Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • A World War I battle: Refers specifically to a major military engagement that occurred in northwestern France during 1918, part of the final Allied offensives on the Western Front.
   • A geographical location: The name of the battle is derived from the commune (town) of Château-Thierry in the Aisne department of France, situated on the Marne River.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • The Battle of Chateau-Thierry was a significant turning point in 1918.
  • American forces played a crucial role in the fighting near Chateau-Thierry.

Advanced Usage

• Historical reference: Used to denote not just the location but the broader series of engagements (including the Battle of Belleau Wood) in that sector during the summer of 1918.
  • The Chateau-Thierry campaign marked the first major offensive operation by the American Expeditionary Forces.

Variants and Related Words

• Château-Thierry: The standard French spelling of the town's name, often used interchangeably in historical texts.
• Aisne-Marne Offensive: A related term for the larger Allied counteroffensive in the region during July 1918, of which the fighting at Chateau-Thierry was a part.

Synonyms

• Battle of the Marne (1918): While not a perfect synonym, it references the same general period of fighting on the Marne River, with Chateau-Thierry being a key site.

Related Phrases

• "the defense of Chateau-Thierry": A common phrase describing the initial phase of the battle where Allied forces halted the German advance.
  • The defense of Chateau-Thierry helped blunt the final German spring offensive.

Noun

1. a World War I battle in northwestern France where the Allies defeated the Germans in 1918