Meuse-Argonne Battles

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

THE. Marshal Foch, Commander-in-Chief of the Allied armies in the last days of September, 1918, continued the offensive against the German forces from Switzerland to the sea. In succession he dealt a heavy blow to the German flank in Flanders, struck at the enemy's center along the Hindenburg line and launched a formidable attack on his other flank in Champagne. It was of first importance that the flank in Champagne should be shattered, as it meant the cutting of the German lines of communication with France and Flanders. The breaking of the Meuse-Argonne line would probably lead to the collapse of the enemy, for it served as a hinge to the German retreat in France and Belgium. The Germans held naturally strong positions which they had strengthened artificially in the most painstaking manner. Here they had concentrated a large force of their best troops. The Argonne Forest, the bend of the Aisne, and the Meuse river offered every advantage for defensive operations. The American Army occupied the lines between the Argonne Forest and the Meuse, joined with General Gouraud's French Army which extended almost to Rheims. Attacking on Oct. 6, the French Army made an advance of four miles and the Americans about six. In the course of two days' fighting the Americans captured Montfaucon, Cuisy, Malencourt, Epenonville, Charpentry, Very, and other towns and The villages and 10,000 prisoners. French won some strong points, including Navarin Farm. To the east of the Meuse the Americans captured Marcheville and Rieville, important gains which straightened the flank of the army west of the river. General Gouraud in the meantime had advanced to within a few miles of Vouziers. The American drive had brought their guns within range of the Kriemhilde line, which ran from Grand Pre to Damvillers, crossing the Meuse river. Smashing through the German line, the Americans, capturing prisoners and guns, advanced several miles up the Aire river valley. General Gouraud attacking on a twelve-mile front drove the Germans before him and by Oct. 11. held the whole of Suippe river line, capturing in these operations 20,000 prisoners and 600 guns. The Americans in the meantime had seized the heights dominating the Aire valley. Oct. 14-17 they captured Pre, Champigneulles, and Romagne, and had pushed on beyond the Kriemhilde position. Talma Farm and other strong points were won by surprise attacks. About the same time the French, crossing the Aisne, made important gains in the direction of Rethel. The principal German defense between the armies of Allies and the Belgian border was the Freya-Stellung line, extending from a point near the Meuse to the Bourgogne Forest. On Oct. 26 a part of the Freya line was won by the Allies and the great trunk railway line running from Metz to Mézières through Sedan and Montmédy was under bombardment. General Gouraud's Army, the American co-operating, on Nov. 1 crossed the Aisne between Rethel and Vouziers, with General Berthelot on his left, and had pushed on to the suburbs of Mézières, when on Nov. 11 the Armistice ended the fighting. General Pershing's forces in the final drive reached Sedan on Nov. 6, and on the last day of the war had advanced east of the Meuse, capturing the Woevre Heights, which brought Metz within easy range of his guns. The importance of the French and American drive in the Meuse-Argonne country cannot be over-estimated as it led to great results. The movement broke the German line of communications and hastened the German collapse which would have been far more complete if the Armistice had not put an end to hostilities. The French and American victories had not been lightly won, for the nature of the ground fought over offered every advantage for defense and the Germans had ample reasons for believing their positions were impregnable. It has been variously estimated that the Germans lost between 100,000 and 150,000 men during the Franco-American offensive in the Meuse-Argonne region. The Americans captured 26,000 troops and 468 guns. The French took over 30,000 prisoners and about 700 guns.