Fred Meyers
Submitted by: Pat Roblewsky {grandson}
Fred Meyers born around 1896, Fred Meyers served in World War 1 with the United States Army. The enlistment was in 1917 and the service was completed in 1919.
Story of Service
Enlistment
Fred Meyers, a 20 year old farmer from Britton, South Dakota, enlisted in the Army on April 18, 1917. Fred Meyers was assigned to the 59th Depot Brigade 1st S. Dakota Cavalry. In September of 1917 Fred was sent to Boot Camp at Camp Dodge, Iowa. Sometime in October of 1917, he was sent to Camp Cody near Deming in New Mexico for training. Fred Meyers was there until June 1918. In June he traveled to France by way of England to be among the first combat troops to fight in the war with Germany.
Training
Sometime around September 14 or 15, 1917 Fred Meyers left Britton, South Dakota for Boot Camp at Camp Dodge in Iowa. His travel took him to Omaha, Nebraska. Fred probably arrived at Camp Dodge on or about September 17, 1917. It is not known how long he was at Camp Dodge, but it can be assumed that this was his basic military training. He probably learned Military Order and Discipline, i.e. bed making, marching, rules and etc.
After basic training, Fred left for Camp Cody near Deming, New Mexico in October 1917. Fred was initially assigned to Company I, 136 Infantry for systematic training. There is not much known about his daily activity while at Camp Cody. His training as an infantryman included a lot of marching and combat training. In June 1918 nearly all the trained personnel were sent to France as part of the Military automatic replacement system. Fred Meyers was then assigned to Company 16, Cody Infantry for his travel to France.
Travel to France
Fred departed Camp Cody in June, 1918 for Camp Merritt, New Jersey. He left the United States on June 28, 1918. The ship sailed to Southampton, England then on to La Havre, France arriving on July 14, 1918. He sent a Red Cross safe arrival card to his girlfriend Theresia Schwartz.
While in France he was assigned to the 33rd Division, 58th Field Artillery Brigade, Second Battalion, 123 Field Artillery, Battery D. His cannon was the 155mm Schneider howitzer. The 58th Field Artillery Brigade was detached from the 33rd Division and assigned to the following:
June 16 - Aug 23 1918 - at Ormans and Le Valdhon (training area).
Aug 25 - Sept 11 - with the 89th and 1st Divisions in the Lucey and Ansauville Sectors.
Sept 12 - Sept 15 - with 1st Division during the St., Mihiel Operations.
Sept 26 - Oct 4 - with the 91st Division in the Meuse-Argonne Operation.
Oct 4 - Oct 11 - with the 32nd Division in the Meuse-Argonne Operation.
Oct 24 - Nov 11 - with the 89th Division in the Meuse-Argonne Operation.
Nov 18 - near Stenay
Nov 24 - Dec 15 - with the First Army.
Dec 16 - Dec 31 - with 79th Division in Stenay Area.
The 58th Brigade rejoined the 33rd Division in the Diekirch Area in the Northern Part Luxembourg. (Reference, Order of Battle of the United States Land Forces in the World War, Volume 2)
The Diary
This diary was typed in just as my Fred wrote it. The Hyphens are inserted to break thoughts. The words in parenthesis are interpretation of his word or denote locations.
1918
Aug 16 - Working on the gun as canoners (connoneer) lugging shells - leave our position at 4 PM full packs - going to camp full packs. Very hot day - Sweat to beat all and also stood retreat.
Aug 17 - Took a hike and was a cononier (connoneer) and was made a driver that night.
Aug 18 - Took care of horses But did not have a team issued to me yet.
Aug 19 - Grooming horses.
Sept 4th - Camped in the woods at the St. Machiel (St. Mihiel, France) front - German Aroplanes (Aeroplane) burn 2 balloons and I go and water horses and a false gas alarm - Sinetry (sentry) bawls me out for taking my mask off.
Sept 5 - Two dead from wounds. Hauling arms - slept on the road beside my team.
Sept 10 - Ceaseless rain But still hauling am (ammunition).
Sept 11 -Trying to get Guns in position - I and Embon get pretty near shot up But get out just in time When the 122 opens fire.
Sept 12 - Groom horses and could not sleep that night for the barrage.
Sept 13 - Advance at 6 AM 4 miles.
Sept 14 - Waiting to move - standing beside my team all day and nothing to eat
Sept 15 - Left Boncamville (Bouconville, France) 9 A. M. - long hike.
Sept 16 - 12 hours hike at night - sleep while riding - Arrived in woods 10 PM and left 3 AM.
Sept 17 - Put up in Billets and did not get up to water my team.
Sept 18 - Grooming horses - polishing harnesses for three days
Sept 21 - Conunied (Continued) hike to Verdun France 930 PM
Sept 22 - Am in wood 8 Killos from position hill 209 - pulling horses hard and got stuck.
Sept 23 - Tied team on tree and threw my Grooming kit at team - went to sleep - Germans Bombed while I slept
Sept 24-25 - Trying to haul arm.
Sept 26 - Germans shell Picket line.
Sept 27 - Move forward at 930 AM over bad roads. Arrived at 630 P.M. - 2 Kilos behind lines - set our guns in daylight
Oct 1st - Move forward 4 Kilos
The diary abruptly stops at this point in 1918. It can be assumed that the fighting was intense during this period of time and he probably didn’t have the luxury of making entries into his diary.
1919
March 13 - Went on pass - had inspection - went on truck to Mersch (Luxembourg) - slept in barn in hay.
March 15 - Got up 530 in the morning - no breakfast - walk to Mersch (Luxembourg) - Got train at 720 - traveled all day. Got wrecked at 1210 - broke up three Engines 8 box cars - 7 men hurt - one with foot off - one with chest smashed. Nobody else hurt only shaken up a bit
March 17 - Got into Issurtile (Issurtille, France) at 7 oclock stayed at the red cross from 10 till 230 oclock Started for Genvars (St. Gervais, France) at 430 oclock - tried as hell
March 18 - Got up at 8 oclock - had breakfast - wrote a few letters - went up town - found a few girls - came back - had supper - danced all evening - went to bed at 1130 - slept well - dreamed of home.
March 19 - Got up when maid called me - had a good breakfast - shaved - cleaned up - But haven't had dinner yet. Had dinner - turned in pay book
March 20 - Signed pay roll - walked 20K.
March 21 - Walked uptown - tired came back and oh (out) again. Snowed everyday day while here.
March 22 - Went uptown - very fine day and also got paid 8450 francs - sat around all day thinking about home
March 23 - Stayed around Hotel till after dinner and then went uptown - stayed till after 6 oclock - came back for supper and then walked back again - dances shows and other tricks played - came back at 12 oclock - got to bed
March 25 - Got up at 8 oclock and was awful tired but very bright out - going to leave at about 1 oclock for Helmdange (Luxembourg) but don’t know yet. Ate dinner and left hotel at 1120 on (AM) (not sure of time) and last (left) Les Bossom (Bossons, France) at 130. Got to Genones (St. Gervais, France) at 230 - left there at 430 - ride all night and had a bad night - all drunk.
March 26 - Got up and looked out and we were still traveling - got to dijon (France) at 1130 and am still here. Don’t looked to leave till midnight. Got a bad headache
March 27 - Slept at Issurtille (France) on the night of the 26th - Got up at 8 oclock and went to eat breakfast and had to stand in line 1 hour before I got one lousey (lousy) pancake and a slice of bread - showed up and feel spick and span now - going to leave here pretty soon - had supper at 430 and left Issurtille (France) - had bath - new cloth (clothes) and left there at 615 - Got a 1st class coach and slept well.
March 28 -Traveled all day and got tired as hell and got to Helmdange (Luxembourg) at 530 and am pretty tired and sick.
March 29 -Snowing all day - had inspection of quarters at 830 and did not do no more all day and cleaned my rifle - help Susie pull wool and am going to bed tut sweet now - am rather tired.
March 30 -Sunday going on guard - Sunday morning went on guard and stood 5 hours and a half - did not get no breakfast till half past ten and also did not get no dinner. Built fire tonight - snow balled all evening and had fun with the kids
March 31 - got up and had breakfast and went out to work cleaning pieces - in the afternoon had school and then retreat - dance in the evening - went to bed at 10 oclock.
April 1 - Got up and Susie fooled me then had breakfast and went out to drill till half past ten and came in - played ball till 3 oclock then came in - had retreat
April 2 - Got up and ate breakfast - went out to clean pieces and in the afternoon had school - helped Susie pull weeds - cut some Beets - went and ate supper - came back and sat by the barn.
April 3 - Got up and it was a little frosty but nice and clear. Don’t know what we will do yet. Drilled in the forenoon - in the afternoon had inspection then had supper and went helped Susie dig Garden - got blister on my hand from work.
April 4 - Got up and was raining and wishing it would rain all day But cleared up about 930 and cleaned pieces and went in General inspection and was tired as hell and nothing to eat. Going to a show tonight.
April 5 - Nice and clear and had bunk inspection and foot inspection and two personal inspection in the afternoon - layed out on the Prarie (Prairie)all afternoon - supper blew but was too far away to get any. Had a shot in the arm and am a little sick.
April 6 - did not get up for breakfast and felt sick and layed around all forenoon - in the afternoon went for a little hike and came back again - slept well.
April 7 - took a bath - nice and clear day - had school in the afternoon - had retreat and ready for supper.
April 8 - Nice and clear and drilled in the forenoon and in the afternoon went on trucks to Lingen (Luxembourg) to parade and came back and dug in the garden and came in and had cup of coffee.
April 9 - drilled all day and in the afternoon did not even stand retreat. A nice and warm day.
April 10 - stood guard and did not get up till 12 oclock - got away with my old B.S. again. nice and clear.
April 11 - Holiday for the 33rd and went to the city of Luxembourg and came back and about 7 oclock we had Call to Arms and had to go to Luxembourg to quite down a roite (riot) between the 5th, 33rd. a little chilly.
April 12 - going to stand a stiff inspection But it was not so stiff as I expected - raining out today all day - going to get a pass to Ettelbruck (Luxembourg) - good eat all the time.
April 13 - Waiting for a pass to Heiderscheid (Luxembourg) and was raining all day - Went to Ettelbruck (Luxembourg) and came back and was invited out to supper.
April 14 - Had inspection and then cleaned pieces - then had dinner - started to rain and is still raining.
April 15 - Raining - had inspection - took a bath and in the afternoon had school. Was a bit well drunk and dances all evening
April 16 - stood inspections all day and rain all day long
April 17 - Stood inspection yesterday morning and then was demissed and fell again at 10 oclock. in the afternoon fell in again and drilled till 15 minutes to 2 and cleaned pieces.
April 18 - drilled in the forenoon - in the afternoon went to a General inspection and walked 8 Kilos up hill
April 19 - Had inspection and went to the Comersenry (commissary) for candy and other stuff. pretty good day.
April 20 - Very fine morning only a little chilly - had inspection and did not do a thing But color easter eggs.
April 21 - Was on guard and did not do anything till 10 oclock when we went and Major Bohan (John C. Bohan) gave us a speech and then went to Lorentzweiler (Luxembourg) and cleaned pieces which I did not like - stood retreat and am threw for the day.
April 22 - Inspection day - went to Ettelbruck (Luxembourg) and had inspection by General Pershing and a parade. Came back at 8 oclock.
April 23 - fine day and did not do anything until this afternoon. Helped Susie dig the garden - just got through.
April 24 - Had two formations and then did not do anything - took a bath and dug in the garden till 8 oclock and am about ready to go to bed now.
April 25 - Very good morning - did not do a thing till just afternoon when we had inspection - then ate supper and took Susie a lunch and help dig.
April 26 - fine day - a little rain and had Billet inspection and then went to dinner and toward evening went and helped Susie dig her garden.
April 27 - Got up - had breakfast and went and had inspection and then Phi (think this is short for Physical) inspection again - going to leave soon.
April 28 - Got up had inspection and then went and had short arm inspection - did not do much - But helped Susie sort spuds - then went to supper - am ready for bed now.
April 29 - had breakfast and got ready to leave here at 10 oclock here - am in Mersch (Luxembourg) now in a box car and ready to leave. We leave here at 5 oclock. left Mersch and slept in cars box cars that night.
April 30 - rode all day - only two meals a day. snowing all day.
May 1 - still moving and stoped (stopped) now. It seem to me as if we will never get there. raining out.
May 2 - Stilling (still) going and had a fight - he hit me and I hit him - he pretty near lost his eye and me a horn on my for head (forehead).
May 3 - Got to Brest (France) at 530 this morning and hiked till 8 oclock with a packs on - got here in tent and am going to sleep now.
May 4 - Sunday - fine day - no rain -got a letter from Theresia and made me feel sad and will be home soon. Haven’t done a thing today - about supper time.
May 5 - had pack on inspection and then rested all day and about 7 oclock was called on detail and worked till 500 in the morning
May 6 - got to bed 530 and slept till 2 oclock in the afternoon and ready to go to bed again.
May 7 - Very fine day and layed around all day till I went on guard - Got off at 930 and slept well.
May 8 - Very fine day - Got through with guard at 700 - Got paid at 230 - went on detail at 300 O (I think the O means oclock) and got supper at 5 oclock and was through for the day.
May 9 - rain all day - took a Bath and got a new slacker shoes cap - ready for Bed.
May 10 - did not do very much today - Went on detail and peeled carrots till 530 in the morning.
May 11 - Got to bed at 530 and slept till 1 oclock - got up and had cho.(Chocolate) and doughnut - then slept till supper time.
May 12 - fine day - detail all day - lazy as hell.
May 13 - did not do a thing - just hotter then hell.
May 14 - ready to leave Brest - haven’t yet - hotter then hell
May 15 - little rain last night - this morning not so very hot - left for the boat at 830 and am just about half way - Got there about 1030 and go on the lorry and got on the USS America at 12 oclock - no dinner - hungrier then hell
May 16 - Left Brest (France) for US this morning at 730 and storming and pretty bad - some of the boys are rather sick - am on the M. P. forces of the 33rd div
May 17 - stormy and ship unsteady and was getting pretty sick - But could not feed the fish yet
May 18 - Very fine day till 430 When the sea began to get rough - But at 12 oclock got pretty steady again
May 19 - roughter (rougher) then hell - ship going right side up yet - But tossing about a Bit
May 20 - pretty rough weather - But raining
May 21 - Very fine day and Sea Very quite and smooth - went at a pretty gate.
May 22 - Very fine day and nice and warm - was worked quarters and don’t have to work now.
May 23 - rather chilly not far from the statue of liberty now - about 25 miles.
May 24 - figuring on landing sometime today - landed at 330 and got treated by everybody and got on the fairy and rode about 1 hour and then got on the Electric railroad and rode to camp Mills - got here about 6 oclock.
May 25 - Nice and warm - to warm to sleep.
May 26 - Was to the delousier and had a Bath and then came back.
May 27 - Pretty fine day and nice and warm - don’t snow - When we leave - was on spud detail.
May 28 - Nothing doing today - But warmer then hell
May 29 - layed around all day and doing nothing
May 30 - decoration day and nothing doing - would not let us Cody boys go to the prade (parade)
May 31 - Figuring on leaving But did not
June 1 - leave at 1 oclock - Left at 1 oclock for Casual Camp
June 2 - Hotter then Hell and did not do anything
June 3 - Went to the show and layed around all day - no work - hotter then hell
June 4 - Got ready to move and ate breakfast - rolled pack and had dinner at 1030 and left at 230 oclock for Camp dodge
June 5 - Traveled all day - in Cleveland - the red cross gave us doughnuts - coffee.
June 6 - Got into Chicago this morning at 7 oclock - left there at 9 o'clock
Home Again
The diary stopped on June 6, 1919. It is assumed that Fred arrived at Camp Dodge, Iowa on June 6 or 7, 1919. He was assigned to Causal Detachment 667. Fred was discharged on June 8, 1919. He received full pay, a bonus of $117.80, and a train ticket to Britton, South Dakota.
Fred passed away in 1982.
