Why on earth they sent us to this place is far beyond the realm of speculation.

Monday, April 1, 1918:

April Fool’s Day! What a difference from all past April fool’s days for most of us! It is raining and disagreeably cold outside. Ten cars have just been called to Gondrecourt[-le-Château], Camp Hospital #1, leaving the place reasonably quiet so I will endeavor to write this diary up to date.

Changes in work are few. The Gondrecourt detachment was recalled some 3 weeks ago after an inspection by Chief General Surgeon and we were given strict orders to do no work, but ambulances work for Base #66. This made a rearrangement of schedule necessary as we had been using our cars for most anything just to have something to do. Since then we have had, but five cars on duty each week and to show how busy we have been I have been on call with four other cars since last Thursday and we have only made one round of cars--in other words we have had but five calls. Why on earth they sent us to this place is far beyond the realm of speculation. Part of the American system! Our idle life has resulted in nothing but a disruption of the section and a certain sarcastic and pessimistic impression of the American Army in France. Our Lieutenant has gone mad, arresting one of the boys for nothing which created such a feeling among the boys that six of our best have applied for transfer, 1 Horn Snader for infantry, 4 Harris, McGuire, Keever, Boatman for tanks and Woodell for artillery. Whether or not they will be accepted is questionable. These applications have made considerable difference with our Lieutenant and top-sergeant. They are sorry for what they have done and have tried to make up with us.

Yesterday an order came through to be prepared to mean into action on 24 hours notice. This has helped the general spirit very much. Where we will be sent is, of course, mere speculation, but with the turn things have taken we have reason to believe that we will be “borrowed” by the American Govt. for the time being which means that if we once get into action with the American Army we will stay there.

The latest and all important topic of conversation, of course, is the last and most powerful and frightful attack of the Germans on the western front and still fiercely continuing. As I sit here writing there is a heated discussion around the stove regarding the recent honor awarded Gen. Foch in giving him supreme command of the western front. No one seems to question the fact that such an honor is due this Marne hero. Even the English grant him than. As to its strategic value there is little meaning to this appointment.

The Daily Mail the other night summarized the German position in a way which seems to me to be in accordance with the sentiment as I have been able to observe it around here. “The present German offensive on the western front is the seventh colossal movement of the kind which the Germans have undertaken in the present war. It is worth notice that several of these ‘pushes’ have failed, as there is good reason to hope this will.” Then it goes on to enumerate these “pushes.” 1st on Paris about Aug. 19, 1914 after a preliminary rush into Belgium. This ended with the battle of the Marne. 2nd in Oct. 1914 aimed at Calais and Boulogne including the battle of Ypres in Oct. In Nov. the battle died away with a victory for the British. 3rd in Feb. 19 the defeat and annihilation of the 10th Russian Army due more to treachery and bribery than to any “push” after all meant little nothing. 4th the big push at Verdun beginning in Feb. 1916 which resulted in complete failure on the part of the Germans. 5th After a reorganization of German and Austrian forces under the increased power given Hindenburg, the Boche made a successful offensive against Roumania. 6th came the “push” on Italy in Oct. 1917 which was aimed at Venice and a hoped for split of the Italians from the allies. The actual result up to the present time has been a capture by the enemy of 250,000 prisoners and 2,300 guns and a rapid advance to the Piave. This push was stopped by the arrival of French and British troops on Nov. 12. With no exception every one of these “pushes” has been marked by the complete confidence on the part of the Germans with tremendous forces of men and supplies, but yet they fall short at the critical moment. It sees to me that we have every reason to believe that this one will fall short just as the others have done. It would look as though the crisis were near at hand. It would not surprise us very much if it turned out to be the crux of the final crisis of the German Army. Let us hope so.

Our personal observations have been made from the movements of the American and French Armies on the Nancy front. The 1st and 2nd Divisions are both up there at present and have been for nearly a month. The 26th Division is now moving up after having just come down from Soissons with the French. They are releasing a French [division] in the Nancy sector which proceed to the western front to act as reserves in the great battle. This takes all, or practically all, of the Americans off the western front and puts them in the Nancy sector where they will probably be allowed to take over the sector in entirety. It has been my opinion that this will be the sector to which we will be sent and probably with the 26th Division. The boys with whom we have talked have, of course, been most optimistic about what the Americans are doing.