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

Belleau Wood USMC Interpretive Panel #5

Photographed By Michael Manning, June 24, 2015

1. Belleau Wood USMC Interpretive Panel #5 Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

On 23 June 1918, after a brief period of rest, the 4th Marine Brigade resumed its attack to capture the remaining part of Belleau Wood. At 7:00 p.m., elements of the 5th Marines began a frontal assault with four companies. Entrenched German infantry, supported by machine guns quickly repelled the assault. After five hours of fighting and 104 new casualties, the Marines found themselves back in their original attack positions. On 25 June the Marines tried again. After a 14-hour artillery barrage, they crossed the line of departure. German resistance was strong but eventually crumbled under the ferocity of the Marine attack. On 26 June, the Commanding General of the 2nd Division received the news: "Belleau Wood is now U.S. Marine entirely." Belleau Wood would forever be etched into U.S. Marine Corps history.

French:
Le 23 juin 1918, après un court repos, la Brigade des Marines reprit son attaque pour s'emparer des derniers arpents du Bois de Belleau encore tenus par l'ennemi. A 7h00 du soir, quatre compagnies du 5 ème Régiment donnaient l'assaut. Les allemands, fermement retranchés et appuyés par des mitrailleuses

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les repoussèrent. Au prix de 104 nouvelles pertes et au terme de 5 heures de combat, les Marines se retrouvèrent sur leur base de départ. Le 25 juin, ils attaquaient à nouveau. Après un pilonnage d'artillerie de 14 heures, ils franchissaient les bases de départ. La farouche résistance allemande s'effondra finalement devant la férocité de l'attaque. A 11h30 du soir, le Bois de Belleau était sous controle allié et accroché à jamais dans l'histoire de l'US Marine Corps.

Erected 1998 by Company M, 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 23, 1918.

Location. 49° 4.404′ N, 3° 17.375′ E. Marker is in Belleau, Hauts-de-France, in Aisne. The marker is located 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 #4 (a few steps from this marker); Belleau Wood USMC Interpretive Panel #3 (a few steps from this marker); Belleau Wood USMC Interpretive Panel #2 (within shouting distance of this marker); Belleau Wood USMC Interpretive Panel #1 (within shouting distance of this marker); Belleau Wood USMC Operations Map

Belleau Wood Battle Damage image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Michael Manning, June 24, 2015

2. Belleau Wood Battle Damage

(within shouting distance of this marker); Belleau Wood Marine Memorial (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. Belleau Wood Battle Damage

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 342 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.