IN THE WEST.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 October 1915, Page 5

IN THE WEST.

SIR JOHN FRENCH'S REPORT. ART&LERY ATROCITY. Received Oct. 25, 5.5 p.m. Lcraon, Oct. 3*. Sir John French reports: There has ■teen considerable artillery activity Southward of La Baesee Canal, but no infantry actions apart from grenade "fighting. ■Four of our airmen on Friday engaged German machines and compelled all enemy craft either to descend or flee; One dived head first from a height of seven thousand feet into a wood just behind the German lines. There have been intermittent artillery actions, mining and counter-mining on the remainder of the front, with unimportant results. AT LA BASSEE. SGPEBBiMiLLANTRY OF THE BLACK WATCH. , BRAVE HIGHLAND LADDIES. Received Oct. 25, 10.50 pjn. Paris, Oct. 25. Although the British attack northward of La Bassee on September 25th paled before that at Loos, nevertheless, it is memorable for the superb gallantry of the Black Watch who went over the parapet with the pipers playing ahead of them, while the men bombed along tfio trenches. After the first rush two pipers stood on the parapet, amid a terrific fire, and played "Hkland Laddies," the regimental charge. Their defiant skirl was heard above the noise of the bombs. One piper was shot down but his companion continued.

A Black WateK sergeant killed seven Germans with the bayonet, singlehanded. A sergeant of the Leicestershire, who was lying wounded after the retirement, saw the Germans bayonetting wounded men, so be feigned death and the marauders were content with stealing his watch. ' THE CHAMPAGNE BATTLE. ENEMY OUTWITTED. Received Oct. 26, 6.35 p.m. . Paris, Oct. 24. ' The official "Eye-witness," reviewing the Champagne battle, says that 140,000 of the enemy were put out of action, our preparations being eo skilful. The German General Staff thought a big effort was being made in Alsace, and they consequently massed important forces there. "THE FILTHY FRENCH." GERMAN SOLDIERS' LETTERS. London, Oct. 24. The French Embassy issues the text of a letter found on a German body stating: "When we captured a French trench on September 14 it waa ao crowded it seemed full of fleas. We took no prisoners, as one has got to finish oft" this vermin. It was a most Woody affair." A second letter on another body confirms the former. Referring to the -same affair it says: "We bayoneted the lot. J showed no mercy, as these filthy French mnst ibe stamped out. They must either sign a peace or all be killed." A FRENCH SUCCESS. Paris, Oct. 24. Advices from Salonika confirm the French success from Krivolak arresting the Bulgarian attack on Veles. CASUALTIES IN FLANDERS. London, Oct. 24. The casualty lists in Flanders, dated September 26-October 13, show totals of 12008 officers and 30.88 C men. DEPORTED. Amsterdam, Oct. 24. Seven thousand five hundred Belgians of military age have been deported to Germany.