Belgium

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 276, 19 November 1914, Page 5

Belgium

GREAT GERMAN MOVEMENT. SUGGESTIVE OF RETREAT. [United Peeps Association.] Amsterdam, November 18. Direct communication between Holland and Berlin has been suddenly interrupted. It is interpreted that a groat movement of the German troops is in progress. Paris, November 18. A German spy was about to be executed at Arras, when he offered information if his life was spared. This was promised if the information was correct. He asserted that the Germans had planned a retreat during the next four days.

THE SMASHING OF THE GUARDS.

Paris, November 18. The smashing of the Prussian Guards at Zonnebeke was beautifully timed. The Germans shelled our trenches with lyddite and shrapnel for eight hours. It was impossible to relieve our troops until nightfall. The Germans massed the Prussian Guards, and drove us back by sheer weight of numbers trench by trench, which were stubbornly defended, until they came within sixty yards of where our artillery were hidden. Suddenly the British lines dispersed on either side, leaving a huge gap, through which the Guards poured, wildly cheering. Into the jaws of death came the finest of the Kaiser's troops, to within fifty yards of our field guns, which then belched hell point-blank. The Black Watch savagely charged for a mile. A thousand of the enemy were killed, and three thousand wounded. The artillery follewed them up, and shelled the enemy's line for a mile further away.

THE TIMES' ACCOUNT.

London, November 17

The Times' military correspondent says that the Prussian Guards, the Kaiser's pride, who were defeated by the French at Charleroi, and again on the Marne, and have not been mentioned for two months, re-appeared, attacking the British on the 11th inst. They were fresh after their rest, and presented a magnificent appearance when paraded. before the Kaiser at his recent western visit. The British, since October 20th, have held out against superior numbers. The German higher command, was able to make an impression with the new formation of called-up Guards. With the hope of giving a finishing blow, they attacked the British with conspicuous gallantry, and, despite heavy punishment, penetrated our advanced line. Our war-worn regiments immediately counter-attacked, and put the Guards to flight, so there cannot be much left of these historic Prussians.

THE ALLIES HARD AT IT ON THE COAST.

(Received 8.45 a.m.) Paris, November 18

A communique states that the bombardment of the Germans from the sea to Lys continued with considerable activity, especially at Nieuport. East and south of Ypres we repulsed isolated infantry attacks. Zouaves, with a brilliant bayonet charge, carried a wood near Bixschoote, which had been contested for three days, the British having maintained the brunt. The bombardment of Rheims was continued. We regained the western front at Chaivoncourt, and despite German counter-attacks we forced a Landwehr battalion to withdraw from St. Marie and Auxminis, the Germans having lost half their effectives.

GERMANS' PLIGHT IN THE FLOODED AREA.

(Received 8.45 a.m.) London, November 18

In the flooded area, especially round Dixmude, Oostkirke, and Kaskerke, there are many German detachments at isolated outposts and farmhouses, and some have died of starvation. The Belgians picked off as many as seventeen Uhlans,-who were shot as they were attempting to capture a floating log. EFFECTIVE BOMBARDMENT BY THE WARSHIPS. (Received 8.45 a.m.) . Amsterdam, November 18. The Telegraf says that the Allies' warships on Monday bombarded a factory on the canal Zeebrugge-to-Bruges used for military purposes, demolished a military train, and killed many Germans. WEST FLANDERS BATTLE. GERMANS' DESPERATE EFFORT TO REACH THE COAST. Per Press Association. Wellintgon. November 18. The High Commissioner reports under date London, November 17th, 4.25 p.m. : The battle has been resumed with great violence in West Flanders, the enemy making enormous efforts to reach the coast. OFFICIAL. The High Commissioner's report from London dated 18th November:— Official: The first division of the British wore yesterday subjected to a heavy attack, first from artillery and then from infantry, the brunt falling

upon two battalions of the first division, who were shelled out of their trenches, but they recovered them with a brilliant counter-attack, driving the enemy back iu disorder 500 (yards. An attack was made on a

brigade of the second division, but the enemy were repulsed with heavy losses.

GENERAL. At eye-witness at'the British Headquarters Staff, giving instances of the stubbornness of the Germans, says that during the fighting at Ypres a company of infantry was enfiladed by our machine-guns, all being killed except six, who crawled away wounded after nightfall. Another coinriany 'of Germans dug themselves in on a line where the bodies of their com'rades lay in rows. Again some of 'the enemy's cavalry at dusk charged the French trenches. As every horse was killed, the dismounted riders continued to charge afoot, the last survivors being slain on the very parapet of the trenches. Whatever deteriorating material is being drafted into the ranks, it must be admitted that, the Prussian war machine obtained the most remarkable result in being able to make good its losses and continue to deliver ' repeated blows with fresh men when they were required, and concentrate large forces in different directions.

! A Berlin report states that at Langmarck the Germans occupied the Allies' trenches, and captured 2000 prisoners, but the real facts are that the "Germans, who advanced in overwhelming force, were allowed to approach within range. A murderous fire mowed down the first line, then jthe second, and ploughed great gaps in the third, yet the fourth line attacked and reached the trenches, but the Allies refused to budge, and engaged, ittv hand-to-hand conflict. The Gordon Highlanders supported a stirring charge, and the Germans were repulsed with heavy losses. Paris, November 17.

During the fighting southward of Ypivs on the 11th inst. eighty of the British infantry became isolated, and were unable to rejoin the main body. They took refuge for the night in a wood, and at dawn found a German column driven towards them by the Allies. They waited till the column drew near, and then charged with the bayonet, 400 Germans being taken prisoners or lost. Copenhagen, November 18. Official lists of German casualties give the number as 5-19,247. This is exclusive of the losses of the Bavarian, Saxon, and Wurtemburg armies, whcih aro estimated at over 400,000. Paris, November 18. Tow officers in a motor car, flying the Red Cross, with a pass bearing General Millerand's signature, traversed the villages of the Aisne. When arrested they proved to be German spies, who had attempted to inspect the Allies' lines.

Many hundreds of the Prussian Guards were taken' prisoners at Zonnebeke','" with' four heavy cannon, 27 ,-machine guns, besides some motor machine guns.