FIGHTING IN LORRAINE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 263, 16 April 1915, Page 5

FIGHTING IN LORRAINE.

CIVILIANS MASSACRED IN COLD BLOOD. FRENCH ARTILLERY SUPERIOR. London, April 14. A British officer with the French troops toured the Thann-St,. Mihiel district. He states that the Southern Vosges consist of the plains of Alsace, where there is the same style of trenches close to the fighting line as that in Flanders. The summits of the ranges are from fii'lO to 1000 metres, the slopes are very steep, and the valleys very deep, and the whole nre covered with pine forests. On the German side of the frontier the main roads arc splendid military roads built by the Germans with a view to the transport of the heaviest guns. The "illagcK are too far from the fighting line to allow of billeting, and encampments have been constructed in the woods. Where the roads are exposed to the view j of the enemy the French planted trees and branches as a screen, and the heaviest guns were dragged up the mountains and cunningly estublished. The French can now shell the railways, factories, a:id cantonments used by the,. Germans in the valley. The troops are full of confidence, and know they have-got .the.iipper hand. The snows have disappeared, except from the highest peaks, and the hardships of winter are past. It is safe to predict that the Germans will never again obtain the ascendancy lost when the conditions were entirely in. their favor,

In Gerbcvillier only 500 remain, of the original 2000 inhabitants. , Men, women, and children were massacred in cold blood, and; every house, was burnt when the Germans were forced to retreat. Luneville suffered little damage, probably because it harbored so many German spies. In the sector Nomenv—Pont-a-Muus-Fon—St. Mihiel the French artillery have obtained a remarkable superiority, 'fhe German trenches are clearly seen 1200 yards below. There is,not a sign of life anywhere, because the French artilleiy has forbidden all movement bv day. ■XJiip German salient at St. Mihiel is one of the most remarkable features .of the whole front. Their position is very strong, and , their artillery is specially favored by the wooded heights on either side of the river. I BOMBARDING THE BELGIAN COAST. A BELATED REPORT. BRITISH SHIPS HIT BY SHORE GUNS. SOME GALLANT SEAMEN. Received April 15, 6 p.m. London, April 15. The Press Bureau publishes Admiral Hood's report respecting the flotilla's bombardment of the Belgian coast in October and November. The report shows that twenty-eiglit British worships were engaged, including two submarines, also five French destroyers. During the first attack, which was organised to prevent the Germans going to Ostend and Nieuport, a brisk shrapnel fire bespattered the warships. The Amazon was badly holed at the waterline, and was sent to England for repairs. The presence of the ships caused alterations in the enemy's plans. Less troops were seen, but more heavy guns M ere mounted on the sand dunes.

The monitors returned to England, and the Venerable and several older cruisers replaced them. In consequence of the enemy's heavier guns, the casualties in the flotilla increased. The Fab eon "was badly hit while guarding the Venerable against submarines, while lhe Wildfire, and Vestal were badly holed. The enemy's submarines were seen and torpedoes fired. When it becam apparent that the rush of the enemy along the coast bad been checked, the bombardment ceased.

Many officers and men we're specially commended. Able Seaman Diinmock, '<.f the Falcon, finding himself the only person nnwoumled on deck, Went to the helm and immediately conned the ship. Seaman Sturman, of the Mersey, was wounded by shrapnel, but continued to serve the guns. Seaman Knott, on the Brilliant, when all the men at his gun had been killed or wounded and he himself was severely wounded, endeavored to fight the gun.

A WEEK'S BRITISH CASUALTIES. London, April I I. The week's casualties, covering Neuve Chapelle and SI. Eloi, were 2038 killed and 54 88 wounded or missing. THE REALITIES OF WAR. I 1 KKLICTOUS FKKMXfi KTOIULATKO. London, April I I. The ISishop of London writes: "The guns were booming and lirilWi planes circling like giismliun angels .In -- iiig the Muster : < rvier , for -1000 oiHreys ami mm ?) at (lie Trout. and made them | very imprc-.-ive. The realities of war! have melted away the surface shyness o; the mi :i a'aut lle'ir n i iinu;o on religion. The point I want to emphasise is the immedate response to the dcepe t spiritual note.