The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-10-09
Newspaper Correspon-
dent Relates Vivid
Scenes of Fighting on
French Left Wing
AWFUL CARNAGE
ON BOTH SIDES
Wonderful Battle Scene Pictured As
French and German Gums Belch
Forth Their Death Dealing Missiles
and Ignite Many Villages


London, Oct. 8, 9.OS A. M.-The
Times " Boulogne correspondent, who
mas peen on the scene, relates some
phases of the fighting on the French
lett wing The battle of Arras began
October | and the whole region be-
came veritabe inferno. All around
was an unceasing hail of shells and
shrapnel, violence, destruction and
death.
On the previous Thursday" the
correspondent continues, "'the allies
were battering at the gates of Cam
orai. On Friday the enemy developed
vigorous counter attack from Val.
enclennes on the Lens and from Cam.
oral and Bopaume on the allies posi-.
ton, south and east of Arras.
ION Saturday the enemy. greatly
reinforced, attacked with great VIC.
lence all along the line. The allie, we're
compelled to fall back from lens and
Douai, fighting stubbornlv the while
Ihe enemy occupied Bethune and sent
troops into Lille.
Shells Bursting Near Arras
when | left Arras the enemv's
shells were bursting within three kiIo
meters of the town | since have heard
that shells fell in the town and that
three streets Were set on fire. The
enemy did not enter Arras. They
swept around it. They cut line be.
tween Arras and Stpol. seeking to effect
junction with their Bethune force.
Ihey came into contact with strong
French relnforcements and were driven
back IN the south. In the north they
retired to La Basses, with their right
wing resting on Lille. The tide of the
battle has been stemmed-perhaps has
turned in favor of the allies.
This battle of the north developed
with amazing suddenness, as NAV he
gathered from the diary of my expert.
ences.
The diary describes the beginning of
the battle on October | and goes on to
say:
Diarys Bloody Chapter
- As darkness fell the tired, blood
stained soldiers began streaming into
Arras and for hours the air resounded
with the din they made. Throughout
the night the boom of guns could be
heard in the distance from the east
and southeast
"The next morning opened quiet in
town, but the roar of guns was still
heard. Apparently as the day advanced
the sound was coming nearer, but the
citizens showed a stout heart.
1.-The losses on both sides, | am told,
have been very heavy. In one action
alone to-day five German regiments
were cut up and the horses of their
conveys stampeded They were ad-
vancing on Arras by the road along the
river Scarpe and at the village Of
Plouvain they came under the devss-
tating fire from our artillery and the
whole five regiments broke and fed
Allies Obliged to Fall Back
1.-The day, however, has not been
altogether favorable for the allies, as
the French line was obliged to fall back
considerably, and this evening the enc
my's shells are falling within few
kilOmeters of the Arras station.
again tonight squads after squads
of warstained and tired dagroons ride
into Arras, while long lines of limbers
are rattling out on the Douai road, la.
den with shells for tomorrow.
"On October 3 ! am awakened at
daybreak by the thunder of heavy
guns, now from the north and east,
where the third days battle is raging
in a triangle formed by Arras, Lens and
Douai. During the day | watch dar-
ing aeroplane fight in the air and am
invited to watch the battle at closer
quarters.
Wonderful Battle Scene
"I am conducted to some rising
ground outside the own where won
derful battle scene bursts upon my
view. In 'front.' on the horizon, a farm
stead is blazing fercely and the black
smoke trails across the evening sky.
Within 500 yards of us the French
batteries are in action. sheling the
woods to drive out the enemy. Flashes
of flames burst over the woods like
lightning dancing in the tree tops. Pres
emily the German artillery begins shel
ling the battery near us. We watch
spellbound and as the shrapne fire
becomes heavier and nearer our guide
suggests it is time to go.
Villages in Flames
October ), the action is now gen
eral in all directions. We 90 out in
the afternoon with the Red Cross. Go
ing in the direction of Cambria the
shells hurtle overhead as we run the
gauntlet. Away to the south villages
is in flames and northward huge
cloud of black smoke hangs over Lens
where the coal mines are on fire.
"It is a real battle picture, awe.
inspiring and fascinating. We reach
a little hamlet where outbuildings are
full of wounded and nurses and docors
are working heroically at the terrible,
shrapnelmangled limbs. We take all
we are able to in the ears back to Ar
ras station, where they are entrained.
They are already streaming out on foot
for st. Pol and We join them also
afoot. -
Fishing Vessel Blown Up by Mine