1918 LETTER #5:

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LETTER SUMMARY:

Another excellent letter describing arriving at and adjusting to "the front."

-- Life in the Trenches & the effects of SHELL FIRE

-- Watching numerous AEROPLANE DOGFIGHTS

-- Seeing bodies of dead Germans

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SOME EXCERPTS FROM THIS LETTER:

2 pages, pencil (each page has been separated in half along the horizontal centerfold)

Priv H. W. Chapman
Co D 101 US Eng
AEF
via NY
Feb. 17 - 18

Dear Ma and Pa,

. . . Since leaving home we have been gradually working toward the front and now we are right at the front and within sight of the Germans. It didn't give me the thrill I expected however and I suppose I won't be satisfied until I go over No Man's Land.

I feel and am just as safe as though I were back in the Armory so don't worry. I have only to keep my wits about me, and you can trust Mil and I on that, and will get back with no souvenirs in our hides.

We are living in dugouts and caves which are perfectly safe against shell fire. The Boche greeted the Americans with a "Good Morning American Prisoners," as they are within speaking distance. The Bosche evidently thinks we are as good as captured.

There is not a spot that hasn't been hit by shells and some of these holes will hold 100 men. There isn't a whole tree standing and every town is flat. Once in a while we run across a dead German and you start picturing in your mind just how he died.

D Company was the first in the trenches and our Division is the first volunteers in active service at the front.

AEROPLANE FIGHTS ARE SO NUMEROUS THAT I HAVE A SORE NECK. Its like your first trip to New York, looking up at the tall buildings.

Will close now and write next week. Write more oftener.
With Love,
Bootus
[...]

[Censor's script passing letter]

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