Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-01-02
LIGHTS and SHADOWS OF WAR
IN TRENCHES And ON FIRING
LINE, BY YOUNG ENC. ISHA A N

One Of the most human descriptions
yet received from the front is the
following story of his experiences
from young officer We are indebt-
ed for it to the, Daily Sketch, which
very rightly gives it at length and in
prominent place in it's interesting
pages:
The other day was, with another
subaltern, holding a farm in front
of our trenches to prevent the Ger
mans massing troops behind its cover
and rushing us.
Well, We held on for perhaps an
hour without anyone taking any spe-
cial notice of us, and then they turn
ed the big guns on us. My hat! we
didn't half get a time. Within Is min
utes they put 55 shells weight about
60lb., ard probably Sin. in size) fired
from howitZer into, and around the
farm within a circle of so yards rad
ius. We literally "smelt hell
Two shells which followed on each
otheh's heels hit the barn, which was
at right angles to the farmhouse, and
smashed it up completely.
The whole of the farm was covered
with dirt, splinters, and vile-smelling
smoke, in which we checked and
spluttered and cursed. No one was
hit although some of my men were
standing with their backs against the
barn.
and went into the rick yard, where
we could dodge shells better.
Another lot Of shells came over,
nd 81 =
round the base of the stack lay close
together and got as near the earth
as possible. Three shells went on and
burst yards away, the fourth burst
some so yards to our flank.
Immediately it burst, and mingled
with the clang of the explosion came
shrek which stopped suddenly, be-.
gan again, and died away with a
horrible bubble and gurgle.
A corporal sat up with one arm
twisted horribly under and behind.
We buried him where he lay~in the
sick yard, with rough cross over
him, and then we went back to the
farm.
The German gunners by this time
had shut up shop for some tea, SO we
were able to get some tea also.
Two Of the men volunteered to
milk the COW, and proceeded to do SO
when, having half-filled pail, the old
girl kicked and booted them both out
Of the shippon.
One Of them fell into the milk pail,
and when he came out the sight de-
fled description.
He was one sheet Of milk from top
to toe and we simply shrieked with
delight at him. So soon in war does
comedy follow tragedy.
All our work has been in trenches
up to the present, and it is rather
nerve racking work.
These big shells make a sound ex-
actly like the rip Of tearing a starch
ed collar and the whistle Of rail-
way engine mixed.
You hear them coming, and you bob
down in the trench and wonder, with
your muscles tight and your lips set.
will it land on this bit Of the trench
this time or not?" Then the whistle
goes over or finishes in front with a
perfectly hellish crash and you are
safe for the next two minutes.
Then, perhaps, when It is dusk you
| are sent cut in front Of the trench to
see II any Germans are within 400
yards Of you.
| When you are moving along a beet
| field with your feet rustling in the
/ leaves there is sudden crack and
| you hear ''seeeee-ep' as bullet
goes past your head.
| On the occasion I am thinking Of
1 did such an inglorious and hasty
! dive to earth that the corporal with
me thought I was hit and was just
preparing to do the v. C. act when I
moved