February 1918

This chapter presents Pershing's letters, diary entries, and official correspondence written in February 1918. The negotiations over amalgamating American troops with the French army were "settled" in late January, allowing Pershing to focus on reorganizing the General Headquarters of the AEF in February. Most of the sources included in this chapter relate to Pershing's efforts to reorganize the bureaucratic structure, transfer personnel, and establish effective communication lines between American forces and the United States. Pershing also negotiated with France and Britain to produce American armaments and airplanes. The European Allies' capacity to produce American weaponry was limited, however, by America's inability to supply them with raw resources. Conflict over fulfilling war production contracts heightened tensions between Pershing and European Allied commanders. Also included is a letter from French prime minister Georges Clemenceau to Pershing about the prevention of venereal diseases.