Ebook The 55th Artillery in the American Expeditionary Forces, France

Of their battles. Telephone wires were continual victims of enemy shell-fire, so that on one occasion thirty-nine distinct breaks were found in a single line; special praise was meted out to the Officers and men in charge of communications, the Officers being Capt. T. J. Leary and Lts. J. C. Bates, R. D. Pierce, F. Camm and W. A. Hodge. Montfaucon possesses most tragic memories for members of the 55th, as there they were part of the army's exposed center bulge or salient and there consequently they lost six of those who constituted their total of 'killed or died of wounds.' The regiment's losses were thirteen killed in action, twenty-two or more who died from sickness or accident and forty-eight wounded who did not die; and the figures would have been far higher except for the admirable discipline of the command and the tactical skill manifested in its handling. On Jan. 29, 1919, the War Department announced the adoption of a plan for perpetuating the names and service records of National Guard and National Army units which had distinguished themselves overseas, and continuing them as regiments or divisions of the Regular Army; and the 55th Artillery was the very first such unit to be thus honored. While fully appreciating the distinction con ferred, the regiment did not equally enjoy the assignment which accompanied it — namely, to Fort Winfield Scott in the Coast Defenses Of San Francisco; the regimental heart yearned for Boston. All discharges having been granted to which men were entitled, on Feb. 17 the regiment started for its new station with a strength of 170 men and 9 officers after a marvelous scenic journey via Chicago, Colorado Springs (where they indulged in a street parade as their expression of appreciation for the many courtesies extended by the local Red Cross), Salt Lake City and the Feather River, they were welcomed by the San Francisco Red Cross at Oakland, Feb. 23, and were transported in the Government steamer to Fort Scott. Every one who could devise a reasonable pretext proceeded to apply for transfer back to Boston or for discharge, with the immediate result Of a considerable diminution of even the existing reduced numbers. The regiment was promptly equipped with twenty-four 155 mm. G. P. F. Ri?es.