The War Stories of Private Thomas AtkinsMilne, James
History
The War Stories of Private Thomas Atkins
Milne, James
World War, 1914-1918 -- Anecdotes
I was posted in a house, with about twelve others, firing on the enemy,
when the house was shelled, and fell in on us. It was a marvellous
escape for all of us. I can just remember falling through the roof;
but I am more than pleased to tell you I was not hurt--only shaken up
a bit. Two days after we had another go: then the shells were bursting
all round us; but we managed to get over that with very little loss. We
had another go about a week later. My company was ordered to go in a
wood to try and capture some German snipers. No sooner had we entered
the wood when the bullets started singing all round us. I had one go
right through my cap, and it cut my hair; I have still got the hat, and
if I am spared I am going to bring it home with me as a memento: _Pte.
Marsh, 1st Bedfordshire Regiment_.
Warm Work
The warmest bit of work I was ever in was when I was injured. Some
seven or eight of us and about the same number of Hussars were on
patrol in a village. We had dismounted, and were talking over matters
when quite unexpectedly some shrapnel shells burst over our heads and
brought down some of the cottages. Our officer hurried up to us and
ordered us to mount and retire. When we had all mounted he shouted,
“Gallop away; every man for himself!” I just remember being hit in the
left thigh first. At the same moment the old mare seemed to falter a
little. The enemy had our range to a yard, and again and again the
shells burst among and above us, bringing some of the fellows down,
man and horse. Then something struck me in the right hip, but we kept
on, and after five or ten minutes’ ride we came on our own regiment
dismounted for action. I think about seven or eight of us got through:
_A Private of the 12th Lancers_.
“Breath-stoppers”
There was a farmhouse up the hill, and from this a Maxim gun was
pouring out a continuous stream of little “breath-stoppers.” The
British fixed bayonets and charged the house. On the farm were found
about a score of the enemy, who made absolutely no resistance. On the
contrary they laughed, and were thankful it was all over and that they
were safe. On searching the bushes it was found that several of the
enemy had taken refuge--some were dead and others wounded. One feigned
having been shot, but after being carried down the hill by a British
soldier and finding he was safe, he was all right. He confirms the
stories that have come to hand from many sources that the Germans fear
the British bayonet: _Pte. V. Wells, Worcestershire Regiment_.
Ghostly!
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account