sky was filled with tiny, white clouds, but the Germans flew back to their lines unharmed. In Sermoise, the first village through which we passed, not a building had escaped the touch of war. Crowds of French soldiers watched us curiously, but no civilians. Towards noon we reached Chassemy, even more battered than Sermoise, and went on to a nearby wood. Here stables and wooden barracks of the Adrian type had been built for us. As these barracks could hold only a part of the Battery the rest took to the tumbled down dugouts, of which the woods were full. Although the only building materials obtainable were scraps of old iron and tar-paper, these Robinson Crusoe huts soon became the most exclusive residences. Water oozed from the mud everywhere, but a long trip was necessary to obtain any for drinking, cooking, or washing. The horses had to be taken half a mile to a small brook for water. As the American supply service in this sector was not yet organized, it was even more difficult to obtain rations or other supplies.

The following day, February 4, a reconnaissance party, made up of two officers, the instrument and signal sergeants, and the two scout corporals, left for the front at four in the morning. There was some speculation as to the purpose of their trip, but no one believed that we would actually go to the front for at least a week. Late that afternoon they returned. Although a day of climbing muddy hills had exhausted them, excitement concealed their fatigue. We were to go into position that very night!

Great was the disappointment when it was found

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