American War Memorials France

Day 90/ France 58

Travelled: 171km  to Meuse Argonne American Cemetery, Montfaucon to Asfeld parking (49.4686, 4.1073)

Today we headed to the American WWI memorials in the Meuse area. More than 1.2 million U.S troops fought during the 47 days of the Meuse Argonne Offensive. 26,000 were killed, 91,000 wounded. 

We drove to have a look at the 316th Division memorial in Sector 304 where it all started on September 26, 1918. 

We drove through some fertile countryside and colour too 

We crossed the Meuse River and stopped to have a look at a French War Cemetery. 

One lonesome British soldier is laid to rest here.

Not far away was the largest American cemetery in Europe near the town Romagne sur Montfaucon. 

The visitors centre had lots of information on the battles fought here and on some who died.

We then walked up the centre passing 14,246 head stones that are perfectly aligned reaching the chapel. 

On either side were the names of 954 missing in action.

There is a Bloom on the list but not related to us. 

10km away was the Montfaucon Monument that commemorates the American victory of the capture of the Butte (hill) on September 27th 1918. The German forces had made it a formidable fortress and prime observation point. 

They fought in the area until the armistice became effective on November 11th at 11am.

Down in the village we stopped to have a look at the Sherman tank. 

We researched a spot for tonight and chose one that had some shade on the banks of Canal des Ardennes in Asfeld.