Page:History of the Sixth Regiment, United States Marines.djvu/44

Rh History ok Sixth Reciment, U. S. Marines. 39 •ine and 84th in support. At 7 -35 A.M. word was received from 82nd, 83rd and 97th Companies that their objective, that portion of Blanc Mont which had not already been taken, was reached, and that they were digging in. During this short engagement they captured four officers, 269 prisoners, 80 machine guns, and a number of trench mortars No casualties were sustained. In compliance with orders from Headquarteis, Second Division, the following order, in substance, was issued to all battalions at 8 :45 A.M.; "This regiment will be organized at once and be prepared to pass through »he 5th Marines when ordered. Order of battalions, front to rear. Williams (2nd); Shuler (3rd); Barker (lit)." Ammunition was issued. At 12:50 P.M. the CO. of the 2nd Battalion was ordered on the telephone, The 6th Regiment advances at once. Advance to St. Etbnne, keeping liaison with French on our left and the 3rd Brigade on our right. French have already advanced. Halt at St. Etienne and await orders." Later orders were given verbally to Major Williams to halt his battalion at ridge, northeast of St. Etienne. At about 3 P.M. the regiment moved forward, the 2nd Battalion leading, covering a sector almost a kilometer and a half in width. The regiment, by this time, had been greatly depleted by casualties. The 2nd Battalion had only i jf.w more than three hundred effectives on this wide front. On the left the objective of this new advance was attained. On the right a battalion of the 23rd Infantry was found to be in this regiment's sector. The commanding officer of this infantry battalion strongly advised Lieut. West, commanding the 79th Company, not to attempt a further advance because, he said, strong machine gun nests made progress without artillery preparation impossible and that his command had been badly cut up in trying to take the position. Lieut. West, however, attacked with his company, and was carried from the field severely wounded. Lieut. Catrs, of the 96th Company, took command on the right and drew back to the line held by the infantry. The Regiment Commander ordered a halt and not to attempt further advance. During the nig^t the 3rd Battalion relieved the 2nd in the first line and the 2nd Battalion moved back to the 3rd line. The 1st Battalion took position in the second line. AtIA.M , October 6th, time was moved back one hour. At I
 * nd other material.
 * 30 A.M. the following field order was issued :

"Headquarters, 6th Regiment, Marine Corps, American E.F., France, 6 October 18. Hour I :30 A.M. FIELD ORDER NO. MAP— S.T.G.A. 1/20000. I. The enemy occupies three machine gun nests in the sector of this division about 500 yards north of our line.