Short notes on my Army life beginning Sept. 1, 1918 [Pocket diary by John Hess Shuman]

Pocket diary, "Short notes on my Army life beginning Sept. 1, 1918" by John Hess Shuman, 1918-1919. Contains daily handwritten notes from August 30 to December 28, 1918. The narrative begins while Shuman is in transit to France and traces his experience on board ship to various quarantine and rest camps in south England and France, to his station near Latracey, France, then to Remorantin. He describes the rampant seasickness on his overseas journey; the beauty of the French countryside and various sightseeing; his work painting signs for the Latracey camp and tearing down German planes at Remorantin; incessant rain and mud, damp conditions, and often insufficient food; plane crashes, the death of a fellow serviceman the day before Thanksgiving; discussion of and disappointment in numerous rumors of going home post-war.

The notes stop at December 28, 1918 on another doubted rumor of getting to go home, then pick back up after several blank pages with one more note from February 14, 1919 describing the details of getting a few days of leave approved. At this time Shuman is still stationed at Remorantin.

Inside back cover of the diary includes a few names, some with their associated squadron numbers.

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