BIG BATTLE IN FLANDERS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2445, 26 April 1915, Page 5

BIG BATTLE IN FLANDERS

BIG BATTLE NEAR THE YSER CANAL

DEAFENING ROAR OF ARTILLERY

CANADIANS I ACTION

SAVE THE SITUATION

GERMANS CAPTURE 4.71 N. GUNS

GUNS RECAPTURED BY CANADIANS

TROOPS LANDED IN DARDANELLES

BOMBARDMENT RESUMED

News arrives to-day of a tremendous battle ill Belgium—described as the bloodiest in the Western campaign. Engaging in a great effort to burst thrpugh the Allied line north of Ypres, the Germans failed in their main object though they gained some ground in the open country eastward of the Yser Canal, and at one point drove French troops back to the western bank of that waterway. The Canadian Division, posted on the left of the British line, acquitted itself with magnificent gallantry and recaptured some heavy guns which had fallen into the hands of the enemy. Prior to their assault the Germans cast into the Allied lines great quantities of bombs filled with asphyxiating gaties, a practice in direct contravention of the Haguo Convention and the laws of war! Hill 60 (south of Ypres), which was lately captured from the Germans, has been subjected by them to a terrific bombardment, but without dislodging its present defenders. The battle along the Yser is still in progress, but from the later reports it would seem that tho Allies are 6teadily regaining the ground which they lost eastward of the Canal. messago from Athens states that Allied troops have been landed at two different points on the Gallipoli Peninsula, and at Enos, on tho Aegean coast of Turkey. There is little news from the Eastern theatre, but the Russians report that they have beaten off heavy Austro-German assaults immediately north of the TJszok Pass and made progress at other points. Turkey is reported to have sounded Italy and America with a view to arranging a separate pcace with the Triple Entente.

FIERCE BOMBARDMENT

GERMANS CLAIM TO HAVE FORCED A PASSAGE

(By Telegraph—Press ASsfl.-Copyright.)

A communique states: "We advanced on Thursday evehing"frm" 1 Steenstraate to east of Langem&rck and attacked the enemy north and north-west JrT-n'n 6 adva » ce 4 a of, kilometres (oi miles) to tßmVhts south ofPilkem, and simultaneously the infantry and artillery forced the fasfiage of the Yser neai Steenstraate and Het Sas. We oaptured at least 1600 French., and Englisn prisoners, and 30 guns, including four English heavy

Bteenstraate is on the Ypres-Dixmude'Canal, five miles north and a trifle wssfc of Ypres, and a mile south-west of Bixschoote. Laneeniarck is +hma miles east of Steenstraate. Piukem is a mile and three-quartos south-west of Langemarck. Steenstraate is not on the Yser. but is aboat foir S s from it!

GERMANS USE ASPHYXIATING GASES

FRENCH TROOPS FORCED TO RETIRE TO THE CANAL

High Commissioner's report:— t, . . London, April 24, 1.10 a.m Sir John French reports that on Thursday the enemy attacked the French troops on the British left, north of theYpres salient. There was a heavy bombardment, the enemy using many appliances for the production of asphyxiating gas. Tho quantity used indicates long and deliberate preparation for the employment of devices contrary to the Convention, to which the enemy subscribed. The false statement that the Allies were using such gas is now explained. It was obviously an effort to diminish neutral criticism in advance.

Overwhelmed by the fumes, the French retired to the Canal, the British front remaining intact, except on the extreme left, where the troops were obliged to readjust the line conformable with the French line.

Two fresh attacks on the British trenches east of Ypres were repulsed. Tho fighting continues north of Ypres. Two German aeroplanes were brought down. Paris reports:—The German surprise in using asphyxiating bombs-is not sorious in its results. The French counter-attacks, supported by the British on the right and the Belgians on the left, developed successfully, and ground was gained northwards. In the Apremont Forest the French progressed, finding in the trenches captured two hundred dead.

CANADIANS IN THE THICK OF THE BATTLE

THEY SAVE THE SITUATION BY THEIR GALLANTRY

High Commissioner's report:—

London, April 24, 2.5. p.m The War Office states that the fight for the ground into which the Germans_ penetrated between Steenstraate and Langemark continues. The loss at this part of the line bared tne left of the Canadian divisio-i, which was forced to fall back to keep touch with the right of the neighbouring troops. At the rear of the latter, there were four Canadian 4.7 guns, which passed into the hands of tho enemy. Some hours later the Canadians made a most brilliant and successful advance, recaptured the guns, and taking numerous German prisoners, including a colonel. The Canadians had irany casualties, hut their gallantry and determination. undoubtedly saved the situation. Their conduct was magnificent throughout. /

ENORMOUS EFFORTS TO BREAK THE ALLIES' LINE

ENEMY'S FORCES ADVANCE WITH DESPERATE COURAGE

(Rec. April 25, 3.30 p.m.)

London, April 24. The "Daily Mail's" Rotterdam correspondent says Germany is making an enormous effort to break the Allies' line on the Yser, and is throwing every available man against North pres. Masses of troops are pouring through Brussels, and all troops guarding tile Dutch frontier have gone to the Yscr. The battle is described as the bloodiest in the Western campaign. The enemy's losses during the last few tlay s have been tremendous. They advanced against the Allies' t.roncnes with desperate courage, new troops dashing forward over masses of dead and wounJjerl i-.-tm i-jjelapr Tlit> Hei-htOtt sin.lliei'jf was eSsstiy*, »ud tin? ej>i?eu4UU¥e of MwlU iia's bf»ji Bfad&iQUgi

ALL ATTACKS ON lIILL 60 FAIL London, April 23. Sir John French reports: —"The German attacks 011 HiH CO failed. During these the enemy lired 17in. shells into Yprcs. "We forestalled German mining operations near Armentieres by exploding a mine." The report adds that the British airman who attacked the Ghent shed ran the gauntlet of fire from a captive balloon; also from the ground. He descended to a height of two liundred feet and effected liis object, causing a large explosion.

UNSPEAKABLE TUMULT THROUGHOUT THURSDAY

BRITISH SHARPSHOOTERS HOLD THEIR GROUND FOR HOURS

(Rec. April 25, 3.30 p.m.)

London, April 24. The "Daily News" Dunkirk correspondent reports that there was an unspeakable tumult throughout Thursday at Hill 60. The Germans brought up the whale of their heavy artillery. The British on grimly against the most terrific bombardment ever experiouced.lt resembled a volcano in tho deafening noise. Everything was obscured by dust and smoke. The major of a battery shouted his orders through a megaphone to" the gunner at his side. The British infantry, consisting of the best shots of many regiments, lay prono for hours, firing until their rifles were too hot to hold. Their courage and staying power amid this hell was sublime. Shrapnel was continually bursting over them, and hundreds we,re wounded. Whenever there was a chance to charge they took it, displaying magnificent verve. The enemy's aeroplanes flung hundreds of incendiary hombs in tho entrenchments, and ly nightfall Hill 60 presented an indescribable spectacle.

ATTACKS RENEWED ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY

High Commissioner's report:—

London, April 25, 9.55 a.m. North of Ypres the Germans on Friday night and Saturday made fierce attempts to take advantage of the confusion provoked on Thursday by their asphyxiating gases, but failed. At dawn on Saturday they captured Lizerno, on the left bank of the Yser, but it was retaken. We are making appreciable progress. The British were violently attacked, but immediately counter-attacked.. There were severe German attacks at Beausejour, where mines were exploded, and at Bois 'Ailly and the Apremont forest, which were repelled.

THE BELGIANS REPULSE A GERMAN ATTACK. . Paris, April 23. A communique states: "The Belgians, at the bend of the Yser, north of Dixmude, repulsed an attack on tho Chateau Vicogue, inflicting heavy losses. "The German attack on Ypres was held up, and a vigorous counter-attack enabled us to regain ground, and take jnany prisoners."

ALLIES CONSOLIDATE THEIR GAINS.

High Commissioner's report:—

London, April 24, 6.25 p.m. A portion of the ground regained in the Yser situation has been consolidated. The enemy attacks on the Eparges and Teteavach© were repulsed. The attacks on the forest of Parroy and Rcichakerkopf were checked with heavy German losses.

ALLIES' COUNTER-ATTACKS ARE PROGRESSING

(Rec. April 25, 3.40 p.m.)

Paris, April 24. Official. —The retirement to Bossighe is not serious, in consequence of combined Anglo-French aiid Belgian counter-attacks, which are progressing. The Anglo-French troops progressed betweon Steenstraate and Ypres, on the Polecnpelle road. AVe captured trenches in tho forest of Apremont, and found two hundred dead. Our artillery blow up two ammunition depots in the vicinity, annihilating a company.

THE DAILY LIST OF BRITISH CASUALTIES,

Tho High Commissioner reports i —

London, April 24, 6.25 p.m

Killed. Wounded, Missing. Prisoners. .80 46 — — . 129 190 62 187

Officers Men ..

OFFENSIVE PASSING TO THE ALLIES

PROVED BY THE FIGHT AT HILL 60

London, April 23. The .military correspondent of The Times says; "The success at Hill 60 shows that the offensive is passing to the Allies. The Germans are not so good as formerly. The Allies have for months sustained > a fight against bewildering disadvantages. The Germans had heavior guns, more machine guns, giant periscopes, and trench mortars. They took the initiative underground, and organised bomb-throwing and sniping. Tlw Allies have gradually caught up; they havo been accumulating heavy guns until now they are beginning to dominate the battle. We have more machine guns, periscopes, mortara, telescopic sights, bombs, and steel shields, and our snnipers and night-patrol havo become active and enterprising.—("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.)

BEATING GERMANS AT THEIR OWN GAME

A REVIEW OF THE GENERAL POSITION

(Rec. April 26, 6 p.m )

London, April 24. "Eye-witness," in a message dated_ Tuesday, says a survey of the general army shows that at all parts generally it is in no way inferior, and in many places is superior, to the enemy in the form of warfare for which originally he at least was prepared. In spite of these initial handicaps, we are beating the Germans at their own'game. The mastery in sniping is so definite that in. some places the men are able to walk outside the trenches with comparative safety, even within short range; of the hostile lines. Generally the position is to liarrass the Germans and give them little rest by means of shelling, bomb-throwing and and there is a consciousness of increased power. The fight at Neuve Chapelle inspired the men with a senso of superiority, and are only animated by one desire to get on. Concerts, kinemas, variety shows,_ boxing, and football have been organised to divert the men's minds from their immediate wretched . surroundings. The psychological value of music is remarkable, and the penny whistle and mouthorgan instill fresh life into tired legs. The Germans still hold Dixmude, but are unable to debouch because of the river, and here in entrenchments is the Belgianarmy, unvanquished after eight months of war. Behind stretches a narrow strip ten miles in extent of Belgian soil left to defend. Even there very few villages and towns have escaped the enemy's fire._ Nieuport lies in ruins. Latterly 42 centimetre' shells havo been raining on it. Fumes is battered and historic Ypres is partially destroyed. Villages immediately to the rear of the line are almost razed to the ground. War has added desolation and horror to the natural melancholy of the countryside, which was always of the dreariest character. A. visitor approaching the Belgian trenchesfrom the west traverses one battered village after another, and sees ruins, with a few women and children still clinging to what is left of their homes. In front lies a waste of water, melting into the sky;, the further bank is obscured with mjst, and corpses of long-dead Germans, swollen carcasses of cattle and sheep, with legs sticking stiffly in the air, drift aimlessly about. Rifle shots ringing in front and shells rumbling overhead accentuate the prevailing silence. Tho strongest contrast is presented at the sand dunes farther north. 'A desperate struggle continues daily. _ The trenches are a yards apart'. The wind blows up the sand, and stinging clouds, which necessitate the use of motor goggles. Tho configuration of tho landscape is continually altering, fresh dunes are formed, while others are disappearing,—("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.)