The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-05-16
MUD UP TO KNEES,
FRENCH SOLDIERS
CLIMB TO VICTORY
Win or Die Charge on Hill
ROuts Germans From a
Strong Position.
EYEWITNESS PICTURES
GREAT ALLY BATTLE
Special corressoadenes to Tss sus.

PARIS, May s.-Newspaper correspond
snts OF all n%ationalities have gone to the
front and related at great length their
experiences and their views OF the night
ing. but probably no more thrilling account
has ever been printed any where than the
detailed descriptions supplied by the
French oflcial eyewitness"
These reports are issued only on special
occasion to relate some particularly bril-
liant exploit or to explain some particular
campaign. But when these accounts are
eiven out all other news Is set aside by the
French people and every word Is eagerly
devoured.
No correspondent, whatever country or
Newspaper he may represent. Is ever per-
mitted TO get so near to the lighting lines
a. the French oficial eyewitness" for the
simple reason that this Government re-
porter IL an onicer himself who plays a
prominent part In the fighting. He Is.
therefore, able to relate In greater detail oil
phases of the battles In which he and his
men take part.
How Hilltop Wa Captured.
The ofncial account Of the battle Of Les
EO1IRb0 Wuitu Who ktNoh ~ 'e's 49,
contained descriptions Of fighting OF the
most violent nature. IL was as a result OF
this effort that the French succee ded In
capturing the fnow famous hilltop for
which they fought for more than hve
months. This hilltop Q ommands a posi-
ton Of the highest strategic Importance
and the Germans had intrenched them
selves In Q remarkable manner to defend the
place. Orders had gone out from head
quarters to the German commands at this
spot that the position must be held. cost
what may.
Tho defenders OF the hill which the
French had determined to capture had
transformed the position into u veritable
fortress. Bomb proof shelters had beer
erected and commodious quarters In
stalled for the commanders. A narrow
guage railroad line had been constructed
70 carry provisions and ammunition to thu
various trenches.
While the Germans had received orma
orders "a hold the position at any cost thu
French had also been instructed TO capture
il. The German order to the commander
specified that the hill must be held ever
il ten thousand. fifty thousand or even on'
hundred thousand lives have to be sacri'
feed; the French Instructions merely eS
planned the importance Of the position ant
What il would mean TO take II from the
enemy.
The decisive attack was made under thu
most irving conditions. Rain and slee'
had transformed the hill into a sea of mud
In their charge the French soldiers wade
through mud and water TO their knees
Many who fell In the assault we're sunfo
Gated In the mud. 4 gun dropped on th'
ground was Immediately made useless. tn,
barrels quickly filling with the almosi
LIQUID clay.
Describing this part of the assault tn,
eyewitness SAYS
Ofeyery three men that charged mp tina
hin two fell in the attempt. but the troop-
knew what il would mean TO them and I,
their country to win the day. They knew
that for that day the entire battle line iron
Flanders TO the Vosges depended on them
They knew that it was either win or die
and win they did.
-Ch.,,., IN Th.,r Cur..
'The Germans on the other hand wer
animated by no such spirit The men ha'
been ordered TO hold the place, but thei
instructions were Of "A different nature
When We reached the crest OF the hill
capturing those of the enemy who ha'
fallen or fed. We found German artiller
mon chained TO their guns to prevent an
attempt to flee before the onrushin
enemy"
The description of the s'orming Of III
ALLY wood southeast of the Saint-Mihie