The herald., 1918-05-16

gan SOIL ana Sdcn Gay DrOu8nt neW
sacrifices. Our lines became thinner
and thinner. Many companies were
entirely destroyed and all units SUI
tered heavily. These companies whose
forces had been reduced to a minimum
and with the survivors half starved
were opposed by an army we'll
equipped with supplies and arms. The
enemy constantly brought up fresh
troops while our forces became fewer
from hour to hour. We realized that
II was impossible 10 make a stand
here. We were constantly learning
from soldiers OF other contingents that
their losses In men and materials were
enormous.
I thought Of the God Of the Ger
mans. Had he forsaken them?
I thought 1t so loud that the others
could hear.
Yes" said another, whom the
Lord wishes to punish Is first stricken
with blindness. Probably he thought
OF Belgium. Donchery, SOmmepy and
Suippes, and still many other places
and let us run into this perdition like
Aging fiends."
We reached Vitry. Here the misery
seemed to be still greater than ever
before. for in the entire town there
was not a single house that was not
overcrowded with wounded. In the
midst Of all this misery robbery -four
lshed. All residences had been emp
tied Of their furnishings and every
thing was thrown into the streets to
make room for the wounded.
The sanitary squads went over the
town and took everything Of any value.
The munition and railroad columns
followed the same practice. They had
plenty Of room for plumber. This was
amply proven by numerous seizures
afterward OF parcels put in the mail,
which contained gold rings, watches,
precious stones, etc. The business of
the marauders flourished here In Yitry.
The soldiers in the supply columns en-
countered very little actual danger;
they had an easy time as compared
with soldiers fighting at the front.
We soon reached the cathedral and
reported to Lieutenant Elm. He also
had defended his fatherland at a safe
distance and here In the city, freshly
shaved and In immaculate attire he
looked very presentable.
The contrast was vivid as he stood
before us who were torn, dirty and COW
cred with blood, with unkempt hair.
with boards grown and caked with
mud and dirt.
We were obliged to wait 50 we sat
down and looked around us. The
church was full Of wounded; many
died under the hands of the doctors.
They were carried out to make room
for others. The dead were carried to
one side. where whole rows Of corpses
lay. We counted more than sixty.
On our way to vitry we had begged
some bread, but We were still hungry
and our field kitchens were nowhere In
sight. The crews Of our field kitchens
Al well as our forage officers and nom
commissioned ofiicers prefer to defend
their fatherland many hlometers be-
hind the battle fronts. They did not
care about US a. long as they were
not obliged to 30 within range Of the
artillery fire. Comradeship has its
with them.
Other field kitchens were near by.
They had prepared more food than
their companies needed. Many for
whom they had cooked will never eat
again. We were invited to come and
get whatever we wanted.
We had scarcely finished eating
when we had to march on. Presently
We were Joined by more members Of
our company. Our captain appeared.
One Of our officers reported to him the
number missing. He stepped in front
Of the company and said cheerfully,
Good morning, men," although 1t was
seven o'clock in the evening. A growl
was the only response. We were then
ordered to 60 to the wagons standing
at the north side Of the town, where
each man was to supply himself with
cartridges and three hand grenades.
We gathered at the wagons at ESQ
o'clock and each man took 500 car
ridges, his three grenades and matches
10 light them. On the way to the wag-
ons we saw everywhere formations be-
ng hastily organized from stray SOL
Hers and We received the impression
If some great activity in preparation.
The rain had begun to fall In tor
'ents. AZ we took our places we saw
he streets filled with troops wearing
Ipscial uniforms to protect them
against the weather. These uniforms
consisted Of a suit Of weatherproof
a cap, such baggage as must
70 taken on a march, a tent cloth, tent |
ticks, dishes and, with the pioneers,
rench tools. Thus equipped, we stood
n the rain and waited, ignorant of |
What lay before US.
We were ordered to take the breech
ocks out Of the guns and put them
a our bread bags. The guns now
vere no good for shooting. We now
egan to understand what lay before
Is. A night attack was planned with
ayonets and hand grenades, and the
measures which had been taken were