THE ST. MIHIEL SALIENT—Oct., 1914, to Sept., 1918
(See map, [p. 13.])
FORTIFIED STREET IN FEY-EN-HAYE (1915)
From November 17-20 the French endeavoured to drive the Germans from the bridgehead which the enemy held at Chauvoncourt, opposite St. Mihiel. In a spirited attack they drove the Germans from the suburb and barracks of Chauvoncourt. However, the latter had been mined, the Germans, taking advantage of the confusion caused by the explosion, counter-attacked and reoccupied Chauvoncourt.
This was the last attack made at the point of the salient. Only local fighting of extreme violence now took place in Apremont Forest, the result of which was, the French prevented the Germans extending the salient.
French offensives were launched against the northern and southern sides of the salient, at Eparges and Prêtre Wood, in the hope of narrowing the salient and forcing the Germans to evacuate it. Eparges Crest was conquered after more than two months of the fiercest possible fighting, ending on April 9, 1915.
ST. MIHIEL SALIENT, FROM OCT., 1914, to SEPT., 1918
However, these local actions were insufficient, and little by little the line became fixed. Both sides entrenched themselves and bombarded each other unceasingly, while the sappers carried out long and strenuous mining operations. Attacks were henceforth confined to small local objectives: a wood, house, bridge or crater, and it required the great American offensive of September, 1918, to flatten out this salient which, for four years, had formed a huge “pocket” inside the French lines.
The Salient during the Battle of Verdun
The German offensive, which began on February 21, 1916, caused a slight withdrawal along the whole of the French Verdun-Nancy line (see the Michelin Illustrated Guide: “Verdun”). The French line was withdrawn behind Fresnes, passing thence round Eparges Crest, which formed a hinge.
After the French counter-offensive of July-September, 1917, which disengaged Verdun and the immediate vicinity, their positions were further improved by a series of local operations at Eparges and around Pont-à-Mousson.
ON BEAUMONT HEIGHTS
Gen. F. E. Bamford, commanding the American 2nd Brigade, watching the advance of his troops before Beaumont, Sept. 12, 1918.