Introduction:
On April 6, 1917, the United States entered the global conflict in Europe, but it’s Regular Army was not trained to conduct synchronized combined arms operations on the level of their Allies. The first display of large-scale, combined arms operations by the United States was the Battle of Cantigny on May 28th, 1918. Cantigny marked an important transition in the strategic organization of the American Military and set the stage for the United States to become active participants in global warfare. This chapter will focus on the U.S. Army’s First Division development, training, and execution of the combined arms operations in Cantigny, France.
Building an American Combined Arms Division- April 1917 to December 1917
The General …show more content…
They would be trained by Army educated officers and become reestablished under the Army ranks and policies. The majority of the AEF’s new recruits were farmers and laborers with little military or weapon experience. [6]
To meet the recruiting demand of General Pershing in 1917, the War Department changed its focus from raising an Army from volunteers, to populating the Army through conscription. The Army faced new issues in dealing with the influx of drafted soldiers. Cultural and language barriers plagued the beginning of the AEF as many of the new recruits were European immigrants who lacked basic English skills. As immigrant groups were assigned to regiments, basic communication skills and military training occurred …show more content…
The reorganization of the Army was hurriedly decided with forced formations of regiments, brigades, and divisions without the advantage of large-scale drills to develop the policies, procedures, maneuvers or methods for mass operations. Upon arrival in Europe, the AEF also faced a lack of resources, equipment, and weapons to train their divisions. The U.S. Army would primarily fight the Great War with French and British made weapons, airplanes, tanks, ammunition, artillery, and supplies. “Only 3 percent of U.S. Army artillery pieces used in combat during the war had been made in America.” [15] American manufacturers would eventually mobilize and produce war equipment and weapons, but most of the supplies would not reach our soldiers before the end of the war.
On April 6, 1917, the United States entered the global conflict in Europe, but it’s Regular Army was not trained to conduct synchronized combined arms operations on the level of their Allies. The first display of large-scale, combined arms operations by the United States was the Battle of Cantigny on May 28th, 1918. Cantigny marked an important transition in the strategic organization of the American Military and set the stage for the United States to become active participants in global warfare. This chapter will focus on the U.S. Army’s First Division development, training, and execution of the combined arms operations in Cantigny, France.
Building an American Combined Arms Division- April 1917 to December 1917
The General …show more content…
They would be trained by Army educated officers and become reestablished under the Army ranks and policies. The majority of the AEF’s new recruits were farmers and laborers with little military or weapon experience. [6]
To meet the recruiting demand of General Pershing in 1917, the War Department changed its focus from raising an Army from volunteers, to populating the Army through conscription. The Army faced new issues in dealing with the influx of drafted soldiers. Cultural and language barriers plagued the beginning of the AEF as many of the new recruits were European immigrants who lacked basic English skills. As immigrant groups were assigned to regiments, basic communication skills and military training occurred …show more content…
The reorganization of the Army was hurriedly decided with forced formations of regiments, brigades, and divisions without the advantage of large-scale drills to develop the policies, procedures, maneuvers or methods for mass operations. Upon arrival in Europe, the AEF also faced a lack of resources, equipment, and weapons to train their divisions. The U.S. Army would primarily fight the Great War with French and British made weapons, airplanes, tanks, ammunition, artillery, and supplies. “Only 3 percent of U.S. Army artillery pieces used in combat during the war had been made in America.” [15] American manufacturers would eventually mobilize and produce war equipment and weapons, but most of the supplies would not reach our soldiers before the end of the war.