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Scherr & Scherr Family Pages
Updated:
31 July 2003
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Scherr & Scherr Family Pages
Diary of Corporal Arthur W. Scherr
107th Field Signal BN.
32nd Division
Wisconsin National Guard
I have transcribed this diary as closely as possible to the original which was written in pencil. Many entries made on board ship going "across" are badly smudged. Lines replace words not readable. Misspellings are those of my grandfather. His poem Somewhere in France, found inside the diary, can be read on its own page.
Throughout this document I have placed photographs of the 107th Field Signal Bn; the 125th, 126th, 127th, 128th Infantry; and the 107th Engineers. Unless otherwise noted, these photos were in a packet given to Michael R. Scherr by our grandfather, author of this diary, and were taken by A. W. Scherr in his capacity as an official photographer with the 107th Field Signal Bn. Some photos were received from Joan Scherr, daughter-in-law of A. W. Scherr, and are the ones with A. W. Scherr appearing in them. If anyone recognizes the men in these photos and/or can identify the equipment in some of the photos, please get in touch with me. (Page may load slowly due large number of photos - please be patient, it's worth the wait.)
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Home Address:
1607 8th Street
Mrs. Rose Scherr
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
July 1917
12
Left for Camp Douglas
September 1917
15
Left Camp Douglas for Texas
18
Arrived in Waco Texas 1 P.M.
Arthur (2nd from right) and some friends Camp MacArthur, Waco, Texas |
October 1917
7
Experienced first Texas Northener
11
Laid up with bum foot. Received horses today
12
Laid up with bum foot
13
Laid up with bum foot
14
Laid up with bum foot. Stayed in camp & wrote several letters
15
Picked my horse! Had bareback riding for about 2 hrs. in a.m. Won $3.50 on White
Sox
November 1917
29
Had Thanksgiving supper with the Stewarts in Waco and spent an enjoyable evening
December 1917
15
Rumors galore that camp was to be quarantined prior to the departure of this
division for "across"
16
Still a strong belief that camp is to be quarantined next week
18
Quarantine rumor has been dispelled
22
Had first intimation of a corporalcy. 2nd session of gas mask drill
23
What at first seemed an authentic, had it that this was day to leave Camp
MacArthur for "across"
January 1918
10
Camp MacArthur - started to snow - regular blizzard - returned to camp found
tent blown down
barrack & squad bags packed ready to move tomorrow. Found my bunk and
belongings in Pfeffer's tent.
11
MacArthur - 3 inches snow 10° at 8:00 A.M. -
18° at noon - ready to move at noon
- delayed - pulled out at retreat - entrained at 8 P.M.
12
Enroute - awake at 8 A.M.
2 meals a day - wrote George - travelling slow - stopped at Tyler Tex for 15
min.
Anita's Birthday
13
Sun
awake 8 o'clock - dreary day - Monroe, La. dry - feeling fine - had drink - left
Shreveport at
8 a.m. - got a swig here from a Dr. and bought Jamaica ginger. 1/2 hrs.
14
Mon
Crossed Miss. River at ______ to Vicksburg 12:15 to 1:45 P.M. Porter
woke us - ferried over in 2 secs.
Noon Jackson, Miss. - stopped at Meriden for an hour - good looking girls - crossed Tombigbee River 3:15 P.M. - also [Black] Warrior R - hit Birmingham at 9 P.M. - 107 Supply trn there.
15 Tues
arr Anniston at 9 A.M. - Alabama Power Co. looks like iron country - hilly
country - winding railroad - stopped at Bremen, Ga. - red headed wife of hotel
keep - thru Austell - hit Atlanta outskirts 9 P.M. - went to bed 10:30 P.M.
16 Wed
Woke up at Greenville, SC - 8 A.M. Passed several ______ - Spartanburg
30,000 people - hilly country - numerous rivers & 10 minute walk at
Charleston. 2 hr. at Salisburg 6 p.m. - notified of corporalcy today.
17 Thu
Cold & snow covered ground very hilly & wonderful sun use - woke up at
Calverton, Va. Hit Washington at noon - sightseeing - hit Philadelphia at 7 P.M.
- donations by Red Cross. Hit Jersey City at 10 A.M. Hit bay at 11 P.M.
18 Fri
Were side-tracked during night - breakfast at 6 A.M. - snow and ice covered
ground. Dumont is the burg - Camp Merritt is the place - comfortable barracks
- had warm bath - snowing at 8 P.M. - finest YMCA bldg. yet.
19 Sat
Reveille at 6 A.M. - not doing anything.
20 Sun
Slept til 7:20 - breakfast - packed barrack bag at 8:30 A.M. at (and)
carried same to baggage car at 3 P.M.
21 Mon
All
ready to pull out again. Had hot shower bath - not doing much of
anything. Bunk fatigue a favorite pastime - warmer _____. Slept
with clothes on.
[Much of writing
from the 22nd to the 26th is difficult to read - in pencil
& very smudged]
22 Tues
Woke up at 8 a.m. -- marched to train at Cresskill[ ______ ______ Jersey
City - ferried to point of embarkation - Boarded S.S. [actually R.M.S.]
Baltic at 1
P.M. ______ floats British flag - 3rd class accommodations
| Drawing of Rigging profile of the R.M.S. Baltic (Yard Number 352), launched 21 November 1903, delivered June 1904 to Oceanic Steamship Navigation. Click on link to see drawing. Built by Harland and Wolff of Belfast Ireland (see links page) | |
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|
RMS Baltic -
photos courtesy of Henrik Ljungström at The Great Ocean Liners web
site (see my links page). |
|
23 Wed
Pulled away from Hoboken at 7 a.m. - _____ ______ E deck - and _____
______ _____ _____ - fine weather - fire boat drill at 2:30 P.M. - boat
____ _____ ____ - carry life belt all the time _____ no lights - no
smoking on deck after sundown.
24 Thu
Slept til 9 a.m. - rambled around deck for an hour - read - choppy sea -
life boat drill at 2:30 P.M. - sighted freighter also cruiser - seagulls
continue to follow us - an hour's walk on deck after dark
25 Fri
Reveille at 6 A.M. - pulled into Halifax before breakfast. Out on deck
for ______ & drill 10 minutes - fog in harbor - sighted 1st
boat flying stars & stripes - bright moonlight night -- on deck for
2 hrs. P.M. and 1 hr ________ on the deck.
26 Sat
Still in quiet waters - snowed -- had inspection in a.m. - boat drill 3
P.M. Major dished out apples and oranges - ________ taken off ship with
measles - ____ in _______ ward with tonsillitis.
27 Sun
8
A.M. breakfast bacon & boiled eggs. Inspection of quarters every
a.m. must be on deck during that time. Had chicken for dinner - pulled
away at 2 P.M. - Recd. pkg of smokes from tobacco fund - wonderful ________
and half moon - walked deck for 1 hr. and 20 mins.
28 Mon
6:30 breakfast - high sea - walked onto deck - very cold - 2nd section
went on guard
3:45 P.M.- _____ blown in rough seas - boats in distance _________
_________.
29 Tues
breakfast at 8:30 - sea is rougher this a.m. Out on deck during much
a.m. quarters inspection - boat drill 3 P.M. - snowing - surprised that
I am not seasick - one hour ramble on deck 9 to 10 P.M. Cloudy - see
phosphorus on water.
30 Wed
breakfast 7:30 B fair sea - saw whale - exchanging of signals &
maneuvering of boats - boat drill at 4:05 P.M. - much warmer - signed
payroll this evening. Dowd (?) and Bartolini are well again. Sat on deck
one hour - cloudy.
31 Thu
breakfast 6:30 - on deck for fresh air 7 to 8 A.M. - much warmer - are
in the vicinity of the Gulf Stream. balking rough sea - Muster of the
battalion at 2 P.M. - boat drill at 3:05. sea washing the decks of
nearby boats - night partly cloudy - sat on deck for an hour 8 to 9 P.M.
Innumerable beliefs among the men on board that according to the Bible the war should come to an end during the month of February.
February 1918
1 Fri
breakfast 8:30 - ideal morning - ship rolling - inspection of quarters
at 10 A.M. - on deck for 1/2 hrs. - boat drill at 3:10 - new formation
of Co. at 3:30 - dished out more apples - music by [smudged] just
before retreat - had salt water bath at 10 P.M. - on deck - splendid
night.
2 Sat
breakfast 7:30 - weekly inspection on deck by the Major at 9:45 - posting of added guard for stairs, gangway, etc.
- ordered to change to
field shoes - now in Danger Zone - spring weather - Gill fought - Irving
S. Cobb addressed non-coms - display of Northern lights.
3 Sun
awakened at 5:30 on account of being in Danger Zone and subject to
attack at daybreak - eggs & bacon breakfast - quiet and mild day - no boat drill
- fine afternoon - storm blew up after supper with rain.
4 Mon
up
again at 5:30 - rough sea and gale blowing - now have escort of 7
destroyers - cloudy - no boat drill - fair evening.
5 Tues
up
again at 5:30 - gale blowing - rough sea - no boat drill - 2nd
section on guard - saw land at 5 P.M. - at 6:45 P.M. - an explosion or
shot - likely a mine - conflicting rumors - happened in rear of our ship - no confusion as may be supposed - ordered to sleep dressed.
6 Wed
up
at 5:30 - rumors that several ships went down during night - pulled into
Liverpool at 9 A.M. - had good night's sleep despite last night's
excitement - on board ship until 7 P.M. Boarded train for Winchester arr
there 4:30 A.M. - hiked for 1-1/2 hrs. to barracks some bunks! not! fine
landscape.
7 Thu
Slept until 11 A.M. - rain barracks no good - farmers doing work in
fields, meals here no good, anxious to move on. Read in newspapers of
the sinking of the Tuscania. about 150 lives lost.
8 Fri
Left
camp in Winchester at 9:00 A.M. - entrained for Southhampton - at docks
for 5 hrs. - pulled out at dark for Havre - very crowded on boat.
9 Sat
Landed Havre France 7:30 A.M. put up at Rest Camp - eat on meal tickets
coming across English Channel. boat back of us had collision - hell of a
place - slept on bunks constructed of galvanized iron strips - soldiers
of all nations resting here.
10 Sun
up
at 2:30 A.M. - arrived at depot 5:15 A.M. - box car accommodations - thru many tunnels and hilly country
- wonderful scenery - civilians show
effect of long war - 2 meals a day. coffee at midnight - I am cold
trying to sleep - tied up in RR yards for 2 hrs. - had conversation with
French soldiers who could speak German somewhat - passed many German
prisoners during day.
11 Mon
Still travelling a la box car , 2 hrs. sleep last night - breakfast 10
A.M. - damp & cold - wonderful, quiet country. farmers ploughing and
working land. eat twice a day - wonderful shaded country roadways - train ran alongside canal for a long distance
- sun warmed things up a
bit - fairly comfortable - expect to arrive at destination at 10 P.M.
12 Tues
arrived at Vaux suz Aubigny at 10:00 P.M. last night - pitch dark - Battalion was billeted with French people on arrival. Bed felt pretty
good - only 5 hrs. sleep in 48. slept like a log - up in time for dinner
- shaved & washed clothes in P.M. - was lucky to get my barracks
bag. Major Lewis addressed Battalion on discipline & behavior - taps
9 P.M.
13 Wed
up
at 6:30 A.M. - had workout in A.M. Pvt. Howard took a fit during night
of the 11th and died night of the 12th in hospital
- changed my rooming house - now billeted with 1st Sgt. Gill
- Sgts Oas & Allen - much better place - French owners seem to be
friendly & agreeable people. The meals are not what they might be - but due to the conditions they are overlooked.
14 Thu
Fell in for drill at 8:30 - Pvt Howard buried today at Dijohn 30 miles
away - Pall bearers and firing squad from our Co. had French soldiers
for escort. The village is being cleaned up, but everything is wet and
damp. Have fireplace going all the time to dry out our billet. Learning
a few word of French every day.
15 Fri
Fell in for drill at 8 a.m. - meals are not very satisfactory - bread
once a day - hard tack at other meals, mostly soft hash - hiked about 5
[m. or hrs.]. Fine weather since we hit this place, bit cool at night - all of us always go out faggotting for about 2 hr. for firewood
- No
payday in sight yet.
16 Sat
Get
up as usual at 6 a.m. - fell in at 8 a.m. for hike of 2 hrs. meals are
not yet what they might be. Had a marathon run in the P.M. of the whole
Co. - finished in about 40th place - 2 mile run Protroky
finished first.
17 Sun
Slept until 7:30. Inspection at 10 a.m. by Gen. Boardman. Quarters were
inspected and found not satisfactory - the 4 of us were threatened with
being busted but Capt reconsidered and relieved Sgt. Gill by Sgt Hartson
(?). Had first dinner today. Very gratifying.
18 Mon
Reveille at 6:30 - good breakfast - fell in for drill at 8 a.m. - dismissed until 9 a.m.
- marched to Prauthoy to attend funeral of French
officer - Sizer blew taps. No pay day in sight so Capt issued 10¢ in
trade(?) at canteen. Had good dinner - very good bread reminds me very
much of the bread that Egelkraut baked.
19 Tues
Reveille at 6:30 - invariably chase down to public wash place to take my
morning facial plunge. Went on hike for 2 hours. Meals are being
improved upon. Had phonograph "concert" at the Y.M.C.A. in the evening.
20 Wed
up
with the roosters at 6 a.m. B always on the job for breakfast with a big
appetite. Sounds like pay day in the immediate future.
21 Thu
up
at usual - rained during night - hiked 2 hours in a.m. Co. was paid at
11:30 P.M. in French money. Stores were doing a great business. Had not
been paid since Jan. 4th I received 137 1/2 francs.
22 Fri
Bought milk and eggs for breakfast - much celebrating of pay-day with
the usual after affects - but I managed to abstain to a certain extent.
Went out map drawing today and had a lecture on map reading - chilly
weather. More celebrating by Pinkey and Si. both got zig-zag.
23 Sat
Eggs again for breakfast - the five of us started a mess fund of our
own. each contributing 10 francs. Weather bad. roads sloppy. Washed
clothes, and met a refugee woman who had run away from the Germans. had
much to tell, could speak German quite well. Meals are again good.
Hypnotist exh at the "Y."
24 Sun
Slept until 7 a.m. - built fire and started to shave before others arose
- cleaned up for inspection at 10 a.m. Gen. Boardman came - complimented
Capt Wheaton on the clean and shaven appearance of his men. Had chicken
dinner prepared by Madame Duprey.
25 Mon
up
as usual - had supper in restaurant last evening. fried potatoes &
veal and beer. Slept yesterday P.M. in Prauthoy - rain today - drew the
general layout of our section's billets. small party at 3 P.M.
26 Tue
Had
interrupted sleep last four nights - probably due to too much eats. got
up at first call - cleared up during night - chilly morning. fell in for
hike at 9 a.m. had lecture by Leverson and took notes. Drew rough
landscape in P.M. Wrote letter to Anita.
27 Wed
Slight drizzle - good breakfast with Duprey's fresh milk - Capt took us
for a 2 hrs. hike - had lecture on switchboard wiring - Went out in P.M.
to do more landscape sketching - Supper N.G. - went to restaurant and
had 4 fried eggs, potatoes and bottle of beer - received 1st
list of Tuscania casualties - wrote letter home.
 Arthur W. Scherr, in center, with friends (names unknown) somewhere in France |
28 Thu
Rained all night - were mustered for payroll in rain - dismissed for the
a.m. Had heliograph exam in P.M. - First mail from Anita - like a Xmas
gift. Co. is to be disbanded is the rumor.
Return
to Table of Contents
March 1918
1 Fri
Woke
up with 1/2 inch of snow on the ground - very pretty sight - had lecture
and oral exam on telephone trouble in a.m. - 2 hours hike in P.M. - Corps Pfeffer, Crull and Holtz leave on detached service.
2 Sat
More
snow during night
3 Sun
cleared up during night - had inspection by Major at 10 a.m. - Capt
addressed Co. on possibility of being split up and on continuing to be
good soldiers - had late dinner - spent P.M. writing letter to Anita - spent evening at home with neighbor children
- singing etc.
4 Mon
Started to snow again - went out to the hills visual signaling in snow
storm - at 10 A.M. buzzer school - continued buzzer school in P.M. - Cablegram to Mother
- Recd. 4 letters from Anita and one from Hep(?).... Anita's letter of Feb 8 tells me of
Tuscania disaster.
5 Tue
Snowed again during night - drill call at 8 a.m. - in spite of inclement
weather - projector was stopped on acct of heavy snow cont. to fall. A
bag of delayed mail was rec'd - 15 letters for me. 36 men to leave most
any day for front - been bothered with a cold and cough - first letters
from Mother.
6 Wed
Stayed in bed until 11 a.m. - Madame Duprey brought in hot milk during
a.m. - Read Mil. (Milwaukee, WI) papers, Mother's - Stayed quarters all day - cold breaking
up - but cough continues to be a pest.
7 Thu
Felt
better this a.m. took in buzzer classes and worked on projector both
a.m. and p.m.
8 Fri
Fine
morning - weather warming up - took in buzzer class and worked on
projector in a.m. - In P.M. 4th Wis Band gave concert in
village square. Took in the "Hole in the Wall" on hill near the
Monastery.
9 Sat
A
crisp but a fine morning took an hours hike and then worked on buzzer
and ciphered code messages - P.M. washed clothes - Recd. letter from
George and Anita - Fine weather - warm day.
10 Sun
Clocks were set an hour ahead this A.M. - had inspection of quarters by
a Major fr. Div Headquarters. Fine day - warmed up considerable - Took sun
bath all P.M. - had supper on hill near the Monastery. Mailed letter to
Mother.
11 Mon
Woke up this a.m. with "Summer time" Spent 2 hrs. on the hills with
projectors and heliograph - Boys of the Animal Train arrived A.M. after
an absence from Company of 2 months - 1 week
12 Tue
Fine weather - Pay day today nuf ced - 166 francs
13 Wed
Fine weather - "Spring fever" had buzzer school in mess hall in a.m. and
P.M.
14 Thu
More "spring fever" - hiked for 2 hours, then had buzzer school on up
hill - fell asleep in P.M. while taking buzzer.
15 & 16 [No entry]
17 Sun
St. Patrick's Day. Woke up late - missed breakfast - had inspection by Capt
Wheaton. Started to celebrate St. Patrick's Day at 10 a.m. and it lasted
until 8:30 P.M. - first time zig-zag. Recd. cablegram from Mother.
18 Mon
Up
at reveille - fine weather B hiked 1 1/2 hr - projector and buzzer each an
hour both A.M. and P.M. First intimation that our section will leave for
trenches within a month.
19 & 20 [No entry}
21 Thu
Fine morning. Our section, the 2nd filled up to regulation
side with 1st section men and then were told we will leave
for the front shortly. Anxious to go.
22 Fri
Warm morning - hiked for 2 hrs. then went up to the trenches. Strung
wires and set up the heliograph. Had charge of telegraph in the first
line trenches. Had practice charging the enemies trenches.
23 Sat
Fine morning - hiked to the canal about 2 hrs., then again went to the
trenches until noon - still in charge of _____ in 1st line
trenches - off duty in afternoon.
24 Sun
A real
spring morning - the new Y.M.C.A. hut was dedicated. Music and speeches
- Palm
Sunday Very warm day - took hike up hill to the Monastery.
 Arthur W. Scherr at a canal in France - 1918 |
25 Mon
Capt. Wheaton and Al Miller with 79 more men and 8 officers move to
front to get trench training, will be back in 4 to 6 weeks.
26 Tues
Very cold - took a hike and buzzer work in the fields. Paris bombarded
since Friday with long range guns. Judge Pollard spoke at the Y.M.C.A.
this evening.
27 Wed
Still cold - Sick again this a.m. Had buzzer work and heliograph this
a.m. - and heliograph in P.M. Very heavy fighting on the front - Germans
having heavy losses.
28 Thu
Warming up again. Having a show down inspection - off duty in P.M.
29 Fri
Took hike to Meuse De John for 1/2 hr. - had buzzer class and heliograph.
30 Sat
Took hike to the canal for 2 hours. A lieutenant from the front, with us
on detachment service for instruction gave a lecture B P.M. for washing
clothes and cleaning up.
31 Sun
Easter Got up at 7:10 and shaving, had muster for pay at 9:30 P.M. Went
to Catholic church at 10 a.m. The first time in 15 years. Rain today - disagreeable weather. Attending a talk given by a Mr. Sweet from Colo.,
on "A Man's Religion." Very interesting.
Return to Table of Contents
April 1918
1 Mon
Reported a [at] Co. Headquarters to help on service records. Still
raining. First news that Lieut Ward had died.
2 Tue
Still raining - Again reported at Co. Headquarters. Took in buzzer
school in the P.M.
3 Wed
Pay
Day - 166 francs. Did not ____ a drink today. We all swore off gambling.
Tried out the new blinker lamps. Big battle now going for a week.
Total 320 francs
4 Thu
Had
rained at intervals. Reported to Capt O'Farrel to take a check on al
the Battalion supplies. Had lecture at the Y.M.C.A. on the use of the
gas mask. 4 of us ate 5 dozen eggs for supper.
5 Fri
Reported to Capt O'Farrell again.
6 Sat [No entry]
7 Sun
Inspection of billets on account of rain. Staid indoors almost entire
day. Cooked ham & eggs for dinner.
8 Mon [No entry]
May 1918
2 Thurs
Left Vaux for the 1st Corps school via Prauthoy. Landed at
Langre at 10 a.m. Left at 5 P.M. Arr. Neuchautian at 7:30 P.M. Slept at
Y.M.C.A. hut.
3 Fri
Left
Neuchatian 7 a.m. Arr. Gondecourt 10 a.m. Registered at the school and
was assigned to barracks. Fine weather.
4 Sat [No entry]
5 Sun
Met
Norman Herbst and other Battery A boys.
6 Mon
School started - on the go all the time work late at night until 9:40
P.M. - Lights out 10 P.M.
June 1918 [No entries at all for this month]
July 1918
20
Packed
up today to leave this front - expect to be put into the Big Jam. Left
at 9 P.M. on hike to Relite Croix - arrived about 2 a.m. Billeted in
large barn.
21
Spent
the day loafing around and had band concert.
22 - 24
Again
on hike in Morillars about 10 kilo to entrain. Had warm dinner - box
car full - mans[?] at
3 P.M. Through Belfort Lure Visoul passed through Chaumont at 2 a.m.
Riding
through the Seine Valley - scenery very pretty and picturesque. Went
through Paris at 6 P.M. Royal reception and wonderful demonstration by
the people. Arrived at Verberie at 12 Mid-night - Finally bunked in some
old shacks which we discovered later, were at one time a German Prison
Camp. We are about 30 kilo from front and near Compregne.
25
The 2nd
section is still attached to Hdq. Co. 127 Inf. Camping in woods near
Verberie.
26 - 28
Ordered
to pack up on short notice and hiked to 107 Fld by Bn Hdq - Rained
pitchforks wet up to my knees. Changed underwear and make bunk on stone
floor in church - had hot coffee before turning in. Boarded
trucks at 8 a.m. hiked thru territory only recently captured from
the Huns. Passed thru Villers Cotterets. Belleau Woods - village
of Vaux battered to hell by our artillery - arrived Chateau Thierry at 4 P.M.
Part of city destroyed - many beautiful homes demolished - Slept in
Parlor of a French Captain's Home. Still billeted here - Germans on the
run.
[Somewhere
in France,
poem found in this diary written by A. W. Scherr. Probably written about
this time.]
29 Was sent out with the 2nd Detail picked and attached to our B Co. - Truck ride to Jaulgonne.
30
Moved
up to Le Charmel never saw so many artillery guns massed as they were
here.
|
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|
32nd Division |
31
Chateau
& Div Hdq bombed this eve. also woods nearby and many were killed
and wounded. Several gas alarms during night.
Return to Table of Contents
August 1918
 126th in wheat field preparatory to advancing on wood occupied by Germans Courmont, France, 1 August
|
2
Went out
on truck to install watch board at Cierges - truck became stuck in mud -
slept there - was pulled out at daybreak - Stringing lines into
switchboard - awful stench.
3
Signal Bn. moved into town. This Cierges was the scene of a hard fight by our
boys. Swarms of flies - many dead lying around.
 Advance in face of German barrage. Fallen Doughboys of 64th Brigade in foreground Hill near Cierges, Frances, 3 August |
4
Still at
Cierges and taking it easy.
5 - 8 [No entry]
 Camouflaged "75" of the 119th Field Artillery near Fismes, France |
 107th Engineers waiting to cross the pontoon bridge over the Vesle River, near Fismes, France |
9
Daily
routine
10
Daily
routine
11
Packed
up and moved on truck presumably for the front as a relief but was taken
to Hdq. Co. 127 Inf. - once more camping in woods Vezilly near Cohan.
Pitched pup tent.
12
Still
in Vezilly woods.
13
Still
in Vezilly woods. Air raid bombed the surrounding woods. had us
guessing.
14
Had
maneuver. Air raid started but were driven back by our anti-aircraft
guns.
15 & 16 [No entry]
17
Still
in Vezilly woods.
18 & 19 [No entry]
20
Another
maneuver with officers only.
21
Wonderful clear moonlight nights - great inducement for the Boche planes
to come over.
22 & 23 [No entry]
24
Left by
truck train at 10:45 A.M. and arrived Cuisy La Motte 8 P.M. - slept in
woods.
25
Spent a
quiet day. Bombed by Fritz near us. Pitched pup tents.
26
Orders
to pack up & move forward - hiked all night from 10 P.M. to 6 A.M. -
make bed on side of hill - all in. Sponged eats wherever we could.
27
Left
hillside bed for old trench. French were bringing up convoys of tanks.
following them in reserve.
28
Slept
in the demolished trenches.
29
Resting - left this place at sundown for going into the lines in the A.M.
 128th on Valpries Farm during drive on Juvigny, 29 August |
30 - 31
Arrived
at 3 a.m. - slept til 4:20 a.m. roused out and assigned to 3rd
Bn. Moved out accompanied by a terrific American Barrage - a wonderful
sight at daybreak. Machine gun bullets singing and landing all around as
well as Fritz shells.
 |
 |
Am
surprised at my own Behavior. keeping myself well under control.
Advancing today. Major Beveridge wounded. Lieut. Anderson Bn. commander
tried to extend telephone but was stopped by German Barrage at 5:30 P.M.
and had to jump into shell holes. Sheehan shell shocked - crawled up a
few hundred yds to trenches along RR track and slept there overnight.
Many casualties.
Return to Table of Contents
September 1918
1
Moved
forward at 5 a.m. this morning thru a big German harassing barrage for
Juvigny. Spoke with Jimmy Hughes yesterday - heard the Boche got him.
 107th Field Signal Bn re-stringing wires after enemy shelling - 1 September Doughboy on right is Pvt. Elmer G. Weller, C.G. Photo by Arthur W. Scherr |
 Gigantic cave used as P.C. during drive on Juvigny at Tartiers, France. Sept. 1st |
 Machine gun nests, where Germans made their most determined stand, captured by the 128th Infantry. Near Juvigny, France. Sept. 1st |
 Advanced dressing station. Soldiers placing a few extra touches to the graves of a doughboy just buried. Near Juvigny. Sept 1st. |
2 - 4
Moved forward the right of Juvigny to a sandbagged German dugout.
Practically had charge of our signal men as Sergt Pepin failed to show
initiative. Run across many things suitable for souvenirs but carting
the junk around is hardly worth it. Relieved by Moroccans at about 5
a.m. although we did not pull back until later in the a.m. Back at the
original cave and resting - rumors galore that after a few days we are
to go back into the lines - nothing authentic.
5
Still
resting in the valley on side of hill in a hole. Signed payroll.
 |
|
In the trenches - Doughboys with
a mortar |
6
Left 5
a.m. on hike back to Ciersy La Motte - no breakfast, no eats on hike
which lasted until 1:30 P.M. Bombed again at night.
7
Resting
in the woods.
8
Left on
foot - stopped half way to railhead - pitched tents in woods.
9
Hiked to
Arroy Glaines for entrainment. Through Paris and Norsy Le Sur.
10
Arrived
at Rochecourt at 9 a.m. Picturesque place - good billets - enough thirst
quenching liquid.
11
Enjoyed
a good night's sleep after we put several of the thirsty to bed.
12
Hiked
to Curel about 3 kilo for new billets. Heavy firing in the distance.
13
Taking
it easy - good eats and some thirst quenching. Papers have it the St.
Michel Sector has been straightened out by the Americans.
14 [No entry]
 |
|
Doughboy of the 32nd Division |
15 Daily routine
16
Daily
routine - Chas. Bennet and I gave doughboys lectures and instructions on
lamp signaling.
17
Taking
it easy -- sleeping well on hay piles in a fair billet -- good weather.
Talk of moving. Wagon train left today - presumably for front.
18 & 19 [No entry]
20 Payday
21 [No entry]
22
Moving
day - Loaded onto trucks for the front once more - arrived at Loy Lois
at 2 a.m. - billeting was balled up finally bunked in the woods - had
been raining for about 2 hours.
 |
 |
| Arthur W. Scherr with "The Troops" in France. Arthur is standing on the step of the vehicle. |
Doughboys of the 127th
Infantry, |
23
Resting
in the woods. Camping in pup tents.
24
Barrage
3:30 P.M. to 7 a.m.
25
Left on
foot for the front - after an all night hike pulled into an orchard
after daybreak - slept for a few hours.
26
Again
moved across country winding road etc. - took trails through woods and
brush - tough hike - finally arrived at destination during rain - make
bed without looking for supper.
27
Assigned by details to the battalions - again with the 3rd
Bn.
 |
|
32nd Division |
28
Pulled
forward again at night - poured all night - roads miserable - mud &
water over our ankles - make bed in rain - a hell of a night.
29
clearing up - a bit chilly - building fires - toasted bread - orders to
be ready to move.
30
Rumors
that Bulgaria'd quit - we are looking for a general collapse of the
"Mittle Europa"
Return to Table of Contents
October 1918
1 - 2
Taking
it easy - we are billeting on a part of the famous battle fields of the
Battle of Verdun in 1914 - Forests and ground all shot up - shell-hole on
shell-hole - quite a bit of aeroplane activity.
3
Moved
off at sundown to take up the front.
4
Hit the
front this a.m. under a terrific counter barrage of the Germans. Our
artillery and machine guns threw over a deafening barrage.
5 - 7
These were the days "in the lines" hard fighting all the time. It is
during this session that the old 32nd Division met the
Krenhilde line of trenches - "some" emplacements they had here
- but
the boys smashed through them. 127 Inf. captured town of Gesnes. 125
Inf. [captured town] of Romagne and other villages - much praise for this
work.
 |
|
This is an example of the deep,
fortified trenches facing the |
8
Back in
reserve about 1/2 kilometer - slept on wet ground.
9
Stay
continuous in the lines Orders not to unroll packs
10 - 11
All
Moved into the line again - Slept in wine cellar in Gesnes. Boche
throwing our "box cars" into Gesnes. Got a
doughboy a few yards from our cellar. Went with several men to string a
line to proposed new P.C. Upon getting to "front line" Capt Schmidt
sends runner calling us back - machine gun fire and "big uns" were
making the job unpleasant.
12
Slept
in cellar again over night. Sgt Hutson takes charge
13
On
account of dysentery was left at switchboard in Gesnes
14
Moved
over to left. Pretty weak. not eaten anything for 2 days.
15 - 16
the lines
miserable weather continual rains and ankle deep mud
16 - 18 [No entry]
 German dugouts used as dressing station to the 64th Brigade P.C. Near Epionville, Meuse, France, 18 October |
19
Being
relieved this evening
20
Pulled
back this a.m. to the woods where we came from. It sure was some session
and the hardest hitch on the lines
21
Resting
and camping in the woods
 Argonne Woods Delousing Station, 21 October |
22 - 25 [No entry]
 127th Infantry going into reserve after 20 days in the lines, near Mount-Faucon, Meuse, France, 22 October |
26
Enjoyed
a "decooterizing" bath and a complete change of clothing - feels fine to
be without the cooties.
27
Had
occasion and the good luck to go to Soiully to attend maneuvers at an
aviation camp. It took us 3 hours to ride on trucks.
28
Had an
easy time in the a.m. Put in 2 hrs maneuver in P.M. with aeroplanes
29
Had
occasion to meet two American women, Y.M. workers and who were
originally with 32nd Div Hdq at Prauthoy and ____ sure ___ in
soft here
30
Continue on maneuvers and general inspection of aeroplanes and hangars
and had talk with the aviators
31
Started
back to our organizations - got back at noon
Talk of
armistice and peace with Turkey - Germany about all in
Return to Table of Contents
November 1918
1
Enjoying
fair weather.
Sargency takes effect today.
2 [No entry]
3
Raining
today. Ordered to pack at 2 a.m. moved forward thru country around
Gesnes and Romagne. On the alert to move at anytime.
4 [No entry]
5 & 6
Advised to be packed up ready to move - starts to rain - pulled out at 8
P.M. - make short hike in rain until midnight - billeted in German
barracks which are more or less shot up. We learn that Germans are
retreating and contact with the enemy has been temporarily lost at some
places.
7
Rumor
that Austria will sign armistice
8 - 10
Had
eighteen men under me in detail assigned to 3rd Bn. Am
personally in charge. Left our shack at 3 a.m. "Call to arms" hiked to
Breuilles. Billeted in town. Stayed during day. And while we were
getting ready for supper, Call to Arms at 3:14 P.M. Packed up and hiked
from 4: P.M. to 1:30 A.M. - all in - over the top at 6 a.m. Unpacked,
sleep and woke up 5:30 with frost all over us and the surrounding fields
- first taste of what winter would be. Went out in column formation - troops had little resistance
- 3rd Bn. Hdq had hard luck.
11
The
eleventh hour, the eleventh day of the eleventh month - Armistice signed
and all firing has ceased. Bunked in a German barracks. Armistice supper
served ala Banquet - had a fine evening
12
Still
here in the brick factory. Very quiet all along the front which seems
queer.
13
Same
place - done linework today and moved to Boche barracks - Learned today
that we are picked to march to the Rhine - also to wear Red arrow as Div
insignia
14
Resting nothing doing - chilly weather - we had comfortable fire in our
barrack
15
Resting - Pretty well fixed getting good grub - many French & Italians
drifting back from the German lines having been released by the Huns.
They walked many miles and our kitchens fed a large number.
16 Resting
 No Man's Land |
17
Up at 5
a.m. started on March to the Rhine - Crossed No Man's Land with band
playing - Hiked about 15 kilo - Headed for Luxembourg - Camped in woods
near Longivy.
18
Up
again at 5 a.m. March away at 5:45 - Hiked about 25 kilo and arrived at
destination after 1 P.M. a bit tired! Germans pulled through the day
before.
 126th Infantry assembling at Longwy near Moselle, France. 2nd day of "Hike to the Rhine" |
19 We rested today
20
Up at 5
a.m. - pulled through Longivy at 9 a.m. Quite a naturally located city
in ravine. passed through many cities rec'd welcome all along
21 - 23 [No entry]
24
Up
again at 5 a.m. on March at 7 a.m. - reached Momspach at 2:20 - billeted
in barns.
25
Taking
things easy - Having a time getting up the grub
26
Moved
to a different billet. Milk a franc a pint - eggs 15 marks a doz. and
butter 15 marks a pound. Things are scant & expensive. Strung a 3
kilo line today
27
Seventy
men out making line more permanent - missed inspection
28
Thanksgiving - Had a cleaning of mess kits this a.m. Had beef dinner - started out a fine day
- later drizzle
29
[No
entry]
Return to Table of Contents
December 1918
1
Up at 3
a.m. - Bn started at 5 a.m. Sig. detail stayed to salvage wine (?) - Crossed into Germany by ferry. Hit Butzwalem
[?] at 3:30 P.M. Welcomed with
open arms - slept in kitchen with fire had supper with people.
 125th Infantry crossing the International Bridge from Echternach, Luxembourg to Echternach-Buck, Germany
|
 32nd Division has the honor of being 1st American troops on German soil. 125th Infantry, Michelbach, Alsace, Germany |
 "322nd Field Artillery passing through Schons, Germany, on its way to the Rhine. It was a hard and long grind on the horses pulling those heavy guns up the long, steep hills day after day and many of the troops hiked with packs. Dec 1st." This is the caption on the photo, which is difficult to read |
2
Up at
4:30 away at 6 a.m. arr at Heidirler [?] at 1 P.M. - a bit fagged out.
Billeted with German Priest who is Pro-German - have had numerous war
arguments with him
3
Rested
with the Priest and had repeated arguments with him again - He is very
radical and has no faith in the coming peace conference. Bought some
fine jam off his sister -
4
Still
here at the Priest's home - he is not as inquisitive today -
5
Arrived
at Grosslitlgen [?]. Left Heidmeiler [?] at 7 a.m. - made quite a hike today
- Fair sized village slept in feather bed - had 3 glass of beer the
first in 3 months
6
Arrived
at Daun - Left Grosslitlgen on an all day hike pulled into Daun at 5
P.M. - Printey, Oas, Darling and myself put up at Hotel Schramm - had
meat supper - also wine with it - encore boucou wine & champagne at
midnight
7
Arrived
at Aefla - left Daun at 7:15 and hiked 6 hours and billeted with four
people - had nice warm kitchen to sleep in - so far the German people
are very courteous and are treating us fine - better than we expected.
8
Arrived
at Kehring - Left Aefla at 7:30 and hit this place and had a regular
home fire with the people - she put up lunch for us in [smudged] and
then had supper - also breakfast
9
Arrived
at Trimbs - was a short hike - stayed with a family fairly well fixed - the old man was a jolly old codger
had a gallon bowl of potato salad
given to us
10
Arrived
at Bassenheim - had a room for ourselves , had chicken prepared - 3
chickens for 4 of us - on the march today we were called for having our
overcoats partly unbuttoned and unhooked - was a 14 kilo hike
11
arrived
at Bahnhof-Urmitz about one hour from Coblence - had fine bed quarters -
clean & neat old lady - had chicken supper - some feed - her niece
was very sarcastic
12
Had a
fine sleep last night in feather bed - had supper with the old lady
again - mashed potatoes and sauerkraut - had potato pancake at Sam's
home
13
Woke up
late - 6 a.m. troops were moving past - got out in 10 minutes hiked 36
kilometers, rained all day, miserable here, cold, wet, fatigued. reached
Herschbach about 2:30 P.M. Made a regular home here
14
This
place is hard to take feather beds - fine stove - big parlor
downstairs with bedroom upstairs - Bud - Pink - Fred - myself
15
Sunday - Rumors that we pull out for another village
16 [No entry]
17
Moved
to Selters - distance of about 5 kilometers. Have a good room with
electric light & stove
18 & 19 [No entry]
20
Changed
lodging to the Heinstube and have a fine room with electric light &
stove
21 - 23 [No entry]
24
Went
and chopped down our Xmas tree and decorated it - also went to next
village and bought 7 chickens
25
Christmas Day - Started the sergeants mess this a.m. - had chicken
dinner with the folks. Snowed during night ideal Xmas day
January & February 1919
[No entries]
|
Officers of
the 107th Field Signal Battalion, 32nd Division Front Row, left to right: Capt. Crandall; Capt. Reeves Maj. W. M. Lewis, C.C. 2nd Row: 1st Lieuts. Greene, Moore; Schrepper Borthwick; Kendrick; 2nd Lieut. Safford Back Row: 2nd Lieut. Allen; 1st Lieut. Kehoe; 1st Lieut. Quinn Rengsdorf,
Rhenish Prussia, Germany 2-4-19 |
 |
March 1919
21
Left
the Headquarters Co. 127th Regiment at Goddert for our
Company at Rengsdorf
27
Went on
furlough to Aux-les-Mains France
April 1919
5
Left
Aux-les-Mains at 8:20 P.M. to return to Company
6 [No entry]
7
Arrived
at Coblenz at 1:30 a.m. slept in barracks and at 8 a.m. started for
Rengsdorf
12
Received first letter from Geo, home since the 20th of Dec
and was somewhat relieved about Mother's condition
13
Was
among those selected to represent C Co. at the decorating of our colors
at Durdorf. Rained all day - muddy field
14
Had
company picture taken at Rengsdorf Germany
 |
Detachment of the |
15 - 17 [No entry]
18
Spring
weather again after a week's rain - Good Friday
19
Had "departure inspection" today of packs and billet. Stood
"retreat" for
last time in Germany
20
Easter
Sunday in Germany. Last reveille in Germany. Left Rengsdorf at 2 P.M.
via trucks to Engers. Entrained and started away at 6 P.M.
21 & 22 [No entry]
23 W
We
arrived at Brest about 7 P.M. had supper at tracks. Hiked hills to Camp
Pontanezen arrived there about 10 P.M. In tents, iron cots, mattresses,
with 2 extra blankets. Camp has scandalous reputation for conditions
etc.
24 T
Reveille at 6 a.m. Showdown inspection
25 F
Had a "one minute bath" unrolled & rolled packs for inspection
"toot sweet" - our stay scheduled for only a few days. Met Norm & Marv
Hutsl today. Ray Gottshalke surprised me with visit.
26 S
Another day completed. Have not done a thing all day. "Boo-Koo" sleep.
after tomorrow's inspection, customary to pull out
27 S
Raining to beat the blazes. Had pack inspection in spite of it. Nothing
to do but sleep, eat and read. Getting good and boo-koo eats here, one
consoling thing about staying here
28 M
Raining again. No sign as yet of getting out of here. Italy asks to have
Fiume. Italy's withdrawal from peace conference, starts various rumors
29 T
Sleep, eat and read. Killing time around camp, visiting Y, movies etc.
30 W
No
sign as yet of moving
Return to Table of Contents
May 1919
1 T
Had
another bath today. Change of underwear
2 W
Spent part of a.m. at the library & P.M. at Y at movies
3 T
Spent
morning in camp. Rumor that transport struck a mine. Rumored that we
leave Sunday or Monday. Ordered not to leave camp for more than an hour
at a time. Met Bill Roessler 33rd Div.
4 F
Spent
part of P.M. at the "Y." Subject was "Was it worth the while over
here"
Unanimous yell "that it was."
Eve. band concert at auditorium also song service
5 S
Spent 1/2 hour at sitting up exercise in a.m. Had temperature tests in P.M. also
read "The Hope Chest" by Mark Lee Luther. Definite that we embark
tomorrow. Baggage detail after this noon
6 S
Cleaned camp. Dinner at 11 a.m. Left camp 2 P.M. Warm hike to wharves.
Taken out on tug to Battleship Rhode Island. Nearly all men assigned to
hammocks
USS Rhode Island
7 M
Pulled
out of Brest Harbor at 3 P.M. Battleship Virginia steaming ahead of us.
Passed inspection in harbor. Denim uniforms issued us.
8 T
Up at
5:30 a.m. Had 20 minute sitting up exercise a.m. & P.M. The eats are
very good. Cloudy weather very calm sea
9 F
Up at
5:30 a.m. - on deck before breakfast - sea smooth as glass - sunshine
all day - the sailors say its wonderful weather. Passed sailboat on the
starboard horizon & a liner on port side
10 S
Up
again at 5:30 a.m. on deck before breakfast - started to weather about
midnight - the "Bounding main true to life." Also a
"howling success in
the rigging." Many are feeding the fish. 782 miles in last 3 days
11 S
Up at
reveille 6 a.m. on deck as usual - slept part of a.m. "Taking the big
ones on high." Took snapshots as they came over the bow. Ran into
several gales. Three weeks since we left the Rhine. Made 200 miles in
last 24 hours.
12 M
Up at
reveille - still blowing and riding them. The Mt. Vernon passes us on
port side. Rolling this P.M. 172
13 T
My
birthday today - sea calmed down a bit this P.M. Made 195 miles in last
24 hrs.
14 W
Seven
days today at 3 P.M. Better than half way. Boston by the 20th.
The head on wind continues. Made 235 miles in last 24 hrs.
15 T
The
sea calmed down during night , quite a relief. Very comfortable weather.
Passed freighter on starboard side. The ship is 13 years old today.
Chief Radio man's 13th trip across. Made 263 miles in last 24
hrs.
16 F
Still
continues a calm sea. Sighted a whale close by.
17 S
Sighted freighter on horizon - our course and its merged together - fell
to the rear of it - 275 miles
18 S
For
this A.M. quiet sea - Sent telegram to Mother and Anita also letter. 318
miles
19 M
Landed at 10 a.m. Pulled into Boston amid great demonstrations,
committees, etc. Boarded train and rode to Camp Devens. Went thru the
delouser
20 T
Had
Bn. & Co. picture taken A. M. Left Camp Devens at 1 P.M. and pulled
away at 3 P.M. Recd telegram from George. Travelled thru Mass, Vermont
& New York
21 W [No entry]
22 T
Arrive Camp Grant 7 a.m. Had physical inspection and had service records
brought down to date, signed payroll, etc. Recd long distance call from
Aunt Emma
Arthur William Scherr
Photo found tucked inside diary
32nd Division
Victory march in Detroit
Photo courtesy of
Mike Hanlon
of the Doughboy Center
(see my links)
Return to Table of Contents
[The following
hand-written at back of diary]
Sentinels General Orders (1914)
My general orders are:
1. To take charge of this post and all gov't property in view.
2. To walk my post in military manner. Keeping always on the alert and observing everything that takes place within sight or hearing.
3. To report all violations of orders I am instructed to enforce.
4. To report all calls from posts more distant from the guardhouse than my own.
5. To quit my post only when properly relieved.
6. To receive, obey and pass onto the sentinel who relieves me all orders from the commanding officers, officer of the day and officers and non-commissioned officers of the guards only.
7. To talk to no one except in the line of duty.
8. In case of fire or disorder to give the alarm.
9. To allow no one to commit a nuisance on or near my post.
10. In any case not covered by instructions to call the officer of the guard.
11. To salute all officers and all colors and standards not cased.
12. To be especially watchful at night and during the time for challenging. To challenge all persons on or near my post and to allow no one to pass without proper authority.
Additional for Sentinel at the post of the guard.
1. Between reveille and retreat to turn out the guard for all persons designated by the commanding officer, for al colors or standards not cased and in time of war for al armed parties of approaching my post, except those at drill and relief and detachments of the guard.
2. At night after challenging any person or party to advance no one but call the corporal of the guard repeating the answer to the challenge.
P. 185 Manuel of internal guard duty.
When the flag
is being lowered at retreat a sentinel on post and in view of the flag will
face the flag and at the first notes of the Star Spangled Banner or to the
colors will come to a "present arms" at the sounding of the last note he
will resume walking his post.
Please click
on images to see full page, click back to return to this page
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32nd "Red Arrow" Separate Light Infantry Brigade Wisconsin Army National Guard
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The British
Army in the Great War This is an excellent site - worth visiting
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A very fine WW1 site called The Unfortunate Region
.
Part
of site dedicated to the U-Boats of WW II. This page is to dedicated to
the saving and preservation of U-995.
|
Background music is Over There by Irving M.
Cohen
