The War Diary of Cpl H. Fletcher Davidson, USMC
IN THE TRENCHES AT VERDUN
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Mar 17th - Left Chaumont la Ville [7:30 AM] and hiked to Breuvannes where we entrained for front. Two Red Cross workers gave us good send off. At Breuvannes loaded all equipment on flat cars. All sea bags with personal belongings left behind, with promise we would have them again in about two weeks. [67 years later - 2 weeks: not up yet!] [ First diary lost]
Dept of the Meuse ~ Verdun Sector
Mar 18th - Detrained at Lemmes and had a long hike [50 Km] to Camp Massey on Verdun Sector. [Clear, hot day for March. Saw much anti-aircraft fire. Stopped by a small brook for cold chow and most took opportunity to soak feet in the cold water.]
Mar 19th-26th - Lay in reserve at Camp Massey, marching up every other day to dig trenches.
Mar 27th - Left Camp Massey and hiked into trenches at Eperon at night. Stood gas watch (or rather watched the rat army). No Mans Land on fire. Set by German flares landing in dead grass.
Mar 28th - Built weather vane for gas purposes. At night [Earl] Worthington and I were sent to P.C. Brest, 2nd Battalion, 6th R, as runners to our Company.
Mar 29th-31st - Stationed nights at P.C. Brest as runners and in days at P.C. Eperon 81st P.C. [Brest P.C. is 20 ft underground with 3 tier chicken bunks, but the roof drips continually.]
Apr 1st - Cpl. [Floyd] Williams came in from Camp Loggets to relieve me and I walked back to Loggetts in afternoon.
Apr 6th - Went to Camp Massey to guard rations until arrival of Company from trenches that night.
Apr 7th-10th - Spent in Camp Massey doing general work on carts and guns. Williams and I made two anti-aircraft mounts for the Hotchkiss tripod. [A very tedious job due to lack of tools having nothing much but a rat tail file with which to drill holes in boiler plate. Rain and shell fire in area, but no damage.]
Apr 11th - Went into trenches at Menil at night. Packed mule train with pack saddles up mountain that night.
Apr 12th - Went out with chow runners to Sgt. Burdett's position and made run out at night with evening orders.
Apr 13th - Made two runs to Sgt Burdett's position on right flank.
Apr 14th - Went down to Lt. Stiles position with music and fixed up water pump to pump water out of dugout. Made two runs to get Sgt. Burdett's position. Was sniped at on return and was spattered with mud but not hurt.
Apr 15th - Made three runs to Sgt. Burdett's position. Were relieved by French at night and marched to Camp Clifford.
Apr 16th - My birthday! General rest and cleanup day.
Apr 17th - Company went into trenches at Watronville. I remained at Camp Cliffird with the mule skinners.
Apr 18th-May 10th - Spent in Camp Clifford doing general repair work and `Jack of all trades'. Made three or four trips out to the trenches for Meister or [Sgt Howard] Strain.
May 11th - Drove one of mule carts into Rondean and Company came out of trenches.
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