Company “F”
307th Infantry Regiment
77th Division
By: Sergeant Jean GrosJean
Transcribed by Mr.Robert von Pentz
Sergeant Benjamin H. Von
Pentz (left) and Sgt. Gene Grossjean, Company F. 307th Infantry. Photo from
the collection of Mr. Robert von Pentz.
Company
“F”
307th Infantry Regiment
77th Division
By: Sergeant Jean GrosJean
The
following has been entitled by Sergeant Jean GrosJean as
the “History of Company F”; rather, as I
interpret, it is a compilation of observations recorded
by Sergeant GrosJean in his diary. His diary began when
the Company left Camp Upton and concluded with the rescue
of the “Lost Battalion.”
The original draft copy is difficult to read as a result
of fading, due to age, and the poor quality of the
typewriter used. As a result, the following transcription
was made. The text was copied exactly as it appears in
the original, without any alteration. The question marks
and the blank space are as originally recorded.
Robert von Pentz
January 2002
On Saturday,
April 6, 1917 at midnight, Company F., 307th Infantry
under the command of Captain Dudley Davis#, was served a
light lunch in preparation for leaving Camp Upton. At
2:30 a.m. the command was given by Capt. Davis,
“fall in, take arms.”. We then marched to the
Long Island Railroad station and entrained at 3 a.m. The
stillness of the night added to the impression already
instilled in the men.
The curtains of the train were drawn and at 7 a.m. we
arrived at L. T. ferry. We sailed down the East River and
under the Brooklyn Bridge, around the battery and up the
North River to Chelsea Piers of the White Star Line. Many
ships of the North German Lloyd and Hamburg American
lines were also being boarded by American soldiers’
bound on the same mission as ours.
At 10 a.m. we were checked individually and bordered the
third-largest steamer afloat, the Justicia # 8261#. At 6
p.m. we were served supper and were shown hammocks that
were to be our beds for the crossing. The men really
enjoyed the novelty.
April 7, Sunday morning at 7 a.m., the Justicia pulled
out to a salvo of whistles. Life preservers were issued
with instructions to wear them at all times.
Canada and the mouth of the St. Laurence River were cited
at 6 p.m., and at 7 p.m. we cast anchor.
The next morning at daybreak, the ruins of Halifax
greeted our eyes, the result of two ships carrying
ammunition that collided, and exploded.
The river was coated with ice and we saw ships of all
nations at anchored.
The same day we had the boat drill - every man was
assigned to one of the approximately 20 lifeboats. They
were lowered into the water and the men traversed the
rope ladders for practice.
We left Halifax at 7 p.m. in a convoy of 10 ships with
one cruiser for protection. Every day thereafter there
was a boat drill and inspection by the ship’s
officers.
Company K. had the lookout section and also had charge of
the ship’s canon. Several practice shots were fired.
The meals were passable except for the soup and the fish
that was served. It was so bad that the men will never
forget the meal.
The British rations included Marmalade, cheese and tea.
This was the first, but not the last time we tasted these
luxuries.
April 14, at 4 p.m. everyone on board was startled by a
shot. Everyone rushed to the decks thinking we were
torpedoed, instead it was a practice shot from our guns.
Each shot that was fired threw a geyser like columns of
water about 100 feet into the air.
Several men took salt-water baths and found to their
astonishment they could not get the soap to lather.
On April 16th a new invention, a smoke bomb, was tested.
It looked to us like it would prove to be very effective.
The cruiser protecting our ship left us in the evening
and from then in on we noticed that our ship took a
zigzag course.
At 1130 a.m. the next morning we cited our convoy of
eight submarine chasers. It was a very welcomed sight by
all aboard the ship’s canteen did an excellent
business selling to the Yanks.
Land was sighted at 5 a.m., April 19, off the British
Isles. At 8 p.m. that same day we docked at Liverpool. A
number of British torpedo boats busied themselves in
these waters.
We boarded a train running from Liverpool to Dover. Each
compartment on the train held eight men. We rode all
night to our destination passing many large cities on the
way. We had dinner consisting of cold roast beef,
oatmeal, to coffee and bread. At noon, we march to the
dock and boarded the channel steamer for Calais. On
sighting Calais we realized its quaint appearance. From
Calais we marched to the English rest Camp No. 6. We were
quartered in tents and to our great surprise we could
purchase beer at the British canteen. This was the first
alcoholic drink we had for a long time. We were also
issued meals tickets. Without these tickets you were
unable to eat and were just plain out of luck.
On our first night in France we were greeted by an air
raid from Jerry# - a lot of noise but no casualties. On
passing through the streets of Calais, the children, one
and All, called out “American souvenirs?” Also,
near the camp was a large Chinese labor camp. They were
virtually prisoners and dreaded the nightly air raids.
They were paid the munificent some of 1 franc a day.
Sunday, April 21st - We marched to a camp where we were
issued gas masks and helmets. We later went through a
gashouse to test the newly issued masks.
April 22nd - After breakfast we left camp. We marched
through Calais to the Fortunette Station where we
bordered trains. After about one hour we arrived at
Audrick. On our train ride we passed many German
prisoners working on railroads. These were the first
Germans we had seen. Here we detrained and marched with
full packs for about 7 miles to Tourrehem. This was the
hardest march we had up to this time, as it was quite
hot. We were billeted in all sorts of barns and abandoned
houses. The cafes in this part of the country were called
“estaininets or estamineta (?).”
Sgt. GrosJean, in trying to hit a rat that was running
over Sgt. von Pentz’s face, missed the rat and hit
Ben a healthy wallop in the face. At the same time as we
were billeted in these barns, we also exchanged our
rifles for British Enfields. We were also introduced to
in “Pomme de Terres.”
One of our boys wanted to buy eggs from the natives while
trying to make himself understood, hollered “Woofs,
Woofs” and flapped his arms like a chicken and
described an egg with his thumb and fore finger.
Eventually the poor, frightened lady understood and sold
him what he wanted. In it was here that we washed our
clothes and ourselves in a little creek and found French
people very accommodating and congenial.
We also tried to like the Vin Rouge instead of beer, but
it never seemed as though it could take the place of the
beer we were used to in the states.
We had plenty of rain and fog here. We were living on
English rations and the bacon we got was of a much better
flavor than our own. As a rule we had jam and cheese and
Tea for our supper.
The church in the village was 200 years old and the first
church the boys attended in France. Some of the buildings
in this town dated as far back as 1739.
From this place we found that our drill grounds would
always be on top of a hill, in fact, the highest hill in
the surrounding country.
English instructors instructed us in the Bayonet. We also
had gas mask instructions. At night we could hear the
continual bombardment from the Arras front. It was from
here that we held our first trial cloud gas attack and we
all got a sniff of Phosgene and Chlorine. Our band played
nightly and they always had a very interested audience.
It was here that we left our barracks bags with our
personal things, those things that we did not need. It
was also here that we learned the game of
“O’Grady is on Parade.” On Sunday, May
12th, we received our first pay in French money and many
of the boys invested in chocolate and smokes at the
English canteen in Benningues. On the evening of May 13,
we rolled our packs and had only our over coats as
protection against cold of the night as we slept.
At 4 a.m., May 14, the command was given to fall in. We
march back to be Audrick station and had dinner. We rode
on the train all day to Monticourt. The English gave us a
cup of chocolate and a package of Piedmonts and in a
short while we were on the march through a town in which
many French soldiers were quartered. We passed through
Pas and up a long high road through plenty of mud and
into an area near the village of Heno. The sites on which
our tents were setup and on which we were to sleep were
extremely muddy. The English were very hospitable and
gave us some of good hot Tea. Heavy cannonading was
taking place at this time and everyone thought we were
going right into the front-line trenches as we could see
the gun flashes.
German airplanes past overhead that night and many
following nights. All lights were ordered out and the
English Louis Guns started firing to bring down the Hun#
planes. Unfortunately they escaped without damage.
From here several non-coms were sent to the Louis
Automatic Rifle school - also Lieutenant Felton conducted
a school for the instruction of the Louis automatic
rifle.
The British Manchester Regiments No. 5 and 6 had a very
good drum corps and it was very interesting to listen to
their music. Their leader had a style all of his own.
The British were fond of athletic games with soccer being
their favorite pastime. The British also like our game of
baseball and tried their hand at it
On Sunday there was a ceremony by the British for the
distribution of medals to the heroes of battle. The
ceremony was very impressive.
At the time of our arrival at this camp the morale of the
British was not that which it should have been - after
the appearance of the American troops, that changed for
the better and it was extremely noticeable.
Our schedule each day included gas mask, bayonet
instruction and plenty of target practice.
One night a Jerry plane dropped a bomb very near us and
killed 12 horses.
On the morning of May 26, a British plane plummeted
downward out of control and crashed, killing both the
pilot and the observer.
Observation balloons could be plainly seen on the
frontlines and resembled large sausages. Off in the
distance we could be seen lights and flashes of artillery
fire.
A British theatrical troop performed here and American
soldiers were invited to attend.
On May 29 the British held a boxing tournament in Pas in
which our Company was well represented and took away the
principal honors.
On Decoration Day, the 2nd Battalion put on a show in
which some men were dressed as women. A British officer
tried unsuccessfully to entice one of our female
impersonators (Private Clinton Russell).
On May 31st the Company used the British baths at the
brook.
At times during the day and night German shells screeched
over our lines to the towns in our rear.
On the 2nd of June, 6:30 a.m., we marched to the famous
“La Bissie” farm where we were instructed in
trench digging and construction as well as making
revetments.
We occupied these trenches one night and our Lieutenants
tried to penetrate the sentinels. We were relieved
several times. Two Chinamen were captured by Steve Wood
and Ed Louis while they were attempting to steal several
cans of Bully Beef and were turned over to the British.
After these maneuvers we pitched tents for the night and
then next morning we had another maneuver which was
inspected by General Johnson. As we marched to this farm
we fell out for a brief rest and it was a good thing we
did for a stray German shell fell 100 yards ahead of us
and killed a British Sergeant.
At 2:30 p.m. we marched back to Henu. We struck tents#
Thursday, June 6th and at 3 p.n. we started our journey.
We passed through Pas, Ligneville on the Somme. We camped
outside town and in the morning continued our march to
the Royal Flying Corps grounds at VacQuerie (?). We had
our dinner and marched off at 4:30 p.m. to Fammechon (?)
near Pont Remey, where we retired. We received our
rations for 3 days and at 10 p.m. our Pullmans left
“8 cheveau, 40 Hommes.”
The scenery was very beautiful on this trip and the
inhabitants welcomed us at every little village along the
way. We passed through St. Godiach, Toul, Nancy and many
other notable towns. The civilians cheered us all along
our way. We detrained at Epinas at 1:30 a.m. and marched
to Chavelot. We arrived at 4 a.m. where Major Jay seta
fine example for us by bathing in the cool running stream
and quickly we followed suit.
After breakfast we were off again. We passed through
Thaon (?), Girmont, Villon Court, Padous and finally
reached our destination, Bult.
The scenery along this march was very beautiful. It was
from here that Lieutenant Jewell and Sergeant von Pentz
went to Moyen to ChauChat## School.
From June 22nd, we started on the hike for Vacquerville.
We through the long, dense and it rained as hard as I
have ever seen. We reached Baccarats (?) and pitched
tents in the park, and still it rained.
For some reason the late getting to us. Some French were
cooking some savory food under the shelter of the
bandstand and gave us as much as they could spare. Supper
was finally served and we moved off that same night. We
were assigned to billets and this was the reserve line at
Vacquerville. The inhabitants still lived here and every
front yard was “decorated” by a manure pile,
which seems to be a custom in this part of France.
A wind blowing our way brought a note attached to a small
balloon bearing the following message: “Good Bye
42nd Division, Welcome 77th Division.”
In the early morning of June 24, Jerry pulled a raid on
the first battalion at Neuvillers (?), killing and
wounding some of our men. Our enemy here was the famous
Prussian Guards. They used liquid fire most cruelly;
burning to death 9 men from Company “D.” The
fire was so intense that it bent the men’s rifles.
Sergeant Loftus, then Corporal, was on this burying
detail and found that some of the victims were his very
near friends in his home city.
During the attack, St. Maurice where the advance
battalion headquarters was situated was subject to gas
and high explosive shellfire. This bombardment lasted 1½
hours and gas masks were worn for three hours by our
scouts. We stayed at Vacquerville for eight days during
which time two platoons at a time took up our advanced
positions in the woods. From here Sgt. GrosJean was sent
to ChauChat School at Moyen.
The Company then moved to the front line -the 3rd and 4th
platoons holding the front line, the lst and 2nd in
reserve. The 3rd Platoon took the position at Newwv1elle.
'This was an outpost position, held by both the French
end the American. This position was held for 5 nights and
4 days. It was the first front line position held by us.
While we were being relieved we were subject to our first
barrage.
While at Neuv1ellers, several patrols were sent out, one
led by Lt. #, Sgt. Marks and Sgt. Loftus. Lt. Pope
accompanied by Sgt. Cantwell and Sgt. von Pentz led the
first raiding party from Co. F., with the French this
party numbered about 30 men.
The patrol cut the German wire and reached the 1st line
with out incident and returned. The following night a
similar raid was pulled off led by the same officer and
Sgt. Surfs, Cantrell, von Pentz, McGowen. Shreck, Marks,
Loftus and GrosJean. They entered the German 2nd line
trenches and as before without incident.
A kitchen belont~1ng to Co. D, first Battalion was left
on the- road in nomans1and unknowingly by the supply
Company driver. Later on this rolling kitchen was rescued
by our men and pulled back to Neuvillers.
During a later bombardment, this same kitchen was buried
with some reserve rations belonging to D Company, which
were enjoyed by the men of Company. F. The French traded
their wine here for our Bull Durham tobacco. A detai1 was
sent to the French with a water pail and they came back
with the pa11 f1lled with Vin Rouge. Corporal McGarrell
had the greatest thirst of any man in the Company
On the 4th of July, in the form of a celebration, our
artillery opened a barrage for 1 hour.
Mess Sgt. Zimmerman received a message from the committee
demanding
Better rations. Several bullets accompanied this message.
On the night of July 6th, the Company moved back to
Saccerat (?) where we marched out at 4 A.M. several
mornings to a fine natural rifle range where we threw
grenades and fired r1fles and auto. pistols and ChauChat.
This was a ten-day rest and .we all enjoyed this Ville as
it was the largest place we were quartered at. The beer
was good. ln one or two cafes draught beer was sold. The
Salvation Arr1y Canteen sold crullers and doughnuts at
cost price. The quartermaster Commissary also sold
Chocolates and plenty of cigars and cigarettes and canned
preserves.
Sergeants Dosselman, Woods, Brown, Swirt, Kenny, Beckeran
were commissioned here and our officers gave them a
blowout.
July 18th at 8 p.m. we left Baccaret for Vacquerville. .
We marched up a steep hill through the woods and arrived
at Vacquerville late that night. At our stay here, one
half the Company policed the town (?) and had Battalion
Guard in our turn while the other half of the Company
took positions in the woods. . The 4th platoon taking
pos1tion No. 17; 3rd platoon, position No. l8, 2nd
platoon, position No. 19 and the 1st platoon position No.
20. We dug a line of trenches during the day and took our
position behind these trenches at night. Major Jay and
Capt. Davis inspected these trenches. One day General
Johnson while looking over these trenches ordered Sgt.
GrosJean to make a slight change in the line. Sgt. Wenzel
and McGowen went to Officer Training. School and Sgt.
Powell was made top cutter#.
Friday, August 2nd at 9:30 p.m.: the 37th Division
relieved us. Lieutenant Jewell led us out while Captain
Davis and Sergeant Marks secured billets at Glezentahne
(?). We marched through Vacquerville, through Baccarat,
crossed the bridge that was damaged by shellfire and
later required repair and into Bad Minal, where we
pitched tents in the woods outside the village. During
the march, it rained so hard and it was so dark that
every man had to keep hold of the man in front of him to
guide him. During this relief, Jerry opened up his
artillery and after a half-hour, our big guns returned
the compliment.
The Paxon road was shelled heavily and our troops used
the St. Paul and St. Maurice roads. The villages of St.
Paul and St. Maurice were shelled so much that all that
remained were a few walls -- all the roofs were blown off
and the church was demolished. We left the woods at 9:00
p.m. on Sunday, marching through the ruined towns of
Menarmont (?) and Offevillers (?).
Early Monday morning we arrived at Glesentane (?). Here
we practiced battalion maneuvers and our battalion scouts
did K.P. duty.
Major Jay called all the battalion Sergeants into the
village schoolhouse and after explaining the filtration
system, we were told that we were going into the greatest
battle of the war. Where or when, we were did not know.
We left Clozentaine at 10:00 a.m., August 6th, marching
through Haillsinville and Danas Bois to Charms Boiz,
where we encamped for the night. The next morning, we
marched to the station passing a British Red Cross
Hospital, arriving at 10:00 a.m....Here we had a hurried
lunch of a sandwich and coffee and at noon, pulled out.
The route was along the Mosell River and the scenery was
beautiful.
We passed thought the towns of Chetel, Wirecoint,
Neufchalean (?) where Joan of Arc was born. We passed the
French Colonial troops with uniforms in all colors. This
was a two-day and three-night ride in the Schevesux or 40
Hommes Pullmans, arriving at LePert at 7a.m. August 9. We
detrained and marched to LaMinil where we stayed one
night. Corporal McGarrel, our huntsman, after a few hours
in the field, returned with two Rabbits.
We marched to St. Simon where we boarded auto Lories
driven by Ceylon Chinamen in French uniforms. This was a
nine-hour ride and these Chinks proved to be good
chauffeurs. We passed through the towns of Colombiar,
Chanly, Chateau Thierry and stopped at Feren Tardenois.
Chateau Thierry and Feren Tardenois where badly damaged
by shellfire. These were the worst ruins we had seen up
to this time.
We stopped outside of Fere En Tardenois the first night.
The next morning we moved into Ballou Woods.
A dead horse and German were found and one grave was dug.
The two were thrown in and a sign placed over the grave,
“1 Hun - 1Horse.”
The Railroad station was wrecked and papers of all
descriptions strewn all over the floor. Plenty of German
gas masks and helmets littered the surrounding territory
and the retreating Germans left thousands of bullets
here. Piles of heavy ammunition which was enough to cover
a city blocks was also left. Thousands of shovels, boxes
of “Potato Mashers”#, trench mortars, and
several heavy pieces of artillery were damaged so badly
that they were useless. There was a little “dummy
engine” literally riddled with bullets. He also left
tons of rations including dried potatoes, onions and
cabbage. - - - - It is said that the Crown Prince and
staff were quartered here and some of the billets and
dugouts were nothing less than gorgeous, probably
furnished from the best mansions of Fare En Tardenois.
To the left was a valley of white that was probably the
bed of a lake from many years ago.
On Wednesday, August 14th, at 9:30 p.m., we started for
the front. At 2:30 a.m., we camped in the woods of
Dravegney (?) - called “Pinard Woods.” We
practiced battalion maneuvers on a daily basis and on
occasion our band would play. Several men from our
Company were instructed in the use of the rifle grenade
using the V.B. grenade. Captain Goodwin, then a second
Lieutenant, was loaned to our Company for a few days.
Sergeant von Pentz was promoted to “top cutter”
and Sergeant Powell left for the states.
Monday, August 10th a Bosche# over in an allied plane and
flew over the top of our aviators and shot them both to
the ground. Both our aviators were killed instantly.
Good water was scarce here and had to be obtained at the
brook or on the farm on the hill.
From here we marched to the “red line”, dug in
and pitched tents in the woods and also dug a line of
trenches. It was here that we were again paid.
Lieutenant Jewell left us here fir the states. Cherry
Chateau could be plainly seen from here and it was
shelled continuously day and night. There was a Y.M.C.A.
and a Red Cross Station. We found that the Red Cross was
giving chocolates, cigarettes, sox and underwear.
Jack Fraiser, who always disliked digging trenches,
offered to go to these stations and get whatever they
would give him. After his going through a heavy
bombardment, he returned safely with a large box filled
with chocolates and cigarettes.
From here we marched in the fields and through the woods
to another line. All the while under constant shellfire.
When we arrived, we were assigned individual dugouts.
Sergeant GrosJean had Battalion Guard here and his main
orders were to keep the men off the road. Lieutenant Dias
was assigned to the Company at this time.
Eight stretcher-bearers were detailed to carry ammunition
for the ________ Battalion as an urgent appeal was sent
for ammunition. Private Pat Petit was wounded on this
detail. From here we marched one night to advanced
positions on which the 1st and 4th platoons were in
dugouts to the left of a cave, the 3rd platoon occupying
the cave and the 2nd platoon to the right of the Tannery
on the railroad tracks. Lieutenant Goggin was with the
2nd platoon. From this point the 3rd platoon was ordered
to cover the woods to the left of the Tannery. In
preparation for an attack we were to make, a
reconnoitering party made up of Lieutenant Dias, Sergeant
GrosJean, Corporal McGarrell (now Sergeant) and Private
Oggonni.
On his way to the third platoon, Lieutenant Dias ran into
a high explosive shell that rendered him unconscious and
unfit to continue.
Lieutenant Gilbert took his place and with the above men
started out at 11a.m. led by Oggonni. No sooner had the
four men started when the enemy sighted them and not only
used machine-guns but also 77m. The enemy followed this
down to the Vesle River bridge at Fismes, where one by
one they darted across the Fismes where they followed a
stone wall through the ruins to the position held by the
other platoon to the right of the Tannery. The party met
Lieutenant Goggin and conversed with him.
After observing the surrounding country and getting a
good idea of their job for the night and obtaining all
the information possible, the party started back. The
return was just as perilous. Instead of crossing the
bridge, they forged the river and returned safely.
Lieutenant Gilbert was cited for this.# Sergeant GrosJean
got his men in readiness for the attack. They loaded down
with grenades and plenty of rifle ammunition. The zero
hour was to be sent to Sergeant GrosJean a little later.
Later, as luck turned out, the order was changed due
partly to the observations of Lieutenant’s
observations and information. The attack was changed from
a platoon attack to one of battalion size. The Company
was quickly assembled in the nearby woods and overcoats
were shed and piled. Company F started in single file led
by Captain Davis. When he reached the first railroad
track after crossing the river, we occupied funk# holes
along the track. A ration detail was hit and our
Chaplain, Father Welsh, called for stretcher-bearers. Up
to this time, not a shot was fired. From here we moved
through the swamp to the next railroad track. No sooner
had we arrived than our machine guns barrage began.
Captain Davis stood up on the track and shouted,
“come on F Company boys; here’s where you get
your popcorn, cigars, cigarettes, chewing gum and
candy.” It fairly rained bullets. Major Jay walked
calmly along the track swinging his cane and was later
wounded in the arm. The first and fourth platoons were
caught in the artillery barrage and could not come up to
this position. At this time (because Major Jay was
wounded) Captain Davis took charge of the Battalion and
Battalion headquarters were then located along the track.
Early in the battle, Sergeant Dunn was killed as well as
Private Amdur and Alford at the position held by 2nd
platoon. Many were killed and wounded in this battle.
Adjutant Lieutenant Reid was killed and Captain Adams,
from Erie country, was reported missing, but later
learned that he was taken prisoner.
To describe this battle would be a hard task. Vary
Lights#, artillery of all descriptions, machine guns and
rifle fire were constant. The smoke of the battle with
the smell of human blood and the groans of the wounded c
related the most vivid impression of the horrors of war.
In the morning German airplanes driven by nervy pilots
swooped down almost as low as the tops of the trees and
played his machine gun at will, and the boys of the
Battalion gave him volley after volley in trying to bring
him down. After fulfilling his task,
About 10 o’clock when things settled down a little,
Captain Davis placed Corporal Gold, Sergeant Turbes (?) -
then a private, and Private Gaddis and McConney in a
position to the extreme right of Company G. After digging
in here, Sergeant Turbee placed his automatic rifle on a
parapet. A shell exploded nearby demolishing his rifle.
When the day dawned, these men noticed they were under
direct observation of the enemy and casualties resulted.
Private Gaddis being one of the unfortunates. Stretchers
and bearers were very scarce makeshift stretcher made of
two rifles and a blanket, which probably saved
Caddie’s life. Several hours later and order was
give to withdraw and these men were temporarily attached
to the 4th platoon. This position was shelled steadily
that night.
Company H called for reinforcements as they suffered
heavily during the attack.
Captain Davis designated Sergeant GrosJean and 15 men of
the 3rd platoon as a reinforcing party. Lieutenant Cychig
led three men under the track to the position held by
Company H. While over here Sergeant GrosJean established
a listening post and three night stationed himself with
two other100 yards in front of his position. On the third
morning Jerry came over with rifle grenades and Sergeant
GrosJean ordered his men to hold fire until grenades fell
within 6 feet in front of Corporal Schmidlins bay. At
this position we salvaged about 6 ChauChut rifles.
Corporal Liefart (?) was in charge of the rifle grenades.
We opened up with everything we had for about ten minutes
of continual fire causing Jerry to retire.
On the evening of August 28th, we were relieved by the
3rd Battalion. We marched back to Pisard Bois and there a
roll call of the Company was made. The Company relieving
H Company was late necessitating Captain Grant to execute
his relief in daylight. We diligently timed each group so
as to make as small a target as possible. The third
platoon men of Company F were among those of Company H on
relief. Captain Grant, Sergeant GrosJean and Corporal
McGarrel were the last three men to leave. They got back
to Pisard Bois in time for supper.
At 3:30 p.m. we left here for the woods near Sergy and
arrived there at 9:30. Here we again practiced Battalion
maneuvers and Sergeant Loftus, McGarrell, Lenahan and
Corporal Peters attended the school where they were
instructed in the gang system. This system was finally
adopted by the A.E.F. (American Expeditionary Force) This
system is as follows: Each platoon comprised of 12 to 16
men; each gang had an automatic rifle, rifle grenadier,
hand grenades and riflemen.
At the Sergy Woods, Lieutenant Gilbert read an order from
G.H.Q.# announcing a shortage of officers in the
division, thereby making platoon leaders Sergeant von
Pentz, Veal, Oaklay, Marks and GrosJean acting
Lieutenants. Later on that order was rescinded.
On Sunday, September 1, at 5:30 p.m., we started back up
to the line with full packs with Captain Grant leading
the Battalion. We marched past the Pisard Woods to a
position and held here for three days. Here we discarded
most of our equipment and marched away with battle packs.
Our artillery had positions in these woods and kept up
continual fire. Dinner was ready to be served but a
hurried order prevented us from eating. We marched on the
road through the woods in platoon formation up to a
position on the crest of a hill within the woods. Our
planes stopped German aerial activity. We occupied funk
holes. Great fires and large clouds of smoke `
The supporting unit on our left could be plainly seen in
the distance. They were advancing. We marched up the St.
Martin road crossing the Vesle River Bridge over the
Piames.
We rested along the walls for about twenty-minutes with
Jerry lobbing over one shot every now and then. Here the
men were placed in deep cellars and at 8 o’clock
Captain Davis called a meeting of all Officers and
Sergeants of the Company. He laid out our plans for
attack showing us on the map where our objective was.
Lieutenant was to lead us out of the city, over a bridge
and about 600 yards beyond the bridge. In this attack,
the fourth platoon was to support the first, the third
platoon supporting the second. Just as this meeting was
disassembled, a shell cracked over our heads tearing down
a corner of a building nearby.
The Company fell out at 11 o’clock p.m. and started
down the road to the bridge. This bridge was blown to
hell and Lieutenant Goggin tried to patch it up. Later,
Captain Grant and Sergeant von Pentz made it passable for
one man at a time. While waiting for this repair, Jerry
shelled the river but all of the shots were long. A man
had to be an acrobat to cross this bridge and a few fell
into the river. After crossing the bridge we passed
through about 100yards of barbed wire and it took some
time to reorganize the platoon. From here we marched up
the road to funk holes which we occupied until daybreak.
Corporal Bridgeworth’s detail brought up a mess of
sour tomatoes that were served for breakfast.
We started up the valley in squad column without incident
until about noon. When we reached the crest of the hill
North of Fismas. The 29th Division was on our right - we
were under direct enemy observation at this time, and the
fighting began. At first he opened up with his artillery
- we deployed and the Jerry opened up his machine guns
with deadly effect. The 3rd platoon suffered the most
casualties. Corporal Schmidlin was mortally wounded here
and Private Koeffer, Jack Freiser, _____Couney, Gold, and
Miller. A shell burst burying Corporal Ditty. Engelback
and for the second time Private Turbee’s ChauChut
rifle was smashed up. Corporal Ditty received a severe
wound in the arm. Private Love was killed and his brother
was wounded. ` While carrying a message from the 4th
platoon to the Company Headquarters, Private Doyle was
also killed.#
After seeing the casualties that resulted in this
position, Sergeant GrosJean advanced his men about 100
yards to be out of the artillery fire.
Sergeant von Pentz held a liaison post between F Company
and the 28th Division. Later Company F advanced its
position while he maintained between the 307th Battalion
and the 28th Division.# Later that afternoon, Sergeants
Lenehan, Loftus McGurrel and Corporal Peters joined the
Company after returning from “gang system
school.” Later in the afternoon while waiting for
orders to advance, and order to withdraw# was brought to
us by Private Fischer. We assembled in the woods under
the cover of darkness and started down the road to the
Ravine Marion.
We marched in single file on each side of the road and at
8 pace intervals. We halted and stood motionless when
Jerry sent over vary lights. The men did not realize it
at the time but this was a large flank movement. We must
have walked at least an hour and a half. Our destination
was the crest of a hill along the road where there was a
continuous line of natural caves. The center cave,
nearest the road, was to be used as a Battalion
headquarters with Captain Blagdon, acting as major#.
When we came up to this place before entering the caves a
complete investigation of the interior was made. Four
large gas shells were found wired up.#
One German prisoner was caught here and he promised to
bring his comrade if we let him go to get him. A wire was
attached to his person and he was allowed to go back into
the cave. He brought out another prisoner. The prisoners
gave good information and we did not advance any further.
The first and second platoons took up positions and dug
in to the right of the cave. The fourth platoon was on
the left and Company G connecting up with the fourth
along the road. The third platoon took up position to the
left of G Company along the road and dug in under a
natural solid rock. As long as we did not move about, it
was quiet - after about a 1/2-hour, the men grew careless
and would show themselves. Jerry was observing all the
time and would send high explosive and flammable shells.
A Private of Company E was hit by a shell right above the
3rd Platoon position and tumbled down in front of the
men. Three men from his Company came down and started to
dig a grave - another shell broke and these men took
shelter in the newly dug grave. If they hadn’t, they
would have been blown up. Ignoring the danger, they
calmly buried their comrade and one of the parties said a
prayer over his bier and set up a Jewish Cross over the
grave. The whole job was completed twenty-minutes after
he died.
On the third night Sergeant GrosJean was sent on a patrol
to obtain liaison with the 308th Regiment. . After
obtaining the directions and what information he was
supposed to get, he set out with fourteen men from the
third Platoon.
The platoon was lead into “No Man’s Land”,
down the valley through the woods and up through
vineyards to the road leading to Revillon. The road was
under constant shellfire so the patrol kept about three
hundred yards off the road. ---- They met Captain McNeal
of the 307th Machine Gun Company who gave them the
information they were seeking. The patrol then started
back and returned without incident. Sergeant
McGarrel’s good sense of direction came into good
advantage guiding the patrol without hesitation back to
their position. After reporting the information to acting
Major Blagdon, the men slept, as it was 4 o’clock.
The next night Sergeant GrosJean was called upon to
establish an outpost guard for the_________Machine Gun
Company. When making the disposition, the rain fell in
torrents. The patrol returned to the position in
daylight.
September________about 7 o’clock, we started a
battery attack with F Company supporting H Company and E
Company supporting G Company. After we deployed, Jerry,
observing us opened up. First with artillery, then with
machine guns which had a deadly effect.
An order was given to retire after being here for a
half-hour amidst a heavy bombardment.
The retirement was not what it should have been as Major
Blagdon ordered a resumption of the attack with Company F
taking the lead on the extreme right with Company B in
support. Sergeants’ Marks, Schreck, GrosJean and
Oakly were in charge of their platoons.
Lieutenant Goggin and Sergeant Marks being instrumental
in the fine way in which Company F advanced. Every man
was full of fighting spirit that night.
An order was received to retire and it was done in the
best military manner.
It was here on our first time out that Lieutenant
Gilbert, while standing on the roof of a house, a shell
exploded dropping him. About 12:00 (midnight) our relief
came in and we were damn glad of it. Lieutenant Goggin
getting us out of here as quick as possible and marched
to Fimet where we occupied dugouts and stayed here for
about four hours. Sergeant GrosJean was sent to the Army
Candidate School at Langres.#
After relieving Company ______ whose position was in the
front line controlling the Ravine Marion, North of
Glennes having established an outpost and making Company
Headquarters on the East hill of Ravine Marion, Sergeant
Jack Schreck, in command of the 4th Platoon holding the
West hill, an outpost in the Ravine Marion, with a front
of the first Platoon, the balance of the 1st Platoon with
the 2nd and 3rd Platoons with Company Headquarters
holding the West hill of the Ravine, with Lieutenant
Goggin in command of the Company, 1st Sergeant von Pentz,
Sergeant Marks commanding the 1st Platoon; Sergeant
_______ commanding the 2nd Platoon. During the relief and
all through the night, the enemy artillery was giving us
considerable trouble during which time the enemy sent
over many _______ gas shells into the ravine and the
hills surrounding it. During the night it was possible to
keep up liaison between the 4th Platoon outpost and
Company Headquarters - Runners Private Oggonni and
Private ________. During the early morning hours,
although under observation, enemy machine gun and
artillery fire, liaison was still kept up. During the
night, due to heavy gas shelling, it was necessary to
move parts of the 4th Platoon to a better position. In
order to find out its new position, a patrol was sent out
to locate it. Several Privates were wounded on this
patrol. Private Kanna showing courageous conduct in
crossing the Ravine Marion and returning with the
information regarding the new position. Although under
constant machine gun fire, during the morning, there
appeared three men crossing the ravine and trying to get
to Company headquarters. The enemy opened machine gun
fire upon them and it could be seen they were trying
their hardest to get to headquarters. I watched for hours
through field glasses but was unable to make out who the
men were. The men no lay still and no longer moved. They
were given up for dead.
After a few hours, Corporal Losser reported to company
headquarters and said that he was one of the men who was
crossing the ravine but was unable to give the names of
the men who were following him. He thought that they were
men other than they turned out to be. He had been gassed
in crossing the Ravine and reported that the enemy had
sent over considerable gas during the night. He was sent
back to first aid.
It was now getting towards evening and looking through
his glasses, Lieutenant Goggin said, “He’s
Alive!” I gave one look and said, “He’s
moving,” and sure enough he was. The soldier was
crawling toward us, but very slowly, as in great pain. We
shouted directions to him, but he could not see us as he
was also gassed. I waited until I could stand it no
longer. I took one look and made for him. After my first
dash of fifty yards, I dropped for rest and saw that
right at my side was Lieutenant Goggin. We then made for
the soldier, picked him up and ran back to headquarters
with him. The soldier was Corporal Fred Peters, who was
wounded in the crossing of the ravine. Before sending him
back to the hospital we questioned him as to who the
other soldier was that was behind him. He said it was
_______, but expressed his belief that he was dead. It
was now getting dark and as a relief was expected that
night, I asked for volunteers to dig a grave for
_________, and make a cross. While this was being done,
Lieutenant Goggin and I started across the ravine to find
the other soldier. Lieutenant Goggin came upon him first
and said, “My God it’s Sergeant Crawley.”
We now made for the 4th Platoon and directed the gassed
and wounded out to the first aid. Privates________ and
________, being gassed, were lead back to Company
Headquarters. Sergeant von Pentz, with stretcher and a
covering party went out to bring back Sergeant Crawley
(E.J.). He was buried facing the enemy. This is a case
where we dug a grave for one soldier and buried another.
We were relieved by the Italians that night. Lieutenant
Goggin# left us here for Siaticenfe Hospital and wished
us all well. He had tears in his eyes as large as
marbles.
We marched about 15 kilometers where we rested two days
and one night. General Alexander gave us to understand we
were to have a 30-day rest. The next night we rode all
night in lorries driven by the French to La Chateier. We
stayed two night and two days. We marched with battle
packs to Florence, about 30 kilometers, where we were
placed in French billets and no one was allowed on the
streets. Mess being carried to us. Lieutenant W.E. Kidd
was assigned to the Company. After dark we marched 3
kilometers to French dugouts where we stayed one week.
We left these French billets on the night of September 22
- marched about 5 kilometers to a place outside Florence
- pitched tents and stayed here for three nights and
three days. Our kitchen was lost here and we did not fare
very well.
We sent two guides to Sergeant Menhour to bring in
replacements from the 40th Division of which Company F
got 70 men. They arrived on September 24. These men were
instructed as to how to wear gas masks and Sergeant
Turber instructed some of them in Chauchat gunnery and
grenades while Sergeants Marks, Shreck, Lenahan taught
Phosphorous Grenades.
September 25th at 5:00 a.m. we started up to the battle
of Argonne Woods. We advanced to within the front line
and we occupied dugouts. While the Germans threw over a
heavy high explosive artillery barrage, our artillery
returned the compliment.
September 26th at 4:00 a.m. we started our attack. First
and second platoons were led by Lieutenant _______, third
and forth by Lieutenant Kidd in single file. We marched
up a steep hill through a barbed wire entanglement and
through demolished trenches. We marched up to an old
German trench where we held up and stayed for two nights.
Our wounded were taken out at night.
The following day we continued around this trench taking
up a section leading into a large basin and we arranged
the men around the basin at 8-yard intervals. Continued
up the hill on the _________ side until we reached the
crest and dug in and placed out sentries. We remained for
only one night. Starting the next morning at daybreak
Lenehan and Engelhard took patrol to gain liaison with
the men who were to our left and did make contact. with
necessary results. German ordinance, wine and cigars were
left in houses and summer gardens were still in tact,
which indicated a hasty retreat of the Hun.
The control returned to the Company and continued to
advance N.E., due North#. We passed several machine gun
pillboxes and dugouts that had been demolished by our
artillery.
Several men of our Company, in cleaning out these
dugouts, found German officers revolvers with belts,
shotguns (?) left by the hastily retreat.
We advanced over several hills meeting only rear guard
resistance until we reached a German cemetery where we
held up by German artillery and machine gun fire that
wounded Abuan (?), Simmiths (?). We dug in for the night
and threw out outposts (?).
In the morning Lieutenant Gilbert called all noncoms and
informed them of an attack to take place with T Company.
No sooner had we left than T Company on our left was
subject to intense High Explosive and trench mortar fire,
holding them in.
On the side of this hill Sergeant Jack Shreck, while
receiving a message from Oggonni, was killed. Sergeant
Lenehan taking charge of the left flank. T Company was
forced to withdraw. We changed our course and kept going
until held up by machine gun fire.
#Riker with other men were crossing a ravine and fired on
by machine guns, killing Riker and wounding Corporal
Engelback, Dilato and seven other others. We dug in for
the night at this location.
The following morning Lieutenant Gilbert reported back to
Battalion Headquarters to get orders. All this while
Jerry threw over a heavy Mustard Gas barrage on our back
area. Lieutenant Gilbert was gassed and sent back to the
hospital.
Because of this the Company consolidated with T Company
under command of Lieutenant Lord and Perry.
K Company then took over our position and we went to the
left as a Liaison Company. We again advanced crossing the
ravine to join up with T Company and took a Hun prisoner.
We dug in for the night on the crest of the hill.
Sergeant Lenehan was sent out that night to obtain
liaison with K Company that was long in advance. He
located them and returned. A last breakfast was dished
out at daybreak and away we went. We continued until noon
when we were held up by machine gun fire wounding several
men. We dug in at this point and remained until the next
morning. That morning we resumed our advance up the hill
until dusk when again we were held up by machine gin fire
on the very hill where the Lost Battalion was. It was
here we were sent our first hot meal. We were informed to
place outposts _________ position. After receiving a mess
and filling our canteens, we started back to our position
a 3:30 a.m.
By taking the wrong fork in the narrow gauge track, we
did not reach the hill where our positions were until
after daybreak. We then started up the hill meeting
fierce resistance and forced to withdraw to the defiladed
side of the hill and dug in. We discovered the 1st
Battalion 308th was surrounded. Lieutenant Kidd
complained of a sprained leg and left us for three days.
The company was then in command of Sergeant Marks. We
held this position for four days, tacking alternately
with other Companies in the 3rd Battalion to rescue the
“Lost Battalion.”
The morning of the fifth day we were ordered to attack
with M Company supporting us. We advanced up the South
side of the hill reaching the crest. While cutting wire
we were subject to severe machine gun and artillery fire
forcing us to retire about 50 yards where we dug in.
Lieutenant Currier led this attack. Lieutenants’
Lord and Perry were both wounded and sent back. We were
then order to withdraw to our position on the South side
of the hill. Sergeant Marks was sent back to the
hospital.
Sergeant von Pentz then left us here.#
He was sent back to the hospital
That evening we finally succeeded in getting through and
establishing liaison posts along the road. Instructions
were given not to take any German prisoners. After
receiving this message we met and killed some Germans.
At daybreak we move to a road where we left a detail of
forty men to carry the wounded of the Lost Battalion. At
noon, Major Whittlesey arrived in his automobile, visited
the boys, and congratulated them for their pluck and
courage. Incidentally, we received the DSC# for this
trip.