More on Vosges

    Here are three more pictures of the Vosges Mountains and fortifications there that Kevin Adams took.  The first, a panorama, confirms what Kevin said about how rugged the mountains are although they aren't particularly high.  The second shows a well-reinforced trench above a steep slope, making it almost impossible to attack.  The third is of a sign, in three languages, explaining how strong the German fortifications were.  Little wonder this was considered a quiet sector: the German defenses were too strong to attack.  Dad told me that when they moved into the French trenches in this area, they had been occupied so long that rats had taken up residence.  According to Dad, one American soldier was killed one night when his comrade fired at a rat but hit his fellow soldier instead.  From then on, Dad said, they were ordered not to shoot at rats.  In the last photo, notice how close the opposing lines were.