Somewhere in Louisiana With Petrow

Corp. Jack Petrow writes again of experiences of Company E members, national guard, who are out on maneuvers “somewhere in Louisiana.”

Sergeant Stamy Soaked

Tuesday, Sept. 2—Nothing much doing today. It rained all night and I spent most of the night huddled in a tent with Corporals Meyers and Lovelace. Sergeant Stamy had quite a time. His tent was pitched in a draw and after the rain it looked like the aftermath of the Johnstown flood. Socks and everything else were floating around. We went to the field this afternoon and had some much needed close order drill.

Another Ham

Wednesday, Sept. 3—More rain last night, but this time we were prepared. We stayed in the area all morning and cleaned up our stuff. Did some washing, too. Private McIntyre is the company “wash taker inner.” He does a good job. We went to the field this afternoon and had a small company problem. The second platoon fought the 1st, 3rd and weapons platoon—lots of fun. Tonight Mess Sergeant Frank Meller gave us another ham and some of the fellows in G company got together with us and we barbecued it. Very good!

Somewhere in Louisiana With Petrow

Night in Trucks

Thursday, Sept. 4—Got up early this morning and rolled our packs. Laid around all morning waiting and playing cards. Pulled out of the best bivouac area yet about 3 in the afternoon. Sure hated to leave that place. Stopped for part of the night in a shaded area and spent the night in trucks. Not so comfortable. Pulled out about 2 in the morning and drove to another bivouac. Spread our raincoats and slept on the ground.

Greenley Hurts Arm

Friday, Sept. 5—We had a meeting this morning and got the situation. We are the Blues and we’re fighting the Red. We are in reserve again  and on the left flank. We had a gas alarm and Private Bashford had just lathered his face for a shave—had to put on his mask anyhow and was he mad. Pulled out about 2:30 and drove to another area arriving at 4 o’clock. A bit of tough luck—Corporal Greenley fell getting out of a truck and sprained his arm pretty bad, but nothing serious.

“Cease Firing”

Saturday, Sept. 6—Spent the night in the trucks again, but a few of us passed the time playing cards. Pulled out at 7 a.m. in pursuit of the enemy. About 7:45 a plane flew over and an officer shouted through a loud speaker that the war was over until Monday. We pulled into another nice area two miles from Lake Valentine. Went swimming this afternoon. Swell stuff. Laid around and rested the rest of the day.

Corporal Petrow

Dirty Work at Crossroads

Corp. Jack Petrow writes again of experiences of Company E members, national guard, who are out on maneuvers “somewhere in Louisiana.”

Monday, Sept 8—They woke us last night and said the war was on again. The weapons platoon under Sergeants Stamy, Christensen and Bever, was put in charge of a crossroads. Action? Boy we had it. Four trucks of Reds escaped from the CP (control point) and down the road they came. So we captured them. Then just as things quieted down, here came four armored cars going 50 miles an hour and firing away with their machine guns. We wiped them out. Next came a truckload of Reds and Private Chesher threw a log in front of the machine and we got them, too. More fun!

Sergeant Meyers Captured

Tuesday, Sept. 9—Spent last night in the timber on the alert. Sergeant Meyers went out on patrol and was captured. He was the only man we lost. The war ended at 10 a.m. It was the best one we’ve had in four weeks. Everybody really enjoyed it. We pulled into our bivouac about noon. This is just a temporary area. Got some sleep which was certainly needed and then pulled out about 3 o’clock. It took us seven hours to go 40 miles. That’s a lot of troops on the road.

Seven Months Ago

Wednesday, Sept. 10—Seven months ago today we were inducted into service. Boy time sure does fly. We got to our new area about 10 last night, not bad and not good compared with what we have been enjoying in the past. Sergeant Ray’s mother sent him a big box of cookies and he gave me half of them. Getting those cookies is almost as good as a ten day furlough. Sergeant Stamy just pulled out to see Lt. Vernon Wilke who is stationed at Camp Beauregard. The lucky stiff. Wilke is stationed down here for the maneuvers.

Corporal Petrow 

Somewhere in Louisiana With Petrow

Corp. Jack Petrow writes again of experiences of Company E members, national guard, who are out on maneuvers “somewhere in Louisiana.”

Colonel Hopeful

Thursday, Sept. 11—Another day of rest. Went to a meeting this morning and the colonel said “We will probably rest until Sunday. Then the big army maneuvers start and it will probably last four or five days.” Inspection this morning—guns again. Sergeant Ankrum is in the business again—slashing our hair. Corporals Lovelace, Meyers and I went in to Alexandria and saw a football game. Oakdale played Alexandria. Swell tilt. Wish I could see Webster City Lynx in action this fall. Who knows!

No Hurricane

Friday, Sept. 12—Another day of rest and it’s sure needed after what happened last night. About 12:30 a. m. the sergeants woke us and told us to get ready for a hurricane. Of course we jumped and fastened down our tents until the ropes were like harp strings. Then we waited and naturally there wasn’t any hurricane. Oh well, sleep is cheap. Had a maneuver school this morning and afternoon. We baked hams for supper Had ice cream. Very nice.

Censorship Imposed

Saturday, Sept. 13—Big inspection today of guns, mess gear and tents. Also had our monthly physical examinations. Everything turned out all right. (This part was censored. Corporal Petrow delved into some personalities of fellow members of Company E and ended up by saying “Well, enough of this rivalry.”) Went to town this afternoon. Too crowded to do much with about four divisions heading for the same place.

Corp. Jack Petrow writes again of experiences of Company E members, national guard, who are out on maneuvers “somewhere in Louisiana.”

Don Andrew Is Promoted To 1st Lieut. (photo included)

Sunday, Sept. 14—Church this morning. We have a new chaplain. Stubblefield is the name. He’s from Kentucky. Got a drawl and everything.

EXTRA! ! ! ! Lt. Don Andrew was promoted to first lieutenant today and well he deserved it, too.

Laid around most of the day and read. The war starts at midnight tonight. There’s two divisions that have to go ahead of us.

Been raining off and on all day. It kept Pvt. Bob Patterson busy putting on and taking off his raincoat. Oh well, it’s something to do until and if we see action tomorrow.

Corporal Petrow  

Somewhere in Louisiana With Petrow

Corp. Jack Petrow writes again of experiences of Company E members, national guard, who are out on maneuvers “somewhere in Louisiana."

Plenty of Time

Monday, Sept. 15—Breakfast at 2:30 a. m. Why I don’t know, because we haven’t pulled out yet and here it is 8:30 p. m. Nothing much doing today except that it rained. We had a good mud fight between Privates Harrigan and Higgins. It really was a mess, but it took our minds off of “just waiting.” Just had a meeting and the colonel complimented us on that maneuver and told us that we’d probably be in by Sunday at the latest. We’ll probably pull out of here (near Lake Charles, La.) some time tonight—I hope.

Only Two Cooks

Tuesday, Sept. 16—Left our area about 2 a. m. after being awakened at 10 and midnight which were dry runs. Rode about 45 miles. We lost part of our convoy and when we got to this area we had only two cooks, Pinkie Kirkpatrick and Johnny (Arkansas) Vellum. The rest of them finally got here all right. Word came down that the Reds had broken through at Alexandria and were coming this way fast. The sky was full of planes all day much to Sergeant Stamy’s delight. We pulled out at 3 p. m. and ate supper in our new area.

Meller Praised

Wednesday, Sept. 17—On the alert last night so we slept with one eye open. As usual we didn’t move at all. Oh well, that’s the army I guess. Nothing much doing so we laid around and read. The division sanitation inspectors were around today. They complimented Mess Sergeant Meller on his kitchen which is to be expected. Airplanes were flying over all day making power dives and the like. Last night a bunch of tanks rumbled by. Very noisy. The second and third platoons just pulled out to be a motorized patrol which means we’ll be leaving any minute—I hope.

Somewhere in Louisiana With Petrow

Corp. Jack Petrow writes again of experiences of Company E members, national guard, who are out on maneuvers “somewhere in Louisiana.”

Still in Reserve

Thursday, Sept. 18—We’re still in reserve and all keyed up for action, but none has come our way yet. The 2nd and 3rd platoons had a dry run last night. They didn’t get to go out on patrol. So far as we know, the Reds are retreating, but one never knows. The latest report is that we won’t go in (to Camp Claiborne) until sometime Monday. Maybe sooner, we hope.

It Never Fails
  
Friday, Sept. 19—We received word to pull out last night about 10 o’clock. The last two nights the company slept with rolled packs and their clothes on—last night we unrolled our packs and undressed for some real sleeping. Then bingo—we pulled out. Rode until 6:30 a. m. then started walking—walked for seven miles. Boy! Was it hot! Then we rode to a new area. This phase of the war is over. I don’t know if we go in or not, but we’ve got all our fingers crossed.

Corporal Petrow 

Somewhere in Louisiana With Petrow

Corp. Jack Petrow writes again of experiences of Company E members, national guard, who are out on maneuvers “somewhere in Louisiana.”

Nights Are Cold

Saturday, Sept. 20—Pulled out of one area and rode about 35 miles to another. Boy, it’s cold down here nights. My bed partner is really a hog when it comes to blankets. Of course I’m not mentioning any names, but— Had some of “Pinky’s” pancakes for breakfast. We waited around and I also did some washing. I guess we’re going to have another phase of war so we won’t get back to camp until next week.

Appreciates USO

Sunday, Sept. 21—Left bright and early this morning and rode about 100 miles through some of the swellest country we’ve seen yet. Our new area isn’t so hot so a few of us went to Bunkie, La. There was a swell USO center there and we took showers and cleaned up generally. They also had a fine dance. Great thing that USO.

Have Some Pets

Monday, Sept. 22—I guess the battalion wasn’t satisfied with our area, so we moved right after breakfast. We had to walk, but it wasn’t very far—only two miles. The new area was about the same although it had more shade. The last phase of the war starts Wednesday and we should be through by Friday or Saturday. We have a couple of pets around the company now. Two dogs and one of them is just a pup. The latter was picked up by Pvt.. Everett Higgins so we call him, the dog I mean, Diggin’s. No name for the other pup yet. Ice cream for supper last night.

Somewhere in Louisiana With Petrow

Corp. Jack Petrow writes again of experiences of Company E members, national guard, who are out on maneuvers “somewhere in Louisiana.”

Nichols Promoted

Tuesday, Sept. 23—Just received word that Kenneth Nichols, who has been at the Ft. Benning officers’ training school, has been promoted to first lieutenant. Another worthy item. Our new area isn’t bad, but it’s lots better than the last. Cleaned our rifles and the like, About 4 o’clock it started raining and I mean rain. We’re located in a low place and about 10 o’clock it looked like the bottom of the Boone river. I slept in the kitchen with about ten other guys. Where the rest slept I don’t know—maybe in the trees. Boy it was wicked.

Ready for Action

Wednesday, Sept. 24—Boy what a dismal day. All our stuff is wet and it’s still raining. About noon trucks arrived and we pulled out. The war in “on” again. We pulled into Alexandria and captured the city. That is the 34th division did, but the 133rd infantry was the first element in. We bivouaced outside Alexandria about three miles and set up. Sent out our patrols and waited. No action as yet, but it shouldn’t be long now. We’re all primed for the Reds. So let ‘em come.

(Editor’s note: The maneuvers were ended late Sunday.)

Corporal Petrow

Somewhere In Louisiana With Petrow

Corp. Jack Petrow writes again of experiences of Company E members, national guard, who are out on maneuvers “somewhere in Louisiana.”

Thursday, Sept. 25—Well, we’re still here and no changes made. The Reds have withdrawn so fast that there is a 30 mile gap between the lines. The Blue air force bombed the Red general headquarters and there were a few casualties among the officers. Nothing much doing around here. The weapons platoon was sent out on outpost duty a while ago. I don’t know why as most of the Reds are up around Shreveport. It’s nice to sit along the road and watch the gals go by.

Friday, Sept. 26—Gad! What a night. Cold! I don’t see how a place can be so hot in the anytime and so frigid at night. If we don’t go in pretty soon we’ll be fighting with snowballs. The other day as we were coming into this area some of the boys started a new fad. They would write their names and addresses on a piece of paper, stuff them in an empty cartridge then as soon as they saw some “Swamp Angels” they would toss them towards them. A lot of the cartridges were picked up, but no results so far.

Corporal Petrow

Needs Sticks to Make Bed Comfortable

Corp. Jack Petrow writes again of experiences of Company E members, national guard, who are out on maneuvers “somewhere in Louisiana.”

Saturday, Sept. 27—Got off guard this morning after a 36 hour shift and no enemy. A lot of planes are flying over. Boy, it’s quiet around here. It’s beginning to get on a man’s nerves. If we stay out here much longer all of us will be cutting out paper dolls. We had a real casualty the other day. “Pinky” Kirkpatrick was thrown out of a truck and suffered a bad gash on his head. But he still served us supper. He says you can’t hurt an Irishman, especially on his head.

Sunday, Sept. 28—Church this morning also washed out a few clothes. Still no word of when we’re going in to camp. Very exasperating with nothing to write about. Lt. Don Andrew is in charge of the company as the captain’s gone to Opelusas to see about a wreck. Played cards all day. Went to a local restaurant for supper.

Monday, Sept. 29—Well, it happened. Last night we came in. We walked from our area to town, then got in trucks and headed for camp. Man, did the place look good. Slept in a bed last night for the first time in seven weeks. I had to go out and get some sticks to put in my bunk to make it seem natural. A lot of work today cleaning up, but we loved it. When we arrived we found Corporal Greenly here and his arm was healed. Had a distinguished visitor tonight—Lt. Vernon Wilke came over from Camp Beauregard. He leaves Friday for Providence, R. I., the lucky stiff. He looks like a million berries. Well, I’m going to hit my bunk and I mean hit it.

Corporal Petrow

Greenley Is Sergeant in Company E
New Recreation Hall

Tuesday, Sept. 30—It seems swell to be back in camp. A lot of work to do though. They built a new chapel and each company has a new recreation hall. Corporal Greenley was promoted to sergeant and Private Smalley to corporal today. A few of the boys over 28 years are getting out already. Saw the show here tonight, “Down to Rio,” and it was the first one in two months. It has been cloudy all day and looks like rain. Probably won’t have much to do the rest of the week except clean up. Then we’ll get to hear the world series. Brooklyn is the company’s choice.

Pay Is Delayed

Wednesday, Oct. 1—By rights this should be pay day, but they’ve postponed it until Saturday. Oh well, I won’t see much of it anyway. Spent most of the day cleaning up and listening to the world series. That Beam washing machine is really a honey. It’s been going 24 hours a day since we got back to camp and she’s still as good as new. Twenty trucks from the service company are leaving today to take some of the boys to the camp in Florida. Should be a swell trip.

Corporal Petrow