Page:History of the Sixth Regiment, United States Marines.djvu/17

12 12 History of Sixth Regiment, U. S. Marines. open field east of the woods and north of La Voie du Chatel on the Lucv-le-Bocage road in order to escape the barrage which it was thought the enemy would put down on the Voie du Chatel at nightfall. At break of day the 3rd Battalion took up its former position. Heavy shelling during the day resulted in several casualties among the 3rd Battalion scouts and the 84th Company. About noon the 82nd Com- pany of the 3rd Battalion was sent to reinforce the front line northeast of Champillon. 1 his company had several casualties while taking up the position. At dark the 83rd Company and one platoon of the 73rd Machine Gun Company moved up and joined the 82nd Company south of Torcy', Major Sibley taking command of a portion of the line extend- ing for about one thonsand yards in an easterly direction. This line was in most places along the edge of the woods, at some points the enemy being in the same woods only fifty yards distant. Enemy artillery ana machine guns were active during the afternoon and night. The French continued to fall back through the lines of this regiment. The enemy could be seen tillering through the woods northeast of the Bouresches- Vaux railroad. He seemed to sense the presence of formidable troops opposite him, for his attempts to advance were not spirited. He was stopped with machine gun and rifle fire, and American artillery, of which there was now aplenty, did effective work. Several lounds, however, feel short into the 75th Company's position, causing five casualties. On June 3rd the enemy brought up more artillery and registered on the different positions of this regiment, which was by this trme fairly well interenched. On the morning of June 4th it was lound that the French had left a portion of the line to the right of that commanded by Major Sibley unoccupied. A portion of the 1st Battalion ot the 5th Regiment and some machine guns were sent to (ill the gap. The enemy artillery, machine guns and snipers were active during the entire day, bgt the casualties of this regiment were not htavy The 84th Company, which had been left in La Voie du Chatel, suffered some casualties from artillery fire. La Conse Farm was shelled with 1 50's on the afternoon of June 4th and the 80th Company, in reserve for the 2nd Battalion, suffered some casualties. The Battalion Headquarters and the reserve company were therefore moved to Bois de Clerembauts, about two hundred yards to the rear of La Conse Farm, where there was little shelling and no more casualties On June 5th conditions continued much the same a? on the pre- vious day. The day was spent in digging and strengthening the positions. During the early morning hours the enemy launched an attack, but was repulsed without serious loss to this regiment. After daylight and during the day the enemy was seen from time to time and the snipers of this regiment did elective work. American artillery also was effective. About 9 P M. on June 5th the following order was sent to Major Sibley. 3rd Battalion :