Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-09-04
keep UNDER GROUND,
Warning IN FRANCE
Army Headquarters Hope to Use
Trickery to Deceive Ger
man Airmen.
BY JUNIUS b. WOOD.

BY JUNlUS DE- "OODs
CsFrespsaAenee Of The Evening Star
and the Chicago Daily News.
WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY IN
FRANCE, August Living molelike
underground in ancient caves or tim
bered shafts, lit by feeble candles
where sunlight never penetrates. IL
the experience which comes every
now and then to our out-of-doors
American boys. Not that even in the
hottest Of the advanced zones It Is
necessary to be caveman every min
ute Of the day. 1t is surprising what
q large proportion Of the hours are
passed in the open even in tho worst
shelled areas. Men are out moving
around, but always with a weather
eye on the cave entrance ready to
dive inside at the first whistle at ally
time of the day or night.
Headquarters Must Lie Low.
Around headquarters. even though
they are somewhat removed from the
front, conditions are different. There
men must stay under cover except
when 1t Is absolutely necessary TO en-
ter or leave. The constant sight Of a
number of men engaged at odd tasks
or loafng in the same spot two days
in succession would disclose to the
watchful eye of the enemy the 1oca-
ton of a headquarters. That would
be suf1icient to start the big shells
coming, which would stop only when
it was obliterated. A new headquar-
ters would be dug and that would
mean work. The men would rather
stay under cover.
One regimental headquarters which
visited a few days ago was a damp
Sandbags piled at either end pro-
tected the inside from flying shell
sp:inters. Along the walls men were
sleeping on blankets. The colonel had
a rough table where he was studying
maps and writing reports. Next to
him was a field telephone switch
board. Oficers were coming and going
and the sleepers were undisturbed by
the bedlam.
Wine Cellars Are Favored.
Vino cellars, deep caves under
houses and chateaus. usually varying
in depth and size, according to the
palate Of the former occupant, have
served more for headquarters than
any other places of refuge in France.
The French call cellars caves"
WHllS W nat we call caves IHey Know
as ''cavernes."
There are plenty Of these real caves,
some Of them hundreds Of years old.
Rather than destroy any Of the soil
which might be cultivated. the thrifty
peasants in ages past burrowed I'M
derground to quarry the stone for
building their castles and cottages.
Some Of these caves are of immense
extent, large enough to shelter a reg
iment. though the result for those in
side would be embarrassing II 40
made a direct hit. These are usually
division or corps headquarters, lit
by electric light from portable gen.
Grating stations, throwing their rays
to the highest corners Of the lofty
roofs for the first time in centuries.
Making a Camoufiage Roof.
One Of the most novel headquar-
tiers was transformed from what
many years ago had been an immense
circular gravel pit. Trees had grown
in its basin, while brush and grass
covered Its sides. Over the hole was
and stained canvas so that to the air
planes high in the air it looked like
part OF the surrounding pasture. Then
workers tunneled into the sides of the
bank nearest the enemy. down to a
depth of 100 feet, excavating large
walls and ceilings Of boards, in which
scores Of men slept, ate and carried
on their daily work.
Only July 4 I was at this headquar-
tiers. The men called it Camp
Misery" They had arranged a field
day. All events were under the
|camounage, little higher than a tall
mans head, which precluded the usual
base ball game. With all its limita-
tions the competition and roofing were
as enthusiastic as on many a less re-
stricted field.