In Their Words

Cpt. Alban B. Butler

An Artillery Duel

In some parts of the sector, the front line trenches were but fifty yards apart. As soon as General Bullard called for activity, there began a series of trench raid by both sides. These were miniature attacks preceded by artillery fire and sometimes were made by a raiding party of more than two hundred men. To protect the infantry against these attacks, the artillery stood ready to fire barrages. Often a nervous sentry would precipitate a first-class artillery duel by shooting up the colored flare which called for a barrage. Then the cannoneers did all the work, while the infantry had all the fun.

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