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Armistice ended World War I 100 years ago - these photos show how US troops helped turn the tide of the Great War
Armistice ended World War I 100 years ago - these photos show how US troops helped turn the tide of the Great War
Caitlin FosterNov 7, 2018, 03:34 IST
In this undated photo, US infantrymen advance on the St. Mihiel front.Associated Press
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When the US declared war on Germany on April 6, 1917, the Allies had already endured over three years of carnage.
The famed Harlem Hellfighters were the first to join the fight on the frontlines under French command.
As the Americans began to send more troops across the Atlantic, Germany was anxious to score a victory before the majority of their forces arrived.
In the midst of the Bolshevik Revolution, Russia could not sustain its war effort. The dissolution of its forces freed German soldiers to the east, and the Central Powers' ranks along the western front swelled.
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The plan for Kaiserschlacht, or "Kaiser's battle," was to conquer Paris, and end the war.
That plan backfired, and with the additional US troops, the Allies were able to counter a string of German offensives, starting with the first US-led assault in a small village near the Somme called Cantigny.
Americans captured 100 German soldiers during their first offensive at Cantigny.
Launched May 28, 1918, the Battle of Cantigny was America's first major offensive in World War I.
Americans show their strength at Cantigny, and prove their forces can stand alone.
American forces seized the village of Cantigny in just over half an hour, and defended against several German counterattacks for the next two days.
Under Army general John Pershing's orders not to surrender an inch, Americans held their positions at the cost of over 1,000 lives.
'Come on, you sons of bitches, do you want to live forever?'
German reinforcements, recently arrived after their relocation from the eastern front, continued their offensive at Chateau-Thierry, and advanced within 50 miles of Paris before pausing in Belleau Woods.
It was there the Americans decided to attack. As they dug in to prepare for the days ahead, their French counterparts retreated, and advised the US Marines do the same.
On June 6, 2018, the US forces launched a three-week battle in which both sides would suffer debilitating losses.
On the first day of fighting, US forces suffered over 1,000 casualties. The Germans defended against nine assaults, until June 26, when a combat report relayed the victory.
Accounts vary as to the precise wording used by Marine Maj. Maurice Shearer, but the gist was this: "Woods now U.S. Marine Corps entirely."
'US Marines smash Huns' and build a legacy.
War correspondent Floyd Gibbons' headline for the Chicago Tribune, and the battle in which he lost an eye, would form a legacy the US Marines treasure to this day.
Throughout the battle, Americans suffered nearly 10,000 casualties.
Germany's final offensive goes awry in the Second Battle of the Marne.
Germany launched its final offensive on July 15, 1918.
Suffering a major defeat at Belleau Wood, German General Erich Ludendorff had one final chance to advance across the river Marne towards Paris.
But the Allies held him off, and on July 18 launched a counter-offensive that would be considered the turning point of the war.
With a German retreat, the Allies advance to victory.
The Franco-American troops, with an estimated 300 tanks, forced the Germans to retreat.
Gen. Ludendorff's plan was to divert the Allies away from Flanders, where he would launch another offensive.
But the Germans suffered a swift defeat, and by early August 1918 the Allies had recaptured Soisson to the north.
Germany was now on the defensive.
Colonel Patton's troops draw first blood at St. Mihiel.
