Since my last post in June of my father’s letters from France, Ginger and I have decamped from South Carolina and relocated to our home state of Kentucky, where we have come to rest in the quaint little town of Versailles, about twelve miles from Lexington where family and friends live. Five months later we are almost unpacked!
And so it is time for me to get back to my project of posting my father’s letters that he wrote to family from the front in World War I. The letters posted here cover the time period July through November 11, 1918. During this time US forces assisted by British and French units attacked and retook what had come to be known as the Saint Michel Salient. (See map below) The Saint Michel offensive succeeded far beyond the expectations of military planners, with substantial territory retaken from the German army, thousands of prisoners captured and many heavy guns taken out of service. It was the beginning of the end for Germany. The American forces were credited with the success of the battle.
The war would be over in less than two months after Saint Michel. Germany was beaten; its people starving. German war aims in the summer of 1918 were focused on winning a major battle that could be leveraged to negotiate a favorable peace agreement. After Saint Michel that was not to be. In November the German Peace Commissioners were required to agree to an “armistice” that essentially amounted to an unconditional surrender that would lead to the draconian terms of the Treaty of Versailles, which in turn would lead to the second world war twenty years later.
This will conclude the posting of my father’s letters. I have included some photographs and paintings of the last phase of the war, and a picture of my father taken shortly after the end of the war with the medals awarded to him for his service.
Thanks to all who have read along. I hope that I have been true to my father’s memory.
Below are some images of the Battle of Saint Michel taken from the internet.
Note the reference to George Patton of World War II fame.
A model of a British Sopwith Camel, the most successful fighter plane of WWI.
The Saint Michel Salient
Westwind 
John. Just received. Look forward to reading from a fellow Kentuckian. Frank
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John: Wh
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John, so glad you & Ginger are back in KY! So interesting-and scary-to read your dad’s letters home during this latter part of the war. His leadership and bravery were certainly worthy of the Distinguished Service Cross-loved the picture of him and the award. Did he ever recover his hearing in the injured ear?? Also cannot imagine how your mother must have felt following his injury which was nearly fatal (my nursing background!). Please send me your new address when you get a chance and say hi to Ginger!
Pam
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Pam: Thank you for your comment. I have been so compromised about posting my father’s letters, wondering whether anyone would want to read them. It all was so long ago. But your comments make it worthwhile. We’re having brunch with Nancy Bride March 1. She reached out recently, completely out of the blue, and suggested we have brunch. Why don’t you drive down and join us. I’ll send details if you are interested. Again thanks for the thumbs up on the post. J.
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John. Wrote a response but did not go through. Wh
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