Battle Of Bellau Wood Essay

The Battle of Belleau Wood was a World War I battle that took place in Paris, France from June 1 to June 26. It was fought between America, Germany, and France near the Marne River. The reason why this battle was fought was because the Germans were trying to extend and defend their offensive against the French on the Marne River but came to Belleau Wood as a result. From start to end, six attacks were launched until the Germans gave up. The Battle of Belleau Wood was a significant battle during World War I being that the US Marines were involved, the location of where it took place, and how it started. This battle is significant being that it was the only World War I battle that American troops had took part in. US Marines led the attack under General James Harbord, and for the continuity of the battle they launched many attacks in the forest-type area. The Germans though did not want America to win. “The Americans several times made big raids into the woods, clearing out part of the Germans, but the next day the Germans would reappear with a harassing fire. Despite strong artillery work, the Germans seemed able to stay there”(James). At the end of the battle, there were about 9,777 American loses and 1,811 killed.

A few days before the battle actually occurred, in late May 1918, the Germans got a hold of the Western Front. To be more specific, Belleau Wood is in an area of high ground by the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery just south of the village of Belleau in Aisne, France. “As the Germans tried to extend and develop their offensive against the French on the Marne River, they came up against the U.S. 2nd and 3rd Divisions at Château-Thierry and Belleau Wood”(Battle). As a result, the land was destroyed, but there are still some historic sites of the battle in the