This is the battle during the First World War where the US Marine Corps came of age and gained their fearsome reputation.

In 1918 the German Spring Offensive had pushed the French 6th Army back to just thirty miles from the outskirts of Paris. There was grave concern amongst the allies as to whether the French would be able to hold out against a further advance by the Germans whose clear intent was to capture Paris.

By now the French were short of troops and those that remained were suffering from fatigue and poor morale.  Therefore the decision was made to commit fresh, untried American troops to the front line for the first time as an independent unit.

A Brigade from the US Marine Corps (as part of the US 2nd Division) joined the French frontline in an attempt to stop the onslaught.

This is the story of how at Belleau Wood the US Marine Corps showed grit, courage and determination in helping to stop the German advance.