A _Times_ correspondent says that the laconic reports of the French
Minister of War give little idea of the desperate struggle that occurred
around the villages along the Lorraine border. Point after point was
taken and retaken, he says.
He gives the following story of the fighting at the village of
Badonviller in France, west of Schirmeck, as told by the villagers: “The
village was occupied by a battalion of chasseurs as a covering force was
prepared for defense by numerous trenches. The battle began on August
10. The Germans bombarded the village, compelling the chasseurs to
evacuate it. The latter retired on Celles, and afterward took up a
position on Donon Ridge.
“After nightfall the Germans increased the bombardment, and the
inhabitants sought refuge in cellars, as a continuous rain of shells
kept wrecking the houses and setting them afire. It was a terrible
sight. Women fell on their knees and prayed, while children cried
piteously.
“The chasseurs retired, defending every house, foot by foot, and making
the Germans feel their fire. The sun rose on a village in ruins. It had
been under bombardment fifteen hours. When the Germans entered, they
fired first on all the windows and down loopholes into the cellars. No
corner was spared.”