Left: Second Lt Cliff Cates
was instrumental in taking Bouresches. Although
knocked out when a
machine-gun bullet hit his
helmet, he later regained
consciousness and he led
his men into the town.
“The Second, Third and Fourth Platoons formed a
skirmish line and started toward Bouresches,
keeping up a running fire.”
—2dLt Clifton B. Cates
“[We] carried him to a small clump of trees,” Sheridan wrote.
“All the time he was gasping, hit through the stomach. We no
more than laid him on the ground when a big 8-inch shell came
in and killed all but myself. I was knocked down but my helmet
saved me, so I left them and rejoined my platoon.”
First Lieutenant James F. Robertson, second in command, took
charge of the company. “He waved his pistol and said, ‘Come
on, let’s go,’” according to Cliff Cates, who was close enough to
hear him. “We really didn’t know where we were going but this
town was right in front of us,” Cates related. “The Second, Third
and Fourth Platoons formed a skirmish line and started toward
Bouresches, keeping up a running fire. The Second Platoon laid
down about 200 yards from the village and fired away, trying to
gain fire superiority. However, the German fire was so hot, that
the Third and Fourth Platoons took refuge in the ravine to the right.”
Above: Another perspective on Bouresches
from Triangle Farm. Regardless of the direction
of attack, getting into
Bouresches meant crossing open terrain. (Photo
from “Where the Marines
Fought in France”)
2dLt Clifton B. Cates
MARINE CORPS HISTOR Y DIVISION
