The Western Front

Taranaki Daily News, 14 July 1915, Page 5

The Western Front

A CANADIAN REPORT. DRILL BOOK WARFARE. DOES NOT ALWAYS PAY. Received July 13, 5.5 p.m. London, .July 12.A Tlie Canadian Eyewitness states that after thi- battle of Laugomarck tlic Canadians rested until 14tli of May, and then moral to the southern section of the British lines. He states that the following is an example of the result of a citizen army not keeping to drill-hook rules. The Canadian battalion arranged its artillery to open a heavy fire on. a section of the German trenches while the infantry made an ostentatious parade, fixing their bayonets and rigging trench ladders. The Germans promptly retired to the supporting trenches, leaving the storm of shells to rage, in front, but being ready to rush 'hack when the fire stopped to meet the Canadian charge. The guns were duly lifted from the front trenches and .shelled the supporting trenches, as the drill-book states, to prevent the Germans coming up. The Germans nevertheless returned, but the Canadians did not move. Instead, the artillery shortened range, and a blast of fire fell on the crowded front trenches. Next day a German wireless announced ! that a desperate attack was repulsed, jiut the real fact was disclosed by a German who, entering the trenches' for his night watch, cried out peevishly, "Sam Slick, no dirty tricks to-night." The second brigade attacked the fortified position called Bexhil] on 21st May and captured a\ section of the trench. A detachment ofjlritish troops, including King Edward's Horse and Strathcona's Horse, on the next night took over the trenches, both serving as infantry. This was their first introduction to warfare. NEW CORPS TO WARFARE. INSTANCES OF BRAVERY. The 23rd was without incident, though the enemy, threatened to attack King Edward's Horse, but they broke in the face of a heavy artillery fire. The Canadians again attacked at daybreak on the 24th, capturing the positions. They dug themselves in and hung on, assisted by a ring of shrapnel, while the heavy guns distracted the German artillery. Colonel Seely has now assumed command of the position held. The total losess of the brigade in connection with Bexhill were 55 officers and 9SQ men. The Canadian Eyewitness narrates numerous instances of bravery, including the following in connection with the Ontario Regiment, who made an attack on a treneli called "Stony Mountain." near La Basaee:— Private Vincent, a lumberjack, mounted a machine-gun on his back and returned to the base. Private Smith, son of an Ontario Methodist minister, was buried by the explosion 'of a mine, but dug himself out and crawled to the front of the line five times to re-supply bombers with bombs. The German fire was so hot that he had to lie down to toss bombs to the men, who captured the trenches. When the supply of bombs was exhausted, an unknown Canadian 'was seen standing on the parapet of the trench, leaping with rage and hurling bricks and Btones at the enemy until he was killed. The remnants of the Ontario Regiment were finally forced to evacuate the ground won. Out of 23 officers in the attack on Stony; Mountain 20 were either killed or wounded. POWERFUL WEAPONS. FOR FRENCH FIGHTING, Received July 14, 0.3 a.m. London, July IS. The Daily Mail states that the Germans have constructed six huge armorplated triplanes, threefold larger thp.n the usual aeroplane, fitted with eight Maybach motors, coupled in pairs and driving four propellors. Each carries four machine-guns. Six machines are complete, and it is intended to use them in attacking trenches. HEAVY LOSSES OF OFFICERS. WARNEFORD'S ZEPPELIN. GERMANY DOUBTFUL OF AUSTRIA. Paris, July 12. The German casualty lists show that since the outset 4000 officers have, been killed, wounded or taken prisoner monthly. London, July 12. A neutral observer writes that the Germans admit that the greatest Zeppelin loss was the airship which Warueford destroyed. Officers said they would rather have lost 5000 men tnan that crew, which contained engineers whom they were unable to replace without live years' training. It is believed that Germany plaec.s great hope;] on two war inventions, an 'air torpedo and automatic gun. The former is titled with propellers driven by electricity. Tt is controlled from a Zeppelin by wireless over a distance, of two miles. It is able, however, to assume a. vertical position and'divo to the ground, exploding a quantity of high explosives. It is proposed to use it against the British fleet. A small swift craft is building to carry only aerial torpedoes. The Mail's correspondent at Rotterdam learns that the weapon will probably be tried over London this summer, and and he does not doubt its secret invention, about which he has beard many whispers. lie warns renders that it is not a fantastic Jules Verne idea, but is a practical weapon invented by a competent engineer, and tested to the satisfaction of the German aerial and military authorities. It is hoped that the autrmatic gun will pour out shells as a, Maxim does bullets. The Swiss declare that iinTicat ions exist that Germany is afraid that Austria is unable to hold out till the end. A financial crisis is expected, us the expenses of the war arc so stupendous, a mil the loans granted by I'.etlin arc limited. A FRENCH COMMUNIQUE. SEVERAL SLIGHT SUCCESSES. Received duly II!. 0.50 p.m. Paris, .Tulv LI. Official: The Germans bombarded our trenches in front of i.-ombacrt/.yde an 1 Nieuport, but our reply silenced two batteries. Despite an asphyxiating canlionnd", we counter-attacked at Sonehez end Carc:i"v. jtiii?a portion of the trenches r-^f '■<].>.■£ d - n Sn l ::]-' We ex|'!rtl'|l on the Aisne, rr-elv";- the r.r.m mine galleries. The Genu;'.:!-; !'•>! two attacks at Croix des (Jamy. The first was repulsed with important losses, and the second was stopped before the Germans could emerge from their trenches.