Author Description

This important report has been prepared as part of the project of the American Battle Monuments Commission to commemorate in a complete and lasting manner the accomplishments and services of the American forces in Europe during the World War, meeting the need for a concise reference book and a brief history of the American Expeditionary Forces.The three areas in which American troops in relatively large numbers engaged in battle are dealt with in Chapters II, III and IV. Each of these chapters consists of a short general story and a detailed itinerary which takes the tourist to the most interesting points of the terrain and describes the American operations which occurred there. Each chapter also includes a list giving places of interest not described on the tour, a summary of the services of the American divisions in that part of France covered by the chapter, and a colored map which will aid in understanding the operations and which will be of use in following the described route. The American fighting in the Champagne region and in the battle area north of Paris is described in Chapters V and VI. In these regions the American operations were in most cases those of units not larger than a division, and the areas in which they took place are quite far apart. Chapter V contains a detailed itinerary for the Champagne region and Chapter VI a suggested route for an extended tour in the region north of Paris. Special attention is invited to Chapters XI and XII which give information about the military cemeteries and war memorials constructed in Europe by the United States Government.CHAPTER I - The World War to May 28, 1918, and the Organization of the American Expeditionary Forces * The War Before the Entry of the United States * Reasons for the Entry of the United States * Organization of the American Expeditionary Forces and Formation of Its Combat Army * Military Situation in June 1917, and Summary of Events to May 28, 1918. * CHAPTER II - American Operations in the