The Western Front.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 272, 27 April 1915, Page 5

The Western Front.

THE BRITISH STRATEGY. GERMANS FORCED TO DISCLOSE THEIR HAND. SOME CRITICAL MOMENTS. MANY DEEDS OF BRAVERY. Received April 26, 11.35 p.m. London, April 2G. The Daily Chronicle correspondent states that three bayonet fights resulted unfavorably for the Germans, many pf whom were made prisoners. The Germans continued their massed attack oil the "23rd upon tlie Belgian Grenadiers, who performed many deeds of bravery, preventing the Germans from passing the French left wing, which was weakened as a result of the poisonous gas used by the Germans. By midday on the 25th the Germans were driven back' over the Yser. The Germans throughout used many explosive bullets. Received April 26, 11.40 p.m. Dunkirk, April 26. The capture of Hill 00 upset the German calculations. The Germans were forced to disclose their hand in a premature attack upon the French lines north of the British section. Three German army corps were flung on the Yser from Roulers with orders to gain thi> Ypres-Furnes Road at any cost. A north-easterly wind was blowing on Thursday evening, and the circulation of the sulphur choride product resulted in a heavy gas of about the sam o <5; sisdencv as afterdamp, and the a lJ smoke was singularly painful to the' eyes. As the smoke arose in front of the German trenches, .the enemy evacuated their own trenches, giving the French the impression they were retiring. Man/ French sprang up and charged into the poisonous cloud, but were blinded and stifled by the fumes. Some regained their trenches, but the bursting shells continuing with the same fuses scattered tlie poisonous gases, and formed another wall of smoke behind which were the bewildered Frenchmen. At one spot the Germans themselves caught tlie poisonous cloud and fought until it was impossible to distinguish friend from foe.

Li French sergeant managed to escape, and told the Belgian commander of the gravity of the situation. The Belgians retired in good order. The Canadians had no time to get their 4.7 guns across the water. The Germans up a quantity of ready-made bridges, thirty feet long. Despite the, destruction of the first occupied Linerne. This left the Canadians' position untenable, but within four hours they had turned and advanced.