A sobering description of war.

A sobering letter:
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October 26, 1918
Dear Father:

We have been firing for some time the 155 are firing with the 200 yds of our sleeping quarters. However, we have no time for sleep. It makes little difference. The 75 are about 3 in gun and 380 a sixteen approximately.

Starting in three days before the attack their guns began firing as steadily as they could without overheating very often in our front abri, it was impossible to write because of the vibration. Finally, just before the men were to go over the top, the barrage was set down in front of the trenches and the men climbed over the parapet and started walking toward the enemy. It is always possible to tell the barrage by the sound of the guns. There is a certain regularity which is lacking when each gun is firing at independent targets and the steady thunder gives one the feeling of a tremendous hammer smashing irresistibly each blow falling true and hard and following one another With the regularity of the machines in a giant factory. A perfect barrage is impenetrable with the shells falling so near together and with such short intervals Of time between that nothing can survive it. The only possibility is the inaccuracy of some one or more guns which will put a number of shells out of line and leave a break or opening.

Before the attack the officers all have their watches synchronized as a mistake of one minute may cost many lives. Walking ahead of their men keeping them the right distance behind the solid wall of flame and steel they wait until a certain minute. When the barrage is lifted a number of yards and then advance to that distance. In the orders the minute the barrage is to be lifted and the distance are given out before hand for to advance the soldiers to quickly would be to put under fire from their own guns.

In this attack the first wave passed over the destroyed wire and on reaching the enemy's front line trenches could not distinguish them from the rest of the ground and found no living thing there. The second line trenches were little better. There is nothing quite so uncomfortable to hear as the near whirth of a shell. The more one hears the sound the more it affects him. There is something in the sharp whine which seems to create dispair and there is a feeling of-helplessness and powerlessness that is most depressing. The thunder of the guns or the crash of the bursting shells cannot be compared  with the sound of this approaching menace. It is as if some demon from the depths of Hades were hurtling toward you. Its weird laughter crying out, calling you, and chilling your blood. For the second of its passage a hush falls on the conversation and the best joke dies in dry throats. But it is only for that second and instantly laughter rings out again at some jist. Speculations or comments are made on the probable place where it exploded and it is all the same except for the tenseness which for the most part grips every man while he goes about his work. The first ordeal by fire is the easiest. It is then a new and interesting sensation and experience but later after one has seen the effects and some of the close calls it is more of a nervous strain.

The whine of a shell is very high pitched and after a time the sound wears on the nerves. The longer a man has been under shell fire the harder it is for him to stand it and in many the strain on the nerves becomes so great that men do collapse under it. This is one of the forms of so-called shell shock.

I am well and feeling fine; busy all the time, do not get much sleep. Hope this finds you all well, Write soon. I get letters from home in 28 or 30 days.

Your son,
N. O. Crookston