In the West.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 94, 23 April 1915, Page 5

In the West.

i HILL NO. 60. "IT WAS A CLOSE RACE." EFFECT OF EXPLOSION OF BRITISH MINE. United Pru«s Association. London, April 22. | The importance of hill 60 is due to its forming a screen for Zandpoudrc, 'live kilometres eastward, where the German artillercy is posted. Zand- , poudre is the highest Is ill in the dis'trict and the key to the Flanders position, which is thus deprived of its main protection. Both sides had sapped, it was a close race, for half an hour later the enemy would have exjploded a mine under the British treniches. The attack was carefully concealed, and the enemy was surprised i when the hill was exploded on Saturday evening and the British massed I guns raked the shattered trenches. The jinfantry took the first line with small 'opposition, but the second was held in great strength. The enemy fought stubbornly, and were only overcome | by the irrestible dash and bravery ,of the British, who, with reinforcements, set about to repair the captured trenches for defence. The work continued throughout the night, under a terrible rain of the enemy's shrapnel.

i At dawn the Germans counter-at- , tat-ked, and the fight lasted all day. . The massed enemy swarmed across the , plain and were decimated by shrap- [ nel. Our machine-guns swept them , down, yet they re-formed repeatedly, t and more than once reached the Bri- ! tish trenches, where the bayonet, rifle, and machine guns had hot work. But we kept them out, and finally the enemy, broken, retired. The British losses were less heavy than at first feared. The Hill 00 mine made the biggest crater on record. The British displayed unwavering tenacity. The prisoners captured seemed wholly broken in spirit, of poor physique, and badly nourished. Paris, April 22. Official: Since the 17th the German losses near Hill 60 have been between three and four thousand. We captured another trench at Flirey, making a gain for the last few days of seven hundred metres. The enemy left three hundred dead. THE VALUE OF MOTOR MACHINE GUNS. (.Received 9.30 a.m.) London, April 22. "Eye-Witness" reports that motor machine-guns were invaluable for service at Hill 60 where they were rushed to the front during the counterattack. VIOLENT COUNTER-ATTACKS. London, April 22. The War Office reports that violent and continual counter-attacks against Hill 60 are proceeding. Two heavy infantry attacks were repulsed with great loss. 200,000 SHELLS WANTED DAILY FOR THE GREAT DRIVE. United Pbes* ■^orusios. Paiis, April 21. The British used six thousana kilogrammes of dynamite to blow up Mont St. Eloi. It is stated in military circles that .seventy million rifle cartridges are used up daily, and seven millions for the machine-guns. The Franco-British forces at the Marne fired 180,000 shells in one day. General Joll're notified the French Government in November that he would be unable to commence to drive out the Germans until he had a steady supply of 200,000 shells daily. This was promised for May 1. "EYE-WITMESS' ? STORIES. NO PRISONERS TAKEN! Times and Sydney Sun See vice. (deceived 8 a.m.) London, April 22. "Eye-Witness" says:—The Saxons' centre line stick up a national flag in the hope of luring our men over a mine, but they take it away at night. A better way was found by the British. They hoisted the Union Jack and shot down the enemy's flag with shots from a trench mortar. Prisoners state that the shortage ol regular oliicer.s had let to greut deterioration in the quality of the 'junior officers. The wholesale distribution of Iron Cross has caused the decoration to be despised. I'lie Kaiser and General Von Hindenburg are still popular heroes, but the Crown Prince lias lost caste. British prisoners described him as being very proud and obstinate. They state that they were harshly treated. The diary of a German officer, dated December 1!), says; "The fury, not to say bestiality, of our men in beating to death wounded English, affected me so much that for the rest ol' the day I was lit for nothing." Another letter, describing some of the English who were surrounded and surrendered alter the most gallant resistance, adds: "They got mercy! Our rifle-butts were turned round, i and we went for them and made the ; sparks fly. Prisoners were not | taken!" ' j