The diamond drill., 1919-04-05

attack which was launched on the
End OF November, 1918. The last sue
ceeding days OF the war were marked
by general retreat on the part of the
enemy and a hasty movement Of the
Battery across the Meuse at Dun-sur-
Meuse 10 its final position west 10
Brandeville, from which position on
the night OF the 10th 1t returned 10
Clery-la-Grande, there TO receive the
welcome news that an armstice had
been signed The Battery now de-
pleted in horses returned TO the
back area in squads trailing its guns
and caissons.
The SECOND period was finished by
the signing OF the armistice and the
Battery. now weary of its month OF
intensive fighting emerged to face the
new conditions OF peace greatly
changed. Requirements had altered
somewhat its personnel and a read
justment OF officers found three Of
ficers still on duty Of the original six
who started with the Battery after the
training at Camp de Souge: First
Lieut.. A. Gordan Klapp, Second Lieut..
John NJ. Lentz and Ralph w. Sim
mons.
First Lieut.. Herbert j. Burke short
ly after rejoined the Battery and as
sumed command on November 18th,
succeeding First Lieut.. f. F. Bullene.
First Sergeant Joseph T.. Meskimen
had on October "a. 1918. been detailed
to attend an officers training school.
He was succeeded by Supply Sergt.
Ytrrer Boyd.
This period OF active operation ten
dered to solidify the Battery spirit un-
de- common conditions of discom-
forts and handicaps. The Battery
necessarily was divided into two
parts, the firing Battery and the rear
ecfclon. Although their work was in
no wise similar yet the work of each
tending to a common goal brought
about a system OF team work which
made its record as a fighting organi-
cation one to be proud of. Night
movements under favorable weather
conditions, night firing. the irksome
fatigue of digging in. the nervous
tension incident 10 enemy fire, short
rations, all these. met with the
same spirit of obedience and loyalty,
revealed that the period of training
and discipline was not in vain. This
battery suffered severe casualties es-
pecially in the loss OF its gallant lead
er. The Battery saw the severest
fighting of the Argonne offensive.
This Battery underwent necessary
changes in administration of leader
ship, yet it did not lose, and in fact
developed more highly the spirit which
characterized it's earlier history and
which was fostered and developed by
Captain Charles b. Duncan. Freedom
from internal disturbances and will
ingness to meet all demands made up
on it with the energy and enthusiasm
were the characteristics which identi-
fed it to its brother units and Of
which the Battery may be Justly
proud.
The Battery as member OF the
army OF occupation started the third
period at Pont-sur-Meuse where il
was equipped with both horses and
material.
Captain Dudley Miller was assigned
in command of the Battery November
21st, 1918. The Battery started on
it's long march into Germany. Noyem-
ber 2lst. 1918. passing through Lor-
raine. Luxembourg and down the val
ley Of the Moselle to its final Gestin-
alton, Kaisersesch, Germany, which
was reached December 18th, 1918. This
journey made under discouraging cir
cumstances due TO long marches, the
majority Of the men dismounted and
carrying packs, and hastily prepared
halts, was however a triumphal march
as the realization that this Battery as
an organization had contributed
small share in the work that made
this march possible, kept the men in
high state of morale.
The journey was successfully com
pleted with practically no loss OF men
or horses and the Battery settled
down in its foreign home to help keep
new watch on the Rhine.
Contributed.
--O--
FINANCIAL DRIVE POSTPONED.
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