The
Battle of Cantigny, fought 27–31 May 1918 was the first American battle and offensive of
World War I. The
U.S. 1st Division, the most experienced of the five American divisions then in France and in reserve for the French Army near the village of
Cantigny, was selected for the attack. The objective of the attack was both to reduce a small
salient made by the
German Army in the front lines but also to instill confidence among the French and British
allies in the ability of the inexperienced
American Expeditionary Force (AEF).