The Western Front.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 305, 3 June 1915, Page 5

The Western Front.

FIGHT FOR A REFINERY. IMPORTANT .FRENCH PROGRESS. A VIOLENT BOMBARDMENT. Received June 2, 9 p.m. Paris, June 2. Official: We captured the tiouclfez sugar refinery. The enemy re-took it at night-time, hut -we expelled him and remain masters of the position, notwithstanding counter-attacks, and we inflicted ;oeavy losses. We continue to carry one by one the German works in a labyrinth eouth-east of Neuville, and we made important progress in the northern part of this fortified system and took 150 prisoners. After a violent bombardment on the outskirts of.Bois-le-i'retre the enemy captured some trenches taken by us on Sunday. THE FRENCH OFFENSIVE. MEETS WITH GLOWING SUCCESS. STRONG POSITIONS CAPTURED. . (Times and Sydney Sun Services.) Received June 2, 7' p.m. London, June 1. A Times correspondent in the north ;of France, referring to the heavy fighting at Neuville and Souchcz, two of the strongest points in the German line, says the French are attacking strongly and heading a way through the wellnigh impregnable positions. The Zouaves were covered with glory by three successive charges with heavy losses, and they finally carried a powerful German redoubt, cutting the defenders to pieces. The French offensive has been long prepared, and is proceeding with glowing success, despite Inure difficulties. The positions already captured are Carency, Latergalle, and Ablain, which are more strongly fortified than any other part of the German front. CAPTURE OF ABLAIN. 'ESTIMATE OF THE LOSSES. Received June 2, 11.30 p.m. Paris, June 2. The final assault leading to the cap- '> ture of Ablain cost the French two hundred killed and wounded. Five hundred dead Germans were found in the ruins, and five hundred prisoners were taken, besides capturing fourteen mitrailleuses. LATEST GERMAN WEAPON. FRANCE WILL RETALIATE. Received June 2, 10 p.m. London, June 2. A French memorandum to the foreign Powers on the German use of gas also quotes a German headquarters' order regarding a new weapon to squirt inflammable liquid twenty metres, causing mortal injury. The memorandum remarks that no Government could allow troops to remain unprotected against such refinements of barbarity, and consequently France intends to use fitting means to prevent the Germans committing further murders. SUCCESS OF THE FRENCH. • THE FIGHTING NEAR ARRAS. London, June 1The Times' correspondent in the north of France says the operations of the French north 'of Arras were a complete success. An artillery officer gives a : vivid impression of the principal en- . gagements. He says: "At Artois our cannonade was the most formidable in • the war, fie infantry attack being pre'pared by guns of all calibres firing on the enemy's lines for four hours. The violence was increased hour by hour, and ■ then mines were driven under the enemy- , trenches and exploded. The scene was ■ terrible. Hidden by the impenetrable ' smoke, in which hundreds of shells ex- ■ ploded simultaneously, thousands of bayonets flashed, our infantry spraii" from i the trenches and advanced, marching ! calmly, and carried the first line and ■ advanced to the second as if on parade. '■ It was an unforgetaWe picture. The > soldiers were truly incomparable and 5 marched with a line of officers some - paces in front." [ I Paris, June 1. i A communique states: On Monday - night we penetrated to Tliieku, east of 3 the Aix-Noulette-Souciiez road, where a r violent hand-to-hand fight resulted to 1 our advantage. A very violent combat - developed around tile sugar factory at s Souchez, where we captured sixty prii toners. We repulsed two companies at t la Fontenelle, north of St. Die, with heavy losses.