Meuse-Argonne Diary: A Division Commander in World War I by William M. Wright, does a great deal of the personal representation of a division commander, during the St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne offensives of 1918. The Meuse-Argonne was one of the largest and bloodiest battles in U.S. military history. William M. Wright received assignment as a commanding general of the Eighty-ninth Division. Which he wrote diaries throughout his experiences in the war. Robert Ferrell, was a professor of American history, and a felt greatly about World War I. Ferrell, edited this volume, which represents the contextualizes of the diary of Major. General William M. Wright. Not many commanders wrote memoirs after the war, so this was a notably a special
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Mihiel, Ferrell wanted to exemplify the deep preparation it took to set for the first large battle of American troops under their own commanders. “The organization of the sector for defense is progressing satisfactorily, but it will be a long time before it is safe. Much work is done and our men and officers seem loathe to dig” (25). Throughout this chapter, the men were reporting satisfactory process given the tremendous amount of enemy wire, concrete trenches, pill boxes, which had been in preparation for many years. Wright emphasized the difficulties of preparing for the penetrated attack the enemy forces penetration on the troops. The bombardment was heavy during this chapter and the troops of the division were all altered and positioned to attack, if ordered too. Ferrell pointed out that Wright was scared too, but ready to fight. “I got no sleep last night. This morning about eight o’clock enemy aero planes flew over Bouillon Ville, bombing it very heavily, and killing some of our men” (37). Both these examples serve to support Ferrell’s reason behind editing this diary. It is evidence through this true diary that speaks the true feelings of the roles in the war. Since nobody knew much about the true details of the Meuse-Argonne, this diary provides a glimpse of the preservation of this time period. This huge affair, comprising of many men, at full strength, was a tough order for
Mihiel, Ferrell wanted to exemplify the deep preparation it took to set for the first large battle of American troops under their own commanders. “The organization of the sector for defense is progressing satisfactorily, but it will be a long time before it is safe. Much work is done and our men and officers seem loathe to dig” (25). Throughout this chapter, the men were reporting satisfactory process given the tremendous amount of enemy wire, concrete trenches, pill boxes, which had been in preparation for many years. Wright emphasized the difficulties of preparing for the penetrated attack the enemy forces penetration on the troops. The bombardment was heavy during this chapter and the troops of the division were all altered and positioned to attack, if ordered too. Ferrell pointed out that Wright was scared too, but ready to fight. “I got no sleep last night. This morning about eight o’clock enemy aero planes flew over Bouillon Ville, bombing it very heavily, and killing some of our men” (37). Both these examples serve to support Ferrell’s reason behind editing this diary. It is evidence through this true diary that speaks the true feelings of the roles in the war. Since nobody knew much about the true details of the Meuse-Argonne, this diary provides a glimpse of the preservation of this time period. This huge affair, comprising of many men, at full strength, was a tough order for