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The Lost Generation January 2012

The war to end all wars, WWI

A closer look at the battle of Bealleu wood with exclusive interview with Col. Wendall Neville

Written and illustrated by Charlie Johnson

Retreat? Retreat hell we just got here.

- Col. Wendall Neville

Contents Cover. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 “retreat hell� quote. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 contents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Interview with Col. Wendall Neville. . . . . . . 4-5 song. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7 poem. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Book review. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-11 Ad. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

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The Story of a true war hero

C

olonial Wendell Neville was the commander of the 5th U.S. Marine regiment. His quote “Retreat hell we just got here” is his most famous remark. During the battle for Belleau Wood, a senior French officer ordered him to retreat. In response he spat “retreat, hell we just got here”. To this day the quote is the chant for the 25 U.S. Marine regiment. Today we have been lucky enough to have him here with us today to talk about his experiences and his famous remark.

So Col. Neville what was it like on the battlefield?

A: It was absolute carnage, we were constantly bombarded by artillery attacks and the threat of a charge against our trench was always a very real possibility.

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For almost all of the troops this was their first time in combat which was very physically and mentally challenging. The physical challenge was that the troops were constantly fighting or on sentry duty with less then an hour of rest every day. The mental challenge was much more harsh for a lot more of the troops because they were living in the trench with dozens of deceased men lying around them always reminding them that death could come at any time of any of them.

Q: Your quote “retreat hell we just got here” what does it mean? And did you end up retreating?

A: My quote means to never give up and to never abandon your men. When I was ordered to retreat by the French officer I told him “retreat hell we just got here”

Retreat? retreat Hell We Just got Here

-Col Wendall Neville

and after that I told him that I would never leave my men dead or alive it was my duty to stay with them and to hold our position as long as we possibly can.

Q: How heavy was the resistance to make the French want to retreat?

A: The resistance was very heavy, to defend us we had our service rifles and a small amount of French artillery. The Germans had machine guns, service rifles, grenades and other explosives And heavy artillery. We were constantly barraged by artillery and hit by German sentry’s manning the machine guns.

Q: What did the constant barrage of artillery do to the troops morale?

A: It lowered the morale at such a rate it seemed almost impossible. Sometimes the artillery hit dozens of yards away other times it landed right on top of us, wiping out so many men that most troops were afraid to come out of the dugout. After an assault the morale was so low it seemed more like a funeral then battle.

Q: How does it make you feel to know that your quote from 1918 is still a chant for another U.S. marine regiment?

A: It makes me feel proud to know that I have said something that has motivated marines to never give up and to retreat hell.

Q: Do you think that the Germans were as threatened by you as you were by them?

A: I don’t think that they were quite as threatened by us but I think we did have them scared at some points of the battle. We had very light protection and lived in flooded trenches infested with rats and littered with the dead bodies of our fallen comrades. While the Germans enjoyed raised bunker that were fortified heavily enough to make our rifles seem like sling shots.

Q: What was it like for you and the troops to have a two-hour uphill march to the front line where you fought constantly without a break?

A: it was agony for the whole regiment, most of us including myself were not in the best physical condition plus each of us had half our weight or more in equipment to drag along with us. Once we got to the front we almost instantly began to fight without rest. For the weeks following most of us had less then an hours rest each day.

Q: How did it feel to constantly be watched by the German observation balloons?

A: well Charlie I personally always had the hairs on the back of my neck raised knowing that your enemy always was watching you and knew where you were. For most of the troops it was unnerving knowing that they were being watched. Sometimes roomer spread that the Germans were raising weapons and snipers into the observation areas which scared some of the young boys so badly that they wouldn’t take a second long peek over the top of the tench.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me.

I once was lost but now am found, Was blind, but now I see.

T’was Grace that taught my heart to fear.

And Grace, my fears relieved.

How precious did that Grace appear The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come; ‘Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far sand Grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me.

His word my hope secures.

He will my shield and portion be, As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail, And mortal life shall cease, I shall possess within the veil, A life of joy and peace.

When we’ve been here ten thousand years Bright shining as the sun.

We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise Than when we’ve first begun.

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Amazing Grace © John Newton 1725

Imagine being trapped on a small ocean liner in the middle of a storm with winds blowing at hurricane speeds. These are the conditions that John Newton went through when for the first time in his life he prayed to god knowing that his ship would sink and he would likely die. When he prayed Grace, an angel of God came to save him and the rest of the crew on the ship. After the event he wrote a song about this ordeal which was later published and now is one of the most notable songs of the Christian church. The theme of Amazing grace is peace, salvation and redemption. The song describes the horror and sadness of death and the celebration of life. It describes miracles of being saved by god and grace the savior. A few lyrics describing this are “The lord has promised good to me, his word my hope secures. He will my shield and portion be, as long as life goes on.” I think that the message the author is trying to convey is to never take life for granted and enjoy it while it lasts.

In the song John Newton writes, “Amazing grace how sweet the sound.” Here we see an example of a cliche. I say this because it is so commonly used in the bible, funerals, as well as many other kinds of ceremonies. I think this specific lyric is trying to express how Grace the savior can save anybody at anytime and what it was like to be saved by Grace. This song was commonly sung during a trench-side funeral during the first world war in many battles such as the battle of Belleu Wood. Later in the song, he explained “When we’ve been here ten thousand years bright shining as the sun. We’ve no less days to sing gods praise then when we first begun” this is an example of personification because it is comparing what we were then and what we are now and how religiously we are no different. Another example of a cliche would be the lyrics “the lord has promised good to me” because it mentions the Lord which is repeatedly mentioned in the bible and other religious books.

I chose Amazing Grace because it is a powerful song that not only relates but describes the feeling to be enslaved in something or forced to do something and are freed. During the battle of Belleu wood many of the troops were drafted and forced to fight. But somehow during the battle the Americans alongside the French defeated a invincible German line that many others had failed to do. It reminds me of my family that died fighting for the freedom we enjoy today and describes the tragedy of death and loss. When I hear the song it brings to mind images of young men in muddy death ridden and rat infested trenches fighting for the freedom we now enjoy. This all relates back to my book because it is about the exhaustion of fighting for days that seemed to go on forever. Knowing that in war death could come at any minute. Its related in a sense of religion because Col. Neville was a very religious man as is the song amazing grace.

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Where I’m From I am from mild rainy, humid winters, the high tide and the wave crashing into the seawall From the east coast, from rough cold tides to sunny summer days when I feel the sand and cool clear water it tells me I’m home I am from long sandy coastline, the docks and piers.

I am from the community park, the baseball diamond and the morning dew on the pristine green grass.

I am from the naval academy in maryland, white pressed uniforms and perfectly polished boots.

I am from the early graduation.

I am from the USS Michigan on journeys to distant lands, the close calls, the weather and early morning drills.

I am from the spanish american war, In charge of the platoon.

From the battle of Veracruz where we fought for days and came out victorious but with a heavy price to pay.

I am from the battle of Belleu Wood, the machine guns, dive bombers and over the top raids. The battle of Belleu wood is the battle that scars me most.

I am from the filthy, rotten trenches of Belleu wood in the mud, the blood, the tears and the bodies.

I am from the young men that only wanted to serve, who lost their lives bravely to defend the red white and blue.

I am from the acrid stench of rotting bodies partially buried in the filthy trench.

From the first shot fired to the last man killed, There was no mercy at the battle of Belleu wood.

I am from the trench I am from the deafening sound of an artillery barrage and the sound of men screaming as shells collied with the ground surrounding them.

I am from the sight of German cavalry storming towards the trench.

From the shine of an unused bayonet.

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An Additions To The Eigth Grade Curiculum Page 1

G

eorge Bernard once said, “The only easy day was yesterday�. This was one of the most common quotes used by officers in the First World War. How do I know this because I read True Stories. Of The First World War. I believe that true stories of the First World War should be added to the grade eight curriculum. It is an entertaining and educational book that teaches eighth grade students the consciences of war.

Although World War 1 took place almost a century ago, repercussions and scars of the war are still obvious. Many students of the eighth grade are aware the war took place but do not understand the scars the war left physically and mentally. Many novels try to disseminate these tares in society but none revealed these as well as True Stories of the First World War. I will have three main arguments why I believe that true stories of The First World War should be added to the grade eight curriculum. My arguments will be one, it is an educational and entertaining at the same time, two it is a book with understandable lan-

guage and grammar, three it portrays a comprehensive understanding of the war.

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An Additions To The Eigth Grade Curiculum Page 2

The first reason I think that true stories of The First World War should be added to the grade eight curriculum is that it is an educational and entertaining book that pulls the reader in with stunning details about the horrid sight of war. It paints a vivid picture in the reader’s head that makes them feel like they are apart of the fighting. It describes the tremendous feeling of loss and fear.

True stories of The First World War has understandable language and grammar that helps keep the vivid image of war in the readers head without bad grammar or overly complex words. True stories of The First World War does have enough sophisticated language to keep eighth grade students interested but does not have overly complex words that would be unfamiliar to an eighth grade student.

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An Additions To The Eigth Grade Curiculum Page 3

True stories of The First World War portrays a very descriptive and comprehensive understanding of the war. It describes the feeling of living for months in filthy rat infested trenches. But it goes further then describing life in the trenches it shows you what life was like in the trenches. It shows life with stunning details showing mutiny of war and death.

In conclusion why I think that True stories of The First World War should be added to the grade eight curriculum is that True stories of The First World War firstly is a greatly educational and entertaining novel secondly it has understandable language and grammar and finally it has a very comprehensive and description of the war. These are my three main arguments to add True stories of The First World War to the eighth grade curriculum.

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