WITH THE GUNS.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15657, 1 August 1916, Page 9

WITH THE GUNS.

OBSERVATIONS AT THE FBONT

PHILOSOPHY OP THE FRENCBL

A WORD TO SHIRKERS

Gunner A. H. Guiney, of the Australian Field Artillery, m-iting to his brother in Christchurch from France under date of May 19th, says: — The weather here lately has been just 0.K., and everything looks lovely. The old men and tho women have done tho work in tho fields this spring, and I might tell you that the results are a great credit to them. Especially is this the case when wo consider that just a few months ago this part of tho country was getting blown to atoms by tho British and French guns in their successful attempt to check the ndvanco of the "Allemande." Tho latter hold this very farm, and the surrounding places for ten days, but were then forced to retreat. Now with tho young crops of grass, grain, peas, potatoes, etc., one would almost think one's self in dear old New Zealand— miles and miles from any disturbance. But it is when one comes to a village or town that the lasting results of a war are seen. Almost without exception, each of these towns contains, or perhaps I should say contained, a fine church, with a magnificent tower at tho entrance, as handsome, if not more so, than our own familar Cathedral. The appearanco of theso churches as they now arc makes us feel very glad to know that our homes, so very dear to us all. aro almost on the opposite side of tho globe, far from tho boom of the guns and tho crash of shells. By the way, we can hoar the shells coming, and they mako a kind of rattling noise, which I can best describe by likening it to the rattle wo used to hear in the old quarries when a slip occurred, and tho large pieces of slato rattled down from the top. It makes practically the same noise, o'nly, of course, in the case of the shell there is the explosion when it gets there, and a nice old row it kicks up when exploding too. Tilings aro very quiet on our front, but of courso there's always work to bo done, and plenty of it. We are billeted in tho barns of farm-houses, and havine plenty of straw to lie on. wc aro not so badly off, although of course wo could wish for better, for you can guess that after a iittlo use things don't get any cleaner, or smell any nicer. Wo are not gotting tho best of food lately, but I supposo being on active service we arc lucky not to be living on bully beef and biscuits. Anyhow, 1 wouldn't mind if someone gave the Army Service Corps a shako up. For my part, I am taking good car© of myself in the food lino as I have, along with a pal, discovered a good "possio" (place) in one of tho village houses nearby. Before going further 1 might mention that tho pal I refer to is a New Zealander, hailing from Riccarton. Frank Steel in his name, and wo'v'o liad many a good old chat together, as he knows most of the people thereabouts. Well, to proceod, nearly overy night wo stroll down to this house, and buy some rolled oats. "Madam" cooks ifc for us, and afterwards two or three eggs, with chips (potatoes) or elso custard. We thoroughly enjoy these meals, as she is a very clean woman, and keeps her place very tidy. While sho is cooking these things she and 1 arc having conversation* in French about things in general. Sh o doesn't talk toe and I understand her Quite well, and, of coursc, as I can't talk it quickly, she easily understands me. Sometimes I find it hard to pick up a word or .two, as they are terrible at cutting off the ending of words, but I am beginning to tumble to these ways now. They aro very, excitable people, and at times we scream witl laughter at them. The women work like niggers, for besides working in the fields, tho majority' of them supply eggs and chips to the soldiers and alsc do their washing. Of course, thej make plenty of money out of it, but it is hard >vork, and there is plenty of it. I can't imagine our women doing it,, and for that mattei ivould not liko to see them have to dc it as these do for a living. But tliej lon't seems to mind much, and are juito resigned to it all. Thoy onlj say, "Cane fait rien" (it doesn t matter), C'esfc l a guerre." They put jverything that happens down to the var, and after discussing matters always finish up by saying "Coat la juerre." • With a few exceptions, you can luite believo, all. you've heard of the lisgraceful doings of the Germans here, but for goodness sako don't try to beieve half their accounts of the fighting, itc. I often wonder how or where they get all their news. We get all he daily London newspapers here, only ;hey aro always a day Or two old when hey reach us. I see where a Compuliob Bill has been introduced in N6w Zealand. • Surely that is onlv a paper •eport, too. for I can't quite think that s going to be necessary, and just for l few shirkers! lam sure that if hose few would only give it a trial they rould find tho soldier's life surjirisingrlv greeablo. What are they frightened f. I wonder? They are not. taking uoh a great risk, for thoy are not ;oing straight away. We get a ;ood run for our. money, as at times we iave tho time of our lives, and if we re unlucky enough to stop a bullet, rail, it's hard lock, but we have done ur little bit, and. in any case, we are lot on this Old 'mud ball for keeps. I m sure that they would blush if they ould only hear tho "nice" things we oy about them. If they could" only ee what the war has done to the French ouscs and homesteads here, thoy would ealise that their own people and homes re worth taking a few risks for. Wo havo had twp visits from Taubeß, 'hieh dropped boifibs. but s 0 far wo ave been lucky, although one night tvo bombs fell too close to be pleasant, t tries one's nerves a bit lying in bed y hear a bomb explode nearby, and ben, in the stillness, to hear the hum f the motor as tho Taubo approaches ur quarters, nearer and nearer, and ben right overhead. Wo key ourslvea up for the crash, but in our case be bomb we expected we heard away \rer past us. On May 20th, he writes:—l got a leasant surprise about a week ago, hen, at 8 o'clock one night, the New ealanders passed here, and who should have the pleasure of shaking hands ith but . We were both very leased to meet each other, and a halt eing calied for a spell, wo had a few tinutes' chat together. Of course, ricked was the first topic, and I quite ijoyed a talk about the Senior Chamionship this year. I also saw two more f my schoolmates in the brigade, but le whistle to resume packs cut short hat had been to. me a delightful quartof an hour. Tho three of them are jw right in tho trenches, and I sin:rely hope that they escape the bullets, and are there "at the death."