126th Regimental Association August 2018 Newsletter
3rd Battalion 126th Infantry
Fall Business Meeting and Social
The Iron Battalion had another outstanding training year. The Battalion was challenged during an extensive threeweek XCTC rotation, where platoon and staff functions were tested in a fully immersive tactical environment. The Battalion was able to prove several concepts including a mobile command post. The Battalion Command post was run out of two LMTVs with a satellite uplink instead of the traditional DRASH or GP Medium tent. This allowed for quick displacement of the CP and allowed it to operate closer to the forward line of troops. Additionally, a forward TAC and Combat Trains Command Post were utilized to provide timely support.
Our annual business meeting is scheduled for Saturday, October 6, 2018 at 1600 hours in the Grand Valley Armory, 1200 44th Street SW, Wyoming. It will conclude in time to drive over to our social at Tommy Brann’s (see below). Plan to meet at Tommy Brann’s Restaurant, 4157 S. Division (between 36th and 44th Streets) in Wyoming on Saturday, October 6, 2018 at 1800 hours. We began this new tradition last year and had a great turnout. Tommy Brann is one of West Michigan’s longest running dining traditions run by an individual who goes out of his way to support our military and veterans. See the enclosed flyer for more details and PLEASE be sure to return your reservation by September 28. Menu items and contact information are on the flyer. See you at Tommy’s!
100 Years Ago
The Iron Soldiers rolled right into Northern Strike 18 after XCTC. This was a live fire exercise that incorporated A-10 aircraft, Marine Cobras, Artillery and Mortars to mass fire power on an objective that Iron Soldiers destroyed through a series of platoon attacks. The goal of building lethal platoons was certainly accomplished this year and the Iron Battalion is positioned for future training and combat operations.
(Note: We have been publishing a daily update on the activities of the 126th Infantry Regiment and its parent 32nd Division during World War I on our association Facebook page. You can catch up, browse the posts, and follow along for the “rest of the war” at https://www.facebook.com/126thRegiment/)
August 27, 1918 - At 9 o’clock, with the 3rd Battalion leading, the march to the front line (at Juvigny) began. Our regiment relieved the troops of the 353rd French Regiment of Infantry, 127th French Division. To our left was the 125th Infantry and to its left was the 64th French Division of the 20th Corps. To our right was the 59th French Division of the 1st French Corps. The country immediately on our front is known as the Juvigny plateau, and consists of high open ground cut up by many ravines. Shortly after relieving the French troops in the line, orders for an attack were received. The attack was to be made by our Division and the French on our right. The zero hour was 7 o’clock, and the attack was preceded by artillery preparation, which commenced at 5 a.m. and lasted a half hour. The attack was made without time for previous reconnaissance and the front line companies of
the 2nd and 3rd Battalions went over the top and advanced in a northeasterly direction. The Boche line was not over one hundred and fifty yards from the road from which the attack started, and the companies advanced up the gradual slope so rapidly and in spite of the machine gun fire, that they reached the enemy first line almost before the Germans realized an attack was on, and they were much surprised to find Americans attacking them, and all who were not killed put up their hands and shouted “Kamerad” and were promptly taken prisoners and sent to the rear.
Welcome to our new member: Robert Scaia Reported deceased since the last mailing: Rex Reinhart Carl R. Smestad Ernest D. Erickson Russell V. Brown Michael E. Mrozinski Clarence Ehlert, Jr. Russell G. Buys Missing members since last mailing: Harvey E. Klomparens Steven Hobart Bank statement as of 31 July 2018: Checking $ 2,594.62 Savings 1,099.83 CD 2,374.07 CD 2,191.79 Total $ 8,260.31 Legacy Fund $ 3,697.82 General Fund $ 4,562.49
After concentrating our fire on the enemy strongpoint on Hill 162.8 for about an hour, a white rag was raised on a stick and nine Germans came over to our lines and surrendered, and a little later the remainder of the enemy in this nest, about sixty in number, ran over and surrendered to Company M. About 3:00 p.m. the Germans commenced a terrific shelling of our advance and support positions. At 4 o’clock the Germans counter-attacked to regain the hill and ridge. They reached the railroad but got no farther, as our fire was too hot for them and they broke and retreated in disorder, leaving a trail of dead and wounded behind them. At 7:00 p.m. it began to rain and continued until 4:00 the next morning. The total casualties in the regiment for the day were 2 officers and 65 men killed and 120 men wounded. Taken from Captain Emil B. Gansser, History of The 126th Infantry in The War with Germany. Grand Rapids, Michigan. 1920
Secretary-Treasurer’s Report CSM (Ret) John Shipley again donated the postage for the mailing. The cost is around $200. Active members: 409 Missing members: 268 Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/126thRegiment/
Note: A complete treasurer’s report will be provided at the Fall Social.
Legacy Fund We are always in need of donations to support a variety of historical projects. An envelope is provided with this newsletter. Every donation helps maintain the legacy of the 126th Infantry! Thank you to the 28 donors who contributed $1,575.00 to the Legacy Fund this year: Michael Haan BG Warren Lawrence COL (ret) Gary Wainwright Ben J. Landheer Ruth Wierenga Glenn Dubbink Harold Plaisier Nate Chang COL (Ret) Gary L. Krueger Robert O'Donnell SFC (ret) Clare Ehlert James Crump Irene Smestad COL (ret) Chuck Holwerda MAJ (ret) Gerald & Delores Sadowski Nancy J. Brown 2
1SG (ret) Gordon Kelley Clayton Jackson Luella Holmes Walt Draeger Tom Wallace COL (ret) Howard Becker BG Gary Tellier Ray & Rhea Pruett COL David Ratajik Elaine Buys COL (ret) Bruce Whitman Paul Essenburg Donations in memory of: Frank Gerke COL Mel Wierenga Raymond Plaisier Harold E. Krueger HHC 3/126 Commo Plt Carl Smestad Russell V. Brown Jr Merle W Holmes Supportive Military Spouses Russell G. Buys
BillSobotka@prodigy.net LTC (Ret) David Britten Newsletter & Facebook Page Editor LTCDavid@comcast.net
West Michigan Military Round Table CSM (Ret) John Shipley distributed a warning order on this event. It will be a gathering of military equipment, uniforms and artifacts at the Grand Valley Armory on 5-7 October 2018. If you need more information, contact CSM Shipley at 616-2404011 or by email to csmjms@att.net.
GVA Honors Past Heroes The four classrooms in the Grand Valley Armory have been named in honor of LTG Clarence Schnipke, COL Merle Howe, MG Cecil Simmons and BG Earl Stewart. CSM Shipley provided signage for each room.
Association Officers President 1st Vice President 2nd Vice President Secretary Treasurer Historian Asst. Historian Asst. Historian Sgt-At-Arms Chaplin Immed. Past Pres.
CPT Catalin Bugan OPEN SFC Robert Scaia 1SG (Ret) James Norton LTC (Ret) Bill Sobotka CW4 (Ret) Darle VanderSchuur SSG Kyle Herring SFC (Ret) Earl Jenkins SSG Travis Dykstra SFC (Ret) Bill Witte SSG Mark Deyoung
Note: The 1st Vice President Major John Keelean is currently serving a two-year tour of duty in the Virgin Islands and is unavailable to perform his duties. The 126th Regimental Association newsletter is published twice yearly and mailed or emailed to all active association members. Inquiries regarding the association and this newsletter should be made to: Camp Grayling Memorial to Fallen Soldiers in the War on Terror
LTC (Ret) Bill Sobotka Secretary/Treasurer 2820 Longstreet SW Wyoming, MI 49509 (616) 531-3295 Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/126thRegiment/
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126th Regimental Association Fall Social 2018 When: Saturday October 6, 1800 social time, 1830 dinner Where: Tommy Brann’s Restaurant 4157 S Division Wyoming, MI (Between 36th and 44th streets) Who: Members, family, and friends of the 126th are invited Dress: Casual Cost: $20.00 per person-cash bar ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Menu Choices: indicate choice 10 oz. prime rib _____ 8 oz. sirloin steak _____ Honey bbq chicken _____ 1 lb. bbq pork ribs _____ Mesquite tilapia _____ Name:______________________________________ No. attending:______ Dinners will include a baked potato, tossed salad, and yeast roll with cinnamon honey butter. Coffee, tea or soda also included. Send reservations to: 126th Regimental Association, C/O LTC (ret) Bill Sobotka 2820 Longstreet Ave, Wyoming MI 49509 Make checks payable to: 126th Regimental Association Reservations due by September 28 Questions contact LTC (ret) Bill Sobotka at (616) 531-3295, email: billsobotka@prodigy.net
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/126thRegiment/
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