the american expeditionary force in france 1917-18

The American The American Expeditionary Force in Expeditionary Force in

FranceFrance

1917-181917-18

The Amalgamation The Amalgamation ControversyControversy

What was the best way to employ What was the best way to employ U.S. manpower?U.S. manpower? Allies needed men, had officers Allies needed men, had officers

experienced in running large formations.experienced in running large formations. U.S. had men, little experience in U.S. had men, little experience in

administering & employing large units.administering & employing large units. Shipping considerations.Shipping considerations.

Allies want American soldiers Allies want American soldiers to fill their ranks.to fill their ranks.

John J. Pershing, John J. Pershing, AEF commander, AEF commander, fights to create an fights to create an independent U.S. independent U.S. army.army.

The German Offensives ofThe German Offensives ofMarch - July 1918March - July 1918

Chateau Thierry & Belleau Chateau Thierry & Belleau WoodWood

Aisne-Marne Counteroffensive,Aisne-Marne Counteroffensive,July-August 1918July-August 1918

American forces operate in separate American forces operate in separate corps.corps.

Immediately afterwards, Pershing Immediately afterwards, Pershing creates the 1creates the 1stst U.S. Army. U.S. Army.

Over the summer, number of U.S. Over the summer, number of U.S. soldiers in France exceeds 1 million.soldiers in France exceeds 1 million.

U.S. will have two armies on the U.S. will have two armies on the Western Front by November.Western Front by November.

The St. Mihiel Offensive,The St. Mihiel Offensive,Sept. 12-16, 1918Sept. 12-16, 1918

The Meuse-Argonne Offensive,The Meuse-Argonne Offensive,Sept. 26 – Nov. 11Sept. 26 – Nov. 11

Argonne Hero:Argonne Hero:Alvin C. YorkAlvin C. York

Other considerations…Other considerations…

““open” vs. “trench” open” vs. “trench” warfarewarfare

African-American troopsAfrican-American troops tension within the armytension within the army Pursuit of an Pursuit of an

independent American independent American Army in France:Army in France: Assessment?Assessment?