The Germans occupied a strong position on the St. Mihiel salient.
With rugged hills on both ends of the position the only feasible point of
attack was in the center where the German lines ran across flat and swampy
lowlands. This area was defended in depth with additional trenches and
concrete positions. The Americans had assembled 16 divisions for the attack
and planned to attack along two axis with 3 divisions on the left, 8 on the
right and 5 in reserve. The 5th Division was on the right side of the right
axis with a front of 2 kilometers. Additional artillery was brought in to
provide one gun for each 15 meters of front.
Tanks
were also deployed to
assist in the assault. Jumping off at 0430 on the 12 September with the 11th
Regiment in the lead, troops of the 5th Division reached the first day’s
objective by 0930 that day. Due to the tanks miring down and blocking the
roads for the artillery ammunition trucks, supporting fire was limited. The
attack continued. By evening the lead elements of the division were
approaching the Hindenburg Line. On the 14th the 61st Regiment took the lead
and the advance continued. By 1820 hours on the 16th all Division objectives
had been taken and the St. Mihiel Salient had been removed.
On 2 October the
5th Division moved to the Souilly area near Verdun to prepare for the
Meuse-Argonne Campaign.
FRENCH TOWN DESTROYED BY ARTILLERY. Actually a village on
the outskirts of Verdun that came under heavy German fire in an attempt to
break up an attack on their positions.
CHOW LINE, 1/61, NEAR CUNEL, MEUSE, FRANCE. This was a rock quary that had
been used by the Germans and overrun the day before this picture was taken.
It is being used as an ammo supply point and a chow line for a hot meal by
troops of the 1st Bn, 61st Infantry.