New Britain herald., 1916-05-12
SOLID MOTOR TRAIN
 ON 85-M|LE TRACK
Automobile Has Important Role
 in Battle of Verdun

(Correspondence of the Asso. Press.)
 Bar-Le-Duc, France, April 24.- The post of military motor-car con- ductor, much sought as sort Of safe refuge near the front and soft berth in the rear during the earlier period of the war, has become post of honor. Many drivers are now wearing the coveted war cross; a few of them have earned the military medal
 Motor car transports carrying men and munitions did what the railroads would have done had their lines been sufficient in the battles of Verdun. There was nothing but a local depart mental narrow gauge railroad lead ing from the supply depots behind the front to the battle f1eld--inadequate to bring up supplies alone, to say nothing of endorsements, cannon and ammunition. To provision the army of Verdun it was necessary to exploit a circuit of eighty~fve miles of road like a railroad with motor cars. The motor car acquitted itself so well that it was cited in the orders of the day of the army. Motor lor- ries, motor tractors dragging big guns, motor carry-alls bringing up rein forcements motor ammunition trans ports succeeded each other around that eight-five mile circuit at twenty second intervals, forming a continu- ous line that amounted practically to the same thing as railroad train eighty-fve miles long.
 The circuit is reserved exclusively for motor cars and is exploited by a commission at Bar-le-Duc that does nothing else than see that he route is kept free from obstruction pro- tected from the enemy's air craft, and that the endless line of cars is kept in motion. All night as well as all day the line moves around the cir cult. After dark a well organized signal service regulates the traffic and, as they approach the front transmits routing orders to different detac1- ments of cars by luminous signs. At times with the signals and headlights the long line resembles a, gigantic glow worm crawling around the cir cult.
 The route reserved to motor cars is divided into sections, each with chief who supervises repairs by strong crews of military roadmen in places where the wear has become eX- cessive, and directs the police protec- tiOn of the circuit. The same com- mission that keeps the route open and the cars moving supervises the loading of ammunition cars receive their or ders on starting-their destination is one of the most closely guarded se- crcts for it is as important to pro- tcct the ammunition depot Ut the front from possible indiscretlons as from the enemys aeroplane oombs. The spots are always chosen by expert eyes and solidly sheltered. On the return trip the motor car supply wag- ons bring back relieved troops, wounded men, or damaged war ma- terial.
 During the fifty days of this in tense circulation night and day, the movement of the cars has been so well regulated that accidents have been surprisingly rare. Casualties to driv- CTS. also, have been comparatively few though the circuit is not out of range of the enemys artillery. The heavier transports of material approach with in few miles of the firing line the lighter ones much closer while the ambulance motor cars get right up to the fire. The driver, of course, has contributed as much as the organiza- tion to the results obtained. He is generally a man of the auxiliary phy sically inapt for armed service or 9 territorial. Most of them 1re Volun- teers-men who had been given quiet berths in the rear but who, tired of them after a few months wanted to get into real action. They dre more than accommodated here at present for the hours of rest are parcimoni- ouslv counted. Drivers, sometimes, vanquished by fatigue, drop lsleep on the seats of their cars, reawakening as if by telegra phic signal often, just in time to avoid a catastrOphy The strain. physical and mental is so great that the sick list is vcry long.