DEFENSE OF CANTIGNY. Early on May 28, 1918 the 28th Regiment of the 1st Division launched an attack on the village of Cantigny. The attack, meticulously planned and rehearsed, was the first major American offensive action of the war. The preliminary American artillery bombardment drove the German defenders into their shelters. The Americans, advancing close behind a creeping barrage and supported by several French Schneider tanks and flamethrower teams, quickly overran the 3/272nd Reserve Regiment, capturing scores and driving the remainder into the Bois de Framicourt. Consistent with their pre-assault planning the Americans quickly advanced beyond the village and set up defensive positions. The Americans carried with them entrenching equipment and barbed wire. While the Germans organized their counterattack the Americans prepared strongpoints in the rubble and strung wire capture of Cantigny, by early evening they began a series of counterattacks, intending to recapture the village. At approximately 1830hrs, following a preliminary bombardment, the 2/271 st Reserve Regiment rushed out of the Bois de Framicourt and attacked the 2/28th Regiment defending positions east of Cantigny. As officers directed their fire the American infantry concentrated deliberate rifle fire on the Germans attacking out of the Bois de Framicourt. The Americans were supported by Chauchat light machine guns and a captured German Maxim machine gun. The Chauchat was supported by an assistant gunner carrying extra ammunition. German artillery fire supporting the attack was weak and ineffective and the German infantry fell behind their barrage. In response, American artillery fired a box barrage that isolated the advance elements of the German attack from support. The Americans fought off several disjointed German counterattacks throughout May 28, 1918. For the next several days the 28th Regiment suffered from galling artillery fire, and determined German counterattacks but held the village, suffering over 900 killed and wounded before being relieved on May 31,1918.
Posted on: Fri, 16 Jan 2015 05:18:41 +0000
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