BATTLE OF CHATEAU-THIERRY IN WORLD WAR I
The Battle of Château-Thierry was a significant battle of World War I along the Western Front, which was the line of trenches that stretch through Belgium and northern France on the western edge of Germany. The Western Front involved some of the largest battles of World War I and involved the Allied Nations facing off against the German Army. One of the main reasons that the Battle of Château-Thierry was so significant was because it was the first major conflict that involved American forces in World War I.
United States artillery crews and horses during the Battle of Château-Thierry in World War I.
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John J. Pershing
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The Battle of Château-Thierry took place on May 31st, 1918 and was part of the larger Second Battle of the Marne, which was related to the German Spring Offensives of 1918. As such, a major component of the Battle of Château-Thierry, was Allied forces (French and American soldiers) defending their positions against German attacks. In fact, German General Erich Ludendorff, planned the German attack as an attempt to overwhelm the French defenders in Northern France, and open a path for the German soldiers. For example, the Germans began their assault on the French line and overran the French 6th Army. As a result, The American Expeditionary Force (AEF) under the command of John J. Pershing circled around to assist the French and stop the German advance. More specifically, the Germans were able to push through the French defenses and made it to the Marne River, which was only about 50 miles from the French capital of Paris. As such, the American 3rd Division was mobilized to an important bridge on the Marne River near the town of Château-Thierry on May 31st in 1918 in aid of the French.
The Germans attacked the bridge, as the American and French defenders replied with heavy machinegun fire. The fighting continued with artillery and sniper fire, which led to numerous casualties on both sides. The Allies were successful in preventing a German advance and were even able to carry out their own counter-attack. For example, on July 18th, 1918, French and American forces attacked German positions near Château-Thierry, which caused the Germans to retreat from the area. In all, the Battle of Château-Thierry was an important Allied victory and one of the first engagements for the newly formed American Expeditionary Force in World War I. During the battle, the Americans and French suffered a combined 1,900 casualties, while the Germans endured over 5,300.
A postcard that shows the World War I Battle of Château-Thierry.
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