Racine county in the world war, Part 42

Author: Haight, Walter L
Publication date: c1920]
Publisher: [Racine, Western Prtg. & Lithographing Co.
Number of Pages: 612

USA > Wisconsin > Racine County > Racine county in the world war > Part 42

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United Veterans of the Republic, welcoming veterans of any war in which the United States was engaged.

Rank and File Veterans' Association, organ- ized to take an active part in polities, and barring former officers from membership.

All of these societies were formed with different ideals in view than those expressed by the American Legion and probably none of them will replace it in popularity. The greatest danger confronting the American Legion is the possibility of some error in pol- icy on the part of the million or more members before the organization is firmly established. If this can be avoided all indications are that it will prove for the next fifty years to be the most influential society in the United States.

THE WAR IN PICTURES

A Collection of Scenes Familiar to Men of the American Expeditionary Forces from 1917 to 1919

The Series contains numerous views which were obtained through courtesy of The Chicago Tribune, and a number also taken in Europe by Racine soldiers

Above: WHEN GERMANS "CALLED IT A DAY."-Our boys got a lot of fun watching the captured Fritz going to the rear, and "kidding" him. Sometimes they got more than fun-a trinket or two.

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Upper: PARADING MAIN STREET IN RACINE-Parading Main street on the way as the drafts began moving in September, 1917, and the city turned out at cach entrainment to give the boys a sendoff. This scene was typical of many. Mayor T. W. Thiesen, carrying the foremost flag is seen at the right. Other officials are at the head of the procession with a band. The men of the draft were tagged for their destination, and tags may be seen on some of the marchers. An idea of the thrill that Racine experienced may be gained by a look at the throng of spectators. At the front are Mayor Thiesen, Ex-Mayor David Janes and H. J. Smith.

Lower: THERE-PARADING ACROSS NO MAN'S LAND-From Main Street, Racine, to the exposed strip of fighting land in front of the German trenches near Juvigny, is a considerable jump. Yet some of the men who went away with the draft shown above are among the doughboys plodding toward the enemy in the face of a fire that put practically all who are shown there, out of commission-killed or wounded.

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Photo by John Hood

Above: RESTING ON THE WAY TO THE FRONT-Taking a ten-minute rest on the hike to St. Mihiel in September, 1918.

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Upper: HERE-CHASING OF THE ENEMY (ALIEN)-Under U. S. orders all enemy aliens were registered and classified for purposes of surveillence. A number of Racine women who volunteered to do the clerical work connected with the registration are shown at the long table. At the head of the table are a number of enemy alien women who are giving information to be used in filling out their declaration papers. Although the government looked for trouble from enemy aliens within our borders and took this precaution, little developed to justify the suspicion; though the precaution may have had its effect. Chief of Police Baker was in charge of this registration work.

Lower: THERE-CHASING THE ENEMY-The bridge shown here was built over the Marne at Chateau-Thierry after the fleeing Germans blow up the concrete structure that existed there. The Fritz army is about five jumps ahead, hastening to their old trenches on the Vesle river.

Photo by Committee on Public Information

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Above: THE ADVANCE POST-In No Man's Land these advance posts were maintained for the purpose of closely watching the enemy. It was hazardous work and many a man never came back from a night's detail as observer or listener. The picture gives a good idea of the comforts of these holes.

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Upper: EMBARKING FOR FRANCE-This picture will conjure up a scene participated in by all the Racine County men who went overseas. It shows a battalion going aboard ship at a Southern port. The equipment of the men is about the same as that of a million others who made the trip.

Lower: THE LAST TRIBUTE TO TUSCANIA VICTIMS-One of the impres- sive ceremonies of the war took place in northern Scotland where the villagers of the Mull of Oa, Isley Islands, joined with our men, who gathered upon the summit of a cliff overlooking the gray sea and said the last words of farewell. A squad of surviving soldiers fired the parting salute. James Hawley, 1420 College Avenue, Racine, was one of those who died in the Tuscania disaster and was buried there.

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Photo by Underwood & Underwood

Above READY FOR AN OBSERVATION TRIP -- The pilot is testing out his telephone and the parachutes are ready to be unslung. one being attached to cach man. In observation work the balloon crew usually jumped as soon as they heard the noise of an approaching enemy acroplane. The parachute was the most essential article of equipment of a balloon, not excepting binoculars.

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Upper: LIVERPOOL GREETS THE YANKEE-In England civilians often tried to show their appreciation of American assistance by giving lunches to passing Yanks. Sometimes they charged for the food and sometimes not. The picture was taken in Liverpool upon the arrival of a contingent of doughboys.

Lower: ENTRAINING FOR THE FRONT-Strung along in the background is a train of the French coaches used to carry the carly American forces up to the front. These men are some of the first regulars to reach France. Some months later few of these cars were visible-"40 Hommes ou 8 Chaveaux" box cars, were the prevailing style.

Edward Marshall Syndicate, London, Photo

Coypright by Underwood & Underwood

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Above: GETTING A RIDE TO A FIRST AID STATION-This picture gives a clear idea of the way sick and wounded were transported from the field to the hospi- tals in the battle areas. The bearers had to be rather husky men to carry the weight of a helpless comrade.

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Upper: A RED CROSS OASIS IN FRANCE-As the A. E. F.' boys crossed France they enjoyed occasional stops at stations on their journey. Usually they were met by the very welcome Red Cross or other organization representatives who were on hand with hot coffee (so-called), sandwiches, and a cigarette or two. Were they welcome? Oh, boy! In the center may be seen a scowling M. P.

Lower: THE JOURNEY'S END-UNLOADING EQUIPMENT-This pic- ture shows Battery F unloading equipment at Belfort, France. Horses, guns, caissons and supply wagons have just been taken from the flat cars. The string of box cars at the right carried the men and horses-40 men or 8 horses, each. At the extreme left is the rolling kitchen. In front of it is a baggage wagon. A train like this could be loaded in an hour and a half; unloaded in 40 minutes by the 200 men.

Photo by H. J. Sanders

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Above: PRETTY SOFT FOR THESE BOYS-The illustration shows the in- terior of an army hospital ward. Glimpses of pretty nurses may be seen. There is given a fair idea of the comforts provided sick and wounded.

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Upper: AMERICAN TRAINING CAMP IN FRANCE-The army center at Is-sur-Tille was the temporary home of many Racine County soldiers. The picture of Camp "Doughboy" gives a good idea of the establishments wrought by our govern- ment in its administration of warfare upon a foreign soil. The barracks and a string of dinky French and German cars are the outstanding features of the scene.

Lower: A FAMILIAR SIGHT NEAR ANY CAMP OR BILLETS-The dough- boys used to laugh, at first, when they saw the village women squat alongside a stream and start to do the family wash. In this picture the snow on the ground at the back gives it a little more "atmosphere." Before they ended their hitch in France many soldiers took to the same method of laundering.

Photo by H. J. Sanders

Above: RACINE MEN HEADED FOR MEUSE-ARGONNE-Here are some of the boys in Battery F on their way to October fighting in the vicinity of Rom- agne. They are passing through a village and all look happy enough, probably at the prospects of an exchange with Fritz. The photograph was taken by Lt. Harry J. Sanders. The rider is Sgt. Kahn.

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Upper: A CAMOUFLAGED CAMP NEAR FRONT-This illustration show's the method used to protect buildings from aerial observation. In the foreground is a drinking water bag on a tripod. The man at the right evidently has received bad news, perhaps he is scheduled for "K. P." This was taken shortly after arrival of the first groups in France.

Lower: FIRST AID STATION IN THE TRENCHES-This dugout was in a trench held by Yanks and used as a dressing station by the medical corps. An idea of the surface appearance of trenches and the bleak landscape around them may be gained from this picture.

Above: LUCKY GERMAN PRISONERS, THANKS TO RACINE-The Fritzies captured by the Italians were put at work in the fields, but, as the picture shows, a Case Tractor from Racine is doing the heavy work and the "P. W's." are posing for their photograph.

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Upper: THIS IS NOT A HALLOWE'EN PARTY-The men in the trenches may look terrifying, but it is only a little precautionary matter in connection with a gas attack. The explosion of gas shells inspired the transformation of handsome young soldiers into what look like demons. A regular daily affair in active sectors.

Lower: A TRENCH IN THE FIRST LINE-This earthwork has the appearance of a parlor compared with the trenches where some of the men spent tours of a week or more. It is evident that it has not been subjected to heavy fire recently. Note the perfect condition of communication wires.

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Above: RACINE MEN HOLDING FORMER GERMAN FOX HOLES- Photographed at Juvigny as our troops manned the railway embankment. In the foreground the fox holes which were occupied by the Germans who retired are plainly shown. Lined along the top of the embankment may be seen doughboys of the 126th Infantry,

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Upper: ADVANCE OF 32nd DIVISION IN MEUSE-ARGONNE SECTOR- The photograph gives a fair idea of what temporary trenches during an advance offered troops for shelter. They were shallow "fox holes," but in the heavily grown fields, they gave some protection from observation and fire. These troops are waiting an opportunity for further advance.

Lower: NOT A FUNERAL-IT'S JUST CHOW-The army authorities took no chances with the food supply. While men might go over the top, the provisions for the army were snugly stored in dug-outs. Here is shown a smiling chow detail bringing out the makings for the tank of slum

avannes

Above: ALL THAT WAS LEFT OF LAVANNES-The 32nd Division passed over this wreck on its pursuit of the Germans. The enemy had destroyed everything in the village excepting the church. The scene is common to hundreds of other French villages.

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Upper: LINED UP FOR "RETREAT" AT SUNDOWN-These are some of the early troops of Pershing's advance guard, lined up for the ceremony of "Retreat" in a small town in France. These men still wore the old campaign hat and canvas leggings. Taken December 11, 1917. The style of houses in the background is familiar to Racine men who went overseas. The commander is saluting the colors, the men are at "Present Arms."

Lower: THE BOYS WHO MADE BALLEAU WOODS FAMOUS-This pic- ture of a detachment of Marines was taken in December, 1917, as they were passing along to village billets close up to the western front. An evidence of the spirit of the inhabitants is shown by the little kid who is holding hands with a big marine and help- ing him on his march.

French Official Photograph

Above: AFTER REDDY FARM WAS TAKEN-The raw, fearful spectacle of a battlefield is shown vividly in this photograph. The bodies shown are those of Germans. The dead of the Allies had already been removed and buried when the picture was taken.

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Upper: READING THE SHIRT-"The Shirt" was the most diligently read of all the reading matter that reached the A. E. F. The man who sits on his helmet looks as if he were determined to get through the chapter. Power of suggestion is indicated by the man standing, who is scratching as he looks at his comrades seeking the little visitors.

Lower: MACHINE GUNNERS WAITING ORDERS NEAR CHATEAU- THIERRY-Hardly a man from Racine County who served overseas has failed to find himself in the same fix as the boys shown in this picture. The illustration de- piets a moment of tension and uncertainty. They don't know where they're going but they sure will be on their way in a few minutes. Not one will admit that he is the least bit worried, however. Excepting on forced marches, most of the movements near the front were carried on at night.

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Photo by H. J. Sanders

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Above: GETTING TANKS UP TO THE FRONT-The picture shows a Whip- pet tank moving with a divisional train along a road leading to the front early in Oeto- ber, 1918, The appearance and operation of the tank, hundreds of which went over No Man's Land ahead of the infantry, is indicated in the photograph.

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Upper: MAKING WAR ON GEN. COOTIE'S FORCES-The delousing sta- tions were a welcome haven for itching men. Though the clothes that came through the process didn't look as pretty as at the start, they felt a lot better. The Racine Ambulance Company operated one of these mills for a while.

Lower: THIS CHEERED UP MANY A DOUGHBOY-Note the smile on the men back near the portable kitchen. Chow! That word got more speedy action in the A. E. F. than the command "Forward!" The kitchen has been set up in the ruins of an old barn, where the walls protect it from the sight of all but aerial observers.

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CORPS

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Photo by Underwood & Underwood

Above: FIELD PIECE PEEKING FROM ITS CAMOUFLAGE-This gives a good idea of what the Germans faced when the American Artillery was brought up late in the summer of 1918. Only the hand of the artilleryman behind the shield can be seen.

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Upper. FRENCH HONOR OLD GLORY-The Stars and Stripes carried by Americans quartered with the French Blue Devils were the subject of the ceremony on October 8, 1917. Gen. de Puygradin is seen acknowledging the display of the colors. In the line at back are both Blue Devils and Americans.

Center: MARCH THROUGH THE SNOW-Up in the Toul Sector, American troops saw the first snow in France late in 1917. These troops, it will be noted, still have the old campaign hats. By the end of the year overseas caps were being issued upon arrival at French ports.

Lower: MOVING ON TO A NEW SECTOR-This is one of the early outfits to reach France and was sent into the lines with the British and the French. The movement shown here was duplicated by thousands of American boys during 1918.

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Photo by Committee on Public Information

Above: YANKS IN THE WORLD VICTORY PARADE, PARIS-Lieut. H. J. Sanders of Racine took the photograph just as Pershing's men were entering the Place de la Concorde. July 14. In the ranks were several Racine boys. The picture is a most remarkable specimen of photographic art and the scene one of the most in- teresting the world has viewed.

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Upper: ON THE ROAD TO GERMANY-Here is seen the head of an American column crossing through the former German lincs on the way to the Rhine.

Lower: AMERICA'S ARRIVAL IN GERMANY-Many Racine men were with the vanguard of the Army of Occupation which went into the Rhine Country late in November, 1918. A little group of Germans seen on the wall are giving a re- ception which is typical of hundreds of other demonstrations by natives when the Allies entered enemy territory.

French Official Photo-Underwood & Underwood

Photo by Underwood & Underwood

HOOD

Above: WHERE THEY REALLY "FINISHED UP THE JOB"-When the last loan was floated the slogan was: "Let's Finish the Job " After the "big show" and the men were back, the State Bonus law was passed and Racine County's contin- gent filed applications at the history office. The picture shows a line that was con- tinuous for nearly a month. Notice the $10-a-month smile along the line.

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Upper: BRINGING BACK THE SWAG-It is easy enough to tell these boys are headed for America. A smile on every face! They are carrying in their barracks bags trinkets and souvenirs of the world's greatest war. Note the camouflaged tin hats in the foreground.

Lower: GONE WEST-Another lad is being laid in his resting place in France by comrades. It can be seen that there was not much of a ceremony, but loving hands are rounding up the mound that covers the departed Yank. The scene is a temporary burial ground near a field dressing station.

U. S. Official Photo

Picture by World Wide Photos-New York Times

HERE LIE TWENTY THOUSAND AMERICAN SOLDIERS-They are buried in this Cemetery, known to the A. E. F as the "Argonne." Twenty acres are covered with the small white crosses that mark the graves of Yanks. It is situated at Romagne sous Montfaucon, France. Several Racine county men are buried there.

U'S

GOOD-BYE FRANCE! HELLO NEW YORK !- At the left is one of the familiar landmarks of Brest. When the boys marched under that arch they knew they were through with their troubles, unless sea-sickness bothered them. Then their troubles'would only begin. The boys on the right are saluting Old New York. The hats in the air indicate how they feel.

CHAPTER XXXII

INCIDENTS OF ALL SORTS FROM EVERYWHERE

T HIS chapter will be devoted to a little of everything important and unimport- ant, gathered at home, abroad, on land and at sea. It is hoped that some of the mat- ters treated of here will serve to bring back almost-forgotten incidents to the minds of those who lived in the exciting days of 1917-19, either in Racine or in camps or bivouacs or ships. First of all will be given a short gloss- ary of army slang, which is intended only to put on record some of the more common terms ir daily use:

Some Army Abbreviations

Abri-A dugout or shelter.

A. W. O. L .- Absent without leave.

Amaroc-American army of occupation.

Buck-A private soldier.

Buddy-Comrade; usual method of address- ing a stranger in the army.

Battle of Paris-Sarcastic reference to the work (and pleasures) of those in France who occupied soft jobs at the rear.

C. C.'s-Pills; the only medicine, excepting iodine, used by the army doctors. Also called O. D. pills, because of their color.

Bumped off-Killed.

Cooties-Little animal friends of the soldier, which stuck closer than a brother.

Chow-Food ..

Cornwilly-Canned corn beef.

Casey-A K. of C. secretary.

Dugout hound-One who doesn't like to flirt with exploding shells.

Belly-robber-The mess sergeant.

Camouflage-Any method of concealment, disguise or trickery.

Dud-A shell which fails to explode.

Dog-tag-The identification disk carried by every soldier.

Chariot-A French baggage wagon.

Fighting unit-Any soldier who likes to tell how he won the war.

Fox hole-Shallow, temporary shelter dug by individual soldier.

Doughboy-An infantryman; sometimes us- ed to mean any enlisted man in the army.

Frog-A Frenchman.

Fourgan-Small, covered French wagon. Gob-A sailor.

Gold brick-One who has an easy job; es- pecially one who uses cunning to get out of real work; sometimes applied to staff officers, M. P.'s, and men who go to hospital for a very slight wound or illness.

Gold fish-Canned salmon.

G. O .- General orders.

G. H. Q .- General headquarters.

G. I .- can-An aerial bomb or a heavy shell; so-called because of the supposed resemblance to the big cans used to collect rubbish in camps.

Holy Joe-The chaplain.

How do you get that way ?- An intimation that you talk foolishly.

Hike-A march.

Jerry-The Germans; also called Heinie, or just "he."

Jumped off-Began an attack.

K. O .- The C. O., or commanding officer.

K. P .- Kitchen police, or cook's helpers.

Looey-A 2nd lieutenant.

M. P .- The military police, beloved by no one on pleasure bent.

Oofs-Eggs; from the French, "oeufs."

O. D .- Olive drab.

O. P .- Observing post; any place from which one gets a good view.

Outfit-Any unit of the army.

P. C .- Post of command; place of residence. Police.

Potato masher-German hand grenade.

S. O. L .- Sure out of luck.

Shavetail-A 2nd lieutenant.

Skipper-The captain.

Sausage-An observation balloon.

Slum-Army stew.

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RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR

S. O. S .- The service of supply; also any place where a soldier can wear a uniform but doesn't have to undergo any danger or discom- fort.

Sally-A Salvation Army worker.

Sub-A submarine.

Squads east-Drill; a corruption of "squads right."

Ship-An aeroplane.

Shovel, model 1879 - The shovels issued through the French supply depots.

Sing-A gathering where soldiers are re- quired to sing merrily whether they want to or not.

Salvage-To get what you want by any method.

Toot sweet-Right away; tout de suite.

Top kicker-The first sergeant of an outfit.

Vin Blanc-A drink that cheers but doesn't inebriate much; if mixed with red ink, it be- comes vin rouge.

"48"-A French box car, marked to hold "Hommes 48 ou Chevaux 8."

Y-The Y. M. C. A.

Monkey meat-Canned roast beef. * *

Frederick Dellschaft, Asst. Secretary of the J. I. Case T. M. Co., attended the Citizens' Training Camp at Plattsburg, New York, in 1916. When the United States entered the war the War Department called on the Military Training Camps Association to obtain appli- cants for the Officers' Training Camps. Mr. Dellschaft was made the Racine Branch Chair- man and obtained about thirty-five applica- tions from men apparently of officer caliber for the First camp which opened on May 14, 1917. Three months later the following Ra- cine men were commissioned from the Officers' Training Camp at Fort Sheridan:

W. Leroy Gittings, Carl M. Gevers, Fred- erick Dellschaft, Berne W. McClung, Henry E. Joselyn, Edmund R. Collins, Lawrence H. Smith, and John O. Flauth, Jr. Wallace Cole- man attended O. T. C. at Plattsburg, N. Y., and received his commission at that time.

When Mr. Dellschaft entered the First Of- ficers' Training Camp, W. F. MacGregor was made Branch Chairman, and as the Training Camps had been widely advertised, over one hundred applications were received for the sec- ond O. T. C. About forty of these received notice to come to Milwaukee to be examined by Lieut. F. L. Beals of the Regular Army, and of these about twenty were admitted to the Second Camp which opened on August 27, 1917, at Fort Sheridan. After taking the three month's training the following Racine men were commissioned from the Second Camp:

Stanley Raymond Belden, Benjamin T. Rog- ers, Ray J. Charmock, Herbert C. Wendt, John C. Fervoy, Harold F. Van Wie, John E. Belden, Irwin Raymond Witthune, Ernest W. Steiner, James F. Costello, Conrad M. Fox, Clarence Erickson, Harold L. Bickel, James Garrick, John D. Costello.

Applications for admission to the later Of- ficers' Camps were made through other chan- nels, but the services of the M. T. C. A. were continued to be utilitized by the War Depart- ment in other ways. Aid was given to the British Recruiting Mission during the Fall.

In November, 1917, orders were obtained from the commanding officers of the Q. M. Shop 304, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, for en- listing about six men and these men entered the army through the M. T. C. A. Among them were Arthur E. Price, J. Roland Jones, and Ralph W. McCaughey.

During the month of December, 1917, about fifty skilled mechanics were instructed to go to Milwaukee for enlistment in the Ordnance Department, for service at the Base Depot in France.

During the month of January, 1918, thirty- six applications for inspectors in the Equip- ment Division of the Signal Corps were for- warded by the local committee.

During the spring of 1918 aid was given in recruiting for the Navy and applications were obtained for the Government Camps at Lake Geneva which opened July 1, 1918, for boys and school instructors.

During the summer of 1918 information was given in regard to entering the Field Artillery Officers' Training School at Camp Zachary Taylor, Kentucky, and the Infantry Officers' Training School at Camp Freemont, Califor- nia; for commission in the Ordnance Depart- ment, for inspectors in Aircraft Production, for induction into the Tank Corps, the Signal Corps as aviators, and balloonists, and the Mo- tor Transport Corps, etc., etc.

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Racine county in the world war, Part 42

Author: Haight, Walter L Publication date: c1920] Publisher: [Racine, Western Prtg. & Lithographing Co. Number of Pages: 612

Author: Haight, Walter L
Publication date: c1920]
Publisher: [Racine, Western Prtg. & Lithographing Co.
Number of Pages: 612