The Washington herald., 1914-09-22
THOUSANDS die
TODRUM BEATS
CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE

the Aisne. the German army had the
River Disc on its right and, for the
moment, the danger Of being outfianked
was averted.
This was the position on Sunday, Sep
tember 1s. the first day Of the great
frontal battle
AFTER the German army had crossed
the river II took up q position on the
north bank between Compiegne and
Scissors and toward Rheims. Its heaviest
artillery was rushed down from the north
and placed on various strategic points.
notably IN the Quarries behind Soissons
at VIc-Sur-HaIsne and at Attichy. On
the right, the army was protected by
the forests OF Aigle and by the River
Oise, which descends almost due south
from Noyon. II was and is an extremely
strong position and one capable OF only
frontal attack.
Germans stronEIy Fortified.
TT was clear from the outset that
these fortified positions must be fought
for and taken, no matter how great
the effort or how terrible the sacri-
nee. Happily. the time afforded Gen.
Won Kluk's army for preparation was
short, due to the fact that the allies.
although tired by the long pursuit OF
the 9Th, 10th. l1th, and 18th, lost no
time in opening the attack on Sunday.
Sunday proved to be a day OF tre-
mendous Importance. With the excep-
tion OF one small structure and a rail-
way bridge girder, all the bridges
across the river near this point had
been blown up. 1t was obvious that
pontoon bridges must be constructed.
and TO work out this aim an artillery
duel was begun with the Germans,
whose position was such that they
"a drtFfnu n UFaataT
part of its course in that section.
The artillery battle that began
early Sunday and lasted throughout
the greater portion of the day was OF
terrific character. The heaviest guns
Of the enemy were brought into action,
enabling them to make a great show
ing at the longer ranges. The heavy
French pieces had not arrived up to
that time. but the English artillery, on
account of its weight, the marksman-
ship, and fine maneuvering. rendered
splendid service. Indeed. the British
artillery made possible subsequent
operations in the valley by the allies.
Valley Becomes an Inferno.
The valley Of the river became an in
ferno. From height to height the great
guns beIched forth their fire in terrific
fashion. Huge shells went shrieking
across lne river anu Aht AANtA
The enemy poured a whitening fire upon
the allied troops and engineers engaged
In building pontoon bridges
The whole operation OF building the
pontoon bridges was carried on while a
hell Of fire rained down upon the men.
rifles, mItraIlleuses and the heavier Ger
man guns contributing. At one time the
enemy's fire had grown so deadly and
had worked so much destruction among
A., A,VFHl a ~
toon bridges that the work had TO De
suspended temporarily.
The scene by this time had become
fearful To the terrible grandeur OF II
was added the sight OF German and
French aeroplanes lowering over the bat
tlefield. Time and again they dashed
across the river to reconnoiter and car
| ried on their work successfully, although
they were subjected TO a terrific fire
from the German suns. especially made
for the purpose.
Allies Eject Crossing.
Finally the allied army, foot by foot
began to advance toward the river bank
| Thanks to the presence Of the small un
| broken bridges, the English troops wer'
able to effect a crossing of the river com
paratively early, while the French, show
| ing great bravery, began crossing thu
river in single file by using the stee
| girders. In the meantime. the engineer
| renewed their task of pontoon bridG'
| building and columns OF troops crossed
the river. By nightfall the crossing haC
been effected and the enemy was forceC
to retire.
1T was clear that this retirement wal
not to be accomplished as victory 70
the allies, for all night long searchlight
swept the river. and the opposing gen
erals attempted to carry out various
strategic moves with a view to renewing
the combat the next day. Desultory fir
was kept up throughout the night
Stops His Own Cry of Pain.
AT a certain period during the nigh
It became exceedingly important that tn
| enemy should have no indication of tn
| position of a detachment of British in
fantry, which was up close TO the enemy
A stray shot struck one Of the Britisl
soldiers, shattering a bone in his arm
Had he let a cry escape him the discover!
| Of the British detachment would hav
4 been made. But this wounded soldie
never uttered a cry. Fearing that tn
agony he was suffering might cause hin
Il to shrek out against his will he grabbe-
4 a piece OF turf and jammed 1t into hi
mouth, so as to prevent any outcry, an
kept it in there until he was able to craw
back in safety to his own lines.
Il Monday dawned cold and windy
Showers fell occasionally. The German
u began building little pits, while the allie
j also entrenchSd themselves agains
heavy bombardments.
Battle Desperately All Dny.
The Germans opened a heavy bonn
bardment along the heights eastwar
toward scissors. 1t seemed like an &C
OF pure vandalism, as the town was un
defended. Toward afternoon the fightinl
became general and was OF desperat
character, the tide of battle ebbing an
flowing across the river. At times tn
enemy attempted to take the offensive
and even succeeded, within small areas
in forcing back the allies. just as tn
allies succeeded elsewhere IN forcn
back the enemy.
However, in spite OF the tremendou
efforts on both sides, night came o