MORE LETTERS FROM FRANCE

The MAGAZINE this month prints extracts from two letters written from the Western front by alumni well known to all the younger graduates of the College and to a host of the older men as well. The first of these letters was written to a Dartmouth classmate by First Lieutenant John C. Redington '00 of Battery C, 149th Field Artillery, A. E. F., and is as follows:

"December 17, 1917.

"Our regiment of artillery, composed of six Illinois batteries and now known as the 149th F. A., saw four months of service in Texas last year, and was mobilized again in June of this year. We have had about six months of field work, and were in good shape when we sailed. Now both officers and men are going through a strictly intensive education in modern artillery methods, being instructed by both French and American officers. We are using the French 75's, which correspond in caliber to our three-inch, but which have proven superior to any other light field piece under war conditions.

"We are stationed at one of the artillery ranges — now used for American troops, but formerly a French camp of instruction. Our schedule of work for the day makes the college curriculum of 1900 look like a vacation. Reveille is at 5 a. m., mess at 5.30, battery duties until 7 a. m., when we . start to. fire at targets. This is the most interesting part of the work, and we all like it. All target practice here is based on observation of all methods used during the war, and as soon as one can absorb and put into practice the rules, tables, and formulae which are prescribed as necessary for absolute accuracy, he ought to be able to get a summa cum laude in higher mathematics anywhere. Baby McKee's dynamics, mechanics, etc., — which, by the way, I flunked,—have nothing on this stuff. One has to account for differences in atmospheric conditions, decimation from the true north, varying velocities of wind at time of fire, changes in powder charges, theories of probable errors, etc., almost ad infinitum. If one can apply all these factors, the resulting accuracy is amazing, and it almost seems a miracle — this ability to hit an object four or five miles away in the space of a few minutes. Needless to say, I haven't done any of this hitting yet.

"In the afternoon we have schools and lectures, and if we aren't all in, do some studying in the evening, generally turning in early. The camp is located in high country, in one of the historic spots of France. If it were not for the continual dampness and rain which is a part of the French winter, the troops here would be in fine shape. As it is, there is quite a lot of sickness from colds, influenza, and pneumonia. It may be better when the men get used to the climate.

"Signs of the war are seen everywhere—crippled soldiers, most of the women in black, German prisoners, and an almost universal spirit of depression which is very marked, show how terribly France has suffered. You in America probably know more of what is actually going on at the front than we do, as the newspapers, both French and English, are strictly censored, but from reports that come from men who have been at the front, we do not see an early peace. The opinion is freely offered that America will have to furnish an immense army, and that the war will last for two or three years.

"As soon as our present course of training is finished, we shall probably be sent to the front somewhere, and be assigned to a definite sector. Of course, we know nothing of what they are going to do with us, or where they will send us.

"I would like to run across Long or Bill Stickney over here. Two weeks ago on my way out to the range I passed a battery, and was considerably amazed to see Frank Cavanaugh. He is a first lieutenant in one of the units stationed here. He is the only Dartmouth man I have seen, with the exception of Burns and Clark '18, who are in my battery.

JOHN C. REDINGTON

The other letter which we have chosen for publication was written under date of December 29 by First Lieutenant Philip B. Paul '06, Cavalry U. S. R., A. E. F., and was sent to his class secretary:

"Your letter .... would have reached me on Christmas, had I not been spending Christmas Eve and Day in Base Hospital No. 15, as the result of an automobile accident. We skidded on an icy road, dropped end for end for twenty feet—and broke nothing but my watch and fountain pen. The car was completely smashed and four of us pretty badly shaken up and bruised, but I expect to be back at work in a couple of days.

"That accident and taking a poilu full on the nose one night in the pitch dark street when we had a 'Lights out, enemy avions' warning, are the nearest I have come to casualties. As for excitement, I was for six weeks where I could see our anti-aircraft guns fight the Taubes several times a week and one night the Boche flew over our town, dropped his first bomb within fifteen yards of the officers' mess where I was at the time, and a big aerial torpedo that opened up a quarry hole some fifteen feet deep and thirty yards in diameter within a hundred yards of the French Colonel's office where I had my headquarters. And that's plenty near enough for me.

"Arrived in Frence September 9th and in Paris September 10th. Waited there fifteen days, which was ten too much for my pocketbook and morals. At the end of the eleventh day grand headquarters telegraphed 'Ascertain from Lieuts. Paul and Patterson (the latter another Cavalry Reserve Officer) if they know why they are in France.' On the fifteenth day L received orders to report to Colonel B - at N - for duty at Remount Depot, but upon arrival found neither. After waiting eight days, saw the Colonel for fifteen minutes and have by chance seen him once since. Eventually I was attached to headquarters' divisional areas and when Gen. Bundy was relieved by Gen. Blatchford as C. O. of the those headquarters, was attached to Gen. Blatchford.

"Most of my work has been reconnaissance work in getting our divisional areas ready for the reception of troops, checking up the French, and acting as liason officer between my general and the French major or colonel commanding our area." As a result of six weeks' work in a motor-cycle side-car, in all kinds of weather, I have a voice and cold that will probably last for the term of the war,—and that's some time. I now, however, have a Cadillac eight and driver. The work has been plenty and interesting. It throws me into intimate contact with French officers and I like them all a lot. They don't do things in quite our way, but they get there when it comes to fighting, and they certainly know what hospitality and politeness mean. My speaking French is still pretty rocky as regards pronunciation and grammar, but I can now understand most any French peasant patois or army or Parisian argot. Also my work has been interesting in that I have been able to see a lot of the big end of getting our army over here, distributing it, and supplying and equipping it — to see all the mistakes and all the extraordinary work accomplished and to get a little idea of the vastness and details of the task, and incidentally have been in a position to know where all our troops are and when they are coming. So from that viewpoint I have been luckier than most reserve officers. I believe, however, that I am the only other line officer over here who hasn't had an opportunity to go to one or more of our excellent training schools, and I, of course, am anxious to get such schooling and to get ordered to duty with troops. This being attached to generals doesn't get you much real excitement.

"However, there is still time, because we can't get the big trained fighting American armies we so vitally need over here for some time to come.

"Rather expect to continue on this work for a couple of months, longer. It has enabled me to see a lot of the Departments of Vosges, Meurthe et Moselle, Haute-Marne, Cote d'Or, and parts of others. It's a wonderful country and a wonderful people.

"Have seen lots of Dartmouth men, officers and privates, but no '06 men as yet .... Wish you would write me now and then with all the College and class news. And if any of the boys realized what a real treat letters are to us over here, maybe I'd be getting some — and I'd certainly answer them as soon as I could ....

"Sincerely, "'IKE' PAUL"