Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - IV. A Day at Eclisfontaine
<< 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.
A DAY AT ECLISFONTAINE 91
confirmation of what I had previously noticed at the hospitals,
namely that the French prisoners in German hands are treated
in a kindly and humane manner, and for the sake of truth I
wish solemnly to protest before God that the allegations of
certain foreign newspapers to the contrary are a mean lie
and a shameless calumny. Once peace is restored and the
French prisoners are allowed to return home, they will them-
selves be able to testify to the treatment they have received.
Some of them will perhaps even remember Eclisfontaine.
Presently we see fresh groups of Frenchmen, taken prisoners
in a German bayonet charge. One man told us that he was
called home from Constantinople on the 5th August, another
that he was a reservist and that they began to be hard up
for men. They were also examined by the Field-marshal and
his excellent Adjutant Rechberg, who spoke most admirable
French.
One group of disarmed Frenchmen comprised a Captain. He
had received a bullet through the thigh, limped badly and was
supported by two soldiers. He had a frank and noble face
and one could tell that he was a thorough gentleman. When
his little band was to be examined, a chair was brought out
for him, for he looked pale and weak.
" Is your wound causing you much pain, Captain ? " a
German officer asked.
" None at all, it is a mere trifle," he replied.
" Have you suffered heavy losses during the fighting ?
"
" Not particularly ; we fill up all gaps."
" You look tired and worn, I am sure you must have had a
rough time of it lately ?
"
" No, not by any means ; I have been doing very well."
" Does it distress you to be amongst the prisoners ?
"
" Yes," he answered, in a low voice, without raising his
head.
He was not among those who are demoralised by capture,
and he was certain to retain his pride in captivity. When the
examination was over he rose, saluted, and vanished round
the bend of the road together with his men in blue and red.
The hours quickly pass. A kindly soul gives us some ration
bread and claret. My portion was so ample that it was no
charity on my part to give half of it to a French soldier, who
at once proceeded to share it with three or four of his nearest
neighbours.
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
