Brief History of the WWI 32nd Division –  Insignia Red Arrow and named "Les Terribles"

Composed of Wisconsin and Michigan National Guardsmen.  Insignia a red arrow, signifying that the division shot through every line the Boche (French trench slang for Germans) put before it.  Given the name of “Les Terribles” by the French; commanded by Major General Wm. Haan, and Major General Wm. Lassiter.  

Were the first American troops to set foot on German soil – in Alsace. 
July 3, 1917 – Proclamation of president calling into federal service the National Guard troops of Wisconsin and Michigan. 
July 18, 1917 – Camp MacArthur, Waco, Texas, designated in General Orders No. 95, War Dept. as training camp for Wisconsin and Michigan National Guardsmen. 
August 3, 1917 – 32nd Division organized from the following troops of Wisconsin and Michigan National Guard by G.O. No. 101 War Dept.

Infantry: 
1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th Wisconsin; 31st, 32nd, and 33rd Michigan.   

Artillery: 
1st Wisconsin F.A.  and 1st Michigan F.A.   

Cavalry: 
1st Wisconsin Cavalry, 1st Michigan Cavalry   

Engineers: 
1st Bn Michigan Engineers   Signal Corps: 1st Michigan G.S. Bn, 1st Wisconsin F.S. Bn

Sanitary Troops: 
Wisconsin Field Hospitals No. 1 and 2   Wisconsin Ambulance Companies No. 1 and 2, Michigan Field Hospital No.. 1 and Michigan Ambulance Company No. 2   

Excerpted from the Green Bay Press-Gazette, May 20, 1919, page 2

Written in the Introduction of The 32nd Division in the World War, 1917-1919, are the words "Almost forgotten in 1917, that combination had been strong and significant nearly three generations ago.  Badger and Wolverine, the grandfathers of many a soldier of the 32nd Division fought side by side in the civil war.  Well remebered now, one of the four infantry regiments of the Red Arrow Division was led for a time by the son of the leader of one of the five infantry regiments of the Iron Brigade, Wolverines both, they were both comrades in battle with the men of Wisconsin."  Written in 1920 by Charles King, Chairman, For the Wisconsin War History Commission
     Book available digitally online through familysearch.org  315 page history of the 32nd Division

More from the 32nd Division the World War, 1917-1919 published by the Wisconsin War History Commission

The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Wisconsin Infantry Regiments formed the bulk of the troops of the 127th and 128th Infantry Regiments and the 121 Machine Gun Battalion of the 64th Infantry Brigade.  These two regiments were brought up to war strength by transferring enough troops to them from the 4th, 5th, and 6th Wisconsin Infantry regiments.  Colonel Robert B. McCoy, formerly in command of the 4th Wisconsin Infantry, was assigned to the command of the 107th Trains and Military Police.  Many of Stoughton’s soldiers from the original Company K of the 4th Wisconsin were also assigned to Trains and Military Police.

High Lights in the History of the Thirty-Second Division

Six months under fire – from May to November 118, with but 19 days in a rest area. 

Fought on five fronts in three major offensives – the Aisne-Marne, Oise-Aisne and Meuse-Argonne. 

Losses – 14,000 casualties from all causes. In action east of the Meuse when the Armistice was signed. 
Marched 300 kilometers to the Rhine as front line element of the Third U.S. Army and occupied for four months the center section in the Coblenz bridge-head, holding 63 towns and 400 square kilometers of territory. 

First American troops to set foot on German soil – in Alsace in May, 1918; 

Captured Fismes in the Marne offensive after an advance of 19 kilometers in seven days; 

Fought in the Oise-Aisne offensive as the only American unit in General Mangin’s famous Tenth French Army, breaking the German line which protected the Chemin des Dames; 

Twice in the line in the Meuse-Argonne offensive, fighting continuously for 20 days, penetrating the Kriemhilde Stellung, crossing the Meuse and starting drive to flank Metz. 

Composed of Wisconsin and Michigan National Guardsmen; 

Insignia a Red Arrow, signifying that the Division shot through every line the enemy put before it; 

Given the name “Les Terribles” by the French; 

Commanded in all its actions by Major General Wm. G. Haan and in the Army of Occupation by Major General Wm. Lassiter.

Arrived in France in February, 1918, being the sixth Division to join the A.E.F.  Left Germany, Homeward Bound, in April, 1919.  

Arrived in the United States and demobilized in May. 

Excerpts from The 32nd Division in the World War, 1917-1919, published 1920 by the Wisconsin War History Commission