THE WAR IN THE WESTERN THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2525, 28 July 1915, Page 7

THE WAR IN THE WESTERN THEATRE

ARTILLERY DUELS AND GRENADE FIGHTS The High. Commissioner resorts London, July 26, 4.30 p.m. Artillery actions continue oil ninny parts of the Allies' front, also trench fighting with grenades. French airman dropped bombs on a military station at Nantillois, north of Montfaucon. 1 CROWN PRINCE'S FAILURE IN THE ARGONNE HUGE WASTE OF HIGH EXPLOSIVES AND POISON SHELLS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright ' ■ 1 " i v , . London, July 26. The "Times" correspondent states that the Crown Prince's unavailing efforts round Verdun resulted in a prodigal expenditure of high explosives and poison shells. Forty thousand Germans participated in the attack. The force of the effort is evidenced by the fact that 45,000 shells were thrown on a small front preceding the first attack. (Rec. July 27, 10.30 p.m.) Paris, July 27. X French Territorial, describing tho Orown Prince's failure in the Argonne on July 13, says that after a most violent bombardment the Germans in a massed attack hurled themselves upon tlia French, shouting, "Wacht am Rhein." _ . Tile seventy-fives and machine-guns scattered the attackers, but enormous reserves soon replaced tliem, and swarmed up to the French trenches, ; outnumbering the defenders sixfold. After two hours' close ; fighting, when the French ammunition was almost exhausted, the Germans gained a footing in tho trenches. A French lieutenant who was in command resorted to a ruse. Ho ordered all to lie prone behind tho trenches, and tho Germans, believing them to bo quitted, advanced, shouting, "Joyl" _ A sudden volley wiped out the first line, and the French then charged with their bayonets, through the Germans, charged back, and l then through again. Tho survivors became panic-stricken. Many surrendered, and the remainder bolted. GERMANS' SECOND LINE OF DEFENCE. (Rec. July 2", 10.30 p.m.) Amsterdam, July 27. The "Telegraaf" states that the Germans are building a second defence line from .Nainur to the German frontier, which will bo a formidable ensemble of trenches, entanglements, and reinforced concrete fortifications, the latter to be connected by a railway. FRENCH- OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE,'' (Rec. July 27, 10.30 p.m.) .' . Paris, July 27. Official.—"Cannonading has diminished in the Artois region; 'a few heavy shells have been thrown into Arras. . "Mining operations on the Perthes and Bcausejour front (Argonne), and Vanquois wore carried wit to our advantage. "There was a violent cannonade at liois le Pretre. "Pont-a-Mousson has been bombarded and also Ban de Sapt (in the ?Vosges)."- , GORIZIA REPORTED TO HAVE FALLEN 0 _

GARRISON DEMORALISED GREAT ASCENDANCY OF ITALIAN ARTILLERY By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright . " . Geneva, July 26. "La Tribuna" publishes a dispatch from Milaii stating that after severe fighting the Italians have taken Gorz (Gorim). , . CRISIS AT GORIZIA. i • (Rec. July 27,' 10.30 p.m.) Rome, July 27. Tho condition of Gorizia is critical. Most of the civilians have departed, and tho Austrians are short of rations and water ill consequence. of the cutting of the railway to Plava. ITALIAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. (Rec. July 27, 10.30 p.m.) Rome, July 27. Official. —"We have made appreciable progress on the Lower Isoiizo, . and conquered a broad stretch of wooded ground on tho left wing. "We stormed entrenchments on the centre, and conquered most of Monte Deseibusi, which is on the right wing, after the whole position had been taken and retaken several times, the fighting everywhere being of tho most desperate ' kind. _ ' _ ; : - "The enemy ill the evening used asphyxiating bombs, but. bur men used masks. _ '> "The prisoners totalled sixteen hundred. • ; "Pelagosa has frequently been bombarded, but tho Austrians have maintained their communication with the mainland by means of signals. Occupation will be necessary. The operation will be a difficult one, as the island abounds with crevasses and ravines, but the'complete success of the Italians will be' gained only by temporary local successes. Our artillery has inflicted heavy losses. _ • ■ "Our naval forces have occupied l'elagossa Island, an important strategic position." GARRISON'S MORALE UTTERLY GONE. Rome,' July 26. Tlireo Italian workmen, who wow interned at Gorizia, and escaped; state that the garrison is entirely demoralised. Several officers had committed suicide. Supplies were short owing to the destruction of the roads and railway. MASSED GUNS IN THE CARSO BATTLE DECISIVE FACTOR ON ITALIAN SIDE. . London, July 26. Tli© "Daily Chronicle's" correspondent at Home writes that eye-witnesses .of the Carso battle on July 22, state that tho victory was due to the Italians' stupendous artillery superiority. Five hundred cannon were massed against the enemy, and fired continuously for several hours, spreading confu- • sion' and dismay. It is estimated that over 8000 Austrians fell. The Austrian prisoners were a pitiable spectacle, being thoroughly worn out. They declare that the defeat was due to the Austrian inability to seud sufficient reinforcements from Poland, also the non-arrival of heavy artillery, as the newest guns are needed on the Eastern front. . ' TWENTY 1 THOUSAND AUSTRIANS CAPTURED. , ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) (Rec. July 27, 7.35 p.m.)' Ti , i London, July 26. 'The "Echo de Paris" asserts that tho Italians , havo captured twenty thousand Austrians, while the 'Austrians havo captured less than a thousand Italians. _____ NEWS FROM THE SERBIANS PREPARING FOR A' BIG MOYE. , ■ (Rec. July 27, 10.30 p.m.), . . . ... , Rome, July 27. The Serbians, after experiencing privations, have reassembled an army of 230,000, ready and fully equipped, to await a notable Russian and Italian offensive, and Teattack tho Austrians. French aviators are guarding the frontier, while two British, two Russian, and two FroncSliatterics of artillery are stationed at Belgrade. 1 ' PEACE AGITATION AMONGST THE TURKS

MUTINY OF RESERVE BRITISH SUBMARINES AGAIN ACTIVE (By Telegraph'.—Press Assn.—Copjriglit.) Sofia, July 26. Turkish deserters state _ that there is ii strong demand for peace. Turkish officers and men all consider that thoro is no chance of success. Four German officers shot at a group of soldiers for leaving the firingline. A Turkish officer and his men immediately killed the Germans. \ " Colonel von Leipzig was killed under similar circumstances. The reserve ti'oops in the Chatalja lines, under General von Sanders, mutinied, and JJuvcr Pasha had to, intervene. ■ Finally, he sent the troops to the interior, reD'acins tliem by. Minor, coutiueeuta.