While the thought of joining the war in Europe was a natural one, the assembling of troops and supplies to fight that war proved to be more difficult than anticipated. With the Allied powers in Europe, running low on supplies and equipment the United States went to work manufacturing trucks, ammunition, weapons, and recruiting troops to supply the war effort. Large naval ships were the only means of transportation during this time and proved to be a difficult task sending the supplies and troops overseas. Unfortunately, the living conditions for the men transported on these ships were indigence. They were forced to live in tightly confined spaces for nearly twelve or more hours at a time.[1] Due to these circumstances, it did not take long before outbreaks of diseases and illnesses quickly spread in the midst of the ranks.
Once these ships reached France, another problem would break out which included the French ports. Due to the size of their port, they were able to accommodate the large American ships that needed to dock. Once in Europe, the American Expeditionary Force would face yet another difficult situation, which involved its inexperienced troops in the midst of a battle, harden enemy would be teaching them how to fight a file information. When reaching the European Frontlines, new American recruits placed under the training of French officers and veterans to learn how to fight and as one French emissary become the best army in the world.[2] Though it was not hard for the American troops to receive training, it proved hard for a predominantly English speaking army to follow orders given to them by their French-speaking officers.
[1] Robert H. Ferrell, America's Deadliest Battle: Meuse-Argonne, 1918 (Lawrence, Kansas: University Press of Kansas, 2007), 5.
[2] Edward G. Lengel, To Conquer Hell: the Meuse-Argonne, 1918 (New York: H. Holt, 2008), 25.
Once these ships reached France, another problem would break out which included the French ports. Due to the size of their port, they were able to accommodate the large American ships that needed to dock. Once in Europe, the American Expeditionary Force would face yet another difficult situation, which involved its inexperienced troops in the midst of a battle, harden enemy would be teaching them how to fight a file information. When reaching the European Frontlines, new American recruits placed under the training of French officers and veterans to learn how to fight and as one French emissary become the best army in the world.[2] Though it was not hard for the American troops to receive training, it proved hard for a predominantly English speaking army to follow orders given to them by their French-speaking officers.
[1] Robert H. Ferrell, America's Deadliest Battle: Meuse-Argonne, 1918 (Lawrence, Kansas: University Press of Kansas, 2007), 5.
[2] Edward G. Lengel, To Conquer Hell: the Meuse-Argonne, 1918 (New York: H. Holt, 2008), 25.