The Western Front

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 197, 28 January 1915, Page 5

The Western Front

FIERCE FIGHT AT GIVENBY. A MIGHTY GERJIUX ATTACK. BRITISH BADLY CUT UP. BUT ULTIMATELY SUCCESSFUL. GERMANS PREVENT SUCCOUR OF DROWNING MEN. Received '27, 11.15 p.m. London, January 27. Twenty-five thousand on both sides were engaged at Givenbv. \An ollicer Btates: "After thirty-two hours of all sorts of Hell, we re-took the trendies. The first indication of the attacks came from a Hanoverian soldier who had deserted. He toppled into a British trench and announced that the Germans would attack in force early next morning. He spoke the truth. The Germans quitted their trenches and advanced in a dense mass. They reeled under a withering rifle and machine-gun fire. Those who managed to get unscathed within fifteen yards <Jf our trenches threw grenades which wrought death and destruction in our ranks.

The Germans swept into our advanced line by sheer weight of numbers, and a mortal combat at close quarters ensued. Meanwhile the Germans swept the space between our firing and support trench with shrapnel, and we lost heavily. In retiring, two companies of famous Scots regiments were badly cut ug

The. German tide rushed on at two points for four hundred yards before it was shattered by a crack British corps behind. The Hanoverians are no better than the Bavarians and Prussians in a hand-to-hand fight. The Britons with clubbed rides and bayonets fell upon what remained of the Germans, who crumpled up and surrendered in groups. HOT FIRING ABOUT LA BASSEE. Received 27, 5.30 p.m. Paris, January 2G. The British reoccupied positions at Givenchy. Hot fighting is reported on the Betli-une-La Bassee road, the Germans penetrating the trenches westward of Crettone. They were thrown into complete confusion by aerial bombs. We then delivered counter-attacks, recovering portion of the ground. We recovered the trenches near St. Hubert and Fontaine Madame. FRENCH OFFICIAL REPORTS. • MORE. FIGHTING ABOUT YPRES. ENEMY REPULSED AT LA BAFSEK. GERMAN ACTIVITY IN ALSACE. Paris, January 27. A communique states that the Germans were repulsed east of Ypres, 300 being killed. The enemy made five attacks on the British lines at Givenchy a.'.d slightly progressed, but were then repulßed, leaving many dead and 60 prisoners. The Germans penetrated our trenches west of Craonne, but in a counter-attack, wc recaptured all except one, where a struggle continues. London, January 26. The Press Bureau reports that the enemy made several - violent attacks against the Ist Division in the neighborhood of La Bassee on Monday, but they were repulsed with severe losses, 300 being killed and 55 prisoners taken in one place alone. London, January 26. Berne reports that the Germans are making great preparations in Alsace and are believed to be about to begin a violent offensive in the Vosges. The railroads in southern Germany are rcseived for the transportation of tioops to the frontier. Perth, January 27. A wounded French reservist, invalided home to the New Hebrides irom Ypres, estimates tf'at Franc.; will have sir million men i n the spriner. THE FRENCH IN ALSACE. MUST BE DRIVEN OUT. Received 27, 5.5 p.m. Times and Sydney Sun Services. London, January 27. The Kaiser has ordered the recapture of Thann at any cost. (Thann, in Alsace-Lorraine. 13 miles W.N.W. of Mulhausen). GERMAN REINFORCEMENTS NOT UP TO STANDARD THE CONDITIONS IN BELGIUM. Times and Sydney Sun Services. London, January 27. A neutral from Brussels reports that the new German troops are not to be compared with those *ho goose-stepped! through Brussels in August. They are badly equipped, and many are in civilian dress, except for caps. The officers have lost their arrogance and avoid coming into contact with the population. Life in Brussels is almost at normal. The boulevards are crowded on Sundays. The theatres are closed, but a couple of cinemas show German films. Liege has been converted into a firstclass fortress. The Namur forts have been strengthened and garrisoned with a larger number of Germans than any Other fortress in Belgium. HIGH COMMISSIONER'S REPORT. Wellington, January "7. The High Commissioner reoorta as follows, under dnt> London, January IT p.m.):— .Paris reports that near La Bassee and Givenby the enemy five times attuWi (he BritVli lines, bu! >vere repulsed, leaving numerous :le.d behind

West of Crnonii.? the -Jviiiiiiis atlaskikj twice su»*M>ive]y, with extreme *ioi'-'j,ce. Thfl I'rst attack was repi'Mo'l 1-k1 tlic seconil puvtrated tli_ trenches, an energetic, (..iw.ter-attick by the Allies regained nWst the wl. 0 I tho ground lost. Fighting is still continuing.