The big German guns became
still as the infantry struggled hand to hand.
There issued from the French left at this juncture, heavy bodies of
French cavalry. Into the thick of the struggling mass the horsemen
charged. This attack had been a surprise. The Germans were cut down in
large numbers. As they scrambled back to the protection of their
trenches, French troops scrambled over with them. Again the infantry
alone was engaged, but this time in the enemy trenches.
Whole squadrons of cavalry were ordered from their horses and also sprang
into the German trenches. Reinforcements were hurried up. The Germans
also rushed up supports; but they had delayed too long.
The Germans broke and fled for safety to the second line trenches.
Immediately the French turned the field pieces captured with the German
trenches upon the fleeing enemy and mowed them down in great numbers.
Others of the French troops fell to work consolidating the newly won
trenches. The big German guns opened again; but by this time the French
were pretty well secured against this arm of fire.
More French reinforcements were rushed up to hold the captured trenches.
Batteries of field guns braved the German shell fire and dashed across
the open to the captured trenches.
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