USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > Adams County in the World War : April 6, 1917 to November 11, 1918 > Part 22
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Some of these refugees had a few necessities collected on an old eart which was drawn by a horse or an ox, they were most fortunate. Many had a wheel-barrow load, the majority of these were pushed along by women because the men in the line were so aged and worn that they could assist very little in their flight from the Hun. Sitting by the roadside, we now saw a beautiful young woman pushing a wheel-barrow heavily laden with cloth- ing and other articles, while at the same time she was supporting a very old man on her right, and elinging to her left wrist was a little girl about eight years old, carrying a bundle of clothes and a doll as dusty and dry as she herself. Now appeared an old couple. Each too aged to carry anything, so they moved slowly along, supporting each other as well as they could. Whole families of women and children passed by with expressionless faees. Was the cause of this non-expression the fact that the Hun was swooping down upon their land and possessions, or was it the result of parting from that which the French hold most dear-their land and home? Seeing these people in this posi- tion, who would not be willing to assist them in any manner, by
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any means? What was the appearance of that home from which they were fleeing ?
Attention was then turned toward French troops who began to pass between us and the streaming line of refugees. They were being hurried to the front by truck loads. Various forms of equipment could be seen, various jests were thrown out from some of them, and many begged a cigarette. It was interesting to note some doughboy remarks as these troops moved onward. "Look at 'em, these Frogs ean ride to the front and we Yanks got to walk." Perhaps this one did not like to hike and pre- ferred to ride. "I don't see why our government cannot afford to have trucks here to carry us. These Frenchmen can be hauled." Evidently this man's dignity was injured. "Well, those who travel fastest get there first and maybe they will stop the drive and thus save us. I would just as leave go slow." This man put forth a quieting philosophy. The trueks having passed we took up our packs and started forward. As the day was drawing towards a closing period, so we thought we should be drawing toward the close of the afternoon's hike. Fatigue, hunger and desire for rest overcame the sympathetic feeling for the refugees which possessed the heart earlier in the afternoon.
It was about 6.30 p. m. of the 3rd day of June when we moved into a thick foliaged wood. The shade and coolness of the place was highly appreciated. We pitched tents, then with leaves camouflaged them as well as all wagons and moving vehicles, ate some mess and prepared for a restful night. Darkness had swept over all but a short time when some big guns near by opened fire. Thus was heard our first shot from an allied gun in the World War. Creeping from our tent we stood and piereed about in the darkness, suddenly a flash of fire burst forth in the wood below us, a loud roaring report followed, another flash far to the rear was seen, at the same time a screaming shell was heard overhead, this was followed by the distant boom of the gun. Thus was seen the first flash of fire on a battle line. and for the first time the shriek of a flying shell was heard by us as it sped on its way to strike its blow for democracy.
Oh, the pride, and glory, and satisfaction that one felt for himself at this moment. Something new entered into the very soul system. What it was we could not tell. It kept us awake for some hours watching the flashes and listening to the roar of the guns as they fired during scattered intervals from scattered places. The intensity of the mind and thrill of the heart grad- ually weakened until we thought it advisable to return to our tent. Wondering what damage the shells might be doing to the
2
3
REMAINS OF FLE BRIDGE OVER MAGNE NEAR CHAPE W THISAL
GERMAN
1. GERMAN MACHIINE GUNNER "FINI". 2. FRENCH BOX CARS "40 HOMMES, S CHEVAUX."
3. ONE-TIME BRIDGE AT
CHATEAU-THIERRY. 4. RUINS AT CHATEAU-THIERRY. 5. BOCHE GRAVES.
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enemy lines and wondering what it must be like to be near one bursting in your own line, we fell asleep.
All was quiet until the next morning when the chow whistle sounded. Mess being over, the men spent the morning in clean- ing up and in making necessary preparations to continue moving forward. The night just passed was a night spent on the third line, the coming night found us ocenpying a position on the see- ond line of defense. Nothing of interest attracted our attention until 10 o'clock in the morning of June 5, when we saw an obser- vation balloon slowly rising to the southeast of us, another rose in front, another to our right, and thus they continued until five could be plainly seen.
These high, helpless balloons were easy targets for an enemy plane but were of inestimable value to us, being the eyes of the artillery. Their protection called forth the aeroplanes. So, much time could be idly spent in watching these planes as they maneuvered back and forth across the lines.
Toward evening a very faint hum was heard high in the air. After looking for some time a plane was detected passing from one cloud to the other, ont on the opposite side then into another cloud. Three planes were spotted, hiding behind the clouds in the same manner. Thus we were watching, when suddenly, one turned nose downward and like a rapid bolt from heaven dropped toward the balloon in front of us, just as suddenly as the drop began, so did it end in mid air and the plane came di- rectly toward and on a level with the balloon. The antiaircraft guns opened fire at once. Traces of their bursting shells were noticeable in the little cloud of black smoke each left suspended in the air. The lines of fire were parallel and in front of the bal- loon while the Jerry plane kept swinging back and forth amid the two lines of fire, in the meantime the rapid fire of machine guns added to the excitement. The balloon was being hauled down by its wire cable as speedily as possible. Jerry had orders to get the balloon and to him it meant "get it or die in the attempt." Having drawn close enough he fired an exploding shell into it. By this time the observer had leaped from his basket and sup- ported by his white parachute was calmly floating downward through the air. Calmly we say, only because it looked so from a safe distance. After a few seconds a little streak of flame was seen bursting forth from the balloon, almost immediately the entire object burst forth in flame, slowly it fell toward the earth letting a mass of dark smoke in its path. Meanwhile the observer was coming to earth at the discretion of the calm air while Jerry was beating it for his own lines as fast as his
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plane would carry him. Yes, even faster, for he had the foree of several handsome Yankee names behind him. Such is only one form of the many types of instances which the American doughboy of the front line saw that produced anger. But to dispell that rage by immediate retaliation was out of the question.
Our unit served one week in its position on the second line without an extraordinary occurrence. Trueks were in con- tinnous motion, troops were moving from place to place, aero- planes were scouting about, while balloons were in the air, enemy signal lights could be seen gleaming forth, remain stationary for a brief period, then disappear and the artillery fire would burst forth spasmodieally.
The next move brought us to a position on the first or front line, along the Marne river, opposite a bend of land south- west of Chateau-Thierry. When we here mention front line, some readers may try to bear impressions of trench systems. No trenches were to be seen at this time. Surprise was expressed when in the morning light we saw a beautiful landscape before us. No shelling had been done, the vacated homes remained unentered, the grain and grass fields speekled here and there with patches of red poppies, were inviting, the small forests destined to become the soldiers' guardian, were undisturbed, the deep color of the Marne was very impressive and the long hill rising beyond it gave a suitable background to the entire pie- ture. How inspiring was that view to man, how lovely did the touch of God's hand make that portion of the Frenchman's land, how fortunate that it was not torn by shot and shell, searred by trampled paths and wreckless earnage, gloomed by wire en- tanglements and treneh systems, and then, blind to the beauty of the eye, one tried to pieture the scene beyond that hill. He saw the enemy prepare to destroy, as he had seen his own com- rades do. What shall be destroyed ? That was the question.
On the morning of June 10th, we were aroused by a sharp noise. Not one ventured to speak during the interval between the first and second report. Another burst and we began to look at each other with inquisitive eyes, it might be the worse, but we hoped for the better. "Some new kind of a gun they are firing down there," said one of the men. "No," replied the French sergeant who was with us, "it is the Germans shelling." We did not wish to persuade ourselves into believing that Fritz was shelling, so one remarked, "I guess they are trying out one of our guns and don't have it planted right that it sounds un- natural." "I tell you it is the Germans shelling. I have been in this war four years now and I ought to know the sound of a
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shell." "Guess you're right, sergeant," thought we. Never- theless we determined to sec. Getting out we secured position behind trees, walls, buildings, and some stood in the open to observe their first shell. It was but a short time until we saw the corner of a house torn from its base, the particles were hurled into the air, letting the one time home with an open wound in its side. The second shell struck the roof of a house, a third fell near the railroad station, another made a direct hit in the Marne river. Then Jerry began throwing shrapnel which. bursting in the air, flung its contents over a wide area below. Being along a hillside and the shells falling in the village below, gave us an ample opportunity to enjoy the first fire from enemy guns. We saw what they could do, but yet, were not satisfied. The desire remained to experience what it must be like to have them fall near.
We remained in this position for four days. The village was shelled at regular intervals, morning and evening. Toward the evening of the fourth day we received orders to move, which movement turned out to be an attempt to take Hill 204. With apparent quietness reigning we moved down the hill, through the shell-searred village, up and around the slope of the hill beyond, then cut aeross to the base of 204. The French had gained a position on the upper slope of the hill and we were to move up- ward as they moved forward in the attack. The plan did not work well because the enemy occupied a strongly fortified posi- tion on the top. But during the course of action, we, at the base, were the recipients of deadly fire.
The test for our imaginary bravery was at hand and the de- sire to know what it must be like to have them drop near was about to be satisfied. Calmness seemed to reign everywhere. We did not know why we were where we were. A soldier simply does as he is told and asks no questions, moves where he is directed without a "why." For two reasons we could not realize our precarious position. First, because we did not know the nature of our task. A man may be in great danger but if he does not know that he is, it doesn't affect him. Then too, we had not yet experienced shell fire and were moving without serious- ness or precaution.
As if dropped from the sky, three shells in rapid succession exploded in our midst. Men began to seek shelter where and how they could. Some sought protection behind trees, others erept into a diteh nearby, while a few could be seen eronching behind a pile of leaves. One big fellow was sitting behind a sapling about two inches in diameter. There were very few who
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did not make effort to seek protection. Under such circum- stances it was the sane thing to do and men were not branded as cowards, but commended for having common sense. The shells continued falling and it seemed positive that every man would be wiped away. Would that the fire might cease; would that we could move elsewhere, anywhere, but we were there to hold a position and holding a position against an unseen enemy miles away is a difficult task.
The firing ceased, men waited cautiously, almost breathlessly, for the next shell which did not come. One by one, then group by group, we began to stir about. Searching for close comrades began and inquiry concerning the fortune or fate of friends passed from lip to lip. After trusty information was collected we learned that a lieutenant and two privates were killed and seven men wounded. Thus we received our baptism of shell fire. Our imaginary bravery was wafted to the winds from whenee it eame and we felt something far different than faney was neces- sary for coolness under fire. What it was that many of us lacked or needed we could not tell, but were convinced that something must be acquired. Many could not continue for a lengthy period of time under such nervous excitement and ten- sion as we displayed. That was our first time, our desires were satisfied, we knew now what it was like to have them burst near. Some who were quite anxious for a taste of real action, were already satisfied and were willing to exchange places with some other aspirant, but a trade was not for the individual to deter- mine, so the only thing that could be done was to resolve to con- tinne without serious thought.
An unbelieveable contrast could be noted in this body of troops, which six hours before were moving along joking, admir- ing the beautiful country, complimenting themselves upon being called to support the French, some even boasting of the oppor- tunity that was his and almost to a man anxious to see a fight. The return was made in deadly silence, but it was a profitable silence, men were thinking. They realized that war was not all glory, it meant sacrifice. That one cannot judge himself by his imagination, but the judging is to be done by others from his real worth. That nervousness was not the sign of fear, but the lack of something. The inward self-centering satisfaction for the future was the main means by which men gained control over their excited selves. The man who put forth a display of cool- ness and those who did not quiver when facing grim danger can be divided into two groups. Those whose future in this world or the next meant nothing, and those who felt that their future
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in this world and in the next meant everything, so in the midst of danger the latter could firmly stand and receive their preparation for the one or go prepared to the other. Some of those who lacked that something unguidedly became connected with the first group, many were numbered with the second. In some eases it took time and impressing danger to force a decision.
The next morning found us prepared to take up a position which we held until the big advance of July 18th. This ex- tended from Chateau-Thierry southward along the Marne river, the end of the line terminating at the top of a hill. Within our line were two villages which proved of interest, one, because it was shelled almost to powder, the other, because it afforded much amusement. The grain, grass and beet fields, the patches of forests, the wideness of the view, including Chateau-Thierry and a chain of hills held by Jerry, was more beautiful than the for- mer position.
Quietness prevailed about three weeks. During this period dugouts were made beneath buildings. communication lines es- tablished, weak positions strengthened by trench lines, close oh- servations of the enemy recorded, ammunition and supplies brought up, artillery units established themselves in position, machine gunners searched out places of camouflage, hospital units equipped themselves and numerous other preparations were completed.
Activities inereased daily. Our artillery usually opened fire at dusk and continued throughout the night. The enemy shelled at regular intervals during the day. By July 10th shelling be- came common, the casualty list increased from day to day, indi- viduals moved about with a calm reserve, deep sorrow for a comrade lost was less expressive, men grew less emotional, less erratie and displayed more confidence, more determination.
On July 14th, 1918, the Germans were placing the final finishing touches to the preparations for a drive that, to their minds, was to carry them to Paris and to a crushing defeat of the Allies. They surmised the French would be incapacitated as a result of celebrating Bastile Day and the American, being untested. would readily give way. Intensive preparation was made on our side of the river also. Every building contained troops and plenty of ammunition, towns were fortified with trenches and wire entanglements and their approaches guarded by machine gunners. the forests were filled with infantry troops ready to ward off or even to surge forth at any foe, every elump of trees concealed some armed force, elaborate communication lines were established and batteries of artillery held positions
TRENCH SYSTEM LEADING TO AN OBSERVATION POST ON A SMALL ELEVATION. THE WHITE SPOTS REPRESENT SHELL HOLES.
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reaching from the front line to a point several kilometers to the rear.
Approximately six weeks elapsed since we reached the front lines and for three weeks had been shelled at regular intervals, so that the seasoning process was gradual and firm. The ma- jority of doughboys on the evening of July 14th, went to their resting places in their usual care free manner. The 75's nearby began their evening barking, which for several nights, served as our lullaby song. Signal lights from the enemy line were unusually active, but his artillery was exercising absolute silence. But this was not destined to be a night of peace. At 12: 15 a. m. the Hun began the most terrific barrage that was his privilege to throw into an American Jine.
Words cannot describe the sensation produced by such a bar- rage. Some of us were resting in the hay loft of a large farm building. A deafening crash, a fling to the floor and then a pelting from stone wall fragments was the result of a shell striking the barn. Crash after crash followed in rapid suc- cession, flying fragments of shrapnel could be heard winging through the air and strike the wall or earth close to you. Fumes of gas became very evident and thus wearing the gas mask was added to the misery of it all. Men went forth to throw up signal rockets, to repair communication lines, to aid the wounded and to do whatever else was necessary. It was very difficult for some to persuade themselves to go forth into the open when they felt they had an apparently safe position, but onee in the open one became surprised at the self-calmness that took possession of him. The terriffic roar continued for four hours and then be- gan to die away. The wounded and dying were now being moved about, preparations were being made for the burial of the dead. Upon this we must not dwell. No true soldier eares to relate the actions and words of the wounded and dying. They would not have it so. When daybreak came lines of ambulances could be seen going about and then move rapidly toward the rear. It was but a short time until all the wounded were re- moved and the dead temporarily buried.
The Hun tried to make a crossing of the river. At many points he failed to reach the water's edge, at others he was checked in the attempt to eross, while at other points he erossed only to be swallowed up by the everpresent Yank. Failing to push forward he decided to pour more shells into our lines and so this continued for three days and nights, but on our sector, and the same is claimed to be true on all important sectors, more than three times as many shells were being sent across into
18
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the Hun lines. What a satisfaction was ours that we were not on the other side.
The afternoon and evening of July 17th was exceedingly quiet. We began to think of these quiet periods as a lull before the storm. But to our surprise we were ordered to cross the Marne and advance against the withdrawing enemy. This glorious advance began July 18th, and continued for nine days. The blows received while on the defense were all forgotten in our joy of being on the offense. We left behind us demolished houses. shell torn wheat fields. riddled forests, damaged trench lines and wire entanglements, and much else that marked the destructive powers of man. We thought the Hun shattered houses and disfigured the land surface by his shelling, but in advaneing we had the privilege to see the results of an American barrage. Some villages were razed almost to the ground, it was impossible for a human being to exist within them. One German prisoner well expressed his opinion when he said: "You don't know what a barrage is until you have been through one put over by Americans." But the marks gave conclusive evidence that Jerry received the worst of it. Some may think that the vil- lages should have been spared and their capture done by different means. To this we cannot agree. Buildings can be reconstructed. but life once destroyed can never return.
It is impossible to relate any number of incidents that occurred in an advance of such magnitude. Event followed event so rapidly that one failed to appreciate them. There was no time for thought, all was action and this became mechanical, even to the dodging of a shell. A comrade fallen was one gone, the weight of sadness could not be borne along. A hair breadth escape was a matter of luck, the nervous system could not be dis- turbed by meditating upon it. A machine gun nest captured was a point gained, but there was no time to pat yourself on the back for there were always more ahead. The greater the action during the drive the greater the reaction after its completion and the less one realized the importance of it all.
At no time on the front could an individual entertain a feeling of satisfaction. To feel proud because of some achievement was only to invite fear that others may not share of it. To feel that in a short time relief would come was only to produce cowardice. To feel that the horrible work was going to last a long time was only to crush self-assertiveness. To feel that the next shell was going to get you demoralized your very being. The thread of life of the soldier on the front line was in danger of being snapped any moment. It was uncomfortable to think of this
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then, but how sweet was life when thought could revert to it without impending danger to both. Together with that great satisfaction of having been there, of having seen, of having ex- perienced, of having served where duty demanded, is added the appreciation of life and the knowing, that after all, life is the only possession that a being has and that Time is its uncertain measure.
CHAPTER XXII. CROSSING THE SEA ON A FLOATING ARSENAL. By C. WILLIAM DUNCAN.
In the Spring of 1918, a friend remarked to me, "After the war the people of the United States will be divided into two classes, those who were 'over there' and those who were not." This expression may be somewhat exaggerated, nevertheless, there is a certain feeling of satisfaction to those who were across which the less fortunate ones cannot possess, and for this reason I am glad I received the opportunity to go to France during war times.
Crossing the ocean in time of war furnishes plenty of sport on any type of ship, but to ride on an "ammunition wagon" manifestly increases the excitement, because a successful tor- pedo attack or a collision means a terriffic explosion with no sue- ceeding chance for the life boats. The "Morristown," a seventy- five hundred ton ship on which I made my journey to France, was one of these munition carriers and bore a cargo worth eight million dollars, composed of T. N. T., nitro glycerine, powder, bombs, hand grenades, high explosive shells and pieric acid, which was the largest and most valuable load of ammunition ever carried across the Atlantic in one steamer.
It was on October twenty-seventh, at three o'clock, that the "Morristown" weighed anchor and commenced her maiden voy- age across the Atlantic. Two hours before the fleeing serpent, "Leviathan," had cautiously picked her way through a fog and was now well off the coast of the U. S. A. line with sixteen less speedy transport ships, which were now putting out to sea, carried soldiers on their decks who exchanged greetings to our sailors with a display of spirits which predicted to add apprec- iably to the Kaiser's rapidly inereasing cloud of gloom.
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