Last week I visited the American Memorial Church. This is just one of several monuments dedicated to fallen American soldiers in Chateau Thierry. At the top of a hill, there is a massive monument that looks like something out of Ancient Greek/Roman Times. It is impressive with it's massive columns. It can be seen no matter where you are in Chateau Thierry. In addition to that, there is a cemetary that stretches as far as the eye can see with a pearly white cross for ever soldier who died in the Battle of Belleauwood. Then there is the military ceremony that takes place ever year on Memorial Day where marines from the USA pay hommage to the fallen soldiers at the American Monument. And then in the city center, in the center of a busy round about, there is an airplane model dedicated to Quentin Roosevelt whose plane was shot down. At the Hotel de Ville, there is a statue and inscriptions dedicated to the Americans. And that's not everything. I could go on... It seems everywhere you look, there is something dedicated to the memory of the Americans. But why? What did the Americans do that was so special way back when?
In the spring of 1918, the German Army launched a series of attacks on the Western Front, hoping to defeat the Allies before United States forces could be fully deployed. Germany wanted to gain as much ground as possible before the USA could intervene. In what later would become known as the Third Battle of the Aisne, the Germans began a bombardment of the Allied front lines with over 4,000 artillery pieces on May 27 1918. The offensive was launched against the French between Soissons and Reims. They positioned themselves along the north bank of the Marne river at Château-Thierry, 40 miles (64 km) of Paris. However, American troops were deployed and their efforts forced the Germans to keep moving and advance right towards Vaux and Belleau Wood.
What happened next was the Battle of Belleauwood. It lasted almost for the entire month of June and many lives were lost by the Americans and the Germans. U.S. forces suffered 9,777 casualties, included 1,811 killed. There qre no clear numbers on how many Germans died, estimates generally say around 9000 or so. 1600 Germans were taken prisoner. Marines are credited with fighting intelligently and strategically in this battle and the played a very huge role in the final outcome of the battle.
Finally on 26 June a report was sent out simply stating, "Woods now U.S. Marine Corps entirely," ending one of the bloodiest and most ferocious battles U.S. forces would fight in the war.
The Americans fought a battle they didn't have to fight. They could have just left France to fend for itself. This battle was none of the U.S.'s business. But the U.S. got involved anyway. But, because France helped the United States as the US was fighting for her Independence in the 18th century, the U.S. deployed troops because it was the neighborly thing to do.
The U.S.A. stopped the Germans from taking over France. Had the Germans been successful, who know what would have happened to France? Would France have become a territory of Germany? I really have no idea. But I guess the main point is a lot of Americans died and kept Germany out of France during the First World War. History is a crazy crazy thing! And if Sho Kosugi is reading this, please fill me in on your thoughts I would be so interested! I have barely touched the surface of some of the history... to get into any real depth this blog entry would have to be pages and pages long...
The American Memorial Church!
This was the first time I had ever been inside a church and saw stained glass depicting military scenes. These scenes are from the back of the church. The stained glass at the front of the church depicts scenes from the bible.
Biblical scenes at the front of the church.
Love one another,
Like I have loved you,
There is no greater love than to give one's life to one's friends.
On the back of each pew is a plaque commemorating the fallen soldiers.
Inscription in French at the American Memorial Church.
Inscription at the American Memorial Church.
Inscription at the American Memorial Church.
A snail! Un escargot :)
