From the wood they followed the trees towards Bois de Belleau in the far distance. Behind the trees in the middle of the picture and Bois de Belleau, was an open field, which the Germans could cover from two sides, as Bois de Belleau formed an arch around the trees. This cost several hundreds of people their lives. This is also the field Axel and 19 others had to pass when they returned from the battle.