Bouresches Wood was the field of action for the 102nd Infantry
on July 19 and 20, 1918. Phil wrote his farewell letters to Ella and his parents
when his company was positioned near here.
LaGonetrie Farm, located on the southwest corner of
Bouresches Wood, was
a German command post taken by the 102nd Infantry on July 20,
1918.
The 102nd Infantry advanced in this direction on
July 21, 1918. They
reached the village of Bezuet (middle of photo), Chateau-Thierry
Soissons Road (right hand corner of photo) and Breteuil Wood. Phil was
killed in action on this day.
On the evening of July 21, the 102nd was entrenched
along the edge of Breteuil Wood. From there they advanced over the ground shown in this
photo to take the villages of Epieds and Trugny. On the right, beyond
the clump of trees and the old town archery building, an American
cemetery once stood. This is where Phil was buried.
