| Chapter 1 |
The Last Drive Penetrating the Farthest Point in Enemy Territory Never once realizing the extreme danger we were in, onward we advanced, the four hundred of us, through darkest night, boldly driving into enemy territory. All around were hostile Germans, while the country was swarming with machine gun nests. Soon we struck up against one of these, which instantly opened fire on us in the dark. Bullets flew in every direction as we fell flat, none of us, however, getting hurt. When the machine gun let up a little we pushed on further. It was freezing cold and with water squeaking in our shoes, we marched on further. There was no time to rest, for again, suddenly through the darkness came that dismal, sharp, tat-tat-tat of a Boche machine gun challenging us! Receiving no reply the wild yells of "Andeho - Andeho" (hands up) rang out from the enemy. Our automatics blazed away, while they again opened fire on us! It was Hell as we fell on the ground while bullet after bullet whizzed above our heads. We had no protection whatever and just lay there perfectly quiet on the open ground with only the absolute darkness for safety. Suddenly we were illuminated by flares sent up by the Germans in their efforts to locate us. Almost instantly could be heard a dull heavy boom, followed by a rushing roar of something close above our heads! They were shooting at us with cannons - we could hear them open and close the guns at each shot! With part of our men crawling around to our left, we advanced, entering a fight confined to a rifle and gun duel, wounding the enemy and capturing his guns. It was a close call for our little bunch. At dawn, through chilly blasts of autumn winds, sweeping over the grounds of heavy frost, we continued onward. Another hour and daylight came. Commands were given to halt, for to advance in open daylight meant almost instant death. All around in this enemy territory could be heard at intervals the dull explosion of their giant guns. Digging shallow holes on the edge of a hillside we got in for protection. Above our heads German aviators were passing. There was nothing to do. As we waited, the minutes seemed hours of great anxiety. Suddenly the German machine gun fire increased in intensity, while from around a bend on the roadside a German squad was advancing toward us. A shot from the enemy whizzed between my sergeant and I. Instantly our automatics let loose with a "killing stream" of bullets, keeping up such a murderous fire into that bunch, that surprised me and captured them after a short resistance. All told, we had captured during the night, eighty-three prisoners, while but four of our men were wounded. There were about ten machine guns in a line, with long belts of ammunition ready to be fed into them, which we found later on. Evidently we had surprised the enemy before they could make use of them. After bandaging some of our wounded we started back to our shelter holes, cold, hungry and thoroughly exhausted. Again stern orders were given to roll our packs for a final drive. It was now twenty minutes to eleven, November 11th, 1918. We fell in line and marched onward. We had had no official word yet that the armistice was to be signed. In fact we had heard so often about Germany's peace talk that we paid no attention to wild rumors. Exactly at eleven o'clock, came the message from Marshal Foch's headquarters, the "Armistice was Signed." Instantaneously wild shrieks, shouts and yells of thousands and thousands of voices could be heard. The night had been a thing of horror! Daylight brought her joyful tidings to thousands of wearied fighters! Visions of home and dear ones, of transports homeward bound, waiting for the boys who answered the call of their country - the boys in khaki - the Yanks! It was a moment of wonderful happiness when the great guns ceased their roarings; a glorious day of sunshine for the poor tired souls of the fighters who would ever celebrate the Eleventh of November - the signing of the Armistice. All glory, honor and respect to those brave Heroes who made the supreme sacrifice! A sacrifice receiving its reward; a sacrifice which will ever live, cherished in immortal fame, through the ages of time, preserved by the everlasting uniform peace of a nation, for which they fought and died. They fought under the Stars and Stripes, bathed in the blood of our forefathers, the symbol of the greatest country in the world. A country born in freedom - a country whose flag will forever be unfurled in the one great cause of humanity, justice and freedom of all mankind. They gave their young lives that freedom and peace may reign - that our world should be made a decent spot to live in. We honor them; we respect them; we cherish their memories. They have carved their names in the bosom of a nation of freedom; a nation of national justice; a nation of God fearing people - our own United States of America! May the banner of Freedom, Justice and Peace forever wave proudly over the graves of her dead! Trier, Germany, January 24, 1919. THE END |