STORY OF SOISSONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15821, 19 January 1915, Page 7

STORY OF SOISSONS.

AS TOLD BY GERMANS.

FRENCH LINES SURPRISED.

KAISER OX BATTLEFIELD.

(Received Jannary 18, 11.30 p m.>

Amsterdam, January 18.

The German account of the battle, at Soissons states that General von Lochow commanded the Germans. Prior to the battle the opposing trenches were near each other at the top of a wooded height overlooking Crouy. The armies were also entrenched in quarries forming the western spurs of the Vregny plateau. The French artillery was well posted on the edge of the plateau. Officers sitting under trees behind armoured plates directed the French fire. The worst execution was done on Christmas Day. Turcos Fight Bravely. Some German machine-guns were buried in a bombardment of the trenches on January 7. The French then charged and occupied the trenches. Heavy fighting, man against man, took place day and night until the 11th, the Turcos fighting bravely with rifle, bayonet and knife. The Germans on the 12th, instead of attacking the wooded heights, stormed the observation posts.

The French fire immediately slackened and their trenches were captured-

The French then occupied fresh positions half way down the slope. They apparently expected further attacks from the German right wing. The French brought strong reinforcements by rail and motorcars. Capture of Vregny. The Germans on the 13th, however, attacked Vregny and completely surprised the enemy. The attack commenced at noon. The first line of French trenches was taken in three minutes, the next ten minutes later. The whole plateau was captured late in the afternoon. The position of the French advancing against the German right was now desperate, and they surrendered on the 14th- Finally the French were driven back two to four kilometres along a front of 15 kilometres (nine miles). The Kaiser on the battlefield decorated General von Lochow with the Order of Merit.