We put in some wonderfully effective shooting in the trenches, and the
men find it is much easier making good hits on active service than at
manœuvres. The Germans seemed to think at first that we were as poor
shots as they are, and they were awfully sick when they had to face our
deadly fire for the first time: _Pte. M. O’Keefe, Royal Irish Rifles_.
“Oh, Bill!”
Just as I was hit, I said, “Oh, Bill, it has knocked my foot up. Pick
it up for me.” He said, “It is all right. Keep still,” and he tied
something round my leg to stop the blood running. Then the doctor came
up. He said, “The stretchers will be up just now”; but as soon as he
went away I was making for the field hospital on my hands and knees. I
got so far, and was having a rest when the doctor gave me a lift: _Pte.
Wilde, Worcestershire Regiment_.
“Hell on Earth”
About midday a German aeroplane, flying the Union Jack and the French
colours, came flying down on our positions. We thought it was our own
craft, but wherever she dipped the German artillery took range, and as
soon as she got up out of our reach they simply poured their shells
upon us. Within ten minutes we had five killed and forty-seven wounded,
and a number we cannot account for. One shell came blowing my knapsack
off my back, and made a hole through my waterproof sheet. It was just
like hell on earth: _Pte. A. Fricker, 1st Gloucestershire Regiment_.