Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-01-07
) GERMAN OFFICERS
) SUPPLIED WITH WINE
) FROM FRENCH GRAVE
Correspondence of Associated Press.)

Correspondence Of Associated Press)
Field Headquarters of Van Herring
ems German Army, France. Lee.
General Won Heeringen, who has been
in close touch with the modern theory
of war, admits that all has not come
out as the experts had supposed. In a
long talk given while there was a lull
in the battle along this front he told
graphically how the fighting was car
ried on. Incidentally member OF his
staff revealed how wine was being OBJ
tanned for the headquarters mess.
His excellency," said this officer,
does not encourage table luxury. Food
is supplied by the townspeople on
requisition and he wishes to make the
burden to them as light as possible.
For q time we had trouble in getting
even tho table wine required. the stock
having apparently run out. but we lat
or found supplies-whero do you think
I'm soldiers' graves
"A French shell which fell into one
Of these revealed little trick OF the
inhabitantsr-to bury such supplies,
round up q mound Of earth above them
and set up a wooden cross at the head
Of the supposed graves"
Discussings the lessons and surprises
Of the war, the comparative bravery
Of the armies engaged and the cam :
paigns fought, General Won Heeringen
said he believed this stupendous con-
nict, with its millions Of men and
hundreds Of miles OF front. would have
bee impossible without the automo-
bile, the aeroplane. the wireless and
the telephone. Taking up the surprises
he said:
"The first principle to be observed In
laying out trenches, according to our
ideas before the war. was to secure
as extended a field OF fre as possible,
so as to force an attacking enemy to
| advance a long distance under the fire
Of the defenders.
"Now we have learned that the first
| essential Is to have them concealed
and protected from artillery, even II
| the field OF fire does not extend more
than fifty yards before the trenches
That is enough. with modern weapons
| to stop any attack.
! In number of places along the
front our men and the French occupy
opposite slopes Of the same ridges with
the crest of the ridge between them, sc
that neither side can see the other. IT
the old days 1t would have beer
thought that the side Selling the cres,
could drive out the others. but nov
neither side dares to show head above
| the crest.
another lesson we have learned 4,
in regard to the occupation OF citie,
In an advance. We now march oul
Il q oft ~
thru It, sending only light, reconnoit.
ering parties into 1t until we hav,
established that it is clear OF the en-.
envy.
Hand grenades. we find, are the
best weapons for street and house to-
house lighting. A couple of hand
grenades thrown into house occupied
by tho enemy will clear II more quickly
than anything else and with far less
loss Of life than by the use Of the
bayonet Our men all wear them now
I'm trenches we are using with re-
markabie effect not only hand grenades
but also large mines, containing a great
quantity Of explosive and thrown by q
special type gun. These explode with
tremendous effect, killing or utterly
Idemoralizing every one in the opposite
trench"
The hand grenades are about thu
size OF baseball and are bound t.
short wooden paddles. making then
handy to throw.
Usually they are provided with fusel
which the user lights from mattel
4 or cigar.
supply Of these grenades II KEEP
in readiness In every trench. Whel
patrols 60 out between the lines eac!
man usually carries two In his belt
Storming parties sent 20 take vlilas
or town equip themselves literally Will
these wsapons.
4 General Won Heeringen was asl,e'
whether the fighting had settled II
any way the question Of the superior
. ity Of defense or extended lines for at
tack, English and French reports hav
|, ling described the German soldiers a
charging in almost solid formation an,
. ineurring heavy loss.
, The general intimated there was
,5,great deal Of legend In the story an
!. that to get the men forward nnde
heavy fire It was necessary to advanc
, In successive PUSHES rather than
: dense lines. owing TO the effect OF IN
: modern infantry weapons.
!. (which " h,i..ofi1 of the aIiies has the bea
ttroope ?n sseAes enc e e his y asstsfl