The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-03-31

NA1hDs ~ " H.
From the Edward Marshal Syndicate,
Inc.
France, February 13-(Special Corre-
spondence.) -Outside the ruined town was
bathed in the brightness of the June sun
shine, but in the vaulted cellar that
served as the fighting post of the British
battery whose guns were hidden be-
meath the trees that still bordered the
shelltorn square, there was just enough
light for the occupants to work by.
The telephonist on duty handed the
message that he had just received to the
battery commander, who was working
with pencil and protractor upon the
maps in front of him. He took the pink
slip from the mans hand and read it's
contents aloud for the benefit of the
subaltern on duty, who sat by his side
THE &C Seventh Rutlandshires report
that a minen werfer in the German front
line is giving him trouble. VIII you see
if YOU can help him? Fifty rounds al
lotted. From &C. N heavy artillery
group
only too pleased, if we can find out
where Minnies emplacement u.s. com
mented the major I'll go to battalion
headquarters now and talk to the col
onel. Do you know where they are?'
"M.15 AZ, SIR" replied the subaltern.
II was there the other day, trying to
find the line to hut o. p
mot more than mile or so from
here" said the major. "I'll be off now.
You can carry on IL anything happens
while I'm away"
He made his way down a long street
friLged with the battered ruins of what
had once been prosperous houses, I'M
til a notice board warned him of the
danger Of proceeding further by daylight.
Then he took to communication trench,
which, after many windings, brought him
to the point he sought.
The colonel was in, and was delighted
to see him. II want to get a gun onto
that Internal Minnie he explained.
THE blessed thing keeps knocking my
front line about every few hours. Yes,
know where it Is all right; like to
come and see it?'
The two followed the ramifications of
communication trench. support and front
line until they came to spot in the
latter at the top of a slight rise in the
ground The colonel took periscope
from it's case and raised it cautiously
Just above the parapet. After minute S
inspection he beckoned to the gunner
major to look through it. you see that
dead tree that looks like a Y. about 1909
yards back? Well, about two degrees
left of that there are some white sand
bags in the German parapet. That's
where she Is"
II see where you mean" replied the
gunner, after few moments examina-
ton. "You can't see that bit of trench
from any of my o. P.'s. I'll run line
to this point straight away, and shoot
her from here. She's not more than a
hundred yards from where we're stand
ing Would you like to clear your
trench in case ! drop one short?'
The colonel laughed mo. We'll chance
that" he said 'Ill come and watch if
you don't mind. When will you begin?''
"Will 4 o'clock this afternoon suit
your" replied the major THAT will give
me time to run a line here and the
lights usually pretty good about then.
| So 1t was arranged. A party of tele-
phonists spent the next couple of hours
| in laying telephone wire from the
point In the front line to the nearest
observation port, where it connected
with an existing line to the battery. The
major worked out his switch and range
| and gave them to the guns. At !
Io'clock sharp he arrived in the front
trench, where the telephonist awaited
/ him.
Pm through to the battery. isr,' re.
ported the latter
! "All right give them action, said
the major Tell them to report when
ready"
| The major raised his periscope eau
tioously above the parapet. and got the
minen werfer emplacement in the cen
ter of its field. The colonel arrived and
took up his stand by the majors side
In a few seconds the telephonist spoke
again. Battery ready to fire, sir" he
said
.Fire" exclaimed the major; then
turning to the colonel I'm putting my
first some way over. for safety's sake"
| The faint report of the gun reached
their ears. followed by the moan ~
the shell as it came rapidly nearer.
Tho moan grew to a roar and the she'll
| ritched couple of hundred yards be-
hind the German front line. BURSTING
With crash and fountain OF earth
asa smoke
The major heaved Z sigh Of relief