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the gun barrel to warp, so that shells fired from that gun went off target.  Our artillery regiments, when sent overseas, left behind the 3-inch guns with which they had been trained, and were equipped with French 75's.  Evidently at least some of them were not adequately informed on how to take sare of the 75's.  In 1018 a rumor circulated in the AEF that our men were better gunners than the French, because they could shoot the 75 faster.  I heard that several times, though never from French sources.  The legend continued to crop up in this country long after the war had ended.  I recall finding it twice in Chicago newspapers in the 1930's.  Once an ex-artilleryman, making a reminiscent speech, was quoted as boasting his battery had fired 12 rounds per minute from a 75; and that the French gunners, on hearing of that feat, were astonished.

I do not doubt that the speaker told the truth, but he surely misunderstood the reaction of the French.  Any French gun crew, unless handcuffed, could have fired 12 rounds per minute from a 75.  They were forbidden to do so, except in dire emergency.  Their limit, to avoid overheating, was 4 or 5 rounds.  They may have been astonished but not at the skill of the Americans.  "Horrified" would be a better word.

We six Tenesseeans who had been ordered overseas directly from Battery 8 were not informed of our destination.  It was Summer, where the most famous school for cavalry officers in the world had long been operated.  The French were closing the cavalry school and turning it into a school where Americans would be trained in the use of French-made guns.  That meant for us another three months of schooling.

Love,

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