(Page 1)

GATES HALF SOLE TIRE CO.
We make
your tires good as new at half the cost
216 North Franklin Street
Kirksville, Mo.

France, Oct. 5, 1918.

Dear Folks,
I have received several letters from you since I wrote last we went into action on the last drive which 
was the largest the yanks have ever been in in fact I believe the largest in Europe but we are sure 
giving it to them & pretty hard. I was in it 7 days & came out ok I guess I was lucky alright for for 
I have been under awful heavy shell fire & in awful lot of gas but neither got to me. I think most of 
KV Boys came out all right we were worked night & day almost with out sleep we did good work but couldn't 
sleep for gas & they shelled over dressing station which kept us very busy. After 7 days we were glad 
to get back so we could rest. While other Div. took up the Drive when they relieved us. Ben came out 
ok. I intended to cable you soon as we got back, for I knew you had read about this in the papers stated 
we were in this drive I got the post cards & pictures you sent they are fine. I have several souvenirs 
I will send we got of the prisoners & some of them in the vileages captured

(Page 2)

I got a German flash light post cards guns testaments stationary & bunch of other things I could have 
gotten a car load of helmets but they was too much trouble to carry this paper I am writing on I got 
from Germans in little village taken 3rd days of the drive Papa won't be in this it will soon be over 
they won't killed him. You ask if I we got any eggs yes some only about $1.25 doz I got the St Gmis 
papers ok. Would be great to be their now & go to school but wont be long till we will be coming back 
I think a few more - will end it. Just saw a regiment of German prisoners pass takeing [sic] them back 
to work. We are leaving going back is a good town to rest good for us. will finish later Sunday AM 
now back in town again have just cleaned myself up. I am in a YMCA writing. I have a bunch of letters 
to answer now have 28 to answer. the papers send good makes us dance I am sending you a little German 
calendar I will send in letter.

I must close for this time
Your Son Earl D. Martin
137 Ambulance Co 110 Sanitary Train
A.E.F. APO 743

W.W.I.112.47