FRENCH ADVANCING IN CHAMPAGNE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2583, 4 October 1915, Page 5

FRENCH ADVANCING IN CHAMPAGNE

SEVERE FIGHTING .ON THE •BRITISH 'FRONT TRENCHES TAKEN AND RETAKEN . .CHEEKING. NEWS FROM. RUSSIA ENEMY'S, OFFENSIVE CHECKED FROM RIGA TO PINSK i THE BULGAR MENACE STATEMENT BY SIR EDWARD GREY • 1 ■ To-day's nows from the seat of war indicates appreciable progress by the. French in Champagne,' and very severe fighting on the British front, where particularly violent counter-attacks have been launched, and trenches taken and retaken. Tho German official communique from the Western theatre asserts that the latest fighting has not been to the advantage of' the Allies. On tho Eastern front, tli'o enemy's offen- • ( sive along the line from the Dvina to Finsk is stated to have been checked by the Russians. There is no news (at tho time of writing) from Gallipoli,'but the neighbouring States are simmering with excitement over ,tlie action of-Bulgaria in calling a general mobilisation, ! and Sir Edivard Grey rcgards-'recent events in that troubled region ■ as contributing to a grave situation. There is a brief progress report of the Italian campaign, where the.operations have been hampered by fog. ■ . COUNTER-ATTACKS COMPLETELY ■ V', v .'- REPULSED FURTHER PROGRESS IN REPORTED ALARM IN BERLIN The High' Commissioner reports:— ' (ifpL lir li, , '-,'7 ' Lon <?°ni October 1, 5.45.p.m. , Ine Allies completely repulsed two counter-attacks near Givenohy,. and also one in the Champagne region." , 1 .. . r, , . London, September 30, 3.45 a.m. _ ■ . A. Belgian communique states that, following upon a violent bombardment in the neighbourhood of Dixmud'e, the enemy gained a footing in our trenches but he was immediately driven back. ~ "General Sir John French reports: 'We counter-attacked last night, our objective being two German trenclies_ south-west of Fosse (Trench (No. B).' The enemy had recovered these in a counter-attack on September 26." Pans reports that artillery actions are fairly general. The heavy , artillery co-operated with the British Fleet in bombarding the German batteries ' at Westende. v. "In Lorraine a new strong enemy reconnaissance was repulsed and dispersed A squadron of 6o aeroplanes bombarded Vouziers station and the neighbouring aviation ground, and also the station at Challerange (in tho Argonne) Another bombardment cut in twain a train in motion near Laon' station.'! \:-'f ' '« w i '•«. x J. r .r, , London, October 2, 5.40 p.m. ? _. Notwithstanding a violent German bombardment the French have annreciably_progressed from trench totrenchon the heights of the La Folic wood. ."In Champagne the French have captured an important element in the enemy's positions forming a salient angle north of Mesnil "French squadrons, threw . on the railtfay stations and lines behind the enemy's front, notably at the junction of Guigncourt (beyond Laon), and Amifontaine (?). Our armoured aeroplanes inalo a niirht bomDarclmeut on the German lines. ' REPORTS FROM THE BRITISH FRONT . SEVERE FIGHTING TO MAINTAIN NEW GEOUND, i (Rec. October 3, 2.40 p.m)' ; tip (lnn . ' ' ■ London, October 2. Sir John French reports: "There were several German attacks on Wednesday, north-west of Hulluch (about three miles south of La Bassee), with severe fighting all day -long. We have maintained all portions of our front except on our extreme left, where the Germans gained 150 yards of trench. "We have firmly consolidated our position, and the hostile counter-attacks have now weakened. "The Germans .fired a mine on Wednesday afternoon near Hooge (3} mileq east of Ypres), gaining a footing on our front lino, southward of the Menin' Road. Counter-attacks on Thursday recovered all except a small portion of the.trench. _ _ _ . "The situation on the British front on Friday was unchanged.' "Our aircraft last week were active. There were seventeen air combats, and only one in which a British machine was worsted. We brought down a Taube inside .our lines. "On Thursday our airmen attacked and damaged the main Tailway lines at fifteen places, partially wrecked five, probably six, trains; and set on fire the locomotive, sheds at Valenciennes, causing considerable interference with tlie railway organisation of the enemy." LOST TRENCHES REGAINED. ' (Rec. October 4, 0.5 a.m.) t . London, October 3. Sir John French reports: "We delivered a counter-attack on Friday night, and secured our objective, which was the two German trenches southward of a fosse, which the enemy had recaptured on September 26. "There was no other incident on our fr6nt." FRENCH OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE By Telegraph—Preßß Association—Copyright ■ , , Paris, October 1. A communique states: "Wo progressed eastward and southward of Neuville, and northward of Massiges. "German counter-attacks in the Givenchy Wood and in the Champagne were completely repulsed." FURTHER SUCCESSES IN CHAMPAGNE, (Rec. October 3, 2.40 p.m.) , . Paris < October 2. A communique states: "A coup-de-mam between Auberive and Epine d'Eve de 1 range enabled us to capture more machino-guns and a number of prisoners _ There was a violent bombardment in the Argonne, north of Laliouvette' which was effectively stopped by our bomb-throwers. ' "The enemy shelled Verdun at long range; our artillery countered We cannonaded trains at Vignemlles and Les Hatton Cliatcl stations (nortli-east or St. Mihiel) causing two violent explosions. "Our dirigible on Thursday night bombarded a junction at and the stations at Attigney and Vouziers, and returned safely."- ° (Rec. October 4, 0.50 a.m.), Air.- i iiri ' i i«t| . . . Paris, Octobcr 3., ' Official.—"Our heavy artillery co-operated with the British Fleet in the bomoardmcnt of tlie German batteries at Westende. "The enemy in Artois directed a violent caimonatlo against the whole 0 r our front from Neiinlle St. \aast to tho woods north of Souehez. Wo renliecl energetically. 1 Wl ''An armed- aeroplane 111 Champagne hit a German captive balloon which burst; into names. "Sixty-five of our aeroplanes threu- over three hundred shells on the railway station at \ouziers, and, tho aviation ground and station at Cliallo .range. • 'Another aerial bombardment cut * movinc train in two near Laon,"'

GERMAN LOSSES REVEALED BY THEIR CASUALTY LISTS, (Rec. October 4, 0.50 a.m.) ' , _ Amsterdam, October 3. "'o severity of tho recent fighting is pro red by the Prussian casualty lists. 1 liosc nlimbered from No. 300 to No, 309 give 49,705 casualties; tho next ten give 53,396; the next ten. 58,445; and tho latest ten, 43,468, bringing the total since the beginning of the war up to 1,916,148. This is apart from 224 Bavarian, 199 Saxon, and 274 W.urtemburg lists, the naval lists, and the losses in Turkey. PERCEPTIBLE PROGRESS ON THE HEIGHTS OF LA FOLIE. \ (Rec. October 3, 2.40 p.m.) Paris, October 3. Despite a heavy German bombardment the French have made perceptible progress on the heights of the La Folie wood. GERMAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE ... _ Amsterdam, October 1. A German official communique states:--. 4 "Monitors unsuccessfully bombarded Lomb'aertzyde and Middelkerke. 'The British troops did not attempt to attack again on Thursday. Our counter-attacks north of Loos, though severely opposed, progressed. "French attempts to advanco east of Souchez and north of Neuville failed. "A strong enemy attack eastward of Anberive failed. All the French attacks undertaken by detachments of seven different divisions were unsuccessful. "Our captures in the Champagne total 7000. . "Successful mining operations damaged the French positions at Vauquois (in' tho Argoiine). "French airmen bombed Seninlieterard, killing eight French civilians. ,We suffered no losses." (Rec. October 4, 0.5 a.m.) , „ Amsterdam, October 2. A Oerma 11 communique states"The British on Friday night tried to recapture the ground wo had taken, hut failed, with heavy losses. "The French attacks south-west of Angres, eastward of Souclicz, and northward of Neuville-St. Vaasfc were repulsed. "Our toll of prisoners has increased to 106 officers, 3642 men and twenty-six machine-guns. ' _ "The French attacking eastward of Auberive penetrated the line at one single point. Wo counter-at'tacked and took prisoner seventy men while the remainder fell. "We brought down an aeroplane, and another fell, 'a mass of flames into Soissons."- ■ ' THE BOMBARDMENT OF THE COAST . RESULTS OF OUR SHELL-FIRE CAREFULLY CONCEALED. _ ~' ■ , ' ' , Amsterdam, October 1. >\ ounaed troops from Ostend and Blankeiib&rghe have been removed to Germany, and wounded from Zeebragge have arrived at Binges. ' The results of the Allies' bombardment are being carefully concealed. Zeebrugge is isolated, and soldiers in the neighbourhood are not aware of developments. , — ■ , 4 PRESS AND PUBLIC OPINION ON THE SITUATION —— . I "THIS IS ONLY THE OVERTURE."' ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) ' London, October 1. Colonel Repmgton ("The Times" military correspondent) says: "There is every reason to hope that the Allies' advance in the West will be continued ill 'due time with tho same admirable forethought and resolution which distinguished the preliminary operations.' •, "Sir John French's attack at Lens and La Bassoa is satisfactory, but wo must remember that the fortified agglomerations of La Bassee in the north and Lens in the south, now flanking our new line, aro not to be ignored. On the northern flank of tho new line Haisnes (a milo and d half south of La Bassee) is still in German occupation. On the right flank by capturing Hilt 70 and the western outskirts of Hulhich we are across the Lens-La Bassee road, but remain a little in the air because the French are not yet masters of the GivenchyVimy'Plateau. With formidable defences still ahead wo must bring into action all the means at our command. It is certain our leaders are not wasting an hour. ° "The attack on the third line requires special care, because the German general reserves are now up. A severe struggle may be'expected. We will be able to help the Allies on the right when the latter have turned the Germans off the Vimy Plateau, and wo will be able to advance shoulder to shoulder with the French. "If the Germans think we have shot our bolt they will soon bo undeceived It is only the overture. There are many signs that the Germans dread what is coming. Their local reserves have been used up. Wo succeeded in our first efforts beyond expectation. "The German Headquarters is displaying weakness by its failure to hold ground on which they expected an attack, also by foolishly concealing tho truth from the German people. We must expect the offensive to bo attended by heavy, loss." ' PARIS PRESS MORE CONFIDENT. : (Rec. October 2, 5.5 p.m.) ,■ London, October 2. '• The Paris Press is more confident in tone. "The Allies will' pierco the Western front," they, say, "but t'lio main difficulty is the acres of stout barbedwire—frequently electrified. The French are now firing cutters from their rifles ■ with good effect." ANXIETY AND UNEASINESS IN GERMANY. ' ~. " . , , . . Amsterdam, October 1. There are indications of anxiety and uneasiness in Germany. The "Frankfurter Zeitung" says: "It was impossible to resist the bombardment, for three days and nights, and the attack on our brave troops." A writer in the "Berlingske Tindendo" says: "A definite result on the West front might decide the whole war." ' ("Times" and Sydney "Sim" Services!) (Rec. October 2, 5:5 p.m.) . -Fi. r. '■ ■-nr.L-L- •, London, October 2. The German papers insist that it is useless to minimise the importance of tho struggle, but the nation is entitled to look with confidence to the future, despite the enemy's well-organised'and well-prepared efforts. ' Swiss newspapers announce that Berlin is alarmed at the defeats, and the General Staff lias invited the populace to remain calm. EXTREME NERVOUS TENSION IN'ENEMY'S'RANKS. m , I, ~ , London,-October 2. The "Daily Telegraph's" correspondent at Rotterdam says that a thrill of ~]oy swept over Belgium at the news of tho Allies' succcss, and the unhappy inhabitants have never been so hopeful 'and optimistic. The British bombardment of tho Coast caused uneasiness and anxiety to the Germans behind the lines; even the frontier guards did not hide their depression, realising that the official statements are lies when they see the brain loads of wounded German marines returning. The reports from the German headquarters of the immense captures of "Anglo-French troops havo' failed to stop the rot which has set in., and something approaching demoralisation prevails amongst the' German troops. There is extreme nervous tension throughout Belgium, indicating that the Germans realise the imminence of a crisis. Every man who can be spared, including the garrisons, 'has been hastily sent forward to tho firing-line.' : NEW FRENCH GUN-PLANE FOR BOMBARDMENTS (Rcc. October 4, 0.50 a.m.) _ „ i V ... . - i.' ■ "Paris,'. October's. The French aeroplanes which are bombarding the German lines are called "gunplanes." They are really biplanes with a small Hotchkiss gun upon - the upper plane. The first experiments were held in January last, when Captains" Reny and Faure.were killed in Paris. The gunplanes have since been improved, aiid'are now able to bombard'towns from, the air, many being used at the front. FRANCE'S MYSTERIOUS 'NEW "WEAPON. (Rec. October 3, 3.30 p.m.) M. Oh'ayet the French Consul-General for Australia, speaking a°t°a banquet m Sydney, stated thai ho haa learned in a private letter that the French were m possession of a very powerful new weapon, and ho did not doubt that this was correct. Tho recent advance must have been in connection with the use of this weapon, and he hoped that it would help to shorten the war

CHECK TO RIGA-PINSK OFFENSIVE. (Rcc. October 3, 2.40 p.m.) -vri-. .. Petrograd, October 2. lias bccu afrestcd CS C °" at t,le cnera £' s offensive from Riga to Pinpk RUSSIANS PIERCE DEFENCES. ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) (Rec. October 2, 5.5 p.m.) rp: . London. October 2. Wr> npnnr 1 a ! 1 f ! eW A P!> l' 6 '' ® erl '" er Tngeblatt" announces that tlie Russians the Iltva A-ustrmn trenches between the sources of the Goryn and GERMAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. A German official communique states: "General von another position west of Dvinsk. Umdenburg stormed •*i ,® llSS ' a . n attacks on the front between Smorgon and Viscbne'f collared with heavy losses. e captured on Thursday 1360 Russians Kepeated partial attacks on Prince Leopold were all repulsed beneral von Lmsmgou's attacks are proceeding. n- ' ca P, t l lres 011 tlle I K ''l s n fc September totalled 421 officers and 90,464 men, 37 guns, and 298 machine-guns." (Rec. October 4, 0.50 a.m.) "Field-Marshal von Hindenburg has taken prisoner eleven near Smorgen, and General von Lmsmgen thirteen hundred on the Kormin We took prisoner a further 1100 at other points * S&tgSSSSSS.* b "" 1 "™" E " " « AUSTRIAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE.(Rec. October 3, 3 pum.) . Amsterdam, Octobcr 2. An Ausfimn conimunique states:—-"During two days' fi"htin"- in the region of Kormin we took prisoners 2400 Russians. ° GRAVE SITUATION IN THE BALKANS BULGARIA AND OUR ENEMIES PORTENTOUS STATEMENT BY SIR EDWARD GREY The High Commissioner reports: «o- tu ir. it ~ London, October 1, 6.20 p.m. _ isir Mward lirey states that information has been received that German and Austrian officers are arriving in Bulgaria with a view to directing the Bulgarian army. Their action is similar to that of last year, when they forced Turkey to make an unprovoked attack on Russia. , "Since tho Allies are bound to support the States who are threatened bv such proceedings, the news is regarded as of the utmost gravity." BULGAR AND GREEK LINES WITHIN RIFLE SHOT. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright m, , , . , Mr,-,.' Athens, October 1. The neutral zone between the Bulgarian and Greek armies in Macedonia 'does not extend beyond rifle-shot distance. GERMANOPHILES GAINING GROUND. • (Rec. October 3, 3.15 p.m.) The latest news from Sofia shows that German,'influence is 6 gaining* ground though the chief agrarian leaders oppose the Germanophiles, and may be able to persuade the people to oppose a' war against Serbia. , PRESS COMMENT ON THE SITUATION TEMPTING GERMAN BRIBE TO THE BULGAR, (Rec. October 3, 3.15 p.m.) Paris, October 2. The "Temps" states that the Entente Ministers at Sofia have notified theßulgarian Government that the Entente Powers will assist Serbia if Bulgaria attacks her. The "Petit Journal" says that Germany, has offered Bulgaria Macedonia, old Serbia, and Albania, with an outlet to the Adriatic. Rome, October 2. The Italian journal "Comere Delia Sera" states that M. B-adoslavoff (Bulgarian Premier) favoured partial mobilisation, but the Bulgarian Minister for War and the Chief of Staff insisted on a general mobilisation. All the old Generals, including General Savoff (who attained distinctionin the Balkan wars), have been placed on the retired list. RUMANIA'S ENTRY INTO THE WAR NO DECLARATION ON THE SITUATION AT PRESENT. < (Rec. October 3, 3.30 p.m.) Bucharest, October 2. The Rumanian Premier, M. Bratiano, replying to. a Parliamentary delegation, urging 'mobilisation, disagreed with the opinion that tho hour had struck for Rumania's entry, into tho war. It would be unwise, he said, to make any declaration on the situation at present. _ It is reported that the banks at Varna, fearing bombardment, are transferring their offices to Sofia, . HOSTILE AIRMEN HOVER OVER; SERBIA. ' (Rec. October 4, 0.50 a.m.) ' Nlsh (Serbia), October 3. Offioial—"Seven of the enemy aeroplanes on September 29 dropped sixty bombs on Pojarevatz, killing a civilian,' and two soldiers. "Sis aeroplanes on September 30 bombed Kragujevacs. We brought down one. The aviators were burned to death."