Omaha daily bee., 1914-09-24
FRENCH DESCRIBES
BRITONS IN ACTION
General Writes Account Of Opera
tons in France Up to
Friday.
CRUELTY TALES EXAGGERATED
Account Of Earlier Battle Given by
German soldier IN Letter to His
wife T. Incorporated in
the Report.

sCriptivp account Of the operations Of
the British army in northeastern France
last week, written by General Sir John
French. has been issued by tho war
office.
Where our men are holding the for
ward edges OF the high ground on the
north side. they are strongly entrenched.
They are well fed and in spite OF the wet
weather OF the last week are cheerful
and confident
The bombardment by both sides has
been very heavy, and on Sunday. Mon
day and Tuesday was practically con-
tinuous. Nevertheless in spite OF the
general din caused by the reports OF the
immense number OF heavy guns in ao-
ton along our front Wednesday, the ar
rival of the French force acting against
the German right flank was at once an
ncunced on the east OF our front some
miles away by the continuous roar OF the
quick firing artillery with which the at
tack was opened.
80 far as the British are concerned,
the greater part Of this week has been
passed in bombardment. in gaining
ground by degrees and in beating back
severe counter attacks with heavy
slaughter. Our casualties have been Sc
we're. but II is probable that those Of the
enemy are heavier.
Autumn Feeling I'm Air.
The rain has caused a great drop in
the temperature and there Is more than
I distant feeling OF autumn in the air,
especially in the early morning
ION our right and left the French have
been fighting fiercely and have also been
gradually gaining ground. One village
already during this battle has been cap
tured and recaptured twice By each side
and at the time OF writing remains in the
hands OF the Germans
The fighting has been at close quarters
and Of the most desperate nature and the
streets Of the village are filled with the
| dead OF both sides.
The Germans are a formidable enemy.
we'll trained, long prepared and brave.
Their soldiers are carrying on the con-
test with skill and valor Nevertheless
they are fighting to win any way, re-
gardless Of all the rules OF fair play, and
there is evidence that they do not hesitate
at anything in order 20 gain victory.
Letter of German soldier.
II "A large number of the tales OF misbe-
haviors are exaggeration and some OF the
guard themselves against the inhabitants
OF the areas traversed are Possibly JUST.
fable measures of war. But at the same
time 1t has been definitely established
that they have committed atrocities or
many occasions. and they have beer
guilty OF brutal conduct
So many letters and statements of ou
wounded soldiers have been published Il
our newspapers, the following epistle o
a German soldier OF the Seventy fourtl
infantry regiment, Tenth corps, to hi
wife. also may be of interest:
My Dear Wife: I have just been liv
ms through days that defy imagination
I should never have thought that mel
could stand II. Not a second has passed
but my life has been in danger, and We
not a hair Of my head has been hurt.
1t was horrible: II was CHASTITY, bu
have been saved for you and for ouI
happiness. and take heart again, al
though am still terribly unnerved. Goo
grant that | may see you again soon anC
that this horror may soon be over
None of us can do any more human
strength is at an end | will try to tel
you about II. On the 5th of September tn,
enemy were reported to be taking up 8
position near ST. PTix, southeast OF Paris
The Tenth corps, which had made an as
tonishingly rapid advance, was attacked
on Sunday. Steep slopes led up to the
heights, which were held in considerab bic
force, With our weak detachments of the
SeVenty-fourth and Ninety -first regiments
We reached the crest and came under a
terrible artillery fire. that moved us
down. However. We entered st. Prix
Hardly had We done so than We were met
with shell fire and violent fusillade
from the enemys infantry.
The Third Colonel.
Our colonel was badly wounded. He
is the third we have had. Fourteen mer
were killed around me. We got away In
q lull, without being hit
The eth. Sth and 9Th OF September We
we're constantly under shell and shrspne
fire and suffered terrible losses. I was
I'm house which was hit several times
The fear of death, of agony which is II
every mans heart, and naturally so. is 4
terrible feeling. How often have thought
OF you, my darling. and what | suffered
; In that terrifying battle which extended
along a front OF many miles near Mont
mirail. you cannot possibly imagine.
" our heavy artillery was being use,
for the siege Of Maubeuge We wante'
II badly. as the enemy had theirs in fore
and kept up furious bombardment, Fol
four days / was under artillery fire, L
was like hell but thousand times worse
order 60 Retreat.
On the night OF the 9th, the orde
, was given to retreat, as II would hav
been madness to attempt to hold our DO
sition with our few nssn, as We shoul'
! 49,. .InLo.I AnrrIhI. dnfnai The naNf IA \