TEN THOUSAND SHALL FALL

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 974, 17 May 1930, Page 22

TEN THOUSAND SHALL FALL

By

DAVID W. KING

(Copyright 1020, log Dufficld and Co. Distributed by the King Features Syndicate Inc.)

SYNOPSIS David Kins, young Harvard student, enlists in the French Foreign Legion in 1914 and immediately is thrown into the front-line trenches, still wearing the scarlet trousers of the Legion costume. After losing the sight of his right eye, he shifts his rifle to his left. shoulder. Defending Verdun, hunger and thirst - increase the suffering of the Legionaires. Mutilated bodies, minus arms and legs, are carried out in baskets. "Phil,” an ex-elephant hunter, and Alan Seeger, the American poet, are King’s-buddfes in the 57 national varieties forming the Foreign Legion. "Phil” dies after a brawl between Americans and foreigners in the Legion, and later Seeger is - killed in action.” CHAPTER XXIV (Continued> ‘‘lt had to happen. I knew you would go, but it’s damned hard. Just when I And someone I can get along with, off he goes! Still it’s better this way—you’d probably be bumped off if you stayed. You always were a fool!” He grinned. ‘‘We must celebrate! We’ll eat up everything we have in the locker,” and he set to work making coffee. . . . The section had planned a send-off party for me, but it had to be shifted to midday, as the officers’ mess had asked me to dine with them that night. As the pafty got under way, I began to have grave doubts if I would ever make dinner, Lieut. Delva saved the day by calling me into the office to clear up my papers. “King, pardon, mon Lieutenant!”— he was only a 2nd Lieut.—“l’m taking the liberty of erasing the eight days’ prison I gave you.” “But why. Lieutenant Delva?” “Well, I think, you should leave this section with a clean slate. Besides, it strikes me as humorous for a. sous-lieutenant to wipe out the crimes of his superior officer!” “Bien, Saint Pierre!” I bowed, and emerged with a record white as snow. Funny to be in an- officers’ mess after four years in the ranks. I felt shy at. first, hut I soon got over it, they were so damn friendly. ... A final toast —and Delva, the doctor, who was going on leave, and .1 -started for the train.

Commercy—the station—the doctor and I leaned out of the window, waving as the train started. “Vive l’Amerique!” “Vive la France!” “Adieu —bonne chance!” “A has les Boches! Adieu! Adieu! ”

Presently the conductor came along. He took one look at my ragged uniform, and scolded.

“Come on, get out of here! You go back to the - third class. You have no business on an express, any way.”

I tried to show him my papers, but he wouldn’t look. The doctor came to my rescue.

“One moment, conductor. Try to be polite! Can’t you recognise an American officer when you see one?” The controlleur gasped, took one hurried look at my orders, and fled. The other officers in the compartment had been mildly curious on seeing a non-com. in the first class, but had said nothing. Now, they suddenly caijie to life, insisted on our dining with theift, and we all trooped to the dining car for a drink-—to “wet my new stripes.” If you suddenly jump from two woollen stripes to a silver bar, it is hard to realise that one first lieutenant more or less doesn't matter much in a growing army. I reported for orders—then I reported again. Still nothing happened; so I wangled a passport, and went to England for Christmas. That did it! Just before I left the French Army I had stepped too near an H.E. shell and a small sliver stuck in my lip. I pulled it out and thought no more about it. But Christmas dinner must have stirred things up, for within two days my good eye was closed by the swelling. Nothing for it but see a specialist, who popped me into a nursing home—acute blood poisoning. The operation was a joke, at least for me. The surgeon didn’t find it so amusing—as I was going under, 1 got the idea my gas mask was leaking and started a free for all fight. Two days with a wet compress over my face—i could neither see nor smoke. Pleasant, as a premature burial! Then I badgered a nurse till she cut a hole for my mouth, and lighted me a cigarette. The compress dried, and caught fire, and we both got hell front the matron. Life was pleasant—good food, friends coming to see the little tin hero, and impromptu dances in the cellar, during air raids. A telegram from a friend at G.H.Q. spoiled everything. “No authority order you on duty from England. Return France or commission will be cancelled.”

Yes, Yes, immediately—nut how? My passport was a one way emergency affair, and I had counted on orders to get me hack. Then I thought of two friends who were running the ordnance in France on a big business basis, in spite of a few generals and colonels. A telegram, and its reply —the ordnance in London obligingly faked me some orders, and back I went CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE. . . . AND PEACE “ . . . will proceed to the casual officers’ depot at Blois, and report to the Colonel commanding. The travel, etc. ...” Oh. help! Just what was a casual officers’ depot? I soon found it was anything but casual. The billeting officer handed back my orders. “All right—report to the O.C. at the Barracks tonight, and to Colonel Pulen tomorrow.”

“But I've got a room at the hotel.'’ “Well, you can stay there tonight, hut tomorrow you shift. All officers under the rank of Major must live in barracks. By the way, you must be in quarters by nine p.m. sharp.”

Then and there I realised I would have to get me an independent command. This place was about as casual as a penitentiary. - Next morning I saw Colonel Fulen. He was an old school artillery officer, with a sense of humour. Ten minutes’ talk, and he appointed me chief liaison officer, with an order for billets in town, and a pass to go anywhere any time. My billets were opposite the chateau, and fairly comfortable.

Later, the old man from next door, hearing I had been in the French Army, called in state. “Lieutenant, I come on behalf of my wife and myself, to ask you to stay at our house.”

“But, Monsieur, I am extremely comfortable, and satisfied here.”

“But, Lieutenant, you don’t understand. We wish you to come as our guest. I have lost three sons in this war, and I should feel unworthy of them if I did not ask an /American, who has served in our army, to use their-rooms. I went.

My first job as liaison officer was to accompany the Colonel and his adjutant on their first official call. The French Commandant de Place, a kindly white haired man, received us with a beaming smile. The Colonel started to speak in French.

face broke into smiles, once more. Turning to me, he began the inevitable set speech: “Kindly tell your Colonel that I am not only charmed and touched to be able to welcome the American Army here, but I am also delighted to make the acquaintance of such a distinguished officer. I cannot say how much it thrills me to see the "streets of this old town thronged with the khaki-clad progeny of the men who fought beside the legions of Lafayette and Rochambeau.” etc., ad lib. . .. It was worthy of the opening of a Y house on the fourth of July. I started to translate, but the chief cut me short.

“Stop! Shoot it back to him, and ask him when I can get those motortrucks.”

I shot it back strong, finishing up with an impassioned appeal for the trucks.

The commandant answered, briefly, but to the point. “What’s he say?” “He says he hasn’t got any trucks, but will get some for us.” “Then what the hell was all that spiel you gave?” “Lafayette, and a few trucks.”

“Commandant, je vous present mon ajudant. The old gentleman looked blank, and I could guess what was going through his mind. Tiens, rfTiens!! These Americans are democratic—hut is it necessary for a colonel to introduce his sergeant-major? I cut in with a. hasty "Capitaine adjoint, mon commandant,” and. his

The Colonel grinned; we made our hows, and left. Outside he turned to me.

“Will he really get ’em?” “Yes, sir, if I keep after him.” “All right, now listen. I see we can’t handle these people as we would at home. I’ll tell you what I want, and leave the rest to you. My motto is, when you’ve tried everything, and can’t make it work, why, go ahead, and do it anyway!”

If I had had any sense f would have stuck close to that Colonel. As it was, I still took the war seriously, and got transferred to Chaumont. Here I found myself in the G 2 3 or counter espionage section. There was nothing to do but censor field clerks’ fiction, and explain to visiting firemen, and generals, how a system of purely mythical control cordons worked.

not to mention oak leaves, around Chaumont for a first lieutenant’s comfort. Discipline was so highly developed, we used to salute any limousine, on sight, empty or not. The wildest night club in town was a patisserrie with a sign “Exotic Delicacies.” I never found out what they were, unless it referred to the two girls who ran it. Here, again, a mere first lieutenant started at a disadvantage. 1 decided to try for another independent command. One of my best friends was at our Berne Legation, and, unknown to me, was pulling strings to get me up there." One day, the Major- called me in. “Do you know Mr. Ellis Dresel?” “No, sir!” “Do yon know Mr. Dolbeare?”* (*Frederie Dolbeare, 2nd, Secretary, American Legation at Berne.) “In a way, sir.” I was beginning to know my oak leaves, and meant to play safe. “Well, they want you to go to Berne, and start an office for checking our prisoners of war.” “I think I could be more useful here, sir.”

This would not do. I was wearing out my best cord breeches on a hard wood chair, so I appealed to the sound ranging section. I talked with the officer in charge, who had told me to report to him as soon as I was commissioned. He had become a general, however, so I found myself appointed to the Statistical Department, Prisoners of War Section. You don’t understand? Neither did I. There was hidden dynamite in that job. The first time an irate general rang up, and I had to say “Service of Statistics, statistical officer in charge,” I knew they would break me ifor mocking the mighty, Besides, It tiers *vere.tog .many stafs.aad eagles?.

“Oh, you do, do you! Well, just leL me tell you, you will go where we see fit to send you. The trouble with all you young reserve officers is, you don’t seem to realise there’s a war on. . . .”

“Yes, sir! No, Sir!” and I went on my way rejoicing—once the door was closed.

Paris—civilian clothes—a diplomatic passport—-and Excelsior!

Berne was a maelstrom of intrigue and comedy. Most of the diplomatic corps lived at the Bellevue Palace. Allies on one side of the dining room —enemies on the other. Mutual glaring, and hate tests before meals. In the lounge every other chair was occupied by a wide-spread newspaper, from which stuck out mysterious legs. If conversation turned to interesting topics, a pair of ears would protrude beyond the paper, betraying the presence of the enemy. Our chief was a fire-eater, and longed to get to the front. He was a regular officer, and the amateur soldiers about him almost drove him wild. We meant well, but were more interested in results that in regulatiens.

“Lieut. X., you will proceed as per previous orders, and report to Countess (?) Stejjenska for information.” “Colonel, that woman hasn’t a bit

of real dope. And, I’m not sure she isn’t double crossing us.” “You heard what I said . . .” “But, Colonel, it will gum the game!”

“Lieutenant, I’ve got just enough officers here to hold a court-martial!” “Sir, I would welcome a courtmartial!”

Interference, and business of calming both of them. . . . When I got to Berne there were three separate fights going- on. The French and English were at daggers drawn. Our assistant military attache did not like the English, and wanted to play with the French. The French were afraid we would put our foot in it; and the English were for using us, but mistrusted our intimacy with the French. Over and above" all there was a row in our own camp, between the Military and the Red Cross. Squabbles and petty jealousy seemed to he In direct ratio to the distance from the front. I was, instantly, ordered to take over all arrangements for feeding our prisoners in Germany, hut the Red Cross was handling it far better that we could ever hope to, with our limited means, and staff. The head was an international character, and his second is now Secretary of Labour. I had just enough sense to stick to the prisoner inquiry business.

This was only a half-time job, and the Colonel jumped at the idea of my doing contre-espionnage work. I broke in a s'brgeant-major to do the desk work in the prisoner game, got a rubber stamp of my initials in case of my absence, and I was off on the trail of the wily spy. But to keep my independence, I made it plain that I was still in the Statistical Department. Wonderful position! If relations with the Colonel became strained, I merely had to suggest that perhaps I had better devote myself entirely to my real work. He was the ranking officer in Berne, but I was responsible only to G.H.Q. . . . For thrilling spy stories read Oppenheim or Buchan. The work of contra espionnage is not noisy. In France or England the general method was to spot a spy, censor his mail secretly, and, if possible, insert false information. To arrest and shoot him merely meant that he would be replaced by a new one, who in turn must be unearthed. In Switzerland, however, things were quite different. Anyone doing intelligence work, positive or negative, was liable to arrest. This made the censoring of letters, etc., impossible. There were two ways of doing business: either get all the dope on a German agent and pass it to a friendly Swiss agent de surete, or, lure him near the French border, and Shanghai hiip. across. . .con’elui&a 2S Mbndgjffi ...,

BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION OPENS SEASON

BRIGHT DANCE AT ROTORUA The Rotorua Basketball Association opened its season with a -delightful dance in the Majestic Ballroom on Wednesday. The hall had been decorated in black and white streamers, and the supper tables were decorated with tall crystal vases of Iceland poppies, and chrysanthemums in shades of orange and bronze, and autumn maple leaves. Bright music was supplied by E. Shalfoon and his popular “Melody Boys.” Extras were played- by Mr. E. Robertson -.. The committee which helped to make the dance such a successful function comprised; Mesdames D. Williams, president of .the association, T. Kelly, W. Currie and J % McCarroll, Misses E. Vaughan, B. Chambers, J. Isdale, K. Gingon and D. Davies. Mr. S. Smith acted as M.C.

Monte Carlo dances were won by Miss E. Wilson and Mr. L. Williamson, Miss W. Bates and Mr. S. J Hir&n.

.Thp association is indebted to many friends who gave prizes . and other donations. ~

Among those presen c ‘were: Mrs. W. A. McLean, wearing black ninon; Mrs. King-, white figured crepe de clime with hemline of silk lace; Mrs btewart, rose pink taffeta; Mrs. Hogan' cherry gown of silk lace; Mrs. H. Winslade, peacock blue satin; 'Mrs. I_>.- \Vi 1 - iiarne. jade green .ring velvet; Mrs. T. Kelly, silver lame; Mrs. Collins, ecru lace over pink satin; Mrs. Devin, black frock relieved with beige trimmings: Mrs. Graham, shell pink satin; Mrs. ,Drooker, lime taffeta; Mrs. fcShalfon, magentia w l th fril!ed ankle-length skirt; Mrs. Monagli, emerald green satin'; .Mrs. Hymes, beige lace; Mrs. - Sheaf, pink georgette with bodice of chenille georgette; Mrs. Currie, vieux rose taffeta with floral trimmings.

Miss 'J. Carter, whose ankle length frock was of white ninon with floral bodice and bow of taffeta; Miss McGill, mauve georgette; Miss V N Hale, white georgette with silk lace hemline; Miss I. Wright, jade georgette; Miss J. Chirm, lemon georgette and brilliant ornament; Miss D. Powell, lemon and. green crepe de chine; Miss N. Devin, royal blue satin; Miss M. Ford, cobalt blue satin; Miss N. Worrall, violet shot taffeta; Miss L. Richardson, beige lace over pink crepe de chine; Miss K. Worrall, blue georgette, ankle-length; Miss O. Shultz, fiaine georgette with bodice of chenille georgette; Miss G. Jones, flesh pink, crepe moire: Miss B. Chambers, alice blue figured satin beaute; Miss Q. Marr, white georgette, pink satin coat; Miss V. Snell, pink georgette with skirt of silk lace; Miss F. Ellis, vieux rose taffeta with green hem and large green bow; Miss L. Lewis, dream lace frock; Miss E.' Clarke, coral pink ankle-length frock with frilled skirt; Miss F. Richardson, blue georgette with trimmings of a darker shade. Miss D. Davies, who - wore shell pink georgette; Miss T. Johnson, black georgette; Miss M. Lindsay, rose pink crepe de chine; Miss O. Mansdn, fox glove pink taffeta;' Miss S. Manson, salmon pink taffeta; Miss R. Manson, rose pink, satin beaute;' Miss L. Harris, sky blue georgette; Miss I. Smith, flame georgette and diamente trimmings; Miss B. Doi'set, coral georgette; Miss N. Gallagher, cobalt blue crepe de chine; Miss D. Thompson, red embossed georgette; Miss P. Brooker, prune shot 'taffeta; Miss B. Vaughan, lime georgette with frilled hem and coral coatee; Miss L. Downey, shell pink georgette; Miss J. Gilbertson, lemon satin; Miss A. Brackebush, sequined frock over peach georgette; Miss R. Campny, midnight blue frock of georgette; Miss M. Snell, duchess blue georgette with embossed bodice; Miss C. Holland, floral ninon; Miss D. Kingon, beaded frock of silver; Miss C. Moreland, beige lace; Miss R. - Woolliams, leaf-green georgette: Miss K. Kingon, white georgette; Miss .T. Cottrell, blue satin; Miss K. Ellis, whit© georgette.

IN BLACK-TAFFETA Miss ID. Emery, in a frock of black taffeta; Miss A. Worral, lime . crppe de chine; Miss Gwen Jories, apricot satin; Miss F. Bates, pink crepe de chine; Miss E Vaughan, black georgette; Miss Grigson (Auckland), floral ninon, anklelength; Miss P. Glass, eau de ml embossed georgette; Miss V. Butler, red georgette; Miss .7. Isdale, leaf green satin beaute; Miss W. Apps, alice blue georgette; Miss U. Higgins, lenlbn hand embraidered georgette; Miss -Glass. ? black and. gold nihon; Miss. R. Uarron, leaf green satin; Miss J. "Worrall, sea green taffeta; Miss J. Winslade, frock of emerald green satin beaute; Miss N. Allen, peach crepe de chine; Miss E. Wilson, flame georgette; Miss M. -Jones. wmt» georgette and floral taffeta trimmings; Miss Jones, white silk net;-. Miss -M. Bates,' black georgette; Miss H. Matthews, tangerine georgette; Miss J. Keith, salmon pink crepe 'deadline; Miss-Keith, beige, lace; Miss W. Lyell, eau de ml silk lace; Miss J. Burrows, black georgette and-lace; Miss P. Hawkins, ecru lace.

LADIES’ NIGHT

PRESENTATION TO PRESIDENT AT THAMES OLD BOYS’ FUNCTION

Twice a year the Thames Old Boys’ Association holds a Ladies’ Night and these are eagerly looked forward to. The first of this season took'place last evening and a very pleasant time was spent. One of the surprises of the night was sprung by Mr. "W. J. Hosking, who, on behalf of the executive, presented the president, Mr, Eddie Watson, with a silver christening mug for his baby daughter. An excellent musical programme occupied the larger part of the evening, items being given by the Muir family, Misses Claxton, Jonassen and Donaldson, Messrs. H. Beech, W. Johnston and H. Plucke. Tlie accompanist and musician for the dancing was Mr. Johnny Buchan, and the vice-presi-dent, Mr. Lou Griffin, was M.C.