TREMENDOUS HAVOC IN GERMANY DEFENCES

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2479, 4 June 1915, Page 5

TREMENDOUS HAVOC IN GERMANY DEFENCES

AFTER MONTHS OF SAPPING SPLSNBID SCORE BY THE FRENCH (By Telegraph—Press Assu.—Copyright.) (Rcc. Juno 3, 11.30 p.m.) Paris, June 3. Official. —After many months of sajiping in the Carency sector, soventeen furnaces, ouch containing throe huiuh'od kilogrammes of explosives, were pushed forward under the German, linos on May 9, and during a heavy bombardment we exploded tho seventeen furnaces simultaneusiy. "Almost all tho barbed wire entanglements and chevaux-de-frise (defensive obstructions) were destroyed and tho trenches wero filled. Many of tho Hanking works, armed with mitrailleuses and bomb-throwers, wcro wrecked. Tho enemy's communications .were broken, and many of the Germans were obliged to surrender. "All tho enemy's subterranean works and furnaces were rendered useless. Seventy Germans wcro captured in one gallery. Others died of suffocation. "This operation contributed to our success ii: the I-orette-Careiicy-Xcu-villo sector. HIGH COMMISSIONER'S REPORT. Tho High. Commissioner reports.:— London, June 2, 3 p.m. "At Neuvilla. Saint-Vaast, tho French took a group of houses mid held them, despite many counter-attacks. The prisoners taken since Monday at this point exceeds 450. "On the rest of the front there is nothing to report. "Reims has again been bombarded the cathedral particularly being attacked." London, Juno 3, I.SO a.m. "Tho British carried at the bayonet point the Chateau of liouge, near Zonuebecke. 'South-east of Neuville St. Vaast, the German counter-attack in "the labyrinth" was repulsed, and the Allies made further progress. "Between May 0 and June 1, the French Division which took Caroncy, Ablain, St. Naznir, Malon Mill, Soiicho/,, and tho sugar refinery, made 3100 prisoners', buried 2600 German de:i.d, and lost in wounded, dead,' and missing, 3200: twn-tbirds are only slightly wounded. "In tho Champagne districts, near Beau Sejotir, the enemy tried a night attack, but wero immediately thrown back in their trenches."' ENEMY'S RECENT ONSLAUGHT IN FLANDERS • ATTEMPT TO EXPLOIT THE YPRES SALIENT. (Rcc. Juno 3, 7.30 p.m.) London, Juno 3. An official resume of the German operations round the Ypres from April 22 to May 4 has been published by German newspapers. It discloses tho enemy's motive in attacking. The Germans intended to exploit the unfavourable tactical situation in which tho Allies were placed by holding so pronounced a salient.. The mission of tho enemy's forces east and south-east of Ypres was to hold us in tliat quarter while a decisive effort was to be made from the north to throw the Allies beyond the Yser, in order .to restrict the' German front, straighten their line, and reduco the part of Belgium still held by tho Allies. The Germans pay a tribute to tho gallantry of the British and notably to their defence about Grafenstacl on May 3. The account does not mention the use of gas, probably because it is not desired publicly to confess that the army had to have recourse to euch methods of warfare. SEVERE LOSSES THROUGH GAS FIENDS' TACTICS WHAT A MEDICAL OFFICER, SAW. (Rec. June 3, 11.30 p.m.) London, June 3. An officer in a medical corps eastward of Ypres, writing on May 24, says:—"The Guards charged through the gas fumes, took the German trenches. Our casualties were very severe, and the men were compelled to bolt. In most cases the wounded'lay in the trenches, their comrades being unable to pull them out. The Germans either shot or bayonetted the wounded. "The battle was terrific, and the British were being slaughtered wholesale through the effects of the gases. As soon as the gas readies a trench th® Germans rush in and bayonet or shoot the men.