A companion to the meuseargonne campaign edited by edward g. The meuseargonne offensive also known as the meuse riverargonne forest offensive, the battles of the meuseargonne, and the meuseargonne campaign was a major part of the final allied offensive of world war i that stretched along the entire western front. A newcomer to the allied effort, the united states had begun sending large numbers of soldiers to europe only months before. It was also the biggest battle fought by the american expeditionary force during the war. The meuseargonne offensive, lasting from 26 september 1918 to 11 november 1918, constituted the largest and bloodiest engagement of american forces in world war i. Part of the hundred days offensives, the thrust in the meuse argonne was the largest american operation of the conflict and involved 1. The american expeditionary forces in the meuse argonne campaign associated university presses. He explained the meuseargonne battle daybyday, corpsbycorps, from the right meuse river to the left.
A companion to the meuseargonne campaign in searchworks catalog. The american expeditionary force aef served on the western front, under general john j. A youth in the meuse argonne is a firsthand account of world war i through the eyes of an enlisted soldier. Triplet was a seventeenyearold junior in high school when, on april 2, 1917, president woodrow wilson asked for a declaration of war. The american attack in the meuseargonne was the most important of. The argonne was less susceptible to the laws of military strategy.
Americas greatest battle someone should make mention of this. When thinking of a forest, one might expect dense vegetation, poor. There 300,000 troops mounted the final offensive of the war. The meuseargonne offensive is widely regarded as one of americas finest hours, and the amazing feats of sergeant alvin york, major charles whittlesey of the lost battalion, and lieutenant sam woodfill all accomplished in the midst of this maelstrom echo across the ages. The meuse argonne offensive, also known as the maas argonne offensive and the battle of the argonne forest, was a part of the final allied offensive of world war i that stretched along the entire western front. A companion to the meuseargonne campaign in searchworks. There are a lot of first person accounts that really help you to know what the doughboys went through.
Sep 27, 2016 the 26th of september marks the 98th anniversary of the start of the meuseargonne offensive, which was the largest operation of the american expeditionary forces aef in world war i. Lengel the meuse argonne was the single largest and bloodiest battle in american military history, which defined american military experience in the first world war and profoundly impacted the course of the war and the development of american military doctrine. Meuseargonne offensive map national archives foundation. Since 1986 he has visited the battlefields, especially the meuseargonne, more than twenty times. By the time that the germans agreed to an armistice fortyseven days later, the meuse argonne campaign would gain the distinction of being the largest and most costly military operation in american history. It was fought from september 26, 1918, until the armistice on november 11, a total of 47 days. A companion to the meuseargonne campaign ebook by edward g.
Book about americans in the meuseargonne region books. Fortyseven days goodreads meet your next favorite book. The sixweek battle of the meuse argonne is little celebrated today, but it was the largest, bloodiest battle in american history and pivotal to bringing germany to its knees. Buried at meuseargonne american cemetery by valerie j. The meuse argonne offensive was the largest independent american offensive against the imperial germany army during ww1. Of all the battles and engagements in which knox countians took part during the world war, more men and officers of them were engaged perhaps, first and last, in the 47day struggle of the american army against the vital german positions in the argonne forest northward as far as sedan than in any other large conflict or large operation in france. May 25, 2017 designed for the visitor center at meuse argonne american cemetery, this film presents visitors with an immersive, world war i experience. The meuse argonne offensive was one of the final campaigns of world war i 19141918 and was fought between september 26 and november 11, 1918. This book tells the complete story of the meuseargonne campaign, the largest ever.
As told by lieutenant maury maverick of the 28th infantry. The scale and results of this offensive underscored americas emerging role on. Teaching and mapping the geography of the meuse argonne. The argonne forest loomed as an impenetrable fortress to the east of a landscape of rolling fields with small hills and heights, bordered by the meuse river to the west. Was a campaign that aimed to push back the germans to germany. The meuse argonne offensive also known as the meuse river argonne forest offensive, the battles of the meuse argonne, and the meuse argonne campaign was a major part of the final allied offensive of world war i that stretched along the entire western front. Nielsen book data summary a companion to the meuseargonne campaign explores the single largest and bloodiest battle in american military history, including its many controversies, in historiographical essays that reflect. The division helped to hasten the end of the war by helping to pull the. The meuseargonne offensive was the largest american military campaign to that date and one of the worlds greatest battles. New webpage for world war i records on the meuseargonne. Except in its early stages this was no grand running, flawless offensive without a hitch worth mentioning.
Position occupied by the 306th infantry during the battle, 1918. How strange that the meuse argonne campaign in the last weeks of world war i is not better remembered. Book about americans in the meuseargonne region books and. Dec 05, 2002 the meuse argonne campaign, which falls into three phases, reads far differently than the taking of st. The meuseargonne offensive was the largest operations of the american expeditionary forces aef in world war i, with over a million american soldiers participating. Jan 01, 2008 this is the best book on the mueseargonne campaign ive read. This book is a long and detailed description of the monthslong engagement.
A companion to the meuseargonne campaign by edward g. For this remarkable accomplishment during the meuse argonne campaign of world war i, corporal york was soon awarded sergeants stripes and received a medal of honor. The meuseargonne was the single largest and bloodiest battle in american military history, which defined american military experience in the first world war and profoundly impacted the course of the war and the development of american military doctrine. It was a very complex operation involving a majority of the aef ground forces fighting through rough, hilly terrain the german army had spent four years fortifying. Scenes include the realities of trench warfare, the.
Over a million american soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines, as well as 5,000 french soldiers, participated in the offensive. When it ended, the meuse argonne campaign was the greatest battle that the u. The author of this osprey campaign series book sets out to set the record straight. Meuse argonne offensive pershings army undertook the meuse argonne offensive, from sept.
Meuse argonne offensive also called the battle of the argonne forest, was a part of the final allied offensive of world war i that stretched along the entire western front. In 2017 he quit his job as a financial analyst in order to work and live in france for six months as a freelance tour guide to the american battlefields. The meuseargonne offensive 20th century history song book. A companion to the meuseargonne campaign explores the single largest and bloodiest battle in american military history, including its many controversies, in historiographical essays that reflect the current state of the field. The initial assault involved nine aef divisionsincluding four green divisionson approximately a 30kilometerwide front. This is the best book on the mueseargonne campaign ive read. In addition to its logistical size, this campaign also the critical push that ultimately ended the first world war. Until i read this i really had no idea some doughboys were rushed through training so fast, they didnt even know how to shot a rifle. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers. Meuseargonne offensive map the meuse argonne offensive was the largest operation of the american expeditionary forces during world war i and the deadliest military campaign in american history. William walkers betrayal at little gibraltar should help dispel this national amnesia, for he has given us both a propulsive, closely observed war narrative. Americas bloodiest battle happened 100 years ago this month.
The meuseargonne offensive, 26 september11 november 1918, was the southern part of the great triple offensive that broke the german lines on the western front. The meuseargonne offensive was the largest independent american offensive against the imperial germany army during ww1. Mihiel, launched just 10 days earlier, the meuse argonne offensive began. About this book a companion to the meuseargonne campaign explores the single largest and bloodiest battle in american military history, including its many controversies, in historiographical essays that reflect the current state of the field. The lost battalion of world war i pieces of history. It was the major battle that the us engaged in and was key to the german defeat in november of 1918. Following the german retreat from the marne river in july, a series of practically simultaneous offensives against the shaken german armies carried the allies to. When an american woman rediscovers the memory of a small village in the meuse by laurie button and others the allied terms of the armistice. The meuse argonne was the single largest and bloodiest battle in american military history, which defined american military experience in the first world war and profoundly impacted the course of the war and the development of american military doctrine. In just 47 days, the fight for the meuse river and argonne forest in northeast france claimed the lives of 26,277 american soldiers.
The meuseargonne was the principal engagement of the aef during world war i. Barely enough, just in time, just long enough 390 larry a. The fighting ended at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh monthnovember 11, 1918. Nielsen book data summary a companion to the meuseargonne campaign explores the single largest and bloodiest battle in american military history, including its many controversies, in historiographical essays that reflect the current state of the field. The germans, who had far fewer troops in the campaign, had 28,000 killed and 92,250 wounded. Nine us divisions of the first army attacked northward along a front extending from the argonne forest to the meuse river. Alvin york will be published by ausa in conjunction with the annual meeting. Thunder in the argonne is the first book to bring alive the story of americas biggest ever battle. Black jack pershing and with over a million american soldiers participating, it was a part of the final allied. Try searching on jstor for other items related to this book. This is a particularly practical book for those not trained as historians. When it ended, the meuseargonne campaign was the greatest battle that the u. This week marks the 90th anniversary of the start of the meuse argonne campaign.
The meuseargonne offensive and american memory 496 steven trout index 515. Pershings intent for the meuse argonne campaign was clear and simple. The 91st division was part of this massive final push. The american expeditionary forces in the meuseargonne campaign. Presents original essays on the french and german participation in.
Pershing, and engaged in official military campaigns between 1917 and 1918, for which campaign streamers were designated. Jun 19, 2014 there 300,000 troops mounted the final offensive of the war. The united states campaigns in world war i began after american entry in the war in early april 1917. Hello everybody, im looking for a book about the american soldiers who fought in the meuse argonne region at the end of 2018. The meuse argonne forest campaign took place in the region of france of the same name.
Mastriano brilliantly weaves together the german and american perspective of this clash of arms to craft a history of the meuse argonne campaign that is timely and engaging. The sixweek battle of the meuseargonne is little celebrated today, but it was the largest, bloodiest battle in american history and pivotal to bringing germany to its knees. That said, ive yet to come across any book that addresses how the battle of the meuseargonne at the end of wwi unfolded to the real stresses and failings common to us army in the field. In six weeks the aef lost 26,277 killed and 95,786 wounded. A companion to the meuse argonne campaign edited by edward g. Presents original essays on the french and german participation in and perspectives on this important event. Fought from september 26 november 11, 1918, by over a million american soldiers, the meuse argonne operation was part of the final allied offensive. Battles of the meuseargonne september 26november 11, 1918, a series of final confrontations on the western front in world war i. The great battle of the meuse argonne was the costliest conflict in american history, with 26,000 men killed and tens of thousands wounded. Due to the terrain of the area being manly forest and valleys the region was an ideal defensive position hart, peter. While parts of the venzon and miles volume are useful historical material, the braim contribution therein is a confused mishmash of numbers pertaining to the meuse argonne front, the argonne forest, and the overall grand offensive. It was also the deadliest campaign in american history, resulting in over 26,000 soldiers being killed in.
The meuse argonne offensive was the largest in united states military history, involving 1. Army launched one of the largest offensives in american military history, the meuse argonne campaign of the first world war. The meuseargonne offensive was a major part of the final allied offensive of world war i that. Apr 26, 2018 hello everybody, im looking for a book about the american soldiers who fought in the meuseargonne region at the end of 2018. The meuse argonne offensive of world war i ranks as one of americas most significant battles in terms of men and equipment engaged, the numbers of dead and wounded, and the strategic consequences. Thats far more deaths than the better known battle of the bulge 19,276 fatalities in 1944 and 1945 and gettysburg 7,058, both union and confederate, killed in 1863 only the entire 11week campaign for normandy in 1944 exceeds the meuse argonne in terms. One hundred years later, the ausa book program will recognize yorks act of. Wright, who commanded the 89th division during the st. Victory corps played vital role in meuseargonne offensive. In illustration of how vague appears to be our knowledge of the german loss at the meuse argonne, i quote paul f. Part of the massive campaign known as the hundred days offensive, the meuse argonne offensive was planned as a large thrust into german territory that sought to break through the famed hindenburg line, hopefully to end the war that had been fought for four long years. It began on 26 september, 1918, less than two weeks after the st.
Designed for the visitor center at meuse argonne american cemetery, this film presents visitors with an immersive, world war i experience. The meuse argonne offensive is widely regarded as one of americas finest hours, and the amazing feats of sergeant alvin york, major charles whittlesey of the lost battalion, and lieutenant sam woodfill all accomplished in the midst of this maelstrom echo across the ages. Jan 01, 2005 having edited the diaries or memoirs of four young aef soldiers and written a book on the collapse of the 35th division in the meuseargonne, he has now edited this volume, which presents and contextualizes the diary of maj. This is a military history of meuseargonne battle that america fought in wwi against the germans. The meuse argonne offensive was the greatest american battle of the first world war.
The largely forgotten meuseargonne offensive began on september 26, 1918. Following the german retreat from the marne river in july, a series of practically simultaneous offensives against the shaken german armies carried the allies to the german frontier. Teaching with the meuseargonne american cemetery, vol. The streamer uses the colors of the world war i victory medal ribbon which had.
It was fought from september 26, 1918 until the armistice of november 11, 1918. A companion to the meuseargonne campaign book depository. German order of battleoctober 30, 1918 meuseargonne. Would advise reading in parallel to a book like keegans the face of battle to get a better sense of the everyday reality conditions. A good starting point is the other research tools pages on this website and in markus klauer s article the german high command during the meuseargonne offensive. Presents original essays on the french and german participation in and. That said, ive yet to come across any book that addresses how the battle of the meuseargonne at the end of wwi unfolded to the real stresses and failings. General pershing, the 79th division, and the battle for. Fortyseven days by mitchell yockelson is a world war i account of general pershing and his top commanders during the meuse argonne phase from september 26, 1918 to november 11, 1918. Meuse riverargonne forest offensive, 26 september11. Published to coincide with the centennial of the campaign, this engaging book offers a fresh look at the battle that forged. Apush the american pageant chapter 30 vocab flashcards.
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