Page:History of the Sixth Regiment, United States Marines.djvu/29

24 24 History or Sixth Regiment, U. S. Marines. methods of modern warfare. After arriving in France they were held for various periods of time in the training areas, where many of them were sent to schools for instruction in the diflerent specialities. A few non-commissioned officers with several years' experience who were taken from sh p duty and ether stations, were distributed among the replace- ments before ihcy left America. As a whole the replacements were as well trained as could be expected, and quickly became imbued with ihe spirit of the regiment. Preparations lor engaging the enemy were made during the after- noon of September Nth. Blanket rolls were stored in the woeds and men left to guard them. This detail was picked lrom the 20 o reserve which (vid been lelt behind. Stokes mortar, one pounder and pioneer troops/ from the Headquarters Company were distr.buled among the bat- talions. Ammunition, including -ille, Chauchal and VB bombs, was obtained and distributed. ihe tentative plan of attack was given to ihe battalion commanders, who discussed them wilh their company com- manders during the afternoon. The regiment was to move to the 'jumpirr-jf ph.ee, near Lme>. To early in the night as possible ind was «o he in position by one o'clock A Ah. September 12th, when th<; artillery prepaiation was to commence. The 1st Battalion and ihe 73rd Machine Gun Companv a. - a combat croup were placed on the left to maintain' iiaison between the 6")lh Division and the 23rd Infantry. receiving their nrders for th s cperalioi: f rom the C.C.. 3rd Brigade. The 3rd Battalion was placed on ihe right, the 2nd being in suppoit. Ahead of thi* regiment was the 23rd Infantry. The movement io the •umping oH place w.v made during a heavy rain and the road r - were muddv and blocked with traffic, but considering the immensity of the operation and the fact that the var ous units arrived in their places ac- cording to schedule, testified to the care with which the details had been previously worked out. The liaison between the units of this regiment and tho<e on either flank was quickly established and down to and including platoon commanders all oflicers were advised of their location with relation to all others. I he mission of the Marine Brigade was the general support of the 3rd Brigade in executing the divisions mission "first day" and to be prepaid to pass through the 3rd Br gade, advance to the line "2nd day and reconnoiter up to the exploitation line when ordered. The regimental limits were to be : Eastern — Lironville (exlusive); Limey (inclusive); Remenauville (exclusive); eastern edge ol the Bois de I'Eveque (exclusive); unimproved road northern edge Bois de l'Lveque to Th an- couri-Reanieville road ('ncln'ive); 1 hiaucourt (inclusive); north of Bois- du-Fey (exclusive^ — point 207.5 — northeast through Bois-du-Rupl — Bois -de-la-Montagne and Hill 310 3. all exclusive to exploitation I ne . The Western Limey (inclusive)— unimproved road extending north