Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-09-04
Aviator and
From Germany
Trace Road Map Of Country
+ by Walking at Night to
Escape Foe-Finally Reach
Holland and Freedom.

n-~e~>e>sssS.>~.>>
made haste to say good night to him.
ard he went on his way. We arrived
at the city. Sad to say. it was not
Limburg, and we could not make out
the name Of the place. We continued
our march toward the northwest and
finally found our correct road at Schulz
hertz. A very dark night, with little
rain. We stopped at S a. N. and lay
down on the edge of wood. A very
critical morning. A peasant came and
cut wood at. three yards from us. l
will never understand how 1t happened
that he did not see us. We changed
our hiding place as soon as the peasant
left and We're more tranquil until the
evening. A rainy, snowy day."
Had Narrow Escape.
Reservat told me that q small boy
was with the peasant who cut the
wood and that once the peasant looked
directly at the place where the two
Frenchmen were hidden, saying some
thing in German. Then he picked up
his bundle of wood and with the child
went away. The diary continues:
March 21.--Departed ut 8 a. m.
along the same road. Upon arriving
at the first village we noticed that
again we were wandering. We looked
at our map, but unfortunately it was
not very detailed, for this region was
entirely left out Of our itinerary, which
had been made to leave from Giessen.
We tried vainly to find the right road.
Useless effort So again we set off to-
w>L the unknown, trusting in our
good star.
1--WE passed through several villages
and arrived, without knowing 1t, at the
gates of I4imburg. Crossed part Of the
city without incident apart from meet
ing several workmen and found our
selves on the correct route, In the d.
rection Of Bonn.
March 22.-Departure at $50 p. m.
Fine weather. Marched without Incl
dent until morning. We have stop
ped in q wood of small pines, for it
is the best Of hiding places. especial
ly as since we left the prison camp
we have not been discovered. 1t is
very cold, and it was not yet daylight
when we stopped. We tried to warm
ourselves by running up and down the
rosd. We were almost caught by a
civilian, whom we did not hear COM
Inc. 1t took only one jump for us to
penetrate into our. wood, anda We are
resting TRANQUILITY in our hiding place.
Reach Heights Of Rhine.
March 24.-Departure at Sis p. m.
Glod march. Lost our way about .
a. M, but found it again on the banks
Of the Rhine. Following the Rhine,
we arrived at Beul. We decided to
hs5e on the heights, that overlook the
Rhine. Were disillusioned by the
woods we found there. Finally we
discovered an abandoned stone quar-
ry, where we found little hut. We
entered, barricaded the doors and have
passed q most exciting day. Are wor-
ried because of the children who have
been playing around all day. and who
seem to find it very strange that the
hut is closed up.
Before dark we came out of our
hiding place and watched the sun set
from the banks Of the Rhine, just like
tourists.
March 26.-We took our departure
in very bad weather, snow and an icy
rain. We are wet to the skin and have
difficulty in walking. We got lost
about a. M, but managed finally to
stop near the point we had decided
upon in advance. We are sheltered in
a large wood of pines. but have been
on the watch all day. because we are
near large city. Are still wet to the
skin. for 1t is impossible to dry our
selves. A very bard and very cold
day.
March 27.-En route at S y. m. We
pass the city Of Dunn. After little
trouble we find our correct road. We
follow It half the night, then, not to
change our custom. we got lost.
Comrade Wants to Give Up.
"kIy com1ade is again about to give
up in despair, being completely demon
allied and catigued and having blis-
tered foot.
March 2S.-We set out Mt s p. m
We find our route. not without trouble,
and take the direction OF the frontier
We stop at , p. IN. and rest, hidden,
until II p. m. the following night.
"March 29-Depa-ture at II 80 p. m.
Bad weather, rain and wind. We are
happy to be able to drink rain water.
We take the right road and arrive near
our goal. About 2 a. IN. the sky became
light. We find the polar star, which
leads us to freedom. Cutting across the
fields we march for about eight kilo-
meters, and when the sun rises we
find ourselves in Holland. free and
saved! We are tired out and dirty
from head to foot"
The two soldiers were well received
ut the frontier village and rested three
days with family Of Belgian refugees.
Then they went to Rotterdam, where
thn,, ,astrJ To-. /, month fn