Belgium

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 275, 18 November 1914, Page 5

Belgium

DEADLY WORK OF THE ALLIED ARTILLERY. Onited Press .vssooiation. (Received 8.45 a.m.) London, November 17. An eye-witness at headquarters mentions the splendid accuracy and destructiveness of the British howitzers and the terrific effect of the French 75's.

AIRMEN'S FEAT AT LILLE.

(Received 8.45 a.m.)

London, November 17. British and French airmen blew up two old forts at Lille used by thi> Germans as magazines. THE BATTLE OF YPRES. (Received 8.45 a.m.) London, November 17. The Daily Mail states that fhe Germans lost nearly 100,000 in four days at Ypres. "FOR HONOR AND ENGLAND!" Paris, November 10. French papers describe the British attack of the Prussian Guards rt Zohnabeke as one of the noblest episodes of British annals. An aeroplane with a searchlight revealed the army in force inarching on the Allies, southward of Zohnabeke, the first rank lying, the second kneeling, and 'ho remainder standing. Suddenly the ranks opened, and machine guns »»- peared. The English situation was critical. The general immediately ordered a bayonet charge. A colonel at the head of his regiment dashed forward, shouting, "For Honor and England!" The opposing ranks met the terrible shock, and ' the bayonet frequently went home. The hand-to-hand combat lasted for half «m hour, both fighting with the : grimmest determination. The soil was bloodstained, and uniforms and faces were splashed crimson. Before this irresistible onslaught the Prussians reeled and broke, and their general, fearing a rout, ordered them to retreat Then the English again charged, and the Guards scattered and fled m inglorious retreat.

WINTER CONDITIONS.

Rotterdam, November 16

Heavy rain and snowstorms destroyed the railway bridge at Dender. leuw, connecting Ghent and Bruges It is rumored that a big foice of Germans in an advanced position at Duxmude were cut off by the floods, which were the result of M'& storms. The fighting has been less violent.

It is stated that the Germans are admirably equipped for winter operations, and that the Belgians aie well provided with winter clothes; . A Dutch journalist says that the English are entrenched so formidably that their trenches are rentable fortresses, only more difficult to take than real ones.

HOLDER OF V.C. KILLED AT

YPRES.

(Received 9.0 a.m.) London, November 17. Brigadier. General Charles FitzClarence was killed at Ypre3.

The Brigadier-General was born in 1860, being the eldest son of Captain the Hon. George Fitz Clarence, R.N., son of the first Earl of Munster. In 1898 he married the youngest daughter of the late Lord Alfred Spencer Churchill, son of the fifth Duke of Marlborough. He entered the Royal Fusiliers in 1886, was promoted to Captain 1898, transferred to Irish Guards 1900, and served in South Africa 1899-1900, being twice wounded, mentione 1 in despatches, and receiving the Victoria Cross.

FRENCH COMMUNIQUE ON THE

OPERATIONS.

(Received 10.25 a.m.) Paris, November 17

A communique states that the Germans violently bombarded Nieuport, Dixmude, and Ypres. Artillery prevented the Germans completing works in the south of Dixmude to prevent the inundation of the trenches, which were flooded and evacuated by the Germans. The German attacks in the south of Bixschoote and Ypres failed. We progressed between Bixschoote and the Yser Canal. An artillery contest from Annentieres to La Bassee was particularly violent. The Germans in endeavoring to cross the Aisn.e, near Vailly were destroyjed or repulsed. I In the Argonno we exploded a nuin'ber of German trenches by means of mines. We advanced several points I south of Verdun, and seined a porjtion of Chauvoncourt, which is the I sole point d'Appui held by the Germans on the left bank of the Mouse in this region. GENERAL. Washington, November 17. Mr Page has cabled a den'.al of the report that the Germans are stopping food supplies intended I'm the Belgians. London, November 16. An eye-witness belonging to the British Headquarters Staff, estimates that during the attack ou Ypres on 1--—"

evidence that tiro German* are beginning,to be affected by their heavy

losses. A large proportion of the forces are comparatively untraiued, but the great fact remains that ,hese ill-assorted levies did not hesitate to advance against highly-trained troops. Hoys of 16 and 17 marched steadily up to the muzzles of our rifles, aiid met their death in droves, unflinchingly.