The War Stories of Private Thomas Atkins — John Shaqi
The War Stories of Private Thomas AtkinsMilne, James
History
The War Stories of Private Thomas Atkins
Milne, James
World War, 1914-1918 -- Anecdotes
I rolled a cigarette, thinking the engagement finished for the time,
and was making my way up the ridge ahead of my company to see how far
the Germans had retired. I had gone some considerable distance when
thousands of Germans reappeared on the sky-line, and of course I had
to dash back to my company. Every second I expected a bullet through
my back, but I was lucky and was bowled over by one which fractured
my right elbow, and I broke my forearm as I fell. The Germans advanced
right over me, but after taking all my grub out of my haversack they
left me to my fate. I lay there until dark and it was the longest day
I remember. The bullets and shells flew over my head incessantly, some
only falling a few yards away from where I lay. As soon as darkness
fell and the firing ceased the stretcher-bearers came out and got me
away. Once or twice I sat up to see what chance I had of getting away,
but the dirty devils kept on sniping at me, and I had to lie down
again. I could see, however, that the ground was covered with dead
Germans: _Pte. Priest, Coldstream Guards_.
Every House a Fort
We were standing close to an orchard, and some of us were killing
time and quenching thirst by picking apples from the overhanging
trees, when the enemy opened fire with their guns and their rifles.
We were quickly formed into positions allotted to us, and advanced to
the attack supported by the Irish Rifles, who were moving slowly, as
their job was to cover our rushes with rifle fire. Our own artillery
opened out, adding to the frightful din, and making us think we had
been transported to the infernal regions. Soon we reached the village
and found the Germans occupying the houses in strong force. Every
house was a little fort, and the infantry were firing from the windows
furiously, picking us off as we came along. In some houses they had
machine guns mounted at the windows with which to sweep our line of
advance. On another house a big gun was placed in position, and some of
our sharpshooters were told off to pick off the men working it. This
they did in a short time, and it was silenced. Seeing that, the Germans
attempted to send up a new gun’s crew, but they had to pass under fire
when they came out on the roof, so that our men lay there picking them
off as fast as they showed their heads. That went on for over an hour,
but they didn’t get their gun manned, for every man who tried it was
shot down. After that they gave it up: _A Wounded Corporal_.
A Gallant Sky Pilot
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