Poem ~ Sweeping Out the Enemy at Altkirch - Monday, 10 August 1914

This day boast of brilliant bayonet charges,
By battle eager French cavalry and troops,
Against advancing German cavalry, who face
Brazen despots invaders of Belgian borders,
Reporting success upon success in Alsace.
Outflanked the Germans halt on the Meuse,
As in those battles of old, charged the French,
Hurling forward, in fearless bayonet charges -
That enemy found their front compromised.

Soon the Ministry of War in Paris gives report

How a German Brigade in control of Altkirch,
Fled in fright at sight of French bayonets,
Who bore down on enemy entrenchments.
Routed out from a second line of defence,
The enemy was chased through the city,
By a charging Dragoon Regiment,
Swept out Germans who withdrew in haste,
Out towards Walheim they fled.
Only by darkness did this enemy escape,
Stumbling, depleted with their heavy losses.

In that ancient Alsatian city of Altkirch

French troops received a rapturous welcome
From a population truly grateful - old men
Of an 1870 war keenly embraced young men.
In lack of lingering Germans as expected,
This French Brigade advanced on Malhausen.
Here people with flags greeted them keenly,
As the cavalry galloped through the city
Routing out any remaining German rearguard.

Once again the Germans took to their heels,

Again to retreat, now back to Neu Briesach –
With success comes the cry Alsace has risen!
General Joffre spoke to make a grand speech
Of such magic words as Justice and liberty 
With honour to free their noble Belgian soil.
Stand up to cry Vive la France Vive l’Alsace!
South of the Meuse these engagements
Showed advantage of tactical training,
Cavalry charges are a success for French. 

Such accounts as these show French bravery.

A larger unit of German Officer and 22 Uhlans
Encounter a smaller section of French cavalry.
The French officer takes up the advantage
Of that hesitating enemy leadership.
In sudden charge he pistols the German Officer
The 22 Uhlans left without their officer flee.
Again comes the cry Alsace has risen!
Stand and state 'Vive la France Vive l’Alsace!'

by Jamie Mann.

Anon., 2014. Daily Telegraph August 10 1914. The Telegraph, [online] 10 Aug. Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11019859/Daily-Telegraph-August-10-1914.html [Accessed: 10th August 2014].

Anon., 1914. German Defeat in Alsace. Official Statement by the French War Office. The Daily Telegraph, 10 Aug. p.7. 

Mann, J., 2014. 100 years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal communication, 10 August 2014). 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11019859/Daily-Telegraph-August-10-1914.html

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