OPERATIONS OF BRITISH ON FRANCO-BELGIAN FRONTIER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15749, 26 October 1914, Page 4

OPERATIONS OF BRITISH ON FRANCO-BELGIAN FRONTIER

STEADY ADVANCE FROM THE AISNE TO THE LYS. DESPERATE FIGHTING OVER DIFFICULT GROUND, TERRIBLE DEVASTATION WROUGHT IN AFFECTED COUNTRY Wellington, October 25. The, High Commissioner cables under date October 24, 5.25 p.m.: — The. following further descriptive account communicated by an eye-witness with the general headquarters staff continues and supplements the narrative of the operations of the British troops in France, published on October 16: The time has come when light can be thrown on the change in the strategic part of the operations being played by British forces in the direction of application of pressure. Since the fighting on the Marne a gradual progressive extension northwards of the allies' line has been one of the features of the campaign in France. ARRIVAL OF BRITISH REINFORCEMENTS. Till recently this was carried out by the French alone, but now, thanks to the arrival of reinforcements, we are taking a hand in this operation, and our forces are in action much further north than heretofore. During the past few days British troops have been engaged along the Franco-Belgian border, and also along the Aisne. In the former sphere the allied forces extend southward from Nieuport, and the results in both theatres, though indecisive, are entirely satisfactory in furtherance of the general scheme which the allies are carrying out in co-operation. The right wing is maintaining pressure on the Aisne without actually advancing. After the repulse inflicted on the enemy near the Aisne on October 11 there was no serious fighting till the 16th, misty weather making observation for artillery fire impossible. Our patrols have been active with the bayonet, and have accounted for numerous small parties of German infantry left to occupy the front trenches. BRITISH FIGHTING IN INDUSTRIAL REGION. In Northern France the fighting has been chiefly of a preparatory nature. Ground has been gained, but misty weather has hampered aerial reconnaissance. Artillery co-operation was almost impossible, rendering progress slow. The country where the British troops arc operating is mainly an industrial region, a combination of mining and agricultural, similar to the British Black Country. The whole district is quite flat, except Mont des Cats, 500 ft high, eight miles north-east of Hazebrouck, an eminence upon which Cassel stands. The view is much restricted by hedges and frequent belts of trees. In this blend of country our advance guard near the Belgian frontier are engaging the advancing troops of the enemy. As in the advance on the Aisne the enemy is making an effort to delay our progress and give time for the stronger forces behind to perfect their arrangements. They take every advantage from the ground, and conceal themselves well, using hedges, ditches and villages. They hold the buildings and occupy narrow trenches outside the villages. Machine guns are often placed in the centre of rooms commanding an approach through the windows. ENEMY RETREATING UNDER COVER OF DARKNESS. In advancing, the British have inflicted considerable losses, in spite of the fact that the enemy retreats under cover of darkness. The Germans' resistance is stubborn and determined, and their counterattacks are many. Prisoners show surprise when they learn they are being opposed by the British in this quarter. North of the Lys, our cavalry forces have driven the enemy back steadily. There has been hard fighting here, especially in the neighbourhood of Mont des Cats, where Prince Max was mortally wounded on the 12th. BRILLIANT WORK BY CAVALRY FORCES. A brilliant exploit was performed on the 13th by British cavalry patrols. Coming suddenly upon a German machine gun detachment, the subaltern in command ordered a charge, with the result that some of the Germans were killed. The rest were scattered, and the gun captured. South of the Lys progress is slower, because the ground affords greater facilities for defensive operations. The enemy has more time for preparation, and is in greater strength. Numerous canals and ditches here necessitate the transport of planks and ladders, wherewith to cross them. Most obstinate combats have taken place, and the position of the villages renders artillery co-operation difficult. When fighting is progressing these places present a melancholy aspect. Once prosperous homesteads and hamlets are literally torn to pieces. The walls are pitted by shrapnel balls, and the village churches become smouldering ruins. Horses and cattle, caught in the hail of shrapnel, litter the village streets. The peasants dig graves for the German dead, and the work of burial devolves upon the inhabitants. Amidst the graves, all over the countryside, are the rifle pits, trenches, and gun emplacements which have been used by the enemy.