IN THE WEST

Taranaki Daily News, 4 August 1915, Page 7

IN THE WEST

BATTLE AT HOOGE, LOST TRENCHES REGALYjEft London, August I. Sir John I'Vaudi reports that further lighting on July 30 at Ilooge resulted in our recapturing the portion of the tout trenches. We repulsed two infantry attacks on Saturday night. THE FLAME ATTACK. DESCRIPTION OF THE STRUGGLE. London, August 2. Renter's correspondent in the North of France describes Friday's flame attack at Hooge. Just before dawn there was a heavy 'bombardment of our trenches by guns of ail calibres, and an unusually large mine-thrower. Then German engineers turned on the taps of cyliuders and launched a shiet of flame against our parapet. An infantry attack (followed under cover of the screen of /lamo and forced an entry to our trenches, the breach subsequently being extended to give five hundred yards by bonVbing. It was a surprise attack, and the grim struggle in semi -darkness ended in the enemy's dastardly methods compelling our men to give ground. Wo took up a Ann position south of Hooge and held it against all attacks. Wc reserved our counter-attack till Saturday afternoon, when we regained part of the lost trenches. FLANDERS BATTLEFIELD. FRENCH HOLD GOOD POSITIONS.

COST OF THE.STRUGGLE.

(Times and Sydney Sun Services). London, August 1. An American correspondent cables that the French hold the eminences looking out upon the plain of Flanders, upon Lille, 'Douai, and Cambrai. Each side i 3 employing formidable artillery of small but hea.vy calibre. The French guns are somewhat more numerous, and are served with unlimited quantities of high explosive shells. Upwards of one hundred thousand Germans have fallen or been captured in these trenches since March. The line was finally taken by tossing grenades in basketfuls upon the trenches, until the defenders fa tii» concaved shelters were too weak to resist. Extreme watchfulness is exercised by both sides. The Germans shell even one man who may be sighted walking within four miles of their front It is estimated that if one man is hit for every ton of metal thrown the average is good. Buildings are daily crumbling away. The Arras streets are overgrown with grass, and the shops are carrying on business underground, BATTLE IN THE AIR. Berlin, August 1. A communique states: The British attack on the new position at Hooge completely collapsed. Great aerial activity continues. We dropped thirty bombs on the British flying ground at Saint Pol. An enemy squadron unsuccessfully bombarded the German aerodrome at Douai, where one of our battle aeroplanes shot down an enemy aeroplane. We dropped 103 bombs on the flying ground at Nancy, at.fl eighteen bombs hit the tents. The enemy's machines ascended to defend the aerodrome but failed. Six of our aeroplanes attacked fifteen French machines at Chateau Salines, and after forty-five minutes fight several French machines were forced to land. When the enemy was reinforced we retreated without loss. REFUTING GERMAN LIES. Havre, August 2. The Belgian staff is pubishing documents contradicting the German calumny that because of conspiracy with England "Belgium violated her own neutrality. The documents show that Belgium in August had disposed forces on all boundaries in readiness to resist attempts in any direction. , IN THE ARGONNE. Berlin, August 2. A communique states: During the fighting in the Argonne on July 20tJt we captured 125 officers, 6010 men, and fifty-two machine-guns. " A SCRAP OiF PAPER." The Hague, August 2. The people of Brussels have decided to wear pieces ri torn paper on August 4 to mart the anniversary of what Von Betlmiann - Hollweg termed "Belgian neutrality—a scrap of pa.per!" Aa the Germans have forbidden the wearing of insignia, speculation is rife as to whether all the Brusselois -syill be Imprisoned.