Belgium

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 59, 26 October 1914, Page 5

Belgium

GREAT VICTORY TO THE ALLIES. Times and Sydney Sun Services. (Received 8.0 a.m.) London, October 2«. An unconfirmed report from (bo 'burgomaster of Wendune, northwest of Bruges, states that in a victory lo I the Allies 70,000 Germans, 300 guns, and 31 flags were captured between Chalons and Longwy THE LONGER ROAD. GERMANS FIGHT UNDER DEPRESSING CONDITIONS. [United Press Association.] London, October 24. The Sun’s special representative, commenting on the position, says:— “The enemy’s rush for the narrow seas has landed him in a difficulty requiring all the strategy of tho general staff to surmount. Meantime, tho battle of the Aisno drags its weary course. British soldiers state that no strategic purpose would be served by ousting tho Germans from their trenches, though the Allies’ bayonets are effectively xised when it is considered necessary to capture a few trenches. If the Germans are unsuccessful further north, tho retreat to the Fatherland cannot conceivably be made through Belgium, and the road through Luxemburg will be longer than the road to Tipperary. The evacuated German trenches suggest heavy drinking upon almost empty stomachs for many weary days. In addition, there is the smell of dead men, some of whom are still propped up, with heads peeping above the trenches.’^

FLOODING THE COUNTRY. THE ENEMY’S LOSS ESTIMATED AT 30,000. (Received 8.45 a.m.) London, October 25. The Observer’s correspondent • at Calais says the Allies forced the (Germans to retire to Thielt. The prisoners numbered 1200 and the wounded 700. * It is estimated that the Germans lost 30,000 in consequence of the flooding of the country south-east of Dunkirk, 5000 being drowned and the rest cut off and overwhelmed. The Germans are concentrating their attack on Dixmude, where they are not exposed to the British Fleet. PICKED OFF BY SHARPSHOOTERS (Received 8.45 a.m.) " Paris, October 25. A British shore party with a machine gun was landing, when ©Grman sharpstooters lying on the sand dunes picked them off and only a handful escaped, the gun being lost. ~

BRITISH OPERATIONS AT OSTEND

(Received 9.20 a.m.) London, October 2:5

A French torpedoer arrived off

Ostend on Friday, and the German artillery on the waterfront fired on the torpedoer, which answered and shelled the Hotel Majestic, where the German staff-officers were dining, and killed four, including the medical officer. Several other buildings were damaged.

The Germans are endeavouring to prevent the departure of the inhabitants of Ostend in order to stop the bombardment.

FEW THOUSAND BELGIANS SAVE THE MAIN ARMY.

(Received 9.35 a.m.) London, October 25.

The Times’ correspondent in France attributed the escape of the main Belgian army largely to the heroism of a few thousand who held up the Germans at Oullem, south of Ghent, while the remainder, who hugged the Dutch frontier and marched coastwise to join the Allies’ force at Oullem, were cut up, but it saved the army, BATTLE CONTINUES NEAR OSTEND. (Received 9.35 a.m.) Amsterdam, October 25. Several buildings at Ostend, in addition to the Hotel Majestic, were damaged by the naval bombardment. The battle between Nieuport and Ostend continues vigorously.