The Washington times., 1915-01-12

ports say that the Germans are hurl-
ing huge masses OF men against the
French positions at Steinbach and
the heights OF Cernay.
The war office says that the French
are maintaining their positions. but
makes no claims of additional gains.
The fear Is expressed that the often
sive, here may have been premature.
and. like that initiated in the early
days Of the war. advantages gained
cannot be maintained.
A retirement from Alsace at this
time would cause utmost depression
throughout France. where the recov-
cry Of the "lost provinces is uni
Versaily demanded.
Latest reports from there reaching
here today say that heavy SHOWS are
interfering with operations. but that
desperate fighting continues.
serious hshting is also IN progress
Nerdnn: north Of Soissons. and at
st. Georges. in Belgium. Elsewhere
rains and alternate thaYs and freez-
Ing conditions make any concerted
Forward movements impossible.
Fourteen Planes In Raid.
The air raid carried out by the Ger
mans at Dunkirk Sunday was the big
9est of the whole war. Fourteen ar
morcd Aviatik biplanes formed the at
tacking force, which cruised over the
town from II a. m. to a:3O p. m.
The tocsin was sounded in the high
tower of Dunkirk Church at II o'clock
town was run up. Then a solitary BIZ
plane appeared from the east. 1t was
= scout IN advance of the main body Of
the squadron.
ple gathered in the main square and
side streets to look at the cleaning air
craft overhead; for. although this was
the third consecutive raid OIL Dunkirk,
plane which they were watching.
In few minutes the tccsin rang
again. This time five German aero
planes came into sight from the clear
ssE% One came tn fro" sv the north and
the central square of Dunkirk at a
height of only 5000 feet.
Meanwhile the guns of the forts
all around the German fiers white
pufts. We're bursting. One OF the bi-
planes turned back and as the sun
Slinted on its steel sides the few
people who had not taken refuge. in
thought it was on fire.
However, more and more airmcn
came. not at once. but succeeding
each other. while the f,rst went on to
drop bombs OH Dunkirks suburbs,
Malo-les-Bains. Cuudekerque. Rosen-
,lasl. and st. Fol.
After dropping their missiles the air.
men new, were preparing to leave when 1,,,vyo, Two
to the attack \ thrilling encounter
in tho air was then witnessed.
Battle High In Air.
Although outnumbered. seven to two.
the Belgians fought gallantly and conf
pletely outmaneuvered their opponents.
tn of
having gained this advantage fired at
the Germans with mitrailleuses. 1t was
exceedingly difficult and dangerous
for the slightest slip, resulting from the
fairly high wind blowing at the time.
would have sent airmen and machines
to the ground.
The battle lasted only forty-hve
minutes. Then five of the German ma
chimes drew off. it is believed. because
they were short of ammunition. The
Two remaining aViators strove despe-
ratcly to gain the advantage. but as
they rose higher: so ,ne Belgians rose
phases of the air combat were fought
at = height of about 5000 feet.
Suddenly. the spectators say. one Of
ns St n ana
and had lost control Of his machine.
This. crashing to the ground in plow-
ed field on the outskirts of the city
on the road to Furnes, was completely
wrecked.
The airman was killed on the spot and
WAS found among the mass of twisted
metal. Hundreds of spectators thronged
to the scene.
One Assails Calais.
The seventh and last aeroplane quick
ly disappeared in the direction of
Calais and appeared over that city as
dusk was gathering. There three bombs
were dropped Two fell near the docks
and the third into the sea. no casualties
or material damage being caused
AS at Dunkirk the airman was imme-
diatelY fired on by the anti-aircraft
guns which are ready mounted Tor the
purpose after lowering about the city
for a. few minutes the airman swung
round again in the direction OF Dunkrk
and was lost in the darkness.