Memorandum from Major Marvin Gates to the Commanding Officer, 129th Field Artillery

Headquarters and.Bn.la9th.F.A Oct. 20th 1918. 339 From: comm. Officer and. Bn. 129th. F. A. TO: comm. Officer 139th. F. A. subject: Reconnisance Battery position. (1). I have to-day made a reconinance of a possible battery position for one of my batteries to move into. The only position which I have been able to find to the north of the present position and within a reasonable radius is pos- ition #10 corordinance 55-50. There are other possible position but this is the only one which I could find which had any adequete protection in the way of dug-outs and gun pits. This position will cover the northern part of my sector but will not GOVer the southern part, at least with- out remodeling the gun pits and I am some what in doubt as to wheather it would not also be necessary to out off the top of a number of trees in order to be able to cover the southern part of the sector. (2). The present position of D Battery, gives the smallest field of fire of the three batteries. I think thore is vory little choice between the positions of D Battery and F Battery in the way of dug-outs. D Battery position has some overhead protuction for the guns, which F Battery posi- tion lacks. manin H. Gates and Marvin H Gates. Major 139th. F. A. comm. Officer 2nd. Bn.