Page:History of the Sixth Regiment, United States Marines.djvu/51

46 46 History of Sixth Regiment, U. S. Marines. After advancing a short distance the front line was held up by machine pun nests in a little patch of woods just south of Si. Georges, this woods seemingly not having been touched by Allied artillery fire. It was in overcoming this resistance that Captain Overlon, in command of the 76th Company and an officer who had been through every action and distinguished himself every time, lost his life. During the whole first kilometer of the advance the enemy offered a very fierce resistance with machine gun and artillery fire, but by followng the barragr closely and fighting with their customary dash and bravery the troops succeeded in taking the hill just south of the Landres St. Georges road, which proved (o be one of the enemy's principal lines of resistance. Upon arrival' at the first objective, at 8 A.M., the ^rd and 2nd Battalions passed through the 1st Battalion, in the order named, and the 1st Battalion followed a- reserve battalion. At 8:14 A.M. the command- ing officer of the 3rd Battalion sent the following message : "From : Commanding Officer, Third Battalion. To: Commanding Officer, Sixth Regiment. My two leading companies are on 1st objective. Following com- panies on ridge in position to advance at proper time. Few casual- ties. Barker is near me. Have met two companies of Williams' back of St. Georges. Made good time since last message. G. K. Shuler." While the companies were being reorganized and the 3rd Battalion was taking up the front line, the Allied barrage remained stationary in front of this regiment's position There was little enemy artillery fire, the enemy at that time toeing engaged in moving back his guns, The troops took advantage of the beautiful clear day to snatch a half hour's rest before continuing the advance. At 9:00 A.M. the 3rd Battalion resumed the advance as the leading battalion, closely following the barrage until the second objective was reached at 12:30 P.M. At II A.M. the following message was sent: "From : Commanding Officer, Third Battalion. To: Commanding Officer. Sixth Regiment. We are in Chennery and Bayonville and passing up to second ob- jective. Took about 100 prisoners here by using tank, assisted by riflemen. About 100 enemy retreated from their guns to woods south- east of Sivry. The woods north of second objective should be well- shelled. Have taken 6—88s. Scouts just reported that we have Chemery and Bayonville. Enemy is shelling from wood north of Bayonville. G. K. Shuler." The tanks assigned to this regiment gave great assistance in reducing enemy machine gun nests. Three tanks assigned to the 3rd Battalion, after the first objective had been reached, were assigned by the battalion