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Home , Anould, August 1914, Baccarat, Badonviller, Belfort, Belfort Gap

Chapter VII

AMERICAN OPERATIONS ON THE FRONT

HE Front, extending for of , no great amount of fighting more than 400 miles from Switzer- had taken place since 1914 and although T land to the , was so long the terrain was appropriate for military that neither the Allies nor the Germans operations the narrowness of the pass be- could obtain sufficient men to undertake tween the and the Swiss border, operations on a large scale throughout its called the , made the region entire length. Consequently each massed not suitable for large-scale operations.

42d Division Troops in Front-Line Trench Near , June 3, 1918 Scene is typical of rh e rrenches and terrain in the Vosges region its troops most heavily near those places The battle line between the Vosges where there existed a strong likelihood that Mountains and the fol- the other might attack or where the terrain lowed roughly the former frontier be- or other strategic factors were such that tween and . The French an offensive would have good chances to had prepared before the World War to bring about decisive results. meet a German attack on that particular The rugged terrain in the Vosges front and one of the reasons Ger- Mountains, north of the Swiss border, was many violated the neutrality of a serious obstacle to major operations in was to avoid a major offensive there. that region because of the difficulty of Severe fighting, however, occurred in the maneuvering and supplying any consider- region early in the wa;: when the Ger- able number of troops during an advance. mans attempted to take Nancy, but after South of these mountains near the 1914 it became inactive as both sides

( 419) An American Division on the March, Wimer of 1917-1918 realized that offensive operations on other scribed for an American division after its parts of the battle line which were not as arrival in France was first to carry out strong offered more possibility of success. intensive training in an area in rear of the When the American troops arrived in front lines, then to serve in quiet sectors France the entire stretch southeastward for a time with French or British troops from the Moselle River to the Swiss bor- and finally to complete its training for der was a quiet or inactive front held by battle in a sector of its own. This rou- comparatively few troops. This front, tine procedure was broken in emergencies commonly known to the Americans as and some American divisions, such as the the "Vosges Front", was used by many 3d, 4th, 36th, 78th and 91st, went directly American divisions for training purposes. from training areas into battle without It was admirably suited for the purpose as sector service, while the 79th, 89th and it was conveniently located with respect 90th Di visions took command of sectors to the St. Mihiel salient, which was early without any penod of affiliation with selected as the scene of the first offensive troops of the Allied Armies. operation by the American Army, and The 1st, 5th, 6th, 29th, 32d, 35th, 37th, with respect to the American line of com- 42d, 77th, 81st, 88th and 92d Divisions of munications, which was being developed the American Army had their first sector to supply troops on the St. Mihiel front. service at the front in the Vosges region. The normal program of training pre- Elsewhere on the Western Front the Delousing Machine in Operation at Saacy, August JO, 1918

(420) American Parral Scarring on a Raid Near , March 17, 1918 2

6th, 28th, 82d and 93d Divisions had giving valuable combat experience to the their first front-line training with the American soldiers who later served so French; the 27th, 30th, 33d and 80th with creditably on the , at St. Mihiel, the British, and the 7th Division mainly along the and in the Argonne. with the American Second Army. Sections of the front line assigned to Service in quiet sectors varied widely divisions were called "division sectors". in character. For considerable periods A particular sector was often changed in the daily life of the front-line troops would both size and name as the military situa- be comparatively uneventful, disturbed tion changed. However, those of the only by routine patrolling and desultory Vosges Front were not radically changed shelling. At intervals, however, this com- while the American divisions served in the parative quiet was shattered by hard- region and, consequently, it has been pos- fought local operations and raids. The sible on the following pages to give a gen- natural enthusiasm of the American eral description of the sectors as they were troops and their inherent desire to start known to the American troops who occu- active operations as quickly as possible pied them. The division sectors of the usually produced a marked increase in the Vosges region are graphically shown on fighting in these normally quiet sectors. the sketch which appears on the page. While this had no immediate effect on the In the text which follows the sketch they general military situation it did result in are discussed in order from south to north.

Mail Call ar Rolamponr, Februan · 191 8

(421) 422 AMERICAN OPERATIONS ON THE VOSGES FRONT

Sectors Held by American Divisions in the Vosges Region

G N .Morhange

Sarrebourg

. ' Charm es

Remiremont

0 10 20 30

- Sector - ----International Boundary $Fortified City Sector names appear opposite each sector Circled numerals show American divisions which held sectors indicated AMERICAN OPERATIONS ON THE VOSGES FRONT 423

The Center Sector lay wholly in Ger- pation of the so-called quiet sectors there. man territory. It extended north from While the was in the the Swiss border and controlled the impor- Sector training with the tant Belfort Gap. The American 32d, French it took the first German prisoner 29th and 88th Divisions served in that captured by the A.E.F. The first Amer- order at different times in this sector. icans to be captured were taken by the The Wesserling Sector, also on German Germans in a raid at Bathelemont on No- soil, secured for the Allies the vember 3, 1917, and in the same raid the Pass and the greater part of the first American soldiers were killed in ac- mass called the Ballon de . tion, three men losing their lives. These The 35th Division trained in this sector three men are now commemorated by a and the 369th of the 93d Divi- monument which the French erected in sion served here just prior to the Armis- 1918 over their graves near Bathelemont. tice, as part of a French division. When the took command The Gerardmer Sector covered the of the St. Die Sector, the German position Schlucht Pass and lay entirely in German near formed a salient projecting territory. It was held by the 35th and into the American lines. The division 6th Divisions at different times. decided to seize this salient and on The Sector was astride the captured it in a small but principal range of the Vosges Mountains, well-executed attack. Consolidation of its southern portion being on German the new position was begun in spite of a soil. It covered the Bonhomme Pass. violent hostile bombardment The 5th Division gained front-line ex- which continued almost without interrup- perience here and the 371st and 372d tion for three days. The division, how- Infantry Regiments of the 93d Division ever, clung grimly to its gains, repulsing served in this same sector as part of a a German counterattack on . French division just before the Armistice. By the 20th the new position was com- Tbe St. Die Sector, north of St. Die, pletely organized and securely in Amer- controlled the southern exit of the ican hands. The 5th Division lost ap- Pass. It was held at various times by the proximately 400 men in this fighting. 5th, 92d and 81st Divisions. On October 4 about 60 men of the 6th A front extended from the Division near Sondernach, east of Gerard- western slopes of the Vosges Mountains mer, were attacked by a party of 300 toward the northwest. It was known to Germans, equipped with machine guns the 42d Division, which trained on it, as and flame throwers. Although cut off the Luneville Sector. The corps front by a barrage and greatly outnumbered, was divided into three divisional sectors, the Americans repulsed the attack and tbe one nearest the V osges being called captured five prisoners. the Baccarat Sector. This last-named While occupying the Center Sector, division sector was held at different times elements of the 29th Division raided the by the 42d, 77th and 37th Divisions. German lines on and on Farther to the northwest was the , inflicting many casualties. Sommerviller Sector. Units of the 1st The front lines of the 32d Division were Division entered the front lines in this raided on July 19, while the division was sector for training with the French on in the Center Sector. The raiding party October 23, 1917. This marked the first in this operation was repulsed, leaving two time that elements of an American division prisoners in American hands. held a section of the front-line trenches. While training with a French division The following incidents in the history in the Wesserling Sector, troops of the of the American divisions which served in 35th Division raided a German position on the Y osges region will give an idea of the July 6, inflicting losses upon the enemy mere active part of the American occu- troops and capturing seven prisoners. improve the position of its front line. On the Germans raided the lines of the 92d Division, at that time serving in the St. Die Sector. The raid was repulsed after a brisk fight. While the American First Army was preparing for the St. Mihiel offensive, an American corps commander and a group of staff officers were sent to Belfort on with orders to prepare plans for a major offensive in the direction of and the heights southeast of that place. No American divisions were Ourpost io the Forest of , Norrheasc of moved, nor did General Pershing actually Lune,,ille, Mar... h 5, 1918 contemplate such an attack, but the Ger- Position destroyed by shellfire soon after mans instantly became aware of the in- piccure was taken creased activity in the vicinity and were led to bring more divisions to the Vosges On , while in the Baccarat region, thus decreasing their availability Sector, a party of the 37th Division pene- for use on the St. Mihiel front where the trated the German lines and captured two attack was actually made. This succes - prisoners without any losses. ful maneuver which deceived the enemy While with the French in the Luneville has become known as the Belfort ruse. Sector, units of the 42d Division partici- If the war had continued beyond No- pated in three raids on March 9. vember 11 that part of this region north- The Germans raided the 77th Division west of the Vosges Mountains would haYe in the Baccarat Sector on June 24. They seen greater activity as the Allied Com- were repulsed after a sharp fight. mander-in-Chief had decided to launch A post of the 81st Division in the St. an offensive east of the Moselle River. Die Sector was attacked by German troops This attack was to be participated in hy on October 9. The enemy was promptly six American divisions of the American driven back, leaving a number of dead Second Army, which was to advance in a and one prisoner in American hands. northeasterly direction from the vicinity During October the 88th Division of Port-sur-, and by a French army holding the Center Sector encountered group adjoining it on the east. The date strong resistance when it attempted to for this offensive was fixed as November 14, and the movement of the divisions and Firing a Trench Morcar Duri11g Sector other troops which were to take part in Occupation Near Baccarat, June: 3, 1918 the attack had already begun when the Armistice was signed. (See map page 114.) The Vosges region holds vivid memories for many American soldiers as it was there that so many of them, after arduous months of training in the rear areas, had their first experience with trench life and their first contact with the enemy. One division, the 6th, had its only front-line experience in the Vosges Mountains. Deeds of individual bravery were nu- merous and the Distinguished Service Cross was awarded to 85 members of the A.E.F. for their heroism on thi.:; front.

( 4:!4 , ADDITION AL PLACES OF INTEREST IN THE V OSGES REGION

Baccarat. Location of 42d Div. Hdqrs., monument located in front of the castle. Mar. 30- June 21; 77th Div. Hdqrs., Belfort Gap. A rolling valley about 15 June 19- Aug. 4; and 37th Div. Hdqrs., miles wide between the Vosges Moun- J uly 23- Sept. 17. tains and the Jural . It is of strate- Ballon d'. Southernmost moun- gic importance and on the French side is tain mass of the Vosges. It rises to a controlled by the fortress of Belfort. height of over 4,000 feet and dominates Bonhomme Pass. A pass through the the northern side of the Belfort Gap. Vosges northeast of . Ballon de Guebwiller. Southeastern Bussang Pass. An important pass in shoulder of the Vosges. Lying between the eastern part of the Vosges Mountains the and Lauch , this rugged which gives access to the valley of the area reaches a height in excess of 4,600 Thur River and that of the upper .

Srreet in Badonviller on April 29, 1918 Note enrrances ro dugouts and cellars

feet. It dominates the eastern exit of the Charmes Gap. Between the fortifica- Belfort Gap and the valley of the Rhine tions of Epinal and lies the relatively River to the north of Mulhouse. open plain, in the center of Belfort. An important fortified town which stands the town of Charmes. forming the southern element of the Before this area had been French frontier defenses in 1914. The left without permanent fortifications so town was fortified late in the 17th Cen- that in the event of war the stream of tury by the famous military engineer, German invasion would be canalized to Vauban. It successfully withstood siege this definite course. It became lmown as by the Prussians in the War of 1870. Charmes Gap and it was through this gap This successful defense is commemorated that the Germans attempted during 1914 by the great , a memorial to turn the French position near Nancy. (425) 426 AMERICAN OPERATIONS ON THE VOSGES FRONT

Epinal. An important fortified town St. Dié. Location of 5th Div. Hdqrs., situated at a strategic point on the July 15-Aug. 23; 92d Div. Hdqrs., Aug. Moselle River about 38 miles south of 24-Sept. 20; and 81st Div. Hdqrs., during Nancy. In 1914, at the beginning of the the period Sept. 21-0ct. 20. war, it was one of the principal elements This ancient town grew up about a of the French frontier defenses. monastery established in the 7th Century. Gérardmer. Location of 5th Div. One of the earliest printing presses was Hdqrs., June 7-July 15; 35th Div. located at this place in the 15th Century. Hdqrs., Aug. 14-Sept. 2; 6th Div. Hdqrs., Schlucht Pass. An important opening Sept. 3-23 and Sept. 25-0ct. 26. in the eastern Vosges which gives access This village, situated on a beautiful to the valley of the Fecht River and the lake, is a summer resort in a setting of forests and mountains. Krüth. The 35th Div. Hdqrs. was located here July 27-Aug. 14. Le Grand Couronné. The name given by the French to the bastionlike heights north and east of Nancy. It was from these heights that the French forces hurled back many powerful assaults by the German Army in the during August and September, 1914. Mont Donon. The most northern mountain mass of the Vosges. It domi- nates the valley of the Breusch River to the north of the Saales Pass. Montreux-Château. Location of 29th Div. Hdqrs., Sept. 14-22, and 88th Div. Hdqrs., Oct. 7-Nov. 4. Montreux-Vieux. Location of 2 9 th Div. Hdqrs., Aug. 9-Sept. 14. Neufchâteau. Hdqrs., Jan. 20-June 18; IV Corps Hdqrs., June 20- Aug. 13; and VI Corps Hdqrs., Aug. 1-12. These corps headquarters while at Neufchâteau exercised administrative but not tactical control over the American front-Line Trench of the 32d Division, Alsace, divisions assigned to them. June 14, 1918 . III Corps Hdqrs., June 10-July 12; Hdqrs., July 10- . This pass was taken by Aug. 18; and VII Corps Hdqrs., Aug. the French in August 1914 during their 20-Nov. 8. While at Remiremont, these invasion of upper Alsace and was held by headquarters exercised administrative but tbem throughout the war. not tactical control over the American di- . Location of an old Celtic visions assigned to them. city w hi ch was captured by the Romans. Rougemont-le-Château. Location of It is situated at the junction of the 32d Div. Hdqrs., June 9-July 20 . and Breusch Rivers, 2 miles west of the Saales Pass. This pass, in the northern Rhine, and has long been a point of great Vosges, is second in importance to Belfort strategic importance. It was ceded to Gap. It gives access to the upper part Germany in 1871 but returned to France of the Breusch River valley and thence to at the conclusion of the World War. The the Rhine River valley near Strasbourg. city contains many interesting features. SUMMARY OF COMBAT SERVICE OF AMERICAN DIVISIONS ON THE VOSGES :FRONT

me Period of .Sen>ice }..Ta 1918 Unless Olher- Character of Location of Sen>ice Army to Which Corps Io TI'bich Casua/- of Div. wise Fndicated Strl'ice Ge.neral Yicinit;y of- Attached 1 Attached 1 lies 2 --- 1 --- 1 Oct. 23-Nov. Training in B3tbelémont______Eighth ______IX ______4.5 20, 1917. Line. 5 June 14-Jnly 16_ Training in Northeast of Gérard- Seventb ______xxxnr______149 L i ne. mer. July 19-Aug. Sector______Nc;rth or St. Dié ______Seyentb ______XXXIII______5~0 23. 6 Aug. 31-0ct. 12.. Training in Southeast of Gérard- SeYenth ______XXXIII until 311 Line and mer. Oct. 4, then I. Sector. 29 July 27-Sept. Training in East of Belfort______Seventh ______XL ______------1 744 23. Line and Sector. 32 l\fay 20-July Training in East of Belfort______Seventh __ _------XL ______------365 19. Line and (2) Secte>r.

311 June 20-Sept. Training in Southea~t of Krüth and Seventb ______XXXIII______360 2. Line and soutbeast of Gérard- Sector. mer.

3i July :t8-~ept. Training in ~or!h east of Bacca rat __ Eightb ______yr______------174 16. Line and 1 Sector. 42 Fcb. 21-l\Iar. Training in East of LunéY ille and Eighth ______,-u_------893 23. Line. northeast of Baccarat. l\Iar. 31-June Sector ______::\ortheast of Baccarat_ _ Eigbth ______\"II unlil May 12, ]. 104 21. then \"I. i7 June 21-Aug. Training in Nortbeast of Baccarat__ Eigbtb ______\"L _------3ï5 4. Line and Sector. 81 Sept. 18-0ct. Training in North of St. Dié------Seventh ______XXXIII until 116 19. Line and Oct. l thenX. Sector. 88 Sept.23-Nov.4 Training in East or Belfort______Seventb ______XL ___ ------72 Li ne and Sector. 92 Aug. 23-Sept. Trainilig in North of St. Dié ______Seven th ______XXXIIL ______355 20. Li ne and Sector.

~3 Oct. 17-Kov. Sector ______Southeast of Krütb _____ Seven tb ______L _------23 (369th lof. 11. only)

93 Oet. 16-Nov. Sector-______Nortbeast of Gérard- Seventh_ --- _____ x ____ ------9 (37lst ln[. 11. mer. only) Se-çoenth ______93 Oct. 14--NOY. Sector ______Northeast of Gérard- x _------33 (372d li. mer. lof. ooly) 1

1 Ali armies and corps are French. 2 Casualties are for period in line only. Figures i.n parentheses give casualties for un its temporarili• attached. Add figure in parentheses to the one atiove in order to ohtain the total casualties duriag the entire operation.

( 427 ) 332J lnfatrychingtri Nthst of Cormons