The American troops encamped at La Courtine this eventful time
received the tidings with great joy. The roads leading from the camp
to the village were crowded with soldiers who paraded up and down in
hysterical good humor. The crowds thronged into the village where the
one main street was ablaze with celebration. The French populace were
out to celebrate with the Americans. The cafes did a land office
business. Wine flowed freely. The French kissed the Americans in some
instances as the celebrators swayed through the street. The band was
out. The crowds shouted, yelled, sang and cut-up all kinds of antics.

The scene, however, was similar to that enacted everywhere throughout
the Allied world. The end of the fighting was officially announced and
everybody was glad. The same hysterical good humor swayed the crowds
at La Courtine that prompted like celebrations throughout the United
States.

Great as was the enthusiasm and celebration of November 11th, the big
gusto of celebration had been spent at La Courtine, as was the case
everywhere else, on Thursday evening, November 7th, when a premature
and unofficial announcement of the armistice was made.

Battery D spent the afternoon of November 7th on the pistol range.
About 5 o'clock the news quickly spread that a bulletin announcing the
end of the fighting had been posted at the Y. M. C. A. The bulletin
was up only a short time when it was removed, with the explanation
that it was unofficial, also contradicted.

But the anxious hearers, as was the case everywhere, wanted no
denials. The enthusiasm of the hour made people speak of the thing
which they had been hoping for as though it had come true.
Consequently the enthusiasm led to celebration.

It was a gala night in La Courtine. The days following brought sober
realization that the end had not yet come. Stern realities of war
loomed big in Battery D circles on Saturday, November 9th, when a
front-line pack inspection was in order.

A quiet Sunday followed, then, at noon on Monday, November 11th, came
the authentic news of the armistice signing. Joyous celebration
started immediately and assumed its peak during the afternoon when
special passes were issued to the soldiers to visit in the village.
The celebration continued until late at night.

Official recognition of the news was thundered from the cannon at Camp
La Courtine at retreat, when a royal salute of twenty-one guns was
fired.

The following day was