IN THE WEST.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 December 1915, Page 5

IN THE WEST.

"THE WINTER BATTLE." PRINCE OSCAR'S NARRATIVE. OF THE BATTLE OF CHAMPAGNE, Times and Sydney Sun Services. London, Dec. C. Prince Oscar, the fifth son of the Kaiser, has written a little book called "The Winter Battle." It describes the fighting of the 3rd German Army in Champagne from February to March. Prince Oscar is an officer on the stall' of the commanding general.' Describing the defence of Hill )!>o, he was constrained to acknowledge the marvellous valor and the reckless courage and nerve of the French. It was not the French infantry attacks which made this battle so hideous, but the artillery, which converted the place into a living hell. The enormous strength produced by huge supplies of ammunition was spent lavishly and life, in the trenches was a perpetual nightmare. One day on a small part of a trench they threw a hundred thousand shells with a rapidity that equalled that of a macliine-gun of the Drnmford type. The effects of this sort of artillery work were simply dreadful and unspeakable. No known sort of earthworks was able to withstand such fire, even for a short 'time. It was impossible that any living creature could have survived the hellish turmoil. When the firing ceased to allow the French attack, our men crawled out of the tunnels with their pockets full of grenades, groped their way out of the block of foundations, crumbling cement and trickling sandbags, and grabbing their guns repulsed the French scores of times.

Suddenly, on the afternoon of March 18, the enemy attacked, densely massed. The Guards reserve received the main shock, but was not shaken. The Turoos attaeked in five lines. Our hand grenades tore hundreds limb from limb and blew the first two lines to atoms.. The succeeding lines fared no better. Those who escaped the grenades were felled with pickaxes or were bayonetted. We forced iback the writhing maelstrom of densely packed humanity, rolling the enemy back in disorderly retreat. They were swept by our heavy artillery, and the losses of the .French were inhuman and sickening. Thus ended the battle of Champagne. After months of frantic fighting and a. frightful toll of blood the French were forced to abandon the effort to penetrate our lines. The value of iron discipline was overwhelmingly demonstrated, youthful enthusiasm may be underlined and patriotism forced to temporary abeyance by an hour's cruel shelling. The very power to think becomes inhibited, and then discipline asserts itself with a bound as the determining factor. The rook upon which Germany may rest more securely than upon the shoulders of Atlas is our glorious army. SUCCESSFUL AIR RAID. WEATHER WET AND STORMY. Received Dec. 7, S.&i pin.. London, Dec. 7. Sir John French reports an air raid on Don station. The munition store was blown'up and eoveral lire? wore observed at Don. All the aviators returned safely. & The artillery bMlibardment of the enemy's trenches continues. A bomb store, was blown up at Iginette, and ruining activity continues on both sides. The weather is very wet and stormy.