Remembering World War I: The Beginnings of the A.E.F. and the Influences of Foreign Military Missions

After the U.S. declaration of war in early April 1917, the American government began preparations in earnest.  For a conflict that had been ongoing for nearly three years, this opportunity for a major momentum shift enlivened the Allies.  They rapidly organized missions to the United States. They aimed to consult with their new partner in the conflict,  influence American decisions, and promote solidarity with the American people.

Arthur Lord Balfour, British Foreign Secretary and former Prime Minister, was the first to arrive on April 21^st.  By the end of the month he had addressed both houses of Congress, and met at length with President Woodrow Wilson.[i]  The Balfour Mission’s greatest achievement was forging direct communication between the Whitehouse and the Foreign Secretary, answering trans-Atlantic cables within a few hours until the end of the war.[ii]

Next to arrive on April 24 was the Viviani – Joffre mission from France. René Viviani served as Prime Minister of France at the beginning of the war, and  Marshal Joffre had been the Commander of French forces at the pivotal Battle of the Marne in 1914. They also proceeded to Washington to address Congress and meet with the President. [iii]

 In a letter, Joffre suggested that a division of American troops be sent to France as soon as possible to serve as a symbol of their new Allied partnership.  He felt this would raise Allied morale.  Acknowledging that Americans would have their own independent Army in Europe, he offered French artillery equipment, and training in France for a longer term buildup of American forces. On the other hand, the British offered an amalgamation plan to transport 500,000 American recruits to England where they would be trained for service in British units. 

The British and French missions then left Washington for public tours of the United States and Canada, while the military and Wilson Administration examined their options for intervention in World War I. The British plan of amalgamation offered swifter impact by efficiently enlarging established armies instead of building a new American one.  However, submerging American manpower in foreign armies would minimize the visibility of the United States, and reduce American influence on the conduct and conclusion of the war.  The U.S.  Army would become auxiliaries in the fighting, losing the experience of organizing modern land and air forces. [iv]

Rejecting this idea, the Army began to gather a division of troops for deployment to France.[v]  Ordered to choose regiments ready for war, Gen. John J. Pershing selected some from Texas, who had been recently engaged in the Mexican intervention. New recruits brought the units to full strength.  Shortly after, Secretary of War Newton Baker selected Pershing to serve as commander of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF). [vi]

By May 20 Joffre telegraphed the French Minister of War just before returning to France.  He reported the immediate preparation of American forces under Pershing, and the plan to gather a large American army to complete training in France.  He reported commitment to train American officers, offering the lessons of French experience.  Eight days later Pershing also left for Europe with the founding elements of the AEF staff.

While Belgian, Italian and Russian missions also arrived in the United State, the greatest outcome of these foreign missions was the foundation of the AEF based on the talks with the French, and the close alliance formed with Britain.