Page:History of the Sixth Regiment, United States Marines.djvu/39

34 34 History of Sixth Regiment, U. S. Marines. rate of 100 meters in four minutes to the objective, where a standing barrage was to be put down 300 meters beyond the objective for thirty minutes, when a rolling ban-age was to continue for 1400 meters further for the support of patrols and to enable outposts to be established. One company of tanks, twelve in number, was assigned to the 2nd Battalion and twelve tanks to the 1st Battalion in the second line taking position in rear of the right and left flanks to repel counter attacks. The regiment attacked as scheduled, but the French on the left failed to advance. Progress was excellent. Machine gun fire directed at the 2nd Battalion as it cleared the parallel of departure caused some casualties. For a short time the enemy put down a counterbarrage, but shortly began moving back their guns, and artillery opposition became feeble. Mlie American barrage was excellent and the men of the leading battalion followed it closely, even risking approaching too closely in order to silence an occasional too troublesome machine gun. Many enemy machine guns were encountered, but they failed to hinder the advance. At 8 :30 A.M. the CO. of the 2nd Battalion sent the following message : "Objective reached at 8 30 A.M. Position now being consolidated. From first information casualties appear to have been light and bag of prisoners good. Spirits of all very high. Barrage was beautiful. Williams." Owing to the fact that the French had not advanced on the left, that flank was left exposed and unsupported, except through measures taken by echelons of this regiment. Conditions developed as indicated in the following messages, which also explain the situation at the end of the first phaoe of the attack : "From : CO. 3rd Battalion. 3 Oct. II :43 A.M. No. 7 By runner. To : CO. 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines. I have ordered my 84th Co. to take up position extending from our left line northeast to 266.5 —280 .0. My line extends from our left line northeast to 266.3 — 280.0. My line extends from there to 267.6 — 280 3. 1 can help you support the left. Advise me what position would be best. Will you inform this runner of the location of Barker's P.C and disposition of his companies if possible? Shuler." "From : CO. 3rd Battalion. 3Oct. II:50A.M. No.9 By runner. To : CO. 2nd Bn. 6th Marines. Officers from 2nd Battalion 5th Regiment just came here and showed me orders for Messersmith to rill in gap between 6th Marines on left and the French. He is proceeding to do so. Shuler."