Suddenly the earth trembles. Through the dugout window facing back from the lines, I see the night sky burst livid with light. A second later and the crash reaches our ears. It is deafening. Now we hear the whine of shells as they burn the air overhead. The telephone bell rings. "Yes, this is Boston," the Adjutant speaks into the receiver. We listen breathlessly. Has something gone wrong at the last minute? "Right, I have it," said the Adjutant, hanging up the receiver and turning to the Colonel; "X-4 reports barrage dropped on schedule." "Good," said the Colonel. "Gentlemen, here's what's happening. Our shells are this minute falling all along the German front line, in front of the part selected for the raid and on both flanks. Now then, this section of the enemy's position is confined in a box barrage which is pounding in his front and is placing a curtain of fire on his left and his right and another in his rear. Any German within the confines of that box trying to get out will have a damn hard time and so will any who try to come through it to help him." "Boston talking," the Adjutant is making answer over the telephone. He repeats the message. "233, all the wire blown up, right." "Fine," says the Colonel. "Now they are advancing and right in front of them is another rolling barrage of shells which is creeping forward on the German lines at the same pace our men are walking. They are walking in extended order behind it. At the same time our artillery has taken care of the enemy's guns by this time so that no German barrage will be able to come down on our raiders. Our guns for the last three minutes have been dumping gas and high explosives on every battery position behind the German lines. That's called 'Neutralisation.'" "Boston talking." The room grows quiet again as the Adjutant takes the message. "2:36. Y-1 reports O. K." "Everything fine and dandy," the Colonel observes, smiling. "Boston talking." There is a pause. "2:39. G-7 reports sending up three red rockets east of A-19. The operator thinks it's a signal for outposts to withdraw and also for counter barrage." "Too late," snaps the Colonel. "There's a reception committee in Hades waiting for 'em right now." At 2:40 the dugout door opens and in walks Doc Comfort from the Red Cross First Aid Station across the road. "Certainly is a pretty sight, Colonel. Fritzies' front door is lit up like a cathedral at high mass." At 2:41. "A very good beginning," remarks a short, fat French Major who sits beside the Colonel. He represents the French army corps. 2:43. "Boston talking,--Lieutenant Kernan reports everything quiet in his sector." 2:45. "Boston talking," the Adjutant turns to the Colonel and repeats, "Pittsburgh wants to know if there's much coming in here."