HOLDING THE BRIDGE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 287, 13 May 1915, Page 6

HOLDING THE BRIDGE.

BLACK, WATCH HEROES. The following extract from a vivid description of the battle of the Marne, which appeared in the Fife Free Press, Kirkcaldy, tells of the splendid gallantry of Lance-Corporal Hob 'Bain, of the Ist Black Watch. The report was written by a Kirkcaldy private in the same regiment:—

"Karly 011 September 10, 1014, we wore stalled When advancing and following up tlio Hermans. . . W c deployed and I advanced to take n village which was strongly held by tlie Connan rearguard, l'renoh cavalry wen. operating with ns, and it was important that the viilagi- ! mint, once taken, be held. There was | only one approach to the village from the Herman side—over a canal bridge I which was bold by a Oman maehinc- ; .mm. It was advisable, therefore, for a j few wen only to enter the village and pass through. These volunteers were to rush the gun. thus bringing the German ! shell fire, on to the empty village anA hastening the retreat of the Herman infantry. The men went from Xo. 4 platoon, A Company, and their leader was I.anco-Corporal Hob liain, with live [ men. Straight through the village this intrepid six went with fixed bayonets. In the main mad they saw four French dragoons about (if) yards in front of them. -X whistle and a crash, and the first Konnuu shell Had killed the four. The six led by Boh went oil' with a rush, and, guided by a I'reneh motor club sign rushed on to the bridge, taking the Herman look-out by surprise. The machine gun disappeared, the Oermans tiiinkiii". in. doubt, that a big force of Highlanders were on them. Three „ien lining each parapet of the bridge and firm" rapidly also worried them, and tliev disnp'pcared into the wood. lielieve me it they beggar )h,b Bain didn't go after them on his own, and a good job for the others he did. He disappeared from view- and presently the Herman gun from fi bidden part of the hillside let them have it. Dust, raised bv the bullets which struck everything | mt the live men left, hew up- all around them and meanwhile the village was being knocked about by shell, and no British troops but those on the bridge were in it. Hundreds of Herman shells were wasted The hve on the bridge were too interested in the gun to take anv notice of the village. Presently another rille joined in the machine-gun fire. It was liob liain on his own tackling the flerman machine-;;,,,, crew. The machine-gun ceased, the (.ermnn sholl'u," of the villi.-c ceased and I!ob came hack smiling' to ay that he'd tired a f,. w of tlu there Later on a Kreneh cvclist corps came up, and when the oliieer wi- told ftat the six-. hn.l held tliobridye for an hour and admit' be was Ihiblior-isted ""*' "'arinly shook Hob bv the hand The j-onipnny joined the six later on and '•lined the lallen I'reneh. the onlv victims of hundreds „f flerman 'sbe']s .eugo Stewart 'Murray (major) ami U-.it. Don were missing a day or two later, it is believed that the six men's services would have been recognised in a substantial way." Tiob Pain was'wounded at the Aisne '"'■' , <l»vs la er. n„e of his five brave '''«t"< w.M k.llriHlie same dav. and the v. nterkncH-nothing „f the othei-s