MORE NEWS FROM THE FRONT

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2388, 18 February 1915, Page 5

MORE NEWS FROM THE FRONT

SIR JOHN FRENCH-S REPORT

FIRST OF 81-WEEKLY SERIES London, February 16. The Press Bureau issues' Sir John French's first bi-weekly report, which states:— "We progressed in the La Bassee district, and a valuable point was secured on February 13 without loss. There is conclusive evidence that the enemy's losses in the recent fighting thereabouts were severe. / "The enemy on February 14 gained a few trenches in the Ypres district. We counter-attacked, - recovering them. There was some increase in the intensity of the artillery duels on the remainder front, in which wo showed marked superiority. We greatly damaged the enemy's defences. "Our aircraft, despite bad weather, blew up an ammunition wagon of the enemy, near La Bassee." Winter Campaigning. The report states that since November 30 the operations were limited by the weather conditions. The recent developments in armaments and the latest methods of warfare imposed great drawbacks op a vigorous winter campaign. Mists and fogs meant unnecessary waste of long-range artillery ammunition and also militated against aircraft reconnaissance, but many aerial combats were fought, raids carried out, the enemy's detainments, harassed, petrol depots bombed, and enemy's aircraft material destroyed.

"The present accuracy and range of quickfiring rifles and machine guns require that fire-swept zones should bo crossed rapidly. This is impossible over ground knee-deep in mud without entailing unnecessary loss. At the beginning of December reconnaissance showed that much of the enemy's artillery had been withdrawn, but there was no great diminution in its efficiency.

"Although there has/been almost continuous artillery and rifle fire there have been comparatively few operations calling for special comment. The men were subjected to the severest trial_ by frost and snow, alternating with rain. They were compelled to stand waist-deep in the trenches for many hours in bitterly cold water, within two hundr&i yards of a vigilant enemy. '

"Unfortunately circumstances prevent any account of many splendid instance* of courage and endurance in the face of unparalleled hardship reaching the public. The Territorials have more than justified the most sanguine hopes. Reinforcements have arrived with remarkable promptitude and rapidity." Sir John French said he had no reason to modify his views of .the general military situation, expressed in liis last dispatch.

ROYAL SCOTS AND CORDONS IN ACTION. STORY OF DESPERATE FIGHT. (Rec. February 17, 11.5 p.m.) London, February 17. Sir John. French's dispatch, dated February 2, alludes to the encouragement tho troops received from the King's visit. "In consequence of the heavy fighting in November, the _ Franco-British forces were somewhat mixed up, entailing difficulties of supply. By tho end of the month we were able to concentrate the army by holding a shorter line, which we established with effective reserves.

"Among the number of successful minor engagements, part of the German Fourteenth Army Corps on Noverctsr 23 captured eight hundred yards of iae Indian trendies. The commander of the Meerut Division organised a powerful night counter-attack, and re-established the line at daybreak. There iwre many casualties, but the enemy suffered more heavily. The Meeruts captured a hundred prisoners, three machine guns, and two mortars.

"Early in December certain indications induced the French commanders ond myself to believe that tho enemy had withdrawn considerable forces from the' Western theatre, and arrangements were made with the Eighth French Army Ccrps to commence an attack on December 14. The Royal Scots had to face a terrible machine-gun and rifle fire, but with great dash carried the German trenches on the west edge of the Petit Bois, capturing two machine guns. The Gordons, with great gallatitry, advanced on Maedelsfceed spur and forced the enemy to evacuate the front of the trench, but losing heavily were obliged to fall back in the evening )to their original positions they had captured, as the Thirty-second French Division on tho left was unable to progress further. 1 "An advance by the British infantry on Wytschaate was impracticable, so the possession •of the western edge of tho Petit Bois was retained, though the ground was devoid of cover, and so water-logged that the men sank deep in the lmid.

"The casualties that day were 17 officers and 407 of other ranks, hut the losses of the enemy were considerably larger. In front of the Gordons' patrol we counted a hundred dead in one trench."

The Fighting at Civenchy. The outstanding feature of the fighting at GiveiicliT was when the Commander of tlie Indians decided to, take advantage of what appeared to be a favourable opportunity, and launched attacks on December 18 and 19. An attack by the Meernt Division, on the left, on the morning of December 19, was made oil tlie enemy with determination, and initial success, but they were driven back by the German counter-nttac]v._ "An attack by the Lahore Division was completely successful. We captured two lines of trenches with little loss, and before daylight filled tliem with as many men as they would hold, but the front was restricted, and connuunicfliion with the rear impossible. "After daybreak the position wits found to be practicably untenable. On both flanks, supporting attacks, which were late in starting, wore conducted in daylight, and failed, though attempted with the greatest gallantry and resolution. Lieutenant-Colonel Ronaldson held on until dusk, when all the captured trenches were evacuated.' Attack on the Indian Front. The Germans at daybreak on December HO aMiickcd the whole Indian front, jjarlicuiarlsi at Givcncby, and by ton

o'clock they were successful in driving back the Sirhind Brigade, and capturing a considerable part of . Givenchy, but the Fifty-eeventh Rifles and the Ninth Ghopals, on the north of the canal, and tho Connaught Rangers, on tho south side, stood firm. Two regiments of Sikhs were sent to reinforce General Brunker, and the First Manshesters, the Fourth Suffolks, _ and two battalions of French Territorials'''wero ordered to launch a vigorous counterattack through Givenchy and retake the lost trenches by means of a flank attack. By five o'clock a gallant attack by the First Manchesters recaptured Givenchy, and the Germans only held our trenches north of the village.

"General Macbean, with the Secunderabad Brigade,' a battalion of the Eighth Gliurka-Sj and the Forty-seventh Sikhs, was sent to support General Brunker. There was some delay, but the force attacked at one o'clock in tho morning. Detachments under Lieutcn-ant-Colonel Lempriere reached the enemy's trenches, but were driven out by enfilade fire, and the gallant commander was killed. • "Macßean's main attack was continued at 4.30 p.m., but failed.The position on December 20 was precarious, particularly for the Seaforth Highlanders. whose flanks were exposed by the retirements of tho Sirhinds early in the afternoon. "Sir Douglas Haig was therefore ordered to move his first division to support the Indians. They overtook Sir James Willcock's command on December 22, and the French' troops also came to tho Indians' assistance. The' First Brigade reached Givenchy via Pontfixe on December 21, and the Third Brigade reoccupied trenches evacuated by the Sirhinds.

"Sir Douglas Haig directed the First Brigade to attack in a north-westerly direction, and the Third Brigade from Festubert,, in a. north-easterly .direction, the object being the capturing of the German trenches four hundred yards east of our position. _ Tho First Brigade established itself east of Givenchy, and the Third concentrated at Le Touret, but the Indian trenches had been so destroyed that it was impossible to reoccupy them. "Throughout the day the Indians rendered all the assistance and support possible in view of their exhausted condition. On the evening of December 22 the position had practically been reestablished, and. the German activities ceased on December 23.

"The French and Indian troops fought with the utmost steadiness and gallantry whenever called upon. Abnormal snow and floods precluded active operations during the first three weeks of January."

The High Commissioner reports to the Prime Minister: — London, February 16, 7.45 p.m.' Sir John French reports:—"Since the British successes at La Basseo at>tho beginning of last week, there has been less activity in that area. Nevertheless further progress has been made in this quarter, and a valuable point secured without loss. We have consolidated our hold on ground gained, and conclusive evidence obtained that the enemy's losses in recent fighting -were severe. In the Ypres district the enemy attacked our line on February 14, succeeding in first gaining possession of a few trenches. Our counter-attacks recovered the ground lost. On the remainder of the front there has been some increase in the intensity of-the artillery duel, the British showing marked superiority. Direct hits were frequentlv secured on the enemy's guns, much damage being done his defenoes. An aviator discovered a hostile ammunition column near La Bassee, and dropped bombs and exploded an ammunition wagon."