During World War I (1917-1919), forty-three numbered divisions served with the American Expeditionary Forces in Europe, with 1st-8th Divisions composed of Regular Army units, 26th-42d composed of state National Guard units, and 76th-93d composed of National Army units. The latter constituted units organized by the federal government for the war. Additional divisions (9th-20th and 94th-102d) were raised for the AEF, but did not see overseas service.
Of the 43 A.E.F. divisions that reached Europe, 29 of them saw active combat.
To help the American public better understand the successes, contributions, and sacrifices of American combat divisions in the World War (1917-1919), the American Battle Monuments Commission published two excellent reference works:
American Battle Monuments Commission. American Armies and Battlefields in Europe. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1938. [In 1992, U.S. Army Center of Military History republished 1938 version in original format.]
The 1938 version, republished in 1992, is an enlargement of ABMC’s earlier publication in 1927. This is an excellent presentation of the AEF’s role on the battlefield as it evolved during the course of the war. The three principal areas in which American troops in large numbers engaged in battle are presented. Each chapter consists of a short general story; a detailed itinerary which takes the reader / tourist to the most interesting points of the terrain and describes the American operations which occurred there; a summary of the services of the American divisions; and, a map to help understand combat operations. The book is designed not only as a desktop historical reference, but as a motor touring guide.
American Battle Monuments Commission. Summary of Operations in the World War, 28 vols. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1944. [Scroll down for links to digitized volumes.]
When researching the tactical movements of AEF combat divisions, there is simply nothing in print as detailed, thorough and accurate. These volumes describe in accurate detail all the dates, locations, activities and operations of the AEF combat divisions. When originally published, a dedicated volume was bundled with several large maps, all enclosed in a jacket, one set for each combat division. Included in the series are the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 7th, 26th, 27th, 28th, 29th, 30th, 32nd, 33rd, 35th, 36th, 37th, 42nd, 77th, 78th, 79th, 80th, 81st, 82nd, 89th, 90th, 91st, 92nd, and 93rd Divisions, AEF.
Each publication has been digitized by Google and all are accessible online for non-commercial purposes at the HathiTrust.org website. Please visit HathiTrust Terms of Access and Use.
For your convenience, click on the following links to access the collection:
American Armies and Battlefields in Europe
REGULAR ARMY DIVISIONS
1st DIVISION Summary of Operations in the World War
2nd DIVISION Summary of Operations in the World War
3rd DIVISION Summary of Operations in the World War
4th DIVISION Summary of Operations in the World War
5th DIVISION Summary of Operations in the World War
7th DIVISION Summary of Operations in the World War
NATIONAL GUARD DIVISIONS
26th DIVISION Summary of Operations in the World War
27th DIVISION Summary of Operations in the World War
28th DIVISION Summary of Operations in the World War
29th DIVISION Summary of Operations in the World War
30th DIVISION Summary of Operations in the World War
32nd DIVISION Summary of Operations in the World War
33rd DIVISION Summary of Operations in the World War
35th DIVISION Summary of Operations in the World War
36th DIVISION Summary of Operations in the World War
37th DIVISION Summary of Operations in the World War
42nd DIVISION Summary of Operations in the World War
NATIONAL ARMY DIVISIONS
77th DIVISION Summary of Operations in the World War
78th DIVISION Summary of Operations in the World War
79th DIVISION Summary of Operations in the World War
81st DIVISION Summary of Operations in the World War
82nd DIVISION Summary of Operations in the World War
89th DIVISION Summary of Operations in the World War
90th DIVISION Summary of Operations in the World War
91st DIVISION Summary of Operations in the World War