Marines-helping-Marines - Military Uniform Exchange

The Battle of Belleau Wood was a seminal point in modern Marine Corps history.   Marines exploits against the Germans are a large part of the foundation of the lore, history, tradition and leadership of the Marine Corps. 

           
          Belleau Wood Marines

Located near the Marne River in France, the Battle of Belleau Wood took place during the 1918 German Spring Offensive during WWI.

Ordered to "hold where they stand" by Army General James Harbord, Marines dug shallow prone positions with bayonets.  German infantry attacked with fixed bayonets on 3 June through the wheat fields and were mowed down in waves by the Marines.  Survivors retreated into Belleau Wood.  The Germans dug a defensive line from Hill 204 (east of Vaux) north through Belleau Wood to Torcy.

"Retreat Hell, we just got here."

Urged to withdrawal by retreating French forces, Captain Lloyd Williams, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines uttered the words that are now etched in every Marines vocabulary "Retreat Hell, we just got here."  Over the next two days Marines repelled the continuous German assaults.

At dawn on the morning of 6 June, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, commanded by Major Julius Turrill attacked Hill 142 with two companies to protect the French Flank.  Marines advanced with fixed bayonets in the open accross a wheat field against German infantry supported by machine guns and artillery.  The 67th Company Commander was killed almost immediately while the 49th Company, Commanded by Captain Hamilton, fought into the dug in German positions, over running them.  Hamilton lost all of his junior officers.  Only one officer remained from the 67th Company.  Hamilton reorganized both companies and established a defense against German counter-attack.  By afternoon Hill 142 was secure at the cost of nine officers and most of the 325 man battalion.  

Belleau Wood Marine Attack

At 1700 on 6 June 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines and 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines advanced through a waist high wheat field against overwhelming machine gun fire.  Gunnery Sergeant Dan Daly, already a legend in the Corps for his two Medals of Honor, urged Marines forward with his famous quote: "Come on, you sons of bitches, do you want to live forever?"  The first wave of Marines were mowed down, but Marines from 3/6 made it into the south end of Belleau Wood and fought the Germans with bayonets and in hand-to-hand combat.  U.S. Marines had made it to their objective at the highest cost in casualties sustained in Marine Corps history to that day.  31 Officer and 1,056 Marines.  

Heavy fighting continued in Belleau Wood by Marines for most of June. A total of six attacks were required before Belleau Wood was secure. Marines fought off parts of five German Division, often with bayonets and hand-to-hand combat.

On 26 June 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines Reinforced by 4th Machine Gun Battalion and a Company from 6th Machine Gun Battalion made the final attack to clear Belleau Wood.  The report stated "Woods now U.S. Marine Corps entirely."

Legacy, Legend and Leadership

-Belleau Wood was one of one of the bloodiest battles U.S. forces would fight during WWI. U.S. forces suffered 9,777 casualties, included 1,811 killed. 

-The impact of the Marines' success and sacrifice was so great that it firmly established the Marine Corps as the "Worlds Finest Fighting Force".   The tide in World War I had been turned by U.S. Marines.

-The French renamed Belleau Wood "Bois de la Brigade de Marine" ("Wood of the Marine Brigade") in honor of the Marines' tenacity.

-The French government awarded the 4th Marine Brigade the Croix De Querre. Only Marines of the 5th and 6th Marine Regiments are authorized to wear the Frence fourragère while serving with the regiments.  This uniform change continues to this day.

- The nickname "Devil Dogs" came from Belleau Wood. The Germans called the Marines "Teufel Hunden" for their ferocity.

-The Commander of the AEF, General Pershing was quoted "The deadliest weapon in the world is a Marine and his rifle!"

-An American battle monument was built in 1923 at Belleau Wood. There are 2,289 graves, 250 for unknown service members, and the names of 1,060 missing men adorn the wall of a memorial chapel.