Title: The Big Red One : America's legendary 1st Infantry Division from World War I to Desert Storm /
Authors: Wheeler, James Scott.
Publisher: University Press of Kansas,
Year: 2007
Subjects: United States. History.
Abstract: "The oldest continuously serving division in the U.S. Army, the "Fighting First" has consistently played a crucial role in America's foreign wars. The first American division to see combat and achieve victory in World War I, it set the standard for discipline, training, endurance, and tactical innovation. One of the few intact divisions between the wars, it was the first army unit to train for amphibious warfare. During World War II, the 1st Division spearheaded the invasions of North Africa and Sicily before leading the Normandy invasion at Omaha Beach and fighting on through the Hurtgen Forest, the Battle of the Bulge, the Ruhr Pocket, and deep into Germany.
Contents: Lafayette, we are here : creation of the 1st Infantry Division -- Cantigny to Soissons -- Victory in Alsace-Lorraine : St. Mihiel and the Meuse Argonne -- Between the world wars : the twenty-year peace -- Mobilization for war : the expansion and training of the Big Red One, 1939 to November 1942 -- Tunisia : the division comes of age -- Offensive operations : Gafsa to victory in Africa -- The invasion of Sicily -- Operation Overlord -- Crusade in Europe : the drive to Germany -- The battles of the German frontier -- The last offensive against Germany : January to May 1945 -- The occupation of Germany and the Cold War -- The Vietnam War and the Big Red One : deployment and first battles -- The year of decision? : the 1st Infantry Division in Vietnam, 1967 -- Tet and the light at the end of the tunnel -- Conclusion : The journey continues.