What We are Doing in the Salient.
68
The Ypres Times.
and on arrival back in New York drills were at once re-commenced in view of the state of
affairs in Europe and of the possibility of the United States becoming involved. Then
when in March, 1917, the President made his first call for National Guard troops, the 71st
was at once called out and was employed in safeguarding all railway property within a
very large area. In the autumn of that year the regiment was concentrated in camp at
Van Cortlandt Park, where it increased rapidly in strength and efficiency, and all began
to hope that the 71st would be one of the very first of the National Guard regiments to
embark for France. A great disappointment was, however, in store for the regiment, for
the military authorities at Washington appear to have early decided to organize and send
overseas a division made up from all units, the idea being to arouse the most wide
spread interest in the War, to give the Press of the United States the opportunity of
publishing overseas news of an especially local character, and, incidentally, to encourage
the war loans then about to be floated. The result was the practical breaking up of the
71st Regiment, the officers and men of which fought with very many other organizations,
and the very special character of the war record which has been compiled in the name
of the present regiment.
The record then is composed of personal recollections of officers and other rank who
went from the 71st to serve in other corps, and who in their new spheres and companion
ships were always upheld and inspired by the traditions of the regiment in which their
earlier service had been passed. We hear much about the voyage to France, the journey
to the front, the final training at the hands of British officers and sergeants, with whom
these American soldiers seem to have pulled well and of whose methods they thoroughly
approved there are personal accounts of raids, minor actions and battles while there
is also an admirable record of the Battles of the Hundred Days as seen by the 27th American
Division.
The book is excellently produced and well illustrated the appendices are especially
full, giving the commendations earned, and a full list of all those of the regiment who were
killed in action or died of wounds or disease.
Altogether a fine monument to all those members of the old regiment who made the
final sacrifice, while providing a notable record for those who happily survive.
H. C. WYLLY, Colonel.
From A MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
Ypres League Headquarters,
Ypres.
I write in haste from Ypres hoping that this may be in time for insertion in the July
number of the Ypres Times, as I think that all members who are considering the idea of
coming over this summer would like an up-to-date report of what the League is doing here.
T can assure them all arrangements are extremely comfortable. Captain Parminter
is only too anxious to give any advice and help, and he knows the Salient like the palm of
his hand. Our "Club Room" is a real centre for members, where they are welcomed,
helped, and refreshed with excellent tea.
The Splendid Hotel justifies its name, not for "show but for comfort, and Monsieur
and Madame Kock lay themselves out to oblige us. They are also very keen on the League,
and appreciate our work in the Salient. Apart from our help to pilgrims, the Demarcation
Stones of the line where the Bosche was brought to a standstill are perhaps our most
valuable contributions here up to the present, but the signposts of our memorable spots
are going up, and the guide nearing completion. Our wreath also hangs alone on the ruins
of the Cloth Hall.
