Argonne, War zone 1914-18.

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Re: Argonne, War zone 1914-18.

#16

Post by jluetjen » 13 Jun 2020, 03:53

From "Historique du 72e régiment d'infanterie pendant la campagne 1914-1918"
On September 13, the 72nd passed Sainte-Menehould; supports the 128th attack on Saint-Thomas; the 1st battalion enters Servon, which it evacuates only on order and being three-quarters surrounded.

On the 15th, the 2nd battalion launched a brilliant attack on Binarville, but ran into trenches and could not progress.

The war of movement, where the splendid qualities of the French soldier had done wonders, is over; the sly mole war, like the enemy who imposed it, will begin.

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Re: Argonne, War zone 1914-18.

#17

Post by Ken S. » 13 Jun 2020, 03:57



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Re: Argonne, War zone 1914-18.

#18

Post by jluetjen » 13 Jun 2020, 03:58

From "Le 18e bataillon de chasseurs à pied pendant la campagne 1914-1918"
The Battalion, the vanguard of the division, cheerfully launched out in pursuit of the enemy. The abandoned equipment shows the latter's haste to shirk. The evening of the 12th, the 18th is at Nettancourt, the 13th at La Neuville-au-Bois, the 14th at Sainte-Menehould. It was the very road he had followed, death in his soul, a few days before. The roles are reversed now. Before us flees the adversary, not without completing the looting of the houses, not always having time to drink all the bottles he has collected. The locals welcome us with joy, tell us of their anxieties and the ill-treatment they have suffered. At Sommeilles, still smoking at the time when the Battalion arrived there, the destruction was even greater than at Sermaize, which was, however, in the middle of a battle. The enemy's rage was given free rein there and, in an intoxication of destruction, he did not leave, in this beautiful village, a single house standing. Seven people were found burned in a cellar. And at the sight of so many ruins, the hatred of the invader penetrates deeply into everyone's heart. It is no longer German, it is not "Prussian". as the old people called them, those of 70, it is the "Boche", and this contemptuous term will remain until the end its title, which other devastations will soon know how to consecrate.

On the 15th, resistance was felt: the enemy arrived on an organized line. The corps attacks on two points: Binarville-Servon. Sliding from one to the other, the Battalion found itself in the afternoon engaged in the attack on the second of these villages from which our first infantry elements had just been repelled. It advances to the edges without being able to enter it.

Attacks resumed on the 16th, but the enemy strengthened and, supported by a powerful heavy artillery, maintained its positions.

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Re: Argonne, War zone 1914-18.

#19

Post by jluetjen » 13 Jun 2020, 04:06

From "Historique du 3e régiment du génie : guerre de 1914-1918"
At the time of the Battle of the Marne, the 2/1 goes north, comes to the Marne, then takes part in the march forward on the woods of Argonne. The 36 division, after a lively pursuit, encountered the enemy on September 15 in the Bois de la Gruerie, in front of Binarville, Servon and Melzicourt.

Nothing can push back the enemy, powerfully established, and one should only think of organizing the sector for resistance on the spot. The 2/1 participated tirelessly in this organization until January 1915, while providing the sections necessary for the attacks or the combats of November 10, 4, 6 and at the end of December I914 and of January 5 1915.

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Re: Argonne, War zone 1914-18.

#20

Post by jluetjen » 13 Jun 2020, 04:28

Ken S. wrote:
13 Jun 2020, 03:57
147e RI

Screenshot 2020-06-12 at 9.41.10 AM.png
https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k ... /f10.image
Here's a translation for those of us who don't read French very often...
Like the previous days, it is for everyone the contempt for death. We fight and hold until the enemy is forced to evacuate positions. On the night of 11-12, the Germans retreated. The chase is bitter, but you don't feel tired. ,

From September 15, the fight resumes again, entering ARGONNE, in the region of VIENNE-LE-CHATEAU. This wooded region, with its deep and deep ravines, makes walking difficult and surprise possible. Nevertheless, the 147th thwarts the enemy's tricks, repels its furious assaults and retains a certain advantage over it. Trenches are established on both sides.

The few days which elapse from the 15th to the 18th, during which the German and French positions are determined, will only be the prelude to the struggle of all times that the regiment will have to sustain.

ARGONNE. - 1914-1915.

After three days during which, despite penetrating rain, without shelter, without fire, each soldier shows incomparable energy and vigor, the trenches are dug and, although full of water, they will be occupied and well defended .

The attacks then succeed the attacks, the fight takes on a harshness perhaps unique during the campaign. The leaders appeal to energy, to the spirit of sacrifice of the troops. These magnificent endurance, respond to this call with multiple traits of bravery.

In shapeless trenches, a few steps from the enemy, under the perpetual threat of large caliber bombs and mines always ready to play, living in real streams of mud, having no answer

that means of fortune, all provide an increasing effort and astonish the German by their obstinacy.

BAGATELLE, ravine of FONTAINE-AUXCHARMES, FONTAINE-MADAME, ravine of MORTAR, so many names which represent for those who lived there, a splendid page of the History of the Regiment, a set of tragic hours during which each competes with courage and endurance, superbly supporting the shock of the elite of the German army provided with superior equipment.

The 147th sees an abundance of its heroes.

All of them tireless give there, during these three months, a magnificent example of what the indomitable will to conquer and not to undergo the German can do.

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Re: Argonne, War zone 1914-18.

#21

Post by jluetjen » 13 Jun 2020, 04:29

I think that this has pretty much covered this engagement.

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Re: Argonne, War zone 1914-18.

#22

Post by Ken S. » 13 Jun 2020, 18:20


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Re: Argonne, War zone 1914-18.

#23

Post by jluetjen » 14 Jun 2020, 00:23

(Translation of what Ken S. linked to from Google Translate)
The events at the German-French war scene. The fighting in the Argonner Forest.

The Argonne played no role in the war in 1870. The forest mountains were pulled through by German troops during the march on Sedan, which suffered shortages because of the sparse villages and the little water, but no fighting took place in them. Neither did such exist when the Crown Prince of Prussia's army advanced southwards between Argonne and Verdun towards the Marne at the beginning of September 1914. Even on Mute September the forest had been free from the enemy. The matter changed when, at the beginning of the now developing positional struggle, the German western army had taken a line that led from Reims in a west-easterly direction to the Meuse at Consenvoy. In the beginning, forest fights were not expected - the German troops waged theirs at Binarville on the west side and at Chatel on the east side of the Argonne. Positions close to the edge of the forest, while the mountains themselves were blocked by detachments. But when the French led well-known forces into the forest, with the apparent intention of initiating a comprehensive movement against one of the German wings leaning against the forest, the moment had come when the Argonne had to acquire a new military significance.
Here's a detail of Binarville today overlayed by the map that was included in the article. This map also clearly shows the location of the "ravine" that both the French and the Germans mentioned.
Binarville 2020.jpg
A copy of the map that was included in the article...
Argonne 1914.jpg
And the same map overlayed over google earth data. Except for a section at the very northeast of the forrest, much of it still is as it was in 1914.
Argonne 2020.jpg
Here's an image of inside the forest from the road that goes northeast from Binarville through the forrest.
Sample Argonne Today.jpg
A brief characteristic of the Argonne should be preceded by the description of the fighting. The forest area extends at a depth of about 40 km in a north-south direction and has a varying width of 8 to 12 km. It is divided by the valley of the Biesme into a north-east and south-west half of approximately the same size and also by rail and road Clermont en Argonne-St. Menehould split into a smaller south part and a larger north part. Only the northernmost part of the forest comes into consideration for the Argonne struggle; with him the two streets Clermont-Fleville and Elermont-Le Four de Paris-Vienne le Chateau, the former leading outside the Argonne, the latter in the Biesme valley. Only the streets Montblainville-Servon and Varennes-Le Four de Paris exist on better cross-connections through the northeastern part of the Argonne, as a north-south connection only the old Roman road running on the ridge of the forest mountains. In addition, of course, there are a plethora of logging ways of more or less questionable military utility. This is very dependent on the weather. In damp, rainy weather, the paths soon turn into baseless swamps due to the loamy soil. The forest area is a Bättelgebirge landscape that should correspond to the flatter parts of the Thuringian Forest. To the east it falls steeply and suddenly to the Aire, and inside it has numerous deeply cut valleys and gorges; the bare rock appears here everywhere. The Argonne is a genuinely French forest, which is known to consist mainly of thick bushes of beech, alder, oak and birch and is cut every 15 years, with the cripple wood obtained migrating into the fireplace. The Frenchman only left individual oaks and beeches and developed to full growth. The climbing plants in the French forest, as numerous as the ivy and the clematis, are wrapped around these trunks. The former covers large areas of the forest floor and this also grows particularly beautiful and numerous in the Argonne a small evergreen shrub, the so-called holly, and the broom. The forest is "little" inhabited. Only coal burners, wood cutters and hunters are employed there to. The inside of the forest is avoided by the population, if only because of its impenetrability. The names ruisssau äs Neurissaus ", mortv", Noulin äe I'Homine mort "also indicate this. This is how the forest, which has been reverberated for four months now, looks heavily occupied in the part of the forest south of Binarville and is well-known sent from the valley of the Biesme to the Barricade Pavilion, St. Hubert Pavilion and Baga telle Pavilion, which troops moored and trenches at the forest huts there and aimed at them swearing in. At the end of September, the German hunters found serious resistance to these barriers, so reinforcements were sent into the forest to throw the enemy back. But since these other troops too have been given a completely new character to the forest by the noise of the weapons and by the earthworks of the soldiers and the devastation of the fires.
When, at the end of September, the first German troops from the Airetal were pushed westwards into the Argonne, the French, thoughtfully exercising eastern parts of the forest, relaxed lively fighting here, which on both sides increasingly assumed the character of the position war. In the middle of the forest there were trenches behind trenches, which were connected by trenches. Shelters were built, and when the leaves fell, guns were brought into the forest. In addition to the natural nature of the forest, entanglements and wire obstacles made it difficult for the opponent to approach the artificially created systems. A battle of trench against trench began, often from step to step. In order to avoid unnecessary losses, a sap was used. With it also the strong weapons of the fortress war like mine thrower, hand grenades, revolver cannons, steel covers, sandbag packs and so on. s. w. and the work of the pioneers became more important. This weapon then also went to the Miuenang if other means did not lead to the target. All of this resulted in a very slow boron pace of the attack and an unusual amount of time, since only careful, well-considered preparations led to success. At first you had no artillery in the forest, then you let them appear on paths and trails, and finally you learned to use them all over the forest. A special feature of the French was the so-called donkey battery (mountain guns), a type of covering that was new to our soldiers. Tie population encouraged the French: soldiers dressed in German uniforms approached the German soldiers and tried to listen to them. The German soldier uudArgounenkämpser soon developed to the greatest of versatility. He quickly and easily adapted to new circumstances. As our allies soon applied superior means to the French and their soldiers were tough As far as speed, persistence and aggressiveness were concerned, there was a strong feeling of superiority about the enemy in the forest, which, apart from occasional countermeasures, was put on the defensive. The Feiud was unable to withstand their attacks, so that the German troops continued to advance slowly, but continuously, despite the strong strength that the Feiud was gradually opposing.
The major German attacks began at the turn of the months of September and October. On the right wing their troops entered the western Argonne from Binarville and gradually threw the Feiud back southward. In the middle of the forest, Bütte October was snatched from the enemies Barricade Pavilion and St. Hubert after the latter had fought fiercely. In the next few days, they pushed further west from here and approached the Biesmetale in the direction of Le Four de Paris, where you reached up to 400 and where you got stuck, and held up despite all the counter-attacks that the French have been executed since then. The Bagatelle Pavilion, one of the strongest bases of the French in the forest, had to be abandoned by Feiude on October 12 and left to the German attackers. The removal of the three pavilions he mentioned was a great moral success. They were not content with their possessions, but carried the offensive forward. But also for these, as in the previous battles, the gradual attack persisted. The infantry sapped and mounded steadily, often at night, to avoid unnecessary loss of life? avoid. The pioneer shook hands with the infantryman, who taught the former to do mining work in the rocky ground and to drive the tunnel underground. In the battles and storms, both fought and stormed shoulder to shoulder. The artillery man also appeared in the trenches. The result was a close comradely relationship, which hardly had come about even in peace, one trusting the other, each relying on the support of the other, facing everyone at all times in the face of death.
Trench after trench was won. Sometimes it was one, sometimes you stormed a whole group of trenches in a row. Dement
speaking, the gain in space fluctuated between Ä and 1000 m. Sometimes even greater progress was made, luuud and feiude also managed to achieve temporary small successes or to temporarily halt the course of action with counterattacks. Neither could prevent the German troops in the Argönner, which are under the command of the General of the Infantry of Mudra, from moving uninterruptedly in a slow, uninterrupted manner.
In terms of numbers, the German successes to date in the arguments can be expressed as follows. By the end of November the enemy had lost: 1,300 prisoners, 4,000 dead, 13,000 wounded.

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Re: Argonne, War zone 1914-18.

#24

Post by tigre » 18 Jun 2020, 21:14

Hello to all :D; well done jluetjen :wink:. More................................

Artillery combat in woods.

About 400 m to the left of the battery the woods bend to the north. A wide meadow cuts into them at this point. This point had been chosen by the enemy for a surprise assault on the battery. Firing is going on here as well. Suddenly, about 6 :15 a spirited infantry fire comes from the meadow to the left of the 1st Battery. The infantry company on the flank rushes at once across the hill towards the meadow.

In this precarious situation the battery commander decides on· the only correct solution: "limbers up! Up the hill and rapid fire! In the greatest haste carriages are limbered and by the utmost exertion of man and beast the battery goes into position through the withdrawing infantry. At 100 meters fire is launched on the dense masses of enemy infantry as they emerge from the thick woods.

Our infantry comes up again. The riflemen lie down between the carriages to reinforce the artillery fire. Part of the infantry helps with the transport 'of artillery ammunition. With the noise of combat the 3d Battery as well has limbered up, takes position next to the 1st, and opens fire on the assaulting enemy. In a few minutes the assault has been repelled and the enemy is in flight into the woods, having suffered heavy casualties.

The enemy had no better luck 2 km to the north. He had advanced unnoticed east of the lake in the woods 900 km from the 2d Battery 6th Field Artillery. At the last moment, this unit is warned by a patrol of the 11th Mounted Jägers that the enemy is in its rear. It turns quickly and with rapid fire greets the enemy emerging from the woods. The 600 to 900 meter area is shelled.

A chaplain arrives with about twenty men armed with carbines. They are from the trains of the 2d Uhlans and foot artillery. Learning of the dangerous situation of the battery they have been sent to help it. They take over the security of the left flank. A Landwehr Company sent by the Division is deployed on the right flank. In 15 minutes the assault has been repelled with severe casualties to the enemy. A squadron of the 11th Mounted Jägers sent by the Division to rescue the battery does not have to go into action.

On orders of the Battalion after things Have gotten quiet, the battery withdraws to a position in readiness west of Autry. It has but two badly wounded and has lost one draft animal.

Similarly the casualties of the other two batteries are hardly worthy of mention. The 1st lost 2 lead horses and in the 2d there were only a few slightly wounded men.

Source: "Artillerie im Waldgefecht" (From the war history 0the 6th Field Artillery.). Military Review. June 1933.

Cheers. Raúl M 8-).

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Re: Argonne, War zone 1914-18.

#25

Post by tigre » 02 Jul 2020, 20:11

Hello to all :D; Rummaging around I found some actions that happened a few days before the previous post ...............................

Withdrawal under cover of artillery.

In spite of modern weapons the burden of combat still rests on the infantry. To assist it in battle is still the purpose and goal of all other weapons. An exception occurs in the case of tpe withdrawal. In this operation, the mobiJe weapons of the Field Artillery became the important means. Now the artillery has the mission of again and again forcing the pursuin,g enemy to develop. It covers the withdrawal of its own troops by delaying the enemy, and retires by leapfrogging. Breaking contact with the enemy is a difficult business. A classical example of its successful solution is the withdrawal of the 11th German Division after the battle of the Marne during 12 to 14 September 1914. How the artillery executed its mission is told in the history of the 6th Field Artillery which 'acted as the artillery of the rear guard.

The portentous order of German G.H.Q. for change of front was received by the regiment on 12 September about 3 o'clock. The regiment was located in the area: Lisle- Louppy-Ie-Petit-Louppy-Ie-Chateau-Villotte with its six battteries in firing positions. It had been fighting here with frequent changes of position since the 10th. Since the battle on the Meuse the regiment had been part of the VI Corps of the Fifth Army (Crown Prince) and was now on the right wing. The VI Corps had advanced farthest and now during the withdrawal, inasmuch as it was near the pivot, it had to mark time until the adjacent corps to the west had begun to withdraw. It was for this reason that breaking off combat with the enemy was especially difficult for both leaders and troops.

The batteries remained in their positions until the infantry had withdrawn behind their lines. According to orders systematic harassing fire was continued on previous targets. Limbering began 1 1/2 hours after departure of the infantry. First the 5th and 6th batteries left their positions and withdrew on the infantry. The 4th battery took over their targets with greater intervals between shots. After another half hour it too limbered up, leaving a platoon behind which quietly continued the fire. Fifteen minutes later this platoon limbered up and rejoined its battery at the trot.

Things were similar in the 1st Battalion. Here the 2d battery, already farthest to the rear, remained in position while the other two batteries limbered -up and took up a rallying position at Dieu s'en souvienne-Fe. When they were ready to fire the 2d battery limbered up and followed its battalion. The 2d Battalion now went into a rallying position on a hilI about 800 meters north of Laheycourt. When this was done and nothing was to be seen of the enemy the 1st Battalion limbered up and retired on the rear guard at a trot. Nor did the 2d Battalion go into action and after 20 minutes it too retired. Nothing was to be seen of the enemy. The enemy artillery was still firing on the forward positions evacuated by our artillery.

Thus the withdrawal from combat had been effected without disorder and without casualties. The division continued the withdrawal in perfect order. Not one vehicle or piece of equipment was left behind to give the enemy the impression of hurried retreat. Only the wounded at the aid stations had unhappily to be left behind to the mercy of the enemy. Up to the last fire from the old position the enemy had been completely deceived. The rainy weather and low visibility helped the secrecy of operations. The enemy was so surprised at the withdrawal that he did not at first believe it. Not until 24 hours later did he venture to pursue. During the night two batteries remained in positions of observation close to the bivouac but they did not go into action as the enemy did not follow.

Source: "Loslösung vom Feinde unter dem Schutz der Artillerie". Military Review. June 1933.

Cheers. Raúl M 8-).
Attachments
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Withdrawal after the Battle of the Marne ........................................
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Re: Argonne, War zone 1914-18.

#26

Post by Ken S. » 09 Jul 2020, 19:58

Screenshot 2020-07-09 at 1.58.10 PM.png
Screenshot 2020-07-09 at 1.58.10 PM.png (358.25 KiB) Viewed 597 times
https://stenay.home.blog/87e-brigade/19 ... -dargonne/

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Re: Argonne, War zone 1914-18.

#27

Post by Ken S. » 09 Jul 2020, 20:04

From the history of RIR83:
Screenshot 2020-07-09 at 2.04.43 PM.png
Screenshot 2020-07-09 at 2.04.43 PM.png (902.69 KiB) Viewed 596 times
http://dfg-viewer.de/show/cache.off?tx_ ... 27bd33b3cd

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Re: Argonne, War zone 1914-18.

#28

Post by tigre » 09 Jul 2020, 20:06

Hello to all :D; thanks Ken :wink:. More..............................

Withdrawal under cover of artillery.

On the morning oflhe 13th the division was ready to march on the road at 6:00 AM, with the 6th Field Artillery again in the rear guard. But it had to wait until 11:10 AM in order to let the 12th Division, coming from the road junction 1500 meters north of Le Chemin, precede it on the road. Two batteries (one from each of the battalions of the 6th Field Artillery) took up positions of observation on the heights on either side of the road just south of Charmontoisle-Rois. They did not go into action. When the division was again ready to move, reports came from the rear guard cavalry that enemy columns had been observed on the Sivry -Daucourt-St.Menehould road, paralleling that on which the 11th Division was withdrawing.

The 6th Field Artillery therefore received the orders to cover the right flank of the division by taking up positions of observation and retiring by leapfrog as on the day before. In the reconnaissance of such a position the commander of the 1st Battalion reached a hill about 1000 meters west of Villers and from that point observed an enemy march column 2500 meters distant on the parallel road: Sivry-Menehould. Thereupon the regiment went into position at once, the 1st Battalion behind the heights west of Villers-en-Argonne about 600 meters from the exit of the village, the 2d Battalion just southwest of the junction of the road branching to Châtrices with its front opposite Daucourt.

For flank protection two companies of the Eleventh Grenadiers remained with the 1st Battalion. The division liaison officer who had been sent back for orientation explained the situation to the regimental commander and showed him the hostile column through the scissors telescope. It showed up plainly against the clear sky. Fair bait for the artillery. With the telescope one could plainly distinguish infantry and cavalry. It was even possible to distinguish a peculiar swinging step of the infantry and this meant they were Alpine Jägers.

The enemy column was marching ahead withollt any suspicion of the proximity of their opponent. Apparently they thought we were much farther ahead and therefore that reconnaissance was unnecessary. A tense feeling pervaded our personnel. Guns are pointed, aiming devices and time fuzes are set to a nicety. Such a target so close by, is seldom offered to the artillery. Yet the much hoped for command to open fire is not given. The liaison officer and the division adjutant bring the orders not to fire unless the enemy attacks. Everything is to be done in order to reach St. Menehould without combat.

Source: "Loslösung vom Feinde unter dem Schutz der Artillerie". Military Review. June 1933.

Cheers. Raúl M 8-).

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Re: Argonne, War zone 1914-18.

#29

Post by Ken S. » 09 Jul 2020, 20:32

This is from September 24, 1914 but still may be of interest.
http://www.malvache.com/lobbedey/tag/servon-melzicourt/

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Re: Argonne, War zone 1914-18.

#30

Post by tigre » 16 Jul 2020, 20:57

Hello to all :D; thanks again Ken :wink:. More..............................

Withdrawal under cover of artillery.

The separate batteries are ordered not to open fire independently. A decision unwelcome to the artillery yet in the interest of the whole command. Since the enemy column marched quietly forward the battalion limbered up and followed the division. In the meanwhile the commander of the 2d Battalion had put one of his batteries into position 1500 meters farther to the north on the high ground of Bois des Chambres. Thereupon the other two batteries of the 2d Battalion limbered up and followed the 1st Battalion. A short time later the last battery of the 2d Battalion left its position and rejoined its battalion.

Suddenly infantry and artillery fire is heard coming from the north. Just north of Verrieres the divisional advance guard had gotten into a fight with the enemy in which the 42d Field Artillery, which had taken up positions on hill 183 south of St. Menehould, suffered extensive casualties. At the same time its well aimed fire drove the enemy infantry into retreat to hills 179 and 191. Nor did it venture to go forward again. In order not to run into enemy artillery fire the last elements of the division, with 6th Field Artillery, turned to the east off of the road, marched through the village of Verrieres, deep under cover, into the valley of the Aisne, thence on the railway embankment east around Pavillon hill, and back to the road, which it reached at the sugar factory at the southern entry of the city.

In the city itself confusion reigned. Besides the XVIII Reserve Corps, which was marching through St. Menehould on Berzieux, the division also again encountered the 12th Division which had previously caused the four hour delay and thereby the contact with the enemy south of the city and the consequent casualties of the 42d Field Artillery. Again an unwelcome delay ensued due to the congestion in the city streets. Only by dint of great efforts by the staff officers of the division was order restored and the advance continued.

It was here that the 11th Division received the order that the heights at St. Menehould would be occupied by the XVIII Reserve Corps while the VI Corps (11th and 12th Divisions) would be withdrawn as army reserve to St. Thomas. But the artillery of the 11th Division was supporting the XVIII Reserve Corps in holding its position.

Source: "Loslösung vom Feinde unter dem Schutz der Artillerie". Military Review. June 1933.

Cheers. Raúl M 8-).

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