Evening star., 1918-08-11
SHRAPNEL
Sidelights on the War
BY
OLIVER OWEN KUHN.
OLIVER OWEN KUHN.

Blood and Anguish are the names Of
two British soldiers.
Though steady hand. good sight and
excellent hearing are some OF the re-
quisites of a good fiier. 1t also is ex-
II emely important that all aviation men
have good lungs. They must be able to
breathe deeply and hold their breath for
long periods. Fliers who are able to do
SO are better able to Withstand the
strain Of atmosphere where oxygen is
rare.
What is the most overworked phrase
emanating from the war? No. 1t Is not
camouflage, but, when the history OF
this war Is written"
1t is quite the vogue among brides Of
England to carry no bouquets or wear
ornaments Of any character. This ID
part of wartime economy.
Some years ago there was started a
movement to have the kits Of a certain
British Highland" regiment discarded
orders that a census Of the regiment be
taken In order to ascertain the wishes
OF the men themselves. The colonel Is
descendant of a long line OF Scotcn
lairds and strives earnestly to upnoio
old traditions. The sergeant VINO look
IHG CSIl6uS VI tiiC ASeAAANaAs
peared with his report.
"Ail the men, with the exception OF
three. are in favor Of the change. sir'
he said. ..u
the names OF these three true ciansfneh'
They shall be promoted
"They are, SIR he said. Patrick
Doolan, owen Evans and Moses Isaak." !"
Airplane mechanics in the British
royal air service are called "Ack En-
mas"
There is nothing tho matter with the
morale OF the American soldier. TINS
Is indicated by the statement OF one
young American back on furiough Tor q
few days. 81 am crazy to get oack 70
the line and pump some hell into those
boche ours, and every man in our regi-
ment will. too, can assure you.
A padre who stood nearby and over
heard the remark exclaimed. Amen.
soldiers Of the fatherland" is the
kaisers pet phrase
The civilian at home little realizes
what the fighter at the front has to un-
dergo Here's a description OF sol
every one should read. that they may
have a better idea what our boys are
going through 'over there in order
that the cause of democracy may reign
supreme:
Often in the actual firing line there
are no dugouts, as they might initiate
against the wakefulness OF the troops.
Each man has an overcoat, which, once
wet, remains sodden for days. and a
waterproof sheet He sleeps on firing
platform some eighteen inches wide. and
he cooks his lunch over a bucket with
holes in it, containing any fuel he has
been able to get in his neighborhood.
In the sun he is comparatively happy
and then it rains.
The walls of his trench-sandbags
filled with earth-become liquid mud.
SO that If he puts his waterproof sheet
over himself he has to sit on a firing
platform composed Of squelching cold
ness, and If he sits on his waterproof
sheet the rain pours down his neck and
soaks into his clothes His fire spits.
gasps and dies out: he has no chance
of drying his clothes when the rain
stops, for he may not take them of. and
he would blve nothing to wear IL he did.
The water trickles into his pack where
are his letters, his toothbrush, his ra-
tions, bis towel and any other little
treasures he may possess. His boots,
his hands. his face, his hair collect yell
low mad whenever they touch anything.
The floor of the trench, which can rare
ly be respectfully drained, becomes a
canal. His clothes grow heavier, his
limbs GOLFER and sitter.