New-York tribune., 1914-11-17


was another building, from which the
Germans we're driven and then caught
in the open by shrapnel. One Of our
heavy batteries also obtained several
direct hits on the enemy's guns.
Thursday Nov. 81 was another
comparatively quiet day, there being
no attempt at an infantry attack
against any point Of our position.
Southeast of Npres the Germans main
tanned q heavy bombardment Of one
section Of our front, but. generally
speaking. their artillery FIRE was not
so heavy as it had been somewhat 70
The south.
"The French made some slight prog
ress and recaptured ground farther 20
the south. Two villages which the
enemy had captured and their line of
ridge close by we're heavily hombarded
by British and French artillery rom
the high ground 10 the west.
Germans Driven from Shelter.
"The effect Of this cannonade could
De seen 20 some extent. though the
villages under fire were partially OBJ
scured from view by the smoke OF
bursting shells. and resembled the
craters Of volcanoes belching fire and
fumes. At one place the wreck Of an
old church tower and the blackened re
mains of = few houses around Il would
emerge for moment, only TO be again
blotted out IN pail Of smoke.
"The long and struggling villages,
when they became temporarily visible,
seemed 20 melt away and assume odd
and fantastic shapes as the houses
crun,hled and blocks Of masonry were
thrown hither and thither by the blast
inc effects Of the lyddite and mehnite.
"Thc result Of the artillery work
was most satisfactory. When the Ger
mans were seen 20 be running from
shelter which had ceased TO act as
such they were caught and moved
down hv the rapid Ere Of the French
field artillery. Against n suitable tar
get the action Of the French IS cent?
metre field guns is literally terrlhc
and must be seen 20 be realized.
German Gains Barren.
"On the whole, the ground which
the Germans have gained IN this di-
rection has so far proved somewhat
barren acquisition. Il IS so exposed
that il proves death trap for their
troops. and they can derive no ad-
vantage from its possession.
along the rest Of our line nothing
of special interest occurred. Farther
south our aeroplanes and those OF the
French scored success by. partly
DESTROYING two of the old forts OF
Lille. Fort Enelos was blown up on
the 4th and Fort Carnot on the 9Th.
They we're most probably used as mag
azines and may have been Of some tao
ticsl importance as points d'appuT in
the line Of entertainments.
"On FRIDAY. the 9Th, the attack was
renewed south Of the Menin-Hpres
high road. but was repulsed without
6ificultv. Against the southeast OF
Ypres. which had been subjected TO
boubardment during the night and
was also shelled during the day,
fairly strong advance was made IN the
afternoon and the enemy gained some
ground.
"The French. however, made coun-
ter stroke. supported by us, and by
uigbtfall had recovered all the lost
ground a French attack on two VII
lages which had been shelled on Ihufs-
6ay made considerable progress one
point being captured, but the enemy
contrived TO render the position uh-
-onabIc and our allies had retired from
the hill by dusk .,
2
~ the Ivs. the enemy made two un-
successful night attacks.
con Saturday. November z, on our
loft the enemy in the afternoon again
o++acked on the east and southeast OF
Ypres. along the Menin Road. OuI
line was at ono point forced back ohy
.o he reclaimed after o few minutes,
About . o. m. the Germans appeared
n he u1assing opposite our line south-
cast of Ypres, and the pressure was LOT
a time severe. although the attack was
rot driven home.
z slightly further 10 the soulh HsH-
yor continued with undated Jury ana
resulted I'm gains to our AIles. ABOUT
100 Of the enemy advanced from lIe
cover of a wood against the French
Half Of them, with the most recAless
bravery. came on TO close quarters, ana
,,,oro sI sbo. or bayonetted. tre-
rnendous cannorade was maintained oy
botb sides in this direction, the Allles
nouring a hail of shells all along the
ridoe facing them held by the Ger
mans. and the latter bombardlng some
bigb ground and the valley 70 the east
Of it in our possession. -.-.,
"Three machine guns we're captured
nv ms during the day. On our centre
there was a recrudescence OF activity
on the enemys part. During the pre-
y,ioos night some six battalions OF Sax
ons had succeeded in capturing some
of our trenches, only 10 be driven out
nv a counter-att which resulted IN
one officer and sevensy men being taken
prisoners.
Germans Scorn Death.
The Germans. however, refused to
accept defeat, and, returning 10 the
charge, again occupied some OF our
trenches and penetrated into the wood.
They were again cOunter-attacked and
cleared out of the wood, but continued
In possession of pal<s OF our line and
also some houses which commanded
them.
Further south the enemy again be
haved with great boldness. sapping up
10 within short distance Of our
trenches. Some Of the prisoners capt
tured on this day were very young.
They stated that their corps had lately
been brought up TO strength with new
recruits who had received only a few
weeks training.
Throughout the recent fighting Sun
dav has proved "a day Of activity, and
the sth Of November was no exception
20 the rule On the left the morning
passed quietly, so far as the British
we're concerned To the southeast Of
Ypres the French continued TO give US
considerable support and pressed for
ward.
"At 2:3O p. m. the daily attack on