January 3, 1918
At 6 a.m. the 1st Machine Gun Battalion arrived at Damblain in the foothills of
the Vosges Mountains, and detrained. Upon detraining, all Lewis
machine guns, including tripods & carts, were turned into the Brigade
Quatermaster and stored in Damblain. Headquarters Detachment and 77th
Company then marched to nearby Germainvilliers and were billeted, while
the 81st Company marched to Chaumont-la-Ville, where they were billeted.
January 12
Hotchkiss machine guns were issued to the two companies to take the place of the Lewis
guns turned in; 24 gun
and ammunition carts also issued.
January 14
Orders issued forbidding fires in billets except between hours of 2:30 & 8:30 p.m.
January 15
1st Machine Gun Battalion officially assigned to 4th Brigade.
Detailed orders issued to remedy "great carelessness
(by men of the 2nd Division) in the cutting &
gathering of firewood ... injurious to the conservation of the
forests and their future growth...".
January 16
Wrapped puttees to be issued in future in place of canvas leggins.
January 18
Ammunition to be issued to all men to fill belts, and full belts
to be worn on guard, at drill and inspections.
All animals put on half rations until further notice.
January 20
In accordance with Memorandum from Headquarters, Fourth Brigade, pursuant to instructions contained in
General Orders No.4, Headquarters, Second Division, dated January 15th, 1918,
the designation of the battalion changed to the Sixth Machine Gun Battalion.
This order designated the 15th and 23rd Machine Gun Companies of the 5th Regiment, Marines,
which were stationed at Gondrecourt, as part of the Sixth Machine Gun Battalion, from January 15th, 1918,
being detached from that Regiment.
January 29
"Until further orders received, Corps device will not be affixed to helmets.
Officers will not wear winterfield cap as previously advised, until further notice".
All enlistments extended; no discharges to be given.
February 2
In response to complaints by French authorities regarding unauthorized hunting by troops
of the 2nd Division, orders issued prohibiting hunting in specifically designated woods in
the Bourmont Training Area.
February 6
"Passes permitting departure of enlisted men from the area
occupied by this division will not be granted." Local stationmasters
requested to refuse boarding of trains to any enlisted man unless
proper authority shown."
February 7
In response to accidental burning of several barracks in the
training area, HQ Second Division issues orders specifying inspection
of stoves & stovepipes, & the prohibition of fires in unoccupied
billets.
February 15
Serial numbers assigned to enlisted men of 2nd Div., and aluminum discs &
stamping outfits distributed among the units for the making of dog tags.
February 20
~~Companies instructed to withhold emergency rations from
distribution to men.
~~ Quartermasters instructed "to collect all beef tallow not absolutely necessary for
use of troops, to be shipped by the Regimental Quartermaster to the Salvage Depot in empty
vinegar, oil, or similar containers.... tallow to be used to make dubbin for the
preservation of shoes..."
~~ Battalion commanders instructed, on completion of live grenade practice, to collect
all unexploded grenades, place them in a hole, and explode them.
February 21
HQ Second Division issued orders regarding distribution of rations & forage. Rations &
forage to be issued at the railhead in Bourmont, beginning Feb 25. Distributing point for
field trains of the 6th MGB to be at Damblain (11:20 a.m.), except for 81st Company
(assigned to the 6th Marines), for which the distributing point would be at Blevaincourt
(12:10 p.m.).
Organizations to submit ration returns daily at their refilling points to Supply
Train Truckmaster who will deliver them on return to Bourmont to the Supply Officer Second
Division. The issue for the following day to be based on these daily ration returns.
February 24
French law went into effect forbidding the sale of meats, bread, cheese, butter,
chocolate and confitures of all kinds to all except French civilians.
February 245
Rubber boots to be held by each Company as trench stores, & issued by Company
Commander only for special use where work in mud and water is necessary. They are not to
be worn within the limits of towns.
February 28
Second Division issues ordered specifying measures to be taken by mess officers for
procurement of fresh foods in light of French law of Feb 24.
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
