France

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 37, 30 September 1914, Page 5

France

THE ENTRENCHED ALLIES.

ENGLISH RIFLE-FIRE SMASHES THE ENEMY'S ATTACK.

KPT ■Memo TWJamAPH—OoPTBIQHTI [United Press Association.] (Received 8 a.m.) London, September 29. The Times’ military correspondent •ays: Our entrenched lines are gradually approaching the German position, which accounts for the nervous anxiety of the enemy, avlio keeps the Aliles at arm’s length. At one point the Germans made twenty-two attacks, six of great force, but they were nearly all •mashed to pieces within 450 yards cl ike English rifles. Only one came within 150 yards: • ‘ d-v. RHEIMB CATHEDRAL. STRAW AND PETROL FOUND IN THE TOWERS.

(Received 8 a.m.)

London, September 29

A Geneva "paper states that a great quantity of straw arid tins of petrol were found at the top of the towers of Rheims Cathedral, indicating the intention to burn it.

OFFICIAL REPORT ON'THE DAMAGE INFLICTED.

(Received 9.30 a.m.) Bordeaux, September 29

• Official.—All the roofing of the Rheims Cathedral has been burned,, «nd many of the stained-glass windows broken. The upper part of the northern tower is seriously damaged. The sculptural decorations and statues are irreparable, and the stonework inside generally damaged. A DUMMY,CANNON. FRENCH RUSE SUCCEEDS AD- . mirably. Tnai aih/Sydney Sun Services. (Received 8 a.m.) London, September 29. The French worked a successful ruse at one portion of the battle front. Infantry supporting the batteries were placed on the edge of a wood in order to draw the German fire. The soldiers constructed a dummy cannon from a handsart and the trunk of a tree. The forepart was hollowed and filled with powder, and a Taube aeroplane reconnoitred, while puffs of smoko completed the illusion. The Germans opened a furious cannonade and finally overturned the tree. > _______ 400,000 CASUALTIES. GERMAN LOSS' IN FRANCE STATED TO BE APPALLING. (Received 8.40 a.m.) London, September 29. * The Times’ military correspondent -■tabes that good judges reckon the German casualties in France at 400,000. EAST OF RHEIMS. THE PRUSSIAN GUARDS AND THEIR FAILURE TO ADVANCE. ’ (Received 8.40 a.m.) lUtis 1 Paris, September 29. The Gei’&rfn attack eastwards of Rheims wMs renewed .with unavailing ▼iolenc©r. M’wp battalions of the Prussian Guards were wiped out on Monday. Guards corps losses were tremendous. Some regiments lost all tkeir officers. The 'failure to advance ■we aeeempaaied. by severe loss in killed, wounded, prisoners, and guns.

THE RED CROSS.

ARMY MEDICAL CORPS FORCED TO FIGHT. London, September 29. A wounded bearer, attached to the Army Medical Corps, states that Germans fired on the field hospital. Every man snatched a‘gun, and the fun commenced. Four hundred Germans surrounded them, and attacked for eight" hours continuously. Finally it was decided that the\only chance was to cut through the Germans, under a storm of bullets. Four out of the 50 hospital men escaped. Another story states that after one encounter, when the nurses emerged to respue the wounded, the Germans opened a fusillade by night and played searchlights, preventing the removal of the wounded.

I&'TTLE OF THE AISNE.

DEMORALISED TURCOS ABANDON THEIR TRENCHES.

Paris, September 29,

A British wounded officer states that during the battle of the Aisne there was one unfortunate incident. Some Turcos becoming demoralised, abandoned the trenches, and the Germans, occupying them, opened an enfilading fire on the Allies’ trenches, inflicting heavy losses. An attack by dismounted cavalry finally displaced the Germans. IT’S IN THE BLOOD. CROWN PRINCE IN THE ROLL OP A VANDAL. (Received 10.35 a.m.) / Paris, September 29. The Debats states that during the Crown Prince’s stay at Champ'aubert Chateau he took jewels, medals and ikons, pillaged the famous archaeological collection, and ordered the furniture, pictures, and tapestries to be destroyed.

WITH THfe AIRCRAFT.

SHELL BLEW HIS HEAD OFF.

Paris, September 29

It is reported that the aeroplane which dropped bombs into Paris on Sunday was brought down at Mont Geron, after dropping bombs npon a train carrying wounded. A fragment of the shell blew off the aviator’s head.

Geneva, September 29

Reports from Germans state that the airship raid on Dusseldorf resulted in the partial destruction of tbe sheds and serious injury t.o two Zeppelins.