Wednesday, 31st July, this is a French built Schneider 155mm Howitzer. My grandfather, Douglas S Henry was #2 in command of a battery of 4 of these in TV 2 Nd Battle of the Marne, June-August 1918. Douglas S Henry, field artillery, American Expeditionary Force Most intense action: Champagne-Marne Defensive: July 15-18, 1918: Third Division, US Army, 18th Field Artillery, 3rd Battalion, Battery E, 1st Lt, meaning 3rd in command. Ainse-Marne Offensive: July 18 - August 6, 1918: ditto above except listed 3 men higher on the command chart. In advance of reading this, please know that my grandfather, his US Army peers, and certainly my family know that his stint in the Army was only 2 years and his time under enemy fire was only the late spring and summer of 1918. His fellow comrades in Arms, primarily from France, Belgium, the United Kingdom, and their empires served in harm’s way many more months. And when the war was over, the French and Belgians faced many years of difficult rebuilding of their country and lives. Still, like all the men and women who served, the effect of the war never disappeared. The Third Division was born at Camp Greene, Charlotte, North Carolina on November 23, 1917, on the orders of November 19 & 23, 1917 of The Adjutant General of the Army. The infantry regiments and the machine gun battalion were drawn from officers and men already trained and stationed at Camp Greene. The Brigade Commander and commissioned officers who were to make up the 3rd Field Artillery Brigade were transferred from mostly southern states to Ft Sam Houston, Texas which was Brigade HQ. The Brigade was assembled from and as follows: the 10th Field Artillery from Douglas, Arizona; the 76th Field Artillery from Camp Shelby, Hattiesburg, Mississippi; and my grandfathers, the 18th Field Artillery which was in training at Ft Bliss, Texas. The 6th Engineering Regiment was deployed from Washington Barracks, D.C., in advance of the rest of the 3rd Division to make on the ground preparation. It sailed on December 3rd, 1917. Interesting was that upon arrival in France, It was rushed to the front line in March 1918 to augment British Units under siege and thus came under direct British command. The 3rd Division, less the 18th Field Artillery, embarked Hoboken, NJ on board the USS Leviathan (formerly SS Vaterland) March 3rd and disembarked Liverpool March 13 and was on the ground in France by April 4. On May 30 orders were issued for the Division, again less the 18th Field Artillery, to advance to the Marne and take up position for the defense of CHATEAU-THIERRY to stand with the French 38th Army Corps, evidently a French Colonial Unit. The unit detrained at Provins (many km south of Chateau Thierry) and marched mostly foot and horse, but some motorized transport. The last unit was at the front on June 3rd. The 18th Field Artillery, my grandfather Douglas Henry’s unit sailed from Hoboken, NJ April 23, 1918 on the “Henry R Mallory” and disembarked Bordeaux May 8. [This date of disembarkation in the official 3rd Division history is at odds with postmarked letter from my grandfather.] Letters date “May”: Dear Folks, we are about in mid-ocean now and have had a very pleasant voyage so far. There is very little to do except go out and look at the water and then come back in again. … We have had sunny weather every day except yesterday, when things clouded up and the sea blew up pretty high. So far, haven’t been ill the least bit. I must be an old salt. … This boat we are riding is quite a noted roller and pitcher, and lots of men have been sick. The Naval officer told us she rolls 70 degrees in a heavy sea. … Climbing the front mast to the crows’-nest to look out for hostile hounds was quite exciting. It was about the roughest day we had, with a high wind blowing and a hard rain driving across the decks. Several times that day waves came clear over the deck. The masts have little iron ladders on the side much like the one on the smoke-stack of the Vanderbilt University Engineering building- not much room for toe holds. Just under the crows’-nest there is a landing on the mast which must be negotiated from below by the climber. And just under this stage the ladder ends and is succeeded by winding iron steps like those on a freight-car. It sounds scary doesn’t it? Well, it was scary. … Night before last the Negroes, of whom we have a large number on board, staged a genuine revival which I missed. This morning I attended their church services though and heard some good singing. … Every night just after supper we gather out on the promenade deck and sing a few sad and ancient tunes. … I think this trip has about killed all desire for foreign travel in me. … Whenever we pick up a ship on the horizon everyone rushes out to see it. It is exceedingly interesting being a small break in the wetness of the landscape. From a letter dated May 9: We are firing and going to school all the time and are getting some awfully good stuff. We are also having gas drills every day and at night we work out problems in range tables and similar things. In some way, words got to the powers that be that I was loafing every night from midnight to reveille at five-thirty, and so to remedy that mistake, I have been appointed Judge Advocate of the regimental Special Court Martial, with many thugs to try. It is indeed a most strenuous life. The firing is mighty good sport. These French guns are wonderful and we have plenty of ammunition. I act as executive of the battery. From a letter dated May 12: There are all sorts of people around here. We have seen French soldiers, English Tommies, Canadians, Chinese, Algerians and Portuguese. The Algerians wear red fezzes. We have also seen a big bunch of German prisoners. They are well clothed and well fed, and are in the best of condition. They are a pretty decent looking lot marching under guard, but they must be a fine bunch of pillaging hellions when they get loose. The Regiment arrived Camp de Coetquidan on May 15th for intensive training with the 155mm Schneider Howitzer, Model 1917. On conclusion of that training horses were issued and the Regiment spent ten days in road work and field maneuvers around Guer. On July 10th the Regiment entrained towards CHATEAU-THIERRY. The entraining was treated as a competition and the fastest battery loaded all men, munitions, guns, gear, and horses in 22 minutes. From a letter written the morning of July 14: I have a new horse and a new striker, who is by far the best I have ever had. He is from Pulaski, Tennessee, ??? and knows everyone in Giles County. He speaks pure Middle Tennessean, has the manners of a gentleman, takes absolutely perfect care of me, and is named Davis. He transferred with me from F-Battery and has been with me for about two months now. My new horse is a big black amiable mare with an easy gait. She came through the crossing (?) in excellent shape. Third Division historian wrote, on the 15th of July, Paradise became Hell. ..... one of the most decisive battles of the war, and the one that marked the turning point of the war. The Division held a sector extending along the south-bank of the MARNE River from the eastern edge of CHATEAU-THIERRY to a point on the river one kilometer due west of VARENNES, a distance of 9 kilometers on an east and west line and of almost 12 kilometers measuring along the river bank. The 18th Field Artillery was on this date just coming into position. The units of the 18th and the French Artillery units already in the sector were given the mission of general support in the zone of the Division. The last battery, my grandfather’s E-Battery, was caught on the road by a highly effective bombardment of high explosive shells and gas on the night of July 14/15th. After that bombardment on the day of the 15th, E-Battery went into action with its 3 remaining 155mm Schneider Howitzers (the 4th had been put out of action by the night bombardment). The AEF historian, quoted in the Division history wrote, “the next days saw the Regiment face … a deadly bombardment of shell and gas which is now conceded to be the most intensive and violent the Germans have ever delivered. Communication was destroyed at the outset. The entire area of the Regiment was so permeated with gas that it was necessary to wear gas masks continuously. … through this baptism of fire, officers and men worked heroically, going without food and rest. …. Not only was the tide turned … slowly the enemy attack was repulsed. …. Not only was shell for shell returned, but later the ratio became three and four to one. … During the period July 15th to July 20th, … the enemy was driven from-dearly-paid-for footholds gained south of the Marne. During this engagement 26,584 rounds of 155mm H.E. shells were exploded”. From a letter dated July 19th: Our first few days at the front were very strenuous. We walked right into one of the big scraps of the war. And I am glad to report that we have had our lick at them and that the old battery has sent over some 1200 peace-messages already. Sent over some 300 myself in the early morning hours of night before last (ed-17th). It is all very interesting and not much like I expected to find it. The country around here is very beautiful, except somewhat shot up. … It began to rain in sheets. We heard a wagon coming and halted it. It was going our way and the driver told us to “pile in and his time was precious”. He had a most picturesque line of talk and his profanity was marvelous. We started on back through a down-pour. All of us had on our O.D. shirts and no coats, so it began to get uncomfortable. So we sat down in the bed of the wagon back to back and jolted along. After we had gone a little piece the road was blocked and then the driver’s profanity came out in its most vivid colors. As he said though, “You can’t down a mule-skinner”. He backed out, turned around to look for another way and got lost. We wandered on and then star shells began to go up. We were close behind the trenches. Then our artillery opened up behind us and we saw a pretty good imitation of a battle picture. Our skinner wasn’t worried at all though. He stirred up the mules and we rattled along. How he avoided as many holes as he did, I don’t know. It must be a sixth sense. We ran along the line for two or three kilometers and finally found the road… . We reached the battery just before midnight. That was about the queerest ride I have made yet. We peeled our clothes, wiped off with a towel, and turned in into damp blankets. The next morning we rose at the fashionable hour of four-thirty and started again. It’s a gay life. Between July 20th and August 4th, E-Battery moved forward crossing the Marne on a pontoon bridge just east of CHATEAU-THIERRY near Gland. Regimental P.C. was established at Mont St. Pere. They advanced to Charteves, then in succession Jaulgonne, Le Charmel, Fresnes, Cierges, and finally to Fond de Meziers four kilometers north of Dravegny. At his time the 3rd Battalion was attached to the 121st Field Artillery of the 32nd Division. From his letter of July 29th: This is the most peaceful, pretty day imaginable. … The war has gone off ahead and left us. Tonight we will catch up with the battle and go to work again. We are still advancing and gaining lots of ground. This is a monstrous big battle. Three German planes were brought down within sight of us last night. And infantry went forward past us all night – American Infantry. Those lads were marching under heavy packs and were singing as they went. One bunch singing, “Hail, hail, the gang’s all here”. There should be a monument erected to the spirit of the American Dough-boy. … We fired a lot last night and everybody is taking advantage of the opportunity to rest. … I can sleep, and do, anywhere now. Haven’t had my clothes off in twelve days. This is real manoeuver-warfare. … Sooner or later the souvenir bug bites … Anyway here are, first a piece of a German plane shot down in flames, … and a poppy … These poppies grow in all of the fields around here. From his letter of 4 August, 1918: We moved a long way ahead yesterday -- a most notable advance. Our doughs are great scrappers. Last night as we were coming through a village full of doughs going up, one of them hailed from the crowd with the usual question, What outfit ? One of our men told him The 18th. Youve got a reputation, the infantryman called out, Keep it up. The usual greeting going up and coming back from the front line is Give em hell. Our battalion has been in this battle for weeks now continuously and we have seen more open warfare than we ever dreamed of seeing. Tonight, its my night to be able to sleep. This morning we found the sun visible again, bummed hot coffee off an infantry kitchen, and we felt alright again. Its a great life. Ill write as often as I can. We move most every day. Lots of love to you all. From August 3rd through the 13th, fire was executed on Fismettes, Perles, Fismes, and other points to the north of the Vesles River. The furious 2-hour engagement of high explosive shell and gas, received and hurled back (4,199 rounds of 155mm shells), on the afternoon of August 11th, gave the valley in which the battalion was located the name of “Death Valley”. On August 13, the battalion was relieved. Bits of his letter home of 12 August: The Germans have stood at last on a strong line of theirs and ... Having a daily pound at them. Our present position doesnt seem at all good to me..... There are rumors we are to be relieved soon. I hope so, as the men are pretty ragged and fairly worn out. Yesterday we caught a very heavy bombardment of high explosive shells. We came through the shooting remarkable well. ... The people on both sides of us suffered much worse than we did. The men are very cool under shell-fire. We havent received any mail now for a long time -- just how long I dont know. Days slip by you in this game. And it is always somewhat of a shock when someone informs you that it is Sunday. Sunday a week ago yesterday we heard church-bells ringing in a town behind us that the Germans had been out of just one day. It was one of the few normal sounds we have heard since coming in. And last night three grey kittens came into the P.C. and established themselves. Everyone took turns at petting them and talking to them. They were very playful young cats. One of them slept between the captains feet all night. Then his unit was relieved and the difference in his letter of August 18th is easily felt: Our trip back from the front was very interesting. The next day after the bombardment I wrote you about we had another bombardment and the next day another slight one. Then we received orders to pull out for the rear … We pulled out just after dark and the road was bombed just ahead of us – close enough for us to see the bombs explode. The bombing planes dropped a flare right by us, but didn’t bomb us, so we got to get out. … Al and I got a cake of soap and went into the river for a moonlight swim and bath combined. Then we came out, decked ourselves in fresh garments and began to feel that we were living a mighty life. That was a beautiful night -- In a later letter: by the way, our battalion is the only Body of American troops to go through that whole campaign.... ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ HEADQUARTERS THIRD DIVISION (REGULAR) AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES USAPO 740 25 AUGUST 18 Pursuant to instructions received from General Headquarters American Expeditionary Forces, dated July 30, 1918, the following officers are relieved from assignment …. and from further duty … and will proceed to … for transportation to the United States … 1st Lt. Douglas Henry, F.A.R.A., 18th Field Artillery +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ WESTERN UNION TELEGRAM Received at 232 Third Ave. North, Nashville, Tenn TO: R A HENRY 427 STAHLMAN BUILDING NASHVILLE TENN ARRIVED NEWYORK THIS MORNING FOR ASSIGNMENT TO NEW DIVISION MET ROBERT AND WE ARE BUMMING AROUND TOGETHER WILL REACH NASHVILLE THURSDAY NIGHT AT NINE FEELING FINE AND REARING TO GET HOME LOVE DUCK 455AM SEPT 18 1918
Posted on: Fri, 08 Aug 2014 06:49:30 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015