Meuse-Argonne Battle

 

Meuse-Argonne 11/09/2022

Posted on  by Jerry

The Meuse-Argonne offensive was the largest in U.S. military history. It was also the deadliest battle in the history of the U.S. Army. This offensive lasted 47 days, from September 26 to Armistice Day on 11 November. It involved 1.2 million American soldiers and marines, resulting in 350,000 casualties, including 28,000 German lives, an unknown number of French deaths, and 26,277 American deaths. This sacrifice resulted in the end of the Great War. It is thought in many circles, that this war was a prelude to World War II.

Steven Girard, our historian, walked us through the battle. We toured the central portion of the battlefield and stopped at the monument on top of Montfaucon. General John Pershing intended the American monument at Montfaucon be the most imposing WW I American monument in Europe. Afterwards, we visited the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery at Romagne. This is the largest American cemetery in Europe. A total of 14,246 Americans are interred here. Most of those buried here, lost their lives in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. There is a visitors’ center that explains the significance of the Meuse-Argonne Offensive as it fits in World War I. There are 9 Medal of Honor recipients buried here. Pictures do not do justice to the enormity of rows, upon rows, of the American burial plots located here. After touring a private museum with artifacts from the battlefield, we went to the jump off line where the Hindenburg line was smashed and then followed the line of attack of the Marine Brigade as they drove north. Our last stop was at the Meuse River to the spot where, on the night of November 10th, where elements of the 5th Marine Regiment crossed the river on a footbridge under heavy fire. All firing ceased the next morning at 11/11/1918 at 11:00 AM.

We returned to Reims for a group dinner and celebrated the Marine Corps 247th birthday. Champagne anyone? Tomorrow will be a busy day. We will leave Reims in the morning and travel to Belleau Wood Battlefield.

Meuse-Argonne, under fire.
Steve Girard, Historian
German observation post, Montaufcon
Linda and Beverly, battlefield in the background.
German machine nest in tower left of arch.
German prisoners, behind the GI’s
James White, Tour Leader

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