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BEING THE NARRATIVE OF BATTERY A OF THE 101st FIELD ARTILLERY
Page 46
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tion possible. It was by far the severest test the drivers had undergone, but they rose to the situation wonderfully. Even going down the steep hill north of the camp, there was very little trouble, although there were few horses who did not fall at least once. In the Foret de Paimpont was some of the most beautiful scenery imaginable. As in all French forests, the trees were perfectly trimmed and all underbrush cleared away. Every bough and twig was fringed with snow and the ground spotless white, a sharp contrast with the dark green pine needles. At one place the road led down a straight incline where could be seen in front and behind, the whole column with the bright red guidons standing out sharply against the khaki and white. It was a sight not quickly forgotten. However, as usual in the army, this pleasant ride was changed suddenly by "cannoneers on the wheels" and a hard tug to get the guns back up the hill to camp.
The other half of the Battery went a week later on a trip through Louiteshel, Maxent and Guer. And there was one more trip to Phelan, Les Forges and Beignon. Neither of these was so interesting as the first. Still, everywhere different things came up, giving the drivers more and varied experience.
Thus we completed our preliminary training for service. Looking back on it, it seems that the Battery received as much instruction as possible without actual experience on the front. The cannoneers could fire rapidly and accurately. They had some practice in preparing gun-pits. The drivers knew how to handle their horses and could put the guns and caissons
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