THE BLOW IN THE WEST

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2579, 29 September 1915, Page 7

THE BLOW IN THE WEST

PROGRESS OF ALLIES' ' "'""OFFENSIVE GERMANS' SUFFER ENOMOUS' / LOSSES BIG STROKE IN CHAMPAGNE ENEMY'S TACTICS HAMPERED \ - ——-—• —*• RUSSIAN SUCCESSES The news from the Western front to-day indicates that the Allies' great offensive is still in progress, although the latest developments have not yet been revealed. From all quarters details of the great blow and various opinions on the military situation are flowing in. The Allies masked their real blow with a heavy curtain of fire at all points along the battle-front, .and the Germans were unable to decide exactly wliero to send their reserves to-support the' front which was to receive the blow. On the Eastern front, the Russians are recovering, Dvinsk is resisting stubbornly, a. fact which is imperilling the Gorman plan, while in the South the Russians are pressing steadily -westward. The Italians have effected a smart coup in their mountain warfare against the Austrian. i

- j - ■■ ■ '- I ALL n GAINS MAINTAINED IN- THE WEST FIERCE STRUGGLE IN t CHAMPAGNE DISTRICT ANOTHER MOVE BY THE HUNS REPORTED, ; The High Commissioner reports:— London, September 27, 5.5 p.m. "All our positions of Souchez aro being maintained. "In the Champagne district there is violent fighting'on the whole front; several new points have been occupied; notably Trou Bricot, north of Jacques farmstead." • London, Sept-ember 28, 12.50 a.m. ■ Paris reports':: "North of A'rras tlio situation lias not been modified, the enemy only reacting'feebly against'tho new positions we - now ocoupy. The prisoners in. this region exceed 1500. . ' "In Champagne the struggle is pursued without relaxation; Our troops now occupy air extended front boforo .t'he enemy's second defensive-position. "Oyer seventy guns have been captured, including 23 pieces which werfe taken by the British. "Four counter' attacks ill the Argonne were completely repulsed 'after 5 violent bombardment with projectiles of all'kinds, including asphyxiating bombs. The enemy reached a few points in the first line only,"

REPORTS FROM THE BRITISH FRONT FRESH PROGRESS EAST OP LOOS. ' By Telegraph—Press Assooiatlon-Oonyrislit c- n ; 'p 1 J. <,nr ■ Lonci(l l 1 i September 27. „. . . 0 French reports: We repulsed d number of counter-attacks, inflicting heavy enemy losses. . . * "Our offensive is progressing eastward of Loos. ■ " ou m,' capt " res in « lud ? 53 , officers and 2800 men, 18 guns, and 32 machine ffuns. ilio enemy abandoned considerable material,"-

TENACIOUS FIGHTING IN CHAMPAGNE INTENSE BOMBARDMENT BEWEEN THE MEUSE AND ; \ MOSELLE. .. . , „ w . . . ' Pafls, September 27. A communique states: tie have maintained our positions in the Artois district, and continued our advanco cast of Souehez. Tlio fin-htine is nrnrwriing with bombs and torpedoes at Aud.echy. " ■ ' r ■ ;<■ "The ciiemy bombarded our positions at Quenuevieres, and we replied vigorously. . ' "Tenacious fighting is going on along the entire Champagne front.' Wo occupied several positions behind our new front in which tlio enemy had remained. " .. . '' , . "There was. an intenso bombardment between tlio Meuse and the Moselle and. also in Lorraine. . • ' "A violent storm has brought tlio operations to a standstill in the" Vosges." ' 1 '

OF THE HARDEST FIGHTING —_ ' \ GERMANS IN TROUBLE WITH THEIR RESERVES, ' (Rec. September 28. 11.30 p.m.) .... _ Paris, September 28. The hardest fighting is near Auberive. The Germans in Champagne are peculiarly dependent on the cross-line railway between the Argonno and Bazancourt uniting .the Kethel and Vouziers lines, ajone t'liey are able to briug up large and rapid supplies pf reinforcements. The French at Auberive are within three miles of tlio line which latter also maintains the German connection with the hills northwards of Reims. Judging by tho number of prisoners, tlio German killed and wounded are estimated as equalling tho bulk of an army corps. It is difficult for.tlie Germans to bring up tho requisite reinforcements, fhich can scarcely bc> spared from other parts, inasmuch as tho whole of-the long line is being sorely tried. , This <Je|ienclence of ono region on another was illustrated on the same front last Maicli when the French attack on Mnsnii and Beausejour compelled the Germans to transfer troops from tho British front, thus contributing to tho Briti: h advance on Neuve Oliappelle.

SIDELIGHTS ON THE BIG OFFENSIVE TREMENDOUS HAUL OF PRISONERS. (Rec. September 2S, 11.50 p.m. ) , . . , ~ ~ „ , Paris, September 27. A stream of facts regarding tho fight is coming in. It is estimated that tliero aro 1,800,000 Germans in tho West, and 2,600,000 in Russia. Unwounded German prisoners now e xcced 23,000. Eloven train's of prisoners jiassed through Bourget Station, Paris, going to tho internment camps. Tlie. haul of prisoners is unparalleled sinco tho Battle of tho Marnc. A noteworthy feature of the operations wore tho aeroplane attacks, forty mile's iii roar of the German'front, which were interfering with the movements of tlie enemy's reserves and tho supply of ammunition, and ' also tho bombing of tho troop trains. The effect of tlieso attacks can be estimated from the results at Saarbruck, where our aeroplanes destroyed fclio greater part >of tho strategic railways. Tho aeroplanes also damaged tho' Junction' at Troves', by which hundreds of thousands of troops passed through" Luxembourg towards France. Tlie people of Treves were seized with a mad panic. A bishon was being consecrated in tho Cathedral, and tho congregation took refuge in the crypt until the luirricano of lire ended. ' rt is manifest that tho prime objective of the 'Allies' attacks on tho railway communications of Lens and La Bassec, are the sccondarv nucleus network' of railways only; the second is Lille, and the vjtal security of'that all-important centre. Hill 70 dominates Lena, and in addition a large l;r:>rt ol' connlrv to the enttU'iu'di rciiombluig Kurt Lancashire, winch is covered with an intricate #y#. -Wof «iaeiaA.,»ilivaxsi

SPLENDID DASH OF THE FRENCH

(Rec. September 29, 0.5 a.m.) Paris, September 28. The attack in the Champagne occurred during a raging rainstorm, which makes, tho dash of the French infantry that carried them up to the enemy's gun position before ho had time to move them, all tho more remarkable. Tho advance was so quick that more than ono German pivot point was left behind and had subsequently to be captured by a minor siege. In these fortified farms and sand-bag fortresses the cut-off Germans held out for some tinio.

A STORY FROM THE BATTLEFIELD HOW THE OFFENSIVE OPENED UP, (Rcc. September 29, 0.10 a.m.) . , _ London, September 28. An officer >vlio was wounded in- Flanders, interviewed, says:—"The struggle began iu real earnest on Friday. We lmd the usual dose of "heavy shells all day long, and early on Saturday the fight began under a hurricane of shrapnel, the infantry advancing in short, sharp rushes. "The German trenches were distant about four hundred >;ards. Our fellows went at it with a. rare spirit, and did some pretty business with 1 the bayonet. Mnny prisoners of the Huns who wero were ready with the cry of 'kameral' (surrender), aaid promptly; threw down their rifles.'

ABOMINABLE WEATHER CONDITIONS (Rec. September 28, 10.10 p.m.) v Paris, September 27. Tho "Petit Parisien" states that the battjes in Artois and Champagne were fought in aboniinablo weather conditions for attack. There'was a delugo of rain. 'V

GERMAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE London, September 27, 8.35 p.m. A German communique, via, Amsterdam states: "The enemy's warships continued to place isolated shots in tho environs of_Mi<jdlekirke. "The enemy did not renew his attacks south-west of Lille, where • our counter-attacks arrested a great offensive movement. "There were severe isolated attaoks north and south of Loos, but these collapsed with loss to the Britis'h. "Attacks on both sides of Arras were repulsed with heavy losses. We captured twenty-five officers, 2600 men, and fourteen, machine-guns. "The French offensive at Reims and in the Argonne has not progressed. Fighting was especially severe along the road between Sommepy and Suippes, and also north of Beausejour farm, where tho attacks failed with very heavy losses. We took prisoner forty officer* and 390 men. ' "We shot down threo aeroplanes, including a great French battle-aero-plane, in air. battles north-east of Ypres, southward of Lille. Two French aeroplanes were brought down in tho Champagne district."

I HUNS MEDITATING ONE MORE GREAT EFFORT London, September 27. The "Daily Telegraph's"'' Rotterdam correspondent states that the General Staff in Berlin has determined to make one more great effort in tho west. ALLIES' AIRMEN RAID BRUGES . Amsterdam, September 27. Tho 'Allies made an air raid on Bruges on Sunday. The village ofSluis (in the western part of Zeeland, Holland) was sunk in darkness. It is believed that tlio Bruges gasworks, from which Sluis is supplied, was severely damaged.

PRESS AND PUBLIC OPINION ON THE OPERATIONS ("Times" and Sydney '"Sun" Services.) (Rcc. September 28, 5.35 p.m.) 1 1 rni ~nv I. • 1 London, September 27. Jiie liDios, in a leader on the advance in tlio West, comments: "This splendid and ; sterling news will be-received by the nation with the deepest gratitude. Tho conclusion is irresistiblo that the enemy, who had large rcrces. m the field, was heavily beaten. If we can penotrato deep into the bcrman iront, we may havo tremendous events. "The nation should entertain no illusion. The victory should serve as a stimulus, not as a sedative. It renders national service not less, but more necessary. . ' Mail's" correspondent at Paris says: "The good news lias causeel the liveliest satisfaction. Among the strategic positions captured, ono of the most important is Hill 70, which dominates the road from Lens to La 1 assee. One military officer stated 'This is real business. It is exceptionally good for the Allies in diplomatic circles, as the consequences of such a signincant success will be very far-reaching, and provide food for reflection tar beyond the boundaries of France.' " The news of tho offensive was received on the eve of Sir Jolin French's birthday, and aroused enthusiasm iu Britain, though there was nothing appioachmg 'maflacking." • Tho Stock Exchange is more cheerful in tone, and the -War Loans have (•allied sharply. • A. military parade in Thrograorten Street occasioned a 'patriotic demonetration. ' . Colonel Maude is of opinion that with reasonable luck, the 'Allies should drive the 1 Germans to the Rhine in two months. Other critics deprecate undue optimism. At present these are only the opening moves of the gamo, which will continue for days and weeks, but there is general relief at the apparent end of the period of waiting which pessimists had construed as a paralysis of effort. .' The ."Pall Mall Gazette" is of opinion that the advance on the Menin Road will onsiire tho_ district north of.;La'Bassee; jt is also a holding attack, the real British objective being Lens, where there are at least two Army Corps. The French advance in Champagne implies the engagement of at least five Army Corps. "We are now within three miles of the railway in tho Souain region with its small rivers, and the Aisne, and-tho TimrFe on either' flank; hence we should bo able to hohl our line against expected strono counter-attacks." ' • ' _ The "Now York Times"" says that the Allies' drive wgs woll timed and will tend to postpone,the movement against the Allies in Gallipoli. ' The "New York World" says that the assaults are a.promise to render Russia vigorous assistance.

WHAT THEY THINK IN FRANCE (Rec. September 28, 10.15 p.m.) , ' Paris, September 27. The news of the resumption of the offensive aroused tlie most tense interest. The French communiques were shown in the kinema theatres in all the large towns last<niglit with portraits of General Joffre and other generals, while the audiences sang the "Marseillaise." But the word victory has not been used, remembering that the conditions of modern warfare make decisive results extremely difficult. It is generally recognised ihat'General Joffre has ceased nibbling, and it is clear that the battles of Neuve C-happelle, Beausejour, and Les Eparrtes have been eclipsed. Tho offensive .is considered opportune as the Germans are deeply committed to the invasion of Russia, where they are fighting on a seven hundred miles' front at tlie opening of a bad season. The Germans were expecting an attack and had been holding up boards in Flanders bearing the words: "We will be ready for you on tho SOth." But the Allies' attack_ did not come on. the 20th. Our gunners distributed their favours so impartially that it was impossible to say where' the thrust would come. It is untrue to suggest that the German Morale was destroyed. Their' guns were numerous, and too well concealed to be destroyed, though they suffered much through our bombardment. They were unable to guess at our real storm centre, and must havo been sending their reserves first to one centre and then another. It now seems certain that the mam thrust will bo in the. Champagne region, where there is open, undulating country, without watercourses. If a.wedge' of the Mackensen type is driven in, it may compel the Germans to retire upon the Sambro and tie Mouse.

GERMAN PRESS OPINION (Rec. September 28, 11.30 p.m.) Amsterdam, September 28. The newspapers in Berlin warn tlie public against exaggerating the German cheok. The "Koelnische Zeitung" says that the advances on Lille and Perthes are not surprising, in view of the terrible bombardment which levelled the German defences. . Tlie "Volts Zeitung" declares that the success was not proportionate to the losses the .enemy sustained.

RUSSIAN MENACE ON THE DVINSK FRONT.