A FIGHT TO A FINISH.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 170, 24 December 1914, Page 5

A FIGHT TO A FINISH.

FIERCE ENCOUNTERS FOE FIFTYTWO DAYS. TUNNEL UNDER GERMAN" •POSITIONS. SANGUINARY HIAND-TO-lIAN D WORK. Kiwi veil 5.5 p.m. London, December 22. Mr. Martin Donoliiic writes: —"The fight for Vermelles lasted fiftv.two day*. The whole town was destroyed by explosives and heavy artillery. "Towards the middle of October the Germans snugly entrenched themselves at Vermelles, and inflicted heavy losses 6n the attackers, but tile fight went 011 tenaciously from house, to house, anil farmyard to farmyard. "On a dark night it was the German custom to set lire to a house, to serve as a torch to facilitate fighting. iTlic French used their light mountain guns with deadly effect, house after house being bombarded and captured. Directly the French gained possession of a house adjacent to one held by the Germans,' the French suppers cut a hole through the wall, the muzzle of a gun was shoved through, and harried the enemy. "Chateau Vermelles, with its extensive grounds, was captured on December Ist. The Germans had constructed trenches, fi feet deep, lined with cement. The French found it impossible to drive the enemy out by bombardment, and as a direct infantry attack would involve an immense sacrifice of life, the French mined their way up to the main wall and blew it up, burying half the garrison ; "Through the breach a French storming party entered, and sanguinary hand- | tojiand fighting took place, room after ; room being captured. The Germans fought to Hie last with clubbed rille and j bayonet, and in half an hour only one j German was left alive in the Chateau, while 400 lay dead within the enclosure. "Using the Chateau as a base, the French artillery soon demolished the enemy's entrenchments, and ten hours later the French occupied the town." BATTLE OF NIEUPORT. FRENCHMEN'S GALLANT OH AUG E. f ATTACK FROM LAND AND i-'EA. THE BRITISHERS DISTINGUISH THEMSELVES. Received 23, 0.3:t p.m. London, December 23. I Details of the ha:tie of Nieuport show I that tlie French troops took up a position at t'iie most dangerous point, where lliev had to cross five bridges commanded bv the enemy, who were surprised. The Germans took some time to reply to the furious artillery fire and the fleet's cannonade. Then they opened the. maximum discharge of all their guns, bull after an hour the German fire slackened. ' The Allies were pouring shrapnel into the enemy's trenches with tremendous precision. Groups of Germans vtre blown bodilv over the sand dune.-. The French and Belgium infantry from five points attacked the trendies. The Germans never knew from where th> attack was coming. Five separate lines of trenches were taken. Tlie forward movement worked lil« clockwork. I Three French aeroplanes reported the ' enemy's movements on land, and gave warning of submarines' movements at sea, enabling tlie deslroyers to war! ofl' their attacks. 1 Simultaneously with the Nieuport advance. the Allies cleared the Germans from the region of Bethune. The Britishers distinguished themselves. They drove the enemy from a position—whic.i had been .stubbornly ccntestcd for four weeks—inch by inch, to 11 distance of ten miles from Bcthuni. German aeroplanes, before 'heiy troops were driven back, bombed Bethunc and ' 1 illed a number of civilians. "TO THE BITTER END.'" j THE GREATEST DRAMA IN / HISTORY. BELLICOSE SPEECHES IN FRENCH PARLIAMENT. Received 23, 11 p.m. Paris, December 23. Parliament has opened. Many Deputies came straight from the trenches. M. Deschanel, in his speech, said: "England, at whose, heart Germany aims, rises with Canada, Australasia, India, and with us, and pursues her glorious civilising mission in the greatest drama history has known. All will do their duty, and realise the ideal that right is greater than migjit." (Cheers.) M. Yiviani said France and her Allies would fight to the bitter end. France would only lay down her arms when her lost provinces were regained, Belgium's independence, restored, and Prussian militarism broken. TOMMY ATKINS PRATSED. BY GERMAN GENERAL. "EXPERIENCED. AND TOUGH." Received 23, 5.30 p.m. New York, December 23. Tlie Times correspondent spent three, days with General Von Heeringen's arm v. Von Ifeeriiigeii had no 'hesitation in 'oraising the British troops as splen- , did soldiers, experienced and tough, especially 011 tile defensive. The Germans Imd learned many lessons from the English, especially their way of taking cover. He related: "At one time we threw hand gramides into the British trendies, making 1 noise calculated to shako the 11 oral" of the stoutest. Our men advanced, expecting to find them groggy, hut the Scotsmen crawled from the trenches, and actually attempted a 'cornier bayonet, charge." On the other hand, General Von ITeeringen accused the British of the misuse of the. Red Cross Hag. and the use of dum-dunis. PARTS' NEW DEFENCES. I ON MODERN AND NOVEL LINES. Times and Sydney Sun Services. Received 23, 5 3(1 p.m. London, December 23. If the Germans should again threaten Paris, they will meet with elusive and formidable defences. General Galliri has constructed deep trenches, and hauled up heavy artillery, which has been so cunningly disposed that nothing is visible. This entrenched camp, stretch- ' ing for miles outside the city, contains German observing tents.