Verdun Offensive, American Troops Following Barrage

Harding, George Matthews · ca. 1918

Charcoal drawing on paper of American soldiers pushing forward into German trenches following an artillery barrage. Depicted at center are several American troops with rifles drawn and fixed bayonets heading into the German trenches. There are several dead or wounded German soldiers in the trench. In the distance, more artillery shells fall from the sky and more American troops can be seen advancing beyond the trenches along lines of barbed wire. There is a light tank visible at left. Smoke billows from exploded shells in the distance. At front left is a badly damaged tree, possibly used to support the walls of the trench. Signed by the artist at bottom right, "Geo. Harding, AEF., Montfaucon, Sept."