was up
forward, and could see the German reserves. Our 4th was turned on: first
round 100 over; shortened and went into gunfire, and his report was
that the effect was perfect. The same occurred again in the evening, and
again at midnight. The Germans were reported to be constantly massing
for attack, and we as constantly "went to them". The German guns shelled
us as usual at intervals. This must get very tiresome to read; but
through it all, it must be mentioned that the constantly broken
communications have to be mended, rations and ammunition brought up,
the wounded to be dressed and got away. Our dugouts have the French
Engineers and French Infantry next door by turns. They march in and
out. The back of the hill is a network of wires, so that one has to go
carefully.

Tuesday, May 4th, 1915.

Despite intermittent shelling and some casualties the quietest day yet;
but we live in an uneasy atmosphere as German attacks are constantly
being projected, and our communications are interrupted and scrappy. We
get no news of any sort and have just to sit tight and hold on. Evening
closed in rainy and dark. Our dugout is very slenderly provided against
it, and we get pretty wet and very dirty. In the quieter morning hours
we get a chance of a wash and occasionally a shave.

Wednesday, May 5th, 1915.

Heavily hammered in the morning from 7 to 9, but at 9 it let up; the
sun came out and things looked better. Evidently our line has again been
thinned of artillery and the requisite minimum to hold is left. There
were German attacks to our right, just out of our area. Later on we and
they both fired heavily, the first battery getting it especially
hot. The planes over us again and again, to coach the guns. An attack
expected at dusk, but it turned only to heavy night shelling, so that
with our fire, theirs, and the infantry cracking away constantly, we got
sleep in small quantity all night; bullets whizzing over us constantly.
Heavy rain from 5 to 8, and everything wet except the far-in corner of
the dugout, where we mass our things to keep them as dry as we may.

Thursday, May 6th, 1915.

After the rain a bright morning; the leaves and blossoms are coming out.
We ascribe our quietude to a welcome flock of allied planes which are
over this morning. The Germans attacked at eleven, and again at six in
the afternoon, each meaning a waking up of heavy artillery on the whole
front. In the evening we had a little rain