The sun., 1918-10-06

all we have to do is to make allowance
for changes in atmospheric conditions,
wind, powder and shells, and we have got
Fritz just where we want him.
As an example of the accuracy of our
fre-the other day some fifteen or twenty
French and Boehe planes were fighting it
out overhead, when one of the French
planes got out Of control and dashed to
earth, landing in No Mans Land, be-
tween the opposing trenches; by mira
Gle the driver was uDhurt, and almost as
soon as he touched the ground he leaped
cut of the machine and threw himself be-
hind it, on the side furthest from the
Huns, to shield himself from the bullets.
Firing ceased, and while everybody
waited for developments three Boche
leaped out of their trenches, walked over
to the aviator and took him prisoner. All
were within plain sight and within easy
shooting distance, but killing the Germans
would have meant certain death for the
Frenchman, who was absolutely at the
mercy of the former. After the party had
returned to the trenches with their pris-
oner our battery was called upon TO de-
stroy the plane, its position being given
to US over the phone. The third shot
struck within ten yards of it, entirely de-
uolishing it and preventing its capture by
the Germans
The same day 1 watched Fonck, the
celebrated French ace, make the record
bag for single day-six planes Later
two planes engaged in life and death
battle almost over our position. After
dipping, turning and maneuvring for po-
sition, the German plane canght fire and
fell, mass of flames, couple Of hundred
yards from US; the Frenehman began de-
seending, all the time circling and spiral
ling, and when within hundred yards of
the Garth his machine suddenly dropped
to the ground, lighting right side up.
Some of the men dashed over to help the
driver out Of the seat and found him
dead, bullet hole in his forehead.
And the war goes merrily on with nu-
merous incidents such as this to make US
appreciate the uncertainty and bigness
OF the game. But it's great. It's almost
like game of football. The opening of
'ombardment is to me the kickoff; the
whine Of the first projectile gets you on
your toes, so to speak; you are uncertain
where it will land, and unless your ear
IS practised enough in the language Of
the shells you gradually obey your sixth
sense by throwing yourself flat on tho
ground, and the game is on.
Since starting this letter I have had
to take advantage of convenient dugout
on two different occasions, so you see
my sixth sense is pretty strongly derel-
oped. / can call an incoming shell very
accurately, that is, within twenty or thirty
meters. Only last night while standing in
q rather unprotected spot the Boches
opened up on US with their big $50 NM.
guns-just after messenger had ridden
up with orders; both myself and the M.
hit the dirt three times before I could
finish reading the despatches-a good i'm
itation of Jack in the Box" am sure,
and a very necessary one.
But don't worry about me, for they
don't make 'em big enough TO keep me
from the U. S. A, and remember l am
dodger of rare ability. think attained
perfection in this respect when father
used to chase me around the table with
the comforting phrase, Spare, the rod
and spoil the child'' well fixed in his
mind and husky rod in his hand. My
dexterity proved the truth of the axiom
and at present is one of the chief rea-
sons for my continued good health.
But, changing the Geld Of battle-you