Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-07-09
NOT roo OLD 70 FloHr.
French Warriors Prove They Are Not
Too Old at Ferty.

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Correspondence of Associated Press.]
French Front. June es-When hero
ism is concerned there is no question of
being "too old at forty" In the French
army. This has been demonstrated time
and again among the veteran regiments
of the territorial army of F'rance--the
second reserve. the youngest of whose
men when they were called to the colors
in August 1914, had attained the age
of 81. while the remainder ranged be.
tween that age and Al. Many of them
especially among the younger classes
have since been transferred at thei:
own request into the ranks of the ac-
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 countryis
call ito arms"
These territorial regiments. like their
older comrades of the territorial army
reserve-the third line-were not at
the beginning of hostilities expected
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
their more youthful comrades and have
proved themselves still to possess sterl-
ing value as warriors.
The record of one of these regiments,
entirely composed of men from Brit
tany. will serve TO demonstrate how
great is the part these soldiers of ma
ture age have taken in the task of re-
polling the invader, in spite of the ma
tural supposition that they had passed
the period of enthusiasm for deeds Of
valor.
This regiment was mobilized together
with the rest of the French forces on
August 2. 1914. When the troops of the
active army left TO meet the invading
Germans crossing neutral Belgium, this
Breton territorial regiment was sent
from its depots at Rennes and Saint
Malo TO organize garrison and possibly
defend one of the sections of the en-
trenched camp encircling Paris. Four
months il spent there digging trenches,
fixing barbed wire entanslements.
erecting gun emplacements and doing
all the arduous labor connected with
the establishment Of strong military
works.
When the Germans had been driven
back in the battle OF the Marine. they
were placed in charge Of front line
sector to the northeast OF Rheims Here
they stayed for twenty eight months
constantly harassed by the enemy while
they dug great system OF trenches
both of defense and communication.
built blockhouses and concrete machine
gun positions. excavated rifle and gren-
ade pits and generally organized the
position.
The greatest test Of The soldierly
qualities Of these tough old warriors
came when they were transferred 10
Auber!ve IN March this year. They were
attached TO the famous fighting For.
eign Legion and their duty was to do
the pick and spade work and keep the
DICTIONARIES supplied with ammunition
and food during the French offensive
which began on April IL. and at the
same time hold line of trenches.
When the Legion went forward on It's
victorious attack the Breton terrltor-
ials We're ordered 10 follow them up and
extend the communication trenches and
tracks across the conquered territory.
They were not content with simply do
ing this very perilous work always un-
der fire. They also took part by the
side of the DICTIONARIES in the capture
OF Auoerive. and a section OF territor-
ial grenadiers played glorious role
in the reduction OF the small field fort
OF Vaudesincourt
Meeting couple Of these Bretons
coming back with batch of German
prisoners. French staff officer
CURED OF them where they had taken
the captives and where they were GO
ing and only received a broad smile In
reply. He was astonished at this ap-
parent lack Of discipline and was about
to demonstrate when German prisoner
stepped forward and said: Excuse me-
Sir: but these men do not speak
French. They are Breton" He gave the
officer, the information asked for and
the convoy marched on.