_Meanwhile, the American Army continued to grow apace. In August, thirty-two divisions of fighting troops, besides the staffs of the non-combatant services--in all, more than 1,300,000 men--had landed in France. In October this number had swelled to 1,700,000, while more than 2,000,000 men were training in American camps._ _The German U-boats failed to check America’s gigantic effort for the “New Crusade,” and each month 250,000 American soldiers reached France, with their arms, equipment, and baggage. It was estimated that in 1919 the American forces in the field would be numerically equal to the entire German army._ _The victorious termination of the war prevented this formidable American army from demonstrating its full strength, but that portion which took part in the fighting gave ample proof of its mettle._ _Long before the United States declared war, American Red Cross and aviation volunteers had proved the fine qualities of the American soldier. The expectations of the Allies were fulfilled; wherever they fought the American expeditionary forces gave a good account of themselves._ “We have come to kill and be killed, so let’s go ahead,” _declared Generals Pershing and Bliss when, on March 28, they gallantly offered to lead their troops into battle. And it is a fact that their men did “go ahead” with a fine contempt for death._ THE SECOND BATTLE OF THE MARNE (MAY-AUGUST, 1918) The Causes of the German Offensive of May, 1918. The two great German offensives of March and April both failed, despite their extreme violence and the fact that the Allies were taken by surprise. Neither Amiens on the Somme, nor Béthune and Ypres in the north had fallen. Although in the course of these two offensives not less than 152 German divisions had been thrown into battle, the enemy failed to pierce the Allies’ front or break down their resistance. During the offensive against the British front, French reinforcements were brought up much sooner than the Germans expected. Moreover, the battles of March and April gave the Allies the decisive advantage of unity of command. To Marshal Foch was entrusted the co-ordination of the Allied forces in the last act of the great drama, which was to see the downfall of Ludendorff and Hindenburg. To calm public opinion at home, where the people were clamouring ever louder for that victorious peace so often promised, the Germans were forced to make another attempt, and it was considered necessary to act promptly while they still had numerical superiority--owing to Russia’s defection--and win the final decision before the American intervention could make itself fully felt.