Below there was a crash as the door splintered beneath the battering
tactics brought into play by the Germans who had gained the shelter of
the house and were able to continue work without molestation. The ten
Frenchmen told off by Captain Leroux to defend the entrance held their
rifles ready, waiting for the first German head to appear in the opening.
But the door was of stout oak, and though it seemed on the point of
giving under each succeeding blow, it still held. Hoarse guttural cries
from without indicated that the Germans were becoming impatient to get at
the French within. Came an extra violent crash and the door suddenly gave
way. Three Germans, who had been leaning against the door, caught off
their balance, were precipitated headlong into the room. It was
unfortunate--for them.
Before they could scramble to their feet, the French had placed them
beyond all hopes of further fighting. Their days of war were over.
But other Germans poured into the door behind them and leaped forward
over the prostrate forms of their comrades. Calmly, the ten French
soldiers, far back against the wall and a little to one side, so as to be
out of direct line of fire from the open doorway, fired into the surging
mass of humanity.
Pages:
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112