Jasper County Democrat, Volume 21, Number 64, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 November 1918 — LETTERS FROM OUR SOLDIERS [ARTICLE]

LETTERS FROM OUR SOLDIERS

How the French Punish the German Rapists. Vern Davisson writes an interesting letter from France telling of the punishment meted out by the French army to the German rapists who are identified by their victims | when taken prisoners. Vern is an ambulance driver, it will be remembered, with the French army: October 18, 1918. On a few days rest just behind the lines. Dear Father and Mother:—l have your letters of August 12, 19, 26, September 1,8, 16 and 23. Have written you two or three times during this. We have been so busy all this summer could hardly find time to sleep and eat. This sure lhas been a fighting summer ' and a victorious one. The general j opinion is that the war will soon end, but if we fight to a finish it will take some time yet. The Boche are evacuating Belgium because they know it is com ing sooner or later. Good news every day along different parts of the front. Great numbers of pris- j oners are taken here, and many allowing themselves voluntarily to become prisoners. We are on territory now that has been in the 'hands of the Boche since the beginning of the war, civilians ana all. Many towns and farms taken back, the civilians still remain through the whole operation. One town we are now camped in has 1,500 civilians in it. They l|ve in caves and cellars to save them from the bullets and shells. | Among some of the prisoners captured by the troops have been recognized and identified by the civilians who remained in German hands during the war, as the ones who committed the rash acts on the girls and killed many civilians, etc. I looked some of them over I and watched the civilians coming down the line of German prisoners looking for the one Who did them wrong. When one would be identified and pointed out a big cheer would go up from the crowd, but; for the German that meant the

firing squad. Some of them looked pitiful and others took it coot Tomorrow afternoon I will go down to the execution place and waten I the firing squad shoot. Sometimes I feel sorry for them, but when you think about the dirty acts they committed I can watch them fall when the guns fire with pleasure. This is the first time I have had a chance to watch the firing squad work behind the lines. These Germans probably thought they , were getting away with something when ’ they did those stunts, but occasionally they get caught. I Tomorrow will be a big day for ' me, bands playing, rifles firing and Germans falling with bullet’s in i their thinking piece. This probably sounds queer to you, but it actually takes place here. I would like to volunteer for one of the firing squad but they would not allow me to. There will be no trouble about getting volunteers. I noticed one German officer, when identified by a girl as the one who did her wrong, tried to smile, but could not quite do it. Tears rushed down his cheeks. He knew his hours were numbered. It is a pitiful sight after all. Not like seeing them shot and blown to pieces at the front, but they deserve it, so let it go. Did you get the 6 or 7 pictures I sept you some time ago? They were numbered in red ink. Two of them would not pass censor so I took them out. Am sending you five more in this letter. Will send I you a better one of me later when i I can get ’some made. I get all , the clippings and enjoy thp news. Thanks for the congratulations on my “Croux de Guerre.” I am i proud of it. My chum, Mr. GoodI win, was wounded a few days ago. i An Austrian “77’’ exploded about I five feet from him and a fragment of it went through his leg, just i above the ankle; took him to the hospital, last I heard he would i lose his leg; sad news, but it ' comes sometimes. Continually under shell fire and bombing by avi--1 ators. When the Germans leave they set big mines to explode ...at set times, controlled by an apparatus to touch it off. They are put u.nder buildings, cross-roads, etc. Three went off night before last and shook us up a little. The experts generally discover them and cut the wires before the time arrives to explode, but sometimes they miss one. You asked me if I wanted any supplies from home. Well, it is so much trouble and when a lieutenant signs it it comes back, “No”; then it must be sent to a major, and if he thinks “No”, he says No, and so on. Therefore do not bother with it. I can buy all

I need over here but money does’ not go very far here. Everything is high as a cat’s back. We buy. all our smokes, half our eats.’ gloves, tobacco, insurance, candles, ; etc., so if you want to send anything send a little money whenever you feel like it. I borrowed some money to go on “permission’’ ; with and got along O. K. Well, will close for this time, hoping this finds you in good health, i am feeling fine. Your loving son, V. C. DAVISSON. D. J. Babcock Writes Interesting letter From France. Mr. and Mrs. F. E. Babcock received the following letter this •week from their son, D. J. fiaD-’ cock, who is driver of a motor | truck with the Engineers’ unit in Fiance: France, October 5, 1918.’ Dear Mother:—Will try and reply . to your last interesting letter received several days ago, now that the rush has let up for the time • being. We are again in France ’ after spending several weeks on' the Belgian front, and must say, personally am glad to be out of ( the latter place. At present we are located in; one of the most God-foysaken spots ! I believe it would be possible to' find in any country. This particular section of the front has seen some of the mtSst sanguinary fighting of the four years’ war-’ fare, although it is said to have been the most fertile and beautl-’ ful portion of France previous to the advent of the barbarous Boche■ hordes. As the Germans give way before us we are closely following them j and because of this fact there is I no one to be seen but men dressed in khaki uniforms, it being about fifteen or twenty miles to the nearest spot where one can find a civilian. During a recent battle my truck was pressed into service to aid in moving quickly walking wounded, or such cases as were not considered serious enough to be put on a stretcher. When the bombardment preceding the battle opened, I was just a short dis- | tahce from the front with a load '■ of engineer supplies, and I wish ; you could have heard the noise: it was certainly terrific. However, it did not last so very long and I ■ knew that at its termination the 1 fellows had gone over the top to give “Jerry’’ a taste of hand-to-hand fighting. Before noon, the first prisoners Jkere being taken back to the cages ..built to accommodate them, and during the afternoon and all the next day they' continued to come, a pitiful, beatened and battered lot, some wounded, some half | naked, dirty, unkept and all 'of them Seemed ravenous as if they had had but little to eat ! for some time. This battle I* am telling you about took place where the Boche line was regarded by both the , Germans and the British as practically Impregnable, but not so by the “Yanks." The Boche did their

best to withstand the terrible onslaught by the seasoned Americans, but their efforts proved of no avail, and they were forced to retreat in disorder, their line being broken and bent almost at will by’ the Yanks, who were so eager to get at them that several were wounded in the barrage, put up by the allied artillery. I was talking afterwards with some allied officers' and they told me that the division had exceeded even their fondest hopes—that they had not expected the Yanks would be able to pierce the line, let alone put the enemy’ to flight in utter rout. This was a very important opera-' tion as it killed the last vestige: of hope for a German victory, as the positions taken from the Boche wje.re vaunted by them as thv' strongest ever built during any war in history. Was just up to see a friend of mine in the signal office and he told me that he had just received official acknowledgement of Bui-1 garia surrendering unconditional- i ly. This will be a very good thing, i indeed, as it will release at once! all allied soldiers on the Bulgarian j front and, no doubt, they will soon make the Turks come to allied i terms, thus giving the allies several thousands of seasoned men whom they can place most advantageously where they will make their pressure felt on the Boche. I Personally I doubt if the Germans ' last the winter out, at least all of us are hoping such will be the case. Germany seems to be losing terribly everywhere, and last reports are to the effect she is evacuating Belgium entirely. Well, so much for the war dope, you undoubtedly get the news in advance of us, as wm get most of it a day or so late through the London Daily Mail or the Paris edition of the Chicago Tribune or New York Herald. I just wish you could see the way this section of the country—once acknowledged the most beautiful of France —is demolished and torn up by the results of German “kultur.” I have been in many cities, or rather what remains of them, that had populations of from 10,000 to 35,000 before the war, and now there remains only a Ptitch of weeds and a few bricks to mark their passing, and possibly a sign stating that this was such and such a place. German signs regarding warning of railroad crossings, etc., are in considerable number, the allies putting an English transalation above the German inscription and letting them remain there. ; In one city especially I remember a cathedral—-formerly known the world over for its age and beauty—which now lies in a maze of twisted steel, stone and bricks. Civilians are slowly returning to this place, patiently going about the work of rebuilding and cleaning up as though accustomed to doing such things and they appear to take great pleasure in so doing. Tell George that Ossie has noth-

ing on me as regards working under shell fire, for almost three days and nights I was doing work in an area where the shells were not what one would call scarce, to say the least During these three days and nights I was lucky enough to secure three cold meals, so ypu see there is nothing so soft in the job after all. Long hours, exposure to all kinds of weather and every imaginable cOndtion are in store for all us truck drivers, as we must go out at any hour of the day or night. Supplies badly needed cannot be stopped for the convenience of a few. Still, it is not a bad job and I' rather like it better t-» n ever. I am in good shape for clothing now and yet, mother, if you have made me a sweater and such other artcles as you mentioned. I could easily use them no dou.bt, as the mornings -already are quite cool here, and winter here is said to be quite severe. Give my regards to all and write soon. I will try to write oftener ..ereafter, With love, Your son, - DEB. P S.—ls you should send me that box of fudge you promised, be sure ‘to pack it very well, as it may be a month on the way. 1 was lucky enough to get some real, honest-to-God American chocolates at a canteen the other day. but as a rale candy is very scarce : and goes rapidly once a canteen gets in a supply. My address is now 30th Div. M. T. Co. and all mail should be sent that way. Have plenty of cigarrettes and o,*er luxuries. Hoping so hear from you and I Dad soon, will close for this time. Your son, i DEB. . Pvt. Charles D. Landis Writes Home From France. 1 Ina letter to William E. Pullin lof Barkley township, Charles D. ; Landis, who enlisted in Co. M just before it left Rensselaer in Augiust. 1917. and was one of the first I Jasper county boys to leave Camp jShelby for overseas last June, and I has seen active service since the ! last of August, says: France, October 3,1918.

Dear Friend: —I received your letter a few days ago, also one from home; was sure glad to hear from you as we don’t get much news here very often. It has been so long since I saw a newspaper I don’t believe I could read one if I was to receive it. I have been so busy for a month that I haven’t had time to write, been working day and night lots of the •..time. Hope to get a rest soon, and sure wish it would come soon. Had to write this letter on Salvation Army paper, the only kind I could get. They were the first to reach us boys at the front. They set up in a town where twen-ty-four hours before it was to hot for a rat to live in. I have been over a whole lot of “No Man’s Land,’’ but the (Huns have turned, and say, their dugouts look like they intended to live in them all their lives. Guess they changed their minds as you can see in the papers. Soiq/ sights here where they have fegen fighting so long, mud, trenches,' ’tfarbpfl wire, shell holes and crosses. I wish you could see me writing this. The paper is all the time sliding off my knee, and outside 1 can hear them old guns giving the Germans iron rations to eat tonight. Say, Bill, wish you would have seen me the first time I was under shell fire. I tried to hide under my steel helmet. Say, an old six-seven don’t sound good coming through the air, Bim! Bim! Bang! You’ll either duck or it is sure you will fall fiat. They don’t sound so bad to me now, but they are never welcome. Haven’t had any pay since I arrived, but hope pay day comes this month. Money goes pretty quick if you can get to a place to spend it. Saw a boy from my home town (Indianapolis) the other day that had been hit by a sniper, the bullet went through both arms and he was expecting to go home soon. He will get $57.60 a month and a nurse to see that he arrives -O. K. I like the French' fine but everything is different. Say, the Red Cross nurses and things are sure great. You don’t know how much a fellow appreciates their little gifts. I was up to the base the other,day, and say,

you’d ought to hear the boys argue 1 about who had the best mothers, it is sure laughable, but they generally ended it up in a fist fight if I an officer isn’t near. Well, I’ll have to close as my candles getting low. Don’t forget to write often. I will when I can. News from the U. S. A. sure is better than eating. Best regards to all. As ever, PVT. CHARLES D. LANDIS, Co. 8., A. E. F. Floyd Parks Fighting the Huns At Front. Private Lloyd Parks writes the following interesting letter to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Parks: France, Sept. 10, 1918. Dear Folks:— We have just been issued blue envelopes and as this is Dad’s birthday, will write you to let you know I am feeling fine and wish Dad a lot more birthdays. I have been the front a little more than two weeks and as there hasn’t been much excitement, I can only tell you about myself. We get good eats and have dandy barracks for our sleeping quarters, so you see lam not in such a bad place. I wish all the fellows were located as good as we are. Of course, we don’t have every want gratified but we get along far better than 1 ever hoped. Am writing this in a French Y. M. C. A. and the room is full of them. They are a dandy people and wish I could talk French. I can say a few words and hope to learn more. I saw a Frenchman tackle four German planes the other day and shall try and tell you about it. I had been out on a fatigue detail and had come back to camp for dinner. Had just finished when we saw five airplanes high above us. One was a large plane and turned out to be a French observation plane. Observation planes carry two men, the pilot and the observer They are not as speedy as the fighting planes, and with that disadvantage besides being outnumbered, the Frenchmen had little chance to get away. He was doing dives and loop the loop and everything he could, but one German got a straight drive at him and shot the pilot once through the chest and one shot through the face. It must have killed him instants ly. The observer climbed from his seat over into the pilot’s and brought the ipachine down. He lost control of it when about fifty feet from the ground and it broke the wings and wrecked it some but not beyond repair. He lit about aunile from camp and I was one of (the! first to get there. The observer! wakjft hurt but fainted when he pilot had been killed. He had to have some nene to have done what he did and I was norry he did not land \yithout break'ng the machine. It was a terrible thing to see as there was blood all over the machine and a hole in the pilot’s face about as big as a half dollar. I was sorry it couldn’t have been a German as the battle in the air was very interesting and was the first we have had a chance to see. We went back to our work and nothing happened that afternoon. When we came in and had our supper we were in line to sign the pay roll, when two shells came over and bursted not far from us. One piece of shrapnel hit just a few feet from us and was hot when picked up. Now I don’t claim to be a hero and am not a coward, but if a few shots as close as those two were come again, I won’t be there. We have shrapnel proof dugouts and I surely will use one of them the next time.

The other evening we had a dandy entertainment. Three "ladies and a man, all working for the Y. M. C. A., gave us an hour or two of good music and readings. Naturally we all enjoyed them very much as we never get to see any women and hear very little music. This would be an ideal place if a fellow could get into a city ' occasionally, as just lying around gets monotonous and a fellow hardly knows what to do to kill time. We play ball and I read a great deal but there isn’t much else to do. Am to help in the kitchen tomorrow, and it is the first time since I have been here I have had the job. Just have to wash pans, carry water and anything the cook tells you to do. Am going to write one or two other letters and enclose them in this envelope and you can mail them for me. When you answer this letter, give me some of the fellows’ addresses, as I may be close to some of them. Stewart is getting along fine and we are upholding the honor and dignity of Jasper county, as Dr. Loy asked us to do. Am getting tired trying to write when I can’t think of anything to say so will close for this time. I will no doubt have something of interest to write before I receive an answer to this, but don’t expect too much, because of the censor. Don’t worry about me as I was never better in my life. Hope you folks are all well and prospering. Lots of love to all, and tell the kiddies I’ll write to them before long. Regards to all the fellows. Write when you have time. Haven’t heard from you up to date. Have my mail sent to the following address.' PVT. LLOYD S. PARKS, Bat. E, 42 Art. C. A. C., A. E. F. “Doc” Shoemaker Writes From France. Charles Jacks has received the following letter from E. E. Shoemaker,

who is with the American Expeditionary Forces in France: « Somewhere in France, October 16, 1918. Dear Friend Charles:— I received a letter from the Main Garage a few days ago and I had the pleasure of reading a line from you, which came with the said letter, so by your request I will do my best and try and return an answer to you. This leaves your old friend “Doc” in No Man's Land somewhere in France, and still able to kick and take care of three meals a day. I was sorry to hear of your bad luck, but don’t let it get the best of you, for that is what we call luck, lucky to be alive. I have been in the hospital since Sept. 26th, but I ydll be out by the time you read this letter I was cure glad to hear from you and the Main, and tell N. C. and A. E. that that letter was the most interesting letter I have read since I have been in France, and I found so much pleasure in reading it that I read it twice.

Well, Charles, how is business since I left? I say I have missed you more than once and if you was here I would have a shave this morning, as I have a week’s crop on now. The French cut hair and shave like we would cut weeds—cut what you can and pull the rest, and there is no sport in that, I say. How are all the rough necks and my old time friends cutting things now days? Have they missed me or not? Well, Charles, I have written almost all the news I can for this time, so you can have the pleasure of reading one letter from France even if there is not much news in it, but you can have some enjoyment put of it, anyway. I suppose these are quiet times around old Rensselaer now, but it will come to life again in the future, I think. Well, I think I had better close by sending my best regards to you all, and I will say good-bye. Yours sincerely, “DOC.” P. S.—My address is Private E. E. Shoemaker, 16th Co., 4th Rgt, Air Service Mechanics, American Expeditionary Forces. A. P. O. 723.