THE WAR IN THE WEST

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2637, 7 December 1915, Page 5

THE WAR IN THE WEST

TWO RECENT BIG ATTACKS ASCENDANCY OP THE FRENCH MACHINE-GUNNERS HIGH COMMISSIONER'S REPORT. The High Commissioner reports:— London, December 6, 3.50 p.m. "Pans reports that the enemy's posts were destroyed north of Herbecourt, and also a- mitrailleuse shelter at Tilioyoy.'" By Telegraph—Press AsjociatUm-Courriiht Paris, December 5. A correspondent writing from Cliampagno states • that the appearance of large numbers of Germans from the Russian front, concentrating at St. Quentin, Laon, Mezieres, and elsewhere, led to the general belief that a renewal of the German offensive was impending, but apparently General von Einenis attack between La Pomelle and Fresnes persuaded the enemy that the French lines were too strong. General von Einem is holding a position of extraordinary strength in trenches out in the chalky rock, and is always threatening a sudden descent on the Champ de Chalons. -

In the last big light von Einem launched two divisions, the centre of (ittack bemg the La* Marquise farm upon the lteims-Suippes road. They were preceded by gas waves of exceptional volume, the vapour attacking the eyes even through the irasks. After the gas came flrftiiiiig liquid, but this also was ineffective. French sharpshooters picked off the sprayers. The machines often spriyed the oncoming Germans. The enemy charged at an ambling trot, in curious contrast to the elan of the French bayonet charges. The French machine guns soon-reduced the massed formation to disorderly groups, which were finally wiped out. The recent fighting proved that the superiority in machine guns has passed to the French, whose gunners have developed all the German expert science. GERM "FUNK" IN THE WEST UNEASY ABOUT OUR GROWING STRENGTH. (Rec. December 6, 11.50 p.m.) London, December 6. "The Times's" Lausanne correspondent states that the Germans sustained a tremendous fright during the British and French offensive in September last. The papers of their headquarters staff were packed in fleet motor-cars at Brussels for three days ready for instant flight, the staff believing that the offensive would succeed.- The German staff is still in a state of.acute alarm. They believe that their, strength will decli.ie in January, and therefore aro preparing for a desperate offonsive in the West, assisted by extra heavy, artillery which Krupps are working day and night to provide. If this failsj the Germans will invitf President Wilson and the Pope to initiate peace proposals.

A STICK-IN-THE-MUD WARFARE WINTER. CAMPAIGNING IN FLANDERS. (Rec. Decombor 6,' 8.15 p.m.)

London, December 6. . ?•, Gibbs, in a dispatch from British headquarters on the Western front, says: "It would be difficult to imagine more dreadful weather than that in whi - li our men have settled down for the winter campaign. They are often knee-deep in water, and swept by howling winds and gusts of rain. When tho wind drops a whitish fog creeps out of the ground, a horrible coverlet, laying moisture upon everything; the rifles are clammy to the touch, ■ and the eaiemy is invisiblo through the veil of vapour. The Germans are not likely to attack while the battlefield is a quagmire. A bayonet charge would be clogged after the first jump from the parapets, and, it would be a sheer impossibility to bring up artillery. Therefore, for some time it will be a stiok-in-the-mud warfare; but not restful, because shrapnel bullets are mixed with tho raindrops. "The Tommies aro grinning and bearing thoir discomforts in the same wonderful way. The" Germans aro living in oven more miserable conditions, which aro demoralising them, tho result being that increasing numbers are crawling into our lines and surrendering, ■ telling pitiful stories of their hideous miseries. "There has been much talk of 'elaborate dug-outs,' with electric fittings and pianos. These are few, and for officers only. Our constant shell-fire today resembles the daily frightfulness which we ourselves formerly suffered almost silently; having few whizz-bangs at our disposal. The position has now been partly reversed. Heavy guns and high explosives, are still arriving, but wo must not be led to entertain a false optimism. The Germans are busy building copula forts, in commanding positions, to sweep the country ahead, enabling them to keep fewer meh' in the .trenches." •