The 4th Marine Brigade Assumes Defensive Positions in France

The sector near Pont-à-Mousson was spread over a vast 10-mile front. The US Army 2nd Division received orders to take over the defensive line. Brigadier General Charles Doyen (USMC) was initially in charge, making him the first Marine officer to command an Army division. He contracted influenza during the pandemic and died from the Spanish Flu. Major General John A Lejeune (USMC) assumed command.

Attached to the 2nd Division was the 4th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, and they were tasked with defending the left flank of the line on August 4. This sector was positioned in the valley of the Moselle River and a regiment of Marine was positioned on each bank – the 5th Regiment on the east and the 6th Regiment on the west. The 2nd battalion from each regiment was placed on the front lines.

The first four days were relatively quiet, and the Marines used this opportunity to improve the trenches and train the incoming Marines in trench warfare tactics. At 0200, on August 8, a group of Germans were conducting a stealth raid to destroy wire. They weren't aware of the Marine's defensive position and ran right into their front lines. The battle lasted an hour, and the Germans eventually fled.

The 2nd Division performed exceptionally well during WWI, and leadership decided that keeping them on a relatively quiet front was a waste. On August 12, the 82nd Division was ordered to take their position, and eight days later, the 2nd Division moved to Colombey-les-Belles to prepare for their next mission.

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