The attack is progressing as well as could be expected in such weather (rainy and cold)

The St. Mihiel Offensive began on September 12, 1918, and lasted three days. Five hundred and fifty thousand men of the American Expeditionary Force and forty-eight thousand French soldiers under the command of General John J. Pershing attacked the German Fifth Army across a broad front. The object was to destroy the St. Mihiel Salient and capture the city of Metz. The salient had stuck out "like a dagger pointed at the heart of France" ever since the early days of the war. 

The campaign was a success, though it fell short of Metz. The Allies caught the Germans in retreat and overran their complex system of trenches. The audacity of the American soldiers and commanders impressed the British and French. It was a precursor to the Meuse-Argonne Offensive that would begin later in September.

Thursday, September 12, 1918:

A heavy barrage started this A.M. at 1:10 and continued on through the morning. All but four of our cars are up on duty though very little has taken place in our vicinity as yet. The big guns in this sector are pounding away over Metz direction.

11:30 A.M. - Took Major Sparr up to Dieulouard this morning. The din to our left is terrific with the [Gross] berthes over here helping them out. Official report--Boche artillery preceded ours this A.M. ‘Twas their barrage we heard at 1:10. Ours started later by 2 hours and has continued through the morning. The boys went over with the aide of cavalry this A.M. at 6:30 and have advanced 1 kilometer in the face of heavy artillery fire. Our barrage cleared the way for them.

View of the Butte de Montsec across the Woëvre Plain. 

2:30 P.M. - Mt. Sec and two villages beyond are officially taken by American troops, but there is some fear of our having to evacuate because not a Boche has been seen. They are afraid of a trick and a flank movement on the part of Fritz. Artillery, fire has subsided somewhat. Our sector still about normal.

Horn, Kendrick and I went up to Loisy looking for new quarters for our section. The Lieut. wants to be nearer the action and away from Major Sparr, who pesters us considerably. We found no quarters which suited us. We are very comfortable here now. After dropping Kendrick, Horn and I went looting at the Maidière chateau. Our aim was to get some vegetables for the section. We came back with 19 heads of cabbage, some potatoes and a bacon pan. Vegetables are hard to get now through any source but the illegal one. Everybody while on post helps himself to as many perishables as he can lay his hands on.

5:30 P.M. - Lt. Townsend is here and says he has just come from Ménil-la-Tour. Says the attack is progressing as well as could be expected in such weather (rainy and cold). Also says he saw 3000 prisoners in Ménil-la-Tour stockades. Casualties in the 42nd Am. division operating north of St. Mihiel and south of Verdun have been rather heavy -- in the neighborhood of 3000 he heard. The idea seems to be to cut off the St. Mihiel salient by flanking it if possible. The Amex. Forces hold the lines from Verdun to Pont-à-Mousson being supported by French troops with Italians in reserve.

St. Mihiel American Cemetery and Memorial

9:30 P.M.-- no new developments. Artillery fire still continuing. Our sector is a little busier than normal. Sky clear tonight with cold west wind.