In the West

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 22, 26 May 1915, Page 5

In the West

GERMAN RUSES. SHOOT DOWN THEIR COMRADES. USE OF ELECTRICITY AND INCENDIARY BULLETS.

Times anp Sydney Sun Skrvioe. (Received 8 a.m.) ) London, May 20. "E.e-Witness," referring to the surrenders of the Saxons, says:—-

At Com- de Laivouse the remains of the battalion decided to surrender en hloc, and they advanced towards our infantry,, who. not understanding the move, poured in a hail of bullets. Several hundred halted, threw down their lilies, held up their hands and waved the white flag, but our guns in the rear continued to lire. The infantry might have continued to fire in consequence of their previous experiences of treachery, but the matter was taken out of their hand by the Prussian infantry in the northward. Realising the intention of the Saxons, they opened fire on four flanks, enfilading the Saxons. The news was telephoned to the German artillery, who opened fire and quickly killed most of the Saxons. This was a source of regret to the British, because the Saxons were always [cleaner fighters, more chivalrous, and 'less brutal than the Prussians and JBavarians and the British showed their determination and declared they were going to get a bit of their own back, Iremembering the Lusitania. One satisfactory incident was the killing of the sixty Germans, who, clad in khaki, which had been stolen from the dead, advanced, shouting in excellent English, "Don't shoot! We are Grenadiers!" A British officer climbed out of the trenches, and the Germans fired, but- did not hit him, and the trenchmen promptly returned the fire and charged with the bayonet, and killed all the sixty.

"Eye-Witness" mentions a fortunate incident. At one point little resistance was offered in order to entice the British forward. It was discovered that a German officer, who had been killed by a shell splinter, was seated in a dug-out with the switchboard of a dynamo and the exploder connected with seven mines. They had electrified the entanglements. It is believed the Germans are using an incendiary bullet, as the clothing of two British wounded lying in the open was noticed to be burning, and the following day their charred bodies were found. OFFICIAL REPORTS. United Pbem Association. London, May 25. Sir John French reports that our c,uns on the 24th silenced three German batteries. , One was destroyed by direct hits and the ammunition was blown up. The Germans developed a night infantry attack east of Ypres, under cover of poisonous gas, and wo were forced to evacuate our trenches. Fighting continues, and we have already retaken some Wenches. Official: The British progressed north of La Bassee. The Germans, in very heavy forces, attempted to attack north of Neuville, but wore caught under our artillery, and the attack was stopped dead, the enemy sustaining heavy losses.

REMARKABLE BRAVERY.

London, May 24

Correspondents visiting Ypres eulogise the gallantry of the Territorials.

The 9th Argyle's held trenches despite nine hundred eight-inch shells failing in the trendies. The London Rifle brigade did wonders on the night of the 13th. Sergeant Belcher and six fen 'held a trench which was blown to pieces, and they repulsed a German attack by means of rapid rifle tire, and a heroic piece of bluff, which saved the Hank of the 4th Division.

Captain liaillston, of the 2nd Rifle Brigade, though wounded, similarly bluffed the Germans, who believed the trenches were held by a force, though he had only three men with him. A battalion of Suffolks and regulars came out of an action a do/sen strong. Durham and Northumberland Tenitorials, many of whom had never seen a shot fired i" battle faced the deviln of poison gases and uftertvurrts fought with great spirit. FROM THE SEA TO ARRAS. A SLEEPLESS NIGHT. CERMANS CONTINUE ATTACKS. (Iteeived 8.55 a.m.) London, May 25. A French Embassy communique states: The night was rather disturbed between the sea and Arras. The Germans, after a bombardment, attempted to attack between Longemarck and Ypres. Two attacks northward of Ablain were replused, and lour northward of Neuville were stopped short by our artillery. The enemy in these various attempts were completely checked and suffered severe I losses.

Renter's correspondent at the British Headquarters reports: The British guns on the Kestubert front, besides knocking out a German battery, drove numbers of the enemy out ol the house's and allowed them to proceed a short distance, when they were shrapnelled, suffering consider-

able losses. The British further progressed in the same vicinity, capturing a number of strongholds. The Herman infantry attacks on Festu- ' hcrt wore repulsed, the concentrated lire of the British guns ami machine--1 muis ami rifles inflicting severe casualties. Despite the enemy bombardling Ypres and all the surrounding country vvith asphyxiating shells and gas, and an attack on the trendies around the salient, the British have not lost ground.

ALLIES FRESH PROGRESS.

DESPERATE BAYONET FIGHTING. The High Commissioner reports from Loudon. 25th May (3.35 p.m.) : North of La Bassee the British attack- resulted in fresh progress. Supplementary reports emphasise the 'inportance of the Allies' success on Sunday north-east of Notre Dame l)e Lnrette. In desperate bayonet fighting they annihilated their opponents, capturing several mitrailleuses.