The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1919-01-16
THE FAMOUS ST. MIHIEL SALIENT
Skowhegan Boy Saw Active Service
In the Last Ten Days of the Great
War

war
The following letter has been re-
ceived by John D. Symons from his
son, Leon. This young man, gradu-
ate of the Skowhegan High School in
1912 left this town for military SER
vice in September, 1917. His promo
ton to the rank of corporal occurred
in France.
Troyons. France
December 10th, 1918.
Dear Dad:
am going to take this opportuni-
ty to write you all my experiences
since | left Camp Deyens, last July;
things which | have before this been
unable to write The censorship has
been removed, and We can now put
most anything we want to in our let
ters excepting criticism of our own
and allied governments. Well, here
goes:
On July 18th. having made full
preparation we left Camp Devens for
Boston at about midnight, and arriv-
ing there at one of the docks on the
waterfront. embarked on the British
transport H. M. s Miltiades". Early
in the morning of the 18th we set sail,
and travelled for two days and two
nights until we reached Halifax Har-
bor N s. There We waited two days
for our convoy to form, and on the
morning of July Goth steamed out of
port, along with about twenty-four
other transports and British cruiser,
bound for England We had splendid
IF I'M n q n n q
! happened until the eleventh day out
when we were attacked by German
! submarines These, however, were
driven off by L. S. torpedo boat de-
stroyers that had joined our convoy
the day previous, before they could
do any damage.
On the morning of August 1st we
arrived at Newport. South Wales. and
at noon dsembarked. We were the
first American troops to visit this city
and on invitation paraded through the
town to the railroad station where we
! boarded the train for Winchester,
England We stayed at a camp there
for two days, and then once more took
the train for southampton, where we
left England and crossed the channel
3
boat. as you will perhaps remember,
which used to ply between Boston and
New York
You next see me at lie HaVre.
France. where we landed We stayed
over night at lie Havre, and the fol-
lowing afternoon eGtrained and de-
parted for our training camp in Cen
trail France. After a journey of two
days and two nights over the rails IN
box cars. we arrived at Clermont-
Ferrand, and Immediately marched to
Aubiere. where / spent the greater
part OF my time while in this country
as you already know
| might tell you here something
about the guns We have and used
while at the front. They are lob
nm. C in French Filloux Guns, and
are immense weapons. The Darrel
alone is nineteen feet long, and they
fire a projectile weighing hundred
mounds at a maximum effective range
of twelve miles We have four to a
battery and they are drawn by Ameri-
can Holt Caterpillar Tractors. The
1876 nm. Filloux is the largest mo-
bile gun used by America or the AL
lies. outside of the big railroad guns.
But to continue.
On the first day OF November we
left for the front, and rode another
two days and two nights in box cars
until we reached Dugny, only few
kilometers from Verdun. After dis
entraining, we marched tnlrty-t"o
kilometers to an old German camp in
the St. Mihiel sector, and while on
this hike | got my first glimpse of
war-ravaged country We establish
ed our echelon or headquarters, at
; this Hun camp which is near the town
of Savonnieres and on the following
|, day the greater part of the battery
j (myself included) left for the front
arriving there and taking position in
the Thillot Woods There as | have
told YOU, we went into action, and
there we remained until the arms
tice was signed The only casualty
nv battery had during our operations
was one sergeant who was slightly
gassed.
From the front we came back to the
echelon, and remained there just long
enough to get cleaned up before start
ing TOT camp Ot. SHrlStopuc oAih
the place in the woods | have been
writing you about. We left there
day before Yesterday and came to
Troyons, where | am station at
present.
All these places I have mentioned
Dad, are in the st. Mihiel salient
where the American Army started a
drive last September, and captured
this whole sector that had been held
by the Germans for four years, prev
iously. You probably read much
about it in the papers at the time 1t
happened. have been in the City
OF st. Mihiel quite few times, and
have seen the people held captive by
the Germans for so long.
Well, Dad dear, | guess have writ
ten enough for this week, so will
close and say goodnight. I am in
fine health, and hope you are well
and happy
Love to Mother and the rest from,
Your devoted son,
LEON.