BRITAIN'S PART IN THE GREAT BATTLE

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2239, 27 August 1914, Page 5

BRITAIN'S PART IN THE GREAT BATTLE

CASUALTIES OVER 2000 SHOOTING AS COOL AND CALCULATED AS AT TARGET PRACTICE (Rec. August 26, 10.10 p.m.) London, August 26, morning. Officers from the front state that the shooting of the British infantry was wonderful. Every time a German's head showed out of the trenches tho shooting was as cool and calculated as that of a priiso rilloinan at a disappearing target. A German officer who was taken prisoner, said: "Wo never expected anything like it; it was staggering." When the cavalry charged the Uhlans they had the surprise of their lives. An eye-witness states that tho British artillery wrought terrible loss on tho massed Germans. The latter's gunnery was badly directed, and rarely hit the mark. . MEN FIGHTING IN THE BEST OF SPIRITS. , • London, August 25. > Mr. Asquith announced in the House of Commons that Field-Marshal Sir John French reports that the withdrawal of the troops had been successfully effected. There were over 2000 casualties. , Mr. Aequith continued: The troops were hard pressed, but shook off tho

enemy. The British, in spite of the opposition and hard marching, were fightuig m the best of spirits, . B (Rec. August 26, 9.35 p.m.) « ■ . ■ - London, August 26. Central French reports that ho is nnablo as yet to send dotailß of casualties, owing to the extended nature of the operations. The condition of the troops is in oVory way satisfactory.

, BRITISH.HUSSARS CHARGE CUIRASSIERS. London, August 25. An eyewitness, writing to London, describes the British Hussars fts suddenly meeting Gorman Cuirassiers in a small village'near Ohaileroi. There was a fierce charge. The Germans were fatigued, and the result was a British victory. Twenty-seven Germans were killed and twelve taken prisoner. "WE ARE ALL PROUD OP THEM." . T - , „. A , ', London, August 26. Lord Kitchener nas telegraphed to Sir John French to congratulate the troops on their splendid work. "We are all. proud of them," concludes the message. . .' , ARTILLERY PRACTICE MAGNIFICENTLY AOOURATE. (Rec, August 26, 8.80 p.m.) ' mi n -.!, .',,- ~ ■' Ostend, August 26, awming. The British artillery practice was magnificently aocurato, forcing the Germans to beat a'hasty retreat. The, physique and athletic qualities of the British troops produceo. an immense impression in Belgium, where the soldiers are generally small. ; Every increase in Lord Kitehener's Army, aird every offer from the British colonies is chronicled m large type in the Belgian newspaper "Independent oolge. i BRITISH CAVALRY THREATEN GERMAN FLANK. ■ ' i (Rec. August 26, 8.80 p.m.) . ■~.-. London, August 26. A severe censorship is being exorcised in connection with the operations at Moiis and Charleroi. Mr. Maxwell, correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph," who reached Mons on Friday, states that Major-General Alenby's cavalry division marched north, covering Mons and Fontaine d'Eveque, west of Charleroi, threatening a raid on the loft flank of the advancing Germans. The British Army was 1 advancin K on Mons, and did not attempt to make any defensive works.. Few of the Allies are beyond Valenciennes, but the Prussian patrole swarm the country. ~ THE PREPARATIONS FOR THE BATTLE. ' , (Rec. August 27, 0.5 a.m.) ' < ' , - London, August 26, morning. I On taking up their position m the viomity of Mons, the British blew up the churches and railway station at Jemappes, two and a half miles south-west, ' which were in the line of fire, and also the canal bridges. They fired the Banaour Forest, adjacent to the canal, and established a wireless station behind Quievrain, twelve miles south-west. TJhe Germans approached ; apparently -. earlier than was expected. The inhabitants of all the villages were roused by tocsin, and all the men and many women helped to throw up trenches behindy' Quievrain, along_ the canal, and also ro\md- Mons and Valenciennes. The workers were paid in English gold. After that the civilians were ordered to retire.. Afterwards German aeroplanes appeared, and eight British aircraft chased them away. -