Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-03-13
OVER THE TOP
BY
ARTHUR GUY ENHEY.
An American Boy Who Went.
1917. by Arthur Guy Empey.,

when fellow went into that
would come out on n stretcher. At
one time u Scotch battalion held II, and
when they heard the botting was even
money that they'd come out on
stretcherB. they grabbed all the bets In
sight. Like a lot OF bRlly idiots. sew
eral OF the battery men fell for their
game. and put up real money. The
tho prospects looked bright for the
battery men to collect some easy
money. SO when the battalion was re-
lIcved the gamblers lined up. Severa!
Jocks got their money Tor emerging
safely. but the ones who clicked it
weren't there to pay. The artillery
men had never thought 1t cut that
way. Those ScottIes were bound to be
sure winners, no matter how the wind
blew. SO take tip from me. never bet
with Scotrie. cause you'll lose money
"At one nart OF our trench, where
u communication trench joined the
front line.. a Tommy had stuck up a
wooden sign post with three hands or
arms on 1t. One of the hands pointing
to the German lines. read, To Berlin
the one pointing down the communica-
ton trench read. TIC Biishty,' while
the other said Suicide Ditch, Change
Here for Stretchcrs.'
Farther down from this guide post
the trench ran through an old orchard.
On the edge OF this orchard our bat
terry had constructed an advanced OBJ
servation post. The trees screened It
from the enemy airmcn and the roof
was turfed. 1t wasn't cushy like ours.
no timber or concrete re-enforccments
just walls and roof of sandbags. From
It splendid view Of the German lines
could be obtained This post wasn't
exactly safe. II was a hot corner. shells
plunking all around. and the bullets
cutting leaves OF tho trees. Many
time when relieving the sisnaier at the
phone. had to crawl on my belly like
a worm TO keep from being hit.
1T was an observation post sure
enough. That's all the use It was.
Just observe all day. but never mes
sage back for our battery to open up.
You see. at this point OF the line there
wore strict orders not to fire a shell.
unless specially ordered TO DO 30 from
brigade headquarters. Blime me. II
any one diHobeyed that command our
general-yes. II was Old Pepper
would have court-martialcd the whole
expeditionary force Nobody went out
OF their way to disobcy Old Pepper In
those days. because he couldn't be
called parson: he was more like
pirate. II at any time the devil should
feel lonely. and sigh for proper mate
Old Pepper would get the first call
Facing the Germans wasn't half bad
compared with an interview with that
old nrebrand.
III company or battalion should
give way few yards against su-
perior force CT Bochcs. Old Pepper
would send for the commanding officer.
In about half An hour the officer would
come back with his face the color OF a
brick. and In a few hours what was
left OF his command. would be holding
their original position.
Il have seen an officer. who wouldn't
say damn for thousand quid. spend
hve minutes with the old boy. and when
he returned. the flow Of language from
his lips would make navy blush
for shame.
What l am going to tell you is how
two of us put II over on the old scamp.
and got away with It. 1t was risky
thing. too. because Old Pepper
wouldn't have been exactly mild with
US IL he had got next 10 the game
Me and my mate. "A lad named Harry
Cassell. bombadier in ID. 23s Battery.
or lance corporal. AS you call 1t in tho
infantry, used to relieve the tele-
phonists. We would do two hours on
and four OF. l would be on duty in
the advanced observation post, while
ne would De at the other end OF the
wire in the battery dugout signaling
station. We were supposed TO send
through orders for the battery to fire
when ordered to do so by the observa-
ton officer in the advanced post But
very few messages were sent 1t was
only In case OF an actual attack that
We would get chance to earn our
two and six day. You soc, Old
Pepper had issued orders not TO fire
except when the orders camc from him.
And with Old pepper orders is orders,
and made to obey.
The Germans must have known
about these orders. for even in the day
their transports and troops used to ex-
pose themselves as il they were on
parade. This sure got UP our nose
sitting there day after day. with fine
targets in front OF US. but unable to
send over shell. We heartily cussed
Old Pepper his orders. the government,
the people at home. and everything in
general. But the Bochcs didn't mind
cussing. and got very careless. Blime
me. they were bally insulting. Used
to. when using certain road. throw
their caps into the air as a taunt at
our helplessness
"Cassell had been a telegrapher in
civil life. and Joined up when war was
declared. AS for me. ! knew Morse,
learned II at the signaler's school back
in 1910. With an officer In the observa-
ton post. we could not carry on the
Rind OF conversation that's usual be-
tween two mates. so we used the Morse
code. To send. one Of us would tap
the transmitter with his finger nails.
q nd IN