The 302nd
ENGINEERS
by,
Gilbert H. Crawford
Thomas H. Ellett
John J. Hyland
CHAPTER VI.
MILITARY SITUATION IN AUGUST, 1918.
BEFORE beginning the next chapter in the history of the
Regiment, it would be well to recall
the military situation on the 1st August, 1918.
Up to the 1st of June, the Germans had launched three
great offensives: two against the British, in Picardy
(21st of March), and in Flanders (9th of April) and one
against the French
on the Chemin des Dames (27th of May). This latter attack
had been the most successful for the enemy, for within a
few days, German troops had pushed a great salient in the
French lines, between Rheims and Soissons, extending as
far south as the Marne River at Chateau-Thierry. This
great attack had been halted by the French reserves about
the 2nd of June. In this drive, the 2nd and 3rd Divisions
won immortal fame by their heroic defense and counter-
attack in Belleau Woods and near Chateau-Thierry.
For six weeks (from 2nd of June to 15th of July) after
this check of the German advance by the combined French
and American forces, the enemy organized this salient for
a further attack with Paris as its probable near
objective.
The fourth enemy offensive operation of 1918 was to take
place in two sections of the front simultaneously, viz.
(1) from Rheims east, and (2) from Rheims southwest to
Château-Thierry. Later the enemy planned to attack the
front from Soissons to Château-Thierry after the
hoped-for success in the first two assaults.
Blinded by the over-confidence bred of their earlier
successes, the Germans failed to dig positions of
strength' on the front between Soissons and
Chateau-Thierry. For the same reason, they even neglected
to mask their plans and movements with the result that
the French staff was fully informed, even knowing the
"zero hour" for the attack.
Early on the morning of the 15th of July, these two
attacks were launched by the enemy troops. After the
first day, it was obvious that the attack east of Rheims
was a failure for the Boches, due, in large measure to
novel tactics of the French Commander, General Gouraud.
The enemy met with greater success in their advance
between Rheims and Chateau-Thierry. In places the Marne
River was crossed. But even this attack by the Germans
did not overwhelm the Allied forces. The defense was
especially strong near Chateau-Thierry, where the 3rd
American Division checked very heavy attacks, and
stubbornly held its ground.
The great hour of the war had now struck! For the first
time Marshal Foch had almost unlimited reserves at his
disposal, due to the American reinforcement. At last he
could give free play to his strategic skill and military
genius. The Allied forces were about to take the
offensive, and were never to relinquish it until the
surrender of the enemy under the humiliating terms of the
Armistice of 11th November, 1918.
Masked by the Forest of Villers-Cotterets, all available
Allied troops had been concentrated between Soissons and
Château-Thierry. Among these troops were two American
divisions (the 1st and the 2nd). Early on the 18th of
July -a day which will forever be remembered in American
history and in the history of the world-the great counter
-battle began, striking directly eastward to the south of
Soissons. Marshal Foch had seized his opportunity to
deliver a tremendous flanking blow, which proved
irresistible.
Success was immediate. Even during the first day's
battle, important German lines of communications were
cut, and the enemy's whole position in the Marne salient
was in peril.
The attack which the enemy had planned to make, probably
on the same day, was at once changed into a grim defense,
and then to a retreat, as the Allied divisions between
Chateau-Thierry and Rheims took up the offensive.
Between the 18th of July and the 1st of August, the
Allies had steadfastly pushed the Germans back to the
Ourcq River at Fere-en-Tardenois. The enemy resisted
stubbornly, and again and again the Allied divisions had
to be replaced and relieved because of the heavy losses.
But the advance continued, and the enemy was forced to
fall back.
It was to participate in the finale of this great battle
that the 77th Division was withdrawn from the quiet
Baccarat Sector. Instead of being sent to the rear for a
"rest", the Division was ordered forward to
relieve the 4th U. S. Division on the Vesle River and
elements of the 42nd Division.