The meuse-Argonne Campaign

The Final Allied Offensive Largest in U.S. military history (1.2 million Americans) Part of the Hundred Days Offensive Main Objective: capture German railway hub at Sedan Organized into three phases Deadliest battle in American history +26,000 deaths Plagued by inexperience and outbreaks of flu

Phase One: Preparation 1st Stage- advance 10 miles; clear Argonne Forest 2nd Stage- advance 10 miles to outflank enemy position Area of Operations for Americans was ~15-20 miles Rugged terrain and forests present obstacles for advance German defense system 15 miles deep and had high ground along flanks of incoming American 1st Attacks began Sep 26 with initial assault being successful

Phase One: Execution Extremely slow progress through Sep. Delay in breaking through center of German line led to arrival of German reserve forces Heavy rains bogged down tanks Resupply efforts more difficult in mud German artillery at heights of banks of Meuse rained down on Allies Lack of experience, teamwork, and logistical support

Phase One: Aftermath First Army moved 8 miles into German lines Heavily defended area 9000 POWs captured; large store of guns Pershing forced to halt and reorganize confused and battered men

Opener- 4/8 With a partner, briefly describe the execution and aftermath of the first phase of the Meuse-Argonne Offensive

Phase Two: Preparation Conditions of Foch’s Offensive Also gradually slowing Penetrated through Hindenburg Line along Somme and expanded Also had to pause to improve lines of communication

Phase Two: Preparation Less experienced divs. rotated out for veteran divs. Both Americans and Germans reinforce lines with fresh reserves Battle Strategy: III and V Corps take heights around Cunel and Romagne I Corps neutralizes fire from the Argonne

Phase Two: Execution III and V Corps make slow gains against Germans Did not remove Germans from heights Rotations in line allow Germans to bring up reserves I Corps captures important ridge on east line Germans have 27 regiments divisions in the area by Oct. 6

Phase Two: Execution Oct. 7- Flanking maneuver forces Germans to begin withdrawing from forest Forest cleared by 10th Continued campaigning of III and V Corps eventually penetrated German lines

American Support for Allies 2nd American Division with French 4th Army capture Mont Blanc River (natural barrier) Americans and French divisions attacked salient near Marne River Force Germans to redirect forces from main battleground

Phase Two: Aftermath Pershing reorganized 1st and 2nd Armies to reduce role in field command 2nd under Bullard oversees quiet area 1st under Liggett continues in Argonne

General Robert L. Bullard General Hunter Liggett

Phase Two: Aftermath 1st Army in deplorable shape Several divisions combat ineffective 100,000 division-less soldiers Lack of draft animals 1st Army rests for two weeks while they are refitted

Phase Three: Preparation Infantry and artillery retrained Specialized storm trooper tactics Artillery preparations Isolate objectives with barrage and counterbarrage German response Maximize supporting fire and gas

Phase Three: Preparation Limited offensives launched to secure line of departure Hard fighting in forests and hills 10-day battle for Grandpre among the bloodiest Supplies continued to be stockpiled until Nov. 1

Phase Three: Execution Main objective: Barricourt Ridge (5 mile advance) All but one corps advance to the Meuse River French Fourth Army freed up following day Advance became rapid; extremely effective artillery and infantry cooperation

Phase Three: Aftermath Armistice signed one week after reaching the Meuse (Nov. 11) Campaign among greatest in American history 1.25 million mobilized for the assault 117,000 casualties received 120,000 casualties inflicted