Page:History of the Sixth Regiment, United States Marines.djvu/46

Rh History oi Sixth Regiment, U. S. Marines. 41 days the light and heavy artillery of the enemy played at will upon the front line positions. The trenches, the position of which were known to him, battalion P.C.'s and the lines of communication were continually shelled. The enemy was able by direct observation to fire at men in the trenches and even to snipe at runners or any other target with their 88 cal. guns. This regiment suffered serious casualties from this fire. During the first two days that the hill southeast of St. Etienne was oc- cupied by the regimental front lines the troops of this regiment were continually harassed by machine guns. This continued shell fire told greatly upon the spirits of the men, who had been in the open for over a week without blankets, with a scanty supply of water and with but one warm meal a day. At I I A.M. Oct. 7th the 83rd Company reported that one of its platoons had found Germans in the trenches to the right cf the town and the following message, which was received from Lieut. Noble in charge of the platoon, was forwarded at 2 : 40 P.M. by the CO. of the 3rd Battalion to Regimental Headquarters: "It is estimated that at least two hundred of enemy are still in town, and more 3re seen filtering from over the hill into the town. It is believed that they are trying to filter in to the northeast end of town and drive the remaining French out. Their barrage did not play on part of town to the northeast of church. They occupy trench near the town, between us and the town. They are probably trying to strike the French right flank and later our left flank. It is believed necessary for the Americans to advance some troops (probably a battalion) to occupy trench between us and the town ns soon as possible, or else advance here soon. A. H. Noble." During the night of October 7th-8th the 1st Battalion of this regiment occupied the gap between the French and the left of this regiment mentioned in the message just quoted. The 76th Company of the 1st Battalion went into the town of St. Etienne with the 74th, 75th and 95th Companies in support. While occupying this position the 1st Battalion repulsed two strong counterattack?, during which it suffered many casualties, but inflicted heavy losses upon the *nemy. At 5 .05 A.M. October 6th the Commanding Officer of the 2nd Battalion of the 1 42nd Regiment, whose battalion was in line with the 3rd Battalion of this regiment, and whose battalion was badly disorganized, received orders to attack at 5 :45 A.M., After a heavy barrage, that battalion, supported by tanks, advanced upon the German position. They cleaned out the machine gun nests on the right front and established a line east of St. Etienne about one kilometer from the "jumping off' position. They sustained very heavy losses, took some prisoners and became entirely disorganized This regiment did not advance. The physical condition of the men was becoming very bad, although the spirit was excellent. At 5 P.M. a very heavy barrage was placed just back of the new line established by the 142nd Regiment, producing a heavy concentration of high explosive gas. As a result the men holding that line retreated through the barrage and through the front
 * he objective being Courey.