Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-03-15


the 103rd Regimental Band. writes as
follows to his mother. Mrs. c. Z.
Barker, los Main Avenue. Gardiner.
somewhere in France,
Feb. 16, 1918.
Dear Folks:
1t has been nearly two weeks since
l. wrote You last, but. l have had no
chance. We started the 5th to take
our position in. the trenches. and I'M
til now no postoffice has been estab-
ljshed SO we could send letters. 1t
took until the 7th to get to this place
and now we are all located here for at
least 80 days.
We marched into this town, on my
birthday and the Headquarters Com :
pany started for the trenches. At the
last minute the orders came to leave
the band behind, SO We are still here.
1t is an old town with not single
house left standing-just parts OF
them, and five of us have one of these
parts. 1t is just small room with a
fireplace, and all about us are ruins.
When we go out We walk through
ruins to get to the street. l have
taken some pictures. SO can show you
just how 1t looks when l get home.
This ground has all been fought
over and is covered with shell holes,
trenches and elaborate dugouts all
lighted by electricity. The trees have
all been cut down by the Germans in
their retreat, and everything de-
stroyed
The first few days we spent in eX-
ploring the ruins, and found few
souvenirs. found a German beer
bottle and Stowell has a German he'll
met which we now use for a wash
basin. II Is all very interesting.
On clear days we all stay outdoors
all we can so as to see all the air
battles. German planes come over
and sure get hot reception. The
anti aircraft guns make things lively
for them. Our own machine guns
brought down one.
afternoon while five of US were out
investigating an old ruin on the top
Of a high HILL The French had an
observation balloon up and we kept
hearing airplanes but could not see
them. All at once ont Of the sky shot
two aeropanes and headed straight
for the balloon. They unanswered a
minute, then one Of them shot straight
for it. Before he got there he threw
an incendiary bomb and opened up
with his machine gun. The balloon
burst into flames and the two observ-
ers jumped with their parachutes.
The Boche then headed for their own
lines and escaped without scratch
Never have I seen such a drama en-
acted before my very eyes. 1t was
quite near me and I was on high
hill very nearly level with the balloon
was so interested I forgot l had my
camera in my pocket. so lost one of
the best pictures | will ever have a
chance to take.
took a trip up to the front line
trenches the other night on q supply
wagon. 1t was not very exciting, only
once. We got in and were unloading
our supplies when they gave the gas
alarm. hadn't thought anything
about gas so my mask was way
around on my hip. | had on wooden
gloves and my steel helmet. thought
would never get my mask on.
took two or three good breaths. ex-
pecting each one to be filled with gas
At last got it on and looked around.
The F'renchman who was our guide.
stood there without his mask on so |
took miro off. They said there was
hardly any gas came over, but | take
no chances on that stuff.
While in there you could hear the
big shells whining over on their way
to the French or German territory
That doesn't bother you. for even in
our little town back of the lines you
hear the shells whine. When they
hurst near you is the time you should
worry.
We got the order yesterday to act
as First Aid men. SO l went in last
night with F. Company to act as First
Aid man. They gave me my Red
Cross arm band. and bag Of bandages
and things, and I started with the
company. 1t was a very long hike and
all in the night. We got in early and
after our stunt was finished we came
out again with never n shot being
fired at us. They say that it was the
first night they have been in without
being bombarded.
We do no playing here-just work
on detail and now this First Aid.
Our trip up here was a corker.
Travelled in box cars and got no sleep
then they marched us about six
miles and we stayed there all night
and the next day hiked in here.
This is quiet sector but it keeps