J.W. Skelly's History of the 12th Engineers - December 5, 1918
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Experience Report. Captain J.W. Skelly, M.C. Supply Officer, 12th Engineers (Light Railway). The 12th Engineers was organized at St. Louis, during May, June and July, 1917, and embarked for France on the Cunard liner
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[page 2] Capt. J.W. Skelly-2 Pandemonium reigned all day and night with no intermission. Next morning under cover of fog the writer took several trucks and went back to the old camp to recover if possible the company supplies which had been left behind. As the fog lifted and the bombardment became momentarily more intense, the last truck had scarcely entered camp when an eight-inch shell landed on the left and spattered the party with mud. It was then decided to leave at once, departure being hastened by another shell bursting close on the right. On the return a number of badly wounded British soldiers were taken aboard and delivered to the dressing station. The writer here acknowledges his indebtedness to the British Government for the Military Cross, awarded shortly thereafter. That night began the weary march of fifty miles to the rear, ending at Terramenil, Somme, six days later, when the onrush had been checked. It was a ne
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[page 3] Capt. J.W. Skelly- 3. After a month at Baccarat, regimental headquarters and the first battalion were moved to Rattentout, near Verdun, with the First Army. While in that locality the St. Mihiel salient was cut off, and shortly thereafter the regiment was reunited at Menil-la-Tour, near Toul, under the Second Army, and there remained until the cessation of hostilities. The regiment was organized by three officers from the Army,- Colonel G. McD. Townsend, Corps of Engineers, commanding, Major C.L. Hall, Corps of Engineers, adjutant, and Major A.S. Bowen, Medical Corps. Although these as well as a number of other able officers were soon called away, on arrival in France, their influence in discipline, training and sanitation has left an indelible impress. Colonel Wildurr Willing, Corps of Engineers, was in command, April 2 to September 2, when he returned to America, since which time, Lieutenant-Colonel John A. Laird, who conducted the retirement in March, has been commander. The writer has been Regimental Supply Officer throughout the history of the regiment. 12th Engineers (Light Railway), 5 December, 1918.
Details
| Title | J.W. Skelly's History of the 12th Engineers - December 5, 1918 |
| Creator | Skelly, J.W. |
| Source | Skelly, J.W. History of the 12th Engineers (Light Railway). 5 December 1918. World War I Collection. A1771. Missouri History Museum, St. Louis, Missouri. |
| Description | This document provides a history of the 12th Engineers experience serving with the British for 11 months. In it, the author detailed the retreat from Montigny, Tincourt, and Quinconce to Terramenil (German Grand Defensive Somme Defensive, France) |
| Subject LCSH | Great Britain. Army. British Expeditionary Force; United States. Army. Engineers, 12th (Railway) |
| Subject Local | World War I; WWI |
| Site Accession Number | A1771 |
| Contributing Institution | Missouri History Museum |
| Copy Request | Transmission or reproduction of items on these pages beyond those allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the Missouri History Museum: 314-746-4510 |
| Rights | The text and images contained in this collection are intended for research and educational use only. Duplication of any of these images for commercial use without express written consent is expressly prohibited. Contact the Missouri History Museum's Permissions Office at 314-746-4511 to obtain written consent. |
| Date Original | December 5, 1918 |
| Language | English |