Almost there...
About 4 years ago, Scomm told us about the story he'd heard (which turned out to be a myth) of an American Lieutenant Colonel of the 91st Division, who gave all his men the 91st Psalm and ordered them to pray with it every day and there were no casualties. Not true. The 91st Div had heavy casualties.
However, after extensive detective work, I discovered this Christian Science Chaplain, who seems to fit the bill (except we don't know whether the 91st Psalm was given to all the men!) Marshall Petain, Commander-in Chief of the French Armies issued the following citation:
Chaplain Arthur C. Whitney, 346 Regiment infantry near Waereghem, Belgium, October 31st 1918, placed himself at the head of the company and marched with it to the reserved positions. By his courageous works and his coolness he aided in keeping good order among this troop"
...For this service the French Government awarded Chaplain Whitney the Croix de Guerre with bronze star."
The 346th regiment was part of the 91st Division.
The order of battle of the French Army of Belgium, October 30, 1918, from north to south, was as follows: ...the 91st Division holding a front of about four kilometers, extending from Waereghem (inclusive) to Steenbrugge (exclusive).
The division left the eighth area, Sept. 6, 1918, and from Sept. 11th to 14th constituted a part of the reserves in the St. Mihiel offensive, moving thence to the northwest of Verdun, where it took part in the Meuse-Argonne offensive, Sept. 26th... On Oct. 19th, the division passed to the command of the King of Belgium. From Oct. 31st to Nov. 4th, the division, under the direction of the French Army in Belgium, took part in the Lys-Scheldt offensive west of the Escaut (Scheldt) river in the vicinity of Audenarde. Nov. 10th and 11th, took part in the Lys-Scheldt offensive east of the Escaut (Scheldt) river in the vicinity of Audenarde.
Now this below sounds like it was Chaplain Whitney, (the Chaplain wasn't named) as well as the other account, where again, he's not named.
[url]Christian Science came to me...[/url]
When the situation seemed more than it was possible for human beings to stand, the chaplain told me to repeat to myself these words: "God is my strength, God is my guide, God is my protection." In the face of the most chaotic conditions, this brought me a peace of mind that I cannot describe. I became conscious of God's presenceI seemed to be treading on air and felt positively buoyant. Gunnar A. Pande, Forest Hills, Long Island, New York.
June 1931 Christian Science Journal
This is part of the anonymous letter from the officer (probably Pande again) who said at the end, "The chaplain stayed with me throughout the engagement in the front line, and I am glad to say, my company did not suffer a single casualty"
[url]Extracts from Letters[/url]
I deem it my duty and still a great pleasure to write regarding the splendid work of the Christian Scientist chaplain assigned to our division. He was attached to our regiment just before the battle of the Lys-Scheldte, and went into action with my company voluntarily. It is such an unusual sight to see a chaplain with front line troops that his presence caused considerable favorable comment among the officers and men of the company. The chaplain marched with me at the head of my company through heavy shell fire when we marched into position for the attack. His calm and encouraging remarks helped materially to steady the men, and, I am frank to say, caused me to feel a security and confidence that I have never felt under fire before... the chaplain suggested that I repeat the following to myself: 'God is my guide, God is my strength, God is my protection.' I followed his advice, and when the situation seemed particularly difficult found a great deal of peace and security in those simple phrases. I soon began to understand that God's law was operating, and it dawned on me that His presence on the battle field was as certain as the moonlight which lighted our way.
And to continue with his letter - this seems like the perfect place to close this thread on the 11th day of the 11th month 1918
Later I was ordered to take my company across the Scheldte and relieve a certain French organization to our front. The chaplain insisted on being with the company, even thought I told him how dangerous our task was. We passed through the French first line and, with the company deployed as skirmishers over a seven hundred yard front, advanced to a village eight hundred yards beyond. We took this village under heavy machine gun and shell fire and drove out fifty of the enemy machine gunners. The chaplain stayed with me throughout the engagement in the front line, and I am glad to say, my company did not suffer a single casualty; divine Providence guided us safely to our position and we received word that any further advance would be postponed. The following morning as we were forming for the attack, we received information that the armistice had been signed...
"The following morning as we were forming for the attack, we received information that the armistice had been signed..."
Well it's almost midnight, but I've made my deadline of finishing this thread on Armistice Day.
Love and peace,
Judy
Judy
Your posts are truly inspirational. It is always a pleasure to read them. The effort that you must put into research is phenomenal.
Thanks Scomm. It's the least I can do as a tribute to all those who were willing to lay down their lives. "For their tomorrow, we gave our today."
Blessings,
Judy