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Germans gain ground near Ypres by using asphyxiating gas
Berlin claims Yser Canal is forced and 1,600 prisoners taken
Allies advance in big counter-attack - 'French troops had to retire overwhelmed by fumes,' says Sir J French
Hun's Long Preparation of Forbidden Devices
By using asphyxiating gas fumes the Germans north of Ypres have forced back French troops to the Yser Canal near Boesinghe.
Though Berlin claims sweeping successes in the fighting that ensued, Sir John French last night reported that 'our front remains intact except on the extreme left' and the French communiqué states that the enemy's surprise attack 'has had no grave consequences'.
Berlin's claim is that the Germans forced a passage across the Yser Canal, that Langemarck and three other places were captured, and that 1,600 French and British prisoners with 30 guns fell into German hands.
Even in the short time at their disposal the Allies have retaliated and a vigorous counter-attack has developed successfully.
An official telegram from Berlin says: 'The Admiralty Staff states that recently the German High Sea Fleet has repeatedly been cruising in the North Sea, and has advanced into English waters, without meeting any British naval force.'
The bombardment of the Dardanelles forts has been resumed, and the transports of the Expeditionary Force have arrived in the Gulf of Saros.
Gas Fumes that Drove Back Our Ally
Sir J French Reports that British Had to Re-adjust Line to New Front
Sir John French last night communicated the following, dated yesterday: Yesterday (Thursday) evening the enemy developed an attack on the French troops on our left in the neighbourhood of Bixschoote and Langemarck, on the north east of Ypres salient. This attack was preceded by a heavy bombardment, the enemy at the same time making use of a large number of appliances for the production of asphyxiating gases. The quantity produced indicates long and deliberate preparation for the employment of devices contrary to the terms of the Hague Convention, to which the enemy subscribed.
The false statement made by the Germans a week ago to the effect that we were using such gases is now explained. It was obviously an effort to neutralise criticism in advance.
During the night the French had to retire from the gas zone, overwhelmed by the fumes. They have fallen back to the canal in the neighbourhood of Boesinghe.
Our front remains intact except on the extreme left where the troops have had to readjust their line in order to conform with the new French line. Two attacks were delivered during the night on our trenches east of Ypres and were repulsed.
Fighting still continues in the region north of Ypres.
This (Friday) morning one of our aviators, during the course of a reconnaissance which he completed successfully, damaged a German aeroplane and forced it to descend. Our Flying Corps also brought down another German machine about Messines.
Huns Claim 'Victory'
Amsterdam, April 23: The following official telegram has been received from Berlin: 'A report from main headquarters dated April 23: Where at some places the French have penetrated our advanced trenches, but have been partly driven out again, hand-to-hand fighting still continues. Embermenil, west of Avricourt, which we recently occupied, was yesterday set on fire by the French bombardment and evacuated by our vanguard.' (Reuters)
Published: 2002-01-01
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