Nelson's history of the war. Vol. XI., The struggle for the Dvina, and the great invasion of Serbia

120 HISTORY OF THE WAR.

while a curtain of asphyxiating shells was dropped behind them. Under cover of the bombardment several divisions from von Heeringen and von Einem’s corps—amounting to 60,000 men—were concentrated on the German side. Early on Tuesday morning the ‘‘ preparation ” was renewed, and a wave of gas was loosed. Just after dawn the German infantry attacked in four successive lines with an interval of some 300 yards between them. The first two lines were blotted out before they reached the French trenches. The third gained a momentary footing, but was driven out by bombs. The fourth succeeded better, and managed to effect a lodging in some parts of the advanced trenches. In the afternoon, however, the French reinforcements pushed through the curtain of fire, counter-attacked, and drove back the assailants with enormous losses. Next day another 0 effort was made farther to the west, bect. 20. : : tween the village of Prunay, seven miles south-east of Rheims, and the hillock of Tire. The front was much the same, a little over five miles. After a long bombardment and a gas attack the infantry three times tried to rush the French lines, and three times were driven back. No man got farther than the wire entanglements in front of the trenches. At one point on a front of a kilometre more than 1,600 dead were found, all of the same regiment. Near Prunay a battalion of the 137th Prussian Regiment crossed the railway line, but was wholly wiped out. It was believed that in the two days’ battle two German divisions were destroyed. On Sunday, 24th October, it was the turn of the French. We have seen that after the capture of

Oct. 19.

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