Glass— — Book — THE WAR BOOK OF THE One Hundred and Sixth Regiment Field Artillery UNITED STATES ARMY 1917-1919 THE WAR BOOK OF THE One Hundred and Sixth Regiment Field Artillery UNITED STATES ARMY 1917-1919 iO * y* PREVIOUS HISTORY The Regiment was organized in Buffalo, New York, in 1848, and served in the Civil War as the 65th Regiment New York Infantry and as part of the 187th Regiment New York Volunteers. It served in the Spanish-American War as the 65th Regiment New York Infantry. On July 10th, 1916, the Regiment was changed to heavy artillery, and served on the Mexican Border as the 3rd New York Field Artillery. The Regiment has received authority to place on the lances of its standards, silver rings, engraved as follows : Gettysburg Campaign, 1863; before Petersburg, Va., October, 1864; Hatcher's Run, October, 1864; Hicksford Raid, Va., December, 1864; Hatcher's Run, February, 1865 ; Appomattox Campaign, March and April, 1865 ; Gravelly Run, March, 1865 ; White Oak Ridge, March, 1865 ; Five Forks, April, 1865; Fall of Petersburg, April, 1865; Appomattox Court House, April, 1865 ; Spanish-American War, 1898. CHAPTER I. TRAINING PERIOD "Joyous Beginnings" The Regiment was called into the United States service on July 15th, 1917, and drafted into the Army of the United States as the 106th Field Artillery on August 4th, 1917. About a month later the Regiment was ordered to Camp Wadsworth, Spartanburg, S. C, for training under command of Lieut. -Colonel John D. Howland. Here Colonel Frank H. Hines was assigned to command the Regiment until its departure for Europe. With its Mexican Border experience behind it the Regiment progressed rapidly in its training. Care of horses, dismounted drill, gun drill, road marches and training of special details, led up to service practice on the artillery range at Campobello in the Blue Ridge Mountains during March and April, 1918. During the month of May rumors of the early departure of the 106th Field Artillery steadily increased in volume, until they became a veritable roar, echoing and re-echoing throughout the entire confines of Camp Wadsworth, S. C. Cheerful and carefree at last, the 106th went about its work of salvaging discarded equipment, of packing, and cleaning up. For was it not at last finished with the long winter of inactivity? Was not its dearest hope of taking part in the Great Game about to be realized ? Even the renowned spy system of the German Imperial Government heard the news, for reports of the Kaiser's perturbation over the event quickly spread over the length and breadth of his Dominions. It was not surpris- ing, therefore, that on the arrival of the 106th at Newport News in the last days of May, three submarines were reported lurking off the coast and, indeed, in the very vicinity of the Capes. Undismayed, however, and with its customary dash, the 106th pawned off its old tableware on its sister regiments, and in the hush of a hot summer day, June 6th, climbed aboard the good ship "Matsonia.'' As the land dropped quickly out of sight, and the ship sped on with its cruiser escort, some anxiety was felt by the ship's officers concerning the whereabouts of the sea monsters. But the 106th showed its contempt of danger by promptly going to sleep, and through this ruse evaded the watchful eyes of the Teutonic sea-hounds. The success of its exploit can only be appreciated in view of the report (not verified) that the cruiser, on its return to the coast, fell a ready victim to the thwarted anger of the submarines, who satisfied their rage at the 4 THE WAR BOOK OF THE escape of the 106th by mercilessly attacking helpless craft of all sorts, including coal barges. The good ship "Matsonia" now lined up with a cruiser of the latest type and five other transports and day after day pursued a zigzag course to the Eastward. The solemn procession moved onward with little adven- ture, and the 106th grew accustomed to crawling around in the dark, for lights were out after sunset, grew accustomed to sleeping in its tiers of bunks in the hold, or on warm nights to rolling up on deck, and to the elastic organization which in active service replaces the straight lines and regular intervals of the drill field. But two events broke the orderly progress of the voyage. One was a sudden blast of whistles and reversing of the engines of the "Matsonia" shortly after dark of the fifth day on the ocean. The 106th crawled up on deck to see what it was all about, just in time to note the stern of a strange vessel slide past the "Matsonia's" bow within hailing distance. The other was the mysterious breakage of a pair of opera glasses used by the lookout on No. 2 Post, Main Deck. Who did it? For the entire remainder of the journey, the Adjutant's office was kept busy sending out memoranda, writing indorsements, return- ing letters for revision, asking questions, conducting investigations, ami filing reports. It is a detail scarcely worth mentioning that the voyage ended before the mystery of the opera glasses was solved, for the breakage was more than compensated by the innocent occupation which it provided for so many persons, who would otherwise have suffered from the tedium of uneventful days. Towards the end of the voyage the 106th arose before dawn, strapped 106th REGIMENT FIELD ARTILLERY on its lifebelts, and gathered in the appointed places. Nothing, however, except the beauty of the sunrise and gradual emergence of the destroyers out of the mists of the night repaid this excess of virtue. At last, many small craft appeared; later a great dirigible balloon and finally, the main- land of France. It was the 18th day of June when the 106th first set foot on this historic soil, in the old fishng port of St. Nazaire, and felt that the great adventure had begun. The reports of a rest camp quickly proved illusory, as prodigies of manual labor were immediately demanded of the regiment; although it had a total strength of but 1,300, unloading details of 1,500 were regularly called for. Thus the days sped quickly by, and the regiment shortly entrained for Bordeaux. It was here, in the quiet, contented, prosperous village of Grandignan that the 106th enjoyed the most luxurious of billets, learned to dawdle in true French fashion, and look on the wine when it was red. The war seemed very far away. With- out guns, or even horses, the regiment was but an idle spectator in those days when German might still menaced the common security. Indeed, a close relation is ascribed by the knowing ones to the proximity of the date of the great victory at Chateau Thierry and the departure of the 106th for Camp de Souge. In this historic training ground all the mysteries of modern warfare were quickly unfolded before the gasping minds of the eager students. Barometric pressure, the Italian method, French recoil apparatus, "Y" lines, and azimuth, the intricacies of the 155mm. Schneider Howitzer were mastered, and all became familiar friends ; horses and guns were issued ; the motto of the Y. M. C. A., "We are all out; everything goes to the boys 6 THE WAR BOOK at the front," grew to be a byword. And yet these virtues were only of secondary importance, compared to the really great work Camp de Souge did for its pupils. Situated in a patch of France so barren that it may only be compared with certain stretches in Texas or the Sahara Desert ; sandy and glaring, flat, ugly, uninteresting, and infested with three-fourths of all the flies in existence, it could not fail to awaken a desire to leave for any- where — even the unknown perils of the Front. It was here that the Regiment lost its Commanding Officer — Lieut. - Colonel John D. Howland. In his stead, it acquired the new leader, who was to guide it through its active service, and mould it into a fighting outfit — Colonel Emery T. Smith. Here, too, it was joined by its liaison officer — Lieut. Henri Berteaux — a fine representative of the French Army, whose experience and help were a constant factor in the work at the front. And so, fully equipped, on the 6th and 7th of September, the Regiment entrained for parts unknown. CHAPTER II A Quiet Sector The journey from Bordeaux to Longeville, a small town near Bar-le- Duc, consumed slightly over two days. It was made under the best of conditions, fine weather, frequent stops, a surplus of cars, and good watering conditions for the animals. The small French cars hold eight horses, four in a row, with heads toward the middle, leaving just room for two men to sit and attend to the feeding and watering conveniently. People still waved at the Americans, and the excellent hot coffee arrange- ments of the Red Cross made the time pass easily. The Regiment welcomed the orders to start for the front that same evening, September 9th, despite the rain which began falling steadily. Those Midnight Rests were Fine — in. Sunny (?) France 8 THE WAR BOOK OF THE The guns of three batteries, A, C and D, constituting the 1st Provi- sional Battalion under Major Verbeck, together with their officers and gun crews, were pulled right through to their new positions at Charny and near Germonville. The rest of the regiment rode or walked through the black night. Without a chance to rest their horses which had been received only a short time previously, and were still soft and green, they straggled into Issoncourt, a march of about 30 kilometers, just as day was breaking. Guns and wagons were scattered about under trees, in the shadow of houses, half hidden under hedges, picket lines were stretched, horses fed and a snatch of sleep took up most of the day. The rain now settled down into a steady downpour, covering the hard roads with a surface of mud, and making the soft roads practically impassable. It was under these conditions that the regiment moved out after dark to the Bois de Nixeville, a semi-permanent camp of Adrian Barracks, hidden away under the trees. It was heavy work, and the horses were beginning to give way under the strain. Stable space was scarce and most of the animals had to be left on picket lines. The mud was deep, and it was impossible to build fires, but it was welcome news that we should lie over a day. A good sleep, the first for four nights, and the last stage of the journey to Baleycourt was made on the night of September 12th. Here the echelon was permanently estab- lished at about two kilometers from Regimental Headquarters, which were at Fromereville and about eight kilometers from the nearest enemy lines. Almost over night the regiment had stripped for action. The care-free joy of the training period over; old habits were dropped by the wayside like cast off clothes. While the regiment was thus painfully dragging itself and its impedi- ments forward, the 1st Battalion was already getting into action. On September 12th it took part in a demonstration in support of the St. Mihiel attack. Shortly after the 3rd Battalion, consisting of E and F Batteries, also moved into position near Bethlainville, without, however, doing any firing, and a Battalion of the 308th French Heavy Artillery, under Major Crova. was added to the regiment. On its arrival at the front the Brigade was attached to the 33rd Divi- sion, under command of Major General George Bell, Jr., who immediatelv undertook a searching inspection of his new acquisition. Almost every- thing was found unsatisfactory. The railroad journey and muddy hike were not accepted as excuses. So that in company with the rest of the Brigade, the 106th was subjected to severe criticism in regard to the con- dition of its horses and materiel. Polishing wagons, cleaning harness, grooming, feeding and grazing horses were the lot of those left behind in the echelon for the next few weeks, until a re-inspection showed the neces- sary improvement. Despite all that could be done, however, the horses 106th REGIMENT FIELD ARTILLERY never measured up to the work required of them and continued to hamper the mobility of the regiment throughout its service at the front. The best horses were therefore concentrated in A, B and F Batteries, so as to insure ready movement for at least one-half of the outfit. Verdun at this time was a quiet sector, where all the precautions of stationary warfare were rigidly enforced so that no suspicions of concen- tration would leak out. Only single wagons or trucks and small detach- ments of men might move in the day time. Guns were fired only at rare intervals and for short periods. Occasional trench raids for the purpose of identifying prisoners were all that disturbed the peaceful calm. A few enemy "G. P. F.'s" fell around Fromereville and the echelon. "A" Battery received its daily punishment at 5 :50 in the afternoon ; on moonlight nights aeroplanes whirred overhead and dropped" a sprinkling of bombs; and crossroads received an occa- sional burst of shrapnel. These did but little damage with the exception of a chance shot which made a direct hit on No. 4 piece of "E" Battery, bury- ing six members of the gun crew. Capt. Curtin led the work of digging them out, and it was found that nothing more serious than a few broken arms and legs resulted. Since arriving at these po- sitions, several times telephone wires had been mysteriously cut, and there was some feeling of uneasiness lest some German spies were in our midst. This was enhanced by an incident that occurred at "A" Battery on the evening of September 16th. The guard had noticed two men in French working uniforms, apparently loitering about. When he next saw them they were inside one of the gun pits and actually looking over the gun. At his challenge they scrambled out and disappeared among the ruins, in spite of his pistol shots. A search was undertaken, but darkness came on rapidly and all efforts at finding them were without avail. Shortly after these incidents a French Marine Officer w r as seen prowl- wan, wha' d'you know about luck, huh? 10 THE WAR BOOK OF THE ing around "13'' Battery position on September 17th. This Battery was occupying the former emplacements of two French Batteries, the two platoons being about 100 meters apart and the P. C. near the middle. It later appeared that the French Officer had been ordered to occupy these emplacements with his battery and was reconnoitering the ground, but at the moment did not disclose his purpose. Lieut. Backus first accosted him, but his French was insufficient Later he met Lieut. Burrows and they spoke English. How many guns were in the position ? How many men ? Quantity of ammunition? And means of approach? He soon knew all there was to learn about the situation. Then he disappeared. The reports clashed. Certainly here was a mystery. Headquarters were informed. A search was instituted. At last the Frenchman was found — arranging the necessary details for cooperation with the Brigade Staff. On September 23rd began the movement forward in preparation for the attack on September 26th. The regiment was concentrated on a knoll northwest of Chattancourt ; the 3d Battalion in an old French position, near the top; half way down, the 1st Battalion, in semi-prepared positions; and at the foot of the hill, the 2nd Battalion in the open. The positions of the upper two battalions were only reached by a field road, which on account of the constant rain became almost impassable. These were stren- uous days of waiting on congested roads, hauling guns out of holes, pushing and straining in the dark. They were trying because of the harassing fire which the Boche was now sprinkling generously on crossroads and exposed places, and which during this time was not answered by any return. With- out shelter for three days, with scarcity of food and the constant labor of digging and carrying ammunition to the gun positions, the regiment nevertheless succeeded in putting itself into a positon to accomplish its mission of the 25th. 106tii REGIMENT FIELD ARTILLERY 11 The above reproduction is a photograph (taken from an aeroplane) of the town of Brabant near the center of the picture. While in position on the left bank ot the Meuse, houses in this village were used as points on which to adjust our fire. After the capture of the village, the regiment was in position on the extreme left of the picture, between the river and the road where they are closest together. The irregu- lar lines are German trenches, the white dots are shell craters. CHAPTER III ''West of the Meuse" In the attack of September 26th the 106th fired 2,550 rounds between 5:30 and 9:15 a. m., being about two kilometers from the front lines at the beginning of the attack. The regiment's objectives were all in the back area, such as second line trenches, ammunition dumps, crossroads and concentration points. On account of the thick haze, it is impossible to make any estimate of the results of this fire, other than that the attack at this point was entirely successful, the infantry capturing the towns of Forges, Bethincourt, Drillancourt and Gercourt. The regiment was now out of range for points on the left bank of the Meuse, so that during the next few days it was confined to small harassing fire to the right, mainly on the Bois de Chaume and Bois de Consenvoye, and the taking over and putting into condition two captured German batteries. The first consisting of three pieces of 150mm. howitzers, under command of Lieut. Toomey, was to the east of Gercourt; the other, consisting of four pieces of 150mm. Howitzers, under Lieut. Backus, was south of the same town. A quantity of ammunition was found at each position, and sufficient data to construct a tentative range table. On the night of October 2nd-3rd the mobile batteries, A, B and F, forming the 1st provisional battalion, under Major Verbeck, moved for- ward toward Bethincourt. The road led through Cumieres and Forges, and for a long distance was under direct observation of the Germans on the right of the Meuse. Their continual shelling so congested the traffic that the Battalion was finally forced to send back its horses and park its pieces along the edge of the road during the day. On the next night, however, they were able to pull through without suffering any casualties, arriving at their new positions one-half kilometer to the east of Bethin- court just in time to participate at 5 :25 in an attack by the 4th Division on our left. The points covered were enemy batteries in the Bois de Chatillon, Bois de Sartelles and the ravines east of Liny-devant-Dun. On October 6th, the 1st Battalion was given a mission to destroy the Trench de Teton, a strong point in the enemy's lines which had obstinately resisted capture, and from which their machine gun fire had proven particularly effective. The adjustment was undertaken by Balloon Com- pany No. 9, and completed despite the fact that enemy areoplanes forced the balloons to earth four times and finally sent one down in flames just as the observation was completed. The concentration put down on the basis of the adjustment was reported by the infantry to be entirely effective, 106th REGIMENT FIELD ARTILLERY 13 enabling them to capture the point, and winning a compliment from General Bullard. To days later, in conjunction with the 104th Field Artillery, and the 2nd Battalion of the 105th Field Artillery, who were placed in a "groupment" under the command of Colonel Emery T. Smith, the regiment supported an attack by the 29th Division on the right bank of the Meuse and the crossing of the river at Brabant by a detachment of the 33rd Division. This was the heaviest day's fire which the 106th delivered, 1,573 rounds being fired in the morning and 1,674 in the afternoon, and the infantry was successful in attaining its objective. The French battalion of the 308th Heavy Artillery was now detached and sent to another part of the front. In this connection an amusing incident which occurred to Major Crova may be recalled. On the afternoon of October 9th he re- ceived orders to move two of his batteries forward to the Ravine de Raf- fincourt and be ready to open fire on the following morning at 6 :05 a. m. Word was sent to the batteries to have their horses brought forward, while Major Crova set out on a reconnaissance. It was then about 4 o'clock in the afternoon. He found the place without difficulty, but as he was picking out the exact location of his pieces, a sentry from a nearby Engineer outfit considered him a suspicious character and put him under arrest. Pleading and protests were of no avail. There had already been too many Boche spies prowling around in French uniforms. For an hour the major fumed and demanded to see an officer. But they were all out. Meantime it grew dark, and the batteries were waiting. At last an officer was found. Identification cards were produced ; the telephone was put into service, and the major was set free with many apologies. Neverthe- less, the French batteries negotiated the difficult pull over a hitherto untravelled road, and opened fire promptly at 6 :05 on the following morn- ing. It was a fine piece of work, which won the admiration of the regi- ment. On October 13th, fire was called for on the church at Sivry, several machine guns having been noted in the steeple. Lieut. Toomey's German Battery joined in its destruction, using a quantity of their own gas for this purpose. The work was thoroughly carried out as later inspection showed, but the enemy clearly recognized his own creation, for just two hours later he drenched his former battery position with gas and H. E. Lack of observation, however, fortunately prevented his fire from attaining the desired effect. The regiment was now entirely out of range, and October 13th and 15th it moved forward and took position in the road leading east from Gercourt. Those were bad days and nights, of rain, mud and hills. Twelve, fourteen and even eighteen horses were necessary to pull the guns up the crest above Bethincourt, and once over, the Boche had an excellent view of the road. Fortunately, he appeared to have run into a bad lot of ammunition, for he was guilty of an astonishing proportion of duds. The 14 THE WAR BOOK emplacements were all in the open, being under direct observation of the Germans from Haramount. The regimental P. C. was a former enemy gun pit. so well (or badly) placed that Captain Schohl was able to carry on an adjustment standing on the roof. But little more than a few rounds of harassing fire had been undertaken, however, before the regiment was relieved by the 15th French Colonial Division on the 20th of October, and spent three quiet days in washing and cleaning up in the pleasant, safe, rear areas of B< is la Villa and Chene Gossin. i CHAPTER IV On October 27th, the Brigade was attached to the 79th Division, under command of Major General Kuhn, which held the hilly sector of the Bois de la Grande Montague on the right bank of the Meuse. The 106th on October 28th and 29th took over the positions of the 324th Field Artillery, situated along the Samogneux- Brabant road, which was parallel to the Meuse. The fighting in this sector was open warfare, the positions being uncomfortably exposed, and the enemy observation down the valleys uncommonly good. Moreover, camouflage was sacrificed to the end of keeping the Boche under pressure, so that engineer depots, supply dumps and picket lines were interspersed between the battery positions. Hostile shelling was therefore a constant factor, though fortunately not as destruc- tive as might have been expected under these circumstances. Communi- cations were good, so that despite limitations of observation into the ravines and valleys held by the Boche, the regiment was able to do effective work. Firing was heavy, during the period up to the signing of the armistice, a total of 10,611 rounds being fired in thirteen days, each shell weighing 95 pounds. It should be recorded also that "A" Battery, under command of Captain Burkhardt, was given the honor of being selected for counter battery work. The first days of firing were demonstrations in support of an attack- on Brieulles by the 4th Division, and occasional harassing and concentra- tion fire when called for by our own infantry. On November 4th, began the hammering of the 79th Division through Bois de la Grande Montagne, which finally resulted in the capture of Reville, Etraye, and Crepion. This fighting was of the most desperate character, fire being called for repeat- edly on the same positions. < Quotations from the Operations Reports of the 79th Division, Novem- ber 5th-6th and November 6th-7th, illustrate the part played by the regi- ment during this period: "Active accompanying, harassing, counter-battery and barrage fires put down by all firing units of the 52nd Field Artillery Brigade during the period. Observation greatly improved. At 13.35 hrs. the 158th Brigade called for fire on area from 24.3-86.0 to 24.4-86.5, where enemy were con- centrated for advance. The 1.06th Field Artillery put down a strong fire on this point. The 158th Brigade reported that this fire broke up the enemy's plan for counter attack, causing great casualties and demoraliza- tion. This confirmed by a prisoner taken by the 158th Brigade. At 13.45 16 THE WAR BOOK OF THE 106th REGIMENT FIELD ARTILLERY 17 fire was put down on the Haramont-Ecurey road, which was observed to disperse and scatter enemy's troops and convoy at this point. At 14.15 enemy observed preparing gun position at 23.7-86.6. The 106th Field Artillery repeated fire on this position and destroyed same by obtaining a direct hit, which dispersed enemy workers. At 15.10, the 158th Brigade reported "whiz-bangs" in trench 25.8-84.9. The 106th Field Artillery put down fire on this point and French observer reported that fire was effective and whiz-bangs were silenced. "Barrages, intermittent and harassing fire and counter battery fire carried on throughout the period in conjunction with action of our Infantry. At 8.30 hrs. the 158th Infantry Brigade called for fire on 25.4- 84.35, where enemy machine guns were operating. Put down fire for destruction on this area, using the 106th Field Artillery 155mm. Observer reported fire effective and machine gun fire lessened. On further informa- tion from the 158th Infantry Brigade, we put down destructive and demoralizing fire on a point one hundred meters beyond this machine gun nest to silence other guns reported by the Infantry. Enemy was reported at 24.3-85.4 concentrating on and beyond the crest. 106th Field Artillery put down fire 155s on this area." Infantry advances were just beginning to reward their persistent attacks and the regiment was again beginning to move forward to positions in the neighborhood of Ormont Farm and fit itself into some very nice German dugouts when hostilities ceased on November 11th. The horses were turned over to one of the Brigades going forward in the Army of Occupation, and the regiment, now immobile, was hauled back to Jardin- Fontaine, near Verdun, where it went into billets with the rest of the Brigade, until its departure for the Le Mans area early in December. Here 18 THE WAR BOOK OF THE General Pershing at the Brigade Review. it was billeted in three vil lages near Laval. The time was spent in disciplinary drills, cleaning, refitting, get- ting rid of cooties, and in- spections. With the rest of the Brigade it was reviewed by General Pershing, who took occasion to comment fa- vorably on the work of the regiment at the front. Finally the three months of waiting came to an end, and on February 25th the regiment entrained for Brest, to undergo its final inspec- tions and embark on March 3rd on the transport "Amer- ica." Field and Staff 106th Field Artillery. Colonel Emery T. Smith Lieut. -Col. John T. Delaney Lieut. -Col. Guido F. Verbeck Major Louis H. Eller Major Robert W. Hinds Major William H. Kennedy Major Bradley Goodyear Captain Walter D. Parlour Captain Harry L. Gilchriese Captain James H. Kenyon Captain Edwin C. Gutelius Captain Henry G. Montgomery Captain John C. Grabau Captain Charles D. Cromwell 1st Lieut. Floyd W. Hayes 1st Lieut. Vernon W. LeMaster 1st Lieut. Adelbert M. Sutton 1st Lieut. John P. Kelly Chaplain Peter J. Kroll 1734 "P" St., Washington, D. C. New York, N. Y. Manlius, N. Y. Buffalo, N. Y. 25 Gardiner St., Allston, Mass. 71 Woodland Ave., New Rochelle, N.Y. 894 Delaware Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. 190 Masten St., Buffalo, N. Y. 89 Minnesota Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. New York, N. Y. 63 North St., Sunbury, Pa. New York, N. Y. 180 Goodell St., Buffalo, N. Y. Poughkeepsie, N. Y. 108 Palmer St., Jamestown, N. Y. 126 West Poplar St., Sidney, Ohio. 100 Falconer St., No.Tonawanda, N.Y. West Bloomfield, N. Y. Royal ton, Minn. 106th REGIMENT FIELD ARTILLERY 19 Headquarters, 52d Field Artillery Brigade American Expeditionary Forces 1st January, 1919 General Orders No. 1. 1. The following communication from the Commanding General, 27th Division, is published for the information of this Brigade : Headquarters, 27th Division, U. S. A., American E. F., France. November 30, 1918. Brigadier General Geo. A. Wingate, 52nd Field Artillery Brigade, American E. F., France. My dear Wingate, It was very pleasant to read your letter of the 18th November, and to receive copies of the communications given our Field Artillery Brigade by the Commanding Generals of the Infantry Units which the Brigade served so efficiently. I should be glad to have you convey to the Officers and Men of your Brigade my personal congratulations, and the pride which the entire Divi- sion feel in the magnificent record made by them. It was a source of regret to all of us that circumstances made it imprac- ticable for the Brigade to serve with its own Division. The commendations, copy of which you sent me, will be published in Bulletin form for the information of the Division. Sincerely yours, (Signed) John F. O'Ryan, Major General. Headquarters, 52d Field Artillery Brigade, American Expeditionary Forces 19th November, 1918. General Orders No. 21. 1. The work of this Brigade during the operation of the American Expeditionary Forces in the vicinity of Verdun from 26th September, 1918. until the close of hostilities, 11th November, 1918, is worthy of the highest praise. 2. Although it has not served with its own Division, the Brigade has met all the calls of the 33rd and 79th Divisions with whom it cooperated to their complete satisfaction, and with credit to itself. Its service was rendered under extremely adverse conditions, due to lack of equipment, animals and motor transport. That its fire under such circumstances was 20 THE WAR BOOK OF THE always promptly, accurately and effectively delivered, was due to the unflinching determination of each officer and man to do his part regardless of hours, weather or danger, and to justify pride in his organization, Brigade and Division. 3. The following figures of the ammunition consumption show the volume of work required of the Brigade : Number of rounds Weight of rounds Organization Fired. Fired (Lbs.) 104th Field Artillery 66,782 1,001,730 105th Field Artillery 81,096 1,216,440 106th Field Artillery 33,036 3,072 ; 348 Totals 180,914 5,290,518 The Ammunition Train delivered 1,420 truck loads of ammunition at the Battery positions, most of it at night. Battery A, 105th Field Artillery, held the record for the greatest num- ber of rounds fired — 15,166. Battery A, 106th Field Artillery lead the Heavy Artillery in firing, with 7,429 rounds. Gun No. 16948 of Battery B, 105th Field Artillery, fired the great- est number of rounds in the light regiments — 4,049 ; while Gun No. 12748 of Battery D, 104th Field Artillery, led its regiment with 3,834 rounds. Gun No. 3010, 106th Feld Artillery, led the Heavy Artillery by firing 2,100 rounds. The fact that not a single gun burst throughout this fire, much of which was delivered at a rapid rate, shows the efficient manner in which the materiel was maintained. 4. The Brigade Commander desires that his appreciation of the work done and the effort that it entailed be understood by all. George Albert Wingate, Brigadier General. Headquarters, 79th Division, A. E. F., France. November 19. 1918. General Order No. 21 The following letter from our esteemed Corps Commander is published to the command, with the knowledge that the sentiments expressed therein are reciprocated by each and every officer and man. This Division is to be congratulated for having won the respect and praise of a soldier so experi- enced and able as General Claudel : 106th REGIMENT FIELD ARTILLERY 21 At Headquarters 18th November, 1918. The General Claudel, Commander of II Corps, Colonial Army. To the Commanding General, 79th D. I., U. S. My dear General : At the moment of departing from the region of Verdun, I pray to express to your troops, staffs and services the thanks of the Commander of the II French Colonial Army Corps and of their French comrades for the devoted and generous cooperation which they have given. The conditions of the fighting, of communications and the weather have often been very difficult, and I know that the 79th United States Division has spared neither its efforts nor casualties in the region of the Grand Montagne, Borne du Cornouiller and of the Cote de Romagne. They have finally the merited reward of hurling the enemy back into the plain and of seeing him definitely withdraw from there. I will never forget, my dear General, the cordial relations which have existed between us, and I pray you to agree to the expression of my devoted sentiments. H. Claudel, Joseph E. Kuhn, Major General, U. S. Army. P. C. 52d Field Artillery Brigade, American Expeditionary Forces 29th October, 1918. Memorandum No. 384 To All Commanding Officers : 1. The following communication is published for the information of all officers and men of this Brigade : Headquarters, 33d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, France 28th October, 1918. From : Major General George Bell, Jr., Commanding. To : Brigadier General George Albert Wingate, 52d F. A. Brigade. Subject: Service with 33d Division. As the 52d Field Artillery Brigade is being relieved from duty with the 33d Division, I wish to take this occasion to express to you my appre- ciation for the invaluable service and assistance rendered by it. Every request of ours you have met with a uniform, earnest and efficient manner and your cooperation has contributed in a great measure to our success in the recent operations. 22 THE WAR BOOK OF THE Please express to your officers and men my appreciation and sincere regret that the exigencies of the field service necessitate your separation from us at this time. Geo. Bell, Jr., Major General, U. S. A. By command of Brigadier General Wingate. I. J. Lovell, Major, Adjutant General. Adjutant. Headquarters, 52d Field Artillery Brigade, American Expeditionary Forces November 18, 1918. General Orders No. 20 1. The following letter from the Commanding General, 79th Division, expressing his appreciation of the Artillery support of this Brigade, is published for the information of its members : Headquarters, 79th Division, Am. E. F., France 18th November, 1918. From : Commanding General. To : Brigadier General George A. Wingate, 52d F. A. Brigade. Subject: Commendation. 1. I desire to record my appreciation of the manner in which you and your Brigade have functioned in support of the 79th Division. During the recent operations North of Verdun, October 30th to November 11th inclusive, your Brigade was called upon many times for Artillery support and frequently the aid desired made it necessary for you to employ the full resources and capacity of your Brigade. You, your Officers and Men have always responded to the call of the Infantry with the utmost cheerfulness and enthusiasm and our Artillery support has been all that could be desired. I beg that you will extend to your officers and men the sincere thanks of myself and the Division as a whole for their hearty and wholehearted co- operation. (Signed) Joseph E. Kuhn Major General U. S. A. By command of Brigadier General Wingate, I. J. Lovell, Major, Adjutant General, Adjutant. 106th REGIMENT FIELD ARTILLERY 23 ( FOR OFFICIAL CIRCULATION ONLY) (G. O. 232). G. H. Q. AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES. General Orders France, December 19, 1918. No. 232 1. It is with a sense of gratitude for its splendid accomplishment, which will live through all history, that I record in General Orders, a tribute to the 1st Army in the Meuse-Argonne Battle. Tested and strengthened by the reduction of the St. Mihiel salient, for more than six weeks you battered against the pivot of the enemy line on the Western Front. It was a position of imposing natural strength stretch- ing on both sides of the Meuse river from the bitterly contested hills of Verdun to the almost impenetrable forests of the Argonne : a position, moreover, fortified by four years of labor designed to render it im- pregnable ; a position held with the fullest resources of the enemy. That position you broke utterly, and thereby hastened the collapse of the enemy's military power. Soldiers of the Divisions engaged under the First, Third, and Fifth Corps— the 1st, 2d, 3d, 4th, 5th, 7th, 26th, 28th, 29th, 32d, 33d, 35th, 37th, 42d, 77th, 78th, 79th, 80th, 82d, 89th, 90th, and 91st— you will be long- remembered for the stubborn persistence of your progress, — your storm- ing of obstinately defended machine gun nests, your penetration yard by yard, of woods and ravines, your heroic resistance in face of counter at- tacks, supported by powerful artillery fire. For more than a month, from the initial attack of September 26th, you fought your way slowly through the Argonne, through the woods and over the hills west of the Meuse ; you slowly enlarged your hold on the Cotes de Meuse to the east ; and then on the first of November, your attack forced the enemy into flight. Pressing his retreat, you cleared the entire left bank of the Meuse south of Sedan, and then stormed the heights on the right bank and drove him into the plain beyond. Your achievement which is scarcely to be equalled in American History must remain a source of proud satisfaction to the troops which participated in the last campaign of the war. The American people will remember it as the realization of the hitherto potential strength of the American con- tribution toward the cause to which they had sworn allegiance. There can be no greater reward for a soldier or for a soldier's memory. This order will be read to all organizations at the first assembly forma- tion after its receipt. John J. Pershing. General, Commander in Chief, OFFICIAL American Expeditionary Forces. Robert C. Davis Adjutant General. 24 THE WAR BOOK OF THE TABLE I. Battalion Bat'y Gns Objve From I. (106) "A" 4 14 H Major Verbeck "B" 4 13 H To Rate of fire per gun Aram, Expd. H+3h45 1 round every two minutes 450 H+2h20 45 rounds/Hour 440 II. (106) Goodyear 'C" 2 5 H H+lh 90 rounds/Hour 180 *D" 2 15 7 11 4 12 3 H+lh H H+lhlO H H+30 H in readiness — no firing H+lh 90 rounds/Hour 180 H+2hl0 1 round every two minutes 60 H+20 2 rounds per minute 80 H+2h20 40 rounds/Hour 147 H+20 2 rounds per minute 80 12 H+30 H+2h20 40 rounds/Hour "E" (Village of Drillancourt) 4 10 H H+lh50 40 rounds/Hour 14 H+2h H+3h45 40 rounds/Hour III. (106) Kennedy "F" 2 8 H H+lh 45 rounds/Hour 13 H+lh H+2h20 40 rounds/Hour 12 H H+2h20 40 rounds/Hour 14 H+2h30 H+3h45 40 rounds/Hour 1st 3 6 H H+lh 90 rounds/Hour 10 H+lhlO H+lh50 1 round per minute (Nerve Center) I. (308) 2nd 2 17 19 1 18 19 3rd 2 1 8 2 2 16 H H+lh H H+30 -30 H H- H H+30 H+lh 90 rounds/Hour H+2h45 40 rounds/Hour H+20 2 rounds per minute H+2h45 40 rounds/Hour H+20 2 rounds per minute H+2hl0 40 rounds/Hour H+20 2 rounds per minute In readiness — no firing. 147 300 300 90 110 185 100 270 120 130 140 40 90 133 80 After a careful study of mission, ranges, and nature of the objectives, Battery Commanders will determine projectile and fuse to be used. (In the preparation for an attack and during an attack the mission of the heavy artillery is to concentrate on vital points within the enemy lines which are marked and numbered on the map and referred to by number. Such fire is called a con- centration as distinguished from the barrage of the light artillery. The "H" hour is the moment when the infantry commences the attack and is only announced a short time in advance. The above table is a copy of the concentration ordered for this regiment in the great advance of the First American Army on September 26, 1918. In this attack a battalion of the 308th French Artillery, mentioned in the order, was attached to the regiment.) Headquarters Company HEADQUARTERS COMPANY "Headquarters Company ; Present or accounted for," was the report at its first official formation at Camp de Souge, France, during the latter part of July, 1918. From July 22nd to September 5th, the Company re- ceived extensive training in the various specialties, such as telephone and radio, orientation, etc. Soon after the course of training had terminated in a massive Brigade Barrage at the range to test our knowledge by practical demonstration, the eventful day of September 6th saw the Com- pany entrain for the front. DIARY EXTRACTS September 8th — Detrained at Lcngeville, near Bar-le-Duc at 7:00 a. m. Established a camp on a nearby hill situated about 20 miles from the front line. Received orders to leave for Issoncourt at 7:00 p. m. Hiked all night arriving at 6 :00 a. m. the following morning — went to sleep at 8 :00 a. m. September 9th — Left Issoncourt 6:45 p. m. Hiked all night in the face of a hard rain — very disagreeable. Arrived at Nixeville at 5 :45 a. m. the following morning. Went to sleep at 10:00 a. m. Ten minutes later routed out — orders having been received to collect the radio and telephone details and proceed immediately to Fromereville. Everything in readiness by the afternoon and left at 8 :00 p. m. and arrived at Fromereville at 11:30 p. m. 28 THE WAR BOOK OF THE September 11th — Telephone and radio system established and in order. Both stations established — also copied our first communique at the front from Eiffel Tower Paris and the meteorological data and standard time from Army Corps station at Souilly. September 19th — Got our first baptism of fire from Jerry long range rifles. Town shelled but no casualties. Up to September 23rd Regimental detail functioned well with the battalion details. On this date orders were received to proceed to the vicinity of Dead Man's Hill near Chattancourt. Detail left Fromereville at 10 :30 p. m. arriving at the selected spot at 3 :00 a. m. the following morning. Colonel and Staff occupied the same dugout as the details which was of the corridor type with two entrances about 30 feet deep. Telephone and radio communication were immediately estab- lished. September 25th — Shelled at 5 :00 a. m. Dugout very damp and full of rats. French graves overhead — no damage incurred save for a few tele- phone wires severed and antenna wire cut by shrapnel. September 26th — Opening of the great offensive. Barrage opened up at midnight. Beaucoup d'artillerie. Sky full of aeroplanes — barrage con- cluded at 6 :00 a. m. during which time the detail was sweating blood — not through fright but work. The communique the following morning re- ported that 5,000 prisoners were taken and the towns of Malancourt, Beth- incourt, Montfaucon, Cuisy, Montillois, Septsarges, Dannevoux, Gercourt, Drillancourt, and Bois de Forges. We advanced on a 20-mile front and penetrated to a depth of seven miles. September 28th — Gassed at 12:35 a. m. No casualties. Eating well, steak, mashed potatoes, bread and butter and coffee au lait for supper. October 4th — Artillery observers came over today and told us that they had a Jerry Battery spotted and wanted us to adjust on it this week when he flies over the lines. October 5th — 'Plane came over and we sent our call and adjusted "C" Battery on the target. Radio detail functioned well. Put Jerry Battery out. October 17th — Orders received to proceed to Gercourt. Detail packed up, Colonel and Telephone detail went ahead in the morning — radio detail left at 3:00 p. m. arriving at Gercourt at 9:00 p. m. after a hard, muddy hike. Got chow at 11 :00 p. m. October 20th — Detail relieved by French Unit. October 21st — Detail left Gercourt at 3 :00 p.m., hiked all night up to 3 :00 a. m. arriving at Bois la Ville very tired. All details assembled here. October 22d — Left at echelon at Bois la Ville at 7:00 p. m. Arrived at Camp de Cinq Freres at 2 :00 a. m. after a hard fast march. October 23d — Drew all shortages and signed pay roll. 106th REGIMENT FIELD ARTILLERY 29 October 28th — Left Camp deCinq Freres at 4:00 p. m. arriving at Bois la Ville at 10 :30 p. m. October 29th — Orders received to proceed to front again. Had six days' rest. Detail left Bois la Ville at 10:20 a. m. Arriving in position near Samogneux at 4 :00 p. m. Shelled and gassed on road to position — - no casualties. October 30th— Jerry let us try some of his sneezing gas during the night — no casualties. October 31st — Heavily gassed and shelled all day. Telephone men had their troubles with cut wires. Several pieces of H. E. shell fell down radio entrance. Many casualties among nearby doughboys and engineers. Over a dozen horses killed on road nearby. November 1st — Part of the Radio detail left for Vacherauville and drew transmitter set, amplifier and storage batteries. A heavy drag for seven miles. November 2nd — Heavily shelled again. Not very comfortable eating out in the open along roadside with H. E. shell breaking all around us. Radio detail lost part of antenna about 1 :00 a. m. while copying a com- munique from Paris. When the 103 F. A. pulled out whizz-bangs in valley took part of the antenna with them in the darkness. Found the missing part about 1 kilo away the next morning. Station in order again by evening. November 3rd — The usual shelling. Chum of mine in "A" Battery had his head removed by shell just 100 yards from station. November 6th — Gassed three times during the night. Rather hard operating with Tissots. Copy several bits of interesting news from Eng- land. Communique very encouraging. MSO sent out French com- munique in German so Jerry could read it readily. November 1 1th— INTERNATIONAL DAY. End of the World War. Busy day for telephone and radio details. Colonel very anxious about the news because it meant whether we should move forward or not. Beau- coup celebrating during the night. Had a dugout banquet of flap-jacks. Eiffel Tower sent the following famous message. "Grand Quartier Gen- eral Des Alliees a Grand Quartier General Allemange. Nous avons recu votre radio de 15 heures. Ordres sont donnes pour que les attaques Americaines signalies sur le front Stenay-Beaumont cessent immediate- ment. Signe Grand Quartier General des Alliees. November 14th — Special A. E. F. muster. "Regimental detail present or accounted for," said the Sergeant Major — No casualties. November 20th — Orders received to leave the front and proceed to Jardin Fontaine near Verdun. Left our little home at 9:45 a. m. arriving so THE WAR BOOK OF THE at French Barracks at 11 :30 a. m. Telephone and radio details got busy immediately establishing communication. November 28th — Thanksgiving Day. A real thanksgiving. All details celebrated. CONCLUSION No detail could have enjoyed more harmony or worked together so well as did the regimental detail. There were times while at the front when one part of the detail had to help the other, but everyone had to work and whether it was laying lines, telephones or radio, operating, messenger work, kitchen police or gas guard, it made no difference because after all we were just a cog in a great wheel that crushed the Hun. 1ST BATTALION DETAIL The days at Germonville were quiet ones. Battery "A" at Charny, re- ceived its evening application of H. E. from a spiteful Hun; Battery "C" almost caught a spy, at the battalion P. C, a gas alarm caused some excite- ment one night and two men swore they were gassed. Ev- eryone agreed that fighting the war in such palatial quarters was entirely agreeable. Then came the change. Shortage of horses making it impossible to move the entire regiment at once. Batteries "A," "B" and "F" were picked to form the advanced battal- ion. About September 20th, the Instrument and Telephone men of the Battalion sallied forth towards the enemy lines, resplendent with queer look- ing instruments, maps and plane tables. Swinging through Chattancourt, the forbidding heights of Mort Homme came into view. And here for two days the business of reconnoit- ering, surveying and travers- 106th REGIMENT FIELD ARTILLERY 31 ing was carried on. Then one night up crept the batteries. By dawn they were working furiously beneath nets of camouflage — widening emplace- ments and hauling ammunition. Every one knew something was going to happen. For days the slopes of Mort Homme were seething with batteries at work. When a Hun plane came over everything ceased. The hill looked as dead as ever. Then, on the night of the 25th the order came. Thirty feet under ground in the Regimental P. C, Colonel Smith, gave the order of attack. Our part did not come in until 5 :30 in the morning of the 26th. Every- one stood "to" and listened to the wonderful preparation. All night long the heavies behind us sounded out their symphony of fate. Several times the stentorian shriek of gas alarms and everyone in their masks ; at 3 :00 a. m., a shell dropped through the Battalion Headquarters store-room, blowing a sack of potatoes and a case of salmon into a most delicious salad-, at 4.15 a.m. the wireless aerials were carried away by another jerry shell, but dawn found the batteries at their posts, shoving 155 ammunition into the hot breeches as fast as the schedule allowed. The battalion linesmen showed their stuff that night as they did on the many nights to follow. German shells held no terrors for them and by their tireless efforts only was communcation maintained to the forward observing station on the front slope of Dead Man's Hill. The enemy having been driven beyond our range, on the night of ( )otober 1st — 2d the battalion moved forward. This was the position in Ravin de Raffincourt. Living in abandoned holes in the ground — ground that had been the bone of contention for two years, a swamp in No Man's Land — the battalion did some of its most effective shooting. Three ob- serving stations were kept busy daily, in addition to two balloons which had attached themselves to us. On the 9th of October while successfully completing an adjustment on a particularly nasty enemy machine gun nest, one of our balloons was shot down. The Observer escaped unhurt in his parachute and called up battalion headquarters an hour later to apologize for not finishing his work. He visited Captain Schohl the next afternoon who had a hard time convincing him that his work had been the means of a commendation from the Corps Commander to the battalion. Trench de Teton no longer existed as an enemy stronghold, thanks to the 155's. The next position was northwest of Gercourt, and it was here the battalion detail showed its work. A long and dangerous line had to be run to the O. P., but exhausted wet and hungry as they were, the men never complained. Manning the O. P. was another problem as it was constantly exposed to bombardment by both H. E. and gas shells, but the long shifts were cheerfully accepted, and although we only used the 32 THE WAR BOOK OF THE line once, the work was beautifully done. Battalion Headquarters was an abandoned German Gun Emplacement, and the three days the battalion remained there were devoted to turning this crude abode into a most com- fortable studio. In fact the light and heating facilities were so good that Regimental Headquarters moved in with us on the second day of occupa- tion. But our comfort was short lived. On the 21st we moved out with the regiment and back over the many miles of devastation wrought during the Hun occupation, to a secure woods in the back area. Here the battalion enjoyed a week's rest and the luxuries of baths and clean clothes. The extermination of the well-known "Cootie," became the popular pastime. Thus November was ushered in and with it our new assignment. The battalion assumed its normal proportions, and one night composed of batteries "A" and "B" moved out under a brilliant moonlight to its new sector. This time we crossed the Meuse, north of Verdun and pushing on along a steep bank passed unscathed through a harassing fire into what was destined to be our hottest position — near Brabant. The Artillery Brigade was now in support of the 79th Division and moving rapidly on the heels of the retreating Germans. The work for all concerned was of necessity hot. Fortune smiled favorably, however, on the 1st Battalion for the dug-outs — of German origin — were well protected. And well they might be, for the next three days were hectic ones. Jerry lambasted us with his 77's then shoved over some 105 Howitzers, much to the physical discomfort of the personnel. Battery "A" was made the counter battery of the regiment much to the discomfort of several jerry batteries thereafter. Two of these spit- fires were known, so every time one of them started something, Captain Burkhardt was called up. In a few minutes jerry stopped. One after- noon a hostile battery was observed in action from the Battalion O. P. In fifteen minutes the battery, which had been firing furiously, had been silenced. A dangerous trench full of machine guns was later put out of business, and one morning a troop concentration in Trench de la Saucette was heavily saturated with H. E. The entire regiment took part in this and a hostile counter attack was broken. Successes followed rapidly here until, on the 9th of November, the battalion again moved forward in wake of the fast fighting Infantry, to a position near Ormont Farm — the scene of yesterday's most bloody conflict. Here amid the unburied dead an O. P. was quickly organized, and at 6:00 a. m. on the 10th the batteries were at work. That afternoon a line was run to the 158th Infantry Brigade in time to assist it in the last fight of this organization in the war. The excellent support rendered was mentioned by General Nicholson later in his commendation of the battalion. 106th REGIMENT FIELD ARTILLERY SECOND BATTALION DETAIL 33 On the journey from De Souge to Longeville, Pvt. Cur- rinder showed great foresight by losing his pack out of the side door of our French "Pull- man," keeping only his mess equipment. Corp. Garvey was the first man in our Battalion to go to the Front, leaving at Longe- ville with Lieut. Merwin's de- tail which went at once to our first position. Corp. Bosworth with Corp. Whalen and Pvt. Kerr went from Issoncourt as a special observation detail to Fort de Marre where they were quartered with the French. Later on they came to our own O. P. On the long hike, from Longeville to Issoncourt, that very dark rainy night, Les Fra- zier, during the halt for sup- per, took a much needed rest on a convenient and soft pile of crushed stone. When he woke up the entire company had disappeared. On the night of September 16th when we were comfortably housed in the barracks at Baleicourt a young Monte Carlo was in blast. It was un- fortunately interrupted by the arrival of some Jerry planes, said planes spilling several bombs in the vicinity. It was rumored that several soldiers in their haste to find appropriate shelter left considerable spoils on the floor. September 18th to 24th at Germonville. Here we were introduced to Jerry's H. E. shells and his mathematical methods in sending them over. September 24th to October 15th at Chattancourt. The telephone men had their special troubles in keeping up communications with the O. P. which was situated on a hill several kilos away. Nearly every day either Jerry or the weather put the lines out of commission, and at all hours of the night or day the phone men would have to start out to follow the wire on its course over shell holes and through barbed wire, down trenches and up over hills. 34 THE WAR BOOK OF THE October 15th a liason detail of five men with Lt. Snell went up to work with the 33d Division Infantry and remained with them until Octo- ber 21st. On the morning in the next position at Gercourt the detail hiked during the day. This was a pleasant change from feeling one's way along the very uneven shell-torn roads during the usually pitch dark nights. When we reached Gercourt we found most of the dugouts already occupied by the French. The one available dugout was used as a P. C. and telephone central, and we had the experience of building a shelter for our instru- ments and materiel and sleeping quarters for most of the men. Elephant iron and lumber had to be dragged from various points when Jerry usually chose to send over his most varied collection of shells. We are more or less of the opinion that the real reason for the shelling of the heavy camouflaged Dannevoux Road at tliis time was directly due to the terrible clamor made by heavy elephant iron being spasmodically jerked along under the command of Sergeant Gerts, Jerry getting the impression that a regiment of heavy artillery was going through. In procuring this lumber we had our first mix with gas. The fatigue squad of the detail in charge of Sergt. Gerts and assisted by Sergt. Burrell in an attempt to get away from the ex-German supply camp above Dan- nevoux with a wagon load of lumber, flapjack stoves, tar paper and tools piled on Cady's wheelbarrow were held up by a heavy shelling of the camp. What we first took for stringent powder smell proved to be sneez- ing gas. We all tied for first place in making our masks. Owing to the continued shelling, owing to the violent sneezing of Sergt. Burrell and Private Goodwin's inability to balance his side of the load while in mask, the expedition was temporarily postponed. However, we made it that afternoon. Completed and with its mud-baked fireplace it offered a cheery atmosphere for its occupants. Early that night the guard shouted gas and orders came to vacate the dugout, because the gas was mustard and the woods were supposed to be pretty thoroughly soaked in it. Members of the detail passed the remainder of the night on an abandoned Jerry gun and in various odd corners. A pleasant feature of Gercourt was the absence of rats. Here the telephone men again had their difficulty with the O. P. line, Corporal Cady and Slim Bostwick, Currinder, Van Amberg of the 3d Battalion, Corp. Whalen and Sam Kerr, both temporarily assigned to the 2d Battalion, in laying the wire and repairing it, had to work under fre- quent heavy shelling. Bostwick seemed to be the special target for Jerry, and he was the recipient of a piece of shrapnel, the only wound or scratch bestowed upon the 2d Battalion. When "C" and "D" Batteries moved their guns back to the rest areas. 106th REGIMENT FIELD ARTILLERY 35 our men were sent with them. "C" Battery's guns were pulled out of the mud and started on their way the first night, but "D" Battery's guns stuck fast. Seven husky men were left to help drag them along. Among them were Dwarf Goodwin, Dwighty Kay and Dom Moroney. We arrived at Death Valley November 9th. At this position the Major gave concrete expression of what had always been the guiding spirit of the 2d Battalion detail. "Go get it," said the Major, and we have done the noblest to keep our motto bright. Also at Cote de Roches the fatigue detail became the sand bag fillers, and had time permitted, and had we not moved forward, we would have made an impregnable P. C. of sand bags, second only to Gibraltar in strength. Slim Bostwick at this time broke all records by making the largest pancake baked in Death Valley, measuring 23H inches across. JARDIN FONTAINE . Famous as the birth place of that great battle cry "Steady Daly, Steady," and of Kay's plea, "Has anybody seen my little overseas cap?" It was here also that we carried on a custom inagurated at Cote de Roches of daily hot cakes, only here we made them nightly. The 2d Battalion may be proud that it spent Xmas, 1918, in a stable, giving that anniversary a fine signifiance. THIRD BATTALION DETAIL The 3d Battalion detail conducted their sojourn at the front in rather the form of a house party, which lasted a little over eight weeks. Some of the members invited were unable to finish their session owing to sickness, etc., but we had many others who were only too anxious to take their places. The detail, according to the inscription on Corp. Irving's pipe, took up their first position at Bethlainville on September 13, 1918. The telephone detail from this place laid a line to the O. P. on Hill No. 304, which was the longest metallic circuit laid during the war. Anyone doubting this statement need only ask the linesmen who carried the last reel of wire. This O. P. was manned by four men. It was also at this place that Corp. Carl Waldroff suffered severe physical strain owing to lack of nour- ishment. According to the statement Carl sent home, he sure suffered, but Corp. Sharman, who was at the same place, gained four pounds. Fig- ure it out, boys. From Bethlainville we moved to Chattancourt and got our first basement quarters, occupying two large dugouts. It was here that we first started our light housekeeping and which later developed into a first-class cafeteria. Owing to the fact that Corp. Grelinger was 36 THE WAR BOOK OF THE always considered a willing worker and always out at the first blast of the renowned whistle of the premier ser- geant, he was recalled to assist the work at the echelon. The first night at Chattan- court the telephone detail was seized with a fit of wanderlust and wandered five kilos out of their route in laying a line to the O. P. in the middle of the night with gas masks on. Their alibi was that they were with- out maps and had an orderly for a guide who was trained to follow and not to lead. We will all remember the trip from Chattancourt to Gercourt. It was on that road that we had our most comfortable night's rest during our travels at the front. A bed of soft mud and rain and a hard pack for a pil- low, and our esteemed officer, Lieut. Eller, for company. We passed four hours there until morning came, but breakfast was A. W. O. L. Gercourt put us in mind of our radio operator, C. F. Sellstrom, who, being detailed to salvage some wire for the antenna poles, started off in quest of same. But Sell., being the original "Kid Quest," came back one hour later with three loaves of bread, a can of hash, and a box of German machine gun bullets. Sell must have been thinking of a few days back, when the larder was not so plentifully supplied. It was also at Gercourt that we had the misfortune to lose our radio officer, Lieut. Eller. Oh, no, he did not get killed or die. Not that man ! He got a better job, that's all. We had many and various occupations, but I guess Harry Van Amberg takes the fur cuff buttons. He must have been a great fisherman in the past, because while pulling in a telephone line he either forgot that it was hooked to "E" Battery switchboard, or else holds a resentment against them. At least the switchboards suddenly took French leave from the pup tents and started madly across the fields. The three operators were thunderstruck and immediately hurried after their pet. They came upon Harry while he was examining his catch. The only 106th REGIMENT FIELD ARTILLERY 37 thing that averted a battle was the fact that the major told Harry to break communication quick. It was a good thing he did not start fishing for duds. Our friend Sergt. Major Lee Patton pulled a fast one on Corp. Bos- worth, and Bossy has not recovered from it yet. Pat could not find his tin kelly and borrowed Jim's to go to the O. P., and on the way back Pat was hit on the head with a splinter and knocked down. "Poor hat," said Pat, and continued his journey, but when Bosworth saw his kelly he enumer- ated certain facts to Pat that he will never forget. From Gercourt we moved to Bois la Ville, near Baleycourt, for a five days' rest. We were pretty comfortable there until Corp. Harry Gregory bathed and changed his underwear. Such action on Greg's part was fatal, for the underwear was infested with little creatures that afterward proved to be very close companions of Greg's. They were congenial companions, too, and they "took" from the first. Yes, we all got them later. We moved from there to Cote des Roches, south of Brabant, to take up our work against the Hun. The first day there Corp. Gregory sent "Brownie" (who is the smallest man in the company) to salvage some wire. Brownie, like an obedient soldier, true to his corp's order, wanders all over the country and unused dugouts, tramping over valuable souvenirs in the performance of his duty. Suddenly he hears a gas alarm in the distance. He immedi- ately clapped on his gas mask and crouched in a convenient dugout. Corp. Gregory, after waiting several hours for the wire, decides to look for him. While walking by some old dugouts he is startled by an apparition in a gas mask, with the sweat drip- ping from him standing in the doorway. It was "Brownie," and the gas alarm was an auto on the nearby road. Shortly aft- er this happening we re- ceived the first news of the signing of the armis- tice by radio, and then we moved to another position, but did not fire from there. On November 20th we left the front for Jardin Fon- taine, near Verdun, and from there toward home. Salvage Duffy on the job 38 THE WAR BOOK OF THE BAND SECTION. The band had been in pup tents for one night after the company had moved up from Baleycourt, on the top of a hill, when orders came to be ready to move with full packs at 5 :00 a. m. the next morning. Tents came down and packs were rolled up in a half an hour. There was much speculation as to where we were going. Some said to Paris to enter the school suggested by Gen. Pershing to train the A. E. F. bands. By 5 :30 we were ready at the adjutant's office awaiting transportation. At 6:00 p. m. we piled into quad trucks and reached Thierville by 1 :15 p. m. It was pitch dark, and which made it difficult for the men to locate their packs. At the intersection of the two roads an M. P. cautioned us not to speak above a whisper and, above all, not to strike any lights. In the meantime Band Leader Max Rauchstadt had reported to the major of the 108th Sanitary Train, who ordered him to pick out nine musicians and go to the hospital at La Glorieux. We lined up along the road, every man being impressed that something important was coming off before many hours elapsed. Whether it was nervousness or being in a high state of excitement which caused our leader to turn pale and speak in a husky tone of voice cannot be said definitely, but as he called out the names of the men who were to go with him his voice betrayed his feelings. W'etherby, Zeitler, Welker, Burke, Iwanski, Lewenicht, Gillon,-Lawton and Marshall were the men to fall out. Not one knew why or for what, but as we fell out in obedience to orders and started away from the rest, it dawned on us that we were going to the hospital away from the front, away from those who had been our comrades for so long. Sergt. Wether- by turned to Mr. Rauchstadt and asked to be excused from going to the hospital, said he felt his place should be with the others. Welker, too, went back, and Deitz took his place. Burke inquired as to where he was going, and on being told that it was to the hospital asked permission to go along with the others, but was refused. After protest on his part. in which he expressed his disappointment not to be allowed his one big chance to go to the front, permission was granted. A remark was passed which may be worth while quoting to this effect: "Gee, Tom, I only wish I were a little stronger and I'd go, too !" An ambulance took the men picked out back to Glorieux, while the others were given Red Cross brassards and shown to a room in a shell- torn building. There they opened their packs and, incidentally, a can of corned willy and a few boxes of hard tack. All were very tired, and it was not very long before all were asleep. At 11 :00 p. m. everyone started up, for a good reason. The big naval gun had just gone off starting the big barrage. A short time later we were taken up in an ambulance to the ad- 106th REGIMENT FIELD ARTILLERY 39 vance first aid station. We remained there until 5 :00 o'clock the following morning. We were given stretchers and a bag of rations, and then we went out along Dead Man's Hill, relieving the regimental stretcher bearers of the 131st Infantry. Welker, Benson, Hodge and Seifert carried back the first patient. He was riddled with machine gun bullets. Burke, Niery and Zimmarino, on their way back with a patient, Had to lie down on the ground to avoid splinters of several shells that were coming over at that time. We made several trips to bring back wounded men, and about 9 :00 p. m. Ger- man prisoners came in, and we then used them to carry the wounded. On September 28th we were on relay post from Cumieres to Forges Woods. On October 8th we followed the third attacking wave of infantry over the top. We crossed the Meuse under a heavy barrage, and on that day Johnson and Perry were gassed, and Curtis was shell shocked. We then took up a relief post at Consenvoye, two days after the Germans had left there. On October 19th we were relieved and brought back to Thierville in an ambulance. The major at Thierville lined us up and commended us for the excellent work which we had performed as stretcher bearers. At Glorieux we rejoined the rest of the men who had been left there when we went to the front. We then rejoined the com- pany at the echelon at Bois la Ville. HEADQUARTERS COMPANY 106th FIELD ARTILLERY ~ AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES February 5th, 1919 List of enlisted men of this company on the rolls of this organization as of this date : Name Keeler, P. J. Ackerman, Gilbert E. De Wolf, Ellis Herbert, Philip S. Walker, Douglas P. Snell, Lewis E. Tillman, Frank S. Corry, Frank C. Jones, Geo. H. Hadden, Crowell Allen, Frank L. Baker, Fred. J. W. Barr, Bryce Barrett, Robert J. Bedford, McBride Bell, Silas Bennett, Carl M. Benson, Leonard E. Bentley, Harry Berryman, Herbert C. Besser, Fred P. Beyschlag, Charles E. Rank Home Address Captain 58 Urban St., Buffalo, N. Y. Captain 742 Union St., Brooklyn, N. Y. Captain New York, N. Y. 1st Lieut. 434 West 22nd St., New York City. 1st Lieut. 122 Normal Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. 1st Lieut. 23 Kingsbury Ave., St. Johnsville, N. Y. 1st Lieut. 1104 E. Dagger St., Ft. Worth, Texas. 1st Lieut. 26 Loomis St., Montpelier, Vt. 2nd Lieut. 1790 Division St., Portland, Ore. 2nd Lieut. 11 Montgomerv PI., Brooklyn, N. Y. Pvt 57 Miller St., Oneonta, N. Y. Pvt 205 Lemon St., Buffalo, N. Y. Pvt lcl 193 Liberty St., Newburgh, N. Y. Pvt lcl 343 W. 18th St., New York City. Pvt Crvstal Run, N. Y. Pvt lcl 290 3rd Ave., Detroit, Mich. Sergt 728 W. 181st St., New York City. Mus 2cl Colgrove, Pa. Pvt lcl R.F.D. No. 2, New Haven, Mich. Pvt Snyder, N. Y. Regt Sgt Mj 12 Washington St., Hornell, N. Y. Pvt 927 Second Ave., Detroit, Mich. 40 THE WAR BOOK OF THE Name Rank Bittner, Paul J. Pvt Rlackman, Joseph F. Cpl Blackman, Nelson A. Pvt lcl Elakeslee. Carroll L. Pvt Blood, Fred W. Pvt lcl Board, William H. Pvt Bock, Leon N. Pvt Bostwick, Grover Cpl Bosworth, James H. Cpl Bouton, Donald R. Pvt Bower, John E. Pvt Boyer, Lewis G. Pvt lcl Braciszewski, Frank F. Pvt Bragg, Francis E. Pvt Bredback, Urno V. Pvt Brower, Calvin W. Pvt Brooks, Arthur Pvt Brown, Walter F. Pvt Bressingham, Henry L. Pvt Buritsky, Joseph S. Pvt Buffum, Edwin C. Cpl Burdick, Luther P. Pvt Burkard, Lawrence J. End Sgt Burke, Thomas F. Ast Bnd Ldr Burrell, Harvey R. Sgt Cady, Milliard L. C^l Campbell, Rocco Mus lcl Carlson, Frank B. Cpl Carr, Edd. Pvt Carr, Ray W. Pvt Chase, Claude M. Cpl Chilton, Ralph J. Sgt Christie, George W. Pvt Christman, Felix W. Busier Churchill, Edwin V. Wagoner Clark, Ralph H. Cook Clark, Roy W. Pvt lcl Clute, Manville J. Bnd Cpl Collins, William J. Cook Coyne, Benjamin Pvt Culhane, Daniel J. Cpl Cummings, George W. Cpl Currinder, Calvin Pvt lcl Curtiss, Glenn V. Mus 3cl Cutler, Raymond T. Sgt Daly, Tames P. Cpl Dana, "Frank W. Pvt lcl Decker, Harry E. Cpl Denker, William J. Pvt Dietz, Raymond E. Bnd Cpl Downey, Rollin C. Cpl Duffy, James B. Pvt lcl East, George A. Cpl Eckler, Milton M. Cpl Feine, Otto A. Pvt Fornes, Robert V. Cpl Frasier, Leslie Pvt Frick. Frederick A. Bugler Fuller, Chester D. Pvt lcl Garvey, Thomas V. Cpl Gerlach, Otto F. Cpl Geise, Edward W. Mech Home Address Ontonagon, Mich. 404 W. 22nd St., New York City. 301 Cass Ave., Detroit, Mich. 18 Richmond PI., Jamestown, N. Y. 507 Mechanic St., Detroit, Mich. 1821 Bailey Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. R.F.D. No. 1, New Buffalo, Mich. Copperstown Junction, N. Y. 89 Hertel Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. 210 Liberty St., Rome, N. Y. Colon, Mich. 37 Lincoln St., Middletown, N. Y. 200 W. Cellar St., Besmer, Mich. 221 4th St., Niagara Falls, N. Y. Arnheim, Mich. 28 Henry St., Jersey City, N. J. Clinton, N. Y. 1417 Bedford Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y. 2977 Webster Ave., Bronx, N. Y. 31 Fargo Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. 16 Gramercy Ave., New York City. Davenport Center, N. Y. 88 Northland Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. 38 W. 129th St., New York City. 362 E. Utica St., Buffalo, N. Y. Marvland, N. Y. 465 Niagara St., Buffalo, N. Y. Box 58 R.F.D., Ossining, N. Y. Walton, N. Y. 777 Rutger St., Utica, N. Y. 709 Eagle St., Utica, N. Y. 72 Morris St., Ogdensburg, N. Y. 198 S. Lundy St., Salem, O. 50 Buchanan PI., New York City. 60 Clements St., Liberty, N. Y. 159 Washington St., Binghamton, N. Y. 20 Andrews Ave., Binghamton, N. Y. Stockton, N. Y. 325 Roeher Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. 352 Fairmount Ave., Newark, N. J. 71 Herkimer St., Buffalo, N. Y. 567 Potomac Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. 541 Bird Ave, Buffalo, N. Y. Corfu, N. Y. Waldwick, N. J. 109 E. 38th St., New York City. 16^ Broad St., Oneonta, N. Y. 312 North St., Middletown, N. Y. 382 Washington St., Newburgh, N. Y. Clarence, N. Y. 236 W. 120th St., New York, N. Y. Box 21, Massena, N. Y. 210 W. Tupper St., Buffalo, N. Y. Cooperstown, N. Y. 842 Richmond Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. 105 Glenwood Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. 169 S. Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, N. Y. 42 Eagle St., Albany, N. Y. 1500 Park St., Syracuse. N. Y. 343 E. 81st St., New York City. 69 Croton Ave, Ossining, N. Y. 608 E. Eagle St., Buffalo, N. Y. 106th REGIMENT FIELD ARTILLERY 41 Name Gillen, Silas F. Godfrey, Frederick H. Goodwin, Henry N. Gregory, Harold C. Grehlinger, Myron J. Hall, Robert T. Halpin, James L. Hamilton, Frank E. Hart, Joseph F. Heineman, Benjamin Helfert, Francis M. Hewitt, Lome R. Heyde, Edward W. Hodge, Emmett J. Hollihan, Frank L. Hoyczyk, John Huling, John E. Irving, Elliott Iwanski, Vincent Janczko, Bolislaw Johnson, Peter J. Jennrich, Eugene Jones, William R. Keever, John Kay, Dwight L. Kendall, William H. Kerr, Samuel B. Kimball, Raymond J. Klopp, Benjamin Kohlhas, Karl Kroczynski, Peter Laraway, Otto Laufer, Harry H. Lawson, James H. Lawton, Ledra M. Levan, Frank J. Lewenicht, Charles F. Loucks, Howard C. Mangan, Owen B. Marshall, Robert McCunn, Harold M. McGuirk, Frederick M. McGuire, Peter Mertz, Albert C. Miller, Arthur A. Mitchell, Donald J. Mitchell, William Mole, Joseph A. Monczynski, Frank S. Moore, Edwin A. Morgan, George W. Mosier, Howard C. Morehouse, Harry W. Morone, Dominick Muller, Oscar T. Nigro, Sebastian Nole, Sam O'Brien, James A. O'Mara, Harold Pardington, William L. Parker, Earl B. Partington, James C. lcl Rank Bnd Sgt Pvt Pvt lcl Cpl Cpl Rgt Sgt Mj Wagoner Pvt Pvt Saddler Pvt Sgt Cpl Mus 2cl Bnd Sgt Mj Pvt Sgt Cpl Band Cpl Pvt Mus 3cl Cpl Cpl 1st Sgt Pvt Pvt Pvt Cpl Cpl Pvt Mus 2cl Bugler Mus 3cl Cpl Mus 2cl Pvt Bnd Cnl Wagoner Mus lcl Bnd Sgt Mj Pvt lcl Pvt Sgt Pvt Pvt Pvt Colo Cpl Col Sgt Col Bugler Pvt Pvt lcl Mech Pvt Cpl Pvt Pvt Mus lcl Cpl Cpl lcl lcl Sgt Home Address 125 Weldon St., Brooklyn, N. Y. Bloomingburgh, N. Y. 16 W. 101st St., New York City. 23 Burnside Ave., Oneonta, N. Y. 188 E. Felton St., Tonawanda, N. Y. 105 Main St., Batavia, N. Y. 1309 Taylor Ave., Utica, N. Y. Otego, N. Y. 405 W. Grey St., Elmira, N. Y. II Patten St., Stapleton, S. I., N. Y. 426 Cooper St., Utica, N. Y. 243 Maple St., Buffalo, N. Y. Ossining, N. Y. 146 Main St., Yorkville, N. Y. 291 Ashland Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. 1097 Smith St., Buffalo, N. Y. 165 East St., Buffalo, N. Y. 230 Thompson St., Buffalo, N. Y. 63 Ashley St., Buffalo, N. Y. 451 Watson St., Lackawanna, N. Y. 108 Main St., Fredonia, N. Y. 708 44th St., Milwaukee, Wis. 576 W. 191st St., New York City. 38 Silver Lane, Ocean Side, L. I., N. Y. 297 Potomac Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. Station A, Ogdensburg, N. Y. Hawkins Ave., Hamburg, N. Y. 115 Woodward Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. 508 Norwood Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. 802 Genesee St., Buffalo, N. Y. 490 Amherst Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. 15 River St., Oneonta, N. Y. 107 Dewey Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. Cannonsville, N. Y. North Collins, N. Y. 55 Pink St., Buffalo, N. Y. 21 Howard St., Buffalo, N. Y. R.F.D., Canton, N. Y. 208 5th St., Lackawanna, N. Y. 139 Chenango St., Buffalo, N. Y. 352 Auburn Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. 526 Aldine Ave., Chicago, 111. Travers Island, N. Y. 2211 Bailey Ave., Buffalo. N. Y. III 31st St., Woodcliff, N. J. 697 Potomac Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. Harrisburg, Arkansas. 226 7th St., Buffalo, N. Y. 2402 Bailev Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. 926 Blandine St., Utica, N. Y. 37 Walnut St., Batavia, N. Y. Brushtown, N. Y. 125 North St., Middletown, N. Y. Whitehall, N. Y. 52 Grand Ave., Ridgefield Park, N. Y. 515 7th St., Buffalo, N. Y. 44 Charles St., Buffalo N. Y. 25 6th St., Ridgefield Park, N. J. 238 James St., Buffalo, N. Y. 318 N. Water St., Newburgh, N. Y. 92 Bravton St., Buffalo, N. Y. 77 Coyle Ave., Pawtucket, R. I. 42 THE WAR BOOK Xa)iic Rank Pattori; Lee F. Bnd Sgt Mi Pescosolido, Vincenzo Pvt lcl Plassman, Howard S. Pvt Pilat, Bronislaw Pvt Porter, Horace Pvt Polikoski, John Pvt Poppenberg, James F. Pvt lcl Potts, John R. L. Pvt lcl Prespare, Ezra E. Pvt lcl Prudom, George B. Cpl Ranchstadt, Max G. Bnd Ldr Reed, George T. Cook Rice, Joseph J. Pvt lcl Ridder, Henry Sgt Riley, John J. Cpl Roche, William A. Mus lcl Rodin, Benard E. Pvt lcl Saville, Harry I. Cpl Sawyer, Enoch A. Sgt Schrader, John Pvt Scrinda, Charles Chf Mech Seifert, Theodore Mus 2cl Sellstrom, Clarence F. Pvt lcl Sharman, William Cpl Simons, Henry R. Wagoner Sisto, Thomas A. Pvt Smilowitz, Charles Pvt lcl Smith, John Pvt lcl Spicer, Edgar J. Pvt Stall, John J. Sgt Stegner, Harold A. Sgt Stollmeyer, August Pvt Strader, Raymond A. Pvt Stoddard, George J. Pvt Sullivan, Jeremiah J. Pvt Tanner, Walter E. Pvt Taylor, Raymond Wagoner Tesmer, Irving J. Cook Thebold, Edward Pvt Twozski, Benjamin Pvt Van Amburg, Harry W. Pvt Vantine, John S. Pvt Vantre, Thomas J. Pvt Wagner, Charles H. Mess Sgt Wagner, George W. Pvt Waldroff, Carl L. Cpl Ward, Regonald A. Cpl Ware, Benjamin R. Pvt Warmington, Edward Cpl Weatherby, George J. Srt Bugler Weiss, Fred W. Pvt Welker, Ernest H. Bnd Sgt Whelen, John J. Cpl White, Harry Supp Sgt Wiedemer, Joseph M. Color Sgt Wurtz, Howard P. Cpl Wyman, Elliott Pvt Young, Nicholas J. Pvt lcl Zeitler, John B. Bnd Sgt Zimarino, Angelo Mus lcl Zimmerman, Earl E. Pvt lcl Zimmerman, George J. Cpl Home Address Samaria, Mich. 345 Brady St., Detroit, Mich. 716 Main St., Buffalo, N. Y. 452 Holland Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. Stony Ford, N. Y. 216 Woltz Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. 144 E. Delavan Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. 134 Lawrence St., New York City. Ellenburg Center, N. Y. R.F.D. No. 36, Middleport, N. Y. 551 William St., Buffalo, N. Y. Information unknown. 91 Carolina St., Albion, N. Y. 355 Koons Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. 169 City Terrace, Newburgh, N. Y. 509 E. 77th St., New York City. 200 9th St., N.E., Washington, D. C. Orchard Park, N. Y. R.F.D. 2, Rome, N. Y. 49 Dennison Ave., Binghamton, N. Y. 88 Baker St., Buffalo, M. Y. 90 Stanton St., Buffalo, N. Y. 173V 2 S. Main St., Jamestown, N. Y. 245 E. 71st St., New York City. Railroad Ave., Attica, N. Y. 240 7th St., Buffalo, N. Y. 17 Varet St., Brooklyn, N. Y. Highland Mills, N. Y. 614 Linwood Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. 191 Hoyt St., Buffalo, N. Y. 262 Highland Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. 9 Cedar St., Stapleton, L. I., N. Y. R.F.D. Star Route, Malone, N. Y. Montour Falls, N. Y. 243 E. 19th St., New York City. 515 Niagara St., Niagara Falls, N. Y. 126 State St., Binghamton, N. Y. 800 Glenwood Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. 424 Lorimer St., Brooklyn, N. Y. Glencove, N. Y. 377 Northampton St., Buffalo, N. Y. Milfort, N. Y. 510 Flushing Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y. Mongaup Valley, N. Y. 244 W. 17th St., New York City. 616 Bronson St., Watertown, N. Y. 270 Santiago Ave., Rutherford, N. J. 24 Welmont PI., Buffalo, N. Y. 432 E. 57th St, New York City. 222 Box Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. 90 Walden Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. Darien Center, N. Y. 116 E. 123rd St., New York City. 576 W. 161st St., New York City. 1090 E. Ferry St., Buffalo, N. Y. 151 Fordham Drive, Buffalo, N. Y. Blasdell, N. Y. Dansville, N. Y. 102 Barthel St., Buffalo, N. Y. 128 S. Swan St., Batavia, N. Y. Old Delaware Rd., Buffalo, N. Y. 840 Broadway, Buffalo, N. Y. Battery "A" BATTERY "A" On Monday, September 9th, the firing battery was hauled to the front with Quad trucks and the rest of the battery left for Baleicourt with the horses and caissons. Our active participation in the great war had commenced. The battery arrived at Charny about 9 o'clock of the evening of the tenth and succeeded in putting three guns in position before the break of dawn. The wires were taken over from the French and the battery switch-boards and phones were speedily installed. The heavens cut loose torrents of rain and the cannoneers received their first dose of French mud. At five o'clock every one was sleeping in the fairly comfortable dugouts. Meanwhile the men with the horses and caissons were struggling through the mud to Baleicourt. It was a hard trip and both horses and men were at the point of exhaustion when they reached the first battery echelon. During the three days before the supplies reached Charny, the battery subsisted mainly on abandoned bread which the French had left and which was edible after the portion which the rats had enjoyed had been cut away. The supplies finally arrived and with Lieutenant Wagner as mess sergeant and Privates Gallagher and Szcze- cinski as cooks, a very tasty meal of corned beef fried in gun grease was prepared. It was a culinary triumph but nearly ruined the St. Mihiel demonstration. Captain Burkhardt adjust- ed the battery from an obser- vation post at Fort Bourrus and Corporal Smentkiewicz earned the commendation of the B. C. for his speedy and accurate work with his piece. The situation was very dra- matic and the town of Brabant was being rapidly demolished until down in the inner re- cesses of the fortress a band 46 THE WAR BOOK OF THE started to play some "Jazz" music and the Captain found himself ragging the commands. The battery fired an eleven hour barrage to fool the "Jerries" into believing that something was really going to happen and it worked. German artillery was concentrated on our front and very promptly something did happen; — on our right, the 1st American Army reduced the St. Mihiel Sector. The batterv finally moved to Chattancourt, directly in the rear of Dead Man's Hill. The dugouts w T ere wet and muddy in this position and the battery was troubled with an epidemic of "gold-fish." The ammunition train in close co-operation with the battery dumped the "Hummers" and "Eoafers" somewhat less than a mile down the hill near Chattancourt. The cannoneers had a stiff job carrying that consignment of steel up the hill night and day for a week. The barrage of the 26th of September, that memorable day when the Huns were dislodged from Forges, Bethincourt, Montfaucon and other positions, was in itself a great reward for the labor attached. From 5.30 a.m. until 9.30, the Germans received a concentration of fire that made previous demonstrations appear as hailstorms. The enemy counter-preparation was weak and ineffective. The next position was on the Forges-Bethincourt road. In this position, there was an absolute absence of dugouts. The telephone central was a small box, accommodating one man, and the rest of the battery used shelter-halves. The post of command was in the detail wagon and the officers slept standing up. The detail had an exciting time and a strenuous one keeping communication with the O.P. open. The O.P. was in the Bois de Forges, Privates Boland, Beers, and Brown particularly distinguishing themselves working under severe enemy fire. Lieutenant Wagner, the executive officer, became ill with appen- dicitis and was forced to leave for the Base Hospital. He had been with the battery since it left Buffalo and the organization lost in him a hard and conscientious worker. Lieutenant Richardson became executive officer and remained as such until the end of the war. He was a very popular battery officer and will always be remembered as "Jake, doggone it." "Dudley, did yon see my gum?" Gercourt, the next battery position, was a heart-breaker. As usual, the battery moved in a pouring rain, the boys were drenched, and the guns were not in position until 5 a.m. Many a miserable "Soldat" would have welcomed a bursting shell that night as a release from his misery. Captain Burkhardt while on a reconnoissance for an 106th REGIMENT FIELD ARTILLERY 47 observation post, wandered inadvertently into "No Man's Land" in the vicinity of Dannevoux Woods and discovered his position by inquiring - of a "dough-boy" patrol, the position of the front line. One gun was taken for repair to the Mobile Ordnance Repair Shop but the battery got along nicely with the other three. Again, in this position, the battery was forced to resort to "pup" tents in the absence of any dugouts. The battery echelon had moved successively from Baleicourt to La Claire and then to the Forges Road. The work was very monot- onous, continual grooming, grazing and watering of the horses, until the men were nearly at the end of their patience and every one longed to be with the "firing battery." First Sergeant Shea had his troubles trying to convince the drivers that their work was just as essential to final success as the cannoneers'. Corporal McBride sprained his ankle when the horses ran away with the detail wagon. He tried to mount the seat, to work the brake, and was thrown violently, sus- taining injuries that necessitated his removal to the hospital. Around this time the battery as a whole commenced to fight a separate war with the "cooties." Charlie Chaplin's idea of a nutmeg grater would have been very popular if such an article had been an issue. The battery departed for Camp Chene-Gossin, near Dugny, where it was supposed to rest. It rested by grooming the horses, and cleaning the harness from 7.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. each day. Colonel Smith was deeply hurt wmenever he found mud on equipment, but his sense of injury did not approach that of a cannoneer, up to his knees in mud, trying to convince the horses that the Chariot de Pare was not meant to be stationary. The battery left Chene-Gossin on October 28th, taking up posi- tion at Brabant sur Meuse. An observation post was established in Forges Woods in a tree, which had previously been used by the Germans for observation purposes. The battery attained, in this position, its highest efficiency, several times opening their counter- preparation offensive within three or four minutes after the "S.O.S." from the Infantry came over the wire, and at one particular time destroyed a German transport train on the road. The battery fire also created great havoc among the enemy machine-gunners. The co-operation with the Infantry was as near perfection as is possible to attain. Flowever, although Brabant was the most successful position in a military sense, the battery sustained at this time its only casualties at the front, and the members of the battery lost a true comrade, Louis J. Boland. In the late afternoon of October 31st, an order had 48 THE WAR BOOK OF THE been issued that all unnecessary wheel material should be removed to the battery echelon. Several members of the detail, under Sergeant Herrmann's supervision, were unloading the detail wagon, so that it could be removed to the rear, under cover of night. The enemy dropped a shell, directly in rear of the battery position and almost instantly another shell screamed harmlessly overhead, landing just across the Meuse. Sergeant Herrmann directed the men to seek shelter, but scarcely were the words uttered when the third and last shell fell three yards in rear of the wagon and a flying fragment struck and instantly killed one of the battery's hardest workers, "Dutch" Boland. The same shell wounded slightly Privates Olin R. Beers and William G. Caddy. The same day Corporal I. M. Williams was slightly wounded by a flying fragment. In addition to these casual- ties there had been one during training. Pvt. Alex. Pulaski was killed during mounted drill at Campobello. The enemy's artillery continually shelled the vicinity of the Bat- tery's position, one night in particular, cutting the telephone wires to the guns and forcing Sergeant Herrman to crawl out with the aid of Corporal Kamholz's camouflage wire, to determine whether the oper- ator at the guns, Private Schneider, was still able and healthy enough to be about. At this time, Corporal Kemp was relieved as line Cor- poral by Corporal Symons and sent to motor school. At the same time Corporal O'Leary relieved Corporal Barth as Ammunition N. C. O. Corporal Barth had acted as Company Clerk, 1st Sergeant, Supply Sergeant and Ammunition Non-Com, since the arrival at the front and had capably filled the multiple job with great efficiency and to the satisfaction of all. Sergeant McKay left for motor school but the other Chiefs of Section, Sergeants Bridenbaker, Quinn, Kubiak, Kaznowski, Von Daacke and O'Donnell alternated with the Gun Sections, securing Al results until finally every man in each gun section at the gun position could capably fill the Gun Corporal's shoes, and Howard H. Burkhardt had made and finished off the model bat- tery of his dreams with every man able to do the other man's job, and had established himself as one of the best if not the best Battery Commander in the 52nd Brigade. The Special Detail had also reached a high point of efficiency and no job could feaze them either laying a long O.P. line or keeping one in operation in the face of heavy shell- fire. The effective work of Sergt. Weaver cannot be forgotten. Lieut. Odom was assigned to the battery about November 7th and re- mained with it until the signing of the armistice. On November 9th, the battery moved to Ormont Farm and fired at the last objective, the Hill Romagne, that separated the infantry from the plains of the Woevre, and 106th REGIMENT FIELD ARTILLERY 49 the taking of which spelled disaster to the enemy. The detail attained their wildest dream — an O. P. — only one kilo distant, but at this juncture the enemy deemed discretion the better part of valor and signed the un- conditional surrender. "A" Battery celebrated by sleeping. After a few days of comfort at the last position, which had been turned into winter quarters, the battery hiked to Jardin-Fontaine and the battery history again merges into the history of the 106th. The men of Battery "A" will never forget their comrades who labored and fought by their side in the Argonne, nor will they forget their officers — the Little Napoleon, Lieuts. Lillie, Wagner, Richardson, Hall and Odom. It is fitting before we conclude this record to inscribe our appre- ciation of the tireless devotion and noble zeal which our leader always manifested. His fair judgment and kindly integrity shall be remembered long after events and happenings have been forgotten. And as the days make us older, our maturity will strengthen our regard and forever cement those lofty qualities into our souls as a tribute to our captain, Howard H. Burkhardt. Let us try and try hard to maintain for the years to come the same spirit and firm adherence to duty. The habits we have formed, if prac- tised, will bring the success we seek, equal to the success we sought in those troublesome days ; and the record of what we do will then conform to the record of what we did. So will the years to come be as pleasant to recall as the associations and happenings of those days, now passed are now delightful to think about. Then will those ideals which we have cherished and fought so hard to preserve be the means of placing "Old Glory" as the first in war, the first in peace and the first in the hearts of her countrymen. "THINGS TO REMEMBER." "J. B." "Trixie." "Little Napoleon." "The first supper at Charny ; Corn-willie a la Gunoil." "Uniform for air raids (O. D.), woolen underwear." "Imaginary gas." "How everybody rides in the Field Artillery." "What's the matter, men? The horses are doing all the work." "The Rest Camps." "Tanner's aerial raid on the kitchen." "That waterless bath at Souilly." "Corp. Ike's method of removing a friend's boots." 50 THE WAR BOOK OF THE "When the ammunition train brought the shells up to the gun pits at Chattancourt." "Oh, yes, they did." "Sergt. G. D. Bridenhaker cautioning his men, 'Blankety, blank, etc' " 'The Baltimore Flash." "Mike, there's some difference between mass and mess." 'The Heavenly Twins ; paw and me, too." "Christmas Day in Argentre, or who stole the goose?" "Battles of Gradignan, Bordeaux and Cognac Hill." "Last but not least, 'Liver hash.' " ROSTER OF BATTERY "A," 106th FIELD ARTILLERY Name Rank Burkhardt, Howard H. Captain Rogers, Embre C. 1st Lieut. Knox, Reginald U. 1st Lieut. Wagner, Whitney A. 2nd Lieut. Lillie, James W. 2nd Lieut. Hall, Joseph G. 2nd Lieut. Odom, Archie D. 2nd Lieut. Richardson, Jasper 2nd Lieut. Adams, Albert H. Pvt Alexander, Arthur Pvt Alzynski, Joseph E. Pvt Bailey, Gail S. Pvt Barth, Frank L. Cpl Bascom, Allie F. Pvt lcl Beers, Olin R. Cpl Bickford, George H. Wagoner Bilkey, Frank Wagoner Biniakiawitz, Josef Pvt lcl Bitondo, Peter Wagoner Blackley, Harry Pvt Blaze jewski, Anthonv F. Pvt Bliss, Charles A. Pvt Bloom, Clifford St. J. Pvt Borowiak, John Pvt lcl Bowen, Walter F. Pvt lcl Brentnell, Frank, Jr. Chf Mech Bridenbaker, Arthur Sgt Brown, Hugh Pvt lcl Brown, Frank D. Pvt Brown, Henry G. Pvt Bomhoff, Frederick H. Pvt Brzeczkiewicz, Stanley Pvt lcl Buck, Ora E. Pvt lcl Burr, W. Lester Pvt lcl Burns, Charles V. Pvt Caddy, William G. Pvt lcl Caffrey, James L. Pvt lcl Caldwell, Arthur S. Pvt Callis, Morris C. Pvt Campbell, Donald J. Cpl Campbell, John K. Pvt Carchia, Lorenzo Pvt Cerro, Anthony Pvt Home Address 5502 Main St., Williamsville, N. Y. 1577 East 13th St., Brooklyn, N. Y. Howe Place, Bronxville, N. Y. 201 Lewis St., Geneva, N. Y. Toms River, N. J. Peugilly, Minn. Nashville, N. C. 201 Riverdale Ave., Springfield, Mass. 824 Michigan Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. 688 South Division St., Buffalo, N. Y. 1455 Broadway, Buffalo, N. Y. 191 Gibson St., Buffalo, N. Y. 142 Farmer St., Buffalo, N. Y. 189 Van Buren St., Lockport, N. Y. Beerston, N. Y. 120 Harvey Ave., Lockport, N. Y. 109 Landon St., Buffalo, N. Y. 74 Howell St., Buffalo, N. Y. Montesce, Italy. 110 Elm St., Lockport, N. Y. 223 Miller Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. 40 Seabrook St., Rochester, N. Y. 19 Minerva Place, Bronx, N. Y. 68 Sears St., Buffalo, N. Y. 426 Third St., Niagara Falls, N. Y. Sloatsburg, N. Y. Ellicottville, N. Y. Brude Mills, Ontario, Can. R.F.D. No. 3, Hornell, N. Y. Ramsev, Mich. 917 Sixtieth St., Brooklyn, N. Y. Route No. 2, Saginaw, Mich. 707 Fifth St., Cedar Rapids, Mich. 410 Young Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. 147 East 22nd St., New York City. Ironwood, Mich. 44 Fourth St., Pelham, N. Y. Constantine, Mich. Manton, Mich. Corfu, N. Y. 216 South Waco St., Hillsboro, Texas. 114 Mulberry St., New York City. , 519 Jefferson Ave., Utica, N. Y. 106th REGIMENT FIELD ARTILLERY 51 Name Rank Chandley, Herbert J. Pvt Childs, Alfred Pvt Cichowski, John Cook Ciesielski, Walter B. Mech Cinchola, Louis W. Pvt Cohn, Milton Pvt Colwell, Alphonse A. Pvt lcl Conklin, David B. Pvt Conklin, Frank S. Wagoner Conley, Hugh F. Pvt Crawford, John Pvt Crawford, Lee W. Pvt lcl Davenport, Winfield Pvt Day, Harold H. Pvt Dekowski, Adam J. Pvt lcl Delaney, James L. Pvt Dence, Clarence Pvt lcl Dermake, William Pvt DeWitt, Abraham J. Pvt Dodge, Harold A. Pvt Drenning, Casper J. Cpl Drews, Joseph Pvt Duane, James A. Pvt Dudley, Daniel W. Wagoner Durbin, Arthur J. V. Pvt lcl Erway, Emmett S. Pvt Evans, Rudolph W. Pvt Farrell, William R. Pvt lcl Fintack, Joseph M. Bugler Fleming, William J. Pvt Foesz, Alfred J. Pvt Forsberg, John V. Pvt Fox, Horace A. Pvt Freind, Adam N. Pvt Frost, Henry E. Chf Mch Gaiek, John J. Pvt lcl Gallagher, William Cpl Gauss, Clifton F. Pvt lcl Geulis, William Pvt Gibbons, Edward P. Wagoner Glover, Leroy J. Pvt Hagen, Chris Pvt Hall, Howard D. Pvt Hartinger, George Cook Harrington, Robert H. Pvt Hatch, Lewis C. Pvt Hawkins, Perry Wagoner Herman, William Pvt Herrmann, Frank A. Sgt Higgins, Daniel J. Pvt Hoffman, William Pvt Hogan, Martin ^addler Horth, Walter L. Pvt Howe, Ellsworth M. Pvt Hunt, Albert H. Waeoner Hyburg, Victor E. Wagoner Ilardo, Anthony Pvt Trvin, Roy C. Sgt Jankowski, John S. Pvt lcl Tarosz, Charles bugler Tarzenbowski. Frank S. Pvt Jendrasiak, Bernard Pvt lcl Home Address 199 Maple St., Buffalo, N. Y. Star Route, Edenville, Mich 60 Newton St., Buffalo, N. Y 228 Persons St., Buffalo, N. Y 215 Pearl St., Brooklyn, N. Y. 540 West 157th St., New York City. 282 Allendale Ave., Detroit, Mich. Great Bend, Pa. Walton, N. Y. 19 South St., Lockport, N. Y. 550 Elk St., Buffalo, N. Y. Trout Creek, N. Y. Treadwell, N. Y. 119 Cortland Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. 249 Sobieski St., Buffalo, N. Y 90 Church St., Lockport, N. Y. 111 East Genesee St., Buffalo, N. Y. 6501 15th Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y. 1004 Atlantic Ave., Rochester, N. Y 775 East Delevan Ave., Buffalo, N. Y 3 Halbert St., Buffalo, N. Y 146 Detroit, St., Buffalo, N. Y. 2836 Decatur Ave., New York City. 115 Young St., Rochester, N. Y. 119 Hillside Ave., Rochester, N. Y. Fort Erie, Ontario, Can. 189 York St., Hamilton, Ontario, Can. 112 Spruce Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. Rd No. 3, Box No. 97, East Eden, N. Y. 448 West 35th St., New York City. R.F.D. No. 1, Owosso, Mich. R.F.D. No. 1, Tustin, Mich. 6 West Falls St., Niagara Falls, N. Y. 237 Howard Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y 116 Herman St., Buffalo, N. Y. 347 Amherst St., Buffalo, N. Y. 910 Washington Ave., Scranton, Pa. 2303 Oliver St., Baltimore, Md. 116 Goethe St., Buffalo, N. Y. Portville, N. Y. 835 Waverly Place, Utica, N. Y 32 Main St., Batavia, N. Y. 209 Adam St., Tonawanda, N. Y. 511 North Oak St., Buffalo, N. Y. 212 Fabius St., Syracuse, N. Y. 3510 So. Florence St., San Antonio. Tex. Davton, N. Y. 2837 East 99th St., Cleveland, O. 560 Second Ave., Astoria, N. Y 283 West Third St.. Corning, N. Y. 35 West 116th St., New York City. 224 East 95th St., New York City. 1306 Elm St., Utica, N. Y. 312 Dove St., Dunkirk, N. Y. 264 East Utica St., Buffalo, N. Y. Depew, N. Y. 153 Dante Place, Buffalo, N. Y. Onnalinda, Pa. 276 Leopere St., Buffalo. N. Y 492 Harris St.. Buffalo, N. Y. 53 Schutrum St., Buffalo, N. Y. 67 Houghton St., Buffalo, N. Y. 52 THE WAR BOOK OF THE Name Rank Jezuwit, John Mech Johler, Jacob Mech Johnson, Leroy S. Sgt Judson, Sydney Pvt Kamholz, August Cpl Kaplan, David Cpl Kazmierczak, Stanley Wagoner Kaznowski, John Sgt Keeler, Harold L. Pvt Keller, Raymond J. Pvt Kelley, Mathew P. Pvt Kemp, Harry U. Cpl Kielanczvk, John Pvt Kolodzinski, John Cpl Kopczynski, Frank Pvt Krauss, Walter Pvt lcl Kruk, John J. Pvt lcl Kubiak, Felix Sgt Kulizowski, John Pvt lcl Larsen, Carl Pvt Laskey, John J. Pvt lcl Lefko, James Cook Lemen, Clifford Cpl Libath, George C. Pvt Lis, Kaiser Pvt Martin, John J. Pvt lcl Mason, Donald W. Pvt lcl May, William F. Pvt lcl McBride, John J. Pvt McDonald, Joseph H. Pvt lcl McKay, James F. Sgt McLaren, William Pvt McLaughlin, Michael F. Pvt lcl Mega, Adam Pvt Afergler, George E. Mess Sgt Michalski, Walter Pvt lcl Mortek, Adam J. Pvt lcl Nicholas, Ralph A. Wagoner Niezgoda, Andrew Pvt Norton, Matthew F. Pvt lcl Nowatzki, Lzymutt Pvt O'Donnell. Cornelius A. Pvt O'Leary, Edward Cpl Olkiewicz, Frank Pvt lcl O'Neil, Raymond J. Pvt Palmer, Arnold E. Wagoner Paprota, Anthony Cook Pattullo, Andrew Pvt Phillips, Edward Col Pinkowski, Leonard Col Polony, Felix Wagoner Poltowicz, Joseph Pvt Potemipa, John Wagoner Pressfreund. Edwin S. Cpl' Przybylski. Walter Pvt Quinn. Edwin T. Sgt Rasp, George, Jr. Cpl Raymond. Harry E. Cpl Richter. Charles H. Cnl Ryan, Donald D. Wagoner Sanna, James E. Pvt lcl Savage, William J. Wagoner Home Address 72 Lombard St., Buffalo, N. Y. 463 Broadway, Buffalo, N. Y. 198 Sprague Ave., Liberty, N. Y. 26 Bacon St., Lockport, N. Y. 2805 Main St., Buffalo, N. Y. 140 Fourth St., Jersey Citv, N. J. 1186 Broadway, Buffalo, N. Y. 97 Thomas St., Buffalo, N. Y. 69 Mitten St., Buffalo, N. Y. 392 Emslie St., Buffalo, N. Y. 105 Chestnut St., Lockport, N. Y. Orchard Park, N. Y. 334 Hamburg St., Buffalo, N. Y. 191 Walnut St., Buffalo, N. Y. 17 Newton St., Buffalo, N. Y. 267 Pink St., Buffalo, N. Y. 177 Playton St., Buffalo, N. Y. 123 Sobieski St., Buffalo, N. Y. 19 Third Ave., Tonawanda, N. Y. 37 47th St., Brooklyn, N. Y. R.F.D. No. 3, Medina, N. Y. 122 22nd St., Niagara Falls, N. Y. Dansville, N. Y. 1513 Curtis Ave., Richmond Hill, N. Y. 205 Kentucky St., Buffalo, N. Y. 80 Chapel St., Lockport, N. Y. Care Rochester Herald, Rochester, N. Y. 22 Kalyer St., Brooklyn, N. Y. 230 Hamburg St., Buffalo, N. Y. 77 Avon St., Lawrence, Mass. 66 Claremont Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. 18 Pleasant St., Thompsonville, Conn. 120 Frost St., Blakeley, Pa. 49 Chicago St., Buffalo, N. Y. 444 High St., Buffalo, N. Y. 59 Railroad St., Oneida, N. Y. 88 Peck St.. Buffalo, N. Y. 140 Locust St., Lockport, N. Y. 55 Clark St., Buffalo, N. Y. Tracy Hotel, Chestnut St., Phila., Pa. 75 Van Rensellear St., Buffalo, N. Y. 413 Elk St., Buffalo, N. Y. 7 Third Ave., Long Island City, N. Y. 57 Bridgeman St., Buffalo, N. Y. 171 Fourth St., Buffalo, N. Y. Caledonia, N. Y. 1364 Sycamore St., Buffalo, N. Y. Woodstock, Ontario, Can. Middleport, N. Y. 330 Curtis St., Buffalo, N. Y. 135 Mohr Ave.. Buffalo, N. Y. 32 Sweet St., Buffalo, N. Y. 240 Schiller St., Buffalo, N. Y. 4 East 113th St., New York City. David Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. 94 Alabama St., Buffalo, N. Y. 51 Orange St., Buffalo, N. Y. 643 West Ave.. Buffalo, N. Y. 322 East 41st St., New York Citv. 116 East 63rd St., New York City. 3107 Park Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y. 9 James St., Morris, N. Y. 106th REGIMENT FIELD ARTILLERY 53 Name Rank Schneider, Jacob A. Wagoner Schoncite, Irving Pvt Shine, Frederick J. Pvt lcl Silverstein, Charles Pvt Siminowski, Felix Pvt lcl Siulc, Anthony Pvt lcl Seager, Charles M. Sup Set Shea, Archie E. 1st Sgt Smentkiewicz, Leo F. Cpl Spayd, Raymond E. Pvt Stakurski, Ignacz Pvt Stoldt, Fred C. Pvt Storey, Albert A. Pvt Strieker, Julius Pvt lcl Surdaski, Edward Pvt Sweistak, Piotr Pvt Symons, Alfred Cpl Szczechowski, Stanley Mech Szczecinski, John J. Cpl Szymkowiak, Felix Pvt Taber, Lawrence Pvt Tanner, Frank K. Pvt Truckenport, Harvey B. Wagoner Tulimowski, Konstanty Pvt lcl Van Kirk, Emmett Pvt Von Beck, John A. Pvt Von Daacke, James C. Sgt Wachowiak, John J. Pvt Waldowski, Vitold Pvt lcl Washington, Martin J. Pvt Weaver, Oswald K. Sgt Weber, William Pvt Wells, Hector M. Wagoner Weltz, Joseph F. Pvt Wenslaus, Alexander Pvt Williams, Isaac M. Cpl Witmer, Joseph H. Cpl Wojttsiak, Vincent Pvt lcl Wooster, Winfield S. Pvt Wurtz, Joseph Pvt Yewtushewski. John Pvt lcl Yodges, Joseph Pvt lcl Young, William L. Pvt lcl Zaborowski, Bernard Pvt lcl Zminkowski, Martin Pvt lcl Zuilkowski, John Pvt lcl Home Address 381 Davey St., Buffalo, N. Y. 794 East 158th St., New York City. 206 Sweeney St., Buffalo, N. Y. 299 Throop Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y. 242 Lathrop St., Buffalo, N. Y. 16 Nayanga St., Depew, N. Y. Dalton, N. Y. 107 West 121st St., New York City. 66 Claremont Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. 14 Transit St., Woonsocket, R. I. 937 Highland, Syracuse, N. Y. Algoa, Texas. 513 Weigh St., Bronx, N. Y. 151 East 123rd St., New York City. 41 Sear Ave., Depew, N. Y. 28 Roseville St., Buffalo, N. Y. Eggertsville, N. Y. 17 First Ave., North Tonawanda, N. Y. 31 Louis Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. 245 Lackawanna Ave., Sloan, N. Y. Wellsville, N. Y. 145 Highland Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. 310 Winslow Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. 88 Pulaski St., Buffalo, N. Y. Johnsons, N. Y. 252 Crowley Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. 73 Young Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. 444 Stellawanna St., Lackawanna, N. Y. 292 South Third St., Brooklyn, N. Y. Waterford, N. Y. 1441 Chester St, Brooklyn, N. Y. 19 Court St., Norwich, N. Y. 47 Reed St, Buffalo, N. Y. 405 Amherst St, Buffalo, N. Y. Clinton, N. Y. 123 Snalding Ave, Lockport, N. Y. 24 Rother Ave, Buffalo, N. Y. Sidney, N. Y. 78 Suydam St, Brooklyn, N. Y. 69 Mitten St, Buffalo, N. Y. 275 Hemstead Ave, Buffalo, N. Y. 60 Dale Ave, Ossining, N. Y. 122 Peck St, Buffalo, N. Y. 72 Moeller Ave, Buffalo, N. Y. 8 Bronzel St, Lancaster, N. Y. Battery "B" BATTERY "B" Back in America — back home again ! Who would have believed that less than two years after we entered the service at Buffalo we would be through with our job and ready to be mustered out. Yet such is the case. Our time in the army, though short in comparison to the years of work and fighting endured by the Belgians, the British, and the French, has nevertheless been as varied as anybody could possibly wish for. We saw about all there was to see. We left the United States on the U. S. S. Matsonia on June 6th, 1918. Arrived at St. Nazaire, France, on June 18th, after a trip featured only by its lack of excitement. We stayed in St. Nazaire for seven days, leav- ing by train on June 26th, and went to Gradignan, where we were bil- leted in the Chateaux Lange. While in Gradignan we had our first expe- riences with the French people and their customs, as we were practically living with them. Our time was spent drilling and learning what we could of the 155mm. Howitzer by the absent treatment method. After being in Gradignan for nearly a month we hiked to Camp de Souge, leav- ing Gradignan on the evening of July 21st, arriving at Camp de Souge after a six-hour hike. While at Camp de Souge we received horses, at least they called them horses, and our 155mm. material. While there we had our first experience with French artillery, and our impression was favorable as far as accuracy was concerned, but we found it much harder to handle than the 4.7's we were accustomed to. After training for more than a month we finally left on our way to the front, leaving De Souge on September 4th. After a three-day ride 58 THE WAR BOOK OF THE in box cars we arrived at Longeville, which was as close to the front as the railroad could take us. We went into a temporary camp for a day. Leaving Longeville, we started our hike to Baileicourt, which was to be our first echelon. All our movements were made at night, and the men and horses rested during the day. We arrived at Baleicourt on the night of September 11th. While here we were inspected by Maj. Gen. Bell, of the 33d Division. Battery "B" was picked by the inspectors as the cleanest and best battery in the regiment. Batteries "A," "B," and "F" were selected as the advance batteries of the regiment and were filled up to full strength with men, horses, and materiel from the three other bat- teries. At Baleicourt we experienced our first bit of excitement at the hands of the Germans in the form of an aeroplane bombing. Although the bombing was not very close to us, it seemed to be, and everybody was pretty much excited. The Battery left Baleicourt to take up our first position on September 21st, arriving in a position near Chattancourt, and also near the well known "Dead Man's Hill." The gun positions had been old 75mm. em- placements and had to be enlarged and improved. It was here we first employed camouflage, the success of which was probably one of the main reasons for our good fortune in having had no casualties. On the evening of September 25th we received our first data for firing what was to be part of one of the largest artillery preparations ever attempted in the war. Battery "B" was given data to fire 440 rounds, each gun firing 110 rounds. The executive officer for this problem was Lieut. Herbert, assisted by Lieut. Wright. The chiefs of section ,were Sergt. Mulkern, Sergt. Bar- rett, Sergt. Dorman, and Sergt. Blake. The gunner corporals were Corp. Entress, Corp. Gabriel, Corp. McMahon and Corp. Stachowiak. The gun crews were all picked men with the most experience. Here we learned that war wasn't altogether a pleasure. It was a very hard matter to induce the ammunition trucks to run up to the position, and the greater part of our ammunition had to be man-handled, most of this work being done by the gun crews, as there were very few extra cannoneers. While in this position we were shelled a bit, some of the arrivals landing pretty close to our guns, but doing no damage. It was here that a squad of men was taken from our battery to go forward and take over a battery of German guns that had been captured, together with a lot of ammunition. Sergt. Blake was placed in charge of this squad, with Corp. Stachowiak as his gunner. Sergt. Rinker was then placed in charge of the fourth section, with Pvt. Finsterbach as acting gunner. The men given Sergt. Rinker were all green men, but afterward turned out to be one of the best gun crews in the battcrv. 106th REGIMENT FIELD ARTILLERY 59 We left Chattancourt on the night of October 2d to take up another position forward. We were held up on the road for seven hours by shell fire and by a bridge being blown up just ahead of the battery. On this account we had to pull our guns to the side of the road and put the cam- ouflage nets over them. The battery went back to Germonville, which was its echelon, to wait until the next night. We left Germonville at 4:30 p. m. on October 3d and arrived at where the guns were placed just after they had been shelled by the Germans. The guns were pulled back on the road and we started over Forges Hill, a hill that was constantly under fire. We were shelled with some shrapnel and a little gas, but, as usual, no damage was done. We arrived at our position about 3 :00 a. m. on October 4th, and were told to get our guns ready to fire at 5 :30 a. m. At the same time the usual work of camouflage and building positions went on just the same. We did not fire until the next day. We were in this position two days, when it was decided that the guns were too close together, and the second and third pieces were moved to the right of the battery. It was in this position that we did the most firing and that the machine-gunners of the battery had a chance to use their guns on the Heche aeroplanes. We left Bethincourt on October 15th and laid on the road for twelve hours waiting for the batteries ahead of us to get over the hill. After having coffee and bread we continued our hike to Gercourt, arriving there at 1 1 :00 a. m. on October 6th. We were in this position for five days when we were relieved by the French. On the 22d of October we arrived at a camp near Sennoncourt, which was to be our rest camp. While here we worked on horses and materiel and had a chance to get cleaned up a bit ourselves. We were now attached to the 79th Division. We left our rest camp on October 27, crossed the Meuse River and arrived at our new positions, which were all dug and ready for us to go into, at 10:30 p. m. on the 28th. The 158th Brigade had been in this position, so there was plenty of am- munition, and things were pretty easy for us. In this position the batteries on either side of us were heavily shelled and had several casualties. Some of the shells were landing very close and splattering our positions with dirt and stone, but doing no damage. It was believed for a time that we would be in this position for some time, and lumber and sand bags were ordered to complete the emplacements and build dugouts for the men. While in this position we had balloon observation, and the effect of our shots was sent back to the gun crews. It made the work a lot more inter- esting. It seemed to make the men work harder when they actually knew that they were doing some damage. This was one of the best positions that we were in and we were sorry to receive the order to move. We left Samogneux at 6:30 p. in. on November 9th, arrived at Ormont 60 THE WAR BOOK OF THE Farm at 10:30 p. m. that night and fired the next day. The data for firing one of the problems was given to a battalion of the light artillery and to our battalion. "B" Battery fired the first shot of the problem, and both "A" and "B" were firing some minutes before the "lights" opened fire. This was a test problem, neither of the outfits knowing that they were being tried. "B" Battery's speed and accuracy earned for it another commendation. The next day the armistice was signed, our battery firing up until the last half hour. The news of the armistice was told to us by Lieut. Col. Verbeck. He read us an order that our work was to go on as usual. We continued work on our gun pits and started dug-outs. On the 17th of November a field day was held between a detachment of Headquarters Co., "A" and "B" Batteries, which was won by "B" Bat- tery, "B" Battery scoring 29, "A" 22, and Headquarters 20 points. On the 18th we were taken over ground that we had fired upon from the last two positions. On the 19th our guns were pulled out of position with auto trucks. At 8:30 a. m. on November 20th we left Ormont Farm, marching to Thierville, arriving in that place at 3 :30 p. m. We were put in barracks at Jardin-Fontaine, an old French Military Academy. On the 23rd of November we took a hike through Verdun and went up to some of the forts around the city. We left Thierville at 8:45 p. m. on December 10th. We arrived in Argentre on December 14th and were placed in billets on the property of the French people. It certainly seemed good to be back in civilization once more. While here we turned in all our guns and materiel. Our time was spent at close order drill. On the 30th of January we were reviewed by Gen. Pershing, and the brigade was complimented on its cleanliness. About this time we started having embarkation inspection of equipment and cleanliness. This battle of inspections was the worst one of the war, and we were glad when we received orders to leave for Brest. We left Argentre February 26th, entrained at Laval and arrived at Brest on the 27th. We had breakfast and started for Pontenezen Barracks, the road to which was up hill most of the way and very tiring. We had our final physical examination, and on the morning of March 3d we had a full pack inspection and were re- ported ready to embark. We left Pontenezen Barracks at 1 :30 p. m. and marched to Brest, getting on the lighters at 4:00 p. m. and aboard the U. S. S. America. We laid in the harbor that night and put out to sea at 2 o'clock on March 4th. And now, after nine days on the water, we are home again. But while abroad we learned a great deal, some of which we rather expected and some of which surprised us. We found that most of the ideas about field artillery which we had gathered in the States were wrong. We 106th REGIMENT FIELD ARTILLERY 61 found that the artilleryman carries the same pack and the same rifle as the doughboy, with the additional privilege of being allowed to spend hours putting on drag ropes and lifting on wheels, while those four-legged beasts called horses, whose work we were doing, "turned around and laughed at us. It also dawned upon us that artillerymen do not ride and that a battery does not dash up in double section column and do action right. Far from it ! The cannoneers personally see that the guns are drawn out of ditches and mud holes and over hills, and then, with the same individual care and attention, they pull and shove each piece into its appointed place. But, though our deeds are dull compared to those of the more spec- tacular branches of the service, still we do not regret our lot. We had none of the infantry's personal contact with the enemy, netting visible deaths and many prisoners ; we had none of the dash of a chasse squadron, with its thrilling encounters above the clouds and the opportunity for — and almost certainty of — numerous citations ; we had none of the romance of the tank corps nor the chance to operate, and fight in, their almost im- pregnable moving fortresses. But we have had what is and must be our only reward — the knowledge that, working under the most adverse condi- tions that a regiment could possibly encounter and survive, with horses unworthy of the name, and with men untrained by a preliminary taste of a "quiet sector," we nevertheless went forward with an undertaking that was a drudgery and, by working day and night with all our might, achieved a result which, though unwritten in newspaper stories and unnoted by the world at large, nevertheless was the one desired by the advancing infantry and one which reflected the greatest of credit upon our regiment and our brigade. This must be the artilleryman's reward — the consciousness that his mission is fulfilled — for he can get no other. This reward is ours, and as the years roll by we can look back and feel that where efficient artillery is concerned the 106th Regiment and Battery "B" are second to none. "B" BATTERY SECTION OF THE "JERRY" BATTERY. On September 27, 1918, the fourth section gun crew went forward to take over German guns which were taken in the drive of September 26th. Lieut. Toomey had charge of the gun crews and the Jerry Battery, the name by which we were known. We had a good opportunity to see the trenches that were held by the Germans prior to the drive. We arrived at the former German gun position at 3 :00 p. m. September 27th and re- ceived a hot reception by the German 77's. The first gun pit of the battery was torn up badly by our fire of the day before, and the Germans had to 62 THE WAR BOOK OF THE get away with such haste that they did not have time to make their guns unfit for use. The Germans had left over 1,800 rounds of shell and plenty of powder. Being only about 1,500 yards behind the first line trenches, we were shelled badly. On September 29th we learned the art of firing Krupp's Pride. The next day we fired our gun as a test, and it proved O. K. This was followed by the men in the gun crew taking their first wash in five days, using a shell hole as a basin. On October 13th we fired twenty-five rounds of Jerry's own shells at him and received about eighty- nine in return, and they sure did come, but we all came out safe. MEMBERS OF THE GUN CREW. Sergt. Blake. Corp. Stachowiak. Pvt. Rasp. Pvt. Ouinn, Frank. Pvt. Goldberg. Pvt. Floss. Pvt. DeRoshey. Pvt. Murphy. Pvt. Borthwick. Corp. Dewey. ROSTER OF BATTERY "B," 106th FIELD ARTILLERY Name Parker, Howard K. Toomey, George Herbert, Philip S. Durkin, Edward W. Elderdice, Hugh L. Abbey, Charles N. Almgren, Arthur Amelio, Vito Andrzjewski, Max Applegate. William G. Armour, John J. Bardey, Stephen Barrett, Herbert D. Basenski, Alley Berchiatti, John Berg, Carl A. Betz, Carl Bixler, Raymond J. Blake, John R. Boland. Edward J. Borthwick, George M. Brencher, Charles, Jr. Brock, Ronald Brown, Richard Bukowski, Stanley Burch, Charles A. Burrell, Archibald Carlson, Seyonte Carpenter. William E. Celinski, Steven Chason'. Charles Clark, Francis Z. Rank Home Address Captain 609 W. Adams St., Taylorville, 111. Captain Buffalo, N. Y. 1st Lieut. 434 W. 22nd St., New York City. 1st Lieut. 426 N. Utica St.. Waukegan, 111. 2nd Lieut. Westminster, Md. Pvt lcl Cherry Creek, N. Y. Pvt lcl 259 Green Ave., Brooklyn. N. Y. Pvt 213 Swan St.. Buffalo, N. Y. Cpl 70 Beck St., Buffalo, N. Y. Pvt 173 Jersey Ave., Port Jervis, N. Y. Cpl 41 Johns St., Rensselaer, N. Y. Wagoner 83 Ludington St., Buffalo, N. Y. Pvt 130 East 43rd St., New York City.. Pvt 21 Titus St., Buffalo, N. Y. Pvt lcl Besemer, Mich. Pvt Roselawn, Mich. Pvt lcl Warsaw, N. Y. Pvt McCherrystown, Pa. Sgt 348 East Eagle St.. Buffalo. N. Y. Pvt lcl 164 Mulberry St., Buffalo, N. Y. Pvt 523 St. Anns Ave., New York City. Pvt 249 Hillside Ave., Leonia, N. J. Sgt 822 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. Mess Sgt Memphis, Tenn. Sgt Angola, N. Y. Pvt lcl Route 4, Kosse, Texas. Col 1081 Abbott Road. Buffalo, N. Y. Wagoner 1139 North Main St., Jamestown. N. Y. Pvt 1 Washington St., New York Citv. Chf Alech 46 Brighton St.. Buffalo, N. Y. Pvt lcl 147 Niagara St.. Buffalo, N. Y. Pvt 266 Hamburg St., Buffalo, N. Y. 106th REGIMENT FIELD ARTILLERY 63 Name Rank Clendennen, Frederick Pvt Chmielewski, John Pvt Cohn, Ralph Pvt Colbow, William J. Wagoner Collins, Gustavus M. Cpl Coyne, Thomas A. Pvt lcl Cowie, Charles R. Pvt Crawford, Chester R. Wagoner Danelas, Thomas Pvt Dabblestein, Henry Pvt Darling, Carl A. Pvt lcl Dashnow, Samuel Pvt Daum, Mathias Pvt lcl De-ker, Ira D. Pvt Dega, Anton Pvt DeGraw, Edward Wagoner DeMucci, Edward R. Pvt Denniston, Elmer N. Cpl DeRosa, Antonio Pvt DeRosey, Edward J. Pvt lcl Devers, Harold B. Pvt Devet, Henry Pvt Dewey, Elmer Cpl Dewey, Raymond Pvt lcl Dickey, James S. Wagoner Dieter, August A. Pvt lcl Dillard, John H. Pvt lcl Dorman, George L. Sgt Doyle, Charles E. Pvt Drabkowski, Frank Pvt Dreiblatt, Jacob Pvt Dresbeck, William F. Wagoner Duewiger, Emil Pvt Durfee, Ennis E. Cpl Dworsak, Dominick Cpl Eliashuk, Jakim Pvt Emden, Harry Cook Entress, Reinhart Cpl Etosh, Jack Pvt Ferrante, Giovanni Pvt Fleishman, Albert M. Pvt Fries, Joseph Pvt Gabriel, William J. Cpl Gajewski, John J. Pvt lcl Garvey, Michael Wagoner Georgiafentis, Chrass. Pvt lcl Getter, Walter L. 1st Sgt Gengola, Charles A. Pvt Goldberg, Benjamin Pvt lcl Goodman, Leonard Pvt Gorski, Casmer Pvt Gracie, James Mech Gravener, Kenneth F. Pvt lcl Gunsur, Frank Pvt Guttenplan, Isidore Pvt Haag, Albert C. Pvt lcl Hackemer, Arthur E. Wagoner Hamacker, Edward Pvt Handte, John H. Pvt lcl Hardy, Izydore Pvt Hawkins, Stanley M. Cpl Held, Harry H. Pvt Home Address 61 Monhagen Ave., Middletown, N. Y. 70 Wilson St., Buffalo, N. Y. 251 Lenox Ave., New York City. 4800 No. Main St., Niagara Falls, N. Y. 53 Ardmore PI., Buffalo, N. Y. 443 west 54th St., New York City. Interurban Hotel, Detroit, Mich. Cannonsville, N. Y. 184 4th St., Milwaukee, Wis. 1003 Bryton Park PI., Utica, N. Y. 604 North Elm St., Three Oaks, Mich. Constable, N. Y. 283 Maryer St., Brooklyn, N. Y. 117 William St., Walden, N. Y. 947 l / 2 First Ave., Milwaukee, Wis. R.F.D. No. 1, Montgomery, N. Y. 165 West 10th St, New York City. R.F.D. No. 4, Newburgh, N. Y. Box 35, Middleport, N. Y. R.F.D. No. 2, Iron River, Mich. R.F.D. No. 4, Mason, Mich. Kipling, Mich. 14 Vary St., Buffalo, N. Y. 14 Vary St., Buffalo, N. Y. Ill Prospect St., North Sturgis, Mich. 1445 Military Ave., Detroit, Mich. Stranger, Mich. 321 Hudson St., Buffalo, N. Y. 23 Kepple St., Buffalo, N. Y. 1264 Michigan Ave., Detroit, Mich. 325 East Houston St., New York City. 1637 Jefferson St., Buffalo, N. Y. 411 William St., Buffalo, N. Y. 19 Second St., Geneseo, N. Y. Orchard Park, N. Y. 89 Bush St., Buffalo, N. Y. 168 Exchange St., Buffalo, N. Y. 236 Fulton St., Jamaica, N. Y. 105 Washington St., New York City. 168 Dante PL, Buffalo, N. Y. 739 South St., Utica, N. Y. 365 Bristol St., Buffalo, N. Y. 104 Jackson St., Batavia, N. Y. 2023 W. Erie St., Chicago, 111. 148 Front St., Binghamton, N. Y. 91 Broadway, Buffalo, N. Y. 53 Main St., Oneonta, N. Y. 436 So. Division St., Buffalo, N. Y. L S. R R Restaurant, Buffalo. N Y. 555 Pacific St., Brooklyn, N. Y. 85 Wilson St., Buffalo, N. Y. 51 Chippewa St, Buffalo, N. Y. 55 Winspear Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. 217 Eaton St., Lackawanna, N. Y. 329 E. 5th St., New York City. 40 Newell Ave., Lancaster, N. Y. 65 Moeller Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. 548 Swan St., Buffalo, N. Y. Vestal, N. Y. 274 Lovejoy St., Buffalo, N. Y. Orchard Park, N. Y. 15 Gate St, Sloan, N. Y. 64 THE WAR BOOK OF THE Name Rank Huether, Joseph A. Wagoner Hunt, Richard R. Pvt lcl Hutchinson, Robert E. Wagoner James, Hobart R. Wagoner Jankowski, Frank Pvt lcl Japhet, Willard Pvt Johnson, Albert W. Bugler Kazmierczak, Thomas J. Pvt Kearns, Martin R. Pvt Klob, John F., Jr. Pvt Kondzielski, Stanley Pvt Koster, Henry G. Cpl LaFrance, Henry J. Cpl Lawson, Walter Pvt Leakey, Earl K. Pvt Liehr, Joseph H. Wagoner Link, Charles F. Bugler Lipczynski, Walter Pvt lcl Logan, Patrick L. Pvt Lucas, Matthew A. Pvt Ludwig, Hamilton Pvt Lumsden, Milton G. Cpl Majewski, Casimer Pvt lcl Marino, Pasquale Saddler Maroney, James F. Pvt Maximovitch, Stephen Pvt McGowan, Daniel P. Pvt McGrory, Hugh M. Pvt McKechnie, James A. Pvt McLain, William E. Pvt McMahon, Paul J. Cpl Michel, Edward Pvt lcl Milbrand, Joseph Cook Milligan, Franklin C. Pvt lcl Mioduszewski, Anthony Pvt lcl Mohre, Robert F. Pvt Mosier, Roy S. Pvt lcl Mulkern, John B. Set Mumm, John Cook Murphy, Eugene Pvt Myslabowski, Walter Pvt lcl Niedzylski, Jan Pvt Niemiec, Anthony Pvt lcl O'Connor, Martin J. Pvt Omelanchuk, Tony Pvt lcl Ostrovehuk, John Pvt Otkowski, John Pvt lcl Pley, Maikel Chf Mech Poswiatowski, John Cpl Quinn, Frank Wagoner Quinn, James Wagoner Raczka, Josef "Pvt lcl Ranaldo. Luigi Pvt Rasp, Charles Wagoner Ray, Otto D. Pvt Rees, Edward D. Wagoner Ricigliano, Vito Pvt Rinker, Harold c