Philip A Embury Journal #2

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Journal #2 dated September 9, 1917 - November 16, 1917. Philip Embury (1891-1940) was born and raised in Berkeley, California, and attended the University of California. Early in the spring of 1917 he embarked with the University of California contingent of volunteers for the American Field Service and served on the Western front in France. After the United States entered the war, Embury attained a commission in the United States Army Air Service and trained as a pilot. He served in the 141st Aero Squadron with distinction and repatriated in 1919.

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Sunday Sept. 9 '17.

Went on 2 o'clock convoi from Bazoches to Vailly. Had orders to wear our gas masks from camp to Bazoches. Nearly smothered. Waited in a wood about a mile on this side of Vailly until eight thiry. Saw an interesting air fight. A piece of ecla fell near me. Vailly is all blown to pieces. The woods from Chassenny to Vailly are filled with ammunition. Fourty cannions & eighty wagons unloaded at the yard at Vailly last night. Several cars got into shell holes and got stuck. Bad place to unload

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as almost impossible to keep out of shell holes in the darkness.

Monday Sept. 10 '17.

In repos. Cleaned the car. Wrote letters.

Tuesday Sept 11, '17.

Five o'clock convoi to Vailly. Day convoi so had to go round by Soissons. Had to wear gas mask again. Lost our fan between camp and Bozoches. Made the whole trip over without a fan. Only boiled once. Went up on the hill and saw some "155's". Bought a small shell as a souvenir. Some anti air gun ecla fell around

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us. Don't like the stuff. Got home at 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday Sept 12 '17.

Convoi Bozoches to Brain. Had lots of fun in Brain swipping apples. Had to cross an old rotten bridge over a mote [moat] and then climb a stone wall. Patton & I got some apples & then Homes & Grant went after some. Krusi, Patton, & I kept them behind the wall by throwing small apples at them when they would try to get out. Finally they had to climb the wall and jump down into the main street. Holmes nearly jumped on a Captain. Had more fun than I had had for a long time.

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Went with Perry Patton from Brain with a load of stuff to Chasseney. Got balled out by Paul for going so fast. Saw acres and acres of amunition ready to rush to the batteries when the big offensive starts. Gave Perry the ride of his life while coming home. Made him climb out of his seat twice. Once missed the hub of a passing wagon by about three inches and the ditch by about the same margin. In Brain I skidded on the cobbles so that I turned half way around. Had to turn

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clear around before I could go on. Soldiers thought it a great joke.

Thursday Sept. 13 '17.

Got up at a quarter to four. Very cold. Had my first real breakfast since my arrival in France: Coffee, omlet [omelette], jam, bread & butter & plenty of it. Made three trips from Bozoches to Brain with "75" Carried 15000 of them. There were twenty two cars on the run. Got stuck in the yard at Brain and Patton and Herb. each broke a toe rope and both pulling at the same time. They had to take my load

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