American Soldiers Digging Trenches And Training With Lewis Gun (1917)

Titles read: 'Digging trenches and field “dug-outs“ [sic]. American soldiers digging trenches and training with Lewis gun - location of events unknown, but could be United States of America, France or Belgium? Very good film of US troops in action. Soldiers at work on this construction project: digging with shovels; pan to dugout - built of sod & rocks; w/ 2 guys digging trench in front; and others up above & behind pounding - one may have hammer or some real tool; another guy is banging away with a long board; holding it with both hands and bashing on roof of dugout. Pan on past others at work digging; 2 guys carrying a heavy stone up a bridge of branches built across the ditch Title: 'The Lewis gun is light enough to be held while firing.' CU side shot; soldier standing; firing a Lewis machine gun w/ big round magazine on side. other guys stand near him. He stops; turns it upright - (to reload?) Cut to flash frame title: 'The gun fires from 400 to 1200 shots per minute.' CU looking down beh