In the West

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIII, Issue 44, 21 October 1915, Page 5

In the West

GERMANS ATTACK ON LARGE FRONT. COUNTER-ATTACKS DEFEAT 1 1,,. - !'i THEM. HEAVY ENEMY LOSSES. [TJnitkd 'Pbesb Association.] 1 I (Received ,8.45 a.m.) F Paris, October 20. A communique savjs; . enemy forces east of Rheims took the offensive on a ten kilometres front .between La Pompelle and Posnes, but were completely defeated. The attack was most carefully prepared by a prolonged artillery bombardment, accompanied by chlorine gas. The enemy at the outset penetrated some parts of our front line; but counter-attacks were immediately launched, and the enemy driven out at almost every point. A vigorous counter-offensive in the afternoon ejected the hist of the enemy who were thus thrown back completely, suffering heavy losses in a fruitless attack.

SIR JOHN FRENCH'S REPORT. HOW THE LINE RUNS. (Received 10.30 a.m.) London, October 20. From the Church the line bends south-east to the north-west slope of Hill 70, runs along the western slope, to twelve hundred yards south of Loos Church, whence it runs due west Back to our old line. The chord of the salient we created in the enemy's line is seven thousand yards in length. The depth of the salient at the Chalk Pit is thirty-two hundred yards. Since September 28, the enemy has been reinforced, and attacked our front with forty-eight battalions, including a division of Guards.

The enemy attacked this afternoon between the Quarries and Hulluch, hut were everywhere repulsed.

OFFICIAL REPORTS.

The High Commissoner reports: London, October 19 (11.40 p.m.) General French reports: Since October 14th the. artillery on both sides has been very active on our front south of La Bassee canal. Since September 28th the enemy lias been reinforced by forty-eight battalions. After a heavy bombardment the enemy attacked this afternoon between the Quarries arid. Hulluch but was everywhere repulsed. The High Commissioner reports: London, October 20" (1.35 a.m.) East of Rlieims an enemy attackon a ten kilometre front was completely checked i" spite of asphyxiating gas shells and- clouds of chlorine. In the course of counter-attacks the enemy sustained heavy losses. Elsewhere the bombardment was general.