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A Stand-Up Fight

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Title
A Stand-Up Fight
Description
Minor spring raids against the new American troops produce little. Then on 20 April, the night is misty and visibility is poor. A heavy two-hour bombardment opens against the U.S. 102nd Regiment, 26th “Yankee” Division stationed at Saint Mihiel salient. …
Source
Publisher
Date
1918-04-20
Scenario#
T04
Scenario Description
Minor spring raids against the new American troops produce little. Then on 20 April, the night is misty and visibility is poor. A heavy two-hour bombardment opens against the U.S. 102nd Regiment, 26th “Yankee” Division stationed at Saint Mihiel salient. Hand-picked Stosstruppen from Sturmbataillon 14 and elements from three regiments, 78th Reserve Division, raid in strength. Around 3,000 men hit the line in waves at Seicheprey village. They aim to test and scare the Yanks, teaching them “what real war is about”. The Americans here man the current French defensive system; a light front line mainly of outposts sits in front of the rubbled village. It is meant to delay, but not repel, the invaders. Commanders expect the decisive battle will be left to stronger lines in the rear. For now, the outnumbered Yanks have to scrounge together whoever they can find to hold off the enemy. German troops run into determined resistance. Rather than collapse, the Americans engage in a stand-up fight. Enemy barrages cut off their telephones, messengers and counterattack support for hours, but they give the Germans a “bloody nose”. After hours of stubborn combat, often hand to hand, the attackers withdraw to original lines. Seicheprey becomes the first serious action in the war for the AEF, a week before 1st division’s Cantigny.
Location
Seicheprey, France
Battle Narrative
While Georgette ground to a halt, a new attack on French positions was planned to draw forces further away from the Channel and allow renewed German progress in the north. The strategic objective remained to split the British and the French and gain victory before American forces could make their presence felt on the battlefield. The Americans were originally deployed in the quiet Saint-Mihiel sector in Lorraine where they had their first significant engagement in the defence of Seicheprey on 20 April.
Narrative Source
Combatants
German
American
Collection:

Geolocation