_____ ♦ _____
Raymond L. SHADE
Pvt., 332nd Inf., Co. "I"
Submitted by Kevin Shade, grandson of Raymond L. Shade
Raymond Leroy Shade's WWI diary 1917-19
Left Columbus April 29th for Camp Sherman arriving same date. Was assigned to Depot Brigade April 29th
Transferred to L. Co. May 6th 332nd Regiment 83thd Division Camp Sherman.
Left Camp Sherman for Camp Merritt May 25th, Arrived at Camp Merritt New Jersey May 26
Left Camp Merritt June 6th 1918.
Went on board Aquitania June 6th laid in port two days and the 8th day of June 1918 left U.S.A. for Liverpool Eng. from New York Harbor, Cunard Dock No. 18. Was escorted out about four hours from above port by 6 submarine destroyers after that was left to the protection of our own 6 inch guns on board on either end of our ship. feed bad.
We again come in submarine waters the 12th day of June mid-ocean, none sighted however but the crew was on guard every minute working in shifts.
On June 13th saw life belts floating in water.
On the night of June 1[4]th ship sailed around in circle waiting for convoys to pick us up and escort us into port. feed worse.
On Friday June 14th caught up with convoys three U.S destroyers who in turn took up their relative position one on either side of the boat and one in front. there was now very little chance of submarine attacks.
On the following day June 15th we arrived in Liverpool Eng. at 5:00 A.M. making the trip in 7 days flat. After unloading marched about half mile to railroad station where we entrained for Southampton Eng. arriving there same date by the England and Northwestern R.R. at 10:00 P.M. and then hiked to rest camp No.1.
On Sunday June 16th had the best meal since arriving in Europe, also first beer.
On the evening of June 16 Left Southampton Eng. for Le Havre France via the English Channel arriving at Le Havre the 17th at 6:00 A.M. unloading at Le Havre and hiked to rest camp No. 2., here we got a glimpse of the first prisoners of war that we had seen, remained at Le Havre three days.
On June 18th wrote first letter to Francis since coming over.
June 20th left Le Havre for Gen. Pershings Hdq. at Chaumont France arriving there June 22nd. without detraining moved on south about four miles to Foulain and there detrained and were moved by U.S. Army trucks to Essey Les Eaux a distance of about ten miles. here we were billeted in different quarters some in houses some in barns, others out in tents anywhere there might be any available space for a few men we were treated as best the peasants of this village could. This was then made our permanent quarters while remaining in France.
Between this and July 26th were spent miserable drilling hiking and hard work.
On July 26th left France for Italy entrained at Foulain after a ten mile hike there. The next three days were traveling by rail going thru some of the largest tunnels in the world and thru several large cities enroute.
We arrived in Torin Italy Sat. July 30th and unloading and marched thru the city. We were lauded by the people and given a regular greeting meeting several American civilians on vacations who couldn't get back to the States on account of war. We went back on the trains after marching around the city and here the Ladies Society of this city served us sandwiches and coffee and candy also chewing tobacco and cigarettes. We left as the Italian’s band played the Star Spangle Banner and the people stood along the track and with heads bare cheered us to the cars where clear thru the town. We continued the trip on in to Villa Franco where we quartered for about two weeks, we were also met here by the people with outstretched arms and the streets were strewn with flowers. we were met by the Red Cross here and were helped to sandwiches and coffee and cigarettes. we put the next two weeks in drilling.
On Monday Aug 12th attended the funeral of the first casualty in the regiment since coming abroad. [Private Wilbert D. Macer, Co. C died of dysentery August 11, 1918]
On Tuesday Aug 13th, left Villa-Franco for Valleggio a distance of ten kilometers and opened up a Camp just outside of the town.
Sunday July [Aug] 18th went on leave to Verona, about twenty-miles and took in some of the most picturesque sights in the world, visited the Romeo Juliet tomb there also saw several other historic places.
On Aug. 20th received my first letter from Francis addressed to the A.E.F.
Aug 24th Officers put on big drunk including the Colonel, also big minstrel show on book. Our turn follows.
Monday night August 27 minstrel show on again for enlisted men sgts. and corps. some good eats, including water melon cheeze sandwitches Champagne and beer from the wood. No taps to-night for the first time since coming to army.
Tuesday morning Aug 28th raining like the devil, in luck no drill.
Aug 29th went to bombing range
Aug 30th out hiking in the morning. another hike this p.m. up the Alps.
Aug 31- Drill.
Sept 1st Lesson by the Italians on formations for attack machine gun emplacement, also practice throwing hand grenades, this same work on thru till the 8th.
Sept. 8, showed the Italians up on shooting. L. Co. had best all-around fire.
Sept 9th Sunday - Regimental field meet to-day Our battalion walked away with all honors
Monday Sept 10.th going to trenches for 48 hours had picture taking this morning
Sept 11. In the trenches nothing doing, only standing guard. over the top twice and come back with hat full grapes.
Sept. 12th Still in trenches, Italians attack with smoke bombs and blank cartridges, we were not allowed to fire back.
Sept. 13th Accident at Valleggio trench mortar shell bursted, killing four instantly, two hurt seriously dyeing on way to hospital and forty wounded painfully
[Clayton S. Gochnauer #2427682; John R. Jones #1943411; Frank J. Simon #1949120 and Anthony J.Bentley #1950077] [Lt. Marion Carter, “M” Co]
Sept 14th Hiked ten kilometers to Villa Franco to attend the funeral of the unfortunate men at Valleggio. stood at attention in the hot sun 1 hour and forty minutes.
Sept. 15. Bentley of headquarters Co. died to-day from injuries received at the bombing range.
Sept. 16th Drill this A.M. heard that a private on the western front received 237 wounds from a trench mortar shell explosion
Sept. 18 Went to rifle range and as L. Co. did the best in the regiment.
Sept. 19. out for field mannovers advance under barrage 3 inch guns and trench mortars. trench mortars bursted over my head but luck was with me, shakey tho.
Sept 20th Italian holiday. Went to Lake Garda at Pesstaiara.
Sept 21 practice hike without a drop of water.
Sept. 22nd Hiked five miles to Italian mannovers.
Sept 23thd out for field mannovers, advance under barrage trench mortars and 3 inch guns, one man killed by machine gun. [Wojeiech Bialy # 2427866] this makes a total of 7 killed
Sept. 24th Rifle inspection in the rain, some class to this man's army, eh.
Sept 25 hike with full pack about 100 pounds and no water.
Sept. 26, Out for mannovers, one wounded.
Sept 27. Drill
Sept 28. Hike
Sept 29 Rest.
Sept 30. Big inspection of all equipment.
Oct. 1. Ready to leave Valleggio.
Oct. 2. Left Valleggio for Treviso. Treviso just eight Kilometers from front line.
Oct 5 Eight Kilometers from front line, big offensive coming soon.
Oct 6th Out for drill but ready to move out at a minutes notice. The next two weeks spent in getting ready for action.
Oct 20th English troops (3 divisions) move in to Treviso preparatory to starting the drive
Oct. 21. Started drive, we were now packed ready to move out instantly English depending on our regiment for reinforcements in preference to the entire Italian reserves.
Oct 23 English captured Island in the Piave, a fete tried many times by the Italians but never accomplished.
Oct. 24th Hiking
Oct. 25 Hiking
Oct. 26 Hiking
Oct. 27 Rest but still ready to move out.
Oct. 28th Left Treviso for front line 12:00 midnight.
Oct 29. In camp just back of the Piave
Oct. 30th On guard ready to go over top
Oct. 31. First chance to get in battle for the regiment, but the Austrians didn't make a stand but retreated so fast no chance to get a crack at them. We were still on the move chasing the enemy. no real food since noon Oct 31, outside of hard tack and monkey meat.
Nov. 1 Still hiking without food.
Nov. 2nd Still on march without food (forced march)
Nov. 3 Still on march without food.
Nov. 4th Started on march again at 10:00 A.M. Our regiment [had] their first battle the night of Nov. 3thd and morning of Nov. 4th one killed. the Americans won the battle and kept pushing the enemy on back across the Tagliamento river We still went forward and on the bank of the Tagliamento river were informed of an armistice existing between the Austrian Government and the Allies We pitched camp where we were per orders of armistice.
Nov. 5 Broke camp and moved into Billets at Valvasone
Nov. 6 Started on across Italy towards Trieste crossing the Tagliamento river about 3:00 P.M. Nov. 6th and then hiking all that night till 5:00 a.m. the next morning. A total of 29 miles in 18 hours marching. here we rested two hours and at 7:00 oclock the morning of Nov. 7th hiked a distance of 10 more miles and bileted for the night in a little town called Lovaria, all in and hungry as a wolf. on our last 10 miles several dropped out exhausted and one dropped dead in ranks from over exertion.
Nov. 8th Pitched camp in a field remained here the next four days
Oct. 12 Moved on towards Trieste about 15 Kilometers and camped again for the night in an old deserted Austrian amunition shed.
Nov. 13th Hiked to Cormons, 3 K. and started camp in an old Austrian Hospital, here we got our first real meal that is half way fit to eat at least fresh meat. We also received the official news that Germany had asked for peace or that is apparently surrendered.
Nov. 14, Rest.
Nov. 15 Rest.
Nov. 16 Rifle inspection and bunk also.
Nov. 17 Nothing doing.
Sunday, Nov. 18 Left Cormons for Fiume Austria, a distance of about 106 K.
the night of Nov. 17 saw our first snowfall since being in Europe outside of snow on the mountains its the first snow.
Return to 332 Infantry Soldier Profiles of Service-page 2
On the night of Nov. 18th rode train all night and cold as the dickens in those box cars especially after getting up into the mountains
On Tuesday morning, Nov. 19, 7:30 we arrived in the city of Fiume.
Here we surprised to find ourselves in a real up-to-date regular city with everything that goes with it Theaters Cabarets picture shows and good restaurants where we surely got a belly full. the people were mighty glad to have us and treated us royal, they called us their deliverers. The people were a mixed people Slavs Italians Hungarians and Germans and others. As a rule the Slavs were an intelligent lot and they had good schools of which there were several here in Fiume.
Nov. 20th All packed up again ready to quell a riot. people here felt awfully bitter towards the Italians and the Italians were scared to death of people.
Nov. 21. U.S. Torpedo destroyers comes in to port.
Nov. 22, Out for practice hike had pictures taken this A.M. up the mts. the weather is very damp and chilly.
Nov. 23 Pay Day twenty days late.
Nov. 24 Sunday Rest We have had things pretty soft softer in Fiume A regular soldiers life for the first time.
Nov. 25 Attended the funeral to-day of one of our comrades. [Herbert Mohler? #2435111, Co. L, died of pneumonia and influenza November 23, 1918]
Nov. 26 Practice hike this morning.
Nov. 27th Went down for a bath this A.M. but water was too hot and we didn't get a bath.
Nov. 28 Thanksgiving Day the first time I saw it so warm and pretty outdoors on Thanksgiving for some time. Some dinner to-day, sugar in our coffee.
Nov. 29th Nothing special doing to-day. U.S. Sub. Chaser comes in port.
Nov. 30th, Saturday Rifle inspection.
Dec 1st, On detail for dirty rifle.
Dec 2nd Hike this A.M.
Dec 3thd, Was picked to take part in a big theatrical attraction coming off before going home.
Dec 4th Taking it easy nothing to do but rehearse for the play. My part singing 2nd tenor.
Dec 5. One big day. Our barracks bags come up to us this A.M. and we received mail one month old. also rumor out that we were going to start back the 19th Dec.
Dec. 6th Nothing doing last 6 days easiest since coming to Army. R.C.P to-day.
Dec. 7th Still taking it easy.
Dec 8 Still nothing doing for me but rehearsals.
Dec 9th Nothing doing. Several Americans had a run in with several Italians who think they have a right to run this town to suit themselves the Americans soon showed them different after knocking several of them a curve. We all fell out with side-arms and rifles. regular riot call. Italian high-up officers apologize for conduct of soldiers the following day Dec. 10.
Dec 10. Our Lt. Col. announced that we would start back in 2 weeks or a month. I am still loafing this is great army life, nothing but rehearsals.
Dec. 11. Still loafing doing nothing but rehearsing.
Dec 12 Still rehearsing.
Dec 13 Still rehearsing for show.
Dec 15 Sunday. Still doing nothing. good thing we don't have to do anything because the food that getting we couldn't work on.
Dec 16, To-night the show comes off.
Night of Dec 16th, first thing we had our pictures taken all made up like regular ---- the show over it sure was a hit, house packed to overflowing. fights were good, but the English boy got a raw decision in the main go.
Dec 17th Back in the ranks again gee but I hate that.
Dec 18th On detail hauling supplies this isn't hard, rather do this than drill.
Dec 19th Hike this morning.
Dec 20th Hike this morning.
Dec 21, Bunk and rifle inspection passed all O.K.
Dec 22, Sunday Nothing doing.
Dec 23, Hike this morning.
Dec. 24 Hike this morning.
Dec 25 Xmas day and in the kitchen Turkey to-day and the meal was served in the Continental Hotel over in Susak.
Dec 26 Recooperating from eating turkey
Dec 27 Hike this morning.
Dec 28 Saturday Bunk and rifle inspection passed all OK.
Dec 29 Sunday Nothing much doing walked out along the sea-coast
Dec 30 Monday hike this A.M.
Dec. 31 hike this A.M. Taps to-night at 12:00 o’clock, bells rang and whistles blew just like back home.
Jan. 1st 1919- All day off. special dinner to-day. If every day was a holiday perhaps we would be pretty well fed. it seems as though they think we eat only on holiday.
Jan. 2 Same old schedule 2 hour hike this A.M.
Jan 3 Two hour hike Mail in today none for me.
Jan 4 Saturday Rifle and bunk inspection passed all O.K.
Jan. 5th Sunday, Off all day. another U.S. S come in to-day making three U.S.S. in harbor now, Birmingham, Gregory, and Lutz.
Jan. 6th Hike this morning
Jan. 7 Hike this a.m.
Jan 8th From 8th on thru 17th two hour hike each morning.
Jan. 18th Battalion parade this a.m. reviewed by Lt. Colonol Everson.
Jan. 19th from this date on nothing of importance took place until we left Fiume this being our happiest and best stay of any while in Europe.
Feb. 12th To-day we entrained to leave Fiume, just like leaving home women and children crowd the station, some of the men who had gotten married kissed their wives good bye for the time being they will join them later at Genova.
Feb. 15th Arrived in Genova after a 4 day miserable trip in side door pullmans eating hard tack and monkey meat. My first day in Genova was spent eating in the best restaurants and looking over some of the places of importance.
We are billeted in the biggest and finest Hotel in the city. The Merimar Hotel is its name it was formally controlled by German interests but at the outbreak of the war it was seized, it is some Hotel bath with each room. Now I have been here two days and havent eaten with the company as yet as long as my jack holds out dont expect to eat slum.
Feb 17th Preparing for General Treat to inspect, some more red tape.
Feb. 18th To-day is a very important day, My Birthday. Didn't have much time but what time I did have was sure the limit, made a regular sluming party.
Feb 19th Hike to-day through rain, mud up to our necks was sure a rank order that brought us out of our Hotel was wet through to the skin, the boys were sure on the dude who mfg. these army rain-coats.
Feb. 20th Same as yesterday
Feb 21st, Drilled for the first time since arriving, like going back to jail.
Feb 22 Day of pay.
Feb 23 Inspections physical examinations. Stayed in all day and Sunday too
lost 600 lires.
Feb 24 Drill to-day.
Feb 25 Drill
Feb 26 Doing fatigue to-day swept floor once all day Sure layed down meals are rotten, have been for the past two weeks.
Feb 27 Big field inspection of all equipment and clothing, same as one before we left Sherman.
Feb 28 Drill
March 1, Bath this morning rifle inspection rest of day off.
March 2nd Off day. Big parade
March 3th Drill in a.m. put on Co L. baseball team, p.m. after supper special men including myself went to Geneovese Theatre We were decorated by the Italian General for valor we then witnessed one of the best Grande Operas that ever showed in that Theatre.
March 25th All this time we have been drilling having had several dissappointments on starting home, we are now officially released by the Premier War Council expected to sail immediately.
March 26 the 2nd and 1st Batt. are to sail this week.
March 27 2nd Batt. Leaves Italy bound for the States.
March 28 Stayed out all night some time
March 29th 1st Batt. leaves this afternoon. We are scheduled to leave next week.
Return to 332nd Infantry Soldier PROFILES of SERVICE-page 2
On Thursday April 3thd we left Genoa for the U.S. at 4:00 P.M. it was sad parting, the crowds cheered us a[nd] all wished us a pleasant journey We sailed on the Dante Aligheiri 2nd largest boat under Italian flag.
On Friday April 4th we arrived at Marseilles France at 6:00 A.M. we layed in port here all day taking on 900 more soldiers all casuals
Friday April 4th at 5:00 p.m. we left Marseilles. We are scheduled to stop at Gibralter some time Sunday. Enroute to Gibralter we passed quite a number Islands, Morocco etc.
Sunday April 6th Drop anchor at Gibralter some beautiful place especially at night with the lights at the foot of the rock also nice harbor. We are scheduled to lay here two days feed on this boat pretty good.
Monday April 7th Loading coal
Tuesday April 8th Scheduled to leave at 16 o’clock for New York. still loading coal.
Tuesday April 8th at 5:00 left Gibralter scheduled to arrive in New York April 17th
Wednesday April 9th, sea was rough soldiers laying around on the decks two and three deep sicker than the dickens
Thursday April 10th still going making an average of 15.5 knots an hour
Friday April 11th passed the Azore islands at noon to-day, they are supposed to be 1/3 the way between Gibraltar and N.Y.
Saturday April 12 nothing doing scenery rather wet
Sunday April 13th Church this A.M. Nothing doing scenery hasn't changed.
Monday April 14th still doing 15.5 knots
Tuesday April 15th expected to dock Thursday.
Wednesday April 16 Spirits high, will dock in America to-morrow, dont seem possible.
Thursday April 17th Due to arrive in Sandy Hook at 10:00p.m. terrible fog come up about 6:00 P.M. causing us to have to lay out till Friday
Friday April 18th Docked at 12:00 oclock sharp by Colgate's clock immediately was fed by K. of C. and Red Cross and by Y.M.C.A. some feed including apple pie, after dinner left for Camp Merritt arriving there about 3:00 p.m.
Friday after arriving in Camp went thru de-lousing machine took good bath and then for a regular flop.
Saturday April 19th Laying around camp a regular soldiers life, good eats and bed.
Sunday April 20th turning in everything but our pack and rifles. also first pay day since returning to the States.
On Monday April 21 up at 4:00 all ready to take train to New York City for the big parade there to-day. take train at arrived at Hudson on Jersey side took the Babylon ferry over to the big city at 10:00 parade started, after parade we took 103thd st. subway to Lexington Ave Armory where we put on a big feed
to round up the day we were given leave til 6:00 oclock whense we traversed the journey as we came back to Merritt. we received grand treatment in New York and by the papers we made a good showing. our insignia sure made a hit.
Tuesday April 22nd nothing to do but lay around and go after our meals
Wednesday April 23 same schedule as Tuesday.
Thursday April 24 To-day we leave for Cleveland Ohio boarded train at 6:00 oclock pullman sleepers three men to a state room, rode all night.
Friday April 25th arrived at 5:00 p.m. amidst thousands of friends snow on ground and cold as blazes, we were immediatly given leave till Saturday morning and I must say I had some time this night, every thing was open to us gratutiously theaters and all free
Saturday Morning April 26th we parade to-day people are very enthusiastic posters up all over town of our parade to-day. 10:30 A.M. parade in full sway and oh such reception we marched all the main sections of the city to the Armory where we were given a grand reception and chicken dinner also we were presented with a loving cup by the different Italian societies of this city after parade and [dinner] we moved back to our train and after brushing up a bit were again dismissed till 6:00 oclock p.m. Went down town and were again treated to the best all free, after a big supper at the Holenden Hotel our party consisting of four, supper given by Private Lansing we again went back to our train to await the hour of our departure for Camp Sherman.
Left Cleveland at 8:00 p.m. arriving in Camp Sherman Sunday April 27th at 9:00. Billeted in section L.
April 28.th Monday start to demobilize.
April 29.th Tuesday one year to-day since I come in the army.
April 30th waiting for discharge.
May 1st signed my discharge to-day.
May 2nd signed Pay Roll.
May 3th turned in everything.
May 4th just here.
May 5th Discharged Hooray!
Names of towns and cities. Principle cities
England.
Liverpool
Southampton
France.
Le. Havre.
Chaumont.
Nogent.
Italy
Torin.
Villa-Franca
Verona
Valleggio .
Traviso
Pardenone
Austria -Vienna
Hungary - Fiume
Budapest
William J. Noffz [#2423627]
648 Evondale Ave.
Toledo, Ohio
__ __ __ __ __ __ __
Ralph N. Doris [Doerres - #1949751]
195 E Water St.
Chillicothe, O.
____________________
A.W. Tedtman [#2434371]
1437 Bowman Ave.
Cincinnati
____________________
Andrew W. Arnold. [#1949505]
Leetonia Ohio
____ ____ ____ ____ ____
Elmer E. Stineman [#2435022]
428 W. Maple St
Williard,
Ohio.
Herbert A. Buetner
1320 Woodland Ave
Toledo, Ohio
__ __ __ __ __
Albert R. Korn
Clairmont Ave
Middleton Ohio
__ __ __ __ __ __ __
Willam A Dillon.
1623 Bliss Ave.
Findley Ohio.
__ __ __ __ __ _______
Carl S. Lansing
1017 Queen St.
Middleton Ohio.
PRIVATE Raymond L. Shade
Co. L 332nd Inf
American Ex. Forces
England June-July
France July-A
Italy Aug-Sept. Oct. Nov
Austria Nov.
C.
Noftz 19.
Stienke 05
Tyrell
Dillon 1 4
Cavoli 1 4
Patton 10
Tackie 50 Lires
Powtz 15 lires
Carvitz 10 “
Rosella 10 “
Cousin 10 “
Tackie 25 “
Steinman 15 “
L
Steinman 5 -- $100
Tackie 60 10.00
Jack McL. 5 100
Brier 10 200
Most Important Dates
___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
Mustered in Service.
April 29, 1918
___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
Left Sherman for
Camp Merritt May
25th arrived there
May 26th
___ ___ ___ ____________
Left Merritt June
6th and went on
board Aquatania
same date. Started
on voyage June 8th
___ __ ___ ______ __.
Arrived Liverpool,
England June 15th
5:00 A.M.
__ ________ ____ _______________
Left Liverpool for
Southampton June
15th arriving same
date at 10:00 A.M.
__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
Left Southampton
June 16th for Le Havre,
France via English
Channel arriving
June 17th 1918.
__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
June 20th left Le
Havre for Gen Pershing's
Headquarters arriving
June 22nd
__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
Arrived in Essey Les
Eaux June 22nd left
there July 26th 1918
__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
Arrived in Italy
Friday July 29th 191[8]
Arrived at Villa Franca
Sunday July 31st 1918
Left August 12th
__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
Arrived at Valleggio,
Aug 13th. Left there
Oct 2nd for Treviso
arriving there Oct
3thd
__ ____ ______ ______ __
Oct 22nd Big air
raid over our billet
lasting all night, said
by many to be the
longest raid they
had witnessed, the
men had up
their necks.
__ __ __ ____ ____ ____
October 28th left Treviso
for front line
arriving same day.
Oct 31st crossed
the Piave river
at 2:30 P.M.
__ _ _ ___ __ ____ ___________
Nov. 3thd Fought
first battle since
coming over. It was
a decisive victory for
us.
__ __ __ ______ __ __ _
Nov 6th Crossed
the Tagliamento
river 3:00 P.M.
__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
Nov 12th Crossed
the boundary line
into Austria.
__ __ __ ____ _ _________
Nov. 19, Arrived
in Fiume.
__ __ __ __ __ ______
Dec 9th, We all fell
out with side arms
and rifles. Italians
tried to run several
Americans in, but
were darn soon
stopped, following
day Italian General
appologised to the
men for the conduct
of the wops.
Dec 16. Big minstrel
show and prize fight.
__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
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