Almost burned the truck up in starting it. Was never so scared in my life.

SSU 647 had a few trying days as the rolling terrain of eastern France and western Germany proved to be a match for men and machinery.

Saturday, November 30, 1918:

             We rolled out of St. Avold as the clock was striking 9 this morning. Beautiful day and a beautiful trip. The roads up in this country are superb. Someone suggested it was because there are so few motor vehicles used in Germany on account of lack of gasoline. It is true that we have seen no motor vehicle of any kind so far. We pulled into our barrack in Sarrebrücken [sic] as the clock was striking eleven this morning. We are living in what used to be a hospital. The tags on the beds give the names and nationalities of their former occupants. Several Americans’ names appear on the beds together with all of our allies. The place is clean with running water on every floor. We are on the third. S.S.U. 627 is also here. Just as we got nicely settled and had our cars unloaded ready for action we received orders to move tomorrow morning at 7 a.m. for Bitche back in Lorraine to report to the H.Q. of the 33^rd Colonial Army in Sarrebrücken on detached service. Corp. Carey stayed in charge of Burt, Wilder, Bushore and Taylor, G.

             I’m completely tired out this evening. This sergeant’s job sure is a thankless drudgery.

Sunday, December 1:

             Up this morning at 4 o’clock trying to get things ready for a 7 o’clock start. Everything was set alright except the camionette which needed a new timer roller and refused to work. The convoy pulled out on time. Woodie and I stayed back with Risley on the camionette. We pulled out at 9 a.m. and after losing ourselves several times finally struck the right road and traveled like sin to catch up. Soon ran on to Andie who had to fix someone up and we three started on together -- me & Woodie in the lead and Risley behind. Next we ran on to Kirk and Kerr. Kirk had motor trouble & Kerr had stopped to help him out. We are all loaded very heavily because of the four cars we left behind and the road while smooth is very hilly.

Zweibrücken Castle (2010)

             Fraser was next to drop out, but I kept on going to rejoin the convoy as I had the order in my pocket. Then our trouble began. We struck the mountains. Break bands burned out as well as speed bands. McEnness smashed his transmission drums by using his reverse for breaking purposes. We pulled in to Bitche shortly after noon with about half our cars. Our barracks are good and our General & Medicine Chef are splendid. We leave here for Zweibrücken or Deux Ponts day after tomorrow morning with the 33^rd Army Corps. The rest of the cars except McEnness pulled in in time for dinner. Risley took the truck and towed Mac in this afternoon. We will have to send to Nancy for a new motor for him.

             Very tired, but had to start this p.m. with 6 cars for Sarrebrücken with patients. Back up over those mountains!! Took Ahlers, Astlett, Bodfish, Stender, Luykx with me. Our loads consisted of 15 couchés and 5 assis. On the top of the last hill Hap burned out his low speed. We put his patients in a house together with mine. I returned to camp for another car, Hap stayed on his, the other four cars proceeded to Sarrebrücken. It was dark. I had no lights. On my return trip I burned out my brake and my low speed was about shot so I had to send out two cars instead of one -- Johnnie and Titchner. Risley came along to tow Hap in. I rode with Johnnie back as far as Hap, loaded the patients in the two fresh cars, sent them on their way and towed Hap back to camp with the Packard. Some day! ! ! !

Monday, December 2:

             Horn Snader and Dunlap left in the camionette this a.m. about 4:30 for Nancy & Belleville for rations taking with them McEnness’s motor. Jack Swain left in his ambulance with Kerr, Signor, Kirk and Rority (these four boys are going in to Paris to receive D.S.C.s for their work in the Argonne) for Nancy about 6:30 a.m. The rest of us worked on our cars getting everything ready for a 9 o’clock start tomorrow. Stender and I will stay back with Risley & McEnness to put the new motor in McEnness car.

             Took the truck this noon with Waldock & the courrier and went to Sarrebrücken for essence. Almost burned the truck up in starting it. Was never so scared in my life. Poured essence in the cylinder heads and the whole motor caught on fire. Burned my hands & face in putting it out. Got back about 3 p.m. after having burned out the foot brake on the Packard. Jack 7 Horn came back from Nancy late this evening with food & spare parts.