1. World War One

2. Situation on the Eve of hostilities British being starved by German U-Boats Feared they would be out of war by Oct 1917.

3. American Navy American navy was in a position to help Allies Admiral William Sims convinced British to try new system—Convoy system –Destroyers and other small anti-submarine vessels escorted merchant ships across the Atlantic Not a perfect system but reduced the crisis Second ½ of 1917—great reduction in ship losses. The US also embarked on a massive shipbuilding program. –Build ships faster than Germans could sink them.

4. Army Less prepared to make an immediate contribution. Force of 210,000 men with 97,000 National Guardsmen in federal service. Little or no equipment. Want to make symbolic gesture of support to Allies-send a Division over immediately –Scrap together forces to create-1 st Infantry Division –Would take months in Europe to prepare them for combat

5. John Pershing Wilson selects Pershing to lead American forces in Europe –Combat experience in Mexico –Controversial choice Junior to 5 other officers Sent immediately to Europe to assess the situation and set up headquarters.

6. How big a force? Initial estimates 1 million man force –1 full field army—20 divisions strong with support personal Pershing would consistently increase these figures until they reached 100 divisions strong. A force of this size over 3 million men would have greatly taxed the American economy. Eventually 62 divisions would be formed with 43 going overseas.

7. American Divisions American army had oversized divisions- almost 28,000 men –Double the size of Allied or German divisions –Pershing wanted a forced large enough to have striking AND staying power on the attack. –Ability to overwhelm enemy

9. Mobilization of Industry To meet the needs of forces, military needed to coordinate activities with civilian industry Massive contracts to supply all needs of modern military force operating overseas. American industry unable to meet many of the needs in a prompt way Army forced to use materials supplied by Allies Not until the end of the war did American industry start to meet quotas.

10. Officers Corps Military decided to go in a new direction –In past officers selected based on status and political connections Test all inductees for mental aptitude –Culturally biased –Drew conclusion that most troops were idiots Officer Training Schools

11. Americans in Combat 1st Division put into action in October 1917 Did a rotation with French units before committed to a “Quiet Section” of the front

12. Pressure from Allies Quickly realized that it would take a long time before American forces would be ready to assume unit role. Wanted Americans fed into British and French units as replacements. –Believed request was logical –Possessed leadership, artillery, tanks and aviation but lacked manpower Americans insisted on a separate force

13. German Offensive Germans moved large numbers of troops from Russian front to Europe. Launch 5 major massive offensives against British forces –Advanced over 40 miles –Take 70,000 prisoners, 200,000 casualties Bogs down –Loot British trenches for food—slows advance –Fails to destroy British Army, loss of elite troops

14. American forces grow By July 4, 1918, one million American have arrived in France 250,000 troops arriving in Europe each month. Begin to tip the scale Ready to launch offensive.

15. St. Mihiel September 1918 1 st major offensive--good test –Europeans had doubts—inexperienced officers American able to seize territories quickly with few casualties Important for morale –Could run an independent operation –Staff planning, skilled officers, good troops

16. Air War War creates major building program –Produces 1,200 aircraft –Most use French-made planes William Mitchell—Head of Air Corps 94 th Squadron-1 st unit in action –Eddie Rickenbacher—26 kills –Used in Meuse-Argonne offensive Ground support Bombing raids Mitchell envisioned a very different future