Page:History of the Sixth Regiment, United States Marines.djvu/15

10 10 History of Sixth Reciment, U. S. Marines. embussed in French camions and arrived that night at Outrepont. The 2nd Battalion entrained at Ancomont for Blesme, where it arrived that day, detrained and proceeded by march to Changy near Bar-le-Duc, at which point they arrived May 14th. On May 13th the Regimental Headquarters beean its movement and the 3rd Battalion was relieved on the night of the 13th by the 174th French. The Regimental Head- quarters and the 3rd Battalion arrived in the new area May 15th and Regimental Headquarters was established at Doucy, near Vitry-le- Francois. A training schedule was put into effect. While in this area a number of officers and non-commissioned officers were sent to the various Army training schools. On May 19th the regiment marched to Vitry-le-Francois, where it entrained for a new sector. It was thought at the time that a short train- ing period would ensue, after which the Second Division would relieve the First Division at Montidier. The regiment detrained at Parmion Isle Adam on May 20th. On May 21st the Regimental Headquarters was established at Serans, near Paris. These marches were very long and on account of the extreme heat taxed the endurance of the men to the utmost. From May 21st to May 31st the regiment remained in the vicinity of Serans and the troops were further instructed in French combat drills. The rainy season had ended and climatic conditions were ideal. Plans for relieving the First Division were cancelled May 30th and orders were issued for this regiment to make a quick move. The German attack on the Chemin-de-Dames had been successful and the Second Division was ordered to proceed by trucks to the Chateau Thierry area in order to support the French who were being driven back. The follow- ing memorandum was sent to all units of the regiment : "Advance information official received that this Regiment will move at 10 00 P.M. 30 May by buss to new area. All trains shall be loaded at once and arrangements hastened. Orders will fellow. Wagons when loaded will move to Serans to form train. By order of Colonel Catlin : F. E. Evans, Major, U .S.M .C, Adjutant." The regiment assembled at Serans and waited until about daybreak, when the camions arrived. Embussing was completed before 9:30 that morning, and the now famous ride, as the result of which the regiment was thrown into the breach which threatened the French capital, was begun. The military situation was extremely critical. The German objective was Pans. The armies of the Crown Prince were driving furiously between Soissons and Rheims. A vicious salient had been