First Edition. THE WAR.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 297, 14 December 1914, Page 6

First Edition. THE WAR.

In the West

SURPRISE TO THE GERMANS.

the 'recapture OF PASSCHEN-

DAELE.

(By Electric Telegraph—Copyright]

United Press iAbsooiation

(Received 1 p.m.) London, December 11

The Daily Chronicle states that the recapture of Passchendaele was the result .of a vigorous night attack. The village was strongly held and fortified with many trenches and entanglements. During the day British artillery silenced the German guns, and it was decided to make the attempt when night fell. The infantry crept up to the entanglements and cut the wires, a high wind that was bibwing drowning the noise. The line stealthily advanced and lay prone. A scout crept out and found the Germans busy sapping. When twenty yards distant, the final, charge was made aided by searchlights. > It was a complete surprise to the Germans in the first trenches, who were bayoneted where they were working. Trench after trench was stormed. The Germans made their last stand in the village, but were driven out. The German attempt to take the ferryman’s house on the Yser was a terrible failure. Bavarian prisoners declared they were ordered to recapture it or not return. The French withheld their fir© until 'the last moment; then artillery, machine guns, and rifles fired together, arid the ground was strewn with human fragments. Barely fifty Bavarians survived and these were taken prisoners.