The dominating Blanc Mont Ridge complex in the Champagne region of France was home to some of the most complex German defences on the Western Front. Its heights offered artillery observation that made even approaching the ridge virtually suicidal. Pessimistic about the ability of depleted and demoralized French units to capture the position, G?n?ral Henri Gouraud was granted the use of two American divisions: the veteran 2nd "Indianhead” Division, including the 4th (Marine) Brigade, and the untested 36th "Arrowhead” Division of the Texas and Oklahoma National Guard.