Fighting in France

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 105, 26 September 1914, Page 5

Fighting in France

OFFICIAL SUMMARY OF THB POSITION. ALLIES RE-OCCUPY PEROXXE. NOT MUCH CHAXGE, BUT ALLIES ADYAXCIXG. Received 2.">, 11.5 p.m. Paris, September 24.

Official.—On t.he left, between Sonime and the Oise, we have made progress in the direction of Roye. A detachment occupied Peronne and maintained their position notwithstanding rigorous attacks. The enemy between Oise and the Aisne continued to keep large forces firmly entrenched. We advanced slightly to the north-west of Berryonbae. Xo change has occurred between Rheinis and Argonne. The enemy continued their attacks east of the Argonns and on the heights of the Meusc. The struggle continues, with alternate retirement at certain points and advance at others. There is no notable change in the region of Nancy and Vosgea. Some detachments of the enemy tried to penetrate French territory, driving back our light covering force, but the movement at Somine was arrested.

THE CROWN" PRINCE'S (ARMY. ATTACKED J!Y THE TURCOS. A BELATED REPORT. Paris, September 24. Details of the harrying of the Crown Prince's army .state that the Chateau Mondement was shattered and the headquarters of the stall' taken and retaken four times and subjected to a tornado of Bbells and rifle Arc The Crown Prince's arm/ corps occupied the front from Fere Champenoise to a point eastward of Eperiay, and bis advance troops were on Seznnne-Epernay Road. The Turcos, notwithstanding a withering fire, struggled up to the German position, and the Germans, fighting stubbornly, retreated. No sooner were the

French within the chateau than they came under German shell fire. The German infantry drew closeT, and an annihilating gun fire drove- the blacks out. They re-formed in sheltered ground, began a counter-charge, and with a yell the Turcos retook the chateau. The enemy, next day, in large numbers, crept up under superbly-gauged gun fire, and gradually the French, yielded and the Germans again held the key of the battlefield. Then the whole (story was repeated. The Turcos dashed in; nmder a murderous fire from the clmteau, supports from the lino regiments followed, and the Germans retired. With this final break of the centre the enemy's .whole line wavered. Tlio French pressed forward and the Hermans stumbled into swamps, abandoning 42 field' pieces, beI fore order was restored by the subsequent withdrawal further eastward. (This fighting took place about a fortnight ago.)

THE BATTLE OF THE AISNE. ALMOST A FORTRESS WAR. EXCEPTIONALLY POWERFUL GUNS OF THE ENEMY. OUR PROGRESS COSTLY AND SLOW. raris, September 24. A communique explains that the battle on the Aisnc had assumed, on a large portion of the front, the characteristics of a fortress war, analogous to the operations in Manchuria. The exceptional power of the artillery on both sides imparts special value to temporary fortifications. It i 3 therefore a matter of carrying successive entrenchment?, all guarded by accessory defences, notably by barbed-wire entanglements. Therefore the advance is only 500 metres (625 yards) to & kilometre (1250 yards) daily.

THE GERMANS DESPERATK. ROAD* TOO BAD TO RfITREAT. Ptu-ij, September 24. Official— The. situation *X the front is unchanged. Officers believe that the German* would have retreated before mow, but for the conditions of tlie »v>ads rendering it impossible to. transport the heavy cannon. Tho Germans are fighting like desperate men. The officers are sacrificing their forces without rca- , son, driving then again, aau again to the charge ag if blind naa.