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Montsec which dominated the plain and afforded the enemy unusual facilities for observation.  The enemy had reenforced his positions by every artificial means during a period of four years.

    While the Allied Armies had endeavored to maintain the offensive, the British, in order to guard the channel ports, were committed to operations in Flanders and the French to the portion of the front protecting Paris.  Both lacked troops to operate elsewhere on a large scale.

    Consequently, when it became necessary to decide upon a sector of the front for the employment of a distinctive American force, the military and economic situation of the enemy indicated Lorraine as the field promising the most fruitful results for the employment of [[our /]] the American armies.  [[It was therefore determined that the American Army, upon completing its organization, would take entire charge of the Woevre sector, extending from Nomeny east of the Moselle, to a point north of St. Mihiel. /]]

   At Bomon on July 24, 1918, a conference of all Commanders-in-Chief was held for the purpose of considering Allied operations.  It was emphatically determined that the Allied attitude should be to maintain the offensive, and that the reduction of the St. Mihiel salient should be undertaken by the American Army as soon as the necessary troops and material could be made available.  On account of the swampy nature of the country it was especially important that the operation should be undertaken and finished before the fall rains should begin, which was usually about the middle of September.

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