Combat· World War I
Meuse River Crossing - 10-11 November 1918 (last night of WWI)
This was the Marines' last action of the war, an attack across the Meuse River on the final night before the Armistice.
The Germans held strong positions on the far bank with machine guns and artillery, and they had destroyed the bridges. Army engineers had to build and float flimsy footbridges across the cold, rain-swollen river under fire. In thick fog and darkness, Marines of the 5th Regiment crossed these unsteady bridges while German fire swept the water; some men were knocked or fell into the river. Despite heavy losses during the crossing, the Marines reached the east bank, pushed back the defenders, and established a foothold on the far side. The fighting continued almost up to the hour the Armistice took effect. The crossing was costly and controversial, since many felt the war was already as good as over.
Podcast episodes on World War I
Record no. 544