THE KINO TO HIS TROOPS.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 October 1915, Page 5

THE KINO TO HIS TROOPS.

MESSAGE OP CONGRATULATION.

Received Oct. 4, 9.50 p.m,

London, Oct. 4.

Tie King sent the following message to Sir John French: 'I heartily , congratulate you and all ranks on the success of our gallant efforts since the commencement of the combined attack, and I recognise that this strenuous and determined fighting is but the prelude to greater deeds and further victories. I trust the sick and wounded are doing well."

Sir John French replied: "The forces are deeply grateful for your message, and there is no sacrifice that the troops are not prepared to make to uphold the traditions of the army and secure a final and complete victory."

THE GAINS.

FIELD MARSHAL'S SPECIAL ORDER. Received Oct. 4, 8.30 p.m. London, Oct. 3. Sir John French's special order for to-day (October 3) says:—We have now reached a definite stage in the great battle. The Allies southward have pierced the enemy's last line of entrenchments and effected, large captures of prisoners and guns. Our right was heavily opposed, but was brilliantly successful, securing Viray ridge. The operations of the British have been most successful, and have had great and important results, The First and Fourth Army Corps, on the morning of September 25, carried the enemy's first and most powerful line of entrenchments, extending from our extreme right flank at Grenay to a point north of the Hohenzollern redoubt, a distance of 6500 yards. '

THE BRITISH SUCCESSES. VALOR OF THE TROOPS. Received Oct. 4, 10.40 p.m. The enemy's position was ercepffesally strong, consisting of a double line, including large redoubts and a network of trenches and bomb-proof shelters. Some of the dugouts were large cases, thirty feet below the ground. The Eleventh Army Corps, Third Cavalry Division, and Twentieth Division wer esubsequently thrown out of the fight after the vicissitudes attendant on every great battle. The enemy's second line of posts was taken, commanding the position on Hill 70, which was finally captured. The British established themselves, consolidating on a strong line in close proximity to the Germans' third and last line.' ,

The main- operations south of La Bassee were much facilitated by subsidiary attacks by the Third and Indian Army Oorpß. In the Second Army operations the Fifth Army Corps east of Ypres rendered great help, and made important captures. The total of British captures was over three thousand men, twenty-five guns and many ma-cliine-guns. The enemy suffered heavy losses, particularly in their many counter-attacks and endeavors to wrest back the captured positions.

The Field-Marshal concludes: "I desire to express my deep appreciation of the army's splendid work, and my heartfelt thanks tp the brilliant leadership of Sir Douglas Haig and the Generals under his orders in the main attack. The troops displayed magnificent spirit, indomitable courage, and dogged tenacity. The old army and the new army of Territorials vied with each other in heroism. I am confident that the same glorious spirit will continue until our efforts are crowned with final victory." FAILURE OF GERMAN PLANS. WESTERN OFFENSIVE A SURPRISE. (Times and Sydney Sun Services.) Received Oct. 4, 5.5 p.m. London, Oct. 4.

The Times says that the German plan on the Western front trusted to a vigorous defensive, while turning all the available weight against Russia. It is obvious that the plan was to take advantage thoroughly of the 'bad Russian situation, and endeavor to ''mind up the armies and compel Russia to sue for peace. Wise Russian strategy prevented this. The Czar's assumption of the command negatives the hope of a premature peace.

German headquarters did not expect the Allies to recommence in the West bo soon after the summer offensive, and therefore they had not altered their plans. They are now facing the position with profound anxiety, knowing that they are deeply committed to the invasion of Russia, which thev are unable to abandon without admitting that their cause is lost. They will probably continue to attack at any cost, until destruction is achieved, because the danger of giving Russia time to recuperate is too deadly a risk to face. The Germans have constructed line after line of defended positions in the West, believing that strength lay in the lines and number of troops. The present general uprooting has been to show that the Allies are now so well armed as to lie able to wreck the strongest defences. The changed situation may vitally affect the whole course of the war, and Germany must create new armies to prosecute the 1010 campaign to a successful issue in order to balance the disaster of practical elimination in Russia.