fighting between the French and Germans, and 300,000 men had been sacrificed before both sides
settled down to trench life and a rather inactive warfare. It was not to remain this way for long.
On August 29th, the 2nd Battalion relieved the 3rd Battalion in the front line trenches. Each
battalion while occupying positions in front line trenches did extensive patrolling, destroying enemy
wire entanglements and definitely locating enemy positions and in many instances engaging enemy
patrols in “No Man’s Land.” This training was of the utmost importance to the troops, enabling them to
make an excellent estimate of the character and ability of the enemy, and gave them great confidence in
their own ability. The sector as a whole was quiet, and at times the front lines were subjected to a light
shelling by the enemy, with very little effect. During the latter part of the month extensive preparations
were in progress for a great drive against the enemy positions. At night every road leading to the front
was crowded to capacity with trucks and wagons of every description conveying ammunition and
supplies to the front.
On September 4, 1918, the 1st Battalion relieved the 2nd Battalion in the front-line trenches, and
the 2nd and 3rd Battalions dropping back to support and reserve positions.
At the beginning of September preparations for an attack on the enemy lines were going forward
with all possible speed. The roads leading to the front could not be used during daylight hours on
account of aerial observation by the enemy, but during the darkness of the night and often through a
steady downpour of rain, there was a steady stream of heavy trucks hauling ammunition and supplies to
the front. At the same time artillery of all caliber was being placed in positions closer to the front lines.
This condition prevailed until the 11th of September when a final grand rush of supplies to the front line
was made. All through the day, regardless of observation by the enemy, and until about 12:30 at night
the roads were jammed with wagons, light and heavy trucks, guns and tanks being rushed to the front
lines.
It was near midnight when the 2nd and 3rd Battalions, after almost superhuman efforts through a
steady downpour of rain and muddy trenches, reached their positions in the jump-off trenches. The 2nd
Battalion was assigned to a position in the jump-off trenches to the right front east of Fey-en-Haye, and
the 3rd Battalion joining them on the left in front of and to the west of Fey-en-Haye. This was the same
sector in which all three battalions had been in, in turn, and which was being held at this time by the 1st
Battalion. The Regiment was then ready to do “Its bit”, in the great St. Mihiel Offensive.
On the morning of the 12th, at 1 hour, a terrific bombardment of the enemy positions began that
lasted without cessation until 5:00 A. M., and which some of the German prisoners stated was the most
destructive they had ever experienced. The Allies themselves claim that it was the heaviest barrage ever
put down by them and was taken part in by American and French artillery, which took up every inch of
available ground behind the front lines. At 5 o’clock A. M., preceded by a rolling barrage, the 2nd and
3rd Battalions followed by the 1st Battalion went over the top, advancing across the country covered
with old trenches and wire entanglements, and which afforded the enemy an excellent field of fire. As
soon as the first wave reached the enemy’s position it was forced to enter the woods where it became
necessary to fight every step of the way along hillsides and through a valley for every foot of ground
gained.
It was next to impossible for companies not to become more or less disorganized while
traversing the broken country beyond Fey-en-Haye, but the men who did get separated from the
organization would gather in small groups and someone, in some instances a noncommissioned officer
and at other times a private, would take command and the advance would continue. On many occasions
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