THE GERMAN DEFEAT IN FLANDERS

Feilding Star, Volume XI, Issue 2601, 9 April 1915, Page 2

THE GERMAN DEFEAT IN FLANDERS

This attack was destined to bo of unheard-of violence, for twelve German army corps and four cavalry corps had been accumulated between the Lys and the sea, and the Kaiser had come in person to the spot to undertake tho direction of operations, while proclamations addressed to the troop? bade them take note that now was the time lo strike the decisive blew. This decisive blow was either to pierce through, skirting the sea 111 order to reach Dunkirk, Calais., and Boulogne, or to break through to Ypres, and from that place proclaim the annexation of Belgium. And, to enable tho operations to succeed, the German staff for three weeks -proceeded by repeated furious attacks iv close formation, which the Allies' artillery decimated. "By November 12 we were able to sum up tho result of these assaults, con firmed by tho following week's operations. And this suiumiiig up turned out victory for us. From the sea to Duxmudo Ihc Belgian army, under General Diosetti, and naval forces, under. Admiral Bonarch, held first the railway from Nicuport lo Dixinude, and subsequently the right bank of the Yscr. Tho enemy, who had launched a.n army corps on to the right bank, had to retire, and "was never ablo to make an Bt-tack from Dixmude." Further s.outh, from Dixmude to the north of Ypres, the situation was the same. The Germans, who on November 10 had crossed the river at two points, were flung back from the opposite side, mid now General Humbert held tho bridgeheads on the right bank; while, to the east of Ypres, Generals Dubois, Balfouricr, and Haig did not in threo weeks yield an inch of ground. To the south, where fhe German attack had been particularly warm, because they aimed at the French communications, Iho French and Fnglish troops regained all the ground temporarily lost, aud established themselves iv an impregnable position. From the second week in November the German attack was broken, aud indeed melted away. Infantry was less and less engaged, whilst tho artillery also showed Jess and less activity. In the single battle of Ypres the enemy lost 120,000 men at tho least. Never had an attack been more carefully prepared, inoro fiercely delivered, or more completely checked.