k place along this
entire front--a gain of a few yards here balanced by a loss of
a like distance elsewhere.

Both belligerents had securely intrenched themselves. The pickax
and spade were far more in use than the rifle, so that now cold
weather coming on, the soldiers on both sides of the front were
able to make the trenches quite comfortable. In many instances
they laid down plank floors and lined the walls with boards, put up
stoves, constructed sleeping bunks and tables, stools and benches,
and even decorated the rooms thus evolved with anything suitable for
the purpose. Pictures and photographs from home were the favorite
decorations. All this was impossible for their brethren in the north
and in Flanders, where the activities of the conflict subjected
the soldiers to continual changes and removals.

The main objective of the Germans was the French fortresses Belfort,
Epinal, Toul, and Verdun, for these obstructed the march to Paris.
The continual onslaughts and counterassaults made upon this line
left it practically unchanged during the month of October, 1914,
in which time no engagements worthy of the name "battle" occurred.
The fighting in the north had been so desperate that it completely
obscured the activities on the entire line to the south.

The net gains during the months of October and November, 1914,
for either belligerent were practically nil. From Belfort in the
south to Arras in the north the advance or retreat in any given
section was but a matter of yards; a ridge, a farm, a hill, or
other choice gun position, the farther bank of a rivulet or stream
or canal occupied or captured--here by the French, there by the
Germans--generally proved to be but temporary possessions and wasted
efforts.

It was incidents such as these that made up the record of events
along this line. During all this time the military aeroplanes were
busy dropping explosives upon the enemy's lines, and extending
their operations far to the rear, circling above the larger towns
and cities, doing considerable damage in many places. But this was
not the only purpose of these daring sky pilots; for the principal
object in flying over the adversary's country was to make observations
and report movements of troops. In this respect the aeroplane had
done immense service throughout the campaign.

* * * * *

CHAPTER XXIX

GENERAL MOVEMENTS ON THE FRENCH AND FLANDERS FRONTS

We have seen that at