The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-24
SHREWD TRICK OF
 FRENCH SOLDIER Placed Big Flag Between Trenches as DecOy to
 the Germans

Paris, January 16.-(Special.) )--For cool courage combined with touch cf caustic humor, this exploit recount cd in an officers letter would be hard ,u beat.
 You must know that our trenches are about 200 yards from those of the Boches, and separated from them by, on the right a field of beets, to the left a field of stubble. Between the two field and equidistant from ooti, trenches, Is a derelict reaping machine. which plays the chief part in my story. Last night at 9 o'clock I was luxur- iously stretched out on my mattress in the trench dormitory when mere was knock at the improvised door. end one of my troopers, sturdy Sav- oyard. came in Mon lieutenant hc said, q am happy. I have Just received
 package from home" Splendid l
 said. You'll have something to keep
 you warm---a fine jersey, I bet Ne said my Savoyard, You would lose
 your bet What have received is q big
 French flag that I asked for l mad an
 idea of my own"
 "'And what was that?" I asked. I'll tell you said the soldier I have cut stick 12 feet long and fastened the flag to 1t. With your permission l shall TOW go and attach 1t to the reapinE machine in front of the Germans trenches Thatll remind them that they arc not on their own territory, q fact they seem to rather forget some times'
 "But, my man. I objected, the Idea is sheer madness, With this bright moonlight youll be riddled like sieve before you go 10 yards Don't " orrN, mon lieutenant he answered conii- dently. T am a slater by trade and know how to crawl on my stomach. Seeing that his heart was set on the venture. l gave my permission, and off he went delighted. Half an hour later the French flag was waving in front of the German trenches and my Saw oyard--the slater by trade--was pack i1 our lines without a scratch
 Well said laughing, this is all very find for the moment, but what if the Boches pull your flag down and put one of their own in it's placer I've thought of that said the slater. If you come back in quarter of an hour you shall see what you shall sec. Come back l did at the appointed time. and found, 5uspendinS from string between two stakes fine carriage bell with a placard beside 1t, bearing the words, Alarm signal. In case of danger, pull the cord
 What my Savoyard had done was s-m- ply this: He had crawled out again to the reaper. and attached string to the staff of the flag, connecting this string on his return to the trench with the bell, which he had unearthed somewhere. Next day the story of the flag had made the rounds of the trenches, and my Savoyard had to do the honors of his installation to all the staff officers of our division. But the tragic side of the successful trick was to come Tt was supplied by the enemy
 In broad daylight two German soldiers left their trenches and ran towards the fiag-to be shot down 10 yards away from the reaping machine. It had been, not a forlorn hope for them, but sheer suicide. What had happened must have been this. That morning the German officer when he reached his trench had been infuriated by the sight of the hated tricolor. He must have summoned the two men on sentry duty the night before and ordered them to tear it down. Obedience and dis obedience alike meant death They choose to die by our bullets rather then by their officers hand"