South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-10-19
SHORTAGE Of
AMMUNITION
IN HUN RANKS
Captured Orders Show German
GunnerS are Urged to Use
Gas Shells Instead of
High Explosives.
BRITISH HEADQUARTERS IN

BRITISH HEADQUARTERS IN
FRANCE, Oct ia new German
line of defense from Antwerp
through Namur TO Sedan, which
probably will be given the name of
the Wotan III line is understood TO
be in the course of construction.
on this side of the line the Germans
do not appear TO have any defenses
of real Importance. 1t is considered
likely that the main bulk of the
German armies, or rather what is
left OF the main bulk in this section
of the front, is on its way 10 the
WOtan III line, though it is quite
possible it may try TO make a stand
somewhere on this side of those po-
sitions.
If a stand is made. however, the
Germans Will have to depend upon
what troops they now have in Ber-
lin. All these appear 10 have been
engaged recently and some have
suffered terrible losses.
All Reserves Engaged.
From information reaching head
quarters this afternoon, it seems
that all the availa BILE reserves of the
enemy north of the River Lys now
have been engaged. Few if any di-
visions can be spared from any
other section of the front More
over it is absolutely certain that
the Germans in addition TO the other
difficulties are seriously handicap
ped by a shortage of high explosive
shells.
Captured orders show that the
German gunners have been urged TO
use gas shells instead OF high ex-
plosives and all ranks have been
commanded to save their brass
cartridges when retreating. Even
further economy is exacted in the
use of shells. it being admitted that
the lack of ammunition is hamper
ing operations.
in the Lille sector the Germans
appear 10 be rapidly withdrawing
their guns far TO the rear. leaving
only protecting screen of artil-
lery.
Vandalism Is Halted.
The Germans at least for the mo-
ment seem to have stopped their
orgies of burning and destroying,
partly through fear Of what the al
lied troops may have a chance 10
do before long. Today's reports say
no fires of any consequence have
been observed except at places close
TO the line.
How many thousands OF civilians
have been delivered from the Ger
mans during the past three days is
uncertain. but the numbers run we'll
into the thousands. Now it has be-
come a usual thing for the British,
| French and Belgian troops TO send
back momentarily from every town
taken large numbers of men. wom-
/ en- and children. From some of these
evidence corroborative of the re-
ports of gradual destruction of the
/ German morale has been secured.
I For instance, it has been learned
| that the neighborhOod OF Heule and
Cuerne. north Of Courtrai. entire
/ regiments fatty refused to tight, al
though threatened with severe
punishment by their officers. These
/ regiments finally retired in a body
From prisoners, especially officers
| similar evidence is being obtained
! constantly The officers Of the goth
Dragon regiment of the crack sixth
cavalry division. which had been
dismounted and fought as infantry.
/ say that the spirit OF the men was
/ broken principally because instead
OF getting a rest after their hard
/ lighting they had asain been sent
/ into battle.
Peace Talk shakes Morale.
Peace talk" is also said 20 be
4 having a demOralizing effect on the
morale OF the men. gradually break
I ing down their will TO resist