Log Cabin Memorial - George E. Hentschel Diary

PREFACE

George E. Hentschel was the first American born son of immigrants from Austria-Hungry living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Through early travel with his father George was familiar with his land of ethnic origin.

When the war broke out immigrants found themselves under a cloud of suspicion.

The Hentschel's stopped speaking their ethnic language and did everything possible to prove loyalty to America and separate themselves from their country of origin.

George joined the United States Armed Forces.

Whenever an American chooses to stand against their country of origin he or she proves themselves a patriot and a citizen.

Italicized entries denote consolidated diary entries and map locations.

The bold print denotes historical events that are not found in the diary but may assist in the understanding of the entries.

-- Bruce Hentschel

For those who want to see the original George E. Hentschel Diary diary page SCANS, click here to view all 78 of them

George E. Hentschel 1917

Diary of

George E. Hentschel

Served: November 3, 1917 to May 30,1919

79th Division, 314^th Infantry, Company, G

American Expeditionary Force

Dispatched to France

to Win

World War for Liberty

April 6, 1917	United States Declares War with Germany.
June 26, 1917	First American Troops arrive in France.
October, 27,1917	First American shots fired in France.
Sunday, November 4, 1917	Left B & O railroad station (24^th & Chestnut St, Phila.) at 9:57 a.m. Arrived at Camp Meade, Md. at 2:16 p.m. Camp Meade is located between Baltimore, Maryland & Washington D.C., USA.
Thursday, November 29, 1917	Thanksgiving Menu: Breakfast: french toast, bacon, potatoes, syrup, and coffee. Dinner: Corn beef, potatoes, tomatoes, bread, and coffee.
December 6, 1918	U.S. Warship, Jacob Jones sunk by German submarine.
December 25, 1918	Christmas Day Menu: Breakfast: Bacon, rice, bread, and coffee Dinner: Pork, rice, apple sauce, nuts, grapes, cigars, cigarettes, chocolates.
Tuesday, January 1,1918	Barracks quarantined for measles since Christmas, indoors due to very cold wind blowing with snow on ground
Wednesday, January 2, 1918	On account of Quarantine we drilled inside barracks a.m. and p.m.
Thursday, January 4, 1918	Having no coal for furnaces, we carried logs all morning and cut them in the afternoon. Still very cold weather.
Friday, January 4, 1918	Kitchen Duty from 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 5, 1918	Inspection 8:10 a.m., cut logs for remainder of the day.
Sunday, January 6, 1918	Guard duty outside quarantined barracks 10 - 12 am, 4 - 6 p.m., 10 -12 p.m., 4- 6 a.m. Daily measles inspections and drills
Wednesday, January 9, 1918	Measles inspection. Drill in a.m. Walk and run through woods for 2 hrs. in p.m. “fox hunt” until we perspired then hot-cold shower-bath & good rub.
Monday, January 14, 1918	Received my 2^nd pay of $11.58. The 314^th Regt. was quarantined.
Wednesday, January 16, 1918	Regular “Squad” drilling and rifle drill or exercise accompanied by music.
Thursday, January 17, 1918	“Short arm” and feet inspection. Three hour hike in the afternoon and had bayonet, scabbard, and cartridge belt issued at night.
Friday, January 18, 1918	Resumed bayonet practice with “blob” stick. My weight 146¼ lb.
Saturday, January 19, 1918	Inspection at 8:00. Had haversack issued in a.m.
Sunday, January 20, 1918	Attended Regimental Services at Y.M.C.A. Capt. Laurence left Co.“G” – 314th inf. for the Aviation Service in France. Capt. Muhlenburg [1] succeeded him.
Friday, January 25, 1918	Finger prints taken at regimental hospital in p.m. 314^th regiment still quarantined while drilling and hiking to encourage sweating, then experience hot- cold shower baths. Each morning bunks were set outdoors to air out. The men could then drill inside.
Tuesday, January 29, 1918	My pace is 32 inches, My stride is 64 inches, 112 paces = 100yds. 56 strides = 100yds., 1971 paces = 1 mile, 985½ strides = 1 mile.
Friday, February 1, 1918	Shoveled snow all day from obstacle course. Capt. Smith in command. United States troopship Tuscania sunk by submarine, 126 lost.
Wednesday, February 6, 1918	Automatic rifle school in p.m..
Thursday, Febuary 7, 1918	Quarantine was lifted Automatic Rifle and theory of Fire School was held every afternoon for two hours
Monday, February 11, 1918	Dug “butts” at the range. Vaudeville show at YMCA. Movies on Squad Formations and Manual of Arms by West Point Cadets at new Liberty Theatre.
Wednesday, February 13, 1918	Pay Day. $11.40
Thursday, February 14, 1918	Gun Drill. Gen’l Nicholson reviewing.
Monday, February 18, 1918	Fired my first shot on range. Name sent to headquarters for transfer because of photography experience.
Sunday, February 24, 1918	Lieut. Brigham [2] told me to get a few pointers as S.Sgt. (Supply Sergeant)
Monday, February 25, 1918	Helped Supply Sergeant in a.m.. . School in p.m.. .
Wednesday, February 27, 1918	Appointed Ass’t. Supply Sergeant.
Thursday, February 28, 1918	Graduated from Automatic Supply Room / Arms School George worked the Supply Room and practiced at the firing range daily.
Friday, March 8, 1918	Pay Day, $9.72
Sunday, March 10, 1918	Gus visited me for 20 min. He was quarantined for diphtheria
Monday, March 11, 1918	Hike to Rifle Range 100 yds. 4444545545 = 44 200 yds. 4445444555 = 44 300 yds 540443544444444 = 57 Score 145
Sunday, March 17, 1918	Physical Examination in Reg’t. Hospital for Over Seas Service.
March 23,1918	German "Mystery Gun" shells Paris France.
Thursday, April 4, 1918	Left camp Meade at 7:30 AM. On hike to Baltimore with “full” packs Walked 14 miles to Shipley, Md., camping there over night. No sleep
Friday, April 5, 1918	Left Shipley at 6:20 a.m.. For Balto.. Arrived at Druid Hill Park at 10:40 a.m.. Liberty allowed.
Saturday, April 6, 1918	Parade of 79^th Div. in Balto. . Review by President Wilson.
Sunday, April 7, 1918	Left Druid Hill Park at 8:00 a.m.. with "small packs" for Camp Meade [3] Arrived at camp at 4:20 p.m..
Friday, April 12, 1918	Gus Brueninger [4] left Camp Meade for Camp Merritt, NJ. and from there to France.
Sunday, April 14, 1918	Lutheran services in YMCA. in a.m... Strolled about camp with Eggs Hampton in p.m.
Monday, April 15, 1918	“Eggs” came over to see me at 9:25 a.m. to say he would leave the next morning for Camp Merritt, NJ.
Tuesday, April 16, 1918	At 10 a.m. “Eggs” left for Camp Merritt.
Wednesday, April 17, 1918	Baseball – Co. “C”– 11, Co. “G” – 7 36 hour passes appear to be granted to George every two to three weeks
First week of May, 1918	Very busy all week , clothing and measuring recruits from West Virginia. Weekly weekend passes are granted to George
May 24,1918	British Ship Moldavia, carrying American troops, torpedoed; 56 lost. Reports of influenza affecting troops in Europe.
Saturday, May 25, 1918	Liberty Theatre (Camp Meade) – Vaudeville
Monday, June 3, 1918	Four day liberty at home in S. W. Phila. . Stopped at office, Ethel's [5] for supper, Willow Grove [6] in evening.
June 3, 1918	German submarines attack U.S. coast; 11 ships sunk.
Monday, June 10, 1918	Left barracks for a 2 week stay on the rifle range. Spent many days firing on rifle range until June 19, 1918. The diary's stressful penmanship and entries appears to suggest the first week of July was spent preparing to break camp and move onto the unknown.
Saturday, July 6, 1918	Left Camp Meade at 5:19 p.m. for Camp Merritt (New Jersey).
Sunday, July 7, 1918	Arrived at Jersey City at 3:10 a.m. Stayed over in station until 8 a.m. Took ferry from pier at 9:40 and boarded the Leviathain. Mess was a great sight to witness.
Monday, July 8, 1918	Leviathain sailed from Hoboken at 6:24 p.m. N.Y. Harbor was a pretty scene. First night at sea. Cannot feel vibration of vessel. Leviathain : Largest, fastest, transport afloat. 8 decks,42 boilers, crews of 1,200, carried about 18,000 troops. Two meals daily and had to wait in line for 3 hours each time. Good and plenty to eat. Abandon ship drill in 13 minutes. Trip across Atlantic in 6 1/2 days. Zig-zag coarse. No submarines.
Tuesday, July 9, 1918	At sea, very balmy. Nothing sighted. 3 mast schooner
Wednesday, July 10, 1918	At sea. Getting rougher. Nothing sighted.
Saturday, July 13, 1918	5^thday at sea, 3 steamers & 2 whales sighted. "Abandon Ship" drill every day
Sunday, July 14, 1918	Slept with all clothes on. 6^th day at sea. Met by 5 convoys.
Monday, July 15, 1918	Arrived at Brest (France) at 12:40 p.m.
Tuesday, July 16, 1918	Touched French soil at 11:20 pm. Baggage detail in Brest. Slept in stable in Stockyard.
July 18, 1918	Allied forces, after much loss, launch successful offensive that turns the war.
Friday, July 19, 1918	Left Brest at 8 a.m. Arrived at Royan 5:15 p.m. Arrived at Laval 7:45 p.m.
Saturday, July 20, 1918	Orleans 12:50 a.m. Arrived at Cours 7:10 a.m. Train very slow. Traveled only about 50 miles in 24 hours. 40 men per Box Car.
Sunday, July 21, 1918	Arrived at Dijon at 7:10 p.m. Arrived at Avallon at 10:50 p.m. Bivwacked at Laignes for night. Slept on barracks bags at Laignes Station. Baggage detail at Laignes
Tuesday, July 23, 1918	Billeted at Puits in old kings mansion (1500 years old) for 2 days.
Thursday, July 25, 1918	Slept on street. Puits, Baggage Detail.
Saturday, July 27, 1918	Left Puits at 4:30 a.m. passing through Chatillon and Champlitte and arriving at Frettes at 5:30 p.m.
Sunday, July 28, 1918	Frettes. Quartered in barn. First good cooked meal since leaving Camp Meade.
Monday, July 29, 1918	Quartered in loft of very old house .
Wednesday, July 31, 1918	1^st day of drill for me.
Thursday, August 1, 1918	Hard Life, Reveille at 5 a.m., Breakfast at 5:30 a.m. Drill Call - 6:20 a.m., Recall - 11:45 a.m., Dinner at 12, Drill Call at 12:40 p.m., recall - 4:30, Supper -6:00, Retreat -5:00 Taps -9:00. 6 days a week.
First week of August, 1918	Billets in Frettes. Daily all day drills.
Sunday, August 4, 1918	3^rd letter to Ethel [7]. Stroll through country in p.m. ( Dunbar [8], DeWolfe [9] & I).
Monday August 5, 1918	Drill. Received 1^st letter from Ethel [10] dated 7-12-18. Steel helmet issued.
Second week of August 1918	Daily Drills
Tuesday, August 6, 1918	Rain, Supply Office.
Thursday, August 8, 1918	4^th letter to Ethel [11].
Saturday, August 10, 1918	Worked on grenade course all day. Gas mask, French bags, gloves issued. Billets in Frettes
Sunday, August 11, 1918	Day off. Attended religious services in a.m. (Rev. DeWolf, member of Co.- G ), Stroll through country in afternoon.
Monday August 12, 1918 through Friday August 16, 1918	Another week of daily drilling.
Thursday, August 15, 1918	Drill, Co. Amateur Night - Songs, Delate, Stunts, (head), Lassao.
Saturday, August 17, 1918	Built German dummies on drill field. Company went on 6 hour hike. Billets in Frettes
Sunday, August 18, 1918	6^th letter home. Services in a.m. (DeWolf [9]). Dunbar and I walked to Champlitte in afternoon. 9.1 Kil. away from Fretts. Good swim in Seine River.
Tuesday, August 20, 1918	Regimental Problem from 7 a.m. till 5:30 p.m. Over the mountainous country. 2 sandwiches for dinner eaten while laying on back. From Frettes to Argillieres to Frettes. Helmet very hot. Hard day thick brush.
Wednesday, August 21, 1918	Drill. 2^nd letter from home. 7^th letter home. Allotted $10.00 home. Total now $25.00 .
Thursday, August 22, 1918	Supply office Billets in Frettes
Late August, 1918	Influenza virus ( 2^nd wave) was reported at port cities of Freetown, Sierra Leone, and Brest, France ( port of entry for 314^th).
Friday, August 23, 1918 and Saturday, August 24, 1918	Preparing to move. Paid at 10 p.m. (101 f.)
Sunday, August 26, 1918	8^th letter to E. (Ethel [11]). Stolz [12], Dunbar [13] , & I walked to Champlitte in afternoon for good swim in Seine River.
The week of August 26, 1918	Week spent stamping tags, repairing rifles, and odd jobs
Tuesday, August 27, 1918	While Bo was on Reg't problem I stamped id. Tags all day.
Saturday, August 31, 1918	4 hour hike and did odd jobs. Maynard, Gillette [14] & I bought 2 lambs for tomorrows dinner.
Sunday, September 1,1918	Seitzer [15], Sevan, and I walked to Grenant. Bought 2 doz. Eggs, had omelet, Met girl who spoke English had piano, songs, victrola, and lived in American style home. Good time until 6 p.m. Paid at 9:15 p.m. ( 49 f. ).
Monday, September 2, 1918	Labor Day. 3 hour drill in a.m.. Field inspection of equipment in p.m. by Col. Dury. Battalion parade at 4:30 p.m.. Reviewed by Maj. Caldwell.
Tuesday, September 3, 1918	Regimental problem in vicinity of Frettes from 8 a.m. till 4 p.m. Box containing 3 pks. Durham, 1 can Tuxedo, and 2 packs Lucky Strike Cigarettes issued by Tobacco Fund of America, Donor, Miss Francis Jeffreys , Rocky Mount, N.C.
Thursday, September 5, 1918	10^th letter home to E [16]. 1^st rainy day since leaving Brest. Mechanical were supposed to build Y.M.C.A. for battalion but on account of rain they rested and wrote letters.
Saturday, September 7, 1918	Battalion problem from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.. Immediately afterward we were told to pack up for moving. Last week in Frettes
Sunday, September 8, 1918	Left Frettes at 9 a.m. (Baggage Detail) because of truck passing through Genevrieres and Pierrefaites and arrived at Laferte R.R. Station at 11:30 a.m. Left Laferte at 8:20 p.m. and arrived at Musseyat 7:30 a.m. Train ride of 9/8 – 9/9 was in small boxcars containing 42 men. Ride was similar to one from Brest
Monday, September 9, 1918	Hiked from Mussey 9:40 a.m. ,to Fains 11:35 a.m., ( Sept.10) Heavy packs, occasional downpour while hiking. Fains to Bar le Duc is 4 kilo.
Wednesday, September 11, 1918	More rain, and rest. All personal equipment taken from us.
September 11,1918	– First all American force made three day attack at St. Mihiel salient.
Thursday, September 12, 1918	Occasional showers. Rested in a.m.. Prepared to move in p.m.
Friday, September 13, 1918	Packed up. Left Fains at 8:20 p.m. via. auto-trucks (Jap. Drivers) passing through Bar le Duc, Verdun sector and arrived at Recicourt at 4 a.m.. Hiked to Camp Brocourt through mud arriving at 7:40 a.m.. This area is west of the town of Verdun
Saturday, September 14, 1918	Rested in a.m.. Dunbar [17], Borden [18], and I walked to Jubecourt in afternoon. Rats were plentiful in shed we slept in.
Sunday, September 15, 1918	Day of rest. Still in Camp Brocourt about 5 miles from trenches. Left Camp Brocourt at 7:26 p.m.. Hiked with full pack to Camp Recicourt about 7 miles distance, arriving at 10:35 p.m..
Monday, September 16, 1918	City of Recicourt and Camp Brocourt were bombed before and after leaving. quartered in bomb proof “dugouts” at Camp Recicourt.
Tuesday, September 17, 1918	Living in “dugouts” with nothing to do. Germans again bombed the village of Recicourt last night.
September 17, 1918	Influenza reported at Camp Meade, Maryland.
Wednesday, September 18, 1918	Dunbar and I walked the “Sacred Road” for about a mile. Saw crude cemetery where French and German troops were buried.
Thursday, September 19, 1918	11^th letter to home and E [19]. Another day in camp Recicourt with nothing to do. Made small finger ring from 1 fr. piece.
Thursday, September 20, 1918	Same “ dugout” Supper from 5:30 p.m. At 6:00 we were told to “move out” at 7:30 p.m. Left at 7:40. Hiked along ‘Sacred Road’ for about 4 miles and at 11:50 p.m. bivouacked under trees until dawn. Shells flew over us. Had two false gas alarms. Brewer [20] (no mask)
Saturday, September 21, 1918	Pitched tents at dawn under trees. Cool, damp day. located in Camp Bretagne. The woods we quartered in this week was known as the Hesse Forest.
Sunday, September 22, 1918	12^th letter sent home to E. More rain. Day of rest and letter writing. Visited 76 F.A., Brit , Sam, and Harrigan were not in at the time
Monday, September 23, 1918	Borden [21] and I walked along “ Sacred Road” visiting various outfits.
Tuesday, September 24, 1918	Recalled from road and stone detail. After supper Dunbar and I visited 76 FA but Sam Dairs was not in.
Wednesday, September 25, 1918	Distributed “Over Top” Equip. and am. (ammunition). 118 French tanks motorized down Sacred Road to front. At 8:10 p.m. While Company departed for trenches Cooks, Brewer [22], Seitzer [23], O Sullivan[24], Gillettes [25] and I hiked with Regt. train passing through Dombasle and arriving behind lines in a wood at 11:25 p.m. Germs. began at 11:15 p.m. Heavy firing all night. Left woods at 12:00 p.m.. passed through Avocourt at 7:00 p.m.. Slept in open field outside village.
September 25, 1918	American troops quietly replaced French troops at night along the Verdun front. The attack began on the morning of the 26^th.
Thursday, September 26, 1918	Woods in which I slept were shelled . Horseshoe firing line from where we slept (about 3 miles from Dombasle) Very heavy firing all along line. No sleep. Beginning of big drive in Argonne Forest. Co. on firing line for 5 days and 6 nights then relieved by 3^rd Div.. Fort de Chauma (Verdun) on top of high hill overlooking Verdun. Germans were shelling city of Verdun at time. Could see hills through glasses about 10 miles away. View is never clear, always hazy. Dugouts where Co. slept were 100ft. deep and about 500yds. long, holding 400 men. Very damp and dark inside. 2 Naval guns were fired at 30 sec. to 11a.m.. Shots reached Longville at 10sec. to 11. Distance 30 miles. Guns are 14in..Range 50 miles. On railroad. Manned by Marines. Shells weight 1400 lbs. powder charge weights 440 lbs., 26 men to load oven.
Friday, September 27, 1918	Left at 9:00 a.m. Slow travels, roads were blown up. Passed through Malancourt, 6:00 p.m. Arriving in woods outside of Montfaucon. Woods shelled at night . French Sg’t- shelled.
Saturday, September 28, 1918	Same woods until 7:05 p.m. then we moved in pouring rain to woods about 1 mile to rear, Rained all day and night. Here I fell in shell hole filled with water above my cuffs. Very muddy everywhere. Met Toby. Our drive was in Argonne Sector.
Sunday, September 29, 1918	First shave and wash since last Sunday. No water to drink, little to eat. Woods we slept in on 9/27 were shelled again killing 2 codes and Mec. of Hdq. Co. Germans shelled hospital killing 43 wounded. Camped in open outside of Malancourt.
Monday, September 30, 1918	Again shelled , Buner,Seitzer,West [26],and I buried Sipler (William), Shimko (John), Zerillo (Donato),Castro (Joseph) in large shell hole. 5 other Co. G. men buried nearby in same hill. In evening Co. was relieved at front. Met them at Malancourt.
Monday, September 30, 1918	VERDUN, 1^st Drive from Sept. 26 to Oct. 1 – Argonne Woods. Towns captured were Malancourt, Montfaucon, and Nantillois. 20 Men killed : Sgt. Lee A. Brooks-Troy,Pa. Cpl. Geo. J. Druding- Phila., Pa. Cpl. Chas. L Guthrie, Williamsport , Pa. Cpl. Harold R. Peters, Troy, Pa. Cpl. John Shimko, Mt Carmel, Pa. Cpl. William W. Sipler, Phila. Pa. Pvt. Saverio Calvaresi, Conshohocken , Pa. Pvt. Jos. E. Castro, Provindence,R.I. Pvt. Jefferis Higgins,Chester, Pa. Pvt. Sampson Dodrill, W.Virginia Pvt. Harry D. Miller, Pa. Pvt. Clarence F. Surprise, R.I. Pvt. Gurney F. Weist, Pa. Pvt. Donato Zerillo, Pa. Pvt. Paul Zinder, Pa. Pvt. Demetrus Dionne, R.I. Pvt. Anthony J. Mitsko Pvt. Frank E. Pickering, Pvt. Chester E. Riley 38 men wounded and missing.
Tuesday, October 1, 1918	Walked muddy street all night as Germans were shelling us. Left at 9:05 a.m. hiked all day, feet are sore, very tired, lost train. Slept in dugout along road. Met Co. in woods where we were located before we going to front at 8:15 a.m. 9/20
Wednesday, October 2, 1918	Met Co. at 8:15 a.m. Went to salvage camp for pack. Pitched tents in woods near camp Bretagne.
Thursday, October 3, 1918	Left woods at 8:50 a.m. with full packs. Still in supply train. Passed through Dombasle, Ancemont and several other villages and arrived in woods about 16 miles away at 5;05 a.m. No sleep all might.
Friday, October 4, 1918	Left Camp Toubibs at 9:40 a.m. passing through Senoncourt, Souilly and pitched tents at Recourt at 11:50 p.m.. Sore feet and hungry.
Saturday, October 5, 1918	Continuing our hike we left Recourt at 8:00 a.m. Passed through Fresnes, Benoite-vaux,Courouvre, and Lahaymeix, arriving at 7:35 p.m. at Rupt. Still sore and hungry having a loaf of bread, corned beef and a can of hams to eat in 3 days.
Sunday, October 6, 1918	13^thLetter to home and E. Spent the day cleaning myself. Took bath, 1^st since 9/7. Housed in old shanty in Fresnes. Service in Catholic Church in afternoon by chaplain. Everybody in Co. has diarrhea and feeling ill.
Monday, October 7, 1918	Revelre at 6:00a.m. Two meals daily. Very little to eat. Wrote letters while company drilled 4 hours. Diarrhea. Showers.
Tuesday, October 8, 1918	Heavy showers all day. Rested in billet. 3 meals today. Diarrhea.
Wednesday, October 9, 1918	Still in billet in Rupt. Diahrea easing in evening. Weather cloudy.
Thursday, October 10, 1918	2 meals today. Left Rupt passed through Fresnes at 11:55 p.m. Traveled with train again, while Co. hiked with full packs. Cloudy
Friday October 11, 1918	Arrived at woods outside Bannoncourt at 5:45 a.m. Pitched tents, rested during day. Cloudy.
October 11, 1918	American transport Otranto torpedoed; 500 lost.
Saturday, October 12, 1918	In tents on damp ground with 1 blanket. Nights very cool. i Left woods at 5:05 p.m.with train passing through Bannoncourt, Woimbey, and Bouquemont, arriving at Tilly at 8:25 p.m.. Showers all day. Many peace rumors during this week.
Sunday, October 13, 1918	In old house in Tilly (20.6 km from Verdun) The occupants had fled when the Huns [35] shelled the town, visited the house in the p.m. Day of rest. Went to bed at 7:30 p.m. Rainy.
Monday, October 14, 1918	Resting in billet in Tilly. Still raining. Issued winter underwear and socks. Bed at 8:45 p.m. Reveille at 6:00 a.m..
October 14, 1918	President Wilson demands surrender by Germany.
Tuesday, October 15, 1918	Getting a good rest. Damp and cloudy weather. 2^nd blanket issued.
Wednesday, October 16, 1918	15^th letter home and E. Battalion talent and 314^th band constituted an afternoon of entertainment.. More showers.
Thursday, October 17, 1918	Another issue of woolen underwear and socks. Still raining. Home made pancakes on old circular saw.
Friday, October 18, 1918	Saw sun for 1^st time in about two weeks. Sent Christmas package coupon home. (9”x5”x 4” not over 3 lb. in weight) 3^rd blanket issued.
Saturday, October 19, 1918	Rain.
Sunday, October 20, 1918	17^th letter home to E [27]. Rain. Wrote two letters home today. After supper attended service by Chaplain in large old house. About 50 present. Used 2 candles to light whole building, so imagine how dark it was during services.
Monday, October 21, 1918	At 7 p.m. Co. was ordered to pack up at once. Moved out by 8:50 p.m.. I remained in Tilly with the combat wagon overnight. German planes flew very low over Troyon and vicinity all night. Expected bombardment. Heavy bombing in nearby town.
Tuesday, October 22, 1918	In Tilly with combat wagon. Co. returned by 6:55 p.m. Expected a Hun [35] attack so 79^th was called to front. Enemy aviators again flew over town at night. Received a box of candy from Mrs. Gormley.
Wednesday, October 23, 1918	Clear warm day. Battalion entertainment in afternoon in town square. YMCA gave sketch at night in barn. Talent consisted of 3 men from 316^th and Miss Wilmer from Chicago (presentation). During Y.M.C.A. entertainment on 23^rd, German plane flew overhead. Heavy anti-aircraft firing and enemy bombing nearby.
Wednesday October 23, 1918	President Wilson refuses German peace plea.
Thursday, October 24, 1918	Packed up for moving. Left Tilly at 5:26 p.m. Passing through Villers-sur-Meuse, Genicourt-sur-Meuse, Diene-sur-Meuse, and Sommedieue. Arrived in valley outside of Sommedieue at 11:55 p.m. Slept with baggage, on stretcher in open. This area is south of the town of Verdun
Friday , October 25, 1918	Strolled through mountainous vicinity in a.m.. Went to Sommedieue in afternoon for 14 new recruits from replacement camp. Quartered in wooden building in woods. To bed by 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 26, 1918	In woods near Sommedieue. Day of rest. Wrote two letters. Cold damp Day – cloudy. Retired at 8:10 p.m. Paid in afternoon (47 Fr.).
Sunday, October 27, 1918	Beautiful sunny autumn day. Services in afternoon by Battalion Chaplain. Communion (dipped wafer in wine) in thick pine woods. Moved out at 9:25 p.m. With train passing through Sommedieue, Dieue, Ancemout, Dugny, Landrecourt, and arrived at Lempire at 4:05 a.m.
Monday, October 28, 1918	In billet at Lempire. Moved out at 5:30 p.m. and arrived at woods between Fromereville and Germonville at 12:55 a.m. Slept in hugh dugout. Hdq. Det. Slept in shed. In afternoon visited Font-de-Charney, saw Verdun in valley below. This area is west of the town of Verdun
Tuesday, October 29, 1918	Left woods at at 5:00 p.m. passing through Fromerville, Marre, Chattancourt, Forges, Bethincourt. Slept on road in shell torn woods taken from Germans (by Americans) about Oct.5^th. Arrived in woods at 4:05 a.m.. French heavy artillery in rear fired all night. This area is north of the town of Verdun
Wednesday, October 30, 1918	In same woods. Retired at 5:45 p.m.. French heavy artillery fired continually from midnight until 6:a.m.. Heavy frost.
Thursday, October 31, 1918	Left woods at 6:55 p.m. Passing through Forges, Cumieres, Marre, Chamy, Bras, and Vacherauville. Arrived at “Death Valley” at 4:00 a.m. Our heavy barrage was responded to by Huns [35].
Friday, November 1, 1918	Along road in dugouts in “Death Valley” Co. in trenches. One cooked meal to Co. taken by Brewer and Gillette. “Death Valley” is between Bras and Samogneux. This is our second encounter with the Boche [28] and is in the Verdun Sector.
Saturday, November 2, 1918	Same place. Sleeping in trench. German shrapnel dropping nearby quite frequently.
Sunday, November 3, 1918	19^th letter home. One year ago today I was inducted into military service. Between 7:03 and 7:20 p.m. "Fritage" [29] dropped about 100 bombs and about 250 gas and shrapnel shells about 2 squares away - still sleeping in open trench. Rain.
Monday, November 4, 1918	316^th went “over the top”. During the day the Hun [30] dropped 11 G.I. cans (14”shells) about 2 squares away 82 German prisoners went by.
Tuesday, November 5, 1918	Heavy shelling at night. Our trench was great shelter. German aviator shot down our observation balloon near us and made a great get-away by flying low through a valley.
Wednesday, November 6, 1918	A few shells were fired at us. Nothing new.
Thursday, November 7, 1918	Walked through Samogneux and about 2 miles up “Death Valley” for 80 Jerkins [31] which were sent to Co.. Returned with only 60, the other 20 being lost by detail. Germans shelled us again at night for half an hour. Rain.
Friday, November 8, 1918	Co. went “over the top” at 4:20 a.m. All artillery inactive all day. German armistice delegates came over battle line at Haudroy to visit Marshal Foch and talk peace. More rain and lots of mud. Our trench (sleeping quarters) caved in at 2 a.m..
Saturday, November 9, 1918	Kitchen moved 2 miles up “Death Valley”. I stayed behind with blanket rolls. Slept in dugout along Road. 11/09- This drive was in the Neuse Valley Sector of the Verdun front.
Sunday, November 10, 1918	Put blanket rolls on truck and went along with them to Verdun, passing through Vacherauville, Bras, Chamy, Thierville,and Jardin-Fontaine. Arrived in Verdun at 5:30 p.m. Slept in Citadel. At 9:40 p.m. I heard the Armistice with Germany had been signed. Fourteen men killed: Sgt. J. Delbert, Hipple, Pa. Sgt. Brewster A. Dibble, Pa. Cpl. Dawd W. Crawford Cpt. Chas. G. Devoe, Pa. Bugler, Geo. M. Robinson, Pa. Pvt. William J. Priddy Pvt. Alphonse Yelle, R.I. Pvt. Orbie F Ore Pvt. Chas. N. Mc Gee, R.I. Pvt. Fred’k N. Mc Laughlin, R.I. Pvt. Michael J. O’Connell, R.I. Pvt. Christos H. Stavris, R.I. Pvt. Austin F. O’Hare, R.I. Pvt. John McKenna, Pa. 50 to 70 men missing and wounded during this drive.
Monday, November 11, 1918	Armistice went into effect on the 11^th hour of the 11^th day of the 11^th month of 1918. It was our 11^th day in the trenches. Verdun, 2^nd drive from Nov. 1 to Nov. 11- Verdun Sector, Valley of the Meuse. The following towns were taken- Bois Bellieum, Bois Des Chenes, Hill328, Hill 319, Cote Romsuge, Crepion, Chaumont, Gibercy, Wauille,and Moirey. Visited Cathedral in Verdun in am.. Left Thierville at 9 a.m. passed through Thierville, Jardin-Fontaine, Charne, Bras, Samogneux, Wavrille, Crepion, Damvillers, then back through Crepion Wavrille to combat and escort wagons in “Death Valley”. Naval guns (14in.) at Thiersville at 11a.m.
Tuesday, November 12, 1918	Sight-seeing over battlefield in a.m.. Hiked back to kitchen passing through “Death Valley” , Wavrille , Crepion. Arriving in Chaumont- Devant- Damvillers at 6:05 p.m. Co. still at front 1/2 mile away. This area is north of the town of Verdun American troops cross the former German frontier and enter Alsace - Lorraine.
Wednesday, November 13, 1918	Train moved out of Chaumont, near Wavrille at 3:00 p.m.. Met Co. outside Damvillers at 5:20 p.m. Sleeping in “pup” tent in open field. About 200 Italian prisoners from Germany and Austria were fed by 2^nd Battalion kitchens.
Thursday, November 14, 1918	Same vicinity. Late afternoon, I walked over battlefield and to outposts about 2 miles away. No Germans on other side of line. Sleeping in German billet.
Friday, November 15, 1918	Day of rest. Nothing new. Co. drilling 4 hours per day.
Friday, November 15, 1918	American Distinguished Service Metal conferred on General Pershing at his field headquarters in France by General Tasker Bliss.
Saturday, November 16, 1918	Everybody happy. 250,000 American troops advance nine miles into territory evacuated by Germans.
Sunday, November 17, 1918	Still resting. Nothing new. Church and communion in evening in German barrack. 3^rd Platoon had poker Game before and after services. Great scene in room.
November 18, 1918	American troops reach German border.
Monday, November 18, 1918	Left billets at 8:10 a.m. with train. Passed through Wavrille, Chaumont and Ville. Again in German dugouts along front. Co. doing outpost duty. The 6^th relieved 26^th and we relieved the 6^th. Germans changed name of Ville to Fap der Gutung Hoffnung.
Tuesday, November 19, 1918	20^th letter home. Brewer [32], Delay, Richie [33], and I strolled over the battlefield held by Germans just 10 days ago.
Wednesday, November 20, 1918	Nothing new, Co. still on outpost duty. French and English prisoners are still coming through.
Friday, November 22, 1918	Nothing new. Outpost duty ceased.
Saturday, November 23, 1918	21^st letter home and E [34].. Still in German dugouts. Co. drilled 1 hr. on road. Have had no rain since hostilities ceased.
Monday, November 25, 1918	Breakfast at 2:30 p.m.. Co. went on 4 hour hike before breakfast. First rainy day since hostilities ceased.
Tuesday, November 26, 1918	Rained again – Mud galore.
Wednesday, November 27, 1918	Left German dugouts with train at 9:15a.m. passing through Ville, Chaumont, Gibercy arriving at Mureau -Ferme (German camp) At 12:06 p.m. . Excellent Place. This area is north of the town of Verdun
Thursday, November 28, 1918 Thanksgiving Day	Wrote letter # 22 to home and E. Rain. Band concert in afternoon in German theatre in camp. This German camp was called “Kuhne Lager”. Kuhne Lager is on Mormont Hill.
Saturday, November 30, 1918	Nothing new- Battalion “armistice” in German Theatre in afternoon. Field inspection.
Sunday, December 1, 1918	Spent day writing of my itinerary “Over Here”. Rain.
Monday, December 2, 1918	Very busy checking Co. for lost equip.. Found first cooties and black fleas on my person. Co.drilling 4 hours a day .Rain.
Tuesday, December 3, 1918	23^rd letter home and E. More cooties. Threw underwear out door at midnight. Rain.
December 4, 1918	President Wilson sails from New York Harbor to Europe aboard the George Washington, escorted by War Ships.
Wednesday, December 4, 1918	Co. on 4 hr hike. Took bath in bucket. Rain.
Friday, December 6, 1918	316^th trio and Ken Clark at theatre in Camp Kuhne. Mud and Rain. December first to the twenty fourth – Cloudy and Rain
Sunday, December 22, 1918	Services in a.m. In Theatre. Muddy & cloudy. Occasional rain. Received Christmas box from mother.
Wednesday, December 25, 1918	Clear, warm day. Band played Christmas music from midnight to 1 a.m.. Played again from 6:30 to 7:00 a.m. 1^st call at 7 a.m. Church service from 10 to 11 a. m. Issue of chocolate, cigarettes, tobacco, cakes, candy, and cigars by YMCA. At 11:30 a.m.. Dinner at 2 p.m. singing, speaking, and jokes in mess hall until 4 p.m. Prepared for furlough to Aix-les Bains in evening.
Thursday, December 26, 1918	First call at 4:45 a.m. Co. left Mormont Hill for Souilly area . 3 day hike. Men on pass boarded trucks at 11:00 a.m. passing through Reville, Etraye, etc. to Verdun. Missed special train. Attended YMCA show in Verdun Theatre in evening. Slept in Caserne Neil at Jardin Fontaine
December 27 and 28, 1918	Breakfast at 8:00 a.m. in Caserne Neil. At 2:15 p.m. Boarded narrow gage R.R.at Verdun for Bar-le-Duc. Arrived at 8:25 p.m.. Walked about the town until midnight. At 4:45 a.m. boarded Strassburg - Paris Express (6fr.) passing Vitry, Chalons, Athis Epernay, Dormans, Varennes,ChateauThierry, Meaux, Gagny, Bondy. Arrived in Paris at 1:30 p.m. Stopped at “Y” in Hotel Pavillion. Walked along Boulevard Bonne Nouvelle. Left Gare de Lyon at 9:05 p.m. for Lyon. French men, subways, hookers, cafe´ on streets, fast life, etc.
Sunday, December 29, 1918	Passed Moneteau, Dijon (2:50a.m.) Chalon (5:00 a.m.) Macon and arrived at Lyon at 8:20 a.m.. Had pack checked at Y. Seitzer and I went sight seeing all day. Left Lyon at 4:30 p.m. Passing through Amberieu, Culoz, arriving at Aix-les-Bains at 11:35 p.m.. Southern France - Lake Bourget
Monday, December 30, 1918	Registered at Hotel Allion. Saw “Old Lil” in morning. Took sulfur bath in afternoon, YMCA Vaudeville in evening.
Tuesday, December 31, 1918	Trip to Mount Revard in a.m.. Walked down mountainside in snow in the afternoon.
Wednesday, January 1, 1919	Trip to gorge
Thursday, January 2, 1919	Train to Albens then hiked to mount Chambotte and back to Aix-le-Bains via. Lake Bourget. Trip conducted by Miss Fredricks of Conis.
Friday, January 3, 1919	Bath and massage in morning. Bicycle ride through Aix- les- Bains and country in afternoon.
Saturday, January 4, 1919	Wrote letters and postals in a.m. Vaudeville and movies in afternoon. Lecture and dance in evening. Every night this week was spent at the YMCA. Attending some form of entertainment.
January 4, 1919 through January 18, 1919	Diary entries from January 4^th to 18^th, 1919 noted train travel, letter writing, Vaudeville, and weather.
Sunday, January 19, 1919	All our wounded and sick men who were evacuated to the hospital are returning to the Company.
- The End of Diary Entries -

I shared with my father an experience I had with an infestation in a Colorado Army Hospital.
He then told me of his experience with an infestation in the dug outs in France.

George E. Hentschel Jr.

When we boys didn’t like the Sunday dinner offered at Grandma’s,
Grand dad would tell us of a time in France when he had nothing to eat,
found a loaf of bread covered with mud, cut the mud off and ate the bread.

Bruce Hentschel

Diary reprinted:	George E. Hentschel Jr. (Son)
and researched by:	Bruce E. Hentschel (Grand Son)
	Andrew Robinson (Great Grand Son)
Web page conversion:	Tony Patti, Grandson of Antonio Patti, Company K.

Addresses noted in Diary:

George E. Hentschel - GEH, American Expeditionary Forces, A.P.O.771, France
6000 Reinhart St. Phila., Pa. USA

Sgt. Bill Knieszner - Co.C. 317^th Field Signal Battalion, A.E.F.

Pvt. Walter S. Cahall - Sec. 530 US Ambulance Service, with the Italian Army

Pvt. Robert Rosen - Co. G.- 34 US. Inf. , 7^th Div. , American Expeditionary Forces.

30^th Proirsional Company, Recruit Camp, 7^th Divison, Camp Mc Arthur,

Waco, Texas. . 6033 Reinhart St. phila.

Samuel J. Reutter - 3109 N. 25^th St. , Phila., Pa.

Mrs. E. Gormley - 1749 N. Marshall St. , Philadelphia., Penna.

Sophie Stumpf (Mary) - Red Cross Nurse, Base Hospital #51, Foul, France.

Mrs. Agnes T. Higgins - 3618 S. 15^th Street (winter) .

Media - nearest station, Williamson School (summer).

Mr. Seiger - 2^nd Motor Mechanics, 5^th Company.

Harry Dellow - 312 Field Artillery, Battery B., Camp Meade, Md. (3^rd French Motor Battery AEF)

Sgt. Augest Brueninger - 315^th Inf., Co. H.Camp Meade, Md. c/o HQ.g.t., APO. 717 ,

446 Det. Eng., A.E.F.

Mr. L. Breidenbach - 2729 Summerset St. , Phila. Pa.

Mr & Mrs. Frank Martin - 838 E. Locust Ave. , Phila. Pa.

Mr. F. Brutsch - 699 E. 11^th St. Phila. , 17 N. Texas Ave., Phila. Pa.

Pvt. Cliffort Fuhrmann - 311^th Inf., Co. H. Camp Dix, NJ., Hdq's Co. A.E.F.

Sgt. Max Schrepfer - 109 U.S. Inf., Camp Hancock, Augusta , Ga.

Cpl. Morgan Blithe - 110^th Inf. W.S.N.G. , Camp Hancock, Augusta, Ga.

Samuel E. Dairs - 76^th Field Artillery, Battery F., Camp Shelby, Mississippi.

Chas R. Shilling - 39^th U.S. Inf., Co. D. Camp Green, Charlotte, N.C.

Mike Torpey - 311 Field Artillery , Hedq. Co. , Camp Meade, Md.

Emil Faby - 1450 N. Marshall St. Phila.

Mrs. Peters - 1939 Marshall St. , Phila.

Mrs Elizabeth Fagley - 1124 Dauphin St., Phila.

William Pedrich - 2015 S. 65^th St. , Phila.

Mr. Carroll - 6013 Upland St., Phila.

Frank Martin - 838 E. Locust Ave., Phila.

Mrs. Hanan - 6017 Upland St. ,Phila.

Emma E. Decker - 2309 E. Preston St. , Baltimore, Md.

Wm. Bauer - 5663 Wister St. , Phila.

Walter Carter - N. E. cor. 26^th & Huntingdon St. , Phila.

Mr. & Mrs. Frank K. Mc Devitt - 2005 S. 60^th St. , Phila.

Herman Mueller - 2043 S. 60^th St. , Phila.

White's - 2021 S. 60^th St. , Phila.

August Schutz - 487 Fordham Rd., New York City

Cliffort Fuhrmann - 113 Pearl St. , Trenton, N.J.

Ellis Kenyon - 232 Meachen Ave. , Battle Creek , Mich.

Adolph Hentschel - 233 Stevens Ave. Ridgewood, N.J.

Box 75, Kintnersville, Pa., Bucks, Co.

Emma & Willma Knieszner - 9 Hoyt St., Danbury, Conn.

Mary Kriger - 312 Commonwealth Ave., Trenton, N.J.

Sgt. Ellis Kenyon - Q.M. Sub-Depot, Bldg. 772 Transportation Dept., Camp Custer, Michigan.

Corp. Thomas Dunbar - Camp Detachment APO. 722

Etta & Minnie Shugar - 2055 N. 8^th St. Phila.

Gerrald Berdel - 884 N. Raudolph St., Phila.

Mrs. Katharine Peters - State Institution, Norristown, Pa.

Frank Y. Taltavell - 1536 Columbia Ave. , Phila.

Edward Fabry - 3949 Kensington Ave. , Phila.

Albert A. Heyer - 2026 Dickinson St. ,Phila.

Stanly J. Wenlock - 1505 N. 13^th St., Phila.

Geo. Earl Eyser - 2519 N. 34^th St., Phila.

Dr. W.A. Weaver - 1421 Girard Ave., Phila.

Emil Bresel - 2209 Oakdale St., Phila.

Miss Freda Spielman - 2006 Memphis St. - Phila.

Mr. & Mrs. Chas. Hentschel - 2522 S. 62th St., Phila.

Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Nolan - 6125 Jefferson St. , Phila.

Mr. & Mrs. Herbert B. Laudenslager - 3036 N. Bambrey St. , Phila.

Mr. & Mrs. Frank Krause - 1523 Dickinson St. , Phila. , 4414 Fordham, Evansville, Ind.

Mr. & Mrs. Frank Lodwig - 487 Fordham Rd. , New York City

Mr & Mrs. Emil Schutz - Interhaven Ave. , Plainfield, N.J.

Mrs. Emma A. Hentschel - 6000 Reinhart St. , Phila.

Miss. Ethel Peters - 4018 York Road , Phila.

Rev. J.W. Heintz - 6334 Elmwood Ave. , Phila.

Rev. John W. Richards - 1940 N. 6^th St., Phila.

J. Geo. Peters - 3101 Taylor St. , Phila.

Syl. A. Leith , President / W.A. Carlile, Treasurer - Columbia Ave. Trust Co. Phila.

Dr. A. Rusling Rainear - 2024 Diamond St., Phila.

Log Cabin Memorial - Veterans 314th Infantry Regiment A.E.F.

George E. Hentschel Diary
Company G, 314th Infantry Regiment A.E.F.

For those who want to see the original George E. Hentschel Diary diary page SCANS, click here to view all 78 of them

Footnotes

For those who want to see the original George E. Hentschel Diary diary page SCANS, click here to view all 78 of them

Log Cabin Memorial - Veterans 314th Infantry Regiment A.E.F.

George E. Hentschel Diary Company G, 314th Infantry Regiment A.E.F.

For those who want to see the original George E. Hentschel Diary diary page SCANS, click here to view all 78 of them

Footnotes

For those who want to see the original George E. Hentschel Diary diary page SCANS, click here to view all 78 of them

George E. Hentschel Diary
Company G, 314th Infantry Regiment A.E.F.