The War Stories of Private Thomas AtkinsMilne, James
History
The War Stories of Private Thomas Atkins
Milne, James
World War, 1914-1918 -- Anecdotes
The firing suddenly ceased, and through the smoke we saw the German
infantry creeping along the fire-scorched grass. They were heading
for a stream on which our right rested, and were coming on with an
easy, confident swing, when we got the order to mount our horses,
which had been lying ready by our sides all through the shelling. We
chased the Germans for about a mile, and cut them to ribbons, and then
we ran full-tilt into their cavalry supports, who were drawn up by
the wayside in wait for us. The impetus of our charge carried us past
them, and they closed up along the road in our rear to bar our way
back, evidently thinking they had only to say the word and we would
set out for Berlin like so many Sunday-school children out for their
treat. This was the first time we had any experience of German cavalry,
getting in our way of their own accord, but wonders never cease in war,
and we just took it as it came. We charged into them in our best Heavy
Brigade Balaclava style, and gave them a fine cutting up. They didn’t
want very much of it, and soon cleared off into the fields: _A Trooper
of the Royal Irish Dragoons_.
A Night Surprise
One night we were moving out to take up a new position, when we
suddenly came on a big force of Germans occupying a strong position
right across the road along which we had to march. Soon the still
night air brought the sound of marching men further up the road, and
as the new force came nearer, we found that they were French troops
moving to effect a junction with the force we were going to reinforce.
The Germans had somehow got wind of the move, and were preparing a
little surprise for the French. They were so cocksure about their rear
that they had not taken the ordinary precautions, and as we had moved
quietly they were in ignorance of our presence within easy rifle shot.
Just when they were getting ready for the attack on the oncoming French
force the order to fire was passed along our ranks quietly, and we
let drive right into them. They were absolutely panic-stricken, and
fled in terror along the road, right into the arms of the French. The
impetuosity of their rush, and its unexpected character, threw the
French infantry into disorder for a time, and when we moved forward the
French at first took us for Germans, and were getting ready to fire on
us. At great personal risk an officer and two men rushed towards the
French force with a white flag and explained things. Then we were all
right, and you may believe me we generally are all right: _A Private of
the Cameron Highlanders_.
No Fight Left
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