The War News.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 29 April 1915, Page 3

The War News.

FRIDAY Important Capture—German Artillery Exposed — Unwavering British Tenacity — Turks Disorganised — Rout in Mesopotamia The Germans fought stubbornly to retain Hill 60, but had to give way before the irresistible dash of the British. On the following day they made a determined effort to recover the position, but the British held it with unwavering tenacity, and the Germans finally retired with loss. Violent counterafeks are stiU being made agSfist the hill. It is estimated that the Germans have lost between 3000 and 4000 men at this point since Saturday. The Turks who were defeated at Shaiba, in the Busra region of the Persian' Gulf, are in disorganised retreat by road arid river. Their losses in the recent action are estimated at 25000. It is officially reported that there is now no enemy within 50 miles of Busra. German aeroplanes dropped 100 bombs on Biel'ostock, a railway junction and fortified town 100 miles north-east of Warsaw. SATURDAY Allies in Turkey—Reported Landing — Italian Preparations — Stopping the Dutch General Sir lan Hamilton is commander of the Dardanelles expeditionary force. A report from Berlin states that an' Anglo force of 20,000 has been landed at Enos, a Turkish port on the iEgean Sea. The allied warships have bombarded the Turkish positions on Gallipoli Peninsula. The sailing of all Italian transAtlantic liners has been suspended, and the vessels have been taken over as auxiliary cruisers and transports. The French report continued i progress in Alsace, where their forces are advancing northwards and westwards of the German fortified town of Colmar, The British have repulsed further attacks in Flanders. All shipping between Britain :: and Holland has been suspended by order of the British authorities A German submarine shelled a trawler in the North Sea. During the week, • out of 1500 arrivals and departures, only one British merchant ship was sunk. MONDAY s Fighting for Ypres—Another German Trick — Canadians Save Situation — Rumours fiom the Dardanelles f fierce fighting is proceeding along the Flanders front, north of Ypres, where the "Germans have taken the offensive. By use of asphyxiating bombs, in defiance of the Hague Convention, the enemy forced the French troops to retire some distance. ' A brilliant feat of arms was performed by* the Canadian division in this region. Being , obliged to retire before a German attack, four of their heavy guns passed into the enemy's hands. By a brilliant counter-attack the Canadians retrieved the guns and captured many prisoners, their courage and determination saving the situation. The British have retained 'possession of Hill 60, after what is described as the most terrific bombardment ever experienced. ijwo Zeppelins were sighted off Northumberland coast. ' Four British aeroplanes were sent to reconnoitre, but the enemy returned seawards with- • out making an attack. TUESDAY Death-dealing Gas—German White Flag Treachery—Gallant Fight by Belgians The use made by the Germans north of Ypres of asphyxiating gases is described in to-day's cablegrams. Bottles of compressed gas were opened when the wind was favourable to carry the gasses towards the allied troops. The cloud of gas rose to a height of 16ft. It had fatal effects over an area three miles by one mile. Many of the French ivoops, unaware of the danger, died at their posts.

After the atmosphere had cleared, the Canadians cut off many Germans, who annoimced ithat they wished to surrender, but when near the French troops they opened fire, killing many.

THE WEEK'S SUMMARY.

At the crossing of the Yser, north of Dixmude, the Belgians fought gallantly against superior force of Germans until reinforcements arrived, when the Germans were driven back over the Yser. The Russians have occupied a new series of important heights in the i*egion of the Uszok Pass. Mr Ashmead Bartlett,, the representative of the London newspapers at the Dardanelles, reports that the navy is confident of being 'able to force the Narrows, but it is essential that a powerful landing-force_ should co-operate on the Gallipoli Peninsula, otherwise the warships would have to again clear away minefields in order to force their way out of the straits. I WEDNESDAY Fierce Battle Raging — German Effort in Flanders — Russia's Carpathian Success—Movement at Dardanelles The battle along the Flanders front is still raging fiercely. The Germans are reported to have brought 100,000 troops into the fighting line, and are also said to have the largest concentration of artillery yet used in the war. They are making repeated efforts to break the allies' front north of Ypres.. A despatch from Sir John French states that the British line was temporarily weakened by an extension necessitated by the French retirement. After a gallant resistance by Canadians against superior / numbers, the enemy captured Saint Julian, three miles north-east of Ypres. The British repulsed German attacks east of Ypres, despite the use of asphyxiating gas by the enemy. The landing of an allied army on the Gallipoli Peninsula has been officialty announced. The disembarkation was affected under cover of the guns of the fleet, and, in spite of serious opposition from the enemy, by nightfall, a large force had been established ashore. THURSDAY" Fight at Dardanelles — Troops on Both Sides — Allies Attack in Flanders—Thousands of Fresh Troops It is officially announced that allied troops have been landed on both the Asiatic and European sides of the Dardanelles. French troops has occupied Kum Kale, at the entrance to the straits on the Asiatic side. The second phase of the battle in Flanders has begun, the allies pressing a vigorous counterattack. The Germans were driven out of Lizerne by British artillery, and the western bank of the Yser Canal is now clear of the enemy. Reports from Amsterdam state that the German re-inforcements are exhausted, and the tide of fighting has turned in favour of the allies, who have thousands of [ fresh troops.