Memorandum from Major Marvin Gates to Colonel Karl Klemm

Headquarters, 2nd. Bn. 129th F. A., August 31, 1918. From: Commanding Officer 2nd Bn. 129th F. A. : is ARCHIVES 3. SERVICE RECORDE NATIONAL AND To: Commanding Officer 129th F. A. : Subject: Report on operations August 29 & 30: 1- It appears to me that in general these operations were well carried out and the missions creditably performed. 2- Some confusion arose in Battery upon their leaving their position near Auf Rein. Primarily this seems to have been caused by the lst Sergt., who disobeyed orders pulling out the right two left sections straight to the front instead of going by the left flank. This brought one peice into soft and boggy ground where it became stalled, Shrapnel then began to fall close to this peice. The lst Sergt. lost his nerve and the men abandoned the piece. 3- Due to the above facts and also to the fact that the horses of the Battery were fagged and unable to pull satisfatorily two pieces were left near Aug-Rein until the next night, when they were taken out 4- The cheif lessons to be learned from the operations in my opinion are : (a) The unremitting care which should be expended on horses to keep them well foraged and in good working condition, (b) The necessity for skilled driving (c) Above all, forgood Non-Com- missioned Officers, who will instill confidence in their men and who will obey orders unquestingly. 5- Captain Truman will make a further report, my information at this time being somewhat fragnentary. After Captain Truman's re- port is made I believe it will be necessary to take action in regard to his lst Sergt. 6- Nothing noteworthy seems to have occurred at "E" Battery. 7- The rate of fire seems to have been somewhat to fast. "E" Battery was unable to fire 20 shells and "I"" Battery 11. Manin It Gates Marvin H. Gates, Major, 2nd Bn., 129th F. A.