The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1917-05-24

through. A curtain fire also destroys
and entirely obliterates all trenches
From where we were quartered we
were able to see the whole top of a
curtained plateau and shells were
breaking very fast and throwing up
dirt like dust storm. And the boom.
ing and banging of the guns and shells
was so great and continuous that the
reports could not be distinguished, but
only continuous roaring and boom
ing sound that could be heard for over
a hundred miles.
"After bombarding the enemy front
lines very intensely the French troops
jumped from their trenches and then
charged on the Germans. The bonn
bardment had been so complete that
the Germans had already evacuated
their front line. By previous arrange
ment the French troops and the cur
tain fire were to advance simultan-
eously. That is the soldiers ad-
vanced and the curtain fire pre-
ceeded them by certain dis
lance. Thus, by perfect coordin-
alton between the artillery and
make such significant advances
against the Germans without sacrifice
ing many men.
"Many prisoners were taken during
this attack. On the roads Immediately
behind the lines prisoners came
streaming along entirely unaccompan-
led by policing gendarmes, or soldiers,
in fact there seemed so many places
to be more German prisoners than
French soldiers. There were so many
of them that the first day they could
not be properly policed, but were SIM
ply told to go back to certain con-
centration camp, situated some dis
lance behind the lines. There was ap-
parently no danger of any of them
trying to escape, for most of them
seemed glad to be taken prisoners, ex-
cept some who were scared by erron-
eous reports concerning the treatment
of prisoners by the French which had
circulated among the armies of the
kaiser.
Regarding the treatment of these
German prisoners by the French, l
can say that l have seen a good deal
of it and in no case that l have seen
have the prisoners had reason to COM
plain. In most cases the German pris-
oners receive the same treatment as
the French soldiers. Anyone may read
lily see that it is to the benefit of
the French armies to treat the pris-
oners well, for then, when reports of
the good treatment get back to the
German armies, the Germans will be
more ready to give themselves up as
prisoners. After the attack ] saw
many French soldiers, even hose who
had made the attack, seeing the pitifu]
condition of many of the German
prisoners, di gdown into their KNAPP,
sacks and bring out little tins OF
canned goods and cigarettes, which
they gave to some OF the prisoners
and the French soldiers. There was
absolutely no evidence of enemity, but
rather prevailing spirit Of good will
and sympathy towart. each other anc
it was not uncommon to see the same
men, who but short time before hac
tried to kill each other, exchange &
smile or joke.
Gail during the attack our ambu
lances were running continuously. The
wounded were picked up by stretche
bearers and brought to little under
ground dressing stations, at which
places they were loaded in our am
balances and carried backs to a large
church in village further back which
served as dressing station.
"Only the seriously wounded were
carried in ambulances. Since there
were so many wounded, the sitting
cases, or all those who could walk
came limping down to the posts d.
secolr' and there were loaded int
automobile trucks and other convey
ances. At this time our large Packard
ambulances did wonderful work fo1
they were able to transport man!
more wounded than the smaller car.