Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 70, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 March 1916 — DIARY OF A PATROL [ARTICLE]

DIARY OF A PATROL

Officer Tells of Reconnoftering Duty at Night. Company Commander Sends Him Out With Squad to Find Out if There Are Any Germans Opposite — Dislikes Commander. -Ixmdon. —One of the many little magazines published by the soldiers contains the following extract from the dinry of an officer commanding a recomioitering patrol in France: 6 p. m.—Waked from sound sleep. 6:15 p. m.—Met company commander. Told him 1 didn’t believe any Germans opposite. Company commanded said in that case I was Just the man lie wanted, and would I go across at 9:30 p. m. and find out. 6:30 p. m.—Said I would think about

6:32 p. m.—Went to think about It in secluded spot. 6:50 p. m.—Still thinking in secluded spot. 6:55 p. m.—Thought 1 might have left unsaid remark to company commander about no Germans. 7 p. m.—Went to tell off patrol. 7:15 p. m. —Patrol went to think it over in secluded spot (same one). 7:25 p. m.—Observed with telescope four Germans 'in trenches opposile. Seemed to be large, cheerful men. —7:30 tr -m—Went to thlnk-.it.xntfir in secluded spot. 7:35-8 p. m. —PretendecLfo eat hearty dinner. Asked companir commander whether patrol was necessary, in view of four Germans seen by me. Company commander said four Germans probably caretaker, wife, and two children locking up for the night. Dislike company commander. 8:40 p. m.—Noticed one of patrol writing on black-edged notepaper. Said it was his last will and testament, and would I censor it, as he wished to send it off tonight. 8:45-9 p. m: —Discussed weapons with patrol. Company commander lent me his Colt automatic pistol and explained mechanism.

9:05 p. m.—Let off Colt accidently. Severely frightened company commander. Felt happier. 9:15-35 p. m.—Enemy's evening “hate.” 9:40 p. m.—Went to look for patrol. 9:46 p. m. —Found patrol whistling "Dead March” in unison. Tell patrol we'will wait a bit. 9:50 p. m.—Tell patrol I thought we would start. 9:65 p. m.—Tell patrol we ought to start. 10 p. m.—We must start. 10:05 p. m.—Company commander came and asked why we hadn’t started Produced Colt as if to load. 10:0G p. m. —Company commander noticed Colt, and pretended adjutant wanted him on telephone. 10:10 p. m.— Patrol started. Night -very dark. ■- 4S - - -—-_J 11:30 p. m.—Fall into large shell hole getting over parapet. Lose company commander’s Colt, probably at bottom of shell hole. Felt happier. Company bomber suggests I should carry the bombs, as am pow unarmed. Reprove company bomber for talking. Tread on our listening patrol, all five of us. Listening patrol annoyed. Reprove listening patrol for swearing. Reach our wine front line. Curious smell. Crawl under wire into decaying cow. Remove portions of dead cow from my fgee. Patrol complain of smell of dead cow. Corporal suggests more open formation. Patrol in succession from the right, fall into dis-

used trench full of water. Fell myself. My orderly reports his rifle lost. Reprove him for carelessness. Find I have lost my own rifle. Prolonged search for rifles. Ask corporal whether he knows way hack. Answer in the negative. Collect opinions of patrol as to direction cf our lines. Patrol quite positive on four points of own line. Fall over trip wire into several tin cans. Suspect cQrppral of using bad language about me. Order corporal to lead the way. Corporal falls over another wire into golconda of tin eans. Swear at corporal. Decide to lie low and listen. Do bo. Distinctly hear Private Jones imploring to be allowed to shoot. Platoon sergeant inclihed to think it safer to shoot first and inquire afterwards. Recollect telling platoon sergeant that was the thing to do. Shout." Platoon sergeant answers. Saved. Rally patrol, and fall over parapet on to fixed bayonet.

11:45 p. m. —My servant brings me rum in my dugout. Notice he is wearing respirator. Discover a good deal of dead cow still adhering. 12:30 to 2:15 a. m.—Write report to headquarters. "Distance covered by patrol estimated at five hundred yards. German trenches overcrowded. Object of patrol attained, etc ” 3 a. m.—Went to observe path of patrol by daylight. Distance appears less than it seemed at night. 3 a. m. —Fetch company commander and ask him how far It Is. Company commander says about 50 yards. Dislike company commander. Company commander asks for his Colt. Feel happier. 3:30 a. m.—Retire to sleep. 4 a. m —Waked by company commander who asks me if I realize that I am on duty till 8 a. m. The company commander be —"Strafered.”