The Western Front.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 268, 22 April 1915, Page 5

The Western Front.

SIR JOHN FRENCH'S REPORT. MORE ABOUT HILL 60. HEAVY LOSSES ON BOTH SIDES. Condon, April 21. Sir John French's bulletin says:—The improvement in the weather resulted in increased aerial activity to our advantage. British airmen drove oil tirei TauVa j n the Ypres region on Sunday and then continued their reconnaisancc. The enemy heavily shelled the trenches near St. Eloi and exploded a mine, injuring the parapets, which- were promptly repaired. The enemy suffered heavily by an explosion on Hill 00, which was immediately followed by an attack, which gained possession of the w.'iole of the enemy's I I trenches on the hill. '{VVe put t'lfv trenches in a state of defence during Saturday night, despite a heavy bombardment, which caused many casualties. The enemy resumed the bombardment towards the morning and made a determined counter-attack at 6.30. Thia attack was pressed home and stiff hand-to-hand" iighTing ensued. Our infantry, with great gallantry and determinate, well supported iby the artillery, completely drove off the enemy. Our losses were heavy, but those oi tho Germans more severe, particularly from the machine-guns, which caught them in mass formation.

The enemy repeated his desperate efforts throughout Sunday to retake the position, which is of great importance, and at one time gained a footing on the southern slopes, but was promptly driven back. The whole hill was in our hands and the positions consolidated by nightfall. The enemy's attacks ceased on Monday morning, but he continued to bombard the hill. The prisoners taken totalled forty-nine. The German official statement that we were using asphyxiating gases at Ypres is false, and was doubtless made to justify the enemy's free use of these gases at Hill 00. The Hague Convention eliminates the use of asphyxiating gases

LIVELIER FIGHTING ON THE COAST. BRITISH WARSHIPS BOMBARD LAND POSITIONS. Amsterdam, April 20. The Telcgraaf states that British warships bombarded the Germans at Middlekorke and Ostend. The inundations in the Yser valley are subsiding and the fighting is livelier. Trains of wounded are daily arriving at Bruges. The Allies' airmen are active. STILL THEY COME. GERMAN REINFORCEMENTS IN BELGIUM. Received April 21, 11.3 p.m. Rotterdam, April 21. Many train-loads of German troops have arrived in Belgium. , MORE BOMBS AT RHEIMS. Received April 21, !)35 p.m. - Paris, April 21. Official: Fifty incendiary shells were dropped at Rhcims. The operations are chiefly artillery duels along the whole front.