Letters From the Front

Dated: June 3, 1915

A Canadian soldier, who is a prisoner at Geissen, Germany writes favorably of the present conditions there. We're being well treated, he says. Our health is looked after and everything has to be scrupulously clean. I hope our capture will not be considered a disgrace for those of us who were left surrendered when crowds of German infantry were on all sides of us. Sheets of lead from rifles and machine guns were sweeping over the parapet of our trench, while shrapnel fire from our rear was bursting all over us. We were under heavy rifle and machine gun and shell fire for two nights and days. I had bullets thru my haversack and cap and was struck in the back by a piece of split shrapnel without receiving any injury. As far as cleanliness and comfort are concerned, we're better off than at Salisbury Plain. We're getting three meals a day; coffee and bread for breakfast, and a little of very good vegetable soup for dinner and supper. We can buy a few things here, such as butter and sardines.