GENERAL GROSSETTI.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12285, 6 April 1918, Page 12

GENERAL GROSSETTI.

A Falstaffian Humorist, tn a. letter from France to the Morning Post, ’ Lord Esher gives a welcome account of the famous French soldier, General Grossctti, one of the hcioes of tho Chnrloroi iviid the Marne, whose great popularity amongst his men was so well known, “ Grossetti’s popularity with his troops,” Lord Esher writes, “ was unchallenged. His Falstaffidn proportions, reminding our troops of a wellknown Englishman of letters at whose boutades they have often laughed, his humour, bis confidence in the poilu, and bis disregard of personal danger endeared him to the simple soldiers, whom he loved as children. “His memory is already hallowed by

legend. In the throes of the Battle of Ypres the French troops, under a punishing fire, began to retire. They were met by General Grossctti. ‘ What do you propose to do with me?’ ho called out to them j 1 1 am too fat to run away. I am tired to death, and I must sit down. Got me a chair.’ A solid camp stool was brought by a soldier, and down be sat quietly rest- I iug in tlio middle of the shell-torn street—a tort of a Snblician bridge—awaiting the advent of tho enemy. He continued to fling humorous jokes at tile men as they passed. ‘ I am an unlucky follow ; ‘ I. cannot retire. You see, I am good for nothing but to sit where I am.’ A company in Indian file began to creep past, bugging the walls o.f ibe rocking houses. ‘Where are you off to, my children? Is this really a retreat? Arc you thinking of leaving your old general in the lurch?’ The men stopped, petrified at seeing

Grossctti sitting placidly on his camp stool, shells bursting round him, gutting the houses, amid showers of shrapnel. The example was irresistible. Hie men took off their kepis and cheered him lustily. The retreat was at an end. The men turned and began to advance'. “A British staff officer sent by Sir John French arrived on the scene. Tlie field marshal bogged to inquire what the French commander proposed to do,, as tbe retreat of the French might involve the retirement of his army. “Will you sit down, sir? Wo can talk quite comfortably bore,’ said Grossetti, and another seat was provided. Our countryman could hardly believe the fat general could be serious, but down he sat ‘ Yon can toll General French,’ began Grossetti—at fcliat moment a, shell burst close to them—■ ‘ Yon can tell General French,’ be continued, after a suitable pause, 'during

which he brushed the dust and smoke from off his kepi, ‘ that my name is urossetti, and that, as my name ndicates, lam too fat to be able >e retreat.’ “ The French say that when the British officer, returned he told the field marshal he hod been attending the most serious i ‘ five o’clock ’ he was ever likely to see.'’