Part 6

The "white wing" of the French front--but when he puts on his heavy marching order it means there's an attack coming.

A King in his own country

EQUIPMENT C

The Loot is getting wabbly, With his dinky little pack,-- He can hear the sergeant cussing But he doesn't dare look back.

But we ain't saying nothing Since we got the order "route," Too dog-dead for even wond'ring If we'll ever hear "fall out."

My damn rifle and my helmet Keep on getting in the way, And my brains are numb and dopey Try'n' to cuss and try'n' to pray.

My throat's as dry as sawdust And my right arm's gone to sleep, And the pack-strap on my shoulder Cuts a slit two inches deep.

I just lift one foot and shove it And it hits most any place, Then I lift and shove the other T'keep from falling on my face.

If the guide should change the cadence I'll be damned if I could stop; If you pushed me with a feather-- Well, I'd just curl up and drop.

And I know damn well there's stragglers That'll ride up on a truck-- Guess if you ain't born a quitter, You're just simply outa luck.

I suppose we'll keep on going-- Huh? The Skipper's faced about? Halt!... I'm dreaming ... in the daisies ... You don't need ... to say ... "fall out!"

In an old Roman cellar two floors underground where civilians went during air raids as bombing planes passed over on their way to Compiegne, Paris, and interior cities. This "cave" was considered absolutely safe, but in October 1918 was completed demolished by one "155" shell.

Mess and distribution of mail at the "non-com" school for the M.T.C. at Longpont

Far from Broadway--S.R.O.--Christmas 1917 at a YMCA hut

Americans quartered in the old abbey St. John de Vine of Soissons in the spring of '18

Henri, who tends sheep with his assistant (Leroy)

She teaches us French

Jean, who comes around at mess time for "confiture Americaine," and who has learned how to say "chewing gum" and "cigarette."

And Pierre picked the spuds

Chateau Thierry--France 1918

The town of Cuffies (sur Aisne) held by the Germans till 1916, when the old inhabitants began moving back in; they were assisted in re-establishing their life there by the American Red Cross

The site of the home of Madam Crépin where the Red Cross set up a barrack cottage for her.

Cut off from rations for three days in the wood--with one can of tomatoes for both food and drink--

"MADELON"

It seemed years since I had seen one,-- Years of hiking, sweat and blood, Didn't think there was a clean one In these miles of men and mud.

Well, I stood there, laughing, drinking, Kidding her in bon fransay But the things that I was thinking Were a thousand miles away.

Sewed my stripe on like a mother, Gee! She was a pretty kid.... But I left her like a brother,-- Shake her hand was all I did.

Then I says: "Vous, all right, cherry--" And my throat stuck, and it hurt.... And I showed her what I carry In the pocket of my shirt.