At Belleau Wood

by Asprey, Robert B.

• ISBN13: 9781574410167
• ISBN10: 1574410164
• Edition: Reprint
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1996-11-01
• Publisher: Univ of North Texas Pr

Summary

At Belleau Wood is the full and dramatic story of America's greatest World War I battle. On June 5, 1918, the 2nd Division, made up of soldiers and marines - for the most part inexperienced young men - launched an offensive on German lines at Belleau Wood. Using sources on both sides of the Atlantic and personally interviewing many of those who fought at the wood, Asprey combines excitement with detail and accuracy of the finest historical writing in telling of the action which ensued. He describes the hardships, the horrible snafus, and the combination of tactical ingenuity and pure guts which ultimately enabled Major Maurice Shearer to report to Brigadier General Harbord on June 26th, "Belleau Wood now U.S. Marine Corps entirely".

Table of Contents

Foreword and Acknowledgments	xi
The Wood	1	(351)
1 The Americans	7	(10)
2 "Cold, wet and hungry, on we marched..."	17	(13)
3 "I would fight without a break..."	30	(15)
4 "The situation bears much resemblance to the [1914] battle of the Marne."	45	(13)
5 "We've been ordered up to the front at once."	58	(11)
6 "The Seventh [German] Army will continue the attack until the enemy's resistance breaks between Soissons and Villers-Cotterets..."	69	(17)
7 "General, these are American regulars. In a hundred and fifty years they have never been beaten. They will hold."	86	(14)
8 "The French line seems to be holding very well..."	100	(14)
9 "Retreat, hell. We just got here."	114	(23)
10 "All my officers are gone...."	137	(20)
11 "We now stood facing the dark sullen mystery of Belleau Wood...."	157	(15)
12 "Come on, you sons of bitches. Do you want to live forever?"	172	(19)
13 "...make no further attempt to advance tonight."	191	(12)
14 "...No numbers as to casualties are available. Losses known to be heavy."	203	(12)
15 "OUR MARINES ATTACK..."	215	(17)
16 "...Artillery has blown the wood all to hell."	232	(18)
17 "In my judgement, the capture of the Bois de Belleau is the most important event that has taken place for the Allied holding in this vicinity..."	250	(17)
18 "All objectives reached and we are consolidating...."	267	(20)
19 "...the spirit of the Brigade remains unshaken."	287	(17)
20 "Belleau Woods now U.S. Marine Corps entirely."	304	(21)
21 "The whole attack went off like a dress rehearsal..."	325	(14)
22 "...The General commanding the Sixth [French] Army orders that henceforth in all official papers the Bois de Belleau shall be named 'Bois de la Brigade de Marine.'"	339	(13)
Bibliography	352	(7)
Index	359
Illustrations to follow page	202
Maps
German Offensives, Spring 1918	vi
The Situation, May 31st-June 1st, 1918	70
Allied Plan of Counter-Attack, June 6th, 1918	138
4th Marine Brigade Attack, Hill 142, Dawn, June 6th	158
Marine Attack, June 6-7, 1918	158
23d Infantry Attack, Hill 192, June 6-7th	158
Marine Attacks, June 10-11th, 1918	232
Marine Attacks, June 12-15th, 1918	268
Final Marine Attacks, June 25-26th	304
Vaux, 3d U.S. Brigade Attack, July 1st, 1918	304