SECOND LINE DEFENCE TRENCHES

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2348, 2 January 1915, Page 7

SECOND LINE DEFENCE TRENCHES

CAPTURED BY ALLIES SUBSTANTIAL SM)VANCE IN ALSACE \ Paris, December 31. '& communique states that daring -the night the'enemy blew up our trenches north of Sillery. We repulsed a subsequent attack, and we captured trenches in sections on the second ]ine of defence in the Mexuilleshurlus region. We advanced towards Fontaine.Madame by exploding a mine and occupying a hollow. We- captured 160 metres of, trenches in the Montmaiie wood, and carried half of Steinbaoh housp ty house.,:. , ■ ■ f • ;' BERLIN; OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE, \\ .. . . ' . Berljn, December 31. -.'■ 'An. official communique states that the western front is quiet. The situation on the eastern frontier is) unchanged, except that ,wq are progressing in the Rawaka district. : ' ■ INCIDENT. IN 'THE CAPTURE OF ST. GEORGES. ■ f.~ : '' V". .... '.'.:'■: , ■ s ' ■■ ■■•■■. iPans, December 31. recently captured Saint Georges, .which was nearly surrounded by floods. During' the recapture a Belgian battalion ,was stranded on a strip of land, and was in a critical position. Six marines volunteered to take a 75-millimetre gun in awherry, via the canal, which' was alongside the village. The enemy opened a vigorous fire, and wounded the steersman. Another: who replaced him was also wounded, but the wherry continued until five men were hors de combat. The sixth volunteer almost reached the island, when He was shot, but the Belgians, succeeded in landing the gun. They then fired, destroying the houses which were sheltering the Germans, who.fled. Man*y .were killed and drowned. ,VERY, SEVERE FIGHTING SINCE CHRISTMAS. (Rec. January 1, 10.20 p.m.) , ■ ' i . Amsterdam, December 31. "De Tijd" states'thore has been especially severe fighting near Lombaertzyde since Christmas. The Allies are m airing every effort to break through. British naval guns are participating. The sluices of Zeebrugge have been repaired, and submarines are constantly Heaving port. ENEMY; REPELIffiD AT BOIS DES FORGES. ■.■ (Rec. .'January 1, 10.20 p.m.) Paris, December 31 Official.—We repelled the enumy's attempt to debouch from Bois des ; : Forges, and maintained our position at Steinbach. GERMANS AT WESTENDE BETWEEN TWO FIRES. (Rec.January 1, 10.20 p.m.) ' -rT '■ London, December 31. The "Daily Chrinocle's" Dunfcirk correspondent sayß the capture of Saint 'Georges affords the Allies. valuable artillery positions. The Germans, at Westendo are between two fires. Many' German companies at Saint Georges surrendered after losing all their officers. The Allies are now; able to build bridges acoss the Yser, eastward of Niouport. A FIGHT WITH BUTT-ENDS AND FISTS. (Rec. January 1, 7.5 p.m.) : " • '~ ' London, December 31 "Kye-witnes6," describing tlie events of December 24, jay's the operations were terribly difficult. Liquid cold mud invaded the breeches of the gun so that we were no longer able to fire, and had to fight with butt-ends, also with fists. Our soldiers have become blocks of raud, their unalterable good humour, ■however, enables them to endure with the best possible grace the rough life and severe winter cold.—"Times'-''- and Sydney "Su*,"- SM.VW6S,

[BRITISH GUNS SCATTER THE ENEMY, (Reo. January 1, 7.30 p.m.) 0 London, December 31. "Eye-witness," with the British Headquarters, has inferontially disposed of- the "Harburger Fremdenblatt's" claim, cabled on December 29, and saya fifty dead Germans wore pickod up in one of the trenches we recently retook. It is estimated in the attack on the village captured by the on December 21, their loss in killed alone was four hundred. An incident of December 24 not mentioned in last report led to 6iight loss of ground to us but hoavy oasualties to the enemy. Tho Germans exploded a mine underneath a trench, and sevoral yards were blown in. Gorman smpers occupied the part destroyed, and enfiladed tho rest. Meanwhile a larger body of tho enemy advanced, when our guns oponed with deadly, effect, scattering the enemy and killing many.. .We also bombarded the part occupied in the trench, killing tho occupants.