GERMANS IN THEIR OWN FIRE TRAP.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 207, 8 September 1916, Page 2 (Supplement)

GERMANS IN THEIR OWN FIRE TRAP.

On June 19, 1915, on the edge of, the forest of Parror, Tri Lorraine, midway between the French and German lines, and at a distance of about 400 yards from either, stood the remains of farm buildings. Neither side could hob! tliis vantage ground for long, as it wa* impossible to send munitions and supples to its defenders, who were moreover, exposed to a storm of shells from the enemy. The French, for a time, solved the difficulty by sending a party of Dragoons to hold the farm during the night in order to prevent its occupation by the Germans, and withdrawng them at daybreak 'lhe stratagem was successful. Under cover of night, the Germans frequently advanced to within forty yards, only to be mown down. During the day, they kept a hot fire against the farm, but as it was empty no harm was done. This plan was carried out for a whole week. But on the morning in question the Dragoons w,ere just preparug to leave, when, in the dim light, they saw a battalion of Germans advancing to attack. The Dragoons 'hred on them. Suddenly a sheet of flame shot up. The hayloftt, the hayricks, and everything were blazing. As the Frenchmen wer.> seeking safety they were horrified to see men, enveloped in flames, rushing to and fro, yelling and shrieking like madmen. They looked like so many \vill-o'-the-w : sps. They threw themselves on the ground rolling in agony then some ran tn the German lines, some tried to roach the French lines. crackling and exploding as they ran. One of those poor wretches, who managed to reach the French trenches, and whom they "extinguished," lived tor two hours and told what had happened. A battalion of the Saxons had lieen ordered forward to take the farm after >etting it on fire. But, although the plan worked well at first, the men had powder, cans of petrol, incendiary engines, compressed powder in the shape of pastilles, and others. One of these men allowed a flame to reach him and catch his bag of pastilles. In a few seconds the man was a torch. His companions (many of tiiem intoxicated) ran to help him, but instantly flared up themselves, setting fire to everyone else, as they all carried petrol as well as powder. These were the human will-o'-tlie wisps seen darning in the'r death-agony.