Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-05-16

and going down into hob. This was
repeated again and again, so the lieu
tenant phoDed back to headquarters
and received permission to fire on them
with one gun. The data was not hard
TO figure, and then the fun began.
had often hunted game with a rife, but
never men at long range with six inch
howitzer. II was very exciting. though
grucsomc. The first shot fell far over
il. near the main road TO Blanzy les
! Fismctte. and more figures. evidently
thinking the road was to be shelled,
started up and ran. toward the hole.
Down 200 metres" called Lieutenant
Gribbel over the phone. The next was
Ithc shot fell nearer. Again he shortened
the range aud the burst of the shell
could be seen right alongside OF the
hole. Eight figures came scrambling out
where many had entered. Not satisfied
vet. the lieutenant started after the
| fleeing mon. first to the right and then
TO the left. and We could sec them duck
as the shells exploded nearby. They
/ finally separated, aud there was no use
of moro firing. 1t was sport, but |
can imagine the uncomfortable feelings
of those men who knew that they were
being snipcd at by gun of such large
caibcr.
| Many are the interesting sights that
can be witnessed from our o. +. These
eyes of the artillery. unless airplancs
are directing the firing, must be placed
we'll forward and well hidden or they
will soon come to grief. II Battery
twice had the pleasant experience OF
being shcllcd out. caused by careless
ness in approaching the post, and al
| though they got safely away, 1t was
moro good luck than anything else. At
tho q. L. $ there were many aerial bat
ties visible. while attacks by aviators.
on both sides on the great observation
ba lIoons were daily occurrences. just
ut dusk ono evening. n German scout
was being chased by French planes.
They were far off. so he landed behind
our lines. waited until his pursucrs
passed and then glidcd of to safety. He
took long chance. but got away with
it. for none of our troops were near his
lnnGinG place.
Or September > rumors were received
that the Germans were beginning to
withdraw from the Ncsle front and were
! establishing themselves on the Aisne. A
successful drive, it was reported, had
/ been made against .Jungny, to our left
and that this was forcing the line back
unless tho enemy wished to risk n flank
attach. That night orders were received
! TO be especially watchful anI immcdi
at"ly report all fires. These were gen
orally a sure sign of withdrawal. as the
enemy would burn extra supplies and
ammunition on retiring. IT was my
! luck 10 be on duty at dawn. Just as the
| shy became gray and distant hills gicw
Visible, a great column of smoke be-
gan to rise and | grabbed the phone to
notify headquarters. Before could
tell them, another one was in sight. aud
then another until there were twelve.
Then began the barrage. the valley was
a shining pit of dazzling flashes from
the hidden batteries. waiting in expect
ancy for this minute. How the shells
raincd in the hills held by the Germans.
Puffs of dirt appeared everywhere
showing the bursts. Into Fismctte the
shells poured. There was big house.
then a cloud of brickdust and when the