Log Cabin Memorial - Veterans 314th Infantry Regiment A.E.F.
Gangplank News BOOK - Embarkation Camp - St. Nazaire, France - June 25, 1919 (first 20 pages)
This BOOK (95 numbered pages) was published 41 days after the 314th Infantry left France on May 15 1919 - Shipped home aboard the Princess Matoika.He sailed on the USS Nansemond, which was a troop transport ship used during World War I. Originally built as the SS Pennsylvania, it was later renamed and served to transport American troops to Europe during the war. The USS Nansemond departed from Saint-Nazaire, France, on February 26, 1919, carrying returning soldiers of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF). It arrived at Newport News, Virginia, 13 days later, on March 11, 1919.  (click to see the full document) |
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| Cover | GANGPLANK NEWS SAINT NAZAIRE FINAL EDITION JUNE 29,1919 EMBARKATION CAMP ST- NAZAIRE FRANCE PRICE 5 Fr. |
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| Dedication | THIS FINAL EDITION Of THE GANG PLANK NEWS is presented to Name 2nd Lt. Carl L. Sherman with compliments of THE SALVATION ARMY through whose generosity this edition was made possible. |
| Photo | AIR PHOTO EMBARKATION CAMP WEST PARADE HEADQUARTERS CAMP 1 EAST PARADE |
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HEADQUARTERS EMBARKATION CAMP BASE SECTION #1, A.P.O. 701 AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES St. Nazaire, France, June 25th, 1919. To the Members of the Embarkation Camp: Now that the end is near and your labors are drawing to a close, I want to thank each and every one of you for the work you have done. Through your efficiency- and zeal you have made the Embarkation Camp a model of its kind. By your cheerfulness of spirit and devotion to duty, often under conditions most trying, you have created in the minds of those passing through, recollections only that are pleasant. Your work has received the unstinted praise of all from the lowest to the highest. Vous avez servi, and on return to your homes you can carry with you the knowledge of duty well done. James K. Parsons Colonel of Infantry, Commanding You can read more about Colonel James Kelly Parsons at https://valor.militarytimes.com/recipient/recipient-15687/ |
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EMBARKATION CAMP
The Saint-Nazaire Embarkation Camp is situated about three miles from the railroad station and approximately the same distance from the docks. The Embarkation Camp proper consists of three camps, Camp r (the main camp), Camp 2 and the Isolation Camp, all of which are compact and in close proximity to each other. All buildings for the handling of troops except the barracks are centrally located and readily accessable [sic] from all parts of the camps. The main camp (no 1) is rectangular in shape and is divided into twenty sections of from twelve to twenty barracks each, with a total billeting capacity of 9-280. a supply house and one or two barracks for officers. Several permanent commissioned officers are in charge of the different sections and each barracks is in charge of a permanent non-commissioned officer. Be-sides the housing facilities there are two parade grounds, two mess halls, administration headquarters, delousing plant officers and troop sales commissaries, Quartermaster stores, amusement halls, clubs, post office and a branch store of « Printemps » Paris for the sale of souvenirs to soldiers at reasonable prices. The Isolation Camp is divided into six sections in the same manner as is Camp T, with a total billeting capacity of 4,232 and a large mess hall of its own. The camp is connected by boardwalk with the main camp, 700 yards away. Camp 2 is about a half-mile from Camp I, has its own mess hall and a total billeting capacity of 3,600. This brings the total capacity of the entire Embarkation Camp up to 17,112. All parts of the Embarkation Camp are connected by boardwalks so that even in the muddiest weather the soldier can get to any point in the camp without wading through the mud. In places where troops have to stand in line for mess, etc., broad plank platforms with overhead cover are provided. So much for the material facts in connection with the camp. But the thing that really distinguishes the camp is the morale. Every one in military service knows the irrisistable tendency toward letting down that swept over the army immediately upon the signing of the armistice. The one thing that became upper most in the minds of all was how and when they were going to get home. The average soldier had a fairly accurate idea of when this was going to take place, but the man on Embarkation. Service knew that he was permanent in France for at least six months, during which period he must watch and help thousands of more fortunate ones board the transports. It would not have been surprising if the moral of the Embarktion Camp had sunk very, but under the example of Col. Parsons such was not the case. The famoue « E. S. Smile » was early in evidence, and homeward bound troops were unanimous in their praise of the courteous helpful attitude of the permanent men. The splendid spirit of the permanent personnel is largely due to the many privileges and the solicitous care accorded them by the Commanding Officer of what every one of them will proclaim is « The Best Camp in France », and there is not one of them but would claim that if he had to stay in France he would choose as his place of residence the Embarkation Camp of Saint-Nazaire. COOPERATION OF. A. T. S. Army Transport service, cooperating with the officials of Embarkation. Camp, notify the Camp Representative of the A. T. S. as to the capacity and date of arrival and loading of all transports entering the Saint-Nazaire Basin. This information is given the various departments of the embarkation camp by means of office memos and the chiefs of the various departments prepare the plans necessary to placing troops designated by the personnel office, under Major 0. R. Horton, on board the ships at the scheduled hour. The A. T. S. supervises the loading of the boats, always cooperating with the embarkation officials from the big camp: Sick and wounded Were in the early days. of embarkment for the United States, also placed on the transports and it was the work of the Army Transport corps officials to allot space to sick and wounded and -then notify the camp officers as to the number of well soldiers, officers and men who could be 'taken SHIPMENT OF TROOPS FROM SAINT-NAZAIRE NOVEMBER Troops: Officers 33 Men 771 Sick & Wounded Officers 29 Men 1315 TOTAL 62 1986 Nurses A.F.r. Civ. Total 1 605 1319 DECEMBER Troops 760 10388 Sick & Wounded 358 5899 10 Attendents 17 216 5 1951, 1 50 .1-1203 5 2 627,1 268 TOTAL, 1135 16533 19 6 JANUARY Troops 757 161.96 20 4 Sick & Wounded 246 5394 69 2 Attendents 37 263 23 Navy 23 492 TOTAL 1063 22545 112 6 64 23790 FEBRUARY Troops 905 221500 181 40 23629 Sick & Wounded 283 5392 10 9 1 5701 Attendents 45 160 13 218 Navy 2 29 Others 52 17745 62 17239 2 5713 323 :;15 TOTAL 1 1235 28075 213 1 9 41 29573 The table above, not properly formatted here, has a column for "A.F.S. which is most likely "American Field Service" which was "A volunteer ambulance corps that served during World War I, providing medical transport and support." |
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MARCH Troops 1659 50781 87 6 61 52594 Sick & Wounded 214 4631 50 7 1 4903 Attendents 39 .911 14 294 TOTAL 1912 55653 151 13 57791 APRIL Troops • 2301 73784 3 9 60 76157 Sick & Wounded 263 5206 39 9 2 551 9 Attendents 47 268 25 340 Navy 1 10 11 TOTAL 01111 212 7,2CS G7 18 62 82027 Troops 2600 Sick & Wounded 150 Attendents Navy MAY 90304 3 19 296 93222 6011) 54 5 6 6234 :121. 8 381 1 2 3 TOTAL • 28(f2 964 imS 65 24 304 99813 TOTAL TO JUNE Troops to date 9015 Sick & Wounded 1543 Attendents 237 Navy 21; 263725 301 39 570 273650 33KA 238 42 14 35693 15(12 88 1827 525 2 553 TOTAL TO JUNE 10821 i239608 627 81 586 311723 Photo: Leaving the Basin – St. Nazaire |
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Baggage Department Ordnance Activities
About Nov. 26 th, 1918 the Embarkation Camp Bag-gage Department threw this sign on the screens « Open for Business D. They squeezed into a small office to function along with the Personnel and Checking Departments. Capt. Kent in charge of the department then summoned his snappy personnel consisting of Lt. Fogarty, Lt Emerson and Lt Driscoll, salvaged several. wooden boxes, sat on them, and with a baggage list in one hand and a baggage sticker in the other, brought back to our ears the cries of a curb stone stock ex-change as he shouted, « What boat are you going on ? While the department was in its infancy two stickers were placed on each piece baggage before sending it to the Dock 3 Baggage Service Office. As it is customary to change orders very frequently, the stickers were later confined to quarters for life and real bag-gage tags brought into play. The work of the department grew over night and quarters were given it in the office of A-3. Since being in this office we voluntarily serve as an information bureau in conjunction with the hard task of handling baggage. Questions hurled at us run thus : « How do I get my dog ,home ? » Where do I have this cable censored ? » « How many centimes will a 3 stamp cost ? » « We wear the E. S. brassard and the E. S. smile and are always willing to help out those that fail to read the sign, « Baggage Department Only. » Occasionally it is necessary to load baggage on four or five boats at one time. The homeward bound warriors make beaucoup noise in their excitement to have their baggage listed, and are soothed and quietly taken care of by Lieut. Still who has been in charge of the department since the departure of Capt. Kent for the States , The lieutenant daily displays his keen efficiency in handling the rush baggage situation and is deserving of mention for his untiring efforts put forth in this department. He would greatly appreciate a memorandum or special order being issued to the outgoing veterans that all growls caused by th sign on our, blackboard., « No trunks allowed in staterooms », be turned in to the U. S. Navy, as it is they who handle the stateroom pro-position. Lieut. Mc Williams, handling lost baggage and the baggage service at this camp, occupies a very prominent corner in the department. All, lost baggage customers go away 'well pleased after being informed that their lost possessions will be shipped on to their U. S. addresses without the necessity of depositing a cinquante franc note. The lieutenant is visiting England and Ire-land at this writing and is in hopes of reaching the latter place in time to herald his name about as a candidate for president. Ordnance Activities The Embarkation District Ordnance Officer, to care for issues to Troops embarking for the United States was established at Camp No. 1 on November the 28th 1918, by Captain Robert D. White, Ordnance Department, and two enlisted men. On December 20th, 1918, Captain W. T. Dillon, was transferred from the District of Paris, and placed in charge of the Embarkation District Office. The scope of the work has been extended from time to time until at present the District Office furnishes supplies to Camps, Nov., 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, io, II, Gron, Lusitania, Wooten, Motor Repair Park, Motor Storage Group, Camp Hospital No II, Base Hospital No 101, Rennes, Coetquidon, Saint-Jean-de-Monts and all organizations stationed in the city of Saint-Nazaire. Since the 'office was established 11.050 Officers, 627 Nurses, 610 civilians and 310,200. Enlisted Men have been checked and outfitted, leaving by 198 sailings, and ill no instance has a Unit or individual ben given a shortage certificate, but all have been completely equip-ped. During the high tide of embarkation the work was taken care of by four Officers and nineteen enlisted men, and the Issue Department was kept open 24 hours a day. • A Salvage, Renovating and Repair Department was also maintained at Camp Nor, and twenty per cent of all articles issued to embarking troops came from this department, having been cleaned, repaired and prepared for re-issue. The present force consists of Captain W. T. Dillon, Ordnance Officer, Second Lt. Lee A. Hain, C.A.C., assistant Ordnance Officer and Personnel Officer, and fifteen enlisted men. Miscellaneous Supplies Department The Supply Office of the 'Embarkation Camp may not be as well know as the Delousing. Plant and a few other necessary evils of the camp, but it is one place which furnishes the lubrication, in the shape of the minor essentials, which makes the wheels of army life go round and run smoothly, The department was organized in December 1918 by Major Gridley, who mad€ the policy of the office so broad,. and courteous that instead of being a ring where two pugilist fought the one, he who desi-red material, and the other, the Keeper of, the Sacred, Government Property, it became a place of kindliness and generosity. Men used to go to thiss office just to hear Corp. Forhman say « No » for his « No » was more pleasant than many a man's grudging « Yes ». The Corporal has served under all the encumbents of the office, Mai. Gridley, Lt. Steele and the present officer in charge, Lt Kendall, and in no small measure has the success of the office been due to his faithfulness, courtesy and keen business ability. As an index to the activity of the office a summary of the articles issued will show how it touches every manwho embarks for the States, besides adding to the |
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comfort of the permanent personnel. Over ioo.000 gas masks have been given-out as souvenirs ; also two days reserve rations to each man ; all the camp stationery, office supplies and typewriters have been handed out by this office. The activity of the office is only limit( by the demands made upon it.
Permanent Officers Club Every permanent officer in the Embarkation C.1 In who has been here long enough remembers with hm I ii the days .of the old Officers' Club; before the Y.M.C.A, ladies made it a haven of rest and a thing of beauty. Every time one entered the building he found something else broken off the chairs, and the only books that were safe against the inroads of the Casuals were « Fire Prevention in Theatres » and « The History of the Solar System ». Thousands of Casuals were always under foot and you usually had to hang yourself up on a nail to get out of the way. So we decided to have a Club of our own and with aid of the Heinies the finest officers' club in Francd, was soon erected. A House Committee of Majors Torney, Baker, and Gridley formally opened the club with a big dance on April 5th, and from then on dances have been held every Wednesday evening and Sunday afternoon. The Club, the gift of the American people, through the Red Cross, is divided into a large reading room and dance hall with a real hardwood floor, a mess hall, billiard room and ladies rest room. Lt. Van Billiard was Sect.-Treas. until his departure for the States when Lt. Billiard took over the job. Madame Robin of road-house fame and a corps of French chefs and waitresses kept the boys from starving, and we might add, dying of thirst. One of our deepest regrets upon leaving the Embarkation Camp will be the separation from this oasis in the desert. |
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THE SECTIONS
SECTION A The hardest labor that Section A, under the co-mand of Major Le Blanc, has ever been called upon to do was to- transform the area from a sea of mud and a few barracks into a comfortable place for soldiers to live. Originally the comforts of life consisted of a few ditches with very • poor drainage and a couple of mangy duckboards from the barracks to the latrines. It took forty men equipped with hip boots, shovels and picks working ten hours a day just three weeks to make the ditches drain, Next we had to pull a large drag/about day after day in order to make the section streets somewhat resemble their name. Before we were through we had hauled a truck load of sand for every barracks, built duckboards and a fire house, and covered every barracks with new roofing paper. The Section has the unique distinction of housing practically the entire permanent personnel of the camp, so we figure from that it must be the best. SECTION B Just after the days of horror and bloodshed of the early part of Nov., 1918, there could be seen a French Train made up of cars labelled « 8 chevaux, 4o hommes » leaving St.-Aignan, and just where it was going' no one could tell. However after about twenty-four hours of « Riding in France » we landed in Saint-Nazaire. And when we had come to ourselves we found that we were in a portion of Camp 1 which is now the DEAREST spot in France. But Oh Boy, holV was this spot when we landed ? Very well do we remember the mud which would measure some five inches in depth and everything as nearly ideal as the mud. And our greatest job was to think which was the premier task to master. We launched into the sea of difficulty with a very able helmsman at the wheel, Capt. E. C. Mc Griff, and an efficient mate, Lt. A. J. Thomas. The first few days at sea were very rough but this ocean of mud was soon bridged with duckboards. Mule power being scarce the grading of the company streets for general inspection was accomplished by hitching fifteen casuals to a drag with Corporal (Irish) O'Brien holding the reins .And during this time the paper work piled up in enormous amounts which was handled very smoothly by Lieut. Hawkins who remained calm in all difficulties and spent many hours at right as well as day in getting the casuals homeward bound. - Four months of hard labor saw most of the casuals. depart. And by now we can get a very good recipe by mixing one part of transient organizations to y parts of good A. E. F. shows, bus rides, and joyful sprees. However there is one thing yet that we cannot explain : « When are we going home ? SECTION C Section C began its career in the first week of December, 1918 under Major (then Captain) C. W. Sparks with a personnel of eleven officers and seventy two enlisted Men. The officers of the section were transferred, sent to school, or returned to the States until there. remained only Major Spark s , 1st. Lieut, Thomas Peyton, and 2nd. Lieuts Lee Johnson and Carroll Wright. 2nd. Lieuts Marion R. Knetzer and David Richardson were assigned to the section the last of May. Section C handled white casuals exclusively until the 20th. of April when the number of incoming casuals decreased sufficiently to allow the billeting of organizations as well. Until the new delousing plant was completed, Section C inspected and equipped casuals with both Quartermaster and Ordnance property. Lieut. Johnson was Supply Officer at that time and managed so efficiently that every man was fully equipped within twelve hours from the time he arrived, in C Section. Section C owes its wonderful record not only to the efficient and continuous work of its commanding officer, Major ,Sparks, but to the ceaseless and untiring energy of the office force and the rest of the enlisted personnel. Corporal De Witt Kern, High Mogul of the office runs that busy place in a manner that discourages even an attempt at competition on the part of, the offices of the other sections. Sergeant Trannie Stafford keeps the boardwalks and barracks in perfect repair, while Sergeant Benjamin Cruell looks out for the comforts of the casual officers in officers' quarters C2 and with Sergeant Louis J. Carpenter takes care of the general policing of the section. SECTIONS D AND E Back in the dim ages in the old rubber boot and raincoat days before the era duckboards Capt. Jerry Garland and his four « Looies » with an efficient staff of 39th. Division non-coms took up their quarters in Section D to await the worst. It soon came in the shape of beaucoup casuals. They arrived by ones and twos, squads' and platoons, usually on a dark, rainy night when every one had gone to bed. Their equipment consisted of a Red Cross bag and we were kept busy during the months of December, January and February caring for these lonesome, homesick soldiers. In January Capt. Garland left for the States and was succeeded by Capt. Harold Kernan, who after a few weeks decided to forsake us for the halls of learning at Bordeaux, and Lt. Ralph Taylor inherited the Section Lt. Arthur Johnson was supply officer and Lts. Daniel Reinhardt and W. G. Birkhead 'attended to the policing of the area and the messing, bathing and inspecting of the troops. |
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