TRICKED THE SENTRY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 32, 9 February 1915, Page 7

TRICKED THE SENTRY.

3ARINC RUSE OF FRENCH COR PORAL.

The exploits' of Corporal Philip, of he 2ltb Colonial Infantry, told in a on-line paragraph in the .Journal Ifiicicl, have secured for him the coveted Military Modal, with which Ids colonel decorated him in the presence of his regiment. One day his colonel entrusted him with the perilous mission of creeping in the night with twenty-five men to a ridge where Dormans were entrenching. He was to report to the colonel what lie saw. When the daring twenty-six arrived near the r'dgc Philip could sec the lerman sappers nt work in the trench, while a sentinel walked backwards and forwards near by. The corporal concealed his men in a wood in the vicinity and crept forward with a single comrade, to whom he said “When we get close to the sentinel, and he challenges us, you scuttle off to the left and drop to the ground. Then make a noise with your bayonet, *o that ho may turn in your direction.” The two men advanced. The> were only a step or two from the sen tinel, when Philip here off to the right. At the sound of his footsteps the sentinel snapped out; “Who goes there?” The other Colonial, faithful to his instructions, made a slight noise with his bayonet, and the sentinel turned round to the left. With a spring the corporal was on him, and in him through with his bayonet, hi a moment Philip had annexed the lead soldier’s mantle, helmet and rifle, and mounted guard in his place. The other Frenchman hastened hack to his comrades, and when the Germans, having finished their work, went off to rejoin the main body, the twenty-five Colonials came out of the wood and took their places. At break of day a company of Bavarians came to take possession of the trench. When they were hut a few paces from it Philip and Ids men opened a murderous fire, killing them all hut eighteen, who surrendered. Then, the 24th Colonials came up at the double, and the proud corporal, running out to meet them, handed the trench over to the colonel that lie night “see for himself” what ho wished.