The history of Company B, 311th Infantry in the World War
History
The history of Company B, 311th Infantry in the World War
United States. Army. Infantry. 311th regiment, 1917-1919. Co. B; World War, 1914-1918 -- Regimental histories -- United States
I stumbled down the ramp into Bn. Hdqrs., where I found Maj. Odom,
Foulkes, Strawbridge and Lt. Col. Budd, to whom I reported. Capts.
Markewick and Laing, of “I” and “L” Cos., were also there. Thinking the
position in front was strongly held by the enemy, the idea was to send
these companies up at dawn behind a rolling barrage to re-establish
the outpost line. I was glad to tell them that this was unnecessary,
and they later strolled on up in single file and occupied our old line
without a single casualty.
Major Odom in turn told me that Lt. Dunn with most of the 1st and 2nd
platoons had already come in, and had been sent to the kitchen for
chow. Louis Foulkes gave me some water and a couple of doughnuts, which
I was nearly too sleepy to eat.
I had to report to Regimental Hdq. then, and rehash the day’s
operations; but all I remember is that Capt. Brennan gave me some grape
jam and bread and water, and the regimental surgeon swabbed my shoulder
with iodine. I have some hazy recollection of the Colonel himself
pulling a blanket over me, though this may not be correct.
Late next morning I woke up to be greeted by Strawbridge with the
news that our travel orders had come, and we--he, Capt. Brennan, and
myself--were directed to be at Langres--wherever that was--by October
1st.
As soon as possible I rejoined the company, which had been stationed at
Brigade Reserve with the remnants of D Co. We had about 50 men left,
not counting 20 who were on various special details. Sgt. Wilson and
the cooks fed us like lords, and we made up for the past week. Big
shells landed around occasionally, but it was a Philadelphia Sunday
compared to what we had just left.
The company was reorganized as a platoon, with Lt. Dunn in command and
Reid as top sergeant. We slept in pillboxes or gun emplacements, or
anywhere else where there was a bit of shelter.
The next day I said goodby to the company for six weeks, as I thought.
There were rumors that the Bulgarians were nearly done, and the
Austrians weakening; but I don’t think that anyone dreamed that the
armistice was only six weeks off. I stopped off one night with Sgt.
Stiles to write up the company records, and finally boarded a motor
truck for Toul.
From this point the history is taken up by Lt. Gardenier, Sgt. Stiles,
Sgt. Peter and Sgt. Tracy White.
CHAPTER VII
MEUSE-ARGONNE
Sept. 28th: Today the company commander left the company, leaving
same in charge of Lt. Dunn, the only officer left. He reorganized
the company--two platoons of about 40 men each was our strength. We
remained in reserve in the Bois des Grandes positions until the night
of October 4th. It was during this period that rumors of the enemy
countries, Bulgaria, Turkey and Austria having quit reached us, causing
a great deal of discussion and doing much to keep the morale at its
highest. Sergeant Reid left for Officers’ Training School.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account