The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1917-05-05

At thSSC punt he SOluleTS lOllOWlDB. LuTu vi
from the road, take to the fields or other roads
until they are 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 over the heads of the soldiers,
while many are 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, 1t soon 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 letup. Also German shells
fall over all the land here and 1t Is q question of
which of the soldiers will get through. From be-
hind come such numbers of troops that there seems
to be no end to them.
With a legion ahead and an endless number be-
hind, we enter the ditch and continue our way,
now in single file, for there is not enough room for
two to walk abreast. AS we proceed the trenches
get deeper and deeper and soon our 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 us.
Because the bitches we are travelling in are so mar
row few shells explode there and now for the most
part the men are 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 a
region of trench network. The detachment l am
with receives orders which of the boyaux (the COM
munication trenches) to take as we 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-
sions of the shells near us and the shrieks of others
passing overhead.
AS we approach the first line the confusion of
noise of the batteries pounding away behind lessons
in sharpness, takes on more of a roar, a regular
working as though of some gigantic machine, grows
less harsh and a new confusion in front begins to
grip the senses.
One sees nothing except occasionally when he
opens his eyes for a brief period to see the direc-
ton, the geysers Of spouting ground about. them
and out above in front. Eyes closed and head low
cred, he feels his way, the same as the man before
him and the one behind him.
Suddenly one bumps into the man in front and
comes to a stop. AS soon as one is able he opens
his eyes and sees everyone in front has come to a
halt They are near the first line, the man in front
shouts. Soldiers thickly crowd the trench in front
as far as he can see.
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 jammed mass of
men covering there in the trenches under the
spouting Of the land about them, debris falling over
all. They are standing by their rifles, fixing on
them their bayonets, all carrying their full equip
hcnt-Teduys
There is a strange grimness among those stand
ing there. No one In the crowded mass of men
tries to speak. The din seems more than a human
being is able to stand. One feels like jumping over
the trenches and, regardless of anything, rushing
blindly on. Anything but the strain of this, he
thinks, action and more action. He never before
thought he could be capable of so much action.
What is coming, let 1t happen quickly, he thinks.
Head lowered and eyes closed, ones thoughts
pierce the masses of flying things that look like
clouds out there in front, picturing a scene as he
last knew this home, his town and the people
he had grown up with, away off 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 are being passed
along on their way back. The younger men are
wondering why. They are probably being taken
back in another trench reserved for them and for
messengers 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 a COM
parative quiet, a tranquil period to the confused
senses of the beings there; at other times some
might call it a terrific racket. For Just now they