THE FIGHT AT GIVENCHY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16293, 28 January 1915, Page 5

THE FIGHT AT GIVENCHY.

BRITISH WARNED BY HANOVERIAN DESERTER. A TERRIBLE CONTEST. GERMAN ATTACK CRUMPLED UP. LONDON, January 27. (Received Jan. 27, at 11.15 p.m.) Twenty-five thousand men on both sides were engaged in the Givenchy fight. An officer states: " After 32 hours of all sorts of hell we took the trenches. The first indication of an attack came from a Hanoverian sol* dier. who deserted and toppled into a British trench. He announced that the Germans would attack early in force in the morning. He spoke the truth.

The Germans quitted their trenches and advanced in a dense mass. They reeled under a withering rifle and machine gun fire. Those who managed to get unscathed within 15 yards of our trenches threw grenades, which wrought death and destruction in our ranks. The Germans swept into our advanced line by sheer weight of num> bers, and mortal combat at close quarters ensued.

Meanwhile the Germans swept a space between our firing and support trench with shrapnel, and we lost heavily in retiring. Two companies of famous Scots regiments were badly cut up.

The German tide rushed on at two points for 400 yards before it was shattered by a crack British corps. Behind the Hanoverians came Bavarians and Prussians, and a handto. hand light ensued. The Britons vritli clubbed rifles and bayonets fell upon what remained of the Germans, who crumpled up and smrrcxufered in groups.