The results are in: over 2000 bikes parked with none lost and just one locked at WABA HQ awaiting pick up by its owner. This is believed to be the largest number for a bike valet service ever!
For lots more pictures, go to WABA's Flickr page.
Estimates of the total inauguration crowd vary from 1.2 to 1.8 million. And just how mellow was this crowd? Number of arrests: 0.
Incredible.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Bike Valet at Obama Inauguration
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Today was quite a day in Washington: huge crowds of people, all cold and all in a festive mood. I had a wonderful day volunteering as a bike valet. Ride your bicycle to the inauguration, we give you a claim check and safely park your bike for you while you enjoy the event!
The Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) has done this for many events in Washington...Fourth of July, Cherry Blossom Festival, etc. But this was the biggest yet. There were two locations with room for 1000 bikes at our location. We filled up well before noon and had to build another bike corral out of barriers to accommodate a few hundred more.
Maybe this wasn't like a train station in Amsterdam but it was incredible for DC:
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The lack of people in the pictures is deceptive. I grabbed these pictures while there was a very brief lull when the swearing-in was occurring.
You'll find a few more pictures over on my Picasa site.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
William Miller's WWI Diary-Part 8
The 80th Division is finally on its way home but in the ‘hurry up and wait’ tradition, they must stop for six weeks on the way to the transit camp before heading for home. The diary ends with the arrival at Brest, a harbor city on the Atlantic coast. This was a major embarkation port for troops going home. As described at the end of this account of the 314th Field Artillery, some of the 80th Division had already left for the States when William arrived in Brest on May 17. The ship he took, when it left France and where it landed remained to be determined. The 80th Division was decommissioned at Fort Dix, NJ on June 9, 1919.
William Miller Diary, April 2-May 18, 1919.
Apr. 2 Quite nice day Rode all morning and arrived at Sun-Le-Loir at about 12 M. had dinner and hiked to Grand-Le-Luce [Le Grand-Luce] about 9-45 P.M. and were billed in little Chateau.
[Unable to determine what place was meant by ‘Sun-Le-Loir’. The ‘le-loir’ suffix and the location of the railroad would indicate that it was South of Le Grand-Luce in the direction of Tours. Le Grand-Luce is near Le Mans.]
[Perhaps this is the chateau he stayed in it being the only chateau in Le Grand-Luce.]
[This auto road test begins at Chateau Le Grand-Luce and describes it at the end of the review.]
Apr. 3 All slept late. Had no breakfast dinner at 12 M. All policed up in P.M. I was on water detail
Apr. 4 Nice day. All bathed and cleaned up equipment
Apr. 5 Nice day. Reg. Sat. Ins. And went for 1 hr. hike in morning.
Apr. 6 Sunday Was to 10 O’clock Mass and were paid in P.M. Very nice day.
Apr. 7 Drilled in A.M. Went on Guard in P.M. at 4-30. Nice day
Apr. 8 Quite nice day Was on Guard untill 4-30 P.M.
Apr. 9 Nice in A.M. rained some in P.M. Drilled in A.M. (inserted medical Ins.) had ball games in P.M. C. vs. D. and B. vs. A.
Apr. 10 Rainy. Co. B. bath day and had rifle instruction in P.M.
Apr. 11 Quite nice day Drilled in A.M. I went on detail painting Y.M.C.A.
Apr. 12 Rainy Regular Sat. Ins. On detail at Y.M.C.A.
Apr. 13 Palm Sunday. Quite nice day Was to 10 O’clock Mass. Were all inoculated in morning
Apr. 14 Rainy Was on detail at Y.M.C.A. in A.M.
Apr. 15 S.O.S. [Services of Supply?] Inspection on drill field at 8 A.M. were out most of A.M. spent afternoon cleaning up equipment
Apr. 16 Drilled in A.M. Rained some Had ball games and athletics in P.M.
Apr. 17 Quite nice day Drilled some in A.M. B. Co’s bath day. Athletics in P.M.
Apr. 18 Good Friday. Quite nice day Final S.O.S. Ins. B. Co. and Hdq. passed 100%. Had afternoon off except athletics
Apr. 19 Holy Sat. Had day off. no Reville. Nice day
Apr. 20 Easter Sunday. Beautifull day. Was to 10 O’clock Mass.
Apr. 21 Nice day Drilled in A.M. athletics in P.M.
Apr. 22 Rained some
Apr. 23 Nice day Drilled in A.M. I went on Guard duty at 4-30 P.M.
Apr. 24 On Guard untill 4-30 Quite nice day.
Apr. 25 Nice day Drilled in A.M. Athletics in P.M.
Apr. 26 Quite nice day rained little in P.M. Reg. Sat. Ins. Had final ball game of Schedule.
Apr. 27 Sunday. Nice day. Was to 10 O’Clock Mass.
Apr. 28 Rained and snowed quite hard in A.M. Drilled in A.M. untill 10. O’Clock.
Apr. 29 Rained most all day Drilled some in A.M. I was on police detail
Apr. 30 Nice day Cootie Ins. on field by S.O.S. Pay day
May 1 Drilled in A.M. Rained almost all day
May 2 Rained most all day Went for hike in A.M.
May 3 Regular Sat. Ins. Quite nice day.
May 4 Sunday. Nice day Was to 10 O’Clock Mass.
May 5 Nice day. Drilled in A.M.
May 6 Nice day Drilled in A.M. All bathed in P.M.
May 7 Nice day very warm Drilled in A.M.
May 8 Nice day. Drilled in A.M. Had General Review before Gen. Cronkite in P.M.
[Adelbert Cronkhite (with an ‘h’) was in charge of the 80th Division. And, yes, he was related to Walter Cronkite (without an ‘h’) as described here along with some Camp Lee/80th Division history.]
May 9 Nice day. Drilled in A.M.
May 10 Reg. Sat Ins. Nice day.
May 11 Sunday. Nice day Was to 10 O Clock Mass Mothers day
May 12 Quite nice day Had Final cootie Ins. in Field by S.O.S.
May 13 Nice day Drilled in A.M.
May 14 Very nice day. Exercises and competitive games in A.M. Bathed in P.M.
May 15 Rained in A.M. and some at night All policed up
May 16 Reville 5°-45’ A.M. Rooled packs and loaded them at 7-30 A.M. All policed up all forenoon dinner at 11 O’Clock Was very nice day. Left Le-Grand-Luce on trucks at about 1°45’ P.M. and arrived at Ecommay [Ecommoy] at 2°30’ P.M. Supper on train at 8 P.M. 65 men in box car. left about 8-30 P.M.
May 17 passed through Le-Mans through Melun and Rennes arrived at Brest at about 5 P.M. had supper and hiked to Camp Pontamazen about 4 K.M. arrived 7 P.M.
[Pontanezen doesn’t exist as a separate place but is a section of the city of Brest, (le quartier Pontanezen). ]
May 18 Nice day. Bunk Ins. in A.M. All went through Bathouse and Had medical Ins.at 3 P.M. also got new clothes
[The diary ends here but indicates that it is continued in another book. Unfortunately we do not have that book. Next time, a little more about the now almost forgotten Camp Pontanezen.]
William Miller Diary, April 2-May 18, 1919.
Apr. 2 Quite nice day Rode all morning and arrived at Sun-Le-Loir at about 12 M. had dinner and hiked to Grand-Le-Luce [Le Grand-Luce] about 9-45 P.M. and were billed in little Chateau.
[Unable to determine what place was meant by ‘Sun-Le-Loir’. The ‘le-loir’ suffix and the location of the railroad would indicate that it was South of Le Grand-Luce in the direction of Tours. Le Grand-Luce is near Le Mans.]
[Perhaps this is the chateau he stayed in it being the only chateau in Le Grand-Luce.]
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[This auto road test begins at Chateau Le Grand-Luce and describes it at the end of the review.]
Apr. 3 All slept late. Had no breakfast dinner at 12 M. All policed up in P.M. I was on water detail
Apr. 4 Nice day. All bathed and cleaned up equipment
Apr. 5 Nice day. Reg. Sat. Ins. And went for 1 hr. hike in morning.
Apr. 6 Sunday Was to 10 O’clock Mass and were paid in P.M. Very nice day.
Apr. 7 Drilled in A.M. Went on Guard in P.M. at 4-30. Nice day
Apr. 8 Quite nice day Was on Guard untill 4-30 P.M.
Apr. 9 Nice in A.M. rained some in P.M. Drilled in A.M. (inserted medical Ins.) had ball games in P.M. C. vs. D. and B. vs. A.
Apr. 10 Rainy. Co. B. bath day and had rifle instruction in P.M.
Apr. 11 Quite nice day Drilled in A.M. I went on detail painting Y.M.C.A.
Apr. 12 Rainy Regular Sat. Ins. On detail at Y.M.C.A.
Apr. 13 Palm Sunday. Quite nice day Was to 10 O’clock Mass. Were all inoculated in morning
Apr. 14 Rainy Was on detail at Y.M.C.A. in A.M.
Apr. 15 S.O.S. [Services of Supply?] Inspection on drill field at 8 A.M. were out most of A.M. spent afternoon cleaning up equipment
Apr. 16 Drilled in A.M. Rained some Had ball games and athletics in P.M.
Apr. 17 Quite nice day Drilled some in A.M. B. Co’s bath day. Athletics in P.M.
Apr. 18 Good Friday. Quite nice day Final S.O.S. Ins. B. Co. and Hdq. passed 100%. Had afternoon off except athletics
Apr. 19 Holy Sat. Had day off. no Reville. Nice day
Apr. 20 Easter Sunday. Beautifull day. Was to 10 O’clock Mass.
Apr. 21 Nice day Drilled in A.M. athletics in P.M.
Apr. 22 Rained some
Apr. 23 Nice day Drilled in A.M. I went on Guard duty at 4-30 P.M.
Apr. 24 On Guard untill 4-30 Quite nice day.
Apr. 25 Nice day Drilled in A.M. Athletics in P.M.
Apr. 26 Quite nice day rained little in P.M. Reg. Sat. Ins. Had final ball game of Schedule.
Apr. 27 Sunday. Nice day. Was to 10 O’Clock Mass.
Apr. 28 Rained and snowed quite hard in A.M. Drilled in A.M. untill 10. O’Clock.
Apr. 29 Rained most all day Drilled some in A.M. I was on police detail
Apr. 30 Nice day Cootie Ins. on field by S.O.S. Pay day
May 1 Drilled in A.M. Rained almost all day
May 2 Rained most all day Went for hike in A.M.
May 3 Regular Sat. Ins. Quite nice day.
May 4 Sunday. Nice day Was to 10 O’Clock Mass.
May 5 Nice day. Drilled in A.M.
May 6 Nice day Drilled in A.M. All bathed in P.M.
May 7 Nice day very warm Drilled in A.M.
May 8 Nice day. Drilled in A.M. Had General Review before Gen. Cronkite in P.M.
[Adelbert Cronkhite (with an ‘h’) was in charge of the 80th Division. And, yes, he was related to Walter Cronkite (without an ‘h’) as described here along with some Camp Lee/80th Division history.]
May 9 Nice day. Drilled in A.M.
May 10 Reg. Sat Ins. Nice day.
May 11 Sunday. Nice day Was to 10 O Clock Mass Mothers day
May 12 Quite nice day Had Final cootie Ins. in Field by S.O.S.
May 13 Nice day Drilled in A.M.
May 14 Very nice day. Exercises and competitive games in A.M. Bathed in P.M.
May 15 Rained in A.M. and some at night All policed up
May 16 Reville 5°-45’ A.M. Rooled packs and loaded them at 7-30 A.M. All policed up all forenoon dinner at 11 O’Clock Was very nice day. Left Le-Grand-Luce on trucks at about 1°45’ P.M. and arrived at Ecommay [Ecommoy] at 2°30’ P.M. Supper on train at 8 P.M. 65 men in box car. left about 8-30 P.M.
May 17 passed through Le-Mans through Melun and Rennes arrived at Brest at about 5 P.M. had supper and hiked to Camp Pontamazen about 4 K.M. arrived 7 P.M.
[Pontanezen doesn’t exist as a separate place but is a section of the city of Brest, (le quartier Pontanezen). ]
May 18 Nice day. Bunk Ins. in A.M. All went through Bathouse and Had medical Ins.at 3 P.M. also got new clothes
[The diary ends here but indicates that it is continued in another book. Unfortunately we do not have that book. Next time, a little more about the now almost forgotten Camp Pontanezen.]
Saturday, November 29, 2008
William Miller's WWI Diary-Part 8
This diary posting William begins in quarantine, experiences more rain, has a visit from General Pershing and ends on the move to a new camp. Grandpa Miller has gone from hauling ammunition to hauling hay, beef and water to now hauling show troops.
William Miller Diary, February 20-April 1, 1919.
Feb. 21 Very nice day Still staying at Y.M.C.A. Infirm.
Feb. 22 Rained some still at Infirmary.
Feb. 23 Sunday Rained quite hard I returned to Co.
Feb. 24 Nice day. I was on as Room Orderly day and at night.
Feb. 25 Quite nice day All took bath and cleaned up.
Feb. 26 Rained some All worked on road. 20 fellows went after trucks
Feb. 27 Quite nice but rained some All worked on road.
Feb. 28 Nice day. All worked on road.
Mar. 1 Very nice day All worked on road.
Mar. 2 Sunday Rained some Drilled most all day
Mar. 3 Quite nice but rained some in P.M. I was on Room Orderly all day and night.
Mar. 4 On Room Orderly untill 6 A.M. off duty during day. Rained quite hard most all day
Mar. 5 Rainy. Went on Guard duty at 3-20 P.M.
Mar. 6 Rained quite hard came of Guard at 3-20 P.M.
Mar. 7 Quite nice day Was on police duty all day.
Mar. 8 Nice day Inspection in A.M. with full packs I was on police detail finished at noon.
Mar. 9 Nice day Sunday Had big Inspection with full packs and laid out equipment on bunks. M’s drilled in P.M. quarentine lifted. I went on Guard at 3-20 P.M.
Mar. 10 Steady rain I was on Guard untill 3-20 P.M.
Mar. 11 Was on as Room Orderly all day and night man
Mar. 12 Quite nice day Was off Duty untill 2 P.M. Went out on G.M.C. truck ambulance with Duff. Took show troop to Laigner [Laignes] had 2 punctures
Mar. 13 Nice day. On truck detail.
Mar. 14 Quite nice day. On truck detail made trip to Les Forges, Sennevay(?) [Sennevoy] and Gigny for Sharpshooter Officers and took Them to Tonnere.
Mar. 15 Nice day. Made trip to Tonnere in P.M. to bring back participants of 1st Army Core Meet and took another load from Ancy-Le-Franc at 9 P.M. had two blowouts.
Mar. 16 Nice day On truck Detail
Mar. 17 Nice day. Made trip to Semur to 78th Div. Hqt. for 29th Div’s show brought them to Ancy-Le-Franc Then took 320th show to Argenteul
Mar. 18 Rainy. Took 320th band to Railhead, then made trip to Les Forges.
Mar. 19 Very Nice day. Truck in for repairs
Mar. 20 Rained some I quit truck detail and went on road work detail
Mar. 21 Rained hard almost all day Was out on road work detail
Mar. 22 Quite nice day. Reg. Sat. Ins. and with full packs Was on Road Detail all day.
Mar. 23 Sunday All went to Delouser at Chassignells Was quite nice day.
Mar. 24 Quite nice day but rainy in P.M. I went on Guard at 4-45 P.M.
Mar. 25 Nice day. Was on Guard
Mar. 26 Rained almost all day All hike to Pimeleu(?) [Pimelles] and were Inspected by Gen. Pershing left at 5-30 A.M. and returned at 4 30 P.M.
Mar. 27 Rained. Twenty men on detail unloading rock from boat.
Mar. 28 On detail tearing down stables and carrying lumber
Mar. 29 Rained hard most all day Cootie Ins. In A.M. I was on detail wrecking stable and carrying lumber
Mar. 30 Sunday. Very disagreeable day snowed and stormed Had Ins. With packs at 10-30. A.M.
Mar. 31 Nice day. All worked all day policeing up and prepareing to break Camp.
Apr. 1 First call at 4-30 A.M. breakfast at 5-30 and policed up around barracks left Cusy at about 9 A.M. hiked to Railhead about 5 kilom’s had dinner at Casual barracks and left at 12-25 P.M. on box cars 37 men on each car.
William Miller Diary, February 20-April 1, 1919.
Feb. 21 Very nice day Still staying at Y.M.C.A. Infirm.
Feb. 22 Rained some still at Infirmary.
Feb. 23 Sunday Rained quite hard I returned to Co.
Feb. 24 Nice day. I was on as Room Orderly day and at night.
Feb. 25 Quite nice day All took bath and cleaned up.
Feb. 26 Rained some All worked on road. 20 fellows went after trucks
Feb. 27 Quite nice but rained some All worked on road.
Feb. 28 Nice day. All worked on road.
Mar. 1 Very nice day All worked on road.
Mar. 2 Sunday Rained some Drilled most all day
Mar. 3 Quite nice but rained some in P.M. I was on Room Orderly all day and night.
Mar. 4 On Room Orderly untill 6 A.M. off duty during day. Rained quite hard most all day
Mar. 5 Rainy. Went on Guard duty at 3-20 P.M.
Mar. 6 Rained quite hard came of Guard at 3-20 P.M.
Mar. 7 Quite nice day Was on police duty all day.
Mar. 8 Nice day Inspection in A.M. with full packs I was on police detail finished at noon.
Mar. 9 Nice day Sunday Had big Inspection with full packs and laid out equipment on bunks. M’s drilled in P.M. quarentine lifted. I went on Guard at 3-20 P.M.
Mar. 10 Steady rain I was on Guard untill 3-20 P.M.
Mar. 11 Was on as Room Orderly all day and night man
Mar. 12 Quite nice day Was off Duty untill 2 P.M. Went out on G.M.C. truck ambulance with Duff. Took show troop to Laigner [Laignes] had 2 punctures
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Mar. 13 Nice day. On truck detail.
Mar. 14 Quite nice day. On truck detail made trip to Les Forges, Sennevay(?) [Sennevoy] and Gigny for Sharpshooter Officers and took Them to Tonnere.
Mar. 15 Nice day. Made trip to Tonnere in P.M. to bring back participants of 1st Army Core Meet and took another load from Ancy-Le-Franc at 9 P.M. had two blowouts.
Mar. 16 Nice day On truck Detail
Mar. 17 Nice day. Made trip to Semur to 78th Div. Hqt. for 29th Div’s show brought them to Ancy-Le-Franc Then took 320th show to Argenteul
Mar. 18 Rainy. Took 320th band to Railhead, then made trip to Les Forges.
Mar. 19 Very Nice day. Truck in for repairs
Mar. 20 Rained some I quit truck detail and went on road work detail
Mar. 21 Rained hard almost all day Was out on road work detail
Mar. 22 Quite nice day. Reg. Sat. Ins. and with full packs Was on Road Detail all day.
Mar. 23 Sunday All went to Delouser at Chassignells Was quite nice day.
Mar. 24 Quite nice day but rainy in P.M. I went on Guard at 4-45 P.M.
Mar. 25 Nice day. Was on Guard
Mar. 26 Rained almost all day All hike to Pimeleu(?) [Pimelles] and were Inspected by Gen. Pershing left at 5-30 A.M. and returned at 4 30 P.M.
Mar. 27 Rained. Twenty men on detail unloading rock from boat.
Mar. 28 On detail tearing down stables and carrying lumber
Mar. 29 Rained hard most all day Cootie Ins. In A.M. I was on detail wrecking stable and carrying lumber
Mar. 30 Sunday. Very disagreeable day snowed and stormed Had Ins. With packs at 10-30. A.M.
Mar. 31 Nice day. All worked all day policeing up and prepareing to break Camp.
Apr. 1 First call at 4-30 A.M. breakfast at 5-30 and policed up around barracks left Cusy at about 9 A.M. hiked to Railhead about 5 kilom’s had dinner at Casual barracks and left at 12-25 P.M. on box cars 37 men on each car.
Friday, November 28, 2008
William Miller's WWI Diary-Part 7
After his journey to Germany, Grandpa Miller settles in with the 80th Division in towns around Ancy-le-Franc, has a nice Christmas dinner and hauls everything from bacon to hay. He also gets de-loused and possibly into some trouble. He was billeted in Cusy near the railroad.
In his diary, he listed many of the towns that he made deliveries to:
Those towns and others mentioned in the diary are marked on this map:
As usual, click to scroll and enlarge.
William Miller Diary, December 18, 1918-February 20, 1919.
Dec. 18 Rained All policed up around barracks and drained mud
Dec. 19 Rainy I went on detail with truck at Div. Headquarters
Dec. 20 Same as 19th.
Dec. 21 “ “ “ Rained
Dec. 22 “ “ “ “
Dec. 23 On detail in A.M. Truck broke down in P.M. Rained very hard.
Dec. 24 Rained hard most all day all took bath and cleaned up equipment I went to Confession in evening and to Mass at Midnight
Dec. 25 Christmas day Rained hard most all day. Had goose, pork, mashed potatoes, cheese, dressing, apple sauce apple pie etc had Retreat as usual but no Reville
Dec. 26 Rainy Drilled about 1 hr. in A.M.
Dec. 27 Regular Camp Routine
Dec. 28 Rained quite hard Was on Detail at Railhead with truck
Dec. 29 Rained all day On Detail with truck
Dec. 30 Rainy same as 29
Dec. 31
1919
Jan. 1 On detail at Railhead with truck untill noon had afternoon off went to Ancy-Le-France. Quite nice day did not rain
[This seems to be the first day it didn't rain since he arrived in Ancy-le-Franc]
Jan. 2 On detail at Railhead. Rained some
Jan. 3 Same as 2nd
Jan. 4 Same as 2nd
Jan. 5 Sunday Quite nice but rained some I hauled water with truck.
Jan. 6 Quite nice day I hauled water and wood for kitchens with truck
Jan. 7 Nice day. Was on detail at Railhead hauled 1 ld. potatoes and 1 load coal to 159 Bgd. dump at Verdonnet
Jan. 8 Nice day Was on Detail with two other B. Trucks at Railhead. Rest of Co. worked on road I made trip to Machine gun Dump at Gigny and one trip to Villers-Les-Haut for wood.
[The Standard B “Liberty” Truck was an improvement over the Quad. See what one looked here and read more here.]
Jan. 9 Quite nice day but rained a little Was on Detail at Railhead Made one trip to 320 Inf. at Villedu and towed Supply truck back
Jan. 10 Beautifull day. Made one trip to 314 Inf. at Lezinnes and trip to Sanitary train at Gland.
Jan. 11 Rained a little Big general Inspection so did not go out on truck in A.M. Made one trip to Sanitary Train at Pimelles in P.M. B. Co. got 5 trucks from Supply Co. F.
Jan. 12 Sunday. Very disagreeable day rained all day I made one trip to Divisional Troops at Ancy-Le-France and one to 159th Bgd. at Verdonnet with beef.
Jan. 13 Rained some quite cold Hauled some water and made one trip to 159th Brigade with beef. Overholser took My truck at 7 P.M.
Jan. 14 Truck did not get back so was with Co. all day. 46 men most of 1st, 2nd and 3rd Section went to Delouser at Fulvy. Quite nice day
Jan. 15 Rained some in A.M. Hauled one load water for Railhead in morning then made trip to 320. Inf. at Villedu with bacon
Jan. 16 Very nice day My truck in for repairs Went for dental-exams.
Jan. 17 Quite nice but rained some Made trip to Div. Troops and one to Pacy to Motor Supply in A.M. and hauled load of coal from Nuits to 314. F.A. at Lezinnes in P.M.
Jan. 18 Nice day. Made trip to Div Troops at AncyLeFranc and one to Pacy to 313 with hay and one trip to 320 Inf. at Villedu with hay in AM.
Jan. 19 Real nice day. Made trip to Div. Troops and one trip to 319. Inf. at Villon got in at 5 P.M. eat supper and Reported back at Railhead at 6. P.M. Hauled G. Co’s from there to Villers-De-Haut got back to Barracks at 2 A.M. of ___?__
Jan. 20 Wagoners and Assistants on duty Jan 19 relieved for day started new system of Relief every other day on trucks Cloudy and Quite cold today
Jan. 21 Very cold. I did not go to Railhead in A.M. but towed several other trucks to get them started had water line on pump repaired and hauled 1 load water for Railhead and made a trip to Machine-gun-Battalion at Gigny with coal.
Jan. 22 Nice but cold. Made two trips to Pacy three to Ancy-Le-Franc and one to Lezinnes
Jan. 23 Made 1 trip to Pacy one to Gigny and one to Villon
Jan. 24
Jan. 25 Very cold. Made trip to Pacy and one to Villon.
Jan. 26 Sunday. Quite cold was relieved for day Was up to 10 Oclock Mass. snowed hard in evening
Jan. 27 Cold and about 3” in. snow did not go to Railhead untill about noon Made one trip for water for Railhead and made one trip to Villon to 160 Brigade dump.
Jan. 28 Cold, snow still on. Did not go out as truck broke down.
Jan. 29 Cold, snow still lies. Co. B. took bath in A.M. Went out on truck in P.M. Made one trip to Ancy-Le-Franc and one to 160 Brigade at Villon
Jan. 30 Cold snowed little more. and went to Aisy to 315 Art. with coal from there to blank and delivered to different batteries
Jan. 31 Same as 30th hauled hay and bran to Div. Troops in A.M. Went after wood in P.M. in woods near Montreal got back to billets about 1 A.M. of
Feb. 1 Delivered wood and reported truck in for repairs at noon. went out on Smith’s truck in P.M. after wood. still cold.
Feb. 2 Sunday Little warmer was to 10 O’clock Mass.
Feb. 3 Still quite cold Reported to Railhead as usual
Feb. 4
Feb. 5 Cold day. Hauled grenades to 317 Inf. at La-Foile
Feb. 6 Little warmer rained some in A.M. Delivered amm to 318 Inf. at Cry. truck caught fire burnt off wires so had A. 19. haul me in changed wireing and reported to R.H. [Railhead] in P.M.
Feb. 7 Thawing up some Reported to R.H. as usual
Feb. 8 Quite cold today. Made trip to Pimelles in A.M. and one to Villon in P.M.
Feb. 9 Quite nice day Sunday. Made trip to Pimelles and one to Cruzy-La Shapell in P.M.
Feb. 10 Truck in for Rep. B. 18’s housing on rear broke.
Feb. 11 Nice day. Made trip to Gigny to M.G. in A.M. and hauled 75’s shrap. Amm. to dump at Sennevay-Le-Haut in P.M.
Feb. 12 Very nice day. Turned in F.W.D. trucks. Went out on road with Co. built road to stone quarry
[See an FWD truck, go here and here.]
Feb. 13 Very nice day Drilled most all day.
Feb. 14 Nice day. Drilled in A.M. Bath day in P.M.
Feb. 15 Regular Sat. Inspection Went on Guard in P.M. Rained some in evening
Feb. 16 Sunday. Rainy. Was on Guard untill 4 P.M.
Feb. 17 Rained. Drilled some
Feb. 18 Rained all day was very disagreeable and Cold. 35 men got in trouble about road work.
Feb. 19 All available men went on road work. Was very nice day.
Feb. 20 Nice day All got trial and sentence for deserting _ work before finished. I took quar. at Y. Inf.
[Apparently doing road work in the rain wasn’t too pleasant and a few soldiers decided to quit work early. Grandpa is not clear as whether he was one of the 35 men.]
In his diary, he listed many of the towns that he made deliveries to:
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Those towns and others mentioned in the diary are marked on this map:
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William Miller Diary, December 18, 1918-February 20, 1919.
Dec. 18 Rained All policed up around barracks and drained mud
Dec. 19 Rainy I went on detail with truck at Div. Headquarters
Dec. 20 Same as 19th.
Dec. 21 “ “ “ Rained
Dec. 22 “ “ “ “
Dec. 23 On detail in A.M. Truck broke down in P.M. Rained very hard.
Dec. 24 Rained hard most all day all took bath and cleaned up equipment I went to Confession in evening and to Mass at Midnight
Dec. 25 Christmas day Rained hard most all day. Had goose, pork, mashed potatoes, cheese, dressing, apple sauce apple pie etc had Retreat as usual but no Reville
Dec. 26 Rainy Drilled about 1 hr. in A.M.
Dec. 27 Regular Camp Routine
Dec. 28 Rained quite hard Was on Detail at Railhead with truck
Dec. 29 Rained all day On Detail with truck
Dec. 30 Rainy same as 29
Dec. 31
1919
Jan. 1 On detail at Railhead with truck untill noon had afternoon off went to Ancy-Le-France. Quite nice day did not rain
[This seems to be the first day it didn't rain since he arrived in Ancy-le-Franc]
Jan. 2 On detail at Railhead. Rained some
Jan. 3 Same as 2nd
Jan. 4 Same as 2nd
Jan. 5 Sunday Quite nice but rained some I hauled water with truck.
Jan. 6 Quite nice day I hauled water and wood for kitchens with truck
Jan. 7 Nice day. Was on detail at Railhead hauled 1 ld. potatoes and 1 load coal to 159 Bgd. dump at Verdonnet
Jan. 8 Nice day Was on Detail with two other B. Trucks at Railhead. Rest of Co. worked on road I made trip to Machine gun Dump at Gigny and one trip to Villers-Les-Haut for wood.
[The Standard B “Liberty” Truck was an improvement over the Quad. See what one looked here and read more here.]
Jan. 9 Quite nice day but rained a little Was on Detail at Railhead Made one trip to 320 Inf. at Villedu and towed Supply truck back
Jan. 10 Beautifull day. Made one trip to 314 Inf. at Lezinnes and trip to Sanitary train at Gland.
Jan. 11 Rained a little Big general Inspection so did not go out on truck in A.M. Made one trip to Sanitary Train at Pimelles in P.M. B. Co. got 5 trucks from Supply Co. F.
Jan. 12 Sunday. Very disagreeable day rained all day I made one trip to Divisional Troops at Ancy-Le-France and one to 159th Bgd. at Verdonnet with beef.
Jan. 13 Rained some quite cold Hauled some water and made one trip to 159th Brigade with beef. Overholser took My truck at 7 P.M.
Jan. 14 Truck did not get back so was with Co. all day. 46 men most of 1st, 2nd and 3rd Section went to Delouser at Fulvy. Quite nice day
Jan. 15 Rained some in A.M. Hauled one load water for Railhead in morning then made trip to 320. Inf. at Villedu with bacon
Jan. 16 Very nice day My truck in for repairs Went for dental-exams.
Jan. 17 Quite nice but rained some Made trip to Div. Troops and one to Pacy to Motor Supply in A.M. and hauled load of coal from Nuits to 314. F.A. at Lezinnes in P.M.
Jan. 18 Nice day. Made trip to Div Troops at AncyLeFranc and one to Pacy to 313 with hay and one trip to 320 Inf. at Villedu with hay in AM.
Jan. 19 Real nice day. Made trip to Div. Troops and one trip to 319. Inf. at Villon got in at 5 P.M. eat supper and Reported back at Railhead at 6. P.M. Hauled G. Co’s from there to Villers-De-Haut got back to Barracks at 2 A.M. of ___?__
Jan. 20 Wagoners and Assistants on duty Jan 19 relieved for day started new system of Relief every other day on trucks Cloudy and Quite cold today
Jan. 21 Very cold. I did not go to Railhead in A.M. but towed several other trucks to get them started had water line on pump repaired and hauled 1 load water for Railhead and made a trip to Machine-gun-Battalion at Gigny with coal.
Jan. 22 Nice but cold. Made two trips to Pacy three to Ancy-Le-Franc and one to Lezinnes
Jan. 23 Made 1 trip to Pacy one to Gigny and one to Villon
Jan. 24
Jan. 25 Very cold. Made trip to Pacy and one to Villon.
Jan. 26 Sunday. Quite cold was relieved for day Was up to 10 Oclock Mass. snowed hard in evening
Jan. 27 Cold and about 3” in. snow did not go to Railhead untill about noon Made one trip for water for Railhead and made one trip to Villon to 160 Brigade dump.
Jan. 28 Cold, snow still on. Did not go out as truck broke down.
Jan. 29 Cold, snow still lies. Co. B. took bath in A.M. Went out on truck in P.M. Made one trip to Ancy-Le-Franc and one to 160 Brigade at Villon
Jan. 30 Cold snowed little more. and went to Aisy to 315 Art. with coal from there to blank and delivered to different batteries
Jan. 31 Same as 30th hauled hay and bran to Div. Troops in A.M. Went after wood in P.M. in woods near Montreal got back to billets about 1 A.M. of
Feb. 1 Delivered wood and reported truck in for repairs at noon. went out on Smith’s truck in P.M. after wood. still cold.
Feb. 2 Sunday Little warmer was to 10 O’clock Mass.
Feb. 3 Still quite cold Reported to Railhead as usual
Feb. 4
Feb. 5 Cold day. Hauled grenades to 317 Inf. at La-Foile
Feb. 6 Little warmer rained some in A.M. Delivered amm to 318 Inf. at Cry. truck caught fire burnt off wires so had A. 19. haul me in changed wireing and reported to R.H. [Railhead] in P.M.
Feb. 7 Thawing up some Reported to R.H. as usual
Feb. 8 Quite cold today. Made trip to Pimelles in A.M. and one to Villon in P.M.
Feb. 9 Quite nice day Sunday. Made trip to Pimelles and one to Cruzy-La Shapell in P.M.
Feb. 10 Truck in for Rep. B. 18’s housing on rear broke.
Feb. 11 Nice day. Made trip to Gigny to M.G. in A.M. and hauled 75’s shrap. Amm. to dump at Sennevay-Le-Haut in P.M.
Feb. 12 Very nice day. Turned in F.W.D. trucks. Went out on road with Co. built road to stone quarry
[See an FWD truck, go here and here.]
Feb. 13 Very nice day Drilled most all day.
Feb. 14 Nice day. Drilled in A.M. Bath day in P.M.
Feb. 15 Regular Sat. Inspection Went on Guard in P.M. Rained some in evening
Feb. 16 Sunday. Rainy. Was on Guard untill 4 P.M.
Feb. 17 Rained. Drilled some
Feb. 18 Rained all day was very disagreeable and Cold. 35 men got in trouble about road work.
Feb. 19 All available men went on road work. Was very nice day.
Feb. 20 Nice day All got trial and sentence for deserting _ work before finished. I took quar. at Y. Inf.
[Apparently doing road work in the rain wasn’t too pleasant and a few soldiers decided to quit work early. Grandpa is not clear as whether he was one of the 35 men.]
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
William Miller's WWI Diary-Part 6
Apologies for a day’s lapse in posting. The wealth of material available to sift through is overwhelming and, as interesting as this research is, there is much else to do each day.
In this diary posting, William moves to the November 11 Armistice Line in Stenay with the 90th Division, goes on a 500 mile jaunt into newly occupied Germany and finally re-joins his division, the 80th.
You can read the New York Times report of Stenay (PDF file) on November 11, 1918 that also refers to the ammunition William was hauling.
After two weeks of moving troops and material, William was taken with other drivers by train 240 miles south to Dijon. There, they picked up trucks, loaded them with material and drove 250 miles to Bitburg, Germany. Bitburg was in the American zone of occupation following the Armistice and presumably this was part of an effort move supplies into the area. I think the links provided within the diary will give you a good idea of just how difficult a drive this was.
Here is a map to follow the movements in the diary.
William Miller Diary, November 12-Deceber 17, 1918.
Nov. 12 Moved in afternoon from Villers to Stenay into old French Military academy
[The “military academy” may have been this school which was occupied by the German military.]
Nov. 13 All policed up barracks and begun having Reville at 6-30 A and Retreat at 4-30 P.M.
Nov. 14 On detail with truck moveing 314 F.A.’s cassions to Salvage.
Nov. 15 General Inspection by Colonel Fairfax in A.M. and general police in P.M.
Nov. 16 Began Drilling from 8-15 A.M. untill 11 A.M. and Police in P.M. I was on police duty all day
Nov. 17 Sunday. On Police detail most all day.
Nov. 18 I was on Truck with water detail
Nov. 19 Nice I was on water Detail
Nov. 20 Regular Camp Routine
Nov. 21
Nov. 22 On detail to Muzay hauling rubbish with truck
Nov. 23 Regular Sat. Ins. in A.M. On detail moveing 367 Inf. from Muzay to blank about 30 K.M. from 12 P.M. untill 11 P.M.
Nov. 24 Sunday I left with 21 other Drivers and Sgt. Dotterer for Dijohn. Rode in trucks to Dun. then rode on boxcar ? 55 men.
Nov. 25 On road in Boxcar.
Nov. 26 Same as 25
Nov. 27 Arrived at Dijohn at about 7 P.M. Got sandwich, soup and coffee at Red Cross and went to Camp about 3 K.M. from town.
[A major American supply depot was located at Is-sur-Til near Dijon.]
Nov. 28 Thanksgiving Had breakfast in Camp Went to Truck yards and got trucks in shape had dinner in Camp and left with trucks I got a Nash Quad. Drove almost all night untill 3 A.M. very dissagreeable night rained steady.
[Go here to read what driving a Nash Quad was like. Then imagine driving one 250 miles on muddy roads in an open cab while it is raining.]
[More pictures of a Nash Quad]
Nov. 29 Arrived at Langre at 3 A.M. Gassed up and loaded trucks with Motorcycles, tires truck repair parts etc and parked for night about 5 K.M. outside town
Nov. 30 Got started about 11 A.M. arrived at Neaufchateau about 7 P.M. Breaker on Magneto spring on My Quad broke so left her at repair shop with about 10 others Parked about 3 K.M. out of town all night
Dec. 1 Left Neufchateau at 11 A.M. arrived in Toul about 6 P.M. Had supper and parked for night
Dec. 2 Left Toul about 9 A.M. arrived within about 5 K.M. of Metz and parked for night.
Dec. 3 Gassed up in Metz and left about 10 A.M. passed through Luxenburg about 3 P.M. run about 11 K.M. out of town and parked.
Dec. 4 Left 8 A.M. On wrong road so came back into Luxenburg. through Gonderfrance [Gonderange, Luxembourg] at 10 A.M. stopped in Idleburg over night
[Unable to locate town named Idleburg but Angelsburg, Luxembourg is a possibility.]
Dec. 5 Run about 40 K.M. into Bitburg arrived at about 2 P.M.
[The Allies and the American troops had zones of occupation in Germany up to the Rhine river. The American zone included Bitburg and Koblenz on the Rhine.]
[Read the New York Times report from Bitburg and the Occupation zone here.]
Dec. 6 Nice day still in Bitburg. Prepared to leave in evening
Dec. 7 Left Bitburg at about 11-30 A.M. on Liberty trucks passed through Treves (inserted:bunked in trucks) and arrived
[Treves is the French name for the German city, Treir.]
Dec. 8 at Longwy at 6 P.M. Had supper at Supply-train and bunked in Red Cross hospital.
Dec. 9 Still in Longwy
Dec. 10 Left Longwy on A. Co’s truck arrived in camp at Stenay at 12.M. and prepared to move
Dec. 11 All left Stenay at 8 A.M. arrived at Baleycourt about 6 P.M. staid in same barracks as were in and left Oct. 3
Dec. 12 Very rainy Left Baleycourt about 8 A.M. passed through Bar-Le-Duc and arrived at St. Dizier staid untill 11 A.M. of
Dec. 13 arrived at Bar-Sur-Seine about 6 P.M. slept in hay-mow. Rained.
Dec. 14 Left 8 A.M. traveled all day arrived at Bragelogne at about 3 P.M. and went into billets
Dec. 15 Sunday Nice day I went to Mass.
Dec. 16 Still at Bragelogne I was on detail with truck in A.M.
Dec. 17 Left Bragelogne at 8-30 A.M. arrived at Ancy-Le-France about 2-30 P.M. Were billeted in old flour-mill Rained very hard most all day
[The 80th Division headquarters were in Ancy-le-Franc. Perhaps it was here. William’s unit was stationed a few miles South in Cusy near the railroad.]
In this diary posting, William moves to the November 11 Armistice Line in Stenay with the 90th Division, goes on a 500 mile jaunt into newly occupied Germany and finally re-joins his division, the 80th.
You can read the New York Times report of Stenay (PDF file) on November 11, 1918 that also refers to the ammunition William was hauling.
After two weeks of moving troops and material, William was taken with other drivers by train 240 miles south to Dijon. There, they picked up trucks, loaded them with material and drove 250 miles to Bitburg, Germany. Bitburg was in the American zone of occupation following the Armistice and presumably this was part of an effort move supplies into the area. I think the links provided within the diary will give you a good idea of just how difficult a drive this was.
Here is a map to follow the movements in the diary.
 |
William Miller Diary, November 12-Deceber 17, 1918.
Nov. 12 Moved in afternoon from Villers to Stenay into old French Military academy
[The “military academy” may have been this school which was occupied by the German military.]
Nov. 13 All policed up barracks and begun having Reville at 6-30 A and Retreat at 4-30 P.M.
Nov. 14 On detail with truck moveing 314 F.A.’s cassions to Salvage.
Nov. 15 General Inspection by Colonel Fairfax in A.M. and general police in P.M.
Nov. 16 Began Drilling from 8-15 A.M. untill 11 A.M. and Police in P.M. I was on police duty all day
Nov. 17 Sunday. On Police detail most all day.
Nov. 18 I was on Truck with water detail
Nov. 19 Nice I was on water Detail
Nov. 20 Regular Camp Routine
Nov. 21
Nov. 22 On detail to Muzay hauling rubbish with truck
Nov. 23 Regular Sat. Ins. in A.M. On detail moveing 367 Inf. from Muzay to blank about 30 K.M. from 12 P.M. untill 11 P.M.
Nov. 24 Sunday I left with 21 other Drivers and Sgt. Dotterer for Dijohn. Rode in trucks to Dun. then rode on boxcar ? 55 men.
Nov. 25 On road in Boxcar.
Nov. 26 Same as 25
Nov. 27 Arrived at Dijohn at about 7 P.M. Got sandwich, soup and coffee at Red Cross and went to Camp about 3 K.M. from town.
[A major American supply depot was located at Is-sur-Til near Dijon.]
Nov. 28 Thanksgiving Had breakfast in Camp Went to Truck yards and got trucks in shape had dinner in Camp and left with trucks I got a Nash Quad. Drove almost all night untill 3 A.M. very dissagreeable night rained steady.
[Go here to read what driving a Nash Quad was like. Then imagine driving one 250 miles on muddy roads in an open cab while it is raining.]
[More pictures of a Nash Quad]
Nov. 29 Arrived at Langre at 3 A.M. Gassed up and loaded trucks with Motorcycles, tires truck repair parts etc and parked for night about 5 K.M. outside town
Nov. 30 Got started about 11 A.M. arrived at Neaufchateau about 7 P.M. Breaker on Magneto spring on My Quad broke so left her at repair shop with about 10 others Parked about 3 K.M. out of town all night
Dec. 1 Left Neufchateau at 11 A.M. arrived in Toul about 6 P.M. Had supper and parked for night
Dec. 2 Left Toul about 9 A.M. arrived within about 5 K.M. of Metz and parked for night.
Dec. 3 Gassed up in Metz and left about 10 A.M. passed through Luxenburg about 3 P.M. run about 11 K.M. out of town and parked.
Dec. 4 Left 8 A.M. On wrong road so came back into Luxenburg. through Gonderfrance [Gonderange, Luxembourg] at 10 A.M. stopped in Idleburg over night
[Unable to locate town named Idleburg but Angelsburg, Luxembourg is a possibility.]
Dec. 5 Run about 40 K.M. into Bitburg arrived at about 2 P.M.
[The Allies and the American troops had zones of occupation in Germany up to the Rhine river. The American zone included Bitburg and Koblenz on the Rhine.]
[Read the New York Times report from Bitburg and the Occupation zone here.]
Dec. 6 Nice day still in Bitburg. Prepared to leave in evening
Dec. 7 Left Bitburg at about 11-30 A.M. on Liberty trucks passed through Treves (inserted:bunked in trucks) and arrived
[Treves is the French name for the German city, Treir.]
Dec. 8 at Longwy at 6 P.M. Had supper at Supply-train and bunked in Red Cross hospital.
Dec. 9 Still in Longwy
Dec. 10 Left Longwy on A. Co’s truck arrived in camp at Stenay at 12.M. and prepared to move
Dec. 11 All left Stenay at 8 A.M. arrived at Baleycourt about 6 P.M. staid in same barracks as were in and left Oct. 3
Dec. 12 Very rainy Left Baleycourt about 8 A.M. passed through Bar-Le-Duc and arrived at St. Dizier staid untill 11 A.M. of
Dec. 13 arrived at Bar-Sur-Seine about 6 P.M. slept in hay-mow. Rained.
Dec. 14 Left 8 A.M. traveled all day arrived at Bragelogne at about 3 P.M. and went into billets
Dec. 15 Sunday Nice day I went to Mass.
Dec. 16 Still at Bragelogne I was on detail with truck in A.M.
Dec. 17 Left Bragelogne at 8-30 A.M. arrived at Ancy-Le-France about 2-30 P.M. Were billeted in old flour-mill Rained very hard most all day
[The 80th Division headquarters were in Ancy-le-Franc. Perhaps it was here. William’s unit was stationed a few miles South in Cusy near the railroad.]
Monday, November 24, 2008
William Miller's WWI Diary-Part 5
This portion of William Miller’s diary covers his time at the front before and during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive until Armistice Day. He was at and near the front for the duration of the war supplying ammunition to the field artillery units. His unit, the 305 Ammunition Train, remained with the 80th Division until October 14, 1918 when most of the Division was rotated out from the front. As was typical, the field artillery and supporting ammunition train units, of which there were insufficient units, were not relieved. William’s unit and the 155th Field Artillery Brigade remained at the front, apparently with the 90th Division.
This map provides an overview of the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. William’s unit was part of the III Corps, First Army. A few of the places mentioned in the diary are marked.
See below for a more extensive listing of towns associated with his ammunition hauling.
William Miller Diary, September 17-November 11, 1918.
Sept. 17 Left with 5 trucks for other camp about blank K.M. arrived about
[Based on Oct 3 entry, this camp was at Baleycourt near Verdun]
Sept. 18 Loafed around camp untill about 4 P.M. Was then assigned a truck No. 410473 and went on Detail all night got back to Camp at 4 A.M. of 19th Rained some
Sept. 19 Rained quite hard all day I worked on truck Went on Tr. detail at about 5 (?) P.M. was out untill about 10 A.M. of 20 Rained hard all night
Sept. 20 Still raining. Went on Tr. Detail at about 4 P.M. arrived back in camp at 5-30 A.M. of 21st.
Sept. 21 Still raining Went on Detail Stand-by in Trucks at 7 P.M. Were not called out so returned to Camp at 6 A.M. of 22nd
Sept. 22 Sunday. All Drivers and helpers worked on trucks all day Rained hard. All available trucks (19) went on amm. Detail at about 5 P.M. and Hauled amm. all night
Sept. 23 Hauled amm. all day and untill about 10 P.M. I hauled first load right up to Batteries Huns tried hard to get us with shells and shrapnel
Sept. 24 Arrived back in Camp at about 1 A.M. Left 5 trucks at dump. Left Camp about 5 P.M. hauled 1 load each of powder fuses etc. to battery positions. Arrived in Camp about 1-30 A.M. of 25
Sept. 25 I worked all day on My truck so did not go out
Sept. 26 Left about 1 P.M. on amm. detail. hauled powder charges and fuses to artillery positions which started fierce cannonade at about 11 Oclock P.M. arrived in camp about 4 A.M. of 27th
[The Meuse-Argonne Offensive began on this date]
Sept. 27 Left at about noon Hauled shells up to artillery positions Rained hard very muddy I got stuck but
Sept. 28 delivered shells at about 7 P.M. of 28th. arrived in camp at 11 A.M. of 29th.
Sept. 29 Did not go out.
Sept. 30 I took My truck to M.O. shop at Homerville arrived at about 11-30 A.M.
[I could find no French town named Homerville. Probably an American pronunciation of Fromerville]
Oct. 1 Helped put in new bearing in truck at M.O. finished about 4-30 P.M. arrived back in Camp at 5 P.M. and went on Amm. Detail
Oct. 2 On amm. detail untill about 2 A.M. Did not go out again
Oct. 3 Moved from Camp Baleycourt at 6 A.M. Went in Camp near Esne. I went on detail at 12-30 P.M. on all night
Oct. 4 On some detail hauling amm. to 315 Art.
Oct. 5 Busy day and night hauling amm. 5th to 8th
Oct. 5th to 30 Liveing in dug-outs trenches etc also dug in shelter-halves rain every day very disagreeable Wagonors and helpers staying at Dumps Company in Camp further back. Dump and quarters shelled with high-explosive shells and gas almost every day
(following written in margin) Camp shelled Oct. 23, at 6 P.M. and Otto Shramm killed.
[The first few days of the offensive made relatively easy progress as the Germans withdrew to a secondary line of defense. After October 5, progress was more difficult and deadly. While one wishes for a detailed account, the absence of entries indicates how difficult a time this was. Family lore says that Grandpa Miller was asleep without a mask when a gas attack occurred. Presumably that occurred during this period.]
Oct. 30 Amm. Tr. moved up to new dump at Cunal Shelled by Jerry hard in afternoon and at night Our Artillery started big barrage at 3 A.M. of 31
Oct. 31 Con. Barr. Untill 6 P.M. Infantry advanced 8 K.M.
Nov. 1 Nice day but very cold at night. Infantry still advanceing
Nov. 2 Very wet, disagreeable day.
Nov. 3 Moved from Cunal to Villiars
Nov. 4 to 11 Busy every day and night hauling amm. Hostilities ceased at 11 O’clock of Nov. 11 I hauled last two loads to 314 and 315th on 11th and 12th
[A separate listing is given of the towns in his sector. These are marked on a modern map below.]
Click on map to enlarge
This map provides an overview of the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. William’s unit was part of the III Corps, First Army. A few of the places mentioned in the diary are marked.
 |
See below for a more extensive listing of towns associated with his ammunition hauling.
William Miller Diary, September 17-November 11, 1918.
Sept. 17 Left with 5 trucks for other camp about blank K.M. arrived about
[Based on Oct 3 entry, this camp was at Baleycourt near Verdun]
Sept. 18 Loafed around camp untill about 4 P.M. Was then assigned a truck No. 410473 and went on Detail all night got back to Camp at 4 A.M. of 19th Rained some
Sept. 19 Rained quite hard all day I worked on truck Went on Tr. detail at about 5 (?) P.M. was out untill about 10 A.M. of 20 Rained hard all night
Sept. 20 Still raining. Went on Tr. Detail at about 4 P.M. arrived back in camp at 5-30 A.M. of 21st.
Sept. 21 Still raining Went on Detail Stand-by in Trucks at 7 P.M. Were not called out so returned to Camp at 6 A.M. of 22nd
Sept. 22 Sunday. All Drivers and helpers worked on trucks all day Rained hard. All available trucks (19) went on amm. Detail at about 5 P.M. and Hauled amm. all night
Sept. 23 Hauled amm. all day and untill about 10 P.M. I hauled first load right up to Batteries Huns tried hard to get us with shells and shrapnel
Sept. 24 Arrived back in Camp at about 1 A.M. Left 5 trucks at dump. Left Camp about 5 P.M. hauled 1 load each of powder fuses etc. to battery positions. Arrived in Camp about 1-30 A.M. of 25
Sept. 25 I worked all day on My truck so did not go out
Sept. 26 Left about 1 P.M. on amm. detail. hauled powder charges and fuses to artillery positions which started fierce cannonade at about 11 Oclock P.M. arrived in camp about 4 A.M. of 27th
[The Meuse-Argonne Offensive began on this date]
Sept. 27 Left at about noon Hauled shells up to artillery positions Rained hard very muddy I got stuck but
Sept. 28 delivered shells at about 7 P.M. of 28th. arrived in camp at 11 A.M. of 29th.
Sept. 29 Did not go out.
Sept. 30 I took My truck to M.O. shop at Homerville arrived at about 11-30 A.M.
[I could find no French town named Homerville. Probably an American pronunciation of Fromerville]
Oct. 1 Helped put in new bearing in truck at M.O. finished about 4-30 P.M. arrived back in Camp at 5 P.M. and went on Amm. Detail
Oct. 2 On amm. detail untill about 2 A.M. Did not go out again
Oct. 3 Moved from Camp Baleycourt at 6 A.M. Went in Camp near Esne. I went on detail at 12-30 P.M. on all night
 |
Oct. 4 On some detail hauling amm. to 315 Art.
Oct. 5 Busy day and night hauling amm. 5th to 8th
Oct. 5th to 30 Liveing in dug-outs trenches etc also dug in shelter-halves rain every day very disagreeable Wagonors and helpers staying at Dumps Company in Camp further back. Dump and quarters shelled with high-explosive shells and gas almost every day
(following written in margin) Camp shelled Oct. 23, at 6 P.M. and Otto Shramm killed.
[The first few days of the offensive made relatively easy progress as the Germans withdrew to a secondary line of defense. After October 5, progress was more difficult and deadly. While one wishes for a detailed account, the absence of entries indicates how difficult a time this was. Family lore says that Grandpa Miller was asleep without a mask when a gas attack occurred. Presumably that occurred during this period.]
Oct. 30 Amm. Tr. moved up to new dump at Cunal Shelled by Jerry hard in afternoon and at night Our Artillery started big barrage at 3 A.M. of 31
Oct. 31 Con. Barr. Untill 6 P.M. Infantry advanced 8 K.M.
Nov. 1 Nice day but very cold at night. Infantry still advanceing
Nov. 2 Very wet, disagreeable day.
Nov. 3 Moved from Cunal to Villiars
Nov. 4 to 11 Busy every day and night hauling amm. Hostilities ceased at 11 O’clock of Nov. 11 I hauled last two loads to 314 and 315th on 11th and 12th
[A separate listing is given of the towns in his sector. These are marked on a modern map below.]
 |
Click on map to enlarge
 |
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