TERRIFIC BATTLE IN THE WEST

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2578, 28 September 1915, Page 5

TERRIFIC BATTLE IN THE WEST

ALLIES FURIOUSLY ATTACKING GERMAN LINE DRIVEN BACK HEAVY LOSSES ADMITTED RUSSIAN SUCCESS SHARP REVERSE TO THE ■" ENEMY ; - The fury of tie great offensive ivlricli was launched by the Allies " on the German line in the Western theatre at the' end of last week grows more intense. Further details now to hand show that a most terrifio bombardment was delivered along 1 the enemy's entire front from the tea 111 Belgium right along the line.. The onemy has been driven from bis .front .positions with heavy losses in men and material, and despite furious counter-attacks at certain'points, the ground '; , gained by .the Allies has been held. On the Eastern front, the situation in. a critical sector —the front at .Dvinsk—is quieter. .At other points tho Russians .have dealt sharp blows on the enemy's line, taking prisoners and war material.. There are now indications of major operations in'the n6vrs from the Dardanelles. A item is the reported resignation of two high Turkish dignitaries at Constantinople as a protest against the war., The situation in tjie Balkans has undergone no material change.. Bulgarian statesmen and diplo- : mate are. still busy explaining the situation to the outside world, and making profuse professions' of innocent intent.

THE GREAT THRUST IN THE WESTERN THEATRE FORWARD MOVE Iff THE BRITISH FIVE MILES OF TRENCHES CAPTORED By Telegraph—Press Association—Cojyriglii Sir John French reports: Yesterday we south of La Bassee Canal, penetrating 4000 yards. ~ ■ ; 1 :' We captured'6oo : };ards of trenches at " '

SIR JOHN FRENCH'S DISPATCH . : ; (Rec. September 27, 6.15 p.m.) Sir Jolin Trench's dispatch, dated Sunday morning states enem y south of tho Bassee Canal,, east of Grenay and Yermilles on Saturday morning, and captured five miles, penetrating hfs lines at soma places .for a depth of-four thousand yards. . u " es at, some T^,a' rt® caf>t?lred th ,° outskirts of HuUuch, and also the villace of Loos, the mining works round,it, and Hill 70: ymage or . ''' otlier attacks were made north of the La Bassee' Canal, which drew strong leserves■ of the enemy towards these points, where hard fWitine or .curred all day long;/with varying success. At nightfall the troops north of —uw occupied the positions of the morning. No delivered aiiotfier attack liear Hootje, oil either RirTa nf +lm \r_„■ ,road. In the attack north of the roa«J £ S' ridge, but the enemy retcolc it. In .the attack south of the "road we gained six hundred yards, and consolidated the ground we had won ■»»»«■. «• _Thfi report fii Friday s German official communique tliafc our ■SFXSSja?**"" u B °'" 1 w* s-a: is a little over a mile east of Souchez Carled is near Souchez. Newilfoft Vaast is two and a half miles south of Souchez, and about • tw« mil.. « + again is' Thelus, with the Labyrinth intervening Ut two mlles east

HIGH COMMISSIONER'S MESSAGE INCREASING CONFIDENCE • IN' THE OUTLOOK, Tho Higjh Commissioner reports:— •: „„ . . . ' . . . . London, Sept. 26, 430 n m There is increasing confidence m ultimate success. In Artois w e m*n tained: during the course of the night all the positions captured' ' comprising the Carleul Plateau and the Souchez Cemetery, and thole? trenches 9 f the enemy, which we still oooupy. Theso are tho last of the fort! fied positions of the-Neuville labyrinth. ■ ■■■-,• «)n-i- ---' In the Champagne district, obstinate fighting continues nvnr . front: The' French penetrated the German lines™ a 25 kilometrefLt depth varymg.from one to four kilometres. The troops are maintaining all the positions conquered. ' The number of prisoners actually counted excoeds twelvo thousand. ■ London, Sept. 27, 0.10 a m "Genoral French reports:—"There was severe fighting to-day oil' the ground won by us yesterday, the enemy making determined counter-attacks east and north-east of Loos. As the result of this fighting, except just north of Loose, we hold all the ground we gained yesterday, including the wliole cf Loos itself. ' ■ . "This ovening we retook the quarries north-west of Hulluch, which were won and lost yesterday. In this fighting the enemy's reserves were drawn in thus enabling the Frensh on the right to mako further progress. Tho number of prisoners collected after yesterday's fighting amounts to 2600. Nino' guns were taken and a considerable number of maohine-guns. • "Our aeroplanes to-day bombed and derailed a train near Loifres east of Douai, and another full of troops noar St. Amand. Valenciennes station was also bombed." .. Loncton, September 27, 2.5 a.m. Paris reports:—"Our attack north, of Arras has further progressed. \Yo have strongly occupied Souchez and advanced towards Givenchy, taking a thousand prisoner,?. ■ ' '"In the Champagne district our troops have continued to gain territory having cleared most of the front betweend Auberive and Ville-sur-tourbe. Wo have progressed towards the north, compelling the Germans to fall back to their second line of trenches, several kilometres in the rear. • "Tho enemy suffered most important losses from our fire, and in hand-to-hand fighting, abandoning considerable material, including 24 field guns. The prisoners taken total 10,000 unwounded, including 200 officers. "Along tho entire front the Ailied troops during two days captured more &an 20,000 unwounded prisoners." .

THE FRENCH ADVANCE IN CHAMPAGNE 12,000 GERMANS CAPTURED . FRONT PUSHED FORWARD FOR 2i MILES. ... 1 , Paris, September 26. A communique states: "We maintained throughout the night our captured positions at Carteul and the Souohez Cemetery, also the last of the German trenches eastward of the Labyrinth at Neuyille. "There has been obstinate lighting on the entire Champagne front. We penetrated the German lines 011 a front of lot miles fot a depth of 2} miles, and captured over 12,000 men. "Our artillory mado a suceeßaful durprise attack uualiist the enemy's .works ia the Lamiois reiyou,. iu itau de SaeW

FURTHER PROGRESS BY THE FRENCH OVER 20,000 PRISONERS TAKEN. (Kec. Soptember 27, 9.00 p.m.) . Paris, September -27. A communique states: "We occupied! by main i'orco the whole of tho village of iSouchez, and advanced eastward in tho direction of Givenchy. "Further south wo reached tho La Folio wood, and pushed north to.Thelus, taking prisoner one thousand of the enemy. "After crossing almost the whole of our front betweon Auberive and Ville-sur-tourbe, in tho Champagne —where a powerful network of trenches and forts had been established and' jjerfcctcd. by the enemy during many months— we advanced northward, compelling the Germans to fall hack tlireo or four kilometres (a kilometre, roughly, is 3-sth of a mile),. Fighting continues along tho wholo front. . _ "Wo have reached Epino do vilegrande, further east, and hold the Maison do Champagne farm. , "The enemy lias'suffered heavily from our. artillery fire, and m band-to-hand fighting. The material captured includes twenty-four £old guns, sixteen thousand unwounded prisoners, and two hundred officers. The prisonors along our wholo front in two days fighting exceed twenty thousand. Ville-sur-Tourbo is on the western fringo of tho Argonne Forest/, almost due east of Reims. Aubeuvo is 18 miles west of Ville-sur-Tourbo.

PICKED FRENCH TROOPS FIGHT LIKE DEMONS WELCOME RELIEF FROM TRENCH WARFARE.(Bee. September 27, 10.25 p.m.) Paris, September 27. After the spasm of firing the guns quietened and tho bayonet got to work in the German trenches for the first time for months. The French used picked troops; who fought like demons, and turned the Germans out in spite of Von Falbeck's furious resistance. The enemy threw Imndteds of suffocating shells and aerial torpedoes; _ ■ . The British attack against Prmce Buppreeht's forces is proceeding to the left of the Lens-La Basse© main road, and is directed towards North Lens. Ail Army' Service driver states that tho British artillery crumpled the enemy's front trenches, but when the British reached them the Germans advanced through their communication trenches, and there _ wore sanguinary hand-to-hand fights in tho new trenches. The bayonet did excellent work, and the British gained a .footing in many sections of the enemy's front. Prince Rupprecht's troops fought well. Many of the Bavarians were taken prisoner.

WHAT THE GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORTS SAY (Rec. September 27, 9.10 p.m.) . Amsterdam, September 27. The German official communique states: "The- Anglo-French_ offensive, which had been prepared for has progressed without bringing our assailants appreciably nearer. The British warships attempted, without, success, to. harrass us. "The enemy in the Ypres sector suffered heavy losses, and achieved no success. : "The enemy south-west of Lille succeeded in repulsing' one_ of our divisions near Loos, from their, advanced line. Naturally we sustained considerable losses in men and material of all kinds. Our counter-attacks are progressing favourably. "We voluntarily evacuated the ruins of Rouchez, and easily repulsed numerous other attacks, with heavy losses to the enemy. "A German division between Reims and the Argonne, north of Perthes, was obliged to evacuate its advanced positions (which were ruined by a seventy hours' uninterrupted bombardment), rotiring three kilometres (roughly about 2 miles). Otherwise all the enemy's attempts to break through failed." '. (Rec. September 28, 1 a.m.) Amsterdam, September 27. The battlei was especially stubborn north of Mourmelone and Egrand, close to the Western Argonne. Here we made the enemy suffer'his heaviest losses. . '!One of our' warplaives shot down an aeroplane west of Cambrai, and another , was brought' down south of Metz. One of our airmen repulsed an attack at, Freiburg-by three 1 French warplanes; two were shot down."-

GERMAN LOSSES FRIGHTFUL ' . Amsterdam, September 26. The "Telegraaf' describes the gunfire as. tremendous, and wrought fearful carnage, Soon all the available buildings at Haulers and Cortemarck were filled with the injured, while large numbers of dead are buried in the numerous villages behind the German lines. '. GERMANS ADMIT EEPULPES, WITH HEAVY LOSSES. (Rec. September 27, 6.15 p.m.) .. . , ■ New York, September 26. Advices from Berlin state that the Germans admit tho repulses north-east of Loos, and plso north of Perthes, witli heavy losses. -

GERMAN VERSIONS OF AIR FIGHTS. 1 CRec. September 27, 6.15 p.m.) Amsterdam, September 26. A German, communiaue. states:—"The Allies' airmen made a raid on Ghent and endeavoured to bomb .the Phoenix Ammunition Factory. They damaged some houses and destroyed a new school. The German airmen brought down two of the enemy's aeroplanes at Elzach; . The pilots were killed."

NEW YORK MESSAGE REPORTS 20,000 CAPTURES A Router message states:— The Allies have captured 20,000 unwounded Germans. . According to a French official communication, the FronohEtormod and captured Souchoz. • <. t . The Allies continue to make gains in the Champagne district. .

FRONTIER REPORTS OF THE BATTLE GREAT SUCCESS ACCORDED TO THE ALLIES TERRIFIC BOMBARDMENT BY LAND AND SEA, . (Rec. September 27, 6.15 p.m.) , Rotterdam, September 26. Persistent reports from various points along the Belgo-Dut-cli frontier agree that the Anglo-French forces have achieved great successes, and are steadily pushing forward. The movements behind the enemy's lines point to something in the nature of a retreat. ' . ■ The German losses from the Allies' prolonged artillery fire are mounting enormously, ivhile the infantry, losses during the last twenty-four hours have been terrible. Every available man .in Belgium has been flung into the defence, and newly-arrived troops have been rushed into the firing line without a moment's rest. The,villages,and frontier posts ' aro being denuded of guards. .. Tremendous Fire from the ships. On Saturday the battle ranged over a wide area. All arms were engaged in simultaneous fighting on land, at sea, and in the air. Between one and ten o'clock in the, morning the British squadron bombarded various ports on the Belgian coast, including the enemy's trenches at the seaward end of their line above Nieuport. The French heavy batteries on shore were also sweeping the line. Tho British ships shelled the positions at Hoyst, Duinbergen (in the vicinity of Zeebrugge), and Knocke, as well as the coastal batteries and sand dunes from the Dutch 1 frontier to Westende. A misty rain hid the approach of tike ships,; and the first notice the enemy had 'jf their presence was the shells bursting ashore. In and duration .all previous 'bombardments were surpassed. Many shells fell inland. Between Zeebrugge and Lissewcghe (about miles inland), seven columns of black smoke wore to be seen towering in the air. The bombardment of Zeebrugge harbour was particularly severe, and foiled the submarines' attempt to steal out on the Allies. The airmen, und'er cover of the mist,' _ successfully bombed the German positions. The German aeroplanes wore driven back ta their own lines.

"THINGS ARE GOING WELL" HOW THE NEWS WAS RECEIVED BY THE PUBLIC. (Rec. September 27, 9.10 p.m.) London, September 27.. The "Daily Telegraph's" Paris correspondent was impressed by the calm with which the city received the news of the success. Large crowds, walking about the boulevards, read the communique. The general comment was: "Things are going well." (Reo. September 27, 9.55 p.m.) Sydney, September 27. The nows of the Allies' victory has revived the general feeling of optimism. _____ " BRITISH WAR COMMITTEE APPOINTED (Rec. September 28, 0.5 a.m.) New York, September 27. Reuter's London correspondent, in q, message, states that Mr. Asquit'h (the British Prime Minister), lias appointed a- special committee, charged with the oversight of tlio war. Its personnel includes himself, Lord Kitchener, Mr. Lloyd George, Mr. A. J. Balfour, Sir Edward Grey, Lord Lansdowne, Mr. Bonar Law. and Mr. Churchill. The committee will also absorb t'he functions of the Cabinet's Dardanelles Committee, which had previously been constituted. ' (Rec. September 2b, 1.15 a.m.) London, September Tt. The "Daily Chronicle" states that Mr. Asquith's' new committee will be entiMiPterl wltli flic oiuwvWai! mid.wtinw wtid.net «)' Uia wins U'iuWs; "fli« Committee Implies that tjia war will bo waned on our cart with mora vig. aw.u

IF THE BRITISH FACTORIES DO THEIR PART (Reo. Scptehibor 27, 9.10 p.m.) • . ' London, September 26.The Press Bureau states tliat tlio Newcastle workers were represented by. a deputation wliicli visited tho "Western front. They conversed with officers and men in the trenches, aaul learned of the necessity for. an adgquatd supply of ammunition, the fighters urging those at Home to drop thoir differences and ensuro the utmost output reasonable. ■Tlio officers emphatically expressed the opinion that the British man for man, was a superior fighter to the German. They deprecated the' constant tributes to German organisation. Tlio British accomplishments in orgaiiisation has been romarkable. A notable instance* was the convaloscent ■ camp, m which, sinco December, ten thousand had recovered and rc-euterod tlio trendies. The secret of this success was tho utilisation of the abilities of the patients. All trades were represented—plumbing, tailoring, cooking, renovating, dentistry, and all the work bad been dono bv the convalescents, ■ witli the result that the men, after a fortnight's rest and recreation, were rehabilitated. Tlio deputation was impressed with tilie goodwill between the officers and the men, and their cheerful confidence in the filial result. Whatever events had occurred ill the past, a splendid organisation existed to-day. ' Tlio fighters had a frightfully trying time at trench work, and only ask that we at Homo should be loyal to them and supply shells in ever-increasing quantities, without which success will be impossible. The deputation deplores the unwarranted reports of 'slackinc' in the British factories. "It is bad policy to spread such reports and so depress the bravo fighters who have 'already. more than enough to bear."-

THE WAR ON THE EASTERN THEATRE SITUATION AT DVINSK QUIETER SUCCESSFUL ATTACKS BY THE RUSSIANS By Telegraph.—Press Association-Copyright (Reo. September 27, 10.25 p.m.) . „ . ' Petrogradi September 27. A Uussian official communique states.: "The position on the Dvinsk front is quieter. Many attacks near Vileyka were repulsed. ' j'^c e \r? rr i b&yonet the. fortified village of Ostroff,. nortli-west-Tvard of Vileyka, and crushed tho enemy's desperato resistance netar Podlugie, eastward of Novo Grodek. and captured sis hundred Germans, machine-guns, two supply columns, artillery, ammunition,, and munitions. We captured the village of Podlugie, further south,-and drove back --the Geamans across the Strumane. ' • GERMAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. (Rec. September 28, 1 p.m.) ' „ Amsterdam, September 27. A (Jerman conununiquo states : —General von Hindenburg's troops broke through at several pomts'west of Wileschnew. . We attacked and drove the Russians over the Berosina, north-west of Sabresin (south-east of Vilna). Further south we reached the Niemen near Dieeleatitaschi, taking prisoners nine hundred of the enemy. AUSTRIAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. '■ (Reo. September 28, 1.15 a.m.) . , , . Amsterdam, September 27. An Austrian communique states:—"The enemy with great forces attempted to break our front near Novo Alesieff. The battle lasted for several days resulting in an all but complete Russian defeat. The enemy yesterday at tacked ten times, southward of Novo Alexieff, but were repulsed."- '

THE WAR IN THE BALKANS IMPORTANT RESIGNATIONS OP TURKISH DIGNITARIES •ojffl S By Telegraph—Freas Association—Oopyrljtlit _ . ' . . . Lontfion, Sept. 26, 4.30 p.m. , The High Commissioner reports• ■ V'-'i Constantinople reports the lesignations of the "Sheikh ul Islam'-'(Hazri Effendi) and the Prefect (Ismet Bey); as a protest against the continuation of the war against the Entente. Great importance is attached'to these resignations. .. . . DAILY SERVICE OF TRAINS BETWEEN TURKEY AND • ' BD.IGARIA. : .("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) (Rec. September 27, 5.5 p.m.) _ „ ' London, September 26. The "Times'; correspondent at Salonika 6tates that there'is uninterr'upt-' ed service of trains between Constantinople and Bulgaria. This is causing surprise,, in yiew of the_ admitted scarcity of coal in Turkey. By this line troops and supplies for Gallipoli can be carried as far as Uzunkupru, the rest of the journey being by road. , .. .

, ENEMY'S'COUNTRY A VOLCANO OF UNREST. .("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) . CRec. September 27, 5.5 p.m.) London, Septembor 26. A returned traveller states. that occasional cargoes of coil continue to reach Constantinople from the Black Sea. . '■ The Young Turks threaten that the guns of Constantinople will keep the disaffected population in awe. Throughout the' Empire things have come to such a pass through hunger, oppression, and outraged religious feelings,, that a general uprising would follow the slightest relaxation of the German grip on the country. . REAPPEARANCE OF THE GOEBEN OUTMANOEUVRED BY RUSSIAN TORPEDO BOATS. >: By Telegraph.—Press Association—Copyright m ' Petrograd, September 26. The Goeben appeared in the Black Sea, fifty miles from the Bosphorus, and cutoff the retreat of Russian torpedo craft, which were skilfully handled and escaped. The Goebe.i's fire wa.s inaccurate, \ THE ARMING OP BULGARIA , MORE OFFICIAL EXPLANATIONS. 1 ■ . . Athens, September 26. : The Bulgarian Minister has declared that Bulgaria's mobilisation does not indicate an attack on Greece or Servia, but is only a preventive n'easuro in' readiness for an AustrorGerroan advance on Yiddin (in north-west Bulgaria' on the right bank of the Danube, twenty miles from the Servian frontier).

'MOBILISATION: DOES NOT MEAN WAR. (Reo. September 27, 9.65 p.m.) ' Bucharest, September 27. The Bulgarian. Minister declares that the mobilisation, of the army must not be considered as a step towards war. "Diplomatic negotiations," he says "will continue. Mobilisation is a surer safeguard for our independence." The Minister denied the report that M. Radoslavoff (the Bulgarian Premier) had mads threatening declarations towards Serbia, Greece, and Rumania. He hoped that the existing moat friendly relations with Rumania would continue.

GERMAN INTRIGUE AND BULGAR AMBITION.("Times" and Sydny "Sun" Services.) (Rao. September 27, 5.5 p.m.) - London, September 26. The "Times" in a leader says that the German Press confirms the new as to the real object and schemes on account of which Berlin and-Vienna are wooing Bulgaria as an accomplice. "These schemes aro part'of a world policy which aims at Gentian domination from the North Sea to the Persian Gulf and to the frontiers of India. That is why Bulgaria is being assured that her great hour has come." Dr. Dillon writes: "King Ferdinand of Bulgaria and his Ministers have one ardent desire—to rise on the crest of victory's wave. That consummation would fill them with intense joy, and to that they would sacrifice the goodwill of the Allies and their affection for Russia."

THE GREEK PREMIER CONFERS WITH THE ALLIES' MINISTERS ■ , . Athens, September 28. M, Yeulasloe, after anuiUt'vlcw with King Constantiue, had a conference with tlss A«clo»Ffen«h wid &mm Munstora. -It ia believed that important JSBU6S wets F