Fighting in France

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 87, 8 September 1914, Page 5

Fighting in France

GERMAN FLANK TXG MARCH UNSUC-

CESSFUL.

ALLIES' POSITION SATISFACTORY.

Received 8, 12.40 a.m. Paris, September 7.

Tt is officially stated that Saturday's encounter between the advanced deft 1 lit? t* forces and the flank of the German right wing assumed larger proportions yesterday.

The Allies advanced as far as Ourc-q, encountering but slight resistance.

Tlio situation of the Allies appears good as a whole.

HOSTILITIES IN EASTERN

DISTRICTS.

GERMANY'S DESIGNS INTERPRETED'

TO CUT OFF THE RIGHT WING

Received 8, 12.40 a.m. Paris, September 7.

It is officially announced that on the French centre and right, namely, in Lorraine and the Vosges, fighting continues. The situation is unchanged. Some experts interpret tlie latest German movement as an attempt to intercept the French eastern forces, which have been fighting with success between Toul and Epinal. Germany's main object, the defeat of the field armies, and the possibility of active defence of the eastern frontier, depends on the possibility of a general offensive by France.

A BRITISH SUCCESS.

GERMANS SMOKED OCT OF A

FOREST,

TERRIBLE AND EFFECTIVE FIRE,

Received 8, 12.40 a.m. Paris, September 7,

The British success in the Compiegne Forest operation was of considerable magnitude, involving the employment of a large force of artillery. Great numbers of Germans were concealed in the. forest.

| The British artillerymen assumed their positions around the outskirts, and part of the forest was next fired, the flames driving out the Germans. The latter Were exposed to a terrible and effective fire from the British guns, and their losses were extremely heavy.

BRUSH WITH THE ENEMY,

ALLIES HAVE THE ADVANTAGE,

Received 7, 8.40 p.m. Paris, September 7,

An official report slated that the Allies' advanced troops defending Paris came into touch on Saturday with tha enemy's forces, which seemed to be covering, on the Ourcq towards tils southeast, the movement of the main body of the German right wing. The small resulting engagement was to our advantage.

BRITISH SUPERIOR INTELLIGENCE

AND TRAINING,

GERMANS OUTCLASSED EXCEPT IN

NUMBERS,

iFRENOII ARMY GAINS MARKED SUCCESSES.

ENEMY CONCENTRATED ON BRITISH FORCE.

OUR CAVALRY EVERYWHERE VICTORIOUS.

'London, September 0.

The Press Bureau states that the first Germany army is reported to be between La Fcrte-sous-Jouarre and Essisesvoffort. Tire second is advancing cast of Chateau Thierry, and the fourth is marching southwards between Suippes and Yillc-sur-Toube.

The British have established a personal ascendancy over the Germans, and are conscious that the result will not be doubtful if the numbers are even. The Britsh rifle fire devastated every column of the attack, and superior training and intelligence enable the British to cope with vast numbers. General Sir John French, in his report, dwells on the marked superiority of every arm of tlio service. Since the fight at Cambrai the 7th French Army has been supporting our left, and, in conjunction with the 'oth Army on our right, have greatly relieved the strain and pressure. The oth Array, on the 20th, advanced from the line of the Oise to counter the German advance. In a considerable battle to the south of Guise the French gained a marked and solid success, driving back three anny corps with heavy loss and in disorder. The Allies' general retirement, however, continued, the Germans seeking persistently alter the British, and remaining practically in continuous contact with our rearguards.

The Press Bureau also states that on Thursday tho Germans made a very vigorous effort at Compiegne, where the Ist Bvitisli cavalry and 4tli Guards brigades were principally engaged. The brunt fell on the Guards, who lost three hundred killed and wounded. Tin Germans were not brought to a standstill till mucli slaughter had indicted.

The casualties to date are estimated at 15,000, but many who are missing will rejoin the colors. The losses do not amount to one-third of those inflicted, and the sacrifice is not out of proportion to the achievements. Nineteen thousand reinforcements have arrived. The British are now south of the Marne, between the French troops.

The Press Bureau added that the British cavalry do as they like, until confronted with three times their number of Germans. The German patrols simply fly before our horsemen, whilst their troops won't face our infantry. In spite of almost tropical weather and long, trying marches, the men are well and hearty, and the horses in excellent condition.

GALLANT EXPLOITS.

CAPTURE OF GERMAN GUNS

batteries at short range

Received 7, 9.4-0 p.m.

iParis, September (1. Dragoon Guardsmen relate that when the German guns were captured at Compiegne the German and British batter,< :g "ere only 500 yds apart. The British .succeeded in firing first, and'the dragoons followed up with » tremendoiu charge, even a shoeing-smith armed with a hammer participating.

GALLANT BRITISH GUNNERS.

Received 7, f1.50 p.m. London, Sept. 0 (evening). _ The Press 'Bureau reports that during the fighting on August 28th, at Licateau, all the men of a British battery were killed or wounded, except a subaltern and two gunners, who kept up tlie fire throughout, and were unhurt.

I GERMANS' PLAN OF ATTACK.

FRONTAL ASSAULT IMPOSSIBLE.

ATTEMPT TO BREAK DEFENDING

LINES,

London, September fl.

The German movement through La I'i j )to-Sous-JouaJTe and lliieims is interpreted as an attempt to break the Allies' line between Rheims and Verdun, realising the danger of attempting to besiege Paris with an unbroken army in the. field.

THE WEEK'S OPERATIONS SUM-

MARIS ED.

OX THE WTIOLE SATISFACTORY.

London, September f].

The Press Bureau states that a general survey of the week's operations shows that there has been no new main trial of strength. There have been battles on various parts of the front, which in other wars would have been considered operations of the first, magnitude, but now are merely incidents. A strategic withdrawal and contraction ■were necessitated by the initial shock on the frontiers, and in Belgium also, by the enormous strength the Germans have thrown west. While suffering heavily through weakness, tile British acted in harmony with the French strategy. The British at Cambrai on the 2Gtli successfully guarded the left flank of the whole of the French line from a deadly turning attack, supported by an enormous force.

GERMANS AT MONS.

EXPECT A BRITISH ATTACK. London, September 6.

The Observer's correspondent at Ostein! passed the German lines and visited Mons. lie states that the Germans, fearing an attack by British troops from 1 1 lie north-west, are entrenching tliemj selves at Mons. The Germans are bej having atrociously in the district, burning houses and murdering Belgian noncombatants, particularly miners whom they declare are dangerous Socialists. Sacks containing 02,000 aluminium identification plates of German killed are being sent to Berlin.

THE BRITISH RETREAT FROM MONS.

A HIGHLANDER'S STORY.

London, September 8.

A letter from a wounded Gordon Highlander describes the retreat from Mons. lie says: "There was fighting by day [and retiring by night until we came to Cumbrai oil Tuesday night. I dare not mention that ylace and close my eyes. God, it was awful! Avalanche followed avalanche of fresh German troops, but the boys stuck to it."

BOMBARDING MAUBECGE.

DEVASTATION EVERYWHERE,

London, September 8.

The Observer's Ostend correspondent Bays that Maubeugc was bombarded by this famous howitzers. Over a hundred houses in Mons, Jemappos and other villages were burned. The terrified inhabitants liung out white flags and implored mercy. At Jeioappes the monument of France's victory over the Austrians in 1702 was destroyed. The Germans are terrifying their victims with revolvers. Received 8. 12.40 a.m.

Paris, September 7. Maubeuge continues to resi:>t heroically.

A FRENCH STORY.

UIILAXS SURPRISED, BUT AVENGED Received 7, 9.50 p.m. Bordeaux, September 7.

Refugees are responsible for the statement that SO youths and women with lilies ambushed a posse of Lilians and killed nearly all of them, near Vonzicrs. Next day a large force of Uhlans burned tlia village, and live children were incinerated.

UEKAIAKS AOUUIIA.TB IN' XELLIGJiNCE.

Received 8, 2 a.m. London, September 7 (morning.) I Tiie Ihi'iy Mail's lvoiwm- correspondent states that ithroughout the British re| tiremciit, front Itais and Compiegne the Germans seemed! uncannily acquainted wirii General French's headquarters, wliich were shelled at Lecatetm and St. Quentin,