Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1918-01-10

friend or enemy. The barracks we're
quiet-some sleeping and a few
awake. Just before dropping a bomb
I or using a machine gun, the aviator
generally shuts the engine of. On
this night / heard him pass by and
then return. On the return he cut
of his engine and | figured he must
be German. He started II again,
came real close and cut 1t off again.
1t seemed he must be right over us
and Just thought a bomb would be
coming right thru the roof at any mo-
ment. 1t was a great relief to me
when someone started the procession
for the dugouts beside our barracks.
I didn't want to be the first to go,
but did want to go.
One is absolutely defenseless
against an aeroplane Can't see them
but they can see us on the ground.
The French make no excuses, but
simply beat 1t for bomb proof when
plane attacks The more expert
ence they have had. the faster they
will run for a trench. They think
anyone who is ashamed to run for
trench is plain fool. think so too,
now. After we got into the dugout,
he circled over several time shooting
machine gun. but no damage was
done.
They got us up again at IL p. M,
but stayed only few moments. We
again returned to our cots. 1t was so
cold outside. had my shoes and
overcoat on over my night clothes
and just shivered. The blankets felt
so nice and warm on our return that
it was not long before l was falling
asleep. Heard another coming but
reasoned as the first two had missed |
Us completely, and, as it was very |
cold outside ard veTv warm in bed. |
would just risk this one and stay
in bed. Went to sleep and didn't
wake up until a. m. Found the
planes kept going and coming un-
til 4 a. m. Most of the bunch got out
each time, (ten times in ALL, but
four of us stayed in bed. Never
again will | be so foolish.
On the next night l was on duty;
was then a yard clerk. l was get
ting the numbers of train that ar
rived about 9 p. m. (21 o'clock here)
and Frenchman was with me.
got about eight or ten cars when we
heard a plane coming from the front
We started on brisk walk toward
a dugout. l heard a swish in the
air and knew a bomb was falling.
We we're in mud over our shoe tops
and Just as the bomb exploded l fell
down. Golly, l didn't lose any time
at that, either, but got up running
and in fifteen feet was up with the
and wishing he could
run faster. We got into the dugout
without a mishap, 1t was full OF
Frenchmen. They had a good laugh
at my appearance.
We started for the train again
were chased to the dugout again.
Went back and we're chased the third
time. We had four trains that night
and it was the same story over and
over again. The fellows at the bar
racks got practically no sleep that
night
This was a pretty town before the !
war, but there is hardly building ],
eft-nothing but walls, ruins, ruins, I,
everywhere No civilians here at all.
rhe Germans had this place eleven
lays. OF course the din at the front
S very plainly heard here. Some
lines it sounds like bad thunder
storm and then there are hours with
1ut sound.
The holes the bombs leave are !,
about six feet deep and eight or ten :
eet across. The one that made my
eet feel so light that night made
lole so deep that the French buried ;
| horse and some junk in it. !,