Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1918-09-19
CHAPTER vII-continued.

CHAPTER VII-continued-
-
At ten O'Clock the French attacked
a fourth time. They came on in enor-
nous numbers. Our leaders recognized
the danger of our position and ordered
us back, abandoning the wounded and
much booty. By a superhuman effort
we did manage to save the machine
guns and ammunition. We retreated
1000 meters and took stand in our
former trenches. The officers told us
we would have to make a stand under
any circumstances and that the re-en-
forcements would come soon-
In a moment the machine guns were
set up and soon we were sending hail
of bullets into the ranks of our pur-
suing enemy. His advance stopped in
stantly. Encouraged by this success
we fired harder, so that the French
were compelled to seek cover.
The promised re-enfOrcementS failed
to appear. About 600 meters to our
rear We're six German batteries in po-
sition, but they maintained only a very
weak fire. An artillery officer appeared
before us and asked the commander of
our detachment if it would not be well
to recommend that the batteries be
taken back. He said he had learned
by telephone that the German line was
wavering on its entire length.
Before the commander could reply,
another attack en- masse followed,
which outnunbered us by from five to
seven times. Our commander now gave
up this position also. Completely de-
moralized. we retired in flight, leaving
the six batteries (36 guns) to be taken
by the enemy.
The French stopped their barrage
fire because they feared to hurt their
own troops. The Germans utilized this
moment to bring up re-enforcements
made up of all branches of the service.
Scattered infantrymen. unmounted cav
airy, detached pioneers, had all been
assembled. Every makeshift was en-
ployed to fill the ranks. Complete re-
serve units apparently no longer exist
ed on this the third day of the battle
of the Marine.
Once more the command was given
to turn and take q position and the I'M
equal fight began anew. We saw the
enemy advance, and seize the bat
teries. Then we saw him storming
ahead with fixed bayonets. We fought
like wild animals. For minutes there
ragged bayonet fight beyond descrip-
ton We stabbed through the breast,
through the abdomen, and wherever
else we could. This was no occasion
to employ the bayonet tactics taught at
drill, something which must be left for
background practice only.
The butts of the rifles whizzed
through the air and any mans head
which they struck was broken Hell
NETS and knapsacks had been lost long
since In spite of the superiority of
numbers, the French could not defeat
this little group of desperate men. We
forgot everything around us and fought
like bloodthirsty beasts, thinking of
nothing else. Part of our men pene-
trated the hostile ranks and fought to
retake the lost cannon. The enemy
recognizing the danger, retreated, and
tried to hold the conquered guns with
all his energy. We continued to stab.
to club. man for man. but the enemy
held on to the batteries. Every can
non was. surrounded by corpses, and
every minute new victims were ere
ing with us tried to remove the breech
blocks of the guns
Three Germans fought four French
men at the third gun which was Just
to my right. They We're all that was
20 men lay dead or wounded. A pfo-
neer went to the mouth of this gun and
with astounding calmness pushed shell
after shell into the barrel. touched
them Off and ran. Friend and foe alike
were torn by the terrible explosion.
The gun was completely demolished.
Seventy to eighty men were killed for
nothing
After an hours fight. an the enns
were nnce more in our possession. We
were now able to approximate the ter
rible casualties. in the battle for this
battery Dead and wounded by hum
dreds. infantry, cavalry. artillery and
pioneers. covered the narrow strip of
ground.
Once more we received re-enforce-
nents- This time four regular compa-
naes OF infantry had been taken
a~.s from another detachment Even
NAas