I have endeavored to fill my days without the use of cheap fiction stimuli.

In this letter to his father and some diary entries written at the same time, Grant discusses more details of the army's plans to send them home. And he makes reference to stress caused him by his fiance's troubling mental attitude. 

Convois Autos.,
S.S.U. 647,
Par B.C.M.
France

Bretzenheim, Germany
March 1, 1919

Dear Dad:-

Your letter of Feb. 10 caught me last night prone on my bed reading The Fighting Chance by Rob’t. W. Chambers.  I had reached the point in the story where the hero had about won the battle and all he needed was the girl to cinch the deal.  I postponed the cinching part until after I had read your letter.  The lack of good reading material out here is distressing.  Occasionally the K.C. gives us a new batch of Top Notch, All Story, Strand, etc., but these are not very satisfactory.  I have endeavored to fill my days without the use of cheap fiction stimuli.  Have succeeded pretty well through the medium of letter writing, filling in spare moments with a huge volume of the History of Europe since 1812.  The weather is clearing up and the ground is about dry so we are growing more and more into the outdoor life (other than driving, I mean) – hunting (rabbits primarily), baseball, football, soccer – most anything.  For indoor sports these last few months we’ve had a great deal of fun on bowling alleys in Mayence, English and straight billiard tables; scheduled tournaments among ourselves, challenges of one man to another then the selecting of teams – all has helped tremendously in maintaining a quite marvelous esprit de corps with the section.  While other units have been having considerable trouble within their own organization in maintaining that spirit of good fellowship so essential to a life such as this, we have grown closer together if anything.  I’m pretty sure we could go through another war without the slightest friction within the unit if we had to.

Grant's dad, W.D. Willard

But all of this has nothing to do with our getting back to the States.  The next is a little more promising these days, Dad.  Lieut. Kendrick came rushing into camp the other day and said that orders were now in our “auto parc” for his section (649) and ours to leave these parts in convoy for base camp on the 26th of this month.  We are also scheduled for base camp in the last official reports printed in the Radiator.  This should mean the States by the latter part of April.  What will happen over there you probably know better than we.  What are they doing with the U.S.A.A.S. men as they reach the States?

That makes me think: in my last letter to Sis I urged your coming east about the time I was due to arrive but the more I think it over the useless the idea seems.  We may be sent to a camp in Alabama, for instance.  Who knows?  There will undoubtedly be some period of waiting before we are mustered out.  We may be given a furlough during this period and we may not.  If agreeable to you and if possible I should like to spend three or four weeks in the east with Dot before I come west.  But these are things which will have to be settled after I arrive in America.  Here’s hoping that April will see us there!

Another thing, Dad – don’t tack Sergeant on to my name.  I’ll tell you the story in brief: Last November we ran short of sergeants – one having been made a private by request, one made a lieutenant and sent to another section and one called in to go to school.  None were expected back.  Swain, Snader and I were called into conference with the lieutenant and told that if we did not take the jobs vacated that he would have to handle it through headquarters which would mean their sending out three new sergeants from base camp because of overabundance of such at camp.  Obviously this was not desired.  Besides we had had an experience with one such a short time before.  So we took the jobs as unwarranted sergeants appointed by our lieutenant.  I handled details and assignments.  Swain handled the cars and shop.  Snader was the mess sergeant merely continuing with the work he had previously been doing as a private.  Everything sailed smoothly until Christmas time when our old warranted sergeant, who had been sent in to school and who was not expected back, suddenly put in an appearance.  My department had formerly been his.  He was warranted, I was not but I was determined to continue with the work until asked to discontinue by the lieutenant, who appointed me.  Then came a trip to Speyer which kept me away from camp for a day and a half.  When I returned I found that I had been relieved of my duties.  Details were posted on the bulletin board signed by the warranted member.  Thinking that it was official and that I would be notified as soon as I saw the lieutenant I automatically retired.  Nothing was said to me by the lieutenant so I went to him and asked to be officially relieved, that four sergeants were too many and that the warranted member I couldn’t get along because of differences in methods.  He told me that I had made a mistake in letting him take my work away from me, that it was not official and against his wishes but that as long as I didn’t want to continue he would let things slide for awhile but would not officially relieve me.  And so it has been ever since.  I am officially still a sergeant but have no duties.  It’s very embarrassing to me as well as to the warranted member.  I am not put on details as I wish to be.  Have been to the Lieut. twice more and each time he has said “wait.”  Why, I don’t know.  I don’t want the job and never did.  It means nothing in this outfit except someone to look after a few odds and ends and trash.  No discipline is necessary in this outfit and has never been used.  So you see that while technically I am still sergeant I am no longer known as “serg” among the fellows. Just “Jess.”

Am enclosing a clipping which appeared in the Stars & Stripes not long ago regarding the organization of S.S.U.  Please save it somewhere because I may need it for reference.

German money continues to decrease in value.  We now get two marks for every franc.  Formally it was 1.42, the 1.62, now 2.  Is Germany going all to pieces? 

Lovingly,
Grant.


Sunday, March 2:

A beautiful day! Fraser, Stender and I took a long walk out over the fields. We saw many rabbits. My what whoppers! We wasted all our ammunition because they are almost impossible to hit with a gat. Once in awhile they will sit up and give you a shot at them. With a rifle it is quite possible to get them. The boys are very successful with the shotguns.

Went down to bowl this evening, but found the alleys already occupied so we played billiards – Fraser, Soles, Woodie and I.


Monday, March 3:

Rainy and miserable. Stayed in most of the day reading and writing. Played billiards in the evening with Woodell, Fraser and Soles.



Tuesday, March 4:

The same as yesterday – cold wet. Titchner and I lost to Burt and McCrackin in bridge and in the afternoon Tich and I went to the Kurfürst for billiards.



Wednesday, March 5:

The Distinguished Service Cross men came back today and the camp listened to their experiences all day. The purpose of their being called in was a picture of each man which took about 5 minutes. It is further affirmed that we are going into Base Camp about the 25th or 26th of this month. There, it is reported, we lead an easy life, but that the food is none too good. We are quarantined for a week just before sailing and very likely will be in camp about 2 weeks, depending upon transportation facilities. If the weather is decent there will be plenty of time for sports.


Thursday, March 6:

Luykx and Hap left today for 3 days in Paris. Am on call today – none came in. Played bridge in the evening and Tich and I again lost to Burt and McCrackin. Much mail came in. Got 1 from Dot, 1 from Mother enclosing photographs of herself, Sis and Johnnie, 1 from Mr. Well and News Letter from the Plymouth Congregational.

Dorothy Houghton Willard (1894-1979)

Dot worries me considerably. Slept very little tonight because I couldn’t get over the tone of her letter. She seems to be losing hold on things. She’s brooding over what cannot be altered.

When in Paris I looked up my trunk and found it swarming with moths and everything completely ruined.

Grant sends a newsy letter to his mom...

Bretzenheim, Germany
Feb. 17, 1919

Mother dear:-

The permissionaires returned to their post last Friday evening after a very enjoyable ride from Paris up here.  We were fortunate enough to get seats in a second class compartment as far as Strasbourg where we laid over for a day and a half to see is French the town and rest up.  Strasbourg is a very attractive city indeed with many points of interest for the tourist.  Everything is French there now – the German population having been sent back to their own soil.  To be sure, one hears German being spoken on every side but those who speak German there now are of French blood and can also speak French.  Everybody seems to be very happy.  The French have made an extra effort to furnish reconquered Alsace Lorraine with all necessities and luxuries which she herself knows. Strasbourg, being the capital, is very well supplied with fresh stocks in foods and clothing and selling them at very reasonable prices.  The cathedral of Strasbourg is, of course, the chief point of interest for all tourists.  And the chief point of interest within the Cathedral is the Astronomical clock started in 1838 and completed in 1842.  It’s really a remarkable thing.  The enclosed card will give you an idea of how the clock looks and if you can make out the description on the reverse side you will know much more about the clock than I can tell you.  We just missed seeing the clock perform at 12 o’clock but were there for 12:15.  At 12 the whole blooming thing goes into action.  It’s like a three-ringed circus.  One can’t take it all in in one performance.  The cathedral itself is beautiful.  I don’t know much about architectural criticism but I do know when I like stained glass.  The windows are magnificent.  But I’m not going to waste this perfectly good stationery by an unintelligent discussion of art.

Strasbourg Cathedral

As I say, we reached Mainz last Friday evening very glad indeed to be back with the boys in our comfortable barracks and very tired of traveling.  You will all hear a great deal more about this permission of ours when we are together again because the whole experience was one succession of thrills.  So when I speak of “that permission” please remember that I refer to our first leave under American Army rules and regulations.

There was much mail awaiting us in camp.  I drew 19 letters, three of which were from you dated Jan. 3, 15 and 23 respectively.  They were a fine collection, Mother, and made me feel very good indeed.  Will take them upon more in detail in just a few minutes.

Yesterday, Sunday, we moved from our comfortable quarters in Mainz and are now located about two miles from that city in a small place called Bretzenheim.  We are living in the school house.  While our new home is not as attractive as the old we are quite comfortable and have no grounds for complaint.  We have plenty of heat which is the big item just now.  The artificial lighting facilities are poor (being kerosene lamps) but three months ago we would have considered ourselves very fortunate to have been quartered in such a spacious place with so little routine to pester us.  The cause for our having to leave the barracks was the arrival of many French combatant troops.  Today is the Armistice Day and rumors of more war are flying thick and fast.  The roads have been choked for a week with troops “marching up” and one gathers for inference that the French are “all set” for immediate action if necessary.  Personally, I think that that it would be a very good thing for these Germans if the Allies were to blow up a few of their towns.  But of course they won’t because it will not be necessary.  As soon as they see we are all set and eager they will cease their pig headed haggling over the armistice terms and peace proposals.  If we do have to go to war again it will be to the complete destruction of Germany in a very short while.

Allan "Happy" Ahlers and Grant Willard at Verdun, 1917

You ask if Allan Ahlers [1894-1962] is still with us.  Yes, old Hap is very much here and is a very lively member indeed.  Full of “pep” and fund and good common sense.  Being the only two representatives from Minnesota in our outfit we are together a great deal of the time.  He is sitting here beside me as I write, reading an old New York Times.  He begs me to convey to you the impression that he is quite well and very anxious to get home.  There must be a mistake about his family not hearing from him for so long.  I’m quite sure he writes regularly.  Hap did excellent work at the front and I think it would be a great shame if he does not receive a citation of some sort.  Citations have been awarded for far less.

You speak of Herbert Wilcox’s not having civilian clothes and asking about mine.  Have recently written Dot telling her she may expect me in a barrel for when in Paris the other day I looked up my trunk and found it swarming with moths and everything in the trunk completely ruined.  They must have been hungry moths to have eaten such clothes as I had stored in my trunk.

The Literary Digests have come intermittently.  It doesn’t seem as though I have received them all but maybe I have.  There was a Jan. 18 issue waiting for me when I returned from permission.  I like the paper very much indeed.  Their articles cover a large field and strike me as being very broad-minded and fair.  “Letters from the Front” are often very funny.  It’s interesting what some fellows have the nerve to write home.  I wonder how much you people believe in some of these letters home.

I’m sorry to have kept Dad waiting so long on his proposition.  But when his first letter came we were in the thick of it in the Argonne and it was awfully hard to plan for the future.  It’s hard now but I can pain some beautiful pictures of the future I would like.  And I have painted them.  The more I think of Dad’s proposition the better I like it.  If there aren’t too many pro-Germans out there to deal with I’m sure I would like the work and am sure I can make Dot happy.

Listen – our service paper has just come out to the section and 647 is not included in the list of those sections who will be the first to leave Europe for America.  Why, I can’t say.  They claim they are sending the sections back according to length of time they have served over here.  75% of our personnel was over here before America declared war but we do not appear on the list.  The Allentown men seem to be getting the preference.  If this order is followed out according to plans we will not be home before July – in the last outfit to leave this side.  Even so I would gain nothing by getting discharged over here, were such a thing possible, because it is a long job getting discharge papers through, passports and transportation.  I have decided to stick with the section and get my discharge over there when the time comes.  All applications for discharge over here are being turned down anyway except for those going to the Red Cross or those who live over here or can show business connections to keep them over here.

With a great deal of love,

Grant.

With a heart full of love

Grant Willard expressed his feelings and observations with such eloquence and maturity that it's easy to forget that he was only in his mid-20s when writing them. He was a 20-something with all the needs, desires, passions and energy characteristic of that age. That included the need to blow off steam and have fun.

In these two letters home, Grant describes his leave in the south of France with some comrades. It was his third "permission" spent on the French Riviera since the fall of 1917.  What better place to have some fun? Warm sunshine and beaches. So taken with the Côte d'Azur was he that he suggests his parents should travel to France after the war.

Convois Autos.,

S.S.U. 647,

Par B.C.M.

France

Menton, France

February 5, 1919

Dear little Mother:-

Am on another permission on the Mediterranean, this time in Menton near the Italian border.  The weather is glorious and we are having a pretty good time – though not as good as in the old volunteer days.

Our trip down from Germany was most trying.  The weather was cold and disagreeable and the crowds between Mainz and Paris were terrific.  From Strasbourg to Paris (17 hours) we stood every minute of the way.  I slept to the floor of the passage way once during the night but there was quite a crowd of Alpine Chasseurs on board and they mistook me for the Alps.  There was nothing to do but to stand.  We spent one night in Paris taking the [Train] Rapid for Menton on the following evening.  The Rapid is a first class train intended only for officers and civilians but our knowing a few ropes helped us get aboard without difficulty.  We spent a comfortable night in a warm compartment but at Marseilles we were caught by American MPs and thrown off the train.  The next a.m. at 4 o’clock we were put onto a 3rd class train and reached Menton about noon of the 31st of January.  The government furnishes us with very nice hotels down here and now that we are here we are very comfortable.  For the first two days we did nothing but sleep.  Since then we have been to the border, Monte Carlo and Nice as usual.  We were in Nice yesterday and had an excellent time.  Many nice people whom we met down here a year and a half ago are still down here and they remembered us in spite of the change of uniform.  We danced and played around the Riviera in general and were well received in spite of our uniforms.

Now we are resting and trying to nerve up to the return trip

(Interruption – dinner call)

I am now in the writing room of the YMCA – they have grabbed the best buildings all along the Riviera (Cannes, Nice, Monte Carlo and Menton) and are doing everything possible for the American soldier.  The YMCA here in Menton was the old Gambling Casino.  It is lavish in decorations, theaters, dancing floors, pool and billiard rooms, etc.  I am writing you from one of the old roulette rooms which is now being used for a reading and writing room.

I inquired around in Marseilles for Bill [Grant's future brother-in-law, William R. Everett (1891-1943)], but couldn’t seem to get on his trail.  Where is he?  I haven’t heard from him since the Armistice.  Am under the impression he must be on his way back or is he going to be held for reconstruction work?  I hope not for Marion’s sake.  Though I tell you frankly that if there wasn’t so much drawing me back home I think I should look around for a good army job to keep me over here a year or so longer.  I haven’t seen half enough of this country yet.  While in Nice the other day we met people from Roumania, Constantinople, St. Petersburg and a retired American admiral (Admiral Day) who had traveled all over.  When we were down here before we met a family from Florence, Italy.  Just listening to these people talk has made me want to travel more.  They know so much more than we Americans who stay in America all our lives.

Willard home in Mankato

But I’m not going to stay over here this trip.  I’m going to aim toward another visit sometime later on.  I wish you would make Dad bring you over here, Mother.  Why have you never come?  It hasn’t been beyond Dad’s power financially certainly because it isn’t an expensive place to spend a summer.  Nowhere near as expensive as in some American summer resort.  Tourists are quite apt to be asked exorbitant prices but one need not pay exorbitant prices.  I think I could conduct a very cheap party over the most interesting parts of France and we could have load of fun.  You and Dad would grow 20 years younger if you would make the trip.  Now it is dinner time and I must quit.

No more rumors about coming home except that it might be most any day, now.  Hope to stop over in Paris on our way back to Germany.

Heaps of love,

Grant.

* * *

Convois Autos.,

S.S.U. 647,

Par B.C.M.

France

Paris – 2/11/19/

Dear Family:-

On our way back from permission.  I wrote you last from Menton on the Mediterranean.  Hope that letter reaches you O.K. because it contains a report of the best part of our leave.  It hasn’t been very satisfactory because traveling conditions have been so poor.  From Menton we took a 3rd class permissionaires' train to Dijon.  From Marseilles on it grew rapidly colder.  The train was now heated.  The cold combined with the hard wooden benches of the 3rd class car made sleeping and comfort impossible.  We were 20 hours on this train.  At Dijon we had to wait 10 hours for our Paris train.  There was not a room in the town to be had so we spent our time in the Red Cross canteen drinking hot coffee and trying to be comfortable.  Our Paris train pulled in at 3 a.m. jammed to the doors with passengers.  We forced our way aboard and stood up for the next 6 hours.  Fortunately our train was a rapid so we reached Paris about on schedule.  But you can imagine that we were pretty well played out and resolved never to take another permission.  After some debating and argument we were allowed to stay in Paris for two days to get rested up for the last leg of our journey.  Paris is crowded and rooms are scarce. Through the kindness of Mr. [Henry] Sleeper of the American Field Service we were able to find beds and have been very comfortable here.  We went to bed at noon of the 9th and never stirred until the noon of the 10th.  I’ll take 2 months at the front in preference to another permission.  Have been too tired to see about getting my baggage over to the Am Express Co.  Our headquarters promises that time will be given all old sections later in which to straighten up all baggage questions.  We were told that our section will be called in within a month and be sent back to the States.  However, General Foch’s recent report to the war council may have some effect on our demobilization.  I should be very much surprised if it didn’t.  Germany is not whipped.  Additional force is necessary.  This does not necessarily mean more fighting, in my estimation, but armies and supplies are going to be essential.  

So you see our job over here is not yet completed and until it is we shall continue to plug away doing our menial share and trying to keep happy.

With a heart full of love,

Grant.

Some of us are putting on flesh (I’m gaining daily) and have never felt better, physically, in our lives.

As my readers know, Grant's father, William D. Willard (1867-1952), was cashier of the First National Bank of Mankato, Minnesota, and had proposed that his eldest son come work as his assistant after his return from war. While Grant writes enthusiastically about the possibility in this letter, we also know it never came to pass. He tells his father that he's written to his former employer informing him of the paternal job offer. 

Grant also goes on emphatically about his love of Dorothy Houghton and his desire to get married. One can sense from the way he writes about Dot that his family was not entirely enthusiastic about his choice of wife. This attitude would affect their married life in Mankato.

Convois Autos.,
S.S.U. 647,
Par B.C.M.
France

January 24, 1919

Dear Dad:-

Your very nice, long letter of Dec. 24 reached me on the 18th of this month.  I was very glad to get it indeed though sorry to hear that you have been laid up with the “flu.”  I trust that you are well again by now and that the miserable stuff has left no ill effects.

(At this point Snader came in looking for an argument and he found one in here.  The argument started out on the moral effect of German air raids and long distance shelling in France as compared with allied air raids in Germany.  At 11 o’clock last evening the argument concluded having been switched to the Russian problem of today.  So it is now the morning of January 25th – Saturday, I think.)

But to business!  You have asked me two questions: (1) “How do you feel, are we going to be called upon for large quantities of steel, etc. for European reconstruction?” and (2) in regard to our future plans when your little tin solider comes trailing home.  You must have my reply to the second proposition by now.  However, I shall reply again in case the other never arrived.

I should be more than glad to return to Mankato and act as your assistant.  Two years of barbarians has not decreased my steam pressure, in fact I think it has added to it if anything.  You say it is steam you need.  I should like to try mine out under your guidance.  Then, too, I’ve got to get married.  I’m so sure as I ever have been of anything that Dot is my mate.  The past two years have been sufficient test.  And she really is a wonder, Dad.  If you have never appreciated how extremely lucky your son has been in a good many things he’s undertaken I’m sure your appreciation will dawn when you know my Dot better.  There are times when it all seems almost too good to be true and the time hangs very heavy on my hands waiting for a chance to get back into civilization again.  Your offer is just the thing I have been looking and hoping for.  You see I’m pretty proud of your life and work and I should like to do what ever I can to help out and make as much out of my life as you have yours.  Speaking of reconstruction, it is going to be necessary for me to do a little reconstructing myself before I get away from the present ways of thinking, speaking and acting but I’m sure that, with a little patience on your part, a good many of the army crudities can be entirely wiped out and a good many merits, started over here, further developed.  At any rate, I’m very desirous of making the attempt.

I have written Mr. Wells [of the Wells-Dickey Trust Company in Minneapolis] to the effect that I couldn’t see much of a future in his office; that I didn’t care to be a bond salesman all my life; that it was too much to expect that I should be put into any other department with as little experience as I have had; that asking for a salary large enough for two of us living in Minneapolis on what little value I could be to the company would again be asking too much; that it is quite essential that I marry; that my father had made me a very attractive proposition which seemed to fill the bill to better  advantage for all concerned.  I haven’t yet received Mr. Wells’ reply, though it is about due most any day now.

Now as to the steel question – I can give you my ideas in a very few words.  There is going to be more modern construction in Europe as soon as things have settled down a bit than ever before.  By modern construction I mean railroads and steel framed buildings in particular.  All of this development is going to call for steel.  The pressure of war needs has created a much larger knowledge of industry on the whole.  This means increased production, doesn’t it, when labor conditions become more stable?  But before production can be increased machinery must be constructed on a larger scale than ever before.  This calls for steel.

In France, I should say that there is a decided sentiment and activity under way for increased industrialism on, what we would call, a modern scale.  France has been a bit backward in this regard, comparing what we have seen of France with what we have seen of Germany.  In this new movement in France there is going to be a big demand for steel even outside of the devastated lands.  This war has done a great deal for France.  As you know that the wage-workers in France are in much better condition financially now than they ever were before?  Why?  Because we American soldiers together with the English soldiers have been responsible for putting a large sum of money into circulation.  France has got her eyes open.  But she is in a very embarrassing situation as a nation financially.  The capital of France together with her credit will undoubtedly have to be spent in rehabilitating devastated regions.  

Germany may get her steel for reconstruction and development from Austria and Hungary as usual.  However, I know nothing of the amounts of iron ore in these countries and the prices of mining and shipping same as compared to ours.  But Germany wouldn’t concern us much because she will be last on our list.  If our output of steel exceeds our demands plus the demands of the allied and neutral countries then perhaps we can accept a bit of German credit. 

England’s demand for reconstruction steel I should think would not exceed her war time demand.

Italy comes out of the war stronger than ever was before.  War needs have increased her productive capacity.  Italy like France has become more modernized by the war.  This, I should think, would mean a demand for steel greater than the supply available from sources cheaper than from the U.S.

Then there is all of Russia!  What’s going to become of Russia anyway?  Will her eyes ever be opened so that they are not crossed?  I am glad to see Russia represented in the Peace Congress and I hope it means that the allies are going to support one man in Russia during the reconstruction period any way.  If Russia once get settled I see no reason why the demand for steel would not exceed the available domestic production at a less price than we could offer.

This covers the larger European countries.  My conclusion, as you see, would be that there will be a large market for American made steel for the reconstruction of Europe.  This conclusion, however, is base on a lack of knowledge of the amount and prices and grades of steel production in Europe.  I really only know that the demands for steel will be great over here.  Anybody knows that – so you see I’ve not given you a bit of information.

Ambulances in Mainz

We are still in Mainz.  The last two weeks have indeed been easy ones.  During this period we have made but one trip of any size and that was a second convoy up to the prison camp at Giesson.  In addition we have two cars a day on call here in Mainz to answer what few requests there may be in this vicinity.  Being attached to the army headquarters this way gives us the cream in the ambulance line and leaves the dregs for those sections attached to army corps and divisions.  But the easy life with little work is beginning to tell on us.  The “esprit de corps” has suffered a bit.  However, many rumors of an early demobilization are refreshing and keep us all in pretty good spirits.  Some of us are putting on flesh (I’m gaining daily) and have never felt better, physically, in our lives.

Hap [Ahlers] is bigger and stronger than ever.  Johnny Taylor is no longer a boy of 17 but a grown up man of 19 years with big ideas and a great mind.  Fraser’s egotism of two years ago has developed into the finest kind of fellowship and good fun; etc. down the line.  We have all profited something.  However, these are not arguments in favor of war but in spite of war.

There are rumors that we will be on our way home in a month but also there are so many rumors to the contrary that we pay no more attention to them whatever.  I think our chances of being demobilized over here are very slim so that my trunk and other excess baggage will either have to be shipped home by the American Express Co. which is very expensive or I shall have to store it somewhere for further instructions.  I hope to be able to get into Paris within the next month to get these things straightened out.  I have several souvenirs which I don’t care to lose.  But, Dad, I’m not bringing home an arsenal nor a curio-shop (un magasin d’antiquites).  Mine are few but full of significance – for myself anyway.  Some of the boys are lugging 500 lbs of souvenirs around with them.  Wait until we have our cars take away from us and are made to carry only army issue on our backs!!!!  That time is drawing nigh.

Much love to you all,

Grant.

Esprit de corps getting lax...

Near the German city of Giessen was one of the most imfamous p.o.w. camps of the First World War. Denutrition, punishments and psychological mobbing were rampant. It was a precursor to major concentration camps of the mid-20th century and beyond. Grant and his comrades evacuated prisoners from Giessen several times.

Monday, January 20, 1919:

Left this A.M. at 6:30 for Giessen--#1,2,6,7,8,9,10,11,13,16,18, staff car and camionette. The day was dark and cold. Hap got almost as far as Frankfurt and had to return with carburetor trouble. The remainder of the trip passed off without accident.

Giessen POW Camp

A few kilometers out of Butzback, [Clifford O.] Soles & I left the convoy for Wetzlar. We arrived at our destination at about 11:30 A.M. and sat down to an excellent dinner with a French 2nd Lieutenant now in charge of the cemetery at the Wetzlar prison. We were supposed to bring this doctor back with us together with his infirmière and one couché. The Lieutenant spoke English--he was very nice to us. Since the armistice was signed they have been having a pretty easy time at Wetzlar. This Lieutenant had taken charge of the cemetery & camp sanitary conditions. He had been prisoner since last July taken on the Champagne. He had come to Wetzlar in October and had found things in a terrible condition. The graves of those prisoners who had died were not marked nor nicely arranged. No car had been taken of the place whatever. There were a number of Russian prisoners in the camp and the doctor said they were the worst, most slovenly and unsanitary people he had ever seen or heard of.

We left Wetzlar about 1:30 P.M. without the doctor, without the infirmière and without the couché. The doctor wouldn’t leave until he had finished his work, namely that of locating & labeling the graves of the dead. His infirmière wouldn’t leave without him and the couché has already been evacuated so Solesy and I returned to Mainz with no more of a load than we had running up. Out of Frankfurt we ran on to LaFleur out of gas so I took his patents aboard. McCrackin & Fraser took gas out to Al after we arrived. We pulled into camp about 6 P.M. tired & cold. Had one blow out just out of Wetzlar.


Wednesday, January 22:

The Lieutenant called us together today and made us a speech about the “esprit de corps” of this section. It seems that we are getting lax within the section & unless we improve we will have to drill, rise and go to bed at the signal of the bugle. I have since learned that the talk was intended especially for the cooks who have been getting a bit bossy of late, but I think the talk passed right over their heads. Woodie is obstinate and contrary. Afterward I had a talk with the Lieut. regarding my situation as a sergeant. He called me a quitter because I didn’t throw McCrackin out when he butted into my work and wait for orders from the Lieutenant before I withdrew. I explained the situation as I had seen it. He understood and was very nice about it. He would like to see me back where I was before McCrackin came, but didn’t want to put me there himself under the conditions. So I’m to wait awhile for further developments before I receive instructions. What this mean, I don’t know. Hope he isn’t going to get rid of Mac. I impressed it upon his mind that I was making no claims of reinstatement whatsoever--that I am absolutely contented to remain a private in this section.

[The French] are quite apt to play us, Americans, for suckers.

Life in Germany for SSU 647 was a far cry from that they'd been living in wartime France. They spent their days in cafes, reading, exploring the country and generally relaxing with an occasional demand to perform their military/sanitary role.

Sunday, January 12, 1919:

Fratz, Johnny, Dirk and I went rabbit hunting with our “gatts” this morning. Finding the rabbits rather difficult to hit, in spite of their elephantine size, we spent our ammunition on targets. Fratz, Dirk and I played billiards at the Kurfürst this p.m.

Monday, January 13:

Rainy and miserable outside. Stayed in and read the History of Europe Since 1815 most all day. George, our waiter at the Cafe Paris here in Mainz told us that the cold and wet days are about over. We are soon to have spring. Should like to be here on the Rhine in the spring.

Tuesday, January 14:

The day of the big Kegel [bowling] tournament. Walked off into the country with Johnny, Fratz and Dirk this a.m. Played billiards this afternoon. Horn and Titchner went to Coblenz today for more food.

At 7 o’clock a few of the mob assembled at a very antique and miserable bowling alley in town. We paired off and had a most thrilling and exciting tournament. The alley is very funny. Made of concrete surface, longer and broader than ours and only 9 pins are used. It is next to impossible to make a strike and spares are very rare. Results are as follows.

Grant's original "kegel" chart from the diary.

We had a great deal of fun out of it. Too bad Horn couldn’t have been there. It was his idea originally.

Horn came in about 10 p.m. very tired and disgusted in general. The Commissary in Coblenz refused to sell or issue him a thing because we don’t belong to the 3rd Army American. The YMCA gave him a few little things. The Lieutenant will go with him again in a day or so to see if his bars help any.

Wednesday, January 15:

GRW, Johnny Taylor and Stuart Fraser

Rainy and miserable out. 
Took a hike with Johnny, Fratz and Dirk winding up at the Kurfürst where we played billiards. Was made very happy today by the arrival of mail--one letter from Dot, one from mother (Dec. 16 and Dec. 10 respectively), one from the office, one from Tish Libby and a wedding announcement from Adele Pattison.

Friday, January 17:

The Lieutenant gave a birthday party last evening in the front rooms here in the barracks. He is 27 years old. He surely looks and acts older. 
Harris and Woodell acted as toastmasters calling on everybody present to tell why he came to France. Bodfish presented the Lieutenant with the cigarette case which the section bought for him. The case is a dandy, but the presentation speech was better. The Lieutenant made a speech in return in which he called himself “Old Man Smith” and asked the session to proceed as if we were all civilians again, forgetting rank and bars -- man to man. He called on us for an expression of our first impressions when he joined us in Lagny. The testimonies were funny. Al LaFleur was particularly good because the Anderson régime had been exceptionally hard on him. Mechanic Anderson got well oiled up and made a wonderful speech on insignias for Lieut. Kendrick’s benefit. (Kendrick was with us.) “Ergo,” said Andie, “As Shakespeare says in Hamlet, section 649’s insignia is an anachronism.” Champagne, candies, cookies and cheese sandwiches were the order of the evening.

Sunday, January 19:

Rather an interesting day. About 11:30 this morning a French lieutenant appeared at our bureau and verbally gave us an order to vacate our happy home to make room for French troops about to arrive. Smithy gave him an argument. Then Burt came to Smithy’s assistance and they both put up a fight. 

Arthur C. Burt

“My orders come from the billeting mayor of Mainz. Are you going to obey them and move within the next half hour or not?” was asked Burt after the argument had provoked him. 
“We receive our orders from our lieutenant.” replied Burt. 
“Where is your lieutenant?” 
“In his room in Mainz.” 
“Where is the sergeant in charge?” 
“Gone to church.” 
“Then you won’t move according to order?” 
“No sir.” 

In the meantime the (our) lieutenant had been sent for. Before he arrived, however, a telephone message came from the billeting mayor (a French colonel) saying that if we were not out within half an hour we would be put under arrest and a squad detailed to move our possessions for us. Our lieutenant arrived and stirred up more words. He had it hot and heavy with the billeting lieutenant and the infantry commandant. There was no written order and it hadn’t come to us through the D.S.A., the proper channel. Furthermore the D.S.A. had told us that we would not be moved from our comfortable quarters. So our lieutenant stuck it out, refusing to move, but went right down and reported the whole rumpus to the D.S.A. 

In the meantime, at the expiration of half an hour, armed, mounted guards arrived with orders to keep us in our barracks--we were under arrest. Captain Bacheleur arrived from the D.S.A. and the argument started afresh. The D.S.A. supported us. The conclusion was that no order had been issued for our vacating. That had such an order been issued the D.S.A could have canceled it because it hadn’t come through the proper sources. We were merely requested to move by an infantry commandant who had tried to bulldoze us into believing it was an order. The billeting mayor had backed him up. So as a request on the part of the infantry commandant in order that he may not be compelled to split a company the matter rested between himself and our lieutenant. The logic of the situation was evident. 35 Americans vacated to barracks just as good as those formerly occupied in order to make way for 150 French infantrymen to occupy the same space in a building large enough to hold their whole regiment. We are a little more crowded in our new barracks but we will be quite comfortable once we are straightened around. At any rate we had the satisfaction of “calling” an awful big bluff on the part of a French commandant and a billeting mayor. They are quite apt to play us, Americans, for suckers. And I don’t think we will be asked to move again. We have a larger room than before with more light and plenty of heat. Dirk, Johnny, Fratz and I are together again and have taken Hap in with us making five altogether. Some of the boys, however, are a bit sore because their accommodations are not quite as nice as before, but I’m sure all will be smoothed over in a day or two.

Tomorrow a.m. at 6:30 nine cars with the staff car and camionette leave for Giessen and and Swain and myself for Wetzlar for prisoners of war.

We shall come dancing back to dear little Mankato – the happiest pair that ever went through a hell of torture together, unscathed and unscarred.

As 1919 began, the Great War had been over for nearly two months and millions of young men had perished. Though there was peace among the great powers, it was not a peaceful year. There was civil, economic and labor unrest in Europe and elsewhere. Strikes were commonplace. Communist activists fought against reactionary forces in various countries. 

In the U.S., the several states ratified the 18th Amendment to the Constitution, establishing the prohibition of alcoholic beverages. It took effect one year later.

The League of Nations was founded, and, at Versailles, the treaty was signed that formally ended the First World War. Afterwards U.S. President Woodrow Wilson embarked on a cross-country speaking tour to garner support for the treaty and put pressure on the U.S. Senate to ratify it, and wound up suffering a stroke in October that would leave him disabled for the rest of his life. In the end the U.S. never ratified the treaty and negotiated a  separate peace with the Central Powers.

As for Grant Willard, 1919 was a momentous year. After being discharged honorably from the U.S. Army in the spring, he returned home to pick up the pieces of his life and start a new one. In September that year he and Dorothy Houghton were married in her hometown of Amber, Pennsylvania, and set up house in Minnesota.

January 10, 1919

Dearest Mother:-

A little mail came yesterday – the first I have received, outside of one letter from Dot, in a couple of weeks. I drew two letters – one from Marion and one from Zella Devitt. There must be a pile of mail for us somewhere. I thank Marion very, very much for the draft she enclosed. It has gone into Morgan Harjes & Cie. with the rest of my funds to be saved for a rainy day, which I hope is not far off.

Day before yesterday the Chief of our Service, Col. Jones, was in Mainz and told our Lieutenant that he could assure his boys that they would be on their way to the States within 3 months. And that those who wanted to stay over here would be given that opportunity. The latter don’t apply to me in the slightest degree. The former, on the other hand, hits me right between the eyes. Three months isn’t so very much longer. Col. Jones’ statement is the most authentic report we have had and I certainly hope he’s right. I had already sent a letter into headquarters requesting a furlough to the States for the purpose of continuing my former occupation. If it had been granted I figured that I would have been sent back to Allentown and be mustered out there. However, the Colonel said that such requests would not be granted, that he would O.K. them readily enough but that General Pershing was refusing all such requests. So I shall probably have to come back a soldier and will have had no opportunity of touring around over here.

There doesn’t seem to be much argument in favor of my refusing Dad’s perfectly good offer to join him in business when I come back. I think if Dot were convinced that I’m not to be pulled along through life on the coat-tails of my Dad that she would be quite as keen on the proposition as I am. I’m pretty sure she can be convinced. Your letters to her have helped. I’m trying to do my level best from this side. So I have formulated the following plan: immediately upon demobilization to make a direct hit on Ambler, there to get acquainted all over again and to make a regular lover’s fool of myself. It may be a period of three weeks or so before they throw me out during which period Dot and I will, undoubtedly have been very busy. Then I’ll come home, work like a trooper, pick out a shack or pitch a tent somewhere in Mankato or vicinity for Dot and myself. Then when everything is running smoothly and when agreeable to all concerned I shall pile out to Ambler and then to the time of Mendelssohn’s wedding march we shall come dancing back to dear little Mankato – the happiest pair that ever went through a hell of torture together, unscathed and unscarred. Was?

On Tuesday, January 7, Horn Snader and I went in my car to Coblenz for food supplies. The day broke clear and cold, the road is as smooth as a floor and moreover my car was running like a charm. What more could be desired for a 90 km drive down the banks of the historical Rhine? It was indeed a memorable trip, this beauty of which I couldn’t begin to describe to you because my pleonastic abilities have never been properly developed. Ask Carolyn and Alice – they can undoubtedly much more about the entrancing qualities of the Rhine than I can. I am enclosing a few pictures of some of the things we saw. When we passed the Loreley I looked so hard for the beautiful sirens that we mounted a rock pile in our “flivver” and had to be pushed off. Horn said that the only sailors he could imagine as being lured by the sirens we saw would be a crew of drunken Longshoremen.

Coblenz is a maze of Americans. I never saw so much elaborateness in my life. Every unit seems to have an insignia of some sort worn somewhere on every article of clothing. The M.P.’s which decorate every corner, highway and by way are all dressed up like a parade and address one as though he were the dust on his shoes. A poor, inexperienced ambulance driver has a tough time in Colbenz. (I was addressed several times.) Due to army red-tape and penurious YMCA men it took us eight hours of constant prevarication and running from headquarters to headquarters to get one fair sized load of provisions for our outfit – enough to last a week. We came home by our distemper. Why should we have to pay exorbitant prices for foods, clothing, reading and writing material already paid for by you people in the States and intended to be distributed among the American soldiers on this side? The Red Cross gave us our share of everything they had in stock – jam, milk, cigarettes, chewing gum, clothing and reading material. By “our share” I mean the usual army rations for 50 men to cover a definite period of time. What did we get out of the tremendous store house of the YMCA? Half a dozen packages of biscuits, one package of this writing paper and some magazines. We got all of this only after arguing with the main office for an hour and when we finally got it they wanted 30 some odd marks for the lay-out. Can you beat that? Horn said, “I didn’t come 90 km to buy goods which my family has already more than paid for,” and picked up the box and we walked out leaving the wide-eyed and very much shocked little triangle man scratching his bald-pate and pondering over Horn’s harsh words.

I’m afraid you would accuse me of being very unpatriotic if I should go on enumerating our Coblenz experiences. The Americans are handling the whole situation in their territory so differently from the French and English in theirs that it’s hard to understand it all. Judging from articles in US periodicals I should say that you people have a far greater understanding of the underlying principles of this war and the proper solutions for its resultant problems than has the American Army of occupation. I like the trend of thought and reason in the Literary Digest articles under the title of “Feeding German.” I wish the French knew more of how you people at home feel. As it is, they are becoming quite vexed with us. I don’t know how the English feel. We have fallen once for German poisonous propaganda. Wasn’t it sufficient to teach us our lesson or are we going to fall again? If we can’t agree with the French and English on the solution of Germany’s problem then it is sure a sign we haven’t learned our lesson and high time for us to pull out of Europe and leave it to those who know.

There has been a call for cars at the hospital to take sick prisoners down to the train so I must leave you now.

Am feeling fine.
 
Much love,
Grant.