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[Transcriber's notes: Obvious printer's errors have been corrected
(e.g. gunnner for gunner), recurrent misspelling of the author haven't
(e.g. Montlucon for Montluçon, canvass for canvases, incidently for
incidentally, paraphanelia for paraphernalia, calesthenics for
calisthenic, etc...).
Chapter III: The word "by" has been changed to "from" (partially sheltered
from the Southern sun).
Chapter XVII: The spelling of Sommbernont has been changed to Sombernon.
Chapter XX: The word casual has been changed to casualty
(sent him home as a casualty).
Chapter XXV: It is not clear if the printed word is trained or roamed
(where he last trained/roamed).
Definitions:
Cootie: Noun US: a head-louse (Macquarie Online Dictionnary - Book
of slang).]
THE DELTA OF THE
TRIPLE ELEVENS
THE HISTORY OF
BATTERY D, 311th FIELD ARTILLERY
UNITED STATES ARMY,
AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES
[Illustration]
By
WILLIAM ELMER BACHMAN
Standard-Sentinel Print
Hazleton, Pa.
1920
COPYRIGHT 1920
BY
WILLIAM ELMER BACHMAN
[Illustration: GROUP PHOTO OF BATTERY D. 311th F. A.
Taken at Benoite Vaux, France, March 14, 1919. Reproduced from the
Official Photo taken by the Photographic Section of the Signal Corps,
U. S. A.]
To
The memory of our pals
whom we buried in France
This Book
Is Dedicated
[Illustration: WILLIAM E. BACHMAN
ARMY RECORD.
Inducted into service at Hazleton, Penna., November 1st, 1917. Sent
to Camp Meade, Md., November 2nd, 1917, and assigned as Private to
Battery D, 311th Field Artillery. Received rank of Private First
Class, February 4th, 1918. Placed on detached service, May 18th, 1918,
and assigned as Battery Clerk, First Provisional Battery, Fourth
Officers' Training School, Camp Meade. Rejoined Battery D June 27th,
1918, and accompanied outfit to France. Assigned to attend Camouflage
School at Camp La Courtine, September 30th, 1918, and qualified as
artillery camouflager. On October 3rd, 1918, was registered, through
Major A. L. James. Jr., Chief G-2-D, G. H. Q., A. E. F., with the
American Press Section, 10 Rue St. Anne, Paris, which registration
carried grant to write for publication in the United States. Remained
with battery until March 7th, 1919, when selected to attend the
A. E. F. University, at Beaune, Cote D'Or. Rejoined battery at St.
Nazaire May 1st, 1919. Discharged at Camp Dix, N. J., June 4th, 1919.]
FOREWORD.
"You're in the Army now."
"So this is France!"
Oft I heard these phrases repeated as more and more the realization
dawned, first at Camp Meade, Md., and later overseas, that war seemed
mostly drudgery with only the personal satisfaction of doing one's
duty and that Sunny France was rainy most of the time.
The memory of Battery D, 311th U. S. F. A., will never fade in utter
oblivion in the minds of its members. 'Tis a strange fancy of nature,
however, gradually to forget many of the associations and
circumstances of sombre hue as the silver linings appear in our
respective clouds of life in greater radiance as each day finds us
drifting farther from ties of camp life.
Soldiers, who once enjoyed the comradeship of camp life, where they
made many acquaintances and mayhap friends, are now scattered in all
walks of civilian life. While their minds are yet alive with facts and
figures, time always effaces concrete absorptions. The time will come
when a printed record of Battery D will be a joyous reminder.
With these facts in mind I have endeavored to set forth a history of
the events of the battery and the names and addresses of those who
belonged.
The records are true to fact and figure, being compilations of my
diaries, note-books and address album, all verified with utmost care
before publication.
In future years when the ex-service men and their friends glance over
this volume, if a moment of pleasant reminiscence is added, this book
will have fully served its purpose.
WILLIAM ELMER BACHMAN,
1920. Hazleton, Penna.
PREFATORY NOTE.
An effort has been made in this volume to state as concisely and
clearly as possible the main events connected with the History of
Battery D.
To recount in print every specific incident connected with the life of
the organization, or to attempt a military biographical sketch of
every battery member, would require many volumes.
My soldier-comrade readers will, no doubt, recall many instances which
could have been included in this volume with marked appropriateness.
The selection of the material, however, has been with utmost
consideration and for the expressed purpose of having the complete
narrative give the non-military reader a general view of the
conditions and experiences that fell to the lot of the average unit in
the United States Army in service in this country and overseas.
Grateful acknowledgment is due to those who aided in the verification
of all material used. Many of the battery members made suggestions
that have been embodied in the text.
To A. Ernest Shafer, D. C., and Conrad A. Balliet, of Hazleton,
Penna., belongs credit for information supplied covering periods when
the author was on detached service from the battery. To Dr. Shafer
acknowledgment is also due for the use of photographs from which a
number of the illustrations have been reproduced.
From Prof. Fred H. Bachman, C. A. C., of Hazleton, Penna., who read
over the manuscript, many valuable suggestions were received.
W. E. B.
Hazleton, Penna., 1920.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER I.
SOURCES OF THE DELTA
World Events--The Nucleus--Declaration of War. U. S.
Joins--Selective Service Plans.