Stories of the World War

I was young but influenced greatly by my great Uncle Will when he came to my parents house for dinner some evenings. His tales of the Great War was fascinating. In between tales, he would drag out his souveniers. The wool blanket with the bullet holes. The German Helment, the bloody sweater, the wool socks. Uncle Will was quite a souvenier hunter. He came back with German belt buckles, postcards, German shells made into ashtrays that was taken off a German officer's desk. He kept everything, even World War I era newspapers. He always had a story to tell about each one. Every thing including his helment was locked up in his two or three footlockers.
What bothered me most was his weeping. He would tell his stories and weep from the sheer terror of remembering.
One tale he told was of running through the lines to fetch water. As he reached a town plaza, he found a fountain to fill up the canteens he had with him. As he reached the fountain, he looked up and a German soldier was staring at him from across the fountain. He would begin to weep saying "He had the most beautiful blue eyes." The soldier was dead. He had died trying to drink from the same fountain.

Battle of St. Mihiel

St. Mihiel was fought between September 12-15, 1918. This battle involved the American Expeditionary force and 48,000 French troops under the command of U.S. general John J. Pershing against German positions. The United States Army Air Force played a significant role in this action. The battle marked the first use of the terms "D-Day" and "H-Hour" by the Americans. This attack on the St. Mihiel salient was part of a plan by Pershing in which he hoped that the U.S. would break through the German lines and capture the city of Metz which was highly fortified. The attack caught the Germans retreating. Since the German artillery was out of place, this gave the Americans the advantage. The battle increased the stature of the Americans in the eyes of the French and British forces. The attack of Metz was not realized since the Germans refortified their positions. The Americans then turned their efforts to the Meuse-Argonne offensive. General Pershing believed that a successful attack in the region of St. Mihiel would have a debilitating effect on the Germans. If the Allied forces could clear the rail and road communications into Verdun and capture the German's railroad center at Metz then it would have been devastating to the German military. Afterwards, the Allies could have launched offensives into Germany.
The weather during the battle was rain during the parts of day and night. The wind was heavy and the roads muddy. In some parts of the road, the men were almost knee deep in mud and water. After five days of rain, the ground was muddy and was nearly impassable to both the American tanks and the infantry. Some tanks were stuck while others were wrecked due to water leakage into the engine. Infantry were showing the first stages of trench foot before trenches were dug.
Before the American operation, the Germans installed many in-depth series of trenches, wire obstacles, and machine gun nests. Three villages were nearby: Vigneulles, Thiaucourt, and Hannonville-sous-les-Cotes. Their capture would help accelerate the envelopment of the German divisions near St. Mihiel. The American's plan was to breach the trenches and then advance along the enemy's logistical road network. The Germans knew the date, time, and duration of the prepatatory barrage from a Swiss newspaper. Still, they lacked sufficient manpower, firepower, and effective leadership to launch a counter-attack against the Allies. They decided to pull out of the area and consolidate their forces near the Hindenburg line.

Men Mentioned In The Diary

I have looked up some names in his diary. It would be an impossible task to look up all of them and when I have they always lead to one place. The cemetary. For instance, there is a John W. Mckillip who is buried in Greenwood, cemetary in Muscatine Iowa. He lived until November 4, 1961. Most likely a very full life. One I looked up was also listed as a possible Spanish American War veteran. His name was Henry A. Martin. I am interested in finding out more about these men who served with Uncle Will Tubb. But will I ever hear their stories from their families? I am still hoping by some strange concidence that I will.

Saint-Mihiel And Billy Mitchell

The father of air warfare, Billy Mitchell, noticed how well air warfare influenced the outcome of the battle of Saint-Mihiel that he became convinced that he could use air power to influence the out come of succeeding wars. The multi colored airplanes whirring in the skies over head must have been a sight to see for the young Willie I. Tubb.

Re d'Italia Transport Ship

Built by Sir James and Sons limited, Sunderlund, England, 1907. 6560 gross tons; 430(bp) feet long, 52 feet wide. Steam triple expansion engines, twin screw. Service speed 14 knots. 2020 passengers (120 first class, 1900 third class). Built for Lloyd Sabaudo, Italian flag, in 1907 and named Re d'Italia. Italy-New York and Italy-South America Service. Scrapped in Italy in 1929.

End Of The War

Each town was luxuriantly decorated with French and American flags. Having heard so much of Luxembourg and knowing its population to be Germans we expected to be received with cold stares but much to our surprise we were received with open arms and as victorius troops. We arrived in the village of Kayle at 11:30 a.m. where we were billeted in cafes, private residences and some few in barns. The night we spent in Kayle will long be remembered by the soldiers who participated. We found plenty of cafes with plenty to drink, and many pretty Luxembourg maidens to tend our wants and after spending a night of eating, drinking, and dancing we escorted the Luxembourg ladies to their respective homes and then retired to try to sleep away the "schnapps." We awoke the next morning with dizzy heads to find that we had 11 kilos to hike,departing from our city of joy at 7:30 a.m. leaving our lady loves to settle once more into their daily routine of life of the small Luxembourg village. Our officers insisted that we hiked only 11 kilos but at 12:30 noon when we arrived in the village of Asphelt every soldier declared he had hiked 25 kilos. We departed from Asphelt 8:03 a.m. December 4th, arriving at Assel at 11:40. Here we rested the following day departing December 6th. at 7:40 a.m. marching through Remish, Luxembourg where we crossed the mosel which was the international boundary line into Nenning, Germany. Thus; settling our foot for the first time on German soil. Through the mistake of the infantry we marched some 28 kilos arriving at Cohren at 4:30 p.m. after marching 18kilos out of the way. We departed at 8 a.m. December 7th arriving at Coenen at 2:15 where we were again received as royal guests. We departed at 8:15 December 8th. arriving at Essel where we had a new experience in the line of billets. We had been in barns, private houses, churches, cellars, factories, saloons, and every conceivable place but in this little German village we were billeted in the " Temple of Knowledge", the local school house. We departed at 7:52 December 9th arriving at 12:05 noon. Here again as usual we were treated royally departing at 8:32 December 10th. arriving at Platten at 1:12 p.m. Here we were informed by our C.O. that an inspection of machine gun equipment and of our train would be made. The roads being very muddy and the weather being very bad our equipment was in bad condition but an inspection at this with our trip just half done, the roads still muddy, the weather continuing rainy, seemed an absolute folly to the weary foot worn soldiers of the 345 Machine Gun Battalion but we had long since learned that "orders are orders", and each man set to work to clean up his equipment, but "Generals will be Generals", and this inspection was not held until we had marched about 1 kilo through the mud and rain and our equipment looked fully as bad as preceding the cleaning, therefore an order was issued to clean our machine gun carts every day on our arrival at our destination and to wash and oil our helmets and to see that our leggings were free from mud as well. We left Platten at 8:00 a.m. marching 13 kilos arriving at Kinderburen at 12:00 noon on December 11th. We expected to renew our march the next morning but much to our surprise and enjoy ment, orders arrived late that night saying we would sit tight and not move as expected. This was indeed joyful news to men who had been enduring the hardships of soldiers sho have the honor of being among the troops of occupation, but let it be said here that during this unusual march that not a soldier has whimpered. The cooks being forced to march with their packs little felt like cooking when we arrived at our day's destination therefore: our meals were rather scant. During this march of 262 kilos we have not seen the sun shine a single day. The weather has been very bad, the roads muddy and plenty of high hills to climb. We left kinderburen at 8:00 a.m. December 16th. arriving at Gillenfeld at 1:10 p.m. where we went into billets expecting to stay here and do garrison duty but after two days rest we were ordered to move to Rachtig on the Mozel River. Here we spent Christmas and one the morning of December 27th. we hit the trail up the mosel through Berncastle to the village of Filzen A Co. at Dusemond. January 27th. we have been here one month drilling, going to Machine Gun school and snow balling and passing away the time as best we can.

The End Of The Second Diary

Continuation of Second Diary-End Of The War

That night we received orders that we would go over the top at 6a.m. Nov.11th and at 3:00 a.m. we received a message to set tight and not attack. At nine a.m. we received a rumor that the armistice had been signed and that the guns would cease fire at 11:00 which no one believed to be true but shortly afterwards we received an official order that firing would cease at eleven. Promptly at eleven November 11th, 1918, all firing ceased. There was much hollering and blowing of bugles by the Germans and white flags appeared all along their lines as they marched away in close order formation. We remained here for the balance of that day and night and on the morning of November 12th we returned to Ville rs France where we stayed three days and departed for Sulmory 1kilo away. Here we had the experience of being billeted in an old German bakery where we rested until Nov. 25th when we hit the trail with full packs and our faces toward the Rhine for Koblence Germany 332 kilos North East. We arrived in Marville France at 3:30 p.m. after having covered 25 kilos of ground recently evacuated by the Germans and the scattered equipment showed signs of hurried departure. We remained in Mrville seven days. During our stay here we visited Mount Des Mure and the cemetery and church of Holy Mure. It was while in this cemetery that we had the pleasure of visiting a vault that contained the remains of forty thousand men who passed away some six centuries before. The earliest date being 1321. After spending a couple of hours in this ancient place we returned to Marville and visited the Des Mure Cathedral which was built in 1441. The interior remains as when it was constructed but the interior decorations have been torn away by the Germans who had used this beautiful shrine for a stable. On the morning of November 30th we hit the trail again arriving a Constance farm at 2:30 where we were billeted in barns, and once more taking up the trail at 7:40 December 1st hiking 33 kilos to Vellerupt where much to our surprise we found we were to sleep in real beds, and you may depend that each man pounded his ears and dreamed sweet dreams of home, but alas! five a.m. was bound to come with that unpopular person, the bugler who got out his tin beer bottle and blew that call which is more dreaded than taps.
"First Call". We hit the trail at 7:31 December 2nd, crossing the boundary line of France and Luxembourg at 9:20 a.m. passing through the town of Esch where much to our surprise we saw the beloved face of our commander in chief staring from posters in every prominent building as well as Marshall Foch.

Continuation of Second Diary

The next morning orders arrived ordering us back to the front for the drive. We departed at 12 noon marching until 4:30 arriving in the woods to the left of our original first line position. We remained here until 10:20 p.m. when we were ordered to fall in and start a march through Montauville to a position one kilo to the right. Here we rested until morning when after being served with breakfast we went over the top. After moving forward for about 1 hour passing over the trenches that the night before were held by the Germans who had been forced to leave on account of our barrage. During the day we continued to pass over ground recently evacuated by the enemy and at 3:30 p. m. we came to the edge of a wood where we were forced to cross an open strip of ground to gain the German trenches. It was while trying to cross this open space we were sighted by the German artillery, and they began to drop large shells all around us. We were ordered into shell holes where we were forced to stay until nearly dark when we finally moved into the trenches vacated by the Germans. We remained here all night with shells landing very near and the swish of our own shells going over sounding in our ears. The next day was uneventful with the exception of heavy shelling on both sides. At 2 p.m. the following day, Sunday Sept. 16 we were ordered to move forward and take a hill which was 2,000 yds. in front of us. This hill was a German stronghold and we knew that we had a hard fight ahead. Promptly at 2:40 we went over the top passing through the town of Villers Sous Prenz. Fritz saw us coming and opened up with every thing he had, but let it be said here that not a man faltered although their comrades were falling on all sides. We reached our objective at 4:45 p.m. and dug in. After completing the job of digging in we were relieved and sent back as support. We remained in support six days when at 8:00 p.m. Sept. 22nd. we started once more for the line of defence arriving on the hill to the rear of Villers Sous Plenz. On the early morning of Sept. 27 our third platoon went over the top with two companies of the 2nd. Battalion 360 infantry with the intention of capturing a German Colonel with his staff who was reported to be in Pagny. On this raid we had several casualties and the Colonel escaped, but it was later learned we prevented a counter attack they were intending to make. After the raid we remained in the second line until the night of Oct. 1st. when we moved forward one and a half miles north of Villers Sous Prenz. Here we remained until the night of Oct. 7th. when we returned to Jacainville and rested one day leaving on the night of the 8th. for that long looked for rest we had heard so much about. Hiking 25 kilos that night arriving in the woods at what was known as S.V.A. barracks at 2 a.m. Here we remained for the rest of the night and in the morning set march for Toul. Every man looked forward to the rest he expected to get but when as usual about 2 p.m. Sunday Oct. 13th. we received orders to prepare for a move at four p.m. We hit the trail in a blinding rain, marching 5 kilos to Choloy arriving at 6 p.m. spending the night in the usual hay loft. On the morning of Oct. 16th. we left in trucks for a 70 kilo ride to the Verdun front. We arrived at Blercourt 6 p.m. Oct. 16th. and had to hike six kilos with full packs to some old shacks in the woods known as Camp St. Perrie. We remained here until the morning of Oct. 21st. when we hit the trail for the famous Argonne Forest. During this march we saw the famous Dead Man's Hill, where many soldiers had lost their lives. The farther we went into the forests the wilder the country grew. The trees were in shreds and the ground was literally torn up by shell fire. We passed the Montfaucon now famous as one of the strong points wrestled from the Germans. This town is situated on the highest hill in that part of France and it was from here that Kaiser Bill often times watched the battle of his troops. We continued our march through the woods to a portion just north of Nantillois, where we remained in shell holes until Oct. 30th. Here we recieved orders to advance and at 8 p.m. left this position, going through Romange, and taking up our position on a sunken road 150 yds. behind the infantry out posts. On the morning of Oct. 31st. a large shell struck right among our men causing the loss of the lives of several. On the night of Oct. 31st. we continued to press forward into a small wood just in front of the infantry line. This was for the purpose of throwing a machine gun barrage into a small woods and a near by town, both of which were numerously infested by German machine guns. On Nov. 1st. 1918, the greatest artillery and machine gun barrage that has ever been was delivered, lasting some three hours. At 5:30 a.m. under this barrage the 3rd Battalion 360 infantry advanced followed an hour later by the 2nd. Battalion and Companies D., G., and C. 345 Machine Gun Battalion. At 11 a.m. we reached our objective and had captured many prisoners who were constantly streaming in through our lines to the rear. While the Germans did not counter attack they retaliated with heavy artillery fire and it was during this shell fire that we suffered severely losing several men. At 11:a.m. the third battalion 360 infantry leap frogged us and drove the enemy some three kilos. We were temporarily relieved by the 179th Brigade of the same division who drove the Germans another 8 kilos. This left the 360 infantry and ourselves in the line of support where we remained under heavy shell fire until 6 p.m. Nov. 3rd. when we were once more starting forward marching until 11:30 p.m. when we pitched pup tents in the edge of the woods on one of the five hills known as five fingers or cat's paw. It was from these hills that our artillery did such effective work on the German railroad. On the night of Nov. 9th. we started on an all nights hike which ended in Mouzay the following day at 4 p.m. and in the afternoon of Nov. 10th. we took up our position on the side of the road about two kilos north east of Mouzay. We soon discovered that this was only about 150 yds. from the German front lines. It was while trying to reach this position that many of our men were gassed.

Continuation of Second Diary

We remained here until the morning of Aug. 17th. when we were notified we had a forced march to Le Tracy 44 kilos to the north. As per orders, we discarded our barrack bags and were forced to carry all our belongings in our field packs. These packs when made weighed about #80 pounds each. We departed from Benureve 6 a.m. marching 22 kilos to Denude arriving there 3 p.m. where owing to the exhaustion of men and animals we called a halt for the rest of the day and night. The next day we started on to Le Tracy, marching another 22 kilos and arriving at 3 p.m. here we found the larger part of the division awaiting us. We rested on the grass until six p.m. Aug. 20th. when we were loaded on a freight train and at 9:15 p.m. started for the front lines arriving in the city of Toul 6:45 a.m. August 21st. Here we unloaded and marched three miles without any breakfast, to again go into billets. We rested here until August 22nd. 8:15 p.m. when we started for the front in trucks. We rode until 10:30 p.m. when we arrived at St. Etienne where we rested for the remaining part of the night, and next day departing at 9:00 p.m. August 13rd. hiking 25 kilos to the north of Jacainville where we landed in the second line trenches. We remained in these trenches until Aug. 31 when we marched 3 kilos into the woods north of Montville taking over the first line trenches. We were now within 1,500 yds of the Germans and everyone was on his toes and ready to go, but nothing of importance happened with the exception that Fritz sent over a few shells every evening and morning, but our boys sent back three for every one they sent and it didn't take Fritz long to close up. We held this position until the night of Sept. 10th. when we withdrew to the second line again remaining there over night. The next day we
moved three miles to the rear into the woods west of Jacainville. Here we received news that at 1:00 p.m. Sept. 12, 1918, the barrage for the St. Mihiel drive would start. You may depend as the hour of one drew near we were excited. Sharp at 1:00 the big guns that were in front, in rear and on both sides opened up with a tremendous roar, and you will never know the feeling of men as they lay in their bunks with sleep a thousand miles away.

Continuation of Second Diary

We debarked at 8 a.m. July 1, marching some 4 miles to another so called rest camp. This rest camp was called "Bon Sur Dorie". The castle was owned in the earlier days by the family of Sir Walter Raleigh. It was during our visit at this camp that we saw our first American woman since leaving home. This young lady was with the Y.M.C.A. and she served us with good things to eat and smoke-also stationary. At 7:25 a.m. July 2 we marched back to Cherbourg where we were loaded on a freight train 36 men to the car. We remained on the train until 4 p.m. July 4, crossing two thirds of France, arriving at the village of Villers Saint Noge 4 p.m. We were de-trained to find that G.H.Q. failed to send anyone to meet us. We only had rations for one meal left and for a short time it seemed that we were a lost battalion. But our Major finally got in touch with division H.Q. and supplies were sent by special truck and we were served with supper afterwards pitching out tents and spending a very pleasant night on the grass. Early the next morning, the boys started out to sample the new French drinks, and by eleven o'clock several of us had thoroughly proven that French drinks could not be mixed. We were served with supper and dinner at 11:30 tearing down our pup tents immediately afterwards and rolling packs. We hit the trail for Chalmessin 14 kilos in the distance. We arrived at Chamessin 5:15 p.m. going into out first billets that we had heard so much about heretofore. These billets proved to be old vacant houses and rock barns where at the time of our entering the spiders, rats, and other insects had been holding midnight jamborees. We found this to be one of the filthiest villages we had ever seen as the slop was emptied in the street and the stock ran loose. A military officer was immediately appointed to act at town Major, the noncoms appointed ward bosses. These ward bosses organized sanitary squads and started the clean up movement, and by night had the town looking very respectable. The populace did not at first approve of our clean up acts and when the men and women returned from the fields in the afternoon they hardly knew their little French village and the chickens on going to roost were absolutely lost, many of them going to strange places on account of the change in scenery, making it impossible for them to find their respective hen houses. We stayed in this village doing our daily training until the morning of July23 when we departed for the village of Benureve marching through a blinding rain some six kilos. We arrived at Benureve 12 noon and again went into billets with our friends the rats and spiders who by this time were by no means strangers to us. Here we drank wine, went through our daily drilling, and added to the excitement by shooting our machine guns on the nearby hills.

Second Diary Continued

The first two days were uneventful with beautiful water which made our starting look good to the boys. The third day out a cold north wind set in accompanied by a slow drizzling rain which kept every one below. The morning of June 24th we entered the waters known as the war zone:these waters being numerously infested with enemy submarines. However, we were not molested until the morning of the 25th. The day dawned bright and clear the Atlantic appeared to be one large lake of rippling, and there was no evidence of danger, when at 9:01 a.m. we were startled by the shrill blast of the danger signal from our flag ship. We immediately took up battle formation: the two troop ships who had previous to the signaling been traveling on the port side of the group shifted their position to starboard, placing the two freighters between us and the man of war who at the time of signaling was traveling in the center and at the head of the group. All guns swung their guns to port in which direction the enemy had been sighted. At 9:05, we saw a puff of smoke and heard the roar of the 6 inch gun from the man of war. We immediately crowded the upper deck to view our first naval battle, which however proved to be very short. After the man of war fired three rounds the intruding submarine disappeared below the foamy surface. As to the amount of damage done it will always remain a mystery, but fearing we might have missed our mark all ships steamed ahead at full speed the rest of the day. We awoke on the morning of the 26th to find that our long looked for convoy had arrived during the night. This convoy consisted of six American destroyers and the British destroyers, which should have reached us some 24 hours earlier when we entered the war zone, however they chaperoned us safely into the harbor of Liverpool, England arriving at 9:10 a.m. June 28. We lay in the harbor until 3:27 p.m. when we pulled into the dock and debarked. Marching in battalion formation from the docks to the Great Central Railway Station where we had our first view of an English train, these proving to be mere toys compared with our up to date American trains. Here we were loaded 5 men to the compartment in passenger cars and at five twenty departed for Winchester, England, arriving 5:10 a.m. June 29. Here we marched four kilos to a rest camp called "Camp Morn Hill" and our stomachs as usual mourned for good old garrison rations for the English fed us on what the soldiers know as corned willy. At 10:15 a.m. June 30, we marched back to Winchester where we boarded another train for Southampton arriving at 11:55. Here we found a lunch counter where we could buy sandwiches, cakes and etc. with those big pennies we had been carrying since arriving in Liverpool. There was plenty and every body filled his stomach, smoked a fag and forgot his trouble. We rested until 5:10 p.m. when we boarded H.M.S. King Edward. and after dark crossed the English channel arriving in the channel from Hampton Roads at 10 p.m. We were carrying three companies of a battalion and the King Edward was very small therefore, we were badly crowded and when the men stretched themselves out to sleep they found themselves about three feet on the floor, and as the English sailors were not particular where they stepped sleep was impossible. Our boys used their extensive vocabulary of cuss words and were searching the dictionary for more when at daylight we steamed into Cherbourg France.

The Second Diary

We left Camp Tra0vis, Texas U.S.A. 3:30 p.m. June 5, 1918 via M.K.V.T. to Austin thense: T.V.P. to Texarkana: thense from Mt. to St.Louis, arriving there 10:30 a.m. June 7 taking the Lake Shore route via Mattoon Ill.,Indianapolis, Ind., Buffalo, N.Y. and thence to the metropolitan city of the world. De-training at Weehawken N.J. 3:25 p.m. June 10, taking the boat down East river via Battery Park and Brooklyn Bridge to pier #9 on the L.I. side of the river. Here we entrained on the L.I.R.R. for Camp Mills, Mineola L.I. N.Y. some 20 miles inland arriving at Garden City Station 5 p.m. June 10 marching with full packs some two miles to Camp Mills where after various inspections and exchanging clothes we rested until the night of June 12
when we received orders that no one would leave camp that night. We were served with black coffee at 12 p.m. marching to the station immediately afterwards and en-training on the Penn. R.R. bound for Philadelphia 3:15 p.m. June 13. We were marched thru the dock sheds where we were served with coffee and sandwiches by the Red Cross and loading on the C.O.G. at 5:00 p.m. June 13 We hoisted anchor at 6:05 p.m. and steamed down the Delaware River into Delaware Bay where we anchored for the night. At daybreak, June 14, we hoisted anchor and headed to Halifax, Nova Scotia arriving there 12:30 p.m. June 16th(Sunday). We waited in the Halifax harbor awaiting the arrival of out other 10 ships, who were to accompany us across the deep blue, until noon June 17th when we hoisted anchor and started with our ten companions who were composed of seven freighters (one of which was loaded with aeroplanes). The other six being loaded with stock and supplies,two troop ships, one of which carried 75 Red Cross nurses one man of war which was our protector, and one flag ship for signal purposes.

This is the end of the first diary.

A more detailed diary than the first will follow. All spelling of place names,punctuation and captialization has not been changed from the original diaries.

Names and Addresses of M.G. Battalion

Mc Allister, William A.
Thornton, TX
Mc Clanahan, Ancel H.
Dallas, TX
Mc Kernan, James B.
Palestine, TX
Mc Killip, John W.
Muscatine, Iowa
Martin, Henry A.
Hondo, TX
Martin, Thomas J.
Massey, Henry H.
Caldwell, TX
Miles, Charles H.
Coolidge, TX
Miller, William L.
Dallas, TX
Mitchell, Walter G.
Breman, IND
Moore, John J.
Yoakum, TX
Moyers, Jerome H.
Ferris, TX
Neely, Claud W.
Greenville, TX
Neil, Joe E.
Terrell, TX
Nelson, William S.
Trione, KY
Obrien, Charles S
Chicago, Illinois
Owings, William R.
Denison, TX
Ozan, Anderson
Parma, Emerich G.
Schulenburg, TX
Perry, Pomp (?)
Smithville, TX
Persian, Benjamin A.
Buffalo, Minn.
Petter, Anton J.
Pierski, Edward H.
La Salle, Ill.
Pitcher, Albert W.
Emington, Ill.
Prayton, Jessie J.
Route, Wilhelm
Comfort, TX
Roy, Ollie
Rock Dale, TX
Reeves, Merly O.
Hubbard City, TX
Reicheman, Oscar M.
Mason, TX
Reverre, Johnnie E.
Houston, TX
Rice, John H.
Paris, TX
Richter, Otto C.
Burton, TX
Riley, Thomas C.
Dallas, TX
Robertson, Thomas H.
Hempstead, TX
Roebuck, James T.
Rodriguez, Santiago
San Antonio, TX
Rogers, Frank
San Antonio, TX
Rogers, Walter G.
Palestine, TX
Ryan, James R.
Jewett, TX
Sapp, Grover C.
Mt. Enterprise, TX
Scherlan, Louis H.
Victoria, TX
Seaman, Chriss C.
Sewell, Edward S.
Santa Anna, TX
Sharkey, Harry
Beaumont, TX
Shyrock, Ray
Glassford, Ill.
Singleton, Harvey C.
Clebourne, TX
Scaggs, Virgil C.
Edinberg, Ind.
Skinner, Jim H.
Mineola, TX
Slaughter, Marvin T.
Mc Gregor, TX
Smith, Claud O.
Smithville, TX
Smith, Ernest
Summerville, TX
Soderburg, David
Stone, Charlie R.
Henderson, TX
Storm, John C.
St. Paul, Minn.
Stratton, Samuel H.
Erick, OK
Sutterman, Frank
Sutton, Jessie L.
Cleburn, TX
Taylor, James A.
Omaha, Nebraska
Taylor, William F.
Marquez, TX
Taylor, O.C.
Burnett or Austin, TX
Tubb, Willie I.
Silver, TX
Waites, Arthur W.
Memphis, TX
Walker, Charles H.
Terrell, TX
Walker, Luther K.
Seadrift, TX
Watson, Robert L.
College Station, TX
Weighill, Clarence H.
Oakdale, La
Werts, William L.
Elmer, OK
White, M.L.
Mineolia, TX
White, William W.
Fort Worth, TX
Wilber, Richard T.
West Union, Iowa
Winn, Sam F.
Mexia, TX
Wittsell, Fritz
Minniapolis, Minn.
Wolf, William C.
Kanakee, Ill.
Wood, Owen L.
Alto, TX
Wyatt, James L.
Nixon, TX
REPLACEMENTS
Robertson, J.B. from 39 div.
Vivian, LA
W.G. Ewald
Route 1 Box 153L(?) or 2 J.M.
Houston, TX
Auguste V. Ewald
c/o National Biscuit Co. Houston, TX

Names and addresses of M.G. Batallion

Ewald, John H.
Houston,Texas
Flodeen Joseph,E.
Shafer, Minn.
Fortenberry, Euell W.
Blue Grove, Tex.
Frazelle, Arthur, D.
Lone Oak, Tex.
Fraelich, Michael,R.
Dubuque, Iowa
Friday, Cloy B.
Tivolia,Tex.
Fuller,Tuffie H.
Cooper,Texas
Gentry, Herbert L.
Clarksville, Tex.
Gilchriest, Coleman,M.
Greenville, Tex.
Godwin, Jessie L.
Alba, Tex. R.I.
Gunter, James J.
Nachadoches, Tex.
Holt,William S.
Hurley, Charles S.
Scurry, Tex.
Ilse, Hugo F.
San Antonio, Tex.
Jackson, Claude T.
Mt. Enterprise, Tex.
Jackson, Tolbert
Marquez, Tex.
Jello, Theodore-Notice in diary of his death-author of blog.
Rosel, Minn.
James, Albert
Dallas, Texas
Johnson, Gilbert
Smithboro,Ill.
Kidrowski, Vincent J.
Minn.
Kelly, Alexander
Magnolia Springs,Texas
Kennedy, George
Minneapolis, Minn.
Kistler, Lewis W.
Summerville, Tex.
Klopp, William
Warren, Minn.
Lee, Farris
Godley, Tex.
La Grande, Louis C.
San Antonio, Tex.
Lock, Jim C.
San Antonio, Tex.
Lofaldli, Lars
Theif River Falls, Minn.
Lopez, Tony
San Antonio, Tex.
Lorenz, William C.
Earlville, Iowa

Names of men in diary

Bear with me. I am not finished with the names and have many more to go. If you recognize one of the names as belonging to your grandfather please contact me.

Names and addresses of Co. A. 345 M.G. Battalion

Allison, John, B. Nacodoches,Tex.
Anderson, Walter, Jewett, Tex.
Asplund, Fred, C. Hopkins, Minn.
Austin, Geo. A. (?) Olustee, Okla.
Austin, Jim, Okla City Okla.
Barnes, William, W. Goodrich,Tex.
Bauknight, Luther L. Altus, Okla.
Beckon, Ole P. Halma, Minn.
Berkman, Harry, Houston, Tex.
Black, Hollie, Kopperl, Tex.
Blanche, Barney P. Fredricksburg,Iowa
Blunt, John A. Charleston, Tex.
Bond, Claude O. Bartlesville, Okla.
Bradley, William, E. Sinton, Tex.
Brayton, Elmer E. Duluth, Minn.
14 W. Myrtle
Bruce, Charles R., Putnam, Okla.
Buchina, Joesph, Streter, Ill.
Burgi, Fred F. Mineapolis Minn.
Byles, Joesph, Plano, Tex.
Carraway, Morgan J. Clifton Tex.
Carr, Frank P. Yokum, Texas
Cashion, Walter R. Wortham, Tex.
Cauthen, Obie B. Elmo, Tex.
Cavanaugh, Willie P. Cooper,Tex.
Cavases Emmanuel, Leedy, Okla.
Caylor John D. Anna, Texas
R.F.D.#2
Chastain, William A. Corpus Christi,Texas
Clanton, Ned, Helena, Montana
Clapper, Perry A. Tabor, Iowa
Clark, Claude T. Cooper, Tex.
Collier, Claude Caremon, Okla.
Collins, John M. Bryan, Tex.
Creech, Henry Granger, Tex.
Crippins,Thomas J. Charleston, Tex.
Daubenberger, Walter E. Winthrop, Iowa
Davis, Hardy Lucedale, Miss.
Davis James L. Hico, Tex.
Deaton, Lee, H. Houston,Tex.
Demicho, George Georgetown, Tex.
Derr, Charlie Altus, Okla.
Dickey, Jack D. Greenville, Tex.
Dickerson, Anderson Bonham, Tex.
Dickson, Elmer L. Cherokee, Okla.
Dill, Thomas B. Taylor, Tex.
Ditmore, Herschel H. Water Valley Tex.
Ducus, Jessie W.-DEAD
Liberty, Texas
Edwards, Roy Alvoid, Tex.
Emery, John W. Oceola, Iowa
Esparza, Antonio San Antonio, Tex.
Essery, Joe Honey Grove, Tex.
Evans, Julian S. Greenville, Tex.

May

1-Very near the coast of Spain snow capped mountains in sight. Quite a few sail boats and fishing boats were passed. Saw some whales.
2-We were anchored at Gibralter Numerous boats came around selling stuff but were chased off by the cops. The boat was coaled by the Spaniards with baskets. Left Gibralter at 7:30 p.m. passed thru the Strait of Gibralter. Saw the coast of Africa.
3-My squad on k.p. Windy and quite a number feeding the fish.
4-Slept until 9 o'clock cloudy and windy.
5-Throat a little sore nothing new.
6-Same old thing
7-Went to a show at night. A boat on our left.
8-Passed a sail boat to our right at 8 o'clock.
9-Very windy and boat going slow.
10-Nothing new
11-Some looking for land. A boat seen to our right toward evening. A storm came up ocean very rough.
12-Still windy. Some men rolling their packs.
13-Mayor came to meet us at 3:00 p.m. Landed at 5:00 K.C.V. Salvation Army fed us good. Went to Camp Mills went to bed at 12 o'clock.
14-Went thru delouser got new clothes moved to other barracks.
15,16,17,18, Hanging around signing papers.
19-Discharges given us at 12 midnight as we boarded the train for N.Y.
20-Left at 9:10 for ST. louis on the Pennsylvania line. Passed thru Phil, Harrisburg, Columbus, Terre Haute.
21-Arrived at St. Louis in the afternoon and left at five twenty two passing thru Oklahoma.
22-Arrived at Ft. Worth at 3:00 on the Katy. Left at 4 on the T.P. for Sweetwater arrived at S.W. at 11:30
23-Stayed around until 7 o'clock when I started for Bronte. Rode from Bronte with Russel stayed at Lee's.
24-Come out home on the mail car.

April

9-Discharge came in
11-Went to Berncastle but had to come back the fries were very glad
12-Hanging around
13-Hanging around
14-Hanging around waiting until my papers were fixed up.
15-Left at two o'clock in an engineer truck for Berncastle managed for rations and returned to Winghor where I stayed until 2:25 the barracks were very leaky.
16-Left at 2:25 passed thru Trier Metz,Pagny, Pont-a-Mouson, Stn Etenne Saw the old battle field again arrived at As-sur-Tille at 9:30 p.m.
17-Left As-sur Tille at 8:30 p.m. for St. Aignan struch three good pals.
18-Held up by a wreck left at 12 noon held up at Etang passed thru Nevers at 5 o'clock p.m. Arrived at St. Aignan at midnight.
19-Went thru the mill at 7:30 morning
20-Sunday rested and went to St. Aignan bought some souveniers and saw booku small goats
21-Was put into Cas. Co.3997 I was given the 8th squad went thru the mill at midnight
22-Went to St. Aignan again were checked up
23-Inspections and hanging around
24-Nothing new
25-Left St. Aignan by way of jazz.
26-Were going thru southern France down the Rhine.
27-Arrived in Marseille at 9:00
28-Inspection
29-Boarded ship at 2:30 Sailed at 4:55
30-Were in sight of Spain and the Sardina Islands Wrote some of my trip from Germany.

February

2-Went to Berncastle and had my picture mad saw Winston
4-Marked quarters at infirmary
7-Went on pass to Coblence left Dusemond 4:15a.m. arrived Coblece 10 a.m.
8-Went up Rhine 45 kilos in boat to Lorely. Saw Hagenbeck circus
9-Saw statue of Kaiser 1st. went to show
10-Left for home or rather Dusemond arrived late at night sick
12-On sick report
17-Marked duty again
18-Left Dusemond for Bausendorf 17kilos arrived 3:30
20-Went on road working detail
21-Went on road
22-On guard
23-On guard
24-We worked the road for about three weeks and then began drillling again

January

5-Went back to Berncastle after pictures eat dinner at trench morter kitchen
12-On guard recieved xmas box
13-Started to M.G. school
18-Finished M.G. school
20-Began teaching school

December

1-Hiked to Villersupt 32 kilos
2-Hiked 12 kilos thru Esch stayed in school building at Kayle
3-Hiked 16 kilos to Asphelt
4-Hiked 13 kilos to Assial
5-Rested at Assial
6-Hiked by Remish to Chren 22 kilos
7-Hiked thru Saarburg to Conen 15 kilos cake, jam and coffee
8-Passed thru Trier 30 kilos stop at Asseler. Jam bread,butter and coffee
9-Hike to Rivenish bought 15 mark chiken 12 kilos
10-Hiked 15 kilos to Platten another good meal pickles, ham, beats, jam and butter
11-Hiked 12 kilos to Kinderburen sleep in barn bread coffee and jam as usual
12-Resting
13-Resting on guard
14-Resting wrote home also
15-Hiked 24 kilos to Gillenfelt very crooked road very mountainous
16-Resting
17-Resting
18-Resting
19-Resting
20-Hiked back near Kinderburen to Bausendorfs 20 kilos very nice place to stay.
21-Hiked 16 kilos to Rachtig good bed with feather bed to cover with
22-Resting
23-Resting
24-On guard
25-Prunes and gravy with a small amount of gristle for breakfast Snowing Mother prepared dinner for Jessie and I
26-Peters birthday lots to eat and drink
27-Hike to Dusemond by the way of Berncastle Mother fixes bread, jam and waffles for us
28-Resting not much doing
29-Ewald, Clark and I went to Berncastle and had our pictures taken Rode train

November

1-Start barrage at 5:30 three guns knocked out
2-Fired 45 minutes at 5:30
3-Moved up in rain and pitched on hillside
4-Miserable night on road to Montigny
5-Camped on hillside by Meuse valley
7-Hear Germans are coming over with white flag
8-Expecting relief
10-Moved to front line no tents very bad weather
11-Gassed at 7:30 a.m. 4 men killed my bed torn up
12-Arrive at hospital 314 then to 313
15-Left hospital with Sgt. Lorenz, Wells and Fahey go to Baily court good bed and eats
16-Left on train for Dun very cold
17-Back to company at Sulmory
21-Maneuver
23-Fired some
25-Hiked to Marville very sore feet
27-Went to see 4,000 skeletons
28-Thanksgiving
30-Left made 25 kilos stayed at Constance farm

October

1-Moved up to good dug out
6-Moved to front line very dark
7-Can hear Fritz talking
8-Hear of division relief
9-Fine clear day patrol had a little battle at night
10-Waiting for relief escort Lt. get 10 marks I mean Francs
11- Relief at 10 a.m. cross death valley stop over night at first position
12-Waiting for trucks
13-Trucks arrive at 4:30 a.m. a break down,arrive at Bruley 10 a.m.
14-Get passes to Toul see my French Jane
15-Getting ready to leave
16-Leave in morning arrive at Jouly in the night
17-Resting and writing
18-Made Corporal of 2nd squad
19-Same thing
20-Same thing
21-Fire on range
22-Leave Jouly camp in Argonne forest
25-Moved up to hill side and pitched tents
29-Send all squad except one to dig emplacements
30-Go to front line and work all night on emplacement
31-Carried ammunition all day

September

7-Leave for first line at night Fritz gives a reception
9-Go to Montamousson near statue of Joan of Arc
12-Barrage started at 1:00 as we were going to hillside
13-Followed up at night saw the heavily shelled no-mans land
14-Pass Fay-en-Hoy to front
16-Moved back passed our objective
17-La Grande killed
19-Ryan and Jello killed
21-Shell ruins our supper
22-Leave front for a few days rest stay at old P.C. dug out
23-Hike to Griscourt
28-Review at Griscourt
29-Back to front
30-Stayed at Dug out third line
31-Moved up to a house and slept there.

JULY

1-Landed and went out to rest camp
2-Leaving on R.R. thru France
3-Riding thru France thru Paris yards
4-Landed at Villers stay over night in dog tents
6-Resting up
7-Getting ready to start work
8-Drilling
9-See Marguerite first
10-Taking lessons in French
14-Sunday celebrated
15-Go on maneuver to Chamroy stay over night
16-Hiked to Rouves
17-Rest
18-Hiked to La Tracy and pitched tents near station
19-Leave for front
20-Arrived at Ecruves first air raid
23-Go to St. E. at night
28-Arrive at third line trenches at night

First Diary of Willie I. Tubb -This is mainly a summary

JUNE
5-Left Camp Travis 4p.m.
6-Eat Breakfast at Longview dinner at Texarkana supper at Little Rock
7-Stopped in St Louis for dinner and supper at Terra Haute
8-In Ohio eat dinner at Cleveland supper near Buffalo
9-Down Hudson by N.Y.C.R.R.arrived Hoboken 3p.m. Went to L.I.
10-In camp Mills drawing clothes
11-Went to Hempstead rained, I got lost
12-Waiting for orders to leave
13-Left 4a.m.took boat at Philadelphia 4 p.m. City of Glascog
14-Headed to Halifax on deep blue
15-Still sailing
16-Arrived at Halifax 10 a.m. anchored in harbor
17-Left Halifax 1:30 p.m.
18-Sailing on
19-Wind high boat rocks
20-Met two British ships west bound
21-Sailing on
22-Sailing on
23-General Inspection
24-
25-
26-Met by convoy of nine sub chasers
27-Off Irish coast can see land
28-Landed in Liverpool,my birthday took a train for Winchester
29-Arrived at Camp Morn Hill
30-Took train for Southhampton took boat here for Cherburg
31-

My Uncle Will's WWI Diary

I will start his diary by stating that my Great Uncle was a school teacher, millionaire playboy, World War I warrior and a cowboy. His life was one that inspires me to this day because not only was he all of that but he was also a man who had seen the good in people regardless of their difficulties or up bringing.
I invite people to respond to this blog by leaving their comments. I have many postcards of his that he brought back from Europe. The readers of this blog may recognize some places. I have in his diary names of his buddies that he served in WWI with along with their addresses. If you recognize these men please let me know. I would love to hear from you. My Great Uncle had two diaries with him. The first was mostly a summary of his exploits. The other is more detailed. I also will be posting his letters to his Mother and Father in this blog. His Father was a Baptist preacher who was one of the first pioneers to Coke County Texas. The family had came from Mississipi and bought up land in Coke County. I speak about the family also in the blog "Small Towns Are Larupin'''. The address is: katiebarthedoorifinucan.com.
I will have my work cut out for me doing this blog so bear with me.