In the West

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIII, Issue 54, 2 November 1915, Page 5

In the West

SIR JOHN FRENCH’S REPORT. [United Press Association.* London, November 1. General Sir John French’s last despatch is dated October loth, and reviews operations since June. It deals principally with the British advance at Loos, hut says that, nevertheless, we were constantly engaged in other important enterprises. “As a sample of the difficulties, we took a gun from the canal embankment, rafted it over the canal under fire, and dragged it over three trendies to a position seventy yards away from the German line, enabling us to demolish a saphead. The enemy’s use of burning liquid caused temporary confusion at Hooge. but our losses were brilliantly regained.”

I Describing the attacks on September 26-27. Sir John French says that the enemy’s infantry fire was wild but that of the artillery was accurate. The Scottish Fifteenth Division of the new army delivered an admirable attack and in an hour had occupied Loos and the northern outskirts, while some, units even pushed a mile eastward of j Hill 70. The Division carried out the advance with the greatest vigor, and [although the enemy brought up reinforcements one brigade advanced to Hulluch, capturing a gun and several 'positions, and causing the surrender 'of five hundred Germans. I The assault of the Seventh Division ■ resulted in the occupation of the Western Quarries, Cite St. Elie and Haisnes. The enemy’s strong offensive near Hulluch drove in the advanced troops of the Twenty-first and Twenty-fourth divisions, which were preparing to attack. As a result of 'our advance, the line south of the j Canal is much extended by a salient . The French Tenth Army were heavily opposed. I considered that their advance did not afford protection to my right flank and represented this to ' General Joffre, who asked the French ’commander of the northern group to I render assistance. This was done, j By the end of September the French .troops had taken over the ground no occupied, extending from the French i left and including portion of Hill 70. also Loos. The Germans on October 8 counter-attacked, and at all points : (except two wem repulsed with tre- ■ imendous loss. The enemy left nine , thousand dead.

The big advance was due to the brilliancyl and dash of the First and Fourth Corps. The German positions extend for 6-300 yards and the works are -of great;strength, being a network of trenches and deep dug-outs. We captured three thousand of the enemy. Sir John French deeply regrets the heavy casualties, but in view of the great strength of the position and the stubborn defence of the enemy be does not think them excessive, and the proportion of slightly wounded was very large. He pays tribute to the work of the British artillery, and points out that the Germans hoped he would be unable to build up efficient artillery for a very large' Expansion of the army. Its efficiency exceeded our expectations, and the artillerymen behaved wonderfully. The observers were compelled, under lire, to use delicate instruments and make nice calcu-

lations. Owing to the repeated enemy use of poison gases we were compelled t° sort to similar methods. A detachment, organised for the purpose, took part for the first time in these opciations on the twenty-fifth of September. Although the enemy were prepared for these reprisals the gas attack had a marked success and a demoralising effect on some of the opposing units, of which there was ample evidence in the captured trenches. Oar gassers carried out their noik with conspicuous gallantry and coolness, and ■! am confident that they will more than hold their own should the enemy again resort to gas. Amsterdam, October 31. A German communique states: The Bavarians captured eleven hundred yards of French positions north-east of Xenville. The enemy attaeKel in superior numbers and captured the projecting portion of our trenches north of Le Mesniu. We stormed Tahure Hill at night; there was long fighting, and wo captured twelve hundred. Paris, November 1. A communique states: e recaptured the trenches at Xeuville. * The enemy launched lour heavy attacks at La Courtine and Tahure, hut they all broke down with heavy enemy losses.