The L'Anse sentinel., 1919-04-18
FIRST OF L'ANSE
VOLUNTEERS BACK.

Corporal Gerald McKindles, men,
Der of Headquarters Co., 125th In
fantry, 32nd Division, and son of Mrs.
Elizabeth McKindles, returned to his
home in L'Anse Tuesday, after over
a years active service overseas.
Gerald was with the first lot of boys
from L'Anse, who volunteered and en-
listed in the Michigan National Guard
in June of 1917, when Lieutenant
Lamb was here, After strenuous
training at Waco, Texas, the National
Guard was sent to France, where it
made a great record for itself in the
days of the hardest fighting. The lad
was with his company until after the
signing Of the armistice, when he was
sent to the hospital and came home on
the Steamer Leviathan with the S5th
Division.
When asked about the war, he was
very emphatic in saying that "Sher-
man was right" and we do not disa-
gree with him one whit in this partic-
ular.
Although he did not have the time
at present to 60 into any details of the
fighting, he stated that his company
and division was in the front line
trenches at Alsace, took part in the
second battle of the Marne Chateau
Thierry) from July 30th to August 8,
were in the battle Of Juvigny (Sois-
sons sector) from August % to Sep
tember 6, in the battle of the Kriem-
hide Stellang line, Verdun sector (the
Argonne Forest) from September 80
to October 20, and were in the battle
on the Meuse from November 9 to No
vember II, the date last named being
the day the armistice went into ef-
feet.
In going into details of the Argonne
forest fight, Gerald says that they at
tackled about 7:30 o'clock in the morn
ing, going up very steep hill about
mile long. The allies were aided
greatly on this particular morning by
dense fog, which, as it lifted, they
followed up, being somewhat under
cover, while the Germans could not
see them coming for any great dis
tance, although they knew that the
boys were on their way. This, author
tiles admit, was the most completely
defended section of the line, and the
Germans were Of the opinion that an
army could not break through there.
However, they reckoned not on the
great courage and daring of the lads
in khaki, and the line was pierced and
entered. 1t is stated that the greatest
body of troops employed in the war
was used in the Argonne Forest fight,
though from our returned hero's point
or view, the battle at scissors was
more fierce for their particular divis-
icn.
Gerald relates some good stories
showing the general character of the
people in the countries in which they
were. He says that the French adore
the Americans and will do anything
for them, but they are under the i'm
preston that all Americans are made
of money. In an incident touching on
the honesty and reverence which the
Belgians hold the Americans in, he
snys that as they were marching
through that country and had stopped
for rest, soldier gave little Bel
gian child piece Of money to get him
a box Of matches. After the child
had gone, the order came to fall in
and forward march. When the child
returned the troops were gone, and he
says that child came at least two miles
chasing the troops to find that partic-
ular soldier and give him his matches
and change.
The Germans were up against it in
practically all lines, if we are to judge
even by the money put out by them.
Gerald carries several German and
French coins, and there IS marked
difference in the coins mined by the
Germans in 1916 and IBIS. The 1916
coins are made Of WA. seems to be
practically all copper, while the 1918
coins seem to be Of compositions of
either lead or tin or some inferior met
al mixture.
Our boys are coming home fast now,
four boys being expected e. Covington
from overseas almost any day now.
Besides, the 32nd Division has re-
ceived its orders to march to a point
Of embarkation. Shall we organize
for that homecoming celebration on
county lines or with just L'Anse and
possibly Arvon township, and shall
we organize now or wait until next
Christmas. Speak up, you public
spirited folks-LETS DO 1T NOW!