WAR- CHRONICLE

42
recognition of the fact that from there the greatest danger threatened.
On the following day, fighting extended further East, but the most
violent attacks were again brought to bear on the western sector,
against which the enemy artillery was enabled to make a flank
attack from the left bank of the Canal. The bitter fighting during
the course of which both sides attacked and defended may best be
described as single fights on a front disconnected at many points
owing to the character of the country.
It is unnecessary to give a detailed description of the fighting;
that took place up to 2nd May, which was obstinate and varying:
owing to the forces employed by the attackers, the enemy but seldom
proceeding to a concentrated attack. Reinforcements were brought
up estimated at something like two English and one or two French
divisions. On 24th April, an English division was repulsed, suffering
exceptionally heavy losses, while on 25th, five English battalions
were annihilated to the last man, mown down by machine guns.
On 26th April, the strongest attack was carried out by an Army
Corps between the Pilkem road, Ypres and St. Julien, but was
repulsed with great losses, 2,000 English being killed. An attack
on the Canal on the following day had not any better success. The-
English made attempt to advance from an eastern point near Broodseinde,
while a strong, but unsuccessful French attack on our
western sector represents the last enemy attempts to advance from
the position to which he was forced on 23rd April, and which hehad
to evacuate on 2nd May.
In spite of the enormous losses wliich this fighting entailed—
from 23rd April until 1st May—besides thousands of killed and
wounded, 5,000 prisoners and 65 guns being taken (latter included.
4 heavy English cannons and other war material) the Allied did
not regain a yard of the territory they had lost on 22nd April. On.
the other hand our troops had succeeded in advancing their lines
towards St. Julien to the North-West of Gravenstafel. The German,
artillery fire, which swept the enemy front and rear connections
incessantly day and night, was most effective, reaching even as faras
Poperinghe, which is 12 kilometers beyond Ypres.
Our south wing batteries, after the success of 22nd April were
able to subject the troops directed against our northern wing to
their fire. The entire space, occupied by the enemy, was taken
under fire from three sides and its effects could be seen by the
numerous conflagrations. Ypres was on fire.
The enemy had recognized the seriousness of the situation, as
is shown by his desperate attacks carried out as they were, regardless
of losses. Reports that the heavy artillery was being removed
from the "sack" and a bridge-head constructed at the extreme East
of Ypres were proofs that the Allied had to reckon with the loss
of their advanced position, possibly even that of the entire eastern-
Canal bank.