n captured by the Germans by this time,
but they had secured their position in all the suburbs of Ypres
and had that city at their mercy, provided allied reenforcements
ordered up did not obstruct their path.

The fighting still continued for part of November, 1914, but for
the month of October no definite result was to be recorded.

At Ypres, on November 2, 1914, the Germans captured 2,300 English
troops and many machine guns. Dixmude was stormed by the Germans
on the 10th of November, and they crossed the Yser Canal, capturing
the Allies position west of Langemark, also driving them out of
St. Eloi. Snow and floods interfered with the fighting along the
battle front. Ypres was bombarded on several occasions and was
repeatedly set on fire.

November 11, 1914, was another day of severe fighting. At daybreak
the Germans opened fire on the allied trenches to the north and
south of the road from Menin to Ypres. After a furious artillery
fire the Germans drove their men forward in full force. This attack
was carried out by the First and Fourth brigades of the Prussian
Guard Corps which had been especially selected to capture Ypres if
possible, since that task had proved too heavy for the infantry of
the line. As the Germans surged forward they were met by a frontal
fire from the allied lines, and as they were moving diagonally across
part of the allied front, they were also attacked on the flank by the
English artillery. Though the casualties of the Germans were enormous
before they reached the English lines, such was their resolution and
the momentum of the mass that, in spite of the splendid resistance
of the English troops, the Germans succeeded in breaking through
the allied lines in several places near the road. They penetrated
some distance into the woods behind the English trenches, where
some of the bloodiest fighting of the entire war took place.

On November 12, 1914, comparative quiet reigned and with the exception
of artillery duels and some desultory fighting no results were
obtained on either side. The British report makes this comment on
this attempt upon Ypres: "Their (the Prussian Guard Corps') dogged
perseverance in pursuance of their objective claims wholehearted
admiration.

"The failure of one great attack, heralded as it was by an impassioned
appeal to the troops made in the presence of the emperor himself,
but carried out by partially trained men, has been only the signal
for another desperate