GERMANS' VAIN EFFORT TO GROSS THE MARNE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15715, 16 September 1914, Page 7

GERMANS' VAIN EFFORT TO GROSS THE MARNE.

THREW UP ARMS WHEN THREATENED WITH BAYONET DEAD AND WOUNDED CARRIED DOWN STREAM. (Received September 15, 9.30 p.m.) London*, September 14. A field artillery gunner relates a terrible struggle on September 6, when the Germans tried to cross the Marne. The British guns and picked rifle shots commanded the river. The Germans swarmed along the riverside- The first party built a pontoon bridge and were rushing across when a shell smashed the bridge. The pontoons with their freight of dead and wounded were carried downstream. The same thing was repeated all day until the British were sick of the sights and the shrieks. The Germans managed to cross at one point, whereupon the allies rushed with rare joy and bayoneted them into the river. A whole battalion was captured here. They simply could not face the bayonet and threw up their arms.

TERRIFIC ENCOUNTERS FOR POSSESSION OF STANDARDS FRENCH DEFEND FLAGS WITH AMAZING VALOUR. (Received September 15, midnight.) London', September 15. The London Evening News states that during the battle along the Marne terrible engagements took place at Senes, where a number of small farmhouses were several times captured and recaptured. The French endeavoured to capture a German eagle, but failed. Finally the French flag was hoisted, the Germans retreating. There were terrific encounters for standards throughout the battlefield. The French defended their flags with amazing valour and devotion. In one case, probably twenty infantry holding a flag were successively cut down, but a fresh comrade was always ready to replace the fallen until succour arrived.