Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-02-18

came. l, was 10 O'Clock a. night and
was in town With one of the fel-
lows. We were sitting in the park
just preparing TO so home. when We
heard the distant hum OF a motor iii
the sky. said. that's pretty late
for a Frenchnlan or an American to
he up isn't it ,There is an aviation
field here and they are flying at all
,iEnesr Well. we thought nothing
more Of il and began to talk about
something else. All the while this
motor was coming nearer. just as II
got directly over the city the big
siren blew. which is warning for an
air raid. and at the same instant a
bomb was dropped Now l can tell
YOU We were some startled. The
defense guns OF the town began 20
roar and more bombs TO drop. People
were running and shouting. II was
some excitement.
We tried to mako a bomb cellar.
large caves dug in the ground and
reinforced with concrete. bags. etc.
bu. the sh,apnel and bullets from
machine guns were falling SO thickly
that we had no time TO make bomb
proof. so we ducked into q doorway
tat was kind OF a stone arch and
there / lived through vha. l will
never forget.
One bomb fell about so Yards in
front Of US, killing one American SOL
der and one French. soldier. Then
two fell about 100 Yards hack of US
tearing a house all 10 pieces. In the
house We were SIDE OF nearly all
the glass fell out. much OF it falling
right Gown in front OF US. Shrapnel
from the exploding bombs. bullets
frorn the machine guns falling every
where, imagine a moro terrible situa-
tion if you can. Cor one who knew
nothing a, ali about such things
Well, We lived through il. but
probably in al my life I'll never come
any nearer TO getting killed and not
be. | surely hope not. There was no
protection. except bit over our
heads. none al all OF two sides OF us.
All we could do was stand there and
take il.
After il was all over We went
around and looked a. the damage
which was considerable.
GU. ct camp things rad been no
less exciting. Two bombs fell near
our barracks. orc through the roof OF
the shop and did not explode. and one
fell on a little house and blew 4 all
TO pieces. l have several pieces Of
shrapnel from that first raid as
souvenirs.
During one raid here a bomb went
through three cement floors OF
house and cid not explode until 1t
reached the basement. killing two
children and 4 woman who had taken
refuge there.
Well, the war IS over. or as good as
over. SO there will he no more OF
tha.: but for some OF the deeds they
have done-well. / guess they Will
have TO pay for them. / can sure tel!
YOU some stories when I get home.
As to when that will be I haven't the
slightest idea. II might be tomorrow.
and il might be next year. But we
are coming sometime. ard when get
off that old train at Wiscasset oh
boy" il sure will be one glorious day.
can imagine myself coming UP the
platform, TO meet YOU. gee.
have thought many times Of that
last morning when | pulled OFT. We
neither OF US thought i, would ne the
last time OF meeting until this OLD
war was over. At least I didn't l
thought I would be home again be-
fore going across. In fact / didn't
realize much of anything at the time
OF lust what I was going into. But
believe me. my experiences have
been many and varied since that day
on which l started on that long trip.
have done nearly everything. The
hours are long and the work hard but
! don't mind. ] have to get lin at
4. VI. Some early for me. no.
i, would have been once but not nov.
We feed very good here just as we'll
as any one could ask. All OF which
has been made possible for US TO
have by your conscientious and
thoughtful saving and denial over
there"
II don't get another letter to YOU
before Christmas. here's wishing YOU
all a Merry Christmas, and may we
ali be together TO enjoy the next one.
Your loving son.