Description

The words "Retreat? Hell, we just got here," has become a central part of the Marine Corps legend, indicative of their reputation for dogged determination and bravery. The iconic words were uttered at the height of the fierce battle for Belleau Wood and became a defining moment for the Corps, establishing their "first to fight" ethos in the public eye.

This history follows the experiences of the Marines during the Great War, from their training in the United States and France through the battles in the trenches and battlefields of the Western Front and right up to their occupation duties in the Rhineland. Packed with firsthand accounts and detailed information from the USMC History Division at Quantico and published to coincide with the one hundredth anniversary of America's involvement in World War I, this is a timely analysis of one of the Marines defining moments.

Table of Contents

Introduction Belief and belonging Recruitment and training Appearance Weapons and equipment Life on campaign Preludes to war The Marines go to France First combat The defining battle – Belleau Wood Aftermath and controversy The legacy of the Great War

Product details

Published Mar 22 2016
Format Paperback
Edition 1st
Extent 64
ISBN 9781472813879
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Illustrations 50 b/w; 8 col
Dimensions 248 x 184 mm
Series Warrior
Short code WAR 178
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Ed Gilbert

Ed Gilbert has written numerous titles in Osprey’s…

Author

Catherine Gilbert

Catherine Gilbert is a retired speech pathologist…

Illustrator

Johnny Shumate

Johnny Shumate works as a freelance illustrator li…

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