Douglas V. Mastriano - Thunder in the Argonne: A New History of America’s Greatest Battle

Thunder in the Argonne

BATTLES AND CAMPAIGNS

The Battles and Campaigns series examines the military and strategic results of particular combat techniques, strategies, and methods used by soldiers, sailors, and airmen throughout history. Focusing on different nations and branches of the armed services, this series aims to educate readers by detailed analysis of military engagements.

SERIES EDITOR: Joseph Craig

THUNDER IN THE

ARGONNE

A NEW HISTORY OF AMERICAS GREATEST BATTLE

DOUGLAS V. MASTRIANO

Due to variations in the technical specifications of different electronic reading devices, some elements of this ebook may not appear as they do in the print edition. Readers are encouraged to experiment with user settings for optimum results.

Copyright 2018 by The University Press of Kentucky

Scholarly publisher for the Commonwealth,
serving Bellarmine University, Berea College, Centre College of Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky University, The Filson Historical Society, Georgetown College, Kentucky Historical Society, Kentucky State University, Morehead State University, Murray State University, Northern Kentucky University, Transylvania University, University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, and Western Kentucky University.
All rights reserved.

Editorial and Sales Offices: The University Press of Kentucky

663 South Limestone Street, Lexington, Kentucky 405084008

www.kentuckypress.com

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Mastriano, Douglas V., author.

Title: Thunder in the Argonne : a new history of Americas greatest battle /

Douglas V. Mastriano.

Description: Lexington : University Press of Kentucky, 2018. | Series: Battles and campaigns | Includes bibliographical references and

index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2018000771| ISBN 9780813175553 (hardcover : alk. paper) | ISBN 9780813175577 (pdf) | ISBN 9780813175584 (epub)

Subjects: LCSH: Argonne, Battle of the, France, 1918. | World War, 1914-1918--Campaigns--Meuse River Valley. | World War,

1914-1918--United States.

Classification: LCC D545.A63 M37 2018 | DDC 940.4/36dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018000771

This book is printed on acid-free paper meeting the requirements of the American National Standard for Permanence in Paper for Printed Library Materials.

Manufactured in the United States of America.

Member of the Association of University Presses

To my wife, Rebecca, and son, Josiah,
for making this book possible,
and
Corporal Ellis James Stewart
80th Division, September 1917November 1918
42nd Division, November 1918May 1919

What you do in life matters
It echoes across the generations
and into eternity

Contents

Preface

It took one hundred years to finally have a national monument dedicated to the brave soldiers, Marines, and sailors who fought in World War One. The attempts to gain momentum for this much overdue tribute to the heroes of this bloody and costly confrontation were continually delayed by bureaucratic inertia, competing political agendas, and lack of interest.

The plight of the national monument in Washington, D.C., reflects the national memory of the war. It is generally relegated to the dustbin of history. Yet, this national amnesia misses the fact that World War One thrust the United States onto the world scene as a dominant economic, political, and military power. To compound matters, many of the trouble spots where the nation currently finds itself entangled are directly linked to World War One. This includes the Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, Ukraine, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, and Israel, to name a few. How can adequate resolutions be made in these areas of the world with a lack of understanding of their linkages to the First World War?

And then there is the Meuse-Argonne campaign, which is the largest ever American offensive. Encompassing 1.2 million Americans and 600,000 French, the Meuse-Argonne forged the modern American army and, through the fire of combat, brought forth the military leaders of the Second World War. These rising leaders included Marshall, Patton, MacArthur, and scores of others. They brought with them their experiences of 1917 and 1918, defeated the Nazis, and made the world a better place.

The Meuse-Argonne campaign was Americas first truly modern war. The men of 1918 participated in armored warfare, aerial bombing, massed artillery fires, chemical warfare, and joint military operations with the fledgling Air Service, and fought in multinational operations with the French Army. Indeed, the Meuse-Argonne left an enduring legacy on both the nation and its army. Thunder in the Argonne tells the untold story of what happened in the Meuse-Argonne and how it forever changed our world. And with this knowledge, the nation can shape a better and more informed future. The legacy of the Meuse-Argonne Offensive echoes across the generations to us today.

Thunder in the Argonne endeavors to tell the complete story of the Meuse-Argonne. Doing so requires describing both the Allied and German perspectives. This means that often on the same page German, French, and American units are discussed. To ameliorate confusing the reader, national origin of the units is provided, such as the U.S. 77th Division. Although this is not the divisions proper title, it is necessary to ensure clarity. Additionally, the kingdom of most German units is included in their respective titles. Imperial Germany during the First World War included the kingdoms of Saxony, Bavaria, Prussia, and Wrttemberg. When relevant, the kingdom of origin is included. For instance, the reader will encounter the 1st Prussian Guards Division, 2nd Wrttemberg Division, etc.

The United States of America was not a formal ally of the French or British. As such, America was officially an associated power. This status had more to do with political mistrust of the Allies political end state of the war than practical application in the disposition of American military power on the Western Front and elsewhere. However, for all intents and purposes, it behaved as a member of the Alliance, and as such, any discussion of Allies includes the United States without deference to its unique political status.

The War That Changed the World

It is a good thing for all Americans, and it is an especially good thing for all young Americans, to remember the men who have given their lives in war and peace to the service of their fellow countrymen, and to keep in mind the feats of daring and personal prowess done in time past by some of the many champions of the nation.

President Theodore Roosevelt

This book tells the complete story of the Meuse-Argonne campaign, the largest ever American offensive. Not only does it provide the American and German side of the story (a first), but it also describes the attack in the strategic context of the Western Front. In addition to this, the stories of sacrifice by the men in the line are perhaps the most important facet of the Meuse-Argonne. Their actions in the face of overwhelming and impossible odds still echo across the generations. Finally, this book has a message for the readers today on how decisions made one hundred years ago shaped our world and how the challenges that we face are not unlike those of the First World War generation.