The Devil Dogs at Belleau Wood: U.S. Marines in World War I [Paperback]

Dick Camp (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0760331898 | ISBN-13: 978-0760331897 | Publication Date: April 15, 2008 | Edition: 1st

Facing massed German machine guns, the Marines made sweep after bloody sweep through Belleau Wood. Repeatedly accosted by the retreating French and urged to turn back, Captain Lloyd Williams of the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, uttered the now-famous retort, "Retreat, hell. We just got here." And indeed, by the end of that terrible June of 1918, the Marines had broken the back of the Germans powerful spring offensive. Their ferocity had earned them the nickname Teufelshunde--Devil Dogs--from their enemies; it also won such admiration from their allies that the French government changed the name of Belleau Wood to Bois de la Brigade de Marine.

The Devil Dogs at Belleau Wood recreates the drama of the battle for Belleau Wood as it was experienced by those who were there. Drawing on numerous firsthand accounts of the month-long engagement, the book captures the spirit of the Leathernecks in desperate battle. It offers a harrowing look at a critical campaign in which, as one soldier says, "men were being mowed down like wheat." And, amidst the carnage and cruelty, it tells the very human story of camaraderie and courage that carried the day.

Rich with the personal insights and observations that bring history to life, the book is illustrated with a great number of photographs, many of which are rare and never before published.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Leatherneck Magazine, May 2008
"Not one World War I Marine veteran remains; they have all passed into history. But Dick Camp does his part to honor those men and their fearless fighting spirit in The Devil Dogs at Belleau Wood, an account of the Marine Corps' first test of fierce combat in a protracted, foreign war. Camp's approach to the Belleau Wood chapter in history is sound in research and electrifying in its portrayal. His background as a retired Marine colonel and as the author of other well-acclaimed books on the Marine Corps' history provide him with the perspective to retell, and in some cases, disclose, a great deal about one of the more storied campaigns in Marine Corps lore. Camp does an excellent job of depicting the sheer brutality of combat. His descriptive language allows the reader to fully comprehend the macabre face of death. While other WW I classics like Erich Maria Remarque's fictional novel, "All Quiet on the Western Front," have depicted combat at its worst, Camp's work does so, but in a tightly packaged and spirited portrayal that benefits from numerous photographs, maps and quotes from the men who were there. Dick Camp's work on Belleau Wood serves as a blueprint for the Marine spirit, still active today in fields of combat in different parts of the world."

The Watsonville Register-Pajaronian, June 8, 2008
"Another new, noteworthy book from Zenith Press that will fascinate the military historian is Dick Camp's Devil Dogs at Belleau Wood...More than one hundred photos accompany the text that offers an account of the month-long engagement that captures the spirit of the Leathernecks in desperate battle."

Book Description

The Devil Dogs at Belleau Wood recreates the drama of the battle for Belleau Wood as it was experienced by those who were there. Drawing on numerous firsthand accounts of the month-long engagement in June 1918, the richly illustrated book captures the spirit of the Leathernecks in desperate battle. It offers a harrowing look at a critical campaign in which, as one soldier says, “men were being mowed down like wheat.” And, amidst the carnage and cruelty, it tells the very human story of camaraderie and courage that carried the day.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Zenith Press; 1st edition (April 15, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0760331898
• ISBN-13: 978-0760331897
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #380,317 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars DEVIL DOGS GET THEIR NAME, February 16, 2010

By 

James L. Woolridge "Wooly in PSL, FL." (Sunny Florida) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Devil Dogs at Belleau Wood: U.S. Marines in World War I (Paperback)

Come on, you have heard Marines called Devil Dogs, right? They got that name given to them after or during the month long battle of Belleau Woods in France in 1918. Retired Marine Colonel Dick Camp supplies us with a great book on the amazing battle and the rugged tenacity of the U.S. Marines. The book is very well illustrated and gives us the story of the battle but also the courage, brotherhood and sheer will power of our boys in WWI. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Rich reading and full of photographs, November 30, 2008

By 

John Crouch (Greeneville, TN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Devil Dogs at Belleau Wood: U.S. Marines in World War I (Paperback)

After 23 years in the Marine Corps I thought I knew pretty much everything there was to know about WWI and the Marines who fought there. I was wrong. The carnage of war illustrated through stories and photographs is amazing.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book needs a movie!!, April 17, 2011

By 

REiiGN15 - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Devil Dogs at Belleau Wood: U.S. Marines in World War I (Paperback)

I read this for a book report for American History class and absolutely loved it. Well, for good reason. I was in the Marines for 5 years during Operation Iraqi Freedom and served overseas and man, I've seen stuff, but the first hand accounts in this book are unbelievable. Going into battle with 500 and coming out with 30 is mind-numbing, but even more is the fact that we got angry and brought it to them with complete rage was great. I mean, we are fighting like in a place where French have fallen back in their own country. Granted by the time we got there, they were four years into the fight already.

The book just lets us in to the true roots of the Marine rifle sharpshooter and its significance in battle. The described fighting spirit within the book is great.

I did get the kindle version and yes, on my droid x it gets confusing to read but I also have Kindle for PC and it looked normal like reading the paperback edition.

Honestly, the whole setup of the book by the author it could really be made into a movie. I mean, who doesn't love a movie with Marines in it and I mean, World War I guys almost never get the movie treatment.