The Western Front

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 242, 22 March 1915, Page 5

The Western Front

A TERRIBLE BOMBARDMENT. ■ # GERMANS GIVEN NO CHANCi-:, London, March 1!). "Eyewitness'' at headquarters mtv.H that prisoners stated tlicy never experienced a 'bombardment similar to th e assault on Neuve Chapelle. Many took refuge in dug-outs. When the 'British reached the trenches a wounded Prussian officer, of the truculent type, exclaimed: "You don't fight; you murder. My regiment never had a chance from the first. There was a shell every ton yards. Nothing could live in such a fire."

The Germans are still confident and optimistic. The Britishers attacked with the greatest dash and gallantry, and, after days and nights of incessant fighting, displayed little signs of strain. One battalion was greatly indignant. The men had settled down to cat their dinners during a lull in the battle, and rum rations had just been served out, when tihe Germans attacked. Bombs forced the battalion to evacuate the trenches, but the fury, of their counterattack a few minutes later was unequalled. They re-took the trench and made a large haul of prisoners, but little was left .of the dinner and none of the rum.

Ohe thousand Indian wounded have arrived at Brighton. The 6th ibatttalion of the Goidon Highlanders lo3t its colonel and twelve officers killed or wounded at Neuve Chapelle. ; Lord Claude Hamilton states' that the Grenadiers lost their colonel and sixteen officers. Only 300 were unhurt out of 1100, and the Cameronians seemed to have been wiped out.

. Paris. Marcli 19. A communique states:—"We captured nntl destroyed the enemy's communications and trendies near 'Notre T>ame d e Lorettc towards the village of Ablain, killing or capturing the defenders. We procrcsßi'd 150 metres, after a violent fight, 'between Four de Palis and Bolante, and also carried the salient at Epargcs eastward of the position held liv tho enemy since February. We repulsed three counter-attacks. SIR JOHN FRENCH'S REPORT. GENERAL SITUATION. UNCHANGED. London, March 19. ■Sir John French's report states that the general situation is unchanged. An isolated attack oil St. Eloi by 200 Germans was easily repulsed, two-thirds of the assailants being killed or wounded. The gallantry and das 1 ! of the troops in last week's operations in the vicinity of Neuve Chapclle, under Sir Douglas Haig's able and determined leadership, proved conclusively that four months' sedentary -work iii the trenches lias in no wise impaired the original fighting qualities of the troops. Paris, March 19. The victims of the Taube raid were killed at Roperinghe, not in Paris.

FRENCH OFFICIAL REPORT. SUCCESSES REPORTED. |p: | WT y ' • v Paris, March 21. Official: We repulsed a night attack at La Boiselle, inflicting heavy losses. Our artillery caused heavy losses. Wept of Perthes we curried the greater part of the German position at Les Eparges, after a two days' struggle. The enemy thrice counter-attacked an : successfully, leaving many dead. Our artillery blew up a blockhouse and several ammunition Waggons and stores at Bois Montmore, in the Woovrc. 'Received'March 21, 3.40" p.m. , Paris, March, 20. Official.—We repulsed the German attack on hill 176, with heavy losses. t WHOLESALE DECORATIONS. (Times and Sydney Sun Services.) Received March 21, 5,55 p.m. London, March 20. Eight hundred and fifty-three Bristol barristers who enlisted in France were awarded the Legion of 'Honor. — n THE CALAIS AIR RAID. A .NEW RUSE. * Received March 21, 5.5 p.m. _ Paris, March 20. ■When the .Zeppelin attacked Calais ' it suspended Are balloons far below the car, thereby rendering the Zeppeljij, divisible. The crew threw fifty large •bombs. One narrowly missed a house lately occupied by the German Consul. Attempts were made to wreck the railway stations and various depots. Some of the bombs fell in the harbor where hospital ships were anchored. " GERMAN SUCCESSES. FRENCH TRENCHES TAKEN. Received March 21, 5.5 p.m. 'Berlin, March 20. Wo captured a group of houses tit St, Eloi. We drove the French from Notr< Dame de Lorette and captured then trenches at Beausejour. We repulsed at tacte in Woevre and at Cambras, witi lieavyv French losses. 1 i— - ' ' "A TISSUE W IXES." i BELGIUM REPLIES TO GERMANY. A CROWN PRINCE WOUNDED. London, Miijrch 19.' Tli,. Bur«au of the Belgian Govern merit has issued disclaimer of th( German allegation that Belgium had forfeitod iter neutrality before the out break of war. It declares that, havinf •violated international law, things won! so far that Germany offered compensa tion for lu-r lost honor to Belgium. H describes tlie allegations as a tissue o lies and conclude?: "Belgium is' tihe victim ot her own loyalty and will noi bow her head 'before any power. Hei "honor defies assaults and falsehood?; and she has faith in. the justice of tht i world." Amsterdam, March 10. 1 It is Teportej that the Crown Prince 1 of Bavaria has been seriously woundec by the fragment of a shell.