Impact 50 meters. Shudder of Target Zero

Charlie was walking his barrage right in upon us. The second salvo erupted 50 meters dead ahead of our bunker. No one spoke, no one moved. There was no place else to go. It was too late. Salvo number three was already coming. We just waited. We all knew, by now, that the enemy gunner was shortening his range by 50 meters each salvo. We were Target Zero. Then eardrums and hearts and dreams burst. My camera shuddered (left photo). Three shells exploded against our bunker's outer flank, 15 feet away and I was deaf and alive, with muddy Marine boots in my face. Not deaf! Another salvo echoed far away, 50 meters behind us which seemed quite beautiful until we heard the worst sound of all.