B(K)k .3a I'KKSlvNTlil) liV A History of the Sixty-Sixth Field Artillery Brigade American Expeditionary Forces COMPOSED OF THE 146th FIELD ARTILLERY and^ THE 148th FIELD ARTILLERY; NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS FROM THE WESTERN STATES OF COLORADO. WYO- MING, WASHINGTON, IDAHO, OREGON, NEW MEXICO. .W7 Designed. Engravbd AND Printed The Smith-Brooks Printing Co. Denver. Colorado r Table of Contents Foreword 5 Tactical History of the (i(ith Field Artillery Hriyjide 8 History of the 14(ith Field Artillery 85 History of the 148th Field Artillery 149 Pictorial History 1 87 Roster of the (i(Uh Field Artillery Brigade Head(iiiartei-s. . . 2:}9 Roster of the 146th Field Artillery 245 Roster of the 148th Field Artillery 299 ( 'asualties :?53 Letters and Appreciations 365 (leneral information 371 '/ MAPS, Western Front Activities Champa gne-]M a rne Defensive (2) Ainse-Marne Offensive St. Mihiel Offensive ^Mense-Argonne Offensive Overland March into Germany Road March Western Front FOREWORD Millions and millions of men — the splendid dower of nearly every civilized nation on the <>lobe — have been ened for the past four years in making histoi-y; in laying down new »eo<>raj)hi(al lines; in reeonstrnctinii the moi-al fibre, the industrial fabric and the Christian spirit of a re- calcitrant people. A true Democracy is being s])read abroad and the whole world is beino- revitalized. Ho])e has been rekindled in the breasts of hoi)eless races; their eyes shine with new lustre; their hearts beat Avith a fresh conraije. Political and social serfdom is being replaced by an enfran- chised and caste-fi-ee independence. The shackles wrought by ages of submission on the part of the many, to the might and authority of the few, are being eliminated. In brief, the world is to be again more nearly that for which it was origi- nally created — the abiding place of a world-united people, cognizant of that great jtrinciple of the Aiuerican people, the inalienable right to pursue liberty and ha])piness, and to found and maintain llieir lionu's in peace, and in accord with their neighbors. Two million men from our own beloved Ignited States engaged in this great rebellion against a detestable domina- tion and the whole world knows, in general, the effective i»art they played in the universal drama. Three thousand men and officers in this 6()th Field Artillery Brigade accepted their appointed task in the work. They feel a quiet satisfaction in their accomplishments. The}' have the consciousness of a duty well performed. Their labors in the great woi-ld tragedy have been finished, and they return to their homos and their customary occupations secure in the knowledge thai they have been true to themselves, their country and their God. This volume is not designed as a literary achievement, though it is not without such merit. It is not offered in the spirit of aggrandizement or boasting. The bulk of the offi- cers and men came from the great states of Colorado, Wyo- ming, Idaho, Oregon, Washington and New Mexico. They are proud to have haiigade and contribute it to the historical archives; To gather together in logical scipience, Ihe major and minor incidents of two years close association, and aid in cementing the precious ties of friendshi]) and admiration that the men and officers feel for one another; 6 History of 66th Field Artillery Brigade To give an accounting of the stewardship entrusted by the great states from whence this Brigade came, and to transmit to posterity the knowledge that the Great Northwest produced men who were ready to battle for principle, to aid the weak, to avenge a wrong against huintinity and to stand for Right. To the members of the 66th Field Artillery Brigade who gave their lives on the Field of Battle, or succumbed to in- jury or sickness in camp, this book is reverently dedicated. Captain William S Pettit 1st Lieutenants Walter C. Lee Joseph H. Murray, Jr. Louis H. Pinkham 2nd Lieutenants John A. McCleverty John Kirkpatrick Sergea nt -Major Kenneth H. Brown First Sergeant Arthur J. Gronquist Sergean ts Grant M. Barber George E. Mitchell Homer H. McDaniel Mack W. Snyder Corporals Arthur W. Lewis Clarence F. Holland John M. Fouste Everett W. Maxwell Iver Burke Leonard C. Purkey Charles F. Chesson Barney M. Hodge Even B. Campbell Raymond F. Parry Mechanic Tom Grimes Saddler Jess C. Martin Wagoners Melvin Galbraith Reuben Lawlor Charles R. Specht Harrison I. Busey Joseph R. Don Charles C. Kelley Lionel H. Harris Clyde J. Robey Buglers William A. Orendorf Angelos Poulos Privates, First Glass Carl E. Ross Conrad Hoff Edward H, Bitzer Frank A. Imbler Hyrum A. Perry Gerald A. Malarkey John L. Leahy Charles L. Conry Arthur Stough Charles R. Rouste Anthony W. Rowe Ura L. Adams Gerald M. McMeal Howard L. Botkin Robert G. Hughes Lawrence E. Durre Everett McDaniel John Farquhar Roy E. Dykes William S. Brown Henry E. Wadsworth Privates Frank J. Starr History of OGth Field Artillery Brigade William D. Martin Charles W. WistLotf Charles Biirckle Ivan Brokovieh Frank C. Parks Walter L. Smith Santo J. Austin William F, Pittinger John H. Pitts Arthur .7. Rood Joseph Dolio William H. Warden Archie C. Staunard James M. Webster Wallace Gray Charles A. Parren Otis E. Pierson Anton B. Sorensen Jesse J. McManaw^ay David C. Cottrell Benjamin R. Carlson Stanley Passkiet Abraham L. Roberts Earl Galliher Thomas G. Walker Arthur C. Woodrow Alma Pitkin Frank T. Armstrong- Edward \\. Ballard Clavton W. Biadwav Etail W. Butler Burton Robcrson Guy A. Larson Lafayette Blackburn Homer O. Aikin Wade Vj. Harris Robert L. ^Montgomery Benjamin TI. Sjtrague John F. Cox Conrad A. Jensen Walter C. Ridgeway Carl A. Hassell>lad Joseph D. Lambert James W. Foy Milton Miickelson John S. Solloway Leander E. Olsen Quinton A. Wilson Lawrence Rio Bernard McCafferv ♦There were cases where wounded were evacuated and later died, but unless official confirmation of death was received names are carried as wounded. CHAPTER I PERIOD OF ORGANIZATION AND TRAINING IN THE U. S. The initial organization of tlie GGth Field Artillery Brig- ade dates back to September, 1917, when at Camp Greene, Charlotte, North Carolina, the brigade was christened by the War Department and officially came into existence. Its identity was shaped by the stirring events following April 6, 1917, when the United States, to save her national integrity and honor, declared war on Germany, America was confronted with the tremendous problem of creating a vast army from untrained civilians. The various National Guard troops had returned home from the Mexican border and were recruiting and training in preparation for the call to Federal service. By the latter part of June, practically all the states had begun the mobili- zation of these troops. The War Department in its plans used these units and the regular army organizations as a nucleus around which to build up the many new divisions contemplated. Following the Federalization of National Guard units, August 5th, 1917, huge army cantonments sprang like magic into existence. At these camps, divisions were being rapidly mobilized. The 41st Division was being formed at Camp Greene, Charlotte, North Carolina, under command of Brig- adier General Jervey. Camp Greene was one of the first large cantonments to be completed. During the months of September and October, there came to Camp Greene, the National Guard Organizations from several western states. Over the Sunset trail, came troopers, artillerymen and infantry from Oregon, Washington, Colo- rado, Idaho, New Mexico and Wyoming. Imbued with that virile pep and strength which seems to be breathed in with that Western ozone, and seasoned with recent campaigns on the Mexican border, these buckaroos from the sage brush and cactus, entered eagerly into the big roundup which was to qualify them for speedy entrance into the world fray for Democracy. These western troops were considered in the mamtmoth war plan as part of the 41st Division. Even while som/e of the organizations were still enroute, for Camp Greene, the Headquarters of the 41st Division issued General Order No. 2, dated September 19, 1917, which, pursuant to telegraphic instructions from the War Department, provided for the in- IIlSTdUV OF OOtH FllOLD AkTILLKUV liUKiADK itial orjiaiii/ation of llie (i(»tli Field Artillery P>riiiath and 148lh were changed to Heavy Artillery and the P»rigade made Army or Corps Artillery, thereby having no divisional affiliation and consisting of but two regiments of Heavy Artillery. The units selected in the organization of the 146th Kegi- ment of Field Artillery were Battery ''A" of Koswell, New Miexico; the Second Idaho Infantry, composed of companies "A", ''B"', ''C", and "D", Head(inarters and Su]>ply comjianies and the 1st Battalion of Washington Artillery, com])Osed of batteries "A" from Walla Walla, '^B" from Benton and Yaki- ma counties and ''C" from Spokane. The New Mexico battery left its state mobilization camp at Albuquerque, New Mexico, September 24th, arriving at the regimental mobilization point, Camp (ireene, Septend)er 30tli. The Idaho troo|)s like- wise left their state camp, Boise Barracks, Boise, Idaho, on September 24th, arriving at Camp Greene, October 1st, and the Washington Artillery Battalion leaving Fort Walla Walla, Washington. October 9th, and did not reach Camp Greene until October 16th. Colonel W. H. Edelblute of Idaho was in command of the 146th Regiment. Dtiring this time, the units of the 148th were being j)re- pared for service, taken from the state camps and brought to Camp Greene. Wyoming infantry, composed of Head- quarters and Supply companies, and '*A", "B", and ''C", and "D" companies were assigned to the new regiment. They left their barracks at Fort D. A. Russell, Cheyenne, September 2, arriving at Cani]t Greene Se|)tember 7th, the first of the regi ment to arrive there, and taking the brunt of the cam]) work in preparation for other units to come later. Other com- panies of the Third Wyoming infantry were assigned to the 116th Ajnmunition Train, a part of the 41st Division. Of the Wyoming troops assigned to the 148th, Company ''A'' was re- cruited at Newcastle, "B" in Lander, "C" in Powell, ^'D'' in Sheridan, Head(]uarters company in Sheridan and Sup])ly company in Cheyenne. The Colorado artillery coni])osed of Batteries "A'-. "B", and "C from Ft. Collins, Denver and Colorado Springs in the order named, was mobilized at Camp Baldwin on the outskirts of Denver early in July. Leaving that camp for Camp (xreene Septemlier 29th, the batteries arrived at the southern mobilization point October 2, report- ing to Colonel J. W. Cavender. commanding the regiment. The Oregon cavalry composed of Troojxs "A'\ "B", "C". and '*D" made up the first separate Squadron of Oregon National Guard. The Squadron left its state mobilization point, Camp 10 History of 6Gth Field Artillery Brigade Withy combe, September 6tli and made a nine days' journey to Camp Greene, reporting there September 14th. The G6th Field Artillery Brigade, being organized as divisional artillery consisted of three regiments of light ar- tillery, and also exercised command over certain affiliated units of the division. The other regiment of the Brigade was the 147th Field Artillery. This regiment, the 116th Ammuni- tion Train and the 116th Trench Mortar Battery, all of which were under Brigade jurisdiction, were of western origin. In fact, the entire 41st Division was made up of western troops, and was officially known as the Sunset Division. During the organization, the preliminary training as light field artillery was immediately begun. This instruction consisted chiefly of calesthenics, standing gun drills and the training of the horses for the artillery work. As the major- ity of the horses had been recently purchased by the govern- ment from the western plains, they first had to be "broke". The westerners entered into this work with keen zest. Many of them were horsemen and broncho busters of international reputation. The remount station at Camp Greene became the dail}' scene of a western round-up. The citizens of Char- lotte paid many visits to the remount station to see the won- derful feats of horsemanship. It was a novel entertainment to see the quick toss of the lariat, the saddling, for the first time, of a rearing, kicking, biting horse, followed by the light vault to the saddle, and the final triumph of a yelling rider, as he "fanned" with his hat, a whirling, twisting, "sun-fish- ing" western bronc trying by all the tricks of the plains to throw that rider. The westerners won the admiration of the citizens of Charlotte. Camp Greene was but a fifteen minute hike from Charlotte, a hospitable, southern city with a popu- lation of 60,000. Its citizens outvied each other in extending the friendly hand of welcome to the soldiers from the west. The Chamber of Commerce organized a citizens league for the especial purpose of entertaining them. Churches and clubs opened reading, writing and rest rooms for their convenience. Dances and banquets were held in their honor and every- thing possible was done to break the monotony of camp life. In return the westerners entertained the citizens with a mon- ster western round-up, which was held just before their de- parture. The Brigade bade farewell to its Southern host during the latter part of October and were soon encamped on the historic wind-swept plains of Hempstead, Long Island at Camp Mills, occupying that part of the large camp left vacant by units of the Rainbow Division which had shortly before sailed for France. The 146th regiment arrived at Camp Mills, October 2'5th and the 148th regiment reached there two days later. History of GGth Field Artillery Brigade 11 The actual organization of the Brigade, under the com- mand of Brigadier General Vollrath was completed at Camp JMSlls. Here, while waiting for embarkation orders, the regi- ments went through an interesting and instiiictive training in the use of the three-inch American field piece. The rigors of winter and camp conditions became so bad that troops stationed at Camj) ]\Iills were ordered away on December Tth. Brigade headquai'ters moved to Camp Merritt, Tenafly, New Jersey. The ]4()th followed on this date and the 148th moved one week later. All material for the three-inch gun had been turned in at Camp IMills and the Brigade had only personal equipment. Its strength had been recruited by replacements at Camp Mills, although it did not lose its Western identity, as the transfers came from units from California, Utah and Montana. Brigadier General E. A. Wedgwood was in command of the Brigade from November 12th until December 11th when he was relieved by Brigadier General George Lee K. Irwin. Brigadier General Ernest Hinds was assigned command of the Brigade on January 17th, 1918. Camp IMerritt, with its commodious and heated wooden barracks proved a veritable palace in comparison to the squad tents and Sibley stoves of Camp Mills. The Brigade had moved from Camp Mills in a blizzard, and it was with no regrets they entered the newly erected barracks at Merritt with their many conveniences. The artillery instruction and training was continued here during the short stay before em- barkation. Never will the Avestern soldiers forget their reception and entertainment in New York. The majority of them had never been east. They hit the Broadway trail for the first time, and their Metropolitan adventures prov^ed like the rubbing of Alladin's lamp. Imagine the feelings of western cowpunch- ers being wined and dined by kings of finance who thought in six figures. Every New Yorker, from the highest strata of the elect 400 to the commonei- did his bit in the entertainment program. IMadison Square Garden was opened up free, and the stars of the dramatic and operatic world shone for them alone. They grew blas^ and dined at ease in Rector's, Churchill's, Sherry's. They became clubmen, and the Rocky ]\rountain Club, thrown open in their honor, became a popular rendezvous. The men of the GOth Brigade left behind some splendid and very dear fostei' parents in New York. And when the Goddess of Liberty l)e(ame a tiny sj^eck of farewell, as they sped away over seas, many a vow was registered to hit the Broadway trail again. But the trail that l)eckoned strongest was overseas and orders for embarkation came at last. CHAPTER II THE PERIOD OF EMBARKATION AND VOYAGE OVERSEAS The Brigade received its orders to prepare for embarka- tion early in December, bnt no definite sailing dates had been designated. The War Department was judiciously guarding the overseas movements of its troops with the utmost secrecy. The commanding officers alone knew the exact hour and date their troops were to board a certain liner. Not until they had crossed the gang plank did the soldier know what vessel was to transport him across. This secrecy was absolutely necessary, for out on the high seas there lurked a deadly and dangerous menace. Using as bases, the hidden caves and secret rendezvous that fringed the Irish coast, the Hun sub- marines kept a vigilant patrol, and experience had taught, that these sea asps were remarkably well informed as to when troops sailed and on what liners. The excitement and eagerness was high among the men of the 66th Brigade when they learned that soon they were to sail for France. Many were the surmises and rumors. The thrill of running the submarine gauntlet was before them. The majority had never made an ocean voyage. All the many minor re(iuirements demanded by Army regulations had been complied with. Allotments had been made to wives, mothers and dependents. Insurance policies were taken out under the Government War Risk plan. Much contagious disease had developed among the men and the sailing was further de- layed by quarantines. Every man had been given the innocu- lations as required by the army medical regulations. The rules governing embarkation had been carefully studied and the passenger lists filled out. Each regiment had prepared its freight list and computed the amount of cubic feet neces- sary for its transportation across the Atlantic. The 146th regiment was more fortunate in regard to sick ness and received the first orders to embark. On December 24th, the S. S. Lapland, a White Star liner, lay at her moor- ings, at the Hoboken docks. Her huge funnels were emitting clouds of smoke which bespoke a sudden sailing. During the afternoon, the baggage and equipment of the 146th regiment which had been sent ahead of the regiment to the docks, went down into the hold of the Lapland. At 1 :30 p. m. the men of the 146th in single file crossed the gangway and filed down below. Strict orders were issued that every soldier be kept History of (UJtii Fikld Artilleijv F)UI(;ai>io 13 below decks. Shortly afterwards, the Laplaud turned her nose down the bay and steamed silently out to sea. The first unit of the Brigade had sailed, but the usual scene that attends a ship's departure was lackinp;. There was no throng of smiling faces, no waving handkerchiefs, no cheering blasts from siren whistles. War had changed all that. The Lap- land on December 2(jth steamed into the harbor at Halifax, Nova Scotia, joined a convoy of seven other vessels, which soon set out to sea and arrived at the Liverpool docks on the morning of January 7th. Several submarines had been sighted during the voyage, but the convoy had successfully evaded them. Brigade Headijuarters and the 147th sailed on the Olym- pic, January 9th and arrived at Liverpool, January 2'Oth. The 148th regiment, delayed by quarantine, did not sail until January 23rd, leaving on that date on the White Star liner, Baltic, arriving at Halifax January 25th. In convoy with nine other vessels and a British cruiser, she again put out to sea and arrived at Liverpool, February 5th. Tlie voy- age of the 148th was uneventful until the Irish sea was reached, when on the evening of February 5th, at dusk, the Tuscania, that was following the Baltic at only a few hundred yards was hit by a torpedo. The convoy immediately split up, every ship making for port at top speed, and the last seen of the gallant sinking ship, was her signal lights and rockets calling for assistance. The running away and leaving Ameri- cans to drown went against the grain of every man on the Baltic, but under the rules of the submarine fighting game, nothing could be gained by staying, and the Baltic would have been endangered. In making the voyage, all three convoys followed practi- cally the same course, taking a northerly direction and turn- ing southeasterly near the Island of Greenland and thence zig-zagging across and through the Irish sea to Liverpool. The detailed story of the ocean voyages, the life aboard shi]». the landings at Liver])ool, the panoramic journey across England, the American rest camps at Winchester. England and at Le Harve, France, the voyage across the English Channel and the trip across picturesque France to the big artillery training camp near Bordeaux will have to be chron- icled separately. But the goal had been reached. Now a part of the A. E. F., and united, with the exception of the 147th regiment, which had been transferred, the Brigade was ready for the training which was to eventually lead it to the Rhine. The separation of the 147th Regiment of Field Artillery followed with the issue of General Order No. J?, Headquarters, A. E. F., dated January 15th, 1918, providing for the organi- zation of the 1st Army Corps, A. E. F. Paragraph 2 of this order went into effect, January 20th, 1918, and designated 14 History op 66th Field Artillery Brigade the 66tli F. A. Brigade (less one regiment, i. e. the 147th) as Corps Artillery. As reorganized in accordance with table No. 12, series A, January 1918, the Brigade was composed of two regiments, the 146th and 148th equipped with 155 mm G. P. F. guns, motorized artillery. CHAPTER III THE PERIOD OF REORGANIZATION AND TRAINING IN FRANCE The 66th Field Artillery Brigade received its training at Camp de ^^ouge, formerly a French concentration camp, located about twenty kilometers southwest of Bordeaux. Many additions had been made by the early American con- tingents stationed there to make it comfortable for troops. Immense storage buildings, new Adrian barracks, school buildings, and other construction was hurried, the labor used being largely Chinese furnished by the French government. One of the largest artillery target ranges in France was lo- cated at Souge and to co-operate with the Americans in the instruction of their troops, the French Goverament had es- tablished a French Miission at the Camp. The 146th regiment arrived at Camp Souge January 16th and immediately began its training. The 148th following the same route from Le Harve, arriving at the camp February 15th. One battalion of the 51st Coast Artillery was being train- ed at Camp de Souge upon the arrival of the 66th Brigade, and the two batteries forming it assisted the French Mission in the preliminary training of the first Brigade of Corps Ar- tillery in the American Army. The new guns of the training battalion were used by the 66th until their own 155 G. P. F's arrived. The tables of organization under which the Brigade was reorganized provided for a total strength of 150 officers and 3429 enlisted men. This included the Staff and Brigade Head- quarters Detachment. Each regiment consisted of a Head- quarters Company, Supply Company, an Ordnance Detach- ment, MJedical Detachment and three battalions of two bat- teries each. Four guns constituted one battery, making eight to the Battalion and 24 to the regiment. The authorized strength of a battery was five officers and 222 enlisted men. and for a regiment 71 officers and 1689 enlisted men, Avhicb included the Ordnance and Medical Detachments carried as attached. The brigade was below its authorized strength and never during its eventful history did it function with a com- plete personnel. Some of the men left behind on details, in- cluding a detachment sent to Norfolk, Virginia in charge of the horses, never rejoined the Brigade, but the majority of 16 History of 66th Field Artillery Brigade those left behind in hospitals and on details, arrived during the training- period at Souge. The Brigade was fortunate in having as instructors, French Artillery officers whose (experience at the front had taught them the finesse of artillery warfare. They in turn were very much surprised, that these Americans, new to the game, and with only a short training, and that practically theoretical in the use of the three inch American field piece, took their G.P.F's and started making records right from the start. But the Brigade had no easy task. The course of training was comprehensive. It covered a vast scope and diversity of subjects aside from the laying and firing of the piece, which had to be mastered in a comparatively short time. The following is an extract from a letter dated February 19, 1918, to Brigadier General Ernest Hinds in command of the Brigade from Major General Liggett. "'I am fully aware of the fact that you have a hard proposi- tion in creating artillery out of the haphazard collection which was translated into artilleiy from infantry and other sources. However we are all up against practically the same proposition, and I am convinced that if any man can swing the job you are that individual." How well that task was performed is shown by the Brigade record at the front. The Brigade received the personal thanks of the Commander-in-Chief for its meritorious service and also a splendid tribute from the French. The G.P.F. or six inch ritie, the use and practice of which the Brigade had to become masters, offered wonderful possibili- ties. G.P.F. or "Grande Puissance Filloux" was the name given the rifle by the French and it was truly an instrument of "Great Power" and of wonderful accuracy for a long range piece. It was itself a creation of war being invented by the Frenchman Filloux. Its manufacture dated from July, 1917, and more than fulfilled the expectations of its inventor. Weighing in travel- ing position 14 tons, mounted on rubber tired wheels, drawn by tractors along the roads at 12 kilometers an hour, and firing a 98 pound projectile, six inches in diameter at an accurate range of 16 kilometers (10 miles), the Hun listened to a mighty con- vincing argument when these 21 foot tubes spoke and launched their message of concentrated destruction in his midst. To guide the destiny of forty-eight of these instruments of destruction through four big offensives, with the proper handling of a total equipment worth more than |6,000,000.00 meant a thoi-ough and comprehensive course of training to qualify for the front. Modern warfare as played on the European chess-board had developed the Army specialist, and nowhere was he more essen- tial than in the Artillery branch of the game. To properly func- tion, a Brigade of Army Artillery, as well as its component units, even down to each gun crew, had to be composed of men History of (KIth Field Artillery liHiGADE IT specialized in certain duties and trained in that special task until their eflficiency had been raised to the nth power. The Brioade ^vas motorized. That meant a small army of gas engine specialists, and expert drivers for the big tractors. The War Department from the start, in co-o])eration Avith the French, made its big plan cover in its scope everything that would make an efficient American Army. An essential jtart of this plan was a system of schools and a faculty composed of oflScers direct from the front. A big tractor school at Camp de tSt. Maur near Vincennes had been established. Langres was a great school center, with its staff college, where staff organiza- tion was taught to carefully selected oflftcers. Men in the ranks who had shown (lualities of leadership and ability could (pialify for commissions. At the artillery school at Sauinnr, young oflScers could learn the technique of Artillery. There were radio and telephone schools at several places. At Tremblay and Boulogne were provided mechanical courses. At Paris was a large ordnance school. To these schools, covering as a whole the necessary training of the entire organization, the 6Gth Field Artillery Brigade sent its quota of officers and enlisted men. Men of the Brigade who did not know even the the rudiments of military technicpie came back from these schools, ipialified as specialists and experts. In addition to the great school system. Camp de Souge with its firing school and different courses of instruction, had a complete and comprehensive curriculum headed by an efficient French Mission. The instructors at the head of the Mission were Captain LaRiviere and Cajitain Barret. During the training period, the goal kept constantly in view was readiness for immediate service at the front. It was necessary that the organization be trained to function as a whole, and batteries, battalions, and regiments were constantly practiced in operation as a unit of the Brigade, so that each part of the machine was accustomed to working with the other I)arts. The most im])ortant features of training aside from the firing pratice, were tactical problems, map firing, theoretical and ])ractical instruction of officers and non-commissioned officers, care and protection of material, ammunition, safety of |>ersonnel, communications, liaison, first aid, gas instruction, convoying and movement by rail. The firing on the range commenced February 4th and was finished bA' March 17th. During this service firing, airi»lanes and sausage balloons were employed for observation. Battery oflBcers made several ascents to dizzy heights in the balloon and a number acted as observers in the airplane flights. This in- struction in the auxiliai'y branches of the service was particular- ly beneficial. It gave the artilleryman a clearer idea of the pos- sibilities and limitations of aerial observation. It made him appreciative of the difficulties which hamper the work of an 18 HiSTOuY OF (JOxH Field Artillery Brigade aerial observer, but it also disclosed to him the advantages and importance of this modern method of observation and the neces- sity for its employment to the fullest at the front. Radio and panel men also viorked out with the planes and many successful reglages were made by wireless communication between the plane and the battery. The telephone men also had their share of this interesting instruction. Talking to the basket of the ball'oon 4000 feet in the air, furnished a diversion which was both pleasing and novel. Everyone enjoyed talking to the man in the basket. The practical application of the most modern of the late inventions in connection with the employment of artillery was intensely fascinating, and it was with added zeal that the officers and men of the brigade worked to master the intricacies of the science of modern artillery warfare. Each night all the officers of the brigade were gathered together by General McGlachlin for an open discussion of the points cov- ered during the day's instruction. These discussions proved very valuable. Mooted questions were brought up, discussed, and settled. Nearly every point connected with artillery work entered into the arguments and no stone was left unturned which later might prove a stumbling block. At this time those attending specialist schools had re- turned. The regiments had both been fully equipped with cannon, tractors, ordnance and spare parts, which under an agreement with the French government was furnished by the Puteaux and Vincennes arsenals. Motor vehicles, tractors and trucks came from the Versailles auto park. The tractors were of French make, Renaults and Latils, but the trucks were of English and American manufacture, purchased by the French during the war. The course at Camp de Souge was completed toward the end of April and as other organizations were coming in for their training, it was necessary to find other camps for the 66th Brigade until the call should come for service at the front. Organization and Training Center No. 1, of the A. E. F., was located at Libourne, a town of some 15,000 inhabitants, thirty kilometers inland. It was to this area that the Brigade was ordered. On April 14th the 146th made its first march by its own transportation to the small towns and villages around Libourne, the battalions and batteries being separated and billeted according to the limited accomodations which the small towns afforded. The 148th regiment followed on May 1st, proceeding to Castillion and vicinity, one of the larger of the many outlying towns around Libourne. Brigade headquarters established its new post of command in Libourne at the Villa de Char- mille. General McGlachlin and personal staff opened up the ancient Chateau d'Vayres, once the abode of Henry of History of 06th Field Artillery Brigade 19 Xavari'o, located on a boautiful knoll overlooking the Dor- dogne River, a shoit distance from Libourne. Libourne lies in the heart of the rich valley of the Gir- onde, sniTonnded bv vine clad hills, beautiful gardens, pic- turesque villas and ancient chateaus, it is a place of romantic beauty. It was hardly the projjer setting for a training ground for troops, but the work continued with unflagging zeal. Tactical problems were carried out with all the units participating as a brigade. Positions were reconnointered, night marches made, guns placed in firing position, telephone lines strung, battle P. C's and echelons established, targets were assigned and the firing data computed. Everything which a unit would be called on to do at the front was gone over and over again except the actual firing of the guns, in which the gun crews had become proficient on the range at Camp de Souge. This work continued until May 15th, when the 146tli regiment was ordered to Clermont Ferrand, Puy- de-Dome. for the training of the 55th and 56th Coast Artil- lery recently arrived from the States. This involved a trip by rail as Clermont PVrrand was in Central France and 300 kilometers from Libourne. At the same time the 148th regi- ment became instructors for the 57th and 60th Coast Artil- lery in the Libourne area. The training of the 146th and 148th regiments was further augmented by the instruction of these four organizations, which continued until the latter part of June. However the 66th Brigade had been inspected and pronounced ready for the front on May 1st. During the course of instruction at Camp de Souge, the Brigade was commanded in tnni by B't-igadier General Ernest Hinds and Brigadier General E. F. McGlachlin, Jr. General Hinds served until March 24th when he was promoted to Chief of Army artillery to the grade of Major General. Gen- eral McGlachlin was promoted to the position of Major Gen- eral on May 1st but continued in command of the Brigade until relieved by Brigadier General William Lassiter on May ITtli. General McGlachlin relieved General Hinds as Chief of Armv Artillery, the latter being made Chief of Artillery of the A. E. F. ' Previous to his assignment to the 66th Brigade, General Lassiter had commanded the 51st Field Artillery Brigade of the 26th Division at that time in line in the St. Mihiel area, near Seicli])rey and Mont Sec. The many problems connected with the employment of artillery at the front v.-ere demon- strated in the course of training prescribed by General Lassi- ter and the last month of the training period brought the efficiency of the brigade to a high point. However, General Lassiter remained with the brigade for only a short period. On June 4th the General left for Toul in connection with the formation of the (^orps Artillery of the 1st Corps, placing 20 History of 06th Field Artillery Brigade Colonel E. D. Scott, Commander of the liOtli regiment and likewise a. front line veteran, in command of the brigade dur- ing his absence. The brigade staff also left at the same time as General Lassiter for training in the various branches of staff work with French and American units along the front. Regimental staff and Field officers also were sent to the front, in order that they might observe the methods employed and become acquainted Avith the new style of warfare. Every officer returned with man}^ new ideas and began immediately to remedy weak spots in his command. The brigade staff, however, did not return but remained at the front, visiting one organization after another, in order that they might be- come more proficient in their duties before the entry of the brigade into the conflict. General Lassiter remained at Toul, and during his short stay there built up the staff and organi- zation of the 1st Corps Artillery which operated with re- markable efficiency during the battles that followed. By July 1st, 1918, the war situation had reached such a tense point that the biggest climax of the mighty conflict was expected hourly. Every American organization which had finished its training period knew that the call to the front was at hand. The 66th Field Artillery Brigade was ready and eager for the summons. It had been ready for the front since May 1st, Its efficiency had been further augmented by the training of other regiments. Fully equipped and ready, a virile mobile force on wheels, it desired to leap into action and become an aggressive factor. The next period tells the story of its splenclid activity on the front through the four big offensives. CHAPTER IV OPERATIONS ON THE FRONT < 'iKiiiipat/iK -Manic Defensive. The 60th Fiehl Aitillcrv Bripide went into action dnring tlie lull preeeedinp;' the biji (iernian attack east of Chateau Thierry, officially termed the Chaniitajiue-Marne Defensive, and which bejian ou July 15th and ended July ISth, 191S. Its en- trance was at a highl}' crucial time, the importance and dram- atic tenseness of which cannot be portrayed without first relatino; the series of events, leadinp; up to this memorable battle which afterwards proved to be the turning point of tlie war. Early in the year 1918. tlie Allies waited with dreadful expectancy the annual spring drive of the Germans. Four years of war had considerably weakened the French and British forces and a feeling of uncertainty was broadcast. The suspense was soon broken, however, when on the 21st day of ^larch, like an avalanche, sweeping everything fi-om its path, the enemy struck in Picardy and Flanders. The Allied line Avavered and broke. The French and British forces were torn asunder, leav- ing a gap of 80 kilometers, through which the German troops rushed. On and on they came, forcing the British toward the channel and making long leaps toward the S-outh. It seemed impossible to check the grey horde. It was at this critical moment that Lloyd George gave to the world that fearless Anglo-Saxon challenge ''We are fighting with our backs to the wall." With the Allies breathless and bleeding from this stagger- ing blow, the Germans launched another huge attack in a new locality, this time between Soissons and Rheims. On the 27th day of May, with even greater intensity than that of the Picardy offensive, the enemy promulgated his headlong dash. Soissons fell. The Yesle was crossed. On they came, sweeping all befoi'e them, down through the valley of the Marne on to that battle ground drenched with the blood of the heroes of 1914. The eyes of the World were focused on Chateau-Thierry while it breathlessly awaited the outcome. "On to Paris." The Hun battle cry of 1914 re-echoed across the Marne. Twice before withheld from the grasp of the mailed fist, Paris again lay before them in all her beauty. Con- fident now, with the morale of their troops at high tide, it needed but one giant smash to reach the aoal. 22 History of (JGtii Field Artillery Brigade It was a crisis for the Allies equally as grave as the Picard}^ Offensive in March. The morale of the French and Brit- ish was ebbing fast. Disheartened, with their entire reserve forces in the line, and worn out with four years of buffeting the ever advancing waves, the outlook was indeed dark. In less than a week's time the Germans had advanced over fort}^ kilo- meters (25 miles) and were in possession of Chateau-Thierry, cutting the railroad line from Paris to Metz. This added to the gravity of the situation. Many of the French thought Paris doomed and the exodus to the Southern cities increased daily. At this critical moment when nothing but the speedy entrance of the Americans could hope to turn the tide in favor of the Allies, General Pershing, again placed as he had in the Picardy Offensive, every available American unit at Mar- shal Foch's disposal. The American divisions and Brigades were rushed to the front and hastily thrown into the line. Time will never efface the memorable and brilliant checking of the German advance. The 2nd Division had stopped the onrush of the Germans to the west of Chateau-Thierry, and prevented further ])ix)gi'ess in that vicinity. Nothing in the battle his- tories of the world, surpasses the gallant fight of the 2ud Divi- sion in Belleau Woods. The 2nd Division also captured Bouresches and on July 1st, before being relieved had taken Vaux. The Third Division had made a brilliant showing and held the Marne bridgehead opposite Chateau-Thierry. The on- rush was temporarily checked, but the final outcome hung like the sword of Damocles over the Allies while the world waited. It was this tensely dramatic time, that the (»(>th Field Artillery Brigade, along with many other organizations re- ceived the call to arms. The orders from G.H.Q. which were received by Colonel Scott in command of the Brigade, came July 1st, and called for immediate movement to the front. Transportation had been planned days ahead. The guns and equipment were quickly placed on the waiting trains. Hearts beat fast as the battalions one by one, in quick succession, rushed to the points where further movement by rail was im- possible. The unloading of the powerful G.P.F.'s was performed in feverish haste. The moment the guns were unloaded, a waiting tractor was coupled on, and headed northAvard, they merged into the massed columns moving forward and tx)ok their respec- tive positions in battle formation. They were on the front and ready for action at last. The call had come July 1st and by July 10th, the entire Brigade was in battle array. These first battle positions were to the west and south of Chateau-Thierr}-, which was the extreme point of the German advance. They were taken during that tense temporary lull in the fighting which preceeded the Champagne-Marne defen- History of 66th Field Artillery Brigade 23 sive. Tbat the Gennans would make another mijihty effort to cross the Marne was certain, and the loj^ical place for the attack lay between Chateau-Thierry and Dornians, where they held the north bank of the river. The Allies were not only planning to check this threatened advance by the disjmsal of certain units in defensive formation, but at the same time were plannino- a mammoth counter attack which was to be launched at a carefully timed moment. As a result of these plans the 66th Brigade was divided. The 148th regiment and the 2nd Battalion of the 146th regiment Avere shunted otf to positions in defensive formation to the south of Chateau-Thierry and Dormans, and ]tlaced under the direct command of the VI French Army. The 1st and 3rd Battalions of the 146th regi- ment were assigned to the 1st Corps Artillery and were placed in strategic positions in the Corps area, to the west of Chateau Thierry on the north side of the Marne river, where they could be readily employed in the offensive movement planned by the Allies. The Brigade, therefore had a dual mission to perform. By this formation the guns placed to the south of Chateau Thierry could deliver, in case of a hostile attack, an effective counter barrage in front of the first and second lines of resist- ance, and at the same time, owing to the long range of the G.P.F.'s were able to reach vital points in the German lines across the Marne. The guns placed to the west of Chateau- Thierry, in the more forward |X)sitions, were available for quick movement to follow up an Allied advance, and were able by a slight shift of the trails, to enfilade the German lines to the west of Chateau-Thierry in the event of a hostile attack. The occupation of the first positions did not furnish the men of the Brigade the excitement and thrill of battle which usually attends the occupation of positions. The din of battle had subsided to a minor key. There was the occasional blast from a nearby heavy calibre gun or the explosion of a lone ''arrival" as it landed somewhere over the hill, but that was all. The only aspect which conveyed a real impression of war, was the endless lines of camions, guns and marching columns along the roads leading to the front. The vast system of trenches and stretches of barb wire were lacking. A single, shallow trench, skirting the fringe of woods and contouring around the many knolls and hills, alone signified a line of defense. Other than this the country was as Mother Nature had made it. Pitted here and there, perhaps, with shell holes, but nothing in comparison to the mental picture each man had formed of the front or the counti*y traversed later. It was open warfare. Improvements such as sand-bagged trenches, barber wire entanglements, timbered dugouts and subterran- ean passages, common on older fronts, where continuous ar- tillery fire had swept the country clear, had not as yet made their appearance. 24 History of GOth Field Artillery Brigade The entire area south of the Marne was at this time a mammoth concentration point. Although the rapid move- ment northward of the mixed columns of infantry, machine gun battalions and artillery convoys, over the thronged roads, seemed in its immensity an endless confusion, yet there was no delay, no congestion. The Allied Commanders had timed every movement. It was a vast synchronized counter prepara- tion; a battle stand that meant either defeat or victory and nothing must be left to chance. To fully comprehend the critical situation which faced the Allies, it is necessary to carefully study the geographical location of the points enveloped in the Aisne-Marne salient. This big pocket included all the territory between Soissons on the west and Rlieims on the east and between the Aisne on the north and Marne river on the south. From a point about ten kilometers west of Soissons the line extended due south to the village of Chezy, thence southwest through Belleau Wood, Bouresches, Vaux, Hill 204, and Chateau Thi- erry ; thence along the Marne river to Dormans and thence northeasterly to Rheims, Chateau-Thierry, the extreme point of the German advance, was the junction point of the trunk railroad from Paris to Metz, watli the branch line leading north to Soissons. It was also the junction point of many national highways, the two principal arteries being tlie Paris road and the Soissons-Thierry road which was the main high- way leading north. Paris was only 40 miles southwest. Massed in this big pocket was the flower of the German army. Opposing them were picked French troops and the best trained American units. The Allied order of battle in the vicinity of Chateau-Thierry was as follows : The 1st Corps, U. S. with the 26th Division, U. S. and the 167th Division (French) in line, occupied the area to the west of Chateau Thierry, extending westerly from Hill 204 to a point opposite Licy-Clignon. The 2'6th Division held the line from Hill 204 to the Bois de Belleau. The 167th Division to the left held the balance of the sector. Major General Hunter Liggett was in command of the 1st Corps. The Zone of Action of the Corps extended nearly due east. The left boundary included and was marked by the towns of Licy-Clignon, Monthiers, Epau-Bezu and Bezu St. Germain. The right boundary extended from Vaux to Le Channel, pas- sing about two kilometers north of Chateau-Thierry. The principal objective was the Chateau-Thierry-Soissons road, the main highway leading north. The 7th Corps French occupied the area to the left of the 1st Corps. The 38th Corps French held the sector to the right of the 1st Corps with its center directly opposite Chateau Thierry and its left opposite Hill 204. History of OGth Field Aktilleuy Biugadk l'o The 0(»tli Field Artillery lirigade was divided in support of both the 1st Corps V. S. and the 38tli Corps French. The 148th Regiment and the 2nd Battalion, of the 140th reginienr were in position to the south of Chateau-Thierry in sup]»ort of the 38th Corps French. These units were directly nndor the command of the VI French Army. The 1st and 3rd IJat- ta lions of the 146th formed the nucleus of the 1st Corps Ar- tillery, certain French batteries already in the sector being placed under the command of the G6th Brigade. This separa- tion of the BHgade. was only an emergency arrangement as previously explained. Shortly after the Allies took the offen- sive the Brigade was united and operated throughout the campaign as Corps Artillery of the 1st Corps, thereby winning the distinction of being the first American Corps Artillery to operate on the western front. Brigade headipiarters had arrived at La Ferte-sous-Jou- arre on the night of July 4th, leaving Libourne the day before. A stop over of five hours in Paris had been enjoyed. Although the black shadow of the seemingly irresistible German invasion was before them those gallant Parisians joined with the Americans in their national celebration. The streets were thronged. Everywhere the French tri-color, the Stars and Stripes and the Allied colors, merged together into huge streamers, proudly floated in the air. It was a splendid in- spiration. The 1st Corps had established headquarters at La Ferte- sous-Jouarre. General Lassiter, as Chief of Corps Artillery, had also established his post of command there in close liaison with the Corps Commander. Upon arrival there Colonal Scott was placed in command i)f all the heavy artillery units of the sector. Before the advent of the (ifith Brigade the sector had been supported by the Corps Artillery of the 38th Corps French. Colonel Drouault, a grizzled veteran with 60 service years to his credit was in command. The French artillery consisted of one battalion of 105 mm. Long 12 guns; one battalion of 155 mm. Long, Model 1877, 12 guns; two battalions 155 mm. Court Schneider, 24 guns ; making a total -of 48 pieces, 36 of which were of the 155 mm. calibre. The l*ost of Command of the French Corps Artillery was at Chamigny. It was here that Colonel Scott relieved Colonel Drouault on July 5th, officially taking command on July 10th and establishing a new post of command, replacing the French staff with the Brigade staff. The three battalions of 155's were ])laced under the command of the Brigade and continued their firing without interruption. The one battalion of 105's had been relieved and sent to another sector before the Brigade took command. The 1st and 3rd Battalions of the 146th which had arrived at Meaux on July 8th, were made Corps artillery and assigned to positions in the vicinity of the French batteries. This addition increased the 26 History of OGth Field Artillery Brigade strength of the Corps Artillery to 52 guns of 155 mm. calibre. FV)r convenience of command the artillery was divided into two groupments, the North Groupment and the Houth (Iroupment, organized as follows : NORTH GROUrMENT Cdt. Bourboulon (Fr) in Command. Post of Command : Dhuisv. 1st Bn. 334 Regt. 12 pieces 155 L, Model-77 Capt. Prost-Comd'r. 3rd Bn. 333 " 12 " 155 Court Schn. Cdt. Chavanne " 1st Bn. 146 " 8 " 155 G. P. F. Maj. De Bremond SOUTH GROUPMENT Lt. Colonel L. V. Patch in Command. Post of Command — Genervois Farm. 1st Bn. 333 Regt. 12 pieces 155 Cour Sch. Lt. Bougerol 3rd Bn. 146 " 8 •' 155 G. P. F. Maj. Wey ranch As will be noted the Corps Artillery consisted of 52 guns of 155 mm. calibree. The normal zone of action of the Corps Artillery was the 1st Corps sector, with an eventual zone on the right extending south of Chateau-Thierry, In order to more effectivel.y cover the eventual zone, the axis of fire of the 3rd Battalion of the 14r»th was shifted on July 13th to Chateau Thierry, which permitted enfilade fire to be delivered on points seven kilometers south of Chateau-Thierry in case of an hostile attack. Due to the sixty degree traverse of the G.P.F. points seven kilometers north of Chateau-Thierry could also be fired upon. The position was one of rare advantage. A reference to the map will show the exact position occupied by the bat teries which were arranged as follows: P. C. SCOTT — Chateau L'Ange Gardien — two kilometers from Chamignj' on the Paris-Metz road. NORTH GROUPMENT P. C. Bourboulon — Dhuisy. 1st Bn. 334th Regt. — 1 kilometer north of Dhuisy. 3rd Bn. 333rd Regt.— 1 kilometer north of :Montreuil. 1st Bn. 146th Regt — 2 kilometers southeeast of Montreuil. SOUTH GROUPMENT P. C. Patch— Genevrois Farm. 1st Bn. 333rd Regt.— South of Dom})tin. 3rd Bn. 146th Reg-f. — T kilometer west of Villers-sur-Marne. History of OOtii Field Autillkuy P>iugade L*7 The reinaindor of tlie Brigade under tlie command of Colonel J. ^V. Cavendei- in support of the 38th Cori)s French were in positions to the south of Chateau Thierry as follows: P. C. Cavender — Bochaj>e. 1st Bn. 148th Regt. — ]\Iontlevon, 10 kilometers southeast of Chateau Thierry. 2nd Bn. 148th Kejft.— Near La Cliapelle-sur-Chezy, 10 kilo- meters south of Chateau ThicM'ry. 3rd Bn. 148th Kcf-l. -At Yiffort, 12 kilometers southeast of Chateau Thierry. 2nd Bn. 14Gth Kejit.— Three kilometers west of Chapelle-sur- Chezy. The Commanding oOicors of the Brifjade. re^ments, battal- ions, and batlerics ■of the (With lirijiadc as they entered the line were as follows: Commandinji (KItii F. A. iiririgade, functioning as Corps Artillery of the First Army Corps was entrusted with the im- portant mission of Counter Battery work. For days the re- ported positions of German batteries had been carefully studied on the map and their actual existence verified by a 32 History op 66th Field Artillery Brigade niici'osco])ic exaiiiinatioii of recent aei-oplane photogiajihs. The Flash and Sound Ranging station had been busy night and day endeavoring to locate new German batteries, or to determine the exact co-ordinates of the hostile batteries al- ready spotted. The balloon was up from niiorning till night, carefully scanning the enemy territory for signs of their ac- tivity. The aviators made frequent flights back of the German lines, taking photographs, spotting batteries, and observing enemy circulation in the rear areas. Much information had been gained and a map showing the entire German works, battery positions, machine gun nests, posts of command, tele- phone centrals, signal stations, and lines of resistance had been prepared by the intelligence section of the army. There were over 100 reported battery locations in the 1st Corps Ar- tillery alone. It was clearly evident that the enemy was em- ploying his artillery from many positions, firing daily from different locations. This was done in order to give the im- pression of the presence of a greater number of batteries and also to confuse us as to the true location of actual batteries engaged. As there was to be no artillery preparation it was extremely important that our fire be directed against the cor- rect enemy battery locations when the infantry went over the top. Days of work had reduced the number of possible bat- tery locations from 100 to 24 emplacements certainly occu- pied. The plan for the neutralization of these batteries had lieen sent the Groupments. All firing data had been accur- ately computed, additional ammunition brought up, and liaison established with the infantry divisions. The 1st Aero Squadron had been brought over from Toul and was assigned to work Avith the Corps Artillery. For counter batlery work the Corps area was divided into several zones. One battalion designated as an alert battalion, was assigned to each zone to fire upon call of the aeroi)lane. The aviators were supplied with this information and knew exactly which unit to call in case a hostile battery was discovered in action. The artillery part of the Allied machine was ready. Only one word was needed to simultaneously put every gun into action. The first ''Zero Hour" received by the Brigade came by special messenger from Corps Artillery Headquarters on the night of July 17th. It was 12 o'clock before this important information arrived, but all was in readiness. It alone re- mained to notify the batteries. Two motorcycle couriers were routed from their bunks and sent out into the driving rain to carry this message to the groupments. "D" Day was July 18th. ''H" Hour was 4:30 A. M. The attack was to be in the nature of a surprise. There was to be no ])ieliminary artillery bombardment. Exactly at 4:30 i^ 5^^ IF TO OPERATIONS ON WESTERN FRONT Pa. r t I c 1 p 2>. I e ci M MfULiisf mmiM -SOISSONS t^^ Aisne-Marnc Offenslv l8'iJaly-6»Au9 1918 ' E.lr.mf.m,! oi O.rmon M.onc. J J, 16'-" WIS Champagne -Morne-Defens 15'* July- 18»July 191S LEGEND Direction of Advance 66'- FA. Brigade Front Line... Line of Advance Cities _. _ Village Route Riven Stream. Railroad ^ Lufpy ''>, «— ^^ \ n:: Av fWERDUN ..j.„..>i Meuse-Aigonne- Of|en5i\ 26'->'StpL-ll'-^No.l9l9 H«l\\ femuT;;'?,!,/ ® Sl.Mihiel-Offeniiv l2»Sepl - l6»S«ol 1918 % Onm.i, {Tot/icv/J.SJm ] If 3X HisTouY OF (Ki'iii FiioLu Aktilleuy Ukigade 33 A. M. on July IS, the entire Allied line from Soissons to Chateau Thierry moved forward. As the infantry sprang from their trenches and stei)i)ed forth into No Man's Land, onr Artillery laid down a thick proteetinf;- curtain of fire, the li!j;ht artiUery furnishing" a blinding rolling barrage, and the heayy guns suuishing and destroying the (lernian batteries with tons of high explosive. It was not possible for the men of the Brigade to know wliether or not their fire was carrying the infantry forAvard. It was their first ofteusive. But en- trusted with (he important mission of subduing tlie savage enemy batteries, tliey served their pieces with the speed and skill of veterans. They had confidence. An enthusiastic jell accompanied each shot. Every man felt that his gun alone would win the battle, and the shells as they sped through the air had the moral suitjtort of each man wlio had lieljied send it on its way. They worked heart and soul, and with that inihunitable Ameri- can confidence that their comrades pushing their way across No Man's Laud would make their objectives. The success of the infantry was not known until later and it was with an un- bounded jov that the gun crews learned that their shots had done their work. Not a (lernian battery was able to open up in counter j)re])ai'ation, so etfectively held under the fire of our guns. Our infantry unham{)ered by enemy artillery fire made rai)id progress and easily kept pace with the Tth French Corps on the left. They could have gone farther but as our Corps was the pivot of the big drive, our progress was limited by the advance of the French Corps on the left. Many pris- oners were taken by our troops and it was with a feeling of pride and exultation that we watched them being herded along the roads. The first day's attack had dislodged the enemy from his jiositions. News was received that the 1st and 2nd American Divisions south of Soissons had made an advance of over eight kilometers, completely routing the enemy. Throughout the night our artillery continued a violent bom- bardment and the infantry continued its attack the next morning. Bai)id gains were made by the Corps on our left which permitted our own troo]>s to advance through the en- emy's second and third line of resistance, piercing his artillery line. Quantities of ammunition and many pieces of light ar- tillery were captured on our Corps front. The 1st and 2nd Divisions soutli of Soissons had succeeded in cutting the Cha- teau-Tliierry-Soissons road, but at this jdace had met with such determined enemy resistance that further advance was impossible. Our troops on the right had driven the enemy across the ^Nlarne and were in headlong ])ursuit. The enemy had lost heavily in attempting to withdraw his forces south of the Marne river. Eight of the hastily constructed pontoon bridges were destroyed by the guns of the 148th Field Ar- 34 History op GGth Field Artillery Brigade tillery which had remained in that sector until after the attack. At Dormans the banks of the river were piled high with their dead. With our infantry held in check south of Soissons, it was necessary for the 1st Corps to push the attack and -instead of being the piyot of the driye, it became the cen- ter of the marching flank with renewed effort. Our First Corps trooi)S pushed forward meeting little re- sistance until the Chateau-Thierry-Soissons road was reached, where the enemy made a determined stand in a final effort to cover the retreat of their troops from south of the Marne. However, this proved futile as no power was able to hold in check the advance of the Americans. Our troops cut through and advanced three kilometers bevond the road and in bril- liant attacks, took Bezu St. Germain and Trugny, reaching the outskirts of Epieds. Fierce fighting occurred. The enemy made many counter attacks undergoing heavy losses and gain- ing nothing. Epieds changed hands four times as the for- tunes of battle ebbed and flowed. Trugny was taken three times before remaining in our possession. A general movement forward by the Corps artillery had already begun. Reconnaissances were hurriedly made and the battalions advanced by echelon, two battalions firing while one moved. P. C. Scott moved to Montreuil. The 148th regi- ment, which had been relieved from duty with the VI French Army, established a temporary P. C. at Bezu le Guery while its units were on the way to join the brigade. The 1st bat- talion of the 146th proceeded to advanced positions near Epau-Bezu and the 1st battalion of the 148th moved to the vicinity of Grand Ru Farm. The roads were jammed with traffic and movement was slow. It was necessary to maintain complete liaison with each unit during all movements. This meant lots of work for the telephone crews who worked night and day. Before a unit moved forward the telephone men were sent ahead to es- tablish new connections, and not until the new post of com- mand was fully connected up did the old post of command close station. This necessitated carrying a double telephone net as the units advanced and the telephone men spent many sleepless nights stringing wires and repairing breaks caused by shell fire. Our infantry advance had been rapid and the artillery had a hard task in keeping pace. The roads were shell torn and crowded with moving convoys bringing up am- munition, food and supplies. Rapid movement was very diflB- cult. P. C. Scott and the 148th regiment established headquar- ters in the shell wrecked and dilajtidated buildings at Grand Ru Farm on Juh^ 22nd. The post of command of the 2r)th Division had already been established there and many tar- gets were taken under fire at their request. History of OOth Field Artillery Brigade 35 The coimtrv traversed presented a imicli different scene than that previously occupied. It seemed a miracle that any Germans had escaped. The ground was pitted with shell holes, the villages a crumbled mass of ruins, the woods scorched by artillery fire and the roads literally j)loughed up by our sliells. A small army of p]iigiueers were busy repair- ing the roads. The fields, woods and villages were strewn with dead Germans and the air was foul with the stench of the bodies rotting in the sun. Grand Ru Farm has been a German headquarters and in its vicinity, in woods and along roads were to be seen the handiwork of their mole like efficiency. Wherever the ter rain presented a si)ot suitable for advantageous burrowing and entrenchment, it had been utilized. Deep dugouts, capped with huge logs, dirt and elephant iron, fortified machine gun nests and sunken artillery emplacements were in profusion. The evidence of the enemy's hasty scurrying flight was shown in the helter skelter way they had left their personal effects, equipment and clothing in the dugouts. They had also left the bulk of their war material. Many former German battery positions were visited which had been taken under the fire of our guns on the morn- ing of the attack. When we viewed the awful havoc our shells had wrought we did not wonder that their guns were silenced. Many direct hits had been scored and the pieces of the guns lay scattered in all directions. Dugouts had been smashed in and the Germans buried alive. Ammunition dumps had been exploded. German artillerymen captured during the second day of the attack, had testified as to the violence and accuracy of our fire, and it was clearly evident that those who had escaped had been favored by Providence. General Pershing visited Grand Ru Farm while P. C. Scott Avas established there and in addressing the assemblage of troops, paid a glowing tribute to the heroic fighting of the 1st Corps. Our troops made but little progress on July 23rd. The enemy had brought up many reserves in order to check the Al- lied advance. Our guns continued in action throughout the day .sweeping back and forth over the enemy positions. The enemy artillery was also active and the death toll was heavy on both sides. But the battle Avas not confined to the ground alone. Swarms of airplanes, both Allied and German darted back and forth. Many aerial battles occurred and seven or eight planes were brought down in flames, each side scoring about equally. Balloons were shot down hourly and it was not an uncommon sight to see two or three observers descend- ing in their parachutes at the same time. Our own balloon observer was forced to jump twice. 30 History of (>(riEi Field Artillery Brigade Onr artillery continued firing througliont the night with- out cessation, both counter battery fire and harassing the back areas. At midnight on the 23rd-24th orders were received that the infantry wonld attack at 4 :05 P. M. The Corps Artillery would support the attack by a violent artillery pre])aration beginning 10 minutes before the attack and to continue in advance of the infantry until all objectives had been taken. The enemy ranks were literally decimated by our fire and our troops pushed forward overpowering all resistance until Beuvardes was reached, where they were held up by heavy machine gun fire. The half destroyed buildings of the towns furnished the enemy a natural fortress for the employment of machine guns, which were placed behind l)arricades in the streets, from windows of the gutted buildings and in a few cases from tops of houses. Each pile of debris proved to be a strongly fortified machine gun nest. Against this form of resistance the infantry was helpless. It was Avork for the artillery. During the night the infantry withdrew to a safe distance and the divisional and Corps artillery combined in cleaning up the town which was done in a very thorough manner. Beuvardes was changed from a fortress to a grave- yard over night. With our troops at the outskirts of Beuvardes an advance of five kilometers had been made during the day of the 24:th and three l>attalious of the brigade Avere ordered to forward positions in the region of Epieds and Bezu St. Germain. The 26th Division, which had so far borne the brunt of the attack was relieved during the night b}' the 42nd Division brought over from the Cham})agne front. During the day the Corps on the right had also made important gains, in which the 3rd American division had played a conspicuous part, ca])turing the towns of Mont St. Pere, Jaulgonne and pushing forward to the outskirts of Le Channel. N^ot since the first battle of the Marne had the Allies had the upper hand, and the Com- manding General of the VI French Amiy ordered the 1st Corps to push forward without cessation. Always at the point of the attack and in advance of all other troops, the Ameri- cans had blazed the way, cutting through the German ranks like a scythe. In order to prevent a disastrous defeat, the Ger- man High Command had thrown into the line fresh division after fresh division, including many of the undefeated Prus- sian Guards, the pride of the German Army. Up to this time the territory retaken from the Germans had been open, rolling country. Both hill sides and meadows were j)lanted to grain, ri])e and waiting ihe hand of the reaper. Small patches of woods capped the top of a few hills, but did not oft'er sufficient cover for an organized zone of resistance. These woods had merely been outflanked Ity our troops and cleaned up at leisure. The terrain beyond Beuvardes, how- HiSTOKY OF (IOtii Field Autillery I^iugade 37 ever, was entirely (lifferont. Tlie Foret de Fere, a densely wooded jnnjile, extended across the entire front of the Corps and was five kilometers dee]». The C'or])s on tlu^ riulit and left faced the same proi)o.sition, the Foret de Ris joined the Foret de Fere on the right and the Bois de Tournelle on the left. The Germans were well trained in the art of woods tightinj]^, and were supposed to excel at this kind of warfare. While inexj)erience(l in foivst tiiihtinii', the Indian style of warfare api^ealed to the Americans, and they beii;in angiiring' their way through the mass of undergrowth, displaying as much craft as the wily Hun. To aid the infantry through the Forest, our artillery swept the woods nightly from one end to the other in front of our infantry, breaking up machine gun nests, clearing out the underbrush, and at the same time inflicting heavy losses on the enemy whose troo])s were concentrated at points throughout the forest. Progress through the forest was slow, but continued steadily, our trooj)S holding every foot of ground gained. By July 27th our infantry had bored its way through to the open plateau beyond with the enemy in full flight to the hills on the north bank of the Ourcq, where it was certain another determined stand would be made. During the three days of forest fighting the brigade carried on its normal mission of counter battery, harassed the roads leading north, kept the crossings of the Ourcq under continuous shellfire and intermittently placed brigade con- centrations on the Foret de Fere, sweeping back and forth, breaking the way for the infantry. On the night of the 2.~)th the units of the Corps Artillery were moved so as to bring them as far as jiossible into their own grou])ings and at the same time obtaining the necessary escheloning in depth. The units of the GGtli Brigade were grouped around E])ieds and Bezu St. Germain. On the 2()th P. C. Scott moved to Bezuet and established a P. C. in a shattered house along the road- side. The French units attached to the Corps Artillery had b(M^n kept in readiness nearly the entire time, owing to their inability to follow uj) the advance as rajtidly as our own units which were better e(iui]i])ed with transportation. The Brig- ade had therefore carried on all the firing, working night and day without thought of rest or relaxation. Enemy batteries were taken under fire the minute they were re])orteloughed up by shells and spotted with dead horses, demolished trucks and wagons and peppered with arms and legs and ])arts of bodies. It was with great satisfaction that the men of the Brigade viewed the deadly work of their guns. The fierce fighting continued on the 29th when our troops bored their way through the woods north of Fere-en-Tarden- ois. During the night our guns had swept the forest from one end to the other, exploding several ammunition dumps and inflicting severe losses on the enemy. Progress through the woods was diflScult but our troops gradually gained ground. From statements of prisoners captured during the battle it was learned that the enemy bad withdrawn most of his forces to the north of the Vesle, and would make a final stand there. Every effort was made to push through before the enemy could fortify his new positions. The French units of the Corps Artillery had moved into positions near Beuvardelle and joined with the Brigade in harassing the enemy's retreat. The Corps Artillery had been massed around Beuvardes and both regimental and brigade P. C's moved there during the day of July 29th. Beuvardes 40 History op OOth Field Artillery Brigade was a favorite objective of the bot-lie artillery and was kept under continiions shell fire. With the (Mtntinnoiis bursting of shells, falling- of walls and the crashing in of nearby roofs, there Avas not lack of excitement. Gas alarms sonnded all through the night by the blowing of sirens and discharging of pistols. Gas masks were in constant nse. To come ont of Beuvardes alive Avas merely a question of luck. Upon reaching the line of the Ourcq, the C''ori>s zone had been changed, the direction of the attack being nearly north instead of east. The Ttli Corps to the left had been pinched out due to the narrowing of the front. At this time the Corps Artillery of the 1st Corps was reorganized, additional French units being assigned. Up to this time practically all the firing had been done by the 06th F. A. Brigade. The French units were poorly equipped with transportation, and there- fore could not follow up the advance as rapidly as onr units. Under the new organization the French battalions were grouped together under the command of a French Colonel, re- porting directly to General Lassiter as Chief of Corps Ar- tillery. The loss of the French units was hardly regretted as liaison was difficult, orders and messages being passed through an interpreter kept at both headquarters. French liaison offi- cers attached to the brigade rendered excellent service in main taining liaison with the French Groupment and their general information and knowledge of the country was indis]»ensable, yet the French units could not be employed with the same facility which characterized the maneuvering of our own bat- talions. The 1st Corps Artillery as reorganized was as follows: American Groupiii;/ Sub-Grouping Patch. Sub-Grouping Cavender FrciicJi Groiipiiif/ Sub-Grouping Fournier Sub-Grouping De Geoffre Colonel S( 'Ott P. C. Beuvardes. 14(;th Reg inient 24 i)ieces G. P. F. 148th Reg: iment 24 pieces G. I*. F. Lt. Col. Fournier P. C. Brecv 1/318 12 Pieces 155 L. 77 III/407 12 " 155 L. S. 17 1/131 12 " 105 11/107 12 " 120 L. P. C. An icien Moulin 11/281 220 mm IV/281 220 mm V/285 280 mm 1/133 12 Pieces 155 C. S. 1/334 12 " 155 L. 77 vin/ioo 12 " 155 C. S. Sub-Grouping Rolin The fighting around Fere-en-Tardenois and Sergy con tinned on the 30th and it was only after heavy artillery action that the enemy was forced from his positions out on the open plain. The Foret-de-Nesles and the Foret Dole proved strong History of GOth Field Artillery Brigade 41 points of i-esistniice and it Avas ouly tliroiioli violent artillery concenti-ations that these ])oints Avere taken. I)ni-inh"t of the MOlh the enemy made t*\vo iinsuccessfnl attem]>ts to re- take Sei-roved their etticieucy. The period between July 31st and August 3rd consisted of a series of daily attacks i)rinci])ally against the enemy's rear guard which was protecting the crossing of the nmin body to the heights beyond the Vesle Kiver, where it Avas i-e- l)orted the enemy Avould make a final stand. Our troops (piickly cut through the rear guard making ra])id gains each day, and on August 3rd had taken all the towns and import- ant points south of the Yesle. The enemy artillery to the north of the Yesle kept up a constant fire against our troops. The 1st Battalion of the 14r)th and the Third of the 148th were moved to advance positions on the i>lateau north of Beuvardes Avhere they could reach the crossing on the Vesle. These battalions kei)t up a constant fire on the retreating enemy. Nightly, large fires lit uj) the horizon as the enemy burned store houses and ammunition before the final witli- draAA'al across the river. No other movements were made by the brigade during this time except that P. C. Scott moved to Beuvardelle. "Drab" and the balloon Averc k('i)t l)usy changing stations as they followed the advance of the enemy. Balloon No. 1 liad also been attached and did excellent Avork. With two balloons and "Drab" constantly on the lookout for enemy movements, many fugitive targets Avere rei)orted and taken undei- fire. The balloons daily adjusted our guns on enemy convoys attem])ting a hasty exit, many of Avliich, due to our fire, failed to reach their destination. By August 3rd the enemy hatween Fismes and Soissons. On August 4th The ('orjjs Artillery made a general mo\e- ment forward occu]>ying advanced jtositions from Avhich fire could be delivered on the crossings of the Aisne riA'er. P. O. Scott moved to Les liouleaux Farm in the vicinity of Chery Chartreuve. The 14Sth regiment established its V. (\ at :Mon- taon Farm and the 446th at :Mottin Farnu The T '140 Avent into position near Lhuys, the II and III/14G ueai' Loupeigne. 42 History of 66th Field Artillery Brigade The T 11/148 took position south, of Chery Chartreiive, and the I and 11/148 were in i)Osition east of Chery Chartrenve. These were the last positions occnpied by the brigade. In addition to niaintaininc; oontinnons fire on the cross- ings of the Aisne River, the towns and roads between the Vesle and the Aisne were daily subjected to concentrations of hio'li explosives and gas. Counter battery fire also increased in volume, as the Germans brought battery after battery into action. The eff'orts of our troops to cross the Vesle did not meet with success. The enemy held the old system of trenches on the north bank of the river which offered shelter from our fire. Our repeated efforts to take these trenches met only with violent counter attacks in which our troops were driven out. Back and forth, attacking and counter attacking, the battle line surged with neither side gaining ground. The enemy artillery fire increased in violence and our infantry was forced to dig in for protection. With the infantry on both sides locked in a death-like grip, the artillery began a terrifflc duel Avhich lasted for several days, each side suffering heavy casualties but gaining no material advantage. The Aisne- ^Marne Offensive officially closed on August 6th. However, the Brigade, which remained in action until August 12th, when it was withdrawn from the line, experienced in full the deadly venom of the enemy, and underwent the full hardships and horrors of war. The German Army that had escaped the running fight through the Chateau Thierry salient, now like a wild animal brought to bay at the close of a long chase, took its stand to the north of the Vesle and tried by every method of warfare to exact its toll of retribution from the Allied Forces for its defeat. Like a wounded animal, turning and facing the en- emy, it showed that during the "kill," the Allies would have to battle to the finish. With the German lines holding firm, it gave their Artillery a chance for action and they certainly proved that they knew as many tricks in this game as our own artillery. Their aviators took daredevil chances and con- tinually preyed on our observation balloons and made adjust- ments on our batteries. Our batteries were under constant shell fire. The personnel of the Brigade were tired and worn out. They had worked night and day. The thrill of the chase of a fleeing enemy was over. The slightest movement on our part brought forth a hurricane of shells. Our anti-air craft guns were in constant action against the enemy jilanes. During the last five days, before being withdrawn from the line, tlie Brigade suffered more casualties than in all the hard fought battle from the Marne to the Vesle. P. C. Scott was under shell fire constantly. Our batteries were very close to us and several "Archies" or anti-air craft guns back of us History of 66th Field Artillery Brigade 43 were drawiDg a heavy fire from the enemy batteries. Three direct hits were made on T*. (\ Scott in as many days. A heavy calibre shell struck our radio truck, wouncling two of the radio crew. One shell blew the roof from the officers quarters buryinfj a lieutenant under the debris, but by a mir- acle he escaped injury. A hit was scored on the detachment kitchen, destroy iiio- all our rations. The batteries also suffered from heavy shell fire, many of our men being killed or wounde