Death in the Mountains

In thick khaki uniforms and broad blue sashes, 508 men of the French Foreign Legion marched in full equipment to the railway yards at Sidi-bel-Abbes, Legion headquarters in Algeria, and entrained for French Morocco. Just what they were going to do when they got to Morocco only a few of the officers knew, but France does not spare her mercenaries. The Legionaries were ready to see action and face Death at the end of their trip.

They did not have to wait that long. High up through the peaks and gullies of the Atlas Mountains swung the troop train of 14 cars. It had been raining for days. The roadbed was soggy, treacherous. Between Zelboun and Turenne the train jumped the rails, hurtled 250 feet down to the bottom of the rocky ravine.

All night long rescue squads sweated among the rocks, helped by the few survivors who could stand. Men were screaming hour after hour. Doctors scrambled among the wreckage over boulders and among hastily rigged stretchers with hypodermics of morphine. At the official count 55 men were reported dead, 223 seriously injured. Quick to reach the scene was the Legion's Inspector, General Paul Rollet.

"I had 508 brave men on that train," he cried. "How many will answer the roll call now?"

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