I was there with the Yanks in France | Page 2

the other
fellow's artillery tries to lay down a fire which will keep these boys
from getting back. They travel to where their supply company has
dumped the food from mule carts--the point nearest front where
creaking wheels may go. The man in the center is carrying a string of
French loaves, the round black variety common before we got our own
bakeries started.
[Illustration: The Headquarters Company...taking its bath...]
The Headquarters Company of the Reserve Mallet taking its bath at
Chavigeny Farm. The tub is a tin-lined cigarette box used by the
Y.M.C.A. Water is heated in the old farm fire-place.

"PREPARE FOR ACTION"
I ran into Johnny Redlegs A-sitting on his bus, And I asked him why
the devil He dropped half his shells on us. He just smiles and puffs his
corn-cob, As peaceful as a Persian, And, "Buddy," says he, "you can't
blame me, You gotta blame dispersion."
I says to Johnny Redlegs, "If I didn't have nine lives Your barrage
would have got me With those lousy seventy-fives." He grins and puffs
his corn-cob, And then he winks, reflective, And, "Buddy," says he,
"you can't blame me If you pass your damn objective."
I says to Johnny Redlegs (Just kidding him, you know), "The trouble
with your popgun is She pops too gol-darned slow." Then Redlegs
drops his corn-cob And spits on both his han's, And, "Buddy," says he,
"you can kid with me And the whole damned Field Artilleree, But
there'll be a dud where you used to be If you kid my swasont-cans!"

[Illustration: "I know a girl at home who looks just like you."/6 June]
[Illustration: "Johnny Redlegs"...]
"Johnny Redlegs"--guardian of the "Soixant-quinze." (the famous
French "75")
[Illustration: ...and the doughboy...]
...and the doughboy who tries to keep just the right distance from the
covering barrage fire.
[Illustration: "The Bugs"--Two men, French style tanks]
[Illustration: An Indian M.P. -- "A Chance to get even"]
[Illustration: A Survival of the old regular army]
[Illustration: Among the first sent across... (Negro soldier)]
Among the first sent across/They served with the French in '17
[Illustration: Reading their shirts]
[Illustration: Her boy too]
[Illustration: American and French field artillery gun crews...]
American and French field artillery gun crews camped together in a
wood near Charsoney. The canvas overhead keeps the fire from being
observed by aeroplanes at night.
[Illustration: The linesman at the front...]
The linesman at the front--
Same old job with just a couple percent more risk than usual
Using a shell-shocked tree for a telegraph pole.
St. Mihiel 1918
Dumb Beasts
[Illustration: (soldier in gas mask)]
[Illustration: In the Missouri draft (mule)]
[Illustration: Wagon train] bucks: "Maud" and "Mud"
[Illustration: (goat feeding from mess kit)] Former refugee--now
mascot and the only man in the outfit who likes monkey meat
[Illustration: Yanks with French Type of Anti-Aircraft]
[Illustration: The Aeroplane Fight]
RELIEF
z-z-z-z-z-z-Z-Z-Z-Z-e-e-e-e-E-E-------------b Boom! There's another!
God, this pack is heavy. Glad I pinched the extra willy, Guess I'll need
it. And the sweater, too, out there.
-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-Z-Z-Z-Z-E-E-E-EEEEEE- - b Boom! There's another!
Jesse! that was a close one. Wonder if......good Christ! Where's Charlie?

Got him clean. God curse those Jerries! I'll get even,--p'raps-- out there.
z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-Z-Z-Z-E-E-E-E-e-e----------b Boom! There's another!
Over! Well, if one has my name on it Then the guv'ment pays ten
thousand. What's the use? I couldn't spend it. Leastways not-- out there.
z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-Z-Z-Z-Z-e-e-e-e-e-E-E-E-E----b Boom! There's another.
Where'd I put that plug of Climax? Oh, I s'pose somebody swiped it.
Gee, I never thought that Charlie... Glad I ain't out on the wire. This
damn trench is dark--ouch! Damn it, Wait a minute.... Hell, I'm coming,
I can't run in this equipment. What the hell's the rush to get-- out there?
[Illustration: The Relief...]
The Relief--
Coming up to the front lines through the communication trenches,
which extend a kilometer or so. On these occasions little love is lost on
"beautiful moonlight nights"
[Illustration: The roofs of Vaux...]
The roofs of Vaux after a few minutes of Yank barrage lifted--
[Illustration: "The Germans have gone!" -- St. Mihiel]
[Illustration: The Shell Hole Central]
[Illustration: On Guard]
[Illustration: The noncombatant]
[Illustration: The family with whom I lived in Soissons]
In 1870 Grandpère was taken as a prisoner to Coblenz
Madam Framary who sewed on my buttons and who transformed
miserable French army rations into marvelous dishes
Eraseme, the youngest son who starts his three years of compulsory
training in the fall 1919
The eldest son. After his three years of training he was called to war.
He has never come back.
Soissons--1918
[Illustration: Awaiting the signal to attack...]
Awaiting the signal to attack. The sergeant is ready to blow the whistle
for his squad to follow him out through a path in the barbed wire. In
another minute they will advance close behind