ABSTRACT
As 1918 began the Allies found themselves in a less than satisfactory situation. On the seas their surface fleets were dominant and the German submarine threat had been contained, but on land, except in the Middle East, the Allied offensives had failed. Italy was close to collapse and Russia had all but been driven from the war. This latter was balanced by the entry of the United States. She was mobilizing her considerable resources to supply large quantities of finished goods, supplies, and foodstuffs. But the American Army was only slowly arriving in France and needed extensive training. For the Entente US troops were vital, and in the winter of 1917-18 a “race to France” began.
