Perth Amboy evening news., 1918-12-21
Letters From
Local Soldiers
Sgt J. J. Gadek, Jr.
Somewhere in France.

Somewhere in France.
Nov. IL, e1s.
Dear Editor:-I am taking the
pleasure Of writing you a few lines Of
my past experiences through the re-
quest OF a friend OF mine back home.
1t has been six months since I have
left the states and SURE have seen q
lot after being here in France only
a month l have just begun to get
used to h French ways. which I an
not tell you about at present, but will
tell you more about them In the fu-
ture. No doubt you know me. as I
have been involved In athletics In the
p. A. High School and also on the out
side teams Well, Editor, that is just
the way I I'M taking this great wal
game as merely a sport and W. boys
are making good II we boys could only
name each front that we have fought
In o would surely say we are seeing
a great part OF France. / will tell
you a complete story OF a battle that
our division took part in and are BE-
ing awarded medals for the good
work. It has made the Boche east OF
1.-THE Meuse admit their defeat: IL also
pertains to a number of our local boys
who fought and died brave for their
country.
In the latter part of October our
regiment o over a certain sector.
which Is located in the Argonne woods
and quite hilly at that. The Boche
were very hostile, as this was their
only strong point left and beyond this
was thickly covered by machine guns.
the one assigned to gain this objective.
so things looked very hot for a min
ute, but were soon forgotten, as we
crossed a river and got our positions
and waited for further orders. We re-
ceived orders to follow the barrage
over the top OF the first hill. which
was thickly covered by mahcine guns.
After fighting to a standstill we gained
our objective and kept Roche moving
as We went along and captured a few
prisoners. We got the Boche on the
slopes of lost hill and we were on the
crest. We stayed there for about
three days. And then received orders
to be ready for a great drive, which
was made on the entire line. ] per-
sonaily have been In charge of the
intelligence section In the lines, which
has to 10 with all information. ! re-
ceived all details of the barrage that
was coming off. and went up into the
lines making all preparations for the
advance. as l am kept very busy when
drives are made In the lines. The
morning of the barrage we shelled the
back area of the Boche with mustard
gas and II. +. shells. After keeping
the barrage up for five minutes we
went over the top. drove the Boche
from their strong point and then sent
out patrols to look over the ground,
and nothing was found but deserted
dugouts. We then got orders to go
ahead and kept the boche on the ran
for eighteen kilos, when we were re-
lieved by another division. There was
quite q number OF casualties N our
battalion inc regiment. as you VIII
learn In the future. This is only n
of our battles.
Nevertheless, I think 1t will be u
last. as the peace terms are IN our
favor and we Ia the Boche doing
things our way, so / am hoping to Re
able to enjoy my Xmas dinner ut home
as soon as possible.
l must come to a close as / must get
things ready for a hike of only 20
kilos to entrain for a rest camp. so
please excuse my writing as II is be-
ing done In all sorts OF positions. owing
to the lack of coHveniences, and 4 III
tie careless In grammar. as we must
think quick in the army here. (Buliets
and shells have proved IT'D Hoping
his reaches you and all my friends
in the best of health, i remain.
Sincerely yours.
SERGEANT JOSEPH ]. GADEk, JR.
Letter from Stephen J.. Buhranosii
Dear Mother,
/ am doing lots of travelling and
have not had much time to write. l
am on the way to Germany so l viii
get a chance to see some parts OF
Germany and then l will be back In
the good old u. 8. A.
1t is not very cold over here; any
how we have lots of clothing to keep
us warm. Have you had any snow or
much cold weather over there IN
Perth Amboy?
Your son.,
STEPHEN.