In the West.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 51, 3 June 1916, Page 5

In the West.

war on the British fro^t

[f-NiT«P Ph»»» \*Boiu/,rioN i London, June 1

Following is the record of happenings on the entire" British front cim..)}. tlie past fortnight, wherein the ovar .seas section has taken a full and active share. The most active centres oi fighting were at Souchez village ana on tiie Viray ridge. The fury of the artillery attack on \'iniy has been unequalled since September. During the bombardment on May 21 smoke and dust were to be seen for miles, and all subsequent fighting occurred in a dense aloud. The enenu concentrated one hundred batteries on a small front, wiping out a trench. The German infantry, had little to face oxcept our barrage lire. During the 22nd and 23rd our patrols at Vimy were engaged in gallant bayonet lighting and accounted for a considerable number of the enemy.

Severe fighting south-east of Soudicz village lasted from the loth to the 25th, and the position is now comparatively static.

The enemy's artillery fire in Flanders reached its greatest intensity at Hooge and Ypres-Roulers railway. We replied, punishing the enemy artillery and bursting five gas cylinders in the German trenches on the 23rd, the enemy's troops suffering from their

own poison. Though the general situation from Arras to the Somrae is unchanged, there is considerable local activity as a result of raids, which encouraged our men in the belief that they were more than a match for the enemy.

Typical German raiding parties attacked at three points, but we invariably flung them back. Patrol work also led to encounters, wherein ■ the enemy suffered considerably. These incidents are valuable in keeping up the spirit* of adventure and initiative among our men. Our artillery in the southern part of the line organised heavy bombardments on the enemy's barrier on the Pe'ronne road and practically demolished it. GLORIOUS STORY OF tOOS. London, June 1. A remarkable passage in ]sr Churchill's'speech revealed, the fate of the premier division of Scotland in the battle of Loos. Nine thousand five hundred men went to the light, and six thousand, were killed and wounded. Soriie ; battalions lost three-quarters of their strength, but nearly all achieved their task and gained some of the most important positions, only to be lost at a later stage when handed over to other troops. ;.A battalion of Cameron;.-Highlanders went; interaction with a strength-of SO officers aiKUSSO Mien. The«-colonel', named, Cameron of sLochielji the adjutant* and rllO -men survived. -Yet they look and hold their objective. Four successive lines were swept away, but the fifth went on. The remnant of the troops shattered in the first day's battle were collected, and twelve hundred asked two days later to make another attack. They went over the parapet and renewed the attack with the utmost elan. Mr Churchill added that they talked about the Balaclava charge, and the Fusiliers afc Albuera, but these events paled before the deeds done at the present dav by divisions raiseu in the British Islands. Only a jejune account of their glorious deeds was published Four battalions of this primary division of Scotland had been disbanded and merged into other battalions. A South African brigade had taken their places. The Scotch officers and men were scattered to the winds, regardless of regimental ties. THE BATTLE OF VERDUN.

CONTINUOUS FIGHTING. London, Juno 2. Reports show that the Germans are redoubling their efforts to secure a decision at Verdun. They have been been bringing up masses of fresh troops, totalling one hundred thousand, since May 90th, and vast reserres of artillery and ammunition. Fighting i» continuous day and night, and there is appalling slaughter. Sixty trains of German wounded have passed through Aix la Chappelle. FRENCH SUCCESS ADMITTED BY GERMANY. London, June 2. \ German communique states that tin- French captured lour hundred -yards of German trenches south-east of Mori, Homme, but other assaults in the same region were repulsed.

£ FRENCH TRENCHES PENETRATED. GERMANS Z MB BAR-LE-DUC Paris, June 2. A communique says: the enemy, after several fruitless assaults between Thiaumont farm and Vaux. penetrated our first line of trenches between Douaumout fort and Vaux pond. Elsewhere our machine-guns broke the German attack, with heavy enemy losses. A German aeroplane bombed tie :>pen town of Bar-10-Duc, killing eighteen civilians and wounding twentyfive. Fifteen children were either kill--3 } or wounded.

THE LATE CINERAL CALLIENI.

Paris, June 1

General Gallieni's funeral was the cause of a most impressive public demonstration. Enormous crowds followed the cortege. The President, Ministry, members of Parliament, judges, and almost all official heads attended the service at the Invalides 'hapel.