Belleau in Aisne, Hauts-de-France, France — Western Europe
Belleau Wood USMC Interpretive Panel #2
At noon on 6 June 1918, orders were issued to the Marines to seize the town of Bouresches and to establish a foothold in the southern portion of Belleau Wood. At 5:00 pm, the 6th Marines began to move 400 yards through a waist-high wheat field. Once exposed, the German machine guns started firing into the Marine lines. Despite horrendous casualties, the 6th Marines captured Bouresches and a small portion of the southern part of Belleau Wood. This action, along with the capture of Hill 142, set the stage for one of the most fiercely fought battles in U.S. Marine Corps history.
Le 6 juin 1918 à midi, les Marines recurent l'ordre de s'emparer de la ville de Bouresches et de conquérir le secteur Sud de bois Belleau. A 5h00, le 6ème Régiment de Marines entama sa progression sur 400 m dans un champ de blé mur, Lorsqu'il fut à découvert, les mitrailleuses allemandes ouvrirent le feu. En dépit de pertes considérables, le 6ème Régiment de Marines captura Bouresches, et une petite partie du Bois de Belleau. Cette action, couplée avec celle de la cote 142, devait jalonner les contours de l'une des batailles les plus ardentes auquelles devait participer l'US Marine Corps dans son histoire.
Erected 1998 by Colonel J.J. Carroll, USMC (Retired) former C.O. 6th Marines.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World I. A significant historical date for this entry is June 6, 1918.
Location. 49° 4.395′ N, 3° 17.394′ E. Marker is in Belleau, Hauts-de-France, in Aisne. This marker is on a circular trail leading from the west side of the Iron Mike monument parking 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 #1 (here, next to this marker); Belleau Wood USMC Interpretive Panel #3 (a few steps from this marker); Belleau Wood USMC Interpretive Panel #4 (a few steps from this marker); Belleau Wood USMC Interpretive Panel #5 (within shouting distance of this marker); Belleau Wood USMC Operations Map (within shouting distance of this marker); Belleau Wood Marine Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); 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.
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 405 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 26, 2015, by Michael Manning of Woodlawn, Tennessee. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.