise. 

"Upon the young 

commanders of platoons, companies, and 

battalions fell the 

heaviest burden. 

They not only suffered 

ail 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 " 

Lieutenant General Huorer Liggett 

Cornmanding General of the 

Firsr Army from October 16, 1918, 

ro April 20, 1919 

Although a pressing need existed during 

the offensive for additional combat troops 

on the Meuse-Argonne front, the Allied 

Commander-in-Chief made many dem and s on General 

Pershing for American 

divisions to assist the 

attacks at other points. 

While rel uctan t to 

have bis divisions operate away from the 

American Army, General Pershing nevertheless gave his consent in 

certain cases where be 

felt that by so doing 

the general situation 

would be improved. 

American Airplaoes Ready to Start on Patrol Duty 

The divisions which 

served with the Allies 

dur:ng this period had 

a very favorable effect 

upcn 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 

(183) 
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 cf the 

93d Division fought with great credit 

as integral parts of 

Fr en ch divisions, 

and three American 

divisions, the 6th, 

81st and 88th, held 

sectors for a time 

with the French 

Seventh Army in 

tl:e V csges Mountains, thus releasing 

French troops fer 

service elsewhere. 

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

On the MeuseArgonne front a 

number of changes 

were made in the 

f r ont-l ine units 

between October 22 

and 31 as the wornout divisions were 

relieved f cr rest and 

recuperation and other divisions in better 

condition were placed in the battle line. 

Ground Gained by First Army 

East of the Meuse River, October 8-31, 1918 

N 

Stop, described in text 

Route, described in lext 

The American Army during this period 

was fer 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 fer careful and deliberate planning was a vailable. Other favor-
186 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 

able factors were tbat 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 Du ring the course of the MT euse-Argonne operation, 

rain was reportcù in the official reports by al Jeust one 

American division of the First Army on every day 

from eptember 26 to November 11, except for seven 

days. which were October 2, 3, 24, 25, 27, 28, anù 29. 

Upon the request of the French the 

date of the attack was postponed until 

November l, at which time the divisions 

of the First Army were in line as shown on 

the accompanying sketch. The order of 

battlc, 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 lst and 42d in reserve, 

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

78th Divisions in li ne and the 6th and 82d 

in reserve. The 42d Division was transferred to the reserve of the I Corps soon 

after the b ginning of the attack. The 

3d, 29th and 36th Divisions in the rear 

areas composed the Army reserve. 

Operations of First Army, November 1-11, 1918 

Direction and Weight of Principal Attacks 

November 1-3 

Direction of Advance, November 4-11 

Jump·off Line Nov. 1 - Front Line 

-xxxx- Army Boundary -xxx- Corps Boundary 

Numerals indicate divisions 

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

------ --- --

N 

The general mission of the First Army 

remained the same, to eut the Metz 

Sedan Mézières railroad. The detailed 

plan for the attack contemplated a deep 
AMERICAN OPERATIONS in THE MEUSE-ARGONNE E 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 he 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 N ovember l. 

The assault was preceded by a terrifie 

two-hour artillery preparation which ffectively bombarded the ensitive points of 

the enemy positions. The progress of the 

attack exceeded all expectations. In the 

center, the V Corps crusbed all opposition 

and by early afternoon bad 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 

flank of the Army. On the left, the I 

Corps, which faced the unbroken Hindenburg Line on most of it front, attacked 

and made an average gain of about 1/2 

mile. Its extreme right flank made a 

rapid and deep advance, keeping up with 

the left flank of the V Corps. 

Buzancy on che Day After Its Capcure 

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 

N ovember 1 for a withdrawal from the 

First Army front west of the Meuse. 
American Wounded in a Wrecked Church. Neuvilly, September 
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 Rolland, if the Germans were to 

avoid a decisive military defeat. 

The First Army continued to drive forward onNovember2 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 N ovember 

7, w hen units of the I Corps reached the 

heights overlooking the city of Sedan. 

The occupation of these heights effectively eut the lateral railroad through 

Sedan, which was the main objective of 

the Meuse-Argonne offensive. 

During the period from November 4 to 

7 the lst Division relieved the 80th and 

the 42d Division relieved the 78th. 

American and Allied Attacks on the Western Front 

September 26-November 11, 1918 

___ Mi les 

j 

i 

N 

Amiens 

E 

...,. )>.... Arrows indicate directions of main attacks -xxxx-Boundary between Armies 

Ground gained by American units Sept. 12-16, 1918 

Ground gained by American units Sept. 26-Nov. 11, 1918 

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 
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 ptan 

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.) 

German Divisions Moved To and From the Meuse-Argonne 

Front, September 26- November 11, 1918 

Amiens 

Paris N c E 

0 25 

G

/ 

18 

50 75 Miles 

oliége N 

) 

; \ 

/ \ 

( 

. 

LUXEMBURG

J 

/ 

Nancy 0 

D Divisions on front Sept. 26 (A. M.J Divisions moved to the front !total 34l 

D Divisions moved from the front (total 15> 

When the American Army, in spite of 

increasing enemy reinforcements and 

a well-nigh impregnable hostile defensive 

syst em, 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 tbe 

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 fiank 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 N ovember 4, 

when bridgeheads were established by the 

5th Division south of Dun-sur-Meuse. 

These gains were exploited, assisted by 
AMERlCAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 191 

a 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. 

Ground Gained by First Army, November 1-11, 1918 

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

-XXXX- ArmyBoundary 

Stop, described in text 

= Route, described in text 

N 

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 
on N ovember 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 crcssing of the Meuse River south of 

Mouzon by the 2d and 89th Divisions of 

the V Corps, and a 1 1/2-mile advance east 

of Verdun by the 81st Division, the right 

division of the French II Colonial Corps. 

HOW TO STOP THE WAR 

Do your part to put an eod to the war! Put an end to 

your part of it. Stop fightingl That's the simplest way. 

You can do it, you soldiers, just stop fighring and the war 

will end of lts own accord. You are not fighting for anything 

anyway. What does it matter to you who owns Metz or 

Strassburg, you never saw those towns nor knew the people 

in them. so what do you care about them7 But there is a 

little town back home in litde: old Unite:d States you 

would like to see and if you keep on fightlng here ln the hope 

of getting a look at those old German fortresses you may 

never see home again. 

The onfy way to stop the: war is to stop fighting. 

Tbat's easy. Just quit it and slip across "No Man's Land" 

and join the bunch that's s taking it easy there waiting to be 

exchanged and taken home. There is no disgrace in that 

That bunch of American prisoners will be we!comed just as 

warmly as you who stick it out in tbese infernal trenches. 

Get wise and get over the top. 

There is nothing in the glory of keeping up the war. 

But think of the incre:asing taxes you will have to pay the 

longer the war lasts the larger those taxes at home will be. 

Get Wise and get over. 

Ali the fine words about glory are tommy rot. You 

liann't got any business fighting in France. You would 

better be fighting the money trust at home instead of fighting 

your fellow soldiers in grey over here where 1t doesa't really 

matter two sticks to you how the war goes. 

Your country needs you, your family needs you and 

you need your life for somethiog better than being gassed, 

shot at, deafened by cannon shots and rendered unfit physicaUy by the miserable life you must live there. 

The tales they tell you of the cruelties of German prison 

camps are fairy tales. Of course you may not like being 

a prisoner of war but anything is better than this infernal 

place with no hope of escape except by being wounded after 

which you will only be sent back for ar:other hole in your body. 

W ake up and stop the war ! You ou can if you . want to. 

Your government does not mean to stop the war for years 

to corne and the years are going to be long and dreary. 

You better come over while the going is good. 

German Propaganda Dropped Behind che 

Americao Lines 

On the morning of N ovember 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: OO a. m. 

Thus ended the Meuse-Argonne battle, 

the greatest one in American history. 

The FirstArmy, 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 al! causes 

excluding those of the French 

troops serving with it, were 

about 117,000. It had infücted 

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. 

Allied Propaganda Being FJoated 

to German Lines 

The American First Army in 

47 days of continuous fighting 

had advanced steadily in spite 

of al! obstacles, and the most desperate resistance, and had played 

a vital part in bringing the 

war to a successful conclusion. 

(192) 
A VISIT TO THE AMERICAN BATTLEFIELDS 

IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 

T HIS 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 N ovember 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 abjects 

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 

( 193 ) 
FIRST DAY'S TOUR OF THE AMERICAN 

MEUSE-ARGONNE BATTLEFIELDS 

T HIS 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 be 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 ROUTE RAILROAD STATION VERDUN TO 

NORTHERN SLOPE OF LE MORT HOMME 

Speedorneter distance is m easured 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 N avy, 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 

 miles, at the first road junction, turn 

to the right toward Charny. 

To the left on top of the hill is VHHQ 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 Jeft. 

United States 14-lnch Naval Gun )LULQJ From Railway Mount Near Charny, October 1918 

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 heurs because of the incessant 

( 194 ) 
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 195 

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. 

33d Division Troops Passing Through Chattancourt, 

October 1918 

(7.5 m 12.1 km) At church in the next 

village, Marre, bear to the right. 

(8. 7 m 14.0 km) N ear 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.l 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 M art 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 f ork 

turn left, cross bridge and again turn lefl. 

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 bill, 

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 bill 

which the road is climbing, where a good 

panorama to the right is obtained, STOP. 
196 AMERICAN 0PERATIONS 1 THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 

Malancourt Montfaucon Hill 295 Bhhincourt Forges Creek 

-::: 

Panorama From Stop

This point is on the northern slope of 

Le l\Iort Homme. Forg s Cre k 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 Boi 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 whirh an army 

of American soldiers, on the 

morning of September 26, 1918, started 

a great drive that finally r ached the 

vicinity of Sedan, 35 miles away, after 

43 days of continuous fighting. 

Thi area at that time was a scene of 

inctescribable desolation. Thou. ands 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 remain d stood lonely sentinels over 

the bleak landscape cape. Nature ha done 

much to heal this battle-scarred area but 

even now (1937) the marks of trenches 

and shell holes are plainly visible. 

33d Division Troops in Fronr-Line Trench 

Near Forges, October 3, 1918 

The assembly of troops and supplies for 

the attack commenced early in September r 

when the Ameriean 33d Division arrive<l 

in this region and on September ] 0 took 

over a large sector of the line. It was 

followed by the 79th, which on eptember 16 occupied an adjoiningsector. oon 

thereafter numerous other American units 

secretly concentrated behind this front 

and made preparations for the assault. 

The Iront 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 passecl 

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 her 

near the far edg of the Argonne For st. 

This point Jay 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 
AMERICAN R 1 .\ ' OPERATIONSl \ l l IN 'J' THE MEUSE-l - ARGONNE lt < l R l REGIONJ () N 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 z ne of action. 

Bots de Dannevoux Bois de Forges Dots de Chaume Brabant-sur-Meuse 

on Le Mort Homme 

Beyond the 79th Division, and also in 

the V Corps for the initial as ault, were 

the 37th and 9lst Divisions. The I 

Corps was on the left of the Army with 

the 35th, 2 th and 77th Divisions in line. 

The German positions on this front 

were extr mely 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 po itions, one bebind the other, 

which fcrmed a continuous defensive zone 

for a depth of about 10 miles. Progre. s 

here was considered so difficult that General Pétain, the Commander-in-Chi f of 

the French Army, gave it as bis opinion 

that the American advance would not get 

farther than Montfaucon before wint r. 

The battle began at 2 :30 a. m. on S ptember 26 when approximately 2,700 

pieces of artillery opened fire on the 

German trenches, strong points, wire 

entanglements, observation po ts and 

communication centers on the front of 

attack. This bombaràment lasted continuously until daybreak when the infantry, protected by a dense barrage of 

shellfire, hegan its assault. A ihick fog 

aided in concealing the movements of 

the American troops from the en my 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 trenche , 

mazes of barbed wire and tangled ma se 

of trees and underbrush. 

Camouflaged Road Near Forges, 

October 1918 

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 fir t day. The 33d Division, stariing from this vicinity, quickly 

captured th Bois d Forges, and before 

noon bad e tablished a line along tbi sid 

of the Meu e River valley beyond the Bois 

de Forges as a protection for the flank of 

the advancing force . The Oth Division 

to the left of this point took Béthincourt, 
Shcll Holes and Mine Craters 

GooJ illustration ot type of ground JO 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 bis 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 bis men to the flanks, 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 anti-aircraft 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 machinegun 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 REGI ON 

Section of Avocourt-Montfaucon Road Showing Plank Construction 

EN ROUTE NORTHERN SLOPE OF LE MORT 

HOMME TO MONTFAUCON 

(11.5 m 18.5 km) Beyond next hill, 

white 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 

cornes into plain view to the right front, 

a small marker is seen alongside the road. 

This is a type of marker that bas 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. 

Road Constructed With Sandbags Across No Man's Land 
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 20] 

On September 26 the center of this valley was a spongy shell-tcrn morass. The 

infantry crossed it on bcards which were 

carried frcm 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 eut, 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- Ncvember 3. 

German Plane Brought Down by Machine-Gun Fire Near Malancourt, October 3, 1918 

The tour from this point on to Montfauccn 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 beyonà Malancourt. This was 

due to the uneven character of the ground 

and the fact that the fast waves of the 

division attack passed by many German 

strong points in the thick fog. 

(16.4 m 26.4 km) About 1 1/2 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 bill, 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 Divisicn 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. 
The Meuse-Argonne Americao 1emorial at Montfaucon 

The shaft is 180 feer high 
This imposing monument, rising from 

the ruins of the former village of Montfaucon, eommemorates the hrilliant 

victory of the American First Army in the 

Meuse-Argonne offensive and the heroic 

services of the Armies of F'rance before 

that time on this important battle front. 

It was erected by the United States 

Government and is the largest of the 

AmeriC'an war memorials in Europe. 

Inrerior of Church at Montfaucon in 1914 

Iontfauron is supposed to date back 

to the 6th Century when it grew up a. a 

market town around a monastery. 

Numerous battles bave taken place 

in its vi 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 RP\igious Wars of the 16th Century, it 

was taken and burned; while in 1636 

the town was again de troyed. In 1792, 

it wa captured by Prussian troops taking 

part in the Valmy campaign. 

Church at Montfaucon in 1917 

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 h hind the monument to the foot 

of the hill. To the left of the shaft as 

seen Crom the parking plaza, about 12 

feet underground, was found a cemetery 

prubably dating from the Middle Ages, 

and under the front end of the wallon 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 bas the form of a 

Doric column surmounted by a figure 

representing Liberty. It fac s the First 

Army jump-off line of September 26. 

From the observation platforms at the 

top, a large portion of the Meuse-Argonne 

hattlefield is plainly to be seen. 

Across the front of the monument 

app ar in large letters the names of the 

four must important areas, from a military 

point of view in the territory captured 

by the American troops. The two large 

words at the sicles, Meuse and Argonne, 

were placed in that order as the American 

fighting in thi 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 tbree places, now famous in 

American milit.ary history, where bard 

figh ting of the di vision concerned occurred. 

(203)
Map and lnscripc1on carved

on interior wall

Corner of Observation Terrace, Meuse-Argonne Monument, 

howing Direction Arrows 

Church at Moncfaucon in 1927 

Inside the entrance door is a small vestibule, decorated with tlags cf the nited States and France. 

Carved on its wall are a brief description in French 

and English of the American operations a colored 

map illustrabng the American offen ive in this 

region, and a tribute hy General Pershing, the Commander-in-Chief of the American Expeditionary 

Force , to his officer - and men who served here. 

The cb ervation platforms, from which superb 

vi ws are obtained, are reached by the circular 

stairway leading up from the base cf the shaft. 

It is a climb of 234 steps. Eleven of the thirte n 

landings are provided with benches where tho. c> 

ascending the tower mny stop to rest. 

The following i written to be read from the observation platforms. Tho e 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 bill, 400 yards from here 

along the road toward the village of Nantillois. 
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 205 

American Memoria.l at MoGrfaucon viewed From an Airplane, 

Looking North 

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 grcund over 

which the American Army attacked on 

the first day of the Mem:e-Argonne 

cffensive. 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 cf 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 cf the operations. 
Airplane Photograph of Montfaucon Looking Souch, Taken Dunn

Arrow incdicates sketched-in posmoo of .Meuse-Argonne Americao 
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 207 

Monument on Hill 304 Bois de Cuisy 

Malancourt 

Bois Chéhémin 

Vauquois 

Panorama Looking South From Upper PJatform, 

Montfaucon Monument 

The line taken over by the Firsi Army 

in September and from which it jumped 

off on the morning of September 26 was 

generally parallel to the front of this 

monument. I t ran from a point on the 

Meuse River beyond the right edge of the 

Bois de Forges; passed this si de 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 crder 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 flash 

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 rifles and rifles 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 rifle and 

machine-gun fire to the left front was 

heard getting closer and closer. About 

10 :OO 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 
208 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 

]eft, where they captured an undamaged 

battery of German artillery which was 

later used effectively against its former 

owners. (See picture on page 211.) 

Boi s de Brieulles Dannevoux Bois de Consenvoy e Malancourt

Boi s de l a 

Côte Lem on t 

Sivry -su r -Meuse Se pt sa r ges Ger co urt 

Monument on 

Hill 304 

Bois de 

Sep tsa rges 

Bois de 

Dann evo ux 

Bois 

d'e n dela 

Bois Juré 

Bois de, 

Sachetl 

Bois de 

Boi s de Forge s 

Ossuary of Douaumo nt 

Meuse Riv er 

Panorama Looking East Froro Upper Platform, 

Montfaucon Monument 

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: OO a. m., to the front and 

right, the leading lin es 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 positi on. Still farther to the right, soldiers of 

the 9lst Division were on the open ground 

to the right of the large wood, Bois Chéhémin, seen to the rightfront, having made 

an advance of more than 3 miles. 

The 79th Division promptly captured 

Malancourt, seen to the Jeft 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 thisside 

of the wood, seen to the front. Assisted 

by tanks, but without artillery support, 

the slopes of this bill were reached in 

the face of beavy fire, but as night was 

coming on, the attack was given up. 

Although Montfaucon remained in German bands, the acbievements of the American Army on September 26 were more 

than had actually been expected. Advances of about 5 miles from the .iump-off 

line had been made on both sides of this 

bill and its capture was almost a certainty 

within a very short time. The higblyorganized German forward positions were 

all in American bands, in addition to 

thousands of prisoners, many cannon and 

vast stores of supplies and ammunition. 

The battle for Montfaucon was 1 encwed 

in a rainstorm at dawn on September 27, 
AMERICAN OPERATIONS JN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 209 

the bill being attacked by the 37th Division from the observer's right and by the 

79th Division from the frcnt. The 

last machine-gun nest was finally wiped 

out and the bill cleared of the enemy about 

nocn by troops of the 79th Division. 

Henceforth Montfauccn served as an 

American observation point. 

Boi s de Mo nt f aucon 

!Vau quois 

Boi s Ché h ém i n 

Var ennes Montfaucon Montre bea u Montrefragne 

Mont blai nville Epinonville Ivoiry 

Eclisfontaine

Romagne He1ghts 

Gesnes 

Panorama Looking West From Upper Platform, 

Montfaucon Monument

PART II 

After visiting the side platforms, 1 

' The pan oramic sketches on these pages show 

most of the ground seen from the side platforms. 

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 bath 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 cup-shaped 

valley, and the Bois de Septsarges, the 

long narrow wood to the right front, about 

halfway between here and the nearest 

large wood in that direction. It then bent 

back sharply, passing the other side of 

this bill, 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 en September 27 continued its assaults, which were met by 

frantic resistance from German infantry 

and machine gun units that had taken up 

new positicns during the night and by 

unusually heavy artillery concentrations. 

A large part of the American artillery 

had been un able to move forward because 

of the absence of roads over the torn-up 

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 

1 1/2 miles. After severe fighting it reached 

that day a line marked generally by 
210 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 

the 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. 

Côte Dame Marie 

Cierges 

Meu se-Argonne 

Ameri ca n Cemetery 

Cunl el Boi s de Fay s Bos de la Côte Lémont 

Bois des Bois de Forêt 

Ogons Romagne 

Height s 

Boi s de Beu ge 

Roma g ne 

Bantheville

Bois de 

Cunel

Nantillois

Dun-sur-Meuse 

Boi s de 

Brieulles 

Panorama Looking Norch From Upper Plarform, 

Moorfaucon Monument

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 terrifie fighting and the advance 

had been so rapid that much of the heavy 

artillery and many of the supplies could 

not be brought up unlil the ruads were 

rebuilt. During this pause, which was 

normal in every general attack, the 35th, 

37th and 79th Divisions were replaced 

by the lst, 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 fcrward. 

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 

rr:en 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 helcl in check. 

It urged its Government, therefore, to 

make peace at once before disaster overcame the German for ces in the field. 

The First Army on October 1 faced 

the outpost zone of the famous IIindenburg Line along a considerable part of its 

front to the east of the Argonne Forest. 

The Hindenburg Line in front of here 
A 1ERJCAN OPERATIONS 1 THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 211 

included the long high wooded area, 

Boi de Forêt, to the left of and ju t this 

side of Dun-sur-Meuse, which is seen 

on a low pointed bill 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 

wood ; and Côte Dame Marie, the 

prominent bill to the left front. It ran 

through the large wooded area dotted 

with bills, called Romagne Height , 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 pass d 

through their most terrifie 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 . een 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 

Divi ion, which had relieved the 91st, 

jumped off from a Jine which included the 

wood een to the left of ierge. . In the 

I Corps, the lst Divi ion 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 2 th was to the left of th 

lst with its left flank 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 ail along the front, 

including a foot.hold in the Hindenburg 

Line in the Bois de Fays. 

The progre s of the First Army from 

October 5 to October 22 was slow but 

steady. In pite of the fact that it was 

fighting against an enemy with bis back 

to the wall, who fully realized that this 

front must be held at all costs, and over 

terrain favorable for defense, almo t 

daily gains were made. In the face of 

ail obstacles and hardships and the most 

desperate r sistanc , the American Army 

during this period doggedly and persistently fought its way forward. 

Battery of German Guns Being Used by che 4ch Division 

ear eprsarges, Ocrober 191 

On October 7 a flank attack was 

launched against the Argonne Fore t by 

the 2 th 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 
212 AMERIC AN OPERATIONS lN THE Meuse-Argonne E 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 Jine 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 2 1/2 miles on 

that day, capturing a large part of the 

heights from which German artillery had 

been firing on the flank 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 ail divisions on the Army front 

from Beaumont, beyond the Meu e River, 

to the Argonne Forest launched powerful 

assault . This fighting was extremely 

bitter, position of the Hindenburg Line 

being carried on a front of 2 miles just 

tbis 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 lltb and 

that day the Army, along most of the 

remainder of its front on this side of the 

Meuse, fought its way forward mucb 

closer to the Hindenburg Line. 

Another general attack was made on 

October 14, and after figbting of the 

most desperate character on that and on 

the days immediately foIIowing, 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. 

German Guard Division Returning From Hard F1ghung, Seprember 1918 

This division opposed rhe American attack on September 26, 1918. © G 

During the fighting between October 

1 and 31, the American losses totaled 
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 213 

over 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. 

German Reserves Being Brought Up for a Counterattack, 

October 1918. © G 

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 MetzSedan- Mézi ères railway, the primary 

objective of the First Army. On the 

morning of N ovember 7 American units 

were on the bills overlooking Sedan, 31 

miles away. On that very day, the 

German representatives crossed the battle 

lines to ask for an immediate armistice. 

From N ovember 7 on to the Armistice 

at 11: OO 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, a.bility 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 MeuseArgonne 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 
214 American ER l N THE Meuse-Argonne RG REG Region

the These battle dead than the gentle slope 

ol the valley joining Cunel and Romagne, 

where here deeds of daring, devotion and 

heroism were unsurpassed. 

Montfaucon was the 3d Division 

IIeadquarters, 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 relies 

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 bouse 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 German , wa built a heavy 

concealed cone:rete tower, equipped witb a 

large periscope. It is aid that in 1916 

the German Crown Prince watched bis 

troops battle for Verdun from that 

observatory. The periscope is now in 

the United States Military Academy 

Museum at West Point, New York. 

E ROUTE MONTFAUCON TO VAUQUOIS

Leave plaza at same ide a cntered, 

turn right immediately; 0 yard farther 

turn harply to the right toward heppy. 

In the new village of Montfaucon is an 

almshouse constructed for this communily 

by the State of Ohio as a rnemorial to the 

37/h Division, many of whose soldiers 

came f rom that slale. To visit, turn right 

at nexf crossroad and go to main square of 

town. Time of side trip-15 minutes. 

37rh Division Memorial ac Montfaucon 

(1 .3 m 29.5 km) Just before reaching 

road cro sing at foot of hill, the zone of 

action of the 37th Division is entered. 

37ch Div ision Engineers Rcpairing Road 

Ncar Moncfaucon, September 28, 1918 

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 Di tinguished Service Cross. 

When the right of the division wa held 

up by machine-gun fire early that morning, two combat patrols were sent to 

clean out the machine guns on the slope 

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 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. 

155-Millimeter Tractor-Drawn Gun of the 

First Army After Being Hurled 40 Feet 

by a Direct Hit Near Charpentry 

(18. 7 m 30.l 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 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. W or king his 

way through severe artillery, rifle 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) ln 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. 

A Typical Scene in the Argonne Forest, 

Southwest of Varenn es 

(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) lmmediately 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 

( 21 5) 
216 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 

to 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. 

Street in Cheppy, October 6, 1918 

(23.1 m 37 .2 km) ln 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 terrifie machine-gun fire 

from "pillboxes" in a strong German position, be personally led an automatic rifteman 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 

rifle until be, too, was killed. 

A former German command post in 

town was used as the 35th Division Headquarters, September 28- 0ctober 2; the 

lst Division Headquarters, September 30-

0ctober 13; the 42d Division Headquarters, October 11- 19; and the V Corps 

Headquarters, October 21- November 6. 

Missouri Monument Near Cheppy 

A monument erected by the State of 

Missouri in honor of her sons who died 

in the World War is located at the road 
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 217 

junction beyond town. Many Missourians served in the 35th Division, which 

had very bard fighting near here. 

(23.4 ID 37. 7 km) Beyond bridge, at road 

junction near monument bear left. 

The tour now go es 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 f ollowed should be read. 

(23.6 ID 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 N els W old, 35th 

Division. Assisted by one other soldier, 

he silenced several machine-gun nests and 

captured 11 prisoners. He then gallantly 

risked bis life to aid a comrade, after 

which he himself was killed in an attempt 

to capture a fifth IDachine-gun nest. For 

bis great courage and devotion to duty 

he was later posthumously awarded the 

Congressional Medal of Honor. 

(24.1 ID 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. 

Vauquois Hill From the Air, Looking Nortbeast 

(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 bill is a 

French one in IDeIDory of the soldiers who 

fought in the vicinity and of the soldiers of 

Vauquois who died during the W orld War. 
218 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 

Argonne Forest 

Varennes 

Apremont 

Montrebeau 

Baulny Charpentry 

Cheppy 

Meuse -Argonne 

American Cemetery 

Bois de Cheppy 

Panorama Looking North From Vauquois Hill 

Cross craters to rim of hill opposite 

monument and face Cheppy, the nearest 

village marked by the scattered bouses. 

(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 largescale 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 bill 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, 5 1/2 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 lst Division. 

The 28th Division, whose zone of action 

was half in the Argonne Forest, jumped off 

on the other side of the Aire River, which 
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONN E REGION 219 

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 flank 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 eut through the undergrowth, 

machine-gun nests in trees, and many 

ingenious traps to impede the progress of 

or inflict 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. 

Tanks Manned by Americans Going Forward Near Boureuilles, September 26, 1918 

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 hand-tohand 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 
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 bis company from death or 

capture. For these acts he was awarded 

the Congressional Medal of Honor. 

American Arcillery in Action Near Varennes 

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 

outflanked 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. 

(220)
SECTION OF WAR MAP SHOWING 

TRENCH SYSTEM NEAR VAUQUOIS 

0 500 1000 Meters 

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. 

German Dugouts in the Argonne Forest, 1918. © G 

EN ROUTE VAUQUOIS TO NORTH 

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. 

N eedless 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 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. 

28th Division Engineers Repairing a Destroyed 

Bridge at Boureuilles, September 26, 1918 

Bridge at Boureuilles After Repairs 

Had Been Made, September 28, 1918 

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 V a rennes on road to Le Four de 

Paris. About 2 miles f arther 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 

ail of her soldiers who served in the World 

War, a large number of whom were 

members of the 28th Division. 

Pennsylvania Memorial at Varennes, 1927 

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. 
The 28th Division Headquarters was located here, 

September 27- 30, and the 

82d Division Headquarters, 

from October 4 to 9. 

28th Division Troops in Varennes, September 26, 1918 

(29.9 m 48.1 km) At bottom of hill turn right and 

cross the Aire River. 

Varennes, Looking West Across the Aire Ri ver, Seprember 27, 1918 

(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 

Septem ber 26 is crossed. 

The 28th Division was 

across the valley from it. 

35th Division Artillery Near Varennes, September 27, 1918 

(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 machinegun fire during that entire 

day on the slopes beyond 

the town. It repulsed a 

hostile counterattack at 

that place abo11t 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 l st 

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 

( 223) 
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 lef t 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 362 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 back after bitter fighting. 

An American Brigade Headquarters W as Located 

in These Ruins in Apremont 

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. 

Al! 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 ad vance. 

(35.5 m 57.1 km) At top ofnext hill, the 

Farm des Granges is passed on the left. 
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. 

Beauregard Farm Montfaucon Montrebeau 

Panorama Looking Northeast From Stop Near Farm des Granges 

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 tire 

but were caught by enfilade tire from 

these two strong positions on their flanks. 

Battery of 155-Millimeter Artillery of the First Army in Action Near Baulny, ·October 7, 1918 

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 tire 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 tire 

from the Argonne Forest, forced the 
226 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 

units of 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. 

Ground Gained on Romagne Heights, October 4-10, 1918 

0 1000 2000 Stop, described in text 

Route, described in text 

Front Line ---- Gap in Line -XXX-Corps Boundary 

-XX- Division Boundary - X- Brigade Boundary 

After repulsing a German counterattack 

on the 30th, the 35th Division, which in 

four days had fought its way forward 
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 227 

approximately 6 miles, was relieved from 

the line on October 1 by the lst Division. 

Argonne Forest Aire River Hill 244 Hill 223 Argonne Forest Cornay Aire River 

Panorama Looking West From Stop Near Farm des Granges 

The First Army resumed the offensive 

by a general attack on October 4. The lst 

Division on that day advanced in this 

direction from beyond Montrebeau, while 

the 28th drove forwar<l 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 lst 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 terrifie, the lst 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, infiicting heavy casualties. 

In order to exploit the gains of the lst 

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 attark from 

this vicinity straight at the German 

positions near Châtel-Chéhéry and Cornay. An attack in that direction would 

threaten the flank 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. 

Ground Gained by I Corps in Argonne Forest 

Oct. 7-10, 1918 

- Front Line ---- Gap in Line -xxxx- Army Boundary 

-xxx- Corps Boundary -xx- Division Boundary 

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. 
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 229 

T he 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.) 

28th Division Artillery Firing While Under 

a Gas Bombardment 

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. 

Sergeant Alvin C. York, 

82d Di vision, February 7, 1919 

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 

rifles and machine guns, on a hillside a 

short distance away, opened fire killing 

and wounding nine of the patrol. From 

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. 

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 fiat on the 

ground Private York, m the face of the 
230 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 

terrifie fire, opened rapid fire with his rifle 

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 offi.cers. 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 Hon or. 

Meanwhile, the lst 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 bills seen 

to the right of Montrefagne, one of the 

hills, Hill 269, being captured on that day 

by a battalion of lst Division engineers. 

In the fighting there the next day, 

Sergeant Wilbur E. Colyer, Engineers, 

lst 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. 

lst Division Infantry on Montrefagne, North of Exermont, 

October 11, 1918 

On October 9 the lst 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. 
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 231 

During these two days the 181st Brigade of the 91st Division was attached to 

the lst Division and fought on its right 

flank, gaining considerable ground. 

In the desperate fighting near here the 

lst, 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 rose to supreme 

heights of sacrifice and heroism. 

Illustrative of these chararteristics are 

the deeds performed by Private Michael 

B. Ellis, lst 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 rifle 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 bill, 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 

lst Division on October 4, was finally 

captured by the division on October 9. 

lst Division Artillery in Fléville, October 12, 1918 

(37.1 m 59.7 km) ln town turn to the 

left and cross the Aire River valley. 

(37.6 rn 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 bard fight, 

tbey drove the Germans from the village 

about 11: OO a. m. Shortly after noon 

the enemy launcbed a counterattack with 

artillery preparation and recaptured Cornay, surrounding in it a small force of 

Americans who fought desperately from 

bouse to house before being killed or 

captured. The town was finally taken 

and held during October 10. 

(38.0 rn 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. 
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. 

Bois de Bourgogne Bois des Loges Champigneulle Hill 289 

Bellejoyeuse Farm la Lairesse 

Panorama From 

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 ail 

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. 

lst Division Artillery, With Machine Guo 

Mounted for Anti-Aircraft Defense, 

Moving Toward the Front 

The front line established by the Army 

on October 10 was to the reader's right 

of Côte de Châtillon; j ust 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. 
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 233 

Barricourt Heights 

Martincourt Farm 

Côte de Châtillon 

Sommerance 

Montrefagne 

Stop Near Marcq 

On October 11 the lst 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 lst. 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. 

Tank and Supply Wagon Blown Up by a 

German Road Mine North of Fléville, 

October 12, 1918 

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. 

Sorne 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 of the 
234 AMERlCAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 

bill north of St. Juvin just before the 

attack, infiicting severe lasses 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. 

Ground Gained Vicinity St. Juvin, October 10-31, 1918 

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 
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 N ovember 1 was greatly aided 

as the German attention in this region 

had been drawn WRthe 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 

flank 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. 

Champigneulle After lts Capture by the 77th Division, November 2, 1918 

Note destructi on caused by American artillery fire 

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, drave forward rapidly and by early 

afternoon had captured the Barricourt 

Heights, thus making certain an extensive German retirement in this region. 
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 N ovember 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 bill, Hill 289, seen on the sky 

line halfway between St. Juvin and Martincourt Farm. That bill 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 N ovember 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 N ovember 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 Boultaux-Bois, about 9 miles to the left front 

from here, the Bois de Bourgogne was 

definitely in Allied bands. 

The Army continued to push forward 

vigorously until November 7 when 

American troops were on the bills dominating Sedan, 24 miles directly to the 

front of here. It then changed the direction of its attacks and on N ovember 

11, the day of the Armistice, it was 

driving forward to the reader's right 

beyond the Meuse River. 

Terrain Near Marcq; Note the Barbed Wire 

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 Armyfront have 

been described up to the end of the war. 
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE - ARGONNE REGION 237 

Ground Gained Near Grandpré by 77th and 78th Divisions 

October 10-31, 1918 

N 

î 

2000 

EN ROUTE NEAR MARTINCOURT FARM 

TO EAST OF SOMMERANCE 

(39.9 m 64.2 km) Con tinue through 

th e n ext village, M arcq, 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 n ext village, Chevières, to the right 

front on th e 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 

Ch eviè res, which was captured on October 10 by troops of the 77th Division. 

(42.6 m 68.6 km) Beyond the next bill, 

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 45 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. 
Captured German Machine Gun on the Citadel at Grandpr

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. 

A Street in Grandpré, October 1918 

(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 

hand-grenade 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 N ovember 1-2. 

AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 241 

American Observer Jumping From 

Captive Balloon 

(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, machine-gun 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 bill, in the outpost position of the Hindenburg Line, 

which was captured by the 82d Division 

on October 15 after a bard fight. 

Machine Gun Unit in Position at St. Juvin, 

November 1, 1918 

(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 1 st 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 1 12 miles to the front. 

The lst 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 

lst Division in a series of well executed 

attacks. The fire of all available artillery 

of the division was concentrated upon 

each bill 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 bill, 

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 
242 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE - ARGONNE REGION 

the nearest part of the Bois de Romagne, 

the large wood seen to the right front. 

Ground Gained on Romagne Heights, October 10-31, 1918 

The lst 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 Meuse-Argonne offensive. 

When the 42d Division took over the 

lst 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 
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 243 

far side of the shallow 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 machinegun 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 bis 

own volition, in broad daylight and with 

utter disregard for bis own safety, he advanced to the crest of the hill, rescued 

one of bis 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 bis 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. 

German Machine Gun and Observation Post 

Near Grandpré 

In this fighting Private Thomas C. 

N eibaur 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 rifle 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 bis 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 
244 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 

point of his pistol 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 flank 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 th us 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. Georges 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. 

A Trench of the Hindenburg Line in the 

Bois de Bantheville, November 3, 1918 

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 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. 
(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 visil, 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. 

Righc: Romagne Church Set on Fire by an 

Arcillery Bombardmenc, Occober 29, 1918 

American Cemecery at Romagne, 

May 1919 

(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 in 

the center of the town, turn to the left. 
The Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery Near Romagne-sous-Mo
AMERICAN Operations IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE R EGION 247 

(55.6 m 89.5 km) Enter the cemetery, 

proceed slowly to far entrance, turn right, 

ascend hill to chape) 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 <lied at Archange!, 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 superintenden t, 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 bas 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 1 1/2 miles long. 

Enrrance tO the Meuse-Argonne 

Cemerery Chape! 

Interior View of the Meuse-Argonne 

Cemerery Chape! 

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 
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. 

Chapel at the Meuse-Argonne Cemetery 

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 ftags 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 ftoor, 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 

' This quotation is from the dedicatory inscription 

which is carved on the interior walls of the chape!. 

On the walls of the loggias are carved the 

names of all American sold:iers who fought 

in this region and who now rest in unknown graves. The unknown dead 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 MeuseArgonne offensive. The names of the 

unknown dead of the American expedition to N orthern Russia are also carved 

on a panel of the west loggia. 

On the ftoors of the pavilions at the ends 

of 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 pavillon 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 ftoor, 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 

( 248 ) 
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 249 

Marie, the highest bill 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. 

Ground Gained Vicinity Romagne and Cunel, Oct. 4-31 , 1918 

Route, describ d in text 

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 flank 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 w hi ch this cemetery 

stands, entered the valley which runs 
250 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 

through the 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 lOth 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  mile. Romagne was attacked but not captured. 

The left of the 3d Division advanced at 

7 :OO a. m. but was held up by fire from the 

front and flanks. During the day elements of the division established themselves in German trenches, located to the 

right rear not far from this chape!, 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  mile nearer to Cunel. 

The general attack was pressed with 

great vigor on the llth, all divisions in 

line here taking part. The 32d Division 

made only miner 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 :OO 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 highlyorganized 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. 

Results of Traffic on the Avocourt-Malancourt Road Built Over No Man's Land 

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 
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). 

Observer Dropping Message for 5th Division Headquarters at Bois de la Tuilerie 

(Insert) White Panels Being Displayed as Signals to an Airplane 

In this attack the German defenses 

crumbled before the onslaughts of the 

terrifie 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 twohour 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-tire 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 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 al! 

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. 
252 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 

90th Division Troops Passing Through Cunel, October 27, 1918 

The Bois des Rappes, on the horizon to 

the right front, was the scene of terrifie 

fighting for eight days before it was finally captured and cleared of the enemy 

on Octcber 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 a cross 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 

fa te 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 cf 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 N ovember 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 
l 

AME.R.ICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 253 

its left 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 were captured by the 

2d and 89th Divisions on the first day. 

Hill 343, the wooded bill 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 N ovember 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 cerneteries 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 ROUTE MEUSE-ARGONNE AMERICAN 

CEMETERY TO SOUTH OF 

MADELEINE F ARM 

(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 conflicts 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. 

"Cornwilly" for Breakfast in a Q arry Near Cunel, October 29, 1918 

(57.5 m 92.5 km) At church in Cunel, 

bear right. This town was the 5th Divisi on Headquarters, N ovember 4-7. 

(57.6 m 92.7 km) At next road fork, 

bear right and STOP without leaving car. 
254 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 

Ground Gained Vicinity Bois de Forêt, October 4-31, 1918 

1000 2000 

c 

N 

Stop, described in text 

Route, described in text 

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 terrifie 

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 
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 

W oodfill, 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 W oodfill 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 W oodfill 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 W oodfill rushed 

ahead of bis 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. 

Captain Samuel Woodfill, 5th Division, 

July 1919 

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 

2 1/2 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. 

A Typical Scene in the Bois de Forêt 

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. 

( 255 ) 
From the next crest on to near Nantillais, 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 

Iooking down the valley to the right a 

fine view is obtained of part of the 

heavily-wooded 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 j ust passed are th ose 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. 

Madeleine Farm, Captured by the 3d Division on October 9, 1918 

Note character of wooded areas in 1918 

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 

flank 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: OO 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 Iine. It was finally 

captured on the night of October 5-6 by 

units of the 3d Division, after a hard fight. 

( 256 ) 
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 257 

"Fox Holes" South of Bois des Ogons 

Hill 253, the high bare bill 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 a cross 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 terrifie 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. 
Looking East During the War Toward the Ruins of Nanti
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 259 

Hill 27 4, 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 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 cf Montfaucon 

but part of the 37th Division and the 9lst 

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 N antillais 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.l 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 p ositions 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 N ovember 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 
260 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 

the 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 conflicts, 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) lmmediately after 

entering Brieulles, turn to the right. 

(64.4 m103.6 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. 

33d Division Troops in Drillancourt, October 4, 1918 

During the progress of the last great 
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 fiats 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 fiats 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 : OO 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 N ovember 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. 

A 79th Division Aid Station in the Bois de Consenvoye, November 8, 1918 

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 lin es from the front. 
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. 

German Observation Post Captured by the 

29th Division in the Bois de Consenvoye 

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 N ovember 6. 

(66.0 m 106.2 km) The village to the 

Ieft front across the valley is Vilosnes, 

captured on November 6, and beyond it 

on the ridge in the distance, Haraumont, 

captured 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 lOth, 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 

flats 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 
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 bill 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. 

79th Division Water Service Train in Brabant-sur-Meuse, November 3, 1918 

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 flank and rear of the advancing forces 

and infiicted 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 lOth 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. 
264 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 

Ground Gained on Heights of the Meuse, October 8-30, 1918 

N 

X 

X 

Brabant-sur-Meuse 

Stop, described in text 

Route, described in text 

- Front Line Gap in Line - xx- Division Boundary 

- x- Brigade Boundary Regimental Boundary 

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 
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 265 

line was 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 1 1/2 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 flank. These 

enemy units eut 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 terrifie 

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 flank 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 la ter 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. 

Road Through Bois d'Etraye, Showing German Shelters, Novernber 10, 1918 

The described route passes over this road 

EN ROUTE NORTHWEST OF CONSENVOYE 

TO NEAR MOLLEVILLE F ARM 

(71.4 m 114.9 km) At road junction 

opposite the village of Consenvoye, turn 

to the left and cross Meuse River valley. 
Illusrrares Character of Terrain Advanced Over by rhe American Firsr Army 

on Seprember 26, 1918 

Soon after its capture on October 8, 

this road was heavily camouflaged 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 

machine-gun fire, Sergeant Anderson, 

armed with a shotgun, voluntarily worked 

his way alone to the rear of the machinegun 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 (1 937) 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 

bill 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. 

German 21-Centimeter Howirzer Captured 

by rhe 80th Division Near 

Vaux-en-Dieulet on November 4, 1918 

(266 ) 
Steel Observation Turrets at Fort Douaumont 

(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 rifle and trenchmortar shell, which he used as a handgrenade, 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 flanks, 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. 

Headquarters Constructed by the French 

at Bras, Occupied by the 26th Division 

October 18-November 11, 1918 

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 bis platoon against a strong 

enemy machine-gun nest which was holding up the advance, Lieutenant Regan 

divided bis men into three groups, sending 

one group to each flank, he himself attacking the nest from the front with an 

automatic rifle 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 being 

( 267) 
-

268 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 

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 rifle in support until he collapsed. These gallant deeds permitted 

the advance to continue. Private Costin 

died as a result of his wounds but Lieu

tenant Regan gallantly continued to lead 

his platoon forward until ordered to the 

rear by his commanding offi.cer. 

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 llth 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 

wi th 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 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  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. 

Main Street in Ville-devant-Chaumont, 

November 1918 

It was during the fighting on October 27 

that Private First Class Michael J. Perkins, 26th Division, voluntarily and alone, 
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 o 

that day but was pcsthumously awarde 

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. 

79th Division, October 30-November 11, 1918 

Stop, described in text 

described in text 

N 

j 

Line of Relief - Front Line Gap in Line 

- xx- Division Boundary 

On N ovember 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 N ovember 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 N ovember 3, and in severe fighting pushed the 

division line forward about 500 yards. 

During N ovember 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. 
270 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 

Substantial daily gains were made thereafter until the Armistice on N ovember 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 offi.cers 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 ROUTE NEAR MOLLEVILLE FARM 

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 N ovember 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 N ovember 9. 

A French division was adjoining it on the left. 

(78.8 m 126.8 km) Just 

before reaching road 

tion, the second nose of 

heights seen to the left is 

near where the 32d Division entered the line on the 

afternoon of N ovember 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 N ovember 10, 

advanced about 2 miles and 

when the fog lifted found 

itself isolated. It withdrew 

in good order to its jumpoff line. The left of the 

division on that day pushed 

forward about 2 miles. 

32d Division, Nov. 9-11, 1918 

N 

5th t 

l -

\ 

of Relief - Front Line -- Gap in Line 

- xxx- Corps Boundary - xx- Division Boundary 

(79.0 m 127.1 km) At road 

junction, turn sharp right. 

(79.6 m 128.l km) The 

next town, Wavrille, was 

captured by the 79th Division about 10:00 a. m. on 

November 9. The hostile 

resistance then 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 lOth it again pushed 

forward despite considerable opposition 

a.nd at the time of the Armistice the soldiers of the division were fighting on the 

near slopes of the bills seen to the left. 

(80 .1m128.9 km) The bare hill seen to 

the left front was captured by the 79th 

Division early on N ovember 10. 

Near 79th Division Headquarters at 

Vacherauville, October 31, 1918 

(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 N ovember 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 N ovember 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 

N ovember 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) N ear 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. 

P137.6 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 

(271) 
272 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 

during 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. I t 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 W orld W ar 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. 

Gate at Verdun, Said to Have Been the Inspiration for the Insignia 

of the U. S. Corps of Engineers 

Points of interest are the underground 

part of the citadel, the cathedra! and 

bouse 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 

bouse various French headquarters and 

thousands of reserves during the great 

battles near here in 1916-17. In the 

bouse of the bishop, which adjoins the 

cathedra!, is a museum which contains 

battlefield souvenirs as well as ancient 

relies of the city. The cathedra! and 

cloister, badly damaged during the war, 

are of interest. The Hôtel-de-Ville, located on Rue de l'Hôtei-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. 
SECOND DAY'S TOUR OF THE AMERICAN 

MEUSE-ARGONNE BATTLEFIELDS 

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 1and11, 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 tbis 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 bas 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. 

German Ami-Tank Gun in Firing Position, October 1918. © G 

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 exceptionallystrong 

point in the German defensive organization. It was taken on October 14 by the 

3d and 5th Divisions after bard 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 here. 
274 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 

Romagne Côte Dame Marie Côte de Châtillon Bantheville 

Bois 

de Bantheville 

Panorama From Stop 

(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 diffi.culties 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 eut 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 Joss of men and ground. 

90th Division Ration Party Going Forward 

Through the Bois des Rappes, 

October 25, 1918 
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 275 

Bois de Bantheville Barricourt Heights Hill 343 

le Gd. Carré Farm Andevanne 

Bois de Sassey 

Bois des Rappes 

Chassogne Farm 

North of Cunel 

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. 

Machine Gun Firing at German Plane Near 

Cunel, October 1918 

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. 

TKe Freya position in front of here ran 

along Barricourt Heights, passed through 

Anèevanne, included Hill 343 and continued on through the Bois de Sassey, 

which is partially visible on the horizon 

beyond the Bois des Rappes. 

TKe date fixed by the First Army for 

the general assault against this strong 

German line was N ovember 1. The III, 

V and I Corps, in that order from right 

to left, were to take part in the attack. 

The V Corps, which was to make the 

main advance, was in the center of the 

Army zone of attack and hDd the 89th 

Division in line to the left of Le Grand 

Carré Farm, 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 immediate mission of 
276 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 

the V Corps was to capture the dominating Barricourt Heights, the accomplishment of which was certain to cause the 

Germans on this front to retire in haste 

across the Meuse River toward Germany. 

Ground Gained Near Barricourt Heights, Nov. 1 -2, 1918 

Landreville 

Imécourt 2d 

Division 

Landres·etSt. Georges 

Route, described in text 

)( 

X 

3 Miles 

Jump-off Line - Front Line --- Gap in Line 

-xxx- Corps Boundary -xx- Division Boundary 

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 3 1/2 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 Corps, on the left of the Army, 

was to cover the flank of the V Corps 

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 Jaunched on the morning of 

November 1. When the infantry jumped 
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. 

German Machine Gun Unit Going Imo Position. © G 

German Artillery Being Hauled Into Position bv Oxen, 191 8. © G 

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 N ovember 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 N ovember 

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. Ail 

American divisions pushed forward rapidly until they reached the Meuse River, 

which flows obliquely across the direction of advance of the Army and passes 

through Sedan. From November 1 on 
2ï8 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE -AR GONNE REGION 

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. 

Observation Balloon Bit by German Shells 

Coming Down in Flames 

The balloonists are descending by parachute Tender of an Observation Balloon Mouoted 

with Two Machine Guns for 

Anti-Aircraft Defense 

EN ROUTE NORTH OF CUNEL 

TO HILL 289 

(2.7 m 4.3 km) While descending bill, 

to the righ tin 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 AincrevilJe is the Bois 

de Babiémont. In spite of two determined assaults on N ovember 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 bill 

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 .5 m 7.2 km) Neartop of hill, the wood 

seen ahead is the northern end of the 
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. 

Road Between Bantheville and Rémonville, November 1918 

This road is passed over on the described tour 

(4. 6 m 7.4 km) At top of hill, to the 

right front is seen Le Grand Carré Farm, 

captured on N ovember 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 N ovember 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 machinegun 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 N ovember 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 

machine-gun nests out of action, and 

driving 20 German prisoners into the 

American lines. For his exceptional daring this courageous officer was la ter awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.
280 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 

Bois de Bantheville 

Panorama From Stop North 

(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 tbose 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 N ovem ber 1. 

American Tanks Beside a Machine-Gun Nest Which They Put Out of Action on 

November 1, 1918, South of Bayonville 

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 bill 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 
AMTIRlcAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REG ION 281 

was expected to make the greatest initial 

penetration of the corps on the Army front. 

Côte de Châtillon Cornay 

of Bois de Bantheville 

St. Juvin Bois de Hazo is 

la Dhuy Farm Landres-etSt. Georges 

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. 

Rémonville Soon After lts Capture by the 89th Division oa 

November 1, 1918 

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 ta advance and the 

woods along the tops of the hills which 

afiorded the enemy good concealment 

and excellent protection for his troops. 

Near this road on November l, Sergeant Arthur J. Forrest, 89th Division, 

won the Congressional Medal of Honor. 

When the advance of bis company was 

held up by fire from a nest of six enemy 

machine guns, Sergeant Forrest worked 

his way alone ta a point within 50 yards 

of the machine-gun nest. Charging the 

nest singlehanded, he drave the enemy out 

in disorder, killing one with the butt of 

bis rifle. This gallant exploit permitted 

the advance of bis company to continue. 
282 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 

Reloading Artillery Ammunirioo 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, tum 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 bill, 

to the left in the valley is seen Landreville, 

where the 2d Division about 9: OO 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 N ovember 2 the 89th Division advanced the 

right cf its line about 2 miles farther. 

German Waroing Against Airplanes at Bayonville 

(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, white 

ascending hill, to the left in the valley is 

seen Imécourt which was captured about 

11: OO o' clock in the morning of N ovember 1 by the 80th Division, after which 

a severe counterattack against the troops 

in the village was repulsed . 

(10.l m 16.3 km) Beyond next high 

crest, continue 80 yards, then STOP. 
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. 

Verpel Bois de Bourgogne Briquenay 

Si v ry-les-Buzancy Thénorgues 

Panorama From Stop 

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. 

German Artillery Position Near Landreville Soon After lts Capture 

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 Divisicn 

having captured the bald-topped hill seen 
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. 

on Hill 289 

The nearest town seen to the left is 

Sivry-les-Buzancy, captured by the 80th 

Division on N ovember 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 cf action 

of the 78th Division, which had been held 

up on N ovember 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. 

German Prisoners Captured by the 2d Division 

EN ROUTE HILL 289 TO NORTH OF BAR 

(11 .0 m 17.7 km) While approachlng 

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 N ovember 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. 
American lnfanrry Passing Through Buzancy, November 3
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 sicle of the street are still 

(1937) marked by rifle and machine-gun 

bullets from the fighting in the vicinity. 

(12.3 m 19.8 km) In center of Buzancy, 

bear right; pass church, th en bear left. 

This town was captured by the 80th Division early on the afternoon of N ovember 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 77th Division is entered. 

Troops West of Bar, Compelled to Pass 

Around Bridge Being Repaired, 

November 3, 1918 

(13.2 m 21.2 km) Pass through Bar, 

which was captured during the afternoon 

of November 2 by the 77th Division. 

( 287 ) 
288 AM E RICAN 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. 

Fo ssé Barri co urt Heights Buzancy Bar 

Panorama From 

To the left front is Buzancy. Beyond 

and to the left of it, the most prominent 

wooded bill 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 N ovember 

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 sbarp fighting in the morning, the 

di visions of the I Corps advanced rapidly. 

The 80th and 77tb 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 2 1/2 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 

tbere 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 N ovember 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 for ces 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 N ovember 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 

bill 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 : OO a. m. on N ovember 3. 

American 34-Cemimetcr Gun 

on Railroad Mount 

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 N ovember 3, the 78th Division 

joined with a unit of the French Fourth 
AMERICAN OPERATI ONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REG ION 289 

Army which had advanced on the far side 

of the Bois de Bourgogne, thus pinching 

out that strong defensive feature. 

Bois de Bourgogne 

Stop Near Bar 

Boult-aux-Bois Autruche 

Belleville-sur-Bar Authe 

The fi.rst 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: OO 

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. 

German Monument to Their Dead in the 

Operations Near Beaumont in 1870 

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 N ovember 5. Montfaucon, 16 miles away, can be seen in the 

distance to the right on the sky line. 

(17.l m 27.5 km) Beyond first sharp 

S-bend in road, on the next crest the 80th 

Division line of N ovember 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 

N ovember 4 by the 80th Division. 

(17.5 m 28.2 km) While descending 

bill, to the right front is seen a large high 

hill, Hill 308, fire from which stopped the 

advance of the right flank 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 hiil 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 :OO 

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 
American and French Soldiers After Meeting at Boult-aux-Bois, Nove
AMERICAN AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 291 

(it 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 practical ly unnoticed. Such resistance as was 

met was eliminated as quietly as possible 

by having the head of the column stop 

while detach ments from the rear worked 

their way around the flanks 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. 

lnrerior ot Beaumont Church 

(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 locatccl 

near La Tuilerie Farm and the village of 

Beaumont commemorate that operation. 
292 AMERICAN OPERATIONS lN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 

la Harnoterie 

Farm Beaumont 

Panorama From Stop 

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 N ovember 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 flanks 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 corne 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. 

42d Division Troops Resting in Front of Cheveuges, 

Neat Sedan, November 7, 1918 
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 293 

German Monument 

South of Beaumont 

Forêt de Jaulnay 

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 lst 

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 th us vacated. 

EN ROUTE SOUTH OF BEAUMONT TO NORTH 

OF PONT-MAUGIS 

(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 tbat 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 bas 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 N ovember 5 

stopped the advance of the 80th Division. 

German lofantry Firing With Telescopi c Sights, 

N ovember 1918. © G 
294 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 

From this cr est on for about 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 

N ovember 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, 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. 

77th Division Anri-Aircraft Post at Raucourt, November 10, 1918 

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 fiags 

at the approach of the American forces, 

to prevent the advancing troops from 

firing on places which were not defended 
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 295 

-

by German soldiers. As the ad van ce guards 

entered the villages, the joy of the people 

at being liberated after four years of 

German occupation knew no bounds. 

French Peasants Expressing Their Joy at Liberation by the Americans, 

November 6, 1918 

(34.2 m 55.0 km) The next village, 

Haraucourt, was entered at about the 

same time on N ovember 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 N ovember 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 approachlng 

first bend in road, to the right front is seen 

the steel bridge over which the MetzSedan- 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 
Operations of lst, 42d and 77th Divisions Near 

- - - Gap in Line 

Company 

lst Engineers 

Nov. 7 MJ 

-xxxx- Army Boundary 
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 bills 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 Commander-inChief 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 

N ovember 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 N ovember 6-7 the 

Germans established a bridgehead position to protect Sedan. It ran from PontMaugis, 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 N ovember 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 lst 

Division crossed the zone of action of 

the 77th Division and entered that of the 

42d Division. This resulted in both 

the lst and 42d Divisions operating in 

this general region on N ovember 6 and 7. 

lst Division Troops Advancing Through Thélonne Under Machine-Gun Fire, 

November 7, 1918 

Before daylight on November 7 a 

column of troops of the lst 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 

bill. En route there it suffered heavily 
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 : OO 

o' clock in the afternoon by an engineer 

company of the lst Division. 

During the morning of N ovember 7 the 

lst 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 

bere 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 :fiooded 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. 

Railway Station at Sedan 

EN ROUTE PONT-MAUGIS TO NEAR 

MOULINS 

(40.0m 64.4 km) A short distance farther 

on, to the lcft of the road is seen a lst 

Division monument upon which is a list 

of its dead in the fighting in this region. 
AMERICAN OPERATIONS JN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 299 

(40.G 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 N ovember 8- 9. This was the 

farthest north that any American unit actively cperated during this offensive. 

(41.5 m 66.8 km) Cross Meuse River. 

Sedan bas a prominent place in French 

history. Here, in 1870, Napoleon III 

and the Army of Marshal MacMahon 

surrendered to the Prussians. It con tains 

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 N ovember 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 N euville'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 W ar of 1870 

will be found on the right a f ew hundred 

yards f arther on. Amount of time required 

for side trip- 20 minutes. 

\Var of 1870 Museum ar Bazeilles 

(44.5 m 71.6 km) ln 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 Jay 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. 
Mouzon 

The 2d Division made several atremprs to cross the Meuse near this place before operati
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 301 

Eogineers Bui !ding a Bridge Across the Meuse 

Near Pouilly After the Armistice 

(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 fue, thus preventing 

reinforcements from joining it. 

(50.4 m 81.1 km) The next village which 

is seen to the Jeft is Amblimont. 

The American units on the other side 

cf 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-commissi oned officer of the 77th Division, crossed 

over near Villers-devant-Mouzon on a raft 

about midnight on N ovember 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 Jeft up the hill. 

Corporal L. M. M. Van Iersel, 2d Division, wcn 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 he seen Villemontry, captured 

by the lst Division during N ovember 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 sidc of the road are monuments erected by the V Corps and the 

2d Division shortly after the Armistice. 

V Corps Marker, South of Mouzon 
302 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 

Face the buildings, Farru 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. 

Moulins Main Road to Verdun 

Panorama Looking South 

The abovc 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, flowing 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 cf the hill upon which 

the observer is standing. In the large 

bend thus formed, the 2d and 89th Divisions on the night of N ovember 10 accomplished the difficult military feat of 

crossing a river under hostile fire. 

Pouilly and Létanne Viewed Frorn the South 

The 89th Division crossed the Meuse near the left edge of this terrain on November 10, 1918 

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 cf darkness during 

N ovember 8 troops of the 2d Division 

attempted to cross over the ruined bridge 
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGON E REGION 303 

there. Sorne 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. 

Forêt de Jaulnay Pouilly Farm St. Rémy Meuse Bois des Flaviers 

From Stop Near Moulins 

River 

On N ovember 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 cf 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. 

Flooded Meuse River Near Stenay, 

November 11, 1918 

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 fl.oated down to the 

main river. It captured Pouilly before 

daylight on N ovember 11 . Continuing 

its advance, it crossed this highway about 

2 miles from here, just beyond where the 
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 viilage of Moulins. 

Crossing of Meuse River by 2d and 89th Divisions 

November 9-11, 1918 

Stop, described in tex! 

Route, described in text 

1000 

Front Line ------ Gap in Line -xx- Division Boundary 

Note direction of north on this sketch 

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 wbich be 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 ROUTE NEAR MOULINS TO SOUTH 

OF DUN-SUR-MEUSE 

(56.3 m 90.6 km) Continue through 
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 bill to the right of it were captured 

by the 89th Division about 8: OO 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 bill, 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: OO a. m., N ovember 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. 

89tb Division lnfantry in Stenay Two Minutes Before the 

Armistice Took Effect 

(64.3 m 103.5 km) Beyonci 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 batbing, 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 N ovember 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 
Airplane Photograph of Dun-sur-Meuse Taken From the 
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 

N ovember 9 farther up the valley. 

(65.9 m 106.l km) Straight through 

Mouzay, captured about 1:45 p. m. on 

N ovember 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 Sasseysur-Meuse. It was near there that a 

large part of the 90th Division on N ovember 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 tben 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 tbis side of it, Liondevant-Dun, was attacked on the 6th 

but not taken until the next day. 

On the other side of Côte St. Germain 

is Murvaux near wbere Second Lieutenant Frank Luke, Jr., Air Service, on 

September 29, performed his last heroic 

deed. After having previously destroyed 

a number of enemy aircraft, be voluntarily 

started on a patrol seeking German observation balloons. Though pursued byeight 

German planes which were protecting the 

enemy balloon line, he attacked and shot 

down in ftames three German balloons. 

In tbis engagement Lieutenant Luke was 

exposed to heavy fire from ground batteries as well as hostile planes. Severely 

wounded, be descended to within 50 yards 

of the ground, and ftying at this low altitude near the town of Murvaux he fired 

upon enemy troops, killing six and wounding as manymore. Forced to make a landing and surrounded on all sides by the 

enemy, who called upon him to surrender, 

be drew bis automatic pistol and defended 

bimself until be fell dead from a wound in 

the chest. For his conspicuous gallantry 

in the performance of his last ftight Lieutenant Luke was posthumously awarded 

the Congressional Medal of Honor. 

Second Lieutenant Frank Luke, Jr., Air Service, 

September 19, 1918 

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 Meu.se River 

by their division. To visit, in center of 

town stop at village monument passed on the 

right. The bridge adjoins the monument. 

Engineers Relaxing in Ruined Bouse After 

\Vorking Under Fire, Dun-sur-Meuse 

(72.0 m 115.9 km) Continue through 

Dun-sur-Meuse, captured after a hard 

fight by the 5th Division on N ovember 5. 

The Headquarters of the 5th Division 

was located here, during the period 

November 7-10, and the Headquarters 

of the III Corps, during N ovember 10-11. 

(307) 
308 A MERICA N OPERATl ONS J N THE ME USE-ARGONNE REGION 

(73.7 m 118.6 km) Beyond town, from 

point where canal turns away from road, 

continue halfway up hill and STOP. 

j Brieulles 

Montfaucon 

Bois de Forêt 

Panorama From 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 page310are oriented when the upper partis held in the direction being faced. 

The Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery, where the tour started, is about 5 

miles away. It is heyond the large wood, 

Bois de Forêt, which is seen to the left 

front on the other side of the river. 

To the Jeft in the distance is seen the 

American monument on Montfaucon. 

Dun-sur-Meuse is plainly visible on the 

bill 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 form d 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 :OO a. m. on November 3 ju t this side of Brieulles. The 

river was crossed there before daylight but 

attempts to bridge the canal failed with 

heavy lasses, a number of men being 

forced to seek shelter on the exposed flats 

between the river and canal al! 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. Wh ile the 

enemy' attention was engaged with this 

operation, another force farther up the 

valley came over in boats. After these 

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. 

Meuse River Canal 

South of Duo-sur-Meuse 

Doulcon Bois de Sassey Côte de Jument 

Dun-sur·Meuse / 

A determined though unsuccessful attempt to construct two ponton 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 J umont, the hill seen down the road 

to the right. To relieve the situation, 

Captain Edward C. Allworth, 5th Division, called upon the remainder of bis 

company to follow him, plunged into 

the canal, swam over under a bail of 

bullets and joined his bard pressed units 

near here. He then led bis 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 bard fight and many 

prisoners were taken. For bis 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. 

Division Ration Dump Near Montfaucon, October 5, 1918 

It was during the crossing in front of 

here that Sergeant Eugene P. Walker, 
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 N ovember 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. 

Crossing of the Meuse River by 5th Division 

November 3-5, 1918 

----- Front Line Gap in Line -xx- Division Boundary 

Bridge built by 5th Division Note direction of north on this sketch 

EN ROUTE SOUTH OF DUN-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 wcod 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 N ovember 6 
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 si de of the Meuse. It was taken 

by the 80th Division on September 26 and 

from then on to N ovember 6 the opposing 

Jines 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 rigbt front. 

Face to the left, wbich direction is east. 

The 79tb 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 N ovember 

3, 4 and 5, by which time, after severe 

fighting, a line near the crest of the baldtopped hill seen to the left front bad been 

reached. That bill, designated on French 

maps as the Borne de Cornouiller, was 

nicknamed "Cornwilly Hill" by the American soldiers who fougbt on tbis front. 

On November 7 the division took the 

remainder of the hill, its direction of advance then changing to the direction 

wbich the reader is now facing. 

The 26tb Division on N ovember 8 advanced alongside the 79tb Division on 

its rigbt and at the time of the Armistice 

botb divisions were on a line about 8 

miles from here, beyond Theinte Creek. 

On the right of the 26th Division were 

the French lOth Colonial Division and 

the American 81st Division. The latter 

division advanced about 3 miles in the 

oeriod between November 9 and 11. 

Face down the road, which direction is 

approximately south. 

As tbis is the last stop of the tour, a 

brief ré ·umé 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 smasbing 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 terrifie fighting 

during which the German reserves were 

used up. It included a ftank attack 

against the Argonne Forest on October 7, 

an advance on tbis side of the Meuse 

River on October 8, and a general assault 

against the Hindenburg Line on the otber 

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 tbis offensive exceeded all expectations and a complete 

break-tbrough of the last prepared German position occurred. As the Germans 

did not bave sufficient reserves to stop 

such a strong attack, they started a withdrawal to tbis side of the Meuse River. 

The First Army tben conducted an 

energetic pursuit. It brilliantly forced 

crossings of the river at several places, and 

exerted terrifie and continuous pressure 

until the Armistice became effective. 

The twelve American divisions tbat 

participated in the figbting between 

November 1 and November 11 suffered 

more tban 1 ,000 casualties. The total 

American lasses during the entire MeuseArgonne offensive were close to 117,000. 

5th Division Troops on the Armistice Line 

Near Rémoiville 
EN ROUTE SOUTH OF SIVRY-SUR-MEUSE 

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 Jeft 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. 

Vacherauville, October 31, 1918 

(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 f ollowed 

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 1 1/2 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. 

(312) 
ADDITION AL PLACES OF INTEREST IN THE 

MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 

I

N addition to the places whose World 

War history has been described in the 

itinerary, there are a number cf 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 

purpcses 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 abject such as 

a memorial, ancient building or ruins or 

out tanding 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 bis last 

heroic act. When communication with 

the leading hattalion of his regiment was 

interrupted by the infiltration of small 

parties cf the enemy, Lieutenant Colonel 

Smith p rsonally 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 flank 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 be fell, 

severely wounded, but regaining bis footing be continued to fire on the enemy 

until most of the men of bis party were 

out of danger. Refusing first-aid treatment, he made bis way to a band-grenade 

dump and returned under heavy machinegun 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. 

View Near the Jump-Off Line of the 77rh Division, September 26, 1918 

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 bis company. 

Before reaching the gun he became separated from his patrol and a machine-gun 

bullet shattered bis right arm. Without 

hesitation he advanced on the gun alone, 

throwing grenades with bis left band and 

charging with an empty pistai, taking one 

prisoner and scattering the crew. He then 
Described 

Sommauthe o 

Routes and Additional 

in Meuse -Argonne 

Places 

Region 

of lnterest 

Stop, described in text 

Route, described in text 

=== Alternate Route 

--- Side Trip 

N 

î 

Miles 

Souilly 4 M. 

•Ville-sur-Cousances 

- Front Line National Highway * Place of special interest not on described route 
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 315 

brought the machine gun and prisoner 

back to the first-aid station where be 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 bis assistant 

was killed and Private Peck was constantly under terrifie 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 lst 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 N ovember 2 

before it was captured early the next day 

by troops of the 89th Division. 

Engineers Working on Road Near Barricourt, November 4, 1918 

Nore condition of roa<l 

Beauchamp Farm, 1 1/2 miles southwest 

of Clermont-en-Argonne. Location of 

92d Div. Hdqrs., September 24-30. 

Beauclair. Captured by the 89th Division on N ovember 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 en 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 lst 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 Hill 269 in the Bois de Montfaucon 

were occupied by the 37th Div. Hdqrs., 

Sept. 27- 0ct. 1, and by the 32d Div. 

Headquarters, September 29- November 2. 

l st Division Marching Into Banthevill e Just After the Armistice 

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 N ovember 7. 

The village was captured on N ovember 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. 

Concrete Dugout in Champ Mahaut 

*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 

c 316) 
kilometers (1.8 miles) from road junction 

turn right and travel 800 yards to shelters. 

Châtel-Chéhéry. 77th Div. Hdqrs., 

Oct. 12-16; 7 th Div. Hdqr s., Oct. 16-

31; and Oth Div. Bdqrs., 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 scvere fighting. 

Chéhéry, 1 mile sou th 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 bills east 

and north of this place were occupied on 

N ovember 7 by the lst 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. 

Iemporary American Cemetery Near Cierges, 

January 1919 

Clair 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 historie 

town, because of its position on one of the 

two principal passes through the Argonne 

Forest, bas 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-le-Petit, near Cléry-le-Grand, was 

captured by the 5th Division on Nov. 2. 

Cuisy. Location of 4th Div. Hdqrs. 

German Shells Explodmg Near Cuisy, Ocrober 7, 1918 

A man was scverel y wounded by the shell exploding in the foreground 

( 317) 
Ruins of Avocourt, October 1918 
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 319 

during the period Sept. 26-0ct. 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 

N ovember 1 by the 89th Division. 

Eclisfontaine. In this village and in 

Bouleaux Bois west of it the 9lst 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. N evertheless, 

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 gallan try was 

an inspiration to the members of his 

command and for his deeds be 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 bis 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-

0ct. 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 bis 

men with the highest courage and leadership under heavy shell and machine-gun 

fire. On September 26, with two other 

soldiers, be 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 bis 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, lst Division, won the Congressional 

Medal of Honor. Wh ile 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 rifle, machine-gun and artillery 

fire they penetrated a wood in which 

the German front line was located. The 
patrol encountered a series of five hostile 

machine-gun nests, containing from one to 

five guns each, cleaned them ail 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 lst 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 thetank 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 offi cer. 

Ail three men were awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for their bravery. 

A Dangerous Corner in Exermont, 

October 7, 1918 

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 

N ovember 4 and reached the Meuse 

River that same day. The engineers of 

the 89th Division built rafts in the Forêt 

de Dieulet which were fioated 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 Heigbts, 

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. 

A Haircut Near the Front Lines 

South of this village Major Oscar F. 

Miller, 91st Division, performed the exploits for which be 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 to 

(320)
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 321 

waver in the face of machine-gun fire 

from the front and ftanks 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. 

Brabant-sur-Meuse, No vember 3, 1918 

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 

bill 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 lst 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 lst Division on 

October 9 after severe fighting. 

Hill 269, in the Bois de Moncy. Elements of the lst, 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 lst Engineers, a part of the lst 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 bis 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. 
322 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 

Hcavy fire from this strong position held 

up the advance of the lst Division on October 5. A hostile counterattack stopped 

an attempt to outflank it on October 8, 

but it was stormed and captured by the 

lst Division, in spite of terrifie 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 Vienne-le-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 <lied on it. The monument is 

difficult of access (1937) and is reached 

frorn 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 figbt. 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. 26-0ct. 1. 

La Forge, 1/2 mile southeast of Montblainville. Captured by the 28th Division on September 27. Location of 

28th Div. Hdqrs., Sept. 30-0ct. 9, and 

82d Div. Hdqrs., Oct. 9-13. 

Salvation Army Workers Near Varennes Giving Fresh Doughnuts to Soldiers 

Just in From the Front Line, October 1918 

La Wavrille. The French 26th Division engaged in heavy fighting on this 

wooded height from October 8 to 11. 
The height was captured by troops of the 

American 26th Division on N ovember 9. 

American Soldiers Constructing Heavy Timber 

Bridge at Dun-sur-Meuse, November 1918 

Le Champy Bas. This village was 

captured by the 89th Division on No--

vember 3. In this attack, Captain 

Marcellus H. Chiles took a heroic part. 

When bis 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 bis 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 la ter 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 

N ovember 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, 1 1/4 miles north 

of Neuvilly. In a dugout near the 

southern edge of the woods on these bills 

was located the 35th Division Hdqrs., for 

the period Sept. 25-28, and the I Corps 

Hdqrs., Sept. 29- Nov. 2. 

Maisoncelle. Captured by the 42d 

Division on N ovember 6. Location of 

the 42d Div. Hdqrs., November 7- 10. 

Montre beau, 3/4 mile south of Exermont. 

In the attack on this wood on October 

4, Corporal Harold W. Roberts, Tank 

Corps, was driving bis tank into a clump 

of bushes to afford protection to a disabled tank when bis 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 bis 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. 

(323) 
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 fianks 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 lst 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 arc supposed to 

have been buried standing up, i 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, 3 3/4 miles north of Clermont. 

28th Div. Headquarters, Sept. 24-27. 

PC La Hutte, in the Bois Bourrus. 33d 

Div. Headquarters, Sept. 25-0ct. 21. 

PC Pau, near Fontaine des Emerlots, 

1 1/4 miles southwest of La Chalade. 77th 

Div. Headquarters, Sept. 25-0ct. 2. 

Peuvillers. Earl y on N ovember 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. 

Town Hall at Souilly Where First Army 

Headquarters \Vas Located 

Rarécourt. Location of the I Corps 

Hdqrs., Sept. 18 29, during the initial 

attack of the Meuse-Argonne offensive. 
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,  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 N ovember 1 after a 

determined fight during the main attack. 

Signal Corps Photographer Taking Pictures 

in St. Juvin 

Sérieux Farru, 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 November4 

by the 80th Division. Stiff resistance was 

encountered on the hill sou th 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 

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 outflanked 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. 

Durmg 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. Wh en 

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 machine-gun 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 

raptured by the division on October 10.

( 325 ) 
+ 

326 AMERI C A N O P ERATIONS I N TH E M E US E -AR G O NNE R EG I ON 

Tronsol Farm, 1 1/4 miles southwest of 

Gesnes. Captured by the 91st Division 

after a hard fight on September 28 and 

held against a vigorous German countera ttack the next afternoon. The 32d Division had heavy fighting north of the farm. 

Tuilerie Farm, near the east ern end of 

Côte de Châtillon. Scene of severe fighting, October 15- 16, by the 42d Division. 

Verrières-en-Hesse Farm, 2 1/2 miles 

southeast of Avocourt . Location of the 

37th Division Hdqrs., Sept. 23- 26, and 

of the V Corps Hdqrs., Sept. 29- 0 ct. 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. 

H eadquarters from N ovember 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 G ERMAN DIVISIONS WHICH SERVED ON THE 

M E U SE-ARGONNE FRONT, SEPTEMBER 26-NOVEMBER 11, 1918 

Divisions moved to Meuse-Argonne front_ _________________________________________________________ --------

Di visions moved from front_ ________________________________________________________________________ -----

34 

15 

D ivisions on front September 26 (a.m.) ____________________________________ --------------------------------

Divisions in line twice __________ ________________________________________________ ----------------------

16 

13 

Divisions in line tbree times __ ___ _ -------- _____________________________________________ ----- ---- --- ------

D ivisions which came from British front_ _________________________ ----------- ___________ -- ----- -------- ----

D ivisions sent to British front_ ___ __________________________________________ --------- --------- ------- --- --

D ivisions which came from F rench fronts other tban Vosges.------------- ______________ -------------- --- --- l 

D ivisions sent to French fronts other tban Vosges-------------------------------------- --------------------

D ivisions wbich came from Vosges ________ ______________ -----------------------------------------------··---- D ivisions sent ta Vosges ____________________________________ ______________________________ ------ -- ---------

9 

l 

D ivisions wbicb came from St. M ihiel r egion ______________ ------------------------------------------- ------

Div isions sent to St. Mihiel region __ ____________ ______ ____ ____________________________ __________ ___________ _ 

10 

4 


SUMMAR Y OF COMBAT SER VICE OF AMERICAN DIVISIONS 

IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE REGION 

Name Period of Service Character of Location of Service

of Div. 1918 Service General vicinity ofArmy ta Which 

Attached 1 

Corps to Which 

Allached 1 

Casual· 

ties 2

Oct. 1-12 _______ BattJe _______ Exermont and Côle de First ________ ---- I until Oct. 7, then 7, 772 

Maldah. V. (459) 

Nov. 6-8 _______ BattJe _______ South of Sedan _________ First_ ___________ V - ---------------- 583 

2 Oct. 31-Nov. ll BattJe _______ Landres-et-St. Georges, First_ ___________ V _________________ 3, 282 

3 

4 

Beaumont and l\lou- (61) 

lias. 

Sept. 30-Oct. 27 Battle __ ----- Madeleine :Farm and 

Bois de Forêt. 

Sept. 26-0ct.19 BattJe_______ Septsarges and Bois de 

Fays. 

First ____________ V until Oct. 12, 

tben lit. 

7, 708 

(165) 

First ____________ HL _______ ________ 5,820 

(396) 

5 Oct. 12-22______ Battle_______ CuneL_________________ First ____________ !IL _______________ 4, 184 

(159) 

Oct. 27-Nov. 11 Battle _______ Dun-sur-Meuse and First_ ___________ IIL _______________ 2, 083 

Jametz. (267) 

26 Oct.14-Nov.11 BattJe ___ ____ Ville-devant-Chaumont_ First____________ Fr. XVII until 4, 666 

28 

29 

32 

33 

Nov.G,thenFr. 

II CAC. 

Sept. 2(}-25_____ Sector_______ Boureuilles _____________ Fr. Second unt il Fr. IX until Sept. 97 

Sept. 26-0ct. 9_ Battle_______ Côtes des Perrières, 

Apremont and Châtel-Chéhéry. 

Oct_ 8-30 _______ Battle _______ Bois de Consenvoye 

and Molleville Farm. 

Sept. 30-Oct. twenty Battle_______ Côte Darne Marie and 

Romagne-sous-Montfaucon. 

Sept. 22, then 21, then I.

First. 

First ____________ I_________________ 4, 131 

(106) 

First_ _________ __ Fr. XVIL ________ 4, 746 

(219) 

First ____ ________ V_---------------- 5, 148 

(370)

Nov. 9-lL _____ BattJe _______ Dois de Jametz _______ __ First ____________ III________________ 4

7

5 

Sept. l0-25_____ Sector _______ Réthincourt.___________ Fr. Second until 

Sept. 22, then 

First. 

Fr. XVII until 

Sept. 14, then 

III. 

(11) 

48 

(24) 

Sept. 26-0ct. 21 BattJe_______ Forges and Consenvoye First___________ HI until Oct. 7, 3, 004 

1hen Fr. XVII. (82)

35 Sept. 21-25 _____ Sector_ ______ Yauquois ______________ Fr. Second un- !__________________ 100 

til Sept. 22, 

then First. 

Sept. 26-0ct. L BattJe_______ Cheppy and Baulny ____ First ____________ !_ _________ ________ 6, 006 

37 Sept. 23-25 _____ Sector_ ______ A vocourt __________ ____ FirsL ___________ V_---------------- 40 

(5) 

Sept. 26-30 ___ __ Battle _______ nois de Montfaucon First ____________ v _ ---------------- 3, 060 

and Jvoiry . (14) 

42 Oct. 12-3L _____ nattle _______ Côte de Châtillon and First_ _________ -- v __ --------------- 3, 679 

east of Sommerance. (91) 

Nov. 5-10 ____ __ BattJe _______ Grandes Armoises and FirsL _ ---- __ ---- !_ _______________ __ 357 

south of Sedan. 

See footnotes, end of table. 

(327) 
SUMMARY OF COMBAT Service-Continued 

Name Period of Service C'haracter of 

Senice 

Location of Service 

General vicinity of-

.1rm y Io TI'hich 

Attached 1 

Corps ln TI'hich of Div. Attachrd 1 1918 

77 Sept. 21-25 Sector_ ______ Argonne Forest_ Fr. Second un- I_________________ _ 93 

Sept. 26-0ct. 16 BattJe _______ Argonne Forest and St. 

\ Oct. 31-Nov ll 

Juvin. 

Battle ____ ___ Champigneulle, Bar 

and Villers-devant1\Iouzon. 

til Sept. 22, 

thea First. 

First_ ___________ I__________________ 4, 061 

First. __________ until Nov. 10, 

tben V. 

897 

78 Oct.16--Nov. 5. Battle _____ __ Grandpré and Verrières First_ ___________ I____ _____ _________ 4,876

i9 

80 

82 

Sept.16--25 _____ Sector.. ____ Avocourt. _____________ _ 

Sept. 26--30 _____ Battle _______ Malancourt, Montfaucon and Nantillois. 

Oct. 30-Nov. ll BattJe _____ __ Borne de Cornouiller 

and Wavrille. 

Sept. 26--29 _____ BattJe _______ Béthincourt and DanFr. Second until Sept. 22, 

tben First. 

III until Sept. 21, 

tben V. 103 

(1) 

First__ --------- _ v _________________ 3, 529

First_ ___________ Fr. XVII unlLI 

Nov. 6, then Fr. 

II CAC. 

First__ __ __ __ ____ HL _________ ------

(65) 

2, 347 

(96)

790 nevoux. (1) 

Oct. 4--12 _______ Battle __ __ ___ Southeast of Cunel____ First_ ___________ HL _______________ 2, 767 

Oct . 31-Nov. 6_ BattJe __ ___ __ Imecourt, Buzancy First_ ___________ I__________________ l, 219 

and Beaumont. (69) 

Oct. 7-31______ Battle _______ Cornay and l\Iarcq _____ First. ___________ I__________________ 6

,

369 

(8) 

89 Oct. 20-Nov. BattJc _______ Hémonville, Barricourt First_ ___________ V _____ ____________ 3,864

90 

11. and Stenay. (267) 

Oct. 22-Nov. 

11. 

BattJe _______ Bantheville, Andevanne and Stenay. 

First____________ III ________________ 3, -192 

(267) 

91 Sept. 20--25 _____ Sector ____ __ East of Vauquois ___ __ __ First_ ___________ V----------------- 39 

92 

(3û8lh 

lof. 

only) 

93 

(370th 

In!. 

only)

93 

(371st 

Inf. 

onlyl 

93 

(372d 

Inf. 

only) 

Sept. 26-0ct. 4_ BattJe _______ Bois de Cheppy and First. ___________ V_________________ 4, 568

Epinonville. (131) 

Sept. 25 __ _____ _ Sector. ___ ___ Kortbeast ofVienne-le- Fr. Fourth. _____ Fr. XXXVIII. .. 

Château. 

Sept. 26-0ct. L Battle_______ Binarville and to the Fr. Fourth_____ Fr. XXXVIII. .. 

south

July 23-Aug.15. Sector. ______ Vauquois ______________ Fr Second ______ Fr. XIII_ _____ ___ _ 

June22-Sept.14.. Training in 

Line nn<l 

Sector. 

Avocourt--------------- Fr. Second ______ Fr. XIII until 

Aug. 21, tben 

Fr. XVII. 

June 6--July 14_ Training in Boureuilles _____________ Fr. Second ____ __ Fr. XIII_ ________ _ 

Li ne. July25-Sept.9. Sector _____ Béthincourt.. __________ Fr. Second ______ Fr. XIII until 

Aug. 21, then 

Fr. XVJI. 

4 

2G6 

10 

40 

15 

16 

1 All armies and corps are American unless otherwise indicated. In this tnhle Fr.= French. 

2 Casualties are for period in line only Figures in parentbeses give casualties for units temporarily attached. 

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

( 328 ) 
Chapter v 

AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE 

CHAMPAGNE REGION 

I 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. 

German Troops Anacking Village Behind Smoke Screen, July 15, 1918. © G 

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 

Champagneregion 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 be 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. 

(329) 
42D DIVISION IN THE CHAMPAGNE- MARNE D EFENSIVE 

JULY 1 5-1 8, 191 8 

EARL Y 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 

defem:e was to be made at a position, 

intermediate between the then-existing 

first and second positions, about 1 1/2 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. Ail 

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. 

German Infantry Mopping Up a Destroyed and Still Burning Village, July 1918. © G 

Thus forewarned, the French were able 

to complete their plans to break up the 

(330)
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. 

German Anti-Aircraft Battery in Position Near the Champagne Front. @ G 

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 

lasses 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 flares. 

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 ChâteauThierry. Beca use the Germ ans 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 
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 

terrifie 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. 

German Infantry Advancing on Whe Wesrern Front, 1918. © G 

During this fighting six more American 

infantry companies were sent forward to 

the intermediate position, now become 

the front line, and the 150th and 15lst 

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, inflicting heavy 

losses and a serious repulse on the enemy. 

German 15-cm. HowiWzer BaWWery Firing While Infantry Is Moving Forward, October 1918. © G 

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. 
2D AND 36TH DIVISIONS WITH THE FRENCH FOURTH 

ARMY, SEPTEMBER 29-0CTOBER 28, 1918 

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 3 1/2 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. 

I t 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-in-Chief 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. 

German Airplane Shot Down by American Anti-Aircraft Gun 

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 

flanks were left far behind. The one on 

(333) 
its left 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 caver that 

exposed flank. While facing in that direction these American units repulsed a 

determined German counterattack. 

German Machine-Guo Emplacement, Blanc Mont 

Ridge, Captured by the 2d Division, 

October 3, 1918 

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 flanks 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 ad van ce. 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 lasses 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 flanks had advanced farther. The Marine Brigade 

cleared the enemy from the western slope 

of Blanc Mont, thus enabling the French 

troops on that flank to progress, and later 

in the day pushed on several hundred 

yards in conjunction with them. On the 

6th bath 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 

beavy 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 offi.cers 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 Tanks Disabled on the Western Front. © G 
For further details of this 2d Division 

fighting see pages 351- 355 of the itinerary. 

German Trench Mortar Detachment in the Assault, July 15, 1918. © G 

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 lOth. 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 Farru. 

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 Farru. 

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 Troops Combatting Tanks With 

Fl ame Throwers, October 1918. @ G 

( 335 ) 
369TH, 371ST AND 372D lNFANTRY REGIME TS 

93D DIVISION WITH THE FRENCH FOURTH ARMY 

SEPTEMBER 26-0CTOBER 8, 1918 

WREN the French Fourth Army advanced northward in the Champagne region on September 26, three 

infantry regiments of the American 93d 

Division 1 

1 The units of the 93d Division were composed of 

colored troops from ail sections of the United States. 

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 

16lst 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 siGe 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 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 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 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  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 

tbis region and the 371st and 372d Infantries, 882 and 579, respectively. 

Troops of the 369th Infantry, 93d Division, 

in the Front-Line Trenches 

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. 
"LOST BATTALION" OF THE 77TH DIVISION, OCTOBER 2-7, 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 ftanks, 

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 machinegun 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 tire, 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 rifles 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 ftank and rear 

of the hostile position in the Argonne 

Forest and at the same time the 77th 

Division renewed its attacks. 

This ftanking 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 eut 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 ftank 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 Ameri can troops occupied the slope below the road identified by the white gash 

on the hillside near the right sicle of the picture 
Airplane View of a Barde in France 

Probably in the Champagne region; date unknow
368TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 92D DIVISION 

IN THE MEUSE-ARGONNE OFFENSIVE 

SEPTEMBER 26-0CTOBER 4, 1918 

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 

1 The 92d Division was composed of colored soldiers 

from various parts of the United States and all of the 

company officers of the 368th Infantry were colored. 

and the French 11 th Cuirassiers-à-pied, and operated under the command of the French lst 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 

jump-off positions. (See map onpage366.) 

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 lOth 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 disposa! 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 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 

(339) 
Map lndicating Described Tour of American Battlefields 

===National Highway 

=== Other Roads Ruins 

A See sketch of 42d Div. Operations 

B " /1 2d " 

c " " "36th "

D " " " 93d "

E " " " "Lost Battalion"(77th Div.) 

F " " " 368th lnfantrv (92d Div.) Operations 

Dotted line encloses approximate area in which 

roads are blocked by artillery practice at certain times 

0 5 10 Miles 
A TOUR OF THE AMERICAN BATTLEFIELDS 

IN THE CHAMPAGNE REGION 

T HIS 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. 

Reims CathedraO During the War 

Note the sandbag protection 

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 

cathedra!, set speedometer to read zero. 

(341) 
342 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE CHAMPAGNE REGION 

Route leaving 

REIMS 

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 

W orld W ar 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 ail around it. 

Forr de la Pompelle, Parr of the Eastern 'HIHQVHV of Reims 

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 9.8km)Beyond junction, 

about  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  miles 

farther on, while approaching main crossroads, to the Ieft 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 
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. 

German Infantry Attacking With a Tank Which Had Been &DSWXUHG From the British. © G 

(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 

W orld 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)  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. 

42d Division in Champagne-Marne Defensive, July 15-18, 1918 

Mlles 

--First Position lntermediate Position Second Position 

- xxx-Corps Boundary - xx- Division Boundary -x- Brigade Boundary 

Sacrifice Post, see text Direction of German attack was from north to south 

(1 9.0 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 terrifie 

losses to the attacking forces. 

The tourist bas 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 operaticns which 

appears at the bottom of this page. 

The intermediate position selected to 

be defended at all costs against the 

(343) 
expected 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. Sorne 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  mile long, with two 

companies in the forward line and one 

ccmpany 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 1 1/2 

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 cf 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. Sorne 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  miles away, 

beyond Aubérive-sur-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", mu ch of the 

German fire which fell upon it was wasted. 

At 3: 50 a. m. the German infantry 

assault was launched, this fact being 

signalled 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: OO a. m. that the German 

troops succeeded in reaching the position 

j ust to the left of this road. The first 

waves were beaten off and by 10: OO a. m. 

the French and Americans in this vicinity 

had repulsed, with terrifie losses to 

the Germans, seven separate assaults. 

About 11: OO a. m. the attack lost its 

impetus and the enemy was compelled 

to withdraw for reorganization. 

German Assault Detachmenc Advancing Under Enemy Fire During the Attack of 

July 15, 1918. @ G 

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 

(344) 
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE CHAMPAGNE REGION 345 

2:00 p . m., their assaults were everywhere 

repulsed with severe lasses. 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. 

German Assault Against Village After an Artillery Preparation, J uly 1918. @ G 

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 mile to the left of it. 

EN ROUTE NORTHWEST OF ST. HILAIRE TO 

THE NAVARIN FARM MONUMENT 

(21.5 m 34.6 km) In the next village, 

St. Hilaire-le-Grand, immediately beyond 

the church, turn to the Ieft. 

On July 15 and 16 the troops of the 

42d Division played a prominent rôle 

in the defense of St. Hilaire-le-Grand. 

(23.8 m 38.3 km) Approximately 

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 Ieft. 

(25.7 m 41.4 km) Beyond town, to the 

Ieft 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 Ieaving automobile. 

Through this point, running at right 

angles to the road and extending about 

600 yards on each siGe 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, 
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. 

" SoPe Germans attacked near 

the road in French overcoats but were 

detected in time. Before the second 

attack, the Germans could EH 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. 

German Artillery and Infantry Observers at 

Berry-au-Bac, 1918. © G 

"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 N ose 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. 

A Brigade Headquarters of the 42d Division 

Near Suippes, July 10, 1918 

(28.0 m 45.1 km) On the next bill, 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 

( 346 ) 
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 rifieman. The inscription 

names the American units which fought 

side by side with the French in this region. 

French Monument Near Navarin Farm 

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 1 1/4 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 

ORRNLQJin a direction some distance to the 

left of that followed by the road ahead. 

EN ROUTE NAVARIN FARM MONUMENT TO 

AMERICAN 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 Ieft. 
37-Millimeter Gun of the 2d Division Infantry in Action Against t
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE CHAMPAGNE REGION 349 

2d Division with French Fourth Army, Oct. 2-10, 1918 

<71st Brigade, 36th Division, Attached October 6-9) 

0 1000 2000 3000 

Contour lnterval 20 Meters 

Line of Relief Front Line ----Gap in Line 

-xx- Division Boundary -x- Brigade Boundary 

This area is about half-covered with pine woods 

(31.1 m 50.1 km) A short distance farther on, near the left si de of road, is seen a 

2d Division boulder marker. It is located 

near the right flank 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 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. 

American Memorial Near Sommepy 

Commemorating the Fighting in the Champagne Region 

This monument was erected by the 

United States Government to commemorate the achievements of ber 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 terrifie fighting. 

The memorial bas 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 bard 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. 

(350)
The American monument on Montfaucon, 27 miles away, can be seen when 

the atmospheric conditions are favorable. 

Enrrance tO the American Memorial 

Near Sommepy 

Climb tower, go to si de 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. 

Inscription on the American Sommepy Memorial 

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 pyramid-shaped 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 

( 351) 
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. 

Tank Preparing the \Vay for a German Assault, September 1918. © G 

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 flank, 

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 flank but 

were repulsed with severe losses by a 

company on that flank 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 flank 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 : OO 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 : OO and 7: OO p. m. received this 

order to attack but being heavily engaged 

on the division's left flank 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 each side of 

(352 ) 
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE CHAMPAGNE REGION 353 

it. In spite of its precarious position 

with both fianks 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 

i ts fianks were far ahead of the adj oining 

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 

lasses 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 

Priva te 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 machine-gun 

fire not far from Médéah Farm. He voluntarily picked up an automatic rifle, 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 machinegun 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 :OO 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 

fianks, 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 machine-gun fire from German positions along the road joining St. Etienne 

with Orfeuil, seen to the right, and was 

forced to retire after severe lasses. 

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 

fiank 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 cletermined 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 Gigamic Mine Crater Just Afcer the Mine Expl
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 flank 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 

flanks. 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 

continua! 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 andfearlessness was largely instrumental in enabling his company to continue its advance. 
N 

36th Division with 

French Fourth Army 

October 10-28, 1918 

""""""Line of Relief - Front Line 

- xx- Division Boundary 

=National Highway = Other Roads 

An excellent view of Attigny and 

the valley of the Aisne River may be 

obtained from this point. 

point, on the edge of Voncq, 

affords 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. 

Miles 

(356) 
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 Gerrnans to start a 

withdrawal which enabled the entire 

Fourth Army to move fcrward. 

On the morning of October 10, based on 

informaticn 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 

cf its zone cf 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 beycnd 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 

WKH 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 Verved 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 bard 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  miles 

farther on, to the right is seen a small 

monument commemorating two French 

regiments. A German concrete machinegun 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 emplacPments. 
German lnfanrry Advancing With a Machine Gun, July 1918. © G 

( 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 ta enjoy an extensive panorama, 

turn right at near edge of Ardeuil andfollow 

road toward Gratreuil until top of ridge is 

reached. Length of GHWRXU 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  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 

(358) 
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE CHAMPAGNE REGION 359 

from those heights 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: OO 

a. m. Part of the 

372d Infantry advanced toward Séchault, which was 

outside the zone of 

action assigned its div1s1on. At 1: OO p. m. 

patrols of theregiment 

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: OO 

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. 

369th, 371st and 372d lnfantry Regiments 

(93d Division) with French Fourth Army 

September 26-0ctober 7, 1918 

N 

j 

r 

Stop, described in text 

Route, described in text 

l Y ds. 

American Front Line - French Front Line 

Ground gained by 369th lnfantry -XXX- Corps Boundary 

Ground gained by 37lst lnfantry -XX- Division Boundary 

Ground gained by 372d lnfantry 
Observers Dropping From Observation 

Balloon After Attack by German A viator 

The Balloon Coming Dawn in Flame 

It was during the fighting near Sécha u 1 t 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 

nase of the heights to the 

right of here is a small 

(360)
AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE CHAMPAGNE REGION 361 

monument, see picture above, to the 371st 

Infantry. It is inaccessible by automobile. 

Monument to 371st lnfantry Near Ardeuil 

EN ROUTE SOUTHEAST OF ARDEUIL TO 

NORTHEAST OF BINARVILLE 

About miles north of Séchault along 

the main road is located a small monument 

WR the 372d Infantry. To visit, turn left 

toward Monthois at next main crossroads. 

Length of detour-5 'rniles. Amount of 

lime required- 25 'rninutes. 

Monument to 372d Infantry South of Monthois 

(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 bills 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 fi.rst 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.l km) At next main road 

junction, marked by a monument to the 

French 9th Cuirassier Regiment, turn 

sharply to the Ieft. 

(57.9 m 93.2 km) Sorne 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 
362 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE CHAMPAGNE REGION 

the 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 srnall 

stone rnarked "Lost Battalion", located 

near the right edge of the road, STOP. 

Road Marker Indicatiog Site of' 'Lost Battalion'' 

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 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 launcbed 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 tbeir 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: OO 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 eut 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 bad been followed in 

reacbing this spot. It ran into heavy 
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 flanks 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 "Lost Battalion'; October 2-7, 1918 

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 Yards 

~Location of "Lost Battalion" 

- American Front Line - French Front Line German Front Line

Gap in Line - xxxx- Army Boundary (Left boundary 77th Division) 

German Encircling Troops 

Flame Throwers Trench Mortars 

Machine Guns Rifle Unit Shock Section 

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 
364 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN THE CHAMPAGNE REGION 

width of about 75 yards. The machine 

gun companies were placed on the fianks. 

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. 

Hillside Where the "Lost Battalion" \Vas Surrounded for Fire Days Near Charlevaux Mill 

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 

rifle 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 

cf projectiles which was being poured on 

the position of this beleagured 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 

fiag 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 signalling 

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 fiame 

throwers and additional trench mortars. Failing to receive a reply to their 

message, the Germans placed a terrifie 

trench-mortar 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 fiame 

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 

itwas referred to as the "Amerikanernest."
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 :OO p. m. troops of the 77th Division, after a sharp fight in overcoming 

machine-gun resistance, reached this valley 

and rescued the "Lost Battalion", which in 

six days had its effective strength reduced 

from more th an 600to194 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 detachme:nt during the fighting, 

Captain George G. McMurtry and Captain Nelson M. Holderman were awarded 

Congressional Medals of Honor. 

Major Charles W. Whirrlesey, 

77th Division, 

October 29, 1918 

Major Whittlesey displayed marked 

ability and indomitable spirit in bis conduct of the defense, frequently visiting 

under fire al! parts of the position and 

encouraging the men by bis cool demeanor 

and calm assurance. On the fifth day be 

received from the Germans a written demand to surrender which be treated with 

contempt, although at that time bis 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, be 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, be personally directed and supervised the moving of the wounded to a 

protected place before himself seeking 

shelter. On October 6 be 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 bis men out of the 

position on October 8 before permitting 

himself to be evacuated to the hospital. 

Captain Holderm an 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, KH 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 rifle 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. 

(365 ) 
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. 

0 

368th lnfantry Regiment 

(92d Div) Sept. 26-0ct. 1, 1918 

500 1000 

N 

j 

- Front Line Gap in Line 

- Front Line Adjoining Unit 

-xx- Division Boundary Regimental Boundary 

(61.4 m 98.8 km) ln 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 ad van ce 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 tire 

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 side of the road, are located 

a number of German shelters which are 

(1937) being preserved. 

Gas Mask Drill 

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 bands of the regiment. 

(63.4 m 102.8 km) Beyond next crest, 

at far side of wide shallow vaJley, about 

halfway up the bill, STOP. 

Face back down the road, which direction is just west of north. 

During most of the W orld W ar 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 1 1/2 mile front, mainly to the 

right of here, with the mission of feeling 

out the enemy, maintaining contact with 

the units on its flanks 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 oppo ite 

page 368. The region in the vicinity of 

Hurlus is most interesting as no reconstruction work bas been done there and 

the nature of the soi! 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.l m 104.8 km) In next village, 

Vienne-le-Château, turn left at church. 

(66.1 m 106.4 km) While approaching 

the next village, La Harazée, to the Jeft 

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. 

92d Division Soldiers Stringiog Wire South 

of Binarvill e 

(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. 

(367) 
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  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 cornes to an end. 

The quickest automobile route to Paris 

is straight ahead via Le Claon, Ste. M enehould, 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 wbich the 

77tb 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 f orest 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. 

ADDITION AL PLACES OF INTEREST IN THE 

CHAMPAGNE REGION 

I

N addition to the places described in the 

itinerary, there are several other places 

in the Champagne region where there now 

exist features oî 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 nortbeast of Châlonssur-Marne, is located a large, oval-sbaped 

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 bim as a camp after 

the battle of Châlons in 451 A. D. 

Châlons-sur-Marne. Known to the 

Romans as Catalaunum, this city is ment1oned in bistory 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 bas 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 

cathedra! 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 churcb, 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 tbrough the Argonne Forest 

and bas figured in many campaigns in 

this region. Louis XVI and Marie 

Antoinette, while fleeing 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 wben 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 def ea ted 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. 
... ) 

: . .. . . . u. roRT D. c 

1937 

areas except as indicated below show ground gained 

by American units with the French Fourth Army 

September 26-0ctober 27 

Ground gained by French divisions of French Fourth 

Army September 26-0ctober 27 

Large in a area indicates 

the American division which fought there 

indicates part of American 

division which fought attached to another division 
t 

p 

1 

ir 

e1 

a 

A 

th 

tm 

cit: 

It 

En 

18 

lo 

1' 
SU MMARY OF COMBAT SE R V ICE OF A M ERICAN DIV ISION S 

I N THE CHAMPAGNE R E GION 

"Va me 1 Period of Ser l'ice 1 

of Div. 1918 

Character of 

Serl'ice 

Location of Service 

General vicinity of-

.Army to which 

Attached 1 

Corps to u·hich 

.Attached 1 

2 

36 

42 

92 

(368th 

In!. 

only) 

93 

(369th 

Inf. 

only) 

93 

(37Jst 

In!. 

only) 

93 

(372d 

!cf. 

only) 

Oct. 2-1o__ _____ I 

------

Battle_______ North of Sommepy, 

Blanc Mont and St. 

Etienne-à-Arnes. 

Oct. 10-28 ______ 1 Battle _______ Maehault, west of Attigny and Forest 

Farm. 

July 15-18 ______ Battle _______ Souain and St. Hilairele-Grand. 

July 19 _________ Sector_ ______ Souain and St. Hilairele-Grand. 

Sept. 25 ________ Sector_ ______ Northeast of Vienne-leChâteau. 

Sept. 26-0ct. L Battle _______ Binarville and to the 

sou th. 

Fourth __________ XXI_ ____________ _ 

Fourth __________ XXIuntil Oct.18, 

then XI. 

Fourth __________ XXI_ _____________ 

Fourth __________ XXI_ _____________ 

Fourth __________ XXXVIII_ _______ 

Fourth ____ ·----- XXXVIII_ _______ 

Apr. 8-July 3 __ Training in Ville-sur-Tourbe _____ ·- Fourth __________ VIIL ____________ _ 

Line and 

Sector. 

July 15-18 ______ Battle _______ Massiges_______________ Fourth __________ VIII _____________ _ 

July 19-Aug.19 Sector_ ______ Massiges _______________ Fourth __________ VIII _____________ _ 

Sept.11-16 _____ Sector_ ______ Massiges _______________ Fourth __________ XXXVIII_ ______ _ 

Sept. 26-0ct. L Battle _______ Séchault_ ______________ Fourth __________ IX _______________ _ 

Sept. 28-0ct. L Battle_______ Ardeuil________________ Fourth________ __ IX _______________ _ 

Sept. 28-0ct. ï_ Battle _______ South of Monthois _____ Fourth __________ IX _______________ _ 

1 Ail armies and corps are French. 

Casualties 2 

4, 821 

(/,.506) 

1,009 

(50) 

1. 590 

Il 

4 

266 

41 

45 

82 

JO 

ï85 

882 

579 

' Casualties are for period in line only. Figures in parentheses give casualiies for units temporarily attached. 

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

42d Division Machine Gun Banalion Headquarters 

North of St. Hilaire-Je-Grand 

(369) 
9lsc Division Eogineers Repairing Tracks Blown Up by the Germans Near Waereghem, 

Belgium, November 1, 1918 

Bapaume, March 17, 1917. © B 

(370)
Chapter v1 

THE AMERICAN BATTLEFIELDS 

NORTH OF PARIS 

This chapter gives brief accounts of 

all American fighting whi ch 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 lst, 27th, 30th, 

33d, 37th, 80th and 91st Divisions and 

the 6th and 11 th 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 a ccount 

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. 

Southern Encrance to cb e St. Quentin Can al Tu nnel, Near Bellicourc, October 1, 1918 

The general map on the next page 

indicates a route wbich takes the tourist 

either int o or close to all of tbese 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 tbis reason they 

do not appear in chronological order. 

Many American units otber tban those 

mentioned in this chapter, sucb 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 tbis chapter 

required that it be limited to those American organizations which actually engaged 

(371) 
372 THE AMERICAN B ATTLEFIELD S NO R TH O F PARIS 

in physical combat with the enemy during 

which territory was either lest or gained. 

Suggested Tour of American Battlefields North of Paris 

__ Miles 

Ghent 

( 

N 

80th Division, Somme 

1918 

33d Division. Hamel, 

July 4, 1918 

Amiens 

6th Engineers. 3d 

Division, Somme 

defensive, March 27 -

April 3, 1918 

Albert 

î 

37th and 91st Divisions, Ypres-Lys 

'"offensive, October 30-November 11, 1918 

\ 

( 

\ 

1 

27th and 30th Divisions, Somme 

offensive, September 24. 30, 1918 

American Military Cemetery 

Proposed Route 

Rectangles indicate areas of American fighting shown on other maps in chapter 

Monuments shown are those erected by the U. Government. For exact location consult text 

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. 
27TH AND 30TH DIVISIONS IN THE SOMME OFFENSIVE 

SEPTEMBER 23-30, 1918 

T HE 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 spac1ous 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. 

Interior of St. Quentin Canal Tunnel Near Bellicourt, Showing a Barge Which Was 

Used as a Barrack by the Germans 

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. 
27th and 30th Divisions in Somme Offensive 

September 24-30, 1918 

~German Trench 

Wire Entanglement 

Line of Relief 

- Front Line 

••••••Gap in Line 

-XX- Division Boundary 

Cabaret Wood 

Farm 

0 500 1000 1500 2000 Yards 

Contour interval 20 meters 

/ 

(374) 
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 Div. 

Town Hall donated by Americans 

Ruins of old château 

Good panorama of 27th Div. battlefield 

Excellent view of 30th Div. battlefield 

THE AMERICAN BAT1 LEFIELDS 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. lt 

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 acticn a 

large part of the German outpost position 

had been captured by the British. Mcst 

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 flank of the division was heavily engaged on September 

27 during a preliminary attack which the 

27th Division had been ordered to make. 

Road Near Guillemont Farm. © B 

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 positicn 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 linc. 

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, 

t ogether with machine-gun fire from the 

rear and flanks, and strong counterattacks 

from the valleys leading to the Hindenburg Line, made it impossible t o consoli-
Americans Advancing for the Atcack Against the Hindenburg Line Ne
THE AMERIC.AN BATTLEFIELDS NORTH OF PARIS 377 

date 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. 

Monument Erected by the State of 

Tennessee South of Bellicourt 

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 terrifie 

artillery and machine-gun fire he led a 

small group of men in the attack after 

the y be came separated in the dar kness 

from their company. Singlehanded he 

rushed an enemy machine gun that suddenly opened fire on his group, and killed 

the crew with bis 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 offi.cer seized the rifle 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 theninemen remainingin 

his group, capturedit and resisted a hostile 

counterattack until he was finally killed. 

Sergeant Reidar Waaler, 27th Division, 

also received the Congressional Medal of 

Hon or for his fighting on September 27. 

In the face of heavy artillery and machinegun tire 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 efIect 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 attackwas made, British artillery 

fire in the intervening zone, which was 
about 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 

l This attack illustrates the serious situations which 

would have r esulted from any permanent amalgamation of Ameri can troops with the Allied Armies. 

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. 

German Prisoners Capcured by the 27th and 30th Divisions

Near the St. Quentin Canal 

Meanwhile, in preparation for the main 

attack, the British heavy artillery had 

been hammering away for two days at 

the strong p oints 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 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 macbine-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 

corn bats 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 

(378) 
THE AMERICAN BATTLEFIELDS NORTH OF PARIS 379 

in rear of the American front lines after 

the initial assault were killed or captured. 

Afcer the Battle Near Nauroy 

German prisoners are in the foreground, 30th Division troops are on road in rear 

Illustrative of this fighting are the 

exploits of Sergeant Joseph B. Adkison 

and Sergeant Milo Lemert of the 30th 

Divisicn for which they were awarded 

Ccngressional 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 singlehanded, 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 cf 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 heyond 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 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 machinegun nests that the troops preceding them 

had passed by in the fog. Most of the 

divisional zone between the jump-o:ff 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 su:ffered such a heavy loss in a 

single day during the war. In spite of ail 

this, however, the troops attacked boldly 

and incessantly. By noon, Quennemont 

Farm, part of the elaborate trench system 

sou th of Bony, the ground now occupied 

by the American cemetery and The Knoll 

were in the bands of the 27th Division. 

27rh Division Tank Desrroyed by a German Mine East of Ronssoy 

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 li ne that ran 

generally northwestward to a point about 1/2 mile southwest of Vendhuile. 

American Infaotry Hurrying Forward Under Artillery Fire. @ B 

This fighting of the 27th Division was 

characterized by many individual feats of 

bravery among which were the exploits 

of Privates First Class Frank Ga:ffney and 

Michael Valente, both of whom were 

given the Congressional Medal of Honor. 

Private Ga:ffney, an automatic rifleman, 

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 

( 380 ) 
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 

bis organization held up by withering 

enemy machine-gun fire, volunteered to 

go forward. With utter disregard of his 

own persona! 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, be 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 scme 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. 

Wrecked British Airplane Near Bony, October 3, 1918 

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 headq uarters of the American corps and divisions serving in this region were as follows: 

II Corps: 

Sept. 26- 0ct. 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- 0ct. 2 In a quarry west of Ronssoy. 

Oct. 13- 2L ___ Busigny. 

30th Division: 

Sept. 22- 28 _____ _ Bois de Buire. 1 

Sept. 28- 0ct. 1 In a quarry southeast of Roisel. 

Oct. 6- 10 _ 1 n a quarry near Ternpleux-leGuérard. 

Oct. 10- 22 _ Montbrehain. 

1 Located one mile nortbeast of Tincourt-Boucly. 
Amencan Memorial Near Bdlicourr 

Commemorates the American soldiers who served with the British 
THE AMERJCAN MONUMENT NORTH OF BELLICOURT 

A BEAUTIFUL and impressive memorial to commemorate all American 

units which served with the British 

Armies in France during the World War 

bas 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 

flanked 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 amcng the decorative features 

are the insignia and names of the II 

Corps, 27th, 30th, 33d and 80th Divisions, 

and 6th and 11 th 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 N apoleon 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. 

Ail 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 

( 383 ) 
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 

flagpole can be seen in the distance to the 

rigbt 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 bill 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 cf that 

day. It did, however, include Nauroy and 

in this direction ran to just this side or 

Cabaret Wood Farm, which can be seen 

around the side of the monument by 

stepping to the left edge of the orientation table and Jooking to the rear. There 

it changed direction and passed about 200 

yards to the left (south) cf 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. 

West Face of American Memorial Near Bellicourt 

Sorne 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 tierce hand-tohand 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. Severa! 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 
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 fire-swept 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 fue, 

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. 

30th Division Reserves Digging In Near Molain, October 18, 1918 

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 lefl. After passing through the town 

of Bony, stop on the road when the cemetery 

cames in full view and read pages 387-388. 

( 385 ) 
Somme American Cemetery Near Bony 
THE SOMME AMERICAN CEMETERY NEAR BONY 

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 

lst Division who gave their lives at 

Cantigny, and of the 33d and 80th 

Divisions and 6th and llth Engineers 

who fell while serving with the British. 

By means of architectural features and 

of trees, flowers and shrubs especially 

appropriate to the region, this cemetery 

has been developed into a resting place cf 

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 adj oining area where the superintendent's 

quarters, including a reception room for 

the ccnvenience of visitors, are located. 

Inquiries for the location of a particular 

grave or for other information should be 

made at the reception room. 

A flagpole from which the American 

flag fües during daylight hours is located 

at the center cf 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, 

flanked by small square-eut 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. 

Interior of Chape! in American Cemetery 

Near Bony 

The interior of the chape! 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 

(387) 
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 tbeir 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 flags, while opposite them, near the door, are flags of the 

infantry and field artillery, the combat 

branches of the army which sustained the 

greatest number of casualties during the 

war. An American flag 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 chape], 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 coïncidence by which the carvers, 

fashioning the figure from a block of 

white stone, came upon a coal-black 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 bas 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. 

Chapel at American Cemetery Near Bony 

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. 
27TH AND 30TH DIVISIONS IN THE SOMME OFFENSIVE 

OCTOBER 1-22, 1918 

T HE 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 f ollow and man y are sunken which 

makes it difficult to view the landscape. 

After taking a prominent part in breaking the Hindenburg Line north of St. 

Quent:n, 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 

3 3/4 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 .) 

27th and 30th Divisions with American II Corps 

in Somme Offensive, October6 -21, 1918 

N 

î 

Jump-off 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 Corps Hdqrs.,Oct. 12-25 Monument to 118th lnf., 30th Div. 

Monument to 11 ?th lnf., 30th Div. 27th Div. Hdqrs., Oct. 13-21 

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 Brancourt-leGrand and Prémont. It gained all objectives by early afternoon and ended the 

day well ahead of the divisions on its 

fianks. The assaults were energetically 

continued until the llth, 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 fianking fire because the British troops 

(389 ) 
on its right flank 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. 

Congested Traffic at Montbrehain in Rear of the American Lines, 

October 14, 1918 

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 bard 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 J one 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. 

M uch 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 

(390)
THE AMERICAN BATTLEFIELDS NORTH OF PARIS 391 

James D. Heriot, all noncommissioned 

officers with the 30th Division, were 

awarded Congressional Medals of Honor. 

American Troops Awaiting Orders Behind the Front Line Near Prémont, 

October 8, 1918. © B 

On October 8, northwest of Brancourtle-Grand, Sergeant Hall commanded a 

platoon which, after having by bis skillful 

leadership overcome two machine-gun 

nests, was stopped by additional machinegun fire of great intensity. Ordering bis 

men to take cover in a sunken road, he 

advanced alone on the enemy machinegun post, killed five members of the crew 

with bis 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 hales 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 bis rifle 

until bis ammunition was exhausted and 

then with bis 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 

infiicting heavy casualties on bis company. In advancing toward it, two of 

bis men were killed, and because of the 

heavy fire from ail sides the remaining 

two sought shelter. Unmindful of the 

hazard attached to his mission, Corporal 
+ 

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. 

27th Division Troops Crossing the Selle River on a Temporary Bridge 

at St. Souplet, October 19, 1918 

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 

In addition to the men whose Medal 

of Honor citations have been included in 

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 machine-gun 

fire, he disposed his men in the best cover 

available and, aided by one soldier, continued forward to attack a machine-gun 

nest. Creeping up in the face of intense 

fire, he killed the entire crew with hand 
THE AMERICAN BATTLEFIELDS NORTH OF PARIS 393 

grenades and a pistol and later captured a 

number of Germans in a near-by dugout. 

Arnericans Receiving Coffee From lnhabitant of Becquigny 

Soon After Caprnring the Town 

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 machinegun 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 Privatte 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. 

Salvage Dump of the 30th Division at Montbrehain, Ocrober 14, 1918 
llTH ENGINEERS AT THE BATTLE OF CAMBRAI 

NOVEMBER 20-DECEMBER 3, 1917 

T HE llth 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. 

Operations of llth Engineers 

September and November, 1917 

N 

j 

Place where first 

American soldiers with 

American unit were 

wounded at the front, 

Sept. 5, 1917. 

Scene of action of 

l lth Engineers, 

Nov. 30, 1917. Yards 

Explosion of a German Time Bomb in Cambrai 

On November at the Time of lts Capture, October 8, 1918 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 N ovember 30 the enemy launched 

a counteroffensive which by its weight 

and suddenness surprised the British. 

At this time the 11 th 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 as sa u 1 t. 

The regiment had 18 casualties 

in the fighting on N ovember 30. 

This locality can be visited by 

taking a train to Cambrai or 

St. Quentin and hiring an automobile at one of those places. 

( 394 ) 
37TH AND 91ST DIVISIONS IN THE YPRES-LYS OFFENSIVE 

OCTOBER 28-NOVEMBER 11, 1918 

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 bis 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 W aereghem, close to the town of Olsene. The 

91st was in the French VII Corps and its 

zone of action was just sou th of W aereghem. (See the sketch on this page.) 

37th and 9lst Di v i sions i n Ypres -Lys Offensive 

Octo ber 30 - Novembe r 11 ,1918 

Line - Front Line - xxx- Corps Boundary -xx- Division Boundary 

Field American Cemetery Div. Hdqrs .. Nov. 1-4 Div. Hdqrs., Nov. 1-4 

Div. Hdqrs., Nov. 9-11 Div. Hdqrs., Nov. 10- 11 @ 37th Div. memorial bridge 

A monument has been erected at Audenarde by the United States Government 

At that time this region, which had been 

well behind the German front line since 

the autumn of 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 bouses, 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 

( 395 ) 
396 THE AMERICAN BATTLEFIELDS NORTH OF PARIS 

October 31. The 37th Division advanced 

against hostile artillery and machine-gun 

fire about 2  miles to the western outskirts of Cruyshautem where it dug in 

for the night. The 91st drave forward 

in spite of intense artillery and machinegun 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 fl.ank 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. 

Waereghem, Belgium, November 1, 1918 

The 91st Division occupied part of 

Audenarde on N ovember 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 N ovember 

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 :OO 

p. m. on N ovember 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. These plans were hastened 

when the Allied Commander-in-Chief 

sent word on N ovember 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 machinegun 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 Novetnber 10. 

Troops of the 9lst Division in Front of the 

Hôtel-de-Ville, Audenarde, Belgium, 

November 12, 1918 

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 N ovember 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 : OO 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 W aereghem, Audenarde or Ghent and hiring an automobile. 

37th Division Memorial Bridge at Eyne, Belgium 

Locations of H eadquarters 

The principal American headquarters 

during these operations were as follows: 

37th Division : 

Oct. 29-Nov. l_ ____ _ D enterghem. 

Nov . 1- 4_ ________ __ Cruyshautem. 

Nov . 9- 11_ _______ __ Ch âteau de Huysse. 

91st Division : 

Oct. 30- Nov. l_ ____ D esselghem. 

N ov . 1- 4 ____ _____ __ Stuivenberghe Chât eau. 

N ov. 10-lL ____ ____ Audenarde. 

( 397 ) 
Flanders Field American Cemetery Near \\ aereghem, Bel
THE FLANDERS FIELD AMERICAN CEMETERY NEAR 

WAEREGHEM, BELGIUM 

T HE 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 W aereghem, 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 

visiter cf 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 RAS BEEN ERECTED 

BY THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 

IN MEMORY OF RER SOLDIERS 

WHO FOUGHT AND DIED 

IN BELGIUM 

DURING THE WORLD W AR. 

THESE GRAVES ARE THE 

PERMANENT AND VISIBLE SYMBOL 

OF THE HEROIC DEVOTION 

WITH WHICH 

THEY GA VE 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 flowers. It 

bears the inscription: "I WILL RANSOM 

THEM FROM THE POWER OF THE GRAVE, 

I WILL REDEEM THEM FROM DEATH." 

Above, carved on a rcse-tinted marble 

panel, is a Crusader's sword outlined in 

gold. On each side of the altar are 

draped flags 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, 

flanked 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 W aereghem, or t o 

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, 

6 1/2 miles to the east îrom this cemetery. 

( 399 ) 
lnterior of Chapel, American Cemetery Near Waereghem, Belgium 
THE AMERICAN MONUMENT AT AUDENARDE, BELGIUM 

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. 

American Memorial at Audenarde, Belgium 

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 flanked 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 W aereghem 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. 

( 401 ) 
27TH AND 3 0TH D IVISION S IN T HE YPR ES-LYS OFFENSIVE 

AUGUST 18-SEPTEMBER 4 , 1918 

27th and 30th Divisions in Ypres-Lys Offensive 

August 18-September 4, 1918 

0 500 1000 1500 2000 Yards 

N 

î 

Jump-off Line - Front Line ---- Gap in Line 

- xxx- Corps Boundary - xx- Division Boundary 

Monument erected by United States Government ©Observation tower 

Scene of gas-cloud attack by 30th Division, August 27 

T HE 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. 

c 402)
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 

r.ew line which included Voormezeele. 

The 27th Division re connoitered that 

night and encountered resistance. However, about 10: OO 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 movementwas startedpromptly and the objectives, which included 

the village of Vierstraat, were reached 

about 4: OO 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. 

27th Division Wagon Train Near C!oth Hall, Ypres, Belgium 

The 27th Division attacked at 7: OO 

a. m. on September 1after a 3 1/2-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 machinegun 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 obvioùs 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. 
404 THE AMERICAN BATTLEFIELDS NORTH OF PARIS 

Captured British Tank Being Used by Germans, September 1918. © G 

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. 

Cloth Hall of Ypres, Belgium, in 1935 

Locations of Headquarters 

The headquarters of the American 

units during the operations here were: 

II Corps: 

Aug. 30- Sept. 3 __ Houtkerque. 

27th Division: 

Aug. 2J- Sept. 3 __ Douglas Camp, north of A beele. 

30th Division: 

Aug. 20- Sept. 4 __ Vogeltje Convent, 2 miles to the 

northwest of PopPringhe. 
THE AMERICAN MONUMENT NEAR VIERSTRAA T, BELG IUM 

I

MMEDIATELY alongside the road 

leading south from Ypres toward Mont 

Kemmel, near the little hamlet of Vierstraat, Belgium, is located a monument 

erected by the United States Governmen t 

to commemorate the services of the 

American troops who fought in that general region during the World War. 

American Monument Near Vi erstraat, Belgium 

This monument consists of a central 

black 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 flanked 

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 

black. On the rear face appear the insignia of the 27th and 30th Divisions, 

the American units whose fighting is commemorated by the memorial. 

Surrounding the monument proper is a 

terrace enclosed by a railing. The account of the American operations in the 

vi cinity, given on the preceding pages, 

should be read from this terrace. By 

consulting the sketch and reading the following description with bis back to the 

road, the tourist will obtain a good idea 

of the American :f'ighting near here. 

The group of bouses 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 l. 

Mont Kemmel is the highest bill 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. 
British Band 3OD\LQJin Arra . s, Apnl 30, 1917 . @ B 
80TH DIVISION IN THE SOMME OFFENSIVE 

AUGUST 8-18, 1918 

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. 

N 

80th Division in Somme Offensive 

August 8-18, 1918 

Puisieux· / .: 

. . . 

Pozières_~ 

- Front L1ne Keld by Amencan Troops 

~~Albert -- Front Line Held by Bnt1sh Troops 

Ground Gained by Amencan Troops 

-XXX- Corps Boundary Battal1on Boundary 

Newfoundland memonal park Bnt1sh Memonal to m1ss1ng 1n Somme battles 

Memonal tower, Br. 36th <Ulster> Div. Wood, South Afncan 

There are numerous other monuments region 

A battalion of the 317th 

Infantry was holding a frontline sector with the New 

Zealand Division when the 

Germans began to retire in 

front of them. Meeting slight 

resistance, the American battalion advanced 1 1/2 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 

frontlinesduringthenightof August 17- 18. 

The other American regiments did not 

gain ground although the 320th Infantry 

sucessfully 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 be easily 

visited by taking a train to the city of 

Albert and hiring an automobile there. 

c 407)
33D DIVISION AT THE CAPTURE OF HAMEL 

' 

JULY 4 ' 1918 

AND 

IN THE SOMME OFFENSIVE, AUGUST 8-20, 1918 

T HE 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. 

33d Division at Capture of Hamel 

July 4, 1918 

Gained by Australians and Detachments 

of 33d Division 

-xx-Austral. Div. Boundary -x- Austral. Brig. Boundary 

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 cornpanies assisted in repu l sin g 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 

commendationfrom the 

British commanders. 

It was during this 

fighting that Corporal 

Thomas A. Pope performed the heroic deed 

for which be was 

awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. 

His company was advancing when it was 

halted by hostile machine-gun fire. Going 

forward alone be rushed 

a machine-gun nest, 

killed several of the 

crew with bis bayonet, 

and, standing astride 

the gun, held off the 

other members of the 

crew until reinforcemen ts 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. 

( 408)
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. 

13lst lnfantry (33rd Division) in the Somme Offensive 

August 9- 19, 1918 

- Front Line 13lst lnfantry - Front Line Australians - - Gap in Line 

Ground Gained, 13lst lnfantry Boundary 

Ground Gained, 13lst lnfantry and Austra lians 

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 bands, having been recaptured 

from the British 58th Division. From 

this ridge the German troops threatened 

the flank of the Australian Corps on the 

south bank. (See the sketch below.) 

To retake this position the 131st 

Infantry, 33d Division, was directed to 

j oin 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 of the last 4 miles to reach its jumpoff line on time. It advanced under 

hurriedly issued orders with but little 

reconnaissance; and in spi te 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 ail the officers with bis 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 

bis bayonet he killed five of the enemy 

and when the bayonet broke he used the 

butt of bis 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 13lst 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 

be personally presented British decorations to the members of the 33d Division 

who had distinguished themselves in the 

fighting at Hamel on July 4. 

The King of England Decorating Men of the 

33d Di vision, August 12, 1918 

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. 

British, French and Ameri can Military Poli ce 

in Ami ens, May 1918. © B 

( 411 ) 
6TH ENGINEERS IN THE SOMME DEFENSIVE 

MARCH 21-APRIL 6, 1918 

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. 

6th Engineers (3d Div.) in the Somme 

Defensive, March 27-April 3, 1918 

6th 

Bnt1sh T roops 

Yards 

- Front Line 6th Engineers Regt. Boundary 

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 detachmen ts of troops 

which were hurriedly collected 

and put in position, with orders to defend 

to the last man, included Companies Band 

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. 

German Artillery Moving Forward After the Break-Through East of Amiens 

in March 1918. © G 

( 412) 
THE AMERICAN BATTLEFIELDS NORTH OF PARIS 413 

This force, totaling about 2,200 men, 

held about 8 miles of trenches on the 

generally fiat 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 

differen t schools; and the units of the 6th 

Engineers. It was later reinforced by 

300 convalescents from the hospitals 

and 400 Canadian railroad troops. 

Amiens- Sr. Quentin Road. © B 

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. 

Large German Guo Desrroyed East of Chipilly, 

Near Chuignes 
lST DIVISION AT CANTIGNY 

APRIL 27-JULY 8, 1918 

DURING the emergency created by 

the German offensive of March 21, 

General Pershing placed all American 

combat troops then in Europe at the disposa! of General Foch. Among these 

units was the lst 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.) 

lst Division lnfanrry Going "Over the Top" at Cantigny, May 28, 1918 

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 lst 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 lst 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 lst Di vision 

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, 

flame-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 spi te of heavy resistance 

mainly beyond the town and severe artillery and machine-gun fire from the left 

flank 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. 

( 414) 
THE AMERICAN BATTLEFIELDS NORTH OF PARIS 415 

lst Division, April 27-July 8, 1918 

____ Yards 

- Front -xx- Division Boundary 

During the defense 

against the German coun terattacks 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 n um bers. 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 lst Division on June 

2 took over additional frontage in or der 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 lst 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 la ter played an outstanding rôle in the counteroffensive south of 

Soissons against the Aisne-Marne salient. 

The Headquarters of the lst Division 

was located at the village of Le Mesnil-St. 

Firmin, April 24- June 4, and at the village 

of Tartigny, June 4- July 8. 

This battlefield of the lst 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. 

Germans Leaving Dugout at Cantigny After 

Flame Thrower Had Been Used in it 
---- + ----

THE AMERICAN MONUMENT AT CANTIGNY 

T HE 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 FIRST DIVISION 

UNITED STATES ARMY, OPERATING 

UNDER THE X FRENCH CORPS, 

CAPTURED THE TOWN OF CANTIGNY 

ON MA Y 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 1'HE WORLD W AR 

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 

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 be 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 lst 

Division in this vicinity should be read. 

c 416 ) 
SUMMARY OF COMBAT SERVICE OF AMERICAN DIVISIONS 

IN THE OPERATIONS NORTH OF PARIS 

1Yame ,. Pfriod of Service Character of 

of Dir. 1918 Sertice 

Location of Service 

General Vicinity ofArmy to Which 

Altached 1 

Corps to Which 

Attached' 

Casuatties' 

3 

(6th 

Engrs. 

only ) 

Apr. '.!ï-June8_ Sector _______ Cantigny ______________ Fr. First. _______ Fr. Vl until May 

5, then Fr. X. 

June (/-13 ______ Battle _______ Cantigny ______________ Fr. First_ _______ Fr. X ____________ _ 

June 14-July 8_ Sector_ ______ Cantigny ______________ Fr. First_ _______ Fr. X ____________ _ 

Mar. 2ï-Apr. 3. Battle _______ Warfusée-Abancourt___ Fifth ____________ None _____________ _ 

4, lll 

567 

485 

77 

2ï July 25-Aug. 18. Trainmg in South of Ypres____ _____ Second __________ X IX______ ____ ____ -H7 

30 

Line. 

Aug. 19-Sept. 3. Battle _______ Yierstraat__ ____________ Second __________ X IX______________ 862 

Sept. 25-30___ __ Battle____ ___ West of Bony__________ Fourth__________ Am. I L___________ 4, 508 

Oct. 12-2L _____ Battle _______ Southeast of Le Cateau _ Fourth __________ Am. IL ___ ____ ____ 2, 103 

JuJy 16-Aug. 18_ Training in South of Ypres_________ Second __________ IL __________ _____ _ 298 

Line and 

Sector. 

Aug. 19-Sept. 4. Battle_______ Voormezeele_ _ _ ________ Second__________ I L __ -------------- 466 

Sept. 24-30 __ . _ Battle_ _____ _ Bellicourt._------------ Fourth__________ Australian un t il 3, 018 

Sept. 25, then 

Am. Il. 

Oct. ô-12_______ Battle_______ Brancourt - le - Grand Fourth__________ Am. IL ___________ 2, 480 

and St. Souplet . 1 Oct. 16-19 ______ Battle _______ Mazinghien ____________ Fourth __________ Am. IL ___________ 1. 491 

33 June 23 ________ Training in East of Amiens _____ ____ Fourth __________ IIL ______________ _ 

Li ne. 

July 2-fi ________ Training in Hamel_ ________________ Fourth __________ IIL_______________ 214 

Line. 

July lï-Aug. 6_ Traininf in West and southwest of 

Line. Albert. 

Aug. (1-20 ______ Battle _______ Chipilly Ridge ______ _ 

Fourth __________ III and Australian. 

Fourth__________ III until Aug. 10, 

then III and 

Australian. 

237 

982 

37 Oct. 30-Kov. 4. Battle _______ Cruyshautem and Fr. Sixth ________ Fr. XXX _______ __ 1,455 

Eyne. 

10-lL ____ Battle _____ __ Dickele ________________ Fr. Sixth ________ Fr. XXXIV______ 117 

80 July 23-Aug. 7. Training in North of Albert ________ Third ___________ IV, V and VL ___ _ 129 

Li ne. 

Aug. &-18 ______ Battle _______ Xorth of Albert_ ______ _ Tbird ___________ IV. V and VL ___ _ 145 

91 Oct. 30-Nov. 4_ Battle _______ Soutbeast of Waere - Fr. Sixth ________ Fr. VII___________ 963 

gbem and A n de- (54) 

narde. 

Xo>. 10-lL ____ Battle _______ Boucle-St. Blaise _______ Fr. Sixth ________ F r. XXX_________ 3 

(1) 

'Ali armies and corps are British unless otberwise indicated. In this table Fr.=Frencb. 

'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 d uring the en tire operation. 

c 41 7) 
Typical Sccnc in the Vosges Mountains 
Chapter VII 

AMERICAN OPERATIONS ON THE VOSGES FRONT 

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. 

42d Division Troops in Front-Line Trench Near Baccarat, June 3, 1918 

Scene is typical of rh e rrenches and terrain in the Vosges region 

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 wa;: when the Germans attempted to take Nancy, but after 

1914 it became inactive as both sides 

( 419) 
realized that offensive operations on other 

parts of the battle line which were not as 

strong offered more possibility of success. 

An American Division on the March, Wimer of 1917-1918 

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 Di visions took command of sectors 

without any penod 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. 

Delousing Machine in Operation at Saacy, August JO, 1918 

Elsewhere on the Western Front the 

(420) 
6th, 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. 

American Parral Scarring on a Raid Near Badonviller, March 17, 1918 2

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 hardfought 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. 

Mail Call ar Rolamponr, Februa n · 1918 

(421) 
422 AMERICAN OPERATIONS ON THE VOSGES FRONT 

Sectors Held by American Divisions in the Vosges Region 

G N 

.Morhange 

Sarrebourg 

. ' 

Charm es 

Remiremont 

0 10 20 30 

- Sector - ----International Boundary $Fortified City 

Sector names appear opposite each sector 

Circled numerals show American divisions which held sectors indicated 
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 Gerardmer 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. 

Tbe St. Die Sector, north of St. Die, 

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 Luneville Sector. The corps front 

was divided into three divisional sectors, 

tbe one nearest the V osges 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 Y osges region will give an idea of the 

mere 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 Bathelemont 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 Bathelemont. 

When the 5th Division took command 

of the St. Die 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 

well-executed 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 Gerardmer, were attacked by a party of 300 

Germans, equipped with machine guns 

and flame 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, inflicting 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, inflicting losses upon the enemy 

troops and capturing seven prisoners. 
Ourpost io the Forest of Parroy, Norrheasc of 

Lune,,ille, Mar ... h 5, 1918 

Position destroyed by shellfire soon after 

piccure was taken 

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 Luneville 

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. 

Die 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. Die 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 succes -

ful 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 haYe 

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 hy 

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 front-line 

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 thi.:; front. 

Firing a Trench Morcar Duri11g Sector 

Occupation Near Baccarat, June: 3, 1918 

( 4:!4 , 
ADDITION AL PLACES OF INTEREST 

IN THE V OSGES REGION 

Baccarat. Location of 42d Div. Hdqrs., 

Mar. 30- June 21; 77th Div. Hdqrs., 

June 19- Aug. 4; and 37th Div. Hdqrs., 

J uly 23- Sept. 17. 

Srreet in Badonviller on April 29, 1918 

Note enrrances ro dugouts and cellars 

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 lmown as 

Charmes Gap and it was through this gap 

that the Germans attempted during 1914 

to turn the French position near Nancy. 

(425)
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. 25-0ct. 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 bastionlike 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 2 9 th 

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 . 

froQW-Line Trench of the 32d Division, Alsace, 

June 14, 1918 

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. 21-0ct. 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 

tbem throughout the war. 

Strasbourg. Location of an old Celtic 

city w hi ch 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. 
SUMMARY OF COMBAT SERVICE OF AMERICAN DIVISIONS 

ON THE VOSGES :FRONT 

}..Ta me Period of .Sen>ice Character of Location of Sen>ice Army to Which 

1 

Corps Io TI'bich Casua/- 1918 Unless Olher- of Div. wise Fndicated Strl'ice Ge.neral Yicinit;y of- Attached 1 Attached 1 lies 2 

--- ---

1 Oct. 23-Nov. Training in B3tbelémont_ ___ ___ ____ Eighth __________ IX ________________ 4.5 

20, 1917. Line. 

5 June 14-Jnly 16_ Training in Northeast of Gérard- Seventb _________ xxxnr__ _____ __ _ 149 

Li ne. mer. 

July 19-Aug. Sector_ _____ _ Nc;rth or St. Dié ________ Seyentb _________ XXXIII_ _____ ____ 5~0 

23. 

6 Aug. 31-0ct. 12.. Training in Southeast of Gérard- SeYenth ______ __ _ XXXIII until 311 

Line and mer. Oct. 4, then I. 

1 

Sector. 

29 July 27-Sept. Training in East of Belfort __________ Seventh ____ _____ XL ________ ------- 744 

23. Line and 

Sector. 

32 l\fay 20-July Training in East of Belfort_ ________ Seventh __ _ ------ XL ________ ------- 365 

19. Line and (2) 

Secte>r. 

311 June 20-Sept. Training in Southea~t of Krüth and Seventb _________ XXXIII__ ________ 360 

2. Line and soutbeast of GérardSector. mer. 

3i July :t8-~ept. Training in ~or! heast of Bacca rat __ Eightb ______ ___ _ yr_ _______ ---- ---- 174 

16. Line and 

1 Sector. 

42 Fcb. 21-l\Iar. Training in East of LunéY ille and Eighth __________ ,-u_ ------ -------- 893 

23. Line. northeast of Baccarat. 

l\Iar. 31-June Sector __ _____ ::\ ortheast of Baccarat_ _ Eigbth _____ _____ \"II unlil May 12, ]. 104 

21. then \"I. 

i7 June 21-Aug. Training in Nortbeast of Baccarat __ Eigbtb _________ _ \"L _ -- ---- -------- 3ï5 

4. Line and 

Sector. 

81 Sept. 18-0ct. Training in North of St. Dié------- Seventh _______ __ XXXIII until 116 

19. Line and Oct. l thenX. 

Sector. 

88 Sept.23-Nov.4 Training in East or Belfort_ ________ Seventb _________ XL ___ ------------ 72 

Li ne and 

Sector. 

92 Aug. 23-Sept. Trainilig in North of St. Dié _______ Seven th ______ ___ XXXIIL _________ 355 

20. Li ne and 

Sector. 

~3 Oct. 17-Kov. Sector _______ Southeast of Krütb _____ Seven tb _________ L _ -- - --------- ---- 23 

(369th 11. lof. 

only) 

93 Oet. 16-Nov. Sector-______ Nortbeast of Gérard- Seventh_ --- _____ x ____ -- ----------- 9 

(37lst 11. mer. ln[. 

only ) 

93 Oct. 14--NOY. Sector ____ ___ Northeast of Gérard- Se-çoenth _______ __ x _ ---------------- 33 

(372d 

lof. li. mer. 

ooly ) 1 

1 Ali armies and corps are French. 

2 Casualties are for period in line only. Figures i.n parentheses give casualties for un its temporarili• attached. 

Add figure in parentheses to the one atiove in order to ohtain the total casualties duriag the entire operation. 

( 427) 
332J lnfatrychingtri Nthst of Cormons 
Chapter VIII 

AM ERI CAN OPERATIONS I N 

I T AL Y A N D NORT HERN R U S S IA 

The 332d lnfantry (83d Division) with the ltalian Army 

July 26, 1918-March 29, 1919 

o Mantua 

O IO 20 30 40 Miles 

- Front Line ) 

Scene of American Fighting 

N 

Route of Advance 332d lnfantry 

--- International Boundary 

EXCEPT for small forces sent to 

Italy and N orthern 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 t he operations of 

these American forces, in Italy and Russia, form the subject of this chapter.1 

1 An American expedition, not u ntler the A.E.F., 

was seQt to Siberia. It is mentioned in Chapter XIV. 

( 429) 
AMERICAN TROOPS IN ITALY 

JULY 26, 1918-APRIL 7, 1919 

Scene in Codroipo, Italy, a Short Time After Irs Capture by WKH 332d Infaotry 

on November 4, 1918 

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 fleeing 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 

rear-guard battalion which was defending 

the crossings of the Tagliamento River 

near the village of Ponte-della-Delizia. 

Early on November 4 the 2d Battalion 

(430)
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 tlte Treviso-Udine 

railroad, the 2d Battalion occupied the 

town of Codroipo where it took possession 

of large stores of munitions and supplies. 

At 3: OO p. m., November 4, when the 

armistice between Italy and AustriaHungary became effective, the leading 

American elements were at Villorba. 

1he 332d Infantry Crossing the Piave River on a Ponton Bridge 

in Pursuit of the Austrians 

Detachment of the 332d lnfantry Near the Front Lines 

Norrheast of Treviso, Italy, October 5, 1918 

After this Armistice the American troops 

formed part of the Allied forces stationed 

in Austria and along the Dalmatian coast. 

The lst and 3d Battalions were at Carmons near Gorizia, Austria. Later in 

N ovember the lst Battalion was ordered 

ta 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 ta 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. 
AMERICAN TROOPS IN NORTHERN R 8SSIA 

SEPTEMBER 4, 1918-AUGUST 5, 1919 

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 Archange! 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 tKe 

city of Archange! and drove the Bolshevik troops to the south of that place. 

American Forces in Northern Russia 

Sept. 4, 1918-Aug. 5, 1919 

Bolshie-Ozerki 

62° 

Seletskoe 

<-,sereznik 

) Kitsa 

N 

* Headquarters American Forces Northern Russia 

Scene of American Activity 

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 

(432 ) 
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, lst Battalion of the 310th Engineers, 337th Field 

Hospital and 337th Ambulance Company, 

ail 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 ri vers 

which were the main avenues of approach 

to the coast. 'fhe 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. 

An $GYDQFHG Outpost of che 339rh Infancry in Northern Russia, 

February 21, 1919 

The American soldiers soon participated in the figbting, their first casualties 

occurring on September 1 G in the general 

area to the south of Obozerskaya. 

During their service in Russia the American troops conducted many small operations un der arduous conditions, the normal 

bardships 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 eut by the enemy. 

During January 1919 the Bolsheviki 

launched an offensive northward between 

the Dvina River and the railroad, forcing 
434 AMERICAN OPERATIONS IN ITALY AND NORTHERN RUSSIA 

American Soldiers in Archange!, Russia, Octoher 25, 1918 

Convoy En Route from Archange! 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 M urmansk region. After 

performing valuable service they were 

returned to France three months later. 

Outpost of the 339th Infantry at Ust-Padenga, Russia 

This was the most distant post frorn rhe base aW A rchangel 

The American soldiers began to be withdrawn from the forward positions late in 

May 1919. They were assembled at Archange! 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 N orthern 

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 uni ts performed their 

duties with great fortitude and bravery. 

American Blockhouse at Tulgas, on the Dvina River, Russia 

Two parrols are in front of the blockhouse, one rerurning, the orher just scarting 
Americao Docks at NaQWes, November 3, 1918 

Third Jargest port of the A.E.F. 
Chapter IX 

THE SERVICES OF SUPPLY 

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 diffi.cult problems 

which faced the Commander-in-Chief of 

the A.E.F. upon his arriva! 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 corne. 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. 

Locomotive Repair Shop at Nevers Under Construction by American Engineers 

Nevers was an important railroad and srorage center 

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 

(437) 
438 THE SER VICES 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." 

Services of Supply of the American Expeditionary Forces 

3 

G L N 

SPAIN 

0 100 200 Miles 

General Headquarters A. E. F. Headquarters S. O. S. Port used by S. O. S. 

o Important Town Une of Jan. 1918 Railroad 

------- Section Boundary Numbers indicate base sections 

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 
THE SERVICES OF SUPPLY 439 

of the A.E.F., thus avoiding the congested region near Paris w here 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 ne are r 

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-inChief 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 quarterm aster, engineer, 

ordnance, signal, transportation, aviation, 

chemical warfare and 

medical, and so planned that, as far as 

possible, there would be on band at all 

times sufficient supplies to meet every 

requirement of the forces at the front. 

Major General James G. Harbord 

Commanding General of the Services of 

Supply from July 29, 1918, 

to MDy 26, 1919 

The scarcity of vessels made it imperative that as rnany 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 Arrny, while shipments from 

the United States to 

the A.E.F. during that 

same period amounted 

to a p p r o x i m a t e 1 y 

7,675,000 ship tons. 

A further saving in 

tonnage was made by 

the fo r m a t i o n 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 perfo r m e d ch i e fi y by 

American en gin eer 

troops. Nearly 1,000 

miles of standard-gauge 

railway tracks; 4 docks, 

with 23 berths, including the necessary equipment for un 1 o ad in g 

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 fioor space of 33 acres. 
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. 

American Lumber Mill Near Eclaron 

At the rime of the Armistice 81 of these mills were in operation 

The transportation of supplies required 

a great amount of rolling stock. As only 

a part of this could be 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 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. 

9iew of Y ar<ls at La Rochelle 

Shows 80 cars, representing one day's assembling at this American plant 

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." 

Supplies in StorDge at Montoir 
LOCATIONS IN FRANCE OF ACTIVITIES 

OF THE SERVICES OF SUPPLY 

T HE 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 * 

6HH map, page 438, [or location of WKHVH SHFtions. 

New Cars an d Trucks Assembled at BDssens, OcWoEer 1, 1918 

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 mot or transport center. 

Châtillon-sur-Seine. Location of II 

Corps schools; air service school in gunnery and observation; gasoline storage 

depot; fi eld and mechanical bakeries. 

Colombey-les-Belles. Air service depot for advance section of the S.O.S. 

Commercy. Remount depot and veterinary hospital; motor transport center. 

Contrexéville. Hospital center. 

Corbeil. Coffee roasting plant. 

Dijon. Advance quartermaster depot; 

motor transport shops; camouflage plant; 

air service depot; forestry district hdqrs. 

Donjeux. Tractor artilleryrepair 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. 
THE SERVICES OF SUPPLY 443

Horses for the Arnerican Forces Just Unloaded at Bordeaux 

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 

AdvanceSection, S.O.S., Nov. l, 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. 
Soning Sal vaged Shoes 

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 fl.ying 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; rifle 

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 

rifles, 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. 

Drafting an Operation Map 

(444) 
Pont-de-Claix. Gas cylinder filling plant 

run by the Chemical W arfare 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. 

Ice Plant at Gièvres 

Third largest in the world, construcred by A. E. F. 

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 N oisy-ie-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; principalfreight 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 

( 445) 
tons. 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; bospital 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. 

Pontenx-les-Forges. Forestry district 

beadquarters; location of a field bakery. 

St. Loubè . 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. 

Assemhling an American Locomotive at the 

St. Nazaire Shops of the S.O.S. 

RDLOway Yards and Warehouses at St. Sulpice 

ConstrucWed by American Engineers 

BASE SECTION NO. 4 

Calais. One of the ports used by American troops arriYing by way of England. 

Le Havre. Headquarters of Base Section No. 4; auxiliary port for American 

sbipping; 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 . 55 

Brest. Headquarters of Base Section 

No. 5; principal port for debarkation and 

embarkation of troops. A lighterage 

wharf, warebouses and refrigeration plant 

were constructed by Americans there. 

A beautiful monument to commemorate the achievements of the United 

States Navy during the World War bas 

been erected by the American Govern-

( 446) 
THE SERVICES OF SUPPLY 447 

ment on 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. G 

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 tbis 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. 

Loadiog Cars at Quartermaster Depot No. 1, Nevers 

Note women laborers employed for this work 

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 otber freight; gasoline storage depot; 

refrigeration plant and remount depot. 

La Rochelle. Headquarters of Base 

Section No. 7 after removal fromLa 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. Cernent 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. 
Convoy of Transports En Route to France, October 191
Chapter x 

OPERATIONS OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY 

IN THE WORLD W AR 

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 N avies 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. 

German Submarine U- 58 Surrendering to 

United States Destroyers Fanning and Nicholson, November 1917 

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 bis headquarters at London. He 

was at once informed by the British 

authorities that if lasses 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 N avy 

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 

N avy 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 soon 

(449) 
450 OPERATIONS OF UNITED STATES N AVY IN WORLD WAR 

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. 

American Naval Activities in European Waters 

Naval Headquarters 

Main Base, Destroyers, etc. 

Minar Base 

Sub·Chaser Base 

() Battleships 

Air Force 

Mine Barrage 

œ Submarines + Mine Base 

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 fleet. 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 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. 

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, 19l 8 

Oil Patch Indicating a "Hit" With a Depth Bomb 

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 fleet 

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 

fleet, 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 

( 451) 
done by the laying of mine barrages, 

the employment of a hunting force cf 

small ships, supplemented by aircraft, 

and the use of submarines. 

United States Naval Vessels With Captive Balloon in Tow 

The ba11oon was used in searching for German submarines 

Before America's entry into the war 

the British had considered closing the 

northern entrance to the N crth Sea by 

placing a mine barrage from Scotland to 

N orway, 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 fleet and participated with it 

in the attack on the Austrian port of 

Durazzo, doing especially valuable work 

(452) 
OPERATIONS OF UNITED STATES NAVY IN WORLD WAR 453 

in screening the larger vessels of the fleet 

from attack by Austrian submarines. 

An American Convoy Nearing the English Coast 

-

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 ber 

battle fleet 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 N avy 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 fi.ring 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 

N avy, memoria ls have been erected at 

Brest and Gibraltar by the United States 

Government. Information concerning these 

memorials may be found in Chapter XII. 
PARTIAL LIST OF ADDITIONAL PLACES 

WHERE AMERICAN NA VAL ACTIVITIES OCCURRED IN EUROPE 

Bordeaux. The Naval District Headquarters, located here, directed the operations of vessels engaged in convoy work 

and submarine hunting in this vicinity. 

N ear the city the construction of a highpowered 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. 

- United States Transport George Washington, Battleship Pennsylvania 

and a Submarine Chaser at Brest 

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 flew approximately 

57,000 sea miles while escorting about 

6,000 vessels through the submarine zone. 

( 454) 
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. 

United States Naval Air Station at Pauillac 

Porto Corsini, Italy. American naval 

fiyers 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 flights 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 

chiefiy 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. 

American Submarine Off the Coast of Ireland 

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 for 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 cf mine sweeping, 

submarine hunting and convoy escorting. 
Flagpole at the Somme American Cemetery 
Chapter XI 

AMER! CAN MILITAR Y CEMETERIES 

IN EUROPE 

THERE are eight permanent American military cemeteries in Europe. 

These have been developed by the 

United States Government into places of 

distinguished be auty and no American 

who travels in Europe should fail to visit 

as many of them as his time will permit. 

GHENT 

Map Showing Location of 

American Military Cemeteries 

in Europe 

Cemetery indicated by symbol} lsoMMEI 

Thus: and na me of a near-by town. BONY 

\ IFLANDE:RS FIE:LDI i YPRES 0 50 75 Miles 

WAEREGHEM

\ BRUSSELS 

\ \ . 

LILLE 

MONS ( 

\ 

\ 

/: 

/ 

N 

î AMIENS 

lsOMMEI 

[!]OBONY ( 

QUENTIN 

1.AON 

SOISSONS 

. FERE-EN-TARDENOIS REIMS 

BELLEAU

AISNE-MARNE~HÂTEAU·THIERRY 

PARIS 

ESNES SURESNES 

/ LUXEMBURG \ i .. .. 

MEUSE-A RGONNE: 

ROMAGNE

CHALONS 

VERDUN

ST. METZ 

MIHIEL

BAR·LE·DUC NANCY 

\ 

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. 

(457) 
458 AMERICAN MILITARY CEMETERIES IN EUROPE 

General View of the Headstones at the Meuse-Argonne Cemetery 

The development of each cemetery is 

forma! 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 six-pointerl 

star for those of the Jewish faith. 

Every soldier now buried in an Ameri· 

can military cemetery who lost bis life 

during the World War and whose body 

bas been identified bas bis name, rank, 

organization, state and date of death 

carved on the headstone over bis 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, al! "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 Gon". 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 bis comrades, he receives 

daily the bornage 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 bas 

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 bis 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 chape! 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 chape! in the 

Meuse-Argonne Cemetery are recorded 

the names of the "unknown dead" of the 
AMERICAN MILITARY CEMETERIES IN EUROPE 459 

Services of Supply and of the American 

Expedition to N orthern 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 

al! members of the American forces whose 

bodies remain in Europe exceptas 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 convenien ce of tourists. 

All distances in this chapter are air line. 

Airplane View of the St. Mihiel Cemetery 
Meuse-Argonne Arnerican Cernecery Near Romagne-sous-Mo
MEUSE-ARGONNE CEMETERY NEAR 

ROMAGNE-SOUS-MONTFAUCON 

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. 

TO 

CUNEL 

MEUSE-ARGONNE 

AMERICAN 

CEMETERY 

O 500 1000 Yds. 

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 chape! 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 automobiles 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 

( 461 ) 
---

OISE-AISNE CEMETERY NEAR FÈRE- EN-TARDENOIS 

ON 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 confiict 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 fiowering 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. 

1\ 

500 - 1000 Yds. 

(462) 
ST. MIHIEL CEMETERY NEAR THIAUCOURT 

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. 

N 

t 

0 500 -

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 

chape! 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. 

St. Mih iel Cemetery Near Thiaucourt 

(463) 
464 AMERICAN MILITAR Y CEMETERIES IN EUROPE 

AISNE-MARNE CEMETERY NEAR BELLEAU 

T HIS 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 historie 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. 
SOMME AMERICAN CEMETERY NEAR BONY 

0 500 1000 Yds. 

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 lst 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. 

Chape! at the Somme American Cemetery Near Bony 

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 

W ar is one mile away to the southeast. 

(465) 
SURESNES AMERICAN CEMETERY NEAR PARIS 

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 <lied during the W orld 

W ar 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 chape! is an artistic marble 

altar fianked 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 chape! 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.t 

IAdditional names of those men who have no grave 

except the sea are given in the Brookwood chape!. 

Carved benches have been provided for meditation and prayer. 

Nature bas aided with a generous band 

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 fiower. 

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. 

(466) 
FLANDERS FIELD CEMETER Y NEAR 

WAEREGHEM, BELGIUM 

. TO

cRUYSHAUTEM 

0 

-

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 chape! at the center of the cemetery is surrounded 

on four sicles 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. 

Flanders Field American Cemetery Near Waereghem, Eelgium 

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 

W aereghem, can be reached by fast train 

from Paris in approximately five hours. 

(467) 
American Cemetery Near Brookwood, England 
BROOKWOOD CEMETERY NEAR BROOKWOOD, ENGLAND 

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 sicle 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 fiagpole from which the 

American fiag fiies, 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 chape] 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 

1 Additional names of those men who have no grave 

except the sea are r ecorded at the Suresnes Cemctery. 

Inlaid in the fioor 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 THE IR REW ARD 

A visit to the cemetery can not fail to 

bring a feeling of satisfaction to the 

American visitor that these soldiers who 

<lied 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 

Jess 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. 

( 469) 
Enrrance, Aisne-Marne Cemetery 

Altar of Chape! Altar of Chape! 

in the Somme Cemetery in the Brook"ood Cemetery 

Lioe of Crosses in the Brookwood Cemetery Bronze Gares at the Somme Cemetery 
Mosaic and Altar of Chape! 

in the St. Mihiel Cemetery 

Enrrance, Brookwood Cemetery 

Altar of Chape! 

in the Meuse-Argonne Cemetery 

Monument in the 

St. Mihiel Cemetery 

Mosaic and Altar of Chape! at the Suresnes Cemetery A Corner of the Flanders Fidd Cemetery 
Meuse-Argonne Memorial at Montfaucon 
Chapter XII 

AMERICAN WORLD WAR MEMORIALS IN EUROPE 

ERECTED BY 

THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT 

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 

cornpleted and the eleven memorials and 

two bronze tablets erected by the Commission commemorate these services in a 

cornplete yet dignified and modest way. 

The memorials vary in size from three 

large ones, which commemorate the 

Arnerican fighting in the three areas of 

France where the American combat 

forces were engaged in greatest numbers, 

to srnaller 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 

cornmemoration 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 refl.ect the 

pride of America in the historie 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 

frorn American and European countries. 

The map on page 4 77 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 rnemorial 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 Arnerican First Arrny 

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 accornmoda tions 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 bill of Montsec. It commemorates 

the capture of the St. Mihiel salient by the 

American First Army, the operations of 

the American Second Army on N ovember 9- 11, 1918, and the other combat 

services of the American divisions both in 

this region and in Alsace and Lorraine. 

(473) 
St. Mihiel Memorial at Montsec 
AMERICAN WORLD WAR MEMORIALS IN EUROPE 475 

It consists of a large circular colonnade, 

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 AisneMarne 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-enTardenois. 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 N avy 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 bas 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 

en ground captured by the 2d Division. 

The memorial consists of a tower 

notable for the beauty and simplicity of 

its lines. A füght 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. 
Aisne-Marne American Memorial Near Château-Thier
. DUNKIRK 

ST.POL

AUDENARDE 

37 

YPRES 91 30 

( LILLE 

. . \ 

, VALENCIENNES i 

CAMBRAI 

BELLICOURT 

AMIENS 33 J 

ST. QUENTIN 

BREST 

(Naval Memorial) 

300 Miles 

Paris 

IBRALTAR 

LAON 

93 

TOURS 

BRUSSELS 

< CHARLEROI 

RETHEL 

CHALONS 

N 

1 NAMUR 

i ! 

BAR·LE·DUC 

World 

by 

i. 2,3.4. 5.26. 

29, 32. 33,35

MONTSE

Rectangle

monume

. 

\ 

LONGWY 

of 2, 5, 6, 

35, 37, 42

88, 89, 
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 bas 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 historie 

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, Is-sur-Tille, 

Nevers, Neufchâteau and Bordeaux; 

French cities wbere 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 duriQg 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 neigbboring 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 ftight 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 

relies 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 IL 

The Aisne-Marne American Cemetery 

adjoins Belleau Wood on its north sicle. 

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. 
American Monument Near Bellicourt 

American Memorial at Tours to the Services of Supply, A.E.F. 

(480)
American Memorial Near Sommepy 

American Naval Memorial Arch at Gibraltar 

(481) 
482 AMERICAN WORLD WAR MEMORIALS IN EUROPE 

MEMORIAL 1EAR 9IERSTRAAT, 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. 

1 

T 

Arnencan Memorial at Vierstraat 

MEMORIAL AT AUDE 'ARDE, BELGIUM 

In the historie 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 Waereghem, 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. 

American Monument at Audenarde 

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 lst 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. 

Arnerican Monument at Cantigny 

BRONZE TABLET AT CHAUMONT 

An attractive bronze tablet has been 

placecl at the entrance to the Damrémont 

Barracks at Chaumont and upon it is the 
+ 

+ 

AMERICAN WORLD WAR MEMORIALS IN EUROPE 483 

following inscription which has been 

inscribed both in English and in French: 

GENERAL HEADQUARTERS 

OF THE 

AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES 

IN EUROPE 

DURING THE WORLD W AR 

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 Tabler ar Chaumont 

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 bath 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 W AR 

Bronze Tabler at Souilly 

The memorials described above, except 

for Belleau Wood, were constructed by 

the United States Government and ail 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 kas 

been included in this book in Chapter XV. 
Upper Part of Naval 

Memorial at Brest 

V1ew of the Aisne-Marne Memorial From Across the Marne River 

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 

Details of the S.O.S. Meuse-Argonne Memonal Terrace of the Sr. Mihiel 

Memorial Fountain Tours Memorial 

Porcelain Map at the Sr. Memonal Orientation Table at the Sr. Mihiel Memorial 
Troops Arriving ac Hoboken from France on the Agamem
Chapter XIII 

AFTER THE ARMISTICE 

American and Allied Advance to the Rhine 

November 17 - December 14, 1918 

.Reims 

Ligny-en-Barrois. 

-xxxx- Boundary of Zone of Advance 

---·---International Boundary 

0 10 20 30 40 50 Miles 

N 

î 

Strasbourg 

Bridgehead 18 Mile Radius 

Zone 6 Miles Wide 

THE Armistice was signed at 5:00 

o' clock in the morning of N ovember 11, 1918, on Marshall Foch's 

train in the Forest of Compiègne, and 

took effect at 11: OO 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. 

(487) 
488 AFT E R 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 N ovember 7 the 

Commander-in-Chief of 

the American Expeditionary Forces had directed that an American 

Third Army be organized and on N ovember 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 lst, 3d and 4th Divisions. To these were 

added on N ovember 22 

the VII Corps, containing the 5th, 89th and 

90th Divisions. On that 

sarne day the T h i rd 

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 N ovember 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 

w here transportation lin es 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 

p eri o d of the MeuseArgonne offensive, they 

cheerfully met every demand made upon them. 

The advance elements 

of the T h i r d Ar m y 

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. 

Major General Joseph T. Dickman 

Commanding General of the 

Third Army from November 

15, 1918, to April 28, 1919 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 
AFTER THE ARMISTICE 489 

lst, 2d and 32d Divisions, was designated 

to occupy the northern portion of the 

bridgehead at Coblenz, the southern portion having been transferred to French 

contrRO. The American bridgehead included the fo rtress of Ehrenbreitstein 

locat ed immediately across the Rhine 

River from Coblenz and dominating it. 

The III Corps crossed on four bridgestwo 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, 

bath of which were under command of the 

American Second Army, and not under 

control of the Army of Occupation. 

Zone of American Army of Occupation, December 21, 1918 

O 10 20 30 40 50 Miles 

B \.. 

Verdun. 

N 

\ 

., 

; 

j 

i 

, .

i 

, 

s E N D \ 

A R M 

i 

( 

-xxxxx- Boundary of American Zone 

- xxxx- Boundary between American Armies 

------ Division Boundary * Headquarters Third Army 

Neutral Zone ---

* 

Bridgehead 

To the south of Coblenz the French 

occupied a bridgehead with headquarters 

at Mayence, while to the north, the 

British occupied a bridgehead with headq uarters 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-la-Chapelle, 

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, 
lst Division Marching Into Luxemburg, November 21, 1918 

German Army LeaYing Luxemburg 

A Signal Corps photographer of the American Army arrived in rime 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 A)TER THE ARM ISTICE 

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 

lst Division __________________ Montabaur 

2d Division __________________ Heddesdorf 

3d Division ________________ Andernach 

4 th Division__ ____ Bad Bertrich 

32d Division ___ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Rengsdorf 

42d Division ______ _ Ahrweiler 

89th Division _____________ Kylburg 

90th Division ___ _. _ _ _ _ . _ Bern castel 

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 N ovember. 

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. 

28rh Division En Roure Wo SW. Nazaire, April 22, 1919, for Embarkarion Wo the United States 

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 al! 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 
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, w hi ch 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 Garnes 

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. 

American Soldiers Embarking at St. Nazaire, December 6, 1918 

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 lst 

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 flag 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. 

( 493) 
General Headquarters of the A. E. F. at Chaumont 
Chapter x1v 

INTERESTING FACTS AND GENERAL INFORMATION 

CONCERNING THE AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES 

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 W ar Council: 

The Supreme War Council was composed of the heads of the Governments of 

the United States, Great Britain, France 

and ltaly, 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 $Umies were carrying on fighting. 

Military Representatives who served on 

the Supreme War Council, November 

7, 1917, to November Il, 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 N ovember 

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 officiais of nations engaged on the Western Front, 

April 6, 1917, to November Il, 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. 

( 495) 
496 INTERESTING FACTS AND GENERAL INFORMATION 

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 

Ambassador to Italy-Thomas N. Page. 

Minister to Belgium- Brand Whitlock. 

GREAT BRIT AIN 

Reigning Sovereign- King George V. 

Prime Minister- David Lloyd George. 

Secretary of State for Foreign AffairsArthur J. Balfour. 

Secretary of State for WarThe Earl of Derby to Apr. 20, 1918. 

Viscount Milner to after the Armistice. 

Ambassador to United StatesSir Cecil A. Spring-Rice. 

FRANCE 

PresidentRaymond Poincaré. 

PremierAlexandre Ribot to September 13, 1917. 

Paul Painlevé to November 17, 1917. 

Georges Clemenceau from November 

17, 1917, to after the Armistice. 

Minister of Foreign AffairsAlexandre Ribot to N ovember 17, 1917. 

Stephen Pichon to after the Armistice. 

Minis ter of W arPaul Painlevé to November 17, 1917. 

Georges Clemenceau from November 

17, 1917, to after the Armistice. 

Ambassador to the United States-Jean J. 

Jusserand. 

Ambassador to Great Britain-Paul 

Cambon. 

ITALY 

Reigning SovereignKing Victor Emmanuel III. 

Prime MinisterPaolo Boselli to October 20, 1917. 

Vittorio Orlando from October 20, 

1917, until after the ArmLVtiFe. 

Minister of Foreign AffairsBaron Sidney Sonnino. 

Minister of W arGeneral Paolo Motrone to June 15, 

1917. 

General Gaetano Giardino from June 

16, 1917, to October 29, 1917. 

General VittorioAlfieri toMar. 20,1918. 

General Vittorio Zupelli from March 

20, 1918, until after the Armistice. 
INTEREST ING )ACTS AND GENERAL IN l ORMATION 497 

Ambassador to the United StatesCount Vincenzo Macchi di Cellere. 

BELGIUM 

[Temporary seat of government at Le 

Havre, France] 

Reigning Sovereign of the KingdomKing Albert I. 

PremierCount de Broqueville to May 31, 1918. 

G. Cooreman to after the Armistice. 

Minister of Foreign AffairsBaron Beyens to August 4, 1917. 

Count de Broqueville to Oct. 17, 1917. 

P. Hymans until after the Armistice. 

Minister of W arCounWt de Broqueville to Aug. 4, 1917. 

General de Ceuninck from August 4, 

1917, until after the Armistice. 

Minister to United StatesEmmanuel Havenith to Apr. 12, 1917. 

Emile E. de Cartier de Marchienne 

until after the Armistice. 

GERM ANY 

Reigning Sovereign-Emperor William II. 

ChancellorTheobald von Bethmann-Hollweg to 

July 14, 1917. 

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 AffairsArthur 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. 

Minis ter of W arHermann von Stein to Oct. 9, 1918. 

General Heinrich Scheüch from October 

9, 1918, until after the Armistice. 

Field Marshal von Hindenburg with General von Ludendorff 

and Members of His Staff 

AUSTRIA-HUNGARY 

Reigning Sovereign- Emperor Charles I. 

Prime MinisterCount Heinrich Clam-Martinie 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. 
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 W arGeneral 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 be was given strategic direction of the French, British and American Armies on that front. On April 14 

be was given the official title of "Generalin-Chief of the Allied Armies in France", 

and on May 2 Italy agreed that be 

would exercise strategic direction of ber 

armies. For ease of reference Marshal 

Foch's position bas 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 ArmyGeneral Robert George Nivelle, to May 

17, 1917. General Henri Philippe Pétain 

from May 17, 1917, to after the Armistice. 

Commander-in-Chief, Italian ArmyGeneral Luigi Cadorna, to N ovember 8, 

1917. General Armando Diaz from 

November 8, 1917, to after the Armistice. 

Commander-in-Chief, Belgian ArmyKing Albert I. 

Commander-in-Chief, German ArmyAlthough 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 

United States 

Great Britain 

France 

Italy 

Permanent Representative 

Pre.sident Woodrow Wilson 

Prime Minister David Lloyd George 

Premier Georges Clemenceau 

Prime Minister Vittorio Orlando 

Civilian Assistant 

Edward M. Home 

Viscount Milner 

Stephen Pichon 

Baron Sidney Sonnino 

----+----

American Army Commanders 1 

Name of Army 

First 

Second 

Commander 

General John J. Pershing 

Maj. Gen. Hunter Liggett 2 

Maj. Gen. Robert L. Bullard 2 

Period (1918 ) 

Aug. 10- 0ct. 16 

Oct. 16- Nov. 11 

Oct. 12- Nov. 11 

----+----

American Corps Commanders 1 

N ame of Corps 

I 

II 

Commander 

Maj. Gen. Hunter Liggett . . 

Maj. Gen. Jo3eph T. Dickman 

Position vacant . . . . . . 

Maj. Gen. George W. Read 

Period (1918) 

Jan. 20- 0ct. 12 

Oct. 12- Nov. 11 

Feb. 24- June 15 

June 15- Nov. 11 

1 From date of organization until the Armistice. 2 Appointed Lieutenant General on Nov. 1, 1918. 
INTERESTING FACTS A D GENERAL INFORMATION 499 

---- + ----

. . . . . . . . . . 

. 

. 

. . . . . . . . . . . . . 

...... 

. . . . . . . . . . 

.. 

. . . . . . 

...... 

. . . . 

. . . 

III 

IV 

V 

VI 

VII 

Position vacant 

Maj. Gen. William M. Wright 

Maj. Gen. John E. McMahon 3. 

Maj. Gen. Robert L. Bullard 

Maj. Gen. John L. Hines 

Position vacant 

Maj. Gen. Joseph T. Dickman 

Maj. Gen. Charles H. Muir 

Maj. Gen. William M. Wright 

Maj. Gen. George H. Cameron 

Maj. Gen. Charles P. Summerall 

Position vacant 

Maj. Gen. Omar Bundy 

Position vacant 

Maj. Gen. Charles C. Ballou 

Maj. Gen. Charles T. Menoher 

Maj. Gen. William M. Wright 

Position vacant 

Maj. Gen. Omar Bundy 

Position vacant 

Mar. 30- June 17 

June 17- July 12 

July 12- July 14 

July 14- 0ct. 12 

Oct. 12- Nov. 11 

June 19- Aug. 18 

Aug. 18-0ct. 12 

Oct. 12-Nov. 11 

July 12-Aug. 18 

Aug. 18- 0ct. 12 

Oct. 12- Nov. 11 

Aug. 1-Aug. 26 

Aug. 26-Sept. 13 

Sept. 13- 0ct. 23 

Oct. 23-Nov. 10 

Nov. 10-Nov. 11 

Aug. 19- Sept. 6 

Sept. 6- Sept. 13 

Sept. 13- 0ct. 25 

Oct. 25- Nov. 11 

Name of Div. 

1 . . . . . 

2 . . . . .. 

3 ..... . 

4 ..... . 

American Division Commanders 

Commander 

Maj. Gen. William L. Sibert 

Maj. Gen. Robert L. Bullard 

Brig. Gen. Beaumont B. Buck 3. 

Mai. Gen. Robert L. Bullard . . 

Maj. Gen. Charles P. Summerall 

Brig. Gen. Frank E. Bamford 3 

Brig. Gen. Frank Parker . . . 

Maj. Gen. Omar Bundy .. . 

Maj. Gen. James G. Harbord 

Brig. Gen. John A. Lejeune, USMC 3 

Maj. Gen. James G. Harbord 

Brig. Gen. John A. Lejeune, USMC ( 

Maj. Gen. Joseph T. Dickman 

Brig. Gen. Fred W. Sladen 3 • 

Maj. Gen. Beaumont B. Buck 

Brig. Gen. Preston Brown . . 

Maj. Gen. George H. Cameron 

Brig. Gen. Benjamin A. Poore 3 

Maj. Gen. John L. Hines 

Maj. Gen. George H. Cameron . 

Brig. Gen. Benjamin A. Poore 3 

Maj. Gen. Mark L. Hersey 

Period 1 

Oct. 23, 1917 2-

Dec. 14, 1917 

Dec. 14, 1917-

Apr. 5, 1918 

Apr. 5- Apr. 13 

Apr. 13-July 15 

July 15-0ct. 12 

Oct. 12-0ct. 18 

Oct. 18- Nov. 11 

Mar. 17- July 15 

July 15-July 26 

July 26-July 27 

July 27- July 28 

July 28-Nov.11 

May 31-Aug. 18 

Aug. 18- Aug. 27 

Aug. 27- 0ct. 18 

Oct. 18- Nov.11 

July 18-Aug. 14 

Aug. 14-Aug. 27 

Aug. 27-0ct. 11 

Oct. 11- 0ct. 22 

Oct. 22- 0ct. 31 

Oct. 31 Nov. 11 

1 1918 unless otherwise indicated. Other r eference numerals u s<'d above are explai1wd on the next pag<>. 
500 INT E R E STING FACTS AND GENERAL INFORMATION 

Name of Div. 

5 .. . .. 

6 

7 

26 .. . .. . 

27 

28 

29 

30 

32 

33 

35 

36 

37 

42 

77 ..... . 

78 

79 

80 

81 

82 

88 

89 

90 

91 

92 

American Division Commanders-Continued 

Division Commander 

Maj. Gen. John E. McMahon 

Maj. Gen. Hanson E. Ely .. 

Maj. Gen. Walter H. Gordon 

Brig. Gen. Charles H. Barth . 

Brig. Gen. Lutz Wahl 3 

Maj. Gen. Edmund Wittenmyer 

Maj. Gen. Clarence R. Edwards 

Brig. Gen. Frank E. Bamford 

Maj. Gen. John F. O'Ryan . 

Maj. Gen. Charles H. Muir 

Brig. Gen. Frank H. Albright 3 

Maj. Gen. William H. Hay 

Maj. Gen. Charles G. Morton 

Brig. Gen. Samson L. Faison 3 

Maj. Gen. Edward M. Lewis 

Maj. Gen. William G. Haan . 

Maj. Gen. George Bell, Jr. . . 

Brig. Gen. Nathaniel F. McClure 

Maj. Gen. Peter E. Traub . . 

Brig. Gen. Thomas B. Dugan 3 

Maj. Gen. Peter E. Traub . . 

Maj. Gen. William R. Smith . 

Maj. Gen. Charles S. Farnsworth 

Maj. Gen. Charles T. Menoher . 

Brig. Gen. Douglas MacArthur 

Maj. Gen. George B. Duncan 

Brig. Gen. Evan M. Johnson 3 

Maj. Gen. George B. Duncan 

Brig. Gen. Evan M. Johnson 3 

Maj. Gen. Robert Alexander 

Maj. Gen. James H. McRae . 

Maj. Gen. Joseph E. Kuhn 

Maj. Gen. Adelbert Cronkhite 

Maj. Gen. Charles J. Bailey . 

Maj. Gen. William P. Burnham 

Maj. Gen. George B. Duncan 

Maj. Gen. William W eigel . . 

Brig. Gen. Frank L. Winn . . 

Maj. Gen. William M. Wright 

Maj. Gen. Henry T. Allen . . 

Maj. Gen. William H. Johnston 

Maj. Gen. Charles C. Ballou . . 

P eriod 

June 142- 0ct. 10 

Oct. 18-Nov. 11 

Aug. 31- Nov. 11 

Oct. 10- 0ct. 24 

Oct. 24- 0ct. 28 

Oct. 28- Nov. 11 

Feb. 6- 0ct. 25 

Oct. 25- Nov. 11 

July 25- Nov. 11 

J uly 1- 0ct. 23 

Oct. 23- 0ct. 25 

Oct. 25- Nov. 11 

July 27- Nov. 11 

July 16- July 18 

July 18- Nov. 11 

May 20- Nov. 11 

June 23- Nov. 11 

June 20- July 20 

July 20- Nov. 1 

Nov. 1- Nov. 2 

Nov. 2-Nov. 11 

Oct. 10- Nov. 11 

July 28- Nov. 11 

Feb. 21- Nov. 10 

Nov. 10- Nov. 11 

June 21- July 20 

July 20- July 28 

July 28- Aug. 19 

Aug. 19- Aug. 27 

Aug. 27- Nov. 11 

Sept. 16- Nov. 11 

Sept. 16- Nov. 11 

July 23- Nov. 11 

Sept. 18- Nov. 11 

June 25- 0ct. 4 

Oct. 4- Nov. 11 

Sept. 23- Nov. 11 

Aug. 10- Sept. 6 

Sept. 6- Nov. 11 

Aug. 24- Nov. 11 

Sept. 22- Nov. 11 

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. 
INTERESTING FACTS AND GENERAL INFORMAT ION 501 

Commanders of the Services of Supply: 

Colonel David S. Stanley (temporary), 

July 5, 1917- July 24, 1917. 

Major General Richard M. Blatchford, 

July 25, 1917- November 1, 1917. 

Brigadier General Mason M. Patrick 

(temporary) from N ovember 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 tbe 

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 

'The sections of the front which were held by Italian and P ortuguese divisious are included with French. 

---- + ----

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, 1918-532 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 thatarrived 

in Europe during any single mon th: 

313,410 during the month of July 1918. 
502 INTERESTING FACTS AND GENERAL INFORMATION 

Cumulative arrivais in Europe of American military personnel for the A. E. F.: 

By May 31, 1917 

By June 30, 1917 

By July 31, 1917 

By Aug. 31, 1917 

By Sept. 30, 1917 

By Oct. 31, 1917 

By Nov. 30, 1917 

By Dec. 31, 1917 

By Jan. 31, 1918 

By Feb. 28, 1918 

By Mar. 31, 1918 

By Apr. 30, 1918 

By May 31, 1918 

By June 30, 1918 

By July 31, 1918 

By Aug. 31, 1918 

By Sept. 30, 1918 

By Oct. 30, 1918 

By Nov. 11, 1918 

1 ,308 

16 , 220 

20,120 

39,383 

61 , 927 

92,265 

129 , 623 

183 , 896 

224,655 

254 ,378 

329 , 005 

434 , 081 

667 , 119 

897 ,293 

1 ,210 , 703 

1 ,473 ,190 

1 , 783 , 955 

1 , 986 , 618 

2 , 057 , 675 

Actual combat strength of the A. E. F.: 

Mar. 21, 1918 

May 27, 1918 

Aug. 10, 1918 

Sept. 12, 1918 

Oct. 12, 1918 

Nov. 11, 1918 

162 ,482 

406 , 844 

822 ,358 

999 , 602 

1 , 078 , 190 

1 , 078 , 222 

The&e 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. 

Engineers 

Signal Corps 

Air Service . 

Artillery . . 

Tank Corps 

Amm. Trains, Q. M ., etc. 

Medical Department 

Cavalry . 

Ordnance . . ... 

646 ,000 

81 , 600 

21 , 300 

34 , 800 

278 , 500 

10,200 

70 , 800 1 152 ' 300 

6 ,000 

1 22 ' 900 

1 Including t hose 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: 

Infantry . 

Engineers 

Field Artillery 

Casuals (ail branches) 

Medical Dept. (Army) 

Quartermaster Corps 

Coast Artillery Corps 

Air Service . 

Ammunition Trains 

Signal Corps 

Supply Trains 

Ordnance Department . 

Marines 

Headquarters Troops 

Military Police 

Hdqrs. Detachments. 

Tank Corps 

Cavalry 

Postal Express Service . 

Medical Dept. (Navy) 

G.H.Q. and General Staff 

Officers; 

%of 

total 

23.83 

8.69 

10.91 

3.39 

18.46 

6.33 

4.00 

7.30 

1.47 

1.63 

1.02 

1.53 

0.75 

0.21 

0 .49 

0.00 

0 .91 

0.25 

0.15 

0.07 

8.49 

Enlisted 

Men; 

% of 

total 

32.40 

12.68 

11.18 

10 .81 

7.26 

7 .16 

3.78 

3 .11 

2.48 

1.83 

1.61 

1.16 

0.96 

0.78 

0.67 

0.55 

0.50 

0.29 

0.15 

0.02 

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. 
DISTINCTIVE INSIGNIA 

AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES 

GENERAL HEADQUARTERS 

ARMIES 

R 

FIRST ARl\lY SECOND ARMY THIRD ARMY 

CORPS 

1 CORPS II CORPS 

III CORPS IV CORPS V CORPS 

6 

VI CORPS VII CORPS VIII CORPS IX CORPS 
DIVISIONS 

lST DIVISION 2D DIVISION 3D DIVISION 

4TH DIVISION 5TH DIVISION 6TH DIVISION 7TH Dl\'ISION 

8TH DIVISION 26TH DIVISION 27TH DIVISION 

28TH DIVISION 29TH DIVISION 30TH DIVISION 31ST DIVISION 

32D DIVISION 33D DIVISION 
DIVISIONS 

35TH DIVISION 36TH DIVISION 37TH DIVISION 

38TH DIVISION 40TH DIVISION 41ST D1VISION -12D DIVISION 

76TH DIVISION 77TH DIVISION 78TH DlVISlON 

!lTJI DIVISION 80Tll DIVISION 81ST VISION 

83D DIVISION 84TH DIVISION 85TH DIVISION 

7
DIVISIONS 

86TH DIVISION 87TH DIVISION 88TH DIVISION 89TH DIVISION 

90TH DIVISION 91ST DIVISION 92D DIVISION 93D DIVISION 

SPECIAL UNITS 

SERVICES 

OF SUPPLY 

ADVANCE SECTION CHEMICAL 

S. O. S. WARFARE SERVICE 

DISTRICT 

OF PARIS 

AMBULANCE 

SERVICE 

A.E.F. 

RAILHEAD NORTH 

RUSSIA 

RESERVE 

MALLET 

TANK

CORPS 

REGULATING STATJON 
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 

Rubina, 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. Calderwcod and 

Priva te William F. Branigan, both of Company F, llth Engineers, were wounded 

by shellfire on September 5, 1917, while 

working on a railway near Gouzeaucourt. 

The 11 th 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, lst 

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 3lst 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 selfdefense 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 l, 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 grcup of 

American volunteer ambulance sections 

which joined the French forces early in 

the World vVar 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 cf hostilities. 

Trench Maps Used by the A. E. F.: 

Opposite pages 136 and 220 there appear sections of the 1/20,000 (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 lNTERESTING FACTS AND GENERAL INFORMATION 

All maps which showed the Allied 

trenches were secret. These were printed 

only in comparatiYely small numbers and 

had a limited distribution. The 1/20,000 

map without the Allied trenches was the 

one mainly used by front-line units. 

Maps of this type of a scale 1/10,000 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 7 40 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 lasses to enemy aviators were 357 planes and 35 balloons. 

Largest concentration of aviation for an 

offensive during the war: 

The concentration of AmericDn 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 becarne effective. 

Munitions which were provided by the 

Ordnancc 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 rifles. 

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 autornatic rifles. 

2,909,200 trench-rncrtar 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 (rifle). 

120,901,102 rounds, caliber 8-millimeter (autornatic rifle). 

21,385,164 rounds, caliber .45 (pistol). 

2 27 4 229 rounds, caliber 37-rnillimeter. 

7' 550835 rounds, caliber 75-millimeter. 

1'.983'.937 rounds, calibers greater than 

75-millimeter. 

2,724,067 grenades, ail types. 

362,911 bombs (Stokes rnortar, 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 UnitHd States. 
INTERESTING FACTS AND GENERAL INFORMATION 505 

Procurement of animais for tlte 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 animais 

which were secured for use of the A. E. F.: 

United States. 

France .... 

Great Britain. 

Spain 

67,825 

135,722 

21.030 

18,462 

$487.00 

379.81 

411.26 

435.00Total

39 $416.63 

Total cost of animais. $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 on February 11, 

1919, the Unit d States agreed to i:;ay the 

British Government the following rates 

for the American soldiers which it had 

previously transported to Europe: 

lst class. 

2d clam . 

3d class. 

$176.30 

$128 . 65 

$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 shipr;ing were 

destroyed during the five-month periorl 

from February 1 to June 30, 1917. 

American troops landing in England: 

Of ail American troops which arrived 

in France, about 49 per cent were landed 

in England, mainly at Liverpool, then 

moved by train to the English Channel 

and by boat across it to northern France. 

Mail Cali 

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 tirne of the 

Armistice tbe 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 State:: 

Government from 1791 to 1914, inclusive 
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 W orld War. The last loan made was in 1929. 

Country 

Post-Armistice 

Pre-Armfaticc 1---- ---,------

cash loans Cash loans War supplies and relief supplies 

Armenia _________ ------------ ---------------- $11,959,917.49 

Austria __ ________ ------------- -----------·---- 24 ,055 , 708.92 

Belgium _________ $171,780 ,000 $177 ,434,467.89 29,872,732.54 

Cuba ____________ 10 ,000.000 ________________ --------- -- __ _ 

Czecho- lovakfa______________ __ 61,974,041.10 29 , 905,629.93 

Estonia _________ _ ---------- --- ------- -------- - 13,999 , 14,'5.60 

Finland ______ ____ ----------- - - --------- ------- 8 ,281 , 926.17 

France _____ -- -- _ 1, 970 ,000 , 000 1,027 .477 ,800.00 407,341,145 .01 

Great Britain __ __ _ 3, 696 , 000, 000 581, 000 . 000. OO _____________ _ _ 

Greece ___________ ------ - - - - -- '27,167 , 000.00 -------------- -

Hungary _______ __ ------ - - ----- -------------- - - 1,685,835.61 

Italy ___ ------ ___ 1,031,000 ,000 617 ,034 ,050 .90 ___________ ___ _ 

Latvia ________ ___ ------ -- ---- - ---------------- 5,132,287.14 

Liberia ________ ____ --------- - -- 26,000.00 -------------- -

Lithuania ______ __ ------ - - ----- ---------------- 4,981,628.03 

Nicaragua _____ __ _ ------------ ---------------- - 431,849.14 

Poland _________ __ -------- ----- ---------------- 2159 ,666,972.39 

Rumania _________ --------- - - - - 25, 000,000 . 00 12 , 911,152.92 

Russia ___________ 3 187,729,750 ___________ ____ 4 , 871,547.37 

Yu goslavia_______ 10,605, 000 16 ,175 ,465. 56 24.978.020.99 

Total loans T"tal payrnenls received to Nov.1 , 1937 

$11,959,917.49 __________ _____ _ 

24,055,708.92 $862,668.00 

379 ,087,200.43 52,191 .273.24 

10 ,000,000.00 12,286, 751. 58 

91 , 879,671.03 20 , 134,092.26 

13 '999 .145.60 1,248,432 .07 

8 ,281,926.17 4,868,891.77 

3 ,404 '818 , 945. 01 486' 075' 891.00 

4. 277 ,000, 000. OO 2 ,024, 848,817 .09 

27,167,000.00 3,778,384.01 

1,685,835.61 468,466.32 

1. 6'18 ,034 , 050. 90 100 . 829. 880 .16 

5,132.287.14 761,549.07 

26.000.00 36,471.56 

4.981,628.03 1,237,956.58 

431 , 849.14 168,575.84 

159,666,972.39 22,646,297.55 

37,911,152.92 4,791,007.22 

192,601 ,297.37 8,750,311.88 

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 

' Includes $12,167,000 authorized under act of F eb. 14, 1929. 

2 Includes $3,736,628.42 acquired by U . S. Shipping Board Eruergency Fleet Corp. for services rendered. 

i Exclusive of $5,000,000 conditional advance not availed of and returned. 

United States Liquidation Commission: 

The United States Liquidation Commission was created on February 111 

1919, to dispose of America's surplus war 

stocks in Europe and to settle all daims 

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 rnost 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 53 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 daims 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.
1,-..;TERESTlXG FACTS A TD GENERAL INFOR~IATIU•T 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 

NovE:mber 1, 1937, was $33,5 7, 09.69. 

"The Stars and tripes": 

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 cf Columbus . 800 

Salvaticn Army . . . 200 

YoungWom n's Christian Assn. 136 

Jewish W elfare Board . . . 68 

Arr.erican Library Asso<'iation 20 

The Y. M. C. A. Was Always Ready to Lead a Song, 

Château-Thierry, August 13, 1918 

The Armistice with Germany: 

The Armistice with Germany was 

signed at 5: OO a. m. on N ovember 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 N ovember 11. 

The articles of the Armistice provided
508 INTERESTING FACTS AND GENERAL INrORMATION 

of the A. E. F. of 

--- 1 

MESSAGE 

First Edition of "The Stars and Stripes" 

for 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 terri tory 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; non-reciprocal 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
INTERESTING FACTS AND GENERAL l:N FOR~1ATION 509 

was to cease all requisitioning, seizures or 

coercive measures ta procure supplies in 

Rumania and Russia for use at home. 

The Allies were to have free access ta 

evacuated areas of the Eastern Front 

via Danzig and the Vistula River ta 

enab!e them ta supply food to the populations and maintain order among them. 

Armisti ces with Bulgaria, Turkey and 

Au tria -Hungary: 

The armistices with these countries in 

191 wereeffective atthefollowingtimes: 

Bulgaria-12: OO noon, September 29. 

Turkey- 12: OO noon, October 31. 

Austria-Hungary-3 :OO 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. 

Red Cross Srarioa Giving Refresbmems at Cheppy, Ocrober 10, 1918 

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 band and Germany, 

Austria and Hungary on the other. The 

Treaty of Berlin, with Germany, became 

effectiYe on N ovember 11, 1921; the 

Treaty of \ïenna, with Austria, on November 8, 1921; and the Treaty of Budapest, '\Vith 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 witb Germany was signed at 

Versailles, June 28, 1919, by the representatives of 26 Allied and Associated 

Powers on the one band 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 
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, ber political status with reference 

to otber European states, both old and 

new, particularly Poland and CzechoSlovakia, was establisbed, 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 eitber on tbe 

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 

E:ffectively to prevent an offensive war. 

The treaty publicly arraigned the 

former German Emperor ·william II for a 

rnpreme 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 

ber allies responsibility for reparation 

for all lasses 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 Commis~ion. 

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. 

Tbere 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 

i::ervice medal for service during the World 

War. These decorations and the medal 

are shown on the chart on tbe 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 

persans 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 conflict 

with an armed enemy. 

Distinguished Service Cross, presented 

to persons serving with the Army who 

distinguished themselves by extraordinary 

heroism in connection with mililary 

operations against an armed enemy.
• 

DECORATIONS 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 

MEDAL OF HONOR 

UNITED STATES NAVY 

MEDAL OF HONOR 

UNITED STATES ARMY DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS 

UNITED STATES ARMY 

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL 

UNITED STATES NA\'Y 

DISTINGUISHED S6R\'ICE MEDAL 

UNITED STATES ARMY NAVY CROSS 

WITH GOLD STAR 

PURPLE HEART 

SILVER STAR 

WITH OAK-LEAF CLUSTBR 

VICTORY MEDAL 
FOREIGN DECORATIONS 

OIST!NG\11.SHBD CONOUCT MJIDAL 

GREAT .BRITAIN 

MILlTARY CROSS 

GREAT Dlt!TAIN 

MILITARY MllOAL 

GREAT BRITAIN 

MEDAlLLE MlLITAlltB 

FR<\NCI! 

LBGION 01' HONOll 

FRANCE 

FRANCE 

CROlX Dli 0 UBRJ\1! 

DELOIUM 

OllDllR OF LEOPOLD 

BBLGIUM 

WAR CROSS 

ITALY 
INTERESTING lACTS AND GENERAL INFORMATION 511 

Distingui hed Service Medal, awarded 

to persons serving with the Army who 

distinguished themse:ves by exceptionally 

rneritorious service to the Governrnent 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 

officer, or issued by the War Department, 

wbich 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 rnedal, but in 1932 

it was replaced by a separate medal. 

Purple Heart, awarded to persons who 

perforrned 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 resultil1g 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 persans who distinguished themselves 

conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyonà 

the call of duty and without detriment to 

the mission of their commands, while in 

action involving confüct with the enemy. 

Distinguished Service Medal, presented to persans in the naval service 

who distinguished themselves by exceptionally meritorious i;ervice to the Government in duty of great responsibility. 

Navy Cross, prei,;ented to persans whr 

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: 

A warded to all persans 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 N orthern Russia after N ovember 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-Ta 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 Eervice, civil or military. Awards are made in various grades. 

Médaille 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 Chaum

Left to right: Capcains Edward C. Ailwonh, George H. Mallon, George G. McMurtry, lst L

2d Lieutenant Donald M. Cali, lst Sergeancs Johannes S. Anderson, Sydney G. Gumperrz, Sergeant

Corporals Frank J. Bart, Jesse N. Funk, Berger H. Loman, Privare lsr Class Charles D. Bar
INTERESTING FAC'TS AND GENERAL INFORMATION 513 

Croix de Guerre- To offi.cers and enlisted men of the army for meritorious 

acts performed in the theater of operations. 

Belgium: 

Ortler of Leopold- For extraordinary 

and distinguished service, civil or military. 

Awards are made in various grades. 

Croix de Guerre- To offi.cers 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 

Amerîcan 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 

fiag a silk streamer 2% inches wide and 

not less than 3 feet nor more than 4 feet 

long, or on its guidon a smaller streamer, 

wbich is attacbed to the staff near the 

spearhead. One streamer is m:ed 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 

issuan ce 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 fourragère. In these units the 

fourragère is placed with the streamers on 

the fiag 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 persona! decoration under conditions similar to those pertaining to an 

organization. At ceremonies the decoration itself may be placed on the streamer 

of the ft.ag 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 

1 Partial list of the abbreviations which are used: 

Amb.- Ambulance 

Bn.- Battalion 

Det.- Detachmen t 

F. A.-Field Artillery 

Hdqrs.-H eadquarters 

M. G.- Machine Gun 

Plat.- Platoon 

Sec.-Section 

Serv .-Service 

Tn.- Train

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., lst 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, lst Engrs., 2d Engrs., lst 
514 INTERESTING FACTS AND GENERAL lNFORMATION 

Field Signal Bn., Hdqrs. and 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 SerYice 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 Comrnissary 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., 3 th Inf., 125th 

Inf., 126th Inf., 127th Inf., 128th Inf., 

353d Inf., 37lst Inf., 372d Inf., lst Bn. 

102d Inf., Co. I 9th Inf., Co. L 9th Inf., 

Co. F 167th Inf., Co. C 370th Inf., a composite Plat. Co. A lllth Inf., 2d Plat. Co. 

B lllth Inf., 7th M. G. Bn., 9th M. G. 

Bn., 119th M. G. Bn., 120th M. G. Bn., 

12lst M. G. Bn., Battery H 53d Coast 

Artillery, 6th Engrs., 302d Engrs., Co. C 

56th Engrs., 9lst 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 Sil ver Star: Ambulance Service Sections 

No. 516, 534 and 635. 

Crcix 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 30 th Inf., 

Stokes Mortar Sec. Hdqrs. Co. 102d Inf., 

lOth F. A., 1 th F. A., 76th F. A., 147th 

F. A., Battery D 17th F. A., 308th 

Trench Mortar Battery, lst Anti-Aircraft 

M. G. Bn., Ambulance Service Sections 

No. 7, 585, 638 and 642. 

Croix de Guerre with 2 Siher Stars and 

3 Bronze Stars: Ambulance Service Section No. 628. 

Croix de Guerre with 2 Silver Star : 

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 Guerre 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., 12lst F. A., 5th Field ignal 

Bn., Mobile Hospital No. 1, Evacuation 

Hospital No. 7, Ambulance Service Sections No. 503, 510, 533, 535, 558, 56 , 

580, 586, 627, 632, 634, 637, 639, 640, 

641, 643, 644 and 645. 

Croix de Guerre with 1 Bronze Star: 

Headquarters and Supply Co. lst Battalion Anti-Aircraft Artillery, Ambulance 

Ser...-ice Sections Numbers 593 and 594. 

United Scares Sceamships G,·crge Wa.rhillgton, Americ.1 anJ De K db in Convoy, l.\fay 18, 1918 
AMERICAN DIVISIONS SENT TO EUROPE 

THEIR DATES OF ARRIVAL, CASUALTIES AND LOCALITIES 

FROM WHICH ORIGINALLY RAISED 

Date Dh. 1 

Div. Hdqrs. arrived 

in France 

--

1 June 2û, 1917 

2 

3 Apr. 4, 1918 

4 May 17, 1918 

5 May 1, 1918 

6 July 22, 1918 

7 Au~. 11, 1918 

8 Nov. 9, 1918 

26 Oct. 28, 1917 

27 May 31, 1918 

28 l\Iay 18, 1918 

29 June 28, 1918 

30 l\Iay 24, 1918 

31 Oct. 15, 1918 

32 Fe.b. 20, 1918 

33 May 24, 1918 

34 Oct. 3,1918 

35 May 11, 1918 

36 July 30, 1918 

37 June 23, 1918 

38 Oct. 4, 1918 

39 Aug. 27, 1918 

40 Aug. 24, 1918 

41 Dec. 31, 1917 

42 Nov. 1, 1917 

76 Jnly 16, 1918 

77 Apr. 13, 1918 

78 June 8, 1918 

79 .Tuly 16, 1918 

80 May 30, 1918 

81 Aug. 16, 1'118 

82 JIIay 13, 1918 3 3 June 17, 1918 

84 Sept. 25, 1918 

•85 Aug. 10, 1918 

6 Sept. 23, 1918 

87 Sept. 9, 1918 

88 Sept. 4, 1918 

89 June 21, 1918 

90 July 7, 1918 

91 July 23, 1918 

92 June 19, 1918 

93 Mar. 5, 1918 

Other troops _________ 

Eattle j deaths 

and dieâ 

ofwounds 

4, 99(3 1 5, 155 

3, 401 

2, 903 

2, 120 

68 

287 

2, 281 

1, 829 

2, 874 

1, 053 

1, 641 

3, 028 

993 

1, 298 

591 

1, 066 

93 

2, 810 

4 

2, 110 

l, 530 

1, 517 

1, 241 

248 

1, 413 

67 

145 

20 

1, 41if> 

1, 496 

1, 454 

182 

591 

976 

52, 947 

REGULAR ARMY DIVISIONS 

TI'ounded 1 Localitv from which division was originally raised 

(,\Janv dirisions were recrganized prior Io sailing for Europe) 

17, 324 At large. , 18, 080 At large. (locluded one brigade or marines.) Division rormed in 

France in 1917. 

12, 000 At large. 

9, 917 Do. 

6, 99(i Do. 

318 Do. 

1, 422 Do. 

At large. (Part arrived in France just prior to Armistice.) 

NATIONAL GUARD DIVISIONS 

11, 383 

6, 505 

11, 265 

4, 517 

6,774 

JO, 233 

5,871 

5, 998 

1, 993 

4, 321 

315 

11, 873 

New England. 

New York. 

Pennsylvania . New Jersey, Virginia, l\Iaryland, Delaware, District of Columbia. 

Tennessc>c>, North Carolina and South Carolina. 

Georgia, Alabama and Florida. (Becamc 7th Depot Division.) 

Michigan and Wisconsin. 

Illinois. Nebraska, Iowa. North Dakota, South Dakota and l\Iinnesota. 

(Personnel used as replacements.) 

Missouri and Kansas. 

Texas and Oklahoma. 

Ohio. 

Indiana, Kentucky and West Virginia. (Personnel used as replace· rnents.) 

Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana. (Bccame 5tb Depot Division.) 

California, Colorado, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico. (Became 6th Depot Division.) 

vVashiugton, Oregon, Montana, Idaho, 'Wyoming, Colorado, 

North Dakota, South Dakota, New Mexico and District of 

Columbir.. (Became lst Depot Division.) 

Composite division Crom 26 States and Di~trict of Columbia. 

NATIONAL ARMY DIVISIONS 

22 New Enl!land and New York. (Became 3d Depot Di-rision.) 

8, 084 New York City and vicinity. 

5, 614 New York, New Jersey and Delaware. :.. 357 Pennsylvania, Maryland and District of Columbia. •I, 788 Virginia, We~t Vir~inia and Pennsylvania. 

856 North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida. 

G, GG4 Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee. 

257 Ohio and Pennsylvania. (Became 2d Depot Division.) Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois. (Personnel used as replacements.) 

281 Michigan and Wisconsin. (Became 4th Depot Division.) Illinois and 'Wisconsin. (Personnel used as replacements.) Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. 58 North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois. 5, 625 Kansas, Missouri, South Dakota, Nebraska, Arizona, Colorado and 

New Mexico. 

6, 053 Texas and Oklahoma. 

4, 654 Montana, Nevada, Wyoming, Utub, Washington, Oregon, Cali· 

fornia and Idaho. 

1, 4.65 Colored troops (varions states). 

2, 943 Colored National Guard and othcr t roops (various states) four 

infantry regiments only. 

2, 802 

202, 628 

1 Includes 2454 Marine Corps and 18 Navy serviog with the Marine Corps. i 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. • 339th Infantry of this division served at Archange], Russia, for a time. 

(SIS) 
AMERICAN DIVISIONS 

THEIR POPULAR NICKNAMES, COMPOSITION, DAYS ïN MAJOR OPERAPRISONERS LOST AND 

Numeral De~ignalion of Vnifa i-n Division 

Dir, Pnpular Nicknamc 

Inf. BTiqarles I nf, Regimenl & FA. 

Brig. F. A. Regls, 

"one ______________ 1, 2 ____________ 16, 18, 26, 28________________________ 5, 6, ?_ ________________ _ 

2 None ______________ 3, 4----------- 9, 23, 5, 6 -------------------------- 2 12, 15, 17 ______________ _ 

5 

û 

7 

26 

'.?7 

28 

29 

30 

31 

34 

3.'\ 

3R 

37 

38 

39 

40 

41 

42 

76 

77 

78 

79 

0 

2 

83 

8·1 

85 

Marne _____________ 5, 6 ____________ 4, 7, 30, 38__________________________ 3 10, 18, 76 ______________ _ 

Ivy ________________ 7,8 ____________ 39,47,58,59------------------------ 4 13, 16, 77 ____________ _ 

Red Diamoncl____ 9, 10 ---------- 60, 61, 6, lL________________________ 5 19, 20, 2L _____________ _ 

None ______________ ll, 12 __________ 51, 52, 53, 54------------------------ 6 3, 11, 78 ______________ _ 

None ______________ 13, 14 __________ 55,56,34. 64________________________ 7 8, 79, o _______________ _ Pathfinder ______ __ _ 15, rn__ _ __ ___ __ 12, 62, , 13 ________________ ----· __ _ 8 2, 81, 83 ______________ _ 

Yankee ____________ 51, li2. --------- 101, 102, 103, 104____________________ 51 lOJ.102, 103 ___________ _ 

New York _________ 53, 54 __ ________ 105, 106, 107. 10 -------------------- 52 104, lOfi, 106 ___________ _ 

Keystone_________ 55, 56 --------- 109, 110, lll, Jl2____________________ 53 107, 108, 109 ___________ _ 

Blue and Gray____ 57, .58_ __ ____ ___ 113, 114, 115, 116___ __ _____ ______ ____ 54 110, 111, 112 ___________ . 

Old Hickory _______ 59, 6Q __________ 117, 118, 119, 120____________________ li5 113, 114, 11 5 ___________ _ 

Dix:ie ______________ 61, 62 ____ ______ 121, 122, 123, 124-.------------------ 56 116, 1!7, 118 __________ __ 

Iron Jaws __________ 63, 64- _________ 125, 126, 127, 12 -------------------- 57 Ill!, 120, 121- __________ _ 

Prairie _____________ 65, 66 __________ 129, 130, 131, 132____________________ 58 122, 123, 124 ___________ _ 

Sandstorm _________ 67, 6 ---------- 133, 134, 135, 136____________________ 59 125, 126, 127 _____ ------

None ______________ 69, 70 __________ 137, 138, 139, 140____________________ GO 128, 129, 130 -----------

Lone Star __________ 71, 72 __________ 141, 142, 143, 144 _________ ---------- 61 131,132, 133 __________ _ 

Buekeye ___________ n, 74--------~- 145, 146, 147, 148____________________ 62 134, 135, 136 ___________ _ 

Cyclone__________ 7.5, 76. --------- 149, 150, 151, 152 _______ .• _____ __ _ _ __ 63 137, 138, 139 __________ _ 

Delta____ _________ 77, 78 __________ 153, 154, 155, 156____________________ 64 HO,Hl , 142 ___________ _ 

Suoshine__ ____ ____ _ 79, so__________ 157, 158, 159, 160 __________________ . _ 65 143, 144, 145 ___________ _ 

SunseL ___________ _ 81, 82 __________ 161, 162, 163, 164-___________________ fi6 146, 147, 148 ___________ _ 

Rainhow __________ 83, et_ _________ 165, 166, 167, l(JR_ ------------------ 67 I-19, 150, 15L __________ _ 

!\one _____________ 151, 162 ________ 301, 302, 303. 30L__________________ 151 301, 302, 303 ___________ _ 

M etropoli tan _ ___ __ 153. 1.54_ __ _ ____ 305, 306, 307, 308 _________ • --------- 1.52 304, 305. 306 ___________ _ 

Lightning________ 155, 1.56 ________ 309, 310, 311, 312____________________ 153 307. 308, 309 ___________ _ 

Liberty________ ___ 157, 158 ________ 313, 314, 315. 316____________________ 154 310, 3 l1 , 312 __________ _ 

Blue Ridge.______ 159, 160 ________ 317, 31 , 319, 320_______________ _____ 155 313, 314, 315 ___________ _ 

Slonewall __________ J 61, 162_ _____ __ 321, 322, 323, 324__________ ____ ___ _ __ J 511 316, 317, 318 __ - _ ... -----

Ail American ___ ___ 163, 164 ________ 325, 326. 327, 32 ---------·---------- 157 319, 320, 321__ _________ _ 

Ohio______________ 165, J66 ________ 329, 330, 331, 332______________ _____ 158 322, 32~. 324 ___________ _ 

Lincoln ____________ 167. 168 ________ 333, 334, 335, 336____________________ 159 325, 326, 327- _________ _ 

Custer___________ 169, 170 ________ 337, 338, 339, 340____________________ 160 328, 329, 330 ___________ _ 

86 Black Ilawk _______ 171, 172 ________ 341, 342, 343, 344____________________ 161 331, 332, 333 ___________ _ 

'7 

8 

8!) 

90 

01 

92 

93 

Arorn ______________ 173, 174 ________ 345, 346, 347, 34 -------------------- 162 33'!, 335, 336 __ -------· 

C'loverleaL ________ 175, 176 _______ 349, 350, 35J, 352________________ ___ 163 337, 338, 339 ___________ _ 

Middle West.____ _ 177, J78 _______ 353, 354, 355, 3,55____________________ 164 340, 341, 34L. --- -----

Alamo _____________ 170, 180 ________ 357, 358, 359, 360________________ ___ Jô5 343, 344, 345 ___________ _ 

Wild West_______ 1 l, 182 ________ 361, 362, 363, 364____________________ 166 346, 347, 348 ___________ _ 

Buffalo____________ 183, 184_ ______ 365, 36f>, 3f\7, 31\8 ________ ------- ____ 167 3·19, 350, 35L __________ _ 

None'------------- 185, 186__ 369, 370. 371, 372 ____________________ ------ ------------------------1 

Marine units, al! in 2nd Division, io bold rnce type. 1 Ne ver operate<l as a di vision. 

(516) 
SENT TO EUROPE 

TIONS, D AYS IN SECTOR, MILES ADVANCED, PRISONERS CAPTURED, 

REPLACEMENTS RECEIVED 

Numeral Designalion of 

Units in Division Days in Front Line 

Approxi- mate Prison- PrisonNumber ers Cap- ers TrainEngr. J.J. G. Ens. ing in Sec/or Battle Total Rgt. 

of ].files t-ured Lost 

Advanced 

Replacements 

Received 

li ne 

-------------- ---____ , ___ _ 1, 2, 3 _________________ 47 H8 28 223 32 6, 469 152 30, 206 

2 4, 5, 6----------------- 58 48 33 139 37 12, 026 157 35, 343 

7.8, g _________________ 6 0 39 50 89 25 2, 240 314 24, 033 

10, 11, 12 ______________ 4 0 11 36 47 15 2, 756 72 19, 559 

13, 14, 15 ______________ 7 33 39 32 104 18 2, 356 100 12, 611 

318 16, 17, 18_ - - -- --------- 6 37 0 43 0 12 3 2, 784 

19, 20, 21_ __ 5 -------- -- 0 33 0 33 69 20 4, 112 

319 22,23,24 ______________ -------- -------- -------- -------- ---------- -------- 1 ----------

101 101,102,103___________ 4.2 118 45 205 23 3,148 457 14,411 

102 104,105,106___________ 25 0 32 57 7 2,357 229 5,255 

103 107,108,109___________ 14 44 44 102 6 921 732 21,717 

104 110, 111, 112 _ - - -- ------ 13 46 23 82 4 2. 187 68 4, 977 

105 113, 114, 115___________ 33 1 35 69 18 3,848 75 2,384 

106 116, 117, 118 ___________ -------- -------- -------- -------- ---------- -------- 2 ----------

107 119,120,121- __________ i 25 37 38 100 22 2,153 161 20,140 

108 122,123,124____ _______ 27 33 38 98 22 3,937 127 5,415 

109 125, 126, 127 ___________ -------- -------- -------- -------- ---------- ------- 1 ----------

llO 128,129,130___________ 37 43 30 110 7 781 167 10,605 

111 131, 132. 133_ - -------- 0 0 19 19 13 549 24 3, 397 

112 134,135,136___________ 7 57 13 77 19 1,495 23 6,282 

113 137, 138, 139 ___________ -------- -------- -------- -------- ---------- -------- 2 ----------

114 140, 141, 142 ___________ -------- -------- -------- -------- ---------- -------- 2 ----------

115 143, 144, 145 ___________ -------- -------- -------- -------- ---------- -------- 3 ---------· 

116 146, 147, 148 ___________ -------- -------- -------- -------- ---------- -------- 4 ----------

117 149, 150, 151___________ 31 100 45 176 34 l, 317 112 17, 253 

301 301, 302, 303 ___________ -------- -------- -------- -------- ---------- -------- 3 ----------

302 304,305, 306___________ 25 31 63 119 44 750 403 12, 728 

303 307, 308, 309_ - --------- 0 18 22 4.0 13 432 123 3, 190 

304 310,311,312___________ 0 29 18 47 12 1,077 80 6,246 

305 313,314,315___________ 16 0 31 47 24 1,813 !OO 4,495 

306 310, 317. 318___________ H 18 5 37 3 lOl 51 1, 984 

307 319,320,321_ __________ 1 17 58 30 105 11 845 240 8,402 

308 322,323,324 __________ _1 ________ -------- -------- -------- ---------- 3 ----------

309 325,326,327 ___________ -------- -------- -------- -------- ---------- -------- ----------

310 328, 329, 330 ___________ -------- -------- -------- -------- ---------- -------- 18 ----------

311 331, 332, 333 ___________ -------- -------- -------- -------- ---------- -------- -------- ----------

312 334, 335, 335 ___________ -------- -------- -------- -------- ---------- -------- -------- ----------

313 337,338, 339___________ 23 21 0 43 0 3 9 734 

314 340, 341, 342___________ 0 5! 28 82 30 5, 061 25 7. 669 

315 343,344,345___________ u 43 26 69 17 1,876 81 4,437 

316 346,347.348___________ 0 6 17 23 21 2,412 28 12,530 

317 349,350,351.___________ 7 56 0 63 5 38 17 2,920 

4 ----------

Div. 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

26 

27 

28 

29 

30 

31 

32 

33 

34 

35 

36 

37 

38 

39 

40 

41 

42 

76 

77 

78 

79 

80 

81 

82 

83 

84 

85 

86 

87 

88 

89 

90 

91 

92 

93 

(517) 
Imprompru Sernce at Exermont Soon Afrer frs Caprure 
Chapter xv 

MISCELLANEOUS 

THE American Battle Monuments 

Commission was created by Congress in 1923. In carrying out its 

task of commeroorating the services of the 

American forces in Europe during the 

W or ld W ar the Commission erected a ppropriate 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. 

Ail dates which appear in this book are 

inclusive. For instance, when a period 

is stated as November 7-9 it includes 

ail three days, i. e., November 7, 8 and 9. 

The date giYen for the relief in the 

front Jine 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 th0 

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 al! maps which use 

colored areas or stippling to show ground 

gained, the field order boundaries are clisregarded 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 W ar 

College, entitled "Order of Battle of the 

United States Land Forces in the W orld 

War, American Expeditionary Forces". 

AU casualty figures are derived from 

official records of the W ar Department and 

include only the killed and wounded in 

action and those who died of wounds received in action. They exclude ail 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 difierent 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 tbat position deseribed in the text and 

on the maps is its main line of resistance. 

(519) 
520 MISCELLANEOUS 

Typical 2d Division Battlefi eld Marker 

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. 

AB 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 Ortler No. 16, War 

Department, 1921, and its amendments. 

French maps and guide books: 

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 ail 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. 

Ail 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 rneters 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 <livide the number of miles by 0.6. 

The graphie scales below can be used 

for conversion purposes where distances 

shorter than 20 kilometers are involved: 

0 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 

Kilome ters 

0 2 3 4 5 6 8 9 10 11 12 12.5 

Miles 
MJSCELLANEOUS 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 given 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, 

are 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 certa;n 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 i sued by the cities of Verdun, 

St. Mihiel and Château-Thierry: 

The cities of Verdun, St. Mihiel and 

Château-Thierry have issued special medals which are available to all American 

veterans who served in the general vicinity 

of these cities during the war. These 

meda!s 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 plaC'e 

the letter in the proper bands. A small 

fee is charged for the cost of the medal. 

The requirements 

for these medals are 

not always strictly enforced. In general, ait 

those who served in 

the area bounded by 

the f o 11 owing ( all towns 

are inclusive) are eligible for the Verdun 

medal: Conflans-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-àMousson, 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 lst Division Batrlefi eld Monument 
AMERICAN WORLD \V AR MEMORIALS I EUROPE 

ERECTED BY AGENCIES OTHER THAN 

THE UNITED STATES GOVER MENT 

I

N addition to the memorials erected by 

the United States Government there 

are a number of other American World 

W ar memorials in Europe. Sorne 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 ail 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. 

1·nitorevent Numeornmernorated ber Lnœl ion Cbaracter l >ale Crt'ciecl ltenrnrks 

V Corps __________ _ 3 miles ~outbeas1 of Small marker built !'oon a!ter the Erecled by mem bers of 

unit lo mark V f'orps 

line at the,\ rrnist ice. 

Lee picturl', pai:c :Jiil. 

lst Division ______ _ 5 

2d Division _______ _ 22 

3d l 1ivision ______ 

1 

1\ 1ouzon (A r<leunef) of field stones. J\ rmi~t ire. 

on the main road. 

(a) Along road 1 2 

mile southeast or 

Canti1my(Somme). 

(b) On main higbway 

west of Duzancy 

(Aisne). 

(c) At road juuct,ion 

east or Vigneulles 

(Meuse). 

(d) Aloug main road 

~ mile east of St. 

JuYin (.Ardennes). 

(e) Along rond soutb 

or Wadelincourt 

( A rdennPS). 

Un ail of the haltle· 

fields wbere the diYision had tigbt ing. 

( 1 h fl.t1'11 u-'l' llierry 

(!\1sneJ, northwest 

or the mu111 urid!!c. 

Smal1 concrete 

sbart, surmounted by a carvcd 

eagle of stone. 

Concrete houlder 

about 3 feet m 

diameter, witb 2d 

Div. insignia in 

bronze upon it 

Stone monu1n011t 

ol me<liurn sizr. 

J!l!U ___________ Erected b~- the lsl Div. 

1:'0011 ufl~r the 

,\rmlstlrc. 

HJ23 

Xames or dend in 

>irinity gil en on 

bronze plull's. See 

picl ure on PH1'C li2t. 

Erected by men Crom 

the diYision ~ ·e 

picture on pa~o 5~'ll, 

Erecte<I by division 

to ils deeds und deacl 

See pieturc, puge W. 

(522) 
MlSCELLANEOUS 523 

rnit or e\·ent . ·um· cornruemorateil ber 

Hb Dh·i ion__ _ 

5th J>h·ision ______ _ ~1 

5th Division. __ ·--

2filh Dh·ision _____ _ 

Location Character llute erectNl 

(a) About l mile'' esl tlmall stone obelisk Soon af1er 1 hc 

of Fismes (Marne). Annistiœ. 

Cb) At the east.ern 

exit of Manheulles 

(Meuse). 

(c) About 1 mile west 

of lown of Brieulles· 

sur-l\Ieuse 

On all of the hut1 lcfields wbere the division Jmd fil(hlin~. Small ohelisk 

concrete. 

of Soon nfler 1he 

. .\.rmi,1 i<·e 

Remarks 

Erected by the division. See the pieture appearin~ on 

page 80. 

Erected by men of 

the division. Inscriptions give details of fighting. , ee 

picture on page 52.5. 

Dun-snr-Meuse .. _ An ornarnental 1932 ___ ---·--- Erected by the .'ith 

wrought-iron rail- Div. Assn. to corning on a bridg-e. 

Belleau (Aisne)._ --- Reconstruction of 11929 

Yillage churcb. 

memorate crossing 

of the Meuse River. 

Erected by the 21lth 

Di\•. Assn. in memory of division 's deaù 

See picture, page 53. 

'.!lilh 1 >il"i. ion __ 1 1 Fismes (!\brnel urnament.nl slone 

brirlge. 

1927 Erected by the State 

of Pennsylvaniu. 

See picture, page 525. 

30th llivision . 

37tb Di,ision __ ·---

:J7th Tli\·ision ____ _ 

~Otb Division .. __ _ 

102cl lnfanlry_ 

(26th l>i,isiou) 

1171 h l n!antry 

(aUth J 1ivisi1in.) 

l 

Along the m11ln ru:td 

sou1 h or tuwn of 

BellirourL {.\ isne l 

flmnll monument 

0 [ l'Ut SLODe. 

l\Ioutfaucon (l\Jeusel Substantial stone 

huildiug. douuted for u. e as 

an alrnshouse . 

Eyne, Belgium __ .\ large bridge, 

stucco finish. 

1923 ___________ Erected by the Stnle 

of Tennessee to her 

troops of the 59th 

and 60th Brigades. 

See picture, page 377. 

1929_ --------- Erected by the State of 

Ohio. See picture of 

building on p~ge 214 

l921L ____ ____ Erected by the State or 

Ohio to co=emorate crossing or Escaut River by 37th 

Div.ision. See 1 he 

picture on pa~e 3Vi". 

Nantillois (!\leuse) l\Iedium-size stone J!l27. -------- Erected by the Stateof 

fouutain. Pennsylvania. See 

picture on page 525. 

Seicheprey ( '\[eur- Srn2ll granite fouo- 1923. Presented by men and 

women of the Slate 

or Connecticut. See 

pirt ure on page J 2 . 

lhe-et-~loselle). tain (no water). 

Southwest rcl)(I\ of Hrnall monument l\!2:! 

Prémont. (Aisne). nf111t "tone. 

Ere('ted hy privultl 

~uh~criritiqn. Hame. 

Jesil{n as ~01 h J >iv 

monument. Hee 

piclure on page 37î. 
3d Aviation Center Monument 

ac Issoudun 

Lafayette Escadrille Monument Erecceù 

Garches by Members of the Unir 

Monument on the Borne de Cornouiller ro 

American Troops \\'ho Fought Near lly Monument, l\lout hivL.iL;lO,lU 
Fount;1În 10 \iannllois Erecred by Srare of 

P..-nns1·h·ania 

Monument in Paris tO :\mericao Volunreers 

\\'ho Died for France 

T1 pica! Sth D1v1swn 

Banlehel<l l\larker 

Memort.tl BriJge at Fismes ErecteJ 

Srare of Pennsylvania 

31Sth lPlancry, 79th Division, Memonal 

BuilJ10g m Nannl101s 

French Monument 

ar Bathelémont 
526 MISCELLANEOUS 

Unit or e>enl Xumcommemorated ber 

118th Tnfantry ____ _ 

(301.h Division.) 

3 lOth Infantry ____ _ 

(7Kt h 1 >ivision.) 

at3tb lnfanlry ----

(i9th ]livi~ilHl.) 

315th lnfantry __ _ 

(7\ltb Di vision.) 

31J2<l lnlo.ntry _____ _ 

(!llst Division.) 

3ïlst Infantry ____ _ 

{!>3rl Division.) 

372ù Iufantry _____ _ 

(ll3d Division.) 

fillt Engineers ____ _ 

2:ld Eovineers ____ _ 

The Arnerican 

Field Service. 

Tbe Lafayette 

Escadrille. 

A Il l'ennsy lvania 

lr O(J8 who 

~erved in the 

World \Yar. 

Location Cbaraeter Jlate erected \ Remarks 

In tl1e northern part Small monument 1923 Erected by private 

subscription. Same 

design as 30th IJ i v. 

monument. Ree 

picture on page 3i7. 

of 1own of Bron- of eut stone. 

c o n r t - 1 e- G ra n <l 

(AisnP). 

ln church at tnwn or 

i:;em ur-en-Au ois 

(Côte-d 'Or) 

_\ loni:side the road in 

oie! lown of l\fonlfaucon (Mow;e). 

Rtained-1doss 

c-h nreh window 

Bronze tablet on 

a fence post. 

1927 ___________ In rnernory of lhe 1le:11l 

or tbe regiment 

:-\non :ifter the 1 Tablet slnles that the 

.\rruisliee. town was capture<! 

hy the re11:iruent. 

Nantillois (Meuse)___ Building glven to IS~O 

t be vHlare as a 

Erected by the rel(iment in memory of 

its dead. See pict ure 

ap[1earing"n p~gefi25. 

nesnes-en- Argonne 

(Meuse). 

on hill in open field 

ahout 1,_; mile soulh 

of town of Ardeuil 

( \rdennes). 

(Diillcult of access.) 

recrea tion cen ter. 

C'oncrete posl, 

about 4 feet high 

Small granite rnouu ment, which 

lists na mes of the 

.Jead. 

Ruon ulter the A srnall bronze ploie 

,\rmistice. descrihes figllting of 

regiment in 'icioity. 

About J!IU ____ In memory of the re!!iment's dead in Yicini ty. See the pil'ture 

appearingon page1HI 

Alon>: main rmul, t:( Small obelisk ur 1\120 __ ~----- In rnemory of memhers of the regimenl 

killed in action, Sept. 

26--0ct. 7, HIIS. Rcc 

picture on pugo 31i 1 

mile sonl,h of Mon- eut irraoile. 

Lhui s (Ardenne$). 

rathedral at Amiens Tablet. ____ ________ JUl!l __ ------- Erected by the citizens 

(Somme) 

Tn Yillage or Varennes-eu-Argonne 

(Meuse) across 

frorn the drnreh. 

,\ t Pont-à-Mousson 

(111 eurtbe-ot-l\loselle). 

AL Garches (Seine- tOise). neur PnrlR. 

At Vurcrni~~-eu-Aryo uno (Meuse). 

of Amiehs to commemorate the tlead of 

6th Engineers lo~t in 

defense of tbat plure. 

Concrete marker, Soon after 1 he Erected by the men of 

about 5 Ceet high. .\rmi,!ire tbe regiment. 

Large Renaisso rn·e 

fountain. 

rn:n ---------- Erected by membt1rs 

of unit to lbose of 

American F1old 

Service w ho diud for 

France. See pit•t un• 

appearingonpa11e 1:~~-

Imposiogmemoriul l l!!2S_ --------- Erectedbyunit. Conof c:ut stonr tains bodies of llll'lllbers. See l he pkDeveloprneut of a 

puhli<- park. 

10~7-

ture appeannl( 1111 

page f>21. 

Erected by Llte Sttilo of 

Pennsylvaniu. See 

picture on page 222. 
MTSCELLANEOUS 527 

rnit oreHnt ~umcommemorated ber 

Men of Missouri 

wbo gave their 

lives during the 

World War. 

To those of t hc 

t' ... Naval Air 

tation at 

Moutchic - La- 1 

canau who Jo,t 

their lives. 

To those" lw were 

killed at Thini 

Aviatiou Center. 

Amencan ~oldiers 

who were k11le<:l 

at 1 be "Village or 

Apremont. 

American soldiers 

who were killed 

near Seicbeprey. 

Acbievewents of 

American troups 

whofougbt intbe 

vicinit y ofSinysur-l\feuse. 

To the .\ruerican 

rnlunreers who 

died fur Fraoc-e . 

'l'o the firsi American lroops to 

laotl in .F'ranc-c. 

To first tbree 

Americans killed 

at front duriog 

t!Je World ". ar 

Those " ho lost 

lheir H ves as tl 

reSltlt of the 

sînking of H. fl. 

'l'u.<ctmia <luriui; 

F~h. 5, llll8. 

l 

1 

Lu<:atiuo 

At the road junction, 

south of the to" n 

of Cheppy (Meuse) 

Cbaracter 

Stone shaft surmount ed by a 

bronze figure. 

lJate erP.ct~d Remarks 

1922 ___________ Erected by tbe State of 

Missouri. See the 

picture on page 216. 

Moutchic (Oironùel 

west of Bordeaux. 

Stone obelisk _______ Soon nltcr the Erected by subscripIl kilometers from 

Issoudun (1 ndre), 

on roaù Io Vatan, 

about 40 yards 

off frmn the rnad 

l'tone, of medium 

size, surrounded 

by an iron c!Jain 

on stone posts. 

Arm1sticc. lion Crom officers and 

men of na,-al air station. See the piclure 

on p::.ge524. 

Sorlll after t hc 

Armisti<'l' 

.E recf e<i h y su l>scr i pt ion from offic:ers who 

were on dut y a t the 

li viation Center al 

the time. Kee the 

picl ure on pa!(e 521. 

Apremont (;\leu5e), Buildrng wit h a 1922 __ !üPcterJ with lunrls 

donaterl by the cil y 

of Holyoke, l\la sathusetts. 

near ~Iontsec. fountain outside. 

On outside of rhurch 

in Seicheprey 

C\feurthe - et - l\Ioselle), near door. 

'mail ornamental 

plaque of bronze. 

l!J2'J ___________ 1'und, were supphed 

by an American. 

On the Borne de Stone obelisk _______ 1925 __________ See picture, page 524. 

Cornouiller near 

Sivry-sur-Meuse. 

(Difficult of access.) 

ln Place des Ecats- Stone, sculptured 1923 ___________ Erected by the French. 

Unis at Paris. group on front. American dead of 

tbe Foreign Le(!ion. 

Lafayette Escadrille 

and American Field 

Kervice are lister!. 

Picture on page 5~5. 

St. Naza1re-sur-Lo1re 

(Loire InrérfeureJ. 

i:ltoue sbalt surmounted by a 

\Jronze soldier on 

an eagle's back 

Erecled by public subscription from Americano;. ee the pi et ure 

appearing on page 524. 

Io Bathelémont 

( .:\Ieurthe -e t • l\1 oselle) 12 kilometers 

north of Lunédlle. 

i:ltone sbaft, about 

1 feet high. 

Wlb ______ __ .Erected by tbe French 

:\'ear blay, 8cotland. tone tower on a 1920_ ·-

rorky headland. 

See picture page 525. 

Construcled by the 

.\ruerlcao Red Cro~s 

11ut long acter tl1e 

\1 ur. 8ee the pict uro 

~1 ppearingon page.'i24. 
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 fiagpole in 

the Bropkwood cemetery in England. 

Paul P. Cret, Philadelphia. 

Aisne-Marne memorial, on Hill 204. 

The chape! 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 chape! 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. 

Sculptor 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. 

AU sculpturing for Tours fountain. 

Adolph Weinman, Sculptor, New York. 

Meuse-Argonne memorial, Montfaucon. 

Paul Manship, ._culptor, New York. 

Soldier monument and urn at chapel of 

the St. Mihiel cemetery, Thiaucourt. 

John Bradley Storr, Sculptor, Chicago. 

Ali sculpturing for Brest monument. 

A. Bottiau, Sculptor, Paris. 

Features for Aisne-Marne monument. 

All sculpturing on Bellicourt monument. 

Flanders Field chape! 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. 

Officiais of European Office, American 

Battle 1onuments Commission, who 

supervised construction: 

The following offieials 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. (Ali 

officers are in the ReguJar 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.
GLOSSARY OF MILITARY TERMS USED IN THIS BOOK 

Aid Station. A medical establishment, near the 

front, for emergency treatment and further disposition of combat casualties. 

Artillery Prepara tian. Scheduled artillery tire deIivered hefore an attack to destroy or neutralize the 

enerny defenses, matériel and personnel. 

Barrage. A curtain forrned by tire from artil!ery 

or other weapons firing from fixed rnounts. 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 flanks of an area in order to 

prevent the escape or reinforcernent of the enerny 

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 cornrnand of a major. Total World War 

strength 1,027 officers and men. 

Battery (American). An artillery unit consisting 

of a specified nurnber of guns, usually four, and the 

personnel to man them. Cornmanded 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-rnm. guns, one regiment of 155-mrn. howitzers, 

and one 6-inch trench mortar battery. The normal 

cornrnand of a brigadier general. World War 

strength 4,908 combatants and 48 guns, 24 howitzers and 12 trench rnortars. 

Brigade (Infantry, Arnerican). An organization 

consisting of a headquarters, two infantry regiments 

and a machine gun battalion. The normal cornmand 

of a brigadier general. World War strength 8,324 

combatants; 6,459 rifles. 

Camouflage. Means ernployed to conceal from 

hostile observation, bath ground and air, troops and 

matériel located in exposed areas. 

Captive Balloon. A balloon, held by cables, used 

for observation purposes. Sorne of these, because of 

their shape, were called "sausage bal!oons." 

Casualties. The dead, wounded, captured, missing 

in action and sick in carnpaign and battle. Those 

sick from disease are not included in the heading 

"battle casualties." 

Comrnand Post. The place from which a corn· 

mander directs the operations of bis unit. Often 

calJed 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 (lnfantry, Arnerican). 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 enerny or 

for transportation to the theater of war. A camp or 

cantonment wbere 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 matériPl or personnel being transported. 

Corps (Arnerican). A tactical unit normal!y 

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 colurnn, such as a fard, 

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 artil!ery. 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 col!oquialism. 

Dressing Station. Place established during combat for the reception of casualties and treatrnent of 

minor wounds. Also known as an aid station. See 

under "Aid Station." 

Durnp. A place where supplies are temporarily 

stored for distrilmtion 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 "flanking fire". 

Evacuate. To withdraw Crom a position. To 

remove sick, wounded, prisoners or the civil population to the rear. 

Field Fortifications. Ali field works, shelters and 

obstacles constructed to increase the powers of 

resistance of a force. 

Flame Thrower. A device for projecting flame. 

Carried on the back and operated by gas pressure, it 

threw a flame of burrùng 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 rifle pit, usually 

dug during combat. 

French Colonial Division. A division cornposed of 

troops Crom a French colony. During the war it was 

abbreviated to D. I. C. 

Front. Zone of active operations. Any section of 

the battle linc. The lateral space occupied by a unit. 

Front J,ine. The most advanced line which would 

be defended in case of attack. 

Gas. A chernical 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 

(529) 
530 M lSCELLAN EOUS 

carried by wind currents toward the enemy position. 

Grenade. A small bomb. One type could be 

lhrown by hand and another was projected from a 

riOe 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 Getmans betwecn Soissons and Cambrai to which they conductcd a strategic 

retirement in February 1917. The name was later 

app!ied by the Allies and A:mericans to strong German 

defensive positions on other parLq o( the front. 

Howitzer. A rifled, breech-loading cannon wlth 

comparatively short barrel and low muzzle velocity, 

fued at ranges and elevations intermediate between 

field guns and mortars. 

Infiltra te. 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 Jines 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 

l'nemy Crom obtaining information. 

Liaison. Close touch maintained b t.ween units, by 

agents or officers, for the purposc o[ exchanging 

information and insuring cooperation. 

Lines of Communkation. Ali routes, land, water 

and air, which connect a military force in the field 

with its base of operations, and along which supplies 

and reinforcements aresent to the front and wounded 

are moved to the rear. 

Machine Gun. A gun firing on the automatic principle from a fi.xed mount. During the war such guns 

were usually water cooled. 

Machine-Gun Nesl. One or more machine guns 

emplaced or concealed in a firing position. Usually 

organi7.ed so that two or more guns could be mutually 

supporting and could deliver crossing bands of fire. 

Matériel. Ail material thlngs necessary for war 

purposes. Used in contradistinction to personnel. 

Mine Barrage. Aline or network of sea mines to 

prevent the passage of ships. A mine layer is a 

hoat equipped for placing mines, and a mine sweeper 

is one used in removing them Crom the water. 

Minenwerfer. A German bomb-throwing weapon 

dPsigned for trench use. It was muzzle-loading and 

rifled, and had a curved trajectory. A small mortar. 

Mobilizaiion. The organizing and assembling of 

troops and all resources of a nation for war. 

Moppin,g Up. To clear an area or position that bas 

been advanced over in an attack, by killing or capturing the enemy soldiers remaining in it. 

Moralc. The mental state of an individual or body 

of troops, especially in relation to p rformance of 

duty; also applies to the civilian population. 

Mort.ar. A cannon with a comparatively short 

barrel and a Jow muzzle velocity wbich is fired at 

high angles to sbell areas behind steep ridges. 

Munitions. Military store~ of ail kinds. 

No Man's Land. The strip of ground between oppo~ing front Jines. On the W st~rn Front it varied 

in width from a few yards to several hundred. 

Order of Battle. The general disposition of troops 

or their arrangement wben participatinir in battle. 

Outflank. To pass around or turn the ftank of an 

enemy so as to be able to threaten bis tlank or rear. 

Patrols. Small detachments used for a number of 

purposes, Ruch as raiding and reconnoitering tbP 

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 o! 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 th!' 

purpose of retu~ning 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. 

Reclas,qiflcation Camp. A camp t:o whieh individuals are sent for examination in order to detPrmine the 

duty for which they are best suited. 

Reconnaissanc!'. The examination of a locality or 

of a hostile force in order to gather information of 

military value. 

Regiment (lnfan(ry, 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 ol an 

officer of t.he ran k of colonel. 

Regulating Stations. Large railway yards from 

which supplies were forwarded to the railheads. 

Remount Depot. Replacement depot for a11imal 

casualt1es. A remoun t is the replacement furnished. 

Salienl. A part o! a battle line which projPct~ 

pointedly into opposiug territory. 

Sector. An area occupied by a unit in defpnse; 

the frontage of such an area. 

Sortie. A sudden offensive movement made !rom 

a forti:fied base. 

Squad (American). A basic unit of organization, 

consisting normally of a corporal and seven priva(l'S. 

A general term r or varions small groups. 

Strategic Center. A region which because of ils 

commanding position, harbor facilities, lin es or 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 wbich 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), combininl! 

fir~-power, mobility and shock action. 

Western Front. The name applied to th battle 

front in France and Belgium extending !rom the 

North Sea to the Swiss border. 

Zone of Action. '!'be area between certain ddhieù 

limits or boundaries, generalJy at right angles to the 

front, a<>l'dgncd tu a unit in offensive artion or in 

a withdrawal !rom a certain locaFty. 

Zone of Operntions. The region within which an 

nrmy operatcs bt>tween its base 'lnd its objectiw.
INDEX 

A 

Abaucourt ..... . 156 

Abbreviatirms .............. v1, f>l:l 

Abcele . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10·1 

Abris du Kronprinz. (See Champ Mahaut.) 

Adams, Sgt. Harry J l .i8 

.\dkinson, Sgt. Jo~cpb B. 379 

Ahrweiler . . .192 

• .\igrefeuilll' . .J.J.7 

,\ilet te RivN. 92 

AincrevillP. . 278 

Air S<>rvice (.,.,. also Aviation) 128, 

157,220,307,337,361,503 

A ire River . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173, 

178, 217, 218, 221, 223, 226, 2:31, 2:12, 236 

Aisne C' anal . . . . . . . . . . . 81 

,\isne-Marno region . . . . . . . . . . . . 42, 

51,52,57,89,94, 103,345,475 

Casual lies . . . 

Combat service summary 

Operations. . . . . 

Tour of battlefiel<ls . . . 

89, 103-104 

103- 10<1 

29-104 

. 43-9:3 

Aisne-Marne salient. . . . . 36, 41, 6:1, 106, 415 

Aisne River . . . 4, 7, 21, 29, 42. 79, 81, 91. 92, 99, 

167, 172,333,334,335,3f>l,353,357,368 

AisnP, Second Battle of the 

Aix-les-Bains , . 

Aix-la- hapelle. 

Albert .... . 

Allerey ... . 

Allex, orp. Jake . 

Allworth, Capt. Edward C. 

7 

413 

·188, ·JS9 

.J07, .uo 

413 

'111 

309 

Alsace .... , . . . . . 21, 426, 473, 488, fil 0 

Amalgamation of An:erican trnops with Allied 

forces (see 11/so Cooperation with Allies; 

Independent American Army) . . . . . 25, 378 

Amblimont . . . • . . . . . . • . . . . 301 

American Battle 1onuments Coœtr'L">'ion . , 457, 

458, 173,519 

.\rchilects, artists ar:d sculptors. 

European Office . 

Memb rs ...... . 

American Field Service . . . 

528 

459, li28 

V 

138, 503 

American Forces in Germany. (See Army of 

Occupation.) 

Arnerican Headquarters. (See Headquartns.) 

American Library As~ociation . . . 507 

American Mixed Claims CommisEion . . . . 507 

American Red Cross . . . • . . • . . • . 507 

Amiens . • , , . 26, 27, 42, 408, 412, 413, 415, HG 

Amiens Defense Line . . . . . . . . . ·112, .J13 

Amiens salient . . . . . . . . . . . . 410 

Ammunition expended in actual combat. 504 

Ancemont . . . . . . . . . . 156 

Andernacb. . . . . . . . . . 492 

Anderson, First Sgt. Johannes S 266 

Andevanne 27'1, 275, 277 

Angecourt . . 

Angers , .. 

Angoulême . 

Animais, procurement. 

Anizy-le- hâteau .•. 

295 

413,445 

445 

505 

29 

Pai:i:e 

Ansauville . . . . . . 

Ansoncourt Farrn. . . 

Apremont (Ardennes) . 

Apremont (Meuse) . 

Arabfr. . . . . 

. . . . . . . 156 

. 131, 135 

177,210, 224,226,316 

156-157 

9 

:rno 

2·17' 432, 4;33, 435 

. . . . . 94 

167 

Arbre Guer.non . 

Archangel ... 

Arcis-le-Ponsart 

Ardennes Fore't 

Ardeuil .... 

Ardre füver . . 

336,357,358,359,361 

78 

Argonne Forest . 2:i, 

92, 107, 167, 169, 170. 172, 173, 175~ 177, 

178, 179, 182, 18:l, 196, 205, 207, 210, 211, 

212, 218, 219, 220, 221, 223, 224, 225, 226, 

227, 228, 229, 231, 236, 239, 247, 249, 280, 

311, 31:3, 317, 322, 324, 329, 330, 333, 336, 

337, 3~8. 361, 365, 368, 421. 

Ariétal Farm. . . . . . . . 3 l5 

Arlington National Cern tery 

Armistice: 

Austria-Hungary 

Bulgaria 

Germany ... 

Place of signi1'i:;. 

Signed 

Terms .... . 

Turkey ... . 

Armies. (See Military units.) 

Army, National. (See Divi~ion~.) 

Army of Occupation. . . . . . . 

American Forces in Germary. 

Headquarters . . . . . . . 

Plan of advance. . . . . . . 

Army, Regular. (See Divieion.) 

Arnouville-les-Gonesse. . . 

Arpin, First Lt. Edmur.d P. 

Arrants, First Lt. William Il 

Arras . . . . . . 

~.\rriva13 in Europt' 

A~h. Sgt. Harold J 

Assevil !ers . . . . 

458 

431,509 

509 

487, 507- 509 

96, 487 

192 

487 

509 

488, 489, 493, 507 

493 

492 

488 

,145 

321 

260 

6, 407, 502 

501 , 502 

323 

381 

Aubérive-sur-SuippP~ 34 l 

Audenarde. . . . . 185, 396, 397, 399, 482 

Austrian troops, on Wf'sternFront. 312 

Authe. . 289 

Autreville 

Autruche 

Autun .. 

Auve River 

Aviation: 

Largest concentration fur offer:sive 

Shortage ..... . 

(Se.e also Air Service.) 

Avocourt ..... . 

Baâlon ... 

Baccarat .. 

Bad Bertrich 

B 

Baesel, Second Lt. Albert E. 

305 

289 

443 

368 

110, 504 

110 

315,326 

305 

425 

492 

215 

(531) 
532 INDEX-AMERICAN AR1'UES AND BATTLEFIELDS IN EUROPE 

Balan 

Ballon d'Alsace .. 

Ballon de Guebwlller 

Bandival Farm 

Bantheville . 

Bar ..... 

Bar-sur-Aube . 

Page 

299 

425 

423,425 

390 

252, 274, 275, 278 

278,285,287,288,289 

495 

Barger, Pvt. (lst cl.) Charles D. 279 

304 

257 

315 

187, 

Barkeley, Pvt. David B. . . 

Barkley, Pvt. (lst cl.) John L 

Barricourt . . . . . . . . 

Barricourt Heights . . . . . 

213,235,253 269,27j,276,277 

Bart, Pvt. (lst cl.) Frank J. 

281,288 

353 

79 

445 

423 

Baslieux 

Bass ns ........ . 

Bathelémont . . . . . . 

Battle Monuments Commission. (See American Battle Monuments Commis.~ion.) 

Batlle: 

Aisne 

Arras 

ambrai 

Jutland 

Marne . 

Nancy . 

7 

7 

22, 394 

6 

Baltlefields north of Paris . 

21 . 43, 44 

426 

371-417 

Combat service summary 417 

Baugé 44.5 

Baulny .. 

Bayonne . 

Bayonville 

Bazeilles 

Bazoches . 

Bazoilles-sur-Meuse 

Beau Désert . . . 

21 • 223, 317 

445 

283 

299 

80,81,82 

442 

445 

Beauchamp Farm 315 

Beauclair . . . . 315 

Beaumont (Ardennes) 291, 202, 293, 302, 30ii 

Beaumont (Meurthe-et-Moselle) 157 

Beaumont (Meuse) . 179, 212, 271 

Beaune . . . . . . 412,492 

B auregard 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 :n, 36, 41, 45, 46, 47, 48, 

49,51,52,55,464,475,479,483 

Bellejoyeuse Farm 

Belleville-sur-Bar . 

Belle-Vue Farm . 

Bellevue Signal Ridge . 

Bellicourt 

Belrupt .. 

Béney 

Berehaven. 

BP.reznik . 

Berncastel . 

Berry-au-Bac 

Berzy-le-Sec . 

Besace, La 

235, 236 

. . . . . 288 

94 

3:36, 357, 358. 359, 361 

373,375,378 383,384,465 

157 

131,150 

453 

435 

492 

29 

39, 87 

294 

Page 

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 . . . . 4.14 

Blanc Mont . . • . . . 334, 351, 352 

Blanc Mont Ridg<' . . . 333, 

334,346.347,349.350,351,353.357,475 

Bleckley, Second LL Erwin R. . 364 

Blérancourt . . . !J4 

Blois . . . . . . 4 13 

Boiry-St. Martin . 407 

Bois: 

de Babiémont 

de Bantheville . 

du Beau Vallon 

de Belloy 

de Béney . 

de Beug<' . 

deBonvaux 

de Bourbelin 

de Bouresches 

278 

252, 275, 279 

143 

381 

150 

210, 259 

157 

94, 95 

39.53 

de Bourgogne 172, 

180, 187,234.235,236,239,280,284,289 

Bourrus . . . . . . . . 322 

de BrieullC's . . . . . . 210 

de la Brigade de Marine. 48 

Brulé (Aisne) 73 

Brulé (Meuse) 157 

de Buire .. 

de Châtillon 

de Chaume 

Chéhémin . 

du Chêne Sec 

de Chênois. 

Colas .... 

de Condé .. 

de Consenvoye . 

de la Côte Lémont 

de la Côte 192 

de Courteau . . 

de Cunel 

de Dampvitoux 

de Dannevoux . 

de Dommartin . 

381 

261 

212, 263, 265, 312 

208,215 

316 

305 

72 

102 

212,264,265,266 

210, 260, 262. 26:l 

... 94, 95 

59 

179, 256, 257 

157 

l!l9 

1.57 

Emont . . 315 

de Fays . . 178, 211, 259. 2fi0 

des Flavier• . . . . 302, 303 

d Forêt . . . . . . 177, 179, 

181 -182, 211. 212, 250, 254, 259, 260, !l08 

de Forges 195, 196, 197, 205, 207 

du Four . 134, 135 

Fréhaut . 140 

Gérard . 1!2, 1 13 

de Gesnes 315 

de Grande Fontaine. 157 

de la Grande Montagne . 268 

des Grimpettes . . . . . 40, 68, 69
INDEX-AMERICAN ARMIES AND BATTLEFIELDS IN EUROPE 533 

Bois-Continued. 

de Hâche . 

d'Harville . . 

d'Heiche 

de Lambechamp 

des Loges .. 

de Manheulles . 

de Moncy ... 

de Mont !'Evêque 

de Montfaucon . 

Montjoie .. 

de Moranville 

de la Morine 

de Mort-Mare 

de Mortier. 

des Ogons . 

d'Ormont . 

de Pannes. 

Pelger. . . 

de la Planchette 

Page 

305 

157 

143 

315 

234,236,239,285 

153,154 

321 

102 

208,315,316 

157 

161 

316 

131 

92 

256,257 

268 

157 

95 

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 .. 

de Septsarges 

de la Sonnard 

de Taillel'Abbé 

des Tailloux . . 

de . 

du Trou de la Haie . 

de la Tuilerie 

de Valoup ... 

de Ville . . . . 

de la Voivrotte 

de Warville . 

de Xammes . 

Boisleux-St. Marc 

275, 276, 277 

209 

129 

316 

413 

150 

158 

316 

316 

316 

158 

152 

145 

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 

Bouillonville . . 

Bouleaux Bois . 

Boult-aux-Bois . 

Bourbonne-les-Bair.s 

Bouresches 

Boureuilles 

Bourges .. 

Bourget, Le 

Bouxières-sous-Froidmont 

Brabant . . . . . . . 

158 

111, 158 

319 

187,236 

442 

31,46,55 

221, 232 

443 

445 

158 

263,264,312 

Braine ..•... 

Brancourt-le-Grand 

Brandeville 

Bras . 

Brest ... 

Breuil 

Breusch River 

Page 

96 

389, 391 

316 

312, 324 

438,446-447,450,454,475,479 

Brieulles. . . 

Briey .... 

Briey iron basin 

Briey-Metz region 

Brigades. (See Military units.) 

Briquenay ...... . 

Brittany .......... . 

Bronson, First Lt. Deming. . . 

Bronze tablets. (See Memorials.) 

Brookwood 

Bruges .... 

Brussels 

Brosses Farm, Les 

95 

426 

260,262,308,309 

. . . . . 113 

106,154,191,298 

107, 112 

285 

475 

319 

457,459,466,469 

453 

399,401,467 

53 

Brosses Farm-Gonétrie Farm Ridge 55 

Buire ...... . 95 

Buisson de Cresnes . . . . . 

Bulk sale to France 

54, 96 

506 

Bullard, Maj. Gen. Robert L. 

Busigny 

113 

381 

Bussang Pass 423 

Bussy Farm 

Butgnéville 

Buxerulles 

Buxières. 

Buzancy .. 

Cabaret Wood Farm . 

c 

358, 359 

158 

121,144 

121, 144 

87,96,283,285,287,288 

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. Mi!l 69 

Carbon-Blanc 

Cardiff ... 

"Carey's Force" 

Carpathian Mountains 

Carrefour de ]'Armistice 

Casualties: 

446 

454 

412 

5 

96 

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
534 INDEX-AMERICAN ARMIES AND BATTLEFIELDS IN EUROPE 

Cazaux ...... . 

Celles-les-Condé . . . 

Cemeteries, American: 

Page 

446 

60 

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 

Oise-Aisne . . . 69, 71, 73, 75-76, 462, 475 

St. MihiPl . . . . . • . . . . . • 125, 

Somme .. 

Suresnes 

Cernay-en-Dormois . 

Cervisy . 

144,145,147,149-150,463,475 

384,385,387-388,465,479 

459, 466, 469 

361 

Cessières . 

Cetinje .. 

Chalade, La 

Châlons-sur-Marne 

Chambley .. . 

Chamery ... . 

Champ Mahaut . 

Champagne-Marne defen"ive . 

Champagne region ..... 

Combat service summary 

Tour of battlefields 

Champigneulle .. 

Champy Bas, Le . 

Champy Haut, Le 

Chan trud Farm 

Charlevaux Mill . 

Charmel, Le . . . 

Charmel Château, Le 

Charmes 

Charmes Gap 

Charny .. 

Charpentry . 

Chartèves .. 

Chassogne Farm 

Château d'Aulnois 

Château de Belval 

Château du Diable 

305 

92 

431 

324 

33,368,475 

158 

77 

222,316,368 

. . . 33-36, 

60-63,330,343-347 

6,329-369,475 

369 

. . 341- 368 

232,234,236 

323 

323 

92 

337,361 

40,65,66 

65 

425 

425 

194 

218 

64, 102 

277 

158 

289 

80,81 

Château de Fresnes . 86 

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 

Chaudun ... . 

Chaumont ... . 

Chaumont-devant-Damvillers 

Chauvoncourt . 

317 

87,96 

442, 482, 495 

271 

158 

95 

317 

Chazelle Ravine . . . . 

Chéhéry ...... . 

Chemical Warfare Service 

Chemin des Dames . 

Chêne Tondu, Le 

Cheppe, La 

Cheppy .... . 

Cherbourg ... . 

Chéry-Chartreuve 

444,445 

23,29,43,45,96,97,415 

. . .. 223-224 

368 

214, 216, 218, 220 

447 

77 

Cheveuges 

Chevières . 

Chiers River 

Chiles, Capt. Marcellus H. 

Chinon .... 

Chipilly Ridge . 

Cierges (Aisne). 

Cierges (Meuse) 

Civilians, number employed 

Ciaire, La ..... 

Clairs Chênes Wood 

Clamecy 

Claon, Le 

Claye .. 

Clermont 

Clermont-en-Argonne . 

Clermont-Ferrand 

Cléry-le-Grand 

Cléry-le-Petit . . 

Clichy-la-Garenne 

Cluze, La 

Coblenz. 

Cochem . 

Codroipo 

Coëtquidan 

Coeuvres-et-Valsery 

Cohan ..... . 

Cologne ..... . 

Colombey-les-Belles 

Colored troops . . . 

Colyer, Sgt. Wilbur E. 

Combat service summaries: 

Aisne-Marne region 

Champagne ·region . . 

Meuse-Argonne region 

Operations north of Paris 

St. Mihiel region . 

Vosges Front 

Commanders: 

Army 

Corps 

Page 

317 

237 

191,299 

323 

444 

410, 411 

40, 69,71,94, 101 

211, 315, 317, 321 

441, 502 

322 

317 

444 

368 

43 

51 

315,317,324 

444 

317 

317 

445 

444 

487, 488, 489, 492 

492 

431 

445 

96 

77 

487' 488, 489 

442 

336, 339 

230 

103-104 

369 

327-328 

417 

165-166 

427 

498 

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 

Conflans-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.) 

Cast of war . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 505
INDEX-AMERICA N ARMIES AND BATTLEFIELDS IN EUROPE 535 

Page 

Castin, Pvt. (lst 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 

Côte de Talau . . 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 

D 

Damvillers. . . 

Dannes-Camiers 

Dannevoux 

Dardanelles . . 

270 

503 

209,262 

6 

Dax 446 

Days in major operations. 

Decize . . . ..... 

Decorations and medals: 

(See Diyjsions.) 

444 

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 . . . 

When awarded . . . . 

Disti nguished Seryjce Cross: 

520 

510 

I ndividual 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 

Decorations and medals-Continued. 

Army-Continued. 

Oak-leaf Cluster 

Purple Heart 

Silver Star 

Navy: 

Congressional Meclal of Honor 

Cross . . . . . . . . . . . 

Distinguished Service Medal . 

Gold Star ....... . 

Victory Medal . . . . . . . . 

Page 

511 

511 

511 

511 

fill 

511 

511 

511 

(See also Foreign decorations; Foreign 

medals.) 

Denterghem . . . . . 

Dhuy Farm, La 

Dickman, Maj. Gen. Joseph T. 

Dieulouard . . . . . . . . 

Dijon .......... . 

Di!boy, Pvt. (lst cl.) George 

Direction meanings at stops 

397 

280, 319 

488 

158-159 

442 

53 

52 1 

Distinguished Sernce Cross. (See Decorations 

and medals.) 

Distinguished Service Medal. (See Decorations and medals.) 

Diyjsions: 

Approximate strength . . . . . . . . 1 7, 501 

Casualties (see also Casualties) 517 

Composition . . . . . . . 516-517 

Dates of arrivai . . . . . . 515 

Days in major operations . . 517 

Localities from which originally raised . 515 

Maximum in action in one week 501 

Miles advanced 51 7 

National Army. . 515 

Nationa!Guar<l. . 515 

Popular nicknames 

Prison ers 

Regular Army . . 

Replacements . . 

Sectors. (See Sectors.) 

(See also Military units.) 

Dommartin ..... . 

Dommartin-la-Chaussée . . 

Dommartin-la-Montagne . 

Donaldson, Pvt. Michael A. 

Doncourt 

Donges ........ . 

Donjeux ........ . 

Donovan, Lt. Col. William J. 

Dormans ... 

Douglas Camp . 

Doulaincourt. . 

Doulcon .... 

Doultre Château, La . 

Douzy ....... . 

Dozier, First Lt. James C. 

Dravegny .. 

Dricourt .... 

Drillancourt . . 

517 

517 

515 

517 

91 

159 

159 

243 

151, 152 

445 

442 

243 

60,97 

404 

442 

308 

98 

299 

392 

77 

335, 357 

208 

Dun-sur-Meuse. 

Dunkirk .... 

190,211,304,307,308,309,310 

Dunn, Pvt. Parker F .. 

Durazzo ... 

Dvina River . . . . . 

453 

325 

452 

433
536 INDEX - AMER lCAN AR MIES AND BATTLEFIELDS IN EUROPE 

Eclaron . . . . ... 

Eclisfontaine 

E 

Education Corps Commission 

Edwards, Pvt. (lst cl.) Daniel R 

Eggers, Corp. Alan L . 

Ehrenbreitstein. . . . 

Ellis, Pvt. Michael B. 

Elst ....... . 

Emergency Fleet Corporation 

Emplacements . . . . . . 

Engers ........ . 

Entry into war, reasons for 

Eparges, Les 

Epernay 

Epieds .. . 

Epinal .. . 

Epinettes Bois, Les . 

Epinonville . . . . 

Escaut (Scheldt) River 

Esnes ....... . 

Esnes-Malancourt road 

Essen Hook ... 

Etangs Farm. 

Etinehem 

Etraye . 

Etrépilly 

Euvezin. 

Events, summary of: 

1914 

1915 .... . 

1916 .... . 

Page 

442 

319,325 

492 

101 

385 

489, 493 

231 

397 

451 

143, 153,159 

489 

9 

161 

33, 35, 332 

54,101,102 

. 425, 426, 442 

320 

209, 220, 259, 319 

395,396,397 

322 

322 

352 

111, 129, 131, 159 

98 

411 

270 

97 

145,159 

2 

6 

6 

1917 ta April 6 7 

To May 28, 1918. 21 

Exermont .... 225, 227, 231, 315, 319, 323, 324 

Exmorieux Farm . 320 

Eyne . . . . . . 396 

Farm des Granges 

Farm des Loges 

Farm St. Rémy 

Fecht River . . 

Fère-en-Tardenois 

Fère-en-Tardenois Castle 

Ferté-Milon, La . . . 

Ferté-sous-Jouarre, La. 

Fey-en-Haye. 

Filain ...... . 

First: 

Battle casualty. 

Captured: 

Americans. 

German .. 

F 

221, 224, 227, 231 

239 

. . . 302, 303 

426 

73,97,462,475 

97 

91 

43,44,495 

137 

97 

502, 503 

423 

423 

Entry into line of diviEion on active battle 

front . . . .. 414 

Gun firing 75 miles . 

Killed in action . . . 

Line training . . . . 

Offensive by division 

Offensive by First Army 

Soldier killed by enemy . 

25 

. . 423, 503 

420,421,423 

415,416,482 

18, 105,154 

503 

First-Continued. 

Page 

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 

26,27,29,395,397,402 

. 231,317,321 

Flirey . . . . . . . 124, 128, 131 

Foch, Marshal Ferdinand . . . . . . . 18, 25, 26, 

Flanders. 

Fléville . 

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 . 

Description . . . . . . 

Foreign medals, how obtained: 

Château-Thierry 

St. Mihiel ... . 

Verdun .... . 

Forêt du Bois-le-Prêtre 

Forêt de Compiègne 

Forêt de Dieulet 

Forêt de Fère . 

Forêt de Jaulnay 

Forêt de Nesles 

Forêt des Venchères 

Forêt de Woëvre 

Forge, La ... 

Forge Farm, La 

Forges 

Forges Creek. . 

Forest Farm . . 

Forrest, Sgt. Arthur J. 

Fort du Camp des Romains 

Fort de la Pompelle . 

Fort du Rozellier 

Fossé . 

Fossoy ..... . 

Foster, Sgt. Gary E. 

513-515 

511, 513 

521 

521 

521 

137 

96 

320 

97 

292 

73 

141 

320 

322 

291 

312 

196, 197,200 

335 

281 

159 

342 

155 

288,320 

60 

393 

Four de Paris, Le. . 222, 329, 341, 367, 368 

Franco-American Cooperation, Museum of 94 

Franquets Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 

Frapelle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 423 

French medals for Am<>ricans. (See Foreign 

medals.) 

concerning . . . 520 

. 113, 151, 153, 182,213 

French roads, information 

Fresnes-en-Woëvre . . . . 

Freya position . . . . . . 

Front-line-service classification 

Funk, Pvt. Jesse N. 

Furlong, First Lt. Harold A .. 

G 

Gaffney, Pvt. (lst cl.) Frank. 

Gallieni, Marshal . . . . . 

Gancaz, Pvt. (lst cl.) Stanley 

Garches ....... . 

Gardella, Sgt. Frank, Jr . 

Garner, Pvt. George W . 

274, 275, 281 

520 

279 

279 

380,381 

43 

320 

459 

72 

320
INDEX -AMERICAN AR MIES AND BATTLEFIELDS IN EUROPE 537 

Page 

G. H. Q . . . . . . . . . . 105, 439, 441, 483, 495 

Advance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161 

General Purchasing Board, tonnage handled 439 

Genevrois Farm 97 

Genoa. . . 431 

Gérardmer. 

Gercourt 

Gesnes . 

Ghent .. 

Gibraltar 

Gien . 

Gièvres . 

Givry .. 

Glennes . 

Glossary of military terms. 

Goettler, Second Lt. Harold E. 

Gondrecourt . . . . 

Gonétrie Farm, La 

Gorizia .. . 

Gouy ..... . 

Gouzeaucourt . . 

Grand Carré Farm, Le 

Grand Cognon, Le . 

Grand Couronné, Le . 

Grand Ru Farm . . . 

423, 425, 426 

212 

320,321,326 

397,399,401 

450, 454, 479 

444 

444, 445 

53 

97,101 

529-530 

364 

442 

53,55 

431 

385 

394. 503 

252, 275, 279 

161 

426 

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 . . . . . . . 44 7 

Gratreuil . . . . . . . 358 

Grave at sea . 458, 459, 466, 469 

Gravelotte. . 159, 163 

Greatest number in hoepitals atone time . 502 

Gregory, Sgt. Earl D. . 267 

Grenoble . . . 444 

Gressaire Wood . . . 

Grèves Farm 

410, 411 

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 

H 

Hall, Sgt. Thomas L 

Hamel ... 

Hanido Wood 

Hanlon Field. 

Haraucourt 

390, 391 

408, 411 

159 

442 

295 

Haraumont . 262 

Harazée, La 367 

Harbord, Maj. Gf'n. James G 439 

Hargicourt 383 

Harnoterie Farm, La 293 

Harricourt 321 

Hassavani Farm . . 151 

Ratier, Sgt. M. Waldo 304 

Hattonchâtel. 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 125, 144, 151 

Haudainville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159 

Haudiomont . . . . . . 

Haumont-lès-Lachaussée. 

109,112 ,150, 152,154,155 

159 

Haussimont . 

Hautevesnes . 

Page 

442 

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. 

Headstor:€s . . . . . 147,458 

Heddesdorf . . . . . 492 

Heights of the Argonne 

Heights of the Meuse . 

Heights of the Moselle 

Hendaye ..... . 

178 

106, 

109,117,170,261,263, 270 

106 

Heriot, Corp. James D 

Hermelgem-Syngem bridge 

446 

391-392 

397 

18 

324 

Hermies ........ . 

Herschkowitz, Pvt. (lst. cl.) Jack. 

Heudicourt 

Heurne .... . 

Heuvel .... . 

Hill, Corp. Ralyn. 

Hill: 

166. 

193 . 

121, 144 

396 

396 

262 

85 

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 

239 . 230,316,321 

272 . 321 

274. 259 

285 . 322,324,368 

288. 212,243,244 

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, 21C, 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. 

Hoff man, Sgt. Charles F. . . 48 

Hoggle, Pvt. John. . . . . . 310 

Holderman, Capt. Nelson M. 365 

Rolland . . . . . . . . . . 167, 189
538 INDEX-AMERICAN ARMIES AND BATTLEFIELDS IN EUROPE 

Hospitalization provisions . . 

Hostetter, Second Lt. Jay F . 

Houppy Bois, Le . 

Houssière, La 

Houtkerque 

Hurlus ... 

Ill River. . . . . . . 

Imécourt ..... . 

Page 

502 

98 

323 

98 

404 

367 

426 

283 

Important governmental officiais of nations at 

war . . • . . • . . . . . . . . . . . 495-498 

Independent American army (see also Amalgamation of American troops) . 106, 1C7, 114 

Infantry. (See Mi!itary ur.its.) 

Inor . . . . . . . . . . . . 305 

Insignia . . . . . . . . . . . 501 

Inter-Allied Reparation Commission 510 

Inverness . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 54 

Isolated units (see also "Lost Batta!ion") 153, 

Issoudun . . . 

Is-sur-Tille 

Italy, operations 

Ivoiry ..... 

Jametz ... 

Janvier Farm 

Jaulgonne .. 

Jaulny ... 

J ewish Welfare Board . 

J 

154, 265,270 

444 

.. 442 , 479 

429,430 -431 

215 

322 

98 

Johnston, Pvt. (lst cl.) Harold I.. 

Jomblets, Les .. 

35, 40, 64 , 65, 97 

159 

507 

304 

40, 69,73 

390 

442 

152, 161 

161 

425 

6 

Jonc de Mer Farm 

Jonchery .. . 

Jonville ... . 

Jouy-aux-Arches 

Jurai Alps ... 

Jutland, Battle of 

Juvigny ..... 

Karnes, Corp. James E. 

Katz, Corp. Philip C. . . 

Kaufman, Sgt. Benjamin 

Kehl ..... . 

Kelly, Pvt. John J. 

Killingholme . . . 

Kilmer, Joyce .. 

K 

42,43, 82,89, 91 

393 

319 

313- 315 

489 

353 

454 

Kilometers, conversion into miles . 

King of Belgians . . . . 

76 

520 

395 

411 

320 

King of England .... 

Kinkade, Corp. Berte L . 

Knights of Columbus 

Knoll, The ..... . 

Kocak, Sgt. Matej . . 

Kochli, First Lt. Fred . 

Krüth ...... . 

Kylburg ...... . 

Labrit 

Lafayette Escadrille 

L 

507 

375, 377,379, 380, 384 

90 

. . . . . . 

. . . . . . . 426 

492 

446 

459, 503 

Lairesse, La 

Lake Garda 

Lamarche. 

Landres-et-St. Georges 

Landreville . 

Langres ... 

Lankhof Farm 

Laon .... 

Page 

233,236 

430 

129 

241,243,244,280,319 

283 

443 

404 

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 ......... . 

League of Nations Covenant . 

Lee, Sgt. Orum B. 

Lemert, Sgt. Milo 

Length of front 

Léonval . . . . . 

Libourne .... 

Liége bottle neck . 

Liffol-le-Grand . . 

Liggett, Maj. Gen. Hunter. 

Ligny-en-Barrois . 

Limey ........ . 

Limoges ....... . 

Line of Communications. 

Liny-devant-Dun. 

Lironville . . . . . . . 

Lizy-sur-Ourcq . . . . . 

98 

509 

214-215 

379 

501 

443 

446 

167 

143 

182 

161, 495 

134 

446 

437,438 

310 

157 

98 

Loans made by United States to foreign countries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... 506 

Localities of origin of troops. (See Divisions.) 

Loge Mangin. 143 

Loire River . . . . . . . 479 

Loison River. . . . . . . 322 

Loman, Pvt. (lst 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" (s ee 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 . 

Lux .•.. 

Luxemburg 

Lyon ... 

Lys River . 

Lys salient. 

Machault ... 

Madeleine Farm 

Magneux ... 

M 

9 

443 

488, 489 

51 

. 26,27 

402,403 

• • 335, 357 

253,256,257 

99
INDEX-AMERICAN ARMIES AND BATTLEFIELDS IN EUROPE 539 

Maidières ..... 

Mail, record delivery 

Mailly ..... . 

Mairy ...... . 

Page 

138 

504 

443 

301 

Maison-Neuve Farm, La 87 

Maisoncelle . . . . . . 323 

Malancourt . . .... 196, 200, 201, 207, 208, 322 

Mallon, Ca pt. George H. 199 

Mamey ....... . 

ManheullPs . . . . . . 

Manning, Pvt. Sidney E. 

Manre 

Mans, Le ..... 

Maps and sketches: 

Dates .. . 

List ..... . 

Size or type . . 

Unit boundaries 

Marans .. 

Marbache . 

Marchéville 

Marcq 

Mares Farm 

Mareuil-en-Dôle 

Marimbois Farm 

1farines. (See Military units.) 

Markers: 

161, 163, 164 

153 

71 

357,358 

444,479 

519 

ix-x 

519 

519 

447 

161 

152 

237,241 

99 

99 

161 

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 

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 

Souilly 

Cantigny ... 

482-483 

325,483 

416, 482 

Page 

Memorials and monuments-Continued. 

Erected by U. S. Government-Continued. 

Fountain at Tours . . . . . . . 442, 4 79 

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 Pontà-Mousson .. . . . . . . 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 

lst Division: 

Near Buzancy . . 96 

Near St. Juvin . . 241 

Near Wadelincourt 298 

2d Division, near Mouzon 301 

3d Division, at Château-Thierry 60 

4th Division: 

N ear Bazoches . . . . . 80 

Near Brieulles-sur-Meuse 259 

N ear 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 

372dlnfantry, 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 1. 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 ........... . 

German divisions . . . . . . . . 

Gigantic movement of concenlration 

175 

326 

171
540 INDEX -AMERICAN ARMIES AND BATTLEFIELDS IN EUROPE 

Page 

Meuse-Argonne offensive-Continued. 

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 . 

Second day .. 

194- 272 

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 . 

Military units: 

. 529-530 

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, ] 96, 201, 

203, 207, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, 218, 

219, 225, 226, 227, 233, 235, 242, 247, 

249, 250, 251, 252, 253, 255, 260, 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, 4 73, 483, 495, 504. 

Second .. 113, 114, 150, 151, 152, 153, 164, 

Third. 

165, 166, 182,335,421,424,489,495 

488,492,493 

Corps: 

1 . 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. 

Il . . . . . . . • 185, 37 5, 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, 48!), 492. 

IV .... 109, 111, 117, 119, 121, 123, 129, 

131, 158, 161, 164,165,166,488,489,492 

Military units-Continued. 

Page 

Corps-Continued. 

V 

VI 

VII 

................ 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. 

.. 152,164,426 

......... 426,488,489,492 

Divisions: 

l st ..... 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 

lst 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, 

27 5, 277, 278, 280, 281, 283, 284, 

288, 289, 291' 292, 293, 301, 302, 

303, 305, 320, 323, 325, 327, 329, 

333, 334, 335, 346, 34 7, 349, 350, 

351, 352, 353, 355, 357, 369, 421, 

475, 488, 489, 492, 516-517. 

lnfantry . 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 lnfantry Brigade . 40, 78, 102, 103 

4th Infantry Regiment. . . . . 59 

7th lnfantry Regiment . 47 

30th Infantry Regiment . 59, 63 

38th lnfantry 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.
INDEX- AMERICAN ARMIES AND BATTLEFIELDS IN EUROPE 541 

Page Page 

Military units-Continued. 

Divisions-Continued. 

4th-Continued. 

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, 

159,161163,164,165,421,516 

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 lnfantry 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 lnfantry Brigade . . . . 39, 97 

lllth lnfantry Regiment . . . 59, 62 

112th lnfantry 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 

31st . . . . . . . . . . . . 516- 517 

32<l . . . . . ........ 25, 40, 

128th lnfantry Regiment . . . 316 

33d . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114, 

152, 153, 157, 158, 16:l, 161, 165, 

171, 172, 177, 179, 180, 181, 196, 

Military units-Continued. 

Divisions· Continued. 

33d-Continued. 

197, 201, 208, 210, 212, 262, 2ca. 

261, 265, 266, 270, 312, 324, 327, 

371, 383, 387, 408, 410, 411, 417, 

421, 516 517. 

13lst lnfantry Regiment 

132d Jnfantry Regiment 

34th ....... . .. . 

408, 

410, 411 

408 

. 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 lnfantry 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, 213, 244, 250, 251, 294, 

295, 297, 298, 299, 315, 317, 323, 

324, 325, 326, 327, 329, 330, 331, 

332, 343, 34 !, 345, 369, 420, 423, 

424, 427, 475, 488, 489, 492, 516-

517. 

67th Artillery Brigade 

150th Machine Gun Battalion 

151st Machine Gun Battalion 

76th 

332 

332 

332 

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, 

·123, 42·1, 425, 127, 516-517. 

307th lnfantry Regiment .. 337, 362 

308th lnfantry Regiment .. 337, 362 

306th Machine Gun Battalion 337. 

362 

78th . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109, 

112, 113, 11:J, 145, 157, 159, 161, 166, 

180, 182' 186, 189, 213, 234, 235, 236, 

237, 239, 281, 285, 288, 289, 291, 317, 

322, 325, 328, 420, 516 517.

INDEX - .AMERICAN AR MIES AND BATTLEFIELDS IN EUROPE 543 

Monthurel 

Montierchaume . 

Montiers-sur-Saulx 

Montlouis . 

Montmédy 

Montmirail 

Montoir 

Montrebeau 

Mor.trefagne 

Montreuil-aux-Lions 

Montreux-Château . 

Montreux-Vieux .. 

Monts de Champagne 

Page 

60 

444 

443 

444 

191 

58, 100 , 368 

445 

211,218,225,226,227,323 

212 , 225 , 227 , 230, 232 

44 

426 

426 

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 . 

Moulins .... 

Moulins Ridge . 

Mousson 

Mouzay. 

Mouzon. 

Mulhouse 

Munitions: 

324 

298 , 303, 304, 305 

60,61 , 62 

. . . . . 138 

307 

. . . . . 424,425 

Provided by Ordnance Department . 

Purchased from British 

504 

504 

Purchased in France 504 

Murmansk ..... . 

Murnane, Pvt. Stanley T. 

Murvaux ... 

Musarde Farm . . . . 

N 

432,435 

310 

307 

324 

Nancy . 

Nantes . 

Nanteuil 

Nantillois 

National Army. 

National Guard. 

161,419,425,426,443,475 

. . . . . . . . . 445 

. . . . . . • • . 91 

204,210,211 , 255, 256,259,273 

(See Divisions.) 

(See Divisions.) 

Nauroy ......... · 

Naval engagement, principal 

Navarin Farm . 

Navy .......... . 

Air Service 

342, 378, 380, 384 

. . . . . 6 

345, 346- 347,351 

194 

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 m en carried . . . . . . . 450- 451 

Page 

Navy-Continued. 

Operations . . . . . . . . 

Overseas Transportation Service 

Submarine attack 

449- 455 

451 

451- 452 

452 

454 

243-244 

76 

Submarine chasers . . . . 

Tons of shipping convoyed 

Neibaur, Pvt. Thomas C. 

Nesles ..... 

Neufchâteau . . . ... 

Neuilly-St. Front 

44 , 426,443 , 479, 495 

89 

Neuve Grange Farm, La 

Neuville-le-Comte Farm 

Neuvilly 

Neuvy-Pailloux 

Neuwied 

Nevers .... 

Nichais, Sgt. Harley N. 

Nagent-en-Bassigny 

Noisy-le-Sec . . . 

Nonsard 

Noroy-sur-Ourcq . 

Norroy ..... 

North of Paris batt!efields . 

North Sea ....... . 

Northern Russia Expedition 

Unknown dead 

Notre Dame des Champs Ridge 

Nouart ..... 

Noviant-aux-Prés 

Noyers .... . 

Noyon .... . 

Number buried in Europe 

215 

324 

323 

444 

492 

444,479 

323 

443 

445 

111,124,129,145 

54 

. . . . 140, 141 

.... 371-417 

6, 113, 152,211,401 

248,429,432-435 

459 

352, 355 

324 

. . 161 

297, 299 

42,415 

459 

Number returned for burial in United States . 459 

0 

Obozerskaya . . . . . 

Offensives. (See Operations.) 

Officiais of nations at war 

Oise-Aisne offensive 

Oise River ..... . 

O'Neill, Sgt. Richard W. 

Operations: 

433 

495-498 

42,79,91 

25,462 

.. 72- 73 

Aisne-Marne . . . 

Champagne .. 

. . . . . . . . . 29-104 

Italy ..... 

Meuse-Argonne 

Navy ..... 

North of Paris . 

Northern Russia 

St. Mihiel .. 

Vosges Front 

Woëvre Plain 

Orfeuil ..... 

O'Shea, Corp. Thomas E. 

Ossuaire de la Haute Chevauchée 

Ossuary of Douaumont 

Ostend ....... . ... . 

. . 329-369 

429,430-431 

167- 328 

.. 449- 455 

. . 371-417 

429,432-435 

105-166 

419-427 

152 

353 

385 

322,324,368 

270,312,324 

. . . 4, 453 

Ourcq River . . . . . . . . . . 40, 

42,66,67,68,69,71,73,75,76,78,95,462 

Pagny-sur-Moselle 

Pallice, La 

p 

138 

447
544 INDEX - AMERICAN ARMIES AND BATTLEFIELDS IN EUROPE 

Page 

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 1 . 99- 100 

Pauillac . . . 446, 455 

PC Gorgia 324 

PC La Hutte 324 

PC Pau . . 324 

PC Zouave . 

Peace otrer 

Peck, Pvt. Archie A. 

322 

176 

315 

Pennsylvania memorials 79, 222, 259 

Perigueux . . . . . . . 446 

Perkins, Pvt. (lst 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 

Perthes-les-Hurlus . . 

Pétain, Marshal Henri 

Petit Bois, Le . . . . 

Petite Forêt Farm, La 

Pétret Farm . . . 

Peuvillers . . . . 

Piave River Front 

Picardy ..... 

Pierrefonds Château 

Pike, Lt. Col. Emory J 

493 

330 

25,33,105,172,330 

321 

291, 293 

101 

324 

430 

25, 29, 342, 402 

101 

139 

Places of burial, numher before Armistice 459 

Ploisy . . . . . . . 85 

Plymouth . . . . . . 452 

Poison gas, first use of 10 

Polka Farm . 324 

Ponchaux . . 392 

445 

293,297,298,299 

106,137,138,140 

447 

430 

446 

408 

404 

Pont-de-Claix 

Pont-Maugis 

Pont-à-Mousson 

Pontanézen Barracks 

Ponte-della-Delizia . 

Pontenx-les-Forges . 

Pope, Corp. Thomas A. 

Poperinghe 

Port-sur-Seille . . 

Porto Corsini . . 

Pouilly (Ardennes) 

Pouilly (Nièvre) 

106,109,113,114,138,151,424 

. . . . . 455 

302,303,304,320 

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 

Q Page 

Quarry Wood 375 

Quart de Réserve 129 

Queenstown 449,450,452,455 

Quennemont Farm 375,379,380,384 

Quiet sectors 423 

R 

Railroad Transportation Companies 

Rampont 

435 

324 

Râperie .. 101 

Rarécourt . 324 

Rates paid British Government for transporting troops 

Raucourt .... 

Ravine Marion 

Ravine aux Pierres 

Reasons for entry into war 

Reddy Farm ..... . 

Regan, Second Lt. Patrick 

Regiments. (See Military units.) 

Regions: 

Aisne-Marne 

Briey-Metz 

Champagne . 

Italy .... 

Meuse-Argonne 

North of Paris . 

Northern Russia 

St. Mihiel .. 

Vosges Front 

Regniéville . . . 

Regular Army. (See Divisions.) 

Reilley, Sgt. Charles R . . . . 

505 

294,325 

101 

325 

9 

101 

267-268 

29-104 

107,112 

329-369 

429,430-431 

. . 167-328 

. . 371-417 

429,432-435 

.. 105-166 

.. 419-427 

131,134,135,137 

396 

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 . 

Rémonville 

Rengsdorf .. 

Rennes ... 

Replacements. (See Divisions.) 

Réserve Mallet . . . . . . . 

Rethel .......... . 

Return of troops to United States 

426 

281,283 

492 

447 

503 

368 

492,493 

Rezonville 163 . 

Rhine River 

Rhineland. 

167,425,426,487,488,489 

489 

Riaville .. 

Ribeauville 

Richecourt 

Richelieu . 

Richène Hill . 

Rickenbacker, First Lt. Edward V 

Rilly-aux-Oies 

Rimaucourt . . . . . . 

Ripont ....... . 

Rischmann, Pvt. Edward 

Road directions . . . . 

163 

390 

124,127,129 

445 

265,267 

157 

335 

443 

336,358 

237 

521 

f 
INDEX-AMERICAN ARMIES AND BATTLEFIELDS IN EUROPE 545 

Roberts, Corp. Harold W 

Robb, First Lt. George S 

Rochefort . . 

Rochelle, La . . . 

Roisel 

Page 

323 

360 

447,455 

447 

381 

Romagne Heigh ts 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 

Rupt de Mad Creek . . . 

Rupt-en-Woëvre ..... 

214- 215 

127,145,163 

163 

Russia. (See Northern Russia Expedition.) 

Saales Pass . . . . . . 

Sables-d'Olonne, Les 

St. Agnan .... 

St. Aignan 

St. Amand Farm . 

St. Baussant. 

St. Benoît .. 

St. Christophe 

St. Dié ... 

St. Dizier .. 

St. Etienne-à-Arnes 

St. Etienne-Orfeuil road . 

St. Eugène 

St. Georges . . . . 

St. Hilaire ..... 

St. Hilaire-le-Grand 

St. Hubert's Pavilion 

s 

423,426 

445 

60,102 

445 

84 

124,129 

150 

325 

423,426 

443 

334,335,352,353,355,357 

355 

60, 97 

325 

152 

330,341,344,345,352 

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, ll 7, 118, 123, 

125,154,158,163,164,420,463,473,475 

St. Nazaire . . . . 437, 445, 455, 479 

St. Pierre-des-Corps 44 5 

St. Pierre Farm . . • • . . . 102 

Page 

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. Souplet 389, 390, 393 

St. Sulpice 446 

St. Thibaut 80 

Ste. Menehould 

Saizerais 

Salvation Army 

Sambre River 

Samogneux .. 

Sampigny ... 

Sampler, Corp. Samuel M 

Sandlin, Sgt. Willie . 

Sassey-sur-Meuse 

Saumur . 

Sauvigny .... 

Savenay 

Sawelson, Sgt. William 

Scapa Flow 

368 

164 

507 

390 

312 

443 

355 

199 

307 

445 

96 

445 

239 

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 . 

Baccarat 

Center . 

Defined . 

Gérardmer 

Lunéville 

Quiet ... 

St. Dié .. 

Sommerviller 

423 

423,424 

423,424 

421 

423 

423,424 

423 

423,424 

423 

Wesserling 423 

Sedan ..... 18,107,112,167,172,179,189,190, 

196,236,253,274,277,293,297,298,299,397 

Seibert, Sgt. Lloyd M . . . . . . . 319 

Seicheprey 

Sèvres ...... . 

Selle (Sourcelle) River 

Selles-sur-Cher . 

Senlis ... 

27,124,127,128,131 

126 

389,390 

445 

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 . 

Services of Supply 

Servon .. 

Shegovari .. . 

Shenkursk .. . 

Shipping Board 

Siberia, Expedition to 

Signal Corps . . . . . 

437,438 

248,437-447,466,492,495 

367 

435 

435 

451 

503 

355 

Silver Star. (S ee Decorations and medals.) 

Sims, Admirai William S . . . . . . • • 499
546 INDEX - AMERICAN ARMIES AND BATTLEFIELDS IN EUROPE 

Sivry-les-Buzancy . . . . . . . . 

Sivry-sur-Meuse . . . . . . . . . 

Sketches. (See Maps and sketches.) 

Page 

285 , 325 

310, 311, 312 

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 

91 

.. 324,325 

412 

Soissons-St. Quentin road 

Sommauthe ... 

Somme defensive . 

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 . 

Sondernach . . . . 

Souain ... . . . 

Sougé-Champ-de-Tir 

Sougy 

. . 232,237,241 ,244 

. . . . . . . 423 

330, 344, 345, 347,367 

446 

445 

325,483,495 

159 

Souilly . ... 

Souleuvre Farm 

Sourcelle River. 

Southampton 

(See Selle River.) 

Spitaals Bosschen 

Stars and Stripes, The 

Stenay .. 

S'onne . . ... . 

Strasbourg 

Strength of A. E. F.' 

By branch of service 

Combat . . 

Percentage 

Total . . . 

Stuivenberghe Château 

Supreme War Council 

Syngem . ..... . 

Tagliamento River 

Tahure ... . . 

Tailly . . .. . 

Talley, Pvt. Edward R 

Talma 

Tank Corps .. . .. 

Tanks: 

T 

American-made, not available 

Shortage 

Tannay . 

451 

396 

507 

191,305 

294,295 

426,489 

502 

502 

502 

502 

397 

495,498 

397 

430 

331,345 

325 

392 

325 

323 

19,504 

110, 209, 220 

325 

102 

415 

43 

381 

509 

91 

191, 311 

297,298 

285,288 

Tartiers ... 

Tartigny .. 

Taxicab army 

Templeux-le-Guérard 

Termination of war . 

Terny-Sorny . 

Theinte Creek 

Thélonne . 

Thénorgues 

Thiaucourt 111, 

125,135,140,144,145,147,463,475 

Thibaudine Farm, La . . . 

Thompson, Maj. Joseph H 

Thur River .. 

Tieulerie Farm . 

Tigny 

Tincourt-Boucly 

Tonnay-Charente 

Torcy (Aisne) . . 

Torcy (Ardennes) 

Toul ..... . 

Tours ..... . 

Tours of battlefields: 

Aisne-Marne 

Champagne .. 

Information for use on: 

Page 

292,294 

224 

425 

102 

37, 89 

381 

447 

36,37,53 

299 

25, 164,425,443,495 

442,479,495 

. 43-93 

341-368 

Direction meanings at stops 

Road directions . . . . . 

Speedometer distances, caution 

521 

521 

521 

Meuse-Argonne: 

First day . 

Second day 

St. Mihiel ... 

Training for offensive warCare 

Tranchée de la Mamelle 

Transvaal Farm 

Treaties: 

Berlin 

Budapest 

Versailles 

Vienna . 

Trench of Bayonets 

Trench du Téton . . 

Treviso ..... . 

Tl"eviso- Udine road 

Triangle 

Trières Farm 

Trilport ... 

Triple Alliance 

Triple Entente . 

Tronsol Farm 

Troops: 

Colored . 

Landing in England 

194-272 

273-312 

115-155 

17 

249,250 

325 

509 

509 

161,509-510 

509 

324 

260 

430,431 

431 

46 

336, 360 

44 

1,2 

1, 2 

326 

336,339 

505 

Rates paid British Government 

transporting . . . . . 

for 

505 

Return to United States 492,493 

(See also Military units.) 

Troyon-sur-Meuse 

Trugny ...••.... 

Tuilerie Farm, La . . . . 

Turner, First Lt. William B 

Turner, Pvt. (lst cl.) Harold L 

Tuscania .. 

Trench maps 

u 

164 

102 

291,326 

377 

355 

469 

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 

er 

\ïJ
INDEX-AMERICAN ARMIES AND BATTLEFIELDS IN EUROPE 547 

Unknown Soldier . 

Ust-Padenga 

Vacherauville 

Vaga River . 

Valbonne .. 

V 

Page 

458,459 

435 

312 

435 

445 

Valdahon, Le 443 

Valente, Pvt. (lst cl.) Michaer . 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 

Vaux-en-Dieulet 

Vaux-le-Prêtre . 

Vendhuile ... 

335,357 

289 

393 

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 . 

Verneuil 

Verpel 

Verrières 

Verrières-en-Hesse Farm 

Versailles . . . . . . 

107 

445 

284,285 

289 

326 

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 

Vigneulles . . . . . 

Vilcey-sur-Trey 

Ville-aux-Bois Farm 

Ville-devant-Chaumont 

Ville-sur-Cousances . 

Ville-Savoye . . . . . 

Villemontry . . . . . 

Villepigue, Corp. John C 

Villeret . . . .. 

Villers-Cotterêts . 

Villers-devant-Dun 

Villers-sur-Fère 

Villers-en-Haye 

Villers-devant-Mouzon 

Villers-en-Prayères 

Villers-sous-Prény 

111,125,142,143 

111, 119, 121, 144 

141 

326 

271, 316 

326 

80 

301 

393 

383 

82,91,102 

326 

69, 71, 73 

164 

301 

102 

140, 141 

Villette ..... . 

Villorba ..... . 

Vilosnes-sur-Meuse . 

Vitrey ..... . 

Vitry-le-François . . 

Vittorio-Veneto offensive 

Vladivostok . . . 

Vogeltje Convent 

Voormezeele . . . 

Vosges Front 

Combat service summary 

For training . 

Page 

102 

431 

262,310 

443 

443 

431 

503 

404 

403, 405 

419-427 

427 

420 

Operations 

Vosges Mountains 

419-427 

140, 

185,247,336,419,423,424,425 

w 

Waaler, Sgt. Reidar 

Wadelincourt 

Wadonville .. . 

Waereghem .. . 

Wagram Dugout . 

Walker, Sgt. Eugene P 

Wamme Creek . . . 

Ward, Pvt. Calvin J 

Warfusée-Abancourt 

Watronville . . . . 

377 

298,299 

152 

395,397,399,401,467,482 

346 

Wavrille 

Welfare organizations . 

West, Sgt. Chester H . 

Whittlesey, Maj. Charles W . 

Wiancourt ....... . 

Wickersham, Second Lt. J. Hunter 

Williams, Sgt. Frank J . . 

Wilson, President Woodrow 

Wittlich 

309-310 

320 

393 

413 

106 

270,322 

507 

215 

365 

381 

13-1 

385 

10,493 

492 

Woël . . . . . . . . . . 120, 150, 151, 152 

Woëvre Plain 106,119,144,155,182,213,310 

Woëvre Plain operation 

Woinville ....... . 

Wold, Pvt. Nels .... . 

Woodfill, First Lt. Samuel. 

Wytschaete ..... 

Xammes 

Xcn Hill 

X 

y 

152 

121,144 

217 

255 

405 

150 

138 

York, Pvt. (lst. 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 ..... . 

Zimmermann telegram 

Zwartenbroek . . . . 

z 

453 

11 

397



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