Belgium.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 59, 26 October 1914, Page 6

Belgium.

UNDER COVER OF THE FLEET.

United Pbess Association. London, October 24.

The Belgians, taking the offensive on Monday, fought a fierce engagement at Schoore, Keyem, and Stahason, while a force, under the cover of the fleet’s guns, made way for Westende' and attempted to envelop the German right. Heavy fighting occurred all day, and both sides suffered considerable losses, the Germans’ losses being the heaviest.

A Belgian motor mitrailleuse surprised German cavalry near Westende, and chased them along the road, firing into their mass, and fifty were killegl. The whole regiment ' was practically placed hors de combat. There were terrible spectacles m some of the woods north of Roulers, where hundreds of Germans were killed. r

The fighting near Nieuport was ot extraordinary violence, A German column, advancing towards Dunkirk, dose to' the seashore, using the sand dunes for cover, was massacred by the Belgians, who declare that the waves are washing piles of German dead up on the beach. The Allies have 1 advanced closer to Ostend.

It is reported that the Germans are leaving the coast, and the road to Ostend is clear.

The British warships are now abreast of Middfelkerke.

The English cavalry is active working from Thourout. • The Germans have placed artillery between Thourout and Ibdeke.

THE BATTLE OF BRUCES.

Amsterdam, October 24

A battle is now raging fifteen miles south of the Bruges-Ghent line. The Germans are making the utmost use of the hilly district, arid, though they are losing ground, are offering a fierce resistance.

Reports from Breda state that only a few hundred Landsturmers are left at Antwerp, the remainder of the troops having been marched towards Turnhout (about 25 miles to the north-east). • The German wounded are streaming into Antwerp, and vessels full of wounded are lying in the Scheldt. The Telegraaf says that 4000 wounded reached Bruges on Thursday. The Allies, from their strongly entrenched position at Armentieres, have beaten back all attacks. Yesterday the Germans crept up in the on one occasion etaoin shrdlu cmfwyp one of these trenches, and opened an enfilading 1 -fifri. Then the artillery of /toth sides began. Germans and the 'Allies were alike imprisoned in the trench, shelled by- friend and enemy for fourteen hours. Then the Allies retook the trench and captured the Germans. KING ALBERT AT THE FRONT.

(Received 1.25 p.m.) , Amsterdam, October 25,

His staff urged King Albert to leave the front. He replied: “My skin is of no more value to my country than yours. My place is in the fighting line.” There he remains in the uniform of a general, constantly encouraging his gallant little force at all points on the front.