The Lubbock avalanche. (Lubbock, Tex.) 1909-1922, 1919-08-07
&. s. A. Base Hospital No 3.
Bordeaux. France. Oct. %, 1918.


some of my experiences
Two months Of rigid training In the small
village of Chalancey, close 10 the Swiss border
IN the northeast part OF France hardened me
as soldier and was ready and NJ Tor the
front trenches.
On a Sunday evening at $50 o'clock, we
hiked 20 the railroad station 10 miles distant
Just n while after we were on the march u
started 20 pour rain and at each halt our equip
ment seemed heavier. / heard one OF the boys
remark for some one TO take that man OIL MS
back.
We arrived at the railroad station at n. m,
still raining and we had 10 wait until a. M
after n four-hour wait. the train arrived AT the
station.
On board the parlor car Of the frog special
as the car was named, chevauX or 40 NOMINEES
which means horses and 40 men, each man
went to his little corner and took of his equip
ment.
Next thing on the program is a hearty break
fast. one piece of white bread and cup OIL
coffee.
The train bumps out of the station at a. m.
and arrived at Revgney, France, at p. m.
LIGHTS are forbidden on the train and when
we got off the box car, each lad made sure 10
get somebody ese's equipment The rain had
ceased We liked several more miles and had
full course wartime supper, cup OF coffee
and piece of white bread. the only difference
from breakfast being the java first.
After participating in the festivities we re-
tired for the evening on the soft ground, our
packs for pillows.
Starting early in the morning we go on
hike. we hadn't the least idea where we were
all going when an lrshman in behind OF me
said we're going back to the station from which
we started.
Finally we reach Robert Espagne, good
sized town, but we pass the big towns and
keep on and arrive at the village of Heronville
at p m.
MOVING TO THE FRONT.
The following day at sunset after a four-mile
march we boarded French motor trucks and
rode till almost daybreak liked kos to
camouflaged French cantonment located in a
forest to be out of sight of the German aero
planes; we stay here until the sun goes down
Then after a seven-me hike, we get our
initial nights rest in reserve dugouts, 80 feet
under the ground il is quiet here, with the eX-
ception of an occasional visit from Jerry, who
drops some bombs and we feel that 1t is no
picnic.
On the evening of the eighth day at dusk, we
left for the front walked very cautiously, no
loud talking marched in single column on both
sides of the road There is distance OF 100
yards between platoons, with connecting files
at five-yard intervals. We met the guide. He
leads US to our sector in the trenches. II is
early morning | a. m. Orders are for all to
stand watch the balance of that morning. After
the watch arranged our relief; however, 1t
is customary for all to stand watch at daybreak
and sunset.
The sentinels on post must always be on the
alert and each sentinel is instructed carefully
as to his duties The gas sentinel must be
on the lookout for the change of wind which
might be right for the Germans to send a gas
attack and kill US before we could get our masks
on.
There is a small wind vane over the door of
the dugout; it keeps him posted as to the di-
rection the wind is blowing.
If the enemy should shoot over enough gas
shells and they break near to the dugout, he
would give the alarm by sounding big haxon
horn at the entrance to the dugout, and by that
method all the sectors nearby pick up the
signal.
All hands come out of the dugout and stand
post for the Germans may be preparing to at
tack It wasn't unusual for us to come up seven
times night or day, when we were trying to
get our rest after coming off watch.
ON HILL 304.
was on watch II hours at a time and was
relieved by the gas sergeant Of the fourth
platoon. We had TO make the rounds IN the
trenches where our company was located during
our watch.
Along with the rats running over us and
gas alarms we got little rest.
You come out of the dugout in a crouched
position and go down backwards, as the top OF
the stairs isn't very high, about feet ! think.
The trenches our company was IN were on
Hill 304 / often had read of this famous hill
in the newspapers in the early part of the war.
heard the Frenchmens story of the battles.
They were some battles lie said this hill was
captured and recaptured Is times, first the
French and then the Germans.
The vallet where 100000 men. French and
Germans have fallen, is close by. II is known
as death valley.
Ten days in the trenches makes me feel like
veteran Have plenty of visitors-the rats.