Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1914-10-03

slowly ana remained stationary,
spaced MS regularly as poplars,
German Quick Iircrs.
Again there was succession OF
reports from German quick lirers on
the far side of the valley like echoes
of detonaton OF high explosives,
then the row Of expanding smoke
clouds was prolonged by several new
ones. Another pause ana silence, eN-
cept for the noise In the distance.
After few minutes there was a
roar from one side of the main val-
ley as our field guns opened one ar
ter another in a more deliberate IRE
upon the positions Of the German
guns After six reports there was again
silence, save for the whirr of shell aa
they sang up the small valley Then
followed flashes and balls of smoke.
one, two. three. four. fivo--as the
shrapnel hurst over what in the haze
looked like some ruined buildings at
the edge Of the wood.
Heavy Canonadc Rcopcncd.
again. after short interval the
cncmy's gunners reopened with a
burst still further prolonging the
smoke. which was by now merged
into one solid screen above a consid-
cradle length Of the trenches and
again did our guns reply And SO the
duel went on for some time.
ignoring our guns the German ar
tilerymen. probably relying on con-
cealment for immunity, were con
centatng all their efforts in a par
ticulary forceful effort to enfilade
our trenches For them It must have
appeared 10 be the chance of a life
time and with their customary prodi-
gality Of ammunition. they continued
To pour high explosives or combined
shrapnel and common shells into our
werks.
Dig Gaps In Village.
Occasionally, with roar a high
angle projectlle would sail over the
hill and blast a gap in the VILLAGE,
one could only pray that our men
holding the trenches had dug them
selves in deep and well. and that
those in the village were in cellars.
"ln the hazy valleys bathed in
sunlight. not q man, not horse, not
a gun nor even a trench was to be
seen.
There were only flashes and smoke
and noise. Above, against the blue
sky. several round white clouds We're
hanging The only two visible human
souls were represented by a glisten-
ing speck in the air. ON high also
We're to be heard more or less gentle
reports of the anti-arcraft projec-
tiles.
Little Injury Resulted.
"But the deepest impression ere
ated was one Of sympathy for the
men subjected to the bursts along
that trench Upon inquiry as to the
losses sustained, however. it was
found that our men had been able TO
take care of themselves and had dug
themselves well in. In that collection
of trenches on that Sunday afternoon
were portions Of four battalions of
British soldiers-the Dorsets, the
West. kenlS, tne NttlAH VNn l'iN-
shire Light infantry and the Kings
own Scottish Borderers..
More than 500 proiectiles were
fred against them. The result was
nine men wounded
"On the following day, 90 shells
we're fred at the trenches occupied
by the West Kent regiment alone.
-Four officers were buried. but We're
dug out unhurt one man was only
scrached.
amusing Camp Yarns.
Many camp yarns are now in cir
culaton among the troops, mostly Of
an amusing nature. As an instance a
report is current that Turcos, who
are our close neighbors, have been
rather short of food and have bar
tered the use of two heavy guns for
10000 tins Of ration beef. The market
rate of exchange between guns and
meats, however, has not yet been
worked out
"Our troops in the second line at
certain spots pass the time by punt
ing the football about on the village
places 1t is rumored that a German
aviator observed this and has sent
in report that the British forces
are thoroughly disorganized and are
running about their post in blind
manic "