Under experienced hands the breastworks sprang up as if by
magic. They entrenched calmly under the rifles of the French infantry and
the heavy guns of the French batteries, though men fell upon all hands.
Far away, but coming closer, the German batteries now opened fire on the
second French trenches, firing above the heads of the victorious German
infantry. The infantry action subsided. The duel of big guns was resumed.
Chester, who had been despatched by General Petain with orders, arrived
there to witness a scene similar to the one Hal had seen in the center.
The German assaults had been successful all along the line. The French
had lost their first line trenches on a front of approximately twelve
miles. Only at one or two isolated spots had the Germans met reverses;
and these few points that the French still held were doubly dangerous
now. They could not be given the proper support. Later in the day they
were abandoned.
Hal and Chester returned to their posts about the same time. Each was
sadly disappointed at the result of the first infantry fighting. For
several hours they were kept on the jump carrying despatches, and it was
after dark before they found themselves alone together after the
strenuous day.
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