It was for a little while sheer massacre, but the Germans fought with
extraordinary tenacity, regardless of the heaped bodies of comrades and
utterly reckless of their own lives. They, too, had brought quick-firers
across the bridges, and, taking cover behind houses, trained their guns
upon the houses from which the French gunners were firing. There was no
way of escape for those heroic men, who voluntarily sacrificed
themselves, and it is probable every man died, because at such a time
the Germans were not in the habit of giving quarter.
When the main German advance came down the valley, the French artillery
on the heights raked them with a terrific fire, in which they suffered
heavy losses, the forefront of the column being mowed down. But under
this storm they proceeded with incredible coolness to their pontoon
bridges across the river, and although hundreds of men died on the
banks, they succeeded in their endeavor, while their guns searched the
hills with shells and forced French gunners to retire from their
positions.
The occupation of Charleville was a German victory, but was also a
German graveyard. After this historic episode in what has been an
unending battle the main body of French withdrew before the Germans, who
were now pouring down the valley, and retired to new ground.
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