In the West

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 302, 19 December 1914, Page 5

In the West

ORIGINAL MEWS-DISTRIBUTORS IN THE TRENCHES. Timer and Sydney Sun Sbeviohi. (Received 8 a.m.) London, December 18. T(ie Press Bureau, on the authority of an eye-witness, says that the news >f the destruction of the German cruisers in the Atlantic was communicated to the enemy’s trenches by means if a brickbat, round which a message vas wrapped, the best thrower hurling t towards the enemy. On the follow:ig day the sinking of the Nuremberg vas transmitted to the Germans by neans of a signboard. Both bulletins vere received with silence, ALLIES’ VIGOROUS OFFENSIVE. United Prebb Association. (Received 8.45 a.in.) Paris, December 18.

A communique states: As the result of vigorous olfeusive, we captured several trenches at Anchy, near La Bassee, and at Loos and St. Laurent the whole first line of trenches. At Blangy our artillery gained a distinct advantage. At Tracy le Val, Champagne, the enemy blew up our trench. North of Four de Paris three German battalions of infantry attempted to debouch but were repulsed.

FRENCH MORTALITY AMONG THE WOUNDED.

)VE R HALF RETURN TO THE FRONT.

(Received 12.30 p.m.) Paris, December 18,

Army medical statistics reveal the mortality rate of the French wounded as 3.40, and that it has been possible :,o return 54J per cent, to the front. GENERAL, Loudon, December 18. The Daily Chronicle’s Dunkirk cor-

espondent says the destroyers off

VVestende beat off several submarines, which .were attempting to attack the heavier British warships. The Allies are steadily pressing

their offensive, and have cleared the Germans from between Ypres and

Dixmude,

Details of the success in the outskirts of the wood at Wytschaete* show that the Germans in the forest trenches surrendered without a shot, due to the capture of the sentries’ rifles. The Maxim-fire began to decimate the German prisoners and the British alike. A shell fired a hayrick, light-

ng up the formation of the German irenches. A fresh British battalion vas working up to the flank of the

first. The latter charged. Many German fugitives surrendered, and the remainder were secured by the cavalry.

Paris, December 18. Official; The Allies gained ground northward of Ypres,'on the Herrin road, also southward of Bixschoote. We debouched to the* north-east of Arras, and reached the outskirts of Saint Laurent and Brangy. We hare made appreciable progress in the Ba_ paume and Peronne district.