THE NORTHERN BATTLEFIELD.

Colonist, Volume LVI, Issue 13635, 25 November 1914, Page 5

THE NORTHERN BATTLEFIELD.

VIOLENT CANNONADING

BOMBARDMENT AT YPRES, SOISSONS AND RHEIMS.

ATTACKS IN THE ARGONNE,

REPULSED BY THE ALLIES

INUNDATIONS EAST OF DIXMUDE

GERMAN DETACHMENT CUT OFF

COUNTRY FROZEN OVER

ENTRENCHMENT FIGHTING

IMPOSSIBLE,

Paris, Nov. 23

A communique states that yesterday was marked by violent cannonades, especially at Ypres, where the Cathedral, markets and many houses were ignited; also at Soissons and Rheiras.

• AYe repulsed several very hot attacks in the Argonne.

The inundations east of Dixmude cut off 1500 Germans on the night of the 18th. Some attempted to escape by swimming at daybreak, but the Allies picked off one after another. By noon the water had risen until only a narrow strip of land was visible. /

The French commander ordered a pontoon bridge to be built to succour the survivors, but it was too late, tlie islet having disappeared when tho French approached. There were only 40 of the Germans alive.

Northern France and Belgium resemble an expanse of Arctic whiteness. Ice is forming on the canals, and the frozen ground makes, entrenchment fighting no longer possible, as the troops are unable to quickly cut new trenches. It is also much more dangerous, since the snow would clearly betray the lines of trenches. The commanders also hesitate to deploy infantry with the white background.

The Germans are accumulating at Ostend many motor-boats armed with machine guns. It is believed it is intended to use the flooded areas or canals if the banks are low enough.

Prisoners state that the Germans are exasperated by the success of the British armoured trains, and that the Kaiser has offered £1000 for the head of the commander of the trains.