South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-02-12
W.O. Davies Describes Life
In Germany With the United
States Army of Occupation

Since the armistiCe was signed
our men have lost all interest in
France and Germany and want 10
get home as soon As possible. Both
officers and men are OF the same
mind and 1 hardly can go 2 block
from the ~" but some soldier will
stop me and say. "Mr. Davies. can't
YOU give Us some dope about when
we Will start for home ." So I listen
10 all the gossip when in Coblenz
and pass it on to the boys for what
IL is worth, and ] try to have some
thing new for them each day Be
lieve me. no one will ever have to
preach patriotism 20 these men who
are in Europe. for thousands Of
them have told me, IF I ever get
back 10 the good, old u. s \. moth
ing can ever induce me 10 leave
it." Europe may have great cath
edrals, old walls, fine statues, paint
ings, etc, etc, but really when it
comes 10 a real homelike place 10
live. with home comforts, there is
no other nation in the world 10 COM
pare TO our great country. They
don't know how 10 have warm,
comfortable houses. in either France
or Germany and ! understand II is
the same way in England. The
stoves are small and one must be
feeding the fire continually. and at
that my room never gets real COM
Portable.
Stories of Fighting.
]. OF course. hear many stories Of
the fighting by our lads, and am
sure that there are no soldiers in
the world to compare with our men
when they went over the top they
went so fast and so far that the
TANKS failed TO keep up and the
Boches got back Of our men who
had 10 turn back and clean them
up. This was told me by a British
officer at Cologne last week. often
our men would 60 so fast and far
that it would be days before the
field kitchens could get to them 10
furnish them something TO eat.
When the true history of the last
days of the lighting in the Argonne
woods is written the world will
know that the young boys Of Amer
lea with only a few months train
ing outfought the picked divisions
Of the greatest military nation the
world has ever produced. My, but
what a country is ours, and these
men who have had such wonderful
experiences. will not be the same
men. who left our shores but few
months ago. They saw and par
ticipated in world making events.
and the impress will be with them
and their children for all time.
When passing through Chateau
Thierry the other day, seeing the
ruined town and the shell torn
fields. / took off my hat and offered
silent prayer for our brave boys.
who turned back the German horde
and saved the day for decent living.
OF course, my thoughts We're OF
Arnold McIncrny, Stanley Kabzyn-
ski and others whom ! can't re-
member. who made big history at
this little French town close to the
gates Of great Paris.
Just Learning Power.
Our country is a great giant
which is vet 10 learn its great
power. and all nations of the world
will look 10 us for their great eX-
ample. and my prayer 20 Almighty
God Is that we may be equal 10 the
task expected Of US. These young
men returning 10 America are going
10 do much 10 help us hold the
high esteem Of the world.
saw Lieut.. Charles Trowbridge
in Coblenz last week, ne called me
mir. Hatch" when he first saw me.
Ed. Bonds young son is with the
Third army about 30 miles from
where I am and am trying to get
10 see him if possible. Am glad
10 inform you that I am enjoying
my usual good health by watching
W. o. all the time. Wearing heavy
army shoes with two pairs Of wool
stockings. as per advice Of my
good friend. Fred Denni. who gave
me this advice when I was leaving
for Camp Shelby in August. 1917.
Am pleased to note by the Paris
papers that our South Bend boys
are about TO leave France for Amer
lea. Wouldn't I enjoy being there
to welcome them home as I well
coined them to Camp Shelby in
1917.
Sincerely.
w. q. Davies.
Amer. f. Fly. NJ. c. A.
A 2. O. 927.