The First Bayonet Charge.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 29, Issue 42, 1 June 1917, Page 2

The First Bayonet Charge.

The bayonet, which the quidnuncs before the war said was an obsolete weapon, has, proved its great value in the movements of the British. Its name comes from that of Bayonne, a little town in the Basque country in Prance, but cheek by jowl with Spain, down in the far corner of Biscay. There it was first manufactured.

The story of its invention illustrates the old proverb about the motherhood of necessity. A Bacque regiment, having run out of ammunition and wishing to sell their lives dearly, took the suggestion of one of their number that they should fix their long belt-knives to the ends of their muskets and charge therewith and try to break through the ranks of their enemies.

This they did—the first baj'onal charge in history—and their success in extricating themselves from a warm corner showed the value of the new weapon and led to its manufacture and adoption by every country and army in the world.