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
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