CHAPTER X.

THE VERDUN FRONT

                ON September 26, 1918 began the Meuse-Argonne drive which was destined to reach Sedan and end the war. It was also destined indirectly to cause the firing-battery of "A" of the 101st F. A. the nastiest service it had yet seen. Our division had al­ ready made one "diversion",—at Marcheville—for the purpose of drawing German reserves from the Argonne. Now we were to make another for the same purpose. Had we known on October 11 the form that diversion was to take, we might not have pulled out of Rupt-en-Woevre with so light a step.

                However, leaving the future to take care of itself, the Battery ate its bread, "Willie," and coffee at 5 P. M., and by 7.00 was in its place in Regimental column crossing the St. Mihiel—Verdun highway. The night was so dark that each battery had to keep two men riding ahead in contact with the unit in front to give warning of halts and to mark turns, although the distance between units was never more than fifty yards. It was also intensely cold, but to make up for that the road was perfect.

                Of course we did not know our destination, but no one felt happier for seeing the dread word "Verdun" painted on signboards along the way. This dread was not an unfounded one as events proved. Towards morning the Battery passed through the edge of Verdun itself. The sky was a shade lighter than the massive, angular walls which towered on

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