Sidney Towner Phelan unit history - n.d.
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[Page 1] In the first days of September 1914 at the [ms illegible: 1 wd] of the great battle of La [ms illegible: 1 wd], the service de Saute of the French Army. Was just out of infancy. The great number of wounds in ther fight around Paris, and the terrible conditions of their evacuating to the rear (Carts drawn by oxen etc [ms illegible: 2 wds] impressed a good many wealthy civilians, who had motors, and voluntarily helped this branch of the service in fetching wounded from the front and bringing them in the various hospitals of Paris. [ms illegible: 1 wd] the first who had this initiative are few american citizens from Paris, amongst them Mr. Harjes who personally devoted most of his time to this great work of humanity 35 HP Renault [ms illegible: 2 wds] M. Brockway another American – M. Goelet, and a few other friends of Harjes did to. After La Marne, these gentlemen having seen all the injuries of war, had the [ms illegible: 1 wd] of completing this work by an 1st aid ambulance on the front. M. Harjes the “promoter” of this idea found a chateau at Riguebourg 2kg from Lassignuy and fitted it in an ambulance (early October) at the beginning of the fights of Lassiguy. He appointed 2 Americans Surgeons, and nurses as well as 5 cars for the evacuation from the ambulance to the rear. This Ambulance was called: “Amuexe du Val de ground Paris” (a book which M. Harjes must have has been printed about this work – Brockway, and Thorn know about it But it was too near to the front. And the french [ms illegible: 1 wd] Director of the Army ask M. Harjes to transport his hospital at Ayencourt 2 km South of [ms illegible: 1 wd] (January 1915) [ written in left margin of the page] round Crepy eu Taboir Dammeuartie Hauteed l Handay for a long time took cut of 1915 cars carried on the side: “Hospital Mobile de ler Secours” :Armmese du Valde Groce” “Formation Harjes”
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[page 2] At this time the service de South settled down, the front became quieter our [ms illegible: 1 wd] stiff and this hospital at Ayeuwurth having not much to do, M. Harjes, with the “cousul” advice of Commendant Ballert, Chef de Sevice Automobile de la II e Aruice viewed the idea of transforming his hospital in an motor ambulance Section. This Section began with the original 5 cars 3 old Packard 45HP 2 Renaults 1 motobloc belonging to M. Riggs to M Goelet to M. Brockway to which were added two 45 ans 75 mercedes from W.K. Wauderbilt, and 3 Packard [ms illegible: 1 wd] borrowed from the Packard Motor Co., and our Renault making them 12 cars fitted in ambulances. To be added to theis 1 0/10 HP Berliet used as staff car. This is the beginning of the section. [March] 1915 it began its work received yes given the french Army but having to get all spare parts and to be out [ms illegible: 1 wd] from Paris. Men had to be [ms illegible: 1 wd] as well as M. Harjes [ms illegible: 1 wd]. In June the french army offered to M. Harjes to take at his charges all running [ms illegible: 1 wd] as well as food of the men, and formed the ambulance section called “Section Sautaine Harjes.” In August 1915. M. Harjes received from America 8 Ford, bodied by Kellvies, this making a complete section of 20 cars. The french staff. French officers and non com, are attached to the unit in the beginning of July. 1915. The section worked in the [ms illegible: 1 wd] Sector, up to February 15th where the Division was hurriedly called to Verdun, and got there for the beginning of the attack. August the most severe [ms illegible: 1 wd], Section [written in left margin] the section got attached to the [ms illegibile: 2 wds] the 26th Division 13th Army corps in Mouldidier secteur.
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[page 3] made evacuations of the Division, in the secteurs of Avocourt-Montzille – Erue-Chattancourt and took part to the affairs of the “Bois des Corbeaux”. General Petain C drug the II Army awarded the 1st army citation to the section when leaving secteur . On the 20 March 1916, Section leaves for Veel 5 km South of Bar le dres and reueauis en Vefos – for 8 days – “Gaunt dies from Cereho spinal” in the Bar le dres Hospital on 3rd of April. On [ms illegible: 1 wd] April Section is sent to Louure district though Pantene and St. Denis, and is stationed at Blauicourt (Somme) while with the 26th remains 3 week. 1st May, Division takes Secteur of Eracy le Val. Stationed at Frauchpost on the Aisne Section evacuated posts in the foret deLaugues: Round fouit d Orleous – Les Planiiarot up to the 20th of June 1916. At this date, it leaves for Alsace, and arrives after 3 days trip through Bergeres le Verties Douremy and Rupt sus hioselle, at St. Maurise Sur Motelle, It worked thereas element d’ Aruer evacuating the Hospital from St., Aurariere Urbies – Cjann etc. quick work On the 12 of August M. Harjes having an [ms illegible: 1 wd] to get a [ms illegible: 1 wd] active work, [ms illegible: 1 wd] to have the section. sent to the Verdun Front. M. Harjes conducting personally the section took it to Dugny where it work at the time of the great german attacks on Fleury. August on the 1st of September Sections is attached to the 6th division holding Lecteur between les Efarge at St Mihiel, with both at Waux –les Palameia – Assebly – broyou.
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[page 4] contonment of the section is in the woods of Beuviteraus, up to the 9th of November, where, being to cold and due to orders of General Coll Suter, Section moved to the Neal Village, still doing [ms illegible: 1 wd] work. On the 29th of November, division goes for a short rest to brise St. Dizier, and on the 10th of December, is called up for Verdun again. Stationed in the wrecked Chateau de Belleuout close to the Lauwers Eour a Chause. So often shelled, section took part to the brillant attack of General Mangui 15 of December, with he took Rez ou Veaux, Loureueou and fort Douauardut, brilliant answer to the order of Peace, with the German have done the previous days. During this attack young Whitney Warner was [ms illegible: 1 wd] the Croix de guerre with a [ms illegible: 1 wd], for his gallant conduct. On the 15 of January section goes on rest at Hargerville for 20 days and on the 1st of February up to 28th February it remains in repose at Liguy en Barois the division [ms illegible: 1 wd] suffered severley 4 days march of the division takes it to Rozieree aur Saluien, through Vaucouleurs Lauduemure Rleusd l Toul, Where it [ms illegible: 1 wd] up to 1st April, division doing work in 20 [ms illegible: 1 wd] this is a fine time for the boys . not much to do, fine walks [ms illegible: 1 wd] Rosiere over the vicinity of Nancy. [March] 28th, Division moves toward Hesne to take part to the big attack on the 17 April 1917. 1st contounement at Legey eu Barvis 2d “ at Viffort South of Chateau Thierry for 10 days, and 2 days as Chateau 11-13d. On the 13d Division goes to Coricy – up to the 19th our marches toward the attack 16-17. Division is not engaged, and comes back to Courier to its old position.
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Division remained there for 3 weeks and goes May 15th to rear rest at LaPerte of Jouarre. In the beginning of June, division is sent to front section Chatteau – Tailly, the fighting was hard the boys be haved splendidly and General Lebruy Cdling Army Corp granted the 1st Army Corps citation. After a short [ms illegible: 1 wd] of 10 days at the [ms illegible: 1 wd] Haker 15-25 [ms illegible: 1 wd] division left sectuer of Oeuilly-Paissy, and the section is recalled while on the [ms illegible: 1 wd] to be attached to the 66th Chasseurs division [ms illegible: 1 wd] at the turn atr Lagguy 12th of July. The division took fare to the [ms illegible: 1 wd] of 14 [ms illegible: 1 wd] General Rennaul welcomes Section assembled in a [ms illegible: 1 wd] way, and [ms illegible: 1 wd] the autorization to 6 cars to join the division for the review. On the 16 division goes up at Harteunes, is reviewd by general Getorie, the Section having his colours for the 1st time, and, 5 days ago, division goes up to the old secteur chasteury. I [ms illegible: 1 wd] Secteur 25 August 1917, division goes to rest at Nauteuil le Handoui, up to September 29, where it goes up again still in the Chastenny the big attack that was to take place 5 weeks later. – The section how to work for the preperation of the attack which was fierce, and did splendid work, throughout this billiant attack which gave us the maluaiton and the chemui des Dawes. The 2d citation to the Army awarding them the fourreagere was granted on the occassion. The service has been received more difficult owing to the fact that, the transfer of the old volunteer organization and cars to the [ms illegible: 1 wd] they had taken [ms illegible: 1 wd] just one day before the Attack.
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The [ms illegible: 1 wd] were who joined the volunteers in 1915 are. Flagg Kerittau A. Maurice Mace Ryck Thorn appointed as chief. Krockway appointed as Lt Chief Wright Allen Frederic Corby Slater Garcia Grestoy Kingslowd H Kuigslaur Smith Marcel Cruslow Most of these gentlemen were learning in Paris at the outbreak of the war. Kierflow Van Risck Peurcor. in Paris. Wright leaves in Paris – Flagg in St Jean of [ms illegible: 1 wd] as well as Britan. ___________ In the middle of August 1915 a fine young student came to spend holy days and [ms illegible: 1 wd] 3 the section amongst those are Huggquiron Harris Munston [ms illegible: 1 wd] Mimton Alexander The March 1916 came the 1st big bunch of [ms illegible: 1 wd] men, most of them being young students Drake. – Beck – Bailey - Moore. Squiers - [ms illegible: 1 wd] Warner – Wolton _________________
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in [ms illegible: 1 wd] came Division in July 16 came Crocker – Parsons – Whitney Warren – in November 1916 came Payne _____________ in July 1915 the 1st French Officer was attached. Lieutenant Rouff. He remains up to 15th of March 1916. Lieutenant Hollander takes his place, and remains [ms illegible: 1 wd] to June 15-1916 Lieutenant Joure takes his place 15 June 1916. November 5 – 1916. Lieutenant Douhairet 5th November – 28th June 1917. Lieutenant Simon 1st August 1917 30 August 1918. ______ The first American chief is M. Shoree, who leaves Section in the beginning of March 1916. Mr. Brockway is Sous chef until June. M. Van Ryck Chef from [March] 1916 - to June 1916. M. Philips is appointd in July 1916. M. Drake in November 1916.
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[page 1]Hist of S.S.U. 646 (continued) On its formation the Section was composed almost exclusively of men of mature years – most often American residing in France. In August 1915 the first [ms illegible: 1 wd] group of young college students from American joined first [ms illegible: 1 wd] it. The Section worked in ten [ms illegible: 1 wd] sector until [February] 25th, 1916 when then divisions was [ms illegible: 1 wd] called to Verdun. It was time in [ms illegible: 1 wd] 1916 that two friends large [ms illegible: 1 wd] of college students joined it. Anyway there was E.T. Drake later commander often section. At their turn Stephen Thorne left two section and was surrounded as chef by [William] Van Ryck. While St. Rouff was replaced by M. Hollandy Under the worst of conditions as to [ms illegible: 1 wd], roads, traffic, and hostile fire the section sounded in evacuating the wounded of the division from the Avocount, Neoutgeville, Esnes and Chattaucourt sector during two [ms illegible: 1 wd] after great Verdun attack – the battle that stands [ms illegible: 1 wd] - the most terrible in history For this it was awarded its first citation – a citation to the [ms illegible: 1 wd] Army by Gen Pitain, the commander of the 2nd Army. After Verdun came the Somme and the [ms illegible: 1 wd] a [ms illegible: 1 wd] quiet sector. In June Lt. Hollander was replaced by Lt. Joure and John Phillips replaced Van Ryck as Section Chief. In Hune the Section left for Alsace and worked [ms illegible: 1 wd] as an element d’armee. In August it was sent
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back to Verdun to do rear evacuation in the region of Dugney during the German attacks of Ft.Fleury. In September it was attached to the 6th D.A., then holding the sector between Les Espages and St. Mihiel. In [November] Lt. Douhaint who was to be so largely responsible for the intense section pride and spirit replaced Lt. Joure and in December [ms illegible: 1 wd] section was again recalled to Verdun to take part in Gen. [ms illegible: 1 wd] counter offensive which retook Dezowoeaux and fort Donaumont – answering so brilliantly the German offer of Peace This action was followed by long periods of rest at Signey en Berois and at Rozieres. Gus Hivelles great Aisne offensive was being prepared – the April 1917 offensive that in conjunctions with the Pjutuois attack on the Somme was to end the war at a blow. The division was called up to Coiurey to take part in the attack. The attack however was broken off for political reasons before it was well started and the division was not engaged. In May E.T. Drake sous chef succeeded Philips as chef [ms illegible: 1 wd] Section. In June the division was engaged in the Battle after Aisne in Chasseuny Vailly Secote. The section did well under rigorous condition and was awarded its 2nd citation – a citation to the order of the army corp by Gen. Lebon____.
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[page 2] Hist. of S.S.U.646 (Continued) A ten day rest at Le Plessier Halen and they were again engaged in the Battle of the [ms illegible: 1 wd] - this time in the Oeuilly – Paissy Sector. On july 12th the section was recalled to Sagny and there attached to the 66th [ms illegible: 1 wd] one of the most famous divisions in the French Army. The Chasseurs [ms illegible: 1 wd] same in the Bestille Day parade in Paris on July 14th. [ms illegible: 1 wd] 16th Gen Petain received [ms illegible: 1 wd] at Harletenin Five days later they were in section in the Ahassemy Vailey sector. For this [ms illegible: 1 wd] the section was awarded its third citation – a citation to the order [ms illegible: 1 wd] division by Gen. Prissuad Desaiailles. Lt. Guion joined the section at that twin replacing Lt. Douhauit who had left [ms illegible: 1 wd] section in June. A [ms illegible: 1 wd] read followed [ms illegible: 1 wd] action [August] 25 to [September] 25th at Monteal A Haudon and there on the September 25th the Division returned to the Chossemy Valley Sector. The section was engaged [ms illegible: 1 wd] the five weeks prepartion for the great Chemin des Dawes attack and the only [ms illegible: 1 wd] days previous to the attack came the change of personnel resulting from [ms illegible: 1 wd] section
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being taken over by the U.S. Army. Founders of the “Old [ms illegible: 1 wd]” had enlisted the others [ms illegible: 1 wd] replaced by [ms illegible: 1 wd] recruited from [ms illegible: 1 wd] Doctor Harjes Sections – but seven who [ms illegible: 1 wd] without exception had [ms illegible: 2 wds] in action. See addition to the change of personal porteboard bodied fords replaced ten big packards with which ten arm [ms illegible: 2 wds] Then came the attack that was the [ms illegible: 1 wd] des Daves and Fort Wealumarion and the section in Spite of the [ms illegible: 1 wd] of conditions and with its two thirds personnel and two new and unfamiliar [ms illegible: 1 wd] porteboard bodied fords did so welll that it was awarded its fourth citation – a citation to the orders of the Army by Gen. [ms illegible: 1 wd] This citation gave the necessary two [ms illegible: 1 wd] for eligibilty to the fourragere which was awarded [ms illegible: 1 wd] later. S.S.U 5/646 was the fist and for more than a year the only division unit to wear the fourragere. After two Clecmin des Dani actions came a wonderful five days repos at Chateau Thierry – the unknown to [ms illegible: 1 wd] but known to soldiers as a beautiful and hospitable town on the [ms illegible: 1 wd] – the birthplace of the Cafe du Cycne (Swan), however, offered more [ms illegible: 1 wd] satisfaction to [ms illegible: 1 wd] whose few meals in the [ms illegible: 2 wds] had come form the comm. The section was detached from the division and
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[page 3] Hist. of S.S.U. 646 (Continued) Then followed a repos at St. Rury Blunzy a Cheerless village that the section was to know much of. And there ten new and ten old men of the Section began to take stock of each other and know each other they had been through action together and a rather [ms illegible: 1 wd] short repos_ [ms illegible: 1 wd] and reaction in fact_ Now came this dull monotonous of living in [ms illegible: 1 wd] in a village that offered no distaction. poker, [ms illegible: 1 wd] our cafe, auction brides, and walks were rivals in popularity – or return as “support in a storm” refuged from [ms illegible: 1 wd]. In [November] 1917 the section was reattached to a division _ this time [ms illegible: 1 wd] 27 D.I. and joined it at Le Thillay not far from Paris. LeThillay was an improvement. It was near Paris, St. Deues and Serdis, then was enough light works to dispel the [ms illegible: 1 wd]. Thanksgiving [ms illegible: 1 wd] what a celebration was held - before dinner cocktails can – oh in buckets and one served in tumblers – and with [ms illegible: 1 wd] start what a dinner and what wines followed. It was rumoered that the division was going into action on ten St. Oeuerten front – orders came to move and [ms illegible: 1 wd] section and division set out. Three days later [ms illegible: 1 wd]
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was reached when we stayed several days and took in the wonders of the Hotel de l’ Eufer and the furnaces [ms illegible: 1 wd] Castle that overlooks two [ms illegible: 1 wd] and in days [ms illegible: 1 wd] by dominated the region. It was there we learned the pleasure of washing cars in bitter cold weather. Gen Roux commanding in D.F. visited the section talked with our men welcomed the section to the division and said he hoped writing a few days to personally decorate the section with the fourragere it [ms illegible: 1 wd] been awarded. A sudden change of orders ten division entrained for [ms illegible: 1 wd] and we were sent to St. Revry Blaupy – a disgusted [ms illegible: 1 wd] Christmas 1917 found us there. It was celebrated in the usual fashion – a wonderful meal and lunch [ms illegible: 1 wd] – a show of merryment to [ms illegible: 1 wd] the homesickness. In January Came a change of greenery ot Villette a miserable little village a kilometer east of Fismes. Villette will stay in our memory for two reasons Our meals there were the best we ever had We lived like kings and [ms illegible: 2 wds]. The other reason Le Coforde nothing to do all day for four months. Our moral
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touched bottom. An occasional air raid, a day or so of long range [ms illegible: 1 wd], helped to vary the monotony. We were then made a double section having twenty five [ms illegible: 1 wd] and twenty cars [ms illegible: 2 wds] us. And was the last [ms illegible: 1 wd]. We could excpect nothing for war works being too big for a division. In April we moved to Forteay Aisne where we had work such as it was – real evacuation. One May 27th the Bosern drive broke through [ms illegible: 1 wd] Chemin des Davre - [ms illegible: 1 wd] foreward like flooded water breaking a dam. Within half an hour after we [ms illegible: 1 wd] first news Vailly [ms illegible: 1 wd] followed - [ms illegible: 1 wd] Notre Dame, Vasser, Browne - [ms illegible: 2 wds] and unbelieveable. We [ms illegible: 1 wd] that country. No army could advance like that.
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[page 2] Hist. of S.S.U. 5/646 The section worked in the [ms illegible: 1 wd] Sector until [February] 25th when the [division] was hurriedly called up to take part in the defense of Verdun. Under the worst of conditons [ms illegible: 1 wd] Section succeeded in evacuation the wounded of the [division] from the Chauteau d’ Esnes Avocourt, Mountzeoille, Chattencourt Sector and took part in the affair of the Bois de Corbeaux. Gen Petain commanding the IIe Army awarded the section its first citation – a citation to the order of the Army The text of the citation is as follows – After the great battle of Verdun came an eight day repos
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and then the [divison] was sent to the lines near Blarencount Sommes where they remained 3 weeks, On May 1st, 1916 it took the Tracy le Val Sector. On the 26th of June the sectors was detached and sent to Alsace where it worked on an elemant d’armee [August] 12 Saw the section barely engaged in rear works during the great German attacks on fort [ms illegible: 1 wd]. On [September] 1st the section was attached to the 6th [division] working the hes Epages St. Mihiel Sector. The division went to St. Dazier for a Elcort repos [November] 25th to [December] 10th and was then called up to Verdun where
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it took part in the brilliant attack of [ms illegible: 2 wds] which [ms illegible: 1 wd] Bezouoeaux and fort Toceanduoeux – the German peace proposal was [ms illegible: 1 wd] answered. The division had suffered severely and was not again called upon until late in March 1917 when it moved toward the Alsace to take part in the attack of April 1917 – the attack that was to have ended the war. The attack broke through at the cost of henmendoa, Cavuallies and [ms illegible: 1 wd] with victory in sight the government called it off at the instigation of the socialists. The 6th [Division] was among those waiting but not engaged.
Details
| Title | Sidney Towner Phelan unit history - n.d. |
| Creator | Phelan, Sidney Towner |
| Source | Phelan, Sidney Towner. Unit History. n.d. Sidney Towner Phelan Papers, 1899-1960. A1209. Missouri History Museum, Saint Louis, Missouri. |
| Description | Sidney Towner Phelan, a St. Louis, Missouri native, volunteered to be an ambulance driver for the French Army during WWI. He drafted a history of his unit, S.S.U. 646, while serving in France. In the history, Phelan provided very detailed information on his units origins, the battles and campaigns it participated in and the awards it received. |
| Subject LCSH | World War, 1914-1918--France; Verdun, Battle of, Verdun, France 1917; Aisne, Battle of, Aisne, France 1917; Chemin des Dames, Battle of, Chemin des Dames, France 1917; Marne, Second Battle of, Marne, France 1918; Champagne Meuse, Offensive, Champagne Me |
| Subject Local | WWI; World War I |
| Site Accession Number | A1209 |
| 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 | n.d. |
| Language | English |