In the West.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 310, 31 December 1914, Page 5

In the West.

THE SOISSONS FOOD SUPPLY. I'iuil AND BYDNSi J3UN tifcBVIOBB. (Received 8.0 a.m.) Loudon, December 30. A correspondent behind the Allies says Soissous is repeatedly being bombarded, the shells damaging the cathedral and hospital. The inhabitants who cling to their homes have been reduced to an unhappy plight of poverty, but they receive consolation from the fact that the Germans who inflicted the misery are also unpleasantly situated, their food supplies being indifferent. The soldiers highly prize a dish made from, potatoes, while many are reduced to utilising boot grease in which they fry bread and then sprinkle it with sugar.

ENGLISH, FRENCH, INDIANS. HOT TIME IN THE TRENCHES. GIVENCHY RE-OCCUPIED. United Press Association. Paris, December 30. A further account of the fighting at Festubert and Givenchy states that the Indians held trenches between two villages, the German trenches in places being less than fifty yards distant. The Germans attacked, using bayonets and grenades. The Indians resisted for hours with bayonets and knives, until ordered to withdraw. Meanwhile the hand-to-hand fight spyead to the villages. Every street I and house was hotly contested, and the Germans gained possession of Gwenchy. At the most critical moment two regiments of French Tei’ritorials arrived, and were spread over the whole line. The French, English and Indians fought desperately side by side In a confused line, regardless of nationality or regiments, with bayonets, knives, and bombs. Hardly a shot was fired. Believing the day won, the Germans had quitted the trenches, and, amazed at the onslaught, they vainly took refuge now in the trenches. The Allies turned them out of every line of trenches, saps, and traverses. The German dead lay in heaps. At dawn the Allies regained possession of Givenchy.

LISTS OF GERMAN OUTRAGES. (Received 9.50 a.m.) Paris, December 30. .The Belgian Commission’s latest report give long lists of German outrages, such as butchering a French high officer, priests, members of the Red Cross, the burning of numbers of wounded alive, the burying of civilians alive, and the massacring and torturing of children. The Germans are pillaging pedigree .stock in northern France. One hundred and twenty-five valuable horses and a number of selected sheep intended for auction were sent to Germany. DEATH OF BRUNO GARIBALDI. IN THE ARCONNE TRENCHES. (Received 8.50 a.m.) Paris, December 30. Garibaldi’s grandson Bruno was killed while gallantly leading his men in storming the German trenches in the Argonne.

FELL FIGHTING AT THE HEAD OF HIS TROOPS. MOTHERS STRIKING MESSAGE. (Received 9.25 a.m.) Paris, December 30. Garibaldi was wounded in the head during the thick of the fight, and blinded by blood was compelled to retire. Whilst being bandaged he exhorted his men to continue the struggle, and returned shortly to the head of his troops. Again he fell, and he exclaimed: “Go ahead, boys! Vive Italia!". He then expired. The troops pressed on, capturing the trenches at the bayonets’ point. His mother telegraphed to her five other sons attached to the Foreign Legion, urging them to emulate Bruno.

FRENCH PROGRESS REPORT. (Received 9.25 a.m.J Paris, December 30. A communique states: “Wo progressed in the Meuport region. The enemy violently bombarded St. Georges. We carried a point d’Appui between Zonnebeke and Becelaere. There has been a recrudescence of German activity in the Aisne Valley. We progressed in the Lefour de Paris region. Violent cannonades occurred along the whole Argonne-Moseille front, especially on the heights of the Meuse. We repulsed attacks at Tete de h aux. Our heavy artillery silenced the mortars bombarding Upper Ospach. general, Paris, December 30. Le Matin says the Germans again bombarded Rheims. Many houses were destroyed, and children playing in gardens were 'killed ..and wounded. Twenty-five, mostly women and children, were killed.