In March 1918 the Germans had successfully pushed the frontline to within 120km of Paris; the town of Chateau Thierry marking the tip of German advance. Nevertheless, in a daring counter-offensive on June 3, the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) reinforced the French and threw the Germans back across the Marne River. Exhilarated by this success, the 2d Marine Division was tasked with taking the strategically significant Belleau Wood. On advancing to the wood the Marines exposed themselves to fierce German fire, and suffered a staggering casualty rate. They struggled for 20 days, finally securing the position against all odds, and ended the last German offensive on the Western Front. Discussing the strategy employed by the Allies and accompanied by original photographs and detailed maps, this book examines the two key battles that saw America's baptism of fire in World War I: Chateau Thierry and Belleau Wood.

Illustrated by: Peter Dennis