91st Infantry In World War I--Analysis Of An AEF Division's Efforts To Achieve Battlefield Success [Illustrated Edition]

Main Themes and Topics

91st Infantry In World War I--Analysis Of An AEF Division's Efforts To Achieve Battlefield Success [Illustrated Edition] by Major Bryan L. Woodcock offers a meticulous examination of the 91st Infantry Division's engagement in World War I. The book delves deeply into the tactical and operational challenges faced by this National Army Division, comprising draftees primarily from the northwestern United States. Woodcock provides a comprehensive analysis of the division's development, training, and eventual deployment to European battlefields, highlighting its experiences in significant battles such as Meuse-Argonne and Ypres-Lys.

The narrative explores the effectiveness of the division’s leadership and their capability to perform essential warfighting functions amidst the rapidly evolving and complex warfare environment of 1917-1918. Woodcock's work sheds light on the division's noteworthy accomplishments and the high costs they incurred, both in strategic success and human lives.

Writing Style and Tone

Major Bryan L. Woodcock employs a scholarly and analytical writing style, which reflects his background and expertise in military history. The text is rich with historical data and is supported by carefully researched primary and secondary sources. Woodcock's tone is factual and objective, offering a balanced perspective on the triumphs and trials faced by the 91st Infantry Division.

The author effectively uses illustrations and maps, which are integral to enhancing the readers' understanding of the complex maneuvers and contexts discussed in the book. These visual aids complement the detailed narrations and provide clearer insight into the strategic and operational intricacies of World War I military campaigns.

Brief Summary

The book provides an in-depth assessment of the 91st Infantry Division's role and experiences during World War I. From its formation and initial training at Camp Lewis, Washington, to the intense pressure of real-world combat in Europe, the division's journey is chronicled in detail. The focus is on understanding how the division adapted to the demands of warfighting, the leadership's execution of combined arms operations, and how these factors influenced the division’s battlefield success and failures.

Woodcock elucidates the division’s progression from a group of raw draftees to a formidable force that made significant contributions in major battles, at the cost of heavy casualties. The book highlights both the triumphs and the harsh lessons the division had to learn, providing a nuanced narrative of their wartime journey.