WWI 9th Infantry Division

8/3/2019 WWI 9th Infantry Division

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Major Petibon. THB 9 th DIVISION IB1918.

... TACTICAL 3TUDY. CHAPTERS I ana XII,

--- With annotationa by General Oemolin.

CHAPTER I: THE DIVISION IK A WITHDRAWAL.Page8 1 to 68 inoluslro.CHAPTER III: THE DIVISION IH THE ATTACK IN A COMBINED OFFENSIVE ACTION.

Pages 69 to 108 inclusive. *********

Translated from tho Frenohby

Captain John B* Sherman.---- The Command and General Staff School

Fort Lcavenworth,Kansas,


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THR 9 th DIVISION IN 1918,

First Chapter,THE DIVISION I!< A WITHDRAWAL,

(NOYON. M ARCH)

In March 1918? the 9th Division Is resting in the vioinity ofKstre'es--Saint-Denis,

It is composed oftThe divisional infantry (1 ), oonsisting of the 4th, 82nd,and 389th Infantry, eaoh made up of three battalions oonsisting of

three companies of infantry and a maohlne-gun company*The divisional artillery (8 ), oonsisting of a field artillery

regiment made up of three groups of 76 mm.guns; the 30th Field Artillery, and a group of heavy 166 mm.howitzers f Schneider ) ; thefifth group of the 105th Field Artillery, ( Translator's note: 8,3 or 4 batteries in a group)*

A divisional squadron ( the 3rd of the 8th light oavalry )Two companies of engineers: 6/4 and 6/62,2nd Battalion, 122nd Territorials.Auxiliary servloes*

The division onoe more has been brought up to full strengthin personnel and materiel; its instruction has been perfeoted duringits laut six weeks of rest, especially in regard to tho war of mov e,ment. Therefore It is in exoellent oondition to go into battle*

(1), Colonel, afterwards General Sohier,(S), Colonel, afterwards General Fain*


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8.On Uaroh Blst, the Germans open their offensive on all sides

of St-Quentin, They break through the British front nnd progressrupidly In a southwesterly direction*

The 9th Division, reserve of General Headquarters, plaoed atthe left of the Frenoh Army, will be one of the first divisionssent to stop the wave whioh is rolling In,

On Ua ro h 28nd, at 1:00 A *U, the following telegram is reoolvedat divisional headquarters.

"The 9th Division, whioh will be immediately alerted, will holditself in readiness to be transported by trucks, today Uaroh 22nd,to start in 8 hours* The movement will be arranged by the llotorTransport Regulating Commission, Tho mounted elements will movetowards the north as soon as the truoks shall have passed*

A divisional staff offioer will prooeed to Oeneral Headquartorgof the Army to reoelve the orders, at 8;00 A* U. "

The ohief of staff has the warning order telephoned to oilbivouao oo&nanders.

The division 0*3 goes to Army Headquarters at Olermonfc, and reports to the offioer who is to aoquaint him with the situation andto give him his orders* The statement given to him may be summedup as follows:

"General situations Britis h front broken over an extent ofraoro than 60 kilometere* Aooording to the latest information, theenemy is advancing rapidly*


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8."Probable in te n ti o n s of the enemyi To advance ra p id ly in to the

broaoh oa de , and to se pa ra te the two B r it is h and Frenoh arm ies, w hi leturning pa rt ly on Amiens, p ar tly on Pa ris*

"Oar in t e n ti o n s ! To ra pid ly form a grouping of Frenoh f o ro e s,to t h x le ft of the Frenoh (main) Army, to p ro te ot the TOfa B r i t is hArmy in re tr e a t , to stop the enemy, and try to e s ta b l i s h l ia is o n w iththe B ri t i sh armies w^'oh are s t i l l holding before Amiens and fu rthe rnorth*

"Consequentlyi"There shall be formed a grouping of those divisions that are

nearest to eaoh other* This grouping, undor oommand of General Pell",commander of the Vtfa Army Oorpa ( 1 ) , w i l l Im m ediately go in t o a o tl o non bhe l e f t of the main Frenoh Army, i t s m iss ion be ing to blook theroad Hoyon-C omplegne-Paris to th e enemy, w hile new groups w i l l beformed to aot fur th er to the l e f t *

"The 9th D iv is io n w i l l be one of the f i r s t to be transpo rted intruok s. I t w i l l be detrucked , beginning today, in the v io in l t y ofNoyon* An o f f i c e r of the Motor Transport Re gu lati ng Commission w i l lreport this morning at your headquarters to arrange the movement*Your equipment w i l l fo ll ow by road*

"Command P ost of Genera l P ell e 't Hoy on ( Town H a ll )* todayafter 8:00 P.M."

Upon retur n to d iv is io n headq uarte rs , the of f i o e r makes a repo rtof hie nil s a lo n .

The gene ra l and h i s oh le f o f s t a f f are s ta y in g a t E str ee s 8tDenis to arrange for the entruck ing of the fo ot - tr oo p s of the di v is io n

(1)* To whioh the 9th D iv is io n belongs org an ioal ly *


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V

4 .and the departure of the truok column. They w i l l leave BO t\a to boIn Roy on ot 7i.OO PU, tha t l e t before the arr iv a l of Oonoral P e ll et

The commander of the d iv is io n al in fantry and the d iv is io n Q-3start immediately in the direation of HoyonGuiaoird-Ham, in orderto gather Information of the situation in this region, where thedivision will have to go into aotion, and to prepare, in accordancewith th is reoonnaiseanoe , the order for the tf'.aposition of the troopsin blvouao8t Contact i s mad* by then with the s ta f f of the Hire)B r it ish Army Corps, at Buohoiro (near Guisoardh The onemy i s adrana*Ing r apid ly; i t i s poss ib le that tomorrow he may be on the SommeOenal. They return imm ediately to Hoyon. There, the s ta f f o ff io er ofthe Army Corps, in cooperation with the of fi oer re gu latin g the de truoking of the tro ops, giv es to the 9th D iv is io n , for tho nigh t oflfaroh 22nd to 23rd, the area in whioh i t w i l l be sta tio ne d} Bethanoourtfinolusive)-Tirlan3ourt{inclusive)GuiaoardfexoluBive)Mauoourt(in olus ive ) Noyon(inoluaive)V auohelles(inolusive)P orquorloourtfin olu slv e) fcu s3y( in clu siv e) D iv is io n ooramand posts Hoyon*

As a function of th is aone and the enemy, who i s in a northea ste rlydirection, more than a day's maroh away, the plan for the pladlng ofthe troops la immediately drawn up according to the d ir eotions givenby the general, with the idea of having a distinot arrangement inread iness fo r the next day, with two regiments ready to maroh in fron t,to the north, northeast, or east, and one regiment in reserve. Theother elements! divisional oenter of instruction, headquarters 2ndeohelon, group of divisional atretoher-bearera, are plaoed more tothe rear, ready to follow.

The mounted elements are not oonaidered. These, moving by road,


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6.

The assignment to bivouac areas is as follows ( Map No. 1 ) :

Sta ffs : Divisional Infantry.divis- 17 Plaoe Oordouan, Hoyon*ional artillery, engineers, medicaloorps.battalions and staff: Queamy*88nd Infantry* 11 battalion}* jllauooort*

1 battalion and staff: Rimberoourt.

i329th Infantry* 1 battaliont......... :Muironoourt*

1 battalion :* (Bethauoourt*(Tirlanoourt*

l battalion aid staff: Busay.1 battalion:* .< Orioolles,1 Battalion:****...i Genvry*Headquarters. 2nd eohelon: ) Vauohellee,Oroup of divisional stretoner-bearers:* ..)

panies of Engineers: ...


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6 .At 8j00 P.M. a mooting la ho ld , a t H ead quarters of tho Army Co rps,

of the di v is io n commanders of tho groupings General P el la " ou tl in e stho s i tuat ion as fo l lows:

This evenin g the enemy had reached the oan al botweon thoSomme and the O is e, on the fro nt Te rgn ier --S ain t-S im on jThe troops of the H i s t B ri ti s h Army Corps( he ad qu art ers :

Bu oho ire), who were occupying the li n e beyond the oa n al , are s t i l lholding out on the south bank* The 14th D ivis ion , i n p a r ti c u la r , i sca the l in e l lenneais (ex olu s ive ) , F lavy- le-M ar te l ( in cl u s iv e) . Headq u a rt e rs : Deaumont-on-Beine, The 17th B ri ti sh D ivision i s fa rt h erto the p.3t#

According to l a t e s t in te ll ig e n c e rec eiv ed , the enemy hascooupied Torgnier, Juasy;

The 125th Prenoh Division Is marohing out of ViryHoureilth is evening ( Uaroh ESnd ), i n the d ir e o ti o n of Te rg nl er ,

The 1st Frenoh Bismountad Cavalry Division must take positionon the . e f t of the 185th D ivi sio n. Then, suc ces sive ly fu rth er to thel e f t , the 9th and 10th Frenoh D ivis ion s w il l follow each oth er i n toa o t i o n ,

Afterwards the general gives, to eaoh of his division oomoand e rs , the o rdera whioh oonoern him*He or de rs the ge ne ra l oommanding the 9th D iv isi on to hold him selfin readiness to rel ieve, during the night of the 23rd-24th, theinf an try of the 14th B ri ti sh D ivis ion on the fr o n t: Hennesis (exclusive;)Chateau do Savr iennols (nor th of Fl av y- le- l la r te l , in cl us iv e) .


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7,The British artillery is to stay in plaoe until it oan bo relieved

by the Frenoh artillery.For the purpose of the exeoution of this movement, the 9th Divis

ion, as soon as possible, will push its most advanced elamenta for*ward in the region Beaumont-Genlis Woods*Should the situation of tomorrow, tne 23rd, not allow it to

accomplish its mission of reliof it must be disposed on the line;Beaumont(inolusive)Qenlis-Ouyenoourt woods (exolusive), whioh mustbe held at all oopts.

Contact on the right with the let Dismounted Cavalry Division,whioh will hold Gfuyenoourt. Information regarding the troops operatingon the left will be given later*

For its mission, the 9th Division will have available, over andabove its organic elemental

The 308th Field Artillery, consisting of:& groups of 155 mm,howltsera,( Sohneider );1 group "of 166 nan,heavy guns,( 1877 );1 group of 166 mm.howitzers, ( 1912 )

This regiment is scheduled to arrive at Hoyon in the afternoonof Uaroh 23rd,

These order? are given verbally to the division oommandor* His NG~3, who is present, takes notes*

Confirmation of what has been aaid will be published in writingby an Army Corps general order, whioh is being printed at this very time*

But the general does not wait until receiving this confirmationbefore issuing his own orders. He must save time, for it is imperativethat his orders reaoh hie units during the night, so fiat the troopmovements may be executed the next morning at daylight.


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e.What ia to be aooompllshod?To bring the division into the region; Oenlis w oo ds la -H eu vi lle ,

so that It may either relievo the British division on the followingnight, or, if this relief cannot be aooomplished on aooount of theenemy's advanoe, to give battle in this position,

What can the enemy do to prevent the carrying oat of thismission?

Push book the English, oross the oanal, and reaoh the indicatedposition beforo the division can do ao#

In the present situation, a hostile attaok cannot take placebefore daylight the next morning* As it may be anticipated that thisattaok will undoubtedly be delayed by the defensive action of theBritish, it is almost oertaln that It oannot reaoh the Oenlis woodsahead of the troops of the 9th Division, if they oarry out their move*ment in the early hours of the day. Further, the roads leading fromthe bivouaos to the Genlis woods oannot, at present, be effectivelytaken under observed fire of the enemy artillery*

Thoroforo the troops can move to it (Genii8 woods) in column, onthe road* But, for added safety, and in order to Insure the poaaibillty of manoeuvre in case of necessity, the troops will be protectedby advanoe guards

What disposition of the troops is to be oarried out after completion of the movement?

The information on the situation of the 14th British Divisionis vague and ur^eliable* How is this division placed? Oan it hold


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9.out until tomorrow night? 11 the enemy advances, will the 9th Dlvislon have to fight faoing towards tho east or towards the northeast ?

Therefore the formation to be adopted is one \vhioh should permit |the faoing of any eventuality, that 1st a disposition in depth*

Because of the Importanoe of the front, and the divergence ofpossible dlreotlons in whioh tho enemy may attaok, a front of tworegiments is necessary* Therefore we must have two regimonts in tholine, eaoh having one battalion advanoed, the other battalions tothe rear, ready to support the first ones in the direotion of attaok,or ready to accomplish the intended relief by tho existing roads* Thethird regiment, in reserve, will be plaoed at a road intersection,ready to advanoe in one of the two directions,

Examination of the map shows which are the routes to be takenby the units for their movements*

The division oommander's order (1) will therefore be the following:9 th INFANTRY DIVISION. DIVISION 0, P.82 March* 12:30 A,W.STAFF. (Twenty-third Maroh, twelve-thirty A. M)

3rd Section*

GENERAL ORDER OP OPERATIONS HO X For the day of Haroh 23rd*I* General situ at io n. Here is given a repetition of the infor

the oorps oommander. ( )II* Mission of the division*-- Here Is stated the mission assigned

by the oorps commander, (3 ).Ill, Supplementary me ans, pu.t at the disposition of the division

(1)* The orders givon in the prosent study are, of oourae, thosethat were actually issued in aotion*(8) and {3). Not reproduced, to shorten the text*


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10,to aooomplieh its mission : 308th Field Artillery ( heavy) consistingof ....(1)

IV, Execution,- The infantry, breaking camp at 7:00 A,M. (2),will start its aaroh in oolumns, but with advance guards, and randyto deploy for battle*

82nd Infantry. Routes QuivryTJgny-le-0ay* This regiment mustpush its leading battalion into the Genlis Woods, th battalionfollowing towardB Ugny-le-Qayt lto rear battalion towards los Reset tee.It will hold itself in readiness to defend the GeniiB Woods, from theChateau Oalllard (exolusire) to Guyenoourt (exclusive)* Liaison onthe right with the 1st Dismounted Cavalry Division, on the left withthe 329th Infantry,

Command post of the colonels Ugny-le-Qay.The 39th Infantry, moving through Berlanoourt, will bring its

leading battalion to Beaumont-en-Belne, and the main body of the regiment on the plateau of the Ohdteau and the farm of Beino* It willhold itself In readiness to defend* the fronts Chateau. Galllard (inclusive)Beculleu (inclusive)*

Command post of the colonels Chateau and farm of Beine,4th Infantry: will move via Saint-Martin to a position at Quesmy-

Uauoourt, in division reserve, prepared to move towards either Ouivryor Berlanoourt*

Command post of the oolonel: Quesmy,Initial location of the division command post and headquarters

of the first eohelon: Quesmy, after 9:00 A,M, (Divisional infantry,divisional artillery, engineers, medioal troops, with the divisioncommander,)'

(1) Hot reproduced, to shorten the text*(2) It is the end of tfaroh. Order is muoh more Important than haste.


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l i tThe eng ineers and the group of d iv is io n a l stretoh or-b oarers

w i ll prooeed through Beaurains, Oonvr-y, Orl so H es , Saint-liar ti n -s u rQues/ny, following the 4th Infantry,

Tho Divisional Center of Instruction and headquarters of secondeohelon w i l l be maintained at Porquerloourt and Vauohellea*

YA subsequent order w i l l p resorlbe tho movemont of the wagon*trains and the cavalry squadron (1).

VI,--Trucks w il l be placed at the disp os itio n of tho ba tta lio n s,at 6s00 A#M., in t heir bivou acs, for the transpo rta tion of the machine*gunsr

One day 's reatfrve ra tio ns w i l l a ls o be di st ri b u te d , by luotcrtrucks, to the troops in theAbi7Ouao8, before their departure*

Tno Commanding General, 9th Div is ion*Signed* GAMELIN.Chief of Staff.BLIH.

(OF?IOIAL)This order la dospatoned to the urdte whioh alroady hare been

a lerted and aoquainted wi th the s i tu a t io n by the l i a i s o n o f f i c e r s .The order le a v e s the d i v is i o n command po st a t l s 8 0 AUt on the23rd, and w i l l roc oh the u n it s at about 3:0 0 A*U*

DAY 0? MARCH 23rd. (UAP HO. 1 )i f t e r two or three hours s le e p , the gen era l leav es with his

ptaff at about 6:00 A,U,, to go to Quearay, v/here he has decided toe s t a b li s h h is oomirand p os t a t the Chateau. He a r r iv e s Vnere a tabout fit00 A.M.

(1) I t must be remembered th at th ese un it s have not y e t ar rive din the zone of the div is ion.


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12..At the some timo, the divisional ouvalry equadron arrirea tilso,

whioh, moving aorois country, has passod she wagon-train, whioh Isoften delayed to allow the motor truoks to pasn

Soon after his arrival at Quesmy, the division oomnander goesto Buohoire to ceet the oom-*auding gene ral of the III* British ArmyCorps. There ho also moots the commanding genorul of the XVIIIMlBritish Army Corps and learns that the British troops are retiringevery where, having lost the oroueings over the canal* The enemyhas penetrated Into Ram, and is marchi ng on Oolanoourt and Esmery-Hcllon,

The general returns immediately to his headquarters, and studiesthe situation, to give his orders accordingly.

He must not lose sight of his primary missior, for, if he ehouldabandon the Genlis Woo ds, the enemy migh t be able to wedge himsel finto the breaoh thus formed* But neither oan he negleot this threaton his left flank, whioh is the more 'serious b8 the 10th Division,whioh is to operate on his left, rill not arrive until the afternoon*

Therefore, while maintaining a disposition of troopo fGOing eeatand northeast, he also must plaoo troops i'aolng to r.he uortti, sadthis as qu!:>cly as possible, as the situation may beoome critical atany moment*

What troops has he available to ward off this threat ?His divisional oavalry oiuadron, one of the battalions of the

Chateau and farm of Beine, the 39th Infantry, and tha 4th Infantry,in reserve at Quesmy-Uauoourta

Whero shall he strike his oountor-atteok ?


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13An exam ination of the map ahown that the p lateau x to the north

of Flavy-le-Meldeux and le Plessis-Patte-d'Oie aoom to lend thorusolvoaw ell to t h is , ond are situa ted at a oonvenlent distanoe*

Therefore he vr ill imm ediately move h is squadron th ere, whioh w i l lhold the knolls until the arrival of the regiment from Quosmy-llauoourt.

Afterwards, the re lie ve d oquadron w i l l pro teot the l e f t flunk ofthe d iv is io n , maintaining i t s e l f on i t s ex ter ior flank, while one ofthe battalions of the 389th Infantry, from the Chateau and farm ofBeino, will insure liaison between the 4th and the 389th Infantry byprooeoding to Villeselve*

Here then is the division, extended over a front of 16 kilometersWhat does i t matter 1 This si tu a ti o n i s thrust upon us by the o i r oumstanoest

But in this situation the division oannot pretend any more defini t e ly to stop the enemy; a l l i t can do, no doubt, w i l l be to hold outfor a limited time under powerful attaoks, unless i t be reinforoed.Th is, a t lo c e t , i s what the ge.ral th ink s, but he keeps t h is thoughtfor his ohlef, the oommander of the Vfati Army Corps, and does not impart i t to h is subordinate commandera.

After having thus deployed his division, and engaged all hiare se rv es , the f i r s t oonoern of the genoral is to reorganise now onoe.To nooompllsh th i s , ho takes the two b a tt a li on s of the 8End Infan tryat Ugny-lo-Gay and le s H oBettos, and pla oes them in d iv is io n reserves

OonooquohMy, the order issued is the following!


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1 4 .9 th INFATTRY DIY I8I0H .


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15.y r the rig ht w ith the ba tt a l io n a t Beaumont.

d) The two b a t t a li o n s of the 62nd In fa n tr y from Ugn y-le-Gay andl e s Hex e tt as w i l l co n s t i t u t e the d i v i s i o n rese rv e , d ispo sed i n thea rea Gui v ry - l o s Heee t t e s ,

I I I* Command V o s tt D i v i s i o n , d i v i s i o n a l a r t i l l o r y , d i v i s i o n a linfantr?> engineers, medical troopat Maintained at Quea.-ny.

Oomoand P o s t of 8Bnfl In fa n try : Quivry*Oommand Po ot of 3B9th I n fa ntr yI OhSteaa and Farm o f B e in e .Oommand ?o at of > th In fa n try I Berlanoourt .

I7 Engineers ; i l e r te d a t Sa int -Ua rt in*D iv is i on al Center of In str uo t ion t Alerted at PorQuorioourt.Oroup o f d i v i s io n a l a tretoher-be arera ( de ta i l ed orders

issued by tho division siu'goon )

The Commanding General, 9th Division.Signed: QAlffiLIN.Tho OVdLef of Staff.BUB.(OPPIOIiL).

After having Issued these orders, the general gives the Army CorpsCommander an aooount of the delioate situation whioh oonfronts him,and asks him to expedite the entry of the 10th Division into the lineon his left, and also to order the 1st Dismounted Cavalry Division,whose misBion of relief has beoome useless, to replaoe it in theQonlis Woods*

The divisional oavalry squadron and the infantry battalions oarryout the order they have reoeived*


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16.Tho squadron, a ft er having moved rapid ly --preoeded by i ta

reoonnaiaeanoe partlea and ita patrols-- to the aouthorn slopesof the plate au of h i l l 87 ( ea st of Flavy-le-Meldeux ) , dismounts,moves up the h i l l , and takes i t s p osi ti on , ready to stop by i t s fi reany enemy debouohing from Golanoourt, After the arriv al of the 4thInfantry, i t mounts onoe more, and proceeds to the farm Vieux-Saint-Nicolas, with some elements posted at the northeast oorner of thel'H op ita l WooJs, whioh en ab les i t to watoh and to hinder any movement of the enemy debouohing from Eem ery-Halion,

Tho 4th Infantry i s disposed with one ba tta lio n at l e P le sa is Patte-d'O ie and h i l l 87 , one ba ttalio n at Flavy-le-UeldeuxR ouvrel,the 3rd battalion, regimental reserve, at the oroaaroadB 200 meterswest of tho Berlanoourt ohuroh.

The 389th Infantry, as i t was ordered, moves one battalion toVilleselve, thus insuring liaison with the right battalion oi the4th Infan try through a mixed detaohment of the two regim en ts, atGol le iy .

Starting at noon, the enemy, in oontaot with our lines, attemptso ooriea of looal attaoks, whioh are all repulsed.

At about 8JOO P.M. the Army Corps oomaander announces by te le phone that the 10th D ivisio n w i l l be re sp on sib le, a t n ig h tf a ll , for theground west of the main road from Hoyon to Ram, and that tho 1stDismounted Oavalry Division will relieve the right of the 9th Division at the Oenlis Woods dur'.ng tho >dght

In oonseiuenoe, the di vi si o n ovamonler is su e s spe cia l ordersto tho d iv is io n a l squadron *>


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the divisional squadron: To withdraw, after the infantry ofthe 10th Diriaion has moved into plaoe, to Quesmy, where it wj..\lawait further orders of the diriaion commander*

For the 4th Infantry: Temporarily to oontinue on the same mission, then, when the battalion from Plavy~le-)feldeux shall hare beenrelieved, to more it to a position between Berlanoourt and Gulsoard,in division reserve

For the 88nd Infantryi To move its battalion from the Oenlis Woods,after it has been relieved, to la-Heuville-en-Beine, ready to protect,eventually, the right of the 389th Infantry*

The afternoon is comparatively oalm. The enemy evidently istrying to determine the line we oooupy* Cn the other hand, thore arestill olemonta of British detaohmenta Isolated in front of our line*The general takes advantage of this to perfeot the disposition ofhis artillery for the next day.The batteries are announoed as due to arrive by nigh tfa ll. Theregimental, group and battery oommandors, with their reoonnaissanoedetaohmonts, are moving ahead of the oolumn so as to reoeiv* theirorders and to reoonnoiter their emplacements before nightfall* Theartillery will move into position during the night, and will oarryout its fire for adjustment at daybreak, thus being roady to intervene*On the morning of the 84th the general will have two infantryregiments in lines 389th on the right, 4th on the left* He deoidesto plaoo a group of field artillory in direot support of eaoh ofhis regiments* He holds the 3rd group of the artillery regiment underhia own oontrol, either to engage targets of opportunity, or elseto reinforoe the fires of one of the first two group s, aooording to


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16,the prinoipal direotion of the enemy's attack.

Both the group of 156 mm. howitsers ( Schneider ) , whioh is anorganio part of the division, and one of the two groups of howitzers( Sohneider ) of the 308th Field Artillery (hoary), are assignednormal tones ooinolding with the sones of aotion of the infantryregiments they are supporting*

By order of the Army Corps, one of the heavy groups must be placedat the disposal of the 10th Division*

The two other groups , heavy guns (1877), and howitzers (1918),are kept eubjeot to the orders of the division oommr.nder* The firstifor long range interdiotion on those legalities whioh the enemy isobliged to oross, the seoond to be employed aooording to oiroumstanoes*

The emplaoements of the groups are determined by agreement withthe divisional artillery commander, who works in a room near thegeneral's*

These positions are ohoaon by taking into aooount the paramountneoesslty for the artillery to aooomplish its mission with effioienoy,that is; to be suffioiently olose, and also to be able to move easily to the rear in oase the infantry should be pushed baok* As ftmatter of foot, seeing that his division is deployed over a widthOf 9 kilometors, the general oonsiders the possibility that his linemay not be able to maintain itself intaot in oose of a strong enemyattcjk, and above all , he has always to fear s h ou ld the enemy'smovement become intensified to the west of R a m that the entireleft of our line may be outflanked and forood to give way*

Re deoides to plaoe the artillery group in direot support of the


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19,regiment on the right in rear of the knoll to the east of Belnet agood distance, and having good approaohos towards the raar*

The support-group of the regiment on the left may be plaoed,either in the valley to the eaat of Borlanoourt, or else in the valleyof GuiaoardBuohoire. The first position is somewhat advanced, anddoes not faoilitate an easy withdrawal of the group* The aooond issomewhat distant* Consequently, the group will be plaood in depth,with one battery to the east of Borlanoourt and two batteries to theeaat of Guisoard*

The third group will be plaoed towards hill 104*The two groupa of howitiers (Sohneider) will be plaoed, one towards

Buohoire, the other in the valley 600 me tors to the north of Saint-Martin,

This disposition, therefore, allows the artillery to oarry oatits initial mission, and its establishment in depth will insure itscontinuity of fire in oase of the progressive retreat of the troops*

All these decisions are confirmed in the following general orders9th DIVISION.

STAFP.O.P. 83 Uaroh*(Twenty-third Uaroh)at 2:00(two) ?u*

3rd Seotlon,

- GENERAL ORDER NO. 3(Employment of the A r t U l e r y ) ,The artillery plaoed at the disposal of the 9th Division will

oarry out its fire for adjustment tomorrow, Uaroh 84th, in the morning,as scon as the weather permits*


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0.It will support the defense aa follows*

I.......75 mm. Guns,1st Group of the 30th Field Artillery: Will be in direol

support of the 329th Infantry, from a position on the knoll 1 kilometereaat of Beine.8nd Group of the 30th Field Artilleryj Will be in direct

support of the 4th Infantry, having one battery to the east of Berlanoourt, and two batteries to the east of GuiBoard.

3rd Group of the 30th Field Artilleryi Will be at thedisposal of the oolonel in oommand of the grouping of the divisionalfield artillery on the plateau of hill 104 (to the northeast of Buohoire),

The 4th and 39th Infantry may oall direotly on this groupin oase of urgonoy.

The majors commanding tho 1st and nd Groups will be withthe oolonels of the 4th and 389th Infantry respectively*

The 3rd Group will detail a liaison non-oommissioned offioerto be with eaoh of the oolonels of the 4th and the 389th Infantry.

II*166 mm.(Sohneider).The 6th Group of the 106th Field Artillery (heavy), in

the Buohoire area, must be prepared to fire prinoipally in the soneof the 329th Infantry, with whioh it will have a liaison cffloer.

The 3rd Group of the 308th Field Artillery (heavy), tothe north of Saint-Martin, will fire prinoipally in the gone of aotionof the 4th Infantry, with whioh it will have a liaison offioor*

The 8nd Group of the 308th Field Artillery (heavy) nearRosavoine, is scheduled to be plaoed under the orders of the 10th Division,


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81.It w il l bo prepared to f i r e , ev en tu al ly, in the sone of ao tion

of the 4th Infantry*III 166 mm.heavy guna(1877), and 166 mm,howitzers (1918),

The p osit io n of the group of 166 mm.heavy guns (1 877), andthe group of 166 mm.howiteeru (1918), w i l l be determined i n the morning of the 84th.

Signed: GAUEUH.

As the organio territorial battalion of the division will detruckla te in the afternoon a t Buboeuf, a ap eo ia l order direota i t tobivouao at Mauoourt*

Orders are also issued for the birouaoking of the auxiliaryservloes, aooording to their arrival*

Finally, a general order antioipateB and presoribes the defensiveorganisation of a seoond position*This w il l inoludet A key .position, whioh the general se le o ta on

the slo p es south of the brook running from Beaugies towards Oulsoord,and dlsoonneoted ta o tioa l l o o a l i t i e s looated forward on the mo&t importnnt poin ts of the t er ra in , and being able to defend simultaneouslyagainst a hostile attaok ooaing from tho north, northeast, or east*The seoond position has been ohosen on the line 8eaugi68-Ouisoard,for the following reasons:

I t i s far enough away from the ao tu al front l in e s , so that i toannot be taken under e ff ec ti ve fi r e by the enemy a r t i l l e r y preparationand supporting fires during the attaok on them. Therefore this willne oe ss ita te the displacement of this a r t il le r y , whioh aeans a delayfor the onomy.


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8.It offers, to tho infantry, A auooeaaion of easily defended taot

icfil localities, with an obstaolo in front of them: the brook.Finally, it lends itself perfectly to tho aotion of the supporting

artillery, union will plaoe its fire on the slopes and on the knollsnorth of the brook.

To put his troops in plaoe for the attack, the enemy will be unable to find any dead apaoe or any oovor, ezoept perhaps the narrowdefile to the south of hi ll 104 k whioh may be easily enfiladed*

This seoond position will be organised by the End Battalion, 12EndTerritorials, under the direotion of the division engineer*

The taotloal looalities organised ahead of the position are intended to permit the breaking up of the enemy's attaok with oomparatlvely small dotaohmenta* The enemy must maneuver in order to take thesetaotioal looalities, whioh will lead to a disorganisation of the initial arrangement of the enemy's attaok. It will be neoessary for himto reorganise it in ordor to oontinue the advanoe for the purpose offinally attaoking the seoond position*

Further, their disposition in the shape of a triangle allots themto faoe in all direotiona, muoh more effectively than if they oooupieda oontinuous line*

Three taotloal looalities have been prescribed: At the farm ofBeine, on the ridge of Minimea, and on the knoll botwoen hill 104 andhill 94*

The first will be established by the 389th Infantry, in whoseaeotor it is looated, The other two will be organised by the ooramanderof the divisional engineers, who has two oompanles of the 88nd Infantryunder his orders*


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83 ,The division order re la tive to the defensive organisations of

the seoond position i s sen? out on Uoroh 83rd t at 11100 P.M.

At nig ht fa ll , a battalion of the 10th Division re li ev es theFlavy-le-Ueldeux batta lion. This hattal ion i s pieced 1 kilometersouthwest of Berlanoourt, in division reserve*

Tho squadron returns to QuesmycAt about 9iOO P.II. the enemy attempts a night attaok on a front:

Geniij Wooda--Boauaont-en-Beine, but is repulsed with serious lossesby tho two batta lions of the 8End and 389th Infantry. These battalionsmaintain their front intaot. The enemy does not attaok any more*

Toward midnight, a battalion of the Dismounted Cavalry Divisionrelieves the battalion of the 82nd Infantry at Geniia Woods, Thisbattalion moves, as ordered, to Heurille-en-Boine.

During the remainder of the night, whloh remains oalm, the a r t i l l ery moves into position*

Finally, infantry detaohments are pushed forward on the frontOolanoourt--hill 81 (more to the east ) to support and to aot as ooverlng dotadhments for the retreat of small British elements, whiohhave been seen s t i l l fighting in this direotion*

DAY OF 1IAR0H 84th. (MAP NO.8)No onemy attaok at daybreak* The Geraans simply have made use

of the last hours of night, to gain oontaot everywhere with our lines*They hove oooupied Oolanoourt in foroe*

At about 9i00 A*ll* the enemy launohea vigorous attaoks, oomingpartly from Ougny-Kauoourt, partly from the vloinlty of Oolanoourt*


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24*It 1 B shown, from the ao^gunt of the operations around Hoyon

by the High German Command (1) , that in the single eeotor of the 9thPronoh Division six front line German divisions (Z) were employedduring the attack, and that three hare followed in reserve* These are:In the front llnet

46th Reserve Division:* .Golanoourt6th Guard Di visi on:36th Division: ... eBrouohy,Uontalimont*10th Division: Beaulieu*Is t Bavarian Division: Genlis Woods34th Division:..,...... Genlls Wood s.In reserve the:

9th Division!#33rd Div ision: 37th Divioion:...,.,..011esy. *Flavy-le-UartelEast of Genlis Woods*

All the attaoks are repulsed with heavy losses for the enemy, andour front is maintained intaot.

Nevertheless, a heavy fog, whloh oontinues during the entirearming, renders our artillery fire very inefficient. Thus, our frontline battalions euooeed, by their own fire, in repulsing the attaokalaunohed against them*

Towards noon, the division oommandor is told over the telephone,by the Army Corps Commander, that the division oommander on the righthas been foroed to issue orders to evaouate Genlis Woods* He addsthat the 9th Infantry Division is authorised to begin a retrograde

(1). Dooumont oommuniontod later by the Frenoh O*HQ*(8)* In faot, 4 oomploto divisions, the front of the two other divisions overlapping the seotors of the 10th Infantry Divisionand of the 1st Dismounted Cavalry Division*


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8 0 .

movement i f the circum stances require i t .Soon afterw ards, inform ation cooing froa the 82nd Infantry and

from the mounted reconnaissance parties sent this morning to thecommand posts of the front line majors, enow that the eituatUn iseren more norlOILS. The battalion of the 82nd Infantry atBeino is attaoked, and it is reported that the enemy is already adveoing out of Ugny-le-Gay; finally, more to the south, the Germanshave taken Oaumont*

The regiment of dl amounted cavalry, operating on our right, fallsbaok, partly on the 82nd Infantry, partly on the orest southwest ofUgny-le-Qay, unable to oontinue the fight, as it has run out of ammunition.

The situation therefore is serious* The front of the division ha sheld firmly against all assaults, but it has been turned, and theslightest adfanoe of the enemy nay out the entire line of retreat*

What must be done ? Especially sinoe we have no more means tomaintain a support ohIon.

Are the troops to be withdrawn immediately oh the entire front?This movement could not possibly escape being noticed by the enemy,and would be tho signal for him to launoh a general attaok, with theoertointy of sucoess* All that would not beoome casualties would hateto fall baok in disorder, and the division, thus disorganiied, wouldbe unable to oontinue its delaying mission*

To hold out until night, that lei until the enemy will be unableto observe the withdrawal? Mils solution evidently is the only wiseone, though it is bold and apparently quito difficult of execution*


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26.However, tho general adheres to thi s d ecisio n* Ha b el ie ve s i t po ssibl eon aooount of the stubborn re si stance which hi s troops have offereduntil now; he submits i t to the Army Corps Compandor, who approves i t . ( l )

Horthward thero i s no reason fo r serio ua aneaeiness* There i sno necessity for making cny change in the disposition of units* Thetroops merely are ordered to stand their ground, but n 0 to launchoostly oountor-attaoka.

Facing toward the east, however, thfl situation is particularlyd i f f i c u l t .

The right b atta lio n of the 329th In fantry , at Rles-do-Ougny, beingin dancer of being surrounded, reoo ives orders to move, fac ing ea st ,to the heig hts of Beaumont-en-Beine* This movement i s poss ib le * Beoauaeof tho wooded nature of the te rr ain , the ba tta lio n can escape thoenemy*

The bat ta lio n of the O2nd Infan try a t Neu vilie-e n-B elno i s w el lplaced, faolng east*

The two b a tt al io n s of the 88nd Infa ntry , in di v is io n reserve a tOulvryloo Hezettea, axe available*

The ba ttalio n from le s-H ei et te s io deployed lAa edia taly, as trid ethe roadi T7gny-3.e-QayOuivry, with elements at the h i l l a t l e e Ulnlmec*

This ba tt a lio n , which i s disposed on a rery wide fr on t, w i ll dowonders to stop an enemy who, constantly repulsed with heavy lossesin his frontal attacks, tries to envelop the flanks of tho battalion*

Xhe other battalion of the regiment is held in looal reserve atOulvry, ready to move to the knoll between OuivryOommenohon, in

( 1 ) . It must be added that there are British troops% a r t i l l e r y , a r t i l l ery tr a in s, convoys even, in re trea t on a l l the roa ds, somo ofwhloh w i l l be encumbered u n t i l night* -All of those troops are ,however, very oala and in good order*


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87 ,oase tho outflanking movement of tho eneruy should oontinue*

The squadron i s moved to Beaug ies, with a detachment at h i l l 180*Having onoe more used up h is res erv es, the general immediately

consid ers the forming of new ones* He ordora the 3rd B att a li on , 329thInfantr y, to be sen t to Guieoard,The oo lon el in oommand of the d iv is io n a l a r t i l l e r y , who i s oon

atantly kept posted on the situation, makes arrangements for the withdrawal of h is group to the ea st of Beine* Two b a tt er ie s are taken tothe l'Etang-de-Boeuf farm, another battery stays in position with themission of supporting the infantry u'lvil the last moment, and then tof e l l baok on i t s grottp, T>ie ba tter ? to the west of Beine reo eives &similar order*

The group of h i l l 104 i s plnoed in support of the 82nd Infantry*The heavy artillery groups fire concentrations on the Genlis Woods

and on Ugny-le-Gay*A l ig h t mist s t i l l hampers the ef f ic ie n t action of the art i l le ry *These arrangements are su ff ic ie n t to stop the enemy on the front

Beaumont-en-Beine'Guivry. Re Buoceeds in getting a foothold on thelee Minimes ridg e, but a conce ntration of fi r e by a l l the ava ilab lebatteries makes it impossible for him to stay there*

To o ff se t th is , there e x is ts a gap on the right of the d iv is io n ,and the enemy is making progress thereAt the end of the day , he has obtained a footho ld in Guivry, whiohia e n erg e ti ca lly defended by the b at ta li on of the 82nd Infa ntr y, whiohis looated there* ilore to the south, the enemy has reaohed Beaugies*The squadron estab lis hed on h i l l 107 prevents him from debouching.S t i l l more to the sou th, the enemy has taken Ca illoel-O rep igny *

He has a ls c made progress to the north of the di v is io n 's seotor*


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8.Thus the enemy is at Freniches and at Beangles, and elements of

the div is io n are s t i l fight in g a t Beaumont*en-Belne* This showswhat one oan attempt with troops who fight well*

I t i s now abso lu te ly neoessary to sto p the advance of the enemyin an ea st er ly d ir ec ti on , in order to gain the neoessary time for thewithdrawal of the division; whioh will be possible, as night is app~roaohing.

In the e x is ti n g si tu a ti o n , the best means to stop the enemy seemsto be a oounter-attaok*1 We must wlthdrawt. The troo ps , who are now fi gh ti n g on a front of16 kilometers more or l e s s , are pressed on a l l sid es* Inevitab ly gapshave been created into whioh the enemy enters, advancing by infiltrations*

The ooun ter-a ttaok w il l accomplish the desired purpose*Even i f i t should seem to f a i l , that i s : not to make any re a l

progress, it will save the situation*I t s m ission i s not in the le a s t to retake ground: we know veryw el l that we would have to abandon i t afterward?.

Its purpose Xfi to stop the advance of the enemy, and to do thisin the direction where he is most threatening*

Thus, simultaneo usly, there w i l l be carried out a oounter-attaokon the r ig h t , and a withdrawal in the oen ter and on the l e f t , th iswithdrawal being effected by eohelons*

But with what troops sh a ll the ooun ter-atta ok be launched? Thegeneral has none available in th at .d ire ct ion .

Fortunately, in war, things are never as good or as bad at theyseem at f i r s t sight* Just at the moment when the inform ation rece ived


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9,ind ica tes that the si tu a ti o n i i o r l t l o a l , there ar rlv os , at Qmesmy,the head of the 89th Infantry of the 10th Division, This regiment hasarrived by forced marohos, for i t knows the o r l ti o a l s it u a ti o n of the9th Division* It i s tir ed . I t does not matter* It goes in to ao tioniaimediately.

The oolonel and the m ajors, who have oom in ahead of the column,receive their orders*

The leading battalion of the regiment will execute the oounterattaok on Beaugies*

The ba tta lion takes it s p os iti on for the attack , under the pr ote otion of the squadron, and goes in to ao tion , The squadron, l e f t behind,remounts it*; horsesa

The oou nter -attaok pro ceed s. B eaugies i s retak en, then abandoned*But the result has been obtained, as the enemy is temporarily stoppedin th i s looa l i ty .

The a r ti ll e r y begins i t s withdrawal*ne ve rth ele ss, we must est ab lis h the new p os iti o n , behind whichthose troopa whioh have beoome the most disorganized during the withdrawal may reform sa fe from h o s t il e threats*

Nightfall, and the temporary halting of the enemy as a result ofour ootfnter-attaok, pormlt the carrying out of the neoessary movements

The position is ohosen by the division oommander on the line Beaug i e s - - Guisoard, prepared to subsequen tly extend i t to the l in e Rimber-oourtSaint-MartinQroix-des-Six-Voies, should the enemy oontinueto advance over the v/ooded ridges of h i l l 106, la Gave Woods, andAutreoourt Woods*

This fron t w i l l be h e ld by the two regiments whioh have suffered


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30.le a st ;th e 80th on the ri g h t, the 4th on the le ft *

Seotor of.the 69th Infantry: between Beaugles (inclusive) andBuohoire ( in o lu sive) * This regiment o.'ders it o End B at ta lio n to Buohuire,and holds its 3rd Battalion in reserve at Mouoourt*Seotor of the 4th Infantry i between buohoU'e(exoluaive) andGuisoard (inolusive), with units on the knoll to the southeast of thisl o c a l i t y , the un its of the 10th D ivis ion having fa ll en baok on Rimberoourt.

The 389th and the 82nd Infantry w i l l r eorg anize : the f i r s t atSaint-Martin, the second at Quasmy.After these orders have bean issued, all that oan be done is toawait their execution* The d iv is io n st a ff i s s t i l l at the Chateaude Quesmy, where the sh e ll s begin to f a l l with raoro in ten sit y*

The general deoid es to move h is oommand post to lo s Usages* Thest a ff w i l l leav e in two eohe lon s. The gen era l, the ch ief of staff,the 0-3, and the orderly officer will be tho last to leave, so ca tomaintain the confidence of a l l by th eir example, and to provide a ga ins tany unforeseen even tu a li ti e s* They w i l l find the new oommand po stready upon their arrival*

At f i r s t , the withdrawal i s oarrled out under considerable d i f f io u l t i e a . Many of the u n its of the front l i n e , in the n*at of combat,have not hesitated to engage the enemy in hand-to-hand fighting, andare forced to out th eir way baok with the bayonet*

Somewhat l a t e r , however, the movements con be carr ied out withoutsep arating the units too muoh, whioh are grouped on the po sit londindicated.


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31.Sta ff of f lo o r s , plaoed on the road GuiuourdSaint-Liar tin, giro

to groups whloh \ave lost tholr units the directions nooessnry forrejoining them*

The te rr it o ri a l b attalion i s established as a oo7ering foroeastride the Guisoard--l?oyon toad, at the north exit of loa Usages*The a r t il le r y oa rr ies out i t s withdrawal, and, during the nigh t,

oooupios a position to the east of Porquerioourt mountain*

However, at about 10:00 ?!!, Information reoeived indioates thatthe enemy, as anticipated, oontinues to cdvanoe along the ridges tothe right of the d iv is io n* Re has taken Beaugies and Mauoourt fromthe 89th Infan try, outflanking these lo c a l i t i e s on the south*

Thereforo it becomes neoessary to carry the defense more to thesouth*

The follow ing di sp os itio n s are ordered:4th Infantry: south slopes of Rimberoourt.589 th Infantry i Saint-liar tin*89th Infantry: Quesmy*82nd Infan try: in d iv is io n reserve a t le a U sages, with someunits at la Croix-des-Six-Voies*

Towards the end of the nigh t, the di v is io n commander le a ves , a tl e s Usages, the oo lone l commanding the infantry of the 9th D iv is io n ,who up to now has been e ith er w ith him, or e ls e with the c olon el s ofthe regiments, to explain to them the delicate situations and theintentions of the general*

He oomes personally to Noyon to rejoin the Army Corps commander,in order to receive his instructions relative to the employment ofthe infantry of the 1st D iv isi on , the ar riv al of which has beenannounoed to him*


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3 2 ,

By or de r of the Army Corp s, he e s t a b l i s h e s h i s oomraand p o stat Royon

DAY OF MARCH 2Dth.(U AP N o .3 ) .The disposition of the units of the 9th Division, on the morning

of Maroh 26th, is exactly as was ordered during the night. It isindioated on map No.3

As the 1st Division has gone into action in the sone where the9th Divisi on aoted befor e, this last division is placed under theorders of the general in oommand of the 1st Division, who ie thesenior of the two division oommanders. Therefore, for today the artillery is plaoed under his control.

The intention of the oommanding general of the Army Corps is tohave the 1st Division make a oounter-attaok in the direction ofGuisoard.

After a meeting at General Headquarters of the Army Corps, whiohis attended by the two division commanders, he orders the 9th Division:

1 To hold in its present position at all costs, to permit theinfantry of the 1st Division to be put in position.

2. To protect the right flank of this oounter-attaok by. reserving, for its use, the Quesmy (lnolusive)--La Cave Woods (inoluaive)860tor, ooordinating its movement, should it be necessary, with thatof the lat Division.

The infantry of the 9th Division, whioh is deployed faoing north,must therefore, for the present, hold its present position, then


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prepare to support the oounter-attaok by i t s fire the moment i t i slaunohed. Finally, af ter i t has been passed by, i t will beoome thereserve, remaining in i t s present posit ion, and will take advantageof this to onoe more restore order in i t s units.Suoh will be the mission of the 4th, 029th and 62nd Infantry.

The 89th Infantry will not be passed. I t wil l hold to i t s position, resisting during the entire aotion tho probable counter-attacksof the enemy on the right flank of the 1st Divis ion. In oase theright wing of this division should advance beyond Quesmy, i t mustcoordinate i t s movement with this division , that i s : extend i t s l e f t .

After having been passed, the principal mission of the divis iontherefore i s the proteotion of the right flank of the oounter-attaok.The occasion will arise to reinforoelthis proteotion; the 82nd, nowat les Usage8, already has a unit at la Oroix-des-Six-Voiea. It wil lmove in i t s whole foroe to this l ocality, ready to proteot the rightflank of the 89th Infantry, the reserves of which, in it ia l ly arrangedon i t s .right, must, in view of i t s new mission, be moved mostly toi ts l e f t .

The oounter-attaok of the 1st Division must be launohed a.t 9:00o'olook in the morning.

The General Order of the 9th Division i s as follows:(see next page).


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34 .9th D i v i s i o n . 0 ,P , Hoyon,86 llaroh. 4.* 30 A.II,STAFF, (Twenty F i f t h Maroh Pour-Thirty A,U, ) 3 rd Seo t i o n .

GENERAL ORDER No, 7 ,In comp liance with the Army Corps Order, a tta ch ed h er eto ( 1 ) :1 , The d iv i s io n must ho ld , a t any o o st , i t s precan t po s i t i o n ,

in order to cover the forming and launching of tho oounter-attaok,2 , The mlsalon of the 69th Infa ntr y i s : To hold the l i n e in

tho zone assigned to the division, between Quesmy(inolusive) and theheigh t o f the la Cave W ood s( inc lus iv e) , es ta bl i sh in g l i a i s o n , on theright, with the elements of the 1st Dismount;'I Cavalry Division, Onthe l e f t , i t s movement must be coo rdin ated viith that of the righte lements o f the 1s t Div i s ion ,

3 , The 82nd In fa n tr y, when i t s h a l l have been pass ed by theatta ck of the 1st Di v is io n , w i l l move on la C roix-de Vsix-V olos , andtake up a p o si t i o n in reser ve bohind the 89th In fan try , I t w i l l senda detachment on the kn ol l at l e s O ar rie re s , 1 ki lo m ete r, 600 metersnorth of Sale noy , to oover the ri g h t of the d iv is io n ,

4 , The 4 th and the 389th In fa n tr y , when they s h a l l have oeenpassed by the oo un ter -at tao k of the 1 s t D iv is io n , and when th is d iv i s i o n sh a l l have t aken i t s o b j e c t i v es , w i l l r eo rg an i ze i n p l a ce , andw i l l r e v e r t to d i v i s i o n r e s e r v e

6 , The eng ineer s and the te r r i t o r ia l b at ta l io n w i l l t emporarilyremain where they are.

(1 ) This order oonfi rms what has been ver ba l ly sa id to the d iv i s io ncommanders a t the m ee tin g a t GHQ. of the Army Corpa.


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86,6. The 4th, 589th and 89th Infantry moot make the ne< essary

arrangements to support by their fire the launching of the attack ofthe 1st Division*

7, Division command post; Hoyon (suburb of Amiens)*Command post of the dirislon infantry: Tarlefease*

The Commanding General,9th Diviaion.Signed: OAMELIN.(OFFICIAL). The Ohief of Staff.BLIH.

Our decision, then, is to oounter-attaok. But , in wa r, our plansare constantly in opposition with those of the onemy.

This is most particularly true of this morning of Ma ro h 26th.We have decided to counter-attack in the direction of Gulsoard,

at 9*00 A.U. , with all our available foroes: one division*The enemy has deoided to attack in the direction of Hoyon, at7:30 A.M., with all his available strength: three divisions*Therefore the troops of the 9th Division will be put to a terrible

test* They will have to hold out, by themselves alone, against threedivisions, for an hour and a half, and that at the mooent when thesethree divisions will exert their maximum effort* They have receivedthe order to resist at all costs, and they will do so*During an hour and a half the battle is lnoessant* The divisioninfantry weakens, wavers, stiffens up, and holds on*

Certainly! the entire front line cannot be maintained intaot, butin order to accomplish the mission, it is vital that the easternposition be held*


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86 .The 1st D iv is io n , whioh has only two regiments ava ilab le , the

third regiment having been held at Hoyon, leaves at 9:00 A.M. fromCri8olles--lea Usages, and launohes the oounter-attaok: one regimentwest of the Hoyon--Guisoard road, one regiment to the east , The Germanli n e s y ie ld fo r a moment, but the Frenoh infa ntr y i s not numorloallystrong enough to d e fi n it e ly thrust them baok Confused oombats w i l ltake plaoe during the entire morning, then quiet will be reestablished.

The Frenoh troops w il l be est ab lish ed on the lin e : O riso llee crossroads 200 motors north of lea Usages 0roix-de^*SixVoie8t

The 1st Division hag not auooeeded in driving the enemy back, buti t has stopped h is advanoe for the rs4_jQf_the dayThe units of the 9th Division have been unable to pass into reserve,

and are str ug gling in the front l i i e mixed with the un its of the 1stDivisio n* The 4th Infantry on ly, whioh re a lly has suffered too aiuoh,receives orders to reorganize at Happlinoourt*

The 82nd Iufuntry, fur iously attacked at l a C roix-d es-Slx -Yo ies,ha8 suooeeded in keeping this important position.

In the oourse of the afternoon , the commander of the 9th D iv is io nprooeeds to the heights north of Hoyon, to study, in collaboration withthe oh ief s of infan try of the 9th and 1s t D iv is io n s, the oon dltion s .under whioh i t w i l l be p o ssi b le , in the evening, to move the elementsof the 9th Division into the reserve, in order to reorganize them,under the protection of the 1st Division*

They agree to reassemble the 9th Division on the knoll immediatelyto the north of Hoyon. This operation i s to be carried out withou tconfusion, and the units are not to fall back until the regimental


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37 .i nd battalion commander3 of the 1st Division shall judt?o it possible.

The s ta ff of the 9th D iv ision has no need to intervene during theb a tt le , as o i l ord ers, i n the course of the day, ore issue d by theoonra.nding general of the 1 st D iv is io n , end transm itted by h is staff*However, the ohief of staff and the ohief of the 1st seotion suet oonaidor the step s neoessary to again furnish su pp lies of a l l kinds tothe units*

The other o ff ic e r s, and pa rtic ula rly the of fic er s of the 3rd seo tio n ,ake advantage of theue few hours of lib erty to v i s i t the fron t li n euni t s , to aoquaint the latter with the general situation, and to gatherinformation for themselves on the d e t a i l s of the b a tt le under whichthe infantry units have to bear up* Thoy ask the needs of everyone,i.nd w il l try to s a t i s f y them when thoy sh a ll have returned to theoo.nmand post*

While not persona lly intervenin g in the b a t t le , the ooamandiaggeneral of the 9th Division keeps himself constantly posted on thesitu at ion * He i s furnished information of a l l the orders concerningthe operations of the troops of the 1s t and 9th D iv isio ns* Ho sup plements t hi s information by reports re ceived d irec tly from h is un its*

The f i r s t part of the afternoon i s calm* Towards 4:00 P.M. theenemy makes a strong attaok ag ain st the l e f t of the 1s t D iv is io n , andalso attacks further to the left*

Toward8 6:00 P*M. the fi r s t inform ation oomes i n : The l e f t ofthe division has held, but the division operating on the left, ha,*dpressed and outflan ked, has fa l l e n baok on Sercanlze. The enemy pen etrato s

into Beaorains,


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36,At about 6;60 T/,k,, the Jlrmy Corps Commander arrives at the command

post of the 1st Division where he sends for the commander of the 9thDivision, and states his plans to him. whloh are as follows:

1 To leave the 1st Division, as long as possible, on the heightsnorth of noyon, but to assign to it --as limit of its tone of actionthe Oise, below Pont-1'Sveque, should it be forced to fall back*

& To form, further to the west, a grouping under the command ofthe 9th Division commander. This grouping to be made up of the remainder of the 9th Div isi on, still reinforced by the 89th Infantry(l); the35th Division, composed of two regiments (57th and 123rd) (2 ); whichwill arrive, and all the artillery whloh he already had at his disposal in the engagement of the 24th, inoreased by the 13th Field Artillery (organio regiment of the 10th Division).

At this moment, information is received confirming ttie enemy'soooupation of Beauralns, and that he alsc has launohed a strong attackon the Ori oolle sB eau ral na front, ia a southeasterly direction*

This attack, on the left flank of the troops who are fightingfaolng to the north, is progressing rapidly* The troopo engaged in thevicinity of les Usages are felling baok on the heights immediatelyto the north of Hoyon, so as not to be out off from that locality* Thiswithdrawal is possible only because it can be oarrJ.od out under theprotection of all the units in reserve, which are engaged in thedirection of Genvry*

Towards Beaurains, the situation is even more difficult* ill the

(1). Of the 10th Infantry Division, as previously stated.(2). The 35th Infantry Division is commanded by Genoral llareohal,who is junior in rank to General Gamelin.


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39,field artillery of the group, end a part of the heavy artillery, arein position to the east of the mountain at Porquerioourt, end Iho roadnet doea not allow them to be dliaplaoed to the rear exoept by the northand the south of the hill ma ss , that is: through Soeauoourt and Larbroye*How, at Beauralns, two groups of the 30th Field Artillery alreadyhare had to bring up their limbers to within a few hundred meters ofour front lines* It is to be expected that vory soon the Soeauoourtroad will be out* Only the Vauohelles road remains open, but it isquite oertain that there will be a bad traffio-anarl at the crossroads200 meters east of Larbroye, and it will take many hours before allthe wagontrains ooming from Yauohelles and Hoyon will be able to getthrough.

But, if the situation is already difficult, it may be expeoted thatfrom tomorrow on it is liable to become ever more so* A great part ofthe hostile forces, operating to the south, is going to strike at theOlse on the entire front to the east of Hoyon. These troops undoubtedly will not try to oross the river, but will outflank the obstaole,that is; they will attack to the west of Hoyon. Moreover,it seems thattheir general directions must be towards Amiens and Paris*

On the other hand, it is true that the stubborn defense of thebelast days has delayed the maroh of the enemy fo r the time necessary toreoosemble new troops*

The 35th Division is one of tile advanoe elements of these forces*However, it will still require several iays before the combined

strength of these troops will be in condition to aotTherefore it is still necessary to hold on during that time, losing

the minimum of ground, until the grouping will have been completelyaccomplished*


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What i s the problem for the oomman


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41.To gain tine, ho will subdivide the work .His ohJ.ef of tho divisional artillery, his ohiof of divisional

infantry, and his ohief Ox staff know his deoision. He will orderMie 1'irat to issue the detailed orders relating to the movements oftho artillery, the seoond with restoring order in the infantry units,and the third is to arrange the movement of and tho plaoir-,; of theunits of the division in position.

He himsel f .asjumes responsibility for tho most difficult problem:thct of rebuilding a front*

For thnt purpose, he will employ the regiments of tho 3Dth Division*Therefore ho oalls immediately on the ooramanding genoral oi this division, who has just arrived at the town-hall of Noyon^

The 35th Division has only two regiments available, the thirdhcving boon pluood at tho disposal of the division operating more totho loft. The two rojiments available at this timo are the 183rd whioh13 boing detruoked at Ribeoourt, and the 57th whioh has been sentduring the day towards Baboeuf from whero it has boon reonllod butwhioh hua not yet reaohed Noyon.

Thereforo, one oannot oount on these two rogimonts until later ir..10 night, end it is not knoin whioh ono wi ll arrivo first*

Tho general orderst that tho .first available regiment be pushedin tho direction of Vauohellea, with its right rosting on tho lasthouion of Noyon and lta left extending towards Porquerioourt, ostabliniiing liaison with tho adjunont divioionj nd to plaoo the sooondroc;imQnt on Iho hoights to tho north ox tho Bivotte, as evonbualrrajport of the firot*


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42.DAY OP MARCH 26th . ( MAP No.

After having issued a l l his orders, General Gamolin, in oomraandof the grouping, leaves Noyon --already in flames-- during tho nightond reJoinB his new oomraand poat at Ghiry-Oursoamps.

His ohief of artillory and ohief of staff report to him how theexeoution of his orders is progressing*

The general informs the arti l lery oommander that , i f he suoooedsin forming his new line aooording to his plans, ho will have to plaoe;

His fiol d artillory between the Divotto and the knoll: Uonol ithe-Tour (west of Ohiry-Oursoompa);

His heavy artillery in the rioinity of Dronlinoourtle Homel*Consequently, he orders that the groups be hold in readiness to

movo into position immediately upon reoeipt of ordora, during thelatter part of the night prepared to go into aotion immediately afterdaylight.

This order i s sent at about throe o'olook in the morning, uponrooeipt of the latest information*

The ohiof of 8toff submits to the general tho plan, whioh he hasprepared, for the disposition of tho units of tho divi sion,

The oolonol in oommand of tho infantry of tho 9th Division oomosto roport, at about 6tOO A.M, that the infantry of tho division hasnow oooupied i t s seleoted positions*

No aoourate information i s rooelve . \uring tho night,,for tho olomontn of the front line*

All we know is that evonts hnvo reached a oris is on tho hoifthtn


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43.to the north of Hoyon, no doubt due to the strong danger that theunits ongegod there may be surrounded*

It is only at daybreak that information o o m in g from the oolonelin oommand of the infantry of the 35th Division and from oavalry reoonnaiasanoe parties detailed from the divisional oquadron and sent,over the entire front, to the oommand posts of the units of the frontline- * outlines the situation with aoouraoy*

The 67th Infantry Is established on the front: Mount Renaud--Sempigny, with a battalion at Mount Renaua, a battalion at Sempigny,behind the Oise, the bridge of whioh has been blown up; one battalionat Passela

The 123rd Infantry has a battalion at Dive-le-Franc, and onebattalion 600 meters further north on the height of the old mil l between Dive-le-Frano and Suzoy. The third battalion has not yet arrived*It will bo halted at Ohiry-Oureoampa, in division reserve*

This is not the disposition the general hca orderod, and whiohho had hoped oould be accomplished*

Hore ia a general description of what has happened:Hearing that the 67th Infantry will soon arrive at Rovon. and

realizing that the 123rd will arrive late, the commanding general ofthe 36th Division wished to push the 57th Infantry on Vauoholles*

But on aooount of tho unoxpeotod rapidity with whioh evonts hnvodovoiocod north of Noyon, the oolonel in oommand of tho infantry oftho 36v ,**iaion (1) haa been forced to put the let Battalion of the57th I nf o m / into notion, facing north, in ordor to covor the move*mont of his othor two battalions. Tho let Battalion, having aooompliphed i to mission, haa fnllon book with the roor element* of tho

(1) Oolonol, afterwardo Ooncrnl Itorolgno*


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44.1st Division, and, after crossing the Oiso, has established itselfat Serapigny. The two other battalions have been plaoedt one onMount Renaud --An important pea k giving a viovr of the entire r e g i o n the other at Paaael, in reserve* It was impossible to diapatoh themfurther to the north beoause of the strong proa8ore of the enemy andthe impossibility to put them into aotion during the night on terrainthey did not know*

Under those oonditions oontaot with the division on our left hasboon oompletely lost, and the enemy has been able, without diffioulty,to oooupy the mountain at Porquorioourt.A report oovering the above is immediately sent to the commandinggeneral of the Army Corp s who in reply lets it be known that theoommanding general of the Army attaohos great importanoe to the oooupation of this height*

The general immediately prepares to organize an oporation forrotaking ltWhat troops does he have available?The entire 183rd Infantry, and the find British Cavalry Divlsion(l),

which has Just boon put under his orders, and tho leading olemonts ofv/hioh are arriving at tho oh&toau 1 kllomotor south of Ohiry-Oursoamps*

With this limited numbor of available troops, he oannot plan toottaok the ontire front of tho mountain at Porquoricourt, Ho will tryto take it by enveloping both flanka, tho 183rd Infantry on the south,tho British cavalry division on the north.

Tho groups of the 13th Fiold Artillery are put in direot support

(1). Ao a matter of foot, we r.ro denllng hero with a mixed division,made up prinoipally from tho End Dritioh Cavalry Division*


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45.of tho 183rd Infantry; the 3rd group of this regiment in direct supportof the 2nd British Cavalry Division*

The 30th Field Artillery is put in direot support of the 67thInfantry, insuring the protection of the right flank of the attack*Two groups of 156 mm.howitzers (Schneider) will fire on the mountain at orquerioourt The balance of the heavy artillery will oontinuo its fire, on opportunity, on the exits of Hoyon and on tho townitself*

Shortly before this operation oommenoes, the enemy* in turn attaoking, oooupies Larbroye and SuBoy, without being able to dobouoh fromthorn. Further to the south, he takes Mount Ronaud. He is immediatelydriven from this last point by a looal oounter-attaok launohed by the57th Infantry whioh has reoeived orders to hold its position at any008t in order to oover the right of the 123rd Infantry A number ofprisoners remain in our hands*

The operation about to develop will be one whioh will take agreat part of the day* It really oannot be arranged in tho form of& time-table, fixed in advanoe, beoause of the indeterminate natureof our information and the impossibility of knowing,at any partioularmoment,what will be our possible line of departure and the onemysituation.

The regimental ocmmanders and the majors will therefore aotaooording to eiroumatanoes, being oonstantly in oontaot with andassisted by their own support units whioh thoy oan oall upon direotly.

The ooordination of effort of the British onvnlry division andtho Fronoh infantry regiment is not obtained by the synchronisationof tho rato of advanoe, but by assigning identioal missions to them,whioh insures a ooordinatod attnofc, any advanoe of the one aiding thoprogress of the other*


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46,While the cotion ia developing, the oommanuor of the grouping

at Chiry-Oursoompa la gradually Informed that the following troopahave been put at his disposals

It A dotaohment of five aqundrons (ooming from the Sixth Army)( two from the 14th Light Cavalry, three from the 2nd Light Cavalry),ia 8ohoduled to arrive via Ouraoamps.

2 The 205th Infantry (from tho 53rd Infantry Division), a?.soooming from the Sixth Army, a battalion of whioh la duo to arrivevia Our so amps and the two others b"' way of Bailly and Pimproz.

At the oamo time the general ia adviaed of on ordor iaauod tothe 1st Division to return the battalion of tho 57th Infantry whiohis now at Sempigny. This battalion ia to rojoln via Oursoampa*

Upon arrival of the five mounted aqua.irons, three of them areput at the disposal of the oommanding general of the 35th Division,in ordor to reinforoe the line at Mount Renaud, whioh is threatenedto be outflanked along tho Oiso, end the two othora are kept in roaorveor the grouping at Paasol.

The intention of the commander of the grouping is to put the 205thInfantry, upon ita arrival, into ronorvo of the 123rd, whioh is tooontinuo tho operation ogainat tho mountain at Porquorioourt.

AQ a mat tor of faot tho firat itoma of information roooivod inlloate that this oporation is devoloplng favorably. It la roportodth; t tho 123rd haa taken tho aouthorn part of Susoy, whilo tho 2ndBritish Onvalry Division hao roaohod tho northern oxi t oi' thia plaoo,nJ, having oloanod out the wo.itorn part of loa Kaoarts V/oods, ia drawn

up ulontj tlio roi d from 3usoy to Sooauoourt. V W a 2nd British Cavalry''iviaion is in oontaot with a deteohmont of the 3rd British CavalryIvinlon operatint? to tho ri^ht oC tho noii_'hborlnt: divinion.


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47.At thia moment the oommander of the grouping learns, from the

oommanding general of tho Vth Army Oorpa, that the division on hisleft is oompoH ed to fall b&ok in the direction of Guy end ?lessi s-Oaoheleux, and that probably it will not be able to stop its retreatthere.

To offset this, the 77th Infantry Division is plaoed in supporton the heights between le ilonolithe and Lassignya, Soon afterwards, the general definitely iearna that the elementsof the 2nd British Cavalry Division, enveloped on their outside flank,have fal Ion baofc, The 2nd Division has even evacuated la ReserveWoods, and has withdrawn on the line Evri oou rt Old Mill. The divisionon the left has fallen baok on Thiesoourt.

Under these conditions, we oan no longer hopo actually to reorganise an offonaive operation, but we oan meroly try to maintain our po sitions to the north of the Divette.

The gonoral adheres to this opinion, for, realising that his pcsltion south of tho Slvette is his main line of reilst&nce, he wishesto be able to maintain elements in front of it, in order to preventthe enemy from establishing himself within assaulting dinUnoe of thisposition.

The part of the front that is being threetenod in that part situated east of the old Moulin (mill), north of Dive-le-Frano. All thero8orvos will be dispatohed towards this vioinlty, c.n follows:

The 805th Infantry (whioh begins to arrive at a'aout. G:00 Pil )into the vioinlty of Evrioourt;

A/di f.ho two avuilablo a quad rone to tho left of this regiment, tryingto'establish oontoot with the division oporotinu still moro to tho left*


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48,Tho orbsslngs of the Divette will be oooupied by two regimonts

of the 9th Divisio n, to guard against any eventualities*Consequently, the order issued is the following:

OAUBLIN GROUPIHG.STAFF*3rd Sootion. (Twe

Command Tost*6 Maroh, 6:00 PItaroh* Fivety-six .H.P.H. )H.

GENERAL ORDER HO , 9.I* Aooording to latest information reoeived, the right of the

10th Division has fallen book on Thiesoourt and Dives*II* Consequently, to oover the left flank of the grouping, the

805th Infantry will move two battalions towards Evrioourt, holdingthe line: Rill 98 (inclusive) north of Epinoy, hill 74 (inolu


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49. The 4th and 82nd In fa n tr y, and the en g in e e r s, w il l oooupy, orga nize

and defend a p o si t i o n on the k n ol l: Uonolithe--Ohiry-Oursoam ps,I I I * The p o si t i o n w i l l bo maintained along the en t ir e l i n e :

Southern slopes of tho la Reserve Woodsold lloulln-rfount-RenaudBoutwest exit from Pont-l fEvequen

General GAHSLIN.

On the other hand, the commanding general of the grouping Askstho oommanding general of the British ORvalry division to hold hispresent position during the night, while awaiting the arrival of the205th Infantry and the regrouping of the 123rd. Infantry, whloh willbe studied in oooperation with the oommanding general of the 35thDivision*

The enemy oontlnuos to at took but is repulsed everywhere on thefront of the grouping*

At about 9100 p*lXt, Army OorpB sends information that the left ofiho division whioh is operating to the left of tho grouping is oompolled to continue its withdrawal, but that tho 77th Division Is readyto oover it.

A break in the front having ooourred more to the west, the commanding goneral of the Army Oorps asks if it would Le possible for thdgrouping to detaoh any available troops to be pushed on this point* The57th Infantry is lmmediatoly orderod to relievo the three squadronswhloh are fighting dismounted near Mount Renavid, and for the latterto move on Lasslgny*

Towards midnight the situation quiets down, the enemy boing evorywhere in oontnot with our lines, but having boen unable to bro&k


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60.through anywhere.

DAY OF MARCH 8 7 th . ( MAP Ho. 15 )

During the night General Qamelin reoeives on order from theoommanding ge ne ra l of the Army Corps vrhioh d e f in i t e l y e s t a b li s h e sunder h i s command a oombat ae o to r between Le Loennont (e x o lu s iv e )end the Oise.

The troops p laoed at h i s d is p o sa l are made up of ( 1 ) :The 35th Division (67th and 183rd Infantry);The 806th Infantry and the remaining elements of the 9th

D iv i s io n , ( ino lud ing the 89th In fan try ) ;The f i e ld a r t i l le r y regiment of the 36th D ivis ion ; 84th

y ie ld A rt i l l er y ( t h i s regiment replaoea the 13th Fie ld A r t i l l e ry ,returned to the 10th D iv is io n ) , and the 30th F ield A r t i l l e r y ,

Tvro groups of 166 mm .howitfers (S oh n e id er ).A s im il a r group i s formed more to tho l o f t .

The Army Corps A r t i l l e r y i s regrouped by drawing on the group sof heavy ar t i l l e r y whioh temp orari ly had been plaoed e n ti r e ly at thodi sposa l o f the d iv i s ions*

Tho Amy Corps order is to hold on the genor al l i n o : D iv e tt e Vh i 03 o our tPlemon t,

Thus wo now have su f f i o i e n t st re n gt h ovorywhoro to st op tho enemy,Tho delaying mission ohangos to a defensive mission.

(1) Tho d iv is io n mndo up of rogimenta from di f fo re nt B ri t i sh oava lryd iv is io n s hrd to bo made nv& llablo w ithou t de lny f or movonont toanother pert of tho front.


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61.The oommanding general of the grouping imiMdlately oono eires

his defense as requiring three positions:Main lin e of re sis ta nc e:

The l i n e : O anneotanoourt Yllle--?aasel*Outpost position:Tho line: Errioourt--01d Kill--Mount Renaud*

Barrage position: (1)The aerlea of heights whloh slope away from the Uonolithe,partly towards Ghiry-Oursoamps, partly towards Dresllnoourt*

His intention 1st1* To use a t a l l oost s the maximum of means for the defense

of the line of the Dlvette*8. For the time bein g, to firmly hold the outp ost p osi ti on , but

not to reinforoe it*3* To e st a b li s h , on tho barrage po si tio n , those troops of the

9th Divi sio n whloh hare been most sor ely tried*The general decides that the hour has oome to stop manoeurerlng,

and to figh t to a de cis io n.The oombat seotors of the grouping will be divided into three

regimental sub-sectors*The flank eub -seotora w i l l each hare one regiment, arranged indepth by suoo esslve b at ta lio n s, with a ba tta lio n on the outpost p o si t

ion and two battalions on the main line of resietanoe (1 battalion tooccupy the p o s it io n , 1 ba tta lio n ready for the oounter -attaok )*

The aub -seotor of the ce n te r, which i s u ld er , w i l l hare two b a tt a lions on the uutpoat position; the third battalion of the regiment

(1) . Term in use at that moment*


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58.;nd the rem'Aining elements of a regiment that has boon in battle andwhich may be figured At two b a tta li on s , w i l l be plaoed on the mainline of realstanoe ( one to oooupy the position Itself, the others tobe ready for the oounter-attaok).

The sub-seotors will hare as boundaries:1. West boundary of the right aub-aeotor:

Tour (west of Ohlry-Oursoomps) inolusire eastern exits ofYille Dive-le-FranoLarbroye;

East boundary of the l e f t sub-sec toriKnoll 1 kilom eter south east of Orval and 1 kilome tor n ortheast of R il l 141 (i n c lu si v e )- - H il l 76, west of La Bernardie(e xo lu slr o) --b rid ge 1 kilometer north east of the ohuroh ofQanneotanoourt finolu sive) the road Junotion 300 meteraoa st of the kn oll la the La Re'borve floods.

The aotua l assignment of the troops on the ground I s :The 67th Infantry on the right,The 183rd and 89th Infantry in the oenter,The 806th Infantry on the left.

The 57th Infantry wltht1 Battalion at Uount Renaud,1 Battalion at PGBBOI,1 Battalion at Chlry-Ouraoanpa,

Coamund post of tho oolo nel ooaamnding tho aub-aootor: at Pacaol( ;i out horn port )


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58. The 123rd and 89th Infantry with:

1 Battal ion o^ the 123rd at the Old UU1.1 B a tt a l io n of the 123rd on the south we stern slo p es of laReserve Woods,1 B a tt a l io n of the 123rd on the northern k n o lls of laBernardie Woods,The 89th Infantry at V i l l a .

Coamand p o s t of the o o lo n e l of the 12 3r d, oomaandlng the su b seotor: la Bernardie*

Ihe 205th infantry withi1 B a t t a l i o n a t B v r i o o urt,1 B at ta l io n at Canneotanoourt .1 Bat ta l ion a t Orra l .

Coomand p o st of the o o l o n e l: Orral*

The oofflbined su b -s eo to r s of the 57 th and 123rd Infa nt ry w i l l beplaoed under the orders of the oolonel commanding the Infantry of the35th Divis ion*

Command p o s t : Ch iry-Ourao napa.Ihe su b- se a tor of the 205th Infan try w i l l be plaood under the

orders of the oolonel in oooa&nd of the infantry of the 53rd Division,of whioh t h is regiment i e an orga nlo part*Coaaumd post: Uonolltha*

The oombined inf an try of the throe su b -s eo to r s w i l l be plaoed undortho ord ers of the commanding ge ne ra l of the 35t h D iv is io n *

Co.-amrnd post: Dreallnoourt*:he ool on ol ooaaanding the ri gh t and oe nt er aub-aootora w i l l hare


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64 .at his disposal one batta l ion of the 89th Infantry as a reserve.

The oo lon el in oommand of the l e f t su b-a eo tor w i l l have a t h i sdis po sa l one b a tt a l i o n of the 805th Infan try (b at ta l io n from Orval)as a reserve .The commanding ge ne ra l of the combined three s e c t o r s w i l l hareat his disposal one batta l ion of the 57th Infantry (batta l ion fromChiry-Oursoamps)

A ll the r e se r v e s, moreover, are plaoed i n re ad in es s in the immedia t e proximity of the main l i n e of re s is ta n o e . They are ready tooou nte r-atta ok in the se ot or where they have been pla oe d. But i t r e ga in s thoroughly und erstood that they may be movod to another lo c a ti o ni f the oommand to whioh they are at ta oh ed shou ld judge i t neces sa ry .

The troops of the 9th D iv is io n w i l l be disposed i n the fol low ingmanner:

329th Infantry a t l e l i ono l i the ,4th Infan try 8 ki lom eter s more to the e a s t .6nd Infantry at Ohiry-Oursoaapa and k>.oll more to the west*

Those th ree re gim en ts oombined w i l l be plaoed under the o rder sof the oolonel ooaimanding the infantry of the 9th Division*

Command post: Dreslinoourt*Tt ( the oombination) forma a re se rv e of in fan try at the d isp os aloi' the general in command of the grouping*

The gen er al i n oommand of the grou pin g onoo more w i l l move hifloo.-vaand po st to Ribe oo ur t, from where i t w i l l be e a s ie r f o r him torut his a r t i l l e r y in to ao tio n, tho commander of whioh w i l l a ls o oouo


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60.to the v i ll a g e , to be in a house near hi s own. He als o w il l be b e t te rplaced there to di ro ot the ev en tua l employment of hi s infa ntry re se rv os .

The f ie ld a r t i l l e r y w il l remain in p o si t i o n to the north of thekn ol l UonolitheOhiry-Oursoamps, so as to have I t s maso of f i r e a v a i l able in front of the pr in oi pa l p o si t i o n , but to be able to f i re als oin front of the outpost position*

I t w il l be disposed as fol low s:24th Field Art i l lery in diroot support of the sub-seotors ofthe 57th and 123rd Infantry, with a group able to fire a barrage in fro nt of eaoh of the three ba t ta l io ns of the fro nt l i n e .The oolo nel commanding this fie ld a r t i l l e r y w il l have hiacommand post olose to the oolonel commanding the combined rightand center sub-seotore at Ohlry-Ouraoamps,One group of the 30th Fie ld A rt il le r y in di re o t sup port ofthe 206th In fa ntr y, so as to f i re a barrage in fron t of i t sbat ta l ion of the f ront l ine .

The commander of th is group w i l l have h is command pos t n ea rthe colonel commanding the left sub-seotor at le Mono11 t h e .

Tho tv.c o th e r groups of the regimen*; w i l l sta y to g et her , a t thedisposal of the general commanding the grouping, to fire, nooordingto circumstances, on the front of the eu ire sector*

The two heavy grou ps, i n the region of Dr es lin oo ur t, w i l l be inre ad in es s to f i r o on the fr on t of tho e n t i r e seo tor They tnus_t takeport in the oou nter-p repa rat iona arranged on the p r in o ip al p os sib leassembly points for the enemy's attaoka, as follows:


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56.La Reserve Wooda--Suaoy-Larbroye--south e x it of Hoyon--?ont-lIKveaue*

The engineer companies will be disposed as follows:Divisional oompcnieo of the 35th Division: At the disposal ofthe regiments of the front line*D ivi sio na l companies of the 9th D ivision and te r r it o r ia l laborbattalion: On the knoll Honolith--Chiry-Ouraoamps, underoommand of the ohie f of engineers of the 9th D iv is ion*

This is, in general,how the general in oommand of the grouping plansto organize h is se oto r and i t s oommand*

To summarize, he w i l l have under h is dire ot orders: *As oommander of the in fantry to go in to aotion: The gen eralcommanding the 36th Division*As oommander of the infantry in rese rve: The oolonel oommandingthe infantry of the 9th Division.As oommander of the oomblned artillery of the aeotor: The ooloneloommanding the divisional artillery of the 9th Division*As oommandera of the engineers and of the oavalry: The oommandersof the engineers and of the divisional squadron of the 9th Division*

The organiz atio n of the de fen sive seot or of the grouping i s the3ubJ9ot of a general order whioh reaohes the units in the morning, but

execution of the movements during the night*The next morning, when the enemy attacks, he is repulsed everywhere*

Ho begins again during the day, but without re su lt* His lo ss es ere


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B7.enormous, and nowhere does ho suooeed in breaking through our outpostposition* Then he roalizen that the situation has boon ohonged, andthat now he ia faolng infantry in suffioiont strength to hold itslines, and whioh oan oount on the efi'ioient support of its artillery*

PERIOD FROM HARCH 88th TO 1LAROH 30th.

On Maroh 26th and 89th there ore no attaoks by the enemy. TheGorman divisions are preparing for a oombined offensive whioh theywill launch on Muroh 30th.On our side, time is not being wasted* Everywhere we improve theexisting organizations in the area by adjusting them to our presentfront. And, most important of all , we reoeive the ammunition whiohwill enable us to withstand the shook of the ooming attaok.

The enemy attuoks Uaroh 30th, It will result in his completerepulse.

The second sections of the staffs have functioned* Their information, received from various aouroes, is in oomplote aooord with thatof the observation posts of the oommanA, the artillery and the lnfentry. Everywhere there are indications of a ooming attaok* It isexpootod on the 30th,

In the early hours of the morning of thpt day, an enemy pipneis shot down. Its observer does not have time to destroy an order heis oarrying, whioh gives the hour for the beginning of the operation^8.30 A. II.

Half an hour before this zero hour for the hostile attack the


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60.reslutanoe In plaoe daring the day; afterwards, duving the night,the infantry of tho defense falls baok to a position whloh the enemydo8 not know.

This manoeuver Is noooaeltated by tho faot that tho greater partof tho tono to bo defended is without oovor, and doos not permit smallinfantry units to fire in close support of one another as they with*draw in eohelon. it oloao range, fire it able to immobilise a bodyof troops, and deny it any movement. Moreover, even if in wooded ieotlons withdrawal Is possible for an isolated body of sen of relative*ly anail importance, It Is a rather difficult matter to ooordlnate

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WWI 9th Infantry Division