Western Campaign

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 148, 17 November 1914, Page 5

Western Campaign

THE NEW ARMY, POUR AND A HALF STiLHONS MOBILISED. Received HI, 6.1 a p.m. Paris, November 15. Official: Four and a half millions have now been mobilised, including 5000 volunteers over 45. FUTILE GERMAN EFFORTS. • THEIR LOSSES HEAVY. A BRAVE BRITISHER. Paris, November 15. A communique states that the enemy's efforts during the last few days resulted in nothing but the taking of ruined Dixmunde, the isolated position of which rendered its defence difficult. Yesterday was quiet, except north, east, mid south of Ypres, where we repulsed several attacks. The German losses were heavy. During a recent conflict a German emerged from the trenches to rescue a comrade. British fire killed him before his action was observed. A British officer went to the German's aid, and in turn was fired on by the Germans till his action was noticed. The Britisli officer was wounded, but carried the German into the enemy's lines. The latter cheered him, and a German officer decorated the Britisher "with the Iron Cross. He returned to his own lines, and was subsequently recommended for the Victoria Cross, but succumbed to his wounds. I Amsterdam, November 15. Twenty German trains of wounded daily pass Charleroi. One train was wrecked, and many of the wounded killed.

AN AVIATOR'S SCARE. A RUSE THAT SCORED. GARROS' PLUCK. Received IG, 5.15 p.m. London, November 10. Amiens was terror-stricken at the arrival of a Taube, which was greeted with a shower of rifle bullets. The inhabitants took refuge in the cellars. The French infantry blazed away with impotent fury at the Taube, which commenced to gracefully volplane. The mystified soldiers lowered their rifles and approached for tho purpose of arresting the German, instead of which Garros stepped out and explained that he was reconnoitring, when his engine failed, and he was chased by a Taube. Garros descended, pretending he was the victim of a disaster, and, awaiting the Taube, rose up and shot the pilot with a revolver. He gave his own machine in the care of a friendly farmer, mounted the Taube, and returned to Berlin.

AGAINST SPIES. GERMANS EXCLUDED FROM CHURCriES. Received 16, 5.15 p.m. London, November 15. Precautions have been taken against spying, Germans being forbidden to ent?r the churches in Flanders, as a peal of hells might be used for secret signals, or t ) prevent hearing the approach of hostile aircraft.

GERMANS' ENORMOUS LOSS. FAMOUS REGIMENTS LOSE HALF THEIR NUMBERS. Received 16, 11.55 p.m. Paris, November 10. A hundred and twenty Germans wi re captured on Saturday, the residue of the battalion which assaulted the Allied trenches that morning. Several companies, notably the Prussians Guards and Bavarian Second Corps, which were at full war strength at the beginning of November, have beon depleted by half.

FRENCH OFFICIAL REPORT. GERMANS DEFEATED ON THE YSER. Received 10, 11.55 p.m. Paris, November IG. An official communique on Sunday at midnight stated that the most noteworthy incident of the day had been the throwing back of the enemy on the right bank of the Yser Canal. The enemy evacuated the remaining portion of tin left bank, and unsuccessfully attempted the offensive southward of Ypres.

BATTLE OF YPRES. GERMAN ENDURANCE INCONCEIVABLE. ENEMY LACKS ENTHUSIASM. Received 17, 1.20 a.m. London, November IC. The Daily Mail's Calais correspondent, describing the bayonet light in the wood near Ypres, says: "Every man wlio lield his ground was killed. The ground was strewn with forms in every attitude, twisted into horrible grotesqueness by the waning light. It is almost inconceivable that men can endure what the Germans endured in these bayonet charges. Their losses were over fifty to one. They fought with little hope, and no enthusiasm. "The battle of Ypres, for us, has been the battle of the war. The Allies gained a few miles, with great losses, but for the enemy it has been death beyond reckoning in fog, rain, and snow. "The Germans have been fighting hopelessly in Flanders. Those untouched by bullets or bayonet are dying of hunger and exposure. "The southern inarch from the coast Jo Ypres continues in a severe snowstorm."

FOOLED BY VON KLUCK.

PARLEYING TO GAIN TIME. Received 10, 10.40 p.m. Paris, November 10. A story is told in Paris that when M. Poincaire recently went to the front, he did so in the hope of securing General Von Kluck's surrender. Von Kluck, being hard pressed, asked the terms of surrender, pretending that lie would accept practically unconditional terms. He managed to spend the ■whole day in parleying, but filially said he must have Berlin's authority to conclude terms. He was given another day to secure authority. The two days, however, were utilised in rushing up reinforcements and resting his exhausted troops. The negotiations were suddenly broken off. The story adds that next time Von Kluck seeks terms he will he given an hour to come in.