New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-10
Attack with Rats Diverts
Attention from Move
on Trenches.
BELGIUM BEING
SLOWLY RE-WON
Daring Aviator Drops Bombs on
German Convoy and Then
on Cavalry-Escapes.
LRr cAhle to The TrIbune.l

London, Dec. 10.-"The Daily enron
icle" has the following dispatch from
a correspondent in northern France
"By n clever ruse the Belgians yes
terday (Tuesday) succeeded IN captur-
ing several German trenches by the
sides of the river. For several day
past German aeroplanes had been ac-
lively engaged in reconnaissance work
The Belgians, observing this, prepared
several RATS, and ostentatlously put
soldiers upon them as il in prepare
ton for attack on the same lines as tne
Germans have employed unsuccessful
ly since Western Flanders was Hooded
The Germans, accordingly. massed
strong force at the point where attack
was expected and awaited events.
about 3 o'clock in the afternoon the
Belgian RATS set off, and the enemy
opened a heavy fire upon them from
the cover of a farmhouse standing
amid the foods. The Belgians were able
to make very effective return, and
it was only when overwhelming num-
bers of Germans attacked the RATS,
after wading through the water, that
the plucky crews Of the RATS were
disposed Of.
"They had served the purpose in
tended. for while the Germans were
thus engaged just after dark a sud
den attack was made on their trench
es. They were caught mapping. There
were plenty Of men in the trenches,
but the machine guns had been sent
away to meet the raft attack. The
Belglans went at it with bayonets,
and with their war cry, Remember
Louvain!' cut their way through.
Trench after trench was captured
from the Germans, and after nearly
two hours of hard fighting the Bel
gians had managed to advance nearly
a kilOmctre.
Later the Germans, after receiving
reinforcements, made desperate eff
forts to retake the trenches, and the
battle, which extended over consid-
cradle area, was prolonged far into
the night Both sides lost heavily
and fought themselves to a standstill,
and when the dawn broke the Bel
gians were still holding most of the
captured trenches and had dug them
selves in.
at has taken the Belgians with
their allies eight weeks to win back
few kilometres of their own coun-
try, but the pressure on the enemy is
sure if slow. Belgium is being re-
won.
"The German convoy and detach-
ment cavalry has suffered consider
able damage at the hand of a twenty
year-old Belgian, who only six weeks
ago volunteered for flying work. The
/ hero of this daring exploit has been
promoted to the rank of lieutenant
and will probably be decorated. On
Tuesday afternoon, though stiff
wind was blowing. he set off in the
direction of 0stend, but subsequently
turned south on catching sight OF a
German column in motion. With the
recklessness Of inexperience and
youth he flew very low over the
/ enemy's lines, so low that it was not
until he dropped his first bomb that
the Germans grasped the fact that
this. was not one of their own aero
planes. Before they could open fire
on the youngster the mischief was
/ done. Three motor trucks were de-
stroyed and the whole transport col
umn, which was hurrying to the front
was thrown into confusion.
"Having made his escape by rising
about 5000 feet. the aviator flew in the
direction Of Bruges. South of the
town he observed a detachment Of cav
airy taking cover behind cluster of
/ farmhouses. The first bomb he dropped
went wide, but the second fell slap
! into the midst of the squadron. The
airman was not able to observe accu-
rately the amount of damage he did
for the Germans opened fire with an
anti-aeroplane gun and shot severed
his control wires
"He thought he would just manage
to volplane into safety; but, as a mat.
ter of fact, ne landed in the flooded
area by Ramscapelle, directly in the
line of fire from both sides. However
he was able to wade ashore and get to
his own lines. Even his aeroplane was
ultimately brought in"