With the Cavalry Transport at the Front.
Page 4
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The Continuation of the Interesting Report from One of Our War Correspondents, of which we Published the First Part Last Week.
The skidding of all vehicles was accentuated by the terrific jotting. I on my mbtorcycle was even worse off. Once when I started the back wheel came round to the front, and I charged a number of our cavalry. This was too much for them ; they brake and fled, leaving me an easy victor. However, I managed to do some ten miles without any mishap, though I had to hold the cycle up with my feet on the ground, and even then had to stop fairly often. By the time my destination was reached, my shoulders and legs simply ached. You must remember that I had previously had over 20 hours practically continual riding, and slow riding with the column with its frequent halts is very fatiguing. By the way, a day or two ago I met Capt. Lyon Thomson, who designed the C.M.U.A. badge. He was very nice and we had quite a long chat.
Our Correspondent Has a Bath in the Road.
Arrived at our destination on Saturday, 29th August, after passing the most glorious scenery, we rested the afternoon and night, and it being luckily very dark, I was able to have a bath in the road, using a canvas pail. What would people in England think of that ? Of course, I hid behind a vehicle as well.
On Sunday I had an exceedingly busy time ; we ,rose (I will not say dressed) and left at 8.30t for 11111111111•111. From this place I was sent with despatches to 1111111111.11 and returned with a load of " iron" rations (tinned beef) on a two-ton Lucre lorry—belonging to Henry Garner, Ltd., Birmingham. This vehicle has been doing excellent work, and up to the present has given no trouble whatsoever, even on these roads, and at an average speed of 20 m.p.h.
Searching All Night for Lost Troops.
By this time it was 6.30 p.m., and I was then ordered to return for a further load and to deliver it to a detachment of troops whose actual whereabouts were not known. We spent nearly all night searching for them, risking being shot by our own or French sentries and generally having a lively time, particularly as we knew that a party of starving Germans were somewhere in the woods through which we passed. There were three of us on the vehicle, the driver, his mate arid myself ; my motorcycle I had slung up behind as the headlight had failed.
My rifle, ready cocked, was pointed over the front of the car, nearly frightening one Belgian refugee out of his life ; we stopped him to inquire our way, and he shot his arms above his head and plaintively bleated, "No German, no German!"
Transport Warned by Air Scout.
The following morning we discovered the lost troops, and they were glad to relieve us of our load. On our return we were at once despatched to the next railhead, where loading was to take place. Here we met an Albion covered van which had also been sent forward, and we stopped the night and the next morning up to noon without the column appearing. At noon an airman brought the news that unless we cleared off in less than an hour, we should probably be cut off by the enemy.
I took charge of the two vehicles and sent the men to find petrol, as we were short of this vital fluid. Luckily, we managed to seize some from a train, just as it was moving off, and you can guess that we did not take much time in "clearing."
The only safe ('?) road was one to a certain big city, so we took it, picking up a number of refugees on our way. Halfway we met an ammunition supply column and the captain asked me whether I would
think him a d d fool if he continued. I said" Certainly," so he went another way. On our arrival, we had difficulty in entering owing to having no pass, and in addition some of us six (the party had been augmented by the other vehicle and a stray corporal) had given their "insignia of office " as souvenirs, with the result that at first we were taken for German spies. Luckily, my knowledge of the language is increasing rapidly, and I was able to make the guards understand that we were Britishers who wished to rejoin our -main convoy.
Aeroplane Shot Down at Transport Depot.
An officer then appeared in a motor and guided us to some public office, and in the square we garaged our motors. As we arrived, a German aeroplane appeared over our heads, but was shot down, landing in a street. We were then taken in two private motors to d, barracks, where the troops nearly went mad with enthusiasm ; here we had a fine gupper and comfortable beds.
The next morning we were•awakened at 7.30 a.m, and given coffee in bed, and we were theninformed of the whereabouts of our column. To get to the place we had to travel some 30 miles, and on arrival found that the column had left, so we had to return some 20 miles on another road, at last hunting down our quarry.
In the evening we had some sport trying to bring down two German aeroplanes. One was damaged and alighted six miles away, where it was captured.