Danville High School - Medley Yearbook (Danville, IL)

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O ur of tr Half a millenium ago no one had ever thought that man could fly as well as a bird. Even if one of the noted scientists had proposed such a machine, the populace of the universe would have committed him to an insane asylum. But coming to the twentieth century where genius works undistuibed, the great Wright Brothers’ bird of the air was flown. The Wrights were condemned by everyone, but they worked on until their machine was perfected to a safe degree. The aeroplane was used very little for half a score of years, but those that were crafty and brave enough astounded the world by the marvelous loop-the-loops, nose dives, and other hazardous manoeuvres. The value and the seivice of the aeroplane was never realized until the German autocrat set the world aflame and bathed the land in blood. His great falcons of the air swooped down on defenseless towns, to kill the flower of humanity. The eyes of the Allies opened quickly, but their air forces were not up to standard. After three years of fighting across the water Uncle Sam was forced into the fray. He developed a great air force as well as a superb army and navy. Every factory available for this kind of manufacturing was ordered to help build the great squadron of the air. Millions were spent in building training fields and aeroplanes, but what did this amount to when the future of our country wras at stake. With the help of our allied experts, we built those much needed planes and trained thousands of our young men in the art of flying and battling with the Huns. Our planes and men were superior to the Huns, because in one month the American Flying Corps brought down one hundred and ninety seven planes officially recorded. The great Liberty motor that spelled freedom when it was mounted in a plane has become the greatest motor for service. So we must thank the experts and mechanics of our aeroplane corporations for their unceasing toil to outwit the Hun. Thomas Hanson. Page Twenty-one

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Mosher is Irish and I suspect Walsh is too—so know there will be another big day for history when they reach Ireland, for they’ll probably make a killing. Suppose I’ll have to knock a German down today for Walsh, as last St. Patrick’s day Dick was knocked down a stairway by a German shell—so he said and he promised himself that this St. Patrick’s day it would be his turn to knock a German down and as he’s away and a friend of mine will cause me to fulfill his promise. Yesterday was inspection—and, oh boy, we were all set for it in fine shape— clothes pressed, shoes clean, etc.,—Col. Reilly had been in Paris for some days getting affairs fixed up—the band had been enlarged to 100 pieces and we arose at 8 o’clock—breakfast at 8:15 and left here in motor trucks at 9 o’clock. About 1 o’clock we were assembled on the banks of a river which is noted for its Watch. The four Infantry regiments on the right, then the Engineers, then Artillery, of which the 149th is a ramous part, the Ammunition Train, Medical and Hospital Corps and the Mobile Ordnance. The men to be decorated were in a single line in the center of the Division in front (and Battery A had her share of these honors and we sure are proud of the boys). The platform was constructed on the side of a small hill from which you could overlook the whole division. The Band was stationed next to the platform—I was in the third row and had a fine view of all the manoeuvre. Gen. Pershing first inspected the kitchens, then came to the Review Grounds, where he mounted a horse and rode around the Division—coming to a halt, he dismounted and made an inspection on foot—during which time the regimental band played. After the dismounted inspection was finished he returned to the reviewing stand and the men to be decorated stepped forward and halted before this famous General—the band played “The Star-Spangled Banner’’—regimental standards were dipped—then Pershing decorated the men and regimental colors of various regiments tor valor—courage and except’onal bravery. After this the regiments passed in review—then assembled in a mass where Pershing made a talk to the enlisted officers and men. It was a grand sight and one I shall never forget. The Band is now represented by four Battery A boys—Paul Clark, Harry Scharlan, Russell Young and myself and I’m not lonesome for company. You know this band is benefited by our rare ability, Ha! Ha! Ask Kendall Hooten, for I used to worry him around about 6 a. m. once upon a time. We are to have our overseas shots today, then get coobzed and have all our clothing dipped. The big noise today is—we will be ready to sail by April 1st. Well anyway I’ll try to see you by May 1st. Big Swede. Page Twenty

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 Crtter from IHesrh m France Dernau, February 27, 1919. Dear Folks: It seems to be doubly hard for me to write now that the war is over and I can’t account for the reason either. Certainly it isn’t because I haven’t time, 1 ecause I do hardly anything at all. For the last three days I have been out ever}- day to the range where the battalion has been firing. It is interesting enough too, because now that the war is over these hard heads are going back to the old American methods of firing which aren’t a bit effective considering the scientific study of artillery worked out by the French and which we are only now discarding. You really cannot realize how the French have perfected the study of employment and effect of light and heavy field pieces. Of course the American methods of fire are absolutely new to me, as well as to the officers of the battalion, so you see I am not so badly off because all I learned at Laumur is fresh in my mind and I can grasp things a bit more quickly than those who haven’t had anything new for a year or so. I fired a problem today and had as targets what we judged to be a clump of bushes or a pile of manure. I did succeed in landing a tew in the thing and later found out that it was a pile of satabaga. I’ll wager that farmer won’t need to chop up the teed for the cattle for several weeks. I have hardly any work to do around here. I don’t stand any guard or inspection let alone get up for reveille. I do lots of riding on horseback, going to and from the range daily, a total distance of seme 20 kilometers. This constant loafing combined with the really good meals we are getting three times per day and the extra waffles and jam and coffee cake fed us by the people where we stay are making me fat. I almost have a double chin and have almost as much trouble climbing stairs as Emma Claussen. Did Fred C------------- get taken in by the draft or was the war good to him too? I suppose you have located the region occupied by the American Army of Occupation haven’t you ? If so you will have seen Dernau on the Ahr river. The “dorf,” as the people call the town, is small but pleasant. The people live by means of their vineyards built on terraces rising up the side of the mountains. You will no doubt, be astonished to find that people are considered wealthy who own the two or three acres of vineyards they cultivate. But that is true. However, Dernau is too small for the Battalion of Artillery stationed here, so this afternoon after range was over we went to Gclsdorf, a town about fifteen kilometers away, and arranged for billets. We move Sunday. I have not had any mail from Otto lately. I believe he is somewhere up in the zone of occupation, but I do not know for cei tain. Don’t won}- about the kid now, he is right at home in this country. 0. K. With love, E. Lesch, Ed. Sgt., F. A., U. S. A. Page Twenty-two