PAYING INTO ACTION.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 June 1917, Page 4

PAYING INTO ACTION.

GALLANT FRENCH BAND

Paris, April 22 Almost daily reports of manifold feats of heroism by men who fight have almost completely overshadowed the heroism of the men who battle solely with musical instruments as doggedly as their comrades of the bayonet. Here is a true story of the 46th French Infantry Band, which, before the war, used to play summer afternoon concerts in Paris.

The band, composed of fifteen musicians, under Bandmaster Laty, never ceased, to play, though ten were killed .or wounded before the troops conquered the town of Yauquois. Advancing with the regiment, Laty was beating time for the “ Marseillaise,” when the first bandsman fell. Immediately afterwards another was wounded, lint lie continued to play where he fell Bullets were flying everywhere as the band advanced.

■ With the “Marseillaise” Half played the casualties numbered four, the alto and flute being put out of action by an exploding shell. Soon the regiment was in the German trench, and the band had struck up “ The Charge.” The filth casualty came almost imme- s diately. Laurent, one of the three clarinets, was hit in tlie stomach. He grasped the shoulder of his neighbour, but the latter shook him off and marched on without removing his instrument from his lips. German machine-guns were hammering the advancing French from a height in the town. The noise was terrific, but the remnant of the hand forged ahead without- a break in the music. Blanchard, the big drummer, was the next to drop. . The same bullet wounded another flute playeiy The . troops were now engaged in hand-to-hand fighting with th^-' Germans in the streets of Vauquois. The bandmaster signalled his remaining men for the “ Marseillaise.” It came promptly, though not so loud ancl strong as on the first occasion. Prevost, first trombone player, dropped his instrument when a shell splinter shattered his hand. Meunier, second trombone, shot through the hip, crawled to the instrument Prevost had dropped and went on playing. The baud had now reached / a place where it came under a heavy enfilading fire. Another bandsman was shot through the heart. When .the day was won there remained but five of the heroic bandsmen who had escaped intact. One of these was Bandmaster Laty, who had continued to beat time with his white gloves, throughout the entire engagement. Every instrument was damaged by .bullets or shrapnel. A saxaphone was torn from the hands of its player, by a shrapnel splinter. The foregoing is why the general orders a few days later said that the “ 46th Infantry Band played under the enemy’s fire to encourage the attaching troops in spite of a heavy bombardment.”