Inasmuch as the Germans held the upper hand in the early part of 1918, it was thought probable that they might launch an attack along the Lorraine Front. On this account it did not seem wise to have all the batteries situated within the two thousand meter limit behind the St. Dizier-Metz road where they would be too fully exposed to complete neutralization or even capture in case of an attack. Reserve positions were therefore picked out about 5500 meters from the line and were occupied by two guns from each battery. On the nights of April 4 and 5 our second platoon took over the reserve position. Later, on the 12th, our first platoon moved back from Rambucourt and joined it. This new position was an entirely artificial camouflage one. It was situated in the middle of a swampy field, in full view of the nine Boche balloons which were always up on clear days. A great wire camouflage net covered it over. Owing to the danger of observation, the kitchen had to be placed in the woods about two hundred meters to the rear, and walking around in the open had to be cut down to a minimum. The question of bringing in provisions, ammunition and building materials was a serious one. There was no road accessible, and the only way for a wagon to get in was over a soft, miry field. Luckily a Decauville railroad ran by the position, and brought up most of the supplies from the rear.

The emplacement itself was far from developed. Three gun pits had been shaped up pretty well, also five abris, and a main trench had been dug; but only two of the abris had any protection over them. The

CONTENTS
INDEX

THE BRICK FACTORY AT RANGEVAL. LONG SHED USED AS STABLE. BUILDING UNDER CHIMNEY USED AS QUARTERS FOR BATTERY A BUILDINGS SEEN OVER SHED. QUARTERS FOR BATTERIES B AND C. THIS CHIMNEY IN PLAIN VIEW OF ENEMY AS EVIDENCED BY CAMOUFLAGED ROAD BEYOND BUILDINGS

MONASTERY AT RANGEVAL USED AS ECHELON BY UNITS OF 101ST AND 103RD F. A. HILLS IN BACKGROUND GIVE EXCELLENT ILLUSTRATION OF THE NATURE OF THE GROUND

PICKET LINE AT BRACHAY ON THE SEVEN DAY HIKE TOWARD THE REST BILLETS

CONTENTS
INDEX