GERMAN CORRESPONDENT DESCRIBES BOMBARDMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16036, 30 September 1915, Page 7

GERMAN CORRESPONDENT DESCRIBES BOMBARDMENT.

MOST STRANGE AND EXCITING EXPERIENCE; *

WHOLE ATMOSPHERE IN STATE OF VIBRATION.

'Receired September Jo. 1 a.m.)

Amsterdam. September 29.

A highjy-placed German officer, interviewed, said the tremendous attack was supported by artillery fire such as he had never before experienced. This was followed by a hand-to-hand struggle of extraordinary fury. The Germans fully appreciated the bravery, obstinacy, and courage of the attackers.

Dr. Wagner, the western correspondent of the Cologne Gazette, describing the bombardment, said the whole atmosphere was in a state of dull vibration. One had the physical sensation of being shaken by air waves. It was like the underground growling of a distant volcano shaking the earth's crust for miles around. It was the most remarkable and exciting sensation imaginable. German newspapers, evidently inspired, are unanimous in stating that the allies timed their blow to break the German front and secure a final decision, so the allies failed.

The Frankfurter Zeitung has published an article with the heading "First Storm Beaten Off." The paper says: "The enemy has not selected a favourable moment for an offensive, but he gives proof of his firm determination. The position in Russia is so brilliant that we are able to send considerable armies from the east to the west, and, therefore, can regard these new big battles with equanimity." The Cologne Gazette declares that the possibility of the enemy breaking through no longer exists, and that the number of German prisoners is exaggerated.