THE BATTLE OF NEUVE CHAPELLE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2410, 16 March 1915, Page 5

THE BATTLE OF NEUVE CHAPELLE

DESCRIBED BY "EYE-WITNESS 51 SPLENDID DASH OF THE BRITISH London, March 14. "Eye-Witness" at British headquarters says:—"Our offensive at Neuyq phapelle was attended by signal success. The fire of many guns and'howitzers at the opening of the bombardment is described as being the most tremendous, both as to noise and effect, an army has ever seen or heard. Within half an hour after the signal for the attack had been given ajniost the whole of the elaborate series of German trenches was in our hands. Hardly, except at one point, was there any resistance. Many of the trenches were blotted out, and filled with dead and (tying, partially buried by earth and debris. The majority pf the survivors were in nomood forfurtjier lighting. ''Meanwhile 011 the right, from Richeboprg, a, similar advance was progressing towards a rectangular wood, a thousand yards south-east of Neuve Chapelle. The resistance was slight, and we reached a point four hundred yards eastward, and others northward. "The fighting continued long after darkness had fallen. The enemy was then considerably shaken, and surrendered in some parts in groups. "The Germans throughout the day held a strong position nicknamed 'Port Arthur, at the angle of cross roads southward of the village. They had a perfect network of trenches and- barbed wj»o Tho struggle raged until 5.30, when we stormed the position, and carried it with tho bayonet. "The British showed the utmost dash throughout the operations. They had tlie consciousness that an old score was being paid off, the enemy this time being beaten on tho run. The field hospitals and ambulances were filled with the cheeriest crowd of wounded men." Two thousand German prisoners from Neuve Chapelle have arrived at Havre ' .on their way to England. . ' VAIN COUNTER-ATTACKS BY THE GERMANS. The High Commissioner's-report, which covers the facts of the above narrative adds: "On Thursday, tho enemy counter-attacked, but was reprtlffid by the artillery, the British troops paying off old scores by getting the enemy 011 the run. The ground gained is the greatest in extent since the commencement of trench warfare." There followed an almost complete calm along the whole front. There were some artillery actions, but. the positions everywhere have been consolidated. A report'from the High Commissioner dated March 14,10.30 p.m.. states:— "A heavy counter-attack was delivered by the enemy yesterday afternoon; there were several minor counterrattacks earlier in the day, nil of which were repulsed. From observation in various parts of the field, and statements of prisoners—now amounting to 1720—the enemy's losses wero very heavy, 1 amounting to in three days. London, March 15, 1.20 a.m. The success of the British troops at Neuve Chapelle i 6 now confirmed as complete! They advanced on a front, of ajiout three kilometres (14-5 miles), a 'ainrt ef fww Mi pftestf ,HPH(p wste tiffs jinfe), entrusts sue«fs> • .uWrLy threa llaea of tmciw iertlfced fflrfaf . T' '

Violent Gorman counter-attacks.were all repulsed with heavy losses, British artillery very effectively prepared the support for a vigorous action by the infantry." GERMAN VERSION OF ABORTIVE COUNTER-ATTACKS, Amsterdam, March 13. German official reports state that a ttacks were begun for tho purpose of recapturing Neuve Chapelle, but were discontinued o»ing to the presence of superior British forces; The Germans claim to havo shot down three British aviators oil two days.

BRILLIANT ASSAULT ON A FORTRESS VILLAGE

IMPORTANT SUCCESS BY THE FRENCH. . . Paris, March 14. Official—After desperate fighting the French have captured the plateau and half the village of Vauqoius, two miles south-east of Varenncs, on the eaßt side of tho Argonne. The capture of Vauquois prevents tho Germans masking operations north of Varennes or reaufty revict-ualling the troops in the Argonne and the Cheppy Wood. Vanquois was a regular fortress. The village is built oil the side of a 300 metres hill; the cellars of the houses are hollowed in the rock, affording fieid artillery-proof shelter. The Germans had constructed subteranean passages between the cellars, forming a defensive system of the first order. The brilliant attack on Fobruary 17 showed the nifficulties to be surmounted. The attack was recommenced on February 28, with violent heavy, artillery fire. When the troops entered Vauquois it was a head of ruins. The cellars had collapsed under the weight of the large projectiles, which hollowed pits 12ft. deep and 25ft. in diameter. CARRIED AFTER DESPERATE FICHTINC. (Rec. March 15, 10.15 p.m.) , Paris, March 15. Official.—"During the operations at Vauquois, the Germans on the afternoon of February 29, counter-attacked, supported by artillery and machineguns behind the ruins. Our soldiers made a heroic stand, but were unable to create a defensive position while they were fighting. They were obliged to retire, but later returned to the a'ssault, and the charge drove the Germans from the southern half of tho village. Further German attacks were repulsed with great loss. _ . "The Germans, however, were reinforced from Cheppy during the night, . and Vauquois was finally lost. Weattacked four times next, day, but were driven back by the Germans' slanting lire. We suffered serious losses, but our morale was not destroyed. Plateau Rushed. "The attack was resumed at dawn, when three regiments left the trenches and rushed the plateau, which had been terribly cut up, its abrupt slopes .being almost impracticable for assault. Nevertheless; the enemy was. forced to abandon liis trenches, and withdrew to tho village. "Finally, with a splendid dash, the three regiments penetrated the ruins, and hand-to-hand lighting took place in the streets. ( Four German attacks were repulsed, and the attack resulted in us installing ourselves securely in a high street dividing the town, after inflicting great loss, and taking prisoners two hundred. - Enemy Worn Out. "The enemy did not attack on March 2. and 3, heing. evidently worn out, but a violent bombardment at midnight enabled them-to reach the plateau, where our artillery and machine-guns mowed them down. Almost all the attack? ers' survivors took refuge in holes in the earth, or fled. "Desperate attacks and counter-attacks continued for days, the German? each time bringing up fresh troops. The prisoners belong to three army corps and one brigade of Landwehr. "The French position is now secure."

THE CAMPAIGN IN,BELGIUM

* London, March 14, 4.55 p.m. The High Commissioner reports:— N A report from Paris states that Belgium artillery, supported by French heavy artillery, destroyed vantage ground organised by the Germans in Dix- ' inudo cemetery. ' The enemy bombarded Ypres. Several civilians were victims. BRITISH WARSHIPS BOMBARD WESTENDE. The High Commissioner reports (London, March, 15, 1.20 a.m.): — A report from Paris states' that another effective bombardment of Westwide by the British Fleet has taken place. "(Ren- March 15, 10.15 p.m.)' Paris, March 15. Official.—British airmen have bombarded Westende.

OPERATIONS IN CHAMPAGNE AND LORRAINE

London, March 14, 4.55 p.m. Hie High Commissioner reports:— • . A report from Paris states that the enemy has bombarded Soissons Cathedral and neighbourhood, and Reims. In the Champagne district' yesterday evening the Allies repulsed two counter-attacks, capturing several trenches, piie containing one huntbetl corpses, also a quantity of material. ■In Lorraine, j'j-ouch patrols occupied Embermenil (ten miles east of Luneville). - (Reo. March 15, 10.15 p.m.) . Paris, Marcli 15. Official.—"We have established ourselves firmly on the crests'of the Champagne heights, which were recently captured, and oarried trenches i betiyeen Four ds rgris rind the Bolante Wood (in tie Argonne)." London, March 15, 1.20 a.m. In the Chanipagne district the Allies have consolidated their new front and - advanced several points. In the between Four de Paris and the Bois de Bolante the Allies aj'e masters of three hundred metres of trenches. We cap- • tured several officers on the heights of the Meuse. The German attacks at' Eparges have been arrested." ,

THE GERMAN DEFEAT IN ALSACE

1i ■ — riFRCE BAYONET FIGHTING; NO QUARTER ASKED. • (Rec. March 15, 11.25 p.m.) QfinWi March 15. General von Derailing conducted thp German qneratiops on Reichacr herkopf Hills, employing four regiments. The fighting was t)ie' ' mqst" $anhiinkry vet experienced in Alsace duriiis the war. ' , The French Alpipe Chasseurs defended the newlr-wqn with the bayonet only; no quarter was asked.' Nine hundred Germans were killed.' and probably' 2500 were wounded.' Few prisoners \rere taken. '