DASH ON CALAIS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 159, 11 December 1914, Page 3

DASH ON CALAIS.

GERMAN PLAN FAILS. Writing from Calais on October 12, a London Daily Mail correspondent gave an account of tlie fighting that took place round Lille about the time of the fall of Antwerp. "They can now be little doubt that it was Germany's intention to make a dash on Calais," he said, "a move which was timed to be almost coincident with the taking of Antwerp. They intended to score a second 'blow on English prestige' by planting a German flag within sight of the shores of Great Britain. They advanced in considerable force on Hazebrouck, Montcassel, and St. Omer. "Guns, however, were advantageously | placed on aij eminence at Montcassel, and, almost before the enemy were aware of the serious nature of the opposition, they were meeting with, were working most serious havoc in the oncoming German ranks.

"A considerable force of Germans advanced, and, while well forward, they were amazed at being met by a raking side fire from trenches on their right, which they had not noticed The execution was deadly, and the enemy fell back with many hundreds killed and wounded in some disorder.

The advantage gained was followed up during the two following days, the result being that the Germair front in that region was thrown back over the Belgian border. The Germans were undoubtedly taken by surprise. During the retreat French forces fought several brilliant little actions, the artillery of both armies being, I am told, particularly well handled. "French airmen performed a smart feat in the neighbourhood of St Omer. A German aeroplane, carrying two men, appeared over the little town and dropped a number of bombs. These killed three people, and injured six others, besides blowing up a house. Five French aeroplanes started in pursuit, and quickly managed to get to close quarters with the Taube. A well-aimed shdt from one of the pursuing air-craft struck one [of the m en on the German aeroplane—the mechanic—on the head, killing him instantly. The machine swerved and appeared about to fall, but the pilot managed to right it, and on he went at full speed. A few seconds later, however, a little volley rang out from his pursuers' rifles, and the pilot shared the fate of his companion,, The machine, which was then travelling at a height of DOOyds or 1000 yds, fell down like a stone to the ground. "A refugee from Lille tells me the story of how a number of Germans fell into a trap on their first advance on that city last week. The bombardment began on Sunday, and the very first shot knocked a piece out of the frontage of the Hotel de Ville. There was, however, no real bombardment, and at first the enemy thought it waa going to have a walk through the city.

"The first advance party, indeed, came into the suburb of Fives by train, but, finding that the enemy were near at hand, established themselves in one of the factories to wait for the advance of reinforcements. The reinforcements, were, however, driven off, and the factory surrounded. "There was a good deal of rifle fire exchanged, but on being told that they would be smoked out the Germans agreed to surrender. They certainly had their walk through Lille —but it was as prisoners."