New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-04
GERMANS in FIERCE
ATTACK ON ALLIES
Fighting Now Going On
Along Nearly Whole of
Battle Line.
tBy Cable to The Tribune1

lBy Cable to rhs Tribune.l
Northeastern France, Dec. 3.-Fierce
fighting is now taking place along a
considerable part of the battle line
The Germans anticipated the con-
certed forward movement Of the Allies
by making a spirited attack themselves.
The Allies were not taken by surprise.
Never was an army more ready to de-
fend itself.
The Allies now are in a position to
bide their time, and new German
offensive probably will not cause them
to change their we'll matured plans.
The new German attack so far has met
with no success. II extends more or
less along the whole line, but is con-
centrated principally to the north OF
Ypres and on toward Dixmude. The
fighting was most severe here, but all
attacks were successfully repulsed.
In the dark hours before dawn yes
terday morning a large force Of Ger
mans crossed the food waters of the
User by means of big broad RATS. The
venture was a desperate one, for not a
man who set out on it could have been
ignorant Of the fact that death was
almost certainly awaiting him. The
RATS were punted through the shallow
waters in dead silence and in utter
darkness. Each carried about fifty or
sixty men and some mitrailleuses, IN
preparation for the dawn.
=. further feet of RATS drawn by
motor boats was waiting on the Ger
T.. N side of the muddy waters, but be-
fore dawn came the plot was discov-
cred and when daybreak arrived the
artillery of the Allies met the advanc-
ing Germans with devastating effect.
In spite of their losses these Germans,
brave even 70 madness, still essayed the
crossing. They were partly covered by
a heavy cannonade by their field artil-
lery, and until midday the Germans
still persisted in their plan. Several
RATS were upset in midstream by the
fire of French guns, and great number
of Germans were drowned as well as
shot. Once again the User claimed its
heavy toll, once again German blood
stained its waters crimson.
The attack eventually ceased after
the Germans had suffered immense
losses in men and mitrailleuses, but
the artillery kept up determined bonn
bardment of the allied position, meet
ing with vigorous, well directed reply. |
As | mentioned in previous dispatches, /
the Germans have withdrawn their I
heavy artillery on account Of the /,
muddy nature of the country, but they 4
have now brought into action a new /
weapon, which is exceedingly we'll 1
adapted to the changed nature of the |
warfare.
Numbers of light guns. with range
I'D TO seven kilometres, have been
on motor-lorries with power
full engines. These lorries are solidly
and are fitted with excep-
.ionally large springs, arranged so as
10 keep the gun STEADY while being
fred, and to break the force OF the re
,oil after a discharge. The obvious ad-
vantage about this arrangement is that
runs can be moved speedily along roads
which would be impossible TO guns of
heavier cslibre.
Many of these guns were supposed
o be at work yesterday around Ypres.
The positions held by the French and
British were fiercely attacked, but the
Allies managed in the main to hold
heir ground, and the Germans gained
nothing to repay them for the ruth
ess sacrifice of many lives.