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1

'A "AXDTHEYTHOUGHTWEWOULDN'TFIGHT' FLOYDGIBBONS

■

"ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

WEWOULDN'TFIGHT

BY FLOYDGIBBONS OFFICIALCORRESPONDENTOFTHECHICAGOTBlBUNt, TOTHEAMERICAN

NEW YORK GEORGEH.DORANCOMPANY .A. fx

Copyright,1918, ByGeorgeH.DoranCompany

PrintedintheUnitedStatesofAmerica TO GENERALJOHNJ.PERSHING AND THEAMERICANEXPEDITIONARYFORCES J RESPECTFULLYDEDICATETHISINADEQUATERECORD INREVERENTMEMORYOF OURSACREDDEAD ONFIELDSINFRANCE

387570 ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Theauthorexpresseshisheartythanks toTheChicagoTribunefortheopportu nityheenjoyedasa correspondentof thatpaper,intheserviceofwhichhese curedthematerialforthesepapers.

vi Personal. AMERICANEXPEDITIONARYFORCES OFFICEOPTHECOMMANDER-IN-CHIEF Trance, August17,1916.

Mr.FloydGibbons, CareChicagoTribune, 420RueSaint-Honore, Paris. SearMr.Gibbons: Atthistime,whenyouarereturning toAmerica,Iwishtoexpresstoyoumy appreciationofthecordialcooperation andassistanceyouhavealwaysgivenus inyourimportantworkascorrespondent oftheChicagoTribuneinFrance.I alsowishtocongratulateyouonthehonor whichtheFrenchgovernmenthasdoneyon ingivingyou.theCroixdeGuerre,which isbuta justrewardfortheconsistent devotiontoyourdutyandpersonalbravery thatyouhaveexhibited. Mypersonalregretsthatyouare leavingusatthistimearelessenedby theknowledgeofthegreatopportunity youwillhaveofgivingtoourpeoplein Americaatruepictureoftheworkofthe AmericansoldierinFranceandofimpress ingonthemthenecessityofcarryingon thisworktotheend,whichcanbeaccom plishedonlybyvictoryfortheAllied arms.Youhaveagreatopportunity,and I amconfidentthatyouwillgraspit, asyouhavegraspedyourpastoppor tunities,withsuccess.Tonhaveal waysplayedthegamesquarelyandwith, courage,andI wishtothankyou..

G.Q.G.A.leJuly28,1018. COlfKANDEHENTENCan desArmeesAllies LeGENERAL

Monsieur, I understandthatyouaregoingtotheUnitedStates togivelecturesonwhatyouhaveseenontheFrenchfront. Nooneismorequalifiedthanyoutodothis,afteryour brilliantconductintheBoisdeBelleau. TheAmericanArmyhasproveditselftobemagnificent inspirit,ingallantryandinvigor;ithascontributedlargely tooursuccesses.Ifyoucanthusbetheechoofmyopinion Iamsureyouwillserveagoodpurpose. Verysincerelyyours, (Signed)F.Foch.

MonsieurFloydGibbons, WarCorrespondentoftheChicagoTribune.

viii mg0^90rob0noA10x10jo1znop00f00CUM0JBQom 10t<0IBQ-0anodn^voosi000nb•boat0Aou ox}aax;

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TheGeneralCommander-in-ChiefCitesfortheCroix deGuerre "

M.FloydGibbons,WarCorrespondentoftheChicago Tribune: "Hastimeaftertimegivenproofofhiscourageand braverybygoingtothemostexposedpoststogather information.OnJune5,1018,whileaccompanyingaregi mentofmarineswhowereattackingawood,hewasse verelywoundedbythreemachinegunbulletsingoingto therescueofanAmericanofficerwoundednearhim— demonstrating,bythisaction,themostnobledevotion. When,afewhourslater,hewasliftedandtransportedto thedressingstation,hebeggednottobecaredforuntilthe woundedwhohadarrivedbeforehimhadbeenattended to." GeneralHeadquarters,August2,1018 TheGeneralCommander-in-Chief (Signed)Petatn sasxeinaerson£3aa-aHM -o-r-o*!-o-i-o-r-o-:•o— ITU-MOfTH nvmnsna.Tzsriosicj (oooT»«ooo

*lT*x»no0*aopa»MoonoWoo»T0*ojWO.X•»••auTix1

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nmammtohwpoa.jzhd

FOREWORD

MarshalFoch,thecommanderofelevenmillionbayo nets,haswrittenthatnomanismorequalifiedthanGib bonstotellthetruestoryoftheWesternFront.General Pershing,Commander-in-ChiefoftheAmericanExpe ditionaryForces,hassaidthatitwasGibbons'great opportunitytogivethepeopleinAmericaa life-like pictureoftheworkoftheAmericansoldierinFrance. Thekeytothebookistheman. BackinthereddaysontheRioGrande,wordcame fromPanchoVillathatany"Gringos"foundinMexico wouldbekilledonsight.TheAmericanpeoplewerein terestedintheRevolutionattheborder.Gibbonswent intotheMexicanhillsaloneandcalledVilla'sbluff. Hedidmore.Hefittedoutaboxcar,attachedittothe revolutionarybandits'trainandwasinthethickofthree ofVilla'sbiggestbattles.GibbonsbroughtoutofMex icothefirstauthoritativeinformationontheMexican situation.ThefollowingyeartheWarDepartmentac creditedhimtoGeneralPershing'spunitiveexpedition andherodewiththeflyingcolumnledbyGeneralPersh ingwhenitcrossedtheborder. In1917,thethenImperialGermanGovernmentan nouncedtotheworldthatonandafterFebruary1stits submarineswouldsinkwithoutwarninganyshipthat venturedtoenterazoneithaddrawninthewatersof theNorthAtlantic. Gibbonssensedthemeaningofthisimpudentchal- ziii xiv FOREWORD lenge.Hesawaheadtheovertactthatwasboundto comeandbethecauseoftheUnitedStatesenteringthe war.Inthesedaysthecryof"Preparedness"wasecho ingintheland.Englandhadpaiddearlyforherlackof preparedness.Theinefficientvolunteersystemhadcost herpricelessblood.TheChicagoTribunesoughtthe mostavailablenewspapermantosendtoLondonand writethestoryofEngland'scostlymistakesforthe profitoftheAmericanpeople.Gibbonswaspickedfor themissionandarrangementwasmadeforhimtotraver onthesteamerbywhichthediscreditedVonBernstorff wastoreturntoGermany.Theship'ssafeconduct wasguaranteed.Gibbonsdidnotlikethisfeatureof thetrip.Hewantedtoridetheseasinashipwithout guarantees.Hismindwasontheovertact.Hewanted tobeonthejobwhenithappened.Hecancelledthe passageprovidedforhimontheVonBernstorffship andtookpassageonthelargestlinerinport,ashiplarge enoughtobereadilyseenthroughasubmarineperiscope andimportantenoughtoattractthespecialattentionof theGermanAdmiralty.HesailedontheLaconia,an eighteenthousandtonCunarder. OnthenightofFebruary27,1917,whentheLaconia wastwohundredmilesoffthecoastofIreland,theGib bons'"hunch"wasfulfilled.TheLaconiawastorpe doedandsunk.Afteraperilousnightinasmallboat ontheopensea,Gibbonswasrescuedandbroughtinto Queenstown.HeopenedthecablesandflashedtoAmer icathemostpowerfulcalltoarmstotheAmerican people.Itshookthecountry.Itwasthetestimonyofan eyewitnessanditconvincedtheImperialGermanGov ernment,beyondallreasonabledoubt,ofthewilfuland maliciousmurderofAmericancitizens.TheGibbons storyfurnishedtheproofoftheovertactanditwas CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE I THESINKINGOFTHELaCOflia 17 IIPERSHING'SARRIVALINEUROPE 43 IIITHELANDINGOFTHEFIRSTAMERICANCON TINGENTINFRANCE 6l IVTHROUGHTHESCHOOLOFWAR 78 VMAKINGTHEMENWHOMANTHEGUNS...96 VI"frontwardho!" 117 VIIINTOTHELINETHEFIRSTAMERICANSHOTIN THEWAR 134 VIIITHEFIRSTAMERICANSECTOR.- 158 IXTHENIGHTOURGUNSCUTLOOSE....182 XINTOPICARDYTOMEETTHEGERMANPUSH. . IQQ XIUNDERFIRE 217 XIIBEFORECANTIGNY 235 XIIITHERUSHOFTHERAIDERS"ZEROAT2A.M."25T XIVONLEAVEINPARIS 266 XVCHATEAU-THIERRYANDTHEBOISDEBELLEAU283 XVIWOUNDED—HOWITFEELSTOBESHOT. . . 305 XVII"GOODMORNING,NURSE" 323 XVIIIGROANS,LAUGHSANDSOBSINTHEHOSPITAL328 XIX"JULY18TH"—THETURNOFTHETIDE. . . 354 XXTHEDAWNOFVICTORY 376 APPENDIX PERSONNELOFTHEAMERICANEXPEDITIONARY FORCESLNFRANCE 399 zvn

ILLUSTRATIONS floydgibbons Frontispieca PAGE THEARRIVALINLONDON,SHOWINGGENERALPERSHING, MR.PAGE,FIELDMARSHALVISCOUNTFRENCH,LORD DERBY,ANDADMIRALSIMS 50 GENERALPERSHINGBOWINGTOTHECROWDINPARIS. 50 THEFD2STAMERICANFOOTONFRENCHSOIL....66 THEFIRSTGLIMPSEOFFRANCE 66 CAPT.CHEVALIER,OFTHEFRENCHARMY,INSTRUCTING AMERICANOFFICERSINTHEUSEOFTHEONEPOUNDER122 INTHECOURSEOFITSPROGRESSTOTHEVALLEYOFTHE VESLETHIS155MM.GUNANDOTHERSOFITSKIND WEREEDUCATINGTHEBOCHETORESPECTAMERICA. THETRACTORHAULSITALONGSTEADILYANDSLOWLY, LIKEASTEAMROLLER 122 GRAVEOFFIRSTAMERICANSKILLEDINFRANCE.TRANS LATION:HERELIETHEFIRSTSOLDIERSOFTHEGREAT REPUBLICOFTHEUNITEDSTATESOFAMERICA,FALLEN ONFRENCHSOILFORJUSTICEANDFORLIBERTY,NO VEMBER3RD,I918 I70 FIRSTOFTHEGREATFRANCO-AMERICANCOUNTER-OF FENSIVEATCHATEAU-THIERRY.THEFRENCHBABY TANKS,KNOWNASCHARSD'ASSAUTS,ENTERINGTHE WOODOFVILLERS-COTTERET,SOUTHWESTOFSOISSONS226 YANKSANDPOILUSVIEWINGTHECITYOFCHATEAU- THIERRYWHEREINTHEMIDDLEOFJULYTHEYANKS TURNEDTHETIDEOFBATTLEAGAINSTTHEHUNS. . 226 xiz xx ILLUSTRATIONS PAGE MARINESMARCHINGDOWNTHEAVENUEPRESIDENTWIL SONONTHEFOURTHOFJULYINPARIS. . 274 BRIDGECROSSINGMARNERIVERINCHATEAU-THIERRY DESTROYEDBYGERMANSINTHEIRRETREATFROM TOWN 274 HELMETWORNBYFLOYDGIBBONSWHENWOUNDED, SHOWINGDAMAGECAUSEDBYSHRAPNEL. . . 314 THENEWSFROMTHESTATES 346 SMILINGWOUNDEDAMERICANSOLDIERS 346

{PhotographsCopyrightbyCommitteeonPublicInformation.) "ANDTHEYTHOUGHTWE WOULDN'TFIGHT" k CHAPTERI

THESINKINGOFTHELoCOnia

BetweenAmericaandthefiringline,therearethree thousandmilesofsubmarineinfestedwater.EveryAmer icansoldier,beforeencounteringthedangersofthebat tle-front,mustfirstovercomethedangersofthedeep. Geographically,Americaisalmostfourthousandmiles fromthewarzone,butinfacteveryAmericansoldier boundforFranceenteredthewarzoneonehouroutof NewYorkharbour.GermanymadeanAllyoutofthe darkdepthsoftheAtlantic. Thatthree-thousand-milepassagerepresentedgreater possibilitiesforthedestructionoftheUnitedStatesover seasforcesthananystrategicaloperationthatGermany's ablemilitaryleaderscoulddirectinthefield. Germanymadeuseofthatthreethousandmilesof water,justasshedevelopedtheuseofbarbedwireen tanglementsalongthefront.Infantryadvancingacross NoMan'sLandwereheldhelplessbeforetheenemy's firebybarbedwireentanglements.Germany,withher submarinepolicyofruthlessness,changedtheAtlantic OceanintoanotherNoMan'sLandacrosswhichevery Americansoldierhadtopassatthemercyoftheenemy beforehecouldarriveattheactualbattle-front. Thiswastheperilofthetroopship.Thiswasthe tremendousadvantagewhichtheenemyheldoverour armiesevenbeforetheyreachedthefield.Thiswasthe unprecedentedconditionwhichtheUnitedStatesand 17 .18.. "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

Alliednavieshadtocopewithinthegreatundertaking oftransportingourforcesoverseas. Anyonewhohascrossedtheocean,eveninthenormal timesbeforeshark-likeKulturskulkedbeneaththewater, hasexperiencedthefeelingofhumanhelplessnessthat comesinmid-oceanwhenoneconsidersthecompara tivefrailtyofsuchman-madedevicesaseventhemost modernturbineliners,withtheenormouspowerofthe wildernessofwateroverwhichonesails. Insuchtimesonerealisesthatsafetyrests,firstupon thekindlinessoftheelements;secondly,upontheskill andwatchfulnessofthosedirectingthevoyage,and thirdly,uponthedependabilityofsuchhuman-made thingsasengines,propellers,steelplates,boltsandrivets. Butaddtothepossibilitiesofafailureoramisalli anceofanyoralloftheabovefunctions,thegreater dangerofadiabolicalhuman,yetinhuman,interference, directedagainsttheseafarerwiththepurposeandinten tionofhisdestruction.Thislastrepresentsthegreatest oddsagainstthosewhogotoseaduringtheyearsofthe greatwar. Asinkingatseaisanightmare.Ihavebeenthrough one.I havebeenonashiptorpedoedinmid-ocean.I havestoodontheslantingdecksofadoomedliner;I havelistenedtotheloweringofthelife-boats,heardthe hissofescapingsteamandtheroarofascendingrockets astheytoreluridrentsintheblackskyandcasttheir redglareo'ertheroaringsea. I havespentanightinanopenboatonthetossing swells.I havebeenthrough,inreality,themaddream ofdriftinganddarknessandbailingandpullingonthe oarsandstrainingachingeyestowardanempty,mean inglesshorizoninsearchofhelp.Ishalltrytotellyou howitfeels. WEWOULDN'TFIGHT' »9

I hadbeenassignedbyTheChicagoTribunetogoto Londonastheircorrespondent.AlmostthesamedayI receivedthatassignment,the"Imperial"Governmentof Germanyhadinvokedits"ruthlesssubmarinepolicy,had drawnablockadezoneaboutthewatersoftheBritish IslesandthecoastsofFrance,andhadannouncedto theworldthatitsU-boatswouldsinkwithoutwarning anyship,ofanykind,underanyflag,thattriedtosail thewatersthatGermanydeclaredprohibitory. Inconsiderationofmypersonalsafetyand,possibly, ofmyfutureusefulness,theTribunewasdesirousof arrangingformea safepassageacrosstheAtlantic. Suchanopportunitypresenteditselfintheorderedre turnofthedisgracedanddiscreditedGermanAmbassa dortotheUnitedStates,CountvonBernstorfF. UndertherulesofInternationalcourtesy,ashiphad beenprovidedfortheuseofvonBernstorffandhisdip lomaticstaff.Thatshipwastosailunderabsoluteguar anteesofsafeconductfromallofthenationsatwarwith Germanyand,ofcourse,itwouldalsohavebeensafe fromattackbyGermansubmarines.Thatshipwasthe FrederickVIII.AtconsiderableexpensetheTribune managedtoobtainformeacabinpassageonthatship. I can'tsaythatI wasover-impressedwiththepros pectoftravelinsuchcompany.I dislikedthethought thatI,anAmericancitizen,withrightsassuchtosail thesea,shouldhavetoresorttosubterfugeandscheming toenjoythoserights.Therearoseinmeafeelingof challengeagainstGermany'sorderwhichforbadeAmer icanshipstosailtheocean.I cancelledmysailingon theFrederickVIII. InNewYork,IsoughtpassageonthefirstAmerican shipsailingforEngland.I madetheroundsofthe steamshipofficesandlearnedthattheCunardlinerLa 20 ANDTHEYTHOUGHT coniawasthefirstavailableboatandwasabouttosail. Shecarriedalargecargoofmunitionsandotherma terialsofwar.I bookedpassageaboardher.Itwas onSaturday,February17th,1917,thatwesteamedaway fromthedockatNewYorkandmovedslowlydownthe EastRiver.WewereboundforLiverpool,England. Mycabinaccommodationsweregood.TheLaconiawas listedat18,000tonsandwasoneofthelargestCunard- ersintheAdanticservice.Thenextmorningwewere outofsightofland. Sailorswerestationedalongthedecksoftheship andinthelook-outsatthemastheads.Theymain tainedawatchoverthesurfaceoftheseainalldirec tions.Onthesternoftheship,therewasmounteda six-inchcannonandacrewofgunnersstoodbyitnight andday. , Submarineshadbeenrecentlyreportedinthewaters throughwhichweweresailing,butwesawnoneofthem andapparentlytheysawnoneofus.Theyhadsunk manyships,butallofthesinkingshadbeenintheday time.Consequently,therewasa feelingofgreater safetyatnight.TheLaconiasailedonaconstantlyzig zaggingcourse.Allofourlife-boatswereswingingout overthesideoftheship,sothatifwewerehitthey couldbeloweredinahurry.Everyotherdaythepas sengersandthecrewwouldbecalleduponthedecks tostandbythelife-boatsthathadbeenassignedtothem. Theofficersoftheshipinstructedusinthelife-boat drill.Theyshowedushowtostrapthelife-preservers aboutourbodies;theyshowedushowtoseatourselves inthelife-boats;theyshowedusasmallkegofwater andsometincansofbiscuits,alanternandsomeflares thatwerestoredintheboat,andsowesailedalongday afterdaywithoutmeetinganydanger.Atnight,allof WEWOULDN'TFIGHT' 21

thelightswereputoutandtheshipslippedalongthrough thedarkness. OnSunday,afterwehadbeensailingforeightdays, weenteredthezonethathadbeenprohibitedbythe Kaiser.Wesailedintoitfullsteamaheadandnothing happened.ThatdaywasFebruarythetwenty-fifth.In theafternoon,I wasseatedintheloungewithtwo friends.OnewasanAmericanwhosenamewasKirby; theotherwasaCanadianandhisnamewasDugan.The latterwasanaviatorintheBritisharmy.Infightswith GermanaeroplaneshighovertheWesternFronthehad beenwoundedandbroughtdowntwiceandthearmy hadsenthimtohishomeinCanadatogetwell.He wasreturningoncemoretothebattlefront"tostopan otherbullet,"ashesaid. Aswetallked,I passedaroundmycigarettecaseand Duganheldalightedmatchwhilethethreeofuslighted ourcigarettesfromit. AsDuganblewoutthematch andplacedtheburntendinanashtray,helaughedand said, "Theysayitisbadlucktolightthreecigaretteswith thesamematch,butI thinkitisgoodluckforme.I usedtodoitfrequentlywithmyflyingpartnersinFrance andfourofthemhavebeenkilled,butIamstillalive." "Thatmakesitallrightforyou,"saidKirby,"butit makesitlookbadforGibbonsandmyself.Butnothing isgoingtohappen.I don'tbelieveinsuperstitions." ThatnightafterdinnerDuganandItookabriskwalk aroundthedarkenedpromenadedeckoftheLacorda. Thenightwasverydark,astiffwindwasblowingand theLaconiawasrollingslightlyinthetroughofthe waves.Wetfromspray,wereturnedwithinandinone ofthecorridorsmettheCaptainoftheship.Itoldhim 22 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT thatI wouldlikeverymuchtohavealookathischart andlearnourexactlocationontheocean. Helookedatmeandlaughedbecausethatwasavery secretmatter.Buthereplied: "Oh,youwould,wouldyou?"andhisvoicecarried thatparticularBritishintonationthatseemedtosay, "Wellitisjollywellnoneofyourbusiness." ThenI askedhimwhenhethoughtwewouldlandin Liverpool. "Ireallydon'tknow,"saidtheship'scommander,and then,withawink,headded,"butmystewardtoldme thatwewouldgetinTuesdayevening." KirbyandIwenttothesmokeroomontheboatdeck welltothesternoftheship.Wejoinedacircleof Britisherswhowereseatedinfrontofacoalfireinan openhearth.Nearlyeveryoneinthelightedsmoke roomwasplayingcards,sothattheconversationwas practicallyconfinedtothementioningofbidsandtheor dersofdrinksfromthestewards. "Whatdoyouthinkareourchancesofbeingtorpe doed?"wasthequestionI putbeforethecircleinfront ofthefireplace. ThedeliberativeMr.HenryChetham,aLondonso licitor,wasthefirsttoanswer. "Well,"hedrawled,"Ishouldsayaboutfourthou sandtoone." LucienJ.JeromeoftheBritishDiplomaticService, returningwithanEcuadorianvaletfromSouthAmerica, advancedhisopinion. I wasmuchimpressedwithhisopinionbecausethe speakerhimselfhadimpressedmedeeply.Hewasthe bestmonoclejugglerI hadevermet.Inhisrighteye hecarriedamonoclewithoutarimandwithoutaribbon WEWOULDN'TFIGHT 23

orthreadtosaveit,shoulditeverhavefallenfromhis eye. Repeatedlyduringthetrip,I hadseenMr.Je romestandingonthehurrideckoftheLaconiafac ingthewindbutholdingtheglassdiskinhiseyewitha musculargripthatmusthavebeenvise-like.Ihadeven followedhimaroundthedeckseveraltimesinadesire tobepresentwhenthemonocleblewout,buttheBritish diplomatistneverforoncelosthisgriponit. I had cometotheopinionthatthepieceofglasswasfixedto hiseyeandthathesleptwithit. Afterthefashionofthe BritishDiplomaticService,heexpressedhisopinionmost affirmatively. "Nonsense,"hesaidwithreferencetoMr.Chetham's estimate."Utternonsense.Consideringthezonethat weareinandtheclassoftheship,I shouldputthe chancesdownattwohundredandfiftytoonethatwe don'tmeeta'sub.'" Atthatminutethetorpedohitus. Haveyoueverstoodonthedeckofaferryboatasit arrivedintheslip?Andhaveyoueverexperiencedthe slightsidewardshovewhentheboatrubsagainstthepil ingandcomestoastop?Thatwastheunmistakable lurchwefelt,butnooneexpectstorunintopilingsin mid-ocean,soeveryoneknewwhatitwas. Atthesametime,therecameamufflednoise—notex tremelyloudnoryetverysharp—justanoiselikethe slammingofsomelargeoakendoora gooddistance away.Realisingthatwehadbeentorpedoed,myimagi nationwasratherdisappointedattheslightnessofthe shockandthemeeknessofthereport.Oneortwochairs tippedover,a fewglassescrashedfromtabletofloor andinaninstanteverymanintheroomwasonhisfeet. "We'rehit,"shoutedMr.Chetham. 'ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

"That'swhatwe'vebeenwaitingfor,"saidMr.Je rome. "Whatalousytorpedo!"saidMr.Kirby."Itmust havebeenafizzer." Ilookedatmywatch; itwas10:3c- FivjsharpblastssoundedontheLaconic?s whistle. Sincethatnight,Ihaveoftenmarvelledatthequickco ordinationofmindandhandthatbelongedtotheman onthebridgewhopulledthatwhistlerope.Thosefive blastsconstitutedthesignaltoabandontheship.Every onerecognisedthem. Wewalkedhurriedlydownthecorridorleadingfrom thesmokeroominthesterntotheloungewhichwas amidships.Wemovedfastbuttherewasnocrowding andnopanic.Passingtheopendoorofthegymna sium,Ibecameawareofthelistofthevessel.Thefloor ofthegymnasiumslanteddownonthestarboardside andamedicineballanddozensofdumbbellsandIndian clubswererollinginthatdirection. Weenteredthelounge—a largedrawingroomfur nishedwithgreenupholsteredchairsanddivansand smalltablesonwhichtheafter-dinnerliqueurglasses stillrested.Inonecornerwasagrandpianowiththe topelevated.Inthecentreoftheslantingfloorofthe saloonwasa cabinetvictrolaandfromitsmahogany bowelstherepouredthelastanddyingstrainsof"Poor Butterfly." Thewomenandseveralmenwhohadbeeninthe loungewerehurriedlyleavingbytheforwarddooras weentered.Wefollowedthemthrough.Thetwin windingstairsleadingbelowdecksbytheforwardhatch weredarkandI broughtintoplayapocketflashlight shapedlikeafountainpen.I hadpurchaseditbefore WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" sailinginviewofsuchanemergencyandI hadalways carrieditfastenedwithaclipinanuppervestpocket. MystateroomwasB19onthepromenadedeck,one deckbelowthedeckonwhichwaslocatedthesmoke room,theloungeandthelife-boats.Thecorridorwas dimlylightedandthefloorhadamoreperceptibleslant asIdartedintomystateroom,whichwasonthestar boardandsinkingsideoftheship.Ihurriedlyputona lightnon-sinkgarmentconstructedlikeavest,whichI hadcomeprovidedwith,andthendonnedanovercoat. Respondingtothelistoftheship,thewardrobedoor swungopenandcrashedagainstthewall.Mytype writerslidoffthedressingtableandashoweroftoilet articlespitchedfromtheirplacesonthewashstand.I grabbedtheship'slife-preserverinmylefthandand, withtheflashlightinmyrighthand,startedupthehatch waytotheupperdeck. Inthedarknessoftheboatdeckhatchway,theraysof myflashlightrevealedthechiefstewardopeningthe doorofaswitchclosetinthepanelwall.Hepushedon anumberofswitchesandinstantlythedecksoftheLa- coniabecamebright.Fromsuddendarkness,theex terioroftheshipburstintoablazeoflightanditwas thatilluminationthatsavedmanylives. TheLaconia'senginesanddynamoshadnotyetbeen damaged.Thetorpedohadhituswellasternonthe starboardsideandthebulkheadsseemedtobeholding backfromtheengineroomthefloodofwaterthat rushedinthroughthegapingholeintheship'sside.I proceededdowntheboatdecktomystationopposite boatNo.10.Ilookedoverthesideanddownuponthe watersixtyfeetbelow. Thesuddenflashingofthelightsontheupperdeck 26 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT madethedarkseethingwatersseemblackerandangrier. Theyroseandfellintroubledswells. Steambegantohissfromsomeofthepipesleading upfromtheenginewell.Itseemedlikeadyinggroan fromtheveryvitalsofthestrickenship.Cloudsof whiteandblacksmokerolledupfromthegiantgrey funnelsthattoweredaboveus. Suddenlytherewasaroaringswishasarocketsoared upwardfromtheCaptain'sbridge,leavinga comet's tailoffire.I watcheditasitdescribedagracefularc andthenwithanaudiblepopitburstinaflareofbril liantcolour.Itsascenthadtornaluridrentintheblack skyandhadcastaredglareovertheroaringsea. AlreadyboatNo.10wasloadingupandmenandboys werebusywiththeropes.I startedtohelpnearadavit thatseemedtobegivingtroublebutwassternlyordered togetoutofthewayandtogetintotheboat. Otherpassengersandmembersofthecrewandoffi cersoftheshipwererushingtoandfroalongthedeck strappingtheirlife-preserverstothemastheyrushed. Therewassomeshoutingofordersbutlittleornocon fusion.Onewoman,ablondeFrenchactress,became hystericalonthedecktbuttwomenliftedherbodilyoff herfeetandplacedherinthelife-boat. Wewereontheportsideoftheship,thehigherside. Toreachtheboats,wehadtoclimbuptheslantingdeck totheedgeoftheship. Onthestarboardside,itwasdifferent.Onthatside, thedecksslanteddowntowardthewater.Theship careenedinthatdirectionandthelife-boatssuspended fromthedavitsswungclearoftheship'sside. Thelistoftheshipincreased.Ontheportside,we lookeddowntheslantingsideoftheshipandnoticed WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 27 thatherwaterlineonthatsidewasanumberoffeet abovethewaves.Theslantwassopronouncedthatthe life-boats,insteadofswingingclearfromthedavits, restedagainstthesideoftheship.Frommyposition inthelife-boatI couldseethatweweregoingtohave difficultyinthedescenttothewater. "Loweraway,"someonegavetheorderandwestarted downwardwitha jerktowardtheseeminglyhungry, risingandfallingswells.Thenwestoppedwithanother jerkandremainedsuspendedinmid-airwhilethemen atthebowandthesternsworeandtusseledwiththe ropes. Thesternoftheboatwasdown; thebowup,leaving usatanangleofaboutforty-fivedegrees.Weclung totheseatstosaveourselvesfromfallingout. "Who'sgotaknife?Aknife!Aknife!"shouted afiremaninthebow.Hewasbaretothewaistand perspirationstoodoutindropsonhisfaceandchestand madestreaksthroughthecoaldustwithwhichhisskin wasgrimed. "GreatGawd!Givehima knife,"bawledahalf- dressedjibberingnegrostokerwhowrunghishandsin thestern. AhatchetwasthrustintomyhandsandI forwardedit tothebow.Therewasaflashofsparksasitwas broughtdownwithaclangontheholdingpulley.One strandoftheropeparted. Downplungedthebowoftheboattooquicklyforthe meninthestem.Wecametoajerkystop,thistime withthesternintheairandthebowdown,thedangerous anglereversed. Onemaninthesternlettheroperacethroughhisblis teredfingers.Withhandsburnttothequick,hegrabbed 28 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT theropeandstoppedtheprecipitousdescentjustintime tobringthesternlevelwiththebow. Thenbowandsterntriedtolowerawaytogether.The slantoftheship'ssidehadincreased,sothatourboat insteadofslidingdownitlikeatobogganwasheldup ononesidewhenthetaffrailcaughtononeofthecon denserexhaustpipesprojectingslightlyfromtheship's side. Thusthestarboardsideofthelife-boatstuckfastand highwhiletheportsidedroppeddownandoncemore wefoundourselvesclingingonatanewangleandlook ingstraightdownintothewater. Ahandslippedintomineandavoicesoundedhuskily closetomyear.ItwasthelittleoldJewishtravelling manwhowasdislikedinthesmokeroombecausehe usedtospeaktoocertainlyofthingsaboutwhichhe wasuncertain.HisslightlyTeutonicdialecthadmade himaspopularasthesmallpoxwiththeBritishpassen gers. "Mypoy,I can'tseenutting,"hesaid."Myglasses slippedandIamfalling.Holdme,please." I managedtoreachoutandjoinhandswithanother manontheothersideoftheoldmanandtogetherwe heldhimin. Hehungheavilyoverourarms,gro tesquelygraspingallhehadsavedfromhisstateroom—a gold-headedcaneandanextrahat. Manyfeetandhandspushedtheboatfromtheside oftheshipandwerenewedoursagging,scraping,slid ing,jerkingdescent.Itendedasthebottomofthelife boatsmackedsquarelyonthepillowytopofarising swell.Itfeltmoresolidthanmid-airatleast. Butwewerefarfrombeingoff.Thepulleystwice stuckintheirfastings,bowandstern,andtheoneaxe waspassedforwardandback(andwithitmyflash WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 29 light) astheentanglingmeshofropesthatheldustothe sinkingLaconiawascutaway. Someshoutfromthatconfusionofsoundcausedme tolookup.I believeI reallydidsointhefearthat oneofthenearbyboatswasbeinglowereduponus. Tinfunnelsenamelledwhiteandcontainingclusters ofelectricbulbshungoverthesidefromoneoftheupper decks.Ilookedupintotheconeofoneoftheselights andabulkyobjectshotsuddenlyoutofthedarkness intothescopeoftheelectricrays. Itwasaman.Hisarmswerebentupattheelbows; hislegsattheknees.Hewasjumping,withtheinten tion,I feared,oflandinginourboat,andIpreparedto avoidtheimpact.Buthehadjudgedhisdistancewell. Heplungedbeyondusandintothewaterthreefeet fromtheedgeoftheboat.Hesankfromsight,leav ingawhitepatchofbubblesandfoamontheblack water.Hebobbedtothesurfacealmostimmediately. "It'sDugan,"shoutedamannexttome. I flashedalightontheruddy,smilingfaceandwater plasteredhairofthelittleCanadianaviator,ourfellow saloonpassenger.Wepulledhimoverthesideandinto theboat.Hesplutteredoutamouthfulofwater. "Iwonderifthereisanythingtothatlightingthree matchesoffthesamematch,"hesaid."Iwastryingto loosenthebowropeinthisboat.Ilooseneditandthen gottangledupinit. Whentheboatdescended,I was jerkedupbackonthedeck.ThenIjumpedforit.Holy Moses,butthiswateriscold." Aswepulledawayfromthesideoftheship,itsre cedingterracesofglowingportholesanddecklights toweredaboveus.Theshipwasslowlyturningover. Weweredirectlyoppositetheengineroomsectionof theLaconia.Therewasatangleofoars,sparsandrig 30 ANDTHEYTHOUGHT gingontheseatsinourboat,andconsiderableconfusion resultedbeforewecouldmanagetoplaceinoperation someofthebigoarsoneitherside. Thejibbering,bullet-headednegrowaspullinga sweepdirectlybehindmeandIturnedtoquiethimashis franticreacheswiththeoarwerejabbingmeintheback. Inthedulllightfromtheupperdecks,I lookedinto hisslantingface—hiseyesallwhitesandhislipsmoving convulsively.Heshiveredwithfright,butinaddition tothathewasfreezinginthethincottonshirtthatcom posedhisentireuppercovering.Heworkedfeverishly attheoartowarmhimself. "Getawayfromher.MyGawd,getawayfromher," hekeptrepeating."Whenthewaterhitsherhotboilers she'llblowupthewholeoceanandthere'sjusttons andtonsofshrapnelinherhold." Hisexcitementspreadtoothermembersofthecrew inourboat.Theship'sbaker,designatedbyhispantry headgearofwhitelinen,becamea competingalarmist andawhitefireman,whoseblasphemywasnothingshort ofprofound,addedtotheconfusionbycursingevery one. Itwasthetensionoftheminute—itwasthegiveway ofoverwroughtnerves—itwasbedlamandnightmare. Isoughttoestablishsomeauthorityinourboatwhich wasabouttobreakoutintofullmutiny.Imademyway tothestern.There,huddledupinagreatovercoatand almostmuffledinaship'slife-preserver,I cameuponan oldwhite-hairedmanandIrememberedhim. Hewasasea-captainoftheoldsailingdays.Hehad beenasecondcabinpassengerwithwhomI hadtalked before.EarlierintheyearhehadsailedoutofNova Scotiawithacargoofcodfish.Hisschooner,theSe cret,hadbrokenintwoinmid-ocean,butheandhis WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 3» crewhadbeenpickedupbyatrampandtakenbackto NewYork. Fromtherehehadsailedonanothershipboundfor Europe,butthisship,aHolland-AmericanLiner,the Ryndam,hadneverreachedtheotherside.Inmid- AtlantichercaptainhadlostcourageovertheU-boat threats.Hehadturnedtheshipaboutandreturnedto America.Thus,theLaconiarepresentedthethirdun successfulattemptofthisgrey-hairedmarinertoget backtohishomeinEngland.HisnamewasCaptain Dear. "Ourboat'srudderisgone,butwecanstearwithan oar,"hesaid,inaweak-quaveringvoice—thethinhigh- pitchedtrebleofage."1willtakecharge,ifyouwant meto,butmyvoiceisgone.Icantellyouwhattodo, butyouwillhavetoshouttheorders.Theywon'tlisten tome." Therewasonlyonewaytogettheattentionofthe crew,andthatwasbyanoverpoweringblastofpro fanity.I calledtomyassistanceeveryear-splitting, soul-sizzlingoaththatIcouldthinkof. I recitedtheluridlitanyofthearmymuleskinner tohisgentlechargesandembellisheditwithexcerpts fromtheremarksofaChicagotaxichauffeurwhilehe changedtiresontheroadwiththetemperatureten below. Itprovedtobeaneffectivecombination,thisbrim- stonedorationofmine,becauseitwasrewardedbysi lence. "Istherea ship'sofficerinthisboat?"I shouted. Therewasnoanswer. "Isthereasailororaseamanonboard?"I inquired, andagaintherewassilencefromourgroupofpassen gers,firemen,stokersanddeckswabs. "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

TheyappearedtobelisteningtomeandI wishedto keepmyholdonthem.I rackedmymindforsome otherquerytomakeorsomeordertodirect.Beforethe spellwasbrokenIfoundone. "Wewillnowfindouthowmanyofustherearein thisboat,"I announcedinthebesttonesofauthority thatI couldassume."Thefirstmaninthebowwill countoneandthenextmantohimwillcounttwo.We willcountfromthebowbacktothestern,eachman takinganumber.Begin." "One,"camethequickresponsefromapassengerwho happenedtobethefirstmaninthebow.Theenumera tioncontinuedsharplytowardthestern.Ispokethelast number. "Therearetwenty-threeofushere,"I repeated, "there'snotaship'sofficerorseamanamongus,butwe areextremelyfortunatetohavewithusanoldsea-cap tainwhohasconsentedtotakechargeoftheboatand saveourlives.Hisvoiceisweak,butIwillrepeatthe ordersforhim,sothatallofyoucanhear.Areyou readytoobeyhisorders?" Therewasanalmostunanimousacknowledgmentof assentandorderwasrestored. "Thefirstthingtobedone,"I announceduponCap tainDear'sinstructions,"istogetthesamenumberof oarspullingoneachsideoftheboat;toseatourselves soastokeeponanevenkeelandthentokeeptheboat's headupintothewindsothatwewon'tbeswampedby thewaves." Withsomelittledifficulty,thisrearrangementwasac complishedandthenwerestedonouroarswithalleyes turnedonthestilllightedLaconia.Thetorpedohadhit atabout10:30P.M.accordingtoourship'stime. WEWOULDN'TFIGHT 33

Thoughlistingfaroverononeside,theLaconiawas stillafloat. Itmusthavebeentwentyminutesafterthatfirstshot thatweheardanotherdullthud,whichwasaccompanied byanoticeabledropinthehulk.TheGermansubmarine haddespatcheda secondtorpedothroughtheengine roomandtheboat'svitalsfromadistanceoftwohun dredyards. Wewatchedsilentlyduringthenextminuteasthe tiersoflightsdimmedslowlyfromwhitetoyellow,then toredandthennothingwasleftbutthemurkymourning ofthenightwhichhungoveralllikeapall. Amean,cheese-colouredcrescentofamoonrevealed onehornabovearagbundleofcloudslowinthedis tance.Arimofblacknesssettledaroundourlittle world,relievedonlybyafewleeringstarsinthezenith, and,wheretheLaconia'slightshadshown,therere mainedonlythedimoutlinesofablackerhulkstand ingoutabovethewaterlikeajaggedheadland,silhou ettedagainsttheovercastsky. Theshipsankrapidlyatthesternuntilatlastitsnose roseoutofthewater,andstoodstraightupintheair. Thenitslidsilentlydownandoutofsightlikeapieceof sceneryinapanoramaspectacle. BoatNo.3 stoodclosesttotheplacewheretheship hadgonedown.Asaresultoftheaftersuction,the smalllife-boatrockedaboutinaperilousseaofclashing sparsandwreckage. Astheboat'screwsteadieditsheadintothewind,a blackhulk,glisteningwetandstandingabouteightfeet abovethesurfaceofthewater,approachedslowly.It cametoastopoppositetheboatandnottenfeetfrom thesideofit. Itwasthesubmarine. "Votshipvassdot?"werethefirstwordsofthroaty 34 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT gutturalEnglishthatcamefromafigurewhichprojected fromtheconningtower. "TheLaconia,"answeredtheChiefStewardBallyn, whocommandedthelife-boat. "Vot?" "TheLaconia,CunardLine,"respondedthesteward. "Votdidsheweigh?"wasthenextquestionfromthe submarine. "Eighteenthousandtons." "Anypassengers?" "Seventy-three,"repliedBallyn,"manyofthem womenandchildren—someoftheminthisboat.She hadovertwohundredinthecrew." "Didshecarrycargo?" "Yes." "IssderCaptainindotboat?"' "No,"Ballynanswered. "Well,I guessyou'llbeallright.Apatrolwillpick youupsometimesoon."Withoutfurthersoundsave forthealmostsilentfixingoftheconningtowerlid,the submarinemovedoff. "Ithoughtitbesttomakemyanswerssharpandsat isfactory,sir,"saidBallyn,whenherepeatedtheconver sationtomewordforword."Iwasthinkingofthe womenandchildrenintheboat.I fearedeveryminute thatsomebodyinourboatmightmakeahostilemove, firearevolver,orthrowsomethingatthesubmarine.I fearedtheconsequenceofsuchanact." Therewasnoassuranceofanearlypickupsowemade preparationsforasiegewiththeelements.Theweather wasagreatfactor.Thatblackrimofcloudslooked ominous.Therewasagoodpromiseofrain.February hasareputationfornastyweatherinthenorthAtlantic. Thewindwascoldandseemedtoberising.Ourboat WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 35

bobbedaboutlikeacorkontheswells,whichfortunately werenotchoppy. Howmuchrougherseascouldtheboatweather? Thisquestionandconditionsweredebatedproandcon. Hadourrocketsbeenseen? Didthefirsttorpedoput thewirelessoutofcommission?Ifithadbeenableto operate,hadanybodyheardourS.O.S.? Wasthere enoughfoodanddrinkingwaterintheboattolast? Thisbroughtustoaninventoryofoursmallcraft. Afterconsiderabledifficulty,wefoundthelamp,acan ofpowderflares,thetinofship'sbiscuit,matchesand spareoil. Thelampwaslighted.Otherlightswerenowvisible. Aswedriftedinthedarkness,wecouldseethemevery timewemountedthecrestoftheswells.Theboats carryingtheselightsremainedquiteclosetogetherat first. OneboatcamewithinsoundandI recognisedthe HarryLauder-likevoiceofthesecondassistantpurser whomI hadlastheardonWednesdayattheship'scon cert.Nowhewassinging—"IWanttoMarry'arry," and"ILovetobeaSailor." TherewereanAmericanwomanandherhusbandin thatboat.Shetoldmelaterthatanattempthadbeen madetosing"Tipperary,"and"RuleBritannia,"but thethoughtofthatslinkingdarkhullofdestruction thatmighthavebeenapartoftheimmediatedarkness resultedintheabandonmentoftheeffort. "Who'stheofficerinthatboat?"cameacheeryhail fromthenearbylight. "Whatthehellisittoyou?"ourhalffrozen,negro yelledoutfornoreasonapparenttomeotherthanpos siblythereliefofhisfeelings. "Willsomebodybrainthatskunkwithapin?"was 36 ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

theinquiryofourprofoundoathsman,whoalsoex pressedregretthathehappenedtobesittingtoofaraway fromthenegrotoreachhim.Heaccompaniedthean nouncementwithawarmthoflanguagethatmusthave relievedthenegroofhischill. Thefearoftheboatscrashingtogetherproduceda generalinclinationtowardmaximumseparationonthe partofallthelittleunitsofsurvivors,withtheresult thatsoonthesmallcraftsstretchedoutforseveralmiles, theiroccupantsallendeavoringtoholdtheheadsofthe boatsintothewind. Hourspassed.Theswellssloppedoverthesidesof ourboatandfilledthebottomwithwater.Webailedit continually.Mostofuswerewettothekneesand shiveringfromtheweakeningeffectsoftheicywater. Ourhandswereblisteredfrompullingattheoars.Our boat,bobbingaboutlikeacork,producedterrificnausea, andourstomachsachedfromvainwrenching. Andthenwesawthefirstlight—thefirstsignofhelp coming—thefirstsearchingglowofwhiteradiancedeep downthesombresidesoftheblackpotofnightthat hungoverus. I don'tknowwhatdirectionitcame from—noneofusknewnorthfromsouth—therewas nothingbutwaterandsky.Butthelight—itjustcame fromovertherewherewepointed.Wenudgeddumb,sick boatmatesanddirectedtheirgazeandarousedthemto anappreciationofthesightthatgaveusnewlife. Itwas'wayoverthere—firsta tremblingquiverof silveragainsttheblackness,thendrawingcloser,itde fineditselfasabeckoningfinger,althoughstilltoofar awaytoseeourfeebleeffortstoattractit. Nevertheless,wewastedvaluableflaresandtheship's baker,self-ordainedcustodianofthebiscuit,didthe WEWOULDN'TFIGHT 37 honourshandsomelytotheextentofabiscuitapieceto eachofthetwenty-threeoccupantsoftheboat. "Pullstarboard,sonnies,"sangoutoldCaptainDear, hisgreychinwhiskersbristlingwithjoyinthelightof theroundlanternwhichheheldaloft. Wepulled—pulledlustily,forgettingthestrainand painofinnardstornandrackedwithviolentvomiting,and obliviousofblisteredpalmsandwet,half-frozenfeet. Thenanoddingofthatfingeroflight,—ahappy,snap ping,crap-shootingfingerthatseemedtosay:"Come on,youmen,"likeadiceplayerwooingthebones—ledus tobelievethatourlightshadbeenseen. Thiswasthefact,forimmediatelytheoncomingves selflashedonitsgreenandredsidelightsandwesawit washeadedforourposition.Wefloatedoffitsstern forawhileasitmanoeuvredforthebestpositioninwhich itcouldtakeusonwithaseathatwasrunninghigher andhigher. Theriskofthatrescuingshipwasgreat,becausethere waseveryreasontobelievethatthesubmarinethathad destroyedtheLaconiastilllurkedinthedarknessnearby, butthoseonboardtooktheriskandstoodbyforthe workofrescue. "Comealongsideport!"wasmegaphonedtous.As fastaswecould,weswungunderthesternandfeltour waybroadsidetowardtheship'sside. Outofthedarknessabove,adozensmallpocketflash lightsblinkeddownonusandordersbegantobeshouted fastandthick. WhenI lookbackonthenight,I don'tknowwhich wasthemorehazardous,goingdowntheslantingside ofthesinkingLaconiaorgoingupthesideoftheres cuingvessel. Oneminutetheswellswouldliftusalmostlevelwith 38 ANDTHEYTHOUGHT therailofthelow-builtpatrolboatandminesweeper, butthenextrecedingwavewouldswirlusdownintoa darksomegulfoverwhichtheship'ssidegloweredlike aslimy,drippingcliff. Ascoreofhandsreachedoutandweweresuspended inthehusky,tatooedarmsofthosedoughtyBritishJack Tars,lookingupintotheirweather-beatenyouthful faces,mumblingourthankfulnessandreadinginthe goldletteringontheirpancakehatsthelegend,"H.M. S.Laburnum."Wehadbeensixhoursintheopenboat- Theothersbegancomingalongsideonebyone.Wet andbedraggledsurvivorswereliftedaboard.Women andchildrenfirstwastherule. Thescenesofreunionwereheart-gripping.Menwho hadremainedstrangerstooneanotheraboardtheLa- conia,nowwrungeachotherbythehandorembraced withoutshamethefraillittlewifeofaCanadianchap lainwhohadfoundoneofhermissingchildrendelivered upfromanotherboat.Shesmotheredthechildwith ravenousmotherkisseswhiletearsofgladnessstreamed downherface. Boatafterboatcamealongside.Thewater-logged craftcontainingtheCaptaincamelast. Arousingcheerwentupashesteppedonthedeck,one mangledhandhanginglimpathisside. Thesailorsdivestedthemselvesofouterclothingand passedthegarmentsovertotheshiveringmembersofthe Laconia'screw. Thecrampedofficers'quartersdownunderthequar terdeckwereturnedovertothewomenandchildren. TwooftheLaconia'sstewardessespassedboilingbasins ofnavycocoaandaidedinthedisentanglingofwetand mattedtresses. Themengroupedthemselvesnearsteam-pipesinthe WEWOULDN'TFIGHT 39 pettyofficers'quartersoroverthegratingoftheengine rooms,wherenewlifewastobehadfromtheupward blastsofheatedairthatbroughtwiththemthesmellof bilgewaterandoilandsulphurfromthebowelsofthe vessel. Theinjured—allminorcases,sprainedbacks,wrenched legsormashedhands—wereputawayinbunksunder thecareoftheship'sdoctor. Dawnwasmeltingtheeasternoceangreytopinkwhen thetaskwasfinished.Intheofficers'quarters,which hadnowbeeninvadedbythemen,therollofthevessel wasmostperceptible.Eachtimetheflooroftheroom slanted,bottlesandcupsandplatesrolledandslidback andforth. Onthetablesandchairsandbenchesthewomenrested. Sea-sickmothers,tremblingfromtheafter-effectsofthe terrifyingexperienceofthenight,soughttosoothetheir cryingchildren. Thensomebodyhappenedtotouchakeyonthesmall woodenorganthatstoodagainstonewall.Thiswas enoughtosendsomecallousseafaringfingersoverthe ivorykeysinarhythmunquestionablyreligiousandso irresistibleunderthecircumstancesthat,althoughnoone seemedtoknowthewords,theairwastakenupina reverent,hummingchantbyallintheroom. AtthelastnoteoftheAmen,littleFatherWarring, hisblackgarbsnaggledinplacesandbadlysoiled,stood beforethecentretableandliftedbackhisheaduntilthe morninglight,filteringthroughtheopenedhatchabove him,showndownonhiskindly,wearyface.Herecited theLord'sprayerandallpresentjoined.Thesimple,im pressiveserviceofthanksgivingendedassimplyasithad begun. TwominuteslaterIsawtheoldJewishtravellingman 4° "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

limpingaboutononelamelegwitha littleboyinhis arms.Hewascollectingbig,roundBritishpenniesfor theyoungster. Asurveyandcruiseofthenearbywatersrevealedno moreoccupiedboatsandourminesweeper,withitsload ofsurvivorsnumberingtwohundredandsixty-seven, steamedawaytotheeast.Ahalfanhoursteamingand thevesselstoppedwithinhailingdistanceoftwosister ships,towardoneofwhichanopenboatmannedby jackieswasbeingpulled. I sawthehystericalFrenchactress,herblondehair wetandbedraggled,liftedoutoftheboatandcarried upthecompanionway.Thenalittleboy,hisfreshpink faceandgoldenhairshininginthemorningsun,was passedupward,followedbysomeothersurvivors,num beringfourteeninall,whohadbeenfoundhalf-drowned andalmostdeadfromexposureinapartiallywrecked boatthatwaspickedupjustasitwassinking.Itwas inthatboatthatoneAmericanwomanandherdaughter died.Oneofthesurvivorsoftheboattoldmethe story.Hesaid: "OurboatwasNo.8. Itwassmashedinthelowering. Iwasinthebow.Mrs.Hoyandherdaughterweresit tingtowardthestern.Theboatfilledwithwaterrap idly. "Itwasnousetryingtobailitout.Therewasa bigholeinthesideanditcameintoofast.Theboat's edgesanktothelevelofthewaterandonlytheair- tankskeptitafloat. "Itwascompletelyawash.Everyswellrodeclear overourheadsandwehadtoholdourbreathuntilwe cametothesurfaceagain.Thecoldwaterjusttakes thelifeoutofyou. WEWOULDN'TFIGHT

"Wesawtheotherboatsshowingtheirlightsand driftingfurtherandfurtherawayfromus.Wehadno lights.Andthen,towardsmorning,wesawtherescuing shipcomeupintotheclusterofotherlife-boatsthathad driftedsofarawayfromus.Onebyonewesawtheir lightsdisappearastheyweretakenonboard. "Weshoutedandscreamedandshriekedatthetopsof ourvoices,butcouldnotattracttheattentionofanyof theotherboatsortherescuingship,andsoonwesaw itslightsblinkout.Wewereleftthereinthedarkness withthewindhowlingandthesearollinghigherevery minute. "Thewomengotweakerandweaker.Maybetheyhad beendeadforsometime.Idon'tknow,butawavecame andwashedbothMrs.Hoyandherdaughteroutofthe boat.Therewerelife-beltsaroundtheirbodiesandthey driftedawaywiththeirarmslockedaboutoneanother." Withsuchstoriesringinginourears,withexchanges ofexperiencespatheticandhumorous,westeamedinto Queenstownharbourshortlyafterteno'clockthatnight. Wehadbeenattackedatapointtwohundredmilesoff theIrishcoastandofourpassengersandcrew,thirteen hadbeenlost. AsI steppedashore,a Britisher,a fellow-passenger aboardtheLaconia,whoknewmeasanAmerican, steppeduptome.Duringthevoyagewehadhadmany conversationsconcerningthepossibilityofAmericaen teringthewar.Nowheslappedmeonthebackwith thisquestion, "Well,oldCasusBelli,"hesaid,"isthisyourbloom ingovertact?" I didnotanswerhim,butthirtyminutesafterward Iwaspoundingoutonatypewritertheintroductiontoa 42 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT fourthousandwordnewspaperarticlewhichI cabled thatnightandwhichputthequestionuptotheAmerican publicforananswer. FiveweekslatertheUnitedStatesenteredthewar. WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 43

CHAPTERII

pershing'sarrivalineurope

Lean,clean,keen—that'sthewaytheylooked—that firsttrimlittlebandofAmericanfightingmenwho madetheirhistoriclandingontheshoresofEngland, June8th,1917. I wentdownfromLondontomeetthemattheport ofarrival.Inmydespatchesofthatdate,I,nornoneof theothercorrespondents,waspermittedtomentionthe nameoftheport.Thiswassupposedtobethesecret thatwastobereligiouslykeptandtheBritishcensor wasonthejobreligiously. ThenameoftheportwasexcludedfromallAmeri candespatchesbuttheBritishcensorsawnoreasonto withholdtransmissionofthefollowingsentence—"Per shinglandedto-dayatanEnglishportandwasgiven aheartywelcomebytheMayorofLiverpool." SoI ampresumingatthislatedateofwritingthat itwouldservenofurtherpurposetorefrainfroman nouncingflatlythatGeneralJohnJ. Pershing,Com mander-in-ChiefoftheAmericanExpeditionaryForces overseas,andhisstaff,landedonthedateabovemen tioned,atLiverpool,England. ThesunwasshiningbrightlyontheMerseywhenthe giantoceanliner,theBaltic,cameslowlyuptheharbour inthetowofnumerouspuffingtugs.Thegreatgrey vesselthathadsafelycompletedthecrossingofthesub marinezone,waswarpedtothedock-side. Onthequaytherewereafullbrassbandandanhon- ouraryescortofBritishsoldiers.Whilethemoorings 44 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT werebeingfastened,GeneralPershing,withhisstaff, appearedonthepromenadedeckontheshoresideof thevessel. Hisappearancewasthesignalforacrashofcymbals anddrumsasthebandblaredoutthe"StarSpangled Banner."TheAmericancommanderandtheofficers rangedinlineoneithersideofhim,stoodstifflyatat tention,withrighthandsraisedinsalutetothevisors oftheircaps. OntheshorethelinesofBritishsoldierybroughttheir armstothepresentwithasnap.Civilianwitnessesof theceremonybaredtheirheads.Thefirstanthemwas followedbytheplayingof"GodSavetheKing."All presentremainedatthesalute. Asthegangplankwaslashedinplace,adelegation ofBritishmilitaryandcivilianofficialsboardedtheship andwerepresentedtotheGeneral.Below,onthedock, everynewspapercorrespondentandphotographerinthe BritishIsles,I think,stoodwaitinginagroupthatfar outnumberedtheotherspectators. Therewasreasonforthisseeminglackofproportion. ThefactwasthatbutveryfewpeopleinallofEngland, aswellasinalloftheUnitedStates,hadknownthat GeneralPershingwastolandthatday. Fewhadknownthathewasonthewater.TheBritish Admiralty,thenincompletecontroloftheoceanlines betweenAmericaandtheBritishIsles,hadguardedwell thesecret.EnglandlostKitchenerontheseaandnow withtheseaperilincreasedahundredfold,Englandtook painstoguardwellthepassageofthisstandard-bearer oftheAmericanmillionsthatweretocome. Pershingandhisstaffsteppedashore.Lean,clean, keen—thosearethewordsthatdescribedtheirappear ance.Thatwasthewaytheyimpressedtheircritical WEWOULDN'TFIGHT 45 brothersinarms,theall-observingmilitarydignitiesthat presentedBritain'shearty,unreservedwelcomeatthe water'sedge.Thatwasthewaytheyappearedtothe proudAmericancitizens,residentsofthoseislands,who gatheredtomeetthem. TheBritishsoldiersadmiredtheheightandshoulders ofourfirstmilitarysamples.TheBritishsoldierap provesofagreyhoundtrimnessinthebeltzone.He likestolookoncarriageandpoise.Heappreciatesa steadyeyeandstiffjaw.Heisattractedbyavoice thatringssharpandfirm.TheBritishsoldiercallssuch acombination,"arealsoldier." Hesawone,andmorethanone,thatmorningshortly afternineo'clockwhenPershingandhisstaffcommit tedthedatetohistorybysettingfootonBritishsoil. BehindtheAmericancommanderwalkedastaffofAmer icanofficerswhosesoldierlybearingandgeneralappear ancebroughtforthsincereexpressionsofcommendation fromtheassemblageonthequay. Atattentiononthedock,facingthesea-stainedflanks ofthelinerBaltic,acompanyofRoyalWelshFusiliers stoodlikeafriezeofclaymodelsinstainlesskhaki,pol ishedbrassandshiningleather. GeneralPershinginspectedtheguardofhonourwith keeninterest.WalkingbesidetheAmericancommander wastheconsiderablystouterandsomewhatshorterLieu tenantGeneralSirWilliamPitcairnCampbell,K.C.B., ChiefoftheWesternCommandoftheBritishHome Forces. Pershing'sinspectionofthatguardwasnotthecur soryonethatthesehonouraryaffairsusuallyare.Nota detailofuniformorequipmentonanyofthemeninthe guardwasoverlooked.TheAmericancommander'sat tentionwasaskeentoboots,riflesandbelts,asthough 46 ANDTHEYTHOUGHT hehadbeenacaptainpreparingthesmallcommandfor a strenuousinspectionatthehandsofsomeexacting superior. Ashewalkeddownthestiff,standingline,hiskeen blueeyestakingineachoneofthemenfromheadto foot,hestoppedsuddenlyinfrontofonemaninthe ranks.ThatmanwasFileThreeinthesecondsetof fours.Hewasapale-facedTommyandononeofhis sleevestherewasdisplayedtwoslendergoldbars,placed ontheforearm. Thedecorationwasnolargerthantwomatchesina rowandonthatdayithadbeeninusehardlymorethan ayear,yetneitheritsminutenessnoritsmeaninges capedtheeyesoftheAmericancommander. PershingturnedsharplyandfacedFileThree. "Wheredidyougetyourtwowounds?"heasked. "AtGivenchyandLavenze,sir,"repliedFileThree, hisfacepointedstifflyahead.FileThree,evennow undertwenty-oneyearsofage,hadreceivedhiswounds intheearlyfightingthatiscalledthebattleofLoos. "Youarea man,"wasthesincere,all-meaningre joinderoftheAmericancommander,whoaccompanied hisremarkwithastraightforwardlookintotheeyesof FileThree. Completingtheinspectionwithoutfurtherincident. GeneralPershingandhisstafffacedthehonourguard andstoodatthesalute,-whileoncemorethethunderous militarybandplayedthenationalanthemsofAmerica andGreatBritain. Theceremonywasfollowedbya receptioninthe cabinoftheBaltic,whereGeneralPershingreceivedthe LordMayorofLiverpool,theLadyMayoress,andadele gationofcivilauthorities.Thereceptionendedwhen GeneralPershingspokea fewsimplewordstotheas WEWOULDN'TFIGHT 47 sembledrepresentativesoftheBritishandAmerican Press. "Moreofusarecoming,"wasthekeynoteofhismod estremarks.Afterwardhewasescortedtothequay sidestation,whereaspecialtrainofthetypelabelled Semi-RoyalwasreadytomaketheexpressruntoLon don. Thereceptionatthedockhadhadnoneofthefeatures ofademonstrationbyreasonofthenecessityforthe ship'sarrivalbeingsecret,butassoonastheBaltichad landed,thewordoftheAmericancommander'sarrival spreadthroughLiverpoollikewildfire. Therailroadfromthestationlaythroughanindus trialsectionofthecity.Throughtherailroadware housesthenewshadprecededthetrain.Warehouse men,portersanddraymencrowdedthetopsofthecot tonbalesandoilbarrelsonbothsidesofthetrackasthe trainpassedthrough. Beyondthesheds,thenewshadspreadthroughthe manyfloorsoftheflourmillsandwhenthePershing trainpassed,handkerchiefsandcapsflutteredfromevery crowdeddoorandwindowinthewhitenedwalls.Most ofthewavingwasdonebyanewkindofflour-girl,one whodidnotwaveanapronbecausenoneofthemwere dressedthatway. Fromhiscarwindow,GeneralPershingreturnedthe greetingsofthetrouseredgirlsandwomenwhowere makingEngland'sbreadwhiletheirhusbands,fathers, brothers,sweetheartsandsonsweremakingGerman cemeteries. InLondon,GeneralPershingandhisstaffoccupied suitesattheSavoyHotel,andduringthefourorfive daysoftheAmericancommander'ssojourninthecapi taloftheBritishEmpire,a seeminglyendlesslineof 48 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT visitorsofalltheAlliednationalitiescalledtopresent theircompliments. TheenlistedmenoftheGeneral'sstaffoccupiedquar tersintheoldstonebarracksoftheTowerofLondon, wheretheyweretheguestsofthemenofthatartillery organisationwhichprefixesan"Honourable"toitsname andhasbeenassignedforcenturiestogarrisondutyin theTowerofLondon. Oursoldiersmanifestednaiveinterestinsomeof England'smostreveredtraditionsandparticularlyin connectionwithhistoricaleventsrelatedtotheTower ofLondon.Ontheseconddayoftheiroccupationof thisoldfortress,oneofthewarders,a"Beef-eater"in fullmediaevalregalia,wasescortingapartyoftheYanks throughthedungeons. Hestoppedinonedungeonandlinedthepartyupin frontofastoneblockinthecentreofthefloor.After asilenceofafullminutetoproduceaproperdegreeof impressivenessfortheoccasion,thewarderannounced, ina respectfulwhisper: "ThisiswhereAnneBoleynwasexecuted." Thelined-upYankstookalonglookatthestoneblock. Asilencefollowedduringtheinspection.Andthenone regular,desiringfurtherinformation,butnotwishing tobeledintoanytrapsofBritishwit,said: "Allright,I'llbite;whatdidAnniedo?" Currentwiththearrivalofourmenandtheirrecep tionbythehonourguardoftheWelshFusiliersthere wasa widespreadrevivalofanoldstorywhichthe Americanslikedtotellinthebarrackroomsatnight. WhentheWelshFusiliersreceivedourmenatthe dockofLiverpool,theyhadwiththemtheirhistorical mascot,a largewhitegoatwithhornsencasedinin scribedsilver.Theanimalworesuspendedfromitsneck WEWOULDN'TFIGHT 49 alargesilverplate,onwhichwasinscribedapartialhis toryoftheWelshFusiliers. SomeoftheseFusilierstoldourmenthestory. "Itwasourregiment—theWelshFusiliers,"oneof themsaid,"thatfoughtyouYanksatBunkerHill.And itwasatBunkerHillthatourregimentcapturedthe great-great-granddaddyofthissamewhitegoat,andhis descendantsareeverdestinedtobethemascotofour regiment.Yousee,wehavestillgotyourgoat." "Butyouwillnotice,"repliedoneoftheYanks,"we've gotthehill." DuringthefourdaysinLondon,GeneralPershing wasreceivedbyKingGeorgeandQueenMaryatBuck inghamPalace.TheAmericancommanderengagedin severallongconferencesattheBritishWarOffice,and thenwithanexclusionofentertainmentthatwaspain fultotheEuropeans,hemadearrangementstoleavefor hisnewpostinFrance. AspeciallywrittenpermissionfromGeneralPershing madeitpossibleformetoaccompanyhimonthathis toriccrossingbetweenEnglandandFrance.Secretor dersforthedepartureweregivenontheafternoonand eveningofJune12th.Beforefouro'clockofthenext morning,July13th,I breakfastedintheotherwisede serteddining-roomoftheSavoywiththeGeneraland hisstaff. Onlya fewsleepy-eyedattendantswereinthehalls andlowerroomsoftheSavoy.Inclosedautomobiles wewerewhiskedawaytoCharingCrossStation.We boardedaspecialtrainwhosedestinationwasunknown. TheentirepartywasagaininthehandsoftheIntelli genceSectionoftheBritishAdmiralty,andeverypos siblemeanswastakentosuppressalldefiniteinforma tionconcerningthedeparture. 50 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

ThespecialtraincontainingGeneralPershingandhis staffreachedFolkstoneataboutseveno'clockinthe morning.Weleftthetrainatthedocksideandboarded theswiftChannelsteamermooredthere.Asmallvocif erouscontingentofEnglishTommiesreturningtothe frontfromleavein"Blighty"werecrowdedonalldecks inthestern. Withlife-boatsswingingoutoverthesideandevery onewearinglife-preservers,westeamedoutofFolk- stoneharbourtochallengethesubmarinedangersofthe Channel. TheAmericancommanderoccupieda forwardcabin suiteontheupperdeck.Hisaidesandsecretarieshad alreadytransformeditintoa business-likeapartment. IntheGeneral'smindtherewasnoplaceortimeforany considerationofthedangersoftheChannelcrossing. Althoughtheverywatersthroughwhichwedashedwere knowntobeinfestedwithsubmarineswhichwouldhave lookeduponhimascapitalprey,I don'tbelievetheGen eralevergavethemasmuchasathought. EverytimeI lookedthroughtheopendoorofhis cabin,hewasbusydictatingletterstohissecretariesor ordersorinstructionstohisaidesorconferringwithhis ChiefofStaff,BrigadierGeneralHarboard.Tothe Americancommander,thehoursnecessaryforthedash acrosstheChannelsimplyrepresentedalittlemoretime whichhecoulddevotetotheplansforthegreatwork aheadofhim. Ourshipwasguardedonallsidesandabove.Swift torpedodestroyersdashedtoandfrounderourbowand sternandcircleduscontinually.Intheairabovehydro- airplanesanddirigibleballoonshoveredoverthewaters surroundingus,keepingsharpwatchforthefirstap pearanceofthedarksub-seahulksofdestruction.

OEXEBALPERSHIVGBOWINOTOTHECROWDINPARIS

WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 51

Wedidnotlearnuntilthenextdaythatwhilewewere makingthatChannelcrossing,theGermanairforceshad crossedtheChannelinadaringdaylightraidandwere atthatveryhourdroppingbombsonLondonaroundthe veryhotelwhichGeneralPershinghadjustvacated. Someday,afterthewar,Ihopetoascertainwhetherthe commanderofthatflightofbombingGothasstartedon hisexpeditionoverLondonwitha specialpurposein viewandwhetherthatpurposeconcernedthesupposed, presencethereofthecommander-in-chiefoftheAmer icanmillionsthatwerelatertochangetheentirecom plexionofthewaragainstGermany. Itwasabeautifulsunlightday.Itwasnotlongbe forethecoastlineofFrancebegantopushitselfup throughthedistantChannelmistsandmakeitselfvisible onthehorizon.I stoodinthebowoftheshiplooking towardthecoastlineandsilentwiththoughtsconcern ingthemomentousnessoftheapproachinghistorical event. IthappenedthatI lookedbackamidshipsandsawa solitaryfigurestandingonthebridgeofthevessel.It wasGeneralPershing.Heseemedraptindeepthought. Heworehiscapstraightonhishead,thevisorshading hiseyes.Hestoodtallanderect,hishandsbehindhim, hisfeetplantedslightlyaparttoaccommodatethegentle rolloftheship. Hefaceddueeastandhiseyesweredirectedtoward theshoresofthatforeignlandwhichwewereapproach ing.ItseemedtomeasI watchedhimthathismind musthavebeentravellingbackmorethanacenturyto thatdayinhistorywhenanothersoldierhadstoodon thebridgeofanothervessel,crossingthosesamewaters, butinanalmostoppositedirection. Itseemedtomethathemusthavebeenthinkingof ANDTHEYTHOUGHT thathistoricalcharacterwhomadejustsuchajourney morethanahundredyearsbefore,—agreatsoldierwho lefthishomelandtosailtootherforeignshoreshalfway aroundtheworldandtheretolendhisswordinthefight forthesacredprinciplesofDemocracy.Itseemedto methatdaythatPershingthoughtofLafayette. Aswedrewclosetotheshore,I noticedanenormous concretebreakwaterextendingoutfromtheharbouren trance.Itwassurmountedbyawoodenrailingandon theveryendofit,straddlingtherail,wasasmallFrench boy.Hislegswerebareandhisfeetwereencasedin heavywoodenshoes.Onhisheadheworearedstock ingcapofthelibertytype.Aswecamewithinhailing distance,hegavetousthefirstgreetingthatcamefrom theshoresofFrancetothesefirstarrivingAmerican soldiers. "ViveI'Amerique!"heshouted,cuppinghishandsto hismouthandsendinghisshrillvoiceacrossthewater tous.Pershingonthebridgeheardthesalutation.He smiled,touchedhishandtohishatandwavedtothelad ontherailing. WelandedthatdayatBoulogne,June13th,1917. Militarybandsmassedonthequay,blaredouttheAmer icanNationalAnthemastheshipwaswarpedalongside thedock.Othershipsinthebusyharbourbeganblow ingwhistlesandringingbells,loadedtroopandhospital shipslyingnearbyburstforthintocheering.Thenews spreadlikecontagionalongtheharbourfront. Asthegangplankwaslowered,Frenchmilitarydigni tariesindressuniformsresplendentwithgoldbraid,but tonsandmedals,advancedtothatpartofthedeckamid shipswheretheGeneralstood.Theysalutedrespectfully andpronouncedelaborateaddressesintheirnativetongue. TheywerefollowedbynumerousFrenchGovernment WEWOULDN'TFIGHT 53 officialsinciviliandressattire.Thecity,thedepart mentandthenationwererepresentedinthepopulous delegationswhopresentedtheircompliments,andcon veyedtotheAmericancommandertheunstintedand heartfeltwelcomeoftheentirepeopleofFrance. Underthetrainshedsonthedock,longstiff,standing ranksofFrenchpoiluswearinghelmetsandtheirlight blueovercoatspinnedbackattheknees,presentedarms astheGeneralwalkeddownthelinesinspectingthem. Atoneendoftheline,rankuponrankofFrenchmarines, andsailorswiththeirflathatswithredtassels,stood atattentionawaitinginspection. ThedocksandtrainshedsweredecoratedwithFrench andAmericanflagsandyardsandyardsofthemutually- ownedred,whiteandblue.Thousandsofspectators begantogatherinthestreetsnearthestation,andtheir continuouscheerssufficedtorapidlyaugmenttheirown numbers. Accompaniedbya veteranFrenchcolonel,oneof whoseuniformsleeveswasempty,GeneralPershing,as aguestofthecityofBoulogne,tookamotorridethrough thestreetsofthisbusyportcity.Hewasquicklyre turnedtothestation,whereheandhisstaffboardeda specialtrainforParis.I wentwiththem. ThattraintoPariswas,ofnecessity,slow.Itpro ceededslowlyunderordersandwithapurpose.Noone inFrance,withtheexceptionofa selectofficialcircle, hadbeenawarethatGeneralPershingwasarrivingthat dayuntilaboutthirtyminutesbeforehisshipwaswarped intothedockatBoulogne.Ithasalwaysbeenamystery tomehowtheFrenchmanagedtodecoratethestation atBoulogneuponsuchshortnotice. Thusitwasthatthetraincrawledslowlytoward ParisforthepurposeofgivingtheFrenchcapitaltime 54 ANDTHEYTHOUGHT tothrowoffthecoatofwarwearinessthatithadworn forthreeandahalfyearsanddongalaattireforthis occasion.Parismadefulluseofeveryminuteofthat time,aswefoundwhenthetrainarrivedattheFrench capitallateintheafternoon.Theeveningpapersin ParishadcarriedthenewsoftheAmericancomman der'slandingontheshoresofFrance,andPariswas readytoreceivehimasParishadneverbeforereceived aworld'snotable. ThesootygirdersoftheGareduNordshookwith cheerswhenthespecialtrainpulledin.Theaiflesofthe greatterminalwerecarpetedwithredplush.Abattalion ofbeardedpoilusoftheTwoHundredandThirty-sev enthColonialRegimentwaslinedupontheplatformlike awallofsilentgrey,bristlingwithbayonetsandshiny trenchhelmets. GeneralPershingsteppedfromhisprivatecar.Flash lightsboomedandbatteriesofcameramenmanoeuvred intopositionsforthelensbarrage.Thebandofthe GardeRepublicaineblaredforththestrainsofthe"Star SpangledBanner,"bringingallthemilitarytoahaltand alongstandingsalute.Itwasfollowedbythe"Mar seillaise." Attheconclusionofthetrain-sidegreetingsandintro ductions,MarshalJoffreandGeneralPershingwalked downtheplatformtogether.Thetopsofthecarsof everytraininthestationwerecrowdedwithworkmen. Asthetall,slenderAmericancommandersteppedinto view,theprivilegedobserversonthecar-topsbeganto cheer. Aminutelater,therewasaterrificroarfrombeyond thewallsofthestation.Thecrowdsoutsidehadheard thecheeringwithin.Theytookitupwiththousandsof WEWOULDN'TFIGHT SS

throats.Theymadetheirwelcomearingingone.Paris tookPershingbystorm. TheGeneralwasusheredintothespeciallydecorated receptionchamber,whichwashungandcarpetedwith brilliantredvelvetanddrapedwiththeAlliedflags. Afterabriefformalexchangeofgreetingsinthislarge chamber,heandhisstaffwereescortedtothelineof waitingautomobilesatthesideofthestationintheRue deRoubaix. Pershing'sappearanceintheopenwasthecuefor wild,unstintedapplauseandcheeringfromthecrowds whichpackedthestreetsandjammedthewindowsofthe tallbuildingsopposite. GeneralPershingandM.Painleve,MinisterofWar, tookseatsinalargeautomobile.Theywerepreceded byamotorcontainingUnitedStatesAmbassadorSharp andformerPremierViviani.Theprocessionstartedto theaccompanimentofmartialmusicbymassedmilitary bandsinthecourtyardofthestation.Itpassedthrough theRuedeCompiegne,theRuedeLafayette,thePlace del'Opera,theBoulevarddesCapucines,thePlacedela Madeleine,theRueRoyale,tothePlacedelaConcorde. Thereweresomefiftyautomobilesintheline,therear ofwhichwasbroughtupbyanenormousmotor-bus loadofthefirstAmericansoldiersfromtheranksto passthroughthestreetsofParis. Thecrowdsoverflowedthesidewalks.Theyextended fromthebuildingwallsoutbeyondthecurbsandinto thestreets,leavingbutanarrowlanethroughwhichthe motorspressedtheirwayslowlyandwiththeexerciseof muchcare.Fromthecrowdedbalconiesandwindows overlookingtheroute,womenandchildrentosseddown showersofflowersandbitsofcolouredpaper. Thecrowdsweresodensethatotherstreettrafficbe 56 'ANDTHEYTHOUGHT camemaroonedinthedenseseaofjoyouslyexcitedand gesticulatingFrenchpeople.Vehiclesthusmaroonedim mediatelybecameislandsofvantage.Theyweresoon coveredwithmenandwomenandchildren,whoclimbed ontopofthemandclungtothesidestogetabetterlook atthekhaki-cladoccupantsoftheautos. Oldgrey-hairedfathersofFrenchfightingmenbared theirheadsandwithtearsstreamingdowntheircheeks shoutedgreetingstothetall,thin,grey-moustached Americancommanderwhowasleadingnewarmiesto thesupportoftheirsons.Womenheapedarmfulsof rosesintotheGeneral'scarandintothecarsofother Americanofficersthatfollowedhim.Parisstreetgamins climbedthelamp-postsandwavedtheircapsandwooden shoesandshoutedshrilly. Americanflagsandred,whiteandbluebuntingwaved wherevertheeyerested.English-speakingFrenchmen proudlyexplainedtotheuninformedthat"Pershing" waspronounced"Peur-chigne"andnot"Pair-shang." Pariswasnotbackwardindisplayingitsknowledgeof English.GayParisienneswereeagertomakeuseofall theEnglishattheircommand,thattheymightwelcome thenewarrivalsintheirnativetongue. Someofthesewomenshouted"Hello,""Heep,heep, hourrah,""Goodmorning,""Howareyou,keed?"and "Cock-tailsfortwo."Someoftheexpressionswerenot soinappropriateastheysounded. Occasionallytherecamefromthecrowdsagoodold genuineAmericanwhoop-em-upyell.Thishappened whentheprocessionpassedgroupsofAmericanambu lanceworkersandothersonsofUncleSam,wearingthe uniformsoftheFrench,CanadianandEnglishCorps. TheyjoinedwithAustraliansandSouthAfricansol diersonleavetocheeronthenew-comingAmericans WEWOULDN'TFIGHT S7 withsuchspontaneousexpressionsas"Comeon,you Yanks,""Nowlet'sget'em,"and"Eat'emup,Unole Sam." Thefrequentstoppingoftheprocessionbythecrowds madeithappenquitefrequentlythattheautomobiles werecompletelysurroundedbyenthusiasts,whoreached upandtriedtoshakehandswiththeoccupants.Pretty girlskissedtheirhandsandblewtheinvisibleconfection towardthemeninkhaki. Thebus-loadofenlistedmenbringinguptherear receiveddozensofbouquetsfromthegirls.Theflowers werehurledatthemfromalldirections.Everytwo hundredfeettheFrenchwouldorganisearousingshout, "ViveI'Amerique!"forthem. Beingthepassiverecipientsofthisunusualadulation producedonlyembarrassmentonthepartoftheregulars whosimplyhadtositthere,smilingandtakingit.Just tobreaktheone-sidednatureofthedemonstrations,one oftheenlistedmenstoodupinhisseatand,addressing himselftohismates,shouted: "Comeon,fellows,let'sgive'ema'veever'ourselves. Nowalltogether." Thebus-loadrosetoitsfeetlikeonemanandshouted "VeeverforFrance."Their"France"rhymedwith "pants,"sothatnoneoftheFrenchunderstoodit,but theydidunderstandthesentimentbehindthehusky Americanlungs. Throughsuchscenesasthese,theprocessionreached thegreatPlacedelaConcorde.Inthiswide,paved,open spaceanenormouscrowdhadassembled.Astheautos appearedthecheering,theflowerthrowing,thetumultu ouskiss-blowingbegan.Itincreasedinintensityasthe motorsstoppedinfrontoftheHotelCrillonintowhich GeneralPershingdisappeared,followedbyhisstaff. 58 ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

Immediatelythecheeringchangedtoa tremendous clamorousdemandfortheGeneral'sappearanceonthe balconyinfrontofhisapartments. "Aubalcon,aubalcon,"werethecriesthatfilledthe Place.Thecrowdwouldnotbedenied. GeneralPershingsteppedforthonthebalcony.He stoodbehindthelowmarblerailing,andbetweentwo enormouswhite-stonedcolumns.AclusteroftheAllied flagswasaffixedtoeachcolumn.TheAmericancom mandersurveyedthesceneinfrontofhim. TherearenotreesorshrubberyinthevastPlacede laConcorde.Itsbroadpavedsurfaceisinterruptedonly byartisticallyplacedgroupsofstatuaryandfountains. TotheGeneral'sright,ashefacedthePlace,werethe treesandgreeneryofthebroadChampsElysees.On hisleftwerethefountainsandthegardensoftheTuil- leries.AtthefurtherendofthePlace,fivehundredfeet straightinfrontofhim,werethebanksandtheorna mentalbridgesoftheSeine,beyondwhichcouldbeseen thecolumnedfacadeoftheChambredesDeputies,and aboveandbeyondthat,againsttheblueskyofalate Juneafternoon,rosethemajesticgoldendomeofthe Invalides,overthetombofNapoleon. GeneralPershinglookeddownupontheseaoffaces turneduptowardhim,andthenitseemedthatnature desiredtoplayapartintheceremonyofthatgreatday. AsoftbreezefromtheChampsElyseestouchedtheclus terofflagsontheGeneral'srightandfromalltheAllied emblemsfastenedthereitselectedoneflag. Thebreezetenderlycaughtthefoldsofthisflagand waftedthemacrossthebalconyonwhichtheGeneral bowed.Hesawandrecognisedthatflag.Heextended hishand,caughttheflaginhisfingersandpresseditto hislips.AllFranceandallAmericarepresentedinthat WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 59 vastthrongthatdaycheeredtothemightyechowhen Pershingkissedthetri-colourofFrance. Itwasatremendous,unforgettableincident.Itwas exceededbynootherincidentduringthosedaysofre ceptionsandceremonies,exceptone.Thatwasaninci dentwhichoccurrednotinthepresenceofthousands, butinalonelyoldburialgroundontheoutskirtsof Paris.Thishappenedseveraldaysafterthedemonstra tioninthePlacedelaConcorde. Onthatdayofbrightsunshine,GeneralPershingand asmallpartyofofficers,FrenchandAmerican,walked throughthegravelpathsofPicpusCemeteryinthesub urbsofParis,wherethebodiesofhundredsofthose whomadethehistoryofFranceareburied. SeveralFrenchwomenindeepmourningcourtesiedas GeneralPershingpassed.Hispartystoppedinfrontof twomarbleslabsthatlaysidebysideatthefootofa granitemonument.FromtheGeneral'spartyaFrench mansteppedforwardand,removinghishighsilkhat,he addressedthesmallgroupinquiet,simpletonesandwell- chosenEnglishwords.HewastheMarquisdeCham- brun.Hesaid:

"Onthisspotonecansaythatthehistorictiesbe tweenournationsarenottheresultoftheableschemes ofskilfuldiplomacy.No,theprinciplesofliberty,jus ticeandindependencearethegloriouslinksbetweenour nations. "Theseprincipleshaveenlistedtheheartsofourde mocracies.Theyhavemadethestrengthoftheirunion andhavebroughtaboutthetriumphoftheirefforts. "To-day,when,afternearlyacenturyanda half, AmericaandFranceareengagedinaconflictforthe 6o ANDTHEYTHOUGHT samecauseuponwhichtheirearlyfriendshipwasbased, wearefilledwithhopeandconfidence. "Weknowthatourgreatnationsaretogetherwith ourAlliesinvincible,andwerejoicetothinkthatthe UnitedStatesandFrancearereunitedinthefightfor liberty,andwillreconsecrate,inanewvictory,theirever lastingfriendshipofwhichyourpresenceto-dayatthis graveisanexquisiteandtouchingtoken."

GeneralPershingadvancedtothetombandplaced uponthemarbleslabanenormouswreathofpinkand whiteroses.Thenhesteppedback.Heremovedhis capandhelditinbothhandsinfrontofhim.The brightsunlightshonedownonhissilverygreyhair. Lookingdownatthegrave,hespokeinaquiet,impres sivetonefoursimple,all-meaningwords:

"Lafayette,wearehere." WEWOULDN'TFIGHT 6l

CHAPTERIII

THELANDINGOFTHEFIRSTAMERICANCONTINGENT INFRANCE

ThefirstexecutiveworkoftheAmericanExpedi tionaryForcesoverseaswasperformedinasecondfloor suiteoftheCrillonHotelonthePlacedelaConcordein Paris.Thissuitewasthefirsttemporaryheadquarters oftheAmericancommander. Thetallwindowsoftheroomslookeddownonthe historicPlacewhichwasthesceneofsomanymomentous eventsinFrenchhistory.Thewindowswerehardlya hundredyardsfromtheveryspotwheretheguillotine drippedredinthedaysoftheTerror.Itwasherethat theheadsofLouisXVIandMarieAntoinettedropped intothebasket. DuringGeneralPershing'scomparativelybriefoccu pancyoftheseheadquarters,thereceptionroomswere constantlybankedwithfresh-cutflowers,thedailygifts oftheFrenchpeople,—flowersthatwerereplenished everytwenty-fourhours.Theroomwascalledthe "SalondesBatailles." Inonecorneroftheroom,nearawindowoverlooking thePlace,wasGeneralPershing'stable.Itwasadorned withastatuetteofGeneralJoffreandaclusterofminia turesofcapturedGermanstandards.Extendingfrom thefloortotheceilingononeofthewallsweretwoenor mousoilcopiesof"LaBatailledeFontenoy"andthe "PassageduRhin."Alargeflag-drapedphotographof PresidentWilsonoccupiedaplaceofhonouronaneasel atoneendoftheroom. 62 ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

DuringthefirstweekthatGeneralPershingstopped atthehotel,thesidewalkandstreetbeneathhiswin dowswereconstantlycrowdedwithpeople.Thecrowds waitedtherealldaylong,justinthehopeofcatching aglimpseoftheAmericancommanderifheshouldhap pentobeleavingorreturningtohisquarters.Itseemed asifeveryParisienneandParisianhadtakenuponher selfandhimselfthespecialdutyofpersonallyobserving GeneralPershing,ofwavinghimanenthusiastic"vive" andpossiblybeingwithinthescopeofhisreturningsa lute. ButtheAmericancommanderwouldnotpermitdem onstrationsandcelebrationstointerferewiththeimpor tantdutiesthathefaced.Twodaysareallthatwerede votedtothesesocialceremonieswhichtheenthusiastic andhospitableFrenchwouldhavemadealmostendless. Dinners,receptionsandparadeswereruthlesslyerased fromtheworkingdaycalendar.TheAmericancom mandersoundedtheorder"Towork"withthesame martialprecisionasthoughthecommandhadbeena suddencall"Toarms." OnthemorningofthethirddayafterGeneralPer shing'sarrivalinParis,thetypewritersbeganclicking incessantlyandthetelephonesbeganringingbusilyinthe largebuildingwhichwasoccupiedonthatdayasthe headquartersoftheAmericanExpeditionaryForcesin France. ThisbuildingwasNumbers27and31 RuedeConstan- tine.Itfacedthetreesandshrubberyborderingthe approachtotheSeinefrontoftheInvalides.Thebuild ingwastwostorieshighwithgrey-whitewallsanda mansardroof.Atthattimeitcouldbeimmediately identifiedastheoneinfrontofwhichstooda lineof Americanmotorcars,astheonewheretrimUnited WEWOULDN'TFIGHT 63

Statesregularswalkedsentrypostpastthehugedoors throughwhichfrequentorderliesdashedwithmessages. Tendaysbefore,thebuildinghadbeentheresidenceof aMarquisandhadcontainedfurnitureandartvalued atmillionsoffrancs.Allofthosehome-likecharacter isticshadbeenremovedsoeffectivelythateventhename ofthekindlyMarquishadbeenforgotten.I amsure thathe,himself,attheendofthatten-dayperiodcould nothaverecognisedhisconvertedsalonswheretheelab orateornamentationhadbeenchangedtotheseveresim plicitytypicalofaUnitedStatesArmybarracks. GeneralPershing'sofficewaslocatedonthesecond floorofthehouseandinonecorner.Inthoseearly daysitwascarpetlessandcontainedalmostamonkish minimumoffurniture.ThereweretheGeneral'schair andhisdeskonwhichtherestoodapeculiarmetalstand ardforoneofthoseone-piecetelephonesetswithwhich AmericansarefamiliaronlyinFrenchstagesettings.A book-casewithglassdoors,astenographer'stableand chair,andtworedplushupholsteredchairs,forvisitors, comprisedthefurnitureinventoryoftheroom. Oneoftheinnerwallsoftheroomwasadornedwith alargemirrorwithagiltframe,andintheotherwall wasaplainfireplace.Thereweretallwindowsinthe twoouterwallswhichlookedoutontheRuedeCon- stantineandtheRuedeGrenelle.OppositetheRuede Grenellewindowstherewasasmall,deeplyshadedpark wherechildrenrolledhoopsduringtheheatoftheday andwhereconvalescentFrenchsoldierssatandwatched thechildrenatplayorperhapsdiscussedthewarand otherthingswiththenurse-maids. ThiswasthefirstworkshopinFranceoftheAmeri cancommander-in-chief.Adjoiningroomstotheleft andrightwereoccupiedbytheGeneral'sstaffandhis "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT aides.Anditwasintheseroomsthattheoverseasplans forthelandingofthefirstAmericanarmedcontingent inFrancewereformulated. ItissafenowtomentionthatSt.Nazaireonthewest coastofFrancewastheportatwhichourfirstarmed forcesdisembarked.IwasinPariswhentheinforma tionoftheircomingwaswhisperedtoa fewchosen correspondentswhoweretobeprivilegedtowitnessthis historicallanding. Thiswasthefirsttimeinthehistoryofournation thatalargeforceofarmedAmericanswastocrossthe seastoEurope.Forfiveandahalfmonthspriortothe dateoftheirlanding,theruthlesssubmarinepolicyof theImperialGermanGovernmenthadbeenineffect,and ourtroopshipswiththoseinitialthousandsofAmerican soldiersrepresentedthefirstlargeArmadatodarethe oceancrossingsinceGermanyhadinstitutedhersub-sea blockadezoneinFebruaryofthatsameyear. Thusitwasthatanyconversationconcerningthefact thatourmenwereontheseasandatthemercyofthe U-boatswasconductedwiththegreatestofcarebehind closeddoors.InspiteoftheeffortsoftheFrenchagents ofcontraespionage,ParisandallFrance,forthatmat ter,housednumerousspies.Thereweresomeanxious momentswhilethatfirstcontingentwasonthewater. Ourlittlegroupofcorrespondentswasinformedthat weshouldbeconductedbyAmericanofficerstotheport oflanding,butthenameofthatportwaswithheldfrom us.ByappointmentwemetataParisrailroadstation wherewewereprovidedwithrailroadtickets.Wetook ourplacesincompartmentsandrodeforsometenor twelvehours,arrivingearlythenextmorningatSt. Nazaire. ThislittlevillageonthecoastofBrittanywastucked WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" awaythereinthegoldensandsoftheseashore.Its houseshadwallsofwhitestuccoandgabledroofsof redtile.Inthesmallrollinghillsbehinditweregreen orchardsandfieldsofyellowwheat.Thevillagers,oM womenintheirstarchedwhitehead-dressesandoldmen wearingfadedbluesmocksandwoodenshoes,wereun mindfulofthegreateventforwhichhistoryhaddes tinedtheirvillage. Onthenightbeforethelandingthetownspeoplehad retiredwithnoknowledgeofwhatwastohappenon thefollowingday.Inthemorningtheyawoketofind strangeshipsthathadcomeinthenight,ridingsafely atanchorintheharbour.Thewoodenshuttersbegan topopopenwithbangsasexcitedheads,encasedm peakedflannelnightcaps,protrudedthemselvesfrombed roomwindowsanddirectedanxiousqueriestothosewh© happenedtobeabroadatthatearlyhour. St.Nazairecametolifemorequicklythatmorning thaneverbeforeinitshistory.TheMayorofthetown wasoneofthebusiestfiguresonthestreet.Inhighhat andfulldressattire,hehurriedabouttryingtoassemble thevillageorchestraofoctogenarianfiddlersandflute playerstoplayawelcomeforthenewarrivals.The townspeopleneglectedtheircafeaulaittorushdownt» thequaytolookatthenewships. Thewatersoftheharboursparkledintheearlymorn ingsunlight.Thedawnhadbeengreyandmisty,but nownatureseemedtosmile.Thestrangeshipsfrom theothersideoftheworldweregreyinhulkbutnow thereweresignsoflifeandcolouraboardeachoneof them. BeyondthetroopshipslaythefirstUnitedStateswar ships,unitsofthatremarkablefightingorganisation whichintheyearthatwastoimmediatelyfollowthat 66 ANDTHEYTHOUGHT verydayweretoescortsafelyacrossthreethousand milesofsubmarine-infestedwatermorethanamillion andahalfAmericansoldiers. Theappearanceofthesefirstwarshipsofourswas noveltotheFrenchtownspeople.Ourshipshadpeculiar lookingmasts,mastswhichthetownspeoplecomparedto thebasketswhichtheFrenchpeasantscarryontheir backswhentheyharvestthelettuce.Outfurtherfrom theshorewereourlow-lyingtorpedodestroyers,pointed towardthemenaceoftheouterdeep. Busypuffingtugswerewarpingthefirsttroopship towardthequay-side.SometwentyorthirtyAmerican sailorsandsoldiers,whohadbeenpreviouslylandedby launchtoassistinthedisembarkation,werehandlingthe linesonthedock. Whenbuttwentyfeetfromthequay-side,thesucces sivedecksofthefirsttroopshiptookontheappearance ofmud-colouredlayersfromthekhakiuniformsofthe stiffstandingranksofourmen.Amilitarybandonthe forwarddeckwasplayingthenationalanthemsofFrance andAmericaandeveryhandwasbeingheldatthesalute. Asthefinalbarsofthe"StarSpangledBanner" crashedoutandeverysalutinghandcamesnappilydown, oneAmericansoldieronanupperdeckleanedoverthe railandshoutedtoacomradeontheshorehispartof thefirstexchangeofgreetingsbetweenourfighting menuponthishistoricoccasion.Holdingonehandto hislips,heseriouslyenquired: "Say,dotheylettheenlistedmeninthesaloons here?" Anothersoldierstandingnearthesternrailhadadif ferentandmoreseriousinterrogationtomake.Heap pearedratherblaseaboutitasheleanedovertherail

THEFIRSTGLIMPSEOFFRANCE

WEWOULDN'TFIGHT' 67 and,directinghisvoicetowardasoldieronthedock, casuallydemanded: "Say,wheretheHellisallthistrouble,anyhow?" Thesetwoopeningsortiesproducedafloodofothers. Themostcommonenquirywas: "What'sthenameof thisplace?"and"IsthisFranceorEngland?"When answersweremadetothesequestions,therecipientsof theinformation,particularlyiftheyhappenedtobe"old- timersinthearmy,"wouldrespondbyremarking,"Well, it'sadamnsightbetterthantheMexicanborder." Asourmencameovertheship'ssideanddownthe runways,therewasnogreatreceptioncommitteeawait ingthem.Amongthemostinterestedspectatorsofthe eventwereagroupofstolidGermanprisonersofwar andthetwoFrenchsoldiersguardingthem.Thetwo Frenchmentalkedvolublywithawealthofgesticulation, whiletheGermansmaintainedtheircharacteristicglum- ness. TheGermanprisonersappearedtobeanythingbut discouragedatthesight.Someofthemevenworea smilethatapproachedthesupercilious.Withsomeof themthatsmileseemedtosay: "Youcan'tfoolus.We knowthesetroopsarenotAmericans.Theyareeither CanadiansorAustralianscomingfromEngland.Our GermanU-boatswon'tletAmericanscrosstheocean." SomeofthoseGermanprisonershappenedtohave beeninAmericabeforethewar.TheyspokeEnglish andrecognisedtheuniformsofourmen.Theirsilent smilesseemedtosay: "Well,theydon'tlooksogoodat that.Wehaveseenbettersoldiers.And,besides,there isonlya handfulofthem.Notenoughcancometo makeanydifference.Anyhow,itistoolatenow.The warwillbeoverbeforeanyappreciablenumbercanget here." 68 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

Butthestreamofkhakicontinuedtopouroutofthe ship'sside.Companyaftercompanyofourmen,loaded downwithpacksandfullfieldequipment,linedupon thedockandmarchedpastthegroupofGermanpris oners. "We'repassinginreviewforyou,Fritzie,"oneirre pressiblefromourranksshouted,asthemarchingline passedwithintouchingdistanceoftheprisonergroup. TheGermansrespondedonlywithquizzicallittlesmiles andsilence. Escortedbyourownmilitarybands,theregiments marchedthroughthemainstreetofthevillage.The bandsplayed"Dixie"—anewairtoFrance.Theregi mentsasawholedidnotpresentthesnappy,marching appearancethattheymighthavepresented.Therewas agoodreasonforthis.Sixtypercent,ofthemwerere cruits.Ithadbeenwiselydecidedtoreplacemanyof theoldregulararmymenintherankswithnewlyen listedmen,sothattheseoldveteranscouldremainin Americaandtrainthenewdrafts. However,thatwhichimpressedtheFrenchpeoplewas theindividualappearanceofthesesamplesofAmerican manhood.Ourmenweretallandbroadandbrawny. Theywereyoungandvigorous.Theireyeswerekeen andsnappy.Theircomplexionsrangedinshadefrom theswarthysun-tannedcheeksofborderveteranstothe clearpinkskinsofcityyoungsters.Butmostnoticeable ofalltotheFrenchpeopleweretheevenwhiterowsof teethwhichourmendisplayedwhentheysmiled.Good dentistryandcleanmouthsareessentiallyAmerican. ThevillagersofSt.Nazaire,oldmenandwomen, girlsandschoolchildren,linedthecurbsasourmen marchedthroughthetown.Thelineofmarchwasover abroadesplanadethatcircledthesandybeachofthe WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 69 bay,andthenwoundupwardintothehigherground backofthetown.Theroadherewasborderedoneither sidewithancientstonewallscoveredwithvinesand overthetopsofthewallsthereextendedfruit-laden branchestotemptourmenwiththeirripe,redluscious- ness.Astheymarchedthroughtheheatanddustof thatJuneday,manysuccumbedtothetemptationsand paidfortheirappetiteswithinordinatelyviolentcolics thatnight. Acampsitehadbeenpartiallypreparedfortheirre ception.ItwaslocatedclosetoaFrenchbarracks.The FrenchsoldiersandgangsofGermanprisoners,whohad beenengagedinthiswork,hadnoknowledgeofthe factthattheywerebuildingthefirstAmericancanton mentinFrance.Theythoughttheywereconstructing simplyanextensionoftheFrenchencampment. Thatfirstcontingent,composedofUnitedStatesIn fantrymenandMarines,madeitsfirstcampinFrance withthesmallestamountofconfusion,consideringthe factthatalmostthree-quartersofthemhadn'tbeenin uniformamonth.Itwasbutseveralhoursafterar rivingatthecampthatthesmokewasrisingfromthe busycampstovesandthearomaofAmericancoffee, bakedbeansandbroiledsteakswasintheair. Ontheafternoonofthatfirstdaysomeofthemen weregivenpermissiontovisitthetown.Theybeganto taketheirfirstlessonsinFrenchastheywentfromcafe tocafeinfutileeffortstoconnectupwithsuchunknown commoditiesascherrypieorhamandeggsandwiches. Uponmeetingoneanotherinthestreets,ourmenwould invariablyask:"Haveyoucomeacrossanyofthese frogsthattalkAmerican?" TherewasnothingdisrespectfulaboutthetermsFrogs orFroggiesasappliedtotheirFrenchcomradesinarms. 70 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

AmericanofficershastenedtoexplaintoFrenchofficers thattheonepieceofinformationconcerningFrancemost popularlyknowninAmericawasthatitwastheplace wherepeoplefirstlearnedtoeatfroglegsandsnails. TheFrenchmen,ontheotherhand,weresomewhat inclinedtobelievethatthesefirstAmericansdidn'tlive uptotheEuropeanexpectationsofAmericans.Those Europeanexpectationshadbeenfoundedalmostentirely uponthetranslationsofdimenovelsandmovingpicture thrillersoftheWildWestandcomedyvariety. Althoughourmenworethehigh,broad-brimmedfelt hats,theydidn'tseemsufficientlycowboyish.Although theFrenchpeoplewaitedexpectantly,noneofthese Americansdashedthroughthemainstreetofthevillage onbuckingbronchos,holdingtheirreinsintheirteeth andatthesametimefiringrevolversfromeitherhand. Moreover,noneofourmenseemedtoconcludetheir dinnersintheexpectedAmericanfashionofslapping oneanotherinthefacewithcustardpies. TherewastobeseenonthestreetsofSt.Nazairethat daysomerepresentativeblackAmericans,whohadalso landedinthathistoricalfirstcontingent.Therewasa strangethingaboutthesenegroes. Itwillberememberedthatintheearlystagesofour participationinthewarithadbeenfoundthatthere washardlysufficientkhakiclothtoprovideuniformsfor allofoursoldiers.Thathadbeenthecasewiththese Americannegrosoldiers. ButsomewheredowninWashington,somehowor other,someoneresurrectedanold,large,heavyironkey andthis,insertedintoanancientrustylock,hadopened somelongforgottendoorsinoneoftheGovernment arsenals.Therewererevealedolddust-coveredbundles wrappedupinnewspapers,yellowwithage,andwhen WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 71

thesewrappingsofthepastwereremoved,therewere seentheuniformsofoldUnionbluethathadbeenlaid awaybackin'65—uniformsthathadbeenwornbymen whofoughtandbledanddiedtofreethefirstblack Americancitizens. Andhereonthisforeignshore,onthisdayinJune morethanhalfacenturylater,thesonsandthegrand sonsofthosesamefreedslavesworethosesameuni formsofUnionblueastheylandedinFrancetofight foranewerfreedom. Someofthesenegroeswerestevedoresfromthelower Mississippilevees.Theysangastheyworkedintheir whitearmyundershirts,acrossthechestofwhichthey hadpenciledinblueandred,strangemysticdevices,re ligiousphrasesandhoodoosigns,calculatedtocontribute thecharmofsafetytotherunningofthesubmarine blockade. TwooftheseAmericannegroes,walkingupthemain streetofSt.Nazaire,sawontheothersideofthethor oughfareabrotherofcolourwearingthelighterblue uniformofaFrenchsoldier.ThisFrenchnegrowas aColonialblackfromthenorthofAfricaandofcourse hadspokennothingbutFrenchfromthedayhewasborn. OneoftheAmericannegroescrossedthestreetand accostedhim. "Lookahere,boy,"heenquiredgood-naturedly,"what canyoualltellmeaboutthisherewah?" "Comment,monsieur?"respondedthenon-understand ingFrenchblack,andfollowedtherejoinderwithator rentofexcitedFrench. TheAmericannegro'smouthfellopen.Foraminute helookedstartled,andthenhebulgedonelargeround whiteeyesuspiciouslyattheFrenchblack,whilehein wardlydebatedonthepossibilitythathehadbecome 7* ANDTHEYTHOUGHT suddenlycolourblind.Havingreassuredhimself,how ever,thathisvisionwasnotatfault,hemadeasudden decisionandstartedonanewtack. "Now,nevermindthathigh-falutinglanguage,"he said."Youalljusttellmewhatyouknowaboutthis herewahandquityou'puttingonaihs." ThepuzzledFrenchnegrocouldonlyreplywithan otherexplosionofFrenchinterrogations,coupledwith vigorousgesticulations.TheAmericannegrotriedto talkatthesametimeandbothofthemendeavouring tomaketheotherunderstand,increasedthevolumesof theirtonesuntiltheywerestandingtherewavingtheir armsandshoutingintooneanother'sfaces.TheAmer icannegrogaveitup. "MyGawd,"hesaid,shakinghisheadasherecrossed thestreetandjoinedhiscomrades,"thisisshoresome funnycountry.Theygotthemos'ignorantestniggers I eversaw." Still,thoseAmericanblackswerenotaloneintheir difficultiesoverthedifferenceinlanguages.I discussed thematterwithoneofourwhiteregularswhoprofessed greatexperience,havingspentalmostoneentiredayon mutualguardwithaFrenchsentryoverapileofbag gage. "Youknow,"hesaid,"Idon'tbelievetheseFrenchies everwilllearntospeakEnglish." OurveteransfromMexicoandthebordercampaigns foundthattheirsmatteringofSpanishdidnothelpthem much.Butstilleveryoneseemedtomanagetogetalong allright.OursoldiersandtheFrenchsoldiersinthose earlydayscouldn'tunderstandeachother'slanguages, buttheycouldunderstandeachother. Thisstrangeparadoxwasanalysedformebyayoung AmericanLieutenantwhosaidhehadmadeatwelve WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 73 hourstudyoftheremarkablecamaraderiethathadim mediatelysprungupbetweenthefightingmenofFrance andthefightingmenofAmerica.Inexplainingthisre lationship,hesaid: "Yousee,wethinktheFrencharecrazy,"hesaid, "andtheFrenchknowdamnwellweare." ThoseofourmenwhohadnotbroughtsmallFrench andEnglishdictionarieswiththem,madehurriedpur chasesofsuchhandyarticlesandforthwithbeganto practise.TheFrenchpeopledidlikewise. I sawoneyoungAmericaninfantrymanseatedata tableinfrontofoneofthesidewalkcafesonthevillage square.Hewasdividinghisattentionbetweenafervent admirationoftheprettyFrenchwaitress,whostood smilinginfrontofhim,andanintenseinterestinthe pagesofhissmallhanddictionary. Shehadbroughthisglassofbeerandhehadpaidfor it,butthereseemedtobeamutualurgeforfurthercon versation.TheAmericanwouldlookfirstatherand thenhewouldlookthroughthepagesofthebookagain. Finallyhegaveslowandpainfulenunciationofthefol lowingrequest: "Mad-am-moy-sell,donniemoyoonbaysa." Shelaughedprettilyasshecaughthismeaningalmost immediately,andshereplied: "Doughboy,waredoyougetzatstuff?" "Aw,Hell,"saidtheyoungInfantryman,asheclosed thebookwithasnap."Iknewthey'dletthosesailors ashorebeforeus." Fromtheveryfirstdayofthelandingwebeganto learnthingsfromtheFrenchandtheybegantolearn thingsfromus.Someofourmenlearnedthatitwas quitepossibletosipanoccasionalglassofbeerorlight 74 ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

winewithoutfeelinga suddeninclinationtobuyand consumeallthereremainedinthecafe. TheFrenchsoldierswereintenselyinterestedinthe equipmentofourlandforcesandintheuniformsof bothoursoldiersandsailors.Theysoughtbyquestions togetanunderstandingofthevariousinsigniabywhich theAmericansdesignatedtheirrank. Onethingthattheynoticedwasasmall,roundwhite pasteboardtagsuspendedona yellowcordfromthe upperlefthandbreastpocketofeitherthebluejackets ofoursailorsorthekhakishirtsofoursoldiers.So prevalentwasthistag,whichinrealitymarkedthe wearerastheownerofapackageofpopulartobacco, thattheFrenchalmostaccepteditasuniformequipment. TheattitudeofourfirstarrivingAmericansoldiers towardtheGermanprisonerswhoworkedingangson constructionworkinthecampsandroughlabouralong thedockswasacuriousone.Nothavingyetencoun teredinbattlethebrothersofthesesamedocileappear ingcaptives,ourmenwereeveninclinedtotreatthe prisonerswithdeferencealmostapproachingadmiration. Inameasure,theGermansreturnedthisfeeling.The arrivaloftheAmericanswasreallycheeringtothem. TheprisonersdislikedtheFrenchbecausetheyhadbeen taughttodosofromchildhood.TheyhatedtheEng lishbecausethatwasthehatewithwhichtheywentinto battle. Itsoundsincongruousnowbut,nevertheless,itwas afactthenthattheGermanprisonersconfinedatthatfirst Americansea-basereallyseemedtoliketheAmerican soldiers.Maybeitwasbecauseanychangeofmasters orguardswasareliefintheuneventfulexistencewhich hadbeentheirssincethedayoftheircapture.Perhaps thefeelingwasoneofdistinctkindred,basedonafa WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 75 miliaritywithAmericansandAmericancustoms—afa miliaritywhichhadbeenproducedbythousandsoflet terswhichGermansinAmericahadwrittentotheir friendsinGermanybeforethewar.Ontheotherhand, itmaysimplyhavebeenbyreasonofAmerica'sofficial disavowalofanyanimositytowardtheGermanpeople. OnedayIwatchedsomeofthoseprisonersunloading suppliesatoneofthedocksinSt.Nazaire,moreorless undertheeyesofanAmericansentrywhostoodnearby. OnegroupoffourGermanswereengagedincarrying whatappearedtobealargewoodenpackingcase.Cas ually,andasifbyaccident,thecasewasdroppedtothe groundandcracked. Instantlyoneoftheprisoners'handsbegantofur tivelyinvestigatethepackagesrevealedbythebreak. Theotherprisonersbusiedthemselvesasifpreparingto lifttheboxagain.ThefirstGermanpulledaspoonfrom hisbootleg,plungeditintothecreviceinthebrokenbox andwithdrewitheapedwithgranulatedsugar.With aquickmovementheconveyedthestolensweettohis mouthandthatgappingorificeclosedquicklyonthe sugar,whilehisstoicalfaceimmediatelyassumedits characteristicdowncastlook.Hedidn'tdaremovehis lipsorjawsforfearofdetection. OfcoursetheseGermanshadbeenreceivingbuta scantrationofsugar,buttheirlothadbeennoworse thanthatoftheFrenchsoldiersguardingthempre viously,whogotnosugareither.Americansoldiers thenguardingthoseprisonersreportedonlya fewof themforconfinementforthesehumanthefts. Surreptitiously,theAmericanguardswouldsometimes leavecigaretteswheretheprisonerscouldgetthem,and eventhoughtheactiondidviolatetherulesofdiscipline, ithelpedtodevelopfurtherthehumansideofthegiver 76 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT andtherecipientandatthesametimehadtheresultof makingtheprisonersdomoreworkfortheirnew guards. Itshouldbespeciallystatedthatleniencecouldnot andwasnotextendedtothepointoffraternisation.But therelationshipthatseemedtoexistbetweentheGer manprisonersandAmericansoldiersatthatearlydate revealedundeniablytheabsenceofanymutualhate. AroundonepackingcaseonthedockI saw,oneday, anumberofGermanprisonerswhowereengagedinun packingbundlesfromAmerica,andpassingthemdown alineofwaitinghandsthatrelayedthemtoafreightcar. OneoftheGermansleaningoverthecasestraightened upwitharumplednewspaperinhishand.Hehadre moveditfromapackage.Alookofindescribablejoy cameacrosshisface. "Deutscher,Deutscher,"hecried,pointingtothe Gothictype.ThepaperwasacopyoftheNewYork Staats-Zeitung. Thelotofthoseprisonerswasnotanunhappyone. Tomeitseemedverydoubtfulwhetherevenasmall percentageofthemwouldhaveacceptedlibertyifit carriedwithitthenecessityofreturningtoGerman trenches. Thosemenknewwhatwarwas.Theyhadcrossed NoMan'sLand.Nowtheywerefarbackfromthe blazingfrontinacomparativelypeacefulcountrybe yondthesoundoftheguns.Iftheirlotatthattimewas tobecharacterisedas"war,"thenintheopinionof thoseGermans,warwasnotwhatShermansaiditwas. Theirattitudemoreresembledthatoftheunkissed spinsterwhowastakencaptivewhentheinvadingarmy capturedthetown.Sheflungherselfintothearmsof WEWOULDN'TFIGHT 77 thesurprisedcommanderoftheinvadersandsmilingly whispered,"Wariswar." TheGermanprisoncampsatSt.Nazairewerein spectedbyGeneralPershingonthethirddayofthe Americanlandingwhenhe,withhisstaff,arrivedfrom Paris.TheGeneralandhispartyarrivedearlyinthe morninginapouringrain.TheAmericancommander- in-chiefthenheldtherankofaMajorGeneral.Inthe harbourwastheflagshipofRearAdmiralGleaves. Therewasnodelayoverthenicetiesofetiquettewhen thequestionaroseastowhethertheRearAdmiralshould callontheMajorGeneralortheMajorGeneralshould callontheRearAdmiral. TheMajorGeneralsettledthesubjectwithasentence. Hesaid,"ThepointisthatIwanttoseehim,"andwith nofurtheradoaboutitGeneralPershingandhisstaff visitedtheAdmiralonhisflagship.Afterhisinspection ofourfirstcontingent,GeneralPershingsaid:

"ThisisthehappiestdayofthebusydayswhichI havespentinFrancepreparingforthearrivalofthe firstcontingent.To-dayI haveseenourtroopssafeon Frenchsoil,landingfromtransportsthatwereguarded intheirpassageoverseasbytheresourcefulvigilanceof ourNavy. "Now,ourtaskassoldiersliesbeforeus.Wehope, withtheaidoftheFrenchleadersandexpertswhohave placedalltheresultsoftheirexperienceatourdisposal, tomakeourforcesworthyinskillandindetermination, tofightsidebysideinarmswiththearmiesofFrance." 78 ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

CHAPTERIV

THROUGHTHESCHOOLOFWAR

CliptheskylinefromtheBlueRidge,architoverwith arborealvistasfromtheforestsoftheOregon,reflect thetwointheplacidwatersoftheWisconsin—andyou willhavesomeconceptionoftheperfectEdenofbeauty inwhichthefirstcontingentoftheAmericanExpedi tionaryForcestrainedinFrance. Beckoningwhiteroadscurlthroughtherollinghills likeribbonsofdentalcreamsqueezedoutevenlyonrich greenvelour.Chateaux,pearlwhitecentresinsettings ofemeraldgreen,pushtheirturretsandbastionsabove themossyplushofthemountainside.Lazylittle streamssilverthevalleyswiththeiraimlesswanderings. Itwasapeacefullookinggardenofpastoraldelight thatUnitedStatessoldiershadpickedoutfortheirmar tialtrainingground.Itwasasectionwhosephysical appearancewasuntouchedbythethreeyearsofredriot androarthatstillrumbledawayjustafewmilestothe north. ThetrainingareawaslocatedintheVosges,ineast centralFrance.Bytrain,itwasanine-hourdaytrip fromParis.Itwaslocatedaboutanhour'smotorride behindthefrontlines,whichatthattimewerecloseto thenorthofthecitiesofNancyandToul. Thetroopswerebilletedinastringofsmallvillages thatcomprisedonesideoftheletterV.Frenchtroops andinstructingofficersoccupiedtheotherconverging lineoftheletter.Betweenthetwolineswastheareain whichourmentrained.Wherethetwolinesconverged WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 79 wasthetownofGondercourt,theheadquartersofMajor GeneralSeibert,theCommanderofthefirstAmerican divisioninFrance. Theareahadlongsincebeenstrippedofmalecivilian populationthatcouldbeutilisedfortheFrenchranks. Thewarhadtakenthemenandtheboys,buthadleft theoldpeopleandchildrentotillthefields,tendthe cattle,prunethehedgesandtrimtheroads. Withtheadventofourtroops,therestfulscenebegan tochange.Treelessridgescarpetedwithjustenough greentoveiltherockyformationofthegroundbeganto breakoutwithasuperficialrashofthecolouroffresh earth.Inrowsandcircles,byanglesandzigzags,the trainingtrenchesbegantotakeformdailyunderthepick andshovelexercisesofFrenchandAmericansworking sidebyside. Alongthewhiteroads,clay-colouredrectanglesthat movedevenly,likebrowncaravans,representedthe marchingunitsofUnitedStatestroops.Thecolumns ofbluish-greythatpassedthemwithshorter,quicker steps,werecompaniesofthosetirelessFrenchmen,who afteralmostthreeyearsofthefrontlinerealthing,now playedatamimicwarofmake-believe,withtallerand heaviernovitiates. ThoseFrenchtroopswereAlpineChasseurs—thefa mousBlueDevils.Theyworedarkbluecaps,which resembletarno'shanters,butarenot.Theywereproud ofthedistinctionwhichtheiruniformgavethem.They wereproudoftheirgreatfightingrecords.Onesingle battalionofthemboastedthatofthetwenty-sixofficers wholeditintothefirstfightattheopeningofthewar, onlyfourofthemexisted. Itwasagreatadvantageforourmentotrainunder suchinstructors.Correspondentswhohadbeenalong 8o "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

thefrontsbeforeAmerica'sentryintothewar,hada greatrespectforthesoldierlycapacityofthesesamefight ingFrenchmen;notonlythesesturdyyoungsonsof Francewhoworetheuniform,buttheolderFrenchsol diers—ranginginagefromfortytofifty-fiveyears— whohadbeenawaytothefrontssincetheverybeginning ofthewar. Wehadseenthemmany,manytimes.Milesupon milesofthem,inthemotortrucksalongtheroads. Twentyofthemrodeineachtruck.Theysatontwo sidebenchesfacingthecentreofthetrucks.Theywere menactuallybentforwardfromtheweightofthemartial equipmentstrappedtotheirbodies.Theyseemedto carryinordinateloads—knapsacks,blanketroll,spare shoes,haversacks,gasmasks,waterbottles,ammunition belts,grenadeaprons,rifle,bayonetandhelmet. Manyofthemwereveryoldmen.Theyhadthick blackeyebrowsandworelongblackbeards.Theywere tired,wearymen.Wehadseentheminthecamions, eachmanrestinghisheadontheshoulderoftheman seatedbesidehim.Thedustofthejourneyturnedtheir blackbeardsgrey.Onthefrontseatofthecamiona sleeplessonehandledthewheel,whilebesidehimthe reliefdriversleptontheseat. Thustheyhadbeenseen,mileuponmileofthem, thousanduponthousandofthem,movingeverupand downthoseroadsthatparalleledthesixhundredand fiftymilesoffrontfromFlanderstotheAlps—moving always.Thustheyhadbeenseennightandday,winter andsummer,formorethanthreelongyears,always tryingtobeattheplacewheretheenemystruck.The worldknowsandtheworldisthankfulthattheyalways werethere. Itwasundersuchveteraninstructorsasthesethat WEWOULDN'TFIGHT 81

ourfirstAmericansinFrancetrained,there,inthe Vosges,inagardenspotofbeauty,intheprovincethat boaststhebirthplaceofJeanned'Arc.Onthefewleave days,manyofourmen,withpermission,wouldabsent themselvesfromcamp,andmakeshortpilgrimagesover thehillstothelittletownofDomremytovisitthehouse inwhichtheMaidofOrleanswasborn. Ourmenwereeagertolearn.I observedthemdaily attheirtrainingtasks.Onedaywhentheyhadpro gressedasfarastheuseoftheNewFrenchautomatic rifles,I visitedoneoftherangestowitnessthefiring. Justunderthecrestofthehillwasarowofriflepits, fourfeetdeepintheslatywhiterock.Ontheopposite hill,acrossthemarshyhollow,atadistanceoftwohun dredyards,wasalineofwoodentargets,paintedwhite withblackcircles.Poisedatintervalsontheforward edgeofthepitswereanumberofautomaticriflesofthe typeusedbytheFrencharmy.AnAmericansoldier andaFrenchsoldierattendedeachone,theformerin thefiringpositionandthelatterinstructing. TherearbankofthepitswaslinedwithFrenchand Americanofficers.Theorder,"Commencefiring,"was given,andwhitespurtsofrockdustbegandancingon theoppositehill,whilesplintersbegantoflyfromsome ofthewoodentargets. Atoneendofthefiringtrencha rawAmericanre cruit,whoadmittedthathehadneverhandledanauto maticriflebefore,flushedtohishat-brimandgrittedhis teethviciouslyashisshots,registeringtenfeetabove thetargets,broughtforthlaughterandexclamations fromtheFrenchsoldiersnearby.HeTestedonhisgun longenoughtoaskaninterpreterwhattheFrenchmen weretalkingabout. 82 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

"Theysay,"theinterpreterreplied,"thatyoubelong totheanti-aircraftservice." Therecruittightenedhisgriponhisrifleandlowered hisaimwithbetterresults.Attheendofhisfirstfifty- shotshewasplacingoneinthreeonthetargetandthe otherswereregisteringclosein. "Bravo!"camefromagroupofFrenchofficersatthe otherendofthetrench,whereanotherAmerican,older intheservice,hadsignalisedhisfirstexperienceswiththe newfirearmbylandingthirtytargetsoutofthirty-four shots,andfourofthetargetswerebull's-eyes.The Frenchinstructorscomplimentedhimontheexcellence ofhismarksmanship,consideringhisacknowledgedun- familiaritywiththeweapon. Furtheralongthedepression,inanothersetofop posingtrenchesandtargets,arowofFrenchmachine gunsmannedbyyoungAmericans,sprayedleadwith ear-splittingabandon,sometimesreachingtherateoffive hundredshotsaminute.Evenwithsuchrapidity,the Americansencounterednodifficultieswiththenewpieces. Frenchveterans,whoforthreeyearshadbeenusing thosesamegunsagainstGermantargets,hoveredover eachpiece,explaininginhalfFrenchandhalfEnglish, andansweringinthesamemixturequestionsonways andmeansofgettingthebestresultsfromtheweapons. Hereachasseuroftherankswouldstopthefiringof oneAmericansquad,witha peremptory,"Regardez." Hewouldproceedwithpantomimeandmoreorlesscon nectedwords,carryingthewarningthatfiringinsucha mannerwouldresultinjammingtheguns,acondition whichwouldbefatalincasethetargetsintheother trencheswerechargingupontheguns. Thenheshowedthecorrectprocedure,andtheYanks, watchfullyalerttohiseverymove,changedtheirmethod WEWOULDN'TFIGHT andsignifiedtheirpleasurewiththeexpressionof"Trays beans,"and"Mercy's." "Doyouthinkitwouldhaveresultedinaquickerand possiblymoreunderstandingtrainingiftheseAmericans wereinstructedbyBritishveteransinsteadofFrench?" I askedanAmericanStaffOfficer,whowasobserving thedemonstration. "Imayhavethoughtsoatfirst,"theofficerreplied, "butnotnow.Theexplanationswhichourmeninthe ranksarereceivingfromtheFrenchsoldiersintheranks aremorethanwordinstructions.Theyareobjectles sonsinwhichgesticulationandpantomimeareusedto actoutthemovementorsubjectunderdiscussion. "TheFrencharegreatactors,andI findthatAmeri cansoldiersunacquaintedwiththeFrenchlanguageare abletounderstandtheFrenchsoldierswhoareunac quaintedwiththeEnglishlanguagemuchbetterthan theAmericanofficers,similarlyhandicapped,canunder standtheFrenchofficers. "Ishouldsaythatsometimewouldbelostifallof ourtroopsweretobetrainedbyFrenchsoldiers,butI believethatthisdivisionunderFrenchtutelagewillbe betterabletoteachthenewtacticstothenewdivisions thataretofollowthanitwouldbeifithadspeedily passedthroughtrainingcampsliketheBritishsystem, forinstance,whereitmustbetakenforgrantedthat verbal,insteadofactual,instructionisthemeansofpro ducingaspeedingupoftraining." ThusitwasthatourfirstAmericancontingentin Francewasintrainingforsomethingmorethanservice ontheline.Itrapidlyqualifiedintoanexpertcorps fromwhichlargenumbersofcapableAmericanin structorswerelaterwithdrawnandusedforthetraining ofourmillionsofmenthatfollowed. 84 ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

Thisachievementwasonlyaccomplishedbytheexer ciseofstrictdisciplinarianmeasuresbyeveryAmerican officerinthethensmallexpedition.Oneday,intheearly partofAugust,1917,awhirlwindsweptthroughthe stringofFrenchvillageswherethefirstcontingentwas training. Thewhirlwindcamedownthemainroadinacloudof dust.Itspedonthefleetingtiresofahigh-powered motorwhichflewfromitsdust-greyhoodaredflag withtwowhitestars.Itblewintothevillagesandout, throughthebilletsandcooktents,messhalls,andpicket lines.ThewhirlwindwasJohnJ.Pershing. Thecommander-in-chief"hit"thetrainingareaearly inthemorningandhiscomingwasunannounced.Be foreeveninghehadcompletedasterninspectionwhich hadleftonlyoneimpressioninthemindsofthein spected,andthatimpressionwastotheeffectthatmore snapandpep,moresharpnessandkeennesswereneeded. Attheconclusionoftheinspectionalloftheofficers ofthecontingentwereagreeingthatthewhirlwindvisi tationwasjustwhathadbeenneededtoarousethemettle andspiritinanorganisationcomprisedofoverfiftyper cent,rawrecruits.Manyoftheofficersthemselveshad beenincludedinthepointedcriticismswhichthecom manderdirectedagainstthepersonsandthingsthatmet disfavourinhiseyes. Thenightfollowingthatinspectionor"raid,"asit wascalled,itwouldhavebeensafetosaythatnowhere intheareawastherearecruitwhodidnotknow,ina mannerthathewouldnotforget,thecorrectpositionof asoldier—theprecise,stiff,snappyattitudetobepre sentedwhencalledtoattention.Theenlistedmenwhose heelsdidnotclickwhentheymet,whoseshoulders slouched,whosechinsmissedtheproperangle,whose WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 85

eyeswerenot"front"duringtheinspection,underwent embarrassingpenalties,calculatedtomakethemremem ber. "Havethismanfallout,"GeneralPershingdirected, ashestoodbeforea recruitwhoseattitudeappeared sloppy;"teachhimthepositionofasoldierandhave himstandatattentionforfiveminutes." Onecompanywhichhadprideditselfuponhaving someofthebestembryonicbomb-throwersinthecon tingent,contributeda numberofvictimstotheabove penalties,andastheGeneral'strainofautomobiles swirledoutofthevillage,themainstreetseemedtobe dottedwithsilentkhaki-cladstatuesdoingtheirfivemin utesentencesofrigidity. "Whataboutyourmen'sshoes?"GeneralPershing askedacaptainsharply,whilehedirectedhiseyesalong acompanylineoffeetwhosecasingsseemedtobeap proachingtheshabby. "Weneedhobnails,sir,"repliedthecaptain. "Getthem"—thewordssnappedoutfrombeneath Pershing'sclose-croppedgreymoustache."Requisition hobnails.Yourmenneedthem.Getthemfromthe quartermaster." TheAmericancommandersteppedintothedarkness ofa largestone-walledstable,whichrepresentedthe billetingaccommodationsfortenAmericansoldiers.A dogcurledinthedoorwaygrowledandshoweditsteeth. TheGeneralsteppedpastthemenacinganimal,andwith outheedingitssnarlsclosetohisheels,startedquestion ingthesergeantsincharge. "Areanycattlekeptinhere?"heasked. "No,sir,"repliedthesergeant. "Detailmoremenwithbroomsandhaveitairedthor oughlyeveryday." 86 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

Observedfromadistance,whenhewasspeakingwith battalionandregimentalcommanders,thecommander manifestednochangeofattitudefromthatwhichmarked hiswholeinspection.Hefrequentlyemployedhischar acteristicgestureofemphasis—thewaddingofhisleft palmwithhisrightfistortheenergeticopeningand closingoftherighthand.WhenthePershingwhirlwind spedoutofthetrainingareathatnight,afterthefirst AmericaninspectioninFrance,itleftbehinditathor oughrealisationofthesternnessoftheworkwhichwas aheadofourarmy. ThedevelopmentofarigiddisciplinewastheAmer icancommander'sfirstobjectiveinthetrainingschedules whichheorderedhisstafftodevise.Afterthisschedule hadbeeninoperationnottendays,Ihappenedtowitness ademonstrationofAmericandisciplinewhichmightbe comparedtoanimprovedincidentofDamoclesdining underthesuspendedswordatthefeastofDionysius. AbattalionofAmericanInfantrywasatpracticeon oneofthetrainingfields.Thegrenade-throwingexer ciseshadbeenconcludedandtheorderhadbeengivento "fallin"preparatorytothemarchbacktothecamp. Upontheformationofthelongcompanylines,end onenddownthesideofthehill,theorder,"attention," wassharplyshoutedbringingthementotherigidpose whichpermitstheeyestowanderneithertotherightnor totheleft,abovenorbelow,butstraightforward. Asthethousandmenstoodthere,rigidandsilent,a suddendisturbancetookplaceintheskyabovethem. Shellsbeganexplodingupthere.Atthesametimethe menintherankscoulddistinctlyhearthewhirrandthe humofaeroplanemotorsabovethem. AlmosteverydayreportshadbeenreceivedthatGer manplaneshadevadedtheAlliedaerialpatrolsalong WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 87 thefrontandhadmadelongflightsbehindourlinesfor thedualpurposesofobservingandbombing. AstheAmericanbattalionstoodstiffandmotionless, I knewthatthethoughtwaspassingthroughtheminds ofeverymantherethathere,atlast,wastheexpected visitationoftheGermanflyersandthataterrificbomb fromabovewouldbethenexteventontheprogramme. Themenrecognisedthereportsoftheanti-aircraftguns blazingaway,andthesoundofthemotorssuggesteda closerangetarget. Thesoundseemedtoindicatethattheplaneswere flyinglow.TheAmericanranksknewthatsomething wasgoingonimmediatelyabovethem.Theydidnot knowwhatitwas,butitseemsneedlesstostatethatthey wantedtoknow.Stilltheranksstoodasstiffasrows ofclay-colouredstatues. Analmostirresistibleimpulsetolookupward,astrong instinctiveurgingtoseethedangerthatimpended,and thesternregulationsof"eyesfront"thatgoeswiththe command"attention,"comprisedtheelementsofcon flictthatwentonineachofthethousandheadsinthat battalionline. Infrontofeachplatoon,thelieutenantsandcaptains stoodwiththesamerigideyesfrontfacingthemen.If oneofthecompanyofficershadrelaxedtotheextent oftakingonefleetingupwardglance,it isdoubtful whetherthemencouldhavefurtherresistedthesame inclination,butnotamanshiftedhisgazefromthe directionprescribedbythelastcommand. Oneplanepassedcloselyoverheadandnothinghap pened.Threemorefollowedandstillnobombsfell,and thenthetenseincidentwasclosedbythecallingoutof theorderofthemarchand,insquadsoffour,thebat talionwheeledintotheroadandmarchedbacktobillets. 88 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

Asonecompanywentbysinging(talkingwasper mitteduponthefreedomofroutstep),I heardoneof themensaythathehadthoughtallalongthattheofficers wouldnothavemadethemstandthereatattentionif thedangerhadnotbeenover. "AsfarasI knew,itwasover,"acomradeadded. "Itwasrightovermyhead."Andinthislightman nerthemenforgottheincidentastheyresumedtheir marchingsong. WhenMr.W.HollenzollernofPotsdamputsinging lessonsinthecurriculumofhissoldiers'training,a tremorofmilitarygigglingwasheardaroundtheworld. ButinAugust,1914,whenMarssmiledatthesightof thosesamesoldiers,marchingacrossthefrontierseast, southandwest,undertheirthroatybarrageof"Deutsch- land,Deutschland,UberAlles,"thederisivegigglescom pletelydiedout.Itimmediatelybecamea caseofhe wholaughsfirst,livestoyodel. TheAmericanforcesthenintrainingtookadvantage ofthis.Theynotonlybegantosingastheytrained, buttheyactuallybegantobetrainedtosing.Numerous companycommanderswhohadheldstrongopinions againstthisvocalsoldiering,changedtheirmindsand expressedthenewfoundconvictionthatthedaywas pastwhensingingarmiescouldbecomparedsolelywith malecorypheeswhoholdpositionswelldownstageand clinkemptyflagonsofbrownOctoberale. "It'sagreatidea,"acompanycommandertoldme. "WelearneditfromtheBlueDevils.Theyarethe toughestsetofunder-sizedgentrythatI haveruninto inFrance.Theyhaveforearmsasbigasthree-inch shells,andashard.Theirfavouritepastimeisjuggling hand-grenadesthatcan'tpossiblyexplodeunlessthey justlightlytouchoneanother. WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 89

"Yesterdaywewatchedthem,baredtothewaist,as theywentthroughthreehoursofgrenadeandbombing practicethatwasthelastwordinstrenuosity.Keeping upwiththeirexerciseswashardworkforourmen, whosearmssoonbegantoachefromtheunaccustomed, overhandheaving. "Thenwewatchedthemastheircommanderassembled themforthemarchbacktothevillage.Atthecom mand,'attention,'theirheelsclicked,theirheadswent back,theirchinsupandtheirrighthandswerepasted rigidlyagainsttheirrighttrouserleg. "Atthecommand'march'allofthemstartedoff, punctuatingtheirfirststepwiththefirstwordoftheir marchingsong.Itwasnotanysicklychoruseither. Therewasplentyofbeefandlungpowerbehindevery note.Mymenlinedupoppositewerenotmissingabit ofit. Mostofthemseemedtoknowwhatwasex pectedwhenI said: "'Onthecommandof"march,"thecompanywillbe gintosing,keepingstepwiththesong.Thefirstser geantwillannouncethesong.' "Myfirstsergeantrespondedwithouta changeof colourasifthecommandtosinghadbeenanoldregu lation.Iknewthathewaspuzzled,buthediditwell. Thenameofthesongchosenwaspasseddowntheline frommantoman. "WhenI gavethecommandtomarch,thecompany, almosthalfofthemnewrecruits,wheeledinsquadsof fours,andstartedoffdowntheroadsinging,'Hail,Hail, theGang'sAllHere.'Thereweresomewhowerekind ofweakontheeffort,buttherewasanoticeablecres cendowhenthesergeantpassedtheworddownthesquad thatthecompanywouldbekeptmarchinguntilevery bodyhadjoinedinthesinging. 9° ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

"Weswungintocampthatnightwitheveryvoice raisinglustilyon'OneGrasshopperHoppedRightOver AnotherGrasshopper'sBack,'andafterdinnerthebillets justsproutedmelody,everythingfromragtimetoChrist mascarolsandbabylullabies." Onenoticeablecharacteristicaboutoursoldiersduring thattrainingperiodbeforetheyhadcomeincontactwith theenemy,wasatotalabsenceofviolentantipathyto wardallpersonsandthingsTeutonic. Onthemarchthementhensang"We'llHangthe DamnedOldKaisertoaSourAppleTree,"butatthat timeI neverheardanyparodiesonthe"GottStraffe Germany"theme.Oursoldierswereofsomanydif ferentnationalisticextractionsandtheyhadbeenthrown togetherforsoshortatime,thatasyetnoespecialha tredoftheenemyhaddeveloped. Anillustrationofthisverysubjectandalsotheman nerinwhichourboysgotalongwiththecivilianpopu lationsofthetownstheyoccupiedcametomynotice. Adrivingrainwhichfilledthevalleywithmistand madethehillslooklikemountaintopsprojectingabove theclouds,hadresultedintheabandonmentoftheusual dailydrills.Themenhadspentthedayinbilletswriting lettershome,hearingindoorlecturesfrominstructors, playingwiththeFrenchchildreninthecottagedoor ways,ortakinglessonsinFrenchfromthepeasantgirls, whoseeyeswereinspirationstothedullestpupils. I spentseveralhoursinacompanycommander'squar terswhilehecensoredletterswhichthemenhadsub mittedfortransmissionbackhome.TheCaptainlooked longataletterinhishand,smiledandcalledforhis orderly. "TellPrivateBlankI wanttoseehimhereright away,"weretheCaptain'sinstructions.Blank'sname WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 9» wasnotquitesoGermanasSourkraut,butithada "berger"endingthatwasreminiscentofbeer,pretzels andwoodenshoes. "Here'saletterwritteninGerman,"saidtheCaptain tome,referringtotheopenmissive."It'saddressedto somebodybythesamenameasBlank,andI presume itistosomeoneinhisfamily.Blankisoneofthe bestmeninmycompany,andI knowthattheletteris harmless,butitisimpossibleformetopassitwhen writteninanenemylanguage." Thedooropenedanda tall,blondeenlistedman steppedin,shakingtherainfromhishat.Hestoodat respectfulattention,salutedandsaid: "DidtheCaptainwishtoseeme?" "Yes,Blank,itisaboutthisletterwritteninGer man,"theCaptainreplied."Whoisitaddressedto?" "Myfather,inCincinnati,sir,'Blankreplied. "IamunfamiliarwithGerman,"theCaptainsaid."I noticetheletterisbrief.Isthereanythinginitwhich thecompanyhasbeenorderedtoomitmentioning?" "No,sir,"Blankreplied. "Willyoutranslateitforme?"theCaptainasked. "Yes,sir,"saidBlank,withjustabaresuggestionofa blush.Thenhereadasfollows:

"DearFather:I amingoodhealth.Foodisgood andwearelearningmuch.I ambecominganexpert grenadier.Inthisvillagewherewearebilletedthere isaFrenchgirlnamedGermain.Beforethewarshe livedinnorthernFrance,neartheGermanfrontier,and shespeaksGerman.Soitispossibleforustotalk together.ShefledbeforetheGermantroopsreached hervillage.Shelivesherenowwithheraunt. "Icarrywaterfromawellforherandshehasgiven 92 ANDTHEYTHOUGHT meeachdayarolloffreshmadebutterforourmess. Intheeveningwesitonthefrontseatofheruncle's smallcarriage,whichisinthefrontyard,andweimagine wearetakingadrive,butofcoursetherearenohorses. Heruncle'shorsesweretakenbythearmyalongtime ago.SheisveryanxioustoknowallaboutAmerica, andI havetoldherallaboutyouandmotherandour homeinCincinnati. "SheaskedmewhatI amgoingtodoafterthewar, andItoldherthatI wouldreturntoCincinnatitohelp youatthestore.Shecriedbecauseshesaidshedidnot knowwhereshewasgoingafterthewar.Herfather andtwobrothershavebeenkilledandherauntand uncleareveryold. "IhavesomemoretowritetoyouaboutGermain later.ButmuststopherebecausetheSergeantsareas semblingthemenforindoorinstruction.Lovetoall. Itisrainingveryhard.Yourson, "

Blank'sfaceseemedtoreddenashehesitatedovera postscriptlineatthebottomofthepage. "Thisisnothing,"hesaid."Ijustaskedfatherto askmothertosendmeoneofthephotographsI had takenonthedayI enlisted." "ForGermain?"theCaptainenquired,smilingly. "Yes,sir,"repliedBlank. "Whydidn'tyouwritethisinEnglish?"theCaptain asked. "MyfatherreadsonlyGerman,"Blankreplied. BlankwasinstructedtorewritehisletterinEnglish andaddressittosomefriendwhocouldtranslateitinto Germanforhisfather.Asthedoorclosedonthis AmericansoldierofGermanextraction,IaskedtheCap tain,"DoyouthinkGermaincouldstandforBlank's WEWOULDN'TFIGHT

Germanname,afterallshehaslostatthehandsofthe Germans?" "She'llprobablybewearingitproudlyaroundCin cinnatiwithinavearafterthewarisover,"theCaptain replied. Itmightbereassuringatthispointtoremarkthat girlsinAmericareallyhavenooccasiontofearthat manyofoursoldierswillleavetheirheartsinFrance. TheFrenchwomenarekindtothem,helpthemintheir Frenchlessons,andfrequentlyfeedthemwithhome delicaciesunknowntothecompanymessstoves,but everyAmericansoldieroverseasseemstohavethatper fectlynaturalhankeringtocomebacktothegirlshe leftbehind. Thesoldiermailaddresseddailytomothersandsweet heartsbackintheStatesranfarintothetons.The menwerereallyhomesickfortheirAmericanwomen folks.IwasawareofthisevenbeforeI witnessedthe receptiongivenbyourmentothefirstAmericannurses toreachtheotherside. Thehospitalunittowhichtheybelongedhadbeen transportedintothattrainingareasoquicklyandso secretlythatitspresencetherewasunknownforsome time.I happenedtolocateitbychance. Severalofuscorrespondentsseekingachangeofdiet fromthemonotonousmenuprovidedbythehard-work ingmadamofourmodesthostelry,motoredinanewdi rection,overroadsthatopenednewvistasinthispic turebookoftheworld. Longstraightavenuesoftoweringtreeswhosefoliage roofedtheroadwaysweresufficienttoreanimaterecol lectionsofoldmastersofbrushrealism.Ploughedfields veiledwiththelow-hangingmistofeveningtime,and distantsteeplesofhomelysimplicityfaintlyglazedby 94 ANDTHEYTHOUGHT thelastraysofthesettingsun,reproducedthetonesof "TheAngelus"withtheover-generoushugenessofna ture. AndthereinthatprettiestofFrenchwateringplaces —Vittel—wecameuponthosefirstAmericannursesat tachedtotheAmericanExpeditionaryForces.They toldusthatalltheyknewwasthenameoftheplace theywerein,thattheywerewithoutmapsandwere notevenawareofwhatpartofFrancetheywerelo catedin. Itdevelopedthattheunit'smotortransportationhad notarrivedand,otherautomobilesbeingasscarceas Germanflags,communicationwiththenearbycampshad beenalmostnon-existent.Ordershadbeenreceived fromfieldheadquartersandacknowledged,butitsrela tionindistanceordirectiontotheirwhereaboutswere shroudedinmystery.Butnotforlong. Soonthewordspreadthroughthetrainingareathat Americannurseshadahospitalinthesamezoneand someofthehomesickYanksbegantomakethreatsof self-mutilationinorderthattheymightbesenttothat hospital. Thehospitalunitwassoonfollowedbythearrivalof numerousAmericanauxiliaryorganisationsandthe kindlyactivitiesoftheworkersaswellastheirnumbers becamesuchastocausethementowonderwhatkind ofawartheywerein. Ihappenedtomeetanoldtopsergeantoftheregular army,amanIhadknowninMexico,withtheAmerican PunitiveExpedition.Hehadjustreceivedalargebun dleofnewspapersfromhomeandhewasbringinghim selfup-to-dateonthenews.I askedhimwhatwas happeningbackhome. "GreatthingsaregoingonintheStates,"hesaid, WEWOULDN'TFIGHT'* 95

lookingupfromhispapers."Here'sonestoryinthe newspaperthatsaystheY.M.C.A.issendingoverfive hundredsecretariestotellusjokesandfunnystories. Andhere'sanotheraccountabouttheRedCrossdonating halfamilliondollarstobuildrecreationboothsforus alongthefront.Andhere'sastoryaboutaNewYork actorgettinga committeeofentertainerstogetherto comeoverandsinganddanceforus.Anddownin Philadelphiathey'retalkingaboutcollectinga million dollarstobuildtabernaclesalongthefrontso'sBilly Sundaycanpreachtous.WhatI'mwonderingabout is,wheninhellthey'regoingtosendthearmyover." Butthatwasintheearlyfallof1917,andasIwrite theselinesnow,inthelastdaysof1918,I amaware andsoistheworld,thatinallofFrancenobodywill everaskthatquestionagain. Thatarmygotthere. 96 ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

CHAPTERV

MAKINGTHEMENWHOMANTHEGUNS

Whileourinfantryperfectedtheirtraininginthe Vosges,thefirstAmericanartilleryinFranceundertook ascheduleofstudiesinanoldFrenchartillerypostlo catedneartheSwissfrontier.ThisplaceiscalledVal- dahon,andforscoresofyearshadbeenoneofthetrain ingplacesforFrenchartillery.Butduringthethird andfourthyearsofthewarnearlyalloftheFrenchar tilleryunitsbeingonthefront,allsubsequentdraftsof Frenchartillerymenreceivedtheirtrainingunderactual warconditions. SoitwasthattheFrenchwardepartmentturnedover totheAmericansthisartillerytraininggroundwhich hadbeenlongvacant.ThreeAmericanartilleryregi ments,theFifth,SixthandSeventh,comprisingthefirst U.S.ArtilleryBrigade,begantrainingatthispost. Thebarrackshadbeenlongunoccupiedandmuch preparatoryworkwasnecessarybeforeourartillerymen couldmovein. Muchofthisworkdevolveduponthe shouldersoftheBrigadeQuartermaster. Thefirstdifficultythatheencounteredwasthemat terofilluminationforthebarracks,messhallsand lecturerooms.Allofthebuildingswerewired,but therewasnocurrent.TheQuartermasterbegananin vestigationandthiswaswhathefound: Theposthadbeensuppliedwithelectricityfroma generatingplantlocatedonariverabouttenmilesaway. Thisplanthadsuppliedelectricalenergyforfifteen smallFrenchtownslocatedinthevicinity.Theplant WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 97 wasownedandoperatedbya Frenchman,whowas aboutfortyyearsold.TheFrenchGovernment,real isingthenecessityforillumination,hadexemptedthis manfrommilitaryservice,sothatheremainedathis plantandkeptthesameinoperationforthebenefitof thecampatValdahonandthefifteensmalltownsnearby. Thenthegossipsofthecountrysidegotbusy.These peoplebegantosaythatMonsieurX,theoperatorofthe plant,wasnotpatriotic,inotherwords,thathewasa slackerfornotbeingatthefrontwhenalloftheir menfolkhadbeensentawaytothewar. NowitsohappenedthatMonsieurXwasnota slacker,andhisinclinationhadalwaysbeentogetinto thefightwiththeGermans,buttheGovernmenthadrep resentedtohimthatitwashisgreaterdutytoremain andkeephisplantinoperationtoprovidelightforthe countryside. WhenthetalkofthecountrysidereachedMonsieur X'sears,hebeingacountry-lovingFrenchmanwasin furiated.Hedenouncedthegossipsasbeingunappre- ciativeofthegreatsacrificehehadbeenmakingfortheir benefit,and,tomakethemrealiseit,hedecidedonpen alisingthem. MonsieurXsimplycloseddownhisplant,lockedand barredthedoorsandwindows,donnedhisFrenchuni formandwentawaytothefronttojoinhisoldregi ment.Thatnightthosevillagersinthefifteennearby towns,whohadbeenusingelectricalillumination,went tobedinthedark. Itrequiredconsiderableresearchonthepartofthe ArtilleryQuartermastertorevealallthesefacts.The electriclightshadbeenunusedforfifteenmonthswhen hearrivedthere,andhestartedtoseewhathecould dotoputtheplantbacktowork.Itrequirednothing 98 ANDTHEYTHOUGHT lessfinallythanaspecialactionbytheFrenchMinister ofWarwherebyorderswerereceivedbyMonsieurX commandinghimtoleavehisregimentatthefrontand gobacktohisplantbytheriversideandstartmaking electricityagain. Withthelightsonandwaterpipedinforbathing facilities,andextensivearrangementsmadeforthein stalmentofstovesandotherheatingapparatus,thepur chaseofwoodfuelandfodderfortheanimals,the Brigademovedinandoccupiedthecamp. TheAmericanofficerincommandofthatpostwent thereasaBrigadierGeneral.AsI observedhimathis workinthoseearlydays,I seemedtoseeinhisappear anceanddispositionsomeofthecharacteristicsofa Grant.Heworeastubby-pointedbeardandheclamped histeethtightonthebuttendofacigar.I sawhim frequentlywearingthe$11.50regulationissueuniform oftheenlistedmen.I sawhimfrequentlyinrubber bootsstandinghipdeepinthemudofthegunpits, talkingtothemenlikea father—akindly,yetstern fatherwhoknewhowtoproducedisciplineandre sults. Whileatthepost,hewonpromotiontoa Major General'srank,andinlessthansixmonthshewasele vatedtothegradeofafullGeneralandwasgiventhe highestrankingmilitarypostintheUnitedStates.That manwhotrainedourfirstartillerymeninFrancewas GeneralPeytonC.March,ChiefofStaffoftheUnited StatesArmy. Findingtherightmanfortherightplacewasoneof GeneralMarch'shobbies.Hebelievedinmilitarymobi lisationbasedonoccupationalqualifications.Inother words,hebelievedthatamanwhohadbeenatelephone WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 99 operatorincivilianlifewouldmakeabettertelephone operatorinthearmythanhewouldmakeagunner. I wasnotsurpisedtofindthatthissameworthyidea hadpermeatedinamoreorlesssimilarformdownto thelowestranksinGeneralMarch'scommandatthat time.I encountereditonecoldnightinOctober,when I wassittinginoneofthebarrackroomstalkingwith amanintheranks. Thatman'snamewasBuddEnglish.I methim firstinMexicoontheAmericanPunitiveExpedition, wherehehaddrivenanautomobileforDamonRunyon, afellowcorrespondent.English,withhisquaintSouth westernwit,hadbecomeinMexicoawelcomeoccu pantofthelargepyramidaltentwhichhousedthecorre spondentsattachedtotheExpedition.Wewouldsitfor hourshearinghimtellhisstoriesoftheplainsandthe desertsofChihuahua. EnglishandI weresittingonhisbedatonecorner ofthebarrackroom,rowsofcotsrangedeachsideof thewallandonthesewerethesnoringmenofthebat tery.Theroomwasdimlyilluminatedbyacandleon ashelfoverEnglish'sheadandanothercandlelocated onanothershelfintheoppositecorneroftheroom. Therewasamaninbedinacornerreadinganewspaper bythefeebleraysofthecandle. Suddenlyweheardhimgrowlandtearthepageof thenewspaperinhalf.Hisexclamationattractedmy attentionandI lookedhisway.Hishairwasclosely croppedandhishead,particularlyhisearsandfore head,andjaw,stampedhimasaroughandreadyfighter. "That'sKidFerguson,thepug,"Englishwhispered tome,andtheninloudertones,heenquired,"What's eatingonyou,kid?" "Aw.thisbunkinthepaper,"repliedFerguson.Then 100 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT heglaredatmeandenquired,"Didyouwritethisstuff?" "Whatstuff?"I replied."Readitout." Fergusonpickedupthepaperandbegantoreadin mockingtonessomethingthatwentasfollows: "Isn'titbeautifulinthecoldearlydawninFrance,to seeourdearAmericansoldiersgetupfromtheirbunks andgowhistlingdowntothestablestotakecareof theirbelovedanimals." Englishlaugheduproariously. "TheKiddon'tlikehorsesnomorethanI do,"he said."Neitheroneofushavegotanyuseforthem atall.Andhere,that'salltheykeepusdoing,istending horses.I wentdowntheretheothermorningwitha lanternandoneofthemlong-earedbabiesjustkickedit cleanoutofmyhand.Theothermorningoneofthem plantedtwohoofsrightonFerguson'schestandknocked himclearoutofthestable.Itbrokehiswatchand hisgirl'spicture. "Youknow,Mr.Gibbons,I neverdidhaveanyuse forhorses.WhenI wasabouteightyearsoldahorse bitme.WhenI wasaboutfifteenyearsoldI gotrun overbyanice-wagon.Horsesisjustbeentheruination ofme. "Ifithadn'tbeenforthemImighthavegonethrough collegeandbeenanofficerinthisherearmy.Youre memberthatgreatbigdairyoutontheedgeofthe towninElPaso? Well,mydadownedthatandhelost allofitontheponiesinJuarez.Ijusthatehorses. "Iknoweverythingthereistoknowaboutanauto mobile.I havedrivencrosscountryautomobileraces andafterwecomeoutofMexico,afterwedidn'tget Villa,I wenttoworkinthearmymachineshopsat FortBlissandtookdownallthemmotortrucksand builtthemalloveragain. WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" }0\

"WhenUncleSamgotintothewaragainstGermany, thishereArtilleryBattalionwasstationedoutatFort Bliss,andI wenttoseetheMajoraboutenlisting,but ItoldhimI didn'twanttohavenothingtodowithno horses. "Andhesays,'English,don'tyoubotheraboutthat. Youjoinupwiththisherebattalion,becausewhenwe JeaveforFrancewe'regoingtokissgood-byetothem horsesforever.Thisherebattalionisgoingtobemo- torised.' "AndnowhereweareinFrance,andwestillgot horses,andtheydon'tlikemeandIdon'tlikethem,and yetIgottomillaroundwith'emeveryday.TheGer mansain'tnevergoingtokillme.Theyain'tgoingto getachance.Theyjustgoingtofindmetrampledto deathsomemorningdowninthatstable." Twoorthreeoftheoccupantsofnearbybedshad arisenandtakenseatsonEnglish'sbed.Theyjoined theconversation.Onered-headedyoungster,wearing heavyflannelunderwearinlieuofpajamas,madethe firstcontributiontothediscussion. "That'sjustwhatI'mbeefingabout,"hesaid."Here I'vebeeninthisarmytwomonthsnowandI'mstilla private.Thereain'tnochancehereforaguythat'sgot experience." "Experience?Wheredoyougetthatexperience talk?"demandedEnglish."Whatdoyouknowabout artillery?" "That'sjustwhatImean,experience,"thered-headed onerepliedwithfire."Igotexperience.Mr.Gibbons knowsme.I'mfromChicago,thesameasheis. I workedinChicagoatRiverviewPark.I'mtheguythat firedthegattlinggunintheMonitorandMerrimac 101. * " , ''AND.THEYthought show—wehadtwoshowsadayandtwoshowsinthe eveningand " "Kinyoubeatthat,"demandedEnglish."Youknow, ifthisherered-headedguydon'tgetpromotionpretty quick,he'sjustsimplygoingtoquitthisarmyand leaveusflathereinFrancefacingtheGermans. "Letmetellyouaboutthisgattlinggunexpert.When theylandedusoffofthemboatsdownonthecoast,the battalioncommanderturnedusalllooseforaswimin thebay,andthisherebirdalmostdrowned.Hewent downthreetimesbeforewecouldpullhimout. "Now,iftheydon'tmakehima BrigadierGeneral prettyquick,he'sgoingtogetsoreandputinfora transfertotheNavyonthegroundsofhavingsubmarine experience.Buthe'srightinonething—experience don'tcountforwhatitshouldinthearmy. "Righthereinourbatterywegota lotofplough boysfromKansasthathavebeensittingonaploughand lookingatahorse'sbackalltheirlives,andtheygot themhandlingthemachineryonthesehereguns.And me,whoknowseverythingthereistoknowaboutma chinery,theywon'tletmeevenfindoutwhichendof thecannonyouputtheshellinandwhichenditcomes outof.AllIdoalldaylongistoprodaroundacouple offat-hippedhayburners.MyGod,I hatehorses." Butregardlessoftheseinconveniencesthosefirst Americanartillerymeninouroverseasforcesapplied themselvesstrenuouslytotheirstudies.Theywerethere primarilytolearn.Itbecamenecessaryforthematfirst tomakethemselvesforgetalotofthingsthattheyhad previouslylearnedbyartilleryandadaptthemselvesto newmethodsandinstrumentsofwar. Didyoueverhearof"Swansant,Kansas"?You probablywon'tfinditonanytrainscheduleintheSun WEWOULDN'TFIGHT"

flowerState;infact,itisn'taplaceatall.Itisthe nameofthelightfieldcannonthatFranceprovidedour menforuseagainsttheGermanline. "Swansant,Kansas"isphoneticspellingofthename aspronouncedbyAmericangunners.TheFrenchgot thesameeffectinpronunciationbyspellingthesingular "soixantequinze,"butaYankeecannoneertryingtopro nounceitfromthatorthographywasforcedtocallita "quince,"andthatwassomethingwhichitdistinctly wasnot. Onewayortheotheritmeantthe"Seventy-fives"— the"AdmirableSeventy-five"—theseventy-fivemilli metrefieldpiecesthatstoppedtheGermans'Parisdrive attheMarne—thesamethatgaveLittleWillieahead acheatVerdun,—theinimitable,rapidfiring,target hugging,hellraising,shellspittingengineofdestruction whosesecretofrecoilremaineda secretafteralmost twentyyearsandwhosedependabilitywasaFrenchprov erb. AtValdahonwhereAmericanartillerybecameac quaintedwiththeSeventy-five,thekhaki-cladguncrews calledher"somecannon."Atseveno'clockeverymorn ing,theglasswindowsinmyroomatthepostwould rattlewithheropeningbarks,andfromthatminuteon untilnoontheSeventy-fives,batteryuponbatteryof them,wouldsnapandbarkawayuntiltheirseemingly ceaselessfirebecomesa volleyofsharpcrackswhich senttheechoeschasingoneanotherthroughthedarkre cessesoftheforeststhatconcealthem. Thetargets,ofcourse,wereunseen.Rangeelevation, deflection,allcametothebatteryoverthesignalwires thatconnectedthefiringpositionwithsomeobservation pointalsounseenbutlocatedinapositioncommanding theterrainunderfire. 104 ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

Asignalmansatcross-leggedonthegroundbackof eachbattery.Hereceivedthefiringdirectionsfromthe transmitterclampedtohisearsandconveyedthemto thefiringexecutivewhostoodbesidehim.Theywere thenmegaphonedtothesergeantschiefofsections. Thecorporalgunner,witheyeonthesightinginstru mentsatthesideofeachgun,"laidthepiece"forrange anddeflection.Numberonemanofthecrewopened theblocktoreceivetheshell,whichwasinsertedby numbertwo.Numberthreeadjustedthefuse-setter, andcutthefuses.Numbersfourandfivescrewedthe fusesintheshellsandkeptthefuse-setterloaded. Thesectionchiefs,watchinhand,gavethefiringcom mandtotheguncrews,andnumberoneofeachpiece jerkedthefiringlanyardattensecondintervalsorwhat everintervalthecommandmightcallfor.Thefour gunswoulddischargetheirprojectiles.Theywhinedover thedampwoodedridgetodistantimaginarylinesof trenches,theoreticalcross-roads,ordesignatedsections wheretheenemywassupposedtobemassingforattack. Roundafterroundwouldfollow,whiletelephonedcor rectionsperfectedtherange,andburst.Thecourseof eachshellwascloselyobservedaswellasitsbursting effect,butnostupendousrecordswerekeptoftheindi vidualshots.Thatwas"peacetimestuff." Thesebatteriesandregimentswerelearninggunnery andnoscarcityofshellswaspermittedtointerferewith theireducation.Oneofficertoldmethatitwashis opinionthatonebrigadefiringatthisschoolingpost duringacourseofsixweeks,hadexpendedmoream munitionthanallofthefieldartilleryoftheUnited StatesArmyhasfiredduringtheentireperiodsincethe CivilWar.TheSeventy-fiveshellscostapproximately tendollarsapiece,butneithertheFrenchnorAmerican WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 105 artillerydirectorsfeltthatapenny'sworthwasbeing wasted.Theysaidcannonfiringcouldnotbelearned entirelyoutofabook. IhadtalkedwithaFrenchinstructor,aYalegraduate, whohadbeentwoyearswiththegunsatthefront,and Ihadaskedhimwhatinhisopinionwasthemostdis concertingthingthatcouldhappentoeffectthemorale ofnewgunnersunderactualfire.I wantedsomeidea ofwhatmightbeexpectedofAmericanartillerymen whentheymadetheirinitialappearanceontheline. Wediscussedtheeffectofcounterbatteryfire,the effectonguncrewsofasphyxiatinggas,eitherthatcar riedonthewindfromtheenemytrenchesorthatsent overingasshells.Weconsideredthedemoralisingin fluencesofaerialattacksongunpositionsbehindtheline. "Theyareallbad,"myinformantconcluded."But theyareexpected.Mencanstandwithoutcomplaintand withoutqualmanydangerthatisdirectedatthembythe foetheyarefighting.Thethingthatreallybothers, though,isthedangerofdeathorinjuryfromtheirown weaponsorammunition.Yousee,manytimesthere issuchathingasa faultyshell,althoughcarefulin spectioninthemunitionsplantshasreducedthisdanger toapercentageofaboutoneintenthousand. "Atthebeginningofthewarwheneverylittletin shopallovertheworldwasconvertedintoamunitions factorytosupplythegreatneedofshells,muchfaulty ammunitionreachedthefrontlines.Someoftheshells wouldexplodealmostassoonastheyleftthegun.They arecalledshorts.TheEnglish,whohadthesametrou ble,callthem'muzzlebursts.' "Sometimestheshellwouldexplodeintheboreofthe cannon,inwhichcasethecannoneerswereusuallykilled eitherbypiecesoftheshellitselforbitsofthecannon. io6 ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

Thegunnershavetositbesidethecannonwhenitis fired,andtherestoftheguncrewareallwithineight feetofit. Ifthereisanexplosioninthebreechofthe gun,itusuallywipesoutmostofthecrew.Amuzzle burst,orabreechexplosion,isoneofthemostdiscon certingthingsthatcouldhappeninabattery. "Theothermeninthebatteryknowofcoursethata faultyshellcausedtheexplosion.Theyalsoknowthat theyarefiringammunitionfromthesamelot.After that,astheypullthetriggeroneachshot,theydon't knowwhethertheshellisgoingoutofthegunallright orwhetheritisgoingtoexplodeinthebreechandkill allofthem.Thatthoughtinaman'smindwhenhe pullsthefiringlanyard,thatthoughtinthemindsofthe wholecrewastheystandtherewaitingforthecrash,is positivelydemoralising. "WhenithappensinourFrenchartillerythecan noneersloseconfidenceintheirpieces.Theybuildsmall individualdugoutsasafewaysbackfromthegunand extendthelanyardasafedistance.Then,withallthe guncrewundercover,theyfirethepiece.Thisnaturally removesthemfromtheirregularfiringpositionsbeside thepieces,reducestheaccuracyandslowsuptheentire actionofthebattery.Themen'ssuspicionsoftheshells combinedwiththefearofdeathbytheirownweapons, whichisgreaterthananyfearofdeathatthehandsof theenemy,allreducethemoraleoftheguncrews." Now,foranincident.Anewshipmentofammunition hadreachedthepost.Thecaissonswerefilledwithit. Earlythefollowingmorningwhenthegunsrumbled outofcamptothepracticegrounds,BatteryXwasfiring intheopen.Atthethirdshottheshellfrompiecenum bertwoexplodedprematurelythirtyyardsfromthemuz zle.Piecesthreeandfourfiredtenandtwentyseconds WEWOULDN'TFIGHT 107 laterwitheverymanstandingonhistoesinhispre scribedposition. Tenroundslater,ashellfromnumberthreegunex plodedthirtyfeetafterleavingthebore.Shellparticles buriedthemselvesinthegroundnearthebattery.Piece numberfour,rightnexttoit,wasduetofireinten seconds.It dischargeditsprojectilesonthedot. Theguncrewsknewwhattheywereupagainst.They werefiringfaultyammunition.Theypassedwhispered remarksbutreloadedwithmoreofthesameammunition andwithmilitaryprecisionontheimmediatecommand. Everymanstucktohisposition.Aseachgunwasfired theimmediatepossibilitieswerenotdifficulttoimagine. Thenithappened. "Commencefiring,"megaphonedthefiringexecutive. Thesectionchiefofnumberonepiecedroppedhisright handasthesignalforthedicharge.Thecorporalgun nerwassittingonthemetalseatinfrontofhisinstru mentsandnotteninchestotheleftofthebreech.Can noneernumberoneoftheguncrewoccupiedhispre scribedpositioninthesamelocationtotheimmediate rightofthebreech.Gunnernumbertwowasstanding sixfeetbehindthebreechandslightlytotheleftready toreceivetheejectedcartridgecase.Gunnernumber threewaskneelingoverthefusesetterbehindthecaisson whichstoodwheeltowheelwiththeguncarriage.Gun nersfourandfivewererigidstatuesthreefeetbackof him.Everymaninthecrewhadseenthepreviousbursts ofdangerousammunition. Numberone'seyecaughtthedescendinghandofthe sectionchief.Hepulledthelanyard. Therewasaneruptionoforangecolouredflame,a deafeningroar,acrashofrenderedsteel,acloudof smokebluegreen,andyellow. io8 ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

Ablackchunkoftheguncradlehurtledbackward throughtheairwithaviciousswish.Apieceofthe boresplinteredthewheelsandburieditselfintheammu nitioncaisson.Thickhunksofgunmetalcrumbling likedrycakefilledtheair.Thegroundshook. Thecorporalgunnerpitchedbackwardfromhisseat andcollapsedontheground.Hismatewithfistsburied inhissteelsearedeyesstaggeredoutofthechoking fumes.Therestofthecrewpickedthemselvesupina dazedcondition.Fiftyyardsawayahorsewasstrug glingtoregainhisfeet. Everymaninthethreeotherguncrewsknewwhat hadhappened.Noneofthemmovedfromtheirposts. Theyknewtheirgunswereloadedwithshellsfromthe samelotandpossiblywiththesamefaults.Noman knewwhatwouldhappenwhenthenextfiringpinwent home.Theevidencewasbeforethem.Theireyeswere ontheexplodedgunbutnotforlong. "Crash,"thetensecondfiringintervalhadexpired. Thesectionchiefofpiecenumbertwohaddroppedhis hand.Thesecondguninthebatteryhadfired. "Numbertwoontheway,"sangoutthesignalman overthetelephonewiretothehiddenobservationstation. Tensecondsmoreforanotherguncrewtocogitateon whetherdisasterhungonthedartofafiringpin. "Crash." "Numberthreeontheway." Anothertensecondsforthelastsectiontowonder whetherdeathwouldcomewiththelanyardjerk. "Crash." "Numberfourontheway."Roundcomplete.The signalmanfinishedhistelephonereport. Fourhorsesdrawinganarmyambulancegallopedup fromtheravinethatshelteredthem.Thecorporalgun WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 109

ner,unconsciousandwithonelegpulverisedwaslifted in.Twootherdazedmembersofthecrewwerehelped intothevehicle.Onewasbleedingfromtheshoulder. Theleadhorsesswungabout;theambulancerattled away. "Batteryreadytofire.Piecenumberoneoutofac* tion."Itwasthesignalmanreportingoverthewireto theobserver. BatteryXfiredtherestofthemorningandtheyused ammunitionfromthesamelotandeverymanknew whatmighthappenanyminuteandeverymanwasin hisexactpositionforeveryshotandnobodyhappened tothinkabouthidinginadugoutandputtingalong stringonthefiringlanyard. Ithadbeenanunstaged,unconsciousdemonstration /ofnerveandgritanditprovedbeyondallquestionthe capacityofAmericanartillerymentostandbytheguns. Thegunnercorporaltoldthenurseathisbedsidehow itallhappened,buthewasstillundertheeffectsofthe anesthetic.Hedidnotrefertothemoraleofhisbattery matesbecauseithadnotoccurredtohimthattherewas anythingunusualinwhattheydid.Buthedidthink thathecouldwigglethetoesonhisrightleg.Thedoctor toldmethatthiswasacommondelusionbeforethe patienthadbeeninformedoftheamputation. Incidentssuchastheonerelatedhadnoeffectwhat everupontheprogressofthework.Fromearlydawn tolateatnightthemenfollowedtheirstrenuousduties sixdaysaweekandthenobtainedthenecessaryreliefon theseventhdaybytripsdowntotheancienttownof Besangon. Inthispicturesquecountrywherecountlessthousands foughtanddied,downthroughthebloodycenturiessince andbeforetheChristianera,whereJuliusCaesarpaused 110 ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

inhisfarflungraidstodictatenewinsertstohiscom mentaries,wherekingsandqueensanddukesandpre tendersleftundyingtracesofambition'sstormyurgings, thereitwasthatAmericansoldiers,intrainingforthe warofwars,spentweek-endholidaysandmixedthe breathofromancewiththedragoftheircigarettes. TheextenderofRomanbordersdividedthatregion intothreeparts,accordingtothetestimonyofthefirst Latinclass,butheneglectedtomentionthatofthese threepartstheonedecreedforAmericanoccupationwas themostromanticofthemall.

ItislateonaSaturdayafternoonandI acceptthe major'sofferofaseatinhismud-bespattered"Hunka Tin."Thefieldgunshaveceasedtheirroarforthe dayandtheirboreswillbeallowedtocooloverSunday. Fivepercent,ofthemenattheposthavereceivedthe covetedtownleave. Theyformakhakifrescoonthecabandsidesofthe giantcommissarytrucksthatraisethedustalongthe windingwhiteroadoverthehills.Snortingmotor cycleswithtwomenoverthemotorandanofficerin thesidecarskimovertheground,passingallothers.A lukewarmsundisappearsinaslotinthemountainsand abluegreymistformsinthevalleys.Achillcomes overtheairandacoldnewmoonlooksdownandlaughs. Itisalongridetotheancienttown,butspeedlaws andmotortrapsareunknownandthehoodoftheDe troitDilemmashakeslikeawetdogashersizzlinghot cylinderssuckjuicefromafullthrottle.Wecrossone dividethroughawindingroadborderedbybushytrees andasorderlyasanationalpark.Wecoastthrough ahillsidehamletofbarkingdogsandsalutingchildren WEWOULDN'TFIGHT ill

whostandatsmilingattentionandgreetourpassage withashrill"VeevLaMereek"(Vivel'Amerique). Wescudacrossabroad,levelroadbuiltwellabove thelowland,andclimbthroughzigzaggingavenuesof statelypoplarstothetunnelthatpiercesthebackboneof thenextridge. Whilethesolidrockwallsoftheblackborereverber atewiththeechoesfromourexhaust,weemergeona roadthatturnssharplytotheleftandhugsacliff.Be lowwindsabroadriverthatlookslikemotherofpearl inthemoonlight.Themountainwallsoneitherside riseatanglesapproximating45degrees,andinthelight theirorderlyvineyardslooklikethesquaresonasloping checkerboard.Infrontofusandtotherighttheflank ingridgesconvergetoanarrowgorgethroughwhich theriverDoubrunstoloopthetown. Commandingthisgorgefromthecrestsofthetwo rockyheightsaresinistersentinelswhosesmooth,grey wallsandtowersrisesheerfromthebrinkofthecliffs. Themoonlightnowcatchingtherampartsoftheem- battlementssplashesthemwithstrokesofwhitethat seemeverbrighterincontrastwiththedarkershadows madebyprojectingportionsofthewalls.Spaniard andMoorknewwellthosewalls,andallthekingly glorythathurriedFrancetothereignofterrorhasslept withintheirshadows. Ourwaydownthecliffsideishewnoutofthebeetling rock.Toourleft,ajaggedwallofrockrisestothesky. Toourright,astep,rock-tumbleddeclivitydropsto theriver'sedge. Themoonlightbringsfunnyfancies,andouryellow headlights,waveringinconcentricarcswitheachturn ofthecourse,almostseemtoglintonthehelmetsand shieldsofthespear-bearinglegionariesthatmarchedthat 112 ANDTHEYTHOUGHT verywaytoforceasoutherncultureontheGauls.We slowdowntopassthroughtherock-hewngatethatonce wastheRomanaqueductbringingwaterdownfrom mountainspringstothetown. Throughthegate,aturntotheleftandwereachthe blackbottomofthegorgeuntouchedbytherisingmoon. Wefaceablastofwindthatslowsourspeedandbrings withitthefirstbigdropsofrain.Westopatthe "Octroi"andassurethecustomscollectorthatweare military,andthatwecarrynodutiablewine,orbeans orwoodintothetown. Yetanothergate,builtacrossthenarrowroadbetween thecliffandtheriver,andweenterthetown.Ithas beenrainingandthecobblestonesareslippery.They shineinthegleamsofpalelightthatcomefromthetop- heavystreetlamps.Gargoylewaterspoutsdripdrain agefromthegablesofmoss-speckledtiles. WepassafountainthattheRomansleft,androunded archesfurtheronshowwherethehoodedMoorwrote hisnameinmasonry.Barredwindowsandstonebal coniesprojectingoverthestreettakeone'smindoffthe rattlingmotorandcauseittowanderbacktotimeswhen serenadingloverstwangedguitarsbeneaththeirladies' windowsandweresatisfiedwiththeflowerthatdropped fromthebalcony. Thestreetsarewetanddarknowandthroughtheir narrowwindingsourheadlightsrevealtallfiguresin slickersorkhakiovercoatstoppedbypeakedfelthate withtheredcordsofAmericanartillerymen.Their identificationisasurprisetothedreamer,becauseone ratherexpectsthesefigurestosulkinthedeepershadows andscreentheirdark,beardedfaceswiththebroadbrims ofblackfelthatsormufflethemselvestothechinin WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" "3 long,flowingblackcloaksthathiderapiersandstilettos andotherpropertiesofmediaevalcharm. Wedineinaroomthreehundredyearsold.Thepres enceofourautomobilewithintheinnerquadrangleofthe ancientbuildingjarsonthesenseoffitness.Itisanold convent,nowoccupiedbyirreligioustenantsonthe upperthreefloors,restaurantsandestaminetsonthe lowerfloor.Theseshopsopenonabroadgallery,level withthecourtyard,andseparatedfromitonlybythe rowsofpillarsthatsupportthearches.Itextends aroundthefoursidesofthecourt. Centuriesagoshroudednuns,claspingbeadsorbooks ofoffice,walkedinuncommunicativepairsandmum bledtheirdailyprayersbeneaththesetime-wornarches, andto-nightitaffordsapromenadeforofficerswait ingfortheirmealstobeservedatmadame'swelllaid tableswithin. Madame'stablesarenottoomany.Thereisnotthe spaceeconomyofanAmericancafe,whereelbowsinter lockandwaitersareforcedtonavigatefearsomecargoes abovethediners'heads.Neitheristheretheunwhole some,dust-filledcarpetofLondon'sroastbeefpalaces. Madame'sfloorisbare,butthewoodhasstoodthe scrubbingsofyears,andisasspotlessasgrass-dried linen.Thehighceilingandthewallsareofwhite stucco.Inbas-reliefareclustersofheraldicsigns,of bishops'crooksandcathedralkeys,ofmountedchargers anddyingdragoons,ofmiterandcrown,andtrumpet andshield,andcross. Largemirrors,circledwithwreathsofgildedleaves, adornbothendwalls,andbeneathoneofthemremains anornatefireplaceandmantelpieceofbolognacoloured marble,surmountedwithagiltcockofwondrousde sign.Beneaththeothermirrormadamehasplaced ii4 ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

herbuffet,onwhichtheboywhoexploresthedusty cavesbelowplacesthecobwebbedbottlesofredwine forthelastcorkpulling.Largegoldchandeliers,dang lingwithglassprisms,aresuspendedfromhighceiling andfloodtheroomwithlight,againstwhichtheinner shuttersofthetallwindowsmustbeshutbecauseof dangerfromthesky. Thereiscolourinthatroom.TheRomanconquerors wouldhavefounditinteresting.Ifformerarmedoc cupantsoftheoldtowncouldhaveparadedintheir ancienthabilimentsthroughtheroomlikeaprocession fromthemartialpast,theywouldhavefoundmuchfor theirattentioninthissceneofthemartialpresent. Americankhakiseemstopredominate,althoughatsev eraltablesareCanadianofficersinuniformsofthe samecolourbutofdifferenttailoring. ThetablesarefleckedwithallvarietiesofFrench uniforms,fromscarletpantswithsolitaryblackstripes downtheleg,totunicsofhorizonblue.Inonecorner therearetwoturbanedAlgerianswithheadsbentclose overtheirblackcoffee,andonehornofthehallrack showsaredfezwithagoldcrescentonthecrown. Considerthecompany.Thatfreckle-facedyouth withthefluffedreddishhairofabandmasterisaFrench aviator,andamongtherowofdecorationsonhisdark bluecoatisonethathereceivedbyreasonofawell knownadventureovertheGermanlines,whichcannot bementionedhere.ThatAmericancolonelwhoseshort greyhairblendsintothewhitewallbehindhimisa formermemberoftheUnitedStateswarcollegeand oneofthemostimportantfactorsinthelegislation thatshapedthepresentmilitarystatusofhiscountry. ThatotherFrenchmanwiththeunusualgoldshoulder strapsisnotamemberoftheFrencharmy.Heisa WEWOULDN'TFIGHT "5 navalofficer,andthedaringwithwhichhecarriedhis mappingchartalongexposedportionsofthelineatVer dunandevolvedthemathematicaldataonwhichthe FrenchfiredtheirgunsagainsttheGermanwaveshas beentheprideofboththenavyandthearmy. Overthereisayoungcaptainwhothistimelastyear wasa "shavetail"secondincommandatasmallpost alongthelineofcommunicationsinChihuahua.Next tohimsitsatalldarkyoungsterwearingwithpride hisfirstSamBrownebeltand"U.S.R."onhiscollar. Hecartedhumanwreckagetothehospitalsonthe FrenchfrontfortwoyearsbeforeUncleSamdecided toendthewar.There'sanotheronenotlongfrom the"Point,"bootedandspurredandmouldedtohis uniform.HespeakswithatwangofoldVirginiaon everysyllableandtheysayhisfamily—butthathas nothingtodowiththefactthatheisaidtoamajor generalandisinthesepartsonamission. TherearethreeAmericanwomenintheroom.One whoisinterestedinY.M.C.A.workandanumber ofnewspapers,wearsafeminineadaptationoftheuni formandholdscourtattheheadofatableoffiveoffi cers.Another,Mrs.RobertR.McCormick,whoisen gagedintheextensionofthecanteenworkofaParis organisation,issittingatourtableandsheiswillingto wagerherhusbandanythingfromhalfadozengloves toabigdonationcheckthatGermanywillbereadyfor anykindofpeacebeforeanAmericanoffensiveinthe spring. TheinterestsoftheotherAmericanwomanarenega tive.Sheprofessesnoconcerninthefactthatwarcor respondents'lifeinsurancesarecancelled,butsherepeats tomethatadeadcorrespondentisofnousetohispaper, andI replythatifmadameputsyetanotheroneofher u6 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT coursesontheboard,onecorrespondentwilldiewitha forkinhishandinsteadofapencil. Thedinersareleaving.Eachopeningofthesalon doorbringsinagustofdampnessthatmakesthetable clothsflap.Raincoatsswishandrustleintheentry. Rainisfallinginsheetsintheblackcourtyard.The moonisgone. Amerrypartytrailsdownthestonegalleryskirting thequadrangle.Theirhobnailedsolesandsteelplated heelsringonthestoneflags.Thearchesechobacktheir song:

"Indaysofold Awarriorbold Sangmerrilyhislay,etc.etc.etc. Myloveisyoungandfair. Mylovehasgoldenhair, SowhatcareI Thoughdeathbenigh,etc.etc.etc.

Withfrequentpassageswhereadearthofwordsre ducetheselectiontomusicalbutmeaninglessta-de-ta-tas, thevoicesmeltintotheblacknessandtherain. "Greattimestobealive,"I saytothewife."This placeissaturatedwithromance.I don'thavetobe backtothepostuntilto-morrownight.Wherewillwe go?Theyaresinging'Carmen'intheoldoperahouse onthesquare.Whatdoyousay?" "There'saCharlieChaplinontheprogrammenextto thehotel,"thewifereplies. Romancewasslappedwithacustardpie. WEWOULDN'TFIGHT 117

CHAPTERVI

"frontwardho!"

Whentheartillerytraininghadproceededtosucha pointthattheFrenchinstructorswerecongratulating ourofficersupontheirproficiency,therumoursspread throughthepostthatthebrigadehadbeenorderedto gotothefront—thatweweretobethefirstAmerican soldierstoactuallygointothelineandfacetheGermans. Thenewswasreceivedwithjoy.Themenwerekeen totryouttheirnewlyacquiredabilitiesupontheenemy. Harnesswaspolisheduntilitshone.Brassequipment gleameduntilyoucouldalmostseeyourfaceinit. The mengroomed'thehorsesuntiltheanimalsgotpains fromit. EnlistedmensojourningintheGuardHouse forpettyoffences,despatchedtheirguardswithscrawled pleadingsthatthesentencesbechangedtofinessothat theycouldaccompanytheoutfitstothefront. Withonespecialpurposeinview,I madeapplication toGeneralMarchforanassignmenttoBatteryAof theSixthFieldArtillery.I receivedtheappointment. TheSixthwasthefirstregimentofthebrigadeandA wasthefirstbatteryoftheregiment.I knewthatwe wouldmarchoutinthatorder,thatBatteryAwould entrainfirst,detrainfirst,gointhelinefirst,andIhoped tobepresentatthefiringofthefirstAmericanshotin thewar. Wepulledoutofthepostonscheduletimeearlyin themorning,twodayslater.Officersandmenhad beenupanddressedsincemidnight.Tenminutesafter theirarising,blanketshadbeenrolledandallpersonal n8 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT equipmentpackedreadyfordeparturewiththeexception ofmesskits. Whilethestablepolicedetailsfedthehorses,therest ofus"leanedupagainst"steak,hotbiscuits,syrupand hotcoffee.Thecookhadbeenonthejoballnightand hiseffortstouchedtherightspot.Itseemedasifit wasthecoldesthourofthenightandthehot"chow" actedasaprimeronthesleepyhumanmachines. Inthedarkness,theanimalswerepackedintothe guncarriagesandcaissonsdowninthegunpark,and itwas4A.M.onthedotwhenthecaptain'swhistle soundedandwemovedoffthereserve.Aswerattled overtherailroadcrossingandtooktheroad,themen madefacetiousgood-byestothesceneoftheirsixweeks' training. Soldierslikemovement—wewereonthemove.Every one'sspiritswereupandtheanimalswerefriskyand high-steppinginthebriskair.Chainsrattledassome oftheleadpairsmussedupthetracesandwerebrought backintoalignmentbythedrivers.Thecannoneers, muffledingreatcoats,hungonthecaissonseatsand chidedthedrivers. Wewereoff.Whereweweregoing,seemedtomake nodifference.Rumourscouldneverbedependedupon, sononeofusknewourdestination,butallofushoped thatweweregoingintoaction.Everymaninthebat teryfeltthattheschoolingwasoverandthatthebattery, ifgivenachance,couldprovethatitneedednofurther training. Atthesametime,someofthemenexpressedthefear thatwewereonourwaytosomeothertrainingcamp forsomepost-graduatecourseinfiringormaybefor thepurposeofinstructingotherlessadvancedbatteries. Thefinalconsensusofopinionwas,however,that"beef WEWOULDN'TFIGHT 119 ing"aboutourprospectswouldn'tchangethem,andthat anythingwasbetterthanstayinginthesameplacefor ever. Twomilesfromtheposttheroadcrossedtherail roadtracks.Thecrossingboreanameaseverything elsedidinthatlandofpoeticalnomenclature.Therewas onlyonehousethere.Itwasanoldgreystonecottage, itswallscoveredwithvines,anditsgardenfullof shrubbery.Itwasoccupiedbythreepersons,theold crossing-tender,hiswife—andoneother.Thatother wasJeanne.Jeannewastheirdaughter. Wehadseenhermanytimesassheopenedthecross inggatesfortrafficontheroad.Shewasaboutsixteen yearsold.Herankleswereencasedinthickgreywoollen hoseofherownknittingand,wheretheyemergedfrom herheavywoodenshoes,itlookedasifeverymove inherclumsyfootgearmightbreakthemoff. Asweapproachedthecrossing,Gallagher,whorode oneoftheleadpaironpieceNo.2,begantogivevent tohisfineIrishtenor.Gallagherwassinging:

"Weweresailingalong OnMoonlightbay, Youcouldhearthevoicesringing, Theyseemedtosay, 'Youhavestolenmyheart Now,don'tgoaway,' Aswekissedandsaidgood-bye OnMoonlightbay."

Itwouldalmosthaveseemedthattherewasneedof someexplanationforGallagher'smusicaldemonstration onthiscold,darkmorning,butnonewasdemanded. Gallagherapparentlyknewwhathewasdoing. 120 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

Hispairofleadhorseswerewalkinginmuchtoo orderlya fashionfortheoccasion.Apparentlythe occasiondemandeda littlegreatershowofdashand spirit.Gallaghersunkhisspursintotheflanksofhis mountandpuncheditsmateintheribswiththeheavy handleofhisridingcrop. Theleadslungedforwardagainsttheircollars.The suddenplungewasaccompaniedbyajangleofchains asthetracestightened.Theguncarriagejoltedand thecannoneerssworeattheunnecessarybouncing. "Easy,Zigg-Zigg,whoa,Fini."Gallagherpulledon thelinesasheshoutedinacalculatedpitchtheFrench namesofhishorses.AndthenthereasonforGalla gher'sconductdeveloped. Apairofwoodenshuttersonafirstfloorwindowof thegate-tender'scottageopenedoutward.Inthewin dowwasalamp.Theyellowraysfromitshoneup wardandrevealedatumbledmassoflongblackhair, blackeyesthatgleamed,redcheeksandredlips.Then asweetvoicesaid: "Gude-bye,Meeky." "Orrywore,Jeen,"repliedGallagher. "Apreslaguerre,Meeky,"saidJeanne. "Orrywore,Jeen,"repeatedGallagher. "Oh,Jeanie,dear,pleasecallme'Meeky,'"sangout oneofthemen,astrideoneofthewheelpairofthe samegun. Thewindowhadclosed,butbeforethelightdisap peared,blackeyesflashedhateatthejester,andGalla gher,himself,twohorsesahead,turnedinthesaddle andtoldthetauntertoshuthismouth,observingatthe sametimethat"someguysdidn'tknowadecentgirl whentheysawone." Werodeon.Soon,ontheleft,thesuncameupcold WEWOULDN'TFIGHT 121 outofSwitzerland'swhitetoppedridgesmilesaway, andsmilingfrigidlyacrossthesnow-cladneutralAlps, dispelledthenightmistinourpartoftheworld. Thebatterywarmedunderitsglow.Villageafter villagewepassedthrough,returningthepolitesalutes ofearlyrisinggrand-sireswhouncoveredtheirgrey heads,orwrinkled,pink-facedgrandmothers,whowaved kerchiefsfromgabledwindowsbeneaththethatchand smiledthestraightanddry-lippedsmileoftoothlessage astheywishedusgoodfortuneinthewar. Wemessedatmiddaybytheroadside,greenfields andhillsofFrance,ourtabledecorations,coldbeef anddrybread,ourfare,withcanteensfulltowashit down.Whenthehorseshadtossedtheirnose-bagsfu- tilelyforthelastgrainsofoats,andthecaptain'swatch hadtimedtherestatthree-quartersofthehour,we mountedandresumedthemarch. Theequipmentrodeeasyonmanandbeast.Packs hadbeenshiftedtopositionsofmaximumcomfort. Thehorseswerestillfreshenoughtoneedtightrein. Themenhadmadefinaladjustmentstothechinstraps ontheirnewsteelhelmetsandthesesatwellonheads thatneverbeforehadbeentoppedwitharmouredcover ing.Inadditiontoallotherequipment,eachmancar riedtwogasmasks.Ourtopsergeanthadanexplana tionformeastothisdoublegasmaskequipment. "I'lltellyouaboutit,"hesaid,asheruthlesslyac ceptedthenext-to-the-lasttwenty-fivecentimeEgyptian cigarettefrommyprofferedcase.I wincedashedelib eratelytorethepaperfromthatpreciousfinesmokeand insertedthefillerinhismouthforachew. "Yousee,EnglandandFranceandusisallAllies," hesaid."Bothofthemlovesusandwelovebothof them.Wedon'tknownothingaboutgasmasksand 122 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT theyknowsallthereistoknowaboutthem.TheFrench saytheirgasmaskisthebest.TheBritishsaytheirgas maskisthebest. "Well,yousee,theybothofferusgasmasks.Now UncleSamdon'twanttohurtnobody'sfeelings,sohe says,'Gentlemen,wewon'tfightaboutthisheremat ter.We'lljustusebothgasmasks,andgiveeachof thematry-out.' "Soherewearecarryingtwoofthesehumannose bags.Thefirsttimewegetintoamessofthishere gas,somebodywillsendtheorderaroundtochange masksinthemiddleofit—justtofindoutwhichisthe bestone." Thesergeant,withseemingmalice,spatsomeofthat finecigaretteonaroadsidekilometerstoneandclosed theinternationalprospectsofthesubject. Ourbatteryjangledthroughatunnelledridgeand emergedontheothersidejustasa stormofrainand hailburstwithmountainfury.Thehailstonesrattled onourmetalhelmetsandthemenlaughedatthesound astheydonnedslickers.Thebrakesgratedonthecais sonwheelsaswetookthesteepdown-grade.Theroad huggedthevalleywallwhichwasarugged,granitecliff. I rodeonaheadthroughthestinginghailstonesand watchedourbatteryasitpassedthroughthehistoric rock-hewngatewaythatistheentrancetothemediaeval townofBesancon.Theportalislocatedatasharpturn oftheriver.Thegatewayiscarvedthroughamoun tainspur.Ancientdoorsofiron-studdedoakstillguard theentrance,buttheyhavelongsincestoodopen.Bat tlementsthatonceknewthehandofVaubonfrown downinancientmenacetoanyinvader. NoRomanconquerorattheheadofhisinvading legionseverrodethroughthattriumphalarchwith CAPT.CHEVALIER,OFTHEFRENCHARMY,INSTRUCTINGAMERICAN OFFICERSINTHEUSEOFTHEONE-POUNDER

INTHECOURSEOFITSPROGRESSTOTHEVALLEYOFTHEVESLETHIS155MM. GUNANDOTHERSOFITSKINDWEREEDUCATINGTHEROCHETO RESPECTAMERICA.THETRACTORHAULSITALONGSTEADILY ANDSLOWLY,LIKEASTEAMROLLER

WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 123

greaterpridethanrodeourlittlecaptainatthehead ofhisbattery.Ourlittlecaptainwasinstaturethe smallestmaninourbattery,buthecompensatedfor thatbyridingthetallesthorseinthebattery. Hecarriedhisheadatajauntyangle.Heworehis helmetataniftytilt,withthechinstrapridingbetween hisunderlipandhisdimpled,upheldchin.Hecarried hisshouldersback,andhischestout.Thereinshung gracefullyinhislefthand,andhehadassumedarather moving-pictureposeoftherightfistonhisrighthip. Behindhimflewtheredguidon,itsstirrupedstaffheld stifflyattherightarm'slengthbythebatterystandard bearer. Bothofthemsmiled—expansivesmilesofpride—into theclickinglensofmycamera.I forgaveourlittle captainforhissmileofpride.I knewthatsixweeks beforethatverydayourlittlecaptainhadfittedinto theschemeofcivilianlifeasamachinerysalesmanfrom Indiana.Andtherethatday,herodeattheheadofhis twohundredandfiftyfightingmenandhorses,atthe headofhisguns,rollingdownthatroadinFranceon thewaytothefront. Inbackofhimandtoweringupward,wasthathis toricrockthathadknownthetreadandpassageofcount lessmartialfootstepsdownthroughthecenturies.Be-' hindhim,theguncarriagesrattledthroughthefrown ingportal.Oh,ifthefolksbackontheWabashcould haveseenhimthen! Wewoundthroughthecrookednarrowstreetsof Besanqon,oursteel-tiredwheelsboundingandbanging / overthecobblestones.Townsfolkwavedtousfrom -windowsanddoorways.Oldwomeninthemarket squareabandonedtheirbasketsofbeetrootsandbeans tofluttergreenstainedapronsinour.direction.Our 124 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT columnwasflankedbyclatteringphalanxesofwooden- shoedstreetgamins,whomusthaveknownmoreabout ourmovementsthanwedid,becausetheyallshouted, "Gude-bye." Sixweeks'familiaritybetweenthesesameartillerymen ontownleaveandthesesameurchinshadtemporised theblindadmirationthatcausedthemfirsttogreet ourmensolelywithshoutsof"VivelesAmericains." Nowthattheyknewusbetter,theyalternatedtheold greetingwithshoutsofthatall-meaningandalsomean inglessFrenchexpression,"Oolala." Ourwayledoverthestone,spannedbridgethat crossedthesluggishriverthroughthetown,andonto thehillyoutskirtswheremountedFrenchguidesmet anddirectedustotherailroadloadingplatform. Theplatformwasabusyplace.Theregimentalsup plycompanywhichwasprecedingusovertheroadwas engagedinforciblypersuadingthelastofitsmulesto enterthetoyfreightcarswhichboreonthesidethe printedlegend,"Hommes40,Chevaux8." Severalarclightsandoneortwoacetyleneflaresil luminatedthescene.Itwasrainingfitfully,butnot enoughtodampenthespiritsoftheY.M.C.A.workers whowrestledwithcanvastarpaulinsandforagedmate rialstoconstructamake-shiftshelterforafreecoffee andsandwichcounter. Theirstoveswereburningbrightlyandthehurriedly erectedstovepipes,leaningwearilyagainstthestone wallenclosingthequay,toppedthewalllikeaminiature oftheskylineofPittsburgh.Theboilingcoffeepots gaveoffadelicioussteam.Inthelanguageofourbat tery,the"Whimesay"deliveredthegoods. Duringitallthemulesbrayedandthesupplycom panymenswore.Mosthumans,cognizantoftheprin WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 125 ciplesofsafetyfirst,arerespectfuloftherearquarters ofamule.Wewatchedonedisrespecteroftheseprin ciplesinvitewhatmighthavebeencalled"mulecide" withuttercontemptfortheconsequences.Hedeliber atelystoodinthedangerousimmediaterearofonepar ticularlyonerymule,andkickedthemule. Hisnamewas"MissouriSlim,"ashetookpainsto informtheobjectofhiscaress.Hefurtherannounced toallpresent,menandmules,thathehadbeenbrought upwithmulesfrombabyhoodandknewmulesfromthe tipsoftheirlongearstotheendsoftheirhardtails. Theobdurateanimalinquestionhadrefusedtoenter thedoorofthecarthathadbeenindicatedashisPull man."MissouriSlim"calledthreeotherex-nativesof ChampClark'sstatetohisassistance.Theyfearlessly putashoulderundereachofthemule'squarters.Then theygruntedaunanimous"heave,"andliftedthestrug glinganimaloffitsfeet.Asaperfectmatterofcourse, theywalkedrightintothecarwithhimwithnomore troublethanifhehadbeenanextralargebaleofhay. "Wonderfulmulehandlinginthisherearmy,"re markedaquiet,mild-manneredmaninuniform,beside whomIhappenedtobestanding.Hespokewithaslow, almostsleepy,drawl.Hewasthenewveterinarianof thesupplycompany,andtherewereanumberofthings thatwerenewtohim,ashisstoryrevealed.Hewasthe firsthomesickhorsedoctorI evermet. "IcomefromasmalltownoutinIowa,"hetoldme. "Iwenttoaveterinarycollegeandhadanicelittleprac tice,—sorterkeptmyselfsobusythatI nevergotmuch ofachancetothinkaboutthisherewar.Butoneday, abouttwomonthsago,I gotaletterfromtheWarDe partmentdowninWashington. "Theysaidthehossdoctorcollegehadgiventhem 126 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

mynameasoneofthegraduatesandthelettersaid thattheWarDepartmentwasmakingouta listof hossdoctors.Theletteraskedmetofillouttheblank andsendittoWashington. "'Joe,'mywifesaystome,'thishereisanhonourthat thecountryispayingtoyou.TheGovernmentjust wantsthenamesofthepatrioticprofessionalcitizensof thecountry.'Sowefilledouttheblankandmailedit andforgotallaboutit. "Well,abouttwoweekslater,I gota letterfrom WashingtontellingmetogoatoncetoDouglas,Arizona. Itsorterscaredthewifeandmeatfirstbecauseneither ofushadeverbeenoutofIowa,butI toldherthat I wassureitwasn'tanythingserious—I thoughtthat UncleSamjusthadsomesickhossesdownthereand wantedmetogodownandlookthemover. "Well,thewifeputanothershirtandacollarand anextrapairofsocksinmyhandsatchelalongwith myinstrumentsandIkissedherandthelittleboygood byeandtoldthemthatI wouldhurryupandprescribe fortheGovernmenthossesandbebackinaboutfive days. "TwodayslaterI landedinDouglas,anda major shovedmeintoauniformandtoldmeI wascommis sionedasa hossdoctorlieutenant.ThatafternoonI wasputonatrainwithabatteryandwewereonour wayeast.Sixdayslaterwewereontheocean.We landedsomewhereinFranceandmovedwayouthere. "Mywifewasexpectingmebackinfivedaysandhere itisI'vebeenawaytwomonthsandI haven'thada letterfromherandnowwe'removinguptothefront. ItseemstomelikeI'vebeenawayfromIowaforten years,andI guessI amalittlehomesick,butitsureis WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 127 acomforttotravelwithanoutfitthatknowshowto handlemuleslikethisonedoes." Thesupplycompanycompletedloading,andthehome sickhorsedoctorboardedthelastcarasthetrainmoved downthetrack.Ourbatterytookpossessionofthe platform.Atrainofemptieswasshuntedintoposition andwebeganloadinggunsandwagonsontheflatcars andputtingtheanimalsintotheboxcars. Considerableconfusionaccompaniedthisoperation. Thehorsesseemedtohavedecidedscruplesagainsten teringthecars.Itwasdarkandtheraincamedown miserably.Themenswore.Therewasconsiderable kickingonthepartofthemenaswellastheanimals. Inoticedonegroupthatwasgatheredaroundaplung ingteamofhorses.Thegrouprepresentedanentangle mentofrope,harness,horsesandmen.Iheardaclang ofmetalandsawtheflashoftwosteel-shodhoofs.A littlecorporal,holdinghisheadupwithbothhands, backedoutofthegroup,—backedclearacrosstheplat formandsatdownonabaleofhay. Iwenttohisassistance.Bloodwastricklingthrough hisfingers.I washedhistwoscalpwoundswithwater fromacanteenandappliedfirstaidbandages. "Justmyluck,"I heardmypatientmumblingasI swathedhisheadinwhitestripsandimpartedtohim theappearanceofafirst-classfrontlinecasualty. "You'relucky,"I toldhimtruthfully."Notmany mengetkickedintheheadbyahorseandescapewith outafracturedskull." "Thatisn'tit,"hesaid;"youseeforthelastweek I'vebeenwearingthatsteelhelmet—thatcast-ironsom brerothatweighssomuchitalmostbreaksyourneck, andtwominutesbeforethatlong-leggedbabykicked me,thetinhatfelloffmyhead." 128 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

Bythetimeourbatteryhadbeenloaded,another batterywaswaitingtomoveontotheplatform.Our captainwentdownthelengthofthetrainexamining thehalterstrapsinthehorsecarsandassuringhimself ofthecorrectapportionmentofmenineachcar.Then wemovedoutonwhatdevelopedtobeawildnightride. Thehorsehasbeendescribedasman'sfriendand noonequestionsthatahorseandaman,ifplacedout inanylargeopenspace,arecapableofgettingalongto theirmutualcomfort.Butwhenarmyregulationsand therequirementsofmilitarytransportationplaceeight horsesandfourmeninthesametoyFrenchboxcar andthenpatalltwelveofthemfigurativelyontheneck andtellthemtoliedowntogetherandsleepthrough anindefinitenight'sride,itisnotonlyprobable,butit iscertain,thatthelegendarycomradeshipoftheman andthehorseceases.Thedescribedconditiondoesnot encompassthebestunderstoodrelationofthetwoas travellingcompanions. OnourmilitarytrainsinFrance,thereservationsof spaceforthehumananddumboccupantsofthesame carweresomethingasfollows:Fourhorsesoccupied theforwardhalfofthecar.Fourmorehorsesoccu piedtherearhalfofthecar.Fourmenoccupiedthe rernainingspace.Theeightfour-footedanimalsare packedinlengthwisewiththeirheadstowardsthecen tralspacebetweenthetwosidedoors.Thecentral spaceisreservedforthefourtwo-footedanimals. Thenthetrainmoves.Ifthemovementisforward andsudden,asitusuallyis,thefourhorsesinthefor wardendofthecarinvoluntarilyobeytherulesofin ertiaandslideintothecentralspace.Ifthemovement ofthetrainisbackwardandequallysudden,thefour horsesintherearendofthecarobeythesamerule WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" I2g andplungeforwardintothecentralspace.Onthe whole,nightlifeforthemeninthestrawonthefloor ofthecentralspaceisalivelyexistence,while"riding therattlerswithahorseoutfit." Ourbatteryfounditso.I rodeanumberofmiles thatnightsittingwithfourartillerymeninthecentral spacebetweenthesidedoorswhichhadbeenclosed uponorders.Fromtheroofofthecar,immediately aboveourheads,anoillanternswungandswayedwith everyjoltofthewheelsandcastafeeblelightdown uponourconferenceinthestraw.Weoccupiedasmall squareareawhichwehadattemptedtoparticulariseby ropingitoff. Oneithersideweretheblanksurfacesoftheclosed doors.Toeitherendweretheheadsoffournervous animals,eightponderoushulksofsteel-shodhorseflesh, highstrungandfidgety,vergingalmostonpanicunder theunusualconditionstheywereenduring,andsubject atanyminutetonewfitsofexcitement. Wesatattheirfeetaswerattledalong.I recalled thesceneoftheloosecannonplungingaboutthecrowded deckofarollingvesselatseaandrelatedHugo'sthrill ingdescriptiontomycompanions. "Yeah,"observedShoemaker,driverofthe"wheelers" onNo.4piece,"Yeah,butthereain'tnomasttoclimb uponandgetoutofthewayoninthishereboxcar." "I'drathertakemychanceswithacannonanyday," said'Beady'Watson,gunner."Acannonwillstayput whenyoufixit. There'sourpieceoutontheflatcar andshe'salllashedandblocked.Itwouldtakeawreck tobudgeheroffthatflat.I wishtheB.C.hadletme ridewiththeoldgunoutthere.Itwouldbealittle colderbutalothealthier.Trytogotosleepinhere andyou'llwakeupwithahorsesittingonyou." 130 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

"Wheredoyousupposewearegoinganyway?"asked Slater,fusecutterinthesamesection."I'mstrongfor travel,butI alwaysliketoreadtheprogrambeforewe starttoramble.Forallweknowwemightbeonour waytoSwitzerlandorItalyorSpainorEgyptorsome where." "Whydon'tyougoupandasktheCaptain?"sug gestedBoyle,corporalinchargeofthecar."Maybethe Colonelgavehima specialmessagetodelivertoyou aboutourdusty-nation.Youneedn'tworrythough. Theyain'tgoingtobowlusoutofFranceforsometime yet." "Well,ifwe'rejustjoy-ridingaroundFrance,"re pliedSlater,"Ihopewestopovertofeedthehorses atMonteCarlo.I'veheardalotaboutthatjoint.They saythattheyrunthebiggestcrapgameintheworld there,andthepolicelayofftheplacebecausetheGov ernoroftheStateortheKingorsomething,banksthe game.TheytellmeheusesstraightbonesandI figure amancouldcleanupbigifhehitthegameonapay- day." j! "Listen,kid,you'vegotthistipwrong,"saidShoe maker."Ifthere'sanythinghappenstostarta riot amongthesehorses,youaregoingtofindthatyou're gamblingwithdeath.Andifweevergetoffthistrain, IthinkwehaveadatewithKaiserBill." "I'vegotacousinsomewhereintheGermanarmy. Hespellshis'Shoemaker*witha'u.'Mydadtoldme thatmygrandfatherandthiscousin'sgrandfatherhad abusinessdisagreementoverasauerkrautfactorysome timebeforetheCivilWarandmygrandfatherleft Germany.Sincethen,thereain'tbeennolovelost betweenthebranchesofthefamily,butwedidhear WEWOULDN'TFIGHT' >3» thatCousinHanshadleftthesauerkrautbusinessand waspackingahowitzerfortheKaiser." "Well,I hopewecomeacrosshimforyoursake," saidWatson."It'skindatoughlucktogetcheatedout ofabigbusinesslikethat,butthenyoumustremember thatifyourcousin'sgrandfatherhadn'tpulledthe dirtyonyourgrandfather,yourgrandfathermightnever havegonetoAmericaandmostlikelyyou'dstillbe aGerman." "Iguessthere'ssomesenseinthat,too,"repliedShoe maker;"wouldn'tthatbeenhellifI'dbeenontheother sideinthiswar?Butanyhow,I dohopeweruninto CousinHanssomewhere." Thehorseshadbeencomparativelyquietforsome time,butnowtheyseemedtobegrowingrestless.They prickedtheirearsandweknewsomethingwasbother ingthem.Thediscussionstoppedsothatwecouldlisten better. Abovetherattleofthetrain,therecametousthe soundoffiring.Itseemedtocomefromthedirection inwhichweweregoing.Withsurprisingquickness, theexplosionsgrewlouder.Wewerenotonlyspeed ingtowardthesoundsofconflict,buttheconflictitself seemedtobespeedingtowardus. Thencameacrashunmistakablynear.Oneofthe horsesintheforwardendreared,andhisheadthumped theroofofthecar.Onceagainonfourfeet,hepranced nervouslyandtossedhisblood-wetforelock.Immedi atelytheotherhorsesbeganstamping. Anothercrash!—thistimealmostdirectlyoverhead. Inthelightoftheswinginglantern,I couldseethe terrorintheeyesofthefrightenedbrutes.Weclung totheirhaltersandtriedtoquietthembuttheylifted usoffourfeet. *32 ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

"Putatwitchonthatone'snoseandholdhimdown," Boyleordered. "Gosh,"saidSlater,obeying,"wemustberightup onthefrontline.Hopetheydon'tstopthistrainin NoMan'sLand.Holdstill,youcrazyb " "CousinHansmusthaveheardyoutalking,"Watson shoutedtoShoemaker."Maybeyou'regoingtosee himquickerthanyouexpected." Thetrainwasslowingdown.Thebrakesshrieked andgratedaswecametoajerkystop.Threeofus bracedourselvesattheheadsofthefourhorsesinthe rearofthecarandpreventedthemfromslidingontop ofus.BoyleandSlaterweredoingtheirbesttoquiet theforwardfour.Theexplosionsoverheadincreased. Nowweheardthereportoffieldpiecessoclosethat theyseemedtobealmostalongsidethetrack. Therecamea sharpbangatoneofthesidedoors, andI thoughtI recognisedthesoundofthelead-loaded handleofthecaptain'sridingwhip.Hisvoice,coming tousaminutelaterabove^thetramplingandkickingof thepanic-strickenanimals,verifiedmybelief. "Darkenthatlantern,"heshouted."Keepalllights outandkeepyourhelmetson.Stayinthecarsand hangontothehorses.Thereisanairraidonright aboveus." "Yes,sir,"repliedBoyle,andweheardthecaptain runtothenextcar.I blewoutthelightandwewere incompletedarkness,witheighttossing,plunginghorses thatkickedandrearedateverycrashofthegunsnearby orburstoftheshellsoverhead. Wehungonwhiletheairbattlewentonabove.One horsewentdownonhiskneesandinhisfranticstrug glestoregainhisfeet,almostkickedthefeetfrpjnun dertheanimalbesidehim. WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" »33

Attimes,thunderousdetonationstoldusthataerial bombsweredoingtheirworknearathand.Wesup posedcorrectlythatwewerenearsometownnotfar behindthelines,andthattheGermanwaspayingita nightvisitwithsomeofhisheaviestvisitingcards. I openedonesidedoorjustacrackandlookedout. Thedarknessaboveblossomedwithblindingblotches offirethatflashedonandoff.Itseemedasthoughthe skywerea canopyofblackvelvetperforatedwith hundredsofholesbehindwhichdazzlinglightspassed backandforth,flashingmomentarygleamsofbrilliance throughthepunctures.Again,thisvisionwouldpassas aluminousdrippingmasswouldpoiseitselfonhighand castasteadywhiteglarethatrevealedclustersofgrey smokepuffsofexplodedshrapnel. Wehadtoclosethedoorbecausetheflashesaddedto theterrorofthehorses,buttheaerialactivitypassed almostassuddenlyasithadcomeandleftourtrainun touched.Astheraidingplaneswentdownthewind, followedalwaysbythepoppingsoftheanti-aircraft guns,thesoundoftheconflictgrewdistant.Wegot controloverthehorsesalthoughtheystilltrembledwith fright. TherecameanotherrapatthedoorandI hurriedly acceptedthecaptain'sinvitationtoaccompanyhimfor wardtoafirst-classcoachwhereI spenttheremainder ofthenightstretchedoutonthecushions.Asourtrain resumeditswayintothedarkness,I dreamedofracing beforeastampedeofwildhorses. »34 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

CHAPTERVII

INTOTHELINE—THEFIRSTAMERICANSHOTINTHEWAR

Adamp,chill,morningmistmadethedawneven greyerasourbatterytrainslidintbaloadingplatform almostunderthewallsofa largemanufacturingplant engagedinproducingwarmaterials. Inspiteofthefactthatthesectionchiefsreported thatnotamanhadbeeninjured,andnotsomuchasa legbrokeninthecrowdedhorsecars,everymaninthe batterynowdeclaredtheabsenceofanydoubtbutthe airraidhadbeendirectlyaimedatBatteryA. "Theremightbeaspyinthishereveryoutfit,"said 'Texas'Tinsdale,thebatteryalarmist."Elsehowcould themGermanaviatorshaveknownthatBatteryAwas ontheroadlastnight? Theyknewwewasontheway tothefrontandtheytriedtogetus." "Hireahall,"shoutedthegruffytopsergeant."We've gottwohourstounload.Alotofyoufiresideveterans getbusy.Guncrewsgettoworkontheflatsanddrivers unloadhorses.Nochowuntilwe'rereadytomove out." Thesignonastationlamp-posttoldusthenameofthe town.ItwasJarville.Butitjarrednothinginour memories.Noneofushadeverheardofitbefore. Iaskedthecaptainwherewewere. "Justaboutthirtymilesbehindthefront,"hereplied. "Wearemovinguptoourlastbilletsassoonasweun loadandfeed." Thehorseshadmadetheridewearingtheirharness, someofwhichhadbecomeentangledandbrokenintran WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 135 sit.Anumberofsaddleshadslippedfrombacksand weredownbehindforelegs. "We'relearningsomethingeveryminute,"thecap tainexclaimed."Americanarmyregulationscallfor theremovalofallharnessfromthehorsesbeforethey areputintothecars,buttheFrenchhavelearnedthat thatisadangerouspracticeoverhere. "Youcan'tunloadunharnessedhorsesandgetthem hitchedtothegunsasquickasyoucanharnessedhorses. Theideaisthis.We'reprettyclosebehindthelines. AGermanairpartymightmakethisunloadingplatform avisitatanytimeandifanyofthemareintheair andhappentoseeusunloading,they'dsurecallonus. "TheFrenchhavelearnedthattheonlywaytomake thebestofsuchasituation,ifitshouldarise,istohave thehorsesalreadyharnessedsothattheycanberun outofthecarsquickly,hitchedtothegunsinajiffyand hurriedaway.Ifthehorsesareinthecarsunharnessed, andalloftheharnessisbeingcarriedinothercars,con fusionisincreasedandthereisa greaterprospectof yourlosingyourtrain,horses,gunsandeverythingfrom anincendiarybomb,nottomentionlowflyingmachine work." HisexplanationrevealedapromisingattitudethatI foundinalmostallAmericansoldiersofallranksthat I hadencountereduptothattimeinFrance.Thefoun dationoftheattitudewasawillingnesstoadmitigno ranceofnewconditionsandaneagernesstopossess themselvesofallknowledgethattheFrenchandBritish hadacquiredthroughbitterandcostlyexperience. Furtherthanthat,theAmericaninclinationpushed thesoldierstudentstolookbeyondeventhosethenac ceptedstandards.Thetendencywastoimprovebeyond theFrenchandBritish,toapplynewAmericanprin 136 ANDTHEYTHOUGHT ciplesoftimeorlabour-savingtosimpleoperation,to saveman-powerandhorsefleshbysanesafetyappli ances,toincreaseefficiency,speed,accuracy—inaword, theiraimwastomakethemselvesthebestfightingmen intheAlliedcause. Oneinstanceofthisisworthyofrecounting.Icame upontheyoungRussianwhowasthebatterysaddler. HewasacitizenoftheUnitedStateswhoseuniform hewore,buthewassuchanewcitizen,thathehardly spokeEnglish.I foundhimhandlingasmallpieceof galvanisedironandahorseshoe.Heappearedtobe tryingtofittherumpledpieceofmetalintotheshoe. InhisbrokenEnglishheexplainedthathewastrying tofashionalightmetalplatethatcouldbeeasilyplaced betweenahorse'sshoeandthehoof,toprotectthefrog ofthefootfromnailspickedupontheroad.Withall soldierswearinghobnailedboots,theroadswerefullof thosesharpbitsofmetalwhichhadcausedseriouslosses ofhorsefleshthroughlamenessandbloodpoisoning.

Theunloadinghadcontinuedundertheeyesofsmil ingFrenchgirlsinbloomerswhowerejustdeparting fromtheirworkontheearlymorningshiftinthemuni tionfactorybesidethestation.Thesewerethefirst Americansoldierstheyhadseenandtheywerefreeto passcommentuponourappearance.Sowerethemen ofBatteryA,whooverlookedtheoiled,grimedfaces andhandsofthebloomeredbeauties,andannouncedthe generalverdictthat"theysurewerefatlittledevils." Theunloadingcompleted,ascantysnackconsistingof twounbutteredslicesofwhitebreadwithahunkofcold meatandmaybethebiteofanonion,hadbeenputaway bythetimethehorses'nosebagswereempty.Witha Frenchguideinthelead,wemovedofftheplatform, WEWOULDN'TFIGHT 137 rattledalongunderarailroadviaduct,anddownthe mainstreetofJarville,whichwaslargeenoughtoboast streetcartracksandashell-damagedcathedralspire. Theremainingtownsfolkhadlivedwiththeglareand rumbleofthefrontforthreeyearsnowandthepas sagebackandforthofmenandhorsesandgunshardly elicitedasmuchattentionastheoccasionalpromenadeof apolicemaninEvanston,Illinois.Buttheseweredif ferentmenthatrodethroughthosestreetsthatday. ThiswasthefirstbatteryofAmericanartillerythat hadpassedthatway.Thiswasanoccasionandthe townspeoplerespondedtoit. Children,womenandold menchirped"vivas,"kissedhands,baredheadsand wavedhatsandapronsfromcurbandshopdoorand windowsoverhead. Therewasnocheering,butthereweresmilesandtears and"Godblessyou's."Itwasnotavociferousgreet ing,butaheart-feltone.Theyofferedalltherewas leftofanemotionthatstillrandeepandstrongwithin butthatoutwardlyhadbeenbenumbedbythreeyears ofnerve-rackandwar-weariness. Onwardintothezoneofwarwerode.Onthrough successivebatteredvillages,pasthouseswithoutroofs, windowswithshatteredpanes,stonewallswithgaping shellholesthroughthem,churcheswithoutsteeples,our batterymovedtowardthelastbilletingplacebeforeen teringtheline. ThiswastheancienttownofSaint-Nicolas-du-Porton thebanksoftheriverMeurthe.IntothePlacedela Republicofthetownthebatteryswungwithaclamor ousadvanceguardofschoolchildrenandstreetgamins. Thetopsergeantwhohadprecededthebatteryinto thetown,gallopeduptothecaptainuponourentry andpresentedhimwithasheafofyellowpaperslips, 138 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT whichboretheaddressesofhousesandbarnsandthe complementsofmenandhorsestobequarteredineach. ThiswasthebilletingscheduleprovidedbytheFrench majorofthetown.Thegunswereparked,thehorses picketedandthepotatopeelersstartedontheirendless task.Theabsenceoffuelforthemessfiresdemanded immediatecorrection. Itwasafewminutespastnoonwhenthecaptainand I enteredtheofficeoftheFrenchTownMajor.It wasvacant.Theofficerswereatdejeuner,welearned fromanoldwomanwhowassweepingthecommand ant'srooms.Where?—Ah,sheknewnot.Weaccosted thefirstFrenchofficerwemetonthestreet. "WheredoestheTownMajoreat?"theCaptainin quiredinhisbestIndianapolisFrench.Afterthecus tomaryexchangeofsalutes,introductions,handshakes andgreetings,theFrenchmaninformedusthatMonsieur LeCommandantfavouredthepommardthatMadame LarueservedattheHoteldelaFountaine. Wehurriedtothatplace,andthereinalittleback roombehindaplate-clutteredtablewitharedandwhite checkeredtablecloth,wefoundtheMajor.TheMajor saidhespoketheEnglishwiththefluency.Hedemon stratedhisdelusionwhenweaskedforwood. "Wood! Ah,butitisimpossiblethatitiswoodyou askofme.HaveI notthismorningearlyseenwith myowneyesthewoodordered?" "Butthereisnowood,"repliedtheCaptain."Imust havewoodforthefires.Itispastnoonandmymen havenoteaten." "Ah,butIamtellingyouthereiswood,"repliedthe Major."Isawyoursupplyofficerpayforthewood. BynowI believeithasbeendeliveredforyouinthe PlacedelaRepublique." WEWOULDN'TFIGHT 139

"Butithasn't,"remonstratedtheCaptain,"andthe fireshavenotyetbeenstarted,and " "Butitisontheway,probably,"saidtheMajor. "Maybeitwillbetheresoon.Maybeitistherenow." TheCaptaintookanothertack. "Wherewasthewoodbought?"heasked. "Fromthewoodmerchantbeyondtheriver,"replied theMajor."Butitisalreadyontheway,and " "Howdoyougotothewoodmerchant?"insistedthe Captain."Wehavegottohavethewoodtootsweet." "Ah!toutdesuite—toutdesuite—toutdesuite,"re peatedtheMajorintonesofexasperation."Withyou Americansitisalwaystoutdesuite.Here " Hetookmynotebookanddrewaplanofstreetsindi catingthewaytotheplaceofthewoodmerchant.In spiteofhisremarkandtheundesiredintrusionofbusi nessuponhisdejeuner,theMajor'smannerwasas friendlyascouldbeexpectedfromaTownMajor.We leftontherun. Thewoodmerchantwasabigman,elderlyandfat. Hisfacewasredandhehadbushygreyeyebrows.He woreasmockofbluecloththatcametohisknees.He remonstratedthatitwasuselessforustobuywoodfrom himbecausewoodhadalreadybeenboughtforus.He spokeonlyFrench.TheCaptaindismissedallfurther argumentbyadirectfrontalattackonthesubject. "Avez-vousdeboisf"askedtheCaptain. "Out,"themerchantnodded. "Avez-vousdechevaux?"theCaptainasked. "Oui,"themerchantnoddedagain. "Avez-vousdevoiture?"theCaptainasked. "Oui,"—anothernod. "Allrightthen,"continuedtheCaptain,andthen emphasisingeachwordbythesuddenproductionofan ANDTHEYTHOUGHT otherstifffingeronhisextendedhand,hesaid,"Dubois —deschevaux—unevoiture—dewholedamnbusiness— andtootsweet." Insomeremarkablefashionthekindlywoodmerchant gatheredthattheCaptainwantedwoodpiledinawagon, drawnbyahorseandwanteditinahurry.Toutde suite,pronounced"tootsweet"byoursoldiers,wasa termcallingforspeed,thatwasamongthefirstacquired byourmeninFrance. Theoldmanshruggedhisshoulders,elevatedhis hand,palmoutward,andsignifiedwithanexpression ofhisfacethatitwasuselesstoarguefurtherforthe benefitoftheseAmericans.Heturnedandgavethe necessaryloadingorderstohisworkingforce. ThatworkingforceconsistedoftwoFrenchgirls, eachabouteighteenyearsofage.Theyworelongbaggy bloomersofbrowncorduroy,tightattheankleswhere theyfloppedaboutinfoldsoverclumsywoodenshoes. Theyworeblousesofthesamematerialandtarno'shan- terhatstomatch,calledberets. Eachoneofthemhadacigarettehangingfromthe cornerofhermouth.Onestoodonthegroundand tossedupthethirtyorforty-poundlogstohersister whostoodaboveontopofthewagon.Thelattercaught theminherextendedarmsandplacedtheminapile. Tothebestofmyrecollection,neitheroneofthegirls missedapuff. Whiletheloadingproceeded,thewoodmerchant, speakingslowlyinFrench,madeusunderstandthefol lowing: "Manypeculiarthingshappeninthewar,Monsieur," hesaid."Yourcountry,theAmerica,isthelandof wonders.Listen,mynameisHelois.Tendaysago therecametomeoneofthewasherwomenwhoclean WEWOULDN'TFIGHT 141 theclothesonthebanksoftheMeurthe,andshesaid tome: "'Ah,Monsieur,thewoodmerchant.Youarethe slyfox.I haveyoursecret.'AndI saytoherthatI knownotofwhatshespeaks. "'Youboastinthetownthatyourtwosonsareat thefront,'shesaid,'butI knowthatoneatleastof themisnot.'AndI wasdumbfounded.I saytoher, 'Woman,itisalieyoutellme.Bothofmyboysare withtheirregiments,inthetrenchesevennow,ifby thegraceofthegoodGodtheystilllive.' "'No,'shesaytome,'oneofyoursonshidesinthe hotelofMadameLarue.HowdoI knowthissecret, Monsieurthewoodmerchant?Iknowbecausethisday haveIwashedtheshirt,withhisnameonit,attheriver bank.Hisname,Helois,—theLieutenantHelois—was stampedonthecollarandtheshirtcamefromthehotel, LaFontaine.' "Itellherthatitisamistake—thatitisthegreatin justicetomeshespeaks,andthatnightI dressedinmy bestclothestopenetratethismystery—tomeetthisman whodisgracefullyusedthenameofmyson—toexpose thisimpostorwhowouldbringshametothenameof Helois,thewoodmerchant,whosetwosonshavebeen fightingforFrancethesethreelongyears. "Andso,Monsieur,Imeetthismanatthehotel.She wasright.HisnamewasHelois.Hereishiscard. TheLieutenantLouisF.Helois,andheisalieutenant intheUnitedStatesArmy." "Soitwasamistake,"repliedtheCaptain,handing thecardbacktothewoodmerchant,whoselobsterred featuresboreanenigmaticalsmile. "No,—notthemistake,thetruth,"repliedthewood merchant."Notmyson—butmygrandson—thesonof ANDTHEYTHOUGHT myson—thesonofmythirdsonwhowenttoAmerica yearsago.Andnowhecomesbackintheuniformof libertytofightagainforFrance.Ah,Messieursles OMciers—thesonsofFrancereturnfromtheendsof theworldtofighthercause." Whilethewoodmerchantwastellingusthatthe Americangrandsonhadonlystoppedthreedaysinthe townandthenhadmoveduptoserviceatthefront,the airwasshatteredbyaloudreport.Itwasthesnapof thewhipinthehandsoftheyoungFrenchamazon, standinghighontheloadofwood.Weescortedthe fuelproudlytothePlacedelaRepublique.Soonthe fireswereburningbrisklyandthesmellofonionsand coffeeandhotchowwasontheair. Thestoveswerepitchedatthebottomofa stone monumentinthecentreofthesquare.Bagsofpotatoes andonionsandburlapcoveredquartersofbeefand otherpiecesofmesssergeantsparaphernaliawerepiled onthestepsofthemonument,whichwascoveredwith thegreenandblackscarsfromdampnessandage. Theplinthsupporteda stoneshaftfifteenfeetin height,whichtouchedthelowerbranchesofthetrees. Themonumentwastoppedwithahugecrossofstone onwhichwasthesculpturedfigureoftheChrist. LittleSykoff,thebatterymesssergeant,stoodover thestoveatthebottomofthemonument.Heheldin hishanda fryingpan,whichheshookbackandforth overthefiretopreventthesizzlingchipsinthepanfrom burning.Hiseyesloweredfromaninspectionofthe monumentandmetmine.Hesmiled. "Mr.Gibbons,"hesaid,"ifthatbrotherofmine,who runsthephotographgalleryoutonPaulinaandMadison StreetsinChicago,couldonlyseemenow,hesurewould WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" H3 telltheRabbi.Canyoubeatit—aJewherefryingham intheshadowoftheCross." Itwasratherhardtobeat—andsowastheham.We madethisconcessionaswesatontheplinthofthe monumentandpolishedourmesskitswithbread.And suchbread—itwastheregulationUnitedStatesarmy issuebread—white,firmandchuckfullofnourishment —breadthatseemedlikecaketotheFrenchyoungsters whotasteditandwhoreturnedwithopenmouthsand outstretchedhandsformoreofthe"goodwhitebread." Afterthemeal,thosemembersofBatteryAnotde tailedforimmediatedutydeniedthemselvesnoneofthe joysthatanewtown,ina strangeland,holdsfora soldier. Saint-Nicholas-du-Portboastsaremarkablecathedral ofmediaevalarchitecture,ofenormousdimensions.It wascrumblingwithage,butstillhousedtheholy.Time andtheelementshadleftthetracesoftheirroughusage upontheedifice. Halfofthestatuesonthebroadfacadeofthecathe dralhadbeenbroken,andnowthenichesaffordeddomi cilesforfamiliesofpigeons.Ontheground,ina carelesspile,toonesideofthefrontalarch,wasanig nominiouspileofmiscellaneousarmsandlegsandheads ofsculpturedfigures,restingthereinanythingbutsaintly dignity.Twoofouryoungartillerymenwerestanding infrontofthecathedralsurveyingit. "Certainlyisinneedofrepairs,"saidoneofthem. "I'llbettheyhaven'tdonenobricklayingorplumbing onthisplacesincebeforetheCivilWar." "Thatain'thardlytherightwaytotreatoldSaints," repliedhiscompanion,referringtothepileofbroken statuary."Seemsliketheyoughttocementthearms andlegsandheadsbackonthoseoldboysandoldgirls 144 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT andputthembackontheirpedestals.I guess,though, thereain'tnobodylivingtoidentifythepieces,sothey couldgettherightarmsandheadsontherightbodies." Ourbatteryhadamongitsdriversanoldtimerwho mighthavebeencalledahistorian.Hisopinionheld weightintheorganisation.Heprofessedtobeable toreadAmericanballscoresandwarnewsoutofFrench newspapers,anumberofwhichhealwayscarried.Later thatday,I heardhimlecturingthecathedralcriticson theirlackofappreciationofartandhistory. "Newthingsain'tart,"hetoldthem; "thingshasgot tobeoldbeforetheyareartistic.Nobody'dlookat theVenusdeeMiloifshehadallherarmson.You neverhearnobodyadmiringamodernup-to-datecastle withelectriclightingandbathtubsinit. Itsimply ain'tart. "Now,thiscathedralisart.Thiscountryaround hereisjustfullofhistory.Here'swherewholebook storesofitwaswritten.Why,say,therewasbatteries ofartilleryrollingthroughthiscountryamillionyears ago.ItwasrightaroundherethatNapoleonjoined forceswithJuliusCa?sartofighttheCrusaders.This hereissacredground." Intheevening,anumberofthebattery,locatedthe buvettethatcarriedacrossitscurtainedfrontthegold letteredsignbarParisian.Itwasafind.Somethirty Americanartillerymencrowdedaroundthetables. Cigarettesmokefilledthelow-ceilingedroomwith bluelayers,throughwhichthelamplightshone.Inone cornerstoodamechanicalpianowhichswallowedbig coppersousandgaveoutdiscord'smetallicmelody.It wasofanAmericanmakeandthebestnumberonits printedprogrammewas"Aren'tyouComingBacktoOld Virginia,Molly?"Sousfollowedsousintothishowitzer WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 145 ofharmonyanditknewnorestthatnight.Everybody joinedinandhelpeditoutonthechoruses. Thingsweregoingfinewhenthedooropenedatabout ninethirty,andtherestoodtwomembersoftheAmer icanProvostGuard.Theycarriedwiththemtwoor ders.OneinstructedMadame,theproprietress,todis pensenomoreredinkorbeertoAmericansoldiersthat night,andtheotherwasadirectiontoallAmericans aroundthetabletogetbacktotheirbilletsforthenight. Thebunchleftwithreluctancebutwithoutagrumble. ItwaswarmandcomfortablewithinthebarParisian andMadame'ssmilesandredwineandbeerandCamem- bertcheesecomposedtheBroadwayofmanyrecent dreams.Buttheyleftwithoutcomplaint. Theymadetheirrollickingdeparture,returningMa dame'spartingsmiles,gallantlyliftingtheirsteelhel metsandshoweringherwithvociferous"bongswore's." And—wellitsimplymustbetold.Shekissedthelast oneoutoutthedoorand,turning,wipedawayatear withthecornerofherapron.Madamehadseenyouth onthewaytothefrontbefore. Thebilletswerecomfortable.Somewerebetterthan others.Picketlinedetailssleptintheirblanketsinthe hayoverthestables.Guncrewsdrewbedsandpallets onthefloorinoccupiedhouses.Inthesehomesthere wasalwaysthathourbeforeretirementforthenight whentheoldmenandremainingwomenoftheFrench householdandtheirseveralmilitaryguestsbilletedin theplace,wouldgatheraboutthefireplaceinthekitchen andregaleoneanotherwithstories,recountedbythe murderofFrenchandEnglishlanguagesandawealth ofpantomime. Louise,theeighteen-year-olddaughterofthetown- crier—hewhodailybeatthedruminfrontoftheHotel 146 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT deVilleandreadlengthybulletins,wasinterestedinthe workingsofGunnerBlack'scoltautomatic.Gunner Black,mostanxioustoshowher,demonstratedtheac tionofthepistolbut,forgettingthatinevitableshell inthechamber,shothimselfinthearm. Itwasonlyanincident.ThenoisescaredLouise, butnotthewound.ShehadseentoomanyAmericans getshotinthemovingpictures. ThecaptainandI werequarteredinthehouseofthe Cureofthecathedral.Theoldhousekeeperofthe placemadethecaptainblushwhensheremarkedhersur prisethatthereweresuchyoungcaptainsintheAmer icanarmy.HernamewasMadameDupont,andshe wasmorethanpleasedtolearnfromthecaptainthat thathadbeenthemaidennameofhismother. Thecaptain'sroomhadtheinteriordimensionsand heavydecorationsofthemysticinnersanctumofsome secretgrandlodge.Religiouspaintingsandsymbols hungfromthewalls,whichwerepaperedindarkredto matchtheheavyplushhangingsovertheeverclosed windows. Twodoorsintheblankwallswungopenrevealinga hermeticallysealedrecessinwhicha bedjustfitted. Thisarrangement,quitecommoninFrance,indicated thatthedevicenowpopularintwo-roomsleepingapart mentsinAmerica,musthavebeensuggestedbythesleep ingcustomsofmediaevaltimes. Earlythenextmorning,ourbatterypulledoutforthe front.Wewereboundfortheline.Wetooktheroads outofSaintNicolastotheeast,makingourwaytoward thatpartofthefrontthatwasknownastheLuneville sector.OurwaylaythroughthetownsofDombasle, Sommerviller,Maixe,Einville,Valhey,Serres,tothe remainsoftheruinedvillageofHoeville. WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" H7

Thesectorrunsalmostalongtheborderbetween FranceandoldLorraine,occupiedbytheGermanssince 1870.EventhenamesoftheoldFrenchtownsbeyond theborderhadbeenchangedtoGermanintheeffortof thePrussianstoGermanisethestolenprovince. Itwasinthissectionduringthefewdaysjustprior totheoutbreakofthewarthatFrancemadeunwise demonstrationofherdisinclinationtowardhostilities withGermany.EverysoldierinFrancewasunderarms, aswaseverysoldierinEurope.Francehadmilitary patrolsalongherborders.IntheFrenchchamberof deputies,thesocialistshadrushedthrougha measure whichwascalculatedtoconvincetheGermanpeoplethat FrancehadnointentionsordesireofmenacingGerman territory.BythatmeasureeveryFrenchsoldierwas withdrawnfromtheFranco-Germanbordertoa line tenmilesinsideofFrance.TheGermanappreciation ofthisevidenceofpeacefulnesswasmanifestedwhen theenemy,attheoutbreakofthewar,movedacrossthe borderandoccupiedthatten-milestripofFrance. Francehadsucceededindrivingtheenemybackagain inthatpartofLorraine,butonlyatthecostofmany livesandthedestructionofmanyFrenchtownsand villages.Sincethecloseofthefightingseasonof1914, therehadbeenlittleornoprogressoneithersideat thispoint.Theopposinglinesherehadbeenstationary foralmostthreeyearsanditwasknownonbothsides asaquietsector. Thecountrysidewasofarollingcharacter,butvery damp.AtthatseasonoftheyearwhenourfirstAmer icanfightingmenreachedtheWesternfront,thatpart ofthelinethattheyoccupiedwasparticularlymuddy andmiserable. Beforenineo'clockthatmorningaswerodeonto 148 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT thefront,thehorse-drawntraffic,includingourbattery, wasforcedtotakethesideoftheroadnumeroustimes topermitthepassageoflongtrainsofmotortrucks loadeddownwithAmericaninfantrymen,boundinthe samedirection. Mostofthemotorvehicleswereoftheomnibustype. Anumberofthemwereworthyolddouble-deckersthat hadseenlongyearsofpeacefulserviceontheboulevards ofParisbeforethewar.Slatsofwoodranlengthwise acrossthewindowsofthelowerseatingcompartment andthroughtheseaperturesyoung,sun-burned,Ameri canfacestoppedwithsteelhelmets,peeredforth. Someofourmenreposedlanguidlyontherearsteps ofthebussesoronthetops.Mostofthebus-loadswere singingrollickingchoruses.Themenwereingood spirits.Theyhadbeencheeredineveryvillagethey hadpassedthroughonthewayfromtheirtrainingarea. "Howdy,bowleg,"wasthegreetingshoutedbyone ofthesemotoringmockers,wholookeddownonour saddledsteeds,"bettergetahustleonthemhayburners. We'regoingtobeinBerlinbythetimeyougetwhere thefrontusedtobe." "Yes,youwill,"repliedoneofthemountedartillery men,withanegativeinflection."You'llgetahellof alongwayswithoutus.Ifyoudoughboysstartany thingwithouttheartillery,you'llseeBerlinthroughthe barsofaprisoner'scage." "Luckypups—theartillery—nothingtodobutride," wasthepassingshoutofanothertaunter,perchedhigh onabus.Thiswasanunanswerablerevisionofanold tauntthattheartilleryusedtoshouttopassinginfantry inthedayswhenafootsoldierwasreallyafootsoldier. Thentheeasy-ridingmountedtroops,whenpassingan WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 149 infantrycolumnontheroad,wouldsay,"Prettysoft forthedoughboys—nothingtodobutwalk." "Timescertainlyhavechanged,"oneofourbattery driversfeltitnecessarytoremarktomeindefenceof hisbranchoftheservice."Butthereain'tnospark plugsorcarburetorstogetoutoforderonourmounts. "However,wedohaveourtroubles.Thatrunaway wheelerinNo.2 sectionbrokeawayfromthepicket linelastnightandKemballandI weredetailedtohunt allovertownforhim. "Youknowthatdark,winding,narrowstreet,that windsdownthehillbackofthecathedral.Well,it wasaboutmidnightandblackerthantheaceofspades, whenKemballandI pushedalongthereinthedark, lookingforthatoneryanimal. "Suddenly,wehearda sharpclatteronthecobble stoneshalfablockupthehill.Itwascomingourway fullspeed.'Herehecomesnow,'saidKemball,'and he'sgallopinglikehell.Jumpintoa doorwayorhe'll climballoverus.' "Wewaitedtherepressedagainstthewallinthedark asthegallopingcameuptousandpassed.Whatdy'e s'poseitwas? Itwasn'tthatrunawayhorseatall.Just a coupleofthemFrenchkidschasingoneanotherin woodenshoes." Theroadtothefrontwasapopulousone.Wepassed numerousgroupsofsupplywagonscarryingfoodand fodderuptothefrontlines.Otherwagonswerere turningemptyandhereandtherecameanambulance withbulgyblanketsoutliningthefiguresofstretcher cases,piledtwohighandtwowide.Occasionallya Y.M.C.A.runaboutloadeddownwithcoffeepotsand candytinsanddrivenbyhelmetedwearersoftheRed 150 ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

Triangle,wouldpassuscarryingitsstoreofextrasto theboysupfront. Wepassedthroughvillageswheremanufacturing plantswerestillinoperationand,nearerthefront,the roadslaythroughsmallerhamlets,shelltornandde serted,saveforsentrieswhostoodguardinwooden coopsatintersections.Civiliansbecamefewerand fewer,althoughtherewasnotavillagethatdidnothave oneortwowomenorchildrenoroldmenunfitforuni form. Finallytheroadmounteda rollinghillandhereit wasborderedbyroadsidescreensconsistingofstretched, chickenwiretowhichwhispsofstrawandgrassandbits ofgreendyedclothhadbeenattached.Ourmenriding behindthescreenpeeredthroughaperturesinitandsaw thedistanthillsforward,fromwhichGermanglasses couldhaveobservedallpassagealongthatroadhadit notbeenforthescreen. Sowemovedintoposition.Itwaslateinthenight ofOctober22nd,1917,thatourbatteriesofartillery andcompaniesofinfantrymovedthroughthedarkness onthelastlapoftheirtriptothefront.Theroads werestickyandgummy.Alightrainwasfalling.The gunsboomedinfrontofus,butnotwithanycontinued intensity.Throughstreetspavedwithslipperycobbles andborderedwiththebareskeletonsofshell-wrecked houses,ourAmericansquadsmarchedfourabreast. Theirpassinginthedarknesswasaccompaniedbythe soundoftheunhastenedtreadofman)hobnailedboots. Attimes,theraysofacautiouslyflashedelectriclight- wouldrevealourinfantrymenwithpacksonbackand riflesslungovertheirshoulders.Astiffwindwhipped therainintotheirfacesandtuggedthebottomsoftheir flapping,wetovercoats. WEWOULDN'TFIGHT"

Notwithstandingthefactthattheyhadmadeiton footanumberofmilesfromtheplacewheretheyhad disembarkedfromthemotortrucks,themenmarched alongtothesoftsingingofsongs,whichwereordered discontinuedasthemarchingcolumnsgotclosertothe communicatingtrencheswhichledintothefrontline. InthemarchweremachineguncartshauledbyAmer icanmulesandrollingkitchens,whichattimesdropped onthedarkenedroadswirlsofglowingredembersthat hadtobehurriedlystampedout.AnxiousAmerican staffofficersconsultedtheirwristwatchesfrequently inevidenceoftheconcerntheyfeltastowhetherthe variousmovingunitswerereachingdesignatedpoints uponthescheduledminute. Itwasaftermidnightthatourmenreachedthefront line.ItwasthemorningofOctober23rd,1917,that AmericaninfantrymenandBavarianregimentsof LandwehrandLandsturmfacedoneanotherforthe firsttimeinfrontlinepositionsontheEuropeanfront. Lessthaneighthundredyardsofslateanddrab-col ouredsoftground,blotchedwithrust-redexpansesof wireentanglements,separatedthehostilelines. Therewasnomoon.Afewcloud-veiledstarsonly seemedtoaccentuatetheblacknessofthenight.There, inthedarknessandthemud,ontheslipperyfiringstep oftrenchwallsandindamp,foul-smellingdugouts, youngred-bloodedAmericanstingledforthefirsttime withthethrillthattheyhadtrainedsolongandtrav elledsofartoexperience. ThroughunfortunatemanagementofthePressar rangementsinconnectionwiththisgreathistoricalevent, AmericancorrespondentsaccreditedbytheWarDepart menttoourforces,werepreventedfromaccompanying ourmenintothefrontthatnight.Goodfortune,how 152 ANDTHEYTHOUGHT ever,favouredmeasoneofthetwosoleexceptionsto thiscircumstance.RaymondG.Carroll,correspondent ofthePhiladelphiaPublicLedger,andmyself,repre sentingtheChicagoTribuneanditsassociatedpapers, weretheonlytwonewspapermenwhowentintothe linewiththementhatnight.Forenjoyingthisunusual opportunity,wewerebotharrestedseveraldayslater, not,however,untilafterwehadobtainedthefirst-hand storyofthegreatevent. Ameandrizzleofrainwasfallingthatnight,butit feltcoolonthepinkAmericancheeksthatwerehotwith excitement.Theverywetnessoftheairimpregnated allit touchedwiththemomentousnessofthehour. Spiritswerehighandthemudwasdeep,butwewho weretherehadthefeelingthathistorywaschisellingthat night'sdateintoherbookofages. Occasionallyashellwheezedoverthroughthesoggy atmosphere,seemingtoleaveanunseenarcinthedark nessabove.Itwouldterminatewithasullenthumpin somespongy,water-soakedmoundbehindus.Thenan answeringmissiveofsteelwouldwhineawayintothe populatedinvisibilityinfrontofus. Frenchcomrades,inhalfEnglishandhalfFrench, gushedtheircongratulations,andshookusbythehand. Someofuswereevenhuggedandkissedonbothcheeks. OurmentooktheplacesofFrenchplatoonsthatwere sentbacktorestbillets.ButotherFrenchplatoons remainedshouldertoshoulderwithourmeninthefront line.Thepresenceofourtroopstherewasincontinu ationoftheirtrainingforthepurposeofprovidinga nucleusfortheconstructionoflatercontingents.Both ourinfantryandourartilleryactedinconjunctionwith theFrenchinfantryandartilleryandthesectorremained underFrenchcommand. WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 153

OurmenwereeagertoaskquestionsandtheFrench wereeverreadytorespond.Theyfirsttoldusabout thedifferenceinthesoundofshells.Nowthatonethat startedwithabarkinbackofusandwhinedoverour headsisadepart.ItisanAlliedshellonitswaytothe Germans.Now,thisone,thatwhinesoverfirstand endswitha distantgrunt,likea strongwallopona wetcarpet,isanarrivee.IthasarrivedfromGermany. Inthedugouts,ourmensmokeddozensofcigarettes, lightingfreshonesfromthehalf-consumedbutts.Itis theappetitethatcomeswiththeprogressiverealisation ofalongdeferredhope.Itisthetensionthatcomes fromatlastarrivingatanobjectandthenfindingnoth ingtodo,nowthatyouarethere.Itisthenervousness thatnervelessyouthsuffersininactivity. Themensloshedbackandforththroughthemud alongthenarrowconfinesofthetrench.Theorderis againstmuchmovement,butimmobilityisunbearable. Wetslickersrustleagainstoneanotherinthenarrow traverses,andequipment,principallytheFrenchand Englishgasmasks,hangingateitherhipbecomeen tangledinthedarkness. Attimesasteelhelmetfallsfromsomeunaccustomed headand,hittingperhapsaprojectingrockinthetrench wall,givesfortha clangwhichisfollowedbycurses fromitsclumsyownerandanadmonitionofquietfrom someyounglieutenant. "Olson,keepyourdamnfoolheaddownbelowthe topofthattrenchoryou'llgetitblownoff."Theser geantistalking,andOlson,whobroughtfromMinne sotaakeendesiretoseeNoMan'sLandevenattherisk ofhislife,isforcedtorepresstheyearning. "TwomenoverinBCompanyjustgotholesdrilled throughtheirbeansfordoingthesamething,"contin 154 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

uedthesergeant."There'snothingyoucanseeout thereanyhow.It'salldarkness." Eitherconsciouslyorunconsciously,thesergeantwas lying,forthepurposeofsavingOlsonandothersfrom afool'sfate.Therewasnotasinglecasualtyinany Americanunitonthelinethatfirstnight. "Whereisthetelephonedugout?"ayounglieutenant askedhisFrenchcolleague."Iwanttospeaktothe battalioncommander." "ButyoumustnotspeakEnglishoverthetelephone," repliedtheFrenchman,"theGermanswillhearyouwith theinstrumentstheyusetotaptheundergroundcir cuit." "ButIwasgoingtouseourAmericancode,"saidthe frontlinenovice;"iftheGermanstapintheywon'tbe abletofigureoutwhatitmeans." "Ah,no,myfriend,"repliedtheFrenchman,smiling. "Theywon'tknowwhatthemessagemeans,butyour voiceandlanguagewillmeantothemthatAmericans areoccupyingthesectorinfrontofthem,andwewant togivethemthatinformationinanotherway,n'estce pas?" UndoubtedlytherewassomeconcernintheGerman trenchesjustoverthewaywithregardtowhatwas takingplaceinourlines.Reliefperiodsareticklish intervalsforthesidemakingthem.Itisquitepossible thatsomeintimationofourpresencemayhavebeen given. Therewasconsiderableconversationandmovement amongourmenthatnight.Jimmyfounditfrequently necessarytocalltheattentionofJohnnytosomenew thinghehaddiscovered.Andofaconsequence,much natural,butneedless,chatteringresulted. IbelievetheGermansdidbecomenervousbecausethey WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 155 maderepeatedattacksontheenvelopingdarknesswith numbersofstarshells.Theseaerialbeautiesofnight warfarereleasedfromtheirexplodingencasementshigh intheair,hungfromwhitesilkparachutesabovethe Americanamateurs. Thenumerouscompanyandbatteryjestersdidnot refrainfromimitativeexpressionsof"Ahs"and"Ohs" and"Ain'titbootiful?"astheirlaughingupturnedfaces wereilluminatedinthewhitelight. Thatnightonerocketwentupshortlybeforemorn ing.Ithadadifferenteffectfromitspredecessors.It reareditselffromthedarknesssomewhereontheleft. Itsflightwasnoiselessasitmountedhigherandhigher onitsfierystaff.Thenitburstinashowerofgreen ballsoffire. Thatmeantbusiness.Onegreenrocketwasthesignal thattheGermansweresendingovergasshells.Itwas analarmthatmeantthedonningofgasmasks.Onthey wentquickly.Itwasthefirsttimethisequipmenthad beenadjustedunderemergencyconditions,yetthemen appearedtohavemasteredthecontrivances. Thenthewordwaspassedalongthetrenchesand throughthedugoutsfortheremovalofthemasks.It hadnotbeena Frenchsignal.Thegreenrockethad beensentupbytheGermans.Theenemywasusing greenrocketsthatnightasasignaloftheirown.There hadbeennogasshells.Itwasafalsealarm. "Thebestkindofpracticeintheworld,"saidoneof ourbattalioncommanders;"it'sjustthestuffwe'rehere for.I hopetheGermanshappentodothateverynight anewbunchofourmengetinthesetrenches." Whiletheinfantrywereexperiencingtheseinitial thrillsinthefrontline,ourgunnerswerestrugglingin themudoftheblackgunpitstogettheirpiecesinto 156 ANDTHEYTHOUGHT positioninthequickestpossibletime,andachievethe honouroffiringthatfirstAmericanshotinthewar. Eachbatteryworkedfeverishlyinintensecompetition witheveryotherbattery.BatteryAofthe6thField, *owhichI hadattachedmyself,lostintheraceforthe honour.Anotherbatteryinthesameregimentaccom plishedtheachievement. ThatwasBatteryCofthe6thFieldArtillery.Iam reproducing,herewith,forwhatI believeisthefirst time,theexactfiringdataonthatshotandtheofficers andmenwhotookpartinit.

Byalmostsuperhumanworkthroughtheentirepre viousdayandnight,detailsofmenfromBatteryChadl^ pulledonecannonbyropesacrossamuddy,almostim passable,meadow.Soanxiousweretheytogetoffthe firstshotthattheydidnotstopformeals. Theymanagedtodragthepieceintoanoldabandoned Frenchgunpit.Thehistoricalpositionofthatgunwas onekilometredueeastofthetownofBathelemontand threehundredmetresnortheastoftheBauzemont-Bath- elemontroad.Thepositionwaslocatedtwomilesfrom theoldinternationalboundarylinebetweenFranceand German-Lorraine.Thepositionwasoneandone-half kilometresbackoftheFrenchfirstline,thenoccupied byAmericans. Thefirstshotwasfiredat6:5:ioA.M.,October23rd, 1917.Thosewhoparticipatedinthefiringoftheshot wereasfollows:

LieutenantF.M.Mitchell,U.S.R.,actedasplatoonchief. CorporalRobertBraleylaidthepiece. SergeantElwardWarthenloadedthepiece. WEWOULDN'TFIGHT •57

SergeantFrankGrabowskipreparedthefuseforcutting. PrivateLouisVaradypreparedthefuseforcutting. PrivateJohnJ.Wodarczakpreparedthefuseforcutting. CorporalOsborneW.DeVarilapreparedthefusefor cutting. SergeantLonnieDomonickcutthefuse. CaptainIdusR.McLendongavethecommandtofire. SergeantAlexL.Archfiredfirstshot.

Themissilefiredwasa75millimetreor3-inchhigh* explosiveshell.ThetargetwasaGermanbatteryof 150milimetreor6-inchgunslocatedtwokilometresback oftheGermanfirstlinetrenches,andonekilometrein backoftheboundarylinebetweenFranceandGerman* Lorraine.Thepositionofthatenemybatteryonthe mapwasinafield100metreswestofthetownwhich theFrenchstillcallXanrey,butwhichtheGermanshave calledSchenrissincetheytookitfromFrancein1870. Nearthatspot—anddamnnear—fellthefirstAmerican shellfiredinthegreatwar.

Note:ItispeculiartonotethatI amwritingthis chapteratAtlanticCity,October23rd,1018,justone yeartothedayaftertheevent.Thatshotsurelystarted something. i58 ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

CHAPTERVIII

THEFIRSTAMERICANSECTOR

ItwasintheLunevillesector,describedinthepre cedingchapter,thatthefirstAmericanfightingmen facedtheGermansonthewesternfront.Itwasthere thattheenemycaptureditsfirstAmericanprisoners inasmallmidnightraid; itwastherethatwecaptured someprisonersoftheirs,andinflictedourfirstGerman casualties;itwastherethatthefirstAmericanfighting manlaiddownhislifeonthewesternfront. Inspiteofthesefacts,however,theoccupationof thosefrontlinepostsinthatsectorconstitutednothing morethanapost-graduatecourseintrainingunderthe capabledirectionofFrenchinstructorswhoadvisedour officersandmenineverythingtheydid. Attheconclusionofthecourse,whichextendedover anumberofweeks,theAmericanforcesengagedinit werewithdrawnfromthelineandretiredforawell- earnedrestperiodandforreorganisationpurposesin areasbackoftheline.Theretheyrenewedequipment andpreparedfortheoccupationofthefirstail-American sectoronthewesternfront. ThatsectorwaslocatedinLorrainesomedistanceto theeastoftheLunevillefront.Itwasnorthandslightly westofthecityofToul.Itwasontheeastsideofthe St.Mihielsalient,thenoccupiedbytheGermans. ThesectoroccupiedapositioninwhattheFrench calledthePont-a-Moussonfront.Ourmenweretooc cupyaneight-milesectionofthefrontlinetrenchesex tendingfromapointwestofthetownofFlirey,toa WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 159 pointwestoftheruinsofthetownofSeicheprey.The positionwasnotfarfromtheFrenchstrongholdof VerduntothenorthwestortheGermanstrongholdof Metztothenortheast,andwasequidistantfromboth. ThatlinechangedfromFrenchbluetoAmerican khakionthenightofJanuary21st.Thesectorbecame Americanatmidnight.I watchedthemenasthey marchedintotheline.Insmallsquadstheyproceeded silentlyuptheroadtowardthenorth,fromwhichdi rectionarawwindbroughtoccasionalsoundsresembling thefallingofsteelplatesonthewoodenfloorofalong corridor. Ahalfmoondoublyringedbymist,madethehazy nightlookgrey.Atintervals,phantomflashesflushed thesky.Themudoftheroadwayformedacolourless pastethatmademarchingnotunlikeskatingonaplatter ofglue. Thiswastheirdepartureforthefront—thisparticular battalion—thefirstbattalionofthe16thUnitedStates Infantry.Iknew,andeverymaninitknew,whatwas beforethem. Eachmanwasinforalongtourofdutyintrenches knee-deepwithmeltedsnowandmud.Eachplatoon commanderknewtheparticularportionofthatbattle- batteredbogintowhichhemustleadhismen.Each companycommanderknewthesectionofshell-punc tured,swamplandthatwashistohold,andthebattalion commander,aveteranAmericansoldier,waswellaware oftheparticularperilsofthepositionwhichhisone thousandormoremenweregoingtooccupyinthevery jaw-jointofa narrowingsalient. AllbranchesoftheUnitedStatesmilitaryforcesmay takespecialprideinthatfirstbattalionthatwentinto thenewAmericanlinethatnight.Thecommander i6o "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT representedtheU.S.OfficersReserveCorps,andthe otherofficersandmenwerefromthereserves,thereg ulars,WestPoint,theNationalGuardandtheNational Army.Moreover,theorganisationcomprisedmenfrom allpartsoftheUnitedStatesaswellasmenwhosepar entshadcomefromalmosteveryraceandnationality intheworld.Onecompanyalonepossessedsucha babbleofdialectsamongitsnewAmericans,thatit proudlycalleditself,theForeignLegion. Fortwodaysthebattalionhadrestedinthemudof thesemi-destroyedvillageofAnsauville,severalmiles backofthefront.Abroad,shallowstream,thenat theflood,woundthroughandovermostofthevillage site.Walkinganywhereneartheborderofthewater, onepulledaboutwithhimpoundsoftenacious,black gumbo.Dogsandhogs,ducksandhorses,andmen,— allwerepaintedwithnature'shandiestcamouflage. Wherethestreamleftthegapingruinsofastone houseontheedgeofthevillage,therewasawell-kept Frenchgraveyard,clingingtotheslopeofasmallhill. Abovetheruinsofthehamlet,stoodthesteepleofthe oldstonechurch,fromwhichitwascustomarytoring thealarmwhentheGermanssentovertheirshellsof poisongas. Ourofficersbusiedthemselveswithunfinishedsup plyproblems.Suchmattersasrubberbootsforthemen, duckboardsforthetrenches,foodforthemules,and rationcontainersnecessaryfortheconveyanceofhot foodtothefrontlines,werenotpermittedtointerfere withthebattalion'smovements.Inwar,thereisal waysthealternativeofdoingwithoutordoingwith makeshifts,andthatparticularbattalioncommander, afterthreeyearsofwar,wasthekindofasoldierwho WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 161 madethebestofcircumstancesnomatterhowadverse theymayhavebeen. ThatcommanderwasMajorGriffiths.Hewasan Americanfightingman.Hismilitaryrecordbeganin thePhilippineInsurrection,when,asa sergeantina TennesseeregimentofNationalGuard,hewasmen tionedinordersforconspicuousgallantry.Atthesup pressionoftheinsurrection,hebecameamajorinthe UnitedStatesConstabularyinthePhilippines.Here signedhismajorityin 1914,enteredtheAustralian forces,andwaswoundedwiththeminthebloodylanding atGallipoli.HewasinvalidedtoEngland,where,upon hispartialrecovery,hewaspromotedtomajorinthe BritishforcesandwassenttoFranceincommandofa battalionoftheSherwoodForesters.Withthem,he receivedtwomorewounds,oneattheBattleofYpres, andanotherduringthefightingaroundLoos. HewasinanEnglishhospitalwhenAmericaentered thewar,buthehurriedhisconvalescenceandobtained atransferbacktothearmyofhisowncountry.He hadn'tregainedasyetthefulluseofhisrighthand,his facestillretainedahospitalpallor,andanX-rayphoto graphofhisbodyrevealedthepresenceofnumerous piecesofshellstilllodgedthere.Butonthatnight ofJanuary21st,hecouldnotconcealthepridethathe feltinthehonourinhavingbeentheonechosentocom mandthebattalionofAmericansthatwastotakeover thefirstAmericansectorinFrance.MajorGriffiths survivedthosestrenuousdaysonthePont-a-Mousson front,buthereceivedafatalwoundthreemonthslater attheheadofhisbattalioninfrontofCatigny,in Picardy.Hediedfightingunderhisownflag. Justbeforedaylightfailedthatwintryday,three poiluswalkeddowntheroadfromthefrontandinto l62 'ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

Ansauville.Twoofthemwerehelpingathird,whose bandagedarmandshoulderexplainedthemissionof theparty.Astheypassedtherollingkitchenswhere theAmericanswerereceivingtheirlastmealbeforeen teringthetrenches,therewassilenceandnotevenan exchangeofgreetingsorsmiles. Thislackofexpressiononlyindicatedthedepthof feelingstirredbytheappearanceofthiswoundedFrench soldier.Theincident,althoughcomparativelytrivial, seemedtoarousewithinourmenasolemngrimnessand amoreferventdeterminationtopaybacktheenemy inkind.Insilence,ourmenfinishedthatlastmeal, whichconsistedofcoldcornedbeef,twoslicesofdry breadperman,andcoffee. Thesightofthatonewoundedmandidnotmakeour boysrealisemorethantheyalreadydid,whatwasin frontofthem.Theyhadalreadymadeafortymile marchoverfrozenroadsuptothisplaceandhadin curreddiscomfortsseeminglygreaterthanashell-shat teredarmorabullet-fracturedshoulder.Afterthat gruellinghikingexperience,itwasapleasantprospectto lookforwardtoachanceofventingone'sfeelingson theenemy. Atthesametime,nochip-on-the-shouldercockiness markedthedispositionofthesemenabouttotakefirst gripswiththeGermans,—nochallengingbravadowas revealedintheactionsorstatementsofthesegrim, serioustrail-blazersoftheAmericanfront,whoseatti tudeappearedtobeoneofsoldierlyresignationtothe firstmartialprinciple,"Ordersisorders." Asthecompanieslinedupinthevillagestreetin fullmarchingorder,awaitingthecommandtomove, severalhalf-heartedattemptsatjocularitydiedcold. Oneirrepressiblemadeafutileattemptatfrivolityby WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 163

announcingthathehadCherokeebloodinhisveinsand wassotoughhecould"spitbattleships."Thisattempted jocularitydrewasmuchmirthasanundertaker'sfinal invitationtothemournerstotakethelast,longlookat thedeparted. Onebright-facedyoungstertinglingwiththethrillof anticipation,leapedona guncarriageandabsently whistledashrillmedley,beginningwith"Yaka-hula," andendingwith"JustaSongatTwilight."Therewas foodforthoughtintheprogressofhiseffortsfromthe frivoloustothepensive,buttherewaslittletimeforsuch thoughts.Nooneeventoldhimtoshutup. Whiletherewasstilllight,anaerialbattletookplace overhead.Forfifteenminutes,theFrenchanti-aircraft gunsbangedawayatthreeGermanplanes,whichwere audaciouslysailingoverourlines.TheAmericans rootedlikebleacheritesforthegunsbutthehometeam failedtoscore,andtheGermanssailedserenelyhome. Theyapparentlyhadhadtimetomakeadequateobserva tions. Duringtheentireafternoon,Germansausageballoons hadhunghighintheairbackofthehostileline,offering additionaladvantagesforenemyobservation.Onthe highroadleadingfromAnsauville,aconspicuoussign L'enemievoitsvoitinformednewcomersthatGerman eyeswerewatchingtheirmovementsandcouldinterfere atanytimewitha longrangeshell.Thefactwas thattheGermansheldhighgroundandtheirglasses couldcommandalmostalloftheterrainbackofour lines. Underthisseeminglyeternalespionagepunctuatedat intervalsbyheavyshelling,severaloldwomenofthe villagehadremainedintheirhomes,livingabovethe groundonquietdaysandmovingtheirknittingtothe 164 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

frontyarddugoutattimeswhengasandshellandbomb interfered.Someofthesewomenoperatedsmallshops inthefrontroomsoftheirdamagedhomesandthe Americanslinedupinfrontofthewindowcounters andexchangeddirtyFrenchpapermoneyforcanned patedefoigrasorjarsofmustard. Amachineguncompanywithmule-drawncartsledthe movementfromAnsauvilleintothefront.Itwasfol lowedatfiftyyardintervalsbyothersections.Progress downthatroadwasexecutedinsmallgroups—itwas bettertoloseonewholesectionthananentirecom pany. Thathighroadtothefront,withitsborderofshell- witheredtrees,wasrevealedthatnightagainstabluish greyhorizonoccasionallyrimmedwithred.Against thesky,themovinggroupsweredefinedasimpersonal blackblocks.Younglieutenantsmarchedaheadofeach platoon.Inthehazylight,itwasdifficulttodistinguish them.Theonlydifferencewasthattheirhipsseemed bulkierfromtheheavysacks,fieldglasses,mapcases, canteens,pistolholstersandcartridgeclips. Eachsection,asitmarchedoutofthevillage,passed undertheeyeofMajorGriffiths,whosatonhishorse intheblackshadowofawall.Asergeantcommanding onesectionwascomingtowardhim. "Halt!"orderedtheMajor."Sergeant,whereisyour helmet?" "Oneofthemeninmysectioniswearingit,sir," repliedtheSergeant. "Why?"snappedtheMajor. "Somebodytookhisandhehadn'tany,"saidthe Sergeant,"soI madehimwearmine,sir." "Getitbackandwearityourself,"theMajorordered. WEWOULDN'TFIGHT 165

"Nothingcouldhurttheheadofamanwhocouldn't hangontohisownhelmet." Theorderwasobeyed,thesectionmarchedonanda bareheadedIrishmanoutofhearingoftheMajorsaid, "ItoldtheSergeantnottomakemewearit;I don't needthedamnthing." Anothersectionpassedforward,themoonlightgleam ingonthehelmetsjauntilycockedoveroneearand castingblackshadowsoverthefacesofthewearers. Fromtheseshadowsglowedreddotsoffire. "Dropthosecigarettes,"camethecommandfromthe allwatchful,unseenpresencemountedonthehorseinthe shadowofthewall.Automatically,thesectionspouted redarcsthatfelltotheroadoneithersideinashower ofsparks. "It'sadamnshametodothat."MajorGriffithspoke tomestandingbesidehishorse."Youcan'tseea cigarettelightfiftyyardsaway,butiftherewereno ordersagainstsmoking,themenwouldbelighting matchesordumpingpipes,andsuchflashescanbeseen." Therewasneedforcaution.Theenemywasalways watchfulforanintervalwhenoneorganisationwasre lievinganotherontheline.Thatperiodrepresented thetimewhenanattackcouldcausethegreatestconfu sionintheranksofthedefenders.Butthatnightour menaccomplishedthereliefoftheFrenchMoroccan divisiontheninthelinewithoutincident.

Twonightslater,incompanywithapartyofcorre spondents,I paidamidnightvisittoourmeninthe frontlinetrenchesofthatfirstAmericansector.With alllightsout,cigarettestabooedandthesirensilenced, ouroverloadedmotorslushedslowlyalongtheshell- pittedroads,carefullyskirtinggroupsofmarchingmen i66 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT andlumberingsupplywagonsthattookshapesuddenly outofthemist-ladenroadinfrontofus. Althoughitwasnotraining,moistureseemedtodrip fromeverything,andvapoursfromtheground,mixing withthefogoverhead,almostobscuredthehard-working moon. Inthegreynessofthenightsightandsmelllosttheir keenness,andfamiliarobjectsassumedunnaturalforms, grotesqueandindistinct. Fromsomewhereaheaddull,muffledthumpsinthemist broughtmemoriesofspringhousecleaningandthedust ingoutofoldcushions,butitwasreallythethree-year- oldsongoftheguns.Naturehadcensoredobservation bycoveringthespectaclewiththemantleofindefinite- ness.Stillthiswasthebigthingwehadcometosee— nightworkinandbehindthefrontlinesoftheAmeri cansector. Weapproachedanengineers'dump,wherethephan tomsoffoggraduallymaterialisedintohelmetedkhaki figuresthatmovedinmudknee-deepandcarriedboxes andplanksandbundlesoftools.Totalsilencecovered alltheactivityandnotarayoflightrevealedwhatmys terieshadbeenworkedhereinsurroundingsthatseemed nopartofthisworld. Anirregularpileofrockloomedgreyandsinister beforeus,and,lookingupward,wejudged,fromits gapingwalls,thatitwastheremainsofachurchsteeple. ItwasthedominatingruininthetownofBeaumont. "Turnheretotheleft,"theofficerconductingourparty whisperedintotheearofthedriver. Thesuddenexecutionofthecommandcausedtheoffi cer'shelmettoraspagainstthatofthedriverwitha soundthatsetthecautiouswhisperingtonaught. "Parkhereintheshadow,"hecontinued."Makeno WEWOULDN'TFIGHT 167 noise; shownolight.Theydroppedshellsheretenmin utesago.Gentlemen,thisisregimentalheadquarters. Followme." Inawellbuttressedcellar,surmountedbyapileof ruins,wefoundthecolonelsittingatawoodentablein frontofagrandfather'sclockofscratchedmahogany. Hecalledtheroll—fivespecialcorrespondents,Captain Chandler,Americanpressofficer,withagoateeandfur coattomatch;CaptainVielcastel,aFrenchpressofficer, whoisamarquisandspeaksEnglish,andalieutenant frombrigadeheadquarters,whoalreadyhadbeennamed "WhisperingWillie." Thecolonelofferedstickstothosewiththecanehabit. Withtworunnersinthelead,westarteddownwhathad beenthemainstreetoftheruinedvillage. "Ican'tunderstandthedroppingofthatshellover hereto-night,"thecolonelsaid."Whenwerelievedthe French,therehadbeenalong-standingagreementagainst suchdiscourtesy.It'shardtobelievetheBochewould makeascrapofpaperoutofthatagreement.Theymust havehadanewgunneronthepiece.Wesentbacktwo shellsintotheirregimentalheadquarters.Theyhave beenquietsince." Tenminutes'walkthroughthemud,andthecolonel stoppedtoannounce: "Withinahundredyardsofyou,a numberofmenareworking.Canyouhear'em?" Noonecould,soheshowedusalonglineofsweating Americansstretchingoffsomewhereintothefog.Their jobwasmoreoftheendlesstrenchdiggingandimprov ingbehindthelines.Whileonepartyswungpickand spadeinthetrenches,reliefpartiessleptontheground nearby.Thecolonelexplainedthatthesepartiesarrived afterdark,workedallnight,andthencarefullycamou flagedallevidencesofnewearthanddepartedbefore i68 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT daylight,leavingnotraceoftheirnight'sworktobedis coveredbypryingairman.Oftentheworkwascarried onunderanintermittentshelling,butthatnightonly twoshellshadlandednearthem. AnAmerican-mannedfieldgunshatteredthesilence, soclosetousthatwecouldfeelitsbreathandhada greaterrespectforitsbite.Theproximityofthegun hadnotevenbeenguessedbyanyofourparty.Ayel lowstabofflameseemedtoburnthemistthroughwhich theshellscreechedonitswaytowardGermany. CorrespondentJuniusWoods,whowaswearingan oversizedpairofhiprubberboots,immediatelystrapped thetopstohisbelt. "Iamtakingnochance,"hesaid;"Ialmostjumped outofthemthattime.Theyoughttosendmenoutwith aredflagbeforetheypulloffablastlikemat." Thecolonelthenleftusandwiththewhisperinglieu tenantandrunnersinadvance,wecontinuedtowardthe front. "Walkinpartiesoftwo,"wastheorderofthesoft- tonedsubaltern."Eachpartykeeptenyardsapart. Don'tsmoke.Don'ttalk.Thisroadisreachedbytheir fieldpieces.Theyalsocoveritwithindirectmachine gunfire.Theysnipedthebrigadecommanderright alongherethismorning.Hehadtogetdownintothe mud.I canaffordtolosesomeofyou,butnottheen tireparty.Ifanythingcomesover,youaretojump intothecommunicatingtrenchesontherightsideof theroad." Hisinstructionswereobeyedanditwasalmostwith reliefthat,tenminuteslater,wefollowedhimdownthe slipperysideofthemuddybankandlandedinfrontof adugout. Inthelong,narrow,low-ceilingedshelterwhichcom WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 169 pletelytunnelledtheroadatadepthoftwentyfeet,two twenty-year-oldAmericanswerehuggingabrazierfilled withcharcoal.Inthisdugoutwashousedagroupfrom amachinegunbattalion,someofwhosememberswere snoringinadoubletierofbunksontheside. Deeptrenchesattheotherendofthedugoutledto thegunpits,wherethisnewarmoftheserviceoperated atrangesoftwomiles.Thesespecialsquadsfiredover theheadsofthoseinfrontofthemoroverthecontours ofthegroundandputdownaleadenbarrageonthe frontlineoftheGermans.Thefiringnotonlywasin directbutwaswithoutcorrectionfromtherectifying observation,ofwhichtheartilleryhadthebenefitby watchingtheburstoftheirmissiles. Regainingtheroad,wewalkedonthroughtheruins ontheedgeofthevillageofSeicheprey,whereourway ledthroughadrunkencolonyofleaningwallsandbrick piles. Herewasthebattalionheadquarters,locatedunder neaththeoldstonesofabarnwhichwastoppedbythe barestskeletonofaroof.Whathadbeenthefirstfloor ofthestructurehadbeenweighteddownheavilywith railroadironandconcretetoformtheroofofthecom mander'sdugout.Thesidesofthedecrepitstructure bulgedoutwardandwerepreventedfromburstingby timberpropsradiatingonallsideslikethelegsofacenti pede.Amuleteamstoodinfrontofthedugout. "What'sthat?"thewhisperinglieutenantinquiredin hushedtonesfromasoldierintheroad,ashepointed overthemulestothebattalionheadquarters. "What'swhat?"thesoldierrepliedwithoutrespect. Theobscurityofnightisagreatreducerofranks. Inthemistofficerandmanlookalike. "Why,that?"repeated"WhisperingWillie"inlower, 170 ANDTHEYTHOUGHT butangriertones."What'sthatthere?"hereiterated, pointingatthemules. "Can'tyouseeit'smules?"repliedthemaninanim moderatetoneofvoice,betrayingannoyance. Weweresparedwhatfollowed.Thelieutenantun doubtedlyconfirmedhisrank,andthemanundoubtedly proffereduntohimtherespectwithheldbymistake.When "WhisperingWillie"joinedusseveralminuteslaterin thedugout,hishelmetrodeonthebackofhishead,but hisdignitywasonstraight. TheBattalionCommander,MajorGriffith,wassoglad toseeusthathesentforanotherbottleofthemurky greywaterthatcamefromawellononesideofawell populatedgraveyardnotfiftyyardsfromhispost. "Agoodnight,"hesaid;"haven'tseenitsoquietin threeyears.Wehaveinter-battalionreliefon.Some newcompaniesaretakingoverthelines.Someofthem arenewtothefronttrenchesandI'mgoingoutwith youandputthemupontheirtoes.WaittillI report in." Herangthefieldtelephoneonthewallandwaited forananswer.Anoillamphungfromalowceilingover themaptable.Inthehot,smokyairwequietlyheld ourplaceswhiletheconnectionwasmade. "Hello,"theMajorsaid,"operator,connectmewith Milwaukee."Anotherwait "Hello,Milwaukee,thisisLarson.I'mtalkingfrom Hamburg.I'mleavingthispostwithadeckofcards andarunner.IfyouwantmeyoucangetmeatConey IslandorHinkyDink's.Wurtzburgerwillsitinhere." "Somecode,Major,"LincolnEyre,correspondent, said."Whatdoesapackofcardsindicate?" "Why,anybodywhocomesoutherewhenhedoesn't havetoisafunnycard,"theMajorreplied,"anditlooks

GRAVEOFFIRSTAMERICANKILLEDINFRANCE Translation:HereLietheFirstSoldiersoftheGreatRepublic oftheUnitedStatesofAmerica,FallenonFrenchSoilfor JusticeandforLiberty,November3rd,1917

WEWOULDN'TFIGHT asifIhaveapackofthemto-night.Fritzgetsquitea fewthingsthatgooverourwiresandwegetlotsofhis. Allaretappedbyinduction. "Sometimesthestuffwegetisimportantandsome timesitisn't.Ourwiretappingreportlastnightcar riedapassagesomethinglikethis:—TheGermanopera toratonepostspeakingtotheoperatoratanothersaid: "'Hello,Herman,wheredidthatlastshelldrop?' "Secondoperatorreplied,'Itkilledtwomeninara tionpartyinacommunicatingtrenchandspiltallthe soup.Nohotfoodforyouto-night,Rudolph.' "Hermanreplying:'That'sallright.Wehavegot somebeerhere.' "ThentherewasaconfusionofsoundsandaGerman washeardtalkingtosomeoneinhisdugout.Hesaid: "'Hurry,herecomesthelieutenant! Hidethecan!' "That'sthewayitgoes,"addedtheMajor,"butif weheardthatthesocietyeditoroftheFlicgendeBlaetter andhalfadozenpencilstrafersweretouringtheGer manfrontline,we'dsend'emoversomethingthatwould start'emhummingahymnofhate.IftheyknewI was joyridingapartyofcorrespondentsaroundthediggin's to-night,theymightgiveyousomethingtowriteabout andcostmeaplatoonortwo.You'renotworthit. Comeon." Ourpartynownumberednineandwepushedoff, stumblingthroughunevenlanesinthecentreofdimly litruins.Accordingtoorders,wecarriedgasmasksin ahandyposition. Thissectorhadanastyreputationwhenitcomesto thatsampleofTeutonicculture.Fritz'spoisonshells droppedalmostnoiselesslyand,withoutareport,broke open,liberatingtoenormousexpansiontheinclosedgases. Thesespreadinalldirections,and,owingtothelowness 172 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT anddampnessoftheterrain,thepoisoncloudswereim perceptiblebothtosightorsmell.Theyclungcloseto thegroundtoclaimunsuspectingvictims. "Howarewetoknowifwearebreathinggasornot?" askedthePhiladelphiacorrespondent,Mr.HenriBazin. "That'sjustwhatyoudon'tknow,"repliedtheMajor. "Thenwhenwillweknowitistimetoadjustour masks?"Bazinpersisted. "Whenyouseesomeonefallwhohasbreathedit," theMajorsaid. "Butsupposewebreatheitfirst?" "Thenyouwon'tneedamask,"theMajorreplied, "Yousee,it'squitesimple." "Halt!"Thesharpcommand,comingsternlybut nottooloudfromsomewhereintheadjacentmist, broughtthepartytoastandstillintheopenontheedge ofthevillage.WeremainednotionlesswhiletheMajor advanceduponcommandfromtheunseen.Herejoined usinseveralminuteswiththeremarkthatthechallenge hadcomefromoneofhisoldmen,andheonlyhoped thenewcompaniestakingoverthelinethatnightwere asmuchontheirjobs. "Reliefnightalwaysistrying,"theMajorexplained. "Fritzalwayslikestojumpthenewcomersbeforethey getthelayoftheland.Hetrieditonthelastrelief, butweburnthim." WhiletalkingtheMajorwasleadingthewaythrough thefirsttrenchI hadeverseenabovethesurfaceofthe ground.Thebottomofthetrenchwasnotonlyona levelwiththesurroundingterrain,butinsomeplaces itwasevenhigher.Itswalls,whichrosealmosttothe heightofaman'shead,weremadeoflargewickerwoven cylindersfilledwithearthandstones. Ourguideinformedusthatthelandwhichwewere WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 173 traversingwassolowthatanytrenchdugintheground wouldsimplybeaditchbrimfulofundrainablewater, sothat,inasmuchasthispositionwasinthefirstline system,wallshadbeenbuiltoneithersideofthepathto protectpassers-byfromshellfragmentsandindirectma chinegunfire.Weobservedonelargebreakwherea shellhadenteredduringtheevening. Fartheron,thiscommunicatingpassage,whichwas morecorridorthantrench,reachedhighergroundand descendedintotheearth.Wereeledthroughitszig zagcourse,staggeringfromoneslantingcornerto another. ThesideswerefairlywellretainedbyFrenchwicker work,buteveryeighthortenthduckboardwasmissing, makingitnecessaryfortrenchtravellerstostepknee-deep incoldwaterortojumpthegap.CorrespondentEyre, whowaswearingshoesandputtees,abhorredthese breaks. WepassedtheMajor'spostofcommand,whichhe usedduringintenseaction,andsomedistanceon,entered thefrontline.WiththeMajorleading,wewalkedupto aplacewheretwoAmericanswerestandingonafiring stepwiththeirriflesextendedacrosstheparapet.They weresilentlypeeringintothegreymistoverNoMan's Land.Oneofthemlookedaroundasweapproached. ApparentlyherecognisedtheMajor'scaneasasymbol ofrank.Hecametoattention. "Well,"theMajorsaid,"isthisthewayyouletus walkuponyou?Whydon'tyouchallengeme?" "Isawyouwasanofficer,sir,"themanreplied. "Now,youareabsolutelysureI amyourofficer?" theMajorsaidslowlyandcoldly,withemphasisonthe word"your.""SupposeItellyouIamaGermanofficer »74 ANDTHEYTHOUGHT andthesemenbehindmeareGermans.Howdoyou know?" Witha quickmovementtheAmericanbroughthis rifleforwardtothechallenge,hisrighthandslappingthe woodenbuttwithanaudiblewhack. "Advanceone,andgivethecountersign,"hesaidwith achangedvoiceandmannerandtheMajor,movingto withinwhisperingdistance,breathedthewordoverthe man'sextendedbayonet.Uponhearingit,thesoldier loweredhisgunandstoodatattention. Itwasdifficulttofigurewhetherhisreliefoverthe scarewasgreaterthanhisfearsofthecensureheknew wascoming. "Nexttimeanybodygetsthatclosetoyouwithout beingchallenged,"theMajorsaid,"don'tbesurprised ifitisaGerman.That'sthewaytheydoit. Theydon't marchinsinging'DeutschlandUberAlles.' "Ifyouseethemfirst,youmightlivethroughthewar. Iftheyseeyoufirst,wewillhavewastedalotofLib ertybondsandefforttryingtomakeasoldieroutofyou. Now,remember,watchyourself." Wepushedonencounteringlongerpatchesoftrench whereduckboardswereentirelymissingandwherethe wadingsometimeswasknee-deep.Insomeplaces,either thepoundingofshellsorthethawingoutoftheground hadpushedintherevetments,appreciablynarrowingthe wayandmakingprogressmoredifficult.Arrivingatan unmannedfiringsteplargeenoughtoaccommodatethe party,wemountedandtookafirstlookoverthetop. Moonlightnowwasstrongerthroughthemistwhich hungfoldoverfoldovertheforbiddenlandbetweenthe opposingbattlelines.Atintervalsnervousmachineguns chatteredtheirghoulishgibberishortut-tut-t«daway WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 175 chidinglylikefinickyspinsters.Theirintermittentsput teringtotherightandleftofuswasunenlightening.We couldn'ttellwhethertheywerespeakingGermanorEng lish.Occasionalbulletswhiningsomewherethroughthat wetairgaveforthsoundsresemblingtherippingoflinen sheets. Artilleryfirewastheexceptionduringtheentirenight, butwhenashelldidtraceitsunseenarcthroughthemist mantle,itsechoesgaveitthesoundofastreetcargrind ingthroughanunder-rivertunnelorthetubereverbera tionsofadepartingsubwaytrain. WeweretwohundredyardsfromtheGermanfront lines.Betweentheirtrenchesandours,atthispoint,was lowland,soboggyastobealmostimpassable.Theop posinglineshuggedthetopsoftwosmallridges. Fiftyyardsinfrontwasourwirebarelydiscernible inthefog.TheMajorinterruptedfivewordlessreveries byexpressing,withwhatalmostseemedregretfulness, thefactthatinallhisfightingexperiencehehadnever seenit"sodamnquiet."Hisobservationpassedwithout aremarkfromus. TheMajorappearedtobeitchingforactionandhegot intoofficialswingahundredyardsfartheron,wherea turninthetrenchrevealedtousthemuffledfiguresof twoyoungAmericans,comfortablyseatedongrenade boxesonthefiringstep. Fromtheireasypositionstheycouldlookoverthetop andwatchallapproacheswithoutrising.Eachonehad ablanketwrappedabouthislegsandfeet.Theylooked thepictureofease.Withoutmoving,one,withhisrifle acrosshislap,challengedtheMajor,advancedhim,and receivedthecountersign.WefollowedtheMajorintime tohearhisfirstremark: * "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

"Didn'ttheygettherockingchairsouthereyet?"he saidwiththeprovokedairthatcustomarilyaccompanies anycondemnationofthequartermasterdepartment. "No,sir,"repliedtheseatedsentry."Theydidn'tget here.Themenwerelievedsaidthattheynevergotany thingouthere." "Northefootstools?"theMajorcontinued,thistime withanunmistakabletone. Themandidn'tanswer. "Doyoutwothinkyouaretakingmoonbathsonthe Riviera?"theMajoraskedsternly."Youarelessthan twohundredyardsfromtheGermans.Youareall wrappeduplikeEgyptianmummies.Somebodycould leanoverthetopandsnakeoffyourheadwithatrench knifebeforeyoucouldgetyourfeetloose.Takethose blanketsoffyourfeetandstandup." Themenarosewithalacrity,sheddingtheblanketsand removingthegrenadeboxchairs.TheMajorcontinued: "Youknowyouarenotsittinginaclubwindowin FifthAvenueandwatchingthegirlsgoby.You'renot lookingforchickensoutthere.There'sa hawkover thereandsometimeshecarriesoffpreciouslittlelambs. Now,thenexttimeanybodystepsaroundthecornerof thattrench,youbeonyourfeetwithyourbayonetand gunreadytomixthings." ThelambssalutedastheMajormovedoffwithatrain offollowerswho,bythistime,werebeginningtofeel thatthesetrenchesheldotherlambs,onlytheycarried notebooksinsteadofcartridgebelts. Stoppinginfrontofadugout,theMajorgatheredus abouttoheartheconversationthatwasgoingonwithin. Throughthecracksofthedoor,welookeddownaflight ofsteepstairs,dugdeepintothisbattlefieldgraveyard. WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 177

Therewerelightsinthechamberbelowandthesoundof voicescameuptous.Onevoicewassingingsoftly. "Oh,theinfantry,theinfantry,withthedirtbehindtheir ears, Theinfantry,theinfantry,theydon'tgetanybeers, Thecavalry,theartillery,andthelousyengineers, Theycouldn'tlicktheinfantryinahundredmillionyears."

"Igotabrotherintheartillery,"cameanothervoice, "butIamreadytodisownhim.Theytalkalotaboutthis counterbatterywork,butit'sallbunk.Abatteryinpo sitionhasnicedeepdugoutsandhotchowallthetime. Theygetsupabout9o'clockinthemorningandshaves upallnicefortheday. "'Bout10o'clockthecaptainsays,'Iguesswewill dropafewshellsonthatGermanbatteryontheother sideofthehill.'Sotheypopsofffortyorfiftyrounds inthatgeneraldirectionanddon'thitanything'causethe Germanbatteryimmediatelyrootsdownintoitsnice,deep dugouts.Assoonasourbatterylaysoffandgetsback intoitsholes,theGermanbatterycomesoutandpops backfortyorfiftyat'emand,ofcourse,don'thurtthem neither. "Thenitistimeforlunch,andwhilebothofthesehere batteriesiseating,theygetsosoreaboutnothavinghit eachotherduringthemorning,thattheyjustcalloff counterbatteryworkforthedayandturntheirguns onthefrontlinesandblowhelloutoftheinfantry.I haven'tgotanyuseforanartilleryman.I'mbeginning tothinkallofthemGermansandAlliesarealikeandhas anagreementagainstthedoughboys." TheMajorinterruptedbyrappingsharplyonthe door. "Comein,"wasthepoliteandinnocentinvitationguile 178 ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

lesslyspokenfrombelow.TheMajorhadhishelmet on,sohecouldn'ttearhishair. "Comeuphere,youidiots,everyoneofyou." TheMajordirectedhisvoicedownintotheholeinan unmistakableandofficialtone.Therewasascurryingof feetandfourmenemergedcarryingtheirguns.They werelinedupagainstthetrenchwall. "Atmidnight,"theMajorbegan,"inyourdugoutin thefrontlinefortyyardsfromtheGermans,withno sentryatthedoor,youhearaknockonthedoorandyou shout,'Comein.'I commendyourpoliteness,andI knowthat'swhatyourmotherstaughtyoutosaywhen visitorscome,butthisisn'tanyteafightouthere.One Germancouldhavewiggledoverthetophereandstood inthisdoorwayandcapturedallfourofyousingle- handed,orhecouldhaverolledacoupleofbombsdown thatholeandblownallofyoutosmithereens.What's youraiminlife—hardlabourinaGermanprisoncamp oranicelittlewoodencrossoutherefourthousandmiles fromPunkinville?Whywasn'tthereanysentryatthat door?" Thequestionremainedunansweredbuttheincident haditseffectonthequartet.Withoutorders,allfour decidedtospendtheremainderofthenightonthefiring stepwiththeireyesgluedontheenemy'sline.They simplyhadn'trealisedtheywerereallyinthewar.The Majorknewthis,butmadeamentalreservationofwhich thecommanderofthisspecialplatoongotfullbenefit beforethenightwasover. Thefrontlinefromhereonwardfolloweda small ridgerunninggenerallyeastandwest,butnowbearing slightlytothenorthward.WeweretoldtheGermanline raninthesamegeneraldirection,butatthispointbore tothesouthward. WEWOULDN'TFIGHT' •79

Theopposinglinesinthedirectionofourcoursewere convergingandwewereapproachingtheplacewhere theyweretheclosestinthesector.IfGermanlistening postsheardtheprogressofourpartythroughtheline, onlyatelephonecallbacktotheartillerywasnecessary toplantashellamongus,aseverypointonthesystem wasregistered. Aswesilentlyconsideredvariouseventualitiesim materialtotheprosecutionofthewarbutnotwithout personalconcern,ourprogresswasbroughttoasudden standstill. "Huh-huh-halt!"camea drawn-outcommandina husky,throatystammer,weakerthanawhisper,froman, undersizedtin-hattedyoungsterplantedinthecentreof thetrenchnottenfeetinfrontofus.Hisleftfootwas forwardandhisbayonetedriflewasheldreadyfora thrust. "Huh-huh-huh-halt!"camethenervous,whispering commandagain,althoughwehadbeenmotionlesssince thefirstwhisper. Weheardaclickasthesafetycatchontheman's riflelockwasthrownoffandtheweaponmadereadyto discharge.TheMajorwaswatchingthenervoushand thatrestednonetoosteadilyonthetriggerstop.He steppedtooneside,butthemuzzleofthegunfollowed him. "Huh-huh-huh-halt!Ituh-tuh-tellyou." Thistimethewhispervibratedwithnervoustension andtherewasnomistakingthestateofmindofthe sentry. "Takeiteasy,"repliedtheMajorwithattempted calm."I'mwaitingforyoutochallengeme.Don't getexcited.Thisisthecommandingofficer." i8o "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

"What'sthecountersign?"camefromthevoiceina hardstrain. "Troy,"theMajorsaid,andthewordseemedtobring worldsofreassurancetotherifleman,whosighedwith relief,butforgottomovehisrifleuntiltheMajorsaid: "Willyoupleasetakethatgunoffmeandputthe safetybackin?" Thenervoussentrymovedthegunsixinchestothe rightandwecorrespondents,standinginbackofthe Major,lookedintosomethingthatseemedasbigasthe LaSallestreettunnel.Ijumpedoutofrangebehindthe Major.Eyreplungedknee-deepintowateroutofrange, andWoodswiththerubberbootsstartedtogooverthe top. Theclickofthereplacedsafetylocksoundedunusu allylikethesnapofatrigger,butnoreportfollowedand threeheartsresumedtheirbeating. "Thereisnooccasiontogetexcited,"theMajorsaid totheyoungsoldierina fatherlytone."I'mgladto seeyouarewide-awakeandonthejob.Don'tfeelany fearsforyourjobandjustrememberthatwiththatgun andbayonetinyourhandsyouarebetterthananyman whoturnsthattrenchcornerorcrossesoutthere.You've gottheadvantageofhim,andbesidesthatyouareabet termanthanheis." Thesentry,nowsmiling,salutedtheMajorasthelat terconductedthepartyquietlyaroundthetrenchcorner andintoasapleadingdirectlyoutintoNoMan'sLand. Twicethetrenchpassedunderbroadbeltsofbarbedwire, whichwewerecautionedtoavoidwithourhelmets,be causeanysoundwasundesirableforobviousreasons. Afterseveralminutesofthiscautiousadvance,we reachedasmalllisteningpostthatmarkedtheclosest pointinthesectortotheGermanline.Severalsilent WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 181 sentrieswerecrouchingontheedgeofthepit.Gunny sackscoveredtheholeandscreeneditinfrontandabove. WeremainedsilentwhiletheMajorinthelowestwhis perspokewithacorporalandlearnedthatexceptfor twoorthreeoccasions,whenthewatchersthoughtthey heardsoundsnearourwire,thenighthadbeencalm. Wedepartedassilentlyaswecame.TheGermanline fromadistanceoffortyyardslookednodifferentfrom itsappearanceata greaterdistance,butsinceitwas closer,itwascarriedwithaconstanttingleofanticipation. Intoanothercommunicatingtrenchandthroughbet terwalledfortificationsofsplinteredforest,theMajor ledustoaplacewheretherecentshellinghadchanged twentyfeetoftrenchintoagapinggulleyalmostwithout sidesandwaist-deepinwater.Aworkingdetailwasen deavouringtorepairthedamage.Inpartiesoftwo,we leftthetrenchandcrossedanopenspaceonthelevel. Thefortystepswecoveredacrossthatforbiddenground werelikestolenfruit.Suchrapture!Bazin,whowas seekingatitleforabook,pulled"Eureka!" "Overthetoparmedwithapencil,"hesaid."Notbad, eh?" BackinSeicheprey,justbeforetheMajorleftusfor ourlongtripbacktoquarters,heledthewaytotheen tranceofacemetery,wellkeptinthemidstofsurround ingchaos.GravesofFrenchdeadrangedrowuponrow. "Ijustwantedtoshowyousomeofthefellowsthat heldthislineuntilwetookitover,"hesaidsimply. "Ourownboysthatwe'velostsincewe'vebeenhere,are burieddowninthenextvillage." Wesilentlysalutedthespotaswepasseditthirty minuteslater. 182 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

CHAPTERIX

THENIGHTOURGUNSCUTLOOSE

Assoonasourforceshadmadethemselvesathomein theToulsector,itwasinevitablethatbelligerentactivity wouldincreaseandthis,inspiteoftheissuanceofstrict ordersthatthereshouldbenodevelopmentofthenormal dailyfire.Ourmencouldnotentirelyresistthetempta tiontostartsomething. Aswastobeexpected,theGermanssoonbeganto suspectthattheywerefacedbydifferenttroopsfromthe oneswhohadbeenconfrontingthem.Theenemyset outtoverifyhissuspicions.Hemadehisfirstraidon theAmericanline. ItwasinadensemistonthemorningofJanuary30th thattheGermansloweredaterrificbarrageononeof ouradvancelisteningpostsandthenrushedtheposition witharaidingpartyoutnumberingthedefendantsten toone. TwoAmericansheldthatpost—fivemoresucceeded inmakingtheirwaythroughthestormoffallingshells andincomingtotheassistanceofthefirsttwo.That madesevenAmericansinthefight.Whenthefighting ceased,everyoneofthesevenhadbeenaccountedfor inthethreeitems,dead,woundedorcaptured. ThatlittlehandfulofAmericans,fought,diedorwere woundedinthepositionswhichtheyhadbeenorderedto hold.Althoughtheengagementwasanextremelyminor one,itbeingthefirstofitskindontheAmericansector, itwassufficienttogivetheenemysomeideaofthedeter minationandfightingqualitiesoftheindividualAmeri WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 183 cansoldier.Theircomradeswereproudofthem,and wereinclinedtoconsidertheexploit,"Alamostuff." Twoofthedefenderswerekilled,fourwerewounded, andonewascaptured.Thewoundedmenreportedthat thecapturedAmericancontinuedtofightevenafterbeing severelywounded.Hewasthelasttoremainonhis feetandwhenabombblewhisriflefromhishandand injuredhisarm,hesuccumbedtosuperiornumbersand wascarriedoffbyhiscaptors. Afterthehurriedsortie,theGermansbeatahasty retreatsothatthepositionwasreoccupiedimmediately byanotherAmericandetail. The"Alamo"sevenhadnotbeentakenbysurprise. Throughadownpourofratherbadlyplacedshells,they heldtheirpositiononthefiringstepandworkedboth theirriflesandmachinegunsagainsttheraidingparty, whichtheycouldnotsee,butknewwouldbeadvancing behindthecurtainoffire.Hundredsofemptycartridges anda brokenAmericanbayonetconstitutedimpartial testimonytothefiercenessofthefighting.Afterthe firstrush,inwhichthedefendersaccountedforanum berofGermans,thefightingbeganatclosequarters,the enemypepperingthelisteningpostwithhandgrenades. InthemeantimetheGermanbarragehadbeenlifted andlengtheneduntilitwasloweredagainbetweenthe "Alamo"sevenandtheircomradesintherear. Therewerecallstosurrender,butnoacceptances.The fightingbecamehand-to-handwithbayonetandgunbutt. Thedefendersfoughtoninthehopethatassistancesoon wouldarrivefromtheAmericanartillery. ButtheGermanshadplannedtheraidwell.Theirfirst barragecutalltelephonewiresleadingbackfromour frftntlinesandthesignalrocketwhichoneofthemenin thelisteningposthadfiredintotheair,hadbeensmoth 184 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT eredinthedensemist.Thatrockethadcalledfora defensivebarragefromAmericanartilleryandwhen noanswercametoit,asecondonewasfired,butthat alsowassnuffedoutbythefog. ThenetresultoftheraidwasthattheGermanshad capturedoneofourwoundedmenandhadtherebyiden tifiedtheorganisationopposingthemastheFirstRegu larDivisionoftheUnitedStatesArmy,composedof the16th,18th,26th,and28thRegularU.S.Infantry Regimentsandthe5th,6thand7thRegularU.S.Army FieldArtillery.Thedivisionwasunderthecommand ofMajorGeneralRobertLeeBullard. Inthedaysandweeksthatfollowed,thedailyexchange ofshellsonthesectorincreasedtotwoandthreetimes thenumberithadbeenbeforeourmenarrivedthere. TherewerenightlypatrolsinNoMan'sLandand severalinstanceswherethesepatrolsmetinthedarkand engagedoneanotherwithcasualtiesonbothsides. Onenightalittleoveramonthlater—theearlymorn ingofMarch4th,tobeexact—itwasmyprivilegeto witnessfromanexceptionalvantagepoint,thefirst plannedandconcentratedAmericanartilleryaction againsttheenemy.TheGermanlinesselectedforthis suddendownpourofshell,comprisedtwosmallsalients juttingoutfromtheenemy'spositionsinthevicinityof theruinedvillageofLahayville,inthesamesector. Incompanywithanorderlywhohadbeendespatched asmyguide,I startedfromanartillerybattalionhead quartersshortlybeforemidnight,andtogetherwemade ourwayupthedarkmuddyroadthatledthroughthe denseBoisdelaReinetothebatterypositions.Halfan hour'swalkandO'Neil,theguide,ledmeofftheroad intoa darkertunnelofoverlacedboughswherewe stumbledalongonthetiesofanarrowgaugerailroad WEWOULDN'TFIGHT 185

thatconveyedheavyshellsfromtheroadtotheguns. Wepassedthroughseveralgunpitsandstoppedinfront ofahugeabribuiltentirelyaboveground. Itswallsandroofmusthavebeenbetweenfiveand sevenfeetthickandweremadefromlayersoflogs, sandbags,railroadironandslabsofconcretereinforced withsteel.Itlookedimpenetrable. "Batterycommander'sheadquarters,"O'Neilsaidto measweenteredasmallhotroomlightedbytwooil lampsandacandle.Threeofficers,attwolargemap tables,wereworkingonsheetsoffigures.Twowooden bunks,oneabovetheother,andtwopostssupportingthe lowceilingcompletedthemeagrefurnishingsofthe room.Ayoungofficerlookedupfromhiswork,O'Neil saluted,andaddressedhim. "TheMajorsentmeupwiththiscorrespondent.He saidyoucouldlethimgowhereverhecouldseethefun andthatyouarenotresponsibleforhissafety."O'Neil caughtthecaptain'ssmileattheclosingremarkand withdrew.Thecaptainshowedmethemap. "Hereweare,"hesaid,indicatingaspotwithhis finger,"andhere'swhatweareaimingatto-night.There aretwoplacesyoucanstaytoseethefun.Youcanstay inthisshelter,andhearthesoundofit,oryoucangoup alittlefurtherfronttothispoint,andmounttheplat forminourobservationtree.Inthisabriyouaresafe fromsplintersandshrapnelbutadirecthitwouldwipe usout.Inthetreeyouareexposedtodirecthitsand splintersfromnearbyburstsbutatleastyoucansee thewholeshow.It'sthehighestpointaroundhereand overlooksthewholesector." I sensedthatthecaptainexpectedabusyeveningand lookedforwardwithnojoytopossibleinterferencefrom aquestioningvisitor,soIchosethetree. i86 ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

"Allright,"hesaid,"you'vegothelmetandgasmasks, Isee.Nowhow'syourwatch? Taketherighttimeoff mine.Wehavejustsynchronisedourswithheadquar ters.Zeroisoneo'clock.Youhadbetterstartnow." HecalledforanorderlywithaGermanname,andthe twoofusleft.BeforeI wasoutoftheroom,thecap tainhadreturnedtohismathematicsandwasfiguring outthelatestrangevariationsandmakingallowances forlatestdevelopmentsinwind,temperatureandbarom eter.TheorderlywiththeGermannameandIplunged againintothetreesandbroughtupshortlyontheedge ofagroupofmenwhowerestandinginthedarknear alargetreetrunk.I couldhearseveralothermenand somestampinghorsesofftooneside. Thepartyatthefootofthetreewascomposedofob servers,signallinemenandrunners.Allofthemwere enlistedmen.Iinquiredwhoweretobemycomradesin thetreetopandthreepresentedthemselves.Onesaid hisnamewasPatGuahn,thesecondgavehisasPeter GriffinandthethirdacknowledgedMikeStanton.I introducedmyselfandGriffinsaid,"Iseeweareall fromthesamepartofItaly." Attwentyminutestoone,westartedupthetree, mountingbyrudelyconstructedladdersthatledfrom onetotheotherofthefourcrudelyfashionedplatforms. Wereachedthetopbreathlessandwithnofalseimpres sionsaboutthestabilityofourswayingperch.Thetree seemedtobethetallestintheforestandnothinginter feredwithourforwardview.Theplatformwasabit shakyandGuahnoutmythoughtstowordsandmusicby softlysinging—

"Rock-a-byebaby,inthetreetop, Whentheshellcomestherunnersallflop, WEWOULDN'TFIGHT 187

Whentheshellbusts,good-byetoourstation, We'reupinatree,boundfordamnation."

Thecompassgivesusnorthandwelocateinthefor warddarknessanapproximatesweepofthefrontlines. GuahnislookingfortheflashofacertainGermangun anditwillbehisdutytokeephiseyestrainedthrough theforkofacertainmarkedtwigwithinarm'sreach. "Ifshespeaks,wewanttoknowit,"Guahnsays;"I canseeherfromherewhensheflashesandthere'san othermanwhocanseeherfromanotherplace.Yousee wegetanintersectionofanglesonherandthenweknow wheresheisjustasthoughshehadsentheraddress. Twominuteslaterwedropacardonherandkeepher warm." "IsthatthatgunfromRussiaweheardabout?"Grif finasks. "No,"answersGuahn,"wearenotlookingforher fromthatstation.Besides,sheisn'tRussian.Shewas madebytheBritish,usedbytheRussians,capturedby theGermansandinturnisusedbythemagainstAmeri cans.Wehavefoundpiecesofhershellandtheyall haveanEnglishtrademarkonthem.Shefiresbig eightinchstuff." Griffiniswatchinginanotherdirectionforanother flashandStantonisonthelookoutforsignalflaresand theflashofasignallightprojectorwhichmightbeused incasethetelephonecommunicationisdisturbedby enemyfire.Itisthenthattherunnersatthebaseof thetreemustcarrythemessagebackbyhorse. Onlyanoccasionalthumpisheardforwardinthe darkness.Nowandthenmachinegunschatterinsanely astheytuckaseaminthenight.Atinfrequentinter 188 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT vals,a starshellcurvesupward,bursts,suspendsits silentwhitenessinmid-air,anddies. Inourtreetopallseemsquietandsoisthenight. Thereisnomoonandonlyafewstarsareout.Apene tratingdampnesstakestheplaceofcoldandthereisthat intheairthatthreatensachangeofweather. Theilluminateddialofmywatchtellsmethatitis threeminutesofoneandIcommunicatetheinformation totherestoftheIrishquartet.Inthreeminutes,the littleworldthatwelookuponfromourtreetopisdue tochangewithterrificsuddennessanduntoldpossibil ities. Somewherebelowinthedarknessandtooneside,I heartheclankofaponderousbreechlockasthemech anismisclosedona shellinoneoftheheavyguns. Otherwiseallremainssilent. Twominutesofone.Eachminuteseemstodraglike anhour.Itisimpossibletokeepone'smindoffthat unsuspectinggroupofhumansoutthereinthatlittle sectionofGermantrenchuponwhichtheheavensare abouttofall.Griffinleansovertherailingandcallsto therunnerstostandbythehorses'headsuntiltheybe comeaccustomedtothecomingroar. Oneminuteofone.Wegriptherailingandwait. Twoflashesandtworeports,thebarestdistinguishable interval,andtheblackhorizonbelchesreel.Fromex tremelefttoextremerighttheflattenedprosceniumin frontofusglowswiththeghastlinessoftheBroockon. Wavesoflightflushthedarkvaultabovelikethenight skyoverSouthChicago'sblastfurnaces.Theheavens reflecttheglare.Theflashesrangeincolourfromblind ingyellowtothesoftesttintsofpink.Theyseemto formthemselvesfromstrangecombinationsofgreens andmauvesandlavenders. WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 189

Thesharpshatteringcrashofthegunsreachesour earsalmostontheinstant.Theforestshakesandour treetopswayswiththeslamoftheheaviescloseby.The rivenairwhimperswiththehuskywhisperingofthe rushingloadofmetalboltspassingaboveus. Lookingupintothatvoid,wedenytheuselessnessof theactandseekinvaintofollowthetrainsofthoseun seenthingsthatmaketheairelectricwiththeirpresence. Wehearthemcoming,passing,going,butseenotone ofthem. "There'swholeblacksmith'sshopssailingoverour headsonthewaytoGermany,"PatGuahnshoutsinmy ear."IguesstheDutchmansureknowshowtocallfor help.Hedoesn'tcareforthatfirstwallop,andhe thinkshewouldlikeaboutahalfmillionreservesfrom theRussianfront." "ThatdarknessoutinNoMan'sLanddon'tmakeany hitwithhimeither,"Stantoncontributes."He'sgotit litupsobrightI'mhomesickforBroadway." Nowcomesthethunderoftheshellarrivals.You knowtheoldcoveredwoodenbridgesthatarestillto befoundinthecountry.Haveyoueverheardateam ofhorsesandafarmwagonthumpingandrumblingover suchabridgeonthetrot? Multiplythehorseteamathousandtimes.Lashthe animalsfromthetrottothewildgallop.Imaginethe soundoftheirstampedethroughtheechoingwooden structureandyouapproachinvolumeandeffectthe rumbleandroarofthesteelasitraineddownonthat littleGermansalientthatnight. "Listentothembabiesbustin',"saysGriffin."I'm bettingthemgroundhogsissurehuntin'theirholesright nowandtryingtodigclearthroughtoChina." Thatwasthesoundandsightofthatopeningsalvo ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

fromallguns,fromthesmalltrenchmortarsintheline, thelightestfieldpiecesbehindthem,theheavyfieldpieces aboutusandtheponderousrailroadartillerylocated behindus. Itscrashhasslashedtheinkinessinfrontofuswith aluridredmeridian.Idon'tknowhowmanyhandshad pulledlanyardsonexactlythesameinstantbutthecon sequentspreadoffirelookedlikeonecontinuousflame. Nowthe"seventy-fives"arespeaking,notinunison, butatvariousspeeds,limitedonlybytheutmostcelerity ofthesweatingguncrews. ButtheGermanfrontlineisnottheonlylocalityre ceivingunsolicitedattention.Enemygunpositionsfar behindthelinesarebeingplasteredwithhighexplosives andanesthetisedwithgasshells. SoeffectiveistheAmericanartilleryneutralisationof theGermanbatteries,thatitisbetweenfifteenandtwenty minutesbeforethefirstenemygunrepliestotheterrific barrage.Andthoughexpectedmomentarily,aGerman counterbarragefailstomaterialise. Inourtreetopwewaitfortheenemy'scountershell ingbuttheretaliationdoesnotdevelop.Whenoccupy inganexposedposition,thesuspenseofwaitingforan impendingblowincreasesintensenessasthedelaycon tinuesandtheexpectationsremainunrealised.Withno inclinationtobeunreasonable,oneevenpraysforthe speedydeliveryoftheblowinthesamewaythatthe manwiththeachingtoothurgesthedentisttospeedup andhaveitoverwith. "Whyinhelldon'ttheycomebackatus?"Griffin asks."I'vehadmyselfalltunedupforthelasttwenty minutestohavealegblownoffandbethankful.Ihate thiswaitingstuff." "Keepyourshirton,Pete,"Stantonremarks."Give WEWOULDN'TFIGHT 191

'emachancetogettheirbreathandcomeoutoftheir holes.Thatbarragedrove'emdownacouplehundred feetintothegroundandtheyhaven'tanyelevatorsto comeupon.We'llhearfrom'emsoonenough." Wedid,butitwasnotmorethanawhisperascom paredwithwhattheywerereceivingfromoursideofthe line.TheGermanartillerycameintolethargicaction aftertheAmericanbarragehadbeeninconstantopera tionforthirtyminutesandthentheenemy'sfirewasonly desultory.OnlyanoccasionalshellfromKulturland cameourway,andeventheycarriedarathertired,list lessbuzz,asthoughtheydidn'tknowexactlywherethey weregoinganddidn'tcare. Sixoreightofthemhummedalongaharmlessorbit notfaraboveourtreetopandfellintheforest.Itcer tainlylookedasthoughwewereshootingallthehard- stuffandtheGermanendofthefireworkspartywasall colouredlightsandRomancandles.Ofthesixshells thatpassedus,threefailedtoexplodeuponlanding. "Thatmakesthreedubs,"saidGuahn. "Youdon'tmeandubs,"Stantoncorrectedhim,"you meandudsandeventhenyouarewrong.Thosewere gaspills.Theyjustcrackopenquietlysoyoudon'tknow ituntilyou'vesniffedyourselfdead.Listen,you'llhear thegasalertsoon." Evenashespoke,weheardthroughthefiringthe throatygurglingofthesirens.Thealarmstartedon ourrightandspreadfromstationtostationthroughthe woods.Weadjustedtherespiratorsandturnedour muffledfacestowardthefiringline.Throughthemois turefoggedglassesofmymask,I lookedfirstuponmy companionsonthisrusticscaffoldabovetheforest. YVar'sdemandshadremovedourappearancesfarfrom thehuman.Ourheadsweretoppedwithuncomfortable 192 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT steelcasques,harderthanthebacksofturtles.Oureyes werelarge,flat,roundglazedsurfacesunblinkingand owl-like.Ourfaceswereshapelessfoldsofblackrub bercloth.Ourlungssuckedairthroughtubesfroma canvassbagunderourchinsandwewereinhabitinga treetoplikeafamilyofapes.Itreallyrequiredimagina tiontomakeitseemreal. "Lookslikethepartyisover,"camethemuffledre markfromthemaskedfigurebesideme.Thecannonad ingwasdyingdownappreciably.Theblinkinglineof lightsinfrontofusgrewless. Aterrificupwardblastofredandgreenflamefrom thegroundclosetoourtree,remindedusthatoneheavy stillremainedunderfiringorders.Theflashseenthrough theforestrevealedinintricatetracingstheintertwining limbsandbranchesofthetrees.Itpresentedtheappear anceofapieceofstrongblacklacespreadoutandheld atarm'slengthinfrontofaglowinggrate. FromtheGermanlinesanincreasednumberofflares shotskywardandasthecannoncracksceased,savefor isolatedbooms,theenemymachinegunscouldbeheard atwork,rivetingthenightwithspraysofleadandsound ingforalltheworldlikea scourgeofhungrywood peckers. "Godhelpanyofthedoughboysthataregoingup againstanyofthatstuff,"Griffinobservedthroughhis mask. "Don'tworryaboutourdoughboys,"repliedStan ton;"theyareallsafeintheirtrenchesnow.That's mostlikelythereasonwhyourgunswereorderedtolay off.I guessFritziegotbusywithhistypewriterstoo late." I descendedthetree,leavingmycompanionstowait fortheordersnecessaryfortheirdeparture.Unfamiliar WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 193 withtheunmarkedpathsoftheforestandguidedonly astogeneraldirections,I mademywaythroughthe treessomedistanceinsearchoftheroadbackfromthe front. Anumberofmudandwater-filledshellholesinter venedtomaketheexertiongreaterandconsequentlythe demanduponlungsforairgreater.Afterfloundering severalkilometresthroughastrangeforestwitha gas maskon,onebeginstoappreciatethetemptationthat comestotearoffthestiflingnosebagandriskasphyxia tionforjustonebreathoffreshair. Ababelofvoicesinthedarknesstoonesideguided metoalogcabinwhereI learnedfromasentrythat thegasscarehadjustbeencalledoff.Continuingon theroad,I collidedheadoninthedarknesswithawalk inghorse.ItsridersworeandsodidI,withslightly theadvantageoverhimashisheadwasstillencased.I toldhimthegasalarmwasoffandhetoreawaythe maskwithasighofrelief.I lefthimwhilehewasre movingthehorse'sgasmask. AlightsnowwasbeginningtofallasI saidgood nighttothebattalioncommanderinfrontofhisroadside shack.Apartyofmountedrunnerswaspassingonthe waytotheirquarters.Withanadmirablelackofdignity quitebecominganationalguardcavalrymajorincom mandofregulararmyartillery,hesaid: "Good-night,men,welickedhelloutofthem." TheToulsector,duringitsoccupationbyAmericans, alwaysmaintainedahighdailyratingofartilleryactiv ity.Theopposingforceswerecontinuallyplanningsur prisesononeanother.Atanyminuteofthenightor daya terrificbombardmentofhighexplosiveorgas mightbreakoutoneitherside.Bothsidesoperatedtheir 194 ANDTHEYTHOUGHT soundrangingapparatustoa ratherhighdegreeof efficiency. Bythesedelicateinstrumentswecouldlocatetheex actpositionofanunseenenemybattery.Followingthat location,thebatterywouldimmediatelybevisitedwith aconcentrateddownpourofhotsteelintendedtowipeit outofexistence.Theenemydidasmuchforus,so thatintheartillery,whenthemenwerenotactually manningthegunsinaction,theyweredigginggunpits forreservepositionswhichtheycouldoccupyifthe enemyhappenedtogettheproperrangeoftheold positions.Inthiscasualcounter-batteryworkourartil leryadoptedasystembywhichmanylivesweresaved. IfaGermanbatterybeganshellingoneofourbattery positions,theartillerymeninthatpositionwerenotcalled upontostandbytheirgunsandreturnthefire.The orderwouldbegiventotemporarilyabandontheposition andthemenwouldbewithdrawnasafedistance.The Germanbatterythatwasfiringwouldberespondedto, twotoone,byotherAmericanbatterieslocatednearby andwhichdidnothappentobeunderfireatthetime. Bythissystemweconservedourstrength. Ourinfantrywasstrongintheirpraiseoftheartil lery.IobservedthisparticularlyonedayontheToul frontwhenGeneralPershingdroppedinunexpectedly atthedivisionheadquarters,thenlocatedinthehillside villageofBourcq.Whilethecommanderandhisparty wereawaitingamealwhichwasbeingprepared,four muddyfigurestrampeddownthehallwayoftheChateau. Throughthedoorwaythegeneralobservedtheirentrance. ThetwoleadingfigureswerestolidGermansoldiers, prisonersofwar,andbehindthemmarchedtheircaptors, twoexcusablyproudyoungAmericans.Oneofthem carriedhisbayonetedrifleattheready,whilethesecond WEWOULDN'TFIGHT 195 carriedtheequipmentwhichhadbeentakenfromthe prisoners.TheAmericancommanderorderedthegroup broughtbeforehimandaskedoneoftheAmericansto relatethestoryofthecapture. "Weintheinfantrygot'em,sir,"repliedone,"but theartillerydeservedmostofthecredit.Ithappened justatdawnthismorning.Jimhere,andmyself,were holdingdownanadvancemachinegunpostwhenthe Germanslaiddownaflockofshellsonourfirstline trench.Wejustkeptatthegunreadytoletthemhave itiftheystartedtocomeover. "Prettysoonwesawthemcomingthroughthemistand webegantoputitto'em.I thinkwegotabunchof thembuttheykeptoncoming. "Thensomebodybackinourfirstlineshotupthe signalforabarrageinoursector.Itcouldn'thavebeen aminutebeforeourcannoncutlooseandtheshellsbegan todroprightdowninthemiddleoftheraidingparty. "Itwasagoodheavybarrage,sir,anditcutclean throughthecentreoftheraiders.TwoGermanswere aheadoftherestandthebarragelandedrightinbackof them.Thereststartedrunningbacktowardtheirlines, butthefirstpaircouldnotgobackbecausetheywould havehadtopassthroughthebarrage.Ikeptthemachine gungoingallthetimeandJimshowedhimselfabovethe trenchandpointedhisrifleatthecut-offpair. "Theyputuptheirhandsrightquickandwewavedto 'emtocomein. Theytookitonthejumpandlanded inourtrenchasfastastheycould.Wetooktheirequip mentoffthemandwewereorderedtomarchthemback heretoheadquarters.That'salltherewastoit,sir." TheenemyinfrontofToulmanifestedaninordinate anxietytoknowmoreaboutthestrengthofourforces andthecharacterofthepositionsweoccupied.Acap 196 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT turedGermandocumentissuedtotheFifthBavarian Landwehrinfantrybrigadeinstructedeveryobserverand patroltodohisoritsbest"tobringinformationabout thenewenemy." "Nothingisknownasyetaboutthemethodsoffight ingorleadership,"thedocumentsetforth,"andallin formationpossiblemustbegatheredastoparticularfea turesofAmericanfightingandoutposttactics.This willthenbeusedforextendingtheinformationbulletin. Anyobservationoridentification,howeverinsignificant, maybeofthegreatestvalue." Thedocumentdirectedthatdataonthefollowingques tionsbeobtained: "Aresentrypostssentrypostsorstrongerposts? Furtheradvancedreconnoitringpatrols?Mannerof challenging?Behaviouronpostduringdayandnight? Vigilance?Ambushtacticsandcunning? "Dotheyshootandsignaloneveryoccasion?Do thepostsholdtheirgroundontheapproachofapatrol, ordotheyfallback? "AretheAmericanscarefulandcautious?Arethey noisy?Whatistheirbehaviourduringsmokescreens?" Theenemy'skeendesiretoacquirethisinformation wasdisplayedinthedesperateeffortsitmade.Oneday theFrenchtroopsoccupyingthetrenchesontheright flankoftheAmericansector,encountereda soldierin anAmericanuniformwalkingthroughtheirpositions. Hewasstoppedandquestioned.Hesaidhehadbeen oneofanAmericanpatrolthathadgoneoutthenight before,thathehadlosthiswayinNoMan'sLand andthathethoughthewasreturningtohisowntrenches, whenhedroppedintothoseheldbytheFrench. Althoughthemanworeouruniformandspokeexcel lentEnglishandseemedstraightforwardinhisreplies, WEWOULDN'TFIGHT 197 astohisnameandrankandorganisation,theFrench officerbeforewhomhewasbroughtwasnotcompletely satisfied/Toovercomethishesitancy,thesuspected manopenedhisshirtandproducedanAmericaniden tificationtagverifyinghisanswers. TheFrenchofficer,stillsuspicious,orderedtheman heldwhilehetelephonedtotheAmericanorganisation mentionedtoascertainwhetheranymanofthename givenwasmissingfromthatunit. "Yes,"repliedtheAmericancaptain."Welosthim lastOctober,whenwewereinthefrontlinedowninthe Lunevillesector.Hewascapturedwitheightothers bytheGermans." "Well,we'vegothimoverhereonyourrightflank. Hecameintoourlinesthismorning—"theFrenchoffi cerstartedtosay. "Bully,"cametheAmericaninterruptionoverthe wire."He'sescapedfromtheGermansandhascome clearthroughtheirlinestogetbacktohiscompany.He'll getaD.S.C.forthat.We'llsendrightoverforhim." "Butwhenwequestionedhim,"repliedtheFrench man,"hesaidheleftyourlinesonlylastnightonpatrol andgotlostinNoMan'sLand." "I'llcomerightoverandlookatthatparty,myself," theAmericancaptainhastilyreplied. HereachedtheFrenchofficer'sdugoutseveralhours laterandthesuspectwasorderedbroughtin. "Hemustbecrazy,sir,"theFrenchorderlysaid. "Hetriedtokillhimselfafewminutesagoandwehave hadtoholdhim." Themanwasbroughtintothedugoutbetweentwo poiluswhoheldhisarms.TheAmericancaptaintook acarefullookandsaid: "That'snotourman.Hewearsouruniformcorrectly J98 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT andthat'sourregulationidentificationtag.Bothof themmusthavebeentakenawayfromourmanwhen hewascaptured.Thismanisanimpostor." "He'smorethanthat,"repliedtheFrenchmanwitha smile."He'saGermanspy." Theprisonermadenoreply,butlatermadeafull confessionofhisact,andalsogavetohisinterrogators muchvaluableinformation,which,however,didnot savehimfrompayingthepenaltyinfrontofafiring squad.Whenhefacedtherifles,hewasnotwearing thestolenuniform. WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" >99

CHAPTERX

INTOPICARDYTOMEETTHEGERMANPUSH

TowardtheendofMarch,1918,justatthetimewhen theAmericanExpeditionaryForceswereapproachingthe desireddegreeofmilitaryeffectiveness,thefateofciv ilisationwassuddenlyimperilledbythematerialisation ofthelongexpectedGermanoffensive. Thispush,thegreatesttheenemyhadeverattempted, beganonMarch21st,andtheplacethatHindenburg selectedforthedrivewasPicardy,thevalleyofthe Somme,theancientcockpitofEurope.Onthatdaythe Germanhordes,scoresuponscoresofdivisions,hurled themselvesagainsttheBritishlinebetweenArrasand Noyon. Beforethattremendousweightofmanpower,the Alliedlinewasforcedtogiveandoneoftheholding Britisharmies,theFifth,gavegroundontherightflank, andwithitsleftasahinge,swungbacklikeagate,open ingthewayfortheGermanstowardParis. Therehavebeenmanydescriptionsofthefiercefight ingputupbytheFrenchandBritishtostemtheGerman advance,butthemostinterestingonethatevercameto mynotice,camefromoneofthefewAmericansoldiers thatparticipatedinthedefence.Twoweeksafterthe openingofthebattleandatatimewhentheGermanad vancehadbeenstopped,I cameuponthisAmericanin aUnitedStatesMilitaryHospitalatDijon. AninterneledmetothebedsideofJimmyBrady,a formerjockeyfromthePimlicoturfinBaltimore,and nowaproudwearerofUncleSam'skhaki.Inhisown 200 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT quaintway,Jimmytoldmethestoryofwhata little handfulofAmericansdidinthegreatbattleinPicardy. Jimmyknew.Jimmyhadbeenthere. "Lad,"hesaid,"I'mtellingyouitwasarealjam. Ilearnedonehellofaheadfulinthelasttendaysthat I'llnotbeforgettinginthenexttenyears.I'vegot newideasabouthowlongthiswarisgoin'tolast.Of course,we'regoingtolicktheBochesbeforeitends, butI'vesortergivenupthepictureIhadofmyselfmarch ingupFifthAvenueinavictoryparadeonthiscoming FourthofJuly.I'llsayitcan'tbedoneinthattime. "Ouroutfitfromold engineers,andbelieveme there'snonebetter,havebeenworkingupintheSomme countryforthelasttwomonths.Wewerebilletedat Brieandmostofourworkhadbeenthrowingbridges acrosstheCanalduNordaboutthreemilessouthof Peronne.I'mtellingyoutheSommeain'tariver.It's a swamp,andtheyjusthardlysqueezeenoughwater outerittomakeacanalwhichtakestheplaceofariver. "WewasworkingundertheBritish.Theiroldbridges overthecanalwerewoodenaffairsandmostofthem hadsignsonthemreading,'Thisbridgewon'tholda tank,'andthatbridgewouldn'tbeartrottinghorses,and soon.Someof'emwetoredownmusthavebeenput inforscenerypurposesonly.Wewereslammingup somehuskylookingsteelstructureslikeyouseeinthe States,andbelievemeitmakesmesicktothinkthatwe hadtoblow'emallupagainbeforetheBochesgotto'em. "Iseebythepapersthatthebattlebeganonthe21st, butI'vegotnomoreideaaboutthedateofitthanthe KingofHonolulu.Theysayit'sbeenononlyaboutten days,butI couldn'tswearithadn'tbeenonsinceNew Year'sEve.Itsureseemedalongtime.AsItoldyou, wewereworkingjustsouthofPeronneonthemainroad WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 201

betweenSt.QuentinandAmiens.Shestartedonafoggy morningandfortwodaysthemusickeptgettingcloser. Onthefirstday,alltrafficwasfrontward,men,guns,and camionsgoinguptowardsthelines,andthenthetide begantoflowback. "Ambulancesandcamions,fullofpoorwoundeddev ils,filledtheroad,andthencamelabourbattalionsof chatteringChinks,Egyptians,andFijiIslandersand Godknowswhat.Noneofthesebirdswerelingering, becausetheenemywassprinklingtheroadswithshells andsorterkeepingtheirmarchingspiritsup.Orders cameforustoditchourpacksandequipmentallexcept spades,rifles,beltsandcanteens,andwesetofftoward therear. "DoyoumindyourmapoftheSomme?Well,we pullsupatChaulnesforabreath.Itwasabigdepot anddumptown—aeroplanesandeverythingpiledupin it. Wewereorderedontodemolitionwork,beingaswe wasstillclassedasnon-combatants.I don'tknowhow manybillionsofdollars'worthofstuffweblewupand destroyed,butitseemedtometherewasnoendofit. Fritzkeptcomingallthetimeandtheyhikedusonto AubercourtandthentoDormant,andeachplacewe stoppedanddugtrenches,andthentheyshootsusinto camionsandrushesusnorthtoatownnotfaroutof Amiens. "Withaboutfortymen,wemarcheddowntheroad, thistimeasnon-combatantsnolonger.Westoppedjust eastofthevillageofMarcelcaveandduga lineof trenchesacrosstheroad.Wehadtwentymachineguns andalmostasmanydifferentkindsofammunitionas therewasdifferentnationalitiesinourtrench.Ourpo sitionwasthefifthlineofdefence,wewastold,butthe 202 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

gunskeptgettingcloserandalotofthatlongrangestuff wasgivingushell.Nearmetherewasasquadofmymen, oneChink,threeCanadians,andwetwoDublinfusileers. "Thenwebegintoseeourownguns,thatis,British guns,beginningtoblowhelloutofthisherevillageof Marcelcaverightinfrontofus.Itmademewildtosee theartillerymakingamistakelikethat,soIsaystooneof thesehereDublinfusileers: "'Whatinell's'matterwiddosegunsfiringonourown menupthereinthevillage?Ifthisisthefifthline,then thatmustbeourfourthlineinthevillage?' "'Lad,'saystheDublinfusileertome,'Idon'twant todiscourageyouforthelifeofme,butthisonlyused tobethefifthline.Weareinthefirstlinenowandit'sup toyouandmeandtheChinkandtherestofustokeepthe FritzesoutofAmiens.Atthismomentweareallthat's between.' "Westartedtothemachinegunsandbeganpouring itinon'em.Theminutesomeof'emwouldstartoutof thetownwewouldwitherthem.Holymother,butwhat abeautifulmurderitwas! "Ididn'tknowthen,anddon'tknowyet,whathas becomeofalltherestofourofficersandmen,butIsorter feltlikeeveryshotI sentoverwaspaying'emback forsomeoftheirdirtywork.Wekepthandingitto 'emhot.YououghterseenthatChinktalkingMon goliantoamachinegun,and,believeme,hesuremade itunderstandhim.I'mheretosaythatwhenaChink fights,he'sa fightingson-of-a-gunanddon'tletany bodykidyoudifferent. "Well,ourlittlemobheld'emofftilldarkandthen BritishTommiespiledinandrelievedus.Weneeded itbecausewehadn'thadabiteinseventyhoursandI WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" hadbeenlyinginthemudandwaterfortwicethattime. Justbeforereliefcomeson,twoskulkingfigurescomes overthetop.I wasthinkingthatmaybethesewas HindusorEskimoscomingtojoinourlittleinterna tionalpartyandweshoutsoutto'emandasks'emwhere theyhailsfrom.Bothof'emyelledback,'Kamerad,' andthenI knewthatwe'dnotonlyheldthefort,but hadcapturedtwoprisonerseveniftheywasdeserters. "Imarched'embackthatnighttothenexttownand took'emintoagrocerystore,wheretherewasalotof Tommieshelpingthemselvestothefirstmealindays. Whilewewereeatingbreadandcheeseandsardines andalsofeedingmetwoprisoners,wetalkstothem andfindsoutthat,asfarastheyareconcerned,the Kaiserwillnevergettheirvoteagain. "OneTommysaystooneofmyprisoners:'Kaiserno good—pasbon,ain'tit?'andtheprisonersaid,'Yah,' andI shovedmyelbowintohisribsandrightquickhe said,'Nein.'ThentheTommysaid:'Hindenburg dirtyrotter,nacypa?'andtheFritzsaid,'Yah.Nein,' andthenlookedatmeandsaid'Yah'again.Theywas notbadprisonersandI marched'emtwentymilesthat night,justthethreeofus—twooftheminfrontand meinbackwiththerifleovermearm. "Andthejokeofitwasthatbothofthemcould havetakenthegunandkilledmeanyminuteforallI couldhavedone." "Howdoyoufigurethat,Corporal?"I asked. Forreply,JimmyBradydrewfrombeneaththe blanketsapairofknottedhandswithfingersandthumbs stiffenedandbentinandobviouslyimpossibletouseon atrigger.Bradyisnotinthehospitalforwounds. Fourdaysandnightsinwaterandmudinthebattleof 204 'ANDTHEYTHOUGHT battleshadtwistedandshrunkenhimwithrheumatism. ButheisonerheumaticwhohelpedtosaveAmiens.

UpontheheelsoftheGermansuccessesinPicardy, developmentsfollowedfast.Principalamongthese, wasthematerialisationofa unifiedcommandofall thearmiesoftheAllies.GeneralFerdinandFoch wasselectedandplacedinsupremecommandofevery fightingmanundertheAlliedflags. Oneoftheeventsthatleduptothislongdelayed action,wastheunprecedentedactionofGeneralPershing, whenheturnedoverthecommandofalltheAmerican forcesinFrancetoGeneralFoch.Hedidthiswith thewords:

"IcometosaytoyouthattheAmericanpeoplewould holditagreathonourforourtroopsweretheyengaged inthepresentbattle.I askitofyouinmynameand inthatoftheAmericanpeople. "Thereisatthismomentnootherquestionthanthat offighting.Infantry,artillery,aviation—allthatwe haveareyourstodisposeofasyouwill.Othersare comingwhichareasnumerousaswillbenecessary. I havecometosaytoyouthattheAmericanpeople wouldbeproudtobeengagedinthegreatestbattlein history."

Theactionmetwiththeunqualifiedendorsementof everyofficerandmanintheAmericanforces.From thatminuteon,theAmericansloganinFrancewas "Let'sgo,"andeveryregimentbegantohopethatit wouldbeamongtheAmericanorganisationsselected todobattlewiththeGermaninPicardy.Secretaryof WarBaker,theninFrance,expressedhispleasureover WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 205

GeneralPershing'sunselfishofferwiththefollowing publicstatementonMar.30th:

"Iamdelightedwiththepromptandeffectiveaction ofGeneralPershinginplacingallAmericantroopsat thedisposaloftheAlliesinthepresentsituation.His actionwillmeetwithheartyapprovalintheUnited States,wherethepeopledesiretheirExpeditionary Forcetobeoftheutmostservicetothecommoncause. "IhavevisitedpracticallyalltheAmericantroopsin France,someofthemquiterecently,andhadanoppor tunitytoobservetheenthusiasmwithwhichtheofficers andmenreceivetheannouncementthattheymaybe usedinthepresentconflict.Regimentstowhichthe announcementwasmade,brokespontaneouslyinto cheers."

Particularlyweretherecheerswhenthenewsspread throughtheranksoftheFirstUnitedStatesdivision, thenondutyonthelineinfrontofToul,thatithad beenthefirstAmericandivisionchosentogointo Picardy.Iwasfortunateenoughtomakearrangements togowiththem. I rodeoutfromoldpositionswiththegunsand boardedthetrooptrainwhichtookourbatterybyde viousroutestochangesofscenery,gratifyingbothto visionandspirit.Welivedinourcarsontinnedmeat andhardbread,washeddownwithswallowsofvin ordinaire,hurriedlypurchasedatstationbuvettes.The horsesrodewell. Officersandmen,noneofuscaredfortrainschedule simplybecausenoneofusknewwhereweweregoing, andlittletimewaswastedinconjecture.Soldierly curiositywassatisfiedwiththeknowledgethatwewere 206 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

c.iourway,andwiththissatisfaction,thehourspassed easily.Infact,theblackjackgameintheofficers'com partmenthadreachedthepointwherethebatterycom manderhadgarneredalmostalloftheFrenchpaper moneyinsight,whenourtrainpassedslowlythrough theenvironsofParis. OtherAmericantrooptrainshadprecededus,because wheretherailroadembankmentrancloseandparallel tothestreetofsomenamelessFaubourg,ourappearance wasmetwithcheersandcriesfromawelcomingregi mentofParisstreetgamins,whotrottedinthestreet besidetheslowmovingtrooptrainandshoutedand threwtheirhatsandwoodenshoesintheair.Sous andfiftycentimepiecesandfrancpiecesshoweredfrom thesidedoorsofthehorses'carsasAmericansoldiers, withtypicaldisregardforthevalueofmoney,pitched coinaftercointothescramblingmobofchildren.At leastahundredfrancsmusthavebeencastoutupon thosehappy,rompingwavesofchildishfacesandup- stretcheddirtyhands. "Asoldierwouldgivehisshirtaway,"saidaplatoon commander,leaningoutofthewindowandwatchingthe spectacle,andsurreptitiouslypitchingafewcoinshim self."Hopewegetoutofthisplacebeforethemen pitchoutagunorahorsetothatbunch.Happylittle devils,aren'tthey?It'sgreattothinkweareonour wayuptomeettheirdaddies." Unnumberedhoursmorepassedmerrilyinthetroop trainbeforewewereshuntedintothesidingofa littletown.Workofunloadingwasstartedandcom pletedwithinanhour.Gunsandwagonswereunloaded onthequay,whiletheanimalswereremovedfromthe carsonmovablerunwaysorramps.Aseachgunor wagonreachedtheground,itsdrivershitchedinthe WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" horsesandmoveditaway.Fiveminuteslaterwerode outoftheyardsanddownthemainstreetofthetown. Broadsteeltiresonthecarriagesoftheheavies bumpedandrumbledoverthecleancobblesandthe horsesprancedsprylytogetthekinksoutoftheirlegs, longfatiguedfromvibrationsofthetrain.Women,old andyoung,linedthecurbs,smilingandthrowingkisses, wavinghandkerchiefsandapronsandbeggingforsou venirs.Ifeveryrequestfora buttonhadbeencom pliedwith,ourbatterywouldhavereachedthefront withashockingshortageofsafetypins. Darknesscameonandwithitafinerain,aswecleared thetownandhaltedonalevelplainbetweensoftfields oftendernewwheat,whichthehorsessensedandsnorted togetat. Intwentyminutes,MessSergeantKelly, fromhishighaltarontherollingkitchen,announced thatthelastofhotcoffeehadbeendispensed.Some whereupaheadinthedarkness,batterybuglenotescon veyedorderstopreparetomount.Withtherattleof equipmentandtheapplicationofendearingepithets, whichhorsesunfortunatelydon'tunderstand,wemoved offatthesoundof"forward." Offonourleft,anoiselesspassengertrainslidsilently acrosstherimofthevalley,bluedimmedlightsinits coachwindowsglowinglikea rowofwetsulphur matches.Faroffinthenorth,fluttersofwhitelight flushedthenightskyandanoccasionalgrumblingof thedistantgunsgaveusourfirstimpressionofthe battleofbattles.Everymaninourbatterytingledwith thethrill.Thiswasridingfrontwardwiththeguns— thiswasrollingandrumblingonthroughthenightup towardtheglareandglamourofwar.I wasriding besidethecaptainattheheadofthecolumn.Hebroke silence. 208 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

"Itseemslikea farcryfromHonoluluwiththe moonplayingthroughthepalmtreesonthebeach,"he saidquizzically,"tothisplaceandthesescenesand eventsto-night,butalittlethinglikeaflipofcoinde cideditforme,andI'mblessingthatcointo-night. "AyearagoJanuary,beforewecameintothewar, I wasstationedatSanAntonio.Anotherofficerfriend ofminewasstationedthereandonedayhereceived orderstoreportfordutyatHonolulu.Hehadagirl inSanAntonioanddidn'twanttoleaveherandhe knewIdidn'thaveagirlanddidn'tgiveadamnwhere I went,orwassent,solongasitwaswiththearmy. Heputupthepropositionofmutualexchangebeing permittedunderregulations. "HewantedtotakemyplaceinSanAntonioand givemehisassignmentinHonolulu,whichI mustsay lookedmightygoodinthosedaystoanybodywhowas tiredofTexas.I didn'tthinkthenwe'devercometo warandbesidesitdidn'tmakemuchdifferencetome onewayortheotherwhereI went.Butinsteadofac ceptingthepropositionrightoffthereel,I toldJim we'dflipacointodecide. "Ifitcametails,hewouldgotoHonolulu.Ifit cameheads,IwouldgotoHonolulu.Heflipped.Tails won.I'minFranceandpoorJimisouttherein HonolulutendingtheUkelelecropwithprospectsof havingtostaythereforsometime.Poordevil,I got aletterfromhimlastweek. "Doyouknow,manknowsnokeenerjoyintheworld thanthatwhichIhaveto-night.HereI aminFrance attheheadoftwohundredandfiftymenandhorses andthegunsandwe'rerollingupfronttokickadentin history.Thepoorunfortunatethatain'tinthisfighthas WEWOULDN'TFIGHT' 209

almostgotlicensetoshoothimself.Lifeknowsno keenerjoythanthis." Itwasalongspeechforourcaptain,buthiswords expressednotonlythefeelingofourbattery,butour wholeregiment,fromthehumblestwagondriverupto thecolonelwho,bytheway,hasjustmadehimselfmost unpopularwiththeregimentbybeingpromotedtoa BrigadierGeneralship.Thecolonelispassingupward toahighercommandandtheregimentissoreonlosing him.Oneofhishumblestcriticshascharacterisedthe eventasthe"firstroughtricktheoldmaneverpulled." Midnightpassedandwewerestillwheelingourway throughsleepingvillages,consultingmapsunderraysof flashlights,gatheringdirectionssomeofthetimefrom milepostsandwallsigns,andatothertimesgaining knowledgeofroadsandturnsandhillsfromsleepy headsincurlwrappersthatprotrudedfrombedroom chambersandwereover-generousinadvice. Theanimalsweretired.Rainsoakedthecigarettes andmadethemdrawbadly.Abovewasdrizzleand belowwasmud.Therewerea fewgrumbles,butno maninourcolumnwouldhavetradedplaceswitha brotherbackhomeevenifofferedafarmtoboot. Itwasafterthreeinthemorningwhenweparked thegunsinfrontofachateau,broughtforwardsome laggingcombatwagonsanddiscoveredtherolling kitchenhadgoneastray.Inanotherhourtheanimals hadbeenunhitchedbutnotunharnessed,fedand wateredindarknessandthemen,inutterweariness, preparedtoliedownandsleepanywhere.Atthisjunc ture,wordwaspassedthroughthesectionsthatthe batterywouldgetreadytomoveimmediately.Orders weretoclearthevillagebysixo'clock.Neithermen 2io "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT norhorseswererested,butwemovedoutontimeand breakfastedontheroad. Thewayseemedlong,theroadsbadandtheguns heavy.ButwewerepassingthroughanEdenofbeauty —greenfieldsandrollinghillscrestedbyancient chateaux.Attimes,theroadwounddownthrough hillsideorchards,whiteandpinkwithappleblooms. Fatiguewasheavyonmanandbeast,butI heardone walkingcannoneersinging,"WhenIt'sAppleBlossom- timeinNormandie."Anotherriderinthecolumnre calledthetimewhenhisfatherusedtogivehimten centsforstandingonthebottomofanupturnedtinbasin andreciting,"Overthemountainswindingdown,horse andfootintoFrederickstown." "Thejarofthesegunsastheygrindoverthegravel isenoughtogrindtheheartoutofyou,"saidasweat ingcannoneerwhowaspressinga helpingshoulderto oneoftheheaviesaswenegotiatedasteephill. "Whatinhellyoukickingabout,"saidthemanoppo site."Supposeyouwastravellingwithoneofthem gunstheGermansareusingonParis—I meanthatold JohnJ.Longdistance.You'dknowwhatheavygunsare then.Theysaythatthegun'ssobigandtakessomany horsestohaulit,thatthemanwhodrivestheleadpair hasneverspentthenightinthesametownwiththe fellowwhorideswheelswing." Ayoungreservelieutenantwithmindintenselyon hiswork,combinedformybenefithisimpressionsof scenerywitha lessoninartillerylocation.Hischar acterisationofthelandscapewasastechnicalasitwas unpoetical. "Agreathowitzercountry,"wasthetenorofhis femarks."Lookatthebottomofthatslide.Fineposi tionforonefifty-five.Takethatgullyoverthere. WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 211

That'sabeautofaplace.Nousetalking.Greathow itzercountry." Duringtheafternoon,aveterinarianturnedovertwo horsestoa Frenchpeasant.Onewasexhaustedand unabletoproceed,andtheothersuffereda badhoof, whichwouldrequireweeksforhealing.Newsthatboth animalswerenotgoingtobeshotwasreceivedwith joybytwomenwhohadriddenthem.I sawthem pattingthedisabledmountsaffectionatelyontheneck andheardoneofthemsay, "'Salright,oldtimer—'salright.Frenchyhereisgo ingtotakecareofyouallright.UncleSam'spaying thebillandI amcomingbackandgetyousoon'swe giveFritziehisbumps." Anhourlater,ayoungcannoneergaveintofatigue andignoredorderstotheextentofrecliningongun trailandfallingasleep.Arutintheroadmadeastiff jolt,herolledoffandoneponderouswheelofthegun carriagepassedoverhim.Oneleg,onearmandtwo ribswerebrokenandhisfeetcrushed,wasthedoctor's verdictasthevictimwascarriedawayinanambulance. "He'llgetbetterallright,"saidthemedico,"buthe's finishedhisbitinthearmy." Thecolumnhaltedforlunchoutsideofasmalltown andI climbedonfoottothehilltopcastlewhere mediaevalandmodernweremixedinmutemelange.A drawbridgecrossedalongdrymoattocrackedwallsof rockcoveredwithivy.Forallitswellpreservedsigns ofartisticruin,itwasoccupiedandwellfittedwithin. Fromthetopmostparapetofonericketylookingtower, awirestretchedoutthroughtheairtoanold,ruined millwhichwassurmountedbya modernwindmotor, thetailofwhichincongruouslyadvertisedthewords 212 ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

"Idealpower,"withthetypicalconspicuityofAmerican salesmanship. Nearthebaseoftheoldmillwasanotherjumbleof moss-coveredrocks,nowusedasasummerhouse,but openonallsides.Atatableinthecentreofthisopen structure,sata blondhairedyoungAmericansoldier withblackreceiversclampedtoeitherear.Iapproached andwatchedhimjottingdownwordsonapaperpad beforehim.Afterseveralminutesofintentsilence,he removedtheharnessfromhisheadandtoldmethat hebelongedtothewirelessoutfitwiththeartilleryand thisstationhadbeeninoperationsincethedaybefore. "Seemssopeacefulherewiththesunstreamingdown overtheseoldwalls,"hesaid. "Whatdoyouhearoutoftheair?"I asked. "Oh,wepickupalotofjunk,"hereplied,"I'mwait ingfortheGermancommuniquenow.Here'ssome SpanishstuffI justpickedupandsomemorejunkin French.TheEnglishstationshaven'tstartedthisafter noon.AfewminutesagoI heardaGermanaeroplane signallingbywirelesstoaGermanbatteryanddirecting itsfire.Icouldtelleverytimethegunwasorderedto fireandeverytimetheaviatorsaidtheshotwasshortor over.It'skinderfunnytositbackhereinquietand listeninthewar,isn'tit?"I agreeditwasweirdand itwas. Indarknessagainattheendofaharddayonthe road,weparkedthegunsthatnightinalittlevillage whichwasheadquartersforourregimentandwhereI spentthenightwritingbyanoldoillampintheMayor's office.AformerChicagobellhopwhospokebetterItal ianthanEnglishandnaturallyshould,wassleepingon a blanketrollonthefloornearme.Onthewallsof theroomwerepostednumerousflag-deckedproclama WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 213 tions,somenowyellowwiththetimethathadpassed overthemsincetheirissuebackin1914.Theypertained tothemobilisationofthemenofthevillage,menwhose namesremainnowonlyasamemory. Butintheirplacewasthenewkhaki-cladChicago bellhopsnoringthereonthefloorandseveralthousand moreassturdyandreadyashe,allbilletedwithina stone'sthrowofthatroom.Theywereheretofinish thefightbegunbythosevillagepeasantswhohad marchedawayfouryearsbeforewhentheMayorof thetownpostedthatbulletin.TheseAmericansstood readytogodowntohonouredgravesbesidethem. OurdivisionwasundertheFrenchhighcommand andwasburiedinthemidstofthemightypreparations thenonfoot.Ourrankswerefull,ournumbersstrong, ourmoralehigh.Everyofficerandmanintheorgani sationhadthefeelingthattheeyesofdashingFrench comrades-in-armsandhardfightingBritishbrothers wereonthem.Ourinspirationwasinthebeliefthat theattentionoftheAlliednationsoftheworldand moreparticularlythehopeandprideofourownpeople acrossthesea,wascentreduponus.Withthatsacred feeling,thefirstdivisionstoodresolutetomeetthetest. Someofthedisquietingnewsthenprevalentinthe nervouscivilianareasbackofthelines,reachedus,but itseffect,asfarasI couldsee,wasnil.Ourofficers andmenwereasunconcernedaboutthereportsofenemy successesasthoughwewerechildreninthenurseryof aburninghouseandtheneighbourhoodwasringingwith firealarms.GermanadvancesbeforeAmiens,enemy rushesgaininggorygroundinFlanders,carriedno shocktothehighresolvethatexistedintheAlliedre servesofwhichwewereapart. Ourarmyknewnothingbutconfidence.Iftherewas "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

otherthanoptimismtobederivedfromthecurrent events,thenourarmywasinclinedtoconsidersucha resultasgratifying,becauseitcouldbecalculatedto createagreatermeasureofspeedandassistancefrom theslowlyfunctioningpowersinAmerica.Thereason ingwasthatanypossiblepessimismwouldhurrytothe wheeleveryAmericanshoulderthathadfailedtotake upitsindividualwarburdenunderthewaveofoptimism. Thearmyhadanotherreasonforitsoptimism.Our officersknewsomethingaboutthedarkdaysthathad precededthefirstbattleattheMarne.Theywerefa miliarwiththegloomyoutlookin1914thathadledto thehurriedremovaloftheFrenchgovernmentfrom ParistoBordeaux.Ourmenrecalledhowtheenemy wasthenoverrunningBelgium,howtheoldBritish "Contemptibles"wereinretreat,andhowtheGerman waswithintwentymilesoftheFrenchcapital. InthatcrisishadcomethemessagebyFochandthe brilliantstrokewithwhichhebackedit up.What followedwasthetumbleandcollapseofthestraddling Germaneffortandtheforcedtransformationinthe enemy'splansfromawarofsixweekstoawaroffour years. Ourarmyknewthemanwhoturnedthetrickatthe Marne.Weknewthatwewereunderhiscommand, andnottheslightestdoubtexistedbutthatitwasnow ourdestinytotakepartinanotherplayofthecards whichwouldcallandcashtheGermanhand.Our forcesinthecomingengagementswerestakingtheir lives,toaman,onFoch'saceinthehole. Thatwasthedeadlyearnestnessofourarmy'scon fidenceinFoch.ThecaptureofahilltopinPicardy orthelossofavillageinFlandershadnoeffectupon thatconfidence.Itfoundreinforcementinthebelief WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 215 thatsinceMarch21st,Americahadgainedanewerand keenerappreciationofherpartinthewar. OurarmybegantofeelthattheAmericanpeople, morethanthreethousandmilesawayfromthebattle fronts,wouldhaveabetterunderstandingoftheintense meaningthathadbeenalreadyconveyedinGeneral Pershing'swords,"Confidenceisneededbutoverconfi- denceisdangerous."Inotherwords,oursoldiersin thefieldbegantofeelthathometendenciesthatunder ratedtheenemy'sstrengthandunderestimatedtheeffort necessarytoovercomehim,hadbeencorrected.The armyhadlongfeltthatsuchtendencieshadmadegood materialforBillySunday'ssermonsandspread-eagle speeches,buttheyhadn'tloadedgunsorplacedmenin thefrontline. WefeltthatthiscrisishadbroughttoAmericaabet terrealisationofthefactthatGermanyhadnotbeen beatenandthatshewasyettobebeatenandthatAmer ica'sshareintheadministrationofthatbeatingwould havetobegreaterandmoredeterminedthanhadhere toforebeendeemednecessary.Itwasthehopeofthe armythatthisrealisationwouldreachthepeoplewith ashock.Shockswereknowntomakerealisationsless easytoforget.Forgetfulnessfromthenonmighthave meantAllieddefeat. Laggingmemoriesfoundnobilletinthepersonnelof thatFirstDivision.Itsrecords,registeringfivehun dredcasualties,keptinmindthefactthatthedivision hadseenserviceonthelineandstillhadscorestosettle withtheenemy. Itsofficersandmen,withbutfewexceptions,had undergonetheirbaptisminGermanfireandhadfound theexperiencenotdistasteful.Thedivisionhadesprit whichmadethemembersofeveryregimentandbrigade 216 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT initviewiththemembersofanyotherregimentand brigade.Ifyouhadaskedanyenlistedmaninthedivi sion,hewouldhavetoldyouthathiscompany,battery, regimentorbrigade"haditallovertherestofthem." Thatwasthefeelingthatourdivisionbroughtwith themwhenwemarchedintoPicardytomeettheGerman push.Thatwasthespiritthatdominatedofficersand menduringthetendaysthatwespentinmanoeuvresand preparationsinthatconcentrationareainthevicinity oftheancienttownofChaumont-en-Vexininthede partmentoftheOise.Itwasthefeelingthatmadeus anxiousandeagertomoveonuptotheactualfront. WEWOULDN'TFIGHT 217

CHAPTERXI

UNDERFIRE

Onthedaybeforeourdepartureforthe.frontfrom theconcentrationareainPicardy,everyofficerinthe division,andtheynumberedalmosta thousand,was summonedtothetemporarydivisionalheadquarters, whereGeneralPershingaddressedtothemremarks whichhavesincebecomeknownasthecommander's "farewelltotheFirst."Wehadpassedoutfromhis commandandfromthenonourordersweretocome fromthecommanderoftheFrencharmytowhichthe divisionwastobeattached. GeneralPershingstoodonamoundattherearofa beautifulchateauofNormanarchitecture,theChateau duJard,locatedontheedgeofthetownofChaumont- en-Vexin.Theofficersrangedthemselvesininformal rowsonthegrass.Birdsweresingingsomewhereabove inthedense,greenfoliage,andsunlightwasfiltering throughtheleavesofthegianttrees. TheAmericancommanderspokeofthetraditions whicheveryAmericansoldiershouldrememberinthe comingtrials!.Hereferredtotheopportunitythen presentforus,whosefathersestablishedlibertyinthe NewWorld,nowtoassisttheOldWorldinthrowingoff itsyokeoftyranny.Throughoutthistouchingfare welltothemenhehadtrained—tohismenthenleaving forscenesfromwhichsomeofthemwouldneverreturn —thecommander'svoiceneverbetrayedthedepthof feelingbehindit. Thatnightwemadefinalarrangementsforthemor 2l8 ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

row'smove.I travelledwiththeartillerywhereor derswerereceivedforthereductionofallpackstothe lightestpossibleasallmenwouldbedismountedandthe baggagewagonswouldbereservedforfood,ammuni tionandofficers'luggageonly.Officers'packs,bythe sameorder,hadtoshrinkfromonehundredandfifty poundstotwenty. Thereweremanymisgivingsthatnightasowners wereforcedtodiscardcherishedbelongings.Cumber somecampparaphernalia,rubberbathtubs,pneumatic mattresses,extrablankets,socks,sweaters,etc.,allparted companyfromerstwhileowners.Thatordercaused manyaheart-breakandtheabandonmentofthousands ofdollars'worthofpersonalequipmentinourarea. Ihavenodoubtthatsomeofthevillagemaidenswere surprisedattheremarkablegenerosityofofficersand menwhopresentedthemwithexpensivetoiletsets. Marieatthevillageestaminetreceivedfiveofthemall fittedinneatleatherrollsandinscribedwithasmany differentsetsofinitials.Theoldmenofthetown gloriedinthesweaters,woollensocksandunderwear. Therewasnochancetofudgeontheslimbaggage order.Anofficer,boundbyduty,weighedeachofficer's kitasitreachedthebaggagewagonsandthosetipping thescalesatmorethantheprescribedtwentypounds, werethrownoutentirely.I happenedtobewatching theloadingwhenitcameturnfortheregimentalband tostowawayitsencasedinstrumentsinonewagon.It mustberememberedthatmusiciansatthefrontare stretcherbearers.Thebaggagejudgeliftedthecase containingthebasshorn. "Nohornintheworldeverweighedthatmuch,"he said."Openitup,"wasthetersecommand.Thecase jvasopenedandthebasehornpulledoutThebaggage WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 219 officerbeganoperationsonthefunnel.I watchedhim removefromthehorn'sinteriortwospareblankets,four pairsofsocks,anextrapairofpantsandacartonof cigarettes.Hetheninsertedhisarmuptotheshoulder intheinstrument'sinnardsandbroughtforthtwoapples, asmalltinofblackberryjamandaneggwrappedinan undershirt. Themanwhoplayedthe"umpahumpah"intheband -washeartbroken.Theclarinetplayer,whohadwatched theoperationandwhosecasefollowedforinspection, savedtheinspectortroublebyremovinganeasilyhidden chainofsausage.I noticedonemusicianwhowasob servingtheruthlesspillagebut,strangely,hiscountenance wastheoppositeoftheothers.Hewasactuallysmil ing.Iinquiredthecauseofhismirth. "Whenwepackedup,thoseguyswiththebighollow instrumentsallhadthelaughonme,"hesaid."Now I'vegotitonthem.Iplaythepiccolo." Allthemountedmenundertherankofbatterycom mandersweredismountedinordertosavethehorses foranypossibilitiesinthewarofmovement.Adis mountedartillerymancarryingapackandalsoarmed witharifle,isamostdisconsolatesubjecttoviewjust priortosettingoutforalongtramp.Inhisopinion, hehasbeenreducedtoonearthestatusofthedespised doughboy. Itreallydoesn'tseemlikeartilleryunlessonehasa horsetorideandasaddletostrapone'spackon.In thelineupbeforewestarted,Isawtwoofthesegunners standingbyweighteddownwiththeircumbersome,un accustomedpacks.Theywerebackedagainstastone wallandwereeasingtheirburdensbyrestingthepacks onthestoneledge.Anotheronesimilarlyburdened passedand,inamostserioustone,inquired: 220 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

"Say,wouldeitherofyoufellowsliketobuyanother blanketroll?"Thereplyoftwodejectedgunners wouldbarthisstoryfrompublication. Wewereonthemarchearlyinthemorning,butnot withoutsomeinitialconfusionbyreasonoftheinevitable higherorderswhichalwayscomeatthelastminuteto changeprogrammes.Onparallelroadsthroughthatzone ofunmarredbeautywhichtheNormansknew,ourcol umnsswungalongthedustyhighroads. ThereweremanywhoheldthatAmericawouldnot bethoroughlyawaketothefullmeaningofherpartic ipationinthewaruntilthedaytherecamebackfrom thebattlefieldsalonglistofcasualties—adivisionwiped outordecimated.Manyhadheardtheopinionsex pressedinFranceandmanyfirmlybelievedthatnothing shortofsuchashockwouldarouseournationtothe exertionofthepowerandspeednecessarytosavethe Alliedcausefromdefeat. Onthismarch,thatthoughtrecurredtosomeand perhapstomanywhorefrainedsoberlyfrom/placingit inwords.I knewseveralintheorganisationwhofelt thatwewereonourwaytothatsacrifice.Icannotesti mateinhowmanymindsthethoughtbecametangible, butamongseveralwhomIheardseriouslydiscussingthe matter,I foundaperfectwillingnessontheirpartto meettheunknown—tomarchontothesacrificewith thefeelingthatifthelossoftheirlifewouldhelpbring aboutagreaterprosecutionofthewarbyourcountry, thentheywouldnothavediedinvain. Ifthiswastheunderlyingspirit,ithadnoeffect whateveruponoutwardappearanceswhichcouldhardly bebetterdescribedthanwithCliffRaymond'slilting words: "Therearerosesintheirriflesjustthesame."If thismovewasontothesacrifice—ifdeathawaitedat WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 221 theendoftheroad,thenthosemenweremarching towarditwithasong. Ittakesahardmarchtotestthemoraleofsoldiers. Whenthe.feetareroad-sore,whenthelegsachefrom theendlesspoundingofhobnailsonhardmacadam, whenthepackstrapscutandburntotheshoulderblades, andthetinhatweighsdownlikeacrownofthorns, thenkeepyourearopenforajestandifyourhearing isrewarded,youwillknowthatyoumarchwithmen. Manytimesthatfirstday,thosejestscametoenliven dejectedspiritsandputsmilesonsweat-rinsedfaces.I recallourbatteryasitnegotiatedthesteephills.When theeighthorsesattachedtotheguncarriageswere strugglingtopullthemuptheincline,acertainsubaltern withavoiceslow,butdamnablyinsistent,wouldsing out,"Cannoneers,tothewheels."Thisreiteratedcom mandateverygradeforcedachingshouldersalready wearywiththeirownburdenstostrainbehindtheheavy carriagesandeasethepullontheanimals. Onceona downgrade,ourwaycrossedthe tracksofanarrowgaugerailroad.Notfarfromthe crossingcouldbeseenadinkyenginepuffingandsnorting furiouslyinterrificefforttomoveupthehillitsat tachedtrainofloadedammunitioncars.Theengine washavingahardfightwhensomelight-heartedweary oneinourcolumngavevoicetosomethingwhichbrought upthesmile. "Cannoneers,tothewheel!"wastheshoutandeven thedignifiedsubalternwhosepetcommandwasthebutt oftheexclamation,joinedinthewaveoflaughsthat wentdowntheline. Animposingchateauofthesecondempirenowpre sidedoverbyanAmericanheiress,thewifeofaFrench officer,wasregimentalheadquartersthatnight.Its 222 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT barnsandoutbuildingswerethecleanestinFranceac cordingtoindividualswhohadsleptinsomanybarns thattheyfeelqualifiedtojudge. "Painfullysanitary,"saida younglieutenant,who remarkedthatthetilefloormightmakeastablesmell sweeterbutithardlyofferedtheslumberingpossibilities ofastrawshakedown.Whilethemenarrangedtheir blanketsinthosequarters,thehorsesgrazedandrolled ingreenpaddocksfencedwithwhitepaintedrails.The cooksgotbusywiththeeveningmealandthemenoff dutystartedexploringthetwonearbyvillages. FortheAmericansoldier,financialdealswerealways apartoftheseexplorations.Itwasseldommorethan anhourafterhisarrivalinapopulatedvillagebefore thestockmarketandboardoftradewereinfullopera tion.Thesemobileestablishmentsusuallyweresetup inthevillagesquareifheadquartersdidnothappento belocatedtooclose.Therewereplentytoplaythe rolesofbullsandbears;therewasmuchbiddingand shoutingofquotations. Thedealingswerenotinbushelsofwheatorshares inoilsorrails.Delicacieswerethebarteredcommodi tiesandofthese,eggsWerethestrongest.TheGerman intelligenceservicecouldhavefoundnosurerwayto tracetheperigrinationsofAmericantroopsaboutFrance, thantofollowupthestringofegglessvillagestheyleft behindthem. Assoonasbilletswerelocated,thosewithoutextra dutybegantheeggcanvassofthetown.Therewas successforthosewhomadetheearlieststartandstruck thesectionwiththemostprolifichens.Eggswere boughtatvariouspricesbeforenewsoftheAmerican arrivalshadcausedpeasantstosetupanewscaleof charges.Theusuallatestarterandthevictimofar WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 223 rangementswastheofficer'sstrikerwholostvaluable timebyhavingtotakecareofhisofficer'sluggageand getthelatterestablishedinbillets.Itwasthenhisduty toprocureeggsfortheofficer'smess. Bythattime,allnaturaleggsourceshadbeenobliter atedandtheonlyavailablesupplywascorneredbythe soldiers'boardoftrade.Thedesiredbreakfastfood couldbeobtainedinthatplaceonly.Itwasthelast andonlyresortofthestriker,whoiseuphoniouslyknown asadogrobber.Intheboardoftradehewouldfind soldierswithhelmetsfullofeggswhichcouldbebought atanywherefromtwotothreetimestheiroriginalprice. Itwasonlybythepaymentofsuchpricesthattheofficer wasabletogetanythingthatcouldpossiblyleavea traceofyellowonhischin.Iftherewasasurplus,the soldiersthemselveshadamplebeltroomtoaccommo dateit. Inonevillagetavern,I sawonesoldiereatfourteen eggswhichheorderedMadametofryinsuccession.I canbelieveitbecauseI sawit. Madamesawitalso, butI feelthatshedidnotbelievehereyes.Acaptain oftheJudgeAdvocate'sofficealsowitnessedthegastro nomicfeat. "Everyoneofthoseeggswasboughtandpaidfor," hesaid."Ourdepartmenthandlesclaimsforallstolen ordestroyedpropertyandwehaveyettoreceivethe firstclaimfromthistown.Ofcourseeveryoneknows thatahungrymanwillstealtoeatandtherearethose whoholdthattheftforthepurposeofsatisfyingde mandsofthestomachisnottheft.Butourrecords showthattheAmericansoldierinFranceisreadyto, willingto,andcapableofbuyingwhatheneedsout sideofhisrationallowance. "Wehavesomeinstancesofstealing,butmostof 224 ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

themaretrivial.Recently,wetookfromthepayof onewholebattalionthecostofthirty-onecheeseswhich weretakenfroma railroadrestaurantcounter.The factswerethatsomeofourtroopsenroutewerehungry andthetrainwasstoppingonlyforfiveminutesand thewomanbehindthecounterdidn'thavetimetoeven take,muchlesschange,themoneyoffered,sothemen grabbedthecheesesandranoutjustintimetoboardthe trainasitwasmovingoff. "Therewasonecase,though,inwhichUncleSam didn'thavethehearttochargeanyone.Hepaidthe billhimselfandmaybeifyoucouldsendthestoryback home,thecitizenswhopaiditwouldgetalaughworth themoney.Ithappenedduringarecentcoldspellwhen someofourtroopswerecomingfromseaboardtothe interior.Theytravelledinsemi-openedhorsecarsand itwascold,damncold. "Oneofthetrainsstoppedinfrontofasmallrail roadstationandsixsoldierswithcoldhandsandfeet jumpedfromthecarandenteredthewaitingroom,in thecentreofwhichwasalargesquarecoalstovewith redhotsides.Onemanstoodonanotherone'sshoulders anddisjointedthestovepipe.Atthesametime,two othersplacedpolesunderthebottomofthestove,lifted itoffthefloorandwalkedoutoftheroomwithit. "Theyplaceditinthehorsecar,stuckthepipeout ofonedoorandwerewarmfortheremainderofthe trip.Itwasthefirsttimeinthehistoryofthatlittle villagethatanybodyhadeverstolena redhotstove. TheFrenchgovernment,owningtherailroads,made claimagainstusforfourhundredfrancsforthestove andelevenfrancs'worthofcoalinit. UncleSampaid thebillandwasgladtodoit. "Iknowofonlyonecasetobeatthatoneandthat WEWOULDN'TFIGHT 225 concernedaninfantrymanwhostoleahivefullofhoney andtookthebeesalongwithit. Themedicaldepart menthandledoneaspectofthecaseandtheprovost marshaltheother.Thebeesmetedoutsomeofthe punishmentandwestunghispayforthecosts." Therewasonething,however,thatmenonthemove founditmostdifficulttostealandthatwassleep.So atleastitseemedthenextmorningwhenweswung intotheroadatdaybreakandcontinuedourmarchinto thenorth.Muchspeculationwenttheroundsastoour destination.Themuchdebatedquestionwasasto whetherourforceswouldbeincorporatedwithFoch's reservearmiesandheldinreadinessfora possible counteroffensive,orwhetherweshouldbeplacedinone ofthelinearmiesandassignedtoholdingapositionin thepathoftheGermanpush.Butallthisconjecture resultedinnothingmorethanpassingthetime.Our wayledoverbyroadsandsidelaneswhichtheFrench masterofcirculationhadlaiddownforus. Behindanactivefront,theFrenchsanctifiedtheir mainroadsandreservedthemfortheuseoffastmotor trafficandtherushingupofsuppliesorreservesincases ofnecessity.Thousandsofpoilustoooldforcombat dutydidtherepairworkonthesemainarteries.All minorandslowmovingtrafficwasside-trackedtokeep themainlineclear.Attimeswewereforcedtocross themainhighroadsandthenweencounteredtheforward andbackwardstreamoftraffictoandfromthefront. Atoneofthoseintersections,I soughtthegrassbankat thesideoftheroadforrest.Twointerestingactorsin thisgreatdramaweretherebeforeme.Onewasan Americansoldierwearingabluebrassardwiththewhite lettersM.P. Hewasamilitarypolicemanondutyasa 226 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

roadmarkerwhosefunctionistoregulatetrafficand preventcongestion. Besidehimwasseatedapeculiarlookingpersonwhose kneelengthskirtsofkhakiexposedlegsencasedinwrap puttees.Amotorcoatofyellowleatherandthevisored capofaBritishTommycompletedthecostume.The hairshowingbeneaththecrownofthecapwasrather longandstraight,butbetrayedtracesofhavingbeen recentlyclosecropped.Forallhermasculineappear ance,shewasFrenchandtheyoungroadmarkerwas lavishinguponhereverythinghehadgleanedina FreshmanyearofFrenchinaSpokanehighschool. I offeredmycigarettecaseandwassurprisedwhen thegirlrefrained.ThatsurpriseincreasedwhenI saw herextractfromaleathercaseofherownafullfledged blackcigarwhichsheproceededtolightandsmokewith gusto.WhenI expressedmygreatersurprise,shein creaseditbyshrugginghershouldersprettily,plunging onegauntletedhandintoasidepocketandproducing apipewithapouchoftobacco. Therewasnothingdaintyaboutthatpipe.Ithad nodelicateamberstemnorcircletoffiligreegold. Therewasnomeerschaumornamentation.Itwasjust agoodoldJimmypipewitha full-growncakeinthe blackburntbowl,andawellbitten,hardrubbermouth piece.Itlookedlikeoneofthosethatfatherusedto consenttohaveboiledonceayear,aftermotherhad chargeditwithrottingthelacecurtains.Ifwarmakes menofpeace-timecitizens,then ButshewasagirlandhernamewasYvonne.The red-wingedletteronhercoatlapelplacedherintheauto mobileserviceandthemotorambulancestationedatthe roadsideexplainedherspecialbranchofwork.She inquiredthemeaningofmycorrespondent'sinsigniaand FIRSTOFTHEGREATFRANCO-AMERICANCOUNTER-OFFENSIVEATCHATEAU- THIERRY.THEFRENCHBABYTANKS,KNOWNAS"CHARSD.ASSAUTS," ENTERINGTHEWOODOFVILLERSCOTTORET,SOUTHWESTOFSOISSONS

YANKSANDFOILUSVIEWINGTHECITYOFCHATEAU-THIERRY,WHERE, INTHEMIDDLEOFJULY,THEYANKSTURNEDTHETIDE OFBATTLEAGAINSTTHEHUNS

WEWOULDN'TFIGHT 227 thenexplainedthatshehaddrawnpastellesforaParis publicationbeforethewar,buthadbeentransporting blessessince.TheFrenchlessonproceededandSpo kaneSteveandIlearnedfromherthatthelongestword intheFrenchlanguageisspelled"Anticonstitutionelle- ment."I expressedthehopethatsomedaybothofus wouldbeabletopronounceit. Onthegirl'srightwristwasasilverchainbracelet withidentificationdisk.Inresponsetoourinterested gaze,sheexhibitedittous,anduponherownvolition, informedusthatshewasadescendantofthesamefam ilyasJeanned'Arc.Steveheardandwinkedtomewith aremarkthattheycouldn'tpullanystufflikethatonany bodyfromSpokane,becausehehadneverheardthat thatMaidofOrleanshadbeenmarried.Yvonnemust haveunderstoodthelastwordbecausesheexplained forthwiththatshehadnotclaimeddirectdescendence fromthefamousJeanne,butfromthesamefamily. Stevelookedherintheeyeandsaid,"Jaycompraw." Sheexplainedthemeaningofthesmallgoldandsilver medalssuspendedfromthebracelet.Shedetachedtwo andpresentedthemtous.Oneofthemboreinrelief theimageofamaninflowingrobescarryingachildon hisshoulder,andthereversedepictedatouristdriving amotorthroughhillycountry. "ThatisSt.Christophe,"saidYvonne."Heisthe patronsaintoftravellers.Hismedalisgoodluck againstaccidentsontheroad.HereisoneofSt.Elias. Heisthenewpatronsaintoftheaviators.Youre member.Didn'thegotoheaveninafierychariot,or flyupongoldenwingsorsomethinglikethat?Any how,alltheaviatorswearoneofhismedals." St.Christophewasattachedtomyidentificationdisk. Stevedeclaredinfantrymentravelledtooslowlyever 228 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT tohaveanythinghappentothemandthathewasgoing togivehistoafriendwhodroveatruck.WhenI fell inlinewiththenextpassingbatteryandmoveddownthe road,SpokaneSteveandtheYvonneofthefamilyof Jeannehadlaunchedintoadiscussionofprizefighting andchewingtobacco.

Inbilletsthatnight,inavillagenotfarfromBeauvais, thesingingcontestfortheprizeoffiftydollarsoffered bythebattalioncommanderMajorRobertR.McCor- mickwasresumedwithintenserivalrybetweenthe tenorsandbassesofbatteriesAandB. A"B"Battery- manwascroakingAnnieLaurie,whenan"A"Battery boosterintheaudienceremarkedaudibly, "GoodLord,I'dratherhearfirstcall."Firstcallis thebuglenotethatdisturbssleepandstartsthemenon thenextday'swork. Aworriedlieutenantfoundmeinthecrowdaround therollingkitchenandinquired: "Doyouknowwhetherthere'saprovostguardon thatinndowntheroad?"I couldn'tinformhim,but inquiredthereasonforhisalarm. "I'vegotahunchthattheprunejuiceisrunningknee deepto-night,"hereplied,"andI don'twantanyof mysectiontryingtomarchto-morrowwithswelled heads." "Prunejuice"isnotslang.Itisaveritableexpres sionandanybodywhothinksthatthefavouriteofthe boardinghousetablecannotproduceafermentedarticle thatistresfortinthewayofathroatburner,isgreatly mistaken.InFrancethefermentedjuiceoftheprune iscalled"wateroflife,"butitcarriesa"deadtothe world"kick.Thesimpleprune,whichthearmyused WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 229 tocall"nativeson"byreasonofitsCaliforniaorigin, nowrankswithitsmostinebriatingsistersofthevine. Theflowofeaudeviemusthavebeendammedatthe inn.Ontheroadthenextday,I sawamuledriver wearingasixteencandlepowerblackeye.WhenI in quiredthesourceofthelampshade,hereplied: "Thisismyfirstwoundinthewarofmovement.Me andthecophadanoffensivedowninthattownthat's speltlikeSissorsbutyousayitsomeotherway."I knewhewasthinkingofGisors. Thethirdandfourthday'smarchbroughtusinto regionsnearerthefront,wherethemovementofrefu geesontheroadsseemedgreater,wheretherollofthe gunscameconstantlyfromthenorth,whereenemymo torsdronedthroughtheaironmissionsoffrightfulness. Therewasamajorinourregimentwhoseknowledge ofFrenchwasconfinedtothesingleaffirmativeexclama tion,"Ah,oui."Heworkedthisexpressionconstantly intheFrenchconversationwitharefugeewomanfrom theinvadeddistricts.Shewithherchildrenoccupied oneroominthecottage.Whenthemajorstartedto leave,twodayslater,therefugeewomanaddressedhim inareprovingtoneandwithtears.Hecouldonlyre plywithsympathetic"Ah,oui's,"whichseemedtomake herallthemorefrantic. Aninterpreterstraightenedmattersoutbyinforming themajorthatthewomanwantedtoknowwhyhewas leavingwithoutgettingherfurniture. "Whatfurniture?"repliedthepuzzledmajor. "Why,shesays,"saidtheinterpreter,"thatyou promisedheryouwouldsendthreearmytruckstoher housebackoftheGermanlinesandbringallofherhouse holdgoodstothissideoftheline.Shesaysthatsheex plainedallofittoyouandyousaid,'Ah,oui.'" 230 ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

Themajorhassinceabandonedthe"ah,oui"habit. Atoneo'clockonemorning,ordersreachedthebat talionforreconnaissancedetail; eachbatterytobeready totakeroadbydaylight.Wewereoffatbreakofday inmotortruckswitha reelcartoftelephonewire hitchedonbehind.Thirtyminuteslaterwerumbled alongroadsunderrangeofGermanfieldpiecesand arrivedinavillagedesignatedasbattalionheadquarters tofindthatwewerefirsttoreachthesectorallottedfor Americanoccupation.Thenameofthetownwas Serevilliers. Ourearsdidnotdeludeusabouttheactivityofthe sector,butI foundthatofficersandmenofthedetail wereinclinedtoaccepttheheavyshellingina non committalmanneruntila Frenchinterpreterattached tousremarkedthatartilleryactioninthesectorwasas intenseasanyhehadexperiencedatVerdun. Iftheeverpresentcrashofshellsremindedusthat wewereoppositethepeakoftheGermanpush,there wasplentyofworktoengagemindsthatmightother wisehavepaidtoomuchattentiontothedangersoftheir location.Achalkcellarwitha vaultedceilingand ventilators,unfortunatelyopeningontheenemysideof theupperstructure,wasselectedasthebattalioncom mandpost.Themenwenttoworkimmediatelyto removepilesofdirtybilletingstrawunderwhichwas foundglass,china,silverwareandfamilyportraits,all ofwhichhadbeenhurriedlyburiedbytheownersofthe housenottwoweeksbefore. Whilelinemenplannedcommunications,andbattery officerssurveyedgunpositions,thebattalioncommander andtwoorientingofficerswentforwardtothefrontal zonetogetthefirstlookatourfuturetargetsandestab lishobservationpostsfromwhichourfiringcouldbe WEWOULDN'TFIGHT directed.Iaccompaniedthesmallparty,whichwasled byaFrenchofficerfamiliarwiththesector.Itwasupon hisadvicethatwelefttheroadsandtookcutsacross fields,avoidingthepathandroadintersectionsandtak ingadvantageofanyshelterofferedbytheground. Virginfieldsonourwayboretheenormouscraters leftbytheexplosionofpoorlydirectedGermanshellsof heavycalibre.Ordersweretothrowourselvesface downwarduponthegrounduponthesoundofeachap proachingmissile.Thereisnotextbooklogiconjudg ingfromthesoundofashellwhetherithasyouraddress writtenonit,butitissurprisinghowquickthateduca tionmaybeobtainedbyexperience.Severalhoursof walkinganddroppingtothegroundresultedinanat tuningoftheearswhichmadeitpossibletojudgeap proximatelywhetherthatoncoming,whining,unseen thingfromabovewouldlanddangerouslynearor ineffectivelyfarfromus.Theknowledgewascommon toallofusandallofourearswerekeenlytunedforthe sounds.Timeaftertimethecollectivejudgmentand consequentprostrationoftheentirepartywasproven welltimedbythearrivalofashelluncomfortablyclose. Wegainedawoodedhillsidethatbristledwithbusy Frenchseventy-fives,whichtheGermantriedinvain tolocatewithhishowitzerfire.Wemountedaforest plateau,inthecentreofwhichabeautifulwhitechateau stillheldoutagainsttheenemy'sbesteffortstolocateit withhisguns.Oneshelladdressedinthisspecialdirec tionfortunatelyannounceditscomingwithsuchunmis takablevehemencethatourpartyalllandedinthesame shellholeatonce. Everyheadwasdownwhentheexplosioncame. Branchesandpiecesoftreetrunkwerewhirledupward, andtheairbecamepopulatedwithdeadlybumblebees 232 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT andhummingbirds,forsuchisthesoundthattheshell splintersmake.WhenI essayedourshellholeafter ward,Icouldn'tfathomhowfiveofushadmanagedto accommodateourselvesinit,butintherushofnecessity, nodifficultyhadbeenfound. Passingfromthewoodsforward,onebyone,over abaldfield,weskirtedavillagethatwasbeingheavily shelled,andreachedatrenchonthesideofthehillin directviewoftheGermanpositions.Theenemypar tiallyoccupiedtheruinedvillageofCantignynoteight hundredyardsaway,butourglasseswereunableto pickupthetraceofasinglepersoninthedebris.French shells,arrivingendlesslyinthevillage,shotgeysersof dustandwreckageskyward.Itwasfromthisvillage, severaldayslater,thatourinfantrypatrolsbroughtin severalprisoners,allofwhomweresufferingfromshell shock.Butourmeninthevillageoppositeunderwent thesametreatmentatthehandsoftheGermanartillery. Itwastrueofthissectorthatwhatcorrespondedto theinfantryfrontlinewasamuchsaferplacetobein thaninthereservepositions,oraboutthegunpitsin villagesoralongroadsinourbackarea.Frontline activitywassomethingofminorconsideration,asboth sidesseemedtohavegreaterinterestsatotherpoints and,inadditiontothat,themenofbothsideswerebusy diggingtrenchesandshelters.Therewerenumerous machinegunpostswhichsweptwithleadtheindeter minateregionbetweenthelines,andatnight,patrols frombothsidesexploredasfaraspossibletheholdings oftheotherside. Returningtothebattalionheadquartersthatnightby arouteapparentlyaspopulartoGermanartilleryaswas theoneweusedintheforenoon,wefoundatelephone switchboardinfulloperationinthesub-cellar,andmess WEWOULDN'TFIGHT 233 headquartersestablishedinacleankitchenabovethe ground.Foodwasservedinthekitchenandwenoticed thatonedoorhadsufferedsomedamagewhichhad causedittobeboardedupandthattheplasterceilingof theroomwasfulloffreshholesandrentsinadozen places.Ateveryshocktotheearth,alittlestreamof oatswouldcomethroughtheholesfromtheatticabove. Thesefallingdownontheofficer'sneckinthemidstof ameal,wouldhavenoeffectotherthancausinghimto callforhishelmettowardoffthecerealrain. Welearnedmoreaboutthesinistermeaningofthat brokendoorandtheceilingholeswhenitbecameneces sarylaterintheeveningtomovemesstoasaferloca tion.Thekitchenwaslocatedjustthirtyyardsbackof thetowncrossroadsandanunhealthypercentageof Germanshellsthatmissedtheintersectioncausedtoo muchinterruptioninourcook'swork. Wefoundthatthemessroomwasvacantbyreason ofthefactthatithadbecometoounpleasantforFrench officers,whohadrelinquisheditthedaybefore.We followedtheirsuiteandwerenotsurprisedwhenan infantrybattalionmessfollowedusintothekitchenand justonedaylater,tothehour,followedusoutofit. Lyingonthefloorinthatchalkcellarthatnightand listeningtothepoundofarrivingshellsonnearbycross roadsandbatterypositions,weestimatedhowlongit wouldbebeforethislittlevillagewouldbecompletely levelledtotheground.Alreadygablesweredisappear ingfromhouses,sturdychimneysweretopplingand stonewallswereshowingjaggedgaps.Onewholewall ofthevillageschoolhadcrumbledbeforeoneblast,so thatnowthewoodendesksandbenchesofthepupilsand theirbooksandpaperswereexposedtoviewfromthe 234 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT street.Ontheblackboardwasa penmanshipmodel whichread: "Letnodaypasswithouthavingsavedsomething." Anofficercamedownthedarkstonestepsintothe cellar,kickedoffhisbootsandlaydownonsomeblankets inonecorner. "Ijustheardsomeshellscomeinthatdidn'texplode," I remarked."Doyouknowwhethertheyweregasor duds?" "Idon'tknowwhethertheyweregasornot,"hesaid, "butI doknowthatthathorseoutintheyardiscer tainlygettingripe." Thedefunctanimalreferredtooccupiedanuncovered graveadjoiningourventilator.Sleepinginagasmask wasnotthemostunpleasantformofslumber.

WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 235

CHAPTERXH

BEFORECANTIGNY

Itisstrangehowsleepcancomeatthefrontinsur. roundingsnotunliketheinteriorofaboilerfactory,but itdoes.Iheardofnomanwhosleptinthecellarsbe« neaththeruinsofSerevilliersthatnightbeingdisturbed bythepoundingoftheshellsandthejaroftheground, bothofwhichwereeverpresentthroughourdormant senses.Strangerstillwasthefactthatatmidnight whentheshellingalmostceased,forsmallintervals, almosteverysleepertherepresentwasarousedbythe suddensilence.Whentheshellingwasresumed,sleep returned. "WhenI getbackonthefarmoutsideofChicago," saidoneofficer,"Idon'tbelieveI willbeabletosleep unlessI getsomebodytostandundermywindowand shakeathundersheetallnight." Itisalsoremarkablehowthetiredhuman,undersuch conditions,canturnofftheswitchonanenergeticimagi nationandresignhimselfcompletelytofate.Inthose cellarsthatnight,everymanknewthatonedirecthit ofa"twoten"Germanshellonhisparticularcellar wall,wouldmeantapsforeverybodyinthecave.Such apossibilitydemandsconsiderationintheslowestmov ingminds. Mentalitiesandmoraleofvaryingcalibrecogitateupon thismatteratvaryinglengths,butI doubtintheend ifthereismuchdifferenceintheconclusionarrivedat. Suchreflectionsproducetheinevitabledecisionthat ifoneparticularshelliscomingintoyourparticular 236 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

abode,thereisnothingyoucandotokeepitout,so "Whatthehell!"Youmightjustaswellgotosleep andforgetitbecauseifitgetsyou,youmostprobably willneverknowanythingaboutitanyway.I believe suchisthephilosophyoftheshelled. Itmusthavebeenthreeo'clockinthemorningwhen asputteringmotorcyclecametoastopintheshelter ofourcellardoorandagasguardstandingthereex changedwordswithsomeone.Itendedinthesoundof hobnailsonthestonestepsasthedespatchriderde scended,lightinghiswaywiththeyellowshaftfroman electricpocketlamp. "Whatisit?"inquiredtheMajor,awakeningandroll ingoveronhisside. "Justcomefromregimentalheadquarters,"saidthe messenger."I'mcarryingordersontothenexttown. Adjutantgavemethislettertodelivertoyou,sir.The Adjutant'scompliments,sir,andapologiesforwaking you,buthesaidthemailjustarrivedandtheenvelope lookedimportantandhethoughtyoumightliketoget itrightaway." "Hmm,"saidtheMajor,weighingtheofficiallooking envelopeinonehandandobservingboththeAmerican stampsinonecornerandnumerousaddressestowhich themissivehadbeenforwarded.Hetoreoffoneend andextractedasheetwhichheunfoldedandreadwhile themessengerwaitedathisrequest.I waspreparedto hearofapromotionorderfromWashingtonandmade readytooffercongratulations.TheMajorsmiledand tossedthepaperovertome,atthesametimereaching foranotebookandfountainpen. "Holdalightforme,"hesaidtothemessengerashe satontheedgeofthebedandbeganwriting."Thisis urgentandI willmakeanswernow.Youwillmailit WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 237

atregimentalheadquarters."Ashispenscratched acrossthewritingpad,I readtheletterhehadjustre ceived.Thestationeryboretheheadingofanalumni associationofa well-knowneasternuniversity.The contentsranasfollows:

"DearSir:Whatareyoudoingforyourcountry? Whatareyoudoingtohelpwinthewar?Whileour braveboysareinFrancefacingtheKaiser'sshelland gas,thealumniassociationhasdirectedmeassecretary tocalluponalltheoldboysoftheuniversityandinvite themtodotheirbitforUncleSam'sfightingmen.We askyoursubscriptiontoafundwhichweareraisingto sendcigarettestoyoungstudentsoftheuniversitywho arenowservingwiththecoloursandwhoaresonobly maintainingthetraditionsofourAlmaMater.Please fillouttheenclosedblank,statingyourprofessionand presentoccupation.Fraternallyyours, Secre tary."

TheMajorwaswatchingmewithasmileasI con cludedreading. "Here'smyanswer,"hesaid,readingfromanote bookleaf:

"Yourletterreachedmeto-nightina warmlittle villageinFrance.Withregardtomypresentprofes sion,willinformyouthatI amanexpertinammuni tiontraffickingandamatpresentoccupiedinexporting largequantitiesofshellstoGermanyovertheairroute. Pleasefindenclosedcheckforfiftyfrancsforcigarettes foryoungsterswho,asyousay,aresonoblyupholding thesacredtraditionsofourschool.Afterall,weold boysshoulddosomethingtohelpalongthecause.Yours

238 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

tobesttheKaiser. , Major. Field Artillery,U.S.A.OnfrontinFrance."

"Iguessthatoughttoholdthem,"saidtheMajor ashefoldedtheletterandaddressedanenvelope.It ratherseemedtomethatitwouldbutbeforeI could finishtheremark,theMajorwasbackasleepinhis blankets. Bydaylight,I exploredthetown,notingthehavoc wroughtbytheshellsthathadarrivedinthenight.I hadthoughtinseeingrefugeesmovingsouthwardalong theroads,thattherewaslittlevarietyofarticlesrelated tohumanexistencethattheyfailedtocarryawaywith them.Butoneinspectionoftheabandonedabodesof theunfortunatepeasantsofSerevillierswasenoughto convincemeofthegreatervarietyofthingsthathad tobeleftbehind.Oldpeoplehavesavinghabitsand theFrenchpeasantspridethemselvesuponneverthrow inganythingaway. Thecottageroomswerelitteredwiththediscarded clothingofallages,discardedbutsaved.Oldshoesand dresses,ceremonialhighhatsandfrockcoats,brought forthonlyforweddingsorfunerals,weremixedonthe floorwithchildren'stoys,prayerbooksandbrokenchina. Shuttersanddoorshungaslantbysinglehinges.Inthe villageestaminctmuchmudhadbeentrackedinbyex ploringfeetandtheredtiledfloorwaslitteredwithstraw andpewtermeasuringmugs,deartotheheartofthe antiquary. Theivoryballsweregonefromthedustcoveredbil liardtable,butthesixAmericansoldiersbilletedinthe cellarbeneathhadovercomethisdiscrepancy.Theyen joyedafterdinnerbilliardsjustthesamewiththree largewoodenballsfromacroquetcourtinthegarden. WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 239

Acroquetballisarompingsubstitutewhenithitsthe greencushions. Thatafternoonwelaidmorewireacrossfieldstothe nexttowntothenorth.Menwhodothisjobare,in myopinion,themostdaringinanyorganisationthat dependsforefficiencyuponuninterruptedtelephonecom munication.Forthem,thereisnoshelterwhena delugeofshellspoursupona fieldacrosswhichtheir wireislaid.Withoutprotectionofanykindfromthe flyingsteelsplinters,theymustgotothatspottorepair thecutwiresandrestorecommunication.Duringone oftheseshellingspells,I reachedcoveroftheroadside abriandpreparedtoawaitclearerweather. Inthedistance,downtheroad,appearedascudding cloudofdust.Anoccasionalshelldroppingcloseon eithersideoftheroadseemedtoaddspeedtotheappari tion.Asitdrewcloser,Icouldseethatitwasamotor cycleofthethreewheeledbathtubvariety.Therider onthecyclewasbendingcloseoverhishandlebarsand apparentlygivingheralltherewasinher,butthebulky figurethatfilledtooverflowingthesidecar,rodewith hisheadwellback. Ateveryirregularityintheroad,thebathtubcon traptionbouncedonitssprings,bowandsternrising andfallinglikeasmallshipinaroughsea.Itsnearer approachrevealedthatthegianttorsoapparentaboveits rimwasencasedina doublebreastedkhakigarment whichmighthavemarkedtheweareraseitherthemaster ofafourinhandoraMississippisteamboatoftheante bellumtype.Theenormousshoulders,thusdraped, weresurmountedbyahugehead,whichbyreasonofits rigid,backward,star-gazingpositionappearedmostlyas chinanddoublechin.Thewholewastoppedbyahuge fatcigarwhichsproutedupwardfromtheelevatedchin 240 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT andattimesgaveforthcloudsliketheforwardsmoke stackontheRobertE.Lee. I wastryingtodecideinmymindwhethertheele vatedchinpostureofthepassengerwastheresultof pride,bravadooraboilontheAdam'sapple,whenthe scuddingcometreachedtheshelteroftheprotectingbank inwhichwaslocatedthechiselleddogkennelthatI occupied.Asthemachinecametohalt,thesuperior chindepresseditselfninetydegrees,andbroughtinto viewthesmilingfeaturesofthatsmile-makinggentle manfromPaducah—Mr.IrvinS.Cobb.Machine, riderandpassengerstoppedforbreathandI madebold toasktheintrepidhumouristifhesufferedfroma too keensenseofsmellorasawedgecollar. "Ihaven'tasensitivenose,asawedgecollaroran inordinateadmirationforclouds,"thecreatorofJudge Priestexplainedwithreferencetohisformerstiff- neckedpose,"butGeorgehere,"wavingtothedriver, "tooka suddeninspirationforfastmovement.The joltalmosttookmyheadoffandthewindkeptmefrom gettingitbackintoposition.Georgestuckhisspurs intothishereflyingbootblackstandjustaboutthetime somethinglandednearusthatsoundedlikea kitchen stovehalfloadedwithwindowweightsandwindow panes.I thinkGeorgemadea recordforthisroad. I'venameditBuh-LooeyBoulevard." WhenthestrafingsubsidedwepartedandI reached thenextdesertedtownwithoutincident.Itwasalmost thevesperhourorwhathadbeentheallottedtimefor thatriteinthosepartswhenI enteredtheyardofthe villagechurch,locatedinanexposedpositionatacross roadsontheedgeofthetown.Asuddenunmistakable whirrsoundedaboveandI threwmyselfontheground justasthehighvelocity,smallcalibreGermanshell WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" registeredadirecthitonthesideofthenavewhereroof andwallmet. Whilesteelsplinterswhistledthroughtheair,an avalancheofslatetilessliddowntheslantingsurfaceof theroof,andfellinaclatteringcascadeonthegraves intheyardbelow.I soughtspeedyshelterintheleeof atombstone.Severalothershellshadstruckthechurch yardandoneofthemhadlandedonthefinalrestingplace ofthefamilyofRogerLaPorte.Themassivemarble slabwhichhadsealedthetopofthesunkenvaulthad beenheavedasideandonewallwasshattered,leaving opentothegazea crosssectionviewofeightheavy casketslyinginanorderlyrow. Nearbywerefreshmoundsofyellowearth,sur mountedbynowunpaintedwoodencrossesonwhich wereinscribedinpencilthenamesofFrenchsoldiers withdates,indicatingthattheirlastsacrificeforthe tri-colouroflaPatriahadbeenmadetendaysprior. Inthesoilattheheadofeachgrave,anordinarybeer bottlehadbeenplantedneckdownward,andthrough theglassonecouldseethepaperscrollonwhichthe name,rankandrecordofthedeadmanwaspreserved. WhileI wonderedatthisprosaicmethodofidentifica tion,anAmericansoldiercamearoundthecornerof thechurch,lightedacigaretteandsatdownonanold tombstone. "Stickaroundifyouwanttohearsomethinggood," hesaid,"Thatisifthatlastshelldidn'tbusttheorgan. There'sa Frenchpoiluwhohascomeuphereevery afternoonatfiveo'clockforthelastthreedaysandhe playsthesweetestmusicontheorgan.Itcertainlyis great.RemindsmeofwhenI wasanaltarboy,back inSt.Paul." Wewaitedandsoontherecamefromthericketyold 242 'ANDTHEYTHOUGHT organloftthesoothingtonesofanorgan.Theancient pipes,sweetenedbythebenedictionsofages,poured forthmelodytothetouchofonewhoseplayingwas simple,butofthesoul.Wesatsilentlyamongthe gravesastheraysofthedyingsunbroughttolifenew colouringintheleadedwindowsofstainedglassbehind whichasoldierofFranceswayedattheivorykeyboard andwithheavenlyharmonyignoredthosethingsof deathanddestructionthatmightarrivethroughtheair anyminute. Mycompanioninformedmethatthepoiluatthe organworeauniformofhorizonbluewhichmarked himascasualtothisvillage,whoseFrenchgarrisons wereMoroccanswiththedistinctivekhakiwornbyall Frenchcolonialsinservice.Thesignofthegolden crescentontheircollartabsidentifiedthemaschildren ofMahometandonewouldhaveknownasmuchany wayuponseeingtheusetowhichthelargecrucifix standinginwhatwasthemarketplacehadbeenput. Soasnottoimpedetrafficthroughtheplace,ithad becomenecessarytoelevatethefieldtelephonewires fromthegroundandsendthemacrosstheroadover head.Thecrucifixinthecentreoftheplacehadpre senteditselfasexcellentsupportforthiswireandthe sonsoftheprophethadutiliseditwithnointentionof disrespect.Theupliftedrightkneeofthefigureonthe crosswasinsulatedandwired.War,themoderniser andmockerofChrist,seemedtohavedevisednewpain fortheTeacherofPeace.Thecrucifixionhadbecome theelectrocution. Atthefootofthecrosshadbeennailedarudelymade signconveyingtoallwhopassedtheFrenchwarning thatthiswasanexposedcrossingandshouldbenego tiatedrapidly.Fiftyyardsawayanotherboardbore WEWOULDN'TFIGHT 243 tlaeredlettersR.A.S.andbyfollowingthedirection indicatedbyarrows,onearrivedatthecellarinwhich theAmericandoctorhadestablishedaReliefAidStation. TheMedicohadfurnishedhissubterraneanapartments withfurnitureremovedfromthehouseabove. "Mightaswellbringitdownhereandmakethe boyscomfortable,"hesaid,"astoleaveitupthereand letshellsmakekindlingoutofit. Funnythingabout thesecellars.Oneswithwesternexposure—thatis, withdoorsandventilatorsopeningonthesideaway fromtheenemyseemscarcest.Thatseemstohavebeen enoughtohaverevivedallthattalkaboutGerman architectshavinghadsomethingtodowiththeerection ofthosebuildingsbeforethewar.Yourememberat onetimeitwassaidthatanumberofhousesonthe fronthadbeenfoundtohaveplasterwallsontheside nearesttheenemyandstonewallsontheotherside. Theremightbesomethingtoit,butIdoubtit." AcrossthestreetanAmericanbattalionheadquarters hadbeenestablishedonthefirstfloorandinthebase mentofthehouse,whichappearedthemostpretentious inthevillage.Telephonewiresnowenteredthebuilding throughbrokenwindowpanes,andwithinmapshadbeen tackedtoplasterwallsandthefurnituresubmittedto thehardusagedemandedbywar.Anoldmancon spicuousbyhiscivilianclotheswanderedabouttheyard hereandthere,pickingupsomestrayimplementor nick-nack,hangingituponawallorplacingitcarefully aside. "There'satragedy,"thebattalioncommandertoldme. "Thatmanismayorofthistown.Hewasforcedtoflee withtherestofthecivilians.Hereturnedto-daytolook overtheruins.Thisishishouseweoccupy.Iexplained thatmuchofitisaswefoundit,butthatweundoubtedly 244 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT havebrokensomethings.Icouldseethateverybroken chairandwindowandplatemeantaheartthrobtohim, butheonlylookedupatmewithhiswrinkledoldfaceand smiledashesaid,'Itisallright,Monsieur.I under stand.C'estlaguerre.'" Theoldmanopenedoneofhisbarndoors,revealinga floorlitteredwithstrawandafringeofhobnailedAmeri canboots.Anight-workingdetailwasasleepinblankets. Asleepyvoicegrowledoutsomethingaboutclosingthe dooragainandtheoldmanwithapolite,"Pardonnez-moi, messieurs,"swungthewoodenportalsoftlyshut.His home—hishouse—hisbarn—hisstraw—c'estlaguerre. Aneveningmealof"cornwilly"servedonsomeof theMayor'sremainingchinaware,wasconcludedbya finalcourseoffreshspringonions.Thesecamefrom theMayor'sowngardenjustoutsidethedoor.Asthe cookaffirmed,itwasnodifficultytogatherthem. "EverynightGermansdropshellsinthegarden,"he said."Idon'tevenhavetopull'em.Justgooutinthe morningandpick'emupofftheground." I spentpartofthenightingunpitsalongtheroad side,borderingthetown.Thisparticularbatteryofheav ieswasengagedonanightlongprogrammeofinterdic tionfirelaiddownwithirregularintensityoncrossroads andcommunicationpointsintheenemy'sbackareas. Underscreensofcamouflagenetting,thesehowitzerswith mottledboressquattingfrog-likeontheircarriages,inter mittentlyvomitedflame,red,greenandorange.Thede tonationswereear-splittingandcannoneersrelievedthe recurringshocksbyclappingtheirhandstothesidesof theirheadandbalancingonthetoeseachtimethelan yardwaspulled. Infantryreserveswereswingingalongintheroad directlyinbackoftheguns.Theyweremovingupto

WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 245 forwardpositionsandtheysanginanundertoneasthey movedinopenorder.

"Glor—ree—us,Glor—ree—us! Onekegofbeerforthefourofus. GlorybetoMiketherearenomoreofus, Forfourofuscandrinkitallalone."

Someofthesemarcherswouldcomeduringaninter valofsilencetoapositionontheroadnottenfeetfrom adarkened,camouflagedhowitzerjustasitwouldshat tertheairwithadeafeningcrash.Thesuddennessand unexpectednessofthedetonationwouldmakethemarch ersstartandjumpinvoluntarily.Uponsuchoccasions, theguncrewswouldlaughheartilyandindulgeingood naturedraillerywiththeinfantrymen. "Whoa,JohnnyDoughboy,don'tyougetfrightened. Wewerejustshippinga loadofsauerkrauttothe Kaiser,"saidoneear-hardenedgunner."Haven'tyou heardtheordersagainstrunningyourhorses?Come downtoagallopandtakeiteasy." "Gwan,youleatherneck,"returnsaninfantryman, "Yousmelllikealiverystable.Bettertradethatpitch forkforabayonetandcomeonupwherethere'ssome fighting." "Don'tworryaboutthefighting,littledoughboy," cameanothervoicefromthedarkgunpit."Thisisa trayfortesector.Ifyoudon'tgetkilledthefirsteight days,theordersistoshootyouforloafing.You're marchingoverwhat'scalled'theroadyoudon'tcome backon.'" Atrainofammunitiontrucks,timedtoarriveatthe momentwhentheroadwasunoccupied,putinappear anceastheendoftheinfantrycolumnpassed,andthe 246 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT captaininchargeurgedthemenontospeedyunloading andfumedoverdelaysbyreasonofdarkness.Themen receivedbigshellsintheirarmsandcarriedthemtothe roadsidedumpswheretheywerepiledinreadinessfor theguns.Theroadwasinanexposedpositionandthis activebatterywasliabletodrawenemyfireatanytime, sotheammunitiontraincaptainwasanxioustogethis chargesawayinahurry. Hisfearswerenotwithoutfoundation,becauseinthe midstoftheunloading,oneGermanmissilearrivedina nearbyfieldandsprayedtheroadwaywithsteeljustas everyoneflattenedoutontheground.Fiveammunition hustlersarosewithminorcutsandonedriverwasswear ingattheshellfragmentwhichhadgonethroughthe radiatorofhistruckandliberatedthewatercontents. Theunloadingwascompletedwithallspeed,andthe ammunitiontrainmovedoff,towinga disabledtruck. Withsomeofthegunnerswhohadhelpedinunloading, Icrawledintothechalkdugouttosharesleepingquarters inthestraw. "Whatpaperdoyourepresent?"onemanaskedmeas hesatinthestraw,unwrappinghisputtees.I toldhim. "Doyouwanttoknowthemostpopularpublication aroundthisplace?"heasked,andIrepliedaffirmatively. "It'scalledtheDailyWoollenUndershirt,"hesaid. "Haven'tyouseeneverybodysittingalongtheroadside readingtheirsandtryingtokeepupwiththings?Be lieveme,it'ssomereading-matter,too." "Don'tlethimkidyou,"saidthesectionchief,"I haven'thadtoreadmineyet.Thedoctorfixedupthe bathsintownandyesterdayhepassedaroundthoseflea charms.Haveyouseenthem?" Forourjointinspectiontherewaspassedthestring necklacewithtwolinentabssoakedinaromaticoilof WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 247 cedar,whilethesectionchiefgaveanimpromptulec tureonpersonalsanitation.Itwasconcludedbyaper emptoryorderfromwithoutforextinctionofalllights. Thecandlestuckonthehelmettopwassnuffedandwe laydownindarknesswiththegunsboomingawayon eitherside.

Ourpositionswerelocatedinacountryalmostasnew towaraswerethefieldsofFlandersinthefallof'14. Alittleovera monthbeforeithadallbeenpeaceful farmingland,farbehindthebelligerentlines.Uponour arrival,itssproutingfieldsoflatewheatandoatswere untendedandbearingtheirfirstharvestofshellcraters. Theabandonedvillagesnowoccupiedbytroopstold oncemorethemutetalesofthehomeless.Thevillagers, oldmen,oldwomenandchildren,hadfled,drivingbe forethemtheircowsandfarmanimalsevenasthey themselveshadbeendrivenbackbythetrainofGerman shells.Intheirdesertedcottagesremainedthefresh tracesoftheirdepartureandtheruthlessrupturingof hometies,generationsold. Oneveryhandwereevidencesoftherebornwarof semi-movement.OnedayIwouldseeabatteryoflight gunsswingintopositionbyaroadside,seeanobserving officermountbyladdertoatreetopanddirectthefiring ofnumberlessroundsintotherumblingeast.Bythe nextmorning,theywouldhavechangedposition,rumbled offtootherparts,leavingbesidetheroadonlythemarks oftheircannonwheelsandmoundsofemptyshellcases. BetweenourinfantrylinesandthoseoftheGerman, therewasyettogrowthecompletewebofwovenwire entanglementsthatmarredthelandscapesonthelonges tablishedfronts.Stillstanding,silentsentinelsoversome ofourfrontlinepositionsweretrees,churchsteeples, 248 ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

dwellingsandbarnsthatasyethadnotbeenlevelledto theground.Dugoutshadbeguntoshowtheirentrances inthesurfaceofthegroundandcrossroadshadstarted tosproutwithrudelyconstructedshelters.Fatsand bagswerejusttakingtheplacesofpottedgeraniumson thesillsoffirstfloorwindows.War'stollwasbeingex acteddaily,butthecountryhadyettopaythefullprice. Itwasgoingthroughthatprocessofdegenerationtoward thestrippedandbarrenbutitstillheldmuchofitserst whilebeauty. ThosedaysbeforeCantignyweremarkedbyparticu larlyheavyartilleryfire.Theordnanceduelwasunre lentingandthedailyexchangeofshellsreachedanaggre gatefarinexcessofanythingthattheFirstDivision hadeverexperiencedbefore. Nightlythebackareasofthefrontwereshattered withshells.TheGermanwasmuchinterestedinpre ventingusfrombringingupsuppliesandmunition. Wemanifestedthesameinteresttowardhim.Ameri canbatteriesfiringatlongrange,harrassedtheroadinter sectionsbehindtheenemy'slineandwoodedplaces whererelieftroopsmighthavebeenassembledunder coverofdarkness.Theexpenditureofshellswasenor mousbutitcontinuedpracticallytwenty-fourhoursa day.Germanprisoners,shakingfromthenervousef fectsofthepounding,certifiedtotheuntiringeffortsof ourgunners. Thesmallnamelessvillagethatweoccupiedalmost oppositetheGermanpositioninCantignyseemedtore ceiveparticularattentionfromtheenemyartillery.In retaliation,ourgunsalmostlevelledCantignyanda nearbyvillagewhichtheenemyoccupied.Everyhour, undertherainofdeath,theworkofdiggingwascon tinuedandthemendoingitneedednourgingfromtheir

it WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 249 officers.Therewassomethingsinisterandemphatic aboutthewhineofa"twotenGermanH.E."thatin spiredonewithadesiretostartfortheantipodesbythe shortestandmostdirectroute. Thenumberofarrivalsbywayoftheairinthatpar ticularvillageeverydaynumberedhighinthethousands. Undersuchconditions,nolife-lovinghumancouldhave failedtoproducethelastdegreeofutilityoutofaspade. Thecontinualdroppingofshellsintheruinsandthe unendingfountainsofchalkdustanddirtleftlittlefor theimagination,butoneofficertoldmethatitreminded himoflivinginaroomwheresomeonewaseternally beatingthecarpet. Thistasteofthewarofsemi-movementwasappreci atedbytheAmericansoldier.Ithadinitadashofnov elty,lackinginthepositionwarfaretowhichhehad becomeaccustomedinthemudandmarshoftheMoselle andtheMeuse.Foronething,therewerebetterand cleanerbilletsthanhadeverbeenencounteredbefore byourmen.Fresh,unthrashedoatsandfragranthay hadbeenfoundinthehurriedlyabandonedloftsback ofthelineandinthecavesandcellarsnearerthefront. Inmanyplacesthemenweresleepingonfeathermat tressesinold-fashionedwoodenbedsteadsthathadbeen removedfromjeopardyabovegroundtocomparative safetybelow.Wholecaveswerefurnished,andnotbadly furnished,bythissalvageoffurniture,muchofwhich wouldhavebroughtfancypricesinanycollectionof antiques. Forcedtoarecognitionsolelyofintrinsicvalues,our menmadepromptutilisationofmuchofthematerial abandonedbythecivilianpopulation.Homeinthefieldis whereasoldiersleepsandafterall,whynothaveitas comfortableashissurroundingswillafford?Those 2^0 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

cavesandvegetablecellars,manywithwallsandvaulted ceilingsofcleanredbrickorwhiteblocksofchalk,con stitutedexcellentsheltersfromshellsplintersandeven protectedthemenfromdirecthitsbymissilesofsmall calibre. Beyondthevillages,ourriflemenfoundprotectionin quicklyscrapedholesintheground.Thereweresome trenchesbuttheywerenotcontiguous."NoMan's Land"wasanareaofuncertainboundary., Ourgunners hadquartersburrowedintothechalknotfarfromtheir gunpits.Allcommunicationandthebringingupof shellsandfoodwereconductedundercoverofdarkness. Undersuchconditions,welivedandwaitedfortheorder togoforward. OursectorinthatbattleoftheSommewassositu atedthattheopposinglinesrannorthandsouth.The enemywasbetweenusandtherisingsun.Behindour rearechelonswasthemainroadbetweenAmiensand Beauvais.Amiens,theobjectiveoftheGermandrive, wasthirty-fivekilometresawayonourleft,Beauvais wasthesamedistanceonourrightandtwohoursby trainfromParis. Wewereeagerforthefight.Thegravesofourdead dottednewfieldsinFrance.Wewereholdingwiththe FrenchonthePicardyline.WewerebetweentheGer mansandthesea.WewerebeforeCantigny. WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 251

CHAPTERXIII

THERUSHOFTHERAIDERS—"ZEROAT2A.M."

WhiletheFirstU.S.Divisionwasexecutingin Picardyasmall,plannedoperationwhichresultedinthe captureoftheGermanfortifiedpositionsinthetownof Cantigny,otherAmericandivisionsatotherpartsalong thelinewereindulginginthatmostcommonoffrontal diversions—theraid. IwasapartytooneoftheseaffairsontheToulfront. The26thDivision,composedofNationalGuardtroops fromNewEngland,madetheraid.OnMemorialDay, IhadseenthosemenoftheYankeeDivisiondecorating thegravesoftheirdeadinalittlecemeterybackofthe line.Bythedawninglightofthenextmorning,I saw themcometroopingbackacrossNoMan'sLandafter successfullydecoratingtheenemypositionswithGer mangraves. i Itwaseveningwhenwedismissedourmotorinthe ruinedvillageofHamondvilleandcameintofirstcontact withtheAmericansoldiersthathadbeenselectedforthe raid.Theirengineerswereatworkinthestreetconnect ingsectionsoflongdynamite-loadedpipeswhichwere tobeusedtoblastaningressthroughtheenemy'swire. Ininterestedcirclesaboutthemweremenwhowereto makethedashthroughthebreakevenbeforethesmoke clearedandthedebrisceasedfalling.Theyweretobe distinguishedfromthevillagegarrisonbythefactthat thehelmetswornbytheraiderswerecoveredwithbur lapandsomeofthemhadtheirfacesblackened. Inthefailingeveninglight,wewalkedonthrough 2$2 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

severalheapsofstoneandraftersthathadoncebeenvil lages,andwerestoppedbyamilitarypolicemanwhoin quiredinbroadIrishbrogueforourpasses.Thesemeet ingwithhissatisfaction,headvisedustoavoidtheroad aheadwithitsdangeroustwist,knownas"DeadMan's Curve,"forthereasonthattheenemywasatthatmin uteplacinghiseveningcontributionofshellsinthatvi cinity.Actingonthepoliceman'ssuggestion,wetooka shortcutacrossfieldsrichwithshellholes.Oldcraters weregrownoverwiththegrassandmustardflowerswith whichthiscountryaboundsatthistimeofyear.Newer puncturesshowedaswoundsintheyellowsoilandcon tainedpoolsofevil-smellingwater,greenwithscum. Undertheprotectionofaridge,whichatleastscreened usfromdirectenemyobservation,weadvancedtoward thejaggedskylineofaruinedvillageonthecrest.The odourofopengravesbefouledtheshelteredslope,indicat ingthatenemyshellshadpenetrateditssmallprotection anddisturbedthefinaldugoutsofthefallen. OnceinthevillageofBeaumont,wefollowedthe windingduckboardsandwereledbysmallsignspainted onwoodtothecolonel'sheadquarters.Wedescendedthe stonestepsbeneatharicketylookingruinandentered. "Guestsforourparty,"wastheColonel'sgreeting. Thecommandposthadalongnarrowinteriorwhichwas welllightedbutpoorlyventilated,thewallsandfloorwere ofwoodandalowbeamedceilingwassupportedby timbers."Well,Ithinkitwillbeagoodshow." "Wearesendingoveralittlepartyofnewboysjust forpracticeandaiook-see'inHunland.Wehavetwo companiesinthisregimentwhichfeelthey'vesorterbeen leftoutonmostofthefuntodate,sothisaffairhas beenarrangedforthem.Weputtheplanstogetherlast weekandpushedtheboysthroughthreedaysoftrain WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 253 ingforitbackofthelines.They'refitasfiddlersto nightanditlookslikethere'llbenointerruptiontotheir pleasure. "Noonemanintheworld,behecorrespondentor soldier,couldseeeveryangleofevensosmallathing asalittleraidlikethis,"theColonelexplained."What youcan'tseeyouhavegottoimagine.I'msuggesting thatyoustayrightinherefortheshow.Thattele phoneonmyadjutant'sdeskisthewebcentreofall thingsoccurringinthissectorto-nightandthecloser youaretoit,themoreyoucanseeandlearn.Lieutenant Warrenwilltakeyouuptheroadfirstandgiveyoua lookoutoftheobservatory,soyou'llknowinwhatpart ofGermanyourtouristsaregoingtoexplore." Darknesshadfallenwhenweemerged,buttherewere sufficientstarsouttoshowuptheoutlineofthegaping wallsoneithersideofourway.Wepassedanumberof sentriesandenteredablackholeinthewallofaruin. Afterstumblingovertheunevenfloorinadarkenedpas sageforsomeminutes,weenteredasmallroomwhere severalofficersweregatheredaroundatableonwhich twoburningcandleswerestuckinbottles.Ourguide, steppingtooneendoftheroom,pulledasideablanket curtainandpassedthroughanarrowdoorway.Wefol lowed. Upa narrow,steep,woodenstairwaybetweentwo wallsofsolidmasonry,notovertwofeetapart,we passed,andarrivedonanonetoostablewoodedrun waywithaguiderailoneitherside.Lookingupthrough theraggedremainsofthewoodenroofframe,nowal mostnudeoftiles,wecouldseethestarrysky.Pro ceedingalongtherunway,wearrived,somewhereinthat clusterofruins,inadarkenedchamberwhoseinterior 254 ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

blacknesswasrelievedbyalighterslit,anopeningfac ingtheenemy. Againstthestarryskyline,wecouldseetheblackout lineofaflattablelandintheleftdistancewhichweknew tobethatpartoftheheightsofMeuseforwhosecom mandingridgetherehavebeensomanyviolentcon testsbetweentheclose-lockedlinesintheforestof Apremont.Moretothecentreofthepicture,stood MontSec,detachedfromtherangeandpushingitssum mitupthroughthelowlandmistlikethedorsalfinof aporpoiseinacalmsea.Ontherightthelowlandex tendedtoindistinctdistances,whereitblendedwiththe horizon. Inallthatexpanseofquietnight,therewasnota singleflickeroflight,andatthattimenotasoundto indicatethatunmentionablenumbersofourmenwere facingoneanotherinparallelditchesacrossthesilent moor. "Seethatclumpoftreeswayoutthere?"saidthe lieutenant,directingourvisionwithhisarm."Now then,holdyourhandatarm'slengthinfrontofyou, straightalongalinefromyoureyesalongtheleftedge ofyourhandtothatclumpoftrees.Nowthen,look rightalongtherightedgeofyourhandandyouwillbe lookingatRichecourt.TheBocheholdit. Wegoinon therightofthatto-night." Welookedasperinstructionsandsawnothing.As faraswewereconcernedRichecourtwasadaylight view,buttheseowlsofthelookoutknewitslocationas wellastheyknewthestreetsoftheirnativetownsback inNewEngland.Wereturnedtothecolonel'scommand post,wherecotswereprovided,andweturnedinfora fewhours'sleeponthepromiseofbeingcalledintime. Itwas2 A.M.whenweweresummonedtocom-

WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" mandpostforthecolonel'sexplanationofthenight's plans.Theregimentalcommander,smokingalongpipe withacurvedstem,satinfrontofamaponwhichhe conductedtheexposition. "Here,"hesaid,placinghisfingerona sectionof thelinemarkingtheAmericantrenches,"isthepointof departure.That'sthejumpingoffplace.TheseX' marksrunningbetweenthelinesistheenemywire,and here,andhere,andherearewhereweblowitup.We reachtheGermantrenchesatthesepointsandcleanup. Thenthemenfollowtheenemycommunicatingtrenches, penetratethreehundredmetrestotheeastedgeofRiche- court,andreturn. "Zerohouris2:3cIt'snow2:io.Ourraidershave lefttheirtrenchesalready.TheyareoutinNoMan's Landnow.Theengineersarewiththemcarryingex plosivesforthewire.Therearestretcherbearersinthe partytobringbackourwoundedandalsosignalmenright behindthemwithwireandonetelephone.Thereports fromthatwirearerelayedhereandwewillalsobekept informedbyrunners.Thewholepartyhasthirtymin utesinwhichtocrawlforwardandplaceexplosivesun derthewire.Theywillhavethingsinreadinessby 2130andthentheshowbegins." Fiveminutesbeforethehour,I steppedoutofthe dugoutandlookedatthesilentskytowardthefront. Notevenastarshelldisturbedtheblueblackstarlight. Thegunswerequiet.Fiveminutesmoreandallthis wastochangeintoaninfernoofsoundandlight,flash andcrash.Thereisalwaysthatminuteofuncertainty beforetheraidinghourwhenthetensityofthesituation becomesalmostpainful.Hastheenemyhappenedto becomeawareoftheplans?Haveourmenbeende privedoftheneededelementofsurprise?Butforthe 256 ANDTHEYTHOUGHT thousandsofmetresbehindus,weknowthatinblack batterypitsanxiouscrewsarestandingbesidetheir loadedpieceswaitingtogreetthetickof2:$owiththe jerkofthelanyard. Suddenlytheearthtrembles.Throughthedugout windowfacingbackfromthelines,I seethenightsky burstlividwithlight.Asecondlaterandthecrash reachesourears.Itisdeafening.Nowwehearthe whineofshellsastheyburntheairoverhead.Thetele phonebellrings. "Yes,thisisBoston,"theAdjutantspeaksintothere ceiver.Welistenbreathlessly.Hassomethinggone wrongatthelastminute? "Right,I haveit,"saidtheAdjutant,hangingupthe receiverandturningtotheColonel;"X-4reportsbar ragedroppedonschedule." "Good,"saidtheColonel."Gentlemen,here'swhat's happening.Ourshellsarethisminutefallingallalong theGermanfrontline,infrontofthepartselectedfor theraidandonbothflanks.Nowthen,thissection oftheenemy'spositionisconfinedinaboxbarragewhich ispoundinginhisfrontandisplacingacurtainoffire onhisleftandhisrightandanotherinhisrear.Any Germanwithintheconfinesofthatboxtryingtogetout willhaveadamnhardtimeandsowillanywhotryto comethroughittohelphim." "Bostontalking,"theAdjutantismakinganswerover thetelephone.Herepeatsthemessage."233,allthe wireblownup,right." "Fine,"saystheColonel."Nowtheyareadvancing andrightinfrontofthemisanotherrollingbarrageof shellswhichiscreepingforwardontheGermanlinesat thesamepaceourmenarewalking.Theyarewalking inextendedorderbehindit. Atthesametimeourar WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" tilleryhastakencareoftheenemy'sgunsbythistime sothatnoGermanbarragewillbeabletocomedownon ourraiders.Ourgunsforthelastthreeminuteshave beendumpinggasandhighexplosivesoneverybattery positionbehindtheGermanlines.That'scalled'Neu tralisation.'" "Bostontalking."Theroomgrowsquietagainasthe Adjutanttakesthemessage. "2.36.Y-ireportsO.K." "Everythingfineanddandy,"theColonelobserves, smiling. "Bostontalking."Thereisapause. "2:39.G-7reportssendingupthreeredrocketseast ofA-19.Theoperatorthinksit'sasignalforoutposts towithdrawandalsoforcounterbarrage." "Toolate,"snapstheColonel."There'sareception committeeinHadeswaitingfor'emrightnow." At2140thedugoutdooropensandinwalksDocCom fortfromtheRedCrossFirstAidStationacrossthe road. "Certainlyisaprettysight,Colonel.Fritzies'front doorislituplikeacathedralathighmass." At2:41."Averygoodbeginning,"remarksashort, fatFrenchMajorwhositsbesideiheColonel.Herep resentstheFrencharmycorps. 243."Bostontalking,—LieutenantKernanre portseverythingquietinhissector." 2:45."Bostontalking,"theAdjutantturnstothe Colonelandrepeats,"Pittsburghwantstoknowif there'smuchcominginhere." "Tellthemnothingtoamounttoanything,"repliesthe ColonelandtheAdjutantrepeatsthemessageoverthe wire.Ashefinished,oneGermanshelldidlandso closetothedugoutthatthedoorblewopen.Theof 258 ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

ficersteppedtotheopeningandcalledoutintothedark ness. "Gasguard.Smellanything?" "Nothing,sir.Thinktheyareonlyhighexplosives." 2.47."Bostontalking—enemysentuponered,one greenrocketandthenthreegreenrocketsfromB-14," theAdjutantrepeats. "Whereisthatreportfrom?"askstheColonel. "TheoperatoratJamestown,sir,"repliestheAdjutant. "Bereadyforsomegas,gentlemen,"saystheColonel. "Ithinkthat'sFritzie'sorderforthestink.Orderly, putdowngascoversonthedoorsandwindows." I watchedthemanunrollthechemicallydampened blanketsoverthedoorsandwindows. 2:49."Bostontalking—23callsforbarrage." TheColonelandMajorturnimmediatelytothewall map,placingafingeron23position. "Hum,"saystheColonel."Counterattack,hey? Well, thebarragewilltakecareofthem,butgetmeWatson ontheline." "ConnectmewithNantucket,"theAdjutantasksthe operator."Hello,Watson,justaminute,"turningto Colonel,"here'sWatson,sir." "Hello,Watson,"theColonelsays,takingthere ceiver."ThisisYellowJacket.Watchoutforcounter attackagainst23.Placeyourmeninreadinessandbe preparedtosupportMichelonyourright.That'sall," returning'phonetotheAdjutant,"GetmeMr.Lake." WhiletheAdjutantmadetheconnection,theColonel explainedquicklytheplannedflankingmovementonthe map."Iftheycomeoverthere,"hesaidtotheFrench Major,"notaGod-damnoneofthemwillevergetback alive." TheFrenchMajormadeanoteinhisreportbook. WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 259

"Hello,Lake,"theColonelsays,takingthe'phone. "ThisisYellowJacket.Keepyourrunnersinclose touchwithMichelandWatson.Callmeifanything happens.That'sall." 3:oo."Bostontalking—G-2reportsallO.K.Still -waitingforthemessagefromWorth." 3.02."Stormingpartyreportsunhinderedprogress. Noenemyencounteredyet." Thiswasthefirstmessagebackfromtheraiders.It hadbeensentoverthewireandtheinstrumentsthey carriedwiththemandthenrelayedtotheColonel'scom mandpost. "Magtiifique"saystheFrenchMajor. 3:04."Bostontalking.X-10reportsgasinBoisdes Seicheprey." 3:05."Bostontalking.Hello,yes,nothingcoming inheretoamounttoanything.Justhadagaswarning butnonearrivedyet." 3:07."Bostontalking,Yes,allright"(turning toColonel),"operatorjustreceivedmessagefromstorm ingparty'sofarsogood.'" "Notsobadforthirty-sevenminutesafteropening oftheoperation,"remarkstheColonel. "Whatis 'sofarsogood'?"inquirestheFrench Major,whoseknowledgeofEnglishdidnotextendto idioms.Someoneexplained. 3:09."Bostontalking—Watsonreportsallquiet around23now." "Guessthatbarragechangedtheirminds,"remarks theColonel. Withgasmaskatalert,I walkedoutforabreathof freshair.Theatmosphereinacrowdeddugoutissti fling.Fromgunsstillroaringintherearandfromin frontcamethetramplingsoundofshellsarrivingon 26o ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

Germanpositions.Thefirsthintsofdawnwereinthe sky.I returnedintimetonotethehourandhear: 3:18."Bostontalking—O-Preportsenemydrop pinglineofshellsfromB-4toB-8." "Tryingtogettheboyscomingback,hey?"remarks theColonel."Afatchance.They'renotcomingback thatway." 3:21."Bostontalking—23reportsthatthebarrage calledforintheirsectorwasbecausetheenemyhadad vancedwithintwohundredyardsofhisfirstposition. Evidentlytheywantedtostartsomething,butthebar ragenippedthemandtheyfellbackfast." "Perfect,"saystheFrenchMajor. 3:25."Bostontalking—twogreenandtworedrockets weresentupbytheenemyfrombehindRichecourt." "Hellwith'em,now,"theColonelremarks. 3128."Bostontalking—allO.K.inZ-2.Stillwait ingtohearfromMichel." "Iratherwishtheyhaddevelopedtheircounterat tack,"saystheColonel."Ihavea reservethatwould certainlygivethemanawfulwallop." 3:30."Bostontalking—moregasinBoisdesSeiche- prey." 3:33."Bostontalking—whitestarsreportedfrom Richecourt." "Theymustbeontheirwaybackbythistime,"says theColonel,lookingathiswatch. 3137."Bostontalking,—enemynowshellingonthe northedgeofthetown.Alittlegas." 3:4c"Bostontalking—X-ireportssomeenemylong rangeretaliationonourright. "They'dbettercomebacktheotherway,"saysthe Colonel. WEWOULDN'TFIGHT 261

"Thatwastheintention,sir,"thelieutenantreported fromacrosstheroom. 3:42."Bostontalking—signalmanwiththepartyre portseverythingO.K." "Wedon'tknowyetwhethertheyhavehadanylosses orgotanyprisoners,"theColonelremarks."Butthe mechanismseemstohavefunctionedjustaswellasit didinthelastraid.Wedidn'tgetaprisonerthattime, butI sorterfeelthattheboyswillbringbackacouple withthemto-night." 349."Bostontalking—G-9reportssomeoftheraid ingpartyhasreturnedandpassedthatpoint." "Camebackprettyquick,don'tyouthinkso,Major?" saidtheColonelwithsomepride."Musthavereturned overthetop." Itis3155whenwehearfastfootstepsonthestone stairsleadingdowntothedugoutentrance.Thereisa sharpraponthedoorfollowedbytheColonel'scom mand,"Comein." Amediumheightprivateofstockybuild,withshoul dersheavingfromlabouredbreathingandfacewetwith sweat,enters.Heremoveshishelmet,revealingdisor deredblondehair.HefacestheColonelandsalutes. "Sir,SergeantRansomreportswithmessagefrom Liaisonofficer.Allgroupsreachedtheobjectives.No enemyencounteredontheright,butapartyontheleftis believedtobereturningwithprisoners.Weblewup theirdugoutsandlefttheir.frontlineinflames." "Goodwork,boy,"saystheColonel,risingandshaking therunner'shand."Yougotheredamnquick.Did youcomebytheLincolntrench?" "No,sir,Icameoverthetopfromthebattalionpost. Wouldhavebeenherequicker,buttwoofushadtocarry 262 ANDTHEYTHOUGHT backoneboytothatpointbeforeI couldgetrelieved." "Wounded?" "No,sir,—dead." "Whowasit?"askstheyounglieutenant. "PrivateKater,sir,mysquadmate." Asthesergeantraisedhishandinpartingsalute,all ofussawsuspendedfromhisrightwristamostformi dableweapon,apparentlyofhisownconstruction.Itwas apickhandlewithaheavyironknobononeendand thesameendcushionedwithamassofbarbedwirerolled uplikeaballofyarn.Hesmiledashenoticedourgaze. "It'sthepersuader,sir,"hesaid."Weallcarried them." Hehadhardlyquittedthedoorwhenanotherheavily breathingfigurewithshirthalftornoffbybarbedwire appeared. "KCompanygotthere,sir;begpardon,sir.I mean sir,SergeantWilturreports,sir,withmessagefromLiai sonofficer.Allgroupsreachedtheobjectives.Theyleft theirdugoutsblazingandbroughtbackonemachinegun andthreeprisoners." "Verygood,Sergeant,"saidtheColonel."Orderly, getsomecoffeefortheserunners." "I'dliketoseethedoctorfirst,sir,"saidtherunner withthetornshirt."Gotmyhandandarmcutinthe wire." "Verywell,"saidtheColonel,turningtotherestof theparty,"Iknewmyboyswouldbringbackbacon." Morefootstepsontheentrancestairwayandtwomen enteredcarryingsomethingbetweenthem.Sweathad streakedthroughthecharcoalcoatingontheirfacesleav ingstripedzebra-likecountenances. "LieutenantBurlon'scompliments,sir,"saidthefirst man."Here'soneoftheirmachineguns." WEWOULDN'TFIGHT

"Whogotit?"inquiredtheColonel. "Meandhim,sir." "Howdidyougetit?" "Wejustrolled'emoffitandtookit." "Rolledwhooffofit?" "TwoGermans,sir." "Whatweretheydoingallthattime?" "Why,sir,theyweren'tdoinganything.Theywere dead." "Oh,verywell,then,"saidtheColonel."Howdid youhappentofindthemachinegun?" "Weknewwhereitwasbeforewewentover,sir,"said themansimply."Wewereassignedtogetitandbring itback.Weexpectedwe'dhavetofightforit,butI guessourbarragelaidoutthecrew.Anyhowwerushed tothepositionandfoundthemdead." "Allright,"saidtheColonel,"returntoyourplatoon. Leavethegunhere.Itwillbereturnedtoyoulaterand willbeyourproperty." I wentoutwiththemachineguncaptorsandwalked withthemtotheroad.Therewasthehumofmotors highoverheadandweknewthatAmericanplaneswere above,goingforwardtoobserveandphotographGer manpositionsbeforetheeffectsofourbombardments couldberepaired.Alineofflameandsmokepouringup fromtheenemy'sfrontlineshowedwheretheirdugouts andshelterswerestillburning. Daylightwaspouringdownonaruinedvillagestreet, upwhichmarchedthereturningraiderswithoutthought oforder.Theywereahappy,gleefulparty,withhel metstippedbackfromtheiryoungfaceswetanddirty, withriflesswungovertheirshouldersandthepersuaders danglingfromtheirwrists.Mostofthemwereupto theirkneesandtheirwrapputteesweremostlyintat 264 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

tersfromthecontactwiththeentanglementsthrough whichtheyhadpenetrated. Astheyapproached,I sawthecauseforsomeofthe jocularity.Itwasachubby,little,boyishfigure,who satperchedupontherightshoulderofatall,huskyIrish sergeant.Thefiguresteadieditselfbygraspingthe sergeant'shelmetwithhislefthand.Thesergeant steadiedhimbyholdingonerightarmaroundhislegs. Buttherewasnosmileonthefaceofthethustrans formedobject.Hischubbycountenancewasoneof easilyunderstoodconcern.Hewasnotadayoversix teenyearsandthiswasquitesomeexperienceforhim. HewasoneoftheGermanprisonersandthesehappy youngstersfromacrosstheseaswerebringinghimin almostwithasmuchimportanceasthoughhehadbeen afootballhero.Hewasunhurtanditwasunnecessary tocarryhim,butthistributewasvoluntarilyadded,not onlyasanindicationofextremeinterest,buttoreassure thejuvenilecaptiveofthekindlyintentionsofhiscap tors. "Jiggers,here'stheColonel'sdugout,"onevoice shouted."Puthimdowntowalk,now." Thebigsergeantactedonthesuggestionandthelit tleFritzwasloweredtotheground.Heimmediately caughtstepwiththebigsergeantandtookupthelat- ter'slongstridewithhisshortlegsandfeetencasedin clumsyGermanboots.Hissoileduniformhadbeenthe Germanfieldgreygreen.Hishelmetwasgonebuthe worewellbackonhisheadtheflatroundclothcap. Withhisfatcheekshelookedlikeatypicalbaker'sboy, andonealmostexpectedtoseehimcarryingatrayof rollsonhishead. "FortheluvaMike,Tim,"shoutedanambulanceman, "doyoucallthataprisoner?" WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 265

"Surehedoeslooklikea halfportion,"replied SergeantTimwitha smile."Wegottwohundred francsforawholeone.Idon'tknowwhatwecancash thisoneinfor." "Heoughttobeworthmore,"someonesaid;"that barragecostamilliondollars.He'sthemilliondollar babyoftheraid." "Sergeant,I'mnotkidding,"cameoneseriousvoice. "Whyturnhiminasaprisoner?I likethekid'slooks. Whycan'twekeephimforthecompanymascot?" ThediscussionendedwhentheSergeantandhissmall chargedisappearedintheColonel'squartersforthein evitablequestioningthatallprisonersmustgothrough. Severalwoundedwerelyingonthestretchersinfrontof thefirstaiddugoutwaitingforreturningambulances andpassingthetimemeanwhilebysmokingcigarettes andexplaininghowcloseeachofthemhadbeentothe shellthatexplodedand"got'em." Butlittleofthetalkwasdevotedtothemselves.They wereallpraiseforthelittlechaplainfromNewEng landwho,withoutarms,wentoverthetopwith"his boys"andcamebackwiththem.Itwastheiropinion thattheirregimenthadsomeskypilot.Anditwas mine,also. ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

CHAPTERXIV

ONLEAVEINPARIS

"Sothis—isParis,"—thisobservationspokeninmock seriousness,inaGeorgeCohannasaldrawlandaccom paniedbyastiffandstagywaveofthearm,wasthecus tomaryfacetiouspass-wordwithwhichAmericansol diersonleaveoronmissionannouncedtheirpresence inthecapitalofFrance. Paris,thebeautiful—Paris,thegay—Paris,thehis torical—Paris,theartistic—Paris,theonlyParis,opened herarmstotheAmericansoldierandproceededtoward hisenlightenmentandentertainmentonthesolepolicy thatnothingwastoogoodforhim. I sawthefirstAmericansoldiersunderarmsreach Paris.ItwasearlyinthemorningofJuly3rd,1917, whenthisfirstAmericantrooptrainpulledintotheGare d'Austerlitz.Itwasearlyinthemorning,yetPariswas theretogivethemawelcome.Thestreetsoutsidethe stationwerejammedwithcrowds.TheyhadseenPersh ing; theyhadseenourstaffofficersandheadquartersde tails,butnowtheywantedtoseethetypeofouractual fightingmen—theywantedtoseetheAmericanpoilus —themenwhoweretocarrytheStarsandStripesover thetop. Themenleftthecarsandlinedupinthestationyard. Ithadbeena long,fifteenhournightrideandthe crampedquartersofthetrooptrainhadpermittedbut littlesleep.Therewasnoopportunityforthemtobreak fastorwashbeforetheywereputonexhibition. Naturally,theyweresomewhatnervous. WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 267

Thestandinglinewasorderedtoproduceitsmesscups andholdthemforward.Downthelinecameabevyof prettyFrenchgirls,wearingtheuniformofRedCross nurses.Theycarriedcanistersofblackcoffeeandbaskets ofcigarettes.Theyladledoutsteamingcupfulsofthe blackliquidtothemen.Theincidentgaveourmentheir firstsurprise. RumoralcoholhasneverbeenapartoftheUnited Statesarmyration.Inthememoryoftheoldestold- timersintheranksofouroldregulararmy,"joy water"hadneverbeenissued.Ontheotherhand,its usehadalwaysbeenstrictlyforbiddeninthecompany messes.Ourmenneverexpectedit. Thusitwasthat, withnootherideaoccurringtothem,theyextendedtheir messcupstobefilledwithwhattheythoughtwassimply stronghotcoffee.Notoneofthemhadtheslightest suspicionthattheFrenchcookswhohadpreparedthat coffeefortheirnewAmericanbrothersinarms,hadput a stickinit—hadaddedjustthatportionofcognac whichtheyhadconsiderednecessarytoopena man's eyesandmakehimpickuphisheelsafteralongnight inatrooptrain. Iwatchedoneold-timerintheranksasheliftedthe tincuptohislipsandtooktheinitialgulp.Thenhe loweredthecup.Acrosshisfacetheredawnedfirstan expressionofcurioussuspicion,thenalookofsatisfied recognition,andthenasmileofpleasedsurprise,which hefollowedwithanaudiblesmackingofthelips.He finishedthecupandallowedquitecasuallythathecould standanother. "SothisisParis,"—well,itwasn'thalfbadtostart with.Withthat'"coffee"undertheirbelts,themenre spondedsnappilytothemarchorder,andincolumnof four,theyswungintolineandmovedoutofthestation 268 ANDTHEYTHOUGHT yard,attheheelsoftheirownband,whichplayeda stirringmarchingair. Parisclaimedthemforherown.Allthatthewarhad leftofParis'gaylife,allthelightsthatstillburned,all themusicthatstillplayed,alltheprettysmilesthathad neverbeenreducedintheirqualityorquantity,allthat Parishadtomakeonecare-freeandgladtobealive— allbelongedthatdaytothatpioneerbandofAmerican infantrymen. Thewomenkissedthemonthestreet.Grey-headed menremovedtheirhatstothemandshooktheirhands andstreetboysfollowedingroupsattheirheelsmak ingtheairringwithshrill"Vive's."Therewerenot manyofthem,onlythreecompanies.Themenlooked trimandclean-cut.Theyweretallandhusky-looking andthesnapwithwhichtheywalkedwasgoodtothe eyesofoldParisthatlovesverve. Withathirty-two-inchstridethatmadetheirfollow ingadmirersstretchtheirlegs,theboysinkhakimarched fromtheAusterlitzstationtotheNeuillybarracksover amileaway,wheretheywentintoquarters.Pariswas ingalaattire.Inpreparationforthecelebrationofthe followingday,theshopwindowsandbuildingfronts weredeckedwithAmericanflags. Alongthelineofmarch,trafficpiledupatthestreet intersectionsandthegendarmeswereunabletoprevent thecrowdsfromoverflowingthesidewalksandpressing outintothestreetswheretheycouldsmiletheirgreetings andthrowflowersatcloserrange.Asergeantflanking acolumnstoppedinvoluntarilywhenawomanonthe curbreachedout,grabbedhisfreehand,andkissedit.A snickerranthroughtheplatoonasthesergeant,withface redbeneaththetan,withdrewhishandandrecaughthis

WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 269 step.Hegavethesnickeringsquadsa stern,"Eyes front!"andtriedtolookatease. Howthebandsplayedthatday!Howthecrowds cheered!Howtheflagsandhandkerchiefsandhats wavedintheair,andhowthousandsofthroatsvolleyed the"Vive's!"Thiswasthereceptionofourfirstfight ingmen.Butonthefollowingdaytheyreceivedevena greaterdemonstration,whentheymarchedthroughthe streetsofthecityonparade,andparticipatedinthefirst ParisiancelebrationofAmericanIndependenceDay. ParisianssaidthatneverbeforehadParisshownso manyflags,notevenduringthedaysthreeyearsbefore, whenthesonsofFrancehadmarchedawaytokeepthe GermansoutofParis.Itseemedthatthecustomary clustersofAlliedflagshadbeenalmostentirelyre placedforthedaybygroupscomposedsolelyofthe FrenchtricolourandtheStarsandStripes.Taxisand fiacresflewflagsandbuntingfromallattachableplaces. Flagvendersdidwholesalebusinessonthecrowded streets.Streetsingerssangpatrioticparodies,eulogis ingUncleSamandhisnephews,andgarneredharvests ofsousfortheirefforts. Thethreecompaniesofourregularsmarchedwitha regimentofFrenchcolonials,allveteransofthewar andmanyofthemincapacitatedforfrontservicethrough woundsandage.Frenchsoldiersonleavefromthe trenchesandstillbearingthemudstainsofthebattle frontlife,cheeredfromthesidewalks.Beviesofmid- dinetteswavedtheirapronsfromthewindowsofmil lineryshops.Someofthemshouted,"VivelesTeddies!" America—thegreat,goodAmerica—thesisterrepublic fromacrosstheseaswasspokenofandshoutedallday long.Pariscapitulatedunconditionallytothreecom paniesofAmericaninfantry. 270 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

Fromthatdayon,everyAmericansoldiervisiting Parishasbeenmadetofeelhimselfathome.Andthe unrestrictedhospitalitydidnotseemtobetheresultof aninitialwaveofenthusiasm.Itwascontinuous.For monthsafterward,anyonewearinganAmericanuni formalongtheboulevardscouldhearbehindhimdulcet whispersthatcarriedthewordstrisgentil. Atfirst,ourenlistedmenonleaveinParisordetailed forworkinthecity,werequarteredintheoldPipincerie Barracks,whereothersoldiersfromalloftheAllied armiesintheworldwerequartered.Our.menmingled withBritishTommies,swarthyItaliansandPortuguese, tallblondRussians,Frenchpoilus,Canadians,Australians andNewZealanders.Atconsiderableexpensetothese comradesinarms,ourmeninstructedthemintheall- Americanartofplainandfancydicerolling. LaterwhenournumbersinParisincreased,otherar rangementsforhousingweremade.TheAmerican policingofParis,underthedirectionoftheExpedi tionaryProvostGeneral,BrigadierGeneralHillaire,was turnedovertotheMarines.Whetheritwasthatour menconductedthemselvesinPariswiththeorderliness ofaguestatthehomeofhishost,orwhetheritwas thattheMarineswiththeirremarkabledisciplinesup pressedfromallviewanytooheartyoutburstsofAmeri canexuberance,itmustbesaidthattheappearanceand thebearingofAmericansoldiersinPariswerealways abovereproach. I haveneverheardofonebeingseenintoxicatedin Paris,inspiteofthefactthatmoreopportunitiespre sentedthemselvesfordrinkingthanhadeverbeforebeen presentedtoanAmericanarmy.Theprivilegeofsitting atatableinfrontofasidewalkcafeonabusyboulevard anddrinkingasmallglassofbeerunmolested,wasone WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 271 thatourmendidnottakeadvantageof.Itwasagainst thelawtoserveanyofthestrongerliqueurstomenin uniform,butbeerandlightwineswereobtainableallthe time.Allcafesclosedat9:30.Inspiteoftheeverpres entopportunitytoobtainbeveragesoftheabovechar acter,therewasmanyandmanyanAmericansoldierwho trampedtheboulevardsandcanvassedthecafes,drug storesanddelicatessenshopsinsearchofamuch-de siredinexistent,icecreamsoda. Manyofourmenspenttheirdaysmostseriouslyand moststudiously,learningthemysteriesoftransportation onthebussesandtheParisundergroundsystem,while theyporedovertheirguidebooksanddigestedpagesof informationconcerningthepointsofinterestthatParis hadtooffer.Holidaysfoundthemshufflingthroughthe tiledcorridorsoftheInvalidesorlookingdownintothe deepcryptatthegranitetombofthegreatNapoleon.In thegalleriesoftheLouvre,thegardensoftheTuilleries, orattheLuxembourg,theAmericanuniformwasever present.Atleastonedayoutofeverytendayleavewas spentinthepalaceandthegroundsatVersailles. ThetheatresofParisofferedacontinualchangeof amusement.Oneofthemostpopularamongthesewas theFoliesBergeres.Someofourmendidn'trealiseuntil aftertheyenteredtheplacethatitwasaFrenchtheatre. DuetotheFrenchpronunciationofthename,someof theAmericansoldiersgottheideathatitwasasaloon runbyanIrishmanbythenameofFoley."Bergere"to somewasunpronounceable,sotheFoliesBergereswas mostpopularlyknowninourranksas"Foley'splace." AnotherpopularamusementplacewastheCasinode Paris,whereanechofromAmericawassuppliedbyan Americannegrojazzband,whichdispenseditsquestion ablemusicinthepromenoirduringtheintermission. 272 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

Therewerefivenegroesintheorchestraandeachone ofthemseemedtohaveanardentdislikefortheremain ingfour.Individuallytheymanifestedtheirmutualcon temptbyturningtheirbacksononeanotherwhilethey played.Strangeasitmayseem,amostfascinatingtype ofharmonyresulted,producingmuchswayingofshoul ders,noddingofheadsandsnappingoffingersamong theAmericansoldiersinthecrowd.Frenchmenand women,withtheiroldworldmusicaltaste,wouldcon siderthemusicalgymnasticsofthedementeddrummer intheorchestra,thensurveytheswayingAmericansand cometotheconclusionthattheworldhadgoneplumb tohell. AlltypesofAmericansoldiersmadeParistheirmecca assoonasthedesiredpermissionshadbeengranted.One dayI satoppositearemarkabletypewhomI founddin inginasmallrestaurant.Inoticedtheabsenceofeither beerorwinewithhismeal,andhefranklyexplained thathehadnevertastedeitherinhislife.Hethanked me,butrefusedtoaccepta cigaretteI offered,saying withoutasidethathehadyethisfirstonetosmoke. WhenI heardhimtellMadamethathedidnotcarefor coffee,Iaskedhimwhy,andhetoldmethathismother hadalwaystoldhimitwasinjuriousandhehadnever tastedit. Ibecamemoreinterestedinthisideal,youngAmerican soldierandquestionedhimabouthislife.I foundthat heandhisfatherhadworkedinthecopperminesin Michigan.Theywerebothstrongadvocatesofunion labourandhadparticipatedvigorouslyinthebloody Michiganstrikes. "FatherandI foughtthatstrikeclearthrough,"he said."Ouruniondemandswerejust.Hereinthiswar I amfightingjustthesamewayaswefoughtagainst WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 273 themineoperatorsinMichigan.I figureitoutthat Germanyrepresentslowpay,longhoursandmiserable workingconditionsfortheworld.I thinktheKaiseris theworld'sgreatestscab.I amoverheretohelpget him."

OnedayintheChathamHotel,inParis,Iwasdining withanAmericanBrigadierGeneral,whenanAmerican soldieroftheranksapproachedthetable.Atare spectfuldistanceoffivefeet,thesoldierhalted,clicked hisheelsandsalutedtheGeneral.Hesaid,"Sir,the orderlydesirespermissiontotaketheGeneral'scarto headquartersanddeliverthepackages." "Allright,Smith,"repliedtheGeneral,lookingathis watch."Findoutifmyotheruniformisbackyetand thengetbackhereyourselfwiththecarinhalfanhour." "Thankyou,sir,"repliedthemanashesaluted,exe cutedasnappyrightaboutfaceandstrodeoutofthe dining-room. "Strangethingaboutthatchauffeurofmine,"said theGeneraltome."Ihadalotofextraworkyesterday onhisaccount.I hadtomakeouthisincometaxre turns.HeandhisdadownalmostalltheoilinOkla homa.Whenhepaidhisincometax,UncleSamgota littleoverahundredthousanddollars.Hewentinthe armyintheranks.Heisonlyanenlistedprivatenow, buthe'sagoodone."

WalkingoutoftheGareduNordoneday,Isawaman inanAmericanuniformandaFrenchGendarmevainly tryingtotalkwitheachother.TheFrenchmanwas wavinghisarmsandpointinginvariousdirectionsand theAmericanappearedtobetryingtoaskquestions. Withthepurposeofofferingmylimitedknowledgeof 274 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

Frenchtostraightenoutthedifficulty,I approachedthe

pairandaskedtheAmericansoldierwhathe toldmebutI don'tknowwhatitwastothis spokeonlyPolish.

ItwasnotaloneamidstthegaietyofParistha soldiersspreadthefameofAmerica.Inthepeaceful countrysidesfarbehindtheflamingfronts,theYankee fightingmenwontheirwayintotheheartsoftheFrench people.LetmetellyouthestoryofaChristmascelebra tioninalittleFrenchvillageintheVosges. Beforedawnthereweresoundsofmovementinthe murkyhalf-lightofthevillagestreet.Alonglii^of soldierswoundtheirwaypastflamingstovesofthe messshacks,wherethesteamingcoffeetookthechillout ofthecoldmorningstomachs. Laterthesunbrokebrightandclear.Itglistenedon thesnow-cladfurrowsoftherollinghills,inwhich,for centuries,thevillageofSaintThiebaulthasdrowsed moreorlesshappilybesideitsancientcanalandinthe shadowofthesteepleofthechurchofthegoodSaint Thiebault. Nowathousandmenormore,brown-cladandmetal- helmeted,knowthehutsandstablesofSaintThiebault astheirbillets,andtheseventylittleboysandgirlsofthe parishknowthosesamethousandmenastheirnew bigbrothers—lesbonsAtnericains. Therealdaddiesandbigbrothersandunclesofthose seventyyoungstershavebeenawayfromSaintThie baultforalongtimenow—yes,thisisthefourthChrist masthattheurgentbusinessinnorthernFrancehaskept themfromhome.Theymayneverreturnbutthatisun knowntotheseventyyounghopefuls. Therewasgreatactivityinthecolonel'squartersdur-

BRIDGECROSSINGMARNEBIVERINCHATEAU-THIERRYDESTROYEDBY OEBM»NSINTHEIRRETREATFROMTOWN

WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 275 ing-themorning,anditissaidthatasleuthingseventy wereintentonunveilingthemysteryoftheseunusual Americanpreparations.Theystoopedtogeta peep throughthewindowsoftheroom,andPrivateLarson, walkinghispostinfrontofthesacredprecincts,hadto shoothemawayfrequentlywiththreateninggesturesand Swedish-American-Frenchcommands,suchas"Allay veet—Allayveetfellouterhere." Anenergeticbawlingfromtheheadquarterscook shackindicatedthatonejuvenileinvestigatorhadcome togrief.HowlsemanatedfromlittlePaulLaurent,who couldbeseenstumblingacrosstheroad,oneblue,cold handpokingthetearsoutofhiseyesandtheotherhold ingtheseatofhisbreeches. TonyMoreno,thecompanycook,stoodinfrontofthe cookshackshakingasoupladleafterthedepartingPaul andshoutingimprecationsinItalian-American. "Tarnleetlefool!"shoutedTonyashereturnedtothe lowcampstoveandremovedahotpan,thesurfaceof whosebubblingcontentsboreanunmistakableimprint. "Deesekeedsmakemeseek.Icatchaheemwitdefinger indesugarbarrel.Ishoutatheem.Hejumpaback.He falloverdestoveandsitadownindepanofbeans.He spoilademess.Heburnheesepants.Tarngood!" Andoverthereinfrontoftheregimentalwagontrain picketline,agesticulatingtrioisengagedinathree corneredChristmasdiscussion.OneisM.Lecompte, whoistheuniformedFrenchinterpreterontheColonel's staff,andheistalkingto"Big"Moriarity,theteamster, thetallestmanintheregiment.Thethirdpartytothe triangleislittlePierreLafite,whoclingstoM.Le- compte'shandandlooksupinaweatthehugeIrish soldier. "Hewantstoborrowoneofthese,"M.Lecomptesays, ANDTHEYTHOUGHT pointingtotheenormoushipbootswhichMoriarityis wearing. "Hewantstoborrowoneofmeboots?"repeatedthe Irishman."Andfortheloveofheavin,whatwouldhe beafterdoin'widit?Sureandthetopofitishigher thantheheadofhim." "Itis forthispurpose,"explainstheinterpreter. "TheFrenchchildrendonothanguptheirstockingsfor Christmas.Insteadtheyplacetheirwoodenshoeson thehearthandthepresentsandsweetsareputinthem. Yousee,Pierredesirestoreceivealotofthings." "HolyMother!"repliesMoriarity7kickingoffone bootandhoppingononefoottowardthestables."Take it,youscamp,andIhopesyougetitfilledwiddimonds andgolddust.Butmindye,ifyougetittoonearthe fireandburntherubberI'lleatyoulikeyouwasa oyster." TheIrishgiantemphasisedhisthreatwithagrimace ofred-whiskeredferocityandconcludedbyloudlysmack inghislips.ThenlittlePierrewasofftohismother's cottage,draggingthesevenleaguebootafterhim. Withtheafternoonmeal,thelastofthepackageshad beentiedwithredcordsandlabelled,andtheinteriorof theColonel'squarterslookedlikeanexpressofficeinthe rushseason.Thepackagesrepresentedthepurchases madewith1,300francswhichthemenofthebattalion hadcontributedforthepurposeofhavingChristmas cometoSaintThiebaultingoodstyle. M.Lecomptehasfinishedsewingtheredandwhite coveringwhichistobewornby"Hindenburg,"themost docilemuleinthewagontrain,uponwhomhasfallenthe honourofdrawingthepresentloadedsleighofthe Christmassaint. "Red"Powers,theshortest,fattestandsquattiestman WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 277 inthebattalion,isinvestinghimselfwithbaggy,red garments,trimmedwithwhitefurandtassels,allmade outofclothbyhandswhosefamiliaritywiththeneedle hasbeenacquiredinbayonetpractice.Powershas donnedhiswhitewigandwhiskersandhisredcap, tasseledinwhite.Heisreceivinghisfinalinstructions fromthecolonel. "Youmaygrunt,Powers,"thecolonelissaying,"but don'tattempttotalkFrenchwiththatChicagoaccent. Wedon'twanttofrightenthechildren.Andremember, youarenotSantaClaus.YouarePapaNoel.That's whattheFrenchchildrencallSantaClaus." Itisthreeo'clock,andtheregimentalband,assembled inmarchingformationinthevillagestreet,blaresout "IWishI WereintheLandofCotton,"andthereis anoutpouringofchildren,womenandsoldiersfrom everydooronthestreet.Thecolonelandhisstaffstand infrontoftheirquartersoppositetheband,anda thousandAmericansoldiers,inholidaydisregardfor formation,rangealongeithersideofthestreet. Thelargewoodengateofthestableyard,nexttothe commandant'squarters,swingsopen;thereisajingleof bells,and"Hindenburg,"resplendentinhisfittings,and PapaNoelPowerssittinghighonthepackage-heaped sleigh,moveoutintothestreet.Theirappearanceis metwithacrashofcymbals,theblareoftheband's loudestbrass,andthehappycriesofthechildrenandthe deepercheersofthemen. ChristmashadcometoSaintThiebault.Upthestreet wenttheprocession,thebandintheleadplayingalively jinglingpieceofmusicwellmatchedtothekeennessof theairandthewillingnessofyoungbloodtotinglewith theslightestinspiration.' "Hindenburg,"withahugepairoftinspectaclesgog 278 ANDTHEYTHOUGHT glinghiseyes,tossedhisheadandmadethebellsringall overhisgalacaparison.PapaNoel,mountedonthe pyramidofpresents,bowedrightandleftandwavedhis handstothechildren,tothesoldiers,totheoldmenand theoldwomen. Astheyoungstersfollowedinthewakeofthesleigh, thesoldierspickedthemupandcarriedthemontheir shoulders,on"piggy"back,orheldthemoutsothey couldshakehandswithPapaNoelandhearthatdigni tarygurglehisappreciationinwonderfulnorthpole language. WhenPapaNoelfoundoutthathecouldtrustthe flourpasteanddidnothavetoholdhiswhiskersonby bitingthem,hegravelyannounced,"Wee,wee,"toallthe bright-eyed,red-cheekedsalutationsdirectedhisway. Thebandhaltedinfrontoftheancientchurchof SaintThiebault,whereoldFatherGabriellestoodinthe bigdoorway,smilingandrubbinghis.hands.Uponhis invitationthechildrenenteredandwereplacedinthe firstrowofchairs,themothers,grandmothers,grand fathers,andyoungwomensatinbackofthem,andfur therbacksattheregimentalofficers.Thesoldiersfilled therestofthechurchtothedoors. Thebriefceremonyendedwithasolemnbenediction andthenthecurtainsweredrawnbackfromoneofthe archesinfrontofandtotheleftofthemainaltar. TherestoodSaintThiebault'sfirstChristmastree,or atleastthefirstoneinfouryears.Itwaslightedwith candlesandwasresplendentwithdecorationsthatrepre sentedlonghoursofworkwithshearsandpasteonthe partofunaccustomedfingers.Suggestionsfromathou sandChristmasmindswereonthattree,andtheresult showedit. ThestarofBethlehem,madeoftinsel, glistenedinthecandlelight. WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 279

Noteventheinbreddecorumofthechurchwassuf ficienttorestraintheinvoluntaryexpressionsofadmira tionofthesaintbytheseventyyoungsters.Theyoh-ed andah-edandpointed,buttheyenjoyeditnotawhit morethandidtheotherchildreninthechurch,someof whoseagesrantothreescoreandmore. PapaNoelwalkeddownthecentreaisleleadingafile ofsoldiers,eachofwhomcarriedaheapingarmfulof packages.Youngneckscranedandeyesbulgedasthe packagesweredepositedonthetablesinfrontofthe communionrail.M.Lecompteraisedhishandsfor silenceandspoke. "TheseAmericans,"hesaid,"havecometoour countrytomarchandtofightsidebysidewithyour fathersandyourbigbrothersandyourunclesandall themenfolkwhohavebeenawayfromSaintThiebault solong.TheseAmericanswanttotaketheirplacesfor youto-day.TheseAmericansindoingthesethingsfor youarethinkingoftheirownlittlegirlsandlittleboys awaybackacrosstheoceanwhoaremissingtheirfathers andbigbrothersandunclesto-day,justthesameasyou missyours." Therewereweteyesamongthewomenandsomeof theoldermeninkhakiclosedtheireyesandseemedto betransportingthemselvesthousandsofmilesawayto otherscenesandotherfaces.Butthereveriewasonly foraminute. M.Lecomptebegancallingthenamesforthedistribu tionofgiftsandthechildrenofSaintThiebaultbegan theirexcitedprogresstowardthetables.HerePapa Noeldeliveredtheprizedpackages. "ForMarieLouiseLarue,"saidM.Lecompte,"a hairribbonofgoldandblackwithatortoisebandeau." 28o "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

"ForGastonPonsot,atoycannonthatshootsandsix Germansoldiersatleasttoshoot." "ForColetteDaville,awarmcapeofredclothwith acollarofwool." "ForAlphonseBenois,anaeroplanethatfliesona string." "ForEugenieFontaine,adollthatspeaks." "ForEmilieMoreau,apairofshoeswithrealleather solesandtops." "ForCamilleLaurent,redmittensofwoolandasheep skinmuff." "ForJeanArtois,awarshipthatmovesandfliesthe Americanflag." Itcontinuedformorethananhour.Thepromoters ofthecelebrationwerewisetotheirwork.Therewas morethanonepresentforeachchild.Theydidnotknow howmany.Timeaftertime,theirnameswerecalledand theyclatteredforwardintheirwoodenshoesforeach newsurprise. Thepresentsrantherangeoftoys,clothing,games, candiesandnuts,butthejoywasinsittingthereand waitingforone'snametobecalledandgoingforwardto partakeofthatmostdesirable"more." BigMoriarityhadhishandsintheincidentthatserved asaclimaxtothedistribution.Hehadwhisperedsome thingtoM.Lecompteandtheresultwasthatonelittle duffer,whosatallaloneonabigchair,andhuggedan enormousrubberboot,waitedandwaitedexpectantlyto hearthename"PierreLafite"calledout. Alltheothernameshadbeencalledonceandnothis. Hewaited.Allthenameshadbeencalledtwiceandstill nothis.Hewaitedthroughthethirdandthefourthcall inginvain,andhischinwasbeginningtotremble WEWOULDN'TFIGHT' 281

suspiciouslyasthefifthcallingproceededwithoutthe soundofhisname. Thepilesofpackagesonthetableshadbeengetting smallerallthetime.ThenM.Lecomptepronounced theverylastname. "PierreLafite,"hecalled. Pierre'sheartboundedasheslippedoffthechairand starteduptheaisledragginghisbigrubberboot.The restofthechildrenhadreturnedtotheirseats.Allthe eldersinthechurchwerewatchinghisprogress. "ForPierreLafite,"repeatedM.Lecompte,holdingup theenormousboot."Apairofrealleathershoestofitin thefootoftheboot."Heplacedthemthere. "Andapairofstiltstofitinthelegoftheboot."He soplacedthem. "Andasetofsoldiers,twenty-fourinnumber,witha generalcommanding,togobesidethestilts."Hepoured themintotheboot. "Andapairofglovesandastockingcaptogoontop ofthesoldiers. "Andabaseballandabattogoontopofthegloves. "Andallthechinkstobefilledupwithnutsandfigs, andsweets.Voild,Pierre,"andwiththesewords,he hadpouredthesweetmeatsinoverflowingmeasureinto thebiggesthipbootintheregiment. Amidthecheersofthemen,ledbybigMoriarity, Pierrestartedtowardhisseat,strugglingwiththeseven leaguebootandthewholesalebooty,andsatisfiedwith therealisationthatinonehaulhehadobtainedmore thanhiscompanionsinfive. CompanyBquartetsang"DowninaCoalHole,"and then,asthebandstruckupoutsidethechurch,allmoved tothestreet.Thesunhadgonedown,theearlywinter nighthadsetin,andtheskywasalmostdark. 282 ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

"Signalforthebarrage,"camethecommandinthe darkness. Therewerefoursimultaneoushissesoffireandfour cometsofflamesprangupfromtheground.Theybroke faroverheadinluridgreen. "Signalforenemyplanesoverhead,"wasthenext command,andfourmorerocketsmountedandended theirflightsinballsofluminousred.Othercommands, othersignals,otherrockets,otherlightsandflaresand pistolstarshells,enrichedapyrotechnicaldisplaywhich waseconomicallycombinedwithsignalpractice. - Theredglareilluminatedtheupturnedhappyfacesof AmericanandFrenchtogether.Ourmenlearnedtolove theFrenchpeople.TheFrenchpeoplelearnedtoloveus. WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 283

CHAPTERXV

CHATEAU-THIERRYANDTHEBOISDEBELLEAU

I haveendeavouredtoshowinprecedingchaptersthe developmentoftheyoungAmericanarmyinFrance fromamerehandfulofnewtroopsuptothecreationof unitscapableofindependentactiononthefront.Only thatintenseandthoroughtrainingmadeitpossiblefor ouroverseaforcestoplaytheveteranparttheydidplay inthegreatSecondBattleoftheMarne. Thebattledevelopedasathirdphaseoftheenemy's WesternFrontoffensivesoftheyear.Theincreasing strengthoftheAmericanforcesoverseasforcedGer manytoputforthherutmosteffortsintheforlornhope ofgainingadecisioninthefieldbeforetheAlliedlines couldhavetheadvantageofAmerica'sweight. OnMarch21st,theGermanshadlaunchedtheirfirst powerfuloffensiveonafrontoffiftymilesfromArras toNoyoninPicardyandhadadvancedtheirlinesfrom St.QuentintotheoutskirtsofAmiens. OnApril9th,theGermanhordesstruckagainin FlandersonafrontoftwentymilesfromLensnorth wardtotheRiverLysandhadcutintotheAlliedfront asfarasArmentieres. Therefollowedwhatwasconsideredanabnormalde layinthethirdactofthedemonstration.Itwasknown thattheGermanswereengagedinmakingelaboratear rangementsforthismid-summerpush.Itwastheenemy hopeinthisgreatoffensivetostrikeafinaleffectiveblow againstthehard-pressedAlliedlinebeforeAmerica'sris ingpowercouldbethrownintothefight. 284 ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

TheblowfellonthemorningofMay27th.Thefront selectedfortheassaultwastwenty-fivemilesinwidth, extendingfromtheAilettenearVauxaillontotheAisne- MarneCanalnearBrimont.ThePrussianCrownPrince wasthetitularchiefofthegroupofarmiesusedinthe assault.OneoftheseforceswasthearmyofGeneral vonBoehm,whichbeforetheattackhadnumberedonly ninedivisionsandhadextendedfromtheOiseatNoyon toeastofCraconne.TheotherarmywasthatofGen eralFritzvonBiilow,previouslycomposedofeightdi visionsandsupportinga frontthatextendedfrom CraconneacrosstheRheimsfronttoSuippe,nearAu- berive.Onthedayoftheattack,thesearmieshadbeen strengthenedtotwicetheirnormalnumberofdivisions* andsubsequentlycapturedGermanplansrevealedthat theenemyexpectedtouseforty-fivedivisionsorprac ticallyhalfamillionmenintheonslaught. Thebattlebeganatdawn.Itwasdirectedagainstthe weaklyheldFrenchpositionsontheChemindesDames. Itwasprecededbyathreehourbombardmentofter rificintensity.TheFrenchdefenderswereoutnumbered fourtoone.TheGermansputdownarollingbarrage thatwastwomilesdeep.Itdestroyedallwirecommuni cationsandfloodedbatteryemplacementsandmachine gunpostswitheverybrandofpoisongasknowntoGer mankultur.Dustandartificialsmokecloudsseparated thedefendersintosmallgroupsandscreenedtheattack ingwavesuntiltheyhadactuallypenetratedtheFrench positions. TheFrenchfoughthardtoresisttheenemyflood acrosstheChemindesDameswithitsgroundsacredwith tragicmemories,butawithdrawalwasnecessary.The Frenchcommandwasforcedtoorderaretreattothe Aisne.Hard-fightingFrenchdivisionsandsomeunits WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 285 oftheBritishFifthArmy,whichhadbeenbadlyhitin PicardyinMarch,madeanorderlywithdrawalsouth ward. Ontheseconddayofthefighttheenemymadea strongthrusttowardSoissons,andafterkeepingthecity undercontinualbombardment,succeededinovercoming allresistanceandoccupyingthecityonMay29th.On thefirstdayoftheattackalone,twelvethousandex plosive,incendiaryandpoisongasshellswerehurledin amongstthehospitalsinSoissons.Americanambulance unitsdidheroicworkintheremovalofthewounded. TheGermansforcedacrossingontheAisne.Onthe followingday,May30th,theyhadcrossedtheVesle RiverandhadcapturedFere-en-Tardenois.Onthefol lowingdaytheirvictorioushordeshadreachedtheMarne andwereclosinginonChateau-Thierry. Someideaoftheterrificstrengthoftheenemyoffen sivemaybegainedfromarecapitulationwhichwould showthatinfivedaystheGermanshadpushedthrough fivesuccessivelinesofAllieddefence,andhadpene tratedmorethantwenty-fivemiles.Onthefirstday, theyhadcapturedtheChemindesDames,onthesecond day,theyhadovercomeallresistanceor.thzA'sne,on thethirdday,theirforces,pushingsouthv1, had crossedtheVesleRiver,onthefourthday,theyhad destroyedthelinesofresistancealongtheOurcq,onthe fifthday,theyhadreachedtheMarne. Itwasacrisis.Thebattlefrontformedavasttriangle withtheapexpointingsouthwardtowardParis.The westsideofthetriangleextendedfiftymilesnorthward fromtheMarnetotheOisenearNoyon.Theeastside ofthetrianglerannorth-eastwardthirtymilestoRheims. ThepointofthisnewthrustatParisrestedonthenorth bankoftheMarneatChateau-Thierry.Theenemyhad 286 ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

advancedtowithinfortymilesofthecapitalofFrance; thefateoftheAlliedworldhunginthebalance. UndoubtedlyI amprejudiced,butI liketofeelthat IknowtherealreasonwhytheGermanhordesstopped atChateau-ThierryonthenorthbankoftheMarne.To methatreasonwillalwaysbethis—becauseonthesouth bankoftheMarnestoodtheAmericans. Onthatdayandinthateventtherematerialisedthe Germanfearswhichhadurgedthemontosuchgreat speedandviolence.Intheeleventhhour,thereatthe peakoftheGermanthrust,thereattheclimaxofGer many'striumphantadvances,thereatthepointwherea militarydecisionfortheenemyseemedalmostwithin grasp,thereandthentheAmericansoldiersteppedinto thebreechtosavethedemocracyoftheworld. TheMarneRivermakesa loopatthisplaceand Chateau-Thierryliesonbothbanks.TheMarnethere iscalledariver,butitwouldhardlycomeuptothe Americanunderstandingoftheword.Thewaterway ismorelikeacanalwithbanksbuiltupwithstoneblocks. Therearestreetsoneitherbank,andthesebeingthe principalstreetsofthetown,areborderedwithcom parativelyhighbuildings. WhiletheGermanswereontheoutskirtsofthecity, Americanforceshadmadebrilliantcounterattackson bothsides.TothewestofChateau-ThierrytheGer manadvanceforces,seekingtopenetrateNeuillyWood, hadbeenhurledbackbyouryoungtroops.Totheeast ofChateau-Thierrytheenemyhadsucceededincrossing theMarneinthevicinityofJaulgonne. ThisoperationwascarriedoutbytheGerman36th Division.OnthenightofMay30th,atapointwhere theMarneloopednorthwardeightmilestotheeastof WEWOULDN'TFIGHT"

Chateau-Thierry,theenemysucceededinputtingafew menacrosstheriver. Alongthesouthbankoftheriveratthatplace,the Paris-Chalonsranthroughanumberofdeepcutsandone tunnel.Theenemytookshelterinthesenaturalpro tections.TheysufferedseriouslossesfromtheAllied artillerywhichalsodestroyedsomeoftheirpontoons acrosstheriver,butinspiteofthis,theGermanssuc ceededinre-enforcingtheunitsonthesouthbankto thestrengthofaboutabattalion. Almostatthesametime,theFrenchdefendersatthis placereceivedre-enforcementsfromtheAmericans. Unitsofthe3rdUnitedStatesRegularDivisionandthe 28thU.S.Division,comprisedlargelyofPennsylvania NationalGuardsmen,wererushedforwardfromtraining areas,milesbackoftheline,wheretheywereengagedin fittingthemselvesforlineduty.Theseincompletely trainedAmericanunitsabandonedtheirbayonet-stabbing ofgunny-sacksandmake-believewarfaretorushforward intotherealthing. OnJune2nd,theseAmericans,undercommandof Frenchofficers,beganthecounterattacktosweepthe Germansbackfromthesouthbank.Bythattimethe enemyhadsucceededinputtingtwenty-twolightbridges acrosstheMarneandhadestablisheda strongbridge headpositionwitha numberofmachinegunsanda strongforceofmenintherailwaystationonthesouth bankoftheriveroppositeJaulgonne. ThispositionwasattackedfrontallybytheAmericans andFrench.Ournovicesinbattlewereguiltyofnu merousso-calledstrategicalblunders,butinthemain purposeofkillingtheenemy,theyprovedirresistible. TheGermansbrokeandran.Atthesametime,the Frenchartilleryloweredaterrificbarrageonthebridges ANDTHEYTHOUGHT crossingtheriver,withtheresultthatmanyoftheflee ingenemywerekilledandmoredrowned.Onlythirty orfortyescapedbyswimming.Onehundredofthem threwdowntheirarmsandsurrendered.Theremainder ofthebattalionwaswipedout.Atthecloseoftheen gagementtheAmericansandtheFrenchwereinfull commandofthesouthbank. ButitwasinChateau-ThierryitselfthattheGermans madetheirmostdeterminedefforttocrosstheriverand getafootingonthesouthbank,anditwasthere,again, thattheireffortswerefrustratedbyourforces.OnMay 31st,Americanmachinegununits,thenintrainingsev enty-fivekilometressouthoftheMarne,werehurriedly bundledintomotorlorriesandrushednorthwardinto Chateau-Thierry. TheGermanswereadvancingtheirpatrolsintothe northsideofthecity.Theywerepouringdownthe streetsinlargenumbers,withtheevidentpurposeof crossingthebridgesandestablishingthemselvesonthe southbank. Itwasfouro'clockintheafternoonofMay31stthat thoseAmericanmackinegunnersgottheirfirstglimpse ofrealwar.ThatnightwhiletheGermanartilleryraked thesouthbankoftheriverwithhighexplosiveshells, thoseAmericans,shoulderingtheirmachineguns, marchedintothecityandtookupdefensivepositionson thesouthbankoftheriver. Duringthenightmanyhouseswereturnedintoruins. Shellsstrikingtherailroadstationhadcausedittoburn. Intheredglareourmensawthehousesaboutthemcol lapseundercloudsofdustanddebris.Undercoverof darknesstheGermansfilteredthroughthestreetsonthe northsideoftheriver.TheAmericanmachinegunners wentintopositioninthewindowsofhousesonthesouth WEWOULDN'TFIGHT' 28g bankandingardensbetweenthehouses,andfromthese positionsitwaspossibletocommandallofthebridge approachesandstreetsleadingtotheriverontheopposite side. Duringthenight,LieutenantJohnT.Bissell,ayoung PittsburgherbutrecentlygraduatedfromWestPoint, startedacrossoneofthebridgesandreachedthenorth bankwithasquadofadozenmenandtwomachineguns. Thislittleunitwentintopositioninaplacecommanding theforkedhighwayswhichconvergednotfarfromthe northernapproachoftheironbridgecrowingtheriver. Itwasthisunit'sfunctiontopreventtheenemyadvance fromthisdirection.Theunitwasseparatedfromits comradesonthesouthbankbytheriverandabouttwo hundredyards.Inspiteofthefactthattheenemyar tilleryintensifieditsshellingofthesouthbank,theAmer icanmachinegunnersremainedattheirpostswithout firingandplayedawaitinggame. WiththecomingofdawntheGermansbegantomake theirrushesforthebridges.Smallcompactforceswould dartforwardcarryinglightmachinegunsandammuni tionwiththem.Theyencounteredaterrificburstoi Americanfireandwiltedinfrontofit. Thosethatsur vivedcrawledbacktotheshelterofprotectingwalls, wheretheywerere-enforcedwithfreshunits,andagain themassedformationschargeddownthestreetstoward thebridges.TheslaughterofGermansincreaseduntil theapproachesweredottedwithbodiesoftheenemy slain. OnJuneist,theGermanshavingconsolidatedposi tionsonthehillscommandingthecityfromthenorth, theydirectedaterrificartilleryandmachinegunfireinto ourexposedpositionsonthesouthbank,aswellasthe smallpostsstillheldonthenorthbankbyLieutenant 290 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

Bissellandhismachinegunners.Althoughtheposition heldbythelittleAmericangrouphadlongbeenconsid ereduntenable,themembersofitstuckitoutuntilnight fall,whentheyreceivedorderstoretiretothesouth bank.Atthesametime,Frenchcolonialswhichhad heldapositionthroughoutthedayonthenorthbankon theedgeofthetown,withdrewinaccordancewiththe sameplan.Theretirementofbothpartieswascovered byourmachinegunnersonthesouthbank,whopoured ahotfireintotheevacuatedareasastheGermansbegan occupyingthem. By10:30thatnightthecompletionofthemovement wassignalisedbya terrificexplosion,astheFrench colonialsblewuponeofthestonebridgesoverwhich theyhadwithdrawn.Butthedestructionofthebridge hadcutoffthelittlebandofAmericansandleftthem almostsurroundedbytheenemyonthenorthbankof theriver,whichwasnowbecomingstronglypopulated bytheenemy.Throughthedarknesscouldbeheard thesoundofshuffling,hobnailedboots,andevenabove thecrackofthegunstherecametheweirdswishof thegreycoatsastheypushedforwardinmassforma tions. ThelittlepartyofthirteenAmericansdismantledtheir gunsand,witheachmancarryinghisallottedpiece,they Beganworkingtheirwayalongtheriverbanktoward themainbridge,wheretheydiscoveredthattheenemy wasalmostuponthem.Theyimmediatelywentinto positionbehindthestoneparapetontheverybrinkof theriver,and,althoughinconstantdangerfromthe Americanfirethatpouredoutfromthesouthbank,they pouredstreamsofleadpoint-blankintotheadvancing Germanranks. TheAmericansonthesouthbankwerenotawareof WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 291 theplightofthelittlepartyonthenorthbank.Inspite oftheirlosses,theGermanscontinuedtheirgrewsome rushestowardtheapproachesoftheironbridgeacross -whichourmachinegunnerswerepouringadevastating fire.LieutenantBissellandhismenmadeoneeffortto crossthebridge,butwereforcedtocrawlbacktoshelter onthenorthbank,carryingwiththemthreeoftheir -wounded.Theyfoundthemselvesbetweenacross-fire. ThenBissell,alone,approachedasnearashedared,and thefirstintimationthattheAmericansonthesouthbank hadofthefactthatAmericanswereinfrontofthem waswhenLieutenantCobeyheardBissell'svoicecalling hisname.Aceasefireorderwasimmediatelygivenand Bissellandhismenrushedacrossthebridge,carrying theirwoundedwiththem. OnthefollowingdaytheGermanswereinoccupation ofallthehousesfacingthenorthbankoftheriver,and couldbeseenfromtimetotimedartingfromoneshelter toanother.Throughoutthedaytheirartillerymain tainedaterrificdownpourofshellsonthepositionsheld byourmenonthesouthbank.Sointensewastherifle fireandactivityofsnipers,thatitmeantdeathtoappear intheopen.TheAmericansmannedtheirgunsthrough outtheday,butrefrainedfromindulginginmachinegun firebecauseitwasnotdesiredtorevealthelocations oftheguns.Nightfallapproachedwithaquietthatwas deadlyominousofimpendingevents. Atnineo'clocktheenemyformationslungedforward totheattack.Theirdensemasseschargeddownthe streetsleadingtowardtheriver.Theysangastheyad vanced.Theorders,asrevealedindocumentscaptured later,camestraightfromthehighcommandandde mandedtheacquisitionofafootholdonthesouthbank 292 'ANDTHEYTHOUGHT atallcosts.Theypaidthecosts,butneverreachedthe southbank. TheAmericanmachinegunfirewaswithering.Time aftertime,inthefrequentrushesthroughoutthenight, theremnantsofenemymasseswouldreachsometimes asfarasthecentreofthebigbridge,butnoneofthem succeededinreachingthesouthbank.Thebridgebe camecarpetedwithGermandeadandwounded.They laythickintheopenstreetsneartheapproaches.By morningtheirdeadwerepiledhighonthebridgeand subsequentrushesendeavouredtoadvanceoverthe bodiesoftheirfallencomrades.Inthisbattleofthe bridgesandthestreets,ourmenshowedacourageand determinationwhicharousedtheadmirationofthe Frenchofficers,whowereawarebythistimethatforty- eighthoursbeforethesesameAmericansoldiershadseen battleforthefirsttime. Ourmachinegunnersturnedthenorthernbankofthe riverintoaNoMan'sLand.Theirvigilancewasun relentingandeveryenemyattempttoeludeitmetwith disaster.TherewereseriousAmericancasualtiesduring thatterrificfire,buttheywerenothingincomparisonwith thethousandormoreGermandeadthatdottedthestreets andcloggedtherunwaysofthebigbridgeinpiles.The lastnightofthefightenormouschargesofexplosivewere placedbeneaththebridgeanddischarged. Thebridgewasdestroyed.Highintotheairwere blownbitsofstone,steel,timber,debris,wreckageand thebodiesofGermandead,alltofallbackintotheriver andgobobbingupanddowninthewatersoftheMarne. ThusdidtheAmericanssavethedayatChateau- Thierry,butitbecameimmediatelynecessaryforthe Frenchhighcommandtocalluponouryoungforcesfor anothergreateffort.Inresponsetothiscall,theSecond WEWOULDN'TFIGHT 293

UnitedStatesDivision,includingonebrigadeofthe UnitedStatesMarines,the5thand6thRegiments, startedforthefront.Thedivisionwasthenoccupying supportpositionsinthevicinityofGisorsbehindthe Picardyline.Atfouro'clockonthemorningofMay 31sttheMarinebrigadeandregimentsofUnitedStates infantry,the9thandthe23rdRegulars,boardedcamions, twentytothirtymenandtheirequipmentineachvehicle. XheywereboundeastwardtothevalleyoftheMame. Theroadtookthemthroughthestringofprettyvillages fifteenmilestothenorthofParis.Thetrucksloaded -withUnitedStatestroopssoonbecamepartoftheend lesstrafficofwarthatwaspouringnorthwardandeast wardtowardtheragingfront.Ourmensoonbecame coatedwiththedustoftheroad.TheFrenchpeoplein thevillagesthroughwhichtheypassedattopspeed cheeredthemandthrewflowersintothelorries. BetweenMeauxandChateau-Thierry,wheretheroad woundalongtheMarne,ourmenencounteredlong trainsofFrenchrefugees,wearymotherscarryinghun grybabiesatthebreast,farmwagonsloadedwithhouse holdbelongings,usuallysurmountedbyfeathermat tressesonwhichrodegrey-hairedgrandfathersand grandmothers.Thispitifulprocessionwasmoving towardthereardrivingbeforeitflocksofgeeseand herdsofcattle.Ontheothersideoftheroadwar,grim war,movedintheoppositedirection. TheSecondDivisionwasboundforthelinetothe northwestofChateau-Thierry.OnJune1st,the6th MarinesrelievedtheFrenchonthesupportlines.The sectorofthe6thRegimentjoinedontheleftthesector heldbytwobattalionsofthe5th.Thelineontheright washeldbytheFrench.OnJune2nd,thehard-pressed Frenchline,weakandwearyfromcontinualrearguard 294 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT actions,overahardfightingperiodofalmostaweek, fellbackbyprearrangedplanandpassedthroughthe supportpositionswhichweheld.Tofillgapsbetween units,theMarinesextendedtheirbrigadesectortobe tweentwelveandfourteenkilometres.AstheFrench withdrewtotherear,hardpressedbytheenemy,the Marinesheldthenewfirstline. Theregimentalheadquartersofthe6thwaslocated inastonefarmhouseatacross-roadscalledLaVoie Chatel,situatedbetweenthevillagesofChampillonand Lucy-le-Bocage.Therewasclearobservationfromthat pointtowardthenorth.Atfiveo'clockintheafternoon onthatdaycfclearvisibility,theGermansrenewedtheir attacksfromthenorthandnortheasttowardaposition calledHill165,whichwasdefendedbythe5thRegiment. TheGermansadvancedintwosolidcolumnsacrossa fieldofgoldenwheat.Morethanhalfofthetwocol umnshadleftthecoverofthetreesandweremoving inperfectorderacrossthefieldwhentheshrapnelfire fromtheAmericanartilleryinthereargotrangeon thetarget.Burstafterburstofwhitesmokesuddenly appearedintheairoverthecolumn,andundereach burstthegroundwasmarkedwithacircleofGerman dead.Itwasnotbarragefire:itwasindividualfiring againsttwoindividualmovingtargetsanditssuccess spokewellforthetrainingwhichthatbrigadeofAmeri canartilleryhadreceived. Frenchaviatorsfromabovedirectedthefireofour guns,andfromhighintheairsignalleddowntheir "bravos"incongratulationontheexcellentwork.At thesametimz,themachinegunnersofthe5thcovered theravinesandwoodedclumpswithahotfiretopre ventsmallbodiesoftheenemyfrominfiltratingthrough WEWOULDN'TFIGHT 295 ourlines.TheFrenchmarvelledatthedeliberateness andaccuracyofourriflemen. TheGermans,unawarethata changehadtaken placeinthepersonnelthatfacedthem,reeledbackde moralisedandunabletounderstandhowsuchasudden showofresistancehadbeenpresentedbytheweakened Frenchtroopswhichtheyhadbeendrivingbeforethem foraweek.Theenemy'sadvancehadbeenmadeopenly andconfidentlyinthemistakenflushofvictory.Their triumphantadvancesofthepreviousweekhadmorethan supportedthestatementsoftheGermanofficers,who hadtoldtheirmenthattheywereontheroadtoParis— theendofthewarandpeace.Itwasin*fhismoodof victorythattheenemyencounteredtheMarines'stone wallandreeledbackinsurprise. Thatengagement,inadditiontoloweringtheenemy morale,deprivedthemoftheiroffensivespiritandplaced themonthedefensive.Thenextfewdayswerespent inadvancingsmallstrongpointsandthestrengtheningof positions.InbroaddaylightonegroupofMarines rushedaGermanmachinegunpitintheopen,killedor woundedeverymaninthecrew,disabledthegunand gotbacktotheirlinesinsafety. Itwasatfiveo'clockonthebrightafternoonofJune 6ththattheUnitedStatesMarinesbegantocarvetheir wayintohistoryinthebattleoftheBoisdeBelleau. MajorGeneralHarbord,formerChiefofStafftoGen eralPershing,wasincommandoftheMarinebrigade. Orderswerereceivedforageneraladvanceonthebrigade front.Themainobjectivesweretheeasternedgeofthe BoisdeBelleauandthetownsofBussiares,Torcyand Bouresches. Owingtothedifficultyofliaisoninthethicketsofthe wood,andbecauseofthealmostimpossibletaskofdi 296 ANDTHEYTHOUGHT rectingitinconjunctionwiththeadvancing(ines,the artillerypreparationfortheattackwasnecessarilybrief. Atfiveo'clocktothedottheMarinesmovedoutfrom thewoodsinperfectorder,andstartedacrossthewheat fieldsinfourlongwaves.Itwasabeautifulsight,these menofoursgoingacrossthoseflatfieldstowardthe treeclustersbeyondfromwhichtheGermanspoured amurderousmachinegunfire. Thewoodswereimpregnatedwithnestsofmachine guns,butouradvanceprovedirresistible.Manyofour menfell,butthosethatsurvivedpushedonthroughthe woods,bayonetingrightandleftandfiringasthey charged.Sosweepingwastheadvancethatinsome placessmallisolatedunitsofourmenfoundthemselves withGermansbothbeforeandbehindthem. Theenemyputupa stubbornresistanceontheleft, anditwasnotuntillaterintheeveningthatthispartof thelinereachedthenortheastedgeofthewoods,afterit hadcompletelysurroundedamostpopulousmachinegun nestwhichwaslocatedona rockyhill.Duringthe fightingColonelCatlinwaswoundedandCaptainLas- pierre,theFrenchliaisonofficer,wasgassed,twocasual tieswhichrepresentedadistinctblowtothebrigade,but didnothinderitsfurtherprogress. OntherightLieutenantRobertson,withtwentysur vivorsoutofhisentireplatoon,emergedfromtheter rificenemybarrageandtookthetownofBoureschesat thepointofthebayonet.CaptainDuncan,receiving wordthatoneMarinecompany,withadeterminationto engagetheenemyinhand-to-handcombat,hadgonetwo hundredyardsinadvance,racedforwardonthedouble quickwiththe96thMarineCompany,andwasmetbya terrificmachinegunbarragefrombothsidesofBou resches. WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 297

LieutenantRobertson,lookingback,sawDuncanand therestofhiscompanygoingdownlikefliesasthey chargedthroughthebarrage.HesawLieutenantBow linggetupfromtheground,hisfacewhitewithpain, andgostumblingaheadwithabulletinhisshoulder. Duncan,carryingastickandwithhispipeinhismouth, wasmoweddownintherainoflead.Robertsonsaw DentalSurgeonOsbornepickDuncanup.Withthe aidofaHospitalCorpsman,theyhadjustgainedthe shelterofsometreeswhenashellwipedallthreeofthem out. InthestreetfightingthatensuedinBouresches,Lieu tenantRobertson'sorderly,PrivateDunlavy,whowas laterkilledinthedefenceofthetown,capturedoneof theenemy'sownmachinegunsandturneditagainst them. InthedensewoodstheGermansshowedtheirmas teryofmachinegunmanipulationandthemethodofin filtrationbywhichtheywouldplacestrongunitsinour rearandpourinadeadlyfire.Manyofthesegunswere locatedonrockyridges,fromwhichtheycouldfireto allpoints.TheseMarinesworkedwithrecklesscourage againstheavyodds,andtheGermansexactedaheavy tollforeverymachinegunthatwascapturedordisabled, butinspiteoflossestheMarineadvancecontinued. LieutenantOverton,commandingthe76thCompany, madeabrilliantchargeagainstastrongGermanposition atthetopofarockyhill.Heandhismencapturedall ofthegunsandalloftheircrews.Overtonwashit laterwhentheGermansretaliatedbyaconcentrationof fireagainstthecapturedpositionforforty-eighthours. LieutenantRobertson,accordingtothereportbrought backbyaregimentalrunner,waslastseenflatonarock nottwentyyardsawayfromoneenemygun,atwhich 298 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

hekeptshootingwithanautomaticineachhand.He washitthreetimesbeforeheconsentedtolethismen carryhimtotherear. "Therewasnotanofficerleftinthe82ndCompany." accordingtoaletterbyMajorFrankE.Evans,Adju tantoftheSixth."MajorSibleyandhisAdjutantre organisedthemunderclosefireandledtheminacharge thatputoneparticularmachinegunnestoutofbusiness atthemostcriticaltimeinallthefighting.Iheardlater thatatthatstagesomeonesaid: 'MajorSibleyordered that—' andanothermansaid:'WhereinhellisSibley?' Sibleywastwentyyardsawayatthattimeandahush wentdownthelinewhentheysawhimstepouttolead thecharge. "Andwhenthewordgotaroundthroughthatdead- tired,crippledoutfitthat'theOldMan'wasontheline, allhellcouldnothavestoppedthatrush." InsuchfashiondidtheMarinesgothroughtheBois deBelleau.Theirlosseswereheavy,buttheydidthe work.Thesacrificewasnecessary.Pariswasindan ger.TheMarinesconstitutedthethinlinebetweenthe enemyandParis.TheMarinesnotonlyheldthatline— theypusheditforward. Thefightingwasterrific.Inonebattalionalonethe casualtiesnumberedsixty-fourpercent,officersand sixty-fourpercent.men.Severalcompaniescameout ofthefightingundercommandoftheirfirstsergeants,all oftheofficershavingbeenkilledorwounded. I witnessedsomeofthatfighting.I waswiththe Marinesattheopeningofthebattle.Ineversawmen chargetotheirdeathwithfinerspirit.I amsorrythat woundspreventedmefromwitnessingthevictoriouscon clusionoftheengagement.Inviewofmysubsequent absencefromthefight,Iwishtogivecreditandthanks WEWOULDN'TFIGHT 299 atthisplacetoMajorFrankE.Evans,whoasAdju tantofthe6thRegimentofMarines,providedmewith muchoftheforegoingmaterialwhichoccurredwhile Iwasinthehospital. ThebraveryofthatMarinebrigadeintheBoisde Belleaufightwilleverremainabrightchapterinthe recordsoftheAmericanArmy.Fortheperformance ofdeedsofexceptionalvalour,morethanahundred MarineswereawardedDistinguishedServiceCrosses. GeneralPershing,inrecognitionoftheconductofthe SecondDivision,issuedthefollowingorder:

"Itiswithinexpressibleprideandsatisfactionthat yourcommanderrecountsyourgloriousdeedsonthefield ofbattle.IntheearlydaysofJuneonafrontoftwenty kilometres,afternightmarchesandwithonlythere serverationswhichyoucarried,youstoodlikeawall againsttheenemyadvanceonParis.Forthistimely actionyouhavereceivedthethanksoftheFrenchpeople whosehomesyousavedandthegenerouspraiseofyour comradesinarms. "Sincetheorganisationofoursector,inthefaceof strongopposition,youhaveadvancedyourlinestwo kilometresona frontofeightkilometres.Youhave engagedanddefeatedwithgreatlossthreeGermandi visionsandhaveoccupiedimportantstrongpoints—Bel leauWood,Bouresches,andVaux.Youhavetaken about1,400prisoners,manymachineguns,andmuch othermaterial.Thecompletesuccessoftheinfantry wasmadepossiblebythesplendidco-operationofthe artillery,bytheaidandassistanceoftheengineerand signaltroops,bythediligentandwatchfulcareofthe medicalandsupplyservices,andbytheunceasingwork 300 ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

ofthewell-organisedstaff.Allelementsofthedivision haveworkedtogetherasawell-trainedmachine. "Amidthedangersandtrialsofbattle,everyofficer andeverymanhasdonewellhispart.Letthestirring deeds,hardships,andsacrificesofthepastmonthre mainforeverabrightspotinourhistory.Letthesa credmemoryofourfallencomradesspurusontore newedeffortandtothegloryofAmericanarms."

AlloftheGermanprisoner-capturedbytheMarines intheBoisdeBelleaucouldexpressonlysurpriseover thefightingcapacityoftheircaptors.Prisoners'state mentsarenotentirelytrustworthy,buthereisonethat wasnotintendedforAmericanconsumption.Itwaswrit tenbyaGermansoldier,whowaskilledintheBoisde Belleaubeforehehadanopportunitytomailit. Itwas removedfromhisbody.Itreads:

"France,June21,1918. "Wearenowinthebattlezoneandcanteensdarenot cometousonaccountoftheenemy,fortheAmericans arebombardingthevillagesfifteenkilometresbehindthe presentfrontwithlong-rangeguns,andyouwillknow thatthecanteenoutfitandtheotherswhoarelyingin reservedonotventureveryfar,foritisnot'pleasantto eatcherries'withtheAmericans.Thereasonforthat isthattheyhavenotyethadmuchexperience.The Americandivisionsarestilltoofiery.Theyarethefirst divisionsthattheFrenchhaveentered.. . . Wewillalso showtheAmericanshowgoodweare,forthedaybe foreyesterdaywebombardedthemheavilywithour gas.About400ofusarelyingaroundhere.Wehave onecornerofthewoodsandtheAmericanhastheother corner.Thatisnotnice,forallofasuddenherushes WEWOULDN'TFIGHT'

forwardandonedoesnotknowitbeforehand.There fore,onemustshootateverylittlenoise,foronecannot trustthem.Herealwaystwomenhavedugaholdfor themselves.Hereoneliesdayandnightwithoutablan ket,onlywithacoatandashelter-half.Onefreezesat nightlikeatailor,forthenightsarefiercelycold.Ihope thatI willbeluckyenoughtoescapefromthishorrible mess,foruptonowI havealwaysbeenlucky.Manyof mycomradesarealreadyburiedhere.Theenemysweeps everyeveningthewholecountrysidewithmachinegun andriflefire,andthenartilleryfire.Butweinfrontline aresaferthaninthesupportposition.Atpresentour foodismiserable.Wearenowfedupondriedvegetables andmarmaladeandwhenatnightweobtainmorefood itisunpalatable.Itishalfsourandallcold.Inthe daytimewereceivenothing."

Butitmightbewisetosupportthisstatementfroma Germansoldierintheranksbyexcerptsfromanofficial GermanarmyreportwhichwascapturedJuly7thona Germanofficer.Thedocumentwasacarefullyweighed treatiseonthefightingcapacityoftheUnitedStates Marines.Thedocumenthadthefollowingheading:

"IntelligenceOfficeroftheSupremeCommandatArmy Headquarters,Numbery,J. Number3,528,Army Headquarters,Juneiy,19iy. "SecondAmericanInfantryDivision. "ExaminationofPrisonersfromthe5th,6th,pthand 23rdRegiments,capturedfromJune5thto14th,inthe BoureschesSector."

Aftersettingforthallinformationgained,concerning thepurposeofattackandthearrivaloftheAmerican 302 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

unitsontheline,theGermanIntelligenceReportcon tinues,asfollows:

"TheSecondAmericanDivisionmaybeclassedasa verygooddivision,perhapsevenasassaulttroops.The variousattacksofbothregimentsonBelleauWoodwere carriedoutwithdashandrecklessness.Themoralef fectofourfirearmsdidnotmateriallycheckthead vancesoftheenemy.ThenervesoftheAmericansare stillunshaken. "Valueoftheindividual—theindividualsoldiers areverygoodTheyarehealthy,vigorous,andphysi callywell-developedmen,ofagesrangingfromeighteen totwenty-eight,whoatpresentlackonlynecessarytrain ingtomakethemredoubtableopponents.Thetroops arefreshandfullofstraightforwardconfidence.Are markofoneoftheprisonersisindicativeoftheirspirit: 'Wekillorgetkilled.' "Morale—theprisonersingeneralmakeanalertand pleasingimpression.Regardingmilitarymatters,how ever,theydonotshowtheslightestinterest.Theirsu periorskeepthempurposelywithoutknowledgeofthe militarysubjects.Forexample,mostofthemhavenever seenamap.Theyarenolongerabletodescribethevil lagesandroadsthroughwhichtheymarched.Theiridea oftheorganisationoftheirunitisentirelyconfused. Forexample,oneofthemtoldusthathisbrigadehad sixregimentsandhisdivisiontwenty-four.Theystill regardthewarfromthepointofviewofthe*big brother'whocomestohelphishard-pressedbrethren andisthereforewelcomedeverywhere.Acertainmoral backgroundisnotlacking.Themajorityoftheprisoners simplytookasamatterofcoursethattheyhavecome toEuropetodefendtheircountry. WEWOULDN'TFIGHT 303

"OnlyafewofthetroopsareofpureAmericanor igin;themajorityisofGerman,DutchandItalianpar entage,butthesesemi-Americans,almostallofwhom wereborninAmericaandneverhavebeeninEuropebe fore,fullyfeelthemselvestobetruebornsonsoftheir country. (Signed)"VonBerg, "LieutenantandIntelligenceOfficer."

SincethedaysI readHugo'schaptersontheBattle ofWaterlooin"LesMiserables,"Ialwaysconsideredas anidealoffightingcapacityandthemilitaryspiritof sacrificetheoldsergeantofNapoleon'sOldGuard. Hugomademevividlyseethatoldsergeantstandingon afieldwithameagreremnantoftheOldGuardgathered aroundhim.Unabletoresistfurther,butunwillingto acceptsurrender,heandhisfollowersfacedtheBritish cannon.TheBritish,respectingthisadmirabledemon strationofcourage,ceasedfiringandcalledouttothem, "BraveFrenchmen,surrender." Theoldsergeant,whowasabouttodie,refusedtoac ceptthisofferofhislifefromtheenemy.Intothe verymuzzlesoftheBritishcannonthesergeanthurled backtheofferofhislifewithoneword.Thatword wasthevilestepithetintheFrenchlanguage.Thecan nonsroaredandtheoldsergeantandhissurvivorsdied withthewordontheirlips.Hugowiselydevotedan entirechaptertothatsingleword. ButI haveanewidealto-day.I founditintheBois deBelleau.AsmallplatoonlineofMarineslayontheir facesandbelliesunderthetreesattheedgeofawheat field.Twohundredyardsacrossthatflatfieldtheenemy waslocatedintrees.I peeredintothetreesbutcould seenothing,yetI knewthateveryleafinthefoliage 304 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

screenedscoresofGermanmachinegunsthatsweptthe fieldwithlead.Thebulletsnippedthetopsoftheyoung wheatandrippedthebarkfromthetrunksofthetrees threefeetfromthegroundonwhichtheMarineslay. TheminutefortheMarineadvancewasapproaching. Anoldgunnerysergeantcommandedtheplatooninthe absenceofthelieutenant,whohadbeenshotandwasout ofthefight.ThisoldsergeantwasaMarineveteran. Hischeekswerebronzedwiththewindandsunofthe sevenseas.Theservicebaracrosshisleftbreastshowed thathehadfoughtinthePhilippines,inSantoDomingo, atthewallsofPekin,andinthestreetsofVeraCruz. I makenoapologiesforhislanguage.EvenifHugo werenotmyprecedent,Iwouldmakenoapologies.To mehiswordswereclassic,ifnotsacred. Astheminutefortheadvancearrived,hearosefrom thetreesfirstandjumpedoutontotheexposededgeof thatfieldthatranwithlead,acrosswhichheandhis menweretocharge.Thenheturnedtogivethecharge ordertothemenofhisplatoon—hismates—themenhe loved.Hesaid: "Comeon,yousons-o'-bitches! doyouwantto liveforever?" WEWOULDN'TFIGHT' 305

CHAPTERXVI

WOUNDED—HOWITFEELSTOBESHOT

Justhowdoesitfeeltobeshotonthefieldofbat tle? Justwhatistheexactsensationwhena bullet burnsitswaythroughyourfleshorcrashesthroughyour bones? I alwayswantedtoknow.AsapolicereporterI "covered"scoresofshootingcases,butI couldnever learnfromthevictimswhattheprecisefeelingwasas thepieceofleadstruck.ForlongyearsIhadcherished aninordinatecuriositytoknowthatsensation,ifpos sible,withoutexperiencingit. Iwascuriousandeager forenlightenmentjustasIamstillanxioustoknowhow itisthatsomepeoplewillinglydrinkbuttermilkwhenit isn'tcompulsory. Iamstillinthedarkconcerningtheinexplicabletaste forthesour,clottedproductofasweet,well-meaning cowandthebuttery,butIhavefoundouthowitfeelsto beshot.I knowitnowbyexperience. ThreeGermansbulletsthatviolatedmypersonleft measmanyscarsandatthesametimecompletelysatis fiedmycuriosity.I thinknowifI canevermusterup enoughcouragetodrinka glassofbuttermilk,I shall havebereftmyselfofmylastinquisitiveness. IthappenedonJune6thjusttothenorthwestof Chateau-ThierryintheBoisdeBelleau.Onthemorning ofthatdayIleftParisbymotorforarushtothefront. TheGermanswereonthatdaywithinfortymilesofthe capitalofFrance.Onthenightbefore,thecitizensof 306 ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

Paris,intheirhomesandhotels,hadheardtherollofthe gunsdrawingevernearer.Manyhadleftthecity. ButAmericandivisionswereinthelinebetweenthe enemyandtheirgoal,andtheoperationofthesedivisions wasmyobjectinhustlingtothefront.Onthebroad, pavedhighwayfromParistoMeaux,mycarpassedmiles andmilesofloadedmotortrucksboundfrontward.Long linesofthesecarriedthousandsofAmericans.Other longlineswereloadeddownwithshellsandcartridge boxes.Ontherightsideoftheroad,boundforParis andpointsbackoftheline,wasanendlessstreamof ambulancesandothermotortrucksbringingback wounded.Densecloudsofdusthunglikeapallover thelengthoftheroad.Thedaywashot,thedustwas stifling. FromMeauxweproceededalongthestraighthighway thatbordersthesouthbanksoftheMarnetoLaFerte, atwhichplacewecrossedtheriverandturnednorthto Montreuil,whichwasthenewlyoccupiedheadquarters oftheSecondUnitedStatesArmyDivision,General OmarBundycommanding.Onthedaybefore,thetwo infantrybrigadesofthatdivision,onecomposedofthe 5thand6thU.S.Marines,undercommandofBrigadier GeneralHarbord,theothercomposedofthe9thand 23rdU.S.Infantry,hadbeenthrownintothelinewhich wasjustfourmilestothenorthandeast. Thefighthadbeenhotduringthemorning.The Marinesontheleftflankofthedivisionalsectorhad beenpushingtheirlinesforwardthroughtrianglewoods andthevillageofLucy-le-Bocage.Theinformationof theiradvanceswasgiventomebytheDivisionalIn telligenceofficer,whooccupiedalargeroomintherear ofthebuildingthatwasusedasDivisionalHeadquarters. ThebuildingwasthevillageMairie,whichalsoincluded WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 307 thevillageschool-house.Nowthedesksoftheschool childrenwerebeingusedbyourstaffofficersandthe wallsandblackboardswerecoveredwithmaps. IwasaccompaniedbyLieutenantOscarHartzell,for merlyoftheNewYorkTimesstaff.Welearnedthat ordersfromtheFrenchHighCommandcalledforacon tinuationoftheMarineadvanceduringtheafternoon andevening,andthisinformationmadeitpossiblefor ustomakeourplans.AlthoughtheGermanswere shellingroadsimmediatelybehindthefront,Lieutenant HartzellandI agreedtoproceedbymotorfromMon- treuilamileorsotoaplacecalledLaVoieduChatel, whichwastheheadquartersofColonelNeveilleofthe 5thMarines.Reachingthatplacearoundfouro'clock, weturnedadespatchovertothedriverofourstaffcar withinstructionsthatheproceedwithallhastetoParis andtheresubmitittotheU.S.PressBureau. LieutenantHartzellandIannouncedourintentionsof proceedingatoncetothefrontlinetoColonelNeveille. "Gowhereveryoulike,"saidtheregimentalcom mander,lookingupfromtheoutspreadmapsonthe kitchentableinthelow-ceilingedstonefarm-housethat hehadadoptedasheadquarters."Goasfarasyoulike, butIwanttotellyouit'sdamnhotupthere." Anhourlaterfoundusinthewoodstothewestof thevillageofLucyleBocage,inwhichGermanshells werecontinuallyfalling.Tothewestandnorthanother namelessclusteroffarmdwellingswasinflames.Huge cloudsofsmokerolleduplikeasmudgeagainstthe backgroundofbluesky. Thegroundunderthetreesinthewoodwascovered withsmallbitsofwhitepaper.I couldnotaccountfor theirpresenceuntilIexaminedseveralofthemandfound thatthesewerelettersfromAmericanmothersandwives 308 ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

andsweethearts—letters—wholepackagesofthem, whichthetired,dog-wearyMarineshadbeenforcedto removefromtheirpacksanddestroyinordertoeasethe strapsthatcutintoachinggroovesintheirshoulders. Circumstancesalsoforcedtheabandonmentofmuchother materialandequipment. Occasionalshellsweredroppinginthewoods,which werealsowithinrangefromalongdistance,indirectma chinegunfirefromtheenemy.Bitsoflead,wobblingin theirflightattheendoftheirlongtrajectory,sung throughtheairaboveourheadsandclippedleavesand twigsfromthebranches.Ontheedgeofthewoodswe cameuponahastilydugoutpitinwhichtherewere twoAmericanmachinegunsandtheircrews. Thefieldinfrontofthewoodsslopedgentlydown sometwohundredyardstoanotherclusteroftrees. Thisclusterwasalmostasbigastheonewewerein. PartofitwasoccupiedbytheGermans.Ourmachine gunnersmaintainedacontinualfireintothatpartheld bytheenemy. Fiveminutesbeforefiveo'clock,theorderforthe advancereachedourpit.Itwasbroughttherebya secondlieutenant,aplatooncommander. "Whatareyoudoinghere?"heasked,lookingatthe greenbrassardandred"C"onmyleftarm. "Lookingforthebigstory,"I said. "IfI wereyouI'dbeaboutfortymilessouthofthis place,"saidtheLieutenant,"butifyouwanttoseethe fun,stickaround.Wearegoingforwardinfive minutes." ThatwasthelastIsawofhimuntildayslater,when bothofus,wounded,metinthehospital.Ofcourse,the firstthinghesaidwas,"Itoldyouso." Wehurriedlyfinishedthecontentsofthecanofcold WEWOULDN'TFIGHT 309

"CornedWilly"whichoneofthemachinegunnersand I wereeating.Themachinegunsweretakendown andthebarrels,cradlesandtripodswerehandedoverto themembersofthecrewwhosedutiesitwastocarry them. Andthenwewentover.Therearereallynoheroics aboutit. Thereisnobuglecall,noswordwaving,no dramaticenunciationofcatchycommands,notheatrical- ism—it'sjustplaingetupandgoover.Anditisdone justthesameasonewouldwalkacrossapeacefulwheat fieldoutinIowa. Butwiththeappearanceofourfirstline,asitstepped fromtheshelterofthewoodsintotheopenexposureof theflatfield,thewoodsoppositebegantocackleandrat tlewiththeenemymachinegunfire.Ourmenadvanced inopenorder,tenandtwelvefeetbetweenmen.Some timesasquadwouldrunforwardfiftyfeetanddrop. Andasitsmembersflattenedonthegroundforsafety anothersquadwouldrisefromthegroundandmake anotherrush. Theygainedthewoods.Thenwecouldhearshouting. Thenweknewthatworkwasbeingdonewiththebayo net.Themachinegunfirecontinuedinintensityand thendieddowncompletely.Thewoodhadbeenwon. Ourmenconsolidatedthepositionbymovingforwardin groupseveronthewatch-outforsnipersinthetrees. Anumberofthesewerebroughtdownbyourcrackpistol shots. Atdifferenttimesduringtheadvancerunnershadcome throughthewoodsinquiringforMajorJohnBerry,the battalioncommander.Oneoftheserunnersattached himselftoLieutenantHartzellandmyselfandtogether thethreeofuslocatedtheMajorcomingthroughthe woods.HegrantedpermissionforLieutenantHartzell ANDTHEYTHOUGHT andmetoaccompanyhimandwestartedforward,inall apartyofsomefifteen,includingtenrunnersattached tothebattalioncommander. OwingtothecontinualevidencesofGermansnipers inthetrees,everyoneinourpartycarrieda revolver readyinhishand,withtheexceptionofmyself.Cor respondents,youwillremember,arenon-combatantsand mustbeunarmed.Icarriedanotebook,butitwasloaded. Wemadeourwaydowntheslopeofthewoodedhillside. Midwaydowntheslope,thehillwasbisectedbya sunkenroadwhichturnedforwardontheleft.Lying intheroadwereanumberofFrenchbodiesandseveral ofourmenwhohadbeenbroughtdownbutfiveminutes before.Wecrossedthatroadhurriedlyknowingthatit wascoveredfromtheleftbyGermanmachineguns. AtthebottomoftheslopetherewasaV-shapedfield. TheapexoftheVwasontheleft.Fromlefttoright thefieldwassometwohundredyardsinwidth.The pointwherewecameoutofthewoodswasaboutone hundredyardsfromtheapex.Atthatpointthefieldwas aboutonehundredyardsacross.Itwasperfectlyflatand wascoveredwithayoungcropofoatsbetweentenand fifteenincheshigh. ThisV-shapedoatfieldwasborderedonallsidesby denseclustersoftrees.Inthetreesonthesideoppo sitethesideonwhichwestood,wereGermanmachine guns.Wecouldhearthem.Wecouldnotseethembut weknewthateveryleafandpieceofgreenerytherevi bratedfromtheirfireandthetopsoftheyoungoats wavedandswayedwiththestreamsofleadthatswept across. MajorBerrygaveordersforustofollowhimatinter valsoftenorfifteenyards.Thenhestartedacrossthe fieldaloneattheheadoftheparty.I followed.Be WEWOULDN'TFIGHT 3" hindmecameHartzell.Thenthewoodsaboutusbegan torattlefiercely.Itwasunusuallycloserange.That leadtravelledsofastthatwecouldnothearitasit passed.Wesoonhadvisualdemonstrationofthehot placewewereinwhenwebegantoseethedustpuffs thatthebulletskickedupinthedirtaroundourfeet. MajorBerryhadadvancedwellbeyondthecentreof thefieldwhenIsawhimturntowardmeandheardhim shout: "Getdowneverybody." "Weallfellonourfaces.Andthenitbegantocome hotandfast.Perfectlywitheringvolleysofleadswept thetopsoftheoatsjustoverus.Forsomereasonit didnotseemtobecomingfromthetreeshardlyahun dredyardsinfrontofus.Itwascomingfromanew direction—fromtheleft. I wasbusilyengagedflatteningmyselfontheground. ThenIheardashoutinfrontofme.ItcamefromMajor Berry.I liftedmyheadcautiouslyandlookedforward. TheMajorwasmakinganefforttogettohisfeet.With hisrighthandhewassavagelygraspinghisleftwrist. "Myhand'sgone,"heshouted.Oneofthestreamsof leadfromthelefthadfoundhim.Aballhadentered hisleftarmattheelbow,hadtravelleddowntheside ofthebone,tearingawaymusclesandnervesofthefore armandlodgingitselfinthepalmofhishand.Hispain wasexcruciating. "Getdown.Flattenout,Major,"I shouted,andhe droppedtotheground.Ididnotknowtheextentofhis injuriesatthattimebutIdidknowthathewascourting deatheveryminutehestoodup. "We'vegottogetoutofhere,"saidtheMajor."We've gottogetforward.They'llstartshellingthisopenfield inafewminutes." ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

I liftedmyheadforanothercautiouslook. I judgedthatI waslyingaboutthirtyyardsfromthe edgeofthetreesinfrontofus.TheMajorwasabout tenyardsinfrontofme. "Youaretwentyyardsfromthetrees,"I shoutedto theMajor."Iamcrawlingovertoyounow.Waitun tilI getthereandI'llhelpyou.Thenwe'llgetupand makeadashforit." "Allright,"repliedtheMajor,"hurryalong." I startedforward,keepingasflatonthegroundasit waspossibletodosoandatthesametimemove.Asfar aswasfeasible,Ipushedforwardbydigginginwithmy toesandelbowsextendedinfrontofme.Itwasmy objecttomakeaslittlemovementintheoatsaspossible. Iwasnotmistakenabouttheintensityoffirethatswept thefield.Itwasterrific. Andthenithappened.Thelightedendofacigarette touchedmeinthefleshypartofmyupperleftarm.That wasall.Itjustfeltlikeasuddenburnandnothingworse. Theburnedpartdidnotseemtobeanylargerinarea thanthatpartwhichcouldbeburnedbythelightedend ofacigarette. Atthetimetherewasnofeelingwithinthearm, thatis,nofeelingastoachesorpain.Therewasnothing toindicatethatthebullet,asIlearnedseveraldayslater, hadgonethroughthebicepmuscleoftheupperarm andhadcomeoutontheotherside.Theonlysensation perceptibleatthetimewastheburningtouchatthespot wherethebulletentered. Iglanceddownatthesleeveofmyuniformedcoatand couldnotevenseetheholewherethebullethadentered. Neitherwasthereanysuddenflowofblood.Atthetime therewasnostiffnessordiscomfortinthearmandI continuedtouseittoworkmywayforward. WEWOULDN'TFIGHT

Thenthesecondonehit.Itnickedthetopofmyleft shoulder.Andagaincametheburningsensation,only thistimetheareaaffectedseemedlarger.Hittingasit didinthemeatycapoftheshoulder,I fearedthatthere wouldbenofurtheruseforthearmuntilithadreceived attention,butagainI wassurprisedwhenI foundupon experimentthatIcouldstilluseit. Theboneseemedto beaffectedinnoway. Againtherewasnosuddenflowofblood,norstiffness. Itseemedhardformetobelieveatthetime,butIhad beenshottwice,penetratedthroughbytwobulletsand wasexperiencingnotanymorepainthanI hadexperi encedoncewhenI droppeda lightedcigaretteonthe backofmyhand.Iamcertainthatthepaininnoway approachedthatsensationwhichthedentistprovides whenhedrillsintoatoothwithalivenerveinit. SoI continuedtomovetowardtheMajor.Occa sionallyIwouldshoutsomethingtohim,although,atthis time,I amunabletorememberwhatitwas.I only wantedtolethimknowIwascoming.Ihadfears,based ontheonelookthatIhadobtainedofhispain-distorted face,thathehadbeenmortallyshotinthebody. Andthenthethirdonestruckme.Inordertokeepas closetothegroundaspossible,I hadswungmychin totherightsothatI waspushingforwardwithmyleft cheekflatagainstthegroundandinordertoaccommodate thispositionofthehead,I hadmovedmysteelhelmet oversothatitcoveredpartofmyfaceontheright. Thentherecameacrash.Itsoundedtomelikesome onehaddroppedaglassbottleintoaporcelainbathtub. Abarrelofwhitewashtippedoveranditseemedthat everythingintheworldturnedwhite.Thatwasthesen sation.I didnotrecogniseitbecauseIhaveoftenbeen 3H "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT ledtobelieveandoftenhearditsaidthatwhenonere ceivesablowontheheadeverythingturnsblack. MaybeI amcontrarilyconstructed,butinmycase everythingbecamepurewhite.I rememberthisdis tinctlybecausemyyearsofnewspapertraininghadbeen inbutonedirection—tosenseandremember.Soit wasthat,evenwithoutknowingit,mymindwasmaking mentalnotesoneveryimpressionthatmysensesregis tered. I didnotknowyetwhereI hadbeenhitorwhatthe bullethaddone.IknewthatIwasstillknowingthings. I didnotknowwhetherI wasaliveordeadbutI did knowthatmymindwasstillworking.Iwasstillmen tallytakingnotesoneverysecond. Thefirstrecessinthatnote-takingcamewhenIasked myselfthefollowingquestion: "AmI dead?" I didn'tlaughordidn'tevensmilewhenIaskedmy selfthequestionwithoutputtingitinwords.I wanted toknow.Andwantingtoknow,Iundertooktofindout. I amnotawarenowthattherewasanyappreciable passageoftimeduringthismentalprogress.I feelcer tain,however,thatIneverlostconsciousness. HowwasItofindoutifIwasdead?Theshockhad liftedmyheadoffthegroundbutI hadimmediately replaceditasclosetothesoilaspossible.Mytwice puncturedleftarmwaslyingalongsidemybody.I decidedtotryandmovemyfingersonmylefthand.I didsoandtheymoved.Inextmovedmyleftfoot.Then IknewIwasalive. ThenI broughtmyrighthanduptowardmyface andplacedittotheleftofmynose.Myfingersrested onsomethingsoftandwet.I withdrewthehandand lookedatit. Itwascoveredwithblood.AsI looked

HELMETWORNBYFLOYDGIBBONSWHENWOUNDED,SHOWING DAMAGECAUSEDBYSHRAPNEL

WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 315

atit,Iwasnotawarethatmyentirevisionwasconfined tomyrighteye,althoughtherewasconsiderablepainin theentireleftsideofmyface. Thiswassufficienttosendmeonanothermentalinves tigation.Iclosedmyrighteyeand—allwasdark.My firstthoughtfollowingthisexperimentwasthatmyleft eyewasclosed.SoI againcounselledwithmyselfand triedtoopenmylefteye—thatis,triedtogivethemental commandthatwouldcausethemusclesofthelefteye toopenthelidandcloseitagain. I didthisbutcouldnotfeelorverifyinanyway whethertheeyelidrespondedornot.Ionlyknewthat itremaineddarkonthatside.Thisbroughtmetoan otherconclusionandnotapessimisticoneatthat.I simplybelieved,inspiteofthepain,thatsomethinghad struckmeintheeyeandhadclosedit. Ididnotknowthen,asIknownow,thatabulletstrik ingthegroundimmediatelyundermyleftcheekbone, hadricochettedupward,goingcompletelythroughthe lefteyeandthencrashingoutthroughmyforehead, leavingtheeyeballanduppereyelidcompletelyhalved, thelowereyelidtornaway,andacompoundfractureof theskull. FurtherprogresstowardtheMajorwasimpossible. ImustconfessthatIbecamesointenselyinterestedinthe weirdsensationsandsubjectiveresearch,thatI even neglectedtocalloutandtellthewoundedofficerthatI wouldnotbeabletocontinuetohisassistance.I held thisviewinspiteofthefactthatmyoriginalintentions werestrong.Lyingtherewithmyleftcheekflatonthe ground,I wasabletoobservesomeminuteslaterthe woundedMajorrisetohisfeetandinaperfecthailof leadrushforwardandoutofmylineofvision. Itwasseveraldayslater,inthehospital,thatI learned 3i6 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

thathereachedtheshelterofthewoodsbeyondwithout beinghitagain,andinthatplace,althoughsuffering intensepain,wasabletoshoutbackorderswhichresulted inthesubsequentwipingoutofthemachinegunnest thathadbeenourundoing.Forthissupremeeffort, GeneralPershingdecoratedhimwiththeDistinguished ServiceCross. I begantomakeplanstogetoutoftheexposedposi tioninwhichI waslying.Whereas,thefieldwhenI startedacrossithadseemedperfectlyflat,nowitim pressedmeasbeingconvexandI wasfurtherimpressed withthebeliefthatI waslyingontheveryuppermost andmostexposedcurvatureofit. Thereisnodoubt thatthecontinuedstreamofmachinegunleadthatswept thefieldsuperinducedthisbelief.I gotasclosetothe groundasapieceofpaperontopofatable.Iremember regrettingsincerelythatthewarhadreachedthestage ofopenmovementandoneconsequenceofwhichwas thattherewasn'tashellholeanywheretocrawlinto. Thisdidnot,however,eliminatethedangerouspos sibilityofshelling.Withthefatalismthatoneacquires alongthefronts,Iwasreadytotakemychanceswiththe casualGermanshellthatonemighthaveexpected,butI devotedmuchthoughttoaconsiderationoftheFrench andAmericanartillerysomemilesbehindme.I con sideredthepossibilityofwordhavingbeensentback thatouradvancingwavesatthispointhadbeencutdown byenemymachinegunnerswhowerestillinposition preventingallprogressatthisplace.I knewthatsuch information,ifsentback,wouldimmediatelybefor wardedtoourgunsandthenadevastatingconcentra tionofshellswouldbedirectedtowardthelocationof themachinegunnests. IknewthatIwaslyingonehundredyardsfromone WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 317 ofthosenestsandI knewthatI waswellwithinthe fatalbursting;radiusofanyshellsourgunnersmight directagainstthatGermantarget.Myfearwasthat myselfandotherAmericanwoundedlyinginthatfield woulddiebyAmericanguns.Thatiswhatwouldhave happenedifthatinformationhadreachedourartillery anditiswhatshouldhavehappened. Thelivesofthewoundedinthatfieldwereasnothing comparedwiththeimportanceofwipingoutthatmachine gunnestonourleftwhichwasholdinguptheentire advance. I wantedtoseewhattimeitwasandmywatchwas attachedtomyleftwrist.Inendeavouringtogetalook atit,Ifoundoutthatmyleftarmwasstiffandracked withpain.Hartzell,Iknew,hadawatch,butIdidnot knowwherehewaslying,soIcalledout. HeansweredmefromsomedistanceawaybutIcould nottellhowfarorinwhatdirection.Icouldseedimly butonlyattheexpenseofgreatpain.Whenheanswered I shoutedbacktohim: "Areyouhit?" "No,areyou?"heasked. "Yes,whattimeisit?"Isaid. "Areyouhitbadly?"heaskedinreply. "No,Idon'tthinkso,"Isaid."IthinkI'mallright." "Whereareyouhit?"heasked. "Inthehead,"Isaid; "Ithinksomethinghitmyeye." "Inthehead,youdamnfool,"heshoutedlouderwith justabitofangerandsurpriseinhisvoice."Howthe hellcanyoubeallrightifyouarehitinthehead?Are youbleedingmuch?" "No,"Isaid."Whattimeisit,willyoutellme?" "I'mcomingovertogetyou,"shoutedHartzell. "Don'tmove,youdamnfool,youwanttokillboth 3i8 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT ofus?"Ihastenedtoshoutback."Ifyoustartmoving, don'tmovenearme.IthinktheythinkI'mdead." "Wellyoucan'tliethereandbleedtodeath,"Hartzell replied."We'vegottodosomethingtogettohellout ofhere.What'llwedo?" "Tellmewhattimeitisandhowlongitwillbebefore it'sdark,"Iasked. "It'ssixo'clocknow,"Hartzellsaid,"anditwon'tbe dark'tilnine; thisisJune.Doyouthinkyoucanstick itout?" I toldhimthatI thoughtI couldandweweresilent forsometime.Bothofushadthefeelingthatotherears —earsworkinginconjunctionwitheyestrainedalong thebarrelsofthosemachinegunsahundredyardsonour left—wouldbearousedtobettermarksmanshipifwe continuedtotalk. I begantotakestockofmycondition.Duringmy yearormorealongthefrontsI hadbeenthroughmany hospitalsandfrommyobservationsinthoseinstitutions Ihadcultivatedakeendistasteforonething—gasgan grene.Ihadlearnedfromdoctorsitsfatalandhorrible resultsandI alsohadlearnedfromthemthatitwas causedbygermswhichexistinlargequantitiesinany groundthathasbeenunderartificialcultivationfora longperiod. SuchwasthecharacteroftheveryfieldI waslying inandI cametotherealisationthatthewoundinthe leftsideofmyfaceandheadwasrestingflatlyonthe soil.WithmyrighthandI drewupmyBritishbox respiratororgasmaskandplacedthisundermyhead. ThusIrestedwithmoreconfidence,althoughthemachine gunleadcontinuedtopassinsheetsthroughthetops oftheoatsnottwoorthreeinchesabovemyhead. Allofitwascomingfromtheleft,—comingfromthe WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 319

GermannestslocatedinthetreesattheapexoftheV- shapedfield.Thosegunswerenotahundredyardsaway andtheyseemedtohaveaninexhaustiblesupplyofam munition.Twentyfeetawayonmyleftawounded Marinewaslying.OccasionallyIwouldopenmyright eyeforapainfullookinhisdirection. Hewaswoundedandapparentlyunconscious.His pack,"thekhakidoll,"wasstillstrappedbetweenhis shoulders.Unconsciouslyhewasdoingthatwhichall woundedmendo—thatis,toassumethepositionthat isthemostcomfortable.Hewastryingtorolloveron hisback. Butthepackwasonhisbackandeverytimehewould rolloveronthisitwouldelevatehisbodyintofullview oftheGermangunners.Thenawitheringhailoflead wouldsweepthefield.ItsohappenedthatI waslying immediatelyinlinebetweenthoseGermangunsandthis unconsciousmovingtarget.AstheMarinewouldroll overontopofthepackhischestwouldbeexposedtothe fire. Icouldseethebuttonsflyfromhistunicandoneof theshoulderstrapsofthebackpackpartasthespraysof leadstruckhim.Hewouldlimplyrolloffthepackoveron hisside.I foundmyselfwishingthathewouldliestill, aseverymovementofhisbroughtthosestreamsofbul letscloserandclosertomyhead.Ievenconsideredthe thicknessoftheboxrespiratoronwhichIhadelevated myheadofftheground.Itwasabouttwoinchesthick. I rememberedmyFrenchgasmaskhangingfrommy shoulderandrecalledimmediatelythatitwasmuchflat ter,beinghardlyhalfaninchinthickness.I forthwith drewuptheFrenchmasktomyhead,extractedtheBrit ishoneandrestedmycheekclosertothegroundonthe Frenchone.Thus,Iloweredmyheadaboutaninchand 320 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT ahalf—aninchandahalfthatrepresentedworldsof satisfactionandsomeoptimismtome. Sometimestherewerelullsinthefiring.Duringthose periodsofcomparativequiet,Icouldheartheoccasional moanofotherwoundedonthatfield.Veryfewofthem criedoutanditseemedtomethatthosewhodidwere unconsciouswhentheydidit. Onemaninparticular hadalong,lowgroan.I couldnotseehim,yetI felt hewaslyingsomewhereclosetome.Inthequiet intervals,hisunconsciousexpressionofpainreminded meofthesoundIhadonceheardmadebyacalfwhich hadbeentiedbyashortropetoatree.Theanimalhad strayedroundandroundthetreeuntilitsentanglements intheropehadleftitahelplessprisoner.Thegroanof thatunseen,unconsciouswoundedAmericanwholaid nearmeonthefieldthateveningsoundedexactlylike thepitifulbawlofthatcalf. Thosethreehourswerelonginpassing.Withthe successivevolleysthatsweptthefield,I sometimeslost hopethatI couldeversurviveit. Itseemedtomethat ifthreeGermanbulletshadfoundmewithinthespace offifteenminutes,I couldhardlyexpecttospendthree hourswithoutreceivingthefatalone.Withsuch thoughtsonmymindI reopenedconversationwith Hartzell. "How'sitcoming,oldman?"I shouted. "They'recomingdamnclose,"hesaid; "howisitwith you?Areyoulosingmuchblood?" "No,I'mallrightasfarasthatgoes,"Ireplied,"but I wantyoutocommunicatewithmywife,ifits'west' forme." "What'sheraddress?"saidHartzell. "It'salongone,"Isaid."Areyoureadytotakeit?" "Shoot,"saidHartzell. WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 321

"'Mrs.FloydGibbons,No.12Bis,RuedelaCheva lierdelaBarre,Dijon,Coted'Or,France.'"Isaidslowly. "MyGod,"saidHartzell,"sayitagain." Backandforthwerepeatedtheaddresscorrectlyand incorrectlysometenortwelvetimesuntilHartzellin formedmethatheknewitwellenoughtosingit. He alsogavemehiswife'saddress.Thenjusttomake conversationhewouldshoutover,everyfifteenminutes, andtellmethattherewasjustthatmuchlesstimethat wewouldhavetoliethere. I thoughtthathourbetweensevenandeighto'clock draggedthemost,buttheonebetweeneightandnine seemedinterminable.Thehoursweresolong,particu larlywhenweconsideredthataGermanmachinegun couldfirethreehundredshotsa minute.Duskap proachedslowly.AndfinallyHartzellcalledover: "Idon'tthinktheycanseeusnow,"hesaid;"let'sstart tocrawlback." "Whichwayshallwecrawl?"Iasked. "Intothewoods,"saidHartzell. "Whichwoods?"I asked. "Thewoodswecameoutof,youdamnfool,"here plied. "Whichdirectionaretheyin?"Isaid,"I'vebeenmov ingaroundandIdon'tknowwhichwayIamheading. Areyouonmyleft,oronmyright?" "Ican'ttellwhetherI'monyourleftoryourright," hereplied."Howareyoulying,onyourfaceoron yourback?" "Onmyface,"I said,"andyourvoicesoundslike itcomesfrominbackofmeandontheleft." "Ifthat'sthecase,"saidHartzell,"yourheadislying towardthewrongwoods.Workaroundinahalfcircle andyou'llbefacingtherightdirection." "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

IdidsoandthenheardHartzell'svoiceonmyright.I I startedmovingtowardhim.Againstmybetterjudg mentandexpressedwishes,hecrawledouttowardme1 andmetmehalfway.Hisvoicecloseinfrontofnu surprisedme. "Holdyourheadupalittle,"hesaid,"Iwanttoseej whereithityou." "Idon'tthinkitlooksverynice,"I replied,liftingmy head.Iwantedtoknowhowitlookedmyself,soIpain fullyopenedtherighteyeandlookedthroughtheoats eighteeninchesintoHartzell'sface.I sawthelookof horroronitashelookedintomine. Twentyminuteslater,aftercrawlingpainfullythrough theinterminableyardsofyoungoats,wereachedtheedge ofthewoodsandsafety. That'showitfeelstobeshot WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 323

CHAPTERXVII

"goodmorning,nurse"

Weaknessfromthelossofbloodbegantogrowon measLieutenantHartzellandI madeourwaythrough thedeepeningshadowsofthewoodedhillsideinthe rearofthefieldonwhichIhadbeenshot.Inanupright positionofwalkingthepainsinmyheadseemedtoin crease.Westoppedforaminuteand,neitherofushav ingfirstaidkitswithus,Iresurrectedasomewhatsoiled silkhandkerchiefwithwhichHartzellboundupmyhead inamannerthatappliedsupportingpressureovermy lefteyeandbroughtadegreeofrelief. HartzelltoldmelaterthatI wasstaggeringslightly whenwereacheda smallreliefdugoutaboutamile backofthewood.Thereamedicalcorpsmanremoved thehandkerchiefandboundmyheadwithawhitegauze bandage.I wasanxioustohavethewoundcleaned buthetoldmetherewasnowater.Hesaidtheyhad beenforcedtoturnitovertothementodrink.This seemedtometobeasitshouldbebecausemythirstwas terrific,yettherewasnowaterleft. Westumbledrearwardanotherhalfmileand,inthe darkness,cameupontheedgeofanotherwoodedarea. Aconsiderablenumberofourwoundedwerelyingon stretchersontheground.TheGermanswerekeeping upacontinualfireofshrapnelandhighexplosiveshell inthewoods,apparentlytopreventthemobilisationof reserves,butthedoctors,takingcareofthewounded, proceededwiththeirworkwithoutnoticetothewhine oftheshellspassingoverheadortheburstingofthose 3*4 ANDTHEYTHOUGHT thatlandednearby.Theywentattheirworkjustas thoughtheywerecaringforinjuredmenonafootball field. Hartzellstretchedmeoutonthegroundandsoon hadadoctorbendingoverme.Thedoctorremovedthe eyebandage,tookonelookatwhatwasbeneathitand thenreplacedit. I rememberthisdistinctlybecauseat thetimeImadethementalnotethatthedoctorapparently- consideredmyheadwoundbeyondanythinghecould repair.Henextturnedhisattentiontomyarmand shoulder.Heinsertedhisscissorsintomyleftsleeveat thewristandrippedituptotheshoulder.Hefollowed thisoperationbycuttingthroughmyheavykhakitunic fromtheshouldertothecollar.Afewmoresnipsof thenickel-platedbladesandmyshirtandundershirt werecutaway.Helocatedthethreebulletholes,two inthearmandoneacrossthetopoftheshoulder,and boundthemupwithbandages. "We'reawfulshyonambulances,"hesaid;"youwill havetoliehereawhile." "IfeelthatIcanwalkallrightifthereisnoreason whyIshouldn't,"I replied. "Yououghttobeinanambulance,"saidthedoctor, "butifyoufeelthatyoucanmakeit,youmighttakea tryatit." ThenturningtoLieutenantHartzell,hesaid,"Keep rightwithhim,andifhebeginstogetgroggy,make himliedown." SoHartzellandI resumedourrearwardplodding orstaggering.Hewalkedatmyrightsideandslightly infrontofme,holdingmyrightarmoverhisright shoulderandtherebygivingmeconsiderablesupport. Wehadnotproceededfarbeforeweheardtheracing motorofanautomobilecomingfrombehindus.An

WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 325 occasionalshellwasdroppingalongtheroadwewere nowon. Astickstruckmylegsfrombehindinthedarkness. Andthenanapologeticvoicesaid: "Begyourpardon,sir,justfeelingalongtheroadfor shellholes.Ambulancerightbehindme,sir.Would youmindsteppingtooneside?Comeon,Bill,"tothe driveroftheambulance,"itlooksallclearthrough here." Theautomobilewiththeracingmotorturnedout tobealightambulanceofapopularDetroitmake.Its speedingenginewaspurecamouflageforitsslowprog ress.Itbubbledandsteamedattheradiatorcapasit pushedalongatalmostasnail'space. "Allfull?"Hartzellshoutedintothedarknessofthe driver'sseat. "Tothebrim,"respondedthedriver."Areyou wounded?" "No,butIhaveawoundedmanwithme,"saidHart zell."Hecansitbesideyouontheseatifyouhaveroom." "Getrightin,"saidthedriver,andHartzellboostedme intothefrontseat.Wepushedalongslowly,Hartzell walkingbesidethecarandthedriver'sassistantpro ceedingaheadofus,searchingthedarkroadwithhis canefornewshellcraters. Occasionally,whenourwheelswouldstrikeinoneof these,groanswouldcomefromtheambulanceproper. "Takeiteasy,"wouldcomea voicethroughpain- pressedlips;"forChrist'ssake,doyouthinkyouare drivingatruck?" I heardthedrivertellHartzellthathehadthreemen withbulletsplinteredlegsintheambulance.Everyjolt ofthecarcausedtheirbrokenbonestojoltandincreased thepoundingoftheirweariednervestoanextremityof 326 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT agony.Thefourthoccupantoftheambulance,hesaid, hadbeenshotthroughthelungs. Somedistancealong,therecameaknockonthewooden partitionbehindmyback,—thepartitionthatseparates thedriver'sseatfromtheambulanceproper.Thecar stoppedandthedriverandHartzellwenttothereardoor andopenedit. Themanwiththeshotthroughthelungs washalfsittinguponhisstretcher.Hehadonehand tohismouthandhislips,asrevealedintheraysofthe driver'sflashlight,wereredwet. "Quick—getme—toadoctor,"themansaidbetween gulpsandgurgles. Thedriverconsidered.Heknewweweretenmiles fromtheclosestdoctor.Thenheaddressedhimself totheotherthreestretcher-cases—themenwiththetor ture-tornlegs. "IfIgofast,youguysaregoingtosuffertheagonies ofhell,"hesaid,"andifI goslowthisguywiththe hemorrhagewillcroakbeforewegetthere.Howdoyou wantmetodrive?" Therewasnotaminute'ssilence.Thethreebroken legcasesrespondedalmostinunison. "Goasfastasyoucan,"theysaid. Andwedid.WithHartzellridingtherunningboard besidemeandthecraterfinderclingingtothemud guardsontheotherside,wespedthroughthedarkness regardlessoftherutsandshellholes.Thejoltingwas severebutneveroncedidtherecomeanothercomplaint fromtheoccupantsoftheambulance. Inthismannerdidwearriveintimeatthefirstmedi calclearingstation.I learnedlaterthatthelifeofthe manwiththehemorrhagewassavedandheisalive to-day. WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 327

Theclearingstationwaslocatedinanoldchurchon theoutskirtsofalittlevillage.Fourtimesduringthis wartheflowandebbofbattlehadpassedaboutthisold edifice.Hartzellhalfcarriedmeofftheambulanceseat andintothechurch.AsI feltmyfeetscrapeontheflag- stonedflooringunderneaththeGothicentrancearch,I openedmyrighteyeforapainfulsurveyoftheinterior. Thewalls,greywithage,appearedyellowinthelight ofthecandlesandlanternsthatwereusedforillumina tion.Blankets,andbitsofcanvasandcarpethadbeen tackedovertheapertureswhereoncestainedglasswin dowsandhugeoakendoorshadbeen.Theseprecautions werenecessarytopreventthelightsfromshiningoutside thebuildingandbetrayingourlocationtothehospital- lovingeyesofGermanbombing'planeswhosemotorswe couldhearevenatthatminute,hummingintheblack skyaboveus. OurAmericanwoundedwerelyingonstretchersall overthefloor.Nearthedoor,whereIentered,anum berofpewshadbeenpushedtoonesideandontheseour walkingwoundedwereseated.Theyweresmokingcig arettesandtalkingandpassingobservationsonevery freshcasethatcamethroughthedoor.Theyallseemed tobelookingatme. Myappearancemusthavebeensufficienttohave shockedthem.I washatlessandmyhairwasmatted withblood.Thered-stainedbandagearoundmyfore headandextendingdownovermyleftcheekdidnot hidetherestofmyface,whichwasunwashed,andcon sequentlyredwithfreshblood. OnmyleftsideIwascompletelybarefromtheshoul dertothewaistwiththeexceptionofthestripsofwhite- clothaboutmyarmandshoulder.Mychestwassplashed withredfromthetwobodywounds.Suchwasmyen 328 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

trance.I musthavelookedsomewhatgrevvsomebecause I happenedtocatchaninvciuntaryshudderasitpassed overthefaceofoneofmyobserversamongthewaDdng woundedandI heardhimremarktothemannextto him: "MyGod,lookwhatthey'rebringingin." Hartzellplacedmeona stretcheronthefloorand wentforwater,whichI sorelyneeded.I heardsome onestopbesidemystretcherandbendoverme,while akindlyvoicesaid: "Wouldyoulikeacigarette,oldman?" "Yes,"I replied.Helightedoneinhisownlips andplaceditinmymouth.Iwantedtoknowmybene factor.Iaskedhimforhisnameandorganisation. "Iamnotasoldier,"hesaid; "Iamanon-combatant, thesameasyou.MynameisSlaterandI'mfromthe Y.M.C.A." Thatcigarettetastedmightygood.Ifyouwhoread thisareoneofthosewhosecontributionstotheY.M. C.A.madethatdistributionpossible,I wishtoherewith expresstoyoumygratefulnessandthegratefulness oftheothermenwhoenjoyedyourgenerositythat night. Infrontofwhathadbeenthealtarinthechurch, therehadbeenerecteda rudelyconstructedoperation table.Thetablewassurroundedwithtallcandelabrum ofbrassandgildedwood.Theseornateaccessorieshad beenremovedfromthealtarforthepurposeofprovid ingbetterlightforthesurgeonswhobusiedthemselves aboutthetableintheirlonggownsofwhite—stained withred. I wasplacedonthattableforanexaminationandI heardapeculiarconversationgoingonaboutme.One doctorsaid,"Wehaven'tanymoreofit."Thenan WEWOULDN'TFIGHT 329 otherdoctorsaid,"ButI thoughtwehadplenty."The firstvoicereplied,"Yes,butwedidn'texpectsomany wounded.Wehaveusedupallwehad."Thenthe secondvoicesaid,"Well,wecertainlyneeditnow.I -don'tknowwhatwe'regoingtodowithoutit." FromtheirfurtherconversationI learnedthatthe subjectunderdiscussionwasanti-tetanusserum—the all-importantinoculationthatpreventslockjawandis alsoanantidoteforthegermsofgasgangrene.You maybesureI becamemorethanmildlyinterestedinthe absenceofthisvaluableboon,buttherewasnothingI couldsaythatwouldhelpthecase,soIremainedquiet.In severalminutesmycomposurewasrewarded.I heard hurriedfootstepsacrosstheflagstonedflooringanda minutelaterfeltasteelneedlepenetratingmyabdomen. Thenacheeryvoicesaid: "It'sallright,now,we'vegotplentyofit. We've gotjustpilesofit. TheRedCrossjustshotitoutfrom Parisinlimousines." AftertheinjectionHartzellinformedmethatthe doctorscoulddonothingformeatthatplaceandthat Iwastobemovedfurthertotherear.Hesaidambu lanceswerescarcebuthehadfoundaplaceformeina returningammunitiontruck.I wascarriedoutofthe churchandsomewhereintheouterdarknesswaslifted upintothebodyofthetruckandlaiddownonsomestraw inthebottom.Thereweresomefifteenortwentyother menlyingtherebesideme. Thejoltinginthisspringlessvehiclewassevere,but itsseveritywasrelievedinsomeofourcasesbythequiet inginjectionswehadreceived.Theeffectsofthesenar coticshadwornoffinsomeofthemenandtheysuffered theworseforit. Oneofthemcontinuallycalledout 33° ANDTHEYTHOUGHT tothetruckdrivertogoslowerandmakelessjolting.' Toeachrequestthedriverrespondedthathewasgoingj asslowashecould.Asthejoltingcontinuedtheman! withthecomplainingnervesfinallyyelledouta new request.Hesaid: "Well,ifyoucan'tmakeiteasierbygoingslow,then forGod'ssakethrowherintohighandgoasfastasyon can.Let'sgetitoverasquickaswecan." Lyingonmybackinthetruckwitharaincoatasa pillow,I begantowonderwherewewereboundfor. I openedmyeyeonceandlookeduptowardtheroofof theleafytunnelwhichcoveredtheroad.Soonwepassed outfrombeneaththetreesborderingtheroadsideand I couldseetheskyabove.Themoonwasoutand therewerelotsofstars.Theygaveonesomethingto thinkabout.Afterall,howinsignificantwasonelittle life. Inthismood,somethinginthejoltingofthecamion broughttomymindthemetreandwordsofGeorge Amicks'wistfulverses,"TheCamionCaravan,"andI repeatitfrommemory:

"Windingdownthroughsleepingtown Palestarsofearlydawn; Likeancientknightwithsquirebyside, Driverandhelpernowweride— Thecamioncaravan.

"Inbetweentherowsoftrees Glareofthemid-daysun; Creepingalongthehighwaywide, Slowlyinlongdefile,weride— Thecamioncaravan. WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 331

"Homewardtoremorqueandrest, Palestarsofearlynight; Throughstillnessoftheeventide, Backthroughthewindingtownweride— Thecamioncaravan."

Sometimeduringthedarkhoursoftheearlymorning westoppedinthecourtyardofahospitalandIwastaken intoanotherexaminationroomilluminatedwithpain fullybrilliantlights.I wasplacedona tableforan examination,whichseemedratherhurried,andthenthe tablewasrolledawaysomedistancedownacorridor. I neverunderstoodthatmoveuntilsomeweekslater -whenaLieutenantmedicalofficertoldmethatitwashe whohadexaminedmeatthatplace. "You'relookingprettyfit,now,"hesaid,"butthat nightwhenI sawyouI ticketedyouforthedeadpile. Youdidn'tlooklikeyoucouldlivetillmorning." Hisstatementgavemesomesatisfaction.Thereis alwaysjoyinfoolingthedoctor. Hartzell,whostillaccompaniedme,apparentlyres cuedmefromthe"deadpile"andwestartedonanother motortrip,thistimeonastretcherina large,easier- ridingambulance.InthisI arrivedshortlyafterdawn attheUnitedStatesMilitaryBaseHospitalatNeuilly- sur-Seine,ontheoutskirtsofParis. ThereweremorehurriedexaminationsandsoonI wasrolleddownacorridoronawheeledtable,intoan elevatorthatstartedupward.Thenthewheeledtable raceddownanotherlongcorridorandI begantofeel thatmyjourneyingswereendless.Westoppedfinally inaroomwhereI distinctlycaughttheodourofether. Someonebeganremovingmybootsandclothes.As thatsomeoneworkedhetalkedtome. 332 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

"Iknowyou,Mr.Gibbons,"hesaid."I'mfromChi cagoalso.IamSergeantStephenHayes.Iusedtogo toHydeParkHighSchool.We'regoingtofixyouup rightaway." I learnedfromHayesthatI waslyinginaroomad joiningtheoperatingchamberandwasbeingprepared fortheoperatingtable.Someinformationconcerning theextentofmyinjuriesandthepurposeoftheopera tionwouldhavebeencomfortingandwouldhaverelieved thesensationofutterhelplesschildishnessthatI was experiencing. I knew-I wasabouttogoundertheinfluenceof theanestheticandthatsomethingwasgoingtobedone tome.I hadeveryconfidencethatwhateverwasdone wouldbeforthebestbutitwasperfectlynaturalthatI shouldbecuriousaboutit. Wastheoperationtobe aseriousoneoraminorone? Wouldtheyhavetore movemyeye?Wouldtheyhavetooperateonmyskull? Howaboutthearm?Wouldtherebeanamputation? Howabouttheothereye?WouldI everseeagain? Itmustberememberedthatinspiteofalltheexamina tionsI hadnotbeeninformedandconsequentlyhadno knowledgeconcerningtheextentofmyinjuries.The onlyinformationI hadreceivedhadbeenincludedin vagueremarksintendedassoothing,suchas"You'reall right,oldman.""You'llpullthroughfine.""You're comingalongnicely."Butallofithadseemedtoopro fessionallyoptimistictosatisfymeandmydoubtsstill remained. Theywererelieved,however,bythepressureofahand andthesoundofavoice.Inthewordsspokenandin thepressureofthehand,therewashardlyanythingdif ferentfromsimilarhandpressuresandsimilarspoken phrasesthathadcometomeduringthenight,yetthere WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 333

-waseverythingdifferent.Thisvoiceandthishandcar riedsupremeconfidence.Icouldbelieveinbothofthem. Ifeltthehandpressureonmyrightshoulderandthe mildkindlyvoicesaid: "Son,Iamgoingtooperateonyou.Ihaveexamined youandyouareallright.Youaregoingtocome throughfine.Don'tworryaboutanything." "Thankyou,verymuch,"I said,"Ilikeyourvoice. Itsoundslikemyfather's.Willyoutellmeyourname?" "IamMajorPowers,"thekindlyvoicesaid."Now justtakeiteasy,andI willtalktoyouagaininacouple ofhourswhenyoufeelbetter." Thespeaker,asI learnedlater,wasMajorCharles Powers,ofDenver,Colorado,oneofthebest-knownand best-lovedsurgeonsintheWest.Amanfaradvanced inhisprofessionandwelladvancedinhisyears,aman whoselifehasnotbeenoneofcontinualhealth,aman who,uponAmerica'sentryofthewar,sacrificedthe safetyofthebeneficialairrarityofhisnativeDenver toanswerthecountry'scall,togotoFranceatgreat personalrisktohishealth—a riskonlyappreciatedby thosewhoknowhimwell.ItwasMajorPowerswho operateduponthecompoundfractureinmyskullthat morning. Mymentalnote-takingcontinuedastheanesthetist workedovermewiththeether.AsI beganbreathing thefumesI rememberthatmysenseswerekeenlymak ingobservationsoneverysensationI experienced.The thoughtevenwentthroughmymindthatitwouldbe ratheranunusualthingtoreportcompletelytheim pressionsofcoma.Thissuggestionbecamea deter minationandI becamekeyeduptoeverythinggoingon aboutme. Theconversationoftheyoungdoctorwhowasad "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

ministeringtheanestheticinterestedmeunusually.He wasverybusyandbusiness-likeandalthoughI con sideredmyselfanimportantandmostinterestedparty intheentireproceedings,hisconversationignoredme entirely.Henotonlydidnottalktome,buthewasnot eventalkingaboutme.Ashecontinuedtoapplythe ether,hekeptuparunningfireofentirelyextraneous remarkswithsomeotherpersonnearthetable.I did notappreciatethen,asI donow,thatI wasonlyone ofvery,verymanythathehadanesthetisedthatmorn ingandthenightbefore,butatthetimehisseeminglack ofallinterestinmeasme,piquedmeconsiderably. "Areyoufeelingmypulse?"I said.I couldnot feelhishandoneitherofmywrists,butI askedthe questionprincipallytoinjectmyselfintotheconversa tioninsomewayorother,preferablyinsomewaythat wouldcallhimtoaccount,asI hadbythistimearoused withinmeakeenandhealthydislikeforthisbusylittle workerwhomI couldnotseebutwhostoodoverme andcarriedonconversationswithotherpeopletomy utterandcompleteexclusion.Andallthetimehewas engagedinfeedingmethefumesthatIknewwouldsoon stealawaymysenses. "Now,neveryoumindaboutyourpulse,"here pliedsomewhatpeevishly."I'mtakingcareofthis." Itseemedtomefromthetoneofhisvoicethatheim pliedI wastalkingaboutsomethingthatwasnoneof mybusinessandI hadthedistinctconvictionthatif theproceedingswereanybody'sbusiness,theycertainly weremine. "Youwillpardonmeformanifestingamildinterest inwhatyouaredoingtome,"I said,"butyouseeI knowthatsomethingisgoingtobedonetomyright WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 335 eyeandinasmuchasthatistheonlyeyeI'vegotonthat side,Ican'thelpbeingconcerned." "Now,youjustforgetitandtakedeepbreaths,and say,Charlie,didyouseethatcaseoverinWard62? Thatwasawonderfulcase.Thebullethitthemanin theheadandtheytooktheleadoutofhisstomach. He'sgotthebulletonthetablebesidehimnow.Talk aboutbulleteaters—believeme,thoseMarinessureare." I hurledmyselfbackintotheconversation. "I'lltakedeepbreathsifyou'llloosenthestrapsover mychest,"I said,gettingmaddereachminute."How canI takea fullbreathwhenyou'vegotmylungs strappeddown?" "Well,how'sthat?"respondedtheconversational anesthetist,asheloosenedoneofthestraps."Now, takeonebreathoffreshair—onedeep,longbreath, now." Iturnedmyheadtoonesidetoescapethefumesfrom thestiflingtowelovermyfaceandmadeafrenziedgulp forfreshair.AsI didso,onelargedropofetherfell onthetablerightinfrontofmynoseandthedeep longbreathI gothadverylittleairinit. I feltI had beentricked. "You'reprettycute,oldtimer,aren'tyou?"I re markedtotheanesthetistforthepurposeoflettinghim knowthatI wasontohisgame,buteitherhedidn't hearme,orhewastoointerestedintellingCharlieabout hishopesandambitionstobesenttothefrontwitha medicalunitthatworkedunderrangeoftheguns.He returnedtoa considerationofmewiththefollowing remark: "Allright,he'sundernow;where'sthenextone?" "ThehellI am,"I respondedhastily,asvisionsof knivesandsawsandgimletsandbrainchiselswent 336 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT throughmymind.Ihadnointentionordesireofbeing consciouswhenthecarpentersandplumbersstartedto workonme. Iwascompletelyignoredandthetablestartedmoving. WerolledacrosstheMoorandtherecommencedaclick ingunderthebackofmyhead,notunlikethesoundmade whenthebarberlowersorelevatesthehead-restonhis chair.Thetablerolledseeminglyalongdistancedown alongcorridorandthencametothetopofaslanting runway. AsIstartedridingthetabledowntherunwayIbegan toseethatI wasdescendinganinclinedtubewhich seemedtobefilledwithyellowvapour.Somedistance down,thetableslowedupandwecametoastopin frontofacircularbulkheadinthetunnel. Therewasadoorinthecentreofthebulkheadand inthecentreofthedoortherewasasmallwicketwin dowwhichopenedandtwogrotesquelysmilingeyes peeredoutatme.Thoseeyesinspectedmefromhead tofootandthen,apparentlysatisfied,theytwinkledand thewicketclosedwithasnap.Thenthedooropened andoutsteppedaquaintandcuriousfigurewithgnarled limbsandarmsanda peculiarmisshapenhead,com pletelycoveredwithashortgrowthofblackhair. I laughedoutright,laughedhilariously.I recognised theman.ThelasttimeI hadseenhimwaswhenhe steppedoutofagastankonthe18thfloorofanoffice buildinginChicagowhereI wasrecliningatthetime ina dentistchair.Hewasthelittlegasdemonwho walkedwithmethroughtheElysianfieldsthelasttime Ihadatoothpulled. "Wellyoupoorlittleson-of-a-gun,"Isaid,bywayof greeting."Whatareyoudoingwayoverherein WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 337 1 France?Ihaven'tseenyouforalmosttwoyears,since thatdaybackinChicago." Thegasdemonrolledhisheadfromonesidetothe otherandsmiled,butI can'trememberwhathesaid. Mymentalnote-takingconcludedabouttherebecause thenextmemoryIhaveisofcompletedarkness,andly ingonmybackina crampedpositionwhilea horse trampledonmyleftarm. "Backoffofthere,"Ishouted,buttheanimal'shoofs didn'tmove.Theonlyeffectmyshoutinghadwas tobringa softhandintomyrightone,anda sweet voiceclosebesideme. "You'reallright,now,"saidthesweetvoice,"just trytotakealittlenapandyou'llfeelbetter." ThenIknewitwasallover,thatis,theoperationwas over,orsomethingwasover.Anyhowmymindwas workingandIwasinapositionwhereIwantedtoknow thingsagain.I recallnow,withasmile,thatthefirst thingsthatpassedthroughmymindwerethethreadbare bromidessooftenquoted"WhereamI?"I recallfeel ingtheurgetosaysomethingatleastoriginal,soI enquired: "Whatplaceisthis,andwillyoupleasetellmewhat dayandtimeitis?" "ThisistheMilitaryBaseHospitalatNeuilly-sur- SeinejustontheoutskirtsofParis,anditisabout eleveno'clockinthemorningandto-dayisFriday,June theseventh." ThenI wentbacktosleepwithanetherisedtastein mymouthlikeamotorman'sglove. 338 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

CHAPTERXVIII

GROANS,LAUGHSANDSOBSINTHEHOSPITAL

TherewerefourteenwoundedAmericansoldiersin myward—allmenfromtheranksandrepresenting almostasmanynationalisticextractions.Therewasan Irishman,aSwede,anItalian,aJew,aPole,oneman ofGermanparentage,andonemanofRussianextrac tion.Allofthemhadbeenwoundedatthefrontand allofthemnowhadsomethingneareranddearertothem thananytraditionsthatmighthavebeenhandeddownto themfroma mothercountry—theyhadfoughtand bledandsufferedforanewcountry,theirnewcountry. HereinthiswardwasthenewmeltingpotofAmerica. NotthemeltingpotofourgreatAmericancitieswhere nationalisticquartersstillexist,buta greaterfusion processfromwhichthesemenhademergedwithun questionableAmericanism.Theyaretherealandthe newAmericans—borninthehellofbattle. Onenightaswelaythere,weheardanautomobile racingthrougha streetinthissleepy,warmlittle faubourgofParis.Themotorwassoundingonits sirenacallthatwasfamiliartoallofus.Itwasthe alarmofanightattackfromtheair.Itmeantthat Germanplaneshadcrossedthefrontlineandwereon theirwaywithdeathanddestructionforParis. Anurseenteredtheroomanddrewthecurtainsof thetallwindowstokeepfromoureyesTheflashandthe glitteroftheshellsthatsoonbegantoburstinthesky aboveusastheaerialdefenceslocatedontheoutercircle ofthecitybegantoerectawallofburstingsteelaround WEWOULDN'TFIGHT 339 theFrenchcapital.Wecouldhearthegunsbarking closebyandoccasionallythelouderboomthattoldus oneoftheGermanbombshadlanded.Particlesof shrapnelbeganfallinginthegardenbeneaththewindows ofourwardandwecouldheartherattleofthepieces ontheslateroofofapavilionthere.Itismostun pleasant,itgoeswithoutsaying,toliehelplessonone's backandgrapplewiththerealisationthatdirectlyover yourhead—rightstraightaboveyoureyesandface— isanenemyairplaneloadedwithbombs.Manyofus knewthatthosebombscontained,someofthem,more thantwohundredpoundsofmeliliteandsomeofus hadwitnessedtheterrifichavoctheywroughtwhenthey landedona building.Allofusknew,astheworld knows,theparticularattractionthathospitalshavefor Germanbombs. Theaerialbombardmentsubsidedaftersometenor fifteenminutesandsoonweheardthemotorracingback throughthestreetswhileamusicianinthecarsounded onabuglethe"prologue"orthesignalthattheraid wasover.Theinvadershadbeendrivenback.Allof usinthewardtriedtosleep.Butnervestingledfrom thismoreorlessuncomfortableexperienceandwounds achedandburned.Sleepwasalmostoutoftheques tion,andinthedarkenedwardI soonnoticedthered glowofcigaretteaftercigarettefrombedtobedasthe mensoughttowooreliefwithtobaccosmoke. Webegantodiscussasubjectverynearandverydear toallwoundedmen.Thatis,whattheyaregoingto doassoonastheygetoutofthehospital.Itisknown, ofcourse,thatthefirstconsiderationusuallyis,tore turntothefront,butinmanyinstancesinourward, thiswasentirelyoutofthequestion. SoitwaswithDanBaileywhooccupiedabedtwo 340 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT bedsonmyright.Hisleftlegwasoffabovetheknee. HelostitgoingoverthetopatCantigny. "IknowwhatI'mgoingtodowhenI gethome,"he said,"Iamgoingtogetajobasaninstructorina rollerskatingrink." Inabedontheothersideofthewardwasayoung manwithhisrightarmoff.HisnamewasJohnson andhehadbeenamusician.Intimeofbattle,musicians layasidetheirtrombonesandcornetsandgooverthe topwiththemen,onlytheycarrystretchersinsteadof rifles.Johnsonhaddonethis.Somethinghadex plodedquiteclosetohimandhisentirerecollectionof thebattlewasthathehadawakenedbeingcarriedback onhisownstretcher. "IknowwhereI cansuregetwork,"hesaid,glanc ingdownatthestumpofhislostarm."Iamgoingto signupasapitcherwiththeSt.LouisNationals." DayslaterwhenIlookedonJohnsonforthefirsttime, I askedhimifhewasn'tIrish,andhesaidno.Then I askedhimwherehelosthisarmandhereplied,"At theyoint."AndthenIknewwherehecamefrom. Butconcerningafter-the-waroccupations,I en deavouredthatnighttocontributesomethinginasimilar veintothegeneraldiscussion,andI suggestedthepos sibilitythatImightreturntogivelessonsonthemonocle. Theprizeprospect,however,wassubmittedbyaman whooccupiedabedfaroverinonecorneroftheroom. Hewasthepossessorofapolysyllabicname—aname sprinkledwithk's,s'sandz's,withascarcityofvowels —anamethatwecouldnotpronounce,muchlessre member.Onaccountofhissizewecalledhim"Big Boy."Hiswasapeculiarstory. HehadbeencapturedbythreeGermanswhowere marchinghimbacktotheirline.Intellingmethestory WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 34i

BigBoysaid,"Mr.Gibbons,I madeupmymindasI -walkedbackwiththemthatImightjustaswellbedead astospendtherestofthewarstudyingGerman." Sohehadstruckthemanontherightandtheoneon theleftandhaddownedbothofthem,buttheGerman inbackofhim,gothimwiththebayonet.Anerve centreinhisbackwasseveredbytheslashofthesteel thatextendedalmostfromoneshouldertotheother,and BigBoyhadfallentotheground,hisarmsandlegs powerless.ThentheGermanwiththebayonetrobbed him.BigBoyenumeratedthelosstome,—fifty-three dollarsandhisgirl'spicture. Althoughparalysedandhelpless,therewasnothing downinthemouthaboutBigBoy—indeed,heprovided mostofthefunintheward.Hehadanideaallof hisownaboutwhathewasgoingtodoafterthewar andheletusknowaboutitthatnight. "Allofyouguyshavetoldwhatyou'regoingtodo," hesaid,"nowI'mgoingtotellyouthetruth.I'mgoing backtothatlittletownofmineinOhioandgodown tothegrocerystoreandsitthereonasoapboxonthe porch. "ThenI'mgoingtogatherallthelittleboysinthe neighbourhoodroundaboutmeandthenI'mgoingto outlietheG.A.R." Therewasonethinginthatwardthatnobodycouldlie aboutandthatwasthetwitchesofpainwesufferedin themorningswhentheolddressingsofthedaybefore werechangedandnewonesapplied. Thedoctorandhiswomanassistantwhohadcharge ofthesurgicaldressingsonthatcorridorwouldarrive inthewardshortlyafterbreakfast.Theywouldbe wheelinginfrontofthemarubber-tired,white-enamelled vehicleonwhichwerepiledthejarsofantisepticgauze 342 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT andtraysofnickel-platedinstruments,whichboththe doctorandhisassistantwouldhandlewithrubber-gloved hands.Inourwardthatvehiclewasknownasthe "AgonyCart,"andeverytimeitstoppedatthefootof abedyouwouldbeprettysuretohearagroanorastifled wailinafewminutes. Wehadvariouswaysofexpressingorsuppressingthe pain.Youwhohavehadaparticularlyviciousmustard plasterjerkedoffthattenderspotintheback,right betweentheshoulders,havesomesmallconceptionof thedelicatesensationthataccompaniestheremovalofold gauzefromahealingwound. Someofthemenwouldgrittheirteethandgrunt, otherswouldputtheirwristsintheirmouthsandbite themselvesduringtheoperation.Someotherswould trytokeeptalkingtothedoctororthenursewhilethe ordealwasinprogressandotherswouldjustsimply shout.Therewaslittlesatisfactiontobegainedfrom theseexpressionsofpainbecausewhileonemanwas yellingtheotherthirteeninthewardwereshoutingwith gleeandchaffinghim,andassoonashiswoundshad beenredressedhewouldjoininthelaughsattheexpense ofthosewhofollowedhim. TherewasaJewishboyinthewardandhehadapar ticularlypainfulshellwoundinhisrightleg.Hewas pluckyaboutthepainfultreatmentandusedtosayto thedoctor,"Don'tmindmeyelling,doc.Ican'thelpit, butyoujustkeeprighton." TheJewboy'scryofpainasnearasIcanreproduce itwentsomethinglikethis,"Oy!Oy!!Oy!!!YOY!!! Doctor!" TheJewboy'sclear-tonedenunciationofthisYiddish lullaby,astherestofthewardcalledit,broughtmany a heartless,fiendishlaughfromtheoccupantsofthe WEWOULDN'TFIGHT 343 otherbeds.Wealmostlostoneofourpatientson accountofthatlaugh.Henearlylaughedhimselfto death—infact. Thisnearvictimofuncontrollablerisibilitieswasan ItalianboyfromtheEastSideofNewYork.Apiece ofshrapnelhadpenetratedoneofhislungsandpleurisy haddevelopedintheotherone.Ithadbecomeneces sarytooperateononeofthelungsandtapeitdown. Theboyhadtodohisbesttobreathewithonelungthat wasaffectedbypleurisy.Everybreathwaslikethe stabofaknifeanditwasquitenaturalthatthepatient wouldbepeevishandgarrulous.Thewholewardcalled himthe"dyingWop."ButhisnamewasFrank. "WhentheJewboywouldrunthescalewithhistorture cry,the"dyingWop"wouldbeforcedtoforgethis labouredbreathingandgiveventtolaughter.These almostfatallaughssoundedsomethinglikethis: "He!Hee!!Hee!!!(onarisinginflectionandthen muchsofter)Oh,Oh,Oh!Stophim,stophim,stop him!"The"He-Hee's"werelaughs,butthe"Oh-oh's" wereexcruciatingpain. Frankgrewsteadilyworseandhadtoberemoved fromtheward.WeeksafterwardI wentbacktosee himandfoundhimmuchthinnerandconsiderably weaker.Heoccupiedabedononeofthepavilionsin thegarden.Hewasstillbreathingoutofthatone lungandbetweengaspshetoldmethatsixmenhad diedinthebednexttohim.Thenhesmiledupat mewithalookinhiseyesthatseemedtosay,"But theyhaven'tcroakedthe'dyingWop'yet." "Thishere—hospitalstuff "Franktoldmeslowly, andbetweengasps,"isthebigfightafterall.Iknow— Iamfightinghere—againstdeath—andamgoingtowin out,too. 344 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

"I'mgoingtowinouteventhoughitisharderto fight—thanfighting—theGermans—upfront.WeItal ianslickedHelloutofthem—amillionyearsago.Old GeneralCaesardiditandheusedtobringthemback toRomeandput'eminwhite-wingsuitsonthestreets." ForallhisquaintknowledgeofCaesar'ssuccesses againsttheprogenitorsofKulturlandofto-day,Frank wasallAmerican.Herewasarough-cutyoungAmeri canfromthestreetsofNewYork'sLittleItaly.Here wasamanwhohadalmostmadethesupremesacrifice. Herewasamanwho,ifhedidescapedeath,facedlong weakenedyearsahead.ItoccurredtomethatI would liketoknow,thatitwouldbeinterestingtoknow,in whatopinionthiswoundedAmericansoldier,theson ofuneducatedimmigrantparents,wouldholdtheChief ExecutiveoftheUnitedStates,themanhewouldmost likelypersonifyasresponsiblefortheeventsthatled uptohisbeingwoundedonthebattlefield. "Frank,"Iasked,"whatdoyouthinkaboutthePresi dentoftheUnitedStates?" Heseemedtobeconsideringforaminute,ormaybe hewasonlywaitingtogathersufficientbreathtomake ananswer.Hehadbeenlyingwithhiseyesdirected steadfastlytowardtheceiling.Nowheturnedhisface slowlytowardme.> - Hiseyes,sunkenslightlyintheir sockets,shonefeverishly.Hispinched,hollowcheeks werestillswarthy,bu'the^backgroundofthewhitepil lowmadethemlookwanxSlowlyhemoistenedhislips, andthenhesaid: "Say—say—thatguy—thatguy's—gothair—onhis chest." Thatwastheopinionofthe"dyingWop." AfterFrank'sremovalfromourward,therestofus frequentlysentmessagesofcheerdowntohim.These WEWOULDN'TFIGHT 345 messageswereusuallycarriedbya youngAmerican womanwhohadaparticularinterestinourward.Not strangetosay,shehaddonneda RedCrossnursing -uniformonthesamedaythatmostofusarrivedinthat -ward.ShewasoneoftheAmericanwomenwho broughtusfruit,icecream,candyandcigarettes.She -wrotelettersforustoourmothers.Sheworkedlong Hours,nightandday,forus.Inherabsence,oneday, thewardwentintosessionandvotedheritsguardian angel.Outofmodesty,I wasforcedtoanswer"Pres ent"insteadof"Aye"totheroll-call.TheAngelwas andismywife. AsOfficialWardAngelitwasamongthewife'sduties tohandlethematterofvisitors,ofwhichtherewere many.Itseemed,duringthoseearlydaysinJune,that everyAmericanwomaninFrancedroppedwhateverwar -workshewasdoingandrushedtotheAmericanhospitals tobeofwhateverserviceshecould.Anditwasnot easyworkthesewomenaccomplished.Therewasvery little"forehead-rubbing"or"movingpicturenursing." Muchofitwastilecorridorscrubbingandpancleaning. Theystoppedatnotaskstheywerecalledupontoper form.Manyofthemworkedthemselvessickduring thelonghoursofthatrushperiod. Sometimesthewillingness,eagernessandsympathy ofsomeofthevisitorsproducedhumourouslittleinci dentsinourhospitallife.Nearlyallofthewomenen teringourwardwouldstopatthefootof"BigBoy's" bed.Theywouldlearnofhisparalysedconditionfrom thechartattachedtothefootofthebed.Thenthey wouldmournfullyshaketheirheadsandslowlypro nouncethewords"Poorboy." AndaboveallthingsintheworlddistastefultoBig Boywasthatoneexpression"Poorboy"becauseas 346 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT soonasthekindlyintentionedwomenwouldleaveth< room,therestofthewardwouldtakeupthe"Poorboy" chorusuntilBigBoygotsickofit. Usually,however beforeleavingthewardthewomanvisitorwouldtake fromaclusterofflowersonherarm,onelargeredrase' andthisshewouldsolemnlydespositonBigBoy'sde fencelesschest. BigBoywouldsmileuptoheralookwhichshewould acceptandinterpretasoneofdeep,undyinggratitude. Thekindly-intentionedonesurroundingherselfwith thatbenedictionthatisderivedfromasacreddutywell performed,wouldwalkslowlyfromtheroomandas thedoorwouldclosebehindher,BigBoy'sgruffdrawl ingvoicewouldsingoutinacallfortheorderly. "Dan,removethefuneraldecorations,"hewould order. DanSullivan,ourorderly,wasthebusiestmanin thehospital.BigBoylikedtosmoke,but,beingpara lysed,herequiredassistance.Atregularintervalsdur ingthedaythewardroomdoor,whichwasclosetoBig Boy'sbed,wouldopenslowlyandthroughthegapfour orsixinchcwidetherestofthewardwouldgeta glimpseofDanstandingintheopeningwithhisarms piledhighwithpotsandutensils,andacigarettehanging fromthecornerofhismouth. Withonehandhewouldextractthecigarette,insert handandarmthroughtheopeninginthedooruntilit hoveredaboveBigBoy'sface.Thenthehandwould descendandthecigarettewouldbeinsertedinBigBoy's mouthjustasyouwouldsticka pininapin-cushion. BigBoywouldliebackcomfortablyandpuffawaylike a Mississippisteamboatforfourorfiveminutesand thenthedoorwouldopenjustacrackagain,themysteri oushandandarmwouldreachinoncemoreandthe

SMILINGWOUNDEDAMERICANSOLDIERS

WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 347 cigarettewouldbepluckedout.ThatwasthewayBig Boygothis"smokes." IfBigBoy'svoicewasgruff,therewasstillagruffer voicethatusedtocomefromamaninthecornerof thewardtotheleftofmybed.Duringthefirstfour orfivedaysI wasaninmateoftheward,I wasmost interestedinallthevoicesI heardbecauseI layintotal darkness.Thebandagesextendeddownfromthetopof myheadtomyupperlip,andIdidnotknowwhetheror notI everwouldseeagain.I wouldlistencarefullyto allremarkswithinear-shot,whethertheybefromdoc tors,nursesorpatients.Ilistenedinthehopethatfrom themImightlearnwhetherornottherewasapossibility ofmyregainingvision.Butalloftheirremarkswith regardtomyconditionwereambiguousandunsatisfac tory.ButfromthisIgainedalisteninghabitandthat washowI becameparticularlyinterestedinthevery gruffvoicethatcamefromthecorneronmyleft. Otherpatientsdirectingremarksintothatcornerwould addressthemtoamanwhomtheywouldcallbyname "RedShannahan."I wasquicktoconnectthegruff voiceandthename"RedShannahan,"andasI had lotsoftimeandnothingelsetodo,I builtupinmy mind'seyeapictureofatall,husky,roughandready, toughIrishman,withredhair—a manofwhomit wouldbeconceivablethathehadwipedoutsometwo orthreeGermanregimentsbeforetheygothim.Tofind outmoreaboutthischaracter,I calledovertohimone day. "RedShannahan,areyouthere?"I said. "Yes,Mr.Gibbons,I'mhere,"camethereply,andI wasimmenselysurprisedbecauseitwasnotthegruffvoice atall.Itwasthemild,unchangedvoiceofaboy,aboy whosetoneswerestillintheupperregister.Thereply 348 ANDTHEYTHOUGHT seemedalmostgirlishincomparisonwiththegruffer tonesoftheotherpatientsandImarvelledthattheowner ofthispolite,mannerly,high-pitchedvoicecouldbe knownbyanysuchnameas"RedShannahan."Ideter mineduponfurtherinvestigation. "RedShannahan,whatworkdidyoudobeforeyou becameaUnitedStatessoldier?"I asked. "Mr.Gibbons,"camethereply,almostgirlishly,"I amfromBaltimore.IdrovethewagonforMr.Bishop, thecanarybirdandgoldfishman." Allthathadhappenedtothiscanarybirdfancierand goldfishtamerwasthathehadkilledtwoGermansand capturedthreebeforetheygothim. Amongthosewhocametovisitusinthatward,there appearedonedayamanI hadnotseeninmanyyears. WhenIknewhimlasthehadbeenasport-lovingfellow- studentofmineatcollegeandoneofthefastest,hard est-fightingendsour'Varsityfootballsquadeverhad. Knowingthisdispositionoftheman,I wasquitesur prisedtoseeonthesleeveofhiskhakiserviceuniform theredshieldandinsigniaoftheKnightsofColumbus. I waswellawareoftheveryvaluableworkdoneby thisinstitutionwhereverAmericansoldiersareinFrance, butI couldnotimaginethisformercollegechumof minebeingengagedinsuchworkinsteadofbeingin theservice.Henoticedmysilenceandhesaid,"Gib, doyourememberthatgamewiththeIndianson ThanksgivingDay?" "Yes,"I replied,"theyhurtyourlegthatday." "Yes,"repliedmyoldcollegemate,whomwemight aswellcallMacDougalinasmuchasthatwasnothis name."Yes,theytookthatlegawayfrommethree yearslater." IknewthenwhyMacDougalwaswiththeK.C.and WEWOULDN'TFIGHT"

I wonderedwhatservicehewouldperforminourward inthenameofhisorganisation.I soonfoundout. Withoutintroduction,MacDougalproceededtothebed sideofDanBailey,theInfantrymanwithonelegoff, whowaslyinginabedonmyright.MacDougalwalked backandforthtwoorthreetimespastthefootof Bailey'sbed. "Howdoesthatlook?"TiesaidtoBailey."DoI walkallright?" "Looksallrighttome,"repliedBailey;"what'sthe matterwithyou?" McDougalthenbeganjumping,skippingandhopping upanddownandacrosstheflooratthefootofBailey's bed.Finishingtheseexercisesbreathlessly,heagainad dressedhimselftothesuffererwithoneleg. "Howdidthatlook?"hesaid."Didthatlookall right?" "Idon'tseeanythingthematterwithyou,"replied Bailey,"unlessitisthatyou'reinthewrongward." ThenMacDougalstoodclosebyBailey'sbedsidewhere theboywithonelegcouldwatchhimclosely.Mac Dougaltookhiscaneandstruckhisownrightlega resoundingwhack.Andweallknewbythesoundof theblowthattheleghestruckwaswooden. InthatpeculiarwaydidMacDougalbringintothe lifeofDanBaileynewinterestandnewprospects.He provedtoDanBaileythatfortherestofhislifeDart Baileywithanartificiallimbcouldwalkaboutandjump andskipandhopalmostaswellaspeoplewithtwo goodlegs.Thatwastheserviceperformedbythe KnightsofColumbusinourward. Therewasoneotherorganisationinthathospitalthat deservesmention.Itwasthemostexclusivelittleclique andratherinclinedtowardssnobbishness.Iwasamem ANDTHEYTHOUGHT berofit. Weusedtolookdownontheordinary- woundedcasesthathadtwoeyes.Weenjoyed,either rightlyorwrongly,a feelingofsuperiority.Death comesmightyclosewhenitnicksaneyeoutofyour head.Alloftheone-eyedcasesandsomeoftheno- eyedcasesreceivedattentioninonecertainward,andit wastothiswardaftermyreleasefromthehospitalthat I usedtogoeverydayforfreshdressingsformy wounds.EverytimeI enteredthewarda delegation ofone-eyedwouldgreetmeasacomradeandpresent mewithapetition.InthispetitionI wasaskedand urgedtobetakemyselftothehospitallibrary,toprobe thedepthsoftheencyclopaediasandfromtheirwordy innardstearoutonenamefortheorganisationofthe one-eyed.Thiswastobeourlifelongclub,theysaid, andtheinsistencewasthatthenameaboveallshould bea"classy"name.Soitcametopassthataftermuch researchanddebateonenamewasacceptedandfromthat timeonwebecameknownastheCyclopsClub. AwonderfulPhiladelphiasurgeonwasinchargeof theworkinthatward.HundredsofAmericansoldiers forlongyearsafterthewarwillthankhimforseeing. Ithankhimformysightnow.HisnameisDr.Fewell. Thegreatestexcitementinthewardprevailedoneday whenoneofthedoctor'sassistantsenteredcarrying severalflat,hardwoodcases,eachofthemaboutayard square.Thecasesopenedlikeabookandwerelaidflat onthetable.Theirinteriorswerelinedwithgreenvel vetandthereontheshallowreceptaclesinthegreen velvetwerejustdozensofeyes,gleamingunblinkingly upatus. AshoutwentupanddownthewardandtheCyclo- piansgatheredaroundthetable.Therewasa grand WEWOULDN'TFIGHT 35i grabrightandleft.Everybodytriedtogetahandful. Therewassomedifficultyreassortingthegrabs.Of course,ithappened,thatfellowsthatreallyneededblue orgreyones,managedtogetholdofblackonesor brownones,andsomeconfusionexistedwhilethey tradedbackandforthtomatchuppropercolours,shades andsizes. OneCyclopianwasnotinonthegrab.Inaddition tohavinglostoneeye,hehadreceivedaboutapound andahalfofassortedhardwareinhisback,andthese fleshwoundsconfinedhimtohisbed.Hehadbeen sleepingandhesuddenlyawokeduringthedistribution oftheglassware.Heapparentlybecamealarmedwith thethoughtthathewasgoingtobeleftoutofconsidera tion.I sawhimsitboltuprightinbedasheshouted clearacrosstheward: "Hey,Doc,passthegrapes." Whenitbecamepossibleformetoleavethathospital, I wenttoanotheronethreeblocksaway.Thiswas a remarkableinstitutionthathadbeenmaintainedby wealthyAmericanslivinginFrancebeforethewar.I wasassignedtoaroomonthethirdfloor—aroomad joiningasunparlour,overlookingabeautifulOldWorld gardenwithalagoon,rusticbridges,treesandshrubbery. InearlyJune,whenthatfloodofAmericanwounded hadcomebackfromtheMarne,ithadbecomenecessary toerecthospitalwardtentsinthegardenandtherea numberofourwoundedwerecaredfor.I usedto noticethateverydaytwoorderlieswouldcarryoutfrom oneofthesmalltentsasmallwhitecotonwhichthere layanAmericansoldier.Theywouldplacethecot onthegreengrasswherethesunlight,findingitsway throughtheleafybranchesofthetree,wouldshinedown 352 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

upontheformofthisyoung—thisveryyoung—fighter fromtheU.S.A. Hewasjusttwomonthsoverseventeenyearsofage. Hehaddeliberatelyandpatrioticallyliedoneyearon hisageinorderthathemightgotoFranceandfight beneathourflag. Hewaswounded,buthisappearancedidnotindicate howbadly.Therewerenobandagesabouthishead, armsorbody.Therewasnothingtosuggestthesever ityofhisinjuries—nothingsavehissmallroundspoton thesideofhisheadwherethesurgeonshadshavedaway thehair—justasmallroundspotthatmarkedtheplace whereapieceofGermanhand-grenadehadtouchedthe skull. Thislittlefellowhadforgotteneverything.Hecould notremember—allhadslippedhismindsaveforthe threeorfourlinesofonelittlesong,whichwasthesole remainingmemorythatbridgedthegapoffourthousand milesbetweenhimandhishomeacrossthesea. Overandoveragainhewouldsingitalldaylongas helaythereonthecotwiththesunlightstreamingall overhim.Hissweetboyishvoicewouldcomeup throughtheleafybranchestothewindowsofmyroom. I frequentlynoticedmynursestandingthereatthe windowlisteningtohim.ThenI wouldnoticethat hershoulderswouldshakeconvulsivelyandshewould walkoutoftheroom,weteyedbutsilent.Andthe songthelittlefellowsangwasthis:

"Justtrytopictureme BackhomeinTennessee, Rightbymymother'sknee Shethinkstheworldofme. Shewillbetheretomeetme WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 353

Withahugandkissshe'llgreetme, WhenI getback,whenI getback TomyhomeinTennessee."

AmericandoctorsandAmericannurses,bothbytheir skillandcareandtenderness,nursedthatlittlefellow backtocompleterecovery,madehimrememberevery thingandshortlyafterward,wellandcured,hestarted back,safeandsound,tohishomeinTennessee. NothingI caneversaywilloverstatemyestimation ofthecreditthatisdeservedbyourAmericandoctors andnursesforthegreatworktheyaredoing.Iamnot aloneinknowingthis.I calltowitnessanyCanadian, EnglishmanorFrenchman,that,ifheiswounded,when intheambulance,heusuallyvoicesonerequest,"Take metoanAmericanhospital." I knewofonemanwhoenteredthatUnitedStates MilitaryBaseHospitalnearParis,withonebullet throughtheshoulder,anotherthroughanarm,aneye shotoutandacompoundfractureoftheskull,andthose Americandoctorsandnursesbytheirattentionand skilfulnessmadeitpossibleforhimtostepbackinto bootsandbreechesandwalkoutofthehospitalinten days. ItsohappensthatI amsomewhatfamiliarwiththe detailsinthatcasebecauseIamtheman. 354 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

CHAPTERXIX

"JULYl8TH"—THETURNOFTHETIDE

ThroughthesteadygrowthofMarshalFoch'sre serves,bythespeedyarrivalofAmericanforces,the fourthGermanoffensiveof1918,thepersonallydi rectedeffortlaunchedbytheCrownPrinceonMay 27th,hadbeenbroughttoastandstill. TheGermanthrusttowardParishadbeenstopped bytheAmericansatChateau-ThierryandintheBois deBelleau.Itwouldbeaninjusticenottorecordthe greatpartplayedinthatfightingbytheFrenchArmy attacked,butitwouldbeequallyunjustnottospecify astheFrenchhavegallantlydone,thatitwasthetimely arrivalofAmericanstrengththatswungthebalance againsttheenemy.Fortheremainderofthatmonth ofJuneanduptothemiddleofJuly,thefightingwas consideredlocalinitscharacter. TheGermanoffensivehadsucceededinpushingfor wardtheenemyfrontuntilitformedaloopextending southwardfromtheAisnetotheValleyoftheMarne. ThissalientwascalledtheChateau-Thierrypocket.The lineransouthwardfromapointeastofSoissonsto Chateau-Thierry,whereittouchedtheMarne,thence eastwardalongbothsidesoftherivertothevicinityof OeuillywhereitrecrossedtheMarneandextendednorth wardtopointsbeyondRheims. Chateau-ThierrywasthusthepeakoftheGerman push—theapexofthetrianglepointingtowardParis. Theenemysupplieditsforcesinthispeakprincipally bytheroadthatransouthwardfromSoissonsand WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 355 touchedtheMarneatChateau-Thierry.Tothewest ofthisroadandjustsouthofthecityofSoissons,is theforestofVillers-Cotterets.Theenemyoccupiedthe northernandeasternlimitsoftheforestandthere mainderofitwasinthehandsoftheFrench. Thisforesthasalwaysbeenconsideredoneofthesen tinelsofParis.Itwaslocatedontherightflankof theGermansalient.Itwasamenacetothatflank,and offeredamostattractiveopportunityforanAlliedcoun teroffensivefromthatdirection.TheGermanswere notunmindfulofthis. TheenemyknewthatintheforestofVillers-Cot teretsitwouldbepossibleforMarshalFochtomobil isehismuch-fearedreservesbytakingadvantageofthe naturalscreenprovidedbytheforest.ThatFochre servestillremaineda matterforenemyconsideration inspiteofthefactthatthesuccessiveGermanoffensive sinceMarch21sthadmetwithconsiderablesuccesswith regardtotheacquisitionofterritory.TheGermans, however,hadbeenunabletoascertainwhetherFoch hadbeenforcedtobringhisreservesintothefight. Thesituationdemandedafullrealisationbytheenemy ofthepossibleuseofthisreserveatanytimeandthey knewthattheirlinesinVillers-CotteretsForestoffered aneverpresentinvitationforthesuddenapplicationof thisreservestrength.Theirlinesatthatpointwere necessarilyweakbythesuperiorityoftheAlliedposi tionand,asaconsequence,theGermansguardedthis weakspotbyholdinginreservebehindthelineanum berofdivisionsofthePrussianGuard. Forthesamereason,theenemymaintainedconstant observationoftheFrenchposition.Theirplaneswould flyovertheforesteverydaytakingphotographs.They soughttodiscoveranyevidencesindicatingthatFoch 356 ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

mightbepreparingtostrikea blowfromthatplace. Theymadecarefulnoteofthetrafficalongtheroads throughtheforest.Theymaintainedacarefulwatch toascertainwhethernewammunitiondumpswerebe ingconcealedunderthetrees.Theirobserverstriedto ascertainwhetheranyadditionalhospitalarrangements hadbeenmadebytheFrenchatthatpoint.Anyof thesethingswouldhaveindicatedthattheFrenchwere preparingtostrikethroughtheforestbuttheGermans foundnothingtosupporttheirsuspicions. Nevertheless,theymaintainedtheirlinesatmaximum strength.AbeliefexistedamongtheGermanHigh CommandthatanattackmightbemadeonJuly4th, outofconsiderationtoAmericansentiment.Whenthe attackdidnotdeveloponthatday,theythenthought thattheFrenchmightpossiblyspringtheblowonJuly 14th,incelebrationoftheirownnationalfeteday.And againtheyweredisappointedintheirsurmises. Thisprotracteddelayofanimpendingblowwor riedtheenemy.TheGermansrealisedfullwellthat theywerefightingagainsttime.Theirfaithintheca pacityoftheirsubmarinestopreventAmericanstrength fromreachingtheline,hadbeenabandoned.Theynow knewthateverydaythatpassedmeantjustthatmany moreAmericansoldiersarrivinginFrance,andthecon sequentstrengtheningoftheAlliedforcesduringasea sonwhentheGermans,throughtheirrepeatedoffen sives,weresufferingterriblelossesandwereconse quentlygrowingweaker. So,onJuly14th,whentheAlliedcounter-offensive hadstillfailedtomaterialise,theGermanforces,bythe necessityfortime,movedtoasuddenandfaultyde cision.Theyconvincedthemselvesthattheyhadover estimatedtheAlliedstrength.Theyacceptedthebe WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 357" liefthatthereasonFochhadnotattackedwasbecause hedidnothavesufficientstrengthtoattack.Withthis, then,asa basisfortheirplans,theyimmediately launchedanotheroffensive,hopingthatthismightbe theoneinwhichtheycoulddeliverthefinalblow. ThisactionbeganonMondaymorning,July15th, andextendedfromChateau-Thierryeastwardalongthe valleyoftheMarne,northwardtoRheimsandthence eastward.Byaremarkablecoup,onesmallpatrolof FrenchandAmericansdeprivedtheenemyoftheelement ofsurpriseintheattack.Onthemorningoftheprevi ousday,thispatrolsuccessfullyraidedtheenemylines totheeastofRheimsandbroughtbackprisonersfrom whomitwaslearnedthattheGermansintendedstrik ingonthefollowingmorning.Theobjectivesofthe offensiveweretheFrenchcitiesoffipernayandChalons. Theaccomplishmentofthiseffortwouldhaveplacedthe Rheimssalientinthehandsoftheenemyandbrought theGermanlinessouthwardtopositionsstraddlingthe Marne,downthevalleyofwhichtheywouldthusbe abletolaunchanotheroffensiveonastraightroadto Paris. TheGermansneededconsiderablestrengthforthis neweffort.Tomustertheshockdivisionsnecessaryfor theattack,theyhadtoweakentheirlineselsewhere. Thefirstreservesthattheydrewforthisoffensivewere thePrussianGuarddivisionswhichtheyhadbeenhold inginreadinessinbackoftheweakspotintheirline intheVillers-CotteretsForest.Thosedivisionswere hurriedlytransportedacrossthebaseoftheV-shaped salientandthrownintotheattacktotheeastandthe southwestofRheims. TheGermansfoundtheAlliedlinepreparedtore ceivethem.Theirattackingwavesweremoweddown 358 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

withterrificmachinegunfirefromFrenchandAmer icangunners,whileatthesametimeheavyartillery barragesplayedupontheGermanbackareaswithdeadly effectinthemassedranksofthereserves.Thefighting wasparticularlyvicious.ItwasdestinedtobetheGer mans'lastactionofagrandoffensivenatureintheen tirewar. \ OnthelineeastofRheims,theGermanassaultwas "particularlystronginonesectorwhereitencountered thesturdyranksoftheRainbowDivisionofUnited StatesNationalGuardsmen,drawnfromadozenormore differentstatesintheUnion.RegimentsfromAlabama andNewYorkheldthefrontline.IowaandOhiowere closein support.Inthesupportpositions,sturdy youngstersfromIllinois,Indiana,andMinnesota mannedtheAmericanartillery. TheFrenchgeneralcommandingthesectorhadnot consideredit possiblethatthiscomparativelysmall Americanforcecouldwithstandthefirstonslaughtof theGermans.Hehadmadeelaborateplansforawith drawaltohighgroundtwoorthreemilessouthward, fromwhichhehopedtobeabletoresisttheenemyto greateradvantage.Butalldaylong,throughthe15th andthe16thandthe17thofJuly,thoseAmericanlines held,andtheadvancingwavesofGermanstormtroops meltedbeforeourguns.Anticipatingarenewalofthe attackonthenextday,GeneralGouraudissuedanor derontheeveningofJulyI7th.Itread:

"TotheFrenchandAmericanSoldiersoftheArmy. "Wemaybeattackedfromonemomenttoan other.Youallfeelthata defensivebattlewas neverengagedinundermorefavourableconditions. Wearewarned,andweareonourguard.We WEWOULDN'TFIGHT 359 havereceivedstrongreinforcementsofinfantryand artillery.Youwillfightonground,which,byyour assiduouslabour,youhavetransformedintoafor midablefortress,intoafortresswhichisinvincible ifthepassagesarewellguarded. "Thebombardmentwillbeterrible.Youwill endureitwithoutweakness.Theattackinacloud ofdustandgaswillbefiercebutyourpositionsand yourarmamentareformidable. "Thestrongandbraveheartsoffreemenbeat inyourbreast.Nonewilllookbehind,nonewill giveway.Everymanwillhavebutonethought —'Killthem,killtheminabundance,untilthey havehadenough.'AndthereforeyourGeneral tellsyouitwillbeagloriousday."

Andsothelineheld,althoughtheFrenchGeneralhad inpreparationtheplansforwithdrawal.When,atthe endofthethirdday,theAmericanlinestilloccupied thesameposition,theFrenchGeneralfoundthathis labourinpreparingtheplansforwithdrawalhadbeen fornothing.Heisreportedtohavethrownhishands upintheairandremarked,"Theredoesn'tseemtobe anythingtodobuttoletthewarbefoughtoutwhere theNewYorkIrishandtheAlabamanswanttofight it." Therewasonehumorousincidentworthyofrecordin thatfighting.GreatrivalryexistedbetweentheNew YorkregimentandtheAlabamaregiment,bothofwhich happenedtobeunitsofthesamebrigade.Boththe NewYorkersandtheAlabamanshadamutualhatred fortheGermanbut,inadditiontothat,eachofthem waspossessedwithamutualdislikefortheother.There hadbeenfrequentclashesofamoreorlesssportsman 360 'ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

likeandfisticnaturebetweenmenfrombothoftheregi ments. Ontheseconddayofthefighting,theGermanshad sentoverlow-flyingairplaneswhichskimmedthetops ofourtrenchesandsprayedthemwithmachinegun fire.AmanfromAlabama,whohadgrownupfrom childhoodwithasquirrelrifleunderhisarm,accom plishedsomethingthathadneverbeendonebeforeinthe war.Fromhispositioninatrench,hetookcareful aimwithhisrifleandbroughtdownoneoftheGerman planes.ItwasthefirsttimeinthehistoryoftheWest ernFrontthatariflemanonthegroundhaddonethis. WhenthecoloneloftheNewYorkregimentheard this,hewaswildwithenvyandletitbeknownthat therewouldbetroublebrewingunlesshisregimentat leastequalledthefeat.So,onthefollowingday,an IrishmanintheranksstoodupandbroughtoneGer manplanedowntothecreditoftheoldSixty-ninth.

TothesouthwestofRheims,Germans,whosucceeded inbreakingthroughthelinesatoneplaceonthesouth banksoftheMarne,encounteredAmericanreinforce mentsandwereannihilatedtothenumberoffivethou sand.Atnoplacedidtheenemymeetwiththesuccess desired. TheGermanshadlaunchedtheirattackatsixo'clock onthemorningofJuly15th.AtVauxtheirdemon strationwasconsideredafeint,butalongtheMarneto theeastofChateau-Thierry,betweenFossyandMezy, theassaultingwavesadvancedwithfuryanddetermina tion.Atoneplace,twenty-fivethousandoftheenemy crossedtheriver,andthesmallAmericanforcesinfront ofthematthatplacewereforcedtoretireonConde-en- Bire.Inacounterattack,wesucceededindrivingfif WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 361 teenthousandofthembacktothenorthbank,there mainingtenthousandrepresentingcasualtieswiththe exceptionoffifteenhundred,whowerecaptured. Furthereastward,theGermansestablishedbridge headpositionsonthesouthbankoftheriveratDormas. Theenemyenjoyedaminorsuccessinanattackonthe linenearBlignytothesouthwestofRheims,whereItal iantroopsfoughtwithremarkablevalour.Everywhere elsethelinesheldsolidanduponthecloseofthatfirst night,MarshalFochsaid,"Iamsatisfied—Jesuiscon tent." Atdawnthefollowingday,theenemy'sfutileefforts -wereresumedalongtherivereastofChateau-Thierry. TheGermanssufferedappallinglossesintheireffortsto placepontoonbridgesatGlandandatMareuil-le-Port. St.AgnanandLaChapelleMonthodonfellintothe handsofAmericansonthesameday. Onthe17th,theenemy'sendeavourstoreachFestigny onbothbanksoftherivercametonaught,buttothe southeastofRheims,hisassaultingwavesreachedthe northernlimitsofMontagneForest.TheGermanswere tryingtopinchouttheRheimssalient.Thiswasthe conditionoftheopposinglinesonthenightofJuly17th, —thenightthatprecededthedayonwhichthetideof victoryturnedfortheAllies. Fochwasnowreadytostrike.TheAlliedCom mander-in-Chiefhaddecidedtodeliverhisblowonthe rightflankoftheGermansalient.Thelinechosenfor theAlliedassaultwaslocatedbetweenapointsouthof SoissonsandChateau-Thierry.Itrepresentedafront ofsometwenty-fivemilesextendingsouthwardfromthe valleyoftheAisnetotheMarne.Villers-Cotterets ForestwasthekeypositionfortheAllies. Itwasfromoutthatforestthatthefullstrengthof 362 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT theblowwastobedelivered.Tomakethebloweffec tiveatthatmostvitalpoint,MarshalFochneededa stronganddependableassaultingforce.Heneeded threedivisionsofthehardestfightingsoldiersthathe couldget.Hehadaconsiderablearmytoselectfrom. AsCommander-in-ChiefofalltheAlliedarmies,hewas incommandofalloftheBritisharmy,alloftheFrench army,alloftheAmericanarmy,theItalian,theBel gian,—allofthemilitaryforcesoftheAlliednationsof theworld.MarshalFoch'scommandnumberedeleven millionbayonets. TheCommander-in-Chiefhadalloftheseveteran fightingmenfromwhichhecouldselectthethreedivi sionsnecessarytodeliverthisblowuponwhichtheciv ilisationoftheworlddepended. ThefirstdivisionhechosewastheForeignLegion oftheFrencharmy.Infouryearsofbloodyfighting, theForeignLegion,composedofsoldiersoffortune fromeverycountryintheworld,hadneverbeenabsent inanattack.Ithadlivedupthoroughlytoitsrepu tationasthemostfearlessunitofshocktroopsinthe Frencharmy. Andthenfortheothertwodivisionsthatwereneeded. MarshalFochselected,fromalltheelevenmillionmen underhiscommand,theFirstandtheSecondRegular UnitedStatesArmyDivisions.TheSecondDivision includedtheimmortalBrigadeofUnitedStatesMa rines,thathadcoveredthemselveswithgloryinthe BoisdeBelleau. ItwasagreatdistinctionforthosetwoAmericandi visionstohavethusbeenselectedtoplaysuchavital partintheentirewar.Itwasanhonourthatevery officerandmaninbothdivisionsfeltkeenly. Ihaveinmymapcaseatornandmuchfoldedlittle WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 363

pieceofpaper.I receiveditthatnightofJuly17thin Villers-CotteretsForest.Asimilarpieceofpaperwas receivedbyeveryofficerinthosetwoAmericandivi sions.Tomethispieceofpaperrepresentstheorder whichresultedinvictoryfortheAlliedworld.Itreads:

HeadquartersThirdArmyCorpsAmericanExpedition aryForces, France,July17,1918 Memorandum: TheThirdCorpsoftheAmericanExpeditionary Forceshasbeencreatedandconsistsofthe1st.and2nd. Divisions,twodivisionsthatareknownthroughout France. OfficersandmenoftheThirdCorps,youhavebeen deemedworthytobeplacedbesidethebestveteran Frenchtroops.Seethatyouproveworthy.Remember thatinwhatisnowcomingyourepresentthewhole Americannation. R.L.Bullard, MajorGeneral, Commanding3rd.Corps.

TheGermanplanesflyinghighoverVillers-Cotter etsForestalldayduringthe17th,hadseennothing. Theappearanceofallthemyriadroadsthatcrossand recrosstheforestinalldirectionswasnormal.Butthat nightthingsbegantohappenintheforest. Foronceatleast,theelementswerefavourableto ourcause.Therewasnomoon.Thenightwasvery darkandunderthetreestheblacknessseemedimpen etrable.Aheavydownpourofrainbeganandalthough itturnedmostoftheroadsintomud,theleafyroofof theforestheldmuchofthemoistureandofferedsome 364 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT protectiontothethousandsofmenwhospentthenight beneathit. ThunderrolledasI hadneverhearditroll inFrancebefore.Thesounddrownedtheoccasional boomofdistantcannon.Atintervals,terrificcrashes wouldbefollowedbyblindingflashesoflightningas nature'sboltscutjaggedcrevicesinthesombreskyand ventedtheirfuryuponsomesplinteredgiantofthefor est. Theimmediatefrontwassilent—comparativelysi lentifoneconsideredthedinofthebelligerentele ments.Intheopposingfrontlinesinthenorthernand easternlimitsoftheforest,GermanandFrenchmen alikehuddledintheirrudeshelterstoescapetherain. Then,alongeveryroadleadingthroughtheforestto thenorthandtotheeast,streamsoftrafficbeganto pour.Allofitwasmovingforwardtowardthefront. Notrafficboundfortherearwaspermitted.Every inchofavailableroadspacewasvitallynecessaryfor theforcesinmovement.Theroadsthatusuallyac commodatedonelineofvehiclesmovingforwardand onelinemovingtotherear,nowrepresentedtwostreams —solidstreams—movingforward.Inthosestreams wereguncarriages,caissons,limbers,ammunitioncarts andgruntingtractorshaulinglargefieldpieces. Intheguttersoneithersideoftheroad,longlinesof Americaninfantryploddedforwardthroughthemud anddarkness.Intheoccasionalflashofalight,Icould seethattheywereequippedforheavyfighting.Many ofthemhadtheircoatsoff,theirsleevesrolledup,while beadsofsweatstoodoutontheyoungfacesthatshown eagerbeneaththehelmets.Ontheirbackstheycarried, inadditiontotheircumbersomepacks,extrashoesand extrabandoliersofcartridges. Fromtheirshouldersweresuspendedgasmasksand WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 365 haversacks.Theirwaistsweregirdedwithloadedam munitionbelts,withbayonethangingattheleftside. Someofthemworegrenadeapronsfullofexplosives. Nearlyallofthemcarriedtheirriflesormachinegun partsslungacrosstheirbacksastheyleanedforwardun dertheirburdensandplungedwearilyonintothemud anddarkness,thethunderandlightning,theworlddes tinythatwasbeforethem.Theirlineswereinterspersed withlongfilesofploddingmulesdraggingsmall,two- wheeled,narrowgaugecartsloadeddownwithmachine gunammunition. Underthetreestoeithersideoftheroad,therewas moremovement.Americanengineersstruggledfor wardthroughtheunderbrushcarrying,inadditionto theirriflesandbelts,rollsofbarbedwire,steelposts, picksandshovelsandaxesandsaws.Besidethem marchedtheswarthy,undersized,beardedveteransof theForeignLegion.Furtherstillunderthetrees, Frenchcavalry,withtheirlancesslungslantwiseacross theirshoulders,rodetheirhorsesinandoutbetweenthe gianttrunks. Atroadintersections,I sawmightymetalmonsters withsteelplatedsidessplotchedwithgreenandbrown andredpaint.TheseweretheFrenchtanksthatwere totakepartintheattack.Theygroanedandgrunted ontheirgrindinggearsastheymanoeuvredaboutfor saferprogress.Infrontofeachtanktherewalkeda manwhoboresuspendedfromhisshouldersonhisback, awhitetowelsothattheunseendirectinggeniusinthe tank'sturrentcouldsteerhiswaythroughtheunder brushandcracklingsaplingsthatwerecrusheddown underthetreadofthismodernJuggernaut. Therewasnoconfusion,nooutwardmanifestations ofexcitement.Therewasnorattleofmusketry,shout 366 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT ingofcommandsorwavingofswords.Officersad dressedtheirmeninwhispers.Therewasorderand quietsavefortherollofthunderandtheeternaldrip pingofwaterfromthewetleaves,punctuatednowand thenbytheear-splittingcrashesthatfollowedeach nearbyflashoflightning. Throughitall,everythingmoved.Itwasa mighty mobilisationinthedark.Everythingwasmovinginone direction—forward—allwiththesamegoal,allwiththe sameurging,allwiththesamedetermination,allwith thesamehope.Theforestwasghostlywiththeir forms.Itseemedtomethatnightinthedampdarkness ofVillers-CotteretsForestthateverytreegavebirthto amanforFrance. Allnightlongthegatheringofthatsinistersynodcon tinued.Allnightlongthosefurtiveforcesmoved throughtheforest.Theypassedbyeveryroad,by everylane,througheveryavenueoftrees.I heardthe whisperedcommandsoftheofficers.I heardtheslosh ingofthemudunderfootandtheoccasionalmuf fledcurseofsomewearymarcherwhowouldsliptothe groundundertheweightofhisburden; andI knew,all ofusknew,thatatthezerohour,4:35o'clockinthe morning,allhellwouldlandontheGermanline,and thesemenfromthetreeswouldmoveforwardwiththe fateoftheworldintheirhands. Therewassomesuspense.WeknewthatiftheGer manshadhadtheslightestadvanceknowledgeaboutthat mobilisationofFoch'sreservesthatnight,theywould haverespondedwitha downpourofgasshells,which spreadingtheirpoisonousfumesunderthewetroofof theforest,mighthavespeltslaughterfor70,000men. Buttheenemyneverknew.Theyneverevensus pected.Andatthetickof4:35A.M.,theheavens WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 367 seemedtocrashasunder,astonsandtonsofhotmetal sailedovertheforest,boundfortheGermanline. Thatmightyartilleryeruptioncamefromaconcentra tionofallthegunsofallcalibresofalltheAlliesthat Fochcouldmuster.Itwasawitheringblastandwhere itlandedinthatedgeoftheforestoccupiedbytheGer mans,thequietofthedrippingblacknightwassud denlyturnedintoaroaringinfernoofdeath. Gianttreetrunkswereblowhighintotheairand splinteredintomatch-wood.Heavyprojectilesbearing delayedactionfuses,penetratedthegroundtogreat depthbeforeexplodingandthen,withtheexpansionof theirpowerfulgases,crushedtheenemydug-outsasif theywereeggshells. ThenyoungAmerica—yoursonsandyourbrothers andyourhusbands,shouldertoshoulderwiththeFrench —wentoverthetoptovictory. Thepreliminarybarragemovedforwardcrashingthe forestdownaboutit. Behinditwentthetanksambling awkwardlybutirresistiblyoverallobstructions.Those Germansthathadnotbeenkilledinthefirstterrificblast, cameupoutoftheirholesonlytofaceFrenchand Americanbayonets,andthe"Kamerad"chorusbegan atonce. Ourassaultingwavesmovedforward,neverhesitat ing,neverfaltering.Aheadofthemwerethetanksgiv ingspecialattentiontoenemymachinegunneststhat manifestedstubbornness.Wedidnothavetocharge thosedeath-dealingneststhatmorningaswedidinthe BoisdeBelleau.Thetanksweretheretotakecareof them.Oneofthesewouldmovetowardanest,flirt arounditseveralminutesandthenpolitelysitonit. It wouldneverbeheardfromthereafter. ItwasanAmericanwhirlwindoffightingfurythat 368 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT swepttheGermansinfrontofitearlythatmorning. Aeroplaneshadbeenassignedtohoverovertheadvance andmakereportsonallprogress.Adensemisthanging overtheforestmadeitimpossiblefortheaviatorsto locatetheDivisionalHeadquarterstowhichtheywere supposedtomakethereports.Thesedensecloudsof vapourobscuredtheearthfromtheeyesoftheairmen, butwiththerisingsunthemistslifted. Beingbuta monthoutofthehospitalandhaving spentaratherstrenuousnight,I wasreceivingmedical attentionatdaybreakinfrontofadressingstationnot farfromtheheadquartersofMajorGeneralHarbord commandingtheSecondDivision.AsI laytherelook ingupthroughthetrees,I sawadarkspeckdivingfrom thesky.AlmostimmediatelyI couldhearthehumof itsmotorsgrowingmomentarilylouderasitnearedthe earth.I thoughttheplanewasoutofcontrolandex pectedtoseeitcrashtothegroundnearme. Severalhundredfeetabovethetreetops,itflattened itswingsandwentintoaneasyswoopsothatitsunder- gearseemedbarelytoskimtheuppermostbranches. Themachinepursuedacourseimmediatelyaboveone oftheroads.Somethingdroppedfromit. Itwasa metalcylinderthatglistenedintheraysofthemorning sun.Attachedtoitwasalongstreameroffluttering whitematerial.Itdroppedeasilytothegroundnearby. I sawanAmericansignalman,whohadbeenfollowing itsdescent,pickitup.Heopenedthemetalcontainer andextractedthemessagecontainingthefirstaerialob servationsoftheadvanceoftheAmericanlines.It statedthatlargenumbersofprisonershadbeencap turedandwereboundfortherear. Uponreceiptofthisinformation,DivisionHeadquar tersmovedforwardonthejump.Longbeforenoon WEWOULDN'TFIGHT 369

GeneralHarbord,closebehindhisadvancingtroops, openedheadquartersintheshatteredfarmbuildingsof VerteFeuille,thefirstcommunitycentrethathadbeen takenbyourmenthatmorning.Prisonerswerecom ingbackindroves. I encounteredonecolumnofdisarmedGermans marchingfourabreastwiththetypicalattitudeofa "Kamerad"procession.Thefirsteightoftheprisoners carriedontheirshoulderstworudelyconstructedlitters madefromlogsandblankets.AwoundedAmerican -wasononelitterandawoundedFrenchmanonthe other. AnumberofGermanknapsackshadbeenusedtoele vatetheshouldersofbothofthewoundedmensothat theyoccupied,positionshalfsittingandhalfreclining. Bothofthemweresmokingcigarettesandchattinggaily astheyrodehighandmightyontheshouldersoftheir captives,whilebehindthemstretchedaregalretinueof eighthundredmore. Asthiscolumnproceededalongonesideoftheroad, therestoftheroadwaywasfilledwithmen,gunsand equipmentallmovingforward.Scottishtroopsinkilts swungbyandreturnedthetauntswhichourmenlaugh inglydirectedattheirkiltsandbareknees. SlightlywoundedAmericanscamebackguardingcon voysofprisoners.Theyreturnedloadedwithrelicsof thefighting.ItwassaidthatdaythatGermanprison ershadexplainedthatintheiropinion,theBritishwere inthewarbecausetheyhatedGermanyandthatthe FrenchwereinthewarbecausethewarwasinFrance, butthatAmericansseemedtobefightingtocollectsou- veniers. I sawoneoftheseAmericansouveniercollectors boundfortherear.Instaturehewasoneoftheshort 370 ANDTHEYTHOUGHT estmenI hadeverseeninouruniform.Hemusthave spentlongyearsinthecavalry,becausehewasfright fullybowlegged.Hewasherdinginfrontofhimtwo enormousGermanprisonerswhotoweredheadand shouldersabovehim. Hemanifestedaconfidenceinhisknowledgeofall prisonersandthingsGerman.Germanswere"foreign ers.""Foreigners"spokeaforeignlanguage.There foretomakeaGermanunderstandyou,itwasonlynec essarytospeakwiththeminaforeignlanguage.French wasa foreignlanguagesothebowleggedAmerican guardmadeuseofhislimitedknowledge. "Allay! Allay! Allayveett'-ellouterhere,"heurged hischarges. Hewaswearinghishelmetbackonhisheadsothat therewasexposedashockofblack,blood-mattedhair onhisforehead.Awhitebandageranaroundhisfore headandontherightsideofhisfaceastripofcotton gauzeconnectedwithanotherwhitebandagearoundhis neck.Therewasaredstainonthewhitegauzeoverthe rightcheek. Hisfacewasrinsedwithsweatandverydirty.In onehandhecarriedalargechunkoftheblackGerman warbread—oncethepropertyofhistwoprisoners. Withhisdisengagedhandheconveyedmassesofthe foodtohislipswhichwerecircledwitha frescoof crumbs. Hisfacewaswreathedinaremarkablesmile—asmile ofsatisfactionthatcausedthecornersofhismouthto turnupwardtowardhiseyes.I alsosmiledwhenI madeacasualinventoryofthebattlefieldlootwithwhich hehaddecoratedhisperson.Danglingbystrapsfrom hisrighthipwerefiveholsterscontainingasmanyGer manautomaticpistolsoftheLuegermake,worthabout WEWOULDN'TFIGHT

$35apiece.Suspendedfromhisrightshoulderbystraps tohislefthip,weresixpairsofhighlyprizedGerman fieldglasses,worthabout$100apiece.I acquiredabet terunderstandingofhiscontagioussmileofproperty possessionwhenI inquiredhisnameandhisrank.He replied: "SergeantHarrySilverstein." Later,attractedbyablastofextraordinaryprofan ity,Iapproachedoneofourmenwhowasseatedbythe roadside.Abullethadlefta redcreaseacrosshis cheekbutthiswasnotwhathadstoppedhim.Thehob nailsoleofhisshoehadbeentornoffandhewastry ingtofastenitbackonwithacombinationofstraps. HisprofanedenunciationsincludedtheU.S.Quarter masterDepartment,Frenchroads,barbedwire,hot weatherand,occasionally,theGermans. "Thissureisahellofamess,"hesaid,"forafel lowtofindhimselfinthisfixjustwhenI wasbeginning tocatchsightof'em.I enlistedinthearmytocometo FrancetokillGermansbutI neverthoughtforonemin utethey'dbringmeoverhereandtrytomakemerun 'emtodeath.Whatweneedisgreyhounds.Andas usualtheQ.M.felldownagain.Why,therewasn'ta lassoeinourwholecompany."

TheprisonerscamebacksofastthattheIntelligence Departmentwasflooded.Thedivisionalintelligenceof ficeraskedmetoassistintheinterrogationofthecap tives.I questionedsomethreehundredofthem. AnAmericansergeantwhospokeexcellentGerman, interrogated.I satbehindasmalltableinafieldand thesergeantwouldcalltheprisonersforwardonebyone. InGermanheaskedonecaptivewhatbranchoftheserv icehebelongedto. Theprisonerwishingtodisplayhis 372 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT knowledgeofEnglishandatthesametimegiveventto somepride,repliedinEnglish. "Iamofthestormtroop,"hesaid. "Stormtroop?"repliedtheAmericansergeant,"do youknowwhatweare?WearefromKansas.We areCycloners." AnotherGermanstudentofEnglishamongthepris onerswasrepresentedinthepersonofapompousGer manmajor,who,inspiteofbeingacaptive,maintained allthedignityofhisrank.Hestoodproudlyerectand heldhisheadhigh.Heworeadisgustedlookonhis face,asthoughthesurroundingswerepainful.His uniformwaswellpressed,hislinenwasclean,hisboots werewellpolished,hewascleanshaven.Therewas notaspeckofdustuponhimandhedidnotlooklikea manwhohadgonethroughthehellofbattlethatmorn ing.TheAmericansergeantaskedhiminGermanto placethecontentsofhispocketsonthetable. "IunderstandEnglish,"herepliedsuperciliously,with astrongaccent,ashecompliedwiththerequest.I no ticed,however,thatheneglectedtodivesthimselfofone certainthingthatcaughtmyinterest.Itwasaleather thongthatextendedaroundhisneckanddisappearedbe tweenthefirstandsecondbuttonsofhistunic.Curi osityforcedmetoreachacrossthetableandextractthe hiddenterminalofthatthong.I foundsuspendedon ittheonethinginalltheworldthatexactlyfittedme andthatI wanted.Itwasa one-eyedfieldglass.I thankedhim. Hetoldmethathehadoncebeenaninterneinahos pitalinNewYorkbuthappeningtobeinGermanyat theoutbreakofthewar,hehadimmediatelyenteredthe armyandhadrisentotherankofamajorintheMedical WEWOULDN'TFIGHT 373

Corps.I wasanxiousforhisopinion,obviousasit mighthaveseemed. "Whatdoyouthinkofthefightingcapacityofthe Americansoldier?"Iaskedhim. "Idonotknow,"herepliedintheaccentedbutdig nifiedtonesofasuperiorwhopainfullyfindshimselfin thehandsofoneconsideredinferior."Ihavenever seenhimfight.Heispersuasive—yes. "Iwasinadug-outwithfortyGermanwoundedin thecellarundertheBeaurepaireFarm,whentheterri blebombardmentlanded.I presumemygallantcom radesdefendingthepositiondiedattheirposts,because soonthebarrageliftedandI walkedacrossthecellar tothebottomofthestairsandlookedup. "Thereinthelittlepatchofwhitelightonthelevel ofthegroundaboveme,I sawthefirstAmericansol dierI haveseeninthewar.Buthedidnotimpressme muchasasoldier.I didnotlikehiscarriageorhis bearing. "Heworehishelmetfarbackonhishead.Andhe didnothavehiscoaton.Hiscollarwasnotbuttoned; itwasrolledbackandhisthroatwasbare.Hissleeves wererolleduptotheelbow.Andhehadagrenadein eachhand. "Justthenhelookeddownthestairsandsawme— sawmestandingthere—sawme,a major—andhe shoutedroughly,'Comeoutofthere,youbigDutch B d,orI'llspillabasketfuloftheseonyou.'" Allthroughthatgloriousdayofthe18th,ourlines sweptforwardvictoriously.TheFirstDivisionfought itoutontheleft,theForeignLegioninthecentreand theSecondDivisionwiththeMarinespushedforward ontheright.Villageaftervillagefellintoourhands. 374 ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

Wecapturedbatteriesofgunsandthousandsofpris oners. OnthroughthenighttheAlliedassaultcontinued. Ourmenfoughtwithoutwaterorfood.Allroadspace behindthelineswasdevotedtotheforwardingofre serves,artilleryandmunitions.Bythemorningofthe 19th,wehadsofarpenetratedtheenemy'slinesthat wehadcrossedtheroadrunningsouthwardfromSois- sonstoChateau-Thierry,therebydisruptingtheene my'scommunicationsbetweenhisnewlyestablishedbase andthepeakofhissalient.Thusexposedtoanenvel opingmovementthatmighthavesurroundedlargenum bers,therewasnothingleftfortheGermanstodobut towithdraw. TheAlliedarmycommander,whodirectedtheAmer icansonthatgloriousday,wasGeneralJosephMan- gin.Hisopinionoftheimmortalpartplayedonthat daybythosetwoAmericandivisionsmaybeseeninthe followingorderwhichhecausedtobepublished:

Officers,NoncommissionedOfficers,andSoldiersofthe AmericanArmy: ShouldertoshoulderwithyourFrenchcomrades,you threwyourselvesintothecounter-offensivebegunon July18th.Yourantoitasifgoingtoafeast.Your magnificentdashupsetandsurprisedtheenemy,and yourindomitabletenacitystoppedcounterattacksbyhis freshdivisions.Youhaveshownyourselvestobe worthysonsofyourgreatcountryandhavegainedthe admirationofyourbrothersinarms. Ninety-onecannon,7,200prisoners,immensebooty, andtenkilometresofreconqueredterritoryareyour shareofthetrophiesofthisvictory.Besidesthis,you haveacquiredafeelingofyoursuperiorityoverthebar WEWOULDN'TFIGHT 375 barianenemyagainstwhomthechildrenoflibertyare fighting.Toattackhimistovanquishhim. Americancomrades,I amgratefultoyouforthe bloodyougenerouslyspilledonthesoilofmycountry. I amproudofhavingcommandedyouduringsuch splendiddaysandtohavefoughtwithyouforthede liveranceoftheworld.

TheGermansbeganbackingofftheMarne.From thatdayon,theirmovementtodatehascontinuedback ward.ItbeganJuly18th.TwoAmericanDivisions playedgloriouspartsinthecrisis.Itwastheirday.It -wasAmerica'sday.Itwastheturnofthetide. 376 'ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

CHAPTERXX

THEDAWNOFVICTORY

Thewaitedhourhadcome.Theforcedretreatof theGermanhordeshadbegun.Hardontheirheels,the Americanlinesstartedtheirnorthwardpush,backing theBocheofftheMarne. OnthemorningofJuly21stI rodeintoChateau- ThierrywiththefirstAmericansoldierstoenter thetown.TheGermanshadevacuatedhurriedly. Chateau-Thierrywasreoccupiedjointlybyourforces andthoseoftheFrench. HerewasthegraveofGermanhopes.Insolent,im perialisticlongingsforthegreatprize,Paris,ended here.ThedreamoftheKulturconquestoftheworld hadbecomea nightmareofhorriblerealisationthat Americawasinthewar.Pompouslyflauntedstrategy crumpledathistoricChateau-Thierry. Thatdayoftheoccupation,thewreckedcitywascom parativelyquiet.OnlyanoccasionalGermanshell—a finalpartingspiteshell—whineddisconsolatelyoverhead andlandedinacloudofdustanddebrisinsomevacant ruinthathadoncebeenahome. Forsevenlongweekstheenemyhadbeeninoccupa tionofthatpartofthecityonthenorthbankofthe river.Nowthestreetswerelitteredwithdebris.Al thoughthewallscfmostofthebuildingsseemedtobe ingoodshape,thescenewasoneofutterdevastation. TheGermanshadbuiltbarracadesacrossthestreets —particularlythestreetsthatleddowntotheriver— becauseitwasthosestreetsthatweresweptwiththe WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 377 terrificfireofAmericanmachineguns.Attheinter sectionsofthosestreetstheGermansundercoverof nighthadtakenupthecobblestonesandbuiltparapets toprotectthemfromthehailoflead. WreckedfurniturewashipdeepontheRueCarnot. .A-longthenorthbankoftheriverontheQuaidela 3r*oterneandthePromenadedelaLevee,theinvaderhad lefthischaracteristicmark.Shopaftershophadbeen lootedofitscontentsandthefrontsoftheprettyside walkcafesalongthisbusinessthoroughfarehadbeen reducedtoshellsoftheirformerselves. Notasinglelivingbeingwasinsightaswemarched in.Someoftheoldtownsfolkandsomeyoungchil drenhadremainedbuttheywerestillundercover. AmongtheseFrenchpeoplewhohadlivedfor_seven weeksthroughthehellofbattlethathadragedabout thetown,wasMadamedePrey,whowaseighty-seven yearsold.Toher,homemeantmorethanlife.She hadspentthetimeinhercellar,caringforGerman wounded. Thetownhadbeensystematicallypillaged.TheGer mansoldiershadlootedfromtheshopsmuchmaterial whichtheyhadmadeupintopackagestobemailedback tohomefolksintheFatherland.Thechurch,strangely enough,waspickedoutasa depositoryfortheirlar cenies.Nothingfromtherobesofthepriestsdownto thecopperfaucetofa waterpipehadescapedtheir greed. TheadvancingAmericansdidnotlingerinthetown —saveforsmallsquadsofengineersthatbusiedthem selveswiththeremovalofthestreetobstructionsand thesupplyorganisationsthatperfectedcommunication fortheadvancinglines.TheseAmericanswereYankees 378 ANDTHEYTHOUGHT all—theycomprisedthe26thU.S.Division,representing theNationalGuardofNewEngland. Ourlineskeptpushingtothenorth.TheGermans continuedtheirwithdrawalandtheAlliednecessitywas tokeepcontactwiththem.This,theYankeeDivision succeededindoing.Thefirstobstacleencounteredto thenorthofChateau-Thierrywasthestandthatthe GermansmadeatthetownofEpieds. OnJuly23rd,ourinfantryhadproceededuparavine thatparalleledtheroadintoEpieds.Germanmachine gunsplacedonthehillsaboutthevillage,sweptthem withaterriblefire.Ourmensucceededinreachingthe village,buttheGermansrespondedwithsuchaterrific downpourofshellthatourweakenedrankswereforced towithdrawandtheGermansre-enteredthetown. Onthefollowingclaywerenewedtheattackwiththe advantageofpositionswhichwehadwonduringthe nightintheBoisdeTrugnyandtheBoisdeChatelet. WeadvancedfromthreesidesandforcedtheGermans toevacuate.Trugny,thesmallvillageontheedgeof thewoods,wasthesceneofmorebloodyfightingwhich resultedinourfavour. FurthernorthofEpieds,theGermanshavingen trenchedthemselvesalongtheroadway,hadfortified thesamewithanumberofmachinegunswhichcom mandedtheflatterraininsucha wayastomakea frontalattackbyinfantrywavesmostcostly.These curityoftheGermansinthispositionreceivedasevere shockwhentenlightautomobiles,eachonemountingone ortwomachineguns,starteduptheroadtowardthe enemy,firingastheysped.Itwassomethingnew.The Germanswantedtosurrender,butthespeedofthecars obviatedsuchapossibility.Sotheenemyfledbefore purgasolinecavalry. WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 379

TheGermanswerewithdrawingacrosstheriver Ourcq,whosevalleyisparalleltothatoftheMarneand justtothenorth.Theenemy'sintentionsofmakinga standherewerefrustratedbyviolentattacks,whichsuc ceededincarryingourforcesintopositionsonthenorth sideoftheOurcq.Theseengagementsstraightenedout theAlliedlinefromtheOurcqonthewesttoFere-en- Tardenoisontheeast,whichhadbeentakenthesame daybyFrenchandAmericantroops. BythistimetheGermanwithdrawalwasbecoming speedier.Suchstrongpressurewasmaintainedbyour menagainsttheenemy'srearguardsthathundredsof tonsofGermanammunitionhadtobeabandonedand fellintoourhands.Stilltheretreatborenoevidences ofarout. Theenemyretiredinorderlyfashion.Hebitterly contestedeveryfootofgroundhewasforcedtogive. TheAmericantroopsengagedinthoseactionshadto fighthardforeveryadvance.TheGermanbackedout oftheMarnesalientasaWestern"badman"would backoutofasaloonwithanautomaticpistolineach hand. Thosechargesthatourmenmadeacrossthemuddy flatsoftheOurcqdeserveaplaceinthemartialhistory ofAmerica.Theyfaceda veritablehellofmachine gunfire.Theywentthroughbarragesofshrapneland highexplosiveshell.Theyinvadedsmallforeststhat theenemyhadfloodedwithpoisongas.Nospecificob jectiveswereassigned.Theprincipalorderwas"Up andat'em"andthiswasreinforcedbyeveryman'sde terminationtokeeptheenemyontherunnowthatthey hadbeenstarted. Eventheenemy'sadvantageofhighpositionsnorth oftheriverfailedtoholdbackthemenfromNewYork, 380 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT fromIowa,Alabama,Ohio,Illinois,Minnesotaand Indiana,whohadrelievedthehardfightingYankees. ThesenewAmericanorganisationswentupagainstfresh Germandivisionsthathadbeenleftbehindwithorders toholdatallcost.Butnothingtheenemycoulddo couldpreventourcrossingoftheOurcq. OnJuly30ththefightinghadbecomemostintense incharacter.ThefactthatthetownofSergywas captured,lostandrecapturedninetimeswithintwenty- fourhours,issomecriterionofthebitternessofthe struggle.Thisperformanceofourmencanbebetter understoodwhenitisstatedthattheenemyopposing themthereconsistedoftwofreshdivisionsofthe Kaiser'sfinest—hisPrussianGuard. Afterthatengagementwithourforces,theFourth PrussianGuardDivisionwentintoanenforcedretire ment.WhenourmencapturedSergythelasttime,they didsoinsufficientstrengthtowithholditagainstre peatedfiercecounterattacksbyaBavarianGuarddivi sionthathadreplacedtheweariedPrussians. ButbeforethecrackGuardDivisionwaswithdrawn fromtheline,ithadsufferedterriblelossesatourhands. Severalprisonerscapturedsaidthattheircompanyhad goneintothefightonehundredandfiftystrongandonly sevenhadsurvived.Thatsevenwerecapturedbyour meninhandtohandfighting. Whileotf"engineerforcesrepairedtheroadsand constructedbridgesinthewakeofouradvancinglines, theenemybroughttothatpartofthefrontnewsquad ronsofairfighterswhichweresentoverourlinesfor thepurposeofobservationandinterferencewithcom munications.Theycontinuallybombedoursupplyde potsandammunitiondumps. AfterthecrossingoftheOurcqtheAmericanadvance WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 381

reachedthenextGermanlineofresistance,whichrested ontwoterminalstrongholds.OnewasintheForetde NeslesandtheotherwasintheBoisdeMeuniere. Thefightingaboutthesetwostrongpointswaspar ticularlyfierce.IntheBoisdeMeuniereandaroundthe townofCierges,theGermanresistancewasmostde termined.AboutthreehundredJaegersheldHill200, whichwaslocatedinthecentreofCiergesForest,just tothesouthofthevillageofthesamename.They werewellprovidedwithmachinegunsandammunition. Theywereunderexplicitorderstoholdandtheydid. Ourmenfinallycapturedthepositionatthepointof thebayonet.Mostofitsdefendersfoughttothedeath. Thecaptureofthehillwasthesignalfora renewal ofourattacksagainsttheseeminglyimpregnable Meunierewoods.Sixtimesouradvancingwaves reachedtheGermanpositionsinthesouthernedgeof thewoodsandsixtimesweweredrivenback. ThereweresomeAmericanIndiansintheranksof ourunitsattackingthere—therewerelumberjacksand farmerboysandbookkeepers,andtheymadeheroic rushesagainstterrificbarriersofhiddenmachineguns. Butafteradayofgallantfightingtheyhadbeenunable toprogress. Oureffortshadbynomeansbeenexhausted.The followingnightourartilleryconcent*.tedonthe southernendofthewoodsandliterallyturneditintoan infernowithhighexplosiveshells.Earlyinthemorn ingwemovedtotheattackagain.TwooftheKaiser's mostreputabledivisions,the200thJaegersandthe216th Reserve,occupiedthewood.Thefightinginthewood wasfierceandbloody,butitwasmoretothelikingof ourmenthantherushesacrossfire-sweptfields.Our 382 ANDTHEYTHOUGHT menwenttoworkwiththebayonet.Andforsixhours theyliterallycarvedtheirwaythroughfourkilometres oftheforest.Beforeteno'clockthenextmorning,our lineslaytothenorthofthewoods. Inconsolidatingthegainsinthewoods,ourmensur roundedinasmallclearingsomethreehundredofthe enemywhorefusedtosurrender.Americansquadsad vancedwiththebayonetfromallsides.TheGermans werefightingfortheirlives.Onlythreeremainedto accepttheignominyofcapture. OurforwardprogresscontinuedandbyAugust4th theGermanswerewithdrawingacrosstheVesleRiver. Theimmediateobjectivethatpresenteditselftothe AmericanswastheimportantGermansupplydepotat Fismes.ItwasinandaroundFismesthatsomeofthe bloodiestfightinginthesecondbattleoftheMarnetook place.ThecaptureofFismeswasthecrowningachieve mentofoneAmericandivisionthatsodistingusheditself astobemadethesubjectofa specialreporttothe FrenchGeneralHeadquartersbytheFrencharmyin whichtheAmericansfought.Inpart,thereportread:

"OnAug.4ththeinfantrycombatswerelocalizedwith terriblefury.TheoutskirtsofFismesweresolidly heldbytheGermans,wheretheiradvancegroupswere difficulttotake.TheAmericansstormedthemand reducedthemwithlightmortarsandthirty-sevens. Theysucceeded,thoughnotwithoutloss,andatthe endoftheday,thankstothisslowbutsuretenacity, theywerewithinonekilometreofFismesandmasters ofVilles,SavoyeandChezelleFarm.Allnightlong rainshinderedtheirmovementsandrenderedtheirfol lowingday'staskmorearduous.Ontheirrightthe WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 383 ! 1 . Frenchhad,bysimilarstages,conquereda seriesof -woodsandswampsofMeuniereWoods,totheeastof St.Gilles,andwereontheplateauofBonneMaison Farm.TotheleftanotherAmericanunithadbeenable toadvanceupontheVesletotheeastofSt.Thibault. "OnAug.5ththeartillerypreparedfortheattack onFismesbyabombardment,wellregulated,andthe finalassaultwaslaunched.TheAmericanspenetrated intothevillageandthenbeganthemeantaskofclearing thelastpointofresistance.Thateveningthistaskwas almostcompleted.Weheldallthenorthernpartofthe villageasfarasRheimsroad,andpatrolsweresentinto thenorthernendofthevillage.Someevensucceeded incrossingtheVesle,butweresatisfiedwithmakinga reconnaisance,astheGermansstilloccupiedtheright bankoftheriveringreatstrength.Allthatwasleft tobeaccomplishedwastocompletethemoppingupof Fismesandthestrengtheningofourpositionstowith standanenemycounterattack. "SuchwastheadvanceofoneAmericandivision, whichpushedtheenemyforwardfromRonchereson July30thadistanceofeighteenkilometresandcrowned itssuccessfuladvancewiththecaptureofFismeson Aug.5th."

TheGermanlineontheVesleriverfellshortlyafter thecaptureofFismes.Theenemywasforcedtofall backtohisnextnaturallineofdefenceontheAisne. BetweentheVesleandtheAisne,theAmericansas sistedtheFrenchintheapplicationofsuchpersistent pressurethattheenemy'sstubbornresistancewasover comeandinmanyplaceshewasforcedtowithdraw beforehehadtimetodestroyhisdepotsofsupply. 384 ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

OnAugust9th,GeneralDegoutte,commandingthe SixthFrenchArmy,issuedthefollowingorder:

"BeforethegreatoffensiveofJuly18th,theAmerican troops,formingpartofthe6thFrenchArmy,distin guishedthemselvesbyclearingthe'BrigadedeMarine' WoodsandthevillageofVauxoftheenemyandarrest inghisoffensiveontheMarneandatFossoy. "Sincethentheyhavetakenthemostgloriouspartin thesecondbattleoftheMarne,rivallingtheFrench troopsinardourandvalour. "Duringtwentydaysofconstantfightingtheyhave freednumerousFrenchvillagesandmade,acrossadiffi cultcountry,anadvanceoffortykilometres,whichhas broughtthemtotheVesle. "Theirgloriousmarchesaremarkedbynameswhich willshineinfutureinthemilitaryhistoryoftheUnited States:Torcy,Belleau,Plateaud'Etrepilly,Epieds,Le Charmel,l'Ourcq,SeringesetNesles,Sergy,LaVesle andFismes. "Theseyoungdivisions,whosawfireforthefirst time,haveshownthemselvesworthyoftheoldwar traditionsoftheregulararmy.Theyhavehadthesame burningdesiretofighttheBoche,thesamediscipline whichseesthattheordergivenbytheircommanderis alwaysexecuted,whateverthedifficultiestobeovercome andthesacrificestobesuffered. "Themagnificentresultsobtainedareduetotheenergy andtheskillofthecommanders,tothebraveryofthe soldiers. "Iamproudtohavecommandedsuchtroops."

ThroughthemonthofAugustanduptothefirstdays ofSeptember,theAmericansparticipatedintheimpor WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" tantoperationstothenorthofSoissons,whereon August29ththeyplayedabigpartinthecaptureof theJuvignyPlateau. Inthisfighting,whichwasmarkedbythedesperate resistanceoftheenemy,theAmericanswereincorporated inthe10thFrenchArmyunderthecommandofGeneral Mangin.ViolentcounterattacksbyGermanshockdivi sionsfailedtostemthepersistentadvancesofourforces. AlargehilltothenorthofJuvignyconstitutedakey andsupportingpositionfortheenemy.Inspiteofthe largenumberofmachinegunsconcealedonitsslopes, theAmericanssucceededinestablishingalinebetween thehillandthetown.AtthesametimetheAmerican lineextendeditselfaroundtheothersideofthehill. Withtheconsummationofthisenvelopingmovement, thehillwastakenbyassault. OnLaborDay,September2nd,afterbitterlyengag ingfourGermandivisionsforfivedays,theAmericans advancedtheirlinestoTerny-Sornyandtheroadrun ningbetweenSoissonsandSt.Quentin.Thisachieve ment,whichwasaccomplishedbydrivingtheGermans backadepthoffourmilesonatwomilefront,gaveour forcesagoodpositionontheimportantplateaurunning tothenorthoftheAisne. Ourobservationstationsnowcommandeda view acrossthevalleytowardthefamousChemindesDames whichatonetimehadbeenapartoftheHindenburg line.BeforetheinvasionoftheGermanhordes,France possessednofairercountry-sidethanthevalleyofthe Aisne.ButtheGermans,retreating,leftbehindthem onlywreckageandashesandruin.Thevalleyspread outbeforeourlineswasscarredwiththeshatteredre mainsofwhathadoncebeenpeacefulfarmingcom 386 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT munities.Tothenorthwesttherecouldbeseenthe spiresabovethecityofLaon. TheAmericanunitswhichtookpartinthisbitter fightingthathadcontinuedwithouta day'scessation sinceJuly18th,werementionedspecificallyinanorder issuedonAugust27thbyGeneralPershing.Theorder read:

"Itfillsmewithpridetorecordingeneralordersa tributetotheserviceachievementsoftheFirstandThird Corps,comprisingtheFirst,Second,Third,Fourth, Twenty-sixth,Twenty-eighth,Thirty-secondandForty- secondDivisionsoftheAmericanExpeditionaryForces. "Youcametothebattlefieldata crucialhourfor theAlliedcause.Foralmostfouryearsthemostfor midablearmytheworldhasyetseenhadpressedits invasionofFranceandstoodthreateningitscapital. Atnotimehasthatarmybeenmorepowerfuland menacingthanwhen,onJuly15th,itstruckagainto destroyinonegreatbattlethebravemenopposedtoit andtoenforceitsbrutalwillupontheworldandcivili sation. "ThreedayslaterinconjunctionwithourAlliesyou counter-attacked.TheAlliedarmiesgainedabrilliant victorythatmarkstheturningpointofthewar.You didmorethantogivetheAlliesthesupporttowhich, asanation,ourfaithwaspledged.Youprovedthat ouraltruism,ourpacificspirit,andoursenseofjustice havenotbluntedourvirilityorourcourage. "YouhaveshownthatAmericaninitiativeandenergy areasfitforthetasksofwarasforthepursuitsof peace.Youhavejustlywonunstintedpraisefromour Alliesandtheeternalgratitudeofourcountrymen. "Wehavepaidforoursuccesseswiththelivesof WEWOULDN'TFIGHT 387 manyofourbravecomrades.Weshallcherishtheir memoryalwaysandclaimforourhistoryandliterature theirbravery,achievementandsacrifice. "Thisorderwillbereadtoallorganisationsatthe firstassemblyformationsfollowingitsreceipt. "Pershing."

August10thmarkedamilestoneinthemilitaryeffort oftheUnitedStates.Onthatdaytheorganisation wascompletedoftheFirstAmericanFieldArmy.I havetriedtoshowinthisrecordhowwebeganthe organisationofourforcesoverseas.Ourfirsttroopsto reachFrancewereassociatedinsmallunitswiththe French.Soonourregimentsbegantoreachthefront underFrenchDivisionCommanders.Thenwiththe formationofAmericandivisions,wewentintotheline underFrenchcorpscommanders.Laterstill,American corpsoperatedunderFrenchArmyCommanders. Finally,ourforcesaugmentedbyadditionaldivisions andcorpswereorganisedintotheFirstAmericanField Army. Throughthesevariousstagesofdevelopment,our forceshadgrownuntilonAugust10ththeyhadreached thestagewheretheybecamepracticallyasindependent anorganisationastheBritisharmiesunderFieldMar shalSirDouglasHaigandtheFrencharmiesunder GeneralPetain.FromnowontheAmericanArmywas tobeonaparwiththeFrenchArmyandtheBritish Army,allthreeofthemunderthesoledirectionofthe AlliedGeneralissimo,MarshalFerdinandFoch. Thepersonnelofthis,thegreatestsinglearmythat everfoughtbeneaththeStarsandStripes,isreproduced intheappendix.Itmightnotbeamisstopointout thatanAmericandivisionnumbersthirtythousandmen 388 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT andthatanAmericancorpsconsistsofsixdivisionsand auxiliarytroops,suchasairsquadrons,tanksections, andheavyartillery,whichbringthestrengthofan Americanarmycorpstobetween225,000and250,000 men.Bythe1stofSeptember,theUnitedStatesof Americahadfivesucharmycorpsinthefield,martial- lingastrengthofaboutoneandone-halfmillionbayo nets.GeneralPershingwasincommandofthisgroup ofarmieswhichcomprisedtheFirstAmericanField Army. ItwasfromtheseforcesthatGeneralPershingse lectedthestrongunitswhichhepersonallycommanded inthefirstmajoroperationoftheFirstAmericanField ArmyasanindependentunitinFrance.Thatopera tionwasthebeginningofthePershingpushtowardthe Rhine—itwastheBattleofSt.Mihiel. Itwasa greatachievement.Itsignalisedthefull developmentofourforcesfromsmallemergencyunits thathadreachedthefrontlessthanayearbefore,tothe nowpowerfulgroupofarmies,fightingundertheir ownflag,theirowngenerals,andtheirownstaffs. TheimportantmaterialresultsoftheBattleofSt. Mihielaremostsusceptibletocivilianaswellasmilitary comprehension.TheSt.Mihielsalienthadlongcon stitutedapetthreatoftheenemy.TheGermanscalled itadaggerpointedattheheartofeasternFrance.For threeyearstheenemyoccupyingithadsuccessfullyre sistedalleffortsoftheAlliestooustthem. Thesalientwasshapedlikea triangle.Theapex ofthetriangle—thepointofthedagger—thrusting southward,restedonthetownofSt.Mihiel,ontheriver Meuse.Thewesternflankofthetriangleextended northwardfromSt.MihieltopointsbeyondVerdun. Theeasternflankofthetriangleextendedinanorth WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 389 easterlydirectiontowardPont-a-Mousson.Itwasthe strongestpositionheldbytheGermansinLorraine—if notontheentirefront. Thegeographicalformationofthesalientwasaninvi tationfortheapplicationofapincersoperation.The pointofleverageoftheopposingjawsofthepincers was,mostnaturally,theapexofthetriangleatSt. Mihiel. Oneclawofthepincers—a clawsomeeightmiles thick,bitintotheeastsideofthesalientnearPont-a- MoussononthewestbankoftheMoselleRiver.The otherclawofthepincerswasabouteightmilesthick anditbitintothewesternflankofthesalientinthe vicinityofthelittletownofHaudiomont,ontheheights oftheMeuseandjustalittledistancetotheeastofthe MeuseRiver. Thedistanceacrossthatpartofthesalientthrough whichthepincer'sclawswerebitingwasaboutthirty miles,andtheareawhichwouldbeincludedinthebite wouldbealmostahundredandseventy-fivesquaremiles. This,indeed,wasamajoroperation. Thebattlebeganatoneo'clockonthemorningof September12th,whentheConcentratedordnanceof theheaviestAmericanartilleryinFranceopenedapre paratoryfireofunprecedentedintensity. Atfiveo'clockinthedimdawnofthatSeptember morning,ourinfantrywavesleapedfromtheirtrenches andmovedforwardtotheassault.Theclawofthn pincersontheeasternflankofthesalientbegantobitein. Onehourlatertheclawofthepincersonthewestern flankofthesalientbegantomoveforward. Ontheeast,ourmenwentforwardontherunover groundthatwehadlookeduponwithenviouseyesfrom thedaythatthefirstAmericantroopsreachedthefront. 39° ANDTHEYTHOUGHT BeforenoonwehadtakenthevillagesofLahayville,St. Baussant,VilceyandtheBoisdeMortmareandwewere stilladvancing.Bynightfall,ourlineswerestillonthe movebeyondEsseyandwewereholdingtheimportant townofThiaucourtandclaimedVillerssurPennyfor ourown. TheseeminglyimpregnablefortressofMontSechad beensurrounded,ourtankshadclearedthewaythrough Pannes,wehadtakenNonsardandthetownsofWoin- villeandBuxiereshadfallenintoourhands. Onthewestsideofthesalientthedayhadgoneequally wellforus.Thewesternclawofthepincershadpushed dueeastthroughthetownsofSpadaandLavigneville. OurmenhadsweptoninthenightthroughChaillon,we hadtakenSt.RemyandhadclearedtheForetdeMon- tagne.Bymidnighttheiradvancedpatrolshadreached thewesternpartofthetownofVigneulles.Inthe meantime,ourforcesontheeasternsideofthesalient werepushingwestwardtowardthissametownof Vigneulles.Atthreeo'clockinthemorningtheforces fromtheeastwereoccupyingtheeasternpartofthetown. Thepincershadclosed;theSt.Mihielsalienthadbeen pinchedoff. Ourforcesactuallymetatnineo'clockonthemorn ingofSeptember13th.Thejunctionwasmadeat thetownofHeudicourttothesouthofVigneulles. WehadpocketedalloftheGermanforcestothesouth ofthattown.Ourcentrehadmovedforwardatnine o'clockthenightbeforeandoccupiedSt.Mihielonthe heelsoftheretreatingGermans.Butthewithdrawal wastoolate.Largenumbersofthemfoundthemselves completelysurroundedintheforestsbetweenSt.Mihiel onthesouthandHeudicourtonthenorth. Weclosedinduringtheafternoonandstartedtoopen WEWOULDN'TFIGHT' 39» theprizepackage.Locatedinthearea,encircledbyour -troops,wastheBoisdeVersel,theBoisdeGaumont andtheBoisdeWoeuvre.Eachoneoftheselittle forestsgaveupitsquotaofprisoners,whilemuchma terialandrichbootyofwarfellintoourhands. Theprincipalavenuethathadbeenopenedforthe Germanstomakea possiblewithdrawalledthrough "Vigneullesandbeforeourpincershadcompletelyclosed, thefleeingenemyhadpouredoutthroughthatgapat therateofseveralthousandanhour.Theroadswere blockedformileswiththeirtransportation,andwhen theAmericanartilleryturneditsattentiontothese thoroughfares,crowdedwithconfusedGermans,the slaughterwasterrific.Fordaysafterthebattleour sanitationsquadswerebusyattheirgrewsomework. Inconceptionandexecutiontheentireoperationhad beenperfect.Confusionhadbeenvisiteduponthe method-lovingenemyfromthebeginning.Byreason ofthedisruptionoftheirintercommunications,faulty liaisonhadresultedanddivisionhadcalledtodivision invainforassistance,notknowngatthetimethatallof themwereinequallydesperatestraits.Theenemy foughthardbuttonopurpose. Oneentireregimentwithitscommanderandhisstaff wascaptured.Withbothflanksexposed,ithadsud denlybeenconfrontedbyAmericansonfoursides.The surrenderwassocompletethattheGermancommander requestedthathisrollshouldbecalledinordertoascer taintheextentofhislosses.Whenthiswasdone,every onewasaccountedforexceptoneofficerandoneprivate. Ashiscommandwassoembarrassinglycomplete,the Germancommanderaskedpermissiontomarchitoffin whateverdirectiondesiredbyhiscaptors.Therequest wasgranted,andtherefollowedthesomewhatamusing 392 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT spectacleofanentireGermanregiment,withoutarms, marchingoffthebattlefieldundertheirownofficers. Thecapturedregimentwasescortedtotherearby- mountedAmericanguards,whosmilinglyandleisurely rodetheirhorsescowboyfashionastheyherdedtheir captivesbacktothepens. Tonsupontonsofammunitionfellintoourhandsin thewoods.Atoneplacetwenty-tworailroadcarsloaded withlargecalibreammunitionhadtobeabandoned whenanAmericanshellhadtornupthetracktothe northofthem.ButiftheGermanshadbeenunableto takewiththemtheirequipment,theyhadsucceededin drivingaheadofthemontheretreatalmostallofthe Frenchmaleciviliansbetweensixteenandforty-five yearsthathadbeenusedasGermanslavesformorethan fouryears. TheAmericanswerewelcomedasdeliverersbythose Frenchciviliansthatremainedinthetown.Theywere foundtobealmostentirelyignorantofthemostcom monlyknownhistoricaleventsofthewar.Secretary ofWarBakerandGeneralsPershingandPetainvisited thetownofSt.Mihielafewhoursafteritwascaptured. Theywerehonouredwithaspontaneousdemonstration bythegirlsandagedwomen,whocrowdedaboutthem toexpressthanksandpayhomagefordeliverance. Oneofourbandsbegantoplaythe"Marseillaise"and theoldFrenchcivilianswho,underGermandomination, hadnotheardthenationalanthemforfourlongyears, brokedownandwept.Themayorofthetowntold howtheGermanshadrobbeditofmillionsoffrancs. Firsttheyhaddemandedandreceivedonemillionfive hundredthousandfrancsandlatertheycollectedfive hundredthousandmoreinthreeinstalments.Inaddi tiontotheserobberies,theyhadtakenby"requisition" WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 393

allthefurnitureandmattressesandciviliancomforts thattheycouldfind.Theytookwhattheywantedand usuallydestroyedtherest.Theyhadstrippedthetowns ofallmetalutensils,bells,statues,andwaterpipes. TheSt.Mihielsalientthuswentoutofexistence. Theentirepointinthebladeofthedaggerthathadbeen thrustattheheartofFrancehadbeenbittenoff.Ver dunwithitsrowsuponrowsofsacreddeadwasnow liberatedfromthethreatofenvelopmentfromtheright. TheAllieswereinpossessionofthedominatingheights oftheMeuse.TherailroadsconnectingCommercy -withVigneulles,ThiaucourtandSt.Mihielwereinour hands.Ourlineshadadvancedclosetothatkeyof victory,theBrieyironbasintothenorth,andtheGer manfortressofMetzlayunderAmericanguns. Thebattleonlylastedtwenty-sevenhours.Inthat spaceoftime,aGermanforceestimatedatonehundred thousandhadbeenvanquished,ifnotliterallycutto pieces,Americansoldiershadwrestedahundredand fiftysquaremilesofterritoryawayfromtheGermans, capturedfifteenthousandofficersandmenandhundreds ofguns.GeneralPershingonSeptember14thmadethe followingreport:

"Thedashandvigourofourtroops,andofthevaliant Frenchdivisionswhichfoughtshouldertoshoulderwith them,isshownbythefactthattheforcesattackingon bothfacesofthesalienteffectedajunctionandsecured theresultdesiredwithintwenty-sevenhours. "Besidesliberatingmorethan150squaremilesofter ritoryandtaking15,000prisoners,wehavecaptureda massofmaterial.Over100gunsofallcalibresand hundredsofmachinegunsandtrenchmortarshavebeen taken. 394 "ANDTHEYTHOUGHT

"Inspiteofthefactthattheenemyduringhisretreat burnedlargestores,apartialexaminationofthebattle fieldshowsthatgreatquantitiesofammunition,telegraph material,railroadmaterial,rollingstock,clothing,and equipmenthavebeenabandoned.Furtherevidenceofthe hastewithwhichtheenemyretreatedisfoundinthe uninjuredbridgeswhichheleftbehind. "Frenchpursuit,bombingandreconnaissanceunits, andBritishandItalianbombingunitsdividedwithour ownairservicethecontroloftheair,andcontributed materiallytothesuccessesoftheoperation."

Andwhilethisgreatbattlewasinprogress,theAllied lineswereadvancingeverywhere.InFlanders,in Picardy,ontheMarne,inChampagne,inLorraine,in Alsace,andintheBalkansthefrontieroffreedomwas movingforward. Surelythetidehadturned.Andsurelyithadbeen America'sGod-givenopportunitytoplaythebigpart shedidplay.TheGermanwasnowontherun.Sus piciouswhisperingsofpeacebegantobeheardinneutral countries.Theyhada decidedGermanaccent.Ger manysawdefeatstaringherinthefaceandnow,having failedtowininthefield,shesoughttowinbyabluffat thepeacetable. Themailedfisthavingfailed,Germanynowresorted tocunning.Themailedfistwasnowanopenpalmthat itchedtopressinbrotherhoodthehandsoftheAllies. Butitwasthesamefistthatstruckdownthepeaceofthe worldin1914.ItwasthesameGermanythathadrav ishedandoutragedBelgium.ItwasthesameGermany manythathadcoveredAmericawithhernetofspiesand thathadtriedtomurderFrance.ItwasthesameGer- hadsoughttobringwartoourborderswithMexicoand WEWOULDN'TFIGHT 395

Japan.ItwasthesameGermanythathadruthlesslyde stroyedthelivesofwomenandchildren,Americanciti zens,non-combatants,ridingthefreeseasunderthe protectionoftheStarsandStripes.Itwasthesame GermanythathaddruggedRussiawithhercorrupting propagandaandhadthrotdedthevoiceofRussiandemoc racy.ThisGermany,thisunrepentantGermany—this unpunishedGermany,launchedherdriveforpeace. Germanywaswillingtomakeanyconcessionstobring aboutnegotiationsthatwouldsaveherfromadefeatin thefield.Therewasonething,however,thatGermany wantedtosavefromtheruinshehadbroughtdownupon herself.ThatthingwastheGermanarmyanditsstrong auxiliary,theGermannavy.Neitheroneofthemhad beendestroyed.Thearmywasingeneralretreatand thenavywaslockedupintheBaltic,butbothofthem remainedinexistenceasmenacestothefuturepeaceof theworld.Withthesetwoforcesofmight,Germany couldhavegivenupherbootyofwar,offeredreparation forhertransgressionsanddrawnbackbehindtheRhine toawaitthecomingofanotherDerTagwhenshe couldsendthemoncemorecrashingacrossfriendly bordersandcruisingthesevenseasonmissionsofpiracy. Germanywasinthepositionofabully,whowithout provocationandwithoutwarninghadstruckdownfrom behindamanwhohadnotbeenpreparedtodefendhim self.Thevictim'smovementshadbeenimpededbya heavyovercoat.Hehadbeenutterlyandentirelyun preparedfortheonslaught.Thebullyhadstruckhim withaclubandhadrobbedhim. Theunpreparedmanhadtriedtofreehimselffromthe overcoatofpacifismthathehadwornsolonginsafety andinkindlinesstohisfellows.Thebully,takingad vantageofhishandicap,hadbeatenhimbrutally.At 396 ANDTHEYTHOUGHT lasttheunpreparedmanhadfreedhimselffromthe overcoatandthenstoodreadynotonlytodefendhim self,buttoadministerdeservedpunishment.Thenthe bullyhadsaid: "Now,waitjustaminute.Let'stalkthisthingover andseeifwecan'tsettleitbeforeI gethurt." Thebully'spocketsbulgewiththeloothehastaken fromtheman.Thevictim'sfaceandheadareswollen andbloodyandyetthebullyinviteshimtositdowntoa tabletodiscussthehold-up,theassault,andthetermsof whichthelootandthelootonlywillbereturned.The bullytakesitforgrantedthatheistogounpunishedand, moreimportantstill,istoretaintheclubthathemight decidetouseagain. Theruleofcommonsensethatdealswithindividuals shouldbethesamerulethatappliestotheaffairsofna tions.Nomunicipallawanywhereintheworldgives countenancetoacompromisewithacriminal.Inter nationallawcouldbenolessmoralthanmunicipallaw. PrussianmilitarismmadetheworldunsafeforDemoc racy,andforthatreason,onApril6th,1917,theUnited Statesenteredthewar. Wewantedadecentworldinwhichtolive.Andthe existenceofthePrussianarmyanditsconscienceless masterswasincompatiblewiththefreeandpeacefullife oftheworld.Weenteredthewarforanideal.That idealwasinthebalancewhenGermanymadeher1918 driveforpeace. OurarmyinFranceknewthatifpeacecamewithan unwhippedPrussianarmyinexistence,theworldwould bejustasunsafeforDemocracyasithadeverbeen. OurarmyinFrancewantednocompromisethatwould leaveGermanyinpossessionoftheinstrumentsthathad madepossiblehercrimesagainsttheworld.Everyman WEWOULDN'TFIGHT" 397 thathadshedblood,everymanthathadpaidthefinal price,everywomanthathadshedtears,everycherished idealofouronehundredandfortyyearsofnationallife, wouldhavebeensacrificedinvain,ifwehadcondoned Germany'shighcrimesagainstcivilisationandhadmade acompromisewiththecriminal. WoodrowWilson,PresidentoftheUnitedStates, spokesmanoftheAlliedworld,soundedthetrueAmeri cannotewhen,inhisreplytotheinsincereGermanpeace proposals,hereferredtheGermanGovernmenttoMar shalFoch,Commander-in-ChiefoftheAlliedarmies. Warbytheswordwastobringpeacebythesword. AndasIwritetheselinesinthelastdaysofOctober, 1918,unconditionalsurrenderisthesongofthedove ofpeaceperchedonourbayonetsaswemarchintothe dawnofvictory.

APPENDIX PERSONNELOFTHEAMERICANEXPEDITIONARY FORCESINFRANCE

1STARMYCORPS MajorGen.HunterLiggett,commanding. 1stand2ndDivision,RegularArmy;26th,(NewEngland), 32d,(MichiganandWisconsin),41st,(Washington,Oregon, NorthandSouthDakota,Colorado,NewMexico,Montana, Idaho,Wyoming,andMinnesota),and42d(Rainbow,troops fromtwenty-sixStates)Divisions,NationalGuard. 1STDIVISION—MajorGen.CharlesP.Summerall,command ing;Lieut.Col.CampbellKing,ChiefofStaff;MajorH.K. Loughry,AdjutantGeneral. istBrigade,Infantry—MajorJohnL.Hines;16thand18th Regiments;2dMachineGunBattalion. 20Brigade,Infantry—MajorGen.BeaumontB.Buck;26th and28thRegiments;3dMachineGunBattalion. istBrigade,FieldArtillery—(Commandingofficernotan nounced); 5th,6th,and7thRegiments;1stTrenchMortar Battery. EngineerTroops—1stRegiment. SignalTroops—2ndBattalion. DivisionUnits—1stMachineGunBattalion. 2NDDIVISION(U.S.M.C.)—Brig.Gen.JohnE.LeJeune, commanding;Brig.Gen.PrestonBrown,ChiefofStaff. 3rdBrigade,Infantry—Brig.Gen.HansonE.Ely;9thand 23rdRegiments;5thMachineGunBattalion. 4thBrigade,Infantry1(Marines)—Brig.Gen.JohnE. LeJeune;5thand6thRegiments;6thMachineGunBat talion. 2dBrigade,FieldArtillery—BrigGen.A.J.Bowley;12th, 15th,and17thRegiments;2dTrenchMortarBattery. EngineerTroops—2dRegiment. SignalTroops—istBattalion. DivisionUnits—2dDivisionHeadquartersTroops;4thMa chineGunBattalion. 399 400 APPENDIX

26THDIVISION—MajorGen.GarenceR.Edwards,command ing;Lieut.Col.CassiusM.Dowell,ChiefofStaff;Major CharlesA.Stevens,AdjutantGeneral. 51STBrigade,Infantry—Brig.Gen.GeorgeH.Shelton;101st and102dRegiments; I02dMachineGunBattalion. 520Brigade,Infantry—Brig.Gen.C.H.Cole;103dand104th Regiments;103dMachineGunBattalion. 51STBrigade,FieldArtillery—Brig.Gen.D.E.Aultman; 101stTrenchMortarBattery. EngineerTroops—101stRegiment. SignalTroops—101stFieldBattalion. DivisionUnits—26thHeadquartersTroop;101stMachine GunBattalion. 32NDDIVISION—MajorGen.W.G.Haan,commanding;Lieut. Col.AllenL.Briggs,ChiefofStaff;MajorJohnH.How ard,AdjutantGeneral. 63DBrigade,Infantry—Brig.Gen.WilliamD.Connor;125th and126thRegiments;120thMachineGunBattalion. 64.THBrigade,Infantry—Brig.Gen.E.B.Winans;127thand 128thRegiments;121stMachineGunBattalion. S7THBrigade,FieldArtillery—Brig.Gen.G.LeRoyIrwin; 119th,120thand121stRegiments;107thTrenchMortar Battery. EngineerTroops—107thRegiment. SignalTroops—107thBattalion. DivisionUnits—32dHeadquartersTroops;119thMachine GunBattalion. 41STDIVISION(Sunset)—Major.Gen.RobertAlexander, commanding;ColonelHarryH.Tebbetts,ChiefofStaff; MajorHerbertH.White,AdjutantGeneral. 8istBrigade,Infantry—Brig.Gen.WilsonB.Burt;161st and162ndRegiments;147thMachineGunBattalion. 82DBrigade,Infantry—Brig.Gen.EdwardVollrath;163rd and164thRegiments;148thMachineGunBattalion. 66thBrigade,FieldArtillery—(Commandingofficernot announced);146th,147th,and148thRegiments;116th TrenchMortarBattery. EngineerTroops—116thRegiment. SignalTroops—116thBattalion. DivisionUnits—41stDivisionHeadquartersTroop;146th MachineGunBattalion. 42DDIVISION(Rainbow)—MajorGen.C.T.Menoher, commanding;(ChiefofStaffnotannounced);MajorWal terE.Powers,AdjutantGeneral. APPENDIX 401

83DBrigade,Infantry—Brig.Gen.M.Lenihan;165thand 166thRegiments;159thMachineGunBattalion. 84.THBrigade,Infantry—Brig.Gen.R.A.Brown;167thand 168thRegiments;151stMachineGiihBattalion. 67THBrigade,FieldArtillery—Brig.Gen.G.C.Gatley; 149th,150thand151stRegiments;117thTrenchMortar Battery. EngineerTroops—117thRegiment. SignalTroops—117thFieldSignalBattalion. DivisionUnits—42dDivisionHeadquartersTroop;149th MachineGunBattalion.

2NDARMYCORPS MajorGen.RobertLeeBullard,Commanding. 4thDivision,RegularArmy;28th,(Pennsylvania,)30th, (Tennessee,NorthandSouthCarolina,andDistrictofColum bia),and36th(MissouriandKansas)Divisions,National Guard;77th(NewYork)and82d(Georgia,Alabama,and Florida)Divisions,NationalArmy. 4THDIVISION—MajorGen.GeorgeH.Cameron,command ing;Lieut.Col.ChristianA.Bach,ChiefofStaff;Major JesseD.Elliott,AdjutantGeneral. 7thBrigade,Infantry—Brig.Gen.B.A.Poore;39thand47th Regiments;11thMachineGunBattalion. 8thBrigade,Infantry—Brig.Gen.E.E.Booth;58thand 59thRegiments;12thMachineGunBattalion. 4thBrigade,FieldArtillery—Brig.Gen.E.B.Babbitt;13th, 16thand77thRegiments;4thTrenchMortarBattery. EngineerTroops—4thRegiment. SignalTroops—8thBattalion. DivisionUnits—4thDivisionHeadquartersTroop;10thMa chineGunBattalion. 28THDIVISION—MajorGen.C.H.Muir,commanding; (ChiefofStaffnotannounced); Lieut.Col.DavidJ.Davis, AdjutantGeneral. 55THBrigade,Infantry—Brig.Gen.T.W.Darrah;109th and11othRegiments;108thMachineGunBattalion. 56THBrigade,Infantry—MajorGen.WilliamWeigel;mth and112thRegiments;109thMachineGunBattalion. 53RDBrigade,FieldArtillery—Brig.Gen.W.G.Price,107th, 402 APPENDIX

108th,and109thRegiments;103rdTrenchMortarBattery. EngineerTroops—103dRegiment. SignalTroops—103dBattalion. DivisionUnits—28thDivisionHeadquartersTroop;107th MachineGunBattalion. 30THDIVISION(WildCat)—MajorGen.EdwardM.Lewis, commanding;Lieut.Col.RobertB.McBride,ChiefofStaff; Lieut.Col.FrancisB.Hinkle,AdjutantGeneral. 59THBrigade,Infantry—Brig.Gen.LawrenceD.Tyson; 117thand118thRegiments;114thMachineGunBattalion. 6othBrigade,Infantry—Brig.Gen.SamuelL.Faison;119th and120thRegiments;115thMachineGunBattalion. 5STHBrigade,FieldArtillery—(Commandingofficernotan nounced); 113th,114thand115thRegiments;105thTrench MortarBattery. EngineerTroops—105thRegiment. SignalTroops—165thBattalion. DivisionUnits—30thDivisionHeadquartersTroop;113th MachineGunBattalion. 3STHDIVISION—MajorGen.PeterE.Traub,commanding; ColonelRober..McCleave,ChiefofStaff; MajorJ.M.Hob- son,AdjutantGeneral. 69THBrigade,Infantry—Brig.Gen.NathanielMcClure; 137thand138thRegiments;129thMachineGunBattalion. 70THBrigade,Infantry—Brig.Gen.CharlesI.Martin; 139th and140thRegiments;130thMachineGunBattalion. 6othBrigade,FieldArtillery—Brig.Gen.L.G.Berry; 128th,129th,and130thRegiments;110thTrenchMortar Battery. EngineerTroops—110thBattalion. DivisionUnits—35thDivisionHeadquartersTroop;128th MachineGunBattalion. 77THDIVISION(Upton)—MajorGen.GeorgeB.Dun can,commanding;(ChiefofStaffnotannounced);Major W.N.Haskell,AdjutantGeneral. 153DBrigade,Infantry—Brig.Gen.EdwardWittenmeyer; 205thand306thRegiments; 305thMachineGunBattalion. 154THBrigade,Infantry—Brig.Gen.EvanM.Johnson;307th and308thRegiments;306thMachineGunBattalion. 152DBrigade,FieldArtillery—Brig.Gen.ThomasH.Reeves; 304th,305thand306thRegiments;302dTrenchMortar Battery. EngineerTroops—302dRegiment. APPENDIX 403

SignalTroops—3020"Battalion. DivisionUnits—77thDivisionHeadquartersTroop;304th MachineGunBattalion. 82DDIVISION—MajorGen.W.P.Burnham,commanding; Lieut.Col.RoydenE.Beebe,ChiefofStaff;Lieut.Col. JohnR.Thomas,AdjutantGeneral.- 163DBrigade,Infantry—Brig.Gen.MarcusD.Cronin;325th and326thRegiments;320thMachineGunBattalion. 164THBrigade,Infantry—Brig.Gen.JulianR.Lindsay;327th and.328thRegiments;321stMachineGunBattalion. 157THBrigade,FieldArtillery—Brig.Gen.CharlesD. Rhodes;319th,320thand321stRegiments;307thTrench MortarBattery. EngineerTroops—307thRegiment. SignalTroops—307thBattalion. DivisionUnits—319thMachineGunBattalion.

3DARMYCORPS MajorGen.WilliamM.Wright,commanding. 3dand5thDivisions,RegularArmy;27th(NewYork)and 33d(Illinois)Divisions,NationalGuard;78th(Delawareand NewYork)and80th(NewJersey,Virginia,Maryland,Del aware,andDistrictofColumbia)Divisions,NationalArmy. 3DDIVISION—MajorGen.JosephT.Dickman,commanding; ColonelRobertH.Kelton,ChiefofStaff;CaptainFrank L.Purndon,AdjutantGeneral. SthBrigade,Infantry—Brig.Gen.F.W.Sladen;4thand 7thRegiments;8thMachineGunBattalion. 8thBrigade,Infantry—(Commandingofficernotannounced); 30thand38thRegiments;9thMachineGunBattalion. 3DBrigade,FieldArtillery—Brig.Gen.W.M.Cruikshank; 10th,76thand18thRegiments;3dTrenchMortarBattery. EngineerTroops—6thRegiment. SignalTroops—5thBattalion. DivisionUnits—3dDivisionHeadquartersTroop;7thMachine GunBattalion. 5THDIVISION—MajorGen.JohnE.McMahon,comrrand- ing;ColonelRalphE.Ingram,ChiefofStaff;MajorDavid P.Wood,AdjutantGeneral. 9thBrigade,Infantry—Brig.Gen.J.C.Castner;60thand 61stRegiments;14thMachineGunBattalion. 404 APPENDIX iothBrigade,Infantry—MajorGen.W.H.Gordon;6thand IithRegiments;15thMachineGunBattalion. 5thBrigade,FieldArtillery—Brig.Gen.C.A.F.Flagler; 19th,20th,and21stRegiments;5thTrenchMortarBat tery. EngineerTroops—7thRegiment. SignalTroops—9thBattalion. DivisionUnits—5thDivisionHeadquartersTroop;13thMa chineGunBattalion. 27THDIVISION(NewYork)—MajorGen.J.F.aRyan, commanding;Lieut.Col.StanleyH.Ford,ChiefofStaff; Lieut.Col.FrankW.Ward,AdjutantGeneral. 53DBrigade,Infantry—Brig.Gen.AlfredW.Bjornstad; 105thand106thRegiments; 105thMachineGunBattalion. 54THBrigade,Infantry—Brig.Gen.PalmerE.Pierce;107th and108thRegiments;106thMachineGunBattalion. 52NDBrigade,FieldArtillery—Brig.Gen.GeorgeA.Win- gate;104th,105thand106thRegiments;I02dTrenchMor tarBattery. EngineerTroops—i02dRegiment. SignalTroops—io2dBattalion. DivisionUnits—27thDivisionHeadquartersTroop;104th MachineGunBattalion. 33DDIVISION—MajorGen.GeorgeBell,Jr.,commanding; ColonelWilliamK.Naylot,ChiefofStaff;(AdjutantGen eralnotannounced). 65THBrigade,Infantry—Brig.Gen.EdwardL.King;129th and130thRegiments;123dMachineGunBattalion. 66thBrigade,Infantry—Brig.Gen.PaulA.Wolff;131stand 132ndRegiments;124thMachineGunBattalion. 58THBrigade,FieldArtillery—Brig.Gen.JamesA.Shipton; I22d,123dand124thRegiments;108thTrenchMortarBat tery. EngineerTroops—108thBattalion. SignalTroops—108thBattalion. DivisionUnits—33dDivisionHeadquartersTroop;112th MachineGunBattalion. 78THDIVISION—MajorGen.JamesH.McRae,command ing;Lieut.Col.HarryN.Cootes;ChiefofStaff;Major WilliamT.MacMill,AdjutantGeneral. 155THBrigade,Infantry—Brig.Gen.MarkL.Hersey;309th and310thRegiments; 308thMachineGunBattalion. APPENDIX 40?

156THBrigade,Infantry—Brig.Gen.JamesT.Dean;311th and312thRegiments;309thMachineGunBattalion. 153DBrigade,FieldArtillery—Brig.Gen.ClintC.Hearn; 307th,308thand309thRegiments;303dTrenchMortar Battery. EngineerTroops—303dRegiment. SignalTroop—303dBattalion. DivisionUnits—78thDivisionHeadquartersTroop;307th MachineGunBattalion. 80THDIVISION—MajorGen.AdelbertCronkhite,command ing;Lieut.Col.WilliamH.Waldron,ChiefofStaff;Major StevenC.Clark,AdjutantGeneral. 159THBrigade,Infantry—Brig.Gen.GeorgeH.Jamerson, 317thand318thRegiments;314thMachineGunBattalion. i6othBrigade,Infantry—Brig.Gen.LloydM.Bratt;319th and320thRegiments;315thMachineGunBattalion. 155THBrigade,FieldArtillery—Brig.Gen.GordonG. Heiner;313th,314thand315thRegiments;305thTrench MortarBattery. EngineerTroops—305thRegiment. SignalTroops—305thBattalion. DivisionUnits—80thDivisionHeadquartersTroop;313th MachineGunBattalion. \

4THARMYCORPS MajorGen.GeorgeW.Read,commanding. 83d(OhioandPennsylvania),89th(Kansas,Missouri SouthDakota,Nebraska,Colorado,NewMexico,aridAri zona),90th(TexasandOklahoma),and92d(negrotroops) Divisions,NationalArmy;37th(Ohio)and29th(NewJersey, Virginia,Delaware,MarylandandDistrictofColumbia)Divi sions,NationalGuard. 29THDIVISION—MajorGen.C.G.Morton,commanding; ColonelGeorgeS.Goodale,ChiefofStaff;MajorJames A.Ulio,AdjutantGeneral. 57THBrigade,Infantry—Brig.Gen.CharlesW.Barber;113th and114thRegiments;mthMachineGunBattalion. 58THBrigade,Infantry—Brig.Gen.H.H.Bandholtz;115th and116thRegiments;112thMachineGunBattalion. 54THBrigade,FieldArtillery—(Commandingofficernotan nounced)110th,111thand112thRegiments;104thTrench MortarBattery. 406 APPENDIX

EngineekTroops—104thRegiment. SignalTroops—104thBattalion. DivisionUnits—29thDivisionHeadquartersTroop;Iioth MachineGunBattalion. 37THDIVISION—MajorGen.C.S.Farnsworth,command ing;Lieut.Col.DanaT.Merrill,ChiefofStaff;MajorEd wardW.Wildrick,AdjutantGeneral. 73RDBrigade,Infantry—Brig.Gen.C.F.Zimmerman;145th and146thRegiments;135thMachineGunBattalion. 74THBrigade,Infantry—Brig.Gen.W.P.Jackson;147thand 148thRegiments;136thMachineGunBattalion. 62DBrigade,FieldArtillery—(Commanding,officernotan nounced); 134th,135thand136thRegiments;112thTrench MortarBattery. EngineerTroops—112thRegiment. SignalTroops—112thBattalion. DivisionUnits—37thDivisionHeadquartersTroop;134th MachineGunBattalion. 83RDDIVISION—MajorGen.E.F.Glenn,commanding; Lieut.Col.C.A.Trott,ChiefofStaff;MajorJamesL Cochran,AdjutantGeneral. 165THBrigade,Infantry—Brig.Gen.OraE.Hunt;329th and330thRegiments;323dMachineGunBattalion. i66thBrigade,Infantry—Brig.Gen.MalinCraig;331stand 332dRegiments;324thMachineGunBattalion. 158THBrigade,FieldArtillery—Brig.Gen.AdrianS.Flem ing;322d,323d,and324thRegiments;308thTrenchMortar Battery. EngineerTroops—308thRegiment. SignalTroops—308thBattalion. DivisionUnits—83dDivisionHeadquartersTroop;322dMa chineGunBattalion. 89THDIVISION—Brig.Gen.FrankL.Winn,commanding; (Acting)ColonelC.E.Kilbourne,ChiefofStaff;Major JeromeG.Pillow,AdjutantGeneral. 177THBrigade,Infantry—Brig.Gen.FrankL.Winn;353rd and354thRegiments;341stMachineGunBattalion. 178THBrigade,Infantry—Brig.Gen.ThomasG.Hanson; 355thand356thRegiments;342dMachineGunBattalion. 164THBrigade,FieldArtillery—Brig.Gen.EdwardT.Don nelly;340th,341stand342dRegiments;314thTrench MortarBattery. APPENDIX 407

EngineerTroops—314thRegiment. SignalTroops—314thBattalion. DivisionUnits—89thDivisionHeadquartersTroop;340th MachineGunBattalion.

90THDIVISION—MajorGen.HenryT.Allen,commanding; ColonelJohnJ.Kingman,ChiefofStaff;MajorWyattP. Selkirk,AdjutantGeneral. 179THBrigade,Infantry—Brig.Gen.JohnT.O'Neill;357th and358thRegiments;344thMachineGunBattalion. i8othBrigade,Infantry—Brig.Gen.W.H.Johnston;359th and360thRegiments;345thMachineGunBattalion. 165THBrigade,FieldArtillery—Brig.Gen.FrancisC.Mar shall;343d,344th,and345thRegiments;315thTrench MortarBattery. EngineerTroops—315thRegiment. SignalTroops—315thBattalion. DivisionUnits—90thDivisionHeadquartersTroop;349th MachineGunBattalion.

SENDDIVISION—MajorGen.C.C.Ballou,commanding; Lieut.Col.AllenJ.Greer,ChiefofStaff; MajorSherburne Whipple,AdjutantGeneral. 183DBrigade,Infantry—Brig.Gen.MalvernH.Barnum,365th and366thRegiments;350thMachineGunBattalion. 184THBrigade,Infantry—Brig.Gen.W.A.Hay;367thand 368thRegiments;351stMachineGunBattalion. 167THBrigade,FieldArtillery—(Commandingofficernot announced);349th,350thand351stRegiments;317th TrenchMortarBattery. EngineerTroops—317thRegiment. SignalTroops—317thBattalion. DivisionUnits—92dDivisionHeadquartersTroop;349th MachineGunBattalion.

5THARMYCORPS MajorGen.OmarBundy,commanding. 6thDivision,RegularArmy;36th(TexasandOklahoma) Division,NationalGuard;75th(NewEngland),79th(Penn sylvania,MarylandandDistrictofColumbia),85th(Michigan andWisconsin),and91st(Washington,Oregon,Alaska,Cali 4o8 APPENDIX fornia,Idaho,Nevada,Montana,WyomingandUtah),Divi sions,NationalArmy. 6THDIVISION—Brig.Gen.JamesB.Erwin,commanding; ColonelJamesM.Pickering,ChiefofStaff;Lieut.Col. RobertS.Knox,AdjutantGeneral. iithBrigade,Infantry—Brig.Gen.W.R.Dashiell;51stand 52dRegiments;17thMachineGunBattalion. 12thBrigade,Infantry—Brig.Gen.J.B.Erwin;53dand54th Regiments;18thMachineGunBattalion. 6thBrigade,FieldArtillery—Brig.Gen.E.A.Millar;3rd, nth,and78thRegiments;6thTrenchMortarBattery. EngineerTroops—318thRegiment. SignalTroops—6thBattalion. DivisionUnits—6thDivision,HeadquartersTroop;16th MachineGunBattalion. 36THDIVISION—MajorGen.W.R.Smith,commanding; ColonelE.J.Williams,ChiefofStaff;MajorWilliamR Scott,AdjutantGeneral. 71STBrigade,Infantry—Brig.Gen.HenryHutchings;141st andi+2dRegiments;i32dMachineGunBattalion. 72DBrigade,Infantry—Brig.Gen.JohnA.Hulen;143dand 144thRegiments;133dMachineGunBattalion. 6istBrigade,FieldArtillery—Brig.Gen.JohnA.Stevens; 131st,I32dand133dRegiments,111thTrenchMortarBat tery. EngineerTroops—mthRegiment. SignalTroops—mthBattalion. DivisionUnits—36thDivisionHeadquartersTroop;131st MachineGunBattalion. 76THDIVISION—MajorGen.HarryF.Hodges,command ing;(ChiefofStaffnotannounced);MajorGeorgeM. Peek,AdjutantGeneral. 151STBrigade,Infantry—Brig.Gen.FrankM.Albright;301st and302dRegiments;302dMachineGunBattalion. 1520Brigade,Infantry—Brig.Gen.F.D.Evans;303dand 304thRegiments;303dMachineGunBattalion. 151STBrigade,FieldArtillery—MajorGen.WilliamS. McNair;301st,302d,and303dRegiments;301stTrench MortarBattery. EngineerTroops—301stRegiment. SignalTroops—301stBattalion. DivisionUnits—76thDivisionHeadquartersTroop;301st MachineGunBattalion. APPENDIX 409

79THDIVISION—MajorGen.JosephE.Kuhn,commanding; ColonelTennyRoss,ChiefofStaff;MajorCharlesB. Moore,AdjutantGeneral. 157THBrigade,Infantry—Brig.Gen.WilliamL.Nicholson; 313thand314thRegiments;311thMachineGunBattalion. 158THBrigade,Infantry—(Commandingofficernotan nounced);315thand316thRegiments;312thMachineGun Battalion. 154THBrigade,FieldArtillery—Brig.Gen.AndrewHero, Jr.,310th,311thand312thRegiments;304thTrenchMortar Battery. EngineerTroops—304thRegiment. SignalTroops—304thBattalion. DivisionUnits—79thDivisionHeadquartersTroop;310th MachineGunBattalion. 85THDIVISION—MajorGen.C.W.Kennedy,commanding; ColonelEdgarT.Collins,ChiefofStaff;Lieut.Col.Clar enceLininger,AdjutantGeneral. 169THBrigade,Infantry—Brig.Gen.ThomasB.Dugan; 337thand338thRegiments;329thMachineGunBattalion. 170THBrigade,Infantry—(Commandingofficernotan nounced); 339thand340thRegiments;330thMachineGun Battalion. 160THBrigade,FieldArtillery—Brig.Gen.GuyM.Preston; 328th,329thand330thRegiments;310thTrenchMortar Battery. EngineerTroops—310thRegiment. SignalTroops—310thBattalion. DivisionUnits—85thDivisionHeadquartersTroop;328th MachineGunBattalion. 91STDIVISION—Brig.Gen.F.H.Foltz,commanding;Col onelHerbertJ.Brees,ChiefofStaff;MajorFrederickW. Manley,AdjutantGeneral. i8istBrigade,Infantry—Brig.Gen.JohnB.McDonald;361st and362dRegiments;347thMachineGunBattalion. 182DBrigade,Infantry—Brig.Gen.FrederickS.Foltz;363d and364thRegiments;348thMachineGunBattalion. i66thBrigade,FieldArtillery—Brig.Gen.EdwardBurr; 346th,347thand348thRegiments;316thTrenchMortar Battery. EngineerTroops—316thRegiment. SignalTroops—316thBattalion. DivisionUnits—91stDivisionHeadquartersTroop;346th MachineGunBattalion. 410 APPENDIX

UNASSIGNEDTOCORPS 81STDIVISION—MajorGen.C.J. Bailey,commanding; ColonelCharlesD.Roberts,ChiefofStaff;MajorArthur E.Ahrends,AdjutantGeneral. i6istBrigade,Infantry—Brig.Gen.GeorgeW.Mclver;321st and322ndRegiments;317thMachineGunBattalion. 162DBrigade,Infantry—Brig.Gen.MonroeMcFarland; 323dand324thRegiments;318thMachineGunBattalion. 156THBrigade,FieldArtillery—Brig.Gen.AndrewMoses; 316th,317thand318thRegiments;306thTrenchMortar Battery.<- EngineerTroops—306thRegiment. SignalTroops—306thBattalion. DivisionUnits—81stDivisionHeadquartersTroop;316th MachineGunBattalion. 93RDDIVISION—(Commandernotannounced); MajorLee S.Tillotson,AdjutantGeneral. 185THBrigade,Infantry—(Commandingofficernotan nounced);369thand370thRegiments;333dMachineGun Battalion. i86thBrigade,Infantry—Brig.Gen.GeorgeH.Harries; 371stand372dRegiments;334thMachineGunBattalion. i68thBrigade,FieldArtillery—(Commandingofficernotan nounced); 332d,333dand334thRegiments;318thTrench MortarBattery. EngineerTroops—318thRegiment. SignalTroops—318thBattalion. DivisionUnits—332dMachineGunBattalion.

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