Was World War I
an avoidable debacle ?
September 12 – September 19, 1918
Where:
St Mihiel, France – Western Front
Who:
Allied Powers – France
Associated Powers - USA
Central Powers – German Empire
Summary:
The Battle of Saint-Mihiel of 1918 was the first battle in which the American Expeditionary Force participated independently. The AEF, led by General John Pershing, attacked the German troops who were retreating from the Saint-Mihiel salient to the Hindenburg Line.
Corp I and Corp V of the AEF attacked and took the Germans unawares. The AEF were supported by the French artillery and tanks.
Outcome:
The German camp lost over 5,000 men and another 13,000 soldiers were captured. The United States lost 7,000 men in the battle. The battle boosted the morale of the American troops, who then moved to the Argonne Forest to continue the war.
