South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-09-17

p After paying a terrible toll, the
British were successful and a bridge
resting upon pOntoons stretched from
the south TO the north bank of the
Aisne.
Make Brilliant Dash.
Lashing their tired horses into a
gallop. the artillery Of one British
battery tore down the river bank 10
the bridge and crossed TO the north
side. although the Germans trained
their guns upon the bridge and sick
ening crackle OF passing shells like
the sharp whip-like splitting OF sum-
mer lightning rang around them.
once upon the north bank the British
wheeled their guns into a protected
position that the Germans could not
reach
HurIs Shells Against British.
Swiftly taking another position
German battery began hurting shells
against the British guns on the north
side of the Aisne Within an incredi-
bly, short time the German gunners
got the exact range, and the shrapnel
was exploded right amongst the Eng
lish guns. The British artillerymen
were brave but their officers saw that
II meant humiliation to remain so
they ordered the men TO retire. Six
cannons were left behind.
In the meantime the English had
been feeling out the heights across the
valley, having been unsuccessful in To-
eating all the German batteries. Now
they were successful and they began
dropping shells upon German posi-
ton, the guns of which had been
sweeping the south bank Of the Aisne
az point which had 10 be crossed by
the British before they could reach
their pontoOn bridge. A heavy bonn
bardment went on with the British
gunners working slowly and cody in
order to make their fire the more
effective.
Two Batteries Cross Bridge.
Under this fresh cannonade the
British were able to push two more
batteries across the pontoon bridge.
together with a good supply OF am
mTnition. These guns were planted
at the northern head of the bridge
and began Smelling the German guns
which were trying to dislOdge them.
Two German batteries were silenced
and British infantry and cavalry
swarmed across the bridge. The Brit
ish charged up the slope Of the hills,
took number Of guns and then re-
tired, in the meantime having retaken
the original six guns which the Eng
lish had been compelled to abandon.
To the west Of the English the
French were making desperate efforts
TO get across the stream and they,
too, were suffering from whitening
fire which the Germans directed up
on them from the heights above.
French Erect Bridge.
French sappers worked with cour-
age equal TO that Of their English al
lies, and they, too, were able to get
pOntOOn bridge erected, although
they had to pay a heavy price in HUI
man life. Three French batteries and
a regiment of French infantry were
thrown across the bridge and the bat
tie on the north side of the Aisne
then ragged more fiercely than ever.
The French and English on the ex-
treme western end Of the battle line
took 1900 prisoners.
Dispatches are vague as to the date
on which these prisoners were taken,
but it is believed to have been Tues
day
Probably never before in history
has been seen such a triumph OF or
ganization, engineering and courage
as was exhibited at the extreme west
ern end Of the battle front where the
British and French, working under
conditions of staggering disadvantage.
| built bridges across a flooded river,
meanwhile silencing the most danger
Gus Of the enemy's guns or compelling
the enemy TO move into new positions
Then troops and artillery were thrown
across the bridges to carry the battle
home to the very ranks Of the in
vaders.
Will be Double Battle.
The Germans, in order to recover
their shattered prestige and TO prevent
breaking OF their lines all along the
front of their grand army, are max
| ing a colossal effort to halt the allies
and to inflict losses upon them.
Before this titantic engagement
comes to an end 1t will probably take
on the character Of a double battle
and will likely go down in history I'M
Aisne and the battle Of the Meuse."
This is the consequence Of the gil
gantic struggle along the allies center
/ and right wing to crush the army of
| the German crown prince and the
| German troops which Immediately
| flank it. According to last reports the
| Germans OF this army were retreat
! ing northward up the strip OF terri
| tory lying between the ArgOnne for
| est and the Meuse river, struggling
against the odds of fresh troops and
superior forces of artillery to make a
stand and halt on the onrush of the
| allies. If victory attends the advance
OF the French trops up the Meuse. il
will leave the Sambre valley as the
} only outlet for a German retreat.
Battle i'm Air.
While the fighting has been surging
along the banks Of the Aisne and fur
Their east across the plateau, in the
northern part of the ArgOnne region,
aeroplanes have been carrying the
battle into the air.
| Dispatches from the front make re-
ports OF several aerial conflicts be-
| tween German and English aeroplanes
/ that part OF the front stretching be-
tween the uplands north OF the
| Rheims and Anizy.
The Germans had sent up aerial
/ rangers and scouts TO ascertain the
| strength and movements Of the allied
forces. When detected by the allies
the royal flying corps sent out aero
planes to give battle. Like hostile
eagles these air machines maneuvered
for position while shells burst around
them and the aerOplanes rocked In the
air troughs caused by the explosions
Unable TO distinguish friend from foe,
so mighty was the altitude TO which
the aerOplanes had maneuVered, the
British gunners turned loose their
/ rnfa ri l.