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SSG Jerry Dennis
to remember
Beightler, Gordon, Pvt.
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Casualty Info
Home Town Marysville, OH
Last Address General Delivery Marysville, Ohio
Casualty Date Jun 04, 1923
Conflict World War I
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
World War I/Champagne-Marne Campaign
From Month/Year
July / 1918
To Month/Year
July / 1918
Description Champagne-Marne, 15 - 18 July 1918. In the four great offensives from 21 March to 13 June 1918 the Germans gained considerable ground, but failed to achieve a decisive advantage at any point on the front. Furthermore, success was bought at a price in manpower and material which they could ill afford. Their more then 600,000 casualties were irreplaceable, whereas the Allied loss of some 800,000 men was soon more than compensated for by new American units arriving at the front in ever-mounting numbers. By July 1918 Allied troops outnumbered German on the Western Front. Other factors also contributed to the decline of German morale, notably the pinch of the blockade and the effectiveness of the Allied propaganda, which was distributed widely by air at the front and in German cities behind the lines. But Ludendorff refused to consider peace negotiations, and planned two more offensives for July which he hoped would bring victory. The first of the new drives was designed to capture Rheims, to make more secure the supply of the Merge salient, and to draw in Allied reserves. The second and larger offensive, destined never to be launched, would strike once again at the British in Flanders.
When the two-pronged German assault on either side of Rheims began on 15 July the Allies were prepared for it. Plans for the attack had leaked out of Berlin, and Allied airplanes had detected the unusual activity behind the enemy front. Foch had time to draw up reserves, and Petain, the French commander, skillfully deployed his troops in defense-in-depth tactics. Consequently the German drive east of Rheims fell far short of its objective. The attack west of the city succeeded in pushing across the Marne near Chateau-Thierry, but was checked there by French and American units. Among the A.E.F. units involved in this action were the 3d, 26th, 28th, and 42d Divisions, the 369th Infantry, and supporting elements (in all about 85,000 Americans). It was here that the 38th Infantry of the 3d Division gained its motto, "Rock of the Marne."
By 17 July the Champagne-Marne offensive had petered out and the initiative passed to the Allies. The German people had built up great hopes for the success of this Friedensturm (peace offensive); its failure was a tremendous psychological blow to the whole nation.
Marne near Chateau-Thierry. Among the A.E.F. units involved were the 3d, 26th, 28th, and 42d Divisions, and the 369th Infantry(in all about 85,000 Americans). It was here that the 38th Infantry of the 3d Division gained its motto, "Rock of the Marne.
My Participation in This Battle or Operation
From Month/Year
July / 1918
To Month/Year
July / 1918
Last Updated: Mar 16, 2020
Personal Memories
Memories Joined the Ohio National Guard on Jun 29, 1916 at Marysville, Ohio. Assigned to Company E, 4th Infantry, Ohio National Guard (Co E, 166th Infantry). Saw action at Champagne-Marne; Aisne-Marne; Defensive Sector. Wounded in Action Jul 30, 1918; Assigned to the American Expeditionary Force from Oct 18, 1917 to Apr 30, 1919. Honorable Discharge: May 11, 1919.
