The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1914-12-15
PAYING AN
AWFUL PRICE
FEARFUL SUFFERINGs OF GER
MAN SOLDIERS IN FLANDERS

airy of a German officer of the 202nd
regiment of reserve infantry, who
was killed on October 9th, at Stuy-
verkerque, is eloquent in its testimony
of the desperate attempts made by
the Germans to cross the User. An en-
try dated Oct. "a, is as follows:
'The battle continues; it began
again at about 5:45 a. m. / crossed
the User on a bridge of boats. Di-
rectly we got to the left bank of the
river we advanced on the double,
scrambling through bitches under the
most internal fire of the enemy. A
bullet grazed my neck, making me
giddy, but unfortunately did not
break the skin. We took up a posi-
ton near the farm of Vandewoude,
where we entrenched ourselves from
the terrible artillery fire of the allies.
at was an awful situation. In OPP
en- order we reached the fifth trench.
We have not the slightest idea of the
general situation. ! have no knowl-
edge of where the enemy are, nor
what forces we have against US and
there is no means of obtaining infor-
nation. At every line through which
passed have discovered that our
losses have been colossal, and in no
case proportionate to the advantage
gained. The artillery of the enemy is
wonderfully we'll handled and is alto
gether too strong, and as ours has not
been able to put any of their guns out
of action, being not too well served,
the progress of our infantry has no
effect, and only imposes upon it
heavy and useless losses.
"The care of the wounded also
leaves much to be desired. At Dix
nude saw over forty of our wound
ed lying on the ground, having re-
ceived no attention. Our ambulance
train is. being kept uselessly waiting
on the other side of the river. 1t is
also impossible to receive our rations
regularly. For days now we have had
nothing warm to drink or eat. The
quantity of bread served out to US is
altogether insufficient. All our re-
serve rations are exhausted. The wa
ter is filthy, quite green, but we are
obliged to drink it. The men are re-
duced to the state of beasts. Person
ally, | have nothing left to eat, and l
am in a terrible condition.
October 18th, we had a compare
/ lively quiet night. Our command of
the bridge over the User is practical
| ly assured. The battle ragged all day
long. We have received no orders as
! yet. The struggle between the en-
emy's artillery and our infantry con-
tinues without any result except more
enormous losses on our side
"Oct. 26. The night was horrible
/ It poured with rain necessarily
was freezing cold, and was obliged tc
stand up all night. We were knee.
deep in water. In front of US anc
aimed directly at US, deadly fire
from the enemy decimated our ranks
We. are going, so am told to build !
i big bridge over the User as the 9th
ers further up have all been destroy
ed by the enemy's artillery fire.
"It was impossible for our infantry
to make any impression until our ar
tillery managed to silence the enc
my's guns. Our losses must now b,
quite enormous all along our front
My battalion has suffered dreadfully
Our colonel and several officers arr
wounded and many others killed
Eve haven't yet had an opportuni
| ty of taking off our boots or of shaw
ing or having a wash. The Sixth Di
vision is ready, but its aid is quite in
sufficient! The situation is by M
means improved. We get to know
nothing whatever. We have just beer
ordered again to occupy flooded tren
ches. Our regiment is mixed up will
units from others in a hopeless mud
died condition. There is not singh,
whole battalion anywhere, nor on,
which has an idea where the rest o.
its units may be- EVERYTHING is dis
organized under this terrible enflad,
from the enemy. To be fired at in
cessantly and not know from VIVA
direction is most unnerving. l feel il
a hopeless state of depression. Again
we had to spend the night on dam,
straw, budding up close to each 9th
er for warmth. 1t is dreadfully colo
and wet. All of sudden more VIC
lent attack than ever is begun by tn,
enemy's guns. We get up and max,
our preparations for the conflict, oul
teeth chattering, benumbed with cold.
On October 9th, his last entry i.
made: "The situation remains un
changed and confused. One mustn'
think of ADVANCING. !"