New Brunswick, New Jersey, in the world war, 1917-1918, Part 20

Author: Wall, John P. (John Patrick), 1867-
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: New Brunswick, N.J. : S. M. Christie Press
Number of Pages: 246


USA > New Jersey > Middlesex County > New Brunswick > New Brunswick, New Jersey, in the world war, 1917-1918 > Part 20


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maintained for two days and two nights-and these were nights of ceaseless watching and waiting- enemy machine guns were constantly firing and their artillery was never silent always searching out paths, dugouts behind the lines and in the lines themselves. The question of food therefore was a precarious one and during our stay here little food was able to be sent forward to us. We had carried some from our support position when moving forward and we found some in the German dugout and managed to get along on that for the time we were there.


On the evening of Wednesday at dusk a counter attack was launched against the 26th Division on our right extending to our line. Barrage and counter barrage was sent over and for two hours a perfect inferno reigned all around us. The machine guns kept up their sputtering and the crack of the Ger- man rifle was continuous. The attack was repulsed, however, without difficulty. It was evident at this time that the morale of the enemy was at a low ebb, that he was nervous and rattled and was shown particularly Wednesday night by the numerous flares and star shells, they sent up as many as a dozen at a time, being sent up directly in our front.


At 8 o'clock in the morning of the 25th, orders came for our relief, our sector being taken over by the 114th Infantry and in small groups what was left of our Company made its way rearward to the reserve positions. Tired out, sick, exhausted by ceaseless watching and exposure, they moved slowly out.


The happenings of Lieutenant Stover's group were similar to those of the group commanded by Lieu- tenant Smith. The left of the line where this section was located had advanced somewhat slower than the right on account of the deep woods and the final objective was really not gained until the next day. Private Boyd was the first man to suffer a wound in this group. While running a message in the early part of the drive, he was hit in the hand by a piece of shrapnel. In this group several men became lost from their company, some of them attaching them- selves to the 116th Infantry when unable to locate their own organization. Private Kuras while carry- ing ammunition, was surprised by two Germans and taken prisoner. Lieutenant Stover's command made up for the capturing of Duras by taking 12 Boche prisoners. On the first day of the advance Corporal Baschong made the capture single-handed, of two Germans in their machine gun post. For this Cor- poral Baschong, later made Sergeant, received the Divisional Citation. Later in the day what was left of the group surrounded a dugout and made the cap- ture of eight more Boche. On the 2nd day Private Stybens while running a message, took the wrong path and ran into the German lines. He came back quickly on discovering his mistake, but before doing so captured two of the enemy and brought them back


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with him. He also received Divisional Citation.


Just before the company was relieved, Lieutenant Stover was badly wounded in the head and had to be taken to the hospital. This left the group with- out an officer, but nothing serious happened and it was but a short while afterward that the group was withdrawn and taken into its position in reserve.


Besides the wounding of Lieutenant Stover, this section suffered two other casualties. Private Hok- ansin was wounded by a sniper and Private Nistico was killed by a machine gun bullet.


Before darkness set in the company was assembled at its position in reserve. We occupied the same valley we had camped in just before going to the lines. When we first stayed here the place had a gloomy aspect, but this time altho still only a few miles from the front, it resembled a paradise. The scenery was somewhat different, the salvage having been cleaned up and our artillery having been moved in some instances, even further than the valley. At 4 o'clock, a little after we reached the valley, our mess sergeant had a hot meal ready for us. Never was a warm meal more enjoyed as this was our first in almost twenty days. With our meal we were given our mail, plenty for all. Everything went fine in the valley except the news we heard, some of which was hard to hear. We were told of the last casualties just before leaving the front, Privates Nistico and Brynmer, who were killed, and Lieuten- ant Stover, Sergeant Nordhause and Private W. Boyd wounded during the drive.


The story was also received in full of the hard luck of the kitchen and the heroism of Mess Ser- geant Dougherty who had administered first aid to men and horses regardless of his own life during a day when the kitchens were bombarded. Life was in danger in the rear as well as at the front line, as the cooks will verify.


This was proved again by the conditions of some of the kitchens and the small number of horses that were left, saddest of all was the news of the men who had died at the hospital, of which mention has already been made, this however, was when the com- pany first learned of the losses and it could hardly be realized.


It was not until Saturday that the company was sure of not taking another trip to the lines when the Colonel in person told several of the men they had made their last trip to the front line at least, for sometime, he also told them that we would be carried back to our rest area in trucks when we got far enough behind the lines. Except for a few details gathering salvage, practically the whole of Friday and Saturday were spent in getting equipped and cleaned up.


Many of the men were so dirty that they resembled negroes and almost everyone wore a shaggy beard, the famous Meuse River, which flows nearby, was


turned into a dirty and colored stream after the boys of Co. H. completed their scrubbing and cleaning. Much equipment was issued and before we left the valley we looked fit for another "scrap" except for our small personnel.


While in the valley our houses were in shell holes and while not very cheerful or comfortable, they were better than nothing. Occasionally both our artillery and the enemy's opened up but the men were by this time well accustomed to such fun, a few times a few shells dropped close by and except for the gas they gave off causing us to adjust masks, no further attention was paid to them. Sunday morning orders were issued that our hike to the rear would begin that evening, during the morning an aeroplane flew over our heads and dropped a bundle of newspapers (Paris Editions of the New York Herald) and this was the first news of the outside world that we had received in over a month. By 5 o'clock in the afternoon the column was moving, although not far behind the lines, the march led along a fairly good road which for miles was caniou- flaged.


Occasionally a few shells would burst around us, but none came close enough to cause casualties. Several times ruined villages were passed, some of them still receiving the wrath of the Hun who con- tinued to shell them. Powerful search-lights played in the heavens when darkness fell, for the night was one well suited for aeroplane raids.


Once we passed a body of French infantry, who were marching in the opposite direction, evidently on their way to do a "hitch in hell."


By midnight the regiment reached a place called Baleycourt, near Verdun; here the men slept in bar- racks for the remainder of the night with minds at ease. Although still in danger of shell-fire, all felt comparatively safe; at 5 o'clock Monday evening the regiment again took up the hike; it was but a short one and in a few hours reached the barracks at Moulin Brue; from here the regiment boarded motor trucks the next evening.


RESSON


The regiment was not huddled together in insuffi- cient number of trucks. There were plenty, each truck holding nineteen men comfortably and the ride was enjoyed. From 6 o'clock to 10 we covered mile after mile, leaving the front with all its horror far behind and finally arriving at our rest area at Naives, a few kilometers from Bar le Duc.


Part of the regiment was billited here but the second battalion hiked to their billets in the village of Resson. Our quarters were fairly good, although they were of stone, and hay was scarce, however, this was offset by their being clean and large.


The next morning cots were obtained and also ticks with straw and the men were made more com- fortable than they had been since leaving the town


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of Chenebier. Because the regiment was stationed in a rest area did not necessarily mean that the men were to be allowed absolute freedom from drill.


The first two days we had entirely to ourselves during which time some of the members of the com- pany visited Bar le Duc, after that, though, the men began on a schedule of hard drilling, which would prepare them for their next trip to the front. Much time was spent in battalion and regimental maneu- vers and each man was given considerable rifle practice.


Replacement troops arrived shortly after and we began our intensive training and as they were practi- cally new men in the army, they had to learn the fundamentals of soldiering and the art of open war- fare.


Noncoms were made to fill up the vacancies and by the time we were ready to move, the company was once more in good shape, both in personnel and condition even though one-third of the men were "Rookies" a little more than a week previous. November 1st Lieutenant Smith, because of his effi- ciency, received his commission as Captain, and this gave the company the best Captain in the regiment, but it also gave "H" a great boost toward becoming the crack organization of the 113th.


Time passed quickly here and when not drilling the men wrote letters home telling of the recent drive. .. Occasionally the "Y" would furnish movies for the enjoyment of all during the evenings and on Sunday afternoons the band would give concerts in the village, Chaplin Coons also made a few visits and gave us cheering talks on the peace that was soon to come.


Our rest period almost came to an end when on Sunday night, November 10th, orders arrived to the effect that the regiment would pack rolls and move toward the front the next morning, according to un- official rumor were to march four (4) days, covering 22 kilometers a day and finally taking our place on the lines near Metz, not very cheerful we thought, with peace so near at hand. By 5 A. M. Monday morning everyone was astir, packs were rolled, kitchens made ready, billets policed and by 8 o'clock the company was prepared to march.


A few minutes before assembling time, came the order recinding the one of the night before; this changed the aspect of everything and the men were happy to think that no long hike would be made that day; we felt that something of great importance had happened being such an order had to be annulled.


In fact something of the greatest importance had occured, for shortly afterwards, Captain Smith announced that the Armistice, amounting to nothing less than a complete surrender, was signed by Ger- many. Wonderful was the feeling of the men that day; it meant to us that there would be no more hold- ing of the lines, "no more good men going west" or


existing without food for days at a time. The iron hand of the Kaiser was no more, his armies had been broken and were in full retreat all along the entire Western Front since the Americans stemed the great tide at Chateau-Thiery in July, the firm of "Me und Gott" had failed, no wonder the glad rejoic- ings. At Battalion Headquarters flew the Stars and Stripes, the first time in a good many months some of us had seen it.


Monday evening the regiment assembled and cele- brated the signing of the armistice at the town of Naives, a band concert, regimental signing Pyro- technics and speeches by the officers comprised the celebration and there was a gay time all around. The cheering reached its height when the Brigade Commander took the stand and told the men that he commanded the best Brigade in France. By 9 o'clock, the celebration was over and the Companies marched to their billets. That night the men slept with lighter hearts than ever before in France.


The war being over, the rumors about that the regiment was soon to leave the rest area, either to go in the Army of Occupation or to move even further to the rear. True to rumors, orders arrived on Saturday, November 16th which stated that we would begin hiking the next day. It was soon found out that the Division was to move to a different section of the country.


Sunday morning the hike began and after a few hours of marching during which time Colonel Pope inspected us, the battalion reached the town of Sal- mange, where it was billeted for the rest of the day, we stayed in this town two days and on Tuesday night hiked five kilometers to Nancois-Tronville where we were to entrain. After a wait of five hours our long line of box cars appeared and the battalion was crowded in them.


REGNEVELLE


At 5 A. M. Monday, the 20th of November, the train finally left the yards at Nanciso-Tronville and journeyed toward the south, the ride lasted until 7 in the evening the same day, when we arrived at a station called Passavant, in the department of Vosges. From here the battalion proceeded on foot to the village of Martinsville about 4 kilos where Companies E. and F. were billeted and Companies G and H. hiked three kilos further to the little village of Regnevelle. We arrived there about midnight and were at once billited, much to the joy of the men who were cold and very tired.


The Division was destined to remain in this area much longer than it was at first expected. For a while it was not known just when we would depart for the States and because of this the men were very impatient and discontented.


Late in January, 1919, an order from G. H. Q. finally arrived which gave a list of the Divisions and when they would start for the States, the 29th was


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THE WORLD WAR


on the wrong end; we were not to start for home until about the .niddle of June. It was rather disappoint- ing but we made the most of it.


Soon after arriving in the area a new drill schedule was made up. Four hours in the morning were spent in going through various drills and one hour in the afternoon was devoted to athletics.


This schedule was carried out in all kinds of weather and before Winter was over we were able to do squads right in the pouring rain or blinding snow, as the case happened without kicking or crabbing in the least.


Several times a week the battalion performed sham battles and manouvered in the course of which every hill and valley in the vicinity of Regnevelle, was captured.


There was quite some competition between the companies and battalions, especially in the athletics, footbal as the leading sport, during the Winter.


On Thanksgiving Day, Company "H" played Co. G. and defeated them 6 to 0. Later a strong battalion team was formed, the men being picked from the 4 companies, which defeated most every team in the regiment. On February 26th, a final game was play- ed against the 3rd battalion for the championship of the 113th. It was the most exciting scrimmage of the season, and there were many Francs bet by both sides; after an hour of suspense our battalion proved themselves the better team by com- ing out on top, the final score being 6 to 0.


In March the second battalion played the 114th Infantry for the championship of the 57th Brigade. Due to a few very bad plays we were defeated, and football ended for Company H.


Early in December the Division sent its first con- tingent of furlough men to Aix le Bains, a leave area opened by A. E. F. After this there was a steady stream of fellows visiting different parts of France on furloughs, including Nice and Paris and several other noted cities at the expense of the Government.


The furloughs were enjoyed by all who were lucky enough to get them, but on account of the small per- centage allowed from each company, it was impos- sible for everyone to obtain a furlough. Neverthe- less, Captain Smith made it a fair proposition for all the men, and as a result there was very little harranging.


In the evening of the first of March, the Regne- velle Opera made its first appearance. It was com- posed of Company H's best talent and was a success from the start to finish. Under the guidance of Captain Smith, Sergeants Cooley and Dougherty and Private Greenberg, several shows were put on and each was met with approval. Now that Co. H. had its own stage, Captain Smith was able to obtain the shows which traveled on the Divisional circuit and Company H. had a pastime until it left Regnevelle.


On March 24th the entire Division passed in review before the C. in C. General Pershing near Fresnes, The Commander-in-Chief made a personal inspection of each company, asking the men many questions. The colors were decorated by him for the battles in which the regiment participated. After passing in review the General gave a short speech in which he thanked the men for their faithfulness in battle and while waiting to go home. The review was held quite a distance from Regnevelle and because of this, the company was on the march for about three days.


Before leaving the area a six week program in musketry was begun by the Infantry units of the Division. Much time was spent in rifle practice, fire control, etc., A field maneuver competition was held in the Battalion in which company H. came out second.


Much to the suprise of everyone concerned, the Division was transferred into the S. O. S. on April 6, 1919. This meant that Co. H. would soon leave Regnevelle, which it did in five days later. The days preceeding our departure were given over to the cleaning up of Regnevelle.


The little village looked its best when the boys of Company H. left. At 1 P. M. on April 11th, Company H. fell in with full packs and a little later were marching to Passavant. The people were very sorry to see us leave. The soldiers made life pelasant for them. At 5 P. M. the battalion entrained on Ameri- can box cars at Passavant and a little later, the jour- ney to La Mans area began.


After a two days ride, the Company reached the town of Salignau-Sous-Ballon, where they were billit- ed in a splendid old chateau and where baseball and baths became the rule for each day, except for several inspections of an important nature, and which were necessary to fit us for return to the States. Everything was done with a will, however, since each one knew that the trip to America was on in earnest.


Leaving this beautiful spot, the best we had been in France, the Company hiked 13 kilometers and board- ed the train for Saint Nazaire, our port of embarka- tion, arriving there on the 25th of April. Whatever may be said of other embarkation points, it was the concensus of opinion that Saint Nazaire was as nearly perfect as any place of the kind could be- clean, comfortable barracks awaited us and the meals were excellent, while the sanitary conditions were all that could be desired. The final inspections were made, equipment issued and on the 7th of May, our last hike in France from the Camp to our transport was made, and at 4 P. M. all were safely stowed away on a clean, comfortable transport, named the U. S. S. Iowan.


This was our home for the next thirteen days and few regrets were expressed at leaving France. We all felt a good job had been done. We felt we had


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done our share and were glad to be going home. Several stormy days were experienced, but in the main our trip over was a pleasant one and in the early morning of the 20th of May, the dim outlines of America were made out. How our hearts beat with gladness! How proud we were of our country. With what mingled emotions we again returned to our homeland, after an absence of almost a year, and what a year it had been! Full of trials, of suf- fering, of sorrow, of battle and here at last stretch- ing out before us was God's own Country. Surely we though, as we gazed upon the majestic greatness of New York, here was a country worth fighting for, aye worth dying for, better still worth living for.


We went direct from Hoboken to Camp Dix, New Jersey, arriving about 5 o'clock, the 20th of May.


On the 22nd Captain Smith took his leave of the Company, thanking each one for their loyalty and devotion throughout the trying times and pointing to their record as one of which all may be proud.


The Colonel took leave of his regiment in the fol- lowing general order, the last to be issued to us, as part of the 113th, U. S. Infantry.


Headquarters 113th Infantry,


Camp Dix, N. J.


26 May, 1919.


General Orders, No 10.


1. Before the demobilization of the 113th Infan-


try, I desire to give formal expression to my appre- ciation of the splendid work and spirit of the regi- ment and my admiration of and pride in its record, both in action and in camp.


2. No organization in the Division has a finer combat record, none faced greater difficulties, none overcame them with more splendid dash, none held gains with stronger tenacity.


3. The conduct of the men throughout the trying period during which it was my privilege to command the regiment, has exceeded my hopes. I am proud to have served with such an organization.


4. I wish to thank each member of the 113th Infantry for the loyal support given me, as Regi- mental Commander. I feel the whole-hearted pur- pose of every officer and man was to secure the best results from and for his organization as I assure you that such was my sole purpose in any action I have taken.


5. I congratulate you on the honorable record you are taking with you as the result of many months of devoted and trying service and I wish you all the success in future years that such a record deserves.


6. This order will be published to each company of the regiment before demobilization.


CHAS. B. FINLEY, Colonel, 113th Infantry.


LIEUT STOVER GETS TWELVE BOCHE


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JOHNMILDENBERGER WAS TORPEDOED ON THE "COVINGTON "


VINCENT DONAHUE ATTENDING ONE "BELL"


SWEAR


NEILSON DUNHAM TAKING OFF FLESH


WESLEY RASTEL IN" 10 FLAT"


BOXING SHINE VS RYAN


-


7


FOOT BALL!


ENSIGN "SUE JOHNSON "ON THE JOB"


YEP! ALL FOR FIFTYCENTS Rus's


I DON'TBELIEVE AWORD, ITCOST ME MORE


ENSIGN" BILL STRONG ROOTING FOR RUTGERS AFTER THEY BEAT THE NAVAL RESERVES. 1918


BILL KIBBLE


PARK FREEMAN TELLS RUSSELL LONG


GRIFF PARKER TAKES A "BATH


ON SHORE LEAVE


ALL ABOUT


ALGIERS


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BILLSHINE JOINS THE NAVY


.


NEW BRUNSWICK


On the Firing Line


Life in and Out of the Trenches, As Told By a Local Soldier in a Letter


After spending nine days on the Atlantic we arrived at Brest and went to a so-called rest camp for three days, although we didn't get much of it, as we were on all kinds of detail. The one we all wanted to be on was the ration detail, as we always were sure to get eats, as we sure do like to eat.


Here we slept in our dog tents, and while in this camp had nothing but rain. Right then and there I could see that the trip over here wasn't going to be a vacation.


After three days we loaded on those toy trains the French have which have signs on them-40 Hommes, 8 Cheveaux, and started on our way to Vaux, a sta- tion near Chalancey, our training camp.


This trip we made in three days, in which I sure did take in the beautiful scenery. From Vaux to Chalancey it was a 12-mile hike, which was some hike over one mountain after the other. We went through intensive training for about six weeks and then made our way to the reserve trenches. While in the reserve trenches we were getting used to the roaring of the guns, but it really wasn't very noisy, as it was a quiet sector, as we were preparing for the big drive.


We left the reserve, after spending five days there, and went into the support trenches. In the reserve we lived in dugouts and got our first taste of rats crawling over our bodies while we slept, living in the damp, filthy holes. We had one platoon of men in our dugout, and such a lousy dump I never saw in my life. It was full of rats, cooties and flees, and, believe me, the nights down there were only night- mares.


The dugout was a space boarded up on sides and overhead, and supported by props and around the sides were bunks, arranged one above the other. The bunks were merely a frame with a wire screen over to lie on, and if your companion above you would get restless through the night the dirt would fall through the screen on you.


Then we had rats to contend with. Every dough- boy or infantryman carries his ration of hardtack, canned "Willy" and bully beef with him at all times now, and we used the hardtack to put under our heads to lay down on to prevent the rats from eat- ing it. We only received two scanty meals a day in the trenches, and hardtack came in mighty handy pretty often when we got hungry and the conserva-


tion of food was at its zenith. As soon as we dozed off the rats would commence nibbling on the hard- tack, which would waken us, and as soon as you moved they would scamper away.




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