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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Clinton New Era, 1915-01-14, Page 3ursdayY, January 14'tii, 1015.` CANiCIaA NOW R'[SP[CT BRITONS AS FIGHTERS 3t Took But a Short Time For "Tommy" to Prove That His Long Legs Were Not Always 'Used to Run Away Hire- lings" tian Fight. In the earlier days of the war the 'German press was by no means prone to praise the fighting qualities of the British soldier, but nowadays it is different—the English soldier has compelled the unwilling respect and appreciation of his enemles. The following article appeared in The Berliner Zeitung am Mittag, un- der the title of "The Fights With the English around Ypres, by a combat- ant," the combatant in question being one of the editors of that newspaper serving as a first lieutenant with the German forces; Full of fight and confident of easy victory our young regiments started to march agaiuot the enemy, to "catch the English," as' our soldiers put it. All were certain that providence had gifted the eeuglish with long legs sole- ly to facilitate their running away the .faster. ',Ve thought of the p:atures that the ' comic papers are wont to give of Tommy Atkins, and looked forward to the prospect of gathering in a,lirst- class tennis raquet from the war eq,.-pinent of one of these "rinooth- faced- rascals." 'There were a few who warned us 'against a possible Lnderestimateolr<of the English, but .their misgivings we're "quieted by pointing' out that these were mercer- , • troops before us, men hired for a few pence a day to tight, bare of 'patriotism and incapable of sacrifice. The First Englishman Sooner than w,e thought .we were umenthe enemy, One morning on our ;march someone called out: "Here is the first dead Englishman!" We gal- loped across the field where one of our patrols had halted a few hundred ards from the roadway. There he ay, the Englishman, the first we had een in this campaign, dead, stretched ut ou his right aide. Me bullet had orte clean through his heart. Very oung, slim and sinewy of body, be- omingly clad in his field -grey khaki uniform.. The young, beardless face was snowy white and his left hand cramped on his chest. One more mother will soon be shedding bitter tears! Shortly after we discovered in a house two wounded English officers, and confiscated their diaries, which contained many valuable notes, while an hour later the first English prisoner was picked up by patrol and passed along our column, He 'naturally was of great interest to our soldiers. "Looks like a chauffeur— wonder whether the mercenary can shoot—looks more cut out for the football and cricket field!" Another hove passed and then the comrades of our prisoner gave us an answer to ti" t question. In fact, they gave us n practical demonstration -such a clear demonstration that our battalion , was r,,eiludi d to half its size atter the. ,,,first' few euuounters. One suddenly realized that the English mercenary could not be routed with just a hurrah. and a yell, and we learned from per- sonal experience that these smooth - faced gentlemen used their long legs net elways for running away, but sometimes ,for desperate and dan- gerous charges. Withina few hours ,,we learned that we, had facing us an opponent not to be underestimated. Praise For Both Branches 'The English': infantry who opposed us must be considered among . the best troops, Particular atress must b : laid on the energy with which the English infantry defended the hills occupied by them rind when driven back tried again and again,,especially at night; to recover the lost ground, In' these endeavors they were efficient-- , le supported by the fire of their field artillery which, like the French, is quite equal to the German. They had also transported heavy naval guns knd the English shells and shrapnel caused enormous damage among our own infantry. As the surrounding of the English forces by our troops made itself more and, more felt the • English infantry tried again and again to break through our lines, particular- ly. in the vicinity of,Beclaere, though without success. e The English trenches were ghostly so arranged as to be quite invisible to :the: naked eye. When we had got into the first trenches we were as- tounded at their systematic construe - tion as regards depth, side protection against splintering oe shells, breast- work, and flooring. The trenches were nearly all excellently arranged for a long stand. We were particularly astonished at the steel and iron plates built into titehreastworks. The floors of the trenches were designed with an eye to maximum comfort. Our men captured there a mass of excellent preserves, corned beef and ham, and many also secured one of the shaving outfits which nearly every English soldier carries. Used "Dummy" Trenches In some cases the English had dug trenches but had not occupied them, and to deceive us had put large round turnips and similar objects along the breastworks. Their firing line was then placed either before or behind this trench, -o well assimilated to the land as to be practically invisible, s0 that it was almost untouched by the fire which we directed against what we considered the occupied trench. Frequently it happened that severe infantry machine gun firing broke forth from the wood, and we then advanced against it in chart rushes, only to find on arrival that the ground was practically clear of soldiers and that nearly all the shots had been fired down from the trees. PRINCE OF WALES WIRY AND STRONG The Prince of Wales, although he has the "appearance of being very frail physically, and photographs taken of the giant Grenadier Guards, tended to empeasiee his small stature, is said to be much stronger than he looks. His lack of avoirdupois is more than counterbalanced by pis steel -like muscles and nerves. Add to this a whole -hearted love of ath- letics, for which the Prince trains systematically, and you have the secret of bis Royal Highness's re- mareab".e physical powers. For they are really remarkable, and have even astounded the critics at Oxford, who arc accustomed to seeing men, whose deceptive appearance led us to regard them as weaklings, perform at times remarkable feats of athletic prowess. It' seems almost impossible to tire him out. A ten or fifteen mile walk is easy exercise for him. At college during the march of the Oxford University Officers' Training Corps, in which the Pince was a private, els Royal Highness walked twenty-two miles, and while the other members of the corps were resting their crippled feet and tired limbs the Prince, although, of course, by no means fresh, had a smoke and a bath, r 1 motored to a friend's house to dinner. , If his Royal Highness riad not been heir to the Throne he might have qualified as ole of the finest long- distance runners and "stayers" in England. He delights to spend the day in one long round of open-air exercise. ARMORED AUTOMOBILES First Practical Use of the Most Modern War Machine Armored cars are undoubtedly a progressive offshoot of the armored trains, and are said to have been first designed and tested by the German army for the use of officers in the field. Covered with thick armored plates, or further defended by steel hoods, these vehicles provide admirable pro- tection to the occupants; and are capable of carrying a driver and five. men comfortably. The chassis, which is long, low, and strong enough to travel over really rough'ground,,is,driven by an engine of high horse -power. which eaables the car to travel at, great speed. The wheels are of the artillery pattern, and are protected with circular steel shields, so that the tires are the only vulnerable points; but, even when these are burst, new wheels, can be shipped at a moment's notice. The bonnet and wooden body are entirely cased in steel, the latter -being pro- vided with Rap loopholes 1rr rifle fire. As will be readily understood, four or flee riflemen placed, in a mobile, and practically impregnable fort can do an enormousamouiet of execution in a very short space of time.; but, in addition to rifle fire,. they can bring the mitrailleuse,'with which each car is equipped, to bear ,also. There are Row things that Albert of Belgium cannot do or `has not done. He fights, rides, swims, shoots, and engages in aviation, engineering, and writing withequal' facilitlt, • Even Subjects' of the Kaiser Sent Their Treasures to England Probably one of the most remark- iebie incidents of the war is the fact that a considerable number of wealthy Germans sent their private property for safe keeping to England. They felt that it would be safer there than in Germany, for at home it would run the chance of being seized by the invading enemy or Impounded by the German Government - Rather than accept this double ask the Germans sought the opportunity of entrusting valuable paintings and other objects of art to English friends who were returning home on the out- break of war, and, it is estimated that there is several millions of dollars' worth of German property held in England, The chief custodian is Lord Rothschild, who, pf course, has :ein- tives as well as friends in Germany, and whose ewn memo at Tring is one of the great treasure houses of the world. Lord Rothschild notified the British Government of all the German proper- ty entrusted to him, and 1t remains at the owner's risk of seizure. It is said that Princess Lichnowsky the wife of the former German Am- bassador, left all her valuable jeyels with a member et Queen Mary's house- hold, and tbat Lord . Stamfordham is the custodian of a great collection of miniatures which belong to the former Austrian Ambassador, who had asked King George to take charge of them, as the Ambassador and the King were on very cordial terms. The King, however, declined to do so, and Lord Stamfordham taccepted the trust. On the outbreak of war the Queen of Italy desired to send some of her most valuable possessions to the Eng- lish monarch, but again King George declined. until Italy was found aiding the allies. Nevertheless, a couple of cases of treasure arrived, and had to be turned over to the Italian Minister by King George. Almost priceless-collectionsarrived from France and Belgium. For a small country Belgium was as rich in her art treasures as in her cathedrals, and all the paintings, statuary, china, gold and silver ornaments, jewels, tapestry and other objects of value that could be moved were sent across the Channel. Types of soldiers from the Indian Em pire now lighting In Europe. This picture, taken in France, shows a party of Sikhs 01 the Royal Gar rison Artillery of India. They wear t he khaki uniform but stick to the native turban and from all accounts are living up to their reputation as splendid and absolutely fearless fighters. Cracow Has for Centuries Known War and bloodshed The Holy City of the Poles, it Has Frequently Been Drenched With Blood—Every Surrounding Nation Has Besieged and Plun- dered it and For a Time it Was Given the Status of a Separate Republic What Rheims is to France, Cracow is to the Poles everywhere. It is their holy city. It contains in St. Stanislas Cathedral the greatest surviving monument to their genius and to their national history. it is their West- minster Abbey, about which Poles everywhere hope to build again their ancient kingdom when the war is over. About a thousand years ago it was debatable ground for the rival Slav States of Poland and Bohemia, the centre of Polish life at that time be- ing somewhere in what Is now the German 'province ,of Posen. Early in the eleventh century the city was cap- tured by a Polish king, who then made it his capital. Until the seventeenth century it retained this honer. In 1241, however, the Mongol in- vasion swept over Cracow, leaving ruins in its wake. Poland, too, was prostrate, hut Prussia had been spared, so tbat when Cracow was being re. built it was necessary that, the super- ior resources of neighboring Germany should be drawn upon. A policy of. encouraging Germans to emigrate to Poland was industriously promoted. Teutons were given special privileges, and many of them taking advantage of of the opportunity it was notlong before the German element' In the city was powerful in trade. The Ger- mans brought with them some -uper- ior institutions, and soon Cracow felt the stimulus of the new blood, and entered upon a career of prosperity that was to last for some hundreds of years.' In the sixteenth century the Polish reaction against 'Teutonic influence et`, in, and as time ;passed Cracow be- came more or less a Teutonic island in a Polish sea. The marriage of a Polish king to an Italian princess led to an industrial and artisticinvasion from Italy. The fact that Poland was Catholic and; Germany Protectant was a further barrier, and when in the seventeenth century the capital was transferred to Moscow by a Polish king Cracow's sun bad almost set. This same King Siguemund in- volved his country in war with Sweden, and Gustavus Adolphus marched his army through Cracow after a terrible siege. Again, early in the eighteenth cen- tury, Poland was engineered into another war with Sweden by Peter the Great of r.ussia, and it was upon Poland that the terrible vengeance of Charles XII. `ell the heaviest. Cra- cow was a veritable storm centre of this war, alternately occupied by Swedish, Russian, Saxon and Polish troops, and in the course of this .,.ruggle most of her ancient treasures were either destroyed or carried away. Toward the end of the eighteenth century the kingdom was divided up among Russia, Austria end Germany. Cracow itself was assigned to Austria, but at the Congress of Vienna in 1815 the city, with its environs, was made a "Free Republic." Unfortunately this led to Cracow becomtng a very centre for the agita- tors who planned to free Poland, and who conspired against Russia, Prussia and Austria to this end. So in 1846 Austrian troops marched into Cracow and extinguished the "Free Republic." They have been there ever since. AN IMPORTANT DISTINCTION The Kaiser: "They are accusing me of atrocities now! That is another bond of sympathy between us." . The Sultan: "Pardon me, your All -Highness le thinking of my predecessor, el Abdul Hamid, Your Imperial and "Christian Majesty has the advan- tage tage of me in that respect." --W estminster Gazette. PEACE -TIME n.IRAINING HAS BEEN PROVEN SOUND Experience in Actual Conflict Now Shows That Britain Had Cor- rect Theories of Modern War- fare -Discipline on March Es- sential. It is natural that those responsible for the training of Britain's new armies look carefully at the record on• the continent to see whether the methods of training which have been developed and practised in the fast ten years are correct. The result is to be found in certain publications designed to guide officers in their work at home. The general effect of these records of the experience of the flrst part of the war ie that the training of the British army 'has been conducted on sound and correct lines. Those who would fit themselves to face the enemy must study the text books in use when the war broke out. 0f course, certain wrinkles are learned from practical experience. For example, an officer of high rank after remarking on the effectiveness o'. the German artillery fire, says: "The German infantry is inferior to our own in developing fire effect. A short field of fire (500 yards or even less) has been found sufficient to check a German infantry attack. Tactically, therefore, in occupying ground for defence, every effort should be made to combine the fire of our own guns and rifles against the enemy's infantry, while denying to the enemy the use of his artillery by the siting of trenches in positions which it is intended to hold on to, behind rather than on the crest 1'ne or forward slopes," Diocipline on the March The same officer makes a remark upon a subject the importance of which civilians are apt to under -rate. "Men who have not been with the colors do not understand the neces- sity for good march discipline. It should be impressed upon all ranks and should be resolutely insisted upon at all trafuing previous to rr- rival be the theatre of war. It is most necessary to tighten up the march discipline and to prevent undue open- ing out and straggling. "I-iorsed wagons should not be Parked on the road. "Wagons should never be halted when passing through a village. "When a halt is necessary it should be made before reaching or after passing a village. "Men accompanying trains should carry their rifles and should march in formed bodies, "Each unit should detail an ofacer with a small party of selected non- commissioned officers and men to march in rear of the unit in order to enforce orders against straggling, leaving the ranks for water and so forth." Warfare In the Air Two new features of this war has been the use of aircraft and machine guns. Upon these subjects this authority says: "The enemy's aircraft are numerous and efficient and it is. clear that he obtained by this or other means ex- cellent information as to our move- ments. It has been found impossible to conceal movements of large bodies of troops when on the march from this observation, and the position of large bivouacs can always be observed from the air. But much can be done to conceal artillery positions and trenches, and the use of overhead cover, a8 we 'snow from our own ex- perlence, • makes it difficult to ascer- tain from the air whether trendies and gun emplacements are .occupied or not. Troops should therefore ..e taught to understand the necessity for concealment from aircraft whenever the conditions admit of it." Trench fighting has been a feature of the use of infantry. This office* says: "Owing to the accuracy of the enemy's artillery fire, it is desirable that, ground whici is to be held de- fensively or to assist further advance should'be entrenched. Trenches should be commenced at once with the light entrenching tool and improved later as opportunity occurs.- They should be deep and narrow and should show above the ground level as little as possible. Cavalry Uses Rifle During the past ten years the British cavalry has been training with great diligence. Ignoring the ,advice of extremists,'its leaders have taught the men to be expert with sword and ,lance and with the rifle. The result is that both the cold steel. and the rifle have been used effective- ly. Certain highly placed observers Y thus are quoted: "The training of the cavalry with the rifle has been invaluable, and has given themgreat advantage over the enemy,•' 10 distinction to the German method of handling infantry in masses, these officers say that an infantry advance , "should not be made in rigid lines, but with clouds of skirmishers -5 or 6 yards apart—thrown forward ac- cording to the ground and available cover." "The essential thing," says one general at the front, "is to pay atten- tion to the sound principles 00 whidt out training has been based." This is a proud thing to be able to say. BATTLEFIELD BLUNDERS Friendly Forces Sometimes Fire at Troops Mistaken For Enemies It was at Beacon Hill during the Boer War that there happened one of the saddest incidents in the history of the British army. The East Surreys were in a hollow between two hills, creeping up the valley. The West Surrey regiment, half a mile away, caught sight of the, crouching :figures, and toot. them for Boers. 111 a moment a heavy volley rang out, and it was not until an officer, realizing the mistake, rushed out in front of the West Surreys that the Ming ceased.. A nurse, writing afterward from the Estcourt Hospital, said it was pitiful to see the West Surreys coming In one after another, bringing cigarettes, dainties, any present they could fled for the wounded men, then hearing their groans, turn away, saying, "God forgive us! 'ells is our work!" In such a gigantic conflict as this present war, with battle lines stretch- ing 100 miles and more, similar mis- takes are bound to occur. When the r'rench were fighting near Muelhausen, one regiment got far in advance of the others, and was ordered to go back. As they returned some of their comrades fired at them, under the impeccsion that they were Germans. Twenty men were killed and a large number wounded. It was this blunder which caused Generalr re 0 re to have cards printed in colors sholving the uniforms and head-dress of the various branches of the French service. These have been distributed all through the eying. Another case happened hi Belgium. We have it on fairly good authority that a Saxon regiment fired upon some Bavariara, tatting them for Belgians. As it was darn at the time the mis- take is burdly to be wondered at, SHOT TROUGH THE HEAD Remarkable Escapes From Wounds That Usually Mean Instant Death There are two cases in London hos- pitals of soldiers who have been shot through the head and still survive and give every promise of getting well. In one case the missile passed in below the cheek -bone and out behind the ear, ;temporarily upsetting the nerve centres, but not inflicting a really dangerous wound. The patient can speak quite well. The other ease is one in which a speeding bullet caught a man yawning, entered his open mouth,- passed between his teeth and through bis cheek without jaw or tongue being damaged. But although both these men were actually and literally shot through the head they were not shot through the brain. But such cases have occurred. In the Army Medical Museum there is a skull preserved which contains a bullet which entered the right eye and lodged at .the base of the brain. The ball is embedded In the bone be- hind the eye, and It ie a marvel that the man who was so hit survived a moment. He did, however. He Acta ally lived' for two months, and then suddenly dropped dead one day when the surgeons thought he ass going to recover. Science Helps Soldiers Portable wireless telegraphy appar- atus, with Which it 1spossible to send and receive messages over a distance of from thirty-five to fifty miles, forms a valuable part of the equipment of the forces in the field at the present time. Tile moral of two naval battles seems to be that the gene with the longest range destroy the enemy's ships, unless the ships are fast 0000gh to keep out 01 range, 6` 9 is here. See Rage (7) Ses�en