TRANSCRIBED FROM THE MODERN NEWS, DECEMBER 20, 1918 P. 1
In Action Somewhere in France Oct. 25, 1918
Editor Modern News:
I will endeavor to write you a few lines, which I have intended to do ever since my arrival in war zone in France but you know these square headed Dutchmen sometimes deprive a fellow of doing what he would like to do. I attempted to get a letter away to you several times, and each time some uncouth Dutchman would cut loose with a machine gun or start pumping 77’s at me, and in the scramble which followed I usually lost everything but my mess kit. I don’t know how it is but I seem to have a happy faculty of never running worse second when it comes to getting into a shell hole or dugout. However, I think I will succeed in finishing this letter. You, no doubt have read in the papers of the success of the Yanks in a certain sector on the front in the past few months. I cannot tell a lie—I happened to be one of the bunch, and as the low brow brutes did not have steel breast plates to fit their backs, it placed them in a peculiar predicament. I don’t want to appear boastful but after we get a few million more Yanks on the line there’s going to be nothing to it but the good old U. S. A. Of course we have a few hardships to encounter, but that is expected. We are never bothered with a single trench rat or cootie, they all have large families. The Kaiser invented these pests in order to make it miserable for us under cover, as he figures that he can make it quite unhealthy for us if we come out, but you know that don’t have much effect when it comes time to be up and at ‘em.
I have had some wonderful experience and it has been quite educational. I would like to tell you a lot of things I have seen, but no doubt I would bring down the wrath of Mr. Censor on my dome, so will wait till I get back to the states. I saw in the Modern News of August 2nd, where Lee Ivey had been sentenced to 99 years at Ft. Leavenworth for disloyalty. Well, take it from me that is what he or any other guy deserves, if they haven’t enough mental faculties and vim to stick up for a great nation that has given them life, and if they could see some of the crimes the German’s have committed they would wake up and come to life. Would be glad to hear from any of the readers as letters are very essential to keep a Yank in a jovial mood, will close with regards to all.
Lovingly,
Private Doss H. Thorn
Co. B. 304th Ammunition Train
79th Div., A. E. F., France
NOTES:
TRANSCRIBED BY MIKE POLSTON
In Action Somewhere in France Oct. 25, 1918
Editor Modern News:
I will endeavor to write you a few lines, which I have intended to do ever since my arrival in war zone in France but you know these square headed Dutchmen sometimes deprive a fellow of doing what he would like to do. I attempted to get a letter away to you several times, and each time some uncouth Dutchman would cut loose with a machine gun or start pumping 77’s at me, and in the scramble which followed I usually lost everything but my mess kit. I don’t know how it is but I seem to have a happy faculty of never running worse second when it comes to getting into a shell hole or dugout. However, I think I will succeed in finishing this letter. You, no doubt have read in the papers of the success of the Yanks in a certain sector on the front in the past few months. I cannot tell a lie—I happened to be one of the bunch, and as the low brow brutes did not have steel breast plates to fit their backs, it placed them in a peculiar predicament. I don’t want to appear boastful but after we get a few million more Yanks on the line there’s going to be nothing to it but the good old U. S. A. Of course we have a few hardships to encounter, but that is expected. We are never bothered with a single trench rat or cootie, they all have large families. The Kaiser invented these pests in order to make it miserable for us under cover, as he figures that he can make it quite unhealthy for us if we come out, but you know that don’t have much effect when it comes time to be up and at ‘em.
I have had some wonderful experience and it has been quite educational. I would like to tell you a lot of things I have seen, but no doubt I would bring down the wrath of Mr. Censor on my dome, so will wait till I get back to the states. I saw in the Modern News of August 2nd, where Lee Ivey had been sentenced to 99 years at Ft. Leavenworth for disloyalty. Well, take it from me that is what he or any other guy deserves, if they haven’t enough mental faculties and vim to stick up for a great nation that has given them life, and if they could see some of the crimes the German’s have committed they would wake up and come to life. Would be glad to hear from any of the readers as letters are very essential to keep a Yank in a jovial mood, will close with regards to all.
Lovingly,
Private Doss H. Thorn
Co. B. 304th Ammunition Train
79th Div., A. E. F., France
NOTES:
TRANSCRIBED BY MIKE POLSTON