The Czechoslovak Review/Volume 1/Czech Soldiers in French Army

 

CZECH SOLDIERS IN FRENCH ARMY

Bohemians in France are few, compared to the hundreds of thousands that migrated to the United States, but their military record in the great European war is enviable.

At the outbreak of the war six hundred Czechs, subjects of Austria, volunteered for service in the French army for the duration of the war. Of these about four hundred came from Paris, one hundred and fifty from the provinces and some fifty came from London, where at that time they were not wanted in the English army.

They saw some real fighting. As far as the Bohemian National Alliance in Paris can ascertain, two fell at Charleroi, two in the battles of Champagne and two at Frise. In Artois, March 9, 1915, Czech soldiers covered themselves with glory. The Bohemian company of the first regiment of the Foreign Legion attacked the German trenches and forty-two boys fell around the red standard with the silver lion of Bohemia. The next losses occurred at Souchez, June 15, where eight more gave up their lives for France and Bohemia. The September fights in Champagne cost five more lives, and fourteen fell in Picardy. In addition to that four Czech volunteers of the French army were killed with the Saloniki expedition near Monastir, and one fell in Morocco.

The total losses are 80 dead, 30 permanently invalided and over 100 recovering from wounds. Decorations bestowed upon Czech volunteers are as follows: Military cross 50, military medal 11, St. George medal 20, St. George cross 3. The status to-day of the men who volunteered two and a half years ago is of some interest. On the French front 126, in the hospitals 31, aeroplane pilots 6, in Saloniki 26, in Morocco 75 with the first regiment and 77 with the second regiment of the Foreign Legion, interpreters with the French army 26, total 370. In addition to that 11 of the original volunteers were sent to munition factories.

The Czech volunteers form a very small fraction of the great French army, but what counts is that they make up fully forty percent of the Bohemian immigrants in France.