BRAVE PIPERS PLAY THE CHARGE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3215, 27 October 1915, Page 21

BRAVE PIPERS PLAY THE CHARGE.

GERMANS KILLING THE WOUNDED.

PARIS, October 23

Although the British attack north of La Bassee on September 25 paled before that of Loos, nevertheless it was memorable for superb gallantry. The Black Watch went over the parapet, pipers playing ahead, while the men bombed along the trenches. After the first rush two pipers stood on the parapet in a terrific fire and played “ flieland Laddie” for the regimental charge, the defiant skirl being heard above the bombs. One piper was shot down, but his companion continued to play. A Black Watch sergeant killed seven Germans with his bayonet single" handed.

A sergeant o! the Leicestershires, who was lying wounded after the retirement, saw tiie Germans bayoneting the wounded men. He feigned death, and the marauders were content with stealing ins watch.

NO PRISONERS TAKEN. LONDON, October 24. Tho Erench Embassy lias issued the text

of a letter found on a German body, stating that when the Germans captured a French trench on September 14 it was so crowded that it seemed full of fleas. “We took no prisoners,” said the writer “ One has got to finish off this vermin. It was a most bloody affair.” A second letter found on another body confirms the former in regard to the same affair. “We bayoneted the lot,” it states. “ I showed no mercy. These filthy French must be stamped out. They must either sign peace or all be killed.” BELGIANS DEPORTED. AMSTERDAM, October 24. Seven thousand five hundred Belgians of military age have been deported to Germany. BRITISH CASUALTIES LONDON, October 23. The casualty lists from Flanders dated September 26 to October 13 total 2068 officers and 30,886 men. ENEMY'S ARRANGEMENTS OUT OF GEAR. LONDON, October 24. The Times correspondent at headquarters writes : “It is months since the offensive began. The hotchpotch regiments facing us are the best proof of how successfully we have kept them on the hop. We have disorganised, deflected,' thrown out of gear any idea of a serious offensive and compelled them to bring up reinforcements from Massines and Douai. The transport of troops, impedimenta, wagons, and ambulance service is causing great difficulties.” PARIS, October 24. The official “Eye-witness,” reviewing the Champagne - battle to the 3rd inst., states that 140,000 of the enemy were put out of action. “ Our preparations were so skilful that the German General Staff thought a big effort was being made in Alsace; consequently they massed important forces there.” BOMBING GERMAN CENTRES. AMSTERDAM, October 24. During the bombing of Lokeren and Termonde by airmen several German soldiers were killed.