Battle of Château-Thierry/Belleau Wood
The Battle of Château-Thierry and Belleau Wood took place during the Ludendorff Offensive in 1918, marking a significant confrontation in World War I. German forces, commanded by Erich Ludendorff, advanced into Château-Thierry near the Marne River, prompting a counteroffensive led by French General Ferdinand Foch. U.S. divisions under General John J. Pershing played a critical role in these encounters, particularly during the intense fighting at Château-Thierry from May 27 to May 30, where American troops crossed the Marne to defend the town despite the destruction of their retreat routes. Following this, U.S. Marines engaged in a fierce struggle at Belleau Wood from June 6 to July 1, facing heavy casualties, including the worst single-day loss in Marine Corps history on June 6, where they suffered 1,087 casualties. Ultimately, the American and French forces succeeded in clearing the wood through a concerted bombardment and ground assault. These battles underscored the fresh American involvement in the war, significantly impacting both Allied morale and German calculations regarding their chances of victory. The total American casualties in these pivotal battles were approximately 11,000.
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Battle of Château-Thierry/Belleau Wood
Type of action: Ground battle in World War I
Date: May 27-July 1, 1918
Location: Château-Thierry, Belleau Wood, south of Belleau Village, France
Combatants: Americans and French vs. Germans
Principal commanders:French, Ferdinand Foch (1851–1929); American, John J. Pershing (1860–1948); German, Erich Ludendorff (1865–1937)
Result: Germans were stopped from advancing and cleared from the woods
During the Ludendorff Offensive in 1918, German troops, led by Erich Ludendorff, entered Château-Thierry near the Marne river. Ferdinand Foch, commanding Anglo-French forces, counterattacked at Château-Thierry (May 27-30) and at Belleau Wood (June 6-July 1) using U.S. divisions under the command of John J. Pershing. In seventy-two hours of continuous fighting, Third Division troops crossed the Marne to defend Château-Thierry while remaining troops dug in opposite the town. Because the bridge behind them was destroyed, Americans who crossed were unable to pull back when ordered. They fought their way to the next bridge, crossed, and prevented a major German advance.
Americans were also ordered to attack at Belleau Wood, being informed that Germans occupied only its northeast areas. Actually, Germans were established throughout the wood, and on June 6, U.S. Marines suffered 1,087 casualties, the worst single day in Marine Corps history. Battle for the woods continued with heavy losses until July 1 when a massive French bombardment and U.S. troops cleared the wood.
Significance
During World War I, Americans entered these battles with naïveté. War-weary Allies were encouraged by Americans, but the Germans sensed that the American presence in France meant ultimate defeat. American casualties were about 11,000 at Château-Thierry and Belleau Wood.
Bibliography
Asprey, Robert B. At Belleau Wood. Denton: University of North Texas Press, 1996.
Coffman, Edward M. The War to End All Wars. Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 1998.
Hallas, James H. Doughboy War. Boulder, Colo.: Lynne Rienner, 2000.
Harries, Meiron, and Susie Harries. The Last Days of Innocence: America at War, 1917–1918. New York: Vintage, 1997.