Publisher's Synopsis
WARNING: Resellers of "Used" and "New" books may not be selling copies of this book but photocopies of the original Cochrane manuscripts available free online. To ensure you receive a copy of this book, purchase only a new paperback from amazon or a kindle version!Belleau Wood echoes through the history of the U.S. Marine Corps and the United States military. It was one of the first major battles fought by American forces in World War I, and a critical part of the Aisne Marne defensive. Many legends emerged from the battle, including two time Medal of Honor recipient Dan Daly's famous charge and the (supposed) origin of the phrase "Devil Dogs" among a host of other myths and stories about the battle. These stories are recited from Parris Island to Okinawa and remain an important part of Marine Corps identity. Yet, many of these stories are more legend than history. The true history has a darker side, from mistakes on the battlefield that cost the lives of many, to the origins of Marine Corps and Army inter-service rivalry that created many problems in the Pacific during World War II. This book looks at Belleau Wood and aspects of the larger campaign in and around Chateau-Thierry as part of the Aisne-Marne campaign in 1918, focusing on the 2nd Division of the AEF, of which the Marines were one brigade. In particular, this account looks at the role of chemical warfare, a feature that defined the battle. This book was originally written in draft form during the 1950s and is updated and offered in book form with additional material for the first time. The historian Rexmond C. Cochrane, a co-author of the official history of the Chemical Warfare Service in World War II, wrote 20 draft historical studies for the US Army Chemical Corps Historical Office at the Army Chemical Center, Edgewood, Maryland in the 1950s. These were never completed or published other than in their typewritten form. Those versions feature photocopied typewritten pages, with the occasional typo or punctuation error, idiosyncratic footnotes, all featuring penciled notes and/or corrections, hand-drawn diagrams and maps, encapsulated in unsearchable PDF files of varied quality. This new collection of Cochrane's work brings it to a wider audience, in a more accessible format. The CBRNPro.net edition is is a significant "update" of Cochrane's work, offering better maps, pictures, references, bibliographies, and an assortment of other additions to aid the reader who may be unfamiliar with some of the military minutiae Cochrane explores. This collection is newly annotated, offering additional insight and guidance reflecting the current state of scholarship, updating that of Cochrane's day. These new annotations are extensive and provide significant insight and references for those unfamiliar with the topics Cochrane addresses. This is a "new" old work, containing both public domain and original, new material. It belongs on the bookshelf of every historian and student of World War I and for those engaged in professions related to chemical warfare, CBRN weapons, national security, and defense. The book is supported by material available on CBRNPro.net, including links and a copy of this book's extensive "Further Reading" annotated bibliography supplemented with additional, up to date material.
