https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/ne...ling-from-belleau-wood-in-white-house-garden/
Ooh Rah Semper Fidelis Devil Dogs
For a breakdown, a Marine Regiment is roughly 4,000 Marines. A German Division is roughly 13,000 troops.
8,000 Marines resoundingly defeated 65,000 battle hardened German troops.
A gift from French President Emmanuel Macron is one that speaks to the heart of every Marine: a tree taken from the site of the 1918 Belleau Wood battle.
Yesterday French President Macron made a subtle tribute to the United States' relationship with France. Weeks ago he surprised American state dinner planners with a request to offer the gift of an oak tree, and if possible, to plant it on the White House grounds. Last night it was revealed this sapling came from Belleau Woods, the location of a decisive battle fought a century ago this June.
Thinking the weakest point of the French line was where the newly arrived Americans were positioned, on June 1, 1918, the German Army overwhelmed them, pushing the USA 2nd Infantry Division back. On its flank was an attached marine regiment, the 6th Marines. The French ordered a retreat and the 6th Marines were used to cover the allied withdrawal that was threatening to become a rout.
As the Germans approached the 6th Marine Regiment's position, they did not get the usual grazing fire across no-man's-land that could sometimes help guide the advance. Instead the marines waited until the Germans were within 100 yards and then opened up with a fusillade of well aimed shots on an enfilade target, stopping the German advance.
As the surprised Germans regrouped for another assault, the French signaled for the marines to break contact. The 5th Marine Regiment, which stood in reserve behind the 6th, instead swung around for a counter attack against the five German divisions in front of them, catching the enemy off guard and slaughtering dense troop formations staged in an assembly area. Though the Germans were mostly veterans of several years of war, they were unaccustomed to such daring tactics and accurate small arms fire.
The allies were able to exploit this moment and the Germans' last hope for victory in the First World War died with the loss of this battle. Intercepted German messages would make reference to the marines' distinct uniforms. They didn't know what kind of units these two regiments were; so they called them "Teufelhunden," Devil Dogs
Ooh Rah Semper Fidelis Devil Dogs
For a breakdown, a Marine Regiment is roughly 4,000 Marines. A German Division is roughly 13,000 troops.
8,000 Marines resoundingly defeated 65,000 battle hardened German troops.
A gift from French President Emmanuel Macron is one that speaks to the heart of every Marine: a tree taken from the site of the 1918 Belleau Wood battle.
Yesterday French President Macron made a subtle tribute to the United States' relationship with France. Weeks ago he surprised American state dinner planners with a request to offer the gift of an oak tree, and if possible, to plant it on the White House grounds. Last night it was revealed this sapling came from Belleau Woods, the location of a decisive battle fought a century ago this June.
Thinking the weakest point of the French line was where the newly arrived Americans were positioned, on June 1, 1918, the German Army overwhelmed them, pushing the USA 2nd Infantry Division back. On its flank was an attached marine regiment, the 6th Marines. The French ordered a retreat and the 6th Marines were used to cover the allied withdrawal that was threatening to become a rout.
As the Germans approached the 6th Marine Regiment's position, they did not get the usual grazing fire across no-man's-land that could sometimes help guide the advance. Instead the marines waited until the Germans were within 100 yards and then opened up with a fusillade of well aimed shots on an enfilade target, stopping the German advance.
As the surprised Germans regrouped for another assault, the French signaled for the marines to break contact. The 5th Marine Regiment, which stood in reserve behind the 6th, instead swung around for a counter attack against the five German divisions in front of them, catching the enemy off guard and slaughtering dense troop formations staged in an assembly area. Though the Germans were mostly veterans of several years of war, they were unaccustomed to such daring tactics and accurate small arms fire.
The allies were able to exploit this moment and the Germans' last hope for victory in the First World War died with the loss of this battle. Intercepted German messages would make reference to the marines' distinct uniforms. They didn't know what kind of units these two regiments were; so they called them "Teufelhunden," Devil Dogs
