History of the 151st field artillery, Rainbow Division, by Louis L. Collins, lieutenant governor of Minnesota. Edited by Wayne E. Stevens, PH. D. Pub. by the Minnesota War records commission.

74 HISTORY OF THE 151ST FIELD ARTILLERY

of and parallel to the intermediate line. At this intermediate position, after several hours of fighting, the Germans were finally
checked and it was unnecessary to put into operation the second
phase of the defense plan.13 French and American infantrymen,
fighting side by side, disposed of those of the enemy who survived
the artillery fire. General Gouraud's plans had been carried out
with extraordinary precision and the crisis on the Champagne
front had passed.
These days from the fifteenth to the eighteenth of July were
strenuous ones for the 42nd Division. The guns of the artillery
regiments were almost continually in action during the first two
days of the attack, laying down defensive barrages as the Germans
launched new attacks along the line, neutralizing German batteries in preparation for French and American counter-attacks,
concentrating fire on objectives reported by aviators and observers, and harrassing the enemy in the front and rear zones. At
times the firing would die down and the tired artillerymen would
crawl under their blankets for a few moments' sleep. Then would
come the call for more fire and the gun crews would again take
their stations. The diary of Colonel Leach furnishes a graphic
description of the four days' fighting on the Champagne front.
Monday, July 15. At 12 a terrific bombardment commenced and
extended along a front of 100 kilometers. At 3:45 A.M. the Boche
left their trenches and started over and at 6:15, while I am writing
this, they have reached the intermediate line and all our guns are
going top speed. The aviators report that they are attacking our front
with six divisions and we have only two. At 8:40 we started a counter
attack and are regaining some lost ground. Noon and we have
had four guns destroyed and a good many killed and wounded and
it has been a perfect hell. Our balloon came down in flames but both
observers jumped safely. The prisoners were assembled at my P. C.
to be sent to the rear and I saw many pitiable sights. My great anxiety
is the ammunition, for it is getting low.
Tuesday, July 16. At 12 A.M., while I am writing this, we have
stopped the attack on our intermediary position - we have had four
killed and thirty-two wounded, but have been lucky. Four guns have
been destroyed.14 The esprit of the Regiment has been wonderful
13At two points the German assault momentarily penetrated the intermediate lines, but it was immediately hurled back.
14The guns destroyed were quickly, though with difficulty, replaced by
new ones from the artillery park in the rear.