Evening star., 1939-11-28
British Troops Sing
And Dance While
Awaiting Attack
Movable Unit Provides
Film Shows; ChnpIoins
Doing Good Work
BY SIR PHILIP GIBBS,

BY SIR PHILIP GIBBS,
Noted British War Correspondent
WITH THE BRITISH FORCES
IN FRANCE, Nov. 2S.-(By wire
less)-The date for the great Ger
man offensive on the western front
has varied from time to time in the
German press, but November 26
seemed, in the minds of U-boat and
other German prisoners, as q great
day for something very frightful
to happen Well, that, too, has
passed without the crash of guns
out here or any sign Of horrid
events. The wind blows quick and
strong, and the mud is still thick.
There is no visibility for enemy air.
planes. 1t has been all quiet on
the western front.
One never knows. Only Adolf
Hitler knows, and he won't tell
what madness or sadness he has
prepared, If any, for the immediate
future. II that does not happen
until spring, this army OF ours in
France may have to adopt the
methods of our forefathers, when
his grace the Duke of Marlborough,
commanding our troops in Flanders,
went into winter quarters for the
same reasons of mud and weather.
1t was gentlemanly arrangement
on both sides, and I have no doubt
that our officers and men found
time hanging heavy on their hands
despite concerts, cock-fighting, card
playing, prize fighting and occa-
sional duels due to boredom, nerves
and pretty ladies.
First Dance Of Season.
Those things have gone out of
fashion. No pretty ladies come out
in coaches to visit the gallant young
gentlemen who are officers of the
line and drink tea with them In
hostelries. But, If this kind Of war
goes on, there will be scenes of
social recreation for the troops
down at the bases and on the lines
Of communication and even as far
forward as the blockhouses and gun
emplacements That is happening
already. Last night, there was the
first dance of the winter season.
very much in the tradition Of Marl-
borough's day. although not so bril-
liant in its uniforms.
Brilliance is eliminated by our
battle dress and khaki. but some
French demoiselles and British
nurses accepted the kind invitation
of the royal army service corps,
who put on good show for them
with band in silk shirts and two
saxophones and other instruments.
Apart from the uniforms, it might
have been dance on Brighton
pier. and was very enjoyable for
all concerned. who previously had
been cut off from social occasions
in their billets and barns.
Movie shows also are being pro-
vided for the troops by a movable
unit worked by two men. who put
up screens in any barn or COW shed
and give a two-hour show. includ-
ing Mickey Mouse and other favor
ties, from one end of the line to
the other.
The chaplains Of the army have
been doing some good work of this
kind lately in addition to their
spiritual and moral duties Work
ing with the labor corps and other
units, some of them have organ
lied as many as one concert daily
during the past month in various
areas of this mud-possessed zone.
Only soldier who has been dig
ging, or driving trucks down long,
wet roads, or reading by dim lights
in a solitary billet knows what
pleasure it is to get with an audi
ence of fellow soldiers for a good
old chorus between items of in
strumental music on mouth organs
or concertinaS.
Chaplains Mostly Under 30.
These army chaplains are mostly
under 80, I was told last night by
the deputy chaplain general. Those
over 40, he said. cannot stand up
under present conditions, which put
a severe strain on the 200 or so who
are out here. They are of various
denominations, but mostly Church
of England or Roman Catholic.
Apart from their religious duties,
their job, as they see it, is to keep
up the spirits of the troops and give
them that human touch of COM
radeship and counsel that so many
of them need.
They like to talk to a chaplain
about their wives and children. If
he has a fine personality, he has
an influence that is very warm and
friendly toward the exiled men
which few officers or comrades
could have because of the soldiers
shyness in blurting out such things.
Anyhow, the chaplains have big
chance of serving in all the social
and moral life of the army III the
field, and they are making use of
it. They find this army of ours out
in France highly intelligent, with
very good code apart from the
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