History
of the
18th Infantry Regiment
L’Historique du 18e RI pendant la guerre 1914-1918 (Lavauzelle, 1920)
Editors Notes: This translation is not a completed work and will remain a work in progress until such time as the final chapters are added. The choice was made for clarity to change the sentence structure from present to past tense. The place names remain in their original form. Times in the text reflect military time. [John Holman]
of the
18th Infantry Regiment
L’Historique du 18e RI pendant la guerre 1914-1918 (Lavauzelle, 1920)
Editors Notes: This translation is not a completed work and will remain a work in progress until such time as the final chapters are added. The choice was made for clarity to change the sentence structure from present to past tense. The place names remain in their original form. Times in the text reflect military time. [John Holman]
I
From the Start to Verdun
(6 August 1914 to 23 May 1916)
From the Start to Verdun
(6 August 1914 to 23 May 1916)
The Departure of the Regiment
On the 6th of August 1914, under the command of Colonel Gloxin, the 18th Infantry Regiment [18e R.I.] embarked. All of the residents of Pau followed the regiment to the train station to share their sympathy and to give their ardent wish to those who would fight for the defense of the homeland.
Two days after, the regiment was along the line of eastern forts. After several stops, they embarked towards the north to Pagny-sur-Meuse. The Germans violated the neutrality of Belgium and rapidly approached our frontier; the regiment had to block their route of attack.
Offloaded August 19 at Avesnes, the 18e R.I. headed towards Marbaix-la-Tour; that was the 22nd. Along the way, the Belgian population regarded France with lively enthusiasm. Marbaix-la-Tour is close to Charleroi. The distant noise of artillery fire roared without interruption.
On the 6th of August 1914, under the command of Colonel Gloxin, the 18th Infantry Regiment [18e R.I.] embarked. All of the residents of Pau followed the regiment to the train station to share their sympathy and to give their ardent wish to those who would fight for the defense of the homeland.
Two days after, the regiment was along the line of eastern forts. After several stops, they embarked towards the north to Pagny-sur-Meuse. The Germans violated the neutrality of Belgium and rapidly approached our frontier; the regiment had to block their route of attack.
Offloaded August 19 at Avesnes, the 18e R.I. headed towards Marbaix-la-Tour; that was the 22nd. Along the way, the Belgian population regarded France with lively enthusiasm. Marbaix-la-Tour is close to Charleroi. The distant noise of artillery fire roared without interruption.
The Baptism of Fire
The 23rd of August, the place of battle was set. A study of the terrain the day before had allowed the determination and organization of a defense line between Begnée, Marbaix, and the Ferme de Horimchamp. A reconnaissance party sent towards Charleroi ascertained that the city had fallen into the hands of the enemy.
This was made apparent around 15:00 by the appearance of mounted scouts concealed in woods 400 meters from our lines, our infantry opened fire while our artillery fired from Marbaix, where the church steeple was hit. At this point, our first wounded fell. The Germans emerged in mass from the edge of the woods, but our gunfire obliged them to return in haste to their starting point. Two similar attempts suffered the same fate; Lieutenant Cecil’s machine guns were hidden death and the corpses of the enemy were numerous on the ground.
Around 15:30, the enemy reappeared in mass; they succeeded in reaching our lines at great sacrifice, but soon his momentum was broken, they were forced to stop. His artillery went into action, putting out of service our guns; the [officer] staff was almost completely destroyed and Lieutenant Cecil was seriously injured. "Good Strike," he said to those who picked him up and to those accompanied him to the ambulance. This brave officer stated: "You have other things to do, do not occupy yourself with me." He went alone, followed by a hail of bullets.
Our losses were considerable; several companies were reduced to half of their strength. The enemy constantly advanced; they were most numerous and progressing at all costs. Our positions were swamped, the regiment overwhelmed from all sides forcing us to reform our defensive line south of the village, while our artillery attempted by its rapid-fire [French 75mm gun] to halt the advance of the enemy. We were forced to cross back through Marbaix; this village, so pretty and so pleasant, was now only ruins and desolation. The night came; the regiment moved to Ossogne where it was stationed under the protection of a battalion outposts.
Retreat from Charleroi
The following day, the retreat began; you had to march, marching constantly under pressure from the enemy's advanced guards and fought to delay their advance.
On the 29th of August, the 1st Battalion inflicted serious losses on the enemy; it captured 40 prisoners including a captain. The Oise was crossed, then the 1st of September, the regiment passed through the Aisne Valley and 3rd, the Marne at Jaulgonne; it continued marching south the next day. On the 5th it was at Rupereux and received its first reinforcements that evening at the bivouac in Saint-Martin-des-Champs. Food was distributed; it was welcomed, because during this sad retreat food was often meager.
Battle of the Marne
Fatigue was quickly forgotten and gaiety came from reading the order of General Joffre that ordered an offensive. On September 6th, the advance began. The Germans offered little resistance, but they attempted to stop us with a heavy artillery barrage at nightfall. The next day, they withdrew faster: we went through devastated villages whose inhabitants welcomed us gladly.
On September 8th, the enemy stopped. Supported by powerful artillery, the regiment went into combat. The regiment carried out their attack in the direction of Marchais-en-Brie. The fight was hard. After clearing the stubbornly defended trenches, the 18e Infantry in the elan of a brilliant bayonet charge, captured the village and the entire plateau. The 2nd company brought back a cannon as their trophy. The fight was deadly; the ground was littered with corpses, but the enemy had abandoned Marchais, leaving 40 prisoners in our hands. This was a victory.
Colonel Gloxin and 18e R.I.were cited by General De Maud'huy, commander of the Fifth Army, saying: "Colonel Gloxin, commander of the 18e R.I., has brilliantly seized, by a night bayonet attack, a strongly fortified village (Marchais-en-Brie.) It has taken many prisoners and a cannon. "
Combat in the village of Ville-au-Bois
The regiment was in Beaurieux on September 13th, it arrived at Pontavert on the 14th, and situated itself in this area next to the chateau. The 15th, the 2nd battalion, which occupied the western edge of the woods at La Villes-aux Bois, an area they held despite significant losses. The 3rd Battalion occupied the Chateau de Pontavert and the village of the same name.
The next day, the 1st battalion and the 9th and 11th companies moved towards La Villes-aux-Bois from the north, the 10th and 12th from the south. At 4:10, the northern detachment reached the first houses of the village, after which they cleared a small enemy listening post before they had time to sound the alarm. These houses were taken; the Germans found inside killed quickly with the bayonet. Some managed to escape, being awoken by the attack. The enemy barricaded several homes, which made the attack difficult and lethal.
The southern detachment was greeted by heavy fire, but being electrified by Captains Mélin and Mirambeau and Lieutenant Delard, our soldiers cleared the barricade established at the entrance to the village. One building was set on fire and the Germans occupying it were made prisoners. The enemy was overwhelmed but they began to shell the woods and village, causing us significant losses. The fight continued on the interior of the locality. We sought to put fire on houses containing Germans; Lieutenant Boerner was mortally wounded after having entered a house, occupied by Saxons, through a window.
The 2nd battalion was sent to the rescue with two companies of the 57e R.I. ; the sappers of the engineer regiment blew up a house with Melinite [Picric acid], the Germans therein were buried under the rubble; those in the other houses, fearing the same fate, surrendered (5 officers and 140 men).
The regiment was masters of the southern section of La Ville-aux-Bois; it is there that it passed the night. The northern section of the village had to be evacuated. The 10th and 12th companies tried to take it [the north of the village] back but violent heavy artillery fire prevented it. The 18e remained in the positions from the day before; the 8e R.I. relieved it September 18th.
The 23rd of August, the place of battle was set. A study of the terrain the day before had allowed the determination and organization of a defense line between Begnée, Marbaix, and the Ferme de Horimchamp. A reconnaissance party sent towards Charleroi ascertained that the city had fallen into the hands of the enemy.
This was made apparent around 15:00 by the appearance of mounted scouts concealed in woods 400 meters from our lines, our infantry opened fire while our artillery fired from Marbaix, where the church steeple was hit. At this point, our first wounded fell. The Germans emerged in mass from the edge of the woods, but our gunfire obliged them to return in haste to their starting point. Two similar attempts suffered the same fate; Lieutenant Cecil’s machine guns were hidden death and the corpses of the enemy were numerous on the ground.
Around 15:30, the enemy reappeared in mass; they succeeded in reaching our lines at great sacrifice, but soon his momentum was broken, they were forced to stop. His artillery went into action, putting out of service our guns; the [officer] staff was almost completely destroyed and Lieutenant Cecil was seriously injured. "Good Strike," he said to those who picked him up and to those accompanied him to the ambulance. This brave officer stated: "You have other things to do, do not occupy yourself with me." He went alone, followed by a hail of bullets.
Our losses were considerable; several companies were reduced to half of their strength. The enemy constantly advanced; they were most numerous and progressing at all costs. Our positions were swamped, the regiment overwhelmed from all sides forcing us to reform our defensive line south of the village, while our artillery attempted by its rapid-fire [French 75mm gun] to halt the advance of the enemy. We were forced to cross back through Marbaix; this village, so pretty and so pleasant, was now only ruins and desolation. The night came; the regiment moved to Ossogne where it was stationed under the protection of a battalion outposts.
Retreat from Charleroi
The following day, the retreat began; you had to march, marching constantly under pressure from the enemy's advanced guards and fought to delay their advance.
On the 29th of August, the 1st Battalion inflicted serious losses on the enemy; it captured 40 prisoners including a captain. The Oise was crossed, then the 1st of September, the regiment passed through the Aisne Valley and 3rd, the Marne at Jaulgonne; it continued marching south the next day. On the 5th it was at Rupereux and received its first reinforcements that evening at the bivouac in Saint-Martin-des-Champs. Food was distributed; it was welcomed, because during this sad retreat food was often meager.
Battle of the Marne
Fatigue was quickly forgotten and gaiety came from reading the order of General Joffre that ordered an offensive. On September 6th, the advance began. The Germans offered little resistance, but they attempted to stop us with a heavy artillery barrage at nightfall. The next day, they withdrew faster: we went through devastated villages whose inhabitants welcomed us gladly.
On September 8th, the enemy stopped. Supported by powerful artillery, the regiment went into combat. The regiment carried out their attack in the direction of Marchais-en-Brie. The fight was hard. After clearing the stubbornly defended trenches, the 18e Infantry in the elan of a brilliant bayonet charge, captured the village and the entire plateau. The 2nd company brought back a cannon as their trophy. The fight was deadly; the ground was littered with corpses, but the enemy had abandoned Marchais, leaving 40 prisoners in our hands. This was a victory.
Colonel Gloxin and 18e R.I.were cited by General De Maud'huy, commander of the Fifth Army, saying: "Colonel Gloxin, commander of the 18e R.I., has brilliantly seized, by a night bayonet attack, a strongly fortified village (Marchais-en-Brie.) It has taken many prisoners and a cannon. "
Combat in the village of Ville-au-Bois
The regiment was in Beaurieux on September 13th, it arrived at Pontavert on the 14th, and situated itself in this area next to the chateau. The 15th, the 2nd battalion, which occupied the western edge of the woods at La Villes-aux Bois, an area they held despite significant losses. The 3rd Battalion occupied the Chateau de Pontavert and the village of the same name.
The next day, the 1st battalion and the 9th and 11th companies moved towards La Villes-aux-Bois from the north, the 10th and 12th from the south. At 4:10, the northern detachment reached the first houses of the village, after which they cleared a small enemy listening post before they had time to sound the alarm. These houses were taken; the Germans found inside killed quickly with the bayonet. Some managed to escape, being awoken by the attack. The enemy barricaded several homes, which made the attack difficult and lethal.
The southern detachment was greeted by heavy fire, but being electrified by Captains Mélin and Mirambeau and Lieutenant Delard, our soldiers cleared the barricade established at the entrance to the village. One building was set on fire and the Germans occupying it were made prisoners. The enemy was overwhelmed but they began to shell the woods and village, causing us significant losses. The fight continued on the interior of the locality. We sought to put fire on houses containing Germans; Lieutenant Boerner was mortally wounded after having entered a house, occupied by Saxons, through a window.
The 2nd battalion was sent to the rescue with two companies of the 57e R.I. ; the sappers of the engineer regiment blew up a house with Melinite [Picric acid], the Germans therein were buried under the rubble; those in the other houses, fearing the same fate, surrendered (5 officers and 140 men).
The regiment was masters of the southern section of La Ville-aux-Bois; it is there that it passed the night. The northern section of the village had to be evacuated. The 10th and 12th companies tried to take it [the north of the village] back but violent heavy artillery fire prevented it. The 18e remained in the positions from the day before; the 8e R.I. relieved it September 18th.
The Dedication of Corporal Deyris
The men were exhausted and without food. We learned that several wagons loaded with bread had entered Pontavert. To get to them, one would have to traverse 800 meters of ground under fire by machine guns and cannons.
Corporal Deyris is devoted. He left with five volunteers. These brave men made it to Pontavert. They come out a few moments later dragging a cart with arms full of bread. With remarkable courage and composure, they returned along this dangerous path, disregarding the projectiles falling around them, yet the journey is made more perilous once the Germans observed this small group and focused on them.
Anxiety was in all of our hearts. All hoped that they did not become victims of their dedication! “What wouldn’t we do for our comrades?” said Deyris to Captain Olivari who congratulated him.
From Beaurieux to Vauclerc
The battle at La Ville-aux-Bois was very bloody. The 9th and 12th companies, who were the most proven, had no more than 20 men each; all of their officers had fallen. The glorious remnants of the regiment moved towards Beaurieux in a driving rain. After a stop, which seemed interminable, we learned of the surrender of Maubeuge. The enemy had at their disposal large numbers and significant materials. This would soon be at the Ainse; an attack was expected on the Hurtebise plateau.
We held the monument, the farm, and the windmill in Vauclerc; the regiment was placed in reserve in the ravines in Oulches and Vassogne. The 21st of September, at 2:00, the regiment received orders to advance on the Chemin des Dames to the north of Oulches, to oppose the Germans at the descent into the village, who already had possession of the plateau.
Despite their fire, we reached the Chemin, which we would guard at all cost. Five times the enemy tried to knock us out of the ravine. They were repulsed every time and finally driven back just to the Creute de Vauclerc. Only the Ferme de Hurtebise and the windmill of the same name remained in their control.
A bombardment the following day caused us new losses. The men were very tired. The regiment, which could not count more then 500 men, was relieved the night of the 25th of September. It was reformed at Beaurieux with 1,500 reinforcements commanded by Captain Moureu and Lieutenant Taillecot.
The poilus with emaciated faces and unkempt beards told their stories to these newcomers. The replacements were eager to receive their baptism of fire, of which the colonel spoke to them in sensitive terms.
From the 27th of September to the 11th of October 1914, the regiment spent time in the trenches around Oulches and the Vauclerc Plateau, and then returned to Beaurieux. Orders were received to attack the Vauclerc Plateau.
Attack on the Vauclerc Plateau
The 12th of October at 5:00, after a preparatory artillery bombardment by around 40 cannons, the 3rd battalion climbed the parapets. The heavy fire from the Germans opposed any progress; the battalion had to fall back to our lines after having lost many people and in particular seven officers hit leading their men. Captain Pouget, Lieutenants Laborde, Taillecot, and Malére were killed. Lieutenants Hiquet, Bonne, and Desbieys were wounded.
Adjutants Juppe and Laffitte were admirable for their coolness under fire and their bravery. Sergeant Elichondo, chef de section of the 9th company, reached very near to the German trenches with his men; he stayed in a shell hole with a wounded corporal and two wounded privates, until the following night, and collected valuable information.
Lieutenant Laborde, wounded during the advance of his unit, continued to give orders without allowing his wounds to be dressed. A bullet killed him a few moments later.
During the month of October, November, and December 1914, it was the life in the trenches, without rest, because everyone had to be vigilant. Numerous enemy attacks were repulsed.
The 2nd of November, Sergeant Major Bordenave led his section on a reconnaissance of the trenches of the Creute at night, during which a bullet hit him; it traversed his arm under the armpit. He stayed at his post after receiving field dressings and did not ask to receive further medical treatment that evening despite the orders of his superiors to the contrary. The next day he returned to our trenches, offering his subordinates a fine example of fidelity to his task.
The 14th of November, the regiment received reinforcements composed of 133 non-commissioned officers and recovered wounded soldiers returning to the front, additionally there were 315 young soldiers of the class of 1914.
The 17th of November, Colonel GLOXIN left the regiment due to poor health and passed command to Lieutenant Colonel CHAMBORD, of the Air Service.
Combat at the Creute and the Bois Foulon
The 25th of January 1915, the enemy attacked with a large force a salient in the line, after violent bombardments against the Bois Foulon and against the Creute. The 10th and 11th companies were in part buried under rubble in their rear area by German projectiles. Our losses were very high and our machine guns made bloody gaps in the ranks of our adversary. The survivors of the 2nd and 9th companies made a heroic defense at the Trou d’Enfer [Hell’s Gap] under the command of Captain Montalégre until nightfall. Encircled, they made their way through enemy lines. The counter attacks by the 1st and 2nd battalions retook almost the entire Bois Foulon, but the Creute remained in enemy hands. That day, hard and costly, was rich in acts of heroism:
Soldat Larronado was charged with guarding a communications trench. All the Germans who attempted to take his position were knocked back. When evening came, he alone had felled 50.
Captain De Gaulejac found himself nose to nose in a communications trench with a group of Germans; he shot six with his revolver and through his empty weapon at the head of the seventh who avenged his comrades with a rifle shot. Several minutes later, a squad of his company has the sad obligation to step over the corpse of the poor captain who was adored by him men.
Adjutant Carbosse, head of a machine gun section, lost all of his men; his machine guns were jammed. He was able to return one to working order and used it against the enemy; he was mortally wounded at his firing point.
Sergeant Barthe and Soldat Claverie organized in the wood [Bois Foulon] a real German hunt. They advanced from tree to tree with a remarkable sang-froid and took many prisoners.
The next day, the regiment, seriously reduced in strength, was relieved by the 12e R.I. The regiment reformed around Glennes where it was reinforced by 500 men, who arrived there on January 31, 1915; they received another group of reinforcements February 6th, constituting a battalions worth of men.
A relative period of calm commenced. We profited from this by building up the trenches, communications trenches, and to create many deep and well furnished shelters, which gave the men shelter from shells and bad weather. The defense of the sector was solidly sustained; the webs of wire multiplied.
During period of time occupying the front lines, up until May 1916, the regiment lost: Three officers wounded; five NCO’s killed, eight NCO’s wounded; 24 men killed and 168 men wounded.
The day of June 28, 1915 was marked by a memorable ceremony. The President of the Republic hung the Croix de Guerre on the regimental flag during a review in Rosnay. In October, Lieutenant Colonel Dufour replaced Lieutenant Colonel Chabord as head of the 18e Infantry Regiment.
In April 1916, the 1e Infantry Regiment relived the regiment. The 18e was transported through several stages through the Epernay region and embarked at Revigny to be encamped at Marats-la-Grande and Marats-la-Petite. Training was actively pursued. All of the training was applicable because we knew we were going to soon be fighting at Verdun, from where we often heard the roar of cannon fire.
II
From Verdun to Craonne and Vauclerc
(May 23, 1916 to June 4, 1917)
From Verdun to Craonne and Vauclerc
(May 23, 1916 to June 4, 1917)
On the 23rd of May 1916, we were put on alert. The regiment was driven to Dugny by automobile. In sweltering heat, the regiment was marched towards Verdun and arrived that evening at Faubourg Pavé. The night was black. On a road pockmarked by large caliber shells and littered with the debris of vehicles, dead bodies of men, and of horses, which emerged a pestilent odor, the regiment headed to relieve the troops of General Magin before Fort Douamont. Those there had attacked the works and were greatly tested. Relief was painful and tiring, hard and dangerous under the frequent artillery barrages.
After traversing Fleury-devant-Douamont, the regiment was placed in line around 01:00 in the morning in shell holes, because there was no trace of the communication trenches or the trenches themselves. Many units didn’t find those who they were to relieve. A captain, sole survivor of a machine gun company, identified their positions.
Before Fort Douamont
(The evening of May 23rd and the 24th and 25th of May 1916)
With the dawn commenced a frightful bombardment, which continued without respite right up to sunset. At 10:00, the enemy rushed towards the regimental front; despite heavy losses, we stopped them with our fire. They augmented the intensity of their artillery fire; large caliber shells fell without stop on our positions, burying units and finishing off the wounded who were massed at the entrances to the bunkers.
The Germans increased their attacks against our front without result, but progressed to our right in the Bois de la Caillette; the fire of our artillery limited their advance fortunately. The bombardment continued with great violence. Lieutenant Colonel Dufour, who was observing the movements of the enemy, was wounded; Commandant Masson took command of the regiment.
The 1st Battalion and the C.M. 3 were relieved in the night on the 24th of May by a battalion of the 415th Infantry Regiment. The bombardment was less strong, but on the 25th, at dawn, it restarted with formidable intensity. Everything disappeared in the dust and the smoke. Our artillery dispersed the reassembling enemy around the ferme de Thiaucourt. The incessant pounding of our position continued; our losses were very heavy: 8 officers killed, 17 wounded; 159 soldiers killed, 820 wounded, and 68 missing.
Never the less, the enemy did not advance; the ground confided in the 18e was completely held. The night of the 25th, the rest of the regiment was relieved by the 415e and 218e R.I. The regiment regrouped in Verdun, was quartered the 31st in Landrecourt, and the next day [June 1st] was transported to the Saint-Dizier region by truck where it took several days of well-earned rest.
In Argonne
On the morning of the 8th of June 1916, the 18e R.I., was transported by rail and was disembarked at Givry-en-Argonne. After spending time in several different cantonments in the region, the regiment relieved the 25e R.I. in the Noue-de-Beaumont zone the 21st and 22nd of June. Lieutenant colonel Dufour returned and retook command of the regiment. The sector was relatively calm, but its organization needed to be perfected. Solid shelters were built; communications trenches were created behind the first line by night, because of the close proximity of the enemy.
Sub Lieutenant Fatoux, Aspirant Roustan, Corporal Maubourget, Soldier Darcial and a good many others bravely accomplished this dangerous work, despite the fire of the enemy. Capitain Jedynowiez was killed when he went to look at the work of his company. The Germans, worried by our activity, frequently caused minenwerfer fire which wreaked havoc on our improvement efforts.
We lost during the period between the 10th of June to the 15th of September 1916: 1 officer killed, 1 wounded; four NCO’s wounded; 11 corporals and soldier killed, and 32 wounded.
Period of Instruction at Camp de Mailly [and the Somme]
Between the 15th and 21st of September, the regiment was relieved by the 49e R.I.; the 22nd, it was a Sainte-Menehould; the 23rd, at Chêne (Aube). Between the 24th of September and the 6th of November, instruction was actively pushed. The regiment learned how to utilize new equipment: machine guns, V.B. grenade launchers [tromblons], 37mm cannon, etc. Frequent exercises in coordination with artillery ensured close collaboration between the two arms. Lieutenant Colonel Decherf in October commanded a regiment which was newly ready to enter into the struggle.
The 25th of November, the 18e R.I. was directed in stages to the Somme where battle had raged for several months. On the night of the 24th to the 25th of December, the regiment relieved two battalions of Chasseurs in the Bovent sector, close to Harbonnières. The regiment was given a difficult task because the terrain was unstable; trenches and communication trenches collapsed, forcing us to redo them constantly. Additionally, shelters were rare and we were obliged to live in thick mud which covered everything.
In the first days of 1917, the 18e R.I. came to occupy the Berny-en-Santerre sector. The cold was very severe. The enemy was very active and bombarded our positions frequently. British troops relieved the regiment the 12th of February. Losses between the 25th of December 1916 to the 12th of February 1917: 1 officer wounded; three soldiers killed, 15 soldiers wounded.
In Aisne. – The Offensive of April 17, 1917
After a stay in the region of Auchy-la-Montagne, where instruction was resumed, the regiment was directed in stages into Aisne. The regiment was designated to participate in a large offensive on the 17th of April, as the vanguard of the division in the strategic exploitation what was to follow the breaking of the enemy’s front. The regiment found itself on the 16th close to Oulches and Vassogne. The regiment was placed on the 17th behind the assault tropes, several hours after the attack was launched. The advance of these troops was rapidly stopped; contact was maintained in the hope that forward movement would be retaken. Alas, night came without what we had tried to achieve. Some patrols rummaged through the German shelters that the assault wave have passed without clearing and where there had been gunfire. Lieutenant Lassort captured a German officer and 17 enemy soldiers. That day had cost us 10 killed and 13 wounded. The 18e R.I. was brought back to the rear around Fisme. During the night of the 21st and 22nd of April, the regiment relieved the 233e R.I. in the Craonne sector.
