I. Alsace - Went into trenches night of June 5th, 2 a.m.
from Retzweiler and Dammarie on Rhine-Rhone Canal. Star
shells and flares made us a bit nervous, as we went into
lines, because they seemed so illuminating, searching and threatening.
Wakened in morning to find ourselves in front lines. Went into
big dug-out with French in French Aide Post, where we got along
most congenially for our four day stay in that sector known as
Muroc. Meet the French halfway, and you will find they are all
right. We were in and about this front until middle of July.
Became very well acquainted with rats, cooties, barbed-wire,
"fil de fer," potato mashers and shooting-up parties
on black, rainy miserable nights. This burrowing in the mire
to get someone was far from being romantic, or enticing, too
wearisome and tiresome. We were glad to get out of this into
open field fighting, which we got later on to our hearts' content.
II. Chateau Thierry - Entrained from Alsatian sector of war,
wine and fruit, to where the big issue was being settled on
the Marne in the famous Chateau Thierry, Soissons, Rheims
Triangle. From Belfort to Campagne Forêt, we traveled à
la cheval de fer French box-cars. Changing scenery and exhilarating
uncertainty of our destinations, helped a great deal in forgetting
our mode of travel. French motor trucks brought us from Campagne
Forêt to the battle-wrecked vicinity of Vaux and Chateau
Thierry - from which places we followed receding Jerries up to
Roucheres, where we relieved what was left of the 3rd Division
and came into our first direct contact with Germans in open warfare.
Although terribly cut up by hidden machine gun nests, we crowded
them steadily back through Cierges, Reddy Farm, Cohan, Coulonges,
Dravegny, St. Gilles up to the Vesle River at Fismes, where we
lost so many men. We were relieved about Aug. 7th. Retired to
Cohan, were shelled at long range, again receded to a more quiet
desolated farm-chateau. We had lost in our Division in infantry
5,000 men, had learned some terrible lessons and experienced
beaucoup nerve-racking nights and days of hard work and fighting.
Other units were doing fine work about us, but we didn't know
much about them until the battle was over. I say battle, 'twas
more of a campaign.
III. Soissons - Juvigny Plateau (north of Soissons). After
two weeks of very hot weather, which with dysentery, took
the pep out of a great many of our men, General Mangin invited
us over to a foreign Legion fracas; attack on Boche lines on
highlands of Juvigny. We either circled to left of Soissons or
cut through near the city one night, in getting in position for
the attack on the heights north of city. Country admirably adapted
to defense work, which Germans improved to very best advantage,
so that important points were swept by artillery and machine-gun
fire from several angles. In strong contrast to our former campaigns,
we were supported by able squadrons of French flyers, smoke screens
and whiffet tanks. The fighting through here, though fierce and
obstinate, was gradually carried into enemies' territory at heavy
cost in lives to us. Machine-guns and artillery fire heavy, continuous
and savage. The German artillery was plenty, but I know they
were getting more gas and shrapnel than we were. The field presented
a most thrilling and awe-inspiring sensation, no mortal could
deny. Air seemed to be surcharged with some tremendously high
tension energy.
Sunday, Sept. 1, about 9:30, while Harold ZACHOW, a pal of
mine, from Appleton, and I were fixing a first aid station
along front line, on slopes 2 kilometers above Juvigny, in
a rainy fog, some Fritz decided we had gone far enough and fired
upon us, registering on ZACHOW twice, through the leg and heart.
Then before I could at least get out a bandage to try to do my
last earthly bit for him, they got me, fortunately only through
the arm, but not deep enough into my side to be dangerous.
I am glad I had the experience in France of helping uphold
America's ideals; and although far from being in love with
Army life, I would be ready to help Old Uncle Sam again,
if necessity demanded.