Grand Forks daily herald. (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1914-1916, 1914-10-20

Paris, October 2o.-British war
ships cannonading the German land
forces. who had opened terrific
bombardment Of the allies entrench-
ed positions between Nieuport. on. the
Belgian North Sea coast, and Dix
today struck terror to the hearts Of
the invaders by their hankinG and On
the attack: Ths; Bs1siafS. fahfihE 51lI'
'their own soil to rSsain their 5countrys
dashed forward and in q desperate
counter-attack hurled the Germans
back.
This is the first time in the war in
the north that naval vessels of any
Of the belligerents have effectively
aided the land forces in the opera
tions.
The firing from the guns Of war
vessels along the coast to the west of
Ostend has been heard for two days,
but until the official communique was
issued from Bordeaux and transmitted
for publication to General Galleni in
Paris at midnight last night. the iden-
tity Of the ships and the purpose Of
their bombardment Of the coast re-
mained hidden under the cloak Of Of
ficial military secrecy.
Frantic Effort to Break Through.
The German attack in this section
Of the allies front in Belgium was di-
rected in frantic effort to break
through along the coast and secure q
foothold on the French coast line po-
sitions before the strength of the allies
should have become so great as to bar
their progress without resort to from
tai attack, with It's consequent and in
evitable carnage.
In their advance, which started
from the south of Ostend on Satur-
day, the Germans had singled out the
position held by Belgian forces as the
weakest point in the line because Of
the reported Generalization the Bel
CLANS had suffered In their successive
defeats, which ended in the fall Of
Antwerp. But King Albert's troops
were prepared. They had dug them
selves in and were supported by their
shattered but still effective artillery
and rapid fierers. They brought the
Germans to standstill in their initial
numbers of solidly massed troops and
heavy gun-flre.
In the evening. after several hours
Of furious fighting in which the Bel
gians maintained doggedly their po-
sitions. hurting the enemy back time
after time with heavy losses in each
repulse. there was heard the guns Of
the snlp6 TO SeaWard.
First Shot Effective.
And the navy guns had the range,
for the first shots were effective and
demoralizing to the German attackers
There was q perceptible cessation in
the attack directed against the Bel
CLANS. and in the lull endured
throughout the night fully three rail-
way trains were loaded down with the
70
fugees who saw them passing to the
rear on the following morning.
The attack was renewed with in
creased fury on Sunday morning and
lasted all day Sunday, the Germans
alternately directing their big gun fire
against Belgian position and the ships
at sea, the latter by indirect FIRE and
without effect, 80 far as has been re-
ported.
Yesterday the hre from the navy
guns became so severe and effective
that the Germans started to with
draw. No sooner was this maneuvre
discovered by the Belgian corps COM
mander than a charge was ordered
and the counter attack soon turned
into a rout, with the Germans in full
retreat.
Nieuport is ton miles southwest Of
Oetend. 1t occupies a position on the
coast, about midway between Oetend
ana the Franco-Belgian border.
Across the border and along the
French sea coast to the westward lie
Dunkirk and Calais, again which the
Germans are attempting to advance In
their effort to establish themselves IN
a series Of coast positions before start
ing their second drive upon Paris.
Tho Battle Front Of the Allies.
Also. Nleuport 10 the northssnnost