The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1918-10-11

very name synonymous of bravery
cannot be entirely credited to the GAL
liant Poilu, writes Wilbur Forest in
New York Tribune.
What has inspired the valor of SOL
diers who have stirred the world with
their deeds throughout the European
war and who have, during the last few
months, fought against numerical SUI
periority with q morale of Crusaders?
The best answer to this question Is
the Poilu's leaders. And no better
illustration of the leadership'of French
Poilus during this war can be given
today than by quoting brief, terse
citations awarded to French generals
for most conspicuous gallantry-a list
Of citations available only now-brief-
est keynotes on which volumes could
have been and probably will be writ
ten later-tabloid stories, many never
before known, which, despite their OF
fetal wording, tell the full story of the
French POilu.
1t has been the inspiration of his
officers from generals down that has
keyed the Poilu to set the example for
American doughboys, who have begun
literally to follow 1t on French battle
fields. The bravery of both Poilus and
doughboys fighting side by side to
stem the German march on Paris may
undoubtedly be traced back to the SUI
preme example set by French generals
for their officers and men.
Many Generals Fall.
The death of general on the bat
tlefield is not emphasized when 1t &C.
ours for obvious reasons. Many French
generals have fallen. That which fol-
lows will show that the example they
gave in death has been the force al
lowing French arms to pit pure valor
against numbers until the weight of
America could be thrown into the bal
ance.
General Bridoux, commander Of
cavalry corps, wounded while leading
reconnaissance, whispered to those
about him before he died:
81 die with great joy for my coun-
try; say to the cavalry corps that the
sacrifice Of my life must serve them
an example"
The simple citation adds:
"He has given proof Of immovable
energy in the command of his corps"
Here is the story of General Diou,
commander of an infantry brigade:
"Of courage entirely proved, he was
MORALLY wounded in struggling
against a numerically superior enemy
with his brigade, to whom he gave the
best example oe bravery, struck In
their midst with a rifle in his hand"
The following tribute is paid to Gen.
Georges e. j. Riberpray, a division
commander:
"Oficer generally Of the highest
moral value and beautiful character,
never having known other cares than
those Of the wellbeing Of the army
and the accomplishment Of his mill
tary duties; adored by his officers
and men, lie preached contempt OF
danger to them, in each day giving
greatest examples Of courage. he
fell gloriously September IL, 1917,
present among his regiments OF the
FIRST line during the height of COM
bat under artillery and machine gun
fire."
Risks Life Hundred Times.
Brigadier General Caudrelier, Colon
lal infantry:
"Fell gloriously in examining en-
envy works from the most advanced
trench Of his brigade after having
during the campaign exposed his lie
hundred times with the utmost con-
tempt for danger; wounded previous
", he had never interrupted his SER
vice q single day."
Brig. Gen. Grand d'EsnOn was killed
leading one of his battalions In action:
"Having received the order to hoid
In vigneul les Hattonchatel, ne exc
cuted this order until the moment
he was killed, struck through the
heart by a bullet. at the head OF
battalion"
The following, longest Of all gener-
ais citations, but no more iengthy
than thousands Of Poilus have received
during the war, is that of Generai
Battaille:
learning that our positions were
violently bombarded by enemy artii-
lery of heavy caliber, he considered
1t his most sacred duty to invest-
gate the situation and encourage the
defenders by his presence IL neces-
sary. It was at the moment he was
giving instruction to the chasseurs
Of the Twenty-eighth and THIRTEEN
battalions with sangfroid and con-
tempt for danger, which to him were
habitual, that he was mortally struck
by fragments Of an enemy shell. lie
thus gave, to his last hour, the exam
pie of bravery and greatest OF mill
tary qualities"
Without Fear or Reproach.
Brig. Gen. Lucien Rousseau Is cited
as follows:
"An officer to whom bravery ana
admirable calm were commonplace,
-