Letters From the Front

Dated: March 25, 1916

I came up to the guns last night, and by way of a greeting we had one grand mix-up at 4 o'clock this morning; our infantry exploded five mines under the Boche front line, and at precisely the same time we opened up with a barrage of fire behind their line to prevent supports from coming up, and our infantry were over the parapet and in their front line before they knew it. They got it, and the second line, too, on a 1,000 yard front, and we're holding the position. Fritz didn't retaliate to any delirious extent, and most of the prisoners were glad to get out of it. We got about 500 altogether; all fairly young, but a good size. They'd willingly give you their tunics as souvenirs. I suppose they expected the same treatment as they give their prisoners.

Fritz will likely put over a violent counter attack to-night, but I think we can hold the line all right, and we have a huge stock of ammunition in expectation. I have my revolver in good working shape and about 50 rounds of .455 revolver ammunition in case we have any line work to do at close quarters.