The Western Front

Taranaki Daily News, 26 July 1915, Page 5

The Western Front

A GERMAN REPORT. AIRCRAFT ACTIVE. < Received July 24, 5.5 p.m. Amsterdam, July 23. A German communique states: We drove the French from their advanced 'positions at Linge and Barrenkopf, but according to our plans we evacuated them in order to avoid losses. As a reprisal for.the bombardment of Thiancourt and other places we yesterday bombarded Ponta Moussons. Our aircraft bombed the railway at the triangle of St. Hilaire, in the Champagne district, and forced the enemy airmen to retreat. In an aerial fight at Conflans we destroyed an enemy battle aeroplane. SUCCESSFUL AIR RAID. ' Received July 25, 3.5 p.m. I Paris, July 24. Official; An air squadron dropped twenty-eight .bombs on the Conflans and Edoarnisy stations and b.i.ught down two aviators. MORE BOMBARDMENTS. Received July 25, 11.30 p.m. Pans. July 25. Official: Some shells have been thrown into Soisson* a nd Rlicim*. There is a violent borafliardmeht of Bois le Pretre. "CROWN PRINCE'S MIXTURE.' DRI.YK-SODDEN SOLDIERS. Received July 25, 3 p.m. Copenhagen, July 24. Soldiers in the North' of Sctileswig who have returned from the Argonne, declare that the value of human life in the Crown Prince's army since the war had never been lower. Enormous quantities of alcohol are distributed daily, the most effective drink being popularly known as the "Crown Prince's Mixture," consisting- of ether and arrack, , A bottle is handed to each soldier in the trenches prior to a great onslaught, and frequently soldiers are seen, drinkmaddened, charging with a bottle in one hand and bomb-, in the other, utterly dazed and oblivious of danger.

ATTACKS REPULSED. Received July 25, 5.5 p.m. Paris, July 24. Official: The Germans made several attacks on the Reiehackerkopf and'Metfceral heights, but were everywhere repulsed. , IN ARGONNE.

CROWN PRINCE'S FAILURE. Received July 25, 4.40 p.m. Paris, July 24. Despite the Crown Prince's* effort Verdun is as little besieged as in winter. The Crown Prince is attacking thirty-five miles from Verdun, but there are vital defences on the edge of the Argonne, where the French are putting up a steel resistance on the main railway line, and also on the St. MinehouldVerdun road, which still gives access to Verdun. The Crown Prince's effort was directed against the railway and road. The resumption of the attack, on July 13th was most violent, and was made at a great cost of life and material. The Crown Prince won a few hundred yards at various points, but is no nearer the road and railway, and this great offensive was foiled.

A BOASTFUL PRINCE. CIIKFRIN'G (T TITS TROOPS. Received July 25, 5.40 p.m. Amsterdam, July 24. The I rown Prince has issued a flamboyant army order to the troops in the Argonne. lie sa.u-.: "In ten months of heavy sanguinary lighting we repelled a tenacioirs and brave enemy. Though the situation in the west has not imposed the defensive upon u-. you have shown yourselves capable of delivering vigorous blows,' and 1 am proud and happy to command such troops. When the Supreme War Lord orders a further advance I can trust you to win new laurels for our victorious colors.

A GERMAN" COUNT. Merlin, July 24. Official: Two thousand six hundred French dfad were counted on the German front in Muenster district, as the result of the last few days' fighting. IIKI.MKTS FIJI? SOLDIERS. (Times and Sydney Sun Services.) Received July "24, 6.20 p.m. London, July 23. The authorities are considering the question of supplying British soldiers in the trenches with metal headpieces, similar to those of the French.