The Iron Division, National Guard of Pennsylvania, in the World War The authentic and comprehensive narrative of the gallant deeds and glorious achievements of the 28th division in the world's greatest war   By: H. G. Proctor

27th October 1918.

MEMORANDUM RED KEYSTONES

A RED KEYSTONE has been designated as the distinctive insignia of this Division.

Keystones are to be worn on all coats and overcoats, including the trench and short coats worn by officers, and the Mackinaws issued to Engineers motorcycle drivers, etc., but not on the slicker.

A standard size of Keystone of selected color and quality of cloth has been adopted and contracted for by the Quartermaster's Department. These will be issued at the rate of two per man and no others will be worn. They are to be sewed on the left sleeve with red thread, the top to be on the line of the seam.

The proportions of a Keystone are shown below:

[Illustration]

By command of Major General Hay:

OFFICIAL: W.C. Sweeney, Richard W. Watson, Chief of Staff. Major, Adjutant

[Illustration]

THE OFFICIAL ORDER DESIGNATING THE 28TH AS THE KEYSTONE DIVISION ( Reduced )

THE IRON DIVISION NATIONAL GUARD OF PENNSYLVANIA IN THE WORLD WAR

THE AUTHENTIC AND COMPREHENSIVE NARRATIVE OF THE GALLANT DEEDS AND GLORIOUS ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE 28TH DIVISION IN THE WORLD'S GREATEST WAR

BY H. G. PROCTOR

[Illustration]

PHILADELPHIA THE JOHN C. WINSTON COMPANY PUBLISHERS

Copyright, 1919, by THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO.

Copyright, 1918, by THE EVENING BULLETIN

TO THE MOTHERS OF PENNSYLVANIA, AND ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO MOURN FOR LADS WHO LIE IN THE SOIL OF FRANCE, THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED

FOREWORD

If love, admiration and respect, with a sense of personal gratification at seeing the hopes and predictions of years fulfilled, may be pleaded as justification for a self appointed chronicler, then this book needs no excuse. It is offered with a serene confidence that it does justice, and nothing more than simple justice, to as fine and gallant a body of soldiers as ever represented this great commonwealth in action.

There must be, for the loved ones of these modern crusaders, as well as for the thousands of former members of the National Guard, who, like the writer, whole heartedly envied the opportunities for glorious service that came to their successors in the organization, a sense of deep and abiding pride in the priceless record of achievement. To all such, and to those others to whom American valor is always a readable subject, whatever the locale, the narrative is presented as not unworthy of its cause.

H. G. P.

CONTENTS

PAGE

I. MEN OF IRON 11

II. OFF FOR THE FRONT 25

III. THE LAST HUN DRIVE 48

IV. "KILL OR BE KILLED" 60

V. THE GUARD STANDS FAST 77

VI. BOCHE IN FULL FLIGHT 91

VII. BOMBED FROM THE AIR 108

VIII. IN HEROIC MOLD 121

IX. THE CHURCH OF RONCHERES 137

X. AT GRIPS WITH DEATH 157

XI. DRIVE TO THE VESLE 168

XII. IN DEATH VALLEY 184

XIII. STARS OF GRIM DRAMA 199

XIV. AMBULANCIERS TO FRONT 213

XV. A MARTIAL PANORAMA 227

XVI. IN THE ARGONNE 241

XVII. MILLION DOLLAR BARRAGE 251

XVIII. "AN ENVIABLE REPUTATION" 262

XIX. ENSANGUINED APREMONT 278

XX. TOWARD HUNLAND 291

ILLUSTRATIONS

THE OFFICIAL ORDER DESIGNATING THE 28TH AS THE KEYSTONE DIVISION Frontispiece

PAGE

FRANCE AT LAST! IRON DIVISION DEBARKING 22

INTO THE MAW OF BATTLE 186

BRIEFLY AT REST IN THE ARGONNE FOREST 248

CHAPTER I

MEN OF IRON

"You are not soldiers! You are men of iron!"