March 27, 1918 - All quiet on Don Martin's front, but the battle raged at Cambrai

Don Martin diary entry for Wednesday, March 27, 1918:

Went around to the Toul front with [Edwin L.]James, the noisy young man from the [New York] Times who has just arrived.

This 'noisy young man' was Don Martin's auto partner on many coming day trips to the front. Edwin James joined the New York Times in 1915 and become Managing Editor from 1932 to his death in 1951.
Nothing going on. Am more and more convinced this whole outfit, with exception of some of the special men, are merely police reporters. James is as blasé as if he has been a war correspondent all his life. Riding was very cold. Got back at 7 and had dinner at the Club.

Interest here and everywhere centers in the big offensive against the British. Germans still advancing. Is a terrible thing. I believe they will be stopped though. Whole war hanging in balance now and Americans are getting into safe sectors while French going North to save Paris! I passed over 2000 motor trucks today with French reinforcements. No letters from home yet.

Weather clear and pleasant but very cold.

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