HOW THE BRITISH RECAPTURED TRENCHES

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2722, 17 March 1916, Page 5

HOW THE BRITISH RECAPTURED TRENCHES

{ BRITISH GRENADIERS SMOTHER THE DEFENDERS

WITH BOMBS

• , r ~ t. Paris, March 15. Ihe semi-official account of the British recapture of the trenches on the Ypres-C'omines Canal on the 2nd statos that tho British did not attach any importance to the loss, but refused to ignore it, and methodically prepared a counter-attack. They kept the captured lines under artillory firo for a fortnight, preventing their consolidation. Tho intonso bombardment all day on March 1 caused tho Germans to expect an immediate attack, but it was not delivered until 4.30 on the morning of tho 2nd. The moment tho Germans were relieving the trcncli, parties of Grenadiers suddenly dashed forward, smothering the defenders with bombs, and tho trenches were retaken in a few minutes. Fifty-one German batteries at midday opened a bombardment, and assaulting columns advanced at 4 o'clock. The British noticed that tho enemy (lung their bombs far beyond tho trendies, and rushed forward with' their hands up. Tho German artillery shelled its own infantry. Many were killed, the survivors flung themselves on tho grouhd ; crept into the British trendies, and surrendered. All were youths belonging to a regimout which had previously been distinguished for bravery. 1

The British losses were extremely light.

ADVANCED BRITISH POSITIONS BLOWN UP,

(Rec. March 16, 5.30 p.m.)

Amsterdam, March 15. A Berlin communique says:—We blew up the advanced British positions at Neuve .Chapelle.

A SMALL RAID SUCCESSFULLY CARRIED OUT,

(Rec. March 16, 10.50 p.m.)

London, March 16. Sir Douglas Haig reports:—We carried out a small raid south of Verlorenhoek with satisfactory results. There has been considerable aerial activity ana many" combats.