Retreat, Hell! We Just Got Here!

by Martin Marix Evans

With the breaking of diplomatic relations between the USA and Germany a declaration of war was inevitable. Despite this it would be months before their contribution had a real impact on the war. Their troops were untrained and without equipment. General Pershing resisted all attempts to drag his men into the front line unprepared. He was determined to prevent the Americans being scattered as stiffening for the exhausted French and British armies. In Spring 1918 the Germans punched great gaps in the allied lines and Paris itself was once more threatened from the east. At Chateau Thierry on the Marne the US Marines fought one of their finest actions, first holding and then thrusting the Germans back at Belleau Wood. On 4 July alongside the Australians at Le Hamel they demonstrated that artillery, tanks, infantry and the air force, in combined operations, could advance without monumental casualties. Pershing got his chance to show his army in action under American command at St Mihiel in September. The salient was taken with minimum casualties, but soon the picture was to change. Against the massive obstacle of the Hindenburg Line and then in the Argonne the Americans encountered rele

112 pages, Hardcover

First published September 25, 1998

Reviews

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good overview of WWI. While a relatively short book on the war, it does cover the subject with enough detail to make it interesting. The author included a few pictures of U.S. leaders in WWI who would go on to greater things in WWII; photos I had never seen previously. The book gave me more insight into Gen Pershing's challenges leading the AEF and how he attempted to resolve them.

- To declare war was relatively simple. To wage war was an undertaking of immense difficulty. p20. PJK: how many U.S. administrations have failed to realize this?
- Furthermore, arming the few men America could put in the field was a problem. There was no heavy artillery at all, few machine-guns, and the issue rifle was the 1903 Springfield. P20. PJK: Same challenge the Pentagon faces every year. What can we buy now that will help in the next war? What types of weapons will be most critical? What new weapons do we need in the next war? All these questions are tough to answer... and even tougher to produce in numbers sufficient to win the next conflict.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not for casual reading, but informative and many historical pictures and illustrations.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great resource for those interested in the American Expeditionary Force in France.