In the West

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 54, 6 March 1915, Page 5

In the West

FRENCH PROGRESS REPORT.

United Press Association. Paris, March 5

Official: After particularly effective shooting by nur artillery on the dunes, our infantry captured another trench.

Progress in the Champagne district continues. We repulsed counter-at-tacks north-east of Mesnil, and a hundred prisoners were captured. The prisoners confirm the gravity of tiie German losses in yesterday s fight. German attacks on Four de Paris and Vanguois was repulsed. TRENCH RECAPTURED. (Received 8.45 a .in.) Paris, March 5. A communique states: We recaptured the greater portion of our advanced trench near Notre Dame .De Lorette, taking 150 prisoners.

french efficiency in the ARCONNES. Times and Sydney Sun Service. London, March 5. The Press Bureau at Paris, de-crib-ing the fighting in tfm -A cgonnes for the last three weeks, says the I'iench have obtained an indisputable ascendancy over the enemy.

TOMMIES IN THE TRENCHES.

Londm, March 5

A Frenchman living near La Bassee writes: “We are beginning to understand the spirit of your Tommies. One day they lose several trenches. It doesn’t upset them, nr ns. We know they keep their pledged word to re-take them. I met a British company returning after four days m the * trenches. They didn’t look hke human beings. . There was no trace of uniform —they were merely walking blocks of mud, and they could hardly walk. Poor fellows, we can never over-estimate what are doing for ns. Despite the discernfo-ts they never complain, but are just as keen ason the first day they came.

NEW TRENCH-FIGHTING CONTRIVANCE. Paris March 5. The Army Medical (o' p- report shocking injuries fion. a German contrivance for spraying petrol in the t’-onches. The feacmes of the wounded are horribly disfigured, limbs swollen, and uniforms burnt off The Fiench suddenly lon a 1 jets of petrol tailing in the trenea *». The officers i rdered all pipes >c he put out, but this was fruitless, for the Germans threw hand grenades and* the trenches wore soon ablaze. The Germans, profiting by the confusion, flung lighted torches, and the French retreated to the second line.

GENERAL FRENCH’S BULLETIN.

(Received 11.35 a.m.) London, March 5

Sir John French’s bulletin states: The situation is unchanged. Minor enterprises are of daily occurrence. Usually our initiative is south of the Ypres canal.

THE CAPTURE OF THE DACIA.

(Received 11.35 a.m.)

Paris, March 5

Official: The maritime Prefect at Brest has pronounced the Dacia’s capture to be legal.

EFFECT OF THE BRICKFIELDS REVERSE ON THE ENEMY.

NO PRISONERS WANTED.

(Received 12.25 p.m.) Loudon, March 5

“Eye-witness” reports that prisoners state that the Germans at the Quinchy brickfields were so demoralised after the reverse on February 6th that they abandoned their arms. They were sent to the rear to wait new equipment.

A prisoner confirms the statement that the troops at Quinchy were ordered not to take English prisoners.

SIR JOHN FRENCH HONORED BY THE FRENCH.

ENGLISH GENERALS DECORATED

[United Prebb Association.] (Received 11.25 p.m.) Paris, March 5. General De La Croix, late Command. er-in-Chief, presented Field Marshall Sir John French with, the Medalle Militaire. Sir John French was the first Englishman to receive it. Generals Wilcocks, Allenhy, and Pnlteney received the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor.