RUSSIANS' RUSE

Marlborough Express, Volume L, Issue 97, 26 April 1916, Page 2

RUSSIANS' RUSE

GERMAN GUARDS HOODWINKED. Tho whole district around Brand-

' rup. a small village on the Gorman border of Jutland, has been rocking with laughter over a new Koepenick affair, which almost puts*:the famous original incident into the shade. Nine Russian prisoners working on a German farm close to the frontier decided to escape into Jutland, despite the fact that German guards are extraordinarily strong and watchful in these parts. The moving spirit in the venture was a 'young Russian, who ; pending its realisatioi/f made a close study oi' the German language," paying special attention tw a number of German words of command, and acquiring also to perfection the peculiar Prussian mode of delivery.

About 2 o'clock one morning, the* conspirators made up their minds to carry out their plan, under cover of the prevailing darkness. The party, under the command of their Gerinanspeaking leader, armed with sticks, representing rifles, inarched in military fashion .straight to the spot whore only a few yards of highway separate Denmark and Germany.

Here the leader loudly commanded •'Halt!" in German, and then, rattled off a' volley of commands in best Prussian style to the German guards, who, duped by the young Russians histrionic genius and faultless twang, believed the Russians to be the ielieving patrol;-, and immediately obeyed orders to line tip ready to inarch off. The Russian Koepenick then gave the order "About turn!" and at the same psychological moment shouted to his men ''Run!" which they did with, vigor. Before the Germans had realised what had happened the nine ,Russians had safely scaled the wire fencing and surrendered to a party of Danish, dragoons. After a short-quarantine they will be sent to Russia.