HEAVY FIGHTING IN NORTH OF FRANCE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2278, 12 October 1914, Page 5

HEAVY FIGHTING IN NORTH OF FRANCE

..-. ; . ..Wβ. DRIVEN BACK .. .ALLIES.MAINTAIN THEIR GROUND . Paris, October 9. ". Desperate fighting raged round Arras from October 1 to 4, and the losses on both sides were terrible. '_ 'For a week preceding the Germans developed a furious counter-attack from Valenciennes.on Lous, and from Cambrai to Bapaume (fourteen miles west) on the Allies' position south and east of Arras, causing the Allies to fall back on Lens and Douai, fighting stubbornly, the enemy ' occupying Bethunis ■ . . i ■ , Though German shells fell on Arras, the main force swept round the town, and cut the lino between Arras and St. Pol (twenty miles west-north-west of Arras), seeking to junction with the Bethune force. .. • _ '•■'•.. German troops went to Lille by train, firing from the windows as they went. ■■ ' On October 2, when the Allies fell back, fivo German regiments were cut up; and the horses of their convoy stampeded as they advanced on Arras. At tho village of Plouvain (ten miles cast of Arras) they camo under (i devastating French fire, while other batteries enfiladed them. The whole five legiments Droke and flea. .... It was a veritable debacle. Nevertheless, tho Germans maintained vigorous counter-attacks. ' „ . On the 3rd the battle, which hitherto had raged round the Arras-Douai-Cambrai-Bapaume square, moved north and east on tho Arras-Lens-Douai triangle. Tho enemy was forced back three miles. ■ • : HEAVY GERMAN REINFORCEMENTS. ' . .. London, October 9. The "Daily Express" Paris correspondent states that General von Kluck, 'who commands the German right, is still being heavily reinforced. Troops are being rapidly conveyed from East Prussia. . > • GENEBAL SITUATION ' UNCHANGED. . (llee. October 11, 10.30 a.m.) Paris, October 9, evening. An official communique states:—The general situation is unchanged. The opposing cavalry are still operating to the north of Lille Ihe battle continues on the line of Lens, Arras, Bray-sur-Somme, Chaulnes, Roye, ; and Lassianv There has been only isolated fighting m the centre. There has been an artillery fight all along the line of tho Woeuvre. The position is unchanged elsewhere. , . DESPERATE BATTLE NEAR LILLE. (Reo. October 11, 3 p.m.) London, October 10. On October 4 two German shells fell in the centre of Lille. This marked the beginning of the Germans' deperate attempt to escape the Allies' encircling movement. The shells did. little damage, and were fired by batteries on tlie extreme left. _ _ .''■ ■ j The new force, which advanced from the Belgian frontier formed a crescent the line lying roughly between Turcoing and Armentieres. A violent series of engagements followed between about ten thousand of the enemy and the infantry" garrisoning Lille. Savage fighting . was continued in the streets and 'boulevards on' the eastern outskirts all Sunday, and until Monday, when the enemy we're finally repulsed. _ ~ V. , ~i On Tuesday October 6, a gallant fight raged between the French and the big army stretching along the whole eastern, northern, and north-western suburbs of Lille. The battle raged all day and well into the night. The French guns wrought terrible havoc, the slaughter being of the ghastlies nature The Germans were mown down in hundreds. Their infantry fire was feebte, though it sounded incessant, and may be taken to indicate that their whole transport has broken down seriously along the northern Belgian lines of communication. The day ended in the complete rout of the enemy. The French fought with magnificent dash and courage. anny Aj men tieres and Turcping was intended to" cover the flank of the main body advancing on Lille and Arras, and was driven thirteen miles. ~ > ... . ', ~ On Wednesday October 7, the French artillery came within a few kilometres of' Lens, fired straight over the town, and bombarded the German positions near tho village of Hersin, to the west, and beat them back northeastward with heavy losses. . , On Thursday 'October 7, the Germans evacuated the Lille district, and retired from Beth'une in a north-easterly direction. 1 ' HEAVY FIGHTING IN ROYE REGION. (Roc. October 11, 4.20 p.m.) . • Paris, October 9, evening. 'A communique states that there has been further severe fighting in the Roye region, whero the Allies on Thursday and Friday took 1600 prisoners. Otherwise, there is nothing now. VIOLENT ATTACKS BY THE ENEMY. • • (Roc. October 11, 11.20 p.m.) Paris, October 10. A Paris communiquo states: The battle continues in our favour. Our whole front has been maintained, despite the enemy's violent attacks at several points. The nVliting between the opposing cavalry between La Bassce, Armentieres, and Cnssel has been somewhat efused owing to the nature of the ground. We have secured real advantages <it several points north of the Oise, and havo appreciably progressed in the St. Mihiel region. ... A communique issued at midnight states: There ia heavy nuhting around Arras. The enemy Iβ also making a very vigoroue attack upon too heights .-overlooking the Mense*