The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1919-01-17

about one-third Of our trucks we're there
and the rest we're in small towns around.
The town was pretty we'll shot up, do
hot remember it's name. but would know
the place should I go there again. Wei
got our train together and hauled away
from there. We wsnt around Dead
Mans Curve'' but it was foggy and
raining and not shell came our way.
!. The first town that we reached of any
size was Commeroy. We pulled in that
night, had . good>nights rest, oiled and
creased up for another trip. This time
We took our train to Gondrecourt, got
all loaded up there but orders failed to
arrive giving permission to leave. Un.
loaded again and three trucks were sent
to Gondrevllle, near Toul. I was one OF
these. When we got there we were de.
tailed to work with the headquarters
for the 1st division.
= We worked there for about three days
after which we came home. 1t was
while on this detail of work that I met
Harry Harper aud End Lieutenant
from Hamllne. This meeting was
at Toul and we we're together for half a
day. When we got back some of the
boys we're put on repairing and some on
driving. got on repairing and have
been at it ever since except IN several
emergencies when they we're short of
drivers.
Almost all summer we had a reserve
park here. We would bring convoy OF
new trucks here from Romarantin and
dispose of them as new squadrons need
ed them. In this way managed to get
in on three nice trips to Romarantin, at
different intervals. These trips were
quite uneventful but very interesting.
Fred Wardwell was at Chaumont for
awhile and is at Is sur Til now so far
as know I've not seen him yet however.
Another interesting trip was up to
Fismes, vest of Rheims, which I had al
most forgotten to tell you about. The
Lafayette Esquadrllle, which you have
heard and read about, was being run by
Yankees, the 103rd squadron, but we're
working under French orders. We took
some trucks up to Chalons, near where
they were, and hauled them to spiace
right near Flsmes, which the Germans
took sometime later when they made
their offensive on Paris. cannot tell
you all about these trips, for I would
never get this letter finished, neither
will tell you Of my last truck trip in
which we had over 80 trucks in our
train and moved part of the seth d,vi.
sion up to the front. Some of the lads
in my truck were of the 355th and 356th
Infantry and this was their first trip to
the front.
I, You might be interested in knowing
that the German shoulder straps I
sent you were picked up IN what is
left of the village of Torcy not far from
Chateau Thierry.
I'VE were called out quite hurriedly one
day and we're soon on the road for Bu-
izollles. near Neutchateau where we
picked up the 9th Evacuation Hospital.
We hauled them to Meux, you know
where that is, and landed there at the
beginning of the drive at Chateau
.Thierry and just before the Yanks took
Belleau Woods.
K BY the time we unloaded and had
supper it was after midnight. Next
morning we planned on getting good
1est before returning but during the
night we received orders to proceed to
LaFerte sous Jouarre and they rolled us
out "toute de suite" in the morning and
we pulled out for there and started on
work Of various kinds which kept us in
constant touch with the men in the
front lines. We were there about ten
days. Iosnnot tell you Of any particu-
lar incident in these ten days, but I
saw more honest to goodness warfare
there than any time before or since.
My. last load was composed Of n l65
MN shells which / unloaded in an or
5chard in the village Of Espisdes, not
very far from Chateau Thierry. I can
tell you all about my experiences when
I get home.
4 will tell you about this camp. Il il
me- First Air Depot. Colombo Les Bel.
IA Mosslle ct Meurtle, France. I'll
would too long to ton 81 tho deyel-
ppineat d the 6eld, 50 Twill just state ! |
lew things about il. Until the ST., NIL
Mel sector was wiped ont ws wsre ins|
sahe5 line of advance. bnt not ro any more.
y Ahisiis sths last baas which mp
y tbs fiRhtiDe and observation ana
sDon6ing squadro Every ptane that3|
a MA 4 e the front ra1l passes through this''