A NIGHT AT NEUVE CHAPELLE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 261, 14 April 1915, Page 5

A NIGHT AT NEUVE CHAPELLE.

CHEERY TOMMIES IN THE TRENCHES. CONFIDENT OF VICTORY. ■ (Times and Sydney Sun Service.) Received April 13, G. 15 p.m. London, April 13. A correspondent, who spent a night in the new British trenches, defending the shell-torn earth which they won at Neuvc Chapelle, says: "There is no more cheerful spot under the British flag. It is worth a sleepless night to mix with the soldiers wlw suffered such hard knocks. Rumors from London complaining of the heavy cost of this victory are not shared in the trenches. The soldiers understand' the situation, and are prepared to pay the price of success. They point out that the ground was gained at no heavier losses that were sustained by the Germans. " 'A lot of our fellows were killed, but this time it was in pushing the Germans back instead of trying to hold them. You can't realise,' said. Tommy, 'unless you have been fighting since Mons, how this bucks our chaps up.' "Round braziers made by holes punched in buckets and tins gather the soldiers off duty, warming themselves, frying bacon, and boiling tea. They pass carefully along the trendies, keeping their heads below the parapet to avoid billnets. •'Dark patches are visible in the moon- ', light between the opposing trenches. These are masses of prostrate bodies in the attitudes in which they fell. The Germans have not asked for an armis- , tice to bury their dead, and when the British previously asked ifwas refuted, therefore the corpses remain. 1 "Despite the grim actuality of war occasional sallies of wit are exchanged, ! but the jesters are careful not to show a head lest the joke prove their last. "At dawn where the trenches are sixty yards apart, good mornings are exchanged'. "An .English-speaking German called out, 'When's Kitchener's army corning. We want tliis war over, so that we can get home.'' Tommy replied, 'Don't get down-hearted 1 , my dear. You'll know when Kitchener's men arrive, because they will be' travelling faster than you want.'' Tommy is full of admiration for the skill of the Germans, but there is universal confidence that the Germans Have shot their bjlt. An Irishman 'The Germans need a licking, and' when: anybody needs licking that's the place for fighting 'lrishmen.' None of the soldiers, judging from their conversation, gloried in the war, but all were determined to stick to it till a decisive victory is secured." The correspondent concludes, "Neuve Chapelle has given us confidence in our strength, tested our organisation for offensive, and demonstrated the power and precision of our artillery."

A MIDNIGHT ASSAULT. GERMANS SEEK REVENGE.. BUT MEET DESTRUCTION. Received: April 13; 10' p.m; London, April 13. The Daily Chronicle's Paris correspondent reports that the Germans, desiring to counter the French triumph at Leg Eparges, selected seven points in the line along the Ancre and exploded mines under the trenches/ on Saturday,, four miles north of Albert. Several bayonet encounters followed. The (battle began in earnest at midnight. The tremendous cannonading awakened the- citizens of Amiens. Unfortunately for the Germans, they selected an impregnable spot. The clearness of the night was favorable for the French rifles and machineguns. The Germans came on shoulder to shoulder, shouting "lioch"! The ground in front of the French trenches was piled high with dead and dyimr. -The artillery prevented the German reinforcements' mustering. The French, toss was comparatively slight.

THE BATTLE OF BEAUSEJOUR. GERMANS GAIN ONE TRENCH. BUI' ARE SLAUGHTERED THERE. Received April 13, 8 p.m. Paris,' April 13. The official account of the fighting at Bcausejour, continued, says the German second attack, despite very heavy losses, gained a footing in the outermost trench and held it through the night against counter-attacks. While the Germans directed fresh attacks on the other trenches on the !'th the French artillery rained shells on the outermost trench where the Germans had crowded four hundred men. Then the French charged with the bayonet, and only ten of the four hundred survived. The French losses were very small.

FRENCH CALL UP RESERVES. OLD AND YOUTHS. Received April 13, 8 p.m. Paris, April 13. M. Millerand has called up the ISS9 class, comprising men of forty-six years, who will he used, to guard communications. The 101(1 class joined the colors to-day, and received enthusiastic sendoffs. BRITISH GENERAL'S DEATH. Received April 13, 1T.50 p.m. London, April 13. The death is reported of Lieut.-General Lomax, formerly commander of the First Division. He was invalided, owing to having been stunned by a shell. WAR PICTURES. SECURED IX Till: FRENCH LINES. Ikee'iYcd April 13. 11.50 p.m. Paris, April 13. The French War Ullice organised an expedition of cinemaLograph operators tiirnu'-'liouf the Frem-li lines, and mar.v r.markable films were obtained.