The Western Front

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 224, 1 March 1915, Page 5

The Western Front

FRENCH ARTILLERY ACTIVE. BELGIUM'S BOY PRINCE. SIR JOHN FRENCH'S REPORT. London, Fcbru.wy 20. Le Temps states that the French artillery is extraordinarily active on the Oise and in the Argontie, firing ninety thousand shells daily, thus enabling the French to capture the German first line at numerous points. Prince Leopold, eldest son of the King of the Belgians, has joined the troops at the front. The Prince is only 14 years of age. London, February 20. "Eye-Witness" at the front relates that the diary of a captured German officer contained an order that the line, when attacking, should not take prisoners. It allows another interpretation, remembering the efforts to inflame the soldiers against the English, and that the same regiment was previously ordered that no English prisoners were wanted. A French communique states that a thick mist and rain culminated in a heavy snowstorm on the 2-ftli, hindering operations, nevertheless the aircraft, carried out their duties co-operating with the artillery. Fighting on the Ypres canal was intermittent, and much gallantry was shown, though the position was unchanged. A sergeant and a man held a communication trench unaided, and shot down the Germans- attacking. There was no infantry attack elsewhere. The British repulsed an attack in Belgium, and, in addition, gained a hundred metres on the La Bassee road. Progress continues north-west of Perthes and Mesnil-les-llurhis.

Wellington, February 27. The Iligh Commissioner reports wider date London, February '2O (3.20 p.m.) 'Sir Jolm French reports as follows — The period since my last communique lias been marked by thick- mist and rain, culminating on tile 24th in a heavy snowstorm. Operations were consequently hindered. Despite the bad weather, however, our aircraft carried out their duties, and the co-operation between the aviators and artillery was particularly close. Near Ypres intermittent fighting continued along the canal, without change of the relative positions of the opposing forces. Many gallant acts were performed during the recent fighting here. A sergeant and a man held a communication trench for a considerable period unaided, and shot down all Germans who attempted to advance. Our machine-guns have heen handled particularly well. On one occasion they came into action in the open, and inllicted considerable loss. On the remainder of our front the enemy's artillery fire has sometimes been somewhat heavy. No infantry attacks have been made by either side. Ke(lived 28, ."i.." p.m Paris, February %(}'. The report that Carpentier" is ft prisoner in Germany is untrue.