DESCRIPTION OF THE BRITISH POSITION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15721, 23 September 1914, Page 7

DESCRIPTION OF THE BRITISH POSITION

HARDSHIPS CHEERFULLY 'BORNE BY THE SOLDIERS.

INCESSANT ARTILLERY DUEL FOR DAYS.

FIGHTING FOR ADVANTAGEOUS POSITIONS.

(Received September 23, 12.10 a.m.)

London, September 21.

Mr. Philip Gibbs, the well-known war correspondent, cabling from Chalons on Saturday, said a great storm had raged at Soissons on Thursday and Friday, flooding the trenches. The British had experienced the most trying time as yet in the war.

The conditions had tried the nerves and souls of the troops to the last point of human endurance. Several who left the trenches on special missions looked as though they had been through a torture chamber. The troops suffered nameless horrors. With chilled bones they were shaking in every limb. Nevertheless there was no grousing in the army. These dirty mudlarks, unshaven and tottering, were still confident and ever-ready to joke.

The strength of the German position made it very difficult for the British to cross the marshland which is intersected by rivers and canals. At present it is utterly impossible for infantry, cavalry, and heavy guns to cross the swamps.

The German 11 in guns surrounding the hills are giving a lot of trouble to the British gunners. There was an incessant artillery duel for days.

Both sides have been entrenching and engaging over the open ground with rifle fire and bayonet charges in order to obtain advantageous positions for further entrenchments.