Item 02: Arthur Henson Smith letters, 8 January 1917-19 August 1919 - Page 372
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[Page 372]
get exceptionally busy with the bayonet. They resemble our own Australian boys in many characteristics except that they can beat us to a frazzle in swearing, an accomplishment the Australians have become rather notorious for with the English. The Americans are terribly keen to get on with the war, they are willing and eager to learn and they're a fine stamp physically. Whole companies of them have been attached to our battalions for experience which is rather an advertisement for our boys. There's a very close liaison & camaraderie between the Yanks and the Zambuks.
At present we are roughing it a bit but its well worth it. We are living in little holes in the ground out in the open - holes for all the world like little shallow graves. All our kits have been left way back & we only have what we stand up in. All the villages & houses for miles back have been blown about and annihilated and the countryside everywhere has been torn up by shellfire. Just at present tobacco &c &c are