United States or South Africa ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Pétain" A courteous Commandant, telephoned to from below, came from some upper region to greet us and to show us something of the endless labyrinth of rooms, passages and dormitories, which during the siege often sheltered thousands of men.
The men of France are taking deep interest in the splendid manner in which the women of all the different nations are responding to the call to service. I described to General Pétain the work of the Scottish Women's Hospitals.
"And you want to give us the first chance at it, sir?" said Hal. "Yes; I know that if you accept the mission it is more certain of success than if I entrusted it to other hands." "We shall be glad of the chance, sir," said Chester, quietly. General Petain clapped his hands in satisfaction. "I knew it," he said, "and yet I did not like to order you to perform it. You boys are true blue."
Even from a distance one feels that they cannot succeed as well as the first. This lasts until sunset." To honor the French troops for their brilliant defense General Pétain issued the following Order of the Day: "April 9, 1916, has been a glorious day for our armies.
"Sir!" exclaimed both lads in a single breath. They stepped from the tent. "You are under arrest!" were the French officer's next words. Hal and Chester stepped back in complete bewilderment. "Wha what's that, sir?" asked Hal, believing that he could not have heard aright. "You are under arrest," was the sharp reply. "I am ordered to conduct you before General Petain at once."
Distinguished in appearance, with superb carriage, thin lips, and squarely-chiselled chin, he possessed military gifts of a sound rather than brilliant character. A strict disciplinarian, he failed to win from his troops that affection which the poilus gave to Pétain, while he never displayed the genius that compelled universal admiration for Foch.
It was terrible work, these days before Verdun. Hal and Chester played no small part in the advance of the French army. More than once they were despatched upon important missions; and their fortune had been of the best. Not once had they failed to accomplish a piece of work entrusted to them. General Petain began to look upon them as among his best men.
At the outset the general staff seems to have adhered to its view, and for some days the German advance was steady. Even Fort Douaumont, on the outer rim of the old permanent fortifications, was lost, and the German press announced the fall of the city itself. But in the end the army listened to the Government, Castelnau and Pétain went to the front to organize the defense.
"Why, there's General Pershing!" whispered Blaine, keeping his hand at the salute which he had intuitively begun upon the appearance of the French. "Petain and Pershing!" gasped Orris to himself, yet turning wearily from a futile attempt at saluting like the rest. The two commanders greeted each other cordially, though the meeting was rather unexpected on the part of both.
Neither Haig nor Pétain had much faith in the possibility of the plan, but Nivelle had persuaded Ribot's Ministry, which had succeeded Briand's in March, and French expectations were raised to a giddy height.
Word Of The Day