VILLAGE STORMED IN FAGE OF DEADLY FIRE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15747, 23 October 1914, Page 5

VILLAGE STORMED IN FAGE OF DEADLY FIRE.

ENEMY MOUNT MACHINE GUNS ON CHURCH TOWER.

ENTRY OPPOSED FROM EVERY ROOF AND WINDOW. London, October 21. A daring feat was performed at the storming of Laventie, to the west of Lille. The enemy was strongly entrenched. All day from the village the artillery shelled the French position, devastating tho ranks, and the French were ordered to take the village at all costs. The way lay over open fields, without any cover. The French advanced in open order. The Germans withheld their fire until tho French were within 500 yds, and then swept the area with shrapnel and rifle fire, inflicting heavy losses. The French infantry advanced steadily, and carried the trenches at the point of the bayonet. From every roof and window in the village the entry of the French was opposed, and machine guns on a church tower swept the main street. The Germans were finally driven out. Estaires was similarly carried. Some French marines at Ypres, taking advantage of the" mist; crawled up to the German lines, leaped into the trenches and fell on the enemy with the bayonet. The trenches were piled with German dead and wounded, and over 400 prisoners wore taken. The French casualties were 10 killed and 100 wounded.