- Joined
- Sep 27, 2002
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- 3,411
it is 90 years this year since Ludendorff's great offensives on the Western Front in 1918. I have just been reading about these battles and I realised that that the 90th anniversary of the battle of Bois Belleau was actually a few weeks ago in the first week of June.
I have visited this area a couple of times and have always been confused by the locations of battles and cemeteries relative to the supposed positions of the front lines. It has become a bit clearer after reading this book (1918 the Year of Victories - Martin Marix Evans). The aparently random mix of British, US and French war cemeteries actually represents the positions of units on the ground as whatever reserves could be found were flung into gaps in the line in the desperate struggle to prevent German forces reaching Paris.
I thought a few of you with an interest in the US Marines might like to see a couple of photos. I know ?everything's grandfather fought at Bois Belleau though I don't know if he looks in here any more.
The approach to the US war cemetery. The Monument and the hill on top of which is Bois Belleau lie at the back of the viewer. The graves lie off to either side.
The Monument, with the hill behind.
Some of the graves
looking down from the hill
Bois Belleau
the tower in the wood. I think it was a hunting lodge?
The gatehouse to the chateau in the town of Chateau Thierry, which town was successfully defended by US troops.
Wikipedia account of the battle of Bois Belleau:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Belleau_Wood
I have visited this area a couple of times and have always been confused by the locations of battles and cemeteries relative to the supposed positions of the front lines. It has become a bit clearer after reading this book (1918 the Year of Victories - Martin Marix Evans). The aparently random mix of British, US and French war cemeteries actually represents the positions of units on the ground as whatever reserves could be found were flung into gaps in the line in the desperate struggle to prevent German forces reaching Paris.
I thought a few of you with an interest in the US Marines might like to see a couple of photos. I know ?everything's grandfather fought at Bois Belleau though I don't know if he looks in here any more.
Bois Belleau
the tower in the wood. I think it was a hunting lodge?
The gatehouse to the chateau in the town of Chateau Thierry, which town was successfully defended by US troops.
Wikipedia account of the battle of Bois Belleau:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Belleau_Wood
