HomeMy WebLinkAboutBinkley Journal
World War I Journal,
Correspondence,
and Artifacts
of Sgt. Dean Howard Binkley
Sgt. D. H. Binkley
Battery C. 147th Field Artillery,
57th Brigade
Arrived Le Havare, France
August 8th, 1918.
Left Brest May 1st 1919 aboard
Battleship Kansas.
Picture taken at Hotel St.
Bartholame,
Nice. France March 21st 1919
Transcribed by Louis Hodges, October, 2024
Sergt. Dean H. Binkley
911 N. Hudson St.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
America
“C” Battery 147th F. A. [147th Field Artillery]
32 Div. Am Ex. Forces [32ND Division, American Expeditionary Forces]
France
57th Brigade
Gun #59597 Pistol
Serial
2916135
(page 1)
Record
Drafted May 21st 1918 from Oklahoma City, Okla.
Arrived at Camp Nicholls, New Orleans, La. , May 25th 1918
Left Camp Nicholls, La., on June 5th, 1918.
Arrived at Camp Jackson, Columbia, So. Carolina, on June 7th 1918.
Went into training at this camp.
Made Sargeant at this Camp. July 8th 1918.
Left Camp Jackson, S. C. July 16th, 1918, arrived at Camp Merritt, N. Jersey on July 18th 1918.
Left Camp Merritt for New York City, July 21st 1918 down the Hudson River.
(page 2)
Sailed from New York City July 22nd 1918 at 9:45 AM on the steamship Harrisburg, once the
Philadelphia
Arrived at Liverpool England August 3rd 1918, unloaded Aug. 4th. Went by railroad to Romsey,
England to the rest camp, Camp Woodly, arriving there Aug 5th.
Left Camp Woodly for Souhhampton, by foot on Aug. 7th.
Embarked at Southhampton , England Aug 7th on the King Edward VII, sailed all night arriving at La
Havre, France Aug 8th 1918, marched to rest camp, stayed there one day.
(page 3)
Left the rest camp at La Havre, France, via railroad on Aug. 9th 1918 in box cars.
Spent my twenty-eighth birthday traveling south thru France, Aug. 10th 1918
Arrived at Camp Hunt near Courneau, France close to Bordeaux on Aug 11th, 1918
Spent nine days in Camp Hunt one of the dustiest camps I ever saw.
Passed thru Chateau Theirry, the turning point of the German drive Aug. 22nd.
(pages 4-5)
Arrived at Mezy, France August 22nd 1918, pitched my pup tent on the famous battlefield of the
Marne, all pitted with shell craters and marked with German and Allied graves.
Had a fine bath in the Marne River and slept like a log all night. Woke up in the morning and could
hear the guns on the front crashing away.
Morning of August 23rd. Am sitting by my pack awaiting orders to move up to the front. I feel no fear,
my mind is clear and I am anxious to go forward to my place.
Left by motor from Mezy arrived at camp of 120th Artillary, 32nd Division about 9 kilometers (5 miles)
from the front. It’s now about 8 o’clock and am listening to the battery band giving a concert. We
have orders to leave Fismes, France at 7 AM tomorrow.
Aug. 24th lined up on the road ready to hike to the 147th Field Artillery to which Sgt L. Diskell and I are
transferred.
Aug 25th have been placed with “C” Battery 147th , 32 Div.
Ready to hike to new position. We are about 3 kilometers (2 miles) from the firing line and at this
time, 1 PM, the flashes of the guns light up the heavens and the roar is incessant. German bombing
plane just passed over but missed us.
(page 6)
Aug 26. Hiked all day yesterday, This is a badly riddled country, hardly a house left intact, camped
last night near Coincy and left again this AM at 4:30, hiked all day toward the west, pretty but
devastated country.
Now camped at rest Pierefonds camp (Compigne Forest)) waiting for evening mess.
Aug 27 Slept until 7:00 AM, spent the day loafing around camp. Now are harnessing to go into
position across the Aisne River; my section stays a short way back but will go into action soon, I
hope.
Aug 28. Traveled nearly all night and pitched camp about 7 AM. Woke up with the crack of a big gun
in my ears located about 1000 feet back of us on a hill. Resting now.
(page 7)
Oise-Aime Section thru Soissons.
Aug 29. Today was a big day in my life. I went to the front where our battery is located, made two
trips with ammunition, we were shelled once but no damage to our train.
Saw my first dead Germans along the road unburied. Noticed one thing later, that was that I felt no
sense of personal danger.
Sept 1st. Was up early and shaved and have had breakfast. Nothing much of interest during the
past two days except that we have been shelled day and night, killed one man of Battery “B” just 60
feet from my dug out, Sgt. Driskell and myself stay pretty close to our hole in the ground; Fritz is
shooting 210’s at us. Was Sergeant of the Guard for 24 hours, oƯ 7 o’clock last night.
(page 8)
Our guess at Juvigny, France
Wed. Sept 4th. Nothing unusual doing. Shelled and bombed day and night. Stay in our dug out
most of the time. Just finishing 24 hours as Sergt. Of Guard. Had big supper, feel fine. Signed the
Pay Roll yesterday, also wrote home. Our men driving the Hun steadily back.
Monday Sept 9th. Left our position at the front the 6th, are in camp in a big woods near Pierreforts,
Expect to leave here soon, just resting but its raining and wet almost all the time. Have a slight cold.
Thur Sept 12th. Spent some miserable days in the forests of Pierrefonds, rain and everything nasty
and wet. Left that camp Sept 10th hiked to railroad at Villers-Cothiers, arrived in Joinsville this
morning, unloaded and hiked to this place, Voilleompte, France.
(Page 9)
Have been appointed Sgt of the M. Police for duration of our stay here. Nice quite village. Get
almost anything we want for meals, can buy nearly anything.
Sept 14. Saturday. Had a fine night’s sleep. Nothing unusual today.
Sunday Sept 15th. Went to church today, French Catholic, couldn’t understand anything but the
spirit was there just the same.
Sept. 16. Loafing almost all of the day. Nothing new. Just heard the chimes in the old church ring
2:15 PM, strikes every quarter hour. This church is very old and has a cemetery around it enclosed
with a big stone wall, sits right in the village square. Stock is all watered at a fountain in the square,
(page 10) also the people drink there as it is spring water and very fine. Was billeted in an old
French house with barns all around a square area, situated right in the street on one side and farm
land on the other. The people are very nice to us which goes a long way. Our mess kitchen is just
across the street so that makes it much better. This house was built in 1864, all hewn rock and big
timbers.
Sept. 18th Wednesday. Camped on the road enroute somewhere. We had a big time planned for
last night, band concert and entertainment by the Batteries when an order came at 5:30 to get
ready to
(page 11) leave immediately.
The country people had come in and were very much disappointed. We moved out about 10:30
and ran into a rain storm, everybody got soaked. Stopped and camped all day by the roadside. I
built a fire under a shelter half and dried my clothes and tried to sleep some. Have done nothing
but keep my fire going and loaf. Mail came a while ago but news for me too soon yet. We move out
tonight for an all night hike but it’s clear and may not be bad tonight.
Sept 25th. In camp near Verdun, have been here three days now waiting for the big drive. Between
the 18th and 22nd (page 12) we hiked by night and camped by day. Weather was cold and usually
rainy which made it very bad for both the men and horses.
We are now camped in a small woods with many other batteries, our guns have been taken to the
front and all we do now is to haul ammunition. Was Sgt of Guard from 4 PM yesterday until 4 PM
today so will soon be there as its after 2 o’clock now. The Bochs shells over our way quite
frequently and we all keep a keen lookout for gas. The rail head is just back of us, they run real
American trains with (page 13) American crews, looks good to me. Saw an American dollar
yesterday, hardly recognized it, everything is Centimes and Francs over here.
Sept 26. Thursday. Was quite a strenuous night, shelled nearly all night and our big guns located
near us made sleep impossible. Then over a barrage this A.M. and have now moved up to the new
front. Germans were in full retreat. This is the big drive on Metz. Am writing in a big dugout about
30 feet deep, expect to get a night’s sleep, first for three nights. Champagne front east of Verdun.
(page 14)
Sept. 30. Spent an afternoon in Hell yesterday. Was at the front our position under cross fire from
the Germans. Killed two of our men, wounded two and killed two horses. We had to wait until night
then move the guns as the Germans had our position spotted. While moving the guns there were
only a few gas shells fired at us but it was enough after what we had all afternoon.
Oct 3. Have been at the front these last few days. Has been mighty strenuous, hauling ammunition
to the guns and exposed to shell fire all the time. Our camp was shelled but luck was with us only
horses killed. One shell (page 15) exploded about 50 feet from me, scared me badly and I took to
my horse and left for the new camp we had established in the rear aways. We are dug in now but
not deep. They are shelling us now and I am now in the dugout lying low.
Oct 7th, Nothing much of interest in the past few days. Same old shelling of our camp by day and .
night. Brought down a German flyer over our camp Friday, was often a balloon right over us. About
two thirds of the men have infantry rifles and plug away (page 16) at every German who comes over.
I’m right with the crowd, have a Springfield rifle and enjoy the sport.
I forgot to say that I stood guard on an ammunition dump opposite hill 304 on Dead Man’s Hill on
Sept. 29th, started in the morning with ammunition for our guns. Got to the position about 3 o’clock
Sunday morning, rained all night and I was wet and miserable, was also riding a horse as am Pro
Temp section chief of #6 and not being a rider I wasn’t very comfortable. We finally (page 17) made
a camp back of a destroyed town (Montfaucon) and slept a couple of hours then started back up
with shells as I related under date of the 30th. Dead Man’s Hill looks like any other hill, not very
high, all timber blasted oƯ of it and scared by trenches and shell fire. Saw some skeletons on the
way up.
Oct 14 Monday. Near Lenes. Here in our new camp now right below the guns. Moved up on the
night of Oct 8th, rain and cold and awful, Man it sure took the heart out of the men. Were all (page
18) night in the road as it was blocked by trucks loaded with shells. Are now camped on a steep hill
have a nice place dug out with one shelter half over it and a furnace in it so keep pretty comfortable
even when it rains but it’s fierce getting up and down the hill slick as glass and many is the fall we
have. Sgt. Driskill and I both slept poorly last night, guns on all sides and the racket was fierce.
Real cold today but took a bath anyway and boiled some of my clothes. My friends “the Cooties”
(page 19) were worrying me too much, they are not respective of rank and position, the oƯicers
have them just as bad as we do. Sun just broke through, looks good to me, been rainy for past two
days. Had a shave and a fine dinner, boiled meat, mashed potatoes, gravy, bread and coƯee. Feel
fine and may take a short nap and then try and write home. Have been wondering what a real
building looks like, haven’t seen anything like a real house for weeks, everything ruins.
(page 20)
Rumors just came in that Germany accepted Pres Wilson’s terms, great cheers in camp but we
doubt it is the truth. I hope it is true tho.
Nov. 1st. Quite a while since I wrote an entry in this book. Our guns have gone up and up and we are
now to the left of Romange. Three of them were put out of action yesterday, but we’ll be back on the
job again soon. J. Evanson, one of the cooks at the guns was killed Oct.28th . We gave him a
Masonic Funeral, 6 black horses pulling the caisson, his body placed on it and draped with a (page
21) big flag. Pallbearers walked on each side, bugles right behind them with three Masons and then
the battery in a square formation. The regimental band played the funeral march, the Mason’s
burial ritual was read, the Chaplin’s oƯicial prayers, then more music by the band. It was pretty but
solemn and impressive. I made a square, nail and compass and nailed it on the head piece. Have
spent almost all of my time in the rear echelon. We haul up ammunition nearly every day. We were
out one night till morning (page 22) moving up the guns to their present position, the road was badly
cut up by shells all the way. The Huns have the range and can shell the roads at will, we were lucky
tho and got thru with no one hurt. Last night at 12 we started a barrage and its still going at noon
today, hope we have the beasts on the run. A Boche came over yesterday flying so low that I
emptied my pistol at him but with no results, they are hard to hit on the fly . Letters from home and
one from Glen (?) Irwin (?) arrived (page 23) yesterday. Mail coming thru easily now, hope it keeps
up. Cold this morning, had fire all day yesterday and nearly all night and today slept poorly got cold,
high fever, [stayed in] my bed so think will be better tonight. {perhaps a mild case of the Spanish Flu
of 1918} Am Sgt of Guard so don’t do much but loaf today.
Nov 8 Last night was a bad one but none of us said a word of complaint when we were ordered to
go up and get the guns and bring them back as we we were going back for a rest, our first for a
month and a half (44 days), we certainly deserve it.
(page 24)
It was raining and sure muddy and auto trucks jammed the road and tied us up but we finally got
thru thanks to Lieut. Comptom, and got the guns. Started back with them and it was the same
thing, blockade all the while. While we were stopped once, a tractor ran over some German hand
grenades and they went oƯ catching an ambulance on fire right beside it and burned up four
wounded who were in it, burned like oil, couldn’t get them out. A truck load of 75’s caught next and
then (page 25) things began to hum, wheels flying everywhere, a box of rockets and flares was on
fire at the same time so the sky was lighted, our men doubled their teams up and got away from the
danger without a man hurt, sure lucky. There were a number of people around the truck who were
hurt tho. When we got back, the mess sergeant had coƯee and hard tack for us and it was mightly
good. I spent nearly all night drying out my shoes and maps as they were (page 26) wet and muddy.
Up on reveille this AM and now await the trucks that are going to take us back to rest. Not enough
horses left to pull us oƯ the front so have to get trucks to do it. This lack of horses knocked us out of
our chance to go to Germany. That word “Rest” sure sounds good to us. Suppose we will fall back
through Montfaucon and our old camp near there and on to the rear for a while.
Nov 8th. “Is it true?” “Can it be true?” etc. Those questions go the rounds of the camp. Last night
was a night of celebration in camp, we received word that the Kaiser, Crown Prince, and Von
Hidenburg had been found dead, this came (page 27) from headquarters as oƯicial. There was
shooting on all sides and rockets fired for hours, a great sight, everybody celebrating. We did our
best with powder, bonfires, and our lungs. Could hear them yelling for miles up and down the valley
and it certainly made us feel great. We were all packed and actually moving out of camp when we
were ordered to stay until today and go to the rear for a much deserved rest.
(page 28) Nov. 16th: Still loafing here in Brocourt waiting to go on further from the front. It is
rumored that the first army is to be home for Xmas dinner and we are in the 32nd Division and it is in
the First Army.
Dec 7th. Saturday and a wet day again. Had a big review of the batteries today before the Colonel,
came thru in fine shape. The onlookers told us the bunch made a pretty sight and that we showed
up mighty well at dough-boy drill. My service record hasn’t come yet and if we move I will (page 29)
probably be put into a casual company on account of no record. Don’t like this as want to go home
with the bunch I went thru my part of the war with. It isn’t fair but suppose I can’t help myself Am
in excellent health. Have been here in Brocourt a month today.
Dec. 13th This is Friday, the day Pres. Wilson is to land in France. Today I am Seargeant of the
Battalion Guard. Took charge yesterday at 4 PM, will be relieved this eve at 4 PM. No drilling for me
today ran the (page 30) battery out on the parade ground a while ago when was making my round of
inspection. Nothing during these days but drill and inspection. Hope to get out of here soon.
Dec. 27th. Amnesty France. Sgt. Of Battalion Guard again in a new town, not much of a place.
About 8 kilometers from Grandcourt {Normandy}. Left Brocuuvert (?) on the 23rd by rail and hiked
from beyond Grandcourt to here some hike of about 22 km was nearly all in when got here. Had a
good Xmas dinner, had everything again, (page 31) tobacco, chocolate, and cookies with milk, and
received about 75 letters and 9 packages of popcorn. Many of the boys got their Xmas packages
but mine is still in transit. Rumor has it that we got horses again and go to Germany but don’t put
much stock in that.
Has been snowing here past two days and is fairly cold but not too bad. Took a walk to the rail head
yesterday. Country certainly looks pretty, hills and some trees covered with vines. Snow is back.
Deer roaming wild.
(page 32)
1919
Jan,11th
Amanty (?), France First entry in the new year. Haven’t had anything to record, just the very
monotonous routine of everyday drill. Went to Grandcourt last Sunday, nothing doing there,
just soldiers and French.
We are now attached to the 88th division and have to wear the red clover leaf. Came near being a
mutiny when the orders came as we belong to the 32nd, a real fighting division and not to this bunch
that just came over (page 33) and haven’t seen the front.
Got my Christmas box and it sure comes in nice, get my mail regularly too.
Have had the sniƯles last three days but will be able to go out again, Monday, I think.
Drew 74 horses today, many hours in camp, looks like we may not go home right away as we hoped
to.
Jan. 26th Sunday.
Feb. 10th Started the entry of Jan. 26th but was interrupted. Don’t know what I was going to say. It
has been mighty (page 34) cold here for the past week, snow and plenty of ice and cold weather.
Nothing new these days. 1st section is out with me, gun and 2 caissons for maneuvers below
Grandecourt, Glad I don’t have to be with them, so cold. We only have peace strength battery
now, so I don’t have a section now. Am billet inspector and look after billets these days. Also lost
my private mount, no love lost for I sure don’t like horses and don’t need a mount anyway. One MP
was killed this afternoon, don’t (page 35) know how it happen as was out of Amanty about two
kilometers, quite a mystery as yet. Hope we move out of this place after the big inspection on the
28th, hope it is our last before we go home. I have a nice billet with two stoves and a fireplace. Eight
men live here and my bunk is right beside the fireplace so I have a nice warm place. Put on my first
service stripe Jan. 22nd, as months in France. How many more? Heaven only knows.
(page 36)
1919
March 3, Monday again. Same old thing, rain then sunshine coupled with wind. Nothing doing
since the horse show last week. I went down to Grandecourt to get billets for the Regiment and
certainly spent a wet miserable day, riding about all day in the rain and slept there in a bed in my
wet clothes, got them nearly dry by morning.
Strong rumors and some betting that we go back to the 32nd division, hope so. Pay day today or
tomorrow then me for Paris (page 37) if I can get the pass.
Mar 24th. Nice, France
Everything packed and ready for the return trip to the battery. Have spent seven wonderful days in
this city. Visited Monaco or Monte Carlo, the world’s famous gambling casino and also crossed
over into Italy a short ways. This is certainly one beautiful city. Pretty homes and pretty scenery, the
multimillionaires summer resort and it deserves its name. My hotel is situated on a high bluƯ
overlooking the city and (page 38) and the Mediterranean sea, a beautiful picture. The Y.W. here is a
beautiful place situated out over the sea in a former cassino and they give some dandy
entertainments for the boys. Had some real artists last night, violin, voice and piano.
April 10th. Finished my baggage lists morning for the homebound voyage. Expect to get out of
Amanty on Saturday for Brest and home. All the horses, guns, caissons, and AM boxes have been
turned in and we are (page 39) getting our personal stuƯ together. Yesterday was a wonderful spring
day. I loafed out on a hillside and slept a while in the sun, gathered a few violets. Today is a change
tho, rain and cold so have a good fire going. Just received Cal’s card. Glad he is home and hope to
see him at home soon. Slight cold today. Some change of climate from Nice up here. De
cooteizing here today, bath tomorrow and clothes renovated for the home trip. We are now
attached to the 57th brigade with whom we fought all thru the (page 40) war and wear the red arrow
of the 32nd Division to which they belong. This is the only Brigade having (come) from the regiments
of Field Artillery belonging to the US Army. We go home before the rest of the Brigade.
Brest, France. April 18th, 1919. Homeward bound at last. We loaded onto real American box cars
at Mauvages on the 14th and arrived here (in Brest) on the 17th. Am in charge of the baggage so slept
in the baggage car and had it nicer than most of the others.
(page 41) There was plenty of bread, jam, milk, sugar, bacon, bully beef, etc. there so we didn’t
starve during the trip.
Took our “Hold” baggage right down to the wharf and put it in a big warehouse until we leave. Came
to camp and removed my three day’s beard, then the whole battery went thru a bathing machine
and will say now that they sure have some systems, it was one of the quirkest baths I ever took.
There is no loafing in the mess line either, go then just (page 42) as fast as one can walk then and re
supposed to eat at the same rate, I think. I took my time tho. Took in one of the YMCA’s last night.
Had a sing-song as they call it, sang familiar songs. Then Dr. Brodie of Wichita, Kansas, pastor of
the 1st Presbyterian church there. He gave an excellent talk and told us about the death of his son
on the 9th of November in the air service over here.
Up at six this morning and had breakfast of coƯee, bacon, and mush with milk, and bread. Wasn’t
(page 43) bad tho, Feel pretty hungry now and can enjoy my dinner.
Plenty of big ships in the harbor and we hope to get on one of them soon. Rumors say we sail
tomorrow night. Here’s hoping,
April 21st. Battery passed inspection today and load on to the ship tomorrow. Sounds good to me.
Was on detail Saturday, had a gang down in Brest at the roundhouse shoveling coal, some job but
we received a good mark. Took a picture of us and hope to get one of them.
(page 44)
Admiral Gleaves spoke to us in the Y. but just a brief talk, rather unusual to hear one of them speak
to soldiers.
President’s boat is in the harbor ready to take him home. Hope to see him before go away.
Regimental colors, Captain J. Watson, 1st Lt. A. Kimelon and Sgt. Poole are being decorated this
afternoon with French Croix de Guerre, quite an honor won at Savigny during our fight there.
(page 45)
Apr 29. Nothing unusual has happened since last wrote excepting that I visited Brest the 25th. Quite
a city, old part walled in feudal days. It is as dirty as the usual French city.
May 3 “Homeward Bound,” ain’t it a GRAND and GLORIOUS feeling. This is our third day at sea.
Came on board on the morning of the 30th of April. Stayed all night aboard and pulled out at 9 AM
on the 1st. This ship is the U.S. Kansas 1st class battleship, mounts 4 twelve inch guns and eight 8
and a rack of three inch pieces.
Have four band concerts
(page 46)
These 12 inch guns are a pretty piece of steel, have looked over the inside of the turret and
investigated how they work. Spend most of my time in the rear fire control tower about half way up
the mast, doesn’t swing so badly as down lower. Have had bad weather all three days and 24 hours
of storm, sprayed all with waves over the front of the ship and lots of the men have been sick. Have
been all OK so far but am not bragging at all.
The whole regiment of (page 47) the 197th Field Artillery is aboard with a few casuals. Band played
first day but most of them feel loo bad to do any playing now. Am getting quite expert at getting into
my hammock, quite an accomplishment at first. Sea still rough but sun shining, course West by
north.
May 10th. Well we are over the “hump” not far from good old U.S.A. Fine day, sun shining and warm
but a strong wind. Have had to buck the wind and a rough sea nearly all the way across. Haven’t
been sick yet, glad of it to.
(page 48)
Have four band concerts a day now and had thirteen reels of movies last night. Hung a curtain on
the aft lighting mast and had the machine on deck under the guns of the aft turret. Good pictures,
turned in about 10:30, but was restless, dreamed all night. Guarlette (?) from “A” Battery is singing
now, good music. Am perched on the rear side turret between two eight inch guns out of the wind
and in the sun. Feel fine. Expect to land either Monday or Tuesday.
(page 49)
May 13 Landed at Philadelphia, foot of Market St at 8:30 PM. Had a lunch by the Red Cross then
entrained for Camp Dix. In barracks here now.
May 18. Sunday. Spent Friday and Saturday in Philadelphia. Sergeant Herbert Sanders and I went
together. Took in some of the points of interest. Saw the shipbuilders parade 96,000 strong. Spent
Friday night in a real hotel with bath and real white sheets, Oh! Boy.
Now ready to leave this camp for Sioux Falls, South Dakota where (page 50) the regiment parades
then go to Ft. Dodge, Iowa and will be discharged there.
May Arrived Sioux Falls, S.D. Given freedom of the town, stayed in Pullmans last night. Parade
Addendum
The following entry in the back of the journal appears to be a draft of a message to the Captain or
other oƯicer of the US Kansas on the voyage back to the US.
May 3rd,
May we have a light and some ventilation. This section contains 48 men in a space of about
10x24x8’ and is stifling to try to sleep in , also the light from section 2 does not come on our side
suƯicient to walk around or put up our hammocks.
Compartment #7
Secrion #1
Aboard USS Kansas enroute from Brest, France to Philadelphia. 1919,