On this day in 1918 the U.S. Army began offensive operations in a major way during World War One.
The Army and the Marine Corps had already been in action. Units had deployed in quiet sectors of the French line, and earlier the British line (which was not quiet by this time), to gain experience in combat. And U.S. troops had already deployed to assist the British and the Portuguese to hold back the Germans deployed in Operation Georgette.
May 28, 1918 aerial view of the Canigny sector.
On this day, however, the 1st Division committed to an outright offensive action at Catigny. Starting at 06:45 U.S. troops of the 28th Regiment, 1st Division, advanced to take and reduce a German salient that had developed the prior day with the resumption of the German spring offensive. The mission was accomplished and the unit withstood German counterattacks, although it ultimately took slightly more casualties than the Germans.
While a minor battle, it was significant in that it convinced the other Allies that American troops were battle worthy.
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