Meuse Argonne Offensive World War I/Time Line/Clara Hernando

  • Phase I starts, 10 American divisions of 26,000 men each are ready to attack.

    These divisions would be rotated, redeployed, and relocated along the front line in accordance with the different stages of the battle. In addition, cavalry dismounted for reconnaissance duty and the Lieutenant Tank Brigade were dispatched to aid the attack.
  • US faces a problem with Troop 79

    At 05:30 on H-Hour, the 79th Division encountered trouble when attempting to take the look out post and strong point of Montfaucon, causing a delay of over 24 hours and giving the Germans the opportunity to regroup. Landmarks such as the Butte de Vacquois and Varennes were gained.
  • Success conquering Montfaucon

    Success conquering Montfaucon
    Montfaucon is captured, the capture proves to be a mistake for the AEF, as the one-and-a-half day delay allows German forces to escape and reorganize, this makes them to avoid a rout.
  • The Offensive is clearly not meeting expectations.

    The state of the roads in the Argonne has caused a massive traffic jam. Pershing has replaced numerous untried divisions. Tanks, due to the landscape and technical troubles, have not achieved the desired results.
  • Renewed Assault: The 77th Division's Lost Battalion Surrounded

    To the west, the 77th Division's Lost Battalion is surrounded and the situation is stopped. In order to break the deadlock, General Pershing reorganizes his divisions to launch a new attack. The new deployment is: I Corps (west to east) - 77th, 28th, and 1st Divisions; V Corps (west to east) - 32nd and 3rd Divisions; and III Corps (west to east) - 4th, 80th, and 33rd Divisions.
  • The Cost of Victory

    The First Army launches a attack across the entire front, which leads to heavy losses and little progress.
  • Rescue Lost Battalion

    I Corps, backed up by the 82nd Division, launched a secondary assault to rescue the Lost Battalion.
  • 8 October 1918

    The survivors of the Lost Battalion were able to walk out when Sgt. York of the 82nd Division destroyed a nest of 35 machine guns and captured 132 German soldiers in a rescue mission. As ordered by General Pershing, the French XVII Corps along with American divisions attacked the east bank of the Meuse.
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    A see-saw in the Meuse

    A see-saw battle on the east bank of the Meuse as the Germans continually resist and counterattack the US units of the French XVII Corps.
  • Reorganizations

    Pershing reorganizes, creating the Second US Army to take over the St. Mihiel Salient in anticipation of an attack on Metz and appointing Hunter Liggett as the new commander of the First Army.
  • Limited Attack in Argonne

    The AEF launched a major attack with limited results, leading to the capture of Cunel and Romagne in the Argonne, the latter eventually becoming home to America's largest overseas military cemetery.
  • Phase II Starts- Argonne Traffic Jam

    Phase II Starts- Argonne Traffic Jam
  • Grandpre

    Grandpre on the River Aire was taken by Liggett under the orders of Pershing, but it was not fully secured until October 23rd.
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    Reorganizing for Major Assault

    Liggett is launching a major attack, with smaller assaults along the American line from Grandpre to the Meuse River.
  • Cunel Captured

    The Khiemhilde Stellung, the third German defensive position, is broken.
  • First Army Prepares for Sedan Assault

    By the 22nd of the month, two Corps had taken control of the Bois de Foret and Bois des Rappes and had advanced to the north and west of Bois de Bantheville. First Army was ready to launch its final attack on Sedan.
  • Success at Blanc Mont Ridge

    The French 4th Army was able to catch up to the American front line due to the success of the 2nd and 36th U.S. Divisions in capturing Blanc Mont Ridge in the Champagne and pursuing the enemy to the River Aisne which allowed them to move west of the US 1st Army.
  • Attack on Consenvoye Heights

    Attack on Consenvoye Heights
    The American forces on the east side of the Meuse River moved forward to take Consenvoye Heights as part of the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. The First Army was prepared to launch an attack along a wide front.
  • Phase lll Starts, Kriemhilde Section of Hindenburg Line Northeast of Romagne

  • Final Pursuit to Sedan

    Lt. Gen. Liggett's First Army, now under his command, embarks on the final pursuit to Sedan, with V Corps leading the way six miles ahead on the first day. The Germans, taken aback, order a retreat.
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    Marching Onward

    The 2nd Division surged past the enemy, gaining five miles.
  • Forcing the Meuse

    III Corps crossed the Meuse south of Dun-sur-Meuse, with 5th Division establishing a bridgehead.
  • US Units Reach Hills Overlooking Sedan

    US Units Reach Hills Overlooking Sedan
    US units reach hills overlooking Sedan. 1st Army boundary shifts east to allow French 4th Army to capture Sedan. 1st Army redirects route of advance.
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    Advancing Northward to Capture Montmedy

    Units east of the Meuse advance north and First Army HQ plans Montmedy capture
  • 2nd & 89th Divisions Cross Meuse

    2nd & 89th Divs. of First Army cross Meuse W-E.
  • End of the Offensive-The Armistice Reaches US Troops, But Late

    Marshall Foch's armistice order came at 6am and US units had crossed the rivers by 11am. However, not all US soldiers had heard about the cease-fire until 12pm.