Meuse – Argonne Campaign
U.S. Army Signal Corps photograph, from National Archives.
U.S. Army Signal Corps photograph, from National Archives.
U.S. Army Signal Corps photograph, from National Archives.
U.S. Army Signal Corps photograph, from National Archives.
On 3 October, in preparation for a new attack, the 32D was ordered to relieve the 91ST Division, to its left. The 32D was then relieved of part of its sector of the front on the right by the 3D Division, which had come up the night before to take the place of the 79TH Division. By the morning of the 4th, the 64TH Brigade was in the line on the left and the 63D was adjacent to the right. When the 64TH Brigade completed its relief of the 91ST Division, the famous 1ST Division was on their left, the American Expeditionary Force veterans had come in as the right division of another Corps at about the same time.
On 4 October, the 64TH Brigade wrested control of the village of Gesnes from the Germans, but they could not occupy it. The German garrison of the village departed during a punishing artillery barrage. After the defenders left and before the Americans could occupy it, the Germans laid down a heavy artillery barrage of their own. So the town remained part of No Man’s Land and was the subject of combat patrols of both sides. Gesnes had been a rest area behind the German front line in the Argonne, so it contained comfortable cottages, a casino with a bandstand, a beer garden and various associated places of amusement. It was said that both the Americans and Germans liked to patrol around the village because the beer garden stock had not been entirely destroyed by the avalanche of artillery from both sides.
U.S. Air Service photograph, from U.S. Official Pictures of the World War.
On the morning of 5 October, the 64TH Brigade attacked in a northeasterly direction toward the southeastern edge of the Bois de la Morine (Morine woods). The Bois de la Morine bristled with well emplaced machine gun nests, which were adequately protected from the effects of the Allied artillery. For this operation, the 64TH Brigade was echeloned in depth, the 127TH Infantry having 3 battalions in the line closely supported by the 128TH Infantry, which followed the attack with one battalion behind the other. On the right of the Division sector the 63D Brigade also attacked, with the 126TH in the front line and the 125TH supporting. Gas and flame troops and tanks were assigned to the attacking units, and were used to assist the doughboys. The Bois de la Morine was overwhelmed and its machine gun nests cleaned up. The direction of the attack was then changed to the north, with the idea of reducing the Bois du Chêne Sec. Considerable, determined resistance was met with in these woods, and hand-to-hand fighting developed when our men followed the barrage into the thick undergrowth and found that the enemy had not yet had enough. The Bois du Chêne Sec was finally mopped up and remained securely in our hands, but further advance became impossible because of the strong position on Hill 255 and Hill 269. During the attack on 5 October, the 127TH Infantry was relieved in the front line by the 128TH, and on the night of 5-6 October, the 126TH Infantry was relieved by the 125TH. Both of the retiring regiments had suffered heavily in their struggle to advance, and the supporting troops were pushed in to give the Division the punch to carry on the attack in case a further forward movement seemed advisable.
During the next two days the 64TH Brigade strove to reduce the strong points which had halted the advance. Extra efforts were directed at obstinate German positions directly in front of the point of liaison between the 32D and 1ST Divisions. Finally, through the efforts of brave combat troops on both sides of the corps dividing line, the worst of the obstacles were removed. Meanwhile, the 125TH Infantry gave its attention to small patches of woods on its immediate front, which were unusually heavily garrisoned with cunningly arranged machine gun nests which proved to be invulnerable to artillery fire. After considerable effort, these nests were cleaned up.
PVT William A. Jacobson, from Viroqua, Wis., a soldier in the Medical Detachment, 128TH Inf., was KIA in this attack near Gesnes, France, on 7 October 1918, and was posthumously awarded the DSC for his actions that day. PVT Jacobson’s citation reads: “When his battalion was forced to retire under heavy artillery and machine-gun fire, Private Jacobson went out in front of the line, administering first aid and bringing in the wounded who had been left lying in exposed positions. While so engaged he received two wounds, the second of which caused his death before he could reach the aid station.”
U.S. Air Service photograph, from U.S. Official Pictures of the World War.
U.S. Air Service photograph, from U.S. Official Pictures of the World War.
On the morning of 9 October 1918, the assault began. Our troops closely followed the artillery barrage right up to the wire. On the right, the 126TH Infantry, supported by tanks, succeeded in breaking through and reached the southern outskirts of Romagne. On the left, one battalion of the 125TH Infantry fought its way to the top of Hill 258. Along the rest of the front, the attack was stopped by organized positions about 1 km south of Romagne.
The fighting continued on 10 October and after repeated efforts, the 125TH Infantry captured one of the outlying defenses of La Cote Dame Marie and held it in spite of the efforts of the enemy to loosen our grip. La Cote Dame Marie was the name given to a hill that lay immediately in the path of the 32D Division and seemed to effectually bar further progress. It was flanked by similar crests and the approaches were regarded as extremely difficult. It was one of these smaller crests which the 125TH took on 10 October and to which they clung with so much tenacity. On the right, the 126TH Infantry had advanced to the Tranchée de la Mamelle, an important bulwark in the Kriemhilde Stellung. In this deep and well-fortified trench, the 126TH met the enemy in a hand-to-hand conflict and succeeded in occupying a part of the system. In the center of the line, the enemy held firm and succeeded in turning back every effort the Americans made to storm the approaches to the trench.
U.S. Air Service photograph, from U.S. Official Pictures of the World War.
The attack began at 0530 hours on 14 October 1918. A barrage was laid down on the enemy trench system along the entire front and held there for 5 minutes, while our troops moved forward as close to the wire as possible. When the barrage lifted, the Americans flung themselves at the German positions and sought to tear through the tangle of wire and trench wreckage before the German Infantry could get into action. The battalion of the 126TH had the best luck, springing forward from its position on Hill 258 it surged through the wire and closely followed the barrage as it advanced toward its first objective. On the right, the 128TH succeeded in getting through the trenches south of Romagne and by skillful maneuvering, virtually surrounded the town and established a line on the northern outskirts. The 128TH had been forced to avoid the town in its rush ahead and, accordingly, mopping-up parties were sent into the village from the 125TH, which was following in support, ready to take advantage of such a situation. About 200 prisoners were taken by the 125TH in the village. On the left, the 127TH was flinging itself in vain against the impregnable defenses of the hills that flank La Cote Dame Marie. The artillery preparation had not cut up the wire and the first wave that dashed over the top as the barrage was lifted found itself caught in the impassable tangle. Into this wire, strong enemy groups poured withering machine gun fire and effectually halted all efforts of the 127TH advance. While La Cote Dame Marie was successfully resisting every effort at a frontal conquest, her doom was being sealed by the battalion of the 126TH, which had been the first to break through the line in the morning. This battalion drove straight forward, concealed and protected from view of the Cote, and passed the hill on the right. Its objective was north of the Cote, it reached it and extended its position to the right to meet the 128TH. The support battalion of the 126TH sent a mopping-up party to make a turning movement to the left and attacked the defenders of the Cote from the flank. In the meantime, the 127TH had recognized the futility of trying to take the position from the front and accordingly began to maneuver around the German right flank. This effort was successful and as a result of being outflanked on both sides, the defenders of the German stronghold were forced to give up.
On 14 October, Sgt. Christ Reinhardt, acting 1st Sgt. of Co. C, 127TH Inf., and Pvt. Frank Zorman, orderly to Co. C’s Commander, Capt. Paul W. Schmidt, captured 7 Germans during the fighting at Cote Dame Marie. They turned the prisoners over to a runner heading toward the rear and the two Soldiers resumed the advance. Unfortunately they were in turn taken POW by another, larger group of Germans. When interrogated by a German officer about his Battalion’s strength, Sgt. Reinhardt convinced him that the 1ST Bn., 127TH Inf. was at its full strength of 1,000 men, when it had actually been reduced to about 100 men. Reportedly the German officer was convinced and, alarmed by this revelation, subsequently ordered his own unit to withdraw. Sgt. Reinhardt and Pvt. Zorman were initially detained at Montmédy, France for about a month until they were moved to a large POW camp at Baden, Germany. On 9 December the prisoners boarded a train to return to France, via Switzerland. They were given three options, rejoin their original unit, transfer to another unit, or return home. Sgt. Reinhardt and Pvt. Zorman chose the latter. [added 4 Apr. ’16, TPB]
Sgt. Christ Reinhardt was born John Christ Reinhardt on 10 Aug. ‘97 at Russia; his family emigrated in ’02. He enlisted in Co. C, 2D Wis. Inf., Wisconsin National Guard, at Sheboygan, WI on 23 Mar. ’16, or possibly ’15. He was promoted to Cpl. on 26 Jul. ’16 and served during Mexican Border Crisis. He was promoted to Sgt. in Jul. ’17 and was assigned to Co. C, 127TH Inf. when the 32D Div. was organized. Sgt. Reinhardt rescued Pfc. William ‘Happy’ Melger on 1 September near Juvigny. Pfc. Melger was WIA by machinegun fire twice within a short span of time while seeking cover, Reinhardt ran out through the machinegun fire to drag Melger into a shelter. Reinhardt became acting 1st Sgt. of Co. C on 7 October, after 1st Sgt. Leo Marks was WIA. After his release from the POW camp, described above, and his return to the U.S., he was discharged on 23 Apr. ’19. According to some references, it was around 17 Jun. ’19 by the time he returned home to Sheboygan. He served in post-war WNG and was a 1st Lt. in Co. F, 127TH Inf. at Sheboygan, WI, when it received federal recognition on 3 Jun. ‘20 during the post-war reorganization of 32D Div. He assumed command of Co. F, 127TH Inf. on 6 Sep. ‘23, succeeding Capt. Eitel F. Meyer. Capt. Reinhardt resigned his commission in Jan. ‘25. He married Esther M. (Herman or Conrad) and was father of four children. He passed away 2 Jun. ‘75 at Sheboygan, WI, at age 77 and lies interred at Wildwood Cemetery, Sheboygan, WI. [added 4 Apr. ’16, TPB]
Pvt. Frank Zorman was born on 31 Oct. ‘92 at Kranj, Slovenia. He enlisted in Co. C, 2D Wis. Inf., Wisconsin National Guard, at Sheboygan, WI, and was Pfc. in that unit during Mexican Border Crisis. He was assigned to Co. C, 127TH Inf. when the 32D Div. was organized and served as orderly to Capt. Paul W. Schmidt, Co. C’s Commander. Pvt. Zorman avoided death or injury on 6 October when a German shell demolished a cottage used by the unit. Several unit members were KIA or WIA, but he emerged unscathed. He was WIA, gassed, at some point during the war. He returned home to Sheboygan after his release from the POW camp, described above. He enlisted in USMC on 6 Jan. ’21; he did not have to complete basic training due to his World War service. He was promoted to Cpl. in Mar. ’22. He was home for 30-day leave in Sheboygan ca. Sep. ‘24, having returned from nearly 3 years stationed in Haiti. While home on leave he told the local newspaper he intended to leave the USMC at the completion of his 4-year enlistment in Jan. ’25. He must have changed his mind because some references state he served 25 years in USMC, including service during WWII. He moved from Sheboygan to Florida ca. ’65. He passed away on 9 Feb. ‘73 at New Smyrna Beach, FL at age 80 and lies interred at Arlington National Cemetery. [added 4 Apr. ’16, TPB]
By the morning of 15 October, the 127TH had moved its line over La Cote Dame Marie, establishing liaison with the 126TH on the right and its own flanking detachment from the day before on the left. This detachment had also made contact with the 42D Division which had come up to the new lined reached by the 32D. This completed the establishment of the new front and completed the penetration of the Kriemhilde Stellung. The line extended from a point about ½ km north of Romagne to 300 meters north of La Cote Dame Marie. Although the great attack had been successful and the objectives gained, fighting continued through 15-19 October to reduce several advantageous German positions that remained on our front.
Maj. Henry Root Hill, from Quincy, Illinois, and commander of the 2D
Bn., 128TH Inf., earned the DSC, bestowed posthumously, while
leading his unit and personally attempting to capture a German machinegun nest
on 16 October 1918 near Romagne-sous-Montfaucon. He was KIA during the event. More information about him and his medal can be
found on the roster
of DSC recipients, as well as below. [updated 22 Dec. ’14,
TPB]
Until three months before his death, he had been Brig. Gen. Henry R. Hill, an Illinois National Guard officer in command of the 65TH Infantry Brigade, 33D ‘Prairie’ Division. He had been promoted to Brig. Gen. on 2 Dec. ‘14 at age 38, one of the youngest to ever attain that rank. He was relieved by Maj. Gen. George Bell, Jr., 33D Div. Cdr., during a training exercise in the British sector on 13 Jul. ‘18 “under circumstances so abasing and trivial that their very triviality suggests premeditated spite. (S. Moore 50)” Such was the degree of Maj. Gen. Bell’s vindictiveness toward his subordinate that the mere act of relieving him of his command was not degrading enough. He actually had his chief of staff, Col. William K. Naylor, go out and place Brig. Gen. Hill, a friend of Col. Naylor, under arrest that day. When he asked his friend why he was being arrested, his friend could offer no reason. When he sent a letter to Maj. Gen. Bell later that day to ask why he was relieved, he received no immediate or direct response. [added 22 Dec. ’14, TPB]
“There was no reply for several days,
but at length it was made known that the Division Commander had seen “several”
men not wearing the prescribed iron hats. In any event it was a hot day, the
maneuver wholly theoretical, but from papers still available it would appear
that of the 7000 men composing the brigade, the offenders observed by General
Bell consisted of a few men of the Signal Corps detachment who had been away at
a service school until immediately prior to the beginning of the maneuver, and
another soldier, subsequently identified as on a liaison mission from the 66th
Brigade.
“That similar lapses occurred in other divisional
units, notably an entire regiment of engineers, there are officers who will
testify today, but no other unit commanders save the senior regimental
commander who succeeded to command the 65th Brigade were called to account.
Colonel Charles H. Greene, however, was restored to duty, though subsequently
detailed to the S. O. S., but with rank unimpaired.
“It was thus that General Hill was
separated from his command. Disregarding the picayunish detail of the excuse
for the action, conceding the legal right under military law for the Division
Commander to rid himself of a disliked subordinate, there is apparent a
rankling humiliation entirely uncalled for which would have prompted a man of
lesser ideals to feel himself well out of such an Army, or more practicably to
raise hob with the home politicos to exert Washington influence.” (S. Moore 51) [added 22 Dec.
’14, TPB]
In all likelihood, Maj. Gen.
Bell, a Regular Army officer, simply did not like Brig. Gen. Hill, a National
Guard officer, but he could not very well use that for a reason to replace
him. Although it was no surprise that
the man who succeeded him as commander of the 65TH Inf. Bde. was a Regular Army officer.
To some, he did offer the vague excuse “that Hill lacked sufficient
military education and experience, (Nenninger
25)”
but that is a thinly veiled excuse at best.
True, Hill did not have an extensive military education, but few
National Guard officers were afforded that opportunity at the time and, then as
now, military education does not guarantee competent, effective leaders. Brig. Gen. Hill did have considerable experience
and was admired by many of his peers, including Regular Army officers he had
served with earlier as well as British officers his unit was training with at
the time he was relieved. Some believe
the British offered Hill a brigadier billet when they learned he had been
relieved, but there does not appear to be a written record of that offer. [added 22 Dec. ’14, TPB]
Hill had been offered the
choice of returning to the U.S. and being separated as a brigadier general, or
be assigned a colonel billet in the Service of Supply. He turned down the former outright and is
said to have responded to the later stating he “would rather serve as a private
soldier in the front lines than as a colonel in the rear. (S. Moore 52)” He accepted a
commission as Maj. on 29 Aug. ‘18 and was assigned as commander of 2D
Bn., 128TH Inf. The commander
of the 128TH Inf. Regt. was Col. Robert B. McCoy, who had served
with Hill before. [added 22 Dec. ’14,
TPB]
“There was an odd coincidence in his
being assigned to Col. McCoy’s regiment.
When the Wisconsin troops went to the Border in 1916 the late Major Gen.
Robert B. McCoy was inspector of small arms practice with the rank of
major. That office was not mentioned in
the call. Later Major McCoy was sent to
Camp Wilson to act as assistant chief of staff prior to the march from San
Antonio to Austin and return. When the
march was concluded there was no longer any need of the assistant chief.
“Illinois was in the same division and
Brig. Gen. Hill had a vacancy on his staff.
Major McCoy was assigned to Hill’s brigade as adjutant. In France, Hill, as a major, served under
McCoy when the latter was colonel of the 128th.” (“Went Over Sea” 2) [added 22 Dec. ’14, TPB]
U.S. Army Signal Corps photograph, from U.S. Official Pictures of the World War.
U.S. Army Signal Corps photograph, from U.S. Official Pictures of the World War.
U.S. Army Signal Corps photograph, from U.S. Official Pictures of the World War.
U.S. Army Signal Corps photograph, from U.S. Official Pictures of the World War.
During this period it had rained almost continuously, the fields were knee deep in mud and the nights were always raw and cold. There was scarcely an hour of the day or night that they were not under fire. The struggle was over the most difficult terrain that any soldiers in the Great War were ever asked to conquer. There were commanding hills where the enemy could make his stand, deep, open ravines that he swept with machine guns and filled with gas, patches of weeds tangled with wire and covered by machine guns, open spaces where the enemy had perfect observation which could only be crossed with heavy losses. The enemy was well supplied with machine guns and artillery. He was familiar with every detail of the country where the fighting took place. During these three weeks the Division had 6,046 losses from all causes, including: 1,179 killed and died of wounds, 1006 severely wounded, 3,321 slightly wounded, 554 gassed, 149 missing. In the approach and penetration of the Kriemhilde line the 32D Division met and vanquished 11 German Divisions, including the 5TH Prussian Guards, the 3D Prussian Guards, the 28TH Division (known as the “Kaiser’s Own”), the 37TH, 52D, 115TH, 39TH, 123D, 236TH, 41ST and 13TH Divisions. During this time the 79TH, 3D and 5TH Divisions had occupied the sector on our right and the 91ST, 1ST and 42D Divisions the sector on our left. The 32D Division had captured 28 officers and 1,067 men, 2 pieces of heavy artillery, 6 pieces of light artillery, 51 trench mortars, 50 machine guns and 800 rifles. The total depth of advance was 8 1/2 km.
The Division remained in reserve of V Corps until 1 November 1918, when it was transferred to III Corps, on the eve of the renewal of the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. When the 89TH, 90TH and 5TH Divisions jumped off in the big attack and started their successful drive up the left bank of the Meuse, the 32D followed them in close support and ready to go to the relief of any one of them.
The 57TH Field Artillery Brigade, which had supported the 79TH in the opening of the Meuse-Argonne Offensive on 26 September, remained in the sector when the 3D Division relieved the 79TH, until the 3D’s artillery could get into position. During this time other artillery units were supporting the 32D. On 7 October the 57TH reverted to the 32D and supported their comrades of “Les Terribles” until the 89TH took over their front. In spite of its long tour of duty and its heavy losses in horses, the 57TH Brigade was held in the line to support the 89TH Division and fired in the barrage that opened the 1 November attack. But now, as the First Army surged forward in victory, the 57TH Brigade was without the motive power to follow, and was withdrawn for refitting. The 158TH Artillery Brigade temporarily took the place of the 57TH.
On 4 November the 5TH Division, which was fighting on the right flank of the III Corps front, forced a crossing of the river at Dun-sur-Meuse and formed a bridgehead there. Now an effort would be made to link up with the French and American divisions which had been driving up the right bank of the river, but considerably behind the III Corps front. The 5TH Division, however, was too widely dispersed on its front to make the contact required on its right flank. So, on the night of 5 November the Corps ordered the 32D Division to send a regiment to report to the 5TH Division for use in support of the right flank. The 128TH was designated for this duty and crossed the Meuse that night. On 6 November the 128TH was in position on the right flank of the 5TH but the desired contact was still not made. On 7-8 November the 128TH attacked, capturing the town of Brandeville and finally connecting with the 17TH French Colonial Division.
On 6 November, Col. Joseph B. Westnedge, commander of the 126TH Inf., after several days of urging by the Regt. Surgeon and other officers, was admitted to hospital for “severe cold, aggravated by gas burns of the lungs, had brought on bronchitis and kindred diseases that made it imperative that he receive medical attention without delay.” He was succeeded in command by Lt. Col. Henry A. Meyer on 6 Nov. ‘18. Lt. Col Meyer was relieved of command on 8 Nov. ‘18, succeeded by Lt. Col. Elliot Caziarc, who had been appointed 2nd in command of the 126TH Inf. on 5 Nov. ‘18 but was not immediately available on 6 Nov. [added 14 Jul. ’15, TPB]
Col. Westnedge was evacuated to Base Hosp. No. 11 at Nantes on 11 Nov. ‘18. He DD on 29 Nov. ‘18, “pneumonia and other complications induced by gas burns.” He was the highest ranking casualty of the Div. during the war and was posthumously bestowed with the Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star Citation, and Croix de Guerre. Refer to the Division Roll of Honor for additional information about him. [added 14 Jul. ’15, TPB]
On 9 November orders were received for the remainder of the 32D Division to cross the Meuse and go into the line in the sector the 128TH was holding, between the 5TH Division and the 17TH French Colonials. The 32D crossed on the pontoon bridge during the night of 9 November. The 128TH reverted to the 32D and went into the line on the right of the new Division sector with the 127TH on the left.
The attack was set for 0600 hours on 10 November 1918. Information from Corps stated that the Germans were retreating, so the Division accordingly went into battle in pursuit formation. The 64TH Brigade furnished the advance guard, while the 63D Brigade, with most of the artillery and the divisional troops, made up the main body. A heavy fog hid the advance. The 1ST Battalion of the 128TH, which was leading the column, made rapid progress. They encountered enemy troops almost at once, but fought their way through the Bois Pommepre and part way up a hill called the Cote de Mont. A combat liaison group on the right, which was there to maintain contact with the French Colonials, advanced even farther.
At about this time the fog lifted and the 128TH discovered that instead of pursuing a fleeing enemy they had fought their way right into the middle of a strong German position which the enemy apparently had no intention of abandoning. The fog had prevented the Germans from effectively defending their works, and the only clashes of the early morning had occurred when our advancing doughboys happened on groups of the enemy. As the mist cleared the advanced guard found itself surrounded by German machine gun nests, which the 128TH had passed by in the thick morning fog. The German artillery, hearing the sudden rattle of machine guns, opened up with a barrage where the front line ought to have been, and the Americans, seeing shells bursting to their rear, thought their own artillery was falling short. It was immediately apparent that liaison had been lost on both the left and right, and that neither the 127TH on the left nor the French Colonials on the right had been able to advance as rapidly as the 128TH. Our men were almost completely surrounded, unable to go ahead against an opposition that was showing increasing strength, subjected to a galling flanking fire by machine guns where they were, and confronted with the alternative of filtering back through a barrage that they feared was thickened by both their own and the enemy artillery. But in a pinch they proved themselves veterans, and in good order made their way back to a position on a line with the units on the right and left.
In the meantime the 127TH on the left had moved forward cautiously, encountering considerable machine gun resistance, which increased as the troops advanced. As they approached the River Thinte, minenwerfers made further gains impossible and they organized to hold the line, having gained 3 km during the day.
By nightfall it was apparent that the information that the enemy was retreating was erroneous, and arrangements were immediately made to adopt different tactics. Reports coming back from divisions on our right and left indicated that they too had been able to make little progress and that they too had found that the enemy was not retreating. The artillery, which had been coming into position all day, was informed of the conditions that the 128TH had encountered and the positions that were holding up the 127TH. Fire was ordered on points of apparent enemy strength and plans were made for a formal attack to dislodge the enemy. The Division Commander made a personal reconnaissance of the front line to verify reports of the situation and, after conferring with the commanders of the front line troops, a plan of action for the next day was decided upon. The Corps issued instructions to continue operations on 11 November, and preparation for an attack to occur at 0700 11 November were perfected early in the evening of 10 November. Orders were issued to the artillery to keep up a heavy barrage during the night that was to increase in volume early in the morning and gather into a barrage to precede the scheduled advance of the infantry.
Out in front the troops were tired and cold and wet and miserable. During the day the 128TH’s casualties had been heavy and the morale had not been improved by the unfortunate foray in the fog. The 127TH had spent the night before on a long hike over horrible roads to get into position and the day had been spent in a struggle against a wicked machine gun resistance. Most of the night of 10-11 November was spent getting units into position to go over the top in another drive.
When daybreak came on 11 November 1918, the units of the 32DDivision were ready, all set to deliver one of the blows for which “Les Terribles” were becoming more and more famous. Finally, the last relief was verified, the last reports that all was in readiness had been sent back to regimental and brigade headquarters. Overhead the preparatory fire of our artillery was shrieking toward the German lines and the enemy, conscious of the impending attack, was raining shells on where he thought our assault troops might be forming and on the back areas where the support troops were concentrated, ready to follow up the shove. At 0630 officers in command of the take-off line were issuing their last instructions. Fifteen minutes later they were looking at their wrist watches, with the calm deliberation of veterans who had a day’s work ahead of them, a day’s work the like of which they had done before, a disagreeable, dangerous day’s work, but it was all in a day’s work – “c’est la Guerre!”
Five minutes to seven! The men started to stir around, getting a toehold for the take-off, shaking their equipment into place, and gripping their guns. Seven o’clock and some of them were off, over the top. Others had been stopped just in the nick of time, and after the advancing skirmish lines of those who had gotten away went panting runners from headquarters with the magic words:
“FINIS LA GUERRE!”
In spite of this, the Roll of Honor of the 32D Division contains the names of many of its soldiers who were killed in action on 11 November 1918. In the evening of the Armistice Day, General Haan, in a letter to his wife, wrote: “This morning we resumed the attack at 6:30 which we had stopped last night after dark. At 7 we received orders to stop the battle. That was some job too. We got it stopped entirely at 10:45, just 15 minutes before the armistice went into effect. One of my chaplains was killed at 10:40. Hard luck!”
That Chaplain’s name was 1st Lt. William F. Davitt, from Chicopee, MA, Chaplain of the 125TH Infantry. Chaplain Davitt became the 32D Division’s last KIA of the war when he fell at 1040 hours on 11 Nov. ’18 near the Regt. CP at Écurey. There are numerous, varied stories regarding the time and circumstances of his death. Some sources state the time was 1100, 1045 or 0945 hours. The cause of death ranges from sniper to artillery shrapnel. Of those which state artillery, some claim he was killed by the last German shell fired in the war, which is not likely. Some references state he was killed when he poked his head above the trench to wave the flag, others state he had just exited the CP after presenting a flag to the Regt. Cdr., others state he had just exited the CP after retrieving the Regt. flag, still others state he had just climbed down from a tree after suspending the flag to celebrate the nearing cease fire. His battlefield funeral was officiated by Chaplain George S. L. O’Connor, who had recently been promoted from Senior Chaplain, 32D Div. to Senior Chaplain, III Corps, the two were college classmates and close friends. Some believe that he was the last American Soldier to fall on the battlefield, but that claim is disputed. It is generally accepted that he was the last American officer to be killed though.
Born 6 January or 8 December 1886 at Holyoke, MA; his family moved to Willimansett, Chicopee, MA, where he graduated Chicopee H. S. in ‘03. He graduated from the College of the Holy Cross in ‘07, where he had been a renowned football player and team captain. He also wrestled, played basketball, and accumulated numerous trophies. He was ordained at Grand Seminary, Montreal, CAN, in Dec. ‘11. Father David was the former assistant pastor of St. Ann’s Catholic Parish in Lenox, MA. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, Holyoke Council, and became a Knights of Columbus chaplain in Sep. ’17, assigned to Camp MacArthur, TX. He volunteered to serve as an Army Chaplain and was commissioned 1st Lt. ca. 6 Nov. ’17. Originally assigned to the 120TH Machine Gun Battalion, he was later assigned as regimental chaplain for the 125TH Infantry. Chaplain Davitt earned Distinguished Service Cross or Distinguished Service Medal for his efforts along the Vesle River on 6 Aug. ‘18; he organized and led a group of volunteers to rescue 40 wounded Soldiers isolated in a ravine. He also earned Croix de Guerre with palm for his actions between the Ourcq and the Vesle from 31 Jul. to 6 Aug. ‘18. He was assigned special duty of chief burial officer for V Corps on 23 Sep. ‘18 and was cited by Maj. Gen. Summerall, V Corps Cdr., “for faithful and conscientious performance of duty and for extreme coolness under shell fire in the performance of his duty as Acting Chief Burial Officer, V Corps, during the Meuse-Argonne Operations.” Chaplain Davitt also earned the Silver Star Citation on 4 Oct. ‘18 for braving heavy shell fire to bury the dead near Courmont.
His brother, 1st Lt. James L. Davitt, served as an aviator in France with the 94TH Aero Squadron, commanded by Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker. The two brothers were only five miles apart when Chaplain Davitt was killed. |
Chaplain Davitt lies interred at Calvary Cemetery, Holyoke, MA, and is also memorialized on Chaplain’s Hill at Arlington National Cemetery. He is the namesake of the William F. Davitt Post No. 625 of VFW, Davitt Square in Worcester, MA, and Knights of Columbus Father William F. Davitt Council 2412, Lenox, MA. A song or poem, “Father William Francis Davitt World War Martyr”, was composed to honor him by William Kimberley Palmer in 1934. Davitt Cottage at the Lyman School for Boys, where he had been in charge of Catholic religious instruction, was dedicated in his honor. The Davitt Memorial Bridge in Chicopee was dedicated in his honor when it was built in 1931, it was rebuilt in 2013 and rededicated in his honor on Veteran’s Day that year. [updated 18 Aug. ’15, TPB]
- Some of the other 32D Division Soldiers who died on the last day of the war:
- Pvt. Guiseppe Basta, New Haven, CT, Co. B, 121ST MG Bn., KIA;
- Pvt. Robert Blanford, West Louisville, KY, Co. A, 128TH Inf., KIA;
- Pvt. Willie Blevins, Incline, KY, Co. A, 128TH Inf., KIA;
- Sgt. Ralph B. Clemens, Dayton, OH, Btry. A, 322D FA, KIA;
- Cpl. Paul F. Cole, Fayetteville, PA, Co. D, 127TH Inf., DW;
- Pvt. Oscar M. Dahl, Thief River Falls, MN, Co. E, 128TH Inf., MIA;
- Pvt. Joseph H. Farmer, Downsville, LA, Co. C, 128TH Inf., KIA;
- Pvt. Thomas L. Foley, Clinton, MO, Co. H, 128TH Inf., DW;
- Pvt. Glenn S. Frederickson, Warsaw, IN, HQ Co., 127TH Inf., KIA;
- Pvt. Henry P. Harper, Scott, AR, Co. A, 128TH Inf., KIA;
- Pfc. Roscoe Hawkins, Murrayville, IL, Co. L, 127TH Inf., DW;
- Pvt. George Henniger, 128TH Inf., DW;
- Pvt. James McDonald, Livingston, IL, Co. D, 128TH Inf., DW;
- Pfc. Wayman J. McGregor, Abrams, WI, Co. M, 127TH Inf., WNG, KIA;
- Cpl. Hugh P. Minehan, Garrison, ND, Co. M, 127TH Inf., KIA;
- Sgt. Otto Perlick, Detroit, MI, Co. H, 128TH Inf., KIA.
- Some of the 32D Division Soldiers who were WIA on 11 November:
- Color Sgt. Percy J. Baldwin, Mich. NG, HQ Co., 126TH Inf., Grand Rapids, MI, severely WIA on 11 Nov. during German barrage of Ecurey from 1030 to 1100 hours. Percy was WIA on the last day of WWI, his son was WIA on the first day of WWII (S. Sgt. Robert H. Baldwin was wounded at Pearl Harbor). [added 8 Apr. ’18, TPB]
- 1st Lt. Gregory W. Dempsey, WNG, Co. F, 128TH Inf., Portage, WI, severely WIA and taken POW on 11 Nov. (had also been WIA in one of the Division’s earlier campaigns), passed away 24 Apr. ‘65 at CA. [added 20 Apr. ’16, TPB]
- Cpl. Clarence E. Johnson, WNG, Rhinelander, WI, Co. L, 127TH Inf., WIA on 11 Nov. and DW on 13 Nov.
- Cpl. Carl Joseph Koutnik, WNG, Kewaunee Co., WI, 128TH Inf., WIA on 11 Nov., earned Croix de Guerre, passed away 23 Jun. ‘87 at CA. [added 20 Apr. ’16, TPB]
- Pvt. Peter Marcus McDonald, WNG, MG Co., 128TH Inf., Baraboo, WI, WIA 11 Nov., DW 12 Nov. [added 28 Dec. ’18, TPB]
- Pvt. Fred Nadler, WNG, Ironton, WI, MG Co., 128TH Inf., WIA on 11 Nov., passed away 19 Mar. ‘22 (brother Emil J., WNG, Co. A, 128TH Inf., was KIA 1 Sep. ‘18) [added 20 Apr. ’16, TPB]
- Capt. Ralph Haney Perry, WNG, Algoma, WI, commander of Co. B, 128TH Inf., WIA 11 Nov. and DW on 22 Nov.
- Color Sgt. William John Walters, Mich. NG, HQ Co., 126TH Inf., Kalamazoo, MI, WIA on 11 Nov. He passed away 16 Feb. ‘62. [added 9 May ’18, TPB]
- Pfc. Dale De Vere Whitney, Mich. NG, Co. F, 107TH Sup. Tr., Grant, MI, WIA on 11 Nov. by artillery fire at 1000 hours. He DW 12 Nov. [added 6 Aug. ’18, TPB]
