 Truman's unit joined in a massive pre-arranged assault barrage on September 26, 1918 at the opening of the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. They advanced with difficulty over pitted terrain to follow the infantry, and they set up an observation post west of Cheppy. On September 27, Truman saw an enemy artillery battery through his binoculars setting up across a river in a position allowing them to fire upon the neighboring 28th Division. Truman's orders limited him to targets facing the 35th Division, but he ignored this and patiently waited until the Germans had walked their horses well away from their guns, ensuring that they couldn 't retreat. He then ordered his men to open fire, and destroyed the enemy. Truman was given a dressing down by his commander, Colonel Karl D. Klemm, but he was not court-martialed; his decision probably saved the lives of 28th Division soldiers who otherwise would have come under fire from the Germans Truman's battery destroyed.
