October 1918
Oct 1
Hiked 12 kil. to trenches under terrific shell fire. Attack held up for 24 hrs. for artillery preparation.
Oct 2
Laid in trenches under terrific shell fire all day. Slept a little at night.
Oct 3
"Over the top" at 6 A.M. Most thrilling war sight I have ever seen. It looked impossible for anyone to ever walk over the territory safely. Shells breaking all around, mines exploding, German flares and shoots lighting sky and our own barrage sweeping before us. Thousands of German machine gun bullets whistling by us, but Marines pressed ahead and drove Germany's best back 7 kil. They destroyed the bridge across a marsh and we had to wade through slime and water waist deep. The air was very cold and I was never so uncomfortable in all my life.
Oct 4
"Over the top" at 2 P.M. Strong resistance. Many men lost. Gained obj. at 5:30 P.M. 3 of us attacked Germany machine gun nest but they spied us coming and wounded Jack Hassett and Middleditch in the legs. I managed to dodge them again and reached P.C. safely. Some experience.
Oct 5
"Over the top" at 6 A.M. ligh barrage and heavy casualties. Over again at 2:30 P.M. Captured the machine guns. Deible and Smith wounded. Dad Wray killed. Again I came through.
Oct 6
"Over the top" at 6:30 A.M. Laid in heavy barrage all day. Started for St. Etienne at 4 P.M. with Sellers to see whether the French or Germans held the town. We found Germans to our disappointment and they opened on us. A machine gun bullett (sic) clipped Sellers (sic) nose and they hit my canteen but we returned safely to P.C. with desired information. If I ever get out of this hell hole alive I'll sure be a thankful boy. Guided 36th Div. into lines at 2:30 A.M. If this isn't one hell of a place to put a raw division in I never saw one. Some more American genius. It is necessary for us to stay in lines and back up. Well it may make one work a little easier at least.
Oct 7
Held positions all day. French on my left captured St. Etienne. Saw Gop Haywood on battlefield. Made several trips to Co's under heavy machine gun barrages but came thru OK. Marshall wounded.
Oct 8
36th Div. went "over the top" at 5:30 A.M. Gained 2 kil. took charge of a Co. for a Capt. for twenty minutes and showed him how to advance under shell fire. This bunch is just a mob. Fritz counter attacked at 2:30 P.M and 36th dropped back. Marines rushed out and stopped it. Platoons now average about 16 men. They sure are giving this little division of ours a warm deal. 2,000,000 Americans in France and only 5 fighting divisions. Some system.
Oct 9
Held lines all day. Edwards killed. Springer, Scheffler, Lynn, Bradley and Albany taken sick. This leaves 6 of us. How long will we last? Relieved at 1:30 A.M. and hiked to Suippe. Fellows all in. No water to wash or shave for 12 days and only three hot meals. Mr. Wallace killed.
Oct 10
Arrive Suippe at 6 A.M. and wasted no time getting to bed. Didn't even take time to eat. Nerves about all gone. Woke up at 4:30 P.M. washed and shaved and went to Foyer du Soldat and wrote letters. Feeling slightly better.
Oct 11
Rested all day.
Oct 12
Were entertained in evening by Harriett and Reed two B. F. Keith stars. Good show but I had seen it before.
Oct 13
Rested.
Oct 14
Up at 5 A.M. Shoved off at 7 A.M. Hiked 15 kil. to Vadenay.
Oct 15
Were given new Lieut. Mr. Safford. A fine fellow. This is the fourth Lieut. we have had since the fight started. Hope he has better luck than the rest.
Oct 16
Rested all day. Harriett and Reed again entertained us at night.
Oct 17
Paraded before Admiral Mayo and Gen. Lejeune.
Oct 18
Packed up and got things ready for another trip to front. Lord only knows when we will ever get a rest. Don't know how they can expect much from us with Co's under 1/4 strength.
Oct 19
Did not move. Expect to start tomorrow.
Oct 20
Hiked 15 kil. back to Suippe Preparing for action.
Oct 21
Hiked 36 kil. many of boy falling out. Pitched blankets in field and slept from 12 M to 3:30 A.M.
Oct 22
Up 3:30 A.M. Hiked 25 kil. and orders changed in our favor. Slept in Germany camp over night.
Oct 23
Hiked 30 kil. to Scrippe. Arrived there 6 P.M. and had chow for a change.
Oct 24
Rested all day. Hundreds of boys sent to hosp. Don't know how I stand up so well under this life. It sure is Hell.
Oct 25
Up 4:30 A.M. Hiked 8 kil. and found camions waiting for us. This means another trip to front. Rode 32 kil, hiked 10 and slept in woods. Now on Argonne-Meuse front. The only one left for us now is Flanders and I guess that's our next one.
Oct 26
Moved 2 P.M. 25 kil. hike. Pay day. Imagine paying us before going to front. Refused to take mine. Boys all in. 9 of us out 30 left.
Oct 27
Rested.
Oct 28
Stood bye (sic) to move but orders changed.
Oct 29
Went up to front lines on recconoitering (sic) party. Heavy shell fire. Returned safely.
Oct 30
Moved forward 5 kil in evening and relieved 42nd division. They had been held at a standstill for 7 days by Germans and wagered that if we gained 1 kil. we would lose two. We'll show them. Watch us go.
Oct 31
Guided Btn. to trenches at night. Detailed to overlook 97th Co's progress in A.M. Hope luck will still be with me.
Hiked 12 kil. to trenches under terrific shell fire. Attack held up for 24 hrs. for artillery preparation.
Oct 2
Laid in trenches under terrific shell fire all day. Slept a little at night.
Oct 3
"Over the top" at 6 A.M. Most thrilling war sight I have ever seen. It looked impossible for anyone to ever walk over the territory safely. Shells breaking all around, mines exploding, German flares and shoots lighting sky and our own barrage sweeping before us. Thousands of German machine gun bullets whistling by us, but Marines pressed ahead and drove Germany's best back 7 kil. They destroyed the bridge across a marsh and we had to wade through slime and water waist deep. The air was very cold and I was never so uncomfortable in all my life.
Oct 4
"Over the top" at 2 P.M. Strong resistance. Many men lost. Gained obj. at 5:30 P.M. 3 of us attacked Germany machine gun nest but they spied us coming and wounded Jack Hassett and Middleditch in the legs. I managed to dodge them again and reached P.C. safely. Some experience.
Oct 5
"Over the top" at 6 A.M. ligh barrage and heavy casualties. Over again at 2:30 P.M. Captured the machine guns. Deible and Smith wounded. Dad Wray killed. Again I came through.
Oct 6
"Over the top" at 6:30 A.M. Laid in heavy barrage all day. Started for St. Etienne at 4 P.M. with Sellers to see whether the French or Germans held the town. We found Germans to our disappointment and they opened on us. A machine gun bullett (sic) clipped Sellers (sic) nose and they hit my canteen but we returned safely to P.C. with desired information. If I ever get out of this hell hole alive I'll sure be a thankful boy. Guided 36th Div. into lines at 2:30 A.M. If this isn't one hell of a place to put a raw division in I never saw one. Some more American genius. It is necessary for us to stay in lines and back up. Well it may make one work a little easier at least.
Oct 7
Held positions all day. French on my left captured St. Etienne. Saw Gop Haywood on battlefield. Made several trips to Co's under heavy machine gun barrages but came thru OK. Marshall wounded.
Oct 8
36th Div. went "over the top" at 5:30 A.M. Gained 2 kil. took charge of a Co. for a Capt. for twenty minutes and showed him how to advance under shell fire. This bunch is just a mob. Fritz counter attacked at 2:30 P.M and 36th dropped back. Marines rushed out and stopped it. Platoons now average about 16 men. They sure are giving this little division of ours a warm deal. 2,000,000 Americans in France and only 5 fighting divisions. Some system.
Oct 9
Held lines all day. Edwards killed. Springer, Scheffler, Lynn, Bradley and Albany taken sick. This leaves 6 of us. How long will we last? Relieved at 1:30 A.M. and hiked to Suippe. Fellows all in. No water to wash or shave for 12 days and only three hot meals. Mr. Wallace killed.
Oct 10
Arrive Suippe at 6 A.M. and wasted no time getting to bed. Didn't even take time to eat. Nerves about all gone. Woke up at 4:30 P.M. washed and shaved and went to Foyer du Soldat and wrote letters. Feeling slightly better.
Oct 11
Rested all day.
Oct 12
Were entertained in evening by Harriett and Reed two B. F. Keith stars. Good show but I had seen it before.
Oct 13
Rested.
Oct 14
Up at 5 A.M. Shoved off at 7 A.M. Hiked 15 kil. to Vadenay.
Oct 15
Were given new Lieut. Mr. Safford. A fine fellow. This is the fourth Lieut. we have had since the fight started. Hope he has better luck than the rest.
Oct 16
Rested all day. Harriett and Reed again entertained us at night.
Oct 17
Paraded before Admiral Mayo and Gen. Lejeune.
Oct 18
Packed up and got things ready for another trip to front. Lord only knows when we will ever get a rest. Don't know how they can expect much from us with Co's under 1/4 strength.
Oct 19
Did not move. Expect to start tomorrow.
Oct 20
Hiked 15 kil. back to Suippe Preparing for action.
Oct 21
Hiked 36 kil. many of boy falling out. Pitched blankets in field and slept from 12 M to 3:30 A.M.
Oct 22
Up 3:30 A.M. Hiked 25 kil. and orders changed in our favor. Slept in Germany camp over night.
Oct 23
Hiked 30 kil. to Scrippe. Arrived there 6 P.M. and had chow for a change.
Oct 24
Rested all day. Hundreds of boys sent to hosp. Don't know how I stand up so well under this life. It sure is Hell.
Oct 25
Up 4:30 A.M. Hiked 8 kil. and found camions waiting for us. This means another trip to front. Rode 32 kil, hiked 10 and slept in woods. Now on Argonne-Meuse front. The only one left for us now is Flanders and I guess that's our next one.
Oct 26
Moved 2 P.M. 25 kil. hike. Pay day. Imagine paying us before going to front. Refused to take mine. Boys all in. 9 of us out 30 left.
Oct 27
Rested.
Oct 28
Stood bye (sic) to move but orders changed.
Oct 29
Went up to front lines on recconoitering (sic) party. Heavy shell fire. Returned safely.
Oct 30
Moved forward 5 kil in evening and relieved 42nd division. They had been held at a standstill for 7 days by Germans and wagered that if we gained 1 kil. we would lose two. We'll show them. Watch us go.
Oct 31
Guided Btn. to trenches at night. Detailed to overlook 97th Co's progress in A.M. Hope luck will still be with me.
November 1918
Nov 1
Heavy barrage at 3:30 A.M. "Over the top" at 5:30 A.M. Walked through terrific counter barrage for two hours. Dad Bradley killed and Lynn wounded. Germans retreated in disorderly mob before us. Captured many prisoners and had quite a few casualties. Also captured many cannon. 7 kil. advance. Reached Bayonville and formed P.C. there. Now will the 42nd Div. be good.
Nov 2
The house we were sleeping in was hit by shell and the Lord only knows how we escaped. Dulger (sp?) killed.
Nov 3
The 9th and 23rd leaped (sic) frogged us and captured Fosse the divisional objective. Formed our P.C. there. Been exposed to bad weather since the first and many of fellows taken sick.
Nov 4
Huns evidently evacuating. Went on patrol at night to Meuse river and could find no trace of them. Have advance 25 kil. up to date. Rainy.
Nov 5
Still sleeping out in rain. Fellows still being evacuated for sickness. How in hell do I stand up under this?
Nov 6
Stopped raining but very damp, cold, and rainy.
Nov 7
We have about reached end of human endurance. Btn. now numbers only 300 men. (Now rate gold chevron on left arm. Thank goodness its not one for right arm.)
Nov 8
Still laying out in rain and mud.
Nov 9
Hiked to within two kil. of Meuse river and took up positions for an attack.
Nov 10
Barrage started at 8:30 P.M. and we started off for a night attack on what we all realized was the last night of the war. Can you imagine the likes of that. Why couldn't they put it off 12 hrs. No we were "first to fight" and naturally had to be last. Advanced to Meuse under terrific shell fire and stood bye (sic) to cross on pontoon bridge. The engineers would only furnish us one bridge so we could not cross. Maj. Schuyler decided to go back to dug outs and what was left of us practically owe our lives to him. Two Btns. of the 5th crossed and were practically annihilated by shell fire and machine gun fire.
Nov 11
Guns stopped firing at 11 A.M. Who could imagine at 8:30 P.M. the night before that the war would end so soon? We went wild with joy. Took a walk to Meuse and saw one of the most horrible sights I ever witnessed. Fifth reg. boys were laying dead along the roads in columns. Some of the boys had gone through the whole war safely up to that time and then had to be sacrificed by someone's ambitions.
Heavy barrage at 3:30 A.M. "Over the top" at 5:30 A.M. Walked through terrific counter barrage for two hours. Dad Bradley killed and Lynn wounded. Germans retreated in disorderly mob before us. Captured many prisoners and had quite a few casualties. Also captured many cannon. 7 kil. advance. Reached Bayonville and formed P.C. there. Now will the 42nd Div. be good.
Nov 2
The house we were sleeping in was hit by shell and the Lord only knows how we escaped. Dulger (sp?) killed.
Nov 3
The 9th and 23rd leaped (sic) frogged us and captured Fosse the divisional objective. Formed our P.C. there. Been exposed to bad weather since the first and many of fellows taken sick.
Nov 4
Huns evidently evacuating. Went on patrol at night to Meuse river and could find no trace of them. Have advance 25 kil. up to date. Rainy.
Nov 5
Still sleeping out in rain. Fellows still being evacuated for sickness. How in hell do I stand up under this?
Nov 6
Stopped raining but very damp, cold, and rainy.
Nov 7
We have about reached end of human endurance. Btn. now numbers only 300 men. (Now rate gold chevron on left arm. Thank goodness its not one for right arm.)
Nov 8
Still laying out in rain and mud.
Nov 9
Hiked to within two kil. of Meuse river and took up positions for an attack.
Nov 10
Barrage started at 8:30 P.M. and we started off for a night attack on what we all realized was the last night of the war. Can you imagine the likes of that. Why couldn't they put it off 12 hrs. No we were "first to fight" and naturally had to be last. Advanced to Meuse under terrific shell fire and stood bye (sic) to cross on pontoon bridge. The engineers would only furnish us one bridge so we could not cross. Maj. Schuyler decided to go back to dug outs and what was left of us practically owe our lives to him. Two Btns. of the 5th crossed and were practically annihilated by shell fire and machine gun fire.
Nov 11
Guns stopped firing at 11 A.M. Who could imagine at 8:30 P.M. the night before that the war would end so soon? We went wild with joy. Took a walk to Meuse and saw one of the most horrible sights I ever witnessed. Fifth reg. boys were laying dead along the roads in columns. Some of the boys had gone through the whole war safely up to that time and then had to be sacrificed by someone's ambitions.
It certainly was too bad and I feel sure that the guilty party will be made to suffer. This ends my story of experiences at the front and I surely feel that I did my best towards bringing an end to the war. I have just jotted down things to remind me of what I had to go thru to be a good Marine. Many things have been left unsaid but I will be reminded of them by the few things I have written. I hope my notes in the future will have a much more different tone and the heighth of my ambition now is to get home.
Nov 12
Sent following cablegram to Mother and Mabs "Well and Happy. Love" Had big camp fires at night. We are just beginning to realize that the war is over. This was the only chance a Marine ever had for relief. Thank God it has come.
Nov 13
Moved to Mouzon on Meuse. Germans still in other end of town. Found good sauerkraut etc. and had a feast.
Nov 14
Hiked 3 kil. to Ville-montry and joined Btn.
Nov 15
Slept in barn and dam (sic or darn?) near froze. We have been given the honor of following Germans to the Rhine. Expect to start in a few days. We will probably go to Coblenz.
Nov 16
Drew clothes and nearly froze taking a bucket bath. Tomorrow we start for the Rhine.
My experiences in entering Germany will be told in another book. I hope they are of a much different nature than the ones I have told about in this book.