Nevertheless, a boy very daring and full of the best sentiments. I was convinced he would be an excellent soldier. Sergeant in a regiment of infantry, he fought like a lion in the Belgian campaign and immediately distinguished himself. His colonel proposed him for a sub-lieutenant and I transmitted the request to General Sarrail, under whose orders I then was.
Was it for political opinions or for some other reason, I know nothing of it, but the propositions I received from his colonel and which I hastened to send to the General, were held without reply——
So, during the battle of the Marne, the Division to which my protégé belonged was on the right bank of the Meuse; I came, as you know, to be completely surrounded by the Germans for a period of forty-eight hours.
From that moment, I depended no longer on General Sarrail, from whom I was totally cut off.
So, an old order authorized generals commanding a besieged or surrounded spot to nominate officers up to a certain rank.
Having still in mind the last recommendation of young de Marnac, I hastened to send him his brevet of sub-lieutenant.
Up to here there is nothing romantic in my story, but you will see how this animal recompensed me for my kindness.
During the month of November, 1914, his Division was engaged in murderous fighting.