About Aisne-Marne American Cemetery
Aisne-Marne American Cemetery is a World War I cemetery on the site of the Battle of Belleau Wood, which took place from 1 June to 26 June 1918.
Aisne-Marne American Cemetery history
Aisne-Marne, established in 1918, is a cemetery that contains the graves of American soldiers. It’s located at the bottom of the hill where one of the bloodiest fights of World War I took place: the Battle of Belleau Wood. The Battle of Belleau Wood saw American marines stop the German army from crossing the Marne River, halting their progress and securing the area. In honour of the marines who fought in this battle, the woods were renamed “Woods of the Marine Brigade.”
During World War Two, in 1940, heavy fighting took place near Aisne-Marne and the chapel sustained some damages. Since then, it has been completely repaired save for one bullet hole as a reminder of the events that once occurred there.
Aisne-Marne American Cemetery today
There are 2,289 graves at Aisne-Marne American Cemetery, mostly belonging to soldiers who fought in the area and 250 of which are unnamed. Several memorials to the Battle of Belleau Wood surround the cemetery, including a memorial chapel, battle markers and a memorial to 1,060 missing soldiers. There is also a visitor centre and there is a guide on site when Aisne-Marne American Cemetery is open.
Getting to Aisne-Marne American Cemetery
Aisne-Marne American Cemetery lies south of the village of Belleau, France, six and a half miles northwest of Château-Thierry. There is rail service from Paris (Gare de l’Est) to the train station in Château-Thierry. The journey takes about one hour. From Château-Thierry to Belleau, the trip is a 15-minute ride via taxi. This no bus transportation available.
To travel by car, From Paris travel via toll autoroute A-4. Take the Montreuil-aux-Lions exit (#19), then travel via N-3 (also called D1003), following the cemetery signs to “Lucy-le-Bocage” and proceed via D82 through Belleau Wood to the cemetery entrance.
TAGS: WW1 Battlefields in France
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