Belleau in Aisne, Hauts-de-France, France — Western Europe

Belleau Wood USMC Interpretive Panel #4

Photographed By Michael Manning, June 24, 2015

1. Belleau Wood USMC Interpretive Panel #4 Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

On 11 June 1918, elements of the 5th Marines launched a pre-dawn attack on the western portion of Belleau Wood in order to link up with elements of the 6th Marines. Unfortunately, the plan did not survive the fog, friction, confusion and chaos of war. The Marines soon found themselves disoriented in the wood and exposed to heavy German rifle and machine gun fire. Despite heavy casualties, heavy artillery fire and use of poison gas, they were able to reorganize and push the battle forward. The fighting broke down to a battle of platoons, then squads, then finally to individuals, as the Marines took out the machine gun positions, one by one, by bayonet and hand-to-hand combat.

French:
Le 11 juin 1918, des éléments du 5ème Régiment de Marines lancèrent avant l’aube un assaut dans la partie ouest de Bois de Belle pour établir le contact avec le 6ème Régiment. Ce plan ne devait pas survivre à la brume, à la tourmente, à la confusión et au chaos des amres. Les Marines perdant tout repère furent exposés à un feu nourri des mitrailleuses et fusils allemands. En dépit de pertes énormes, d'un feu d'artillerie intense

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avec usage des gaz, ils parvinrent à se réorganiser et reprendre la poussée. La bataille se désagrégea en un combat de sections, de groupes et finalement d'homme à homme, qui vit les Marines enlever l'un après l'autre les nids de mitrailleuses, à la bayonnette et au corps à corps. Après des heures d'un combat acharné, le 5ème Régiment de Marines perçait à la lisière Nord du bois.

Erected 1998 by Company I, USMC Basic School.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World I. A significant historical date for this entry is June 11, 1918.

Location. 49° 4.399′ N, 3° 17.38′ E. Marker is in Belleau, Hauts-de-France, in Aisne. Marker can be reached from D9. The marker is on a circular trail that leads from the west side of the Iron Mike monument area. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Belleau, Hauts-de-France 02400, France. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Belleau Wood USMC Interpretive Panel #3 (a few steps from this marker); Belleau Wood USMC Interpretive Panel #5 (a few steps from this marker); Belleau Wood USMC Interpretive Panel #2 (a few steps from this marker); Belleau Wood USMC Interpretive Panel #1 (a few steps from this marker); Belleau Wood USMC Operations Map (within shouting distance of this marker); Belleau Wood Marine Memorial

5th Marines approach to Belleau Wood image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Michael Manning, June 24, 2015

2. 5th Marines approach to Belleau Wood

(about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Aisne-Marne Cemetery Memorial Chapel Monument (approx. half a kilometer away); American Aisne-Marne Memorial (approx. 6.9 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Belleau.

Photographed By Michael Manning, June 24, 2015

3. 5th Marines approach to Belleau Wood

Credits. This page was last revised on September 11, 2018. It was originally submitted on July 26, 2015, by Michael Manning of Woodlawn, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 363 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 26, 2015, by Michael Manning of Woodlawn, Tennessee. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.