History AEF

The American Expeditionary Forces or AEF was a formation of the United States Army in World War I. The wars was the first time in American history that the United States sent soldiers abroad to defend a foreign soil. When the United States declared war against Germany on April 6, 1917, the army tried to mobilize troops quickly. In May 1917, General John Pershing was made commander of the American Army in France. The AEF was created to fill the need for troops in Europe, especially for the weary British and French troops who had been fighting since 1914. The AEF when they first began had a standing army of 127,500 officers and soldiers. By the end of the war, four million men have served in the Army.

The American troops also known as ‘Doughboys” arrived in Europe in June 1917. However, they did not actively participate in battle until October. The First Division named one of the best-trained of the AEF, was in the trenches in Nancy, France in October. The various American divisions were employed to increase French and British unit numbers in the defense of their lines as well as attacking German positions. The AEF was involved primarily in France but, they were in the Battle of Vittorio Veneto in Italy.  After the United States victory at Cantigny in May 1918, AEF commanders were given sole control of American combat forces. By July of that year, French troops were then assigned to augment AEF operations. The AEF helped the French Army on the Western Front during the Aisne Offensive and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. In September 1918 at St. Mihiel, Pershing lead the American First Army, comprised of seven divisions, in the largest offensive action undertaken by U.S. troops. The action was a success and was followed by the Battle of Argonne. Allied Forces recovered over 200 sq miles in both St. Mihiel and Argonne.  

The objective of Gen. Pershing was to have a force that operated independently from their allies. This plan could not come to fruition without trained troops and supplies. American training schools sent the best men they have to the front and Pershing created facilities in France to train the arrivals for combat.

By November 11, 1918, the American Expeditionary Forces evolved into a combat-tested army that became recognized as one of the best armies in the world. The influenza pandemic that hit the world in 1918 caused more than 25,000 troops to die, while over 350,000 were struck ill. Many of the men who filled out questionnaires did not feel cynical about fighting in the war. They said they fought for honor, fellow soldiers, adventure, and duty.  The AEF has 320,000 casualties; 53, 402 deaths in battle, 63,114 non-combative, and 204,000 wounded. The AEF was disbanded in 1920 The lessons learned in World War I provided insights into how a government could mobilize and command millions. These lessons helped the U.S. command sixteen million soldiers in World War II.