FIGHT FOR THE FLAG.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 131, 27 October 1914, Page 2

FIGHT FOR THE FLAG.

DESPERATE IRXD-TO-HAND STRUGULE. Paris, August 29. A thrilling story 'of a tight for a Hag that soun.ls like an incident of the Napoleonic wars is told by a wounded nriu who lias arrived at Reiines. It was midday, and two French battalions wire halted fur a meal and a ;i?t. Their rilh s were piled, and across them, between two sheaves of bayonets, liimg iJii- colors of the regiment fully untui'led. Thy men wci'o lying around, having laili'ii out, some eating rations, others sleeping soundly until 'Uie 'bugle should call I,heiu to 'iiinieh again, Suddenly, without any warning, a shell bursL ele'so to l/ii... supply waggon from v.'hiih 1(1(1.1 had been dealt out; then another, and another. French soldiers fell wounded, dead, and almost at once rifle bullets began to come singing among ahem. Jt was a surprise attack, and already a line of Germans could be seen coming Quickly tho Frenchmen spiang to their nil-.'*, formed up, and moved oil' at tiie double to meet iho enemy. But lliey were greatly outnumbered and the attack was pressed vigorously.. Soon tluy were at hand-grips witll the Germans, lln ,| furious bayonet fighting took place round the s'l'and'ard bearer, w 'o, surrounded by a strong guard, act'.'d as a rail; ing po-nt for his comrades. CUT AND TIIRUST. Shoulder to shoulder, the Frenchmen stabbed and thriut Willi the bayoact, but gradually Hie Germans fought their way to tho midst of tile determined groups, killed the standard 'bearer with many ilirusts, and seized the colors. The sight of the flag -tossing in Lire grip of tiie Prussians infuriated the French to a frenzy, irresistibly they hurled themselves at tho enemy; and once more snatched tho colors from their grasp. Tho Germ,ens, strong in their greater numbers, made another charge. Once more they regained thu Hag. 'The French were weary to exhaustion, when suddenly at the double, and with a lieree shout, another French battalion iu,hed up and ,hrcw itself into the 'bayonet tight. The French tlag was regained almost instantly, anil, continuing their charge, the newcomers fought their way to the German colors, which they seized. The German standard bejirer, though woumfed, would not let go, and was supported by a solid wedge of his comrades. They were too crowded tta use their bayonets. Both sides dropped their rifles and fought with their hands and 1 feet and teeth in a diabolical scrimmage. The French seized'the flag itself and 1 with their pulling one way and! the Germans the other it waa torn from tllie staff. A Frenchman was making off with 'half a trophy, when in 0 final desperate rush the Germans tore it from his grasp