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January 31, 1918 - More Air Raid Suspense and Theatre


Don Martin diary entry Thursday, January 31, 1918: 
Another day and night of air raid suspense. Was heightened by stories of big raid on Paris. Spent most of afternoon in office. Was writing story of personal experience in raid when Skipper Williams of Times called up and asked me to go to Princess Theatre to see “Carminetta”, a musical comedy. [It was playing at the Prince of Wales Theatre. Don Martin mixed it up with the famous "Princess Theatre Shows" in New York City, a 1915-1918 series of successful musicals by Jerome Kern, Guy Bolton and P. G. Wodehouse, which he no doubt saw in New York.] Was artistic show but somewhat coarse. Alice Delysia, the Star, is very clever. Is a French woman. [C. B.] Cochran, manager [and English impresario], took Williams and myself to her dressing room where we chatted with her. Sir Charles something was there too. 

Alice Delysia 1918

Went to hotel and finished air raid story. Took it to Fleet St. office for mailing. Air raids expected but none came. Now stated that 200 were killed and 500 hurt in Monday’s affair. Children were buried alive in the John Bail building where mothers had taken them for shelter.

Unpleasant weather. Fog afternoon + night.

           The New York Herald published on January 31 a war cartoon that was a spoof on the expected German offensive on the Western Front when winter ended.

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