A DRAMATIC EPISODE.

Feilding Star, Volume XII, Issue 3001, 24 July 1916, Page 4

A DRAMATIC EPISODE.

FU ENCH OFFICEII'S G ALLANTI IY One of the most dramatic episodes of the fighting round Dead Man's Hill occurred to the west of that position, where a French regiment was face to face with a Pomeranian brigade. During the hottest moment of the engagement a major commanding the third battalion of the French regiment disappeared. His men, who worshipped him, became very anxious for his safety. It was at first reported that ho had been killed, then that ho was a prisoner ; but his men refused to believe that, as they knew that he would fight to the end rather than surrender.

Suddenly they heard his well-known voice shouting: "Bravo, boys! Give it, them!" and the major came into view, his uniform torn to pieces, his face covered with blood, and his left arm hanging limp. He had been cut off with a handful of men. and at their head had fought his way through the enemy ranks until sent to the ground with a terrible blow from a rifle butt which smashed his left shoulder. Dragging himself on his hands and knees for a mile, he had eventually rejoined his men, and his first thought was to Jead them once more into action.

The French were successful in driving the Germans back, hut the gallant major received a second dangerous wound in the chest and had to be conveyed to the rear. So exasperating was the pain he suffered that while being operated on the major, to avoid groaning, sang the "Marseillaise" at the top" of his voice. A few minutes later the general commanding tbe unit arrived at the hospital, and. taking the Cross of the Legion of Honour from his own uniform, pinned it on the breast of the brave officer.