TRANSCRIBED FROM THE GRAND PRAIRIE NEWS JULY 4, 1918 P. 9
Dear Folks;
This is my first letter since the last Sunday in May, and I hope you have received that letter by this time. We hope to be in France about day after tomorrow, so you see we have been dodging around on sea quite a while. We surely have a large convoy, in fact the largest one that has crossed the Atlantic, up to this time. With such a large number of transports and destroyers, we feel safe, with the exception of a few hours at night when our lookouts cannot see very far out or sight submarines. We get all the press news just the same as you people do on land, as our wireless station intercepts all signals. No doubt but what there is much excitement in the States since the German U sunk the “Carolina” in our own water. We have had a fine trip all the way, as the sea has been as calm as one could possibly imagine it to be. Very few of our men were seasick, and then only a day or two. I am having a number of pictures sent to you thru one of the ship crew. The group picture is all of the officers of the 30th Signal Battalion, and also, two French officers who are attached to our organization. Note the “life jackets” we wear day and night while we are in the war zone water. This certainly is one great adventure, and “terra firma” will feel very good when we strike it again. I am well and hope this finds all of you the same. Will write when I have time again, and as soon as we get to France.
Love to all,
John
NOTES: This letter was written by Lieut. John G. Buerkle.
TRANSCRIBED BY DEBRA POLSTON
Dear Folks;
This is my first letter since the last Sunday in May, and I hope you have received that letter by this time. We hope to be in France about day after tomorrow, so you see we have been dodging around on sea quite a while. We surely have a large convoy, in fact the largest one that has crossed the Atlantic, up to this time. With such a large number of transports and destroyers, we feel safe, with the exception of a few hours at night when our lookouts cannot see very far out or sight submarines. We get all the press news just the same as you people do on land, as our wireless station intercepts all signals. No doubt but what there is much excitement in the States since the German U sunk the “Carolina” in our own water. We have had a fine trip all the way, as the sea has been as calm as one could possibly imagine it to be. Very few of our men were seasick, and then only a day or two. I am having a number of pictures sent to you thru one of the ship crew. The group picture is all of the officers of the 30th Signal Battalion, and also, two French officers who are attached to our organization. Note the “life jackets” we wear day and night while we are in the war zone water. This certainly is one great adventure, and “terra firma” will feel very good when we strike it again. I am well and hope this finds all of you the same. Will write when I have time again, and as soon as we get to France.
Love to all,
John
NOTES: This letter was written by Lieut. John G. Buerkle.
TRANSCRIBED BY DEBRA POLSTON