Sept 17-25, 1918 War Diary: dangers of the firing range
Sept 17th - Tuesday
Battery is out on the range again today and firing high explosives. Hope there are no accidents as these high explosive shells are dangerous and occasionally blow a gun up and kill that crew.
1 hr later
Word just came in from the range that #1 gun blew up and Cpl. Weber (gunner) was badly injured & taken to hospital. Pat Johnson (#1) is being brought in on a stretcher. Don’t know how badly he is injured. Will discontinue this until I hear for sure.
Pat Johnson is here now badly bruised and unable to walk. Gun is total wreck. Weber has big piece of steel embedded in his arm close to his shoulder. Luckily no one was killed. Colonel just left Hq for the range in his side car. Lots of excitement.
Sept 18 - Wed
Lewis, Hushburger, Barrett, Manchester, Layer started to machine gun school.
Sept 24th - Tue
Btry went out at 4:45 a.m. Went about 2 miles and took position and went into action. Fired all forenoon. Vickers went to hospital yesterday.
Sept 25th - Wed
6 men went to hospital. Hughson will bet 100 francs war is over by Xmas.
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