GERMANS IN DEFEAT.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 January 1919, Page 3

GERMANS IN DEFEAT.

after the first marne battle.

Only once in the earlier stages of the present war was the German Army severely tested by defeat—after the'first Battle of the Marne. The world has been given an account of what then happened by a Gorman sergeant-major, who was wounded in lUlfi nad retired to Denmark where he published his experience. His regiment entered the battle on September 5, 1914, and lost half its strength from the French artillery tire. Men began to fasten their handkerchiefs to their rifles to show that they wanted to surrender. Everyone was demoralised. The soldiers showed no respect for the officers, but shouted at them: 'You were too early in crowing over taking Paris. Why, the French have given us a thrashing which we shall never forget.' The soldiers began to insult the officers," When the retirement began demoralisation spread: "Artillery regiments of Kluck's army passed, at a gallop with infantry clinging to the gun carriages. At Hans the officers shrieked and shouted, but the soldiers did what they liked, Many officers were violently beaten by soldiers. Lieutenant Anspach abused an Uhlan, who touched him sa he passed with his lance. The Uhlan furiously answered: 'Shut your mug, you thief; you are brave enough now because the French are a long way off. Get out. coward, or else I'll give you something.' Anspach turned pale and hurried off. I toned up the collar of my eloak that I might not be noticed, as I saw that the men showed no respect for their superiors." Near Rheims they met a Guard regiment which had been beaten. "Our soldiers received them with jeers. "Ha, you great guzzlers from Berlin. Have the French melted your courage? Here the real soldier is proved. You were merely parade-ground soldiers, always ready to stuff yourselves, but when you get it hot you throw away your arms and bolt." Horrible accounts are given by this soldier of the atrocities then perpetrated by the Germans upon helpless civilians and women and giTls. The most curious fact which lie discloses is that even the iron discipline of the German army is apt to collapse in any reverse. Yet we know that the German ajn'ici a few weeks later were again under control and lighting as fiercely as ever.