Here's my tap for my version of a CAP:
1/167 is for Alabama's own First Battalion, 167th Mechanized Infantry. They're the group that spent the night in the Chateau across the street from me - you can still see the graffiti they scratched into some of the walls, which is super neat. Here's a bit of their story:
82 ALABAMA'S OWN IN FRANCE
Billets for the men, for the most part, were provided, though in each town some of the soldiers were quartered in wooden barracks. The conditions were bad, but by this time the regiment was becoming inured to hardships. The weather was very cold, but the small trench stoves were utilized. They afforded some degree of comfort.
Christmas came in sight and plenty of advance preparations were made to have the day what it should be. A liberal supply of good rations had been received. The arrival of the glad event found lots of well roasted turkey, cranberries, figs, dates and other
good things on hand. The cooks had been up all the night before and had done their work well. The "eats" were all temptingly prepared and thoroughly enjoyed. It was the regiment's first and last Christmas in France, for on that day the next year the men
were on the Rhine in Germany.
A real American Christmas tree that evening drew a large number of French children, and the latter, for whom the Alabamians had planned it, were running wildly about in joyful anticipation. Later they were showing their home folks what "les bons Americains" had given them. A collection had been made among the officers with which to provide this pleasure for the
tots, and the town crier had gone his rounds in announcing the event.
Now came the most memorable, and indeed the most wonderful, hike made by the 167th,
an accomplishment equal to that of Washington's men at Valley Forge for endurance of cold and fatigue. In connection with this march it should be noted that the Aiabamians, hundreds of whom in their Southern homes had never seen a snowfall, traveled the entire distance afoot, carrying their heavy packs, and that not a man fell out.
Of this period the regimental diary reads as follows :
On the day after Christmas the regiment left on foot carrying everything on their backs. It was cold and snowing. On the first day it marched 16 kilometers to Cirey les Mareilles, the second day it marched 21.5 kilometers to Chamarande, and on the third day 22.5 kilometers to Marac. It was an extreme test of endurance and the ability of the men to withstand physical hardship. The last three days of December were spent cleaning equipment and setting up camp in the French training area at Marac. Colonel Screws’ headquarters was set up at Faverolles with line companies scattered throughout nearby villages. The snow and cold continued as they settled in for more training (Amerine 1919, p. 93).
Between November 20 and December 12 the British had broken the Hindenburg Line with an advance of five miles at one point. The Germans counterattacked and then held the key town of Cambrai, straightening out and holding the Hindenburg Line. These movements ended in stalemate. It also meant that the 167th was coming closer to the time when it would be called on. With the regiment set up around Faverolles, three-fourths of its original officers and many noncommissioned officers (NCOs) were sent to the French First Corp’s School at Gondrecourt. This was a newly organized five-week course that included work with the Browning automatic rifle (BAR), hand grenades, Stokes mortars, one pounders, machine guns, signaling, trench construction, and bayonet. It was a miserable time for all involved with cold weather at first and then mud.
And here's the pour. What a fantastic beer. Already ordered 5kg of corn to make a bunch more in the future.