third Phase
November 1 – 11, 1918
As the third and final phase, American troops advanced east across the Meuse River on November 1, 1918. By this time, they had travelled 9.3 miles and cleared the Argonne Forest. Reorganized into two armies, Lieutenant Generals Liggett and Bullard led forces to the Carignan-Sedan-Mezieres Railroad and Metz respectively. At 3:30 am, the final barrage of the war staggered German positions and led defenders northward after an infantry assault broke out.
By November 4, German forces began to prepare a new line north of the Meuse, leading American First Army to follow suit and eventually attack and seize the heights overseeing Sedan. After encountering and defeating 31 German divisions, American troops captured defenses at Buzancy, allowing French forces to advance across the River Aisne and capture the Le Chesne commune. Both French and American armies occupied Sedan, its railroad hub, and the surrounding hills by November 6. Before the November 11 armistice was announced, American armies were organizing further attacks for the north and east regions [1]. |
Sources:
- Chambers and Anderson, The Oxford Companion to American Military History, 431.