The Western Front

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 313, 12 June 1915, Page 5

The Western Front

FINE BRITISH ACTION. ATTACK BY DRAGOON GUARDS. AN HEROIC INCIDENT. , (Times and Sydney Sun Services.) Received June 11, (i.15 p.m. Loudon, June 10. A correspondent at the British headquarters says special commendation is due to the Third Dragoon Guards for their defence of a Chateau at Hooge throughout June 2. The German artillery were firing high explosives, shrapnel, and bombs, and sea relied the lines of I communication with a torrent of projectiles, often twenty a, minute. Infantry attacks followed the bombardment. 'Hie Germans wore khaki tunics, giving the lie to the declaration that they hud not used our uniforms. The attackers were allowed to reach the cliateau, when the batteries opened fire, and the Germans rushed into the open, where they were caught by the machine-guns, losing heavily. There" was an incident of heroism by the Dragoon Guards during the heavy shelling of the Hooge village. Three men were blown to bits, and another man replaced one man killed and was buried to the shoulder by falling brickwork. Private Leigh, a stretcher-bearer, went out under a heavy shell-fire, and for hours tried to disentangle the man. He was eventually freed, but he was dead. FALSE GERMAN REPORTS. (Times and Sydney Sun Services.) Received June 11, 6.15 p.m. London, June 10. The Press Bureau issues a French official Note proving seriatim the falsity of recent German communiques. GREAT FRENCH ATTACK. ' THE GERMANS' DEMORALISED. RAPID CAPTURE OF . „. , . TRENCHES. A LESSON IN HUMANITY. Received June 11, 11.45 p.m. . I'aris, June 11. Details of the French attack on Hebuterne state that when it was apparent that the Germans stationed in a farm in the vicinity rare partial!v isolated heavy artillery fire was opene'd, rendering it impossible for the Germans to re- ' provision, and the defenders .soon be- ' came demoralised by hunger and thirst. '. The FrcncH infantry immediately ad- ' vanced with formidable impetuosity and ■' captured three lines of trendies in . seventeen minutes. The enemy scarce- ' ly resisted, and in an ensuing" bayonet ' charge they threw up their hands, shout- ' : ing "Water, water!" ' The French rapidly organised the cap- I tured position. They found a number 1 of machine-guns, and the prisoners pro- , seated a spectacle of absolute discour- - .agement and fatigue. The authorities, .following General Joffre's order to give ' the Germans a terrible lesson irt' '!m- ; manity, sent the best ambulances to ' pick up the wounded. J GERMAN POSITION TAKEN. ] .VICTORY BY THE FRENCH, GERMANS MOWN DOWN. Parisj June 10. Official: Details of the capture of the .strongly, fortified German salient at 'Qucenevicvre, between the Oisc and the Aisne, state that a heavy ■bombardment on the sth. smashed the defensive works and aerial bombs at night prevented i fiem being rebuilt. A mine-field was ■ exploded on the morning of the oth. ' The French infantry then leapt from ' the trenches. The Germans, who had ' already lost heavily, sheltered in small J groups in holes and many were buried ( alive. The assault was entrusted to 'battalions of Zouaves, Senegalese sharpshooters, and Brittany infantry. Each I man had 250 cartridges and two hand grenades. Within 25 minutes, after a brilliant charge for a distance of 180 yards, during which 2000 Germans were slain, the position was taken and 250 made prisoners. The Zouave's, charging ; further away, captured three 75 millimetre guns. The Germans, mesmerised , by the sudden bayonet attack of the ( black troops, did not lire a shot. The Germans were mown down by the French 75mm. guns. A few officers bravely advanced to the trenches, but were not followed by the men, and were killed. The positions were maintained, despite German reinforcements sent by motors from Roye. Over 3000 Germans .were killed here. The French casualties were 250 killed and 1500 wounded, mostly slightlyi by bursting shells. A communique states: "Last night the Germans re-attacked the refinery at Souchoz and were speedily repulsed. The Germans bombarded Neuville St. Vaast, but did not attempt to recapture it. Our gains at Hebuternc extend a kilomotre over a front of 1800 metres." The capture of Neuville clears the way to the great plain round Douai and Lens. M. Viviani is hastening heavy naval artillery to meet the German advance with men from Galieia.