The Western Front

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 213, 16 February 1915, Page 5

The Western Front

OUR AIRMEN'S SUPERIORITY. SUCCESS OF TIIE RAID. "CAREFULLY PLANNED AND BRILLIANTLY EXECUTED." Received 15, 5.5 p.m. Times and Sydney Run Services. London, February 15. Til? Times' naval correspondent says: "The latest exploit of our naval airmen exceeds in magnitude anything previously attempt I'd. It is satisfactory that the Admiralty is able to report success of the achievement and the return of the pilots. "British airmen's skill and initiative has again proved superior to the enemy. They are capable of carrying out raids, executing larger combined operations, and achieving a definite military purpose. They have rendered futile the flerman attempts to develop submarine bases on the Belgian coast. The enterprise was carefully planned and brilliantly executed, and is certain to be a forerunner of others.

A GERMAN REPORT. Amsterdam, February 14. German oflieial reports state tlmt the hostile air raids on the coast did deplorable damage to civilians and their property, but that the military loss was unimportant.

A BRIEF FRENCH REPORT. Received 15, 7.30 p.m. l'uris, February 15. Official: French aeroplanes from Dunkirk last week successfully bombed military buildings and bodies of troops at Zeebrugge and Ostend.

DAMAGE AT ZEEBRUGGE. ALLIES AIDED BY STORM. Received 10, 11.30 p.m. London, February 15. A storm is widening the breach at the Zeebrugge mole, tearing up great blocks of concrete. The breach is the result of th e bombs dropped during the aviators' raid

BELGIANS' BOMB-DROPPING IN GERMANY. BOMBARDS GERMAN MILITARY CAMP. Received 1», 7-30 p.m. The Hague, February 15. Belgian aeroplanes bombed the military camp at Deutz, and escaped. They were fired at by guns placed ou tlutower of Cologne Cathedral. [Deutz is a town in Prussia, near Cologne, about 45 miles from the Belgian frontier.]

FRENCH AIRMEN'S EXPLOIT. THREE TAUBES BROUGHT DOWN. ' GERMAN ADVANCE IN ALSACE. Paris, February 14. Semi-official: A French aviator and a machine-gunner chased a Taube aeroplane. After a minute, of hot firing the Taube fell in flames, its wings being torn to ribbons. The Frenchman then attacked two other aeroplanes. The first shot struck one, and the Frenchman bore down on it vertically, firing incessantly. The. Taube fell like a stone. The Frenchman then rose 15H0 metres and engaged the third aeroplane The latter replied with an automatic rifle, but began falling after a minute and tilted o n its left wing. The Frenchman volplaned, firing continually. The German machine was dashed to the ground. The Frenchman, who was bombarded with shells, returned to the French lines safely. An official communique states that the enemy bombarded Kheims, Ypres, Nie;iport, and the trenches on the dune. We effectively replied. Two columns of the enemy are advancing on the banks of the Lauch River, in Alsace. Times and Sydney Sun Services. London, February 14.

One of the Allies' aviators flew over Antwerp on Friday and dropped leaflets saying, "Keep your courage up. We are coming."

TO THE LAST GASP. lIOW SOME GAIJ.ANT FRENCII.MEN" DIED. Geneva, Fbruarv 14. A thrilling episode took place in the Yosges. Colonel Ronhomme and forty Alpine Chasseurs were cut oil', but refused to surrender, and, using skis, dashed down a snow slope and had a desperate bayonet struggle in the German trenched. All the Chasseurs died, but they killed at, least eighty Germans.

ZEPPELIN TURNS TAIL. ATTACKED BY FRENCH AE1!( (PLANES. Received 15. 7,'tfl p.m. Geneva, February 15. A thrilling forty minutes' battle between a Zeppelin and three aeroplanes was witnessed by a tliousand French and German soldiers south of Mnlhoibe.

The aeroplanes by the cleverest manoeuvres strove to get above the Zeppelin, and bad almost succeeded when the Zeppelin lied northwards.

THE ARMY. I A CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS. it.:~.":'':iPTi(», T not improbable. Received 15. ' 0 n.in. f'aris, 1"< 1, 1 "> i\' 15. The Belgians are endeavouring t" ; ' an army of 1!I)0.0IHI. Eighty per en(. of the 1014 recruits living near the Dutch and French frontiers have already joined the colours. A n urgent appeal iii made to Tefugecs in Holland and Britain between the ages of eighteen and thirty to volunteers, otherwise the BcU'iar ] ,1i>ent will issue • ;- i'or compnlsorv r 'Uafy service.