The Mankato free press., 1917-09-21
BraveAirmanPe nPepperedEnemy
With Machine Gun
TEUTONS HARD PRESSED
Shoeless Soldiers of Kaiser's
Army Taken Prisoners; Feet
Done Up In Rags
From Thursdays Daily.

So0y .
Sames II. DaHer, WIN the ambul-
ance corps in France, writes another
interesting letter to his mother, Mrs.
]. H. Baker, and in it he describes
how French aviator while de-
scending via a parachute shot holes
into a German plane. The letter is
as follows:
with Section Saniture American,
No. so, Somewhere in France, August
Is, 1S17.-Our much wished for op
portunity to see active service has
been realized at last and we are ex-
ceedingly glad to be doing something
tangible for heroic France. Yesterday
was our first day off duty. We were
on twenty-four hours, and it was
rather strenuous. Our section is
temporarily attached to an attacking
division and we will work one day
and rest one until the real smash
comes. That will probably extend over
ten days when we will go with the
unit, should we be so fortunate as to
make good and be attached to it.
During the attack to come opportunity
for us will be a matter of luck.
"On our first day We carried nine
teen wounded, most Of them gased.
Though suffering terribly, the brave
fellows are very patient with us and
always thank us feelingly when they
reach the hospital. Riding over the
rough roads is not too pleasant at
times even for us and the men are
often severely jolted. AS we are OBJ
liged to pass trucks and supply trains,
we cannot always be as CAREFUL as
we should like to be. Mother, the
mule teams are an awful nuisance
Always it seems to be a mule coming
which blocks us when we are hast
ening to the hospital with a serious
case Nothing can be done and nc
one is to blame, but it is exasperat-
ing nevertheless.
ain the district where we pick ur
the lesser wounded the wind is be-
yond words and the roads none tC
good. AS we near the hospital, how
ever, they are extraordinary good and
it is possible to make up the time
lost early in the trip. . ---.... .....
Look Up Old Files.
"If, when you get this letter, you
will glance back through your files Of
newspapers, you will probably ind
where and what attack we have beer
in and it's outcome. Get your papers
for August IS out. and glance then
over again for the reports of a French
plunge. If the Huns stop this smash
they will have to move faster thar
we think them capable. The French
are making wond8rful preparations
There's nothing to worry about
We are never exposed to any rea
danger and the French easily have
the upper hand hereabouts.
Ed saw a German who surrendered
the other day and if he was typica
OF the German army, the Huns ar
hard pressed. For one thing, he hat
his feet wrapped in cloth and tolt
one of our men that four of the mel
in the German army had shoes. Et
said he was a sight and in a terrible
condition.
Act of Courageous Frenchman.
1--WE saw a courageous Frenchmal
do splendid bit Of work this after
noon. He was an observer in cap
live UdllOOu duu HIS UdlOOOu wa
bombed by a Hun aviator and fell il
a mass of flame. Too quick to be ap
preciated by us, who were watching
the brave Ftrenchman cut loose witt
his parachute shooting with hi
machine gun as he descended. Ac
cording to the official report whicl
our lieutenant saw, five of his shot
were effective and the German
plane was brought down. 1t was
quick bit of thing and mighty plucky
too. OF course it all occurred at
great distance but we could hea
the shots and see the Hun plane be
gin to fall.
81 had a good bath and a shave to
day and I'm feeling fine for the wor
ahead.
GAS to newspapers, mother, pleas
send some right away. A few of tn
fellows get papers and magazine
from home and they are read and rea
until worn out. Send any periodical
you can, too, dear. 1 hope you hav
started some smokes and gum. We ca
use all amounts of gum.
Don't worry if I miss the mex
mail boat for we sure have sti
time and merry one for about te
days and then get good rest. Wit
all my love, dear, yours, James.
nEA1u nE G oIANcV