The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-06-09

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had any barbed wire been confronted
Now quite a network lay before US.
So 1 went, out with several others
and proceeded to cut away our bar
! rier.
when the time for the barrage to
lift arrived, we were away again.
Another 100 yards and there was more
barbed wire. Concealed in the OBJ
struction were a party Of the enemy,
whom we put to flight on discovery.
Approximately twenty-five yards the
other side of the wire we received our
FIRST setback. An enemy machine
gun was playing on us. But we were
not to be stopped. There was just
about seventy-nye yards more to go
to reach our goal With the bullets
flying around us we rushed a few
yards, and took cover in whatever
was offered US in the way OF shell
holes and craters. BY this gradual
process we worked our way up to
within close quarters.
"All OF a sudden, Lieutenant Pom
ton, our platoon commander-and he
is a regular little hero!-jumped to
his feet, and. letting out a yell, rush
ed straight for the gun. His example
was followed by everyone. Sergeant
Cameron was cloEe on the heels of
the officer, and 1 was right behind
the sergeant The German gunner
must have lost his nerve when he saw
us coming. At any rate he deserted
his gun.
ITO make a long story short, we
obtained our objective with very few
casualties. and began the work of
consolidating the captured position.
TO..- IL III a
was quite cold. Just before midnight
we detected a large party OF the en-
envy creeping upon us. evidently in
tent on taking us by surprise. We
soon changed their tune. getting them
with machine gun and rifle fire. I
had now reJoined the gun crew. We
were to have been relieved the first
night, but our o. C. volunteered to
hold the position another twenty-four
hours. I might add that Lens lay
before us, and a stretch of level coun-
try that extended back over forty
miles, so we had gained an advan-
tage in observation which the enemy
had held.
Enemy RetaIIated.
Tuesday the enemy retaliated more
severely. High explosive shells were
chiefly used. Our casualties began to
swell When I stood to- on Tuesday
night alongside the gun. was tired out
and hungry. We had had no sleep since
Saturday night and our rations consisted
Of hard tack and bully beef But there
was not grumble from any one. About
p. m the enemy's shell fire was in
tense Among those to fall was Lieu
tenant Ponton. It was about time for
our relief to come in.
I'VE were taking turns standing by
the gun There was always one man
on duty no matter how severe the FIRE
/ had no sooner relieved Anderson than
high-explosive shell dropped almost on
top Of me and was crushed to earth.
But for my steel helmet there would
have been no possible escape from death.
As II IL / marvel that l lived in that
shower Of shrapneL Though severely
wounded my condition is not dangerous
1 have two wounds In my back. wounds
in both arms, bad wounds in the neck,
and both ears badly lacerated. My ears
will be disfiEured for life. and will car
ry a scar on my neck to the grave. But
1 console myself in knowing It might
have been worse
Il arrived at Brook War Hospital SUM-
day night / am getting the best Of
treatment
Well 1 think this IL quite a narrative
for a sick man. Would like to write
more, but am getting tired. My love to
all.
Your sincere friend.
BILL COVERT"