Battles & Campaigns · 1918
Battle of Saint-Mihiel
Saint-Mihiel salient, Meuse, France
What happened
The US First Army under John J. For years the Germans had held a bulge in the front line around the town of Saint-Mihiel. American troops attacked its southern side on 12 September 1918, while others struck from the west. The Germans had already begun to pull out, and the Americans quickly reached their goals.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was the first large attack led mainly by the US Army in World War I. It freed road and rail links to Verdun.
What came next
Pershing moved his troops for the much larger Meuse–Argonne offensive, about 600,000 Americans fighting for 47 days.
Did you know?
This was the first time the Americans used the terms 'D-Day' and 'H-Hour'.
Timeline
- 12 September 1918The attack begins.
- 13 September 1918US divisions meet, closing the salient.
- 15 September 1918French troops enter Saint-Mihiel.
- 3 September 1919Pershing is made General of the Armies.