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This collection is made up of letters to Louis J. Licht and his daughter Elizabeth ("Betty") of Geneva, New York. Richard Licht, Louis's son and Betty's brother, often wrote about his experiences in France, where he served with the 307th Machine Gun Battalion during World War I.

This collection is made up of 14 letters to Louis J. Licht and his daughter Elizabeth ("Betty") of Geneva, New York. Richard Licht, Louis's son and Betty's brother, wrote 12 letters to his family between July 7, 1918, and March 27, 1919. He discussed aspects of his service with the 307th Machine Gun Battalion near the front lines in France, such as marches through ruined towns, rat-infested sleeping quarters, the prevalence of thick mud, and his work. Though he often had problems with his truck, including difficult navigation across treacherous roads littered with shell holes, Licht was happy that he avoided an assignment to an aviation unit. He expressed his confidence in an Allied victory.

In a letter dated December 22, 1918 (likely written earlier in the fall), Licht wrote a detailed account of life near the front lines, describing hastily abandoned German trenches, leftover military paraphernalia in the woods, the experience of being shelled, and antiaircraft fire shooting at hostile planes. According to Licht, the Germans constructed a bowling alley within their trench system, and the American troops reacted to close shelling with laughter rather than fear. Licht's final letter concerns his pride after an inspection by General John J. Pershing. The Licht family also received letters from Chauncey Wayne Grove at Camp Hospital #6 (January 29, 1919) and "Pete" Bodine of the 266th Military Police Company (February 27, 1919); Bodine discussed the importance of, and danger to, "runners" who facilitated communication between units along the trenches.