INCIDENTS IN THE GREAT BATTLE

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

INCIDENTS IN THE GREAT BATTLE

(Reo. Ootober 11, 4.20 p.m.) . tontJon, Ootober 10. French divisions with a Territorial division held positions Bt Arras for several days against overwhelming odds until reinforcements arrived, and though the losses were heavy, the Germans were soundly beaten. _ The reinforcements, when nearing Arras, encountered a large force or Germans. Tho frontal attack failing, a large force of French went to the flank, and while the centre engaged the enemy, they ruehed tne trenohes, taking 900 prisoners. EEIMS BOMBARDED DAILY. Paris, October 9. The Germans continue to bombard Reims daily. Half the town is destroyed. The remaining population is living in cellars and Buffering The bombardment has now lasted twenty-eight days. LIKEAvisT- RABBIT WARREN. London, Ootober 9. 'A war correspondent says: —"The countryside along the Aisno has beep: turned into a vast rabbit warren. The Allies are screened to perfection from the German trenches, and are content in the meanwhile to remain hidden and repulse tho German attacks. The Germans are outnumbered,. the consequence being that they are continually in the trenches, while the Allies secure rest by occupying the trenches in relays—("Times" and Sydney "Sun"Services.) . . • ENEMY MOWED DOWN IN THOUSANDS. Paris, October 9. 'A fortnight ago the Germans occupied Fort Conde; east of Soissons, att excellent strategic position. The British guns' trajectory was too flaj; for siege purposes, and after ten days' vain, shelling, six-inch 'howitzers were brought up, and .Fort Conde was made untenable within four lumrs. This was the beginning of the end. The German counter-attacks continued until Friday, when the supreme effort -was made. The Germans on that day, deceived by the' inactivity of the British, advanced upon the trenches. The British withheld their fire until the Germans were very close, when rifle fire and bayonet and cavalry charges slow thousands. The British were now. thrown forward in. great wedges on the enemy's lines. • ' GERMANS DRIVEN FROM FORTIFIED POSTS, (Rec. October. 11, 11.20 p.m.) -■■ Paris, October 11. The Germans north of Soissons have been strongly posted in fortified postsj, called "mushroom beds," since the beginning of the siege : battle.' £he French! troops failed to dislodge them, suffering severe losses. The Commander then ordered the attacks to cease and entrenchments were dug frwp hundred yards, from the Germans. French Engineers mined the intervening space until itwaa possible to fire heavy charges of dynamitej killing five hundred (Jennans yrlat were holding the trenches. ,