September 10, 1918: Don Martin reports on bombing of hospital

Don Martin diary entry for Tuesday, September 10, 1918: 

Slept late today. Was awakened about eleven by Lieutenants [Arthur E.] Hartzell and Light who said to be prepared to move tomorrow morning at 10 o’clock. Packed up and wrote a few letters. Most of the correspondents are in Paris but will be back tonight. It is now assured that the Americans intend to make a big offensive around Nancy. Everyone knows about it so it presumably will be no surprise for the Boche. My idea is that there will be something new and terrible in the way of artillery and gas which will startle the Hun.

                     Don Martin's daily dispatch for Paris on September 10  reported on a relatively quiet day. It was published in the Paris Herald on Sept 11.         

Hospital Bombed By Hun Avions 

South Of Vesle

No Damage Done to Patients, But Red Cross Etched in Stone Is Destroyed

(Special Telegram to the Herald)

By DON MARTIN

With The American Armies, Tuesday.

                Again last night and to-day there was a comparative quiet along the American front north of the Vesle. From the shelling done by the Germans it would seem that they have their heavy guns in place back of the Aisne. They are keeping a moderately strong force south of the Aisne, but it is more likely that they intend to go north as soon as they are pressed.

                  That the Huns have no respect for hospitals was shown a few days ago, when they bombed a hospital not far south of the Vesle. No damage was done either to the hospital or to patients, but the huge Red Cross, which is etched with white stones beside the hospital, was struck by two bombs and wiped out.

              Airplanes were over the region in the afternoon, presumably making observations. There can be no doubt that the observers saw the sign of the cross. At night a plane swooped down to within 500 feet of the place and dropped eight bombs. The patients were removed to a place near by.

           In the Vosges the Huns attempted a big raid, but were repulsed with losses. Germans were seen going back to their lines with wounded and dead. We had no losses.