South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-08-29
SOLDIER WRITES
Of HEAVY LOSSES
At MONS BATTLE
Germans Attack British Hid in
Trenches and Men Are Now
ed DoWn-"CouIdn't Help
Hitting Them" He Says.

LONDON. Aug. % The following
graphic story Of the battle Of Mons is
told By serst William LOTUS Of the
British army in a letter from the front
70 his family.
The first mixing we had was just
after reveille our cavalry pickets fell
bach and reported the presence OF the
enemy in strength on our front. In a
Few moments we were all at our posts
Without the slightest confusion NE lay
down in the trenches and our artillery
opened FIRE. Soon the Germans re-
turned the compliment. but they were
a long time finding the range and they
did not know OF the shelters.
After about half an hour OF this
work their infantry came into view
along our front. They were In solid
square blocks. standing out sharply
against the sky line. You couldn't
help hitting them.
I'VE lay in our trenches with not a
sound or a sign 10 tell them what vas
before them They crept nearer and
nearer and then our officers gave the
word. A sheet Of flame hickered
along the line OF the trenches and "A
stream OF bullets tore through the ad-
vancing mass of Germans
Like Drunken Men.
They seemed 10 stagger like drunk
en- men suddenly hit between the eyes,
after which they started on the run
for rs. shouting some Outlandish cry
which we could not make out.
Half way across the open space,
and another vOliey tore through their
ranks. BY this time our artillery be-
gan dropping shells among them.
Then one officer gave an order and
they broke into open formation, rush
ing like mad men toward our trenches.
our men continued the volley firing
and the Germans did not like il at all.
They fell back in confusion and then
lay down wherever cover was avail
able We gave them no rest and
soon they were on the move again.
Then came more furious Smelling Of
our trenches and after that another
mad rush across the open on our
front This time the enemy was
strongly supported by cavalry who
suffered terribly. but came right up
TO our lines. We received them in the
good old way. the front ranks with
the bayonets and the rear ranks Keep
ing up an incessant fire on them.
Abandon Positions.
After a hard tussle they retired
and just as they thought themselves
safe our mounted men swept down on
them. cutting them right and left.
This sort OF thing went on throughout
the whole day without bringing the
Germans any nearer 10 shifting us.
After the last attack we lay down in
our clothes to sleep as best we could.
but long before sunrise we were called
and told that Wa had 20 abandon our
position. No body knew why We had
TO GO but like good soldiers we Obeyed
without a murmur.
The enemy's cavalry. evidently
misunderstanding our action came
down on us again in force. but our
men behaved very we'll indeed and the
Germans gave 4 up as a bad job.
Their losses must have been terrible.
Little mounds OF dead were 10 be seen
al along the line OF their advance TO
attack, and in our retreat we picked
off their cavalry by scores
The narrative is continued by
French lieutenant who writes
Il saw only a tiny moTsel OF the bat
tie With our African comrades We
advanced against the Prussian guard
while the bullets sang continuously
above our heads. We advanced by
short rushes. taking advantage of the
smallest cover. We were az II intOXi-
Gated"