SECTION 3
1918 Correspondence
1918 LETTER #9:
LETTER SUMMARY:
[ Information from attached white index card, etc.: ]
"-March 21 - Germans launch giant offensive.
-April 7 - Co D sent to Randecout in Forete De La Reime 5m from No Man's Land.
-May - Co D in big raid on Krauts
-Rec My 7 -18"
Another EXCELLENT LETTER from the FRONT LINES:
-- Aunt Emma's death
-- "Stories fly around thicker than Cooties up here in the lines."
-- We cannot tell you what our work is.
-- YD is the BEST DIVISION OF THE USA
-- Soldiers are not allowed in Paris
-- Bouillon Cubes, wrist watches & "Cootie proof" shirts
-- UP TO THE FRONT AGAIN FOR MORE BUTCHERY
-- Service Stripes & Wound Chevrons
-- "ITS WONDERFUL TO LOOK DOWN INTO 'NO MAN'S LAND' AT MIDNIGHT"
-- "The ARTILLERY TAKES THE HILLS and the INFANTRY have to get down into the MUD-SOAKED VALLEY between"
-- "PUP-PUP-PUP" ON THE MACHINE GUN, FLARE BOMBS go up and then as suddenly everything is dark and quiet"
-- "THE ARTILLERY MAY BE POUNDING IT OUT SO HARD THAT YOU THINK OF HOME"
-- "Its great, if, after its all over, you're there to tell about it"
SOME EXCERPTS FROM THIS LETTER:
6 pages, pencil
Y.M.C.A. (A.E.F.) Letterhead
Priv H.W. Chapman
Co D 101 US Eng
A.E.F.
Dear Ma and Pa,
Mil and I are separated but have been able to swap your letters of Feb 18th . . . Mil also rec'd a letter from cousin Hardacre telling of Aunt Emma's death. Mil and I were going to try and get over there on our furlough but it seems next to impossible.
[...]
That applies to crossing the Channel. Here in France we have one of three places to choose from. These places are fixed up for the reception of soldiers on leave. We have a furlough every four months.
[...]
You say that we don't say anything about the boys and our work, etc. Also that the papers tell you more. Don't believe half of what you see in "letters from the front." Those that write those letters are behind the lines somewhere, where the stories fly around thicker than Cooties up here in the lines. We cannot tell you what our work is.
[...]
We are split up covering a sector and some work nights and some days. So you see we practically become individuals up here and don't know whats going on among the rest. JUST ONE HIDE IS ENOUGH TO LOOK OUT FOR up here. The papers can tell you more about the War than we for we only know whats doing in our own sector. The BOSCHE OUT FRONT ought to know we're here for he has received a few jolts that he won't forget.
The US will never see a better Division than the
[ In this place, a hole about 1/4 x 1/2" has been cut out of the letter by the censor ]
so beside being proud of having 3 boys in the Army, you can be proud of having 2 in the BEST DIVISION OF THE USA. Our record at the front speaks for itself.
[...]
Every soldier has a number, a serial number. Mine is 185005 so if you see that number listed you'll know I have taken a ride on a 155.
Have not been to Paris. I have not had a day off since hitting France. Now that a furlough seems probable, soldiers are not allowed in Paris.
Send more bullion cubes. My watch has been on the blink since I was on the Andania, half way across. Mil's is now. I don't believe there is 2 good watches left in the Co that left the States. Am going to get a Swiss watch as they can't repair
the American watches over here.
Small pin articles we brought with us have caught Hell over here for its been no pink tea party. In fact, stretching it a little, I have had so much dirt on my hands and wrists that I couldn't get my watch strap on.
Have not rec'd the Elderdown shirt yet. By the looks of the name it ought to be "Cootie proof."
Go back to a "rest camp" for a rest and THEN UP TO THE FRONT AGAIN FOR MORE BUTCHERY. After we have been in the "zone of advance" for 6 months we receive a SERVICE STRIPE. We've been in it since last Oct. Its a gold chevron on the lower left arm. The WOUND CHEVRON is the same only on the right arm. I don't think I'll try to win one of those.
Haven't seen daylight for a week but they say its like summer out. Am like a second story man, only work nights. . . I wish I could tell you everything that would interest you.
ITS WONDERFUL TO LOOK DOWN INTO "NO MAN'S LAND" AT MIDNIGHT when no light or any noise can be heard and you know there are hundreds down there. I say down there for the ARTILLERY TAKES THE HILLS AND THE INFANTRY HAVE TO GET DOWN INTO THE MUD-SOAKED VALLEY BETWEEN.
Everything is still when suddenly a "PUP-PUP-PUP" ON THE MACHINE GUN Instantly FLARE BOMBS go up and then as suddenly everything is dark and quiet.
AT ANOTHER TIME THE ARTILLERY MAY BE POUNDING IT OUT SO HARD THAT YOU THINK OF HOME and light signals go up along the lines. Its great, if, after its all over, your there to tell about it.
Will close with love,
Bootus
Save at home the Globe every day from Feb 1 or some paper so that I can look back and describe them to you.
[Censor's script passing letter]
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