The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1918-03-07
MANY AMERICANS ARE
LIVING UNDERGROUND
Correspondent Tells Of Visit to From
Held by Forces Of United States

4 's'st w VI 1hsssu
With the American Forces in France
Sunday. March Some of the Ameri-
can troops in the Chemiu DIES Danes
sector are having an experience Of
cave life behind the front trenches,
their billets being deep underground
quarries and natural rccesses beneath
the surface. The correspondent on a
visit to this sector found them in posi-
tons held by the Germans less than y
year ago. Most Of the Americans.
however, are living in the trenches
and accompanying dugouts. The front
line trenches here have been cleaned
and improved and are well protected
with barbed wire entanglements.
The underground billets, some Of
them old limestone quarries and 9TH
ers partly natural in formation and
improved through blasting operations
by the Germans who occupied them for
nearly three years, are variously nam
ed. One, called Pantheon" aceommo-
dates 1000 men. The correspondent
found French and American soldiers
living together there in perfect har-
mony.
The living quarters Of the Ameri-
cans in this cave are 72 feet under
ground. The cave consists OF long
galleries with cement ceilings. Fresh
air is supplied by large air pumps.
The cave is in part electrically lighted.
Elsewhere acetylene lamps and oil Ian
terms are employed. The men usually
remain in this cavern from four to six
days each. They are not permitted TO
roam about for fear Of being lost.
A small railway to carry supplies
runs through the cave. A sign over
one entrance reads: East Boston Tun-
nell"
At another point the correspondent
saw some men who had just completed
their round Of trench duty. The gen
eral in command said they had begged
TO be allowed TO stay in the line a few
more days. "Why, they took US out
before we even had a descent scrap"
said machine gunner.
Discourage Familiarity
AS soon as the Germans learned the
were in the trenches oppos-
tie them they put up sign reading:
Welcome Yankees" but the infantry
mca riddlcd it with bullets until 1t
looked like sieve.
All the soldiers with whom the vis-
tor talked expressed pleasure at be-
ng in the trenches rather than in q
camp.
The general took the party Of cor
'espondents to his headquarters and
pointed out the location Of his troops
IN large map. "How much No
Mans Land is there between the
renches at this point ?" asked one Of
he visitors, pointing to the map.
There is no No Mans Land there; 1t
5 all Americas land" replied the gen.
raj. A French captain later substan-
lated the generals statement by say
ng the Americans had assumed CON
rol Of No Mans Land soon after en-
ering the trenches in that sector.
German prisoners captured in patrol
ghting there stated that the handful
American attacked with 80 much
,rce and vigor that the Germans
,rew up their hands and shouted
in the belief that there
ere many more in the attacking
arty.
American Officers Daring
Although numerous daring deeds
ave been performed by the Ameri-
ms in that sector, one of the most
teresting is that of German-born
who with small detail, took
b'I man PilSoiltI III DdIfbl ukUty
1t lost his way, with the result that
e party wound up at the German
irbed wire, where they could plainly
,ar the German talking in their dug
IT'S The sergeant pointed revolver
the prisoners head and whispered
German: Maybe they'll get US be-
re we can get back, but IL they try
| will kill you first. Now don't you
ter sound, and lead US back TO our
ie."
The German prisoner silently led the
mericans back 10 their own trenches.
e sergeant following close behind
m with drawn revolver. The prison
was turned over TO the intelligence
icer Of the unit, who gained much
luable information from him.
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