the law to the Boche. Here, also, occurred the first clash between any member of the regiment
and the Germans. The German came out second best. Nothing further was heard from the affair.
On the night of the 26th the advance reconnaissance parties rejoined the regiment making their
report on the towns which would be our final station.
THE WAYS OF THE BATTALIONS PART.
December 27th the First Battalion and part of the Supply Company marched
independently into Thalfang and on the 28th proceeded to its permanent winter station. Upon the
same day the Second Battalion moved to Thalfang and Regimental Headquarters to Hoxel. The
following day Regimental Headquarters and the Second Battalion moved into the Kempfeld-
Schauren-Bruchweiler area, but the residence of the Regimental C. P. at Kempfeld was short
lived. By Brigade order it moved into Morbach, together with the First Battalion C. P. and
Supply Company on the 31st of December. The first of the year found the regiment disposed as
follows:
Regimental Headquarters
Morbach
Supply Company
“
1st Battalion C. P.
“
Battery A
Merscheid
“ B
Hundheim
“ C
Bischolsdhron
2nd Battalion C. P.
Kempfeld
Battery D
Schauren
“ E
Bruchweiler
“
F
Kempfeld.
WATCH ON THE RHINE.
So it was that we settled down to winter quarters and the “Watch on the Rhine”. During
the first few weeks in the station considerable firing was done. Each Battery being given several
opportunities to fire. The policy of establishing schools, providing amusement of all sorts, and
granting of liberal leaves began, as part of the wise system conceived by higher authorities for
maintaining morale among the troops, who believed they had accomplished the mission for
which they had come and who, above everything else, desired to go home. Post Schools were
established in the regiment and operated very successfully. A large variety of subjects were
taught, including stenography, arithmetic, history, and reading and writing for illiterates. In
addition a well organized program of entertainment was arranged by the Division and frequent
entertainment troupes, both of soldier and civilian talent helped to while away the long winter
evenings. Every organization established a recreation room and canteen, where the men were
provided magazines, writing material, and things to buy – candies, cigarettes, and so on.
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