HIGH COMMISSIONER’S REPORT

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 162, 13 March 1915, Page 5

HIGH COMMISSIONER’S REPORT

IMPORTANT B.niTloH CAPTURES ©BEAT ADVANCES MADE. TWO VILLAGES TAKEN. " OUR GALLANT ‘INDIAN ALLIES. SIR JOHN FRENCH’S PRAISE. INITIATIVE DISPLAYED WAS ADMIRABLE. (Pres s Assn. —Extraord in a ry) LONDON, March 12. The High Commissioner imports:—• , Sir John French reports that since the last communique the situation on our front, between Anmsntiers and La Bassee has been materially altered by

5i:,->: I'-ssful initiative on the part of trc&pg ei/jj?i:3d. Shortly after eight en the morning' of the 10th of March, these troops assaulted and carried the German treneheg in the neighbourhood of Neuve ChapeHe, tbh co-operation between all artillery and infantry being very good, with the result that losses inclined were not great in proportion to results achieved. Mutual support of individual battalions afforded, during operations, a marked feature of the attack. Our heavy atilley were very effective and part of the observed Results, for prisoners' statements confirm the accuracy of our fire and the damage caiuod. Befor noon we had captured the whole viila,ge of Neuve ChapeLia. Infantry proceeded to confirm and extend the local advantage and by dusk a whole labyrinth cf tll3ncb.es on cur frciiit were taken and we advanced about four thousand yards, and had established ourselves about twelve hundred yards fcteyond the enemy's advanced trenches. A number of German prisoners. were captured and brought to headquaters during the day, .some 750,,' probably moi'a. During- the 11th the enemy made- repeated efforts to recover the ground lost, but all counterattacks w.ei'3 repulsed with heavy loss. We continued to make steady progress, and hard fighting is still proceeding. The local initiative displayed by the troops daily is admirable, and says much for the spirit that animated the army. The success achieved on the 10th and 11th is a &trikir.(; example of this spirit. Further information received from general headquarters during the night of' the 11th and 12th and early this morning disclose that several counter-attacks were easily repulsed by the 4th corps and the Indian corps with heavy losses, and sixty prisoners were captured from the enemy in thie night attack. The village cf Lepinette was captured by the Third Corps with slight lesses. A fog prevailing somewhat hinders operations.

GERMANY'S STRENGTH. A WARNING GIVEN. LONDON, March 12. "Eye-Witness' says: The accuracy of our artillery is causing great nervousness on the part of the enemy fit certain points on the left centre. "Eye- Witness" warns the public against, stories of the enemy's moral weakening. The enemy's effectives ifi the west have been much reduced, but he still holds an enormous force on the front whilst carrying out huge operations in the east. There are no signs of moral weakening, nad we must not under-estimate the enemy's fighting qualities.