The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-03
CHRISTMAS DAY IN GERMAN CAMP Thunder of Cannon and Rat
 tie of Musketry Heard 'NrN All Afternoon

Headquarters of the Tenth German In- fantry division of the RawlSa River, Poland, December 26-CVia Courier to Ser lin. thence to London, January 3, 12:55 q. m.)-"Artillery preliminaries for general infantry attack will begin at noon in fantry attacks begins at ? o'clock" This was the Christmas day order telephoned and signaled to the German army on the Rawka
 The thunder of a heavy cannonade and the rattle of infantry fire was heard along the whole line Christmas after noon. The attack resulted in a slight ad- vance of the Tenth infantry. At one point q brigade thrown across the swampy val ley gained foothold on the other side.
 But progress was slow against the triple TOW of Russian trenches in the hills and in the woods on the east bank of the Rawka, protected by a broad belt of swamps in which the Germans cannot entrench
 The short winter days and fogs give the German artillery only an hour or two daily in which to cover the German ad- vance. A few days of hard frost and clear, cold weather would make the task easier There is snow and thaws com vert into qua gmires roads over which ann munition supplies must be transported.
 Roadway Shown
 1nuer Sucn circumstances Only SLOW headway can be expected in a frontal attack.
 A few hours of sunshine yesterday gave German aviators their first opportunity in a week to reconnoiter the Russian lines. One aviator reported that long wagon trains were parked in the road through the forest near the Russian lines. This information was conveyed to the German artillery and a surprize was arranged for the Russians. At a given signal several heavy batteries opened fire on the road. The effect could not be determined defi- nitely, as the fog again settled before the aviator could reascend. The batteries had the exact range, however. and the havoc caused was presumed to have been great. The Russian artillery is believed to be short of ammunition on this section of the front.
 Although Christmas was a battle day for the Germans, Christmas eve was com paratively quiet. A Russian message had announced a general attack along the whole line for the evening when the Ger irans were celebrating The Russian at tack, however developed in force only at one point-against the German army corps south of this place, where the Rus sians launched heavy infantry attack. we'll supported by artillery. They were beaten off and lost heavily, particularly in prisoners.
 Elsewhere along the line the German soldiers celebrated Christmas as nearly a possible in home fashion. There was scarcely a shelter-hut in the trenches and artillery positions which did not display Christmas tree decorated with tinsel and candles that had been reposing in the soldiers knapsack for many weeks.
 Most of the Christmas packages from home failed to arrive having been delayed by bad roads. But food tidbts, bottles of wines. nips of rum and arrack carefully preserved for the celebration, came to light and helped to give the real Christi 4 mas feeling.
 The cannonade on this part of the front ceased almost entirely at dusk. Far and near could be heard voices joining in the Christmas anthem Holy Night. { Peaceful Night" Christmas carols were heard from the Russians lines, too at one point probably from the Polish sol diers, as the Russian Christmas is 13 days later NEt
 | At the division staff headquarters a A rge tree was set up in the dining room country house. The division com N der made a brief address to his staff stse nple presents which had been col n. h difficulty. were distributed to thf lsted men.