EXPLOITATION ON SEPTEMBER 14
BASED on the intelligence reports which he had received, General Allen decided, early on the morning
of the 14th, to exploit more vigorously, with the view not only of advancing the outpost position, but of
moving the main line of resistance northward also. The facility of the advance of the 358th Infantry, and
the discovery by a patrol of the 359th Infantry that practically all enemy troops had withdrawn from
Villers-sous-Preny and that the civilians were being evacuated, pointed to a retirement toward the
Hindenburg line. Therefore, at 9 A. M. Field Order No. 4 was issued, stating: “We will continue our
exploitation within the division sector north toward the Hindenburg line with a view to occupying a new
line of resistance.” The substance of this order had been previously telephoned to brigade commanders.
This proposal found a ready response in General O’Neil’s Irish fighting spirit, and two battalions
from each of his regiments were soon on their way with orders to clean out thoroughly the country to the
front. The two battalions of the 358th Infantry were ordered due north to Les Huit Chemins, whence
they were to turn northeast to Preny. After this movement had got under way, definite orders from the
corps made a change in plans necessary. Hence at 4 P. M. Field Order No. 5 was issued, stating that the
line of resistance would remain as before, but strong reconnaissance would be pushed to the Hindenburg
Line.
In the meantime the troops of the 179th Brigade had already taken up the advance. About 1:30
P. M. the 2d Battalion, 358th Infantry, moved forward from its position on the first day’s objective to
support the 1st Battalion. At 4 P. M. the general advance on both regimental fronts began.
The 2d Battalion was chosen to lead for the 357th Infantry, with the 1st Battalion in support, just
prior to the passage of lines, the 3d Battalion, which was still in front, was strongly assailed, two
German battalions participating in the action. This attack was beaten off, Company L in particular
distinguishing itself, the passage of lines was consummated, and the 2d Battalion took up the advance.
Captain Lammons encountered opposition of the severest type. Machine guns in trees gave much
trouble, but these were cleaned out by the heroism of men like Private Aaron F. Valentine, Company A,
344th Machine Gun Battalion, who, when the infantrymen of Company E were held up by a gunner
firing from a tree in St. Marie valley, mounted his gun in the open and knocked the German from his
perch. While he was setting up his gun, several hostile shots struck the tripod, one cutting the chain
holding the trunnion-pin. Company F, led by Captain W. F. Cooper, and a platoon of Company E, led
by Lieutenant H. G. Bradford, succeeded in crossing the valley and gaining the woods on the other side,
but when darkness came the battalion drew back and occupied the holes which had been dug the night
before by the 3rd Battalion, the ground to the front being held by patrols. During the night the 3rd and
1st Battalions withdrew to the line of resistance.
During the day the 5th Division also had resumed the advance on our left, and at 5:30 P. M.
reported that detachments had reached Hill 361.4, an eminence just within our sector which covered the
open ground across which it was necessary for the 5th to advance. This hill was popularly known as
“Bill Jones.”
Lieutenant-Colonel Everington was in command of the two battalions of the 358th Infantry
which started across St. Marie valley at 4 P. M. The Germans had discovered the presence of a
considerable body of troops on this position and were making the edge of the woods hot with artillery.
The 2nd Battalion, which had reached a position in the old German trenches along the east ridge of
Vencheres, suffered particularly heavily. Here one shell killed Captain Sam R. Craig and wounded
Lieutenant Albert J. Sergeant, both of Company A. Captain Henry E. Robertson, 344th Machine Gun
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