FRENCH SOLDIERS INSPECTING A FALLEN GERMAN SOLDIER IN A TRENCH, CA. 1916...

 French soldiers inspecting a fallen German soldier in a trench, ca. 1916.

The following is excerpts of Danish-German soldier C. Beuck's account of attacking the Hartmannswillerkopf peak in the Vosges on January 20, 1915 - today 109 years ago. Translated by myself:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

"...Arduously the unit, which isn't used to mountains, climbs higher and higher on small footpaths. A battalion in single file; how easy it is to disrupt; the darkness, challenging terrain, heavy equipment all contribute to the struggle. Snow lies on the ground.

Thoroughly exhausted after the long march and the unfamiliar ascent, everyone lays in the snow or up against the mountain walls when we rest for a short while. At last we're at our destination, at the foot of the Hartmannswillerkopf. Captain Mende explains that the peak is occupied by the French, and it's crucial it falls into German hands. We must take it, but it will likely be challenging.

Led by Lieutenant Braasch we advance. It's a tall, snow-covered peak we are to storm, in some places we're in snow to our knees. Suddenly a ferocious fire meets us. We storm forward, arduously tripping through the snow. Through the clear winter air our commander's shouting can be heard; it is simultaneously terrifying and beautiful.

Many get hit by well-placed shots; first Unteroffizier Gabert falls. Here and there a scream is heard from someone who's hit; the wounded moan and whine. But he who is not hit must look forward, calmly load, aim and shoot. We must continue the storm forward; the stretcher-bearers will take care of the wounded on the ground.

By my side a bullet strafes Private Künstler's head, I bandage him up and he crawls back. Ahead of me Unteroffizier Hansen lies, he jumps forward and I don't hear or see him again. He had been hit in the jaw; all teeth knocked out. On my left is my comrade Kruse. 

"We jump forward; the ferocity of the fire continually grows and it's impossible to advance. Kruse and I can't move; the bullets strike the snow around us.

On our right 10 of our men have found cover by a boulder. Kruse and I carefully crawl towards them on our stomachs pressed against the snow. At last we made it to the protective boulder, but a machine-gun incessantly holds the spot under fire.

Among us lies Private Deutsch who moans with a shot through his back. We can't move forward or backwards, we lie in the snow without moving from before noon to 4 PM.

Kruse had crawled back to re-establish communication with the Captain. He was showered with an array of projectiles, but nevertheless got through it. With bravura Private Siemon carries the wounded Deutsch away on a jacket. When the fire ceased late in the afternoon we all crawled back after one another and made it back to the other companies."

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