GRIM WAR STORY

Evening Star, Issue 21820, 8 September 1934, Page 4

GRIM WAR STORY

YOUNG OFFICER SHOT FATHER CLEARS SON’S HONOUR. On October 11, .1914, near Roye, on the Somme, Second-lieutenant Chapelant, aged 23, unable to stand owing to serious wounds in both legs, was tied to a stretcher, propped upright against a tree, and shot for surrendor* ing to the enemy. “ I am innocent,” declared the young officer before he died. “ One day my innocence will be established,” For twenty years Chapelant s aged father has travelled /the length and breadth of France tracing the witnesses of the circumstances in which his son was charged with surrendering to the enemy. Now his long pilgrimage is nearly ended. Witnesses will repeat the following evidence, which the father has collected in writing, before the war courts martial appeal court, which will be asked to reverse the wartime verdict. ATTACK AT DAWN. At dawn on October 7. 1914, a German attack in mass formation was hung against the 98th Infantry Regiment. Lieutenant Chapelant was in command of two machine guns. One was early put out of action. The companies on either side of the machine gunners were driven back. Here is the evidence of tlie nrst wjtness, Private Gardet: “ There were four men of Chapelant’s section left alive. Seeing themselves surrounded they began to talk of surrender, Chapelant said: ‘ Surrender if you like; I stay here.’ His example led us to stay. We none of ns surrendered." Chapelant’s machine gun continued to hold up the German advance until it, too, was smashed. “ Seize your rifles and charge,” commanded the lieutenant. Before the order could be carried out a wave of Germans swept the isolated French soldiers aside. They wore taken prisoners. ■ Chapelant was severely wounded m both legs. The tide of battle receded, and Chapelant, unable to walk, was picked bp, by a French stretcher party. “ I DID MY DUTY.” “ While Chapelant was still exhausted with fever and fatigue,” states another witness, “ a superior officer sent for him and called him a coward for surrendering. ‘ Here’s my revolver, the officer said to Chapelant. ‘ Blow your brains out to show that you have some courage left.’ ‘ I have no reason to blow out my brains,’ replied Chapelant quietly. ‘ I did my duty.’ ” Chapelant was convicted. His commanding officer appealed to the higher command. This was the written reply, which will be reproduced in court, that he received;— “ I Understand your scruples. But we are all under the law. . . . You will find means with the aid of your doctor to make this unfortunate man stand up to lie shot.” Chapelnnt’s body was flung into a ditch and his last resting place is unknown.