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Show TUB HERALD-REPUBLICA- w SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, SUNDAY, MAY 28, 191G. N, n ItJil H OX HARVARD MAN, BACK FROM VERDUN, GRAPHICALLY TELLS OF WORST KIND OF FIGHTING Fire Fighting as Introduced by the Germans Described as the Most Terrible Atrocity of the Titanic Struggle; Even Ambulance Corps Must Take Its nChances When Liquid Flame Is Used in Desperate Charges Upon the Trenches; Death-dealin- U,V -- - ' ':... . 4,:. ' ' ', i - . 5 g I 4 A. Mixtures Used in Fire Grenades and Gas Bombs Add to the Horrors of War; Trenches in Which Soldiers Wage Battle Made Strong Enough to Last Till Doomsday; Telephone as Field Utility; Scouts of the Air Most Daring in Their Maneuvers to Photograph and Spy Out Every Move in Hostile Camp 'c.&rv--'- ' ;-v;-v msmimgmm mmmmmrnmmmm'MMiM 1 1 ; ? - t'j" V ' , X'l--' SI ' &i 7 i ivvv-- ' , ? r ; - . BY IIEXRY B. SI IK All AN. Quite in line with the other terrible things which characterized the terrible fighting in the vicinity of Bois Widows pt, le Prctre in the Wood of the was the fearful fighting with fire. Seemingly every power for destruction that has been put upon the earth has been made use of in this gigantic struggle; not a thine: which will terrorize the enemy has been overlooked. Fighting with fire was inaugurated by the Germans and is the on real atrocity which I am able to lay at their door. I have hoard stories of terrible things done by the Germans but never had I had actual proofs, except in the cae of the fire fighting, that they do thinirs which arc any worse than could be expected of any invading 1 army. When working during an actual engagement, the ambulance corps must take its chances, but never have I seen the Germans deliberately l ire .upon an ambulance. It is true that the trench army na3 now taken ur this fisrhting with flames, but it is never used except in reprisal for such an attack by the Germans. There are two method which are used in this horrible form of battle. In one a machine much like the sprayer used in combating insects in an orchard is strapped upon the back of the fighter. A metallic ring hose leads from the tank to a wi.le slot nozzle, just like the orifice in a vacuum cleaner. Inside the tank, under an enormous pressure, is a chemical compound which ignites upon contact with the air. A wide white flame shoots for a long distance from this nozzle. Thu3 arvecl, the advance of a host of the Germans is a most frightful thing to behold. Terrors of Silent Tire Attack. But the other method is the more terrible in its consequences. It steals and upon the French unheralded renwhich comes with a suddenness tiers it the more dreadful. A soldier with whom I became friendly he was a Zouave told me of such an attack which he had witnessed. One evening, just as twilight was merging into darkness, he, in the front trenches, happened to touch the ts!ccve of his coat and noticed a fort of mit forming upon it. The night was clear and there was no hint of moisture upon his face and hands. Immediately he suspected that the trench was being sprayed with a combustible liquid. He rubbed his fin- trers on his sleeve again and sraelled them. The odor told him that his fear was well founded. from the "Save yourselves comrade?. his to called f lames I' he in the Immediately every soldier bomb-protrench dived into the shelter. Hardly had the steel door of the shelter slammed shut when tho Germans threw over a couple of inThe trench for a cendiary bombs. length of 100 yards became a gully of fire. Every combustible thing burst into flames. The wooden frames of the loopholes, the tree roots which protruded from the sides of the trench, the exposed sides of .the sandbars, all were afire in an instant. Jnside the shelter the Frenchmen huddled with the temperature mountit was near-- f ing every instant. Soon and the men lv impossible to breathe dead than more floor the fell to was the as fire fierce alive. But with soon over was while it raged, it d men, gasping for and the breath, were dragged from the shelof half-bake- ter. Most Horrible of Deaths. One can't imagine the utter of this fighting with fire unless he has seen the remains of men killed by it. The charred limbs arc drawn into the most terrible contortions;- all the hair, of course, is burned from the head; the blackened face, repawn into a grin by the g is a bor-riblcne- ss i i nerve-shatterin- death's-hea- d. Nearly its terrible as the lire itself are the lire grenades used to ignite a trench that has been sprayed with V V ' ' L the mixture of benzine and kerosene These firo grenades are of various kinds, but the favorite is filled with thermite, a highly combustible substance which furnishes its which is used. own oxygen. The. especial activity at any point. So bomb explodes and there can hardly be an unexpected atdeath-dealin- g mix- ture ignites asthe the fire death is hurled in all directions. Woe to the unhappy soldier upon whom it falls! His is the most terrible death in this war of terrible agents of destruction. Provision Against Gas Attacks. When fighting with gas was first introduced into the war it was greatly feared, but it wa3 soon found that against every gas there was a protection, and now the soldiers take the cor.'ing of the gas as one of the least fearful of attacks. Along the front trenches are rows of electric automobile horns imported from the United States. When the gas is observed these horns signal danger down the line and masks are At other immediately adjusted. points church bells have been removed and hung from tripods in the Beside these, day and trenches. night, stand soldiers with great wooden mallets to pound out warning when gas is being used. Trenches Euilt for Eternity. People on this side of the Atlantic are apt to have an idea that the trenches are built in the rude way of most temporary structures. Let me assure you that parts of these trenches will stand until doomsday. There are great rooms with roofs of timbers and concrete twelve feet in tjiickncss, supported by girders which bear the imprint of Pittsburgh manufacturers. Such structures are found at every point of the line which I visited. The bigeest mortars of the Germans make but little- - impression on these subterranean fortresses. Especially strong are they in the Verdun district. And behind Verdun, between that system of fortifications and Paris, three more positions have been constructed, each as strong as the one around which the greatest battle of bistort-i-s now raging. Will the Germans be able to take these? I don't think that such a result lies within human possibility. Should they take Verdun they will immediately be confronted by another position ju3t as strong and behind that another and another. And besides, material is at hand to build half a dozen more. fitted with long range cameras, are out taking photographs of the enAt headquarters emy's positions. these photographs are used for elaborating the maps and for noting any Thousands upon thousands of men have been killed aud wounded and Verdun still stands practically impregnable. "And hundreds of thousands more must fall before this first defense of the road to Paris falls. I do not think that the whole world, much less Germany alone, could mass men enough to clear the way to the French capital. Another thing which makes the work of the offensive army much more difficult than that of the defensive is that each knows every Do you move made by the other. correct an know tbat map absolutely of the German trench system hangs in every headquarters of the French army? No doubt the Germans have the same of the French system. On every clear day the aeroplanes, . tack. I have seen one of these maps of the German trenches. The German lines are divided into sections and subsections and daily changes are made as the information is brought in. In each shelter hangs a carefully numbered map of the sections opposite. Supposing a French section is being greatly annoyed by a German mortar. The commander watches until he gets the approximate location of the big gun; then he notes the n number of the in which it is located. "Please send twenty .75 shells into n trench V., section 22, 12," he calls into a telephone as offhandedly as you or I would order the materials for a meal from a grocery store. A few minutes later the shells arrive with awful accuracy, screaming over the heads of the Frenchmen just before they burst in exactly the right The part of the German trench. French and Germans both have complete telephone systems and they are kept in perfect condition in spite of the havoc wrought by shells and sub-sectio- sub-sectio- mines. How Aeroplanes 'Plant Spies. The aeroplunes are used in still another and even more thrilling manner for obtaining information as to what is going on behind the German trenches. The commanders hail with joy the appearance in their troops of a Frenchman who looks like a German and can speak the German tongue fluently, as many of them can. To such a man falls hazardous work: he becomes an "observer" in the aeroplane squadron. Under cover swift-flyin- g of darkness a French machine will leave the hangars with the aviator and an observer. A couple-o- f hours later it will return without the observer. Somewhere behind the German lines, disguised as a German peasant or private soldier, a lonely Frenchman is in the land of his enemies, his eyes and ears wide open to catch any information which will be of value to hi3 country. Two or three nights later the aeroplane will again sail away and land at an appointed place in German territory. Sometimes it returns with the observer safe and sound; again the aviator comes back alone, knowing by his failure to keep the appointment that the observer has faced a German firing squad. A Story of Jealousy. An interesting story is told regarding this work: for its truthfulness I cannot vouch, but it's a good Two Parisians found themtale. selves in the same aviation corps, the one as an aviator, the other as an observer; they had been friends, but had fallen into a deep hatred for each other on account of an affair with a girl. One evening tho aviator met the observer and informed him that he had light-runnin- g, orders for the two t of them to immediately go behind the German lines." The observer never doubted the authenticity of the order. He hustled into a German uniform and a few minutes later they sailed away. Upon his return, the aviator made no report of the man behind lines. He simply left him there to his fate. However, the unexplained absence of the observer aroused the suspicions of some of his friends, who knowing of the hatred between him and the operator called upon that person for an explanation. Finally, under threats of bringing the matter before the commander, he divulged the spot where he had left the observer and another aviator set off to find him. For five days the observer had been absent ; he was to have returned at the end of the third day. The friendly' aviator found him hidden at the spot and nearly dead from starvation, but got him safely back to the French quarters. The story does not tell p what happened to the treacherous aviator. The aviators of the two armies entertain a great respect for each other. be brought Should a Frenchman down in the German lines, the very next day a German machine will sail over the French quarters' and drop a note telling of how the operator came out; whether he was killed or not. The same is the case when a German flyer is brought to earth by the French. But however much the French aviator respects his adversary in the air, there is no love for the German flyer in the trenches. Remember that this is a war in which the trench soldiers seldom sees his enemy. It is extremely unhealthy to show oneself above the trench parapet: But day after day, the man in the trenches sees the huge German planes outlined against the sky. Occasionally he mut dodge darts and bombs dropped from the machines. Here is the visible part of the German army and against him there i arises in the trenches a great and unreasoning hatred. And great is their'glee when an enemy aeroplane crashes ,to earth. It was one bright, sunny Sunday afternoon in early October when we heard the popping of the antiaircraft guns and rushed from our tn spp what was liflnneninr. nimrtra i i l A big German "aviatik," a had crossed the German lines and was leisurely making observations above a clump of woods m which It French artillery was stationed. had successfully eluded the shells of the antiaircraft jnins, but machine guns still popped away at it. A Thrilling Air Duel. Slowly and calmly, like a great silver-browthe atiavik locust circled above the wood. Suddenly no one had seen him come and his as if appearance was as unexpected mid-ai- r a in created been fleet, bed little French "Nieuport" appeared beside the big German. Just as a kingbird routs a hawk many times his size by his superior quickness, the Niuuport dived swiftly beneath his heavier antagonist. When immediately beneath the the--Ger-- - bi-pla- -- n man they are quartered during their rest period from the trenches, they hold concerts in the building best adapted for the purpose. it is the school bouse or a barn, or a deserted chateau which is selected. , A stage is erected and the soldiers themselves paint" the scenery, much of it being very clev- erly done. Little plays, some of them original and some of them adaptations of Paris successes, are put on and acted A'ery finely. Most of the jokes are at the expense of the Germans. One of the most amusing skits I saw Avas done by a Frenchman dressed in a German army overcoat. He had on' a blond Avig and his face was Doing the goose step, he marched around the little stage and sang a song of his oAvn composition about the letters of Hans, to Gretehen and those of Gretehen to Hans. The humor, though broad, Avas immensely funny and greatly appreciated. Why the Piano Rattled. On one occasion I was waiting for doctors in a village behind the lines and amused myself by going through a house partly-wreckeby- German shells. On the top floor I found a piano, unscratehed and in good order save for middle which rattled when it was struck.. strangely My comrade started a tune, and soon a number of resting soldiers Avere attracted by the music. Among them was a fellow who had made a violin out of a cigar box. We had quite a concert,- in spite of the rattling mid- Bosche a fusillade of bullets ransr out. n The Nieuport is a machine and the aviator aims his machine gun by moving his head. Apparently the first onslaught was without one-ma- Gen-eral- result and with bated breaths we watched the Frenchman maneuvering to keep beneath the German. Another fusillade and the German crowded on such speed that he sped ahead of the Nieuport. We thought that he would escape unharmed and a groan of disappointment ran through the soldiers watching the thrilling battle in the air. Suddenly the Bosche flopped uneasily to the left side. "He's got him, he's got him!" yelled the soldiers as they ran for their rifles in the hope of picking up the German aviator as he fell. Cheered Boche's Downfall. But no! The Boche righted himself and flew calmly on. An instant later, however, the big machine tilted drunkenly to the right. Suddenly the tail flew up and straight doAvn to the earth 1200 feet below, crashed the aviator, while the soldiers rushed to the d. : spot - where lay the German machine and and its two flyers a twisted mass of metal and cloth, appearing exactly like the carelessly spilled contents of a giant waste basket, and the remains of nothing that looked like hu- man beings. Over our heads, coming lower and lower, hovered the French machine. Down he came nntil it seemed as if he must touch the tops of the trees. At this height he circled" several times, viewing the destruction he had wrought, and then, apparently satisfied with the day's work he whirled away back to his hangar. The operator of the little Nieuport was Maurice Lebourhis, who Avon fame as the most daring aviator in the French service, and Avas loaded with medals for brave deeds, but later lost his - dle "C." - Finally it oeeui'red to someone to the piano. Wedged into the string-- behind the note Ave found a shell fragment Avhieh had entered through the open top without damaging the instrument. Probably the most interested in our open s n Avho audience Avas a had elected to fight with the land of his father rather than with the Canadian forces. "You know 'The Good Old Summer Time'?" he asked. When he had played and sung it he immediately requested a number of songs of the same order and period. The French soldiers enjoy music, and many of them are accomplished muFrench-Canadia- life in an air battle at Verdun. Before the aviator and the obserA--ein the German machine could be buried, they had to be pieced together. However, there were many human portions Avhieh could hardly be recognized enough to be awardedto either body, so they Avere both sicians. buried in the same grave to obviate - the possibility of any mistake occurring. The pilot had been, killed by a bullet from Lebourhis' machine gun, while the fall had' been enough to finish the observer. All is not fighting at the front, if it were, it is hard to think that men's minds could stand it. After a month or so, the soldiers get used to the constant strain of being under observation by the enemy, and they get up their amusements, many of them with a grim touch, but all a very satisfactory means of relaxation. In the towns out of shell range, Playing Joke on Germans. Some of the most amusing incidents occur right in the front trenches. On one occasion the soldiers their rest period the to trenches with them a brought mounted silk hat. it on a They high dissmall a stuck so that it up pole aboA'e the parapet and waved tance the pole a trifle so that it appeared that the hat Avas Avorn by a constantly returning from bowing man. "Vive le Presidente! Vive le cheered the Frenchmen as the bowing hat adraneed along the trench. Evidently he Germans were com- Presi-dento- !" Tile scene At the left i one ol the FreucJi trenclie l;iek ofIn Aer-! dun, one of those entilied soltlicr which the fighting; earth in on hi ork with- carrle out Iiclnm able dendly to nee the enemy Mhlfh heroine veritable death traps nhtn flnmen of liquid fire or poison fume sweep into them. The Kccne nt the ticrht Ik that flamen of fin men extinguishing in Verdun Mnrt.-.'German ' ty highly-roughe- cheered. Everybody "M Avhere - - 4- 4- 4- - -- f-- t-- - - by Mhella. pktely .taken in, for a shoAver of bullets Avas directed at the hat. Three potted the hat quite nicely, Then the , Frenchmen set up a IioavI of derision as they" tossed the hat, folloAved by a number of hand grenades, toward the German trench. They, laughed for days Atith thoughts 'of the Germans foaming in discomfiture. , Christmas night in the trenches. All day the trench engines had kept to their usual Avork, and hand grenades had f'loAvn thick and fast. Suddenly strange missiles , came flying through the 'air' First came a shoAver of empty sardine cans, .which Avas followed by a peck or so of rotten potatoes and handfuls of peJables. The Frenchmen could hear the Bodies chuckling in their trench, so they returned the compliment and tossed back an old beef bone, some bottles and stones, Then each side called out "Merry Christmas," and Avent on Avith their usual Avork of trying to kill each other. It was indeed a strange interlude in a usual sort of day. The work of the American ambulance at Bois le Pretre Avas just about the same day after day. We.Avorked hard, but as Ave learned the roads and the stations Ave improved our efficiency so that Ave had no trouble in taking care of the large numbers of wounded who came out of the Wood of the Widows. unfortunates and mangled men, all Avere quickly taken to the rear, and I have been assured that our record Avas Aery good indeed. Came a day" in the first part of February and Ave received orders to move to the town X Avhieh I have toll of in the first instalment of this narrative. In spite of the grim Avork which Ave had in and about the dreadful wood, we hated to leftAe the place. Wo had been there seA'eral months and had made a great many friends among the soldiery. But Ave had other things to think of as Ave hustled around getting ready for our departure. In a feAv hours the little convoy of ambulances Avas on the road to X. No time for goodbye; Ave. packed hurriedly and were gone. As we passed over a hill on the Avild moorland road and turned for a last glimpse of the Wood of Death, a mine fell into the forest. A cloud of smoke arose from among the shattered trees as Ave topped the hill and sped away to X. : ; : Shell-madden- ed |