Friday, March 22, 1918
Went to Bar-le-Duc. Got up 5:15 a.m., got there at 9:30 a.m. Ordered uniform and got measured. Cost 260 francs. Horrid journey on slim gauge. Ate dinner Commerce Hotel 18 francs. Got back 9:00 p.m.
German offensive started 5:00 a.m. against the British front. Heavy artillery action against Verdun but no attack yet. Gas came back over 20 miles behind the lines in the attack.

The first German offensive of 1918 actually began on March 21, with heavy artillery barrages and the heavy use of chlorine and phosgene gas as well as mustard gas. The attack came as a surprise to British troops along the northern line from Ypres to Armentières, still recovering psychologically from the heavy fighting of the previous fall. It resulted in the first true defeat of the British Expeditionary Forces since the beginning of the war, with the loss of nearly the entire front line over a 19-mile stretch. Over 7,000 British troops were killed and 21,000 taken prisoner on the first day (German losses were somewhat higher).

Saturday, March 23, 1918
So warm and pleasant, got up 11:00 a.m. Watched enemy planes overhead in the afternoon doing about as they pleased too. Nothing unusual.

Sunday, March 24, 1918
Beautiful Sunday, warm. Attack very heavy against the British front. Took a division of Tommy prisoners. Shelled Paris with guns at noon. War coming up strong with the Spring.

Monday, March 25, 1918
Two letters from Cecil, one from Frances, one from Frederick Mackie. Brisk wind today, rather chilly and cold. Still shelling Paris with long range guns. Report tonight of 45,000 German prisoners. We sure hope it is true. The offensive now going on means the end of the war if Germany is defeated.

Wednesday, March 27, 1918
Some new men today showed up. Battle still raging on British positions, terrible losses.

Thursday, March 28, 1918
British line still intact though falling back, but not broken. Battle is fierce. Artillery stopped against Verdun now. Quiet over here. Clear, warm. French command says enemy shows no signs of weakening whatever.

Friday, March 29, 1918
Bar-le-Duc all day. On arrival found commission had been confirmed by cable and was sworn in at 10:00 p.m. by Captain Horton in HQ. McConnell gave me the gold bars and I am now a lieutenant in N.A.U.S.. Sent Dad and Cecil a cable about it.
In World War I the U.S. Army was called the National Army of the United States, or N.A.U.S.

Saturday, March 30, 1918
Sent cables to Cecil and Father. Raining hard. Passed the first meal at the officers mess in good shape. Kennedy and Horton giving me their moral support. Haven’t checked in yet. Officers gave supper tonight for us and made us all make a speech. Fine gathering and I am now initiated into the royal family. Am assigned to Company F.

Sunday, March 31, 1918
Raining hard but cleared off fine at noon. Going to Bar-le-Duc in a.m. to get stuff. Had photo taken of office with my commander today. Now getting used to the officer’s mess.

Monday, April 1, 1918
Bar-le-Duc today. Rained all day. Dubbed around all day with Warren and Coulter. Loafed around. Stores closed all day after noon. Rained hard all day. Bum time. Go down again Friday.

Tuesday, April 2, 1918
Still raining. Relieved today. Am officer of the day commencing 4:00 p.m. this afternoon. My first real soldier job as officer. Got two letters from Cecil and card from Frances today. Move to Autrecourt tomorrow I guess or the next day. Will go back to Bar-le-Duc tomorrow or rather Friday.

Wednesday, April 3, 1918
Moved at 10:00 a.m. to my castle on the Meuse. Fixed things up and washed. Had good dinner. Rained all evening, gloomy and blue over my head. Wrote Cecil and went to bed early. Horton stuck me with a bill for 25 francs for the dinner.

Thursday, April 4, 1918
Rainy and cold. Slept late. Got five letters from home and Cecil. Wrote letters in the afternoon. Head feels worse. So blue. Wish I were in the front lines so I could be put out of the way.

Friday, April 5, 1918
Bar-le-Duc in car, left 8:30 a.m., stayed all day. Well pleased with new uniform. Back 10:00 p.m. Got on a good stew too, found some American whiskey.

Saturday, April 6, 1918
Cloudy, cold, fine all day. Up the hill on 41, back on hospital train. Censored mail all afternoon. Slept. Rode several trains up the hill and the pushers. Not very heavy now.

Sunday, April 7, 1918
Up at 10:00 a.m. Was out all night. Bad rail. Raining today too and gloomy. Sat in castle all afternoon, wrote letters. Thought I would walk to Froidos but changed my mind.

Monday, April 8, 1918
Still raining. Has been for four days now. Track getting soft. Cold too. Carload mail today. I received package of flour etc from Cecil. Going to have them “çe soir” at four. Wrote her letter of thanks.

Tuesday, April 9, 1918
Up all night on hill. Foggy, rainy, stormy, bad. Bed at 4:00 a.m., slept till 10:00 a.m. Cold.
On this date the German army mounted its second major offensive of 1918, on the old Somme battlefield between Amiens and Reims. Again with surprise and superior artillery, the front was pushed back an even larger amount and over a larger front, extending the German advance almost as far as they had reached in early 1914. The German troops were becoming exhausted, however, with casualties from this assault reaching more than 100,000 men.

Wednesday, April 10, 1918
Still raining hard and had hail. Action heavy on the front.

Thursday, April 11, 1918
Sun, beautiful, clear, cool. Splendid. Up to Ippécourt on 25 then Froidos on 41.

Sunday, April 14, 1918
Clear, but strong wind blowing. Got two old letters from Cecil today. Boat landed yesterday, should get beaucoup mail Tuesday.

Wednesday, April 17, 1918
Started this book [a new diary] on April 17th, 1918 in My Castle on The Meuse in France – with a blue cloudy day. Fleury-sur-Meuse, France
Up to YMCA last night. Concert fine. Smithy and I then got bottle champagne at the little cripples and sat over it till late. Rain drizzle sleet hail what-not. Dark too. Wrote several letters. Censored about 200. Then bed early.

Thursday, April 18, 1918
Cold rainy cloudy. Hi wind. War news black. The British have evacuated Ypres now after holding it for 3 years. Looks longer every day of the war. Nothing of importance. Walked in last night & they tell me I have orders to go to Landrecourt to relieve Lieut. Kern there.

Friday, April 19, 1918
Cold windy though clear. Went in for mail and papers etc. Got 2 letters from Cecil. Nothing from home. Went to Clermont with Kennedy and Mac on motor car. Back at 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, April 20, 1918
Moved to Landrecourt today to relieve Lieut. Kern. Arrived 12 noon. Met by detail. Fine room. Plenty excitement. No shelling today.

Sunday, April 21, 1918
Up & bath at 7:00 a.m. Took car to Dugny & Ancemont. Back for dinner at 11:30 a.m. Good dinner fish, soup, bacon eggs, cheese, wine, coffee. Interpreters broke bottle champagne for the new lieutenant. All drank my good health “Tres bon ça.” Walked to village this afternoon. No one there but Soldiers & American.
Afternoon: Met Colonel & Lt. Col. in the limo on the road. They stopped and chatted a minute. Cloudy all day. Hess is fishing in the Meuse today. Should have fish for supper.

Demoralizing news for the German army today, when Germany’s most famous pilot, Manfred von Richthofen, the “Red Baron” was shot down near the Somme battlefield. Richthofen was credited with shooting down more than 80 allied planes.

Monday, April 22, 1918
Cloudy and rainy all day long. Muddy and misty all over the valley. Little shelling. Weather all against them. Just rec’d notice: report at Fleury for target practice etc. No mail yet today though some came in yesterday.

Tuesday, April 23, 1918
Fleury at 10:00 a.m. Pistol practice on range all afternoon. I scored 73 out of possible 100. Next best score of the day, Capt. Mash beat me out. Stayed for supper then came home in auto.

Wednesday, April 24, 1918
Went to Dugny on car at 9:30 a.m. Was one of the judges in court-martial case. Col. Whiting, Capt. Story & myself. Three brakemen were accused of stealing a keg of pinard. We gave them 30 days at hard labor and forfeit 1/3 of 3 months pay. Rained all day. Hub walked over from Dugny and I threw a real feed into him. Bed early. Rained almost all night.

Pinard was a kind of rough red wine which was part of the regular rations of the French soldiers.

Thursday, April 25, 1918
Cloudy and Wet. Permissions went on today and yards full of Frogs. 26 and 30 running now also 17 and 31. Up at 7:00 a.m. Went to Souilly on L.E. to meet paymaster and returned in side car 7:00 p.m.

Friday, April 26, 1918
Cloudy. Cold. Went to Souilly and got some corn and jam and came back.

Saturday, April 27, 1918
Clearer today. Cooler. Colonel dropped in on me at 11:30 a.m. but wouldn’t stay for lunch. Hopped on me for wearing an issue suit but hell I hate to wear a new 300 franc suit every day way up here. It’s alright on Sundays but hell. I’m a good soldier though and when he said ‘Wear your other suit’ I snapped the jazz bow at him and says “Very well Sir.”

Sunday, April 28, 1918
Beautiful day. Sun shining brightly. Walked over to village of Lempire to take some magazines to Murray at YMCA but he wasn’t there. Place was unlocked but I never waited long. Walked back. Nice fine walk and splendid Hub left pack of eats here on way through on 89. Called him to come over this noon for dinner. Rained all afternoon and evening. Wrote Cecil and mother today. Took nap in the afternoon. Bed at 9 o’clock.

Monday, April 29, 1918
Still raining with clouds and mist. Very wet and disagreeable. Got phone call to report to Souilly at 10 o’clock for another court-martial case of stealing pinard. Found it was same case and Col. Wasn’t pleased with decision so we reconsidered it and raised it to 90-90. Back on 25. Had French barber cut my hair tonight “Pas bien.”

Tuesday, April 30, 1918
Clear cool up at 5:00 a.m. Got letter from Cecil and one from Ella today. Should receive another bunch of mail soon now. Muster at 8 o’clock. Rec’d letter 121 from Cecil today.

Wednesday, May 1, 1918
Still raining and rained all night. County is swimming with mud. Slept pretty well, though got too warm with stove. Field clerk blew in, had lost his baggage. He got lots of help from me – not.

Thursday, May 2, 1918
Clear. Cool, beautiful. Wonder if it can go all day without rain now. Walked over to cooperative for post cards. Understand 18 sacks of mail arrived this afternoon.

Friday, May 3, 1918
Beautiful day. Walked over to Foyer du Soldat at 7:30 a.m. but Murray wasn’t there so walked back. Fine. Telephonist gave me a beautiful cane and Hess made me a letter opener out of the rim of a shell he carried down from the Fort. Just heard 4 sacks of first class mail arrived this morning. Will be up on 61 tonight. Waited up till midnight and no mail. Sick and sore about it.

The Foyer du Soldat was supported by YMCA and provided a place for the French and American soldiers to meet and relax. The activities of the YMCA were a key source of rest, relaxation, entertainment and moral support in World War I.

Saturday, May 4, 1918
Beautiful day. Found 5 letters from Cecil, 1 Dad, 1 Ole, 1 Cap on table when I awoke. Fine. Wrote letters all morning. Col. and Lt. Col. dropt in at 1:00 a.m. and bawled me out about not wearing an oversea cap and coat. It’s hell I tell you boys. I snapped the jazz bow at him and put them on until he was out of sight.

Sunday, May 5, 1918
Beck and Bissell came up on 17. We walked to the Fort and then had fine dinner. Laid around all afternoon. Rained some in the afternoon. Visited wireless plants and looked over the place. BS’d all afternoon. They went home on 78. I to bed.

Monday, May 6, 1918
Cloudy and rainy this morning, though cleared up during day. Plenty of mud. All dressed up this afternoon and no place to go. Rained in the afternoon. Met Colonel Dureau. Went to Souhesmes at 4 on the petite. Doud met me and we ate together. Met Kennedy, Mac and Cerning in the car at 8 and we sat in the wine room until 9 when they brought me home. Fine time.

Tuesday, May 7, 1918
Beautiful Spring morning. Warm and fine. Wrote orders all day and bulletins until 10:00 a.m. Took a walk. Got some new men in today and transferred balance to Sommeilles. Went over to the village this afternoon and took interpreter to find out about the washing.

Wednesday, May 8, 1918
Rained all night harder than I have ever seen it rain. Cold this morning too and still raining hard. No place on earth with so much rain. Talked to Beck on phone and Don. Walked to Foyer du Soldat in evening and back at night about 10 in a drizzling rain. Never was so lonesome in my life.

Thursday, May 9, 1918
Cloudy, cold. Censored mail all morning and wrote some letters walked around in the afternoon. Sat with Henri until 10:00 p.m. then read awhile and bed.

Friday, May 10, 1918
Still cloudy and cool. Up early, washed and shaved. Censored a bunch of mail.

Saturday, May 11, 1918
Nothing of interest. Took long walk to Fort and back at night.

Sunday, May 12, 1918
Mother’s Day
Cold and rain all day. Went to Fleury on 30 and back in car. General Hirschauer of 2nd French Army, also Ambassador W.G. Sharp were guests of the regiment. I dined with them at 1:30 p.m. Tables were fixed beautiful with colors draped overhead. The ambassador had the American flag draped on his chair and General H the French flag. Both made fine addresses in the afternoon at 3. Wrote Mother a long letter and sent some flowers in it I picked out of a shell hole on the way back.

Monday, May 13, 1918
Censored Mother’s letters all day long. Nothing interesting.

Tuesday, May 14, 1918
Still raining like hell. Shaved, bathed. Feel real sweet today. Wish I could stop in at home. Walked over to Lempire in evening. Capt. Story and Lt. Haberlan here for dinner. Warner called me up and said we were recommended for 1st lieutenants. Fine.

Wednesday, May 15, 1918
Heavy fog. Cleared up 10:00 a.m. George gave me beautiful identity bracelet this morning. Sent to his father down South for it. Sure is a wonderful thanks for a pack of cigarettes. Wouldn’t let me pay for it. Walked to Dugny in the afternoon.

Thursday, May 16, 1918
Clear. Cool. Calm. Went to Fleury on 30 for physical exam. Got by OK, now recommended for a first lieut. Back in car at 2:00 p.m. Warm today.

Friday, May 17, 1918
Beautiful. Clear and warm. Fine flowers all in bloom. Wouldn’t know there was a war within a thousand miles of here now. So pretty at night. One big shell dropped on the opposite hill at 6:00 p.m. Made a great sight. Coons came over and we walked around then sat on the truck till 10:00 p.m. 69 brought me some mail, 3 letters from Cecil, 2 Frances and 1 Harry Myers.

Saturday, May 18, 1918
Beautiful day. So clear and hot. Watched air scraps all day. Saw German plane shot down near Rattentout. Had my glasses on him and saw him burst into flames and come down though he seemed under control all the time. Walked over to Lempire in the afternoon.

Sunday, May 19, 1918
Another wonderful day. So beautiful and warm. Wrote letters and loafed around. Slept in the afternoon. Rained late in the afternoon. Nothing unusual.

Tuesday, May 21, 1918
So hot, almost stifling up here now but cool at nights. Rat bit my toe last night. Wonder if that will give me a wound chevron. Called into Fleury this afternoon by Colonel. Understand he leaves tomorrow. Will go to Souilly on 58 thence to Fleury in car.
11:00 p.m. Just returned. All of the officers of the regiment were at dinner tonight and we gave the Colonel a fine send-off. He sure did hate to go. I hope gets to be a general for he is a big man. Each officer made speeches. Then we held an open air meeting out on the lawn and the Colonel spoke. He gave us fine speech at the table. Came home in car at 11:00 p.m.

Wednesday, May 22, 1918
Clear, beautiful and warm. Up early, slept bully.

Friday, May 24, 1918
Dan and I went to Verdun today all day. Caught ride back. Loafed around Verdun. I’ve seen it too many times to be real interested now.

Saturday, May 25, 1918
Nothing unusual. Two artillery trains as 70 and 86. Deyo rode one and I rode the other. The big 220 doesn’t ride just right to suit me. Held them to 4 miles an hour.

Sunday, May 26, 1918
Rained in the morning. Arch, Jim, Hays and Ernie up all day. Took photos.

Monday, May 27, 1918
Got paid today and got stewed right. Home 9 picked up with Tope and Coons. Pas bon.

April 27 marks the third German offensive of 1918, extending the line west of Reims, southwest toward Paris. For this third offensive, the largest concentration of artillery yet assembled was brought to the front, 6,000 guns supplied from an ammunition stock of two million shells. All were fired off in a little over four hours on the morning of May 27 against 16 Allied divisions. Then 40 German divisions attacked, pushing the front line all the way back to Château-Thierry, only 56 miles from Paris. Not wanting to engage all divisions at once, the allies put 27 additional divisions into action over the following days. By June 3 there were 43 allied divisions in action.

Tuesday, May 28, 1918
Offensive broke again in terrible fury. Doesn’t look good. Sick today. Wrote Packy McFarland’s father about the boy’s death.

Wednesday, May 29, 1918
Offensive getting serious. Capt. Stoup gave us instructions about evacuating if necessary. Sending guns up today. Helmets and masks all the time. Artillery violent last night. Doesn’t look good. Rode 70-69 to Souilly. Bed at 12.

Friday, May 31, 1918
Mustered all. Commands Dugny to Ippecourt today. Fleury in car, back after dinner. Boche communiqué tonight says they are astride of the Marne now. They have cut our railroad between Châlons and Epernay. Things look so blue. I now am instructed to remain here for time being. Loaded some U.S. anti-avian stuff. I rode with the two officers to Souilly. Had bottle champagne and nice visit.

Saturday, June 1, 1918
Had bunch of mail on arrival home. Five letters from Cecil. They had been sent to Dombasle and just returned to me.

Sunday, June 2, 1918
One year gone. Recall one year ago tonight so well. Expect another year soon. Got message from General Pétain last night that our reserves are coming. Am blue over the outlook. The Hun has straddled the main lines of the East road at Epernay. Wrote Cecil a long letter, also Dad, though the situation don’t look very good. Went to Dugny with Lt. Cutter on M/C with band then they came here and played.

Monday, June 3, 1918
Clear but still Cold in mornings. Wrote for pass to Bar-le-Duc Thursday with Dan Coons. Cap. Story up at 11:00 a.m. Gave us our orders about leaving. Emergency rations issued, also extra gas masks and containers. Orders now to stay at command at all times and keep masks, helmets, etc. at close touch. Have our detailed orders to wait for orders and then destroy our road. Every man is ready for the big show.

The Americans were beginning to arrive in force now, and the defensive operations to this latest German offensive included two American divisions. A U.S. Marines Corps brigade earned the respect of the other allied forces when they steadfastly denied the Germans access to the road toward Reims, the capture of which would have doubled the railway capacity on which they depended to feed the offensive. At an early stage of the battle in their sector it was suggested to a Marine office by French troops retreating through their positions that he and his men should retreat also. “Retreat?” answered a Marine captain, in words which were to enter the mythology of the Corps, “Hell, we just got here!” The Marines counter-attacked at Belleau Wood in the first American-led offensive. By June 3, in the face of mounting resistance and problems outrunning supply columns, the Germans halted the offensive. They had lost another 100,000 men, the allies about the same, but now the arrival of the Americans would mean that the allied losses could be replaced, while the German losses could not.

Tuesday, June 4, 1918
Clear, cold, calm. Don’t feel good today. Issued emergency rations and received extra ammunition this morning on Supply Car.

Wednesday, June 5, 1918
Fine day. Took bath, shaved. Hess back this morning. Going to Bar-le-Duc tonight.

Thursday, June 6, 1918
Bar-le-Duc all day.

Friday, June 7, 1918
Sent some cards from Bar-le-Duc. Had very nice time. Should be some mail soon. Returned to Verdun at noon on Meusien.

Saturday, June 8, 1918
Cloudy, cool, calm. Not feeling well today. All blue bags sent to Sommeilles today. Beaucoup malade aujourd’hui [many sick today]; trench fever. Everybody has it too.

Sunday, June 9, 1918
Beautiful day. Smithy and Beck came up here on 17 for the day. Had good time.

On June 9 the fourth German offensive started, an attempt to push farther toward Paris in the area between Amiens and Reims. Some additional ground was gained, but the offensive ground to a halt within a week after counter-attacks by French and American forces.

Monday, June 10, 1918
Nothing unusual. Mac came up and staid (sic) for supper. Cold. HQ moves today to Sommeilles.

Wednesday, June 12, 1918
Sick today, trench fever. No bon. Got letter from bank in Paris telling me they had 1,705 francs for me there, a gift from the Santa Fe officers. Bonne pour la troups.

Trench fever was a common ailment among allied troops. It was a relatively short-term illness, also referred to as five-day fever. At the same time, however, Spanish flu was beginning to affect the troops, especially the German troops, who were not as well fed as the allied troops. This, together with the appearance of the Americans, had a demoralizing effect on the Germans.

Thursday, June 13, 1918
Very warm and pleasant today. Feel good too, walked to Dugny last night. Coons walked back with me and we sat at beer garden till 10:00 p.m.

Friday, June 14, 1918
Colder today and cloudy.

Saturday, June 15, 1918
Very sick today of ptomaine. Dr. came at 11. In bed all day. Must have eaten something unusual.

Sunday, June 16, 1918
Beautiful day. Invitation to dinner with Lt. Frossard and Capt. Loraine. At 10:00 a.m. phone rang and I was called by Capt. Horton. Said car was on way to bring me to Fleury. I was sworn in and made a first lieutenant and put on the silver bars. Stayed for memorial services for McFarland in YMCA at 3:00 p.m. Started home in side car and promised Tope and Doud I would meet them at the beer parlor at Souhesmes for some drinks. Car broke down east of Lemmes and we were 2 hours fixing it. Drug in home at 6:00 p.m. dusty, dirty, tired but happy. Wrote C about it before I went to bed.

Monday, June 17, 1918
Rained all day. Father’s birthday. Wrote him a letter this evening. Loafed all day. Nothing of interest to report.

Tuesday, June 18, 1918
Cloudy, cool. Weary is coming over here for dinner today. Got a cherry pie coming up too. Bought a bottle of cherries from the cooperative. Colonel came up in the afternoon.

Wednesday, June 19, 1918
Raining some. Cold. Dr. Lingle came by going to St. Bezier. Walked to Dugny last night. Staid (sic) with Coons until 10:30 p.m. Back home at 12 o’clock.

Thursday, June 20, 1918
No news today. Rained most all night. Mac came up today on 25. Stayed all afternoon. Went to beer parlor in the afternoon with Capt. Story. I went to Lemmes on 78, back on 69. Rained and was cold too. Disagreeable. Got new Colonel now. Colonel Howard takes charge of regiment today. Fine.

Friday, June 21, 1918
Rainy and cold. Slept till 8:30 a.m., later than I have ever slept here before. Capt. Horton called at 10:00 a.m and asked me to Dombasle. Called at 12:00 and cancelled it so here I am. Went to Lemmes to see Mac on 70 and missed the train back. Slept till 3:00 a.m and came home on 89. Got here 4:00 a.m. Rained all night.

Saturday, June 22, 1918
Cloudy, cold, rainy. Up at 8:00 a.m. Colonel Howard and Whiting came up at 3:00 p.m. Went on Meusien and we had a feed at Souhesmes. Tope, Doud, Hall, Turner, Weary and myself. Good meal. We all got stewed. Came back in car and pulled Mac out of bed at Lemmes and started for Sommecourt for more booze. Wonder what the folks at home would think if they could have seen us outside the window at midnight begging that French woman to sell us more booze “Madame s’il vous plait.” Sure funny but she wouldn’t come through. Took Turner home to Ippecourt. Then Mac and then me. Slept here at 2:00 a.m. and pulled the interpreters out and had some sardines and champagne. It a was a grand and glorious drunk and only cost me 35 francs.

Sunday, June 23, 1918
Cold and windy. Slept till 10:00 a.m. Don’t feel good. Head is big.

Monday, June 24, 1918
Windy and cold. Loafed, walked to Dugny. Mac came over on 69 and we had bottle of wine together.

Tuesday, June 25, 1918
Beautiful day too. No mail anymore. Wonder what has happed to the mail. Mac came over in the afternoon and we sat at beer parlor all afternoon.

Wednesday, June 26, 1918
Beautiful day. Got mail today 15 letters from Cecil, two from Dad. Colonel came up on gas car and inspected all around. PM turned my voucher down, account failed to have my regiment on it.

Thursday, June 27, 1918
Fine day. Going to Bar-le-Duc tonight. Arrived Bar-le-Duc 8:20. Met Don there and Bissele, had supper with them. Slept good. Gen. Hirschauer was here 30 this afternoon. Second French Army now have orders to sleep with all clothes on.

Friday, June 28, 1918
Bar-le-Duc all day. Met Baey at 9. Bought some underwear etc. Came home at 10:00 p.m. Bought lace curtains for my window.

Sunday, June 30, 1918
Mac came through mustering today. Beautiful day. Got about 5 more letters today. Wrote FJN letter of thanks.

Monday, July 1, 1918
Clear, cool, fine. Mac came over stayed for dinner.

Tuesday, July 2, 1918
Very warm. Nothing unusual happened.

Thursday, July 4, 1918
Gala day. Terrific bombardment in Ste. Menehould last night. Spent dinner at Coons and had events in the afternoon. Good time, home 5:00 p.m. Everyone intensely interested in great attack, now seems imminent. Had a fine dinner and a fine list of events too. Enjoyed the day.

Friday, July 5, 1918
All civilians in Marne valley notified to be ready to move on instant’s notice now. Terrific bombardment at 12 last night.

Saturday, July 6, 1918
Clear, cool Calm. Fine this morning. Went over to Lemmes on 70. All civilians moving. God how I pitied them. Old ladies old as 90 moving out.

Sunday, July 7, 1918
Beautiful day. Shooting at Boche planes all morning long. Wrote Cecil and Frances. Was real warm. Slept all afternoon. Tope up at 3. Had some beer at cooperative. Tope goes to Chaumont tomorrow.

Monday, July 8, 1918
Another warm day. All civilians evacuating. Sad, sad sight. Surely hottest day I’ve spent in France. Col. and Lt. Col. came upon inspection at noon. Said everything okay.

Wednesday, July 10, 1918
Fine day, cool and nice. Got four letters from Cecil today but no more. Nothing happening at all. Something should break soon though.

Friday, July 12, 1918
Cool, cloudy. Colonel came up at 9 with two war correspondents. They took a history of the puppies and said they were going to have a write-up about them. Terrible barrage on front till midnight. Stayed up till it was over. Couldn’t stay in bed, it shook me out when I tried it. No evidence of attack yet.

Sunday, July 14, 1918
Bastille Day
Beautiful day. Heavy artillery action during night. Looks like next thrust will be made shortly now but nobody knows just where yet. Big celebration at Dugny East. Went there in the afternoon. Bunch of officer games and stunts. Lots of fun, speeches and champagne for officers.

Monday, July 15, 1918
Clear, calm. Heavy artillery all night and still continuing today. Sounds like the attack starting over toward Châlons. Fine, fine. Attack burst this morning between Château Thierry and St. Menehould. Talk about fury! Ambulances by the hundreds in constant stream coming back from front. Saw 47 airplanes in one squadron. Everywhere they are standing the shock well.

This was the fifth German offensive of 1918; the final German offensive of the war. The Germans threw everything they had left, 52 divisions, in a final bid to break through to Paris. The attack pushed on both sides of Reims, between Reims and St. Menehould to the east, and between Reims and Château-Thierry to the west. The French, however, had warning, from intelligence and observation sources, and was prepared to counter-attack. The also had five American divisions, fresh to the fighting and extremely energetic. Within just a few days, this “second battle of the Marne” as the French called it, was over. In six months, after five offensive efforts, the strength of the German army had fallen from 5.1 million to 4.2 million, and there was no possibility of replenishment. The U.S. army alone had 4.0 million fresh troops in action or in training; the German soldiers were suffering increasingly from Spanish flu; and the British had begun to employ large numbers of tanks, for the first time in the war. All this, along with the increases in allied artillery strength, was turning the tide in favor of the allies.

Wednesday, July 17, 1918
Very hot day. Attack still on. Unable to advance a foot at St. M though the enemy crossed the Marne in three places. Terrible slaughter. Up till 3:00 a.m. Bombed us all night. Searchlights by dozens picking the boys out of the sky. Beautiful work. Bombed Vatry, Bar-le-Duc, and bunch of other places too. Officials say line holding good. Mac and I at canteen, both stewed right. Slept out in Baey’s flower bed. Some mayonnaise I say but Mac’s wife can’t make it as good as Baey. Mac ruined my water bucket, some gratitude for a bed.

Thursday, July 18, 1918
Very warm. Colonel came up to dinner with Lt. Frossard and “mon capitaine” Lorraine. Fine dinner. Never talked with Colonel much. Censored mail in the afternoon. Great counter offensive took place this morning. We took thousands of prisoners, too. Fine, fine.

Friday, July 19, 1918
Nothing to report except great victory in counter stroke soon. Very warm this morning. Should be some mail today. Regular Colorado dust storm at 6:00 p.m. 17,000 prisoners and 360 guns in great counter blow.

Sunday, July 21, 1918
Rained all night. Some mail today I understand though don’t know for sure. Cool today. Latest communiqué says 20,000 prisoners and 400 guns. Great counter stroke. Too early yet to know if the German flank will bend or not but it may develop into a second battle of the Marne.

Tuesday, July 23, 1918
One year out of New York. Cool, fine. War looks good now for us to finish in another year though. Went to Souilly on 78. Mac had some genuine Johnny Walker.

Wednesday, July 24, 1918
Beaucoup 1st class I understand coming on 25. No mail arrived at all. Something wrong with our mail.

Thursday, July 25, 1918
Letter from FJM about the gifts. Wrote him and the bunch about it.

Friday, July 26, 1918
Cool, nothing unusual. Germans are hard pressed in the pocket. Looks good surely. Rained hard all night.

Saturday, July 27, 1918
Cold this morning. Little mail. Darn little.

Sunday, July 28, 1918
One or two stray letters.

Monday, July 29, 1918
Got pillows and stuff from Cecil. Big package. Silk pillows too, some class I say. Asked her to send burlap pillow and she sent silk. ‘Fraid I wouldn’t be comfy with burlap. Some pal.

Tuesday, July 30, 1918
Coons and I went to Douaumont and Vaux in the afternoon on 60 cm road. Walked all over battlefield at Fleury. Counted 20 skulls in circle of 30 feet. Bones of all kinds, gruesome sight. Shelling all the time and threw whole bodies out of ground. Coons brought three helmets back but I wouldn’t carry them home. Place stinks so bad.

Wednesday, July 31, 1918
Weather hot now. Past few days very hot. Muster this morning. Sat all afternoon with Coons at beer parlor. Invitation to Ft. Vaux today.

Thursday, August 1, 1918
Clear, calm warm. Loafed. Went to Lemmes at night.

Friday, August 2, 1918
Got three letters out of 50. Wrote long letter home and to her. Great battle at noon between a Frenchman and a Boche. So low could see their tracer bullets plain as day. Boche beat it for home. Good scrap. Got letter from RHA.

Sunday, August 4, 1918
Cloudy, rainy all day long. Counter still so bright. Smithy up all day long. Passed the bull till 7:00 p.m., he went home.

Tuesday, August 6, 1918
Raining all the time now. Got whole roomful of papers and magazines today.

Thursday, August 8, 1918
Beason and Ruth had fight after supper. I separated them in dugout where they had rolled. Gave Beason five days under guard as he was to blame, after letting them have it out over the hill after dark.

Friday, August 9, 1918
Still cold and calm.

Sunday, August 11, 1918
Beautiful day. Took petite with Coons. Went to arsenal. Met there by Lt. Milbank with car. Took a tour of the front all over the sector in car. Dinner with them in their quarters. After dinner we went to Fleury to see ball game then stayed for supper and for the quartet. Back at 10:00 p.m. Fine day.

Tuesday, August 13, 1918
Baey came back. Captain of petite called at noon to pay respects to me. Elsie James tonight at Fleury. Great air stunt at 4:00 p.m. Two Boches tried to get balloon and missed. Special train leaves V at 4:30 p.m.
Went to hear Elsie James at Fleury at 6:30 p.m. Fine.

Wednesday, August 14, 1918
Beautiful day.

Friday, August 16, 1918
Clear. Went to F for court-martial case of conductor and two brakemen for being drunk. Back in car at 2:00 p.m.

Sunday, August 18, 1918
Went to lines and spent a.m. with battery of French 75s.

Wednesday, August 21, 1918
Went to Bar-le-Duc on Meusien. Spent all day. Was sure hot. Baey went along. Home at 10:00 p.m.

Friday, August 23, 1918
Things so quiet and secret for the drive here. Train of ammunition arrived at 4. Regiment of Frogs arrived at 4:05 and camions at 4:10. All unloaded and gone by 4:30. Sure things to happen. So hot.

Saturday, August 24, 1918
Started over dist on 82. Got off at east switch account of enemy avions. Dropped five bombs and were trying to set fire to the wheat fields. Bomb very close to us too. Beautiful moonlight. Went to Souilly on 78 and rode 77 back with full train of ammunition. Have put about 100 cars ammunition up here in 4 days now.

Sunday, August 25, 1918
Moon and Baxter told me of the enemy spies at east switch and the curious actions of these fellows. I made official report to the Col. Dinner with Capt. Nestard. Unusual air activity lately.
Wednesday, August 28, 1918
Major on general staff up here to look after supply base. Great activity promised soon now.

Friday, August 30, 1918
Great activity hauling many supplies etc. up. Over 1,000 cars ammunition. Saw two German sausages up today on the front. Great stunt coming off here soon now.

The troops often referred to the German zeppelins as “sausages.”

Tuesday, September 3, 1918
German plane shot two sausages down this afternoon at 4 o’clock. Both observers got away nicely. Then the land guns got the German.