The Wetstern Front

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 253, 5 April 1915, Page 5

The Wetstern Front

HEAVY FIGHTING ON THE

YSER,

ZEEBRUGGE AGAIN BOMBARDED.

Amsterdam, April 2,

The Allied airmen bombed and damaged the railway between Ghent and Dixmude.

Heavy fighting continues on the Yser front. Numerous wounded men are arriving at Ostend, Bruges and Turnliout-

British warships for two hours bombarded Zeebrugge, owing to submarines attemping to steal through the mine field. They also bombarded the new aviation camp a mile from the town. The German batteries spasmodically replied.

Paris, April 2.

A communique states:— French and Belgian aviators dropped thirty bombs on the Handzaemo aviation camp.

A COMPARISON. ENGLISH DASH IRRESISTIBLE. Times and Sydney Sim Services. London, April 2. An artillery oflieer, describing the Neuve Chapelle fiirht, suvs it was tin biggest thing of the war. We again proved that narbed w.re was useless against an artillery bombardment such as ours. T'le infantry simply walked in at Neuve Chapelle. Trench warfare suits the Germans 'better than us. Sitting still is their best chance. Slapdash running scraps are our forte. Mud is their element. The deep holes made by the '"Jack Johnsons" are everywhere dangerous at night because they are filled with water deep enough to drown. There is a consolation in hearing the siren singing, because the bullets that whistle pass by. The bullet that comes straight is the dog which biles before its bark is heard.

The iPress Bureau re]iorts: "Eyewitness" says the Canadian troops" were ready to attack at Xcuve Chapelle if required, ami were longing for the order, because the Germans had presumed on a slight acquaintance. On the first night the Canadians went into the trenches the Germans called out "come out and fight vim Canadians." General Alderson, addressing the troops said, "men new to the trenches shoot nothing the first night, and you won't. It wastes ammunition, and" liurta no one. The enemy presumes you are new and nervous troops. When shelled sit low and tight. There's nothing else to do. tf you get out you will only get it worse. If you go out the Germans will go in."

BRAVE WOMEN UNDER FIRE

BRITISH XURSES HONORED I\!

BELGIUM.

Received April 4, 5.5 p.m. London, April 5. King Albert has awarded to three British nurses—Thompson, White and Waite —the Order of Leopold. Tin nurses were visiting the first line of trenches. When thev reached the outpost the Germans shelled it v ; gorously. killing and wounding several ten. The nurses refused to return until tney tended the wounded and carried theiii backon stretchers under heavy fire,.

NO RESERVES

KNEM\ SHORT OK MEN. AND MUNITIONS.

THE EFFECT OF XEUVE CIIAPELLE.

Received April 4, 5.3 p.m. Loudon, April 4,

The Press Bureau publishes the report of the observer with, the French army summing up six weeks' offensive in northern Champagne. The Germans, he says, were forced to reinforce their original eighteen regiments with fifteen drawn from other parts of (lie line, indicating that there are no central reserves for emergencies. German economy of artillery ammunition proves that supplies are. short. For many days they have not tried lo keep down the French fire. The British attack on Neuvo Cliapelle ruined the enemy's chances of a big success at St, Eloi, and the French attack at Perthes helped the British at Neuvc Chapelle, and both assisted the Russians to withstand the (Tennnn offensive. This should be remembered when the casualty lists cause the people to whisper, "Was it worth it?"

GERMAN REINFORCEMENTS IN BELGIUM.

TRENCHES A TOUGH PROBLEM.

Received April 4, 5.5. p.m. Paris, April 3,

The German infantry at DixminW - Ypres front has been strongly reinforced. The trenches are protected with cennit and steel plates, resembling permanent fortifications. They extend for many miles.

MORE FRENCH RECRUITS CALLED OUT. INCREASED PRODUCTION OF MUNITIONS.

Paris, April 2.

Tlie Chamber of Deputies unanimously passed a Bill calling °»t the 1017 recruits.

In the Chamber of Deputies M. Millerand declared that the output of munitions lias risen six hundred per cent, as compared with that at the outbreak of the war, and soon will be nine times as great. The number of batteries had been increased sixfold.

PROHIBITION OF ABSINTH I'

THF, EXAMPLE OV RUSSIA.

Received April .1, !U0 p.m. London, April :i.

The Times' correspondent at Paris savs that owiiur to the magnificent result that the 'abolition of vodka hat produced in Russia, prohibition of absinthe niiiv be expected in France. It b a siunifi.-ant and interesting nianife-ta lion of the new spirit which has ai'isci that the proposed suppression has no excited opposition on the part of tin public, and little amongst the trade.