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84 WITH THE GERMAN ARMIES IN THE WEST
rising sun. It is an important day for the Germans. They
are, as I have said, to attack the enemy at and around
Varennes. It is nearly eight o’clock. The infantry is said to
be engaged already. The artillery is waiting to move forward
to fresh positions, but in the meantime is doing its best to
support the advance of the infantry from the points which
it is occupying. The sound of firing increases in all directions.
Close to the village stands a heavy battery, howitzers and
mortars of heavy calibre. The duller and more distant re-
ports come from the French lines. Sometimes we hear four
or six reports almost simultaneously, followed by a pause
before the next salvo is discharged.
Accompanied by an officer, I follow the main road through
the village and peep into a little house, where all the wires
of the field telephone seem to unite. Half a dozen officers
are seated at a long table with receivers close to their ears and
maps in front of them. All reports of the progress of the
fighting at different points are brought in here, likewise any
information about changes in the German and French positions
and any fresh requirements and wishes entailed thereby. An
officer of the General Staff seems to classify and summarise
the purport of all these communications. He traces " the new
position " on a map already filled with indications of the
position of troops. No doubt this map is later to be submitted
to the Chief of Staff. I can fancy the upshot of all this to be
a telephonic order to some reserves—perhaps some of the
infantry we passed at daybreak—to hurry forward to some
point behind the firing line. I can almost see the impulsive
thrill which passes through the ranks as the will of the High
Command is made known to them. I can see in my mind’s
eye the column leaving the road and making its way to its
post in little separate detachments. Many a queer thought
occurs to the untutored layman as he looks into the smithy
where the military will is forged. No superfluous words are
uttered, everything is concentrated and concise. It cannot
well be otherwise. When I walk away I feel that I have a
clearer conception of the vital part which the telephone plays
in the direction of a fight.
In the company of my friend Matthiasz I walk a little
further south-westward, following the main road to the
point from which the fighting proper is conducted. The
ground rises gently towards this point, which has a command-
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