NOT SOLD (BIDDING OVER)
0.00USD+ applicable fees & taxes.
This item WAS NOT SOLD. Auction date was 2002 Mar 02 @ 09:00UTC-8 : PST/AKDT
"A fine content diary of Sgt. George E. Williams of the 26th. Engineers, his notes in a diary published especially for members of the Allied Expeditionary Force: ""Army and Navy Diary"" (Chicago, Stanton and Van Vilet Co., 1917), 12mo., approx. 200pp., Mar. 9, 1918 to Mar. 21, 1919. Printed portions of the diary include a brief vocabulary including words needed at the front including the French for ""Suffocating Gas"", ""Asphyxiating shell"" and of course ""Trench"" among others. The diary begins with his enlistment with the Cost Artillery in March, 1918 and briefly describes his transfer to Fort Dix, N.J. making Sergeant by June ""...in charge of Co. E & F Motor Transport..."". Williams received his orders to go overseas in August and boarded the Ship Italia in Brooklyn on Aug. 17. His ship crossed the Atlantic in a convoy which he found interesting enough to sketch the pattern used on the front flyleaf. Within a day of their departure he reports: ""...Moonlight night. Sub signed at 2 A.M. astern...(4:30 P.M. Sub signed by Destroyer on starboard convoy changes course...[Aug. 29, 600 mi. off Irish Coast]...Sub chasers Join us and it is very interesting to see them maneuver in and out among the transports..."". He landed in Liverpool on Aug. 29 immediately boarding ""...Great Central Railway..."" to Southampton..."". After a harrowing journey across the English Channel he landed at Le Harvre the evening of Sept. 1. On the evening of the 4th. they began their journey toward the front: ""...This is a 3 day ride, and we have horse cars to ride in and army rations...We are off 30 men packed to a car and 3 days rations. Plenty of activity here and many wounded soldiers by train load..."". They passed thorough Paris the next day then ""...crossing the river Marne. German prison camps are plentiful..."". Williams was primarily concerned with supplying water to the front lines so he was involved in numerous daily trips to the front. They arrived in the Toul sector on the 7th. in the village of Pompey ""...4 miles from 1st line trenches...8 P.M. Just getting dark, & we are ordered to take cover in the woods for night, shells are dropping and it our first experience of being under fire...[Sept. 8] German Aeroplane shot down about 400 yards from here. Saw it fall...French families are moving their household goods back from here and it looks as if we are going to be all alone to fight it out...[Sept. 9]...First night under heavy fire. American Naval guns are firing on Metz...[Sept. 10] billeted in ruined houses...most of his company are helping the civilians repair their homes. Have not done anything yet owing to not receiving our Motor outfit...[Sept. 11] 24 Co. E men leave for front...we all received our gas masks & steel Helmets. The city of Metz 8 miles from here now held by the Germans is our objective and The big drive is expected any minute 10 divisions are massed on the Toul front ready to strike...Helped send up balloon or French...25 more Co. E men to go to front tomorrow...[Sept. 12] Spent the worst night since we have been here, Terrific bombardment from midnight and is still going on. 1 PM. German Plane sighed overhead we all take cover and watch Allied Planes give battle counted 2 Allied Plans in air circling over town watching from Fritz who is still trying to get a shot at us...[Sept. 13] Planes open fire on us killing one man and wounding 10 girls. German Aviators driving French captured planes was the cause of the causalities. It is a terrible sight to see the poor woman and children running for cover...[Sept. 14] 7 A.M. Germans raided Pompie at 1 a.m. perfect hit on factory killing one and wounding 4...2 P.M. German plane & one Allied balloon shot down...[Sept. 15] 9 a.m. Raid started at 9.30 last night and continued until 7 am today. Did not get any sleep at all. Was kept busy running from one place to another to get out of the way of shrapnel & Machine gun fire...3 P.M. Heavy Siege guns are moving back from Front after taking Hill 5 miles from Metz and capturing 15,000 Germans...[Sept. 16]...Piece of shrapnel struck 6 feet from me, 3 killed, 15 wounded...[Sept. 17]...heard Fritz motor and he dropped 6 bombs within 50 yards...I was on the main street talking to some artillery gunner who were moving their guns and we opened fire on Fritz with Springfield rifles, and he turned his machine gun on us we were compelled to retire to cover. 8.30 P.M....we take convoy of 10 trucks at Midnight...[Sept. 18]...Arrived at Grogensburg near City of Toul...Leave here tonight at dusk...This town is all blown to pieces and find lots of Germans unburied...[Sept. 19] camped for the day on Mosiele River near German lines - Rumont...[Sept. 20]...now 4 miles from German lines & 20 miles from Verdun...Fritz sent over some gas and we located it in time to save our selfs[sic]. Now preparing for drive on Verdun front...[Sept. 25 Start of Meuse-Argonne Offensive] Left camp for Estelles front and brought back one man wounded...went through mustard gas on way back...also received one more Max Truck...Capt. Knapp presented me with Colt automatic toady. Now carrying 2 Pistols one rifle & 100 rounds with me on every trip...11 P.M. Heavy Barrage just stared houses shaking & no sleep...[Sept. 26] We have gained 5 miles on this front. Most terrific bombardment we ever witnessed...Germans opened fire on our camp and blew up one bridge...Killed four & wounded 5 one being our cook...Gained 15 kilometers & captured 8000 prisoners...got a waling stick from a captured German Officer...left camp for front lines and saw men getting first aid dressing. Was a fearful signed to see the way our boys were cut up in today's drive...[Sept. 27] went through Obreville...Three towns that were captured yesterday. These places are leveled to the ground and the dead lay all over not buried yet...[Sept. 28] Let machine at 34d line trenches and walked through to 1st. line...On my return to 3rd. line barely got out alive. German sharp shooters discovered us and opened fire but we managed to escape. how, I do not know. One of the boys was killed beside me...[Oct. 4] Left camp for Argon[ne]front the sector that the Huns are taking advantage of for defense...[Oct. 6] ...saw a 37th. Engineer hit [underlined] a dud with a pick and he was torn to shreds...Arrived at Front Just in time for a mustard gas attack and did not stay any longer than was necessary...[Oct. 8]...caught in Fritz machine gun nest at 4 P.M. yesterday and was forced to lay for 7 hours with face buried in day until our barrage raised them and during that time my machine was riddled with machine gun. I was cornered and with the aid of my Colt I got thorough and send 2 Jerrys to hell...[Oct. 10]...Left front for Verennes sector and was halted by MP and warned of a long range gun that Fritz was firing on the road ahead of here...but Capt. ordered me to proceed and Jerry dropped on over and blew up a ammunition car right n front of me killing 2 drivers...[Oct. 13]... Germans retreated 6 kilos therefore we are obliged to move our cap 15 Kilos towards the front...6pm arrived at Argonne Forest and we are quartered in Dug outs under the ground 20 feet...[Oct. 14] Weary from my first night in a dug out in Argonne woods and with rats & fleas to help deep you awake along with constant and ceaseless bombardment by Fritz...Received my first wound in this town Shrapnel in the knee...[Oct. 21]...Fritz dropped 3 shells on our Field Hospital and wrecked it and killed many wounded men. And they say Germany wants peace. Fritz is out of the Argonne Woods now...[Oct. 25]...just got up and in time to get a taste of mustard gas Jerry sailed over and dropped a few right near our camp and at present I have on my mask, waiting for it to clear off...[Oct. 27] Made a fast run to Montoforcon and Pergers for supplies...was the most lively town that the Yanks have taken...arrived there at 9:30 A.M and there was over 100 aeroplanes in the air at once...Shells were coming from every direction and many of our boys were picked off. Just had two very narrow escapes...[Oct. 28][...While my driver was filling his gas tank Fritz shot over a shell and blew up a gasoline tank 30 feet from us...[Nov. 4] During the night we drove Fritz back 30 Kilos and the result was we were ordered to move 25 kilos bringing us under fire again...[Nov. 6]...Jerry is just about out of French soil and it looks very bad for him now...[Nov. 8]...4 Bosch planes came over and bombed us and blew up a church and killed 16 people. Shot 300 rounds of machine gun at him and he returned the fire as usual. 1500 French refugees were liberated 4 Kilos from here...[Nov. 10]...French are out celebrating the end of the war and so we got up and went out to see what was up..."". The balance of the diary gives details of various travels around the countryside and into Metz in December where he ""...saw the statue of Kaiser Wilhelm that was tipped over by the French when Metz was recaptured..."". Williams returned to the United States in March, 1919. His last entry reads: ""Friday Mar 21/19 DISCHARGED FROM SERVICE IN U.S. ARMY Paid off at 930 A.M. and Left Camp Dix on Penn. R.R. for New York..."". Much more good content. Boards a bit worn, but spine still strong, otherwise in very good condition." 2490 A fine content diary of Sgt. George E. Williams of the 26th. Engineers, his notes in a diary published especially for members of the Allied Expeditionary Force: ""Army and Navy Diary"" (Chicago, Stanton and Van Vilet Co., 1917), 12mo., approx. 200pp., Mar. 9, 1918 to Mar. 21, 1919. Printed portions of the diary include a brief vocabulary including words needed at the front including the French for ""Suffocating Gas"", ""Asphyxiating shell"" and of course ""Trench"" among others. The diary begins with his enlistment with the Cost Artillery in March, 1918 and briefly describes his transfer to Fort Dix, N.J. making Sergeant by June ""...in charge of Co. E & F Motor Transport..."". Williams received his orders to go overseas in August and boarded the Ship Italia in Brooklyn on Aug. 17. His ship crossed the Atlantic in a convoy which he found interesting enough to sketch the pattern used on the front flyleaf. Within a day of their departure he reports: ""...Moonlight night. Sub signed at 2 A.M. astern...(4:30 P.M. Sub signed by Destroyer on starboard convoy changes course...[Aug. 29, 600 mi. off Irish Coast]...Sub chasers Join us and it is very interesting to see them maneuver in and out among the transports..."". He landed in Liverpool on Aug. 29 immediately boarding ""...Great Central Railway..."" to Southampton..."". After a harrowing journey across the English Channel he landed at Le Harvre the evening of Sept. 1. On the evening of the 4th. they began their journey toward the front: ""...This is a 3 day ride, and we have horse cars to ride in and army rations...We are off 30 men packed to a car and 3 days rations. Plenty of activity here and many wounded soldiers by train load..."". They passed thorough Paris the next day then ""...crossing the river Marne. German prison camps are plentiful..."". Williams was primarily concerned with supplying water to the front lines so he was involved in numerous daily trips to the front. They arrived in the Toul sector on the 7th. in the village of Pompey ""...4 miles from 1st line trenches...8 P.M. Just getting dark, & we are ordered to take cover in the woods for night, shells are dropping and it our first experience of being under fire...[Sept. 8] German Aeroplane shot down about 400 yards from here. Saw it fall...French families are moving their household goods back from here and it looks as if we are going to be all alone to fight it out...[Sept. 9]...First night under heavy fire. American Naval guns are firing on Metz...[Sept. 10] billeted in ruined houses...most of his company are helping the civilians repair their homes. Have not done anything yet owing to not receiving our Motor outfit...[Sept. 11] 24 Co. E men leave for front...we all received our gas masks & steel Helmets. The city of Metz 8 miles from here now held by the Germans is our objective and The big drive is expected any minute 10 divisions are massed on the Toul front ready to strike...Helped send up balloon or French...25 more Co. E men to go to front tomorrow...[Sept. 12] Spent the worst night since we have been here, Terrific bombardment from midnight and is still going on. 1 PM. German Plane sighed overhead we all take cover and watch Allied Planes give battle counted 2 Allied Plans in air circling over town watching from Fritz who is still trying to get a shot at us...[Sept. 13] Planes open fire on us killing one man and wounding 10 girls. German Aviators driving French captured planes was the cause of the causalities. It is a terrible sight to see the poor woman and children running for cover...[Sept. 14] 7 A.M. Germans raided Pompie at 1 a.m. perfect hit on factory killing one and wounding 4...2 P.M. German plane & one Allied balloon shot down...[Sept. 15] 9 a.m. Raid started at 9.30 last night and continued until 7 am today. Did not get any sleep at all. Was kept busy running from one place to another to get out of the way of shrapnel & Machine gun fire...3 P.M. Heavy Siege guns are moving back from Front after taking Hill 5 miles from Metz and capturing 15,000 Germans...[Sept. 16]...Piece of shrapnel struck 6 feet from me, 3 killed, 15 wounded...[Sept. 17]...heard Fritz motor and he dropped 6 bombs within 50 yards...I was on the main street talking to some artillery gunner who were moving their guns and we opened fire on Fritz with Springfield rifles, and he turned his machine gun on us we were compelled to retire to cover. 8.30 P.M....we take convoy of 10 trucks at Midnight...[Sept. 18]...Arrived at Grogensburg near City of Toul...Leave here tonight at dusk...This town is all blown to pieces and find lots of Germans unburied...[Sept. 19] camped for the day on Mosiele River near German lines - Rumont...[Sept. 20]...now 4 miles from German lines & 20 miles from Verdun...Fritz sent over some gas and we located it in time to save our selfs[sic]. Now preparing for drive on Verdun front...[Sept. 25 Start of Meuse-Argonne Offensive] Left camp for Estelles front and brought back one man wounded...went through mustard gas on way back...also received one more Max Truck...Capt. Knapp presented me with Colt automatic toady. Now carrying 2 Pistols one rifle & 100 rounds with me on every trip...11 P.M. Heavy Barrage just stared houses shaking & no sleep...[Sept. 26] We have gained 5 miles on this front. Most terrific bombardment we ever witnessed...Germans opened fire on our camp and blew up one bridge...Killed four & wounded 5 one being our cook...Gained 15 kilometers & captured 8000 prisoners...got a waling stick from a captured German Officer...left camp for front lines and saw men getting first aid dressing. Was a fearful signed to see the way our boys were cut up in today's drive...[Sept. 27] went through Obreville...Three towns that were captured yesterday. These places are leveled to the ground and the dead lay all over not buried yet...[Sept. 28] Let machine at 34d line trenches and walked through to 1st. line...On my return to 3rd. line barely got out alive. German sharp shooters discovered us and opened fire but we managed to escape. how, I do not know. One of the boys was killed beside me...[Oct. 4] Left camp for Argon[ne]front the sector that the Huns are taking advantage of for defense...[Oct. 6] ...saw a 37th. Engineer hit [underlined] a dud with a pick and he was torn to shreds...Arrived at Front Just in time for a mustard gas attack and did not stay any longer than was necessary...[Oct. 8]...caught in Fritz machine gun nest at 4 P.M. yesterday and was forced to lay for 7 hours with face buried in day until our barrage raised them and during that time my machine was riddled with machine gun. I was cornered and with the aid of my Colt I got thorough and send 2 Jerrys to hell...[Oct. 10]...Left front for Verennes sector and was halted by MP and warned of a long range gun that Fritz was firing on the road ahead of here...but Capt. ordered me to proceed and Jerry dropped on over and blew up a ammunition car right n front of me killing 2 drivers...[Oct. 13]... Germans retreated 6 kilos therefore we are obliged to move our cap 15 Kilos towards the front...6pm arrived at Argonne Forest and we are quartered in Dug outs under the ground 20 feet...[Oct. 14] Weary from my first night in a dug out in Argonne woods and with rats & fleas to help deep you awake along with constant and ceaseless bombardment by Fritz...Received my first wound in this town Shrapnel in the knee...[Oct. 21]...Fritz dropped 3 shells on our Field Hospital and wrecked it and killed many wounded men. And they say Germany wants peace. Fritz is out of the Argonne Woods now...[Oct. 25]...just got up and in time to get a taste of mustard gas Jerry sailed over and dropped a few right near our camp and at present I have on my mask, waiting for it to clear off...[Oct. 27] Made a fast run to Montoforcon and Pergers for supplies...was the most lively town that the Yanks have taken...arrived there at 9:30 A.M and there was over 100 aeroplanes in the air at once...Shells were coming from every direction and many of our boys were picked off. Just had two very narrow escapes...[Oct. 28][...While my driver was filling his gas tank Fritz shot over a shell and blew up a gasoline tank 30 feet from us...[Nov. 4] During the night we drove Fritz back 30 Kilos and the result was we were ordered to move 25 kilos bringing us under fire again...[Nov. 6]...Jerry is just about out of French soil and it looks very bad for him now...[Nov. 8]...4 Bosch planes came over and bombed us and blew up a church and killed 16 people. Shot 300 rounds of machine gun at him and he returned the fire as usual. 1500 French refugees were liberated 4 Kilos from here...[Nov. 10]...French are out celebrating the end of the war and so we got up and went out to see what was up..."". The balance of the diary gives details of various travels around the countryside and into Metz in December where he ""...saw the statue of Kaiser Wilhelm that was tipped over by the French when Metz was recaptured..."". Williams returned to the United States in March, 1919. His last entry reads: ""Friday Mar 21/19 DISCHARGED FROM SERVICE IN U.S. ARMY Paid off at 930 A.M. and Left Camp Dix on Penn. R.R. for New York..."". Much more good content. Boards a bit worn, but spine still strong, otherwise in very good condition.
Auction Location:
United States
Previewing Details:
By Appointment Friday, March 1st 11:00am - 5:00pm; Saturday March 2nd 9:00am - 11:00am
Additional Fees:
Shipping Details:
No Info Available
Payment Details:
No Info Available
1.) This is a combination Mail, Phone and Fax Bid and Live Bid Auction and is conducted under the laws of the States of New York and Connecticut.
2.) The live auction shall be held on March 2, 2002 the Mail, Phone and Fax bid auction shall close on March 6, 2002 at 10:00 PM local Eastern time.
3.) There is a 17.5% Buyer's Premium charged on the final hammer price of each lot.
4.) The Auctioneer reserves the right to reject any bid for any reason.
5.) The Auctioneer reserves the right to withdraw any lot for any reason.
6.) In the event of duplicate high bids, the earliest bid received will be the winner.
7.) Some lots may carry a reserve beneath which the item will not be sold.
8.) Detailed descriptions of lots and photocopies are available upon request.
9.) Illustrations of lots in this catalog and our web site may have had size and/or contrast modifications for display purposes.
10.) Estimated selling prices are for your guidance only. Actual selling prices may be higher or lower than the estimate indicated.
11.) The placing of a bid legally binds the bidder to purchase the lot at or below the bid placed, plus buyer's premium (see item 12). Bids may not be retracted without our approval. Please think before you bid! You are legally bound once you bid.
12.) Mail, phone and fax auction: All bidding is undertaken in a competitive manner. The winning bid will always be one bidding increment over the second highest bid. The minimum acceptable bid for any lot is one-half of the low estimate given in the item description or $15.00, whichever is greater. Bidders may call at any time to check the status of their bids. Live Auction: Absentee bids placed before the start of the sale will be entered in a competitive manner. Bids entered during the course of the sale by bidders on the floor, on the phone or live on the internet will be taken at the amount bid.
13.) Payment is expected immediately upon receipt of invoice. All accounts are payable to Alexander Autographs, Inc. Payment must be made in U.S. funds. Wire transfer details are available upon request. Please note that lots purchased are subject to sales taxes where applicable unless a resale number is filed with us prior to the auction.
14.) Shipment is made via U.S. Postal Service and UPS unless otherwise instructed. Handling, shipping and insurance charges are added to the invoice.
15.) All material in this sale is guaranteed genuine (unless otherwise stated) to the original buyer. Any item sold which is determined to be not authentic by two independent authenticators acceptable to both parties to the sale may be returned by the original buyer at any time for an immediate refund of the purchase price (only).
16.) Items may also be returned if the catalog description differs significantly from the item's actual condition; such returns must be made within three (3) days of purchaser's receipt of the lot(s). All returned lots must be in the same condition as shipped. All items are in very good condition unless stated otherwise.
17.) The placing of a bid shall constitute acceptance of the preceding terms and conditions of sale. NO AUCTION RESULTS WILL BE AVAILABLE UNTIL MARCH 11, 2002!
19.) Bids left for the live portion of our sale must be received by us before 11:00 A.M. Eastern time on March 2, 2002.