Germany's Western Offensive
By the end of 1917, conflict on Germany’s Eastern Front was dwindling due to Russia’s exit from the war. Germany was afforded the opportunity to shift its forces to the Western Front and launch a westward assault and end the war before the arrival of U.S. troops. Exhausted French and British troops would be no match for the reinforced German Armies ("Germany Begins Major Offensive on The Western Front", 2017).
On the morning of March 21, 1918, the Germans barraged Allied trenches on the Western Front with a mixture of high explosive artillery and lethal gases. In one day the Germans had gained four miles of enemy territory and inflicted 30,000 Allied casualties ("Germany Begins Major Offensive on The Western Front", 2017). |
America Enters the War
The 1917 entrance of the United States into the Great War, quickly made a significant impact on the outcome. Although the American troops were not battle tested, they proved their mettle when thrust into combat against the battle-hardened Germans. Because no one knew how the American soldiers would perform, the troops were led by British and French commanders (Yardley, 2014).
In early 1918, the German Army was decisively sweeping through Northern France and nearing the capital city of Paris. Outside Paris laid the forest of Belleau Wood and the Marne river. These strategic choke points were defended by weary French and British troops along with the untested Americans. The orders for the Allied forces: Stop the German Advance (Yardley, 2014). |
The Americans were critical in the successful defense of the Marne and rebuffing the German juggernaut. The U.S. Third Infantry Division was tasked to hold key bridges that crossed the Marne River. The American infantry fighting ferocity earned them the name “Rock of the Marne” because they would not give any ground to the German onslaught. Additionally, U.S. Marines in the forest of Belleau Wood continued to assault the German lines, refusing to yield to failure until the Germans were driven back and the day was won. The Second Battle of the Marne was the turning point of the war. The battle provided the Allies the opportunity for a counter-assault that would drive the enemy into eventual defeat (Yardley, 2014).
American Armies performed so well in combat that it gave cause to reject the French idea to disperse American troops into the depleted French and British Armies. In August of 1918, General John J. Pershing’s wish was granted by the Allied commanders, and he led the U.S. First Army and attacked the St. Mihiel salient. The Americans again won a decisive victory against the bewildered German foe ("John J. Pershing", 2017).
American Armies performed so well in combat that it gave cause to reject the French idea to disperse American troops into the depleted French and British Armies. In August of 1918, General John J. Pershing’s wish was granted by the Allied commanders, and he led the U.S. First Army and attacked the St. Mihiel salient. The Americans again won a decisive victory against the bewildered German foe ("John J. Pershing", 2017).
The Allies' Argonne Operation
After the Allied victory at the Second Battle of the Marne and the subsequent German retreat, the Allies mounted an offensive to end the war. The Allies planned to simultaneously press the entire Western Front and drive the German Armies back into Germany. Part of the attack consisted of a joint attack in the Meuse Valley where French and American troops would continue the push to rid Germans from France. The American Armies were tasked to clear the dense Argonne Forest and eliminate any German threats. Fighting was slow and fierce in the Argonne, but the American persistence paid off. By October 31, the Argonne was cleared of Germans, and the French Armies had advanced 20 miles up the Meuse ("Battles of the Meuse-Argonne," 2017).
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Over one million American troops took part in the Argonne Offensive. American casualties were high, and the U.S. forces continually became more disorganized. The Allied Forces reached Sedan on November 10, severing the German rail supply artery. As the Allies prepared for a final assault on Germany, the Armistice was acknowledged on November 11, ending combat operations in World War I ("Battles of the Meuse-Argonne," 2017).
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Photos retrieved from:
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-i/world-war-i-history/pictures/world-war-i-trench-warfare/british-soldiers-fighting-in-trenches
https://nzhistory.govt.nz/war/western-front-1918
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/09/arts/television/review-the-great-war-when-america-took-the-world-stage.html
http://www.cic.lsu.edu/WorldWarOne/
https://www.loc.gov/rr/news/topics/armistice.html
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-i/world-war-i-history/pictures/world-war-i-trench-warfare/british-soldiers-fighting-in-trenches
https://nzhistory.govt.nz/war/western-front-1918
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/09/arts/television/review-the-great-war-when-america-took-the-world-stage.html
http://www.cic.lsu.edu/WorldWarOne/
https://www.loc.gov/rr/news/topics/armistice.html