Evening star., 1918-06-21
'OYEuX,' FROM AFRICA,
DREADED BY HUN ENEMY
French Battalion Gives Great Ac-
count in Recent
Fighting.

BY PAUL AYREs ROCKWELL.
Cableeram to The Evening Star and
Chicago Daily News. Copyright, 1918
WITH THE FRENCH ARMIES
June 1s.-More than once I have re-
lated the daring exploits Of the
"Joyeux," those French lads who are
put together in a special corps called
oficially "Battalions d'Afrique."
The "Joyeux' are still doing mar
yelous fighting on the French front.
Their motto is, ITO the last man If
necessary"
They electrified the entire sector
when, May 27. the Germans attempted
to storm their defenses. Although the
enemy attacked in vastly superior
numbers, the "Joyeux," fighting des-
perately with entire disregard to num-
bers. held their ground.
Dead Huns Plentiful.
Every yard of the line Of barbed
wire ENHANCEMENT fronting the
French trenches was ornamented with
dead Germans. Enemy elements
which succeeded in penetrating the
Trenches were slaughtered with bay
onets and grenades. :
supre me abnegation was shown by
TIE war.hardened "5oyeux, who who
saults. The line of trenches was
firmly held and communication was
kept open between the various de-
Tending elements.
On the night of May % the first
battalion of the Chasseurs d'AfriQue
fell back in an orderly manner. hav-
<,,la yAI kLA ivofr
it and picking up the equally weary
elements Of the third battalion which
had struggled no less glortously.
After an all-night march of twenty
kilometers (twelve mi1es) they ar
rived at their destination without
abandoning any material, machine
gunners carrying their pieces on their
backs.
Several "Joyeux" spoke to me Of
this moving night march with heroic
simplicity.
Back With No Rest.
I'VE were counted and reconsti-
tuted," said one of them. About
midnight of May 20, without taking
time for repose, we again went to the
front. June l we launched an attack.
caused the boches to renounce their
attempt to advance"
Multiple acts of heroism were per-
formed. One battalion taking part in
the action was composed of young
chaps who had arrived on the French
after distinguishing itself In Morocco
by its ardor and endurance. The
esprit animating this battalion is
chivalrous.
Leaders, Body Recovered.
Four "Joyeux," on the night of May
2s. saw their company. commander.
Lieut.. Marechal, pierced by enemy
bullets. fall into bayaux. Not wish
ing to lose the body of their chief,
the valiant four resisted the Germans
Later. recovering the body, the same
four "Joyeux" carried it all the way
during the terrible backbreaking
twenty kilometer retreat. On the
morning of May %. although harassed
by fatigue and lack of sleep. they or
flying the officer who had fallen at
their head.
Drive Hun Wave Back.
After being almost submerged by
German waves June / the same bat
talon, supported by two companies
Of other battalions, officers leading
with revolvers in hand, threw itself
into a hand-to-hand encounter with
tho Germans. Tho latter fell back in
disorder. abandoning their field and
machine guns.
"Frenchmen from Africa" is the
German designation for soldiers of all
the French regiments which in time
of peace served in Africa, including
1egionnaires, zouaves, "Joyeux," CO.
lonials. mitrailleurs. Arab and black
harnahnnfarc q al f~
Africa Spahis and African chasseurs
These corps are especially feared by
the enemy and form one of the firmest
bulwarks of the allied defense.