You don’t realize that you are in danger until some of the men around
you get knocked over by shells and bullets, but afterwards you have the
feeling that you don’t care. You know you have to be there, and you
don’t care a hang whether you get knocked over or not. In a way you are
only too glad when you can get to close quarters with the Germans. As
to the sensation caused by being struck by a bullet, it is just like
being hit by a stone thrown at you: _A Sergeant of the Irish Rifles_.
An “Infernal Din”
Artillery fire is the deadliest thing out, and it takes a lot of nerve
to stand it. The Germans keep up an infernal din from morning until
far into the night; but they don’t do half as much damage as you would
think, though it is annoying to have all that row going on when you’re
trying to write home or make up the regimental accounts. The French
seem to like the noise, and don’t seem at all happy unless it’s there.
There’s no accounting for tastes: _Sergeant J. Baker_.