Kimber witnesses the aftermath of the ‘Battle of the Hills’, part of the Nivelle Offensive, now held by the 55e. We went thru a demolished village on the way. Enclosed is a picture of the ruined church….All along the road were little piles of French shells…We wandered around what were the first French line trenches on the 14th of April. They are awfully desolate looking places. I would rather do anything than live in them….Little groups of men and horses are constantly passing us, either going to the front or returning. All the French seem so tired and even the horses reflect the weariness. When the poilu asks how long we think the war will last, we all say only a short time, for if we tell him the truth about it, he seems absolutely broken in spirit.
