American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1918-06-21

to get the backache from bending
down. 1t wasn't exactly safe TO stand
upright, either, because as soon as
your napper showed over the top a
bullet would bounce of II, or else come
so close 1t would make your hair stand.
1--WE used to ill sandbags and stick
them On top Of the parapet to make it
higher, but nc use; they would be
there about an hour and then Fritz
would turn loose and blow them TO
bits. Ny neck used to be lore from
ducking shells and bullets.
"Where my battery was stationed a
hasty trench had been dug. which
the boys nicknamed Suicide ditch
and, believe me. Yank. this vas the
original Suicide ditch All the others
are limitations.
when a fellow went into that
trench it was an even gamble that he
would come out on a stretcher. At one
time a Scotch battalion held it. and
when they heard the betting was ever
money that they'd come out on
stretchers, they grabbed all the bets
In sight. Like a lot OF bally idiots. sew
eral Of the battery men fell for their
game, and put up real money. The
Jocks suffered a lot Of casualties. and
the prospects looked bright for the
battery men TO collect some easy
money. So when the battalion was re-
lieved the gamblers lined up. Several
Jocks got their money for emerging
safely, but the ones who clicked Il
weren't there 10 pay The artillery
men had never thought 1t out that
way. Those Scotties were bound 70
be sure winners, no matter how the
wind blew. So take a tip from me,
never bet with a Scottie. cause you'll
Lob money.
AT n part Of our trench where
a communication trench Joined the
front line a Tommy had stuck up a
wooden signpost with three hands or
arms on IT. One OF the hands. point
ing to the German lines. read. To Ber-
Hn;' the one pointing down the com
munication trench read. To Bllghty.
while the other said. Suicide Ditch.
Change Here for S~tretchers.'
Farther down from this guide posi-
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 II
from the enemy airmen and the roof
vas turfed. II wasn't cushy like ours,
no timber or concrete re-enforcements,
Just walls OF sandbags. From IL q
splendid view OF the German lines
could be obtained. This post WASH
exactly safe. 1t was a hot corner
shells plunking all around. and the
bullets cutting leaves OF the trees
Many a time when relieving the sig
mailer at the phone. I had TO crawl on
my belly like a worm to keep from
being hit. .,s -
TT was an observation post sure
enough. That's all the use II was. JUS
observe all day. but never a messag'
back for our battery to open up. YoJ
see. at this point OF the line Their,
were strict orders not TO fire a shell
unless specially ordered to do so from
brigade headquarters. Blime me. \
anyone disobeyed that command. oul
general-yes. IL was Old Pepper
would have court-martisled the Who'll,
ex~peditionary force. Nobody went ou'
Of their way 10 disobey Old Pepper II
those days. because he couldn't b
called a parson Ire was more like
pirate. II at any time the devil SHOULD
feel lonely and sigh for a proper mate
Old Pepper would get the first call
Facing the Germans wasn't half baC
compared with an interview with tina.
old irebrand.
IF q company or battalion SHOULD
give way a few yards against a su
perior force Of Boches, Old Pepper
would send for the commanding OH
Ger. In about half an hour the Offices
would come back with his face tn,
color Of a brick. and in a few hour:
what was left OF his command wouk
be holding their original position
II have seen an Officer who wouldn'
say d-n for a thousand guild spen<