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148 WITH THE GERMAN ARMIES IN THE WEST
Numerous projectiles were lying scattered about and I took
with me a so-called Atishläser, i.e. a shell " burnt out " without
bursting.
Higher up the slope we came across some reserves waiting
to be called upon to relieve their comrades in the trenches.
They lay concealed in a wood, with small bodies advanced
to the very edge of the wood, which was protected by all sorts
of entrenchments, with semi-subterranean " dug-outs " at the
back—excavations covered with branches, twigs and green
boughs, and serving not only as shelters for the men but also
to screen them from aviators. As is natural, these bodies of
reserves always locate themselves on the northern side of the
points of vantage which they occupy. They must be con-
cealed out of sight of the French lines. But in this war
reconnoitring by aviators has also to be reckoned with. They
are therefore compelled, even when on the far side of such
cover, such as villages, woodlands and groves, to " dig them-
selves in" or at least hide as best they can from the buzzing
war-hawks which every now and then come spying from the
clouds for prey. Hence the most important thing of all is
good screening or masking of the position. Exceedingly great
care is bestowed on this point. Not the smallest detail is over-
looked. The admissibility of lighting fires in these caves
depends on the completeness of this masking.
At a spot near the fringe of the wood, a field ambulance was
stationed, well screened by some dark pines. It was ac-
companied by a spare horse, which might be useful in case the
pair of horses forming the ordinary team should be shot down.
Another vehicle belonging to the medical service corps was
fitted with a greyish-yellow folding hood. Grey loin-cloths
had been thrown over the horses to approximate their colour
as nearly as possible to that of the ground—all as precaution
against observation by aviators.
In a small shelter-hut near by, four surgeons who were in
charge of the two medical wagons had taken up their quarters.
They had just finished their luncheon, which had been fetched
from the nearest kitchen-wagon ; I also took the liberty of
sampling the food, which seemed as nutritious as it was
palatable.
Up on the hill, which afforded a view of the French positions,
we found several officers. Close by, under cover of an enormous
haystack, was a group of men of various units—presumably
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