THE BATTLE OF BELGRADE.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 March 1916, Page 7

THE BATTLE OF BELGRADE.

DANUBE CHOKED WITH DEAD. Thrilling details of the battle of Belgrade are furnished by an eye-witness, Dr. E. B. Downer, of New York, who has been in Serbia for many months helping the American Red Cross service. "In the flglit for the possesion of Belgrade," said Dr. Downer, "the AustroGerman forces continued a bombardment for three days. The bombardment was followed by hand-to-hand conflicts in the streets of the city. When the invaders crossed the Danube the loss of life was greatest. "I saw entire battalions of Hungarians swept from boats and rafts on which they crossed the Danube. The machine-gun fire was terrific. The river was filled with bodies, and resembled a Canadian log drive. "The Serbs fought bravely. Weight of numbers finally prevailed. After, the crossing of the river was effected, a hand-to-hand conflict for the possession of the Serbian trenches on the bank followed.

"From the roof of the hospital I watched the fight through field glasses. When the Serbs were out of ammunition I saw any number of them throw themselves from the house tops into the whirling mass of the enemy. Many landed feet first on the heads of the invaders, and others dived off the rortfl clasping a gun, the bayonet of which found /a victim as they struck the earth. The invaders, apparently short of ammunition, used their guns a 9 clubs, and beat down resistance. DESPERATE FIGHTING. "Following the taking of the trenches by the invaders the Serbians slowly retreated through the eitv, figltting desperately. Most of the fighting iVas hand-to-hand. At the end of the second day the rumour spread that the invaders were short of ammunition, with the result that the Serbians again swept into the city, and all but recaptured the ground they had lost. "While the bombardment was in progress," continued Dr. Downer, "more than 3000 wounded were treated at the American hospital. Five physicians and surgeons and fire nurses, of the American Red Cross staff, worked almost constantly and without rest. The lack of fresh water was a great factor that handicapped us. "The bombardment put the electric light plant out of order, and wo were forced to perform operations in serious cases by the aid of candle and lantern light. "In the stress of emergency the nurses handled many of the wounded alone, and performed operations personally that would, in times of peace, be handled only by specialists. They achieved a remarkable degree of success."