Belgium

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 277, 20 November 1914, Page 5

Belgium

THE PRUSSIAN GUARDS. BRAVE BUT IMPOTENT. Times and Sydney Sun Services. London, November 19. The Press Bureau publishes the report of an eye-witness of the fighting at Ypres, who says: “Although the Prussian Guards’ recent attack failed to accomplish their object, it cannot yet be described as a decisive event. It possibly marks the culmination of the second stage of the«attempt to capture Ypres. That the Guards were selected was a proof of the necessity felt by the Germans to gain the point. The failure of one great attack was heralded by impassioned appeals made in the presence of the Emperor, but it was carried out by partially-trained men, and was only the signal for a second desperate effort, which was entrusted to the Guards, who retained their reputation for courage and contempt of death.”

FORTY HOURS’ FIGHTING. A TERRIBLE TRENCH - FIGHT. Times and Sydney Sun Services. London, November 19. A French soldier, describing the fighting at Ypres, says: “For forty hours we fought almost foot by foot. I have seen a trench lost and regained seven times. It is impossible to describe such a hell. Our 75’s and mitrailleuses mowed down whole battalions of Germans, I myself saw a regiment advance. Ten minutes later it had ceased to exist, and in less than an hour 3000 had been exterminated.” BELGIAN CHILDREN BEG FOOD FROM GERMANS. ( [United Press Association,] London, November 19. Cardinal Mercer, appealing for food on behalf of the Belgians at Malines, writes: “Famished children, in their desperation, often go to Gorman soldiers and tear the bread from their hands. The soldiers divide their bread with the children, who are begging food.”

REPORTED GERMAN STRAITS. Paris, November 19. Le Temps’ correspondent at Burnes says:—“Although it is impossible to give details, I am in a position to state that the Germans have been crushed, and are now completely exhausted. Soon they will have been entirely driven out of France. Christmas will be celebrated with joy by all the Allies, and especially by Russia.” PART OF TOWN BLOWN UP. Paris, November 18. Official: Very violent and almost ceaseless cannonade continued throughout the day on the northern front. The Germans mined and blew up the western part of Chauvoucourt. OPTIMISTIC BELGIANS. Paris, November 19. It iV stated that the Belgian Parliament will not meet in France, but will wait until it is able to meet in Belgium. GERMANS WILL WINTER AT WATERLOO. jfe , London, November 19. IpThe Chronicle’s Calais correspondent savs : “The German transpoit waggons are choking the roads in the dii-

eetion of Brussels, apparently preparatory to drawing the lighting line ti".ther back, “The derma ns have .‘omp'.etod concrete trenches on the hold of Waterloo and it is calculated t!-;.t- tney can indefinitely defend the«s in compara--11 re comfort in winter. •‘The Allies hoped that (,ho Germans wool I have made more atta ks holme refciinig.” DIXMUDE BUT A NAME. BATTERED BY ARTILLERY FOR A WHOLE MONTH. Baris, November 19. Dixmunde is little more than a name. Since October 16th it has been a storm-centre of the artillery’s fire. Scarcely a stone is left upon a stone. The ruins Tiave become a vast necropolis for the (lerman dead. A DARING FRENCHMAN. Paris, November 19. During the northern battle, a German shell fell near a French battery without bursting. A lieutenant, desiring to find the range, advanced in a hail of projectiles and examined the shell. He discovered that the fuse was pierced for 5800 yards, and the French, regulating their fire accordingly, silenced the enemy’s battery.

“OUT OF THE FRYING PAN.” Paris, November 19. Germans along the coast, noticing that the British warships’ fire spared the houses on the Middlekerke seafront. went thither to reside. This decision became known to the Britishers, who suddenly bombarded the houses, killing sixteen hundred. GERMANS AT SOISSONS, STRENGTHENING THE LINES. (Received 8.30 a.m.) London, November 19. The Daily Mail says that there are indications of the Germans strengthening their lines towards Soissons. GREAT DEFENSIVE MEASURES. VETERANS TO THE FRONT. v (Received 8.20 a.m.) Amsterdam, November 19. The Germans are taking great defensive measures from Bruges to Com - , trai and are also strewing mines from the front towards Brussels. It is reported that the Germans are making a new effort to cross the Yser. There is an extensive movement of Landsturm troops from Ghent, while young Germans are being sent to the rear.

OFFICIAL FRENCH REPORT. (Received 9.20 a.m.) Paris, November 19. A communique states: The onorry’s artillery’s activity increased on the northern front, particularly between the sea and Lys. The Algerians repulsed the enemy near Tracyleval and regained ground previously lost. The Germans lost heavily . We maintained our positions in the Argonne. CONFLICT RENEWED ALONG THE RIVER YSER. (Received 8.45 a.m.) Amsterdam, November 19. The Telegraf says the conflict along the Yser was renewed from Nieuport to Dixmude, the Belgians utilising small boats.