The Hamburg National Guard and the Great War

On April 6, 1917 the U.S. officially declared war on Germany. In July 1917 the Hamburg unit was federalized as part of the 28th Division. The unit was reorganized from Company E 4th Regiment into Company A, 108th machine Company in Dec 1917. After training in Georgia the unit sailed to England in May 1918 the next day they crossed the channel to France.

The unit’s baptism of fire came in July 1918 at Conde-enBrie under an intense artillery barrage resulting in one killed and one man gassed.

The Hamburg unit was in heavy combat the rest of the summer with additional casualties. On Sept 5th the unit earned the distinction of being the only machine Gun Company to ever advance in front of the Infantry and capture prisoners.

On October 4th while holding the town of Montblainville the Germans shelled the town with mustard gas, the attack affected many more Hamburg men than recorded and many suffered effects that lasted their entire lives.

On Nov 10th the unit supported an Infantry attack which was their last combat as the war ended on the next day.

The unit returned home on May 16, 1919 and demobilized at Camp Dix, some 2,000 people were gathered at the Hamburg railroad station to welcome them home.

Only 6 of the original 138 members returned without a scratch. Eight were killed and 124 were wounded or gassed. 6 other members of Company A were killed but were not from the Hamburg area.

The Behler-Hein Post 637 of the American Legion is named in memory of Mess Sgt. Walter Behler and cook Pvt Thomas Hein who were both killed by the same artillery shell in 1918. Walter is buried in France; Thomas is buried in the Smoke Church Cemetery in Windsor Twp.

The Wagner-Good Post 216 of the VFW was named for PFC Clarence Wagner KIA in August 1918 and Cpl. Charles Good KIA in August 1918. Clarence is buried in Greenwood Cemetery and Charles is buried in St. Johns Cemetery.

The other KIA residents were PVT Howard Schappell in 1918 and PVT Curtis Balthaser also in 1918.