TRANSCRIBED FROM THE COURIER-INDEX NOVEMBER 29, 1918 P. 1
Base Hospital No. 27,
France, Oct. 29, 1918.
Mr. Hugh Mixon,
Marianna, Ark.
Dear Mr. Mixon:
Have been wanting to write to you for some time, and as I have nothing to do this afternoon am writing a few letters.
Drank some gassed water October 15 and have been in the hospital since the 17th. Have been in one field hospital, two evacuation hospitals and am now in a base hospital, where I’ve received my fist treatment. Was in a pretty bad shape, that is, my stomach, but am getting along fine now. We had been getting our water from a large spring down in the valley (we were up on a high hill) and the Germans, or Jerry, as we call him, had been lobbing gas and high explosive shells over for two days and nights and there was much gas in the air, we didn’t notice that the water tasted gassed, and nearly our whole company had to go to the hospital.
Was in the reserve and front line trenches nearly four weeks. Was in reserve two weeks living in deep dugouts and trenches.
Went over the top October 15. Was in a pretty hot place. They sent two companies of us up to take a stretch of woods one day and after we couldn’t, the next day they sent up two regiments. They finally got hotter as they sure were bringing in boocoo (which is French for lots) of Yanks and artillery.
Have been over a good deal of France on trains and by hiking. Some of it is pretty rough. Most of the buildings are made of stone and very old. I have seen one church that was started over 400 years ago. And by the way, every city, town and village has a big Catholic church. Some of them are swell. You can tell when a town is near, miles away, by first seeing the church steeple.
Have been in and through several large cities. Was within 20 kilos (kilo is five eights of a mile) of Paris.
Have seen two aeroplane battles, in one an American plane was brought down, in the other a Jerry plane.
It certainly is spectacular to see them maneuver for position. I understand the Royal Flying Corps of the British is the best over here.
Have also seen four observation balloons brought down. The last one a Jerry plane came over five or six times before he finally got it. This time he came over right behind at least 5 American or French planes, when all at once he made a long nose dive at the balloon and set it afire and got away without getting hurt. He certainly had his nerve with him for they shot anti-aircraft guns and machine guns at them. The anti-aircraft guns shoot shrapnel.
They certainly have lots of airplanes here. Have seen as many as 75 to 85 allied planes in the air at one time.
The soldiers of the different nations all have their nicknames; the Americans are Yanks, the French are Froggies, the British are Tommies, the Australians are Ozziers (they are considered among the best troops here) and the Germans are Jerries.
There are lots of negroes over here and they have two fighting divisions that I know of. They have been in the fighting too, as I see lots of wounded negroes here in the hospital. One division was on the same front we were on and I am sure they saw their share of the fighting.
Am with the 131st regiment with the 33rd division. It is a national guard regiment from Chicago and is known as Chicago’s Dandy First.
As I’ve already written more than I think the censor will pass, will close for his time.
Please remember me to Mr. Allen.
With best wishes, I am
Your friend,
IKE PANICH
NOTES: This letter was written to Mr. Hugh Mixon, a cashier at the Bank of Marianna in Marianna, Arkansas.
TRANSCRIBED BY STEPHANE LECOINTE
Base Hospital No. 27,
France, Oct. 29, 1918.
Mr. Hugh Mixon,
Marianna, Ark.
Dear Mr. Mixon:
Have been wanting to write to you for some time, and as I have nothing to do this afternoon am writing a few letters.
Drank some gassed water October 15 and have been in the hospital since the 17th. Have been in one field hospital, two evacuation hospitals and am now in a base hospital, where I’ve received my fist treatment. Was in a pretty bad shape, that is, my stomach, but am getting along fine now. We had been getting our water from a large spring down in the valley (we were up on a high hill) and the Germans, or Jerry, as we call him, had been lobbing gas and high explosive shells over for two days and nights and there was much gas in the air, we didn’t notice that the water tasted gassed, and nearly our whole company had to go to the hospital.
Was in the reserve and front line trenches nearly four weeks. Was in reserve two weeks living in deep dugouts and trenches.
Went over the top October 15. Was in a pretty hot place. They sent two companies of us up to take a stretch of woods one day and after we couldn’t, the next day they sent up two regiments. They finally got hotter as they sure were bringing in boocoo (which is French for lots) of Yanks and artillery.
Have been over a good deal of France on trains and by hiking. Some of it is pretty rough. Most of the buildings are made of stone and very old. I have seen one church that was started over 400 years ago. And by the way, every city, town and village has a big Catholic church. Some of them are swell. You can tell when a town is near, miles away, by first seeing the church steeple.
Have been in and through several large cities. Was within 20 kilos (kilo is five eights of a mile) of Paris.
Have seen two aeroplane battles, in one an American plane was brought down, in the other a Jerry plane.
It certainly is spectacular to see them maneuver for position. I understand the Royal Flying Corps of the British is the best over here.
Have also seen four observation balloons brought down. The last one a Jerry plane came over five or six times before he finally got it. This time he came over right behind at least 5 American or French planes, when all at once he made a long nose dive at the balloon and set it afire and got away without getting hurt. He certainly had his nerve with him for they shot anti-aircraft guns and machine guns at them. The anti-aircraft guns shoot shrapnel.
They certainly have lots of airplanes here. Have seen as many as 75 to 85 allied planes in the air at one time.
The soldiers of the different nations all have their nicknames; the Americans are Yanks, the French are Froggies, the British are Tommies, the Australians are Ozziers (they are considered among the best troops here) and the Germans are Jerries.
There are lots of negroes over here and they have two fighting divisions that I know of. They have been in the fighting too, as I see lots of wounded negroes here in the hospital. One division was on the same front we were on and I am sure they saw their share of the fighting.
Am with the 131st regiment with the 33rd division. It is a national guard regiment from Chicago and is known as Chicago’s Dandy First.
As I’ve already written more than I think the censor will pass, will close for his time.
Please remember me to Mr. Allen.
With best wishes, I am
Your friend,
IKE PANICH
NOTES: This letter was written to Mr. Hugh Mixon, a cashier at the Bank of Marianna in Marianna, Arkansas.
TRANSCRIBED BY STEPHANE LECOINTE