Battery E in France: 149th Field Artillery, Rainbow (42nd) Division

In Short

This volume serves as a memorial and historical record of Battery E of the 149th Field Artillery, part of the famed Rainbow Division. Published shortly after the armistice, the narrative chronicles the unit’s transition from civilian volunteers to battle-hardened soldiers. It details their training in France, their pivotal role in the Second Battle of the Marne, and their subsequent advancement through the Meuse-Argonne campaign. By documenting the unit’s movements, trials, and sacrifices, the text preserves the collective experience of these men for their families and future generations.

The Story

The journey of Battery E begins in the autumn of 1917, as the men embark for France, enduring the discomforts of a crowded transport ship and the challenges of early training in the French countryside. For these artillerymen, the initial months are defined by the labor of learning their craft: hauling guns through mud, practicing gun-drill until movements become instinctual, and acclimating to the looming threat of chemical warfare. The narrative emphasizes the steady, disciplined work required to maintain these heavy pieces, often under conditions of extreme physical exhaustion.

The battery’s baptism by fire occurs in the sector of Lorraine, where they take up positions in camouflaged pits. Here, the men transition from the boredom of camp life to the reality of the front, learning to navigate the logistical nightmares of supplying a battery under enemy observation. The tempo of the war accelerates dramatically with the move to the Champagne region. In the summer of 1918, the battery becomes a critical component of General Gouraud’s defense during the Second Battle of the Marne. The narrative vividly describes the relentless, thunderous exertion of the artillery crews, who fire thousands of rounds to repel the enemy’s final major offensive. This period marks the unit’s transformation into a veteran force, capable of enduring prolonged bombardment and severe gas attacks while maintaining their barrage.

As the conflict progresses, the battery pushes forward through the Meuse-Argonne offensive. The environment is one of constant movement and logistical strain, where the mud, the exhaustion of the horses, and the danger of enemy shelling become daily fixtures. The men face the harrowing reality of moving heavy artillery across terrain that is essentially a quagmire, relying on the persistence of drivers and the grit of the gun crews to keep the pieces operational. They work in tandem with the infantry, providing essential support that enables the advance, often finding themselves in exposed, precarious positions as the front lines shift.

The war concludes not with a sudden stillness, but with the transition to the occupation of Germany. The final chapters describe the long trek into the Rhineland, the strict orders regarding non-fraternization, and the monotonous routine of garrison life under occupation. The narrative closes with a review by General Pershing, signaling the end of their deployment. The book concludes with a somber dedication to the men lost during the conflict and an extensive roster that anchors the history in the individual lives of those who served.

How It Unfolds

The voyage begins The narrative opens with the regiment’s departure in October 1917, detailing the cramped, dark conditions aboard the transport ship. The initial days are defined by "kitchen police" duties, the onset of sea-sickness, and the strict necessity of fire drills.

Training in France Upon reaching France, the battery undergoes rigorous preparation at camp, including firing practice across valleys and the challenging task of managing horses in torrential rain. The men are issued gas masks and begin to learn the grim requirements of modern combat.

Baptism at the front The battery moves into its first positions near the front lines, constructing intricate camouflage to hide their guns from enemy aircraft. The unit begins its active service, learning the rhythm of the sector and the constant threat posed by shellfire and gas.

The defensive crisis In the Champagne region, the battery plays a vital role in repelling a massive German offensive. The narrative captures the intensity of the fighting, with crews working in shifts to maintain a near-constant barrage during the height of the battle.

The final advance The unit moves into the Meuse-Argonne sector, where they endure grueling conditions and near-constant movement to support the infantry. The narrative highlights the ingenuity and courage required to maintain supply lines and artillery support amidst deep mud and heavy resistance.

The occupation Following the Armistice, the battery marches into Germany as part of the occupation forces. The focus shifts to the administration of daily life in occupied towns, the strict regulations on interaction with the local populace, and the eventual preparations for the long-awaited return home.

The People

The narrative is a collective portrait, centering on the soldiers of Battery E who, though individually named in the appendix, function primarily as a cohesive unit. Captain Frederick W. Waters and Lieutenant John E. Cowan appear as representative leaders whose sacrifices define the unit’s sense of duty. The men of the battery—men like Sergeant McElhone, the courageous ration-carrier Rosse, and the various section chiefs—are depicted through their actions under pressure. These figures are defined by their resilience; they are, in the author’s estimation, individuals who suppress their fear and fatigue to fulfill the urgent, technical requirements of their role. They emerge from the conflict not as romanticized heroes, but as weary professionals who take pride in the "rash" (rations) reaching the line or the precision of their gun squads. Their personal goals are subsumed by the battery's operational needs, and they are transformed by the shared experience of the mud, the gas, and the relentless labor of the front.

In Its Own Voice

"Only the serving was done by the troops, for it was a particularly hard job that day, for the roughness of the open sea had begun to unsteady the boys."

During the initial ocean crossing, the reality of the war begins with the physical toll on the soldiers before they even reach land.

"The ground was soft and the guns jumped badly; so there was little riding of the pieces."

This observation during early firing exercises highlights the harsh, unforgiving physical nature of moving and operating heavy artillery in the French climate.

"The boys, 'they gotta the rash!' For this act the regimental commander highly commended Rosse, remarking on his 'high sense of duty and exceptional courage.'"

A simple, stubborn commitment to delivering rations despite heavy shelling illustrates the small, vital acts of perseverance that kept the battery functioning.

What It's Really About

At its heart, this is a study of institutional discipline and the dehumanizing nature of industrial warfare. The book argues that victory was not merely a matter of bravery, but a result of systematic, repetitive labor: the digging of trenches, the weaving of camouflage, and the endless maintenance of equipment. It explores the tension between the individual soldier’s desire for home and the collective necessity of the mission. The text asks how a group of men from varied civilian backgrounds can be forged into a machine of war, and it finds the answer in the shared burdens of the mud, the gas, and the relentless, mechanical cycle of the artillery barrage.

Why Read It Today

Readers interested in the granular, technical history of the Great War will find this account invaluable. It provides a rare, grounded perspective on the artillery branch, stripping away the abstract maps of the conflict to focus on the tangible reality of hauling heavy guns through deep "gumbo" mud. The prose is unvarnished and lacks the patriotic varnish of later histories, making it a stark, authentic look at the life of a soldier in 1918.

Modern readers should be prepared for the book’s singular focus on the unit's movements, which can be repetitive in its cataloging of drills and shifts. It reflects the period’s attitudes and military culture, often prioritizing the "order" and "discipline" of the battery above individual introspection. However, the warmth with which the author records the names of the fallen and the small triumphs of the men makes it a poignant study of camaraderie. What stays with you is the sheer scale of the labor—the realization that the "big battles" were won by soldiers who were often too exhausted to sleep, yet who still managed to haul their guns one more mile to support their infantry counterparts. It is a slow, steady read, mirroring the pace of the soldiers it honors.