The following is a reminiscence of the World War I military experiences of my grandfather, Ralph Ray Watts. His memory of those experiences was recorded by my grandmother, Laura Mae Wakefield Watts. I suspect some of the "editorial" comments were added by my grandmother. Her handwritten summary was later transcribed by a cousin, Cindy Pricker. The date of the original document is not known.
In attempt to put my grandfather's experiences in context with events of the American Expeditionary Forces during the war, the following narrative includes information from several additional sources. This includes an account written by Major John S. Switzer, Company D, 8th Machine Gun Battalion, an officer in my grandfather's unit. Additional information is also provided from other World War I sources regarding the events in which my grandfather was involved. In the narrative, the information in italics is from my grandparent's original document. Spellings of ship names and place names in France and Germany are as my grandmother spelled them. Information in standard print is gleaned from the other sources.
Ralph R. Watts was born in Mattawanna, Mifflin County on September 3, 1891. His father worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad as a track inspector and was killed in a job-related accident in 1907. About that time his mother moved the family to 6 South Front Street in Wormleysburg. He still lived there at the time he went into the service. There is a large cast plaque honoring the members of the community who served in WWI in the Wormleysburg Community Center and his name is included.
Ralph Watts married Laura Mae Wakefield, also from the Mattawanna area, on June 21, 1924. Shortly thereafter they moved to 417 Eutaw Street in New Cumberland. They had three children, Margaret, Ross and Ralph Jr., now all deceased. According to family stories he did not like to talk about the war and for some years suffered the effects of gas attacks. Ralph R. Watts, Sr., died on November 9, 1955.
Examined in Carlisle, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, by local draft board August 30, 1917. Reported to Carlisle, Pennsylvania ready for duty November 2, 1917. Sent to Camp Meade, Maryland, November 3, 1917. Trained in Company "C': 316 Infantry until December 12, 1917, where I was transferred to Regular Army at Camp Greene, Charlotte, North Carolina, and assigned to Company "G': 30th Infantry Remained in Company "G': 30th Infantry until February 16, 1918, when I was transferred to 3rd Division, 7th Machine Gun Battalion and assigned to Company "C". The entire Company "C': 7th Machine Gun Battalion transferred to 8th Machine Gun Battalion as Company "D" 8th Machine Gun Battalion, February 20, 1918. Remained in Company "D" Machine Gun Battalion and left Camp Greene, North Carolina, March 25, 1918 for Camp Merritt, New Jersey, arriving there March 27, 1918 where we remained until April1, 1918.
The 3rd Division was formed on November 17, 1917 and was considered a "Regular Army" unit even though it consisted of a large number of National Guard troops. It was commanded by Major General Joseph T. Hickman, a highly regarded officer and military instructor. Hickman had participated in a number of actions prior to the war including the campaign against Geronimo. The 3rd Division would become known as the "Rock of the Marne" as a result of its actions near Chateau Thierry.1
Left Camp Merritt, New Jersey, April 1, 1918 and went on board His Majesty's Ship Acquatania at noon. Pulled away from dock and out of New York Harbor at noon April 2, 1918. Had to remain below deck until we passed the 3rd mile limit. Our quarters on the Acquatania were nice, as it was at that time the largest ship afloat except for one, and we had a stateroom for four men. Every morning we went to the top deck for fresh air and physical drill, and remained there until "recall" blew at 11:00 a.m. In the afternoon we had boat drill, the signal for which was "Fire Call" on the bugle.
Had a very quiet trip except for two days off the Irish Coast, which were very rough. Landed in Liverpool, England, April 11, 1918. Disembarked and marched to the railroad station where we entrained for Southampton.
The trip across England was great and it certainly is a fine country. Landed at Southampton at 6:00 o'clock the same evening. We marched through the dark streets for more than an hour until we came to a rest camp. We remained here for two days, and got out to see some of the town, when the guard had his back turned.
Left the rest camp about 4:00p.m. April 13, 1918 for the dock to take a boat for LeHavre, France. When we boarded the boat, we found it was a cattle boat, and our "state rooms" were the stalls where the cattle had slept on the previous trip. We left the harbor after dark and were due in LeHavre before the next morning but about half way out the skipper lost his nerve and we turned back and remained in Southampton harbor all the next day and finally crossed the night of April 14, 1918 arriving at Havre about daylight April 15, 1918.
Major John S. Switzer, an officer in the company, recorded the following: "The 20th of April 1918 found Company D 8th Machine Gun Battalion in France eager to do battle. But we had no machine guns, no pistols, no carts, no animals. Moreover, our training in the good old USA had not only been too brief, but so hurried that it had resulted in a sort of mental indigestion."2
We marched through the city and landed at another rest camp. Remained here one night, and boarded train for Bricon April 16, 1918, riding all night April 16, 1918, and all day April 17, 1918 and until 4:00 a.m. April 18, 1918, when we unloaded at Bricon, France after a very tiresome ride in third class coaches. Billeted here in barns until April 25, 1918, when the Battalion moved out. Headquarters “A” and “B” companies going to Ogres, “C” Company to Pontleville and "D" Company to Aizonville, a distance of about 8 kilometers. In Aizonville, we were issued helmets, and went into training. Most of my time here was spent under a shade tree with a pair of signal flags, learning signal codes.
On May 30, 1918 the 3rd Division was assigned to the French 6th Army, under the command of General Requote. The division was split up at this time and assigned piecemeal to French units defending the Marne River during the Third Aisne. They remained on the line until July 1, 1918 but saw no real action. The entire 3rd Division was reassembled in late June and placed under American command.3
May 28, 1918, we got orders to be read)' to move at a moment's notice. Packed all our equipment and waited until 6·00 p.m. May 30, 1918 when we moved to Bricon to wait for transportation. Remained at Bricon until 4:00 a.m. June 1, 1918 when we loaded our equipment and left there in 8 boxcars for the Front. Unloaded at Provins about 5:00p.m. the same day Had supper, hiked about two hours then took motor trucks riding until1:00 a. m. June 2, 1918, when we unloaded near Monthurel and slept in a field until about 11:00 a.m. when we started and hiked to a small town named Month real near Con-de-en-bre. Billeted here until June 6, 1918, when we again made a hike and made our camp in an apple orchard waiting o1ders to take up positions.
Took up positions June 9, 1918 for the first time.
Major Switzer described part of the experience as follows: "Somehow I got into the hands of a very stout and mustached French captain. Evidently he was their machine-gun expert because he pantomimed that I was to follow him and learn where to put my guns. My officers and I went with him, leaving the company in the woods near the farmhouse. All of us were still wondering what it was all about.4
"Captain Michel may have been fat but he could surely scamper through the bushes and up and down hills. We inspected our own hill from the river to its top and back again several times. Now and then he would stop and indicate a spot for a gun, or maybe two guns. Some of these places looked all right to me and some didn't- but my opinion wasn't asked. And so Company D came to rest on a hill above the Marne near Dorman’s, with some guns down by the river itself."5
We remained there almost a month and war was nothing more than a Sunday school Picnic. About ten or twelve shells a day came our way, and always at a certain time so we were ready for them. July 1, 1918 we were relieved and moved about ten miles to the American Sector near Chateau 10 Thierry. Took over our new positions July 4, 1918 and had another Sunday school picnic until the morning of July 15, 1918 at exactly 12:01 a.m. the Germans opened their barrage that preceded the battle of the Marne. It lasted more than ten hours.
This was the battle of Second Marne. It was the last major German offensive of the war and is regarded as the turning point of the war. A total of 250,000 American troops were engaged in the battle and 30,000 died. The campaign began in late May with a German offensive from the Chemin des Dame Ridge, northeast of Paris, and moved toward the Marne River before An1erican troops arrived on the front. The intent was to threaten Paris and the Paris-Verdun rail line. The 2nd and 3rd Divisions were along the Marne River in the area of Chateau Thierry. The 3rd Division met the attack "head on" and became known as the "Rock of the Marne."6
The battle is typically broken into two phases by historians. The first lasting from July 15 to 17 and the second from July 18 to August 17. From July 18 to July 27 the 8th Machine Gun Battalion was assigned to the 5th Infantry Brigade commanded by Brigadier General F. W Slader. Third Division casualties totaled 7971 including 1096 killed. The battle started with a major bombardment and gas attack.7
The aftermath of this bombardment is described by Major Switzer.
"It was time to get out and see what it was all about- check on my guns- see what I could do. Never shall I forget that inspection- my first contact with actual war. The ground was torn up; trees wildly twisted and broken; the smell of gas permeated everything; scarcely a bit of ground the size of a parlor rug that had no shell hole or scar upon it- craters from 75's, 105's, 210's, 320's. And in the roads, in the ditches, in the woods, were dead men, dead animals, shattered wagons, mutilated equipment of all descriptions. There were wounded and dying - there were soldiers with staring eyes, trembling behind whatever cover they had been able to find, but apparently not wounded. There were stragglers - some silent, some hysterical, some swearing, some trying to find their outfits. There were bursted carcasses of animals. There were dead men turned blue, with crinkled hair, distorted features - gassed. Near a vast crater stood an ambulance - the horses dead, the driver dead - the occupants dead- two medical corps men shoving a wounded man on a stretcher into the wagon- all dead- stiff- statuesque- killed by concussion. It was horrible."8
When it started, I was on my way to report to 2nd battalion of the 7th US Infantry, but never got there as my guide led me into a dug out which was a Company C.P for "E" Company 6th Engineers. Remained here until about 2:00p.m. July I5, 1918 when the shelling let up and I reported back to my company. Found out when I got back that the Company had suffered quite a loss; about 22 killed and wounded. All but six of our animals had been hit and had to be shot.
July I6, 1918 the Germans broke our lines on our right at Fosse and at Mezy but we counter attacked and drove them back. July 22, 19I8 we crossed the Marne on a Pontoon Bridge at Glands near Chateau Thierry and camped at Monte St. Pierfor a couple of days, then moved ahead about 5 kilometers where we remained until we were relieved July 30, 19I8.
From this point until the division was relieved the fighting consisted of a more or less open character and consisted almost entirely of machine gun fire and Banking movements on positions assumed by the rear guard of the enemy. After line duty of a month and a half, a terrorizing bombardment for an offensive and an enemy offensive followed by a mustard gas shelling, the troops were tired and wholly dispirited."9
Coming back, we crossed the Marne on another pontoon bridge and as we crossed the 4th Infantry Band opened up and the music made us feel like new men and ready for another battle. Hiked back to some farmhouses just outside Courboin where we had a few days rest.
Took an eight mile hike from here to a delousing plant where we took a bath, got new clothes and blankets, and I also got my first cooties here. Remained here until August 9, 1918 when we went to Mezy and took up anti aircraft work. Remained here until August I4, 1918 without a chance to fire a shot then were ordered back to our farmhouses again. August I6, 1918 we hiked to the outskirts of Montmarail to await transportation to rest billets back of the Toul Sector. Pitched camp here and didn't move out until 10:00 p.m. August I7, 1918.
Boarded train August I 7, 1918 at I 0:00p.m. and landed in a town near Bar-Le-Duc at 3:00p.m. August I8, 1918 then hiked ten kilometers to Maligmy-Le-Grand where we went into rest billets. While here, the Com- pany drilled every day and I reported to Battalion Headquarters at Marson for signal instructions. Attended signal school a few days then was put on a detail to run a telephone line from Marson to Maligmy-Le-Grand, a distance of8 kilometers, which took a week. Here I spent my 27th birthday. Got the telephone working Thursday noon, and moved out Saturday September 5, 1918, leaving Maligmy-Le-Grand at 7:00p.m. on foot to take part in the St. Mikhail drive.
We hiked all-night and stopped in the woods during the day. Rain every night and very unpleasant hiking. September 8, 1918 we stopped at Rigny-St.-Martin for two days. While here we selected to go on a Division maneuver with the officers and platoon Sgt. and hiked through the wood from 8:00 p.m. until 4:00 a.m. in a pouring rain. Slept from 4:00 a.m. until 6 · 00 a.m. then up and hiked again until 10:00 a.m. when the maneuver was ove1; then hiked some more until we got back to the Company at 2:00p.m. YMCA gave us an entertainment while in this town that was very good.
September 10, 1918, we left Rigny-St.-Martin. Weather still bad. Rain every night. September 11, 1918 we came up in the rear of the line on St. Mikhail Sector near midnight and the Americans started the barrage soon after we arrived, keeping it up until daylight, when they went over the top. September 12, 1918 we broke camp at 1:00 p.m. and hiked about 5 miles to where the second line of trenches had been before the drive and spent the night in dugouts on the way there we passed many prisoners on their way to the rear. It was on this trip that we learned that the attack was successful.
This time period encompasses the St. Mihiel campaign which lasted from September 12 to 15. This was the first independent American Expeditionary Force operation and victory. There were no casualties in the 3rd Division dur- ing this battle.10
September 13, 1918 at 11:00 a.m. we started hiking across "NO MAN'S LAND'. This piece of land was full of shell holes, and it was hard to hike, having to push our carts out of the holes every few yards. Stopped on the outskirts of Essey about 5 p.m. and was ordered back to the kitchen where we started from with a detail to bring chow for the Company. Just got about 2 kilo meters from camp when an officer came after us and told us to return to camp, roll packs and move back to where we had started from in the morning. Lost the road and had to hike all night arriving back at the kitchen at 3:00 a.m. September 14, 1918 almost starved and dead tired. Had a good feed and sleep and broke camp at dusk September 15, 1918 and moved to the rear about I 0 kilometers where we camped for three days just North of Boricq.
Wagon train left us September 16, 1918 and started for the Verdun Sector: September 18, 1918 we were loaded in the trucks and started for the Verdun Sector. Rode all night and until about 2:00 p.m. September 19, 1918 when we finally unloaded and made our camp in the woods near Villa-Sur-Cousancy. Remained here for a week and it rained every day and night making our stay in the woods very uncomfortable.
Broke camp about 4:00 p.m. September 25, 1918 after a lecture by the Captain about the drive that was going to start along the entire front. Hiked about 4 hours and again made camp. September 26, 1918 started out again for the Front, hiking by daylight through the woods that had been the battleground in the battle of Verdun in I9I4. Nothing left of it except shell holes and old stumps of trees, which were broken about half way to the top. Made camp on what was known as DEATH VALLEY in the 1914 battle. Camped here as a reserve division until 6·00 p.m. September 30, 1918 when we started in to take the place of a division, which had foiled to hold the line.
This action is the Meuse Argonne (Champagne) offensive. This was the largest operation conducted by the AEF and was its largest victory. The Hindenburg line was breached on October 21, 1918. Total casualties for this effort were 26,277 killed and 95,786 wounded. Third Division casualties totaled 8,374 which included 1,269 killed.11
We had our worst hike here as the trail was one shell hole after another and a mass of mud. We were all night September 30, 1918 all day October I, 1918 and until about 2:00a.m. October 2, 1918 going less than I2 kilometers. Made camp at Montfaucon October 2, 1918 and took up anti aircraft work to pass away the time. October 4, 1918 we had our first experience bringing down a Hun plane. One man was shot in the arm by a machine gun bullet from the plane. October 5, 1918 we got another. The observer had been killed but we captured the pilot. Saw seven Hun planes brought down in half an hour's time.
About 4:00 p.m. October 5, 1918, we took up support positions and were observed by the enemy. Got shelled ve1y heavy for an hour. Lost one man killed and four wounded. Remained here in holes by the roadside until dark October 6, 1918 when our platoon and the second went in and took 15 up front line positions. Here the fun began. October 7, 1918 third platoon made an effort to join us but was caught in a heavy barrage killing one Sergeant and wounding several. It was a hard fight but a steady advance for us and Romange and Cunal were taken.
Relieved October 9, 1918 by the M. G. (Machine Gun). Co. of the 30th Infantry and were ordered back for a rest of two days. Made a hike in the 4th Infantry, which almost killed the whole company. We carried full pack, guns, equipment and ammunition while the 4th only had packs. We lost most of the Company and only had three squads when we landed at stone quarry. just stopped in the road when the Huns started shelling us and two shells landed in the rear of the Infantry column killing 3 and wounding 11.
October 19, 1918 went over the top with the Infantry and saw some real excitement. Took cover in a large hole where we remained for two days putting up our guns as reserve at night. Rained all the time and about two feet of mud and water in the hole. Moved again about October 23, 1918 taking up new positions. Moved ahead again October 25, 1918 and held these positions until relieved October 27, 1918 by the 5th Division when we moved back to our carts and kitchen at Montfoucon. October 30, 1918 left Montfocaun near midnight for rest billets.
Pitched camp in Verdun woods at 6:00a.m. and camped here until the following morning, November 1, 1918. Broke camp and after a short hike loaded on trucks riding about 4 hours when we landed in Villains, France. Billeted here in barns and spent our resting time drilling and having General Inspection. Got 2 new majors here, which made things more exciting. November 9, 1918 got orders to be read)' for the Front again at a moments notice. News of the Armistice party going to France changed our plans. While here the YMCA gave us a few entertainments through the efforts of the Chaplain who was acting Y secretary. November 11, 1918 we heard of the signing of the Armistice and that our Division was selected as one to go on the Army of Occupation.
November 14, 1918 we left Villains at 11:00 a.m. on trucks and about 6·00 p. m. arrived at Thillat. Billeted here until November 16, 1918 when we started again on foot and hiked until1 0:00p.m. when we pitched tents in a field for the night near Bilneey. November 17, 1918 at 5:00 a. m. we started again arriving at Mars-La- Tours about 3:00p.m. where we stopped for the night. November 18, 1918 off again at 5:00 a.m. arriving at Batilley at noon.
Here we hit the first town with a civilian population on the German side of the line. They had some very exciting stories to tell. There were some stockades here where the prisoners had been kept but the prisoners had all been turned loose. Rested here November 19, 1918. Left again at 5:00a.m. November 20, 1918 arriving at Gueiff about noon. This was the last town we were in before crossing the Lorraine border. All the towns were decorated with the Allied colors. November 21, 1918 we crossed the Lorraine border about 8:00 a. m. and from then on the people talked all German.
We passed the mining section and the mines were working the same as if there never had been a war. Arrived at Diedenhofen about 5:00p.m.; billeted for the night. November 22, 1918 off again at 5:00 a.m. stopped at a small town called Gandern where we remained for a week cleaning and resting. Spent Thanksgiving in Gandern having corn beef and cabbage for dinner.
November 30, 1918 hiked to Mondorf and took a sulfur bath. December 1, 1918 left Gandern about 7:00a.m. passing out of Lorraine into Luxembourg then out again and across the Mussel River into Rhineland. The first town we stopped at was Perl then continued to Castel for the night. December 2, 1918 hiked to Schomerich. December 3, 1918 Schomerich to Kell. December 4, 1918 Kell to Hermeskeil. December 5, 1918 Hermeskeil to Allenbach. December 6, 1918 Allen bach to Laufersville. December 7, 1918 Laufersville to Chumbdchen. December 8, 1918 a day of rest. December 9, 1918 Chumbdchen to Morsbach. December 10, 1918 we left Morsbach at 8: 00 a.m. and hit the Long Trail a winding into the Rhine Valley. This hill was about 9 kilometers long and consisted of about six horseshoe curves. Stopped for dinner at the town of Steeg, and then hiked about ten minutes before coming in sight of the Rhine at Bacharach.
Here we turned west along the river and the scenery was something great. Stopped at Oberwesel about 4:00 p.m. where we remained until December 15, 1918. While here we were billeted on the third floor of the railroad station. Had a real feather bed. December 15, 1918 left Oberwesel at 9:30a.m. and hiked to Bopparcl, arriving about 6·00 p.m. December 16, 1918 we hiked from Boppard to Coblenz crossed the Mouseal River and billeted in a small town just on the outskirts of Coblenz. December 17, 1918 started on what was our last days hike. Passed through Andersnach about noon and stopped about three kilometers away from Andersnach for dinner then finished our last lap landing in Nickenich at 2:00p.m. Here I 17 saw more kids than I ever saw in my life at one time. Started to count what was on the street from the edge of town to where we made our picket line, about four squares, and counted 200 boys in the first square. Then decided I had too large a job and quit. Busy getting acquainted with the town and people until Christmas.
December 25. 1918 was a big day for us. Had a fine dinner even if we were in Germany. Remained in Nickenich until June 19, 1919 when we removed to the bridge over the Rhine River near Engers where we waited the signing or refusal to sign the peace treaty. Remained at bridge, camped in pup tents until one week later June 26, 1919 when we were ordered to break camp and return to our former billets at Nickenich. We came bade with the expectation of starting for the U. SA. but were forced to remain until after the departure of the Fifth, Fourth, and Second Divisions which took considerable time.
After returning from Engers one platoon of us went to target range at Wehr and took part in the competition shoot of all machine gun outfits in the Third Army which took place June 29, 1919. Nothing of interest to ole place after returning from target range and the balance of the time was spent in every day routine and turning in our equipment as we were to be ready to leave for home August 8, 1919.
We had a few excursions and leaves during this time, such as a boat trip up the Rhine to Boun. Another to Cologne. Also a trip by truck to inspect Berg Eltz Castle but cannot remember the dates of these trips. The trip to Cologne was very interesting and we had the pleasure of going through the Cathedral, which was the most famous in the world. The trip to Berg Eltz Castle was one to be long remembered also.
On the afternoon of August 8, 1919 we departed from Nickenich for the last time and all the natives turned out to give us farewell and wish us good luck. We hiked a few miles to the railroad and loaded up once more in boxcars this time of American make, which gave us more room and started for Brest via Belgium. One car was equipped as a Ieitchen and meals would be prepared and then the train would stop on siding long enough for us all to get out and eat and then be off again. In the evening of August 10, 1919 we arrived in Brest and camped there until morning of August 12, 1919. We went to the docks where we loaded on a tug or a ferry, which took us out in the harbor where we transferred to the former German ship, Pretoria, and sailed for home as soon as loaded.
Was assigned to guard detail with duty from 4:00 a.m. to 6·00 a. m. and the balance of the time was my own to do with as I saw fit. All dress regulations were set aside and we could dress or undress as we as we wished We spent our time reading, eating and playing cards. The boat was making her last trip and was to be dismantled and scrapped on arrival in the U.S., so o1ders were issued to use up all supplies if possible and we could eat any time and any amount.
After a few days out, fire broke out in the coal bunkers and every man that was not on some detail was assigned to the hold to transfer coal from one bunker to another and fight fire. Due to being on guard duty, I was relieved of this and was very glad as it was a hot and gassy job. Otherwise the trip was slow and uneventful. After 12 days of this we passed the Statue of Liberty in the evening of August 24, 1919 and dropped anchor for the night then docked at Pier 3 in Brooklyn on the morning of August 25, 1919.
Unloaded and took the train for Camp Dix, NJ where we handed in our equipment which we had left. Took final medical examination and discharged in the forenoon of August 30, 1919 or two years to the day from the time I took my examination in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Got a train for Camden, NJ soon after being discharged and another from Broad Street Station, Philadelphia, Pa ~ about 2:30p.m. and arrived home (Harrisburg, Pa.) on No. 21 about 6·00 p.m. August 30, 1919 with all my personal belongings in my barracks bag on my shoulder. Thus ended the history of my life as a soldier in the Army of Occupation and the U.S.A.
[1]The Third Division at Chateau Thieny July 1918 , Gas Warfare in World War I, Study No. 14 U.S. Army Chemical Group Historical series (U . S. Army Chemical Corps Historical Office, Office of the Chemical Officer, Army Chemical Center, Maryland. 1959) G.
[2]John S. Switzer, Personal Experience Monograph, Operations of Company D 8th Machine Gun Battalion in the Champagne Marne Defensive, A Baptism of Fire (Infantry School mailing list 1933-34, Vol. VII, December 1933. The Book Shop Infantry School, Fort Benning, Georgia) 139 .
[3]The Third Division, 6 .
[4]John S. Switzer, 142.
[5]Ibid, 142.
[6]Second Battle of the Marne (Doughboy Center; wvvw.worldwar1.com).
[7]Ibid.
[8]John S. Switzer, 1 GO.
[9]Third Division, various.
[10]The St. Mihiel Offensive (Doughboy Center; www.worldwar1.com).
[11]The Big Show. The Muse-Argonne Offensive (Doughboy Center; worldwar1.com).
One hundred years ago, in its first major projection of military power overseas, the United States was marshalling the force that President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed would “make the world safe for democracy.” Eventually, some two million Americans would enter combat in the “Great War” in Europe, helping to break a four-year stalemate and drive the Allied cause to victory.