Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - III. On the Way to the Fifth Army
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
Below is the raw OCR text
from the above scanned image.
Do you see an error? Proofread the page now!
Här nedan syns maskintolkade texten från faksimilbilden ovan.
Ser du något fel? Korrekturläs sidan nu!
This page has never been proofread. / Denna sida har aldrig korrekturlästs.
6o WITH THE GERMAN ARMIES IN THE WEST
on another supply column, consisting of more primitive
wagons, had halted by the roadside, for it is the rule that a
transport column must not pause for any length of time on
the road itself, which for the sake of the traffic must always
be kept as clear as possible. It is, moreover, considered easier
to supervise, and, if necessary, protect a column of wagons
drawn up several deep and thus shortened in length.
We now drive past a motor-lorry with field post for the 5th
Army. It makes a terrific noise as it rattles past on the hard
road surface. Presently the road is encumbered by another
supply column, but unlike the others, this one is on the move.
We must drive more slowly in order that the horses of the
mounted escort may not take fright and come into collision with
the car. In passing I catch sight of the words, " Reserve Park
Kolonn 15 " on one of these wagons, each of which is marked
with a number.
We next drive through Montmédy, whose little fort sur-
rendered without bombardment. But before the garrison
withdrew, they blew up the railway tunnel through the moun-
tain. Thereupon the Germans immediately began building
a new railway round the rock on which the fort was built ;
as we drove past, French prisoners were still engaged on this
work. It was a curious sight to see these toiling soldiers in
blue and red uniforms supervised by grey-clad German
privates with shouldered rifles. Chauvency is a little place
on the River La Chiers, whose bridge had been destroyed by
the French. One of the arches had been blown up. German
engineers had forthwith built a wooden bridge below the
old one.
The weather cleared up towards evening, and the sun went
down like a big red ball. Its last rays fell upon a convoy
of French prisoners, who, under German escort, bent and
footsore, made their way to Montmédy. The Frenchmen
had nothing to carry, but the Germans had their rifles with
fixed bayonets. In front of us lies the valley of the Meuse and
the little town of Stenay. The faint outlines of heights and hills
disappear in the dim blue distance. On the left bank of the
river the French had at this point occupied a fortified position,
which, however, was taken by storm at the beginning of the
campaign. So this is the Meuse, or in German Maas, on which
are situated so many towns rendered famous by this and
previous wars, such as Sedan, Givet, Dinant, Namur, and
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
