· HISTORY-- ·OF""-' ... SECOND- r -- .J BATTALION

JUNElst 5TH REGIMENT . JAN.l~ 1917 . U. S. MARINES 1919

SECOND DIVISION ~1======-- 1 (

History of Second Battalion 5th Regiment U.S. Marines

OFFICIAL RECORD

Approved C. DUNBECK, Capt U. S.M. C. Commanding 2nd Bn. 5th Rcgt. Marines Organization.

Battalion Headquarters 18th Co. 51st Co. 43rd Co. 55th. Co. Medical Department

'· Service.

I Organization, Sailing and Training II Verdun III Chateau Thierry (Bois de Belleau) IV Soissons V (Pont-A-) VI St. Mihiel VII Champagne (Blanc Mont) VIII Argonne-Meuse IX Germany ~¥: ·~

The Organization Sailing and Training.

The Second Battalion of the Fifth Hegimept of Marines was organized in Philadelphia about June 1st, 1917 under Ma,ior F. M. Wise. The Companies coming from the tropics were recruited to' a strength of 200 men with 4 Officers. The Battalion / consisting of the 43rd, 51st and 55th Companies and the 23rd Machine Gun Company sailed from Philadelphia on June 9th. Arriving in New York harbor the Battalion was transferred to the U. S. S. Henderson. Sailed from New York June 14th and arrived at St. Nazaire, without mishap June 27th. As a part of the First Division went into camp under canvas and commenced intensive training. The training from June 27th to July 15th, 1917 consisted chiefly of close order drills and marches. Entrained July 15th and arrived at Menaucourt (Meuse) two days later. The Battalion was assigned to the 115th Battalion of Chaus­ seurs; Alpines for instruction. Here we followed a course of trai:rrlng laid down by the French, which consisted of company organization similar to French, their methods of appr9ach and attack, consolidation ol' positions taken, trench digging, trench warfare, study and use of grenades, auto rifles, bayonet and Battalion manouvers. Program arranged so time was left for our own training. This consisted of rifle practice on the range, close and extended order, practice marches and athletics. At end of this time, about September 15th, when French were ordered away, this Battalion was in excellent condition. Most of the Officers and many of the N. C. O's attended French Specialists Schools during this period. The 23rd Machine Gun Company was ordered to Gondrecourt for special instruction and were dropped as part of this Battalion. On September 24th the Battalion entrained for Damblain (Vosges). Here we were detached from the First Division, becoming the nucleus of the Second Division. General training 4 History of Second Battalion along all lines was carried out. Much time was spent on Batta­ lion and Regimental attacks. Working in this connection for a time with the 151st French Infantry. Throughout a very cold, disagreeable winter, the intensive training was continued. The 18th Company joined the Battalion January 16th, coming from Bordeaux, where they had been serving with the Base Detachment of the Fifth Regiment Marines. The occupation and relief of a sector was frequentlv carried out in the training trenches at St. Ouen. Towards Spring many Regimental and Brigade manouvers were held. During the Winter most of the Officers and N. C. O's attended the First Corps School at Gondrecourt (Meuse). After .nine months of this intensive training orders were finally received that we should leave for the Front. 5th Regiment U. S. Marines 5 ;-(,-~======~~======~r ======

Verdun.

Entrained at Breuvannes Friday March 13th, 1918. Detrained March 14th at Duigny and n{arched to Camp Nivolette, where we came under fire for the first time, a slight bombardment. Took over Front line trenches, Montgirmont Sector, for the period of March 17th-28th. This sector was inactive, espedally so at first. Here nightly patrols and wiring were carried out. There was intermittent machine gun fire at night and an occas­ ional bombardment, especially on rear .positions and qommuni­ cating trenches. Much information and experience was obtA.ined especially in correct ways of organizing a position and patroll­ ing in darkness. It was in this sector that we saw and felt the explosion of a tremendous land mine. On March 28th we were relieved and went into reserve position near Ancemont. From here took a position of reserve for the Eix-Moulainville-Chatlllon sector. On Aprll 9th took over front line trenches in Chatillon and to the left. Here, as before, things were very quiet, but became more lively as our patrols got more and more daring. Each Company had one platoon in the front line, the others being echeloned in rear. Every night there were patrols, ambush parties and wiring parties. These parties several times got in contact with the enemy, and the long desired satisfaction of killing some of the enemy was realized. It was in one such engagement that we had our first fatality among officers. The Battalion Intelligence Officer being killed. The Battalion held these trenches until April 29th, gaining much experience for the riflemen as well as for the signalmen, Stokes mortar and 37 M M gun sections. Being relieved of front line, the Battalion took up a reserve position just in rear, in Camp Joffe. 6 History of Second Battalion

From here we marched on May 8th to Ancemont and entrai­ ned for Brusson. Near Brusson, in the town of Merlaut, we remained for eight days and then entrained at Vitry le Fran­ cois. After skirting Paris on the train and marching through the town of Marines where we billeted for the night we arrived ~ Courcelles. This town was located in a very pretty section of France, and the only rest billets we were to know. Here we stayed ten days. Drill of various kinds and cleaning up was the routine. The Battalion taking part in one Divisional practice manouver. , _ 5th Regiment U. S. Marines 7 ~======~======

Bois de Belleau.

On the afternoo:rpof May 30th the Battalion received orders to "stand by for Camions", and we then little knew the signi­ ficance those orders carry. The Battalion, under Lt. Col. F. M. Wise, and about a thousand strong, em bussed about 4 : 00 A. M. the 31st, to help intercept the enemy in his relentless advance on Paris. Captain L. S. Wass commanding the 18th Company, Captain C. Dunbeck the 43rd, Captain L. W. Williams the 51st and Captain John Blanchfield the 55th. Passing through Meaux we noticed quite a number of refugees, and all the afternoon and evening as our train continued through its clouds of dust more and more were met. After debussing and hiking about twelve kilometers we bivouaced in and around a small deserted village. During the night enemy planes bombed the town. The next morning took up the march along dusty roads, meeting now streams of refugees, quite a number of French troops and many walking wounded. After an all-day march we bivouaced at Pyramid Farm. The morning of June 2nd at 10 : 00 ~%.. the Battalion broke cover and drawing ammunition on the march proceeded hastily through Marigny to back up the overtaxed French. By now there were scattered shells falling and every man was looking forward with a grim kind of pleasure to an encounter with the enemy. A line was established from Hill 142 to Northeast corner of Bois de Veilly. That night and the next day the enemy continued working forward and the French falling back through our line. The morning of the 4th the enemy attacked and again in the afternoon, driving back the French until our line stood facing his further progress. The enemy, flushed with their recent victories and determined to reach Paris, came on, offering of themselves excellent targets. And it was here that the con­ tinued target practice of the Marines proved itself, a large per­ centage of the shots finding their mark. This engagement consisted of only rifle and machine gun fire #J)n our part. The enemy doing their best work with their light field guns with direct fire. The actual fi ghting on this day 8 History of Second Battalion and for several days to come was taken by this Battalion as more of a rough game in which each one strove to get more of the enemy than his fellow. In ijlustration of this is the man who having been joked about h{s poor shooting and seeing a German between the lines took after him with his bayonet. Amid shouts of encouragement the German was overtaken and bayoneted. The Battalion line which was very long, beeing extended · to hold ground left by the French, was strengthened later in the day by two Companies of the First Battalion. · All the next day the activity continued with a decided increase in enemy artillery. Before daybreak of June 6th the 51st Company was relieved in the line by the 49th Company and attached temporarily to the First Battallion. They moved to the woods northe::~st of Lucy, encountering a severe bombardment. Pausing only to get some very much needed food they returned to take part in: the first attack. This attack was to clear a hill from which very destructive fire was coming. The 49th Company led off and were leap­ frogged by the 51st Company. The course lay through a wheat field, through a small woods and up the oper.. slop Here the attack was checked, but the enemy gave back when flanked by a party from the left sent out for the purpose. In this attack, as in succeeding ones, walking fire from the hip was effectively employed. The enemy, however, caused heavy losses, being forced back many times only at the point of the bayonet. At 2 : 00 A. M. June 7th the Battalion started out to clear the Lucy-Torcy road. The enemy holding all ground east of the road. From here they attacked about 3 : 30 A. M., just at daybrea\k. Again our rifle and machine gun fire and bayonet were success­ ful. They were driven back and the line connected up with the Third Battalion holding the high ground on the west of the road. Here they were being heavily attacked and their situation most critical. Their positions were quickly strengthened by part ·of our force and all ground held. Early in the evening we relieved the Third Battalion. During the next three days the 8th, 9th and 10th, the enemy never rested, continually bombarding with High Explosive and Gas and using quite a number of their large caliber minnen­ werfers. 5th Regiment U. S. Marines 9 ~

On June 11th at 4 : 30 A. M. the Second Battalion attacked as per Fourth Brigade Field Order 4, the objective being the northeast edge of Bois de Belleau and Hill 133. Our artillery shelled the enemy severely, but th~v were, determined and through the whole attack put up fie~~ resti.Y <:::.. 'tance. · The attack swept across wheat fields over rough hilly ground and on into the Bois de Belleau over a front of about one kilo­ meter. The enemy were profusely equipped with machine guns, to which their crews stuck in many cases until killed, inflicting heavy losses on the attacking lines. In the woods the underggrowth was in most places very thick, though some open spaces and many large rock formations and several quarries were encountered, the latter serving the enemy as very strong machine gun positions. Strongest resistance was met on the right, making it necessary to use more men in that half of the line. The enemy made good use of the cover, some­ times hiding machine guns until a line had passed, and again firing machine guns from tree tops. The fighting continued all morning, not a little use being made of the bayonet. The enemy did not stand against this weapon al){!iys attempting to escape a hand to hand combat. Our losses were very. heavy, but the enemy had been driven back about a kilometer and with much heavier losses. During the afternoon the captured positions were consoli­ dated as well as possible with the number of men left. The enemy, however, began causing trouble on the left flank by creeping around. An attack was at once organized, but called off in favor of our artillery, who shelled the area. During the night two Companies of Engineers helped in the consolidation and remained with us taking up the fight as riflemen. Also about 150 replacement men arrived. The next day, June 12th, there was general sniping, at which the Marines were very successful, and more harassinq: m'lchine gun fire from the left. About 5 : 00 P. M., after more artillery preparation, we attacked on the left, driving them back. The ground, however, could not all be held in force. Our postions were very heavily shelled during the night and all the next day, the 13th the enemy continued his attempts at breaking through. Late that night the Second Battalion of the Sixth Marines arrived about 325 strong, and with Lt. Col. Feland as Cornman- 10 History of Second Battalion der of the two Battalions and another on the right, the whole position put in a much safer condition. I The shelling and general firing continued until the Battalion was relieved on the night of June 16th. We proceeded to a support position in the town of Mery. I The Battalion consisting of 350 men and 7 Officers. The Battalion stayed for four days in the town of Mery, where much needed supplies and equipment were drawn. Here about 300 replacements joined. · On June 21st we returned and took up a front line position just south of Torey and west of Belleau. Here Majo~ R. S. Keyser took -commid of the battalion. The line could now be held with more d h and the enemy were now more settled and did not atte pt to carry our line. However, there was lively sniping and patrol fights were numerous. The Companies were continually shifted from one position to another. On two successive nights our line was advanced. These gains amounting to 500 yards. For a week our artillery shelled the enemy area continually and a heavy fire returned, using Gas and an increase of big guns. We were also bombed and fired on by aeroplanes. Part of the line was in the open and particularly exposed to fire. The Companies taking turns holding this position. By this time enemy deserters were not rare. During the last week American planes came over and brought or forced down all enemy balloons. This lessened the enemy shelling. The early morning bombardments however, continued brisk and the direct fire from advanced light field guns parti­ cularly dangerous. Throughout the whole affair, but especially in the first two weeks, there were many reckless things done by the Battalion, by small groups and individuals, which cost heavily in casualties and at a time when they apparently could least be spared. But, it was these very things which broke the enem{¢s "On To Paris" spirit and possibly saved the situation from ~eing crushed by the superior numbers. On July 3rd a small detail from each Company left to parti­ cipate in the parade in Paris on July 4th. That night the Battalion moved to a support position in the Bois de Gros Jean. We were relieved July 5th. .-..,. 5th Regiment U. S. Marines 11 ~.... AFTER BELLEAU. On July 6th the Battalion having just drawn some new equip­ ment was preparing to march toward Meaux for a rest, when the orders changed. We hastened to the reserve trenches near Cruttes, in position for an expected enemy attack. The attack did not develope. On July 16th, after ten days in this position, orders were received to "stand by for Camions".

~ 12 History of Second Battalion

Soissons.

Camions were boarded by this Battalion about 4 :30 P. M. July 16th and the ride begun, which ended the next day about noon. In the afternoon the march began, which was destined to be \ one of the hardest of our career. The Battalion being comman­ ded by Major R. S. Keyser. The 18th Company under Captain L. S. Wass, the 43rd having Captain J. D. Murray, 51st Capt. W. f 0. Corbin and the 55th Lt. E. Cook, U. S. N. A. On every road and across fields, as far as the eye could see, . were endless streams of infantry, ca,mlry, artillery, trucks and wagons, and among them many tanks and armored cars. All moving in the same general direction, forward. It began to rain and as night came on it brought such darkness that it wa:s impossible to see a foot ahead. On into the Bois de la Retz the Battalion column struggled, falling into ditches, climbing over over-turned trucks, the men holding on to each others rifles or coat tails to keep from getting lost or mixed with other commands. At 4 : 35 the terrific, deafening barrage opened up. The Battalion rushed on and by the rear Companies double timing through the forest, and amid the ene~§ counter barrage, took up positions in the front line. Immediately the signal for attack was given and the Companies all went over the top just at 6 : 00 A. M., the hour set. The attack went through the barbed wire laced among the heavy trees and underbrush and carried the ene~ front line, amid machine gun fire and heavy shelling. The s!iells bursting up in the trees causing many of our losses. The secondary positions were taken along with a great number of prisoners and the attack clearing the forest followed the barrage on toward the reserve positions. The 55th Company on the left follo~i,ng the Paris-Marbnrgh I highway. The 51st Company acting as'G'aison Company with the 9th Infantry on the right. _L • Throughout the attack good.Claison with the flanks and rear I was always most difficult to obtain,. In the enormity and swiftness of the attack many of the fine points harl been necessarily sacrificed. Verte Feulles Farm was taken and working in conjuction. with the numerous tanks, which crushed most of the machine gun positions, the first objective was gained. 5th Regiment U. S. l\larines 1'3 "'" At the cross roads about two kilometers north of Beaurcpaus Farm the direction dhanged to 115°. Overhead, there was enormous aeroplane activity, the enemy succeeding often in bombing and machine gunning our lines. Behind, our own artillery was continually pushed forward and many guns could be seen firing from the open fields just passed it over. By now,enemy artillery positions were being encountered and many guns were captured by this Battalion. I At the ravine running north out of Vauxcastile strong machine gun resistance was met and the Battalion paused while tanks worked around and broke down the opposition. The Com­ panies had now become somewhat scattered, due to the resi­ stance met and the speed of the advance, having hit points as far north as Maison Nauve Farm and south as far as Vauxcastile. The Morrocans with whom we had come in contact were doing great work. · Having taken all objectives, the Battalion took up a po'lition late in the afternoon in the ravine running northwest out of Vierzy and reorganized. Here ,greatly fatigued, the Battalion hoped to get some food and rest, but this hope was only short lived as late in the after­ noon, the Battalion now attached to the 9th Inf., renewed the attack, in conjunction with the Morrocans. After advancing about Yz kilometer, the right was held up by heavy fire. This was overcome and the advance was continued for about a kilometer. Here,stubborn resistance '-'.'aS met on the left whicn checked that part of the line. At this point groups of tanks appeared and advanced on the machine gun nests. Amid heavy shelling drawn by the tanks, our line moved forward. Our casualties here were rather heavy, and four out of one group of five tanks being wrecked. Many prisoners were taken during the day and more guns captured. I The evacuation of wounded was still very difficult as ambu­ lances had not yet been able to get through the congested roads. Aeroplanes flying low continued to be very troublesome, two I being brought down apparently by our fire. Dusk found the as~ault waves held up by machine gun fire from the front and ~filading fire from machine guns in wheat fields, missed in the advance. So the first wave was drawn back and a position organized about 9 :00 P. M., in some old trenches near the road running north~~t out of Vierzy, about two kilometers from the town. Hereltaison was obtained 14 History of Second Battalion with the French on the left and the Sixth Marines, who had come up, on the right. Later that night the Battalion was shifted to a position runn­ ing about parallel with the main road to Soissons, where we remained the next day. • The night of July 20th the Battalion was shifted to a suppor­ ting postion in front of Vierzy, coming into a heavy shelling of High Explosive and Gas. On July 21st the Fifth Regiment was relieved and moved to the rear where we bivouaced in the forest. Here the Regiment remained in support until the 25th. Maj. Keyser relieved to become Div. G-2 and Lt. Col. Wise returned and took Command.

AFTER SOISSONS After leaving the forest on July 25th the Battalion hiked to Boissy, spent one night there and moved on the next day to Boullancy. Here we were billetted for four days. On the 31st the Battalion entrained at Nanteuil arriving at Nancy the next day. . Near here, in the little town of Vandoeuvre we stayed unt.r;.L_..­ August 5th. 5th Regiment U. &. Marines 15 "'-~ Pont=a= Mousson.

On August 5th the Battalion left the vicinity of Nancy and stopping for the night in Loisy moved into the Pont-A-Mousson sector. . ' The 18th, 43rd and 55th Companies took the front line and the 51st Company the support position on Mousson Hill. This was known as a very quiet sector and turned out to be so. · But, just a few hours after taking ower the line a patrol of the 18th Company sighted a large party of men coming over. Suddenly there was a big explosion among them and the party scattered. They were fired on by our machine guns and attempted no attack, but ran. They apparently called for their barrage for it soon came, falling on the raiders themselves. However, it was shifted on to the section of Pont-A-Mousson held by the 18th and 55th Companies and with rather extra­ ordinary accuracy blew up the only ammunition dump in town and causing several casualties. From the wounded prisoners secured, it seems the exolosion was caused by some fault in a long charged pipe, Baugalore Torpedo being brought over to make an opening in our wire. From then until the time the Battalion left the sector there was heardly a shot fired. Everyone rather enjoying the quietness and the sight of peasants serenely working their crops almost in the lines themselves. On the 11th the Battalion moved to the reserve position at . We were relieved August 16th and marched to Selancourt. And from here to Camp Bois de l'Aveque, where we remained until August 21st working in the various courses of training. On this date we. marched to Govilliers. Here the usual drills and manouvers. were carried out. Working especially on getting t the replacement men into shape.

~ 16 History Of Second Battalion

St. Mihiel.

On September 4th the Battalion left Govilliers and began Hs march toward the St. Mihiel salient. On this march parts of several American Divisions were seen and all towns crowded with American troops, so that bivouacs were made in various woods. We arrived on the right of the salient the night of Septamber 10th, bivouacing in Bois des Hayes. During the afternoon and night of the 11th the Battalion &oved on in a down pour of cold rain to the position of attack, ':Major R. E. Messersmith in command. The 18th Company commanded by Captain D. T. Jackson, the 43rd by Captain C. Dunbeck, the 51st by Captain J. Keeley and the 55th by Captain De W. Peck. At 1 : 00 A. M. the tremendous barrage opened, and at 5 : 00 A. M. September 12th the Battalion amid a rather weak counter bombardment, jumped off in support of the 9th In­ fantry. Leaving the trenches at Limey and advancing by bounds the Battalion followed a bearing of 11~ The country was for several kil9meters so torn up with trenches and holes that most of the tanks accompanyin~ the attack were soon left struggling behind. All day the advance continued thus, the 9th Infantry taking care of the enemy in front, our artillery almost silencing the enemC¢§ guns and American planes in control of the air. U{te in the afternoon the Battalion bivouaced in lee of a slope just north of Bois d'Heiche, over seven Kilometers from the line of departure. The next afternoon, September 13th, the Regiment took the front line and we moved up to a support position, occupying the ravine in the southern edge of Bois de Fey, about a kilometer east of Thiaucourt. Here we dug in and remained until night of the 15th being subjected to intermittent bombardment. An enemy aeroplane which fired on our position from a low altitude was brought down by our rifle and machine gun fire and the wounded aviator evacuated. The night of the 15th Battalion moved to a position north of . to meet an expected attack. There was only some skirmishing fire on enemy patrols which were driven off and the attack did not develope. 5th Regiment U. S. Marines· 17 ~======''======

On September 16th we were relieved and proceeded by day to Bois de .

A F T E R S t. M I H I E L. The .Battalion· remained in bivouac in the Bois de Minorville · three days arid then moving south after a hard march reached Blenod les . ' Here we remained until September 25th, on which date we marched to ' and entrained. Detraining at Chalons the Battalion moved into billets in the town of Courtesols. During the four days we remained here there was never a pause in the distant rumbling of guns or in passage of tremen- dous numbers of Allied planes overhead. · On the afternoon of September 29th orders for moving by camichis came in. That · night we boarded camions and headed north. Arriving at Suippe the same night we debussed and marched to Bois de la Cote. I =18====~~=====H=i=st,=or~y==o=f =S=e=c=on=d==B=a=«=a=li=o=n======~~ ~

Champagne.

During the night of October 1st - 2nd thi_s.J3attalion relieved the French in the captured trenches on the rignt of Somme Py The positions continuing to receive a general shelling from the enemy. At 5 : 00 A. M. October 3rd the Battalion commanded by Major R. E. Messersmith, jumped off following in support of the Sixth Marines at about 600 meters. The 18th and 51st Com­ panies _led by Captain D. T. Jackson and Captain J. Keeley, respectively forming the first wave; and the 43rd under Captain C. Dunbeck' ,and 55th under Capt., De W. Peck ,forming the second. Over trenches and ground strewn with French and enemy dead and amid a heavy shelling the attack followed a bearing of about 340°. Soon mchine gun fire and an increasing artillery fire from the left showed that the French on our left were not advancing and that flank was exposed. About noon the Sixth Regiment reached their objective, trench St. Etienne. Their right resting on the Somme Py-St. Etienne road, and their line extending about a kilometer west. Toward the gap on their left this Battalion was thrown, attacking Blanc Mont, where very heavy machine gun and artillery fire was encountered. This ridge was stubbornly defended, but finally at dusk the top was gained and a line established joining the Sixth Regiment on the right and the 10th Battalion of French Chausseurs on the left. This position was consolidated, our line facing in a westerly direction. About midnight, receiving orders that we would attack in the morning, we shifted into a position behind the Sixth Regi­ ment. At 6 : 00 A. M. October 4th under a terrific enemy bombard­ ment we leap-frogged this R~giment and attacked in a north­ westerly direction. We were met with heavy machine gun fire from the front and from both flanks, and were constantly harrassed by low flying planes. Working forward slowly the attack continued until about 2 :30 P. M. reaching the knoll at about pt 282.3-265.7 Tahure map. Furth~r advance was impossible on account of machine gun fire and point blank artillery fire from the front, and both 5th Regiment U. S. Marines 19 ~~:~======flanks entirely exposed. A heavy direct fire barrage coming from the ·heights north of St. Etienne. In lee of this knoll the First and Second Battalions organized a position, the rigl].t. extending across the St. Etienne road and later establishingttlison with the 23rd Infantry, part of our command facing toward the left as no liaison could be estab­ lished in that · direction. Later the enemy attempted counter attacks from our left front and during the night the fighting continued, the enemy attempting to attack us from the rear. The next morning October 5th French advanced on the left and in the afternoon the Sixth Marines passed throu!!h\ our positions and carried on the attack, leaving the Fifth Regiment in support. We remained in position until 7 : 30 P. M. October 6th, then moved back to trenches east of Mont Blanc. Here we stayed in support position until the 9th. During this time there was a scattered shelling. On the night of the 9th the Battalion marched to a point about two kilometers south of Souain and bivouaced for the night in the woods. A F T E R CHAMP A G N E. October 10th the Battalion spent at Camp Normands, moving from there to Somme Suippe and then to Camp Carrieres. In this camp, which was near Chalons sur Marne, the usual routine of cleaning up and drills was carried out. Here the Battalion received about 500 Replacement men and the ever present task of assim"'lating them was taken up. On October 19th the Battalion marched to Camp Montpelier near Suippe. The Fourth Brigade being put al the disposal of the French. Before dawn of the 20th the Battalion began its forced march of twenty hours in anticipation of attacking. The march was halted and this Battalion bivouaced at and not used. The next day we marched back and bivouaced in the woods at Bemont Farm. · Moving from here on October 24th we marched to 8amp Montpelier, the same night receiving orders to stand by for camions. On the morning of the 25th in the camions we headed for the Argonne and little knowing it _our last fight. ~ 20 History of Second Battalion ======~====·=-=---- -

Argonne= Meuse.

Leaving the camions at Les Islettes,October 25th,the Batta­ lion, the same afternoon started its night march through the Argonne Forest. 1 A bivouac was made in the small woods just south of Exe!'­ mont. Here we remained under cover for four days. Changing position on the 30th to a small woods nearer the line. On the night of October 31st we moved to the jump off position, the Battalion being formed along the road running east out of . · At 1 : 00 o'clock our powerful barrage opened up. The enemy at once began replying with a heary counter barrage which only began to decrease an hour after the attack started. "H" hour was 5 : 30 A. M. November 1st and at that time under heavy artillery and indirect machine gun fire from the /AI/9; enemy the Battalion went over, following in close support of the t-¥''' · 1 7First Battalion. The Battalion was led by Captain C. Dunbeck, with Captain S. C. Cummm ieading the 51st Co., Lt. C. D. Baylis pA'?f9 t 1e th ompany aotain N.H. · the 43rd Compan . The '-'& 18th Company under Captain J. R. Foster, acting as nght liaison Company with the 89th Division. The enemy trenches and et St. Georges were soon taken along with quite a number of prisoners, and the attack continued on to the first objective. Here on a line running east and west through the northern edge of Bois l'Epasse this Battalion passed trough the First Battalion, taking the lead. l '· ----'0""-pt-<:pf:'o'~ion was soon met in the town of Landreville. A num­ ber of machine guns and over 100 prisoners were taken here. One machine gun crew was caught firing from a window from which a Geneva Red Cross flag was flying. In the woods one kilometer and half .from the 55th Company executed a t1anking movement, driving the enemy from Hill 299. From this hill a heavy fire had been coming which had checked the Battalion. In these woods we captured approximately 30 machine guns, one battery of 8'' and about 12 - 6" guns. There were about 30 Officers or N. C. O's of the enemy found at their guns either killed or wounded. Closely following the barrage our line passed on to the second objective, the ravine one kilometer north of Bayonville. Here we halted for 40 minutes and were leap-frogged by the Third Battalion. 5th Regiment U. S. Marines 21 0 We followed in support of the Third Battalion ,and on the third objective being reached, organized a support position on Hill 300. Here we remained until the morning of November 3rd, snh­ jected to intermittent artillery fire. The weather was very cold and it rained continually. At 6 : 00 A. M. the 3rd, we leap-frogged the Third Battalion and followed in support of the 9th Infantry who had taken the lead. Following a bearing of 15" we advanced over the hilly country, our right flank passing through Nouart. In the afternoon the 9th Infantry having gained their ob­ jective, the Battalion organized a support position on a hillside about one kilometer north of Nouart. Here enemy planes flying low attempted to&filade our lines with machine gun fire. An enemy battery at close range got direct fire on us inflicting casualties at a rapid rate. They were spotted and the 37 mm brought_ytto action. The three enemy guns quickly retired and we spend"a quiet evening. At 3 :00 A. M. the next morning, November 4th, in the continued cold rain we continued the advance northward still supporting the 9th Infantry. The route taken was through' Le Champy Haut, thence to a position 500 yards south of La Tuileire Farm. This position was held from 9 :00 A. M. until 9 :00 P. M. All during this time we were under extremely heavy artillery and machine gun fire. Part of the Battalion having to wear gas masks for four hours continuously. Quite a number of enemy planes harassing our position and adjusting the artillery fire. At 9 :00 P. M. same date we moved to La Belle Tour Farm. At this place taking up front line position between 9th Infantry and 89th Division, facing northeastward toward Pouilly. Strong patrols were sent to river bank. .. This position was held day of November 5th and on the morning of the 6th we moved to a position of reserve about one and a half kilometers northeast of Beaumont. Here we stayed two days. The weather continued rainy and colder, ice now forming in the water soaked holes the men were forced to dig for artillery protection. Our losses through sickness becoming heavy. We next moved to Bois de Murets into a reserve position. Here for the first time in 10 days the men could build small fires. On the afternoon of the 9th we moved up to Bois de Limon. 22 History of Second Battalion.

At 8 : 00 P. M. November 10th we moved to the little valley just north of Bois de !'Hospice preparatory to forcing our way across the Meuse River. Our location was soon discovered by the enemy and then began one of the heaviest bombardments we ever received0he night was black and the fog so heavy that the eneml(~ many flares were useless. This was a saving factor for us. . Thus exposed to the bombardment and the withering machine gun fire we remained until about 12 :00 P. M. finally crossing the river on the First Battalion's floating foot bridge, our own being destroyed. The enemy held the hillside in force firing on us with ma­ chine guns ·at very close range. Using the river l;Jank as pro­ tection we worked north destroying or capturing a number of these guns. / Just before dawn part of the 55th Company and 43rd Com­ pany forming into skirmish lines attacked and captured Belle Fontaine Farm located near the river and about 3 Yz kilometers north of where we had crossed. Here several machine guns and trench mortars were captured. This position was consolidated, the Companies forming into a curved line with their backs to the river and still conceale1l by the dense fog. The enemy withdrew, but continued sweeping the ground with machine gun fire from the hill top until 11 : 00 A. M.. when all firing ceased. Later it was learned officially that the armistice was on. The enemy made something of a joyous demonstration, our men for the most part slept. On November 12th the Battalion marched to Pouilly, con­ sisting now of about 150 men of the 43rd Company, known throughout the different fronts as the lncky Company, and ahout 70 or 80 in each of the other Companies. . ,., 5th Regiment U. S. Marines. 23 ~~======~======

November 17th-December 31st, 1918.

Leaving Pouilly on November 17th the Battalion started on its long march into Germany. We billeted in , France that night and the next day crossed into Belgiut'- Here we were loudly welcomed by every town,hrough which we passed, and in Han and Arion, in which we were billeted in turn, every hospitality was joyously extended. Passing on into Luxemburg on November 21st the hospitality and welcome continued. In Luxemburg we billeted in Usel­ dange, Colmar-Berg and Medernach in turn. On the morning of December 1st we crossed the German frontier. Continuing the march we billeted in the following towns; Krauscheit, Dauscheid, Willwerrath, Steffeln, Wiesbaum, Hof­ feld, Ahrweiler and Waldorf. On December 13th we crossed the Rhine (at Remagen) billeting that night in Honnigen. From here we moved on the 16th to our destination, the towns of Segendorf and Rodenbach. Th(( usual drill routine was taken up and the work of assim~ating our heavy repla~~ents begun. Many Battalion, Regimen:f¥,£,Brigade, along with some Di­ visional, manouvers were held, going into the defense and attack of sections in the general vicinity of Coblenz. It is an interesting fact that during the Winter of 1917-18 some of the manouvers simulated attack and defense of sections near Coblenz. • December 31st, 1918, found us settled into billets, the 18th Company occupying Rodenbach and the 43rd, 51st and 55th Companies in Segendorf.

m 24 History of Second Battalion.

Statistics. Casualties in action during major operations only. FRONT KILLED WOU'-;DED GASSED SICK MISSING Off. Men Off. Men Off. Men Off. Men Off. Men Chateau-Thierry 6 142 10 416 1 22 0 34 0 19 Soissons 3 14 4 119 1 5 2 123 0 73 St. Mihiel 2 9 0 19 0 0 2 77 0 10 Blanc Mont 5 39 7 188 1 4 1 57 1 71 Argonne-Meuse 0 23 5 120 0 4 2 158 0 32 --·-- TOTAL 16 227 26 862 3 35 7 449 1 205 Number of replacements since March 29, 1918 1731 , casuals since July 1st, 1918 510 " Original Battalion present 171 who were never evacuated 71 " " Prisoners of War (All wounded) 3

Total casualties Officers 53 Men 1778

This makes a loss of about 230 % in the six months fighting.