The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1919-05-02
HE WENT OVER THE TOP.

James II. Brooks, a resident of Orc
lie for a number of years and whit
Rs employed in the railroad shop.
Ire before he entered the army, i.
w member of Co. d, 47th Infantry
bart of the army of occupation on the
hine. Last year Brooks was reported
He'd in action and twice reported as
blurred by the Huns, but neither ol
ese misfortunes befell him. He was
bundled however, in his first action
hour after going over the top. In
letter just received by his mother
looks tells the following story of his
perience since leaving Camp Mills
ing Island. for France:
We left Camp Mills on the morn
of the 9th of May, 1918, and by
ht night were on board our trans
rt. We remained at the dock un-
the 18th of May, when we pulled
for sea, headed for France. After
elve days at sea we arrived on the
I'd of May at Brest, one of the prin-
pal ports of France, through which
majority Of the American troops
tered France =
We remained at Brest for about a
ek and then started forward. mov-
a short distance at a time and
Hing and training at each stop
bill the 2Srd of July. Then we got
Hers to move up to the front and
ready to go over the top. Nine
lock of July 29 was the time set
our first over. We did not think
pch about it while waiting. for we
ew that it was our time to 60 over
d take a chance. the thing we had
me over for. When the time ar
led our captain said: boys, don't
Re any prisoners and when we
mt. believe me, we didn't care for
gthing. | was over only about an
ur when l was wounded by a ma
ne gun bullet. l have that bullet
and will bring it with me when
come home, which I hope will not
very long.
AS result of my wound l was
ht to the hospital. where l remained
about one month and half. When
returned to the company there were
~ 96 men left out of the 24O that
nt into the battle.
| rejoined the company at Sergy
Itch was not so bad as the Chateau
ierry front, but, as you have doubt
Is heard, was an awful battle. We
(nt over the top again on tha Goth
September and We gained about Is
ometers on the first day. Then we
large wood, where we lost sew
II men. 1t took us about week
drive the Huns out of those woods
when We did get them started
BY did not stop until they got to an
trench they had used before. They
us get out into the open and then
med loose on us with machine
ns, firing into us from both sides
front. 1t looked as though it
uld be slaughter for us, but we
ally drove them out and they re-
lated to another line of trenches,
ile we took up position in the
inches they had abandoned. We
It heavily while in that position.
We were in the front lines for rs
rs with very little rest or sleep for
of us. had my shoes off but
be in all that time, then just to
ange my socks and put the shoes
ht back on. :"
like all the other boys who are
1 in France, Brooks is very anxious
get home. He feels that the job
went over there to do has been
be and that the only place for him
back in his own country with his
n people; out of the service and a
e citizen again with a chance to
IN his way.
He has done his part, has paid
th painful wound and the count
IS hardships of battle and CAM
gn, to say nothing of year out Of
life so far as productive labor is
hcerned for himself. Many thous-
ds of other American boys over
re are impatiently waiting to core
PIX. having gone through similar ex.
rience, and they are depending as
ch now on us (you and mel mere
make it possible for them to come
me as they depended before the
mistice upon us to make it possible
them to win.
The one way We can help them and
for us and for the world is to buy
|ctory Bonds.
They did not shirk their duty.