"TOO FAT TO RETREAT."

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16156, 9 March 1918, Page 2

"TOO FAT TO RETREAT."

FRENCH GENERAL'S HEUOISM; Lord Eshor, in the course of a letter to ihe London "Morning Post," tells a remarkable story concerning the French General Grossrlti, whose death was announced c-ariy in .January. Lord Esner writes:— In the throes of the battle of Ypres, French troops, uuder a punishing fire, began 10 retire They were met by Gereral Grossetti. "What do you propose to do with me?" he called out to them. "I ani too fat to run away. I am tired to deatfh, and i must sit down. Get mo a chaii." A solid camp stool was brought by a soldier, and t:o\vu he sat, quietly renting in the middle of the shell-torn street, awaiting the advent of the enemy. lie continued to fling humorous remarks at the men as they passed. ''1 am an unlucky fellow,'' he said. ''I cannot retire, you see. I am good for nothing but to sit where 1 am." Tho company, in Indian file, began to creep past," hugging the walls of rocking houses. "Where are you off tu, my. children ? Is this really a retreat? Are you thinking of leavirg your old General in the lurch?" The men stopped petrified at seeing General Grossetti sitting placidly on his camp stool. Shells were round, gutting houses amid showers of shrapnel. The example he -sot was irresistible. The iT.en took off their kepis and cheered ]:iin lustily. The retreat was at an end; the men turned and began to advance. A British Staff Officer, sent by Sir 1 John French, arrived on the scene. The Fieki-M&rskal begged to enquire what the French commander proposed to do, as the retreat of the French might, involve the reiirement of his army. "''Will you sit down, sir. I can talk • quite comfortably here,'' said General ■ Grossetti, and another seat was l>ro- ■ vided. | He could hardly believe the fat General could be serious, but he sat down. "You can tell General French," began General Grossetti. At that moment a shell hurst close to thorn. "You can tell General rrench, ' ne continued, after a suitable pause dur'ng -n-hich be brushed the dust off his kepi, "that my name is Grossetti, «ind- as tho name indicates. 1 am too fat to be able to retreat.''