Fighting In France

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 124, 19 October 1914, Page 5

Fighting In France

RAINY SEASON WILL CHANGE TACTICS. RETIREMENT OF GERMANS PREDICTED. HEAVY GUNS IMMOVABLE. BRITISH CHANGE THEIR FRONT. (Paris, October 16. A military expert writes in the Journal Liberte that the arrival of the rainy season will modify war in the trenches, causing them to become absolutely mitenable by the Germans, owing to foul heaped-up bodies. When the Germans are exposed to our cannon we hold trump cards. I London, October 16. A correspondent from the vicinity 01 the firing line in the north of France predicts that the retirement of the Germans is only a matter of days. Enteric fever is rife in the German trenckes. The biter has been bit in that his heavy guns, which wrought such havoc at the beginning of the war, are now immovable in the mire. The grand army has not strength to advance and must fall back. I Paris, October 16 (evening). Yesterday's progress is officially confirmed.

Tho movement of Sir John French's troop 3 from the lino wag carried outiten days ago. The tioops are delighted with the change from the deadly depression of the trenches, hoping for more invigorating experiences on the new battle front. The Tommies mingled with the French troops in perfect harmony and mutual comradeship. The entrapment of the British was carried out perfectly. FRENCH GENERAL KILLED. Received 17, 3.40 p.m. Paris, October 16. The French killed at Arras Included General Marcot. RHEIMS BOMBARDED ACAIN.

CATHEDRAL HIT. Received 18, 4.40 p.m. Paris, October 17. The bombardment of Rheims Cathedral was resumed on Tuesday, when a 3hell wrecked the gallery. Three shells fell on the law courva. ALLIES OCCUPY FROMELLES. GERMANS REPULSED AT YPRES. Received 18, 11.10 p.m. Paris, October 17 (midnight). Official.—Progress continues. We occupied Fromelles, southward of Lille. The French marines repulsed an attack along the Ypres Canal to the sc:i. TERRIFIC .CAVALRY FIGHTING. ROTH SIDES LOSE HEAVILY.

Received 18, 4.30 p.m. Paris, October lfi. Heavy fighting proceeded in the Ypre.s, Courtrai, and Nienport districts. It is reported that a cavalry battle north of Lille developed into a stupendous fight. The Germans were chiefly Hussars. After superb charges, Both

sides were cut up. It is reported that the Allies' Josses were heavy, but the enemy's were terri-

FRENCH CAVALRY EXPLOIT. OVER-CONFIDENT UHLANS BEATEN. FRENCH SWIM FLOODED RIVER. Received 18, 3.35 p.m. (Paris, October 17. Uhlans in the Lys valley blew up a bridge and placed machine-guns at the fords, relying on the depth of the river to prevent the French cavalry crossing.

Five Frenchmen volunteered to swim across with a line, and succeeded. The regiment was soon across by means of pontoons. The Uhlans, unaware of the crossiig, encamped at night in a neighboring village. A squadron of French, assisted by a mist, rushed the village with 80 Cuirassiers, routing 000 Germans and capturing 250. ALLIES STILL PUSHING AHEAD. GERMAN ATTACK REPULSED.

Received 18, 4.30 p.m. Paris, October 17. An official communique issued at midnight on the Kith says:—"The action on the left wing everywhere continues wita vigor. "The Allies have gained ground at some points, particularly at Laventie, eastwards from Estaires. "The Germans unsuccessfully attacked Malincourt." Received 18, 4.40 p.m. Paris, October 17. Official.—The Allies have occupied the approaches' to Armentierea. We have again gained ground in the Arras and St. Mihiel regions.

GALLANT ZOUAVES. CHARGE AN ENTRENCHED HILL. USE AN OLD FOLIAGE TRICK. Recerred 18, 3.35 p.m. Paris, October 17. The French on October 7th twice failed to rush an entrenched hill on the Mouse ■ear Hardeaniille, and were driven tack by concealed guns. The Zouaves offered to take the position. The French troops and b&tterltfs

withdrew, there was a plantation of young fir trees at the foot of the hill, mingled with bushes. Each Zouave cut down a bush of fir, and carrying a. tree crept up the hill at dusk. Whenever the sentries' backs were turned they gained a few yards. Then a sentry saw the glint of a bayonet, cnallengcd, and was bayonetted. The Germans in the trenches awoke too late, and the Zouaves bayonetted them, and the artillerymen allowed the French to occupy the trenches.

COUNTING CHICKENS TOO EARLY. GER.MAXS NOMINATE PARISIAN HOSTAGES. Received 18, 3.35 p.m. Paris, October 17. A copy of the list of hostages which the German commanders drew up in expectation of capturing Paris includes the trading French and English commercial agents, Ambassadors of the Triple En-' t(nte, editors of tne prominent newspapers, and correspondents of the ehbf London newspapers.

FRENOI ADVANCE IN ALSACE. THE GERMANS DRIVEN BACK. Received IS, 10.30 a.m. Paris, October 16. A message from Basle states that a German column has been driven back through the Vosges passes, with heavy loss. GREAT DAMAGE AT LILLE. WHOLE SECTIONS OI THE CITY

RUINED. Received 18, 10.30 a.m. Amsterdam, October 16. Lille is reported to be badly damaged. The whole district near the railway station is a heap of ruins. Fire brigades from Roubaix and Turcoing and German soldiers extinguished the flames. ; HORSES RIDDEN TO DEATH.

Times and Sydney Sun Services. Received 18, 5.5 p.m. London, October 17.

A correspondent estimates that every Uhlan and French cavalry man bas ridden through three horses since the war commenced. The Germans stripped the country of useful chargers. They lost hundreds from glanders and other diseases, caused by feeding them on beetroot and green corn. Many dead horses are to be seen along the roads. The French animals are always distinguishable because their ribs are countable through being unfed. Literally the horses had been ridden to death.