The Battle of Belleau Woods
Where the U.S. Marines earned the nickname Devil Dogs
This was a hard fought World War I battle that lasted most of a month as U.S. Marines tenaciously drove the Germans out of a strongly fortified wooded position.
On June 1st 1918, five miles northwest of the French town of Chateau-Thierry, on the Marne, 50 miles from Paris U.S. Marines from Army General John J. (Blackjack) Pershing’s American Expeditionary Force hurriedly deployed at the frantic requests of their French allies to take a small square of thick woods, and turn back a German advance. As soon as they got into position a French officer advised retreat. Marine Captain Lloyd Williams replied “Retreat Hell! We just got here!” A fierce battle would rage in and around Belleau Woods for most of the rest of June.
The Germans were well dug in in thick woods, and their machine guns were deadly. Like so many battles of World War I, frontal assaults on emplaced machine guns were carried through with tremendous casualties. The 6th of June, 1918 was one of the bloodiest single days in Marine Corps history with over 1000 men killed and many more wounded. On that day veteran Gunnery Sergeant Dan Daly (who already had two medals of honor) famously said “Come on you sons of bitches, ya wanna live forever?” Under this brusque leadership the Marines continued forward. Elite German troops from the Crown Prince’s own Army Group later commented that the Marines fought like “teufel hunden”, or hounds from hell. Marines to this day are proud to be called by the name of Devil Dog in memory of this compliment from a tough enemy on a hard won victory.
The Germans had artillery all around that could be turned on this small patch of woods. There were several intense barrages over the course of the battle, and to make matters worse the Germans were often using gas shells. The Marines suffered many casualties from gas. Gunnery Sergeant F. Stockham gave his gas mask to a wounded Marine. He died a few days later from gas. He was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously in 1939.
Military tactics and strategy were changing during WWI. Few today would consider the Battle of Belleau Woods to be a model of tactics, but for the sheer grit, determination, and fighting spirit shown by the U.S. Marines in this action, and having helped to save Paris from capture, it is hard to find its equal. Anybody who has ever served in the Corps knows the words “Hoorah! Devil Dogs.” Whatever the odds or the task at hand, the esprit de corps that took Belleau Woods is still alive in the Corps.
