The Western Front

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 243, 23 March 1915, Page 5

The Western Front

ZEPPELINS ATTACK PARIS, FRENCH ON THE ALERT.

NOT MUCH DAMAGE DONE.

Paris, March 21

A Zeppelin raid occurred at 1 o'clock this morning. On tlie approach of; three machines being .signalled the inhabitants were warned by bugles and the city plunged in darkness. Several incendiary bombs were thrown in the city and several in the western suburb, including seven in Asnienvs, where seven persons were injured. Considerable damage was done and four persons injured elsewhere. There were some fires, but they were not serious.

The four Zeppelins were sighted near Compeigne. The guns drove back two and tile remainder reached the outskirts of the city. Searchlights revealed raiders and the guns attacked them and apparently hit one. The raiders were soon driven oli'. There was little damage to property. Eight persons were slightly and one seriously injured. Aeroplanes participated in the defence, but the mist hampered them. Later the Zeppelins bombed Ribecourt and Dreslincourt, without result.

A communique states the position is unchanged.

■ A „ , Paris, March 21. A Zeppelm dropped several bonibs in tbe streets of Asineros, doing no dami age. A bomb struck a building at /Batignoles containing 70 inmates. Another fell on a block inhabited, by 200. No one was injured.

A FACTORY STRUCK,

ATTEMPT ON EXPLOSIVE FACTORY.

Received March 23, 1.10 a.m.

Paris, March 22. Two bombs fell in the city harmlessly, one in Rue de Times, and the other in Rue de Thon. A bomb struck and wrecked a factory at Caurbevos. A few workmen inside escaped, one being injured.

The Zeppelins aimed at but missed shell works at Colombes, a Parisian suburb.

A GERMAN ACCOUNT.

Received March 23, 1.10 a.m,

. Amsterdam, .March 22. A 1 German official message states that Zeppelins dropped heavy bombs on t'l? forces at Paris and the Compaigne railwav junction as a replv to the French aviators' attack on Sclflettstadt.

AMERICA DISAPPROVES.

Received March 23, >l.lO a.m.

New York, \ March 22. The newspapers, commenting on the raid, renew their protests against Germany's atrocities and merciless methods of warfare.

FRENCH OFFICIAL REPORT. i SOISSONS CATHEDRAL SHELLED AGAIN.

FRENCH OPERATIONS GENERALLY

SUCCESSFUL.

Received March 22, 11.30 p.m.

Paris, March 22.

The enemy again shelled Soissons Cathedral, which suffered considerably. Contrary tp German assertions there was no observation post on the cathedral.

We progressed slightly in the Chamdistrict, and mairitained our gains at Eparges, despite two violent counter-attacks, which were repulsed with heavy losses.

In the Vosges, after losing Great and Small Reichackerkopf on Saturday we have re-taken the latter, and counterattacked in an effort to re-take the former. The battle continues.

BRITISH PRISONERS SHOT.

BY ORDER OF GERMAN OFFICER. Received March 23, 1.10 a.m. London, March *22.

The Daily Exnress reports that Friedrich Kuhlpr, a Bavarian deserter through ill-treatment, alleges that the Germans in December shot thirty prisoners, including several officers. The bulk were shot by the order of Major Hoffman, the order being carried out by Lieutenant Neumehle at Wcrwinuk, between Menin and Warneton.

GERMANS DRIVEN MAD. BY SLAUGHTER AT NEUYE CHAPELLE.

Received March 23, 1.10 a.m. Amsterdam, March 22,

Three hundred Germans have been sent to asylums, having been driven mad by the British artillery and the slaughter of their comrades at Neuve Chapello.

ILLEGAL GERMAN IMPOST. Received March 22, 10.30 p.m. London, March 22. The Press Bureau reports that in response to the hundreds of applications made, bv Belgians abroad, th c Belgian Government has issued in all States a strongly worded protest regarding thc German proclamation imposing a tax on absentees. It states that this tax is imposed eontrarv to all rules of international law. and assumes the character of mere spoliation. The 'Government can neither admit the principle nor recognise the application, and sums so paid must be reimbursed after liberation of Belgian territory.

CANADIANS AT TIIE FRONT. REPOBT FROM HON. T. MACKENZIE. Wellington, March 22. The Premier has received the following from tin; High Commissioner, under date London, 20 (4.31. p.m.):— The Canadians are very proud to be tlu! first troops from the self-governing Dominions to fight for Englan<l in liuvope. I was permitted to visit that part of the lines v.'here for. some miles they ho';i' trenches against the enemy. We made the trip at midnight, when they were under desultory fire. The experience showed that the reputation of the overseas troops is quite safe in their keeping. Jn the brisk fighting in which they have been engaged they have shown dash and steadiness, not surpassed by any regular troops. It is quite a mistake to suppose this war does not make opportunities for the resource in men anil younger officers, which was a feature of the Dominions' troops in Soutn Africa. In these siege operations there is a ceaseless call for vigilance, ingenuity, and marksmanship from the individual soldier. _ The British occupy the lowest lying and wettest portion of the whole western line. There is the widest difference in how trenches are kept. Adaptable to pioneering, the Canadians are accustomed to making the best of harsh winter conditions, and here they have proved themselves master; at contriving subterranean comfort. They are better fed than any army in the past. The British soldier in tins war has few troubles provided be can ! get sleep. In the Canadian trenches I frequently heard happy soldiers snoring lourlly as their mates kept watch, and were quite unconscious of the crack of the rifles from the enemy's lines only 200 yards away. When the Australians come to Europe they will find Canada has set the standard high. The careless holiday spirit which was at times too evident in England, disappeared completely when the men came face to face with the uncompromising realities of the campaign.

LOSSES AND GAINS IX THE WESTERN THEATRE. An excellent summary of the operations on tlie western front was given in. an official message from Paris covering the period from loth November to 15th January. It'shows what entres had to be made on each sde of the ledger for two months' fighting; and it is well worth putting on record here. The table is as follows:

Results obtained by the Germans are:—

1. The destruction of the Halles Market Place, Cathedral and Hospital of Ypres.

2. The destruction of Nieuport Mille and Nieuport Bains. 3. The bombardment of Armentiercs, Betliune and Arras.

5. The retaking o'f Ilill 132 and of Crouy, and a gain of 1200 to 1800 metres to the north of Soissons. 0. An advance of 300 metres in the Argonne, near the stream of the Meurissons, on a front of 800 meurcs. 7. The bombardment of a church at Nancy and of a hospital at Thann. ' Since that date the Germans have apparently made an advance over a small area south of Ypres, retaking Hollebeke and Wytschaete.

WHAT THE ALLIES 'HAVE DONE.

The results obtained by the French are:—

From the sea to the Lys: 1. The retaking of all the left bank of the YsGfr between Knocke and Hetsas.

2. An outlet on the right bank between the sea and St. Georges. 3. The erection of a bridge head of four kilometres in this region. 5. The taking of St. Georges, Ferryman's House and the Korteker Inn. 0. The general extension of our front round Ypres. 7. The cessation of the enemy's infantry attacks from the Lys to the Oise. 8. The taking of the chateau and the village of Vermelleg ana tlie Kutoira. 9. The taking of numerous German trenches between Aix Noulettc and Carency.

10 The retaking of IPartelle St. Laurent and Blangy, near Arras. 11-. The taking of La Boiselle. 12. The taking of German trenches at Lihons.

13. The taking of Quesnoy-en-Santerre at the end of October, and progress to the east since then. 1

14. The general extension and consolidation of our front.

15. The taking of German trenches at La Nampoel and the plain of Nouvron. IG. The. taking of' Spur 132. 17. The destruction o£ numerous German guns. 18. The consolidation of' our defensive system of Reims to the Meuse.

19. The advance of,a kilometre in the region of Prunay. 20. Progress of more than two kilometres in the region of Perthes; the check of seventeen German counter-at-tacks.

21. Advance of more than a kilometre in Argonne, in the wood of Grurie, and of Bolante, and tlie repulse of numerous attacks. 22. The extension of our front round Verdun. 23 The destruction of numerous en•>]riy batteries r. oirthe Meuse to tie Swiss frontier.

24 Important progress in the woods of Consenvoye, Apreir.ont, Ailly, Montmnre, and Lo Pvctro

■*2ls. The check of all German attacks.

2>i. Progress to tlici north-east of Nancy, at Lesmenil, and the forest of ParroV

27. Progress to the north and to the south of Senones ami in all the Ban lie Sapt. 28. The taking of a point which commands St. Marie.

2!). Complete cheek of thirty-four counter-attacks made by the enemy. 30. The taking of Aspaeli, Steinbaeh, and the heights to the east. 31. Progress towards Minister, Cernay and Altkireh.

Tn addition the British have captured Oivencliy, Guniehy, Festubert, and Ncuve'Chapclle. furthering their attack oil a. Bassce; the French have considerably increased their gains at Perthes and its neighborhood; and they have captured the heights of TTartmanswiellerkopf and Reiehacherkoff in the tAlsatian Vosges. The official summing up made at the middle of January still holds good: "The general progress of our troops is very appreciable at certain points. There is a general retreat of the enemy except to fhe north of Soissons."