In mid-July of 1918, the Second Battle of the Marne erupted as German forces initiated a bold attack against Allied positions near the River Marne in France. Following the success of prior offensives earlier in the year, the German High Command believed they had the momentum to secure a decisive victory that would lead to an endgame favorable to Germany. The German strategy involved the use of elite stormtroopers, artillery barrages, and a new wave of infantry tactics aimed at penetrating enemy lines. German forces sought to capitalize on disarray and fatigue within the Allied forces. However, intelligence had been intercepted by the Allies, allowing them to prepare surprise reinforcements, including troops from the United States. As the battle progressed, the Germans found themselves facing fierce resistance from freshly arrived Allied divisions, including American troops who were keen to prove their mettle in Europe. The intense fighting quickly transformed key parts of the landscape into a battlefield, with both sides sustaining heavy casualties in the pursuit of territorial gains and control over vital supply lines.