The War Diary of Cpl H. Fletcher Davidson, USMC
St MIHIEL SALIENT
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Sep 9th-11th - Camped in shelter halves with [Floyd] Williams. Paid the 10th and was Cpl. of the Guard night of 10th and 11th. Preparations for big offensive. Company went to front to dig machine gun emplacements night of 10th. Night of 11th and 12th Company marched to trenches. I was detailed to guard ammunition dump. Dark and very rainy. Barrage started at 1 AM to five when machine guns and 75's opened up along whole front. 2nd Division went over top at 8:30 and advance 12 kilometers that day from Limey to beyond Thiaucourt. I stayed at Limey dump until noon of 12th when with 15th Company's carts took train of ammunition to Thiaucourt dump and remained there on guard alone until next evening [Charles] Ferguson came to help me.
Sep 14th - Ration dump established by ammunition dump and I was put in charge of it also. Lt. Moriarty, Browny, Kopp spent night with us waiting for kitchen.
Sep 15th - Lt. Biglow came to take charge of dumps. Made several trips on runs to Thiaucourt.
Sep 16th - Made several runs into Thiaucourt. Company reported to be surrounded and captured or wiped out. Were nearly surrounded, but fought their way out of the trap and made a two kilometer advance. I returned to our Company galley late that PM and made run from there
to Thiaucourt to Bn PC and also to hunt [Robert] Diver, [Mike] Winandy, and [William] Bulda. [Ernst] Teuscher went with me. Mr. Ladd started with us, but turned back. We met [Harley] Bourne and [Mike] Winandy on our return. Had my first good meal and sleep for five days.
Sep 17th - Spent most of AM in sleep and in PM salvaging machine guns, spare parts, tools and ammunition. Packed up and moved back to top of hill south of Thiaucourt. I was detailed to wait for ration cart and guide it in. Company turned snipers and made it hot for Fritz.
Sep 18th - Had early dinner and took up march to the rear, stopping at Bois de Minorville. Traveled with monkey cart.
Sep 19th - Mended carts in AM. Went to river in PM to take a bath, but were recalled as guns had to be sent to mobile repair shop. [Cecil] Thompson, [Floyd] Williams and I were broken out of bed about 9:30 to mend broken kitchen and worked until stopped by Major Waller.
Sep 20th - - [George] Zimmerman and I took the rolling kitchen to the repair shop at Manorville, but they did a par bon (?) job as it broke next day on the road again.
Sep 21st - - Spent most of the day getting carts into shape and packed up after supper and hiked all night to Bicqueley, 5 kilometers from Toul.
Sep 22nd - - Helped all day making a steel reach and coupling for rolling kitchen --- Thompson, Williams and I.
Sep 23rd - - Finished mending kitchen and fixed some gun cars, Had my whole toilet kit stolen by French kids, but got most of it back.
Sep 25th-26th - - Remained in Bicqueley doing general repair work. Drew new clothes on 26th.
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