Chapter XI: The Aisne-Marne Offensive (soissons)

On July 11, 1918, Brig. Gen. James G. Harbord, commanding general of the Marine Brigade, received notification of his appointment as a major general, and two days later left on a five days’ leave of absence. As Col. Neville had been evacuated to a base hospital after leaving the Chateau-Thierry sector, Lieut. Col. Harry Lee assumed temporary command of the brigade. Maj. Gen. Harbord and Col. Neville both returned in time to enter the Aisne-Marne offensive, the former in command of the Second Division and the latter in command of the Fourth Brigade.

Of the six Allied offensives taking place in 1918 on the Western Front, designated by the Americans as major operations, the Fourth Brigade of Marines, with the other units of the Second Division, participated in three, the first being the vast offensive known as the Aisne-Marne, in which the Marine Brigade entered the line near Soissons.

On July 17, 1918, the First Moroccan Division and the First and Second Divisions of American Regulars were hurriedly and secretly concentrated, by terribly fatiguing, forced night marches over roads jammed with troops, artillery, and tanks, through rain and mud, in the Bois de Retz, near Soissons. Headquarters of the Fourth Brigade was established at Vivieres.

The getting to the “jump-off” on time for this operation will always share in Marine Corps history with the glorious victory that followed.

Early on the morning of July 18, 1918, Marshal Foch threw these three picked divisions at the unsuspecting Germans with overwhelming success, and again on the following day. The American commander in chief in his first report stated:

The place of honor in the thrust toward Soissons on July 18 was
given to our First and Second Divisions, in company with chosen
French divisions. Without the usual brief warning of a preliminary
bombardment, the massed French and American artillery, firing by
the map, laid down its rolling barrage at dawn while the Infantry
began its charge. The tactical handling of our troops under these
trying conditions was excellent throughout the action. * * * The
Second Division took Beaurepaire Farm and Vierzy in a very rapid
advance, and reached a position in front of Tigny at the end of its
second day.

In his final report he stated:

Gen. Petain’s initial plan for the counterattack involved the
entire western face of the Marne salient. The First and Second
American Divisions, with the First French Moroccan Division between
them, were employed as the spearhead of the main attack, driving
directly eastward, through the most sensitive portion of the German
lines to the heights south of Soissons. The advance began on July
18, without the usual brief warning of a preliminary bombardment,
and these three divisions at a single bound broke through the
enemy’s infantry defenses and overran his artillery, cutting or
interrupting the German communications leading into the salient.
A general withdrawal from the Marne was immediately begun by the
enemy, who still fought stubbornly to prevent disaster. * * *

The Second Division advanced 8 kilometers in the first 26 hours,
and by the end of the second day was facing Tigny, having captured
3,000 prisoners and 66 field guns. It was relieved the night of the
19th by a French division. The result of this counter-offensive
was of decisive importance. Due to the magnificent dash and
power displayed on the field of Soissons by our First and Second
Divisions the tide of war was definitely turned in favor of the
Allies.

Maj. Gen. James G. Harbord, commanding the Second Division in this operation, describes the two days’ fighting of his division in these words:

It is with keen pride that the division commander transmits to the
command the congratulations and affectionate personal greetings of
Gen. Pershing who visited the division headquarters last night. His
praise of the gallant work of the division on the 18th and 19th
is echoed by the French high command, the Third Corps commander,
American Expeditionary Forces, and in a telegram from the former
division commander. In spite of two sleepless nights, long marches
through rain and mud, and the discomforts of hunger and thirst,
the division attacked side by side with the gallant First Moroccan
Division and maintained itself with credit. You advanced over 6
miles, captured over 3,000 prisoners, 11 batteries of artillery,
over 100 machine guns, minnenwerfers, and supplies. The Second
Division has sustained the best traditions of the Regular Army and
the Marine Corps. The story of your achievements will be told in
millions of homes in all Allied lands to-night.

This was one of the greatest strategical successes of Marshal Foch, and that the part played by the Marines was appreciated by the French is illustrated by the Fifth and Sixth Regiments and the Sixth Machine Gun Battalion being cited in French Army orders. The citations of the Sixth Regiment (that of the Fifth Regiment being similar) and that of the Sixth Machine Gun Battalion are quoted below:

Après approbation du général commandant en chef les forces
expéditionnaires Américaines en France, le général commandant en
chef les armées Françaises du nord et du nord-est, cite à l’Ordre
de l’Armée:

“Le 6e Regiment de Marine Americaine, sous les ordres du
Lieutenant-Colonel Lee.

“Engagés à l’improviste dans l’offensive du 18 juillet 1918, en
pleine nuit, dans un terrain inconnu et trés difficile, ont déployé
pendant deux jours, sans se laisser arrêter par les fatigues et
les difficultés du ravitaillement en vivres et en eau, une ardeur
et une ténacité remarquables, refoulant l’ennemi sur 11 kilométres
de profondeur, capturant 2,700 prisonniers, 12 canons et plusieurs
centaines de mitrailleuses.”

Au Grand Quartier Général, le 25 Octobre 1918.

(Ordre No. 10.886 “D.”)

_Le Général Commandant en Chef._
Signé: PETAIN

Après approbation du général commandant en chef les forces
expéditionnaires Américaines en France, le maréchal de France,
commandant en chef les Armées Françaises de l’est cite à l’Ordre de
l’Armée:

“Le 6e Bataillon de Mitrailleuses U. S. Marine, sous les ordres du
Commandant L. W. T. Waller.

“Quoique trés fatigué par un long trajet en camion et une marche
de nuit sur des routes difficiles, ce bataillon s’est précipité
à l’attaque le 18 juillet 1918, prés de Vierzy et a puissamment
contribué à consolider et à maintenir la position atteinte ce
jour-là.

“Dans la matinée du 19 juillet, il s’est vaillamment porté en
avant, en terrain découvert, sous un violent feu d’artillerie et
de mitrailleuses, soutenant résolument l’attaque lancée contre les
positions renforcées de l’ennemi.

“Ayant à faire face à une forte résistance ennemie et à des
contre-attaques continelles, a fait preuve du plus beau courage
en consolidant rapidement et en tenant résolument l’importante
position conquises par l’infanterie ce jour-là.”

Au Grand Quartier Général, le 4 Mars 1919.

(Ordre No. 13.978 “D.”)

_Le Maréchal,
Commandant en Chef les Armées Françaises de l’Est._
PETAIN

Following the advance of the first day, brigade headquarters was moved forward to a cave in Vierzy.

Col. Logan Feland was in command of the Fifth Regiment during the Aisne-Marne offensive, near Soissons, and continued in command of it with the exception of two days in July, 1918 (when Brig. Gen. Lejeune commanded the Fourth Brigade and Col. Neville the Fifth Regiment), until March 21, 1919, when he was relieved by Col. Harold C. Snyder, who retained command until the date of demobilization.

The Fourth Brigade was relieved about midnight July 19, 1918, and after remaining in a reserve position until July 22, 1918, marched to an area farther in the rear, but still in a reserve position, brigade headquarters being established at Taillefontaine. Alter final relief from this active sector the brigade was billeted July 24-25, 1918, in an area around Nanteuil-le-Haudouin, brigade headquarters being established at Nanteuil. The brigade remained in this area until July 31, 1918.

On July 25, 1918, Brig. Gen. John A. Lejeune arrived, and assumed command of the Fourth Brigade on July 26, 1918, General Orders, No. 16, reading as follows:

I have this day assumed command of the Fourth Brigade, U. S.
Marines.

To command this brigade is the highest honor that could come to any
man. Its renown is imperishable and the skill, endurance, and valor
of the officers and men have immortalized its name and that of the
Marine Corps.

Brig. General Lejeune retained command until July 29, 1918, when he became commanding general of the Second Division, relieving Maj. Gen. Harbord, who left to assume command of the Services of Supply. Col. Neville, on this latter date, resumed command of the Fourth Brigade.