June
Ville-s-Tourbe and Massiges
Days at Rest: 14
Days in Trenches: 16
Total Casualties: 10
1st June
The 315e are still at rest, but the Army hierarchy is not letting them rest too much and today they are being used as human guinea pigs …
Nous sommes restés dans une grotte pleine de gaz pendant ½ heure
Jules letter provides us with some interesting insight into a busy day for the 4e battalion. Today they have been up since 04h00 undertaking air and ground coordination exercises with real planes, which finished at 11h00.
In the afternoon the light the entertainment was to a nearby “grotte” cave to get gassed for 30 minutes … to ensure the new gas equipment worked (assumption is this was the new M2 gas mask). As Jules noted he was happy the new equipment worked.
Jules also comments on how ironic it is to call this period a rest period, as they sure are doing a lot of walking and with their uniforms and the heat it is very tiring work and he little energy left at the end of the day.
Letter – Training Gas Masks
2nd June
The compagnie is again on exercise, but there are rumours that the 16e compagnie is going to be disbanded….
The 315e RI are still on there rest period. Jules letter provides again an insight into today exercise in the morning, which was a similar exercise to the 1st June, but with balloons rather than planes. In the afternoon he is going to take his grenadier team out to do some exercises, so he does not have to the afternoon and evening exercise and review, which pleases him greatly.
One thing has been troubling Jules for the last couple of days and that is the rumours that the 16e compagnie is going to be disbanded. The reason he has been given is that all the compagnies in the 4e battalion are under manned, therefore they need to remove a compagnie and spread the available men across the 13e, 14e and 15e compagnies. Jules one hope is that apparently the youngest soldiers will be sent to other regiments and the older soldiers (himself) will either go to the depot with what is left or go to another compagnie in the 4e battalion.
Jules main concern with the whole situation, is that he believes that any change, will impact his leave and just thinking about that depresses him, so he decides to stop writing about the subject in today letter.
Letter – more training and compagnie disappearing
Comme nos compagnies sont à un effectif très réduit on en supprime une pour renforcer les trois autres
3rd June
Sur le secteur voisin du notre et ça cognait fort
The 315e RI are still at rest, but during the night of the 3rd June, there was a German attack on the line and the whole RI was put on alert. Therefore Jules has not slept for most of the night, as they had to pack their kit ready to leave at a moments notice.
The reason for the alert was a night attack by the Germans on a nearby sector, which luckily for the 315e they were not called upon to help.
Tomorrow is Sunday and all Jules asks for is that Germans calm down and that there will be no exercise planned and therefore he will be able to catch up on some sleep.
Letter – at rest with no rest
4th June
Last day of rest for the 315e before going back to Tourbe, where the Germans have been placing more signs in no mans land. The latest sign said “Near Verdun. Near to the end of May 873 officers and 44,532 soldiers prisoners”. The sign was swiftly removed by a patrol.
Nous remontons pour 16 jours encore et cela ne nous sourit guère quand même faut pas se frapper car c’est toujours dans le même secteur et c’est toujours assez calme
Last day of rest for the 315e before going back into the line, but the good news is that Jules wish from yesterday has come true and they have been left in peace today.
Today letter was written before a concert by the 102e RI, which Jules notes will at least pass an hour of his time.
Also his friend Barbier who is in another regiment has still not replied to Jules, which prompt more and more sarcastic comments from Jules ……. Comme toujour rien de Barbier … like always nothing from Barbier.
Jules finishes by confirming that tomorrow is the start of a 16 day tour, which nobody is happy about, but at least its the same sector they know in Tourbe.
Letter Concert and last day of rest period
Casualties: 2
2nd Classe Albert Louis Eugene Blanchard
Sergent-Major Paul Joseph Pauvert
5th June
4e and 5e Bat of the RI are back into the frontlines at 18h00 for another tour of 16 days. The 4e Bat (Jules) are going to the Calvaire-Verger sector in Tourbe, 6e Bat going to the Sub sector Montremoy and the 6e back to Neuville for rest.
“Subdivision CALVAIRE-VERGER: 5e Bat. , CM2 et 1 section de la CM3. Subdivision 171-MONTREMOY: 4e Bat. et CM1. Le réduit de VILLE/TOURBE est occupé par un peloton de la 15e Cie. La NEUVILLE/PONT: 6e Bat. et CM3”
J’ai été à l’enterrement d’un camarade victime d’un accident et qui est mort des suites dans une ambulance située à proximité de notre cantonnement
Side note of an accident involving a friend that was wounded and later died of his wounds on the way to hospital in the ambulance
Letter – training accident? back to the trenches
No additional information was given about the accident, but the assumption is that the accident happened on the 3rd or 4th June. Find out more here
Fellow 315e and 4e bat soldiers Herve Lambert is also writing today, before going back into the trenches and he is not happy.
Dear Parents
I have just recieved your pacel before leaving for the trenches. It was in a terrible state the eggs and the onions were flattened like crepes ……. which means all that was left were the sardines and the knife.
We are currently getting ready to leave for the trenches tonight at 18h00 and it is raining. Also could please send me some “obole” (money) as it will help for when I am on leave.
Letter – Herve Lambert 14e Compagnie 5th June
6th June
7e DI JMO day review: Calm day with a couple of 77′ shells in the evening
The 4e Bat are back into the frontlines in the reserve trenches at Tourbe, which has been a quiet sector and as noted he has “bel abri en solide” referring to concrete dug outs.
Confirmation now from Jules that they are starting in the reserve trenches for the first 8 days of their 16 day tour. Despite being in the reserve trenches, Jules states that this time they are in new section of the line, but they have a very big concrete dug out for shelter. Since arriving back on the line they have had little work to do aswell and the Germans have been quiet, therefore so far, so good.
He also mentions again that this will be the 16e Compagnie final tour and after this next 16 day rotation, the compagnie will be sent back to become a “depot compagnie”. However the latest orders are that all officiers and sous officiers will go back to create the new deport in a different location. Jules is a fan of this idea, as it means he maybe out the trenches for a while and would be guaranteed leave.
Letter – 16e Compagnie turned into depot compagnie
7th June
7e DI JMO day review: Small activity by German infantry, mainly small arms fire. Small artillery bombardments every 2/3 hours, between 9h00 and 17h00.
Rien de nouveau les jours sont d’une tristesse sans fin et combien de fois je pense à ma mignonne dans notre journée an regardant sa chère image. Que c’est long et triste d’être séparés ainsi. J’attends vivement 15h pour avoir une lettre. Je suis en bonne santé
Jules writes a short postcard. The postcard provides us with an interesting insight into the soldiers day and the most important time of the day … when the post arrives. In the case of Jules battalion and 16e compagnie it is around 15h00 everyday. Interestingly we find out later from Herve Lamber that the 14e compagnie get their post at 14h30.
8th June
7e DI JMO day review: Quiet day with around 150 shells on Tourbe village (Jules rest village). Work in the 315e sector is around adding and improving shelters. Another bombardment of Neuville with 3 wounded.
Today Jules has received Jeanne letter dated the 5th June, which means the letter has taken two half days to get from Paris to Tourbe trenches.
Jules health is good and they are now well installed in the reserves lines for their 8 days. Unsurprisingly the major issue Jules is having to deal with are supplies, which are pas “trop à désirer” but considering they are even getting something, means that he will take whatever they get, but he is also acutely aware that it could all stop at any minute, as he mentions “pourvu que cela dure” he hope it lasts.
Nothing much in other news, as the weather is bad and therefore they are spending a lot of time in their shelters during the day, but at night they have work to do, which means that have to confront the bad weather.
Still no letters from Barbier to Jules, but Barbier has intriguingly written to Jeanne to say he is well but in a bad area, which we assume is Verdun.
Letter – Reserve lines
His friend Barbier that also writes to Jules to be wife Jeanne (reason for his unknown), but we know very little about Jules friend. What we know/ assume
- Family name Barbier
- Assume lives in the 12e in Paris
- June 1916 is at Verdun
- Potentially also in the police
If anybody can help please contact me
Casaulties: 1 wounded
9th June
7e DI JMO day review: Multiple patrols sent out during the night, one patrol of the 315e was heard by the Germans and a 315e soldier shot dead.
The weather is currently very poor and conditions in the trenches have become treacherous, plus the temperatures have dropped, so they have been heating themselves with fires. Jules is hopeful that the weather will change once they move into the frontlines in 3 days time. However the good news is that the sector is currently very quiet, apart from the occasional shell burst or volley of bullets. As Jules comments this is very different from their last tour in Tourbe, which leads him to believe, that the Germans in front of them are not the same.
Despite the quiet sector, they have work to do at night, but it does leave them with plenty of spare time during the day, where Jules can write, read and play Manille.
Letter – Day 6 of frontline tour
C’est sans doute pas les mêmes boches que nous avons devant nous
Casaulties: 1 shot dead on patrol – Jules Charles Ernest Blandamour
10th June
7e DI JMO day review: More active day by the Germans. Intense German bombardment of mortars and shells, which caused material damage to trenches. Another bombardment in the evening of 105′ calibre shells during dinner.
Quick postcard from Jules on the 10th June.
Nothing much new to report, apart from the weather is still awful and therefore nobody goes outside during the day, as they see enough mud during the night. Unfortunately it means that their days are getting longer and longer, as all they have to do it sleep, read and play cards.
11th June
Depuis ce matin on n’entend même pas un coup de canon il fait soleil les oiseaux sifflent
Today is Sunday and as Jules sarcastically put its, that changes nothing for us … However it has been a quiet day in the reserve trenches and it will soon be time for supper. Nothing new since yesterday, apart from the weather has improved, but the Germans still remain very silent.
Since this morning there has been no artillery activity heard and the sun is out and the birds are singing, which is small moral boost to everybody
Letter – Quiet day in the trenches
Finally, still nothing from his so called friend Barbier, who he calls “negligent, very much like his brother Camille, who never writes”.
12th June
7e DI JMO day review: Quiet day, with some activity during the night, where a machine gun fired on soldiers working. During the afternoon between 14h00 and 14h30 a light bombardment.
Je regrette bien ce coin car nous étions bien cette fois comme jamais nous n’avons été
Jules is still struggling with knowing when he will get leave, as the situation with his compangie will be changing. He provides an interesting update on the 16e compagnie situation, which is due to be sent to the rear/ depot. He comments that the orders have changed and the senior officers will stay within the same Battalion (4e), rather than going to other battalions or worse, other regiments. This is good news as the 315e is in a quiet sector and therefore nobody is keen to change to another regiment. There is still much indecision and uncertainty which means that leave rotate for his current compagnie is up in the air
Final comment is that from tomorrow they will move from reserve lines and into the frontline at Tourbe. The good news as Jules mentions is that for once the frontlines at Tourbe seem to be quite quiet, but he regrets having to leave the reserve trenches, because they were the quietest they have ever been.
Letter – Day 7 of Tourbe frontline tour
13th June
7e DI JMO day review: Quiet day. A large amout of German explosives were found near Boyeau Pruneau. The “Genie” were brought in to move the explosives, which are believed to have been left there during the early months of the war. Mystery of a disappearing trench sign for Sappe 6 which “a ete enlevee” we assume by the Germans on a patrol
Above the a picture of the Boyeau Pruneau mentioned and below is the Sappe 6, where a sign was mentioned as missing
Postcard from the 13th June, where Jules updates us on the weather, which is now dire, which is not good news, with them moving into the frontline trenches, which often flood, so it could make for a long 8 days.
14th June
7e DI JMO day review: Quiet day with couple of shells on the Balcon and Randot trenches
Un secteur aussi trempés et plein de boue comme nous le sommes
letter 14th june
Since last night they are back into the frontline and the weather has not changed since yesterday. Jules and his battalion have arrived cold and wet and are not in the best of moods. The consent rain has flooded the shelters and the frontline trenches, plus the previous regiment who occupied the shelters and trenches over the winter, have apparently done no improvement work.
Therefore Jules questions what were they doing for the last 6 months? It now means Jules and his section have to get to work to sort is out, as he comments it demoralising to leave such a comfortable reserve trench and be greeted by such a mess…. another 7 days to go. In the afternoon he mentions he is going to do some work with grenades (no reason offered)
He finishes the letter by saying he is waiting for Vaguemestre to arrive with the letters at 15h00 and hopes that during the next 7 days the Germans will continue to be quiet.
Letter – Day 9 of Tourbe frontline tour
15th June
7e DI JMO day review: Quiet day, some enemy activity in the morning concentrated on Ouvrage M and Blainville trench.
Quick note to say the weather is still appalling and now it is getting cold, which Jules find very odd for mid June.
16th June
7e DI JMO day review: Day of total calm in the Tourbe sector
Postcard from the 16th June, where they have seen the sun briefly for the first time in a while. The area is still calm and work is light, but the days are getting even longer with the current bad weather.
17th June
7e DI JMO day review: Quiet day apart from some intense evening bombardments in the sector, which coincided with work on existing and new shelters near Gallerand trench. Germans aircraft at 21h00 released multiple green flares and one white one. Nothing particular followed, therefore reason unknown
Letter from the 17th June is time stamped at 03h00 in the morning during a night watch. Interesting thought is how and where he is writing the letter, we assume in a shelter by candle light, but it could be possible at his post by the light of a candle or lantern.
The next part is less romantic, but the ugly truth of trench warfare and the living conditions. Rats have become a big problem in the frontline trenches and soldiers in his section are scared of being bitten by rats when sleeping. The problem is so bad that rats have become their biggest fear rather than the Germans. As Jules concludes the problem has become so bad that soldiers are going to sleep in fear, therefore the compagnie is undertaking a mass slaughter of them.
As Jules is writing the above, he comments that he is currently observing a large group of them going about their business without any fear of the humans nearby.
Still no news from Barbier ….
Letter – Day 12 of Tourbe frontline tour – Rats
The above picture is of the 315e rat hunters. The picture is from early February in the Melzicourt sector at Bois d’Hauzy. The dog pictured apparently killed 52 rats – which earned his owner 52 sous (1 sous was a 1/20 of a Franc), there the dog was named “52 sous” (picture source WIKIMEDIA COMMONS)
On a peur d’avance de dormir tellement il y a de rats
17th june letter
Written on the same day, Herve Lambert letter from the Tourbe trenches to his sister
Dear Sister
I have just received your letter today at 14h30 (in keeping with Jules comments about post arriving around 15h00). Thank you for you nice letter and contents, despite it being quite brief.
So it will be when I am next at rest that I will be able to get my hands on the “pognon” dough (money) that I will need for my travels during my leave. I will be arriving on the 27th June, but don’t make too much of a song and dance about it, as it may still change, as we still have another 4 days in the trenches.
Life here is the same everyday, so I will be happy to see Fabius, and if he is still grumpy then I will not bring him anything back from Tourbe.
Letter – Herve Lambert to his sister
Casualties: 2 wounded
18th June
7e DI JMO day review: Quiet day. Air battle started around 19h45. Interesting side note at 13h000 a Maffrecourt there was a Divisional Grenadier Competition … winner or winners unknown
Again another day, that was identical to yesterday, what a sad life they lead, comments Jules. However today there was a change in their routine as they saw some civilians in the trenches (no reason is given).
Still all quiet on the Tourbe front, but money is required and Jules is again asking Jeanne for 25 francs. Jules the gentleman as always gives a reason for why he needs the money i.e. wine. They have managed to find some wine during their time in the trenches, but its comes at a price of 5 francs, so 25 francs from the previous month has gone quickly.
Finally news on Barbier, but not from a letter, but from a colleague that is at Verdun with him in the same regiment, who confirms he is alive and well …. but just not replying to his letters.
Letter – Day 13 of Tourbe frontline tour
The 4e Bat only has 3 more days to go, until another 8 day rest period
19th June
7e DI JMO day review: Quiet day with increased artillery activity in the evening. Work continues on the two trench shelters in the Vix trench and one in the Montegu trench, whilst work continues on a new trench for telephone communication. During the evening bombardment a “certain amount” of compagnie material (which not noted) was destroyed in the Pruneau area. Over night another placard was placed in No Mans land by the Germans. The sign read (French translation of the German is clunky).
The Russian offensive has come to nothing. With us you can also have prisoners. Please come …
Sign in no mans land
In addition the Germans were not content with just a verbal assault on French eyes, they added a caricature of a German dragging a French cockerel along by a chain. Assumption is this placard was quickly removed by the French, but no mention in the JMO
Rien de nouveau toujours la même vie
Day 14 in Tourbe trenches for Jules and the compagnie, boredom has well and truly set in. Nothing has changed, apart from the weather has now improved, which has lifted the downcast mood of himself and the troops.
Despite being rarely shelled, the days are still long and the hardest part is night duty, which Jules and his section are currently assigned too. As Jules comments to stay awake at night is very hard, when patrolling his section every half an hour, he retires to the dug out where he reads and often finds himself drifting off to sleep.
Letter – Struggling to stay awake
Casualties: 2 (Jean Baptiste Robert and Louis Lucien Joliveau) and 2 wounded
20th June
7e DI JMO day review: Active day from the German artillery
Quick postcard to mention, there is only 2 days left of there 16 day tour. Jules comments that the Germans have suddenly become a lot more aggressive, which he believes is because the Germans occupying the sector have changed. His hunch is well founded, as since last night the German artillery has not stopped.
Depuis hier soir et ce matin, ça cogne
21st June
7e DI JMO day review: Around 50+ shells on the balcon and Tourbe area and multiple bombardments through out the day. 315e relieved in the evening without incident
Cela tiraille un peu tout le temps
Tonight they will be leaving the trenches for 8 days rest and then another 16 days tour. After that tour Jules is hopefully that is when his leave period will fall, but he is not sure because of potential changes in the compagnie. Therefore he hopes in 24 days he will be able to see his chere Jeanne again.
Jules is writing today letter at 11h00am as he has just woken up after another night shift. Nothing has changed from yesterday, the Germans are still as active and shelling them regularly, therefore Jules and his section are pleased to be leaving tonight.
Letter – time to leave the trenches
Casualties: 1 wounded
22nd June
Postcard from the 22nd June to say he has received Jeanne letter from the 20th June (letter taken day and half to get to the front). Jules and his battalion have arrived back at Neuville (assumption-no location mentioned) at 03h00 this morning and he has been able to sleep till 10h00. Jules first mission of the day, was to go and buy some new postcards, which the first is pictured above. Nothing else to report and he hopes that the next 8 days will be calm.
23rd June (Jules Birthday)
C’est aujourd’hui mon anniversaire, oui mais il ne vaut pas celui de l’année dernière car
Jules mentions that today is his birthday, but compared to 1915 his day is a lot less fun. He has just come back from training with his Grenadier squad, which has taken up all his time so far …. funny old rest as Jules mentions.
He also mentions a change in his movements as he is due to go to Châlons-en-Champagne for 2 days training in 4 days time, which means he will miss the first couple of day of the 4e batallion next tour.
Letter first day back of rest period
Je n’ai pas une minute là moi dans la journée encore un drôle de repos
24th June
7e DI JMO day review: Records of the 24th June indicate that the 16eme Compagnie (Jules old Compagnie) are detached from the 4th Battalion and added to a newly created “compagnie de depot” which includes the 20th and 24th Compagnie from the 27th June.
En ce moment des bruits circulent encore que nous changeons de secteur et nous irions à Massiges ou Tahure
The letter is written on the morning of the 24th June, therefore the fate of the 16e compagnie, may not have been communicated within the compagnie.
Jules starts his letter talking about rumours are spreading that they will be moved to a new Sector in Massiges (Mont Tetu) or Sommepy-Tahure. He hopes that these rumours are without foundation, because they are far less quiet sectors. As Jules mentions he prefers to write about these rumours in case they do change, because that could cause letters to take longer (which may cause Jeanne destress).
This afternoon he was due to go out again with his Grenadier squad, but his feet hurt so much he has asked the “Medecin” (we assume Hennon who was 4e bat medecin) for the afternoon off. As Jules says “not much to ask after having done 16 days in the trenches, so I think its ok to ask for the afternoon off”
Tomorrow is Sunday, so again everybody is hoping for a quite day
Letter – rumours of Massiges/Mont Tetu
25th June Break up of the 16e Compagnie
Ce que je vous disais hier est bien arrivé même pire encore
Que voulez vous c’est la vie et ce n’est pas la peine de se faire de la bile
The news has got to Jules as he comments “Yesterday what I said has happened and a lot worse”. He confirms that 16e compagnie is getting “dissoute” dissolved and all soldiers will be reallocated across the 13e, 14e and 15e compagnies.
Jules comments “think of the pain of having to leave each other and be ripped apart”, “we are all sad, because we knew each other so well and now soldiers and sous officiers will all be with strangers” plus to add insult to injury leave is suspend, for how long Jules does not know.
He also confirms they are going in 1/2 days to Mont Tetu (Massiges). Currently he does not know which compagnie he will officially be transferred too, but he is due to find out tomorrow.
Letter – confirmation of 16e compagnie change and move to Massiges sector
The above is a stark reminder of how compagnies were bands of brothers, but also how they were often ripped apart by events outside of their control. The pain of leaving colleagues and friends and having to rebuild bonds in other compagnies is an experience that Jules and all the men would rather not do, because of the unknown “j’espère que là aussi cela se passera bien”.
What is interesting is that nobody knows where they are going or what to do. To me this is an example of poor judgement by the 4e battalion commanders Deleuze and Ferran, where upon this news being announced, soldiers should have been provided immediately with new posting, rather than let them wait 24 hours (hindsight is great, but just small errors like these chipped away at men’s moral)
26th June
Confirmation: now in 14e Bat with Herve Lambert
Voilà un drôle de repos, cette fois que de changements et je vous dirais que je suis bien ennuyé de tout cela
Il paraît que les officiers ne sont pas fameux
26th june 14e bat officers
In the evening of the 26th they set off for Mont Tetu (Massiges) sector, but for how long they do not know, but Jules comments that he does know that the RI they are relieving are now going to Verdun …. So the perspective of the Mont Tetu is not so bad!
Despite this, Jules moral has taken a hit and he comments that all these changes are annoying. Tonight they leave for Massiges, with new soldiers and officers, which as he notes is a shame, because we had such a good understanding within the 16e compagnie.
Within the 14e things are very different for Jules as the sous-officier have to eat and sleep with their men (they did not in the 16e), plus apparently the officers are not great …. but he hope over time he will get use to the new compagnie. However one area is of immediate concern: Leave, as it is still suspended.
Jules final comment sums up nicely the whole situation:
“Quand donc la fin, on commence à désespérer, heureusement que je vous ai ma mignonne pour me soutenir”
Letter – Confirmation of new Compagnie: 14e
Interesting comments about the capability and competence of the 14e leadership which at the time would have been: LTN Chenal, SLT Dufort, SLT Metais, SLT Uraine.
Main de MASSIGES
Mont Tetu
The terrain to the north of Massiges village is undulating with ravines that go in a NE direction, which give the illusion of fingers, which is why the location was called the “main de Massiges” the hand of Massiges.
The Western part of the 315e sector has a plateau where the Mont Tetu is located. At this point the enemy controlled the dominant areas of the Mont Tetu, which dominated the surrounding area. Massiges area, was very much a focus point for the French advances of autumn 1915. During late 1915 the Massiges ridge was heavily fought over and the area changed hands multiple times, which enhanced the areas reputation for being a hot sector. To add to the area reputation for fierce fighting the hill to the north is Mont Tetu (which literally translate as the stubborn hill), which featured prominently in the fighting of summer 1916, which is where we pick up with the 315e in late June when they arrive in the area.
27th June
The newly created Depot Compagnie ex 16e compagnie are bivouaquer at the “Ravin des Pins”. The 4e battalion move to Mont Tetu and the Verrue Sector trenches to the south of the Mont Tetu
315e are now at Massiges and Jules is with his new compagnie the 14e. The question of leave is still an unknown, but Jules seems to have more insight and he now knows his leave is coming, but it is some way off (He only get leave in late August!)
Jules is not too concerned about their new sector and feels that they will be “pas encore trop mal ici” plus the weather is beautiful and during the evening last night they played “piquet”
One element that is an improvement at the moment, is that the compagnie have a popote and somebody providing them with food supplies, as Jules comments “that will do us nicely for the time being”
Piquet the game: is played with a 32-card pack, normally referred to as a piquet pack or piquet deck. The pack comprises the 7s through to 10s, the face cards, and the aces in each suit, and can be created by removing all 2–6 values from a 52-card poker pack. Each game consists of a partie of six deals (partie meaning match in French). The player scoring the most points wins (see the scoring section for further details).
27th June
Postcard today to say that the 4e compagnie last night under a heavy thunderstorm moved into the trenches. However Jules states that he has stayed behind as tomorrow he is leaving for a course a Bouy (near to Saint-Hilaire and Mourmelon), which he is very happy about as it means he will miss 3-4 days of their current tour.
The reason for this “stage” is not provided in the postcard
29th June
7e DI JMO day review: An interesting development at 11h30 on the 315e sector. A piece of paper about 1m long, push along by the westerly wind landed near Colonel Devaux PC. This large piece of paper had no writing about from a small branch of peace (olive branch)
Jules himself is away from the frontlines and on his way to Mourmelon:
As Jules mentions, today I have time to write, as I have now arrived at Bouy after a long journey to go not very far, but he will soon be leaving to go to Mourmelon, because the Russian “REF” have just arrived.
Jeanne has now received his letters commenting the changes of compagnie and sector. Jules is pragmatic in his response. He thinks the compagnie will be ok, despite some misgiving about certain routines and leadership, but at least they are in a sector that is not too active at the moment. The question of leave however is unclear and leave being suspended is just relevant to the 315e (reason unknown).
Letter – sent to train the REF
315e RI (how many is unclear) have sent soldiers to Mourmelon to train the Russian Expeditionary Force for 2 days, which is in keeping with the REF arriving on the frontline at St Hilaire sector on 1st July 1916.
Casualties: 2 wounded
30th June
ils sont très bien
Jules feedback on REF
Nothing new, no new news has reached him on the status of leave in the 315e. Today he saw the Russian troops (REF) and multiple other regiments were there to review the Russian troops. His conclusion is that they are very good. Jules time with the REF will be over tomorrow and they will return luckily only for 2 days in the trenches.
Next Month: July
