CHAPTERV

chapterv

ayounggunnerofficerwhomwemetwasverycivil,andstoppedinfrontofthechateauofvermelles,abigredvillawiththeouterwallsstillstanding,andtoldusthestoryofitscapture.

“itwasawildscrap.iwastoldallaboutitbyafrenchsergeantwhowasinit.theywereunderthecoverofthatwalloverthere,aboutahundredyardsaway,andfixingupachargeofhighexplosivestoknockabreachinthewall.thechateauwasamachine-gunfortress,withthegermansonthetopfloor,thegroundfloor,andinthebasement,protectedbysand-bags,throughwhichtheyfired.agermanofficermadeabadmistake.heopenedthefrontdoorandcameoutwithsomeofhismachine-gunnersfromthegroundfloortoholdatrenchacrossthesquareinfrontofthehouse.instantlyafrenchlieutenantcalledtohismen.theyclimbedoverthewallandmadeadashforthechateau,bayonetingthegermanswhotriedtostopthem.thentheyswarmedintothechateau—aplatoonofthemwiththelieutenant.theywereinthedrawing-room,quiteanelegantplace,youknow,withtheusualgiltfurnitureandlongmirrors.inonecornerwasapedestal,withastatueofvenusstandingonit.rathercharming,iexpect.afewgermanswerekilledintheroom,easily.butupstairstherewasamobwhofireddownthroughtheceilingwhentheyfoundwhathadhappened.thefrenchsoldiersproddedtheceilingwiththeirbayonets,andalltheplasterbroke,fallingonthem.agerman,fatandheavy,fellhalf-waythroughtherafters,andabayonetwaspokedintohimashestuckthere.thewholeceilinggaveway,andthegermansupstairscamedownstairs,inaheap.theyfoughtlikewolves—wildbeasts—withfearandrage.frenchandgermansclawedatoneanother'sthroats,grabbedholdofnoses,rolledovereachother.thefrenchsergeanttoldmehehadhisteethintoagerman'sneck.themanwasalloverhim,pinninghisarms,tryingtochokehim.itwasthefrenchlieutenantwhodidmostdamage.hefiredhislastshotandsmashedagerman'sfacewithhisemptyrevolver.thenhecaughtholdofthemarblevenusbythelegsandswungitabovehishead,intheoldberserkerstyle,andlaidoutgermanslikeninepins...thefellowsinthebasementsurrendered.”