of us realized that there
would be some in our
ranks missing on the
return march. All of last
night our guns just ahead
of up put up a terrific
barrage & again I ask - How
in hell can a fellow sleep
on a hard damp bed when
the air is filled with
splitting explosions & the
earth seems to be turning
upside down?
Finally the order came to
fall in & we slung our
packs, formed our squads
& marched forward singing
The Yanks are coming & Over There.
Somebody started to sing
Break the news to Mother but
we wouldn't stand for
any such sad stuff.
While everyone seemed
happy, I'll vouch for it that
this was far from our
true state of feelings. We
knew to a man what the
next few days would bring
us, for it was generally
understood that we were
to be used as sacrifice
troops in an effort to
break the Hindenburg Line.
At 6 P.M. we halted at the
foot of a big hill & scattered
in small groups. Our
artillery was in position
behind us so a steady
stream of shells kept
screaming overhead. About
10 P.M. we grew very sleepy
so lay on the ground huddling
close to each other as we
had no blankets. Suddenly
the hum of hostile planes
was heard approaching &
just as suddenly our guns
put up the worst air
barrage I had heard up
to this time. It was