Name/Title
StereographEntry/Object ID
2023.055.3.0162Description
A black and white stereograph. Image is of several men, some in civilian dress some in military uniform, standing on a wooden bridge that spans a large body of water, several buildings can be seen in the background. Above the image "W227 (Star)" is printed, below the image "18715 Famous Bridge over Marne, towards Hotel de (unreadable) Heights of Old Chateau." is printed, to the left of the image "Keystone View Company Copyrighted, Manufacturers MADE IN U.S.A. Publishers" is printed, to the right of the image "Meadville, Pa., New York, N. Y., Chicago, Ill., London, England." is printed. On the reverse the following is printed:
18715
VIEW OF THE FAMOUS BRIDGE OVER THE MARNE
The town of Chateau-Thierry lies on both banks of the Marne. This view, taken from the south side of the river, looks towards the city hall and the heights beyond. The bridge is in part a temporary structure with ruins of masonry at one end. The temporary structure replaces part of the bridge blown out to hinder the advance of the Germans. This was the famous iron bridge, where the American troops first met the enemy at Chateanu-Thierry. Many of the American soldiers engaged here had been called from quiet sectors, and although this ws their first experience at real fighting, they proved superior to the veteran Germans who opposed them.
On May 30, 1918, the Germans reached the Marne, east of Chateau-Thierry, and advanced along its north bank on the city. Pouring through a gap in the Allied lines to the left of the town, they advanced down its streets intending to establish themselves on the south side of the Marne. The American machien gunners, who were 100 kilometers to the rear, were ordered into motor-trucks and after travelling all night reached the south bank of the Marne at Chateau-Thierry early in the morning on June 1, in time to place their guns and prevent the Germans from crossing.When the Germans under the protection of smoke from some-bombs, did attempt to cross this bridge, the Americans were equal to the emergency, part of the bridge was blown out and the enemy was held to the north bank of the Marne unitl the great American and French drive in July, 1918, swpt them far back in rapid retreat.
Copyright by The Keystone View CompanyCollection
Photograph Collection