Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1919-05-22
Our Soldier Boys.

Walter N. Calvert, one of our old
Iron County boys lately discharged
from the army, has been visiting rela-
tiVeS and friends in Ironton. Walter
registered here, but as he was work.
ing in Ohio, was sent to Camp Sher-
man instead of Camp Funston. He
was placed in Company M, 332 In
fantry, SD Division. The Division
went to Europe in June, 1918, arriv-
ing at Liverpool, and going straight
across TO LaHarve. From LaHarve
they went to Chaumont, where they
staid six weeks. Then the 332d
Regiment was detached from the
Division and sent to Italy. Only six
men from Missouri were in it. Walter
says: "We went to Verona, where
we staid four or FIVE months. Spent
the time in infantry drill work, bomb
ing, etc, The first part of October
we started to the front and reached
Traviso, Italy, eight miles from the
Pave River. We staid in reserve two
weeks. Had three air raids while we
were there, but they did US no harm
at all, The Italians succeeded in
bringing down me of the planes. We
were at that time with the Eleventh
Italian Army, 18th Division. There
were also three Divisions of English
on the line to the right of us. On Oc-
tober 24th the English laid down a y
hour barrage, SO they could cross the
Pave River. There was an island
near where we were, so they laid
down pontoon bridges. AT first we
could only cross single file on them.
But a day or two later they built bet
ter bridges and the big army trucks
could go across on them. Almost as
soon as the barrage started the Aus
trians began 10 retreat. They were
just starved out and had nc strength
TO do anything. They did not stop
until they reached the Tagliamento
River. We staid on the banks of that
river until the armistice was signed
on November IL, 1918. Immediately
after the armistice was signed we went
up into Austria as the Austrian army
of occupation, Went into a little
town Just over the Austrian line, stay
ing there two days. From there we
walked to Trieste, and from there
took q train with all Austrian crew,
landing at Fiume, Austria. There was
an international guard there and we
were the American part of it. We
had one riot there, but the Austrians
did not cause the trouble. The
Italian wanted to be known in the
town as the coDquerors, and pasted
up signs every where in Italian, mean
ing Italy or death. They would tear
American, or British or French flags
off any one they saw wearing them.
That day they had been making
trouble, and the French came up the
street with fixed bayonets. Without
waiting for orders the Americans and
English joined vita them and for two
hours there was trouble, but it was
largely fist fighting. BY that time the
Italians were tired of it and every
| thing quieted down. One Italian was
killed and several wounded, and one
American was stuck in the back with
q knife. We reached Fiume Novem-
ber II and left there February IL, 60
ing to Genoa, Italy, and staying there
six weeks. We then boarded q ship
for America. We crossed the Medi-
terranean sea and landed at Gibraltar.
Laid in the harbor four days to coal
up, and then we started for New
York the morning of April IA. Went
to Camp Merritt and staid a week.
While there We paraded in New York
City for the 9th Liberty. From there
they paraded in Cleveland for the
same thing, then on to Camp Sher-
man where they were discharged. ]
am now returning to Youngstown.
Ohio, to take back my old job Of root
stating with Lanford & Kilburn."
Louis Robinson and Harry Kenda.
have both returned. Hope to hear
from them soon.
Wagner j. Il. Calvert, Company @
Sd NJ. g. BIN, A, E. f. writes from
Dahlen, Germany: "Was somewhat
surprised to see by your letter yoI
thought / had lost an arm, but Hook.
ed at one OF those pictures and it die
look pretty suspicious. | was wound
ed and gassed also, but nothing seri
GUS. Was hit in the arm and leg b!
shrapnel but did not amount to much
90 i have no kick coming. No, l dom
like England and sure hope | won
have 10 come back that way. | lik'
Germany fairly we'll and also Luxem
burg. Guess it's all because We ar
having it so much better now an,