World War I - 1918

In the Aisne-Marne Offensive that would begin the rolling up of German forces on the western front, one of the most frequent memories of the American troops that participated was the night on which they moved into position.
Building up the massive numbers needed had to be done in secret and with speed to prevent the Germans from strengthening their own lines. So under the cover of darkness, the roads to the front were jammed with tens of thousands of men scurrying to get to their start positions before the attack commenced.
Torrential rain turned the dirt roads into nearly impassable seas of mud. Marching columns kept to their routes guided only by lightning and by the flashes of big guns.
But if the night was unkind to the marching troops, it served the Allied purpose. The same foul weather prevented the Germans from observing what was happening.

Library of Congress