Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-10-03

Letter from Harlan Amen
Somewhere in France

Letter from Harlan Amen
Somewhere in France
Aug 9Th
Dear Folks: a
Well, we finished our last
exam. today and, tho I haven't re-
ceived any marks, have been told
B passed all Of them. They were as foil
ows: Written exams in auto technique,
free hand drawing Of an auto part in
correct proportions from memory, a
problem in running convoy. There are
I oral exams in auto tecnique, army
organization, map reading and organ
izatiOn of the auto service, also a
final appearance before the examining
board Tor general questions as to post
occupations, etc.. Our barracks were
the first to go to the erals which
came last SO we are taking things
easy until the other two barracks
finish. Tomorrow will end the exams
and then Thursday we have our ban
quet and entertainment. Col. Jones
and others Of our "big ones" are COM
ing from headquarters in Paris and a
good entertainment has been arranged
for. Friday we will leave and will
be mighty glad to get back to the
section, too, as my chances of getting
: anything out Of the school are so
small as to be practically nil. have
enjoyed the quiet of the two months
and have learned a lot about autos,
French army organization, etc.. but
don't feel as if l had been doing
much good, especially with the great
activity that. has been going on all the
time.
The weather over here is wonderful
Altho we have had few warm days
there hasn't been night haven't
slept under at least two blankets. It's
no wonder they don't try to raise
corn over here.
There isn't much use of me COM
menting on the present war situation
as you are getting as full reports as
we are. l suppose we are all feeling
mighty proud of the American re-
cord if it HASN'T covered such long
front. It shows that our boys can
fight. I hate to think of the losses tho.
Aug. 18th
! got back to the section this noon
and found the boys mighty busy. 1
have just few minutes left to let
you know am still on earth. We had
some bad luck this evening when a
shell landed in the back yard and got
three of the boys.
Aug. 18th
found lot of mail that had been
held for me, on my return and / sure
I was mighty glad to get it. AS to the
"cootie" garments, I have heard Of
them but haven't seen or heard any
reports on their effectiveness. So far
have escaped these pests tho most of
the fellows have had them If I find
these projections are what is claimed
for them, I'll send you an order as
you ask.
It surely seems strange that Ruth
McGavren should be in way off Russia
and run onto Gustafson. Her letter
was mighty interesting.
Our section has been recommended
for an "order of the army" citation,
which is the highest given by the
French. No Allentown has ever been
SO cited.
Today has been a rather quiet one
for our division and therefore for us.
l wish I could tell you how many
wounded we have carried in the past
three days and nights, wany of them
Boche, too. The losses, were not very
heavy the first night of the attack,
which was the night was not here,
as / was on my way back from school
Jerry" was running away so fast we
couldn't catch up, but since then it's
been different. While we have con-
tinued to gain it has been much slow
er and harder. You can probably tell
by the dates what advance we were in.
Our division made the fartherest adj
vance in our section and it has been
mighty hard to keep track of them at
times when they were advancing and
changing our posts. so often, par
ticularly at night. Our General told
1t. Losh that he had never seen an
ambulance section work any better
or as close to the front line as ours
did.
Its good thing we could get some
rest today as the fellows were get
ting very tired after the continual
strain. Three or four hours sleep out
Of fory-eight isn't very much when the
the work is SO trying. We will be
back for good rest in few days,
am sure. It will be before this letter
reaches you.
I just came in from the front as one
Of our regiments changed their post
again. Forward, always foreward and
it seems mighty good too. I'm going
out again about 3:A. M. as they are
going to Ego over" again. thought