Our Despatches from the Front (No. 129).
Page 18
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Experiences on the Western Front with a French Motor Ambulance.
IVTTII A FRENCH AMBTILANCE UNIT.
December, 1916.
The unexpected always happens in war. We suddenly received 48 hours notice to be ready to move, although only .a few days before we had it from high authority that we should winter in the muddy little village we then called H.Q. As a mobile section we found 48 hours ample warning ; after a year and a, half campaigning one's personal kit can be slung together in less than five minutes, while the section stores and workshop is but a matter of an hour or two's hard work.
Exciting Rumours.
' No information as to our destination had been received, so the mess that night was full of rumours of the wildest description. Everyone's spirits took an upward leap at the prospect of change, for we had been in the same sector for just over seven months, and by that time there is apt to be a certain monotony noticeable.
Moving DR at Dawn.
That evening the new section replacing us, arrived, a convoy of F.I.A.T.s, and in the morning took over our duties, leaving us ample leisure to get ready for the road at 7 am. the next morning. We lined up in convoy at dawn and moved off punctually at 7 a.m., each ear keeping touch with the car behind, and the section " camion " towing a momentarily disabled car in the -rear, the• staff car coming last of all to shepherd the convoy.
Luckily the weather was perfect, although snow still lay thickly in
places and it was bitterly cold. As we proceeded at about 15 m.p.h., the speed of the eamion and its tow, we had plenty of leisure to look around, and the rays of the rising sun striking on. the snow-covered mountains of the distant Vosges made a picture which I shall never forget. It was difficult to reconcile such a beautiful scene with war, but as we admired the view, a sausage, or observation balloon, rose slowly out of the ground mist, to be tinged a golden pink as it met the sun's rays.
A Puncture—and a Football Match.
Soon the driver of the car ahead waved, his arm up and down as a signal to stop—No. 3 had a puncture. A change of wheels and we moved slowly off again until we were 011 the outskirts of B--, where we pulled up so as to pass through the town in close order. Somehow or other the camion had fallen behind on a winding bit of road, so while we waited the men produced a football and had a general kick-about melee on the roadside to keep warm.
"Les Anglais !"
At last the cam ion arrived, but without the towed car ; in ome manner on a bad corner the tow rope had got round a wheel, and the front axle of the tow got badly bent. There was nothing for it but to proceed and make arrangements with the pare at B— to send a breakdown car for the derelict. This was soon arranged and we proceeded at a slightly quielter speed. At every village we came to, the inhabitam s would rush to the roadside and greet as with shouts of"Lee Andais " and every sign c,f goodwill. We were, the first English. they had seen, and they cheered each car loudly, the children running alongside and every dog in the place joining. in. Luckily there were no casualties.
Quartered.
Near H-we passed an artillery range where courses of instruction were going on with some of the big howitzers mounted on special railway trucks. We were going away from the Front, as our destination was V— where the Division was resting, while being reformed after a strenuous period of front line work. Just before midday we arrived at V—, and were not too pleased to find we were to be quartered there, as the staff had been there some days and we knew that meant all the best billets were taken.