THE WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 October 1915, Page 6

THE WAR.

ON THE WESTERN FRONT. THE BIG DRIVE. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Loudon, Oct. 1. Colonel Repington, the Times' military correspondent, says there is every reason to hope the Allies' advance in 'the west will be continued in due time with the same admirable forethought and resolution which distinguished the preliminary operations. Sir John French's attack between Lens and La Bassee is satisfactory, but we must remember the fortified agglomerations of La Bassee in the, north and of Lens in the south are now flanking our new line. It cannot be ignored that on the northern flank of our new line Haisnes is still in German occupation. On our right flank, by occupying Hill 70 and the western outskirts of Hullucli, we are across the Lens-La Bassee Road, but remain a little in the air because the French are not yet masters of the Givenchy-Vimy plateau. With formidable defences still ahead we must bring into,action all the means at our command. It is certain that our leaders are not wasting an hour, but tlie attack on the third line, requires special care, because the German general reserves are now up. A severe struggle is to be expected. We shall be able to help our Allies on the right. When they have turned the Germans off the Vimy plateau we shall be able to .advance shoulder to shoulder with the French. If the Germans think we have shot •nir bolt they will soon be undeceived. It is only the overture. There are many jigns that the Germans dread what is comma;. Their local reserves are used up. We have succeeded in our first efforts beyond expectations. The German headquarters is displaying weakness by its failure to hold ground which they expected to be attacked, also for foolishly concealing the truth from the German people. We must expect the offensive to be attended by heavy loss. The Boscheß bolted like hares into the wood, said a French soldier describing the charges of Souehez. Simultaneously with the order to advance we exploded seven mines, completing the destruction of the trenches. We dashed hot on their heels. Some of our comrades stayed behind to explore the ravaged tre/iehes and subterranean shafts twenty feet deep, throwing in bombs to prevent the occupants attacking us in the rear. Fa3t as the Gernrans ran we soon caught them up a!id occupied the second line of trenches in the middle of the wood. Some crossed the Souehez brook and some went up the road towards Angres. The enemy brought up strong reserves and our officers recalled us to the first German trench. Our artillery and that of the enemy bombarded the wood, and its aspect changed as by enchantment. Soon only three stumps remained. Emerging from the tangle of branches we treated the German shrapnel philosophically, because we wore steel helmets. Next afternoon we rc-attacked the wood, stumbling over fallen branches. The German machine-guns were most troublesome. They were almost invisible and in steel-plated pits. We sheltered in the shell holes, the bombers crept in behind the tree stumps and kept up a rain of bombs, soon driving out the Germans from the wood, which was ours for good. Paris, Oct. 1. A communique states that we progressed eastward and southward of Neuville and northward of Massiges. German counter-attacks at Givenchy wood and in the' Champagne were completely replused. Calmly puffing a pipe like a company commander, General Marchand placed himself at the head of a column in the advance between Perthes and Souain. This picture was given by a wounded private of the colonial infantry, who was alongside General Marchand when he was wounded: " The General's bravery is a legend in the whole division. When the order to advance was given on Saturday, General Marchand arrived amid a hail of bullets. His short speech was inaudible owing to the roar of the guns. Our colonial division, with the Moroccan division, a brigade of Zouaves, and a brigade of the Foreign Legion formed the first line launched against the trenches. We covered 150 yards through a perfect hell of shot and shell. We had just reached the first Boche trench, when General Marchand dropped. A shell splinter struck him in the abdomen. Stretcher-bearers picked him up, and he was taken to the hospital at Suippes and is doing well. It is believed that his cure is only a question of time."

THE TREND OF THINGS. Amsterdam, Oct. I. The wounded at Ostend and Blankeiv berghe have been removed to Germany. Wounded from Zeebruggo have arrived at Bruges. The results of the bombardment are carefully concealed. Zeebrugge is isolated and soldiers in the neighborhood are unaware of developments. CONGRATULATIONS. Paris, Oct. 1. King George and M. Poincare have exchanged congratulations over the joint success, and reciprocal admiration for the French and British armies' exploits. A GERMAN REPORT. Amsterdam, Oct. -. A German communique states that monitors unsuccessfully bombarded Lomburtzyde and Middlek'erke. The British troops did not attempt a re-attack on Thursday, and our counter-attacks north of Loos, though severely opposed, progressed. The French attempts to advance east of Houchez and north of Xeuville failed. A strong hostile attack eastward of Auherive also failed. All the French attacks were undertaken by detachments of seven dili'erent divisions, and were unsuccessful. Our captures in Champagne total seven thousand. Successful minings damaged the French position at Vangaris. French airmen bombed Lc Ninlieterard, killing eight French civilians. We suffered no losses. UNITED STATES. GERMAN ATTACHE TO BE RECALLED. Washington, Get. 1. Unless Germany recalls Captain von Papen, military attache, who has given great offence by describing Americans as idiotic Yankees, the United States , will request his recall.