THE WHIZ BANG FOLLIES.
The theatrical talent of the regiment organized a new show “The Whiz Bang Follies”.
Early productions of the show were greeted with much enthusiasm by the regiment. It early
went on the road, however, and was a popular number in the division. Additions and
improvements were made from time to time and the performance gained increased popularity
and was received at Corps Headquarters, Trier, and Coblenz with enthusiasm. At Coblenz it was
adjudged the best show in the Third Army and was sent to represent the Third Army in Paris.
TOURING EUROPE.
Leaves of all types and descriptions were granted. Men went to Italy and England to see
families and back to France. Many also were able to visit Coblenz and take a boat trip up the
Rhine With the coming of spring and the thawing out of the ground the roads became almost
impassable in parts of the area. Our supply system was endangered, so large details were put to
work on the roads assisting the Germans, these together with numerous men on leave, on special
details, and at Universities and schools brought the personnel of the regiment down to a
minimum. It was then that it was realized that possibly there was such a thing in Europe as too
many horses. It was advocated that every man ordered on special detail or leave should take his
animal with him.
ERA OF INSPECTIONS.
Then came the era of inspections. There were inspections of every thing – horses
materiel, billets, kitchens, and paper work. There were inspections and reviews by the Brigade
Commander, the Division Commander, and by the Corps Commander, so the energies of the
regiment were directed toward shining buckles, polishing toggle chains, painting materiel,
cleaning town. The era of inspections culminated with the review and inspection by the
Commander in Chief at Wittlich April 24th, 1919. The regiment marched to this point, billeted
there for three days in the towns with the Ammunition Trains. On April 23rd, when the materiel
was pulled to the field assigned us by the division the horses went down to their bellies in the
swamp, carriages to their axles; for a time it seemed that if General Pershing expected to see us
the next day, he would have to dig us out. However a new field was chosen. The muddy
carriages were dragged out with the aid of the tractors of the 345th Field Artillery and placed
upon the new field. From noon until dark the cannoneers labored strenuously to wash off the
mud accumulated in the quagmire and before dark every carriage had been thoroughly cleaned
and painted with linseed oil and stood smiling with blocks of wood under each wheel.
THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF SEES US.
Next day the animals and men were taken to the field and hitched in and awaited the
arrival of the Commander in Chief. All the efforts of the regiment were repaid after the
inspection when the Commander in Chief remarked that it was the best artillery brigade he had
seen. Upon our return to station from the Commander in Chief’s inspection the process of
turning in equipment preparatory to departure was begun and the burning question “When do we
go home” was about to be solved.
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