screens of corn-stalk and straw matting and matting over the top used here as camouflage.
observation balloons During World War I, military observers often ascended in balloons to observe the battle preparations of the enemy from aloft.
the war in Libya Libya was won by Italy from the Ottoman Empire in 1912.
wound-stripes insignie, like the American Purple Heart, indicating that the wearer has been wounded in battle.
Fiat radiator the nose of a car or truck made by the Italian automobile manufacturer.
mess tins portable metal plates, bowls, and cups, for eating on the march or on the battlefield.
granatieri (Italian) Grenadiers.
Grenadier a member of a special regiment or corps.
Alpini (Italian) Alpine troops.
V.E. soldiers troops fighting on the Italian side.
Evviva l'esercito (Italian) Long live the army.
San Gabriele town near the present-day border between Italy and Slovenia.
Monfalcone town in present-day northeast Italy, between the Isonzo River and the Gulf of Trieste. At the time during which the story takes place, it lay within the boundaries of Austria-Hungary.
Trieste seaport in present-day northeast Italy, on an inlet (Gulf of Trieste) of the Adriatic Sea. At the time during which the story takes place, it lay within the boundaries of Austria-Hungary.
cognac a French brandy distilled from wine in the area of Cognac, France.
Savoia region in southeast France, on the borders of Italy and Switzerland: a former duchy and part of the kingdom of Sardinia: annexed by France (1860).
pasta asciutta (Italian) dry pasta.
four hundred twenty a 420-millimeter mortar.
minnenwerfer (German) literally, "mine-thrower."
big Skoda guns a type of artillery.
three hundred fives 305-millimeter guns.
mama mia (Italian) my mother.
Dio te salve, Maria (Italian) God hail you, Mary.
Porta feriti! (Italian) Take the wounded!
tourniquet any device for compressing a blood vessel to stop bleeding or control the circulation of blood to some part, as a bandage twisted about a limb and released at intervals.
puttees coverings for the lower leg, in the form of a cloth or leather gaiter, or cloth strips wound spirally.
wallahs persons connected with a particular thing or function.
He is the legitimate son of President Wilson The doctor is trying to encourage special attention for Lieutenant Henry.
Ça va bien? (French) Are you doing well?
Antitetanus inoculation against tetanus, an acute infectious disease, often fatal, caused by the specific toxin of a bacillus which usually enters the body through wounds: it is characterized by spasmodic contractions and rigidity of some or all of the voluntary muscles, especially of the jaw, face, and neck.
I'll paint all this The doctor is offering to swab Lieutenant Henry's wounds with antiseptic.
Vive la France (French) Long live France.
sergeant-adjutant a staff officer who serves as an administrative assistant to the commanding officer.
