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In Italy with the 332nd 
 Infantry 
 
 By 
 Joseph L. Lettau 
 
 {Battalion Sergeant Major, 332nd Infantry) 
 
t4 
 
 Copyright 1921 
 By Joseph L. Lettau 
 
 ©CI.A614941 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 Page 
 
 INTRODUCTION .- 5— 6 
 
 Chapter 
 
 I France 7—13 
 
 II France to Italy; Villafranca, Custozza, 
 
 Sommacompagna, Verona 16 — 20 
 
 III In Tents near Valleggio; Villa Angelica— 21 — 27 
 
 IV Treviso; The Air Raid; Before the Drive. _ 28—34 
 
 V The Drive; At the Tagliamento ; Ipplis __ 35 — 45 
 
 VI Cormons, Austria; Cormons to Treviso 46 — 50 
 
 VII Treviso after the Drive; In Rome with 
 
 Wilson 51—57 
 
 VIII Third Battalion at Fiume 58—61 
 
 IX Second Battalion in Dalmatia and Monte- 
 negro 62 — 66 
 
 X Treviso to Genoa; The Investigation 67 — 70 
 
 XI Genoa— The Regiment Re-united 71—72 
 
 XII Genoa to Ohio; Gibraltar; Camp Merritt; • 
 Parade in New York; Cleveland; Camp 
 Sherman; Discharged 73 — 76 
 
J. L. LETTAU, Publisher 
 
 461 Edwards S<. 
 Youngstown, Ohio 
 
 Evangelical Press, Cleveland 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 THE 332ND INFANTRY REGIMENT, N. A., was organized 
 in the early days of September, 1917, at Camp Sherman, 
 Ohio, around a nucleus of four commissioned officers and 
 about thirty enlisted men of the regular army. The first selec- 
 tives arrived at Camp September 5th, 1917, and from that day 
 until the regiment's departure for Europe the personnel was con- 
 stantly changing, newly arrived men being trained for a few 
 months and then being sent to other camps and overseas. 
 
 All the necessary ''shots in the back,'^ drills, hikes, rifle 
 practice, bayonet work, signalling, tent pitching and kitchen 
 police were gone through and, at last, on May 24th, 1918 with 
 ranks filled and hopes high, we boarded the train for Camp 
 Merritt, N. J. 
 
 After a weary twelve days here of endless clothing checks, 
 physical examinations and dripping letters to loved ones, we 
 proceeded to Hoboken, crossed the river to the majestic * ' Aqui- 
 tania,^' second largest ship afloat, and went to our — er — state- 
 rooms. We were too much filled with curiosity to explore this 
 huge vessel to think much of the coming dangers. We lay next 
 to the pier until the morning of June 8th, when to our disgust 
 we were ordered below until the ship should have cleared the 
 harbor. So, we left America without even the slight consola- 
 tion of wafting a kiss to Miss Liberty, whose features we were 
 not to see for ten, long, weary months. 
 
 Besides the 332nd Infantry, there were aboard Major Gen- 
 eral Glenn with his staff and about 2000 men of medical units. 
 To our great surprise, and a twinge of misgiving, we had no 
 escort after the first day out and this, with the U-boats spread- 
 ing terror along our coast. At this time, even Coney Island 
 had been darkened at night. However, the ' ' Aquitania ' ^ had 
 speed as well as grace and it would have required a fast U-boat 
 to drive a torpedo into her side as she sped on her zig-zag 
 course. 
 
 The weather was perfect and we proceeded without adven- 
 ture until the fourth day out when someone sighted what he 
 thought was the periscope of a submarine. (I think he must 
 have been a Medic ! ) At any rate, his loudly voiced cry started 
 a small panic which might have reached disastrous dimensions 
 
 5 
 
had not word suddenly come that the object sighted was a 
 floating buoy used by the transports for a target in practice 
 nrmg. 
 
 Some of the most intensely interesting minutes aboard were 
 spent watching the little three inch guns which every few 
 minutes turned on their pivots as they followed each suspicious 
 looking object in the water. There were not enough gunners 
 so several doughboys were detailed to render assistance. Be- 
 sides these guardians of the public welfare, the regular guard 
 was stationed at various points on the ship, the companies tak- 
 ing their turn at guard duty. 
 
 By way of showing the submarines what they thouo-ht of 
 them, our excellent band gave several greatly enjoyed con- 
 certs on the open deck. 
 
 On the morning of June 15th, Ireland was sighted and, 
 before noon, we had passed up the river Mersey and stood on 
 land once more m the city of Liverpool, England. 
 
 Our stay here was confined to a walk from the pier to a 
 railroad station about two miles away. The English cordially 
 welcomed us and sent us off with a boy's band conducted by 
 a genial, elderly man. 
 
 The ride from Liverpool, in the peculiar little English 
 coaches, took us across the rich farm lands of Southern Eng- 
 land. We passed through so many tunnels that, when I think 
 of England, I think of tunnels broken here and there by little 
 towns containing little brick houses bordered by pretty little 
 gardens most neatly kept. 
 
 Arriving at Southampton, we hiked miles to a ''Rest Camp '' 
 I would not dare mention these two words in the vicinity of a 
 doughboy for, it is true, we do not understand the English 
 language as our English friends do. Imagine vourself and 
 twelve others occupying a tent made for eight and this tent 
 luxuriously furnished with a— wooden floor and a tent pole 
 Then imagine resting on a bed consisting of the contents of 
 your pack, namely, two blankets, one mess kit, one shelter half, 
 one rope, one tent pole, flve pins, one suit of BVD'S, two pairs 
 of socks and a pair of shoe laces. Keep your picture moving 
 and imagine the task of collecting your property in the morning 
 and makmg a neat roll. And this is what they call a ''Rest 
 Camp V^ 
 
 We began to take war seriously. "If this is a rest camp/' 
 we thought, "why—'' but flgure it out for yourself. Indeed 
 we were glad to leave Southampton on the cattle boats which 
 awaited us. 
 
IN ITALY WITH THE 332nd INFANTRY 
 
 CHAPTER I 
 France 
 
 FRANCE AT LAST ! Early on the morning of June 17th, 
 1918, our little cattle boat, having safely traversed the sub- 
 marine-infested channel, steamed into the ancient harbor 
 of Havre. In the gray morning not much of the town could be 
 seen and, anyway, we were too busy to admire the scenery. 
 
 Companies were formed and trucks loaded and we started\ 
 for the camp, our eyes wide with curiosity, for we were in. 
 France, that land of which we had heard so much for the; 
 last two years. I retain an impression of a dusty, aged,, 
 wasted city of old brick and stone buildings. The shopkeepers, 
 signs were interesting and — mysterious. As we moved away 
 from the business district we passed many piles of ammunition 
 and cannon guarded by Algerian soldiers. It was edifying- 
 to see these colored soldiers snap to attention. 
 
 Everywhere, however, our passage was marked for the ab- 
 sence of anything like a greeting from the natives. We won- 
 dered. In America, on the train, racing to the coast, whistles 
 shrieked, bells rang and people cheered. In England, bands 
 played and people loudly applauded. Yet, here in France, to 
 whose immediate aid we were rushing, no word of welcome 
 came to us. It was grim. Did France think that America was 
 too slow? Was France too sorrowful at her losses? Did she 
 think that these dressed up shopmen, farmers and clerks were 
 poor substitutes for her own brave who had died in the vain 
 attempt to stem the German tide? Whatever her thoughts, we 
 saw nothing to confirm the prevalent idea that the French are 
 an excitable people. 
 
 Continuing through the winding streets, up and down hills, 
 we came to a sandy, wire-enclosed field containing a few wooden 
 buildings and many tents. It was a dreary looking place and 
 the painted signs giving directions to be followed in case of an 
 air raid failed to put any humor in the situation. 
 
 Outside the barbed wire fence, which held us prisoners, a 
 sentinel paced up and down. On the street, there were at all 
 times several boys waiting and begging for food or cigarettes. 
 At meal time the number increased and with them came women 
 
8 IN ITALY WITH THE 
 
 and girls begging for food. A walk around showed us that the 
 camp was scarcely more than a makeshift and we hoped we 
 would not remain long. 
 
 While here, some of us had near-baths which we shall never 
 forget. For an hour we stood in line waiting our turn to enter 
 the bath house and when at last we entered and had gotten 
 ^* soaped up/* the water limit for the day was reached and the 
 water was turned off. 
 
 About noon of the 18th, we moved from this camp. Luckily, 
 for us, we were first at the train and upon discovering that 
 eight men and all their equipment, irrespective of rank, ex- 
 cepting commissioned officers, were to be jammed into one 
 compartment made for eight to sit in, and that we were to 
 spend the night there, we began to consider the matter seriously. 
 Before long, one of the boys unfolded a plan and, a moment 
 later, three busier Sergeants Major than we three could not 
 have been found. We turned *' baggage smashers" and in a 
 few minutes, a whole second class compartment was empty, and 
 later, some of the officers discovered that there were as many 
 as three of them to a compartment. 
 
 Our ride across France took us close to Paris but as we 
 passed at night we did not see it. France is beautiful. There 
 was the same orderliness that we noted in England except that 
 there was more evidence of recent neglect. The hedges along 
 the tracks, which in other days had been so well kept, now 
 showed lack of attention. Cattle were few and far between 
 and no j^oung men were seen, except those in uniform. 
 
 On the afternoon of the 19th we arrived at a town named 
 Foulain. However, we remained in the cars until darkness. 
 We saw no reason for wasting these daylight hours but later 
 learned that troop movements were allowed only under cover 
 of darkness. 
 
 *' Where are weV **Do you think we're near the front f 
 ^'Is'nt this a h — 1 of a place to stopf These were the un- 
 answerable questions we asked each other. 
 
 At last we were ordered from the train. The companies, 
 except one, were formed and marched away into the dark, 
 silent, rainy night. As usual, we attended to the loading of 
 our boxes and when this was accomplished, we climbed aboard 
 the truck. Just about this time, however, the officer who had 
 been left behind to supervise the loading of supplies, saw us 
 on top of the truck. With angry voice he wanted to know what 
 we were doing there and before anyone mustered up cour- 
 age to present an alibi, he ordered us off, leaving only a half 
 dozen aboard to unload the baggage. Sorrowfully we climbed 
 
332nd INFANTRY 9 
 
 down, but we left our packs on the truck and we felt that 
 we had ''slipped one over" at any rate. 
 
 At 11:00 o'clock, we fell in behind ''C" Company and 
 began the memorable march to Mandres. The rain had ceased 
 and the night was now truly beautiful. The stars above shone 
 brightly and as we marched up the valley alongside a silvery 
 canal, flanked on both sides by cool, whispering trees, we found 
 it difficult to believe that a desperate battle raged a few 
 miles away. 
 
 We walked at a good pace for fifty minutes and then rested 
 ten minutes, according to the army marching rules. Of course, 
 we smoked a cigarette, the doughboy's best friend, and enjoyed 
 for the time, the coolness and quiet. It was difficult to get 
 up and continue the march, and long before the next rest period 
 came, our feet were dragging. How those lads with heavy 
 packs stood it, is difficult to understand. Remember that for 
 about forty hours we had been riding in a space that scarcely 
 permitted stretching. When the order came for the second 
 rest period, the stars as interesting phenomena had lost their 
 charm. Even a cigarette was unattractive. We wanted to lie 
 down and sleep, sleep, sleep. When the order to fall in came 
 again, we stumbled to our feet and actually ''fell in." The 
 next hour was torture. Never did we want rest so much. Now 
 and then we sighted a town ahead and our spirits rose, but 
 always, it seemed, our town was further on. "Why are there 
 so many hills in France?" "Will we never get to that — 
 town?" "Is the Captain on the right road?" These thoughts 
 filled our minds and I believe some of the boys walked in their 
 sleep. This condition was not exceptional, it was the general 
 feeling. 
 
 Everything ends, and at last we had climbed our last hill 
 and had arrived in the muddy street of a quaint little, stone- 
 housed town. Lights began to twinkle here and there and 
 people came out to see their first American soldiers. It was 
 2 A. M. I understood that we were going into billets, but it 
 seemed impossible to find room for one thousand men in these 
 few houses. At length, several detachments moved away. 
 Some of these men climbed ladders and disappeared into attics 
 and hay lofts; others passed from view into cellars and barns. 
 "So these are billets?" 
 
 After our Detachment had stood in the road many minutes, 
 we began to realize that unless we ourselves found a place to 
 sleep, we would very likely be there in the road until daybreak. 
 Therefore, we marched up the street and found a newly con- 
 
10 IN ITALY WITH THE 
 
 structed wooden building, entered it, picked up the softest 
 looking piece of wood and '^went to bed." 
 
 We who stopped in Mandres were fortunate as the Second 
 and Third Battalions were stationed four or five miles beyond 
 Mandres. 
 
 In the morning, after a breakfast of canned willy, canned 
 tomatoes and crackers, we located Regimental Headquarters. 
 
 Later, we learned that there were rooms for some of us. 
 We had pictured a hay loft at best but when we found that 
 we had drawn rooms containing real beds, we were pleased 
 beyond description. Two of us were billeted in the home of 
 an old lady who smiled and talked incessantly, but since our 
 French was in its infancy and had not reached the talking stage, 
 we could only grin at her and say ''Wee, wee" whenever it 
 appeared time. However, we got along famously. 
 
 When the lady finally bowed herself out, we examined the 
 room. The bed drew our attention immediately. It was not 
 six feet long (I am, and I know the bed was not) and it stood 
 about four feet from the floor. The odd thing about it was a 
 sort of feather-bed on top of the covers. We could never learn 
 to use it as a cover but always lovingly put it upon the floor 
 whenever we did not fear the lady 's coming. One of the covers 
 was made entirely of heavy, exquisite lace, pretty to look at, 
 but not half as warm as our ''three thin blankets." 
 
 There were two pictures on the wall, both of young sol- 
 diers, and we knew why the old lady was so kind to us. A 
 dresser and a stand with bowl and pitcher completed the room. 
 Simple it was, but a mansion compared to what we expected. 
 
 The companies were put to work immediately. Those men 
 who had ofl^ended were given the task of rendering a town 
 sanitary that had been unsanitary since the first man and his 
 cow had come to live there. The others embarked upon a six 
 weeks training schedule, the author of which, evidently, had 
 never heard of relaxation. From early morning, when the 
 bugle blew "Assembly," khaki clad youths came down lad- 
 ders, out of cellars, out of barns and out of houses, and 
 throughout the day, pausing only at noon, American cries and 
 activities resounded through the ordinarily quiet village until 
 nightfall. Our service at the front, it appeared, would begin 
 at the expiration of these six weeks. 
 
 As mentioned above, not all of our regiment were stationed 
 at this town, Mandres, for it was too small. Headquarters, A, 
 B, C, and D Companies were here. The Second and Third Bat- 
 talions and Supply and Machine Gun Companies were at little 
 towns close by called Essey-les-Eaux, Donne Marie and 
 
332nd INFANTRY 11 
 
 Lanques. However, practically the same events took place at 
 each little town. At stated times, the different companies 
 leaving their stations, met on the line of march and when a 
 prearranged point was reached, skirmishes and trench maneu- 
 vers were executed. The noon meal was served in the field 
 from the rolling kitchens. Drinking water was frowned on 
 while marching and at the conclusion of a march there were 
 generally many thick tongues, parched throats and black lips. 
 
 During June a party of commissioned and non-commissioned 
 officers were sent to the Infantry school at Chatillon-sur-Seine, 
 there to further their education in matters military. 
 
 Generally, in the evening, the boys wrote letters and read 
 the Paris edition of the ''Chicago Tribune" and the ''New 
 York Herald. ' ' Also, the thirst was quenched. The water was 
 under the ban of the Medical Officer unless it was purified by 
 the addition of hypo-chloride of lime. This water was placed 
 in a lister bag hung upon a tripod and was liked less than the 
 various ' ' vins ' ' and brandies offered in the vin shops, especially 
 since most of these little shops were presided over by made- 
 moiselles. During the day no drinks could be sold to Amer- 
 icans, but after the companies were dismissed, until taps, the 
 shopkeepers reaped a harvest of francs. 
 
 The Y. M. C. A., Red Cross, K. of C. and Salvation Army, 
 apparently, did not know of our existence, for we saw nothing 
 of them. The nearest Y. M. C. A. was at Nogent, about two 
 and one half miles distance. 
 
 Our excellent band made the evenings happy for French 
 and Americans with splendid concerts on the "Square.'' 
 
 Many visits were made to the French homes. Ostensibly 
 they were for the purpose of learning the French language 
 and customs. However, the home with a feminine teacher was 
 generally the most popular school. 
 
 Near our abode was the home of a very dear old French 
 couple where we learned that, in this locality, the chief in- 
 dustry was the manufacture of knives and scissors. All work 
 was done by hand in the homes. Our host plied his trade in the 
 room which was also kitchen, dining-room and bedroom. The 
 little cook stove, not more than two feet high, looked like a 
 toy while the fuel used was twigs. 
 
 The average villager was kind to us but the shopkeepers 
 were very grasping. They sold their articles for any sum they 
 thought they could get from the Americans. This profiteer- 
 ing, especially in foodstuffs, was the cause of an order to the 
 Americans forbidding them to buy certain foodstuffs, for the 
 
12 IN ITALY WITH THE 
 
 profiteers raised prices so high that the natives could not buy 
 these articles. 
 
 However, the order was not always obeyed for the tempta- 
 tion to have a ''home cooked meal" was very great. Now and 
 then enough francs could be gathered together to have a banquet 
 of chicken, French-fried potatoes, eggs, lettuce, home made 
 bread, butter and vin. The reader has heard of the thrifty 
 French housewife but I hope he will not condemn the boys for 
 passing up the chicken head and feet which were served on 
 the plate. 
 
 Except on Sundays, most of the people wore wooden shoes 
 and they could be heard clattering along on the road a block 
 away. 
 
 On June 29th we were told that General Pershing was com- 
 ing to review us. That meant a night of polishing guns, clean- 
 ing quarters, grounds and clothes. When he came, the next 
 day. Premier Clemenceau accompanied him. General Pershing 
 smiled and spoke to the boys as he passed along the line. He 
 looked like a man capable of doing big things. 
 
 The next day a rumor went forth that we were scheduled to 
 go to Italy as a propaganda regiment to encourage the Italians. 
 As this rumor gained credence, the study of French lost ground 
 and many copies of ''French for Soldiers'' went to the bot- 
 tom of the barracks bags. 
 
 On the Fourth of July we were awakened before reveille by 
 our band which, in two separate sections, marched around the 
 town endeavoring to see which section could make more noise. 
 During the day athletic games were staged and prizes were 
 given to the winners. 
 
 The following week, on July 9th, Elsie Janis came to our 
 neighborhood and provided an evening's entertainment we 
 shall never forget. In a natural amphitheatre, a rude wooden 
 stage with improvised lights, was built. The hillside was dot- 
 ted with the "flowers" of the American army, the 331st in 
 overseas caps, the 332nd in campaign hats. Both regimental 
 bands were near the stage and they kept everyone in good 
 spirits. A truck drove up and a piano was unloaded and 
 placed upon the stage. Shortly after. Miss Janis and her 
 mother arrived in a limousine, and from the moment the door 
 of the car opened until she left the stage, everyone had a 
 wonderful time. Miss Janis sang several songs, new to us, 
 and her parodies and accompanying antics were greatly 
 enjoyed. 
 
332nd INFANTRY 13 
 
 On July 14th, France's Independence Day, another holiday 
 was declared. We were free to go anywhere possible in the 
 twenty-four hours. In order to bring the holiday spirit to 
 the whole regiment, the band was sent around to the various 
 towns. In each town a short concert was played and at the 
 Second Battalion headquarters it co-operated in a pleasant 
 program of speeches and songs attended by the French people 
 as well as the soldiers. 
 
 A few days later, the order to move to Italy was officially 
 announced and a transfer of physically imperfect men took 
 place. Some of our men were sent to the 331st while they 
 were to transfer better men to the 332nd. The transfer was 
 effected, but when our doctors examined the new men, they 
 found many of them in poorer condition than those that we 
 had sent to the 331st. So it was necessary to use some 
 strenuous language and to go through the process of transfer 
 once more. 
 
 During July the Americans were fighting around Chateau 
 Thierry and were stopping the German drive that was causing 
 France to despair. Possibly this success assured our trip to 
 Italy, for after this time our movement was speeded up. Many 
 things were necessary, such as rolling stock, travel rations, 
 equipment, motor trucks, etc. We understood that we were the 
 only American regiment going to Italy and therefore we would 
 have to take care of much that is usually looked after by special 
 units. However, on July 25th, the first section of the 332nd 
 marched to Foulain, boarded the train and was on the way to 
 Italy. 
 
^4 IN ITALY WITH THE 
 
 CHAPTER II 
 France to Italy; Sommacompagna and Verona 
 
 THERE WERE ABOUT thirty motor trucks and two touring 
 cars fastened on flat cars, and these trucks filled with 
 canvas tents looked more inviting to us than the notorious 
 box ears marked "40 HOMME S, 8 CHEVAUX". 
 
 This journey, which was to occupy three days and two nights, 
 was remarkable for its changing scenes and climates. Leaving 
 Foulam about 3:00 P. M. July 25th, we proceeded in a south- 
 eastern direction, reaching Gray about twilight. 
 
 Drawing forth our canned willy, crackers, tomatoes, etc., 
 we had dinner.'^ Upon completing this luxurious repast we 
 pulled a canvas tarpaulin over us and put our '' bedroom'' 
 m shape. The evening air was growing colder as we approached 
 the mountains, but we slept comfortably even though we had 
 aUowed ourselves the luxury of removing shoes and puttees. 
 
 While we had taken care of ourselves in this manner, the 
 boys m the box cars were anything but comfortable. The 
 French box car is not the large one we see on American rail- 
 roads and it was only by taking turns at lying down that any- 
 one got any sleep. 
 
 We awoke early and found ourselves in the scenic foot- 
 hills of the Alps. Little villages snuggled up on the mountain 
 sides, the stone roofs sparkling in the sunshine like those of 
 a fairy city. There was, as usual, the towering church in each 
 village round which the houses clustered '4ike little chicks 
 under the mother hen's wings." 
 
 Here and there as we journeyed on, we saw wonderfully 
 constructed castles set on high peaks commanding the country- 
 side. One glance at their evident strength, together with the 
 thought that firearms were unknown in the old days, and one 
 ceased to wonder how the barons ruled the country in feudal 
 days. Not only were the castles strongly built; thev were beau- 
 tiful as well, and the eye loved to dwell on them as long as 
 they were in sight. 
 
 Many mountains are absolutely barren; they seem to be 
 exhausted with the age long battle with the elements. When 
 Napoleon marched through these valleys they were old; when 
 Hannibal led his conquering Carthaginians they were old; and 
 the years since have added nothing but more scars and fissures 
 to their old sides. A few miles of these barren hills were quite 
 
332nd INFANTRY 15 
 
 depressing and we were glad when they had been left behind 
 and mountains, green from, top to bottom, took their places. 
 Many of the peaks were snow-capped, though the days were 
 quite mild. 
 
 The next large city we passed through was Aix-les-Bains. 
 We had no time to try the famous waters, for the train starter 
 with his little ^'fish horn" soon sent us on our way. Shortly 
 after, we passed through Chambery and when we awoke on the 
 morning of the 27th, we were on the way to Montmelian. This 
 town was of especial importance to us because here in the 
 mountains, the English had established a washing station. Our 
 train stopped and everyone got off and enjoyed a wash or a 
 shave. Hot coffee was furnished and we had our noonday meal. 
 
 With our toilet and meal completed we proceeded, journey- 
 ing on past St. Julien and St. Michel, past the lovely waterfall 
 at La Praz, and finally reached Modane, the last French town, 
 about 9:00 P. M. 
 
 We remained here more than an hour. The Red Cross 
 representatives distributed bars of chocolate and hot coffee 
 with rum, all of which was thankfully received on this cold 
 night. 
 
 About 10:30 P. M., an electric engine was attached to our 
 train and we were whizzed through a very long tunnel. Upon 
 reaching the other end, we were in Italy. 
 
 The inhabitants of the little town at which we stopped were 
 most enthusiastic in their welcome, although it was near mid- 
 night. A band played the ''Star Spangled Banner," Italian 
 troops saluted and the people gave us chocolate, little flags, 
 cigarettes and sandwiches. We wondered that Italy had such 
 an abundance of these articles since France was barren. 
 
 An Italian general caused much laughter when he approached 
 the boys, torch in hand, ''to inspect the Americans." 
 
 The Italians have a way of waving the hand in greeting 
 that furnished much amusement. The arm is held up, palm 
 of the hand inward and the hand is rapidly opened and closed. 
 Shouts of "Viva V Americani" accompanied each move of the 
 fingers. The boys were quick to reply and answering shouts of, 
 "Viva 1' Italia," came from them. 
 
 Later in the night we entered Turin and here again were 
 delightfully received. We ourselves could not realize what 
 our presence meant to these people. 
 
 In the early morning we passed beautiful Lake Como and, 
 some time later, caught a glimpse of Milan, the outline of her 
 venerable Cathedral standing out from the lower buildings of 
 the city. Our train section did not enter Milan, but another 
 
16 IN ITALY WITH TEE 
 
 section stopped there and the boys marched through the city 
 amid great applause. 
 
 One could not journey across the northern part of Italy, 
 from the border to Milan, without exclaiming at the fertility 
 of the soil. Every inch of ground is productive and the climate 
 is much warmer than on the other side of the mountains. 
 
 At noon on the 27th we reached Verona. Again our pro- 
 gress was halted by our enthusiastic Allies who showered us 
 with little Italian flags and handkerchiefs, while their bands 
 played our National anthem over and over. Of course this was 
 popular ( ?) with us as it gave us an opportunity of standing 
 at attention and saluting. 
 
 Once more we started and our next and final stop was Villa 
 Franca. Here, amid great enthusiasm, we detrained. The 
 American Red Cross surprised us with hot coffee and doughnuts 
 and never was a lunch more appreciated. While we ate, Amer- 
 ican aviators flew above us, doing amazing stunts. 
 
 We eventually collected all of the headquarters property, 
 put it on a truck and set out for Sommacompagna, later called, 
 ' ' Summer-complaint. ' ' In less than half an hour, we came into 
 this little town which was to be the home of Regimental Head- 
 quarters, Headquarters Company and the First Battalion. The 
 Second Battalion and Field Hospital No. 331 were located at 
 historic Custozza ; the Third Battalion remained at Villa Franca 
 with the Supply Company. The 331st Field Hospital had been 
 attached to the regiment when we left France. The Machine 
 Gun Company was alone at Villa Contini. 
 
 Our driver took us through the walled streets of the town 
 and set us down before the doors of ^ ' The Villa of 1001 Roses. ' ' 
 
 Not knowing where our quarters were to be, we made our 
 bunks on the floor. Right there we became acquainted with 
 the Italian mosquito and of all the mosquitoes we have met, he 
 is the most voracious and insistent. ''Cusses'* and slaps were 
 heard throughout the night. 
 
 At every move of the regiment new orders governing the 
 actions of the troops are issued. So, for a time we were quite 
 busy getting these out. Not too busy, however, to explore our 
 villa. It was the property of an Italian Countess, widow of an 
 Italian general. The building, of white stone, had a balcony 
 in front from which the Countess often looked down at the 
 curious '' Americanos. ' ' At the south end there was a large 
 room, very likely a conservatory, the walls of which were cov- 
 ered with what were at one time beautiful paintings. This 
 was the office of the Sergeants Major. At the other end of the 
 building, the Colonel and Adjutant had their desks. 
 
332nd INFANTRY 17 
 
 In front of the building the road divided forming a round 
 plot of grass on which were shrubbery, flowers and palm trees. 
 To the left was a thicket of bamboo trees; to the right were 
 majestic palms. Immediately before our entrance was a grape 
 arbor, which, in the hot weather, was very enticing. 
 
 The rear, however, was most attractive. Passing across the 
 court, shut in on three sides by the villa, the garage and the 
 servants quarters, one came to a grove of cool, hanging trees- 
 Winding paths bordered by the hedgerows led through this^ 
 grove to the edge of a steep hill. Here a small balcony of 
 stone had been built and one could see directly below, the white 
 road twining its serpentine course among green trees, past, 
 little red roofed village houses presided over by the eternal 
 campanile of the village church. While we sweltered in the^ 
 sun amid these tropical surroundings, the mountain tops, vis- 
 ible across the valley, were snow-capped. 
 
 Sommacompagna is quite small. When one walked throughi 
 the streets there was a feeling as of being walled in. The 
 church, the municipio, the vino shops and the houses were made 
 of stone, and walls of masonry extended around the boundaries 
 of each person's property. Five minutes walk took one into 
 the country and the country meant the open fields, for in Italy 
 the farmers live in the towns and go out to work their farms.. 
 
 Possibly we had come to Italy to cement national relations; 
 to put out any lingering fire of love the Northern Italians had 
 for the Germans; to show Italy that America was at her side. 
 Nevertheless, as in France, when ^'Assembly" sounded in the 
 early morning, doughboys, gun in hand, poured from barns, 
 cellars and houses for the daily work. On the hottest days, 
 drills were ordered and borne, but when evening came, the 
 tension was relaxed and until 10:30 the boys had good times. 
 
 In this section of Italy there are many irrigation ditches 
 fed by mountain streams, so that the farms are very productive. 
 These streams and ditches were very popular as swimming 
 places after a hot day's drill and along the banks could be seen 
 many future husbands drilling themselves in the art of 
 laundering. 
 
 Then, there were the new vinos (wines) and cognacs of 
 Italy to be tried and many pleasant evenings were spent in 
 dingy little shops we would not think of entering at home. 
 
 Others, musically inclined, struck up an acquaintance with 
 the owner of a piano and thus amused themselves with the good 
 old American tunes. The Italians generally liked American 
 rag-time. We were made welcome everywhere and in turn 
 thought highly of our hosts. 
 
18 IN ITALY WITH THE 
 
 Some of us were fortunate enough to secure rooms with beds 
 and we felt as if we were going to like the war in Italy. Owing 
 to mosquitoes we found use for the mosquito nets issued by the 
 Quartermaster, for we persisted in sleeping with the windows 
 open despite our '' landlady '' who insisted on closing them. 
 The natives close their windows at night and sprinkle water 
 upon the floor. 
 
 The kitchen of this house contained a stone fire-place with 
 a large copper pot hung on a tripod. In this vessel almost 
 everything was cooked over a fire made of twigs. Near the 
 fire-place hung a pair of copper pails in which the women car- 
 ried drinking water. These pails are fastened in the ends of a 
 wooden device which fits over the shoulders and it was a com- 
 mon sight to see the women carrying them up the street while 
 their wooden shoes clattered on the pavement. 
 
 In Italy there is a great devotion to the Madonna as is 
 evident from the many shrines along the roads. An incident 
 in this connection is worth recording, illustrating how this faith 
 and devotion is inculcated in the children from birth. The baby 
 of the house stumbled, fell upon the floor and cried. Her elder 
 sister, about 14, quickly picked up a staute of the Madonna 
 and held it toward the infant. The latter 's face lighted as she 
 grasped the statue and the cries abruptly ceased as she pressed 
 the statue to her lips. 
 
 While at Sommacompagna, two important personages vis- 
 ited us. One, the King of Italy, who reviewed the regiment 
 August 1st and complimented it highly on its marching and 
 bearing; the other, the Prince of Wales who lunched with the 
 Colonel. 
 
 At this town we became acquainted with the Italian oxen 
 and donkeys. It was an ordinary sight to see a team consist- 
 ing of an ox and a very small donkey drawing a cart. 
 
 Our meals here were very poor, at least in our Company. 
 This question is largely up to the Mess Sergeant and cooks, 
 but often, if the ofl&cers gave more attention to the meals they 
 would be better. 
 
 It was said, our beef was killed one day and served the 
 next, so that it was too fresh to eat and, accordingly, many 
 claimed it caused illness. 
 
 The ''hand shaking" policy seemed to have taken possession 
 of everyone upon entering Italy and, in line with this, one half 
 of the regiment was given passes and truck rides to Verona 
 every Sunday. Verona is about an hour's ride from Somma- 
 compagna. 
 
332nd INFANTEY 19 
 
 One has many thoughts on entering a famous old Italian 
 city. Here is Verona, old before the discovery of America, 
 within whose walls great Dante lived and saw his Beatrice, 
 which event gave to the world one of its sublimest poems, ' ' The 
 Divine Comedy." Here is the tomb of Romeo and Juliet who 
 have been made immortal by Shakespeare ; here is the old arena 
 built under Diocletian in 290 A. D.; here is the tomb of the 
 Scagliere; here is the church of St. Anastasia built in 1261. 
 How we wandered through this ancient city amid strange yet 
 somehow familiar scenes! How we wished we had studied our 
 history and literature more diligently when in school ! How we 
 longed to speak the Italian language so that we might ask about 
 this palace, that statue, this old church, that curious inscrip- 
 tion ! There is much to see and to learn in old Verona. 
 
 Its many treasures of the past, so fondly preserved, have not 
 materially stopped the progress of this age, for the stores of 
 its narrow business street, "Broadway" we called it, through 
 which no horse or automobile passes, showed all the modern 
 appliances to be found in the stores of the original Broadway. 
 We were delightfully surprised. 
 
 While we were in Verona, a moving picture, blatantly 
 billed as the "Mysteries of New York" was being shown. We 
 were not interested but we did live through one act of an in- 
 sipid love play in another theatre. The Italian idea of love as 
 depicted on the screen is too "soft" for the rough and ready 
 American, and Italian movies were never popular with the 
 boys. 
 
 Our band sometimes came to Verona to play. The 
 band stand was in a small park within a stone's throw of the 
 arena. Across the street were several restaurants. To one of 
 these we found our way and without trouble fell into the de- 
 lightful Italian habit of taking refreshments seated at a table 
 placed out upon the spacious sidewalk. We discovered "near 
 ice-cream" and were quite happy. 
 
 Incidentally, we learned that the Signorinas of Italy are 
 very lovely and that they are not amateurs in dressing at- 
 tractively. Those of the better class are always chaperoned in 
 the evening. There were many such in company of father, or 
 father and mother, and their deportment and beauty caused 
 hearts to beat, while thoughts of Her in far off America rushed 
 to mind. 
 
 During a field meet held at Verona, an American broke the 
 world's record throwing the hand grenade. 
 
 Thus in work and play the days passed. We loved Italy 
 at this time. It had been impressed upon us that we had been 
 
20 IN ITALY WITH THE 
 
 chosen from the entire A. E. F. to represent American soldiery 
 and that upon our actions Americans would be judged. The 
 boys strove hard to maintain this standard. 
 
 About the middle of August, our Colonel began to think 
 that fetes and reviews better fitted a conquering army than a 
 regiment so lately civilians. He felt that town life, with the 
 regiment in four different villages, was not good for discipline, 
 and to the utter astonishment and objection of the Italians, 
 civilian and military, we moved, on the 14th of August to a 
 field near Vallegio. 
 
332nd INFANTEY 21 
 
 CHAPTER III 
 In Tents near Vallegio; Treviso; Villa Angelica 
 
 FOR THE FIRST TIME since we were at Havre, the regiment 
 was united. There were acres of tents in orderly rows 
 forming company streets. A highway ran through the 
 center of the camp separating Regimental Headquarters and 
 the Auxiliary companies from the letter companies. 
 
 Instead of the conservtory of a villa, we now had a tent for 
 an ofl&ce; instead of a soft bed and a roof over us at night, 
 we had a tent and the earth. Most of us enjoyed this open 
 air life more than the town life. 
 
 The ground occupied by the regiment was a mulberry grove. 
 The peculiar looking, stunted mulberry trees were grown for the 
 leaves upon which the silk worms feed. Silk was manufactured 
 in Villa Franca and neighboring towns. 
 
 Vallegio is very hot and, on some days, the heat of the sun 
 readily penetrated the canvas and seemed to be trying to dry 
 the blood in our bodies. Yet, through it all, the boys drilled. 
 How they stood it, God onlj^ knows. Of course, there were 
 frequent rests but only American grit carried them through. 
 War is what Sherman said it is, but the general thought was 
 that it was not worse than drilling in Italy during August. 
 
 While the days were hot, the evenings were very pleasant 
 and the nights were cool, so that one recuperated from the heat 
 and labor of the day. 
 
 It may be interesting to know what a day meant to this 
 so-called ** Propaganda Regiment.'' The following is a copy of 
 a Drill Schedule in operation at this time: 
 Monday A. M. 
 7:00 to 7:30 Physical exercise, running, jumping obstacles 
 so as to develop agility and endurance of 
 soldiers. 
 
 Instruction in use of Gas Mask. 
 Rest. 
 
 Company combat drill; including debouching 
 from departure trenches. Attacks against 
 points of resistance. 
 
 Bolt manipulation with magazine floor plate, 
 magazine spring and follower removed. 
 Rest. 
 Platoon close order drill and Manual of Arms. 
 
 7:30 to 
 
 8:00 
 
 8:00 to 
 
 8:15 
 
 8:15 to 
 
 9:00 
 
 9:00 to 10:00 
 
 10 :00 to 10 :15 
 
 10:15 to 10:45 
 
22 IN ITALY WITH THE 
 
 P. M. 
 
 2 :50 to 3 :30 Position and aiming exercises. 
 3:30 to 5:30 Developing company strong points. 
 Tuesday Schedule the same as for Monday except; 
 
 8:15 to 9:00 A. M., period devoted to giving 
 platoons an opportunity to go over carefully 
 their particular phase of the company combat 
 drill of the previous day, using Gas Masks, 
 7 :30 to 8 :00 A. M. Bayonet instruction. 
 Wednesday Same as Monday, except the period 8:15 to 
 
 9:00 during which time instructions will be 
 given company specialists. 
 Thursday Same as Wednesday, except 7:30 to 8:00 
 
 bayonet instruction. 
 Friday Practice march under assumed tactical situa- 
 
 tion. 
 Saturday Trenches. 
 
 Looks like a real day's work in any climate. 
 Later, much of this drill was changed to sham battle in 
 trenches in conjunction with Italy's justly famous Arditi, under 
 Major Allegretti. Each battalion took its turn in occupying 
 prepared trenches which they undertook to hold against Italians. 
 Bullets, bombs, and signals were used and an amateur would 
 have thought a real battle was in progress. Near these 
 trenches were vineyards and thereby hangs a tale which, how- 
 ever, must not be told now. 
 
 A rifle range was also constructed and those men who had 
 never fired a rifle were given instruction. The one-pound and 
 trench mortar batteries also had a range and our neighborhood 
 took on more of a warlike appearance than the Italian- Austrian 
 front. 
 
 Our Machine Gun men were not idle either, for they were 
 sent to an Italian machine gun school in the mountains where 
 they were drilled and perfected in such trifles as hitting targets 
 on the opposite side of a mountain. They learned to shoot the 
 FIAT (Italian) guns as well as their own. 
 
 However, though we worked hard through September and 
 into October, life was not all work. In the camp itself we 
 finally had a Red Cross and a Y. M. C. A. hut which were well 
 patronized. It was a common sight to see two hundred or more 
 boys iji the canteen line waiting to buy cigarettes, chocolate 
 bars and lemonade. 
 
 Near the camp was an irrigation ditch about five to seven 
 feet wide and about four feet deep. About a mile away was the 
 Mincio River, a real mountain stream. We bathed in both 
 
332nd INFANTRY 23 
 
 places, but one day, the Powers that were, decreed that the 
 enlisted men should swim in the ditch, for *' Officers Only" 
 were allowed in the river. It is superfluous to reproduce the 
 comment, but let the reader think of nearly 4000 men in a 
 ditch, in which clothes also were washed, while for less than 
 two hundred officers, there was a large river. 
 
 One could also go to the little town of Vallegio. It had noth- 
 ing to offer except the usual little wine shops and grocery 
 stores where we showed a decided fondness for the Swiss choc- 
 olate and almonds. Occasionally, someone would go out into 
 the country and bring back enough eggs, tomatoes, potatoes, 
 etc., so that a few of the boys could enjoy a ''real" meal in 
 a Signora's kitchen. 
 
 We had been at the camp for several days when we were 
 surprised by the arrival of the officers and non-commissioned 
 officers we had left at the Infantry school in France. A few 
 were missing, they having been given duties in France. 
 
 While at the tented camp, the system inaugurated at Som- 
 macompagna, of using the trucks on Sundays to show Italy to 
 the regiment and the regiment to Italy, was continued, and 
 our first trip, on August 18th, was to Peschiera, situated on 
 Lake Garda, beautiful, crystal, blue Lake Garda. 
 
 Like many Italian towns, Peschiera boasts a splendid old 
 wall, relic of the days of battle. The town itself held us just 
 during the time required to eat a lunch, for there was a boat 
 making a trip around Lake Garda sometime after lunch and we 
 could not miss that trip. The lake extends up into Austria, 
 that country controlling the northern end while Italy controlls 
 the southern. It is fed by streams from the melted snow of 
 the mountains, the bases of which meet the water. The shores 
 are very rocky and when the boat docked at the little landings, 
 the dancing waves could be seen lapping over the doorsteps of 
 the stone houses built on the very edge of the land. The vil- 
 lages are beautiful and quaint beyond comparison. The pic- 
 turesque dress of the people ; the ornamented though poor stone 
 houses; the little donkeys; the blue, crystal-clear water all 
 about, with the mountain peaks above hidden by clouds, made 
 an unforgetable picture. Many of these simple villagers had 
 never seen an American soldier and when we approached a 
 town, at least half of the population turned out to stare at us 
 and wave a greeting in their peculiar, backhanded way. 
 
 On the hillsides facing the lake, many pretty homes have 
 been built, always of stone, while vines and shrubbery are so 
 well trained and trimmed that these dwellings look like fairy 
 palaces. 
 
24 IN ITALY WITH THE 
 
 On the 24th of August, the big minstrel show, which the 
 talent of the regiment had been rehearsing for some time, took 
 IDlace. Neighboring British and Italian officers were to be 
 guests of our officers this evening, while two nights later, the 
 enlisted men were to entertain the men of the British and 
 Italian armies. 
 
 A stage was erected with one side of the Y. M. C. A. as its 
 back, and the ''orchestra" was gayly decorated with lanterns 
 and flags. The performance was a regulation American min- 
 strel show and was a great credit to the boys who took part 
 in it. Besides the minstrel show proper, there were sketches 
 by two clever cartoonists, several vocal solos, a violin solo and 
 dances. This may sound ordinary but considering the time, the 
 circumstances and the place, it will be seen how extraordinary 
 it was. 
 
 The performance was repeated for enlisted men two nights 
 later and once more proved a success. 
 
 These good times, however, were not to last, for on the 
 11th of September we said goodbye to our Second Battalion 
 which had been selected to hold a sector of the Italian line on 
 the Piave River. With moist eyes we watched them march 
 away. How many of them, our comrades of a year, would 
 return? But they, led by the band, stepped away lightly with 
 shining faces. I know that even mortal battle was more wel- 
 come to them than that that soul-deadening drill in the hot sun. 
 Hourly we awaited news from them, but beyond a few meagre 
 reports that they were successfully occupying the trenches, we 
 heard little. 
 
 From what I have been able to learn, however, they went 
 into their sector and held it. With characteristic American 
 love of action, their quiet sector was hardly bearable. For 
 Americans to stand silently in the trenches and watch enemy 
 shells and aeroplanes pass overhead without replying was un- 
 heard of. However, 'Ho take a shot," as many wished would 
 have called down upon them the merciless rebuke of the Italian 
 General under whose orders they were. No unauthorized shoot- 
 ing was allowed. So, our gallant Second chafed and obeyed 
 orders as good soldiers do. 
 
 On Friday, September 13th, the remainder of the regiment 
 was engaged in a sham battle. They were advancing under a 
 barrage laid down by our machine guns, one pounders and 
 trench mortars. All the gunners were working fast in an 
 earnest endeavor to make a good showing. A group of offi- 
 cers was standing behind the trench mortars watching the 
 mimic battle, when, without warning, there was a terrible ex- 
 
332nd INFANTRY 25 
 
 plosion. One of the trench mortar shells, it was thought, ex- 
 ploded prematurely, scattering death and injury for many 
 yards. When the final count was taken, it was found that one 
 lieutenant and four men were killed and about forty-seven 
 ofi&cers and men were wounded. Among the ofi&cers wounded 
 so badly that they never again joined the regiment were the 
 Lieutenant Colonel, one major and the Supply Ofi&cer. 
 
 On September 14th there was a great military funeral 
 when the dead were lovingly laid to rest in the Italian cemetery 
 at Villa Franca. 
 
 On September 18th, ^'B" Company and the Band went to 
 Rome to participate in the annual September 20th celebration. 
 With them were several of our best, athletes. When the Amer- 
 icans arrived in Rome, the Italians wondered why they had 
 come. However, seeing they were there, they offered an Italian 
 barracks to them. Besides this incident, the most noteworthy 
 event was the disappointment of being in Rome with no money, 
 for many of the boys were robbed in this barracks of the 
 few lires they had. 
 
 About this time, September 25th, the fighting in the vicin- 
 ities of St. Mihiel, St. Quentin and Dixmunde was fiercely pro- 
 gressing and the Allies were smashing great holes in the Hin- 
 denburg line. By the light of a candle the Regimental Inter- 
 preter read the news from the daily Italian papers and as he 
 called the names of the towns mentioned, we drew red ink lines 
 on our map of France. These were thrilling days. 
 
 These glowing reports from the Western front and the 
 everlasting drilling combined to make life extremely disgust- 
 ing to the boys. Many feared that the war would be over 
 before the 332nd ever saw the front, and none of us could 
 understand why the Italian front was so quiet while at every 
 other point where there were Allies, there was a hail of shot 
 and shell. 
 
 A camp bulletin was written by one of the Chaplains and 
 it proved very popular until it was forced to suspend publica- 
 tion after the sixth issue owing to the lack of duplicating paper 
 for the mimeograph machine. 
 
 At this time a post card craze seized nearly everyone. The 
 post card industry in Italy is surpassed only by the vino and 
 macaroni industries. 
 
 On September 30th, Bulgaria capitulated after a series of 
 severe battles with the Serbians, Greeks and French. 
 
 During this time, you will remember, the Second Battalion 
 was in the trenches, and it was generally thought that the 
 First or Third Battalion would go up to relieve them in a few 
 
26 IN ITALY WITH TEE 
 
 weeks. The ColonePs idea in occupying these trenches was to 
 reserve a place for the Americans when the day of battle came. 
 However, before this plan could be carried out, the tents at 
 Vallegio were struck and the regiment was moved to Treviso 
 by train and the Second Battalion was ordered from the 
 trenches so as to join the regiment at Treviso. 
 
 Regimental Headquarters remained till the last. Everyone 
 except about twenty of us had gone. We were to follow in 
 trucks with the records, boxes, etc. It was sad and lonesome 
 to look at the former site of a living, bustling camp, now de- 
 serted and dead. Only a few fires, burning rubbish, remained 
 to mark the place. With the coming of daylight, we loaded 
 the trucks and set out for Treviso. 
 
 The trip occupied the entire day but it was pleasant in 
 every respect. On passing through a village one could always 
 get hot coffee, chocolate and fresh bread which helped our 
 canned meals considerably. 
 
 It was evening when we reached our troops billeted in an 
 Italian barracks on the outskirts of Treviso. Having no definite 
 orders to proceed we remained for the night. In the morning 
 we received orders to go to a villa outside of Treviso, which 
 we did. 
 
 The name was Villa Angelica. The estate was a large one 
 with the usual tropical trees and luxuriant vegetation even in 
 October. 
 
 Our sleeping quarters were in one of the wings of the U 
 shaped building. The walls and floors were of stone or cement 
 and with no fire, they were not very comfortable with only a 
 straw tick and a blanket separating one from the floor. 
 
 Our office was a chapel and part of the floor consisted of 
 six marble slabs marking the last resting place of former mem- 
 bers of the family. 
 
 Being now quite near the front, we could see at least five 
 Italian observation baloons. Dozens of aeroplanes passed over- 
 head daily and parts of many battles were seen as the aviators 
 pursued one another across the sky. While here, we saw an 
 Austrian plane suddenly dart out from behind a cloud and blow 
 up an observation balloon before the observer could descend. 
 
 At night all lights were forbidden and the rumbling of the 
 guns told us to heed the warning. However, it seems that 
 Americans are ever ready to take a chance and with window 
 blinds securely fastened, many a grand poker game was played 
 by the candle light. This was our only recreation. 
 
 Outside, the nights were black and one took his life in his 
 hands to go walking. We thought a great drive was imminent, 
 
332nd INFANTRY 27 
 
 for every night the roads leading to the front were alive with 
 moving vehicles. It seemed as though the steady flow of slow 
 moving guns would never stop and we marveled at the dexterity 
 of the unlighted, flying camions as they raced to the front with 
 loads of supplies and raced to the rear for more. 
 
 Our companies were on the outskirts of Treviso in two 
 Italian barracks. Their daily tasks were drills and hikes. 
 
 On October 14th, Samuel Gompers paid us a visit. The 
 band played in his honor and his face brightened to hear the 
 familiar rag-time. He gave a short address on the value of 
 team-work. 
 
 Two days later we were ordered to Treviso. We had ex- 
 pected to go forward. However, despite our grumbling at the 
 many moves, we were glad to bid farewell to Villa. Angelica 
 and its darkness. 
 
28 IN ITALY WITH THE 
 
 CHAPTER IV 
 Treviso — Before the Drive 
 
 TREVISO IS SITUATED about 18 miles northwest of 
 Venice. Before the war its population was about 17,000 
 but when we came to Treviso, it looked like a city of the 
 dead. Nearly all the building's were locked and the windows 
 were boarded up, while many houses were in ruins from aeroplane 
 raids. Most of the people had fled. 
 
 A walk around the town revealed an entirely different style 
 of architecture than we had ever seen. This difference con- 
 sists in the second floor of the buildings arching over the side- 
 walks as far as the curb, the supports being columns flush with 
 the curbing. The arrangement was beneficial during the long 
 rainy season. 
 
 Many canals of a questionable degree of sanitation dissect 
 the town. It was a constant wonder to us that disease did not 
 result from them. It is certain that many mosquitoes were 
 bred there. The women washed clothes on the banks of the 
 streams. 
 
 A city wall of ancient date, as could be seen from the Vene- 
 tian lion shown thereon, completely encircled the town. This 
 lion, found on many walls and monuments in the vicinity marked 
 the time when Venice ruled Treviso and adjacent territory, from 
 the 14th to the 17th centuries. 
 
 There were few buildings of note. The Cathedral of San 
 Pietro with Titian's ''Annunciation," and the Municipio were 
 most important. Besides these there were the usual shops 
 selling military goods, (mostly of American origin) perfumes, 
 post cards and VINO. 
 
 At night Treviso was not inviting. Having been severely 
 bombed by Austrian aviators, no outside lights were tolerated 
 and those burning indoors had to be well screened. The only 
 places where one could find amusement were in the little wine 
 rooms. A typical approach to one was through a dark, nar- 
 row street. A tiny gleam of light east a streak across the 
 alley. As one drew near, loud laughter and talk was heard. 
 It is bottled sunshine present in the red and white wines, the 
 cognacs, vermouths and grappa. 
 
 The Headquarters of the regiment and our billets were in 
 a three story college building which, with its many small rooms, 
 made the most ideal place we had had thus far. The offices 
 
332nd INFANTRY 29 
 
 were well furnished with good tables, desks, chairs and electric 
 lights. There was also a piano, which with the stringed in- 
 struments played by members of the band, made a jazz band 
 that commanded attention. 
 
 The companies were still housed in the two barracks. 
 Straw was provided for the bed sacks which were placed on 
 the floor. Stone floors may wear better than wooden floors, 
 but they are not nearly so efficient as beds. The next time 
 there is a war, let's hope it is in a country where wooden floors 
 are in style. The rolling kitchens were set up in the yard 
 below where the meals were served. The meals generally con- 
 sisted of beef, brown beans, macaroni, rice, coffee, war-bread 
 and macaroni, rice, war-bread, beef, brown beans and coffee. 
 
 On the 13th of October the Second Battalion came out of 
 the trenches and about two days later joined us at Treviso. 
 Though not one had been injured or killed, they were pro- 
 claimed heroes and were the envy of the regiment. 
 
 The work of the day consisted of long, vigorous hikes with 
 full mobile equipment worn. To add to the work, the weather 
 was rainy and cold. It was at this time that the changing of 
 clothes was adopted in order to create a false impression as to 
 the number of Americans in Italy. Upon going out in the 
 morning, overcoats and helmets were worn and upon return- 
 ing in the afternoon by a different route, the overcoats and 
 helmets were out of sight and raincoats and caps were worn. 
 The next day, perhaps, the change would be to leather jerkins. 
 The object was attained, for later, the Austrian prisoners re- 
 ported that they had been under the impression that there were 
 several divisions of Americans in Italy. 
 
 In Treviso we were fortunate enough to be able to obtain 
 hot baths in real tubs. Two hospitals, one of which had been 
 bombed, containing seven and five tubs respectively, became 
 the busiest places in town. The price of two and one half 
 lires per bath was charged. 
 
 Sharing Treviso with us were several thousand Italian sol- 
 diers and a few thousand English and Scotch troops. These 
 British troops were a happy crowd. Four years of war had 
 made happy-go-lucky lads out of the most serious. We at- 
 tended their picture shows, played football with them and 
 clinked cups with them in perfect harmony. 
 
 About this time, Ostend and Lille were falling and the 
 whole Hindenburg line was crumbling. Talk of an early peace 
 filled the air. This was welcome news, for our thoughts were 
 always of home. Nevertheless, we wanted to return only 
 after a decisive victorv for the Allies. 
 
30 IN ITALY WITH THE 
 
 On the other hand, the news from home at this time was 
 startling in its account of the ravages of a strange disease, 
 * ^ Influenza, ' ' which was decimating our camps and was 
 spreading to the civilians. Until this time, we had had no 
 trouble with the ''Flu.'' 
 
 About October 29th, the moon came out in all its silvery 
 splendor. It was so noticeable because it was practically the 
 only light we had outdoors. The evenings were mild and invit- 
 ing and as we walked under the arched houses and over the 
 many little stone bridges, we talked of the possibility of an 
 air raid, for moonlight nights are the delight of aviators. 
 
 On the night of October 22nd, I retired early. My sleep 
 was unbroken until about 11:00 P. M. when I was awakened 
 by an awful concussion which seemed just a block away. It 
 appeared to my startled senses that a part of the earth had in 
 some way torn loose from the main body and was hurtling 
 through the sky. I do not remember of sitting up in bed, but 
 I suppose I did. The first object to meet my startled gaze was 
 my room-mate running toward the window. Exclaiming, 
 ''What's that!" I bounded from the bed and, gaining the 
 window, peered anxiously at the heavens for, in a flash, I 
 realized it was an air raid. Despite the din and roar of the 
 guns far and near, we could hear the hum of the motors but 
 could see no planes. A machine gun across the street in a 
 building with its rapid "tat-tat-tat," sounded ridiculously like 
 a woodpecker drumming on a tree and in spite of the danger 
 caused much amusement. A block or so away, a big gun boomed 
 every few minutes while for miles around guns of all sizes 
 spoke. 
 
 The sky was dotted with the beams of powerful searchlights, 
 which tried to locate the invaders. While the moon was bright, 
 there were many small black clouds swiftly moving across the 
 sky. It was an ideal night for a raid. We listened to the guns 
 and watched the flares and then wondered at the silence in the 
 building. Upon investigation we found all of the boys in the 
 yard below looking up at the sky. We joined them. The great 
 lights still searched the heavens, the beams reminding one of 
 a boy's mirror shining on the ceiling of a room. Far up, black 
 little puffs of smoke from the shells of the anti-aircraft guns 
 floated around and, sometimes, we mistook them for aeroplanes. 
 Again, far above, a small flame would burst forth and drop 
 and all would be dark again. 
 
 It was not long however before we saw the folly of stand- 
 ing in the open, for shrapnel from our guns rained upon the 
 ground near us, sounding like horseshoes as they struck the 
 
332nd INFANTRY 31 
 
 pavement. As soon as the ''rain'^ was over, the boys ran out 
 to collect souvenirs, these consisting of rusty, jagged pieces 
 of iron, some eight inches long. 
 
 Without seeing the aeroplanes, we retired to the straw 
 ticks, somewhat disappointed. Nevertheless, before we could 
 get to sleep, the big gun up the road spoke again and the 
 chorus of smaller ones followed. Again we rushed from the 
 room to follow the lights, the flares and the smoke clouds. 
 This time our curiosity was rewarded with the sight of a plane. 
 In the searchlight's ray, the whole body of the plane looked as 
 if it had been dipped in phosphorus. It gleamed. I have no 
 idea how fast that little body moved across the sky. Shells 
 were bursting all around it and we expected every moment to 
 see it fall, a mass of flames. But it proved too fast for the 
 gunners, as it at length scurried behind a cloud out of the 
 grasp of the searchlight. I shall never forget that plane, hur- 
 rying like a living thing to its haven behind the cloud. This 
 thrilling scene enacted, we once more returned to resume our 
 sleep. 
 
 However, we were again aroused when the raiders returned. 
 This time the attack was short. 
 
 To our surprise, we learned in the morning, that no great 
 damage was done and we heard with joy that not an American 
 in any of the three outlying barracks was hurt. These boys 
 were not allowed out of the barracks and, as one lad put it, *^I 
 lay flat on the floor so tight against the wall that I thought 
 I'd push the wall out." 
 
 We thought, at that time, that the planes were out to bomb 
 roads and supplies but we were told later that they came over 
 to ''get" the English and Americans. In fact, an Austrian 
 aviator who had been in the raid was indiscreet enough to 
 boast about it in Fiume to some of the Third Battalion men 
 when they were in Fiume. When he came to he thought he 
 had collided with the moon. 
 
 With the Allies smashing on on every front, the long quiet 
 Italian front suddenly burst into flame on the morning of 
 October 24th, when the Fourth Italian army began its attack 
 in the Mt. Grappa region. The Italian Comando Supremo at 
 last had an opportunity of using its cherished plan which was 
 to separate the Austrians in the Trentino from those in the 
 Piave section by breaking through at Vittorio and by an en- 
 veloping movement to bring about the fall of the whole moun- 
 tain front which would in turn make imperative an Austrian 
 retreat from the plain. 
 
32 IN ITALY WITH THE 
 
 During October every available man and gun had been 
 brought to the front, and between the Brenta River and the 
 sea five armies were concentrated. All movements were to be 
 completed by October 10th, but the rain raised the Piave 
 River, which was the dividing line of the two combatants, so 
 that nothing could be done until the 24th. 
 
 Opposed to the sixty three and one half Austrian divisions, 
 made up of 1,070,000 men and 7000 guns were fifty-seven Allied 
 divisions, or 912,000 men and 8929 guns. Of these fifty-seven 
 divisions, fifty-one were Italian, three were British, two were 
 French and one was Czeko-Slavok. In addition, there was 
 ''the young and ardent 332nd American Regiment," which was 
 attached to the 10th Army, one of the four armies selected to 
 break through the line before Vittorio. 
 
 The task alloted to the 10th Army was to force its way 
 across the Piave at the Island Grave di Papadopoli. A desper- 
 ate battle raged along the entire front but the 10th could not 
 cross the Piave, owing to another rise in the river, until three 
 bridges were thrown across on the 26th. The Tenth crossed, 
 broke down the enemy resistance and went on to Cimadolmo, 
 taking, during the day, over 5600 prisoners and twentj^-four 
 guns. 
 
 Somehow, the 332nd was held in reserve and did not par- 
 ticipate in this great battle of Vittorio Veneto until several 
 days after it had started. 
 
 We were still in Treviso the night of the 26th and when, 
 now and then, an occasional Austrian shell whistled over the 
 town, we began to think there was a war in Italy. Some of the 
 boys were in favor of retiring to the specially built dugouts 
 under the city wall. I joined a party of Italian and Italian- 
 American soldiers, among them an American Interpreter. We 
 descended into one of these holes. My surprise was great when, 
 upon reaching the bottom of the steps, I found all sizes, ages 
 and sexes of civilians and several soldiers, some standing, some 
 sitting and some lying in cots. I had not known there were so 
 many civilians in Treviso. We stood around for a few minutes 
 but the atmosphere was such that we decided we would rather 
 risk a big Bertha than breathe that air. 
 
 In our party were several Italian telegraphers who main- 
 tained a station in a heavily sand-bagged building in the cen- 
 ter of town. I was invited to accompany them and I enjoyed 
 several hours of unique entertainment. 
 
 It was midnight when we arrived at the station. One of 
 the telegraphers went out to procure wine while another recon- 
 noitered the kitchen. The result of their labors was wine. 
 
332nd INFANTRY 33 
 
 war-bread and onions. Thus we feasted. At 2:30, with the 
 repast over and the guns somewhat quieted, we heeded our 
 drooping eyelids and returned to our quarters. 
 
 The next morning we received the glorious news that the 
 Scotch and English had crossed the supposedly impassable 
 Piave River and had advanced four miles beyond it. Several 
 batches of prisoners came in. They were a ragged, wretched 
 looking lot. They did not look like the fierce Huns we had 
 heard about. From pale, emaciated faces their eyes looked out 
 like those of dumb animals. An American near me muttered: 
 '^There's a grand indictment of war!'' 
 
 The Allies were pleasantly engaged in going through the 
 pockets of the prisoners in search of souvenirs. If something 
 of value was found, a cigarette or piece of bread was given the 
 hapless prisoner — sometimes. 
 
 Much money of a kind new to the world was found on the 
 Austrians. The Austrians had been so sure of ultimate suc- 
 cess, that they had printed Italian money, had paid their sol- 
 diers with it, and had forced the people whose towns they 
 occupied to accept it. 
 
 The sight of the prisoners sent exciting thoughts through 
 our minds for, with a battle raging within earshot, we asked 
 each other, * ' When will our turn come ? ' ' Were we to continue 
 our propaganda mission or were we reserves? Some time be- 
 fore we had been placed under the Command of an Italian 
 General and had been assigned to his Division. Did this mean 
 that we moved toward the battle line? Possibly the Com- 
 manding Officer knew, but the boys were bewildered. Every- 
 thing seemed set for an early departure. Barracks bags and 
 surplus supplies had been stowed away and men were detailed 
 to remain as guards. The mail service ceased and when the 
 boys started on the march in the morning no one knew if they 
 were on a practice march or if they were advancing to battle. 
 As usual, rumors were rampant and the news reached us at 
 Headquarters, more than once, that our companies had started 
 for the front. 
 
 On the night of October 28th, about 9:00 P. M. when I 
 returned from a visit, I found Headquarters in an uproar. In 
 breathless tones someone informed me that I'd better hurry 
 and get ready for we were leaving before midnight. Word 
 had been received a few minutes before from the Italian Com- 
 mander. I bounded up the stairs and into my room. Most of 
 my effects had been stowed away but I had not anticipated 
 such short notice. However, my saddle bags were soon stuffed 
 
34 IN ITALY WITH THE 
 
 full, my roll was made, and when the horses appeared, I was 
 ready. 
 
 The Colonel and commissioned staff had gone on ahead and 
 we were to join them later. I do not know who received this 
 information, but at any rate, when we were ready to go, no one 
 knew where we were to meet the Colonel. Thus we were in the 
 enviable position of being A. W. 0. L., lost, and our regiment 
 was marching to battle ! 
 
 We spurred our horses and raced around the town's quiet, 
 dark streets when, finally, someone, (bless him) noticed several 
 burning cigarette stubs and we shouted for joy. No one in 
 Italy but Americans had cigarettes in abundance so, urging 
 our heavily laden horses forward, we followed this distinctly 
 American trail and at the city gate met the last company swing- 
 ing past. A long procession of rolling kitchens and carts fol- 
 lowed, ending with the jolly Veterinarian. We fell in behind 
 him and began the march destined to end in Austria. 
 
332nd INFANTRY 35 
 
 CHAPTER V 
 The Drive 
 
 WE HAD NOT GONE FAR when we were made aware of 
 the overwhebning volume of traffic on this highway. 
 Troops and trucks were hurrying to the front; empty 
 trucks were returning ; and this road was not built for two trucks 
 and a column of soldiers abreast. It was a most irritating ad- 
 vance. Every few minutes came the command to halt and fall 
 out to the right of the road. Then, when the road was clear, we 
 clambered back and proceeded. 
 
 The night was damp and the cold readily penetrated our 
 clothes, chilling us to the bone while the frequent stops made 
 it difficult to ''get warmed up.'' 
 
 At 2:30 A. M., the column halted and moved over to the 
 side of the road. When more than an hour passed and we still 
 remained there in the cold, we wondered what was going on at 
 the head of the column. Toward morning there was a stir 
 around the rolling kitchens a few yeards from us and upon 
 investigation, we found that breakfast was being prepared. 
 We crowded around the welcome fire. The hot coffee and rice 
 restored our good spirits and warmed us. 
 
 About 6:00 A. M. an orderly found the Detachment and 
 gave us the order to report at the head of the column. Upon 
 arriving there we saw the first company in Varago being as- 
 signed a place to pitch pup-tents. 
 
 The town seemed like the gate to the frontier. Fortunately, 
 there was a stone floor and four walls left for us. With the 
 weather near the freezing point, the floor did not appeal to me 
 as a bed and I searched for boards to lie upon. Being unable 
 to obtain any I found it necessary to remove a superfluous 
 door. A little later, when I passed this doorway, I noticed that 
 the twin to my door was also missing. 
 
 There was nothing for the regiment to do but await the 
 thinning out of the traffic. Meanwhile our trucks came up with 
 fresh provisions. 
 
 At 7:30 on the morning of the 31st of October we marched 
 out of Varago. The road was still congested, the principal 
 reason being that the bridges over the Piave had been blown up 
 and light pontoons were being used in their stead. The same 
 
36 IN ITALY WITH THE 
 
 start and stop progress took place and it was not until about 
 2:00 P. M. that we reached the Piave. The river is very wide 
 here, there being three kilometers between the two shores. 
 The streams of the river were very swift and the island was 
 gravelly, making progress slow and painful to the burdened 
 men and animals. 
 
 On this island of Grave di Papadololi we saw our first 
 signs of the recent struggle. Several dead, bloated horses and 
 mules halfway in the water met our eyes. Nearby were 
 corpses lying as they had fallen two or three days before. 
 Helmets, gas masks, rifles and shells were strewn promiscu- 
 ously about, near the road. The island is a forlorn place 
 at best, but now, battle scarred and with dead men, dead 
 horses and implements of warfare lying about, it was one's 
 idea of supreme desolation. Here and there were great yel- 
 low splotches, showing where the gas shells had fallen. 
 
 At length, the last stream was crossed and we left the 
 Piave behind us and passed through the ruins of Cimadolmo. 
 On both sides of the road the small streams of more or less 
 movement seemed to have collected all of the dead men, dead 
 animals and rifles. The horses we saw had great holes in their 
 flanks. Starving people under the thumb of a rapacious con- 
 querer are not too particular when food is concerned. 
 
 Riding along in silence, looking at the poor dead human 
 beings, we wondered if a graj^-haired mother or flaxen-haired 
 wife would not wait in vain for their return. I think many of 
 us prayed that we would be spared their fate. It seemed ter- 
 rible to allow these bodies to lie for days like those of animals, 
 exposed to weather and prowling beasts. 
 
 Later we saw graves, large plots where the earth was still 
 soft, with a few rude wooden crosses marking them. We saw 
 one man lying head foremost in the stream alongside the road. 
 It was difficult to believe that a few days before he had been 
 living flesh and blood with beating heart, with emotions and 
 hopes such as we all have. 
 
 The fields were pitted with great holes where the shells had 
 struck and the few houses we saw were in ruins. No, this day's 
 travel was not cheerful. 
 
 However, night at last cast its merciful mantle over the poor 
 bits of clay and the ruined towns and when eight o'clock had 
 come, we had reached our objective, Vazzola. 
 
 The companies pitched tents alongside the road, gathering 
 corn stalks which were placed in the tents to lie upon, as the 
 ground was cold and damp. 
 
332nd INFANTRY 37 
 
 The Detachment found its way into a poor farmhouse. One 
 could step from the home into the barn as both were under the 
 same roof. These people were very thankful at their deliver- 
 ance from the long Austrian occupation. Our interpeters told 
 us that the Huns had been living upon locusts, boiled grass and 
 domestic animals for some time. The people said they had been 
 cruelly treated and many of the women had been mistreated. 
 
 Some of the boys slept in the stalls, some in the mangers, 
 while as many as could crowd into the kitchen did so, for there 
 was a welcome fire in the fireplace. 
 
 The march was resumed in the morning. A few corpses 
 and dead animals were still in evidence and there was an un- 
 believable quantity of ammunitiour and many rifles lying about. 
 Everything pointed to a hasty retreat. 
 
 A body of Italian Cavalry passed us during the day and we 
 in turn passed some Tommies belonging to an English supply 
 train. They shouted after us : '^ Better get aeroplanes, Sammy, 
 if you want to catch them." 
 
 About this time there was some concern about rations. The 
 regiment was able to cross the Monticano river but the pon- 
 toons were too light for our heavy trucks and they were forced 
 to make a detour. Each man had two days iron rations on 
 his person. These rations consisted of two small cans of beef 
 and from six to eight hard biscuits. Our evening meal on this 
 day was half a can of beef, biscuit and coffee. 
 
 We reached Gajarine by the evening of November 1st, about 
 thirty miles from Treviso as we marched. The troops fell out 
 on the sides of the road and pitched tents in the fields. During 
 the night, as we learned later, our trucks with food came up 
 this road and passed through the sleeping regiment without 
 either party recognizing the other. 
 
 At 2 :00 A. M., November 2nd, we were ordered on the march. 
 The horses were left behind and were to come up later. We 
 did not see the reason for starting at this time of the morning 
 until an hour later when we reached a burnt down bridge at 
 the Livenza River. Here we were forced to wait an hour until 
 the bridge was repaired. We crossed and pushed on in the un- 
 known darkness. At this time we were the advance guard of 
 the 31st Italian Division of the Tenth Italian Army, com- 
 manded by the British General, Earl Cavan. Our own advance 
 guard was a skirmish line consisting of a dozen platoons which 
 scoured the country ahead of us. 
 
 We breakfasted in Maron. 
 
 At 9 :00 A. M. we continued our march. During the day 
 we crossed the Meduno River and in the afternoon camped 
 
38 IN ITALY WITH THE 
 
 near Cimpello. At the last crossing the machine guns were 
 dismantled and carried across, while the mules swam. 
 
 For the last few hours we were on the heels of the rapidly 
 departing enemy. He showed himself skillful in retreat. At 
 times, we were told, he had passed just five hours before us 
 and we strove to catch up with him. 
 
 On this day, Rome reported that the Austrians were fleeing 
 from Udine, fifty miles east of the Piave River, and that 
 80,000 prisoners and 1,600 guns had been captured by the 
 Allies. On the Eastern, or low land section (our front) the 
 Austrians were in full retreat. In the mountains, the battle 
 was undecided. 
 
 The position of the Americans, as mentioned above, was 
 that of advance guard of the Tenth Army. We also occupied 
 the center, the Italians being on our right and the British on 
 our left. However, at the time, we saw or heard nothing from 
 our Allies. 
 
 In the morning of November 3rd, we again took up the 
 pursuit. After marching about twelve miles we reached San 
 Lorenzo about 2:30 P. M. and called it a day. 
 
 Our kitchens had failed to cross at one of the rivers and 
 had not yet caught up, so there were no hot meals. Besides, 
 we had been using our emergency rations and with our sup- 
 plies *' Somewhere in Italy," we were in danger of hunger. 
 
 Fortunately, the Austrians had not gathered up all of the 
 corn and we were able to buy a sort of corn-meal from the 
 natives, called polenti. The people had also dug up some 
 wine that had been hidden from enemy eyes for many months. 
 After tasting it we were son*y that the Austrians had not dis- 
 covered it. 
 
 During the evening of the 3rd, three of us succeeded in an- 
 nexing a corn-husk bed and therefore enjoyed a real sleep. 
 In the morning we received a bowl of hot half-and-half and 
 thought it the best breakfast we had ever had. The people 
 were very kind to us but it was noticeable that they were 
 actuated greatly by fear. The long Austrian occupation had 
 left its effect upon them and they could not understand when 
 we offered to pay for our accommodations. 
 
 When we stopped at San Lorenzo on the previous day, the 
 Second and Third Battalions with attached platoons had pressed 
 forward until they reached the Tagliamento River at a point 
 called Ponte della Delizia, about four miles from S. Lorenzo. 
 The bridge there had been blown up by the enemy and was still 
 burning. The Austrians held the opposite shore having en- 
 trenched themselves behind the high dikes which also afforded 
 
332nd INFANTRY 39 
 
 strong positions for machine guns. Notwithstanding this, they 
 allowed the Americans to advance to the river. 
 
 During the evening an English-speaking Austrian called to 
 the Americans, asking for a parley. One of the officers was 
 sent to him. The Austrian informed him that at 3 :00 P. M. an 
 armistice between Italy and Austria became effective and there- 
 fore, they could see no reason for further bloodshed. This was. 
 NOT news to the American commanders. 
 
 The officer returned safely to the American lines and re- 
 ported. However, notwithstanding the folly of further hostile; 
 demonstration, the preparations to attack were continued. 
 What if the careers of a few hundred Americans in the bloom 
 of youth were suddenly ended? What if a few hundred moth- 
 ers and fathers never again looked on the fair features of 
 their sons? Life was cheap in Europe in 1917 and 1918. The 
 regiment could not return to America with no battles to its 
 credit! Glory is always preferable to life! 
 
 As mentioned before, the bridge was in flames which threw 
 a sort of screen about the vicinity so that the Austrians, 
 evidently, did not correctly interpret the American activities. 
 At any rate, they did not immediately fire. The Second Bat- 
 talion and Machine Gun Company were to pass over the remain- 
 ing section of the bridge, descend to the dry river bed and 
 deploy along it. Company ''H'^ was to be held in reserve. 
 Battalion Headquarters was located behind one of the large 
 concrete abutments of the bridge and from this point the action 
 was directed. Headquarters Company was to entrench along 
 the bank and the Third Battalion moved to the left in support. 
 Our patrols reported about a battalion of Austrians across the 
 river. 
 
 In the darkness of the early morning the Americans were 
 drawing up along the river bed and artillery support was ar- 
 ranged for. Most of the movement had been completed when, 
 about 3:30 A. M., the Austrians opened fire but, fortunately, 
 their bullets went high as revealed by their tracers. The 
 American movement being completed just as dawn was break- 
 ing, about 5:00 A. M., the order to advance was given. When 
 about twenty yards had been covered the Americans were 
 ordered to lie upon the ground. Only a few rounds had been 
 fired and these were as well controlled here as on the firing 
 range. The discipline was perfect. When ^' Cease firing !'' 
 sounded down the line, not a straggling, nervous shot was 
 heard. 
 
 A little later the order to resume the advance was given and 
 this move took the Americans across a shallow stream. Once 
 
40 IN ITALY WITH THE 
 
 again they '4ay low," and the Allied guns raked the Austrian 
 positions which were soon badly battered. This much having 
 been accomplished, the command to advance was again given 
 and this move took the boys ''over the top." 
 
 They yelled like Indians as they rushed forward and they 
 maintained such a line as one sees only at a practice maneuver. 
 For a band of untried soldiers they were splendid. The 
 Austrians returned a hot fire but the boys pressed on as true 
 brothers of the doughboys in France. On and on they went 
 and when, at last, close quarters were reached, they showed 
 they had forgotten nothing they had learned in the bayonet 
 drills back at Camp Sherman. They were irresistible. The 
 enemy broke and fled. In the same extended order, the pur- 
 suit was continued and every possible place which might shelter 
 an Austrian was searched until the town of Codroipo was 
 reached, where the order to halt was given. 
 
 At 3 :00 P. M. on the fourth of November the armistice 
 became binding and the conquerors rested on their laurels. 
 Every Austrian inside a designated line was a prisoner. Most 
 were willing ones. 
 
 One of the prisoners marching into Codroipo with the 
 Americans attracted the attention of the villagers who shook 
 their fists at him and called derisively : ' ' You won 't shoot your 
 machine gun from our church tower any more." He had told 
 the Americans he was a railroader and knew nothing about war. 
 
 Regimental Headquarters was still at San Lorenzo with the 
 First Battalion. At 7:00 A. M. on the 4th, about two hours 
 after the battle, we left S. Lorenzo and marched to Valvasone. 
 Our victorious comrades were out of sight and hearing across 
 the river and we remained on our side, pitching pup tents 
 along the river shore. 
 
 Here we learned for the first time that at 3:00 P. M. an 
 armistice with Austria went into effect. At first, it seemed 
 increditable. Sometime later the order was issued to unload 
 all guns at 3 :00 P. M. and this announcement confirmed what 
 we at first thought was a rumor and, as the boys broke forma- 
 tion, mighty cheers rang out and caps were thrown high in air. 
 
 Throughout the day and night shots were heard. It soun- 
 ded like war, but it was only intensely happy Italians throw- 
 ing superfluous hand grenades. 
 
 Now that Austria was out of the war, we wondered how 
 long Germany could stand alone. The ever present rumor told 
 us that we were soon to leave for Bavaria to beat upon Ger- 
 many's back door. It seemed that we were to see some real 
 fighting at last. 
 
332nd INFANTRY 41 
 
 On the fifth of November, there was a continual stream 
 of Austrian prisoners coming over the bridge and, on the op- 
 posite shore, there were thousands of prisoners waiting to cross. 
 Every rank of the Austrian army was present: generals with 
 their staffs as well as ragged, nearly barefeet privates. Many 
 young Italian women ran out to the road as the officers passed 
 and, recognizing some as their former prosecutors, caught hold 
 of their feet and dragged them from their carriages, slapping 
 and otherwise humiliating them. To the Allied soldier, every 
 prisoner was a promising possibility for plunder and the Ital- 
 ians were exceptionally adept at this. Forming two lines, the 
 Italians forced the Austrians to march through in single file 
 while they searched the prisoners pockets, after which they were 
 made to run the gauntlet. Sometimes even water bottles were 
 snatched from them. The Americans were apt pupils and many 
 were souvenir hunting, but I do not think they prized water 
 bottles. Generally, they gave a few cigarettes if they found 
 anything of value upon the prisoners. 
 
 Eight thousand of these prisoners came into American 
 hands for delivery to an English prison camp. They were 
 sent back guarded by several Headquarters bicycle orderlies. 
 The ^'Top Sergeant" of these orderlies was a mischievous look- 
 ing, light haired lad so short as to have received the name of 
 ** Shorty." As the column marched along the road several big 
 Austrians stopped to argue among themselves about something 
 and paid no attention to the guards who ordered them on. 
 However, when '' Shorty" appeared and used the butt of his 
 gun across a couple backs, the argument stopped and the march 
 continued. Arriving at the English camp, Shorty reported his 
 eight thousand prisoners to the officer in charge who asked with 
 twinkling eyes: ^'Do you want a receipt?" ''Receipt h — 1," 
 said Shorty, "I'm glad to get rid of them!" 
 
 About 5:00 P. M. November 5th we were ordered back to 
 San Lorenzo, and on the march I noticed that my buddy was 
 shaky and dizzy. He had been complaining of a bad cold and 
 headache but we thought it nothing more serious than grippe. 
 Toward the end of the two hour walk, it was necessary to grasp 
 his arm and help him with his pack. Once more in S. Lorenzo, 
 we found our corn-stalk bed and he retired immediately. Dur- 
 ing the evening he ate a little polenti. He seemed very tired. 
 If only our kitchens or supplies would reach us ! We still had 
 our emergency rations but we dared not eat too much of them. 
 Fortunately, we were able to borrow twenty-four hours rations 
 from the British. 
 
42 IN ITALY WITH THE 
 
 In S. Lorenzo we learned that the casualties at the bridge 
 had been one killed and seven wounded. The dead soldier, 
 Corporal Charles S. Kell, ^'G" Company, had been shot 
 through the forehead. The injured were being cared for in an 
 improvised hospital in S. Lorenzo. With the odds against them, 
 every wounded man recovered. Certainly, the regiment was a 
 remarkably fortunate one. 
 
 On the following morning we set out for the bridge we had 
 left the night before. My friend was feeling better after his 
 good night's sleep and said little that was discouraging. 
 
 We had proceeded but a short distance when, upon coming 
 around a curve in the road, we sighted the long line of steam- 
 ing kitchens. Every face beamed and a greater cheer greeted 
 the ''eats" than that which greeted the news of the armistice. 
 
 At noon we reached the bridge and stopped for mess. It 
 was the first hot meal for several days and "slum'' never 
 tasted better. 
 
 The bridge was choked with traffic so that we were forced 
 to wait until nearly 3:00 P. M. to get started. While waiting 
 I noticed our two automobiles, crossing the dry bed of the 
 river. A happy thought struck me and I started for them. 
 There was only the driver, one officer and some officers' bed- 
 ding rolls in the one car and I determined to get in with the 
 baggage. 
 
 When at last the order came to march, I was perched on top 
 of the baggage. The Colonel, Adjutant and an Italian Liason 
 Officer, acting as guide, were in a Fiat. We followed them. 
 Besides those mentioned, there was a Chaplain and a driver rid- 
 ing in a motorcycle with side car attached. The marching 
 troops were soon left behind and we continued until we reached 
 Codroipo where our Second Battalion and attached platoons 
 awaited us. From their lips we learned of the hard chase they 
 had given the Austrians with almost nothing to eat and no sleep 
 for thirty-six hours. They were a tired lot but they were full 
 of praise for ''Daddy" Butler, the Red Cross man who distrib- 
 uted chocolate bars and cigarettes to them before they went 
 over the top. Among their captures, was a great supply depot 
 containing about two million dollars worth of military stores. 
 
 While we talked, the rest of the regiment came up and 
 halted in the road. After some discussion it was agreed that 
 hot supper from the rolling kitchens should be served to the 
 Second Battalion before proceeding. 
 
 Returning to the automobile again, we set out after the Fiat. 
 After riding several miles we reached a little, dark village 
 where the occupants of the Fiat alighted from their car and 
 
332nd INFANTRY 43 
 
 passed up the street. Seeing that we were to stop for a while, 
 the Chaplain and I walked about the village hoping to find 
 something for the inner man, since we had eaten nothing since 
 noon. 
 
 There was an '^Osteria" a short distance away where we 
 were served sardines and ''beautiful'' fresh bread. When the 
 Chaplain asked for the bill, the Signora smilingly answered: 
 ''Niente" (nothing). Seeing that things were cheap and wish- 
 ing to take something to the drivers, the Chaplain asked for 
 three more cans of sardines and some bread. While these were 
 being brought, an English speaking Italian soldier approached 
 and asked us if we would like some steak. We looked at each 
 other in frank amazement, for we thought the country had been 
 stripped of eatables. Recovering ourselves, we decided to try 
 the steak. We laughed heartily over our luck as we consumed 
 the delicious steak and bread and thought it fine to be treated 
 like grand deliverers of these poor, abused people. While we 
 dined, an Italian came from another room and asked the Chap- 
 lain his rank. The Chaplain answered truthfully. Since then 
 we have wondered what effect that had on the conclusion of 
 this episode, for when we asked for our bill, we heard not 
 ''Niente/' but thirty lires, ($6.00). The Chaplain dug deeply 
 into his pocket, (only Chaplains have that much money) and 
 we left with a dark, brown taste in our mouths. So much for 
 deliverers. 
 
 Later, the Fiat passengers returned and we resumed our 
 advance. After traveling some time, we began to see that our 
 Italian guide did not know as much about these roads as he 
 thought he did. He stopped frequently and with his flash 
 light examined his map. It was now about midnight and the 
 countryside was asleep. Notwithstanding this, upon arriving 
 at a little village, we stopped before several houses, blew our 
 horns, threw stones at the windows and called out, until finally 
 a women replied. Not much was learned from her and, in 
 disgust, the guide took his seat and we began to circle the 
 neighborhood. We finally understood that he did not know 
 where he was. 
 
 We wondered how the marching troops were standing the 
 long march and also if they too would be marched in circles 
 when they reached this point. I heard later that they did that 
 very thing. 
 
 Eventually, our guide had a thought and we raced after the 
 speeding Fiat through the dark, silent night, going at top speed 
 to keep up with it and fearful that we would lose the motor- 
 cycle which had no light. After much breathless racing about 
 
44 IN ITALY WITH THE 
 
 we reached a town near Pozzuola. Both cars stopped in the 
 town but, in a few minutes, the Fiat went on while we re- 
 mained. We understood that we would go no further that night 
 and as it was cold, we followed a streak of light coming from 
 a building, the door of which was standing open. We found 
 half a dozen men shelling corn. Over in the corner there was 
 a large pile of corn cobs. Not long after, the men departed, 
 kindly failing to put us out. 
 
 As our troops were nowhere in sight and no move seemed 
 irominent, we took advantage of the pile of corn cobs. With 
 the driver's three blankets, we three. Chaplain, Sergeant Major 
 and Driver lay down side by side on the cobs and fell asleep. 
 
 The sound of a running motor awakened us and we sprang 
 from the ''bed'' and out to the road. The driver was not 
 around but he returned later with the news that the troops 
 were close by. We joined them at Pozzuola. 
 
 They had not reached this point until nearly 4:00 A. M. 
 and then when the command to halt was given, they were so 
 tired and disgusted that some lay down in the muddy road and 
 slept. The rest fell off to the side and pitched pup tents. All 
 were exhausted. 
 
 And, dear Reader, the war in Italy was over. What was the 
 object of this terrible march officially recorded as forty-three 
 kilometers (27 miles) but more like thirty-five miles according 
 to the men who marched it. We were rushing to no be- 
 leaguered Allies. Our presence at this point was not vital to 
 anyone's safety. Was it to prove to the imbecile officers, Ital- 
 ian, English or American, who ordered it, that Americans could 
 accomplish it? I wonder how many deaths could be traced to 
 the miserable events of this night? How many tired, under- 
 nourished lads found the first ''Flu" germs on the damp 
 ground as they lay there exhausted after their struggles? 
 
 At ten o 'clock, after a warm breakfast, the march was con- 
 tinued, and at noon, we halted at Lovario and went into bil- 
 lets. Resting here until noon the next day, we again resumed 
 the march, covering the twelve miles to a field near Ipplis be- 
 fore evening. 
 
 The boys pitched tents and prepared for a short stay. 
 Headquarters Detachment went on to Ipplis and procured an 
 empty house. Some of us found a badly battered stone barn 
 for the horses and gathered straw and made a comfortable bed 
 on the second floor for ourselves. Not a window or door was in 
 the place, and at night the wind swept up the valley whistling 
 in the door and out of the windows. The Julian Alps were in 
 plain view before us. 
 
332nd INFANTRY 45 
 
 While here we formed an acquaintance with a friendly Eng- 
 lish speaking Italian who one evening took two of us to a sup- 
 per of the Italian Sergeants Major. We could scarcely believe 
 our eyes when soup, chicken, lettuce, cheese, bread and wine 
 were brought in. At the same time, our mess sergeants were 
 making life miserable for the Supply Company who, they 
 claimed, were not delivering enough canned beef and hard tack ! 
 
 On the eighth, we had a rumor that Germany was going to 
 capitulate. On the tenth the Colonel left for Padua, the head- 
 quarters of the American Mission to Italy. We wondered what 
 was in the air. 
 
 While at Ipplis, the whole regiment was marched to the 
 river where they bathed in the cofd mountain water. Luckily 
 the air was not cold on this November day. 
 
 On the eleventh, the German Armistice was signed and, on 
 the twelfth, the Second Battalion packed up hurriedly and was 
 rushed off to Dalmatia. We who remained also took up the 
 march at 1 :00 P. M. on the twelfth and proceeded to Cormons, 
 Austria, having crossed the border line about 3:00 P. M. 
 
46 IN ITALY WITH THE 
 
 CHAPTER VI 
 Connons, Austria: From Cormons to Treviso 
 
 ON ARRIVING AT CORMONS at the close of November 
 12th, the regiment pitched tents in the field close to town. 
 Regimental Headquarters and the Detachment found a two 
 story building, cleaned it as usual, and occupied it. 
 
 The next morning was spent in ransacking the place which, 
 from the maps, pamphlets and books, had evidently been the 
 headquarters of the Austrian Police. One of the books found 
 was called '^Strafprozess," and was written in question and 
 answer form, seemingly for the guidance of the police in ex- 
 amining questionable people. 
 
 In the yard of the building we found several rifles and much 
 ammunition. A curious thing about the rifles was an inscrip- 
 tion on the steel barrel which read, ' ' Republicana Mexicana.'* 
 
 The boys in the companies had found a storehouse full of 
 guns, knives and other implements of warfare and had collected 
 quite a few souvenirs but the officers heard about it and ordered 
 everything replaced. During the day the companies were 
 marched to a barracks a short distance from town. This bar- 
 racks is reputed to have been built by the Austrians in 1832. 
 It was a decided improvement over pup-tents since the weather 
 was very cold, damp and raw. It was difficult for Americans 
 to procure fuel so a barracks was imperative. 
 
 Cormons has a population of about 6,000 and is a lively place 
 for its size. While many Italians live here, German is spoken 
 in most of the stores. In those owned by Austrians we were 
 very cooly treated and one could readily see the glow of resent- 
 ment beneath the sullen stares. However, with many Italian 
 troops in the vicinity besides our own. no serious outbreak was 
 feared. Nevertheless, the losers were by no means paralyzed, 
 for, one night, a train full of Italian refugees was thrown from 
 the tracks with serious consequences, due to malicious tamper- 
 ing with the rails. Again, on another night, our tranquil ex- 
 istence was thrilled by the clang of a flre bell. Running to 
 the street we saw a primitive man-power hose-cart being pulled 
 down the street. Following this we came to the scene of the 
 fire which was one of the wings of a war hospital. It was the 
 only wooden building in town and, fortunately, was unoccupied. 
 The flames were beyond control of the ''Fire Department,'' 
 
332nd INFANTRY 47 
 
 whose efforts consisted in trying to keep the fire from spread- 
 ing to the other parts of the building. Of course, this fire was 
 attributed to the Austrians. 
 
 With the German signature to the armistice, the war ended 
 for us. Some dreamed that for them the famous saying, 
 *' Heaven, Hell or Hoboken by Christmas," would come true. 
 It was intolerable to think that we would not be on the way 
 at that time. Little drilling was done; only the necessary 
 chores were performed. For the rest, we awaited orders and 
 wrote letters. At this time the mail came in regularly and the 
 news from home helped to pass the weary hours of waiting. 
 
 My '^ Buddy" pulled through ihe long march somehow, 
 but a few days after reaching Cormons he complained of 
 chills, and his body shook even while he sat next to a fire. 
 We urged him to see the doctor, a few doors away, whose 
 chief occupation these days seemed to be feeding wood to the 
 Adjutant's stove. He hesitated. I believe he feared that he 
 would be sent to the damp, gloomy hospital at Udine, away 
 from all his friends. His condition showed no improvement 
 and when his temperature was taken by a Medical Sergeant, 
 it was so high that the Sergeant tagged him ''Flu" and sent 
 him to the hospital. It was the last time we saw him alive, 
 this good pal who had been too plucky to drop out on the march 
 when he must have felt that the march was killing him. 
 
 There was much influenza in Cormons, within the regiment 
 and among the natives. We were made aware of this latter fact 
 by the almost daily procession of priests, acolytes, mourners 
 and bearers carrying the corpses which passed our door. In 
 the hospital at Udine, five of our lads had died in four days 
 and many in the regiment had heavy colds which caused much 
 concern. The climate was miserably raw and cold. A novel 
 and pleasant way to beat the ''Flu" as practiced by some of 
 the boys, was to keep their bodies warm with frequent doses of 
 cognac. 
 
 When the regiment was at Vallegio, the subject of grapes 
 was mentioned. During the maneuvers in the trenches with the 
 Arditi, grapes were stolen from vineyards and the owners of 
 these vineyards turned in bills for something like 24,000 lires 
 (about $4,000) against the Americans. Our Claim Officer would 
 not agree to pay this amount and he succeeded in having it 
 lowered about one half. Every man and officer was obliged to 
 contribute. Officers were charged five lires, non-commissioned 
 officers, four lires and privates three lires. Some of us never 
 saw the vineyards; others had no objection to the tax. 
 
48 IN ITALY WITH THE 
 
 This was but one of the many claims presented. The Italian 
 attitude seemed to be that all Americans were millionaries and 
 that it was their duty to get all they could from the Americans 
 while ''the getting was good." 
 
 On November 18th the Third Battalion packed up and en- 
 trained for Fiume to do international police duty. Gone then 
 were the glimmering hopes of an early departure, for the rumor 
 persisted and seemed to have foundation that the First Bat- 
 talion and Headquarters were bound for Trieste. However, 
 so I have heard, the Colonel prevailed upon the American Mis- 
 sion, at Padua, that our place was in Treviso where our sup- 
 plies lay in warehouses. 
 
 Accordingly, early Sunday morning, November 24th, with 
 great joy in our hearts, we were ready for the return to Treviso. 
 The companies were to walk despite the thousands of Italian 
 trucks standing idle. However, the packs were put upon Amer- 
 ican trucks so that they were unburdened to that extent. 
 
 Headquarters Detachment was fortunate in being allowed 
 to ride upon the trucks which carried the office equipment and 
 some officers' bedding rolls. The trip was one to be remembered. 
 
 When we started, the day was pleasantly brisk but not 
 cold. Leaving at eight o'clock we traveled without adventure 
 until we reached the Livenza River. Here the bridge had been 
 blown up and a pontoon had been built in its place. When we 
 started across an Italian Lieutenant stopped us, saying that the 
 pontoon was not strong enough for our heavy trucks. All argu- 
 ment was of no avail. We were in a strange countrj^ and to 
 make a detour of several miles, as he suggested, would cause us 
 endless trouble. Even while we talked an Italian truck crossed 
 the pontoon towing a second truck. We pointed to the two 
 trucks crossing at one time, but we received only his maddening 
 smile and a refusal. Some of the boys in the party were in 
 favor of emulating one of our Sergeants who, during our ad- 
 vance, was bringing food to us. As the story goes, this Ser- 
 geant's trucks were approaching a pontoon when an Italian 
 Colonel ran out with arms wildly waving, while he voiced a loud 
 refusal. The Sergeant was a man of few words. He knew 
 that the regiment was in need of food and he thought the pon- 
 toon was strong enough. Having faith in his judgment and 
 cause, he displayed his automatic and, motioning the trucks 
 forward, backed the Colonel across the whole pontoon. The 
 pontoon creaked and trembled under the heavy trucks but, 
 fortunately, no mishap occurred. 
 
 Our errand was not so urgent, so we turned about feeling 
 very bitter, as this appeared to be just another instance of that 
 
332nd INFANTRY 49 
 
 antagonism to which we had been subjected by the Italians 
 since the day of the armistice. 
 
 After following the river for five or six miles we came to a 
 bridge and ci-ossed. It was now nearly dark and we should 
 have been approaching Treviso. With evening, the weather 
 grew colder and, as a pleasure party, our trip was a failure. 
 We reached the Piave soon after and successfully crossed the. 
 creaking pontoon. 
 
 However, we had not gone a hundred yards beyond when^ 
 as we were climbing a hill, both trucks stopped. Upon in- 
 vestigating we learned that both had run out of gasoline. It 
 was a peculiar coincidence. 
 
 On either side of us were damp", clay embankments and all. 
 about was darkness. What should we do? We were in a. 
 strange country and in a poor part of that, so far as replenish- 
 ing our gasoline supply went. We thought we could borrow a 
 can from one of the many passing Italian FIATS, but no one 
 seemed to have an extra can. Meanwhile, someone, rooting 
 around among the packs and boxes on our truck found a three 
 gallon can of gasoline, but that would not take us to Treviso 
 which we were told was twenty miles away. 
 
 We again resumed our efforts to beg gasoline from the 
 Italians, but when some time had passed without our efforts 
 being rewarded, the boys in loud voices told the countryside 
 what they thought of the Italian nation in general and these 
 Italian drivers in particular. About this time we noticed a 
 can of gasoline in the rear of a truck which had stopped close 
 by. However, when we edged near to lift the gasoline, the 
 driver suspected and moved the can. Fresh outbursts of Amer- 
 ican oratory hailed this failure but, out of the din rose a voice 
 speaking the American language with a slight accent and the 
 voice asked: ''Who wants gasoline?" Before the speaker 
 could have chajiged his mind, a half dozen answered: ''Here!" 
 As he came nearer we saw he had a five gallon can. We thanked 
 this Italian who had been to America, loaded him down with 
 cigarettes and poured the gasoline into our truck. With eight 
 gallons we felt we could make Treviso. Bidding farewell to the 
 occupants of the other truck, with a promise of speedy relief, 
 we set forth. 
 
 Without a map we stumbled onward in the darkness. We 
 had traveled several miles along a dark road when, upon 
 reaching the end, we perceived a river but no bridge or pontoon. 
 It was a delicate task to turn the large truck in the narrow 
 road. Retracing our tracks we set out again, fearful now that 
 our gasoline would become exhausted. To add to the discom- 
 
50 IN ITALY WITH THE 
 
 fort, the snow fell and the night grew very cold. However, 
 we were on the right road and at 10:00 P. M. we entered the 
 gate at Treviso. 
 
 During this time the companies were walking to Treviso. 
 On the first day of this tiresome march they covered twenty- 
 seven kilometers. At seven the next morning the march was 
 continued, without a rest for the noon meal, and at 5 :00 P. M., 
 another thirty-five kilometers were passed. Here the tired, foot- 
 sore lads went into billets until 7:00 A. M. of the 27th when 
 the march was resumed and thirty-eight more kilometers were 
 marched. On November 28th, Thanksgiving Day, they enjoyed 
 (?) a dinner of ''slum,'' and reached Dosson, a suburb of 
 Treviso at 4 :20 P. M. The distance marched this day was thir- 
 ty-two kilometers. 
 

332nd INFANTRY 51 
 
 CHAPTER VII 
 Treviso — ^After the Drive — ^Rome 
 
 ONCE INSIDE THE GATES we were happy despite our 
 hunger and cold for both were soon forgotten and, in addi- 
 tion, the boys who had remained in Treviso to guard our 
 stores and to forward supplies, shared their bunks with us. 
 
 It may be well to say a little more about these lads who 
 had remained at our base. When the regiment marched to the 
 front, there were about one hundred and fifty of them, but 
 as men came from the hospitals and could not join us in 
 Austria, this ^* Casual Detachment,^' as it came to be known, 
 doubled in numbers and occupied all available space. At the 
 time of our unexpected arrival they had a fairly elastic organ- 
 ization accustomed to serving meals at all hours. 
 
 Treviso had now taken on a different aspect by day and 
 by night. The war being over, many citizens had returned. 
 The market place livened up on market days and the boards 
 came off the house windows. The stores opened but, at noon, 
 according to custom, they closed from twelve to two while the 
 shop-keepers retired to their beds. At night, with no fear of 
 air raids, shades were not pulled down and the street lights 
 were lit, while Italian soldiers singing *'0 Sole Mio," and 
 other favorites made the nights cheery. 
 
 Besides Americans, there were British and Italian soldiers 
 in Treviso. With the many soldiers and the great number of 
 citizens returning home, it was difficult to obtain a building 
 for Regimental Headquarters. So, it was not until the fifth 
 day after returning to Treviso that we found a home, which 
 provided room for four offices and sleeping quarters for the 
 Detachment and the Band. 
 
 The line companies of the First Battalion were stationed 
 in an Italian barracks. They had little to do other than the 
 usual fatigue and a small amount of drilling. Most of the 
 afternoon and evening was free but, with the lack of amuse- 
 ment, the hours hung heavily. Later the Y. M. C. A. helped 
 with a reading room and canteen, and the English, who had 
 leased a theatre, entertained us with shows and movies. 
 
 Many walked across country in search of souvenirs, visiting 
 prison camps and battle fields in the region of the Piave, and 
 before long, barracks bags were filled with shells, copper paper 
 
52 IN ITALY WITH THE 
 
 knives, Austrian helmets and even rifles and swords. With 
 plenty of time, a great fad of decorating shells took hold and 
 some beautifully decorated shells resulted. 
 
 Our pleasures and anticipations, however, were tempered 
 with sorrow, for during the latter part of November there was 
 a funeral nearly every day. My friend died November 27th 
 and he and another friend were buried November 29th. The 
 bodies, in boxes draped with the American flag, were placed in 
 a truck, the band played a funeral march and the sorrowful 
 procession started. Besides the Band and truck there were in 
 the procession the Chaplain, the firing squad, the pallbearers 
 and the friends of the deceased. 
 
 At the Italian cemetery we advanced to a comer where 
 there were many new, unpainted crosses on the tops of which 
 were nailed the aluminum identification discs worn by every 
 soldier. The Chaplain read his prayers over the remains, the 
 bodies were lowered, and thus ended the earthly career of 
 these brave lads who were never to see their loved ones in this 
 life. Two new wooden crosses were added to the others, and 
 later, two little numbered stones were placed on the graves. 
 The Band formed and as it marched up the street, struck up a 
 lively march according to custom. 
 
 Shortly after we were in receipt of a communication from 
 Earl Cavan, who had commanded our Army Corps during the 
 drive. In his letter he commended the regiment on its conduct 
 and awarded the regiment the English Distinguished Service 
 Order. 
 
 At this time the good feeling which had existed between 
 the Italian and American soldiers threatened to end. Many of 
 us thought that the original cause was cigarettes and tobacco. 
 In the first place, when the Americans received permission to 
 bring cigarettes and tobacco into Italy, the Italian Govern- 
 ment insisted that none be sold to Italians. Therefore, when 
 the doughboys came from the ''Y^' and the Commissary with 
 cigarettes, the Italians, who could buy only twenty of the 
 atrocious Macedonian cigarettes a week from their stores, 
 wished to purchase American cigarettes. Now the Americans 
 could not sell them to the Italians without violating the com- 
 mand of the Italian Government. However, finding that they 
 could not buy cigarettes, the Italians began to beg them. At 
 first the boys were generous, but eventually, an American 
 could not step from his billet without finding several Italians 
 waiting to say: ^ * Cigaretta ? " It grew tiresome, this ^'Cigar- 
 etta"?" and when an American hot-head met an Italian hot- 
 head, the inevitable resulted. The feeling thus started spread 
 
332nd INFANTRY 53 
 
 in other directions. The people of Europe, Italians not ex- 
 cepted, seemed to think it legitimate to grossly overcharge 
 when the opportunity arose. In some of the Italian stores 
 there are signs which read, ''Fixed Prices/' but, like many 
 signs, they meant nothing. The way to buy in Italy is to ask 
 the price of an article and upon obtaining it, divide it by two, 
 three or four and, if you really want the article, haggle and 
 walk toward the door several times until the storekeeper comes 
 near your price. This was an unusual method for Americans 
 and much ill will resulted. 
 
 When the Americans entered Italy an agreement was made 
 between the two governments as to amounts and kinds of food 
 the Italian government was to furnish the American soldiers. 
 After we were in Italy, there were times, of course, when certain 
 articles were not available and therefore could not have been 
 issued to the Americans. However, as the Supply Company 
 men know, there were other times when the Italians refused 
 to issue foodstuffs on the ground that they did not have them. 
 The American Sergeants refused to believe them and upon 
 forcing their way into the Italian Commissary, found the food- 
 stuffs there. 
 
 On another occasion the Paying Officer and his assistants 
 placed their safe, with money for the troops at Fiume and Cat- 
 taro, in an Italian railroad car. American guards were placed 
 with the safe. Officious Italians, with no justifiable reason, put 
 guard and money off the car. Rather than create trouble, the 
 American Captain was man enough to hold his peace for the 
 time. The matter was taken up with the Italian authorities and 
 the Captain finally succeeded in getting his money to the men. 
 
 On other ocasions, I have been told, it was only the back- 
 bone of the American boys in charge of the American mail 
 that prevented sneering Italian officials from cutting open and 
 going through the mail bags containing not only personel mail, 
 but United States Government official mail. 
 
 These matters were generally adjusted but no guarantee 
 seemed capable of preventing a recurrence. It seemed to many 
 of us from the treatment accorded Americans, that the United 
 States of America was a fourth rate power cringing and beg- 
 ging for the good will of powerful, majestic Italy. Possibly, 
 and I prefer to think it, the government of Italy was doing all 
 for us that it could. I believe that our troubles arose from 
 officers below the rank of General who were tainted with Bol- 
 shevism and saturated with self-importance. It seemed, also, 
 that some of the higher American Officers cared more for the 
 smile of an Italian official than for their countrymen's welfare. 
 
54 IN ITALY WITH THE 
 
 In the early part of December it was decided to send about 
 forty convalescent soldiers of the Third Battalion, together with 
 the mail and baggage, to Fiume. Accordingly, arrangements 
 were made for them to leave on a fast train Saturday, December 
 14th. However, the time of departure was postponed, by the 
 Italians, to the next morning and then, again, put off until the 
 afternoon. At 2 P. M. the sick soldiers arrived at the station 
 to enter their box cars which stood on a siding. Strange to say, 
 when inquiry was made not an Italian official knew anything 
 about the disposal of these cars. It was finally decided that 
 they would go forward Monday morning. 
 
 At this time the boys boarded the box cars and at noon 
 the train left Treviso. After a few miles it was held up for 
 two hours and at Cassarsa, the engine put the cars on a siding 
 and departed. It was a cold, damp night and the box cars were 
 poor shelter for sick men. 
 
 Tuesday morning came but there was no sign of an engine 
 and the Station Officials could not say when a train for Fiume 
 would arrive. In the afternoon the cars were moved along about 
 ten miles and here again the officials knew nothing. 
 
 Hearing that the Rome-Trieste express came through Porto- 
 gruaro, the American Lieutenant in charge decided to send all 
 but six men on the express. The officials made out the neces- 
 sary passes and when the express arrived the men boarded it. 
 However, an Italian policeman ordered them off and was sup- 
 ported by an Italian Colonel who said enlisted men were not 
 allowed to ride on the express. 
 
 The Lieutenant appealed to the Station Master who then 
 admitted that the Colonel was right. The American explained 
 that the men were sick but he received only insults and refusal 
 from the officious Colonel. 
 
 The Station Master promised another train that evening but 
 none arrived and on Thursday the Lieutenant, thoroughly angry, 
 wired a higher official and at 3 P. M. the cars moved out of 
 Portogruaro. 
 
 Again that night the cars were side tracked but the Lieut- 
 enant quickly obtained action here and with several more de- 
 lays finally reached Fiume at noon, December 21st. 
 
 Instead of a ten or twelve hour ride, five days and five nights 
 were required to make the trip. That is a sample of the treat- 
 ment which makes the 332nd anxious for another war in Italy. 
 
 After the English had left Treviso the American '' Y^' leased 
 the town theatre for vaudeville, band concerts and pictures. 
 Our band gave several grand concerts here which were greatly 
 enjoyed. Incidentally, the '*Y" made itself popular with the 
 
332nd INFANTRY 55 
 
 boys by charging them to hear their own band play. The in- 
 terior of the theatre consisted of an orchestra and several tiers 
 of boxes instead of a gallery and balcony as in our theatres. 
 
 Just before Thanksgiving, nine men dressed in German 
 civilian clothes made of paper, came into our midst. They were 
 thoroughly questioned and examined and it was established 
 beyond doubt that they were American soldiers wounded and 
 captured in the Chateau Thierry drive. They had been sent 
 across France and Germany into Poland, along with hundreds 
 of other prisoners. They did not complain of their treatment 
 at the hands of the Germans but said they had not obtained 
 proper food nor proper medical attention. They told of opera- 
 tions undergone without anaesthetics. At their first opportun- 
 ity they had made their escape. 
 
 A few weeks later an American Captain found his way into 
 Treviso and his story brought out the fact that he had been 
 Commander of some of the nine men mentioned above. He was 
 greatly surprised to find American soldiers in Italy. 
 
 The Red Cross assisted us materially. From their great sup- 
 plies they gave us blankets, pajamas, socks, sweaters and much 
 food. We had been unable to obtain potatoes for several weeks 
 but the Red Cross furnished us with them. 
 
 As the censorship was off the mail, many began to send home 
 souvenirs and, sometimes, the postoflfice had to refuse Austrian 
 helmets, for the office was full of them. 
 
 About the first of December we received a red, white and 
 green service stripe from the Italian government which denoted 
 four months service on the Italian front. This was immediately 
 christened the *' Macaroni Bar." A few days later, December 
 8th, we received the American gold '^V" for six months over- 
 seas service. 
 
 Christmas, which we had so fondly hoped would see us on 
 the way home, at last came. During the day nothing special 
 occurred, except that the Christmas boxes from home were dis- 
 tributed and this served to impress the thought of home more 
 firmly upon the mind. 
 
 However, there were many private celebrations and, at 6 :30 
 P. M. about twenty of us filed into the ''Dining Room" and 
 prepared to partake of a real Christmas dinner. The splendid 
 meal consisted of soup, fish, mashed potatoes, turkey, dressing, 
 gravy, sweet corn, bread, butter, pumpkin pie, corn starch pud- 
 ding with peaches and cream, coffee, wine, champagne and fruit 
 punch. The whole was most excellently prepared by a quartette 
 of the best cooks who ever donned a khaki uniform. During 
 the evening, speeches, stories and songs obliterated the mean 
 
56 IN ITALY WITH THE 
 
 walls and took us back home to our dear America. It was a 
 most successful dinner and Christmas night. 
 
 Many rumors filled the air these days. Some said we were 
 going to Fiume, some said Trieste, while others, more imagin- 
 ative, said the Balkans. All seemed agreed, however, that home 
 was in the distant future. 
 
 With few exceptions, the life in Treviso was a humdrum 
 existence. The rest after the strenuous days before the armis- 
 tice, was very welcome, but the long idleness gave the men too 
 much time to think of home. Naturally, they became discon- 
 tented. This frame of mind was capable of producing mischief, 
 so, in the early part of December, passes were given to Venice, 
 Milan and other nearby towns. Venice, just nineteen miles 
 away, drew most of the visitors. Since railways were owned by 
 the government, no fare was paid by the military; a pass from 
 the Commanding Officer with the regimental stamp being all 
 the authority required. The conductors could not read Eng- 
 lish, so the boys unable to obtain authorized passes, made their 
 own and these were accepted so long as they bore a signature. 
 
 In December we learned that President Wilson would be in 
 Rome, January 3rd, 1919, so on January 1st a detachment con- 
 sisting of the Band and an Honor Guard of twenty-five were 
 sent to greet him. After a twenty-four hour ride, we reached 
 the ''Eternal City" and were shown to an Italian barracks 
 and later to the Red Cross quarters which were more satis- 
 factory. 
 
 With a consuming desire to see the great city, we were soon 
 on our way to St. Peter's and the Vatican and their many won- 
 ders which, however, I shall not here attempt to describe. 
 
 In the morning of January 3rd, we prepared to welcome the 
 President. Our Band and Guard, we learned with dismaj^, were 
 not considered by the Italians to be necessary in the parade of 
 welcome. So, this pleasure being denied them, the boys planned 
 a welcome of their own and the thin column of Yanks attempted 
 to break through the mass of people at Via Nazionale. These 
 spectators, a score deep, were held off the street by a solid 
 cordon of soldiers, which reached from the station to the Presi- 
 dent's palace. The soldiers seeing the Americans endeavor to 
 break through the line called for reinforcements, but Italy has 
 neglected football and in a few minutes the thin American 
 column was over the line, was reformed, and was marching up 
 Via Nazionale amid the applause of the Romans and the dis- 
 comfiture of the Italian officers. At the station the khaki clad 
 column formed its own cordon of welcome. 
 
332nd INFANTRY 57 
 
 Rome was in holiday attire this morning. Via Nazionale 
 the main business street, was ablaze with Italian and American 
 flags and with standards of the Italian provinces. Rome had 
 not seen such crowds in days. 
 
 Just before 10:00 A. M., the cabinet members, Senators, 
 Deputies, General Diaz, Admiral DiRevel, the American Am- 
 bassador and other Ambassadors, arrived at the station, fol- 
 lowed shortly by the King of Italy. A fanfare of trumpets 
 sounded as the train arrived and ' ' The Star Spangled Banner ' ' 
 was played. King and President shook hands and the various 
 presentations were made. Amid continuous and frenzied ap- 
 plause, waving flags and handkerchiefs, the party passed slowly 
 down Via Nazionale to the Quirina:l Palace which the Italians 
 liad given over to the President. 
 
 The next morning the Band and Guai'd marched to the resi- 
 dence of the American Ambassador, Thomas N. Page, where 
 President Wilson was giving luncheon to the Italian King. 
 The band was to play during the meal and the ''Honor 
 Guard," at last was given a chance to honor the President. 
 
 About 12:30 P. M., the shouts of the people who lined the 
 streets proclaimed the popularity and appi-oach of the Presi- 
 dent. As his party entered the courtyard, the opening strains 
 of ''The Star Spangled Banner," greeted him and he smiled 
 broadly as he passed. 
 
 Within a few minutes the King and Queen of Italy ar- 
 rived, followed by Italian statesmen and high army officers 
 among whom was General Diaz, the idol of the Italians. 
 
 The large dining table to which all repaired was beauti- 
 fully decorated with huge clusters of red and white flowers. 
 At both ends of the hall the American and Italian colors were 
 hung, side by side, emblematic of the manner in which Italian 
 and American had stood throughout the great war so glori- 
 ously ended. 
 
 After the luncheon, when the guests had departed, some- 
 one remembered that the Band and Guard had not eaten and 
 we were led to the same dining table used by the elite. For 
 the benefit of the rest of the regiment who were not present, 
 I give the menu: Roast pigeon, steak, cake, ice cream, cham- 
 pagne, etc., etc. 
 
 We had expected to remain in Rome for several days but, 
 to our astonishment and disappointment, we were ordered the 
 next morning to get ready to take the noon train to Treviso. 
 We had seen enough of Rome, however, to put firmly in our 
 hearts the desire to return. 
 
58 IN ITALY WITH THE 
 
 CHAPTER VIII 
 The Third Battalion at Fiume 
 
 BEFORE RETURNING TO TREVISO, let us peep at the 
 Third Battalion at Fiume and the Second Battalion at 
 Cattaro. 
 
 When the former hurriedly entrained at Cormons, they were 
 taken to Fiume, arriving there November 19th. 
 
 Their duty was to aid in the international policing of this 
 difficult territory. Fiume, since the armistice, was jealously 
 watched by both Italy and the new Jugo-Slav state. The real 
 issue probably was, and is, that the Jugo-Slavs consider this 
 port indispensable to their future while the Italians think they 
 should have Fiume as a reward for their share in the war. This 
 being understood, it will be easier to comprehend what diffi- 
 culties the Americans labored under in a work in which they 
 had no material interest. 
 
 After the Third Battalion detrained at Fiume, the boys were 
 forced to wait an hour before an Italian officer presented him- 
 self to conduct them to their billets. The reception of the 
 people of the town seemed very diffident and it apjjeared to be 
 an Italian town from the number of Italian flags flying. No 
 other flag was seen. 
 
 In the evening, at a meeting presided over by the Allied 
 Commander, an Italian General, the American Commanding 
 Officer was required to furnish two companies of Americans the 
 next morning for duty in two adjoining towns, Susac and Trsat. 
 The men were to go armed. No trouble was anticipated al- 
 though the towns were held by troops of Jugo-Slav nationality 
 or persuasion. 
 
 Early on the following morning, ' ' K " and ' ' M ^ ' companies 
 marched to an Italian barracks and the Italian General in com- 
 mand placed the two companies under two Italian Majors so 
 that the American Captains, outranked, had no authority. This 
 detestable practice of placing a higher Italian officer over the 
 highest ranking American officer present was a favorite play 
 of the Italians. 
 
 Not content with this procedure, a platoon was taken from 
 each of the two American companies and placed under command 
 of Italian Captains. Susac was then entered by two separate 
 columns each led by an Italian Captain commanding an Amer- 
 ican platoon. Italian armored cars proceeded the infantry. 
 
332nd INFANTRY 59 
 
 The remainder of the American companies were split up, 
 Americans being placed in Italian companies under the com- 
 mand of Italian officers. The next move was to place the two 
 American Captains with the Italian Major thereby depriving 
 them of all direct authority. 
 
 Fortunately, no trouble was encountered. It seemed that 
 the Jugo-Slav people believed the American soldiers would be 
 true to the principles enunciated by their President. 
 
 The other town, Trsat was likewise occupied, after which the 
 Americans were divided into small groups of from ten to twenty 
 men, who with the same number of Italians, patrolled the two 
 towns. 
 
 The Americans immediately became friendly with the Jugo- 
 slavs. This was not pleasing to the Italians but the American 
 doughboy bestows his friendship where he pleases. 
 
 These troops occupied this territory for several days. Then, 
 all but about one hundred Americans were withdrawn and on 
 December 18th, these men were called in, as the Interallied 
 Military Police, consisting of English, Italian and American 
 soldiers, were placed in charge. 
 
 Fiume is an old city, having been known in Roman times. 
 There is, in fact, a Roman triumphant arch built by Claudius 
 II. The modern city of 39,000 population sits in a sort 
 of amphitheatre between the hills and the shore of the Gulf 
 of Quarnera. A large export business contributes largely to 
 Fiume 's prosperity as is evident from the wharves, warehouses 
 and steamships to be seen here. It is said that 7,500 emigrants 
 passed through Fiume in 1902 which makes Fiume the cos- 
 mopolitan town it is. 
 
 With such activities at its gate, it is not surprising to see 
 the many imposing public buildings such as the Governor's 
 palace, the Austrian Emperor's palace and the many large 
 schools and churches. In the northwest part of the city there 
 are fine public gardens. 
 
 As intimated above, there are two parts of the town. New 
 Fiume and Old Fiume. New Fiume is a busy, bustling place 
 with wide, clean streets which reminded the boys of American 
 cities. Old Fiume, however, which is entered through a huge 
 archway, is different. It contains most of the Italian portion 
 of the population and its dark, odoriferous, covered alleys have 
 a medieval air about them. Gloomy, vaulted passages lead 
 from one crooked street to another still more crooked, and a 
 walk through these strange byways was delightful in the sur- 
 prises met at every step. One saw first a bazaar, then a market 
 scene or an old monument and again, a fountain or a dilapi- 
 
60 IN ITALY WITH THE 
 
 dated old door with a coat of arms. At every turn, as in Italy, 
 there is a little, dark odorous wine room, but the crowd inside 
 is always loud and happy with dances or dice games. The 
 shops in this quarter are open in front. Here is a corn dealer 
 beside an old clothes store, while next door is an image maker. 
 Nearby is a barber shop with its owner in the doorway sharpen- 
 ing his razor. Across the street is a macaroni shop and an 
 artificial flower store. 
 
 The fine cafes of Fiume attracted many Americans, for 
 aside from their wares, exquisite Hungarian music was offered 
 and its appealing strains were as enjoyable here as when trans- 
 lated to the American light opera stage. 
 
 It was no surjDrise, therefore, that the American soldiers, 
 fresh from the small towns of Italy and the rigorous campaign, 
 should fall in love with Fiume, especially since the Jugo-Slavs 
 tried to make life so pleasant for them. The girls were very 
 popular with the soldiers and before the battalion left Fiume, 
 there were several weddings. 
 
 The regimental band was sent for and on several nights 
 dances were held which were greatly enjoyed. At first, the 
 girls could not understand the American way of dancing, but 
 it was not long before they were one-stepping and fox-trotting 
 as if they had never danced otherwise. In fact, to hear the 
 story from the lips of a Third Battalion soldier, the young 
 ladies of Fiume threw their hearts at the Americans' feet. 
 
 The American soldier in Europe was peculiarly slow to take 
 offense, but once he was aroused, he was as difficult to handle 
 as a disturbed nest of hornets. There were several street fights 
 between Americans and Italians and the remarkable fact is 
 that no one on either side was killed or even seriously injured. 
 
 Since we have returned to America, we have read of the 
 scuffles between French and Italians in Fiume and the result- 
 ing casualties. It becomes evident, therefore, that our Colonel 
 was justified in complimenting the men of the 332nd on their 
 gentlemanly conduct. 
 
 One of the stories concerning these fights is as follows : An 
 American was standing on the street talking with a Jugo- 
 slav girl who wore the Jugo-Slav colors on her waist. An 
 Italian soldier came up and snatched the colors from her and 
 threw them to the ground. The American did what any red- 
 blooded man would do — he knocked the Italian down. At this, 
 several other Italian soldiers came, handcuffed the American, 
 placed him under arrest and took him to prison. As soon as 
 this became known to the American Commanding Officer, he 
 demanded the man's release. The soldier was not only re- 
 
332nd INFANTRY 61 
 
 leased but the Italian General also insisted on apologizing for 
 the Italian soldier's mistake. 
 
 On another occasion, so I heard, the American Lieutenant 
 Colonel, who was in command of the Americans in Fiume, saw 
 the flags of the Allies flying in the air with the Italian flag 
 uppermost. He thereupon informed the Italian Commander that 
 no flag was good enough to fly above the ''Stars and Stripes" 
 and the Italian must have thought the same, for the Italian flag 
 was soon placed at the same level as the other flags. 
 
 With Company dances, a minstrel show and the diversions 
 offered by the town itself, time was not heavy. Very little 
 drilling was done. 
 
 Just before Christmas, a detail of eight men was sent to 
 Trieste where they were to assist an American Colonel in check- 
 ing food supplies which the Civilian Relief was sending into 
 Austria for the starving population. They were engaged in this 
 work for about two months. 
 
 As in Trieste, so in Fiume, the friendship between the 
 Doughboys and the *'Gobs" became very strong. Throughout 
 their stay at Fiume American naval vessels were in or near the 
 harbor of Fiume. 
 
 The English soldiers also became quite friendly with the 
 Americans as had been the case in Treviso. 
 
 An interesting trip to Vienna was made by four officers and 
 one hundred men who convoyed a trainload of flour to Vienna. 
 Of course, American soldiers were a curiosity in the Austrian 
 capital but they were well treated, for had they not brought 
 the flour which the Austrians so sorely needed? While in 
 Vienna, permission was granted them to visit the Emperor's 
 palace, a visit which was greatly enjoyed. 
 
 On the return to Fiume, the train was stopped at an Austrian 
 winter resort where some of the Americans had their first 
 taste of skiing. 
 
 At last, on February 12th, the Battalion rolled up its packs, 
 said goodbye in several languages to the weeping population 
 of Fiume, boarded its ''side-door pullmans," and set out for 
 Genoa. They left heavy hearts behind them for the Jugo-Slavs 
 truly loved them, and, when they had gone, I'm sure the 
 Jugo-Slavs realized that truer champions of purer ideals never 
 wore the uniforms of soldiers. 
 
 The trip by train took the boys through the battle scarred 
 fields of northern Italy, ending on February 15th at Genoa, 
 where the battalion joined the First Battalion at the Hotel 
 Miramare. 
 
IN ITALY WITH THE 
 
 CHAPTER IX 
 The Second Battalion in Montenegro and Dalmatia 
 
 THP: reader will remember that the Second Battal- 
 ion suddenly took down its pup-tents, rolled up its packs 
 and hastily departed from the regiment at Ipplis on No- 
 vember 12th, 1918. The rumor said they were bound for 
 Montenegro. 
 
 The first portion of the journey was by trucks to Mestre 
 which was reached at 2:00 A. M. November 13th. The boys 
 slept in the trucks until morning and, at noon, billets were 
 assigned them. 
 
 On the 15th, a platoon of ''G" Company departed for 
 Fiume. It is said that when the Italians attempted to enter 
 Fiume after the armistice was signed, they saw so many Jugo- 
 slav guns pointed their way that the expedition was called off 
 until Americans could be found to land first. All felt sure that 
 the Slavs would not fire upon Americans. So the ^'G" Com- 
 pany platoon led and the Italians followed behind this shield. 
 The platoon remained in Fiume until the Third Battalion be- 
 gan to come in, when they rejoined their company at Zelenika. 
 
 On November 16th, at 10:30 A. M., the whole battalion 
 having reached Mestre, trains were boarded which took the 
 troops to Venice. Here, after some hours, the captured 
 Austrian Red Cross ship, ''Argentine," received them and at 
 2 :00 P. M. November 18th, the vessel moved out of the harbor 
 of Venice and proceeded down the Adriatic to Cattaro, Dal- 
 matia. 
 
 The ship docked here at noon on the 21st and the Amer- 
 icans received a great welcome and band concert from the 
 natives, Montenegrins, Slavs, Serbs, Poles and Austrians. 
 
 Dalmatia is a narrow strip of land between the Adriatic 
 and the Dinaric Alps. Cattaro is situated between the Mon- 
 tenegrin mountains and the Bocche de Cattaro, a beautiful inlet 
 of the Adriatic and is the most important harbor on the Dal- 
 matian coast. Its population in 1900 was 3,021. 
 
 Dalmatia, like Fiume, was a bone of contention between 
 Italy and the Slavs. Besides, after the armistice, a revolution 
 threatened in Montenegro. While we were never told why 
 Americans were sent to Dalmatia, the reason must lie in the 
 above facts. 
 
 Company ''F" debarked at 3:00 P. M. of the 22nd and was 
 immediately ordered to Cetinje, Montenegro by the ever-present 
 
332nd INFANTRY 63 
 
 Italian General. Companies E, G, H and detachments of Head- 
 quarters, Machine Gun, Supply, and Medical organizations, 
 landed on the 24th. Companies *'E" and ^'G" boarded Amer- 
 ican sub-chasers and were taken down the bay about fifteen 
 miles to the town of Zelenika, an Austrian submarine base. 
 Company ' ' H " and the Detachments remained in Cattaro where 
 Battalion Headquarters was established. 
 
 Company "F^' under its captain began the march over the 
 mountains to the Montenegrin capital, a few miles away. En 
 route, a battalion of Italians joined the Americans. When near 
 Cetinje, the march was halted on account of the Italians who had 
 been refused admittance to Cetinje a few days before when 
 they had promised to leave that vicinity. Now, according to 
 the theory of the boys, at least, they were attempting to use the 
 Americans as a shield to enter the capital and occupy it. When 
 the American Captain saw how matters stood, he made no at- 
 tempt to lead his men into the city. After remaining a few 
 days outside Cetinje, he decided to return and finally went to 
 Teodo, Dalmatia, where his company was billeted. Here the 
 company was put to work dismantling Austrian warships. It 
 was a wonderful opportunity for enlarging one^s souvenir col- 
 lection and, I understand, the opportunity was not overlooked. 
 
 The duties assigned Companies ''E" and '*G" at Zelenika 
 were quite different from ''F'^ Company's. When they came 
 into Zelenika they found the filthiest spot in Europe and, as 
 usual, the characteristic American order to ** Police up,'' was 
 given. The barracks had been occupied by Russian prisoners 
 several of whom were found in the building — dead. Between 
 the barracks, dead horses also were found and all about was 
 filth and debris. 
 
 Not content with making the town sanitary, those of a 
 mechanical bent made the necessary repairs to the water and 
 electric lighting plants and soon both conveniences were at their 
 disposal. 
 
 The natives up in the nearby mountains were a playful lot. 
 Many evenings, in the exuberance of their feelings, they cele- 
 brated by shooting machine guns. No one ever accused them of 
 aiming them, but it happened that on several evenings a rain 
 of bullets came into the town, so the Americans were send up 
 into the mountains to find the happy ones. After much hiking, 
 the gun was found and the celebrating ceased. 
 
 Besides these tasks, the warehouses were guarded and the 
 peace of the town maintained. The chance for recreation here, 
 as well at Teodo and Cattaro, was very meagre. In this re- 
 spect Dalmatia offered a great contrast to Fiume. Now and then 
 
64 IN ITALY WITH TEE 
 
 a game of basketball was played at Cattaro, but on the whole, 
 time passed slowly until the mail service was established, which 
 helped considerably. • 
 
 Much has been said about the rations received by the boys 
 in Dalmatia and the balance of the regiment was inclined to 
 brand the Second Battalion a lot of discontents. However, 
 too many men of unquestionable character have said that the 
 rations were far from normal to allow such an impression to 
 remain. In the words of an American Major who investigated 
 these alleged conditions: ''This ration (the standard ration 
 fixed for American troops serving in the Italian Army, as we 
 were) has not been issued to the United States troops.'^ His 
 statement follows with a list of articles which were not issued. 
 He said: "The meat is of very inferior grade," and "It is 
 sometimes diseased." "Canned meat is old, some issues being 
 put up in the year 1913." "The issues of macaroni and of 
 rice are frequently wormy." 
 
 Several men were marked "Quarters" because of the ragged 
 condition of their uniforms and others wore raincoats on sunny 
 days to cover their torn breeches. Some of the officers gave men 
 their own clothes. It has also been said that when the French 
 soldiers came to Cattaro, they would not believe that the ragged 
 soldiers were Americans. Many were marked "Quarters" on 
 account of their shoes and I have heard that one lad had 
 boards tied to the bottom of his shoes to keep his feet off the 
 earth. These conditions, especially regarding clothing, were 
 alleviated before the boys left Dalmatia. 
 
 The impressions received by the boys were not flattering to 
 the country. "It was dirty, ill kept and contaminated," they 
 said. "The men were very lazy and the women did all the 
 work that was done. The men dressed up and sat in the wine 
 or coffee rooms telling stories throughout the day. The women 
 were held as slaves and it was a common sight to see them 
 descending the mountains with loads of wood upon their backs 
 large enough for a mule to carry." 
 
 One day, some of the boys were talking to a bridegroom 
 of a month. The asked him how he was getting along with his 
 wife. "Oh," he replied quickly, "Me get along fine now; this 
 wife supports me better than the first one did." 
 
 On another occasion, a rainy day, a man and a woman were 
 walking along the street. The man carried an umbrella over 
 his precious self while his worthy spouse trotted along at his 
 side, in the rain, carrying a large bundle of wood upon her 
 back. 
 
332nd INFANTRY 65 
 
 Like the Yanks in every other section, the Second Battalion 
 was busy collecting souvenirs. One Sunday, three Machine 
 Gun men were taking apart a one-pound shell which they 
 intended to carry home as a souvenir. Suddenly the shell ex- 
 ploded scattering deadly fragments. Two of the boys were 
 badly torn while the wounds of the third were not so severe. 
 They were rushed to a Serbian Hospital where the American 
 doctors performed operations upon them. However, despite 
 every care, one died the next day and another expired on the 
 day following. The third was removed to a Red Cross hospital 
 and eventually recovered. 
 
 This event served to further sadden the already gloomy 
 Christmas. 
 
 On January 7th, 1919, Company '^F" was again ordered to 
 Cetinje to quell a disturbance between the followers of the 
 former king and the adherents of the existing government. 
 The trip was full of excitement and some danger although the 
 boys were inclined to view it as a comic opera revolution. 
 
 The Americans had a delicate task to perform in attempting 
 to stop a revolution without hurting anyone's feelings. While 
 they marched over the mountain road, shots were heard up in 
 the craggy mountain sides. The Captain was leading his com- 
 pany in a captured Austrian automobile and in advancing, the 
 car got between the fire of the two rival groups. Later, a flag 
 of truce was waved which was immediately greeted with shots, 
 but, finally, the truce was effected. 
 
 At a meeting attended by the rival leaders, the revolutionists 
 gladly acepted an offer of safe conduct to their homes. They 
 were also given employment at Cattaro unloading food supplies 
 from American ships. Thus the comic opera revolution came 
 to an end and the stalwart natives dressed in their peculiar 
 black caps with the red top, huge blue trousers stopping at the 
 knees and high boots, gaily waved American flags and cheered 
 the doughboys. Many of them had been to America so that 
 they spoke some English. The Americans, in fact, were held in 
 such esteem, that the natives sent a deputation to the American 
 Commanding Officer with the request that he rule over Mon- 
 tenegro until a new government was set up. 
 
 Company ''F'^ returned to its station after its romantic 
 adventure where it co-operated with the French and Serbian 
 troops in policing that territory. 
 
 Sometime before the boys left Montenegro, a small detach- 
 ment of Americans were sent to Brindisi, Italy, across the 
 Adriatic from Cattaro, and through the assistance of these 
 men, supplies came regularly to the Battalion. 
 
66 I^ ITALY WITH THE 
 
 No more exciting events took place and the boys settled 
 down to the dull wait for the glad day when the order would 
 come that would release them from Dalmatia. At last, early in 
 March, the good word came and on the 5th, the Battalion said 
 goodbye to the beautiful but gloomy Dalmatian coast and after 
 four days on the sea, joined the first and Third Battalions at 
 Genoa. 
 
332nd INFANTRY 67 
 
 CHAPTER X 
 Treviso to Genoa 
 
 UPON RETURNING FROM ROME we found Treviso to be 
 the same old, muddy, rainy town. From the splendors of 
 Rome to old Treviso was a far cry but, after all, Treviso 
 was "home" to us. Everything, so far as going home and the 
 daily routine were concerned, was the same as before our de- 
 parture. 
 
 The Red Cross nurses at Padua made a few evenings happy 
 for doughboys by having dances and luncheons there, and the 
 nurses of Base Hospital No. 102 at Vicenza helped to keep 
 the officers from losing their grace and conversational faculties. 
 
 In the middle of January we understood that our Divisional 
 Commander was coming to inspect us and this appeared to be 
 an omen of an early departure. However, we waited in vain. 
 
 Besides these few entertainments and occasional trips to 
 nearby cities, the boys had nothing to do but eat chestnuts and 
 sample unknown vinos. The band helped with an occasional 
 concert and the "Y*' with movies now and then. 
 
 Field Hospital No. 331, which had come with us from France 
 was situated a few miles from Treviso in a large hospital build- 
 ing. The health of the boys was again very good and the task 
 of caring for the sick was not great. 
 
 The most serious cases were sent to Base Hospital No. 102 
 located in historic Vicenza. Despite the fact that the nurses 
 at this hospital were forced to take walks to keep warm, be- 
 cause of the lack of fuel, this hospital in charge of the Army 
 Nurse Corps was very popular with the 332nd. 
 
 On the 10th of Ferbuary the Adjutant entered our office, 
 looked me straight in the eye and exclaimed: ''You're leaving 
 for Genoa tomorrow!" 
 
 Genoa! A sea-port! We in the office, looked at each other 
 with shining faces for, Genoa spelled H-O-M-E to us. After 
 further conversation with the Adjutant, I learned that six of 
 us were going as an Advance Party to assist in billeting our 
 troops when they arrived in Genoa. 
 
 We started immediately and reached Milan the next morn- 
 ing after a cold, sleepless night in the little compartment and 
 learned at the English Transportation Office that a train left 
 for Genoa at 12:45 P. M. That gave us about five hours to 
 get a wash, a warm meal and left enough time to visit the ven- 
 erable cathedral and the lovely Galleria Vittoria. 
 
 Our route lay along the Mediterranean coast. The beauties 
 of craggy mountain and blue sea were before us except only. 
 
68 IN ITALY WITH THE 
 
 now and then, when they were interrupted by the eternal tun- 
 nels without which, it seems, one cannot travel ten miles in 
 Italy. We felt that we were going to enjoy our stay at Genoa 
 which we reached about 6:00 P. M. 
 
 Wondering where we were going to spend the night, we 
 were overjoyed to see two Sergeants of the Third Battalion 
 advance party who had come to meet us. 
 
 The stately Hotel Miramare came into view as we turned 
 the corner from the station. High up on the hillside, this 
 massive stone structure stood, a fine looking hotel and a work 
 of art. The desire to see its interior helped us climb the steep 
 hill and when we stood within its marble reception hall and saw 
 its magnificence, we w^ere fearful that a mistake had been made. 
 We could not believe that doughboys were to have this palace 
 for their billet. 
 
 The rooms were stripped of beds, carpets and furniture but 
 there were hundreds of mattresses and sheets. Sheets for the 
 332nd! It was astounding. Upstairs we found suites of rooms 
 with baths attached. It was too much. We took our blankets 
 from our packs and fell into the beds provided by our thought- 
 ful friends. 
 
 We spent the next day in obtaining the capacity of the 
 hotel. That meant, how many of the single mattresses being 
 carried in by the Italian soldiers could be put down side by side 
 in a room. 
 
 On the second day in Genoa, February 13th, as I sat upon 
 the balcony of the hotel writing a letter, I had to remove my 
 blouse because of the hot sun. Looking up from the letter I saw 
 the blue Mediterranean stretching away in the distance and, 
 nearer, as one looks from the sea to the land behind, Genoa 
 rises on the hillsides like an amphitheatre with the harbor 
 as the stage. The buildings of the city are of stone and the 
 castles and other fortlike structures silhouetted against the 
 clear, blue Italian sky make an unforgettable picture. These 
 structures are several hundred feet above my position while the 
 street is at least 150 feet below. In the hotel garden are 
 spreading palms and other tropical trees. 
 
 A few days later all of the First and Third Battalions had 
 arrived via train and we were at home in our new quarters. 
 The elite Miramare which, it was said, had once entertained the 
 Emperor of Germany, now presented a strange appearance. 
 Doughboys slept in every corner in which a mattress could be 
 placed, in the rooms and the hallways. But even those who 
 slept in the hallways were happy, for was this not their last 
 Italian billet? 
 
332nd INFANTRY 
 
 The companies each day took hikes across the city to the 
 charming Lido where a small amount of drilling was done. 
 
 In the offices, especially the Personnel, the work was very 
 heavy as everyone was anxious to be ready when the word came 
 to board the ship. However, all had time to explore Genoa, 
 '*The Superb," during these sunny days which were such a 
 delightful change from foggy, rainy Treviso. 
 
 We found opera houses, good restaurants and cabarets here. 
 It was the opera season and many enjoyed old favorites such 
 as ; ''Lucia di Lammermoor" and *'ll Trovatore" as well as 
 lesser known ones such as, *'The Masked Ball" and ''The 
 Loreley. " The singers were very good. 
 
 Naturally, it was much easier to live in Genoa since it was 
 a fair si2;ed city with the diversions of the modern city. Along 
 with the good, however, there was all the immorality of a large 
 city, to which Genoa was no exception. Besides, on the 2nd 
 of February, a party of fifty men were given passes to Rome. 
 
 On February 28th the regiment was presented with a beau- 
 tiful large flag of St. George, by the Genoese. The Colonel 
 received a gold medal, several officers received silver ones and 
 about a hundred men received bronze ones. 
 
 On March 1st, a few of the much looked for insignias or 
 shoulder patches arrived. Since the regiment was on detached 
 service in Italy, we were permitted to select our own insignia 
 and the Lion of St. Mark was chosen because our time had been 
 spent chiefly in the old Venetian territory. A gold Lion of 
 St. Mark with its paws holding the book on which was inscribed 
 in gold, 332, all on a red background, made up this brilliant 
 insignia, destined to be the most admired in the entire A. E. F. 
 
 A walk about Genoa reveals many beautiful palaces and 
 churches. The galleries of these palaces contain some of the 
 finest paintings in the world, such artists as Titian, Van 
 Dyke, Murillo, Guido Reni, Rubens and Tintoretto being 
 represented. In the Palazzo Bianco are memorials of Colum- 
 bus among which are photos of his letters. Here is also the 
 violin of the famous Paganini. 
 
 Of the churches, the Byzantine black and white San 
 Lorenzo, founded in the 10th century, is most noteworthy. One 
 of the side altars is very pretty and among its treasures is a 
 small marble casket said to contain the remains of St. John 
 the Baptist. Women are allowed in this chapel only one day 
 of the year. In the choir are notable seats of inlaid wood, 
 one of which, the guide said, had been Paganini 's. 
 
 Genoa having been the birthplace of Columbus, a marble 
 statue of the great discoverer was erected in 1862 in the Piazza 
 
70 IN ITALY WITH THE 
 
 Acquaverde. The remains of the house in which he was born 
 about 1451 is still visible and is but five minutes walk from the 
 center of the city. 
 
 During the last few days the mail from home had brought 
 newspaper clippings describing the alleged terrible conditions 
 under which the 332nd was living, especially at Cattaro. A 
 Congressman having in his possession letters from members of 
 the regiment describing these conditions had charged on the 
 floor of the House of Representatives that the boys were forced 
 to steal food and were without decent clothes, etc. Close on 
 the heels of the arrival of these papers a Colonel from Gen- 
 eral Headquarters, France, had reported to our regiment for 
 the purpose of investigating these charges. This he proceeded 
 to do by examining several hundred men individually. 
 
 On the day that I was enjoying the art of Genoa, the non- 
 commissioned officers were called together and addressed by 
 the Headquarters Colonel concerning the reports reaching 
 America. He deplored the scandal and when he finished the 
 boys were thinking the same as he was. Unfortunatel}'^, upon 
 completing his talk he left the room. It is too bad that he did 
 not remain to hear the Regimental Colonel whose language 
 would have edified him. When that officer finished, the boys 
 were in a worse mood than when they entered. 
 
 Genoa was mild during March and ball games and boxing 
 matches were in order Saturday afternoons at the Lido. 
 
 On the evening of the 2nd, our band and about three hun- 
 dred men attended a celebration held at the Opera House for 
 the purpose of welcoming home to Genoa several battalions 
 of Genoese who had fought bravely in France. 
 
 A few days later several hundred American Military police 
 came into Italy from France. Until this time we had had no 
 M. P. 's other than our own and no one but a soldier can ap- 
 preciate their absence. Their coming, however, relieved our 
 men at Rome who joined us on the 6th. 
 
 Every American eye carefully scanned the harbor when 
 daylight came each day for we knew our ship would one day 
 steam into the harbor. One daj'^, the '^Guissepi Verdi, '^ en- 
 tered port. In Treviso we had heard of this ship as being the 
 one that would take us home. However, on the sixth of March, 
 the Verdi steamed away and the boys settled back to their usual 
 routine with heavy hearts. 
 
 On the seventh of March, after several weeks of negotiat- 
 ing, we were notified that fifty of the regiment could go to the 
 Menton Leave Area for a week. 
 
332nd INFANTRY 71 
 
 CHAPTER XI 
 Genoa — ^Reunited 
 
 AFTER A MOST ENJOYABLE WEEK at wonderful Monte 
 Carlo and a safe return to Genoa, we were enthusiastically 
 greeted at the "Miramare" with the news that we were leav- 
 ing for home in three days on the steamer "Duca D'Aosta" which 
 lay in the harbor. The Second Battalion had come in while we 
 had been away, so that the regiment was again united. The 
 Second was being "investigated" and we sincerely hoped that 
 nothing would develop that would detain us. We welcomed 
 the investigation but preferred it on the other side of the Atlantic. 
 
 However, our joy suddenly died for, on the 18th, we re- 
 ceived a telegram from General Headquarters, France, that 
 our departure was indefinitely postponed. All efforts to ob- 
 tain a release were fruitless and on the morning of the 19th 
 General Mc Andrews, Pershing ^s Chief of Staff and General 
 'Conner, Chief of Staff of the Service of Supplies, arrived. 
 Their coming meant something serious, we were sure. Some 
 felt that G. H. Q. regarded the 332nd as culprits and that we 
 were to be sent to the Labor Battalions in France. Then, there 
 was the ever present trouble in Fiume and neighboring terri- 
 tory and we feared that our regiment had been selected to 
 return to that troubled land. 
 
 The suspense while terrible, was short, for at 2:30 P. M. 
 all ofl&cers, commissioned and non-commissioned, were called 
 out upon the hotel balcony. General McAndrews, I believe, 
 complimented the *' non-coms'' on the appearance of our 
 quarters and we began to breathe easier. Then he said that 
 our scheduled sailing had been a mistake. Officers who had 
 been sent to Italy to prepare the Regiment for its sailing 
 thought the steamships in Genoa were for the 332nd regiment. 
 Therefore, arrangements were made and everyone was prepar- 
 ing for the homeward voyage. He was sorry the mistake had 
 been made but, we could not depart even on order from Gen- 
 eral Pershing, for our fate lay in the hands of the Supreme 
 War Council. He said we would have to await our turn. 
 
 Settling down once more to an indefinite stay with the best 
 frame of mind possible, the boys eagerly took advantage of the 
 Company dances arranged by the American girls in Genoa. 
 Some dances were held in the Ducal Palace, once the residence 
 of the Doges of Genoa. The music was furnished by an ex- 
 cellent orchestra recruited from the band members. 
 
72 IN ITALY WITH THE 
 
 Since our departure was thus indefinitely postponed, passes 
 were issued to men of Italian birth, and to those of Greek birth 
 permission was given to visit Greece. Negotiations were soon 
 under way to send a party of fifty to Rome and the same num- 
 ber to Menton. On the 25th of March fifty men left for each 
 place. 
 
 Suddenly, on March 26th, we received word that we were 
 released and would sail on March 28th and 29th. The Second 
 Battalion, "K" and ''M" companies and detachments of the 
 Medical, Supply and Machine Gun companies and Base Hospital 
 102 were to leave first on the ''Canopic.'* Regimental Head- 
 quarters, the First Battalion, '<!" Company, Field Hospital 
 331 and detachments of the Medical, Machine Gun and Supply 
 Companies were to go on the *'Duca D'Aosta,'' March 29 th. 
 "h'^ Company with detachments were to remain a few days 
 to conclude all business and to pick up any men returning 
 from leaves. 
 
 At this time we had men scattered all over Europe and tele- 
 grams were despatched to them. All except those who went to 
 Greece succeeded in returning in time to go on one of the three 
 ships. 
 
 The Canopic left Genoa on the 28th of March amid cheers, 
 but the departure of the Duca was made the principal event be- 
 cause this ship was to carry the Colonel. 
 
 Those companies which were to go on the Duca D'Aosta 
 marched through the gayly bedecked streets of Genoa amid 
 great applause. Finally arriving at the crowded dock they filed 
 aboard and, as each man walked up the gang-plank, his arms 
 were filled with boxes containing cigarettes, candy and cookies 
 given by the Red Cross, Y. M. C. A. and Knights of Columbus. 
 
 The docks were crowded with Genoese who, faithful to the 
 end, had come to say goodbye to their American friends. As the 
 ship began to move, all the whistles in the harbor shrieked, 
 people waved their hands and kerchiefs and they called after 
 the ship, their eyes dim with tears. 
 
 Genoa will always be remembered by the 332nd with love 
 and admiration. The Genoese, more than any Italian people, 
 strove to show their friendship. The Opera, the presentation of 
 medals and fiag and the general manner of treatment were all 
 signs of an appreciative community. 
 
332nd INFANTRY 73 
 
 CHAPTER XII 
 From Genoa to Ohio 
 
 THE JOURNEY FROM GENOA to Gibraltar consumed 
 about forty hours, since we reached the "Rock" about 10 :00 
 
 V. M. March 31st. A library aboard ship afforded the means 
 of recreation to many while, to others, it proved interesting to 
 watch the porpoises race and play at the prow of the ship as we 
 sped through the water. Then, there were others who refused to 
 be amused. 
 
 The ship^s crew, evidently, had been spoiled by carrying 
 American soldiers before, for various bribes were necessary 
 before the proper amount of food could be obtained, in, at least, 
 the second class dining room. With the exception of a few sick 
 men, I never heard any of the third class passengers complain- 
 ing of too much to eat or of too great a variety. 
 
 Arriving in the spacious harbor of Gibraltar, we did not 
 dock but cast anchor until such time as the ship could be coaled. 
 A few rods to our left was the famous Rock of Gibraltar. 
 
 There were at least a hundred other vessels at anchor in the 
 splendid harbor. One of these was the Canopic which had 
 left Genoa the day before us. She had stopped at Marseilles 
 but had reached Gibraltar before us and, the next day, when 
 we moved into the coal dock we found the Canopic alongside us. 
 
 On the morning of the 3rd, half of those aboard the two 
 vessels were sent ashore to walk through Gibraltar. We were 
 glad of a chance to get on land and glad of an opportunity to 
 see the city, but we were compelled to remain in ranks every 
 moment we were off the ship. 
 
 At any rate, we enjoyed the much needed exercise and also 
 obtained a glimpse of the unique, cosmopolitan city of Gibraltar. 
 It seemed, from the slight acquaintance, to be a very up-to-date 
 city. All of the houses are built of stone and one obtains the 
 impression of cleanliness. Our shore leave was limited to a 
 walk through the main street and the return, when the other 
 half of the men made the trip. 
 
 On the day that we were ashore the vessel was being coaled 
 by hand. 
 
 On the morning of April 4th at 7:30 we moved out of the 
 harbor. On our left we could see the rocky shores of Africa. 
 Nothing could be distinguished except the mountains over which 
 
74 IN ITALY WITH THE 
 
 hung a peculiarly dark, purple haze. On our right lay the 
 green hills of Spain and the dark clouds cast a shadow over 
 the hills, but where there was a break between two clouds, the 
 sun shone through and the little white roofs of the stone houses 
 sparkled as if a spotlight played upon them. 
 
 We soon passed the last point of land and were again upon 
 the broad Atlantic. The consequent rocking of the ship, which 
 we now saw was a very different boat from the stately Aqui- 
 tania, disturbed the feelings of many. The weather also was 
 colder than we had been experiencing. 
 
 On April 9th we encountered what we thought was quite a 
 storm. The waves rushed over the deck rails and those ad- 
 venturous spirits who loved to stand in the bow of the ship and 
 allow the water to spray upon them, were ordered inside. The 
 vessel rolled and pitched and standing in the bow of the boat 
 and looking back, it was curious to watch the vessel twist about, 
 almost like a stretched letter **S". 
 
 Since passing the Azores on the 7th, each morning the 
 seemingly everlasting expanse of water met our eyes. We 
 grew veiry tired of the voyage and heartily wished for land to 
 appear. We seemed to be making little progress, our speed 
 being about fifteen or sixteen miles an hour. 
 
 On the twelfth, the sea again became very rough and dur- 
 ing the night a heavy fog descended upon us making necessary 
 the weird cry of the fog horn. Upon awakening the next morn- 
 ing, we were relieved to see that the fog had lifted. 
 
 All this day we watched eagerly for land and, at last, at 
 4:45 P. M. the shore of Long Island was visible. As we drew 
 nearer our destination we were in time to witness a sunset 
 behind the Jersey hills, more beautiful, to us, than all of 
 Italy's boasted sunsets. Later, as we passed up the lane 
 marked by buoys, the lights of the Statue of Liberty lighted 
 and a mighty cheer rose on the air. 
 
 We cast anchor inside the harbor and slept in the shadow 
 of America once again. It was a most happy night. 
 
 In the morning, April 14th, 1919, the quarantine vessel 
 visited us, found everything 0. K., and in a few hours we 
 were back at old Camp Merritt which we had left some ten 
 months before. 
 
 Here we performed a disagreeable duty, namely, going 
 through the delousing process. Upon entering the delousing 
 building, we placed all of our clothes in wire baskets which 
 were then collected and put into a machine. This steam and 
 
332nd INFANTRY 75 
 
 heat producing machine was guaranteed to effectually put out 
 of existence all cooties, etc., which had perchance survived 
 the journey across the Atlantic. 
 
 While our clothes were thus being cleansed, we ourselves 
 bathed, so that when we were finished with this bath, our 
 clothes, dried and also hopelessly wrinkled, awaited us. 
 
 Being now clean and acceptable ( ?) we were permitted to 
 move to a respectable section of the camp and proceed to the 
 business of getting out of the army as rapidly as possible. 
 
 There were canteens, pack carriers, clothes, and so forth 
 to be checked and turned in and work on these matters was 
 started immediately. The rifles were to be kept for parades. 
 The ofi&ces were like madhouses because of the hurry. 
 
 The ''Canopic" arrived on the night of the 14th and the 
 ** Dante Alighieri'^ with the last of the regiment, came in on 
 the 18th. On this last ship there were four young women 
 from Fiume who had married Americans. 
 
 Passes were given freely and practically everyone in the 
 regiment enjoyed a visit to New York City. 
 
 On the 21st, the 332nd Infantry formed at Washington 
 Square, New York, and marched up Fifth Avenue passing 
 thousands of cheering friends and admirers. At the head of 
 the regiment, besides its Commanding Officer and his staff, 
 rode General Guglielmotti, royal military attache to the 
 Italian embassy at Washington, and his staff. Included in the 
 parade were old Garibaldi veterans and representatives of New 
 York's Italian societies. 
 
 Upon arriving at 102nd Street, the parade passed into Cen- 
 tral Park where Mayor Hylan welcomed the men to New York 
 and America. Following this the royal consul general of Italy 
 in New York, Signor Tritoni, presented a gold medal to the 
 regiment. General Guglielmotti then rehearsed the history of 
 the deeds of the regiment in Italy and the regiment 's Command- 
 ing Officer replied for the regiment. After these cermonies, the 
 regiment proceeded to the 69th regiment armory where refresh- 
 ments were served. 
 
 A few days later, the news reached us at Camp that the 
 Pennsylvania men in the regiment were to be sent to Camp Dix 
 to receive their discharges there, so that on April 22nd, we 
 bid farewell to approximately one hundred and fifty men from 
 New Castle, Pa., most of whom had been in Headquarters 
 Company. 
 
 Several officers and the regular army enlisted men parted 
 with us here. 
 
76 IN ITALY WITH THE 332nd INFANTRY 
 
 On the 24th, the regiment marched to Dumont, boarded the 
 trains and was soon enroute to dear, old Ohio. However, in- 
 stead of going direct to Camp Sherman, we stopped at Cleve- 
 land, for a parade. 
 
 The first section reached Cleveland in the morning of the 
 25th, followed by the other sections all of which arrived during 
 the day. 
 
 Practically all of the nearby towns, such as Youngstown, 
 Akron and Canton, had procured special trains for the rela- 
 tives and friends of the regiment, so that during the day, those 
 loved ones who had been separated for a year, met and em- 
 braced one another once more. It was a happy day for many. 
 
 On the 26th, the regiment paraded and again, as in New 
 York, upheld its reputation as being one of the best marching 
 organizations of the A. E. F. After the parade, the ''Sons of 
 Italy ^', once more endeavored to show their appreciation by 
 presenting the regiment with a silver cup. 
 
 At Central Armory, the entire regiment was banqueted and 
 the boys declared it was the most delicious meal they had since 
 they left home. 
 
 During the remainder of the day, everyone was free to visit 
 until about 7 :00 P. M., when the first section moved out of Cleve- 
 land toward that haven. Camp Sherman, where the coveted 
 ''Honorable Discharge^' was to be received. 
 
 April 27th at 4 :00 A. M. was a cold and disagreeable day as 
 we alighted from our tourist cars at the camp and were led to 
 our last army home. 
 
 For several days, we were busy turning in equipment and 
 preparing final records. At the termination of these various 
 duties, the red discharge chevrons (the finest of them all, we 
 thought) were distributed. 
 
 Beginning on May 2nd, the first companies of the regi- 
 ment received their discharge papers. On the 3rd several 
 more went through this process and by the evening of the 
 5th the entire regiment had been discharged, and its members 
 had arrived at the enviable rank of " Mister. '* 
 
 No time was lost in boarding the special train for Colum- 
 bus, home, loved ones and civilian life. 
 
 Today, a few months later, the old days and adventures 
 seem like dreams and while few would care to go through 
 the same hardships and experiences again, not one of the 
 regiment, I dare say, regrets the days he wore the unconquer- 
 able khaki of Uncle Sam and the proud Lion of St. Mark. 
 
 Finis. 
 
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