On the 29th, the Regiment crossed of the Marne River at Chateau Thierry. Although the
bridge across the stream at this point had been placed under artillery fire by the retreating
Germans, French Forces of the Interior had remained at their posts around the bridge and had
prevented the enemy from destroying it.
After completing its initial mission of seizing and securing crossings of two Rivers – the
La Vesle at Fismes and Jonchery and the Aisne at Pontavert, the Regiment moved through
Rheims on the 1st of September, covering the last 23 miles on foot.
The gasoline shortage had now become acute and a delay in the advance was
necessitated, a delay which many say was responsible for the lengthening of the war by several
months. The supply lines had been stretched over hundreds of miles in the past few days.
The Regiment bivouacked four miles east of Rheims to await further orders and a supply
of gasoline. The bivouac area showed the scars of the last war – shell holes 26 years old were
still discernible.
On the 5th of September, the advance to the northeast was resumed, passing through
Verdun and the southwestern section of the Argonne forest, where the 2nd Battalion rounded up
50 Germans. The mission of the Corps was to advance as far east as possible. The city of
Frankfurt was set as the objective. The Division was following the 7th Armored Division on the
left flank.
The first opposition was met in the towns of Avril and Briey, east of Verdun. After two
days of stiff fighting, these towns were overrun and over 400 prisoners taken. Movement to the
east was then continued against scattered resistance and by the 11th, 2nd Battalion patrols
indicated that the area between the Regiment and the Moselle River was clear of the enemy. On
the 12th, the 3rd Battalion occupied the city of Uckange, encountering heavy enemy artillery fire
coming from the east bank of the Moselle. Plans were now made for an assault crossing of the
river but before the operation was effected, the Regiment was ordered to withdraw to the south
and relieve elements of the 7th Armored and 5th Infantry Divisions near Homecourt. These
forces had encountered unusually stiff opposition from concrete fortifications. The Regiment
now had the mission of attacking these fortified positions as part of the general drive for Metz
which was developing at this time.
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