RED CROSS WORKERS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume IX, Issue 81, 20 March 1919, Page 2

RED CROSS WORKERS

UNDER FIRE AT REIMS. Mrs. F. Moeller, secretary of the French Red Cross at Napier, is in receipt of the following interesting letter from Madam Krug.— Reims, Jan. 22nd., 1919.

Dear Madam, —You will have thought that I have disapsared ih the lighting that haa been going round Reims since the Spring, but I hope you have never thought Hi’S ungrateful. I was expecting your splendid boxes (sent forward in 1917) but I was a little troubled afterwards not knowing if I had been wise in asking them to be sent to Reims as more and more people were taking refuge behind there. Jn our hospital now we always have a, very busy but sad I inic. On certain days there are brought to the hospital about, 100 men either blinded or burnt by that terrible gas which they have been using over the whole country. On the night of the 28tb. February, 1918, the Boche destroyed our shelters both civil and military. Our buildings were shelled with incendiary bombs (more than 1,0(H» in the night) and gas. We,had to take out all the wounded from the burning houses. Alas’ What a number of victims and what a time we had in the noise anil smoke and gas. However, we succeeded in carryiug them to a safe place behind. Out of the six nurses five were wounded. I was -burnt on the head, legs, ami neck. We had to continue our work as long as we could but I had to be left for a fortnight in Paris. I have been resting for three months and have lost all my hair. I think the months of March, April, May and June have been particularly bad. It has seen the absolute devastation of our town, every day tires, not a single day without bombs. Our soldiers are furious with rage saying tons. ’The Boche will not " get Reims.” On 29th. Al ay tlm Germans, having broken the line at Chetuiu des Dames, encircled Reims. They vere 500 metres from our post, their ’ Minnewerfers” fell about a kilometer away making huge holes. All our people, had been sent away. VVe alone remained -the doctor, director and infirmary staff—with heart beating and teeth clenched, we remained io despair and could no 4 think of Hight after four years and wished we would rather die than be taken bi these detestable enemies. However we did go, after having set fee our animals, dogs, goats, hems, and pigs. There ivas 'heavy Shelling along liie road and it was a terrible experience to cross it. But you never think of taking much precaution in flight. The Boche sharp shooters kept tiring on the group of poor peasants who we’-e seeking shelter elsewhere and many of them were killed. When one has never known or seen an invasion -■ groups of poor peoj-J.- hunted frign their farms ami villages dragging children and old people along one has absolutely no idea of all the misery it. brings with it. Dear Madam, believe* me, it is simple frightful. In the forest 11 found a poor woman pushing a baby eight days old in a little cart and dragging along live little children. She had gone thirty kilometers but ja*vrr complained. M'e went part of the way. in a small car along the line of battle from Reims to the Chateau Thierry following the road between the Boche lines and ours along the Marne, At Chateau Thierry the battle was raging furiously and we roseuc-l some wounded men and then we had to leave the North of the town to the Germans, hut tin* Marne was th< t<and as in 1914 they did not go further, and now Madam, our beautiful city of Reims is delivered. Reims is in ruins but we have gained the victory, and the suffering has not beeu in vain, nor has all your kindness towards us been uselegs. Everything has its reward, the Boche has beer, defeafed and tiny are beaten ! beaten ’ they had not the pluck to sustain war <n their own soil and already l.ttw <t' tl'e inhabitants have return*, il. Of 16,00 u houses. 1.50 u remain. They had preserve.! the windows :»y putting in cardboard and paper covered with tar, under which the people took shelter. A few friends and I have been attending to the people until their dwellings are habitable but there are very few workmen left to do the work. Along with Madam de Mum and some other friends I have formed a Soviete de Retonr at I Reims. We are manatring a Inute shop where we have bare necessities for a ruined household. Me give or lend the things according to Ur* condition-, of the returning families. It i-_a great enterprise a,- you can imagine.

Now I haw* to frmiik vmi an,i v<>ur fri. li*!-, for alj y. n; r Uijdm u> . e-v, ei.-iliv Mrs. Huincr Brown, li -< jus! Uy a mii-arle ibal lb, * lasi boxc- happened io bun] ;ri Epem.j 7 a;nl were >■*■<reivcd just > i f ilm . V*. -- are now availing those sent front London in January. I!tl9. Again tiianv thanks, deat- Mis. Alix-Iler, "and all kind fricml-.. ne'er shall we ever forget. y:>m- kim.lno.-;. to ns. Believe me io tuv t.eiitiineuls of affection ,-itn; grat.il.uile.

<sinned) .1. K nr.*. . [ Mr. Moeller ;isks_ t>. to stale Gia! ifanyone feels tnelin<-/| to h-'lp. stnwill be to i-ccit.'s don.ithms no matter how small, at. 1 will -.-emit them l<.> France. I