ENEMY FALLING BACK IN BELGIUM

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2294, 30 October 1914, Page 5

ENEMY FALLING BACK IN BELGIUM

; SEVERE FIGHTING BELOW OSTEND TERRIBLE LOSSES INFLICTED BY THE ALLIES By Tekjrapli—Press Association—Copyright , 'London, October 28. A "Daily Mail" message Btates that tho Germans have been driven back over the Yser Rivor. Many were drowned and many taken prisoners. ' . The Germans have fallen back at Westende (eight miles south of Ostend) Three hundred and eight-seven vehicles ladea ..with, wounded passed Ostend on Sunday, CRITICAL STAGE OP THE FIGHTING, _ ,1 ' . , , ' ' Paris, October 28. ' There are three main canals between Nieuport and Dixmude. The Germans' crossed the second canal on Sunday last, and reached Pervyse (sis miles from Nieuport) on Monday, when the battle was critical for the Allies. The French, however, steadily' advanced along the dunes to Lombartzyde and Westende (below Ostend). There was heavy fighting on. Monday at Couckelaere (six miles east-north-east of Dixmude), where the Allies held a commanding position to the westward, and inflicted terrible'losses on the enemy. Thrice the German masses flung unavailing assaults on the position. . German guns have been mounted at and Zeebrugge (two small coast towns north' of Bruges) for the purpose of meeting attacks from the sea and the Germans have also sown mines along the coast, using Ostend tu"s ' and luggers for the purpose. Many of tho mines broke away, and exploded against the groynes on the seashore. ; SURPRISE ATTACK BY THE ALLIES, London, October 28. : A Flushing telegram states that a large force.'of Germans on Sunday advanced from Bruges to Thourout (11 miles to the south-west). The Allies remained concealed until the town was occupied; then a sudden attack drove the Germans in confusion to Bruges, leaving hundreds of dead and wounded behind. The British and French flags are now flying from tho tower of the Thourout church. , i DESPERATE ENCOUNTER IN A BURNING FIELD. \ . Paris, October 28. After the Germans were repulsed at the Tpres Canala on Friday the British advanced through the open fields, driving tho enemy east and north, and capturing Langemarck (eight miles north-east of Ypres), where they entrenched during the niglit. , Suddenly a shrill whistle sounded, and!' the bushes, soaked with petroleum, brofa> into flame. Masses of men sprang from the beet crops a few hundred yards away, and charged the British, who hurriedly' manned the trenches, and opened fire with their machine guns, pouring in volley after volley. Tho Ger-' mans replied, "Hoch! Hoch!" and rushed on. They fell in hundreds, but wero within thirty yards when the whistle sounded the retreat. The British sprang out of the trenches _ with, their bayonets fixed, and hand-to-hand encounters took place in the dim glaie of burning bushes. Many of the enemy threw down their hut no quarter was given. The Germans wer© driven back to Roulers. The British made thousands of prisoners, including a general, and captured a battery and several machine guns. ENEMY'S SUBMARINES RAILED TO OSTEND. ■ . London, October 28. It is stated that tho German submarines operating near Ostend woro sent from Germany by rail, packed in sections.—("Times" and Sydnoy ''Sun" Services.) i ~ | ; GERMANS DESERTING THE COLOURS. j . . London, .October 28. . Reports chow that there is a utosdy flow of Gorman dceufiara to HoUiiud. »d Bydaex Swkss.Ji

MOST SANGUINARY FIGHTING OP THE WAR. , . . „ , ~ London, October 88. A correspondent writing from Amsterdam says that the severity of the loss of life in the fighting in Flanders exceeds that at the Battles of the Mouse and the Ncthe. from the sea," he says, "fly hero and there searching the trenches, scattering the columns, and annihilating bridges. German shells also bring death and destruction. The carnage is enormous! Tho Germans have filled tho monastries with their wounded, and fresh German troops continue to arrive.—("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) BERLIN EXPECTS THAT ALHES WILL RETIRE. ... n v , , . London, October 29. A .Berlin report says that the definite result of the battle proceeding among the dunes along the Belgian coast is hourly expected. It is considered that tho Allies will retire. The Teport states that tho investment of Belfort (the Great French fortress on the Swiss frontior) is expected to. last a long time, as tho garrison is very strong and the French have shown themselves masters in the building of field fortifications.—("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) . BRITISH ADVANCING ON ROULERS. „ (Rec. October 29, ,8.20 p.m.) Paris, October 28 Official.—The English have advanced to Passchendaele, five miles south'west of Roulers, oil a line from Ypres. [Roulers was reoceupied a few days ago by the Germans.] , GERMAN ATTACK LOSING ITS VIGOUR. (Rec. October 29, 9.50 p.m.) Paris, October 28. A communique states:—The German attacks between Nieuport and Arras were much less vigorous on Tuesday. Our position is everywhere maintained. We have progressed north and east of Ypres, and also between Carnbrai." near La Bassee and Arras. THE STRUGGLE ON THE YSER CANAL, (Rec. October 29, 9.60 p.m.) Amsterdam, October 28. The recent fighting in the vicinity of the Yser Canal was very severe, many places _ being taken and fctaken repeatedly. The Germans crossed the canal many times, but were always repulsed with heavy losses. At some points the bodies blocked the canal. • London, October 28. The "Daily Mail's" Rotterdam correspondent states that on Monday, when the Germans were driven back over tho Yser Rivor by bayonet charges, the Allies destroyed the pontoons, and yesterday tho monitors made havoo of the German ranks. FLIGHT OF ZEPPELINS. (Rei;. October 30, 1.10 a.m.) The Hague, October 29. Eight Zeppelins flew over Hasselt going west on Sunday and Monday. I ALLIES' POSITION: OFFICIAL REVIEW. (Rec. October 30, 1.10 a.m.) Paris, October 29. Official.—Tho enemy's two night attacks on the Dixmude district were repulsed. The enomy's efforts on the Nieuport-Dixmude front are apparently moderating. The Allies' offensive continues northwards of YpTes. There was slight progress on our part between La Bassee and Lens. ALONG THE AISNE AND THE WOEUVRE HOLENT NIGHT ATTACK REPULSED. (Rec. October 29, 9.50 p.m.) > i . - " Paris, October -28. A communique states: Tho Germans-attempted a, very violent night offensive in the Oraonne region (north-west of Reims), and were repulsed. We continue to advance in the Woeuvre, between Apremont and St. Jlihiel, and also into the Le Pretre Wood. • ' Details of tho destruction of the .three German batteries north of the s Aisne show that the Uhlan patrol had discovered a French convoy, and posted tho three batteries in a position commanding tho road. The French discovered tho trap, and sont two batteries of 75 millimetre guns to silenoo the enemy's batteries. This was done in a few minutes. The.havoc was terrible, and tho guns wore smashed to fragments. -- ' (Reo. October 29, 0.5 a.m.) Paris, October 28. The German losses at Craonne mentioned in i to-day's communique were, two thousand killed and wounded. The French casualties were a hundred. / ENEMY MUSTERING IN ALSATIA. (R«c. October 29, 10.40 p.m.) London, October 28. "The Times'" Berne correspondent reports that the Germans have been largely reinforced in Alsace, and that tho French have strengthened their surroundings at Belfort. ' '