WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Army Center of Military History (CMH) released a new Pamphlet publication on World War One called, Joining the Great War, April 1917-April 1918. This is the second pamphlet in the World War One Centennial series.
Written by Army Historian Eric B. Setzekorn, the pamphlet provides details on the organization and readiness of the U.S. Army in the years leading up to World War One and the challenges the Army faced going from a peacetime army of 133,000 men to eventually four million in uniform by the end of the war. Once in Europe, the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) continue to prepare for combat and the pamphlet describes the first two major battle campaigns of the 13 total campaigns fought by the AEF, the Battle of Cambrai in November 1917 and the Somme Defensive in March-April 1918.
The challenges of expanding and training the army provide lessons that resonate today. Jon T. Hoffman, the CMH Chief Historian said, "The modern U.S. Army, capable of conducting industrialized warfare on a global scale, can trace its roots to the World War." The transformation outlined in the pamphlet highlights the formation of the modern division, the advent of armored forces, the army air service, several of our modern branches and staff structure. The creation of many of our current installations are addressed during the mobilization and training of the AEF.
There will be ten pamphlets released by the end of 1918 detailing the U.S. Army experience in World War One. During the WWI Centennial Commemoration period of April 2017-November 2019 these pamphlets are designed to remember the sacrifices of those killed and wounded, honor those who served, and educate our soldiers and American public about the accomplishments of the Army in WWI.
For more information please contact the CMH Public Affairs Officer, Mr. F. Lee Reynolds, at francis.l.reynolds.civ@mail.mil or 202-685-2455.
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