But because of the earlier priority given to shipment of infantry (at the insistence of the British and French) the First Army was short of artillery, tank, air and other support units essential to a well-balanced field army. The French made up this deficiency by loaning Pershing over half the artillery and nearly half the airplanes and tanks needed for the St. Mihiel operation.
The First Army's lack of artillery, tanks, air support, and other essential units was due to the British and French prioritizing infantry shipments. The French compensated by lending Pershing over half their artillery and nearly half their airplanes and tanks needed for the St. Mihiel operation.