The Western Front.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 267, 21 April 1915, Page 5

The Western Front.

" HELL BROKE LOOSE." AT NEUVE CHAPELLE. SIR JOHN FRENCH'S SURPRISE ATTACK. TERRIFIC ARTILLERY ONSLAUGHT (Times and Sydney Sun Services.) Received April 20, 5.20 p.m. London, April 20. The Presß Bureau states:— In a quiet room, where Nelson's Prayer stands on the mantelshelf, Sir John French unfolded hia plan to the army corps commanders. Surprise was the essence of the onslaught, the Germans to be battered by artillery and rushed before they recovered. It was calculated that thirty-six hours would elapse before the Germans would be able to r<tinforee. "Neuve Chapelle was the first objective. Afterwards the troops were to press on to Bois de Biez. The attack was entrusted to the Indians on the right and the Fourth Army Corps on the centre and left. After the first line of trenches had been captured, the Indians "Were to sweep on to Bois de Biez, while the French were to occupy the village. " The Germans kept watch. A captain in the German trenches noticed an unusual movement in the British lines, and urgently requested the artillery to open fire. The latter replied politely that they had injunctions not to fire without the express order of the corps commander. " Hell then broke loose, with a mighty and hideous screeching noise as a hundred guns spoke. The troops were ready to advance on the village before the artillery had finished its work. They stood in the open, laughing and joking amid the terrific din. " The capture of the village at the bayonet point was bloody work. Through the thick pall of shell smoke, the Germans were seen on all sides emerging half-dazed from their cellars and dug-outs with hands above their heads. Others were firing-from windows, from behind carts, and even from behind tombstones, and machine-guns were placed in the houses. " A portly German was found dancing in an agony of fear, and screaming: "English, mercy! I married a Britisher." He was taken prisoner, his captor saying: " Your missis won't thank us for sending you home!" A BRITISH VICTORY.

GERMANS CLAIM A SUCCESS. Paris, April 19. A communique states that the British, near Zevartelen, captured two hundred metres of German trenches. iWe continued to progress on the river Fecht, capturing the crest of Burgkorpfle on the north bank, dominating the valley of Abo and the range of heights commanding the river on the south side opposite Burgkorpfle. We made notable progress in the Schenepfeurieth district. Amsterdam, April 19. A German communique claims that they repulsed a British attack near the Ypres-Lomines railway with heavy British losses. It also claims that the Germans have recaptured Garros and Inglemunster. London, April 10. The Red Cross has 401 motor ambulances working with the British in France, also 5 touring cars, 32 motor lorries, 21 motor cycles, eight travelling kitchens, and five travelling workshops. Ninety cars are always held in reserve.

BRITISH TAKE A HILL. AND HOLD AGAINST DESPERATE ASSAULTS. London, April 19. The Press Bureau reports that a successful explosion of a mine under hill 60 commenced the operations at Zillebeke. Many Germans were killed and fifteen captured. The Germans at daybreak on the 18th made a heavy counter-attack, but were repulsed with heavy loss. They advanced in close formation, and our machiue-guu battery got well into them. They made desperate efforts on Sunday to recover the hill, but were everywhere repulsed with great loss. Hundreds of < dead now lie in the captured position, where the British have consolidated in strength.

ALMOST INCREDIBLE SAVAGERY. A FEARFUL REVENGE. BELGIAN SOLDIERS MASSACRED [N COLD BLOOD. Received April 20, 9.40 pflm. London, April 20. .The Daily Chronicle reports that after the Belgians had driven back the Germans at Driegracliten, a Belgian nigiit patrol surprised and killed several German sentries. The Germans, infuriated at the discovery, took a greater number of Belgian prisoners belonging to the First Chasseurs, and massacred them in cold blood. TO STARVE THE BELGIANS. LATEST GERMAN EDICT. Received April 20, 9.20 p.m. London, April 20. The Germans have closed the DutchBelgian frontier. Even foodstuffs are hot allowed to pass. ENEMY'S APPALLING LOSSES. MORE ABOUT MOXTMARTRE. Received April 20, 9. 20 p.m. Paris, April 20. Details of the Montmartre fight state that the Germans had peremptory orders to recover the ground at all costs. They managed to reach the entanglements of the new French trenches at several points by repeated night attacks, and before, daybreak the French, worn but Unflinching, had hurled buck ten great h'aves of steel fire. As fast as one attack was beaten off fresh contingents h'ere rushed forward. Only by superhuman courage and endurance did the French hold the ground. The Germans advanced to the final httack at daybreak", singing the "WaMi on the Rhino." Tliev were allowed to reach within twenty metres, ulien u large number of mitrailleuses poured a terrific fire into them. The Germans in every direction went down in hundreds and fell back shatter-!-d. A couple of French battalions sprang from the trenches and completed the rout with the bayonet. The enemy's ' losses were vppnliing.