Letter to Aunt nell -

Oct. 19, 1918

Dear Aunt Nell -

Just a few lines to say the exams are over and - well - I was surprised to discover that I would answer every identical question - dead easy! So - tonight I'm pretty satisfied with myself & the world in general - and - while not too confident that I'll be Lieut. Bliss in a week or so - I've no reason to be other than sure I've done my best and think that chances are "pretty durned bon." Will write you as soon as I know - and - if that cablegram comes with the money in time, will cable you, and you can let the folks at home know.

Do you know the meaning of the French word "liaison"? Anyhow - we military students and "experts"(?) use it daily - it's incorporated in ever tactical problem or military source or vein of thinking. It means "communication" or "cooperation through close touch between the (?) of the service." Well a French Lieut. was lecturing us this week on "Liaison" in combat - being in touch with our supporting artillery & all that sort of thing, you know - and he ended by saying - "At the wars commencing ze Kaiser - he claims to cooperation with God - he say "Gott met us." From the communiques of recently, I think ze Kaiser Bill has lost his liaison with God. Ha! Ha!

The French don't spring jokes as often as a Yank - but - they do get in some real ones, once in a while.

A Yankee Major was recently talking on :Tactical Use of Arms" to my class and he said "Napoleon said God is on the army's side that has the most artillery" and I think the Kaiser has quit (?) his 'Gott mit us' stuff lately - for that very reason! Ha! Ha! Anyhow - you can't imagine the "bumping" we give Jerry when we want to move Rhine-wards - and - well - read the papers.

How are you coming with your French? I get along very well now - can purchase anything I want and get any information I want - so - well - I'm an "average Yank." We all have a half breed "parles vous" that "gets us by"!

The French are wonderfully enthusiastic people - and - the townspeople are wonderfully loyal to their soldiers and oh! how they do stand back of them! I wonder if the stolid American citizen is as enthusiastic in these victorious days. Tell me more about the atmosphere among the population - as a whole.

Well - will close - as I am going to town for a big feed tomorrow (Sunday) and - a wee tiny bit o' champagne - just to celebrate the end of the course. (It's so comparatively modest-priced, over here, you know! Ha! Ha!)

As ever,

With much love, Clyde

More diary entries - 

October 20, 1918, Sun, Cloudy. Rain.

Ed Fisher, Ray Nolan & I went to town before bkfst. Had a most wonderful luncheon & dinner in town - with cognac, wine & fried (?) for 25 francs. Back at 9:00. Best meal since I was home.

October 21, 1918, Mon.

On range today & shot at 200+ kneeling & standing and had Automatic Pistol (Colt 45) practice. In p.m. at 300+ then pulled off a big attack stunt, with a barrage (?) in front of us & bombs bursting all around - for a gov't moving picture camera. Great stuff, cleaned rifle with (?) and studied from 7 - 9. Bed at taps.

October 22, 1918, Tues., Rain.

At range in a.m. shooting at 300+. At pits in p.m. marking targets. Went to movies & 7 - 9 study. Bed at taps. Feel bum.

October 23, 1918, Wed.

At range all day. Shot 600+ in a.m. and 300 & 200 rapid fire & snap shooting in p.m. [Snap-shooting is a technique to use if you must make a quick shot and the target is straight ahead at close range. You simply raise the shotgun, and point where you think the target will be when the shot arrives.] Letter from Gates. Study 7 - 9 p.m. Good show at YMCA "Camouflage". Letters came - 21 in all today.

Letter to Aunt Nell 

France

Oct. 23, 1918

Dear Aunt Nell -

Enclosed [nothing else in envelope at this point] please find some clippings from "our paper" which you may enjoy.

Having a busy week on the rifle range - not so very hard.

No announcement, as yet, as to our success here.

Will write next weekend.

Hastily - With much love, Clyde

More diary entries -

October 24, 1918, Thur.

Such a heavy fog we couldn't even shoot at 100 yds. this a.m. Shot snap shooting & auto - rifle in p.m. Saw Don Emery & a Sergt. - (?) with O.S.M. (?) at a Bn. formation. To movies. Study 7 - 9. Bed early.

October 25, 1918, Frid., Rain nearly all day.

Shot Vickers M.G. [The Vickers machine gun or Vickers gun is a water-cooled .303 British (7.7 mm) machine gun produced by Vickers Limited, originally for the British Army. The gun was operated by a three-man crew but typically required more men to move and operate it: one fired, one fed the ammunition, the others helped to carry the weapon, its ammunition, and spare parts.] & Browning heavy M.G. in a.m. - and loafed, also light Browning & (?). Snap shooting in p.m. - cleaned rifle - shaved - wrote letters - etc. New shoes. Study 7 - 9.

October 26, 1918, Sat.

Inspection in a.m. Went to town for bath in a.m. Luncheon in town - purchased my Sam Browne belt [a leather belt with a supporting strap that passes over the right shoulder, worn by army and police officers.], bars [Lieutenant bars], etc. - taking a chance. Belt 65 francs, (?) 40 franc bars, (?), etc. 10 francs. Back at 5 p.m. To movies in evening. Bed at 9. Tired.

October 27, 1918, Sun.

To town at 10. Took laundry - purchased officer's cap - had 2 meals at Madames for 15 francs. Back at 9. Wonderful day - fine time. Shaved. Bed at 10:00.

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