ON THE WESTERN FRONT

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2660, 4 January 1916, Page 7

ON THE WESTERN FRONT

THE CHAMPAGNE BATTLE VERY HEAVY GERMAN LOSSES. Bv Telegraph—Press Association—Oopyrisht ("Times" and Sydney "Suii" Services.) (Rec. January 3, 5.6 p.m.) London, January 2. The "National Review" publishes a French General Staff officer's account of the battle in the Champagne, whieli states that the Germans, at the beginning of September, had seventy battalions on the. Champagne front. Anticipating an attack, they added twentynine battalions,, and after the battle were compelled to send ninety-three fresli battalions "We regard 150,000 as an underestimate of the German losses. "Germany used her resources and i men prodigally, and now these are extremely limited." A BRITISH ATTACK. ENEMY SAYS*IT FAILED. Amsterdam, January 2. A German ' communique states: "Strong English failed in their efforts to penetrate our position north-east of Armentieres." " ENEMY'S BARRACKS SHELLED. BY FRENCH HEAVY ARTILLERY. London, January 2, 6.30 p.m. The High Commissioner Teports "In the Champagne district ithe French artillery effectively bombarded the enemy's barracks last night north of the Bouconvjlle Wood and Malmaison." NANCY BOMBARDED. ENEMY GUN SILENCED. London, January 2. High Commissioner's report:— "Between, the Oise and the Avre the enemy's artillery was silenccd. A longrange gun shelled Nanov; the material damage was slight, and the gun was immediately silenced." THE DAWN OF NEW YEAR. BRITISH "STRAFED" THE GERMANS. (Reo. January 3, 10.35 p.m.) London, January 3. Mr. Philip Gibbs, war correspondent, reports: —Half a gale, with drenching rain, ushered in the New Year on the British front, but the howling wind was . outdone by the roar of the great British guns, which "strafed" tho Germans, and the air was swept by an incessant rush of shells, to which the enemy made a feeble reply. BOMBARDING IN BELGIUM. AMMUNITION DEPOTS BLOWN UP.! (Rec. January 3, 5.35 p.m.) Paris, January 3. A French communique says: "Our artillery heavily damaged the enemy's works in the region of the dunes' in Belgium, and blew up two ammunition depots. "Owing to a violent enemy bombardment in the Hartmannswoi'lerkopf region, our troops on a two hundred metro front fell. back to the western edge of the ravine southward of Rehfelsen." ENEMY SPRINCS A MINE. WITHOUT ANY ADVANTAGE. (Rec. January 3, 8.35 p.m.) London, January 3. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "Tho enemy sprung a mine on Sunday in front of our trcnchcs eastward of Guinchjy but did not attempt to occupy the crater. • •"On? nrvlllary bpQtltiirdittl Uib enemy twitches florttaid o£ ftomplkfi &&

eastward of Ypres. The Germans vigor-, ously but not seriously replied." EXCHANGE OF COURTESIES SIR D. HAIG AND GENERAL JO.FFRE. (Rec. January 3, 7.20 p.m.) London, January 2. Sir Douglas Haig sent the following message to General Joffre: "The past year has knit more closely the ties uniting our two nations. I pray and believe our united strength in 1916 will enable us to finally drive the enemy far beyond the borders' of your beloved country. All ranks send testimony of deep friendship and admiration for yourself and the armies of France." General Joffre replied: "I trust the mutual confidence and co-operation of all ranks will lead to still greater success. Our combined efforts should enable us to defeat our enemies completely. I wish to express the deep sympathy and affection we in comradeship all feel towards you and the British armies -under your command."