University of Illinois - Illio Yearbook (Urbana Champaign, IL)

Page 20 text:

rf x..x , . 1 1 -2 Qlgx Twelve 1. A 1 5 2 I I ? 1 i 1 5 E Y X i 1 l 1 w E I, u f If i I 1 I I AL n

Page 19 text:

9 ,2 flQ iz' July 10, 1917 marked an epoch in the University's history when the famous Illini Battery, now of the 149th Field Artillery of the Rainbow Division, left for Fort Sheridan on the first lap of its trip to the Rhine. It was the start of a busy career for since February 25, 1918 when the organization took up its first position in the Lorraine sector it saw almost continuous service until the signing of th-e armistice. Fighting side by side with its valiant comrades of the famous Rainbow Division, the 149th, commonly known as Reilly's Bucks , participated in all the great battles in which the Americans were engaged: Chateau Thierry, St. Mihiel and Sedan. And the most remarkable part of the Battery's war record is that none of its men were seriously wounded and only one, a non-University man, was killed, and that, in the last three days of the conflict. So lucky was the organization, . that it is commonly termed the Horseshoe Battery by the five other outfits of the regiment. Battery F was organized in the University November 15, 1915 as a part of the First Illinois Field Artillery. Enlistments in it were accepted as a substitute for drill in the University Brigade. B. W. Benedict, director of the machine shop lab- oratories, was responsible for its formation. He subsequently received his commission as captain in the Illinois National Guard and remained in command until the organiza- tion got overseas in 1917, when he was transferred to a staff officers' school. The organization got its first taste of service soon after it's formation. It went to Homer Park for a summer camp June 12, 1916, and had only been there a week, when the entire National Guard of the nation was called out at the instance of the Villa fiasco in Mexico. The rest of the summer was spent at Fort Sam Houston and at the big artillery range at Leon Springs, Texas. On September 25, 1916 the organization was mustered out of Federal service. Practically all the student soldiers re-entered school and pursued their studies until the B'attery went into camp south of the Armory for a three weeks training period under Sergeant Herman Leprohn, U. S. A., near the end of school in 1917. The regiment was o-rdered out June 30, for service in the Great War and was mobilized Fort Sheridan. After a month or so here of comparative inactivity it was made the 149th U. S. Field Artillery of the Rainbow Division and ordered overseas. The division was mobilized at Camp Mills on Long Island and left for France on the U. S. Army transport President Lincoln, October 18, 1917. After a twelve-day uneventful voyage, so far as submarines were concerned, it disembarked at St. Nazzaire, France. Camp Coetquidan in Brittany was the next stop. French 75's and the complement of horses were issued to the unit here and Captain Benedict left the battery, being transferred to the Staff Ofi'icer's School, Col. White. Sinister blows wcrc struck by Battery F on thc western front. Eleven THE TWEN'l'Y lLLIO Q- V N - g

Page 21 text:

The Divi Don McGinnis ex '20, was severely gasscd along with other members of the University U n i t. All recovered. Q Q 4 N - .aselmfir Lt. H. R. Stone of Chicago succeeding him in command of the University battery. Leaving its training grounds early in February of 1918, the Division crossed France to Luneville. The members of Bat- tery F were billeted in a large chateau in this city, while gun emplacements were prepared and while the cannoneers received their final training with some French artillerymen at the front. The guns were brought up into position February 25 and F began its ceaseless period of activity against the Huns. It re- mained in this position until the middle of March, the heaviest firing occurring on March 4 and 5, when it helped lay down a heavy barrage, while American infantrymen went over the top and brought in a considerable number of prisoners. The regiment started for a rest in the middle of March and after a one day's hike the artillerymen arrived at Gerberville, when they were startled to learn of the great German victory of March 21. The Rainbow Division took'over the first All-American sector at this point and held it against the Huns for 101 days. Pulling away from this point near the last of May, the Division took up a new position on Camp-de-Chalon formerly a French artillery range on the Champagne front. sion laid there until July 14, when another big German drive for Paris commenced. Fifteen Prussian Guard Divisions on the other side opposed the Rainbow and four French divisions on the allied side. After a three day's battle the crack Prussian regiments fell back in defeat. But a great battle was raging at Chateau Thierry. The Second Division with two regiments of Marines had smashed the German dream of capturing Paris, but it was worn out and badly shot up. The Rainbow division withdrew from the Champagne front and hurried to the rescue, taking up a position about five miles north of Chateau Thierry and in conjunction with the Vesle River wiping out the Salient and capturing Fismes. It was during this great campaign that Vic Stangel '19 of F brought down a German aeroplane with a machine gun from the ground. Members of the 149th were given a short rest and many of the boys visited Paris. The University artillerymen report a great time in the French metropolis, but they certainly deserved it. The Rainbow Division saw perhaps more service than any other American Division. The 149th Field Artillery is the most famous regiment of the division, and Battery F is the Horseshoe Battery of the Division. Surely it will be given a place of eternal pride and praise in the annals of the University. Ready to send a note to the Germans, to the accompaniment of an oskcy-wow-wow. Thirteen rue TWEyTY lLLl0