ALLIES ATTACKING IN THE WEST

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2577, 27 September 1915, Page 5

ALLIES ATTACKING IN THE WEST

HEAVY FIGHTING-ALONG : WHOLE FRONT

ENEMY'S FIRST LINE POSITIONS ! ■ :; - TAKEN - PROGRESS CONTINUES ■ BKELIANT- RUSSIAN VICTORY AUSTRO-GERMANS BEATEN ■ ' BACK' : fiUNS AND ' PRISONERS. CAPTURED MOBILISATION OF ,THE GREEK ' ARMY '

• The West-em 'Allies have taken ibe offensive and broken into the German front over a total distance of thirty miles or more, and are still making headway. That'is the pitlx of the news to-day. The successful assaults now reported are on a, very pinch greater scale than anything the Allies in the Western theatre have attempted since they drove the marching wing of the German army back to the Aisne nearly a year. ago. Direct assaults by -British and French troops on sections 'of the area between Arras and La Bassee, and by the French in the Champagne district, west of the Argonne, have gained a footing in the enemy's lines, and coincidently therei have been- tremendous artillery conflicts on other sections of The front, including a fleet and land bombardment of the German positions' on the coast :of Belgium. News from the other main theatre to-day tells mainly of a series of local victories won by the Russians, the most important resulting in the recapture of the fprtress of Luzk and the capture of 6000 enemy prisoners. In t'he Baltic Provinces, south-west of Dvinsk, a great 'battle is in progress, of which the results are not yet disclosed, ' but further south the Russians are still fighting victoriously against the enemy forces , which .'pushed -too' eagerly forward 'front Vilua, in the hope of enveloping them. In. this area the Russians captured some of the enemy artillery and tuiaied it against its former owners. In the Balkans, Greece has ordered a general mobilisation—an answer to the Bulgarian mobilisation —and a state of extreme tension obtains. Compartive quite is reported at the Dardanelles.

.OFFENSIVE LAUNCHED ON THE WEST

BRITISH AND FRENCH ENEMY'S FIRST LINE POSITIONS TAKEN ON THE . ' AISNE . ' By Tclesrapli—Press Association-Copyright ■ • London, September 26, 3.45 a.ru. The High Commissioner reports:— ■ Paris reports:—"On-the. Belgian coast the Allies' batteries co-operated with the British Fleet, in the bombardment of the German positions in Westende and Middlckerke. ' > ' "British troops successfully attacked the enemy position west of Loos Hulluch, the French co-operating.' "The British launched an energetic north of Arras. A footing was obtained on several points of the enemy's lines. . "There were combat's with aerial torpedoes and sheUs between the Sommo and the 'Oise. . . , , , , * . • . , "At Champagne, following a violent bombardment of the enemy position, the French infantry .began an assault between Suippe and the Aisne. The first line' of positions were occupied along almost the whole front attacked.' The progress continues. • ; . . /1 ■ v .' "An Amsterdam message states that twenty-two warships participated ill the coast bombardment." GERMAN ACCOUNT OF THE FEANCO-BRITISH ATTACK, . • " • \ ■ (Rec. September 27, 0.30 a.m.) Amsterdam, September 26. A' German communique states:—Along the entire front from the sea to tlie'Vosges the enemy fire increased and was especiallly violent eastward of Ypres, between La Bassee Canal, Arras, and Champagne to the Argonne. After severe artillery preparation .lasting at somo points fifty hours wo expected an attack, which began by the British attacking between' the Yprcs-Koulers-Comines railways. Their attack on the northern wing was repulsed after hand-to-hand fighting in,front of and in.our positions. They further attacked north-east and south-east of Armentieres and northward of the La Bassee Canal. It is only now known that on the evening of the 23rd tile French penetrated, our battered trenches near Soucliez. We ejected them on Friday, again repulsing them near Soucliez and on both sides of Neuville. From' Prosnes and Champagne to Argonno the French attacked, but at most points were repulsed, partly by strong artillery and party by infantry machine-gun fire. Tlio retreating enemy columns suffered considerably from heavy artillery and machine-gun* fire. Hand-to-hand fighting continues at some points on the front.

TWO GERMAN 'ATTACKS IN LORRAINE REPULSED. Paris, September 24. A communique states The enemy attempted two attacks in Lorraine, one westward of Mauhoue, on the German border, west of Chateau Salines, and the other northward of Burcs, ten miles north-no'rth-east of Luneville. Both were accompanied' with a violent cannonade, supported by "Lachrymatory" (bringing tears to the eyes) shells. Theattacks.wero completely, repulsed. IMPORTANT MUNITIONS DEPOT BLOWN UP. (Kcc, September 26, 2.20 p.m.)' _ • . ' Paris, September 25. Our heavy, guns blew up an important munitions depot at Thelus, in Artois. ATTACK ON GERMAN COMMUNICATIONS. (Rec. September 26, & p.m.) London,, September 25. Sir John French reports:—During the past three days hostilo artillery was continually activo on our front, and we effectively replied to the bombardment. There lias been some mining activity with unimportant results. ' Our aircraft yesterday carried out' successfully] a raid oil German communications at Valenciennes, hitting a traiii arid cutting the lino in several places. SABLONS STATION AT METZ BOMBARDED. (Rec. September 26, 3.35 p.m.) Paris, September 26. A'Paria communique atates ;• —An ft if flotilla popped iui-ty tliu Sahlqas Ration of MetA ,

AIR CRAFT BOMB GERMAN BARRACKS. Berne, September 24. Tho Allies' bombs considerably damaged two barracks at Stuttgart, Wurtemberg, and manj' men wore killed or Wounded. PROTEST BY STUTTGART CITY COUNCILLORS. (Rec. September 26, 4 p.m.) Zurich, September 25. The Stuttgart Council has protested against tho raid on their undefended city. Councillors declared that the enoniy which attacked harmless citizens was fighting a lost cause. ALLEGED FAILURE OF A BRITISH ATTACK, Amsterdam; September 24. A German communique states' White and coloured British troops south' of La Basseo Cawtl attempted an attack, but broke down before our artillery. We shot down a British aeroplane, capturing the pilot. ZEEBRUGGE HEAVILY BOMBARDED. (Rcc. September 27, 0.5 a.m.) Amsterdam, September 26< Three British warships at daybreak heavily bombarded Zeebrugge. ANOTHER ACCOUNT OF THE ZEEBRUGGE BOMBARDMENT. (Rev. September 27, 0.15 a.m.) Amsterdam, September 26. The "Handelsblad's" Zeeland correspondent states that five largo and twenty-five smaller British vessels bombarded Zeebrugge. Only two big warships used what were apparently twenty-eight centimetre guns. The Germans tardily replied with lighter guns! A big column of smoke rose from Zeebrugge. The English apparently used light guns against submarines, as tho shots did n0 " Teroplane occasionally holered' near the-fleet, and a captive balloon ascended at Zeebrugge. ,Tlie fleet steamed'off at 10,30. OBJECTIVE OF THE ZEEBRUGGE BOMBARDMENT.(Rec. September 26, 3.35 p.m.) Amsterdam, September 26. The objective of the bombardment of Zeebrugge was the German submarines building in the inner harbour. The result is unknown. ' ' The fire of tho German batteries was feeble. GERMANS PREPARING FOR. A, LARGE NUMBER OF -WOUNDED (Rec. September 27, 0.45 a.m.) Amsterdam, September 26. The "TeleTaaf" states that the Germans are preparing ior the Teception of a Teat number of wounded from Belgium, especially from the south, and numerous buildings are being converted .into - hospitals.

BRILLIANT RUSSIAN VICTORY

DASHING BAYONET CHARGE ENEMY EXPELLED FROM SEVERAL PLACES By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Reo, September 26, 2.15 p.m.) Petrograd, September 25. A Russian communique states: "There has-been a desperate and uninterrupted battle near Novo. Alexandrovsk. . Our troops made a dashing bayonet charge and expelled the'enemy from Vileyka.' We captured eight guns 0 and seven machine-guns, and turned them on the enemy. "We defeated the Germans near Logiucime, and reoceupied the town. }\'a captured'a portion of the enemy's artillery after our cavalry tad sabred the gunners. .. .■. "We dislodged the enemy from several villages south of Pripet. Our operations in the Luzk region were practically successful. We stormed tlie enemy's positions north of the town, which we reoceupied, and captured in addition four thousand prisoners, machine-guns, and much, equipment. Our troops with great dash- seized tlio Krasho bridgehead and occupied the villages south-west of Luak, killing many Magyars with the bayonet, and 'taken prisoner a thousand. In fighting for an entry to the fords in the same locality we drove back the enemy still further ; south-west of the,Trembovla." BIG CAPTURE OF PRISONERS-AT LUZK, - London,i September 26, 3.15. The High Commissioner reports:— 1 A Petrograd supplementary report states that ill the Luzk region 6000 prisoners were taken. GENERAL MACKENSEN'S ADVANCE HELD UP. Amsterdam, September 24. A German communique states: "Wo stormed Russian positions north-east of Smelina, near Dvinsk, taldng prisoner a thousand. _ "Obstinate fighting is proceeding near Wijecka. A strong Russian attack at one point was temporarily successful, and wo lost several guns. "The enemy's resistance on Prince Leopold's entire front has been broken. We Have roached the Serwetsche of Kraschin._. "General Mackensen's aclvanca detachments were withdrawn behind the Or-ganski-Jasiolda Canal before a Russian attack."

AUSTRIAN COMMUNIQUE REPORTS SUCCESS. (Rec. September 26, 2.20 p.m.) , Amsterdam, September 25. !An Austrian communique states: "Hie Russians, supported by heavy artillery, attacked our positions at Novo Aleksiniec, on tlie Lower Ikwa, and advanced eleven lines deep. We repulsed them with heavy losses. We counterattacked and captured the Russian position. The enemy's further attempts to cross the Lower Ikwa failed."- ■ v CAPTURES BY AUSTRO- HUNGARIAN CAVALRY. • . (Rec. September 27, 0.5 a.m.) Amsterdam, September 26. 'All 'Austrian communique states: "The enemy began several attacks against the Volsyhian front, and reached tho trenches at some points, but all were repulsed with heavy looses, and we took prisoner 4000. "On tho Ikwa line, Austro-Hungarian cavalry, traversing the forest- and marshy district of the Lower Styr, captured some stubbornly-defended villages. "We successfully bombarded convoys in the Belgrade -district." AUSTRIAN FRONT PIERCED AND THOUSANDS CAPTURED. Paris, September 24. The military- correspondent of the "Echo de Paris," referring to. the fighting at. Voinitza, states that Generals IvanofF's and Brasilolf's armies on the Slcva and Styr pierced tho Austrian front and captured thousands of men. They also routed the Austrians and Germans eastward of Luzli. The enemy has abandoned Luzk and crossed the Styr. The Russians are pursuing him. A TALLY OF AUSTRIAN PRISONERS. (Rco. September 26, 3.3S p.m.) Petrograd, September 26. Between September 10 and 20, 35,000 'Austrian prisoners passed through' Kieff. ■ RUSSIANS OFFER STUBBORN RESISTANCE. (Rec. September 27, 0.30 a.m.) Amsterdam, September 26. 'A German communique states:—The Russians are stubbornly resisting Princo Leopold northward of Korelischi. , Wo.storlned' Nesniewitschi, north-eastward of Novogrodek, and repelled several strong counter-attacks.

GREAT BATTLES IN PROGRESS DESPERATE GERMAN ATACKS REPELLED. (Rcc. September 27, 0.45 a.m.) . , Peirograd, September 26. A Russian communique states There is ail intense cannonade in Che Riga region. The' Germans are using asphyxiating projectiles. Repeated desperato attacks on the Dviusk' front have been repulsed. Tho enemy at Novo Alexandrovsk gained our trenches, but was dislodged. Ho re-attacked in compact columns, and mot such an artillery and rille-firo at close range, that ho retreated in disorder. The attacks were twice renewed, and repulsed with enormous losses. ■ Our heavy losses are the result of tho desperate nature of tho fighting, and the best proof of the bravery of our troops is that during the enemy's disorderly retreat in the Loguichine district we took many prisoners. There was a hot light at two villages in the Dubno region, and prisoners thirty officers and sixteen hundred men under a liurricanc of artillery fire, which eventually forced us .to retire towards the River Ikwa. The m m were reiiuW In lite VKimty of the Mislan border, ■ wMjis sva look firiswwi'fl tees thousand,