"To Conquer Hell: The Meuse-Argonne , 1918" by Dr. Edward Lengel

On September 26, 1918, more than one million American soldiers prepared to assault the German-held Meuse-Argonne region of France. Their commander, General John J. Pershing, believed in the superiority of American "guts" over barbed wire, machine guns, massed artillery, and poison gas. In thirty-six hours, he said, the Doughboys would crack the German defenses and open the road to Berlin. Six weeks later, after savage fighting across swamps, forests, towns, and rugged hills, the battle finally ended with the signing of the armistice that concluded the First World War. The Meuse-Argonne had fallen, at the cost of more than 120,000 American casualties, including 26,000 dead. In the bloodiest battle the country had ever seen, an entire generation of young Americans had been transformed forever. To Conquer Hell is gripping in its accounts of combat, studded with portraits of remarkable soldiers like Pershing, Harry Truman, George Patton, and Alvin York, and authoritative in presenting the big picture. It is military history of the first rank and, incredibly, the first in-depth account of this fascinating and important battle.
Length: 79 Minutes
Lecture Date: February 5, 2009

[@badvoodoo4044]

Excellent presentation by Dr Lengel. I just bought his book, if only I could buy him a beer! As a history junkie I find this war in particular to be endlessly fascinating. I think there is a growing interest in this war among Americans and thanks to the work of excellent scholars and historians such as Dr. Lengel I expect it will continue growing.

[@lawrencemyers8329]

I was very saddened to hear that WW I cemeteries bearing American soldiers are rather forgotten places, being almost empty of visitors. If I had the money, I most surely would go. Also, that some readers of Dr. Lengel's book accuse him of writing a depressing story-Good God, it's about an incredibly brutal battle which took 26,000 American lives. What fantasy world do they live in?

[@allend2749]

sound like my wife. if, if, if, if, if, if, if. you must be narcicisstic like her.

[@MPirritano]

Yesterday, I had the opportunity -- indeed, the honor -- to visit the Meuse-Argonne American Military Cemetery and Memorial. I'll never regret making the trip. My grandfather served in WWI as an ambulance driver and I wanted to visit the cemetery to honor the fallen, some of whom he may have transported. Standing at attention for the lowering of the French and American flags as well as the playing of Taps admidst +14,500 fallen fills one with emotion. I spent some time talking to Cemetery Superintendent David Bedford who graciously answered my various questions. It also pains me to hear that the cemetery is largely under-visited by American civilians, but it comforted me to hear that it is the French who still remember and their schoolchildren are often brought here to tour the cemetery. Now hallowed ground, what sheer hell this verdant, peaceful countryside must have been during OCT-NOV 2017! May God bless them all!

[@warrenwarburtonesq.6884]

On November 4, 2016 I visited the Meuse-Argonne Cemetery in search of the grave of Paul H. Maynard, KIA 11/11/2018. I found Paul H. Maynard's grave, said thank you and left a coin on his marker. I was in this park like cemetery for two hours and for the entire time I was alone.

[@logjam88]

Excellent lecture, Dr Lengal. If I may: - Doughboys killed in WW One = 54,361 - GIs killed at Iwo Jima, Tarawa, Okinawa, Peleliu, and the Philippines COMBINED = 53,402 You're right, not an easy sell. But we need to keep trying.

[@loganpollock1689]

The First World War is regarded by many Americans, the same as the Hundred Years War. Just some old European war that nobody needs to worry about. My grandfather took two bullets in that war. He got the Crois de Guerre with four stars. Those machineguns and artillery shells were just as real as anywhere else. He was a college freshman and five months later he was on the front lines. The French didn't want that sector and they didn't think that they could handle it so they were happy to let us have it.

[@joemoxie]

Thank you for the book and for the bibliography of solder narratives, specifically “Towards the Flame.” You might want to edit from your video the long winded audience “questions’ after your remarks.

[@Nonukes2024]

M.O.H. "recipient" As compared too "Winning" the M.O.H. Educated ? M.O.H.is Not Won. Just think about it...... Did you "Win" your degree? Brain hurt.

[@copsondonuts]

Havent much paid attention to the man speaking. It just popped up in my video feed...is this yet another comically rewritten account of WW1? you know, where american forces were oh-so lovable but inexperienced and bunglers...yet defeated an entrenched and highly experienced german army lolol i love the myriad fantasies that historians have about the great war. Especially the english ones who actually thought they were an offensive force in 17-18'.

[@devincasebeer4459]

What accounts make you say that?

[@badvoodoo4044]

"comically rewritten account of WW1" is exactly what this is not. You really should listen to his presentation.