bane of our existence was water. Everything was flooded. Four pumps had to be kept going steadily all day. At night the water would rise almost to the level of the bunks. Rubber boots were of course worn all the time. It was impossible to fight the water and at the same time do construction work; consequently a detail of twenty men came up from the echelon to help out.

In order to escape observation, all the building material of I-beams, tole iron, and logs were carried under the net each day before sunrise or after sunset. The path that led to the position was continued on to the woods beyond, and men approaching or leaving in the daytime had to do so one at a time. The Battery was supposed to be in reserve. It was only to fire in case the Boche attacked, and a barrage was called for by the infantry.

It has been said that this was a unique war, and that everything in it was unique. At any rate the echelon at Rangeval upholds that statement and deserves a passing word. The town consisted of four houses, a monastery, and a delapidated brick-factory which was entirely surrounded by mud. Adjoining the factory were some small buildings which formed a court-yard. In these buildings and on the ground floor of the factory, C Battery was quartered, the A Battery drivers having the second floor and a few small sheds in the rear. One end of this building was a long shed which was used as a stable by both batteries.

The most imposing feature of our billet was a brick chimney some eighty feet high which stood out

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