Chateau-Thierry Monument, hill 204

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The Chateau-Thierry Monument is situated on Hill 204, 2 miles/3 kilometers west of the town for which it is named. It is 54 miles/87 kilometers east of Paris and 4.5 miles/7 kilometers southeast of Aisne-Marne Cemetery and Memorial. Two stone pylons inscribed: AMERICAN AISNE-MARNE MEMORIAL mark the entrance to the monument from the Paris/Chateau-Thierry Highway (N-3).

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The Chateau-Thierry Monument was constructed by the American Battle Monuments Commission to commemorate the sacrifices and achievements of American and French fighting men in the region, and the friendship and cooperation of French and American forces during World War I.

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The monument is ornamented on its west face by heroic size figures representative of France (right) and the United States (left) and the longstandingunity and friendship between the two nations.

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At either side of the figures on the base of the monument is engraved the dedicatory inscription:

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The east face of the monument is ornamented with an eagle and shield.

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Inscribed on the base of the sculpture are the words: TIME WILL NOT DIM THE GLORY OF THEIR DEEDS

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Below the inscription is a large ornamental map of the region showing the ground gained by U.S. Forces on 18 July 1918 and thereafter.

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My son pointing hill 204 on the map.

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In front of the map is an orientation table giving distances and directions to points of historical interest.

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From there and elsewhere on the terrace, an excellent view of the Marne River valley may be had. The site commands a wide view of the Marne valley. This is the reason why the seizing of hill 204 was so important.

Chateau-Thierry city is in the distance.

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Along the base of the monument on either side of the map are carved the numerical designations and insignia of the U.S. Corps and divisions commemorated there. These are from left (north) to right: the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Divisions, I Corps and III Corps, and the 28th, 32nd, 42nd, 77th and 83rd Divisions.

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Inscribed above the columns on all four sides of the monument are the names of places in the region where important battles were fought by American troops:

Grimpettes Wood, Vaux, Missy-aux-Bois, Belleau Wood, Juvigny, Mezy, Noroy-sur-Ourcq, Sergy, Seringes-et-Nesles, Vierzy, Le Charmel, Bazoches, Fismette, Berzy-le-Sec, Trugny, La Croix Rouge Farm, Torcy.

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A brief resume of American fighting in the general vicinity is engraved on the North and south interior walls at the center of the colonnade:

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The resume is in French on the north interior wall and in English on the south interior wall.

 

Unfortunately, I did not take a picture of the resume in English but it says :

 

In late May 1918, the German army made a surprise attack along the Aisne river and advanced rapidly toward the Marne river.

 

Allied reinforcements were hurriedly brought up, including the 2nd and 3rd American divisions which went into position directly across the German line of advance toward parks. After severe fighting these divisions definitely stopped the progress of the attack on their front and the lines stabilized, the German forces having driven a deep salient roughly defined by Reims, Chateau-Thierry and Soissons into allied territory.

 

The last German offensive on the war, on 15 July, included an attack in the eastern part of this salient and there the 3rd American division and elements of the 28th were important factors in the successfull defense of the allied positions.

 

On July 18, the allied troops began a general counteroffensive against the whole salient in which the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 26th, 28th, 32nd, and 42nd American divisions, most of which served under the I and III corps, took a brilliant part.

 

This offensive was a complete succes, and by August 6, the ennemy had been driven beyond the Vesles river. Later the 4th, 28th, 32nd, and 77th American divisions and elements of the 3rd and 93rd played a prominent role in the desperate fighting on the north of the Vesles.

 

Of the 310,000 Americans soldiers who fought in these operations, 67,000 were casualties.

[1944]

Hi Daniel,

 

Thank You Very Much for taking the time to up load those amazing Photos of our Fallen Soldiers

 

from both the Two Nations amazing, the Monument looks to be massive in size .

 

Thanks Again :thumbsup:

[Jack's Son]

Daniel,

This is an absolutely beautiful pictorial of the Monument and cemetery. :salute:

Thank you for there inspiring photos, and the time and car in which you have presented them.

 

Appreciatively,

JS