HISTORY
OF THE SEVENTY SEVENTH DIVISION
Phase 2
Training in France
Infantry
For weeks rumors
ran rampant. The Division was to sail on the 10th; on the
16th; it was not to sail at all. The 10th came and went,
as did the 16th, and the men were fast becoming
disgusted, referring to themselves as a depot division,
when in the early morning of March 27, Camp Upton awoke
to the blare of spirited music and saw the first
contingent march out of camp for foreign service. How
proud they were, how well they marched, how serious their
faces. Those left behind experienced a peculiar chill,
and many a manly tear was brushed aside.
The following two
weeks saw busy Camp [Upton transformed into a deserted
village-the 77th had left. Although the departure of the
Division had been kept secret, New York seemed to know
intuitively that her Division was on its way. The office
buildings were alive with waving handkerchiefs and
thousands of whistles sounded their blatant greetings.
The boat proceeded slowly, almost reluctantly, it seemed;
the faces in the windows blurred and the Statue of
Liberty was left behind. What could be a more fortuitous
omen than the Division's own emblem smiling a "bon
chance" as the Division sailed out to sea during the
latter days of March and the first of April. Those days
marked the beginning of a series of adventures,
interesting, humorous, tragic, for which the doughboy
says, "he'd not take a million, nor give a nickel to
repeat."
In two days the
rolling of the boat bad ceased to be a novelty, and those
more vivid imaginations who were complaining of the
roughness of the sea awoke to find themselves in calm
Halifax harbor. During the day, the remainder of the
convoy arrived, and shortly before sunset, nine ships in
line steamed out of the harbor led by a United States
cruiser. A never-to-be-forgotten sight-the quaint city of
Halifax partly razed by the explosion of a few months
previous and tile vessels at anchor forming a lane
through which the convoy passed. Abreast of a British
battleship a band struck up " Over There " and
" The Star Spangled Banner. " Further along a
United States Marine band burst into "There'll Be a
Hot Time in the Old Town To night" with
characteristic Yankee vim. The faces of the men were
flushed and a new light gleamed in their eyes, for they
had found pride-pride of country and of self.
The voyage from
Halifax to England was uneventful. The food and quarters
were not all that was to be desired, but the Division had
been paid just before embarking, and an American soldier
with money is daunted by nothing. There existed a proper
awe of the German submarine, but as is generally the
case, anticipation exceeded realization and submarines
were rare. They accomplished nothing save to serve as a
diversion to an otherwise monotonous trip. Fourteen days
on water is a long time, and the shores of Ireland were a
welcome relief. The sons of Erin were much in evidence
the morning Ireland was sighted, and loud in praise of
their former home. Two hours later the cliffs of Wales
loomed up, the guardian destroyers dropped off, and
anchor was lowered in Liverpool harbor. True to form, an
English mist obscured most of the landscape, but the
neat, symmetrical rows of dwellings and the vivid green
lawns were visible.
Morning found the
Division on foreign soil. What a relief to stamp upon
good old terra firn)a again! The precious barrack-bags
being unloaded, companies were formed and marched off to
waiting trains.
" Gawd blimme
but these bloomin' Yanks can march," an admiring
cockney sang out, unconsciously furnishing a blunt
tribute to their training. The sight of the English
compartment trains evoked many humorous remarks, but the
humor ceased when the men found the compartments heatless
and lightless. Whither were they bound? The Colonel's
orderly was positive that it was Scotland, for hadn't he
heard? The General's cook was equally emphatic that it
would be Winchester, and the word of one who ministers to
the gastronomic wants of a General should be given some
weight. Dame Rumor was as usual at work. Rumors were
given birth behind the locomotive and flew through the
various cars. The possibilities were weighed pro and con,
and the consensus seemed to be that the Division would
remain in England for several weeks' training. As events
unfolded, the only acquaintance with England was obtained
by fleeting glances from a fast-moving train on a rapidly
darkening day.
During the wee sma'
hours the train pulled into darkened Dover, and the pound
of marching feet on the hard pavement had a sepulchral
ring. From the appearance of the low rambling houses
silhouetted against the sky and the narrow crooked
streets, one almost expected to see Oliver Twist saunter
out of a doorway and bid the Division welcome. Out of the
town the route led to a barracks where the men were
quartered for the night. The sun shone brightly the next
day, and the panorama of the picturesque city and harbor
lying beneath the chalk cliffs gladdened the heart. The
rumors of yesterday were thrown into the discard, and
singing joyously the men boarded the speedy little craft
which was to carry them across the Channel. The famous
Channel was every bit as rough as reputed, but the
roughness was forgotten in the eagerness to catch a first
glimpse of France. Soon the sandy shores of Calais came
into view-the red-tiled roofs, the sparkling sand, and
the verdant water forming a delightful picture.
"Sunny France" was the thought in every mind.
The Division was in
France at last, gazing in awe at the multi colored
uniforms, which pre-dominated. Every Allied nationality
was represented, French, Scotch, Belgian, English,
Moroccan, Canadian, Algerian, Australian, Italian,
Serbian, New Zealand; even the Chinese coolies who work
behind the lines wore a heterogeneous sort of uniform.
The men of the Division were just as much objects of
interest, for very few American soldiers had been in the
north of France. Marching from the dock through the city,
it became apparent that this was part of the theater of
war, though far from the firing line. The square was
obstructed by the ruins of several buildings which had
been bombed by Boche aviators a few nights before. First
impressions are lasting, and although the Division
subsequently has been bombed times innumerable, and has
been in town after town where Boche airmen "have
divided their old iron among the populace," the
sight of those destroyed buildings will remain paramount.
Here at last was war-destruction of property and life.
Here, three thousand miles from home, men, many of whom
had never wandered more than five kilometers from
Broadway and 42d Street, in the next half year were to
make history which even posterity cannot efface.
The joyous news was
passed that the Division was to go to a Rest Camp on the
outskirts of Calais. After fourteen days at sea and a
brief experience with English Hooverism, the prospect of
a sojourn at a Rest Camp loomed large. So to the Rest
Camp the Division hiked, but not to rest. No sooner were
the packs unslung than companies were formed and marched
back to Calais, where the treasured Springfield rifles
were turned in, British Enfields being issued in
exchange.
"Why Enfields?
" was the question on every side.
" The Boche has broken through, and the 77th is to
fill the gap," was Rumor's answer.
The rifles
exchanged, the blue barrack-bags, containing two complete
outfits per man, were next turned in, much to the disgust
of the various supply sergeants who had spent weeks of
pains-taking effort in issuing their contents. Back to
the Rest Camp for ten minutes' rest, followed by a hike
of eight long kilos to draw gas masks and helmets; eight
longer kilos back to camp; an overcrowded mess; then to
bed on a hard board floor, but not to sleep, for it was a
beautiful moonlight night, and the Boche aviators took
advantage of it to bomb the town. Moral: If you desire to
rest avoid all Rest Camps!!
From Calais the Division entrained for the vicinity of
Eperlecques Pas-de-Calais), where it assembled about May
6, 1918, for a month's intensive training under the
direction of the British 39th Division. Major General
George B. Duncan at this time assumed command of the 77th
Division, relieving Brigadier-General Evan Johnson, who
resumed his former command of the 154th Infantry Brigade.
Equipped with British material, further training of the
Division was soon in operation. Light Douglass
motorcycles sped from Eperlecques to the various
Regimental Headquarters. Officers who had never ridden
before learned after considerable difficulty to post on
English saddles, while those to whom equestrian feats
were second nature came into their own. Newly painted
limbers, glittering with the Division insignia, made
their daily trip to the ration dumps, and the staff cars
made their rounds of inspection. Although busily
preparing for war, war seemed very remote. Indeed, were
it not for the distant booming of the heavies, night and
day, as reminders that hostilities were in progress, one
might easily have imagined himself in the environs of
peace. These guns were in the vicinity of Ypres and
Kemmel Hill; the Dames alone were aweing at the time, and
the noise of the cannonading conjured up visions which
were later either dispelled or realized. Another and very
material reminder of war were the nightly visits of the
German aviators. They must have known that America's
First National Army Division was in France, and realizing
what a potential menace it was, attempted to cripple it
by dropping a bomb on Division Headquarters, with a
result that the first eight casualties from enemy fire
were inflicted.
The Division being
under the tutelage of the British, certain American
methods with which all were familiar were abandoned for
British methods. " In two ranks, fall in,"
"'Shun," "Smartly," " On the
Double, " were strange phrases to which was soon
added a new one, " Fed Up. It was difficult to
become accustomed to the new order and many an argument
arose between the bloomin' Yanks" and the veteran
British N. C. O.'s over the relative merit of the two
armies. In the main, differences were generously
smothered, and the men absorbed British bayonet drill and
British combat methods. It was a bit more difficult to
absorb the British ration. Tea and jam for breakfast;
jam, tea and meat for dinner; and jam, tea and cheese for
supper drew a thriving business to the local estaminets.
With the aid of pocket dictionaries and ingenious
gestures the madame was made to understand that the
famished soldier desired beaucoup oeufs, pommes-de-teffe,
and vin-rouge. At once the laws of economics were
reversed, prices no longer depended on demand and supply,
but rose steadily with the knowledge that the soldat
Americain received the fabulous sum of $1.10 per diem.
C'est la guerre.
The practical side
of warfare was taught on the drill field and on
maneuvers, but those little sidelights which bring the
"buck" private into his own were gleaned at
mess and after hours from the British officers and men
who bad participated in the "big shows" for the
past four years. Nothing delighted the British N.C. 0.
more than to recount his part in the "bloody"
war. Never were such harrowing, tales told and never was
there a more skeptical audience. Soon the officers and
the non-commissioned officers of the Division received an
opportunity to see for themselves those things about
which they had heard and read. Orders were received to
send small groups of officers and non-commissioned
officers on trips to the front-" Cook's Tours.
" They went, saw and returned, and were greeted with
a volley of questions sufficient to tax the resources of
a Field Marshal; These nascent veterans seemed to have
been most impressed by the vast amount of shelling. Used
as they were to American sports and games, they were full
of admiration for their British cousins who regarded war
as a huge sport and went to it like big game hunters.
With gas, too, of whose deadly effect they had been
warned for months previous, they were duly impressed, and
took a new and almost maternal interest in their gas
masks. One thing more, no matter how hot the battle, or
how adverse the conditions, the war must, not be
permitted to interfere with daily tea at four. To miss
tea would be little short of sacrilege, and one who did
not demand his tea must surely be just over from "
Blighty. " After listening to the various accounts
of those of their number who had been there, the men
decided that the "bloody war" was not so bad
after all -right-o.
Absorbing
British Bayonet Drill
Toward the middle
of May a rumor gained credence that the Division was to
go into the line,. Great was the discussion thereon.
"Good-bye, Girls, I'm Through" and "I Want
To Go Home" regained popularity. Contrary to
experience, an order substantiated the rumor-the Division
was going into the trenches. Farewell letters were
written, packs made up, limbers loaded with rations and
ammunition; motorcycle messengers arrived in the dead of
the night; staff cars flew from town to town; the time of
departure was fixed, and the 153d Brigade was on its way.
The 154th followed a few days later. The long, weary hike
to the trenches was counteracted by spirited singing, and
the " an revoirs " of the peasants along the
route of march.
Late afternoon saw
the Brigade in the trenches, and Division Headquarters
established in an old castle. But instead of a devastated
"No Alan's Land" crops flourished and
complacent peasants went their unmolested way in front of
the trenches-King George's trenches twenty kilos from the
firing line, and on a maneuver instead of opposed to the
Boche.
A Regimental
Headquarters Established at Wallen
The men may or may
not have been disappointed at the turn of events. At any
rate they carried out their part as though they were
really under the eyes of Boche observers, and tinder a
rain of shot and shell. For three days the Division
attacked an imaginary enemy; was driven back and
counterattacked; patrols were sent out which encountered
nothing -more hostile than a frightened calf; reliefs
were posted and "stand-to" observed; kitchens
were lost but there were eggs in abundance; altogether it
was a bon war while it lasted. The sole casualty was an
unthinking lieutenant who spread out his bedding roll
near a picket, line, and after a hard day went wearily to
sleep. Dreaming of a gas attack he a awoke to find
himself hurtling through the air and landed ten feet away
with his bedding all piled on top of' him. One of the
horses had broken away from the picket fine and its
halter chain caught in the lieu-tenant's bedding roll,
upsetting him. The mimic war proceeded, despite the
casualty. British and American staff officers advised and
criticized, bugle sounded, and the Battle of Watten was
at an end.
Given several days
to recuperate, the 154th Brigade under Brigadier-General
Johnson entrained for the area back of Arras to act as
reserve for the British 2d and 42d Divisions. Although
the stay there was unexciting, not so the trip en route.
Simultaneously with the arrival of the train at Doullens,
the Boche airmen came over in force. The trains were
halted and the train crew executed a hasty retreat to
dugouts, leaving the Brigade helpless in the cars. It did
not take long to realize that this was the real thing.
The drone of the hostile planes overhead could be plainly
heard as they circled about apparently trying to locate
the trains. Searchlights played across the sky, the
planes being brilliantly illuminated as they crossed the
paths of light. Machine guns fired from all sides with
that unmistakable "tack-tack-tack";
"archies," or anti-air-craft guns, barked and
bombs exploded with terrific reports, altogether too near
and too frequently. This was the first experience in a
concentrated air-raid and was long to be remembered. It
lasted for over an hour and ceased as suddenly as it
began. All became quiet and the trip was resumed.
The Mimic War
Proceeded
The sojourn back of
Arras included further training made interesting by the
fact that the Division was in reserve. " Jerry
" furnished diversion in the way of that absorbing
pastime which the official communiques refer to as
"searching the back areas." The German long
range guns shelled more or less at random, and the Boche
aviators came over nightly. A night's sleep was
impossible, and a new French word, " abri, "
was added to the vocabulary. This meant " dugout.
"
At last, after
weeks of hoping and endless rumors, the 153d Brigade had
completed its training in the north of France and
en-trained the same date as the 154th. The 152d Artillery
Brigade, which had been training at Camp Souge in
southern France, a little later sped northward to rejoin
the Division. The men made the most of the now famous
Hommes-40-Che-vaux 8, as comfort was of little import
compared to a real American sector. No more marmalade and
tea. No more "In two ranks, fall in" Cheery-O!
They were on their way to good old Yankee beef, bread and
cigarettes, American Y. M. C. A.'s, American methods,
and-American Comrades. At every station they were greeted
by Frenchwomen with flowers, hot drinks and cheerful
well-wishes. The middle of July found the entire Division
had assembled together for the first time since it bad
arrived in France, and had taken over a sector in
Lorraine from the Rainbow Division.
A Typical
Billet