Official News

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 237, 16 March 1915, Page 5

Official News

HIGH COMMISSIONER'S REPORT. | Wellington, March 15. Tlic High Commissioner reports, under date, London, March 13 (I.2ft p.m.): ■ The British eye-witness gives a glowing account of tile victory at Neuvc Chapelle. The battle began on Wednesday morning, and was preceded by a terrific bombardment of massed guns against the enemy. In less than half ail-hour all the enemy trenches, filled with dead or dying, were captured, and by 110011 the enemy were driven out of the village. In the afternoon there were further big gains eastwards, and fighting continued until night. The enemy was thoroughly shaken, anil 750 wore captured during the day. Remarkable aeroplane feats were performed. One aviator, from a height of only 150 feet, dropped a bomb on the Menin bridge, destroying a pier. Another destroyed the Cour,trai junction station, both of vital importance to the Germans. On Thursday the enemy coun-ter-attacked, but it 'was repulsed by artillery. The British troops, paying off old scores, got the enemy on the run. It is the greatest ground gained since the commencement of trench warfare. The Admiralty announces that- the total British vessels captured or sunk since the beginning of Die war to March 10 was as, and fishing-vessels fis. It also reports to-night that the British steamers Indian City and liivergyle have be-n sunk by torpedoes olf the British .const. The steamers Adenwen, Florazau,.Headlands and Harldalc were torpedoed, but not, sunk. The steamd'r Andalusian was attacked, but her sinking is not confirmed. Ail the crews were saved except three men.

Paris reports that to-night there is almost complete calm along the whole front. There have been some artillery actions, and positions everywhere have been consolidated.

Paris reports that Belgian artillery, supported by French heavy artillery, destroyed the vantage ground organised by the Germans in the Dixmudo cemetery. The enemy bombarded Soissons Cathedral and the neighborhood of Reims and Champagne. Yesterday evening, the Allies repulsed two counter attacks, rapturing several trendies, one containing a hundred corpses and also a quantity of material. In Lorraine French patrols occupied Bermil. Wellington, Last Night. The K'cinier has received the following from the Iligh Commissioner, dated London, March 15, 1.20 a.m.:— Paris reports another effective bombardment of Weatende by the British fleet.

Tlie success of "the British troops at • Keuve Crapello is confirmed as complete. They advanced on a front of about three kilometres, and a depth uf twelve ■to fifteen hundred metres, carrying successively three lines of trenches and ' fortified works. Violent German counterattacks were all repulsed, with heavy losses. The British artillery very effectively prepared the support of the vigorous action of the infantry. In the Champagne area the Allies consolidated their new front, and advanced at several points. In Argoune, between Four tic, Paris 'and Bolante, the Allies mastered three ■hundred metres of trenches and captured 'several officers.

On the heights of the Mouse the German attacks at Eparges were arrested.