The germans had occupied since 1914. To begin this story, here is a portion of a 1960 u. S. Army film that gives a brief sketch of the operation. In late july, 1918, general pershing created the First United States Army under his command. And immediate steps were taken to concentrate American Forces at one point on the line. That point was saintmihiel. The germans had held an area 25 miles since early in the war. Penetrating the allied lines 16 miles, it enabled the enemy to harass operations. More than half a million first army troops assembled for the task of crushing it out of existence. 15 infantry divisions were moved into position. By the end of the day on september 11, 1918, the first army was ready for its First Independent operations against the enemy. At dawn on the 12th, in a drizzling rain, the attack was launched. [gunfire] [explosions] for the enemy, saintmihiel was an unpleasant surprise. Within four days, the city was obliterated, and the americans were deployed along a
To begin this story, here is a portion of a 1960 u. S. Army film that gives a brief sketch of the operation. In late july, general pershing created the First United States Army under his command. And immediate steps were taken to concentrate American Forces at one point on the line. That point was saintmihiel. The germans had held an area 25 miles since early in the war. Penetrating the allied lines 16 miles, it enabled the enemy to harass operations. More than half a million first army troops assembled for the task of crushing it out of existence. 15 infantry divisions were moved into position. By the end of the day on september 11, 1918, the first army was ready for its First Independent operation against the enemy. At dawn on the 12th of september, the attack was launched. For the enemy, saintmihiel was an unpleasant surprise. Within four days, the city was obliterated and the americans were along the line. General pershing considered the victory a Birthday Gift on september 13. In