In this article Father Francis Duffy (1874 – 1932) of the 165th Infantry (formerly the NY Fighting 69th) describes how his regiment was ripped to shreds during the course of two poorly planned offensives:
“Our attack [on the Hindenburg Line] had to be made over open ground… It was the warfare of 1916 and 1917 over again – everybody knows from the numerous French and British accounts of such action that it can be accomplished only by tremendous artillery preparation, and that even then gains must be made at a great loss of infantry.”
More about Father Duffy can be read here…
Father Francis Duffy recollection of ww1 battles42nd Infantry Division Battle of the Ourcq River 1918Rainbow Division Battle of the Ourcq River 191842nd Infantry Division Attack on Kriemhilde Stellung 1918Rainbow Division Attack on Kriemhilde Stellung 1918165th Infantry Regiment Battle of the Ourcq River165th Infantry Regiment Attack on Kriemhilde Stellung 1918165th Infantry Regiment assault on the Hindenburg line 1918
Father Francis Duffy recollection of ww1 battles42nd Infantry Division Battle of the Ourcq River 1918Rainbow Division Battle of the Ourcq River 191842nd Infantry Division Attack on Kriemhilde Stellung 1918Rainbow Division Attack on Kriemhilde Stellung 1918165th Infantry Regiment Battle of the Ourcq River165th Infantry Regiment Attack on Kriemhilde Stellung 1918165th Infantry Regiment assault on the Hindenburg line 1918
