Pershing's War: Battle of the Moselle Heights

Here's the map battle for the Moselle Heights:

General Robert Lee* Bullard's 2nd Army is occupying the map from the middle south as General Hunter Liggett's 1st Army is coalescing around Briey in the north.

That's a line of low, wooded hills in front of Metz. Those yellow pins represent high ground of 100-150 feet. A good position but not insurmountable. Not as bad as the Romagne and Cunel Heights, anyway.

At center-right is a gap in the hill line. Rushing that would be suicidal, which would be just what Pershing would want Bullard to do. I think Liggett is going to turn the Bosch's right flank though. He already proved himself capable of such action in the Argonne. Turn the flank, get behind the hills and then march on Metz from the north.  Then Bullard can rush the gap. 

The Bosch will be defending with five divisions on a 15 mile front + whatever's at Metz.

We think we'll be telling this battle from Jerry's POV.

*You're welcome, Harris.

Meuse-Argonne 100 Years Ago

100 years ago today the AEF launched its final offensive in the Meuse-Argonne.

Pershing split the AEF in two, forming the American 2nd Army under General Robert Lee Bullard which was then establishing a foothold on the east bank of the Meuse and laying the groundwork for an effort toward Metz.

In the meantime General Hunter Liggett commanded the American 1st Army on the west bank, twelve divisions in all.

Liggett had spent the previous two weeks resting and reorganizing his battered army.  By the time he was finished the 1st Army was ready and molded into a professional, battle hardened, fighting force. When Liggett attacked he broke the German line and sent them running northeast for the safety of the east bank of the Meuse.