WHEN THE HOUR STRUCK.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11687, 2 May 1916, Page 4

WHEN THE HOUR STRUCK.

BRAVERY OF FRENCH TROOPS. The " T/iborto'' records one of tlio most moving episodes of the battle of Verdun, that of tho defence of tho village of Samogneux against a considerable force of xho enemy by a handful of French soldiers, vvtio were relieved after six hours' desperate resistance. "Ou the morning of February 2.1, after a terrible bombardment, the order was given to evacuate Samogneux, but the Germans, seeing the manoeuvre, launched a furious attack and managed to isolate two companies of infantry who were in some ruined houses and had no time to retreat. These soldiers had, as leader, a young: captain, who coolly organised the resistance and determined to die rather than surrender. Happily the situation was a good one, the enemy being exposed to the fire of machine-guns, and the French were able to take shelter in the callars from tho bombardment. Twice the Germans attempted to rush the position. Both times they were repulsed, but tho number of the defenders grew less and tho ammunition failed, and the captain, seeing the Germans determined to make a third attack, which must end in the annihilation of the little band, resolved to send an orderly to cany a message, to tho colonel of the rest of thei regiment, saying that he would attack the enemy at three o'clock, but ho hoped that he would be relieved before. If not, nothing remained but to die for his country. The two following hours were agonising. At five minutes before three tho captain called his men together and told them tho fateful hour approached when they must play their last card. If help arrived in time there was a- chance of being saved; if not it was betrtaih death. "Let us at least," he said, " show tho Bosches how -French soldiers clie." At the hour fixed ho gave the order to attack. The Germans, disconcerted by this offensive, thought they were beaten, and by their hesitation saved the brave Frenchmen. Before the Germans were ready to make a counter-attack the regiment so long waited for, led by an intrepid orderly, dashed up and joined the two coiur panics, which were on the point of yielding. Alas! many valiant soldiers failed to answer tho roll call, but their comrades had dearly avenged them. When night fel! the field of battle was heaped with corpses of the. enemy."