Page:History of the Sixth Regiment, United States Marines.djvu/23

18 Ift History of Sixth Regiment, U. S. Marines. many machine guns placed in a series of strong points, or forts, in such a manner that one flanked the other. Some of these strong points were located and a few of them surrounded and captured. It was decided that it would be impossible to carry these forts without artillery prepara- tion even by expending large forces. PUns were made to hold the ground gamed by withdrawing the troops sufficiently to gain cover and dig in. This was accomplished by II : 30 A.M. During the afternoon of the 8th the regiment was heavily shelled by enemy artillery, which caused some casualties. Word was received from Brigade Headquarter* that the enemy machine gun nests that had not been captured would be subjected to artillery fire and that the line of this regiment in that vicinity >hould be withdrawn slightly in order to avoid endangering the men. The followj/ig message was sent by the Commanding Officer of the 3rd Battalion : "Will have men under cover for artillery fire south edge of woods within one hundred and twenty-five yards of edge by 3 P.M. Regret to report officers and men are too much exhausted for further attack or strong resistance until after several hours' rest. Enemy shelling our position now. Damage not serious at present. Sibley." Ammunition was received during the day. Cold rations were carried to the men. It was then decided to relieve the 3rd Battalion with the 1st Battalion. These plans were changed, however, and it was finally decided to vacate the positions near 'he Woods entirely, in order to give the artillery a free hand in reducing the enemy strong holds. The 3rd Battalion, therefore, rendezvoused at daylight on the morning of the 9th in the Bois de Platiere. about two kilometers south of Marigny, and went into Corps reserve. Here the men of this battalion received the first hot food they had had since May 31st. Regimental Headquarters was moved from La Boie du Chatel to Maison Blanche on June 8th. The 2nd Battalion was relieved by the 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, on night 9th- 1 0th, and went into reserve in the woods east of Maison Blanche. On the night of June 9th the 1st Battalion moved up to assist in the attack on positions south of Bois de Belleau. Early on the morning of June 1 0th the attack was launched from the south with two companies in the front line and two in support. The objective was only partially gained, owing to the heavy machine gun fire of the enemy. It was renewed on June I I th and resulted in cleaning out the southern half of the woods, reaching the objective. Losses in this engagements were heavy. Captain Burns of the 74th Company and Captain Fuller of the 75th were among those killed. On the night June Mth-l2th the 2nd Battalion moved to La Sableonniere Woods, where they were held as Corps reserve. This same night the 3rd Battalion moved up into the woods N. W. of Lucy-le-Bocage, and the next afternoon at dusk they relieved a battalion of the 5th Regiment in the positions northeast of Hill 142.