Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1917-05-11

AT these points the soldiers following turn on
from the road, take to the fields or other roads
until they past By this means the Germans.
knowing what is coming, are making desperate
efforts to stop the onrush of troops by Smelling the
roads. The gigantic shotgun charges Of their
shrapnel break the heads of the soldiers.
while many torn to bits by the conclusion
shells crashing into the road among them. The
soldiers then take roundabout courses. Most Of
them are getting through
Past the last town, where the road terminates
because it has been blown into nothing, it be-
comes impossible for the soldiers to march along in
masses. They scatter over the ground on their way
onward. The terrific bombardment of their own
side continues without etup. Also German shells
fall all the land here and 1t is question of
which of the soldiers viii get through From be-
hind come such numbers of troops that there seems
to be no end to them.
With legion ahead and endless number be-
hind, we enter the ditch and continue way
now in single file, for there Is not enough for
two to walk abreast. AS we proceed the trenches
get deeper and deeper and soon heads are below
the surface of the ground
Casualties are lessened now. Shells continue to
burst about, even in greater numbers than In the
land we have left. But the most of the shells tear
up columns of earth about, but above
Because the bitches we are travelling in
row few shells explode there and now for the most
part the men caught only by the debris, that in
some places partly buries them.
There seems to be no end to the trenches that
branch Off continue to separate until they enter
region of trench network. The detachment 1
with receives orders which of the boyaux (the COM
muncation trenches) to take proceed Now
we move forward slowly, frequently crouch under
the fall of the dirt, stones and things and cringe
against the all-penetrating tear the mighty explo
sons of the shells and the shreks of others
passing overhead
AS we approach the first line the confusion of
in sharpness, takes on more OF a roar, regular
working though of some gigantic machine, grows
less harsh and a confusion in front begins to
grip the senses.
One sees nothing except occasionally when he
opens his eyes for brief period to the direc-
tion the geysers of spouting ground about them
and out above in front Eyes closed and head low
cred. he feels his way, the the man before
him and the behind him.
Suddenly one bumps into the in front and
comes to STOP AS is able he opens
his eyes and sees everyone in front has come to a
halt. They near the first line the man In front
shouts. Soldiers thickly crowd the trench in front
as far as he
Other soldiers, still coming up, also come to a
halt soon filling up the trench in behind. One feels
himself to be part of a tightly damned mass of
men covering there in the trenches under the
spouting of the land about he.n debris falling
ALL They are standing by their rifles, fixing on
them their bayonets, all carrying their full equip
ment-ready.
There is strange grin1ness among those sta adj
ing there. No in the crowded mass of Lien
tries TO speak. The din seems more than huilan
being is able TO stand. One feels like jumping
the trenches and, regardless CT anything, rushing
bindly on Anything but tie strain OF this he
thinks, action and more action He never before
thought he could be capable of so much ss-ion.
What is coming. let it happen quickly, he tanks
Head lowered and eyes closed, ones thoughts
pierce the masses of flying things that look like
clouds out there in front, picturing scene as he
last knew this home. his town and the people
he had grown up WITH away OF on the other side
of that. He wondered what has become OF them
and he wonders whether he will ever know.
Still they wait, minute after minute, while in
ones bewildered senses it seems as though many
hours are passing. No wounded being passed
along on their way back. The younger men are
wondering why They probably being taken
back in another trench reserved for them and for
also
Then suddenly, possibly within the space of only
a few seconds, there seems to be sudden quiet 1t
is the first cessation in a bombardment of their
guns that has lasted almost 20 hours 1t is COM
parative quiet tranquil period to the confused
senses of the beings there; at other times some
might call it terrific racket For just now they