_27th Division, 107th Infantry, Machine-Gun Company_
In action against the enemy near La Catelet, France, on September
29, 1918, Eggers and Latham separated from their platoon in a smoke
barrage, and took shelter in a shell-hole within the enemy’s line
where an American tank was disabled with three men inside; it was in
a heavy fire from enemy guns; but the two sergeants rescued the men
in the tank, one, an officer, was wounded, and conveyed them all to a
nearby trench—returned to the abandoned tank which was in a violent
rain of artillery fire—dismounted the Hotchkiss gun and returned with
it to the trench, where the wounded men were and there effectively
protected themselves from the enemy until night time, when they were
able to take the wounded officer and tank crew to their own trenches.]
“On November 4, 1918, the Division was relieved by a French division
and hiked thirty kilometers to Thielt, the largest town they had been
in since leaving Montgomery, Ala. Here they brushed away the dirt and
dust, waxed and grew fat until November 9. On that date the Division
advanced again past Deynze to Synghem. With peace rumors flashing
through the air, on the morning of November 10, the 37th Division went
over the top again, crossing the Escaut River north of their first
sector, and drove the Prussian Guards before them. It was here that
news of the armistice arrived on the morning of November 11. Orders had
been received to suspend hostilities at eleven o’clock. At ten o’clock
the men were prepared to follow another barrage.
“Squatting in ‘funk’ holes, the men carelessly rolled cigarettes
and waited for the hour to tick around. The announcement was made.
‘Hostilities had ceased.’ Calmly, confidently they clambered to the
ground. Across the fields the Germans were moving away. There was no
exchange of shots. Another cigarette. The war was over.”