Campaign History of the 151e Régiment d'Infanterie - XXV

~ 1918 ~

Holding the Lines (1 January - 5 June)

1-15 January: The 151 spends New Year's Day 1918 at rest. The next day 1 and 2 Bats. conduct detail exercises, while officers of 3 Bat. go through their own exercises in the St. Ouen polygon. A detachment of reinforcements arrives from the Centre d'Instruction Divisionnaire (CID) composed of 6 sergents, 21 caporaux and 68 men. Médecin Aide Major Paumelle is transferred to 268 RAC. Exercises for 1 Bat. officers are done in the polygon on 3 January, while officers a 2 Bat. do the same the following day. Sous-Lieut. Rouzé arrives from CID and is assigned to 9 Co. Lieut. Roger, previously brevetted, is definitively promoted to that rank. Capitaine Jean Wébanck (1 MG Co.) is promoted to Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur. On 9 January the regiment is alerted that it will be departing the next day and spends the entire day preparing. Lieut. Suisse, previously brevetted, is definitively promoted to that rank. The order to depart is postponed to the next day. On 11 January the regiment marches to Viocourt where it billets for the night (1st Stage). The next day it enters the sector of Flirey (west of Pont-à-Mousson), billeting in Harmonville - Colombey-le-Belles (2nd Stage). On 13 January it moves to billets at Douzermain - Limey, Blénod-les-Toul (3rd Stage) and on 14 January, to Minorville - Manonville. The next day regimental and company commanders recon the regiment's new sector in the St. Mihiel Salient.

16-31 January: In the night of 15-16 January, 1 Bat. relieves a battalion of the Foreign Legion in B Quarter (from the Flirey - Essey-et-Maizerais road up to the Thiaucourt railway. The night after, 3 Bat. relieves a second battalion of the Foreign Legion in C Quarter (from the Toul railway up to the eastern edge of Bois Remières, while 2 Bat. relieves a third battalion of the Foreign Legion in reserve in D Quarter. The 6 Co. relieves a company of Morocans at Bois Carré, the eastern portion of Bois Remières. The regiment is in liaison to the right with the 129 RI and to the left with the US 18th IR. The 18 January is calm aside from some artillery fire here and there. All units spend the day cleaning their positions and improving them, as most of the trenches are collapsing and flooded with water. The regiment suffers 3 wounded.

On the night 19 January, patrols are sent out to reconnoiter the wire-entanglements and further work is done to improve the trenches. Lieut. Pégon, previously brevetted, is promoted to that rank definitively. The regiment suffers 1 wounded.

On the night of 21 January, the Germans unleash an artillery barrage on the the first lines of 3 Bat. seemingly without purpose. Losses for the regiment include 1 killed (Capt. Cauredon - 6 Co.) and 4 wounded. The loss of Cauredon was especially tragic. He was a talented officer who was adored in his company, having arrived with the 151 in January of 1915, one of the original St-Cyrard candidates who had accompanied Campana to the front.

Capt. Armand Joseph Canredon (KIA 21 January 1918).

On 22 January, the Germans send over some winged bombs onto the same positions. Médecin Aide Major Dalidet and Aubry are promoted to 1st Class. More winged bombs are fired on the 3 Bat. positions the next night, while 7 Co. relieves 6 Co. in Bois Carré. Losses include 1 killed and 1 wounded. The following night, the Germans target the advanced posts with winged bombs. Capt. St. Denis is transferred to the 20 RIT. Losses include 1 wounded. On 26 January Lieut. Chiarelli is transferred to 210 RI. Losses include 1 killed and 1 wounded. The next night, German artillery sends over poison gas shells onto the regiment's positions at Bois du Jury. Sous-Lieut. Rouzé, previously brevetted, is promoted to the rank of lieutenant definitively. Losses include 1 wounded.

On 28 January, enemy machine-guns are active and the regiment responds in kind, as well as with VB rifle grenades. The men continue to work on the defensive organizations. Losses include 1 killed and 1 wounded with another man wounded on 29 January. On 30 January, reciprocal action by both sides artillery throughout the day. At night a German patrol approaches the 151's advanced posts and is quickly repulsed. The 5 Co. relieves 6 Co. in Bois Carré. Losses include 1 wounded. The next day is spent improving the lines and an exchange in winged bombs is carried out. A detachment of reinforcements arrives from the CID composed of 3 aspirants, 7 caporaux, and 83 men.

1-28 February: Sous-Lieuts. Houdain and Le Ridaut are promoted to that rank definitively. The morning of 2 February the Germans suddenly unleash a strong artillery barrage of heavy caliber shells and large Minenwerfers on the regiment's first line to the north of Bois du Jury. A counter fire is immediately opened to hinder the preparation of an enemy raid. Losses include 1 killed. On the night of 3 February, 5 Co. is relieved in Bois Carré by a company of the US 18th IR. On the night of 5 February, 3 Bat. is relieved by a battalion of 162 RI, the latter going back to billets at Grosrouvres and Royaumieux. Capt. Ste. Croix is put at the disposition of the Chief General of the French Military Mission for liaison with the American troops. Losses include 2 wounded. The next night, 1 and 2 Bats. are relieved by battalions of 162 RI, with the former billeting at Manonville and the latter at Lucey.

The 7 February is spent at rest, cleaning uniforms and equipment. The next day, each battalion is provided with work parties from the engineers to organize a position to the north of Noviant. This work will continue until 13 February. Lieut. Le Tollec is definitively promoted to this rank and Sous-Lieuts. Giroud and Pailler are promoted to lieutenant. Capitaine Jean Wébanck (1 MG Co.) is decorated with the Légion d'Honneur before the flag of the 11 Co. On the night of 14 February 1 Bat. releives a battalion of 94 RI in the Guyeune [il.] Quarter (east of Limey), in liaison to the east with 332 RI and to the west with a battalion of the 94 RI. The night after, 2 Bat. relieves in Ste. Libaire Quarter a battalion of 94 RI, in liaison to the east with the 1 Bat. and to the west with the 129 RI. The 3 Bat. goes into reserve, relieving a third battalion of the 94 RI. Capt. Galmiche arrives from the 8 BCP and takes command of 2 Bat.

During the day of 18 February, the enemy bombards the regiment's first lines and the village of Limey. Indirect machine-gun fire is also directed onto the rear areas. The men pass the days working on deepening the entrenchments and reinforcing the boyaux. On 20 February there is reciprocal activity by both sides artillery and aviation. The next day 3 Bat. (in reserve) provides working parties to the engineers to labor on the second position entrenchments. At night, patrols are sent out to reconnoiter the wire-entanglements. organization work is pushed actively and on the night of 22 February, 3 Bat. relieves 1 Bat. in the Guyeune Quarter. Artillery fire from both sides the next day and patrols are sent out at night to reconnoiter the enemy's wire. The nights of 24-25 February, the units in support are sent out to create an auxiliary position. The enemy conducts indirect machine-gun fire on the regiment's positions and some artillery fire on the regiment's first lines. Sous-Lieut. Beaumont is promoted to lieutenant, Aspirants Delalaude, Beauchet, Pochon, Lefebvre, Boulanger, Roudant, Sgt.-Major Lucien, and -Chef Martin are all brevetted to sous-lieutenant. On 27 February there is an exchange in aerial torpedoes and winged bombs. At night, 1 Bat. relieves 2 Bat. in Ste. Libaire (L) Quarter. Capt. Vignes takes command of 2 Bat. A detachment of reinforcements arrives from the CID composed of 2 aspirants, 4 sergents, 1 caporal, 1 cpl-fourrier, and 110 men. Losses include 1 wounded.

Sketch made by Capt. Bourgoin of the 151's sector (Flirey - Limey - Remenauville) in the early spring of 1918.

1-31 March: At 0540 hrs on the morning of 1 March the enemy suddenly opens a strong bombardment on the regiment's first lines in Guyeune Quarter, seemingly in preparation for an attack as it appears the fire is intended to make breaches in the wire-entanglements, yet in the end no attack comes. The 9 co. relieves 11 Co. in the first line. Later in the day, salvoes of 77s and 105s are directed onto the regiment's positions. Lieut. Michel is definitively promoted to that rank. Losses include 1 wounded. Winged bombs are directed onto the regiment's advanced posts the next day at irregular intervals. The night of 3 March, a German patrol approaching the listening posts in L Quarter are easily repulsed with grenades and FM fire. Adjudant Pugenat and Aspirant Mirie [sp?] are brevetted to sous-lieutenant. Barbed-wire is erected in front of the new auxiliary position, while the enemy sends over more winged bombs. On the night of 5 March, 2 Bat. relieves 3 Bat. in Guyeune (P) Quarter.

On 6 March, enemy machine-guns open an indirect fire on the trenches and boyaux, followed the next day by a harassing artillery fire of various calibers along the entire front. At night there are numerous bursts of machine-gun fire. On 8 March both sides aviation is highly active. Sous-Lieut. Poussiere is brevetted to lieutenant. On 10 March, 3 Bat. relieves 1 Bat. in L Quarter. Work on the entrenchment continues. Losses on 11 March include 1 wounded. On the night of 13 March a strong patrol, composed of 1 caporal, 12 men, with an aspirant in command, is sent out to determine if the salient at Remenauville is occupied by the enemy. It determines that the salient is occupied by several posts of 6-8 men and is particularly defended by flanking machine-guns.

On 14 March, French artillery fires 100 58mm mortars onto the salient at Remenauville and the Germans retaliate by shelling the regiment's first lines in G Quarter with 77s, 105s and minenwerfers. Lieut. Desmarchelier arrives from the Depot de Division and is assigned to 6 Co. Enemy artillery grows more and more active the next day, especially in G Quarter. At night, 11 Co. relieves 9 Co. in the advanced posts in L Quarter. On 16 March the enemy opens a harassing fire all along the front. Numerous bursts of indirect machine-gun fire on the rear areas. Work continues to be actively pushed on the erection of barbed-wire entanglements in front of the supplemental position. Losses include 1 wounded. On the night of 17 March, an enemy patrol attacks on of the listening posts in L Quarter. After a lively fight with grenades, it is repulsed without being able to infiltrate the lines. The 1 Bat. relieves the 2 Bat. in G Quarter, the latter going into reserve at St. Jacques. Work continues on the trenches and boyaux. Sous-Lieut. Le Ridant is definitively promoted to that rank. There is occasional harassing artillery and machine-gun fire on the rear areas. A patrol goes out on the night of 21 March to reconnoiter the French barbed-wire out in front of the supplemental position. Capt. Crochet arrives from the general-staff of the 69 DI and takes command of 1 Bat. On the night of 24 March, 2 Bat. relieves 3 Bat. in L Quarter, with the latter going back into reserve at St. Jacques. The 2 Co. relieves 3 Co. in the advanced posts in P Quarter. . Lieut. Nicot arrives from CID and is assigned to 1 MG Co.

On the morning of 28 March, from 0445 hrs to 0545 hrs, there is a strong bombardment. In G Quarter, taking advantage of the German artillery barrage, around 0530 hrs there is a raid on advanced post Vimy with rifles and grenades. At the end, two men are missing from 2 Co. At the same time the destruction fire being targeted on the regiment’s first lines, the Germans strongly bombardment the rear zone, especially the French artillery batteries with poison gas shells. Later 2 Bat. relieves 3 Bat. in L Quarter. Losses for the day include 2 missing. The next day a detachment of reinforcements arrives from the Centre d'Instruction Divisionnaire (CID) composed of 1 sergent, 7 caporaux, and 50 men. On the night of 31 March, from 2350 hrs to 0500 hrs the next day, the rear zone is bombarded by the Germans, especially the French batteries. Poison gas shells are used in abundance. The regiment’s first lines are also bombarded. The 3 Bat. relieves the 1 Bat. in G Quarter.

1-30 April: At night 7 Co. relieves 5 Co. in the advanced posts. Losses on 1 April include 1 killed and 1 wounded. The next night there are numerous bursts of harassing machine-gun fire. During the afternoon of 3 April a number of enemy “dragon” (drachens) observation balloons surveille the regiment’s lines and enemy airplanes circle overhead. The German artillery then executes a well-regulated fire using all calibers of shells on all important points in the sector. No other action occurs. At night 10 Co. relieves 11 Co. in the advanced posts. Capt. Crochet is detached on special assignment to the American army. Lieut. Baillat is definitively promoted to that rank. Work is actively carried out on improving the trenches. Losses on 4 April include 1 killed and 2 wounded. On 5 April Commandant Oblet is assigned to the 107 RI.

On the night of 6 April there are numerous bursts of harassing artillery and machine-gun fire. The 151 also lays an ambush northwest of Souchy (L Quarter) but do not encounter any enemy infantry. The 1 Bat. relieves a battalion of 332 RI in Dauphiné Quarter (sector of the 42 DI). Later that night, 3 Bat. is relieved by a detachment of 20e Bat. Chasseurs à Cheval in G Quarter. The 3 Bat. goes back into reserve at St. Jacques, less 11 Co. which remains in support in G Quarter. The 151’s front is also augmented with another quarter and is in liaison to the east with 129 RI. Capt. Thomas coming from the 94 RI is assigned to 2 Bat. as the adjudant-major. On 7 April German artillery becomes very active, conducting a harassing fire all along the sector. Another ambush is laid by the regiment’s groupe d’élite but is hindered by the stormy weather and the darkness of the night. The next day the enemy artillery continues to remain highly active. During the night, a large enemy patrol attempts to infiltrate the 151’s lines along the front of Dauphiné Quarter but is repulsed by VB rifle grenades and FM fire.

The next day German artillery bombards le Haricot (G Quarter). That night 5 Co. relieves 6 Co. in the advanced posts. Losses on 9 April include 1 wounded. Sous-Lieut. No'l is brevetted to lieutenant. At 2030 hrs the next night, German artillery bombards le Haricot again. Anticipating enemy action against this position, the all units are put on alert and told to take up their combat posts. Despite the shelling, 9 Co. successfully relieves 11 Co. The next night 2 Co. relieves 1 Co. in the advanced posts in Dauphiné Quarter. On the night of 12 April, 3 Bat. relieves 2 Bat. in L Quarter. On the following night, another German raiding party attempts to infiltrate the regiment’s lines along the front of Dauphiné Quarter but is vigorously repulsed. Losses on 13 April include 4 killed. On 14 April, Sous Lieut. Houdin is definitively promoted to this rank and Lieut. Ganot is put at the disposition of General D.E. South of G.A.E. Losses on 14 April include 1 killed and 1 wounded. The next day the enemy bombards the Dauphiné Quarter and le Haricot with 77s and 105s. Losses include 3 wounded. On 16 April the Germans bombard Limey with 150s and the next day, from 1000 hrs to noon, Tranchée Flagimont is strongly bombarded by 150s. Sgt. Laintrain of 2 MG Co. is decorated with the English Distinguished Service Medal. At night, 9 Co. relieves 10 Co. in the advanced posts in L Quarter.

On the night of 19 April, a German reconnaissance attempts to break the liaison between Dauphiné Quarter and G Quarter. The enemy party is repulsed with hand grenades and VB rifle grenades. Around 0200 hrs a strong enemy detachment attacks the regiment’s listening posts in L Quarter. After a lively fight with grenades, the Germans are dispersed without reaching the regiment’s first line. The next night another enemy detachment makes a second attempt to infiltrate the 151’s lines on the Dauphiné Quarter but is once again dispersed with grenades. Losses on 20 April include 1 killed and 3 wounded. Lieut. Dussayre Honoré is promoted to the Chevalier de La Légion d’Honneur. Lieuts. Auriac, Edmond, and Depoilly are definitively promoted to capitaine. The following veteran Sous-Lieuts. are definitively promoted to that rank:
de la Ferrière
Basteau
Garavel
Guillot
Lecointe
Métais
Métayer
Thiebaud
Hugon

On the night of 21 April an ambush is laid to the north of Regnieville but the Germans do not leave their lines. A strong reconnaissance consisting of an officer (Sous-Lieut. Pochon) and 20 men is sent with the mission of reporting on the occupation of the Buisson Excavation and returns back with important intelligence. The enemy does not strongly occupy the Buisson but sends men out to posts frequently. On 23 April, Lieut. Baillat is assigned to the depot at Fort Mont Vaudois. Losses include 1 wounded. Starting at 0200 hrs on 24 April, the Germans open up with a strong artillery bombardment along the entire Dauphiné Quarter. The 2 Bat. is surprised by the bombardment while relieving the 1 Bat. in this quarter. The men had hardly installed themselves at their new combat posts when the enemy launches a battalion-sized attack along the front. Backed by their artillery, the enemy infantry attempts to take some prisoners (5 Co.). Meanwhile, the 151 manages to take two enemy soldiers prisoner (from the 181st Saxons). Losses for 24 April include 3 killed, 5 wounded, 44 missing.

On 25 April, Capt. Adler arrives from the 16 BCP and takes command of 1 Bat. A detachment of reinforcements arrives from the CID composed of 2 sergents, 16 caporaux, and 60 men. Sdt. Jean Dupresnilh is decorated with the Médaille Militaire. On the night of 26 April, the Germans proceed to heavily bombard the regiment’s positions along the entire front of the sector. Anticipating an attack, the men occupying the advanced posts are ordered to fall back to the line of resistance. German infantry penetrates the regiment’s abandoned positions around 0300 hrs along the front of L Quarter. On the afternoon of 27 April, a specialized listening post intercepts a German telephone conversation and learns of an imminent attack and orders are sent out for all units to make ready. The elements occupying the advanced posts are pulled back to the line of resistance again, which is completed by 2100 hrs. Orders are given to the units assigned to the supplemental positions to man their combat posts and remain vigilant. At 2220 hrs, the Germans commence bombardment the rear areas and carry out a concentrated barrage of poison gas shells on the French artillery batteries. At 2330 hrs, the enemy pulls his fire back to concentrate on G Quarter and boxes in all of le Haricot. At the same time, a battalion of German infantry attacks le Haricot. This position had already been abandoned by the regiment and thus the enemy fell on empty positions. The German attackers fall back having suffered significant losses. The next morning the 151 retakes its advanced posts without incident.

On the night of 28 April, the Germans attempt to take a section of le Haricot three separate times, each time being repulsed with grenades. The 7 Co. later relieves 5 Co. in the advanced posts. Losses include 3 wounded. All through the afternoon and night of 29 April the enemy conducts harassing fire with machine-guns. Losses include 1 wounded On 30 April 1 Bat. relieves 3 Bat. in L Quarter. Losses include 1 wounded.

1-31 May: Lieut. Doumax is promoted to the Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur while Sdt. Joseph Delacourt is awarded the Médaille Militaire. From the 2 to 4 May, internal reliefs are carried out. Losses for the three days include 2 killed and 3 wounded. Around 0230 hrs on 5 May the Germans open up a heavy fire with minenwerfers on the regiment’s first lines in L Quarter while enemy infantry launches an attack on a neighboring sector. The next night 3 Bat. relieves 2 Bat. in the Dauphiné Quarter. Losses include 3 killed and 6 wounded. On 7 May, intelligence reports indicate that the enemy is withdrawing from his positions in front of the regiment. During the course of the night, strong reconnaissance parties (one officer and 30 men) are sent out from each quarter. The three recon parties manage to get into the enemy’s first lines without too much difficulty but meet a strong resistance at the enemy’s covering line. Losses include 1 wounded. Capt. Pey coming from the 150 RI takes command of 1 Bat. Commandant Le Boulanger takes over functions of adjoint au chef de corps. On 8 May Chef de Musique Hardit is promoted to 1st class. New reconnaissance parties are sent out to determine the enemy’s line of resistance. Losses include 1 wounded.

On 9 May are sent to subsector Hazelle in support of an attack to be carried out by the 162 RI. Losses include 1 killed. The next day the enemy conducts a harassing fire with artillery. At night strong reconnaissance parties are sent out to the enemy lines with the goal of capturing prisoners. Lieut. Michel leading two sections from 2 Co. manages to penetrate into the enemy second line. At the third line the party meets stiff resistance and discover the Germans are occupying this line in force. A fight is carried out with grenades, during which Lieut. Michel is killed. Losses for 10 May include 1 killed (Lieut. Michel), 1 wounded and 1 missing.

Lieut.-Col. Gaston Perchenet.

On 12 May 2 Bat. relieves 1 Bat. in L Quarter as work continues on the trenches and boyaux to repair damage done by shell-fire. Colonel Moisson departs the regiment to take command of the 39 DI. The next day, Lieut.-Colonel Perchenet, coming from of 6th Army Command, takes command of the regiment. Sdt. Martial Lagrue (11 Co.) is decorated with the Médaille Militaire. On 16 May, French artillery conducts a counter-battery fire, while French planes appear in the skies overhead. Losses for 16 May include 1 wounded. On 17 May recon and combat patrols are sent out to the east of Remenauville. Machine-guns remain active. Both sides aviation are active, with French planes chasing off enemy observation craft. On 18 May Lieut. Métais takes command of the section special of the division.

On 19 May a battalion of Senegalese Tirailleurs (103e BTS) is attached to the 151 for tactical purposes. This battalion was composed of specific elements that had not yet seen combat and will be amalgamated with 1 Bat/151 RI. Each of the two battalions [taken to mean the 103 BTS and 1 Bat/151 RI] will pass to the other the 2e Platoon (two sections) of each company, including officers. The MG Companies remain constituted such as they are. In each mixed company, each of sections will be formed into a white half-section and a black half-section. German artillery is less active on this day. A German plane is shot down by a French fighter plane. Red paper balloons are release by the Germans, one of which comes down in Limey. The 151 takes back up the P Quarter immediately to the left of L Quarter, this last being held by a battalion of the 63 RIT. Sdts. Alfred Demay and Gabriel Audra are decorated with the Médaille Militaire.

On 21 May, the 1 Bat. (mixed) relieves 3 Bat. in D Quarter. Capt. Lecointe commanding 2 Co. takes up the functions of adjoint to the colonel, replacing Lieut. Courreaux who is made pioneers officer. Lieut. Donsimoni, who was holding this position, takes command of 1 Co. Artillery fire picks back up the next day, including gas shells. The 103 BTS (mixed) relieves 1 Bat. in P Quarter. The 63 RIT relieves 2 Bat/151 RI in L Quarter. On the night of 23 May, an unfortunate incident occurs when a recon party in D Quarter opens fire on friendly elements in a listening post, which responds in kind. A handful are killed and wounded. Capt. Guatret and Lieut. Leroux are transferred to the CID. Lieut. Caudal departs as an aerial observer-candidate at the Ecole Sommesous Losses include 7 killed and 5 wounded, all from friendly-fire. On 24 May, some leaflets are distributed in the enemy lines through the use of VB rifle grenade shells. Losses on this day include 2 wounded. All the normal rounds and patrols are carried out for the next couple of days An ambush by Tranchée la Goulette produces no results.

In the night of 26-27 May, after being relieved by American troops in P Quarter, the 103 BTS (mixed) relieves the 63 RIT in L Quarter. While this relief is in progress, the enemy attacks (0200 hrs). A strong German artillery barrage is opened on the position Targette (L Quarter). At the same time, behind the barrage is a strong enemy reconnaissance force formed into 4 or 5 columns. A section of the company going back into reserve had already left the position. As such, a platoon of Senegalese (103 BTS) and a section of territorials (63 RIT) retake the combat posts and energetically defend them despite being surrounded. The barrage of heavy caliber shells continued on the targeted position, as well as on Limey and Ouvrage 46 until 0330 hrs. French artillery responds as well. The Germans managed to take a few shelters but were forced to pull back, leaving their dead behind them. Around 0500 hrs, the enemy artillery fire ceases. Losses include 5 wounded and 1 missing. The next day there are occasional shelling by artillery. Six dragon observation balloons are observed over the lines during the day. Lieut. Adam is placed at the disposition of General Archinard in order to bolster the cadre of French officers responsible for training Polish officers coming from America. Adam is attached to the 1e Chasseurs Polonais at Camp Mailly. Lieut. Roger takes over the functions of intelligence officer.

At 0530 hrs on 28 May, a patrol from the DI company captures an enemy soldier belonging to 3 Co., 188th Saxons who had been on a patrol operating north of Regnieville but had become lost. That night, German patrols are spotted to the north of Targette and are dispersed with gunfire. Enemy artillery destroys one of the regiment’s machine-guns at C21. Capt. Vernas departs the regiment to join the 500 RAS (Régiment d’Artillerie Speciale, i.e., tanks) at Cercotte. Lieut. Guillo and Caudal, trainees in the aviation corps, are sent to the CID. Patrols go out on the night of 29 May to recon the enemy trench Etouffoir and the Buisson Excavation. Losses on this day include 1 killed and 1 wounded. The next several days see some occasional shelling, aviation activity and the enemy releasing red paper balloons again. An American pilot downs a German plane.

1-5 June: The 2 and 3 Bats. are relieved in their billets by the 341 RI. Sous-Lieut. Bauchet is transferred to the 162 RI. The 2 and 3 Bats. march to new billets, the former at Dougermain and the latter at Foug-Grand (CHR goes to Jaillon). The 103 BTS (mixed) is relieved by a battalion of 341 RI and goes back to Martincourt. The elements of the 151 amalgamated into the mixed indigenous battalion are gathered and wait to go back with Capt. Adler’s battalion in order to reconstitute 1 Bat. On 3 June 1 Bat. is relieved in D Quarter by elements of 341 RI and does back to Martincourt where the white and indigenous (Senegalese) units are separated. The indigenous sections rejoin the 103 BTS, which is reconstituted and temporarily placed under the orders of the commander of 341 RI. The 1 Bat. (Capt. Adler) is reconstituted and at 0800hrs is taken by trucks at Martincourt to Choloy, arriving at its billets at noon. It is joined there by CHR. On 4 June a detachment of reinforcements arrives composed of 1 aspirant, 2 adjudants, 2 sergent-majors, 14 sergents, 10 caporaux, and 190 men.