A ZEPPELIN RAID IN 1870.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 150, 25 February 1916, Page 4 (Supplement)

A ZEPPELIN RAID IN 1870.

THE ADVENTURES OF A GERMAN PATROL.

Zeppelin is a familiar word m the present war, but it has already been heard of in the i ranco-Prussian Wai custom with the Germans their forces were ready and assembled in good time along the irontier, waiting for the opportune moment .n strike, but as they had no knowledge of the enemy's latest position 01 its strength, they were afraid to venture, so a reconnaissance was decidedupon, organised by and entrusted to \ " tembcrger cavalry captain, Count Zeppeln, who chose for his companions four officers and seven troopers diawn from two regiments of Baden Dragoons, eac-h one of them being well acquainted with the country into which they weie K °Alf' the men composing the little band were well mounted, and although lightly equipped carried with then some tools, explosives, provisions and forage tor two days. I hey staited on !he 24th July. 1870, only a few day» after the declaration of war The lirst exploit after crossing the f'ontier was to rush at full gallop through the French frontier town ot Lauteibeig, this was done so unexpectedly that tl e pickets at both gates were taken > surprise and were unable to raise the drawbridge or stop them nor could they collect themselves in time to use their arms with any effect before the little German band was well out ot the town and away again on the high road of Haguenau to Strasburg, where they cut the telegraph wire that was running along this road.

THE FIRST SHOT OF THE WAR

At noon both men and beasts were able to take an hour's respite for refreshments. Resuming their journey, £hey came to a place called Krotwiller, where, the first encounter between Frenchmen and Teutons took place and where, also, the first shot was nred in that war. Notwithstanding that the village was occupied by a few French lancers and gendarmes, the Germans boldly charged them and were even able to drive them back, wounding two anc * keeping them prisoners In this encounter the German loader had his horse shot under him, but he was able to mount the charger of one of the wounded Frenchmen, this allowing him to continue his daring journey with his companions as far as the railway station of Hanspach. on the lme between "Wissemburg and Haguenau. Here no time was lost in destroying the telegraph instruments as well .is the tf>lway lines and levers at the noinis. After this pastime, the party liac,e their way towards a large woou; from this place the two prisoners were sent to Germany under the escort of one officer and two troopers, while the others took refuge in the forest, and rested there for the night.

Early the next morning the adventurous patrol went to "Woerth, only to learn that a strong force of French cavalry was quartered in some of the villages and hamlets of the neighbouiliood. Undaunted by this news, they rode to a place not very far away, but nearer to the frontier, called Shirlenlioff, and after making quite sure that there were no enemies about, took their horses to drink at the village fountain, then led them to the stables of the inn. After this they made themselves quite comfortable for a good meal and a wellneeded rest. I his wan not, however, to be enjoyed for very long, as suddenly, while the officers were at lunch, in a style which is peculiar to German officers in an enemy's country, the sentry posted at the door caught sight of a "strong detachment of French light cavalry swarming into the village, and while giving a warning shout was able by a well-aimed shot to bring down the leading man, who happened to be a sergeant; this was, however, to be his last shot, as he was soon overpowered bv the French. But the alarm had been heard, and the Germans inside had time to spring to their firearms, and started firing from the windows. On this occasion, one of the very few in that terrible war, the French were in overwhelming number and soon managed to reduce the raiding party to submission. First one of the officers was shot dead, while another fell wounded ; the remainder, with one notable exception, were taken prisoners. The exception was the chief of the party, who managed in the scrimmage to find his way out by a back door, and, by catching and jumping on a French horse and also sending a parting shot at his nearest pursuer, was able, by galloping as fast as he could, to reach a wood near by, where he succeeded in misleading his would-be captors and after a time reached his own lines,'' bringing with him the information that the French were neither prepared nor were they in force.

On hearing the noise of firing in the village the French main body of cavalry came up, under the command of their general, to assist their comrades if necessary. A very comical ending to this affairVa* that the innkeeper, who had been frightened out of li:e wits while the spike helmets were about, soon recovered himself at the fright of the red trousers, and unscrupulously presented the bill for the lunch partaken by the Germans to the French General, who, it is said, although greatly surprised, paid it in full.

Lieutenant Chabot was in command of the French cavalry who first reached the inn; he is now a General and at his post; while the daring commander of the German party is the inventor of the well-known airship that bears his name'.

Xo one knew at that time what a serious matter the escape of this man meant for that war, and still more serious for the present war.