In the Hug of the Bear.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume IV, Issue 241, 25 September 1914, Page 4

In the Hug of the Bear.

Successful Developments at Przemysl. Fortified Towns Taken. (Received 25, 9 a.m.) Petrograd, Sept. 24, Operations at Przemysl are successfully developing. Ihe Russians captured an armoured train with quicklirers southward of Przemysl. The Germans in North-west Poland arc almost quiescent, and are strong!}' fortifying Cquenstochow, on the Kalisch line, also the positions further north, and arc acting entirely on the defensive. (Received 25, 10.30 a.m.) The Russians have occupied Wislok. The High Commissioner reports: — London, Sept. 23, 6.25 p.m. The Russians have taken Paraklav, a fortified town 1 5 miles from Przemysl. They have also taken Wislok, in the Carpathian Mountains. GERMAN PLAN OF CAMPAIGN. INVASION OF RUSSIA ABANDONED. Petrograd, Sept. 23. No doubt the German plans have radically changed. While maintaining the defensive in the west, they are concehtraung large forces to attack the Russians. There are 600,000 in East Prussia, and these are increasing daily. The Germans refuse to take the battle into Russia. AfKtr the failure to I urn General Remienkampf s leit they returned from Suwalki, Manampol and other points.

SPOILS TO THE VICTORS. GERMAN ARMS FOR RUSSIAN TROOPS. Petrograd, Sept. 24. The “’Novoe Vreiuya " states that to September 14th the Russians had captured 7 Austrian Rags, 537 guns, 44 quickfirers, and 64,000 prisoners, includin'; 535 officers. Nearly half a million of abandoned Austrian rifles were captured; also many entire batteries. GERMAN TREACHERY. COWARDLY TRICKS TO TRAP RUSSIANS. Petrograd, Sept. 23. It is stated that the Austrians, finding their abuse of the white flag is unsuccessful, have adopted a new treachery. When threatened with bayonets they cry, “Russian brothers, don’t kill us!” Then they open fire with machine guns. ■, Received 25, g a.m.) Petrograd, Sept. 24. A new German ruse was adopted in Galicia. The Russians were approaching a village, when they met women holding up their hands imploringly. The Russians, off their guard, hastened forward, only to be withered by the fire of maxims hidden in the trees and in the roofs. The supposed women proved to be Germans wearing petticoats.

THE FOE AT BAY. HEADQUARTER’S REPORT. FOUR DAYS SEVERE FIGHTING OPERATIONS FROM 1 Ith TO 18th SEPTEMBER. The Premier has received the following telegram, giving General French’s report of the fighting from the 14th to IBtli September inclusive :— On the 14th those of our troops which had on the previous day crossed the Aisnc after driving in the German . rearguards, on that evening found portions of the enemy’s forces on a plateau on the right bank, and could do little more than secure a footing north of the river. This, however, they maintained, in spite of two counter attacks delivered at dusk and 10 p.m.. in which the fighting was severe. During the 14th strong reinforcements of our troops were passed to the north bank, the troops crossing by ferry and by pontoon bridges, in close co-operation with the French forces. The position was maintained, and the general progress made was good, although THE OPPOSITION WAS VIGOROUS. and the state of the roads after heavy rain made the movements slow. One division alone failed to secure the ground expected. The First Army Cores, after repulsing repeated attacks. captured 600 prisoners and 12 guns. The cavalry also took a number of prisoners. Many of the Germans belong to the Reserve and Landwehr formations, which fact appears to indicate that the enemy has been compelled to draw on the older classes of soldiers to fill the GAPS IN THE RANKS. There was heavy rain throughout the night of the 14th and 15th. During the Isth the situation of the British forces underwent no essential change, but it became more evident that the defensive preparations made by the enemy were more extensive than was at first apparent, In order to counterbalance these measures were made by us to economise the troops and to secure protection from the hostile artillery fire, which was very fierce. Our men continue to improve 'their entrenchments. The Germans

BOMBARDED OUR LINES nearly all day. using heavy guns brought from before Maubeuge. All their counter ttacks failed, although in some cases they were repeated six times. One made on the Fourth Guards’ Brigade was repulsed with heavy slaughter. An attempt to advance slightly was made by par* of our line, but was unsuccessful as regards any gain in ground, but led io the withdrawal of part of the enemy’s artillery. A further counter attack made during that night was beaten off. The rain came towards evening, and continued intermittently until the evening of the 16th. Besides adding to the discomfort of the soldiers holding the open trenches in the firing line, the wet weather hampered the motor transport service, which was also hindered by broken bridges. On the 16th there was little change in the situation. The efforts made by the ENEMY WERE LESS ACTIVE

than on the previous day. though the bombardment continued throughout the morning and evening. Our artillery fire brove the defenders off one of the salients of their position, but they returned in the evening, and 40 prisoners were taken by the Third Division. On the 17th the position still remained unchanged in essentials. The German heavy artillery fire was more active than on the previous day* The only infantry attacks made by the enemy were on the extreme right of our position, and were

REPULSED WITH HEAVY LOSS, chiefly by our field artillery, in order to convex some idea of the nature of the fighting along the greater part of the front, the Germans had been driven back from the forward slopes on the north of the river. Their infantry are holding strong lines of trenches among and along the edges of numerous woods which crown these slopes. These trenches are elaborately constructed and cleverly concealed. In many cases there arc wire entanglements and lengths of rabbit fencing both in the woods and the open, carefully aligned so that they can be

SWEPT BY RIFLE FIKE and machine guns, which are invisible from our side of the valley. The ground in front of the infantry trenches is as a rule under cross fire from .the artillery placed on neighbouring features, and under high angle fire from pieces placed well back behind the woods on top of the plateau. A feature of this action is the use made by the enemy of numerous heavy howitzers, which are able to direct long range fire all over the valley and right across it. Our men ARE HOLDING THE FORWARD RIDGES. of the high ground on the north side. They are now strongly entrenched, and they are well fed, and in spite of the wet weather of the past week cheerful and confident. The bombardment on both sides has been verv heavy. On Sunday. Monday, and Tuesday it was practielly continuous. In spite of the general din caused by the reports of the immense, number ‘of heavy guns in action along our front on \v ednesday, the arrival of the French forces acting against the German rigid tlank was at once announced on the t ast of our front some miles away b,

THE CONTINUOUS ROAR of their quick firing artillery with which their attack opened. So far as the British were concerned, the greater part of this week has been passed in bombardment, then gaming ground by degrees and beating back severe counter attacks with heavy slaughter. Our casualties have been severe, but it is probable that those of the enemy have been heavier. The rain caused a great fall in the temperature. On our right and left the French have been fighting fiercely, and GRADUALLY GAINING GROUND.

One village has already during this battle been captured twice, by each side. At the time of writing it remains in the hands of the Germans. The fighting has been close, and in most quarters of a desperate nature. The streets of the village are FILLED WITH THE DEAD OF BOTH SIDES. As an example of the spirit which is inspiring our Allies may be given the following translation of an • ORDRE DU JOUR" (order of the day) published on September 9th after the battle of Montmirail by the commander of the French sth army : “Soldiers upon the memorable fields of Montinirail, Vauchanips and Champaubert. which a century ago witnessed the victories of our ancestors over Blutcher’s Prussians, yom vigorous offensive has triumphed ovei the resistance of the Germans held on his flanks. His centre is broken, and the enemy is now retreating towards the east and north by toured marches. The most renowned army corps of old Prussia and contingents of Westphalia, of Hanover, of Brandenburg. have retired in haste before you. This first success is no more than a prelude. The enemy is shaken, but not yet decisively beaten. You have still to undergo severe hardships and make long marches and to fight hard battles. Mar the image of our country, soiled by barbarians, always remain before your eyes. Never was it more necessary to sacrifice all for her. Saluting the heroes who have fallen in the fighting of the last few days, my thoughts turn towards you, the victors in the next battle. Forward. soldiers for France!'’ A FORMIDABLE FOE. FIGHTING TO WIN ANYHOW. FAIR PLAY DISREGARDED. The Germans are formidable, continues the dispatch, well trained, long prepared .and brave. Their soldiers are carry ing on the contest with skill and valour. Nevertheless they are fighting to win anyhow, reof all the rules of fair p ay. There is evidence that they do not hesitate ar anything in order to gain a victoi.v. A large number of tales of their misbehaviour are exaggerations. Some of the stringent precautions they have taken to guard themselves against inhabitants of areas traversed are possibly justifiable measures in war. It has been definitely established, however, that they committed atrocities on many occasions and have been guilty of brutal conduct. So many letters and statements by our own wounded soldiers have been published in our newspapers that the following

EPISTLE FROM A GERMAN SOLDIER

of the “th Infantry to his wife may be interesting: “I have just been living through days that defy imagination. 1 should never have thought that men could stand it. Not a second has passed but my life has been in danger, yet not a hair of my head has been hurt. It was horrible, it was ghastly, but 1 have been saved for you and for our happiness. I take heart again although I am terribly unnerved. On September sth the enemy was reported to be taking up a position near St. Prix, near Paris. The corps which had made an astonishingly rapid advance of course attacked the steep slopes which led up to the heights which were held in considerable force. With our weak detachments of the 74th and 91st Regiments we reached the crest ami came under a terrible artillery tire that mowed us down. However we entered St. Prix. Hardly bail we done so than we were met with shell lire and ;> violent fusilade from the "iicmy's infantry. Our colonel was badly wounded. He is the third we have had. Fourteen men were killed round me. We got away on a hill without being hit. On the 7th, s.th and 9th September we were constantly under sfiell and shrapnel tire and suffered terrible losses. I was in a house which was hit several times. Our heavv artillery is being used for the siege of Maubeuge. We wanted it badly as the enemy had theirs in force and kept up a furious bombardment. For four days I was under artillery lire. It is like heli, but it was a thousand times worse on the night of the 9th. The order was given to retreat, as it would have been madness to attempt to hold our position with outfew men. The first and third armies had not been aide to attack with us, as we advanced too rapidly. Our morale was absolutely broken. In spite of unheard of sacrifices wc had achieved nothing. I cannot understand how our army, after fighting three great battles, and being terribly weakened. was sent against a position which rhe enemy had prepart'd for three weeks, but naturally know nothing of tin- intentions of our chiefs. They say that nothing has been lost. We retired towards Cormontreuil and JHieims by forced marches by day and night. We hear that the three armies are going to get into line and entrench and rest and then start afresh our victorious march on Paris. It was not a defeat, bur only a strategic retreat. Our first battalion, which fought with unparalleled bravorv. is reduced from 120" to 191 men.”

AN INSTANCE OF TREACHERY

During the counter attack by the Germans of the 53rd Regiment on positions ot the Northampton and Queens Regmients on the 17th a force of -IGO of the enemy were allowed to approach right up io the trench occupied I>y a platoon of the former regiment, owing to the l'a< 1 that they had held up liieir liamls anti made gestures interpreted as signs that they wished to slop. But when they were actually on the parapet of the trench held by the North aniptoiis they opened lire on our men ai point blank range. I nluckjly for the enemy. flanking them ami only 100 y aids away there happened to *»e a niacliine gun manned by a detachment of the Queen s. Lhis ;,t once opened fire, culling a .ar through their mass, which fell back to their own trench with great los-. Shortly afterwards they were driven further back with additional loss by a battalion of Guards, which came up in support. THE FIELD MARSHALTHANKS HIS TROOPS. The following special order has been issued to the troops:—"Once more 1 have to express my deep appreciation of the splendid behaviour of the officers and men of the army under my command throughout the great battle of the Aisne, which has been in progress since the evening of the 12th. The battle of the Marne, which lasted from the morning of the 6th to the evening of the 10th. had hardly ended in the precipitate flight of the enemy when we were brought face to face with a position of extraordinary strength, carefully ent touched and prepared for defence by an army and staff which are thorough adepts at such work. Throughout the 13th and 1 1th that position was most gal.antly attacked by the British and the passage of the Aisnc effected. This is the thiril day the troops have been gallantly holding ili*' positions they have gained against most desperate counter-attacks and a hail of heavy artillery. I am unable to find adequate words to express the admiration T feel for their magnificent conduct. The French armies on our right are making good progress. I feel sure that, we only have to hold on with tenacity to the ground we have won for a verv short time longer. when the Allies will be again in full pursuit of a beaten enemy. The self-sacrificing devotion and splendid spirit of the British army in France will carry all before it. French, Field Marshal.”