Collections: 109th Field Artillery - Commanding Colonel Asher Miner - Western Front Combat Maps and Combat Operations Reports
This extremely rare and museum-grade collection of WWI front-line combat maps and operations reports comes from the bring-back collection of the infamous Commanding Colonel Asher Miner of the 109th Field Artillery during World War I. The American Expeditionary Force 109th Feild Artillery Regiment saw some of the most intense combat against the Germans in the front-line trenches of the Western Front. The 109th is credited with combat participation at Oise-Aisne, Ypres-Lys, Meuse-Argonne, Champagne 1918, and Lorraine 1918. Colonel Asher Miner referred to his soldiers of the 109th being receiving a “Baptism of fire” when he and his regiment experienced heroism and suffering during almost two months of continuous shell fire that brought death and injury to many and reduced all to mental and physical breaking points.
“The 109th Feild Artillery Regiment entered the “Advanced Zone” on August 7th, 1918. From the night of August 11th, 1918 the First Battalion went into position, and on August 12th, 1918 the Second Battalion relieved a French Battalion and took over their positions. From that night on the men and officers and the 109th were under almost continuous shell fire, and the 109th Field Artillery expanded during that time 23,000 rounds of high explosives, gas, and shrapnel shells fighting day and night, often to the point of exhaustion by both officers and men.”
While leading his regiment during the Meuse–Argonne offensive, Colonel Asher Miner was severely wounded in fighting near Apremont, Ardennes. During the battle, one of Miner's batteries was providing direct support to an advancing Infantry unit and was required to move to a new position after receiving German counterbattery fire. Asher personally went forward to direct the battery to a new firing position and was struck by shrapnel from an incoming shell. He received too many wounds to count, and the lower portion of his right leg was blown off. Despite his wounds, Miner continued to direct his troops until he lost consciousness, after which several soldiers carried him to the rear area for medical aid rather than waiting for an ambulance, an action that was later credited with saving his life by ensuring he received immediate treatment.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to own the personal artifact used by Commanding Colonel Asher Miner of the 109th Field Artillery during World War I.
