The German Advance

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 11, 31 August 1914, Page 8

The German Advance

ALLIES v. GERMANY;

London, August 30

The Allies have abandoned Boulogne, on the ground that it is strategically unimportant, in view of the urgency of strengthening the left of the Allies. Tlie latter are taking breath after the strenuous fighting of last week. Passengers from Franco report that the Governor of Boulogne has departed. The Uhlans are advancing in that direction, and are also within seven miles of Amiens. The Daily Mail’s Amiens correspondent states that the Germans are advancing incessantly, but there is hope of checking them. The Germans have hitherto carried all before them by sheer weight of numbers and a deadly hail of maxims. England should realise that reinforcements are imperative. There are indications that the British route for transporting wounded and forwarding reinforcements and supplies will be transferred to Amsterdam.

THE LAST RESERVES CALLED OUT.

Wireless messages from Berlin state that the main German army in the Cambria district advanced for nine days, gaining continuous victory. General Von Kluck repulsed the British at Maubeugo. Later they attacked the British south of Maahwge, and succeeded in encircling them. Troops under Generals Yon Bulow and Yon Hauren completely defeated eight French and Belgian army corps between Sambro, Namur and the Meuse, safeguarding the communications. As men are urgently required at the front, the Kaiser has ordered the mobilisation of the last reserve. Ihoy will bo employed to protect the communications and to occupy Belgium which will be used to supply the requirements of the army and to relievo the home resources. Reports opine that the reservists have joined. The seven German army corps in the Cambria district, with cavalry, now total 130,000. If their losses, and the 50,000 left at Antwerp, are deducted, there must ho 350,000 there, apart from six army corps between Dinant ami Thionville.

AN EYE-WITNESS’S ACCOUNT.

Boulogne, Angus 29

An eye-witness likens the last stand of the British gunners to Rorke’s Drift. Seven hundred British -took up a position on high ground near Tonrnai, with 22 held pieces and two garrison artillery guns. One company of the Light Infantry entrenched. The German shrapnel made good practice from the north-west of Tournai, which the British effectively returned, meanwhile an’aitiug the arrival of the French army corps. The situation became critical when the Uhlans, having been reinforced, charged down the streets leading to the British position. They swept round the flanks, and with desperate bravery charged the very muzzles of the British guns. Survivors state that the Germans mounted qnickfirers on Red Cross waggons, and so were able to get close to the gunners, whom they shot in both legs. Summing up the episode, the narrator says; “The Germans won’t be so cocksure next time; we’ll give them hell!” GREAT TURNING MOVEMENT BY THE GERMAN ARMIES. ... or. ....q Paris, August 29. The Germans are now advancing in four columns.* The first is in the gap of Stenay. 12 miles west of Longwy. where they hope to strike the Meuse and accorr.plhh the turning movement against Ycrdu. The Montmedy fort. a;u j ti; o deep, valleys of the Meflse should make it possible for'the French to counter this army.

'I ho second army is .striking between Montmedy ami Me/Jercs, despite the fore ’-t 3 which tin?,,, French occupy. Ti- .rc if; iV,r.:v\:jU f-M-t at Charlem.ont perched 700 i t high on a rock. The third army is forcing a passage between the Meuse and the Sambre. The chief natural obstacles are the forests. The largest army is following the valley of the Sambre, where they will meet the fortifications at Maubeugc. The 23,000 acre forest of Mormal servo- as a defensive screen for the French. There are no great natural obstacles'Yrt the direction of Lille. Here a British force is lending aid. On Sunday last the British were brought to Mona; after forced inarches, to prevent the Germans turning the French army’s left.

DESPERATE FIGHTING NEAR

CAMBRIA.

Boulogne, August 29

Seven hundred British, with two turns, took up a-position behind Cambria on' Wednesday morning. The guns at first had a splendid range, and did wholesale execution, ■ but lost the range under the steady German advance” Thei position; was critical at one o’clock in the-.afternoon, but the liiiti-.li held their own, expecting assistance. Suddenly Uhlans, estimated at 5000, galloped.upoi),the guns. The list officer stood to his gun, shooting a dozen Uhlans, with his revolver. The infantry, resisted for an hour, when l,!:„ ti n ie e hundred survivors, the majority of whom were. iyouuded, began to fall hack on, Cambria, which was reached in good .'order at nightfall. Elsewhere 3000 British bivouacked m the early morning in a strong position after a forced march ot 17 miles. Through lack of airscouts they misjudged the pqsl,t r jbU' of it superior 'force of Germans..i';, Au hour later, the Germans, with leading, swarmed upon the British, reaching within.

50yds of the machineguus. The Britisix readily repulsed numerous attacks, the v .-‘..ui.io leaving a wall of dead. Tne mulsh reached a safe base, five miles distant. Their losses were inconsiderable. After retiring on Maubeuge on Monday, the British were ordered to retire on the Cambrai lines. The German commanders thought the British beaten, and that it was possible to repeat the Sedan incident. Then sent 300,000 cavalry and infantry to envelop the two British corps and one division of cavalry. Throughout Wednesday the British were marching to the south, battling against tremendous odds.