We are still filling in details from other accounts of the history of Theo's outfit until his next letter on April 13.

A major reorganization of the division was ordered on October 9, 1917.  This interfered with training as noted in this excerpt from “Illinois in the World War” published in 1921 by the States Publication Society, Chicago: 

"Taken in conjunction with the dearth of materiel, equipment and supplies which then existed, so drastic a reorganization naturally hampered the systematic training of the troops, but before the end of October the temporary confusion had been almost wholly overcome, schools of musketry, field fortification and gas had been established, and the construction of trenches and training in the use of the bayonet and machine gun had been begun.  The three weeks from October 25 to November 14 were notable for the arrival of successive contingents of drafted men… Some of these recruits were unable to speak English, more than 500 proved to be alien enemies, and so many were found to be unfit for military duty…"

Note: Former citizens  of the Central Powers that were not yet naturalized were precluded from combat for fear they would be shot, if captured.

 

(From ‘Illinois in the World War: An Illustrated History of the Thirty-Third Division, Volume 1.  States Publishing Company, Chicago, 1921)