The stay at Montoir was pleasant despite the fact that physical inspections were endured in great number and all soldiers and clothing had to go through a thorough process of cootiizing. The camp was well equipped with recreational centers where the soldiers enjoyed their idle hours.
Various detail work was assigned the battery while at Montoir. Details assisted in the erection of a new theatre on the camp grounds. Drill and physical exercise periods were in order when examinations and inspections lulled. After passing in a brigade review before Brigadier General Andrew Hero, on Friday, May 9th, the outfit was declared ready to board the next ship that docked at the port of St. Nazaire. On Monday, May 12th, the boys changed what francs they had left, into United States currency. Then they were ready to say good-bye to France.
Reveille sounded at 4 a. m., on Wednesday, May 14th. Nobody slept in that morning. Rolls were made in short order and the battery area policed-up. At 6 a. m. the regiment left Camp Montoir on an eight kilometer hike to St. Nazaire, which port was reached at 8:30 a. m.
The U. S. S. Edward Luckenbach was lying at anchor in the basin at St. Nazaire. The vessel had been coaled and supplied for the return to American shores. In the morning of May 14th the Edward Luckenbach waited for its troop passengers before setting sail.
After the soldiers waited on the pier for some time the huge gang-planks were extended and the regiment started its march to the decks of the ship. The gang-planks were lifted at 11 a. m. The ship was loosened from its moorings and slowly piloted through the congested basin. Slowly the transport passed the draw bridge, through the locks and out into the wide expanse of bay. It was 2:10 p. m. when open water course was reached.
The U. S. S. Edward Luckenbach carried 29 officers and 2,247 enlisted men, including 14 officers and 1,338 men of the 311th Field Artillery: 8 officers and 547 men of the 314th Machine Gun Battalion, and three casual companies.
Capt. Perry Hall was the only Battery D officer able to find accommodation on the battery's transport. All the other officers had to wait for other transportation. Capt. A. L. Smith rejoined the regiment at St. Nazaire and was assigned as regimental adjutant. He accompanied the troops on the Edward Luckenbach.
Late in the afternoon on the day of set-sailing the vessel was stopped to allow the pilot to be taken off into a sail boat. Mine sweepers were also let down on both sides the vessel. Without convoy and with freedom of light at night the transport pushed its way through the waves that formerly were in the danger zone. The mine sweepers continued to comb the waves for any stray mine missiles that by chance might have still floated from war operations.
No difficulty was encountered, however, and the danger zone once passed, the trip continued at an average rate of 9 knots an hour. The Edward Luckenbach was a 6100 ton cargo vessel converted into a transport for the Naval Overseas Transportation Service. It was manned by an American naval crew. The vessel was an oil burner and trouble was experienced with the engines, whereby the speed of the vessel was retarded. It was feared at times that the engines would give out before port was reached. Slow, but sure the troops were brought to friendly shores.
It might be noted in passing that on the next trip made by the Edward Luckenbach as a transport, the vessel became crippled through the breaking of her port shaft and her main journal and had to be towed for 600 miles into the harbor at South Boston, Mass.