The Western Front

Taranaki Daily News, 31 July 1915, Page 5

The Western Front

COMPARATIVE QUIETNESS. SIR JOHN FKKNTii'S RF.I'OHT. Received Julv .'lit, :,..-) p.m. ' London, July 20. The Press Bureau states that -Sir .lolm French reports active mining operations on both sides during the last few days, with intermittent artillery engagements, and no infantry attacks. The enemy exploded three mines in the neighborhood of iSt. Eloi and one near Givenehy, but only one did slight damage. Wc exploded a mine on the 28th, north of G'otirteleen, and destroyed twenty yards of the enemy's parapet. One of our aeroplanes, on the i'ith, shot down a German machine, which fell within our lines cast of Zillobekc.

A VICTORY OF VALUE. YAI.OK OF FRENCH TROOPS. (Tiines and Sydney .Sun Services.) Received July :RI, 8.20 p.m. London, July 30. The success achieved by the French at Tiandesapt has had considerable moral, as well as material, value. A number of French, comparatively small, were called upon to act against superior numbers of picked men, after a period of particularly trying operations, which I might have been expected to leave them suffering from the effects of fatigue. That'll victory was achieved is definite proof of French ascendancy over the enemy. A leading French military critic sayw: "It is proof that our soldiers are always in form, and a guarantee that when the operation is repeated simultaneously at various points on the front the German resistance will be broken." BURDENED BRUSSELS. GERMANY'S EXTORTIt >X. Received July 3't. r>.."i p.m. Paris, July 20. The Germans imposed a fine of £200,000 on the city of Brussels on account of the destruction of a Zeppelin there on June iith. This i> official.

IN THE TRENCHES. Bums AN'D GUEXADKS NEEDED. London, July 20. Center's correspondent at headquarters says the dispatch on recent operations iias revealed the enormous importance of bombs and hand-grenades, which are needed in unlimited quantities for close fighting in the narrow trendies intersected by innumerable traverses and formidable barricades, with which the .German defence works abound. A Jitautifully-made unexploded bomb was recently found in our trenches, capable of being thrown sixty yards. The mechanism was so contrived that it was bound to explode whatever way it fell. German snipers use rifle.* with special telescopic sights, making a miss almost impossible. .

CROWN PRINCE'S BOMBAST. "TO SETTLE WITH FUAXCE." Amsterdam, July 20. During field service in the Argonne the Crown Prince addressed the troop= who stormed the heights on the 13th and thanked them for their last success, which had brought great success, though accompanied by hcavv losses. He added: "We are covering our comrades on the eastern battlefield, and, with God's help, shall continue, to do so until it is possible to settle definitely with the French."

WAR FROM THE AIR. ZEEBRUGOE AOAIN RAIDED. Received July 31, 12.30 a.m. Rotterdam, July 30. Allied airmen raided Zeebruggc Knocke on Thursday, and considerably damaged the mole and the bridge over the maritime canal at Zeebrugge.

"TONY" WILDING. HIS SPORTING CHANCE. Received July 30, 10.45 p.m. London, July 30. Officers state that Captain \VHding was in charge of a three-pounder, and directed the firing from early morning till the middle of the afternoon, when he entered a dugout and was killed an hour later. The official report spoke highly of his work. Wilding's last, letter was written on the day lie was killed. Jn it he said: "L<V>•• the first time iu V'/« months I have a job. It is likely to end in my gun, myself, and the whole outfit being blown to hell. However, it is a sporting chance. If we succeed it will help our infantry no end." FRENCH OFFICIAL REPORT. Paris. July 30. At liandesa.pt we occupied ■ir-c.t!;er group of houses in the southwest portion of Limois. The Germans delivered a violent attack at Karrciikopf, lint were repulsed, and we maintained our gains. Our fire caught and destroyed a Herman battery. A c-mmuniquc states: There was some y.:: ilLl , .mil petard fighting at night !•. t.\e Sutiche/. sector. IVmibs and air torpedoes were used at liagatelle innl other places in the Argonne, where we mined and blew up several German posts. We picked up 20U German dead at l.ingekop; and 1011 at Rarivnkopf. FRKN'I II GENERAL'S MI'.SSAt lE. Paris. July 20. General Maudhay wrote to Crousot's .munition workers: "We hear you are working da,- and niirht to send guns and shells. ' P.ravo! ' Thanks! P.y so doing you -ave the lives of many of your brothers. We shall win a crushing victory all C.ie sooner." The winkers replied: "We are aware of the debt we owe our gallant brothers in arms. You can count on us, as we on them, to the utmost." FRENCH AIRMAN KILLED. Paris, July 20. The aviator lienoist, while descending in his aeroplane, fell 1000 ft., and died in hospital. His mechanic was incinerated.