Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1918-07-30

OF Hebron, who has had, % b shown BY |
the letter, . variety Of experiences dur
Ing bis year and moro Of service In the
war.
Well, Il 10 almost year since / Joined
mp and eight months the 18th Of juno
since sailed from New York, and Ger.
tainly have been through some expert
epces in these past few months, and yet
am oil o. Z. and certainly different
man from the one who left Maine almost
Q year ago. In fact, have really had .
happy, we'll year, but a. usual, wherever
20 something starts, a. some OF the
boys who know me best say.
No matter whore 60, II they have
never been raided before they are certain
to have "Fiitz'' overhead within week
Of most, and really It's true. The first
| place was In had not been bombed for
two years, and felt safe, % It was too far
for aeroplanes and they thought Zepps
were OF the past. Well, inside of two
weeks We had three raids. by the latest
Zeppelins.
On my way here I arrived In London
In the night, and had just got In bed
when things started, but ! was too tired
to get up, and was too busy the next few
days to read the papers, 90 do not really
know how much damage was done.
When we docked In France, I'm blessed
II there wasn't plano right overhead,
and this was my first view of real air
fight. AZ the French planes went after
them and the snti-aircraft guns were
busy, 1t was real exciting to me then, but
found was only getting glimpse OF
war.
| think may tell you now, az 1t Is all
ancient history by this time, that was
detailed for duty In the Amiens sector
and arrived the day the Big German
drive was on, with the City of Amiens as
their first objective, and was In that
beautiful cathedral few hours before
It was hit. It does seem crime to de-
stroy such places, especially when there
IL absolutely no military advantage
gained by so doing.
Well, It was sure "hsdes" 10 that Sec
tor, as you must know, and had the ex-
perience OF going into the front line, so
have been through bombing, Smelling and
gas. In the gas the worst thing I felt
was an almost Irresistible desire to pull
off my mask, as at first I felt as il was
going to suffocate. You have the mouth
piece In your mouth and your nostrils
are pressed tightly by q clasp, almost
identical with our spring clothespin,
which pinches your nose 80 you must
breathe through your mouth. We have
to be able to adjust our gas mask In six
icy seconds from time alarm is given. In
fact, think most of US get the mask on
In less time when we have our gas pouch
at "alert."
I was In the line only 4s hours when I
was ordered here, as there was some
mix-up about my orders, and doubt II
1t has ever been Strengthened out, as they
awakened me early the next morning
with telegram for me to hold myself in
readiness to move up the line at an
hours notice, but am still here, though
now this "bIg push" is on, I expect to
be moved any day.
This being attached to another army
may be all right and I'm not kicking and
won't cry for transfer to the A. E. F. II
I die of old age here, but 1t is rather
nasty to be absolutely o "free lance" as ]
have been for eight months and at pres
emit am not even officially attached to any
unit, or organization. And to cap all, my
major and colonel in command recon-
mended me for promotion to captain,
and although meeting all requirements,
we are informed they are not at present
promoting n. DIS attached to B. z. F.
Well, have the satisfaction of being
recommended for promotion anyway,
and two of the other boys here got the
same thing and deserve promotion more
than I, as both have been here over q
year, and both gassed and one wounded.
Hutch, also Is q G.. q. Specialist good
enough to receive personal letter from
the officer at the head of G.. q. work in
France, saying he needs his services and
10 going to request his return to the A.
E. F., SO I ought not to grumble II they
don't, had II
After all, We are not over here simply
to chase after bars, so I'm not going to
worry about them. If get an extra one
so much the better. II not, I am still
much more fortunate than many and
have my health, and so long al am not
wounded or sick, I'll never kick.
Strange how I've always seemed to
Iget into trouble all my life and yet land
on my feet at the finish. In fact, the
only wound have is one I got right in
the City of Rouen. The other night !
was down to the British officers club
and started home about II 80. As the
trains had stopped and had three miles
to walk, thought would take short
cut through an alley to the bridge over
the river. Well, it was very dark, and l
had gone about block, taking the mid.
die of the alley, which is very narrow,
as they all are in these old cities, espe-
oially on the water front, when I heard q
rush of feet behind me coming out of q
little passage. OF course I jumped to
one side and turned, as hadn't time to
run, and was cut off from the main street
anyway. Well, I met one just as hard as
I could somewhere In the face. Must
have hurt him badly as he did not even
groan, just collapsed straight down. 1t
was 80 dark could not see how many
there were or where was striking. It
seemed as II there were . hundred of
them, for sure was frightened the
worst have ever been, and I did not
even have cane, and not word was
spoken. forgot to boiler for help and
It would have been useless anyway.
Well, knocked another down and had
Just given him a. hard q kick with my
heavy boot as could, hoping to hit his
head, but just then one Of them bit me
the hardest blow I ever had. II 1t had
struck my stomach or head the war
would have been over for me then, but 1t
happened to hit my right chest and just
knocked me clear around post 80 the
post was between (more lucky rs long
enough for me to get on my feet, and
then nothing short Of lightning could
have caught me. When I got over the
bridge, heard someone behind me, and
bad the wind up" so badly that guess
I thought every one was after me, so I
stepped into the shadow until he came
abreast, and then stepped up and asked
il he was following me for anything in
particular.
found he was an officer from the next
camp above mine. I sure was glad to
see him too. He came down the main
street, and will next time, and 90 came
In behind me. He said he heard quite q
rumpus up one of the alleys, but had no
idea what 1t was, and I had run down
and crossed ahead of him, you see.
Result, one broken knuckle and badly
bruised hand, skinned elbow, water on
right knee, which 10 coming fine now,
lost hat and hat cord, and spoiled q per.
Ifaot1v oood unfform for onvthino INIT