The Western Front.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 293, 20 May 1915, Page 5

The Western Front.

THE FIGHTING IN FRANCE. THE IILOGUIEST IN HISTORY. DISTINCT BATTLES. GERMANY'S FURY IN DESPAIR. (Times and Sydney Sun Services.) Received .Mav 1!', t> p.m. ' ' London, May IS. The Times' correspondent says that 'the fighting at fas de Calais last week was the bloodiest in the history of western Europe. There were seven distinct ■battles, and the struggle is not lessen ing on that front. At Ypres the Hritis'i were outnumbered and were in constant danger of being outflanked, yiet they firmlv held their ground and hurled back the German attacks repeatedly. Dawn on Sunday revealed the dead piled in the fields'like corn-stacks. In 'the deserted towns the streets were full of dead men and horses. Soon in the light of the dawn the work of mankilling re-commenced. The battles at Nieuport, Dixmude, Ypres, Laventie, Rieheburg, Lens and Careney manifested the murderous western struggle. Germany is fighting like a wolf at hay, and with a fury suggesting the promptings of despair.

A SPIRITED ATTACK. ADVANCE BY THE ALLIES. ENEMY RESISTANCE, WEAKENING. Received Mav 20. 1.110 a m. Amsterdam. Mav 10. The Allies made a spirited attack north east of Ypres, and drove the enemy towards Pilkon. There was a half-hearted resistance. The Allies everywhere are continuing the offensive, but their losses are heavy. Paris, May 10. The British advanced to La Quinque and reached Ruedonvert. The resistance is weakening. V\ T c took numerous prisoners. The fighting is developing into a series of isolated engagements. British aeroplanes on the Yser attacked a Zeppelin. Bombs glanced oil' the envelope, but the tail and steeringgear was destroyed. The airship escaped.

MEN IN GOOD SPIRITS. ALLIES TO X'SE GASES. London, May 18. The Allied airmen totally destroyed the German aviation ground at Ghistelles, near Ostcnd. The sheds and many machines were destroyed. The Times' correspondent in the north of France says the story of the storming of C'arency increases the confidence in France. It is proudly noted that the infantry were overjoyed at leaving the trenches where they had been stuck for the winter. The feeling is increasing that it will be permissible shortly to 'expect something move than sapping and mining. Red Cross trains are arriving in Paris full of men in the highest spirits, proudly waving branches of lilac taken from "aniens in C'arency. Letters are absolutely" confident that the advance will be continued. Lord Kitchener, in the House of Lords, said that the British and French Governments had decided that their troops must "be adequately protected against poisonous gases by the employment of similar methods to remove the enormous and unjustifiable disadvantage now existing, .'lie said that'lic had called for 300,000 'more recruits to form new armies. He was confident that in the vcryi near 'future they would be in a satisfactory position regarding the supply of aininu'nition. The news from the Gallipoli 'Peninsula was thoroughly satisfactory.

QUIET AT THE FRONT. CAXXnXADIXC VERY WKAK. Keeeiyrd Miiv l!i. 11,!.") i>.in. Paris. May 19. ClVlciul: Matters arc c]<iiet, on tlif ' y, : uie front, and there i* heavy r-r.n. ' t "n»iimimtliitji is very weak. '