Western Campaign

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 151, 2 December 1914, Page 5

Western Campaign

A BRIGHTER OUTLOOK. END OF THE BATTLE. TERMINATION OF GERMAN OFFENSIVE IX FRANCE. Received 2, 1 a.m. 1 Lontlf.n. December 1. ■ •Correspondents of Lcnaon newspapers who were permitted to inspect the French lines declare that the battle of Flanders has now ended, marking, according to military opinion-, to all appearances, the termination of the German offensive in France, though the end of the battle, like that of the Aisne, was not honored by an obituary notice.

GERMANS CAUGHT NAPPING. A FRENCH SUCCESS NEAR ARRAS. GERMAN' COAST DEFENCES IN BELGIUM. NO SERIOUS OPERATIONS IN PROGRESS. ENEMY ON THE DEFENSIVE. Amsterdam, November 30. The Telegraaf says that the inhabitants of Northern Flanders, from 18 to '. have been forced to sign a declarai that tliey will not fight against tiio Germans.

Immense preparations are being made to safeguard Zeebrugge and the coast from naval attack. A telegram from Brussels states that the Belgian war levy'has now been fixed at fifteen millions sterling. London, November 30.

An eye-witness states that the fighting has now resolved itself into a competition in sniping and outpost affairs all along the line with the rifle, hand grenades, bombs, mortars and mines. Every effort is made to mitigate the hardships of the trenches, which are heated with braziers. In genious shelters and dug-outs give facilities for cooking. The men are provided with skin coats. The remarkable absence of sickness is due to the excellent food. Paris, November 30. . The Allies caught the Germans napping one night in the region of Arras. They attacked the front at different sections and captured six miles of trenches, several quickfirers, and a huge 'store of ammunition hidden on a hillside. Next morning the French artillery, after an aviator's reconnaisance, landed a number of shells on a clump of trees covering a motor camp. Serious explosions occurred ai:d many cars were destroyed. The artillery also put four of the enemy's guns out of action. A communique states tiiat tiie enemy remains on the defensive in Belgium and the cannonade is feeble. We progressed at some, points and strongly hold points around Fay. The Germans intermittently cannonade the region of •Soissons and the town without result. They bombarded the forest of Apremont. Tlure is a thick fog on the heights of the Mouse. Le Temps says that the Kaiser visited Antwerp on November 23. Times and Sydney Sun Services. London, Xovembcr 80. Hundreds cf (Jcrman dead, completely stripped ami piled in wagons, have passed St. Quentm en route for Belgium.

BRiTISH CAVE CALAIS. ACAIX:.;T TimTIIFK: ODDS. FIXE EKAKJXO OF OUR Tj'i-.IiiTOP.IALS. INDL'." RESOURCE AND ]:-:;TiATi VE. November .",0. Newspapers >:■ ■■ [i t cut t!sat Sir J elm French, to;;!; <ir o;;oriiicas risk in ordering the ii-.vi r.r.i:v corps to Tliourcut, via Yp'cs. but aaved Calais and ti'e Cl*!in:.v: I'iiev vnspha-

si-': ilie feci' *1'■ :it Sir Douglas Hair's original iiibirr, to capture Bruges, and, if prssibe-, ' -ernt, showed that Germain V, on or s reinforcements were impi'ri'cct'y r";;.'.'. ■i\ at tliat stage. Kir Douglas LUii'j h'-vei' readied those cities, nevertheless lie It-'l<l the line before Ypres against terrific <xWs until General Joifre was able strongly to reinforce him.

Sir John French's dispatch states that the bearing of tin) Territorials, of which there are six battalions (0000 men) and five cavalry regiments (3000 men) at the front, has realised England's highest expectations. He again pays a tribute to the resource and initiative of the Indians in repulsing superior forces. Their behaviour in new surroundings is highly satisfactory. Sir John adds that the vilue and significance of the Allies' role in the west lies in the fact that, at the moment when the eastern provinces of Germany are in imminent danger of invasion, nearly the whole of her active army is tied up in the 2(50 miles of trenches from Verdun to Nieuport, where they are now held, much reduced in numbers and morale by the success of our troops. The rest of the dispatch is dated November 20.

ALLIES SEE LIGHT. THROUGH THE GLOOM OF FIGHTING Times and Sydney Sun Services. Received 1, 5.50 p.m. London, November 30.

The Times' military correspondent says: "There are signs in the German movement on the western front that they may retreat to the line between Antwerp, Narnur, and Strassburg. We begin to see daylight through the gloom of fighting, and by continuing our attack Ave are Hearing the attainment of the end."

"DIED GAME." A TALE FROM THE TRENCHES. Times and Sydney Sun Services. Received 1, 5.50 p.m. . (London, November 30. A British officer, describing the capture of lost trenches, says: ."We enfiladed and knocked them over like rabbits. One of our lieutenants was shot through the head, but his slayer ■fcas quickly spitted upon a bayonet. He tried to kick the bayonoter, lmt '\vas' downed and lie