James Taub, Historian

Although the First World War is now over 100 years from us, tangible links exist everywhere. The Doughboys left countless photos, books, and other artifacts to us. Many of those artifacts can be used to help teach the public of today about the struggles of 1917-18. Highlighted here are those artifacts left to us by Cpl. Howard S. Dolf of the 38th Infantry, 3rd Division.

Howard was born in Wauseon, Ohio on June 18th, 1892. He lived with his parents at 104 Superior Street, when he registered for the draft on June 5th, 1917. leaving his job as a butcher after being called up, he reported to Camp Sherman, Ohio where he served in the 329th Infantry. His unit went overseas in June 1918 where he was almost immediately sent with several others as replacements to the 38th Infantry, 3rd Division. He fought with them at the Marne, the Vesle, St. Mihiel, the Meuse-Argonne, and went into occupation duty in Germany before returning home in 1919. He passed on August 11th, 1952. He is buried in Toledo.

Howard’s service with the 38th Infantry was evidently quite special to him. He especially points them out in several postcards he sent home, as the 3rd Division joined 3rd Army for occupation duty along the Rhine. Howard’s writing gives us a great insight into the Doughboys stationed in Germany after the Armistice. He is busy taking in the sights and sounds of Germany while making sure to check in at home. I hope that by sharing his writing, now in my collection, that we can help to grow our understanding and interest in the American soldier of the Great War. These are mainly simple check-ins with his family back in Ohio. Yet in their simplicity, they show the droll of everyday life on occupation duty.

Postcards of Cpl. Howard S. Dolf

Text 1

11/25/18

Ok, How’s everything at home? I suppose Raul will be done before long. Howard

OK MP Dowdell

 

Text 2

Dec 20, 1918

Dear Mother,

Just a line everything the same as usual. We are located in a German town.

Best Wishes,

Howard

 

ok

Marc P. Dowdell

1st Lieut. 38th Inf.

 

Text 3

Obermendig

Janry. 18 – 19.

Well I received your box you sent me from that hullu.

But concern what was it that you picked out I never got any candy. I am ok and well. Best Wishes, Howard.

H.Q. Moore 2nd Lieut. 38th inf.

 

Text 4

January 26 1919 – Save This

This geyser is located just outside of Andernach along the Rhine river and I stood and waited for 2 hours to see it pop off and got left but that is the way of it when we go and see anything it nevers go. I am going to try my luck again.

Howard

Text 5

Jan 28 1919

Isn’t this the place where grand pa came from Aunt Molly was telling from Bonn. I have some more I will send home. Had a little snow today but didn’t amount to much.

Howard

Text 6

Febry 6th 1919

Just a card had a little snow last night but I guess it is not going to last long. Everything the same

Howard

 

Text 7

February 13 – 19

Obermendig Ger.

Your letter of Jan 17 and 25 received. I was over to this place Sunday. It’s a old German military hospital and church good many years old.

Ok

Howard

 

Text 8

Febry. 20 – 1919 Obermendig

Drop you a card today.

Here is a picture of a old tower over in Andernach.

Everything the same as usual and all ok. Have not heard from you in a week but looking for some mail. Howard

 

Text 9

March 6 – 1919

Obermendig

Best Wishes, Thursday and I am all ok. I wrote you a letter a few days ago.

Howard

Text 10

Obermendig Germany

March 17 – 1919

Saturday and all ok. Just got back from a tug of war between the different companys.

Best Wishes,

Howard

 

Text 11

March 28 – 1919

Received the letter with the ship in paper no good. We are having real winter weather. Everything ok and same as usual.

Best Wishes, Howard

 

Text 12

This old tower or castle was shelled by the French back in 1300. You can see on the side where the shell hit. It was a stone shell. I saw this when I was down to Andernach. It is located on the bank of the Rhine river.

Howard

 

Text 13

Is this the city that grand pa and grand ma Dolf came from? Some city on the Rhine. The British are located in this. Let me no where they came from again and grand ma name before she was married.

Howard.

(Front of post card says BONN a. Rh.        Marktpiatz)

(Back of card stamped Kunstanstalt N. Dienst, Bonn         Nr. 148)

 

Text 14

Howard,

I sent you a history on a piece of paper of the 38. You can see it is not quite right but I can tell you the mistakes when I get home.

Howard

Text 15

There are different view I saw in the Abbaye Hautecombe. I was built in the 800. It is a monastery that belongs to the King and Queen of Italy. Some grand paintings and old statues.

 

Howard