Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1915-01-16
i DASHING CHARGE
cbassnurs d'Afrique Like Irresist-
IDLE Torrent.
r,sneh colored Soldiers Win fame in
Attack by Which Superior Force
of Germans Was DisIodged
at Albert.
BY PATRICK DE BATTLE.
Gnternational News servlce)
-


Northern France have just OBJ
tanned particulars of the magnificent
charge Of the chasseurs d'Afrique by
which the allies retained possession
of Albert. The Germans attacked AL
bert time and again with great fe-
rocitv. The busy industrial town was re-
dueed to mass of ruins by the bonn
bardment.
In order to dislodge the enemy L
was found necessary to have recourse
IN A vigorous counter-attack. At the
same time great masses of German
cavalry were reported to be about
Eve miles from Albert.
The French staff sent forward q
regiment Of chasseurs d'Afrique to
meet this cavalry body, which proved
10 be the Prussian dragons of the
guard. The Prussians were threaten
ing the French line of communication
with Aveluy.
The gallant chasseurs, mounted
uoon their little Arab steeds, ad-
vanced along the road to Recorded.
from this point quote from the
words of a chasseur of the party. now
In the hospital:
I'VE all felt as calm as possible,
and were eager to measure our
strength against She dragons of the
imperial guard. At mile or two from
Las Basselie We nIade a halt.
THE colonel turned in his saddle,
looking at us all, and, rising in his
stirrups, waved his sword as he shout
sd in a voice of thunder:
'Escadrons, garde a yous, pour
charger. sabre main, au trot-au galop
-marchel'
"The bugles sounded the charge,
and all the officers repeated the words
Of command
THE spirit of all the men was
eplendid. We all felt this was SUI
preme moment. Off we went.
Rapidly the distance between US
and the foe was diminished it was
not long before we came in sight OF
the enemy's lines. 1t was a solid, com
pact line. apparently motionless, but
which. nevertheless, was advancing
towards us at a walk. as they felt Ger
tain Of victory against our onrushing
torrent
We got close together and had our
horses we'll in hand. A great CRY
went up: Charge! Charger
From every throat came the word
from us all frantic hurrahs were
shouted as we bore down upon the
enemy. Indescribable cries, the clash
Yog Of steel upon steel, the squealing
sf horses followed. Then began the
!Dst Of slaughter and the groaning OIL
abe wounded
The dragons Of the guard fell
around us. leaving many a Tiderlese
Horse, which tore here, there and ev
rrywhere, adding to the confusion ant
panic among the enemy, Like an ava
ilnche we broke through right to the
rear Of the German lines. the imperia
dragons crumpled up before us. Most
If them galloped off, the rest lay upor
the ground dead and wounded.
suddenly a rattle is heard; it il
she machine guns of the enemy open
Eng fire upon US, and the German ar
'inery is seen coming into action. We
Immediately broke out into open or
Ser changing our front. and at The
same time we heard the reply from
our own artillery beginning, while t.
our left and right our infantry attach
was developing so rapidly that tn,
German artillery, fearing to be out
aanked, retired upon Guillemont.
Since that day Albert has no long
er been bombarded, and when ON
piou pious' pass by La Basselle thes
say with enthusiasm:
It's Just here we ate up the
dragons Of the imperial guard"