Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-11-01
SAMMEES' LIFE IN
"a QUIET SECTOR"
No Great Trouble With the
Boches, but Much From
Enemies Within"

|
"A France. Henceforth the line Of trenches
taken over by American troops will be
known as the American Front in France
The name will cling to 1t until the end OF
the war and unquestionably will ring with
fame
Such was the consensus Of opinion ex-
| pressed by foreign officers, trench veterans
themselves. after hearing that the training
Of General Pershlng's men had reached the
| firing-lne point
Small casualty lists from the American
trenches may be expected within the next
few days, It was said. Even War Depart
ment officials in Washington have ad-
| mitted that much.
This should not be taken TO mean that
Pershings men are to be subjected to heavy
fighting at once, but British officers in this
city say that 1t would be almost miraculous
II there were not some casualties in the
American ranks in the near future.
Regardless of the fact that the American
front for the present lies in quiet
sector" as reported in cable dispatches no
trenches are really quiet. as virtually all
are bombarded from time to time.
1
first line already have been under fire. and
will be so for many months to come. The
German high-cxplosive shells often do far
more damage to the trenches themselves
than to the men In the quiet sectors
but they come at unrelenting intervals.
Then there is the danger from snpers
and aerial torpedOes even II the uencheS
are several hundred yards apart, as as
patches would indicate. Besides, the men
must be ready for any emergency. AS an
English officer expressed Il, "one can never
tell what the Fritzies will attempt to do
If the attack comes the Americans Will have
to meet II.
In reference to the casualty lists, army
officers say the Germans, who know the
Americans are in the trenches, will do all
in their power TO attempt to demoralize the
Sammees who are getting their first taste
of trench warfare
Less Exciting Than Ball Game
one officer only recently predicted that
the American troops would be In the
trenches within two weeks The prediction
came true. The opinions Of such men carry
weight
There are several officers in this city
who know the almost exact location of the
trenches the American troops have taken
over, they say. They also told OF the
conditions which the Sammees are meeting
at present, of what they will have to put up
and even simple pleasures.
In the first place, guarding trenches
regardless of occasional bombardments
and shell showers, is by no means danger
Gus in the present war sense OF the word
unless the Germans decide to launch an
attack.
The guard work is less exciting than
a ball game, one English officer said 1t
gets even very monotonous and Is enlivened
only by the Fritzies from time to time,
and by the good humor and hippancy OF
the trench soldiers themselves.
The trenches in that section are well
drained. They have improvised flooring.
Few men are stationed in the front-line
trench, most being stationed in the support
and reserve trenches. All three connect, of
course, with communicating trenches.
American machine guns unquestionably
have been installed in picked places to
sweep the front in case of an attack. Our
own artillery is stationed in the rear
American officers also are getting their first
taste of living in dugouts, within range of
the German guns. Grenades have been
distributed to the men for emergency use
During the day there will be little to do
unless the trenches need repair. The first
meal of the day is given out before a. m,
the last about $3.50. The men unquestion-
ably will make good use of the trench
periscopes some may try sharpshooting
all will have to be on the qui vive for gas
| attacks. For these, of course, all depends
on the wind and weather. With their train
| ing in quick use of gas masks, the Sammees
should suffer little other than discomfort
| on that account.
At night the scene changes in more than
! one respect. Even No Mans Land swarms
! at times vita crawling creatures once the
/ curtain of darkness has fallen,
American troops then will get their share
| of the more thrilling guard duty at the
| listening posts, advanced near the enemy's
| line Eyes and ears then strain the night
| air for signs of an approaching attack or
| patrol At such time the slightest noise
often seLds the heart racing.
Enemies Within
| In the trenches most Of the men use Sleep
| ing bags. The cold becomes intense, but
| the Sammees have had long training in
the open and ought to stand the strain in
| good shape. 1t is too early in the season
| for trench feet" Rain, mud and darkness
bring discomforts. but American soldiers
will take them good-naturedy, as millions
| of their allies have for several years,
/ incidentally, the trench soldier has little
use for men who crouch and sulk. The
| fippancy of the 'poilu" and Tommy" is
| proverbial. Standing under the shadow of
| death for days at a time, they have been
| known time and again TO joke even while
| going "over the top"
The men even joke about their most
biting foe, one which infests the trenches
| in millions. Well name them as fieas for
| politeness sake.
| A Tommy not long ago astounded his
| comrades by announcing that he had found
| a way TO get rid of the pests. Men crowded
| about him to hear the welcome news.
why. it's like this" he said in a dry
tone "all you have to do Is to get some
salt and rub II all over your body. When
| the beasts get thirsty and go for a drink,
| then you grab your chance to run away
| from them 90
Another suggested that by rubbing the
| body with sand the "heas' would break
| their teeth in biting
Let's hope the Sammees will not have TO
face that Zoe and that II they do, American
ingenuity will find way to solve that
! problem. f. r. G.. +.