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After fighting at Belleau Wood had stopped, the U.S. 2nd Division was withdrawn, only to be called on again without being able to rest. The 2nd Division was ordered to move to positions south of the town of Soissons to participate in an attack to reduce the German Marne salient. The division marched through heavy rains and difficult road conditions in order to reach their positions for attack. The object of this attack was to reduce the salient so that the threat the Germans posed towards Paris could be reduced. On July 18, the 1st and 2nd Divisions, along with the 1st Moroccan Division attacked the west side of the salient, south of the town of Soissons. The 1st and 2nd Divisions, along with the 1st Moroccan, began the attack at about 4:30a.m. The 2nd Division (consisting of the 4th Brigade) advanced 8 kilometers on the first day of fighting. They captured a large quantity of guns and ammunition, along with over 3,000 prisoners. The 2nd also endured 4,000 casualties. It was at this battle that President Theodore Roosevelt's son, Lt. Quentin Roosevelt, died providing air support. The 1st and 2nd Divisions were withdrawn on the second day of fighting. |
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