during this month, which was a means of saving many lives that less efficient work could not have
saved.
The Regiment continued holding its position along the Les Huit Chemins line until October 4th,
when the 359th and 357th Infantries extended their lines so as to take in the territory occupied by the
358th Infantry, and the 358th Infantry moved to the left of the 357th Infantry, taking up a position in the
Bois de Grand Fontaine relieving the 312th Infantry of the 78th Division. In this sector the enemy was
still nervous and after dark about the 16th hour everyday machine gun fire would open up along the few
roads leading to the forest. Their artillery fire was rather ineffective, as our front lines could not be
located by them.
An officer from another division inspecting the outpost line in this sector with a view of his
company taking it over, upon seeing the density of the woods and knowing how impossible it would be
to fall back to a line of support in case of a heavy attack remarked in the presence of one of the man,
“Why this is an impossible position. The enemy can come right through these woods without trouble.”
The answer from one of the men was, “We would like to see them try it, Sir, for they would surely get
the fight of their lives.” This spirit was reflected by everyone and made no task too difficult, no
hardship too unbearable at any time and because of it, no part of the whole organization could be denied
when given any objective to do.
In the rain and cold this regiment envied the Germans their nice dugouts and trenches, and
regretted the fact that their mission was to hold the line thinly instead of taking the trenches from the
enemy in order that other forces might be strengthened in the Argonne, and to wait for newer troops to
take our place so that it too could go to the Argonne. For its work in this sector the whole Division was
complemented by General Pershing, the Commander in Chief, and the Commander of the First Army
Corps, General J. P. O’Neil, in a letter to the troops of the 179th brigade spoke as follows:
“For what you have done this past month I’m proud of you. Everyone in any way connected
with you is proud of the bonds that link them to you, and above all your home is proud of you and glory
in what you have done. Keep on in your stride; the enemy knows and fears you. A few more drives and
then a touchdown back to the Hindenburg Line.”
For these operations the Division was authorized by General Pershing to select a Divisional
Insignia as emblem of its work in the St. Mihiel and the “TO” which was selected by the Division
Commander in which all members of this Regiment wear on their left sleeve stands for; “T” for Texas
and the “O” for Oklahoma, from which states the Division was originally organized.
On October 10th, the Regiment was relieved by the 34th Infantry and proceeded to the billeting
area of Lay St. Remy, Trondes, and Laneuville, France. Here it received two days rest, the first it had
had since taking over a sector in the front lines. From this area the Regiment proceeded by truck to
Blearcourt, France, where it remained until the 18th of October. On October 18th the Regiment again
started for the front. Reaching the Bois-de-Cuisy late that night and bivouacked there. The next day the
entire regiment marched on past Montfaucon and took up a position as Corps Reserve of the Third Army
Corps.
The woods through this area were practically destroyed, first by the American artillery as the
Germans were pushed back, and again by the German artillery trying to drive the Americans from their
newly one position. The regiment relieved the 11th Infantry of the 5th Division at Madeleine Farm.
Stories from stragglers had reached the troops of this regiment as to how terrible was the machine gun
 |
 |
 |