Almost Passed on this 32nd Div History

[bertmedals]

I almost passed on this WW1 History of the 32nd Division. The binding was secured with electrical tape and there was some white paint on it to boot. You can get these in near mint condition so I figured I'd pass. Then on a whim I looked inside and the interesting stuff popped out.

 

Here's the front -- you can see the tape and paint on the binding.

 

[bertmedals]

The inside cover had some interesting inscritions and some other stuff stuck in there.

 

[bertmedals]

Frederick Drexel was one of the men who claimed ownership of this book.

 

 

[bertmedals]

He apparently served in the 2nd Platoon, Machine Gun Company, 125th Infanty Regiment and was rightfully proud of his service -- he wrote a letter to the Long Island Press seeking additional information on an article it published. He notes that he was the interpreter for Lt William S. Brittain.

 

[bertmedals]

LT Brittain was awarded the DSC for his actions on August 31, 1918 near Juvigny, France -- the place Drexel is writing the Long Island Press about. He left 2 clippings of Brittain's death notice inside the cover of the book.

 

[bertmedals]

He also left a snapshot in the book. I believe Brittain is the officer second from the left and Drexel is one of the 2 other doughboys in the picture (the fourth soldier being French).

 

[bertmedals]

Drexel also sprinkled personal notes in the book. Here are a couple of the best ones.

 

The first references the action near Juvigny. I like the comment about the French "baby doll tank".

 

 

[bertmedals]

And the last picture since this post is getting too long anyway.

 

This one notes Drexel's gassing.

 

It goes to show you, it's always good to look inside. Now on to more research on this one.

 

Dennis

 

[scmcgeorge]

Agree 100 % with Bert..... always check them out for notes, marginalia, and signatures!!!!!

[USARV72]

Never know, years ago went in small used book shop in Western N.C.. Saw “ The Devils Anvil”, pulled off shelf, opened it, autographed by Eugene Sledge and 2 others and I sold my USMC collection way back.......