The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1918-05-23
CHAPTER XVII.

CHAPTER XVII.
We were of the opinion at first that
this was only temporary condition,
but after a few days we saw a
slaughter bordering on insanity under
taken again and again. BY night and
dHy 1t was always the same. Using
Nerdun as their base, the French con-
stantly brought up new masses Of
troops. They had marShaled their
heavy guns from the nearer Verdun
| forts by the use of field railways.
In the spring OF 1915 both sides be-
gan an offensive of local, but of an in
| comprehensive, murderous nature.
German and French artillery lombard
ed VauquOls so that not a square foot
of land could be found which had not
been torn up by shells. Thousands and
thousands of shells, large and small,
were hurled into the town for three
days and three nights.
This continued until not single SOL
der was left in the village, for both
French and Germans had to retire
from this fire from both sides, as II
was absolutely impossible to have sur
vived this hell. The entire hill and ad-
joining heights were enveloped In
smoke.
On the evening of the third day the
enemy bOmbardment abated somewhat
and we were once more sent into the
pile of debris, which had been torn by
hundred thousand shells. 1t was not
yet dusk. and as the French had also
advanced an attack developed. They
came into our lines with strong reserve
units and the widest kind of hand
to-hand encounter ensued.
Sharp daggers flew from head to
head, breast to breast. Men stood on
cOrpses in order to make new corpses.
New enemies continued to arrive.
For each man who was killed three
others appeared.
We also received re-enfOrcements,
thus permitting the slaughter to con-
tinue.
Each man fought frenziedly, expect
Ing his death blow momentarily.
No life was worth a penny. Each
man fought like a beast
1 stumbled and fell upon the stones
and in less time than is required to re-
late 1t saw before me giant French
man with a pioneers spade raised to
strike blow. With lightninglike speed
l lodged and the spade struck a stone.
In the next moment my adversary
had dagger plunged to the hilt in his
abdomen.
He went down with a terrible cry
and crumpled up in agony on the
ground. 1 thrust the dagger into my
boot and seized the spade. There
were new enemies all around and the
spade came In handy.
l struck an enemy between the head
and shoulders. The sharp spade en-
tered his body and buried itself half
way in. heard the bones crack under
the force of the blow.
Another adversary was nearby and
I dropped the spade and seized the
dagger.
He struck me with his fist and the
blood ran from my mouth and nose.
We clenched. My dagger was in my
right hand.
Each of us held the other around the
breast. He was not superior to me in
strength yet he chung to me as tightly
as did to him.
We tried to reach each other with
our teeth. 1 still held The dagger but
was unable to strike.
Soon one Of us would have to let go.
While / was trying my best TO find a
way to kill him there was q terrible
explosion nearby.
saw my opponent fall and l my
self felt terrible pain in the right |
side Of my lower jaw.
ran as quickly as / could to the |
rear and after q search of several
hours found dressing station, where
| was bandaged.
My face was so swollen that the doc
tor could not tell whether or not my
Jaw had been broken.
was placed on a train for wounded |
men, bound for Germany, and was
taken to hospital In Dusseldorf.
I arrived at Dusseldorf August %, |
1915. My wound was not dangerous |
and they expected would be cured In !
IA days. Vet 1t required three weeks.
During this time made up my mind |
firmly that / would not murder any |
n ore people at the order of and TO
further the interests Of HohenzOllern- |
ISM. that this war would mean the end |
Df the HOhenzollerns and of Prussian
decided to desert to Hol. |
land.