South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-11-17
GAIN ALLIES TRENCHES
IN DESPERATE ATTACK
Despite Splendid Resistance of
English Lines Are Broken
But TeutOnS Suffer Severely
in Assault.


narrative describing the operations q
the British troops in France on Nov.
IL y. 13 was issued by the govern
ment press bureau today IL admits
that the Germans have gained ground
about Ypres. but says that they have
failed 10 capture that town.
The narrative also admits that the
British suffered heavy losses, but
adds:
I'VE have the satisfaction Of know
ing we have foiled the enemy in what
appears to be his main object and
have inflicted greater losses than
those suffered"
The German bombardment of the
allies lines just before the-r supreme
attack against Ypres was the most
terrific Of the war. the narrative says.
The account relates how detachments
of Germans worked their way 90 the
rear of the British where they were
cut TO pieces
Attack ON Ypres.
The dogged perseverance OF the
Germans claim our whole hearted
admiration. says the writer. The
statement follows:
NOV. II saw "a great German at
tempt to break our lines and reach
the coast. The Germans struggled
desperately TO get possession OF
Ypres and its neighborhOod. Although
the struggle is not yet ended in that
vicinity il can be said that the Ger
mans gained some ground they have
not yet succeeded in taking Ypres
In repulsing the enemy so far we
have naturally sustained heavy cas-
.rrf he
OF knowing that we have foiled tho
Germans in what appears at present
20 be their main object in the western
theater of war and have inflicted i'm
mensely greater loss on them than
those suffered by ourselves.
'On the previous day. the 10th. the
enemy had advanced in force against
the French beyond our left flank but
was repulsed.
Southeast of Ypres the Germans
continued a very heavy bOmbardment
against our lines as well as against
those Of the French. Opposite our
center the Germans managed 10 re-
tain their hold upon a small strip Of
ground
Day Of Desperate Fighting.
"The 11th was a day OF desperate
lighting throughout Immediately af-
ter daybreak the Germans began their
attack against our trenches 10 the
north and south OF the Menin-Ypres
road They directed what was prob
ably the most furious artillery FIRE
they had yet employed against our
lines The cannonade was followed
by an infantry assault in force by the
First and Fourth brigades of the
the guard corps that had been ordered
10 make a supreme effort TO capture
Ypres The task had proved too Sc
we're for the ordinary infantry troops
rFH HHIar-- TrHs.Hr
brought up.
The attacking forces met a frontal
and flank fire from artillery, rifles
and machine guns and their casualties
before they reached their lines were
enormous
Break Miles Lines.
Despite our splendid resistance
the enemy succeeded In breaking
through our lines in some places on
the Ypres road, but there they were
counter attacked and again were en-
filaded by machine gun fire. The
Germans were driven back 20 the line
of our trenches 4 portion OF which
they succeeded in holding despite our
efforts 10 expel them Their losses
can be gagged from the fact that the
number OF dead left in the woods De-
hind our lines alone amounted 10 zoo.
The simultaneous effort OF the
Germans 20 gain both OF the roads
failed entirely. The attacking infan-
try was massed I'm the woods close 20
our line Our guns opened upon
them The invaders failed 20 push
their assault home and the hghting
was carried ON AT close quarters for
the most part. It was Of tho most
desperate and confused description.
Scattered bodies OF the enemy who
penetrated 10 the woods in the rear
Of our lines were caught where they
could neither advance nor retreat and
an were killed or captured.
THAT portion OF the line southeast
Of Gpres held by us was heavily
sheled but did not sustain any se-
riOus damage That portion az tina
line held 10y the French was bonn
barded and assaulted lercely.
con our right one OF our trenches
was mined and then abandoned
The Germans dogged persever-
ance claims our whOle-hear-ed admir-
alton. The failure OF one great at.
tack. heralded by irnpessioned appeals
10 the troops made IN the presence of
the kaiser has bssH only the slsnal for
another desperate xrtack. u isfJ.cI
he admitted that the guard cerps have
fully lived up 70 their reputation Tor
courage and contempt o. death which
they earned in 1S4e.
THE Germans are cunning lighters
They have often succeeded IN secur-
ing tho identity OF the regiment or
brigade opposing them by calling out
the names of British officers In fault
less English and then requesting such