The 145th Infantry Regiment, with the rest of the 37th Division, was now attached to the U.S. V Army Corps. The first days in the Avocourt Sector they were in reserve and occupied dug-outs near Recicourt. Most of the spare time was spent in cleaning up the equipment; getting the guns, tripods, pistols, and ammunition ready for action. The last outgoing mail was accepted for censoring at noon, the 25th. Late in the afternoon, Wednesday, the 25th, they turned in their blanket rolls and all surplus equipment, retaining only overcoats, helmets, gas-masks, sidearms, and light packs, containing reserve rations and slickers. After very little delay they fell into column of squads with the mules and carts and started toward the front. When they reached the first line, they endured a harassing shellfire and witnessed for the first time the actual wounding of comrades in battle. Several infantrymen were stricken before the drive started.