THE GALLANT CANADIANS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 3981, 14 July 1915, Page 5

THE GALLANT CANADIANS.

STIRRING DEEDS OF DERRINGDO NO DRILL BOOK RULES FOLLOWED. TROOPS USE THEIR INITIATIVE. <r BRAVERY ON THE FIELD. LONDON, July' 12Tho Canadian “Eye-Witness” states: After the Battle of Langomarck the Canadians rested until May 14 and then moved to the southern section of tlie British line. The following is an example of the result of the citizen army not keeping drill-book rules. A Canadian battalion arranged its artillery to open heavy fire at a section of a German trench while its infantry made an ostentatious parade, fixing bayonets and rigging trench ladders. The Germans promptly retired from the supporting trenches, leaving a storm of shells to rage in front, but were ready to rush back when the fire stopped, to meet the Canadian charges. The guns were duly lifted from the front trenches and shelled the supporting trenches, as tho drillbook states, to prevent the Germans coining up. The Germans nevertheless returned. But the Canadian infantry did not move. Instead, the artillery shortened its range and a blast of fire fell into the crowded German front trenches. Next day a German wireless announced that a desperate attack had been repulsed, hut the real facts were disclosed by a German, who on entering tlie trenches for the night watch, cried oiit peevishly: “Sam Slicn ! no dirty tricks to-night!” The "Second Canadian Brigade attacked a fortified position called Bexliill on May 21 and captured a section of a trench. A detachment of British troops, including King Edward’s horse and Stratcliona’s Horse, next night took over the trenches* both serving as infantry. This was their first introduction to warfare. The 23rd was without incident, though the enemy threatened an attack on King Edward’s Horse, _ hut broke in the face of heavy artillery fire.

The Canadians again attacked at daybreak on tlie 24th, capturing positions.- Here they dug themselves in, liuUg on and assisting by a ring of shrapnel, while the heavy guns distracted the German artillery. Colonel Seely has now assumed command of the position held. The total losses of the Brigade in connection with Bexhill were 55 officers and 980 men. * The Canadian “Eye-Witness” narrates numerous brave deeds, including the following:—In connection with the Ontario Regiment’s frontal attack on a trench called “Strong Mountain,” near La Basse, Private Vincent, a lumber jack, mounted a machine gun on his back in default of a base. Private Smith, son of an Ontario Methodist minister, was buried by an explosion of a mine, but dug himself out and crawled to the front line five times to supply the bombers with bombs. The German fire was so hot that he had to lie down and toss bombs to the men in the captured trenches. When the supply of bombs was exhausted an unknown Canadian was seen standing on a parapet of tho German trenches leaping with rage and hurling bricks and stones at the enemy until he was killed. The remnants of the Ontario Regiment were finally forced to evacuate the ground won. Out of twenty-three fficers attacking Siony mountain twenty were killed or wounded. FRENCH OFFICIAL REPORT GERMANS EVERYWHERE REPULSED. (Received Julv 13. 9.50 p.m.) PARIS. July 13. -Official: The Germans bombarded our trenches on the front Lombaert-zyde-Nieuport. Our reply silenced two batteries. Despite an asphyxiating cannonade, we counter-attacked at Souchez and Oarencu, regaining portion of the trenches abandoned on Sunday. We exploded a mine-chamber on the Aisne wrecking the German minegalleries. The Germans attempted two attacks at Croix des Carny. The first was repulsed with important losses and tho second was dropped before the Germans could emerge from their trenches. GERMANY’S FUGITIVE CRUISER. THE KONIGSBERG COMPLETELY SMASHED. ATTACKED BY RIVER MONITORS LONDON, July 12. The monitors Mersey and Severn attacked the German cruiser Konigsberg, which was blocked in tho Rifigi river on July 4. Tlie Konigsberg was heavily afire midships.. The monitors resumed tho attack on the 11th and completely wrecked the Konigsberg. The Admiralty annunoces that owing to the difficulty of reaching the Konigsberg, the monitors Mersey and Severn were despatched to the scene two months ago. Aircraft accurately located tho Konigsberg and operations were opened on-July-4. The monitors entered the river and opened lire. The Konigsberg replied, firing salvoes of five guns with accuracy and rapidity. Tlie Mersey was twice hit and one shell killed four men and wounded four.

Owing to the enemy being surrounded by jungle the aeroplanes had difficulty in spotting our shots, but the Konigsberg was hit five times early m the action.

Hie m n.itors kept up the fire for six hours. Tiie Konigsberg s it. & were still standi ig but a salvo then burst on her and she became lie iv (y afire 'amidships. She continued to fire with one gun intermittently for a while, but during the last part of the engagement was silent, either through lack of ammunition of disablement.

. H.M.S. AVeymouth and H.M.S. Pioneer assister the monitors, the former engaging small guns, on the river bank. Hie Pioneer engaged guns at the mouth of the rivor. A further attack was made on the 11th and the Konigsberg was found to be a total wreck.

Our casualties in the last engagement were two, wounded aboard the Mersey.

GERMANY’S HOPELESS TASK.

STRAIGHT TALK FOR THE KAISER.

“STOP THE USELESS SLAUGHTER!”

(Received Jnlv 13, 8.30 p.m.) PARIS, July 13. “Le Temps” states that a neutral who was recently '"in Germany narrates that General von Hindenburg told the Kaiser the war had reached a point where Germany could not obtain further advantage and advised the Kaiser to find a means of stopping the needless slaughter. The Kaiser told van Hindenburg to hold his tongue and dismissed him immediately and appointed General Maekensen in his place.