In the West

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 279, 23 November 1914, Page 5

In the West

DARE-DEVIL FRENCHMAN.

MESSACt OF TRUTH ACROSS THE TRENCHES.

[Unit no Press Association.] (Received 8.50 a.m.) Paris, November 22

Large reinforcements are collecting for an attack via Dixmude, where small German forces are entrenched and where the northern section runs through, but British artillery foiled every attempt to 'plant batteries Heavy infantry fighting is proceeding south of Middle Keike, the opposing trenches in some districts being so close that infantry are able to exchange messages. A dare-devil Frenchman, speaking German well left the entrenchments and stood up and translated the full text of a French communique prefacing it with the remark: “Your officers all tell you lies! Here’s the truth!” The Germans held their fire to listen, and the Frenchman escaped by suddenly jumping back into the trench before the Germans had realised the message was finished. WEST KENTS’ GALLANTRY. . London, November 22. Thrilling narratives are published of the bravery of the West Kent Regiment, who covered the retreat of the Fifth Division after Mons, and figured prominently on the Aisne. Thenlatest exploit was a five days’ defence of Neuvechappelle against heavy odds at the end of October. Tremendous artillery, fire forced the Yorkshire Light Infantry Regiment to evacuate their trenches, leaving the Kents’ left flank exposed to the German trenches only. 500 yards distant. Desperate attacks followed. The Kents shattered the attackers with rifle-fire, and drove them back with a bayonet charge. The Germans renewed the attack the following day, when the, trenches were 250 yards apart, the Germans working to the Kents’ rear. Twelve officers and over 300 of the Kents were killed, wounded or missing before reinforcements of the Indian and French enabled a counterattack to be made. All the lost trenches were recovered. General SmithDorrien visited and specially commended the West Kents.

GURKHAS IN A NIGHT ATTACK. Paris, November 21. The Indians for several days faced a terrific assault in the La Bassee region. The ranks were daily thinned by artillery and machine-gun fire. A company of Gurkhas was terribly worried from a German trench 200 yards distant. Four of their number, during the night, crept away. Just before dawn there came a sudden cry of terror from the German trench. There was a brief struggle against the invisible foe, who slashed and stabbed. The Germans were seized with panic, and (tied in fear. The Gurkhas returned %flscafihed. Daylight revealed the silent mitrailleuses, and the gashed bodies of fifteen of the German defenders 1 V* 1 ■' OFFICERS ON HOLIDAY LEAVE. London, November 21. The Times’ correspondent in Northern France says: “The Allies position was never more secure than to-day. It has been found possible to grant holiday leave to many officers and men after many weeks of arduous service.”

GUNNER DIMMER. REMARKABLE BRAVERY OF MAN BEHIND THE CUN. (Received 12.40 p.m.) Paris, ‘November 22. A gunner named Dimmer, who commanded four Maxims, was ordered to check the Prussian Guards, whose attack was supported by a hail of shells, which dismantled three of the Maxims. Dimmer nearly fainted with the pain of the shrapnel wounds he had received, and a comrade gave him some brandy. The Germans advancing in close order were mown down in whole rows. All Dimmer’s comrades had been killed and he swallowed the rest of the brandy. Then- he emptied three belts of 300 cartridges each before he fell unconscious. The Germans, however, were decimated and fled, and English soldiers picked up Dimmer after the battle.

INTERMITTENT BOMBARDMENT.

(Received 9.20 a.m.) j Paris, November 21

A communique states that between Arras and the Oise there have been only intermittent bombardments. Our artillery on the whole are more active than the enemies, and destroyed several lines of trenches. The enemy are constructing fresh trenches at the rear. The day was quiet on the remainder of the front. ■i OFFICIAL. Paris, November 22. Official: The day has been very quiet, except in the Woevre district, where there were five massed attacks at Enaranes within two hours. The French artillery repulsed the attacks. Paris, November 21. Official; The fighting latterly has consisted mainly of artillery duels in the north. We repulsed two infantry attacks at Hollobeke. The superiority of our artillery on the Aisne has been accentuated, preventing the Germans from completing their trenches. In the Argonne region we progressed near Verdun, also in the Vosges.