Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1919-01-31
over The TOP
Sergeant Robert ]. BissOnnette Now
In Army of Occupation in Ger
many-Writes of Experiences Co
ing Over The Top With The 3Sth

NOW CnaI censorship has been lifted
to some extent at least, the boys who
are still "Over There" are able 20
tell some of the experiences they have
been through on the front lines in
France. The following extract from
a letter received this week from
Sergt. Robert j. (Bob) Bissonnette,
is a real thriller" 1t needs no,
further editorial comment, only to
say that his many friends in this
community oare very thankful that
Bob" has lived to tell the story and
will anxiously await his return ready
to give him the welcome which he
deserves:-
niedermendig, Germany.
Dec 28th, 1918
1t was all / could do to
write home and sometimes it was a
long time before could even do that.
Lack of material to write with and be-
ing on the front dodging &c. l; cans +,
one doesn't have time to think of much
more than keeping one from hitting
him and believe me l thought a good
many times that they would sure get
me. But the gsod Lord was sure
with me. We are not held down so
close en- what we can write now. so
will tell you little about it.
After leaving the S3rd Division the
middle of Jusy we were sent to the
3rd Division, which at that time was
on the Marne River or Chateau Thier-
fy. We arrived there about July
21st just after the Germans put over
their heavy bombardment on July 14th
1t was a hard fought battle and if it.
had not been for the 38th the Boche
rould have gone through to Paris on
schedule time, and the war would have
been a different story today. After
getting to Mezy where the 3rd Divis-
ion was stationed we were placed in
the 38th and l drew "A Company,
then under command of Captain Os-
trander. Lieutenant Moore and
Capt Ostrander were the only officers
left in the company. l was placed in
he fourth Platoon and was put in
charge of a squad right away. The
regiment went back few kilos where
they re-organized. On the morning
of August 1st we started for the Vesle
River front; after riding in trucks for
over six hours we were placed in n
woods where we stayed until dark.
AUOuJ UsOO ~. III. We OJrtI ICu VII OuI
hike to the reserve lines; after hiking
all night we arrived at small French
village where we stayed for several
days and from there we went into sup
port. On the evening Of the 5th we
were heavily shelled and my old pal
Raymond Mannix a printer from Ft.
Recovery, was killed not more than
20 feet from me; he with three others
On the evening of the 9Th we relieved
the French and took over the front
lines. We spent that night and the
next day until p. m. in the edge of
woods and the Germans continually
dropped shells all around US and air.
planes were flying over US all day
long. At p m. we were ordered to
90 over the top and just as we were
ready to start the Boche put over a
terrific barrage; but the Yanks can't
be stopped that way, and we went
over anyway. Although our COM
pany lost heavily we drove them
across the river and held the lines un-
til we were relieved on the 18th.
had my rife knocked out of my hands
by large piece of flying shell, came
out unhurt, but tired and weary.
After leaving this front we rested
a few weeks back of the lines and
then went to the st. Mihiel Salient.
Here we ran across the old Rainbow
Divisnon and / saw several boys
knew. This was the easiest front
we were on; at Hill 237 we helped to
surround the Germans and captured
$4,000. They simply threw down
their arms and came out yelling Kan
- he
Verdun front and on October 9th went
over the top again: This was known
as the battle of Montfancon; we drove
the Boche back more than A kilome.
ters and took the town of Romange
We were relieved on the 18th anc
went back On the 10Th. Went over
the top again. on the afternoon of thC
goth This is known as 'The Battlt
of the Argonne." Just about darl
on the same day. the Germans made
two counter attacks and we succeeded
in driving them back and gained twC
/ important hills; one ! remember wa:
/ Hill 299; We were relieved here OF
the 26th by the 5th Division and wen
back to rest billets. But we did no
rest long, for as soon as the armis
tice was signed we started for Ger
many or the Rhine. We left st
Marie. France on Nov. 18th and ar
rived at Medermendig. Germany Of
Dec 18th: lust month on the road
hiked all the way; travelled abou
thirty kilometers down the Rhine t.
Coblentz and from there to the plac,
at which we are now located, abou
twenty-eight ki'os Southwest of Co
blentz. The people have treated u
verv good so far. They are exper
fencing hard times though.
Il 1 don't know when l will get back
lots of rumors, but can't give an,
real information. L an
in the best of health. AS ever.
Sergt. Robert ]. Bissonnette
oO4I- n IA