The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-02-27

strangely peculiar fighting now going
on hereabouts-
Imagine an almost treeless stretch
of marshes extending for many, many
miles in all directions. a river, whose
bed is higher than the surrounding
country, cutting through the middle.
Understanding this, imagine long
straight highways, built up. but bare
~ emerging from the sea water which
has inundated the whole landscape
save a few islands which dot the
waste of water here and there. In
short, imagine the dreariest, wettest
spot on earth and you will have the
scene OF the battle of the User as it
is now between the Beigians and the
Germans.
Knee Deep in Icy Water.
The two fronts pass along the User
in a general way, the battle line occu-
plying the roads and islands. The
only means of advance in the ordi-
nary way is along the roads, practi-
cally an impossibility since one ma
chine gun can hold off a regiment. To
take the islands, troops must wade
from knee to neck deep in the ice
cold sea water or cross on RATS or
scows, an equally impossible feat dur
ing daylight hours. Stealth must be
the keynote of every advance along
this part of the line and black nights
are the only screens available for
troops here. 1t is the work of the
hundred and fifty to prepare these
surprises, or, as frequently happens.
since attacks by large numbers of in
fantry have become impossible on ac-
count of the water, to make the dash
themselves.
Here is an illustration:
1t was learned that the Germans
had established themselves on one of
the many islands jutting out of the in
undation and were using it for various
effective operations. An observer,
posted in the massive tower of \
medieval church there, was giving
most deadly instructions by telephone
to the German batteries of eight inch
guns situated SO far back that the
much lighter Belgian guns were inef-
fective against them. Something had
to be done to put this outpost out of
commission.
The first night 90 men went out to
capture the island, it being believed
that it was occupied by only eight or
ten men. None of the 20 came back.
Went Out Alone.
The second night one of the $50
left the Belgian lines alone, swimming.
When he returned shortly before day
light, he astonished everybody by re-
porting the tiny island held by two
lone sentries- A large island. however.
some 200 yards further back held
some $50 men and between this is
made of brush tied in bundles. The
sentries threw up illuminating bombs
at regular intervals, and upon discov-
ering the approach Of the enemy gave
the alarm whereupon reinforcements
ran over the causeway. took positions
about tiny fort built around the tow
er and by the aid of machine guns
stood their ground
The following night fifty men start
ed for the island in scows which swim
mers and waders pulled silently
through the flood They halted just
outside the range of the Illuminating
bombs and the scout of the night be-
fore went forward alone. Two bombs
in succession would be the signal for
the party to land quickly. Fifteen
minutes Of absolute silence followed,
then two balls of fire rose and floated
IN the black night. The SO men shot
forward
Landed Without Opposition.
They landed without opposition.
The body Of a dead German lay ON
the ground It was sentry No. 1. His
helmet was missing. - was his coat