Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1918-08-01

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Foom. but be hardly noticed then.
While waiting there. the voice Of the
sentry, singing Ia Q low tons. came 10
him. He was singing the chorus Of the
popular trench ditty:
! want to 20 home. ! want . % home.
I cont want to 20 b the trenches -
more.
Where the "~whissbangs' ana "~sausaess"
roar galore.
Take me over the sea. where the Ailsmand
can't get At me.
oh. my. I'don't want to die! I want to -
home.
Lloyd listened to the words with a
strange interest, and wondered what
kind Of 4 home he would 20 to across
the Great Divide. It would be the only
home he had ever known.
Suddenly there came q great rushing
through the air. a binding, a deafen-
Ing report, and the sandbag walls Of
the guardroom toppled over. and then
-~blackness.
When Lloyd recovered conscious.
ness, he was lying on his right side,
facing what used to be the entrance Of
the guardroom. Now, It was only 4
tumble Of rent and torn Standings. His
head seemed bursting. He slowly rose
on his elbow, and there In the east the
dawn was breaking. But what was
that mangled shape lying over there
among the sandbags2 Slowly dragging
himself to 1t, he saw the body Of the
sentry. One look was enough to know
that he was dead. The soldiers head
was missing. The sentry had had his
wish gratifed. He had "gone home"
He was safe at last from the "whlzz.
bangs" and the Allemand.
Like a flash 1t came to Lloyd that he
was free. Free to go "over the top"
with his company. Free to die like a
true Brlton fighting for his king and
country. A great gladness and warmth
came owe him. Carefully stepping
over the body Of the sentry. he started
on q mad race down the ruined street
of the village, amid the bursting shells,
Winding them not, lodging through or
around hurrying platoons on their way
to also 60 "over the top" Coming to
a communication trench he could not
get through. 1t was blocked with laugh.
Ing, cheering and cursing soldiers.
Climbing out of the trench, he ran
wildly along the top, never needing the
rain Of m%achine-gun bullets and shells.
not even hearing the shouts Of the Of.
dcers, telling him to get back into the
trench. He was going to join his CON.
pany who were In the front line. He
was going to fight with them. He, the
desplsed coward, had come into his
own.
While he was racing along, jumping
over trenches crowded with soldiers, q
ringing cheer broke out all along the
front line, and his heart sank. He
knew he was too late. His company
had gone over. But still he ran madly.
He would catch them. He would die
with them.
Meanwhile his company had gone
"oveE." They, with the other com.
panics had taken the first and second
German trenches, and had pushed
steadily on to the third line. d com.
pany. led by their captain, the one who
had sent Lloyd to division headquar-
tiers for trial, charged with desertion,
hsd pushed steadily forward until they
found themselves far In advance Of
the rest Of the attacking force. Bomb.
Ing out" trench after trench, and using
their bayonets, they came to q German
communication trench, which ended Ia
a blindsap, and then the captain, and
what vas left Of his men, knew they
were In a trap. They would not re-
tire. D company never retired. and
they were D company. Right In front
Of them they could see hundreds Of
Germans preparing to rush them with
bomb and bayonet. They would have
some chance II ammunition and bombs
could reach them from the rear. Their
supply was exhausted. and the men
realized II would be . case Of dylna
as bravely as possible, or making a run
for It. But D company would moi
run. It was against their traditions
and principles.
The Germans would have to advance
across an open space Of three to -four
hundred yards before they could gel
within bombing distance Of the trench
and then It would be all their own way
Turning to his company, the captain
said:
"Men. It's a case Of going West 10,
Us. We are out Of ammunition and
bombs, and the Boches have 10 In 4
trap. They will bomb 10 out. Ou,
.bayonets are useless here. We will
have to 90 over and meet them, and
It's . case Of thirty to one, 30 send
every thrust home. and die like III
men Of d company should. When !
give the word. follow me, and up and
at them. Give them r.! Lord, II
W. only had Q machine gun, va could
wipe them outi Here they come. e,
ready. men," /
srItish prepare for the "Die
Push." the fersrunnsr o. The
haAA1n ~ AAA DA~~A No. Il