Craters dotted the battlefield in countless numbers, varying in size. The heavily deformed trenches intertwined like a thread, stringing some of the craters together to resemble a pearl necklace when viewed from above.
Within this necklace of craters, an uncountable number of soldiers huddled, bracing for the impact of large-caliber shells that pounded the ground near them.
With each explosion, the earth beside them quivered, followed by falling mud and stones that clattered against their helmet rims.
Most of these soldiers were not wearing steel helmets, but rather caps with visors; they carried canvas ammunition pouches at their sides, filled with bullets.
As shells fell on both sides of their position, numerous fragments rained down, and the smoke raised by the blasts blanketed the sky, giving the battlefield the appearance of the end of the world.
