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307th at home and in France
Ed. Harold Breul, 1919
[307th Ambulance Company]
Our Summer vacation near Hunland
It was high noon on the thirteenth of June when word
was received to detrain. What a relief to the
cramped and weary limbs of the boys who, for sixty-two
long hours, had been held in close confinment within
their boxcar home. Packs were removed with a will
and shouldered without delay; and after a brief
period during which orderlies bustled here and there
hunting officers' baggage, the wagons were loaded
and the rail convey was converted into a slowly
moving transport, followed closely by the column
which swung rhythmically through the streets of
Thaon, keeping step to the music furnished by the
lusty throats of carefree boys in line. Out into the
open country they marched, spending the remainder of
the afternoon on the road. As it grew dusk the
company tramped into the village of Dignonville
where pup tents were quickly established to serve as
shelter for the night.
Early morning brought with it the usual haste and
confusion necessary to the activity of a body of
soldiers who are continually on the move. And when a
timely hint dropped by an unsuspecting billeting
officer started on its circuitous route throughout
the company, containing the information that the
destination would be reached that day, spirits were
revived, sore feet were soon forgotten, and it was
but a short time before tents were struck and the
company was once more on the road. Shortly after
noon Rambervillers had its first glimpse of the
dusty and weary soldiers, who gazed about in
delighted expectation as they welcomed the prospect
of spending a few days in a large town - the largest
since Calais was visited and left with a receding
yet ever-present memory. The miniature canvas abodes
were hastily though neatly erected on the bank of
the Mortagne River. Then followed the search for the
indispensable straw which, as soon as discovered,
was at once purloined from a neighboring barn, which
as it seems had been left open for that express
purpose; because when it appeared to the owner that
each man was supplied with his self-allotted bundle
of straw he entered the tenting area with palms
extended and vociferously demanded his cinquant
centimes per bundle and he got it "perhaps." The
next in line of events was the unceremonious
disregard for orders issued for the purpose of
keeping the men at hand in case they were needed.
They, however, had something else in view, and
started for the river on the double where, with no
show of conventionality whatever, they divested
themselves of their olive-drab in cumbrances and
enjoyed the cool dip which was the nearest thing to
a bath that they had experienced since a few days
previous to the long hike and sojourn in
Homme-Chevaux. The cleansing value of that
particular stream, was, however, to be questioned.
Nevertheless it was sufficient to afford a temporary
relief from the hot rays of the afternoon sun, and
at the sa le time served as a harassing manoeuvre
against the ever-present cooties acquired from the
box cars and bedmates enroute.
Perhaps the most interesting as well as the most
satisfying event during the week's stay at
Rambervillers was the initial entrance of American
rations on the scene. Was this an illusion? From
whence came these immense loaves of white bread?
Then followed the fitting farewell to old Hardtack
and his fellow conspirators marmalade and cheese.
They soon passed away unmourned and unwept and none
would attempt to sing their requiem nor offer a
eulogy in their behalf. English rations were soon an
item for history and diary only; and for many a day
following their demise, it was a challenge to the
patience and good nature of any soldier who had been
Avec les Anglais for any length of time, to mention
any of the former instruments of torture used by the
English and their mess line.
Since all were forced, by the inclement weather
which sunny France is wont to dispose at will
without regard to seasons, to seek their diversions
indoors, the boys took advantage of the cinema and
estaminet, two of the many institutions placed at
the disposal of the soldier abroad to keep him from
more unwholesome amusements such as playing
solitaire or studying French. It is a consensus of
opinion that the "relief work" in the estaminets was
by far the most fashionable as well as the most
timely and appropriate avocation of the toys during
their brief stay in town when their time was not
used otherwise. The relief work was at times
hampered by almost unsurmountable difficulties such
as were experienced by Sam Campbell and Harry
Debacher who, accompanied by several members of the
company choir, took it upon themselves to intervene
in what was purely a private, personal, and
uninvited misunderstanding. Two French warriors
within a small dingy cafe, which was redolent with
tobacco smoke, were busily engaged in combat,
casting chairs at each other, accompanied by glasses
and bottles. The waste of liquor was distressing!
Each seemed to have a bar maid and garcon de cafe as
allies, for the latter took pains to occupy
strategic positions astride a pool table, from which
they were able to use the pool cues as javelins when
opportunity was afforded. This was the first
impression received as to what a barrage was like,
and a few non-combatants' heads were endangered for
a time ere peace was declared and a conference was
established with a buxom bar maid presiding. Thence
the members of the Croix de Rouge went forth seeking
similar occasions to show their worth and to render
their works of mercy.
At last the long-expected orders for duty at the
front were received. The infantry had already
officially relieved the Rainbow Division, and on
June nineteenth the first detachment of the
ambulance company left Rambervillers under the
command of Lieutenant Chase and Sergeant Campbell
for their initial experience in action. The
remainder of the company, after the formalities of
the separation from the 307th Field Hospital were
completed, followed later in the evening. What a
weird evening it was! The rain fell in torrents and
through the blackness of the night it was almost an
impossibility to keep the transport on the road.
Officers and N. C. O's darted back and forth on
horseback in a vain attempt to keep men and
transports separated. The Rainbow Division on its
way out blocked the road for miles. Rolling kitchens,
artillery pieces, wagons, and trucks of all kinds
forced the hikers into the ruts time and again. And
what a pleasure it was to know that, besides the
hardships of rain and obstacles of the road, we had
taken a route which added just ten kilometers to our
travel! The guide, a motor corporal who "knew the
way," but who was as besprinkled with vin rouge
internally as we were with rain externally, assured
the officer in command that "Things were getting to
look familiar now" - yes, now since he had gone all
over that section of the country in order to march
eight miles.
It was a wet and mud-bespattered detachment that
staggered into Bertichamps in the early morning.
Captain "Pop" Morrison's "Where in Hell have you
been?" was as welcome a greeting as a home-coming
cheer, when we knew that he had engaged billets for
us. It was but a matter of minutes before all were
sleeping soundly in the hay, literally speaking.
In the meantime, the members of the company who had
been detailed to the line were having their initial
baptism of fire. Montigny was the town selected for
the establishing of the Advance Dressing Station,
and it was to this town that the detachment of
twenty men first proceeded. They were soon convinced
that they had arrived in good time to be numbered
among those for whom the German gunners had planned
a welcome and a very warm reception; for when the
relief took place, and it became evident to Jerry
that a new division was pitted against him, he
livened up the so-called quiet sector. They had been
putting over gas for several hours previous to the
arrival of the ambulance men to take up their duties
at the dressing station, and this element, together
with the nauseating sights resulting from the
treacherous liquid fire used by the Germans on our
division in their vain attempt to dishearten the
Empire State fighters, did not give them any too
meagre an idea of what was in store for them. The
work had begun, and twelve men were sent nearer the
front to act as litter bearers in the regimental aid
posts of which there were three, located at
Ancerviller, Mignonville, and at Herberviller. They
were equally divided among the three posts, thereby
leaving eight men besides the officer and N. C. O's.
in charge to enjoy themselves at Montigny.
It will be remembered that during the training
period with the English, one would hear, from time
to time, of that "issue of rum" for the men in the
front area, which was considered necessary as a
stimulant to the tired and strained nerves of the
fighters. Later it was stated specifically that this
method of rendering the men shock proof would not be
encouraged among the American fighting force.
Evidently the small detachment at Montigny was still
influenced by the English custom under which the
first few divisions to arrive received their
training; for when it was discovered that the
medical men of the Forty-second Division had left,
together with the necessary medical supplies, a
goodly quantity of Three Star Hennessey, a regular
system of rationing according to the English plan
was instituted, and as may be readily under stood
there were many who presented themselves for seconds
only to depart thirsty; for Joe Ash hastily put into
practice a quotation from the Scripture which he
claimed justified his action. This quotation, one of
his own selection, is, "He who is the dispenser
shall also partake thereof."
It was in this vicinity that the first battle
casualties of the Seventy-seventh Division were
evacuated by our ambulances, and here it was that
the first grewsome sights of maimed and lacerated
humanity served as exponents of the nature of our
work during the months which were to follow, and
prepared us for the worst during our later endeavors
among our wounded and dying comrades.
Mignonville, Ancerviller, and Herberviller will
always be present in the memories of the three
litter squads who were stationed with the infantry
at these points; for it was in these respective
towns that they first learned the art of ducking
shells and at the same time prove that a straight
line is the shortest distance between two points,
especially when one of the points, and that to which
you are aiming, is a dugout.
It is true that after the dead were disposed of,
following a daylight raid by our doughboys, there
was not much in the line of casualties to receive
our attention; still there was that treacherous
intermittent shelling to contend with, which to the
men on their first trip to the line, was a source of
excitement as well as a great inconvenience.
When it became evident that the Vosges was, from now
on, destined to become a quiet sector, which was
confirmed on several occasions when our infantry
boys went over the top and entered the German third-line
trenches only to return disappointed because of the
fact that they could find no foe, all hands entered
into discussion as to the best manner of spending
the summer's vacation.
The personnel of the company had, in the meantime,
proceeded to Baccarat where quarters in a French
hospital building had been obtained for them. A
system of training was immediately put into practice
which occupied the attention of the boys who were
not fortunate enough to be detailed to the line
every week. It was into this melee of close order,
litter drills, and first-aid lectures that each
week's detachment from the front returned only to
regret that the sessions in the land of no shells
could not be prolonged, especially since Joe Ash,
having been assured that where shells are mess
sergeants do not abide, had been putting forth
repasts which had never before, in the history of
the company, been attempted. Officers' and sergeants'
mess received a body blow, for Lieutenant Chase, who
was always known to be heart and soul with the boys
in their work, spurned one invitation after another
to dine with majors and colonels at the front.
The second detachment to the forward area had the
distinguished honor and privilege of opening up the
307th Ambulance Summer Resort at Vaxainville, a
"petite village" situated about five kilometers to
the west of the main road between Baccarat and
Montigny. A small cottage was selected and designed
as a dressing station for the wounded, but in actual
working order it served rather as an appropriate
place where fingers sprained by baseball could be
tinged with iodine, and digestive apparatuses
disordered by green apples procured at a near-by
orchard might be renovated. The main object of this
war paradise, however, proved to be its use as a
rest area for members of our company who weakened
under the strain of training, or who grew dizzy
doing litters right and left about at Baccarat. Here
it was that these heroes, deserving of a rest,
adjourned; and, unhampered by top sergeant, and
unstarved by mess sergeant, they rapidly regained
lost weight and were once more able to undergo the
back area routine of drilling and lectures.
It was owing to the popularity of the place, and the
unceasing demand for permission to spend a portion
of the summer in this section, that it was deemed
necessary to enlarge upon the plans; instead of
building the massive dugout which was included in
the original blueprint, a large outdoor dining and
amusement hall was constructed. Mechanic Bice,
assisted by Merton Hinckly and Broncoto, and of
course all who would volunteeer at the suggestion of
some corporal to carry lumber, started to work on
the building. The extension was completed in a
surprisingly short time and ready for more guests. A
preconceived and hastily planned house-warming party
was instigated by a certain trio, at which they were
the only guests. Their selfishness at not inviting
the captain received its just reprimand and they
were given to understand that he would stand for it
no mo. The added improvements on the building,
including the wire hammock, which swung between two
apple trees, tended to make the cottage more
attractive and it became so popular among us that it
was no uncommon occurrence to hear someone volunteer
to take another's place at the line.
When not engaged in the front area the baseball
field and the Meinthe River received our attention,
and Baccarat was the scene of many a hotly contested
ball game, previous to the departure of the Sanitary
Train. Our company was represented by a well-balanced
team which did remarkably well against all teams of
other organizations with whom it came in contact. We
were still among the leaders when the orders arrived
forcing us to leave the area.
The river which wound itself through the immediate
surroundings of our barracks was the scene of many a
pleasant afternoon splash. These numerous baths were,
I suppose, intended to put us far enough ahead in
the number of ablutions to warrant our prolonged
privation of water for washing purposes in the
months that followed.
The evenings, during our stay in Baccarat, were
spent in various forms of entertainment afforded by
the Overseas Theatre League, and the talent from the
various organizations in the division. It was our
privilege on a number of occasions to be entertained
by Elsie Janis, whose charming personality and
ability to please found immediate favor among all
the soldiers with whom she came in contact, and
those who had patronized the theatres back on
Broadway, at which she was always an attraction, all
agreed that, here in the land of her birth, she
surpassed all her former professional endeavor. The
divisional entertainers, who were later known as the
Argonne Players, also did a great deal in the line
of entertainment for our benefit.
The afternoon and evening amusements were by far
transcended by the early morning spectacles which
took place when German planes, seeking prey and
perhaps a slight amount of trouble, came over the
lines for the sake of observing and depositing their
donation of pig iron and dynamite in the form of
bombs. Our guards were at all times armed with a
long stick or whistle. Three shrill blasts from the
latter, which were intended as a warning to remain
under cover, usually served as a summons to come out
and witness the flashes of high explosive of the
anti-aircraft shells as they burst about the
intruder. Long and loud were the shouts if the
target was hit as happened at times during these air
raids. Many were the disturbed slumbers caused by
the concussion which took place when one of Jerry's
bombs dropped in the neighborhood of our barrack,
and these visits could be expected nightly during
those times which were becoming troublesome to the
Germans.
Numerous were the good times that were enjoyed,
especially following pay day in Baccarat, and many
tales will be related by members of the company who
were, at one time or another, victims of
circumstances following the day in which francs and
centimes were handed across the table. However,
there is one narrative which if passed by might
escape the keenest of memories. Old "Pop" Erdman
left the barracks shortly after he received his
monthly allowance and incidentally before he had
been approached by his creditors of the previous
month. He was in search of some diversion which
might keep him occupied for the evening. Did he
succeed in finding it ? We are inclined to think he
did. Emphatically denied rumors had it that he made
friends that evening with a person of his own
extraction known as Van Blunk, and that having taken
this newly found comrade to his bosom he proceeded
to visit the bazaars of the souvenir shops which in
France are termed Cognaceries. We have never
received an account of the happenings in full but we
know that Harry did not return that night nor the
next, and when he at last put in his appearance, he
was breathless, speechless, and hatless; the next
check-up on his equipment also proved him to be
friendless for he had lost his gas mask during the
time he and his friend had spent with a congenial
host. He would not disclose the name of the man who
so widely gave him access to his home and who forced
hospitality upon him. Later developments let out the
secret that Harry's guardian had been a certain
party of unknown name but with the initials M. P.
Now it was hinted and whispered in confidential
circles, that he may have been intoxicated, but to
those of us who know him well this seems to be the
height of absurdity.
The battle of Merviller will always be remembered by
the members of the company for it was at this time
that the 307th Ambulance Company went over the top
and won a decisive but temporary victory over the
alleged allies of the Germans. Now it is not my
intention to enter into a lengthy discussion
concerning this unnatural and unrelenting foe, for
his traits and haunts have been so widely discussed
that any one who has read a letter written by a
member of the A. E. F. can now give a description,
characterization, and pedigree of this enemy of
mankind. After a series of manoeuvres which involved
days and nights of cloth map reading it was
manifested that the enemy outnumbered us a thousand
to one. It was finally deemed advisable to resort to
drastic measures. An attack was launched but owing
to our inferiority of numbers we yielded many of our
possessions, including clothing and blankets, to the
enemy. A heavy barrage of super-heated steam sent
over from our large tank soon exterminated the foe.
Though the slaughter was terrible the losses
incurred by the enemy afforded us temporary relief
until they were again mobilized to sufficient
strength to warrant another attack. We returned from
Merviller satisfied that strategy alone had
prevented a bloody battle. The cooties were finis.
The circumstances attending our relief by the Thirty-seventh
Division are worthy of comment. These National
Guardsmen, fresh from the Buckeye State who were
soon to oust us from our summer home, were on their
first mission to the front. When this was made known
to Lieutenant Patchin, then in command at the A. D.
S., a sly expression crept to his countenance
warning us that we were soon to be let in on a joke
at the expense of some officers and non-coms who
were to spend the night with us while awaiting the
arrival of the rest of the company. Preliminary to
the joke we told them wild tales of air raids and
midnight gas attacks. Upturned sod and newly dug
garbage pits convinced them that shells surely came
close in their attempt to dislocate our Red Cross
flag which hung under the trees near the mess hall.
When they beheld our extreme precautions against gas
and air attacks each one of them was busy with his
own thoughts, wondering what he should do at the
approach of danger. As it grew dark it was so
arranged that their bunks were to be grouped
together in order that they might share their
excitement with each other. Luck was with us, and
Jerry came over loaded to the wings with bombs, and
when the command "lights out" came and all were
lying quiet in their blankets, the unsteady buzz of
the motor could be heard mingled with the more
unsteady breathing of the newcomers. Closer and
closer came the sound until it seemed as though the
plane was hovering around awaiting a signal to
unload upon us. Our ears had been trained to judge
the distance by the sound of the motor and after a
few moments we knew that the plane had passed.
Suddenly bombs were dropped about a mile away and
the building rocked from the concussion. The guard
had the presence of mind to throw a huge rock on top
of the tin roof and gave the alarm "gas" and
immediately clanged a gong. They certainly
manifested their former efficient training in
adjusting their gas masks, but their absolute loss
of presence of mind was much in evidence. They
darted hither and thither in the darkness seeking an
exit while we enjoyed the situation immensely and
stuffed the ends of blankets in our mouths to keep
from bursting with laughter. Lieutenant Patchin went
out to test for gas and returned giving permission
to remove masks. The turmoil was quelled for the
rest of the night; however, more than one of the
novices at the war game slept that night with one
eye open and a hand on his gas mask.
The next day we were officially relieved and after
having acquainted them with their surroundings, we
joined the company at Baccarat leaving our rest camp
in the hands of the Thirty-seventh Division Sanitary
Train. On August the first we prepared to leave the
area in which we had spent many a pleasant day. Many
conjectures were offered as to where we were going
but all of us knew that we were bound for a sector
in which the Americans were treating Jerry roughly. |
