St Mihiel 1918 The American Expeditionary Forces’ trial by fire

by Bonk, David; Gerrard, Howard

• ISBN13: 9781849083911
• ISBN10: 1849083916
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2011-10-18
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing

Summary

The St Mihiel salient had been formed in 1914 as the Germans drove towards Paris. The French had attempted to recapture it in 1915 without success and in 1916 the Germans used the area as a base to attack Verdun. The bitter battle for Verdun had cost hundreds of thousands of German and French casualties. After the Germans called off their attack the salient the war shifted north, leaving the salient protruding ominously into the Allied lines. Despite holding the salient since 1914, after the losses of early 1918, Ludendorff reluctantly decided to abandon the area and retire to a heavily fortified line at the base of the salient. The evacuation was ordered to begin on September 8, 1918. This was to be the scene for the newly formed American Army's first major offensive of the war. This highly illustrated and detailed account will highlight every aspect of this important campaign.

Table of Contents

Origins of the Campaign	p. 5
Chronology	p. 8
Opposing Commanders	p. 9
Allied
German
Opposing Armies	p. 14
American
German
Orders of Battle	p. 19
American
German
Opposing Plans	p. 22
The St Mihiel salient
Foch's change of plans
American forces
Air forces
Tank forces
German dispositions and Plan Loki
Deception
St Mihiel	p. 34
Deployment
The attack begins
Over the top
The advance continues Stemming the tide
Race to Vigneulles
September 13
September 14
Aftermath	p. 90
The Battlefield Today	p. 93
Bibliography	p. 94
Index	p. 95
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