Early in the war aeroplanes were not so common as they were later on,
and trench "strafing" from the air was practically unheard of. One
day two privates of the Middlesex Regiment were engaged in clearing
a section of front line trench near the La Bassée road when a German
plane came along and sprayed the trenches with machine-gun bullets.
[Illustration: ...and they both went on digging]
One of the men (both were typical Cockneys) looked up from his digging
and said: "Strike, there's a blinkin' aeroplane."
The other took no notice but went on digging.
By-and-by the machine came back, still firing, whereupon the speaker
again looked up, spat, and said: "Blimey, there's annuver of 'em."
"No, 'tain't," was the reply, "it's the same blighter again."
"Blimey," said the first man, "so 'tis." And both went on digging.--_W.
P. (late Middlesex Regt. and R.A.F.), Bucks._
"Penalty, Ref!"
It was a warm corner on the Givenchy front, with whizz-bangs dealing
out death and destruction. But it was necessary that communication be
maintained between the various H.Q.'s, and in this particular sector
"Alf," from Bow, and myself were detailed to keep the "lines" intact.
Suddenly a whizz-bang burst above us as we were repairing some
shattered lines. We ducked instinctively, but friend "Alf" caught a bit
of the shell and was thrown to the bottom of the slushy trench.
Being a football enthusiast he at once raised his arm in appeal, and,
with the spirit that wins wars, shouted, "Penalty, ref!"
He was dazed, but unhurt.--_W. G. Harris (late Sergt., R.E.), 34
Denmark Street, Watford._