France

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 56, 22 October 1914, Page 5

France

FRENCH ARTILLERY DESTROY GERMAN BATTERIES.

j Paris, October 20. ■ A battery of 75-centimetre guns destroyed fifteen Gorman mitrailleuses at Wrmollos, and a heavy battery at St. Mihioi. , CAVALRY WORK CALLG FOR INI- |" TIATIVE AMD CUNNING. THE ALLIES PROVE SUPERIOR. Paris, October 20. A wounded officer states :—The public have not realised that the Allied cavalry's work in the north-west of France no longer consists of massed charges, wherein thousands meet the shock, but the engagements in detail,

wherein ruse and initiative play a prominent part. Cavalry which penetrates the enemy's lines and gains ground without arousing attention does much to ensure victory. The Allies in hand-to-hand fighting always have the advantage, despite the unconcern with which the German generals sacrifice life.

OFFICIAL.

Paris, Ocober 20

Official.—We have made detailed progress at various points. The Belgians, despite violent attacks, maintain their position on the river Yser. Further fighting has occurred in the Ypres region. The Germans continue strongly to hold the advances to Lille, in the direction of Armentieres from La Basso. On the Meuse the enemy vainly tried to repulse the Allies, who debanched on the right hank in Romancamp.

Paris, October 21

Official.—Germans attacked along the whole front from La Basse to the i Meuse, being particularly violent at La Basse. The attack was everywhere repulsed, THE NEWS CONFIRMED. Paris, October 21. An official communique states that the Germans made an effort along the whole front. The Belgians held their ground remarkably at La Basse, where a violent attack was made. Other main efforts were made at ,Mametz, between Albert and Peronne; at Vanguois, on the east of Argonne, and finally on the heights of the Meuse and in the region of Champton. AH the attacks were repulsed.

Ypres, is eight miles from the French frontier, and twenty-eight miles south [of Ostend. It is an old town, and was the capital of West Flanders. Its population riow is 17,000, but in ,the 14th century it had 200,000 inhabitants, and upwards of 4000 looms were in constant use. A succession of popular risings, and the siege of the town by the burghers of Ghent in 1383, caiised many of the weavers to migrate to more peaceful abodes, and the industry of Ypres became almost entirely restricted to lace-making. Ypres posseses now but a shadow of its former greatness, but still contains many memorials of its golden period. Diaper linen (i.e., d'Ypres) takes its name from the town.

EXPLANATION OF THE ALLIES' SLOW PROGRESS.

(Received 9.25 a.m.) Paris, October 21

Between Roye and Arras the Germans utilised a cutting for a new canal 60 miles long between Arleux and Nbyon, which afforded facilities for formidable military operations, largely explaining the Allies' slow progress, anc| Resulting in desperate fighting in.thQfjassigny, Iloye, Hezle, and Rosset districts. MANY CHILD VICTIMS IN THE BOULOGNE COLLISION. (Received 9.0 a.m.) London, October 21. The report of the Boulogne collision is confirmed. A goods train telescoped a Belgian refugee train. Many of the victims were cliildren. TRIBUTE TO WORK OF BRITISH ENGINEERS.

' (Received 9.0 a.m.) London, October 21

' French newspapers pay a tribute to tho work of the British Engineers in repairingpan important railway bridge which the enemy destroyed during their retreat. Trains were able to cross within three weeks. A marble slab was placed on tho bridge and inscribed "English Engineers, 1914."

THE BATTLE OF AISNE. INFLUENCE OF THE STRUGGLE UPON THE ENEMY." (Received 9.0 a.m.) Amsterdam, October 21. The De Tijds' Berlin correspondent says: "Tho Germans are depressed by the influence of tho Aisne struggle which the capture of Antwerp failed to neutralize. Tbey are unable to disguise the fact that the opportunity for a. Zeppelin raid on England has passed owing to the approach of winter and its storms. Tho battle on the Aisne crippled the idea of an invasion of England, and also tho health of the German troops in France is increasingly bad."

THREE V.C.'s.

DARINC INCIDENTS WITH BAYO-

NET AND GUN.

ALLIES' GOOD WORK. (Received 9.25 a.m.) London, October 21. A daring feat was recorded at tho storming of Lartedtie, westward of Lille. The enemy was strongly entrenched in front of the village all day. Artillery shelled tho German position, devastating their ranks, and the French ordered to take the village at all costs. The way lay over open fields, which were without cover. The French advanced in open order. Tho Germans withheld their fire until 500 yards, and then swept the area with shrapnel and rifle fire, inflicting heavy losses. The infantry, advancing steadily, carried the trenches at the point of the bayonet. From every roof and window in the village their entry was opposed, Mitrailleuses on the church tower swept the main street, but the Germans were finally driven out. The French 'similarly carried Estaires. French marines at Ypres, taking advantage of a mist, crawled up to the German lines, leaped into the trenches, and fell on the enemy with bayonets. The trenches were piled with German dead and wounded, and over 400 prisoners were taken. The French casualties were 10 killed and 100 wounded.

The Germans strongly attacked the trenches outside Dixmunde at midnight on the 16th. The Allies were outnumbered and retired on the town, but held the outskirts till reinforcements arrived at dawn, when the Germans were driven back and the trenches re-won. An artillery duel followed, after which the Germans withdrew.

The survivors of the L Battery of the Royal Horse Artillery, during a retreat near Compeigne, did not receive the order to retire, through the cutting of the telegraph. •• When the fog cleared they were subjected to a terrific enfilading from a point which was previously held by French cavalry and which the German field guns now occupied. The battery immediately unlimbered, with magnificent coolness, and fought, the Germans, putting the enemy's guns out of action one by one until only one British gun remained with only three non-comimssioned officers left to work it. '. When the last German gun was finally silenced. French cavalry relieved the British and Found that all the Gorman guns had been abandoned. The three noncoms were recommended for the Victoria Cross.