Meuse-Argonne campaign

In World War I, US-French offensive against the Germans September–November 1918. The campaign made vital strategic gains; the Montmedy-Sedan and Metz-Mézières railway lines were rendered useless to the Germans, depriving them of a valuable lifeline, and the German left wing was secured while the British advance in Flanders rolled back the right.

While US troops attacked from the west on 26 September 1918, capturing Varennes and Montfaucon, the French attacked in Champagne. The attack was renewed 4 October, eventually breaching the Kreimhilde Line and capturing Grandpré. By 1 November the US troops had advanced some 6 km/4 mi, taking Buzancy on 2 November, and the Germans were in rapid retreat. By 7 November the Americans held the left bank of the Meuse opposite Sedan, and the bridge at Stenay was taken on 10 November. However, the US forces paid a heavy price for their gains: some 26,227 dead and 96,788 wounded.