Meuse-Argonne Offensive

[4Nichole]

Where- The Verdun Sector, north of the town of Verdun.

When -- September 26- November 11, 918...

Who-- French, British and American forces againest the Germans...

Location-- France.

On September 26th, the Americans began their strike against Sedan. The armies were all rested and eager to start fighting but they were very inexperienced troops(US). Meuse-Argonne Offensive was the biggest war and victory of American Expeditionary Force of World War 1. It was also the largest frontline commitment of troops by the US Army and the deadliest one at that. On the 28th. the french General Mariano Goybet commanded the 157 Red Hand Dicision to send his troops in the MeuseArgonne offensive.

In the first nine days of fighting. the Red Hand took 600 enemy's as their prisoners, captured 15 heavy guns , 20 Minewerfers and 150 machine guns.

The main US things took place in Verdun Sector, between the 26th and the 11th of November.

The American was 15 dicisions of the US's first Army. Which was commanded by General John J Pershing.

Equipment

The United States used 380 tanks , 2780 artillery and 840 aircrafts to fight the opposing army..

Opposing

The main opposing force was the Germans. The germans didnt even have half of the strenght as the United States.

First phase: September 26 to October 3

The US attacked at 530 in the morning of the 26th. They failed to capture Montfaucon.

Second phase: October 4 to October 28

It was during this phase that the Lost Battalion affair occurred. The battalion was rescued due to an attack by the 28th and 82nd Divisions on October 7. The Americans launched a series of costly frontal assaults that finally broke through the main German defences. By the end of October, US troops had advanced ten miles and had finally cleared the Argonne Forest. On October 8, Corporal Alvin York made his famous capture of 132 German prisoners.

Third phase: October 26 to November 10

By October 31 the Americans had advanced fifteen kilometers and had finally cleared the Argonne Forest. On their left the French had advanced thirty kilometers, reaching the River Aisne. The American troops captured German defenses at Buzancy. Allowing French troops to cross the River Aisne, whence they rushed forward, to capture Le Chesne.

Although the Meuse-Argonne was the bloodiest single battle in U.S. history,it had the largest number of U.S. dead in a single battle, that is one reason itis remembered today in the United States History.

And the pressure of the Germans was an inportant factor in their agreeing to the armistice.

The battle wasalso called the Battle of the Argonne Forest.

^Sources---

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meuse-Argonne_Offensive