THE YPRES TIMES 47 At 7 a.m. on the 6th the enemy laid down a terrific bombardment which lasted until the moment of their attack, seven hours later. At 2 p.m. the enemy blew four mines. The explosion was horrible and six platoons of the 28th Battalion were killed to the last man. So terrific was the gun-fire that the companies in the support line nearby did not know the mines had been blown until a few survivors crept into their lines. Soon after the mines were blown the enemy came forward in close formation, carrying packs as if they expected no resistance. As far as the front line was concerned they were right. They occupied the trenches in Hooge and assaulted the 6th British Brigade opposite [Australian Official Photograph. Copyright reserved. SANCTUARY WOOD SHOWING MOUNT SORREL IN THE BACKGROUND. Bellewaarde Farm, but were repulsed by the resolute British infantry which had not been bombarded to any great extent. By 3.30 p.m. the attack on the support line had been repulsed, but it persisted on the right hand side of the Menin Road all the afternoon. At four o'clock he decided to attack the second line of support trenches. The method of his approach was obvious; he was coming through the gap and down by Zouave Wood. This was an old battle-ground where the harrow of war had passed up and down and across, and where every foot of the ground is covered with relics of the slain. It was here, in October, 1914, several hundred Prussian Guards broke clean through the British front line and were caught in reverse by the

HISTORISCHE KRANTEN

The Ypres Times (1921-1936) | 1932 | | pagina 17