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At 11:30 a.m., the initial barrage by 2,700 guns begins. Ten American divisions of 26,000 men each are poised to attack. They are organized in three corps, arrayed facing north from the edge of the Champagne in the west to the River Meuse in the East.
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A 47-day battle in which the American Expeditionary Forces finally stopped the German advance.
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The initial advance by the US is brisk, but the 79th Division encounters difficulties capturing the look out post and strong point of Montfaucon. This delay holds up the entire advance for over a day and allows the Germans to recover from their initial shock and to reorganize. However, US still manages to pull off capturing landmarks such as Butte de Vacquois and the historic village of Varennes. (http://www.firstworldwar.com/source/meuseargonne_marwitz.htm)
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General John J. Pershing orders a major reorganization. A Second US Army will be given responsibility for the reduced St. Mihiel Salient for an eventual thrust against the big city, Metz. Then, a new leader, Hunter Liggett, will command of First Army replacing Pershing.
(http://www.firstworldwar.com/audio/Jack_Pershing_-_From_The_Battlefield_Of_France.mp3) -
AEF mounts another major attack with limited success but did manage to capture cities Cunel and Romagne in the central Argonne. This marked the end of Phase 1 of Meuse Argonne.
Fun Fact: Romagne would become the site of America's largest overseas military cemetery. It is made up of all those who lost their life in the Meuse Argonne. -
As new head leader, Liggett reorganizes and plans a major assault. A series of local attacks aligns the American front from Grandpre in the west to the east bank of the Meuse.
On October 21st, Cunel, France is captured. The third German defensive position, the Khiemhilde Stellung, is stationed here and was broken. -
American units on the east side of the Meuse advance to Consenvoye Heights. First Army is ready for an advance across a broad stretch of land.
Phase III
The reorganized First Army under the command of Lt. General Hunter Liggett begins the final pursuit to Sedan.
The divisions are once again reorganized.
The first days advance is six miles. The Germans are shocked and order a withdrawal. -
Our 2nd Division marches right through the enemy positions and advances another five miles.
Corps 3 on the right forces a crossing of the Meuse south of Dun-sur-Meuse with the 5th Division forcing the bridgehead. We are continually holding our ground and backing the Germans up. -
The leading US units reach the hills overlooking Sedan. The First Army boundary is ordered to be shifted to the east to allow the French 4th Army the honor of capturing Sedan, their site of a defeat in 1870, and redirect 1st Armies route of advance. France gets the opportunity to get revenge.
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Units already east of the Meuse continue advancing northward and the First Army Headquarters lays plans for taking the old fortress of Montmedy, the next logical objective. It was right near where they were headed.
On November 10th, as part of First Army's shift eastward, units of the 2nd and 89th Divisions begin going from west to east and crossing the Meuse. -
Marshall Foch's armistice instructions arrive at 6 a.m. US units involved in the river crossings have reached Senegal Farm and Moulins by 11 a.m., but some doughboys and marines do not hear about the cease-fire until noon time. The Armistice to finally end WWI was announced.
(http://www.firstworldwar.com/diaries/normington.htm)
