Page:History of the Sixth Regiment, United States Marines.djvu/42

Rh History of Sixth Regiment, L. S Marines. '57 up with the French. Water carts and ration carls with hot food were brought up to the men in the trenches during the evening. The work of the Quartermaster throughout the Champagne offenuve was very effective, hot food being supplied at least once a day. The 5th Regiment started to advance early on the morning of October 4th without artillery preparation. Heavy enemy artillery nre was encountered and after going about two kilometers further advance was impossible, because of terrific machine gun resistance. Major Messersmith, of the 5th Regiment, reported at 8 : 30 A.M .: "20th Company held up by heavy fire on left sector along road. The company needs assistance, and I have none to send. What can you do for us '* The message was referred to the 5th Regiment. It was planned for this regiment to advance at 2:30 P.M.; the 22nd Division, French, had advanced at 9:50 A.M. and had skirted Blanc Mont to the westward, leaving that stronghold in the hands of the: enemy. An error in a co-ordinance report had led to the belief that that stronghold was held by this reeiment. The following message was re- ceived from the Commanding Officer of the 2nd Battalion : "From: CO. 2nd Bn. At PC. 4 Oct. 18. 1
 * 55 P.M. No.

I. By runner. To: CO. 6th Marines. The limits now actually held by this Bn. are eastern, 266.9 -- 28i.2; western 266.2 — 280 .7, instead of as previously reported. Lica- tion of barracks and roads on cur left flank (present) confused us with what should actually have been our left flank, about 450 n-.ettrs more to the left. The enemy consequently holds a gocd portion of B ! anc Mont and is about 150 yards distant from the line-, we hold along our eastern flank. 1 heir position here is heavily held with machine guns and exposure at this point in daylight hours subjects the men to heavy sniping from his position, which is as commanding as our own. The enemy covers the low ground in front of us with his machine gun fire and advance without heavy losses on this flank is impossible without heavy artillery preparation on his position on our left or until the French advance on our left and take this position. Our effectives are approximated a: follows : 78th Co.— 95, 80th Co.—60. 96th Co.—65. 79th Co.—65 Casualties in officers about 40 Wi'liams." This verified the fact that the Blanc Mont stronghold had not been reduced and was still a menace on the left. I he 3rd Battalion advanced at 2:30 P.M. until it approached the 1st Battalion, which was still in the vicinity of the ridge road, and halted. The 2nd Battalion was unable to advance on account of machine gun fire on the left. It was decided to concentrate heavy artillery fire on the enemy stronghold, after which the 3rd Battalion was to attack. At 4:35 P.M. the CO. of the 3rd Battalion sent the following message :