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The FReeper Foxhole Remembers Cantigny - May, 28, 1918 - Feb. 6th, 2003
Doughboy Center ^

Posted on 02/06/2003 5:34:04 AM PST by SAMWolf

U.S. Military History, Current Events and Veterans Issues

Where Duty, Honor and Country
are acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated.

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The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans.

We hope to provide an ongoing source of information about issues and problems that are specific to Veterans and resources that are available to Veterans and their families.

In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should feel free to address their specific circumstances or whatever issues concern them in an atmosphere of peace, understanding, brotherhood and support.



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CANTIGNY:
FIRST BATTLE OF THE AEF


Background


As the third spring offensive of the German Army was getting underway along the Aisne River, the first American attack of the war took place to the west at Cantigny, a village near Montdidier in the Somme region. It had fallen to the enemy Eighteenth Army during the first spring offensive in March. The 1st Division was moved to the sector in late April. The Germans spent most of the month of May enthusiastically pounding the Yanks with artillery and gas. It was only learned afterwards that Ludendorff had ordered any new American formations singled out for 'special treatment'.

After bearing up well under its nightly initiation rite, the Division was ordered to take highly fortified Cantigny to test its offensive capabilities. The town was captured on the first day of the assault (28 May) with the Division's 28th Infantry Regiment in the lead. After taking over 200 prisoners, the Americans withstood a series of strong counterattacks which died out during next two days.



The victors suffered 1,603 casualties including 199 killed. Although Cantigny was a local operation, it boosted Allied morale to see the AEF finally on the offensive. With the deployment of the 2nd and 3rd divisions to the defense of Chateau-Thierry quickly following this small victory, the German high command were shown that the long feared American infusion of manpower was becoming a reality.

THE CONTEXT


In face of the urgency created by the German offensive on the 21st. March 1918, General Pershing placed all his forces then available in Europe at the disposition of General Foch. Amongst these units, the 1st. U.S. Division which, on the 5th. April had been positioned in the region North of Paris, received on the 27th. April, the responsability for a sector to the West of Montdidier, in the 6th. Corps of the French 1st. Army. This was the first time, on an active battle front, that an American Division took up position.

1ST. US DIVISION


At that time the Germans were halfway through their series of big offensives, and their future attack could include the sector of the 1st. Division. The activity and firing on this front were so great that it was difficult to prepare a defensive position.


Major Gen. Robert L. Bullard, 1st Division Commander


The ground in front of the American sector was the hill on which the village of Cantigny is built. This not only gave an excellent view for the Germans to observe the American sector, but also masked from the Americans the offensive movements and activity in the German rear.

At the beginning of May, the command of the division was transfered to the French 10th. Army Corps and in the middle of May it was decided to dislodge the Germans from their position in Cantigny, in order to reduce the difficulties in holding this part of the front.

The 28th. Infantry Regiment of the 1st. Division was chosen to conduct the attack and during several days rehearsed it's plans on similar ground at the rear. During the attack the regiment received the support of the American and French artillery, of machine gun fire, mortars, 37 mm. guns, tanks, flame-throwers, Engineers and two companies of the 18th. Infantry Regiment.

The assault was launched at 6.45 am the 28th May and despite a lively main resistance from behind the village as well as artillery and machine gun fire on the left flank, all the objectves were rapidly achieved. The construction of trenches, laying of barbed wire and the preparation of strong points on the recently gained ground, was undertaken immediately.



The German reaction was immediate and particularly violent, showing the German will to break the moral of the Americans. Counter-attack after counter-attack was launched against the captured position during the following two days. As from midday on the 28th. May, during 72 hours, the American lines around Cantigny were the subject of intense shelling by all calibres of the enemy Artillery. At the end of this bombardement, the Americans still held all their positions. The Germans had to resign themselves to their failure.

During the defense against the German counter-attacks, the two companies of the 18th. Infantry in reserve and one company of the 26th. were brought up to the front.

The capture of Cantigny was the first big attack carried out by an American division. It is considered to be a great exploit and of particular value to the Allies as an illustration of the aptitude for combat of the American troops, who were beginning to arrive in France. This engagement took place the day after the German offensive of 27th. May against the Chemin des Dames, it was perceived by the Allies, as a ray of sun in a particularly menacing sky.


The 2nd. of June, the 1st. Division took over responsability for a slightly wider part of the front., in order to free French troops to be useful elsewhere. The 3rd., to the north of Cantigny, the front line was moved slightly foreward to improve it's position. During the day of the 9th. June, the division was severely shelled for the Germans began their major offensive between Montdidier and Noyon, to the east of the sector occupied.

The 1st. Division remained in the lines, in all, for 73 days with losses mounting to 5200 killed, wounded and missing. It was relieved on the 8th. July and was to play, ten days later, a very important part in the battle south of Soissons, in the scope of the 10th. French Army (Général Mangin).



TOPICS: VetsCoR
KEYWORDS: aef; billmillin; cantigny; freeperfoxhole; veterans; worldwari; wwi
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To: coteblanche
I like the way Lyn Nofzinger thinks.
21 posted on 02/06/2003 7:23:31 AM PST by SAMWolf (To look into the eyes of the wolf is to see your soul)
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To: SAMWolf
Also here
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MISTER PRESIDENT Ronald Reagan Farewell Address Friday, January 20, 1989

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/837040/posts
22 posted on 02/06/2003 7:48:08 AM PST by Valin (Age and Deceit..beat youth and skill)
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To: JAWs; DryLandSailor; NikkiUSA; OneLoyalAmerican; Tester; U S Army EOD; sonsa; Fiddlstix; ...
PING to the FReeper Foxhole! Bring a shovel and dig in!

To be removed from this list, send me a BLANK FReepmail with "REMOVE" in the subject line. Please don't post your request on the thread, or I may miss it. Thanks!
23 posted on 02/06/2003 7:55:10 AM PST by Jen ("Home is where you dig it.")
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To: Valin
Thanks Valin
24 posted on 02/06/2003 8:06:18 AM PST by SAMWolf (To look into the eyes of the wolf is to see your soul)
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To: AntiJen
Morning Jen!
25 posted on 02/06/2003 8:06:32 AM PST by SAMWolf (To look into the eyes of the wolf is to see your soul)
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To: AntiJen
BTTT!!!!!!
26 posted on 02/06/2003 8:11:14 AM PST by E.G.C.
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To: AntiJen
I don't think I've ever thanked you for "pinging" me each day with the FRfoxhole posts. God bless your heart and thank you for your service to our country.


27 posted on 02/06/2003 8:18:37 AM PST by w_over_w (Boolean[ ]a=God.Light)
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To: w_over_w
Aren't you nice! Thanks so much for your post. I'm glad you enjoy the Foxhole and I hope you post more often. It's great to meet you. Jen
28 posted on 02/06/2003 8:28:43 AM PST by Jen ("Home is where you dig it.")
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To: AntiJen
Present!
29 posted on 02/06/2003 8:30:20 AM PST by manna
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To: SAMWolf
New today at G. I. Memories: The 82nd Fighter Group - "Adorimini - Up and At 'Em" - flying the P-38 Lightning 'Forked-Tail Devil" into the jaws of the axis.
30 posted on 02/06/2003 8:36:56 AM PST by hardhead
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To: E.G.C.; SAMWolf; All
Hi everybody! I'm still in AL. Mom wanted me to stay another night, so I did. Going home this afternoon. Hope y'all are having a great day. See you later tonight.
31 posted on 02/06/2003 8:38:06 AM PST by Jen ("Home is where you dig it.")
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To: manna
Good morning!
32 posted on 02/06/2003 8:39:34 AM PST by Jen ("Home is where you dig it.")
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To: SAMWolf
Reagan at Normandy

Amazing speech. I had never read it until today.

I can just hear the way he would have read it.

Happy Birthday, Mr. President.
33 posted on 02/06/2003 8:40:27 AM PST by gridlock
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To: coteblanche
OH BOY!! really good! Thanks for posting it.
34 posted on 02/06/2003 8:50:32 AM PST by Valin (Age and Deceit..beat youth and skill)
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To: gridlock
That speech always brings a tear to my eye.
35 posted on 02/06/2003 9:04:14 AM PST by SAMWolf (To look into the eyes of the wolf is to see your soul)
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To: hardhead
Thanks for the link, hardhead.
36 posted on 02/06/2003 9:05:04 AM PST by SAMWolf (To look into the eyes of the wolf is to see your soul)
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Comment #37 Removed by Moderator

To: coteblanche
LOL! Thanks for the limerick!
38 posted on 02/06/2003 9:48:49 AM PST by colorado tanker (Chirac is a pot of phooey)
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To: coteblanche
For you have died for France and vindicated us.

From The Wall Street Journal letters to the editor.
AH France! Always there when they need us!
39 posted on 02/06/2003 9:59:36 AM PST by Valin (Age and Deceit..beat youth and skill)
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Comment #40 Removed by Moderator


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