We had not been many days at Houdainville when we received orders to
move up to Beveaux, just a short distance outside the walled city of
Verdun. The big attack had not yet taken place but was expected at any
time. In the meanwhile the artillery activity was daily increasing.
At Beveaux there was a large hospital which was almost vacant when we
moved up there and pitched our tents. It had been made ready for the
big attack and would probably accommodate fifteen hundred wounded. The
preparations for the offensive were most impressive and tended to make
us thoughtful. Though we were now closer to the front, the location of
our cantonment on high, open ground was a welcome change to all of us.
Those of us who in Houdainville had our tent in that muddy, unsavory
barnyard were glad to get out. Those in the Section who had slept in
the crowded, rat-ridden house, were more than glad of the change. That
we were close to the war, in fact actually under it, even when off
duty, was impressed upon us at supper time that first evening at
Beveaux, when several shells struck within the hospital grounds and
some hit the large stables adjoining, killing horses and wounding men.
We all ran for shelter, and supper was delayed for some time. The
hospital was shelled on several occasions after that.
During our stay at Beveaux we usually retired at night with most of
our clothes on, partly on account of the avions and partly because our
work was so arduous that we were likely to be called in the night,
even when supposedly off duty. On retiring we always had our steel
helmets and gas masks within reach. Frequently at night when the
avions came over we were obliged to get out of bed and run for the
nearby trenches. A canvas tent affords mightly little protection
against shell fire!
We expected to be at Beveaux for but a very short time before being
sent back for a rest, but the days went on, the long nights went on
and the weeks rolled around before we were relieved.