A FRENCH ASSAULT.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 September 1915, Page 5

A FRENCH ASSAULT.

IN BLINDING RAIN. Received Sept. 29, 12.5 a.m. Paris, Sept. 28. The attack in the Champagne district occurred in a raging rainstorm, which make 9 the dash of the French infantry, that carried them up to the enemy's gun positions before they had time to move them, all the more remarkable. The advance was so quick that more than one German pivot point was left behind, and hod subsequently to be captured by a minor siege. In these fortified farms and Bandbag fortresses, which were cut <s, tlie Germans held out for some time.

HOLDING THE HUN. Received Sept. 28, 11.30 «,.m. Paris, Sept. 28. The hardest fighting was near Auberive. The Germans in the Champagne district were peculiarly dependent on the erossline railway between Argonne and Bezancourt, uniting the Rethel and Vouziers lines, along which they were alone able to bring up large and rapid supplies of reinforcements. The French at Auberive were within three miles of the line. The latter also maintains the Germans' collection with tbe hills northwards of Rheims. Judging from the number of prisoners, the German killed and wounded may be estimated as equalling in bulk an army corps. THE ENEMY'S DIFFICULTY. It is difficult for the Germans to bring the requisite reinforcements, which can scarcely be spared from other parts, inasmuch aa along the whole of the long line they are sorely tried. This dependence of one region upon another waa illustrated on the same front last March, when the French attaxHc at Mesnil and Beausejour compelled the Germans to transfer troops from the British front, contributing to the British advance at Neuve Clapelle. A GERMAN REPORT. CLAIMS AERIAL SUCCESSES. Received Sept. 28, 5.5 p.m. Amsterdam, Sept. 27. A German communique states:—Warships continue to fire isolated shots at the environs of Middlekirkc. The Allies have not renewed their attacks southwest of Lille, where our counter-attacks arrested a great offensive. Severe isolated attacks north and south of Loos collapsed with English losses. Attacks on both sides of Arras were bloodily repulsed. We captured twenty-five officers, 2600 men, and fourteen machine guns. The French offensive at Rheims and in the Argonne has not progressed. It was especially severe on the road between Sommepy and Suipes, and also north of Beausejour Farm, where they failed with very heavy losses. We captured forty officers and 390 men. We shot down throe aeroplanes, including a great French battle aeroplane, in aerial battles northeast of Ypres and south southwest of Lille. Two French aeroplanes were brought down in the Champagne district. ENTHUSIASM IN BRITAIN. NO "MAFFICKING." ! Received Sept. 28, 5.5 p.m. London, Sept. 27. The news of the offensive, which took place on the eve of Sir John French's birthday, aroused enthusiasm in Britain, but there was nothing approaching "Mafficking." The Stock Exchange has a more cheerful tone, and war loans rallied sharply. A military parade in Throgmorton Street (adjoining the Stock Exchange) occasioned patriotic demonstrations. CRITICS' OPINIONS. Colonel Maude is of opinion that with reasonable luck the Allies should drive the Germans back to the Rhine in two months. Other critics deprecate undue optimism. The present are only the opening moves in the -game, which may continue for days and weeks, but there is general relief at the apparent end to the period of waiting which pessimists construed as paralysis. THE ALLIES' OBJECTIVE. | The Pall Mall Gazette considers that the advance on Menin Road ensures that north of La Bassee we are also holding the attack, and that the rea'S British objective is Lens, where there ire at least two corp3. The French advance in Champagne implies the engagement of at least five army corps. We are now within three miles of the railway in the Souain region, with tie small rivers Aine and Tourbe on either flank. Hence we should be able to make good against expected strong counter-attacks. BATTLES WAGED DURING THE RAIN. Ilweivod Sept. 28, 10.10 p.in, Paris, Sept. 28. IjC Petit Parisicn says that the Artois and Chainpagne battles were fought under abominable weather conditions for attack, there being a deluge of rain. A WELL-TIMED DRIVE. AMERICAN OPINION. Received Sept. 28, 11.10 p.m. New York, Sept. 2S. The New York Times says that the drive has been well timed, and tends to postpone the movement against the Allies at Gallipoli. The New York World says that the asaults promise to render Russia vigorous assistance. ONE MORE GREAT EFFORT. London, Sept. 27. The Daily Telegraph's Rotterdam correspondent sayg that the General Staff in Berlin is determined to make one , more great effort in the West