The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1919-07-25

open to attack from the east an
north it was necessary to Withdraw
to the Bots de Fays and establish
line around the three sides of thi
wood. This in itself was salient o
considerable magnitude, but it wa
held stubbornly againts repeate,
counter-attacks from in front and Of
both tanks, not to speak of numerous
attemps at infiltration by the enemy
and all in the face of most terrific
and narrowing shell fire. The enemy
batteries across the Mouse, particul
arly, were active in Smelling the from
lines and rear areas. All of the woods
towns, and open spaces in the sector
received their share, but of course
the severest Smelling was in the for
ward areas.
| The third phase of the operation
| consisted of an assault on the woods
north of Boise de Fays and culminat.
ed in the capture of the western part
of Bots de Foret and reaching of the
Army objective in that place. This
attack was made by the 39th Infantry.
The first attack on the evening of
october 9th did not succeed, owing to
neavy concentrations of gas, the
necessity of wearing gas masks, and
The resulting difficulty OF seeing any
hing in the underbrush in the gather
do Dat hn II
was renewed on the following morn
ing the Bots de Malaumont and Bots
de Peut de Faux were both taken.
And on the next succeeding day, Oct.
IL, the attack was carried through
20 the northern part of the Bots de
roret as far east as the 312sh Meri-
dian, the eastern part Of Bots de
reut de Faux also being occupied.
Patrols were pushed out on Hill 299.
On the 18th of October General
Hines was ordered to command the
III Corps, and General Cameron re-
sumed command of the 4th Division.
No further attack were made by the
Division. The troops in the Bots de
Foret were relieved by the Bid Divi-
sion October 10, but the i7rh Infantry
continued to hold the Division sector,
from the northern part of Bois de |
Fays to the river Mouse. until the |
was relieved by the 3rd Divi- |
sion on October 10 and withdrawn |
% the Foret de Hesse for rest.
The 4th Field Artillery Brigade and
ammunition Train were not relieved
rom the line with the balance Of The
Division They were withjrawr from
he line for a few days in the latter
'art of Oc'oher, but were sent in a.
ain and remained constantly in a.
tion und the day the ari.is.t -, Was
igncj.
In this brief history there is not
pace to review the work during this
peration of all units of the Division
infantry, artillery, engineers, mach
ne gun units, signal units, trains,
to-, but it may be stated conclusive
Z that each performed its part with
determination and whole
earted devotion to duty. The Divi-
on was fighting over most diff
llt terrain and against an enemy !
hose determination to resist every {
1vance is shown by the fact that he I
nployed all or part of eight different t
visions against the 4th Division in L
is time. The weather was unfavor- t
lie, roads were in bad shape. and Q
e terrain lent itself readily to the 4
achine-gun type of resistance en- IL
Dyed so effectively by the Germans. b
ne Division was kept in action con- A
antly for "a days, and 5000 men
ere lost. Yet the Division penetrated
e enemy defenses to a depth of 13 2
lometers, captured 2,731 prisoners,
d took 50 field pieces, minnen-
,rfer, 22S machine guns, 2 tanks :,
d a vast quantity of ammunition of =
types. Surely the work of the 4th | :,
vision in this last battle is source e
pride to every man concerned =,
Rest Period -,
Upon being withdrawn from the a.
battle General Came 1,
/ was ordered to return to the =.
tied States, Brigadier General =,
ore temporarily taking command :,
the Division. On the 31st of Oct
present commander, Major Gen.
i Mark L. Hersey, arrived at Luz 6
to take command of the 4th Divi- 81
q. g.
he 4th Division was concentrated 81
t in the Foret de Hesse near 4
yen-Argonne, and then moved to ~
Second Army area about Lucey 70
lie resting and in training, the -
ision was a part of the Second ~
ny reserve. On November 4th 1t
again assigned to the First Army on
started moving to the Blercourt ~
/ November Sand started to re- Oh
! to that area before all units had ~
tally left for Blercourt The Divi- ~
was attached tn fha w Corna