NAVAL BOMBARDMENT OFF BELGIAN COAST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15750, 27 October 1914, Page 7

NAVAL BOMBARDMENT OFF BELGIAN COAST.

ENEMY SHELLED THREE MILES INLAND.

GUNS FIRE FOURTEEN PROJECTILES A MINUTE,

PANIC CAUSED AMONG GERMANS AT OSTEND.

(Received October 27, 12.30 a.m.)

London, October 26.

Correspondents detail the naval fighting off the coast of Belgium, particularly on Trafalgar Day. In the fight between Nieuport and Middclkerkc the Germans from Antwerp on Tuesday were reinforced by fresh corps from Brussels. The enemy made furious day and night attacks, and renewed their efforts on Trafalgar Day. The. Franco-British squadron was in action for 12 hours, and shelled the German entrenchments three miles inland. Some of the guns discharged 14 projectiles a minute. Tho fire of the squadron destroyed a German bridging train collected in order to force tho passage of the Yser.

The enemy's artillery attempted to get the range of the battleships with aeroplanes which dropped smoke-balls, but they proved ineffective. While the fleet was cannonading the German flank, the allied infantry was attacking the front The Germans were finally compelled to evacuate Nieuport. The allies' scouts did magnificent work in picking up each of the enemy's defensive positions, enabling the fleet to keep pace with the. German retirement.

During the retreat from Middelkerke something approaching a panic seized the German army officials at Ostend, who hurriedly prepared to evacuate the city. Stores of ammunition and reserve artillery were sent to Bruges. There was terrible confusion in the reception and treatment of the wounded. Meanwhile, the British cavalry did dashing work in the Roulers and Yyres districts.