Martinsburg W Va evening journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1913-1920, 1918-03-09
Mud. Rats and Shells.

Mud, Rats and Shells.
l must have slept for two or three
hours, not the refreshing kind that re-
suits from clean sheets and soft pills
lows, but the sleep that comes from
cold, wet and sheer exhaustion.
Suddenly, the earth seemed to SHAKE
and thunderclap burst in my ears.
opened my eyes-I was splashed AL
over with sticky mud, and men were
picking themselves up from the bottom
Of the trench The parapet on my left
had toppied into the trench. completely
blockingsit with wall of tosseduI
earth. The man on my left lay stills i
rubbed the mud from my face, ana an
awful sight met my gaze--his heal
was smashed to a pulp, and his steel
helmet was full of brains and blood
A German Minnie" (trench mortar)
had exploded in the next traverse. Men
We're digging into the soft mass Of mud
in a frenzy of haste. Streteher-bear-
ers came up the trench ON; the double.
After few minutes of digging three
still, muddy forms on stretchers were
carried down the communication
trench to the rear. Soon they would
be resting somewhere in France with
a little wooden cross over their heads.
They had done their bit for king and
country had died without firing shot,
but their services were appreciated
nevertheless.
Later on, / found out their names.
They belonged to our draft.
was dazed and mHionless. Sud
denly shovel was pushed into nls
hands, and a rough but kindly voice
said /: ss
Here my lad, lend a hand clearing
the trench, but keep your head down..
and look out for snipers One of lie.
Fritzs is a daisy, and he'll get yoa If
you're not careful"
Lying on my belly on the bottom of
the trench, / filed sandbags with the
sticky mud, they were dragged to lily
rear by the other men, and the work III
rebuilding the parapet was on. The
harder worked, the better felt. Al
though the weather was cold, Was
soaked with sweat. If u
Occasionally bullet would crack
overhead, and a machine gun wotllsl
kick up the mud on the bashed-inspafu-
pet. At each crack l would duck and
shield ny face with my arm. One OF
the older men noticed this action Of
mine, and whispered:
''Don't duck at the crack Of a b,h-
let, Yank the danger has passed-yop
never hear the one that wings you
Always remember that If you are going
to get it, you'll get it, so never worry.
This made great impression on me
at the time, and from then on, ad0I1t-
ed his motto, IF you're going to get IT.
you'll get it." 80 Ss f1sa ~
1t helped me wonderfully i used ut
so often afterwards that some Of NIT
mates dubbed me, IF you're going 10,
get it. youth get it,"
After an hours hard work, all lily
nervousness left me, and was laugh,
ing and joking with the rest
At one o'clock. dinner came up Al
the form of dixie Of hot stew. I
looked for my canteen II hal
fallen off the fire step, and was huif
buried in the mud. The man on MY
d,sb;ng ont tbe ra+,ons ~ ~ 80
shara n he Nose IN Thao Il .,.,.fs NJ
,ss,..-,,, - 80 u 80
,nass FIN mate 80 : 4 80 -
T'ha 49,, ,aas.so,, o., 4,.ss
.ual, @a 'eA' A1 a''o'Ae' 20 N'''' = sa'''
nsn.nos'
nat ste" tasted nne. was sas
i'unsry a. pe''r' We nau sseon47'
or ano'her ne'p'ng' because tnsce ~. q
.he men nao gone west, knleu ~
'ne explosion u inc uerlnan tF sa.Nsi.