THE SOISSONS REVERSE.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 116, 18 January 1915, Page 5

THE SOISSONS REVERSE.

GALLANT WORK BY TRENCH. GERMAN NUMBERS TOO GREAT. LONDON, aJn. 16. Details of the fighting at Soissons show that the French made a resolute advance on the Bethune road and reached a farm where they encountered a German division. The French repulsed sharp attacks and flung themselves with desperate-cou*rige against the lower slopes of spur 132 until counterattacks forced them to fall back on Crouy. Meanwhile the French attempted to scale the eastern ridge of Perriere Plateau, but were thrown back by a withering German fire. The fighting on spur 132 was resumed on Wednesday, when 200 Germans were killed and many made prisoners. The Germans re-grouped their forces and debouched on Chivres valley, outnumbering and outflanking the French. Flooding of the Aisne destroyed a bridge at the Missy, preventing reinforcements. The bridge, however, was hastily reconstructed, enabling the FrencTi to retreat. The Germans occupy the villages on the right bank, aiul are unable 1o cross, the French artillery sweeping the plain of Venizel. 1 i BOMBARDMENT OF SOISSONS. FIRES ALL OVER THE CITY. CATHEDRAL BADLY DAMAGED. CIVILIANS KEPT AS HOSTAGES. PARIS. Jan. 17. The Germans violently bombarded Soissons on Thursday. There are fires in all parts of the town. The tower and portico of the cathedral were completely destroyed. The Germans are keeping men, w<vmen and children in the quarries aa hostages and forcing the women to go lo Soissons for picvisions.'