South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-09-28

to each other during the uls in the
cannonade.
Still further 10 the west along the
Aisne and up the Disc. there is con
slant lighting. The bloodiest struggle.
however, is taking place In the tri-
angle formed by the towns OF Ribe-
court Bapaume and Hirson
Wounded soldiers from the front de
clare that the people at large can
have no conception of the tremendous
nature OF the war operations The
meager official bulletins convey only
feeble idea OF the vastness and
violence Of the struggle.
Longest Battle known.
The strain OF this modern fighting
is something never known before and
this conflict will probably go down i'm
history as the longest battle known
TO mankind.
At every point wnere the hostile
lines are within seven miles OF each
other the troops are under continual
fire. Some times the troops lie In
their wet cold. muddy trenches for
days under fire from an enemy that
cannot be seen.
If the fighting goes on much longer
the armies viii become SO weak that
decisive result Will be out OF the
question.
Officers from the front declare that
the Germans are more formidable
adversaries on the defensive than
when advancing TO an attack They
dig themselves in extremely well and
they figure mathematically every
range, making their rifle fire deadly.
Their field artillery finds its target
with admirable precision.
1t is worth noting that many Off
GERS from the firing line who return
to Paris upon official missions or TO
have wounds dressed, lament the alb
sence of accredited press correspond
ents al the front They say that the
people can have no idea Of the gi-
gantic character OF the engagement
and the hardships which the troops
on both sides are undergoing. The
international public has an imperfect
idea OF the colossal nature OF the
operations. The vast number OF men
engaged, the large area Of operations.
the fierceness Of the attacks and
counter attacks, the terrific lombard
ments and the reckless dash and
bravery are not realized; the eXhaus-
ton Of the troops; the suffering from
wet, cold weather and lack OF provi-
sions are not fully appreciated
Veterans Are Hungry.
This greatest battle ia the worlds
history is being carried on by veterans
who are hungry. Most OF them are
feeling the effect, in one way or an
other. from two weeks Of fierce fight
ing, coming on the top Of a 2O0-mile
march. The strain Of beng under fire
constantly with the mighty guns OF
Germanys heavy ordnance ringing
in their ears, has completely changed
the nature OF the men. They are
hardened to blood and carnage and
the danger OF death which IS always
at hand, is an inconsiderate tribe.
The fate of empires may rest upon
this battle, and the fight 4 worthy OF
its mighty consequences.
Warm tribute is being paid TO the
excellent work OF the British Tegi-
ments, that generally have been sup
posed TO exist for show purposes only.
They have been In the thick Of the
fighting always acquitting themselves
nobly. When the hghting comes down
10 cold steel they show a dash thaI
was entirely unexpected.
Achieve Glorious Feat
I'm the recent fighting On the Alsue
where the British managed 10 secure
fOOthOld on the northern side after
a terrible struggle the British guard
troops achieved a glorious feat ~
arms They were thrown across a
pOntoOn bridge which the English
"a ppers had constructed under ire.
but no sooner rad they reached the
upper bank than the German artil-
lery. which occupied concealed po-
ElUDnt opened lFe ana kle SuidH HilrA
began bursting among the troops.
British i'm Gallant Attack.
Before the English troops laE
stretch OF open country about mile
wide AT its edge was patch cf
woods which extended 10 the TOP 0f
some hills on the crest where the
German artillery was IN action. The
order was given 20 advance and with
the Scots greys leading the English
men, charged against the German po-
sitiOns.
The attackers managed ro eNa,le
the barbed wire entanglements but
they had 10 face a blasting fire while
crossing the open stretch The Ger
man shells. bursting with deadly rex
ularity. fell on every part OF the Brit
ish lines.
Just before reaching the forest ths
German machine guns were turned
on the Britishers. With fixed bav-
onets the guards swept forward and
left long lines OF dead and wounded
IN their wake
Shouting their battle cry theN Feu
upon the German position havOnetng
the gunners. Within less than 10
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