Memorandum from Benjamin L. Cunliff to the Chief Engineer- December 6, 1918
Transcript
12th Engineers (Light Railway). Amer. E.F. 6 December 1918. From: Benjamin L. Cunliff, 1st Lt. Engres., U.S.A. To: The Chief Engineer, American E.F., A.P.0717. Subject: Experience Report. 1. Lieutenant Benjamin L. Cunliff left New York July 28, 1917 as 1st Sergeant of Headquarters Detachment, 12th Engineers (Railway). The trip across the Atlantic was made on the S.S. Carmania which landed the Regiment at Liverpool, England, August 12, 1917. The Regiment entrained immediately for Camp Oxney, Borden, England, where it was met by at British band which escorted it to the Camp from the train. After a two days rest, the 12th Engineers took part in the historic parade thru the city of London where it was reviewed by the King and Queen of England. Another two days rest, badly needed, as the march had been a long one, considering the extra miles each way from the Camp to the train on the day of the Parade, and the Regiment entrained for Southampton, embarking there on two small, swift boats for Boulogne-sur-Mer. 2. The writer landed in Boulogne on the 18th of August, and on the 21st of August was encamped within three kilometers of the British front lines between Roisel and Vermand on the Cambria-St Quintin Front. Here the Regiment took over the operation of the Light Railways operating between Cambria and St Quintin, being engaged in this work during the Cambria drive on the 20th of November 1917, and the Counter drive by the Germans on the 30th of November. 3. On February the 10th, 1918 the writer started on a nine day furlough, visiting Paris, Lyon, Avignon, Marseille, Nice, and Monte Carlo, Monaco. 4. Owing to a change in the tables of organization eliminating deposition of 1st Sergeant in Headquarter Detachments of Engineer Regiments he was appointed Battalion Supply Sergeant of the 2nd Battalion, altho continuing to act as 1st Sergeant of the Headquarters Detachment. 5. When the enemy launched the great drive toward Amiens on the 21st of March the Regiment was forced to withdraw, first getting all of its rolling stock to the end of the Light Railway lines at Weinclurt where it was finally
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destroyed to prevent its falling into the hands of the enemy, and then doing Pioneer Engineer work on entrenchments in the effort to hold the line. During this period he was acting 1st Sergeant of the rear guard Detachment. The Regiment after several days of entrenching by day and marching again at night finally arrived in Terremesnil on the 28th of March where work on the G.H.Q. lines of entrenchment was immediately started. 6. On April 6th he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant, Engineers, N.A. and assigned to Company
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9. On October the 12th the Regiment reassembled with Headquarters at Menil la Tour and took over the operation and maintenance of the Light Railways in the Toul Sector from the 21st Engineers (L.R) and he was assigned to duty as Office Engineer in the Construction and Maintenance department having charge of plans, surveys and records. He was relieved from duty as Adjutant of the 2nd Battalion and assigned as Engineer Officer of the 2nd Battalion on October 20th, 1918, continuing his duty as Office Engineer to the present date. Benjamin L. Cunliff.
Details
| Title | Memorandum from Benjamin L. Cunliff to the Chief Engineer- December 6, 1918 |
| Creator | Cunliff, Benjamin L. |
| Source | Cunliff, Benjamin L. Memorandum to the Chief Engineer. 06 December 1918. World War I Collection. A1771. Missouri History Museum, St. Louis, Missouri. |
| Description | In this memorandumm, Benjamin Cunliff detailed the 12th Engineers role in the Cambria drive. He also described his various jobs and promotions and the movements of the unit. |
| Subject LCSH | United States. Army. 12th Engineers; Cambrai, Battle of, 1917 |
| 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 6, 1918 |
| Language | English |