SAVING THE GUNS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 158, 10 December 1914, Page 6

SAVING THE GUNS.

A SPLENDID FEAT. HEROI C ARTILLERYMEN. London, October 23. Among the many gallant deeds placed to the credit «f many units composing General French's "contemptible, little army," one tli.it will appeal to everybody as deserving a page to itself in the histories of the war our children will read was that of L B.ittery, Royal Horse 'Artillery,' at Cornpcigne. Hero is a feeble record of what was a most splendid piece of heroism on the part of officers and men alike., it appears that L Battery was instructed, with the support of a brigade of cavalry, to cover the retreat of that part of the Allied Forces which fell back on Compiegne. For nearly three weeks the battery, contesting every step, carried on with distinction that most difficult of all duties —a rearguard action. Without rest, except for a few moments during brief ( intervals .in the fight, the battery carried out its duty, and so tired were the, men that it was a common occurrence for them to fall asleep in their saddles, and to wake themselves by the simple, if extremely painful expdicnt, of falling from their horses.

The battery was near Compeigne, a ridge about (100 yards away being occupied by French cavalry, whilst the general retreat was going on in the rear. L. Battery had been instructed to be, ready to move by 4 a.m., and to await further orders. Through the cutting of the telegraph wires, or some other cause, the. expected order did not reach them, and a thick mist prevented them from seeing the retirement of the French cavalry. The order to retire not having arrived, L Battery waited, limbered up, and formed ready to move off at a moment's notice, until just after 5 o'clock, when tin: mist cleared and they were suddenly subjected to a terrific enfilade fire from the ridge which they had supposed to be still occupied by th; French. It subsequently transpired that after the French cavalry left that position in the early hours of the morning a strong German force, with ten field guns and two Maxims, had, under cover of the mist, occupied the position, and as soon as the mist lifted all twelve guns were brought to bear on the unsuspecting and unprepared battery (100 yards away, the first volley killing nearly all. the horses of the gun teams. This, of course, made retirement with the guns impossible, so with all speed the men of L Battery, inspired by their commanding officer, Captain Bradbury, unlimbercd, and commenced to reply to the German fire. Owing to their position they were only able to bring three or foVr of their guns to bear on the enemy, but these were promptly manned by such of the men as had not been killed during the first few moments, and commenced a steady and telling reply to the German fire. One by one the German guns were put out of action.

A DAUNTLESS TRIO. But the German fire was also very effective, and in a short space of time two or three of the British guns were silenced, and only a handful of the gallant artillerymen remained. They, however, continued to work the solitary gun with such eil'eet that all the German guns save one were eventuallysilenced. But by the time this equalisation had been achieved L Battery had been reduced to three effective men—-"non-coms." They continued to work 'their gun as besli as they could until, at ' one of the survivors remarked, "Both sides had had enough of it," and the gunners ceased fire at almost the Fame moment. Thus, crouched behind the shield of their last gun, the three heroes were found by the strong frrce of cavalry and infantry who shortly afterwards came to their rescue—and it is gratifying to know that all three have been recommended for the Victoria Cross. Of the four officers with the battery, three—Captain Bradbury, Lieut. Mundy, and Lieut. Campbell', were killed, whilst Lieut. Jell'ord was wounded. The • three who were killed were specially mentioned in dispatches, and the decoration of the Legion of Honor has been conferred upon Lieut. Jell'ord. The relieving force advanced to the German position, and found that all who had survived the British fire had retired, leaving all their guns in the hands of the Allies.

(242) N.Z.C.S.B, Vol. I. HERE-I-COME is a rich dappled bay norse, foaled end December, lSiio. Shown at Tarapftki Metropolitan Show, 1913, gaining second prize as two-year-old; also, at same show, gaining flint prize as three-year-old; only times shown. - Sire: Here-I-Go (243).—His sire, Here-I-Go, gained first and champion at Palinerston North, first and champion at Masterton, first and champion at Taranaki. Grand sire Herd Laddiu (2SIJS C.S.L'. imp.), iron first and champion prizes, Nathalia, in 1890; first and champion prises and first for the Dogherty Cup at Nathalie, and first and champion prizns at T&cura in 1891. The prizes taken by l>.;s stock would fill a volume, some of them being shown 21 times and gaining 21 first and 8 champion prizes, as well us winning the Produce Stakes and Gold Cup twice in succession at Royal Melbourne. . Grand sire Jeinruie Gray (1451), j. grandsire Lord Lyon (489), g.g. grandiire Hercules (578), g.g.g. grar,Jarre Rob ioy (714). Uere-I-Go's dam Maggie, J>y Lord Salissury (1205), sire Young Couqneror (959), fig. sire Conqueror (I 9 dam Darling |74), by Tintock; g. data Jean, by Surprize (846). Dam: Dolly (767).—Here-I-Come'a dam Dolly, by Quality King, by Lion King, by British Lion, imp( 'ted by Mr Hugh Rae from Scotland, by Argyle (2567, Vol. 8), dam Darling, by Prince of Wales (673, Vol. 1.), grand dam Mwggie, by Lockend •tampion (448, Vol. 1). Quality King, as a yearling, gained iiit prize at Dunedin Sliow; as a two-,'eur-old, first both at Dunedin and Tainri Shows. As a three-year-old he was inly shown twice, gaining lirst prizes on 'ach occasion. Grand dam, Miss Donaldson 11., by Crown Prince, by Lord Salisbury (imp), l.». dam Miss Donaldson, by Young Banker (imp.), who was never beaten in the show ring in New Zealand; g.g.g. dam Gipsy 11., by Emperor. TERMS: Single mare, £4 4s; two or more as arranged. Particulars as to guarantee obtainable from Symons tiros., owners, or groom in charge. Fees payable January Ist, 1915. Owner of mare at first service responsible. Vor further particulars apply to— SYMONS BROS., Pwigarehu.