Battle of Cantigny

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Belleau Wood Campaign (Western Front)
Cantigny -- Chateau-Thierry -- Belleau Wood

The Battle of Cantigny, fought on 28 May 1918, the second day of the great German offensive, was the first American offensive of World War I.

A regiment of the U.S. 1st Infantry Division (some 4,000 troops), under Major-General Robert Lee Bullard, captured the village of Cantigny from the German Eighteenth Army commanded by von Hutier.

Aiding the capture, the French provided air cover, 368 heavy guns, trench mortars, and flamethrowers. The advancing American infantry was aided by twelve French tanks.

The Americans expanded their front by approximately a mile. A minor success, its significance was overshadowed by the battle underway along the Aisne. The U.S. forces held their position with the loss of 1,067 casualties; they captured around 100 German prisoners. The American success at Cantigny was followed by attacks at Chateau-Thierry and Belleau Wood in the first half of June.

[edit] Trivia

Matthew B. Juan (1895 – May 28, 1918) was a Native American hero of World War I who died in the Battle.