History of Oise-Aisne American Cemetery

Background

The Oise-Aisne American Cemetery and Memorial in France contains the remains of more than 6,000 American war dead, most of whom lost their lives while fighting in this vicinity in 1918 during World War I.

Their headstones, aligned in long rows on the 36.5-acre site, rise in a gentle slope from the entrance to the memorial at the far end. The burial area is divided into four plots by wide paths lined by trees and beds of roses; at the intersection are a circular plaza and the flagpole.

The memorial is a curving colonnade, flanked at the ends by a chapel and a map room. It is built of rose-colored sandstone with white trim bearing sculptured details of wartime equipment. The chapel contains an altar of carved stone. Engraved upon its Walls of the Missing are more than 24 names. Rosettes mark the names of those since recovered and identified. The map room contains an engraved and colored wall map portraying the military operations in this region during 1918.

Oise-Aisne American Cemetery lies about a mile east of Fère-en-Tardenois, which is 14 miles northeast of Chateau-Thierry.

Germany’s 1918 strategy aimed to destroy the weakened British and French armies before American forces could fully deploy.

Despite two failed offensives against the British (March 21 – April 30, 1918), Germany launched another assault against French positions on May 27, breaking through the Chemin des Dames ridge and advancing 35 miles south to Château-Thierry in just three days. This created the Aisne-Marne Salient, dangerously close to Paris.

The Allied situation was desperate by late May 1918, leading to urgent calls for U.S. reinforcements. Newly arrived American divisions joined the fight, along with the 370th Infantry Regiment, which was detached to fight alongside French forces.

Germany’s final offensive failed on July 15, allowing the Allies and American Expeditionary Forces to counterattack on July 18 with the Aisne-Marne Offensive. Ten U.S. divisions participated, pushing the Germans north to the Vesle River by Aug. 6. The Oise-Aisne Offensive (Aug. 18 – Sept. 16, 1918) continued the advance, further weakening German defenses.

Approximately 310,000 American soldiers and Marines fought in these battles—the first large-scale operation by the AEF under Gen. John J. Pershing. The successes at Aisne-Marne, St. Mihiel, and Meuse-Argonne helped bring about the Armistice on Nov. 11, 1918, ending World War I.

Allied Counterattacks, July 18–Sept. 16, 1918

• March 21 – April 30, 1918: Germany launched two offensives against British forces, but failed to break their defenses.
• May 27, 1918: German forces broke through French positions along the Chemin des Dames ridge, advancing rapidly toward Château-Thierry.
• May 30 – June 1918: U.S. forces arrived to reinforce French defenses, including the 370th Infantry Regiment, which fought alongside French units.
• July 15, 1918: Germany’s final offensive failed, marking a turning point in the war.
• July 18, 1918: The Allies and American forces launched the Aisne-Marne Offensive, forcing German forces north to the Vesle River by Aug. 6.
• Aug. 18 – Sept. 16, 1918: The Oise-Aisne Offensive continued the Allied advance, pushing German forces even farther north.
• Nov. 11, 1918: The Armistice took effect, ending hostilities in World War I.

Vintage Poster

Vintage posters convey the beauty, tranquility, and solemnity of the place as a sign of respect for those who fought so that we can live free today.