In the West.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 293, 9 December 1914, Page 5

In the West.

ADVANCE BY THE ALLIES.

FIGHTING BY SEARCHLIGHT.

United Phehs Association

Paris, December 8,

Official: The Germans bombarded Oostdimikerke, i'onr kilometres west i 7 of X leuport. There has been a marked advance in the region of Lequesoy, Ensanterre, and Dunkirk. I The Germans, at dawn on the 7th, made another desperate attempt to cross the floods south-east of Ramschappelle by means of three power, fnl motor boats, filled with searchlights, towing a number of rafts, each fitted with machine-guns, and each containing fifty men. The Belgians were lined up on the edge of the floods, but the .searchlights dazzled them, and prevented accurate shooting, though they enabled the Germans, to maintain a murderous fire from the rafts.

As the Germans were landing the Belgians hurried up their own searchlights and, in turn, made it difficult for the machine-guns to fire with accuracy.

A fantastic battle by searchlights was continued for some time, but gradually the Germans were driven hack. Being massed and huddled on their rafts, they made effective targets. A lucky shot brought down one of the German searchlights. The men on the rafts attached to the motor boat were flung into the water, and surrendered. Another motorboat was beached.

The Germans, knee-deep in water, fought from the shelter of their boat, hut the Belgians rushed into the water, and a fierce struggle ensued. Finally the French 75-centimetre gun got the range, and the first shell forced the motor-boats to fly. Two escaped in a sinking condition.

WANTON INCENDIARISM.

Paris, December 8

The Government arranged for a visit of journalists to Verlun. These journalists report that the whole of the district of Argoime, and particularly on the route of the Crown Prince’s retreat from the Marne, is utterly desolate. Every village has been razed to the ground, the work of deliberate incendiaries, facilitated by light motor-cars, equipped with a petrol pump and hose.

KING GEORGE’S VISIT.

London, December 8

An eye-wituess gives the following story of the King’s visit:—On Monday he inspected the base hospitals, including the Indians, and reached Sir John French’s headquarters in the afternoon. He spent Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday touring the Army Corps. The complete un. its, except the men actually in the trenches, were generally paraded on the roadside, and after the King drove through, taking the salute, each unit gave three cheers, their spontaneity showing the enthusiasm aroused by the Sovereign’s ] among the war-worn troops. At several places the troops formed a hollow square, and the King presented decorations, including Victoria Crosses.

On Tuesday morning His Majesty visited the Indians, and received the Indian princes. In the afternoon he met M. Poincare (the French President) and M. Viviani (the Premier), and conferred the Grand Cross of the Bath on both, also on General Joffre. On Thursday visited the First and Second Army Corps, watched the German bombardment of Ypres, and tlio fighting on the Yser Canal. On Friday he inspected the headquarters, including the Intelligence Department, where 3000 messages, are handled daily. In the afternoon he went to the Belgian front. King Albert received King George at the frontier. On Saturday he inspected the Flying Corps. Throughout the visit aviators maintained a continuous aerial patrol above the Royal party, ensuring their safety. Finally King George issued an order, expressing his admiration of the splendid manner in which the army had fought a powerful and relentless enemy, adding: “I am particularly impressed by your soldierly and healthy appearance, and can assure you of the proud confidence and gratitude, of myself and your fellow countrymen.”

TWO MORE VICTORIA CROSSES FOR INDIANS. Times and Sydney Sun Services. London, December 8. A Victoria Cross has been conferred on Naikdanvan. During the capture of tho trenches at Festubert on 24th November, though wounded twice in the head and once in the arm, yet ho was the first to push round each successive traverse and face bombs and rifle fire at the closest range. A Victoria Cross lias also been conferred on a Sepoy, named Khudadad, who while fighting at Hollebke on October 31, though wounded, worked a gun until all of five others belonging to his detachment were killed. OPERATIONS AT THE END OF THE LINE. Times and Sydney Sun Services. (Received 8,0 a.m.) Berne, December 8. There are reports of considerable cannonading in tho last few days along the Oerman-Swiss frontier near Basel. There were several encounters between the French and the Germans.

All the Vosges [lasses are held by the French. It is reported that strong German reinforcements are being sent to this district.

London, December 7

The Times, in a leader, says the simple, formal character of the King’s visit to France, and the quietness of his departure and return, were in exact accordance with the feelings of his subjects, who are engaged in this tremendous struggle. The nation prefers to show its sense of gravity of the situation by restraint and simplicity on all occasions.

FRENCH OFFICIAL REPORT.

(Received 8.0 a.m.)

Paris, December 8. A communique states: The enemy is more active on the Yser and around Ypres. Our artillery replied successfully. Our very brilliant attacks which carried Vermelles and Rutoire marked the end of a determin. ed two months’ struggle, in which ■we sapped and mined since w r e were expelled from Vermelles on October 25th. Our heavy artillery dispersed , several of the enemy’s positions on the Aisno and in Champagne. We gained some ground in the Argonne, in the Lagrurie wood and also north,west of Pont-a-Mousson. A FRENCH GENERAL’S HONOR AND HOW HE FELL.

(Received 9.40 a.m.) London, December 8,

The Daily Telegraph’s Paris correspondent states that a French General, who had received orders to advance along a certain road which was swept by a murderous fire, realised that it meant the of the brigade. and he had the choice between blind oheyance and wilful disobedience. He chose a middle course, and despite the staff’s pleading he insisted oh advancing alone through the fire zone, saying:—“lf I win through unscathed, the brigade can follow; if not, remain where you are.” The general fell, riddled with bullets. He thus saved his honor and also the brigade.

BOMBARDMENT. OF RHEIMS. THE USE OF AEROPLANES. (Received 9.55 a.m.) Paris, December &. The Germans have resumed the bom. bardment of Rheims by means of aeroplanes. INTREPID FRENCH AIRMEN. (Received 9.55 a.m.) Amsterdam, December 8. French airmen attempted to bomb the petroleum and ammunition stores at Feluy, in Hainault. The Germans opened fire, compelling them to ascend. A German biplane followed, but the Frenchman escaped after bombing and exploding three cars of an ammunition train.