The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1919-01-02

breaking up in fall is not 50 bad.
There is always a possibility Of fire.
And somehow fellow can't get the
dread Of that out Of his system. It
doesn't give fellow chance! One
is reported to have asked an aviator
when he was going to the front. His
reply explains what a flying man is
up against: Gan aviator is always
at the 'front.'. So I was glad to get
thru and be sent to the front for as
signment.
We left for replacement depot
on Nov. 9th. We were routed around
what ] call the "long wrong way but
by little maneuvering we grabbed
an express for Paris and Sunday,
Nov. 10th found us in Paris. Paris
was gay over the possibility Of an
early armistice.
The Germans had seventy-two hours
to decide and the time was up Mon
day at eleven a. m. We remained
there until Monday night and must
say that Paris was wild with en-
thusiasm after hostilities had ceased.
I've never seen such crowded boule-
wards, such cheerful, cheering crowds.
Every flag called followers and there
was new parade every half block.
Words cannot tell what was taking
place. Soldiers were embraced, kiss
ed and cheered. "Vive lAmerique"
rang out every few feet. Every
buvette, cafe and saloon trundled out
it's rare vintages and snapped it for
the rolling francs. The crowds drank
and moved on or drank and remained
to gaze. One could scarcely get a
meal that evening on account OF the
crowds. It was hard to leave Paris
when she was so gay but it had to
be done.
The train that took US from Paris to
Toul was crowded and we travelled all
night and were six hours late on ar
irving. It was muddy and miserable
in Toul but the meal we had there
helped matters quite a bit. At 4:30
we left on a truck for twenty five
kilometer ride. We arrived and af-
ter short skirmish found our way
to our home for that night. ! made
a ten kilometer trip to get our bag
gage and about eight thirty was set
tied for the night. The next day we
were assigned to the First Day Bonn
bardment Group and the following
morning we took truck train for
their station. We got into their
camp late in the evening and l and
Flint were assigned to the goth Aero
SQUADRON. A member of the group
But we were too hate. would never
be able to go over the line now and
take a poke at the Hun. was q
week too late. No longer was there
line-no more need for the deadly
bombs-unles the Hun was unfaithful
as formerly. / was not even FORUM
ate enough to be in a squadron which
formed part of the army Of occupa-
ton. wish were part of that
army. But l guess never was des-
tined to reach the scene Of battles.
Now that the terms of armistice
are being gradually-tho sullenly-
fulfilled we do not feel the cry that
called us here. We feel only long
ing to get back to the greatest coun-
try in The world. Get back under
civilian rating where every man is
equally free. We have, thru aiding
others, achieved what once seemed
impossible. The arms ard spirit Of
the U. S. and the Allies have pre-
vailed. Much as we doubt the sin
cerity Of the German reformation we
feel that battles of this war are
fought and won. l feel sort OF
Stacker in my own eyes. My friends
and pals did their bit and some their
all in Bellieau Woods. And in spite
of my having chosen to fight the enc
nv where only the brave stay to fall
II feel that did little in this war. |
never was there to fight! ] arrived
there too late!
And now rumor has it that several
Aero Squadrons will be among the
first to return home. We all wonder
who the other lucky squadrons will be.
II am a lonesome Marine. have
been with the Air Service too long.