Description
Book SynopsisNovember 1917. American troops were poorly trained, deficient in military equipment and doctrine, not remotely ready for armed conflict on a large scale - and on the Western front. The story of what happened next - the American Expeditionary Force's trial by fire on the battlefields of France - is told in full for the first time in this book.
Trade ReviewLengel has done an admirable job cutting through the decades of legend and half-truths surrounding the American Expeditionary Forces in the First World War. Students of the war will owe him a great debt for this comprehensive and effective book."" - Michael S. Neiberg, author of
Dance of the Furies: Europe and the Outbreak of World War I""Lengel employs meticulous research and vivid, fast-paced prose to dissect American soldiers' 'baptism by fire' on the Western Front. It is a great read and a major scholarly contribution—no one will ever again be able to claim that America was 'barely bloodied' by World War I."" - Jennifer D. Keene, author,
Doughboys, the Great War and the Remaking of AmericaTable of Contents
- Preface
- A Note on Maps
- Introduction: Approaches to Study of the AEF at War, 1917-1918
- 1. Setting the Stage
- 2. Into the Line: November 1917-April 1918
- 3. Cantigny: May 1918
- 4. Chateau-thierry: May 1918
- 5. The 2d Division Enters the Lines: May 31-June 5, 1918
- 6. Into the Woods: June 6, 1918
- 7. ""Sporting Soldiers"": Belleau Wood, June 7-8, 1918
- 8. ""We Want the Damn Woods"": Belleau Wood, June 9-10, 1918
- 9. ""No Idea of Tactical Principles"": Belleau Wood, June 11-12, 1918
- 10. Gas and Exhaustion: Belleau Wood, June 13-15, 1918
- 11. Enter the US Army: Belleau Wood, June 16-21, 1918
- 12. Finishing the Job: June 22-July 2, 1918
- 13. Rock of the Marne: The Marne River Defense, July 15-17, 1918
- 14. ""Deal the Enemy a Crushing Blow"": Soissons, July 18-22, 1918
- 15. Reducing the Marne Salient: US Troops in the Aisne-Marne Campaign, July 18-August 6, 1918
- 16. Tragedy at Fismette: Travails of the 28th Division, August 1918
- Conclusion: The Road to Saint-Mihiel, September 1918
- Notes
- Bibliography
- Index
- An Illustration gallery follows page 155
