By two o'clock on Wednesday the position was considered to
be sufficiently prepared for an attack, and the Fleet ceased firing. French and Belgian infantry and Marines, with the
dismounted Belgian cavalry in support, then took up the game, and delivered an attack by three roads, each separated from the others by the inundations. Helped by the mist and rain—we quote from the message of the Times correspondent in Friday's issue—" the infantry went forward in short, rapid rushes," and soon carried two villages and a moated farm- house. These places were retained in spite of the vigorous counter-attacks of the enemy. Some of the heaviest fighting fell to the French Marines, who fought with the gallantry traditional in that splendid body of men. One of their bayonet charges, which was delivered over exposed ground under heavy fire, is described as the finest exploit of the afternoon. Taken as a whole, the advance in Belgium, though small if judged by mileage, is of real importance.
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