important battles of ww1 creegan

Battle of Cantigny

significant because it was the first major battle that US troops were involved in

-   took place on May 28, 1918

-   there was some distrust amongst French and British troops of American ability

-   battle was a success for allied forces, they won and were able to see that American troops could fight

-   American casualties- 1,603 (199 killed)

-   Allied victory

Belleau Wood Campaign

there were two major parts of this campaign: Battle of Chateau-Thierry and Battle of Belleau Wood

-   date of campaign was May 31-July 18, 1918

-   the town of Chateau-Thierry marked the closest the German advance would get to Paris (50 miles away)

-   Battle of Chateau-Thierry was an allied victory and halted the greatest threat to Paris by Germans

-   the American troops were led by General Pershing (first time it was not French or British leadership) in both battles

-   The Battle of Belleau Wood was set in a forest outside of Chateau-Thierry

o   the 2^nd Division Marines would take these woods

o   casualties on the 1^st day were very high for Marines

o   woods were taken a total of 6 times by Americans before they completely expelled the Germans from them

o   the woods were officially renamed Bois de la Brigade de Marine in honor of the Marines who fought so well to win them back

-   American casualties- 11,685 (1,811 deaths)

-   major Allied victory

2nd Battle of the Marne

took place July 15-August 5, 1918

-   last major German offensive of WWI

-   this was a major victory for the Allies

-   the German’s attempted to divide and conquer allied troops in order to defeat them, this failed

-   the Germans attacked French trenches that were set up as a ruse, there were no soldiers there

-   the real trenches were in a different location and the Allied troops were able to surround the Germans

-   the Germans would suffer heavy casualties

-   the Allied troops launched a counter attack and were able to stall the German advance

-   this would mark the last major push of the German’s westward

-   although losses were staggering (very high) for both sides, the Germans couldn’t replace their losses but the Allied powers could (with Americans)

-   American casualties- 12,000

-   major Allied victory

Battle of St. Mihiel

this was the first major independent American offensive of WWI

-   it would prove General Pershing’s leadership ability beyond doubt

-   took place September 12-16, 1918

-   this is also important because it is the first time the US Air Service (Air Force) would be used

-   Allied forces objective was to break through German lines (they were retreating and very disorganized) and capture the French city of Metz

-   very damaging to German morale

-   the city of Metz was taken with a further fight for the city

-   American casualties- 7000 (4,500 killed)

-   Allied victory

Meuse-Argonne Offensive

this was the final major campaign of WWI

-   took place September 26-November 11, 1918 (conclusion of war)

-   the supreme commander of the Allied troops was now General Pershing

-   this was an Allied offensive

-   the Germans were completely overwhelmed and could not fight back against the unrelenting force of the Allied forces

-   this was the largest campaign in US history with 1.2 million American forces partaking in this mission

-   there were three phases of this offensive:

o   Phase 1- September 26-October 3, 1918- goal was to capture the city of Sedan, not achieved, slowed down by muddy roads

o   Phase 2- October 4-October 31, 1918- Pershing ordered an attack, met with stiff German resistance, eventually began to breakthrough German lines and retake a number of towns controlled by the Germans

o   Phase 3- November 1-November 11, 1918- the advance resumed, Germans contacted Allied leaders to discuss an armistice, fighting continued, city of Sedan retaken by the French, war ends

-   American casualties- 192,000 (26,277 killed)

-   major Allied victory and end of war