July 1917

This chapter includes Pershing’s July 1917 correspondence about the American Expeditionary Force’s potential points of debarkation, use of railroad lines, locations of supply depots, the use of hospitals, and zones of operation with the French Mission. Pershing described the American presence as boosting Allied morale in part due to a Fourth of July celebration in Paris. Letters from Allied commanders express concern about Russia’s commitment to the Eastern Front and Pershing assuages their worries with studies evaluating the loss of Russia. The chapter includes extensive supplementary information to provide the reader with background information pertinent to Pershing’s letters.