goumiers

Updated: June 17, 2025

Looking round, I perceived a curious-looking group a short distance away, going through what appeared to be some devotional ceremony. Hastening down the hill, I crossed to the group, which turned out to be under the command of the Chief of the Goumiers himself, who was going through a short ceremony with some scouts, previous to their meeting the Germans. It was quite impressive.

Geoffrey H. Malins - How I Filmed the War: A Record of the Extraordinary Experiences of the Man Who: Filmed the Great Somme Battles, etc.

A few words about the customs of the Goumiers may not be out of place. These men are the aristocracy of the Algerian Arabs; men of independent means in their own land. At the outbreak of war they patriotically combined under their chief, and offered themselves to the French Government, which gladly accepted their services for work on the sand-dunes of Flanders.

Geoffrey H. Malins - How I Filmed the War: A Record of the Extraordinary Experiences of the Man Who: Filmed the Great Somme Battles, etc.

A Morning of Surprises The German Positions Bombarded from the Sea Filming the Goumiers in Action How these Tenacious Fighters Prepare for Battle Goumier Habits and Customs I Take the Chief's Photograph for the First Time And Afterwards take Food with Him An Interesting and Fruitful Adventure Ends Satisfactorily.

Geoffrey H. Malins - How I Filmed the War: A Record of the Extraordinary Experiences of the Man Who: Filmed the Great Somme Battles, etc.

I will, however, accompany you a short distance." We started out, keeping as much to the seashore as possible. "Keep low," the Captain said, "the place is thick with Bosche snipers." I certainly needed no second warning, for I had experienced those gentry before. "Our Goumiers are doing splendid work here on the dunes. It is, of course, like home to them among the sand-heaps."

Geoffrey H. Malins - How I Filmed the War: A Record of the Extraordinary Experiences of the Man Who: Filmed the Great Somme Battles, etc.

I straightway explained my business, and asked him for his co-operation in securing some interesting films of the Goumiers in action. He replied that he would be glad to assist me as far as possible. "You will greatly help me, sir," I said, "if you can roughly give me their location." "That I cannot do," he replied, "but follow my directions, and take your chance.

Geoffrey H. Malins - How I Filmed the War: A Record of the Extraordinary Experiences of the Man Who: Filmed the Great Somme Battles, etc.

Making my way in the direction of the sound, I came upon a body of Goumiers engaged in sniping at the Germans. I filmed them, and was just moving away when the interpreter of the company stopped and questioned me. I told him of my previous conversation with the Captain, which satisfied him.

Geoffrey H. Malins - How I Filmed the War: A Record of the Extraordinary Experiences of the Man Who: Filmed the Great Somme Battles, etc.

The sides of the cavity had apparently fallen in again. A short distance further on the Captain said he would leave me. "You can start now," and he pointed in the distance to a moving object in the sand, crawling along on its stomach for all the world like a snake. "I will go," he said, "and if you see the Chief of the Goumiers, tell him I sent you." With a handshake we parted.

Geoffrey H. Malins - How I Filmed the War: A Record of the Extraordinary Experiences of the Man Who: Filmed the Great Somme Battles, etc.