El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1917-07-06
.MEN OVER 40 IN
ROLE Of HERO
Veterans of French Terri
torials Dissipate the
Age Fallacy.

French Front, June % Correspond
euce OF A. P)-When heroism is
concerned there is no question Of be-
ing too old at 90" in the French
army. This has been demonstrated
time and again among the veteran
regiments o. the territorial army OF
France-the second reserve. the
youngest of whose men when they
were called TO the colors in August.
1919. had attained the age Of 81,
while the remainder ranged between
that age and A. Many Of them. es.
pecially among the younger classes
have since been transferred at their
own request into the ranKs Of the &c
tive army, thus making the average
age OF these regiments much higher.
while three years has been added TO
the age OF all the men since they first
put on their uniforms at their coun-
try.s call 10 arms
These territorial regiments. like
their older comrades Of the territorial
army reserve-the third Ine-Were
not at the beginning OF hOstalities eN-
pected TO go into the firing line with
the younger soldiers OF the active
army and its first reserve Since that
time many things have changed and
they have fought shoulder 70
shoulder with their more youthful
comrades and have proved themselves
stil TO possess sterling value as war
riors.
Have EuthuSiasm OF Youth.
Ihe record Of one OF these reEi-
mentS. entirely composed of men from
Brittany, VIII serve TO demonstrate
how great IS the part these soldiers
OF mature age have taken in the task
OF repelhng the invader, in spite Of
the natural sUpposltioE that they had
passed the period Of enthusiasm for
deeds OF valor.
This regiment when the Germans
mad been driven back in the battle o.
me Marine was placed in charge Il .
'front.' line sector to the northeast OF
Rheims. Here II stayed for p
months. constantly narassed by tho
enemy while the men dug great sys-
TEN Of trenches both Of defence and
communication. built bloCkhOuses and
concrete machine gun positions. eNca- /
waited rlfle and grenade pits and gen
orally organized the position.
Help Capture Town
The greatest test OF the sOldierly
qua-itiez Of these tough old warriors
came when they were transferred 10
AuAerive, in March this year. They
were attached TO the famous fighting
Foreign legion and their duty was TO
do The pick and spade work and keep
the legiOnaries supplied with ammu- /
milton and food during the French Of .
t--t74fI winch began on april 2 90 anu .
at the same time TO hold a line OF
trenches When the legion went for +.
ward on its victorious attack the
Brentou territOrals were ordered 20 F..
follow them Up and extend the COM I
m unication trenches and tracks across .
the conquered territory They were /
not content with simply doing this .
very perilOus work always under fire. T
They also took part by the side Of .
the DICTIONARIES in the capture OF /
Auherive. and a section Of territorial /
grenadiers played a glorious role in .
the reduction Of the small field fort /
OF Naudesiuc0urt
Do Not Speak French
Meeting a couple OF these BretonS .
coming back with a batch OF German
prisoners. a French staff officer in
1uired Of them where they had taken
the caprives and where they were go
ing and received only broad smile
n reply. He was astonished at this
apparent lack Of discipline and was
about 10 demonstrate when German
prisoner stepped forward and said
Excuse me. sir, but these men do not
speak French. They are Bretons
he gave the officer the Information
isked for and the convoy marched on