THE GERMAIN ATTACK.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15267, 1 May 1915, Page 9

THE GERMAIN ATTACK.

STORY BY " EYE-WITNESS."

FRENCH OVERWHELMED BY GAS

BRITISH SAVE 'iJtIE SITUATION

(Received April 30th, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON. April W. "Eyc-witnese' says that before the Battle of Ypres the British lino ran from the cross-roads at Broodsoiadc, east of Zonebeke, to the cross-roads half a mile north of SI, Julion, following the crest of the Crafcnstafel ridge. The French prolonged the lino north of Langcmarck to Steenstraate. Movements of German troaps and transports had been detected some days before, and the surprise wa s entirely duo to tho use of asphyxiating apparatus. The attack was originally fixed for the 20th, and was postponed owing to the unfavourable wind. On the 22nd a cloud of poisonous vapour rolled swiftly towards the trenches of the Zouaves, west of Langomarck, and when the Germans charged there was practically no ..resistance. Tho enemy, by hi s sudden irruption, was able to surprise and run over a large proportion of the French troops billeted in this area, and bring British and French guns under a hot riflo fire at close range. When the British flank was exposed tho troops wore ordered to retire to St. Julieh. .with their left west of the highroad. Their splendid resistance saved tho situation. Tho Germans meanwhile bombarded tho poeitions north of Ypres, their projectiles including shells producing asphyxiating gas. Our reserves were watching the shells bursting, when a staff officer rode up, shouting. "'Stand to Arms!" In tt few minutes tho reserves were quickly marching northward, amid wild confusion caused by panic-fctricken refugees swarming in tho roads. Officers mustered other reserves without waiting for orders, and marched them towards St. Julien. Meanwhile a confused fight was in progress north and north-east of Vpres, the Germans advancing behind a wall of vapour, which swept across the fields and through woods and hedgerows.