definitely accomplished by the 6th, when the 42d Division reached a point on the Meuse opposite Sedan.
General Pershing’s plan for the further use of the American forces was for the 1st Army to advance
between the Meuse and the Moselle in the direction of Longwy; the 2d Army, which extended the line
of the 1st Army east to a point just beyond the Moselle, to attack toward the iron-fields of Briey; and,
later on, for six American divisions to assume the offensive near Nancy in the direction of Château-
Saline, in conjunction with nineteen French divisions, under the command of General Mangin. The
attack of the 2d Army was made on November 10, and was in progress when stopped by the armistice.
The date of the un-fought battle in Lorraine was set for November 14.
While the wait of six days did not appeal to the eager soldiers of the 90th Division, it was in
keeping with the strategical plan. During the last three days of this waiting period the 5th and 32d
Divisions, in conjunction with French troops on their right, had forced the Germans from the hills along
the Meuse and had driven them into the plain.
Orders were received shortly after noon of the 9th to begin the crossing of infantry at once. The
engineers promised to have the bridge at Sassey, which would take artillery and wagons, ready by 4 P.
M.
The 179th Brigade was ordered to move out at once as advance-guard. To the 358th Infantry
was assigned the task of taking Stenay. The 357th Infantry was to take the wooded heights west and
south of Baalon, known as Bois du Chenois, and to assist the 358th Infantry in taking Stenay and the
heights to the northeast of that city. Although several foot-bridges had been constructed, it was deemed
best to cross the entire brigade over the repaired bridge at Sassey. Unfortunately, during the period of
waiting the 358th Infantry had been moved to the woods near Laneuville, with a view of crossing at
Stenay, and was forced to march over seven kilometers to Sassey and thence back up an equal distance
on the other side of the river before the attack could be launched.
 |
 |
 |