iff P H, '^')^^^ :'#' m \'.'''i>'V>.(- 1917 1919 Company G. History 102 ^ Anamunition Train AMER.ICAN EX. FOR.CES CAPTAIN ALSON SHANTZ The History « • of Company C 102ncl Ammunition Train %3e American Expeditionary Forces 1917-1918-1919 oe PUBLISHED BY THE COMPANY 1919 J)570 .352 7/57 /f/f ^7-2-/5' aux" — forty men or eight horses to a freight car. It seemed about twenty too many, but so things go in army life. C'est la guerre. Notwithstanding the discomforts the ride that day was beautiful indeed. The country ap- peared very strange and different to us and wonderfully interesting. 35 HISTORY OF COMPANY C That night we fully realized the limitation of our box car. There was not room for all to half lie down at once, so some of us took turns at sitting on our provision boxes in the center of the car. We were traveling south through the beautiful chateau district of France. We passed through Nantes and the next evening reached Bor- deaux. Not far outside this city we left our cramped quarters. Then came one of our hardest hikes in France. Five miles of uphill work at a slow and jerky pace, and after the cramped trip it certainly was not fun. At last we reached Camp de Souge and after plodding along at least a mile further, were given a place to rest our weary bones. Next day was the Fourth of July. We rested that day and a few days more, but then a schedule of our day's duties was posted. From then on we arose in the dark- ness, stood reveille at 6 and started in at 7 on our daily rounds of gas mask drills, drilling, signaling, and lec- tures on engines and shells. A month passed and we still kept at our schedule ; with some variations, however, afforded by the new job of fighting fires. That was a volunteer job once — just once — and from then on a de- tail to be missed if possible. At the gate of Camp de Souge was located our shop- ping district for fierce wine, canned goods, and fruit. There were many gayly ornamented booths, the owners of which, by the prices, thought our incomes must have been enormous. And who will ever forget the little town of Saint Medard and especially the long walk back to camp, after eating all one could hold and drinking a great deal too much? 36 HISTORY OF COMPANY C To make us realize the value of the gas mask we ha-i to go into a gas chamber. It accomplished its purpose without the least shadow of a doubt, and we will never forget how our famous gas sergeant came through the barracks before daylight giving gas alarm. We were obliged to -dress with gas masks on. Towards the last of August the tiresome range de- tail came into being and soon afterwards rumors came that our move north was near at hand. At last the final orders came for the Horse Battalion to go by train and the Motor Battalion overland iii their trucks. Our train- ing in France was at an end. 37 .£::.;^U MAP OF OUR TRIP NORTH The Trip North From Bordeaux to The Front On September 7, about 10 A. M., after piling com- pany boxes and our packs and rolls into the trucks, we all climbed aboard. The four motor companies went out in sections, a few hundred yards between each section, eleven trucks to a company. We went through the cen- ter of Bordeaux and then turned north, on a wonderful trip through one of the most beautiful sections of France. The sun shone as we rode along, the trucks keeping far enough apart to avoid the dust, making it delightful riding. It was like a huge picnic, and we cheered and sang until we were tired out. Passing through the small towns and villages the people would line the streets as we went by and wave and call to us. We were in the grape country, and the people threw us large juicy bunches of that fruit along with bouquets of flowers. The French thus showed their gratitude to us, les Ameri- caines, representatives of the great host from across the sea, that had come to their assistance in a time of peril. Our first night was spent in the little town of Bar- bezieux, where we arrived around 8 o'clock. We were billeted two or three to a house, and it happened to be the first time any soldiers had ever been billeted there. The people were very much interested in the Americans, and exceedingly agreeable. At the homes where the men stayed the people gave them wine and tried, as far as the difficulties in talking would permit, to give them a good time. Our kitchens were set up in the main square and the majority of the women of the town appeared to take a keen interest in the army method and style of getting a meal. The men undoubtedly made an impres- sion on the town's supply of wine, but, not having the three-horse companies with us, there was no disorder. 39 HISTORY OF COMPANY C This was our first real contact with French people who had not been spoiled by living too close to an American camp. The men were almost universally surprised and delighted with the treatment they received, and as we pulled out next morning we felt as though we were saying good-bye to some very good friends of ours. The second day was like the first, fruit and flowers, cheering and singing. After a whik every truck was decked with bouquets and nearly every man had a flower in his cap. Our procession was rather long, of course, and after the first section had passed the people were all out waiting for the rest. One kittle girl we passed that day was holding up one weary arm with the other, but still bravely waving her hand to each truck. As no real disorder took place, we were given our entire liberty each night, and the men had many humor- ous experiences with their hostesses. The greatest diffi- culty, that of the language, was the only thing which prevented the people presenting us with the whole town. The weather continued fine and we were enjoying ourselves immensely. Monday afternoon we passed the town of Poitiers, made famous by one of the fifteen de- cisive battles of the world. It was near here that in 732 Charles Martel, King of France, defeated the invading army of the Saracens and therby probably saved Europe from Mohammedan domination. Tuesday night we reached the famous town of Orleans. Here we drove into the wide square inside a permanent French military training station. We deposited our lug- gage in one of the huge barracks which surrounded the square and then started out to see the place made fa- mous by Joan of Arc. We all saw the statue of that re- nowned heroine and many of the fellows made acquaint- ances among the present mademoiselles of the town. We stayed over Wednesday in the city, the trucks being 41 HISTORY OF COMPANY C greased the next morning, and more sightseeing was done that afternoon and evening. Beaucoup vin blanc and vin rouge was absorbed, but although the fellows did their best to make it temporarily a dry place, they were badly worsted, and looked it. Some had a hard time in locating their respective hotels or the barracks after the fight to make the town dry. Our next stop was Sens, a fine little place, just south of Paris. Here we were ushered into small wooden bar- racks with cots. We soon discovered, however, that the place was alive with cooties and nearly everyone pro- ceeded to find quarters elsewhere in the town. Our com- pany furnished a very efficient force of M. P.'s that night, all the cafes in town pronouncing them tres bon soldats. No one was allowed to enter the establishments, but everyone knows that drinking in the open is nothing new in France, so the rules were not broken when the tables were outdoors. From Sens we went to Lignol, through a beautiful section of the country. The people continued to come out and wave to us, and their welcome and kindness was al- v^ays the very best possible. Lignol consisted of only a few houses, and our life of ease and comfort received a bad shock here as we were quartered in barns and lofts. After those deep French beds, the planks were harder than they otherwise would have been. The next day, Saturday, dawned sunshiny and beau- tiful. As we lined up to leave, the sun shone down the valley on Bayel, a little town which had been badly bombed in 1916. The inhabitants were just beginning to come back, and thin wreaths of smoke were curling up from two or three of the old stone houses. We pulled out bright and early on this, our last day of riding. By late afternoon we reached Bar-le-Duc, which lies south of Verdun, about twenty miles from the front. 42 HISTORY OF COMPANY C The town was full of soldiers of all nationalities, who crowded the cafes and the stores. Here we saw the ef- fects of German bombs and also two or three large and spacious bomb proofs. Many of the fellows have a fond memory for the place on account of the most excellent beer that was to be had there. Our wonderful trip had been hard on finances, and many of the last francs were here turned over for this favorite beverage. We were quartered that night in very comfortable French bar- racks. Sunday was spent in Bar-le-Duc, and happily all the cafes and stores were open, so- that our last day behind the front was a very enjoyable one. We were scheduled to leave at 10 that evening, but it was almost mid- night before we started out on the final stretch of our journey to the front. 43 ^?vr— ^ ^ t^'^ '^^f T± =U '^S^'^'^'i-^ V GreJi'iili P^i :0 'r^l ,r>coLM't' UhU :a p; » *->'»' ()l'ilCS ^dnit c>\irx r^j^le Bf^^ ■■^■^./.u -^n-.', c'ji^'l :3r d^■ ** ,.r,., ^-^^mi f. . ,1A v.,,v ■^^^^'V Dor ii-a .^::cx ^ -'-s ., i\\\%/y9.) '^^. mil ^\i:Bi)ry^ ? >'a v/^j Lriiidj^n oiui^ ^^fe^J^y* *C iSomTn MAP OF OUR SECTOR AT THE FRONT X'S INDICATE LOCATIONS OF OUR CAMP AT DIFFERENT TIMES At The Front It would be a difficult matter to give a clear descrip- tion of our thoughts as we piled into our trucks at 11 P. M., September 15, on the final lap of our journey to the front. We can safely say that curiosity was fore- most in our minds and little of fear, for though our imaginations were great, we were ignorant of what we were coming to. Never before had we seen such a congested road as the one we traversed that nighl ; there was a continuous stream of trucks moving in each direction. The drivers were warned upon departing from Bar-le-Duc to observe convoy rules strictly, especially to use no lights and to keep a thirty-yard interval. We had not proceeded far, however, before a ten-yard distance between trucks was ordered, otherwise the trucks would have become lost and no progress made. Even at this interval we soon became intermingled with the "Frogs" and our own men began to race between one another for places in the con- voy, not knowing who the other drivers might be. The men became better acquainted with the army language on that midnight ride. More interesting than this, however, was our view from a distance of the front. The flares, rockets and flames from the guns lit the horizon and were only too distinct. However, toward morning the famous road to Verdun had mostly cleared of other vehicles, making our progress smoother, and with our curiosity wearing off we began to wish for some sleep. Just at the break of day we parked the trucks in an open field and camouflaged them with green branches from nearby trees. This was a new task to us, but we did it well, if quantity is the art of camouflage. We marched to long French barracks which bordered on our 45 HISTORY OF COMPANY C truck park. Here we secured a welcome wash and some much needed rest. Toward evening we again loaded into our trucks and left at five minute intervals for a wood one-half mile distant. Company C had a hard time getting a place to pitch pup tents, and by the time it was finally decided where we would line up darkness had fallen, A few sad at- tempts were made to pitch a tent, but most of them ended in failure, and we made ourselves as comfortable as we could by rolling in our blankets in the trucks or under the trees. Our sleep that night was far from peaceful. At 10 o'clock we were startled by the sharp command, "Get those horses in the shadow of the wood ; enemy planes." And then we discerned the unsteady drone of an air- plane motor unlike any we had ever heard before. Im- mediately following this was a crash, accompanied by a deafening explosion of a bomb or "ash can," as we soon came to term them. From then on, excitement reigned and grew higher with the explosions of more bombs. Suddenly the dreaded cry, "Gas!" came; then all rec- ords were broken for quick movements into the masks. "Hell, where is my gas mask," "Get out of my way. I can't find my mask," "Have you my gas mask?" "Where in hell is Daymont, I've lost my mask." Pup tents were torn down in the scuffle and confusion. The purr of plane motors and the put-put-put of the machine guns resounded from the moon-lit sky. All sorts of things imaginable, and more, were heard in that few minutes (seemingly hours) of front line life in that eventful first night. Most of the following day was spent in digging trenches for protection in case of shell fire. Just as we had completed them the next day we were moved to an adjoining wood. These woods were located just outside 46 HISTORY OF COMPANY C of Balecourt. It was at this time we learned that the 52d Brigade was to support the 33d Division instead of our own. From here we started making our trips to the front on the Frommerville sector, supplying the batteries at La Claire and Charny, as well as making one trip to the reserve infantry trenches with 30.30 ammunition. Our first trips were made at night, no one being al- lowed on the road in daylight. The first few times were uneventful, but as everything was new we were badly startled a good many times. The M. P.'s were great little boys to give a scare. The hill outside of Frommer- ville was under direct enemy observation and they were wont to caution us in this manner, "Keep 300 yard inter- vals between trucks. This morning a train was blown to hell on top of that hill." Then they would proceed to start you off at twenty yard intervals and by the time you reached the summit all were bunched together. Towns levelled to the ground were not at all consoling nor were frequent shell holes in the road. There were not many trips made before all realized that it was work and not play. The wagoner soon discovered that wheel- ing a "Quad" in the rain, cold and damp was just about the toughest job he ever ran across. If he was lucky he had an assistant who did a share of the driving. The "buck" private soon learned that handling 75's and 155's was far different from herding cattle on Texas plains or pushing a pen in a New York skyscraper. Find- ing our way to Frommerville (Division Headquarters), Germonville (dump), La Claire, Charny, and Chattan- court at first was like solving a Chinese puzzle, but the trips became so frequent it was soon second nature to us. On September 24 we again moved, going to still an- other wood on the opposite side of Balecourt. Half of the company found shelter in a dilapidated barrack and stables, while the balance pitched tents. It was here we 47 HISTORY OF COMPANY C became aware of something big to come. Each day saw more cannon going into place in the surrounding hills and ammunition being massed at the batteries, so we naturally sensed a big drive. It started September 26, and was to last until the signing of the armistice. The last offensive, everyone called it, and thank God, such it proved to be. The great barrage preceding it opened at 11 :30 on the night of September 25, and from that hour on there was no doubt in our minds about the magnitude of it. The sky was illuminated with the incessant flaming and flashing of the 3,500 guns, but it was all music to our ears. We had been informed that this was the greatest artillery preparation ever known and it was needed, for "Jerry" had been in his well fortified positions for three years. Concrete trenches could never withstand that incessant hail of iron, however, and though our brigade was prepared to fire seventy -two hours, eleven hours was sufficient to start the Boches toward the Rhine. The long range guns continued to harass them constantly though, and well did we realize it, for the two monster 14-inch guns at Balecourt sent over one every fifteen minutes and at each discharge our barracks trembled like a leaf. On September 26 we made our first trip over the roads in daylight, carrying ammunition from Nixeville to Chat- toncourt by way of Chary and Marne. At least a dozen observation balloons were in the air all that day and were the object of attack from many enemy planes. While passing along the road between Charny and Marne two were shot down almost over our heads. The two enemy planes then flew over our train at a low altitude, empty- ing their machine guns at the earth. Oh yes, we prayed considerably. We never before realized what a big battle meant. 48 HISTORY OF COMPANY C The woods were packed with guns, caissons, dough- boys on their way to and from the lines, trucks loaded with rations or ammunition, mule teams, ambulances and many prisoners. In a way it was humorous to see a lone M. P. coming along with a couple of hundred pris- oners and usually at the head of the column at that. It was surely nervous work though to stand on the road for three hours as we did at Chattancourt waiting for an open- ing through the congested roads with shells bursting with- in seventy-five yards at half minute intervals. Though our barracks and pup tents were the last place you could think of for comfort, they were a veritable paradise after such long trips as these. From the start of the drive until the end the trucks worked continuously, the men being divided into two shifts, and one was fortunate if he got much sleep. On October 7 we moved to La Claire and had dugouts to live in. Some were dark, but on the whole they were fairly comfortable. We at least felt secure from "Jerry's" disconcerting air attacks or stray shells. The lack of tobacco and writing materials must be mentioned here. Our only means of getting tobacco was the issue, which was far from adequate — two packages a week, which usually disappeared in a couple of days, As it rained practically all the time it was a hard propo- sition to roll a cigarette. If one succeeded in making one, three or four men usually divided a smoke. Wood was another scarce article — anything we could lay our hands on going into the stoves, but the starting of the fire was made easy by the lavish use of powder, al- ways available. We continued to make our trips from here, which by this time all began to seem the same. Each trip of course carried some special memory, such as the ones over Forges Hill, or like the one in which we were obliged to wait for two hours, due to heavy shelling, be- 49 ^rJ=4 ii WS^M ^ib.,1. ii .vQff^ \...^siiim. k^^HMH 'i^^^Oi^^^^v*k^B£^MK TilNI, JSK^i ff^ ^^^|T|wSwAT«^y iMP^mJ^HHl^^^SlKA i '' M "^Mi^fJBpT ^Ji B|i/^|V% nlBKiiBr^^Sliii VI V ^fA^ar miwa / >: ' mk^^'ii V"^ 11^ «y 1 1^ !ni ^ti\^ /■W''S .^•■^^ i^ CJ/-- 'SI- a fek'-i..-'^ "■^"d^!■•*''^'-^ '-^f^'- ^^i^H^I " 'fpp^- m^ ^- 1 FRENCHMEN IN VERDUN HISTORY OF COMPANY C fore crossing Consenvoye Bridge. All these were heavy strains on the nerves and endurance. Pages of interest- ing experiences and sights could be filled, but space will not permit. Mention must be made, however, of one rare sight of more than 100 airplanes in the air at one time, and of the individual air battles, one of which occurred directly over one of our camps. Our next move was to that most historic city — Verdun. Verdun We left La Claire on Tuesday, October 22, and pro- ceeded in our trucks to Fauburg Pave, just outside of the gates of Verdun, where we were billeted in French bar- racks, some of which were very badly shot up from the four years continuous shelling of the city. While we were there "Fritz" still persisted in shelling the place, not so much or so fast as in the past, but enough to let us know that he was still over the hill. It was plain to be seen that Verdun was a finely for- tified city and had been a very beautiful one before it be- came a target for the Hun. It was completely surrounded by a wall and mote, and at each entrance it had a draw- bridge. On one of these was inscribed the words, "On ne passe pas." They shall not pass. Within the city was a very large citadel, a valuable protection under the old methods of warfare, but not so good in modern times, but it served as a very good place for the storage of supplies. The city itself showed awful effects of the terrific 51 HISTORY OF COMPANY C shell fire which it had suffered for four long years. There was not a building which had not been hit by a shell or by flying shrapnel. However, our barracks were in a very good position, being directly under the brow of the hill which stood between the Huns and Verdun. These were the most comfortable quarters we had been m, ai the front, as we all had bunks and nearly every room had a little stove. We were allowed to visit Verdun often, in which places were both an American and French Q. M. and a Y. M. C. A. When we came to this area we were told that we had come there for a rest. We rested four days and again started our work of transporting ammu- nition to the battery positions. We now worked on the east side of the Meuse River, which the Americans had crossed after a hard fight. We found the roads to be much better than any we had trav- ersed at the front. Every truck was in constant use for we were advancing very fast, and in many cases the ammunition had to be carried ahead with the artillery. Ever since we had come to Verdun there were con- stant rumors of the war's ending, an armistice, etc., and when on Sunday, November 10, we heard that the armi- stice would commence on Monday, November 11, we could not believe it. It seemed too good to be true. So we waited and hoped and the cannonading seemed greater, and we thought, "Oh, nothing to it, only another rumor." But when at 11 o'clock the guns ceased firing, joy and real hope were in the hearts of the men that the long war had come to a victorious close at last. The fight for democracy had been a success. 53 MESS IN BE-LLERAY CHASING THE "COOTIES" IN MONTSURS After The Armistice After the armistice the trucks went to the front a few times, but soon were turned over to the Army of Occupation and we were a motorized company no longer. We were dehghted to see them go, for then we knew our greasing days were over and, what was more encourag- ing, the chances for going home looked brighter. Before November 11 Verdun had been nearly de- serted, but now it became suddenly alive with men. This resulted from the fact that Verdun was made a receiving point for returned prisoners. The prisoners came in alone, two or three together, sometimes forty or fifty men together, or perhaps even a thousand. Frenchmen,. Englishmen, Italians, Belgians, Americans and Russians. It was all too easy to distinguish the ones who had been in Germany for a long time by their thin and sickly ap- pearance. One of the large barracks next to ours was filled up with two or three thousand Russians. They were huge, bearded men, ragged and hungry. During our meals they came around waiting for us to finish and then took the leavings from our mess kits and ate like hungry dogs. We were able to give them much tobacco, which they were extremely thankful to get. We American souvenir hunters were keen after their buttons, consequently many a poor Russian had not a single button left on his coat, so willing were they to give us whatever they had. They seemed like big, gentle, unoffending children. Verdun had been badly battered and torn by the war, but soon after the 11th, signs of returning life came creep- ing back. First, it was a few small street lamps, after that putting in new telephone wires was started, and at the same time work was begun repairing the railroads. On November 26 we moved down to Belleray, just south of Verdun. This was our first hike in a long time, 00 HISTORY OF COMPANY C but luckily it was not very far. The great event of Belleray was, undoubtedly, the fire. It was a fierce fire and the town charged the United States enough in dam- ages to pay for every building within a radius of three kilometres, so it seemed to us. After we had done con- siderable digging and thoroughly cleaned the town, we moved on. Getting up at 4 A. M., we marched down to Dugny and had plenty of time to catch our train, which left around 9 that evening. The trip from Dugny to La Chapelle was the worst of our experience in the "Side-door Pullmans." Three nights and two days on the train with our old friends Corned Willy, beans, and tomatoes. During the day we relieved the monotony somewhat by riding on the flat cars. However, the intermittent rain made that rather uncertain. After the third night we arrived about 8 A. M. at our destination. What a stiff and weary crowd we were! It was then necessary to march to Montsurs, about seven miles away. We were carrying full packs with many souvenirs besides, and after three nights in exceedingly cramped quarters and little sleep, it was no wonder that many fell out of ranks on the hike. When we at last reached the town of Montsurs, which was to be our home, it was with great joy that we unslung our packs. The first day in Montsurs the place seemed very large and busy, accustomed as we were to seeing no civilians around at all. What a run there was on the stores, and soon all the butter and the delicious honey were sold out. We cleaned ourselves, our equipment, and the billets and settled down for a ten day stay — so we thought. At first the days passed rapidly, soon it was Christmas, but as yet no signs of leaving ! On Christmas Day we had a special goose dinner in the Hotel Lion D'Or. Many preparations had been made 56 HISTORY OF COMPANY C by the cooks and it was a meal long to be remembered. That evening in the town chapel our chaplain gave us a short entertainment; we sang, there were speeches, and gifts from the Y. M. C. A. It was hard to realize that it was really Christmas for the fields were green and vegetables were growing in the gardens. Many of us went to the big church that night for the Midnight Mass. It is an old custom for all the people in the town and of the surrounding countryside to come. The occasion was very interesting indeed to the Americans. Just at mid- night the 104th Artillery Band, which had come up and was outside the church, played a few hymns, including ''America," which sounded very beautiful. We had many strong rumors around New Years that the 27th Division, including ourselves, was to sail Janu- ary 10. However, the 10th came and went and still we sat around Montsurs, thinking of the United States, and passing the time as best we could with rumors in the air all the time. The townspeople were exceedingly kind to us and naturally we made many good friends among them. The cafes did a larger business than ever before, especially around pay day. All the stores and tailor shops were affected in a similar manner, and the town was undoubt- edly taking in more money than in many years. Many of the surrounding towns were often visited by those looking for amusement, or a good bath. Mont- surs could not boast of a bath tub. Who will forget what an exciting place Laval was, along about 4 in the afternoon? However, the haughty Russian offi- cers there, unlike the returned prisoners we had seen, afforded some amusement. They say a Russian "fell off" the bridge into the river one night, which seemed to make the rest considerably less haughty. After we had given up believing rumors of any kind, 58 HISTORY OF COMPANY C the final welcome orders came at last, and we prepared to leave. This time we were allowed two duffle bags to a squad, which helped reduce the size and weight of our packs somewhat. On the morning of February 25 we lined up by companies along Montsurs' main street, or rather Grand Rue, and marched out with the band lead- ing. All the people were out to see us go, and we felt that we were leaving many good friends. Once more we hiked to La Chapelle, but as we had not been sleeping in box cars for three nights it was not nearly as hard going as on our arrival. The ride to Brest was the best we had had in box cars. For once we were not too crowded, and everyone was able to lie down at the same time and sleep. So when we arrived in Brest next morning everybody was feeling full of pep and happy. 59 In The Rain at Brest Elated by thought of the end, cheering, bantering words with M, P.'s and such others as were around, Com- pany C pulled into Brest about 9 in the morning of February 26, 1919. 'Twas there that we made our acquaintance with the celebrated rain of Brest, and it seemed to like us so well that it could not be shaken off. In fact, most of us were soaked nearly all the time from then on. We were given a good meal and then started on the hike up the big hill. This time we were not led astray by the words ''Rest Camp" on the signboard. We had believed that once before. As we went along we noticed the big changes that had taken place since our last visit. Immense barracks had been built and hundreds of tents erected. It was not the quiet sunny Brest of the June before. By this time it was pouring, and according to time honored cus- tom, we were taken to the very last bunch of tents. How- ever, they had wooden floors and stoves, and they sure did look good to us. The meals pleased us greatly. There was always plenty to eat and plenty of variety. But if it was not raining when we went to meals it was sure to pour before we came back. The first detail came the next morning. We went out and changed around some duck boards and in the afternoon dug foundations for houses, always in the everlasting rain. If rain seems to predominate right here please excuse it because it certainly did predominate at Brest. The next day we built tent walls and in the 61 HISTORY OF COMPANY C afternoon came the detail of details. We carried tent floors, each weighing around 500 pounds, to their respec- tive places. As there were only twelve men to a board, we could hardly walk home by the time we finished the job. Sunday afternoon we made the usual false start, and after the packs had all been made, our departure was postponed till the next morning. But then we really did start, and once more we hiked the five miles, still in the rain, to the docks. After very little delay we boarded a lighter and went out to the boat that was to take us across the sea and home. Good-bye "A. E. F." We embarked on the Mount Vernon, the old North German Lloyd liner Kronprinzessin Cecile, on March 3, 1919. Speaking of Heaven, the minute we were located an immediate rush of the canteen was started that lasted until everything was sold out, the day before we landed. It was hard to believe, real candy and as much as one wanted. The weather was a bit rough the first two days out, but soon it became calmer and as almost everybody got their sea legs we had an enjoyable trip. The two daily meals took up a good deal of time, and what a bat- tle it was to get into the famous "fourth sitting." Early on March 11 we pulled into Hoboken. Some of us even went without breakfast to take a look at Madem- oiselle Liberty. We were greeted with a sure 'nough "jazz" band and a bevy of Red Cross nurses and Salva- tion Army girls, not to mention the Welcome Commit- tee's marvelous craft sent out by the Mayor. 63 HISTORY OF COMPANY C We disembarked that morning, and then Company C received the happy news that they were to police up the boat. So we all filed back on the ship and after working a couple of hours we again got off and were given bis- cuits and coffee by the A. R. C, and chocolate and candy by the Salvation Army. After that we loaded on a small boat which took us to Weehawken. There we boarded a train to Camp Merritt and at last we were really in the good old U. S. A. The joy of our homecoming was marred, however, by the death, the night before we landed, of one of the finest fellows in the company, Corporal George Banning of Rochester, N. Y. 64 VIEW ON FIFTH AVENUE DURING THE 27TH DIVISION PARADE Last Days of Company C The Parade, Camp Upton, axd Discharge Contrary to precedent, the day for our leaving Camp Merritt proved to be warm and fair, and incidentally, even more contrary to precedent, this was our first time to have regrets on leaving any post. Camp Merritt is a camp of comfort, convenience and good eats. With our usual luck, we marched out of camp at 7 A. M. and crossed the Palisades to Alpine Landing, only to find that we would have to wait a few hours before we could embark on the ferry for New York. By ferry and then by elevated we reached the Eighth Coast Defense Armory about 3 in the afternoon. There we left our equipment and were free until 7 A. M. Tuesday morn- ing. Full advantage was taken by all and save for a few greenhorns, everyone was on hand to fall in with our featherweight show packs and "tin derbys" the next morning. The subway took us to Broadway and Fourteenth Street and from there we went to Thirteenth Street, be- tween Sixth and Seventh Avenues, where we formed at about nine o'clock. Eats and kidding passed away the time until we were fallen in with platoon front about twelve o'clock for the big event. A few steps at a time finally brought us to Fifth Avenue at one-fifteen, and we were off up the Avenue. Between crowds on either side, which the cops could not hold back, we marched at varying paces. Indeed the paces varied from mark time to double time. So much 67 HISTORY OF COMPANY C distance had been lost by those in advance of us that the prescribed rests were omitted and with great discomfort we ran from Twenty -third Street to Twenty-seventh, then from Thirty-fourth to Forty-second and later again dou- ble time for a block or two. The magnificence of the decorations and the size and enthusiasm of the crowd made the parade of the 27th Di- vision, of which Company C was a part, a wonderful event. Such an immense and continuous crowd we had never seen and probably will never see again. All our friends were in the stands along by Ninety-second Street, and they gave us a great welcome as we passed by. The pleasure of the occasion was rather lost for us through the necessity of the double timing, for we covered the dis- tance in a little over half of the prescribed time. Our gratitude to the Captain for cutting down to quick time our longest sprinting contest, will not soon be forgotten. We will never forget the royal reception given us all along the line of march and that enormous crowd. After the parade we went up to the Armory, made up our packs for the following day, and were told to report back at 8 o'clock next morning. Wednesday we got away in good time, but it was 4 o'clock before we reached Upton, and as usual marched to the barracks the farthest from the railroad. Not having any noon meal the cry, "When do we eat?" was taken up, even before we found our quarters. Our stay here was a very restless period, for there was little to do and few places to go. Some of the time was taken up by lectures and now and then we were called upon to sign various 68 HISTORY OF COMPANY C papers. The mess fund was used up in buying special eats which helped out several of the meals in fine style. On Monday, March 31, all the men from Rochester marched away for a special parade in that city, cutting the company down about half. Thursday we got up at 4 A. M. in order to get an early start. Around 7:30 we marched down to Camp Headquarters, where we were paid off. Then away we went to the station and after the tickets had been purchased the long looked-forward-to discharges were given out. At last we were free men! The great adventure was over and we were going back to our homes and to our friends. i^rih, 70 Roster of Company C Captain Alson Shantz, Pittsford, N. Y. Lieutenant Thomas Madigan, 85 Linwood Street, Brooklyn, N. Y. Ralph R. Abbott, Pompton Lakes, N. J. Roger H. Abbott, Mineral Wells, Tex. Harrison Allen, Logansport, La. Howard E. Aller, 618 Midland Avenue, Syracuse, New York. Frank L Alliger, 81 Clinton Street, Tonawanda, N. Y. Wallace J. Balding, 36 North Street, Geneseo, N. Y. Frank H. Battle, Manlius, N. Y. William A. Bechtel, 334 Grand Avenue, Johnson City, New York. Percy R. Billington, 19 Natoma Street, Rye, N. Y. Milton M. Blum, 210 West 146th Street, New York City. Claude S. Britt, Medina, N. Y. Lloyd L. Brown, Spencerport, N. Y. George H. Broyles, 1113 Green Street, Palestine, Tex. William M. Carter, 7 Bond Street, Rochester, N. Y. August H. Chomas, 1265 Willoughby Avenue, Brook- lyn, N. Y. Harold W. Church, 118 Kenwood Avenue, Rochester. New York. Edward J. Cloud, Rule, Tex. Dwight J. Clute, Medina, N. Y. Cyril E. Cochran, 17 Vernon Avenue, Batavia, N. Y. WiUiam E. Colligan, 318 West Fifty-first Street, New York City. Charles P. Connors, care Howe & Rogers, Rochester, New York. Derwood E. Covill, 6 Livingston Park, Rochester, New York. William H. Davies, Norton, New Mexico. 81 HISTORY OF COMPANY C Laurence J. Daymont, New York Mills, N. Y. Fidele Denoo, 51 Woodward Street, Rochester, N, Y. Marinis DeReu, 602 Hayward Avenue, Rochester, New York. Walter H. Derry, 15 Fifth Street, Newark, N. J. Harry T. Devens, 231 East Seventh Street, Oswego, New York. Andrew J. Dinnen, 499 St. Paul Place, Bronx, N. Y. Berthold B. Dittfurth, Runge, Tex. Harold S. Doane, 133 Clinton Avenue S., Rochester, N.Y. George F. Doherty, 403 Walnut Street, West Ho- boken, N, J. Walton S. Donahue, Northport, L. I., N. Y. Godfrey W. Douthwaite, 157 Bayes Avenue, Buffalo, New York. William T. Doyle, 27 Iroquois Street, Rochester, N. Y. James H. Easlick, 817 East Fayette Street, Syra- cuse, N. Y. Pinkney M. Eidson, Long Island, S. C. Louis R. Erckert, 101 Exeter Terrace, Buffalo, N. Y. Ralph S. Excell, Greene, N. Y. John Fairbairn, 203 Cadwell Street, Syracuse, N. Y. John V. Felskowski, West Falls, N. Y. Ransford W. Furbeck, Johnsville, N. Y. Stanford V. Gamester, 319 West Forty-sixth Street, New York City. Clemens O. Gaul, 263 East Avenue, Lockport, N. Y. Arthur J. Gauthier, 15 Gardner Street, Whitesboro, New York. William Gfeller, 8 Gerling Place, Rochester, N. Y. Donald E. Goodling, 47 North Queen Street, York, Pa. Ernest Gordon, 211 North Perry Street, Johnstown, New York. James E. Gowdy, 187 Crescent Street, Long Island City, N. Y. 82 HISTORY OF COMPANY C William M. Gribbon, 1902 Beaver Avenue, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Frank J. Grimes, 401 East Fiftieth Street, New York City. Carlos Guerguin, 108 City Street, San Antonio, Tex. George C. Hack, 150 Lilas Street, Syracuse, N. Y. Archie D. Handy, Hyannis, Mass. Lyle L. Hardman, Richburg, N. Y. George H. Heath, 5 Porter Place, Towanda, Pa. Charlie C. Henderson, Montalba, Tex. Russell L. Hill, Medina, N. Y. George Hillman, Tully, N. Y. Joseph P. Hoey, 49 Webster Street, Ridgefield Park, New Jersey. Percy Hopwood, 29 Claremont Avenue, New York City. Charles S. Hoyt, 127 South Eleventh Avenue, Mount Vernon, N. Y. Earle F. Huxley, Ontario, N. Y. Frederick E. Jackson, 2305 Eighty-fourth Street, Brooklyn, N. Y. Fred C. Jacobsen, 1307 South Third Street, Nampa, Idaho. Elmer L. Johnson, Ontario, N. Y. James L. Johnson, Ripley, N. Y. Chester A. Jones, R. F. D. No. 3, Bryan, Tex. Charles W. Julin, 3928 Jamaica Avenue, Woodhaven, New York. William R. Kahn, 3129 Broadway, New York City. William S. Kearns, Sand Creek Road, R. F. D. Box 220, West Albany, N. Y. Loftus G. Keebler, 26 Gates Street, Poughkeepsie, New York. Edward T. Kelly, 30 West Fourth Street, Oswego, New York. 83 HISTORY OF COMPANY C Harold H. Klein, 104 Southampton Street, Buffalo New York. William B. Kline, 252 West 115th Street, New York City, George G. Korittke, 206 Fourth Street, Jersey City, New Jersey. Lloyd A. Kotteker, Chapin, N. Y. .Edward Krasa, 2538 Hughes Street, Glendale, N. Y. Andrew D. Leslie, 236 Van Home Street, Jersey City, N. J. Benjamin C. Lovell, lOi/. Judd Street, Binghamton, New York. Frank R. Lund, 221 North Park Avenue, Buffalo, New York. Walter N. Maurer, 261 Warwick Avenue, Rochester, New York. Edward McCarthy, 606 West 137th Street, New York City. Kent E. Mendell, 504 East Jefferson Street, Syra- cuse, N. Y. William H. Merlin, 511 South Sheridan Avenue, Ta- coma. Wash. Chester F. Miller, 2147 Lake Avenue, Rochester, N. Y. Wilbert J. Miller, 375 Humboldt Parkway, Buffalo, New York. Raymond J. Mock, 15 Storz Avenue, Buffalo, N. Y. Leroy Monk, 44 Brinkman Street, Buffalo, N. Y. John T. Moorhead, 305 Madison Avenue, Albany, New York. Charlie W. Morrison, Dyke, Tex. Edward A. Moses, 107 Mary Street, Syracuse, N. Y. John J. Mulvaney, 172 Amsterdam Avenue, New York City. William J. Murphy, 20 Madison Street, Rochester, New York. 84 HISTORY OF COMPANY C Albert D. Osborn, 22d floor Woolworth building, New York City. John J. Otto, 247 Flower City Park, Rochester, N. Y. Edward Padian, care Frank Gannon, Supt. Mails Of- fice, General Post Office, Brooklyn, N. Y. Jack B. Palmer, East Avenue, Pittsford, N. Y. Edmund F. Pearn, 205 Taffe Place, Brooklyn, N. Y. Roy I. Philp, 8 Cayuga Street, Rochester, N. Y. Otto H. Plagens, Kurten, Tex. Roland H. Playfair, care Curtice Bros. Co., Roch- ester, N. Y. James A. Porcari, 391 Front Avenue, Buffalo, N. Y. Fred H. Prim, 1034 Millman Street, Peoria, 111. James P. Quackenbush, Fultonville, N. Y. James W. Reid, 242 Blaine Avenue, Buffalo, N. Y. Philip L. Reitz, 48 Tuxedo Place, Buffalo, N. Y. Floyd A. Riley, Westfield, N. Y. Bert J. Rogers, Fulton, N. Y. Samuel J. Rosenthal, 1026 Hoe Avenue, New York City. Leigh Rumbold, 153 Christiana Street, North Ton- awanda, N. Y, Orlando Rumbold, 102 Clinton Street, Tonawanda, New York. John B. Rumney, Elizabethtown, N. Y. Napoleon Saladiner, Bryan, Tex. Frank Savage, Skidmore, Tex. Ralph W. Schenken, 313 West Forty-first Street, Austin, Tex. William H. Schwalb, 92 Portland Avenue, Rochester, New York. Roy H. Scoby, Wills Point, Tex. Sylvester G. Shafer, 11 State Street, Rochester, N. Y. John H. Simone, 105 Court Street, Newark, N. J. Philip Sittel, 358 West Fifty-third Street, New York City. 85 HISTORY OF COMPANY C David A. Slaughter, 805 Front Street, Orange, Tex. Henry J. Slezak, 117 Zenner Street, Buffalo, N. Y. Joseph Smith, San Antonio, Tex. Charles C. Snyder, 861 Prospect Avenue, Buffalo, New York. Wallace C. Speers, 345 Fifth Avenue, New York City. Werner Spitz, 674 Linden Street, Rochester, N. Y. Frank S. Spitzig, 148 Riley Street, Buffalo, N. Y. Henry H. Steacy, 133 East Philadelphia Street, York, Pennsylvania. James W. Sutton, Lima, Tex. David W. Tennant, 650 Main Street, Hartford, Conn. John H. Thomas, 458 East 169th Street, Bronx, N. Y. Joseph Thompson, Beeville, Tex. Frank Treshman, 101 Lott Avenue, Woodhaven, N. Y. Patrick R. Troy, 119 Windsor Place, Brooklyn, N. Y. Ernest G. Unger, Lincoln Park, N. Y. Cortes G. Vaillant, Little Valley, N. Y. Samuel Verhow, East Williamson, N. Y. Ernest L. VerDow, Webster, N. Y. Harold K. Walker, 435 Hawley Street, Rochester, New York. Joseph J. Weis, Renova, Pa. Fred Weissert, 9603 Avenue M, Brooklyn, N. Y. Elbert F. Wilcox, Kent, N. Y. Albert W. White, 200 Jay Street, Albany, N. Y. Arthur G. Whitham, 9 Travers Avenue, Mamaroneck, New York. Leonard R. Wichowski, 165 Sobieski Street, Buffalo, New York. Clyde W. Wright, Byers, Tex. Louis J. Zimmer, Woodman Road, Rochester, N. Y. Mrs. Carl J. Glass, wife of Carl J. Glass, deceased, Portville Post Office, Gordon, N. Y. Mrs. Adra A. Banning, mother of George Banning, deceased, 105 Meigs Street, Rochester, N. Y. 86 mM mm mm ^'"^y^M'. ^'!f'\jJ'--':^-: te# K'm im. tr ST, ' }•