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LEGIONNAIRE BOWE
This matricule (aluminum wrist-tag) is No. 11,436—Foreign Legion. Chevron and device on left sleeve denote a grenade-thrower of two years’ trench service—one bar for first year and one for each added six months. Note bullet scar on left eyebrow.
SOLDIERS
OF THE LEGION
INTRODUCTORY
“Good luck, my soldier! You Americans arean extraordinary people. You are complex.We have thought we understood you—but, wedo not. We never know what you will donext.”
I asked my French landlady, who thus respondedto the news that I had joined the ForeignLegion, for an explanation. She said:
“In the early days of the war, when the Germansadvanced upon Paris at the rate of thirtykilometers a day, driving our French peoplebefore them, pillaging the country, dealingdeath and destruction, when our hearts weretorn with grief, Americans who were in Parisran about like chickens with their heads cut off.They could not get their checks cashed; theyhad lost their trunks; they thought only of theirown temporary discomfort, and had no sympathyfor our misfortunes.”
“But,” she continued, “the same ship thattook these people away brought us other Americans.Strong and vigorous, they did not remain...