IN FRANCE AND FLANDERS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIX, Issue 248, 19 October 1915, Page 5

IN FRANCE AND FLANDERS.

THE CHEMISTRY OF DEATH

DESCRIPTION OF A GAS ATTACK AT HULLLUi.

(Received Cg^^O^J..)^ Mr Philip Gibbs gives a vividdesLTiption of .a' gas attack south-west of Hulluch. , "It was a dear day and it was possible! to see • the .whole battleground. When the British bombardment readied its oliniax and the artillery fire was lifted, the onlookers saw new clouds arising, spread m a dense curtain of i'eecy texture,. Ihese cam© front our smoke-shells, wluch were to cover the infantry atlaick. Other waves than white vapor followed and curled towards the enemy's lines. The onlookers held their breath, as though the gas had anight their own throats. Directly after they saw little black things scurrying forward in scattered gioups. Some fell and others disappeared in the drifting clouds. These . were the British infantry led by bombers The enemy tried to stop the attackers with poison shells; All the chemistry of death was poured out on both sides. Our men,-with the fiercest valor, swept up the BohenssoiJern lledoubt, Tmt the .Germnai machine«nns were too many. The Germans £«W the ta-enohes, despite.-the desperate conr.ige of €he Bntirfiere and their superb endurance. Only the riost ivsolnte valor enabled, us to hold of the.ground gained with ihe loss of so many lives.