THE ALLIE’S CAMPAIGN.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 3992, 27 July 1915, Page 5

THE ALLIE’S CAMPAIGN.

SECRET OF GERMAN MOBILITY. LIGHT RAILWAYS BEHIND THE LINES. NEW ATTEMPT ON CALAIS EXPECTED, FRENCH MAKE GOOD PROGRESS LONDON, July 25. “The Times’ ” correspondent in Northern Franco states that the Gormans have completed a. system of strategic light railways behind their lines, built of steel sleepers laid at the rate of ten miles a day. Nothing heavier than a five-ton truck is used and the engine weighs eighteen tons. The lino accounts for tlie wonderful mobility of the enemy and the vast reinforcements brought irp. It is believed a great effort to reach Calais is impending. A French communique states: In the Vosges at Band de Sapt we captured very powerful defensive works, extending between Fontenelle height and the village of Launois. Wo also occupied a group of houses, forming the southern part of the village and captured seven hundred unwounded prisoners belonging to four different battalions and a maehinegun company. BATTLE OF GRATERS. BRITISH MINES WREAK FEARFUL HAVOC. STORI ES FROM HOOGE. (Received Julv 26, 10.50 p.m.) LONDON, July 26. Sir John French reports: t>n July 21. we repulsed a bomb

attack on a crater caused by the explosion of our mine west of Hoogo. Our heavy artillery silenced a trench mortar assisting the attack. On the 23rd we exploded a mine under a salient in the German lines south-west of Zillebeke. We destroyed the enemy’s trenches. Shortly afterwards, the enemy exploded a mine a little further south, doing little damage. We occupied the crater''formed by the German explosion. and linked itup with our trenches. On Saturday we repulsed another heavy bomb attack round the crater at Hooge. The explosion of the British mine near Hooge is of considerable local importance. A position which lay across the Alenin road east of A’pres, forming the apex of a dangerous salient, had been converted by the Germans into a strong redoubt crammed with machine-guns, making a .direct infantry attack impossible. Sappers mined under cover of a bombardment from platoons behind the trenches. The mine was exploded at 7 o’clock in the evening and presented a frightful spectacle. Among the debris five spreadeagled bodies were shot up into the air. Prisoners later declared that a whole company of 200 men were accounted for. We easily occupied the crater, the survivors being stunned and did not resist. They were taken prisoner. Bombers extended our gain until evening and held on uutiL 8 o clock, despite a heavy bombardment. A desperate counter-attack on Thursday completely failed. A French communique states: — A number of the enemy were taken prisoner at Bandespt, including eleven officers. 'The bulk of the captives were unwounded.

THE ENEMY PRESS. ACTIVITIES IN CANADA CURBED (Times and Sydney Sun Services.) (Received Julv 2(3, 7.35 p.m.) LONDON, July 26. With a view to curbing the activity of Austro-German papers in Western. Canada, a vigorous censorship is being enforced. Offenders are liable to a penalty of L'IOOO. THE GERMAN SOCIALISTS. a stormy meeting. (Times and Sydney Sun Services.) ■ (Received .Julv 26. 7.25 p.m.) LONDON, July 2(3. The Hanover Socialists during a three davs’ stormy meeting, discussed the threatened split in the parte and criticised members of the Reichstag who voted for the war loan, and finally passed a. resolution by a small majority that the loan, was a necessity in the interests of the people, of whom the Socialists form the greatest part. SOLDIERS’ GOLD AN ARMY ORDER. (Times and Svdnev Sun Services.) (Received julv 26, 7.35 p.m.) LONDON, July 26. An Armv Order reprobates the practice of officers and men on active service- taking gold to France. GALLANT _ NEW ZEALANDERS. RK WA EDS FOR DISTING FISHED SERVICES. (Press Association Toloan a AUCKLAND, July 26. A letter has been received by Mr G. F. Henrv, of Auckland, from the Minister for'Defence advising him of the receipt of a cablegram from Sir Alex. Goclley, stating that the King has conferred tho Distinguished Conduct Modal upon Private W. J. Hen-

" Private Henry is the elder son of Mr G. F. Henry, and is a member of the Field Ambulance. He was horn in Timaru and educated in Christchurch, where he learned the printing trade. Private Henry came to Auckland about eight years ago and it was here lie qualified in ambulance duties.Recently Private Henry returned to Wellington, where he was employed as a jobbing compositor in the Government Printing Office. Ho joined the Main Expeditionary Force in Wellington. Private Henry is 28 years old. In a letter recently received by the Minister for Defence General Godloy stated that lie had recommended two members of the New Zealand Engineers for “most conspicuous gallantry” iu blowing up a Turkish blockhouse. Tho names of these two men— Lance-Corporal F. J. H. Fear and Sapper E. A. Hodges—were included in the list cabled from London on July 4, but no particulars were then given regarding tho circumstances in which they gained the distinction. Lance-Corporal Fear is a son of Mr F. J. W. Fear, Willis Street, Wellington. Sapper Hodges- is a son. of Mrs Elizabeth Hodges, care the High Commissioner’s Office, London, and joined the Now Zealand Contingent raised in England. Advice has been received through the same official channels by Mrs Tilsley, 191 Hobson Street, Auckland, that tho Distinguished Conduct Medal has been awarded to her son, Sergt. Robt. Tilslev. Auckland Infantry Battalion. Sergt. Tilsley, who is 22 years old, was working as an electrical engineer in Rotorua when he joined tiie Expeditionary Force. A casualty list issued on'July 1 reported that he had been wounded and sent to England.