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In late May 1918, during World War I, the first major battle involving American soldiers commenced in Belleau Wood, located northwest of the Paris-to-Metz road. This battle unfolded amidst the context of the third German offensive of the year, which had breached the Western Front and advanced within 45 miles of Paris. General John J. Pershing and U.S. forces played a crucial role in halting the German advance.
On June 6, General Pershing authorized a counteroffensive to retake Belleau Wood from the four German divisions positioned there. Leading the charge were U.S. Marines under the command of General James Harbord, alongside Allied forces. Tragically, the Marines suffered over 1,000 casualties on the first day of the assault alone.
Over the subsequent three weeks, the Marines, supported by U.S. Army artillery, launched numerous attacks into the heavily forested area. However, German General Erich Ludendorff was resolute in denying the Americans a victory. He constantly reinforced his troops from the rear, and the Germans fiercely fought back against the U.S. forces, utilizing machine guns, artillery, and gas.
Finally, on June 26, after enduring significant losses, the American forces emerged triumphant. However, the victory came at a steep price, with nearly 10,000 American soldiers either dead, wounded, or missing in action. This battle marked a pivotal moment in World War I and demonstrated the bravery and tenacity of American troops in the face of a determined enemy.
#WorldWarI, #BelleauWood, #AmericanSoldiers, #Battle, #Counteroffensive, #GermanOffensive, #GeneralPershing, #USMarines, #AlliedForces, #Casualties, #WesternFront, #Paris, #MilitaryHistory,#june6
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