1918 Yearbook
Source URL
Title
1918 Yearbook
Description
from the almost inexhaustible supply of the American foe, so he decided to
make a last gigantic attempt to force back and break our line.
Our regiment held a position on a slightly elevated plain in the center of
our line, so that I was able to see along our entire front for miles. Shortly
before daybreak the Huns left their trenches and swept across the plain in
deep formation. Under the merciless fire of our Lewis machine guns, their
line was weakened. They wavered, broke, and ran in ignominious defeat.
The signal was given and we leaped from our trenches in pursuit. Across
No Man's Land we swept, clearing the German trenches, and halted for
the artillery to come up and clear the fortification of the city.
The American army was now at the gates of Berlin; Pershing had accomplished the impossible. Day and night the artillery pounded away at
the forts until finally they crumbled; a mass of iron and concrete marked
where once unconquerable defenses stood. Only the Fortress of Bismarck,
on the bank of the Upper Spree, remained. All day and night the fire of
the entire army was directed at this last stronghold of Kaiserism. But it
was beyond human endurance.
The capitol was doomed and the Germans realized it, so that on the
morning of May 28, 1919, the white flag of parley appeared on the huge
mast of the tower. Berlin had surrendered; peace had come; but at what
price few can realize.
"Into Berlin"
On the following morning our regiment swept under the Brandenburg
Gate, under which untiring German Victors had often passed in triumph.
On down the famous Unter Den Linden we marched, on past the palace of
the royal family, and drew up in the huge square before the granite images
of Bismarck and Von Moltke. Suddenly a martial tune rent the air, and the
whole army uncovered. The regimental band was playing the beloved
"Star-Spangled Banner;" and as I glanced back towards the royal palace,
I beheld the Stars and Stripes on the very staff where for more than a century had floated the German emblem of Kaiserism. As the strains ceased
and the men came to attention a great cry rent the air: "Pershing! Pershing!"
Presently the hero of Berlin appeared, and mounting the statue of Bismarck, addressed his men.
u=
"Pershing Speaks"
"Friends and fellow soldiers! By the will of God we have reached our
goal and the game is over. We have paid our debt to France. We have
avenged the murderer of Belgium. We have wrecked an empire and established a republic. This is a great day in the history of the world. We
have imprinted an indelible mark on the pages of history, that will stand
forever in a world of everlasting democracy."
HAROLD JOHN OTT, '19.
St. Thomas Literary.
make a last gigantic attempt to force back and break our line.
Our regiment held a position on a slightly elevated plain in the center of
our line, so that I was able to see along our entire front for miles. Shortly
before daybreak the Huns left their trenches and swept across the plain in
deep formation. Under the merciless fire of our Lewis machine guns, their
line was weakened. They wavered, broke, and ran in ignominious defeat.
The signal was given and we leaped from our trenches in pursuit. Across
No Man's Land we swept, clearing the German trenches, and halted for
the artillery to come up and clear the fortification of the city.
The American army was now at the gates of Berlin; Pershing had accomplished the impossible. Day and night the artillery pounded away at
the forts until finally they crumbled; a mass of iron and concrete marked
where once unconquerable defenses stood. Only the Fortress of Bismarck,
on the bank of the Upper Spree, remained. All day and night the fire of
the entire army was directed at this last stronghold of Kaiserism. But it
was beyond human endurance.
The capitol was doomed and the Germans realized it, so that on the
morning of May 28, 1919, the white flag of parley appeared on the huge
mast of the tower. Berlin had surrendered; peace had come; but at what
price few can realize.
"Into Berlin"
On the following morning our regiment swept under the Brandenburg
Gate, under which untiring German Victors had often passed in triumph.
On down the famous Unter Den Linden we marched, on past the palace of
the royal family, and drew up in the huge square before the granite images
of Bismarck and Von Moltke. Suddenly a martial tune rent the air, and the
whole army uncovered. The regimental band was playing the beloved
"Star-Spangled Banner;" and as I glanced back towards the royal palace,
I beheld the Stars and Stripes on the very staff where for more than a century had floated the German emblem of Kaiserism. As the strains ceased
and the men came to attention a great cry rent the air: "Pershing! Pershing!"
Presently the hero of Berlin appeared, and mounting the statue of Bismarck, addressed his men.
u=
"Pershing Speaks"
"Friends and fellow soldiers! By the will of God we have reached our
goal and the game is over. We have paid our debt to France. We have
avenged the murderer of Belgium. We have wrecked an empire and established a republic. This is a great day in the history of the world. We
have imprinted an indelible mark on the pages of history, that will stand
forever in a world of everlasting democracy."
HAROLD JOHN OTT, '19.
St. Thomas Literary.
Publisher
Wagner's Printery
Date
1918
Rights
St. Ambrose University, 518 W. Locust St., Davenport, IA 52803
Identifier
http://cdm16810.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p16810coll2/id/6678