In the West.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 89, 21 March 1916, Page 5

In the West.

OFFICIAL GERMAN REPORTS. * rnmT»T» Pr*m Amoomtio* 1 Amsterdam, March 19. I A German communique says ; North-east oi \ ennilles, aftei a i til - lery preparation, we recaptured the small British gains during the fighting of March 2. The majority of the British were buried in the flattened jtrenches, and we captured thirty s..ivivors. A British counter-attack failed. Heavy British artillery re-bombarded Lens and the right bank of the Meuse, and artillery activity temporarily increased with considerable violence. Hand-to-hand fighting developed in several places southward of Fort Donaumont and westward of Vans and still continues. We drove out the French from their positions at Chiaville, north-eastward of Bnvonvillers, and after destroying the French dugouts we returned to our positions. Our aeroplanes bombed the railway buildings on the Oler-mont-Verdun line, and the EspiualLurevesoul line. The air attack at Metz wounded three civilians, and we shot down four French aeroplanes Hi. an air battle while they were raiding Mulhausen and Habshedi. futntt civilians were killed. THE OFFICIAL REPORT. -»jr,i ■ • • ■ i !. ' tl The High Commissioner reports London, March 20 (4.20 p.m.) West of the Meuse, the enemy has directed a somewhat violent bombardment on the region south of Melancourt. East of the Meuse, after artillery fire, the Germans launched a small attack, which was completely checked. There has been intermittent bombardments in the region of \aux. In the Woevre. the night was cajlm, except for lively cannonade at Lcs Eparges.

REFUTATION OF GERMAN LIES. I» j>i : — ludicrous statements. ALLEGED,(INDIAN MUTINY DUE I b- TO ILL-TREATMENT. (Special from Zealand Official War Correspondent.) For some time past, amazing statements regarding f tha,- position in Egypt have been circulated by German wireless, apparently with the object of influencing Neutrals and Mahomedans. The allegations are so ludicrous that they carry their own refutation and create only amusement where the actual facts are known. Our report* stathat quite serious trouble is spreading amongst the Indian troops. Mirny have been sentenced to severe flofggi%S luUhbthers were executed for the slightest offence, the Australian troops ruthlessly shooting down their Indian servants. An Australian, Captain Brown, shot both his Indian servants, who had been guilty of clumsiness. Two Indians who had observed the event killed Captain Brov n with the bayonets. The whole Indian Regiment rose against its officers, the greater part of whom escaped by flight. Twelve were killed, including the commander and major. For two hours a sharp battle raged between an Australian regiment and the mutineers, of whom a large number fled into the desert, while others were killed and wounded.

Having been in Egypt for nearly three months, I am able to assert that the utmost tranquility prevails except iti regard to the German-engi-neered western Arab campaign, which practically ended with disastrous results to the latter, and the TurcoGerman expedition upon the Canal, which has proved a costly failure. Far from being discontented, thousands of Egyptians were engaged * ; n •supplying our army, and thousands of others daily were working cheerily ‘n conjunction with the English, Australian, and New Zealand troops upon defensive - works against the Turco-German menace. The loyalty of the Indian troops hex - e, as on Gallipoli, is amply proved by their actions in the field and their faithful watch during the wearisome period of inactivity on the Canal. SUCCESSFUL ITALIAN RAID. Rome, March 20. Details of the Italian air raid on the Las Bach area show that it damaged three railway stations, several public buildings, three barracks, and one brigade headquarters, together with a large number of horses. There were several fires, and many casualties among the enemy troops, including high officers.