South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-10-02
GERMAN BRIDGE OVER
MEUSE IS DESTROYED
Engineers Attempt TO Furnish
Passage for Troops Fails
When Allies Blow UP Span
Over River at Night.
BY FRANKLIN P. MERRICK.

PARIS, Oct. "a terrific bat
tie is in progress between the al
hes and the Germans in the vicin-
lty Of ROye, west of the Oise.
where the Germans have concen-
trated heavy forces, according 10
an official announcement issued
here at 3 O'Clock this afternoon.
1t IS stated that the battle seems
to be extending more and more
toward the north. This indicates
that the French left wing is main
tanning its. success in the envelop-
ing movement against Gen. Won
Kluck.
The fighting has even reached
the districts south of ArraS. Ger
man troops operating against the
French right wing have attempted
10 construct a bridge over the
MeuSe, to allow the passage OF
German troops, but it has been
destroyed.
The complete official statement
was as follows:
'i.-On our left wing the hat-
tile continues with great violence.
notably in the region of Rove.
where the Germans appear L.
have concentrated large forces.
The action is extending more and
more toward the north. The bat
tie front has actually been ex-
tended even into the region south
OF ArraS.
"2.-On the MeuSe the Ger
mans tried to build near St. Mihiel
a bridge which had been destroyed
by night. In the WOeyre region
our offensive continues and il ad-
.vances step by step. notably in
the region between Apremont and
st. Mihiel.
"3.-On all the rest Of the
front only partial operations have
been attempted on either side.
with reinforcements which were
shifted 10 his army from the end of
the battle line, Gen. Won Kluck. com
mander o. the German right wing, has
been making violent efforts for the
past As hours To pierce the left wing
Of the allies and cut off the French
troops north OF the SOmme from the
balance OF the army
The heaviest fighting has centered
around Roye and along a front eX-
tending from Reasons to Combles. but
unofficial reports from the north state
that the Germans have been unsuC-
cessful. The French are said 20 have
advanced and 10 have occupied inn
pOrtant positions.
Fighting i'm General.
Fighting is general all along the
long battle line which now extends
from $50 10 $50 miles owing 10 the
sweep of Gen. D'Amades forces to-
ward the northeast.
AS a result Of their vigorous efforts
north OF II. Quentin the Trench were
able 70 cut one Of Gen. Won Kluck's
according TO advices from the front.
The Germans have been fghting
with the desperation Of despair and
in the course Of one night seven Efo-
lent charges were made against the
French left, all Of which were re-
pulsed.
Throughout the day the German ar
tillery has been kept In action. the
heavy guns hurting shells over the
trenches OF the French and their
British allies
Offensive l. Checked
An Intercepted wireless message
from Gen. Won Kluck contains the
pessimistic information that Gen. Won
Kluck's offensive movement has been
checked. II stated that the Ger
mans had encountered black troops
that may have been the Indians who
landed AT Marseilles and were rushed
70 the firing line. II that were the
case the Hindoos have evidently been
stationed 10 the west OF the British
forces under Field Marshal Sir John
French.
In spite OF the terrific efforts %
both sides and the furious attacks and
counter-attacks intercepted with oa1-
nOnading the great battle of the Alsne
which began on Sept. y is still with
out decisive result The official in
formation from the French var Of
fee still makes no mention OF the
German retreat although unofficial re-
ports from the north have stated that
from time 20 time during the past : >
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