FRENCH GIRL LEADS A CHARGE.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 14, 19 February 1915, Page 3 (Supplement)

FRENCH GIRL LEADS A CHARGE.

SWEETHEART'S DEATH AVENGED. "Private" Marie Louise Dubois, of the Regiment of French Infantry, is likely to be a recipient of the much-coveted Medaille Militaire for bravery on the field of battle. Towards the close of the second day of a fiercely contested fight an ambulance party arrived in a village some miles from the firing line, and began quartering the wounded upon those of the civilian population who remained. Into a cottage inhabited by a girl of eighteen and her mother was carried a young soldier of the Regiment of Infantry, mortally wounded. He had only a few minutes to live, and as he was laid on the bed the girl dropped on her knees by his side, weeping. He was her sweetheart, and he died with his hand in hers. When the mother, who had fallen asleep, awoke, she found herself alone with the dead soldier. The latter's uniform had disappeared, and her daughter was missing. Dawn brought with it a critical situation for the French, and it became essential that the enemy should be dislodged from a strong position on a hill. Against this position all that the French commander was able to send was a regiment tired and worn out by two days' fighting. A terrific fire met them as they charged up the hill, and when their standard-bearer fell and the men saw the flag disappear they lost heart. Tho whole line wavered. Suddenly, out in front of them all, dashed a young soldier, who held the flag aloft and shouted to the men to follow. With a cheer they obeyed. Throughout the desperate fight at the crest of the hill the flag was seen waving, and finally the Germans were routed. After the position had been finally occupied the soldier with the flag was found sobbing in its folds upon the ground. It was Marie Louise Dubois, who, in her dead sweetheart's uniform, had led his regiment to victory and so avenged him. The girl was taken before the gen> eral and his staff, who saluted her, and assured her that tho regiment would never forget.