Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-11-27
TELLS INTERESTINGLY OF WAR
Largo Audience Hears Lieut.. Bert
Halls Story From Front.

Large Audience Hears Lieut.. 6ort
Halls Story From Front.
First hand information from the war,
including all the major fronts Of ac-
tton, were told out Of the personal
experience Of Lieut.. Bert Hall at the
Methodist church Monday night be-
fore an audience that filled the entire
building Local interest in the war
was shown by the very large attend
ance and the assertion Is ventured
that the course patrons gained, rather
than lost, by the substitution Of Lieu
tenant Hall for Miss Mayer. who was
to have given interpretations from the
Passion Play"
Lieutenant Hall Is a native Of Miss
ouri, his home being at Higginsville,'
He had been employed in France for
q number OF years when war was de-
clared. Included in his experiences of
before the war were several years in
flying in aeroplanes. Making applica-
ton for enlistment in the air service,
which was denied because of the lack
Of aeroplanes, he enlisted in the French
infantry and saw first active service
in the battle OF the Marine. After a
few months he was transferred into
the aviation section, in which he has
served ever since. During that time
he saw service at Verdun, and the
Somme; with the Russian army and in
Roumania. He has been wounded
three times, once In the mouth, result
ing in loss Of his teeth, in the arm
and leg. He Is In this country be-
cause 1t was necessary for him to go
east thru Siberia, thence to Japan and
thru this country to return from Rus
STA to France where he goes in the
spring to re-enter the service.
Lieutenant Halls story Is a most
matter fact one. He tells what he
himself has seen, and he had no stories
to relate Of German atrocities, with
one single exception, because he had
not seen any. He was hindered by a
cold, and he confessed the wound Ia
his mouth made speech more diff
cult SO that 1t was probable that those
in the most distant parts of the aud
fence room could not hear him at times.
Steeled by three years Of the war,
which he confessed had become to
him and veterans Of the war a pro-
fession, he described land and air
fighting in most dispassionate way,
hatred for the Germans. Rather his
feeling in the latter respect seemed to
be merely a business like determine
ton to kill all Of them that he could.
His descriptions Of air fighting, scout
ing and reconnoiterring proved most
Interesting, and was told in an informal
way, unembellished by any effort at
oratory.
A simple talk is the best description
for what Lieutenant Hall has to say.
AS a matter Of fact his experiences on
the lyceum platform are limited, but
it was interesting and the audience
showed its interest by giving him the
closest attention. When he had finish
ed he asked the audience to ask him
questions. which 1t did for nearly an
hour. He answered what he could. and
In some OF his answers were some OF
the most interesting bits Of his talk.
It is quite safe to say that no other
as interesting talk on the war has
been heard by local audience since
Vern Marshall told Of his experiences
in the ambulance service last spring.
During his career as an aviator dur
ing the war Lieutenant Hall is credited
with having brought down nine enemy
airplanes. He has thrice been decor
ated by the country he Is serving,
wearing the Medaille Militaire, the
highest honor given by the French gov
eminent, for driving Off squad Of four
enemy airplanes while the Germans
were. attempting to lombard General
Joffre's headquarters. General Joftre
pinned the medal on Halls uniform In,
person. ABut wouldn't let him kiss