Belleau Wood: The US Marines' Bloodiest Conflict Of World War One | History Of Warfare | Timeline

When the Americans entered the war the Germans found out just how devastating a 19 year old slam firing a Winchester Model 1897 with 00 buckshot was. I’ve read multiple stories from German soldiers describing the wounds and effectiveness of them. One of my favorites is from a U.S. Captain J.H. Hoskins, who fought at Belleau Wood, ““Every time a gun fired three or four Germans would go down. The more the surprise gripped them, the closer they would huddle and the deadlier was the fire, That shotgun was new to them.”

In the late fall of 1969, I was a student in an American study abroad program in Paris. One weekend 2 other students who had a car and I decided to go to Rheims because champagne. On the trip, the driver suddenly turned off the road and said there was a sign to an American military cemetery. Then there was a sign that said "Battlefield". It was Belleau Wood. We ended up walking in the fog among the remnants of the trenches which was very eerie. Finally, we drove on to the cemetery which was at the foot of the hill. By then the fog had lifted and it was bright sunshine. It was a remarkable experience and I was very glad to run across this excellent video.

You might have mentioned the German's complaint that the allies had a whole battalion of snipers shooting at them at Bellau wood.. They were then informed that they were ordinary Marines.

My grandfather fought in WWI in the Muse- Argon Forest. He was a Pvt in the 37th Infantry Division, Co. D, stationed at Fort McIntosh in Laredo, Texas. After the war he didn’t return to his home in Louisiana but came back to Laredo to marry my grandmother. Fast forward to WWII , my dad was a front line combat medic in Normandy & Battle of The Bulge. Upon returning home he met my mom while attending pharmacy school at UT Austin. Then in 1949 I was born. I know all this for my grandmother kept a Christmas napkin from a dinner that my grandfather Pvt Newell invited her to. It had the roster of Company D & the menu served on 24 December 1917. Who keeps napkins so who knows what sweet little nothings were said that Pvt Newell came looking for his love ❤️. I glad he did for I’m here in this world with 7 grandchildren 2 great grandchildren.

Pershing changed his view on Marines before the end of the war as he stated "The deadliest weapon is the world is a Marine and his rifle".

My great-great grandfather was a Private in 96th Company, 2nd Battalion 6th Marine Regiment which was in Belleau Wood. The Company Commander became Commandant of the Marine Corps many years later.

I served on a ship named after this battle. USS Belleau Wood(LHA-3) from 1/87 until 6/89

Mama and Papa Peters bought a small farm in Toms River,NJ. It had been owned by a member of the large Applegate family. I found a trunk in the attic with a campaign hat from World War I. I’ve always wondered who the person was, and grateful he survived. The second division was later, commanded by a Marine Corps general. We who came later truly stood on the shoulders of giants! Don’t know what this culture today is doing to my Marine Corps?

Great documentary. We need more Great War movies and coverage so we can show this new era what our countries went thru. We must avoid another world war at all costs - showing the brutality of war is how to do it.

My Grandfather was in the Battle of Belleau Wood, but he was in the Army and in this conflict he was awarded the Purple Heart.

Superb documentary of our American history in ww1. My grandfather was a Bristish soldier in that war and survived. Great video and narration. Thank you.

Quite the documentary, but in my opinion, it’s quite infuriating not hearing Dan Daly get mentioned once.

Outside of the fact that the soldiers and Marines weren't experienced, their generals were also rather ignorant about modern war. As usual, the successful tactics were developed at the platoon level and below.

Not calling the American Civil War not a significant issue, is quite interesting.

On Paris Island, they teach us our "knowledge" , I remember cadences dedicated to this battle were in the rotation during our endless runs. 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Divison

Pershing was terrible during that war. He refused to let the British and french train hia troops initially. Eventually some American units served with the British, and french front line units. My great great uncle served in the Glasgow Highlanders (HLI) and they in turn served with yanks. The Yanks fit in perfectly, and would always be enthusiastic for volunteering for trench raids. My wifes great grandpa was a yank from Illinois, who was sent to serve alongside the British.

We lost a family member at the battle of Belleau Wood, his body was later brought home to Hondo TX

Read "War is a Racket" by Smedley Butler. It will give a whole new perspective on this conflict as well as the ones that came after.

WW II proved that Pershing was right when he stated that, "The Germans never knew they were beaten, we'll have to do it all over again." The German Army still believed themselves superior to any other, and that they were not beaten in the field, but by their own politicians.

imagine being a German Soldier in WW1 in France and you start hearing BOSS MUSIC when the US Marine Corps is approaching your position. Rah.