THE WAR IN THE WESTERN THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2404, 9 March 1915, Page 5

THE WAR IN THE WESTERN THEATRE

FRENCH ADVANCE IN ALSACE

IMPORTANT OPERATIONS IN PROGRESS

The High Commissioner reports (London, March 7)—: Paris, on Saturday night, reported that north of Arras the Germans, employing large effectives, were seriously checked. The Sunday report states that the Allies are continuing their gains north of Arras, their counter-attacks resulting in the capturing of several trenches. The enemy losses were import, ant.

OPERATIONS IN THE CHAMPAGNE DISTRICT. '•

The High Commissioner reports (London, March 8, 1.20 p.m.):— "In the Champagne district, west of Perthes, the French took ground which had been strongly organised by the enemy. The Allies gained ground on a ridge north-east of Mesnil, and carried a new trench north of Beausejour.

THE STRICKEN CITY OF REIMS,

London, March 7. There have been thirty fires at Reims as the result of the bombardment. It took two days to quench them. The exodus of the populace continues. The walls of the cathedral as high, as they are reachable are covered with armour plating and sandbags as protection from the German shells, which are constantly falling in the vioinity.—("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.)

THE FIGHTING IN THE VOSGES HEIGHTS

FRENCH SCORE IMPORTANT SUCCESSES,

London, March 7. In the Vosges, on the north bank of La Fecht, the French captured Imberg. Their success was enhanced b.v the capture of Hill 856 and Hautes Huttes. At Hartmann's Weilerkopf, the counter-attack of a battalion was repulsed with heavy losses to the onemy. Many prisoners were taken. In Alsace, the progress in Vosges> at Hartmann's Weilerkopf, -extends oyer 300 yards of the enemy's trenches, On the evening of March 5 the Allies repulsed a counter-attack opposite TJffholz, and exploded au ammunition depot at Cerney. In the Vosges progress has been made on the flanks ofßeicllacherkopf, and prisonors taken. At Hartmann's Weilerkopf the Allies repulsed five counterattacks. . [Press Association messages from Paris covering the 6ame operations have also been received.] i , Army casualties: —Officers: 4 killed, 1-3 wounded. Men: 246 killed, COl wounded, 66 missing, 25 prisoners. POSITION IN ALSACE REVIEWED. (Rec. March 8, 6 p.m.) London, March 8. "The Times" correspondent irv Alsace says that the French are masters of the situation in the valley of Largufl and tho Valley of Saint Martin. The Gormans are making Altkiroh the pivot of their movements. The town has been extensively fortified, and entrenchments have been constructed; under forced civilian le'lwiif- , . * Tlw Gieiasiw have .{waived lues jettforceffleufc* ia th» Muntttr YaUiy,

including some Austrian troops and heavy guns, causing the French to retire slightly, bringing the Germans uncomfortably near the top of the pass.— "iimes" and Sydney "Sun" Services.

[All the names mentioned! in the above message are dotted about the region east' of the Vosges mountains and west of a line drawn between Colmar and Mulhausen, in Upper Alsace. La Fecht River flows east' from the Vosges, passing Colraar some distance to- the west. The St. Amarin River flows south-east from the Vosges, debouching into German territory at Thann, while the Laucli (or Largue) River takes a parallel course some miles to the north, in the next valley. Hartmann's 'Weilerkopf is a spur of the Vosges, standing halfway between the two valleys, overlooking., the plains at; the foot of the Vosges approaches.] "THIS' TIME WE WILJ, KEACH, CALAIS.". (Reo. Maroh 8, 11.15 p.m.) Amsterdam,-March 8., A large force from the Eastern front has arrived at Tournai. The Ger« mans at Bruges boast that "this time they.will reach Calais." THE MILITARY SITUATION REVIEWED Writing from "Behind the Centre," on January 9 last, "The Times's" cop» respondent supplies an interesting note on the operations around Perthes, mentioned very frequently during the past week: or so: "The first really serious offensive of our Allies upon the German lines stretching from Reims to the Argonne began about the end of the first week in. December," he says," "and! for the last three weeks hardly a day has gone by without some mention in the official communiques of sharp engagements in the valley of the , Suippe, in* tho region of Perthes and Mesnil-les-Hurlufi, and. around, the farm of. Beausejour, which lies between tho last-named village and that of Massiges. By gaining) possession of Pcrtlies-les-Hurlus the French have established themselves upon, a piece of comparatively dominating _ ground which is only five miles from tha Bazancourt-Apremont railway line at its nearest point, and their advance here and in the neighbourhood of Mesnil-lcs-Hurlus and Beausejour, if maintained, must mean that before long a considerable section of the line will be completely, under the fire of tho French guns, and thus be rendered -useless for the pass* age of supplies. It is, no doubt, on account of its geographjoal situation near, the railway and its consequent military importance that the French oom< muniques have given its name such importance."