U.S MEN IN TRENCH

Hokitika Guardian, 4 January 1918, Page 4

U .S MEN IN TRENCH

AMERICAN'S ACCOUNT OF THKTR liNTRV

London, Nov i

Tlie “Army Edition ” published in Paris of the Chicago Tribune gives the following account ol the Americans’ entry into the I H ieuch front-line trenches

The United States units at the front are completely equipped, and composed of all branches of the military service.

The infantry and artillery had been moving toward the front from their camps in France for several days. The first units reached their billets directly behind the lines shortly after noon. They stopped only for a short time and began moving into the trenches in the dusk. They were wearing their gas masks and steel helmets, Ihe field kitchens and other paraphernalia were unliuibered behind the front line trenches and set up for a long, business-like stay. There was no moon and only a few stars peeked from behind the great billowy clouds winch darkened the skv. A slight drizzling mist was falling, but it did not dampen the ardour of the American soldiers. Tliej’ were so anxious, so fearful that something at the last minute would deny them the privilege of entering the trenches that they were exceedingly nervous. They smoked dozens of cigarettes, the lights of which glowed and gleamed in the wet darkness. Star shells became visible long before the troops reached the edge of No Man s Laud, but it only speeded up their onward march.

The American soldiers, however, received most of their instruction from the French poilus. The b rench poilus described to their new allies the meaning of the shells passing overhead. They would motion the American soldier to listen. Suddenl} r a peculiar whine,, rising and rising rapidly, then suddenly dying away and thudding into the ground, was called by the poilus “ Arrive, meaning that that particular shell had been fired by the Germans. The kind of noise that started with a bang and then whined away slowly into the distance was described by the polus as “ Depart.” At last they arrived and spread out along the walled ditch in which they are to receive their first baptism of fire on the greatest battlefield the world ever has seen. Some of the French poilus withdrew to make room for the Americans. French and American officers passed along the trenches instructing the men, who had an inordinate desire to crane their necks over the parapet

and look on No Man’s Land across which they must rush to drive the Germans from France. TOO TALI, FOR THE TRENCH.

It was soon discovered that there was a big difference in the height of the Americans and the French. The former are so much taller than their French Allies that it will be necessary to dig the trenches deeper so that the men will not have to maintain a continual stooping posture.

The bottom of the trenches was wet; in some places much water had gathered. There was no local noise during most of the night except the creaking of hand-pumps. The men swished by eacli other in their wet slickers and were in constant motion, despite the repeated orders of their officers to keep quiet. Meanwhile the artillery had taken its allotted positions. There were several battalions, and there was much rivalry between the different batteries as to the firing of the first shot against the Germans. Here, for iustrnce, was Battery A, in com mand. of a man who only a short time ago was in civilian life. The commander pushed his men to perform the digging in of their pieces in accordance with the United States Army regulations. All the batteries were on their mettle, and even the officers hung anxiously on the heels of the men. A GIFT FOR MR WIT,SON.

As dawn appeared a roar shook the ground, and the first United States artillery shell burst a few seconds after six o’clock far within the German lines. It was fired by a certain Battery C. There was considerable debate in the artillery as to the disposition of the shellcase. Some commanders thought it should be encased in gold, but the question finally was settled when a general commanded that the shell-case be properly engraved and forwarded to President Wilson, which is being done. A member of the American Army arrived in Paris with the story of the birth of a baby girl in one of the little ruined villages behind the sector occupied by the American soldiers during the night the} 7 occupied the trenches. There was pre sent a major-general in the United States Army. It was conveyed to him that the mother desired him to assure the future of the little girl who had been born. The majorgeneral assured the young woman that he would interest himself in the new daughter of France.