1916/04/04

In which Gordon Munro sends news of the Belgium front to Edward Munro. Included is description of the trek across open country to a new location i.e. local countryside, condition of war torn buildings and trees; Gordon's witnessing of two soldiers being wounded by German snipers; and, the presence of German prisoners of war.

Belgium Apr. 4/16

Dear Ed, -

There are some fellows going on pass so I thought I might as well send a letter out. My pass ought to be along in 2 or 3 months anyway. The passes were all stopped for some time & just started again. I would have been away now if they had been going all along.

We have had quite interesting times lately. We moved away back again for a few days rest & then moved to another part. It is a very famous part & lots of excitement going on. When we came in the bomb-throwers had to come up in daylight & we had some time coming up. We came in extended order, single file & bunches of 2 & 3 for 4 miles of open country. It was about a hundred in the shade & a big pack & all the time hurrying believe me I sweated. We were about half way up & passed over a big canal & along a small lake. I would have given a farm for a swim, but the Huns could see it too easily. There were all kinds of summer cottages along the lake all smashed to blazes & 3 or 4 boats floating around. We got safely in the trenches & found them to be pretty good. They are on a hill so are easily drained. The Huns are across the valley on another hill about 10 to 100 yards in places. just in front of us they are 70 yards. The 2 hills & the valley are covered with trees or rather the remains of them. They are all shot off about half way down & full of shrapnel & bullet holes.

This morning at stand to I saw two fellows get close ones. The trench is in a salient & is enfiladed from both sides & part of the back. These fellows were sniping at some Germans & got sniped. The first was told to get down & he says "Oh they cant hit me", he was showing about 1/3 of his head, just his eyes in fact & bing! a bullet ripped the sandbag & went just above his eye, but across instead of in, so only gave him a nasty wound. He got up bleeding like a stuck pig & calling the Germans all the names he could think of. The other fellow was hit worse. He was a little further down the trench & had most of his bean showing, he too was warned & only laughed & a bullet hit his teeth & came out by his ear, he is in pretty bad shape I think.

We saw 2 big batches of German prisoners going down the other day, they weren't a very husky outfit & one of the fellows that was in the charge told me they did'nt put up much fight. We have to wear shrapnel helmets all the time & they are very handy at times. There is nothing to be alarmed at so long as your careful.

I suppose Ma & Pa will be back soon from Bermuda. I got your letter one from Pork, Pugno, Pa, Ma, Aunt Kate & Norma Evans last night.

I guess this is all for now.

love to all

Gordon

I just saw a Hun get out of their trench & hoist a plank & get in again.

2017.22.87