USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > Adams County in the World War : April 6, 1917 to November 11, 1918 > Part 23
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The transports soon faded into a thin line upon the horizon and, as we had been delayed at the outset, were travelling alone when darkness set in. All that night and the most of Monday we continued to be unaccompanied by other ships, and as we carried no guns, we would have been easy prey for any searching U-boat. By running full speed, however, we managed to eatch our convoy of twenty-eight ships late Tuesday afternoon.
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The most efficient method our convoys used to combat the subs was by pursuing a pre-arranged zig-zag course. This meant a longer journey but eventually paid as the Germans had to exert greater efforts to locate the prizes they so earnestly hoped to sink, During the day this zig-zagging involved no special danger, but at night twenty-eight ships, running closely together without lights, meant collisions or narrow escapes from them. During our trip the "Morristown" narrowly escaped colliding with other ships ten times, and the danger of being rammed with our explosive cargo on board gave the officers even more concern than the thought of being torpedoed. Our closest escape came about midnight of November fifth and well illustrates the ex- citement that may occur in a convoy by night.
Everything was quiet on the bridge at seven bells. The officer of the deek, one quartermaster and two seamen, were piercing the darkness for lights or outlines of ships, while the other quar- termaster in the pilot house, was busily engaged keeping the ship on her northeasterly course. Suddenly the forward lookout buzzer sounded and the seaman stationed there sang out, "Light ho, dead ahead." The officer of the deek immediately ordered the engineer to slaeken speed from sixty to fifty-four revolutions, when the Captain, hearing the commotion, rushed on the bridge from the chart room and told the quartermaster to turn on star- board, port and stern lights.
The Captain kept the ship's course veering to the left when another red light loomed into view. The engines were stopped but the black object loomed larger and larger. "Full speed astern" was flashed below by the indicator, but the engines failed to respond. The situation became critical. Then the Captain, proving himself master of the occasion and showing both pres- enee of mind and excellent judgment, gave "Full speed ahead and hard left rudder." The quartermaster swung the wheel hard over to the left, our ship sheered sharply to port and we cleared the other vessel by about seventy-five feet. I had gone aft to call the watch relief and as the "Morristown's" stern swung around I could see that any good heaver could have thrown a line on to the deek of the craft we had so narrowly missed. Her bow had been pointing head on to ours and evi- dently she was a member of a convoy returning to the States and was cutting directly through our group.
The next night another incident occurred but of a different nature. Early that morning a strong breeze sprung up, inereas- ing in proportion as the day advanced. and when "Browny," my watch partner, and I went on watch at eight o'clock, there was a
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terriffic eighty mile gale raging which tossed the ship about like a cork and caused heavy seas to sweep over the deck. About eleven o'clock "Browny" was returning from inspecting the hatches and was about to grasp the handrail leading to the bridge when a big sea came over the side, sweeping him off his feet and through the door leading to the Chief Petty Officer's quarters. Good fortune alone prevented "Browny" from being swept overboard and brought a successful termination to the most narrow escape from death anyone encountered on the trip.
Other incidents of the type I have described happened on the journey, but it is unnecessary to describe more. We were not fired at by submarines and saw only one periscope while going over. This occurred about a week out from France when the Chief Boatswain's Mate detected a periscope abeam of us and a little more than half way between our vessel and the horizon. By the time the Chief had rushed on the bridge, imparted the news to the Captain and siezed a long glass, we could see nothing but the wake of the submerging undersea craft.
The morning of November eleventh, the "Morrison" was pursuing a direct southerly course about four hundred miles off the coast of France when the cruiser, which had been our escort from the United States, hoisted International Code Flags O B Z on her foremast. O B Z meant nothing unusual to us until the Captain looked up the signal meaning and shouted "cessation of hostilities." Then there was a commotion on the "Morristown" which only such joyful news could cause.
Officers and men jumped and shouted, but the news was so sudden and nnexpected that it scarcely seemed true. Guarding against a possible German trick, the Captain maintained vigilant lookouts and continued to run without lights, for it was not im- probable that some sub, claiming ignorance of the armistice, might blow us to pieces. The next day the French erniser and American destroyers, which had come out to meet us, departed, and we proceeded with six other ships to La Pauillac and an- chored off that place.
The remainder of our journey to Panillac was one that any tourist would experience in time of peace. The small villages, . outlying farms and medieval looking castles which we saw while travelling from La Pauillac to Verdon Roads appeared espec- ially beautiful and picturesque to one seeing them for the first time. On November sixteenth we entered the mouth of Le Gironde, France's largest and swiftest river, and proceeded up- stream to the village of Pauillac where negro soldiers came on board and commenced unloading our cargo.
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I have been able to relate these incidents because a quarter- master has excellent opportunities of seeing from the bridge everything that happens on or about the vessel. A navy quar- termaster, contrary to the Army, has nothing to do with provi- sions and supplies but tends to the steering of the vessel, all semaphore, blinker and flag hoist signals, keeps the log book and does other necessary work about the bridge such as the sundry occupations of painting, serubbing, seraping, sweeping, shining brass work, which are all neglected in shore schools and must be learned by actual experience.
Besides seeing the exciting phases I also had the chance to ob- serve some humorous incidents which came as a relief to the mo- notony and hard work of the journey. When some of the men first found out they were on an ammunition wagon the following jests floated around the forecastle: "Well I lost my identifica- tion tag but it dosen't matter for if we're hit my arms and face will be many miles apart;" "I hope I grab a shell flying toward Yonkers;" "There sure will be a flock of gobs flying in the air ;" "The black gang can say 'hello' to the deck force as they meet them coming down."
By far the most humorous story was a joke played on the ship painter. Early one afternoon when we were about one thousand miles from the States some member of the crew posted a sign on the bulletin board which read, "The U. S. Mail Boat Express will pass us at five-thiry this afternoon. Anyone desiring quick mail delivery must submit letters immediately to the Chief Boatswain's Mate for censorship." Quite a few of the boys fell vietims to this and handed in their letters, but a fireman carried the joke further and suggested to the painter that he shave, bathe and dress in order to eateh this fast boat which would make New York in time for overnight liberty. The painter did as directed in every detail, and after packing his bag and hammock, sat placidly in a life boat for three hours waiting to be lowered to catch the Mail Boat which never came.
We laid at anchor off Pauillac for eighteen days and were given seven shore liberties during that time. Six of the seven liberties extended only from noon until nine thirty p. m. and we could get no further than Pauillac. I must say that my opinion of France fell considerably as Pauillae, possessing in reality six thousand but in appearance six hundred inhabitants. had deserted dark- ened streets and low medieval buildings. The only interesting thing I saw on my trips ashore there was a group of German and Austrian prisioners who were shambling back from work at the Trompleau Air Station. I succeeded in getting a close look at the group and particularly noticed the air of depression.
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During this time we were more or less out of touch with the outside world and the first full realization that the war was ended, and after many months of hardships, the boys were returning home, came upon us when a big draft from the Trompleau Camp boarded the "Calamaris" and steamed down the Gironde bound for New York. She had her huge homeward bound pennant streaming from the main mast and was displaying a brand new ensign while every other ship in sight was decorated with the flags, T. D. L., meaning "we wish you a pleaant voyage," and was saluting with three blasts of the siren. We exchanged sig- nals with the sailors and wished them "many big nights on Broadway." but added, "our time is coming."
The chance to see Bordeaux before we sailed and to form a better opinion of France arrived when half the crew received thirty four hours liberty. We embarked on a tub boat, rode about fifteen miles up the Gironde, walked four miles across the country in the rain, waited one hour and a half at St. Lubes and then rode the short distance to Bordeaux. Bordeaux the fourth city of France, has a population of one hundred and thirty eight thousand, and is as fully alive and attractive as any American city of corresponding size. I am glad I had the opportunity of going there so as to form the same good opinion of France as have most of our soldiers and sailors.
The return journey took eighteen days, from December seventh until Christmas morning, and was uneventful. Relieved of the tension of possible submarine attacks or rammings and knowing the war was ended, the voyage possessed as much excitement as a struggle for seventh place between Brooklyn and St. Louis after the Giants had clinched the National League pennant. For four days bad weather prevailed and the Morristown traveling light, was tossed about at all angles known to the students of Geometry. To those on board she seemed to roll ninety degrees and to form perpendiculars with the surface of the sea.
Owing to the faet, however, that we pursued the southern course good weather soon prevailed, and when in the Gulf Stream, we worked on deck with summer garb with the thermometer at seventy degrees and the water warm enough for swimming.
Christmas morning at eight o'clock the Morristown dropped anchor in lower Hudson Bay and we once more gazed upon na- tive soil. There is the sensation of pride that comes to the sailor when he first enlists in the Navy, that of self-consciousness when he appears in his new uniform, that of discouragement when romance is displayed by stern Navy realities, but there is no feel- ing that so grips him as the sight of the Statue of Liberty after a long voyage overseas.
CHAPTER XXIII. THIRTY TWO DAYS IN THE ARGONNE OFFENSE. By GROVER C. MAUS.
It is manifestly impossible for one man, without access to offi- cial records, to write anything like a comprehensive history of the great Meuse-Argonne conflict. So no attempt will be made to write a history, but simply to describe some events, experi- ences, feelings and hardships from the standpoint of a personal observer in the hope that they will prove to be typical of the ex- periences of the average Adams County boy who took part in that battle.
After the success at St. Mihiel all energy was directed toward the great drive which proved to be the final one. Of course for a time the enlisted men knew nothing about plans. All they knew was that they were being moved from one portion of the front to another, sometimes by trucks, at other times on foot. It does not take long to tell about the movement of an army, but one must ac- tually have been a part of it to realize what it means. The hikes were made at night, and most of those September nights were rainy. To hike for the greater part of a dark. rainy night, over long rough roads, across shell-torn fields, through forests, some- times being compelled to stand on a road jammed with what ap- peared to be an endless line of trucks, artillery, ammunition wag- ons, ambulances, and everything which goes to make up an army ; drenched by a chilling rain from without and wet with perspira- tion from within, is an experience never to be forgotten. At the end of such a hike you pitched your tent in some deep forest with- out the aid of a light, lay down on the cold ground and envied your dog at home.
Before the drive started the men were given a course of intens- ive training in whatever part they were supposed to take in actual conflict. They were drilled seven days a week, rain or sunshine. In some cases commanding officers called their men together and frankly told them that in a few days they would be in another great battle. which it was hoped would end the war. Confidence in final success was expressed, but no attempt was made to min- imize the greatness of the task.
Now to be told that in a few days you will be dodging shrapnel
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and high explosives is not a very cheering prospeet, and yet noth- ing seemed to check the natural cheerfulness of the American sol- dier. On pleasant nights the fellows would gather in little groups then from all parts of the woods, which perhaps concealed thou- sands of troops, could be heard the notes of "K-k-k-katy," "There's a Long, Long Trail," and other songs dear to the A. E. F. An army with such morale could not be defeated.
The big attack started on the morning of September 26, 1918. Those in the front lines were prepared to go over the top and the ones in reserve were moved to positions nearer to the front. Suddenly, in the early hours of the morning, our bombardment opened. . A great bombardment is a difficult thing to describe. even for those who have experienced it. Guns of all calibers open fire simultaneously, the heavens are lighted as though by inces- sant lightning, and the din is so great that it is necessary to shout to the comrade by your side in order to be understood. One learns to recognize the sharp, business-like bark of the seventy-fives, the deeper tone of the six-inch guns, and the heavy boom of the mon- sters far to the rear, and through the air goes the medley of shrieking shells. One has a feeling of awe and insignificance, but, with it all, a sense of pride in being a part of something big.
The sensations just described are those experienced at the send- ing end of the barrage. The receiving end is quite different. Then you wish you were many feet under ground. You wish that your "tin hat," ordinarily considered a burden, were big enough to shelter your whole body. You may dive into the near- est shell-hole, or try to hide behind a clod of earth or your pack. Nothing can describe the sensations produced by the diabolical howl of an approaching shell. However, let it not be understood that Americans were afraid to advance under such circumstances ; no, when the command to go forward was given, the men picked up their equipment and advanced through shrieking shrapnel, hissing bullets, and stifling gas. The writer has seen men advane- ing to what proved to be their death. with firm tread, smiling countenance, and a jest on their lips.
The first attack was successful and a considerable advance was made, but at the end of a day or two the resistence stiffened. and our artillery found it difficult to keep up with the infantry. The roads were shell-torn, bridges destroyed. fields cut by trenches. and littered with wire entanglements. and everything there was mud. So that although artillery and ammunition were not lacking, it was impossible to keep the guns in position and in action at all times. On the contrary the enemy, who was gradual- ly withdrawing, had more opportunity to place his guns.
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Any one who forms an idea of a battle from some picture which he has seen, where men are seen advaneing in unbroken ranks, with flags flying and drums beating, has a wrong impres- sion of modern warfare. The attacks were usually made in the early morning before the fog had disappeared, or even at night. The men advanced with fixed bayonets, gas masks at alert, and never in close formation. Flags and drums were absent. Quite frequently the advance was against an unseen enemy.
Our boys will not soon forget the attacks upon Montfaucon, how attempt followed attempt, how some gained a little ground and a batch of prisoners; how some were checked by a hail of bullets from hidden machine guns, which forced the attacking parties to halt and dig in for a time, and how after each attack the familiar face of some comrade would be missing. But nothing seemed to daunt our boys, and apparently insurmountable diffi- culties were overcome. The place was defended by an elaborate system of trenches, wire entanglements, by its location on a high hill, and by the ever active enemy artillery. But before the force of the first drive had spent itself, Montfaucon and Nan- tillois were in our possession.
Now followed a period of comparative quiet for several days. Do not misunderstand the term quiet. It means simply that no attempt was made to advance on an extensive scale. The artil- lery was moved forward and placed in position nearer the lines; supplies and ammunition were brought up, and tired divisions were relieved by fresh ones. All these things were done under the fire of the enemy artillery. The infantry on the lines dug in and protected themselves as well as they could, but the casualties were heavy every day. Sometimes the men used dugouts formerly occupied by the enemy, which of course had the entrance exposed to hostile fire. No one, except one who has seen it, ean realize the carnage caused by a shell exploding in a dugout filled with men. The very thought of it is like a nightmare for those who have witnessed such slaughter. Men in the rescuing parties have been known to go temporarily insane by the horror of it. But it is not well to dwell on the awful side of war.
By Octobed fourth everything was in shape for a new attack. Much of our artillery was now in position. During the night preceding, tanks were moved forward and the men were not sur- prised when they were called out about three o'clock in the morn- ing. Again, just before the zero hour, our guns opened up with a terrifie roar, and almost immediately the fire was answered by the enemy. However the men kept in formation ; groped onward through the darkness, sometimes through swampy places, some-
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times over embankments, and always exposed to deadly fire. Sometimes shells fell so near that when the roar of the explosion died away, one had ahnost, as one fellow expressed it, a feeling of disappointment at not being hit. But not all escaped. Min- gled with the din were the pitiful eries of "First Aid" from striken comrades. The wounded were cared for by the self- sacrificing men of the Medical Corps, while the main body of men kept going forward.
One might think that at such serions moments there would be nothing to appeal to the sense of humor; and yet there was al- ways some one with ever ready wit. Take the case of the boy who, while going through a barage, had picked up a can of beef which some one had dropped. A halt was ordered on a slope in view of the enemy, shells were falling, and the air was heavy with dust and fumes of high explosive powder. Through the haze he called to his chum. "Hey you, come over here, let's eat." ITis comrade did not notice the lack of breakfast at such a time and inade some negative response, but immediately another summons came, "Come on. If they get us, they may as well get us with full stomachs as empty ones." Needless to say they ate. At another time, a regiment in reserve was called out one night, and formed to march to the front. There was an ominous silence. Everbody knew that there was serious business ahead from which no one would be excused. Then, suddenly in the darkness, the silence was broken by a mock-mournful voice calling out, "I wanna go home." Of course a roar of laughter followed from all within hearing. It was just such things that kept up the spirit of the men.
The latter part of October was just one steady grind. The military glory which one reads about was almost entirely lacking. Almost daily, minor attacks were made, some machine gun nests wiped out, some strip of woods gained, a few prisoners taken. The men were exhausted by weeks of service under the most try- ing conditions. Regiments dwindled to the size of battalions. battalions to companies, and companies to squads. Some com- panies were without officers and very few noncommissioned offi- cers were left. The men lived almost entirely on cold food which, with great difficulty, was carried up at night from the ration dumps and in the morning divided among the various outfits. When the shelling was not too intense, a wagon would be sent up from the kitchens at night so that the men might have at least one cooked meal. Men went for days with wet feet, with no chance to remove shoes or spirals. Many times a soldier wet to the skin had to let his clothes dry on his body without the aid of a fire, for
AMERICAN SOLDIERS AND THE STARS AND STRIPES ON THE RHINE.
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fire causes smoke, and smoke reveals your position to the enemy. Right here a word must be said about "cooties." The mention of the word cootie usually causes a smile. But when, as a poet has well said, "A herd of restless cooties prowled your premises until for half an hour's rest you'd trade your soul." one failed to find them funny.
Before the drive started there were rumors that the enemy lacked artillery and ammunition, but he seemed to have enough and to spare in the Argonne. Not a day passed withont shelling. Statisties show that the casualties of the American forces were comparatively slight. but if the statisties were compiled from the casualties of the divisions that spent three or four weeks in the Argonne, there would be a different story. Perhaps one day some comrade would inform you of the death of an intimate friend, and the next day you would hear that he himself had been killed. There are few survivors who can not tell of numerous narrow escapes, how when he and a buddy were lying in a shell- hole which they had fashioned into a sort of shelter, an exploding "G. T. Can" would miss them by a few feet and blow their cover- ing of sticks and ground completely away, and perhaps half bury them with ground, and how, when they cleaned away the deb- ris, they found a piece of shell, still hot, which had missed them by a hair's breadth. One almost felt that dying was preferable to living under such conditions. and yet how sweet life was, how fervently many of us-most of us,-prayed that we might see it through, and hoped for the time when it would all be over !.
But there was no hesitation. Divisions composed of men ex- hansted by exposure and lack of proper nourishment, sickened by the daily fumes of gas. and by drinking impure water. held tenaciously to the ground they had gained, and struggled to ad- vance a little farther. Without flinching, although somewhat mechanically, men obeyed commands to do just a little more. The enemy was given no rest. At last his resistance broke, and Sedan, and victory was ours.
One sometimes hears the opinion expressed that the war ended too soon. that the Germans were not sufficiently beaten. Perhaps that is true, but before you say that. try to place yourself in the position of the tired doughboy at the front. For him whose every hour of existence seemed to be borrowed, where, as some one has said, "Life was a span from breath to breath."-for him the war did not end too soon. At times when one gazed on the scenes of desolation and carnage. and realized that on the other side of the line there was similar destruction. questions like these would arise : Is war ever justified ? Can a principle of right or wrong
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be decided by the killing of men ? One was tempted to doubt, and vet the history of the world is a record of struggle. Surely some great good must come out of the great sacrifice. Let us hope that universal peace is not an idle dream, that our comrades have not died in vain. Would we be ready to go through it all again ? Yes, in spite of what we may have said to the contrary, a war in the near future would find most of us back in the ranks. But surely the best argument for peace is war.
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