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By Root 2234 0

why, along the western flank of the Soissons salient, the Moroccan division had been centered between the First and Second Divisions. There was simply no time to gather every unit and place it where Pershing had ideally wanted them to be. The French generals, primarily Mangin and DeGoutte, had understood that this situation was temporary, and Pershing accepted that, in the crisis that had so threatened Paris, it was absolutely necessary. But the English had taken note. In the British sector, a total of six American divisions were undergoing training. Haig had assured Pershing that when their training was complete, they would be transferred to wherever Foch and Pershing determined the American sector to be. Now, with Haig’s new offensive, Pershing felt an uneasy twitch, that it was only a matter of time before Haig, or even Foch, suggested that those American divisions remain with the British. If Haig’s grand strategy failed, if his new August offensive became a repeat of the British disaster the year before, the Americans might be the only reserve strength Haig could send into the fight. Though the undertrained Americans might become little more than cannon fodder, if Haig’s army found itself in desperate straits, it would be difficult for Pershing to refuse. As Pershing studied the Haig plan, he realized that if Haig was wrong about the strength of the enemy across from him, the result could be an American disaster as well.

The discussions continued, Haig’s enthusiasm for certain victory having an odd effect on Pétain. The French general kept his eyes on the map, but Pershing could see that Pétain wasn’t studying anything. He was staring blankly past the paper, had said nothing for a long while.

Foch seemed to notice now, said, “General Pétain, do you wish to make inquiries? I assume this plan meets with your approval.”

Pétain nodded slowly, looked up at Foch now.

“I am hopeful that Marshal Haig’s confidence is appropriate. Much depends on what happens in the next few months.”

Foch seemed to ignore the gloom in Pétain’s words, said, “Indeed, I am quite confident that we have begun to travel along a path that will result in certain victory. By this time next year, we shall again sit together and offer our salutes. But, then, the war will be over.”

Haig stood. “Agreed! It is my expectation that we have entered the final year of this conflict. General Pershing, allow me to say that the American commitment to our cause has been most beneficial. It was my prediction April a year ago, when President Wilson offered to join us, that by the summer of 1919, that tree would bear the fruits of victory. General Foch is correct. That path is right before us. The next step is mine.”

AS THE AMERICAN DIVISIONS WERE TRAINED AND ORGANIZED, PERSHING had found the need to sort through their senior officers. He had already begun weeding out officers who were physically unfit for the difficulties of their commands, a policy that echoed all the way to Washington and, naturally, created enemies. But Pershing explained his decisions to Baker, emphasizing that the AEF required men who were as energetic as the soldiers in their commands, and who were not in positions of importance simply because of seniority, or of who their friends were in Washington. As the AEF had evolved and organized, Pershing had begun a chess game of shifting men into commands suited to their talents. Some were transferred off the line into critical staff positions. Others, like Harbord and Patton, had gone from staff to line. Just prior to the assault on the Soissons salient, James Harbord had been promoted to overall command of the Second Division, replacing Omar Bundy, who had been promoted to corps command in Pershing’s new organization. In many ways, the combat experience of the fledgling army made Pershing’s job easier, the commanders having no choice but to demonstrate their ability to command under pressure.

The challenges that Pershing was forced to confront were continuing to evolve as well. The latest bit of torment came not from the Western Front but