THE GAS POISONERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 July 1915, Page 11 (Supplement)

THE GAS POISONERS.

GERMAN CONFESSION AND ACCUSATION. London, .Mine 4. The Cologne Gazette recently, published a German account of the attack on the North of Yprcs at the end of April, which was carried out by the use of asphyxiating gases. The writer is apparently a non-commissioned officer, who took part in the operations. It is suggested that the French and English first employed gases, but he shows quite plainly how the gas attack was, as Sir John French reported, long and deliberately prepared. He says: "For months we lay over against one another, and no pulling or pressing or shoving could loosen the iron defences. Every attack from our side broke down, just like the I attacks of the French. The determination and stubbornness on both sides made large undertakings impossible. Then a new arm—chemistry—began to play its part on the side of the enemy. The bursting shells of the French, but especially those of the English artillery, spread clouds which 'betaubende Dainpfe.' The use of these gases, which, as in well known, were employed also in rifle ammunition, had brought the anger of oi.r soldiers to fever heat. With a grim smile the men whispered one. to another that the hour of revenge wasapproaehing. Then came tho great, long-desired moment." | The writer then explains how the Germans had to wait for a favorable wind. He says: "There were never so many meteorologists as in the last fortnight before the attack. It was nn exciting time for-us. There was one, alarm after another. Often it was stated with complete certainty that, the day had come, and a few hours afterwards wo returned depressed to our quarters, because the weather prophets had again prophesied falsely. All these experimental alarms helped to increase the eagerness of our soldiers for battle. At last April 21 came. Our battalion was resting. On the night, of April 21 we established ourselves in a thicket right in front of our heavy artillery, and waited eagerly for the things that were to happen. Towards 5 o'clock on the. evening of the '22 nd came the order for complete readiness, and half-an-hour later the major called to me as he passed: 'Now we are off.' I took my glass, clambered up a small elevation, and looked in the direction of the trenches/' The writer then describes the excite nicnt of the troops, the reception of messages reporting success, and the infant)y advance. He says that as the gas poisoners went forward they sung tho '■Deutschhtlid hoch in Eliren." Ho proceeds: 'lt is with curious feelings that we marched through the fields and villages, which hitherto we had approached only in the depth of night and keeping absolute silence, as they lay in the most effective lire zone. Exactly an hour after the beginning of the attack the major said to me: 'Do you know that our armored train has already passed through L ?' The little' town of |, , or. rather, the heap of ruins which showed where it had been, had been evacuated by us at the end of October. Kor live months all our efforts lo recover it from the enemy had been in vain. To-day one half-hour sufficed to restore it to our possession. It will not be evacuated again." The German's description of tlie remaining operations lacks interest, but he mentions that all the troops were specially keen on the capture of Yprcs, and that everybody cried: 'Forward! God punish England!"