The 353rd "All Kansas" Infantry Regiment of the National Army, Part 9—Occupation Duty and Home

By James Patton

The following is an extract from the History of the 353rd Infantry Regiment 89th Division, National Army September 1917–June 1919 by Capt. Charles F. Dienst and associates, published by the 353rd Infantry Society in 1921. It has been extensively edited for length, style, and clarity.  

Occupation Headquarters for the 353rd Infantry,
Prüm, Germany

General Pershing delivered this message to the soldiers of the American Expeditionary Force immediately following the armistice:

Our armies, hurriedly raised and hastily trained, met a veteran enemy, and by courage, discipline and skill always defeated him. Without complaint you have endured incessant toil, privation and danger. You have seen many of your comrades make the supreme sacrifice that freedom may live.

There remains now a harder task which will test your soldierly qualities to the utmost. Every natural tendency may urge towards relaxation in discipline, in conduct, in appearance, in everything that marks the soldier. Yet you will remember that each officer and each soldier is the representative in Europe of his people and that his brilliant deeds of yesterday permit no action of today to pass unnoticed by friend or by foe. You will meet this test as gallantly as you have met the tests of the battlefield. Sustained by your high ideals and inspired by the heroic part you have played you will carry back to our people the proud consciousness of a new Americanism born of sacrifice.

Since entering the service, the men of the 353rd had "carried on" in the fervor of war-time activity. Now that the war machine was suddenly thrown into reverse, the men found it challenging to do the same. Victory had taken motive out of all military activity. When the men settled down to occupation duty, neither the training, the travel, the hardship nor the dangers of fighting proved so trying. Morale took a slump, equipment was weathered and battle-damaged and there was a shortage of transportation. Everyone felt the situation keenly but seemed helpless to find the remedy.

Occupation Areas for U.S. Divisions

Civilian Relations During the Occupation

After the armistice when the German army passed through our assigned area, the hay and grain were all taken. The farmers are therefore very short of feed for their cows. This has an effect on the amount of milk and butter secured each week. The people in this area were, nevertheless, intensely loyal to the government. Three hundred fifty men of the town of Prüm had been called into the army. Records showed that eighty had been killed and the Burgermeister stated that very few of the others had escaped being wounded at least once.

Such were the conditions in the area. In a calm, business-like manner the regiment marched into the town. This statement was printed in a local German paper:

Four Americans are walking down the street. All four are in khaki. Cloth is made of good wool; shoes are of good leather. Each of them seems 14 to 15 feet high. Their shoulders are broad and straight and they walk with the slow tread of meat-nourished power. An air of plenty surrounds them and speaks of the bounty of the land from which they come.

 

Prüm and the Surrounding Countryside Today

But when 353rd arrived, we nailed up this proclamation without hesitation:

The American Army, in its administration, will act strictly in accordance with the people's rights, and the principles and uses of warfare recognized in civilized nations. On their side, the inhabitants must refrain from showing any enmity against the American troops, either by word or by action; nor must they place any difficulties in the way.

It is now the duty of the inhabitants to carry on their usual occupations in an orderly manner, to restore normal conditions of their schools, churches, hospitals and charitable institutions, and to bring life to its former activity. In this, not only shall they not be hindered, but, they shall be helped and protected. As long as their behavior and attitude shall so remain, the courts, public offices and institutions will be carried on under the supervision of the American command, and the existing laws and regulations in so far as they are not prejudicial to the rights and security of American troops, shall remain in force.

Every violation of the laws of war, every act of hostility and every deed of violence, as well as the non-observance of the orders of the military authorities, shall be severely punished.

The first task was to find satisfactory billets for the officers and enlisted men of the regiment. Housing troops in civilian homes is an old practice in the Rhineland.  The people spoke of keeping their own troops during maneuvers and more recently in war times. Company commanders set about to find rooms and they did not stop until they had complied with the spirit as well as the letter of the military instructions.

The area occupied by the 353rd is a succession of large hills with an average altitude of five hundred fifty meters. Due to the amount of snow it is known as the, "Schneifel." The Americans called it "the Siberia of the American Zone." A common saying about the weather was, "Seven months winter, and five months bad weather." 

Agriculture and leather manufacture were the main industries. During the occupation conditions were gradually becoming normal. Farmers drove out to their land in the morning and returned in the evening to the social life of the village. Once each month was market day. 

The intimate conditions of associations with the civilian population brought a new word into the technical vocabulary of the American soldier. This word was "fraternize." To fraternize meant to be on friendly terms with the enemy. All but the strictest business relations were forbidden. But no casualties occurred in the regiment through fraternization in this or any other form.

Under the terms of the armistice all arms and ammunition in possession of civilians had to be delivered to the Americans as well as all military stores not removed from the occupied zone within the time allowed for evacuation. At the town of Halschlag was a munitions factory, with large stores of high explosive material and shells. All of this fell to the care of the 353rd Infantry. Many fine swords and pistols as well as shotguns were collected. It was not uncommon to find arms of other nations in the lot; a large Russian sword claimed the attention of eager souvenir hunters. Some held back their prized weapons, but after a few houses had been searched and the owners fined, deliveries were promptly completed. 

One of the most important relations with the civilians was the control of travel within the area. All civilians and returned soldiers were required to register and everyone going out of the area or coming in must present a pass. Returned soldiers were closely questioned with regard to their organizations and service. The information they gave shed a great deal of light upon interesting phases of the war. A German marine who returned to Prüm on January 28, stated that he was in Antwerp at the cessation of hostilities and saw the mutiny of the naval forces; thirty-five officers had been killed by their own men. One soldier had been with the forces opposing the 353rd Infantry on the morning of September 12th. He was wounded in the engagement but escaped with three comrades, the only ones of his entire company that were not captured. 

The inhabitants were very ready to co-operate in the control of currency circulation. These people had saved their earnings and realized that protection in their rights and property was now in the hands of the Americans.

While travel within the area was carefully guarded, public assembly was encouraged, especially assemblies for the discussions of political measures. All of these meetings were attended by an American intelligence officer. The population was approximately eighty-five per cent Catholic. The main issue was the separation of the school from the church. When the election of delegates to the national assembly took place on January 19, 1919, extra guards were added to assure order. To the surprise of the Americans, men and women cast their ballots as if they had been accustomed to democratic elections all their lives. 

American MPs Directing Traffic in the Occupied Zone

The biggest difficulty was in the enforcement of sanitary regulations. When the American troops came they found the refuse which had accumulated during the four years of war. Fences had fallen down, every yard had its trash piles and the streets were strewn with the litter of traffic. The problem was one of rural as well as urban sanitation. Every farmer had carefully conserved the manure of his barnyard. 

Individuals were given so many hours to clean up their premises. In most cases, men, women and children turned out with brooms and shovels. If a civilian disregarded the warning; he was brought up before the provost marshal, and unless satisfactory reason could be given for his failure to comply, a fine was added to the  requirements. Within a few days manure piles were covered with branches of cedar and with the coming of spring all were hauled at least a thousand meters outside the town. Trash piles and tin cans were unknown; fences were repaired and streets kept clean and orderly. The regulations were rigid but at the same time they concerned the welfare of the civilians as well as soldiers. 

Before the end of the occupation, towns had begun to take pride in their appearance, and sanitation became a matter of rivalry. The enforcement of the various regulations brought the Americans into control of every phase of German life, private as well as public. The town major with the Burgermeister advised on all matters relating to the civilian population, but when more rooms were needed, the town major went through the houses and made what he considered a fair allotment of space. If there was any doubt whether the owner of a cafe was selling "schnapps" the town major or intelligence officer investigated his stock. Guards reminded the people of their duty when the band played "to the colors" or the Star Spangled Banner. These were conditions of occupation; they must be enforced.

 

Credit is due to the local officials for their appreciation of their duty. The Landrat, Dr. Bergraef and his burgermeisters, especially Herr Scheer of Prüm, accepted the fortunes of war and co-operated with the Americans in every way possible to make the best of a bad situation. Those who gave the Americans trouble were usually the ones who had slacked duty with their own people. "He did his duty in the war," was favorable testimony in behalf of an accused. Slackers even among the enemy found no sympathy with the Americans.

The civilian population came to have a great confidence in the square deal of the Americans. From the first, the policy was to give as well as to demand strict justice. When the notary of Waxweiler refused to salute the American flag, he was promptly arrested and fined 1000 marks; when the railroad employees within the area refused to work on the railroads they were sent to clean the public highways. At the same time when an American soldier fraudulently extracted a fine from a German shopkeeper, the American was punished. Not a single act of violence occurred throughout the entire occupation; and when the regiment left for home on May 6, 1919, after almost five months of duty in their country, civilians and officials were present at the train to express their satisfaction with the treatment that they had received.

The Soldier's Life During Occupation

Busy soldiers would be happy soldiers, so drill, inspection, practice marches, and maneuvers began. Later entertainments, leaves and schools were introduced to bring variety into the life of the men. 

On January 1st, 1919, five hours a day of training for five days each week were ordered. Saturday mornings would be for inspections. Skill schools would be started for all ranks, especially those who had not had the opportunity of such schooling at Camp Funston.

Programs and schedules were required. The day always began with drill, which to the men by now was mechanical. Practice marches were boring and pointless. The men preferred walking post on railroad guard, watching over the huge munitions plant or even patrolling the border to drilling. National army soldiers were achievers; they could not endure busy-work or even simulated real work. On the bright side, the men went in for marksmanship with avid enthusiasm. This was sport, while drill was boring.

Soon came the 353rd’s appearance in Pershing’s Divisional review. No competition needed now; the battalions worked together to make a good showing. Clothing was pressed; there was argument about shades of paint on the helmets even to the blue in the Divisional insignia. 

An Art Class for the Doughboys

A recreation program was also set up. Fortunately, Prüm had a good theater; and buildings were adapted for entertainment in other towns. In addition to talented soldiers, there were Y. M. C. A. entertainers, people who were doing their "bit" in the war. There also included lectures on subjects like the importance of the work of the Army of Occupation.  Each garrison town had a reading room and a small canteen. 

The army educational policy was met with enthusiasm. Many applications for scholarships to French and British Universities were received, but high qualifications kept many out. Two men from the 353rd went to British Universities and nine to French. Division Schools were organized in agriculture, technical training and liberal arts. 247 men of the 353rd attended these schools on foreign soil. The men co-operated enthusiastically in the effort toward their improvement.

Sergeant Laslett, who was at Montpelier in France, summed up the benefits of his course:

There are several hundred men from various branches of the A. E. F. here… Every state in the Union except Arizona, Vermont, and New Hampshire is represented. Officers and enlisted men attend the same classes. Though some of them pronounce "army," "ahmy" and "idea," "idear" they are all Americans and becoming more so by reason of this contact with one another… The courses are rather superficial but we are gaining ideas of the French and their intensely interesting history.

Leave Time

Generous leave policies did more perhaps than anything else to help the men of the 353rd. The special leave trains always carried the full quota to Coblenz and other leave areas in the allied countries. The leave requirements were strict:

Before leaving each soldier will be inspected to see:

1. That he has his leave paper in duplicate (one sheet, to be separated in Coblenz or Trier).

2. That he is clean and properly dressed.

3. That he carries no arms or ammunition.

4. That he is instructed in the rules prohibiting fraternization with Germans and those prohibiting the purchase of food from Germans.

5. That his freedom from venereal disease is established by examination and that he had full knowledge of the prophylactic regulations.

6. That he is not lousy and that his clothes are free from vermin.

7. That he has no communicable cold or similar ailment.

Transport was inadequate. Cars were crowded; meals were uncertain and there was no end of trouble with the guards; but the doughboy brushed aside all these minor inconveniences and difficulties on leave and forgot that he was a soldier.  Leaves, always at a premium, increased in demand throughout the Occupation.

The Rhine at Coblenz Was a Prime Leave Destination

Sergeant Scott, of Headquarters Company, expressed the value of a Coblenz visit:

Every doughboy in the A. E. F. felt that his foreign service was incomplete until he had seen the Rhine. He wanted to tell the folks back home that he had actually crossed the sacred river of the Germans. Moreover, he had read about the castles along its banks and the vineyards on its hills. Quite a few remembered Caesar's bridge and the Lorelei. And, like the fisher of old, he didn't know just what it all meant but he must see the Rhine.

One day in April a hundred of us…were fortunate enough to receive a three-day pass to Coblenz. For a half day our train followed along the Moselle River…never before had we seen such intensive cultivation. Even the steepest hillsides were covered with well-kept rows of grape vines. While we wondered how the keepers made it up to their plats and tried to figure out how many bottles of wine could be produced from the millions of vines, the train brought us to Coblenz.

The Coblenz Leave Club directed us to our billets and furnished us with meal tickets. All we had to do was to see the sights--no reveille and no retreat, the time was all our own!

The first afternoon we spent wandering about the town and along the Rhine, seeing places of historical interest…I remembered that just a year had passed since I had joined the army. It was almost impossible to believe that so many things had happened…; seemed to me I had been away at least ten years.

The next morning … we took the forty-five kilometer trip on the Rhine. Our boat was a fine excursion schooner flying the Stars and Stripes. A "Y" man lectured at intervals and pointed out places of interest. The weather was fine, we had abundant opportunities to take pictures. Here it was--all that we had read about and dreamed about and more. Little villages with their backgrounds of vineyards clustered along the water's edge so close together that it was almost impossible to tell where one left off and the next began. The castles were built high up on steep cliffs; each had a history of its own and held itself, even in its ruins, aloft from the present commercial life below. The Lorelei rocks and riffles were natural, but we had to hand it to the German poet on his imagination; we couldn't hear the thing that sounded like "Die Lorelei."

The following morning we climbed up 300 feet to the fort on Ehrenbreitstein. It is said this fort can house 20,000 troops… for eight months. An American artillery outfit was…flying the American flag from the mast. In the afternoon we visited the Ex-Kaiser's castle, "Stolzenfels."…This trip made us feel that it was pretty good to be in the Army of Occupation."

A Local Seminary Served as the Hospital for the 353rd

The Health of the Men

Sanitary inspections for the troops increased in type and number. Officers checked to see that the rooms were properly ventilated and whether the men were sleeping head to foot.

While schools and leaves helped men back to normal thinking and vision, the war against the invincible ‘cooties’ continued. A de-louser was put into operation and kept busy until the end. Men lined up, each carrying his blanket and extra clothing, and while his things were in the de-louser the men showered. Some of the clothing faded and some shrunk. Overseas caps came out shapeless. Whenever later inspection revealed a cootie, both soldier and cootie were returned to the de-louser.

Enforced neglect had caused dental issues. Captain Crawford alone treated approximately 2,400 patients, involving attention to 4,200 teeth. 

The campaign against venereal diseases used literature, moral stories, moral suasion, prophylaxis training, threats of court martial under Article 96, and of transfer to labor battalions.   

All of these efforts bore fruit. On March 21st all commanding officers were required to report on morale. They reported that morale was ‘Generally good’, ‘Never been higher’, ‘Very good’ or ‘Very high’. Some were homesick, some doubted the purpose of the Occupation and all desired a certain shipping-out date. Only five deaths occurred in the 353rd during the entire five months in Germany.  Celebration greeted the announcement of May 7th, 1919 as the day of entrainment.

On Sunday, May 4th the 353rd was assembled at Prüm for the presentation of the Croix de Guerre avec Palme to the colors of the 353rd for distinguished service at St. Mihiel. There was pride, but no recognition, that the 353rd had "carried on", even throughout the period of German occupation. [Photo of ceremony in Part 8.]

USS Leviathan

By noon on May 13th, 2,533 enlisted men and 135 officers of the 353rd were aboard USS Leviathan, the first troops embarked. Many things had to be done: guards posted; mess arranged and policing must be begun immediately. Colonel Reeves was designated Troop Commander; Major Masseck  the ship’s chief of staff; Captain Turner, the ship's adjutant; Lieutenant-Colonel Peatross, commander of the guard; Captain Dienst, policing officer; Captain Keim, mess officer; Captain Eades, information officer  and Lieutenant Underhill Army-Navy liaison officer. Each got his book of instructions and "carried on."

All went well until the "chow" line started. Through error or efforts for "seconds" it had gotten into an endless chain until a doughboy said to Captain Keim, "Will you tell me, sir, how to get out of this line? I have been around four times already and I can't eat any more."

Later on May 13th the 356th Infantry came aboard, followed by elements of the 33rd Division, the wounded, other smaller units and casuals - about 12,000 in all.  At 8 p. m., May 14th, 1919, the return voyage commenced.

The sea was quiet and everybody was content. Just a year before the 353rd had set out from Hoboken at a time of hostile submarine activity along the American coast.  Now the ocean was clear and the men were looking forward to peaceful pursuits at home. To the satisfaction of a task well done were added all the comforts of life on this big ship, formerly the Vaterland, the crown jewel of Imperial Germany. Moreover, it was with genuine pride and gratitude that officers and men read General Pershing’s G.O. No. 38-A, issued February 28th, 1919:

My Fellow Soldiers:

Now that your service with the American Expeditionary Forces is about to terminate, I cannot let you go without a personal word. At the call to arms, the patriotic young manhood of America eagerly responded and became the formidable army whose decisive victories testify to its efficiency and its valor. With the support of the nation firmly united to defend the cause of liberty, our army has executed the will of the people with resolute purpose. Our democracy has been tested, and the forces of autocracy have been defeated. To the glory of the citizen-soldier, our troops have faithfully fulfilled their trust, and in a succession of brilliant offensives have overcome the menace to our civilization.

As an individual, your part in the world war has been an important one in the sum total of our achievements. Whether keeping lonely vigil in the trenches, or gallantly storming the enemy's stronghold; whether enduring monotonous drudgery at the rear, or sustaining the fighting line at the front, each has bravely and efficiently played his part. By willing sacrifice of personal rights; by cheerful endurance of hardship and privation; by vigor, strength and indomitable will, made effective by thorough organization and cordial co-operation, you inspired the war-worn allies with new life and turned the tide of threatened defeat into overwhelming victory.

With a consecrated devotion to duty and a will to conquer, you have loyally served your country. By your exemplary conduct a standard has been established and maintained never before attained by any army. With mind and body as clean and strong as the decisive blows you delivered against the foe, you are soon to return to the pursuits of peace. In leaving the scenes of your victories, may I ask that you carry home your high ideals and continue to live as you have served--an honor to the principles for which you have fought and to the fallen comrades you leave behind.

It is with pride in our success that I extend my sincere thanks for your splendid service to the army and to the nation.

 

The Leviathan Arrives in America after One of
Its Many Trips Across the Atlantic

The voyage was uneventful. Except for guard duty, police calls, and ‘abandon ship’ drills, the men had little to do but read, play games and think it all over. The presence of some 1,400 wounded and disabled soldiers aboard reminded everyone, in spite of effort to forget, of the whole grim business which had recently ended. Sympathy went out to these men for whom the war would never end. And the joy of return was tempered by the thought of separation from buddies. Never before was it more apparent that war veterans who had left their homes as boys were now returning as men.

The days went speedily by. Reports had been submitted "showing the number of officers and men destined for each camp or cantonment, destination given in each case to be the camp or camp unit nearest the place to which individuals are entitled to travel pay. These lists to be used as a basis of separation of the unit upon arrival in United States."

It seemed probable that the voyage would conclude the existence of the 353rd Infantry [most of the men went first to Camp Upton, then many to Camp Funston, where the 353rd was  stood down on June 2nd, 1919]. In anticipation of this event Colonel Reeves issued his final order aboard ship:

The 353rd Infantry Regiment lands in America today after an absence of one year, less twelve days. The mission of the regiment in the World War has been accomplished. Demobilization will begin at once, each man going to the camp nearest his home.

In taking farewell of the regiment the Regimental Commander finds it impossible to express the joy and pride that have been his in being so fortunate as to be the commanding officer of such an organization, and much less is he able to express his profound gratitude and appreciation of the loyalty, faithfulness and co-operation on the part of officers and men, without which nothing could have been done.

The regiment is less than two years old. It was organized September 5th, 1917, and left the United States for France on June 4th, 1918. The life of the regiment has been essentially one of activity. There have been no periods of unnecessary waiting in training camps nor of labor in rear areas. It has been from first to last a clean-cut fighting unit, organized, trained and equipped for that purpose, and right well has it fulfilled its mission. No words of the Regimental Commander can add to that reputation. The record of its deeds is written in the imperishable history of the country. It is a record that every man may well be proud of and proud to transmit to posterity.

We were of that great mass of "doughboys" whose fame is immortal as the one part of the army that functioned at any and all times, gave no excuses and made no explanations. Constant accomplishment was their part.

The regiment has been especially characterized by a spirit of comradeship that has made possible our achievements. The Regimental Commander points to this with more pride than to any other attainment, great as the others have been.

Vain-glorious boastings and invidious comparisons are alike--harmful and inconsistent with the spirit of the regiment. The Regimental Commander begs each and every one to avoid all such.

As a final word the Regimental Commander wishes every one happiness and success for the future and is confident that they will attain them if there be carried to civil life that noble spirit of self-sacrificing assistance which has always been exhibited in the military service.”

The Regiment Assembled at Camp Upton (Partial Image)

The day had arrived, and no returning soldiers ever received a finer welcome. Gaily decorated boats loaded with friends and relatives pulled up alongside. General Leonard Wood was there to greet ’his’ division. Bands and steam whistles helped to express the joy of the occasion. But almost to a man the doughboys gazed away, afraid to look into the eyes of his buddies lest he should reveal something of the emotion that filled his soul.

The 35th Division, which was made up of Missouri and Kansas National Guardsmen, had left France on April 5th 1919.  The 137th Infantry Regiment (made up of the 1st, 2nd and 20th Kansas Infantry) marched in two Victory Parades, the first in Topeka on May 7th, and the second in Wichita on May 9th,   where they passed through a temporary (and controversial) ‘Triumphal Arch’. Other 35th Division units parading on May 9th included the 140th Infantry and Capt. Harry Truman’s 129th Artillery in Kansas City, Missouri.  

On the days of those parades, the 353rd Infantry was still in Europe, and when they got home there would be no more parades.

Next Friday: We complete our series with the Traditions and Heritage of the 353rd Infantry.

James Patton