Fighting in France

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 122, 16 October 1914, Page 5

Fighting in France

A DASH FOR CALAIS. 3KRMAN flag to float over the CHANNEL. ANOTHER PLAN THAT FAILED. Received 16, 10.55 p.m; Paris, October 15. The German right intended, to make a lash for Calais, timed to coincide with ;he taking of Antwerp, thus making a leeond blow at England's prestige, and Wanting the German flag within eight >f the British shores.

The French guns were advantageously placed on an eminence at Mont Casscl, and the German forces were met with a raking side flTe from the trenches, which Had escaped their notice. Many hundreds were killed and wounded, and the Germans retreated in disorder. Two days later the German front was thrown over the Belgian border. ALLIES' PROGRESS CONFIRMED. FIGHTING AROUND VERDUN. GERMANS' FRUITLESS ENVELOPING MOVEMENT. OUTFLANKED BY THE FRENCH. Received 15, 10.40 p.m. Paris, October 14. An official communique reports:— "Some regiments have been in the Ghent district for the past two days. "Operations on the left wing are progressing normally. "The progress reported at Berryanbac is confirmed. "On our right there, is nothing fresh. "The Germans inave not yet got into contact with the fortress at Verdun, though they made two fruitless efforts to envelop our forces around Verdun. During their offorts two battalions were annihilated. "All the German efforts to traverse the Meuse in the Saint Mihiel district failed, the enemy being outflanked by the French from southern Woevre.

THE OCCUPATION OF LILLE. GERMANS USE NO HALF-MEASURES SLAUGHTER OF UNARMED'CITIZENS BOMBS IN PARIS. NOTABLE ALLIES' ADVANCE REPORTED. Paris, October 14. When the Germans were evacuating Lille they reached the suburb of Tiree, where the market v.ms in full swing. The Uhlans lined the inuepicnt, and at a signal frovi an r. v. iiijnnt any provocation and lhuug!i uu r're'.ieh soldier* were in the vicinity, fired through the window:! pi the jouscs. Several persons weer killed, including a young girl. Th<? Germans also looted wine and beer and Bet firs to a number of 'houses.

During October 6 a regiment of French Territorials captured two cannon after [killing all the Germans serving them. Throughout the operations at Lille the Germans were hampered by lack of artillery. Later in the week the pressure of the fighting was removed elsewhere.

| The French state that only a small garrison was left in Lille, and its capture does not alter the French battle [front.

IA communique records a notable advance in the Berryevbco district. (The name is apparently transmitted incorrectly, and cannot be identified.) An aeroplane dropped two bombs in St. Omer, killing a girl and wounding three. Another dropped three bombs in Ostend harbor without doing damage.

The French on Tuesday resumed the offensive at Hazubrouck and Bcthune. The Germans are seeking to cut oil the Allied forces in Belgium. Having failed to capture Lille by a surprise attack, they rushed up 40,000 men and crushed the resistance of the tcrritori-

Times and Sydney Sun Services. London, October 14. An officer in the Aisne trenches writes as follows:—"For ten days we were like rabbitß, digging ourselves deeper and deeper till we were completely sheltered, coming out now and then when it was quiet to cook and eat. We don't wash or change our clothes, and only sleep at odd times. We lead an odd existence. Little holes dug with a parapet, just big enough to sit in, are our homes, with straw, and perhaps sacks, for warmth on cold nigtots. The most intense and coldest moments are when a night alarm is given. We spring from sleep and stand shivering behind the parapet peeping to see our enemies and firing at the flashes of their rifles."

"STRANGE CUSTOMS." I BOGUS GERMAN MEDICAL CORPS. UNMASKED AND SHOT. j Received 15, 10.55 p.m. Paris, October 15. - When the French entered Amiens, llie cavalry oTertook a Red Cross convoy of 48 medical officers. The general welcomed the prisoners, and promised to send them to Geneva, to be exchanged for French medicos. When the convoy was searched, arms and ammunition and a quantity of explosives were found. The Red Cross men explained that they carried guns for self-protection. The French general accepted the explanation, saying: "Your army has strange customs." That evening the Frenek medical officers entertained the prisoners. Conversation turned upon the treatment ol wounds. The French doctors noticed that & number of the

Germans were strangely silent, and communicated their suspicions to the French general, who ordered each to bo privately asked some Bimplc questions on medical science. Five passed the ordeal, but tho sixth waa utterly ignorant of the matter. Finally a committee of French doctors convicted 11 of misusing the Red Cross, and these were shot at daybreak. HOSPITAL SHELLED BY GERMANS. TWO BRITISH NURSES KILLED. Received 15, 10.40 p.m. Paris, October 14.

j The Germans systematically shelled a Red Cross hospital at Braisne, and killed [two British nurses. The Germans destroyed 900 out of 1200 houses. SEQUESTRATION OF ENEMIES' PROPERTY. Received 15, 10.40 p.m. Bordeaux, October 14.

The Government has confirmed the sequestration of the property of German and Austro-Hungarian firms operating in France at the declaration of vrar. FRENCH OCCUPY YPRES. Received 15, 9 pjn. Paris, October 14. French forces have occupied Ypres. FRENCH DISASTER DENIED.

AEROPLANES PURSUE GERMAN DIVISION.

Received 16, 12.15 a.m. Paris, October 14,

It is officially declared that the German newspaper statements that two French cavalry divisions were destroyed are entirely false. The truth is that French and German cavalry, with supports, have been engaged for several days on the Le Basse-Estaires-Bailleul front. The Germans made small progress between the La Basse Canal and by a, but their other cavalry was driven back to the north of Lys with bases. Ono German division suffered severely, because the French aviators pursued it for a w/iole day_ incessantly dropping bombs. r

GERMAN REINFORCEMENTS. j Received 16, 12.15 a.m. London, October 15. Amsterdam newspapers report that another half-million reinforcing Germans are in Belgium. It is reported from Ostend that the German forces now travelling towards | Ghent aro estimated at 100,000.