DEFINITE STAGE REACHED IN GREAT BATTLE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2584, 5 October 1915, Page 7

DEFINITE STAGE REACHED IN GREAT BATTLE

■■■ ;' By~ Telegraph—Fiesa Association—Copyright .• • . >'■. CReo. October' 4, 9.10 p.m.) , . - v , f London, October 4. The British Commander (Sir John French), in ; a speoial Order of the Day, > dated October 3, says"We have now reached a definite stage, in the. great battle. '- The Allies southward have pierced the enemy's last line of en-' trenchments, and effected large captures of prisoners. "The guns, of the Tenth French Army on our right were heavily'opposed,' but they were brilliantly' successful in securing the Vimy Itidge: ' The operations of the British were'most successful, and had great and important results.. The First', and Fourth Army Corps on the morning of, September 25 carried the enemy's first, and most powerful line of entrenchments, extending from our extreme right on the flank from Grenay to a-point north of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, a distanco of 6500 yards." ■ "Tho last position wa? exceptionally strong, consisting of a double'line, including large redoubts and a network of trenches and bomb-proof shelters. Some of the dug-outs wore large cases, thirty feet below the ground. "Tho 11th Army Corps, the-3rd Cavalry Division, and. the 20th Division were subsequently thrown into tlio figbiiy and after, tho yicissitudes attendant upon every great battle tho enemy's second-line posts were taken, and the commanding position, on Hill 70 was finally The British established and consolidated a strong line in close proximity, to the German third and last line. ' . "The main operations south of La Bassee were much facilitated by ■ t}io subsidiary, attacks by the 3rd and Indian .Army . Corps and the 2nd Army, while the operations of the oth Army Corps east of Ypres rendered great help; , "Wo .made important captures. The total British captures are over three thousand men, twenty-five guns, and many, machine-guns. The enemy sustained heavy losses, particularly in many :of his counter-attaoks, in his eUj dcavours'to wrest back-the captured positions, v. . . ■' "1 desire to express "my deepest' appreciation of the army's splendid work, and my heartfelt tlianks for the brilliant leadership of"Sir Douglas .Haig and the Generals under his orders. , In the main attack the troops displayed magnificent spirit, indoniitflblo courage, and dogged tenacity. The old army, ariiiy, and tho Territorials vied with each other in heroism. lam confident that the same glorious spirit will continue until, our efforts are crowned with a. final victory."

LITTLE FURTHER ADVANCE ON THE BRITISH FRONT

IMPORTANT . RESULTS PROPHESIED SHORTLY.

, ' London, October 3. Router's correspondent with the British Headquarters vividly portrays the conditions at tho front in a dispatch, dated September 30. He says:— "During the last two days but little, further advance lias been made on the BHti*sh' fa front. Fighting has been proceeding, in some places, heavily, ai oir , our new lines southof La Bassee, but none of the counter-attacks have succeeded The enemy lost heavily in killed and wounded. Our new positions arc being consolidated. . Tlie weather has been unfavourable. After a dull crey day heavy rain fell on Tuesday evening, with a chilly wind. The flat' Flanders countryside, especially the .-''Black Country,' is depressing to the last degree. Everything is covered with mud. - "Picture long files of marching men, with their waterproof-sheets right over their heads, steadily through tho slush, and chanting a chorus to keep up their spirits ; endless columns of huge motor lorries, staff cars dashiii" through the ruts at the roadside to pass tho traffic, and motor dis-patcli-riders—machine and man like a mass of mud. The only subject spoken, of among the men is how the advance is going._ "In one 1 town eight German field guns which had been captured at Loos were drawn up and guarded by soldiers with-fixed bayonets. French and English inspect them, and decipher tho German inscriptions on them. Tho barrels are engraved with the-imperial eagle and the name of the Emperor, and are chalked with figures showing the ranges at which the guns were last fired The sight of the guns is a proof of our success. With the British pouring through Loos, the Germans had not time to remove them from their concrete emplacements, and the guns were brought back to our' linos in triumph by British horses and gunners. "The soldiers from the front tell or tlie demoralisation of the enemy. The last fighting proved tho single-handed superiority of thjo British 'Tommy.' The sinhfc of tho''British from the trenches wearing German helmets caused great merriment. The rain lias now stopped, and the sun is shining. Import, ant results in tho West may bo forthcoming in a few days." ■

DASHING RECONNAISSANCES BY FRENCH AIRMEN.

("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.)

CRec. Octobcr 4, 5.5 p.m.)

' ■; ■ , .; • London, October 3. . The Paris'"Matin"-states that during the Champagne operations tho French airmen flew at a, height of four hundred yards behind the German line, regulating tho Freuch fire, and "subjected- to a .terrifln shelling. ■ Many, tie machines that saturned werojndciled, and thoir engines damnged,