and one man only were left, both being wounded. The
Germans came up and shouted to them to lay down their arms. The German
commander, however, signed to them to keep their arms, and then asked
for permission to shake hands with the wounded non-commissioned officer,
who was carried off on his stretcher with his rifle by his side.
After this account of what British soldiers think of the enemy, it is
interesting to read what is the German opinion of Tommy Atkins.
Evidently the fighting men do not share the Kaiser's estimate of
"French's contemptible little army." Three very interesting letters,
written by German officers, and found in the possession of the
captives, were published in an official despatch from General
Headquarters. Here are extracts from each:
(1) "With the English troops we have great difficulties. They
have a queer way of causing losses to the enemy. They make good
trenches, in which they wait patiently. They carefully measure the
ranges for their rifle fire, and then they open a truly hellish
fire on the unsuspecting cavalry. This was the reason that we had
such heavy losses."
(2) "The English are very brave and fight to the last.... One of
our companies has lost 130 men out of 240."
(3) "We are fighting with the English Guards, Highlanders and
Zouaves.
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