To The Last Man

A National Guard Regiment In the Great War, 1917-1919

Review by Cary Collins

Article published on: September 1, 2025 in the Army History Fall 2025 Issue

Read Time: < 5 mins

Army University Press, 2020

Pp. vii, 271. Free Download

Military service touches every aspect of the human experience, particularly in the extreme conditions of wartime. Combat, by its very nature, is a ceaseless struggle for survival, where the specter of injury or death looms at every turn. In this crucible, the American soldiers of World War I—known as “doughboys”—demonstrated unparalleled commitment and courage. These soldiers risked everything, not for personal glory, but to serve a cause they believed was far greater than themselves. Few warriors have surpassed their dedication to the mission. Their contributions on the Western Front were instrumental in securing victory, yet today, their sacrifices—overshadowed by the scale and immediacy of other conflicts—are slipping from collective memory and often underappreciated in the broader narrative of American history.

The citizen-soldiers who answered the nation’s call and filled the ranks of state National Guard units remain among the most overlooked participants of the First World War. These volunteer forces played key roles in Allied operations, often shouldering the burden of decisive victories. A striking example is the 26th Division, the Yankee Division of New England, which became the first full American Army division to deploy to France. Composed of recruits from states such as Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont, the division distinguished itself through its unshakable esprit de corps and notable accomplishments in the field. Within the Yankee Division, Maine’s 103d Infantry Regiment takes center stage, its compelling story brought to life in To the Last Man: A National Guard Regiment in the Great War, 1917–1919.¹ This powerful book offers fresh insights into the United States military during the Great War. It also serves as a poignant reminder that the legacy of World War I is essential to understanding the rise of modern America and its role in global military affairs.

Maj. Jonathan D. Bratten, an engineering officer with the Maine Army National Guard, has crafted a comprehensive and meticulously researched chronicle of the Yankee Division’s formation and history. Through rigorous investigation, he explores its mobilization, training, and battlefield service, offering a perspective shaped by both academic rigor and firsthand military experience. A skilled storyteller, Bratten masterfully weaves historical detail with personal insight, critically assessing the decisions that shaped the division’s actions and outcomes. He honors the soldiers who, when called into the fray, executed their orders with unmatched determination, often achieving feats that seemed beyond human capability. To the Last Man delves into the harsh realities of warfare, exposing the physical and emotional suffering of both enlisted men and officers. It brings to light the immense struggles faced by those on the frontlines of one of the most brutal conflicts in history.

Arriving in Great Britain in late October 1917, the 26th Division swiftly advanced to southeastern France by November. There, its soldiers underwent a rigorous two-month training program, sharpening critical skills in trench warfare, bayonet combat, grenade tactics, and gas mask usage. By February 1918, the Yankee Division was battle-ready, prepared to join the American Expeditionary Forces on the front lines.

For these eager yet untested warriors, the realities of combat unfolded in a series of battles, each more harrowing than the last. Their baptism of fire came in the Chemin des Dames sector, where they were thrust into the harshest conditions of modern warfare. Poison gas, unceasing artillery barrages, and the constant threat of death became the grim rhythms of daily life. It was here that the division recorded its first battle casualty—signaling the start of their transformation. Chemin des Dames forged the doughboys, hardening them from raw recruits into experienced warfighters.

The next major engagement took place in the Toul sector—known as the American sector—where the fighting was both relentless and costly. In Seicheprey, a village on the southern edge of the Saint-Mihiel sector, the division suffered a setback, a reminder of the war’s unforgiving nature. Yet, in the subsequent battles at Apremont and Flirey, the Americans proved their resilience. With each engagement, they grew more confident and effective, showcasing their ability to endure, adapt, and continue the fight, regardless of the challenges. By mid-June, at the village of Xivray-et-Marvoisin, that resilience was put to the test. Three companies from the 103d Infantry Regiment held their ground against a ferocious assault by 600 elite German raiders, a testament to their grit and determination on the battlefield.

The Aisne-Marne Campaign, fought along the Marne River in July 1918, is the centerpiece of To the Last Man. This campaign followed the vicious, monthlong slugfest of the 4th Marine Brigade at Belleau Wood, where American marines earned their immortal moniker, “Devil Dogs,” for their unmatched ferocity and unbreakable spirit. During the epic clash of the Aisne-Marne, the Yankee Division cemented its own legendary title, “To the Last Man.” Exhausted, understrength, and sleep-deprived, with hunger gnawing at their bones, the division’s soldiers made a solemn vow: to yield not one inch, no matter the cost. As the brutal fighting raged, their iron will held firm, safeguarding the Allied line and marking a turning point in the war. Their victory shifted the momentum by halting the German advance, triggering a retreat that spelled the beginning of the end of the enemy’s ability to continue. During the offensive,, the resolve of the doughboys became a living symbol of American valor, their sacrifice helping to turn the tide of history.

One of the greatest strengths of To the Last Man is Bratten’s sharp analysis of U.S. military leadership and strategy. When the United States entered the First World War, General John J. “Black Jack” Pershing rejected the static nature of trench warfare in favor of an “open warfare” approach. He prioritized mobility and aggressive offensives, directing American forces to make bold, fluid advances across exposed terrain and often against well-entrenched enemies. This strategy stood in stark contrast to the rigid, tightly packed formations that had come to define the stalemate of the Western Front. By swiftly maneuvering across the battlespace and exploiting breakthroughs, Pershing aimed to achieve greater flexibility and mobility. However, his approach carried significant risks, particularly in coordination, logistical support, and overcoming concentrated machine gun and artillery fire. As Bratten observes in his analysis of the Second Battle of the Marne, open warfare, though bold in theory, often turned out disastrously ineffective in practice. The result was heavy casualties and, at times, self-inflicted destruction. Relying on infantry armed with rifles and bayonets for frontal assaults proved woefully inadequate against the enemy’s buttressed defensive positions.

As a result, machine guns, trench mortars, organic 37-mm. guns, snipers, and rifle grenades became essential for suppressing enemy response and allowing friendly troops to advance with less resistance. Small, specialized infantry teams could flank German strongholds, reducing the need for costly frontal assaults. Fortified positions could be bypassed or neutralized through a combination of firepower and maneuver, rather than sheer attrition. Artillery superiority was crucial, as it disrupted enemy lines of communications and prevented reinforcements from reaching the front. Breaking the deadlock on the Western Front demanded a coordinated, combined-arms approach that integrated artillery, tanks, and armored cars to maximize flexibility, speed, and firepower. It was a bloody lesson, but by midsummer 1918, the U.S. Army had learned it.

Amid the strategic and tactical innovations that reshaped the nature of warfare, the Yankee Division paid a heavy toll during the war. In the 103d Infantry alone, 371 soldiers were killed in action, with an additional 21 succumbing to disease or accidents. In sum, nearly half of the New Englanders who served were either killed or wounded. However, the true extent of the division’s suffering is immeasurable, as countless soldiers carried the lasting effects of illness, debilitating injuries, poison gas exposure, and psychological trauma. The 26th Division’s endurance was extraordinary—only one other division spent more time on the front lines. Facing overwhelming adversity, these troops were pushed to the brink yet never faltered. Their resilience stands as a testament to their strength, determination, and commitment to both their fellow soldiers and the mission. As Bratten describes so eloquently, the warriors of the Yankee Division were hewn from the strongest stone in America.