Page:History of the Sixth Regiment, United States Marines.djvu/30

Rh History of Sixth Regiment, U. S. Marines. 25 from Limey to Center of Bois-de-Euvzin — eastern edge of clearing be- tween Bois-de-Be^u-Vallon — Bois-de-Euvezin — Hill 264.3 (inclusive) — Thiaucourt (inclusive)— Xammes (exclusive)—Charey (inclusive). The regiment was to advance in two lines of battalions, each battalion in form with two companies in the first line and two companies in support. J~he advance of the regiment was to be made in rushes by successive! bounds. rhe firs* bound was to be line of departure to the front line trenches. Trie second bound was to be the enemy's first positions; the third bound the enemy's intermediary or first combat positions; the fourth bound their second positions; and the fifth bound was to be the line "first phase." Each bound was to be initiated from the departure of the rear battalion of the 23rd In- tantry from the objective ol the bound. The regiment was to be all limes prepared iu pass through the 23rd Infantry and to continue the attack. The first attack was to begin on "D" day at "H" hour. The artillery action wai to beg'n on "D" day at "H ' minus four hours. A rolling barrage was to precede the infantr> advance at the rate of 100 meters in four minutes to the "first phase", where a standing barrage was tc oe put down in the foreground unl " "H plus six hours, when 9 rolling barrage was to continue to the line "first day ' at the rate of 100 meters in tour minutes. One company of light tanks was to take position on "D" day at "H" hour minus four hours near the L'ron- vilIe-Noviant road, head of column 500 meters south of Lironville. The following order was sent from Regimental Headquarters on September II. 1918: "I. To-morrow, September 12th, is "D" day. "H" hour is 5 -00 A.M. The artillery preparation will start at I
 * 00 A.M. and con-

tinue for four (4) hours. During this bombardment it is absolutely necessary that ail men be kept under cover in designated positions. 2. Ycu will march your command at the earliest practicable moment for youi positions indicated; viz., 3rd Battalion in trenches on south edge of Limey—2nd Battalion in trenches and works in ravine about 500 yards southwest of Limey. It is imperative that you be in position before the artillery preparation starts at I
 * 00

A.M 3. Chemical warfare grandes and material will be found at dump west edge of Lironville. Details from platoons must be senr there to obtain these materials. H. LEE, Colonel, USMC, Commanding." The battalion commanders were, Major Frederick A Barker. 1st Battalion; Major Ernest C. Williams, 2nd Battalion; Lieut. Col. Berton W. Sibley, 3rd Battalion.