The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1919-02-06
FRANK BEAL
WRITES HOME
Base Hospital N. 70,
A. P. O., 1856
American Exp. Forces,


cdu. ., 4S1J.
Dear Grandfather and GRANDMOTHER
Just word to let you know l am
well and up again. l came here from
the front with the grippe or flu but
pulled through all right. The inhu-
enza epidemic certainly was terrible
in the states wasn't it. There were
many thousand deaths, but the army
camps were most hard hit.
l just received letter from home,
and alsoN the weekly issue of Home
Happenings, and see that all public
places, churches, schools etc., are OPP
ened again.
! haven't any idea how long l will
be here, liable to move out any time.
AS to going home l couldn't say. 1t
will take considerably longer to
transport troops home. But they
will be hurried across as soon as pos
sible, l imagine after peace is signed.
The sick, wounded and convalescents
are leaving every day for the states,
also different divisions of infantry.
Balloon companies, aero-squadrons
and artillery regiments are also going
back. My division at present is in
the Army of Occupation, and is near
Luxembourg.
l suppose you will be somewhat
anxious to know where l have been
stationed or engaged over here.
The first front we were on on, we
were attached to the Australians, and
our line was near illers-Bretoneau.
We went over the top here, but didn't
meet very. strong resistance. The
Australians are some of the best
fighters in the world, they resemble
the American great deal, they are
all big, raw-boned fellows and afraid
Of nothing. The next front we were
on the British sector and we held the
lines right on the outskirts Of the city
of Albert. This was beautiful place,
but churches, buildings, etc., were a
complete ruin from shell-fire.
We were relieved here and went up
to the Verdun front, and what ] mean
an active one. This is where the
Germans came over in mass formation
in 1916. They claim over five divis-
ions Of men were killed in this drive.
The place we held was on Dead Mans
Hill, and this certainly is nothing but
one shell hole after another. The
trees are all uprooted, and bare,
Nothing grows not even blade of
grass. 1t sure is a desolate place, the
whole battleields are in this condition,
cities torn down to the ground by
shell fire.
The Meuse-Argonne drive was our
last battle. This is where there was
strong resistance, for Germany put
in their best divisions, and they were
also rested. The weather was GER
tainly against us, it rained every day
and there was mud up to your knees.
We certainly had hard fighting, the
woods were full Of machine gun nests
and their artillery was very active.
But the Americans kept going on,
never giving an inch
1t was the continual hammering
and pushing forward on all fronts
that lead up to the armistice. We
had the German army all tired out,
had their main line of communication
broken, which cut off their supplies.
They retreated in wild disorder. The
morale of the Germany army was
very low, they just simply collapsed.
l imagine it was great day of re-
joicing and Thanksgiving when the
SACoG IC"S AC0SACu yOu pCOP4C III C1AS
states on the 18th.
/ have had many narrow escapes
over here, but have lived through ev-
erything and came out Of the strug
gle without scratch.
/ don't know if I am naturally born
lucky, or if it just wasn't my time to
kick off. 1t is a miracle really how
you come out of some places alive,
while your "Buddies" may be called
to their reward, right alongside Of
you.
New Years day we had a fine tur-
key dinner, and all that goes with
such a spread. In the evening a NOV
ing picture show was put on at the
Red Cross.
This hospital is the third largest in
France. 1t is located very close to the
town named Allerey.
I CUES I have written quite bit, SO
will close for this time.
Hoping this finds you all we'll and
with best regards to all / am as ever,