The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1914-12-31
GERMAN OFFICER TELLS THRILLING
TALE OF A SOLDIERS EXPERIENCES
Describes Sharp Engagement in Streets Of Suburb of Lille When
the Germans Marched Suddenly Into the Midst of French
Observation-Disclosures TrumphS in Moment of Panic
Spirit of Men Under Fire Calm, Determined.

the same: The burning wish to be
finally right at it. and to take our
part.
eve saw Journals many-towered
romantic silhouette for the first time
in wonderful evening glow, form
firing position-across from us on the
other side of the city English ar
tillery, in the city itself Belgian in
fantry. Tournai-this name, like
trumpet tone and clash of arms,
seemed to be of warlike import-but
without fight we moved into the
city on the next day. We had our
minds made up to threatening, hos
tile reception on the part of the pop
ulation-and were received in as
friendly way as never before. Two
chrysanthemums were reached up to
me on my horse. We had a good re-
ception, also, in Ath, which we passed
several times. The general told later
that they had named us there the
bridage douce. A title of honor which
we wanted to maintain for ourselves
wherever the course of events might
lead us.
Had Their First Battle.
Past Journal we marched toward
Lille, into France, where we had our
first battle. We lay several days
and nights in mist and dampness in
the open field beside our batteries,
and froze. Across from us were
French and Belgian and English-In-
dian troops. And with them leagued
itself-fortunately always for a day
or hours only-another foe: Hunger.
ct is still question where we
first went under fire. AT any rate,
1t was an easterly suburb of Lille.
We were marching down a
long, barren, suburban street, with
pair of uhlans from Ulm in ad-
vance, then battalion of infantry of
Mecklenburg, then my train of how
itzers with ammunition wagons, and
as rear guard a company of Bavarian
pioneers. This was the composition
of the advance guard; the bulk of the
detachment followed in one body.
We were hungry and fatigued after a
long march, and were counting upon
peaceful entry, quiet evening, and
peaceful quarters for the night. On
the left side of the street were halted
the motors of the commander of the
"X" division of cavalry to which we
were assigned; the commander him.
self stood in conversation with our
1,n will hn
bers of the staff near by. They were
smoking their cigars peacefully and
watching the entry of the detachment.
|, We marched well in step behind our
way-weary infantrymen, and turned
before a great public building, half
blind In the narrow streets of one of
the older portions of the city.
Ahead at the railroad embankment
there came shot. Then two; then a
dozen. We attributed little impor-
lance to the slight firing, expecting
that it would at once cease, and
marched calmly on. Then suddenly
there came a rafting fire of weapons
from all sides. From the houses be-
| fore us, behind us, at both sides of
| the street, and in nearby streets, hun
dreds of guns spat forth deadly lead.
There was an instant of fearful con-
| fusion, a second Of panic. The in
fantry before US flooded back, pressed
against the house walls in order to
have cover for their backs, retired
into doorways. Men and horses
writhed wounded on the ground; indi-
vidual teams rushed in wild flight
along the streets. For one moment it
had look as if all was lost.
Discipline in a Panic.
only one moment! Then the Off
GERS took hold. And how they did
take hold-it was truly joy. One
witnessed triumph of discipline. The
infantry began to return the fire;
small troops of brave men gathered
about the leaders. In the mob of men
and beasts, flooding backward, came
calm and order. The best of the
praise cannot restrain myself from
declaring tiny field artillerymen of
the first train earned. Unlimbered at
| once, the two guns stood-an unex-
! celled mark for the enemy-absolute-