The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-11-06
A COMPANY SAVED
T kt 1Ve shA HI Rh1 By H. DE WITT THOMAS

From the Legion Digest. Occur
 D'AlSne, Idaho.
 Although the section of trenches occupied by Company "K," 167th in- fantry, during a training period, from February to June. 1918. was ordinarily very quiet, occasional sur prise attacks were launched by the Germans, which caused no little anx- iety. to the officers and much dis comfiture to the enlisted men. Hav- ing heard exaggerated stories of the horrors Of trench warfare, and being effected with the nervousness natur- al to soldiers first subjected to an enemys fire. they were constantly expecting theSvorst. However. no in- cident of importance happened until late In thc month of March.
 In the quiet hours of the early morning of March 2S, 1918. men Of Company TX" on guard duty in the trenches near Vocaleurs, France. rubbed their hands and stamped their wet feet in an effort to obtain little warmth. Some gazed intent ly over the parapet. trying to pene- trate the darkness and mystery of No Mans Land. Others, effected by illusions. frantically fired their guns at shadows and swore they saw some one, Many stood in silence, watch ing. thinking, dreaming and wonder
 ing.
 Just before the break of day the dreamy attitude of all was supplant- ed by lively interest and expectation, for the enemy began dropping a few large shells that hit uncomfortably close to their trench Within a few minutes a regular barrage engulfed them. Panic stricken men ran to and fro. Dirt, mud and water flew in all directions. A stampede seemed inev-s itable. But suddenly the firing ceased; the men took their posts again. wondering what trick the Huns were up to.
 Toward noon of this same day the Germans began bombarding again. The earth shook from the explosion of many shells. Fragments whned through the air. and with a sckening thud imbedded themselves in some objects. Men lowered in dug-outs or hugged the sides of the trench for protection.
 Although an attack in broad day light was very improbable. the cap tain of Company "K' was worried. All lines of communication had been
 
 should need reserves much delay which might prove costly would re- suit if forced to depend on a runner notifying regimental headquarters at Vocaleurs. Many things could hap pen while a man was running four kilometres.
 l. While the bombardment was at its worst, a regimental runner rushed smiling into the captains dug out handed him an order and departed as quickly as he had come. After he had read the order the captain, gazing Into space, sat humping his fingers on an impro- vised desk. Apparently he was nerv- ous
 ''The order says they are at head quarters for us-plenty of them and I'm afraid we need them," mur- mured the captain. But I do hate" he continued. Ito send a man after them through all this he'll however, In fairness to the men out there ex- posed to the enemy. l believe 1t should be done"
 Calling a runner to his side he 1 whispered few words, and the man was gone in q flash. Racing through the woods two kilometres behtpd the first line of trenches, he made the road that led direct to Vocaleurs. On he went at killing speed-head up oughbred. Distance was no object. Time was the paramount object to overcome; and with th4 reckless,