France

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 53, 19 October 1914, Page 5

France

ON THE ALLIED FRONT.

[United Press Association.] (Received 1.40 a.m.) Paris, October 18. A communique states that the Belgians vigorously repulsed several attacks at crossing places on the Yser river. Wo occupied a front from Givenchilles to Fromelle, and have retaken Armentieres, appreciably advanced in the north of Arras, and slightly progressed at certain points between Arras and the Oise. IN THE FIRING LINE. a '- 4 f A TRUCE AND A TERRIBLE TIME.

Times and Sydney Sun Services. (Received 8 a.m.)

A correspondent says: Sometimes the combatants in the trenches agree to a truce for a rest, when the French sleep or play cards and the Germans enjoy music and singing. The correspondent supplies a vivid picture of the sufferings of some wounded who were sheltering in a farm house, on which the German artillery was concentrated in the belief that it held French guns. He says: “The French and German uniforms are mixed anyhow. A sufferer asks for a drink and lifts himself from where he is lying, when a bullet strikes through his heart. Suddenly the plaster on the coiling cracks, revealing the head of a shell, and a terrific explosion follows. The house is wrecked with the shells, and the wounded are carried down to a cellar, whore the Germans give rein to their exasperation. They have not eaten for three days and are exhausted and have lost patience. They ask why must the war continue, costing so many lives, since defeat is inevitable. They desire defeat rather than victory as a national deliverance. During four terrible hours the wounded were kept in a suffocating cellar, the shells constantly falling, and the men dying all round. Eventually they were removed when the house was a smoking ruin.”

ALLIES OCCUPY FROMELLES

Paris, October; 17

Official.— Progress conti.uses. We occupied Fromelles, southward of Lille. The French marines ; epuise l an attack along the Ypres Canal to the sea. BOTH SIDES LOSE HEAVILY. I Heavy fighting proceeded in the Ypres, Courtrai and Niueport districts. It is reported that a cavalry battle north of Lille developed into a stupendous fight. Ihe Germans were chiefly Hussars. Alter superb charges, both -sides were cut uji. !lt is reported that the Allies’ losses were heavy, but the enemy’s were terrific.

ALLIES STILL PUSHING AHEAD.

Paris, (ictoher 17,

An, official communique issued at midnight on the 16th says; •—‘‘lho action on the left wing > very where continues with vigor. The All its have gained ground at some points, particularly at Laventic, eastwards from Estaires. The Germans unsuccessfully attacked Malincourt.” Official.—-The Allies have occupied the approaches to Armeouticre*. V. r e have again gained ground in the Arras and St. Mihiel regions.

IN THE LYS VALLEY.

Paris, October 17

Uhlans in dhe Lys Vail \v blew up a bridge and placed uachins guns at the fords, relying on the depth <f the river to prevent tho French cavalry crossing. Five I'rei chmen volunteered to swim across vith a line, and succeeded. ’’he regiment was soon across by means of pontoons. The Uhlans, unaware of tho crossing, oiicdmped at ' 'ght in a neighboring village. A squadron of French, assisted by ,a ist, • shed the village with 80 Cuirasue’s, routing GOO Germans and capturing 250.

GERMANS SURPRISED.

Paris, October 17

The French on October 7th twice failed to rush an entrenched hill on the Meuse near Hardeanville, and were driven back by concealed guns. The Zouaves offered to take the position. The French troops and batteries withdrew. There was a plantation of young fir trees at the toot of the hill, mingled with bushes. Each Zouave cut down a bush of fir, and carrying a tree crept up tho hill at dusk. Whenever the sentries’ hacks were turned they gained a few yards. Then a sentry saw the glint of a bayonet, challenged, and was bayoneted. The Germans in the trenches awoke too late, and the Zouaves bayoneted them, and the artillerymen allowed the French to occupy the* trenches.

HORSES RIDDEN TO DEATH.

London, October 17

A correspondent estimates that oyot*y Uhlan and I 1 rench cavalry man has ridden through three horses since the war commenced. The Germans stripped the country of useful chargers,'' They lost hundreds frog landers and other diseases, caused by feeding them on beetroot and green corn. Many dead horses are to be seen along the roads. The French animals are always distinguishable because their ribs arcs, countable through being unfed. Literally the horses had been ridden to death. A copy of the list of hostages which the German commanders drew up in expectation of capturing Paris includes the trading French and Eng-

lisli commercial agents. Ambassadors of the Triple Entente, editors ol the prominent newspapers, and correspondents of the chief London newspapers.

A message from Basle states that a German coluipn has been driven back through the \ osges passes, with heavy loss.

Lille is reported to he badly damaged. The whole district near the railway station is a heap of ruins. Fire brigades from Doubaix and Turcoiug and Gorman soldiers extinguished the flames.

Paris, October IG. The French killed at Arras included General Marcot.

The bombardment of Rheims Cathedral was resumed on Tuesday, when a shell frecked the gallery. Three shells fell on the law courts. HOSPITAL SHIP ATTACKED BY GERMAN AIRMAN. Loudon, October 17. The Belgian lied Cross transported a large number of wounded from Ostend to Great Britain between Monday and Thursday.

A Taube aviator bombed the Red Cross vessel Paris, lying at an Ostend quay, despite the fact that! wounded on stretchers were placed on the deck. The bombs missed the Paris by 50yds.

THE ENEMY’S POSITION.

Paris, October 17

Official.—The Germans in western Belgium have not advanced beyond the line Ostend to Roulers, to Menin.

(Roulers is about 20 miles S.S.E. of Ostend, 25 miles from the coast; Menin is 30 miles almost due south of Ostend, on the French frontier, and 30 miles from the coast). PREPARED FOR MONTHS. ASTONISHING BRITISH BRAVERY EXPOSES OLD PLANS. (Received 8.50 a.m.) Paris, October 18. During recent fighting, southward of Arras, the British posted on the declivity of a hill were suddenly exposed to murderous artillery and rifle fire from Germans concealed on the opposite hillside. The British were ordered fo retire, and thereupon a strong body of German ’ infantry emerged against the British. The latter’s reserves emerged from cover and moved diagonally. across a valley and simultaneously their own cavalry advanced. The two forces converged, the infantrymen holding on to the leathers of the saddles and both charged the Germans, who were swept beyond the positions they had been holding, and the British artillery compelled the Germans to abandon the caves and hillsides where the guns had been cleverly hidden, the guns being abandoned after they had been made useless. Examination showed that the guns were mounted on concrete platforms which had been constructed at least eiahteen months.