the biggest battle since Appomattox and the most considerable engagement American troops had ever had with a foreign enemy.' The battle was such a hard-won success it led General Pershing to say, 'The deadliest weapon in the world is a Marine and his rifle!' and that 'the Battle of Belleau Wood was for the U.S. Advancing against well-emplaced German machine gun positions and suffering heavy losses, the Marines managed to push the Germans back and take their objectives. The battle lasted a month and was fought often times with bayonets. After years of deadlock, Germany launched their last desperate spring offensive, annihilating the British 5th Army and getting within 40 miles of Paris.

Russia had the Bolshevik revolution and left the war, freeing fifty German divisions to move from the Eastern Front and turn against France. Taking place in June of 1918, the Battle of Belleau Wood was strategically important. The conduct of the Sixth and Fifth Marines here made the Corps legendary. The Battalion participated in numerous battles, but the one that is most remembered was the battle of Belleau Wood. The First Battalion Sixth Marines was formed 11 July 1917 and was quickly deployed to France between September and October of that year. When WWI began the Marine Corps was expanded in order to support the American Expeditionary Force being sent to support the Allied Powers under General Pershing.

Its mission was limited to providing ships detachments and was considered by many as an anachronism of the days of sail. The Corps was a small and underappreciated force before the eruption of World War I. The history of 1/6 Hard is closely tied with the history of the United States Marine Corps.

German soldier with dog gas mask