FEARFUL CARNAGE

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 50, 27 August 1914, Page 7

FEARFUL CARNAGE

DESPERATE FIGHTING AT CHARLEROI ENEMY REPULSED HEAVY LOSSES IN THREE DAYS RUSSIA'S GIANT ARMY ADVANCE UNCHECKED KITCHENER'S STIRRING SPEECH —————— rrr It is officially announced from Paris that the French and British forces have completed successfully their movements into new positions. Fighting between the French and the Germans has been renewed in Lorraine, and continues. News of heavy fighting in Belgium is to hand. At Charleroi, a town on the River Sambre, 35 miles south by east of Brussels, the first attack by ,the enemy was repulsed, but later they entered the town and bombarded the . upper portion of it. The French made a sortie, the Turcos (Algerian troops) fighting with great bravery, which, • however, was useless against the solid attack of the Germans. The fighting proceeded with, varying success until six o'clock in the evening, when it ceased, the contending armies being both worn out. *At dawn next day the battle , * - recommenced . After a heavy bombardment the French attacked the lower town, recapturing several positions a,nd • driving the Germans in confusion over the River Sambre. Meanwhile Namur had been subjected to a furious bombardment, one fort being silenced and another put almost out of action. The others continue their resistance. No difficulty .was experienced by the enemy in entering the town itself, the Belgian troops having evacuated tlie place in order, taking with them the railway rolling stock — also motorcars. Austria, as was only to be expected after a message published yesterday to the effect that one of her cruisers Bad been ordered to join the German fleet at Kiao-chau, has declared war against Japan. The aid she is likely to give her ally is infinitesimal. \ From Romeit is stated that the Italian Premier assured members of Parliament that mobilisation was not proceeding, and that even if it did occur it would not mean the abandonment' of neutrality. Austria, through General Conrad, has hastened to assure Italy that the .story of Austrian aggressive intentions are without foundation. Russia's advance into Germany continues, and if reports can be believed she has mobilised, a gigantic army of eight million men! The British and French fleets, assisted by' the Montenegrins, destroyed the fortifications of the Austrian naval base at Cattaro. A BIG ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN THE FRENCH & GERMANS MUCH LIFE LOST AT CHARLEROI (By Telegraph.— Press Association. — Copyright.) (Received August 27, 8.10 a.m.) • PARIS, 26th August. Mons is surrounded by canals in every direction, except in the south, where there are woods. All bridges not blown up were commanded by machine guns, and barricaded by interlocking huge cable drums. ' By 6 o'clock on Saturday morning a large German force had taken up A position at Tournai. By 10 o'clock the German machine guns were firing at Ponte Morel, near the railway station. The first German attack was repulsed, but later they entered the town ' and the Germans in Charleroi bombarded the upper town. The French made a sortie, but the strength of the enemy compelled a retirement. The Turcos then debouched from the town and charged, bayoneting the gunners. Of a battalion only a hundred returned unscathed, the losses exceeding those of the Light Brigade at Balaclava. Bravery was useless against the oncoming Germans, who crept through the outskitts of the town to the very hearto of Charleroi. In the narrow streets the carnage was indescribable. French infantry, describing the ferocious street fighting, declared that the roads were bo jammed with dead that the killed remained standing up ' were they were shot, resting 'on their dead comrades. The French made a last stand where' a canal is close to the railway station. The Germans fought for the bridge two hours and captured it, after heavy losses They then gained ground all along the line, ' capturing the villages of Marchienne, Landelies., and Montewny, and the country to Walcourt. ' Later in the day the French artillery opened fire upon Charleroi, shelling the lower portion of the city, while the French infantry advanced slowly, retaking several of the villages and again becoming masters of the line bet.ween Thuin and Mpttet. The fighting ended at 6 o'clock in the evening, both armies being completely worn out. BATTLE RECOMMENCES (Received August 27, 8.40 a.m.) The battle recommenced at duwn, when the French rebombarded Charleroi. Again the French su armed down the slope towards the lower town, recapturing Chntelot. ijoufTioulx, Maichienne, arid G'ouillet. There were terrible 103363 on both sides. The French, in the sing heaps of the mining district, found admirable vantage ground for their machine guns, while the Germans, as in Upper Alsftce, mounted their machine guns on every steeple. Despite a_ withering fire, the French again entered Charleroi. and drove the Germans in confusion across the Sambro. CITY DEVASTATED The city is devastated and littered with dead. Shattered by shell fire in every part of the town houses are smouldering or aflame. Every cellar is occupied by terror-stricken inhabitants. Outside an inn was the dead body of a German officer with his head bowed over a basin, the soap lather fov shaving dry upon his face. Another lay across a table, the coffee cup which he had been raising to his lips broken. Meanwhile, Namur had been subjected to a furious bombardment, so well regulated that the lii'sfc few shots silenced the Marchovelette fort, northeast o/ the Maizaret fort. The Andoy fort was put almost out of action, while the forts on ih& north and'tho farts at Pave and St. Heubert continue tlicir resistance.

NAMUR ENTERED BY THE ENEMY WITHOUT MUCH RESISTANCE BELGIAN WITHDRAWAL (Received August 27, '8.15 a.m.) PARIS, 26th August. Despite barbed wire entanglements, through which passed an electric current of 150 volts, the Germans entered Namur without encountering much resistance. By 8 o'clock on Sunday evening three thousand Belgians, evacuated the town in order, removing the rolling stock and motor-cars. t The German cavalry penetrated the district at Tourcoing and Roubaix, which were only defended by Territorials. Possibly the advance guard, which is in large force, is destined to attempt a turning movement against the French left at Lille. /' The cavalry yesterday raided French territory towards Conde. The French artillery intercepted and practically annihilated them near Bouchain. 1 Two German aeroplanes flew over Cambrai. One was brought down and two aviators killed. A DENIAL A German , official announcement published in Copenhagen states that the Germans captured five forts and the town, but that four forts have still to be taken. * LONDON, 26th August. Paria denies that the Germans have captured Namur. BELGIANS ISOLATED ANTWERP, 25th August. _ As stated, 500 men of the Ist Battalion of the ,34th Regiment at Liege arrived at Namur on Saturday from the trenches between the Chaudfontaine and Embourg forts at Liege. 4 The Liege battalion did not receive any orders to evacuate the position, which the rest of the Liege army received. They found themselves isolated amidst the German army, with a strong fort on either flank. The Germans were aware of their presence, but were puzzled as to the actual strength, and were contented with reconnaissances, which the battalion beat off. The Belgians held the position for eight days, sleeping in the trenches and being fed by peasants, repulsing constant attacks. Shells showered the camp, but the battalion was well dug in. When food ran short the battalion managed to reach the woods, and, , scattering, escaped through the German lines. After failing to enter the Longin Fort, they reached Namur after twenty days' fighting. ALLIES' MOVEMENTS \ ' _________ NEW POSITIONS OCCUPIED '(Received August 27, 8.40 a.m.) PARIS, 26th August. Official. — Th© Allies' movement to new positions has been completed. FRENCH OFFENSIVE (Received August 27, 9 a.m.) PARIS, 26th August. - The French command the Ardennes forest outlets, and are making a vigorous offensive movement towards Virion, in which the Germans were repulsed with heavy losses. General Joffre stopped the pursuit. FOUR HOURS' FIGHT ANTWERP, 25th August. After a fierce four hours' fight at Malines, the Belgians repulsed the German's and are now pursuing them towards Vilvorde, halfway between Malines and Brussels. THE BRITISH SOLDIERS MAINTAIN ALL TRADITIONS LORD KITCHENER'S CONGRATULATIONS LONDON, 25th August. • Lord Kitchener, in the House of Lords, said that the troops at Mons were for thirty-six hours in contact with a superior force. They maintained the traditions of British soldiers with utmost gallantry. Their movements demanded great steadiness by soldiers and of skill by the commanders. - "I know how deeply France appreciated their prompt assistance at the very outset of the war. The moral and material support must prove a factor of high military significance, in restricting the sphere and determining the duration of hostilities. Had the conditions of strategy permitted, everyone in Britain would have rejoiced to see us ranged alongside the gallant Belgian army in a more superb struggle against desperate odds." "The Empires with whom we are warring have called to the colours almost their entire male populations. The principle Britain is observing is 'that while the enemies' maximum force undergoes constant diminution, the reinforcements Britain is preparing shall steadily increase and flow out until we have in the field, in numbers as well as quality, an army which will not be unworthy of the power and responsibilities of the British Empire. I cannot at this stago say what will be the limits of the forces required, or what measures we may eventually find necessary to supply and maintain them. We have a vast reserve in the Mother Country and in the Overseas Dominions, and the latters' response has abundantly proved that we have not looked in vain to those sources. In Britain 70 battalions of the Territorials have already volunteered ,for foreign service. The second army of one hundred thousand is already practically secured, and behind, these are the Reserve, the Special Reserve, and the National Reserve, each of which has a part in the national defence scheme." "The field army we are creating may rise during the next six months to 30 divisions, bufc.if the war is protracted and our fortunes vary or are adverse, exertions and sacrifices beyond any which have been demanded will be required of the British Empire, and were they required I am sure they will not be denied to the extreme needs of the State by Parliament and people." (Cheers.) SEVERE CENSORSHIP , . LONDON, 26tb August. A severe censorship is being exercised in connection with the operations at Mons and Charleroi. Mr. Maxwell, correspondent of the Daily Telegraph, who reached Mons on Friday, states that Major-General Allenby's cavalry division marched north, covering Mons and Fontaine l'Eveque, \jrest of Charleroi, threatening a raid on the left flank of the advancing Germans. The British Army was advancing on Mons, and did not attempt to make any defensive works. Few of the ' Allies are, beyond Valenciennes, out the Prussian patrols swarm the country. SHOOTING OF BRITISH INFANTRY WAS WONDERFUL LONDON, 26th August; ' Officers from the front state that the shooting of the British infantry was wonderful. Every time a German's head showed out of the trenches the shooting was as cool and calculated as that of a prize rifleman at a disappearing target. vA ( German officer who was taken prisoner, said : "We never expected anything like it ; it was staggering." When the cavalry charged the Uhlans they had the surprise of their lives. An eye-witness states that the British artillery wrought terrible I6ss on the massed Germans. The latter's gunnery was badly directed, and rarely hit the mark. REPORT BY SIR JOHN FRENCH LONDON, 26th August. Field-Marshal Sir John French reports that he is una.ble as yet to send details of casualties,^ owing to the 'extended nature of the operations. The condition of the troops is in every way satisfactory. Lord Kitchener telegraphed Sir John French : "I congratulate the troops on their splendid work. We are' all proud of them." MAGNIFICENTLY ACCURATE OSTEND, 26th August. The British artillery practice was magnificently accurate, forcing the Germans to beat a hasty retreat. The physique and athletic qualities of the British troops produced an immense impression in Belgium, where the soldiers are generally small. Every increase in Lord Kitchener's Army, and every offer from the British colonies is chronicled in large type in the Belgian newspaper Independent Beige. BRITISH BLOW UP BRIDGES LONDON, 26th August. On taking up their position in the vicinity of Mons, the British blew up the churches and railway station at Jemappes, two "and a half miles south-west, which were in the line of fire, and also the canal bridges. They fired the Bandour" Forest, adjacent to the canal, and established a wireless station behind Quievrain, twelve miles south-west. ( - The Germans approached apparently earlier than was expected. The inhabitants of all the villages were roused by tocsin, and all the men and many women helped to throw up trenches behind Quievrain^ along the canal, and also round Mons and Valenciennes. The workers were paid in English gold. After that the* civilians were ordered to retire. Afterwards German aeroplanes appeared, and eight British aircraft chased them away. COMPULSORY SERVICE NOT DESIRABLE IN BRITAIN LORD KITCHENER NEEDS ALL RECRUITS (Received August 27, 9.25 a.m.) I LONDON, 26th August. Mr. Asquith, replying to questions in the House of Commons, said that compulsory service was not desirable. He added that Lord Kitchener needed all the recruits he could get, but it was a mistake to think that only a hundred thousand wero needed. Mr. Winston Churchill .visited Lord Kitchener at 3 o'clock in the morn* ing. Several Cabinst nieetirjga have been held recently in the carix hours!