HUMORS OF BATTLE,

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXII, 26 October 1916, Page 3

HUMORS OF BATTLE,

A colonial division which carried Flaucourt was migiatiiy attended:. because it was told' it \va® to be sent to rest quarters

"We took the village/ £aicl' tie men, "and we.'want to keep it. 'We are not tired, and why shouiu we hand over our victory to someone else?" So they were allowed to remain. .

On -xhe nrs't day oi: the attack a German colonel; ensconced in his cavern, was told by his orderly tnut the French were coming.

"Get out, imbecile. It isn't the French, but the British who are attacking. Our instructions say so.'^ Ten minutes later it was General Foch's instructions that this gentleman was obeying. He was caught shaving his -chin covered with soap. ■. "Ganz , Komisch!" he1 stammered, and comical it was. though not altogether comical. . . ' {"'

"i don't find any element of cruelty or inhuman exultation mingled with the high resolve that moves the people of France," writes Mr G. H. Perris, the Daily Chronicle's, correspondent,.'in telling the above story. "Her own sacrifices are too grave, he? thoughts are turned too often and poignantly to the hospitals. \ "Paris has not hung out flags and lanterns to mark this victory, and there has not been a- single street demonstration .

"The Frenchman of to-day is wrought to a steely temper. He may emile at the enemy's foibles and his grosser exhibitions, and he very heartily condemns the lying bulletins issued in Berlin to-day. as they were issued during the battle of the Marne; but he respsets courage, even in an adversary convicted ola thousand bestialities."