IN THE WEST.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 November 1915, Page 5

IN THE WEST.

BATTLE OF LOOS. A TREMENDOUS FIGHT. SCOTS AND COCKNEYS. Received Nov. 21, 4.30 p.m. London, Nov. 20. Mr. Philip Gibbs, in a despatch from Loos, says that because people do not know what men fought one of the Moodiest struggles in history, the affair is (till Tague and impersonal. The work of the Guards has been given recognition, and the story is now told of the 15th and 47 th Divisions, who preceded the Guards. The 15th Division contained the flower of Scotland's manhood, such regiments as the Black 'Watch, the Camerons, Gordons, Argyll and Sutherlands, Seaforths, Royal Scots, King's Own Scottish Borderers, and Highland Light Infantry. {These, were now good veterans. A FOOTBALL SPRINT. The 47th Division comprised Territorials, drawn from the civil service, city offices, warehouses, and playhouses of London. As the French troops watched the Londoners advance they saw aph kicking a football, and thought mad, but he was a London Irishman, who was determined not to lose his football, and kept it during the whole 1400 yards' advance. This was the finest football sprint in history. SCENES AT LOOS. After describing the cemetery fight, and the hand-to-hand fighting at Loos, Mr. Gibbs says: "The scene on Saturday night and on Sunday morning at Loos will make one of the most astounding stones in history. Soldiers crowded among the shattered houses and corpsechoked cellars; wounded men staggered along the streets and doctors rendered first aid on the roadways, while the shells were bursting overhead and the roar of the great battle filled the air with an infernal tumult. 7 THE ATTACK ON HILL 70. "Subsequently the 15th Division and a brigade of the 21st Division attacked the redoubt of Hill 70, but failed. The Highlanders ihing. themselves against the stronghold again and again, but owing to lack of support and heavy casualties there was no progress. Both the loth and 47th Divisions were finally relieved, after three days' incessant fighting. They had proved to be soldiers worthy of the traditions of Scotland and London/'