El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1914-11-17
.PRUSSIAN GUARD
LEADS ASSAULT.
British Official Observer
Describes Valor of the
German Attacks.


SWlnron, the official observer at the
British headquarters gives today a fur
ther chapter in the narrative of the
operations at the front bringing up his
account to Nov. IS. His latest report
describes the fierce attack of the Prus-
sian guards on the British lines in the
nelghborhOod of Ypres.
Col Swinton's report, issued through
the official press bureau, follows:
me dlminutiOn in the forces Of the
German rush to the west has not lost
ed long. The section of the front
TO the north Of our forces was
the first to meet the recrudescence Of
violence, in the shape Of an attack in
the neighborhOod of DiXmude and
BixschOote.
Our turn came next. After eight
days of comparative relaxation we
We're under constant pressure from
week later.
Renew Desperate Battle.
'In spite of immense losses suffered
by the enemy during the attack against
Ypres, the cessation of their more vio-
lent efforts on Oct % only slgnalized
the temporary REIMBURSEMENT of the
main offensive until fresh troops had
been massed to carry on what was
proving to be a costly and difficult
operation. Meanwhile the interval was
employed in endeavOring to wear out
the allies by repeated local attacks and
to shatter them by a prolonged bonn
bardment BY November II, therefore,
It seems that they considered they had
attained both objects fos on that day
they recommended the desperate battle
for the possession of Ypres and its
neighborhood.
Though the struggle has not yet
come to an end, this much can be said;
The Germans have gained some ground,
but they have not captured Hpres.
British Suffer Great Losses.
r1-fvr hla
have suffered heavy casualties, but
battles of this fierce and prolonged ma
tuTe cannot be but costly to both sides.
I'VE have the satisfaction of know
ing we have foiled the enemy IN whaL
appears to be at present the enemy
main object in the western theater OF
operations. and have inflicted i'm
mensely greater losses on MN tnah
those we have suffered ourselves.
Tuesday, Nov 10 was uneventtuL
For instance, beyond our left flank
the enemy advanced in force against
the French and was repulsed. Directly
on our left, however, along the greater
part of the front. Smelling was less
severe, and no infantry attacks took
CannOnadinE Is Furious.
ITO the southeast Of Ypres, the en-
envy kept UP a very heavy lombard
ment against our line and that Of the
French. On our left the situation re-
manned unchanged, both sides con-
tenting themselves with furious can
nonading. In our center the Germans
retained their hold on the small
amount of ground which they had lost,
but in doing so incurred a heavy loss
from our artillery and machine gun
fire.
The Guard Corps Leads Attack.
''W Wednesday, the 1lth, was a day OF
desperate fighting. As day broke, the
Germans opened fire on our trenches to
the north and south of the road from
Menin to Ypres. This probably was the
most furious artillery fire which they
have yet employed against US. A Few
hours later they followed this by an
assault in force. This attack was car
ried out by the first and fourth brig
AIDES of the guard corps, which had
been sent to make a supreme effort to
capture Ypres, since that task had
proved too heavy for the infantry.
"As the attackers surged forward
they were met by our frontal fire and
since they were moving diagOnally
across part Of our front they were also
attacked on the flank by artillery,
rifles and machine guns.
Break Through, Driven Back.
Though their casualties must have
been enormous, such was their resOlu-
ton and the momentum. of the mass
that, in spite Of the splendid resistance
of our troops, they succeeded in break
ing through our line in three places.
the woods behind our trenches, but
were counter attacked again, enfiladed
by machine guns and driven back to
their line of trenches, a certain portion
! of which they succeeded in holding.
The number Of dead left in the woods
behind our line alone amounted to zoo
"A simultaneous effort made TO the
south failed entirely. The fighting TO
, a great extent was carried on at close
quarters. 1t was most desperate and
confused.
French Are Assaulted in Force.
1.-THE portion of the line to the south
east of Ypres held by US was heavily
shelled, but did not undergo any very
serious infantry attack. That occu-
pied by the French, however, was both
bombarded and fiercely assaulted.
ION the right one our trenches was
mined and then abandoned. As soon as
it was occupied by the enemy the
charges were fired and several Ger
mans were blown to pieces.
ADnibfIated by BnyOnets.
HThursday November II, was marked
bv a partial lulI in the fighting all
along our line To the north German
4 force which had crossed the User and
( entrenched on the left bank was an
INFLATED by a night attack with the
| bavonet. executed by the French.
| Slightly to the south the enemy was
! forced back for three quarters Of a
| mile. Immediately on our left the
! French were strongly attacked and
| driven hack a short distance, our eX-
IRENE left having to conform to this
| movement Our allies soon recovered
! fine ground they had lost, however, and
/ this enabled us to advance.
Z 1.-THE enemys snipers were very &C
tive. On our center and right the
cnemv's bombardment was maintained
4 hut nothing worthy of special note &C.
! Cured"