ANGING IN FRANCE 
 ^ithlLASH and SOUND 
 
Class 
 Book_ 
 CopyriglitN^. 
 
 7 
 
 » ji 
 
 rOPmiGHT DEPOSm 
 
RANGING IN FRANCE 
 WITH FLASH AND SOUND 
 
RANGING IN FRANCE 
 WITH FLASH and SOUND 
 
 BY 
 
 SERGEANT JESSE R. HINMAN 
 
 An Official History of the 
 
 Second Battalion 29th Engineers in France 
 
 During the World War 
 
 PRESS OP DUNHAM PRINTING COMPANY 
 PORTLAND, OREGON 
 

 '4^ 
 
 Copyright, 1919, 
 By Jesse R. Hinman 
 
 M 23 lyi9 
 
 (S)CI.A5a0i87 
 
MAJOR THEODORE LYMAN 
 
 COMMANDER SECOND BATTALION, 29TH ENGINEERS, LATER FIRST 
 BATTALION, 74TH ENGINEERS 
 
TO OUR MAJOR 
 
 THEODORE LYMAN 
 
 AND 
 
 THOSE AMERICANS WHO MADE 
 
 THE SUPREME SACRIFICE 
 
 THAT THIS MIGHT BE A BETTER WORLD 
 
 THIS NARRATIVE IS REVERENTLY DEDICATED 
 
COMMITTEE ON INFORMATION 
 
 Lieutenant Walter E. Roberts. 
 
 Lieutenant Bela Hubbard. 
 
 Sergeant First Class Carrol R. Benton. 
 
 Sergeant First Class Constantine Castruccio. 
 
 Sergeant First Class John H. Eraser. 
 
 Sergeant First Class Herbert H. Brecht. 
 
 Sergeant First Class George B. Howe. 
 
 Sergeant First Class Sanford P. Wicks. 
 
 Sergeant First Class Howard F. Colt. 
 
 Sergeant E. B. Stookey. 
 
 Sergeant Charles Altfillisch. 
 
 Corporal C. O. Boswell. 
 
 Private First Class E. E. Beaver. 
 
 Private First Class James P. Kelly. 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 CHAPTER 
 
 INTRODUCTION .... 
 
 I AT FORT DE ST. MENGE 
 II IN THE SHADOW OF MONT SEC . 
 Ill SEICHEPREY AND XIVRAY . 
 IV CHATEAU-THIERRY 
 V WITH S. R. S. NO. 2 
 VI THE STORY OF S. R. S. NO. 3 
 VII THE ST. MIHIEL OFFENSIVE 
 VIII IN LORRAINE WITH F. R. S. NO. 2 
 IX IN THE ARGONNE .... 
 X F. R. S. NO. 3 TAKES THE FIELD 
 XI F. R. S. NO. 4 IS ORGANIZED 
 XII S. R. S. NO. 4 IN ACTION 
 
 XIII THE CLOSE OF THE WAR 
 
 XIV HOMEWARD BOUND 
 
 PAGE 
 13 
 17 
 29 
 53 
 77 
 99 
 123 
 137 
 157 
 186 
 199 
 207 
 213 
 223 
 234 
 
 APPENDIX 
 
 BARDS OF THE FLASH AND SOUND 
 
 TO FRANCE WITH PERSHING 
 BATTALION ROSTER 
 
 239 
 250 
 255 
 
 vii 
 
ILLUSTRATIONS 
 
 MAJOR THEODORE LYMAN .... Frontispiece 
 
 PAGE 
 
 OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE FIRST BATTALION, 74TH 
 
 (FORMERLY 29TH) ENGINEERS .... 12 
 
 SCENES AT FORT DE ST. MENGE .... 16 
 
 DIAGRAM OF A SOUND RANGING BASE ... 28 
 
 OBSERVATION POSTS IN S. R. S. NO. 3— SCENES IN 
 
 MANDRES, SOUND RANGING HEADQUARTERS . 32 
 
 STRINGING A LINE TO OBSERVATION POST AT XIVRAY 40 
 
 THE RUINS AT XIVRAY— WHAT REMAINED OF THE 
 
 RAILROAD BEHIND MONT SEC 48 
 
 THE VILLAGE OF SEICHEPREY, WHERE THE AMERI- 
 CANS FIRST MET THE HUNS 52 
 
 THE VILLAGE OF RAMBUECOURT AND LINESMEN'S 
 DUGOUT— SCENES AT ST. BENOIT AND BENEY 
 AFTER THE ST. MIHIEL OFFENSIVE ... 64 
 
 THE VILLAGE OF VAUX— CHATEAU-THIERRY AND 
 
 THE BRIDGE ACROSS THE MARNE .... 80 
 
 THE FAMOUS BELLEAU WOODS, WHERE THE MARINES 
 
 STOPPED THE GERMANS 96 
 
 BRUSSEY AND BUCONVILLE 112 
 
 SCENES IN BERNECOURT AND NOVIANT . . .122 
 
 RUINS OF FLIREY AND LIMEY 128 
 
 THE CULINARY DEPARTMENT — "COOTIES" — BERNE- 
 COURT AND SAMPIGNY 132 
 
 IX 
 
ILLUSTRATIONS 
 
 PAGE 
 
 ILLLUSTRATION SHOWING THE ST. MIHIEL SALIENT 
 
 AND AMERICAN OFFENSIVE 136 
 
 MONT SEC (OR HILL 380)— THE LORRAINE TRENCHES 144 
 
 FRENCH ARMIES ENTERING METZ AND STRASBOURG 160 
 
 FAC-SIMILE OF GERMAN PROPAGANDA . . .163 
 
 RUINS AT ST. AGNAUT — SCENES IN ST. MAURICE 
 
 BEFORE THE WAR 176 
 
 THE STATUE OF THE FORMER KAISER IN THE 
 
 CATHEDRAL AT METZ 186 
 
 AN OBSERVATION POST IN BEAUMONT ^ HATTON- 
 
 VILLE AND ST. MAURICE 192 
 
 GERMAN TROOPS IN LORRAINE — PONT- A-MOUSSON 
 
 ON THE MOSELLE RIVER 200 
 
 IN THE ANCIENT CITY OF LANGRES — TOUL AND 
 
 NANCY 224 
 
 THE NANSEMOND — "THE SHIP THAT BROUGHT US 
 
 HOME" 236 
 
RANGING IN FRANCE 
 WITH FLASH AND SOUND 
 
HEADQUARTERS FIRST BATTALION, 
 
 74th ENGINEERS 
 
 (Formerly Second Battalion, 29tli Engineers.) 
 
 GENERAL ORDERS 
 
 No. 1 A. P. O., 767, January 18, 1919. 
 
 EXTRACT 
 
 Paragraph 1. The following letter will be read to the men 
 of each Company by the Company Commander at retreat, Mon- 
 day, January 19, 1919: 
 
 "The work of your Battalion in France is done, and well 
 done. You have been engaged in activities entirely new to the 
 service and have not only overcome the attendant difficulties but 
 also have set high standards for a future service and won 
 unstinted praise from those with whom your work lay. 
 
 "The technical supply depot was ably managed and it is due 
 to the conscientious, intelligent and resourceful work of the per- 
 sonnel of this depot that supplies never failed and the sections 
 were able to maintain their high record of efficiency. 
 
 "The school was planned and operated in a thorough and sat- 
 isfactory manner. It not only provided the ground work of the 
 instruction, without which the sections could not have func- 
 tioned, but it served a most useful end in familiarizing the Staff, 
 Artillery, and other departments with the possibilities of the 
 Ranging Service. 
 
 "The officers and soldiers of the 74th Engineers in the field 
 have earned for the organization a most enviable reputation — a 
 reputation based both on their performance as technical troops 
 and as soldiers. Their conduct under shell-fire on the American, 
 British and French fronts has been all that is expected of the 
 highest type of American soldier. Also, in the more trying 
 routine of camp and billet life, they, by their good discipline, 
 cheerful acceptance of existing and necessary conditions, and 
 intelligent willingness to work, made the most of their conditions 
 and achieved results. 
 
 "It is a pleasure to me personally to have been associated 
 with the officers and soldiers of the 74th Engineers and I desire 
 to express to them through you my appreciation for their loyal 
 support. 
 
 "(Signed) H. G. ALEXANDER, 
 
 "Colonel, General Staff. 
 "By order of MAJOR LYMAN. 
 "FRANK J. TWYNHAM, 
 
 "First Lieutenant, Engrs., U. S. R., Adjutant." 
 
 XII 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 During the struggle which has just closed a vast 
 number of new methods and appliances have been 
 added to the machinery of war, these innovations in- 
 volving in some cases the organization of special troops 
 with functions entirely new to our army. The Flash 
 and Sound detachments, whose achievements are re- 
 corded in these pages, belong to the list of such troops ; 
 the nature of their work may be briefly described as 
 follows : 
 
 The Flash Ranger is concerned with the location 
 of the enemy guns and also with collecting general 
 information as to the movements of hostile forces. 
 Under some circumstances the second of these duties 
 becomes quite as important as the first. The theory of 
 the methods employed is very simple, but the practice 
 is difficult. For each section four or five observation 
 posts are used, their position on the map being accu- 
 rately known. These posts are provided with an 
 instrument for determining the bearing of any object 
 with respect to a known reference point; all posts are 
 connected by telephone with the central station. On 
 a plotting board at central the position of the posts are 
 marked ; by a simple arrangement of scales and strings 
 the observers' readings are reproduced on the board, 
 the intersection of the strings giving the position of 
 the object under examination. 
 
 In the case of gun location, the observers seek to set 
 simultaneously on the flash of the piece, the operation 
 is aided by a system of signals from the posts to central, 
 
 xiii 
 
14 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 but at bottom its success depends on the quickness, 
 accuracy and experience of the personnel. 
 
 Flash Ranging, or Ground Observation as it should 
 be called, is a most important servant not only of the 
 Artillery, but also of the Intelligence Service. Because 
 of its simplicity and mobility it is employed both in 
 trench and in open warfare. 
 
 The chief object of Sound Ranging is to locate the 
 position of hostile guns ; it employs delicate and rather 
 complex instruments and requires a personnel possess- 
 ing a considerable degree of technical knowledge. Six 
 microphones, placed at known positions, detect the 
 sound from the gun and transmit a signal to a chrono- 
 graph which records the exact moment at which the 
 report of the piece reached the microphone. The method 
 of locating the gun involves the differences in time at 
 which the sound reaches the detecting instruments. 
 These differences in time being taken from the chrono- 
 graph, they are plotted on a board so constructed that 
 the intersection of strings gives the position of the 
 piece. In the computation corrections are made for 
 the directions and velocity of the wind and for the 
 temperature. 
 
 It must not be imagined that the processes involved 
 are purely mechanical; to insure the proper operation 
 of the apparatus and to obtain information as to the 
 calibre and direction of fire of the enemy's artillery, 
 observers are posted well in advance of the micro- 
 phones, often in the front-line trenches. Much depends 
 on their experience and coolness. Moreover, to main- 
 tain the complex system of electric circuits, running 
 as they must through shelled areas, is no easy or safe 
 task. 
 
 With a skillful personnel and under favorable condi- 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 15 
 
 tion Sound Ranging gives very accurate results and has 
 rendered most valuable service ; its chief use, however, 
 is instable or semi-stable warfare. 
 
 The formation of a new service naturally requires 
 a considerable amount of preliminary investigation and 
 study. Soon after the arrival of General Pershing in 
 France, therefore, Major R. G. Alexander (now 
 Colonel) was instructed to investigate the methods of 
 Flash and Sound Ranging in use by the French and 
 British. About the same time the Adjutant General 
 in the United States appointed Major Augustus Trow- 
 bridge (now Colonel), Captain Theodore Lyman (now 
 Major) and Lieutenant Norman R. French (now Cap- 
 tain), of the Signal Corps, to take up the study of 
 Flash and Sound Ranging and carry on the work in 
 the A. E. F. Upon their arrival in France it became 
 necessary for them to be transferred to the Engineers 
 before assuming their duties. 
 
 As a first step in the investigation, Major Alex- 
 ander ordered seven of the engineers of the 1st Divi- 
 sion, who came to France with General Pershing, to 
 report to the chief of the French Sound Ranging School 
 at St. Cloud, near Paris. Of this number. Sergeant 
 T. W. Smith (now Lieutenant) and Corporal C. R. 
 Keital (now Sergeant) qualified and later were sent 
 to the British and French Armies for further instruc- 
 tion. The above-mentioned non-commissioned officers 
 had been at the school but a few days when an Ameri- 
 can civilian arrived there. A few days later he ap- 
 peared as a First Lieutenant in the Engineers Corps. 
 He was Lieutenant Charles B. Bazzoni, who later spent 
 some time on the British and French fronts, where 
 he studied the methods of Flash and Sound Ranging. 
 Upon his return from the British front. Lieutenant 
 
RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 Bazzoni submitted his report to the General Staff. It 
 was upon the strength of this report and that of Colonel 
 Trowbridge that the Bull-Tucker system, as the English 
 is known, was adopted. 
 
 In November, 1917, Lieutenants B. A. Ross and 
 J. D. Wright were sent to the British front to study- 
 Flash Ranging. In December, Lieutenant Dow fol- 
 lowed on a similar mission. 
 
 During the first week in January, Captain Lyman 
 and Lieutenant Bazzoni opened a school in Flash and 
 Sound Ranging at Fort de St. Menge, near Langres, 
 where they were joined on the 21st of the month by 
 Lieutenant Ross. Company B, 29th Engineers, was 
 organized at Camp Devons late in the fall of 1917, to 
 take up the work of Flash and Sound Ranging, but 
 being delayed in getting to France, a class of 40 men 
 were taken from the 116th Engineers, of the 41st 
 Division. 
 
 When hostilities ceased on November 11, 1918, 
 four Flash and four Sound Ranging Sections were in 
 operation on the American front. Flash and Sound 
 Rangers during the last eight months of the war were 
 in active service at almost every point on the Allied 
 front, from Chateau-Thierry to Pont-a-Mousson, and 
 one of the Flash Ranging Sections participated in every 
 offensive against the enemy during that critical period 
 in the world^s history. 
 
FORT DE ST. MENGE FROM THE FOOT OF THE HILL NEAR 
 THE MARNE CANAL 
 
 THE COMPANY STREET WITHIN THE WALLS OF FORT 
 DE ST. MENGE 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 17 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 AT FORT de ST. MENGE 
 
 "Squads right. March/' 
 
 The command was given by Captain Theodore 
 Lyman at Turenne Barracks, near Langres, at 1 
 o'clock on the memorable afternoon of January 5, 1918. 
 The detachment from the 116th Engineers destined to 
 form the first class in Flash and Sound Ranging, as 
 taught by the American Army, marched across the 
 snow-covered parade grounds towards the headquarters 
 of the Marne, the location of Fort de St. Menge, where 
 the noted school was later established. 
 
 The distance to the fort is nine kilometers. It was 
 3:30 o'clock when the detachment reached the top of 
 the hill and the iron gates of the main entrance of the 
 underground fortification. It had been anything but 
 easy "hiking," with full packs, along the snow-covered 
 road, and from Humes, the typical little French village 
 with its picturesque tile-roofed houses, the trail was 
 practically unbroken. 
 
 Captain Lyman swung open the gate, and the tired 
 but interested detachment trudged across the draw- 
 bridge spanning the ancient moat which encircled the 
 fort. Captain Lyman led the men down the narrow 
 passageway to a street running at right angles, upon 
 which the living quarters open. The quarters are case- 
 ments, arched and facing the company street on either 
 side. And the men read "52 Hommes.'' 
 
 Halting the detachment in front of No. 17, Captain 
 Lyman dismissed it and Sergeant Monahan, acting 
 
18 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 First Sergeant, pushed open the creaking doors of the 
 casement and each man took possession of a bunk. 
 Fort de St. Menge, which, before the close of the war, 
 was to become the headquarters for so many units of 
 the U. S. Army and military schools was open to 
 American troops for the first time in its history. 
 
 The personnel of this detachment follows: Ser- 
 geants S. E. Monahan and George Brewster; Privates 
 J. P. Micheals, Harry Oreding, Herbert Sessions, T. S. 
 Schies, Samuel Engholm, Jesse R. Hinman, Donald 
 Campbell, Eyler Brown, Everett Taylor, Pierre Weiss, 
 Claude Harreschou, Herchel L. Driver, T. E. Miller, 
 Walter E. Roberts, Ray Fordyce, Joseph Cotton, A. B. 
 Chambers, George Sheeran, A. J. Breshears, H. R. 
 Breshears, John D. Selby, E. B. Stookey, Eugene Mc- 
 Graw, Floyd N. Knave, G. C. Boswell, C. J. Ratzclaff, 
 Arthur Hansen, C. M. Castruccio, A. L. Baldwin, Chas. 
 Hinton, Bert Schroeder, Ronald F. Rose, Verne Mor- 
 gan, Ambrose Brownell, John H. Hartley, Chester 
 Reese, Harry Phillips and F. R. Stebbins. 
 
 Fort de St. Menge had not been occupied by the 
 French since the first year of the war, and it was 
 quite evident that much must be done before the place 
 could be made inhabitable. The snow was knee deep 
 in the narrow streets and tunnels. The casements 
 were dusty and presented anything but an inviting 
 appearance. 
 
 But the craving of the innerman was the imperative 
 factor to be considered, and soon the welcome command 
 of "come and get it," emanating from the kitchen across 
 the narrow street, advised the men that Cooks McGraw 
 and Miller had prepared an appetizing stew for them, 
 arrangements having been made earlier in the day for 
 this very important part of the program. 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 19 
 
 Following the first mess at Fort de St. Menge, the 
 first act of the detachment was to build a roaring fire 
 in the old fire-place in the casement, around which all 
 huddled, and numerous, indeed, were the predictions 
 for the future as the present situation was discussed. 
 
 The detachment that formed this first class com- 
 prised 40 men from the 116th Engineers, 41st Division, 
 which sailed from New York on November 26, 1917, 
 arriving at St. Nazaire December 10. 
 
 The detachment left the regiment at Lacourtine on 
 the evening of Thursday, December 27, arriving at 
 Turenne Barracks on the afternoon of December 29, 
 where we were temporarily attached to Company A, 
 of the 29th Engineers. The events that followed are 
 best told by a member of the detachment : 
 
 "Before leaving for the fort we were addressed by 
 Captain Lyman and Lieutenant Bazzoni, who gave 
 general descriptions of the work we were to take up 
 at the school. The morning after our arrival at the 
 fort we were up at 6:15, the first reveille. No bugle 
 was available, but a few days later Captain Lyman 
 procured a French bugle from some source unknown to 
 us and Private Knave volunteered to blow the calls. 
 We were thankful that we had had some military train- 
 ing, for it enabled us to usually guess correctly the 
 nature of the call. The first day was spent in policing 
 quarters and fitting up an orderly room. Captain 
 Lyman was in command, with Lieutenant Bazzoni, in- 
 structor. And at this point in the narrative we deem 
 it fitting that a tribute be paid these splendid officers, 
 for there is every indication that the men at the school 
 during those long and dreary weeks in January and 
 February formed an attachment for these two officers 
 that remained throughout the following months of the 
 
20 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 war, and will continue when all are again in civilian 
 garb. Captain Lyman's first thought appeared to be 
 always for the care of the men in his command, a dom- 
 inating trait which continued to exist when later he 
 commanded a battalion of five full companies, instead 
 of the first little group of 40. As an able, conscientious 
 and patient instructor, there were few the equal and 
 none the superior of Lieutenant Bazzoni. 
 
 "How Captain Lyman and Lieutenant Bazzoni be- 
 came associated with Flash and Sound Ranging and 
 mention of their promotion has been told in the preface 
 of this publication. 
 
 'The historic fort which we now occupied was in 
 existence before the Franco-Prussian War, the north 
 end is in part, the ancient fort. The precipitous hill 
 on which the fortification is constructed, divides the 
 two approaches to Langres from the north, the greater 
 of which is the Marne Valley. From the crest of the 
 hill it would be possible to rake the surrounding country 
 with gun fire. Every road approaching Langres is 
 'covered.* The modern fort is named Ligniville, after 
 a Frenchman of noble birth who was commander of the 
 forces in that area. The fort was rebuilt in 1871-74. 
 As we explored the fort we observed two definite 
 stages of construction, two types of stone work. Many 
 of the terraces for rifle fire are approached by tunnels 
 and bulwarked by masonry, which appears much older 
 than the finer work of the casements. 
 
 *To properly explore the fort would require several 
 days, and many rooms would probably not be visited. 
 There are rooms at all elevations, from the gun rooms 
 and lookouts on the crown of the fort to the powder 
 magazines below the moat. The moat is dry, but ap- 
 proximately 40 feet deep. The number of gun mounts 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 21 
 
 are large and all reached by an ingenious underground 
 passage of one type or another. The fort presents all 
 secret passages and mystic chambers that the most 
 romantic could desire. 
 
 "One of the casements outside of the moat and to 
 the left of the entrance of the fort, was selected as the 
 location for the school. The apparatus having been in- 
 stalled, Lieutenant Bazzoni gave us the first lecture, 
 the date being January 8, and we were introduced to 
 the hyperbola and asymptote. The weather continued 
 disagreeable. During the night the snow would pile 
 up in the company street and the men spent no little 
 time in keeping it open. The weather moderated one 
 day and the next morning we awoke to find the ceiling 
 in the casement we occupied was not waterproof. We 
 moved to the adjoining room. 
 
 "The road leading from the fort to the hard surfaced 
 highway became impassable, and trucks were unable 
 to reach the top of the hill with rations. Our supply 
 became exhausted. We fared on 'canned Willie' and 
 hard tack for two days, and our situation then becom- 
 ing desperate. Sergeant Brewster took a detail of 20 
 men to the commissary at Rolampont, a distance of 
 approximately four kilometers. The trail down the 
 long hill was unbroken, and it was a weary party that 
 made the trip back to the fort with the rations, 
 which we carried on our backs. Four men plowed 
 through the snow carrying a quarter of a beef, while 
 the others were loaded down with bacon, bread, pota- 
 toes, etc. This tided us over until the trucks could 
 reach the fort. 
 
 "It was about this time that Sergeant T. W. Smith 
 and Corporal Kietel arrived at the fort to assist in in- 
 structing the first class at the school. They had the 
 
22 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 honor of coming to France with General Pershing 
 in June and had spent several weeks on the British 
 front, studying the science of Sound Ranging. 
 
 'The detachment became intensely interested in the 
 school work and a study room was fitted up on the 
 opposite street from the quarters and many burned the 
 'midnight oil/ In this case, however, it was 'candle- 
 grease/ 
 
 "On the afternoon of January 18, the first sack of 
 mail arrived. It was our first news from home since 
 we left in November. There were letters and pack- 
 ages for all. 
 
 "The school had been in progress but a short time 
 when the detachment was divided into two groups — 
 one to receive instruction in Flash Ranging and the 
 other to specialize in Sound Ranging. On Monday, 
 January 21, work was started on 'installing' the first 
 base to be used by the school. The observation posts 
 were constructed on the bluffs commanding the Marne. 
 We spent several days at the work, which was not easy 
 by any means, owing to the hard, rocky surface of the 
 ground. One who has been fortunate enough to view 
 the surrounding country from one of these points will 
 never forget his impressions. The valleys are dotted 
 with quaint little villages, the antiquated buildings with 
 their red roofs blending beautifully with the green 
 landscapes in the background. The highways winding 
 like a thread in and out of the little towns, are plainly 
 seen for many miles. 
 
 "By February 1, three more officers had arrived 
 and had been assigned as instructors in the school. 
 They were Lieutenants W. G. Perry, Lloyd Heuling 
 and L. D. Coles. Early in February another detach- 
 ment of men, number 30 in all, arrived at the fort. 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 23 
 
 Twenty-three were from the 146th and 148th Machine 
 Gun Companies, and the others from the 116th Engi- 
 neers. It is safe to say that every man who spent the 
 months of January and February at Fort de St. Menge 
 will always have a fond recollection of those days. 
 Many were the amusing incidents that occurred. No 
 one has forgotten the memorable heating stove that 
 stood in the center of the casement. Numerous were 
 the occasions when, as a result of imbibing too freely 
 of the wines of sunny France, one would decide that 
 the stove pipe needed adjusting, and as a consequence, 
 it would tumble to the floor. However, it would always 
 be replaced before reveille. 
 
 **It was Tuesday, February 19, that the detachment 
 selected to go to the front was issued gas masks and 
 given its first gas drill. Final preparations were now 
 being made for getting the men ready for field work 
 and February 25, five Flash Rangers, in charge of 
 Lieutenant Wright (now Captain), left for the Toul 
 sector to receive further training with the French 
 Army. The men were: Sergeant Brewster and Pri- 
 vates J. C. Baldwin, Joseph Cotton, A. B. Chambers 
 and Chas. Hinton. On March 18, five more Flash 
 Rangers left for the American front. They were: 
 Sergeant George Howe and Privates J. C. Berry, A. L. 
 Baldwin, C. Castruccio. 
 
 "On March 8, five Sound Rangers left the fort to 
 receive training at the British front. They were: 
 Sergeant S. A. Monahan, Corporals John Fraser and 
 Johnson and Privates Leach and Davis. 
 
 'The first Sound Rangers to go to the American 
 front left for Mandres to install the first section on 
 March 10th. The officers were Lieutenants Bazzoni, 
 Van Vechtan, McClanahan and Perry. The personnel 
 
24 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 of the enlisted men follows: Sergeant T. W. Smith, 
 Wagoner Russel and Privates Atchison, Boswell, 
 A. J. Breshears, Eyler Brown, Brownell, Bridges, 
 Campbell, Driver, Eckfield, Engholm, Fordyce, Hart- 
 ley, Hall, Hinman, Hoist, Leo F. Kelly, Little, Meek, 
 McGraw, Micheals, Nave, Oerding, Preston, Ratsclaff, 
 Reece, Roberts, Sampson, Selby, Schies, Sheeran, Steb- 
 bins, Smith, Stablein, Taylor, Sessions, Thomas, Weiss, 
 Koering and Kursynske." 
 
 Organization of Companies and Battalion 
 
 Company B, destined to be the first Sound Rang- 
 ing Company of the American Expeditionary Forces, 
 left Camp Devens on October 28, 1917, for the port of 
 embarkation, after many weary, expectant weeks of 
 the usual cantonment life. The trip across the Atlantic 
 was made on the steamship Calamares, a former coast- 
 wise liner converted into a troop transport, and with 
 this to be the mal-de-mar, and rumor of sighted U-boats 
 in the distance, the trip was uneventful. The voyage 
 was a miserable one, and will be indelibly written on 
 the memories of those who sailed on her. The com- 
 pany was in command of Captain Hodgeson. It was 
 with a great sigh of relief and expectancy that we 
 greeted the rocky coast of Brittany on a cold February 
 morning, the first long step toward the Great Adven- 
 ture. Three days were spent at Pont-a-Nezun Bar- 
 racks, near Brest, after which the company was 
 ordered to Langres, arriving in that city weary from 
 our trip across the country. At Langres the company 
 was divided, 90 men being transferred to Company A, 
 of the Topographical and Printing Battalion. The 
 other officers and men of the company marched out 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 25 
 
 to Fort de St. Menge on the morning of March 6, and 
 entered the Flash and Sound Ranging School. 
 
 Company C was formed in January, 1918, at Camp -^^^^ "^1 ^^ 
 Devens, Mass. The organization comprised men from 
 forty states, Alaska and South America. Plans were 
 made for departure to Europe early in April, but were 
 countermanded and it was not until June 22 that they 
 finally left the U. S. on the Italian ship, Rio d'ltalia. 
 The troops landed at Brest, July 5, and spent four days 
 at Pont-a-Nezun Barracks. From the latter place the 
 company went to Langres, where the company was ix.v--^^^^'^ 
 divided, a detachment going to Fort de St. Menge to "^^ ^ 
 attend the Flash and Sound School, and the other men 
 going to the First Battalion of the 29th. The men 
 from the Flash and Sound School made their appear- 
 ance on the Toul sector on August 18, and were sent to 
 the various Flash and Sound Sections then operating 
 there. Corporal Arthur Rock, who was killed by shell 
 fire near Beney soon after the St. Mihiel drive, was a 
 member of Company C. 
 
 Company D was formed at Washington Barracks in 
 June, 1918, but until arriving in France was known 
 as Company F, 603rd Engineers. The company left 
 Hoboken July 8, on the steamer Toloa, arriving at 
 Brest 11 days later. From Brest the company was 
 sent to Langres, where the men were given training 
 similar to that received by the other companies. 
 
 Company E was organized as Company D, 29th 
 Engineers, at Camp Devens, March 29, 1918, and sent 
 to Washington Barracks, May 27. The organization 
 became Company F, 604th Engineers, on June 6. The 
 company left for France, August 14. The organiza- 
 tion became Company E, 29th Engineers, on September 
 5, and was sent to Fort de St. Menge on September 14. 
 
26 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 The company left for the front on October 17, forming 
 F. R. S. 4 and S. K. S. 4. 
 
 Company F, of the 29th Engineers, was organized 
 at Washington Barracks in August, 1918, for the pur- 
 pose of adding to the Flash and Sound Ranging forces, 
 operating with the American Army in France. The 
 company left the United States for foreign service, 
 September 25, arriving at La Harve, via Liverpool, 
 England, on October 11, and from that point by 
 rail to Langres. Like the other organizations in 
 the Battalion, Company E was divided between the 
 Flash Ranging School at Fort de St. Menge and the 
 Sound Ranging School, which had been moved to 
 Faverolles. On the day that hostilities ceased by the 
 signing of the armistice, the first detachment of Com- 
 pany F left for the point on the Toul sector where 
 the 24 members of the detachment were to get prac- 
 tical experience with the other Flash and Sound Rang- 
 ing Sections. Company E was later made Company 
 A, of the 74th Engineers. 
 
 Upon the departure of Lieutenant Bazzoni for the 
 front, Captain Lyman took active charge of the school 
 and remained as the principal instructor until he was 
 ordered to the headquarters of the 26th Division. 
 Lieutenant French (now Captain French) succeeded 
 Captain Lyman at the school and was acting in that 
 capacity at the close of hostilities. The Second Bat- 
 talion of the 29th Engineers was authorized in a gen- 
 eral order of August 17 and on October 1, Captain 
 Lyman was promoted to the rank of Major. Lieuten- 
 ant French was also promoted by the same order. 
 The office of the Second Battalion, with Captain 
 Lyman in charge, had been opened in Toul about Sep- 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 27 
 
 tember 4, and it continued to be Major Lyman's head- 
 quarters until the Second Battalion left Toul for St. 
 Nazaire, November 20, 1918. 
 
28 
 
 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 ►-H .2 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 29 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 IN THE SHADOW OF MONT SEC 
 
 In the very shadows of Mont Sec (Hill 380) in the 
 famous St. Mihiel salient of the Toul sector of the old 
 Lorraine front, was established the first Sound Rang- 
 ing Section in the American Army. The base extended 
 from Buconville, on the left, to Bois du Jury, on the 
 right, and from his elevated position on the crest of 
 Mont Sec, Fritz had an unobstructed view of the 
 American trenches below him in the little valley of 
 the Rupt de Mad, as well as of the country for many 
 miles behind our lines. 
 
 When the first Sound Ranging detachment reached 
 the front on the morning of March 10, the Americans 
 were holding a section of the line about ten miles long. 
 It extended from a point near the town of Apremont, 
 on the eastern nose of the St. Mihiel salient, to a spot 
 just west of Flirey. The French held a sector on the 
 right and at Pont-a-Mousson the Americans were 
 again to be found in the line. In both sectors the 
 troops were from the 1st Division, the first fighting 
 forces from America to join General Pershing in 
 France. 
 
 The St. Mihiel salient had been a thorn in the side 
 of France since 1914, the first year of the war, when 
 the German Army, under the Crown Prince, failed to 
 break through at Verdun and attempted to encircle 
 that point. The Germans took the historic Fort Champ 
 des Romains and crossed the Meuse River, capturing 
 the railroads connecting Commercy and Verdun. On 
 
30 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 the right the enemy pushed on across the Rupt de Mad, 
 through Mandres and almost to Menilitour. At the 
 latter point they were repulsed by the French and 
 compelled to retreat to the heights of the Meuse with 
 Mont Sec just back of their front line defenses. From 
 the first year of the war until the great American of- 
 fensive of September 12, 1918, the lines remained prac- 
 tically the same. The French, at a great cost in men 
 and ammunition, failed to drive back the invading 
 hordes, while on various occasions the Germans en- 
 deavored to enlarge the salient, but to no avail. 
 
 The enemy forces were supplied by a standard 
 gauge railroad from Metz, 20 miles in the rear. Nar- 
 row gauge roads brought the supplies to various points 
 at the front. Just back of the famous hill was estab- 
 lished an advanced base and many were the times 
 that the boys in the front line trench at night would 
 distinctly hear the puffing of the engine as it brought 
 its load of supplies and ammunition to the enemy. And 
 the Sound Ranging observers who spent six long 
 months before Mont Sec, still tell of the numerous 
 times that the strains from the German band floated 
 across No Man's Land to the American trenches, for 
 it appeared to be the custom of Fritz to welcome fresh 
 troops to the front in this manner, as well as "playing 
 out'* the retiring battalions. And it was from hear- 
 ing the enemy's band that the Intelligence Section was 
 often able to learn when the enemy contemplated an 
 attack, as fresh troops were always brought in for 
 that purpose. 
 
 When the 1st Division first faced the Germans 
 in the Toul sector, the trenches were only a short 
 distance apart. The American line extended in front 
 of the village of Buconville approximately one mile, 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 31 
 
 running northeast just beyond the Buconville-Xivray 
 Road. At Xivray the American front line trench was 
 a little more than one hundred yards in front of that 
 village. Almost adjoining Xivray on the right and 
 on the fringe of No Man's Land was the still smaller 
 village of Marvoisin. From the latter point the line 
 extended to Seicheprey across an open section of the 
 country, where neither the Americans nor Germans 
 had attempted to entrench themselves. However, in 
 front of Seicheprey trenches had been constructed for 
 the protection of the troops and for the defense of the 
 village. To the right of Seicheprey, the line formed 
 a small salient, encircling the Bois de Remieres, held 
 by the Americans. A kilometer to the right of Seiche- 
 prey is the Bois du Jury, where a Sound Ranging 
 observation post was located for several months, prior 
 to the St. Mihiel offensive. As a general description, 
 the battle line in the Toul sector followed a winding 
 valley, through which flowed the waters of the Rupt 
 de Mad. This little stream would hardly be called a 
 creek in America, although in the rainy season the 
 river is swollen until it overflows its banks and is 
 several hundred yards wide at various points. 
 
 Back of the American line, approximately a mile, 
 and paralleling the valley, was the famous Metz-St. 
 Dizier Highway, constructed on the crest of a long, 
 narrow ridge extending from Buconville to the village 
 of Flirey. This was considered one of the most strat- 
 egic points along the front as it commanded the valley 
 below, including the enemy trenches. However, the 
 position was far from being as advantageous as that 
 held by the Germans on Mont Sec and the hills beyond. 
 
 The towns that suffered the most from enemy shell 
 fire were Xivray, Seicheprey and Flirey, near the 
 
32 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 trenches, and Rambuecourt and Beaumont, on the Metz- 
 St. Dizier Road. The vicinity of Bois du Jury was 
 subjected to heavy shell fire, owing to the fact that 
 many battery positions were located near it. Just south 
 of the road before mentioned and to the right of Beau- 
 mont were other batteries, which drew fire continually. 
 At this point the road leading from Beaumont to 
 Mandres made a sharp turn and a hundred yards to 
 the west was an engineers' dump, daily the target for 
 the German guns. Rambuecourt was little more than 
 two miles from the German observation posts on Mont 
 Sec and afforded the best target along the front for 
 artillery work. That Fritz took advantage of his posi- 
 tion, the observers and linesmen of Sound Ranging Sec- 
 tion No. 1 will readily testify. Mandres, one and one- 
 half miles north of Seicheprey was shelled at intervals, 
 the worst barrage the enemy putting over on the town, 
 being during the battle of Seicheprey. 
 
 The above description of the Lorraine front has 
 been given in order that the reader may more readily 
 locate the points which will be mentioned in chronicling 
 the stirring events in this area from the date of the 
 first American raid on March 10 to the cessation of 
 hostilities. 
 
 It was 1 o'clock on the afternoon of Sunday, March 
 10, that a big army truck rolled into Mandres and 
 stopped before a building in the center of the village 
 that had not entirely escaped the ravages of war. Out 
 of the truck tumbled 40 men, the first detachment of 
 American Sound Rangers to reach the front for the 
 purpose of establishing a base. No one ever forgets 
 his first day on the front — that is within range of the 
 enemy light artillery. Usually he is astonished at the 
 apparent tranquility of the section, for unless he en- 
 
OBSERVATION POSTS ON S. R. S. NO. 3 
 
 LEFT TO RIGHT— SCENES IN MANDRES, SOUND RANGING HEAD- 
 QUARTERS. THE DUGOUTS SHOWN WERE OCCUPIED BY S. R. 
 S. NO. 1 CENTRAL UNTIL JUNE 1, AFTER WHICH THEY WERE 
 USED RY THE RIGHT LINES STATION. 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 33 
 
 counters a barrage or reaches the front during a drive, 
 he will not find the activity that he expects. The 
 events of the next few weeks are best told by a mem- 
 ber of the first detachment as follows : 
 
 ''Mandres, the little village on the edge of the battle 
 line, became the home of the Sound Ranging detach- 
 ment upon the first day of our arrival and remained the 
 headquarters of this branch of the service until the 
 close of the war. The buildings in the north end of 
 the village were completely ruined from shell fire, 
 the bare walls and piles of stone reminding us not a 
 little of an American town following a disastrous fire. 
 We were billeted near the center of the village, which 
 had suffered less from the artillery. A few days be- 
 fore our arrival an enemy shell had struck the building 
 adjoining ours, almost completely wrecking the struc- 
 ture and killing ten men who were billeted inside. It 
 had also taken out the side of the building we occupied 
 and as we unrolled our blankets on the second floor it 
 was anything but encouraging to glance downward 
 where the Americans had recently given their lives to 
 the cause. 
 
 ''Directly to the rear of the billets which we occu- 
 pied, the French had placed a 9.5 centimeter battery 
 and 200 yards away was an American battery of the 
 same calibre. The French battery was located in an 
 orchard, the overhanging branches of the trees forming 
 a natural camouflage. The American battery was 
 camouflaged to resemble a haystack, and as the posi- 
 tion was an old one, the similarity was surprising. It 
 might be said, however, that Fritz had this battery 
 located despite the camouflage, a fact that was quite 
 evident on many occasions afterward. 
 
 * 'Fifty yards up the street from our billets was the 
 
34 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 village church, constructed in the 16th century, and 
 just back of the church the little cemetery, neither 
 of which, at that date, had been damaged to any extent 
 by artillery fire. Thousands of shells had been whipped 
 into the village in the early days of the war and fight- 
 ing had taken place in the very streets, but the church 
 had remained untouched. 
 
 "At this point in this story, it is well to introduce 
 another character — Magda Laurent — an aged mad- 
 emoiselle, who had always made her home in the vil- 
 lage. She was 65 years old. Mandres was her birth- 
 place, as well as that of her father. She had never 
 married. The bursting shells meant little to her. Al- 
 most four years in this carnage, she was resigned to the 
 inevitable. Provided with a French gas mask, she 
 would seek shelter in the cellar or a neighboring dugout 
 when the whistling, whining thing drew dangerously 
 near. The boys all made friends with Magda Laurent. 
 She washed and mended their clothes and did a hun- 
 dred things that endeared her to them. And on the 
 other hand, the cheerful old mademoiselle was always 
 welcome at the Sound Rangers' kitchen. Like the 
 church, the little home of Magda Laurent had never 
 been touched, although on each side of it were broken 
 walls, remnants of dwellings, which once had been 
 happy homes. 
 
 **Just back of the French battery was the burial 
 place of the heroes of the American Expeditionary 
 Forces, who had given their lives here. As we 
 drew near the place we caught a view of two long 
 rows of newly made mounds and a third had been 
 started. In all there were probably 60 graves. Each 
 spot was marked with a wooden cross, giving the name 
 of the deceased and his regiment. Officers and en- 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 35 
 
 listed men slept side by side. In mute evidence of the 
 significance of war, a little procession approaches. Six 
 men are carrying what remains of a little 16-year-old 
 Corporal, who had been hit by a German shell the 
 day previous. He is laid to rest in the third row. 
 
 **Soon afternoon the French battery in the rear of 
 our billet, and during the next hour, sent over 25 or 30 
 shells for the purpose of silencing a battery in the 
 vicinity of Mont Sec. During this period an interest- 
 ing thing occurred. There was a little tingle from 
 the telephone at the battery and upon receiving certain 
 information regarding enemy activities, the firing 
 ceased and the green painted cover, used to further 
 camouflage the guns, was thrown over them. The 
 precautionary measures were explained by the ap- 
 proach of a German aeroplane from the northwest. 
 Everyone 'got under cover' immediately and soon we 
 heard the crack of the anti-aircraft battery and ob- 
 served the white puffs in the air, caused by the burst- 
 ing shells. The invader was soon driven back within 
 his own lines. 
 
 ^'During the afternoon we received the information 
 that the Americans had planned to put over their first 
 barrage the following morning, preceding the initial 
 raid under the direct supervision of American officers. 
 A counter barrage was expected and all troops in the 
 village not having dugouts for protection were ordered 
 back to other towns approximately two kilometers in 
 the rear. 
 
 *'At 4 o'clock on the morning of March 11, the 
 American Army opened up its first barrage on the 
 Germans. We saw many later far more terrific, but 
 none ever impressed us more than that first bombard- 
 ment. It continued for two hours and then the men 
 
36 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 of the 1st Division went over the top. They found 
 that our fire had practically obliterated the enemy's 
 first line trench. But they did not find the 'beaucoup 
 Boche' that they expected. The enemy had retired to 
 the reserve trenches and the Americans had to be con- 
 tented with two lone prisoners. Fritz did not retaliate 
 as expected. We returned to Mandres and the next 
 day began the work of installing the base. The lines- 
 men followed the surveyors, every man in the detach- 
 ment assisting in the work. 
 
 "Mandres was selected for the home of the central 
 and one of the lines stations. Rambuecourt was to be 
 the home of a group of linesmen whose duty was to 
 keep in repair the lines on the left of the base. In 
 order to reach the points desired it was necessary to 
 construct the lines over some of the worst shelled area 
 in the sector. From Mandres the trunk line was strung 
 at a distance of from a kilometer to 200 yards south 
 of the Metz-St. Dizier Road, between Beaumont and 
 Rambuecourt. Between the lines and the noted high- 
 way was a long line of battery emplacements. Owing 
 to the proximity to these batteries the lines were sub- 
 ject to heavy enemy shell fire, which made line work 
 in that vicinity perilous. The same conditions pre- 
 vailed on the right of the base, where the lines were laid 
 near *Dead Man's Curve' and the vicinity of Bois du 
 Jury. 
 
 "Some amusing, as well as somewhat thrilling, ex- 
 periences were related by those who installed the first 
 base. Pierre Weiss, noted in the detachment for his 
 originality and dry sense of humor, was in a wiring 
 party one day when the men were caught in a little 
 barrage. Some of the shells burst too close for comfort 
 and every man ^flopped' to escape the flying frag- 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 37 
 
 merits. The bombardment over, the men picked them- 
 selves out of the grass. No one was injured. Private 
 Weiss was the last to emerge and his first inquiry was : 
 
 " *How many shots were there? I stuck my head in 
 the mud after the first one and didn't hear the others.* 
 
 "On March 18 a detail of men in charge of Lieuten- 
 ant VanVechtan left Mandres with packs for Xivray for 
 the purpose of constructing a forward observation post. 
 It was early in the afternoon when the little party 
 reached Rambuecourt, at which point they took the 
 communication trench leading to Xivray and the front 
 line. At Rambuecourt they found a courier who 
 was bound for Xivray and he volunteered to act as 
 guide for the party. Into the muddy trench filed the 
 boys with their heavy packs. It was very essential 
 that all keep their heads below the parapet as Fritz 
 had a habit of shelling this communication trench 
 when he discovered troops in it. And it was right 
 here that the trouble started. Private Weiss, who 
 was over six feet in his stocking feet, had no little 
 trouble in keeping his head down and his companions 
 still contend that it was he who caused the Boche to 
 open up with 77s on them. At any rate the shells 
 begun to drop uncomfortably close and every member 
 of the party 'flopped' in the muddy trench. Fortu- 
 nately no one was injured. Hours were spent in the 
 trench, winding in and out in order to follow the zigzag 
 course it took. After a few hours spent in this man- 
 ner the guide emerged from the trench onto a road 
 and the boys clambered out expected to find them- 
 selves in the village of Xivray. Imagine their surprise 
 and the chagrin of Lieutenant Van Vechtan when the 
 town of Beaumont loomed up before them. The guide 
 had taken the wrong trench and had led the party 
 
38 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 almost back to Mandres, the starting point. The de- 
 tail did not reach Xivray that night but returned to 
 Mandres and the next day made the trip successfully 
 without the assistance of a guide. 
 
 "On the same day that the detail left for Xivray, 
 a group of linesmen, in charge of Lieutenant Perry, 
 took up their abode at Rambuecourt, which remained 
 the location of a line station until after the St. Mihiel 
 offensive. Sergeant W. E. Roberts (now Lieutenant) 
 was the non-commissioned officer in charge of the 
 post until transferred to Section 3.*' 
 
 The following account of the events that occurred 
 at Rambuecourt and Xivray during the early days is 
 given by one of the linesmen stationed at the first men- 
 tioned village: 
 
 "One of our first duties on arriving at Rambue- 
 court was to string two lines to the observation post 
 at Xivray. It was necessary to do this under cover 
 of darkness and we began the work one evening soon 
 after sundown. All the linesmen were detailed on the 
 job, which was under the supervision of Lieutenant 
 Perry. The lines were laid in duplicate a few hun- 
 dred yards apart, the purpose being that should one 
 line be cut by shell fire the other might remain in oper- 
 ation. The route of the lines was across the little valley 
 of the Rupt de Mad and the river of the same name 
 and paralleling the road to Xivray from a point a short 
 distance north of the stream. This road was a popular 
 target for the Germany artillery and was also within 
 machine gun range. As this was the initial trip to 
 the front line for some of us we were naturally a little 
 nervous. We had reached the crest of the little hill, 
 two hundred yards south of the village when I was 
 stationed at a point for perhaps 30 minutes, while 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 39 
 
 Sergeant Roberts and the other men of the detail com- 
 pleted the work in the rear. I could plainly hear the 
 staccato rattle of machine guns at intervals and occa- 
 sionally a star shell would light up that section of No 
 Man's Land opposite us. The flares and star shells 
 were so bright that I was half afraid we might be ob- 
 served in our work even at that distance, when I dis- 
 tinctly heard the rattle of a ration wagon coming 
 down the road from the rear. As the wagon came 
 closer I could hear the driver urging the mule team 
 along with a choice line of profanity and talking in a 
 loud tone to his assistant. As the enemy often swept 
 this part of the road with machine gun fire I was sur- 
 prised at the noise the outfit was making. The wagon 
 came alongside and the driver, thinking he was ad- 
 dressing a sentinel, accosted me with : 
 
 " 'Say, Jack, where in hell is the town of Xivray, 
 and how far are we from our first line trench.' 
 
 " 'You are only three hundred yards from the vil- 
 lage,' I replied, 'and the trenches are just in front of it.' 
 
 " 'Well, that hill over there is inside our lines 'ain't 
 it,' he asked, pointing to Mont Sec, the dim outline of 
 which was visible in the distance. 
 
 " 'No, the Boche are a mile this side of it,' I told 
 him. 
 
 " 'Holy mackerel. Buddy,' he ejaculated, address- 
 ing his assistant, 'we damned near got into Germany 
 before we knew it. We must have taken the wrong 
 road. Get up!' 
 
 "The wagon rolled on, but I did not hear so much 
 loud talking afterward. 
 
 "It was midnight when we reached the crossroads 
 in the village. Nothing remained of the place but bare 
 
40 
 
 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 walls and piles of stone. The observers were quartered 
 with a machine gun detachment only a few yards be- 
 hind the trenches. They were busily engaged in haul- 
 ing 'eye beams' for use in the construction of the post, 
 which was to be located in the edge of the village and 
 practically in the trenches. 
 
 "On reaching the principal street in the village 
 with the wire we found it necessary to string the line 
 from one high wall to another on the opposite side. It 
 was here that one of the most amusing incidents of 
 our stay on the front occurred. Lieutenant Perry and 
 I had climbed to the top of the wall to fasten the wire. 
 A startled guard in the street below, for the first time 
 getting a view of our silhouetted forms against the sky, 
 hastily brought his rifle to his shoulder and demanded : 
 '* 'What in hell are you doing on that wall?' 
 "It was my turn to be startled, for from my experi- 
 ences with the American 'doughboy' I knew that we 
 were fortunate in having been challenged before he 
 
 STRINGING A LINE TO THE OBSERVATION POST 
 AT XIVRAY. 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 41 
 
 pulled the trigger. Lieutenant Perry is a native of 
 South Carolina and his Southern dialect was often very 
 amusing to the men of his command. But the 
 Southerner's reply was as calm as unexpected: 
 
 " 'What the hell yo' think I'se doin' up ha'r, taking 
 a sun bath?' The guard came closer and observed he 
 was addressing an officer. Then, in an apologetical 
 tone, he said: 
 
 " 'Well, it's my duty to find out.' 
 
 " That's all right,' retorted the Southerner, *I'm 
 here to answer all questions,' 
 
 'The ludicrous side of the situation appealed to me, 
 and in spite of the presence of the officer, I laughed 
 until I almost tumbled from the wall. But the 
 Southerner never smiled. 
 
 "Enemy artillery continued very active on our en- 
 tire section during the next few weeks. The base was 
 operating successfully and we were giving much im- 
 portant information to the artillery regarding enemy 
 batteries. The linesmen on both ends of the section 
 had many narrow escapes and were compelled to spend 
 much of the time, both day and night, on the shell 
 swept field. The right observation post had been 
 established near the village of Seicheprey and just to 
 the left of Bois du Jury. The linesmen at central, 
 which had been given the code name of Taylor,' in 
 honor of Sergeant Taylor, found the area in the vi- 
 cinity of Beaumont exceptionally active, and it became 
 known as 'Kitty's Hot Hole.' This was near the fam- 
 ous 'Dead Man's Curve.' 
 
 "At Rambuecourt, Fritz shelled the part of the 
 town where our kitchen and dugouts were located and 
 many were the times those first few weeks that we 
 
42 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 were compelled to eat our food with a generous supply 
 of dirt and particles of mortar thrown in the kitchen 
 as the result of bursting shells. 
 
 "It was during the early days of the section that 
 Lieutenant Perry, Sergeant Roberts, Privates Camp- 
 bell and Eckfield had a thrilling experience on the 
 lines one night, when the high explosive shells and gas 
 made the area a dangerous one. Despite the terrific 
 barrage the linesmen repaired the lines and re-estab- 
 lished communication. 
 
 "There is often a funny side to a situation. It was 
 while the base was being installed that the following 
 incident occurred. The night was dark, intensely dark, 
 and the three linesmen, plodding through the mud along 
 the road just back of the front line on the old American 
 sector, could not see a foot ahead of them — each had 
 a bundle of screening on his back, as the detail had 
 orders to camouflage a microphone position which was 
 very conspicuous in daylight. To add to the dis- 
 comfort of the men the rain was coming down in tor- 
 rents. Private Jones was in the lead and the splashing 
 of the mud was the only means he had of telling he 
 was in the road. At intervals a star shell would light 
 up the roadway, then dying would make the darkness 
 seem even more intense. Private Jones was turning 
 over in his mind the possibility of encountering a Boche 
 patrol when suddenly he collided with an object. 
 Simultaneously something cold struck him on the hand. 
 Thoughts of a German bayonet instantly entered his 
 mind and he emitted a yell that would put a Commanche 
 Indian to shame. He dropped the screening in the 
 road and his companions halted abruptly in their 
 tracks, fearing the worst had happened. The situa- 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 43 
 
 tion was soon explained. Private Jones had collided 
 with an orderly on a bicycle. 
 
 ''During the first week in April, the battery posi- 
 tion just back of Rambuecourt was shelled heavily and 
 it was on the 6th of the month that Private Leonard 
 Preston was severely wounded by a shell fragment, 
 while at work on lines near the edge of the village. 
 He was taken to the hospital and was not returned to 
 the section until many weeks later.'* 
 
 It was during the first week of April that the 1st 
 Division was relieved on the Toul sector by the 26th 
 Division, National Guard, from the New England 
 states. The heroic work of the infantry of this divi- 
 sion will be told in another chapter of this narrative. 
 
 Volumes have been written concerning the aviation 
 service. The romantic stories of the birdmen appeal 
 to every red-blooded American. Stories have been 
 written of the dashing work of the cavalry and the 
 stirring deeds of the infantry and artillery have come 
 in for their share of praise. But little has been said 
 about the linesmen and the forward observers, whose 
 work is so essential to the success of modern warfare. 
 
 To a large extent the successful operation of artil- 
 lery on any sector depends upon the alertness and 
 accuracy of the observer. In both Flash and Sound 
 Ranging the efforts of the observers are of the utmost 
 importance. Without their aid it is practically im- 
 possible to operate the section. And it is quite fre- 
 quently that the observer works under the most diffi- 
 cult circumstances. His post is usually very close to 
 the front line trench and often it is in advance of the 
 infantry, much depending upon the topography of the 
 country. The object is, of course, to locate the post 
 
44 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 in a position that would permit a view of the territory 
 held by the enemy and often this is in a section that 
 is continually under shell fire. From four to eight 
 men are usually assigned to a post, depending upon 
 how many are available to a section. A post is usually 
 operated by two observers on shifts of two hours each, 
 they being relieved every 12 hours. If the observers 
 are quartered near the post, the reliefs are made 
 oftener as a rule. 
 
 The observer is provided with a panoramic map, 
 also a map which gives the location and range of the 
 enemy's artillery. The map also gives data on the 
 various enemy batteries and their activities. When- 
 ever a piece fires he must be on the alert in order that 
 he may form an estimate of location and probable 
 objective, as well as the calibre. While very accurate 
 locations are secured by the apparatus used in Sound 
 Ranging, the observations of the men in the post are 
 of great assistance in determining the location of the 
 enemy battery. The observer must not confuse the 
 "on de choc" of the enemy guns with friendly guns fir- 
 ing overhead. For the benefit of those who are not 
 familiar with the term it might be well to state that the 
 "on de choc'' is the French phrase for shell wave. The 
 shell wave, or "on de choc," is produced by high velocity 
 guns only. This is due to the fact that the projectile 
 travels at first faster than the sound. From any posi- 
 tion in front of the gun within a certain zone the 
 projectile at one part of its trajectory will be moving 
 with such a velocity that the rate of which it dimin- 
 ishes from him is equal to the velocity of sound. When 
 this is the case the observer will receive at the same 
 time all the sounds produced by the shell during an 
 appreciable time and all of these sounds reaching him 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 45 
 
 at once are perceived as a sharp crack — the "on de 
 choc." 
 
 The part of the trajectory from which the shell 
 wave is heard, and the time interval between its pre- 
 ception and that of the report, depend upon the posi- 
 tion of the observer. The interval is greatest when 
 the observer is in the line of fire and in this case he 
 hears the shell wave from the shell at the part of its 
 path where it is traveling with the velocity of sound. 
 
 The double sound can be heard very distinctly, the 
 sharp crack of the shell being followed by the duller 
 sound of the report. Of these two sounds, the shell 
 wave in general carries much the further, owing partly 
 to its sharpness, the fact that it is above trees and 
 other obstacles and that the projectile is moving while 
 the gun is, of course, stationary. When only one sound 
 from an enemy gun is heard, it is the shell wave, and 
 not the true report of the gun. 
 
 Sound is always affected more or less by atmo- 
 spherical conditions, and this fact must be taken into 
 consideration by the observer. Sound is defined as an 
 energy of vibration that extends out in all directions, 
 varying according to the conductor through which it 
 moves. The earth is a poor conductor, while water, air 
 and certain other methods are favorable. A sound 
 produced in the air when all the conditions are the 
 same, travels out with a circular wave-like motion, 
 radiating in all directions equally and with a standard 
 velocity of 337.6 meters per second at 10 degrees centi- 
 grade. A higher temperature and a greater amount 
 of moisture tend to speed up a sound wave. A lower 
 temperature or less degree of moisture decreases that 
 sound move. 
 
 Not only does the observer, in either of the two 
 
46 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 branches, need to be familiar with calibre and ranging 
 of artillery, but he is often compelled to operate his 
 post under perilous difficulties. Perhaps the line con- 
 necting the post with central and the lines stations has 
 been severed by shell fire in the vicinity of the post. 
 It is then that the observer often takes his pliers and 
 a coil of wire and goes out to assist the linesmen in re- 
 establishing communication, leaving his companion at 
 the post to resume his duties when the line is in. 
 
 But it is the linesmen on the front who are responsi- 
 ble for the maintenance of the telephone and other 
 lines extending to various points on the front, that 
 make co-operation of infantry and artillery possible. 
 The path of the linesman is not all roses, neither is it 
 all thorns. A few miles in the rear the linesmans' job 
 is a comparatively easy one and the worker is subject 
 to little danger. But the men that keep the lines on 
 the front in repair, disregarding danger and cheerfully 
 enduring the hardships, deserve many honors that they 
 never receive because much of their work is never 
 brought to light except among themselves. 
 
 Not every soldier makes a good linesman any more 
 than every soldier would be a successful aviator. In 
 the first place, a linesman requires a good, strong 
 physique, with steady nerves, a cool head and good 
 judgment. His physical condition must be so that he 
 can endure the strain of being called at all hours of 
 the day and night, thus losing much sleep and still be 
 able to do his work so thoroughly that no complications 
 will arise later. He must be ready to clamber out of 
 his dugout in any kind of weather, when the freezing 
 wind is almost unbearable or the rain is falling in tor- 
 rents, when the slush is knee deep in the abandoned 
 trenches, where the wires are often strung. It re- 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 47 
 
 quires steady nerves and a cool head to follow a line a 
 dark night, amid bursting shells, fully realizing that 
 any moment might be his last. To scramble in and 
 out of the shell holes, as to encircle them might be the 
 cause of losing the wire, thus causing delay in locating 
 it again. Often the linesmen have donned their masks, 
 for there is seldom a bombardment without a generous 
 supply of gas. And in all probability it is a gas shell 
 that has broken the wire, and when the men have lo- 
 cated the break they calmly make the splices, despite 
 the deadly, poisonous fumes around them. Perhaps 
 the wires have been cut in many places and it is neces- 
 sary to telephone back to the station for more help. 
 Quite often it is quicker to string a new line entirely 
 than to endeavor to repair the old one. Where there 
 are numerous wires on the same row of short poles or 
 on the ground, and all are cut by shell fire, it is often 
 a problem, in the intense darkness, to untangle them 
 and make the proper connections. This requires pa- 
 tience and it is here that a cool head is a valuable asset. 
 The linesman must complete the job, unless there is a 
 reserve line that has not been put out of commission. 
 
 The linesman is often confronted with the task of 
 locating a break inside the insulation. This requires 
 time and much patience and a break of this nature can 
 only be located by numerous tests. Then a linesman 
 is often called out to repair an imaginary break, the 
 trouble being in the inability of the operator to manipu- 
 late his switchboard. It is then that if one was near 
 the linesman when told of the mistake, he would detect 
 a little blue flame in the immediate vicinity and it 
 wouldn't be from gas either. 
 
 A brief description of the work of the observers 
 and linesmen has been given, and it is very essential 
 
48 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 that a few words be written concerning activities at 
 a Sound Ranging Central. While the central is usually 
 a few kilometers in the rear, it is here that the actual 
 data is compiled and submitted to the Chief Intel- 
 ligence Officer of that section of the front. It is at 
 central that the greatest number of men are stationed, 
 linesmen, computers, telephone operators and men who 
 operate the electrical apparatus. Their work is of the 
 utmost importance, but Mr. Censor has forbidden a 
 detailed description of the methods used by them. 
 
 All the lines of the sector ran out from central and 
 each was given a code name such as: Abie, Bennie, 
 Charlies, etc. When a line goes out of commission, 
 central immediately informs the line station by stating 
 that "Abie is sick," or whichever the case may be. 
 Many amusing incidents arose over using the code. 
 On one occasion a new linesman was assigned to one 
 of the stations and was on telephone duty when central 
 informed him that "Bennie was sick." 
 
 "Is that so. Is he one of the boys at central?" 
 asked the linesman, with deep regret in his voice. 
 
 Another amusing incident that occurred as a result 
 of a misunderstanding was the day following the 
 Seicheprey battle, an account of which will be found in 
 another chapter. Corporal Hartley was an observer 
 at Xivray, who was, of course, directly in touch with 
 the Rambuecourt line station. One of the lines extend- 
 ing between these two points had been given over to the 
 infantry to use between regimental and battalion head- 
 quarters, as the signal corps had no communication be- 
 tween the two places during that initial engagement 
 between the Germans and the Americans. In some 
 way Corporal Hartley became attached to the line 
 
TOP— WHAT REMAINED OF THE GERMAN RAILROAD BEHIND MONT 
 SEC AFTER THE AMERICAN BOMBARDMENT SEPTEMBER 12. 
 
 BOTTOM— THE VILLAGE OF XIVRAY, WHERE THE FIRST SOUND 
 RANGING OBSERVATION POST WAS ESTABLISHED. 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 49 
 
 that was being used by the infantry, and he and 
 the Colonel at regimental headquarters became en- 
 tangled in quite a controversy before the matter was 
 cleared up. The conversation between the two ran 
 something like this: 
 
 "Hello," accosted the Colonel from the 26th Divi- 
 sion, **is this battalion headquarters?" 
 
 ''Who is this speaking," asked Corporal Hartley. 
 
 'The Colonel," was the reply. 
 
 "Who in hell is the Colonel?" demanded the Cor- 
 poral, thinking one of the linesmen at Rambuecourt was 
 attempting to 'kid* him. 
 
 "Well I can't tell you over the telephone," replied 
 the officer. 
 
 "Get the hell off the line then," yelled the Corporal 
 in anything but a mild tone. 
 
 The Colonel hung up, but he found Lieutenant 
 Perry in charge of the Rambuecourt line station and 
 told him he believed the enemy had tapped on his line. 
 
 An observer tells a story that is worth repeating. 
 It was decidedly hot one night in the American trenches 
 in front of Buconville, where a Sound Ranging ob- 
 servation post was located. For 30 minutes Fritz had 
 been throwing over tons of steel in a very heavy 
 barrage preparatory to sending over a raiding party. 
 A trench mortar was causing havoc among the troops 
 at a certain point in the trench. The casualties had be- 
 come numerous and some of the new "doughboys" were 
 inclined to be excitable. A sergeant noticed that one 
 of the privates in his platoon appeared to be greatly 
 agitated, and said: 
 
 "Calm yourself, Joe, you're not afraid, are you?" 
 
50 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 "No sir," replied the private, "but they're shelling 
 Buconville and my barrack bag's there." 
 
 "Why are you turning that claxton?" asked Private 
 Howard Breshears of a gas guard on the front line for 
 the first time, "there is no gas." 
 
 "I know," replied the guard, "but I want the of- 
 ficers to know I'm on the job." 
 
 It was on that part of the old American front occu- 
 pied by Sound Ranging Section No. 2, and near Apre- 
 mont, that the Americans sent over a raiding party 
 early one morning to the enemy trenches and suc- 
 ceeded in capturing a number of prisoners. Among 
 them was a German youth not more than 16 years of 
 age. He was badly frightened at first, but when he 
 had gotten on the outside of two steaming cups of cof- 
 fee and a generous supply of rice and bacon, his spirits 
 revived and it was quite evident that he was pleased 
 with his new environs. 
 
 "Say," said he, addressing a sergeant in German, 
 "let me go back and bring my brother, he's just over 
 there at an outpost," 
 
 Corporal Hartley was a member of a surveying de- 
 tail. One day, while the party was at work two 
 kilometers from the front line, Fritz started shelling 
 the road near them. All beat a hasty retreat toward 
 a linesmen's dugout and came tumbling down the steps 
 together. After getting his breath one of the party 
 said: 
 
 "I never ran so fast in my life." 
 
 "I wasn't running much," said Hartley, "but I 
 passed several that were." 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 51 
 
 It was Corporal Amery's first night on the front, 
 and he was afraid of gas. He was a Texan and his 
 peculiar dialect was often amusing to the others who 
 shared the dugout with him. The Corporal was suf- 
 fering from a slight attack of the grip. His com- 
 panions went to sleep, leaving him to his troubles. At 
 I o'clock he could stand the strain no longer. 
 
 "Hey, fellows," said he sitting up, ''hey, wake up 
 will yo'." 
 
 "What in hell do you want," came from down be- 
 tween the blankets in a lower bunk. 
 
 "Why," replied the Texan, "will yo' please smell fo* 
 me, I've a cold and I'm afraid there's gas." 
 
 Corporal Atchison and "Ted" Bandemer were ob- 
 servers at Smith observation post in Bois du Jury. 
 While not on duty they occupied a small dugout near 
 the trenches. One day a "whizbang" hit just behind 
 Corporal Atchison. The non-com fell headlong into 
 the dugout and escaped injury. A rat just outside fell 
 a victim to the shell. The next day a shell struck the 
 comer of the dugout just as the Corporal entered and 
 killed a cat, which was following him. 
 
 "Stick around, Ted,' " said the Corporal. 
 
 A German propaganda balloon had fallen inside the 
 American lines. It was the first of the kind that the 
 new artillery observer had had occasion to report. He 
 hesitated as he did not have the word quite clear in his 
 mind. Then he called up headquarters and said: 
 
 "Prophylactic balloon fell in west end of Beaumont 
 at 2 :35." 
 
 The following is an interesting description given 
 
52 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 by a linesman at Taylor line station of an experience 
 on the lines one night during the summer while an 
 electrical storm was in progress, and the elements and 
 artillery seemed to compete with each other for the 
 mastery of the heavens. "An enemy gun of large cali- 
 bre," said the linesman, "had been firing in our section 
 and tearing great holes in a field over which one of our 
 lines extended. It was ten o'clock and the storm was 
 at its height when we were notified that *Abie* was out. 
 We heard the bursting of the shells and was quite cer- 
 tain the break was in that vicinity. But in order to 
 make sure the line was intact up to that point it was 
 necessary to follow the line all the way from the sta- 
 tion. As we trudged across the field, running the 
 wires through our hands that we might detect any 
 break in the intense darkness, our heavy artillery in 
 the rear opened up on the enemy positions. The rain 
 was falling heavily and the roll of thunder and the flash 
 of lightning intermingling with the flash and crack of 
 the guns, together with a shell bursting now and then 
 near us, was enough to make one believe that the heav- 
 ens and earth were combating with each other. A 
 shell fragment had broken the wire and after making 
 the necessary repairs we took a short route to our dug- 
 out where we were soon in some dry clothes." 
 
SCENES IN THE VILLAGE OF SEICHEPREY, WHKRi: THE FlllST 
 BATTLE BETWEEN A^NIERICAN AND GERMAN TROOPS WAS 
 FOUGHT, APRIL 20, 1918. A BATTALION OF THE 102ND 
 INFANTRY, 2()TH DIVISION, HELD THIS SECTION OF THE 
 FRONT AT THAT TIME 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 53 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 SEICHEPREY AND XIVRAY. 
 
 To the heroic lads of the 102nd Infantry, 26th Divi- 
 sion, go the honor of winning the first American vic- 
 tory in a hand to hand fight with the Hun. At no time 
 during the entire period that American troops opposed 
 the enemy were any of the khaki-clad units placed in a 
 more critical position or fought more stubbornly than 
 the boys from New England when they repulsed the 
 Germans at Seicheprey on the memorable April 20, 
 1918. Overwhelmingly outnumbered, the "Nutmeg- 
 gers" refused to retreat and taught the Germans their 
 first lesson in Yankee fighting. 
 
 And proud, indeed, are the men of the Flash and 
 Sound Ranging Service who operated on that section 
 of the American front at the time that they can say 
 they were linked with the 102nd in that initial strug- 
 gle against the German shock troops. 
 
 The 26th, which had been on the front at Ghemin 
 des Dames, relieved the 1st Division on April 3, and 
 held the line in the Toul sector from Apermont, on the 
 left, to Flirey, on the right. While the 26th had suf- 
 fered from a heavy gas attack at Ghemin des Dames, 
 it remained for them to get their first real taste of 
 warfare in the Toul sector. 
 
 As will be noted from the accompanying diagram, 
 the village of Seicheprey lies in a little valley between 
 two hills, approximately one mile to the north of Beau- 
 mont, the latter being on the Metz-St. Dizier Road. 
 
54 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 Only piles of stone now mark this spot, practically a 
 swamp at the time of the German assault. 
 
 'To teach the Americans a lesson," instill in the 
 Yankee heart fear of the Prussian Guard and ulti- 
 mately secure possession of the ridge along which 
 extended the famous highway, was undoubtedly the 
 objectives of the enemy. 
 
 To accomplish this end the enemy brought to this 
 point ''Hindenburg's Traveling Circus,'* or in other 
 words, 2000 shock troops, with which to crush the 
 Americans. In all probability 3000 Germans partici- 
 pated in the attack against less than 1000 men of the 
 102nd Infantry. The enemy struck just to the left of 
 the junction of the French and American lines. 
 
 For several days previous to the Seicheprey attack, 
 unusual enemy activity had been noted behind his lines 
 and the German artillery had kept up an intermittent 
 fire on the American battery positions. At the time 
 of the attack, the Americans were holding the trenches 
 approximately 200 yards in front of the village, with 
 the German lines not over 500 yards away. To the 
 right of the Seicheprey, less than a half mile, is the 
 Bois de Remieres, and the American trenches extended 
 through the northern edge of this wood. The greater 
 number of the American machine gun positions were 
 in the support trenches, a short distance behind the 
 front line. Machine guns were also located in Seiche- 
 prey and in a trench running at right angles to the 
 Bois du Jury, just back and a little east of the Bois de 
 Remiers. It was in this trench that the right observa- 
 tion post of S. R. S. No. 1 was located, known as "Smith 
 O'Pip," in honor of Corporal Smith, who was in 
 charge. At the post when the Germans made the at- 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 55 
 
 tack, were Sergeant Hopkins and Privates Layman and 
 Atchison. 
 
 For three weeks previous to April 20, S. R. S. No. 
 2 had been operating on the part of the front, but a 
 few days before had moved farther to the left with its 
 central at Broussy. 
 
 At 3 o'clock on the morning of the attack, the Ger- 
 mans opened up along the entire American front with 
 a terrific bombardment, using high explosives, shrap- 
 nel and gas, shelling the back areas for several kilom- 
 eters. While the infantry attack was made on a front 
 of not over one mile, the Germans, with a general 
 bombardment, expected to keep the Americans in doubt 
 as to the exact point where the blow would be struck. 
 About two hours later the enemy concentrated his fire 
 on a section of the front extending from a point be- 
 tween Beaumont and Rambuecourt, on the west, to just 
 east of the Bois du Jury on the east, approximately 
 two kilometers. In this area, which received the most 
 destructive fire, were the batteries to the right of Beau- 
 mont and in the vicinity of the Bois du Jury, all the 
 trenches in the region of Seicheprey, all roads in and 
 leading to that point and the villages of Seicheprey, 
 Beaumont, Mandres, Bemecourt and Grosrouve. 
 
 It fell to the infantrymen and machine gunners in 
 the front line to bear the brunt of the barrage, as well 
 as the attack that followed. According to the stories 
 told by the Sound Ranging observers and the **dough- 
 boys'' in the trenches, Fritz appeared to have every 
 position covered. But despite this fact the men stuck 
 to their guns until they fell beside their pieces. The 
 enemy fire was accurate, scores of direct hits being 
 made on the machine guns. 
 
 At daylight the Huns launched their attack, advanc- 
 
56 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 ing mass formation — preceded by the shock troops. 
 A heavy haze overhung the sector during the morning 
 hours, and as the Americans in the trenches saw the 
 green uniforms of the Germans advancing through the 
 fog they clutched their rifles more firmly and, though 
 half strangled with the poisonous gases, resolved to at 
 least make the German victory a costly one. The ma- 
 jority of the American machine guns had been silenced 
 by the effectiveness of the German artillery, but the 
 pieces that remained intact were manned by boys who 
 knew not the meaning of the word retreat, and poured 
 a deadly fire into the ranks of the advancing Huns. 
 But while many a Boche bit the dust there in No Man's 
 Land in front of Remieres Woods, the few Americans 
 who held the trenches could not hold out long against 
 the forces which so greatly outnumbered them. Hand 
 to hand fighting ensued, and the Germans felt the cold 
 steel of an American bayonet for the first time on that 
 foggy April morning. Having taken the trenches in 
 front of Remieres Woods the Germans continued to 
 advance — the troops on the right pushing on toward 
 Seicheprey and those on the left taking possession of 
 Remieres Woods and attacking in the Bois du Jury. 
 When the enemy attacked, the American artillery 
 opened with a barrage and for a while it proved very 
 effective, but later the firing practically ceased as the 
 gunners exhausted their supply of ammunition. With 
 no artillery support and the machine guns practically 
 silenced, it remained for the infantry to repulse the 
 Germans with the bayonet. 
 
 Throughout the day the struggle continued. The 
 Americans received some reinforcements, but still were 
 outnumbered. Yet they exacted a price for every 
 foot of ground they yielded. By 7 o'clock the Germans 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 57 
 
 were in the village and until afternoon the fighting 
 continued in the streets, between the crumbling walls 
 of the buildings, around the dugouts and in the sup- 
 port trenches. The shattered American forces at last 
 dropped back to a position on the hillside just south of 
 the village. Late in the afternoon the welcome news 
 arrived that troops from the 162nd French Infantry 
 (Verdun veterans) had arrived. Encouraged, the 
 Americans launched the counter attack, and with the 
 aid of the French drove the Huns from the village and 
 the Remieres Woods, and before dawn had re-estab- 
 lished the original line. 
 
 The valiant work of the infantry abounds in deeds 
 of individual heroism. Colonel Parker, commander 
 of the 102nd, himself, went into the trenches to encour- 
 age his men. It was while engaged in this work that 
 he found a machine gun that had been silenced because 
 its crew had been killed. Two Americans were lying 
 dead beside the piece. The Colonel paused and said: 
 
 "If these brave boys can stick to their post like that 
 I can do a little," and he, a machine gun expert, oper- 
 ated the gun until relieved. 
 
 Until well toward noon the Germans appeared to 
 have the supremacy of the air. Fighting planes 
 swooped down on the trenches and poured their deadly 
 fire upon the Americans. Later Allied planes ap- 
 peared and drove the enemy aviators back to their own 
 lines. 
 
 The total number of Americans killed, wounded and 
 captured, were well over 50 per cent of the total num- 
 ber engaged. The German loss was heavy, it being 
 estimated that at least 600 were killed or seriously 
 wounded. Over 300 German dead were left in the 
 American trenches when the enemy retreated. How- 
 
58 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 ever, the Boche succeeded in taking approximately 175 
 prisoners, who, the next day, were marched through 
 the villages in the rear for the benefit of the German 
 soldiers as well as to discourage the French civilians 
 in the section of Lorraine held by the Germans for four 
 long years. The official statement made by Germany 
 was to the effect that the affair was nothing more 
 than a big raid, in which the withdrawal was just as 
 much a part of the program as was the attack. The 
 untruthfulness of this statement is shown in the fact 
 that the German troops carried their packs, trench 
 shovels and rations, indicating that they planned to 
 hold any position they might be successful in taking. 
 Caught at the post in the front line by the barrage 
 on the morning of the battle, the three observers of the 
 Sound Ranging Section, conducted themselves like vet- 
 erans. Private Atchison was on duty and before he 
 could report the first gun to central, the telephone 
 line had been severed. The observers investigated 
 and found that the break in the line was not in their 
 immediate vicinity and they were unable to patrol the 
 line further, owing to the violence of the artillery. 
 Within a few minutes every line to the rear had **gone 
 out." Runners were relied upon for communication 
 with the points behind the line. Just before daylight 
 the observers and a number of signal corps men went 
 into the support trenches and, standing on the firing 
 steps, pumped lead into the German troops. Shells 
 were bursting in the trenches and on all sides, 
 but they stuck to their post for several hours. 
 A 77 struck the dugout in which they had been 
 quartered, demolishing one end of it. Enemy incen- 
 diary shells had been dropped into Seicheprey, and by 
 the light of the burning buildings the boys from their 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 59 
 
 positions, could see the Americans in the village, man- 
 euvering to make their last stand against the advanc- 
 ing foe. 
 
 At 1 o'clock the Germans were on three sides of 
 the observation post and threatened to cut off the 
 escape of the Americans in that vicinity. To reach 
 Mandres, or any other point in the rear, meant run- 
 ning the terrific barrage. Communication with cen- 
 tral had not been established and Private Atchison 
 threw a coil of wire over his shoulder and started out 
 on the line with the intention of repairing the breaks 
 or reporting to central. Sergeant Hopkins accompa- 
 nied him, Layman deciding to remain at the post. Never 
 will the observers forget that trip across the shell- 
 swept field to Mandres. It was soon evident that it 
 was impossible to repair the line, as it was cut in a 
 hundred places and would require the stringing of new 
 wire. The boys had been without food for almost 24 
 hours, and they now began to feel the pangs of hunger, 
 ''canned Willie" or "hard tack'' would have been gladly 
 accepted. In attempting to avoid the shells the boys 
 stumbled into a machine gun position which had been 
 abandoned hastily by the Americans. And what is this 
 — a loaf of bread and a can of milk ! Despite the pro- 
 testations of Sergeant Hopkins, Atchison, as calm as 
 though he had his feet under the parental table, sat 
 down on the ground and devoured the bread and milk, 
 apparently unconscious of the bursting shells. How- 
 ever, it is conceded that Hopkins did not permit Atchi- 
 son to "get away" with all the newly found rations. 
 Late in the evening the men succeeded in reaching 
 Mandres. 
 
 At the central in Mandres some stirring events had 
 occurred. Fritz had thrown hundreds of shells into the 
 
60 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 town, giving the village a generous assortment of gas, 
 shrapnel and high explosives. Early in the morning 
 a Boche aeroplane swooped down from the haze, and 
 its machine gun was turned upon the Sound Rangers' 
 kitchen, causing the occupants to beat a hasty retreat 
 for the dugout. Three casualties during the day were 
 recorded. Samuel Engholm, draughtsman, received an 
 ugly wound in the arm from shrapnel ; William Rosseau 
 was injured while repairing lines and Roland Schlaugh 
 was gassed and also suffered a bad case of shell shock. 
 A number of others who were more or less gassed 
 were taken to the hospital for a few days for treat- 
 ment. Great credit is due the linesmen of the section 
 for their heroic work in attempting the impossible task 
 of keeping the lines in repair. The linesmen at Mandres 
 were in charge of Sergeant Taylor, the personnel in- 
 cluding Privates Wheeler, Kelly, Thomas, Kursynske, 
 Rosseau and Weiss. Time and again during the morn- 
 ing hours did Sergeant Taylor and the others endeavor 
 to repair the lines to the observation post and the 
 microphones, but they would be "shot out" before they 
 left the spot. 
 
 In the vicinity of Rambuecourt, the shelling prac- 
 tically ceased about 8 o'clock. The lines between Ram- 
 buecourt and Xivray were intact, but no communica- 
 tion between Rambuecourt and Mandres. Lieutenant 
 Perry, in charge of the station at that time, took five 
 men and started toward Mandres for the purpose of 
 making the necessary repairs in the line. The men 
 were Eckfield, Moon, Hinman, Cox, Cook and Platzer, 
 leaving A. J. Breshears, H. R. Breshears, Campbell and 
 Krogh at the station. What the detail experienced on 
 its way to Mandres is best told by one of the party: 
 
 "Lieutenant Perry in advance, we followed at an in- 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 61 
 
 terval of ten paces between each man. We encoun- 
 tered no shell fire until we had covered half the dis- 
 tance to Mandres. Up to that point we had found no 
 breaks in the line. But we soon began to enter the 
 shelled area with a break now and then, which we re- 
 paired. The further we progressed the more intense 
 the shelling and we were compelled to enter a support 
 trench running parallel to our lines and toward the 
 Mandres-Beaumont Road, for protection. The breaks 
 in the line now became more frequent and the barrage 
 increased in intensity. Two of us scrambled out to 
 splice the wire. We completed the work, but before we 
 could leave the spot, the ominous whistle of a 77 was 
 distinctly audible and warned us what to expect. We 
 tumbled headlong into the trench, leaving the telephone 
 and testing set behind. Later when we returned we 
 found the instruments, but they were buried by the 
 dirt thrown up by the exploding shell. We were now 
 only a short distance from the road and things were 
 becoming livelier every minute. We made our way 
 along the trench, the shells bursting on the very para- 
 pet. We reached a point where the lines had been cut 
 in a dozen places. We climbed out of the trench. Pri- 
 vate Cox began "skinning' the insulation from the end 
 of one of the lines. I stepped over a few yards to 
 bring over the connecting wire and a 77 dropped be- 
 tween us, Lieutenant Perry also having a narrow es- 
 cape. Seeing that it was impossible to keep up the 
 line, the officer ordered us into a nearby dugout. In- 
 side the Lieutenant checked up the men and found 
 Private Platzer missing. No one could remember hav- 
 ing seen him since we entered the trench. We waited 
 perhaps 20 minutes, at the end of which time the 
 Lieutenant announced that he was going in search of 
 
62 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 the missing linesman. I accompanied him. We made 
 our way back along the trench, through the barrage, 
 expecting to find Platzer seriously injured and unable 
 to aid himself. For an hour we continued the search, 
 but to no avail. We returned to the dugout. We 
 now noticed the Red Cross ambulances tearing along 
 the road to and fro, between the front line and the 
 rear. Past 'Dead Man's Curve,' where the shells were 
 falling continually, raced the cars. Up to the edge of 
 Jury Woods, almost to the front line trenches, that 
 the infantry was defending so gallantly, the drivers 
 took their cars, returning loaded with the wounded. It 
 seemed almost impossible that a car could make that 
 trip and escape destruction. Now one is struck and 
 tossed to one side like a broken toy. In this case one 
 of the occupants was killed and the others, together 
 with the driver, seriously injured, adding to the suffer- 
 ing of those who had been wounded on the battle field. 
 On each side of the road reinforcements were pushing 
 their way through the barrage toward the front. 
 
 ^'During a momentary lull we left the dugout and 
 made the remaining distance to Mandres. The village 
 had escaped the enemy's shells for many months, but 
 now the battered buildings left in the place were again 
 the target for the German guns. We made our way 
 up the principal street, through the smoke and gas 
 fumes, over fallen walls and other debris in our path. 
 We passed the first aid station, where the seriously in- 
 jured received first aid treatment before being taken 
 to the hospital in the rear. Across the street, in a 
 court yard, stood a number of ambulances, the drivers 
 already in their seats ready to dash to the trenches 
 when the command was given. Many had donned 
 their gas masks while awaiting the signal to go. 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 63 
 
 "As we made our way up the winding streets we 
 passed the home of Magda Laurent, the aged Made- 
 moiselle who had long made her home in the village. 
 The doors and window of the little stone house were 
 closed but the occupant had not deserted her home — 
 she had simply sought shelter in the cellar. Shells 
 did not frighten her any more. 
 
 "The church had been struck a number of times. 
 One shell had gone completely through the edifice, 
 wrecking a statue of the Virgin. Shells were falling 
 in the French cemetery in the rear of the church and 
 in the region where the American soldiers were buried. 
 We went to the quarters occupied by the central. There, 
 in a dugout, we found Platzer, the missing linesman, 
 telling a thrilling story of how he had left his com- 
 panions in the trench and made faster time up the 
 road than an ambulance, which failed to keep pace with 
 him. Lieutenant Perry gazed at him steadily for al- 
 most a minute, then — it is better not to relate what 
 he said. 
 
 "At 1 o'clock all the linesmen available were assigned 
 to repairing lines in the vicinity of the village, but they 
 found it impossible to perform the task, owing to the 
 heavy bombardment. As in the case at other points, 
 it was quite clear that new wire must be strung, as the 
 old lines were literally cut to fragments, the pieces 
 still hanging to the remaining short poles. 
 
 "Late that afternoon we returned to Rambuecourt 
 by a circuitous route. During the day a heavy charge 
 of explosives were kept beneath the instruments in 
 central, and in case the Germans should break through 
 the apparatus would have been destroyed. In the even- 
 ing, it was thought best to remove the instruments to 
 a point in the rear, and this was done by loading them 
 
64 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 on a truck. The next morning the instruments were re- 
 turned and reinstalled. 
 
 "At Rambuecourt, the same evening, Lieutenant 
 Perry announced that the signal corps had no com- 
 munication between Rambuecourt and Xivray, and 
 he had offered the use of our lines to the infantry. 
 Our wires were strung to regimental headquarters in 
 Rambuecourt, and they immediately got in touch with 
 the men in the front line at Xivray. No other linesmen 
 being available, we were assigned to the work of keep- 
 ing these lines in working order. *At any cost' was 
 the order given regarding the maintenance of the 
 lines. 
 
 "The next morning, we again journeyed to Mandres, 
 where we assisted in constructing a new trunk line 
 to replace the one that had been destroyed. During the 
 day a large detail was busily engaged digging graves 
 for the men who had lost their lives at Seicheprey 
 the day before. The bodies were placed in wooden 
 boxes and laid side by side in one long grave, just east 
 of the French cemetery. 
 
 "When we visited the place, a few days later, I 
 counted over 80 newly made mounds, with a wooden 
 cross at the head of each — and the identification tag 
 invariably bore the inscription, * 102nd Infantry.' " 
 
 During the month of May the enemy was compara- 
 tively quiet in the Lorraine sector, confining himself to 
 shelling battery positions, roads and villages, along the 
 front at intervals and sending small raiding parties 
 into the American lines, which were always preceded 
 by a barrage at the point on which he expected to make 
 the raid. The 26th Division sent many successful 
 
RIOD 
 THE 
 
 WITHOUT RELIEF. 
 SMALL PICTURE. 
 
 SCENES IN THE VILLAGE 
 OF RAMBUECOURT, OP- 
 POSITE M O N T SEC. 
 THE LEFT LINES STA- 
 TION OF S. R. S. NO. 1 
 WAS LOCATED HERE 
 FROM MARCH 15 UNTIL 
 SEPTEMBER 13. A NUM- 
 BER OF THE LINES- 
 MEN AND OBSERVERS 
 REMAINED HERE DUR- 
 ING THIS ENTIRE PE- 
 WAGONER SAMUEL ENGHOLM SEEN IN 
 
 LEFT TO RIGHT— (II BILLET IN ST. RENOIT, WHERE 25 OFFICERS 
 AND MEN OF S. R. S. NO. 1 WERE GASSED ON THE NIGHT OF 
 OCTOBER 1. THE HOLE IN THE ROOF, WHERE A GAS SHELL 
 OF LARGE CALIBRE PENETRATED. (2) RIGHT OBSERVATION 
 POST OF S. R. S. NO. 1, NEAR BENEY. (3) LEFT OBSERVATION 
 POST OF S. R. S. NO. 1, IN FRONT OF ST. BENOIT. (4) COR- 
 PORAL BRESHEARS CAMOUFLAGING A MICROPHONE. (5) 
 CHATEAU ST. BENOIT, WHICH THE GEBMANS DESTROYED 
 BY FIRE SOON AFTER THE ST. MIHIEL OFFENSIVE. 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 65 
 
 raiding parties into the enemy lines, returning with 
 prisoners on each occasion. 
 
 Everything was working smoothly on S. R. S. 
 No. 1. The linesmen at Taylor station had re- 
 placed two new microphone positions, which had been 
 destroyed during the Seicheprey affair. The lines 
 along the entire sector had been put into excellent 
 shape. A number of S. R. S. No. 1 men had been 
 transferred to S. R. S. No. 3, including Sergeant 
 Micheals, Corporal A. J. Breshears and Private Moon. 
 Sergeant Roberts was assigned, temporarly, to Section 
 No. 3, Private Hinman, later promoted to a Sergeant, 
 was placed in charge of the Rambuecourt line station, 
 remaining there until the St. Mihiel offensive and 
 later located at St. Benoit. There are four other lines- 
 men: Harold R. Breshears, Floyd Cox, Arnold Krogh 
 and Wesley Cook, who were at the Rambuecourt sta- 
 tion, within almost a stone's thrown of No Man's Land, 
 from April 1 until the date of the St. Mihiel offensive. 
 In speaking of these men Sergeant Hinman said : 
 
 "The value of these four linesmen can never be over- 
 estimated. While other men were stationed there at 
 different periods, it was this loyal bunch that spent 
 over five months under shell fire without a furlough. 
 While the Toul front was considered more or less of a 
 quiet sector, all points on the Metz-St. Dizier Road 
 were intermittently shelled by the enemy. And during 
 the entire time we occupied the village, a day never 
 passed but that some time during the 24 hours, Fritz 
 shelled the village or the batteries in its immediate 
 vicinity. And never a complaint came from the loyal 
 linesmen during that period. The shelling was never 
 too great, the night was never too dark, the mud never 
 
66 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 too deep nor the rain too heavy to keep the men in 
 the dugouts when the lines Vent out/ 
 
 "And this narrative v^ould not be complete without 
 a few words concerning Chester Keece, the popular lit- 
 tle cook — and when a member of the army's culi- 
 nary department is popular, he must certainly be a 
 general favorite. Hot cakes for breakfast, and while 
 a good dinner was always served to the boys, Reece 
 put over a supper fit for a king. The kings were usu- 
 ally in the form of officers from central, who often 
 made it a point to arrive at Rambuecourt about eating 
 time. The menu would usually consist of beef steak, 
 brown gravy, French fried potatoes, biscuits and pie, 
 made from canned peaches or apricots, purchased from 
 the Y. M. C. A., or the commissary at Mandres." 
 
 Rumors were afloat in May on the Lorraine front 
 that the Allies were planning a big offensive, caused 
 by the fact that many troops were brought here about 
 that time. It appeared later, however, that an attack 
 from the Germans on this sector was imminent and the 
 Allies were making preparations to withstand the as- 
 sault. The attack was made by the Germans in June 
 when forces started over in the vicinity of Xivray. 
 
 The month of May, however, was featured by much 
 aeroplane activity, battles between German and Allied 
 planes occurring daily. One of the most interesting 
 of these aerial contests was witnessed on the morning 
 of the 27th. Four French planes were observed high 
 in the air, bound southward over Rambuecourt. They 
 could only be seen now and then through the light, 
 fleecy clouds. A few minutes later the familiar hum 
 of the French motor was audible in the distance. The 
 Boche turned immediately and made for their own 
 lines. It was late, however, for the five Americans 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 67 
 
 were upon them and the rattle of the machine guns in 
 the clouds indicated that the battle was on. Only a 
 glimpse now and then could be secured from below. 
 
 Suddenly one of the American planes started down 
 — it was falling. The engine was silent and the pilot 
 appeared to be steering his machine toward the Metz- 
 St. Dizier Road, near Rambuecourt. When within a 
 few hundred feet of the ground, the pilot swung to 
 the left and landed just east of the village, but 150 yards 
 north of the camouflaged road, between Rambuecourt 
 and Beaumont, in full view of the German observation 
 posts on Mont Sec. The plane struck the ground 
 squarely, but a wheel hit a shell hole and the machine 
 turned completely over. This within 30 yards of 
 ''Davie," or microphone No. 4. Immediately the 
 stretcher-bearers from the first-aid station in the east 
 end of the village rushed to the assistance of the in- 
 jured aviator. He was found to be severely injured, 
 but not fatally. He was conscious. He had been shot 
 through one of his legs with a dum dum bullet, and the 
 the flesh was badly lacerated. According to the pilot's 
 story he had been cut off from his companions and 
 forced to battle with three enemy planes. His machine 
 gun became jammed and his engine put out of com- 
 mission. Although suffering intensely, he kept his 
 presence of mind and would have landed safely had 
 he not struck the shell hole in his path. His game- 
 ness was evidenced when upon being placed in the 
 ambulance, he said: 
 
 'T\\ get one of the yet.'' 
 
 Noting one of their companions had fallen, the other 
 American aviators pressed the fight, and had the sat- 
 isfaction of dropping two of the enemy planes within 
 
68 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 the American lines, one several kilometers to the east 
 and the other to the west of Rambuecourt. 
 
 The dropping of the Allied plane within the Ameri- 
 can lines, meant trouble for the linesmen at Rambue- 
 court. Within 20 minutes after the plane had fallen, 
 Fritz began shelling that immediate vicinity, with the 
 intention of destroying the machine, and to harass any 
 one who might attempt to remove it from the field. 
 As a result of the shelling, the announcement soon came 
 from central that ''Davie was sick," meaning that the 
 line to the microphone was out. Two men from the 
 station repaired the break, finding it within a few 
 yards of the microphone and, of course, very close to 
 the disabled plane. The German gun was firing at 
 about two-minute intervals and it was between the 
 shots that a hasty splice was made. But the trouble 
 was not over. Ten minutes later the road crossing 
 was wrecked by a 77 and the linesmen had a perilous 
 task in replacing it, as the artillery action increased, 
 with less time between the rounds. Many times dur- 
 ing the afternoon the lines were broken. After dark 
 a wrecking party came out from the aviation field 
 near Toul and removed the aeroplane, taking it back 
 for repairs. 
 
 It was about this time that the Sound Ranging ob- 
 servers in Xivray moved to a post in the east end of the 
 village, which had been given up by the French. This 
 proved an excellent home for the men, as they had been 
 compelled to put up with many inconveniences in the 
 first location. When the observers first took up their 
 abode in the village on the edge of No Man's Land, 
 the post was in front of the town and only a few yards 
 back of the front line trench. The post was located in 
 a building partially destroyed by shell fire, and the 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 69 
 
 dugout, where the observers slept and stayed when 
 not on duty, was 50 yards in the rear. The observers 
 at Xivray at the time were Sergeants Bradshaw and 
 Hopkins, Corporal Hartley and Privates Nave, Nelson 
 and Jaynes. Many amusing incidents are told con- 
 cerning the early work of the Sound Rangers. While 
 the dugouts proved the best protection against the 
 shells. Private Nelson preferred to sleep on top dur- 
 ing favorable weather, rather than inhale the fumes 
 of Corporal Hartley's pipe. 
 
 Sergeant Bradshaw's favorite pastime was to 
 empty his automatic at the venturesome cats, prowling 
 through the ruins and in the communication and old 
 support trenches. For this innocent amusement, Brad- 
 shaw was arrested regularly every eight days, or when- 
 ever a new company came into the village. When 
 taken before the P. C. the Sergeant would explain his 
 position by stating he was unaware of any regulation 
 prohibiting the shooting at cats, but was glad to know 
 that such regulation existed. He was always excused 
 by promising to observe this order in the future. 
 
 The position occupied later by the Sound Ranging 
 observers was ideal in every respect. It was con- 
 structed by the French in 1915 — a concrete tower, 
 with walls six feet wide, within a three-story building. 
 It was approximately 40 feet high and afforded an 
 excellent view of No Man's Land and the German 
 territory. From this position the flash of the enemy 
 guns from the muzzle was visible in many cases. The 
 sleeping quarters of the observers were on the second 
 floor of the tower. For several days prior to the attack 
 on Xivray, the Germans directed their fire on the 
 communication lines, especially between Xivray and 
 Rambuecourt. The lines were kept in repair at the 
 
70 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 expense of much time and labor on the part of the 
 linesmen. It was at last decided to maintain the ob- 
 servation post in Xivray only during the day time, the 
 observers operating from a post in Rambuecourt at 
 night. This change was made June 6, and was due 
 to the expected attack of the Boche. 
 
 Captain Bazzoni also received orders to move the 
 central farther to the rear and a new location, approxi- 
 mately three kilometers in the woods, south of Ram- 
 buecourt was chosen. The lines were changed on June 
 10, the warmest day experienced thus far in France. 
 Everyone in the section was pressed into service for 
 the work. It was anything but an easy task. The 
 section of the country through which we strung the 
 lines was of a swampy nature and infested by the 
 largest and most ferocious flies that any of the boys 
 had ever encountered. Big green fellows that drew 
 blood each time they came in contact with human flesh. 
 The intense heat added to the suffering of those en- 
 gaged in the work. 
 
 On June 13, the 26th Division abandoned the 
 trenches at Xivray and took up a position in a support 
 trench, half way between the Rupt de Mad and Xivray, 
 not over a kilometer in advance of the Metz-St. Dizier 
 Road. The plans of the infantry caused the Sound 
 Ranging Section to move the left observation post to a 
 position in the same trench held by the infantry. The 
 post was established opposite Mont Sec. 
 
 The Battle of Xivray. 
 
 The second attack of the Germans on the American 
 troops in the Toul sector was launched early on the 
 morning of June 16, the purpose of the enemy un- 
 doubtedly being to get possession of the famous high- 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 71 
 
 way, and ultimately Toul, if the first move was suc- 
 cessful. Rambuecourt appeared to be the point at 
 which the enemy expected to strike as it was in front 
 of the village that the enemy first clashed with the 
 American forces in the trenches. 
 
 The 103rd Infantry was holding the trenches at 
 the time, and like the gallant 102nd at Seicheprey, up- 
 held the honor of the New England Division. But 
 ''Hidenburg's Traveling Circus" did not have even the 
 success in this assault as it had at Seicheprey, as the 
 attack was a complete failure, although planned on a 
 larger scale. Over 6000 shock troops had been brought 
 to a point near Mont Sec for the affair, but probably 
 not over one-fourth of this number reached the Ameri- 
 can trenches, as the slaughter of the first and second 
 waves convinced the enemy that further attempt to 
 take the coveted position was folly. 
 
 At 3:30 on the morning of June 16, Fritz opened 
 with a violent artillery action from Buconville to the 
 Bois du Jury. In the barrage the Germans used much 
 heavier artillery than at any time since the Americans 
 had held the sector. It can be stated with authority 
 that it was the heaviest barrage the Germans ever 
 put over while the Americans occupied the Toul sector. 
 Rambuecourt was the target for a wicked 210 Howitzer 
 that crumbled the remaining walls, caved in the dug- 
 outs, and tore great holes in the streets. One shell 
 struck the large chateau in the west end of the village, 
 wrecking the center of it, leaving the ends of the 
 building standing. It also buried a number of 
 men who were billeted there. The Y. M. C. A. was 
 located in the chateau, but was closed at that hour of 
 the morning. When daylight came the streets in that 
 end of the village were strewn with American dead. 
 
72 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 Just at dawn and during a heavy fog, the enemy- 
 infantry attacked. The first wave, composed of ap- 
 proximately 500 men, struck on the right of Xivray, 
 in the trenches held by the Americans. As soon as 
 the gray forms of the Germans loomed up through the 
 fog, a stream of fire flashed from the American 
 trenches and the sharp clatter of rifles and machine 
 guns indicated that the enemy had been discovered. 
 The Germans had succeeded in placing a machine gun 
 just outside of the wire entanglement and soon were 
 sweeping the parapet of the American trench. An 
 American machine gun crew deliberately placed the 
 piece upon the parapet of the trench and the German 
 ranks melted away beneath the fire, while the rem- 
 nants broke and fell back further into No Man's Land 
 and to their own trenches. But 83 dead were 
 left by the enemy just beyond the American wire 
 entanglements. 
 
 The second wave struck at the village of Xivray, 
 held by a machine gun company. In the village the 
 Germans encountered a deadly fire. Some of the Ger- 
 mans succeeded in getting into the village, but were 
 either killed or captured. One of the Germans taken 
 prisoner, stated that 500 had made the assault and 
 ended with, "guess you got 'em all." 
 
 Two hours later the Germans' artillery opened again 
 and the trenches and Xivray received another baptism 
 of shell fire and gas. In many places the sides of the 
 trench crumbled and collapsed. Sergeant Hopkins and 
 Corporal Hartley were the observers on duty. No 
 longer able to be of service, owing to the severing of 
 the lines, the men sought protection in a dugout. For 
 fully an hour the bombardment continued. Trenches 
 were demolished and dugouts caved in during the hail 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 73 
 
 of shells, but the observers fortunately escaped un- 
 injured. 
 
 It was expected that the second bombardment would 
 be followed by another assault, but evidently the Ger- 
 mans had no desire to again face the Yankee guns. 
 Nevertheless, every preparation was made to repulse 
 the enemy in case he should again attack. At Rambue- 
 court, less than a kilometer behind the line, the troops 
 were "standing to,'* with fixed bayonets. Under the 
 command of Lieutenant Perry, the Sound Rangers sta- 
 tioned there were in support with rifles and belts filled 
 with ammunition. At its new location in the woods, 
 central had its share of shell fire. During the early 
 hours of the morning long range guns of large calibre 
 hurled gas and high explosives into the woods and, 
 owing to the intense artillery action it was deemed ad- 
 visable to load the apparatus onto a truck and take it to 
 the rear. It was returned later in the afternoon and 
 the lines repaired. The base was soon in operation 
 again. It was on this occasion that Divisional Head- 
 quarters at Boucq was shelled, and frantic appeals 
 emanated from that point to the observation posts to 
 locate without delay the gun that was using the Gen- 
 eral's abode for a target. 
 
 A good story is told by one of the Sound Rangers, 
 who was in Boucq when the Germans were dropping 
 the projectiles into the town. One of the shells, ac- 
 cording to the story, struck a mule and exploded, smear- 
 ing the animal all over the street. A "doughboy," a 
 few yards away was knocked down by the concussion, 
 but otherwise uninjured. A Y. M. C. A. man rushed 
 up to him. 
 
 "My poor man, are you hurt?" the secretary asked. 
 
74 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 "Hell no," replied the "doughboy," wiping the dirt 
 from his face, "but you ought to see that mule." 
 
 The months of July and August passed quietly on 
 this section of the front, desultory firing on the Ameri- 
 can batteries, roads and villages, with an occasional 
 barrage, which usually preceded a raid at some point 
 on the line, comprising the enemy activities during 
 that period. The Americans carried out much the 
 same program, this being at the period of the fighting 
 at Chateau-Thierry and later the Allied offensive in 
 that region. 
 
 During this time the Sound Kangers at central 
 were busily engaged in excavating for a large dugout, 
 which was to be the home for the apparatus and the 
 computers, as well as to afford protection for all the 
 men stationed there. And it was here that Acting 
 First Sergeant Drummond (now Lieutenant) was 
 placed in a position that lost for him a little of his 
 popularity. For it fell to him to arrange the detail 
 for the work on the dugout, which was not a pleasant 
 task during those warm days, to say the least. The 
 dugout was completed just in time to abandon it fol- 
 lowing the St. Mihiel offensive. 
 
 Captain Bazonni still retained his headquarters at 
 Mandres, where Sergeant Taylor and an efficient 
 force of linesmen were stationed. It was about this 
 time that Captain Bazonni took command of all the 
 Sound Ranging Sections then in operation and Lieu- 
 tenant Van Vechtan was put in command of Section 
 No. 1. Mandres from that date until the close of the 
 war was Sound Ranging Headquarters, where men 
 coming to the front from the school at Fort de St. 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 75 
 
 Menge were brought before assigned to one of the 
 sections in operation. 
 
 During the last week in June, the 26th Division 
 was relieved by the 82nd, the first National Army 
 Division to go to the Toul sector. It was with regret 
 that the Sound Rangers witnessed the departure of the 
 boys of the 26th, who later won great honors at Cha- 
 teau Thierry and in the Argonne Forest. The 82nd 
 was known as the Ail-American Division. The name 
 was fitting, however, for it was composed of every 
 type to be found in the United States. The division 
 secured its final training during the weeks they were 
 in this quiet sector, a training which later proved of 
 great value to these troops. While there was no gen- 
 eral activity on the American front during the sum- 
 mer, Fritz continued to harass daily, certain points 
 along the front. Accuracy of the German artillery on 
 American positions near Mont Sec, was marvelous. It 
 appeared to be no difficult task for *'01d Betsy,'* as 
 one of the enemy batteries had been dubbed, to hit the 
 main street in Rambuecourt whenever suited the fancy 
 of the Boche artillerymen to try it. 
 
 And at last the enemy located the line station's 
 kitchen, and a few days later Chester Reece, the popu- 
 lar little cook, was seriously injured by shell frag- 
 ments. He was in the kitchen at the time, mixing 
 dough for pie to be served for supper. The kitchen 
 was located in a frame building back of a stone wall. 
 Over 80 shell fragments went through the side of the 
 shack, Reece receiving some severe wounds in the arms 
 and back. After this casualty the kitchen was moved 
 to a nearby dugout and Platzer, assisted by De Petro, 
 assumed the responsibility of satisfying the appetites 
 of the observers and linesmen at Rambuecourt. 
 
76 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 The 82nd Division was relieved by the 89th Divi- 
 sion, National Army troops from Kansas and Mis- 
 souri. A finer body of men never went to the front. 
 Excellent officers, well-disciplined men, they made a 
 creditable showing, from the first day they went into 
 the trenches. They occupied the front for several 
 weeks prior to the St. Mihiel drive. By successful 
 raids into the enemy territory, the men captured many 
 prisoners, from whom important information regard- 
 ing enemy movements was secured. Soon after com- 
 ing to the front a large number were gassed in the 
 Bois du Jury, a regrettable feature of the Division's 
 stay on the Toul sector. 
 
 Thus has been told the trend of events in Lorraine 
 prior to the great American offensive. 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 77 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 CHATEAU THIERRY 
 
 France tvill never forget that it was at the moment 
 when the struggle ivas at its hardest that the valiant 
 American troops joined in with ours, — Clemenceau, 
 
 I have come to tell you that the American people 
 would consider it a great honor for our troops to be 
 engaged in the present battle; I ask you for this in their 
 name and my own. Infantry, artillery, aviation, all 
 that we have is yours; use it as you wish. More will 
 come in numbers equxil to requirements. I have come 
 especially to tell you that the American people will be 
 proud to take part in the greatest and finest battle of 
 history. — General Pershing to Marshal Foch. 
 
 Officers, Non-commissioned Officers and Soldiers of 
 the American Army: 
 
 Shoulder to shoulder with your French comrades, 
 you threw yourselves into the counter-offensive begun 
 on July 18th. You ran to it as if going to a feast. Your 
 magnificent dash upset and surprised the enemy, and 
 your indomitable tenacity stopped counter attacks by 
 his fresh divisions. You have shown yourselves to be 
 worthy sons of your great country and have gained the 
 admiration of uour brothers in arms. Ninety-one can- 
 non, 7,200 prisoners, immense booty, and ten kilometers 
 of reconquered territory are your share of the trophies 
 of this victory. Besides this, you have acquired a feel- 
 ing of superiority over the barbarian enemy against 
 whom the children of Liberty are fighting. To attack 
 him is to vanquish him. American comrades, I am 
 grateful to you for the blood you generously spilled on 
 the soil of my country. I am proud of having com- 
 manded you during such splendid days, and to have 
 
78 RANGING IN PRANCE 
 
 fought with you for the deliverance of the world, — 
 General Joseph Mangin. 
 
 To F. R. S. No. 1 goes the credit of participating in 
 more engagements and covering more territory during 
 the war than any other section of Flash or Sound. This 
 despite the fact that the section was not formed until 
 several weeks after the first Sound Ranging Section 
 was organized. 
 
 It was on February 19 that five American Flash 
 Rangers in charge of Lieutenant Wright left the Amer- 
 ican Flash and Sound Ranging school at Fort de St. 
 Menge for the American sector northwest of Toul. 
 Upon arriving at their destination they were assigned 
 to the French Flash Ranging section for further in- 
 struction. The enlisted men were : Sergeant Brewster, 
 and Privates Chambers, Cotton, Hinton and J. C. Bald- 
 win. On March 18 five more men were sent from the 
 school to join the others with the French. This small 
 detachment was in command of Lieutenant C. L. Huel- 
 ing, and included the following: Sergeant Howe, and 
 Privates Schroeder, J. C. Berry, A. L. Baldwin, and C. 
 Castruccio. 
 
 On arriving with the French Flash Rangers the 
 Americans were placed at different points in the sec- 
 tor to receive the best training possible. All were as- 
 signed to observation work with the exception of Pri- 
 vate Schroeder, who volunteered for line work. He later 
 became very proficient in this branch. 
 
 Soon after coming to the front. Private Castruccio 
 had the misfortune to receive a severe wound from a 
 shell fragment. He was accompanied by Sergeant 
 Brewster at the time, and both had a narrow escape in 
 the barrage that caught them back of the artillery po- 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 79 
 
 sition near Dead Man's Curve. This was the first cas- 
 ualty in the Flash and Sound. 
 
 The first ten Flash Rangers were able to be of 
 much assistance to the infantry and artillery during 
 the battle of Seicheprey on April 20, an account of 
 which is given in another chapter. 
 
 About April 1, a number of other Flash Rangers ar- 
 rived on the front, from the school, and were assigned 
 to S. R. S. No. 2 until F. R. S. No. 1 was organized. 
 
 The first Flash Ranging Section, with Captain Ly- 
 man in command, began operations on the American 
 front during the first week in May. The base extended 
 from Fort Louisville, on the heights of the Meuse, to 
 the Bois du Jury, covering approximately 15 kilometers 
 or practically the entire American sector north of Toul. 
 The headquarters of the section was at Boucq and the 
 central at Broussy. The officers, in addition to Cap- 
 tain Lyman, were Lieutenants Ross, Wright, Hueling 
 and Newkirk. 
 
 Observation Post No. 1 was located in the Bois du 
 Jury, with Sergeant Baldwin in charge. Post No. 2 
 was at Beaumont in charge of Sergeant Brewster. 
 Post No. 3 was at Broussy in charge of Sergeant Wat- 
 ers, with Sergeant Colt at No. 4 Post, at Liouville. 
 While it is hardly worth while to mention the work of 
 the section during the early days, owing to the fact 
 that this was a quiet period on the front, it is sufficient 
 to say that the experience gained there was of much 
 value later when the officers and men got into areas of 
 real activity. 
 
 A month after the establishing of the section, the 
 emergency arose at Chateau-Thierry, at which time 
 American troops were thrown in to aid in halting the 
 invading Huns in their drive on Paris. 
 
80 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 In organizing the first American units to engage 
 in actual hostilities, the high command found a need 
 for the new branches of the service, and the Flash 
 Rangers were withdrawn from the American front, 
 preparatory to going to the new field of action, upon 
 which the attention of the entire world was turned at 
 that time. 
 
 From Broussy, the section went to Fort de St. 
 Menge for reorganization and additional equipment. 
 
 It was on June 12th that the Flash Rangers reached 
 the great salient which the Germans had formed in 
 their attempt to cross the Marne at Chateau Thierry. 
 The section took up a position on the left of the salient, 
 to the west of Chateau Thierry, and opposite the Ger- 
 man's right flank. The central was established near 
 Montreul au Lions in the Bois de Essertis. Four ob- 
 servation posts were immediately established, the base 
 extending from Le Thiolet to Veuilly. 
 
 The posts were established under the most difficult 
 circumstances. The observers suffered the same priva- 
 tions as the infantry. The line had not been perma- 
 nently established and the locating of the positions to 
 be taken up by the observers was not only a difficult 
 task, but a perilous one as well. The area was heavily 
 shelled and the men, as well as the infantry, had no pro- 
 tection, outside of what little the "fox holes" afforded. 
 
 "Pup tents" were put up to provide a shelter from 
 the rain which continued to fall in torrents for several 
 days. And for a period of almost a week the men were 
 compelled to confine themselves to "monkey meat" and 
 hard tack, as no other rations were available. 
 
 This trying period came immediately after the 2nd 
 and 3rd American Divisions had repulsed the Germans 
 at Chateau Thierry, the enemy having pushed from 
 
SCENES IN THE VILLAGE OF VAUX, 
 TAKEN BY AMERICAN TROOPS BE- 
 FORE THE GENERAL ATTACK NEAR 
 CHATEAU-THIERRY. 
 
 THE CITY OF CHATEAU-THIERRY AND THE RUINS OF THE 
 FAMOUS BRIDGE ACROSS THE MARNE RIVER. 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 81 
 
 Chemin des Dames to the Marne, covering a period ex- 
 tending from May 28 to June 2. While the reader is 
 no doubt familiar with this important part of the 
 world history — considered one of the most critical 
 periods of the Great War — a brief description is neces- 
 sary in order to show what part Flash Ranging took in 
 the stirring events that followed. It must also be re- 
 membered that S. R. S. No. 2 was also operating dur- 
 ing the same period to the left of Chateau Thierry, an 
 account of its work being given in another chapter. 
 
 Breaking the allied line along the famous ridge of 
 the Cremin des Dames, the Seventh German army, un- 
 der General von Boehn operating toward Soissons and 
 to the east and west of it; and the First army under 
 General F. von Buelow advancing to the east of the 
 Seventh army, were able to push rapidly on toward the 
 Marne, the weary British and French retreating before 
 them. Despite the stubborn resistance of the Allies, the 
 advancing horde of Germans pushed onward, taking 
 Soissons and Fere-in-Tardeois, and threatening the 
 great railway center of Rheims, making it very dif- 
 ficult for the Allies to hold. Finally the enemy was 
 able to spread out directly toward the French capital, 
 across the open and level country between the Marne 
 and the Ourcq rivers. By June 1, the Germans had ad- 
 vanced to within 70 kilometers of Paris at the nearest 
 point, and still possessed all the advantage of the in- 
 itiative. The western face of the salient, of course, of- 
 fered the best opportunity for a point to center an at- 
 tack by the Germans, they having a front of approxi- 
 mately 75 kilometers from which to choose. 
 
 Such was the situation when Marshal Foch threw 
 in his reserve division to check the drive of the enemy. 
 Among the reserve divisions were the 2nd and 3rd 
 
82 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 American Divisions. It was the American divisions 
 w^hich Marshal Foch assigned to the positions of the 
 greatest danger, and in doing so he expressed his faith 
 in these troops. The 2nd Division v^as in command of 
 Major-General Omar Bundy, and, v^hen getting the 
 order to move immediately to Chateau Thierry, was in 
 rest billets at Chaumont-en-Vexin, northwest of Paris. 
 This was on the afternoon of May 30, but by the early 
 morning of June 1, the greater number of the troops 
 had detrained and were advancing beyond Montreuil- 
 aux-Lions, the point where a few days later the central 
 for the Flash Ranging Section was established. This 
 is a small village on the Paris-Metz road, 10 kilometers 
 west of Chateau Thierry. 
 
 Conditions could hardly have been worse for the 
 Allies when the Americans went into the line. On the 
 left, the French were badly outnumbered, and had be- 
 come exhausted and discouraged from long fighting 
 and marching. 
 
 It was quite evident that the Americans must es- 
 tablish defensive positions at once, and that night they 
 went in all along the line. The 9th Infantry was in 
 from Bonneil, near the Marne, southwest of Chateau 
 Thierry to Le Thiolet, on the Paris-Metz road, whence 
 the 6th Marines extended to Lucy-le-Bocage, and the 
 23rd operating temporarily under the 43rd French Div- 
 ision, continued the line to the Bois de Veuilly. The 
 Germans, finding the French had been reinforced by 
 the Americans, did not attack until June 3, when they 
 drove against the line from Montcourt, near the Marne, 
 clear up to Chezy-en-Orxois, five kilometers northwest 
 of the Bois Veuilly, in an effort to crush the 2nd United 
 States and 43rd French Divisions at once. The 5th 
 Marines had reached the front by this time ; also three 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 83 
 
 regiments of Brigadier-General William Chamberlain's 
 2nd Field Artillery brigade. Thus the enemy was 
 stopped everywhere on the American front, for the time 
 being, in the valley of the Ru Gobert. 
 
 While the 2nd Division was engaged with the enemy 
 on the left side of the salient, the 3rd Division had been 
 assigned to the defense of the passages of the Marne 
 from Chateau Thierry to Dormans. The 3rd Division 
 was commanded by Major-General Joseph T. Dickman. 
 Unlike the first, it did not do its fighting as a body, the 
 5th Infantry Brigade consisting of the 4th and 7th In- 
 fantry and the 8th Machine Gun Battalion. Brigadier- 
 General Charles Crawford, commander of the 6th In- 
 fantry Brigade, was given one of his infantry regi- 
 ments (the 38th) and half his machine gun battalion 
 (the 9th), and instructed to hold the crossings of the 
 Marne from Dormans east to Damery. The remainder 
 of the 6th Brigade, namely, the 30th Infantry and half 
 the 9th Machine Gun Battalion, was placed in support 
 of the 5th Brigade, while the divisional machine gun 
 battalion, the 7th, was ordered to Chateau Thierry. 
 
 When the 7th Machine Gun Battalion marched into 
 the streets of Chateau Thierry after its 36 hours of 
 weary marching, the town was under heavy shell fire, 
 and the Germans were advancing in the streets on the 
 opposite side of the Marne. It was here that the bat- 
 tle raged for 96 hours. The machine gunners hastilj'' 
 found positions for their pieces which enabled them to 
 sweep the main bridge in the village spanning the 
 Marne. Then the invading hordes attempted to rush 
 the bridge, but failed under the withering fire of the 
 American machine gunners. Again and again was the 
 attempt made, but to no avail. The 7th Machine Gun 
 Battalion was relieved on the morning of June 4, 
 
84 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 heavy reinforcements arriving from the French and 
 American forces. 
 
 While the enemy had been halted on his drive to- 
 ward Paris, he was in possession of strong points on 
 the left side of the Ru Gk>bert, so that the Americans 
 were under observation and were being constantly 
 shelled. It was therefore necessary that the Germans 
 be pushed back from their advantageous position. By 
 that time the enemy was employing at least 300,000 
 men on the whole front of the offensive. 
 
 Early on the morning of June 6, the 1st and 3rd 
 Battalion of the 5th Marines charged through the 
 woodlands on the hill crests north of Champillon with 
 the object of taking the edges of these woods and crests 
 looking down into the open valley about Torcy and 
 Bussiares. The machine gun fire was intense, but the 
 objective was gained. 
 
 The pushing forward of the left of the 2nd Division 
 made it necessary that the center should be brought up 
 also in the direction of Belleau village and Bouresches. 
 The 5th and 6th Marines were given this task, and how 
 well they succeeded is familiar history to all patriotic 
 Americans. The assault was launched at 5 P. M., and 
 all throughout the night, in the thickets of the Bois 
 de Belleau and Bois de Triangle, the lines surged back 
 and forth in one of the most bitter struggles ever 
 fought by American troops. 
 
 In bitter hand-to-hand combat with the Huns, the 
 Americans captured the many machine gun nests and 
 drove the enemy backward. At 9 o'clock the next morn- 
 ing the Americans had pushed into the Bois de Belleau 
 as far as the Hill 181, placing the Marines on higher 
 ground than the enemy. 
 
 For several weeks the fighting continued, this pe- 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 85 
 
 riod later proving to be the turning point of the Great 
 War. 
 
 It was at this time that F. R. S. No. 1 was estab- 
 lished and was soon able to furnish important informa- 
 tion to the Intelligence Department. The 2nd Division 
 was operating directly before the observation post of 
 the Flash Rangers and they were in a position to render 
 valuable service, not only in providing data on enemy 
 artillery, but on machine gun nests, infantry move- 
 ments, etc. Three posts were constantly under shell 
 fire. The enemy appeared to be firing directly at the 
 slits in the posts, as on numerous occasions the equip- 
 ment was blown to atoms, the observers barely escaping 
 with their lives. 
 
 The lines of communication were constantly cut, and 
 were kept in shape only by the heroic work of the lines- 
 men. 
 
 The section was operating smoothly when the Amer- 
 icans decided to make the attack on Vaux, and from 
 their posts the observers were able to note the activity, 
 giving valuable information during the attack regard- 
 ing the movements of the enemy, as well as information 
 regarding the effectiveness of our artillery fire and the 
 progress of the American troops. 
 
 The village of Vaux was situated in the little valley 
 between the famous Hill 204, taken by the French and 
 Americans on June 7-8, and the positions north of the 
 Bois de la Morette, taken by the 9th Infantry at the 
 same time. The cluster of stone houses comprising the 
 village were nothing more or less than enemy fortresses 
 armed with German machine guns. The cellars were 
 bomb-proof, sheltering thousands of infantrymen. 
 
 The village was a dangerous salient in the American 
 lines and from this point the enemy was able to sweep 
 
86 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 with his fire the points held by the United States 
 troops. It was, therefore, of the utmost importance 
 that the village be taken, and following an intense bom- 
 bardment which continued for one hour and thirty min- 
 utes, the assault went over the top at 6 o'clock, July 1, 
 on a front of two kilometers. In 15 minutes the first 
 wave had reached the streets of the village, and at 6 :30 
 it was completely taken. 
 
 On the morning of July 15 the Germans launched 
 what proved to be their last offensive. At the conclu- 
 sion of their offensive to the Marne, which practically 
 ended on June 5, the Germans rested for a period of 
 over four weeks to replenish their divisions which had 
 been used up in the fighting on the Marne. According 
 to the best information secured by the Allied Intel- 
 ligence Service, 63 enemy divisions had been refitted, 
 reinforced and rested behind the lines. Of this number, 
 18 divisions were in the front line two days before the 
 drive started in the salient. 
 
 The time which the Germans took to prepare for the 
 last and final effort also gave the Allied forces an op- 
 portunity to bring up a mass of reserve to meet the at- 
 tack that was imminent. 
 
 Owing to the rapidity with which the Americans 
 were coming over, and to the efforts of the French and 
 British, the Allies were able to assemble no less than 
 72 divisions in reserve. Through its Intelligence Serv- 
 ice the Allied command knew the time, the place and 
 the strength of the' attack which was to be delivered on 
 the right of the salient, or east of Chateau Thierry, on 
 the morning of July 15. However, the entire front from 
 Soissons to Rheims was under a heavy bombardment 
 of high explosive and gas shells. 
 
 Marshal Foch, by the accurate information secured 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 87 
 
 through the Intelligence Section, was able to throw just 
 enough troops in the line on the right to hold the en- 
 emy, holding the other divisions for the blow which 
 was to be struck on the left face of the salient. In re- 
 pulsing the enemy attack the 42nd American Division, 
 in a sector of the Champagne battle front, and the 3rd 
 American Division, supported by the 28th American 
 Division south of the Marne, east of Chateau Thieriy, 
 each achieved glorious victories during these critical 
 days. 
 
 It was on the morning of July 18, when the Ger- 
 mans had involved approximately 50 divisions in the 
 attempt to break through on the eastern side of the 
 Marne salient, that Marshal Foch attacked on the west 
 side of the salient where the German forces were not 
 heavily massed. Should the Allies' forces meet with 
 success here it would enable them to cut the communi- 
 cations to the German divisions on the eastern side 
 fighting desperately to break through in their attempt 
 to reach Paris. By flanking the enemy this would 
 either crush his forces in the salient or force them to 
 retreat under the most difficult conditions. 
 
 It was exactly at 4 :35 on the morning of the 18th 
 that the Americans launched their attack, directly in 
 front of that part of the sector in which F. R. S. No. 1 
 was operating. A description of the attack is given by 
 one of the forward observers, who was on duty at his 
 post at the time : 
 
 "Being connected with the Intelligence Section, we 
 were more or less aware of the fact that an Allied of- 
 fensive was imminent, but were taken absolutely by 
 surprise by the manner in which it was executed. The 
 assault was preceded by no artillery fire, and at dawn 
 we could make out the uniforms of olive drab and hor- 
 
88 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 izon blue advancing on the village of Hautevenes. At 
 8 o'clock the troops took the town, and we continued to 
 keep headquarters informed as to the progress of the 
 infantry and the effect of the enemy artillery and 
 machine gun fire. The enemy along the whole line 
 threw a withering barrage on the American infantry, 
 but they pushed ahead." 
 
 By nightfall the Allied troops had broken through 
 the German trench system to an average depth of four 
 kilometers and had taken approximately 18,000 pris- 
 oners and 250 guns. From the first day until the Allies 
 had pushed the enemy back to the heights above the 
 Vesle, the drive continued. The Germans, by the 20th, 
 had given up their attack on the Champagne front as 
 hopeless and were withdrawing as many troops as 
 possible from there. 
 
 The positions of the various divisions of the Allied 
 forces on the morning of the 18th, and which partici- 
 pated in the attack were, from left to right : 1st, 2nd, 
 and 26th American Divisions. The 1st and 2nd Div- 
 isions were a short distance south of the Aisne and 
 formed with the 20th corps of the 10th French army. 
 North of the 20th Corps, four divisions of the 1st 
 French army, extending to the Aisne, formed the ex- 
 treme left flank of the attack. On the east side of the 
 salient the American division on the line was the 26th 
 and 3rd. 
 
 On the morning of the 21st, the Flash Ranging 
 posts were called in, as the lines had advanced too far 
 to be of any assistance. The section then moved up to 
 Souillard Farm, and three posts were established. The 
 observation work was carried on for two days and 
 nights, and then another move became necessary. 
 
 It was during the period that the lines were being 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 8ft 
 
 strung to the observation posts, that Private Fred Hop- 
 kins, one of the efficient linesmen, was severely in- 
 jured. Under the direction of Lieutenant Newkirk, 
 lines officer, Hopkins and a number of other linesmen 
 were running a line to one of the observation posts. 
 The enemy opened up with artillery action in the area 
 in which the men were working, and Hopkins was 
 struck in the back with a shell fragment. Lieutenant 
 Newkirk and other men in the section went to his as- 
 sistance and he was carried to a first aid station, from 
 which point he was taken to a hospital. The wounds 
 proved to be serious, and the lad laid for nine long 
 months in the hospital. It will be remembered that 
 Hopkins was a member of the raiding party that cut 
 the electrified wire cable in front of Loupmont, on the 
 old American sector, in April. His cheerful disposition 
 made him a favorite in the section. He never fully re- 
 covered from the wounds, but is improving at his home 
 in the state of Idaho. 
 
 It was here that the Germans dropped over the 
 following propaganda, inside our lines, from balloons 
 used for that purpose. The paper was printed in Eng- 
 lish: 
 
 THE BETTER PART OF VALOR 
 
 Are you a brave man or a coward? 
 
 It takes a brave man to stand up for his principles. Cowards 
 stand behind leaders and die, imagining that by so doing they 
 become heroes. 
 
 The motive of an act is its measure. If you think the War 
 is Hell and that as a citizen of the United States of America you 
 have no business to be fighting in France for England, you are 
 a coward to stay with it. If you had the courage to face criticism 
 you would get out and over the top in no time where there is a 
 likelihood that you would see home again. 
 
 What business is this war in Europe to you, anyway? You 
 don't want to annex anything in Europe, do you? You don't want 
 to give up life for that abstract thing, humanity? 
 
 If you believe in humanity and that life is precious, save 
 
90 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 your own life and dedicate it to the service of your own country 
 and the woman who deserves it of you. 
 
 Lots of you fellows are staying with it because you are too 
 cowardly to protest — to assert your own wills. Your wills are 
 the best judges of what it is best for you to do. Don't ask any- 
 one's opinion as to what you had better do. You know best what 
 is the right thing to do. Do it and save your life. 
 
 Germany never did any harm to you. All the newspaper 
 tales of wrongs are printed to inflame you to the fighting pitch. 
 They are lies. You know you can't believe what you read in 
 the papers. 
 
 If you stay with the outfit, ten chances to one, all you will 
 get out of it will be a tombstone in France. 
 
 It was about this time that Private Claude Har- 
 reschou, of Seaside, Oregon, is said to have featured 
 in an amusing incident. Private Harreschou, who was 
 later promoted to a sergeant, was one of the observers 
 in the section and, according to the story, Major- 
 General Edwards, commanding the 26th Division, was 
 near the position of the post held by Harreschou. From 
 his position General Edwards was directing an attack 
 on a farmhouse, a German strong point. Between the 
 advancing Americans and the farmhouse the observers 
 could plainly make out a line of machine gun nests, at 
 least ten in number. The observers could see the fig- 
 ures of the Germans in the positions they held. 
 
 The American artillery in that section was shelling 
 the farmhouse, but the enemy machine guns had 
 thus far escaped and were pouring a withering fire 
 on the advancing troops. 
 
 Private Harreschou grew nervous. He had turned 
 in the information regarding the machine gun nests. 
 Why had not the artillery been used to silence them? 
 
 Suddenly the observer, leaving the post in charge 
 of his assistant, approached General Edwards. Tap- 
 ping the officer on the shoulder, Harreschou, forget- 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 91 
 
 ting for a moment everything except that the machine 
 gunners were mowing down the Americans, said: 
 
 ''Say, if you'll use some artillery on those machine 
 gun nests, j^ou'll save a lot of men and also be able to 
 take the farmhouse." 
 
 General Edwards turned and, seeing that it was a 
 private who had addressed him, rebuked the observer 
 for his suggestion. An officer who accompanied the 
 General smiled and glanced approvingly at Harreschou, 
 who by this time realized his position. He returned to 
 his post, but was gratified a few minutes later when 
 artillery fire was centered on the machine guns, put- 
 ting them out of commission. The farmhouse was then 
 taken. 
 
 From Souillard Farm to Epieds was the next move 
 made by the section. It was the intention to establish 
 the base on the crown of the heights above the Ourcq. 
 This was prevented, however, owing to the great activ- 
 ity of the enemy artillery. The section withdrew to 
 Bezu-St. Germain for a few days, after which it was 
 moved to the little village of Beauverdes. Four posts 
 were established, commanding the Ourcq. 
 
 The positions afforded an excellent view of the 
 enemy territory, and the section was able to render 
 invaluable service in locating park tanks, advancing 
 enemy tanks as well as directing friendly artillery. It 
 was here that the observers saw Seringes and Cergy 
 change hands daily, the line surging back and forth, 
 the Allies at last winning the victory. 
 
 It was at this time that the 42nd Division, fresh 
 from the Champagne sector where they had repulsed 
 the Germans, reached the section of the front where 
 the Flash Rangers were operating. Confidence was 
 
92 RANGING IN PRANCE 
 
 more firmly established and the Americans, crossing 
 the Ourcq, made rapid progress. The enemy had left 
 stiff resistance in the way of machine guns, but these 
 once disposed of, the charging Yanks swept on to the 
 Vesle. 
 
 Sergeant Brewster and Corporals Chambers and 
 Castruccio, under command of Lieutenant Curtis, 
 moved forward with the infantry in order to find good 
 positions for observation posts and to ascertain if the 
 enemy had guns of high calibre on the Vesle — guns of 
 150 milimeters or greater; also the nature of their ob- 
 jective and location. 
 
 As a result of the careful work of the observers it 
 was found that the enemy had such artillery in posi- 
 tion to shell our lines and communications. This in- 
 formation was of utmost importance, as it gave head- 
 quarters an idea of what to expect from the Germans 
 on the Vesle. 
 
 Following the first detail, the section was moved 
 up and three posts, commanding the Vesle, were estab- 
 lished. The central was located at Cherry-Chartreuve. 
 This was one of the most advantageous positions the 
 section ever held. Not only was it able to give accurate 
 information on the enemy artillery, but much general 
 information as well. The observers turned in reports 
 of moving troops, gathering of men in the quarries, the 
 hastily dug trenches, etc. 
 
 It was while the section was located here that Pri- 
 vate Shaw was severely wounded. The post to which 
 he was assigned was constantly shelled, and it required 
 steel nerves to stick to the post during the continual 
 baptism of fire. Sergeant Baldwin, Corporal McDon- 
 ald and Privates Chester Johnson and Finn, were taken 
 to the hospital as a result of gas and exhaustion. 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 93 
 
 The central was also shelled heavily and it was the 
 last daj'' at this place (August 11) that Acting First 
 Sergeant McMillan was killed by fragments from a 
 high explosive shell. Corporal P. H. Daniels was seri- 
 ously wounded at the same time. This affair cast a 
 gloom over the men in the section, as both were very 
 popular with officers and men. Sergeant McMillan was 
 laid to rest in the little garden by the house, near the 
 spot where he had fallen. 
 
 The Allies had by this time decided to discontinue 
 for the present the attempt to push the Germans from 
 the Vesle, and withdrew many troops which had been 
 engaged in the 18 days' battle. 
 
 F. S. R. No. 1, with the retiring troops, left for an 
 eight days' rest at Chamigny, on the Marne, where the 
 men enjoyed a much-needed rest and the pleasure of 
 bathing in the Marne. From Chamigny, the section 
 moved to Wasny, 60 kilometers north of Chaumont. 
 The men were the first Americans to remain there, 
 and all had a most enjoyable time, owing to the hospi- 
 tality of the residents of the village. 
 
 The Flash Rangers had made an enviable reputa- 
 tion during the period they had been in action in the 
 Marne salient. The accompanying copy of the Artillery 
 Information Service bulletin from the Headquarters 
 of the Chief of Artillery, 4th Corps A. I. S., is ample 
 evidence of the importance of the work which the sec- 
 tion accomplished. It will be noted that for a period of 
 five days prior to the start of the big American offen- 
 sive on July 18, Flash and Sound Ranging was the only 
 unit which was able to operate. Owing to the enemy 
 having supremacy of the air, the balloons and aviators 
 were unable to locate a single battery. It is also noted 
 that during the five days following the stabilization of 
 
94 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 the line, the Flash Ranging section exceeded all other 
 units in locating enemy batteries. It is admitted, how- 
 ever, that during movements the majority of locations 
 were made by the aviators. But during a period of 
 stabilization, 44 out of 58 batteries were located by 
 Flash and Sound. 
 
 Observers in F. S. R. No. 1 went forward with the 
 first waves of the infantry and set their instruments 
 up in the wheat fields and in other open territory 
 where they could command a view of the enemy terri- 
 tory. 
 
 The following are true copies of the official orders : 
 
 HEADQUARTERS THIRD ARMY CORPS, 
 AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES 
 
 GENERAL ORDERS 
 
 No. 52 Luxembourg, November 29, 1918. 
 
 1. The Corps Commander desires to record in orders his 
 appreciation of the excellent work performed by the Corps 
 Observation Group. Constantly under shell fire and often times 
 under heavy machine-gun fire, they unhesitatingly established 
 their posts and maintained at all times wire communication with 
 Corps Headquarters. 
 
 2. It is desired in particular to commend them for the cor- 
 rectness of their reports and for the unhesitating responsibility 
 which they have assumed when differing opinions in matters of 
 importance have been placed before them. There is on record 
 at these Headquarters no instance where an observation post 
 has been discontinued, notwithstanding the fact that these posts 
 have been many times destroyed by shell fire. They have often 
 established, maintained and operated posts where no cover of 
 any sort was obtainable. 
 
 3. Their services, performed with a steadfast devotion to 
 duty, at times under exceedingly trying circumstances, mark 
 them as an example of what their country expects of its soldiers. 
 
 By command of 
 
 MAJOR GENERAL HINES. 
 Official: CAMPBELL KING, 
 
 DAVID O'KEEFE, Chief of Staff. 
 
 Adjutant General. 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 95 
 
 HEADQUARTERS CHIEF OF ARTILLERY, 
 4th CORPS, A. I. S. 
 
 A. I. S., August 23, 1918. 
 
 ARTILLERY INFORMATION SERVICE BULLETIN 
 16:00, August 21—16:00, August 22, 1918. 
 The following extract is taken from Bulletin No. 9, Office of 
 Chief of Artillery, G. H. Q. : 
 
 "Notes on the location of enemy batteries, by agencies 
 of the Artillery Information Service, 1st Corps, during 
 the recent operation." 
 
 (Study made from Corps A. I. S. Bulletin, 1st Corps.) 
 
 The principal function of the Corps A. I. S. is to furnish 
 targets for counter-battery or neutralization, that is enemy 
 batteries. 
 
 The agencies available for this purpose include: 
 
 (a) Flash Ranging Section (F. R. S. No. 1). 
 
 (b) Sound Ranging Section (S. R. S. No. 2). 
 
 (c) Balloons. 
 
 (d) Airplanes Reconnaissance and Air Photos. 
 
 It will be remembered that the advance north of Chateau 
 Thierry began on July 18 and continued steadily until about 
 August 4, when the line of the Vesle was reached and the line 
 again became stabilized. 
 
 The work of the A. I. S. in locating enemy batteries will be 
 shown during these periods. 
 
 (a) The five days preceding the attack, that is, during a 
 period of active stabilization (July 13-17). 
 
 (b) The advance itself, from (July 18-August 4). 
 
 (c) Five days following the stabilization of the line 
 (August 5-9). 
 
 TOTAL BATTERIES 
 July 13-17— 
 
 F. R. S., 22; S. R. S., 22; Balloons, None; Aviation, None. 
 
 July 18-August 4 — 
 
 F. R. S., 46; S. R. S., 4; Balloons, 30; Aviation, 77. 
 
 August 5-9 — 
 
 F. R. S., 34; S. R. S., 6; Balloons, 13; Aviation, 15. 
 
 CONCLUSIONS 
 
 During a period of stabilization a large per cent of the bat- 
 teries located in action were by the F. R. S. and S. R. S. (44 out 
 of 58). 
 
 During the advance the S. R. S. practically ceased to function 
 
96 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 and required several days after the line had become stabilized 
 before it could again furnish information. 
 
 The F. R. S. moved forward close behind the infantry and 
 furnished considerable information at all times. An extract 
 from the Corps A. I. S. Bulletin of August 3, says: 
 
 "The work of the F. R. S. during the entire advance has 
 been excellent. In spite of the lack of transportation and 
 continual movement it has given good information. Dur- 
 ing the attack yesterday men went forward with the In- 
 fantry so as to find good observation posts." 
 
 But the principal sources of information during movement 
 were aviation and balloons, especially the former. 
 
 Seventy-seven out of 163 batteries located by all sources 
 came from the aviation, in spite of the fact that the Germans had 
 the supremacy of the air. 
 
 The Corps A. I. S. Bulletin for August 8, says: 
 
 "The enemy aviators had absolute supremacy in the air 
 and besides burning two of our balloons kept our aviators 
 away from the line." 
 
 F. J. WILLIAMS, 
 Major, F. A. N. A., Chief of Section. 
 
 From Wasny, the Flash Rangers were ordered to 
 Pont-a-Mousson to participate in the great St. Mihiel 
 drive, taking the place of the French Flash Ranging 
 Section No. 87 at that point in the salient. 
 
 The position of the section was on the Moselle river 
 on the right of the American army, with its central at 
 Foret-de-Puvenelle. During the offensive, which 
 opened on the morning of September 12, the section 
 carried on general observation work. 
 
 Immediately after the assault of the American 
 troops, two posts were moved forward under extreme 
 difficulties, and when established covered the valley of 
 the Moselle. 
 
 The following account of establishing a new post 
 by observers and linesmen in Section 1 during the St. 
 
THE FAMOUS BELLEAU WOODS, WHERE THE MARINES STOPPED 
 THE HUNS IN THEIR DRIVE ON PARIS 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 97 
 
 Mihiel offensive is given as told by one of the party, 
 and should furnish much amusement for the reader. 
 
 "When John Boche was relieved at Norry, on the 
 Moselle, by the Texas boys, it was up to us to put a 
 post just a little nearer Germany. For this task Ser- 
 geant Castruccio and a ^picked crew' were chosen. A 
 *Looey* and Sergeant Joyce had located said post, but 
 to date they have not been tried for murder. Accord- 
 ingly Sergeant Castruccio led his trusty band of wire 
 layers across No Man's Land, through the Bois de 
 Pretre and were nearing the edge of what once was a 
 tract of woods, when a Boche avion interrupted our 
 labors with a machine gun shower, and almost pre- 
 vented Christensen from taking his furlough to Den- 
 mark. 
 
 "This affair resulted in a strategic retreat on our 
 part. The next day the rest of the outfit moved out to 
 establish themselves in Norroy quarries ; and ever since, 
 the modest band of heroes fervently declare it was not 
 the fault of the Boche that they did not locate perma- 
 nently with a 'dog tag' to mark the spot. Observers 
 McDonnell and Skooglum took over the post, and both 
 speak enthusiastically about the game of 'duck your 
 nut' which John Boche played with them. 
 
 "In the meantime, the rest of the immortals moved 
 to a shack in the quarries. When darkness came Fritzy 
 decided to 'fini' the affair, and sent so many gas shells 
 over simultaneously that they neutralized each other. 
 In this young barrage. Observers Rose, Armitage and 
 Peterson made their way to the post. In the shack Ger- 
 son was enthusing on the possibilities of two boxes of 
 potato mashers going off, and Labares was solemnly 
 cheering the boys with the idea that the gas was of the 
 
98 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 unsmellable but deadly kind. Every one favored a re- 
 treat as necessary for the 'good of the service'. 
 
 "Fritz, no doubt thinking he had succeeded in his 
 fiendish design, ceased, and his victims, now gathered 
 together, performed that well known movement 'pulling 
 out/ We passed the night peacefully in a half -filled 
 Boche powder magazine. In the midst of all this hor- 
 ror of war. Corporal Lebald never lost his side rule; 
 the potato mashers never exploded and everyone voted 
 it a 'banged up* affair." 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 99 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 WITH S. R. S. NO. 2 
 
 With the exception of F. R. S. No. 1, S. R. S. No. 2 
 made more moves and covered more territory than any- 
 other section in the service. This detachment reached 
 the front on April 3, making its first headquarters at 
 Grosrouve. The detachment had been given orders to 
 take over a French Sound Ranging Section which 
 operated the T. M. (Telegraph Militaire) system more 
 or less successfully. 
 
 The officers and men found matters in anything 
 but a satisfactory condition. The lines were badly 
 ''balled up" (using the terms of a linesman) and Lieu- 
 tenant Coles and the men in his command were kept 
 busy about 24 hours each day in an effort to keep up 
 communication. Sergeant Smith spent much time and 
 energy in mending oscillograph springs in central. The 
 central operator appeared to be connected with every- 
 one in the vicinity, mostly Frenchmen who talked con- 
 tinuously. 
 
 Much of the following information regarding the 
 activities of the detachment is taken from the noted 
 diary kept by Private Bela Hubbard, who just prior to 
 the closing of the war received a commission as sec- 
 ond lieutenant. 
 
 Our first casualty was Private Marousek, better 
 known as "Gunsel." Marousek put his nose to a frag- 
 ment of a German shell one morning to determine if 
 the projectile had been gas or high explosive. It was 
 gas. Marousek went to the hospital. 
 
100 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 Artillery barrages and raids by both the Americans 
 and Germans were nightly occurrences and at any hour 
 of the day or night one might expect a cataract of 
 shells from the enemy guns. 
 
 Failing to operate the T. M. system successfully, 
 about half of the detachment departed for Broussy, 
 where our next attempt at sound ranging was to be 
 staged. We reached Broussy after dark and found that 
 we were to be billeted in quarters that had recently 
 been occupied by chevaux. The place, of course, did not 
 present an inviting appearance, and we were compelled 
 to do considerable "policing" before proceeding 
 further. The first ten days at our new base were spent 
 in stringing wire, digging a dugout, etc. Lieutenant 
 Stewart and Sergeant Wicks arrived from Fort de St. 
 Menge on April 18, bringing the "Bull Tucker" (Brit- 
 ish Sound Ranging apparatus) with them. They also 
 brought 11 sacks of mail, the first we had received on 
 the front. 
 
 The village was approximately two miles back of 
 our front line, about opposite Loupmont, the nearest 
 town held by the Germans. On May 21, the sector in 
 which we were located was taken over by French colon- 
 ial troops from Algeria, relieving the 26th Division. 
 The 26th, however, continued to hold the lines on our 
 right. 
 
 Many amusing incidents occurred during our stay 
 at Broussy. One evening while returning from Bucon- 
 ville, a village two kilometers north of Broussy, a num- 
 ber of us were held at the point of a bayonet by an 
 Algerian guard. The bayonet was several feet long, and 
 I found it impossible to get close enough to give him a 
 pass which I carried. All attempts to approach the 
 guard were stopped by a vigorous thrust of the bayo- 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 101 
 
 net, and some sort of a challenge which sounded like 
 the grunt of a pig. Thus we were held at bay until the 
 sergeant of the guard arrived and permitted us to pass. 
 
 Sergeant Hocker undoubtedly still has in his pos- 
 session a souvenir from Broussy, in the way of an 
 Algerian's red cap. Hocker traded a pair of shoes for 
 the headgear and trouble was threatened the next day 
 when the Algerian put in an appearance with the shoes, 
 which he managed to tell us did not fit him. He camped 
 in front of the dugout the entire day for Hocker and the 
 red cap. When evening came, the visitor left. What 
 the blood-thirsty Algerian did with the shoes will prob- 
 ably never be known, but Hocker kept the cap. 
 
 The members of the detachment have not fogotten 
 the occasion when one of the "boomer" engineers sal- 
 vaged a magneto and wired the benches at the mess 
 table. While the hungry Sound Kangers were making 
 an earnest attempt to satisfy the "innerman" the 
 switch was turned, and the room became full of scram- 
 bled soldiers, flying mess kits, etc. Later order was re- 
 stored, but the originator of the joke was in peril of 
 his life, when a linesman approached the lister bag and 
 put his mouth to the faucet for a drink. Instantly his 
 lips became glued to the faucet, while the victim danced 
 frantically about in an effort to free himself. A few 
 moments was all he was permitted to suffer. 
 
 While these events were transpiring at central, the 
 observers were having some interesting experiences at 
 their posts, which were practically located in No Man's 
 Land. 
 
 Owing to the lakes and swamps along that section 
 of the front, the Allied troops had never constructed 
 trenches, and only patrols were maintained here by the 
 Americans. The right observation post, where the men 
 
102 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 were also billeted, was located in a lonely strip of 
 woods on the shore of the lake, northwest of Boucon- 
 ville. Its loneliness increased immensely when the four 
 observors stationed there were warned repeatedly by 
 their officers to be on the alert for raiding parties, as 
 the night patrol was of but little protection. 
 
 It was the first night at the post. Observers Phil- 
 lips and Cottrell, on being relieved from duty, repaired 
 to the sleeping quarters nearby, which consisted of a 
 small hut with a cover of "elephant iron." Soon Phil- 
 lips was fast asleep, but Cottrell remained awake, plan- 
 ning what he would do in case of a German raid. Hours 
 seemed to have passed when he heard a sound that im- 
 mediately claimed his attention — a sound made by the 
 duckboard as it oozed into the mud just outside the door 
 of the shack. Then the door itself creaked slightly as if 
 being tried. 
 
 **Halt! Who's there?'' challenged the observer. No 
 answer. Cottrell slipped from the bunk. In a stage 
 whisper he awoke his companion. 
 
 **Out of bed. Get your rifle. There's a Boche raid- 
 ing party outside !" 
 
 Picture two men crouching low and breathless, un- 
 hooking the door, clad in tin hats and rubber boots, 
 their ammunition belts bristling with a hundred rounds, 
 their fixed bayonets gleaming in the faint moonlight 
 that filtered through the cracks of the hut. But imagine 
 their surprise and chagrin when they discovered, sit- 
 ting high and dry on a board and suspiciously eyeing 
 the new occupants of his home — old Tom, the cat ! 
 
 The left observation post was located at the edge of 
 the Bois Sans Nom, or the Woods of No Name. It was 
 directly opposite the village of Apremont, which as be- 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 103 
 
 fore stated, was held by the enemy. Only a string of 
 barbwire entanglements separated us from the Ger- 
 mans, and the only infantrymen along this section of 
 the front being a nightly patrol. To the observers on 
 duty it was always a guess as to whether it was a 
 friendly or enemy patrol. On one occasion an American 
 and German patrol met just in front of the post, and 
 a royal battle ensued. Hand grenades, automatic pist- 
 ols, and machine guns all added to the din. Corporal 
 Amery was on duty in the post and the bullets riddled 
 the shack. The Germans retired to their own lines, 
 taking their wounded with them. 
 
 Later Fritz shelled the woods heavily and finally 
 succeeded in demolishing the post held by the observ- 
 ers. The men escaped uninjured, but the post was 
 moved to Fort de Liouville. The left line station was in 
 charge of Sergeant Keitel and in addition to the ob- 
 servers already named, Strane, Campbell, Kennedy, 
 Balch, Stanwood and Marousek were stationed there. 
 
 It was while the section was stationed at Broussy 
 that Sergeant Smith and Private Hopkins, assisted by 
 a raiding party from Company M. of the 104th In- 
 fantry, 26th Division, performed the remarkable and 
 heroic feat of cutting a heavy electrified cable in front 
 of the German lines near Loupmont. 
 
 Company M. of the 104th Infantry was in the lines 
 at this point, a company that deserves great credit for 
 its daring raids into enemy territory. It was during one 
 of these raids that Lieutenant Mesky discovered that 
 the Germans had constructed the electric cable, which 
 was causing no little trouble to the American raiding 
 parties. Lieutenant Coles, learning from the infantry 
 officer that the cable existed, asked permission to cut, 
 it, which was given. 
 
104 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 Consequently, Lieutenant Coles, accompanied by- 
 Sergeant Smith, Private Hopkins, and others, began the 
 work of constructing some apparatus to ''ground" the 
 electric circuit before severing the wire. 
 
 When the raiding party was assembled, the com- 
 manding officer of Company M. objected to Lieuten- 
 ant Coles accompanying the party on the grounds that 
 he was an engineer officer of special qualification. 
 Much to the disgust of Lieutenant Coles, he was left 
 behind. 
 
 The party was made up of Lieutenant Mesky, four 
 scouts, two automatic rifle squads, two grenade parties, 
 one squad of expert riflemen. Sergeant Smith and Pri- 
 vate Hopkins. The jaunt into the first line trenches 
 was tedious and laborious. It was utter darkness, and 
 to converse with each other meant to invite a sniper's 
 bullet. At 9 o'clock the party climbed over the parapet 
 into No Man's Land to accomplish their perilous task. 
 As soon as the barbwire entanglements in front of the 
 American trenches were cleared, they assumed a V- 
 shaped formation, with the scouts at the points. They 
 were followed on each side by the automatic riflemen, 
 grenadiers and expert riflemen. Sergeant Smith and 
 Private Hopkins were with Lieutenant Meskey just 
 ahead of the scouts. 
 
 No Man's Land at the point where the party crossed 
 was about a kilometer in width, and it was well after 
 midnight when the party reached the vicinity of the 
 German lines. The party found it slow work making its 
 way across No Man's Land. Many times the scouts 
 would go ahead, flanked on either side with grenadiers 
 to explore the territory they were penetrating. At last 
 the electric cable was found and between the Very light 
 displays. Smith and Hopkins applied their apparatus. 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 105 
 
 The men placed their grounding instruments about 25 
 yards apart, throwing the current from the wire in the 
 intervening space. This section of the cable was then 
 removed. 
 
 It was of the greatest importance that caution be 
 observed, as a spark from the wire, which was strung 
 on stakes about two feet high, would reveal the position 
 of the Americans. It would also bring down a machine 
 gun barrage from the Germans, as the enemy trenches 
 were only a short distance away. A little beyond the 
 cable and less than 30 yards in front of the German 
 lines, were the barbwire entanglements. It was the 
 good fortune of one of the scouts to find a small bell 
 hanging on the wire at a tactical point, placed there by 
 the Germans to serve as an alarm in case of attacking 
 Americans. The scout quietly removed the bell and cut 
 the wire for the party to pass through. Two hours were 
 then spent at this work, one scout estimating that he 
 cut no less than 2000 wires. 
 
 Their purpose accomplished, the party started home- 
 ward, but had only reached a point half way across No 
 Man's Land when a Very light revealed their position to 
 the enemy. The machine guns poured forth a deluge 
 of bullets, but no one was struck. 
 
 It was the morning of June 4 that orders were re- 
 ceived for the section to proceed to a new base in the 
 St. Mihiel sector, with central at la petit Mandre, near 
 Boncourt, six miles north of Commercy. Here we took 
 over a French Sound Ranging section, using our own 
 apparatus. We were attached to a French army, and 
 during the three weeks we spent there we found "busi- 
 ness*' rather dull. The principal excitement at central 
 was frying oef f s and pomme de terre by the night shift. 
 Lieutenant Mitten was especially "strong" for the eggs 
 
106 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 and was even known to retire for the night on occasions 
 when eggs were scarce and ''Corned Willy" on the bill 
 of fare. Boncourt was full of French soldiers, and 
 therefore had beaucoup cafes, among which the 
 "Bouncing Bar Maid Inn" was the most popular, with 
 sweet Marguerite the attraction — at least for Morgan 
 and Kennedy. 
 
 We put the outfit in cold storage on the morning of 
 June 27 when orders came to move to Chateau Thierry, 
 where the Americans had halted the Germans in their 
 apparently irresistible drive on Paris. We were bound 
 for the one point on the front upon which the attention 
 of the entire world was focused. The trip lasted two 
 days. The weather was fine, and as we made the trip 
 in trucks, we were able to see much of the territory 
 over which the Allies and Germans had been fighting 
 for four years. We passed the famous Marne battle- 
 fields of 1914, where graves dotted the grain fields 
 everywhere. Our road led through American concen- 
 tration camps, aviation centers, and towns filled with 
 British "Tommies." 
 
 Passing through Le Ferte, we turned north and 
 reached our destination late in the afternoon, where we 
 found F. R. S. No. 1 already in action, under the com- 
 mand of Major (then Captain) Theodore Lyman. 
 
 Our central was located in a hunting lodge in a 
 large woods a few kilometers behind the lines in the 
 vicinity of Bouresches and west of Chateau-Thierry. 
 
 Much of the base was in full view of the German 
 observers, and we had much difficulty in running the 
 survey and stringing the lines to the microphones and 
 observation posts. The first day the section in which 
 the surveyors were working was shelled continuously, 
 they being chased out of a tract of woods by a deluge 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 107 
 
 ot gas shells. The following day the German observers 
 undoubtedly caught the reflection of the transit, for the 
 enemy dropped a barrage in that vicinity. The men 
 took shelter in an abandoned trench while Fritz con- 
 tinued the celebration. The jagged steel fragments of 
 the shells whined close overhead, clipping the dust and 
 cutting branches from the apple trees. There was a 
 lull in the firing and the surveyors crawled out to re- 
 sume their work, but a few minutes later Fritz opened 
 up again, and for protection the men again sought the 
 trench. These were the experiences of the surveyors 
 during the entire time they were establishing the base 
 at Chateau-Thierry. The linesmen had similar expe- 
 riences in stringing the lines. 
 
 The section got into operation about July 7, and 
 succeeded in locating seven batteries the first day. One 
 of the line stations was located at Coupru and the 
 other at Marigny. Lieutenant Beckett, lines officer, 
 was the busiest man in the section. We had over 75 
 miles of wire in the base and our total strength was 
 only 35 men. But despite the high resistance of the 
 lines and unfavorable winds, the section made a good 
 showing. 
 
 Coupru, south of Bouresches, lies in a little ravine 
 among the rolling hills, which at the time of the 
 Chateau-Thierry struggle were covered with fields of 
 ripening grain. Coupru as well as the neighboring vil- 
 lages had been hurriedly evacuated by the civilian pop- 
 ulation who had left behind all their worldly effects 
 and the accumulation of generations, to the mercy of 
 the Huns. 
 
 When off duty we spent our time selecting our oak 
 or mahognay bedsteads, feather mattresses, China 
 dishes, and our unique collection of clocks. Close to our 
 
108 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 billet was the community garden and fresh peas, new 
 potatoes, small green onions and currants formed an 
 excellent supplement to our issue of hard tack and 
 "monkey meat." It was no uncommon sight to see a 
 "doughboy" driving a salvaged milk cow or chasing a 
 young chicken about the barnyard with dreams of a 
 real spring fry, as in better days. 
 
 When the French were falling back before the ad- 
 vancing Germans near Chateau-Thierry, they took with 
 them as much property as they could possibly carry 
 away, and such as was left behind the army made use 
 of, rather than let it fall into the hands of the Germans. 
 When the line became stabilized an order was issued to 
 the effect that the soldiers were not to interfere in 
 any way with civilian property. It was soon after this 
 order was made public that Private Kennedy found an 
 exceptionally fine single bed with a feather mattress 
 which he decided to move to his billet. He was pro- 
 ceeding up the street of the village with the bed bal- 
 anced on his head when he met an artillery officer, 
 who sternly asked Kennedy where he was going. 
 
 "Sir," said Kennedy, "I found this bed yesterday, 
 but my sergeant won't allow me to keep it, so I am re- 
 turning it now." 
 
 The officer accepted the explanation and Kennedy 
 continued on the way to his billet with the prize. 
 
 Coupru was quiet when we first entered it, but soon 
 with a change of divisions, more troops appeared on 
 the streets and Fritz began to "shoot up' the town. One 
 night after we had been chased into the cellar a num- 
 ber of times, a 150 struck near the building, blowing 
 out both windows of the room in which we were sleep- 
 ing. Keyes and Barnard rushed for the cellar. Another 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 109 
 
 **slow freight" unloaded with a crash at the side door 
 and Sergeant Roberts, wakening suddenly, hung the 
 French telephone around his neck for a gas mask and 
 made for the cellar. A third shell landed in the creek, 
 by the back window, blowing out the sash and covering 
 Cottrell and Kennedy with mud of a nice slimy variety. 
 
 The men who made their home at the left line sta- 
 tion in Marigny were thoroughly initiated the first day 
 of their arrival. The Germans could see the truck as it 
 entered the village and soon after threw over 200 
 rounds of mustard gas shells into the town. The Ger- 
 man artillery was very active during the entire time 
 that the Americans were in the village. 
 
 It was about July 13 that we received an official 
 notification from General Scott outlining a plan of 
 "neutralization." The "neutralization" was to begin on 
 "Day H." and "Hour J." The great significance of 
 this was not fully comprehended until a few days 
 hence. 
 
 It was on July 15 that the Germans renewed their 
 attempt to Reach Paris, further details of which are 
 given in another chapter. That night Cottrell and Balch 
 were severely gassed and taken to the hospital. 
 
 At 4 o'clock on the morning of July 18, the Allies 
 started their big offensive on the left side of the 
 famous salient, and we were awakened from our slum- 
 bers by the terrific on de choc of the 155 "longs" be- 
 hind us. "Hour J." had come. The sharper report of 
 the 75's mingled with the roar of the heavier guns and 
 the atmosphere all along the front was riddled with 
 "kisses for the Kaiser," as one of the boys expressed it. 
 The infantry went over the top at daylight, and from 
 that time the song of the 75 's grew fainter and fainter. 
 Boche planes had everywhere been replaced by Allied 
 
110 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 planes going over in great droves. The sausage balloons 
 moved forward; the Flash Rangers packed up and 
 moved ahead. For two days the long range guns behind 
 kept up an incessant fire, until the retreating Boche 
 had been driven beyond their extreme range. As Sound 
 Ranging is not as mobile as Flash Ranging, it was 
 necessary for us to wait until the lines became stabil- 
 ized before putting in another base. 
 
 It was August 8th before the section packed up and 
 moved to the river Vesle. In the meantime, however, 
 the officers secured permission to make a survey of 
 former German battery positions. During the next few 
 days all the positions in front of us were located and 
 found to check up in a very satisfactory manner with 
 our former findings — that is, while the batteries were 
 in action. 
 
 Lieutenant Smith having been ordered to the Flash 
 and Sound Ranging school at Fort de St. Menge, Lieu- 
 tenant Beckett took command of the detachment. 
 
 Then came the joyful news — permission was ob- 
 tained for the officers and men to visit Paris on fur- 
 loughs of 24 hours' duration. Each man has his own 
 ideas of pleasure in Paris, but all returned on schedule 
 time except one — Private Kennedy, who has been men- 
 tioned in this narrative before. But it was not Ken- 
 nedy's fault ; he simply got on the wrong train. After 
 many experiences, Kennedy found himself in Chateau- 
 Thierry at 2 o'clock in the morning, without francs or a 
 place to sleep. But this did not baffle the Sound Ranger 
 in the least. He calmly walked up one of the streets in 
 the residential section of the city, and seeing a door 
 open in a mansion, entered. Kennedy found himself 
 in an elegantly furnished home and in one room dis- 
 covered a very elaborate feather bed. He looked no 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 111 
 
 further, but pulled off his muddy shoes and crawled in 
 between the fancy lace-bordered sheets. He awoks late 
 the next morning, put on his shoes, ate breakfast at a 
 nearby mess and returned to camp. 
 
 Our stay on the Vesle — August 9-12 — was brief but 
 exciting. We were quartered in a partially demolished 
 building in the central part of the village, not far from 
 a battery of 155 *'longs," which drew constant fire 
 from the enemy guns. The shells usually fell short, 
 bursting in the immediate vicinity of our billet. 
 
 As at Chateau-Thierry, the surveyors had trouble 
 in establishing the base. The surveying party was 
 divided into two groups. According to the plans formu- 
 lated, Harlow and Graham took the transit and set up 
 on a hill. Driver, Sessions, and others, proceeded to 
 station themselves on various other high points which 
 were designated, their duty being to raise a rod desig- 
 nating their position when the signal was received. The 
 survey was to be based on a triangulation network from 
 which the microphone positions were to be run in by 
 short traverses. The men went to their respective po- 
 sitions, but could see nothing but bursting shells around 
 the landscape, the smoke being so dense from the artil- 
 lery fire that no group of surveyors could see another. 
 At 1 o'clock two rodmen came in for dinner after hav- 
 ing spent the forenoon under an artillery barrage. A 
 second group drifted in about 5 o'clock and at dark, 
 Harlow and Graham arrived, tired and in anything but 
 an amiable mood. 
 
 The following day the work was more successful, 
 but the men were handicapped greatly by the intense 
 artillery fire. The Germans were leaving no section of 
 the front untouched. An amusing incident is told re- 
 garding Lieutenant McClanahan. The officer was mak- 
 
112 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 ing a general investigation of the ground previous to 
 the microphone survey in that particular section. He 
 was pointing out the approximate point where Micro- 
 phone No. 1 v^as to be located. 
 
 'It is on that small knoll halfway between the tree 
 an — there! It is just on the spot where that shell 
 burst." 
 
 All admitted that it was a very desirable location. 
 
 This proved to be the most active front of any on 
 which we had operated. From any prominent point we 
 could watch the American shells bursting behind the 
 German lines. The amount of artillery that the Ameri- 
 cans and French had massed on the Vesle was aston- 
 ishing. On one occasion the surveying party, on estab- 
 lishing the position of Microphone No. 5, discovered 
 more than thirty 77's, almost ''hub to hub," along the 
 fringe of woods behind the microphone position. The 
 base is always chosen so as to avoid disturbing and in- 
 terfering with sounds in the vicinity of the detecters, 
 but on the Vesle there was no choice. 
 
 On the afternoon of August 13, together with F. 
 R. S. No. 2, we were ordered to the rear. We arrived 
 at Chamigny, a small and peaceful village on the Marne 
 not far from La Ferte. Here we had a week of rest, 
 a contrast to our exciting days on the Vesle. Bathing in 
 the historical Marne was our principal pastime. 
 
 Moving by trucks to Metz, east of Chateau-Thierry, 
 on August 10, we entrained for Joinville. From the 
 doors of the French boxcars we gazed upon the most 
 interesting battlefields of the war. The train proceeded 
 slowly through Dormans, and along the south bank of 
 the Marne. The banks of the river were still strewn 
 with punctured pontoon boats and the wreckage of Gar- 
 
TOP— THE CHURCH AT BUCONVILLE. BOTTOM— BRUSSEY. 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 113 
 
 man pontoon bridges. The ditches along the railroad 
 tracks held many bodies covered with a few shovels of 
 dirt, and now and then marked by empty bottles or un- 
 labelled stakes. Remnants of German uniforms and 
 equipment were strewn over the ground, grim evi- 
 dence of the fierce hand-to-hand struggle when the 
 Huns had been halted in their last offensive. 
 
 We were bound for the American sector to partici- 
 pate in the St. Mihiel offensive, and we reached the city 
 of Toul on August 24. We proceeded to Menil-a-tour, 
 where we were quartered for one night. It was Aug- 
 ust 25 when we reached our new home on the Moselle. 
 Our central was located in the heart of the Forest Puv- 
 enelle, a few kilometers back of the lines and just west 
 of Pont-a-Mousson. Here we took over a French Sound 
 Ranging section which had been in operation three 
 years. The men in the French section were thoroughly 
 acquainted with every enemy battery opposite them. 
 The observers could recognize each battery that fired 
 by its sound and position, making it a simple matter 
 for central to phone the information to the artillery. 
 
 The 90th Division, American army, was holding the 
 section of the front at this time, and many of the men 
 were quartered in the same billets with us. We had not 
 been in the camp long when one night Fritz shelled us 
 heavily. Many of the men in the camp sought the 
 trenches in the vicinity for protection. Lieutenant 
 Beckett made his way through the darkness from the 
 officers' quarters to learn if we were uninjured. When 
 he returned he asked Private Downing to guide him 
 back to his billett. They had reached a point about 50 
 yards from our barracks when Downing warningly 
 shouted : 
 
 "Watch out for the trench. Lieutenant !" 
 
114 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 "Too late," was the reply, "Fm already in it." 
 Then another voice from the bottom of the trench 
 
 arose in a tone of protestation. 
 
 'Tlease, mister, have a heart and quit walking on 
 
 my face." 
 
 Down in another part of the camp a shell burst in 
 one of the wooden barracks and blew both feet off one 
 of the men. He was rushed to the camp infirmary. 
 His captain left his cot and proceeded to the infirmary 
 to learn the condition of the injured man. When the 
 officer returned he found that a shell had made a direct 
 hit on his bed and the room in which he had been sleep- 
 ing no longer existed. 
 
 One of the worst features of our camp here was the 
 rats. Of course, fleas and cooties were numerous, but 
 the rats gave us the most trouble. They had lived ami- 
 ably with the French for nearly four years, but the 
 rodents found it hard to get along with the Americans. 
 At night, when the last candle was extinguished, they 
 would come over the top in massed formation. Occa- 
 sionly a big fellow would crawl in bed with one of the 
 boys, or step on his face. Then would ensue a wild 
 yell, the sound of scratching matches, and the whirr 
 and crashing of flying shoes — all of this interspersed 
 with a choice line of profanity. After a week or ten 
 days we became used to the varmints and no one ob- 
 jected to a rat taking a romp over his anatomy, pro- 
 vided the Sound Ranger was left intact when the romp 
 was over. 
 
 The base finally got into operation after the usual 
 work of stringing lines, locating observation posts, etc., 
 Great preparations were being made for the St. Mihiel 
 offensive, and we encountered much trouble owing to 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 115 
 
 ammunition wagons, tractors, tanks, etc., moving 
 across our lines, keeping the linesmen busy repairing 
 them. 
 
 On this base we had three observation posts and two 
 line stations, one located at Mamey and the other at 
 Motauville. The big drive started on the morning of 
 September 12, a full account of which is given in an- 
 other chapter. We continued to operate for a few days 
 on the old base, after which we moved forward, es- 
 tablishing our central in a former German dugout be- 
 tween Vieville and Vilcey, in the Bois des Vencheres. 
 The line stations were at Vieville and Villers. Sergeant 
 Hocker took care of the trouble at the former place 
 and Sergeant Kelly at the latter. We found our new po- 
 sition much livelier than the one we had occupied be- 
 fore the drive. Vieville was continuously under shell 
 fire, as were also the principal highways and cross- 
 roads. Dead horses lined the road on either side, and 
 often a dead German could be seen, as yet unburied. 
 
 It was while at the Norroy base that the irresistible 
 Kennedy was working on the communication lines one 
 afternoon when his ever-watchful eye caught sight of 
 some splendid blackberries. After filling his steel hel- 
 met, he picked a few more and sat down to eat them. 
 Soon he heard footsteps, and a shadow from some hov- 
 ering object fell across the path by which he was sit- 
 ting. Glancing up Kennedy was surprised to see a 
 brigadier-general confronting him. 
 
 As the general waited for Kennedy to spring to at- 
 tention his face was drawn into a frown. 
 
 "Well, don't you know a general when you see one,*' 
 he growled. 
 
 "Yes, sir; but I never expected to see one up here. 
 
 it sir.'* 
 
■i— 
 
 116 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 The general hesitated. The frown on his face was 
 changing to a grin. 
 
 "Where is your post?" asked the officer. 
 
 "I haven't any, sir.'* 
 
 "To what organization do you belong?" 
 
 "Twenty- ninth Engineers, Sir." 
 
 "What kind of work do you do?" 
 
 "I can't tell you, sir." 
 
 The general was baffled. His eyes roamed about 
 while his mind groped for something effective. He spied 
 the berries. 
 
 "What are you going to do with those?" he asked. 
 
 "Take them home to the cook to make a pie, sir." 
 
 "Well ; be careful not to eat too much of that pie, or 
 you may make yourself sick." 
 
 "Yes, sir." 
 
 Kennedy saluted. The general returned the salute 
 and walked on. 
 
 We remained at the Norroy base until the cessation 
 of hostilities. During the time we had been in operation 
 we made 493 locations of enemy positions. The last few 
 days of our stay at this place was featured by the work 
 of Lieutenant Fecht in the culinary department, who 
 won more or less notoriety in his demonstrations of 
 making hotcakes for the night shift. In order that all 
 might know how well he made them, we nailed one to 
 the wall for a souvenir. 
 
 Nearly every organization has its "fat man." In our 
 section it was Private Flora, of Harrisburg, Pa. Flora 
 served as photographer at central. The dark room had 
 to be enlarged when he went on the job. Flora was 
 gaining weight day by day, and needed exercise badly. 
 His opportunity came when Corporal Thompson formed 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 117 
 
 a survey party to run a check survey of the microphone 
 positions. 
 
 Private Flora joined the party as a rodman, and he 
 made an excellent target for either a transit or a Ger- 
 man machine gun. For this reason he was given the 
 job as rear rodman. This plan worked nicely until the 
 party came to Microphone No. 7, when Flora was told 
 to assume the duties of front rodman. It was with 
 much suspicion and misgiving that Flora made his way 
 out into the forbidden territory where he had been 
 directed to hold up his rod on an elevated point in the 
 field. 
 
 Scrambling through the trenches and barbwire en- 
 tanglements, and over shell holes, he made slow prog- 
 ress. He stumbled and fell ; he glanced downward and 
 discovered he had tripped over a dead Boche. Then he 
 was startled by a shout. Looking around he beheld a 
 negro's head protruding over the edge of a trench. 
 (The sector was held by negro troops of the 92nd 
 Division.) 
 
 "Fo' the land's sake; what yo' all doin' out yon- 
 dah?" inquired the negro, at the same time looking 
 over the barrel of his machine gun. Flora decided to 
 retreat. 
 
 ''Come heah !" yelled the colored doughboy. 
 
 Flora obeyed. 
 
 "What yo' all tryin' to do?" questioned the negro. 
 
 Flora explained. 
 "Lawd be praised; I'se glad I don't belong with 
 the engineers," replied the machine gunner, "but first 
 let me shake you' hand good-bye." 
 
 At the line station at Vieville the most popular 
 pastime was "shooting trouble" at night. Oh! the in- 
 
118 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 comparable joy of being awakened from a sound sleep 
 to hear the telephone man yell in your ear : 
 
 'Treddie is out!" 
 
 You crawl from your warm blankets, put on your 
 clothes, and disappear in the darkness. The night was 
 considered lost when the linesmen were not called out 
 at least three or four times. An excursion through the 
 woods out to a microphone on a pitch dark night, with 
 the rain pouring down, and Fritz sending over ''beau- 
 coup" shells, was anything but pleasant ! 
 
 October 6 was a red letter day in our billet. It was 
 on this date that Germany sent her first overtures for 
 an armistice to President Wilson. Every one was happy 
 until just after our mid-day meal, when Fritz honored 
 us by dropping a peace missive directly on our under- 
 ground abode demolishing one end of it. The messenger 
 was in the form of a 155 high explosive shell. One of 
 the Sound Rangers received an ugly scalp wound which 
 required his presence at the hospital. 
 
 In speaking of the activities at the Vieville station, 
 one of the linesmen said : 
 
 ''Fritz continued to strafe the Hocker billet. On 
 November 6 he put over a special token of esteem. It 
 was in the middle of the night, and there was the 
 usual chorus of unearthly noises in the dugout, caused 
 by the sleeping men. A 155 high explosive shell landed 
 directly on the top of the dugout, mussing up things 
 badly, but inflicting no damage to the inmates. The 
 concussion is said to have jarred Hocker out of bed 
 onto the floor in an undignified position. At any rate, 
 Hocker contends that some of the stringers sprung 
 down to the floor and back into position and that the 
 walls likewise kissed and rebounded to the regular 
 place. After reassuring ourselves by asserting that two 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 119 
 
 shells never hit in the same place, we retired to our 
 bunks again and resumed our slumbers. Early the next 
 morning repairs were made and camouflage added in 
 order that Fritz could not have the satisfaction of fly- 
 ing over and taking a snapshot of his target, which 
 would have shown his aim to have been accurate." 
 
 The observers and linesmen who made their home 
 at the right line station before and after the St. Mihiel 
 offensive, were known as the "black sheep of the fam- 
 ily," although this misnomer does not signify that their 
 work was not as effective as it could be made by con- 
 scientious Sound Rangers. The information regarding 
 their activities are provided by them as follows : 
 
 "On September 5 we established the right line sta- 
 tion in the town of Montauville, two kilometers west 
 of Pont-a-Mousson. We had ten men and a cook — but 
 never call a man a cook in the army, because he does 
 some funny tricks with rations that a man could not 
 do, or rather, would not do. The detachment consisted 
 of the following : *Dick' Bradshaw, who made himself 
 famous at Rambuecourt ; 'Bob' Wilson, who would 
 never admit that a 210 was more than a 155 ; 'Swede' 
 Peterson, who can't be beat for strength; 'Itch' Cole, 
 who was always looking for cooties or fleas; 'Doc' 
 Campbell, who never swore unless Microphones No. 4 
 or 5 were blown out by shell fire ; Mayo, with the Bos- 
 tonian accent; 'Mac' McGovem, who loved his cognac; 
 'Swede' Anderson, who was as much in love with the 
 stuff as 'Mac'; Sam Weaver, who chewed his supper 
 for the second time in his sleep ; and 'Kid' Raw, (nuf 
 ced). But we can't forget our cook, 'Wop' Marousek. 
 If he could have cooked like he 'crabbed,' he would 
 have been 'some' cook. 
 
 "From our first post we watched the preparation 
 
120 RANGING IN PRANCE 
 
 of the St. Mihiel offensive, and on the morning of the 
 attack we witnessed the withering fire that was poured 
 into the German territory from our guns. 
 
 "The morning of the 13th we went forward to lo- 
 cate a new post, as our present location was fast being 
 left behind by the advancing doughboys. Our next lo- 
 cation was on the 'Croix de Vandieres,' or Hill 319. 
 This post was merely a hole in the side of a trench 
 which had been held by the Germans the day before. 
 From this point we had a good view of the enemy 
 operations, but it was unfavorable for Sound Ranging, 
 so we advanced to Hill 327 — in front of our own lines, 
 in No Man's Land. 
 
 ^'Picture a large hill, the back side lined with 
 trenches, and on the very top our post, which from the 
 outside was only a large mound of earth. This inno- 
 cent looking mound proved to be an excellent dugout, 
 formerly used by the Germans as a blinker station. 
 The dugout was divided into two fairly large rooms. 
 In one of the compartments were six bunks and at 
 the time we took over the place these bunks were alive 
 with German cooties, which are much larger and more 
 vicious than any other species found in the trenches. 
 In the other room were tables, on which were our maps, 
 telephones, instruments, etc. Just outside, at the top of 
 the steps, was the observer's position while on duty. 
 
 "Daily we 'spotted' working parties or groups of 
 men moving about. This information, together with 
 their location, would be turned in to central, and from 
 there sent to the artillery. It took these guns only a 
 few minutes to get into action. One night a big Ger- 
 man raiding party passed so close to our post that, 
 looking cautiously through the window on the side, we 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 121 
 
 could make out several pairs of Boche boots as they 
 trudged past. 
 
 '*0n one occasion the fog had hung over the trenches 
 all the morning. Suddenly it lifted, and we detected a 
 large amount of smoke from a house that we readily 
 detected as a kitchen. The Huns had evidently taken 
 advantage of the fog to prepare a big meal, but when 
 it disappeared they were caught napping. We reported 
 our observations to central, and in less than ten min- 
 utes we had a barrage on the point where the 
 activity was noted. Four of the shells made direct hits, 
 and soon we saw the place burst into flames. 
 
 ''Much credit is due the colored troops of the 92nd 
 Division. They were behind us part of the time and 
 they were genuine fighters — 'German getters.' Noth- 
 ing worried them, and they were all in the fight to do 
 their best. When we became better acquainted with 
 them, they gave us the best they had — but God help 
 the white man that walked from our post to the front 
 line after we made the relief at night, because these 
 men knew us, and also knew that we were the last ones 
 to come down at night. After that the man who walked 
 that path before daylight, would undoubtedly be giving 
 the folks at home an excellent opportunity to collect his 
 war risk insurance money. 
 
 "No doubt the linesmen had one of the hardest jobs 
 in the section, as they were expected to keep the lines 
 up at any cost and often they were not fortunate in 
 getting back without a trip to the hospital. Everyone 
 is afraid of shells, but it takes a man with the real stuff 
 in him to escape from a heavily shelled area and then 
 later return and complete the work at the same place. 
 This was the duty of the linesmen and the bunch at our 
 station did this on many occasions. 
 
122 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 "There was joy unbounded in the camp of the Black 
 Sheep when the news arrived that the armistice had 
 been signed. Each night the sky was a mass of lights, 
 resembling a Fourth of July celebration. Both sides 
 were celebrating. We remained in operation for five 
 days following the cessation of hostilities, and then 
 *pulled up' and started on the first lap of our home- 
 ward trip." 
 
SCENES IN BERNECOURT, WHERE THE LEFT LINES STATION OF 
 S. R. S. NO. 3 WAS ESTABLISHED 
 
 SCENES IN THE VILLAGE OF NOYIANT, WHERE S. R. 
 CENTRAL WAS LOCATED 
 
 S. NO. 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 123 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 THE STORY OF S. R. S. NO. 3 
 
 No finer work was performed, or no better results 
 obtained in Sound Ranging during the war than 
 through the efforts of the officers and men of S. R. S. 
 Mo. 3. The section was in operation on the front from 
 May 3, 1918, until the close of hostilities on November 
 11, leaving its last location to report to Toul when the 
 other sections of the Battalion left the areas of recent 
 activity. A number of the officers and men who made 
 up the personnel of the section were taken from S. R. S. 
 No. 1 and 2, the greater number, however, coming from 
 the school at Fort de St. Menge. 
 
 The story of Section No. 3 is best told by Private 
 James P. Kelly : 
 
 This is not to be interpreted as a chronological nar- 
 rative, but merely as an effort to sketch some of the 
 events which mark those never-to-be-forgotten days 
 when, however temporarily secure we may have felt, 
 the immediate future was always uncertain. Incidents 
 of more or less importance may be unintentionally, or 
 for reason of policy, omitted, but justice to them, as 
 much as possible, will be attempted. Moreover, the 
 keen thought of even our most brilliant experience is 
 apt to be dulled, or even entirely obliterated, by hap- 
 pier future prospects. 
 
 It was in the dark, dew-laden morn of May 2, 1918, 
 in the ancient Fort de St. Menge, that S. R. S. No. 3 
 came to life, and with unusual rapidity for a thing so 
 
124 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 young, proceeded to make its way into the fight that 
 for so long a period had terrorized humanity. 
 
 The initial members of the doughty crew who made 
 up our section were awakened at 1:30 A. M. We ate 
 and then entrained, with bag and baggage, fully armed 
 and equipped for that place of doubtful safety — the 
 front. Like other Sound Ranging sections we were 
 armed unlike any other men in the army. For, in ad- 
 dition to the regulation weapons, we carried many 
 others not mentioned in the I. D. R. ; such as asymtotes, 
 parobolas and hyperbolas, with which equipment cer- 
 tain members of the detachment were supposed to be 
 familiar. There were also surveyors' instruments, mi- 
 crophones, and last, but not least. Cook Pine carried 
 extra rounds of vin rouge. 
 
 Without casualty our party arrived at its destina- 
 tion — Noviant, a small French village manured among 
 the sloping hills of Lorraine. 
 
 This far we had proceeded under the guidance of 
 Lieutenant Gamer A. Beckett, executive, with 
 Sergeant Monahan acting as intermediate. At Noviant 
 Lieutenant Charles Chandler took command of the de- 
 tachment. Lieutenant Perry, who had already become 
 famous with S. R. S. No. 1, and Lieutenant Newkirk 
 were also assigned to our section. Under their kind in- 
 fluence we were immediately initiated into the mys- 
 teries of removing manure from the immediate vicin- 
 ity of our future home. It was our opinion at the 
 start that the same rule which applied to troupe con- 
 veyances: "40 hommes or 8 chevaux," applied also to 
 billets, except that here we all boarded together, with 
 the chevaux taking the best room. 
 
 In a brief space of time we were ready for opera- 
 tions. Our central was codically known as "Saranac 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 125 
 
 Three." Our right observation post was called Fraser, 
 as a mark of respect to Sergeant Jack Fraser, still re- 
 plete with his experiences at the British front at 
 Ypres. Later this post was changed to Davis, from 
 Sergeant Davis, and our left became Fraser. Both 
 posts were constructed under the direction of Sergeant 
 Fraser. The line stations were established at points 
 halfway between Central and the observation posts. 
 The one on the left was in charge of Corporal Bresh- 
 ears, and the other in charge of Sergeant Gibony. 
 
 Central was located at Noviant, approximately four 
 kilometers from the lines with the line stations about 
 three kilometers closer to the front. One observation 
 post was located at Limey and the other at Flirey, a 
 ruined village in the front line; and sometimes when 
 the lines moved up and back, the observers would find 
 themselves in No Man's Land. 
 
 Noviant, the seat of our operations, was a French 
 village of the usual type, of two streets — the Rue 
 Grande, and the other, anything one felt like naming 
 it. In anti-bellum days, when hens built their nests 
 in men's whiskers, it might have been a rustic village 
 but it had long since been depleted by the German 
 censor. A few inhabitants remained to dispense beer 
 and wine at modest French prices to the soldiers. 
 Prominent among these was ''Mamma," who operated 
 within the law in her establishment next to our cen- 
 tral. She operated at hours expressly forbidden by the 
 law and for which we were exceedingly thankful. 
 ''Mamma," who had lost two sons in the war, loved 
 every one of us, and called us by no other name than 
 Mons Fils. On the opposite side of the street lived a 
 fair dame of about 70 years, known by the soubriquet 
 Quatre Sous, who also dispensed oil for the thirsty. 
 
126 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 One mademoiselle of about eighteen summers, and 
 probably the same number of winters, chose to remain 
 in the village, and of course, was the cynosure of all 
 our hungry eyes, since she was pretty, and seldom wore 
 wooden shoes. 
 
 The other towns in that sector of the front were 
 shell-racked, uninhabitable ruins, monuments of the 
 shamelessness and animal hatred of the Boche. Not a 
 single house remained standing in the villages of Liron- 
 ville. Limey or Flirey, and although in Bernecourt a 
 few homes remained, the greater part of it resembled 
 the wanton wreckage of the others. In every case the 
 village church suffered the most, Fritz no doubt think- 
 ing the tower was used as an observation post. 
 
 With Lieutenant Chandler in command of the base, 
 Lieutenant Beckett in charge of observation posts, 
 Lieutenant Wallower in charge of supplies, and Lieu- 
 tenant Gallaher in charge of lines, everything was 
 working nicely in the section. A few weeks later Lieu- 
 tenant Beckett was transferred to S. R. S. No. 2, and 
 Lieutenant Weaver took charge of the observation 
 posts. The work of the non-coms was first un- 
 der the leadership of Sergeant Monahan, acting first 
 sergeant, but was later relieved and Sergeant T. W. 
 Smith assumed these duties. Sergeant Brecht took 
 charge of the mechanical work and Sergeant Michaels 
 was in charge of lines at central. Corporal Adams was 
 supply sergeant. 
 
 The enemy made it a practice to shoot up the en- 
 tire sector almost incessantly by a process called 
 "area straffing," causing a loss of life and property. 
 Its particular effect upon us was to break our lines 
 and consequently the linesmen had to "roll out" at any 
 hour of the day or night to repair them. It would re- 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 127 
 
 quire volumes to tell of the daily incidents of personal 
 bravery and cool presence of mind manifested by our 
 linesmen in order to carry out the work in the excellent 
 manner in which they did. 
 
 Our first real taste of shell fire came on the morn- 
 ing of May 27, when the enemy laid down a heavy 
 barrage along that sector of the front which we occu- 
 pied. The fire was concentrated on the ruins of Flirey, 
 while the observers were on duty. Other observers not 
 on duty were in a neighboring dugout. For three hours 
 Fritz poured shells of large calibre into the town, 
 churning the ruins and caving in dugouts, as well as 
 demolishing trenches. A bursting shell threw a gaunt, 
 gigantic wall on to the wires between the dugout and 
 the outpost, cutting off communication with the observ- 
 ers. The lines to the linesmen's station and central were 
 severed in a hundred places. The American artillery 
 answered the enemy's fire, causing a crossfire over the 
 town. It sounded like someone had loosened the gates 
 of hell. 
 
 This section of the front at that time was held by 
 the 101st Infantry, 26th Division, which suffered many 
 casualties as a result of the attack. It was soon after 
 this that our post at Flirey was abandoned. 
 
 Sergeant Frazer tells of his first experiences at the 
 left observation post as follows: 
 
 "With Lieutenant Beckett and Private Wilson, I pro- 
 ceeded to a point outside of the Bois de Hazel, near 
 the village of Flirey. Upon arriving there. Lieutenant 
 Beckett informed Wilson and I that it was to be our 
 future home. After I investigated the place, and 
 noticed the marks of the German artillery, and the 
 numerous little mounds, each with a cross at the head 
 I thought perhaps we might remain always. 
 
128 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 "The lieutenant pointed out some of the noted land- 
 marks, such as Sacrifice Ridge, Death^s Cross Roads, 
 etc. 
 
 " 'You boys should make a name for yourselves here,* 
 said the officer, *if you live long enough.' He also called 
 our attention to the fact that we were located exactly 
 in a gap in the wire entanglements where the Germans 
 would be most likely to penetrate the lines. We thought 
 it kind of the lieutenant to look out for our safety in 
 this respect, and thanked him. 
 
 **The next morning I was rudely awakened by a 
 guard who came into the dugout where I was sleeping, 
 and gently informed me that the Boche were coming 
 over. I then realized that a heavy barrage was falling 
 on our section of the front, and I wondered if the Ger- 
 mans had reached the gap in the wire. From that time 
 until daylight we stood in the trenches, our gas masks 
 on and bayonets fixed, waiting for the attack. How- 
 ever, our counter battery work proved so effective that 
 the enemy did not succeed in crossing No Man's Land. 
 
 'The second night was a repetition of the first, al- 
 though the enemy barrage was not so heavy. Our relief 
 had come out from the line station and had taken up 
 their position in the observation post while we re- 
 mained in the dugout with the machine gunners. The 
 alarm awakened us again. Owing to their exposed 
 position, the observers had instructions to retire to the 
 dugout in case of attack. As they had not put in an 
 appearance at the warning signal, it became necessary 
 for us to learn if they were in danger. We found them 
 holding the lines with an automatic and a rifle. We 
 never learned how many casualties were caused by this 
 heroic pair, but at breakfast the following morning a 
 captain from the 101st Machine Gun Battalion was 
 
RUINS IN FLIREY, WHERE S. R. S. NO. 3 HAD LEFT 
 OBSERVATION POST 
 
 wi- 
 
 LIMEY— LOCATION OF S. R. S. NO. 3 RIGHT OBSERVATION POST 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 129 
 
 heard to remark that he would like to find the men 
 who had tried to shoot him up the evening before." 
 
 Sergeant Fraser modestly ends his narrative con- 
 cerning the left observation post almost at its begin- 
 ning, but we, who were familiar with that spot, know 
 he could tell much more if he desired. A trait of Eras- 
 er's was to relate the humorous and forget the tragic. 
 Work of great importance was carried out at the post 
 under * 'Jack's" watchful eye, but when information is 
 sought he invariably tells the story of Private Smulo- 
 witz as a linesman. As in other sections, our lines and 
 microphones were known by the code names of Abie, 
 Bennie, Charlie, Eddie, and Freddie. 
 
 Smulowitz was informed that Freddie was sick. 
 
 *'Who the hell is Freddie," was the answer, *'has he 
 been asking for me?" 
 
 The maintenance of dwelling quarters in Flirey was 
 brief. The men moved to Breshears' line station near 
 Bernecourt while the outpost remained at Flirey, the 
 observers retiring only when absolutely forced to do so. 
 During our first two months at the front, the 
 trenches had been held by the 26th Division, the first 
 division to be attacked by the Germans in numbers, 
 this occurring at Seicheprey, on April 20. This div- 
 ision was relieved on June 27 by the 82nd, the "All 
 American Division." It was during this division's stay 
 on the front that it was found necessary to retire the 
 line stations and outposts so frequently. 
 
 The 82nd was on the front for the first time as a 
 division and many amusing incidents are told in con- 
 nection with its initial efforts. One of the men in our 
 section tells of a platoon that pitched its pup tents in 
 full view of the enemy observers. 
 
 "At daybreak," said he, "we were awakened by the 
 
130 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 blast of the bugle — a sound that is a stranger within 
 several kilometers of the front. The second morning we 
 were awakened by a gas alarm at 2 A. M. Lieutenant 
 Chandler stepped out to investigate. He learned that 
 a cloud of gas had been observed floating across the 
 fields in our direction. Further investigation, when 
 the first streaks of daylight appeared, revealed that 
 the much-feared gas cloud was only steam from a dis- 
 tant manure pile. 
 
 One of the linesmen at the left line station at Berne- 
 court, tells of the experiences of the men at that point 
 as follows: 
 
 ''When the station was established in Bernecourt, 
 Corporal A. J. Breshears was placed in charge, with 
 Privates Paxton and Moon assisting him in the work. 
 We were at first quartered with French soldiers. We 
 were a little crowded, but managed to get along very 
 well for about two weeks. We then received three more 
 men. They were Joe Jordan, Thomas Miller and Wil- 
 liam Ring. The last night we spent with the French, 
 Jordan fell asleep with his gas mask on. When he 
 awoke he contended he was gassed. 
 
 "We soon moved into a dugout along the road which 
 Fritz shelled daily. It was while we were billeted at 
 the latter place that Corporal Breshears and Private 
 Ring were splicing a line which was through a barb 
 wire entanglement one night when Fritz opened up a 
 barrage in that vicinity. Between the barb wire and 
 the bursting shells, the boys had a thrilling experience. 
 
 "Our next home was an old French anti-aircraft 
 position, which proved to be the most comfortable of 
 all. It was soon after this that Private Ring was trans- 
 ferred to another section and "Fat" Berry was sent 
 to us instead. 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 131 
 
 "We had a congenial bunch of boys. We dropped 
 asleep over the telephone occasionally, but when men 
 were needed to go out on the shell-swept fields to re- 
 pair the communication lines, no one ever displayed 
 the "white feather." 
 
 "The observers came to live with us and each took 
 his turn in the culinary department. We 'lived the life 
 of Riley,' despite the fact that we were less than a kil- 
 ometer from the front line and in an area that was con- 
 tinually shelled. We were never short of rations ex- 
 cept when some ambitious cook would try to win the 
 prize for putting out the best mess, and then we would 
 be compelled to eat 'Canned Bill' and hard tack until 
 the ration wagon came down again. The original group 
 of observers were Davis, Downing, Wilson, Jordan, 
 Woodford and Risk. Later, Davis was replaced by 
 Fraser; and Downing and Wilson went to Section No. 
 2. Webster and Snell were sent to our section. Later 
 Barry was replaced by Eckfield. Private Sampson en- 
 dured the company of the observers for a few days, 
 but he returned to Central, where he found the ele- 
 ment not so rough." 
 
 On the morning of August 4, a box barrage was 
 scheduled to precede a detachment of the 82nd Division 
 which was going over the top for the first time. Four 
 days previous, French 75's had been placed in position, 
 and when the morning arrived, the Americans were 
 able to put over a heavy barrage along that section of 
 the front. 
 
 At the zero hour, 4 o'clock, all the batteries, in- 
 cluding the heavies and French naval guns, opened up 
 simultaneously, and instantly the sky was a scene of 
 weird shifting lights, as if the aurora borealis had 
 moved into our section. The vicious barking of hund- 
 
132 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 reds of guns and the unceasing swish and whir through 
 the air, and the vivid fact that our boys were going 
 over, removed all comparison from the mind. More- 
 over, the crunch of Boche shells bursting near the ob- 
 servation post and line stations made us feel that it 
 was still a war on both sides. The point of concentra- 
 tion was in the vicinity of Flirey, and for two hours 
 the artillery duel continued. This was followed by the 
 penetrating of the enemy's line by the Americans in 
 search of prisoners. 
 
 One night Sergeant Davis reported, in a stage 
 whisper over the telephone, that a Boche patrol was out 
 in front of his post. He could not talk, but reserved his 
 data until morning. Later, to his chagrin, he learned 
 that he had seen an American patrol. 
 
 On August 5th the 82d Division was relieved by the 
 89th, a formidable bunch of huskies from Camp Fun- 
 ston. They proved to be as good as they looked. 
 
 With the coming of the 89th, the Germans appeared 
 to increase their artillery action over what it had been 
 for several weeks. On August 11th it became necessary 
 to move one of the observation posts again, and upon 
 this occasion we established liaison with a French 
 Ranging outfit. 
 
 The first two weeks the 89th Division staid with 
 us were memorable. In addition to moving one observa- 
 tion post it became necessary to be more cautious while 
 at the other. 
 
 On the morning of August 14, Sergeant Giboney 
 was severely wounded while on duty at the observation 
 post. He received a deep gash in the left leg from a 
 shell fragment that penetrated the dugout. He refused 
 
COOKS SMITH AND LEOBOLD 
 A FRENCHMAN "READING HIS SHIRT" 
 
 SERGEANT "RUCK" BRESHEARS AND THE LINESMEN'S DUGOUT 
 
 AT BERNECOURT 
 
 RUINS AT SAMPIGNY 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 133 
 
 to be relieved from duty until blood poisoning forced 
 him to do so. 
 
 It was about this time that a 77 dud came through 
 the dugout where Bill Parker was cooking dinner with 
 one (and the only) Private Bill Rivers. In the mean- 
 time Central had been shelled heavily, but escaped with 
 shattered ceilings, doors and windows. Two weeks 
 later the village was bombed by German planes, which 
 resulted in some of the buildings near Central being 
 demolished. 
 
 In the early part of September rumors of the im- 
 pending American drive from Verdun to Pont-a-Mous- 
 son were current. Every night additional guns were 
 brought up and placed in position for the coming bat- 
 tle. The lumbering tanks arrived; and then came the 
 day before the offensive was to begin. On the night 
 previous to the opening of the attack, French 75's were 
 actually placed in front of our first line — in No Man's 
 Land. They were used in that position until forced to 
 move forward the next day, over the hastily constructed 
 bridges thrown over the trenches. 
 
 Owing to the heavy traffic the night preceding the 
 drive, it was almost impossible to keep up communica- 
 tion between Central and the observation posts. 
 
 It was nearing the zero hour. One of the linesmen 
 looked at the watch — 
 
 "Let her go, boys !" he sang out. 
 
 As if in answer to his jovial command, the guns 
 burst forth all along the front, and the Great American 
 Drive was on. 
 
 When we moved our base to the new position, now 
 much nearer to Metz, our Central was at St. Maurice, 
 a distance of 33 kilometers from Noviant. The little 
 picturesque village of St. Maurice is located in a small 
 
134 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 valley and is one of the most beautiful spots in Lor- 
 raine. Dotting the lines in front of us at seemingly 
 well-balanced intervals could be seen many of the vil- 
 lages about which the battle now raged. On our right 
 were the towns of Vieville, Hattonville, and Vigneulles, 
 while on our left were Thillot, Hannonville, and Herb- 
 enville. In front of us were the towns of Avillers and 
 Woel. 
 
 St. Maurice was occupied by French troops when 
 we arrived. We immediately made ourselves at home. 
 The village was perhaps the least shelled of any of the 
 villages in that section, its only ruins being at the cross 
 roads, where the Americans had dropped a number of 
 large calibre shells during the big offensive. A few 
 of the buildings, however, were blown up by the Ger- 
 mans on leaving the village. But despite the recent 
 activities, two French families remained in the town. 
 
 We were impressed with the evidence on every side 
 that the Germans made themselves as comfortable as 
 possible. It was apparent they believed that they would 
 never be compelled to relinquish their claim upon the 
 conquered territory. All the houses in the village had 
 been used for billetting purposes. Even the old church 
 had accommodations for 100 men. 
 
 Many drinking places were in evidence, a few bowl- 
 ing alleys, and three motion picture theatres. In the 
 rear of the town along the sides of the valley and in the 
 valley itself were a number of beautiful bungalows. On 
 a slight shelf in the side of the hill, near a crossroads, 
 we made our home. We were billetted in a pretty little 
 wooden theatre, and a short distance away, in a bunga- 
 low, we established our central. 
 
 We occupied the theatre but a few days, however, 
 as the activity of the enemy artillery increased and 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 135 
 
 forced us to vacate these quarters. The shells burst 
 near the building and the shrapnel and shell fragments 
 penetrated the walls. We then moved to a reinforced 
 dugout at the end of the town. It had originally been a 
 cellar, but the Germans had converted it into a bomb- 
 proof dugout. Stoves were plentiful; also wood and 
 coal. We had running water and a shower bath in the 
 village, all of which were greatly needed and appreci- 
 ated by the boys in the sector. Naturally we could not 
 help but feel just a little grateful to John Boche for 
 leaving things in such an excellent condition for us. It 
 is not likely that he intentionally left it for us, for if 
 he had been given time he certainly would have de- 
 stroyed all property of value. 
 
 It was about this time that changes in the way of 
 promotions were made, and Sergeant Michaels was 
 transferred to Section No. 4, he being promoted to the 
 rank of Sergeant First Class. Corporal Breshears was 
 promoted to a sergeant and assumed the duties for- 
 merly performed by Sergeant Michaels. 
 
 Much of our spare time at St. Maurice was spent 
 in hunting for souvenirs, and in this respect we were 
 quite fortunate. We were the only Americans in the 
 village. For the first time since arriving in France, 
 we enjoyed the luxury of feather beds, they being se- 
 cured from quarters vacated by the Germans. 
 
 One afternoon while Private Paul and Stanwood 
 were searching through the ruins of a house that had 
 been hit by an American shell during the St. Mihiel 
 offensive, they picked up a two-franc piece of the 
 regime of Napoleon I. Further investigation uncovered 
 thirty more similar coins. Darkness had by this time 
 set in, but the next day the search was resumed, with 
 practically the entire detachment present. The treas- 
 
136 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 ure-hunting expedition resulted in ninety more pieces 
 of silver being unearthed. The men also made a grue- 
 some discovery in the form of a dead Boche who had 
 fallen a victim to the American shell that partially de- 
 stroyed the building. A barber's outfit and a quantity 
 of artillery ammunition were uncovered. A Luger and 
 an Austrian pistol were taken from the same place. 
 
 Private F. L. Jordan, whose ambition was to carry 
 home a 77 hooked to his belt, dug fruitlessly for three 
 days with a pick and shovel for the treasure chest he 
 thought buried in the ruins. 
 
 The success of our sector in locating enemy batteries 
 and ranging friendly artillery was the source of much 
 gratification on the part of the officers in charge. The 
 night of November 10 was marked by a German bar- 
 rage, and heavy counter fire from our guns. 
 
 Preparations were under way for the Allied drive 
 by which Metz was to be isolated when the joyful news 
 that the armistice had been signed was proclaimed. 
 The scenes incident to the closing of the war were 
 similar to those on other sections of the front. 
 
"^ 
 
 VVatr. 
 
 FLde Jnt 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 137 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 THE ST. MIHIEL OFFENSIVE 
 
 / ivill not await the end of the operations in which 
 the American Army is engaged to congratulate you, Mr, 
 President, on a victory, of which the first stage has 
 been completed so bi^illiantly. General Per'shing's mag- 
 nificent divisions, fraternally seconded by the French 
 troops, have just liberated, with admirable dash, cities 
 and villages of Lorraine, which had been groaning for 
 years under the enemy's yoke, I express the warmest 
 thanks of France to the people of the United States. 
 Let me add, to them, the expression of my deep personal 
 feeling. For a quarter of a century I represented the 
 regions delivered today, in the French Chambers. I 
 know more than anybody how patriotic their population 
 are, how attached they are to law and liberty; how 
 faithful also is their heart. The great sister Republic 
 may be assured of their eternal gratitude. — President 
 Poincare to President Wilson. 
 
 Saint Mihiel, you have seen how vigorously and 
 successfully the operation was conducted by the Ameri- 
 cans. This, where for the first time, they showed their 
 worth: this is where we were able to judge of these 
 admirable soldiers, strong in body and valiant in soul. 
 In one swoop they reduced the famous salient, which 
 duHng so long we did not know how to approach. — 
 Marshal Foch. 
 
 In the name of the country, I offer our hearty and 
 unmeasured thanks to those splendid Americans of the 
 1st, 2nd, Jlfth, 5th Corps and the 1st, 2nd, Ath, 5th, 26th, 
 U2nd, 82nd, S9th and 90th Divisions, which were en- 
 gaged in the St. Mihiel offensive, and of the 3rd, 35th, 
 78th, 80th and 91st Divisions, which were in reserve. — 
 John J. Pershing. 
 
138 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 To spend six months under the very brow of Mont 
 Sec and other seemingly impregnable positions held by 
 the Germans on the heights of the Meuse, and then to 
 see these strongholds wiped out in a single day was 
 the experience of many Sound Rangers in the Toul 
 sector. 
 
 The ablest writers have tried to describe the daz- 
 zling spectacle of the St. Mihiel drive, but in all the 
 graphic stories none seems to have succeeded in bring- 
 ing out the picture that haunts the memories of those 
 who participated in the great American achievement. 
 It is impossible to express in words this colossal 
 event in military history and do justice to the hap- 
 penings on that memorable date of September 12, 
 when the First American Army, that irresistible force 
 of 600,000 men, reduced the famous salient. This at 
 a cost of only 7000 casualties, but which resulted in the 
 capture of 16,000 prisoners and 443 guns, a great quan- 
 tity of material and the liberation of the inhabitants of 
 150 square miles of territory. In addition to these 
 achievements, the victory placed the American forces 
 in a position to threaten Metz. 
 
 The preparations for the big drive began in earnest 
 about September 1. During the day there would be no 
 activity behind that part of the American territory, 
 under observation from the German positions. To all 
 appearances there was the same tranquility that had 
 prevailed during the summer. But with the approach 
 of darkness the scene changed. All roads leading to 
 the front, or within a kilometer of the first line 
 trenches, and in many places closer, were congested 
 with ammunition trains, artillery, etc., until the first 
 streak of dawn made its appearance. Then the 
 trucks, ammunition carts, etc., would fade away and 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 139 
 
 when the German observers scanned the territory 
 below them they would find nothing to betray the 
 action of the Americans, a few hours before. All 
 artillery brought up during the night was carefully 
 camouflaged. Every old position was occupied and 
 75s, 150s and pieces of larger calibre were placed in 
 every strategic position. Many of the guns were set 
 up in the open, camouflaged with screening interwoven 
 with cloth painted in colors to conform with the sur- 
 rounding landscape. 
 
 As the days passed the activity increased and at 
 night, the roar in the woods just back of the lines was 
 not unlike that of a mighty ocean. It was here that 
 the heavy artillery was being placed and the rumble 
 of the trucks, as they brought up the ammunition and 
 the puffing of the locomotive on the narrow gauge 
 railroads, no doubt, could be heard behind the German 
 lines. It was distinctly audible to the Sound Ranging 
 observers in the American trenches, and the enemy was 
 less than a mile away. 
 
 While it was evident to the Germans, according to 
 stories told by prisoners, that an attack was imminent, 
 they were surprised by at least four days, and also by 
 the number of troops that the Americans had assem- 
 bled for the drive. 
 
 The linesmen in the Flash and Sound Ranging 
 Section will never forget the few days prior to the at- 
 tack. It was almost an impossibility to keep the wires 
 intact, owing to the heavy traffic. Wires that were 
 laid in lead cables under roadways were cut by the 
 heavy wheels of the trucks sinking into the ground. 
 Wires strung across fields were buried in the ground 
 by the heavy tractors as they hauled the big guns into 
 position. The villages just back of the lines were con- 
 
140 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 verted into ammunition dumps. The linesmen at one 
 of the stations, awoke the morning before the drive and 
 found their dugout almost hidden by shells of 75 and 
 150 calibre. There appeared to be a gun and a gen- 
 erous supply of shells under every bush on the 
 American front. 
 
 There was the atmosphere of expectancy, the knowl- 
 edge that something of great importance was going to 
 transpire. For many months those who had remained 
 in this sector had waited for this very thing. During 
 this period our position had been dominated by the St. 
 Mihiel hills, and as Major Palmer tersely describes the 
 situation, "It was like sitting at the foot of the stairs 
 and having the fellow at the top throw rocks at you 
 from behind a curtain." 
 
 Now, would the Americans be able to take these 
 positions, where the French had lost so many thousand 
 gallant soldiers during the early days of the war? 
 Would General Pershing's divisions be able to turn 
 the tables on the Huns, who had held this area for 
 four years? 
 
 Secrecy surrounded the exact date on which the 
 attack was to be launched. But early on the morning 
 of September 11, it was plainly evident that the next 
 day would see the beginning of the drive. Definite 
 information was secured that 1 o'clock was the zero 
 hour. During the night various companies had al- 
 ready come as far as the village behind the American 
 lines, to make room for the hundreds of thousands of 
 others who were assembling in the woods in the rear. 
 Hundreds of machine guns, tanks, etc., were also clev- 
 erly hidden in the woods and nearby villages. The 
 greatest assemblage of American, British and French 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 141 
 
 aviation ever employed for a single operation on the 
 Western front, awaited the coming battle. 
 
 But it was not until after night had thrown her 
 somber mantle over the battle front did the Americans 
 move forward to the trenches from the woods and 
 villages in the rear, General Pershing and his subord- 
 inates accomplishing the remarkable feat of bringing 
 up over a half million men under cover of darkness. 
 
 The day had been wet and foggy, and soon after 
 dark a heavy downpour of rain began, turning the 
 roads into mud, with the water running in torrents 
 on either side. The guns were silent as the dense 
 masses of infantry began moving toward the front. 
 
 It was now that every highway and lane leading 
 from the rear to the trenches became filled with Ameri- 
 can infantry, plodding through the mud, the water run- 
 ning in streams from the steel helmets and soaking 
 the men to the skin. They carried light packs, con- 
 sisting of one blanket, a shelter half and mess kit. 
 Besides their rifles they carried extra bandoliers filled 
 with cartridges. The grenade throwers wore their 
 aprons, filled with the deadly "eggs," so greatly feared 
 by the Germans. Silently the men splashed through 
 the mud and water. Many of them already veterans 
 who had repulsed the invading Huns at Chateau- 
 Thierry and Belleau Woods. The 1st Division, which 
 had gone into the line here for the first time many 
 months before to learn the rudiments of the war game, 
 were now going back to complete the work, which they 
 were the first to start. They filed into the trenches 
 in front of Xivray, where the Germans had made their 
 last effort to break through on the American front. 
 Down through Beaumont into the front line in the 
 vicinity of Seicheprey, where the gallant little band 
 
142 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 from the 102nd Infantry was almost wiped out by the 
 Huns who failed to pierce their line on April 20, the 
 infantry of the noble 42nd took up their position. 
 Warriors who had stood the test when the German 
 hordes were thrown against them at Champagne on 
 July 15. The 89th Division, which had once before 
 been on this front held the line on the right of the 42nd, 
 or in the vicinity of Flirey. 
 
 The 2nd Division including the immortal 5th and 
 6th Marines, the heroes of the Bois de Belleau, took 
 the line at Remenauville, they being assigned to take 
 the German strongholds along the Rupt de Mad and 
 the little city of Thiaucourt. The right of the 2nd Divi- 
 sion was the 5th Division, United States Regulars, 
 while the 90th Division, National Army troops from 
 Texas and Oklahoma, took up a position on the Moselle 
 in front of Pont-a-Mousson. The 82nd Division held 
 the right bank of the Moselle. 
 
 In his report to the Secretary of War, General 
 Pershing outlined his plan of attack as follows : 
 
 "From Les Eparges, around the nose of the salient 
 of St. Mihiel to the Moselle River, the line was roughly 
 40 miles long and situated on commanding ground, 
 greatly strengthened by artificial defenses. Our 1st 
 Corps, (82nd, 90th, 5th and 2nd Divisions) under 
 command of Major General Hunter Liggett, resting its 
 right on Pont-a-Mousson, with its left joining our 4th 
 Corps, (the 89th, 42nd and 1st Divisions) under Major 
 General Joseph T. Dickman, in line to Xivray, were to 
 swing in toward Vigneulles on the pivot of the Moselle 
 River for the initial assault. 
 
 "From Xivray to Mouilly the 2nd Colonial French 
 Corps was in line in the center, and our 5th Corps, 
 under command of Major General S. Cameron, with the 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 143 
 
 26th and 4th United States Divisions and a French 
 Division at the western base of the salient were to 
 attack three different hills, Les Esparges, Combres 
 and Amaranther. Our 1st Corps had in reserve the 
 78th Division, our 4th Corps, the 3rd Division, and 
 our 1st Army, the 25th and 91st Division, with the 
 80th and 33rd available." 
 
 The time was drawing near the "zero" hour. The 
 troops, which had for hours been "coming up and 
 going in," were huddled in the most advanced position, 
 all waiting patiently in the downpouring rain for the 
 order to go over. There had been no activity on the 
 part of the American artillery. Earlier in the evening 
 Fritz had tossed over two or three 77s at intervals 
 and then the front settled down to await the opening 
 of the first great battle of the American Army in 
 Europe. 
 
 It is 1 o'clock and those of the half million men 
 who knew the hour, waited nervously to hear the open- 
 ing of the bombardment. They had not long to wait. 
 Away over on the left, in the vicinity of Buconville, 
 about opposite Mont Sec, was heard the sharp report of 
 a 75, a heavier gun on the right seemed to answer it, 
 and then suddenly the entire sky along the front 
 burst into flame with a roar that baffles all descrip- 
 tion. The sharp report of the 75s was almost drowned 
 by the crash of the heavier artillery, including the big 
 naval rifles, brought to assist in the reduction of the 
 enemy positions. The shells burst in running crashes 
 up and down the enemy lines. A cataract of shells 
 poured down upon Mont Sec, tearing great sides in the 
 hill and demolishing the enemy observation posts. The 
 enemy trenches crumbled and great gaps were torn in 
 the barbed-wire entanglements. 
 
144 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 The enemy was powerless under such a tornado of 
 shell fire. In a feeble attempt the Germans attempted 
 a counter artillery fire, but within 30 minutes what 
 few batteries had opened up were smothered. 
 
 The rolling barrage started at 5 o'clock, and im- 
 mediately the infantry went over the top. 
 
 When General Pershing stated that the Americans 
 went through the enemy lines in "irresistible waves" 
 he could not have used a more expressive phrase. 
 Pressing onward the 1st Corps took Thiaucourt, while 
 the 4th Corps curved back toward Nonsard. The 39th 
 French Division captured Apremont, Loupmont and 
 Mont Sec, forcing the Germans to engage a large part 
 of their forces in action and delaying their retreat by 
 a road which they had planned, leading through Heudi- 
 court, Vigneulles and St. Benoit. This road was al- 
 ready threatened by the 1st Division, which had been 
 pushing hard all the afternoon to reach and cut this 
 road, the St. Mihiel-Gorze Highway. During this time 
 the tanks were waddling about in advance of the in- 
 fantry, destroying the machine gun nests wherever 
 encountered. 
 
 Early in the afternoon, tanks and a squadron of the 
 2nd United States Cavalry, closely supported by in- 
 fantry, plunged through the Bois de Nonsard and Bois 
 de Creue, and by 4 o'clock had crossed the road. They 
 were too few in number, however, to stop the frantic 
 retreat of the Germans, although many prisoners were 
 captured by these units. 
 
 The 26th United States and the 15th French Co- 
 lonial Infantry Divisions of the 5th Corps, had by 
 noon reached the crest of the hill of Les Eparges, but 
 
MONT SEC (OR HILL 380). THE GERMAN TRENCHES WERE IN 
 
 FRONT OF WOODS. PICTURE SHOWS SECTION OF 
 
 NO MAN'S LAND. 
 
 SECTION OF TRENCHES HELD RY AMERICAN TROOPS ON OLD 
 LORRAINE FRONT 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 145 
 
 not without hard fighting. The 26th French Infantry 
 and the 2nd French Cavalry Divisions engaged the 
 Germans around the nose of the salient, and captured 
 St. Mihiel. 
 
 At 6 o'clock in the evening, a brigade of the 3rd 
 Division was sent up to reinforce the 1st Division, 
 and the latter's left flank was pushed eastward. By 
 10 o'clock a company of the 28th Infantry was thrown 
 across the important road, cutting off further retreat 
 of the enemy. At 3 o'clock, detachments from the 1st 
 Division were in the outskirits of both Vigneules and 
 Hattonchatel, closing the remaining roads. 
 
 Late in the evening the 26th Division received 
 orders to push a brigade forward to Vigneulles to join 
 hands with the 1st Division, this closing the gap. The 
 reliable old 102nd was chosen for the task, and it was 
 here that the New England lads made their famous 
 night march through a country simply infested with 
 the enemy. For over five miles, with bayonets fixed, 
 with Colonel Hiram Bearss commanding, they plunged 
 through the inky darkness. And in the darkness cap- 
 tured 280 prisoners and completed their mission before 
 daylight. 
 
 The 89th and 42nd Divisions, part of the 4th Corps, 
 had pushed forward, although with longer distance to 
 cover, moved forward with as rapid strides as the 
 troops of the 1st Corps, and by evening the former held 
 Beney and Xammes, with the 42nd well north of 
 Pannes, in the Bois de Thiaucourt. The 1st Division, 
 which also belonged to the 4th, had met stubborn re- 
 sistance in a small woodland between Lahayville and 
 Nonsard, to take these woods it cost the Division 600 
 casualties. 
 
 The 2nd Division met with much opposition in its 
 
146 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 attack on Thiaucourt, the largest town in the salient. 
 The fighting was carried through the broken country 
 bordering on the heights of the Rupt de Mad. At 
 Thiaucourt the 2nd Division repulsed a counter attack, 
 losing in its operations there, five officers and 81 en- 
 listed men killed, and nine officers 274 enlisted men 
 wounded. However, this division took from the enemy 
 over 3000 prisoners, including 74 officers, 92 pieces of 
 artillery, including some guns of eight-inch calibre, 
 6000 rifles and 200 machine guns, over $5,000,000 
 worth of ammunition, a hospital train, complete, with 
 locomotive and other railroad equipment. 
 
 In the woods formerly held by the enemy were vast 
 quantities of military stores abandoned in the hasty 
 retreat. Large cantonments, fitted up with every con- 
 venience for the troops, were found. Places of amuse- 
 ment, such as parks, where band concerts were held, 
 bowling alleys, etc., were scattered throughout the area. 
 
 Soon after daylight the German prisoners came 
 streaming to the rear, in groups herded by grinning 
 "doughboys,'* many of whom had received slight 
 injuries. 
 
 By 7 o'clock the light artillery began moving up, as 
 the Americans were forcing the Germans beyond range 
 of the 75s. The roads now became congested with 
 streams of men, horses and vehicles. Gun carriages, 
 caissons, limbers, trucks, ammunition carts, rations 
 wagons and cavalry filled the roads for many miles. 
 This mighty caravan reached what had once 
 been No Man's Land, but it did not stop there. It 
 penetrated into the salient that had so recently been 
 vacated by the enemy. Over the shell-torn roads, 
 which the engineers had temporarily repaired, the 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 147 
 
 troops moved on. The great American Army moving 
 to reap the benefit of its swift and spectacular victory. 
 
 During this time the Sound and Flash Ranging ob- 
 servers had not been idle. Following soon after the 
 infantry, they established posts in advanced positions 
 and continued to give valuable information regarding 
 the activities within the salient. The Allied planes 
 completely dominated the air, driving back all enemy 
 planes and furnishing data on the movement of both 
 enemy and friendly troops. Once or twice a German 
 balloon appeared for a few minutes above the horizon, 
 but was hastily drawn down again. 
 
 On the left Mont Sec resembled a smoking volcano, 
 as the shells from the large calibre guns burst upon 
 this former German stronghold. 
 
 That night, from points on the Metz-St. Dizier Road 
 and the observation posts could be seen the burning 
 towns, along the heights of the Meuse that the Ger- 
 mans had fired before deserting them. 
 
 The initial effort of the new First American Army 
 had been a success. 
 
 The officers and men of S. R. S. No. 1 moved into 
 St. Benoit on the evening of September 15, three days 
 after the beginning of the St. Mihiel drive, for the pur- 
 pose of establishing a new base, in order to locate the 
 enemy artillery in front of Metz. Also to further gen- 
 eral information to the Intelligence Headquarters. 
 
 At that time St. Benoit was only a few hundred 
 yards behind the American front line and was con- 
 stantly the target for the German guns. Conditions 
 were now much different than on the old front. It was 
 now open warfare with no dugouts or trenches. While 
 there were a number of German dugouts, they, of 
 
148 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 course, faced the wrong way, and their exact location 
 known to the enemy. 
 
 The experiences of the Sound Rangers at St. Benoit 
 are told by Observer Cobb, as follows : 
 
 'The next morning after arriving in the village, 
 we started the work of stringing the wire for the new 
 base. One observation post was to be located at Louis- 
 ville farm, our front line being just in front of this 
 place. On arriving at St. Benoit we were billeted in 
 a stone building in which central was also located, the 
 apparatus being installed while the lines were being 
 strung along the front to the microphones and the 
 observation posts. Never had a Sound Ranging Cen- 
 tral been placed so close to the front lines, and this 
 step was to be regretted later. Owing to the proximity 
 of the central to the front, it was also used as the left 
 line station, while the right line station was established 
 at Beney, with the right observation post just back of 
 Xammes. 
 
 "On the second evening of our stay in St. Benoit, we 
 got our first baptism of fire in that village. A battery 
 of 77s, which appeared to be hardly a mile away, began 
 shelling our billets, and the other buildings that opened 
 on the court yard. So close was the battery that the 
 sound of the gun and the projectile reached us simul- 
 taneously. One shell tore a hole through the side of a 
 stable across the court yard, just missing a mule, 
 which was inside contentedly eating hay. Seeing an 
 opening so conveniently near him, the mule thrust his 
 head through the opening and surveyed the premises — 
 never for a moment allowing his attention to be de- 
 tracted from the hay. 
 
 "That night the famous Alabama regiment of the 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 149 
 
 42nd Divisiorx formed a raiding party and went over 
 into the woods and captured the battery. 
 
 '*In the window of a small wooden shack at the 
 Louisville farm house, we established our observation 
 post, carefully camouflaged in order that the enemy 
 might not locate our position. Our front line was just 
 in front of the farm house. 
 
 "Observers Hoist and Nave went on duty at the new 
 post the morning after the base was installed and it 
 was a strenuous day they passed. Fritz evidently 
 realized that the Americans occupied the farm house 
 for he kept up a harrassing fire in that locality all 
 day. The shell fragments easily penetrated the thin 
 wooden walls, making the place anything but safe for 
 its occupants. That night the post was moved to an- 
 other position, a short distance away, that had a stone 
 wall in front for protection. Here the observers could 
 look through a gate in the wall and easily duck the fly- 
 ing fragments. 
 
 ''Friday night, September 30, saw the end of the 
 farm house as a desirable location for our post. With 
 Observers Ash and Eneix, I was on duty. The only 
 protection besides the stone wall which we had was 
 a 'fox hole,' dug close behind the wall and covered over 
 with boards, stones and dirt. The only protection this 
 afforded, however, was from shell fragments. A direct 
 hit from a 77 would wipe the place from the earth. 
 At 2 o'clock Fritz began shelling with 105s, the line 
 of 'fox holes,' held by the infantry, and soon the range 
 was increased and the projectiles began dropping in 
 our immediate vicinity. Two observers would remain 
 in the 'fox hole' while the third would, upon hearing 
 the report of the gun, snap down the switch on the 
 board arranged a few feet away, which would start the 
 
150 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 Sound Ranging apparatus in motion before the sound 
 wave reached the microphones. The observer v^ho 
 performed this feat would be showered with rocks, dirt 
 and sometimes shell fragments before he could jump 
 to a protected position. It then became quite evident 
 that the enemy intended to wipe out the farm house. 
 The shells had severed our connection with central 
 and for the present we were unable to do anything 
 further. 
 
 "In the cellar of one of the barns on the farm 
 was a fairly well protected room, which a medical 
 unit was occupying. We decided to retreat to this place. 
 The cellar was 50 yards away. Although it was a 
 moonlight night, we could hardly see our way owing to 
 the dense smoke from the bursting shells. Hardly had 
 we entered the cellar when we heard cries and groans 
 emanating from above. We dashed upstairs with a 
 light, to find a lieutenant and a private had been badly 
 injured by the shell fragments, while asleep on the 
 floor. The men were taken below to the dressing 
 station, where they received first aid from the medical 
 corps. 
 
 *The puddles of blood on the floor, the dense clouds 
 of powder smoke and the ghastly faces of the wounded 
 men made us think that Sherman did not make his 
 famous words strong enough when referring to war. 
 Other men were now being brought into the dressing 
 station. Infantrymen who had been hit while in line 
 in front of the farmhouse. But little could be done for 
 some of them, so serious were their wounds. Then 
 came the gas, and the masks were worn until it was 
 thought safe to remove them. 
 
 "When the shelling ceased two hours later we re- 
 turned to our post. Our fox hole was untouched, but 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 151 
 
 the frame shack, which we had formerly occupied, had 
 been hit and tossed over into a neighboring garden, 
 broken into a hundred pieces. The next day the post 
 was moved to a short distance away to a strong culvert, 
 under the St. Benoit-Dampvitoux Road, which had 
 not received a great deal of shelling up to that date. 
 But the first night the post operated it was heavily 
 shelled, as Observers Jenkins, Hilt and Fordyce will 
 readily testify. 
 
 "At the central in St. Benoit, affairs were progress- 
 ing favorably. But for the daily shelling of the village 
 with his heavy artillery, conditions could have been 
 worse. Another regrettable feature was the presence 
 of the fleas and cooties of the German variety, which 
 forced their attention upon us. The enemy artillery 
 action culminated in the destruction of the beautiful 
 chateau in the west end of the village. The chateau, 
 the property of the son of President Poincaire, with 
 its spacious grounds, was one of the most beautiful 
 places of the kind in France. For four years the Ger- 
 mans had used it as headquarters for the army on that 
 section of the front. When the Americans captured 
 the town they found the chateau practically untouched. 
 It was the telephone central for that area and in the 
 chateau was found a switchboard with 1500 "drops.** 
 
 "The Americans used the chateau as 84th Brigade 
 Headquarters, no less a personage than the Brigadier 
 General establishing his office and sleeping quarters in 
 its spacious rooms. The chateau was beautifully be- 
 decked with hangings and tapestries such as would 
 make the American hostess the proudest person in the 
 world. Its rugs and oil paintings representing some 
 of the best work in Europe. The furniture, beautifully 
 upholstered, the statuary and antiques were magnifi- 
 
152 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 cently displayed. On the evening of September 23, it 
 was quite evident that the enemy v^^as getting the range 
 of the chateau, and, fearing further trouble, the 84th 
 Brigade moved its headquarters elsewhere. It was 3 
 o'clock in the afternoon when the Germans started 
 throwing incendiary shells of large calibre into the 
 place. The first hit squarely on the gabled roof, pro- 
 ducing great volumes of smoke and fire. Within two 
 hours, so destructive was the fire, that the chateau had 
 been razed to the ground with the exception of the 
 inflammable brick chimneys and walls. 
 
 *' Meanwhile, under the supervision of Sergeants 
 Kietel and Drummond, the construction of a large dug- 
 out in the angle of the building which the Sound 
 Rangers occupied, was started. The dugout did not 
 provide room for all the members of the detachment 
 and some of the men had bunks in the cellar, while 
 others had their sleeping quarters in a dugout about 
 150 yards away, which had been constructed by the 
 Germans. Such were the conditions of things when 
 the enemy saturated the village with gas on the night 
 of October 1. As a result of which all of the officers 
 and about 20 enlisted men were sent to the hospital, 
 all more or less affected by the gas. 
 
 "It was soon after 9 o'clock when Fritz began drop- 
 ping the big 210s close to our billet. The first pro- 
 jectile went over the building and burst in a small 
 pond about 50 yards away. Two minutes later the 
 whining noise of the shell was heard, and before it 
 struck, the veterans in the Sound Ranging knew it 
 would hit the building. 
 
 " 'I knew,* said one of the linesmen, in the cellar, 
 *that it had our initials on it.' 
 
 "The intruder proved to be a mustard gas shell. 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 153 
 
 Hitting the building it tore down through the roof 
 directly over the room where Lieutenant Van Vechtan 
 was sleeping. It crashed into the partition against 
 which his bed was placed, bursting on the second floor. 
 The partition was demolished, burying the officer be- 
 neath the wreckage. The explosion tore out the 
 greater part of the floor and wrecked the supply room 
 below. Beneath this room was the cellar, and the 
 fragments tore great holes in the floor carrying the 
 gas to the men below. Of the five men in the cellar. 
 Sergeant Hinman is the only one who was not perma- 
 nently affected by the gas. Private Benson was the 
 most seriously injured. The poison liquid splashed 
 upon him and for many months he laid in Base Hospital 
 82, at Toul, unable to see and suffering with body burns 
 so serious that it seemed almost impossible for them 
 to heal. Lieutenant Van Vechtan was for months in 
 a serious condition. His escape was miraculous. Bur- 
 ied by the wreckage, he managed to extricate himself 
 and reach the rooms below, where the central apparatus 
 was located. In the cellar besides Sergeant Hinman 
 and Private Benson were, Waggoners Miller and Eng- 
 holm and Private Gregory. Grasping clothing and 
 gas masks the men rushed from the cellar and into the 
 dugout on the opposite side of the building. The enemy 
 did not cease with what he had already accomplished. 
 For four hours he continued to gas the town. During 
 this time the men were huddled together in the dugout, 
 keeping on their gas masks. Keeping a stifling gas 
 mask on for four hours or more is an extremely hard 
 thing to do and one is sorely tempted to tear off the 
 nose bag for just one breath of air, regardless of how 
 poisonous it may be. It was between 1 and 2 o'clock 
 when it was thought safe to remove the masks. Most 
 
154 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 of them laid down for a brief rest, but three hours later, 
 the dugout was filled with groans of the men as the 
 gas began to take effect. The water was streaming 
 from their eyes and the continual vomiting of some of 
 them showed very plainly how deathly sick they were. 
 At dawn Sergeant Schies took Lieutenant Van Vech- 
 tan. Sergeants Drummond and Hinman and Private 
 Benson to the first aid station in the basement of the 
 old chateau, where they were placed in an ambulance 
 and sent to a hosptial at Toul. Before night 20 more 
 had been overcome and taken to the hospitals in the 
 rear. Among the latter were the men on duty at cen- 
 tral during the night, who, during the gas attack, had 
 nobly stayed at their post, plotting the guns that were 
 firing and turning the information into the Intelligence 
 Office of that section of the front." 
 
 The same day the central was removed to Lamarche, 
 a village about three miles in the rear. 
 
 While these stirring scenes were being enacted, 
 equally exciting times were being experienced by the 
 men at the right line station at Beney, which was in 
 charge of Sergeant Kurzensky. The right observa- 
 tion post had been established just back of Xammes, 
 which was the Americans* first line for several weeks 
 following the St. Mihiel offensive. The post was hid- 
 den in a small hedge in the middle of a field. 
 
 Beney was one of the villages that the enemy shelled 
 almost continuously. At any time of the day or night 
 a tornado of shells might strike the town, demolishing 
 buildings, leaving the dead and wounded in the streets 
 or in the wreckage of the buildings. The streets were 
 usually strewn with dead horses and mules. 
 
 Corporal Breshears gives the trend of happenings 
 and the conditions in Beney as follows: 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 155 
 
 "Our microphone and telephone lines were strung 
 on the ground just in front of the village. One of the 
 microphones was located in the edge of Thiaucourt and 
 the other two along the Thiaucourt-St. Benoit Road, 
 The dugouts we occupied were inhabitable in dry- 
 weather. When it rained we had a miniature nata- 
 torium beneath our bunks. Of course the shelling 
 never became so intense that the ever-popular game of 
 poker did not flourish. I remember quite distinctly 
 one night I was just getting ready to bet my month's 
 wages on a 'straight,' when Fritz dropped a 77 on the 
 end of our dugout. The concussion put out our candles 
 and the gas from the shell was soon heavy inside. 
 After the scramble for our masks, the hands became 
 mixed, and I lost the 'pot.' 
 
 'Trobably Krogh and Thomas, two of the linesmen 
 at our station, will ever remember the evening they 
 laid in the ditch along the road outside of Thiaucourt 
 while, for an hour, the Boche shelled the vicinity, the 
 shells bursting only a few yards from them in the 
 center of the highway. 
 
 "While repairing lines one night along this road, 
 with Thomas, an enemy plane swooped down on us and 
 began bombing the highway. We took temporary 
 shelter under a culvert, which would have been but 
 little protection had one of the deadly missiles 
 struck it. 
 
 "The most serious affair that occurred during our 
 stay in Beney was the injuring of Lieutenant Coles 
 and Private Krogh only a short time before the cessa- 
 tion of hostilities. The men, together with Private 
 Cook, were patrolling the line just west of Beney. A 
 truck was rattling along the road, which drowned the 
 sound of the approaching shell, which struck in the 
 
156 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 center of the group. Lieutenant Coles received a se- 
 vere wound in the neck from a shell fragment. At the 
 hospital the fragment was found nestling snugly 
 against his jugular vein. Krogh received a severe 
 wound in the hip. Cook, while he was closer to the 
 shell than either of his companions, escaped uninjured. 
 ''One of the amusing incidents which occurred at 
 Beney, was the arresting of Observers 'Vic' Mayers 
 and 'Ted' Bandermier as spies, while enroute to the 
 observation post for duty. They were taken to Regi- 
 mental Headquarters, but were released upon the ar- 
 rival of Lieutenant Kuhns, commander of our section, 
 who identified the men. But the men spent a perilous 
 night in an endeavor to get back to the station. The 
 enemy bombarded the village in which Regimental 
 Headquarters was located. They left the town to 
 escape the shells and enemy aeroplanes bombed the 
 roads they had taken. What the boys had to say about 
 the 'doughboy' officers who 'pinched' them wouldn't 
 look well in print." 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 157 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 IN LORRAINE WITH F. R. S. NO. 2 
 
 F. R. S. No. 2, of the American Army was organ- 
 ized in Langres, August 18, 1918, under the command 
 of Lieutenant J. D. Wright. The other officers at- 
 tached to the section were Lieutenants Heuling, Lus- 
 combe and Burrows. 
 
 The organization was built around the nucleus of 
 15 well-trained Flash Rangers from F. R. S. No. 1, Ser- 
 geants First Class Brewster and Waters, Sergeant 
 Howe and Corporals Cotton, Chambers and Hinton 
 and Privates Graysle, Tucker, Schulten, Brislawn, 
 Senclair, Hazeland, Stookey, Loretle and Yeager. 
 Sergeants Brewster and Howe, Corporals Cotton, 
 Chambers and Hinton had had previous service with 
 the French S. R. 0. T. 88, and together with the other 
 men, had just been through the Chateau-Thierry drive, 
 being well qualified to operate a new section. The 
 other men were taken from Company C, of the 29th 
 Engineers, where they had been training at the Flash 
 and Sound School at Fort de St. Menge. 
 
 The detachment, consisting of 80 men, left Langres 
 on August 19 for the Toul sector to take over the 
 French S. R. 0. T., No. 62, at Domerne. The French 
 had a well-organized section with four observation 
 posts, located over a base of 15 kilometers and close 
 up to the support trenches. The section had occupied 
 the same sector for over eight months and had been 
 doing excellent work. It was considered one of the 
 best of the S. R. 0. T. Consequently the American 
 
158 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 Flash Rangers were anxious to make as creditable a 
 showing as possible. 
 
 The section was organized as soon as the detach- 
 ment arrived. Corporal Hinton was placed in charge 
 at central and promoted to the grade of Sergeant. Pri- 
 vate Graysle was made a Sergeant and placed in charge 
 of the lines. Sergeants Brewster, Howe, Cotton and 
 Chambers were in charge of the various posts. 
 
 The American Flash Rangers took over the section 
 on September 3, after bidding the Frenchmen, "Au 
 re voir" and assuring them that on the coming drive 
 Mont Sec would be taken, all settled down to business. 
 Within a few days things were running smoothly with 
 the posts and central working in perfect liaison. 
 
 By the time that the St. Mihiel offensive started 
 the section was providing much valuable information 
 to the artillery as to enemy activities as well as ranging 
 American guns. 
 
 The section held an important section on the St. 
 Mihiel front at the time of the big offensive, as some 
 of the heaviest fighting occurred in the neighborhood 
 of Thiaucourt in front of the base. One of the best 
 descriptions of the fighting at this point is given by 
 an observer in Chambers post at the time of the as- 
 sault : 
 
 "Our post, which was just back of the support 
 trenches was a steel cylinder on top of a 65-foot steel 
 tripod. The French billet nearby, that we occupied 
 when not on duty, was simply a tar-paper shack, which 
 served as a kitchen and dining room and a dugout for 
 sleeping quarters. 
 
 'The night before the Americans went over the top 
 in the big drive, the rain came down in torrents and 
 the darkness was intense. In our post it is midnight 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 159 
 
 and we have begun to count the minutes until the 
 artillery will open up with the barrage. For hours 
 the fighting men have been coming up and they are 
 now in the most advanced position, awaiting the signal 
 to *go over.' 
 
 'Thus far the elements have all been in our favor — 
 the gently falling rain, the inky blackness and the wind 
 blowing from the enemy territory, have all helped to 
 conceal the movement of our troops. A complete sur- 
 prise is in store for our neighbors across No Man's 
 Land. As we wait in the observation post, thoughts 
 come to us of what had occurred before we trod the 
 soil of France For nearly four years this strip of 
 shell-torn ground, separating the hostile armies, has 
 been *Any Man's Land,' and we wonder what the mor- 
 row will bring forth. 
 
 "In 1914, 60,000 brave Frenchmen gave their life- 
 blood in a vain attempt to reduce this salient. What 
 now will be the fortune of the American arms? We 
 trust in our might, for 'right is might,' and we await 
 the coming morn. 
 
 "It is now 5:45 A. M., September 12. The bom- 
 bardment has been in progress since 1 o'clock, and now 
 the first line of khaki-clad figures can be dimly seen 
 as they climb our parapets. Not a Hun can be de- 
 tected. They have evidently retreated into their deep- 
 est dugouts to escape the deadly barrage. Our shells 
 have been breaking in Fritz's trenches, spattering 
 around his pill boxes, tearing up his roads and making 
 his escape impossible. His artillery has been prac- 
 tically silenced, a compliment both to the Flash and 
 Sound Rangers in locating enemy batteries, and to the 
 telling fire of our artillery. 
 
 "As to the Flash Rangers, we are now in our glory. 
 
160 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 Our work now is not 'grabbing gun flashes/ but in 
 getting the information back as to the progress of our 
 troops. Sergeant Chambers is now at the telephone 
 while I look and listen: 
 
 " 'Hello/ I hear him say, 'Central this is Chambers 
 post. Time 5:45 bearing 1300 to 1500. Our troops 
 have attacked. Hello, Central, time 5:55, same bear- 
 ing. The first wave is now going through the enemy 
 barbed wire behind the French tanks. The second 
 wave is leaving our trenches and the third wave is 
 forming.' 
 
 "Thus the reports are sent into central and relayed 
 on to the artillery headquarters, while ever forward 
 dash our troops. In our rear the artillery barks a 
 thundering roar around us. We now hear the rattle of 
 the machine guns of the enemy and the belch of our own 
 trench mortars. The Huns are surrendering in droves, 
 throwing up their hands, yelling 'kamerad,' 'kamerad.' 
 
 "The light artillery is now being hurried forward, 
 drawn by galloping horses. Our work is now finished. 
 So it's 'tear down and carry on.' " 
 
 On the morning of the 13th the section moved for- 
 ward with the instruments and wire in two trucks. 
 The distance was only 15 kilometers, but owing to the 
 congested condition of the roads, it was late in the even- 
 ing when the new location was reached. The new 
 central was a few kilometers east of Thiaucourt. As 
 a counter attack was expected the equipment was not 
 unloaded from the trucks that night and it was neces- 
 sary that all be prepared for a hasty move. Two posts 
 were set up that night. No lines were laid, but com- 
 munication was kept up by runners. The expected 
 attack came, but resulted in the Marines and 9th In- 
 fantry advancing ahead a few more kilometers. The 
 
TOP— FRENCH ENTERING METZ AFTER ARMISTICE WAS SIGNED. 
 BOTTOM— METZ, "GATE OF THE ALLEMAND" 
 
 Eiiil. Bor^wftl - 7( 
 
 STRASKOL'KG. . Entree <1a Gtner.i! Goiiraad, lo 22 Kovemb.e 191 S 
 L-i fouic mstsee Place de la Republiqtie pend.mt le Oidli 
 
 FRENCH IX STRASBOURG AFTER THE ARMISTICE. 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 161 
 
 next day the work of stabilizing the position was 
 started. 
 
 The following events are told by one of the men at 
 the central station: 
 
 "Four posts were established very close to the bat- 
 tle line at that time. Very soon excellent results were 
 being attained. It was several days after the base was 
 in operation that central was shelled heavily. A 210 
 burst just outside of the central and it was followed 
 by another immediately, of like calibre. 
 
 **The telephone rings and 'Howe' post reports the 
 bearing on the gun firing. Then DeLong, who had 
 received the report advances to within three feet of the 
 plotting board and, saluting, makes the humble request : 
 
 *' *Sir, will the Lieutenant kindly move from under- 
 neath the board that I may plot the gun that is shelling 
 us V The officer crawled out of his position, where he 
 had huddled when he heard the whining of the shell. 
 
 "The batteries of 75s just over our heads had evi- 
 dently angered Fritz, and the heavies were meant for 
 them. They were falling short, however, and were 
 simply 'playing helF with our billets. However, we 
 soon sought refuge in the tunnel under the road, which 
 fortunately had been well constructed by the Boche. 
 When the little bombardment was over we stepped out 
 to make a survey of the result. One Garford truck was 
 entirely demolished, along with a motorcycle — and 
 where one of our billets had stood was a large shell 
 hole. Another had lost its roof and one side. That 
 night we were bombarded again. Intermittent shelling 
 kept up for four days, at the end of which time we 
 had lost another truck, motorcycle and side car. The 
 rest of our billets were completely destroyed. Fortu- 
 nately no one had been injured, but it was deemed ad- 
 
162 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 visable to move before matters grew any worse. Con- 
 sequently, due to the constant shelling and the diffi- 
 culty in keeping up communication, central was moved 
 back five kilometers. 
 
 ''About this time Sergeant Brewster came into 
 central and replaced Sergeant Willoughly as First Ser- 
 geant, the latter going out to 'Chambers* post for ex- 
 perience. Brewster's post was turned over to Corporal 
 Rock. At central we had a room for a billet — I say 
 room, for it was far from being a dugout. It had a 
 roof that leaked when it rained. It had one redeem- 
 ing feature — a good stove and a spring bed. 
 
 "We had been at our new place but a short time 
 when the 'Duke of Salem,' Edward H. Mosely, appeared 
 on the scene. 'Poor Mose,' his opinion of central as a 
 rest camp for shattered nerves was freely expressed. 
 The first night he was on duty a shell hit the roof of 
 the building, smashing a chimney, and the fuse cap 
 came on through the ceiling and hit the plotting board, 
 causing Mose to lose a year's growth from fright. It 
 also caused some inconveniences to Captain Wright, 
 erstwhile Lieutenant, who, at the time, was leaning 
 over the board, endeavoring to make a trisection out of 
 three bearings, which had just come in on the battery 
 that was shelling us. Needless to say that interrup- 
 tion gave impetus to the work and accelerated the 
 officer's movements, for in less than a minute he was 
 telephoning the co-ordinate of the enemy battery to 
 the Artillery Headquarters, and suggesting that 
 'said artillery' start something going the other way 
 immediately. 
 
 "Everything was progressing nicely, and would 
 have continued had it not been for the peace propa- 
 ganda, which just then started to circulate. From that 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 163 
 
 The German People Offers Peace. 
 
 Thm new Gemuui de^nocratie government has this programme; 
 
 *Th0 will of the people Is the highest law." 
 
 The Oerman people wants qoiokly to end the slaughter. 
 Thtf new German popular government therefore has offered •& 
 
 Armistice 
 
 and has declared itself ready for 
 
 Peace 
 
 on the basis of jostica and reconefliation of nations. 
 
 It is the will of the Oerman people that it should Ove in peace with all 
 peoples, honestly and loyaJjiy. 
 
 What has the new Oerman popular government done so far to put into practice 
 the will of the people and to prov» its good and upright intentions? 
 
 a) The new Oerman government has appealed to President Wilsoa 
 td bring about peace. 
 
 N has recognized and accepted all the principles which 
 President Wilson proclaimed as a basis for a genel'al lasting 
 peace of Justice among the nations. 
 
 b) The new Cermso government has solemnly declared its readiness to evacuate 
 Belgium and to restore it. 
 
 c) The new Genpan government is ready to come to^an honest, tinderstaodin^ 
 %nth France ahout. 
 
 Alsace-Lorraine. 
 
 Ji TliP'ii***' German government has restricted the U-boat WAT* 
 
 No passengers steamers not carrying troops 
 or war ipaterial will be attacked in future. 
 
 e) The new .German government has declared that it will withdraw all 
 Oerman troops back over the Oerman frontier. 
 
 f) — The new Geriinan government has asked the Allied Governments to 
 name commissioners to agree upon the practical measures of the 
 evacuation of Belgium and France^ 
 
 These, are the deeds of the new Oerman popular government. Can 
 these be called mere words, or bluff, or propaganda? 
 
 Who is to blame, if an armistice is not called now? 
 
 Who is to blame if daily thousands of brave soldiers needlessly have to 
 shed their blood and die? 
 
 Who is to blame, if the hitherto undestroyed towns and villages of France 
 and Belgium sink in ashes? 
 
 Who is to blame, if hundr«ids of thousands, of unhappy women and children 
 are driven from their homes to hunger and freeze? 
 
 The German people offers its hand 
 
 for peace. 
 
 THE ABOVE IS A FAC- SIMILE OF PROPAGANDA THROWN 
 
 OVER BY THE GERMANS ON THE METZ 
 
 FRONT IN OCTOBER, 1918. 
 
164 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 time 'Sammy* kept the happy family posted with the 
 latest peace — not war — ^news. Of course not much 
 stock was taken in his prediction, but we did like to 
 hear him rave — due probably to the fact that some- 
 where in the United States a Lieutenant was making 
 love to his sweetheart, and he longed to be there. Peace 
 talk kept our spare time well occupied — that is all ex- 
 cept 'Bubbles,' and I guess that he had been over so 
 long and had heard so many rumors that he had stopped 
 putting any stock in them. 
 
 " 'Casey' was the same way at first, but soon even 
 he became enthusiastic, and even told a certain young 
 lady in New York that he would be there by Christmas 
 — and one night he rushed down into the dugout like a 
 wildman and informed us that the armistice had been 
 signed. 
 
 " 'Bubbles' raised himself up from his feather mat- 
 tress, yelled, 'Go to hell' and went back to sleep. 
 
 "But at 10:30 the next day the last gun to be lo- 
 cated by F. R. S. No. 2 was plotted. At 11 it was 
 all over." 
 
 While stirring events were occurring at central, 
 equally exciting times were being experienced at the 
 observation posts. 
 
 Chambers' post had been located on a hill, one 
 kilometer north of Vieville en Hays. The post faced 
 an angle in the lines and was in the center of a machine 
 gun battalion, which was supporting the American 
 infantry and covering the Bois Bou Veaux on the 
 north, which was still held by the enemy. 
 
 The story is told by one of the observers : 
 
 "There was no cover at this point available so we 
 were forced to dig a trench on the crest of the hill, and 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 165 
 
 in the open, from which to observe the enemy move- 
 ments. This position was exposed to almost continual 
 shell fire, directed at a road a short distance in front 
 of us. It was only by using a scissorcrope that the 
 casualties from splinters and shrapnel were avoided. 
 The afternoon of the 14th some of the men were forced 
 to expose themselves, while stringing and repairing 
 lines, and we immediately received a shower of 37 m. m. 
 shells and machine gun bullets, which did no damage. 
 On the afternoon of the 15th, a machine barrage 
 was laid on the Bois Bouveaux for 40 minutes and the 
 end of which time the infantry went forward and 
 cleared the woods of the remaining Boche. 
 
 "The night of the third day, the entire personnel 
 of the post turned out as soon as it was dark, and 
 started excavating for an observation post in a copse 
 of woods which the machine gun battalion that day 
 evacuated. It was bright moonlight, and we were 
 continually forced to take cover from the numerous 
 planes flying at low altitudes. However by 3 A. M., 
 it was finished and camouflaged. The next day we 
 occupied our new quarters, much to everyone's relief. 
 
 "As soon as the post was finished we started dig- 
 ging a shell-proof dugout about 20 feet in the rear. A 
 hole, six by eight and seven feet deep, was dug. This 
 was covered with a layer of ten-inch logs. We then 
 salvaged some curved elephant iron and placed this on 
 top of the logs, the place between the logs and iron 
 being filled with sand bags, which would act as shock 
 absorbers in case of a hit. The entire place was cov- 
 ered with about five feet of sand bags and another layer 
 of logs and steel placed to act as bursters. A covered 
 trench was constructed between the post and the dug- 
 out. Two bunks were built inside, a stove set up and 
 
166 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 our home was finished. Much trouble was experi- 
 enced with lines here, they being constantly shelled. 
 We were forced to string a second line. And here, 
 special mention should be given of Cook Gillis, who, in 
 addition to his duties as cook, gave valuable assistance 
 on numerous occasions in repairing lines, as well as 
 aiding us in the observation post." 
 
 An observer at Sergeant Howe's post gives the 
 following description of the activities in his vicinity 
 during the St. Mihiel drive: 
 
 "We began our work in the Toul sector on August 
 23, and it was only a few days later that we noticed the 
 woods were gradually filling up with men and that 
 all the old battery positions were being occupied, in 
 preparation for the contemplated attack. The German 
 observers, suspended in their swing baskets from the 
 big elephant-shaped balloons, noticed something un- 
 usual and let us know they knew it by increased artil- 
 lery action. The activity back of our own lines con- 
 tinued to increase. During the night long, unceasing 
 processions of horses, men and guns and supply trains 
 moved along the road. 
 
 "Upon going to our post on the evening of the 12th, 
 we found the trenches full of troops. Infantrymen 
 and machine gunners ready for the assault, the latter 
 with their little wooden cases of ammunition. Bombers 
 were ready with their aprons full of *H. E. eggs.' 
 
 "During the early part of the evening all was 
 quiet except for an occasional burst of machine gun 
 fire, or the faint *pop' of the 'very' lights as they 
 cast their white garnish light over the shell-torn wire- 
 tangled area in No Man's Land. At 10 o'clock a bat- 
 tery of 75s opened up, and fired a few rounds and 
 became silent. The enemy batteries responded with 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 167 
 
 a few rounds and all was quiet again. The night wore 
 on until 1 o'clock, when it seemed that 'hell had broken 
 loose.' The ground trembled with the jar and thud 
 of the big guns, and the sky became a mass of crimson 
 flashes. Against the dull rumble of the heavies and the 
 sullen crunch of the 155 millimeter howitzers, sounded 
 the sharp bark of the 75s. The answer by the enemy 
 was feeble. In the brief light of their bursting shrap- 
 nel was discernible the grotesque forms of the infantry 
 as they dropped for a moment to escape the leaden hail, 
 and then moved to their appointed places, where they 
 waited for the zero hour. 
 
 '*At 4 o'clock, the zero hour, the cannonading 
 ceased as suddenly as it began. In the half light of 
 the day we saw dim forms swarming out of the 
 trenches — heard the irregular rifle fire intermingling 
 with the vicious rat-a-tat-tat of automatic and machine 
 guns, the whiz and bang of the 88s, the bursting of high 
 explosives with their showers of sparks and clouds of 
 dense black smoke ; while red, green and white rockets 
 appeared for a moment and faded, and red flares gave 
 one a confused sight of khaki-clad objects moving 
 around. Over it all sounded the drumming of the guns 
 as they opened fire on the enemy back areas. 
 
 "As the sun came up it cast its rays over a re- 
 markable and wonderful sight. The country in front 
 of us was jammed with men and fighting gear, going 
 forward to support the attack. The shafts of sunlight 
 glanced and gleamed from the bayonets of the infantry 
 as the men maneuvered around a patch of woods con- 
 taining the hidden menace, the machine gun nests. 
 White-winged aeroplanes circled over the lines, or trav- 
 eled with lightning speed to drop their messages at 
 headquarters in the rear. On our left the baby tanks 
 
168 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 were clambering clumsily, like huge turtles, across the 
 tom-up areas. Already batteries of 75s were moving 
 forward, the horses sweating and heaving as they en- 
 deavored to move the pieces along what was once a 
 road. During this time our batteries were continuing 
 their fire with but few shots returned. 
 
 "Later prisoners began to come in groups, guarded 
 by a few grinning 'doughboys.' Ambulances were trav- 
 eling back and forth with their loads of injured. We 
 saw one lone, small 'Yank' picking up our wounded and 
 using four big Boches as stretcher-bearers. 
 
 "By 10 o'clock it was seen that our objective, 
 Thiaucourt, would be reached in one day, instead of 
 three. General Pershing's 'All American Drive' had 
 succeeded beyond all expectations." 
 
 The story of Cotton post is told as follows : 
 
 "Our entrance into the war was so gradual that 
 we landed on the front without warning or spiritual 
 preparation. In fact, we felt we had been trapped by 
 easy stages, which was, no doubt, the surest way of 
 getting us under shell fire. The morning that 'Dad' 
 Waters led us out of the woods north of Menilitour we 
 had reached that stage of our existence known as the 
 'Great Divide.' 
 
 "A sort of 'hunted look' had become fixed, and there 
 was little talk, much thinking and frequent use of the 
 canteen. 'Dad' followed the lowest levels, which was 
 natural, and with wisdom bom of much front line 
 experience, got us safely into Domevre, where Section 
 2 was organized. 
 
 "The men assigned to Sergeant Cotton's post 
 slipped into Noviant and were billeted in a barn, where 
 some of us heard and saw our first shells at close 
 range, and heard the ominous gas alarms. A few days 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 169 
 
 later we moved to a French billet and post in the Bois 
 du Jury, which must have been in operation several 
 years, judging by the number and size of rats, cooties, 
 fleas, etc., which disputed our tenancy. It was here 
 that we completed our training and became real 
 soldiers. For it was here that we learned the art of 
 putting on a creeping finger nail barrage against the 
 cooties and learned for the first time to scratch with 
 'all fours.' 
 
 'Then one evening came the warning from central 
 to be on the 'alert.' At 1 o'clock the next morning 
 the big offensive of St. Mihiel started. The nervous 
 ones in our billet fell out and dressed, while the others 
 being beyond this stage, covered up deeper in the 
 blankets. The dugout rattled terribly — perhaps it 
 was our teeth. Anyhow, we awaited events in soldierly 
 fashion, doing a sort of involuntary 'hula hula' muscle 
 dance. 
 
 "We have never been able to get official informa- 
 tion concerning the movements of Sergeant Cotton, 
 Corporal Sinclair and Private Colclesser, who disap- 
 peared during the barrage just mentioned, though 
 aeroplane photos, which later came into our possession, 
 show clearly defined and continuous lines leading from 
 our dugout to a point in the Bois Mart Mare, at which 
 place there is much evidence of confusion, with unduly 
 diverging lines. However, the matter has been partly 
 cleared up by the confession of Sergeant Cotton, who 
 admits that, feeling the smoke of battle in his nostrils, 
 he took a guard of the three aforementioned intrepid 
 soldiers and sought the field of conflict, with the result 
 that he captured fifteen healthy Boche." 
 
 Sergeant Cotton's story is told in the following 
 words : 
 
170 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 "By 8 o'clock on the morning of the St. Mihiel 
 offensive, the troops on the section of the front occu- 
 pied by our base had moved over the ridge in a flank- 
 ing movement, thus rendering further observation from 
 No. 1 post useless. Choosing Corporal Sinclair and 
 Observer Colclesser, we started forward with the in- 
 struments needed for day and night use, through the 
 mud of three days' rain. We passed over our own en- 
 tanglements and the St. Dizier-Metz Road easily, only 
 to strike the intricate system of wire and trenches that 
 the Germans had built in their four years' stay. 
 
 "Trench and entanglements that only the Germans 
 could conceive for their own safety and comfort. And 
 in breaking through their wires we struck a low valley, 
 or *dead ground' area, from which place we could 
 neither see forward or backward, and consequently, 
 veered to the left toward a point of woods. These 
 woods we reached, after what seemed to us hours of 
 weary ^hiking.' Resting for a few moments, for our 
 instruments were somewhat heavy and cumbersome, 
 we turned to the right and entered the Bois de Mort 
 Mare, and so hoped to strike the Promenade des Moines. 
 
 "In the meantime we were continually and intently 
 alert for evidence of German ingeniousness, and — 
 souvenirs. A group of tombstones on the left of our 
 trail claimed our attention, and we noticed with interest 
 that an ober lieutenant and two sergeants had been 
 killed, probably by the same exploding shell, and were 
 all buried together, with the same characteristic in- 
 scription overhead, 'Hier rught in Gott' and 'Hier hat 
 in Heldentodgelallen.' 
 
 "Suddenly, turning back in the trail and plunging 
 forward on his stomach. Corporal Sinclair, in a hoarse 
 whisper gasped : 'God, there's a Boche.' 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 171 
 
 **I asked no questions but found that a clump of 
 brush concealed me, and I pressed close to 'Mother 
 Nature' — closer than ever a communion of souls at- 
 tracted to kindred spirits. After our first moment of 
 fear the question arose: 
 
 *' 'Had the Boche seen us?' 
 
 ''Lifting our heads cautiously above the grass, we 
 beheld a real live Boche at close quarters, the customary 
 gray cap, the vacant, unintelligent face, with the ab- 
 sence of all healthy color — an expression of listlessness 
 and utter resignation. He was completely unconscious 
 of our presence, but he seemed entirely capable of 
 commanding the situation. Silently we held a 'council 
 of war,' and decided to remove ourselves from the 
 propinquity of Fritz's trench. Even so. Napoleon 
 turned from Moscow. 
 
 "Finding concealment in a vacated trench, we 
 matched discretion with valor, with the result that 
 our instruments were unslung and we took an inventory 
 of our equipment. We found that Corporal Sinclair 
 had a trustworthy Springfield encased in an old under- 
 shirt, and with the barrel plugged by a cork. 
 
 "Instructing Colclesser to stand by the instruments 
 and to retreat hastily with them in case shots were 
 fired, Sinclair and I crawled forward, planning our 
 campaign. We intended to advance under cover and 
 get the drop on Fritzie before he saw us. The situa- 
 tion was not encouraging, however, for there were 
 no Americans in sight and we had but one rifle. But 
 a chance to capture a real Boche could not be missed 
 and, besides, with what German we knew, we hoped 
 to get by in case the tables were turned on us and 
 Fritz did the capturing. 
 
 "We wiggled slowly and carefully back to our 
 
172 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 former positions and awaited the reappearance of the 
 gray pea cap. It popped up with suddenness and dis- 
 patch directly in front of us, only for its wearer to look 
 down the black barrel of a Springfield, and instantly 
 vanished. Followed two minutes of awful nerve-rack- 
 ing suspense, as we pictured a shower of hand grenades 
 coming through the air — explosions and silence as hov- 
 ering buzzards dipped and clutched bloody fragments, 
 then straightened out and sailed on. But no — cau- 
 tiously and slowly a hand stole above the parapet, 
 gripping and waving it unmistakably. Hague con- 
 ference regulations defines that as surrender and no 
 questions asked. Since no shots greeted his offering 
 another hand appeared, waving frantically a shirt that 
 was once white. Two was one more than we bar- 
 gained for, so we thought it best to lay low and try to 
 parley. As best we could and with as much authority 
 as the moment afforded us, we commanded them to 
 throw down their rifles and climb up out of the 
 trench, or a hand grenade would descend on their 
 unhappy heads. The result was electric — a corporal 
 appeared followed by another gray uniform, and still 
 another, until in all, 15 were lined up with their hands 
 high over their heads. Fifteen! We expected one! 
 Hopelessly outnumbered, a concealed grenade would put 
 us on the 'missing list.' 
 
 "But a man contemplating grenade throwing, does 
 not register fear and, besides, they did not know how 
 many of us to expect, leaving the strategic advantage 
 in our hands. Having no weapons, it fell to my lot to 
 advance and look them over, which was done with one 
 eye for false movements and the other for concealed 
 sidearms. None were found, and from their voluble 
 chatter, we gathered that they were Alsatians of the 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 173 
 
 207th, that four years of war was enough. Besides 
 their officers had deserted them and they would just as 
 soon board with the Allies any way. Their good faith 
 and gratitude they expressed with Dresden cigarettes 
 and — glorious thoughts — souvenirs. 
 
 "On entering their trench, we found that we had 
 stumbled onto a machine gun nest, with a mounted 
 machine gun, ammunition, rifles, grenades and a 
 kitchen, with supplies. Truly, the realization of an 
 engineer's dream, to do a 'doughboy's' job in a drive — 
 a Perfect Day." 
 
 The observer from Cotton post continues his story 
 as follows: 
 
 "Feeling edified by our courageous record, we went 
 forward eagerly to Thiaucourt, where in the valley of 
 the Rupt de Mad, we established our new post. 
 
 "By some error at central, our new post was located 
 within the enemy lines, where we operated for several 
 days, when we decided to fall back, as we were so near 
 the Hun billets we could not focus our monocular. 
 This new location was known as The Willows.' The 
 post was a popular ranging point for 77s, affording 
 us unusual opportunities for locating enemy guns — and 
 also collecting our insurance of $10,000. 
 
 "Owing to our inability to keep the phones in order, 
 they not being constructed to withstand football tactics 
 or the results following visits of Vhizbangs,' and also 
 due to the northern exposure, we pulled out and lo- 
 cated our billet at Beney, and our post in the wood of 
 the same mild and friendly name. This village was 
 deserted upon our arrival, so we had a hundred houses 
 from which to select our place of abode, but being 
 military and having a certain precedent to follow, and 
 procedure to maintain, our thoughtful and cautious 
 
174 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 sergeant picked a billet in the crossroads, a short and 
 convenient distance from the cemetery. 
 
 ''Here it was that the predatory instincts of Stone 
 and Bell found free reign and the loot of Beney began. 
 When we left there, the place looked like a salvage pile. 
 However, the comforts of spring beds and beaucoup 
 blankets rarely tempted us, until our 'good night' shell- 
 ing was over, which was about 10:20 P. M. In the 
 meantime we started the construction of a bomb-proof 
 dugout. 
 
 "As we became accustomed to the shells the Boche 
 varied the performance for us by sending over air 
 raids and dropping gas bombs, which caused a peculiar 
 malady, as yet unlisted in the medical journals, which 
 caused a tension in the line, followed by chills and gen- 
 eral restlessness. This affliction caused several of 
 us to return to central for treatment. 
 
 "Captain Wright usually attended these patients, 
 one interview being quite sufficient for complete 
 recovery. 
 
 "The advent of the Salvation Army, or rather the 
 two Salvation Army girls, brought many unlooked for 
 changes. The first intimation of their coming being 
 the hasty departure of our sergeant for central for a 
 new uniform. Private Bell heard that one of the girls 
 was called, 'Peg,' and straightway designed a dashing 
 overseas cap, fashioned from a 'blue deviF overcoat, on 
 which he embroidered the name, 'Peg.' But even this 
 open admiration availed him little, as the army girls 
 gave their smiles to 'Workers Only' and our efforts soon 
 subsided. 
 
 "But not considering the doughnuts and jam we got 
 from the Salvation Army lassies, there were other re- 
 sults of great importance. Andy quit wearing his old 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 175 
 
 Boche overcoat, Colclesser shaved for the first time 
 in months, Maxwell learned to wrap his leggins, John- 
 son effected gold-rimmed glasses and became more 
 generous with his cigarettes. Joe Cotton gave us a 
 rest on digging dugouts and quit playing poker at 
 12 A. M., giving us a chance to sleep. Butler quit his 
 arguments in favor of the 'Y,* Sayler increased our 
 allotment of 'hot cakes' to 12 instead of 9, also quit 
 diluting the syrup. Stone quit salvaging, having nar- 
 rowly missed an accident while trying to get away with 
 a *gat.' Sinclair was on the way to the hospital, but 
 decided to postpone the trip, and even Chamberlain 
 was so greatly affected as to have his hair cut, thereby 
 seriously hampering his literary efforts. Today we 
 recall no serious effects on the 'Deacon,' he having be- 
 come immune with previous affairs of the heart. 
 
 'The Some Pep Comedy Company, under the aus- 
 pices of the Y. M. C. A. staged their 'Breath From 
 Broadway,' at the Red Cross billet and for an hour or 
 so the war was really forgotten, even though Beney 
 got its worst drenching of shells that evening. The 
 Huns must have heard the applause and decided too 
 much pep would be unhealthy for them — but the show 
 continued for all that." 
 
 The most deplorable thing connected with the work 
 of the F. R. S. No. 2 was the death of Corporal A. W. 
 Rock, which occurred on the night of September 20. 
 He was wounded on the night of September 19, while 
 on duty at the Cotton observation post, when he was 
 struck by a fragment from a high explosive shell. He 
 was taken to Beney and from there to Evacuation Hos- 
 pital No. 2, near Menil la Tour, where he died on the 
 date already mentioned. He was buried in the small 
 American cemetery near the village. 
 
176 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 The story of Brewster post, as told by one of the 
 observers : 
 
 ''After an uneventful hike, under the able guidance 
 of Lieutenant Luscombe, Sergeants Brewster and Howe 
 had the men of their post billeted in the 'Officers' Row,* 
 Mamey, on August 23. Here, for the first time, we 
 heard the wierd whistle of the incoming shells. 
 
 "At Mamey, we were under the tutelage of the 
 French S. R. 0. T. for a period of two weeks, before we 
 took over the post on the ridge, which was northwest 
 of the village. Here, much to the surprise and disgust 
 of two of our non-coms, it was learned that they were 
 also granted the honorary degree of K. P. In this town, 
 about four kilometers from the Boche front lines, we 
 found a bath house with showers, which we could use 
 whenever we choose. Sometimes we could even get 
 cigars, cakes, etc., from the Y. M. C. A., which was 
 open for business about once a week. 
 
 "We had some brave men with us. Corporal Spurr, 
 who had the wanderlust. Once he strayed into the 
 front line trenches and became lost, remaining out all 
 night, souvenir hunting. He was rewarded with a 
 week's K. P. He also had a private home, vases for 
 flowers, shell cases, grenades, duds and munitions too 
 numerous to mention were used as decorations. 
 
 "At this point of the game, a 'shavetail' breaks into 
 our peaceful family, requesting us to move, but of 
 course as we took no orders from lower than a Major- 
 General, his request could not be granted. We out- 
 lived some heavy shell fire here. Another discomfort- 
 ing thing was the hourly gas alarm, given by the 90th 
 Division when there was no gas and when there was 
 it was usually known. 
 
 "Early on the morning of September 12, the Allied 
 
TOP— RUINS AT ST. AGNAUT. BOTTOM— SCENES IN ST. MAURICE 
 
 BEEORE THE WAR. 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 177 
 
 barrage opened up and at 5 A. M. the boys went over 
 the top. After the drive we moved to Thiaucourt, and 
 on September 15 had four posts working. Brewster 
 post was out in the support trenches, in a reinforced 
 concrete pill box, which the Boche seemed to use as a 
 ranging point. While here the reliefs were shelled 
 while going on duty and the men coming off also had 
 some close calls. 
 
 "On September 28, Sergeant Wm. Rock took charge 
 of the post and we moved over the Peace Valley. We 
 gave it that name because it was under almost constant 
 shell fire. One night as Campbell and Lacey were 
 returning after repairing the line, the enemy flooded 
 the valley with gas and shrapnel. Luckily they reached 
 the billet without injury. The casualties that night in 
 the vicinity, numbered 113. The lines were frequently 
 being cut at inconvenient hours, necessitating the lines- 
 men wandering around the hillside, through the muddy 
 trenches and across the shell holes and back to the 
 billets to hunt for 'eats.* 
 
 "The shelling around the post became so heavy that 
 we were forced to change our location, taking up a 
 position about one and one-half kilometers northwest 
 of Thiaucourt. We found a small trench dug in some 
 bushes. We improved our post by digging in further. 
 On October 10 we moved to the village of Beney, where 
 we constructed another dugout and made things quite 
 comfortable, until the close of hostilities." 
 
 Some amusing incidents are told by the linesmen of 
 F. R. S. No. 2, who were in the charge of Sergeant 
 Graysle. The detail consisted by Privates Harrington, 
 Allen, Vance, Bouora, Harde and Clark. During the 
 days preceding the St. Mihiel drive, the linesmen were 
 exceptionally busy, the same as the linesmen on other 
 
178 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 sections of the front. The wiring had been done by the 
 French, and the lines were laid mostly in the mud. 
 The French seemed to have fairly good success with 
 the system, but not so with the Americans. 
 
 A linesman tells the following story of stringing a 
 new line to Howe post : 
 
 ''Sergeant Graysle loaded down each one of us with 
 a coil of wire and started across the fields and through 
 the woods to the old chateau at Martincourt. In the 
 course of the morning we came to a building, which 
 the sergeant said the wire must go over. Accordingly 
 Private Vane tied his pliers to the end of the wire for 
 a weight and tried to throw them over the roof. Vane 
 had poor success in his effort, however, for, instead of 
 going over the roof, the pliers went through the window 
 into an artillery battalion headquarters. 
 
 *'A few seconds later a major shoved his head out 
 of the window and, in anything but a gentle tone, in- 
 quired, 'who in hell was trying to murder him.* The 
 major continued to rave like a madman and, when he 
 at last withdrew his head within the broken window, 
 Vane asked an orderly why the officer became so irri- 
 tated over so trifling a matter. 
 
 " 'Well, you see,' said the orderly, 'it was not break- 
 ing the window that caused the rumpus, but the end 
 of the wire went over the table where the major was 
 sitting and when you pulled it back it caught a bottle 
 of cognac and knocked it off on the floor, smashin' it all 
 to pieces.' 
 
 "We continued to string the wire over the hill, and 
 at last came out on a road that was under observation 
 by the German balloons. The road was open for traf- 
 fic only under cover of darkness. Just as we expected 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 179 
 
 Fritz spotted us and opened up with a young barrage of 
 77s, finishing up with a generous supply of gas shells. 
 In the meantime we had taken refuge in the ditch 
 alongside the road and escaped injury. When the 
 shades of night began to darken the landscape the 
 Huns hauled down their balloons and we crawled out 
 and completed our work of stringing the wire to the 
 observation post. 
 
 ''On our way home, we had the misfortune to meet 
 a colonel, and all gave him a snappy salute with the 
 exception of Denny Harrington. The colonel halted 
 and asked him why he did not salute. By this time 
 Denny was so excited that he could not answer and the 
 colonel asked the number of the organization. This 
 time Denny did get his nerves together long enough 
 to tell him. The officers, much to our surprise, stated 
 that the fact we belong to the 29th made some differ- 
 ence, as he was familiar with the outfit and knew it 
 was not a military organization, but was well aware of 
 its efficiency in Flash and Sound Ranging. Then 
 Denny saluted. 
 
 "It was soon after the above event had transpired 
 that two of the linesmen, Harrington and Vane, while 
 repairing the line to Brewster post, discovered a Boche 
 aeroplane directly overhead, which dropped a number 
 of gas bombs in their immediate vicinity. 
 
 "Private Vane, who had a telephone test set hang- 
 ing from his neck, in his excitement made a frantic 
 effort to put it on instead of his mask. The men im- 
 mediately made for higher ground and were soon out 
 of the gassed area. Then Denny said he was gassed 
 and went back to central to be treated. He was given 
 rice and bacon and told to cut the wood for dinner. He 
 soon recovered. 
 
180 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 "The day before the drive Captain Wright ordered 
 the central advanced to within the same distance of 
 the front lines as the observation posts, and we strung 
 the lines into a small building in the ravine, Promenade 
 des Moines. A good hardsurface road extended through 
 the ravine and the building set up from the road on a 
 steep bank. Above this bank was a solid ledge, which 
 was approximately 20 feet in height, affording excel- 
 lent protection from shell fire. The work of stringing 
 these lines was done in a cold drizzling rain, which 
 soaked our garments thoroughly. Following the as- 
 sault against the Boche, the posts were moved forward 
 and of course this necessitated the stringing of more 
 wire. This work was done under perilous conditions, 
 but soon the base was in operation again. 
 
 "We were kept busy from that time until the armis- 
 tice was signed maintaining the lines. Owing to the 
 heavy shelling from the Boche batteries, central was 
 moved to the rear several kilometers, which meant more 
 work of the linesmen." 
 
 Memorandum: 
 
 December 7, 1918. 
 
 Attached is completed list of different enemy bat- 
 teries located by Flash Ranging Section No. 2 from 
 September 3, 1918, to November 11, 1918, which was 
 from time of taking over S. R. 0. T. 62 (French) to 
 the cessation of hostilities. 
 
 The total number of batteries was 202, of which 
 19 were located twice or more, and 13 of which were 
 located a few meters different from previous locations. 
 
 About 40 per cent of the total number shown were 
 verified by other sources of information. 
 
 During the period of operation we calibrated 4 guns 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 181 
 
 of 240 calibre ; 3 guns of 270 calibre and several guns 
 of 155 calibre. All calibrations were a success, except 
 one of 240 calibre and one of 155 calibre. Besides the 
 calibrations, we were able to direct the fire of our own 
 artillery on many targets. 
 
 One-half of the time was taken up with General 
 Intelligence and German artillery activity, in which 
 we were able to keep the Corps and Division A. I. S. 
 well informed as to the activity of the enemy in front 
 of us. 
 
 During the period of operations the section partici- 
 pated in the St. Mihiel drive and was able to get two 
 posts and central in operation about 60 hours after 
 the beginning of the attack. We were delayed 24 hours 
 on account of heavy traffic and bad roads. The dis- 
 tance moved was about 20 kilometers. Transporta- 
 tion used was two trucks. 
 
 Our casualties were: 1 killed in action; 3 gassed 
 in action; 6 accidently hurt, 4 to hospital; 10 sick, Q 
 to hospital. 
 
 On a separate sheet is shown the complete historj 
 of the section, as taken from our * 'Morning Reports/'" 
 
 J. D. WRIGHT, 
 Capt., Engrs., U. S. A., Comdg. Section F. R. S. 
 No. 2. 
 
 Sergeant Hoive Tells of the Trip Into Germany 
 
 It was with a glad heart that we left Eunezin loaded 
 in six big trucks with our three officers and 29 men, 
 to begin the first lap of our journey to Germany. Our 
 first day's travel was very slow owing to the congested 
 condition of the roads. It was a great pleasure for us to 
 cross the famous Hindenburg line, the line that some 
 
182 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 of US had faced for nine months. The line that was 
 supposed to be unconquerable, with its concrete pill 
 boxes, deep dugouts and wonderful system of barbed 
 wire entanglements. The line that all Germany had 
 based its hopes on — and the line that was the goal of 
 every soldier in France. 
 
 The roads were filled with home-coming refugees, 
 Russians, Poles and French. Many of whom had spent 
 the last four years in the cruel prison camps and mines 
 of Germany. Their bodies bore the marks of German 
 kultur, but their hearts were clean and filled with 
 new hope of the future, home and loved ones. All 
 stopped to watch the cheery, happy Americans as we 
 passed by in our trucks. 
 
 We passed village after village, not the little red- 
 roofed villages that we had learned to love and call 
 France, but dirty, deserted villages and only a few 
 hours before the homes of German soldiers, now deso- 
 late save for a lonely refugee or a barking dog, left to 
 carry out the picture of desolation, which followed the 
 footsteps of the retreating Huns. By night we had 
 reached Buzy, another one of these deserted villages in 
 Alsace-Lorraine. Here we rested for five days — here 
 we also had the misfortune to lose our First Sergeant, 
 "Casey" Brewster, who accidently shot himself through 
 the hand and was sent to the hospital. 
 
 The second lap of our ''sight seeing" trip took us 
 through Northern Lorraine and into Luxembourg. At 
 Luxembourg — farewell deserted villages of Lorraine 
 and No Man's Land — farewell your scenes of four 
 year's strife — here is life and gaiety — fair daughters of 
 the land in their quaint dresses were in every doorway 
 and the streets, cheering us as we passed through their 
 quaint little towns. That night we stopped at Inde- 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 183 
 
 lange, one of the principal cities of the little princi- 
 pality, billeting in a steam-heated school house. The 
 delighted populace fairly thronged up the hill to the 
 school house to view the American soldiers, who ac- 
 cepted, without a blush, their praise and admiration 
 of the children, who clung to us like barnacles. Hos- 
 pitality was everjrwhere. 
 
 Good people, glad of the opportunity to show their 
 appreciation to be liberated from the Hun, took us 
 into their homes, shared their meals and even their fine 
 old French wine with us. The wine taken from the 
 deepest recesses of their cellars, cunningly hid from the 
 Germans. And for a few hours it flowed like water. 
 
 Nothing was too good for the ''Americane soldot." 
 And then came Thanksgiving, the day that every good 
 American celebrates with feasting. Some of us had 
 spent our last Thanksgiving on the high seas, bound 
 for Berlin, and here we were a year later, a little closer 
 to the German capital, still hungry for a Thanksgiving 
 dinner, with its Turkey pies — enough, enough and 
 ''canned Willie" staring us in the face — but the good 
 people of Indelange, hearing it was a "grand fete" day 
 in America, came to the rescue, and many lucky Flash 
 Rangers had his knees under a clean tablecloth while a 
 buxom Lumenbourg mother bade him eat his fill of 
 pie — yes pie, and apple at that — and other things that 
 go to make Thanksgiving dinner a success. 
 
 To be sure, there was no turkey, as the Germans 
 had taken them long ago, and right here it is well to 
 say that if the American ''doughboy" had known there 
 was pie awaiting him on the Moselle, that old Hinden- 
 burg line would have been broken long before it was 
 shattered. 
 
 But only too soon, orders came to move up into 
 
184 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 Germany. Of course, we wanted to see Germany, but 
 how we did hate to leave Luxembourg, with its fine 
 old people and rare old wine. We followed up the 
 beautiful Moselle River to the little railroad center of 
 Comz, Germany. Here we stayed for two days, and, 
 much to the amazement of the populace, we destroyed 
 nothing. Germany failed to make a hit with the boys, 
 due, I think, to the fact that she was short on food, 
 potato soup being their principal food, with black bread 
 on the side. And then the people themselves regarded 
 us more as intruders than the guardians of democracy, 
 as though they expected us to ransack their houses and 
 stores. 
 
 Soon we received our orders to return to Toul, 
 France, as our battalion was being reorganized there, 
 preparatory for departing for America. It was great 
 news. Of course, many of the boys wanted to pro- 
 ceed into Germany and see Coblenz, but the majority 
 had seen enough of Europe and were anxious to again 
 see the old Statue of Liberty, and the rustle and bustle 
 of a real American city. 
 
 The return trip took us two days. The first night 
 we stayed in Thionville, where the Germans had a large 
 aviation camp. Here, also, were many returning Eng- 
 lish prisoners, and the ''Tommies" had many interest- 
 ing stories to tell of their experiences at Coblenz, Co- 
 logne and Frankfort, in the prison camps and on the 
 farms there. 
 
 The next day we passed through the historical city 
 of Metz, the stronghold of Lorraine, now occupied by 
 French forces; the city that was the objective of the 
 American Army so long — the city we would have sur- 
 rounded and taken had the war continued. By night 
 we reached Toul, France, and joined our various com- 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 185 
 
 panies and F. R. S. No. 2 was no more. Nothing but 
 a memory in the hearts of those who had striven to 
 make it a success. But the memory that would live 
 forever of our Captain, J. L. Wright, who looked after 
 us like a father, of the Sergeants in the posts, who 
 gave us credit for what we could do, and of the splen- 
 did companionship that existed between the men and 
 officers of the section. 
 
186 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 IN THE ARGONNE 
 
 As for the American troops, you may tell your peo- 
 ple that their soldiers are admirable. They ask nothing 
 better than to go to their death. They can be reproached 
 only with pushing ahead too fast. It is necessary to 
 hold them back, as this is a quality which should not be 
 abused. — Marshal Foch, 
 
 I am proud to have been the sponsor of the noble 
 American Army, ivhich has been the determining cause 
 of our present victory. Thanks to it we have finished 
 the war as we wanted to finish it. — Marshal Joffre. 
 
 When we had cut the enemy's main line of communi- 
 cation, nothing but surrender or armistice could save 
 his army from complete disaster. — General Pershing. 
 
 Following immediately after the St. Mihiel drive, 
 much of the corps and army artillery which had oper- 
 ated there were taken to the area back of the line be- 
 tween the Meuse river and the western edge of the 
 Forest of Argonne. The attack as planned by Marshal 
 Foch was to strike toward the important railroad com- 
 munications of the German armies, through Mezieres 
 and Sedan. 
 
 The enemy must hold fast to this part of the line 
 or the withdrawal of his forces, with four years* ac- 
 cumulation of plants and material, would be danger- 
 ously imperiled. Thus it was of the greatest import- 
 ance that the enemy put up the strongest resistance 
 possible. 
 
: 
 
 i,e 
 
 A PROPHFXY: WILLIAM II HENCEFORTH HAS HANDCUFFS ON HIS 
 HANDS. THUS PASSES THE GLORY OF THIS WORLD. 
 
 Note— The kaiser had this statue erected, a likeness of himself 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 187 
 
 The great battle opened on September 26. The 
 transferring of the bulk of the 1st Army from the St. 
 Mihiel front to that of the Meuse-Argonne, involved 
 some difficult work on the part of the general staff, 
 as these troops had to be replaced by the 2nd Army, 
 which had to be organized. More than ten divisions 
 were drawn from the Metz front and thrown into the 
 Argonne in less than 14 days. 
 
 The battle order from right to left was the 3rd 
 Corps from the Meuse to Malancourt, with the 33rd, 
 80th and 4th Divisions in line and the 3rd Division as 
 corps reserve ; the 5th Corps from Malancourt to Van- 
 quois, with the 79th, 37th and 91st Divisions in line 
 and the 32nd Division in corps reserve; and the 1st 
 Corps from Vanquois to Vienne-le-Chateau, with the 
 35th, 28th and 77th Divisions in line and the 92nd in 
 corps reserve. The army reserve consisted of the 1st, 
 29th and 82nd Divisions. 
 
 The attack began on the 26th, and the Americans 
 drove through the barbwire entanglements and the sea 
 of shells across No Man's Land, taking the enemy's 
 first line of defense, which were thinly held. While the 
 enemy expected the Allies to continue with the drive 
 toward Metz, following the reduction of the St. Mihiel 
 salient, they did not altogether neglect that portion of 
 the front between the Meuse and the Argonne. It is 
 now an established fact that the Germans became 
 aware of the coming drive in the Argonne a few days 
 before it was started and the front line troops were 
 drawn back to the support positions. 
 
 The attack was preceded by six hours of artillery 
 bombardment, surpassing even that at St. Mihiel in its 
 intensity. The enemy's first line, as well as his support 
 trenches, v/ere obliterated, and when the irresistible 
 
188 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 waves of infantry swept over this area, they found that 
 the devastation was complete. The official records 
 show the artillery fired over 313,000 rounds during 
 the bombardment of September 26. 
 
 The Americans found their greatest resistance on 
 September 27 and 28, it coming in the way of machine 
 guns and bursting shells. Over 10,000 prisoners had 
 been taken and the Germans had been forced into the 
 open. 
 
 Participating in the attack were 508 American and 
 French airplanes, 142 light American tanks and 73 
 French tanks. The tanks had great difficulty in get- 
 ting across No Man's Land, and were not as effective 
 the first two days as later in the offensive. 
 
 At the end of the first day all the objectives had 
 been reached. Forges and the Bois des Forges had 
 been cleaned out on the right, through gallant fighting 
 by the 33rd Divisions, which enabled them to occupy 
 the entire left bank of the Meuse for a distance of ap- 
 proximately five miles. The 80th Division had pushed 
 on and taken Bethincourt and the open country north 
 of it. The right wing of the 4th Division had reached 
 the corps objective in the eastern part of the Bois de 
 Septsarges and dug in. 
 
 The 79th Division encountered some heavy fighting 
 the initial day. It captured Malancourt and shortly 
 after noon reached the west edge of the Bois de Cuisy, 
 where the enemy snipers and machine gunners for the 
 time held them in check. These positions were taken 
 late in the afternoon. The front line was in the north 
 edge of the woods ; the slopes of Montfaucon were just 
 ahead. The town of Montfaucon must be taken in order 
 to bring the line up even with the 4th, on the right, and 
 the 37th, on the left. The infantry tried in vain to take 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 189 
 
 the slopes that night. With intense artillery and ma- 
 chine gun fire the enemy repulsed the Americans with 
 heavy losses. Early the next morning the American 
 heavy artillery opened up on the town, and the 313th 
 Infantry again attempted to take the position. This 
 time they did not fall back, but crawling steadily over 
 the hill slopes they reached the edge of the town, and 
 by noon it was in possession of the Americans. 
 
 The 91st Division had made a remarkable showing. 
 The "Wild West" Division had cleared the Bois de 
 Cheppy and the Bois de Very during the morning hours 
 and in the afternoon had patrols in Epinonville, which 
 meant that the boys from the Pacific Coast had ad- 
 vanced over eight kilometers. They had pierced the 
 line of the Volker-Stellung, a noted achievement. The 
 next morning, in its attack against Epinonville and 
 Eclisfontaine, the division lost heavily from enemy ar- 
 tillery fire. Epinonville, on the right, had been taken 
 by the 361st Infantry, but the regiment was stopped 
 just north of it by fire from the woods on the north. 
 In the center was the 364th, held up temporarily by the 
 mass of wire entanglements. On the left, the 363rd was 
 out of touch with the 35th Division, further to the west. 
 
 On the morning of the 28th, the division pushed on- 
 ward, the 361st capturing the famous orchard in front 
 of Epinonville, filled with machine gun nests, and 
 which had given the Americans much worry the day 
 before. By evening this regiment had penetrated the 
 Bois de Cierges. Driving northwest, the 163rd and 
 164th Infantry reached the Bois de Baulny, Tronsol 
 Farm and the territory in front of the Gesnes brook. 
 
 Owing to the rapid advance made by the 91st Div- 
 ision, it had been compelled to extend its front from 
 two kilometers to over seven kilometers to make liaison 
 
190 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 with the 35th Division on the left. The outerflank of 
 the 361st Infantry was in the Bois de Cierges, with the 
 362nd in support. The next morning the 362nd In- 
 fantry, together with one battalion of the 361st and the 
 347th Machine Gun Battalion, attacked the village of 
 Gesnes, which it took after hard fighting, suffering at 
 the same time a terrific enemy artillery barrage and 
 machine gun fire from the front and right flank. 
 
 Owing to the advanced position of the section of the 
 front held by the division, it was deemed necessary to 
 establish a line of resistance extending from the mid- 
 dle of the Bois de Cierges, southwest through the Bois 
 de Bonleauv. Until the night of October 3, the 91st 
 Division held this position, consolidating the lines un- 
 der constant shell fire. The men suffered from the 
 wet and cold in the fox holes, hastily dug. The cold 
 food and bad water caused hundreds of serious cases 
 of diarrhoea, which required the moving of the af- 
 flicted to the hospitals. On October 3 they were re- 
 lieved by the 32nd Division. 
 
 The 35th Division lost heavily from the start. East 
 of Voureuilles the division encountered a heavy fog, 
 which hid the enemy machine guns, and then later a 
 heavy cross fire from the village of Varennes swept 
 the entire line, as a result of which a large number of 
 men and officers were killed and wounded. Varennes 
 and Cheppy were finally taken and by evening the 
 Americans were on the hills north of Varennes and 
 Very. 
 
 On the 27th, the 35th Division lost heavily in taking 
 Charpentry and Baulny, repulsing a counter attack the 
 next morning. The strong position of Exermont was 
 taken by the Division, but the troops were unable to 
 hold it. Despite the great preparation that had been 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 191 
 
 made, in the way of getting artillery support, the Amer- 
 icans met with bitter resistance. The losses were so 
 heavy that the attack could not be pushed further at 
 the time and the lines were consolidated from the Bois 
 de Bouleaux through Serieux and Chaudron farms to 
 L'Esperance, near the Aire. During the night of Sep- 
 tember 30 and October 1, the 35th was relieved by the 
 1st Division. 
 
 During the first day, the 4th French Army, on the 
 west across the Champagne, had made rapid progess, 
 penetrating the enemy territory to a depth of five kilo- 
 meters. 
 
 After reaching its objective on the first day, the 
 33rd Division held on this line until the attack on Con- 
 senvoye, in the opening offensive of the offensive east 
 of the Meuse. 
 
 On the second day of the attack, the 80th Division 
 met some tough resistance in the way of German bat- 
 teries and machine guns when taking the well fortified 
 village of Brieulles-sur-Meuse. The 4th Division was 
 also meeting with desperate opposition in attempting to 
 advance on Brieulles. The 4th Division on the second 
 day of the attack were handicapped by the lack of 
 artillery support, its guns as yet having been unable 
 to get up. However, on the morning of the 27th, the 
 4th Division attacked again and with the 47th Infantry 
 on the right, reached the north edge of the Bois de 
 Brieulles. The 39th Infantry, which was on the left, 
 went further still, but it suffered heavy losses and was 
 compelled to fall back, before the day was over, to the 
 southern slopes of Hill 295. The following day the 59th 
 Infantry succeeded in clearing out the north edge of 
 the Bois de Brieulles, and the next three days were 
 spent in consolidating the line. 
 
192 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 Continuing its attack the 79th Division, which had 
 taken Montfaucon, succeeded in reaching the Bois de 
 Beuge, where many machine guns were captured and 
 later used to good advantage. On the east, the troops 
 of the Division had pushed into Nantillois, and contin- 
 uing the advance in the direction of the woods around 
 the Ferme de Madeline. This was an exceptionally- 
 strong position, and on the night of September 28-29 
 the American artillery shelled that section of the Ger- 
 man territory heavily. But despite this artillery prep- 
 aration, the battle that followed the next day was one 
 of the worst that took place in the Argonne. The in- 
 fantry fought its way through the Bois de Ogons, but 
 could not hold its position under the intense fire from 
 the Ferme de Madeline and other points. The troops 
 fell back to a line only a short distance ahead of the 
 one occupied the night previous. The 116th Infantry 
 had suffered terrible losses in the attack, and the re- 
 serves took the front line. In their exhausted condition 
 the reserve troops were unable to make much progress 
 and they dropped back to the north edge of the Bois 
 de Beuge. The 79th Division was relieved on the night 
 of September 30, by the 3rd Division, having approx- 
 imately 3,500 officers and men killed and wounded. 
 The 3rd Division occupied the sector without attacking 
 until October 4. 
 
 On the first day of the drive, the 37th Division had 
 halted in front of Ivoiry and west of Montfaucon. On 
 the morning of September 27 the 74th Brigade pushed 
 on through the Volker-Stellung trenches and to Ivoiry, 
 while the 73rd Brigade took the hills northeast of the 
 village before noon. Owing to the intensity of the fire 
 from Cierges, the Americans were compelled to give up 
 
1^ 1?,.;:^^ 
 
 i^ll^t^ 
 
 ,1 r^^p 
 
 "5 i^'>i***\< Vj 
 
 SCENES IN BEAUMONT. AMERICAN FLASH RANGERS (F. R. S. NO. 1) 
 
 HAD THEIR FIRST OBSERVATION POST IN THE 
 
 STEEPLE OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 HATTONVILLE, A VILLAGE ALONG THE HEIGHTS OF THE MEUSE 
 
 RIVER, AND TAKEN BY THE AMERICANS IN THE 
 
 ST. MIHIEL DRIVE 
 
 VILLAGE OF ST. MAURICE— LOCATION OF S. 
 
 W\R CLOSED 
 
 R. S. NO. 3 WHEN 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 193 
 
 Hill 256 for the present, and fell back to the Volker- 
 Stellung trenches, along the Montfaucon-Ivoiry road. 
 
 The village of Cierges was in the little valley of 
 the Ardon and was one of the enemy's chief positions. 
 Another stronghold was the Bois de Beuge, but on the 
 morning of the 28th, the 37th Division took these woods 
 as well as the Bois Emont. The 37th encountered fierce 
 fighting on September 29 and 30, and in an exhausted 
 condition was relieved on the night of the 30th, by the 
 32nd Division. 
 
 On October 1, with excellent artillery support, and 
 advances by the divisions on the flanks, the 32nd Div- 
 ision attacked and soon occupied Cierges and the ter- 
 ritory for almost a kilometer north of it. 
 
 On the first day, the 28th Division, making rapid 
 advances, reached a point in front of Montblainville, 
 and the following day, continuing the attack, pushed 
 its right flank a half a kilometer north of the village, 
 and west of the Aire river. On the morning of Sep- 
 tember, the division attacked again and the right suc- 
 ceeded in taking Apremont, but on the left the troops 
 had been halted in front of Chene Tondu. An attempt 
 was made to flank Chene Tondu, but it proved unsuc- 
 cessful. During the next four days, the line was held, 
 despite several counter attacks by the enemy to regain 
 the lost territory. 
 
 In the intricate trench system of the enemy and the 
 ravines of the wilderness, the 77th Division was fight- 
 ing desperately for every foot of ground they took. 
 After a number of attacks the troops took the Abri St. 
 Louis and the Four Zube, and an immense dump of 
 engineer and light railroad material near the Barricade 
 Pavilion was secured. , 
 
 These assaults were followed by steady fighting 
 
194 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 through the wilderness until a position stretching along 
 a ridge in the Bois de la Naze and across a ravine, was 
 reached. 
 
 On October 2 the 1st Battalion of the 308th Infantry, 
 with detachments from the 307th Infantry and 306th 
 Machine Gun Battalion, participated in the general at- 
 tack. It was here that the 1st Battalion of the 108th, 
 commanded by "Go-to-HelF* Whittlesey, featured in 
 one of the most heroic incidents of the war. The *'Lx)st 
 Battalion," as the unit is now known, penetrated the 
 enemy lines and reached its objective late in the after- 
 noon. On the following day the battalion found that it 
 had been completely surrounded by the Germans. The 
 position held by the Americans was on a bleak, un- 
 sheltered ravine with the Germans on a cliff above. 
 The enemy was so close that commands of the officers 
 could be heard. For five days these heroic troops laid 
 in their perilous position, repulsing savage attacks 
 from the enemy, and no food after the third day. For 
 water, the men depended upon a muddy stream at the 
 bottom of the ravine, and one clear spring. But to go to 
 these drinking places meant almost certain death from 
 the German snipers. It was on the fifth day that the 
 German commander sent a message by an American 
 who had been captured to Major Whittlesey, stating 
 that the enemy was aware of the deplorable condition 
 of the Americans, and asking for the sake of the 
 wounded and for humanity's sake, to surrender. It 
 was then that Major Whittlesey is said to have sent the 
 answer back that gave him the famous title. On the 
 night of the fifth day, the 307th Infantry fought its 
 way to the "Lost Battalion" and liberated the troops 
 from their terrible position. 
 
 An attempt has been made to give a brief descrip- 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 195 
 
 tion of the part played by the various divisions of the 
 1st Army during the ffrst fev^ days of the Argonne- 
 Meuse, but space does not permit giving a detailed 
 description of the heroic struggle during the v^eeks 
 that followed. 
 
 On October 4, the attack was renewed all along the 
 front. Swinging to the right, the 3rd Corps followed 
 the Brieulles-Cunek road. Gesnes was taken by the 5th 
 Corps, and the 1st Corps advanced for over two miles 
 along the valley of the Aire river, and in the wooded 
 hills of the Argonne. 
 
 Flash Hanging Section No. 1 reached the Meuse- 
 Argonne front during the first week in October and 
 on October 7, after the 1st Corps took Chatel-Chehery, 
 the section established headquarters there. The Flash 
 Rangers were held in reserve on this front until No- 
 vember 1. 
 
 By October 8, the Americans had captured Cronay 
 and against stubborn fighting continued the advance. 
 East of the Meuse, v^here the French and American 
 troops were serving with the 1st Army, there was 
 fierce fighting, especially in the Caures woods, as well 
 as in the Ormont wood. The 1st Corps captured St. 
 Juvin on the morning of October 14, and the 5th Corps 
 in hand-to-hand encounters, entered the formidable 
 Kriemhilde line, where the Germans had expected to 
 halt the American advance. By brilliant attacks the 
 5th Corps penetrated further into the Kriemhilde line 
 and pushing forward, the 1st Corps took Chompigneul- 
 les and Grand Pre. 
 
 The advance was now becoming less difficult as the 
 persistent attacks and dogged determination of the 
 Americans was weakening the enemy^s line, despite the 
 
196 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 fact that he was throwing in his best troops in an at- 
 tempt to hold his positions. 
 
 Ever advancing, the 3rd and 5th Corps reached the 
 level country in the vicinity of Bantheville on October 
 23, repulsing the enemy's violent attacks with great 
 loss to him. 
 
 The final advance in the Meuse-Argonne front 
 started on November 1 and the enemy broke before the 
 terrific artillery fire of the Allies and the determined 
 efforts of the infantry. The Flash Rangers accompan- 
 ied the American troops in this offensive. The section 
 was equipped with six extra trucks from the corps ar- 
 tillery in order to insure its keeping abreast of the in- 
 fantry. The plan was to set up when the first objective 
 was reached, but the Americans broke down the re- 
 sistance so completely that the offensive was more like 
 a triumphant march toward Sedan. During that period 
 the Flash Ranging section moved seven different times, 
 finally locating in the little village of Flava, on the 
 Meuse, on November 9. The section immediately began 
 establishing posts preparatory for an attack of the 2nd 
 Army in the direction of the rich iron fields of Briey. 
 
 In the beginning of the final American drive, the 
 towns of Aincreville Doulon and Andevanne were taken 
 by the 3rd Corps while the 5th Corps took Landres-et- 
 St. Georges and pushed forward to Bayonville and 
 Chennery. On November 2, the 1st Corps joined in the 
 attack and, as General Pershing states, 'The movement 
 became an impetuous onslaught that could not be 
 stayed." 
 
 A division of the 1st Corps had reached a point on 
 the Meuse opposite Sedan, on November 6, and the 
 main communication line of the enemy had been sev- 
 ered. As the great American commander says: "The 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 197 
 
 strategical goal which was our highest hope was gained 
 and nothing but surrender or an armistice could save 
 his army from disaster." 
 
 Between September 26 and November 6 the Ameri- 
 cans took 16,059 prisoners and 468 guns on this front. 
 The American divisions engaged were the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 
 4th, 5th, 26th, 28th, 29th, 32nd, 33rd, 35th, 37th, 42nd, 
 77th, 78th, 79th, 80th, 82nd, 89th, 90th and 91st. 
 
 At the close of hostilities. Flash Section No. 1 re- 
 turned to Harricourt and from there to Charpentry, go- 
 ing back through the section of the country fought over 
 only a few days previous. At Charpentry, the detach- 
 ment was intercepted by the newly formed 3rd Army, 
 and included in the Army of Occupation. The section 
 then proceeded to the Rhine, passing through Dur-sur- 
 Meuse, Longuyun, Lomguy, and arriving at Aubange in 
 Belgium, where they received a joyful welcome from 
 the Belgians. An advance was then made through Bel- 
 gium to the city of Arlon, and crossing the frontier into 
 Luxembourg. A rest was taken in the little village of 
 Lorentzweiler, ten kilometers north of the city of Lux- 
 embourg, where the Flash Rangers spent Thanksgiving 
 and visited the city of Luxembourg on a sight-seeing 
 expedition. The beautiful city of Luxembourg made a 
 very favorable impression with the men of the section, 
 especially after having seen so much of the shell-torn 
 and devastated section of France. It was while at Lor- 
 entzweiler that the section was recalled to Toul to pre- 
 pare for departing for the United States, *'the fairest 
 of them all!" 
 
198 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 LEST WE FORGET. 
 
 SOLILOQUY OF AN OBSERVER AFTER A DAY ON POST 
 
 It's been a great day — a big day! 
 
 One bright, clear day among the many of a foggy 
 French autumn. A new Boche battery to your credit, 
 another location verified, two working parties located 
 and dispersed. A Boche balloon reported in flames, also 
 a Hun plane dropped within our lines, besides numer- 
 ous little details of general intelligence to be later 
 pieced into a Prussian secret. 
 
 Ah oui ! It's been a great day, and relieved you are, 
 en route for the billet with visions of a hot meal and 
 industriously salvaged comforts floating before your 
 eyes. 
 
 Your step is snappy, your shoulders back (chesty, 
 so to speak), your head high, your eyes shining, a light 
 cane (necessity, of course) cockily flourished in the 
 air. Meanwhile you are whistling a tune to the effect 
 "Keep Your Head Down, Fritzie Man." This is not 
 such a bad life after all. War is not so bad — 
 
 "Teeouee-bang !" 
 
 You have taken refuge in a muddy trench. 
 
 "Teeouee-bang ! Teeouee-bang ! Teeouee-bang !" 
 
 You endure a Boche strafing, meanwhile fondly 
 hugging Mother Earth. 
 
 "C'est Fini," and you wend your weary way home- 
 ward, viciously jabbing the ground with your cane and 
 returning the Boche barrage with a verbal strafing, 
 while dark thoughts float through your mind. 
 
 War is hell! 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 199 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 F. R. S. NO. 3 TAKES THE FIELD 
 
 One day, about the first of October, a jubilant 
 crowd of kahki-clad men squeezed their way out of a 
 stuffy little French coach and landed with their packs 
 at the railway station in Toul. The men were from 
 Company D, the latest graduates from the Flash Rang- 
 ing School. Each with a vast amount of knowledge of 
 the million different ways of locating enemy batteries, 
 was bound for the front to put their theories into prac- 
 tice. After a night spent in Toul, the detachment, 
 under the command of Lieutenants Hulings, May and 
 David, were ordered to climb into the waiting trucks, 
 which were to carry the men to their destination. The 
 three hours* journey carried them to the shattered sec- 
 tion in the region of the famous Mont Sec, from whose 
 heights the Germans had looked down upon the Allied 
 armies for four years, and which were to later cause 
 their disaster. 
 
 An abrupt turn in the road led them down a little 
 driveway, shaded on either side by an overhanging for- 
 est of huge oak trees, which the Hun had a short time 
 before been using as camouflage to hide his troops* 
 movements. The trucks slowed down and came to a 
 stop at the end of the roadway. The men clambered 
 out and fell into line, to be addressed by Lieutenant 
 Perry, who was in command of the section. In a few 
 short words the veteran lieutenant commanded: 
 
 **Men, this is the front. Put on your tin hats and 
 wear your gas masks at alert." The men then fell out, 
 
200 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 produced their mess kits and lined up for mess, consist- 
 ing of ''canned Willie and hard tack/* 
 
 During the few days following their arrival, the 
 men were busily engaged in attaining a thorough 
 knowledge of the country from the French S. R. 
 O. T. No. 88, which was waiting to be relieved by 
 the Americans. The French were using a four post 
 base that extended along the front for a distance of 
 10 kilometers. The sites for the posts were well chosen 
 and suitably well located in the hills and woods com- 
 manding the territory occupied by the Germans be- 
 tween Metz and Conflans, including all the industrial 
 centers in that area. 
 
 The buildings occupied by central were located in 
 the Bois de Vigneulles and the location was formerly 
 a German divisional headquarters. These were well 
 constructed, and even included a shattered bath house, 
 which was later repaired. Upon the arrival of the 
 Flash Rangers, there was a wild scramble for billets, 
 beds, stoves and tables. It was a very congenial bunch 
 of men that made their home here, about the only argu- 
 ments arising being over who cut the most wood, or 
 who was to build the fire in the kitchen stove in the 
 morning. 
 
 Observation post No. 1 was located nearly a kilo- 
 meter behind central on a prominent hill above the 
 village of Heudicourt. The post was some distance 
 back of the lines, but its advantageous position enabled 
 the observers to view the enemy's territory equally as 
 well or better than in a balloon. Due to the ability of 
 the camouflage artists, the men or posts were never 
 molested by stray shells. "Camouflage discipline was a 
 model." A striking incident that is a good example of 
 this cautionary measure is evidenced by the actions of 
 
LEFT— SECTION OF GERMAN TRENCHES TAKEN BY AMERICAN 
 TROOPS DURING ST. MIHIEL OFFENSIVE 
 
 RIGHT— GERMAN TROOPS IN LORRAINE. FROM A PHOTO FOUND IN 
 
 BILLETS OCCUPIED BY THE GERMANS REFORE THE 
 
 ST. MIHIEL OFFENSIVE. 
 
 PONT-A-MOUSSON ON THE MOSELLE RIVER. F. R. S. NO. 1 AND 
 
 S. R. S. NO. 2 OPERATED HERE DURING THE 
 
 ST. MIHIEL OFFENSIVE 
 
 SKETCHED BY LOWELL TRIMBLE, F. R. S. NO. 1 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 201 
 
 a sergeant in charge of the shift. It was a clear, star- 
 light night and the Boche planes were endeavoring to 
 let nothing go "unbombed." A crackling fire burned 
 in the little post heater. The sergeant had just crit- 
 icized one of the men for being careless with the read- 
 ing light, whereupon he deliberately took out a match 
 and lit his pipe, lighting not only his pipe, but throwing 
 out a flare that would clearly reveal our position had 
 a Boche plane been overhead at that particular moment. 
 Then the tide turned. The private had something 
 to say. 
 
 This post was one of the satellites when it came to 
 locating enemy batteries and reporting troop move- 
 ments. The personnel of the post included one man, 
 Private Cole, who held the place of honor in locating 
 enemy planes. 
 
 It is said that he could detect a plane from the time 
 the aviator started his motor 30 kilometers behind the 
 German line. Upon the aviator's arrival to within ten 
 kilometers of the line, this specialist would jump from 
 his seat, pour a pail of water on the fire, slip on his 
 hobnailed shoes and prepare to count the men that 
 followed him into the dugout. It was due to the strenu- 
 ous efforts of Private Cole that a requisition was made 
 to G. H. Q. for steam heat. The seclusiveness of this 
 post enabled the linesmen to live in comfort. Their 
 duties of kitchen police were only interfered with by 
 an occasional souvenir hunt. 
 
 In the position which the French had placed it. Post 
 No. 2 did not conform to the American plans. For a 
 period of two weeks the observers struggled to perform 
 their duties on the hill between Vigneulles and Heide- 
 court. A view of the enemy batteries in the region 
 of Conflans could not be obtained owing to an interly- 
 
202 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 ing promontory on which was located the village of 
 Hatton-Chatel, although very creditable work was ac- 
 complished by the observers in ranging and locating a 
 battery in a barn yard in Souzmont. The men were 
 thus busily engaged when suddenly, out of the stillness 
 of the night, came sounds of infantry firing at machine 
 gun speed. At first no one could determine the nature 
 of the activity, but soon one man developed sufficient 
 courage to thrust his head outside the post. He was 
 greeted by a glaring flare, caused by the explosion of 
 small arms ammunition, which had accidently taken 
 fire. The bullets began flying so thick that for the 
 "good of the service," the observers decided to seek a 
 safer place. 
 
 The men at this post were comfortably located in a 
 small concrete house, which Fritz had previously con- 
 structed. This proved a very home-like abode and a 
 controversy arose between the men and the French 
 officers over who should occupy it, the observers 
 finally coming to the conclusion that they did not * 'par- 
 ley Francais" and kept the billet. It was due to this 
 fortunate circumstance that they retained their home. 
 
 A short time later a change in plans necessitated 
 the moving of this post to the farthermost point in the 
 section, which was near the front line. 
 
 No. 3 post was, perhaps, the best point for observa- 
 tion, being located in the east end of the village of Hat- 
 ton-Chatel. The little hamlet could be seen from most 
 any point for many miles, being located on one of the 
 prominent heights of the Meuse. 
 
 One of the most interesting things noted from this 
 post was the operating of a German naval rifle about 
 eight kilometers back of the enemy lines. The Ger- 
 mans could be seen at work and the American observers 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 203 
 
 could easily pick up the flash of the gun, which was 
 often firing on Hatton Chatel. The telephone lines 
 were frequently cut, and almost invariably, the lines- 
 men were called out at night to repair them. One even- 
 ing a linesman, known as a ^'telephonist," came stag- 
 gering into the billet, his face spattered with mud and 
 his clothes badly torn. He entered the sergeant's 
 quarters and laid a rusty piece of shrapnel on the table. 
 
 "There it is, fellows," said he. 'That damned shell 
 landed two feet away from me and is from that long 
 range gun." 
 
 ''Yes," chimed in one of the observers, "so far away 
 that the shell gets rusty on the way over." 
 
 On numerous occasions the men at the post were 
 forced to seek protection in the dugout to escape the 
 shelling. One evening a loud report was heard, and the 
 men left the post for the dugout. The instant they 
 opened the door they were halted by a dense smoke, 
 flying stones and dirt. The French who were tunnel- 
 ing in had failed to warn the Rangers of the blast they 
 had touched off. 
 
 It is remarkable how much excitement an anti- 
 aircraft "dud" will cause. One of these little visitors 
 found its way through the roof and floor of the billet, 
 and the supply sergeant, bringing out the five days' ra- 
 tions in one hand and a candle in the other, accidentally 
 found the inhabitants of the billets concealed in a huge 
 Dutch oven. After seeing the effects of the shell he 
 immediately departed in the direction of No. 4 post. 
 
 No. 4 post planted itself in the hills above the town 
 of St. Maurice. It was hastily "transplanted" on vari- 
 ous occasions, due to some of Fritz's wandering bar- 
 rages. In the early days of its existence the observers 
 
204 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 were braving the rains and doing their best to keep 
 up telephonic communication. Wet instruments and 
 various other tributary causes made things very un- 
 comfortable for the observers, but later a final and 
 habitable post was established. The men who oper- 
 ated it were a credit to the section. 
 
 One night two observers at this post were diligently 
 engaged in keeping instruments working and seeking 
 shelter from the rain when suddenly over the wire to 
 their post came the words: 
 
 "Central we are leaving." 
 
 A few minutes later, "Central, we are back," came 
 over the wire. Later it developed that a high explosive 
 shell had burst close to the post, the nose of it embed- 
 ding itself in the ground between the two observers. 
 No complaints were ever heard from this post except 
 the week's threats on the supply sergeant, who tried 
 to convince the men that two days' rations were suf- 
 ficient for five. 
 
 Above No. 3 post in the hills, or near Hannonville, 
 No. 2 post had moved to a new location. The first 
 night at this post was an excellent introduction to the 
 front. The experiences of the men are best told by 
 Cook Davis : 
 
 "With the exception of machine gun fire, a few 
 whizbangs and a little gas, the night was as calm as a 
 June evening on the farm back home. Now wait — 
 what I mean by a calm night, is when all this is hap- 
 pening at least a kilometer away from the observation 
 post. 
 
 "We were all draped around our bunks and there 
 was a feeling of satisfaction and comfort prevalent, 
 because this was the one time during the 24 hours when 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 205 
 
 each lad could loosen his clothing, scratch cootie bites 
 and catch the little fellows that scampered playfully 
 around the middle of his back. 
 
 " Bang! Our worthy 'chef de poste' looked 
 
 around and calmly announced that when we got ready 
 to 'haul tail' for the dugout to kindly leave our blankets 
 with him so he might sleep more comfortably. Just 
 then another of Fritz's pets came over and hit much 
 closer than the first. I knew it was much closer be- 
 cause 'chef de poste' drew a sharp breath, the petit 
 corporal set straight up in his bunk and John Fallon 
 dropped a cootie which he had just chased into the 
 corner of his undershirt and captured by a flank move- 
 ment. I didn't say anything, because I was buried 
 deep beneath my blankets, and had my fingers crossed, 
 so that no shell fragments could touch me. 
 
 "Now every story has its crisis — this one has one 
 too. It came in the form of a long drawn out whine 
 that ended in a full grown crash right in the middle of 
 the billet next to our own. Now, I never did under- 
 stand whether or not the 'chef changed his mind, but 
 he suddenly forgot all about borrowing any blankets. 
 The only reason he got first place in the dugouts was 
 because he made better time than I getting there. It so 
 happened that the mouth of the 'safety cellar' had been 
 tightly boarded up and a stove placed before it. I do 
 not know how the obstruction was removed, but I 
 passed the stove in mid air. Up to this time every- 
 thing had worked as if planned, but it was found that 
 the 'chef de poste' was small, but the opening smaller. 
 Nevertheless, the chef passed through. I was not so 
 fortunate. Due to an expanded waist band, caused no 
 doubt by my fondness for monkey meat, that my com- 
 panions declined, I stuck fast. However, the monkey 
 
206 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 in the meat appeared to be of much assistance to me 
 at this time for I felt myself much more agile. By 
 twisting and squirming I managed to get inside. 
 
 "With the exception of a gas attack one night, noth- 
 ing extraordinary occurred at the new location of 
 Post No. 2. On this occasion Fritz kept up the bom- 
 bardment for two hours, but it is safe to say that fully 
 50 per cent of the shells were *duds.' ** 
 
 During the brief time that F. R. S. No. 3 was in 
 operation it made a very creditable showing. This 
 was despite the fact that many of the days were foggy 
 and generally the weather was unfavorable for observa- 
 tion work. The section owes its success to the leader- 
 ship of its officers, who devoted their efforts at all 
 times to the work, and who, through their efforts, 
 guided the men in operating the section. The section 
 lost one man. Corporal S. W. Durkin, an efficient and 
 popular linesman attached to No. 2 post. He con- 
 tracted the Spanish Influenza, which developed into 
 pneumonia and his death occurred at Base Hospital 
 No. 55 on November 8. 
 
 Corporal Durkin was ever interested in his work, 
 and like the other linesmen of the section, was always 
 ready to answer a call at any hour of the day or night. 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 207 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 F. R. S. NO. 4 IS ORGANIZED 
 
 On the evening of October 19, 1918, several truck 
 loads of Company E, 29th Engineers, in charge of 
 Lieutenants Houston, Sully and Smyth and Sergeant 
 Thompson, arrived at the former F. R. S. No. 1 Central, 
 in the Bois de Puvenelle, west of Pont-a-Mousson. 
 Lieutenant Dow, designated as commanding officer of 
 F. R. S. No. 4, was already established here, and with 
 a few old men had been carrying on, in conjunction 
 with S. R. S. No. 2. 
 
 Next day the work began of re-establishing the 
 system, and, by the morning of October 21, F. R. S. 
 No. 4 was in full operation. 
 
 Posts 1 and 2 were located east of the Moselle, No. 
 1, in the trenches of Xon Hill, and No. 2 on Mousson. 
 Their crews were billeted together, first in Atton, and 
 then in some camouflaged French artillery dugouts on 
 the southern slope of Mousson Hill. Sergeant Genung 
 was put in charge of No. 1, Erdman had No. 2, and both 
 posts were under the general supervision of Sergeant 
 First Class Colt, late of F. R. S. No. 1, and assigned 
 as instructor. H. G. Johnston and L. D. Trimble went 
 as instructors to No. 1, and C. B. Trimble to No. 2. 
 
 Post No. 3 was in a high, camouflaged iron tower, 
 under the wings of central — or vice versa. Corporal 
 Brovm had as shift leaders Corporals Sibbald, of the 
 old section, and Michaud. 
 
 Corporal James had charge of No. 4 post, built 
 outside a former German concrete trench, west of 
 
208 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 Norroy. Corporal McDonald was assigned here as 
 instructor. 
 
 Post No. 5, under the genial Corporal Quinn, was at 
 first situated near Regnieville. Later it was moved 
 up into No Man's Land, facing halfway between Pagny 
 and Pregny. Corporal Treanor went to this post as 
 instructor. 
 
 Top Sergeant **Bwana" Thompson and Altfillisch 
 alternated on a continuous watch at central. Corporal 
 Mason, Dunlop and Miller took turns at the switch- 
 board. Williams was chief of lines, and Richards 
 electrical expert. 
 
 Between Boche shelling and arrests by sentries, the 
 men of posts No. 1 and 2 had a lively time of it, laying 
 the lines on the night of October 20. In the course of 
 a particularly heavy H. E. deluge, two of the lads took 
 refuge in the famous mine shaft dugout under the old 
 No. 2 post billet. At a depth of some 70 feet, one of 
 them was heard asking the other if he could not get 
 further down. That same night, the following dialogue 
 took place upon the challenging of Acting Sergeant 
 Erdman, by a 92nd Division "Blue" sentry: 
 Sentry (in hollow tones) : "Who's there?" 
 Erdman : "Friend with the countersign." 
 S. : "Advance, friend, and give the countersign." 
 (Business of stumbling up hill until almost on top 
 of sentry.) 
 
 E. (after a long wait) : "Well, do you want the 
 countersign ?" 
 
 S.: "Yes— Chicago!" 
 
 The No. 1 and No. 2 Post billet was located first in 
 Atton, but the Boche, apparently sensing the presence 
 there of an exposed agglomeration of enemy talent, 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 209 
 
 began a systematic shelling of the town, and hence the 
 move to a more secure position halfway up the hill 
 towards Mousson. 
 
 It was while quartered here that the Trimble 
 brothers organized several highly successful salvaging 
 expeditions into late enemy territory. From then on, 
 Cook Duffy fought a smoke battle every morning mak- 
 ing "beaucoup" good pan-cakes from Boche flour. On 
 one occasion he was induced to don a gas mask, but the 
 blur that formed on the eye pieces, soon caused him to 
 yank it off in disgust. 
 
 At No. 1 Post Linesmen Brosky and McFetridge 
 enjoyed a few days of well-earned leisure pending re- 
 assignment after Richards and Williams, of central, 
 had sleuthed out a working pair of lines in the Xon- 
 Mousson cable, thus dispensing with what the Boche 
 would have called the "twenty-two times in one night 
 shot-up surface wires." 
 
 Post No. 3, within hailing distance of central, may 
 be said to have formed with it a close union of "tower- 
 ing strength." Incidentally, a man on duty in thia 
 crow's-nest had not the chance, as did the leading rep- 
 resentative of No. 5 post, for example, to make fre- 
 quent queries over the line as to mail, provisions, pay- 
 day, and so forth. It is rumored that several of the 
 bolder spirits volunteered for the linesman's job at this 
 post, but that Lieutenant Dow, after conferring with 
 Personnel Officer Smyth, ruled it to be a non-essential 
 industry. 
 
 Let us make transition from No. 3 to No. 4 post 
 along with Sergeant-Major Crocker, who came out from 
 Battalion H. Q. to do the F. and S. Sections at the 
 front. Observing at No. 3 post, he kept the lines hot 
 for some time on the subject of supposed Boche 
 
210 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 working parties. But that was not a circumstance to 
 the excitement he caused next day, by reporting an 
 enemy train from No. 4 post. As this was the first 
 railway activities to be brought to the notice of central, 
 he had some difficulty in making himself understood, 
 but he finally got the information in by slowly spelling. 
 Unfortunately, the object sighted turned out to be 
 nothing more mobile than a distant factory smoke- 
 stack, of which only the top was visible. 
 
 Post No. 4 men will long remember the stunt pulled 
 by No. 2. Some of the 92nd Division Infantry were 
 practising hand-grenade throwing one day, on a road 
 leading out of Norroy. No. 2 post reported heavy 
 shelling at that point, and central told them to count 
 the rounds. In due time they called up to say that 
 the shells were coming in too fast to count, but were 
 pretty sure they were 150s. 
 
 Upon the complaint of Corporal Quinn, that only 
 by reading an occasional truck-dropped copy of the 
 "Herald," could a man at his post tell that the war 
 was on, it was decided to move No. 5 post into No 
 Man's Land, facing the Pagny-Pregny line. Villers- 
 sur-Pregny was picked out for the new billet, and one 
 bright afternoon, the Quinn post army of occupation 
 set out by truck from Regnieville under the command 
 of Lieutenant Houston. The coincident arrival, at 
 the outskirts of Villecie, of the truck and a Boche shell 
 of about 560 calibre (according to some of the eye- 
 witnesses), upset the program, if not the truck. All 
 agreed that it was an H. E. shell, in every sense, even 
 to being the father of a flock. Lieutenant Houston, 
 with sincere courtesy, decided to yield the right of 
 way, and as soon as the various members of the crew 
 could be dissuaded from their intimate studies of the 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 211 
 
 landscape, the truck was gently backed up for about 
 one-half a kilometer, until it could be turned around, 
 and then headed direct to central. 
 
 Here the party spent the night. Next day, a new 
 plan of campaign was tried. Quinn and his men were 
 motored to the vicinity of No. 4 post billet, whence 
 they were permitted to pack everything some three 
 miles to their destination. Some of the No. 4 post 
 men lent a hand as porters in this final leg of the 
 journey, merely exacting a portion of the jam supply 
 by way of toll. 
 
 Another incident of the move concerns a feather 
 bed, upon which Quinn had cast a covetous eye. Two 
 trusty privates were assigned as a salvage detail. As 
 they proudly bore their prize along the road toward 
 the new billet, they, at first, took little notice of a 
 Boche plane overhead. But the Huns above constituted 
 themselves as an impromptu reception committee, and 
 began raining down machine gun bullets in the way of 
 confetti. The couch bearers did a flash-away, and the 
 plane sprinkled a large stretch of the road for good 
 measure. At dusk, the journey was completed, and 
 the repose of Quinn assured. 
 
 The new post No. 5 was in No Man's Land, in a 
 former Boche blinker station, shared with Corporal 
 Eugene Raw and crew, of S. R. S. No. 2. Yielding 
 to earnest persuasion. Raw refrained from any loud 
 singing in the post at night. The Flash Ranging Lines 
 were shot out many times before the armistice went 
 into effect. 
 
 The section continued in operation during the armis- 
 tice, until word was received to leave for Toul. The 
 night guard at central during this period found itself 
 largely occupied with keeping rats out of the C. O.'s 
 
212 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 room. At this time everyone was free to give undi- 
 vided attention to the culinary efforts of Napier and 
 ''Canopener," who held the fort up to the day when 
 the last truck load left for Toul. 
 
 A few words as to the results accomplished by the 
 ^^Dowites." 
 
 The section was slightly handicapped at the start, 
 composed, as it was, nearly entirely of inexperienced 
 men. Coupled with this, the visibility was so poor as to 
 render observation impossible during at least one-half 
 the time of its operation. In spite of this, the results 
 were very creditable, the section having to its credit 22 
 new enemy battery locations and at least 10 good indi- 
 cations, which were later verified. 
 
 As the base was originally established, this section 
 was overlapping some of the territory covered by F. R. 
 S. No. 2 and S. R. S. No. 2. For this reason a new 
 base was laid out so as to cover the valley of the 
 Seille, to the right. Some good work had already been 
 done in that direction, but the signing of the armistice 
 before all of the new posts were quite completed put an 
 end to further work. 
 
 After the evacuation of the enemy territory, several 
 of the locations were visited. Unfortunately, time did 
 not permit of investigating all of them, but those which 
 were seen were all well within a 50 meter limit of the 
 position indicated by the Flash Ranging Section, and 
 in some instances, one had the great pleasure of seeing 
 the effects of direct hits made upon the batteries by 
 our own artillery. 
 
WITH P^LASH AND SOUND 213 
 
 CHAPTER XII, 
 
 S. R. S. NO. 4 IN ACTION 
 
 Sound Ranging having proved a success in the 
 American Army with three sections operating, it was 
 decided to install a fourth section, thus extending the 
 work in the field. Number 4 came into existence on 
 October 20, just a few weeks after the great St. Mihiel 
 offensive. The personnel of the section was made up 
 from a number of men who had experience in Sound 
 Ranging work and from men of Company D, of the 
 29th Engineers, who had received training at the school 
 at Fort de St. Menge. 
 
 The central for the new base was located in the 
 Foret de Amblonville, with the west end of the line 
 extending near the historical city of Verdun. The 
 men and the apparatus to be used in the section were 
 taken from Mandres to the new location in auto trucks, 
 incidentally proving an interesting trip to those who 
 were visiting the front for the first time. 
 
 At the time the base was installed preparations 
 were under way by General Pershing for a powerful 
 drive, with its object the city of Metz. All are familiar 
 with the plans which were to form a salient and flank 
 the city and cut off the communications in the rear. 
 
 Lieutenant McClanahan, one of the veteran officers 
 in the Sound Ranging work, was the commanding offi- 
 cer of the section and was assisted by Lieutenant Monk, 
 in charge of central, and Lieutenant Church in charge 
 of lines. Lieutenant Clark was the section supply 
 officer. 
 
214 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 Of course the first few days were spent in installing 
 the apparatus at central, the stringing of the lines and 
 other work necessary before a base is ready for opera- 
 tion. The dugouts at central also needed cleaning up 
 and making habitable. Much of the furniture for 
 the central and the dugouts was secured at Hanonville, 
 where the Germans, in their hasty retreat, left every- 
 thing they possessed. Several trips were made with 
 a truck and returned loaded with tablecloths, stoves, 
 feather ticks, pillows and many souvenirs. Owing 
 to the geographical location of Hanonville, care had 
 to be taken in entering it, as the enemy had an excellent 
 view of the town from their observation posts on a 
 clear day. Accordingly we made the trip on foggy 
 mornings only. 
 
 The account of the work on this section is told by 
 Sergeant Brecht: 
 
 "During the first few days we studied maps and 
 made many trips through the woods and along the 
 roads to secure the best locations possible for the lines. 
 Two things must be considered in this work. First, the 
 selection of a route that is not frequently shelled. Sec- 
 ond, the nature of the country must be that which 
 we could travel at night as well as during the day. 
 In many places where observation could be made by 
 the enemy, thus drawing shell fire from the Boche bat- 
 teries. Thus, it was necessary for us to construct 
 screens along the trails and brush in order that we 
 might patrol the lines in daylight without drawing 
 fire. Brush was the most popular method of camou- 
 flaging, although burlap and grass, woven in wire, were 
 used. The same as on other parts of the front, the 
 roads that paralleled the front line were screened and 
 were from eight to twelve feet high. 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 215 
 
 "While it is not the intention to go into the person- 
 nel of the section, a few of the names are mentioned 
 in order to chronicle the happenings of the few weeks 
 the section was operating. On coming in from a 'hike' 
 over the section of the country through which our 
 lines were to extend we found a truck load of wire and 
 we needed no bulletin to tell us what our duties on the 
 morrow would be. Accordingly Sergeant First Class 
 Micheals took charge of the right line station and the 
 stringing of the lines on that end of the base, 
 and Sergeant Brecht took charge of the same work 
 on the left of the section and the right line station. 
 To Sergeant McMillan was assigned the working of 
 stringing the lines at central. The following morning 
 we started the work. Owing to the topography of the 
 country we were compelled to carry much of the wire 
 on our backs, a task which was anything but a pleasant 
 task. Much of the territory in this vicinity was fre- 
 quently under shell fire, but fortunately the central 
 was never located by the enemy guns. Our experience 
 at St. Benoit, in Section No. 1, when our quarters were 
 struck by a nine-inch gas shell, causing many casualties, 
 taught us to wisely choose our new central location. 
 As we cleared the front in stringing the lines the 
 work became more difficult and hazardous and often 
 we were compelled to 'duck' to avoid being hit by frag- 
 ments from high explosives or shrapnel. 
 
 ''The left line station was located in the village of 
 Mensil on the Meuse. The village is in ruins and has 
 been deserted since the German drive in 1915. By 
 going through the ruined buildings, we succeeded in 
 securing some stoves, one having a large iron boiler 
 attached. This we used for bathing purposes with the 
 aid of an emergency ration can for a bath tub. In 
 
216 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 this manner all were kept free from the vermin of the 
 trenches — 'the cooties.' 
 
 "The detectors, or microphones, on our base were 
 located approximately one kilometer back of our first 
 line trench and extended along the front for about 
 nine kilometers, being six in number. The lines to 
 microphones Nos. 3, 4 and 5 were laid with but little 
 difficulty, but when it came to No. 6, things were 
 somewhat different. The line to No. 6 ran through the 
 villages of Mont and Villers to within a few hundred 
 yards of Houdimont, a village at the base of a large 
 hill. The terrain over which the line extended was 
 low and in some place covered with water and barbed 
 wire entanglements, making it necessary to follow 
 the roadway, which was on a slight crest. This road- 
 way was a favorite target for Fritz for shell fire. He 
 often swept the road with his machine guns. Many 
 times along this road has a linesman been forced to 
 'flop' in the ditch for protection. 
 
 "It was while installing microphone No. 6 that the 
 Boche turned his machine guns upon us and we hugged 
 mother earth as we never did before. We put in the 
 detector, however, and early the next morning strung 
 the wire to it. 
 
 "The line to the observation post was next strung. 
 The village of Manheulis was selected as the location 
 for the post. A building in the northern part of the 
 town proved to be the best adapted for the purpose. 
 This was the only structure in the village that remained 
 standing, shell fire having reduced the others to ruins. 
 We fitted up an observation post in the second floor 
 on the side facing the enemy, and from this position 
 we had an excellent view of the territory held by the 
 Germans. The first line was practically in the town 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 217 
 
 and No Man's Land was so narrow at this point that we 
 were compelled to talk in low tones in order not to 
 betray our position to the enemy, a short distance away. 
 We found it almost impossible to use the telephone and 
 in order to work with central we moved back several 
 hundred feet. In a few days we moved back, however, 
 to our first location as the Boche found that fighting 
 the American 'doughboys' at such close quarters was 
 not to their advantage and not the most pleasant thing 
 in the world. Consequently the enemy fell back to 
 another position. 
 
 "Our observers at the post were able to give much 
 general and valuable information to the Intelligence 
 Department regarding enemy movements in addition to 
 doing the regular work in connection with locating 
 John Boche's batteries by Sound Ranging methods. 
 During the short time that Section 4 was on the front 
 in operation, numerous thrilling incidents occurred, and 
 the men had many narrow escapes. While the situa- 
 tion was serious at the time, the incidents provided 
 much amusement later. 
 
 "The constant shelling of our section by the enemy 
 guns caused much work on the part of the linesmen. 
 The line to microphone No. 3 gave us the most trouble, 
 as it extended over the top of a hill and in front of a 
 battery of 75s, manned by American gunners. The 
 battery was extremely active, and as a consequence, 
 brought counter battery work from the German artil- 
 lery. As a result the linesmen were compelled to 'roll 
 out' of their warm blankets many a dark and rainy 
 night to make the necessary splices, in order that 
 'Charlie' might perform his proper functions. And 
 many times were the linesmen forced to take cover in 
 the narrow trench, with shell fragments nipping the 
 
218 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 grass from the edges near them. 'Keep Your Head 
 Down Fritzie Boy' proved wholesome advice to the 
 Americans as well as their enemies. 
 
 "The Germans had an unobstructed view of the ter- 
 ritory in which microphone No. 4 was placed, and it 
 was necessary to install the instrument under cover of 
 darkness. It was camouflaged with a screen made 
 from willows in order that it might not be 'spotted' by 
 the German observers. 
 
 * 'Little gas was used by the Germans on that sec- 
 tion during the time we operated there and it was 
 seldom that we needed to don our masks, although we 
 always kept them at alert. Line work on the front, 
 especially at night, is a hazardous and perilous task to 
 say the least. In the inky darkness, with shells whist- 
 ling above and around him, the linesman must fill his 
 mission of keeping the lines in repair. Often it is 
 necessary to follow the line closely, as the insulation 
 is cut, causing a ground, thus interfering with the 
 electric current to the instrument. Often during the 
 night, the sound of a key is heard, denoting that some 
 one is tapping the line. But as the messages were al- 
 ways given in code, they could not be picked up by us. 
 
 "There was much aeroplane activity in our sector. 
 A few days before hostilities ceased six enemy aero- 
 planes swooped suddenly out of the hazy clouds and 
 attacked two Allied planes below them, one an Ameri- 
 can and the other French. After some manoeuvering, 
 the Frenchman cut off one of the German planes and 
 turning his machine gun on his adversary brought him 
 to the ground. The German fell in a heap in No Man's 
 Land, a short distance from Marchville. We later vis- 
 ited the spot where the aviator had fallen. The plane 
 was completely wrecked, the engine being buried over 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 219 
 
 four feet in the ground. The pilot was crushed into 
 a shapeless mass. That night the Germans made an 
 attempt to recover what remained of the plane, but to 
 no avail, owing to the vigilance of the 'doughboys/ 
 
 *'No 1 line station was located in the woods about 
 three kilometers from Maniel, the site of the left line 
 station. It was in this vicinity that part of the Crown 
 Prince's forces were repulsed in their drive toward 
 Verdun the first year of the war. This post was lo- 
 cated in the village of Saulx, where many thrilling 
 incidents occurred. The post was subjected to terrific 
 shell fire. Raiding parties were sent out every night 
 to the enemy trenches. It was here that Private Steele, 
 one of the observers, rendered much valuable assistance 
 by acting as guide for the raiding parties. He was 
 familiar with the topography of the country and the 
 location of the barbed wire entanglements. He had 
 many thrilling and interesting experiences and was 
 commended by the major of the infantry battalion for 
 his bravery and worthy efforts. One dark, rainy night 
 Private Steele was called upon to lead a raiding party 
 into the enemy trenches. Great caution was necessary 
 by the party and much time was consumed in getting 
 across No Man's Land, the Americans cleverly avoid- 
 ing an enemy patrol. They at last reached the Ger- 
 man lines and, approaching a dugout, the sound of 
 singing and hilarity in general could be heard coming 
 from within. A few hand grenades thrown down the 
 stove pipe was all that was necessary to bring about 
 tranquility. A number of the occupants were killed 
 and wounded and the others were only too glad to sur- 
 render when given the opportunity. 
 
 ''Prisoners were not always secured when raiding 
 parties went out; when live prisoners could not be 
 
220 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 taken, and in a case of this kind, an effort was made 
 to get a shoulder strap or some article of clothing by 
 which the enemy division could be identified. 
 
 ''Prisoners could not always be depended upon to 
 give reliable information regarding movements of the 
 enemy. One incident of this kind occurred at Marche- 
 ville, then the German front line. The prisoner gave 
 the German strength in the village as one company, 
 when a battalion held it. As a result of the informa- 
 tion secured from the prisoner, twenty Americans were 
 detailed to take the town. The raid was a success, 
 however, as many Germans were killed and a number 
 taken prisoner. But the town, of course, remained 
 in the hands of the enemy. Daylight having overtaken 
 the Americans before they could return to their own 
 lines they returned under cover of a heavy fog. They 
 had but few casualties. 
 
 "On the hills back of Saulx, the Germans had 
 opened a quarry for the purpose of securing rock for 
 improving the roads in their territory. This work 
 had been very perilous, however, owing to the sweeping 
 fire of the French and American artillery. Following 
 the St. Mihiel offensive, the Americans found many 
 roads almost impassable owing to the lack of rock 
 foundations, indicating that the Germans had been 
 pressed for some time. 
 
 "We found that the Germans, owing to the scarcity 
 of rubber, used iron tires for auto trucks, with a system 
 of springs, both leaf and coil, which are very efficient, 
 but far out-classed by rubber. 
 
 "The rock from the mines was secured at the cost 
 of many lives, judging from the number of graves 
 and bodies of dead Germans in the vicinity. Scarcely 
 a blade of grass was left on the crest of the hill, a 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 221 
 
 tribute to the accuracy of the American and French 
 artillery. 
 
 "In following up with the St. Mihiel offensive we 
 passed many artillery positions that previous to the 
 drive were far behind the German lines. In many 
 cases direct hits had been made and the bodies of the 
 gun crew lay around the shattered piece like so many 
 mummies in their death slumbers. 
 
 "November 11, the day which will ever be stamped 
 on the memory of those who were on the front on that 
 memorable date — the day on which hostilities ceased 
 and the guns were silent for the first time in four years. 
 The artillery and machine guns had been active during 
 the early hours and later the infantry went over the 
 top for the last time in the great war. The Germans 
 increased their artillery fire, using high explosives and 
 shrapnel. In the face of terrific shell fire the 130th 
 Infantry, 33rd Division, were advancing on the Ger- 
 man positions when recall sounded above the din of 
 the battle. The Germans mistaking it for a charge 
 increased the artillery action, and during the last few 
 minutes of the great conflict, many Americans crossed 
 the Great Divide. It was 11:02 when the last gun on 
 that section of the front was fired and the Americans 
 immediately started across No Man's Land for the 
 German trenches with no thought of danger — the war 
 was over ! The Germans could not conceal their pleas- 
 ure at the close of hostilities and showed a tendency to 
 fraternize with their erstwhile enemies. In some 
 cases, the 'doughboy* accepted the invitation, but in 
 most cases the Americans, while treating them with 
 respect, said but little to the Germans. When the 
 'doughboy' condescended to talk to John Boche, it was 
 only to parley over the purchase of a souvenir, Ameri- 
 
222 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 can tobacco, cigarettes and soap being traded for 
 pistols, iron crosses or whatever the Teuton had to 
 exchange. 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 223 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 THE CLOSE OF THE WAR 
 
 By November 1, the Germany Army was in full 
 retreat. It had been beaten and driven back at every 
 point on the front. The "new German democratic 
 government/' as the new faction desired to be known, 
 had declared itself ready for peace on the principles of 
 the fourteen points laid down by President Wilson 
 many months before. It is familiar history of how 
 the President answered the defeated Hun, telling the 
 vanquished foe that Marshal Foch must make the 
 terms of an armistice. 
 
 Regarding the contemplated plans for continuing 
 the advance. General Pershing says : 
 
 "On the three days preceding November 10, the 
 3rd Corps and the 2nd Colonial 17th French Corps 
 fought a difficult struggle through the Meuse hills 
 south of Stenay and forced the enemy into the plain. 
 Meanwhile my plans for further use of the American 
 forces contemplated an advance between the Meuse 
 and the Moselle, in the direction of Longwy, by the 
 1st Army, while at the same time, the 2nd Army should 
 assume the offensive toward the rich iron fields of 
 Briey. These operations were to be followed by an 
 offensive toward Chateau-Salins, east of the Moselle, 
 thus isolating Metz. Accordingly attacks on the 
 American front had been ordered and that of the 2nd 
 Army was in progress on the morning of November 11, 
 when instructions were received that hostilities should 
 cease at 11 o'clock." 
 
224 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 " — and that of the 2nd Army was in progress," 
 thus tersely is described the activity on that memorable 
 morning, where between the Meuse and the Moselle 
 were staged the most dramatic incidents connected with 
 the cessation of hostilities. For along the entire line 
 during the morning, the Americans flung themselves 
 against the strong Hindenburg defenses, to find that 
 the enemy strongholds would not easily be taken. 
 
 When the war came to a close Sound Ranging Sec- 
 tions Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4 and Flash Ranging Sections 
 Nos. 2, 3 and 4 were operating with the Second Army, 
 while F. R. S. No. 1 was with the 1st Army on the 
 Meuse-Argonne front. 
 
 The writer was at St. Benoit during the closing 
 days of the war. For two weeks prior to November 
 10, the Americans harrassed the Germans continually 
 with artillery fire and kept the enemy always on the 
 alert for raiding parties, which nightly penetrated his 
 lines. The preparations now being made for the attack 
 on Metz, which we now saw was imminent, was carried 
 on with untiring energy. Great stores of ammunition 
 was brought and placed in convenient places. Guns 
 and howitzers from 75s to the big naval rifles were 
 brought up and put in position until it seemed as 
 though all the artillery operated by the American Army 
 had been placed between the Moselle and the Meuse. 
 Some of the best work done during the war by the 
 Sound and Flash Rangers was performed during that 
 period. This was especially true in the case of the 
 sections operating in the vicinity of the Moselle, oppo- 
 site which point the enemy had concentrated much of 
 his artillery. 
 
 S. R. S. No. 1, following the gas attack on October 1, 
 had been in charge of Lieutenant Kuhns. The central 
 
SCENES OUTSIDE THE ANCIENT CITY OF LANGRES 
 
 TOP— THE CITY OF NANCY. IT WAS NEAR THIS PLACE THAT THE 
 
 AMERICANS FIRST ENTERED THE TRENCHES ON 
 
 OLD LORRAINE FRONT 
 
 TOUL— FIFTEEN KILOMETERS FROM THE FRONT, PRIOR TO THE 
 
 ST. MIHIEL DRIVE 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 225 
 
 had been moved from St. Benoit to Lamarche, but later 
 it was moved again to a point in the woods about two 
 miles west of Lamarche, owing partly to the unsanitary 
 condition of Lamarche and partly due to the fact that 
 the village had been occupied by a battalion of engi- 
 neers. The presence of many troops in the town would 
 bring shell fire from the Germans and this we desired 
 to avoid, as satisfactory results could not be obtained 
 where the wires were cut by shell fire too frequently. 
 
 Those were great days on the front. News of the 
 American victories all along the front made it only too 
 plain that it was only the matter of a short time when 
 Germany must give up. The surrender of Austria, 
 as well as other allies of Germany, caused us all to 
 feel that the end was drawing near. 
 
 Then came the news that the German delegation 
 had been received at Paris. Would the armistice be 
 signed? This momentous question furnished material 
 for debate where two or more might chance to meet. 
 It was discussed at mess, in the dugouts, observation 
 posts and certainly by the "doughboys" in the line. 
 
 At 6 o'clock on the evening of October 28, the Amer- 
 icans surprised the Germans by putting over a heavy 
 barrage along the front, which was followed by a big 
 raiding party, which resulted in "bagging" a number 
 of prisoners. This performance was repeated the fol- 
 lowing evening and on the morning of November 2, a 
 big raid was made, which netted the Americans over 
 50 prisoners, mostly old men and boys. 
 
 The Americans met with considerable loss in front 
 of St. Benoit and Beney. The Intelligence Section re- 
 ceived the information through some source unknown to 
 the Flash and Sound Rangers that certain positions had 
 been given up by the Germans, and following a heavy 
 
226 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 bombardment, the infantry was ordered to advance. 
 Much to their surprise they were met by a murderous 
 machine gun fire. Our losses were quite heavy, and 
 we were compelled to fall back to our original line. 
 The artillery had also received orders to move forward, 
 but later found itself under heavy fire from the German 
 guns, while on the road between St. Benoit and Damp- 
 vitoux. The forward movement was halted. 
 
 Additional artillery and infantrymen were brought 
 up during the night of November 10, preparatory for 
 the attack on the morrow. Seventy-fives were placed 
 just back of our front line. The distance between the 
 German and American trenches here was only a few 
 hundred yards. Two battalions of the 109th Infan- 
 try, 28th Division, were brought up to launch the 
 attack on the Germans' position in the vicinity of 
 Lachausee. 
 
 "The armistice has been signed. Hostilities will 
 cease at 11 o'clock!" 
 
 This was the message that the telephone operator on 
 duty at the linesmen's station at St. Benoit received at 
 5 o'clock on the 11th. The information came through 
 the wireless station, which had intercepted the message 
 which was being sent out to the world. 
 
 "Hey fellows, it's all over, the armistice is signed !" 
 yelled the operator, who immediately began to awaken 
 the occupants of the dugouts and make known to them 
 the joyful news. 
 
 Even the cooties must have been disturbed by the 
 commotion made by the linesman and no doubt nestled 
 closer against their bed fellows — ^the sleeping Sound 
 Rangers. 
 
 But the men did not take kindly to the disturbance. 
 Most of us had been up the greater part of the night 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 227 
 
 as the lines had gone out earlier in the evening, and it 
 is no wonder the enthusiastic telephone man met with 
 such responses as : 
 
 "What in hell you makin' all the noise about?" 
 "Someone hit him with a shoe/* "Couldn't you wait till 
 morning to start that one?" No one seemed to take 
 any particular interest at that time whether the war 
 would end before noon or whether we would spend an- 
 other eight months on the job. 
 
 But three hours later, when we rolled out to sample 
 Parker's hotcakes, bacon and coffee, a little more 
 interest was manifested. The news had spread through 
 the artillery, engineer and infantry units quartered in 
 the village and the faces of the men bore a smile that 
 morning that had been missing for many long weary 
 months. 
 
 But the fighting was not all over for the "dough- 
 boys." During the morning hours, as stated before, 
 attacks were made by the Americans along the entire 
 line. Preceded by heavy artillery action, the two bat- 
 talions from the 109th Infantry attempted to cross the 
 swamps between Haumont and Lachausee. They 
 found that the enemy had flooded this terrain the 
 night previous and gassed the area thoroughly. In the 
 face of a withering machine gun fire the Americans at- 
 tempted to take the strong Hindenburg defenses. The 
 German machine gun nests were deep concrete pits, 
 difficult positions for the American artillery to wipQ 
 out. Finding that, under the circumstances, it would 
 be only a sacrifice of men to further attempt to take 
 this point, the American forces fell back to the line 
 they formerly held. Many a "doughboy" lost his life 
 that morning after it was definitely ascertained that 
 the armistice had been signed and that hostilities would 
 
228 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 cease at 11 o'clock, regardless of what transpired in 
 the meantime. An officer at brigade headquarters 
 told me later in the day that 90 men had been brought 
 to the first aid station that morning as a result of what 
 appeared to be a needless attack. The number of lives 
 lost that morning in the attack of the Second Army will 
 probably never be known. 
 
 Within one hundred yards of our dugout in St. 
 Benoit was a battery of 75s and the commander told 
 us that at 9 o'clock they, as well as all other artillery 
 outfits in that sector, would be permitted to fire as 
 many rounds as desired for a period of 15 minutes. 
 The hour for celebrating the victory had arrived. I 
 think every piece of American artillery participated in 
 that bombardment. The solid earth shook to the 
 roar of the guns. Between their thunder-like claps a 
 new note began to weave itself into the uproar — 
 the sharper clatter of rifle fire and machine guns. 
 Others besides the artillery were celebrating. We 
 dashed into the dugout and brought out rifles and auto- 
 matics and, during the 15 minutes that followed, added 
 our bit to the din. 
 
 The bombardment died away, but later orders were 
 given that during the three minutes prior to 11 o'clock, 
 as many rounds as possible would be fired. 
 
 With Parker, I stood in the doorway of the shack 
 we used as a kitchen the last three minutes of the war. 
 When the guns opened with the roar, which we had 
 heard so many times during those eight months on 
 the front, I looked at the French clock in the corner. 
 It was 10:57. Was this truly the end? It was al- 
 most unbelievable that we were hearing the last bar- 
 rage. The hands of the dial now point to one minute 
 to eleven. There seems to be no abatement in the 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 229 
 
 roar of the artillery. Another half minute slips past. 
 There appears to be a slackening of the action, but the 
 75s back of our billets are as active as ever. A few 
 seconds pass — they seem like minutes. Suddenly the 
 firing ceases. There is silence — silence so great that 
 it in itself is appalling. We look at the old French 
 clock. We distinctly hear it tick off exactly six seconds 
 — then it strikes the hour of 11. 
 
 The American artillery fire on the morning of 
 November 11 was returned with equal spirit by the 
 Germans, the enemy shelling the front line as well as 
 the areas in the rear. 
 
 The sudden calm brought the ''doughboys," in their 
 fox holes, to realize that the wild rumor, of which they 
 had been rather dubious, was the "right dope" after 
 all. It took a few moments for the real meaning of 
 the thing to dawn upon them. They laid down their 
 rifles, and, jumping to their feet, sent three cheers 
 re-echoing among the hills, where only a few minutes 
 before could only be heard the roar of the cannon. 
 
 But what is this — pouring from the enemy machine 
 gun nests and entrenchments into No Man's Land was 
 a streak of figures in green colored uniforms, their 
 hands raised to show they bore no arms. Amazed the 
 Americans waited. Then they noticed that the Ger- 
 mans were grinning and making every effort to show 
 that they were friendly. Slowly the American ''dough- 
 boys" made their way over to the spot where the vis- 
 itors had halted. The enemy on whom they had been 
 hurling shells and bullets only a few minutes before 
 were there grinning and extending their hands. The 
 Americans were not so enthusiastic. Coldly a few of 
 the "doughboys" shook the hand of a German, others 
 disdainfully refused to fraternize. 
 
230 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 "I'd sooner hit him in the jaw than take his bloody 
 hand," said an indignant ''doughboy." 
 
 Then the Germans displayed an assortment of 
 souvenirs. That settled the matter. The Americans 
 produced tobacco, soap, slickers, leather vests, etc. For 
 these the Germans traded lugers, wound badges, iron 
 crosses, rings, coins and belt buckles, so dear to the 
 heart of the ''doughboy." 
 
 Soon the order came for the Americans to fall back 
 within their own lines, and guards were placed along 
 the front to prevent the soldiers from going into No 
 Man's Land. I had gone down to the front line with 
 two of the men from the station. We were, of course, 
 stopped by the guard when attempting to cross the 
 line. Our object was to get to the German positions. 
 
 "Orders against going any further," said the sentry. 
 
 "Wiring party, looking for a suitable route to string 
 a line to Damvitoux, as soon as the Germans fall back," 
 I replied. He didn't question the veracity of the state- 
 ment. He permitted us to pass. 
 
 Once outside our own lines the problem was easy. 
 We approached a group of Germans, many of them 
 decked out in American raincoats, leather vests and 
 other articles of clothing which they had secured from 
 the "doughboys." Observer Cobb, one of the men, 
 addressed a Boche in German and Fritzie was over- 
 joyed. A few of the others could speak English and 
 we learned they were heartily glad the war was over. 
 There were absolutely no signs of humiliation on their 
 part, and they might have been the victors, as far as 
 showing their defeat in their attitude was concerned. 
 However, they told us, and their statements were veri- 
 fied all along the line by other Germans, that if the 
 armistice had not been signed the entire army in front 
 
 ^ 4 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 231 
 
 of US would have surrendered at 12 o'clock on the 
 same day. 
 
 When the Germans returned to their lines, we 
 mingled with them and passed the enemy sentries in 
 front of their positions unnoticed. Once through the 
 wire entanglements we visited the enemy's machine 
 gun nests, which formed part of the Hindenburg de- 
 fenses. Deep trenches, the sides of which were of re- 
 inforced concrete, extended behind concrete dugouts, 
 constructd below the surface of the ground, making 
 it difficult to locate them and more difficult to de- 
 molish them by shell fire. But the work of the Ameri- 
 can artillery was quite evident. There was hardly a 
 foot of ground that had not been churned by Yankee 
 shells. A narrow gauge railroad had been completely 
 destroyed, the iron rails being broken and twisted into 
 an unrecognizable mass. 
 
 In front of the entanglements were the mines, placed 
 there in readiness to be fired when the Americans 
 reached that locality. The Germans were still in the 
 trenches and so conditions were when the firing ceased 
 at 11 o'clock. 
 
 That the Germans were experiencing a shortage of 
 rations was quite evident, for their evening meal con- 
 sisted of some black bread and coffee. This might 
 not have been the case at all points along the front, 
 but such were the conditions as they prevailed in front 
 of us. 
 
 While these stirring events were transpiring on the 
 front; celebrations were being held in the rear. Back 
 in the little village of Mandres, Sound Ranging Head- 
 quarters, when the rumble of the guns had died away, 
 the chimes in the steeple of the old church that had 
 been silent for four long years, pealed out the joyful 
 
232 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 tidings. The troops quartered in the town were almost 
 frantic with joy. Then down the main street of the 
 village comes a band from a negro regiment, playing 
 the familiar strains of 
 
 "Ifs Time for Liberty Bells to Ring Again," 
 
 "The most impressive thing I ever experienced," 
 said Sergeant Taylor afterward. "And," he contin- 
 ued, "as I glanced across to the little American ceme- 
 tery and saw the flags waving over the graves of the 
 boys who had given their lives at the battle of Seiche- 
 prey and at other times, the thought came to me that 
 they had not made the sacrifice in vain." 
 
 And ten days later, when we returned to Mandres 
 from the front, we found Magda Laurent, the aged 
 mademoiselle, in the street in front of her little home, 
 waiting to welcome us. The tears of joy were stream- 
 ing down her face as she clung to the boys from Amer- 
 ica she had known since early spring. 
 
 On the front we are amazed at the remarkable 
 change in conditions. No further need for camou- 
 flaging. American troops are pouring into the village 
 and filling up every building. Smoke is rising from 
 every chimney. It is the first night following the ces- 
 sation of hostilities and lights are streaming from every 
 building, the first time in four years. Automobiles 
 dash along the highway with flaring headlights. Not 
 a gun has been fired since 11 o'clock. We miss them. 
 The old thrills are gone. As I sit with the others in 
 front of the roaring fireplace in the building where 
 we have moved, I find it hard to realize that it is all 
 over. I am afraid that we will sometimes yearn to hear 
 the roar of the guns, the terrific crack of an "on de 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 233 
 
 choc/' as the big projectile tears through the air, or 
 the staccato rattle of the machine guns. Then our 
 thoughts turn to the boys in the hospitals and the folks 
 at home. What glorious news for them all. 
 
 And, above all, we ponder over that now momentous 
 question of: 
 
 ''When are we going home?" 
 
234 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 HOMEWARD BOUND 
 
 Our story is almost done. 
 
 'The war is over and our work is through. We are 
 ready to go home," so said Captain Bazonni, the morn- 
 ing following the one on which the armistice was 
 signed, and we fully agreed with him. 
 
 Monday, the various sections, with the exception 
 of F. R. S. Nos. 1 and 2, which had gone forward with 
 the army of occupation, began taking up the wire on 
 their respective bases, after which orders were issued 
 for them to report to Toul, where the battalion was 
 being mobilized, preparatory for sailing for home. 
 
 The various sections began arriving in Toul on 
 November 22, and were quartered at Jeanne d'arc Bar- 
 racks, about two miles from the center of the city. It 
 was a great reunion. The men in this branch of the 
 service had been scattered from Chateau-Thierry to 
 Pont-a-Mousson, and many had not seen each other 
 since the first detachment left old Fort de St. Menge 
 for the front. 
 
 F. R. S. Nos. 1 and 2 did not arrive until a few 
 days after, as some delay arose in getting orders to 
 these detachments, who were moving up into Germany. 
 
 On Thursday, December 19, orders came to move 
 to St. Nazaire, from which port we would sail for 
 America. The following morning we boarded the train 
 at Toul to take our last ride in the French box cars 
 that held "40 Hommes or 8 Cheveaux." Two days 
 and nights were spent on the train and some of the 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 235 
 
 pleasures (?) of that trip could not be better exploited 
 than by publishing the following poem: 
 
 HOMMES, 40— CHEVEAUX, 8 
 
 Roll, roll, roll, over the rails of France 
 
 See the world and its map unfurled, five centimes in 
 
 your pants. 
 What a noble trip, jolt, jog and jar. 
 Forty we, with equipment C, in one flat wheel box car. 
 
 We are packed by hand. 
 
 Shoved aboard in teens. 
 
 Pour a little oil on us 
 
 And we would be sardines. 
 
 Rations! Oo-la-la! and how we love the man 
 
 Who learned how to intern our chow in a cold and 
 
 clammy can. 
 Beans and beef and beans, beef and beans and beef, 
 Willie raw, he will win the war, take in your belt a 
 reef. 
 
 Mess kits flown the coop. 
 
 Cups gone up the spout. 
 
 Use your thumbs for issue forks 
 
 And pass the bull about. 
 
 Hit the floor for bunks, six hommes to one homme*s 
 
 place. 
 It*s no fair to the bottom layer, to kick 'em in the face. 
 Move the corp'ral's feet out of my left ear, 
 Lay off, Sarge, you are much too large — 
 Fm not a bedsack, dear. 
 
 Lift my head up, please, 
 
 From this bag of bread ; 
 
 Put it on somebody's chest, 
 
 Then I'll sleep like the dead. 
 
236 RANGING IN FRANCE 
 
 Roll, roll, roll, roll, hammer and snore and fight. 
 Traveling Zoo the whole day through, and bedlam all 
 
 the night. 
 Four days in the cage, going from hither to hence. 
 Ain't it great to ride by freight at good old Unc's 
 
 expense ? — Ex. 
 
 When we left Toul we had visions of being on board 
 a transport and some even had hopes of eating their 
 New Year's dinner under the parental roof. But we 
 were doomed to disappointment. From St. Nazaire 
 we were sent back to Nantes and billeted in Pont- 
 Rosseau, a suburb of the city. 
 
 We stayed at Pont-Rosseau until February 12, 
 daily expecting orders to move to the embarkation 
 camp. On the morning of February 12, we again 
 boarded the train, but this time it was only a few 
 hours' ride in the box cars. The following morning at 
 Camp 2, we were given our physical inspection. In 
 the afternoon we were marched over to Camp No. 1, 
 where we were put through "de-cootizer," when many 
 of the boys donated a big share of their souvenirs — ^to 
 whom, we have never been able to learn — but of course 
 will always have our opinion. We were then taken 
 to the ^'isolation" camp and kept for three days. On 
 the afternoon of February 24, we left the camp and 
 marched to the docks at St. Nazaire, where we boarded 
 the steamer Nansemond, which sailed the following 
 morning, bound for the United States at last. 
 
 The trip was not a bad one, considering the fact 
 that 5500 men were aboard. Nothing of importance 
 transpired during the trip and on the morning of Tues- 
 day, March 11, we sailed up Chesapeake Bay, past 
 Fort Monroe, old Point Comfort, and other historical 
 
UNITED STATES STEAMSHIP NANSEMOND, WHICH BROUGHT HOME 
 
 THE FIRST BATTALION 74TH ENGINEERS (FORMERLY 
 
 SECOND BATTALION 29TH ENGINEERS) 
 
WITH FLASH AND SOUND 237 
 
 points, on the noted Hampton Roads. The troops cov- 
 ered the decks, swarmed over the hatches, filling the 
 rigging and heads protruded from every porthole as 
 the big vessel steamed up the bay and entered the 
 river. 
 
 The band had taken up its position on the forward 
 deck and above the deafening cheers could be heard 
 the strains of, 'The Gang's All Here," ''Over There'* 
 and other patriotic airs. Then we came opposite the 
 pier where the vessel was to dock. On the dock was 
 the reception committee, accompanied by a band, to 
 welcome home the troops. As the big tugs warped 
 the vessel into the slip the din increased and continued 
 until the men were ordered below to prepare for de- 
 barking. The patriotic citizens of Newport News 
 lined the streets of the little city as we marched 
 through them and out to Camp Stuart. 
 
 At Camp Stuart, the battalion ceased to exist. 
 While at Toul it had been changed from the 2nd Bat- 
 talion, 29 Engineers, to 1st Battalion, 74th Engineers, 
 and we were discharged as such. From Camp Stuart, 
 the men left in detachments for the respective camps, 
 in the sections of the country in which they resided. 
 
 On the afternoon of March 16, Major Ljmian ad- 
 dressed the entire battalion on the parade grounds, at 
 which time he expressed his regret on having to part 
 with the men with whom he had associated in France, 
 and paid a high compliment to the work of the men in 
 his command. 
 
 The following morning, March 17, the men rolled 
 their blankets for the last time, marched to the waiting 
 trains, which were to whirl them to the camp at which 
 they would be discharged. 
 
 The End. 
 
APPENDIX 
 
 BARDS OF THE FLASH AND SOUND 
 
 BEFORE THE BATTLE 
 
 (The following verses were contributed by Private Reese, 
 written prior to an attack by the Germans upon the American 
 troops in the Toul sector, in June, 1918.) 
 
 It is just before the battle, 
 
 Everything is deathlike still. 
 You can hear the wind a whistling 
 
 Through the oak trees on the hill; 
 And you hear the rats a gnawing 
 
 Between the dugout walls 
 As you lay down on your straw tick, 
 
 That's so crumby that it crawls. 
 
 The Huns are coming over, 
 
 'Tis certain, for you've seen 
 All day their troops a massing 
 
 In their dirty suits of green. 
 Their artillery has been ranging 
 
 On the roads behind the towns, 
 And you wonder if you'll whimper 
 
 When it comes to a show-down. 
 
 One bunkey is a whetting 
 
 On a murderous-looking knife. 
 And another one is pondering 
 
 O'er a letter to his wife; 
 And another shoving bullets 
 
 Into his rifle magazine, 
 And another peddling rumors 
 
 He heard at the latrine. 
 Another guy is filling 
 
 Up his pockets with grenades, 
 23$ 
 
240 APPENDIX 
 
 And another singing softly 
 'Bout a rose that never fades. 
 
 And you close your eyes a dreaming 
 
 Of your home away out West, 
 Where the roses are in blossom 
 
 And the robins come to rest. 
 You see your little mother 
 
 'Neath the vines around the door, 
 And your eyes with salt are smarting. 
 
 And your heart feel shamefully sore: 
 And you hear your sister singing. 
 
 And you see your daddy go 
 A puttering around the garden 
 
 Where his spuds and cabbages grow. 
 
 You wonder why the nations fight 
 
 When there's happier things to do. 
 And you curse the guys that started 
 
 All this bloody hullabaloo. 
 Then another thought comes chasing 
 
 The curses from your mind. 
 And you think of how courageous 
 
 Are the folks you left behind. 
 
 How bravely they have struggled 
 
 As they smiled and bade you go 
 To rid the world forever 
 
 Of its military woe. 
 Then you feel your jaws a tightening, 
 
 And you feel your war-blood run. 
 And grip your rifle tighter; 
 
 Damn the Boche! Just let them come. 
 
 COOK CHESTER REESE, Co. B. 
 
APPENDIX 241 
 
 A TOAST TO PARTING 
 
 Come, friends, let us empty a flowing cup 
 
 With yesterday bubbling o'er; 
 Let us drink of the past a refreshing sup, 
 
 Of the ones we shall meet no more. 
 
 Let the bubbles that sparkle and blink at the brim, 
 
 And glisten and flit away. 
 Be the ones who have left us through Fate or whim, 
 
 Whose laughter we hear today. 
 And if Time, with his sickle, scowls over the bowl. 
 
 To claim what his years have ta'en. 
 
 A defiance brave in his face we'll troll. 
 
 And drink of the past again. 
 
 When we have finished our vintage rare, 
 
 And naught is left but the leaves; 
 The recipe safe in our breast we'll bear 
 
 To brew us again when we please. 
 
 PRIVATE J. P. KELLEY, Co. B. 
 
 THE WAR AS IT ISN'T 
 
 The folks back home read the daily news 
 Of their boys in France in russett shoes, 
 
 And spiffy suits and a mademoiselle, 
 But damn few know that war is hell. 
 
 Big, long columns in the magazines, 
 
 Of the boys loafing 'round the big canteens; 
 
 The truth of it all, I'm going to tell, 
 
 The boys at the front say "War is Hell." 
 
 We wallow 'round in the muddy trench, 
 
 While the boys in the rear learn to parley French; 
 
 The folks at home sit and read all day 
 
 Of the work at the front of the Y. M. C. A. 
 
 Did we get the furloughs and candy and pie, 
 And doughnuts and cocoa, that sells so high. 
 
 It's hard to believe, but I'll tell you why — 
 It's the game of war — as it isn't. 
 
 PRIVATE CHAS. A. WILSON, Co. B. 
 
242 APPENDIX 
 
 THE ROAD TO RAMBUECOURT 
 (Written just prior to the St. Mihiel offensive'.) 
 
 Across the seas, on the soil of France, 
 
 Ten hundred thousand strong; 
 Are the boys in drab of the U. S. A., 
 
 Eager to right a wrong. 
 A wrong committed in '71 
 
 By the Huns, in a hellish aim, 
 To rule the world with a rod of iron 
 
 And hold Alsace-Lorraine. 
 
 On a battlefield made famous 
 
 Along the French frontier, 
 Our army now is waiting 
 
 With confidence and cheer, 
 For the signal from the leaders 
 
 To charge the heartless Hun, 
 And drive him back with losses. 
 
 Like the brave French at Verdun. 
 
 Along the road to Beaumont, 
 
 Rambuecourt and Buconville, 
 The Americans are waiting, 
 
 Although the night is still. 
 Many troops are in support, 
 
 To reinforce the front. 
 While the boys "in" further up 
 
 Are ready to bear the brunt. 
 
 In camouflaged positions 
 
 Along the famous road. 
 Machine guns wait impatiently. 
 
 Deadly missiles to unload. 
 Back of the road to Rambuecourt, 
 
 Where the Germans cannot see, 
 Manned by accurate gunners, 
 
 Is the field artillery. 
 
 Big guns are in the timber. 
 
 On the enemy they will train; 
 
APPENDIX 243 
 
 They'll blow Mont Sec to "Kingdom Come," 
 
 Then we'll march into Lorraine 
 The aeroplanes will aid us 
 
 When the proper time arrives 
 No cowards are in the service; 
 
 All will gladly risk their lives. 
 
 Thus the stage is set, boys. 
 
 For the battle grim and great, 
 The Americans will be tested. 
 
 And much we have at stake. 
 It is the calm before the storm, 
 
 The time is coming soon. 
 When fire will flash from every crest. 
 
 And we'll hear the cannon boom. 
 
 SERGEANT JESSE R. HINMAN, Co. B. 
 
 A LINESMAN'S SOLILOQUY 
 
 As I sit on my bunk in my dugout, 
 
 And it's nearly time to turn in, 
 With the rockets a-playing without. 
 
 And the shrapnel's occasional "ping." 
 
 My thoughts wander back to the family. 
 And out home on the side of Park Road; 
 
 And I wonder what they are doing, 
 While I'm in this "classy" abode. 
 
 Perhaps they're seated at dinner, 
 
 With tablecloth, napkins and things. 
 
 And don't have to worry about "seconds," 
 With a maid to come when they ring. 
 
 Or 'round the fire in the evening. 
 
 With pap in his big easy chair. 
 And mother seated just near him. 
 
 Oh — if I could be there. 
 
 But that is not for the present. 
 
 For the reason we're in France, 
 As to breaking up family circles. 
 
 The Hun has an excellent chance, 
 
 CORPORAL SPURR, Co. D. 
 
244 APPENDIX 
 
 AN ODE TO THE DUGOUT 
 
 A dugout on the front, boys, 
 You know the kind I mean, 
 
 So cozy and so snug like. 
 Many of them you've seea. 
 
 Where you tumble in your blankets 
 
 To snatch a little sleep; 
 Far from the whistling "whiz bangs," 
 
 Down in the ground so deep. 
 
 In this cozy little dugout, 
 Quite likely you will find 
 
 Some old time acquaintances. 
 The healthiest of their kind. 
 
 The guests are there before you, 
 
 And have made themselves at home; 
 
 And will keep you company 
 For fear you're left alone. 
 
 There is Mr. Rat and family. 
 And the children ever bright, 
 
 Who sleep in the daytime, 
 And keep you up all night. 
 
 They spring across your pillow. 
 Play football on your chest, 
 
 Grab each corner of your blanket. 
 For baseball it is the best. 
 
 They pull your nose and pinch your ears 
 
 To see if you're awake ; 
 And if you are not careful, 
 
 Your rifle they will take. 
 
 One day we got a pussy cat. 
 
 In our dugout to stay. 
 To take the place of a mascot 
 
 And keep the rats away. 
 
APPENDIX 245 
 
 It was a great event in Ratdom, 
 
 The night was a merry one; 
 Poor Pussy was served at a banquet, 
 
 Plates were spread for twenty-one. 
 
 When in the middle of your slumbers, 
 
 The cry of "Gas" you hear; 
 You grab for the trusty gas mask. 
 
 Which you always keep so near. 
 
 Sometimes you are awakened 
 
 By the sound of shot and shell, 
 Then we know the "Square Heads" 
 
 Have turned loose a little Hell. 
 
 But when the "Yanks" retaliate. 
 
 And you hear our guns crash, 
 The enemy ceases firing, 
 
 And for their dugouts dash. 
 
 In our dugouts there are others. 
 
 Little pets, we always find; 
 They are known as "cooties," 
 
 And to us they are very kind. 
 
 Listening posts they have established 
 
 At the foot of every bed, 
 With battalion drill each evening 
 
 From your feet up to your head. 
 
 But it's all for the old Flag, boys; 
 
 We're in this thing to win; 
 We'll never cease our efforts 
 
 Until we're in Berlin. 
 
 SERGEANT JESSE R. HINMAN, Co. B. 
 
246 APPENDIX 
 
 TO YOU 
 
 (Written for Christmas' souvenir card, December 25, 1918.) 
 
 Beyond the wave-washed shores of France, 
 
 Beyond the ocean's westmost tide. 
 Beyond the pale-blue horizon, 
 
 Are those we cherish, love, and pride. 
 And as our eyes see evening's sun. 
 
 Across the dark, unfathomed blue. 
 Our thoughts are with the ones at home — 
 
 Our hearts send out our love to you. 
 
 While snows of angry winter fall. 
 
 And sheen the hills of Prance in white, 
 While cold the winds blow overhead. 
 
 The murkey day fades into night. 
 Yet vistas bright of other years 
 
 Bring back the long-passed joys a-new, 
 And as come dreams of days that were — 
 
 Our hearts send out our love to you. 
 
 For those who face the mighty guns. 
 
 For those of us who stay behind. 
 For those who, fever-racked, will lie 
 
 On beds of pain, with troubled mind; 
 For those who've done their earthly bit. 
 
 Who sleep beneath the morning's dew; 
 For those that are and those that were — 
 
 Our hearts send out our love to you. 
 
 While ring the bells of Christmas-tide 
 
 Throughout the land where Christ is King, 
 The phrase resound: "Peace Unto Men!" 
 
 For peace, the sword of war will bring. 
 Our souls are rife with victory's hope, 
 
 Soon shall we cross again the blue. 
 And 'til that day of days shall come — 
 
 Our hearts send out our love to you*. 
 
 SERGEANT LAURENCE LOCKNEY, Co. C. 
 
APPENDIX 247 
 
 THE RANGERS 
 
 The Army fought its wars of old, 
 
 Without an F. and S. 
 Intelligence pertained to scouts, 
 
 And guns were hit by guess. 
 
 But Uncle Sam keeps up to date. 
 
 And seldom skips a trick. 
 He figured that some engineers 
 
 Could work without a pick. 
 
 The Second Battalion, 29th, 
 
 (Now in the Seventy-fourth), 
 Took up the work of Flash and Sound, 
 
 So feared by Ludendorf. 
 
 To map the Boche was their design. 
 
 To ferret out his guns — 
 With rifles handy while they worked, 
 
 And masks to save the lungs. 
 
 For they've held posts in the trenches, 
 
 And even in No Man's Land. 
 It's well for them the tide of war 
 
 Was toward the Vaterland. 
 
 Balloons and planes could spot by day, 
 
 And sometimes saw the "core"; 
 But Flash and Sound would carry on 
 
 From "0" to "24." 
 
 On every hour of twenty-four, 
 
 And each day of the month. 
 Their observers would be working 
 
 Along the battle front. 
 
 It was no passing risk they took; 
 
 They never got repose; 
 And all that kept their losses down 
 
 Was luck, the Army knows. 
 
248 APPENDIX 
 
 They plodded steadily along, 
 
 And won a few citations. 
 They put, not towns, upon the map, 
 
 But German gun locations. 
 
 The posts were fathered by central, 
 
 But had their "S. O. S." 
 Service of Salvage they called it, 
 
 Aside from wireless. 
 
 The Boche can make good pan-cake flour, 
 
 His jam is of the best, 
 And much canned milk was left behind, 
 
 To grace the Ranger's mess. 
 
 The Sound men used to josh the Flash, 
 The Flash would kid the Sound; 
 
 And often crude, or quaint remarks 
 Bantered their way around. 
 
 We're fast, you're slow, declared the Flash; 
 
 Let's call it first and second; 
 Four-flush and science, countered Sound, 
 
 Wait till results are reckoned. 
 
 They kept the gaff unto themselves. 
 
 Nor split the hairs too fine; 
 For they've shared O. P.'s together; 
 
 They've hit the same mess line. 
 
 Our Section is the best of all. 
 
 Was each man's open boast; 
 But he'd agree both Flash and Sound 
 
 Helped rout the German host. 
 
 When history tells the war's great deeds, 
 
 She'll make a slight digression 
 To teach the world that Flash and Sound 
 Was more than an expression. 
 SERGEANT FIRST CLASS HOWARD F. COLT, Co. D. 
 
APPENDIX 249 
 
 THE LINESMAN'S RIFLE 
 
 "Your best friend is your rifle boys," 
 
 Is what you've oft' been told; 
 "Just keep it near you always, lad," 
 
 Is a story now grown old. 
 There is a time when this is true. 
 
 When of Germans there are signs, 
 But you wish the thing in Halifax, 
 
 When you're on the Hartley line. 
 
 In barbed wire it is a nuisance, 
 
 In the trenches it is hell. 
 And you have a damned good notion 
 
 To leave it where it fell. 
 It catches in the wires. 
 
 When you try to climb between, 
 And causes me more trouble 
 
 Than all the Boche I've seen. 
 
 SERGEANT JESSE R. HINMAN, Co. B. 
 
250 APPENDIX 
 
 TO FRANCE WITH PERSHING 
 By Lieutenant Thomas W. Smith 
 
 (Lieutenant Smith was formerly a sergeant in the 1st En- 
 gineers, and was included in the detachment that sailed on the 
 steamship Baltic with General Pershing for France on May 27. 
 Sergeant Smith was later transferred to the 29th Engineers. Ser- 
 geant C. R. Kietel, of the 29th Engineers, came to France with 
 General Pershing on the steamship Baltic.) 
 
 "Report to the adjutant at 1 P. M. today." 
 This was the command given me by the first ser- 
 geant of Company A, 1st Engineers, on the morning 
 of May 22, 1917, and anxiously I awaited the appointed 
 hour, for I felt that a movement of great importance 
 was being considered, and that, in some way or another, 
 I might be given an opportunity to participate in it. 
 
 Since April 6, there had been an atmosphere of 
 expectancy at Washington Barracks, for well-founded 
 rumors were to the effect that the 1st Division would 
 be among the first of American troops to see overseas 
 service. 
 
 When I reached the adjutant^s office, I found it 
 full of men, perhaps 50 in all, representing the dif- 
 ferent companies in the regiment. Each one was put 
 through a rigid examination by Captain Ernest Graves 
 relative to their educational qualification and army 
 record, until he selected ten men. The others he 
 dismissed. 
 
 Then, addressing us, he stated that he had chosen 
 us because he believed he had selected sober, industrious 
 men. 
 
 '*You are going on a long journey," said he. "I 
 
APPENDIX 251 
 
 cannot tell you where, but you must not reveal this 
 information. You may never return." 
 
 While the last assertion was anything but encour- 
 aging, we were, of course, elated upon being selected 
 to go to France with the General, as we were sure the 
 battle field of Europe was our ultimate destination. 
 
 We were ordered to be ready the same night, but 
 did not get away until Sunday morning. May 27, leav- 
 ing from the Union Station. 
 
 We arrived at Governor's Island in the evening. 
 At noon we boarded the river boat and steamed down 
 the bay and waited for the White Star Liner, Baltic, 
 boarding her at 5:30 P. M. By this time the entire 
 party (the United States Expeditionary Force) was on 
 board. It included General Pershing and about 10 
 officers, 67 enlisted men and about 50 civilian clerks. 
 
 The good ship Baltic was ten days in making the 
 trip across the Atlantic to Liverpool. The weather 
 was fine, with a comparatively smooth sea. We were 
 convoyed by three American torpedo boats the last 
 three days of the voyage. We also had two British 
 destroyers, but they stayed but a few hours, for they 
 left us to aid three freight boats which had been at- 
 tacked by three submarines and sunk. It is believed 
 that these submarines were laying in wait for the 
 Baltic and missed us or could not attack owing to the 
 convoy. 
 
 When the Baltic reached the danger zone off the 
 Irish Coast, she took a zig-zag course, in order to avoid 
 the numerous submarines. However, this was cus- 
 tomary at all times during the war with boats while in 
 the danger zone. 
 
 Some amusing incidents occurred when it was de- 
 cided that the members of the Expeditionary Force 
 
252 APPENDIX 
 
 should don civilian clothes, loaned by the field clerks 
 and passengers aboard. This was done in order to pre- 
 vent the enemy from shelling the life boats. Should 
 we be forced to use them, in case the Baltic be struck by 
 a torpedo and the Germans detect soldiers in the life 
 boats, we knew our chances would be poor. 
 
 Arriving at Liverpool on Friday, June 8, at 10 
 o'clock A. M., we were met by an English General 
 and staff and a battalion of British infantry and band. 
 We were escorted to a train bound for London, arriving 
 in that city at 4 P. M. There we were met by General 
 French and his staff. The officers were taken to the 
 Savoy Hotel and the civilian clerks to the Imperial. 
 
 The enlisted men were enthusiastically received at 
 the old and historic Tower of London. There we were 
 quartered and entertained by the Honourable Artil- 
 lery Corps. 
 
 Our experiences were proving intensely interesting 
 and novel in the extreme. As one of the men ex- 
 pressed it: 
 
 "To think of an American sleeping, eating and being 
 entertained in the Tower of London.*' 
 
 We were enthusiastically received everywhere in 
 London. The first night we were guests of the Al- 
 hambra Theatre. The following day we took the 
 never to be forgotten trip to Windsor, and visited the 
 great Windsor Castle and Eton College. Major Gen- 
 eral Carey was very courteous and escprted us through 
 the castle, accompanied by the mayor of Windsor. That 
 evening we were guests of the Empire Theatre. 
 
 The following day, Sunday, we were taken to Rich- 
 mond by train and at this point we took a special boat 
 up the famous Thames River, going almost to Windsor. 
 We were all impressed with the ride, which took us 
 
APPENDIX 253 
 
 along the rich, green fields and meadows on either side. 
 Thousands of persons were out in boats taking ad- 
 vantage of the beautiful weather. We stopped at 
 Hampton Court and the interesting things we saw there 
 will never be forgotten. 
 
 Returning down the river we found the banks 
 crowded with people, waiting for the ''Yankees" to ap- 
 pear. It was the most enthusiastic demonstration we 
 had seen. The cheering was deafening and the salut- 
 ing continued during the remainder of the trip. It 
 made one proud to feel that he was an American. 
 
 Monday morning we saw the things of interest in 
 the Tower. The ''Chopping Block," "Bloody Tower," 
 the "Traitors' Gate," and many other things of equal 
 interest. During the afternoon we toured the city in 
 large busses. We visited Westminster Abbey, Leicester 
 Square, Piccadilly Circus, etc. In the evening we were 
 guests at the Strand Theatre. Not content with what 
 they had done for us, the Honourable Artillery Corps 
 of the Tower gave us a great reception on the evening 
 of June 12. This was the final and crowning event of 
 our stay in London. The H. A. C. presented each of us 
 with a set of cuff links, made of H. A. C. honor but- 
 tons. These buttons are given only to those who have 
 proven honorable and worthy soldiers. 
 
 Wednesday morning, June 13, we left London for 
 Folkestone, where we took a fast channel boat for 
 Boulogne. Here we were greeted by a large division, 
 including many officers. The greeting and saluting 
 seemed even more sincere than that which we had re- 
 ceived in England. We immediately took a special 
 train for Paris, arriving in the French capital at 
 4:30 P. M. 
 
 It is impossible to describe the scenes in Paris upon 
 
254 APPENDIX 
 
 our arrival that afternoon and the reception that Gen- 
 eral Pershing and those who accompanied him received, 
 and do justice to the enthusiastic French. Thousands 
 jammed the streets from the depot to the barracks. 
 The people were delirious with joy. It was the most 
 excitement I ever witnessed and never expect to see 
 it equalled. The automobiles could hardly make their 
 way through the excited throng. The mademoiselles 
 would climb on the side of the cars and embrace and 
 kiss us, while the men almost pulled our arms from our 
 shoulders in attempting to shake our hands, mean- 
 while cheering at the top of their voices, proclaiming 
 "Viva la Amerique" (Long live America). One pretty 
 little girl climbed into the car and, nestling in my lap, 
 she hugged and kissed me. 'To protect you from the 
 mob," she said in good English. At the barracks we 
 had a sumptuous dinner, after which we went to bed. 
 We were soldiering in France. 
 
APPENDIX 255 
 
 NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF THE OFFICERS OF THE FIRST 
 BATTALION, 74TH ENGINEERS 
 
 MAJOR 
 Lyman, Theodore, Heath St., Brookline, Mass. 
 
 CAPTAINS 
 
 Druce, Thomas W. 
 
 FYench, Norman R., Fort Fairfield, Maine. 
 
 Messer, Thomas H. 
 
 Ross, Blair A., Novelty, Missouri. 
 
 Whitney, Erie F., Portland, Oregon. 
 
 Wright, Jefferson D., Commerce, Georgia. 
 
 FIRST LIEUTENANTS 
 
 Anderson, William P., 2383 Grandin Road, Cincinnati, Ohio. 
 
 Beckett, Garner A., 434 West 120th St., New York, N. Y. 
 
 Blundon, Montague, 
 
 Chandler, Charles H., Harrisburg, Virginia. 
 
 Church, Sanford E., 11209 Lake Ave., Cleveland, Ohio. 
 
 Clark, Harry N., Fairfax, Virginia. 
 
 Coles, Levi D., 1744 North 16th St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Conover, Reeve, 390 51st St., Oakland, California. 
 
 Curtis, Horace J., Williamsfield, Illinois. 
 
 Dow, Leonard M., 416 Seventh St., Knoxville, Tennessee. 
 
 Fecht, Arthur J., 948 Orville Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. 
 
 Gallagher, William H., Santa Barbara, California. 
 
 Heulings, Lloyd, Moorestown, Burlington, County, New Jersey. 
 
 Hibben, Samuel G., .5599 Baum Boulevard, Pitts'burgh, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Holmes, Clarence F., 2307 South Grand Boulevard, Spokane, Wash. 
 
 Houston, Fred K., 160 East Third St., Beaver, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Kelly, Joyce R., 1051 Gladstone Ave., Portland, Oregon. 
 
 Kuhns, Austin, Middletown, Connecticut. 
 
 McLanahan, John D., 30 Vandeventer Ave., Princeton, New Jersey. 
 
 Mitten, George R., Goodland, Indiana. 
 
 Monk, Percy S., Sleansville, New York. 
 
 Morrow, Samuel R., 843 Howard St., Carthage, Missouri, 
 
 Newkirk, Arthur D., 415 East Third St., Jacksonville, Florida. 
 
 Perry, William G., 140 James St., Greenville, South Carolina. 
 
 Roberts, Walter Van B., Titusville, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Simons, Edmond G., Eutawville, South Carolina. 
 
 Stark, Merle R., 2428 Bellefountain St., Indianapolis, Indiana. 
 
 Stallman, George P., 388 Monroe Ave., Rochester, New York. 
 
 Stewart, John Q., 1404 North Second St., Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Sturgis, Robert L., 547 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois. 
 
 Suvergrop, Lew. 
 
 Twynham, Frank J., 908 East Rio Grande St., El Paso, Texas. 
 
 Van Vechten, Lawrence. 
 
 Van Zant, Albert. 
 
 Wallower, Herbert H., 2101 North Front St., Harrisburg, Pa. 
 
 SECOND LIEUTENANTS 
 
 Amery, George H., Victoria, Texas. 
 
 Barrow, George M., 1407 Finance St., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 
 Blix, Einer T., 1003 9th Ave., S., Fargo, North Dakota. 
 Boone, Clarence C, 813 Adams Ave., Chehalis. Washington. 
 Braun, Chester S., 80 Hawthorne Ave., East Orange, New Jersey. 
 Brooks', Fernley T., 260 S. 44th St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 
 Brown, William R., 845 Illinois St., Lawrence, Kansas. 
 Brownell, Ambrose, Milwaukie, Oregon. 
 
256 APPENDIX 
 
 Bushfield, William G., 1216 N. 14th St., Boise Idaho. 
 
 Campbell, Walter J., 278 Remsen St., Cohoes, New York. 
 
 Clevenger, Thomas R., Winchester, Indiana. 
 
 Crandall, Hector, 604 Tennyson Ave., Palo Alto, California. 
 
 Crandall, J. Stewart, 46 Sprague St., Maiden, Massachusetts. 
 
 David, Joseph, 54 Terrace St., Muskegon, Michigan. 
 
 Driver, Herschel L., 720 E. Burnside St., Portland, Oregon. 
 
 Drummond, Paul A., 2003 Farmers Bank Bldg., Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Drummond, Scott E., Fargo, North Dakota. 
 
 Hampton, George, Nevada City, California, 
 
 Hubbard, Bela, Woods Hole, Massachusetts. 
 
 Kemman, Hugo A., Lowden, Iowa. 
 
 Kemper, Darwin R., Hamilton Hotel, St. Louis, Missouri. 
 
 Kittleman, Samuel W., 151 N. Tejon St., Colorado Springs, Colorado. 
 
 Koester, Fred A., 425 Elwood Ave., Oakland, California. 
 
 Leue, Conrad F., 416 Evans Bldg., Washington, D. C. 
 
 Luscombe, Carl B., 407 W. D St., Joplin, Missouri. 
 
 May, Louis A., 1313 Sumter St., Columbia, South Carolina. 
 
 ObGrlG£is Cli©st©r S. 
 
 Pate, Maurice, 2053 Clermont St., Denver, Colorado. 
 
 Patterson, Walter H., Lime Rock, Connecticut. 
 
 Perkins, Rupert G., 138 Prospect St., Berlin, New Hampshire. 
 
 Powell, Arthur E., Ill W 5th St., Ottawa, Kansas. 
 
 Roberts, Walter E., 575 Mulberry St., Portland, Oregon. 
 
 Sessions, Herbert F., 1005 Kelly St., Portland, Oregon. 
 
 Smith, Frederick E., Bucks Hill, Waterbury, Connecticut. 
 
 Smith, Merril J., Carsadaga, New York, 
 
 Smith, Thomas W., Ill W. 25th St., Wilmington, Delaware. 
 
 Smyth, Janes J., Cheyenne, Wyoming. 
 
 Sully, Kenneth M., Santa Rita, New Mexico. 
 
 Thompson, Chester A., 158 Dana Ave., Albany, New York. 
 
 Woodring, Wendell P., Talmadge, Lancester County, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Wylie, Murray P., 709 Mystic Ave., Canon City, Colorado. 
 
 ROSTER OF FIRST BATTALION, 74TH ENGINEERS, 
 DECEMBER 17, 1918 
 
 Adames, Frederic A., Co, B, 473 Main St., Orange, N. J. 
 
 Adams, Lorin G., Co. C, Easton, Me. 
 
 Adams, August, Co. D, 312 1st St., Peoria, 111. 
 
 Africa, James, Co. D, 114 2nd St., Huntington, Pa. 
 
 Aiello, Thomas M., Co. D, Johnsburg, Pa. „ „ ,, ^ , ^,^ tt* i. 
 
 Aldrich, Benjamin F.. Co. B, 53 W. 4th St., S., Salt Lake City, Utah. 
 
 Alexander, James, Co. D, 8242 Franklin Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. 
 
 Allen, William R., Co. C, Folkston, Ga, 
 
 Allen, Leslie T., Co. A, 10th and Madison Sts., Covington, Ky. 
 
 Allman, Jack S., Co. C, Fairbanks, Alaska. 
 
 Alsing, Alvin A., Co. B, 706 Buena Vista Ave., Alameda, Cal. 
 
 Altfillisch, Charles, Co. E, De Smet, S. D. 
 
 Amadon, Arthur F., Co. E, Bennington, Vt. 
 
 Ames, George R., Co. D, 4037 40th Ave., W., Seattle, Wash. 
 
 Ames, Edgar D., Co. D, 111 N. Gilmore St., Baltimore, Md. 
 
 Ames, George M., Co. E, Mecca, Cal. 
 
 Anderson, Henry W., Co. A, 2423 28th Ave., S., Minneapolis, Minn. 
 
 Anderson, Fred T., Co. B, Crockston, Minn. , _^ , ^ ^ ^ 
 
 Anderson, William J., Co. C, 1320 Howard St., N. W., Washington, D. C. 
 
 Anderson, Paul R., Co. C, 1075 Burr St., St. Paul, Minn. 
 
 Anderson, George H., Co. E, Bennet, Wis. 
 
 Anderson, Gunnar, Co. E, 326 E. 159th St., New York, N. T. 
 
 Anderson, Lawrence B., Co. E, 47 Fredrick St., Portland, Me. 
 
 Andrews, Robert M., Co. D, 1606 State St., Harrisburg, Pa. 
 
 Angell, Guy B., Co. B, N. Scituate, R. L 
 
 Angstadt, Ralph S., Co. C, Y. M. C. A. Bldg., Allentown, Pa. 
 
 Anthony, Roland E., Co. D, 526 Market St., Camden, N. J. 
 
APPENDIX 257 
 
 Arendall, Elbert L., Co. B, Steele, Mo. 
 
 Armitage, Thomas J., Co. C, Wellesley, Mass. 
 
 Armstrong, Ernest R., Co. C, 351 Bates Ave., St. Paul, Minn. 
 
 Ash, John H., Co. B, R. R. No. 3, Piqua, Ohio. 
 
 Atchison, Edward M., Co. B, 2502 Asby Ave., Berkeley, Cal. 
 
 Austin, George L., Co. A, Bellefonte, Pa. 
 
 Ayers, Leonard F., Co. C, 103 Arsenal St., Watertown, N. Y. 
 
 Bachman, Stanley A., Co. D, 1122 Wheatland Ave., Lancaster, Pa. 
 
 Backherms, Louis E., Co. E, 1026 W. Liberty St., Cincinnati, Ohio. 
 
 Badger, Chester, Co. D, 905 LaFayette St., Bridgeport, Conn. 
 
 Baer, Harry B., Co. B, Menges Mills, Pa. 
 
 Bagley, Floyd A., Co. C, Yarmouthville, Me. 
 
 j3aglin, Fred, Co. B, 122 Eastbourne Road, Darlington, Durham, Eng. 
 
 Baker, Robert R., Co. A, 77 Chestnut S€., Rutherford, N. J. 
 
 Baker, Perly A., Co. A, Caddia, Colo. 
 
 Baker, William H., Co. B, Deans, N. J. 
 
 Balch, Thomas E., Co. A, Oakland, Cal. 
 
 Baldwin, Angelo L., Co. A, 821 17th St., San Diego, Cal. 
 
 Baldwin, John C, Co. B, Garden City, Long Island. 
 
 Bendemer, William E., Co. C, 806 Hoyt Ave., Saginaw, Mich. 
 
 Bardwell, Vernon L., Co. B, 17 Holyoke, Belchertown, Mass. 
 
 Barnard, George M., Co. B, 545 Harrison Ave., Clifton Heights, Pa. 
 
 Barnard, Harvey A., Co. A, Alta, Iowa. 
 
 Barnett, Bryan W., Co. C, Jewell Ridge, Va. 
 
 Barney, Willis H., Co. D, 517 Messena. Syracuse, N. Y. 
 
 Barracto, Vincenzo, Co. C, 660 Balto. St., Baltimore, Md. 
 
 Barrick, Ralph E., Co. B, Cornwallis, Ore. 
 
 Barry, Floyd H., Co. D, 323 E. Main St., Battle Creek, Mich. 
 
 Barry, Jack, Co. C, 335 Irene St., Cripple Creek, Colo. 
 
 Baas, Edgar M., Co. C, 1010 Linton St., Johnstown, Pa. 
 
 Eastian, Leonard, Co. D, Chance, S. D. 
 
 Beaver, Edgar E., Co. B, 1010 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles, Cal. 
 
 Beck, Tina W., Co. C, Buhl, Idaho. 
 
 Beebe, Clifford, Co. D, 119 N. Main St., Manchester, Conn. 
 
 Beebe, Richard J., Co. A, White Oaks Road, Williamstown, Mass. 
 
 Bpebe, Gerald T., Co. D, 410 Meldrum Ave., Detroit, Mich. 
 
 Beech, Charles L., Co. A, 239 Main St., Stockton, Cal. 
 
 Bell, Henry S., Co. C, 2707 W. Houston St., San Antonio, Texas. 
 
 Bell, Frank V., Co. C, 38 Maple St., St. Catherines, Ont. 
 
 Bell, Frank L., Co. D, Lakeside, Mich. 
 
 Bender, George P., Co. D, 654 Hatch Ave., Woodhaven, L. I., N. Y. 
 
 Bender, John L., Co. D, 574 W. 176th St., New York, N. Y. 
 
 Benedetti, P.aris, Co. E, Lovelocks, Nevada. 
 
 Bengel, Arthur M., Co. C, 2608 Altmont Blvd., Spokane, Wash. 
 
 Benjamin, Clifford B., Co. E, 384 N. Walnut St., East Orange, N. J. 
 
 Bennett, Sidney H., Co. E, 2911 Market St., Wilmington, Del. 
 
 Bently, Gilbert E., Co. A, Corydon, Pa. 
 
 Benton, Carroll R., Co. B, 356 Belmont St., Manchester, N. H. 
 
 Bentzen, Aage C, Co. C, 453 8th Ave., Troy N. Y. 
 
 Berg, Herbert B., Co. C, 501 34th Ave S., Minneapolis, Minn. 
 
 Berkenblit, Morris, Co. D, 874 Longwood Ave., Bronx, N. Y. 
 
 Berry, James C, Co. C, 2629 B St., Selma, Cal. 
 
 Berry, Fern, Co. A, 1008 S. Helen St., Sioux City, Iowa. 
 
 Betancourt, Manuel, Co. E, 337 E. 137th St., New York, N. Y. 
 
 Biddle, Roy W. G., Co. B, 2132 Wilson Ave., Pittsburg, Pa. 
 
 Billings, Lavon, Co. A, Duchesne, Utah. 
 
 Bjeike, Olaf E., Co. D, Jamestown, N. D. 
 
 Blackwood, Gilbert A., Co. B, Columbus, Ind. 
 
 Bland, Thomas G., Co. D, New Castle, Ind. 
 
 Blissett, Leroy F., Co. A, R. F. D. No. 1, Rapid City, Kalkoska, Mich. 
 
 Blitch, Owen M., Co. D, 1502 N. Baylen, Pensacola, Ala. 
 
 Blomberg, Charles H., Co. A, 488 Classon Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y. 
 
 Bogart, John, Co. C, 553 58th St., Brooklyn, N. Y. 
 
 Bolin, William A., Co. C, 17 New St., Pittston, Pa. 
 
 Bolingbroke, George H., Co. A, 305 9th St., Jersey City, N. J. 
 
 Bonora, Joseph, Co. C, 765 41st St., Brooklyn, N. Y. 
 
258 APPENDIX 
 
 Born, George E., Co. E, 516 S. Highland Ave., Pittsburg, Pa. 
 
 Bosh, Joseph H., Co. A, 224 Cairon St., Pittsburg, Pa. 
 
 Boss, Samuel, Co. B, 702 East St., Harrisburg, Pa. 
 
 Boswell, Glenn C, Co. A, 331 Micheltorena St., Santa Barbara, Cal. 
 
 Boznu, Albert H., Co. E, 419 W. Superior St., Duluth, Minn. 
 
 Bradshaw, Richard E., Co. B, Box 376, Portland, Ore. 
 
 Bradshaw, Donald, Co. C, Amadar, Cal. 
 
 Braithwaite, Willis E., Co. A, West Jefferson, Ohio. 
 
 Bray, Samuel E., Co. B, Junville, Tenn. 
 
 Brecht, Herbert H., Co. B, 409 E. Boulevard, Charlotte, N. C. 
 
 Brennan, Edward A., Co. D, 181 12th Ave., Long Island City, N. Y. 
 
 Breshears, Arnold J., Co. B, 1004 Albany St., Caldwell, Idaho. 
 
 Breshears, Howard R., Co. B, 1004 Albany St., Caldwell, Idaho. 
 
 Brett, James E., Co. E, 609 Jefferson St., Minneapolis, Minn. 
 
 Bridges, Richard J., Co. B, 890 Lookout Drive, Los Angeles, Cal. 
 
 Briggs, William H., Co. A, N. Morning St., Delphas, Ohio. 
 
 Britt, Lloyd J., Co. C, Jamestown, N. D. 
 
 Brizendine, Charles, Co. D, 915 1st Ave., Roanoke, Val. 
 
 Brislawn, Ferdinand L., Co. D, Sprague, Washington. 
 
 Brosky, Sylvester, Co. E, 1534 S. Newkirk St., Philadelphia, Pa. 
 
 Brown, Henry G., Co. E, 416 Hermit St. Rex., Philadelphia, Pa. 
 
 Brown, Eyler, Co. B, 1390 Emerald St., Eugene, Ore. 
 
 Brown, Joseph J., Co. C, 1443 North Ave., Bridgeport, Conn. 
 
 Brown, Andrew J., Co. C, Alabama Ave., Box 12, Washington, D. C. 
 
 Brown, Lercy W., Co. E, 118 S. Uhrich St., Uhrichsville, Ohio. 
 
 Brown, Henry J., Co. D, 3516 "G" St., Philadelphia, Pa. 
 
 Brown, Harry M., Co. D, 92 Wadsworth Ave., New York, N. Y. 
 
 Brownson, Murray A., Co. D, Flint, Mich. 
 
 Brucker, Gilbert, Co. E, 75 Trowbridge Ave., Detroit, Mich. 
 
 Brune, Carleton F., Co. D. 511 Morgan St., Union Hill, N. J. 
 
 Brunswick, Ralph L., Co. B, Detroit, Mich. 
 
 Buchanan, Ira L., Co. D, Yardley, Wash. 
 
 Buckingham, Donald C, 3910 14th Ave., N. E., Seattle, Wash. 
 
 Bullard, Walter E., Co. D, 15 Berwyn St., Chester, Pa. 
 
 Bullock, Harvey R., Co. E, Oxford, N. C. 
 
 Burleson, Rufus C, Co. C, 1529 Basque Blk., Waco, Texas. 
 
 Burns, Robert O., Co. D, 215 Arnold St., New Bedford, Mass. 
 
 Burrall, Harrison D., Co. C, 412 High St., Albuquerque, N. M. 
 
 Burrough, Harry F., Co. A, 80 Grand Ave., Rockville Center, N. Y. 
 
 Butler, Alfred M., Co. C, 3325 Granada Ave., Los Angeles, Cal. 
 
 Butler, Horace L., Co. C, Liberty ville. 111. 
 
 Buxton, Carroll L., Co. D, Gaithersburg, Md. 
 
 Bycroft, Robert W., Co. A, 219 Main St., East Palestine, Ohio. 
 
 Cadle, Fetzer H., Co. B, Williamsburg, Pa., or Baker, Mont. 
 
 Caille, Joe, Co. D, Emporia, Va. 
 
 Cain, David, Co. E, Kascuisbe, Miss. 
 
 Cain, Ernest, Co. A, 11 W. South St., Washington, Ind. 
 
 Calkins, Henry W., Co. D, State St., Hinsdale Cattaranges, N. Y. 
 
 Callahan, Russell H., Co. D, 494 Grove St., Worcester, Mass. 
 
 Calocoff, Sam, Co. D, 1561 E. 33rd St., Los Angeles, Cal. 
 
 Campbell, Donald N., Co. B, 6827 55th Ave., S. E., Portland, Ore. 
 
 Campbell, Ralph C, Co. C, 60 Sherburne Ave., Portsmouth, N. H. 
 
 Campbell, Raymond F., Co. E, 613 Caldwell Ave., Portage, Pa. 
 
 Capasse, Martin J., Co. C, P. O. Box 162, Langatock, Conn. 
 
 Cardwell, Thomas L., Co. B, 512 E. Line St., Lakeland, Fla. 
 
 Carlson, John E., Co. B, 2314 Lincoln Park West, Chicago, 111. 
 
 Carlson, John M., Co. D, R. F. D. No. 2, Fairfield, Conn. 
 
 Carney, George C, Co. D, Frederick, Wis. 
 
 Carpenter, Burt J., Co. D, 357 Liberty St., Ashland, Ore. 
 
 Carr, Marton L., Co. B, 1714 S. Johnson St., Keokuk, Iowa. 
 
 Castruccio, Constantine, Co. D, 605 W. 181st St., New York, N. Y. 
 
 Cavanaugh, Cyril J., Co. B, 105 S. Grant St., Wilkes Barre, Pa. 
 
 Cerceo, Attilio V., Co. A, 110 E St., Washington, D. C. 
 
 Chambers, Allen B., Co. C, 507 Corbett Bldg., Portland, Ore. 
 
 Chamberlain, Ellsi D., Co. C, Milford, Del. 
 
 Chance, Jenner D., Co. B, 719 7th St., Minneapolis, Minn. 
 
APPENDIX 259 
 
 Chandler, Frank O., Co. A, 164 Maple St., Lyon, Mass, 
 
 Chapman, Thomas S., Co. E, 517 S. Boyle St., Los Angeles, Cal. 
 
 Choate, Jay, Co. D and E, Enna, 111. 
 
 Chonko, Joseph E., Co. B, 417 S. 3rd St., Duquesne, Pa. 
 
 Christensen, Anders, Co. C, Kennewick, Wash. 
 
 Christensen, Ernst C., Co. C, Frederickshaven, Denmark. 
 
 Christiansen, Milton, Co. A, Cupertino, Santa Clara Co., Cal. 
 
 Clark, Curt G., Co. A, Flemington, Pa. 
 
 Clark, Edwin C, Co. E, 406 S. Nickel St., Doning, N. M. 
 
 Clark, Orville D, 422 Cherry St., Findlay, Ohio. 
 
 Clarke, McRay, Co. E, Scott City, Kan. 
 
 Clayton, Raymond H., Co. B, Plainville, Conn. 
 
 Clemens, John C, Co. C, Jamestown, N. D. 
 
 Cleveland, Benjamin R., Co. A, Gilmore, Mo. 
 
 Cline, Clarence W., Co. A, 121 E. 34th St., Indianapolis, Ind. 
 
 Cobb, Stanley, Co. B, 516 W. Seneca St., Ithaca, N. Y. 
 
 Coburn, James, Co. B, 91 S. Wabasha St., St. Paul, Minn. 
 
 Colby, Charles C, Co. D, 918 Cherry St., Erie, Pa. 
 
 Colclesser, Richard Y., Co. C, Milton Apts., Altoona, Pa. 
 
 Cole,, Harry E., Co. B, Bloomsburg, Pa. 
 
 Cole, Lawrence G., Co. D, Walpole, N. H. 
 
 Coleman, Thomas C, Co. C, 29 Chandler St., Sommerville, Mass. 
 
 Coles, William C, Co. B, Wheeling, W. Va. 
 
 Colley, Hunter H., Co. B, Jonesborough, Tenn. 
 
 Collins, William J., Co. C, R. F. D. No. 2, Milton, Pa. 
 
 Colt, Howard F., Co. D, 123 W. 80th St., New York, N. Y. 
 
 Comerford, James F., Co. B, R. R. No. 21, Bunkerhill, Ind. 
 
 Cook, Orlan P., Co. B, Clear Lake, S. D. 
 
 Cook, Wesley M., Co. C, 3128 43rd Ave. S., Minneapolis, Minn. 
 
 Cooper, James H., Co. C, 18 Fine St., Roxbury, Mass. 
 
 Copeland, George M., Co. E, R. F. D. No. 10, Madis'on, Ind. 
 
 Costabile, Charles A., Co. E, 1027 Ave. L, Galveston, Texas. 
 
 Cottingham, Ralph R., Co. C, P. O. Box 9, Fremont, III. 
 
 Cotton, Joe E., Co. C, 1663 High St., Denver, Colo. 
 
 Cottrell, Eugene J., Co. A, 49 Seranac Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. 
 
 Cottrell, Shirley G., Co. B, Elderon, Wis. 
 
 Coughlin, John G., Co. C, 56 Larchmont St., Dorchester, Mass. 
 
 Cox, Arthur F., Co. E, 2531 W. Adams St., Chicago, 111. 
 
 Cox, Floyd R., Co. B, Louisville, Nebr. 
 
 Cox, Lyle M., Co. B, Union, Iowa. 
 
 Coyne, Walter J., Co. D, 712 Jeanette St., Parkerburg, W. Va. 
 
 Crabtree, Lonnie M., Co. A, R. F. D. No. 1, Benhams, Vt. 
 
 Crall, Henry C, Co. B, Los Gatos, Cal. 
 
 Crane, Willed S., Co. E, 208 13th St., N. E., Washington, D. C. 
 
 Crawford, James S., Co. D, Box 104, Oakdale, Pa. 
 
 Crocker, Lauchlan M., Co. Hdq., Marstons Mills, Mass. 
 
 Crotty, James A., Co. D, 17 E. Water St., Lewistown, Pa. 
 
 Crowley, Marwood H., Co E, 1233 Oread Ave., Lawrence, Kans. 
 
 Crummack, Oswald, Co. C, 305 E. Robie St., St. Paul, Minn. 
 
 Cullison, William F., Co. B, 424 Zara St., Pittsburg, Pa. 
 
 Cunningham, George M., Co. D, 2536 College Ave., Berkeley, Cal. 
 
 Cunningham, Leonard B., Co. D, Reno, Nevada. 
 
 Cunningham, Thomas, Co. B, 416 2nd St., Peoria, 111. 
 
 Curtis, Earl E., Co. D, 1908 Yale Ave., Knoxville, Tenn. 
 
 Dalgreen, John C, Co. A, 2819 Price Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio. 
 
 Dahlgren, Edwin F., Co. D, 1210 N. P. Ry. Bldg., St. Paul, Minn. 
 
 Dahnke, John F., Co. A, Middletown, Wis. 
 
 Dalzell, Clarence J. Co. D, Sterling, Pa. 
 
 Darb, Richard C, Co. A, Chaffer, Mo. 
 
 Davidson, Robert M., Co. E, Miama Beach, Fla. / 
 
 Davidson, William L., Co. C, Spangler, Pa. 
 
 Davis, Kirke E., Co. O, 75 Maple St., Potsdam, N. Y. 
 
 Davis, Ray N., Co. B, Buhl, Mont. 
 
 Davis, Clyde M., Co. B, Gardenville, Va. , 
 
 Dawson, John L., Co. E, Glenshaw, Pa. 
 
 Dawson, Asa L., Co. A, Lexington, 111. 
 
260 APPENDIX 
 
 Dayton, George J., Co. E., 11 Grotto Court, Wateroliet, N. Y. 
 
 Decker, Peter M., Co. B, Naponock, N. Y. 
 
 DeHaven, Frank, Co. B, Helena, Mont. 
 
 DeLage, Frank, Co. A, 1015 S. Hermitage St., Chicago, 111. 
 
 DeLaittre, Donald D., Co. A, 2919 Bryant Ave., N. Minneapolis, Minn. 
 
 DeLong, Guy W., Co. C, 1404 Florencedale Ave., Youngstown, Ohio. 
 
 DeLong, Harry J., Co. B, 545 E. 134th St., New York, N. Y. 
 
 Demos, Constantinos S., Co. E., 52 W. Gay St., Columbus, Ohio. 
 
 DePetro, Joseph, Co. B, Nashwauk, Minn. 
 
 Depue, Harold V., Co. D, 23 Hatfield Place, Port Richmond, N. Y. 
 
 Dickenson, Clyde, Co. D, 517 Brown St., LaFayette, Ind. 
 
 Dickey, Frank R., Co. A, Linesville, Pa. 
 
 Dickson, Donald M., Co. B, Andes, N. Y. 
 
 Dieter, Frederick D., Co. D, 1124 N. 4th St., Catasuqua, Pa. 
 
 Dolce, Guiseppe, Co. D, Providence, R. I. 
 
 Donaldson, David H. E., Co. D, 204 Rochelle Ave., Wissakickon, Phila- 
 delphia, Pa. 
 
 Donnelly, Harvey P., Co. A, Ft. Shaw, Mont. 
 
 Donovan, Roy A., Co. D, Central City, Nebr. 
 
 Dorr, James- H., Co. A, R. F. D. No. 2, Athens, Ohio. 
 
 Douglass, George L., Co. A, Kimball, Minn. 
 
 Douthitt, Harry, Co. A, 302 Deyo St., Jackson, Mich. 
 
 Dowell, John E., Co. E, Adrian, Mo. 
 
 Dower, Patrick, Co. A, 79 Park Ave., E. Hartford, Conn. 
 
 Downing, Andrew, Co. B, R. R. "E," Box 284, Fresno, Cal. 
 
 Drake, Allen F., Co. B, Whiteman, R. F. D., Mass. 
 
 Draudt, Walter A., Co. D, Mount St. & Central Ave., Columbus, Ohio. 
 
 Droge, William H., Co. D, 63 Christrie, Ridgefield Park, N. J. 
 
 Duby, Ernest, Co. A, 123 E. 120th St., New York, N. Y. 
 
 Duffy, James T., Co. C, R. F. D. No. 2, Shepard, Mich. 
 
 Dumond, Jesse W., Co. B, 17 Elm St., Schenectady, N. Y. 
 
 Dunlop, James W., Co. A, 85 Myrtle Ave., Jersey, N. J. 
 
 Dunlop, William H., Co. E, 507 W. 6th St., Beardstown, 111. 
 
 Durant, Philip S., Co. D, 429 W. Westly St., Wheaton, 111. 
 
 Durkin, Thomas, Co. B, 1646 W. 33rd St., Chicago, 111. 
 
 Easley, Thomas H., Co. B, 7110 Idylwild St., Pittsburg, Pa. 
 
 Eaton, Frank, Co. C, 122 N. 17th St., Richmond, Ind. 
 
 Eckfield, George D., Co. B, Mabton, Wash. 
 
 Eckner, Ivan G., Co. D, 206 Ridge Ave., Butler, Pa. 
 
 Edberg, Wendell E., Co. A, Bellingham, Wash. 
 
 Edele, Fred W., Co. E, 3509 Jacob St., Wheeling, W. Va. 
 
 Edwards, Thomas E., Co. A, R. F. D. No. 5, Spencerville, Ohio. 
 
 Egan, Dennis, Co. E, Green Isle, Minn. 
 
 Elder, Albert L. Co. D, Bel Aton, Md. 
 
 Eldridge, Edward B., Co. A, 26 Shakford St., Eastport, Me. 
 
 Elliott, Milton E., Co. A, Box No. 245, Roselyn, Va. 
 
 Emanuelson, Leslie E., Co. A, Rush City, Minn. 
 
 Emshwiller, Owin B., Co. E, 3301 University Ave., N. E., Minneapolis, 
 Minn. 
 
 Engholm, Samuel J. Co. B, 1299 A St., Hayuard, Cal. 
 
 Eneix, Wyne H., Co. B, Littletown, W. Va. 
 
 Engleman, Earl W., Co. B, 231 N. Fulton Ave., Baltimore, Md. 
 
 English, Samuel V., Co. E, 712 N. Broadway, Brainerd, Minn. 
 
 English, William P., Co. D, 522 N. Main St., Pittston, Pa. 
 
 Epley, John L., Co. A, R. F. D. No. 3, Marion, N. C. 
 
 Erdman, Harold R., Co. E, Petosky, Mich. 
 
 Erskin, Dessie, Co. D, 1251 N. Main St., Frankfort, Ind. 
 
 Estes, Raymond C, Co. A, Moscow, Idaho. 
 
 Estes, Edgar, Co. D, Moscow, Idaho. 
 
 Ettleman, Benjamin, Co. D, 21 Planet St., Providence, R. I. 
 
 Evans, Rawson H., Co. D, 409 Pennsylvania Ave., Bange, Pa. 
 
 Evans, Freddie J. Co. D, 8408 Frankstown Ave., Pittsburg, Pa. 
 
 Evans, Will L., Co. C, 2 N. Elm St., Warren, Ohio. 
 
 Ewell, John G., Co. B, 3210 Ave. P, Galveston, Texas. 
 
 Fallon, John D., Co. C, 3 W. Searight Ave., Uniontown, Pa. 
 
 Faro, Mike, Co. D, Fargo, N. D. 
 
APPENDIX 261 
 
 Feller, John E., Co. A, Metuchen, N. J. 
 
 Ferguson, Thomas L.., Co. D, 319 Cumberland St., Harrisburg, Pa. 
 Ferguson, Vance H., Co. C, 1221 16th St., Rock Island, 111. 
 Finan, Joseph, Co. C, Lopez, Pa. 
 Fisher, Gideon P., Co. E, Culver, Ind. 
 
 Fitzgerald, Emmett J., Co. A, 1663 Carroll Ave., St. Paul, Minn. 
 Fitzharris, John M., Co. A, West Park, Cuyahaga, Ohio. 
 Fitzsimmons, Eugene J., Co. E, 361 11th St., Newark, N. J. 
 Fleming, James A. Co. E, 40 Winton St., Pittsburg, Pa. 
 Flora, Vernon W., Co. B, Harrisburg, Pa. 
 Fobes, Edgar E., Co. B, 99 Main St., Potsdam, N. Y. 
 P'oley, William McK., Co. A, Central Point, Ore. 
 Foley, Howard J., Co. D, 1351 Fisher Ave., Detroit, Mich. 
 Force John D., Co. A, Plainfield, N. J. 
 
 Force, Jonathan, Co. E, Mt. Pleasant Ave., Langston, N. J. 
 Ford, Gregory R., Co. C, Room 30, Central Hotel, Portland, Ore. 
 Foster, Harry W., Co. D, Midland, Ohio. 
 Foster, Percy E., Co. B, 86 Downer Place, Aurora, 111. 
 Fox, George L., Co. Hdq., 45 Colton Ave., Newark, N. Y. 
 Fox, Blake B., Co. A, Rising Sun, Wood County, Ohio. 
 Fox, Jacob U., Co. E, Franklin Furnace, Ohio. 
 Francis, Millard J., Co. D, Greenville, S. C. 
 Frank, John A., Co. E, Delano, Minn. 
 Eraser, John H., Co. B, Parkplace, Ore. 
 
 Frazer, David C, Co. B, 206 E. Dale St., Colorado Springs, Colo. 
 Frederiksen, Hans, Co. B, 492 7th Ave., N., Troy, N. Y. 
 Freeland, George M., Co. A, 341 Spring St., Cambridge Springs, Pa. 
 Freeman, Andrew Y., Co. D, 231 Central Ave., Fredonia, N. Y. 
 French, Chris C, Co. D, Dillsboro, Ind. 
 
 French, Howard L., Co. B, 32 VanDyke Place, Detroit, Mich. 
 Friend, Alber M., Co. B, Graduate College, Princeton, Pa. 
 Fritts, Bernal V., Co. A, 3315 Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis, Minn. 
 Frost, Alva, Co. D, New Salem, Pa. 
 Fryer, Russel M., Co. D, 27 Poplar Ave., Milton, Pa. 
 Futcher, Arthur J., Co. D, 1942 N. 21st St., Philadelphia, Pa. 
 Gackenbach, Arthur F., Co. A, 1235% Chew St., Allentown, Pa. 
 Gaffney, Joseph F., Co. B, 2316 Grand Ave., New York, N. Y. 
 Gallagher, Vincent A., Co. C, 48 Lark St., Providence, R. I. 
 Gambler, Slocum H., Co. D., Geneva, N. Y. 
 Gant, Ora, Co. A, Chester, 111. 
 Gardner, Charles H., Co. A, Phillips, Wis. 
 Gardner, Hugh E., Co. E, R. R. Nolm, EauClare, Mich. 
 Garis, Leo D., Co. E, 1041 Chicago Ave., Oak Park, 111. 
 Garrison, William L,, Co. C, Sulton, Nebr. 
 Garvey, John J., Co. D, Cambridge, Mass. 
 Garvey, Louis W., Co. D, Elk River, Minn. 
 Gasparri, Agusto, Co. B, 66 Farmington St., Providence, R. I. 
 Geating, William J., Co. D, 1138 Walnut St., Ashland, Pa. 
 Gehauf, Herbert H., Co. A, 31 Grant St., Frostburg, Md. 
 Geiger, Clarence K., Co. A, 588 Showers St., Harrisburg, Pa. 
 Gentile, Domenico, Co. C, 1195 Summit Ave., Jersey City, N. J. 
 Genung, Carroll E., Co. E, 945 S. Antonio Ave., Monica, Cal. 
 German, Milton L., Co. E, 2304 E. Monument St., Baltimore, Md. 
 Gerson, George, Co. D, Tutor Arms Apt, 18th and Couch Sts., Port- 
 land, Ore. 
 Gest, Henry C, Co. D, Portland, Ind. 
 
 Giboney, David S., Co. B, 210 16th St., N.. Great Falls, Mont. 
 Gillies, George, Co. C, West Branch, Mich. 
 Gilmartin, Joseph L., Co. D, 1702 Morris St., Philadelphia, Pa. 
 Glisson, Clarence, Co. D, R. F. D. No. 3, Laurel, Ind. 
 Goerke, Arnold E., Co. A, Watanga, Okla. 
 Goldstein, Joseph, Co. D, Dorchester, Mass. 
 Goodwin, Earl D., Co. D. 
 Gower, William H., Co. B, Stroudsburg, Pa. 
 Goyne, Robert E., Co. C, 200 Center St., Ashland, Pa. 
 Graham, William S., Co. B, 3027 Windsor Ave., Baltimore, Md. 
 
262 APPENDIX 
 
 Grahl, Ollie A., Co. D, R, F. D. No. 3, Fountain City, Tenn. 
 
 Grandjean, Charles H., Co. E, Hancock, Minn. 
 
 Grassman, Herbert S., Co. D, 285 Nostrand Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y. 
 
 Gray, Duane C, Co. A, 216 Moore St., Pittsburg, Pa. 
 
 Gravsle, Charles B., Co. C, Spencerville, Ohio. 
 
 Green, Herbert J., Co. D, 1401 Main St., Niagara Falls, N. Y. 
 
 Gregory, Albert C, Co. D, Sylvia, W. Va. 
 
 Grenier, Linus C, Co. A, 901 Walbridge Ave., Toledo, Ohio. 
 
 Griffin, Elmer E., Co. E, Doniphan, Mo. 
 
 Griffith, Dice W., Co. C, 609 Umatilla Ave., Portland, Ore. 
 
 Griffith, William D. Co. D, 1245 1st St., N. E., Washington, D. C. 
 
 Griffith, William J., Co. D, 3314 37th Ave., S., Seattle, Wash. 
 
 Griley, Horace L., Co. A, 3299 Broadwell St., Cincinnati, Ohio. 
 
 Grimley, John P., Co. A, 43 Searing Ave., Harrison, N. Y. 
 
 Groseclose, Ben I., Co. E, 17 So. Park Ave., Helena, Mont. 
 
 Gross, Jerry G., Co. A, Box 436, Corbin, Ky. 
 
 Grout, Fred W., Co. B, Benudji, Minn. 
 
 Guilfoyle, John J., Co. A, 300 Vz W. 52nd St., New York, N. Y. 
 
 Guptill, Rexford B., Co. B, Brookline, Mass. 
 
 Guyer, Jacob, Co. A, 4310 Raible Ave., Cleveland, Ohio. 
 
 Hackett, Joseph P., Co. A, 326 W. 47th St., New York, N. Y. 
 
 Hadley, Kenneth C, Co. B, 324 Somerville Ave., Somerville, Mass. 
 
 Hagstrora, Leonard J., Co. D, 4520 Xerxes Ave., S. Minneapolis, Minn. 
 
 Hagstrom, Gunnar A., Co. B, 606 E. Lawson St., St. Paul, Minn. 
 
 Hague, Reuben E., Jr., Co. A., 27 W. Quartz St., Butte, Mont. 
 
 Hage, Louis, Co. A, 115 Hubbard St., Crookston, Minn. 
 
 Hall, Arnt C, Co. B, 176 3rd St., San Francisco, Cal. 
 
 Halligan, John J., Co. A, 363 Warren St., Brooklyn, N. Y. 
 
 Hamilton, Harley, Co. B., Manchester, Ohio. 
 
 Hambrock, Robert H., Co. A, 2842 Lafayette St., Ft. Wayne, Ind. 
 
 Handel, Saul, Co. E, 126 13th St., McKeesport, Pa. 
 
 Hansen, Harold, Co. C, 100 Prentice Ave., Detroit, Mich. 
 
 Hanaway, William S., Co. D., Delphi, Ind. 
 
 Hanson, Arthur C, Co. C, Hillsboro, N. D. 
 
 Hart, Vincent S., Co. E, 723 Cushman Ave., Tacoma, Wash. 
 
 Harvey, Floyd Z., Co. E, Highspire, Pa. 
 
 Hardy, Earl L., Co. D, 136 Hillside Ave., Santa Fe, N. M. 
 
 Hart, Lee, Co. D, Cottonwood, Idaho. 
 
 Harreschou, Claude H., Co. C, Seaside, Ore. 
 
 Harrington, Dennis D., Co. C, 1532 6th St., N. E., Minneapolis, Minn. 
 
 Harris, Allyn L., Co. C, 511 1st Ave., West Haven. Conn. 
 
 Hart, William C, Co. C, 751 E. Broadway, Stratford, Conn. 
 
 Hartman, Henry B., Co. C, 1548 Arcadia Court, New Orleans, La. 
 
 Harward, Robert H., Co. B, 1207 Vincent St., Brownwood, Texas. 
 
 Harrison, Donald R., Co. A, 1545 Learnard Ave., Lawrence, Kans. 
 
 Harrington, Robert R., Co. A, Cozad, Nebr. 
 
 Harrington, Robert L., Co. A, Fremsburg, N. Y. 
 
 Haugh, Leo M., Co. D, 117 Mead Ave., Meadville, Pa. 
 
 Hawkins, Robert L., Co. E, 1510 S. 14th Ave., Birmingham, Ala. 
 
 Hays, Harry M., Co. D, 359 N. Montgomery St., Spencer, Ind. 
 
 Hay ward, Don M., Co. C, 266 Court St., Kenne, N. H. 
 
 Hazen, George, Co. C, 66 E. Main St., Port Jervis, N. Y. 
 
 Hazen, Thomas R. H., Co. A, 914 8th Ave., New Brighton, Pa. 
 
 Hedeen, Axel A., Co. E, New Richmond, Wis. 
 
 Heilman, Clyde A., Co. C, 5012 Lemon Grove Ave., Los Angeles, Cal. 
 
 Heineman, Joseph, Co. D, 509 Clover St., Akron, Ohio. 
 
 Herlmer, Wilbur F., Co. E, 716 Bear St., Syracuse, N. Y. 
 
 Hensel, Frederick J., Co. E, Grove City, Ohio. 
 
 Hensler, George H., Co. C, 403 Kirk Ave., Carrick, Pa. 
 
 Herald, Charles R., Co. E, 27 Dean St., Everett, Mass. 
 
 Herchenrider, Franklin M., Co. E, 311 Lincoln Ave., Collingdale, Pa. 
 
 Herkness, Gilbert, Co. A, Meadowbrook, Pa. 
 
 Hess, Richard M., Co. C, Curwensville, Pa. 
 
 Hickman, Wilbur E., Co. A, Brownson, Iowa. 
 
 Hilgedick, Ralph V., Co. B, 2191 Knapp St., St. Paul, Minn. 
 
 Hill, Warren G., Co. D, 504 Dock St., Schuykill, Haven, Pa. 
 
APPENDIX 263 
 
 Hilt, Howard G., Co. B, 412 Welch Ave., Wilmerding, Pa. 
 
 Hinman, Jesse R., Co. B, Astoria, Ore. 
 
 Hinton, Charles W., Co. C, 4217 10th Ave., N. E., Seattle, Wash. 
 
 Hocker, Harry T., Co. B, Rogerville, Cal. 
 
 Hoehl, Leo F., Co. B, 717 N. Post St., Baltimore, Md. 
 
 Hogeland, Edward E., Co. C, Hampton, Iowa. 
 
 Hoist, Anthony, Co. B, 1803 Araphahoe St., Los Angeles, Cal. 
 
 Homan, Herman J., Co. D, 4800 Baltimore Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. 
 
 Homan, Waldo G., Co. B, Payette, Idaho. 
 
 Hopkins, Robert W., Co. B, 3512 Lowell St., Cleveland Pk., Washing- 
 ton, D. C. 
 
 Horner, Robert E., Co. E, Graceville, Minn. 
 
 Horton, Samuel, Co. E, 551 Laurel St., St. Paul, Minn. 
 
 Hosband, Guy S., Co. B, Fleming, Penn 
 
 Houliston, George M., Co. C, E. Aurora, N. Y. 
 
 Howe, George B., Co. D, 6022 82nd St. S. E., Portland, Ore. 
 
 Hubbard, Harvey, Co. O, Kittaning, Pa. 
 
 Huck, Lloyd, Co. D, 1070 E. 31st St., Brooklyn, N. Y. 
 
 Hueffmeier, William F., Co. E, 902 Fauquier Ave., St. Paul, Minn. 
 
 Hughes, Charles A., Co. C, 211 E. 188th St., New York, N. Y. 
 
 Hummel, George G., Co. A, 245 Cherry St., Nangatuck, Conn. 
 
 Hunsinger, Harvey M., Co. B, Tank, Pa. 
 
 Hunter, James R., Co. A, R. R. 2, Woolstook, Iowa. 
 
 Hurst, Harry S., Co. D, Kittaning, Pa. 
 
 Huss, Theodore J., Co. D, Shakopee, Minn. 
 
 Hutchinson, James E., Co. E, 2000 Chew St., Allentown, Pa. 
 
 Hutchinson, George C, Co. B, 2216 Bellefield Ave., Cleveland, Ohio, 
 
 Hutchison, Lyle E., Co. A, 1814 144th St., N. W., Washington, D. C. 
 
 Hyde, Stanley W., Co. D., 1244 Brooklyn Ave., Detroit, Mich. 
 
 Ingram, Forrest W., Co. E, Vermillion, Ind. 
 
 Iverson, Carl, Co. B, Aberdeen, S. D. 
 
 Ives, Clifford G., Co. A, 335 N. Main St., Wallingford, Conn. 
 
 Jacot, Harry L., Jr., Co. D, 93 Stuyvesant Place, New Brighton, L. I. 
 N. Y. 
 
 Jaffe, Samuel A., Co. B, 128 E. Chestnut St., Hazelton, Pa. 
 
 James, William L., Co. E, Ocean View, Del. 
 
 James, Adlai P., Co. B, 4430 N. Campbell Ave., Chicago, III. 
 
 Jameson, Claude, Co. D, R. R. 8, Rochester, Ind, 
 
 Jaynes, Thomas J. Co. B, 74 Wickopee St., Beacon, N. Y. 
 
 Jenkins, Clarence E., Co. B, Sykesville, Md. 
 
 Jessup, Levi S., Co. D., Brim, N. C. 
 
 Jackson, Clyde, Co. C, 250 John St., Aurora, Ind. 
 
 Johnson, Albert T., Co. C, Baldwin, Wis. 
 
 Johnson, Chester A., Co. C, 134 W. University St., Owatomna, Minn. 
 
 Johnson, Dudley H., Co. C, 261 N. Bellevue St., Memphis, Tenn. 
 
 Johnson, Irving, Co. B, 504 W. State St.. Columbus, Ohio. 
 
 Johnson, Irving S., Co. A, 246 Brooklyn Ave., Detroit, Mich. 
 
 Johnson, Oscar A., Co. B, 4050 Fremont, N. Minneapolis, Minn. 
 
 John.«iton, HalS'tead G., Co. C, Coopers Corner, New Rochelle, N. Y. 
 
 Johnston, Hugh, Co. D, 540 Howard Ave., Detroit, Mich. 
 
 Jones, William D., Co. C, 316 W. 19th St., New York, N. Y. 
 
 Jones, Joseph R., Co. C. 440 Cedar St., Jacksonville, Fla. 
 
 Jones, John L., Co. C, 5227 Baltimore Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. 
 
 Jordan, Frank L., Co. A, 2785 18th St., Sacramento, Cal. 
 
 Jordan, Joseph R., Co. B, 3341 2nd Ave., Columbus, Ga. 
 
 Joyce, Robert H., Co. B, 824 N. Ringold St., Philadelphia, Pa. 
 
 Ksegi, Henry Co. C, 499 Spring St., West Hoboken, N. J. 
 
 Kane, Joseph A., Co. A, Cambridge, N. Y. 
 
 Kappeller, Joseph, Co. E, Watertown, Minn. 
 
 Kasten, Harry F., Co. E, 619 10th Ave., Milwaukee, Wis. 
 
 Kauffman, Eldsworth R., Co. A, Strausstown, Pa. 
 
 Keenan, James, Jr., Co. B, 3928 N. Marshall St., Philadelphia, Pa. 
 
 Keitel, Charles R., Co. B, Kings Park, L. I., N. Y. 
 
 Keith, Douglas L., Co. C, Tracer, Iowa. 
 
 Keller, Ralph W., Co. B, Edwall, Wash. 
 
 Kelly, Aloysius E., Co. E, 1507 Vine St., La Crosse, Wis. 
 
264 APPENDIX 
 
 Kellev, James P., Co. B, 104 Pleasant St., Dorchester, Mass. 
 
 Kelly", Joseph M., Co. B, 455 William St., Bridgeport, Conn. 
 
 Kelly, Leo F., Co. B, 1489 Arlington Ave., St. Louis, Mo. 
 
 Kendall, Raymond H., Co. B, Sterling, Mass. 
 
 Kennedy, Charles M., Co. B, 1836 Marvin St., Philadelphia, Pa. 
 
 Keough, John M., Co. E, 14 Adams St.. Lynn, Mass. 
 
 King, William R., Co. D, Pittsfield, Mass. 
 
 King, Phillip M., Co. A, 242 W. Church St., Dockhave, Pa. 
 
 Kirwin, John F., Co. D, 374 Belleville Ave., New^ark, N. J. 
 
 Knowles, Edward R., Co. C, 229 S. 3rd Ave., Jamestown, N. D. 
 
 Koch, William F., Co. D, 354 12th Ave., Long Island City. N. Y. 
 
 Koezowoski, Stanley A., Co. E, 84 S. 15th St., Pittsburgh, Pa. 
 
 Koering, Eustachius W., Co. D, Crystal Ave., Vineland, N. J. 
 
 Konen, John J., Co. B, 231 22nd St., Detroit, Mich. 
 
 Kongshej, Christian P., Co. D, 611 S. Clinton St., Iowa City, Iowa. 
 
 Krauskopf, Truman F., Co. D, 715 Mt. Vernon Place, Washington, D. C. 
 
 Kraut, Samuel S., Co. A, 66 Ave. "D," New York, N. Y. 
 
 Krems, Walter F., Co. E, Beardstown, 111. 
 
 Kroguls'ki, Edward J., Co. D. 
 
 Krohn, William J., Co. D, 1734 S. 18th St., Philadelphia, Pa. 
 
 Kuhl, Ben F., Co. D, 423 S. Euclid Ave., Dayton, Ohio. 
 
 Kullorstrand, Rudolph M., Co. D, 10726 Church St., Chicago, 111. 
 
 Kuranyske, John, Co. B, 225 Hennie St., Rippon, Wis. 
 
 Kyes, John M., Co. B, Route "A," Box 7, Modesta, Cal. 
 
 Labaree, John R., Co. C, Milford St., West Medway, Mass. 
 
 Lacy, Ilbert O., Co. C, 715 Pearl St., Camden, N. J. 
 
 Ladshaw, Thomas G., Co. C, 142 Pine St., Spartanburg, S. C. 
 
 Lahey, Andrew C, Co. D, Kearney, Nebr. 
 
 Laks, Herman, Co. B, 787 Quincy St., Brooklyn, N. Y. 
 
 Lampwright, Harold E., Co. A, Algona, Iowa. 
 
 Lancelloti, Luigi, Co. D, 585 16th St., West New York, N. Y. 
 
 Landgren, Harry O., Co. D, 144 Cook St., Waterbury, Conn, 
 
 Lane, Harry A., Co. E, 1002 17th St., Rock Island, 111. 
 
 Lauer, Edward W., Co. C, Alturas Modock Co., Cal. 
 
 Layman, Oliver W., Co. B, 255 University Terrace, Reno, Nev. 
 
 Lesch, George F., Co. B, 513 Liberty St., Rockland, Mas-s. 
 
 Leahy, Robert C, Co. D, 283 Maine, Keene, N. H. 
 
 LeDuke, Leon, Co. E, Kankakee, 111. 
 
 Lessch, Orville, Co. B, 1405 N. Lake Ave., Seattle, Wash. 
 
 Leibow, Samuel, Co. B, 702 E. 176th St., New York, N. Y. 
 
 Leitch, Ernest, Co. A, Natl. Boulevard, Fredericksburg, Va. 
 
 Levine, Samuel, Co. D, 239 Ellston St., Cambrdige, Mass. 
 
 Lewis, Earl L., Co. C, West Elizabeth, Pa. 
 
 Lichtenstein, Harry R.. Co. B, 68 W. 113th St., New York, N. Y. 
 
 Linck. Judson K., Co. C, 986 Vine St., Williamsport, Pa. 
 
 Linehan, James A., Co. D, 68 Morningside Ave., Yonkers, N. Y. 
 
 Ling, Frank T., Co. A, Pine City, Minn. 
 
 Linn Lewis F., Co. D, Benton Ferry, W. Va. 
 
 Litchfield, Rufus E., Co. D, Sneffels, Colo. 
 
 Little, Hubert W., Co. B, McMinnville, Ore. 
 
 Lockney, Laurence, Co. E, Alamogordo, N. M. 
 
 Lockwood, Thomas F., Jr., Co. B, Columbus, Ga. 
 
 Loebbaka, Martin, Co. A, 2030 Prall St., Evanston, III. 
 
 Loftu9, Thomas H., Co. B, 607 Lafayette Ave., S. E., Grand Rapids, 
 
 Mich. 
 Lohr, Jacob D., Co. D, Stayestown, Pa. 
 
 Longacre, Myron Y., Co. C, Pleasant Hill, Cass County, Mo. 
 Longfellow, Russel H., Co. E., 305 San Jose Ave., San Francisco, Cal. 
 Louder, Ralph R., Co. E, Bradley, 111. 
 
 Lovett, James D., Co. C, 212 S. Lead Ave., Deming, N. M. 
 Low, Frederick V., Co. C, 259 Iglehart Ave., St. Paul, Minn. 
 Luce, Robert W., Co. E, 60 Catherine St., Stratford, Conn. 
 Lummus, Franklin H., Co. E, 26 Ponce De Leon Ave., Atlanta, Ga. 
 Lungren, Charles H., Co. B, 230 Rutgers Ave., Swarthmore, Pa. 
 Luse, William J., Co. A, Greeley, Neb. 
 Lustgarten, Jacob H., Co. D, 168 Lennox Ave., New York, N. Y. 
 
APPENDIX 265 
 
 Lutz, Clarence J., Co. A, 62 Parksdale Terrace, Rochester, N, Y. 
 
 Lynn, Henderson, Co. B, R. F. D. No. 1, Grindstone, Pa. 
 
 Lyon, Charles D., Co. D, 1206 N. 21st St., Superior, Wis. 
 
 Lyster, Roy E., Co. A, 1331 Prospect St., Indianapolis, Ind. 
 
 MacBoyle, Clarence F., Co. E, 3433 Ridgeway St., Pittsburg, Pa. 
 
 McCabe, Harry E., Co. B. 155 Audubon Arc, New York, N. Y. 
 
 MaCallum, George E., Co. C, Council, Idaho. 
 
 McCarthy, J. A., Co. D, 75 Judge St., Elmhurst, L. I., N. Y. 
 
 McCauley, Thomas, Co. B, 2538 N. 3rd St., Philadelphia, Pa. 
 
 McClain, Gerald, Co. E, Shafter, Cal. 
 
 McClung, George L., Co. A, 211 E. 6th St., Mt. Carmel, 111. 
 
 McCooley, William J., Co. C, 3836 N. 6th St., Philadelphia, Pa. 
 
 McCuliough, Hugh F., Co. B, 1040 Leavenworth St., San Francisco, Cal. 
 
 McDonald, Edward E., Co. A, 7703 Westmoreland Ave., Swissvale, Pa. 
 
 McDonald, Leo R., Co. C, 20 Rawstone Road, Roslindale, Boston, Mas9. 
 
 McDonald, Howard A., Co. C, 906 E. 28th St., Los Angeles, Cal. 
 
 McFetridge, William F., Co. E, Catasauqua, Pa. 
 
 McGaffick, Edward F., Co. D, R. F. D. No. 1, Warren, Pa. 
 
 McGavern, Joseph P. T., Co. D, 3 Callhahn Park, Rochester, N. Y. 
 
 McGovern, Thomas J., Co. B, 914 Buttonwood St., Bethlehem, Pa. 
 
 McGrath, William A., Co. A, 604 N. Monroe St., Streator, 111. 
 
 McGraw, Eugene I., Co. B, 3981 Fruitville, Ave., Oakland, Cal. 
 
 McGuire, Leo J., Co. C, 112 S. 9th St., Newark, N. J. 
 
 Mclntire, Albert T., Co. D, 1040 Emerson St., Pasadena, Cal. 
 
 Mcintosh, Robert R., Co. C, 96 Marshall St., Battle Creek, Mich. 
 
 McKenzie, Floyd R., Co. E, Pinconning, Mich. 
 
 McKinley, Charles T., Co. D, 1120 Banks Ave., Superior, Wis. 
 
 McLeod, John, Co. E, Harlan, Ky. 
 
 McMahon, Thomas J., Co. A, 9 LaFayette Ave., Ossining, N. Y. 
 
 McMillan, Willis G., Co. E, 419 E. Church St., Santa Maria, Cal. 
 
 McNerney, Charles H., Co. C, 4104 Aldrich Ave., S., Minneapolis, Minn. 
 
 McSwain, Clarence, Co. A, Box 895, St. Augustine, Fla. 
 
 McSwain, Norman, Co. B, 62 Union St., Bridgewater, Mass. 
 
 Madden, Wayne H., Co. C, Rock Hill Furnace, Pa. 
 
 Mahoney, John, Co. A, 115 W. Hugbett St., Iron Mountain, Mich. 
 
 Mallett, Edward T., Co. A, R. F. D. 4, Veedersburg, Ind. 
 
 Maloney, Louis B., Co. B, 375 Marilla St., Buffalo, N. Y. 
 
 Marbut, Thomas F., Co. B, 3140 Harrison St., Kansas City, Mo. 
 
 Marcello, Vincent, Co. E, 5th St., Ellwood City, Pa. 
 
 Marcum, Lawrence E., Co. A, New Augusta, Ind. 
 
 Marks, Alexander A., Co. D, 3619 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. 
 
 Marner, James M., Co. A, 110 Diamond St., Pittsburg, Pa. 
 
 Marr, Ralph C, Co. B, 3245 Irving Ave., S., Minneapolis, Minn. 
 
 Martinek, Louis, Co. C, New Hampton, la. 
 
 Martinson, Victor F., Co. E, Winthrop, Minn. 
 
 Mason, Charles E., Co. D, Metacon Ave., Warren, R. I. 
 
 Max, Arthur C, Co. E, 526 S. Plane St., Burlington, la. 
 
 Maxwell, John J., Co. C, Fairfax, Minn. 
 
 Mayers, Victor A., Co. B, Brooklyn, N, Y. 
 
 Mayo, Sheldon S., Co. B, 32 Granite St., Glocester, Mass. 
 
 Meador, Harry W., Co. D, Norton, Va. 
 
 Meagher, Thomas F., Co. D, Grindstone, Pa. 
 
 Meegan, John B., Co. E, 81 Highland Ave., Naugatuck, Conn. 
 
 Meek, James L., Co. B, Orient, S. D. 
 
 Meissner, George F. W., Co. B, 116 E. Polk St., Corona, L. I., N. Y. 
 
 Melby, Sam, Co. D, R. R. 1, Bowlus, Minn. 
 
 Michaels, Henry, Co. A, 1893 Vyse Ave., Bronx, N. Y. 
 
 Michaud, Sidney A., Co. E, White Bear Lake, Minn. 
 
 Michels, James P., Co. B, 1901 Division St., Oregon City, Ore. 
 
 Miller, Thomas L., Co. B, Bostwick Hotel, Tacoma, Wash. 
 
 Miller, Robert B., Co. B, 115 Crystal St.. Brooklyn, N. Y. 
 
 Miller, Jesse J., Co. B, Hodgeville, Ky. 
 
 Miller, Francis A., Co. B, South Heart, N. D. 
 
 Miller, Joseph S., Co. C, 229 Hoffman Ave., Oil City, Pa. 
 
 Miller, Gustavus S., Co. C, 2609 M. St., Sacramento, Cal. 
 
 Miller, Henry E., Co. D, Washington, D. C. 
 
266 APPENDIX 
 
 Miller, Clarence D., Co. E, LaPorte City, la. 
 
 Miller, Bert T., Co. E, 401 Park Ave., Bimidji, Minn, 
 
 Miller, Alfred R., Co. A, 913 Center St., Easton, Pa. 
 
 Milliron, Milton E., Co. A Falls Creek, Pa. 
 
 Mills, Chester A., Co. D, R. F. D. 6, Fowler, Ind. 
 
 Mincer, Andrew W., Co. A, R. F. D. 1, Mars, Pa. 
 
 Mishler, Hubert E., Co. A. 109 E. Monroe St., Goshen, Ind. 
 
 Miskowitz, Julius, Co. D, 616 Garrett St., Philadelphia, Pa. 
 
 Mitchell, William J., Co. D, 10 Rodman St., Fair Haven, Mass. 
 
 Mitchell, Albert E., Co. E, 20 State St., Greenville, Pa. 
 
 Mitra, Dhirendranath, Co. A, 39 E. 31st St., New York, N. Y. 
 
 Mizner, Ralph A., Co. E, Wheatland, Pa. 
 
 Monseth, Sigurd O., Co. E, 2939 N. Colfax St., Minneapolis, Minn. 
 
 Moon, Ralph J., Co. B, Yankton, S. D. 
 
 Moore, William, Co. D, East Portland, Me. 
 
 Moorhouse, Ralph H., Co. E, 48 Marlin St., Canton, 111. 
 
 Morann, William E., Co. B, 109 Hazel St., New Haven, Conn. 
 
 Morgan, John V., Co. B, Boise, Idaho. 
 
 Morgan, Dewey, Co. E, P. O. Box 411, Blytheville, Ark. 
 
 Morris, Leo V., Co. D, R. R. 10, Perry, Idaho. 
 
 Morrison, Eugene F., Co. D, Williams, Ore. 
 
 Mortimore, Roy H., Co. B, Riverton, Iowa. 
 
 Morton, Roy J., Co. C, Jacksonville, N. C. 
 
 Moseley, Edward H., Co. C, 25 Briggs St., Salem, Mass. 
 
 Moxon, Everett W., Co. B, 1010 Mass. Ave., Cambridge, Mass. 
 
 Muhlig, Carl T., Co. C, 1009 5th Ave., N., Great Falls, Mont. 
 
 Mullavey, William J., Co. A, Redstone, N. H. 
 
 Mulligan, Vincent M., Co. E, 15 E. 3rd St., S. Bethlehem, Pa. 
 
 Munyon, Herbert C, 5218 Knox St., Philadelphia, Pa. 
 
 Murphy, Frank P., Co. E, Bartlett, N. H. 
 
 Murray, Melvin, Co. D, 69 S. 11th St., Minneapolis, Minn. 
 
 Murray, John W., Co. B, Galesburg, 111. 
 
 Myers, Walter E., Co. E, 1020 9th St., Washington, D. C. 
 
 Nadeau, Arthur L., Co. C, Jefferson, Mass. 
 
 Napier, Elhannan, Co. E, Hazard, Ky. 
 
 Nave, Floyd, Co. B, 610 8th St., Lewiston, Idaho. 
 
 Neben, Harry W., Co. E, 358 Water St., Clinton, Mass. 
 
 Neblett, Donald E., Co. A, South Hill, Va. 
 
 Neff, Harold E., Co. D, 2nd and Market Sts., Sunburg, Pa. 
 
 Nelson, Anton, Co. A, 1427 Pine Ave., Rocky Ford, Colo. 
 
 Nelson, George H., Co. B, Care George H. Nelson, Minneapolis, Minn. 
 
 Nelson, Carl J., Co. B, 2713 B. Franklin, Minneapolis, Minn. 
 
 Nelson, David T., Co. C, 2302 7th St., N. E., Minneapolis, Minn. 
 
 Nelson, Alfred H., Co. C, 138 Kennelworth Ave., Elmshurst, 111. 
 
 Niewoeher, Leo, Co. A, 7801 Penn. Ave., St. Louis, Mo. 
 
 Nigro, Angelo D., Co. E. 
 
 Norton, Walter H., Co. D, 6952 Normal Ave., Chicago, 111. 
 
 Noska, Clarence E., Co. D, 3211 Park Ave., New York, N. Y. 
 
 Null, Clyde R., Co. B, 227 5th St., Jeanette, Pa. 
 
 Nyberg, Lloyd E., Co. D, 1704 E. 5th St., Duluth, Minn. 
 
 Oakley, Harold F., Co. A, 436 Bunnel St., Bridgeport, Conn. 
 
 Oberst, Charles, Co. C, 80 Beverly St., Newark, N. J. 
 
 O'Boyle, James, Co. D, 435 Ohio Ave., Wheeling, W. Va. 
 
 O'Brien, John E., Co. C, 47 Main St., Appanaugh, R. I. 
 
 O'Dea, Francis, Co. D, 735 High St., Williamsport, Pa. 
 
 Oelze, August H., Co. A, 54 Ravine Ave., Jersey City, N. J. 
 
 Oerding, Harry H., Co. B, Coquille, Ore. 
 
 Oetjen, Doughty C, Co. E, 210 Broad St., Augusta, Ga. 
 
 Oehler, Carl F., Co. D, Wellmas, Minn. 
 
 Ollstedt, Fred T., Co. A, 855 Barry Ave., Chicago, 111. 
 
 Olson, Alvin G., Co. A, 1213 4th Ave., N. Fargo, N. D. 
 
 Olson, Charles E., Co. D, 2616 Pills'bury Ave., Minneapolis, Minn. 
 
 Oman, Walter C, Co. E, 316 20th Ave., S., Minneapolis, Minn. 
 
 Oppenheimer, Henry A., Co. A, 321 W. Grace St., Richmond, Va. 
 
 Oetgen, H. H., Co. A, R. R. No. 3, Beardstown, 111. 
 
 Orcutt, Willard E., Co. A, 1712 Rebecca St., Sioux City, la. 
 
APPENDIX 267 
 
 Osback, Carl W., Co. A, 546 Park Place, Lyndhurst, N. J. 
 
 Ost, Stanley G., Co. A, 316 W. 65th St., New York, N. Y. 
 
 Overdorf, Jay P., Co. E, 731 Napoleon, Johnstown, Pa. 
 
 Oxenford, Bishop A., Co. A, 2 Graham Ave., Metuchen, N. J. 
 
 Paige, Frank L., Co. C, Modesto, Cal. 
 
 Palange, Henry O., Co. A, 212 York St., Jersey City, N. J. 
 
 Palmer, Chester, Co. C, Merridian, Idaho. 
 
 Paolucci, Guiseppe, Co. B, Box P, Midland, W. Va. 
 
 Parker, Harry R., Co. C, 6322 Colby St., Oakland, Cal. 
 
 Parker, Walker L., Co. D, 250 W. Broad St., Burlington, N. J. 
 
 Parker, Walter A., Co. B, Hills'boro, N. D. 
 
 Parker, William S., Co. B, 863 36th St., Oakland, Cal. 
 
 Parks, Fred R., Co. C, 1222 S. Cotton Ave., Detroit, Mich. 
 
 Parsons, Walter E., Co. D, 3860 Walls Road, Baltimore, Md, 
 
 Parsons', Orin, Co. B, 214 Nauticoke St., Union, N. Y. 
 
 Patrick, Samuel L., Co. C, 25 Moultrie St., Charleston, S. C. 
 
 Patrick, Walden W., Co. A, 78 Chestnut St., Dubuque, Iowa. 
 
 Patterson, John L., Co. C, Swarthmore, Pa. 
 
 Paul, Robert E., Co. Hdq., 953 Teuton Ave., New York, N. Y. 
 
 Paul, Edward O., Co. B, 33 Portland Ave., Payton, Ohio. 
 
 Paxton, Carl D., Co. B, Hassan, Okanogan Co., Wash. 
 
 Pearce, Albert, Co. A, 250 Buena Vista, Highland Park, Mich. 
 
 Peattie, Roderick, Co. D, 17 W. 9th St., New York, N. Y. 
 
 Peck, Dewey C, Co. A, Dorance, Kans. 
 
 Pellorin, Arthur, Co. D, 110 Concord St., Manchester, N. H. 
 
 Pelton, Charles W., Co. D, 50 Granite St., Brooklyn, N. Y. 
 
 Penn, Thomas J., Co. C, Abingdon, Va. 
 
 Perry, Jacob W., Co. D, 651 2nd St., N. E., Washington, D. C. 
 
 Peter, Edwin G., Co. B, Box 238 Castleton, N. Y. 
 
 Peterman, Enos E., Co. B, Leola, S. D. 
 
 Peters, Cecil M., Co. A, E. Roaford, Va. 
 
 Peters, Earl W., Co. D, Egypt, Pa. 
 
 Peterson, Clarence W., Co. E, 2420 Chicago Ave., Minneapolis, Minn. 
 
 Peterson, John M., Co. C, Terraville, S. D. 
 
 Peterson, Fred E., Co. B, Laramie, Wyo. 
 
 Pettee, Allen D., Co. B, 7215 Cresham Road, Mt. Amy, Philadelphia, Pa. 
 
 Pettit, Donald F., Co. A, 3212 Federal St., Camden, N. J. 
 
 Pfennig, Clair M., Co. D, 129 Meador St., Bristol, Conn. 
 
 Pfiffner. Clarence F., Co. E, 1920 Jackson St., Dubuque, la. 
 
 Philip, Otto C, Co. D, 53 Herkemer Ave., Detroit, Mich. 
 
 Phillips, Robert G., Co. A, Robinsville, N. C. 
 
 Phillips, Carl H., Co. A, Mescalero, N. M. 
 
 Phillips, Harry T., Co. C, 223 26th St., Lewiston, Idaho. 
 
 Pierce, Harold J., Co. E, 614 Ackerman Ave., Syracuse, N. Y. 
 
 Pierce, James M , Co. E, Descoll, Va. 
 
 Pierce, Clarence E., Co. D, 54 Forsyth Ave., Detroit, Mich. 
 
 Pierce, James F., Co. B, 436 Morris Ave., Elizabeth, N. J. 
 
 Pipes, Austice J., Co. A, Petersburg, Ind. 
 
 Pitts', Charles, Co. A, Bridgeport, Conn. 
 
 Placzek, Joseph J., Co. A, Lesterville, S. D. 
 
 Plumb. John H., Co. C, 427 Church St., N. Adams, Mass. 
 
 Pollock, Robert A., Co. E, 3831 W. VanBuren St., Chicago, 111. 
 
 Potter, William W., Co. Hdq., P. O. Box 13, Farmington, Mich. 
 
 Powell, Elwood L., Co. A, 2549 W. Cumberland St., Philadelphia, Pa. 
 
 Powell, James R., Co. A, R. F. D. 2, Clinton, N. C. 
 
 Pribyl, James W., Co. A, 1621 S. Harding Ave., Chicago, 111. 
 
 Price, Reed L., Co. D, 68 Pastorius St., Philadelphia, Pa. 
 
 Price, David A., Co. C, 1920 Penn. St., Huntington, Pa. 
 
 Preston, Leonard C, Co. B, Dryad, Wash. 
 
 Pruchnicki, William T., Co. A, 183 N. Hohman St., Hammond, Ind. 
 
 Prevedoros, Gust J., Co. B, 529 N. Clark St., Chicago, 111. 
 
 Putnam, Guy D., Co. A, Front Royal, Va. 
 
 Quinn, Martin F., Co. E, Thomson, N. Y. 
 
 Radcliffe, John N., Co. A, Box 114 W. Elizabeth, Pa. 
 
 Raley, Edward C, Co. D, 806 "O" St., N. W., Washington, D. C. 
 
 Ranallo, Pietro, Co. D, 854 Farquer St., Chicago, 111. 
 
268 APPENDIX 
 
 Randolph, Fred A., Co. D, Reedsville, Pa. 
 
 Ransom, Charles J., Co. E, 264 Cottage St., Kingston, Pa. 
 
 Raquet, Borne, Co. D, Arcadia, Ind. 
 
 Ratzel, Louis W,, Co. E, Brookline, Mass. 
 
 Ratzlaff, Carl J., Co. B, Valley City, N. D. 
 
 Raw, Eugene S., Co. B, 78 Chestnut St., Dubuque, Iowa. 
 
 Ray, William L., Co. D, Franklinsville, Ind. 
 
 Raymond, Clare A., Co. C, University Place, Neb. 
 
 Reed, George H., Co. E, R. R. 3, Box 123 Jasper, Okla. 
 
 Reed, Walter, Co. A, 380 N. Main St., Old Town, Me. 
 
 Regan, Clinton W., Co. A, Yorkville, 111. 
 
 Reibly, John H., Co. A, 85 Ridgeview, Pern, Ind. 
 
 Repine, David C, Co. A, 226 17th St., Sharpsburg, Pa. 
 
 Reynolds, William B., Co. A, Weiser, Idaho. 
 
 Rhodes, Benjamin L.., Co. E, Stokes, S. C. 
 
 Richards, George D., Co. E, 1211 N. Alden St., Philadelphia, Pa. 
 
 Richards, Harold M., Co. E, 1238 Neil Ave., Columbus, Ohio. 
 
 Richardson, James R., Co. A, Colgate, Okla. 
 
 Rieger, Julius, Co. D, 1 Poland Court, Arlington, R. I. 
 
 Riley, Vernon W., Co. A, 376 W. 41st Place, Los Angeles, Cal. 
 
 Ring, William E., Co. B, Morris, Minn. 
 
 Rinn, James P. Co. B, 75 Chamber St., Boston, Mass. 
 
 Risk, Harold J., Co. B, Lisbon, N. D. 
 
 Ritchings, Harold E., Co. E, 80 Alexander St., Newark, N. J. 
 
 Ritzman, George D., Co. E, 112 S. 1st St., Shamokin, Pa. 
 
 Rizzi, Michael, Co. E, 743 DeHaven St., Chicago, 111. 
 
 Robb, James M., Co. C, Sheyney, Del. Co., Pa. 
 
 Robba, Giovanni, Co. A, 426 W. 45th St., New York, N. Y. 
 
 Roberson, Charles S., Co. A, 1220 Porter St., Richmond, Va. 
 
 Roberts, Harvey W., Co. D, 1019 Steuben St., Utica, N. Y. 
 
 Roberts, George H., Co. B, 60 Sherbourne Ave., Portsmouth, N. H. 
 
 Robinson, James W., Co. D, 516 16th Ave., McKeesport, Pa. 
 
 Robinson, William R., Co. A, Dickson, Tenn. 
 
 Rock, William, Co. C, 397 Edmund St., St. Paul, Minn. 
 
 Roddy, Ernest M., Co. B, Catawba, S. C. 
 
 Roe, Kenneth C, Co. E, 601 N. Kansas Ave., Marceline, Mo. 
 
 Roethler, Herbert M., Co. E, Ionia, Iowa. 
 
 Rogers, Jamea H., Co. D, 22 Meade St., Orange, N. J. 
 
 Rogers, Marcus J., Co. A, 849 Fairmount Ave., St. Paul, Minn. 
 
 Rohrbach, Harry L., Co. A, 1441 Turner St., Ft. Wayne, Ind. 
 
 Rose, Ronald F., Co. C, 1806^ State St., Boise, Idaho. 
 
 Rose, Edmund G., Co. A, R. F. D. 1, New Iberia, La. 
 
 Ross, John H., Co. Hdq., 29 Hunt St., Newton, Mass. 
 
 Rossean, William H., Co. B, Hamburg, Iowa. 
 
 Rowe, Cecil V., Co. B, 130 N. Main St., Towanda, Pa. 
 
 Rowe, Elmer E., Co. B, 6 Fair St., Oneanta, N. Y. 
 
 Rowland, Emoys, Co. E, McKees Rocks, Pa. 
 
 Rowland, Joseph R., Co. A, 34 E. 15th St., New York, N. Y. 
 
 Royer, Leo, Co. A, R. 6, Memphis, Mo. 
 
 Rucker, Arthur D., Co. A, 108 E. Franklin St., Richmond, Va. 
 
 Ruffner, Charles W., Co. A, 1662 Broadway, Buffalo, N. Y. 
 
 Ruh, Edward C, Co. Hdq., 133 Lynch St., Brooklyn, N. Y. 
 
 Russell, Raymond H., Co. B, Marionville, Mo. 
 
 Russo, Tony, Co. D, 10 Navy St., Brooklyn, N. Y. 
 
 Ryan, Edward J., Co. C, 15 Wyman St., Worcester, Mass. 
 
 Ryan, John A., Co. B, 240 Garden St., San Antonio, Texas. 
 
 Salmon, Edward J., Co. C, Mahoney City, Pa. 
 
 Sampson, Samuel, Co. B, 142 W. 118th St., New York, N. Y. 
 
 Sanborn, Robert H., Co. B, 407 Gaylord Ave., Ludington, Mich. 
 
 Santens, John, Co. D, 609 E. 2nd St., Los Angeles, Cal. 
 
 Saunders, Samuel E., Co. D, Roseland, Va. 
 
 Saurman, Malcolm L., Co. E, 21 Berwich Road, Medford, Mass. 
 
 Sawyer, George H., Co. E, 46 Halleck St., Newark, N. J. 
 
 Sayler, Charlie F., Co. C, Dixie, Wash. 
 
 Schaefer, Charles E., Co. E, 2119 Loth St., Cincinnati, Ohio. 
 
 Schatz, John H., Co. D, 1621 Barth St., Indianapolis, Ind. 
 
APPENDIX 269 
 
 Scherer, Joseph G., Co. B, 61 Manton St., Pittsburg, Pa. 
 
 Schies, Timothy L., Co. B, Juan de Fuca, Wash. 
 
 Schinder, Feador, Co. D, Camp 2, Carney's Pt., N. J. 
 
 Schlauch, Rowland G., Co. Hdq., 1541% Tilghman St., Allentown, Pa. 
 
 Schmenkel, Harry, Co. D, 3129 W. 61st St., Cleveland, Ohio. 
 
 Schmidt, Ivan F., Co. A, 111 14th St., Milwaukee, Wis. 
 
 Schmidt, Walter J., Co. E, 1901 S. 15th St., Burlington, Iowa. 
 
 Schoeh, Edward R., Co. A, 4201 Pine St., Philadelphia, Pa. 
 
 Schramm, Walter H., Co. B, 150 Flood St., Pittsburg, Pa. 
 
 Schreiber, William F., Co. D, Moore St., Hubbard, Ohio. 
 
 Schrepfer, Edward, Co. A, 6055 Rienbars St., Philadelphia, Pa, 
 
 Schroeder, Bert, Co. C, Cottonwood, Idaho. 
 
 Schroeder, Henry J., Co. D, 2401 Cole Ave., Minneapolis, Minn. 
 
 Schuler, Roland P., Co. D, 315 Church St., Kingston, Pa, 
 
 Schulten, William J., Co. D, 529 N. Rodney St., Helena, Mont. 
 
 Schultz, Fred E., Co. E, 2517 James Ave., N., Minneapolis, Minn. 
 
 Schumann, Joseph P., Co. E, Towanda, Pa. 
 
 Schwarm, Harold C, Co. E, 404 Gaston Ave., Farmont, W. Va. 
 
 Scott, William G., Co. A, Castle- Shannon, Pa. 
 
 Scott, Thomas D., Co. A, Fresno, Cal. 
 
 Scott, Alexander, Co. E, Lonaconing, Md. 
 
 Seitz, Harry, Co. Hdq., Glen Rock, Pa. 
 
 Selby, John D., Co. D, R. F. D., Boise, Idaho. 
 
 Seward, Walter A., Co. B, 874 Phalen Ave., St. Paul, Minn. 
 
 Seyter, Oscar, Co. D, 77 Garden~St., Newark, N. J. 
 
 Shaffer, Joe McI., Co. A, New Market, Va. 
 
 Sharman, Thomas A., Co. B, 20 Bleeker St., Jersey City, N. J. 
 
 Shattuck, Edward S., Co. B, 1251 St. Andrews PI., Los Angeles, Cal. 
 
 Shaw, Elmer V., Co. E, Decorah, Iowa. 
 
 Shaw, Roscoe E., Co. A, Garrettsville, Ohio. 
 
 Shearer, Elmer J., Co. E, 234th Ave., L. S., St. Paul, Minn. 
 
 Shelton, Andrew K., Co. E, 1207 5th Ave., Huntington, W. Va. 
 
 Sheeran, Lloyd G., Co. E, 210 North 4th St., Boise, Idaho. 
 
 Sheets, Howard W., Co. D, 521 High St., Williamsport, Va. 
 
 Sheridan, William A., Co. A, North Side, Pittsburg, Pa. 
 
 Shields, Frederick H., Co. D, Daniel, Wyo. 
 
 Shine, Manning T., Co. D, Fulton, Ala. 
 
 Shissler, James H., Co. D, 244 Spruce St., SunLurg, Pa. 
 
 Shoemaker, Walter E., Co. A, 1136 Washington St., Freeland, Pa. 
 
 Shope, Henry A., Co. C, 611 Ann St., Homestead, Pa. 
 
 Shriner, Walter R., Co. A, 1236 Oliver Ave., Indianapolis, Ind. 
 
 Shumaker, Knight, Co. A, Pembina N. D. 
 
 Sibbald, Charles T. A., Co., C, 769 3rd Ave., Troy, N. Y. 
 
 Sibbald, Raymond L., Co. C, 553 Hoosick St., Troy, N. Y. 
 
 Sidenstricker, Ernest, Co. D, Jacksonville, Ohio. 
 
 Siens, Walter R., Co. D, Thief River Falls, Minn. 
 
 Silverstine, Isadora, Co. B, 948 Union Ave., New York, N. Y. 
 
 Simmons, Charles L., Co. C, Rexburg, Idaho. 
 
 Simond, Maurice H., Co. A, 28 Pearl St., Franklin, N. H. 
 
 Simonds, Frank G., Co. D, 7818 Laumer Ave., Cleveland, Ohio. 
 
 Simons, Sprague T., Co. B, Missoula, Mont. 
 
 Simpson, Carl A., Co. E, 2517 11th Ave., S., Minneapolis, Minn. 
 
 Sinclair, Earl T., Co. C, 801 S. 1st St., Stillwater, Minn. 
 
 Skelly, John J. Jr., Co. A, 49 8th Ave., New York, N. Y. 
 
 Skooglum, Oscar, Co. C, 750 Maryland Ave., St. Paul, Minn. 
 
 Slade, Wesley L., Co. B, Pikesville, Md. 
 
 Slaughter, Joseph L., Co. E, Minburn, Iowa. 
 
 Smentkowski, Florian A., Co. A, 3220 Laelede Road, Maplewood, Mo. 
 
 Smith, Bert L., Co. D, Sharpesville, Pa. 
 
 Smith, Hugh C, Co. D, 35 Hazel St., earning, N. Y. 
 
 Smith, Lud L., Co. A, Utica, Ohio. 
 
 Smith, Leroy, Co. A, 1859 Hamilton Blvd., Detroit, Mich. 
 
 Smith, Henry P., Co. A, 8 Nye St., Rockville, Conn. 
 
 Smith, Edward J., Co. B, 32 W. Fulton St., Columbus, Ohio. 
 
 Smith Charles R.. Co. B, 814 Minor Ave., Seattle, Wash. 
 
 Smith, William M., Co. C, 965 Fremont St., St. Paul, Minn. 
 
270 APPENDIX 
 
 Smith, Ralph E., Co. C, 606 Beachly Ave., Meyersdale, Pa. 
 
 Smith, Louis B., Co. C, 483 Delaware Ave., Detroit, Mich. 
 
 Smulowitz, Sol, Co. B, 1969 1st Ave., New York, N. Y. 
 
 Snell, Arthur H., Co. B, 1110 Hamilton St., Houston, Texas. 
 
 Sniker, Leonard W., Co. B, 728 Plum St., St. Paul, Minn. 
 
 Snyder, Glenn G., Co. D, 20 Holiday St.. Oil City, Pa. 
 
 Soderstrom, Edward J., Co. D, 1224 N, Parkside Ave., Chicago, 111. 
 
 Sopezak, Maciej, Co. B, 1253 Nagel St., Hamstramah, Mich. 
 
 Souter, Amonett B., Co. E, Magnolia, Ark. 
 
 Spaett, Morris, Co. D, 1222 Boynton Ave., Bronx, N. Y. 
 
 Speights, Carroll, Co. A, 2705 E. Clay St., Richmond, Va. 
 
 Spurr, Edward B., Co. D, 1755 Park Road, Washington, D. C. 
 
 Stablein, William A., Co. B, Alexandria, Md. 
 
 Stacey, Edwin R., Co. B, Jamaica, L. I., N. Y. 
 
 Stanwood, Byron J., Co. B, Gooding, Idaho. 
 
 Starcher, Alonzo, Co. C, Murray City, Ohio. 
 
 Stebbins, Frank R., Co. B, 2026 G St., Lewiston, Idaho. 
 
 Steele, William F., Co. E, 455 Hayes St., San Francisco, Cal. 
 
 Steffen, Earnest W., Co. E, Grundy Center, la. 
 
 Steinhagen, Rudolph A., Co. D, 2725 State St., Milwaukee, Wis. 
 
 Stemple, Humbert S., Co. E, Meatsville, W. Va. 
 
 Stensnes, Carl O., Co. A, Buffalo Center, Iowa. 
 
 Stephons, Isaac G., Co. A, 416 E. Hugbort St., Norman, Okla. 
 
 Stern, Arthur B., Co. D, 4535 Pine St., Philadelphia, Pa. 
 
 Stevens, William H., Co. D, 1107 Elm St., Decatur, Ind. 
 
 Stevens, John F., Jr., Co. A, 101 W. 11th St., New York, N. Y. 
 
 Stevenson, Robert G., Co. E, 2120 Union St., Brunswick, Ga. 
 
 Stickney, Bernard J., Co. E, 329 9th St., S., Virginia, Minn. 
 
 Stillman, Horace B., Co. E, 137 Grant St., Atlanta, Ga. 
 
 Stimson, Roger C, Co. A, Gorham, Me. 
 
 Stock, Victor J., Co. A, 706 S. 10th St., St. Joseph, Me. 
 
 Stoeffler, Frederick, Co. B, 24 Fenhurs't PI., Richmond, N. Y. 
 
 Stokley, John M., Co. D, 4051 Aspen St., Philadelphia, Pa. 
 
 Stone, Walter E., Co. C, 100 Chestnut St., Kearney, N. J. 
 
 Stone, Ransom, Co. C, 1304 Richardson St., Port Huron, Mich. 
 
 Stone, James A., Co. D, Dallas, Texas. 
 
 Stockey, Emmons B., Co. C, Bonners Ferry, Idaho. 
 
 Storm, William W., Jr., Co. A, 528 W. 23rd St., Oklahoma City, Okla. 
 
 Strane, Archie A., Co. B, Marion, la. 
 
 Streed, Hilding A., Co. B, 209 McKee St., Batavia, 111. 
 
 Strickland, Chas. H., Co. D, 167 W. 231st St., New York, N. Y. 
 
 Strickland, Charles H., Co. C, Kettrell, N. C. 
 
 Strimling, Louis, Co. B, 94 Highland Ave., Minneapolis, Minn. 
 
 Sullivan, Phillip, Co. D, 14 W. Quartz St., Butte, Mont. 
 
 Sullivan, Carlton E., Co. A, Nina, Nevada. 
 
 Sullivan, Daniel C, Co. C, Stillwater, Minn. 
 
 Swain, James O., Co. B, Lizton, Ind. 
 
 Swienkoski, Adam, Co. D, E. Winona, 111. 
 
 Swink, Howard H., Co. A, Franklin, Ohio, 
 
 Sykes, Arthur, Co. C, Uxbridge, Mass. 
 
 Tabor, William H., Co. B, Clermont, Fla. 
 
 Tait, Paul M., Co. D, Billings', Mont. 
 
 Talbot, William H., Co. C, 19 Orchard Place, Greenwich, Conn. 
 
 Talbot, Larcy W., Co. A, 36 Catherine St., Elizabeth, N. J. 
 
 Tank, Charles W., Co. D, 3102 N. Spalding Ave., Chicago, 111. 
 
 Tarr, Russell S., Co. D, The Knoll, Ithica, N. Y. 
 
 Taylor, William F., Co. C, 2806 Ashland Ave., Indianapolis, Ind. 
 
 Taylor, Everett A., Co. B, Sutton, Neb. 
 
 Taylor, Edwin J., Co. Hdq., Mt. Sterling, Pa. 
 
 Terhume, Chester B., Co. B, Petersburg, 111. 
 
 Terry, Elmer L., Co. C, Plainfield, N. J. 
 
 Terrell, Fred W., Co. B, Poison, Mont. 
 
 Teter, Eldon H., Co. B. 504 Dock St., Schuylkill Haven, Pa. 
 
 Thayer, Charles P., Co. E, North Charlestown, New Hampshire. 
 
 Thomas, Willis, Co. C, Callup, New Mexico. 
 
 Thomas, Elsa J.. Co. B, R. R. No. 1, Payette, Idaho. 
 
APPENDIX 271 
 
 Thompson, Lester S., Co. E, 251 E. Kingsbridge, New York, N. Y, 
 
 Thompson, Roy W., Co. E, Monroe, La. 
 
 Thompson, William J., Co. C, 47 Main St., Quincy, Mass. 
 
 Thompson, Harry F., Co. B, Beaver, Pa. 
 
 Thome, Olaf, Co. B, Litchfield, Minn. 
 
 Thrall, Frederick E., Co. A, R. F. D. No .3, Rockwell, Conn. 
 
 Timmons, Grant E., Co. A, 1135 Creve Court, La Salle, 111. 
 
 Tonsor, Joe R., Co. E. 
 
 Torgerson, Stanley A., Co. C, Hawley, Minn. 
 
 Tortorici, Benedetto, Co. A, 323 E. 60th St., New York, N. Y. 
 
 Trabold, Edmund H., Co. A, 7 N. Jefferson St., Orange, N. J. 
 
 Tracy, Raymond E., Co. B, 504 7th Ave. S., Jamestown, N. D. 
 
 Treanor, Leo M., Co. C, St. Paul, Minn. 
 
 Trimble, Chester B., Co. C, 237 S. Ridge Ave., Idaho Falls, Idaho. 
 
 Trimble, Lowell D., Co. C, 237 So. Ridge Ave., Idaho Falls, Idaho. 
 
 Trimble, William A., Co. B, 2407 N. 30th St., Philadelphia, Pa. 
 
 Tucknor, John H., Co. C, So. Ft. George, British Columbia, Canada. 
 
 Turner, Leo E., Co. A, 108 E. Franklin St., Richmond, Va. 
 
 Turner, Isaac A., Co. E, 217 Genesse St., Auburn, N. Y. 
 
 Tygrette, Barney, Co. D, Kingston, W. Va. 
 
 TJitendaal, Leonardus, Co. A, 37 Kearney St., Patterson, N. J. 
 
 Unsicker, Paul J., Co. B, 2863 Benninghofen Ave., Hamilton, Ohio. 
 
 Vaeth, Jacob, Co. E, 46 19th Ave., Newark, N. J. 
 
 Van der Horck, Max P., Co. C, 3040 Stevens Ave., Minneapolis, Minn. 
 
 Vanderbosch, Edward F., Co. A, 921 14th St., South Bend, Ind. 
 
 Vane, Harold P., Co. C, 129 Austin St., Worcester, Mass. 
 
 Van Houte, Henry, Co. Hdq., Big Timber, Mont. 
 
 Van Name, William M., Co. E, 92 Merserau Ave., Staten Island, N. Y. 
 
 Van Zandt, Charles R., Co. A, 1023 3rd Ave., Longmont, Colo. 
 
 Vanchelet, Laurie J., Co. C, 605 N. Mo. St., Roswell, N. M. 
 
 Vaughn, John N., Co. A. 
 
 Voil, Charles F., Co. C, R. F. D. No. 7, Pittsburg, Pa. 
 
 Vincent, John V., Co. C, 431 Cedar St., Manistee, Mich. 
 
 Voleske, Michael, Co. D, 9923 Reno, Cleveland, Ohio. 
 
 Vo9bury, Clinton T., Co. E, 129 Walnut St., Haddenfield, N. J. 
 
 Walker, Harlan A., Co. B, 673 S. 13th St., East, Salt Lake City, Utah. 
 
 Walker, Robert H., Co. A, Stevensville, Pa. 
 
 Wallace, Abram M. A., Co. A, 169 Manhattan Ave., New York, N. Y. 
 
 Wallace, James, Co. A, Westwood, Cal. 
 
 Wallace, Samuel A., Co. D, 1419 Hollywood Ave., Chicago, III. 
 
 Wallach, Joseph G., Co. D, New York, N. Y. 
 
 Wallar, Henry W., Co. C, 2727 Dupont Ave., S., Minneapolis, Minn. 
 
 Wal9h, Edward A., Co. A, 325 W. 15th St., New York, N. Y. 
 
 Walsh, Milton J., Co. C, 44 Maple St., Oneonta, N. Y. 
 
 Wambheim, Dennis Co. C, Hatton, N. D. 
 
 Wanzer, Horace B., Co. A, 2323 Hearst Ave., Berkeley, Cal. 
 
 Warde, Walter H., Co. C, 279 Chestnut St., East Lynn, Mass, 
 
 Wardrope, Robert H., Co. A, 81 Como Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. 
 
 Warner, Stanley L., Co. B, Utica, Ohio. 
 
 Waara, Elliel A., Co. E, Hancock, Mich. 
 
 Waterfield, John R., Co. A, 101 W. 11th St.. New York, N. Y. 
 
 Waters, Louis H., Co. C, 718 Lincoln Ave., E., Las Vegas, N. M. 
 
 Waters, Gilbert C, Jr., Co. B, 15 Werner Park, Rochester, N. Y. 
 
 Watkins, Joseph S., Co. B, Troutville, Va. 
 
 Watson, Robert H., Co. B, 44 Hancock St., Pawtucket, R. I. 
 
 Wattenburg, J., Co. D, 960 Prospect St., Bronx, N. Y. 
 
 Watt, John U., Co. A, 266 Ralph Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y. 
 
 Watts, Carl, Co. E, 1522 Winifield St., Los Angeles, Cal. 
 
 Weaver, Samuel A., Co. B, 1414 11th St., N. W., Washington, D. C. 
 
 Webb, Percy G., Co. C, Big Timber, Mont. 
 
 Webster, Leslie J., Co. B, 43 Conkey Ave., Rochester, N. Y. 
 
 Wedmore, Dave, Co. D, 409 E. Charles St., Muncie, Ind. 
 
 Weeks, Frank E., Co. D, 7228 39th Ave. S. W., Seattle Wash. 
 
 Weeks, William A., Co. D, 1106 Orchard St., Peekskill, N. Y. 
 
 Weigle, Carl J., Co. E, 1461 Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena, Cal. 
 
 Weinslein, Jacob, Co. E. 
 
272 APPENDIX 
 
 Weir, William J., Co. A, St. Augustine, Fla. 
 
 Weiss, Pierre, Co. D, 5036 44th Ave., S., Seattle, Wash. 
 
 Welch, Joseph E., Co. D, 1341 3rd St., McDonaldton, Pa. 
 
 Weller, Dewey L., Co. A, 1618 W. 2nd St., Marion, Ind. 
 
 Wellman, Robert L., Co. D, 569 Jefferson Ave., Elizabeth, N. J. 
 
 West, Charles E., Co. C, Mankato, Minn. 
 
 Wheeler, Frank L., Co. B, Scotland, S. D. 
 
 Wheeler, Lloyd G., Co. A, 1436 E. King St., York, Pa. 
 
 White, Judd E., Co. D, Dodge City, Kans. 
 
 White, James G., Co. C, Vacaville, Cal. 
 
 White, Samuel O., Co. C, Eustis, Me. 
 
 Whittington, Wesley C, Co. A, 123 W. Moriva St., Sea Isle City, N. J. 
 
 Wible, William C. Co. A, 818 Oakton St., Evanston, 111. 
 
 Wick, Samuel E., Co. D, 90 Eastvirood Place, Buffalo, N. Y. 
 
 Wicks, Sanford P., Co. B, 88 Westervelt Ave., New Brighton, L. I. N. Y. 
 
 Wilcox, Fred B., Co. C, Paris'hville, N. Y. 
 
 Wilde, Clements, Co. A, 116 E. 29th St., New York, N. Y. 
 
 Wilkinson, Harold E., Co. E, 512 Airbrake Ave., Wilmerding, Pa. 
 
 Willard, James E., Jr., Co. A, 700 Morgan St., Knoxville, Tenn, 
 
 Willett, Thomas, Co. E, 36 Main St., Chippewa Falls, Wis. 
 
 Williams, Floria, Co. C, 1932 Vz Parker St., Berkeley, Cal. 
 
 Williams, Luther F., Co. B, 309 Howard Ave., Piedmont, Cal. 
 
 Williams, Walter C, Co. A, Laurinburg, N. C . 
 
 Williams, Harry, Co. E, Goshen, Ohio. 
 
 Willoughby, Bon L., Co. C, 209 Bank St., Dayton, Ohio. 
 
 Wilson, Charles A., Co. B, 509 53rd Ave., Duluth, Minn. 
 
 Wilson, Robert H., Co. B, Filer, Idaho. 
 
 Wilson, Leon H., Co. A, Duning, Nevada. 
 
 Wilson, Ellis B., Co. B, 140 Kent St., Hartford, Conn. 
 
 Wilson, John T., Co. D, Catherine St., McKees Rocks, Pa. 
 
 Withes, Warren, Co. B, 1280 Raymond Ave., St. Paul, Minn. 
 
 Witt, Robert H., Co. A, Witt P. O., Va. 
 
 Witt, Harry M., Co. A, 304 S. Laurel St., Richmond, Va. 
 
 Wolcott, Harry, Co. B, 1339 24th St., Des Moines, la. 
 
 Wolff, Isadore M., Co. A, 49 Hamburg Ave., Patterson, N. J. 
 
 Wolff, Alfred, Co. D, 235 Puritan Ave., Highland Park, Detroit, Mich. 
 
 Wolfinger, Oliver R., Co. C, 6021 12th Ave., N. E., Seattle, Wash. 
 
 Wolcott, Luther A., Co. C, 125 Grand River St., Detroit, Mich. 
 
 Wood, Paul L., Co. B, 49 Dawes St., Springfield, Mass. 
 
 Wood, Wright H., Co. D, American Hotel, E. Main St., Ilion, N. Y. 
 
 Woodford, John F., Co. B, Morrowville, Mo. 
 
 Woodles, Harry S., Co. E, Stockton, Cal. 
 
 Woodruff, John W., Co. E, 1004 Mills St., Kalamazoo, Mich. 
 
 Wratten, Henry J., Co. A, 1436 Park Ave., Racine, Wis. 
 
 Wright, Dupont, Co. A, Goggansville, Ga. 
 
 Wright, Henry H., Co. A, 325 Mt. View St., Pasadena, Cal. 
 
 Wunsch, Edmund G., Co. B, 310 Montana Ave., Morris, Minn. 
 
 Wyman, George L., Co. C, Big Piney, Wyo. 
 
 Wynkoop, Mark P., Co. C, 614 3rd St., Bismarck, N. D. 
 
 Yates, Eugene P., Co. A, Box 304, Concord, N. C. 
 
 Yeager, James" J., Co. C, 88 Jackson St., Trenton, N. J. 
 
 Yellott, Frederick M., Co. C, Reisterstown, Md. 
 
 Youch, George M., Co. D, 704 S. Wilbur St., Sayre, Pa. 
 
 Young, Park E., Co. D, Sherman, N. Y. 
 
 Zartman, Wesley S., Co. C, 17 N. Anthracite St., Shamokin, Pa. 
 
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